Prana Visit from Xtracycle and the 2 Mile Challenge, originally uploaded by xtracycleinc.

Mike Hill of Prana took this shot when the Clif Bar Two Mile Challenege rolled through southern california.

I don’t know if this was a conscious spoof on Xtracycle co-founder Ross Evan’s yoga shot of Darren Rhodes from Tucson’s legendary Yoga Oasis.

Regardless, the Xtracycle-Yoga connection is clear, apparently, it’s just not always clean.

Check more great photos from Mike’s website of the visit here: www.mikehill.com/data/web/2mile/. Really, not to be missed.

Huntington Beach - This is how we roll…

Originally uploaded by xtracycleinc

Apparently, this is “how we roll to school” in Huntington Beach, courtesy of Kent Becker. How do you roll (to school or otherwise)? Send us your photos: info@xtracycle.com.

Riding the Spine - Summit

Originally uploaded by xtracycleinc

It was not an easy day for the Xtracycle, but it held up great and has been since you sent me the modified version. Wanted to send my thanks for ya`lls help. There´s no way we could have ridden that Volcano with a BOB trailer or panniers. Xtracycles are awesome.

Cheers,
jacob
Riding the Spine

Berkeley based Clif Bar recently unveiled their new mobile tour bus–a retrofitted, biodieseled, bike hauling interactive exhibit–dedicated to inspiring folks to take the 2 mile challenge. The 2 Mile Challenge urges visitors to commit to bikeride rather than cardrive whenever possible, and within your 2 mile radius.

Apparently, about 40% of auto trips happen within 2 miles of one’s home–trips to the grocery store, to the launderette, to a restaurant or to the gym–and 90% of those are traditionally driven (here in the U.S.). What better way to make a dent in carbon emissions, get exercise, spend time outside, meet others? Than to ride your bike? And what better bike to ride to the grocery store than your Xtracycle? Obviously, we’re preaching to the choir here.

Take the 2 mile challenge yourself online at: http://www.2milechallenge.com
This site includes a sweet Google maps program that identifies your 2-mile radius and helps you pick what kind of things you want to find there (your friend’s house, restaurants, car dealerships [gotta sell it somewhere!]).

Disc brakes are becoming increasingly popular among bike people, and they’re popping up on more and more entry level bikes. But why should you go disk?

Not everyone needs disc brakes, but the folks like you who do generally justify the expense so that:

* you can carry heavy loads/passengers down hill and avoid blowouts
* you can enjoy minimal set up and periodic maintenance, and easy on/off of the front wheel
* you can experience strong brake power even when weather conditions get wet
* you can look good (come on, let’s be honest here…disc brakes are just plain sexy

Disc brake manufacturer Tektro has recently released SUB specific hydraulic disc brakes, with larger pad surface and longer brake levers to amp up the braking power for long bikes with large loads. We haven’t tested them yet, but we hear they’re beefy.

We recently stumbled upon some user praise for the Xtracycle/Electra Townie combinations on our Forums. Not that this is particularly unusual, the forums have been fairly active these days…but what was cool was the extent to which people had thought about the FreeRadical’s effect on the Townie’s handling and performance. We thought you might want to check this out, so we’ve included some of the text below, and a link option too.

“I’ve now had my Townie 21 w/free radical for about a month, and haven’t driven or gotten on a bus since. Even loaded with groceries (including heavy or bulky stuff like kitty litter, cartons of Virgil’s rootbeer, and goji juice the Townie is a joy to ride. Not as speedy as my old lighter twelve-speed on the flat, but much more fun and comfort, and loaded, it really sails downhill.

At least 2 unexpected benefits: 1) Townie w/ free radical loaded or unloaded feels safer and easier to control than my touring bike. 2) Any bike w/ free radical is a total dude magnet! …(read more in the forums)

10/31/2007-Wed - Halloween-Willow Springs Kickoff Show
11/1/2007 -Thu - South Yuba River-Campfire
11/2/2007-Fri - Nevada City-Peaceful Valley Farm Supply 2pm…more…

Xtracycle Co-founder Kipchoge Spencer is stepping down from his role as Xtracycle president, to follow his long-time dream of taking the show on the road. His band, the Ginger Ninjas, and fellow bike musicians SHAKE YOUR PEACE!, along with an 8 person support crew, are going where none have yet pedaled (as far as we know). Setting off from Xtracycle HQ in the Sierra Foothills, they’ll make their way to southern Mexico over the next four months, carrying all of their instruments and their state-of-the-art 800 watt human-powered sound system — on their bikes, sans auto, going slow and promoting the bicycle as toy, tool, solution, trusty steed, and liberator. They invite you to connect with them in your town, send suggestions about places/people of interest, follow their progress and learn more about why??

Jeff Adams and Moxie

Originally uploaded by The Juice Peddler

We’re going to do an upcoming newsletter issue all about pets and how folks carry them by Xtracycle. Post your comments here about your own pet portage adventures. Pictured: Xtracycle enthusiast and supporter Jeff Adams with his pup Moxie.

P1010746.JPG

Originally uploaded by cleverchimp

Portland framebuilder Tony Pereira built this Xtracycle compatible longtail frame for a customer. Thanks to Todd Fahrner for the photos and bloggage. I’m a big fan of the stays running from head tube to rear drop outs–seems like the cleanest possible lines for a long bike. The arching supports in the rear are a handsome contrast to the straight tubes elsewhere. Spec’d with Big Apples, Brooks saddle, Nitto moustache bars - a stylish citified add to the emerging long tail offerings.

Cargo Van

Originally uploaded by The Juice Peddler

This weeks’ challenges were the rain and picking up my daughter from daycare and eating lunch (Clif bars don’t count as lunch) and the fact that I had loaned my seat out to another bike project and didn’t recover it…As per usual, the days I Xtracycled (instead of rolling in the cargo van) were amazing. Especially those carrying Davis in her carseat on the front cargo space–car drivers were incredulous, some delighted, others concerned. I rode by a run down house with a sign in the window reading: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”