kid on mini footsies, originally uploaded by xtracycleinc.
A new xtracycle user sent us this picture of some up-high footsies he made for his grandkids. We always love seeing this stuff! (more…)
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!]).
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??
Having recently had a child myself, I’ve been fully obsessed with the myriad ways bikes and bike makers attempt to haul small people on bikes. Mark came into the Emeryville office last week and asked a few questions and then casually asked if I’d like to see his bike… I was blown away. The bike he showed did not include the cute kids pictured, but it did feature the childseat which Mark fashioned himself from 3/8″ marine plywood, nylon straps, a beautiful padded seat with Koi print fabric, and even a classy Asian style woodcut behind the seat. I ran into Marc on the road with his son yesterday and he told me that he and his son were loading up the Xtracycle and going camping in the Berkeley hills this weekend. Hat’s off to you Mark — an inspiration to parents and cyclists everywhere. –Nate
Via RocktheBike.com:
Sean and his wife run FlowToys.com — they make light toys for Poi dancing and staff spinning. They recently came out with a new product called the FlowLight, a cool fish-shaped toy with about a dozen different light modes that look especially cool while spinning or moving. The LED's flicker in ways that cause a 'persistence of vision effect'.
Sean was heading to the Oregon Country Fair, a multi-day festival, to sell his wares. He tricked out his Xtracycle with bins to showcase his staffs and store his FlowToy inventory. There are shimmering reflective holographic stickers on the main triangle of the frame. He also purchased some custom "ghost" colored Down Low Glow (a light purplish white).
Sean came up with a custom kickstand for his rig too.
It should be noted that Xtracycle frames have a cantilevered rear section. So supporting it from the rear is not appropriate for some applications, like bike blending, when there will be a rider on the bike.
I think the coolest part of Trish’s adventure is that she sold all of her stuff before leaving! Talk about liberation.
I’m trying to decide how to spin this, because it was partly one of those inspiring loads that makes me feel “hell yeah, that’s why I ride an Xtracycle” and partly I just felt stupid.
The plastic company I use for the polycarbonate in the Down Low Glow had my home address on their file for my shipping address. So there I was with eight feet of polycarbonate tubing, well more like 160 feet, actually, that I had to get to the Rock the Bike workshop across the Bay in Berkeley. A few months ago I would have borrowed my girlfriend’s car. But, umm, I can’t do that anymore. And I need to work with that tubing tomorrow. Hence the Xtracycle.
At first I felt pretty badass. I stuck my messenger bag in the front of the freeloader to separate the box from my pedal stroke, since I didn’t have a longloader handy. I loaded the tubing quick enough. I felt good enough about the whole affair to stop and snap a picture.
Then I realized the tire was flat. And it was getting towards 4:30PM. Which means I wouldn’t be able to get on BART if I patched the thing. So I threw on a wheel from another bike, which worked well enough.
BART was tricky. I used the escalators and rolled into the last car. People weren’t stressed about the wierd bike, but I could tell they were having to think a little harder to get to their seats. At the West Oakland platform I decided to get off. There was no down escalator, so I slid the bike down the stairs, Travois style, on the tubing.
The worst part of the whole thing was that it has happened before! It’s just that before, I had that car as a backup, so I didn’t even take the time to call my salesman at the Plastic Company and get it sorted out. That’s car culture for you!
If there’s one thing we’ve learned on this journey, it is how to keep the stress in check. I mean, you simply can’t survive a 12 year expedition without a little perspective! Some friends had a slackline up at their house when we were hanging out last Sunday and I got inspired to set up one at the Willow Springs Mystery Ranch. I had seen a piece of webbing and an old biner kickin’ around. So we strung it up, and have been wobbling our way into balance. fun!
