FACT: Maricopa County, Arizona, where I call home, is the fastest growing county in the United States. That is not me talking, that is the U.S. Census Bureau. The data says we add an average of 222 people every day. FACT: Arizona has the highest rate of pedestrian deaths in the nation. Again, that ain’t…
3 Questions: Do you ride your bicycle to work? Do you carry a smart phone with you? Are you on social media? If you answered yes to the 3 above questions, you are well qualified to participate in #BikeCommuteAdventure. A few years ago, after I’d moved to a new house here in Tucson, I was…
Happy Small Business Saturday everyone! As the editor of this cycling blog and the owner of www.CampfireCycling.com, I generally find myself as deep in the weeds of small business as I am in immersed in the world of cycling. And I’m often tempted to write about my various small business trials and tribulations here at…
I started out with the mindset to write solely about Burley D’Lite trailer maintenance. I kept however returning to the idea that the day to day maintenance of all trailers AND bikes are some common concerns. The basic care, tools and checklist is really what is so important and not enough people discuss this other…
So, my husband and I want to travel for our last summer hurrah! You know, in Tucson, before school starts it is HOT! We have one last chance to experience the beach and cooler weather possibly before the kids head off and life, well, gets even crazier all over again! And you definitely know you…
Oh my, oh my, oh my- it is a hot one out there! This is what we mostly have been hearing this summer from meteorologists across the country. Hotter than normal for the most part. Whether it is that ‘dry heat’ we have here in Tucson, AZ or the thick humidity and heat of the…
So, you have a new addition to the family. Small, cute and precious. You have been taking care of this bundle 24hrs a day and going crazy with an urge to ride- with them. Now what? Where do you go? What do you do? What do you choose? They are so small, moody and well,…
May is National Bike Month so I only see it fitting to write a little about events taking place to strengthen the bicycle community and with that, biking families. As author Russell Anderson so eloquently states ‘Bike riding is great for family involvement. It’s something fun to bring everyone together.’ Being from Tucson we are…
Ever get those local car sales commercials in your area? You know the super cheesy ones? Ever wonder what it would look like if a bike shop did the same thing? Well, you can stop wondering and watch the video below. You might be disappointed. So I set the bar super low. The Thule Coaster…
Hi, my name is Carissa Sipp and I am a trailer parent. I admit it, I am addicted. So what is a trailer parent you ask? Any parent who commutes or hauls little kids on bike rides and would rather do this than get in a car. We are a little lazy as the thought…
My son Jackson, just turned one and it was time to figure bike transportation for him and our 4 year old daughter by bicycle. We first thought about setting up my Xtracycle Edgerunner with a 2nd Yepp Child seat. But then we thought #1 I want to sell that bike and try out something different…
If you remember the Bugle Boy Commercial from the late 80’s you’re going to love our Swrve video. Swrve may spell their name funny, but I can assure you that their cycling specific clothing is some of the best in the business. Swrve focuses on making cycling clothing that goes from bike to office without…
The Mountain Feed Bag by Revelate Designs may be one of the most versatile bags we carry. Deemed the Handlebar Coozie by one of the most famous cyclist in Tucson, it will be your carryall bag for everything from a water bottle to a Glock 42. You need this bag for your daily commute or…
As I’ve mentioned recently, we’ve got some big plans here at the Campfire Cycling blog. We’re focusing on #1 improving the quality and consistency of our content. And #2 improving the design and functionality of our blogging software (Through WordPress Custom Theming). For the content side of things, we’re currently recruiting four bicycle bloggers to…
Tucson’s All Souls Procession has grown into an event of epic proportions. I decided this year to capture some of the bicycles that joined the festivities. While the season has transitioned from spooky to thankful to festive, I wanted to get this up before all of the holiday cheer had subsided. Think Nightmare before Christmas….
A few weeks ago, I moved from a house where I had a very simple bike commute (I rode straight down one road for 3 miles) to house located such that there are a wide array of route options. As I began exploring these various routes, I was reminded how enjoyable it is to optimize…
For the first time in more than 20 years I do not have a bicycle. Here’s what happened: The bike that I have been using since I arrived in Madagascar belonged to the Government of the United States of America (USA). A few days ago, I wrapped up my contractual obligations to that particular organization,…
In my ongoing search for the perfectly usable bicycle, I made some very interesting strides using an Xtracycle Edgerunner as my platform. Most notable among my advancements in the JOYBAG philosophy was my lock configuration. But the day has come where I need to move onto another bicycle. As a bike shop owner, I find…
One of the more annoying aspects of everyday bicycle use is fumbling with a bicycle lock. Arriving at your destination by automobile, on the other hand, is a smooth elegant experience. With the click of a button, you are off on your merry way. Why can’t we ride our bicycles and lock them with ease…
There are lot of photos of my left hand and arm in this post. But if you look closely, you’ll see a couple of bikes. Some bicyclists do need to carry water — a few yards, or even miles from where the water will be consumed. It’s the way of the world, but maybe not…
After a week in Madagascar, I finally got a bike! I rode home to my apartment, taking selfies all the way. That week without a bike served me well. I spent some time on foot, in taxis, taking small public transportation buses (taxi brousse), and bumming rides from various colleagues with their SUVs. I observed…
In my haste and excitement of my first post, I neglected to introduce myself. My name is Kohl Martin and I am originally from St. Louis, MO. I have been in Tucson for about 3 years and this is an awesome bike community. I am also a musician. I play saxophone, flute, and I do…
I’ve been doing a lot of driving lately. A lot.Recently I was driving on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson. I noticed something — some things — poking off of the front wheel of a semi truck: spikes jutting out several inches from each wheel lug where only short nuts should be necessary.Naturally I pulled…
THE DAILY COMMUTE Most you know how the everyday commute is a stress reliever as much as it can be a stress inducer. It took me quite awhile to find the route with the least amount of traffic as well as the all-around safest route i.e. dodging sketchy neighborhoods and avoiding pothole strewn streets as…
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