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Thomas Jefferson with Helmet Hair

Hair: 'Tyranny over the mind of man'

I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. –Thomas Jefferson When someone starts an article with a Jefferson quote, you already know it’s going to be a rant, right? Clearly, Jefferson was talking about hair. The mind is in the brain; the brain…

How to Blow $20 in Boulder

How to Blow $20 in Boulder

I managed to forge a cycling purpose into a non-cycling vacation in August, 2011, using the brute force of a big-ass 1996 GMC camper van. Here are the posts: Vapid Transit, Snap Judgements, How to Blow $20 in Boulder, Public Art You Can't See from a Car, and How does your town say "˜No Bicycles?'…

Twin Bees Buzzing Around

A customer from Japan sent in this great photo of his twins in their new Burley Bee. The Yellow Gary Fisher with yellow parts looks great with the Bee. The Burley Bee is a great value at only $249.

Hi Tech or Low Tech?

The opposite sides of the bicycle technology spectrum collided the other day in my camera frame. While our Inventory Manager, Matt Irvine, had his new fixed gear Surly Steamroller rolled out for his ride home, I had rolled the A2B Metro out from the display ride to power me along the way.We both laughed seeing…

Dismount Zone

Vapid Transit

I managed to forge a cycling purpose into a non-cycling vacation in August, 2011, using the brute force of a big-ass 1996 GMC camper van. Here are the posts: Vapid  Transit, Snap  Judgements, How  to  Blow  $20  in  Boulder, Public  Art  You  Can't  See  from  a  Car, and How  does  your  town  say  "˜No Bicycles?' This is not a biking vacation. My wife and I are driving a big-ass 1996 GMC van borrowed from…

Military Bicycles

We have covered a wide range of Emergency and Patrol Services by Bike here at Utility Cycling, but it recently became apparent that we were missing one major component of this topic: military bicycles. The use of bicycles by military groups has been around for nearly as long as the bicycle. Bicycles provide an effective…

Executive Travoy

Deconstructing Burley

I was on the Burley Website recently while poaching images to use in this newsletter. When I found this guy. And I thought, I am such a dumb ass. I’m always wondering how to convince more people to take bikes seriously as transportation. Is it the economic argument? Is it the quality of life argument?…

BOB Trailers at the Muscle Beach

What other kind of vacation would inspire a skinny guy like this to flex his muscles in the psuedo, macho revelry of the joy of freedom and accomplishment? Making it anywhere under your own power is always something to be satisfied by in my book. And from the look on our friends face, I’m guessing…

John Coe Power SO Windstopper Beanie

GoreTex Bikewear Windstopper Beanie

John Coe has been an everyday, four-season bike commuter in a four-season town for almost 20 years. He blogs, when he blogs, mostly about bikes and skis and stuff at rockychrysler.blogspot.com. You’re a four-season bike commuter.   Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail deters you.   No matter what, you ride. You’re fully kitted-out for…

Magna Mountain Bike

Crappy Fathers Day

Today was Fathers Day. I don’t have any children of my own, but I have two stepchildren, and neither of them are around today. They were with their real dad today. And these kids, since the time they’ve been a part of my life, have been the recipients of the best bikes we could afford….

$40

Confusion, Sweet Confusion: The Commuter Relief Act

Two weeks ago, on June 1st, I wrote an article for Commute by Bike explaining the Commuter Relief Act. This proposed piece of legislation was introduced by longtime bicycle advocate U.S. House Representative Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore, and it seeks to incentivize "public transit benefits, vanpools, and other market-based solutions." One of the provisions that was…

Oscar Likes the Strider Balance Bike

Last year, we saw that Strider Balance Bikes were a big hit with the kids at the Hullabalo. So we decide to bring out 2 of them this year. Our friend Brent of Fratelli Pizza has been eying one for his son Oscar. Oscar is definitely sold. I’m not sure when his birthday is, but…

Factory and Parts Delivery by Bike

Even within much of utility cycling, the bicycle is mostly considered a tool for lightweight and personal tasks such as bicycle commuting or general bicycle transportation. However, we have also tried to highlight the ways in which the bicycle can also be an incredibly efficient tool for tasks with more gravity such as mail or…

Bike Chalkboard

The Best Excuse for Not Bike Commuting

We spend a lot of time overcoming the excuses people come up with not to bike commute, or to not even give it a try. Some people–adults–don’t know how to ride a bike. Never learned. Who hasn’t heard the statistics on adult literacy. Something like 21 percent of American adults could look at this majestic…