Shifting gears bike shop is closed

We are closed for a couple weeks, we are currently remodeling.  I will post when we are reopened.

Thanks,

New years day bike ride

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone, welp here in Bemidji, MN we had our new years day bike ride.  Not as many people came out this year as last year, i think the temp scared people away.  It was -11 degrees out.  I was one of them that rode, i lead the ride most of the way.  We started at the Cabin Coffeehouse Café 

and went down to our waterfront, 

then to the Sanford event centre.

The ride was 7 miles long, i only went for 5 because my toes got really cold...  Two of the riders; Natalie and Shaun went all the way around Lake Bemidji, ( thats 17.6 miles long).  We ended at the Cabin Café with hot chocolate/coffee and chocolate chip cookies, yum!  We also had on display, the new Nice Ride bicycle that will be introduced to Bemidji in Early to mid April, 2014.  

Although it will be neon orange and have a basket on the front.  

Well i hope you all have a good new year, and lets bike our way into 2014...

Keep on Biking in the cold...

Guest writers

I have had some of you comment asking to either guest write on here or have me guest write on their website/blog.  I am willing to do both, but i can not access blogs or emails from the comment section for some reason.  So if you wanna talk about guest writing, please email me: bemidjiyehudamoon@gmail.com

-i have also had some of you ask for advice, if you want advice of writing, blog sites, starting your own blog, feel free to email me about that as well, im here to answer your questions.  No question is stupid either...

I hope to hear from you...

Keep on biking...

Merry Christmas to all

Happy holidays to everyone.  The new year is coming and so are new years resolutions.  And i have a few:

1: i will be putting new posts every thursday.

2: i will be winter riding more often.  ( i have only riden my bike once this winter).

!!!ATTENTION!!!

I am looking for guest writers for the new year.  If you want to be a guest writer please email me at: bemidjiyehudamoon@gmail.com, subject line: guest writer.  

Keep on Winter Biking...

Homemade Xtra-cycle

I have created an extended bicycle.  I am doing a few tweaks to it yet, but it rides in all 21 gears.  I used two bike frames that used 700c rims, i took the fork out of the black bike along with the handlebars.  Put the seat post of the red bike through the front tube, and into the seat tube of the red bike.  Then i took the right side of the crank assembly on the black off, and put a left crank arm on the right side with both arms facing same direction.  I put bolts through each pedal bolt hole, and thrugh the rear drop out of the red bike.  I  am going to try and build a few more in the next few weeks.  I will be updating my progress on them...

Keep on Biking....

Transitioning from summer to winter riding

Well im only almost a week late, but i have been working on articles.  Lifes been busier than usual and rediculious.  So here it is:

Transitioning from summer to winter riding

Well, its winter time again.  Time to take off the street tires and slap on the studded tires.  Add space between our tires and our fenders, getting the long johns out and putting the t-shirts away.    Riding in the summer is easy to plan for and so it winter (sometimes), but the transition between the two is the tricky point.  Can be 10 degrees in the morning and 80 by the time you get home.  I have a few steps to help you transition:

1: Wear wool,

Wool, especially marino wool is very warm and also breathable for those warmer times.  I wear a marino wool ballacalava, locally made wool gloves/mittens, and wool socks.  Wool also helps discuise that sweat smell if you happen to sweat while riding.

2: carry a change of clohing,

Carry along a change of clothing for warmer weather, just incase.  The weather men arent always right, and with that said maybe also carry warmer clothes too just incase it dips farther down.

3: get winter or studded tires,

You will want tires to help you stay up on the snow and ice,  studded tires are great for if you ride on a lot of ice, but mountain tires are great for riding in just snow.  If you are riding in both snow and ice, then i would suggest studded tires.

To be continued in hopefully less than a week.

Keep on Biking...

How to Buy a Bicycle

I found this article on Wikihow, and I think it describes the process really well.


How to Buy a Bicycle:

When you go to a bike shop to buy a bicycle, you may feel overwhelmed by the selection. This article will help you to find the perfect bike by telling you which bike to look for, how to test drive it, and how to get the best deals at a bike shop or through the Web.

EditSteps

Part One: Picking Out Your Bike

1. 1
   Decide which type of bike you want. Will you use the bike to ride around town, hit the trails or climb mountains, or a combination of both?
   • Buy a road bike for riding on smooth pavement. Road bikes have lighter frames and slimmer tires. They are not designed to ride over rough terrain, so they don't have suspension systems that absorb shock. Road bikes are a good fit for riders with a strong back. Flexibility is needed due to bent over riding position.
     
     
     
   • Choose a mountain bike for riding on trails or mountain biking. The tires are large with significant tread, which helps to grab the surface and propel you forward when you're going uphill. Also, the frame is heavier, and the bike has a suspension system to absorb shock. Most mountain bike handlebars are straight and can create discomfort if rode long distance on paved trails.
     
     
     
   • Pick a hybrid bicycle. If you want to ride your bike around the neighborhood and want a upright riding position. Some hybrids with double walled rims can handle some off road riding.[1]
     
     
     
2. 2
   Appraise yourself as a cyclist. Be honest about your current ability, and consider where you'd like to be in the future. Purchase a bike that's right in the middle of your current skill level and your ideal vision of yourself.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Set your price range. You can always purchase a used bike if you're on a budget. Try to find a bike shop with a trade in program.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Ask your friends. If you have friends who are cyclists, ask them for recommendations before you buy a bicycle. If you don't know any cyclists, then e-mail your local cycling club.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Research bikes online. Online is a great option to consider when buying a bike. Because online retailers don't necessarily have to showcase and stock their bikes, they can pass on the savings to in the form of a cheaper price.
   
   
   
   • Compare frames and components so that you are familiar with the important parts of a bike. You should primarily look for a good frame. You can always upgrade components later. Getting the right fit is extremely important. [2]
     
     
     
   • Most bike shops are there to help you get started and will guide you. Don't go in with online printouts. Bike shops cannot compete with high volume. They offer service and certified technicians.
     
     
     

Part Two: Test Driving Your Options

1. 1
   Sit on the bike to check the fit. Are you too stretched out? Are the controls easy to use and reach? How do you feel? What is your overall impression?
   
   
   
   • Notice the distance from the seat to the bottom of the pedal stroke and the angle at which you have to lean to hold the handlebars.
   • The frame size of the bike is fixed, so take the time to try several different options to find the best fit.
2. 2
   Check the tires. A slimmer tire is better for quick riding, and a slicker tread is better for city riding over smoother surfaces. For safety and convenience, look for tires that have built-in flat protection.[3]
   
   
   
3. 3
   Test drive the bike to see if you like it. Like a car, a bike is usually something you want to try out before you purchase it. It might look nice and dandy, but if it doesn't feel good and respond to your body in the proper way, what's the use?
   
   
   
   • Consider the weight of the frame. A lighter frame is easier to propel but will also be more expensive.
     
     
     
   • Your body should feel comfortable as you ride. Your knee should bend slightly at the bottom of the pedal revolution. You should be able to reach the brakes easily, and your upper body shouldn't feel cramped on a flat surface.
     
     
     
   • Make sure that the bicycle handles turns smoothly and that you can sit and stand easily while you're on a hill.
     
     
     

Part Three: Buying a New or Used Bicycle in Person

1. 1
   Call your local bike shops. Find out what types of bikes they sell, and choose a shop that specializes in the kind of bike that you want. It might be helpful to have a budget in mind.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Walk the sales floor and check out the bikes that you've researched. Tell the salesperson your goals, and ask for recommendations.
   • Be wary of a salesperson who steers you toward a significantly different type of bike, particularly if that bike is out of your price range.
   • At the same time, listen to suggestions. For example, if the salesperson recommends a slightly different frame style than the ones you've researched, ask why. If the salesperson has a good explanation, then consider the suggestion.
3. 3
   Ask the bike shop about service plans. Many shops, for example, offer a year of free tune-ups along with your purchase.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Negotiate your price. If you printed prices from online source, then show the prices to the salesperson to see if the shop will match the price. If the shop offers you a slightly lower price or throws in a service plan, then you may have a good deal.
   
   
   

Part Four: Buying a New or Used Bike Online

1. 1
   Find the bicycle that you want on the Web. With an online purchase, you get to shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You're also more likely to find a competitive price.
   
   
   
   • Look for retailers in your area who have brick-and-mortar stores as well as online purchase options. That way, you can test drive the bike at the store and then buy the bike you want online.
   • Check out sites like eBay, Bicycle Peddler and Craigslist for used bikes.
     • EBay can be a great choice because, since you'll be bidding on the bike, you'll stick with your budget. You will have to pay for shipping if you don't buy from a local salesperson.
     • Craigslist can also be great because you can pick up your bike locally, and you probably won't have to assemble it. You'll also have the chance to test drive it before you buy it.
     • Bicycle Peddler is also a good place to look. The site is just starting out but has one of the best advanced searches for both new and used bike.[4]
2. 2
   Order your bike and either pick it up or wait for it to arrive.
   
   
   
• If your bike comes in pieces, take it to your local bike shop and pay someone to assemble it for maximum safety. Even if your bike comes from another retailer, you will still need to develop a relationship with your local bike retailer in case you need future assistance.[5]
• Test drive the bike after it's put together. If you don't like it, and you bought it from a retailer, disassemble it and ship it back or return it to a brick-and-mortar store.

Keep on Biking....