Happy Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone, and safe biking.  Happy candy collecting.

Keep on Biking....

Preparing for winter biking

if your preparing to bike/commute in the winter, you will need to get you bike prepared.  There are a few things i would recommend that you do:

1. Change out all of the cables and housings.
2. check your brake pads, and replace them if needed.
3. check your tires and make sure that they have tread.
4. grease up your bottom bracket, or replace it with a sealed bottom bracket. (you never have to grease them and they last forever.)
5. Each week, do a ABC check
1. A: for Air: check the air in your tires.
2. B: for Brakes: check your brakes.
3. C: for Crank: check your crank arms, pedals, and bottom bracket.
6. Have a seat that is covered with fabric, so that you won't have to worry about cracking and keep a plastic bag over it so it doesn't soak up the moisture.
7. install fenders if you don't have them, they are a good idea.  They help prevent your back from getting soaked from all the snow, mud, and/or water from flying off of the tires and onto your back.
8. Have light on your bike, in the winter the sun doesn't stay out as long as in the summer, so you'll need lights.
9. Plus I would recommend getting a reflective vest along with the lights. 

If you follow these tips you will not only be able to keep your bike running, but you'll also be safe.  

If you have any questions or you need any repairs, please call me @: 218-760-6931.

Keep on Biking....

Bicycling Tour Pro: Part 2

Here is an email i got from the Bicycling Pro:

Join Me Today For A Free Bicycle Touring Webcast

Today at 5 PM BST (London Time) I will be broadcasting live from my current location in Brasov, Romania where I will be discussing bicycle travel in eastern Europe and answering any questions you might have about planning, preparing for or executing your own bicycle touring adventures.

I conduct these webcasts so I can talk about and pass on some of the lessons I've learned from my own bicycle travels... and more importantly, so I can answer any questions you might have about conducting your own bicycle tours.
If you'd like to join me today, Thursday, October 25th for this live Internet event, simply visit the link below at 5 PM BST (London Time) or 10am CDT (Central Daylight Time).

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bicycle-touring-pro
I hope to see you there!


Darren Alff
contact@bicycletouringpro.com
www.bicycletouringpro.com

BicycleTouringPro.com, PO Box 982216, Park City, UT 84098, USA

Don't miss it i think it will be cool to see. I will be watching.

Keep on Biking...

Bicycling Touring Pro

I found a website from a guy who is a pro at touring and bicycling in general. you can sign up for daily emails about different topic each day.  http://bicycletouringpro.com/blog/ Go to the website and scroll to the bottom and click on the sign up button.

Sign up for Bicycle Touring Pro's

FREE Email Newsletter

and Learn About:

• The six main types of bicycle tours
• The gear you need for bicycle touring
• How to map out a safe cycling route
• What to look for in a quality touring bicycle
• How to physically prepare for your trip
• Plus... a whole lot more!

I have found most of the info to be really helpful.  If you are thinking about Touring, then i think this is for you, and even if your not, there are some helpful hint about biking in there.  Check it out.

Keep on Biking...

Bemidji Is Bicycle Friendly!!!!!

Yay, we made it to the bronze level of being bicycle friendly, check out the video from Lakeland Publice News:

Attendents:
Dorian Grilley
Dave Larson
Diane Pittman
Natalie Gille
Dillon Engel
Just to name a few, in all around 15 to 20 bicyclist attended.


The city of Bemidji was named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclist on Monday afternoon. Bemidji was recognized for its cycling education programs, investing in infrastructure, cycling promotion and pro-bicycling policies. Shown above, Bike Alliance of Minnesota Executive Director Dorian Grilley, left, presents the award to Diane Pitman, bicycle advocate and founder of Shifting Gears, Marcia Larson with the Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department and Mayor David Larson. Nationwide, 242 cities were selected to receive the distinction. In addition, The Bike Guy Ski and Bicycle Shop in Bemidji and the Cabin Coffeehouse and Cafe were designated as Bike Friendly Businesses. by: Bemidji Pioneer, Monte Draper.

 

 

Keep on biking...

Do you have bicycles you want to get rid of?

If you have bikes just sitting in the garage, around the house, in the yard, etc..., bring them to Shifting Gears. you can donate your bike to us and we will get them to someone who needs a bike, who other wise would not be able to afford one.  We are located at 303 Railroad St. SW, Bemidji, MN, If you go over the Irvine Bridge located next to the Woolen Mills, once you get over the bridge, take the first left and we are at the bottom of the hill on the left side, just look for the Shifting Gears sign.  We're just before the Railriver Folk School and Across from the Irvine Surplus Outlet store.  If we are not there, you can leave the donated bike behind the shop near the Wooden Pallets.  If you would like to Donate them When we are there, I am usually there on Tuesdays: 12:00pm to 4:00pm and Friday: 10:00am - 4:00pm, or give me a call at 218-760-6931.

Keep on Biking...

GOTTA CHECK OUT YAHUDA MOON if you haven't already

You have to check out Yahuda Moon, he is funny: www.yahudamoon.com/, You gotta check it out.  He's funny.

Maintain your bike and it will maintain you

Do you know how to maintain your bike, repair it, just know the basics, or nothing at all.  If you want to know the basics of how to maintain your bike i have some videos that i found online: http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/cars/learn-basic-bike-repair-with-these-9-diy-videos/page/2/
and here's some other great videos about adjustments and more: http://www.intownbicycles.com/, When you get to the site pan your mouse over the "how to" tab and pan down to "Bicycle repair videos" and then click on the video that you want. If you want a actual person to teach you about this stuff, then you can either check at one of the local bike shops: The Home Place Bike and Ski shop, or The Bike Guys, or if non of them are giving classes, you can give me a call @ 218-760-6931 and I can give classes individually or in a group. Take the knowledge into your own hands and know your bike and how it works.   Knowing how to change a tire, adjust one of your derailleurs, clean your bike, and keep it running for years to come.  It just starts with you wanting to know.  Find out, you never know what you'll learn...

Keep on Biking...

Wondering About Recumbent bikes?

Frequently asked Questions:

1. Wondering how they feel?
2. how good are they to ride?
3. Are they good for your back?
4. Are they hard to drive?
5. Does it take a lot of balance to ride one?

Answers:

1. They are very comfortable.
2. They are nice to ride, different if your not used to riding one, but you get used to it.
3. I have a bad back and it helps mine.
4. Not really, some of them take some getting used to, but all in all they are very nice to ride and drive.
5. with the Long wheeled base recumbents, No,  but with the short wheeled base ones, Yes, you will need some balance.

          Are curious about what it is like to ride one, if you see someone on the road or trail, or maybe someone you know that has one, they might let you take a spin so you can experience what it is like to ride a recumbent bike.  They are very comfortable, nice thick seat with back rest, it's almost like sitting in a lazyboy chair with wheels and pedals.  they are very aerodynamic (excuse my spelling if thats wrong).  They are expensive to buy,
this is a short wheeled base recumbent.

MSRP

$1,795.00

this is a long wheeled base recumbent.

MSRP-Frame Set Only

$1,680.00

(Prices and pictures from www.rans.com/, for more info check out their website, click on the bicycle tab and click on recumbents.)

If you can find them used, and in good condition, you will still pay around $800.00 to about $1,200.00 depending on the condition of the bike. They are somewhat easy to work on when you know what your doing, even if you don't know everything about them, even just knowing the basics can help, and for the other parts you don't know how to work on, have a bicycle shop that does help you out at a reasonable price.  Always check prices before you agree to have work done. 

If you ever want to test ride a recumbent and don't know anyone who has one, just send me an email and you can test ride one, even the next day if wanted.  thesprocketshop@gmail.com. Or if you see me on the street/trail and want to test it out, I can either make an appointment to meet or test it out right there.

Keep on Biking...

ITS WINTER TIME AGAIN!!!

Getting ready for winter is hard, when you don't know what to expect in the upcoming snowy months.  I am expecting the worst but hoping for the best. The best thing to do when your getting ready for the winter is, be able to wear layers, so that if you start to sweat you can peal a layer and still stay warm but yet not get chilled.  I always try to wear at least 3-5 layers when it's about 20 to 40 degrees, and 4-7 layers when it's about -10 to 20 degrees.  One it helps insulate and it helps with not getting chilled.  I also wear a face mask and a bomber hat with my layers.  I am going to invest in a pair of snowboarding eyewear to protect my eyes and prevent them from watering when I go out side.  I will update more about winter biking when i have more info.

Keep on Biking...

check out this blog

This is Dan's blog, he is one of my fellow bike repairmen that i work with at Shifting Gears;
http://thesavvycyclest.blogspot.com

Schwinn Suburban Update

The Bike is done!!! it took two cans of green spray paint and half a can of antique cream paint, to finish the bike, but it looks nice.  I will post pictures later on...

Keep on biking....

Winter is Coming

winter is coming, is everyone ready for winter biking?  i am almost ready, just need to buy goggles.  We are suppose to get 3-6 inches here, and i'm excited for it to come, but i will also be even more excited to see it go away in the spring.   

Keep winter biking...