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.