Interbike reports

Bryan Ball of BentRider Online has written a series of articles about the latest developments in the recumbent world presented at Interbike 2006. Rans introduced a titanium version of the Stratus XP, and a new model the V3 titanium. There are several new variations on their crank forward line as well. Easy Racers will soon be selling a carbon fiber highracer with a 700C rear wheel and a 650C front wheel. Two other carbon fiber bikes were introduced as well, the C-Rush and a monotube model the Javelin.

John Schubert of Adventure Cycling has also written about Interbike on the Adventure Cycling Blog.

Interbike 2006

Tim, our head mechanic, will be back soon from his brief visit to Las Vegas to attend Interbike, the massive bicycle industry expo held each year. It's an opportunity for bike shop owners and employees to get to meet the many people with whom they deal with on the phone on a daily basis.

To read about some of the latest advancements in the bike world, visit the Adventure Cycling Interbike blog, or ask Tim about the show the next time you see him.

Oregon Coast tour

As I have mentioned here before, I have a New World Tourist folding bike made by Bike Friday. I've used it on many trips in the past; I love the bike and each time I use it on a trip I fall in love with it again. I don't use it much when at home. I have a Rans V-Rex short wheelbase recumbent that is my commuting and local touring bike.

Last month my wife Kerie and I travelled to Portland, Oregon to ride a Bicycle Adventures tour of the Oregon Coast. The tour we chose this year was their “budget” tour, which meant we stayed in basic accomodations and didn't have dinner at gourmet restaurants. We had a great trip and I took some notes and photos that I've posted on my website under Oregon Coast 2006.

Jim O'Grady Wins Dahon Speed 7

DahonWinner
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

We have teamed up with ZipCar in an effort to increase the use of alternative transportation. In July, ZipCar asked its members to write a haiku about a folding bike. Jim O'Grady's entry was selected as the winner and his haiku read:

A foot of empty
space is what my house holds. I
don't care: my bike folds.

The photo records the moment last week when Jim visited the store and picked up his new Dahon Speed 7. I'm shown holding a bunch of ZipCar brochures to make Adam Johnson of ZipCar feel good about the promotion. Jim has just test ridden his Speed 7 which he plans to use for commuting. We've got the bikes@vienna sign centered above our heads. Yep, we've got the bases covered.

bikes@vienna provides ZipCar members with a 15% discount on the purchase of Dahon bicycles. We're serious about fighting "oil addiction" and reducing the number of motor vehicles on the roadways.

Bill Cook Tells of His Cross Country Ride

BillCook
Originally uploaded by bikes@vienna.

Bill Cook of Barcroft Cycles was the speaker today at Vienna Rotary. Bill captivated the Rotarians with stories from his ride from Seattle to Washington, DC as part of the 30th Anniversary Adventure Cycling Ride Across America. You can learn about Bill's adventure by clicking on the link to his blog that appears on the bikes@vienna home page.

Burley: Undergoing Change

If you've visited bikes@vienna then you've seen the many Burley products we have in the store. We have enjoyed selling their tandems, recumbents, and trailers. As of last Friday Burley changed ownership and closed down their bicycle lines. They will not be manufacturing tandems, recumbents, commuter bikes, and road bikes any more this year. There is no indication if they will manufacture bicycles in the future (after the 2007 model year). Burley indicates that the focus will be on trailers.

We'll continue to carry Burley trailers. Their trailers are well made. I wish them well in their efforts to keep their business operating. They have initiated change to save the business and now we will have to initiate change to adjust to Burley's shift.

It is rarely dull here at bikes@vienna.