I'm a lover of all types of bikes. I got my first job in the bike industry because of my interest in transportation bicycles. In the last 5 years I've worked on designs for trekking, touring, folding, mountain, city, kids, cruiser and even electric assist bikes. My next dream is to learn to make my own frames. In addition to bikes I love long distance motorcycle touring, camping and dining out with my wife. And I can't stand broadcast television. Or professional sports.
My route to the west: Madison, WI to Ashland, OR I must have been born lucky. I love mountain biking, as Im sure you do. We think about it during the work…
Why would I leave Trek? greatest bicycle making company ever? Wisconsin is where cheeseheads eat brats and drink beer but aint no mountains The job was awesome The perks were incredible Epic…
I took you on a tour of my local trails last season, sharing why I think these trails are so special: close to home, pedal-in convenience, that particular knowledge of the fast…
Front the website of Ultimate Direction, describing the Grind 12 hydration pack: "Loaded with features such as pump and tool pockets, organization for spare tubes and adequate room for an extra layer,…
I was afraid these shoes arrived too late for a review; out here in Wisconsin we got a mercifully mild winter and there was a 2-week spell of 70s and 80s that…
The right tool for the job; horses for courses; a nail for every hammer. I don't even know what I'm talking about! The conclusion I want you all to take away from…
Man, this 'winter' has made it tough to plan for the right gear. I imagine most of you in the cooler climates have been on a good many rides with way too…
Allow me to preach two conflicting sermons: 1 bike for many uses AND a bike for every task. First let's have full disclosure: I work in the bike industry and I want…
So I'm biased: I work for a Very Large Bike Company that makes its own tires. When these pretty things arrived, I had to keep them hidden from my coworkers. The Schwalbe…
Remember when some jackass rode his motorcycle with his cyclocross bike strapped to it for 2 hours through the fog to race on gravel roads? Well the guys from North Central Cyclery…
Ah, to be 16 again. I recently had the privilege of attending the season opener for the SoCal High School Cycling League at Vail Lake Resort in Temecula, California. If any of…
I remember seeing these trails signs this summer and thinking "What's with that guy's feet?" Those of you in the northern parts of the US and in Canada know, right about now…
This time of year really messes with my mountain bike mojo. Yes its cold, but the mountain bike industry makes all sorts of doodads that allow tough guys and girls to keep…
A little bird answered my prayers. Just the other day I was thinking to myself: "Self, you've got this great Gary Fisher Collection Rig single speed. Why don't you buy the drive…
Preface: I spent 9 incredible days of riding in back-to-back exotic (for me) locations famous for their mountain bike trails. Ill lay them out in the manner that makes sense to me…
Here is part two of my mountain bike immersion experience from last month. As I posted previously I spent a week in Copper Harbor Michigan for a work retreat and riding extravaganza.…
Preface: I spent 9 incredible days of riding in back-to-back exotic (for me) locations famous for their mountain bike trails. I'll lay them out in the manner that makes sense to me…
If you haven't heard, Eurobike just exploded with the best bikes ever in the history of bikes existing earlier this month. This post will differ from most of the others you may…
Don't worry about derailleurs, we'll screw those up later. And reflectors? Really? One can acquire a mountain bike frame. In these dark times one can also acquire name-brand Japanese drivetrain parts on…
Well how would you do it?
International travel is a highly unique experience, and the act reveals much about ourselves and the things we carry. Those who travel far and often are a ritualistic and superstitious bunch (or…
A great place to start and the more technical of the two trail loops in The Kettles. The midwest is flat. Maybe around here they should call it hillbiking, but that just…
Have you been watching the Tour de France? Are you seeing what those spandex-clad fellas are getting themselves into? Dozens of hungry looking guys with really bad tan lines tossing themselves onto…
10 Reasons to watch Pedal Driven, a BIKEumentary: 1. You saw the earlier Singletracks blog post by trek7k about the fundraising efforts to complete the movie. If you pledged, you're part of…
Ahhhh, home sweet home Your local trails: they're the home stadium, your turf. I submit that there are a huge list of things that make your go-to singletrack a very special place…
The video above got me curious about this whole gravel riding phenomenon out here in the middle west. Then I saw this and I was hooked: A better name for this race:…
Where else are you going to meet people like these? "What do you do?" It's that stereotypically American question. Does what we do define us? Hell no! But aren't we conditioned from…
You may not think the residents of Philly can shred; perhaps you think their waking hours are spent honking at each other, eating dog food sandwiches cheesesteaks, acting crass at major sporting…
Front caliper with trick ano-crossover tube; no piston in sight Let me start this off with a confession: I'm horrible at homework. My internet research skills are second to none, but if…
The Bike Book in all its glory Rob van der Plas's and Stuart Baird's publication Bicycle Technology landed on my desk as the first bit of swag to review in my early…
So you want to work in the bike industry? Well, realize one thing first: I lied in the title of this post. You'll have to try pretty darn hard or get lucky…
A view from above: a small section of the action Things I learned during my visit to Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 1. The amount of rad that can…
A mystery box arrived on my desk last week, the contents of which attracted loads of interest around here: Ashima composite body hydraulic disc brakes. The 180mm front and 160mm rear setup…
A first look at James Wilson's 12 week MTB DB Combo training course. A weight lifting regimen you can do in 45 minutes 3 times a week to get you stronger for those long trails ahead. Something for us in the deep freeze to look forward to...
Yup, it feels that way sometimes. When Jeff sent me the email informing me I was picked to be on the Singletracks blog team, I almost turned him down. At the time…
Sometimes it's not about the bike at all. Sometimes, through circumstances outside of your control, you're taking a ride outside your comfort zone. But regardless of the gear, the weather, or the…
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