GearCrave Showcases Another Sweet Ride

GearCrave is featuring another nice bike in one of today’s product reviews.  For some reason I think these guys have a slight fascination (fixation) for  the single-gear urban trekker.  Their latest product showcase features the Veloheld Urban Spring Classic Bike.  This bike offers a stylish look and represents the latest in lightweight, urban fashion accessories-the single gear bike.  That’s right, one speed.

The bike, itself, looks pretty snazzy and can fool a lot of people in to thinking you can go really fast.  The $900 price tag is in the moderate range, but for a single-geared bike I am not sure if it is worth the price.  So, if you work for Veloheld, I would be interested in a free test ride/review opportunity, but only if I’m allowed to keep the bike;)

Go checkout Gearcrave.  If the bike isn’t of interest, perhaps you can learn a thing or two about some 1960’s Film Posters or refresh your personal style with a new look–like that of a Chow Mo-wan Film.  No need to explain, go check it out.

Homegrown Biking: Blogger Building Trans Utah Challenge

Dave, over at the 2 Epic blog, is in the process of building his first Trans Utah challenge.  This isn’t a corporate entity, and as a matter of fact, the challenge begins at Dave’s house in St. George, Utah.  His plan is to take this thing all the way to Moab.  The first leg of the Trans Utah challenge will go from St. George to Escalante–a distance of 300 miles.

The first leg of the Trans Utah challenge will involve elevations of 2,500-10,000 ft.  You will ride over dirt roads, fireroads, single-track and pavement.

This sounds like a great event with a homegrown feel.  People are already lining up to ride with Dave and make his venture a success.  The Trans Utah will begin at 3am on October 3rd.  The time is a bit harsh, but as Dave explains, quite necessary:

but 3 am to get out of the desert lowlands at an early hour. Iv’e seen it hit 100+ that time of year here - it isn’t typical, but possible. We’ll scoot through town as a group/prologue in the dark, ride through big mesa territory in the early morning hours and hit the big climbs to the mountains in the morning. I get excited just thinking about it!

What better way to inspire people than to come up with something new, and a bit different.  I wish Dave success on this venture, and who knows, maybe this will become a yearly event.

From what I have gathered, there is no entry fee to join up with Dave.  He might get a bit sketchy about me publicizing his venture (1,000 people crammed into Dave’s house might become a problem), but I thought it was a great idea and I look forward to following along with the progress on Dave’s 2 Epic blog.

If you would like more information, please visit Dave’s 2 Epic blog as, I am sure, he will be making a few more updates along the way.

Fat Cyclist: When All You Need Is A Little Laughter

Fat Cyclist.com has got to be one of the most entertaining biking blogs that I have ever read.  The title draws you in with brief images of fat people in spandex chugging up a big hill.  Luckily that image isn’t part of the program (yet).

Fat Cyclist.com does put a funny spin on the world of cycling.  Perhaps it’s popularity derives from the normal biker–sure we would all love to be a Lance Armstrong, but in reality most of us are just normal individuals who love to bike.  Fat Cyclist pertains to that crowd.  My crowd.

I started reading this blog yesterday and before I knew it I had spent the better part of two hours laughing.  I was able to dig in a bit and see just what makes the Fat Cyclist tick.  It is definitely the humor, mixed in with a good dose of reality.

Elden, who runs the Fat Cyclist blog, is anything but fat.  His blog’s name does come from an experience of wanting to lose some weight, where Elden thought if he posted his daily weight to the world via his blog, perhaps he could use it for inspiration.  Instead his blog has become quite popular in cycling circles.  Much of that can be attributed to the humorous spin on cycling that Elden has.

Check out The Next Big Thing In Sport’s Nutrition and his latest, The Bike Limiter, for a taste of the humor dished out.  You will quickly see why this has become one of my new daily digs.

Elden’s penchant for humor also comes with a serious side.  His wife is currently undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer.  Eldon takes us through this process with some sense of grace.  I know I wouldn’t be reacting the same way, but Eldon does share even the smallest of details.  It is a rare combination to make people laugh and smile, as well as teach them about something as worthy as breast cancer and the treatment process of said cancer.  He educates, he informs, and he makes us think and laugh.

One of the privileges of Fat Cyclist and being in the cycling community is that Eldon actually has a voice.  He has decided to use that voice to help with the treatment of his wife’s terrible disease by designing and selling a “Fat Cyclist” jersey on his sight.  Proceeds go towards his wife’s medical bills.  Not only can you feel good about helping with such a personal cause, but you also get a cool piece of schwag to show your support for Eldon and his wife.  I do have to say they are quite stylish and a very hot item around cycling circles.  Last year’s jersey quickly sold out.

Go check out Eldon’s (or ‘Fatty’ as he is commonly known as) Fat Cyclist blog.  If you don’t trust me that it is funny, then make sure your first stop is his post, The Day I Hated Brad.  It is hilarious and I am sure all of us have a “brad” in our own lives.  Don’t believe me?  Go read it.  You’ll soon find out that you know one.

I have added Fat Cyclist to my right sidebar under ‘biking blogs’.  I thought that if I wanted to read it everyday, then you might too.  I have also added a link to another biking blog–Epic Riding.  I haven’t had a chance to dig in to that one yet, but when I do, I am sure you will hear about it.  Go check them both out, they are both nice reads.  By the way, Eldon, I wish your wife (and you) well as you continue the fight.

By the way, if you would like to help Eldon’s cause, click the jersey photo at the top of this post.  I have conveniently linked this to the Fat Cyclist gear catalog so you can browse all the cool wear.  I particularly like the socks and the Fat Cyclist T-Shirt.  You could really make a statement at your local McDonald’s!

Chicago’s ‘Bike to Work’ Week Gets Bad Start

Chicago recently enacted a ‘Bike to Work’ week to help promote biker safety in the metropolitan area. Unfortunately, two days in to the event, one bike commuter is dead and another seriously injured.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Miceli, 22, was cycling in the bike lane on La Salle around 6:45 p.m. Monday when he slammed into an open SUV door, was thrown from his bike, then struck by a second car. The driver of the Nissan Xterra who opened the door into Miceli’s path was cited for opening a car door in traffic, police said.

A second rider collided with a CTA bus around 8:50 a.m. Tuesday at Broadway and Patterson in Lake View. That cyclist was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in serious condition, a Fire Department spokesman said. The CTA driver was cited for failure to yield and suspended without pay, authorities said.

It is mentioned that the first accident marks the fifth time a bicyclist has been killed this year in Chicago.

Much of this is probably not out of the ordinary. Chicago is a huge city. With ‘Bike to Work’ week going on, there are definitely more bicyclists out there and a bigger chance for accidents. It is good to know that Chicago’s authorities have sited the drivers of both incidents for what amounts to not paying attention to their surroundings.

I am hoping that this will at least spark more attention around the Chicago area to pay attention to the bikers on the designated roadways. Over the past year, I have almost given up my vehicle and completely relied on my bike around town. One of the biggest worries is someone opening up a car door, just as you are passing. At the same time, though, bicyclists need to pay more attention, as well. I always look ahead and try focus through the back windows of parked vehicles I am coming upon. If I see any movement at all, I slow down and move over. You just never know..

Country Crossing Bike Ride Ends in Tragedy

A bicyclist, trying to raise money and awareness for brain injuries, has tragically been killed seven miles from the finish of this year’s journey.

Lee Anne Barry, along with another bicyclist, was struck and killed on a rural backroad highway in North Carolina by an SUV.

Lee Anne Barry had started this year’s B.I.G. Ride (Brain Injury’s Greatest Journey) in hopes of raising awareness and funds for something that had struck her years earlier.  As a child she had been struck by a vehicle and spent months in a coma.  A subsequent brain surgery restored Lee  Anne’s speech and physical movement.

The two were on the last leg of a 15 state tour and would have been finishing up shortly after the two were struck.

Lee Anne Barry was riding along with Thomas Hoskins, who had taken part in such charity rides for the past twenty years.

A very sad ending to a noble cause.  Let’s keep them and their family, friends, and associates in our thoughts and prayers–

The two were wearing helmets, but helmets can only do so much when hit with a ton of steel. Click HERE to read more.

Using The New Adventurist Forums

You have probably already noticed the two banners found at the top of this page.  Should be one directly to your right, and one to your left.  The first button is for the newest addition here to The Adventurist-The Adventurist Forums.  Upon clicking this box, you will be taken to a page featuring all of the topics being discussed by readers of this site, such as yourself.  In order to make full use of the forums you will need to register.  The “Register” button is found at the top of the Forums screen.

This is actually a pretty simple process.  Name, Email, and then your password of choice will unlock the benefits of what this forum is all about.  This is a new forum, and at this time there are only a couple of registered users.  There are quite a few people visiting and checking it out, but perhaps they didn’t know where the “Register” button was.  That is the reasoning for this post.

On your left hand side you will notice a banner that says “The Adventurist Polls”.  This will take you to an area on The Adventurist Forum and ask you a simple question.  In order to take part in the polls, you will have to ”Register” as well.

We all know that Adventure seekers aren’t one-sided thinkers.  Once you Sign Up for the Forums, you will be able to express all of your thoughts from climbing and mountain biking to Sports and Headlines of the day.

A couple of good discussions have already been started, including one on the current search for Steven Fossett.   Just to show you how general this all is, we also have a nice discussion going on about the NFL as well.

I am hoping that this will become another part of the much used “Adventurist” Community and am excited to be able to offer this to all of my faithful readers.

I will be using this forum, myself, on a regular basis.  I will be bouncing ideas and discussing topics of the day, as well as generally just getting to know my readers on a more personal level.  I will also be using some of the discussions and comments placed on the Adventurist Forum in future articles on The Adventurist.  Pour that coffee, grab that cup of tea, and let’s discuss what’s on your mind.

Cheers-

Jason A. Hendricks, Editor

America by Bike: A Matt and Steve Update..

If you will remember back about a week or so ago, I had the priveledge of conducting an interview with two guys who set out to cross America by Bike.

Steve and Matt began together–but now are traveling apart.  They split up in Pittsburgh.

They are now on Day 31 of this journey..and up till now, Matt was actually trying his best to catch back up to Steve who was sitting in Chicago for a few days before continuing…

Needless to say, both of their recent updates suggest the following: 1) There is alot of rain going on in Chicago and 2) They really don’t know how close they were to each other.

Steve has left Chicago..heading up to Madison, Wisconsin..but at the same time, Matt was pulling in to the Windy City..if they only had one more day..

Today’s post actually includes quite a few photos of some of the flooding taking place around Chicago.  It also goes into quite a bit of detail about Matt having a flat tire in the rough area of Chicago…could be scary but everything worked out.

If you would like to keep up to date or even check out the storm photos of Chicago and the surrounding areas, click the “CrazyGuyonaBike” link found on the left hand side of this site under “Biking”.

I do have to say they are riding in some pretty tough weather.  I am back a few hours from Chicago, in Indiana, and we had a really good tornado scare today–the sirens went off and I went diving for the basement.  I definately wouldn’t want to be on a Bike in that weather, especially without any radio.

Well stop on over and check out their blog.  Let them know you are rooting them on.

This Week in Adventure Sports Weekly–08/22/07

The new issue of Adventure Sports Weekly has been released.  One thing I truly do like about this new magazine is that it is so varied…there is something there for everyone.

This week, Adventure Sports Weekly takes us to the XTERRA Mountain Championships Off-road Triathalon–one of the biggest events of it’s kind in the world.  There were roughly 600 participants at this years event, which is also a qualifier for the World Championships held in Hawaii–this is a pretty good read and involves a first-person account of the event from one of it’s participants..Jeff Harrison.

Next we get an inside look at the youngest PRO Skater in the world, Nyjah Houston.  At 11 years old, he already is riding on the Pro Circuit and has all the usual sponsors to foot the bill.  Many of you will probably recognize Nyjah from the recent X Games–his waist-length dreads are hard to miss.  Greg Baerg from Lat34 fame is credited with the article–and actually had a chance to speak with the young Nyjah about his future and his present..quite entertaining and I am sure we will be hearing much, much more out of this youngster in the years to come.

Next up comes Adventure Sports Weekly’s Climbing Editor Patrick Welsh.  His weekly column dealing with his personal climbing experience–He is a climbing expert working with Black Diamond, has become an Adventure Sports Weekly staple and highly entertaining at that.

This week’s column, “Hanging by a Thread“, takes a look at the unpredictable nature of climbing…His title says it all.  Scary, but many of us know where he is coming from.

Probably the most entertaining piece in this weeks issue happens to cover a sport that gets little coverage in the press…haha…The Roller Derby!

Some of us who grew up in the late 80’s and early 90’s may remember the Roller Derby being on TV weekly.  That was the hayday..but this sport has started a new growth spurt in recent times.

This article comes to us from Jen Phillon, a member of the Death Dealers Roller Derby team and gives an account of a recent night at the Derby and the amazing comeback that ensued.  Great Piece that brought back alot of fun memmories.

Overall, I think this may be the strongest issue I have read to date.  Covers a lot of different things.  As I have mentioned earlier, I am in the process of writing some material myself for Adventure Sports Weekly..so we can all look forward to that in the future…Go check it out and tell me what you think.

Biking with Nascar Driver Carl Edwards

Carl Edwards, one of Nascar’s younger premier drivers, will be hosting a benefit bike ride for Sam Russell.  Russell was paralyzed in a mountain biking accident on June 28th.

The ride, tentively titled “Ride with Carl for Sam” will take place on August 26 at Carl Edwards’ hometown of Columbia, Wisconsin.

Sam Russell, whom this benefit is sponsoring, was a grade school classmate of Carl’s.

The cost of this fundraiser is $50 per person.  You will ride side-by-side with Carl Edwards, have your photo taken, then recieve the photo and a t-shirt commemorating this special event.

Sounds like a good time for a worthy cause..where else could you possibly have the chance to say you rode side-by-side with Carl…and he didn’t pass you..

Russell and Edwards grew up riding and ramping their bikes together and now Edwards is trying to make sure his friend is taken care of.

Russell is currently out of inpatient care and is now awaiting further therapy outpatient.  It is not known if Russell will make a surprise visit to this fundraiser, but we do know a plane ticket has been purchased.

If you are interested in learning more about this event, or quite possibly even joining in this fundraiser, you can read more by clicking HERE.

Biking Across America with Steve Slovacek and Matt Purdy–The Interview

I recently had the opportunity to introduce all of you to a couple of guys biking their way across the States, Steve Slovacek and Matt Purdy.  They began in New Jersey…and unfortunately due to mitigating circumstances in Pittsburgh, had to split up on their journey…but they are both continuing on..seperate but with one goal in mind:  reaching the West Coast.

With Steve sitting in Chicago a couple of days ago and Matt crossing the great state of Ohio, I have been able to get in touch with both and they have granted me this special interview.

This should clue everyone in on not only what it takes to partake of such an adventure, but also a bit of what can be expected. 

The Adventurist will be posting regular updates on both of their progress on this grand adventure every three to five days, but until that next update, let’s see what these two have to say.  Steve Slovacek’s Comments will be in Blue, while Matt’s is in Purple.  Hope you all enjoy.

Biking Across America

The Steve Slovacek and Matt Purdy Interview

 

First off guys, Welcome to The Adventurist!  About a week or so ago I ran across a site talking about your current project of bicycling across the United States.  I think all of us would like to know how one comes up with this sort of crazy project.  How did this all get started?

I honestly can’t remember what the exact impetus was for this trip… or even the moment that the decision was made to do so. But I’m sure it was shortly after discovering the rich online community that has developed around these adventures. Knowing that a loose infrastructure is already in place makes this sort of thing seem so much less crazy. And also… Once you start to consider the idea, you start noticing other people who are doing the same thing, and start hearing stories of others who have already done the same thing…. It develops a momentum of its own.

I’ve wanted to travel across the country by bicycle since college, but I didn’t  feel confident enough to do it. I’ve been commuting by bike in Chicago for the past couple of years, so I felt ready about this time last summer. I chose the Northern Tier because it covered the portion of the country that I’m most unfamiliar with. That and I also thought the scenery would be the best, especially going through Montana. I thought it might be a good idea to find someone to ride with and I found a post that Steve made on Crazy Guy On A Bike looking to ride with someone along the Northern Tier for the most part. I responded and we worked out the dates. The prospect of riding in New York City was exciting to me.

What did your families think? Read more

Filed Under Biking, Biking Across America, Cycling, Matt Purdy, New Jersey, Ohio, Pitsburgh, Steve Slovocek |  

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