March 25th, 2009
Into my inbox today came an exciting offer from TREK travel a 3 day/ 2 night wine country weekend for the bargin price of $1595.00 pp. I do not see the bargain. Summer Feet Cycling offers 3 day/2 night trips on the coast of Maine for $725.00 pp ($625.00 pp when booked by 4/30/2009) and POMG Bike Tours of Vermont offers 3 day/ 2 night trips for $465. 00 to $525.00 granted you will not get to ride the latest and greatest TREK bikes but think about it this way. With the money you save you can either invite an friend, take a week-long trip with a company like Summer Feet or you have almost saved enough to upgrade to a full dura ace group.
Tags: biccyle tour sale, bicycle tour deals, Summer Feet Cycling, TREK travel offer
Posted in Bicycle Tours, General Cycling | No Comments »
March 24th, 2009
Question
i am a female 5ft 4, 150 lbs 57 yrs old and have riden bikes since i was five. we have lots of bike paths, scenic routes in our neighbourhood. terrain mostly flat with slight inclines.
my husband and i love to spend an afternoon enjoying the local sights on our bikes and now that i am completely recovered from total knee surgery and can still comfortably ride, i am interested in treating myself to a new bike.
my current one is a typical local dept store bike that has served me well for years but i would love to ride more with my upper torso in a more UPRIGHT position rather than leaning over towards the straight handle bars. we do travel to other communities in our car with a bike rack so weight has to be considered. picking it up and off the rack which is on the hatchback of the car.
Answer
What you are looking for is called a comfort bike. They are good path bikes with upright riding positions. Weight will probably directly correlate to price. Three bikes that might fit your needs are;
TREK Pure
Marin Redwod
Giant Cypress
My best advice is find a good bike shop. If you can go in a little off hours weekends are the busiest. Mid week day time is the best shops are usually a little slower and you have better chance of getting the owner rather than some 20 year old cycling rat. Tell them how you ride and that you are looking for a good quality comfort bike with an upright riding position, given your height a WSD (woman specific design) makes sense. My guess is that you are looking at between $550 to $700 for a good quality comfort bike. If you are planning on riding the bike for the next ten to 20 years and getting on and off the bike is starting to be an issue consider a step through bike with a lower top tube.
So in summary visit a couple of shops and say you want a:
Comfort bike, with an upright ridding position preferably a Woman Specific Design frame and see where that gets you. A good shop should be able to steer you to the right bike based on that information. Each shop will carry different brands. If you get a couple options at one shop and they seem focused on helping you find a bike that fits your needs try them all. If you need to go to multiple shops to try different bikes do that, each manufacturer will be a little different. Also remember when buying a bicycle you get what you pay for. Three comfort bikes in the same price range will be very similar in regards to weight and components (the parts of the bike gears, brakes, etc) and a bicycle that is much cheaper is exactly that cheaper.
Try this approach out and let me know how you make out
Tags: Bicycle buying Advice, Bicycles for Older Riders, Comfort Bikes, Upright Bicycles
Posted in Bike Buying Advice, General Cycling | No Comments »
March 22nd, 2009
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You Need a Vacation
H.G. Wells said, “When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race”. A bike ride and a vacation to look forward to will be good for your soul. Don’t delay! Take advantage of these great deals today.
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$250 pp off All Week-Long Maine and Canada Tours
Great Cycling, Charming Inns, and Fresh Lobster are on sale. Explore, Engage, and Indulge on a Summer Feet Cycling vacation. Book any 6 or 7 day Maine or Canada bike tour before April 30th, 2009 and receive a $250.00 pp discount. (cannot be combined with other offers self-guided tours excluded. if you already booked we will adjust the trip price to the lower price if applicable)
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$100 pp off all Weekend Bicycle Tours
Need a break from the bad news and the yo-yoing stock market? Book any of our wonderful 3 day weekend bicycle tours before April 30, 2009 and receive a $100.00 per person discount.
(cannot be combined with other offers)
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Shopping for a New Bike?
Need an objective opinion? Send me an email at norman@summerfeet.net and I will be happy to offer you my thoughts about bike buying and how to determine the right bike for you.
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Norman Patry
Big Toe
Summer Feet Cycling
PO Box 10822
Portland, ME 04104
Toll Free 866-857-9544
norman@summerfeet.net
www.summerfeet.net |
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Tags: bicycle tour deals, Canadian Bicycle Tours, Maine Bicycle Tours
Posted in Bicycle Tours, Canadian Bicycle Tours, General Cycling, Maine Bicycle Tours | No Comments »
March 18th, 2009
Someone was kind enough to send videos from the Summit. Ray LaHood is inspirational as he talks about transforming America’s view of transportation and as always The God Father of Cycling Rep. Earl Blumenauer makes me want to jump on my bike.
Here are videos of the morning speakers at the National Bike Summit on Wednesday, March 11.
US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5323865082882842828
US Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-3rd)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5527072340327644893
US Representative Daniel Lipinski (IL-3rd)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2784701150857668849
US Representative Doris Matsui (CA-5th)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5225171971519783674
Tags: Earl Blumenauer, National Bike Summit, Ray LaHood
Posted in General Cycling | No Comments »
March 17th, 2009
I just returned from the National Bike Summit in Washington DC. The summit is the annual gathering of bicycle advocates from across the country. The 1stday was dedicated to speeches and seminars. We were fortunate to hear from the new Secretary of Transportation Ray La Hood who offered a very optimistic speech about the Obama administration’s embracing a more bicycle friendly transportation policy. Day 2 was the dedicated advocacy day where by state we all descended on Capitol Hill to lobby our elected officials to support bicycling friendly initiatives. We met with aides of all 4 members of Maine’s delegation, both Senators Olympia Snow and Susan Collins, as well Representative Chellie Pingree. Despite some long held cynicisms about the effectiveness of the government it is quite refreshing and uplifting to realize that our elected officials are accesible and willing to listen to concerns of constituents.
Tags: Bicycle Advocacy, National Bike Summit
Posted in Bicycle Tours, General Cycling | No Comments »
December 24th, 2008
“Consider a man rding a bicycle. Whoever he is, we can say three things about him. We know he got on the bicycle and started to move. we know that is at any point between the beginning and the end of his journey he stops moving and does not get off the biccyle he will fall off. That is a metaphor for the journey through life of any living thing, and I think of any society of living things” Willaim Golding
Tags: cycling quotes
Posted in General Cycling | 3 Comments »
November 30th, 2008
Thanksgiving provided an opportunity for some November cycling, for this Mainiac. A visit to my girlfriends parents in Vero Baech created some pleasant cycling. Florida proved much flater than I had ever imagined but it was easy to get in vacation mode on or multi-speed cruisers. Our rental bikes left something to be desired with gears in definite need of adjustment, I am always amazed at how many companies in the bike rental business neglect there equipment. I imagine we will be back in Florida and would love to dsicover some riding opportunities in Vero Beach
Tags: Florida Cylcling, One Day Bike Rides
Posted in General Cycling | No Comments »
November 22nd, 2008
Most bicycle tour companies offer great delas to gather early season bookings. Summer Feet Cycling www.summerfeet.net offers $200.00 pp off week-long trips and $100.00 off 3 day trips booked before 12/31/2008. many other companies are also offering deals. Now is the time for the budget minded cyclist to book for 2009
Tags: bicycle tour deals
Posted in Bicycle Tours, General Cycling | No Comments »
November 14th, 2008
I have always thought it would be fun to do a charity ride in all 50 states, I am curious what people would say are the best one day and multi day rides in their states.
Posted in Bicycle Tours | No Comments »
November 10th, 2008
Looking for a great way to expereince Maine Fall Foliage. Visit Acadia National Park and cycle the Carraige Roads. Built by John Rockefeller as a gift to the people of America. The carriage roads offer miles of car free cycling through the park. A great ride is to cycle to the top of Day Mountain for great views.
Tags: Acadia National Park, Carriage Roads, Fall Cycling, Maine Bike Tours
Posted in Bicycle Tours, Maine Bicycle Tours | No Comments »
