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Bike Zoo

We love bikes! What's better than riding in fresh air, stretching our muscles and being in nature? And, if you're looking for the Bike of the Day {BotD}, stay tuned and take a peek around the Bike Zoo while BotD shores up!

 

(logo by John Bachman)

Members: 30
Latest Activity: Oct 13, 2018

About the Bike Zoo


The Bike Zoo is the place to talk about bicycling topics you love. We'll talk about fixed gears and their simplicity and how not to die on one. We'll discuss bicycle touring. Bill Hannahs is in the picture above, riding his full-tilt Basso in Belgium.

(image from London Cycle Chic)

 

Are you into artisan bicycles? Who doesn't love crafted bikes? We'll visit Alex of Villin Cycle Works in Gainesville. And, you'll hear about legendary Vanilla Bicycles of Portland, run by Sasha and his faithful poodle. Share your bicycling passions.

Zoobird Brant Haflich (above with his Surly Long Haul Trucker) organizes the SLOBike Kitchen in San Luis Obispo. You'll meet Zach Holford (eventually) who rode his Surly from S. Carolina to Portland, OR in less than three months! That's Zach and Joanna below. Enjoy!

Here's a parting thought:

 

Discussion Forum

Bike Touring and Bikepacking

Started by Michael Levin Oct 13, 2018. 0 Replies

Boy oh boy, I found the best online group about bike touring and bikepacking. It's on Facebook and it's called...you guessed it...Bike touring and Bikepacking!These guys are serious bike tourers. They aren't into a bunch of malicious talk or much sarcasm, except funny stuff. There are great, inspiring stories about places they go, how they pack, what they ride, all sorts of things from all sorts of places. You'll love it.Have any of you been on some epic rides lately? Gone anywhere via bike and camped? Pickathon was just little while ago outside Portland. It's a popular music fest to cycle to. The Sewanee…Continue

Tags: rivendell, touring, bikezoo, travel, bleriot

Handmade Bikes

Started by Michael Levin. Last reply by Michael Levin Feb 25, 2016. 2 Replies

Like handmade bikes? Who doesn't? This weekend is the Handmade Bike Show in Sacramento, CA (NAHBS)You can go to the NAHBS and see the main bike makers that will be there. Moots, for one, would be of interest to me, because I met a traveller at the Portland Hawthorne Hostel who was riding one and we did a great Swampcast interview. What a cool bike!I've visited with a few handmade bike makers. Lex of Villin Cycles was one. There's a good interview here in the Bike Zoo. Vanilla Cycles is another, in Portland. No interview because his huge poodle wouldn't behave long enough for us to even come in and take a look around! And, Ryan Aulton of 8ABC, now known as Pleasant Cycles is gearing up to make frames. Handmade bikes. What's the attraction?…Continue

Tags: sacramento, ciocc, trek, bicycles, show

Bike of the Day {BotD} ::: frame up build and paint

Started by Michael Levin Jun 18, 2015. 0 Replies

Bike of the Day {BotD} ::: frame up build and paint with flip flop hub and those drop bars. Stylin with speed and function! I hope he calls in "6-8 weeks when it'll be for sale"Continue

Tags: fixed, diy, sick, 6wag, Fixie

Offroad biking in Gainesville, FL - Maps and Photos!

Started by Michael Levin. Last reply by Michael Levin Mar 14, 2015. 1 Reply

If you're looking for places to ride in G'Ville, there's a new website with passion. It's called Eco Agro Trails and G'Ville is featured center stage.New apps like MapMyRide and (favorite) EveryTrail make is easy to map and share your favorite rides. EveryTrail lets you add photos and both are social sites that work on your smart phone.Eco Agro Trails has a collection of offroad rides especially in G'Ville but open to all. Thanks to Bicycle Bob for the link!You can find Eco Agro Trails on the web at https://www.EcoAgroTrails.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EcoAgroTrailsHere's a sample:Gainesville Trail Network 1:…Continue

Tags: off, day, road, eco, trails

Bike of the Day {BotD} ::: Schwinn hybrid

Started by Michael Levin Mar 14, 2015. 0 Replies

Bike of the Day {BotD} ::: Schwinn hybrid. Mr. Ed is 6'4". This large MTB has evolved into a mega comfy commuter. Dave (Bikes n More) re-riveted the Brooks saddle. The brakes are massive cantis. It's a rider! Mr Ed's blog is http://whatssomeoneyourage.blogspot.com/Continue

Tags: hybrid, bicycle, schwinn, zoo, zoobird

Bicycle Commuting in Portland

Started by Michael Levin Jul 22, 2014. 0 Replies

I am here in Portland where commuting by any means is a treat. Bicycle commuting is everywhere. People ride the nicest, most interesting bikes, from old to new. Traffic has a different disposition here in Stumptown. Cars recognize bicyclists and they even stop for pedestrians. Thats confusing unless you're aware of it and ready to take advantage of the politeness.Last time I was here, I bought a bike in advance on cl and rode it while I was here. This time, I'll either rent one or borrow one from a friend. Have any bike stories to share? I'll have a bunch before you know it!Continue

Tags: commuting, bicycles, bikes

A Very Nice Gary Fisher Touring Bike

Started by Michael Levin. Last reply by Chandra Jul 20, 2014. 1 Reply

Win put this Gary Fisher together. Its an American Gary Fisher frame. I think Win said it's an 90's frame.Win built the wheels. His first wheel building project turned out well. He said factory wheels so often don't hold up under heavy loads, so he wanted to remove all doubt and build 'em himself. The handlebars give lots of positions that help you avoid that numbness from keeping your hands in one place for a long time. He has a compass, which he says is incredibly useful, especially in medieval towns where it's easy to get disoriented. He's also got a nice trip computer.Win says he got a good deal on the fenders and they stay in place well.His panniers are Ortlieb brand. Win described how they sometimes don't seat well on the racks. So, he got some rubber automotive fuel line and split it so that it would sit over the racks and provide a less slippery place to hang the…Continue

Tags: portland, hostel, travel, randonneuring, win

Bike of the Day {BotD} ::: Trek 728

Started by Michael Levin Dec 17, 2013. 0 Replies

This beauty is the handywork of Ryan Aulton, one of the proprietors of the fabulous 8th Ave Bikes and Coffee shop in Gainesville, FL.Trek makes some amazing bikes and the 728 is no exception. Ryan spruced it up with wooden fenders, nice racks and saddle, bar end shifters and a powerful headlight.It's a sweetie!Continue

Tags: zoo, bike, touring, zoobird, botd

Bike Grease and Coffee ::: Kurt Sandiforth's Bicycle Tour Round the World

Started by Michael Levin Dec 10, 2013. 0 Replies

Kurt Sandiforth dropped by the Bike Preserve on his way to South America. At first, I was amazed and intrigued by his plans. He had already been in several countries on his fat tired bike.He dropped by several times for coffee and conversation while he was in Gainesville, FL. Kurt made all the bags on his bike, a Surley. He trimmed down his belongings to the bare essentials. He even has a spoon that doubles as a tool.I find myself reading his blog daily. Kurt is an excellent writer and photographer. He loves culture and coffee. He also has a good sense of humor. That's one of his photos above.There are a cadre of bicycle travelers he gets his route info from. Right now, he's in Peru riding down some ancient trails between villages along the Andes.While on a longer than anticipated hiatus from his world bicycle tour, Kurt Sandiforth ended up at Peoples Bicycle in Beacon, NY. In…Continue

Tags: surley, diy, Peru, coffee, preserve

Bicycle Travel with Kurt in Peru (right now!)

Started by Michael Levin Nov 12, 2013. 0 Replies

Kurt's blog is especially good today with photos of biking through Peru. Remind yourself it's a big, fun world out there waiting to be explored:http://www.bikegreaseandcoffee.com/2013/11/this-that-and-andy.html. Photo credit to Kurt's blog for photo above. I took the photo below at www.bikepreserve.comContinue

Tags: surley, dirt, dot, zoobird, peru

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Comment by Michael Levin on March 1, 2018 at 9:37am

Comment by Michael Levin on March 11, 2014 at 5:31pm

Rick, Those are amazing! Thanks for sharing. Maybe if you get the chance you can start a discussion about them and how you built them, where you ride them, etc. They definitely aren't the stereotypical Dutch style bikes! 

Comment by rick de graaff on March 11, 2014 at 2:26pm

Just shared my 3 bikes with you...hope you like them! Greetz from the other side of the world!

Comment by rick de graaff on March 11, 2014 at 2:25pm

Comment by rick de graaff on March 11, 2014 at 2:25pm

Comment by rick de graaff on March 11, 2014 at 2:24pm

Comment by Michael Levin on July 9, 2012 at 12:26pm

Hey, Tim! I agree. Traveling by bicycle is a favorite part of my day, too. And, I love cycling in Gainesville especially around downtown near the McRorie Community Garden and the bike shop. I love having panniers on my bike. Here's a shot in front of a massive shale boulder:

xo-1_in_Kanapaha_Gainesville
Have panniers, will travel. No panniers? Rucksack will do! Heck, grocery bags and pants pockets will do, too!

Comment by Tim Kinney on July 9, 2012 at 12:11pm

Hey, better yet, move to Gainesville!!! ;0) This is a great place to commute by bike. In Orlando, it depends on what area you're in, but some of them could be tough for cycling. I hope it works out for you  though, because traveling by bicycle will be your favorite part of the day. It is mine.

Comment by Michael Levin on July 9, 2012 at 11:58am

Jose, My advice is get yourself a bike and one for your wife, too! I can help. Ride to work. The neighborhood is great for bikes when you stay off the main roads. Orlando has a bunch of bike trails, too. Ponce Inlet has a bike trail that goes to the lighthouse and to a marine aquarium! There are so many great places to ride in Florida, your head will spin! Get a bike rack or just stuff the bike in the trunk of your car. Let me show you some bikes sometime that I have that are not my size...we're similar size so one may be perfect for you. How's that for starters?

Comment by Jose Baranenko on July 9, 2012 at 11:34am

I used to ride everyday in Venezuela, since i arrived to USA i just been busy working and going to school. I want to do it again. My schedule is pretty complicated because i am a Chef. any advise?

 

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