SPRING 2015 FREE Get ready for CycloMesa + Commute with Kids + Best Bike Locks + Pedal in a Skirt + 2-Wheel Overnights + Meet Local Shops Bike2Work Day is April 22 Pedaling Fun at Desert Trails Mountain Bike Park Pullout BIKE MAP Inside! ENTER TO WIN see Take our Bike/Ped Survey pg. 3 FOLLOW US: Facebook.com/BikeLifeCities // @BikeLifeCities They take a lot of energy to make. But it’s nothing compared to the energy they create. On January 31, 2015, over 200 Eastmark Originals, our first residents, received custom Eastmark beach cruisers. These were specially designed by Jim Decker, a local bike enthusiast and owner of Soul Beach Cruisers. Jim is a big believer in the power of community and promoting healthy environments. That’s why the Eastmark Cruiser Culture program was a perfect fit for this partnership. The Eastmark Cruiser Culture movement is gaining traction by helping neighbors meet neighbors, and families connect to our growing community. It’s just another way Eastmark comes to life, and why Eastmark has quickly become the most desired community in the East Valley. Eastmark. The Mark of Something Special. Visit Eastmark today. Homes from the Valley’s finest builders from 1,500 to 5,700 sq. ft. and from the low $200k to $500k+. The Eastmark Visitors Center Eastmark.com | Ray Road & Ellsworth Road, Mesa © 2015 DMB Mesa Proving Grounds LLC. Obtain the Property Report or its equivalent, required by Federal and State law and read it before signing anything. No Federal or State agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. All features, dimensions, drawings, renderings, plans, and specifications are conceptual and subject to change without notice. The information provided in this advertisement is strictly for informational purposes and shall not be construed as an offer to sell real property. Sales terms and prices are established by builders and subject to change without notice. DAN BAUM DUNCAN BENNING When he’s not managing his bike shop, Transit Cycles, Duncan can usually be found biking with his wife, Rebecca, and his kids, Camilla (9) and Benito (6), to school and then pedaling to work. The family loves to ride because it allows them to spend time together, be good to the environment and stay connected with the community. Publisher Editor Art Director/Designer Kristal Boni Production Beth Prehn CONTRIBUTORS The author of several books, including “Gun Guys: A Road Trip,” “Nine Lives: Death and Life in New Orleans” and “Citizen Coors: An American Dynasty,” Dan was also a staff writer for The New Yorker and has reported for the Anchorage Times, The Atlanta JournalConstitution and The Wall Street Journal. Through her Bike Stylish project, Jeanne is on a mission to help further the perception of biking as fun, accessible and aspirational. Always well dressed, Jeanne shares her tips on biking stylishly in this month’s issue. Follow her on Facebook at “Bike Stylish” and Twitter @bikestylish. Becca Heaton ContributorsAshley Barinka, Dan Baum, Duncan Benning, Jeanne Eisenhaure, James Hash, Jim Sayer, Andrea Tollefsrud Online Ryan Amirault, Greg Thomas Finance Shirlee Adolfson SalesBrian Bauer // [email protected] // 303-444-5545 x112 Russ Chandler // [email protected] // 303-444-5545 x107 Lynn Guissinger // [email protected] // 303-444-5545 x106 Gregg Thayer // [email protected] // 303-444-5545 x103 Matthew Reece // [email protected] Editorial Office JEANNE EISENHAURE Lynn Guissinger BikeLife Cities // 1515 Walnut Street // Boulder, CO 80302 Tel: 303-444-5545 // Fax: 800-579-1515 www.bikelifecities.com Advertising Contact [email protected] for media kit and rate card. Story/Photo Submissions Contact [email protected] for submission information. Distribution Contact [email protected] for information. BikeLife Cities is a program of Catalyst Communication, Inc., launching in multiple cities. ©2015 Catalyst Communication, Inc. ON THE COVER Photo courtesy of VisitMesa Mountain bikers explore the trails at Lost Dutchman State Park, a popular spot for residents and visitors to explore the Sonoran Desert and its varied landscape. TAKE OUR BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN SURVEY — BE ENTERED TO WIN A PRIZE! The City of Mesa’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program wants to hear from YOU about biking and walking in Mesa. Your input will help the City reach its Bicycle Master Plan goals and objectives, and continue to plan for great bicycle and pedestrian facilities for everyone. It will just take a few minutes. Fill in the survey and you’ll be entered to win a Downtown Mesa gift certificate! Please ask your friends, family and co-workers to fill out the survey too! The more responses we have, the better our ability to know what the community really needs for our cyclists and pedestrians. For more info on the City of Mesa’s Bicycle and Pedestrian program, contact Jim Hash, Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator at 480-644-3556 or [email protected]. ©mel-nik/iStock BikeLifeCities.com/MesaBikePedSurvey2015 ON THE WEB BikeLifeCities.com READ THIS ISSUE ONLINE You can access this issue anytime. Share it with your friends by sending a link so they can read it too! City of Mesa BLOGS Read fun stories and news about biking. RESOURCES We’re your one-stop shop for everything biking in Mesa, from places to ride to events, bike shops, groups and more. TAKE OUR SURVEY DESERT TRAILS MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK 12 5 Welcome Letter 6 I Bike Mesa Meet locals who like to travel on two wheels 8 It’s CycloMesa Time A weekend of biking fun for everyone 11 Get Ready for Bike2Work Day Mesa’s annual celebration on April 22 12 Desert Trails Mountain Bike Park Mesa’s playground for biking 15 Pedal Smart Riding against traffic is a no-no 17 Mesa Bike Map Pull it out and get riding 21 Don’t Get Doored Stay alert when you’re biking in a door zone 22Need to Knows Quick and easy cycling tips 24Kidding Around 3 ways to commute by bike with your kids 26 How to Bike Stylish in a Skirt Avoid the dreaded ‘flash’ with these easy tips 4 BIKELIFE MESA 28 Two-Wheeled Vacations Planning a bike overnight 30 Protect Your Ride 4 great bike locks, plus locking dos and don’ts What do you think about BikeLife Mesa? What would you like to read (or write!) about? We want to hear from you. SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER We’ll keep you up to date yearround on all kinds of fun, interesting and newsworthy bike-related stories. 32 Meet Your Local Bike Shops Meet four local shops and their owners 33 Calendar of Events Plus local bike shops, groups and clubs 34 The Final Mile How to train yourself to travel via two wheels instead of four FOLLOW US Facebook.com/BikeLifeCities @BikeLifeCities welcome The City of Mesa has collaborated with BikeLife Cities to share bicycling information with the residents of Mesa and Maricopa County in this first issue of BikeLife Mesa. Whether you are currently riding or just thinking about riding, our theory is the more you know, the more you ride. Bicycling in Mesa is becoming more and more popular, and Mesa is proud of the facilities that we have in place to accommodate that increase. Our Bicycle and Pedestrian Program is continually striving to increase on-street and off-street facilities to accommodate riders of all comfort levels. No matter if you are a fearless rider or an “interested but concerned” one, Mesa wants to provide facilities for you that will offer low stress and comfortable riding conditions. What’s new in Mesa? The City is planning a number of off-street shareduse paths to be built in the next few years. By Spring Training 2016, you’ll be able to travel between Mesa and Tempe without ever mixing with traffic. The Rio Salado pathway will traverse the Salt River, giving you a scenic low-stress route to west Mesa and into Tempe. We’ll also soon be celebrating our first bicycle boulevard along 10th Street between Alma School Road and Country Club Drive. Our Grid Bike Share Program will launch November 15 with the expansion of light rail to Mesa Drive. Grid will kick off with a total of 25 stations housing 250 bicycles along the light rail line so you can get to Downtown Mesa and the Fiesta District. Your input matters, and we listen. Residents of Mesa were loud and clear about the necessity for more bicycle and pedestrian facilities that were requested through the iMesa input period. Those projects were brought forward to you and passed by you in the last two elections, which have made a majority of these projects possible. We also heard from you that you wanted more events that featured bicycling—we brought you CycloMesa. This year’s celebration of bikes is April 10-12. Learn more about it on pages 8–9. Enjoy reading BikeLife Mesa, hope to see you out pedaling! Mesa By The numbers 1 of 10 top cities for bicycle commuting. Forbes Magazine 5th highest bicycle infrastructure per square miles of 52 largest cities. Bicycling and Walking 2014 Benchmarking Report 360 miles of on-street bike lanes 58 miles of assorted off-street paths 140 miles of signed bike routes Overall highest rate of bicycle parking at public schools with 86 spots per 1,000 students Bicycling and Walking 2014 Benchmarking Report 20,000+ people at annual CycloMesa Jim Hash Mesa Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Coordinator City of Mesa Resources & Contacts [email protected] mesaaz.gov/transportation 350+ days of sunshine per year BikeLife Cities is a program of ©Catalyst Communication 2015 5 [ WHY I RIDE ] MESA I Meet locals who like to travel on two wheels Bob Lewis, 69 Retired Tool and Die Maker Where do you like to ride? I ride just about everywhere in the valley. My favorites are Mesa, Fountain Hills, and Central and South Phoenix. I have ridden the Answer to the Challenge, a three-day, 325-mile bike ride from Scottsdale to Strawberry, then to Prescott and back to Scottsdale multiple times. How many miles do you ride each year? I typically ride 50-60 miles six days a week. In 2010, I rode 24,292 miles, an all-time high. Nowadays, it is more like 16,000 a year. Laura Hyneman, 50ish What do you like best about bicycling? I ride because I love the freedom it gives me. Maintaining my weight and health are also some of the main reasons I ride, too. And I have made many friends while riding over the years. My wife and I did a self-contained cross-country tour 20 years ago. Best vacation we ever took! Deputy Director, Development and Sustainability Department, City of Mesa Where do you like to ride? All over the valley, primarily on the road, occasionally on mountain biking trails. How often do you ride? About three times a week, and at least one cycling vacation a year. Why do you ride? For recreation, fun and keeping fit. I tried commuting for a while, but there are no showers available near my office. What do you like most about bicycling? I love the people I meet while cycling, the places and scenery I’ve seen while biking and the restaurants I’ve been to—because I have discovered many cyclists love the camaraderie of eating together after a good ride. It’s also a fun way to stay in shape. 6 BIKELIFE MESA Garrett Topham, 35 Geographer, City of Mesa Where do you like to ride? Mesa canals, North Phoenix parks, Sedona and Flagstaff. How often do you ride? 4 to 5 days a week…when it’s under 100 degrees. How many miles do you typically ride a year? Prior to last year, I probably rode less than 1,000 miles annually. But in 2014, I rode 3,000 miles. Why do you ride? For fitness and adventure. What do you like most about bicycling? It’s unique in that it gets you healthy while getting you somewhere at the same time. Eddie Chavez, 54 Manufacturing Engineer, Boeing Company* What is your daily bike commute? From Gilbert to Boeing Company in Mesa. How often do you bike to work? Three days a week since 1994. How many miles is your commute? I ride 12 miles from home to work in the morning, and I do an extra 20-30 miles of riding around Mesa after work before going home. Mike Goettings, Boeing Company Where do you like to ride? I ride a single-speed bike and appreciate the wide city bike lanes and safe streets in Mesa. I enjoy riding along the Salt River, which provides a diversity of climbing and coasting up and down hills. *Boeing Mesa currently has 131 bike commuters registered in its Trip Reduction Program. Cool Cruisers Eastmark Community Gives Bikes to New Residents Talk about a bike-friendly community. Along with designing every neighborhood street to be bicycle and pedestrian friendly, Eastmark in Mesa’s East Valley is giving away cool orange cruiser bikes to new residents to inspire and encourage them to bike more. Learn more about this great bike-friendly community at Eastmark.com. ore than 200 Eastmark residents picked up their Eastmark Original i MCruiser and took part in the inaugural community cruiser ride. ©2015 Mark Skalny At their inaugural “Let’s Ride, Eastmark!” event, 200 lucky residents received a custom-designed cruiser from local designer and cycling enthusiast Jim Decker, owner of Soul Beach Cruisers in Tempe. Only 400 of the limited-edition bikes will be produced. “The real joy I saw in the faces of residents as they received their bikes was amazing,” says Decker. “Eastmark is really innovative in terms of offering their community that connection through cycling and a healthy outdoor lifestyle. Residents are contacting their neighbors and going out on rides. It’s exactly what we wanted to see happen.” 7 [ FUN STUFF ] It’s CycloMesa Time A weekend…unchained C alling all bike lovers: Pump up your bike tires, oil your bike chain and get ready for a weekend celebration of everything bikes at the fourth annual CycloMesa Unchained bicycle festival in downtown Mesa, April 10 thru 12. The CycloMesa Unchained bicycle festival is put on by the City of Mesa, Downtown Mesa Association, Perimeter Cycling and Two Wheel Jones. Experience bike racing up close on Friday as cyclists race through the streets for the fast-paced El Tour Criterium. This year the event is host to the Arizona State Criterium Championships with the best of the best riders competing from around the state. Then stick around for the glow festival with a beer garden, local vendors, gourmet food trucks, live music…and lots and lots of lights. Festivities continue on Saturday with the El Tour de Mesa. Celebrating its silver anniversary, the event is open to cyclists of all ages and abilities with a ride distance for everyone—choose from 6, 11, 28 or 70 miles. “I’ve participated in the El Tour de Mesa the past four years and love the fun atmosphere,” says Mesa resident Kimmy bmx stunt show 8 BIKELIFE MESA el tour criterium Johnson. “The event is special to me because it travels around all of the areas that I love to ride in.” Johnson also loves what comes after the ride: the huge Kids’ Zone and Extreme Sports Zone with a zip line, bungee trampolines, rock wall, kids’ bicycle rodeo, BMX freestyle show, beer garden, custom bicycle competition, vendors, food truck alley and more. “My kids loved the Kids’ Zone last year, climbing on the rock wall, eating snow cones and pedaling the one-mile fun ride,” says the mother of three. “We can’t wait to get back there this year!” There’s more championship criterium racing on Sunday, plus Mesa’s own “Amazing Race,” aka the Mesa Adventure Cycling Challenge. This fun event requires teams to solve clues, complete challenges and, best of all, ride their bikes from destination to destination enjoying Mesa’s great bike lanes and multi-use paths. It’s three days of endless biking fun! Get all of the details at CycloMesa.com. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday, April 10 2 pm–10 pm › El Tour Criterium: Races start at 2 pm › Glow Festival Party in the Streets: 4–10 pm Saturday, April 11 6:15 am Holualoa Companies El Tour de Mesa race starts Saturday, April 11 10 am–2 pm CycloMesa Unchained: › Extreme Sports Zone › BMX stunt show › Zip line › Bicycle rodeo › Banner Children’s Kids’ Zone › Adult fun zone All photos courtesy of City of Mesa › Custom bicycle competition Sunday, April 12 7 am El Tour Criterium races start Sunday, April 12 10 am–2 pm CycloMesa Unchained: › Kids’ Zone › Adult fun zone Sunday, April 12 10 am–1 pm Mesa Adventure Cycling Challenge bmx rider flying over the banner children’s kids’ zone 9 IMBA supports trails in Arizona and across the nation. Special gifts and prizes available during our spring membership drive* Join, Renew, or register now at imba.com/join *No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. US Residents only. See imba.com/join for rules and details. IMBA Half Pg Ad.indd 1 3/5/15 11:32 AM GET OUT AND RIDE. Mountain ~ Road ~ Cruisers ~ Fitness ~ Kids ~ Hybrid $ 10 OFF any purchase of $50 or more Not to be combined with other offers, gift cards included. Exp. June 15, 2015 ©Gorfer/iStock ©GlobalStock/iStock ©MoniqueRodriguez/iStock $ Full Service & Repair Shop ~ Professional Staff ~ Family Friendly 1106 N Gilbert Rd SW Corner of Brown & Gilbert 480.830.1620 www.paragoncycling.com Mon–Fri 10–7 ~ Sat 10–6 20 OFF any purchase of $100 or more Not to be combined with other offers, gift cards included. Exp. June 15, 2015 20% OFF any 2013 or 2014 in-stock bike Not to be combined with other offers, gift cards included. Exp. June 15, 2015 [ FUN STUFF ] Get Ready for City of Mesa BIKE2WORK DAY Mesa’s annual celebration on EARTH DAY, APRIL 22 Riding a bicycle can be a fun way to get to and from work. And there are so many benefits: you get exercise, you help reduce traffic congestion, you help the environment by leaving less of a carbon footprint and you save money! D id you know that the average annual cost of owning and operating a car is over $9,000, or 18 percent of the average household’s income? Compare it to this: Owning and maintaining a bicycle can cost as little as $120 per year. Now that’s some serious savings! April is Valley Bike Month, and communities around the region host all kinds of great Bike to Work events. This year, Bike to Work Week is April 20–24 and Bike2Work Day is Wednesday, April 22. Here in Mesa, we hold our annual Bike2Work Day celebration on Earth Day. Pedal to Mesa City Plaza and enjoy a pancake breakfast ($3–$5) and Earth Day celebration green fair from 6 to 8 a.m. All proceeds are donated to a local bicycle-related charity. The event is hosted by the City of Mesa Transportation Department’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program. Even if you’re not a cyclist, come and join the fun! Questions? Call 480-644-3219. Last year’s photo contest winner, Mike Samers (center) with Chris Brady (right), City of Mesa Manager, and Lenny Hulme (left), City of Mesa Transportation Department Director. In addition to the public portion of Bike2Work Day, the City of Mesa also conducts an internal City department challenge. Staff members from various departments compete against each other to rally the largest percentage of employees in their department to pedal to work. Prizes are awarded for riding, a slow race and a photo contest. Winners take home the traveling trophy, bragging rights and a free catered luncheon with the City Manager, hosted by the City of Mesa Transportation Department. 11 [ FUN STUFF ] Desert Trails Mountain Bike Park Mesa’s playground for biking W hether you want to cruise the cross-country trails, test your skills on dirt jumps or launch yourself in the air on the pump track, Desert Trails Mountain Bike Park is the place to go. and features for all levels. Three flow trails for downhill biking are beginner green level (Runaway Train Trail), intermediate blue level (Squirrel Catcher Trail), and expert black level (Double Trouble Trail). “This park is amazing,” shares one local mom and rider. “We’ve been waiting for this for a long time and my kids and I just love it. It’s the best thing the city could have done for people who like to ride bikes.” There’s also a pump track where riders can improve their riding skills before tackling the flow trails. The track was built by volunteers from the Gravity Riders Organization of Arizona (GRO-AZ), a local not-for-profit bike advocacy group that also helped consult on other park features and continues to help maintain the trails. The 35-acre park also includes a threequarter-mile perimeter trail for people who just want to hike, walk the dogs, push a stroller or ride through the desert landscape. City of Mesa Opened in November 2014, the park—one of the busiest in the city—is host to trails “This park has really blown away people that use it,” says Chris Head, a board member with GRO-AZ and a frequent park user and trail maintenance volunteer. “It’s a world-class park for off-road riding, and it’s so cool to see people of all ages from 6 to 60 out enjoying it.” Desert Trails Mountain Bike Park is located at 2955 N. Recker Road and is open from sunrise to sunset. For info, call Mesa Parks and Recreation at 480-644-2352. 12 BIKELIFE MESA TAKE THE CITY SURVEY & be entered to WIN a Downtown Mesa gift certificate! BikeLifeCities.com/MesaBikePedSurvey2015 “Bicycle Sales and Service for the Family” Locally owned and operated ~ Free service for life on all new bike purchases globalbikes.info Four Valley Locations; Mon-Sat 10-7, Sun 10-5 Gilbert Gilbert & Guadalupe 835 N. Gilbert Rd. #111 480-892-1315 Chandler, Rental Center + Sales & Service 1055 S. Arizona Ave. #9 Chandler Ray & 101 2915 West Ray Road #10 480-899-3625 480-782-8342 Ahwatukee 3636 E. Ray Rd. & Mt. Ranch Circle 480-706-0858 LAYAWAYS 20% off any one item Excludes wheeled items and special orders. Expires 6/15/15. $35 basic tune (reg. $59) Tandems & recumbents additional. Expires 6/15/15. $65 pro tune (reg. $89) Tandems & recumbents additional. Expires 6/15/15. $39 Per wheel No flat guarantee Never get a flat again!* *Restrictions apply. Expires 6/15/15. [ NEWS & NOTES ] Pedal SMART Riding against traffic is a no-no WALKING LAWS We often see pedestrians walking and running in the bike lanes. This is extremely dangerous for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists! Please be aware of Arizona law A.R.S. 28-796 about pedestrians and roadways. ©2014 Igor Stevanovic/iStock › If sidewalks are provided, a pedestrian shall not walk along and on an adjacent roadway. › If sidewalks are not provided, a pedestrian walking along and on a highway shall walk when practicable only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic that may approach from the opposite direction. › A person shall not stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver of a vehicle. A ctor Alec Baldwin made headlines last May when he was arrested for riding his bike the wrong way on a New York street. His actions were dubbed “salmoning,” a term coined years back by a prolific urban blogger, Bike Snob NYC. It’s a problem that can be a risk to many— other cyclists, pedestrians, even drivers. Always pedal with the flow of traffic. The greatest danger to a wrong-way cyclist occurs at intersections and driveways. Drivers often don’t see bicyclists traveling in the wrong direction. A driver is looking for traffic to come from the other (correct) direction and may unintentionally turn into the wrong-way bike rider’s path. Wrong-way bicycle riders traveling on oneway streets are not able to see signs and traffic signals. Riding the wrong direction in a bike lane can cause head-on collisions with other bicyclists traveling in the proper direction, or can cause one cyclist to move into traffic to avoid such collisions. So please ride on the right with the flow of traffic—NEVER ride against traffic on the road, in a bike lane or on a sidewalk. Drivers turning from the side cannot see you and approaching drivers will not expect you to be riding the wrong way. It’s the law here in Arizona (A.R.S. 28-815). NEVER RIDE AGAINST TRAFFIC According to the 2010 City of Mesa Annual Bicycle Crash Analysis, PedalCyclists riding against traffic on sidewalks, in crosswalks, in bike lanes or in roadways were a contributing factor in 63.6% of all pedalcycle crashes. 15 S S E L D N SPE ! E R O M E RID We’re Tempe’s Down to Earth Bike Experts repair & service 480-219-7225 200 E Fifth St. Suite 105, Tempe best bike brands parts & accessories thebicyclecellar.com RIDE SAFE! Open Daily NUMBERED MESA BIKE ROUTES DOWNLOAD THIS MAP AT MesaAZ.gov/Transportation/BikePedMaps.aspx [ NEWS & NOTES ] Don’t Get Doored Stay alert when you’re biking in a car door zone G etting “doored.” The word says it all. You are biking along when a parked vehicle door swings open and wham!, you run into it. Not a pleasant situation at all, and one that many cyclists worry about. The solution: Keep your personal radar on and always stay alert when pedaling. On light rail corridors in Mesa, bikes and automobiles are sharing the same space. So when you’re biking between cars or a light rail and parked vehicles, always be aware of the door zone—when a driver in a parked vehicle suddenly opens his or her door into your travel space or when a vehicle is getting ready to pull out. Cars often pull out from parking spots or open their doors without looking for oncoming bikes, so be READY. TIPS LEAVE 3 FEET. Give yourself no less than 3 feet of space when passing a parked car. LOOK FOR PEOPLE IN CARS. Keep scanning as you ride, look through back windows of cars to see if you see a person or movement, particularly on the driver side. Also look at the side rear-view mirror if you see any reflection of a person. Both are red flags that someone may be opening their door, so pass with caution. ©Henk Badenhorst/iStock ANNOUNCE YOU’RE APPROACHING. Ring your bell or horn, or shout “coming on your left” as you approach parked cars with people in them. KEEP AN EYE ON TAIL LIGHTS. If brake lights or reverse lights come on, the car is likely getting ready to pull out. PAY ATTENTION TO FRONT WHEELS. If wheels are angled, a car might be getting ready to pull out. 21 Need-to-Knows Prepare for a Stop Anticipate your stop by shifting down into an easier gear. This assures a much quicker start. No time to “downshift”? No problem. You can change your gears while stationary. How? Three words: Shift—Lift—Turn. Easiest performed while standing to the side of your bike. 1. Shift your gear lever to an easier gear (either right shifter to control rear derailleur or left shifter to control front derailleur). 2. Lift up the bike by the saddle with one hand (to get rear wheel off ground). 3. Grab the pedal/ crank arm and rotate FORWARD until you hear a clean change of gears and no more “grinding.” You’re now in a low gear to start pedaling with more ease! 22 BIKELIFE MESA RIDING BUMPY STUFF › Use your body for a shock absorber. Keep knees and arms bent, gripping the bars. › When approaching obstacles—railroad tracks, potholes, debris—get up off the saddle (very slightly, no need to stand all the way) to let bike float underneath you. › Keep pedals level at the 3 and 9 o’clock position; this allows for even weight distribution to right and left side of bike for better control and balance. › Once through obstacle, take a seat! By Andrea Tollefsrud Quick and easy cycling tips for a safe and comfy ride BE HEARD YOUR HELMET SHOULD BE LEVEL ON YOUR HEAD— Have a bell and don’t be shy about using it. Be vocal. Whistle. Yell if you need to get noticed by a car you feel is a potential threat. When passing anyone, ALWAYS announce yourself (“On your left”). not tilted back, forward or to the side › Adjust straps and tighten retention knob to achieve a snug, level fit. › Leave two fingers of space between strap and underside of chin. › Helmet fit is tricky sometimes. Don’t be afraid to ask your local bike shop staff or another experienced rider to help. BEFORE EVERY RIDE Check Wheels Be sure they’re not “wobbly,” and be sure quick-release lever is tight so wheel is locked into place. Check tire pressure and pump IF tires feel soft Awareness is your friend. You need both eyes and ears when riding. That said, it’s best not to wear headphones while biking. Check your local laws on headphone use. ID Always carry some form of ID in case you get hurt or need to show identification. If you have a saddle bag, make a copy of your driver’s license and store in the bag. Once A Month Check wheels, brakes and shifting and suspension systems. While you can see in front of you, there is a whole world behind you that you need to hear and sense. Check that brakes are not rubbing on the tire or rim Check by spinning the wheel (off the ground). If rubbing, center brakes. Check chain to be sure it’s adequately lubricated If it looks dirty or rusty, add drops of lube to the chain while turning pedals backwards, then wipe off excess lube with a rag. 23 Illustrations by Alece Birnbach, www.GraphicRecordingStudio.com EYES & EARS Not sure how much air to pump? Check tire sidewall to find the PSI number to pump to. ©Martin Sundberg yuba cargo bike kidding around By Duncan Benning 3 ways to commute by bike with your kids Commuting around by bike is fun. And it’s even more fun when you can get your kids involved, too. If thinking about transporting your kids via two wheels seems intimidating, with a little planning it’s quite doable. Read on for three ways to travel with kids that are easy and safe, and sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. 24 BIKELIFE MESA yepp maxi thule cadence xtracycle BIKE TRAILER CARGO BIKE CHILD BIKE SEAT A bike trailer is a great option for carrying kids (ages one to six) as well as cargo, like groceries or backpacks. Most trailers have a maximum load limit of 100 pounds. Many trailers also offer various types of quickrelease hitches enabling you to quickly remove them from your bike so you can ride unencumbered. Cargo bikes are another fun way to commute with kids. They come in two general categories, Long Tails and Long Johns (see sidebar). Long Tails carry the bulk of the load behind the rider, while Long Johns place the load in front. Xtracycle ($1,499–$2,899) and Yuba ($1,299–$3,499) are popular Long Tail brands. They each offer an array of accessories to help adapt their bikes to various types of use. For example, XtraCycle allows you to use two child seats at the same time, a child seat along with an older child, or as many as three kids all sitting on the rear deck. All of this with plenty of space for cargo. Child seats are similar to automobile booster seats and are designed to attach over the top of the back wheel of most standard bicycles. These seats make great child carriers for a younger child, beginning at about one year old. Most seats have a maximum weight limit of about 45 pounds. Models come in a broad range of prices. The Thule Cadence ($299.95) and Burley’s top of the line D’Lite ($629) are shown. One popular brand is Yepp’s Maxi Rear Bicycle Child Carrier ($229.95) made of shock-absorbant, waterresistant rubber. Topeak’s Babyseat III ($159.99) offers lots of features and adjustability at a good value. Worried about carrying such a heavy load? Some cargo bikes come with electric assist for an extra boost when pedaling. burley d'lite topeak babyseat iii WHAT’S A LONG JOHN? Also called a “Bakfiet,” this bike style is very popular in Europe. Because of their size, though, they are difficult to find in great numbers on shop floors in the U.S. That said, if you look around, you can find shops in many bike-friendly cities that sell them. Cetma Cargo is a brand built in southern California. They offer three different sizes; the most popular is the Largo ($4,395) with space for two or three kids, plus room for groceries. cetmacargo.com cetma cargo bakfiet Do you get sticker shock looking at prices of the ways to commute with kids by bike? Consider the following: » It costs an average of $9,519 a year to operate a mid-size car. (Source: AAA) » 50% of all trips Americans make are 3 miles or less, 40% are 2 miles or less, 28% are shorter than 1 mile. (Source: PeopleForBikes) What if you invested in some kid-carrying gear and took a few of these trips via bike? Just think of the longer-term savings. PLUS, you’ll leave less of a carbon footprint, you’ll get exercise and you’ll always find a free parking space! 29 ©TanyaDueriPhotography HOW TO BIKE STYLISH IN A SKIRT Avoid the dreaded ‘flash’ with these easy tips I get this question all the time: “I would bike, but…how would I wear a skirt and ride without flashing everyone?” My answer: It’s simple! Here are a few tricks to make pedaling in a skirt— no matter what the length—a breeze. F irst, a quick discussion about the type of bike you ride: If you have a step-through frame (a bike with a dropped center tube), biking in a skirt is much easier. If you have the standard triangle-framed bike, you have to get a little creative. Here are my top tips based on the type of skirt you want to wear. Mini-Skirt or Pencil Skirt. Since these are often tight, I recommend choosing a stretchy option that will allow for more comfort and flexibility while you ride. If your skirt is super short and tight, one option is to hold down the center of the skirt to your seat with one hand while you ride. There is no getting around the awkwardness of this move and it can be tricky and possibly dangerous, so I recommend wearing short spandex shorts underneath your skirt to avoid flashing your skivvies. Bikie Girl Bloomers are a fun option (bikiegirlbloomers.com). Knee-Length Skirt. These are the easiest skirts to bike in with enough material and coverage to easily avoid flashing as you ride. Wind can be an issue with these skirts, so consider investing in a skirt weight (visit TandemNY.com for more on this cool product), or check out the “Penny in Yo’ Pants” video on YouTube. When you get off your bike, scoop the skirt material between your legs so you avoid flashing. Long Skirt. Tie the extra material in a knot at the side of your thigh so it doesn’t get caught in your pedals or bike chain. When you dismount, hold the material between your legs or find a wall or an alleyway to hop off your bike near your destination. Remember, flashing a wall is fine! Now throw on your cutest skirt and get out and bike stylishly! By Jeanne Eisenhaure Jeanne Eisenhaure writes about being bike stylish on her blog BikeStylish.com. 27 What Do I Need? Probably the easiest tour of all, a bike overnight is most often a one- or twonight bike trip from your front door (or launching from a place you can drive or take a bus to). The beauty of a bike overnight is that you can use whatever bike you have handy and organize your trip around the bike, your fitness level and where you want to go. A simple bike overnight involves taking a credit card, toothbrush and maybe a change of clothes, and riding light to a hotel or hostel nearby for an overnight stay. If you have a rack on your bike, you can strap on a camping kit and ride to a campground for an inexpensive escape. How Do I Get Started TWO-WHEELED VACATIONS Planning a bike overnight One of my favorite family stories is Jeff Moser’s 10-mile trip from home to a nearby state park with his wife, Kristy, and son, Charlie. It turned out to be their best family camping trip ever, and got them hooked on bike travel. Over time, I’ve come to realize that many people have bikes—or at least easy access to one—and yet not that many folks use it for one of the greatest experiences you’ll ever enjoy: a bike tour. The usual reason I hear is that their bike isn’t the “right kind” for a bike trip, or they don’t have all the gear needed to travel by bike. “I had been reading Joe Kurmaskie’s book Metal Cowboy, Tales from the Road Less Pedaled, a collection of essays about his bicycle travels around the world, which got me yearning for my own two-wheeled adventure,” shares Jeff. “So my wife and I decided to plan a bike overnight to a nearby state park with Charlie.” If that’s your thinking too, here’s some good news: A wonderful, refreshing bike trip with minimal hassle and maximum fun is available to you right now. The bike overnight. Chuck Haney By Jim Sayer No matter what your approach, check out BikeOvernights.org for how-to articles and packing lists, and dozens of stories for inspiration. They include the simple kind of overnights described above, and a whole host of others, including luxury overnights and big family gatherings. In fact, the biggest category of stories covers family trips, and bike overnights are a convenient, economical way to introduce kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews to the wonders of bike travel. The family had a good mix of camping gear and was able to use their existing bikes, along with a Chariot trailer, to carry everything. “Since we weren’t going too far away, I figured we could carry a surplus of stuff and not suffer too badly,” says Jeff, laughing that next time, though, he would hold off carrying a 5-pound Presto log. The Mosers took their time pedaling, and once at the park, they set up camp and enjoyed dinner and a beautiful evening by moonlight, falling asleep to the howls of coyotes in the distance. “On the way home the next day, I was already thinking about where we could go next,” says Jeff. “Since we weren’t going too far away, I figured we could carry a surplus of stuff and not suffer too badly,” says Jeff. Elle notes that planning a short trip helps ease the fear of heading out on a grand adventure. With only a couple of nights on the road, it doesn't really matter how light your bags are, whether you forgot something or need to find the time to train. “We might not have looked much like ‘real’ cyclists, but we had plenty of food, warm clothes and bikes that worked well enough,” shares Elle. “And we were able to experience the local beauty at a pace that we could absorb it all in.” Elle and her friends also took their time. “We stopped as often as needed and had plenty of chocolate to stave off any bonking,” she says, adding, “It was an incredible feeling to share that with my friends and watch their love for bike touring grow. We had the chance to catch back up, tell new stories and sing as loudly as we possibly could while riding uphill!” That’s a useful reminder from a friend of mine. I can’t tell you the number of people who tell me they are going to try a bike trip, but never do. The reasons are legion, from lack of gear to lack of time. But now you know: bike travel is as simple as hopping on a bike, any bike, and riding a few miles to a nearby campground or lodge. Don’t let excuses get in your way. Commit right now to taking a bike trip in the next couple of months. Set a date and destination, and invite friends or family. Once you try your first bike overnight, you’ll wonder why you never tried one before! Jeff Moser, wife Kristy (above) and their son Charlie enjoyed a bike overnight to a local state park. Read more stories on fun bike overnights at BikeOvernights.org. Share your stories on our Facebook page. “One of my most favorite vacations was a 40-mile weekend trip with two of my dearest friends,” says Elle. Photos: Elle Bustamente Elle Bustamente is another fan of bike overnights. She and her husband and two kids have done numerous fun trips together. Elle decided to plan a camping overnight with two close girlfriends. “One of my most favorite vacations was a 40-mile weekend trip with two of my dearest friends,” says Elle. “Neither of them had really been on a bike in a while, but still were willing to follow me on this mini-adventure.” Photos: Jim Moser Getting Your Friends in on the Ride Don’t Wait, Life is Not a Dress Rehearsal A fan of bike overnights, Elle Bustamente (far right) planned a fun trip with two girlfriends, Bekah (left) and Marnie (middle). Jim Sayer is Executive Director of the Adventure Cycling Association (AdventureCycling.org), which produces state-of-the-art maps, organizes tours, advocates for better cycling conditions and publishes Adventure Cyclist magazine. One of his favorite bike overnights was to Yellowstone Park with his teen daughters. Highlights include having loads of time to talk (and groan) while they climbed 7,000 feet on Beartooth Pass, enjoying a cramped hotel room and a pretty lame Adam Sandler movie, and cruising the streets of beautiful Red Lodge, Montana, and finishing with a Mexican food and ice cream feast. 29 ©Wil Matthews 2013/Abus Protect Your Ride By Becca Heaton 4 great bike locks, plus locking dos and don’ts F ace it, having your bike stolen stinks. Close to 190,000 bikes are stolen in the U.S. every year, and that doesn’t include the incidents that go unreported. It’s important to lock your bike. A good lock offers two types of protection: visual deterrence and a longer, louder effort to break it. That’s why you’ll hear people singing the praises for U-locks. They look tough and take longer to saw through. Cable locks are more affordable, but they can be clipped with a single effort—if a thief has the right tools. 30 BIKELIFE MESA So consider this: The more money you invest in a good, sturdy lock, the harder it will be for a would-be thief to steal your bike. And a new bike costs a heck of a lot more, too. No lock is completely foolproof, though. That said, the following four locks will help protect your bike from the bad guys. 10,000 lock combinations blackburn angola combo cable lock The Kevlar sheath around this cable lock’s hardy braided steel makes the Angola 50 percent harder to cut for would-be bike thieves. And the price is right for commuting. $29.99, blackburndesign.com LOCK SMARTS It’s a brutal reminder to come back to your bike and find your wheels missing. Even worse is finding just one locked wheel and no bike. Opportunistic thieves look for unsecured or improperly secured bikes. WRONG! Courtesy of Ann Chanecka/Tucson CABLE LOCK WITH KEVLAR TO INCREASE CUT RESISTANCE Folds up like this SECURITY OF A U-LOCK WITH THE FLEXIBILITY OF A CHAIN abus granit x-plus bordo 6500 Extension for odd-shaped bike racks Made of hardened steel, this accordian-style lock makes it easier to secure your bike in sometimes awkward or tight places. It’s simple to carry too: the lock folds up and fits in a carrying case that attaches to the frame via Velcro straps or screws into bottle-cage mounts. $149.99, abus.com/usa A U-LOCK WITH EXTRA REACH Securing your bike in the city is changing with different styles and shapes of bike racks. To accommodate this, the Mini+ has an extender that allows for more variety in how and where you lock your bike. Lock your bike frame to a bike rack, and capture either your front or back wheel with the extender. $85.95, kryptonitelock.com WRONG! DON’T lock just your frame or just your wheel to the bike rack. Bicycle thieves can (and likely will) remove your wheel and steal the rest of your bike—or vice versa. Also make sure your bike cannot be lifted over the top of the object to which it is locked. RIGHT kryptonite messenger mini+ Launched with a Kickstarter campaign A NEW TAKE ON THE STANDARD BIKE LOCK This lock may not be right for your old refurbished commuter, but if you have a nicer ride to protect and appreciate good design, this sleek new lock may be worth the money. What we love: A father-son engineering team designed this solid, titanium lock to complement the beauty and simplicity of bikes. $159.99–$199.99, tigrlock.com DO Lock BOTH the frame and your wheel to the bike rack. If it’s easy to release your front wheel, place it by the rear wheel and lock both of them with the frame to the rack. tigr 125 bow lock DO lock your bike in a high-traffic area, ideally with a constant flow of people going by and good lighting (at night). DO register your bike and serial number with a local registration service or via the National Bike Registry (nationalbikeregistry.com). Take a picture of your bike, too. 31 [ RESOURCES ] Meet Your LOCAL BIKE SHOPS Looking to buy a new bike? Does your bike need a tune-up? Have questions about where to ride? Your local shop can help. See our full list of bike shops on the next page. PARAGON CYCLING 1106 N Gilbert Rd. // paragoncycling.com Jim Hash Owner Ray Kidd’s love for cycling started when his father gave him a bike for his 5th birthday. “I started Paragon in 2004 to encourage everyone to discover the joy of cycling and share my excitement for this healthy lifestyle and sport,” says Ray. As a result, his staff is always available to offer up general information, give honest opinions or recommendations on specific products, provide a quick adjustment or full service on your bike, or help you find the perfect new ride. TWO WHEEL JONES 917 S Signal Butte Rd. // twowheeljones.com Lights Camera Love Photography Two Wheel Jones is a family-owned neighborhood bike shop open since April 2008. “We believe that bike fit is as important to your riding experience as the components that drive your wheels,” says owner Travis Jones, “so we offer professional fitting services with all road bike sales, or we’re happy to fit you on your existing bicycle.” The shop is also proud of its community involvement, hosting weekly Saturday rides, monthly mechanic clinics, quarterly skills and drills clinics, plus nutrition, coaching and training services. FREERIDE BIKE CO. 3640 East Main St. // freeridebikeco.com “We support a lifestyle that incorporates cycling into your everyday life,” say owners Brian and Ashley Morris. In 2010, they started the “Freeride Bike Co.” brand and their own line of bicycles. “As a family, we love to ride and live the ‘cruiser’ lifestyle,” they share. The Morris’s shop offers their own brand of beach cruisers and fat tire bikes, along with several other bike brands. The shop is also full of accessories, from colorful tires and comfy saddles, to bells, baskets and bling. 32 BIKELIFE MESA GLOBAL BIKES Four locations in the Southeast Valley // globalbikesbikeshop.com Alan Lepak always knew he’d own a bike shop, particularly after working in shops all through high school and college. He opened Global Bikes in 2001, and now owns four stores. “We’re known for our lifetime free service for bikes purchased from us and we have something for everyone,” says Alan. Along with retail and repair services, Global Bikes has a nonprofit, Trips for Kids Phoenix, to expose underprivileged kids to mountain biking. The shops also offer free maintenance clinics and group rides, plus a range of presentations on nutrition, stretching and more. 4 CycloMesa – El Tour de Mesa perimeterbicycling.com/el-tour-de-mesa CycloMesa – Mesa Adventure Cycling Challenge mesaadventurechallenge.com 22 24 25 City of Mesa Bike2Work Day and Earth Day Festival/ Pancake Breakfast mesaaz.gov/mesarides Whiskey Off-Road Race, Prescott epicrides.com Chandler Family Bike Ride chandleraz.gov MAY Glendale Family Ride glendaleaz.com/transportation/ glendalefamilybikeride.cfm City of Mesa CycloMesa – El Tour Criterium mesabikerace.com City of Mesa Phoenix Spokes People Bike Prom phoenixspokespeople.org 2 Chino Valley Grinder azgravelrides.com Arizona Bike Club Desert Classic azbikeclub.com Brian Leddy City of Mesa april calendar bike shops groups Adventure Bicycle Company 2336 E. Baseline Rd. 480-649-3394 adventurebicycle.com Blazing Saddles Ride Club Group road and mountain bike rides for all levels. Skills and maintenance clinics, too. meetup.com/bike-masters-bikes-direct-blazing-saddles-ride-club Archer’s Bikes 1530 N. Country Club Dr. 480-275-5818 archersbikes.com Bikes Direct Mesa 1545 South Power Rd. 480-981-8901 bikesdirectaz.com Bike Masters Gilbert 2244 East Williams Field Rd. 480-857-7000 bikemastersaz.com DNA Cycles 2031 N. Power Rd. 480-924-2453 dnacycles.com Electra Bike Shop 1545 S. Power Rd. 480-428-2349 Freeride Bike Co. 3640 E. Main St. 480-981-2453 freeridebikeco.com Mike’s Bike Chalet 5050 E. University 480-807-2944 mikesbikechalet.com Paragon Cycling 1106 N. Gilbert Rd. 480-830-1620 paragoncycling.com Performance Bicycle 1155 S. Power Rd. 480-832-0034 performancebike.com Gravity Riders Organization of Arizona Advocacy, rider education and trail work. The gravity rider community includes downhillers, freeriders, all-mountain riders, dirt jumpers and BMX riders of all ages. gravityridersaz.com San Tan Shredders Group rides for mountain bikers of all levels. meetup.com/santan-shredders Tempe Bicycle Action Group (T.B.A.G.) Working to make bicycling a prominent, safe and convenient form of transportation and recreation in the region. Also host group rides and events. biketempe.org We-Cycle-USA Help kids and adults in need recycle and refurbish bikes. wecycleusa.org Two Wheel Jones 1917 S. Signal Butte Rd. 480-380-8222 twowheeljones.com 33 [ THE FINAL MILE ] changing habits By Dan Baum Training yourself to travel via two wheels instead of four Studies by the British New Economic Foundation reveal that “cyclists find their mode of transport at least as flexible and convenient as those who use cars, with “… ask yourself, Could I do this on a bike?” lower stress and greater feelings of freedom, relaxation and excitement.” The trick is training yourself to reach first for the bike helmet instead of the car keys. Doing so is largely a matter of challenging your assumptions about how life has to be organized. Think you don’t have time to get around by bike? For trips of three miles or less, riding is about as quick as driving because side streets and paths through parks make it easier to avoid stoplights, and you can zip right past traffic. The workout you’ll get around town on a bike might even save you a trip to the gym. You may not be able to buy a week’s worth of 34 BIKELIFE MESA groceries and pick up the dry cleaning all in one bike trip, but that can be a good thing. When life slows to the speed of a bike, you don’t try to do too many things at once. To make the leap from car to bike, don’t demand too much of yourself. Your job may be too far to bike to, but what about your local supermarket, the hardware store, the movie theater or the post office? Instead of hitting these places while driving home from work, try going home first and getting the bike; it’s a great way to unwind and move your body after sitting all day. Put your helmet where you usually leave your keys so as you reach, you can ask yourself, “Could I do this on a bike?” It’s a matter of developing the habit, and studies show that it’s never too late to break old ones and develop new ones. The Society for Personality and Social Psychology has found that it takes from 15 to 254 days to develop a new habit, and that it’s easier if you use a natural disruption in your life—moving, a new job, a vacation—to change one habit to another because the cues on which your habitual behavior relied disappear. Even a small change presents an opportunity. You’ll need, of course, a bike that you’ll be comfortable riding. It doesn’t have to be brand new or cost a lot, but it should fit you and be in good shape. Your local bike shop can help. Your local shop can also help you with the extras: a rack to hold either baskets or panniers to carry things; a good lock; a helmet; lights for front and back; and for wet streets, fenders. I got creative and zip-tied a seven-dollar lockable tackle box to my rack, so I have a secure place to Illustration by Mike Reisel C limate change, fitness and the price of gas are good reasons to transition from car to bike, but the best reason is that using a bike for commuting or errands is infinitely more pleasant. When you ride, you have the breeze in your face, and you notice all kinds of things—from lawn art to sprouting crocuses—you miss from behind a windshield. You feel connected to pedestrians and playing children, and you arrive at your destination with no parking hassles, your blood full of oxygen. keep lights, tools, a spare tube, a reflective windbreaker and a credit card. Once equipped, start exploring alternatives to the big, fast roads. Side streets, parks, schoolyards and alleys are a parallel universe that you may never have seen before, and they can get you across town with surprising speed. Start slow. Choose nice days. Do one errand at a time. It’s a head shift as much as anything to switch from car to bike. But it’s worth it. Dan Baum is the author of four books and was a staff writer for The New Yorker. He and his wife, Meg, enjoy biking, and use bike share to explore a city whenever they can. GET ACTIVE! DISCOVER NEW LOWER PRICES ON OUR BEST SELLING LIFESTYLE AND YOUTH BIKES! WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING YOU FIND YOUR PERFECT BIKE! Bikes Direct Mesa 1545 South Power Road Mesa, AZ 85206 480-981-8901 www.bikesdirectaz.com Bike Masters Ahwatukee 4802 E Ray Rd Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-598-3373 www.bikemastersaz.com Mikes Bike Chalet 5050 E University Mesa, AZ 85205 480-807-2944 www.mikesbikechalet.com Sonoran Cycles Tempe 725 S Rural Rd Tempe, AZ 85281 480-968-1008 www.sonorancycles.com GIANT-BICYCLES.COM/GATEWAY Giant Scottsdale 2902 N 68th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480-773-7706 www.giantscottsdale.com
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