I was pleased to learn that the above photo inspired Marty Manley (former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor, founder of online bookseller Alibris, and “slightly obsessed” bicyclist) to post an essay to his blog titled, Wonderful dream bicycles that change and grow. The essay is an interesting look at the above bikes and how the global economy has affected the companies that built them. Good stuff!

Read Marty’s essay →

This photo was taken on a beautiful summer day here in Grand Rapids, MI.  There’s absolutely nothing better than riding around downtown with friends.

—Amanda

This past summer, I was able to spend most of the time “on vacation” with my family down at the Jersey shore. Each morning at 6:00AM I’d ride Island Beach State Park. 8.3 miles in and 8.3 miles out. I’d try to maintain a 19 – 21 mph average. I considered this an intense workout for my 52 year old former smoker’s body. I loved it. Then at 9:00AM I’d go back into the park with my 14 year old son and my 22 year old daughter and do another in and out with them. I loved it even more. We three approached this type of riding with fitness, performance and spandex as our priorities… It strengthened our bonds and gave us a sense of accomplishment.

—George Mauro

Closing out the summer in the Silicon Valley.  This is my new Trek District at Burgess park in lovely Menlo Park, CA.

—Michael Meyer

My old Bianchi Sport Bike dated 1955… restored in 2008 by Velowerkstadt Zuerig.

—Gian Mario Cella

California is often referred to as the Golden State. Depending upon who you ask, the term may be referring to the discovery of gold in 1848, the generally sunny weather, or the golden grass that blankets the state through most of the summer.

When we think of fall colors, we generally think of the bright reds and yellows of New England. But here in California, another fall color is the bright green of newborn grass. After the first rains, our fields suddenly come alive and everywhere you look fresh grass is sprouting up, transforming the golden blanket to vivid green. It’s a wonderful time of year to be a bike commuter.