Bicycle Polo

I am continually amazed by what the seemingly fearless fringe of humanity is able to do physically, and create conceptually. Next time you are feeling uninspired just Google search yourself some "inspiring people", "craziest artists", or "extreme sports videos" and you will be amazed what people are doing on this tiny planet.

I cannot credit a Google search with my own bizarre and totally awesome inspiration tonight - the gem of a hobby known as Bicycle Polo was introduced to me this evening by my boyfriend. Initially I thought he was making it up, but according to one New York Times video I found on YouTube, Bicycle Polo has been around a long while (it was actually a demo sport in the 1908 Olympics!). The sport itself is pretty self-explanatory: think horse polo on a bike. Granted, the speed of the game is not too rapid and the talent is as much in the cyclist's handling skills as it is in the explosive power of his or her gams. Nevertheless, what a totally odd and surprisingly (well, at least to me) popular international sport! Check out the clip below to see what the traditional bicycle polo game looks like. There are street polo versions of the game too - think small asphalt courts and single speed road bikes or fixies as the mounts. Intrigued? Fortunately there's a U.S. Bicycle Polo Association Website and the Bicycle Polo Organization Website to get you started.

More crazy and totally amazing inspiration to come soon!

Bicycle Affair

Photo via Trek

Alright fellow bicycle enthusiasts, I have a confession to make. As my beloved Specialized sits just one room away, I've been drooling over photos of the latest additions to the Trek urban cycle line. Now I am not usually one to be caught lusting after the latest gear - I am a monogamous rider, after all, and the allure of a freshly painted frame or the scent of carbon fiber in the air does not tempt me... generally. But lately my curiosity around belt driven cycles has gotten the best of me and I can't seem to get them off of my mind. 

Belt driven? You say. If you have not seen the latest technology, you are in for a treat. Take a look at the photo below and you will quickly see what sets the newest Trek models apart from the pack - the traditional chain which connects the pedal crank to the back wheel has been replaced with a carbon fiber composite belt. The reported benefits? A super quiet, zero maintenance piece of equipment that will not stretch or wear. 

Photo via Trek

I had seen the belt-driven bikes online and while they seemed cool I was not instantly sold. Sure, it they were novel, but (like most things on the internet) I viewed the new cycles with a guarded heart; knowing things are not usually as shiny and fun as they seem when viewed on on the web. But a few weeks ago I was at my local bike shop waiting for my trusty silver steed to undergo some maintenance when I had the chance to meet the Trek belt-drivens in person. As I gave the commuter-worthy Soho and the pared-down District a once-over, the prospects of a no maintenance system (no lube, no grease, no more dirty right pant legs) made my heart flutter. The simplicity of the design is beautiful, but would the belt really be so different? 

As if he'd heard my inner debate, one of the shop wrench-wielders stopped to ask me what I thought of the new products. He'd ridden the bikes and had great things to say about the performance. In addition to touting the silent and clean properties of the belt-driven system, he cited the efficient energy transfer (due to zero slack in the belt versus the extra room and stretch inherent in your typical chain) as the most noticeable difference in the ride. 

Now there are some drawbacks to the belt, namely when it comes to gear options. The belt-driven cycles use an internal rear gear system which limits the number of gears available and makes repair more difficult and costly. Also, there are not too many bikes using the belt system yet - though that number is expected to grow. A Golden, Colorado company, Spot Brand Bikes, also sells belt-driven beauties of both the road and mountain variety. 

Want to learn more about the specifics behind this technology? Check out this website which includes details on how to upgrade your current ride to utilize the belt drive system as well as discover other makes with the CDS (carbon drive system) already installed. While I haven't made a belt-driven purchase yet, you can bet that a new CDS cycle is on the top of my wish list. 

No Impact Man Trailer

It is so fitting that as I blog about simplicity this week the first No Impact Man movie trailer releases!  If you don't know about Colin Beavan's no impact project, check out his website here. I don't know if I am more excited to see the movie or read the book, both of which come out the first week of September. Check out the movie trailer below. 

Bike Lane Love

Photo via treehugger

I discovered a new website today, GOOD, which is the online component of a magazine by the same name. GOOD compiles lots of interesting blogs, articles, and videos and is self-described as "an ongoing exploration of what GOOD is and what it can be". While I was checking out the site I came upon this post, content originally from TreeHugger, that made me giddy. The author explains that in Spain these ZEBRA bicycle lane dividers are used to keep cyclists safe by preventing drivers from ignoring bicycle lane dividing lines. The dividers, sort of an oval-shaped mini speed bump, are also made from 100% recycled plastic. Protecting cyclists who are practicing clean transportation through a recycled mechanism? What could be better! 

I have high hopes that these little ZEBRAs will be implemented here in the US, and soon. Biking to work or down the street to run errands is one of the quickest ways to ease gas guzzling automobile traffic and improve air quality in our immediate environment. Unfortunately, cyclists are often put in unsafe situations due to distracted, or simply bad, drivers. Utilizing a product such as ZEBRA dividers is a sustainable way to keep cyclists safe while making bicycle commuting more attractive to new riders who may be weary of cycling safety.

Lazy Sunday: Evening Ride

It was too beautiful an evening to stay inside and my legs were aching for some work so an evening bike ride was the perfect solution. The warm breeze on my arms felt so liberating and by the third loop around the park I could feel my legs slowly firing up - each pedal stoke flooding those underworked muscles with blood and energy. Laughter and chatter from a few remaining picnics tickled the air, dancing my feet quicker and lighter until the motion became nearly effortless. When I finally worked out my restlessness I stopped long enough to snap a few photos and stretch, but the sight of my fellow two-wheel spinners had me back in the saddle after just a few minutes. 

Bamboo Bicycles

Bamboo Bike via Calfee Design

According to the website, "This is not just a cool bike. It is appropriate for everyday use and for racing. The vibration damping is a performance advantage on longer rides."

Wondering what's so special about this road bike? Take a close look and you will see that this bike's entire frame is made from bamboo. Yup, you heard right, bamboo. The company that makes these wooden rides, Calfee Design, claims that bamboo bikes dampen vibrations like none other, are tough enough to take a major beating, and are lightweight to boot. I cannot comment on how these bikes ride as I have never had the pleasure, but if anyone has and would like to share their experience in the comments section I would love to hear about it. Calfee Designs also makes bamboo mountain bikes and a number of other lust-worthy cycles, check them out here. 

Another benefit of buying bamboo when it comes to your next two wheeler is that the carbon footprint is way lower than any other bicycle on the market. In addition to using smoked and heat-treated bamboo, the Calfee Design bike boasts hemp-fiber lugs (for those not into bicycles, lugs are basically connector bits that hold your bicycle frame together). Bamboo and hemp together?! That's two of the world's most sustainable, useful, and durable resources in one product! In case you didn't know, bamboo is the fastest growing wooded plant on the earth, growing up to 24 inches a day. Plus, utilizing bamboo in this form (meaning in the same whole structure it comes in naturally) requires way less processing than, say, making bamboo cloth fiber.