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2011 Colorado Bike Summit beyond expectations

Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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I was lucky enough to have the honor to attend Colorado Bike Summit put on by Bicycle Colorado. The summit was put on because many noticed that Colorado had the largest presence at the national bike summit every year so it was time to capture that energy and start Colorado's own Bike Summit. This year's bike summit was kicked off with the great keynote speeches by John Burke of Trek, Tim Blumenthal of Bikes Belong, Bill Vidal, Mayor of Denver, Randy Neufeld of SRAM and lastly Dan Grunig of Bicycle Colorado.

John Burke of Trek

John Burke of Trek

The speeches say a lot on their own (more to be added as they are uploaded). In addition to the speeches there was as panel discussion on how Black Hawk and the recently failed mountain bike safety bill. The panelist gave a great deal of information on how we should interact with our elected officials. Key take aways were.

    BMA's speech on West TSA at recent Banquet.

    Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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    Speech by BMA's president, Jason Vogel, at BMA Banquet on West TSA access


    Learn more how you can help with Mountain Bike Related issues
    Also check out Jason's Guest Opinion in the Daily Camera

    BMA is asking for us to take action by showing up this Wednesday to the

    City Council Chambers, Municipal Building
    1777 Broadway (SW corner of Canyon and Broadway)
    Boulder, CO
    Wednesday, February 9 · 5:00pm - 8:00pm

    BMA is asking for 4 things

    From the Daily Camera's Letter to the Editor

    Cyclists aren`t the enemy

    I must object to the mean-spirited and ill-informed tirades about mountain cyclists published here recently. As mountain bike riders know, this activity is noble, positive and saturated with spiritual meaning.

    For most of us, this is not some kind of extreme thrill sport, but rather a flowing way to experience nature`s blessing. No one is asking to ride on the Mesa trail or otherwise "take over" all the hiking trails. The current proposal is for a separate route that will provide a critical link in the system; allowing cyclists to avoid riding along Broadway south of Table Mesa, where the "bike path" is on a dangerous sidewalk that crosses numerous blind driveways into a shopping center.

    The negative opinions expressed by the bicycle bigots can be compared to a group of snowshoers who want to ban cross-country skiers because they "go too fast."

    That being said, I know that mountain cyclists are grateful for the off-road cycling opportunities that do exist and can ultimately make do without this much-needed southern connecting link route. But whatever happens, please stop characterizing mountain cyclists as threatening or predatory. Boulder is a cycling town and off-road cycling is a worthy and important aspect of our overall culture.

    PETER McINTOSH

    Below snippet is from the BMA Facebook Event Page. Lots more details there, some history and resourceful comments

    If you ride a mountain bike in Boulder, and you believe in more trail access from town, now is the time to show up. BMA wants to get 500 mountain bikers there - and we need you to make it happen!

    *** WEAR A GREEN SHIRT AND A BIKE HELMET *** ... and wear them with pride as you fly the BMA colors and visually state "I am a mountain biker!"

    On this Wednesday, the city's Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT), a council-appointed citiz...en advisory board, will hear testimony on whether or not to continue the Boulder Bike Ban. City Open Space staff said mountain bikers should have NO access to the West TSA. The OSBT meeting is our chance to change that!

    To overturn this ban, BMA wants to show the mountain bike community's numbers - that mountain bikers are not a "special interest," we are the very fabric of Boulder. By just showing up in your green shirt and bike helmet, you cast a vote.

    Or better yet, show up and sign up to speak. Don't repeat what others have said before you. It's enough to just get up there and say your name, your address, and "I support BMA's modest proposal." But feel free to say more if you'd like to. Your comments will dispel the myth that all mountain bikers are 20-something, meat-headed, adrenaline fueled, selfish people with no concern for families, our community, or our environment.

    Boulder B-Cycle - Not Your Average Cruiser Bike

    Submitted by David on

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    New B-cycles include unique design features
    For Immediate Release

    BOULDER, Colorado (Feb. 3, 2011) — At first glance, the Boulder B-cycle bike may look like just another get-around-town cruiser — albeit a very cool one. Examine a little closer, though, and you’ll discover a carefully crafted machine that includes a bevy of thoughtful and unique design features.

    “These bikes were engineered specifically for bike sharing,” explains Trek’s Michael Hartzell, product manager of the Wisconsin-based bike maker’s B-cycle project. “This is not an old platform. We did a ton of research and then started design from the ground up.”

    That research began with a trip to Europe, where members of Trek’s B-cycle development team examined bike-sharing systems in France, Germany and Spain. They took what they learned across the pond, then improved on it. The result is a bike that’s robust, reliable and a lot of fun to ride.

    “With a program like this, the primary objective is to create a bicycle that’s exceptionally functional, and will be able to stand up to abuse,” says Hartzell. “Mechanical problems are not an option. The goal is 100-percent reliability for end-users.”

    Thus far the signature red B-cycle bikes have delivered. During the program’s inaugural year in Denver, the only major mechanical was a single flat tire. Not bad considering the Denver program recorded 102,981 individual rides in 2010. But despite the overwhelming success, Hartzell and his team are striving for more.

    “We learned a lot from the first year in Denver,” he explains. “Now we’re using that information to improve the bikes for all our programs, including Boulder. For example, we’re making weight adjustments that will help better balance the front and rear end. That will improve handling, making them even more user friendly.”

    The Pros Closet - Bigger than you think

    Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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    Owners Nick (left) and Pete pose in their "lobby"

    Seven years ago, while living in a Volkswagen Van and training to make it as a professional mountain bike racer, Nick Martin planted a seed. A seed that today
    has grown into the world’s largest online used bike store. Nick combined his deep knowledge of auction science with his industry contacts and started down a path that has expanded beyond the simple life inside that old Volkswagen Van. While Nick was successfully selling for his mountain bike peers he met Pro Roadie, Pete Lopinto. Pete and Nick combined forces and brought their road and mountain bike contacts together to form The Pros Closet. Within a week Nick’s one bedroom Boulder apartment has filled with teammates old kits and used parts. At that point they knew this was a business model that was going to work.

    The Pros Closet is a bike shop unlike any you have seen before. Their knowledge of auction science and eBay’s market place has allowed them to turn over 60% of their inventory every 7 days. By opening your auctions up to a worldwide marketplace and using their proven auction strategies, they can put more money in your pocket than you can selling your own gear. Their deep inventory comes from bike shops, companies, professional athletes, industry reps, and riders like you.


    Click to Enlarge     How they operate

    Here is how they work.

    • STEP 1: Bring in the contents of your garage and dresser drawers
    • STEP 2: Watch the action. Once your item(s) are listed, they e-mail you a link to
      your online account so you can view the action as your auctions unfold. They also
      assign account manager to your account to answer any questions you may have
      throughout the process.
    • STEP 3: Get Paid: After your auction ends, the collect payment and professionally
      ship your item(s) to the winning bidder

    PLAN-Boulder County Opposes Bike Access In The West TSA

    Submitted by David on

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    It looks like PLAN-Boulder County opposes bike access in the West TSA. If you are not familar with PLAN-Boulder County here is a brief description from their website:

    PLAN-Boulder County (PBC) is a citizens' organization that works to ensure that governmental policies in the City of Boulder and in Boulder County be sensitive to all environmental issues. PBC seeks to promote, through education, political action, and encouragement of public involvement, a far-sighted and imaginative pattern of land use so that the area may retain its individual character and remain an attractive place to live.

    Here is the complete letter that PLAN-Boulder County wrote to Open Space and Mountain Parks:

    Mike Patton, Director
    Department of Open Space & Mountain Parks
    PO Box 791
    Boulder, Colorado 80306

    Dear Mike:

    As you know, PLAN-Boulder County has been involved as a supporter of the Boulder Open Space program since its inception, and we have also taken a keen interest in good stewardship of both Open Space and the Boulder Mountain Parks, both before and after their merger. We are committed to proper funding and wise management for all the Charter purposes, and, most importantly, to the preservation of the resources intact in perpetuity.

    Mountain Bike Safety Bill Fails in Senate

    Submitted by Kris Thompson on

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    One 1 of 2 new cycling bills just failed in the Colorado Senate due to lack of Democrat support. Next bill up on the block is the Open Roads Act which will prevent cities like Black Hawk from banning bikes. Hopefully that one gets more traction. Below is the Denver Post explanation as to why the Mountain Bike Safety Bill failed. The upcoming Colorado Bike Summit is a good opportunity to vent your frustration to your elected officials as many will be available for discussions.


    From the Denver Post

    Citing concerns about stripping protection from victims of negligence, a Senate panel voted 5-4 today against a bill that would have limited liability for mountain bike area operators and providers of other mountain biking services.

    Senate Bill 36, sponsored by Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, sought to protect trail owners, equipment renters and guides from lawsuits stemming from injury to riders except in cases of intentional injuries or "willful and wanton" conduct.

    Boulder County: Bike shelters will help commuters travel final mile

    Submitted by David on

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    From the Daily Camera:

    Boulder County: Bike shelters will help commuters travel 'final mile'

    Shelters in Boulder, Longmont to be erected this spring
    By Laura Snider, Camera Staff Writer

    By late spring, commuters to Boulder and Longmont who can't quite make it all the way to their jobs taking the bus alone will be able to more easily use their bikes to ride "the final mile" to their destination.

    Boulder County is working to install two locked bike shelters at busy bus stops -- one at the intersection of 28th Street and Iris Avenue in Boulder, and one in Roosevelt Park at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and Coffman Street in Longmont. Commuters will be able to store their own bikes inside the shelters, which will be accessed by a key card, for a small fee.

    "It's different than the bike-share model," said Scott McCarey, alternative transportation coordinator for the county. "You own the bike, so it's 100 percent guaranteed to be there."

    The bike shelter concept is meant to tackle the transit challenge of "the final mile" -- the idea that, if people can't conveniently travel the final leg of the trip to their workplace from a bus stop without transferring to another bus, they're less likely to take the bus at all.

    Gold Sprints - Lazy Dog

    Submitted by David on

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    Photo Credit: 303Photo

    Last night, the Lazy Dog was hopping in downtown Boulder. Gold Sprints were happening for the first time in a long time. You may or may not be familiar with roller racing so this is how Wikipedia defines it:


    Rollers may also be used for roller races (goldsprints). Two or more bikes are placed on rollers side by side, the rollers are connected to a timing system. Timing systems either use modern electronics and digital projection, or a large analog clock with a hand for every rider representing their distance traveled. Roller racing was popular in 1950s Britain, often preceding films at the cinema or taking place in between dances at dance halls.[9] Roller racing still takes place in Britain today with London's bicycle messenger community organizing events going under the name of Rollapaluza.

    As for last night there were four bikes lined up on stage with a large projection screen off to the right of the stage. Statistics on each rider (i.e. speed, time etc) were displayed for everyone to see. Riders were given a count down and they raced as hard as they could for 500 meters as the music pumped and old time cycling videos played in the background. So you may ask how long does it take to sprint for 500m? Last night the fast times were in the sub 18 second time frame.

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