Empowering The Bicycle Traveler

Cold Weather Bike Riding

NAHBS 2011, Day Two

The bike hermit is only interested in useful bikes. Randonneuring, commuting and touring bikes with racks or at least eyelets and with fenders are the only bikes that make sense. And the only ones that look proper. Ellis Cycles' owner Dave  Wages has a resume that includes stints with Ben Serotta, Dave Kirk and Waterford Read More

There was new snow on the ground again this morning with more forecast for the rest of the week. I check the forecast for Texas and Louisiana and am pleased to see that temperatures are predicted to be in the 70's during the day and merely down to the 50's at night for at least Read More

Cook Stoves for Bike Touring

Back in the day there were not a lot of choices in lightweight backpacking or bike touring stoves. The bike hermit used (and still has) a Svea brand stove. Aside from being dangerous, unreliable, inconsistent, inefficient, heavy and difficult to use, that stove is great. Nowadays there is a better selection of stoves from which Read More

How to Size a Touring Bike

I have finally completed the series of pages about sizing for a touring bike. The first one is here.   This is always a controversial topic and usually engenders the longest threads on most forum sites, and so it's sure to ruffle some feathers but that should be entertaining. If you have comments or specific questions Read More

Cold Weather Cycling – How To Dress

Yesterday I decided I needed an attitude adjustment. So I went for a 2 1/2 hour bike ride. And it worked! Riding even a short distance can change the thought patterns in the brain. It was about 42 degrees F. when I left and about 39 when I returned. Other than the toes I was Read More