Bike Hugger 

The high-pressure system has been sitting over Seattle for a while now. Sure there’s a burn ban and the air quality is “moderate”, but there’s nothing like a clear morning in the Pacific Northwest. Today, like every other day, was a great day for riding to work.

I was at a Peets last week in Portland and didn’t get my camera out in time to snap the cargo bike as it rolled past the window (I think the Peets customers were also alarmed that I jumped up so quickly to look at a bike). Todd had tipped me that box bikes were en route and now has the photos and more info.

Also, Marcus reminded me that Seattle has got some cargo bikes as well and Aaron is working on them.

During a quick scroll of the 2007 bloggies, I noticed that Fat Cyclist was nominated for the Best-Kept Secret Weblog. Def vote for Fatty and hope he accepts the award in lycra, on a fixie, and puts it in a messenger bag!

And if you missed Fattie’s contest last week, the comments are still a good read. He gave away a Twin Six Jersey. I posted on Twin Six last year and unfortunately didn’t get to meet them in Vegas at Interbike.

I found this music video of the Japanese hip-hop group Rip Slyme. The set-up is that group members are working in a bike shop. My Nihon-go isn’t good enough to understand what they are talking about, at least not on the first listen. And I’m not sure how many more times I can endure to listen. BUT music aside, almost all the props in the video are actually quality keirin components and featured prominently enough that I can identify the model. And really, it’s a welcome break from seeing every wannabe American popstar posing in an Escalade while lip-synching to some cheesewhiz manufactured song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86iUu-9qfIo

Shimano does a great job of pushing their top-level technology down to their lesser component groups. Cyclingnews.com just did a review of the 105 group, and I really have to second their praise. The 105 stuff works great on my rain bike. If I ever get around (read: get the funds) to building up a travel bike, I’ll probably spec it with Shimano 105. The only thing I can’t get past is the chainrings: What’s up with the cookie-cutter finish on those? The cranks themselves look fine to me, but the rings look a little cheap. Because I’m a vain SOB, I’d swap out for the FSAs and it would be a great looking setup.

By request, we’ve got Bike Hugger tees in girls sizes and will have them next week, just in time for your spring fashion collection! We’re also restocked on all sizes after selling out twice – you can order directly from us, shipped from Hugger Industries HQ, or from our friends at Amazon.

Just in time for our Hugger Industries announcement, TypePad featured Bike Hugger! Cool.

Welcome TypePad users and readers. If you like to learn more about what we blog here, check our about page, meet the authors, browse the archives, tags, and contact us.

Hugger Industries is world HQ for the Hugger family of blogs and fresh products and launched this weekend. As a Bike Hugger reader, you won’t see any changes, but can expect more huggers this year and more products.

It’s days like these in Seattle, when the sun finally comes out, that I realize how much I enjoy living here. During the lowest low of our record rain, snow, and ice, I hoped for a day like yesterday and watched the radar waiting for the sky to clear.

Out on the roads, the air was brisk and the sun warmed my tights. Old routes were good to ride and it was good to see my teammates from UBC, who I hadn’t seen since November of last year.

Today Pam and I will ride tempo south to the Kent golf course and back.

Bicycle @ Flower Market, by Carol Mitchell.