Bike Hugger 

Lookie at what I got here: a “Click” multi-tool.

China is getting hammered by the worst weather in 50 years and with millions of people riding bikes, that’s creating lots of chaos. Sure, in Seattle we’re weather wusses compared to Canada or other really cold places, but I don’t think any of us have it this bad …

AP Photo by Eugene Hoshiko.

We posted on bamboo bikes previously, but not a bike carrying bamboo … and a lot of it.

Yield to Life is a new campaign founded and fronted by US Pro Dave Zabriskie. The site has some well-constructed articles on how to act properly on your bike to stay safe. The 10 Safety Tips For Motorists should be a must-read for all drivers…but oh well. I’ve pasted the Cyclist Tips below:

Ever notice how Lady Fortune has a brutal sense of humour? I’m at the Lapierre Cycles presentation. Seattle Bike Supply and Lapierre had a raffle for a Lapierre X.Lite cyclocross frameset, and who wins it? This little kid named Reuben (see picture left). Yes, of course, Reuben’s dad is the real lucky one, but I’m still ticked that he used his kid to win. I mean, I thought I was clever using my girlfriend’s ticket to improve my odds but clearly I was outsmarted. Next time I’ll need to bring in a daycare center or some homeless people to get more raffle tickets in my hands. Don’t I deserve swag?

Last Friday, Gilles Lapierre (seen here on the left with Seattle Bike Supply’s Tim Rutledge) was in town to present the 2008 Lapierre bicycle line. Mr. Lapierre, whose grandfather founded the company in 1946, is hoping to steadily expand into the US market with a selection of performance road and mountain bikes.

The Yuba is rolling out in the UK and Ghana this week, and the US and the antipodes next month. The Yuba’s an integrated longbike style cargo bike, promising lateral stiffness and lots of capacity (220 kg total load). Built in horizontal racks for hauling the stuff that won’t fit in a pannier or two. Nice touches: chain guard, choice of kickstands, bikes in Africa.

As much as I love the idea of more cargo bikes here in the land of giant SUVs, I love the reality of cargo bikes in the developing world even more. It’s great to see a manufacturer actually shipping to Africa in their initial foray into the markets. Good for you, Yuba!

I was googling for something else and found this Bay Area Bike Culture multimedia piece and photo essay. I can’t tell when it was produced but judging by the Saturn jerseys, I’d say a while ago.

With 2008 well underway, those of us “fair-weather” riders are looking forward to another cycling season that lies just around the corner. As you try to keep warm through the last few weeks of winter, here are some exciting events to kick off the season…and they don’t all require riding in the freezing cold.

• Seattle Bike Swap: Grab some great deals and get your bike tricked out for the upcoming season. Back in Magnuson Park’s hanger #30, this year’s swap is sure to get you ready to ride!
• Clif Bar Chilly Hilly: No other event name describes a ride so well. Back for its 34th year, Chilly Hilly will once again kick off the Northwest cycling season.
• Bike Expo 2008: Sponsored by Group Health, the Seattle International Bike Expo is sure to provide a good time in the new downtown location, Cruise Terminal 30. As in years past, Cascade has lined up a bunch of great FREE presentations, from Chris Carmichael to The Metal Cowboy and a list of others. Stop by to check out the latest in bike gear, new rides and stay for some fun shows.

And for the rest of us weenies, grab your cup of hot coffee and curl up in front of the Amgen Tour of California, set to ride in only a few short weeks!

Spotted on Stone Way, in the Fremont Neighborhood of Seattle. Can anyone identify that bike? I hadn’t seen it before and the shop girl just said that the owner had bought it from Europe.

from the Bike Hugger Photostream.