Bike Hugger 

On the way home tonight, I stopped in at QFC (local grocer) and ran into Scotty and Mercedes from uBRDO. They were sort of stuck at home, so he closed the shop and stocked up. They even brought home a Tree on their trailers, in the snow.

The snow day that wasn’t in Seattle, is now one today and while that’s slowing down our blog productivity (kids at Hugga HQ bouncing off the walls), it’s also generating much discussion on riding with studded tires, cleats, and riding indoors, especially with euro hotness.

Update

Seattle PI in their ongoing coverage has this shot of a cyclist riding his bike in the snow, here’s another, and the Seattle Times has this video with a cyclist at 01:43.

Last Thursday in Portland, Shimano brought their tech seminar national tour to the Northwest. Besides explaining all about the new Dura Ace 7900 and the revolutionary DA 7970 electronic group, Shimano’s Chad Roberts explained the new Shadow-style rear derailleurs for mtb and the new lighter, more versatile Saint group.

Shimano also markets a line of components under the Pro name. Supplying the likes of Hushovd’s Credit Agricole Pro Tour team, they apparently supply champion track sprinter Theo Bos with this awesome carbon track bar and stem.

Andrew Musselman, local cycling fiend and a dedicated Ride Civilian, whipped up his own Studded Tires in preparation for this weeks icy commutes in Seattle. Here’s a tutorial that covers a similar approach. Andrew’s using flat headed screws, with the pointy side out which makes a bit more intuitive sense. A tire liner over the heads keeps your tubes from popping. At least that’s the theory, how’d it go, Andrew? Anybody else riding studs this late fall?

A couple more instructive photos inside…

Friday’s release party for the Lovely Ladies on Beautiful Bikes (we’re a sponsor, yo!) was a big hit despite the inclement weather. Standing room only by 9:00, plenty of oboe-powered hobo cabaretby The Whiskey Romance and later Golden Robot Army played. Many of the Lovely Ladies were in attendance, and although I ducked out a bit early I understand the party was going strong at midnight. Nice work as always, MaLora, looking forward to next year’s calendar.