The Friday Connection

Today's Friday Connection is a link that Linzi sent over. It is a great document on biking to work essentials. Have a great weekend!






"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race."

––H.G. Wells

Tour de Fat Recap

It was a fabulous day in the park for Tour de Fat last Saturday. As we approached there was an ocean of bikes--more bikes than I had seen in any one place, EVER! Just to sit and people watch was a rewarding venture and we wound up doing a lot of that. It was a great afternoon. Here is a recap of our adventure.

the Friday Connection

Hey folks!

I hope all is going well in your neck of the woods. We are preparing to attend the Tour de Fat tomorrow here in Boise. We will offer up some footage from the event later this weekend.

This week our Friday connection is a link to the Adventure Cycling YouTube page. The more I investigate YouTube the more interesting I find it. You can find anything on there!! Give it a gander and let us know if you enjoyed the link.

Better yet, find us at the Tour de Fat and let us know how you enjoyed it.

Happy Friday!

The Friday Connection (on Saturday)

Hello all!

I apologize for posting on Saturday and not on Friday. This week's link is for the upcoming Tour de Fat. This looks like a crazy day of fun and silliness for a good cause. Check out the link and click on pictures. You'll love it!


Here are the vitals:

Host: New Belgium Brewing

Type: Party - Benefit (this benefits the Treasure Valley Cycling Alliance and Southwest Idaho Mountain Bike Association)

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Location: Ann Morrison Park

City/Town: Boise, ID


Be there or be square! Come say 'hello' if you see us down there.

Useful Resource for Those Touring by Bike

So you've decided to ride your two-wheeler across the States and now you need to figure out where you're going to stay, shower, or both. Never fear, warmshowers.org is here! This is an online resource where people can sign up to host cyclists overnight in their home, offer a shower, or just a warm meal. The site is a forum that has about 8,000 current members. Definitely worth checking out if you are traveling on the cheaper side of the spectrum.

Thanks to the current version of Adventure Cyclist magazine for sharing this little tidbit of information.

Be an STP Experiment Fan!

Did you know we have a Facebook Fan page??

We do! Become a fan on Facebook and join in the fun!

The Friday Connection

Today's Friday Connection is a link to Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. This 72 mile bike trail runs from Mullan, Idaho to Plummer, Idaho. The trail was once the rail line from north Idaho mines to the Palouse Prairie (1887-1992). Photos of the trail can be found here.

The STP Experiment is talking about riding this trail sometime in September. We'll keep you posted. What do you think? Looks like fun, right?

Helmetless in Boise . . .

. . . with melon intact.

Yep, that's right. I don't have a helmet. Somehow it mysteriously has disappeared from my car. This was an unwelcome surprise this evening as I ventured out with the Linz for my first ride with my clipless pedals. I was certain there would be some road rash/melon busting in my future.

I am happy to report that I had a very smooth transition to the clipless pedals. I did arm myself with some internet research prior to hopping in the saddle. The best video I found was on YouTube under the SchwinnBicycles channel. You can view the video here.

Cycling shoes with the compatible SPD cleat.

The best tip I can give you is to plan ahead. When you're clipped in your footsies aren't going anywhere. When coming to a stop you need to release one foot that touches the ground to support your weight. To release you just gently twist your foot outward and POOF it releases. Pretty easy.

I was lucky . . . this time. And I am very excited to begin training in a more efficient way. It really seems to make quite a difference. Now I just need to get a new helmet!

Clipless pedals and an REI newbie!

Monique experiences REI for the first time and Paige gets her pedals installed!