Back in my junior year of high school, I was rushed to Phoenix Children’s Hospital via ambulance in a grand mal seizure. Doctors quickly induced a coma to stop the violent seizure. For the next few days, the staff was unsure if I would survive, let alone function after such a traumatic event. Ever so fortunately, I did. In all, I spent ten days in the hospital, nine days of which were in the ICU, and the first three in a coma. Due to the seizures, stroke, and immense pressure placed on my brain from this meningoencephalitic infection, I suffered impairments to my cognitive, speaking, and fine motor function.

Thanks to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, I survived this battle for my life and now, some four years later, after a long rough road to recovery, I’m back. This summer my brother Reid and I are bicycling across the continental United States in an effort to raise money for Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the hospital that saved my life. We’ll be riding self-supported, carrying all our own gear, as we pedal from the Virginia coast to the Oregon coast, some 4,233 miles. We look forward to bringing together many people of our community, state, and nation to help support this hospital that performs life-saving miracles on an everyday basis, just as they did for me.

Please check out the brothers’ website:  www.PCHPedalWithPurpose.com  //  blog:  http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/pedalingwithpurpose  //  and Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/pedalingwithpurpose  to help them out.  Best of luck on your travels!

Armed with Ortlieb!

Ethan & Reid as young boys. Ethan in the hospital.

In 2012 I cycled over 3,000 miles solo across India. The first part of my trip was in Rajasthan, in the north; the second was an epic journey from Mumbai down Konkan coast to border of Goa, then up to Deccan Plateau, south through the interior of entire Karnataka, across Tamil Nadu and Kerala to Fort Kochi (Cochin) on the coast. It was on this second leg of my India traverse that I used Ortlieb Bike Shop Hub panniers.

Although currently unavailable, Ortlieb Bike Shop Hub panniers will appear on Bike Bag Shop again soon.  If you’re in need of great gear more immediately, regular Ortlieb panniers are a great choice for summer travels!

To read more on Tomas’s travels, please visit footloosecycling.com.

And again, we don’t recommend, support or condone the use of BOB trailers, or any other bike cargo trailers, on any motorized vehicles other than electric bicycles that are regulated the same as standard bicycles.

But check these out:

If you’d like to get this delivered to your inbox, subscribe here.

Reduced Prices on 2013 Model Chariot Trailers

Our first ever sale on Chariot‘s newest models of Bike Child Carriers.

Chariot Cheetah1 Bike Child Trailer

Now includes a Strolling Kit. The cross-country carrier with a lightweight, aluminum frame makes it a breeze to push or pull.

$381.99 $349.99

Chariot Cheetah2 Bike Child Trailer

Now includes the Strolling Kit.The same adventurous trailer as the Cheetah1, but for two children.

$426.99 $399.99

Chariot Chinook 1 Bike Child Trailer

Chariot’s single seat sporting and all-terrain child trailer designed for urban parents. Loaded with all the features.

$854.99 $799.99

Chariot Chinook 2 Bike Child Trailer

Like the Chinook 1, but for two children

$1056.99 $1006.99

Chariot Corsaire1 Bike Child Trailer

Chariot’s tallest child carrier, for a child who may be too large for other carriers or just wants a little more elbow and head room.

$606.99 $569.99

Chariot Corsaire2 Bike Child Trailer

The two-child version of the Corsaire1.

$696.99 $659.99

Chariot Cougar1 Bike Child Trailer

Now includes the Strolling Kit. A smooth ride and a solid mix of features that make it Chariot’s most popular carrier.

$525.99 $499.99

Chariot Cougar2 Bike Child Trailer

Now includes the Strolling Kit. Chariot’s other most populare carrier, but for two children.

$615.99 $579.99

Get Your Late Model Chariot >>

Chariot Clearance Models

And, yes, we still have pre-2013 Chariot Child Trailers at clearance prices.

• Chariot Cabriolet Bike Child Trailer
  2012 model. The original Chariot carrier. Designed for one or two children
  $449.99 $314.99
• Chariot CX1 Bike Child Trailer
  2012 Model – includes Jogging Kit. Chariot’s flagship carrier, the CX, offers the ultimate in performance and comfort.
  $854.99 $799.99
• Chariot CX1 Bike Child Trailer-2012 Model
  2012 Model – No Jogging Kit.
  $949.99 $664.99
• Chariot CX1 Bike Child Trailer-2011 Model
  2011 Model. Kids will enjoy the extra leg room, wider cockpit, fleece-lined interior, padded seat and harnesses, zip-off side windows, and adjustable suspension.
  $949.99 $619.99
• Chariot CX2 Bike Child Trailer
  2012 Model – Now includes Jogging Kit.
  $899.99 $849.99

Thule in Front

With the Pack ‘n Pedal line of cycling accessories, Thule’s reputation for innovation now extends to bike racks and bike bags

Thule Handlebar Mount

Thule’s innovative system has attachment points for Thule’s Pack ‘n Pedal handlebar-mounted accessories.

$48.99

Thule Handlebar Bag

Keeps your camera or snacks within easy reach. Shoulder strap included to carry this bag off the bike. Crush-proof main compartment.

$98.99

Thule iPad/Map Sleeve

Use your iPad or or any 10-inch tablet as your navigator, mounted right on your handlebars. Watch movies from your indoor trainer.

$48.99

Thule Wallet

An organizer for, bike GPS units, smartphones, keys or small items you want to keep an eye on while riding.

$48.99

Thule in Back

Thule’s racks and panniers are just as innovative. Some models can be used on either the front forks or the rear chain stays.

Thule Sport Rack

A sporty rack for top loads. No eyelets or adapters required. Mounts to a front fork or rear seat stays. Use with Rack-Top Bags and Rack Packs.

$88.99

Thule Tour Rack

Works on nearly any bike. No eyelets or adapters required. For full suspension mountain bikes, carbon road bikes and more.

$98.99

Thule Tote

Like those re-usable totes, but it’s also a pannier. The comfortable handles and shoulder strap transform it back into a carry bag.

$78.99

Thule Commuter Pannier

Commuter panniers that fit nearly any bike rack. Carry it by the handle, or like a messenger bag.

$118.99

Thule Large Adventure Touring Pannier

A lightweight, durable and waterproof touring pannier, ideal for rear mounting. Mounts on virtually any bike rack.

$118.99

Thule Seat Bag

Like a saddle bag, but it has more in common with a tool roll. Keep your emergency tools organized.

$19.49

More Ongoing Sales & Products

Vaude Specials! Save 20% on All Vaude Panniers, Backpacks, Racktop Bags, Saddlebags & Handlebar Bags while supplies last!

It took us most of a week to pack up our inventory. We spun cocoons of plastic wrap around our shelves until we were dizzy from walking around in circles.

On Saturday we loaded five big trucks and left Flagstaff on Sunday morning.

By late morning on Sunday, the trucks were being unloaded in Tucson, and the warehouse shelving was starting to climb to the ceiling.

We now have more than double the space we had in Flagstaff, and we are located in a great year-round cycling town. We are just starting to explore Tucson — and sometimes getting a little lost.

Flagstaff was a good home to the business. Flagstaff is where Josh Lipton, the founder of Bike Shop Hub grew up and learned to love bicycles.

Here are some photos of our moving process, 20 percent logistical genius, and 80 percent brute labor.

In December of 2012, while discussing our own childhood and [lifelong] journey, we began to realize how fortunate we have been. Our reflection led us to see a stark contrast between ourselves and children less fortunate.  How much talent and promise was there in this country, and how many of these children through no fault of their own do not have an opportunity to thrive and realize those talents?  The idea was then born to use our music to help.

After much research we settled on Save The Children as a deserving charity which works hard to help the children of this country and the world.  In the process, we wanted to further challenge ourselves and mapped out a course in which we would bicycle with our instruments from Wilmington, North Carolina to New York City (730 miles) performing in various cities and towns along the way to raise awareness and donations.  We will be traveling without a backup vehicle, hauling our own equipment and supplies via bicycle trailer.

 

The brothers, originally from Italy, fashioned the trailers themselves.

We bought aluminum square tubing, 1/4″ plywood and built the trailers per our own specs. We needed to carry the piano, speakers, guitar etc. so we made the trailers to fit our needs.  The wheels are 24″.  They will be carrying a weight of around 100 lbs each.  The covers are removable fastened tarps.  Hopefully they’ll last.

Don’t feel like building a customized trailer from scratch for your specific hauling needs?  Check out these flatbeds with large carrying capacities and go from there.  Get inspiration from Anne Marie’s massage by bike or Doug’s bakery by bike builds.  In the meantime, best of luck to Angelo and Roberto.  Read more or contribute to their journey here.

I want to thank you for the rack (a Racktime Topit Front Rack), and let you know that this finally ends my search for a front rack to fit my bike and the lights I use.  I asked for the dimensions, so that I would know if this would work, and it fits great.  I’ve attached a few photos to show you how it fits, and how it accommodates my lights.  Thanks for your help and this excellent product!! — Jim

The lights Jim uses are Nightsun Team Issue which he’s had for over 20 years.  The wiring is custom to fit the length needed for switch, battery, and tail light.  These lights rang a bell in my head…. they look an awful lot like those yellow guys from Despicable Me.  Anyone else see it?  No?  Oh well.

The Topit is currently offered at the limited reduced price of $39 – down from $46.99.  Stock is extremely limited for this deal.  Call in your order to receive this discount.

– and in a last ditch effort to get you to see what I see –