What Do You Think?

Local bike advocacy juggernaut Think Bicycles has put together an area bicyclist survey:

Think Bicycles Commuter Survey

Check it out and let them know who you are and what you would like to see prioritized in the future for bicycle infrastructure and even incentives. It’s a two pager and it does not take long to complete.

Not to be left out we came up with our own survey: Have you tried Wake Up Iowa City’s new roast 30th Century Bicycle Golden Gear Chain yet?

Yes!

No.

If you answered yes, good on ya. If you answered no get on down to the New Pi and get some, you’ll be tastily glad you did. It’s like a week supply of daily tune ups for your brain for the price of a brake adjustment!

 

 

In Stock

We have as many used bikes ready to go right now as we probably will until next fall, so if you are looking for a commuter, mountain bike, kids bike, tandem or road bike check out the page and see if there is something there for you.

We just bulked up the Newbaum’s made in the USA bar tape. So many colors it took 2 photos to fit them all in.

A new shop jersey and shorts order is almost ready and will be going into production soon. We still have a few of the old design, and Surly wool jerseys in stock as well, at great prices.

Wake Up Iowa City’s newest locally roasted offering, 3oth Century Bicycle Golden Gear Chain is right here on the counter waiting for you as well.

Grab a pound to GO!

 

The Coffee Cycle

You buy coffee. You brew coffee. You drink coffee and you feel better than you ever have and accomplish more than you ever thought possible. You run out of coffee. You buy more coffee. Repeat for the rest of your life because coffee is not just delicious and good for you but oh so addictive!

You buy a bike. You ride the bike. You feel better than you ever thought you could. You accomplish amazing things. You drink coffee and then take a ride and your bike feels better and faster than you ever thought possible, as if Rumpelstiltskin himself had spun you a golden chain or something.

Well this ain’t no fairy tale, so next time you need fuel get yourself a pound of fresh roasted reality, now on sale at Wake Up Iowa City, the New Pi Coop, and soon right here on the counter at 30th Century Bicycle.

 

We’re Getting the Blog Back Together

Bike to Work Week may be over, but it never really ends you know. Why just this morning I rode to work!

Our breakfast here at the shop was a great time. Dustin Busch played, State Senators mingled with City Councilors, people ate delicious Trumpet Blossom Cafe food, we gave away some Arkel bags, and we just barely almost didn’t run out of Wake Up Iowa City coffee more than once. Or did we?

Ah well, everyone rode bikes! The week was packed with stuff to do for bike commuters and it was good to see new events this year.

Yepp, Bike to Work Week is really bike everywhere you can, so bike on everyone, and we will see ya ’round the bike racks.

 

Bike to Work (next) Week

If you are only going to ride your bike to work one week this year, do it next week! As the Bicycle Justice League says, “this is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride. Whether you bike to work or school; to save money or time; to preserve your health or the environment; to explore your community or get to your destination, get involved in Bike Month in your city or state — and help get more people in your community out riding too”

To help usher in the Bicycle Spirit with the bicycle, tricycle and kiddie trailer, we are hosting a breakfast next Monday morning, May14th, right here at the shop from 7:30 to 9:30 in the morning. Rain or shine, work or day off, come on down and hang out with us. We are going to have food by Trumpet Blossom Cafe, and coffee by Wake Up Iowa City! We will also have a drawing for a FREE set of Arkel panniers, and other great bike commuting stuff, too. You can’t win if you don’t ride your bike down here to eat and enter.

Lots of good stuff going on all week, check the schedule HERE and we hope to see you riding your bike!

 

Bicycle Super Highway

Have you noticed the work on I 80 happening through Iowa City yet?

Last year they moved the lanes over, now they are breaking this section up to repave it as a bike path with native prairie grasses on the north side, and a line of trees on the south to provide shade and work as a visual / noise block from the ever dwindling motorized traffic. The next phase will see the lanes in between the cycle path and the interstate torn out and train tracks will be put down for the highspeed rail system.

 

 

Thanks & Please

Now that we are past our 3 year birthday it is time to write the thank you cards. Thanks for the beer deliveries! And them pastries, too! But most of all thanks for bringing your business here and giving us the opportunity to do what we love. We have said it before, we could not do this without You. So thanks, You, and here is looking forward to more years, like about 25 more and we can retire. Ugh!

Now to the please part. You may have heard that right next door to us a new restaurant just opened last week? The Trumpet Blossom Cafe is all vegan awesomeness! Owner Katy used to be part owner of the Red Avocado but when that got run over by the bulldozer of “progress” she set out on her own, and landed right here. We loved the Red Avocado and were big supporters of everything they did, and now Trumpet Blossom is serving up more of the same, along with a bar, patio, lots of live music, and great espresso roasted locally by our old neighbor Wake Up Iowa City. So please help us build this little community down here and give the Trumpet Blossom a try, you’ll be glad you did!

 

The Xtracycle Economy

We love the Xtracycle! Cody has a Surly Big Dummy, and Steve a FreeRadical kit on his MASI commuter. It is truly an amazing innovation, the longtail bicycle, allowing you to do more with your bike than you ever thought you could. Or at least as much as you imagined you might, if you are the imaginative type. Of course it can carry books, recycling, kids, cats, odds, ends, lumber, and vices. As well as vises! This week Steve hauled 4 empty 6 packs of beer to the Coop to return them for the deposit. This got him enough money to get a coffee refill in his commuter mug, and last night he loaded up three kids bikes to ride over and donate to the Bike Library.

This short longtail bike ride gained us a bit more floor space here at the shop, and a new sticker for the Xtracycle snapdeck.

Respect the bike, and when you are ready to do more with yours, consider an Xtracycle!

 

We’re Open!

Today is the first day open in the new space, right next to our old space! Door is on the south side now, facing Prentiss, come on in.

And happy Martin Luther King Day, too!

 

Lock It Up!

There are plenty of webpages out there with tips and hints about locking a bike.  They all tell basically the same story, use a quality lock, lock to something secure like a police station or Linus’ blanket or even an animatronic clown.

And never ever never leave the key in the lock while you are getting coffee.  Just don’t do it!