One day in the LBS (Local Bike Shop)

One day I was moseying around a shop absorbing that "new bike smell" a new rider asked the LBS employee questions about getting a new bike. After answering them and lining up bikes in her size and price range to test ride she asked "Are any of these made in the USA?".

He paused, then said "There are bikes made here. They tend to be expensive". There's a long list of hand-made, mostly full custom bikes made in the USA. I'll get to some of them. I hope you'll see from this blog there are tons of options for parts, clothes, lights, racks and the stuff you either need to ride or would be nice to have to ride.

Much of that is very affordable.

Bikes made in the USA tend to be pricey. By "pricey" I mean starting at $2,000 to $3,000. When we talk about an "American made bicycle" we mean the frame. Many parts go into a bicycle and they are from all around. It's just about impossible to get an entirely US made bicycle.

What started this post is that our friend Donald Boothby has passed away. He was a truly wonderful man whom K had the honor and pleasure of meeting a few times. Don had a wonderful sense of humor, a great family, he loved to cook and of course ride bikes. He bought a touring bike made by a small local builder: Davidson Bicycles. 

He rode tens of thousands of miles on that bike often with family and friends. Sadly we never got to ride together. I'd hope to do so when I moved here.

We see Davidson bikes a lot while riding in Seattle. Not that there are a lot of them. They are few so they really stand out. They stand because not only are they rare and beautifully made but the obvious ease and comfort to the rider.

Davidson fits you right to the bike. You sense it's a Davidson approaching from afar away because bike and rider move as one.

Sadly as Don lay at home, just days from dying of cancer a thief broke into their home and stole his bike.

This is a friendly blog with a kind purpose. I'm a peaceful person. There's few if any people and even things I dislike. I like cats, liver and lima beans. I'm pretty zen.

But I hate bike thieves.

Perhaps the only thing worse than bike thieves is cancer. Cancer just took our friend and not before thieves took his bike. So I'm a little upset.

So I'm just saying; rare, unique, custom built, custom painted bike which the entire cycling community recognizes is out there. If you have the bike and ride it skilled riders can tell from a mile away "That's not yours. It is not fit for you, is not your bike."

If you're looking for a fine custom bike to buy new or legitimately and reliably used from the owner or a good bike shop you can do no better than a Davidson:

http://davidsonbicycles.com/

But to the ditwad who stole or the unsuspecting or unscrupulous buyer riding Don's bike, karma will find you. For your sake let's hope karma finds you before the Seattle cycling community does.

We are looking for a: 56 cm Davidson frame, black with red trim and a lot of chrome. Steel front forks with chrome tips, chrome on the rear triangle and on the head tube. If you see the bike or know about it contact Davidson Bicycles and they will contact Don's family and/or police.

I believe I can safely say all the family wants is Don's bike back. So if you read this and know about the stolen bike please just get it back no questions asked. They'd just like it back as a memento of a beloved husband and father. It's of no use to you.

If you've seen or know anything you can contact Davidson Bicycles at the website above and/or Seattle Randonneur Cycling club. Contact information and pictures of the bike on:

http://www.seattlerandonneur.org/

Facing fears such as ...

... a cofused Orca lost in the Sound, sea plane landing on my head, colliding with a Seattle Duck tour boat. On my first kayaking trip my biggest concern was losing my new glasses. None of my vast collection of Chums fit my new specs. K assured me they have Chums aplenty at our LKS (local kayak-rental spot).  She was right. They had many to choose from, all made in the good ol' USA;

http://www.chums.com/

My glasses stayed put, I stayed in the kayak. We had an incredible time and look forward to our next trip. There is no better way to see the city than by kayak.

Houston, we have a bag problem!

We have a lot of bags as you, gentle reader may infer from reading this blog. We were smitten by these at the Fremont Solstice Festival but did not get one ... yet.

Currently in two sizes; big and bigger both have plenty of room for laptops, notebooks, camera, anything you need.

Both sizes have lots of options with enough pockets that you won't hunt for everything on the bottom of the bag. Slots inside the flap seem perfect for sketchbooks.

They are made from repurposed material; sails and truck tarps so each bag is different. The owners were at the fair and spoke of the fun they have in choosing where to cut the cloth. The fun is evident.

Some bags play with typography; a bit of a logo or letter, or swatch of color others have whole swaths of color. The repurposed material gives individual character to each bag. All are attractive but like a box of chocolates you never know what you're going to get. But you would be getting a unique and beautiful bag that's made in Seattle.

http://metamorphicgear.com/

Dear family of cyclist on the MUT (Multi use trail).

I know you love riding. I know you love your family. I think those are both great! Can you please find a more sensible way of doing it that won't kill us all like the one I saw you demonstrate today? Lots of options to choose from depending on age and ability of the fruit of your loins: trailers, trail-a-bikes or simple formation of a parent in front, parent in back and children riding in between parental units. Whose bright idea was it to tie the entire party and their bikes together with nylon ropes as if you're heading for an assault on Mt Ranier, ice picks in hand, crampons on the boots, all set for crossing the crevasses? Yes, gentle reader, they were in formation at the side of the trail astride their Walmart bikes and each member of the Donner party tied to the next, stem to stern to stem with knotted nylon rope. I hope I don't read in the news tonight any one of a myriad of disasters I could imagine:  little Timmy fell, drags entire family into Lake Washington ...  little Sally veers left, knocks out a blind runner and her dog ... Maybe this a test of my ethics like the series "What Would You Do?". I should have stopped to ask "Are you sure you want to do this??" I hope someone stopped to give you advice before one of you gets hurt. It was a sunny day (which in Seattle means wear wool. More on that later). Lots of families are out with trailers, their kids on bike or on trail-a-bikes. Maybe you saw one and said "Honey? Can we just get those?" Hopefully a cycling family stopped to show you the ropes so to speak. I regret not stopping to talk with you and hope you get the idea for your, everyones and my safety. Dear gentle reader if you're seeking safe, quality options to ride with your kids you can't get better than Burley.  http://www.burley.com/ We wish these were available when my step son was young. Oh well, now they are. Maybe I'll get to take the grand niece/nephew riding. Whether you want to introduce kids to cycling, take your beloved pet along for a ride or try a tour Burley has a well deserved reputation for being the best. Get them. Don't use nylon rope.

My other bike has fenders!

Seattle is the number one city in the United States for cycling. There are lots of urban, utility cyclists around. We also have club riders which I was and was more used to in sunny California. How do you tell the difference since both ride bikes? Well here you're not taken seriously until you have fenders. Without fenders the assumption is you are just a sunny day rider.

Club and charity rides are good too. But some clubs will not allow you to ride without fenders. The weather turns suddenly and fenders not only keep you from having a skunk stripe of water up your back but they keep the rider behind you dry as well. So just like stopping at stop lights and signs it's good cycling etiquette.

My commute/errand bike has front and rear fenders, my mixte has wood fenders. My road bike can not be fit with fenders or not easily. I'll check with my mechanic but don't think it can be done with such skinny tires, little clearance. 

I'll need a jersey that says "But my other bikes have fenders!" 

If you're thinking about cycling for errands, fun, just get a little exercise in and don't want to have to worry if it suddenly rains get fenders. Many of kinds are made here:

http://www.joe-bike.com/2011/03/24/portland-made-wood-or-bamboo-fenders-and-bottle-cages/

We met a super model!

The boy-dog and I were on our morning walk when he introduced himself to Isaac the super model.

Isaac, his dog walker explained is the dog in the upper left hand corner of this website modeling the Wonder Walker Body Halter model named for him.

http://www.wonderwalkerbodyhalter.com/

Our boy dog has many fine qualities; he's patient, kind, easy going, friendly to anyone and everyone on two or four legs, he's a certified Canine Good Citizen! His one and only fault is he pulls on his leash.  Walking this fine dog is like water skiing.

Locally made, craftsmanship looks neat and tidy and just may solve our issue. Then the boy-dog will be perfect!

Love the name, love the clothes.

Bike clothing while uniquely suited for cycling looks great in direct inverse proportion to proximity to your bike. In other words lets say I get all kitted up in lycra spandex to ride to the store. I park my bike. As I walk away the further I go the sillier I look. By the time I reach the dairy aisle where I slip on the floor in my cycling shoes I'm pictured on YouTube comedy section. 


You don't have to dress in neon and lycra to ride. Here are bike shorts and clothes for the rest of us.

No lycra, bulky pads, pink butterflies, logos, no neon anything. Just comfort, fit and style.  All made in USA. 


http://www.harlotwear.com/

In touch with my domestic side.

I cooked my way through college in fancy-schmancy California cuisine eateries. These were my favorite jobs of all. Yet even after designing the kitchen of my dreams for my condo I did not cook much. It is hard to cook alone. Lately I'm rediscovering my love of prep. Yeah, prep. Some people love to shop, I love to chop.

From the roast chicken we enjoyed I made chicken enchiladas. Today that chicken lives on as Thai chicken soup with stock from the carcass. A lot of meals from that one bird means lots of left overs. What to do with them?

That's why I love this:

http://anchorhocking.com

Simple clean design will make your left overs look attractive and tasty. You'll be the envy of the break room. Most storage dishes are clear so there's no mystery of what's inside. This means less waste. We don't have their entire product line but I'd like more.

Clean, calm and serene.

That's our motto around here. You can't see our home so I can get away with that at least till I learn how to post pictures to the blog. We like to envision the bath as a mini day spa; lotions and soaps attractively out for use, the laundry basket eeks, where did all that come from!? But anyway we try.

One of my earliest posts was about Swan Haven soap. Just in time for Mother's day they are having a sale. Her soaps are practically art, they both smell and look wonderful. Create a gift basket for Mom and the Moms in your life;

http://madeinusareviews.blogspot.com/2010/07/cleaning-up-my-list-of-good-things-to.html

Just in time for Mother's Day

Critter Gear is having a 10% off sale on their stylish collars and leashes. Just the thing for you or your Mom's stylish hound, mutt or even cats.

Our pets deserve the very best. So just in time for Mother's Day a review of deals on favorites from the blog.

My first review of Critter Gear is below. It was my dog's collar of choice. She always preferred to wear "Made in USA" gear. Sadly I say "was" because we lost my mutt this year. We had a good run, at least 14 years depending on accuracy of what the shelter said her age was. We miss her very much. On her behalf give your pets a hug, an ear scritchie and if they need new duds buy them here:

Made In USA Reviews: This blog is going to the dogs .... and cats.

Drink up! Hydrate or snore!

This is perhaps TMI for my gentle readership but who knew I snored? Well, it seems I snore a lot. A Google search of snoring revealed anecdotal evidence of links between snoring and sleep apnea and dehydration. We found scant peer reviewed studies even on scholar Google. Still it seemed worth a try. Beats separate beds or rooms,  CPAP machines, surgery or even stuffing a pillow over my head.

Here, drink water.

It worked and immediately. How'd I get so dry? Studies say most of us are dehydrated. I was ultra dehydrated. I worked in a call center for umpteen years. There we could not exactly get up and grab a drink as we wish. Your customer service person can't put you on hold because we need to go get a drink of water.

I had a drinking problem. Problem was I did not drink. Cups of coffee to wake up and then nothing.

As cyclists we have a vast, eclectic collection of water bottles and Klean Kanteens. The Klean Kanteens have almost a cult following. I now appreciate those I see clutching the colorful bottles close to their chest as if it's an oxygen bottle you can't step out without.

There are many ways to live the hydrated, renewable, bottle and can free lifestyle including the uber-trendy use of Ball Jar or canning jars.

http://madeinusareviews.blogspot.com/2011/05/great-taste-and-tradition-made-here.html

Other solutions are Nalgene bottles many of which are made in USA. Nalgene almost started the trend. Klean Kanteens use a food grade of stainless, Nalgene uses a surgical grade of stainless steel. We'll be getting more Nalgene bottles from now on.

http://nalgene.com

We just found a brand of reusable bottles made right here in the sunny Pacific Northwest. Remind me to write about those next.

Mom knows best!

Children's clothes are so cute. We fell for one of these hats at our local indy kids store. They are made locally by a group of Mom's with thoughtful options and fabric choices. Many of their items are reversible giving you and kids more options for outfits, color combos and hiding the dreaded pasta sauce and grass stains.

I forgot to have kids but have heard from reliable sources that they are messy so that's a great invention:

http://www.impwear.com/

It's REI dividend time!

Long time no new posts but that's because I've been busy moving. I am now safely ensconced in the Pacific Northwest. The secret to happiness here is Theo's chocolate, no it's coffee no, it's long underwear!

We're just back from a long walk with the boy dog. I'm wearing the Polarmax MaxRide line right now. It's thin, lightweight, doesn't bunch or clump under the jeans. It's not a compression tight but feels secure and tight around the muscles. The light weight keeps me warm through the weather changes while not making me feel the need to rip it off in public as the sun briefly came out.

You'll feel great wearing these in any weather. And you'll feel even greater when you read their commitment to American made materials, labour and sustainable business practices.

http://www.polarmax.com/

For your next big flag waving event.

We needed flags for an event and needed them in a hurry. Don't you think it's silly to buy American flags made off shore? I think so too. A Google search found:

http://store.madeinusaflags.com/index.html

Their selection is huge; every state, country, historical American flags, rainbow flags, banners and even feather displays, nautical flags ... you name it you can find it here. They have big flags, tiny flags, bulk discounts.

Service was great, they got our order to us on time. Bulk discounts kept us in budget.

Who doesn't love this?

Remember your first drawings? Maybe your parents still have them tacked on the fridge. Maybe you're scarred for life when someone criticized your green and purple fluffy clouds.

Some of our first experiences with art are with Crayola crayons. I love the look and aroma of a fresh box; the sharp crayons, their crisp paper wrappers not yet peeled back for more crayon goodness.

They are still made in the good ol' USA. They have craft and creative products for all ages although their focus is on kids. You could get some for the kids in your life but we know you want 'em.

Break open a fresh box and let's draw! Now that we're all grown up let's make the sky any color you want!

http://www.crayola.com/

Light up the night.

Twas the night before Hanukkah and all through the house I can't find my matches, Oy, what a louse.

I can't make the rest of this rhyme. Maybe you, gentle reader can. Just trying to find matches of any kind I found a big box from here:

http://www.ddbean.com/products/

Matches are all they make. You can buy in bulk an event in plain white or customize. They work as giveaways at your swanky dive or roadside burger joint,  to put in the gift bags at your next Star Wars convention or stock up for a lifetime supply of menorah lighting.

The packaging is charmingly quaint and old fashioned. I could have found matches in less bulk (this is a life-time supply for us non-smokers) but I had to buy them when I saw "Made in the USA" on the box.

It takes a village ....

... to rebuild the economy it takes a downtown.

There are several communities which have stores featuring products made nearby. Made in Pescadero is a favorite shop of ours, Petaluma now has at least one store for local artisans which I'm hearing great things about but have not been to yet. And downtown Oakland has businesses springing up that make and sell local products. Most feature local design, crafts, artisans.

While desperately seeking last minute local holiday gifts I explored this area right by my commute.

I'll be writing about them all in the next few weeks, stay tuned gentle readers.

For now, off to walk the dog.

Good clean fun on sale!

No, I'm not talking about a political candidate I'm talking about Swan Haven soap.

One of my first posts to this blog was about http://www.swanhavensoap.com/ I've met the artist but yet to tour her farm. You can if you're in Sonoma county, check the site for contact information and dates.

Just in time for the holidays she's offering free shipping, discounts and some delicious sounding winter fragrances like Christmas spice, pumpkin pie, frankincense and myrrh and spiced mahogany.

Love your bike

We love our bikes, maybe you love yours too. How do you transport them? Hopefully you ride them from point A to B. But sometimes that won't do. Well, I've never had to get to a triathlon of any length ... yet. The 5 times I returned my 2 wheeled steed from the end of the AIDS ride it rode in a truck. But if you fly to endurance events, a vacation or bike tour you want to protect your baby from the 500 lb gorillas that are airline baggage handlers.

These will do the trick well and they are made here:

http://www.triall3sports.com/index.php

The Best Seat in the House

Recently I remodeled the toilet. I'd like to replace the entire thing with the same also made in USA low flow model I have downstairs. But for now I'm replacing the seat.

What can you say about a toilet seat? The finish is good, the paint job is smooth and well done, the fittings and hinges work well, the wood which according the the label is pressboard from recycled wood feels solid, smooth and durable. 

This one did not come with directions to install but none were needed. It was a simple job barely needing any tools. 

http://www.toiletseats.com/