It is finally officially bike riding season again as May actually happens to be National Bike Month and I can readily say that it’s nice to don shorts and a tee shirt again.
To celebrate this beautiful weather we have been having, a group of us decided to make a pre-summer voyage just off the coast of Massachusetts to Nantucket Island. Four of us packed up two SwissBike TXs and two SwissBike LXs with some bags and food into the trunk of a Subaru and headed for the ferry in Hyannis. For those of your counting, that would be 4 bikes and 4 people in a Subaru. With the car left behind at the dock and the bikes loaded on the boat we departed on the two hour trip from the mainland to the island.
One of the beautiful things about Nantucket is that is seems as though it was made for bikes. Infused with paved bike paths and with cars governed by island wide low speed limits, any part of the island is accessible by bike. In fact, at only 45 square miles, all points are just a short ride away from each other.
After the two hour ferry ride we docked in the town of Nantucket. As the town is still paved with cobble stones, we were relieved that we brought SwissBike TXs and LXs as both are equipped with front suspension and knobby tires. Once we gathered all of our belongings we headed out to moors (think cranberry bogs) where we were staying. The house we borrowed was a classic cape positioned right on the water. Due to the flatness of the island we were positioned in a way that gave us both a brilliant sunrise and set. With a hot dog off the grill, it was a great end to a Friday.
Not only did our house give us good sun rises, but it also put us in the middle of the island making the farthest points from us no more than about 10 miles. Not being on a schedule found us leisurely pedaling the 5 miles into town for breakfast. Once there, however we found out it was the annual Nantucket daffodil weekend. This particular weekend daffodils all over the island come to bloom and a celebration and parade usually ensues. After coffe and scones we sat with the bikes and watched as a stream of classic cars drove a loop through town covered in the flowers.
After the festivities we mounted our bikes and headed a little ways out of town for lunch at a great sandwich shop called Provisions. After eating our monster sandwiches out on their lawn, we decided that such a beautiful day warranted some beach time.
Back on the bikes and another 5 miles later we had all of Cisco beach on the South side of the island to ourselves. When in season (August, September), Cisco beach is filled with surfers and beach goers.
After the beach we headed back toward town. On the way we stopped at the Bartlett farm off of Hummock Pond Rd. and shared a box of strawberries. Bartlett is one of two remaining farms on the island. Right next door to the farm is Cisco Brewers. Cisco Brewers is one of a handful of establishments that is simultaneously a brewery, distillery, and winery. Needless to say, we stopped and spoke with the owner about his business and ended up staying for a brewery tour.
By the time we left it was time to head in for the night. Jumping back on the bikes we quickly rode the 8 miles home and fired up the grill for another sunset dinner.
The final day of our excursion, the weather turned overcast. This gave us a chance for a good ride into the moors where we got some solid mountain biking in.
This was both Dana and Matt’s first time on the SwissBikes. Even though Matt is an avid cyclist, and Dana a beginner, they both found that the SwissBikes fit well and went beyond their expectations of folding bikes. Matt was especially impressed by the way the bikes handled off the road. The moors on Nantucket offer great fire trails and technical single track peppered with rock and sand. Both the LX and the TX grabbed the loose rock with ease and made quick work of the sand. Dana remarked that she had not previously thought a bike could be so versatile in the way it rides and travels. I had to agree. SwissBike does challenge the common belief that a bike has to be either a road or mountain bike, a small wheel folder or a full size elephant. SwissBike seems to find common ground between all of these categories and effectively shatters the stereotype. Matt agreed as he powered through a pile of sand in the trail.
The day ended with some warm authentic clam chowder and a ride back to the house.
A quick ferry ride back across the bay and we were headed back up to metro Boston. A great weekend excursion had come to an end. Thinking back it really is incredible how convenient the bikes were. The four SwissBikes fit perfectly in the car and on the boat, while at the same time giving us the freedom to hit the road, trails, and cobble stones with no problems at all. Now thats what I call performance and portability!
Ride Safe,
SwissBike
May 8th, 2008
Just before the New Year, I wrote in a post about visiting a winery. I received several emails from riders who were interested in learning more about the prospect of touring vineyards via SwissBike. After some research and several phone calls I was able to put together a tentative “to-do” list for SwissBike riding wine aficionados. One of the best locations (in the US mind you) to partake in vineyard tourism by bike is Napa Valley, CA. In the height of the wine season Napa can be a little too overwhelming due to the amount of tourists running from vineyard to vineyard. Thus, as a cyclist, one of the most relaxing times to visit Napa by bike is slightly after the peak season namely in the late fall or early winter months. During this time, the roads open up, and reservations are easier to make. Off seasons will also find winery staff with more time to stop and chat offering you local knowledge and tips to make your vacation even better.
Through the length of the valley run two major roads; route 29 and The Silverado Trail. Route 29 is characteristically a much more well traveled road, yet in recognition of the amount of cyclists that enjoy traveling through this area, stretches of great bike paths are found along this road. The Silverado Trail is a bit more dependable. More off the beaten path, this road tends to be more cycling friendly, providing direct access to route 29 and most major towns along the way via small dirt roads. The Silverado Trail runs parallel to route 29 from Napa to Calistoga covering approximately 26 miles. The Napa County Transportation Agency has provided very detailed free maps for the area here. Note the bike lane runs from Napa all the way up to Callistoga. Rumor has it that there are many rest areas and public parks along this route for tired legs to get some rest.
As San Francisco is just a short car or bus ride (perfect for your folding SwissBike) from the Napa area we would suggest that you begin your trek there. Once arriving in Napa nightly accommodations are easily found although you may want to make reservations some time before depending on the season. Depending on your riding ability day trips of virtually any length can be had. Thus vacationers can spend as little as a day or as much as they wish touring the wineries and taking in the great scenery to be had.
Of the hundreds of wineries in the Napa Valley area, there are a handful that have come recommended to us as priorities on the “to- do” list. All of these three wineries are both renowned for their history as well as their product.
Beaulieu Vineyard
- As one of the oldest vineyards in Napa Valley, Beaulieu was one of the few to survive prohibition of the 1920s. By the 1940s, Beaulieu wines were featured at all major White House functions. The vineyard is located in Rutherford, a 15 mile cycle from Napa. Make reservations for a tour here.
Beringer Vineyards
- Another survivor of prohibition, Beringer is the oldest continuously operating vineyard in Napa Valley. As the vineyards surround a huge estate that itself is worth the trip, this location is a must for obvious reasons. Dinners and events occur yearlong at Beringer. Find more information about it all here.
Robert Mondavi Winery
- Robert Mondavi is one of the leading names in advancement and promotion of Napa Valley wines. Some say he is responsible for the international success of the area. His winery off of route 29 should not disappoint. Make reservations for a tour or here.
The above wineries are just three of hundreds that are easily accessible via your SwissBike. As a cycling friendly community, Napa Valley welcomes you to share their roads and taste their award winning wines. For an added treat search out the famous hot mineral springs in Calistoga; The perfect treat for the weary legs of a cyclist.
Ride Safe,
SwissBike
January 8th, 2008
I had an interesting conversation the other day with Scott C. from Alaska. Scott is the owner of a Montague CX and the pilot of his Maule M-6. Last year he covered some serious ground in his plane by visiting over 30 states via airplane. While he was not in the air, Scott was pedaling his CX using it as his primary means of ground transportation. Below are two pictures showing how Scott is able to fit two Montague CXs as well as camping and traveling gear into his M-6.
Now you see them:
Now they are neatly tucked away and ready to fly:
One of the locations Scott was able to visit with his CX was North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Landing at the Billy Mitchel Airport on the southern tip of Hatteras Island, Scott was able to use his CX to easily tour up and down the island. Hatteras is a great vacation spot for cyclists boasting over 70 miles of flat road riding that cuts through the dunes and offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound. Well maintained campgrounds dot the island system making it easy to find a place to put down your kickstand during a cycling tour. For great seafood, be sure to check out Breakwater Restaurant conveniently located on the docks around Hatteras harbor. Don’t forget to pedal your way to the Hatteras lighthouse, the tallest standing lighthouse in the United States.
A very tall lighthouse:
If the perfect solitude of Hatteras is too slow for your lifestyle, there is another small airfield in Kill Devil Hills which is just a short pedal away from the dunes that the Wright Brothers originally flew from in 1903. More densely populated than Hatteras, the northern portion of the Outer Banks boasts many small shops and local art galleries that are sure to allow a folded Montague or SwissBike inside. For a nice afternoon trip, ride your bike a few miles up to Duck and visit Elizabeth’s Cafe and Winery for on-the-deck wine sampling and delicious gourmet food.
Prime candidates for a Montague or SwissBike:
North Carolina’s Outer Banks is a cycling haven regardless of how you get there. While Scott C. travels by plane and CX, the island system is easily accessed by car and boat as well. Several of the inns around the island have private docking…and parking lots too. However, once you are on the islands, ditch the car, boat, or plane as there are tons of activities within riding distance from where you are. From wine tasting to fishing and dune surfing to fine dining, the Outer Banks has it all. Visit North Carolina’s Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce website to further explore how you can maximize you vacation by using your Montague or SwissBike.
Ride Safe,
SwissBike.
December 20th, 2007
