Is this site for you?
Well.
Maybe.
If you prefer wool to polyester, twine to electrical tape and friction to index shifting, then there’s a good chance you might like this site.
I’ll be writing about bike camping and touring and talk about some of the things I like. It’s not for everybody. You might think some of the stuff is outdated, quaint or over-priced. That’s fine too.
This site won’t be perfect and I won’t be able to tell you everything about everything that’s out there and I may get some things wrong on occasion, but I just want to talk about some stuff I’ve used that I like and would recommend to a good friend.
Enjoy!
-Russ Roca
Great new look Russ!
Now you just have to join the twittersphere and you will be all up to date!
Hey Russ!
How did you get the second “Featured Category” on the front page (below “Featured”)? Being WordPress I’ve been unable to edit my html for this second entry.
Cheers!
tdp
Hi Russ,
It was good to meet you and Laura yesterday. You two are an inspiration. I’m going to try and do some trips this year, no matter how small.
Errin
Russ – Love the site. Inspired me to start my own blog. I have gone through the evolutionary process of commercial bike shop victim (spandex, aluminum frame, every accessory, dazed look on my face) to a fairly seasoned lugged steel riding, wool wearing, live by bike, buy less and ride more velotool. Your improvisational ( get yer hacksaw, some tape, two drill bits,and start here) projects always grab my attention. Keep up the good work, if you ever tour in Wisconsin you’ve got a wrench and couch if you need it. Cya on the road.
Russ,
I couldn’t find a story submission tab, so I’ll leave this here.
Looks like someone has gotten their hands on a prototype of Soma’s new touring frame, the Saga.
http://pedalrevolutionblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/28/coming-soon-3/
can’t wait to see more of it….
Hi Russ,
I just came across your site recently and am quite fond of it. I am a proud owner of two Bridgestone bicycles and drink the Grant Petersen ‘lemonade’ regularly. Additionally, I am hoping to take my first S240 soon. Thanks for your writings.
Best,
Shawn
(Austin, TX)
Hi Russ. Great site!
I wanted share a project that I’m working on with you. Thought you might like it…
Here is the link to our Kickstater (great site!) page – http://kck.st/c09uOF
Hope you like!
Stan.
Stan Engelbrecht
Director / Photographer
Day One Publishing, South Africa
+27(0)82 928 6586
dayone@me.com
silencebegan (Skype)
/bicycleportrait (Twitter)
http://www.dayonepublications.com
http://www.bicyclepotraits.co.za
Nice blog Russ, definitely a fan of wool over polyester, twine over electrical tape – sometimes, friction gears yes! (my first bikes had them and definitely winners!)
You’d probably like Kunst & Leder if you don’t know them already: http://www.cyclorama.net/viewExhibitor.php?id=104
Best wishes,
Camilla
hi russ and laura
i met you guys near Anza Borrego NP many months ago now (you were enjoying a pizza and a hotel room). first, thanks for some very helpful reviews!
im wondering if i can request a future review … of drink bottles/ water carrying devices… im yet to find solutions that im happy with , and drinking from plastic bottles everyday for months on end makes me wonder about health implications… if you guys can shed any light on this topic, i´d love to hear it.
happy pedaling
yolande
(still on the bike, in nicaragua currently)
Hey Russ
a shout out from Black Rose Bags! We love your blog, a friend turned us to it recently and its wonderful. We are a collective of sewer-cyclists and we make bags from canvas and leather that we recover (dumpster). If your interested in seeing our work we have pictures of our bags on our flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackrosebags/
Keep up the good work Russ
Solidarity,
The Black Rose
Loving basically everything about your site. I’m sure you helped the folks at Acorn sell out of that wee bag… I looked, none left! Yikes!
My husband and I also sold everything and went on tour, but in Europe. That was last summer. I broke my foot in October (not on the bicycle) and our plans are to start again in spring, or whenever I am better enough to go for it. I was wondering if you ever cross-link? Your site is up on ours, because it’s fantastic. We have a ‘Links to Other Helpful Sites’ page, and you’re listed under planning and packing.
Thanks for considering. And enjoy PDX!
Ramona (&Joshua)
Hi there,
I’m a visual researcher on a documentary TV series for the Discovery Channel called “INVENTIONS THAT SHOOK THE WORLD.” It is a ten-part series that looks at important as well as fun inventions through the 1900’s – and that combines interviews with experts, recreations, CGI explanations of the science, as well as archival footage.
I am looking for footage of a bicycle hub dynamo and saw your blog and was hoping you could point me in the right direction.
Many thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.
Best,
Russ: so glad we finally crossed paths, hoping to meet again some day – maybe in Texas Hill Country? I just returned – had a lovely time – lots of sweet swimming in sweet places. Shared one swimming hole with a water moccasin who displayed no perceivable sense of fear whatsoever. Here’s the motorcycle outfitter of which I spoke: http://tank.aerostich.com/catalogs/spring10/t1.php. Lots of cool metric road tools and camping gear.
Laura: great to meet you too, sure hope you’re healing up.
Mike Cobb