News Release

Contact Mike Vanderscheuren Adam Ziskin
Banjo Brothers O2 Rainwear
612-310-7795 952-543-1894
mvander@banjobrothers.com adziskin@rainshield.com

For Immediate Release

Minneapolis Bike Industry Companies 02 Rainwear, Twin Six, Handsome Cycles and Banjo Brothers Team Up Again for Cutters Ball III “Return of the Moocher” on February 18th at 7pm.

The Annual Party Features Free Food, Free Booze and a Healthy Dose of MPLS Bike Culture for Local Cyclists and Visiting Bike Shop Personnel Who Are In Town for an Industry Tradeshow

February 1, 2012 – Minneapolis, MN— For the third consecutive year four of the cycling industry’s emerging new brands, Handsome Cycles, 02 Rainwear, Twin Six and Banjo Brothers partnered to host the Cutters Ball. The Cutters Ball is an underground, unsanctioned celebration of Minneapolis Bike Culture for local cyclists and a free social event for visiting bike shop staff that are in Minneapolis for an annual trade show. The free party takes place in South Minneapolis, in the workspace of custom frame builder, Peacock Groove.

The event was the brainchild of Handsome Cycles’ founders Jesse Erickson and Ben Morrison who recruited the other local companies into the mix. For those not familiar, the “Cutters” reference is in homage to Breaking Away, 1979 Academy Award -winning cycling film. Like the “Cutters” from the film the four brands involved have all bootstrapped their respective companies to success with a combination of street smarts, hard work and a commitment to game-changing products.

The annual event which is by all accounts, “just a damn good party,” does create a venue for like-minded cyclists to brave the normally frigid February temperatures ton seek out free food from Jimmy Johns, beer from Pabst Brewing and music. For those in town from other cites, it presents a unique opportunity to dive head-first into Minneapolis cycling culture. For the four brands involved, they hope the long game will result in better brand awareness and a deeper network of industry contacts.

To raise the profile of this year’s event, the brands are going a step beyond their normal use of social media and bike-friendly websites to promote the event. One hundred select dealers, culled from the customer lists, media contacts and sales targets from the four brands, will receive a one-of-a-kind screen printed seat cover designed by industry pioneers Twin Six. The item is bound to become a collectible. The seat cover’s hang tag will come with it a Top Talent VIP distinction and details of the event.

The Cutters Ball takes place Saturday, February 18th from 7pm-?? at 2718 East 28th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event is free. Host sponsors are Twin Six, Banjo Brothers, 02 Rainwear and Handsome Cycles. Other sponsors include Hed Cycling, Peacock Groove, Kurt Kinetic, Jimmy Johns and Pabst Brewing Co.

About Twin Six
Twin Six is a fashion-forward cycling apparel company located in Minneapolis who offers finely designed cycling lifestyle apparel and a whole mess of other good stuff.

http://www.twinsix.com

About Handsome Cycles
Handsome Cycle Co. was started a few years ago by a couple of guys in Minneapolis who wanted to create classically styled, versatile bicycles for a price within reach of the many—not the privileged few.
The Handsome line of bicycles have been crafted from steel because of its comfortable ride and its tried and true reliability. But steel is not handsome—people are. Handsome is about people riding bicycles that reflect the individual’s style and riding needs. So, please take a long, handsome look—better still, a handsome ride.

http://www.handsomecycles.com

About 02 Rainwear
Developed by Rain Shield, Inc., O2 Rainwear is a national biking apparel line offering affordable protection from the elements for anyone who rides — from serious cyclists to casual rec riders. We’re based in Minneapolis, one of the most active cycling communities in the country. Our own passion for cycling means we get it: we understand why you’re out there, rain or shine, and we know what you need from your gear to keep you going back for more. Since 1997, we’ve been creating O2 Rainwear products to help you make the most of your ride.

http://www.o2rainwear.com

About Banjo Brothers
Founded in 2003 by Mike Vanderscheuren and Eric Leugers in Minneapolis (not brothers), Banjo Brothers make a line of high quality, well-built and affordable panniers, waterproof backpacks, grocery bag panniers, handlebar bags, seat bags, messenger bags, and more for bike commuters, recreational and urban cyclists.

http://www.banjobrothers.com

About Breaking Away
Breaking Away is a coming of age story which follows a group of four male teenagers in Bloomington, Indiana, who have recently graduated from high school. Breaking Away was acknowledged as the eighth best film in the sports genre by the American Film Institute.

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You have probably heard that the Petri/Johnson/Lipinski amendment to restore dedicated funding for bicycling and walking lost narrowly by just two votes in this morning’s Transportation Committee meeting in the House of Representatives. The bi-partisan amendment and vote took place against the backdrop of a very partisan and rancorous mark-up of the legislation – the two Republican sponsors of the bike/walk amendment, Reps. Petri and Johnson, deserve a huge “thank you” for taking on this challenge on behalf of the cycling and walking community.

You also deserve a huge “thank you”. The League’s on-line advocacy center reported yours was one of more than 18,000 e-mails sent to Members of Congress on this issue – a stunning number, and surely part of the reason we were able to put up such a good fight today. We are meeting this evening with our colleagues in the America Bikes coalition to determine our next steps, greatly heartened by your incredible support. If nothing else, today’s vote has shown the leadership of the House and committee chairman Mica that we are a force with which to be reckoned.

Notwithstanding other developments, we expect the transportation bill will be debated on the floor of the House of Representatives very soon: February 13th. As soon as we have decided our strategy for this next critical phase, we’ll be in touch again. Meanwhile, you can check the League’s website, or America Bikes for more information; and please follow us on Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates.

As you can see, more debating ensues on the House floor early next week, so there may very well be more calls to action from the League and/or your local bike advocacy group in the coming days.

From BikeCommuters.com, thank you for taking action with us.

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The proposed bill eliminates dedicated funding for bicycling and walking as we feared, and it goes much further and systematically removes bicycling from the Federal transportation program. It basically eliminates our status and standing in the planning and design of our transportation system — a massive step backwards for individuals, communities and our nation. It’s a step back to a 1950s highway- and auto-only program that makes no sense in the 21st century.

The bill reverses 20 years of progress by:

• destroying Transportation Enhancements by making it optional;
• repealing the Safe Routes to School program, reversing years of progress in creating safe ways for kids to walk and ride bicycles to school;
• allowing states to build bridges without safe access for pedestrians and bicycles;
• eliminating bicycle and pedestrian coordinators in state DOTs; and
• eliminating language that insures that rumble strips “do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians or the disabled.”

On Thursday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee will mark-up the bill and Representatives Petri (R-WI) and Johnson (R-IL) will sponsor an amendment that restores dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School. Representatives Petri and Johnson can only be successful if everyone with a stake in safe sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways contacts their representative today.

The LAB has created a handy letter and contact tool so you can voice your concerns with your representative(s). Simply click on the Capwiz link, enter your zipcode and the system generates an editable letter for you.

Make your voice be heard…while we understand that the Federal Government cannot be expected to pay for everything, and that the states should be responsible for the bulk of bike/ped infrastructure, this proposed Act sets a dangerous precedent that jeopardizes decades of progress.

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1) Long Beach is aiming to become the most bicycle-friendly city in America. The article at The Atlantic Cities illustrates the achievements and future plans of Long Beach in making good on this proclamation. You may recall that we visited Long Beach back in 2008 for their Bike-To-Work Day. Also, former BC writer Russ Roca took photos of Long Beach’s bike share program when it launched in 2008. Take a look at those here.

2) Fullerton, CA to get a bike-sharing system…this one’s near and dear to our hearts as the West Coast HQ of Bikecommuters.com is in Fullerton. Currently, the city is seeking bids from contractors for a pilot installation of 150 bikes at 15 stations around the city. Details can be found at the OC Register.

3) A need for a bigger tax subsidy for bike commuters — here’s one that popped up in the Google newsfeed the other day — a comment on TaxProf Blog that links to an article in the St. Louis University Law Journal. If the Federal Government can encourage more people to use two wheels to get to work, I’m all for it…and the paltry tax break employers can currently (but don’t have to) offer is hardly enticing.

4) Most of you already know that we love “Portland East”, or “MPLS”, or The Mini Apple…we’ve mentioned something positive about their bike scene about once a month ’round these parts. Well, there’s more good news coming from the city…take a look at the D.C. Streetsblog’s coverage of Minneapolis’s first ever “Bicycle Account”, a compilation of cycling data.

Alright, that should give most of you a good bit of reading for the day. Enjoy!

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[The report] provides a look at commuting by cycling and walking in the U.S., how safe those commutes are, and where transportation funding is going — or not going — to promote these alternative means of local travel.

The report ranked states and cities on bicycling and walking levels (how many people commute by bike or foot) as well as fatality rates. Boston had the highest level of such commutes, and Fort Worth, Texas, the lowest. Vermont and Boston had the fewest fatalities and Florida and Fort Worth the most.

Some more brief (and sobering) highlights:

From 2000 to 2009, bicycling commuters in the U.S. rose by 57%. But the largest 51 cities in the country saw an average 29% increase in bicycle fatalities since the group released its 2010 report. That number may change if the planned 20,908 miles of bike facilities and 7,079 miles of pedestrian facilities across the country are funded.

It can be dangerous out there for those who travel by bike or foot: 12% of trips in the U.S. are taken via cycling or walking, but 14% of those involved in fatal traffic accidents are bicyclists and pedestrians.

Read the LA Times article by clicking here, visit the Alliance website here, or download the full (242 pages, 24MB) report by clicking here.

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His BMX birthday party in California got rained out over this past weekend…so be extra-nice to him today!

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Heritage Bicycles General Store storefront

Back in August 2011, a new storefront display along my bike commuting route caught my attention… and I couldn’t help but wonder who was moving in…. (the tune of “How much is that doggie in the window” streamed through my head as I pondered that handsome bike!)

A new storefront along my commuting route captures my attention on Lincoln Avenue.

A month later on PARK(ing) Day I met with store owner Michael Salvatore (and got a sneak peak of the shop) when I paused on my commute to work to say “hi” to this new neighborhood shop – located in the Lakeview neighborhood just south of the Lincoln/Southport/Wellington intersection.

I even got to take the inaugural Daisy Mixte Bicycle for test spin.

Elizabeth takes the Daisy Mixte for a test spin

Heritage Bicycles General Store owner Michael Salvatore in the shop's bike maintenance space

From the interior’s humble beginnings, Salvatore vowed to transform the space into his vision for a bike/coffee shop.

The interior undergoes construction, beginning in fall 2011

The coffee bar goes from this:

….to this:

And the refurbished long table goes from this sandy piece of reclaimed wood:

To an open table space that invites groups to gather over a cup of coffee:

This week Heritage Bicycles General Store opens its doors to the community for a “soft” opening, with the Grand Opening scheduled for this Saturday, January 28.

When I first met Salvatore, the target opening date of Heritage Bicycles General Store was November 2011, pending city permits and paperwork. Now, nearly two months later (after navigating the city of Chicago’s permitting process), beautiful handcrafted bikes adorn the storefront windows and offer spaces for cozy window seating.

And the bikes? At the moment, Salvatore admits the shop looks more like a cafe than a bike shop and the bikes are sparse. A few bikes decorate the space and are available for purchase. But more bikes are in the works – literally.

Back in 2007, Salvatore and his wife moved to New York City and he became co-founder of New York’s Bowery Lane Bicycles, which started back in 2008 in an attempt to bring bike manufacturing back to the U.S. As he noted, “Ninety-nine percent of bikes sold in the US are not made in America. We [Bowery Lane Bicycles and now Heritage Bicycles] are a part of the 1%.,” explains Salvatore of these Dutch-inspired bicycle designs.

Founded in Manhattan in 2008, Bowery Lane Bicycles is committed to making affordable bikes in America that meet the actual day-to-day needs of urban cyclists. We actively support urban cycling and the goal of reclaiming city streets for safe and sustainable transportation.

BLB took an unorthodox approach to bicycles and branded itself more as a fashion brand than as a bike company and its bikes have been a success.

Jump ahead to 2011 – Salvatore and his wife decided to start a family of their own and so he decided to return to his family’s roots in Chicago (to his “heritage”) and thus was born Heritage Bicycles, a sister company of Bowery Lane Bicycles:

After spending three years helping establish Bowery Lane Bicycles (BLB) in New York City with partners Sean Naughton and Patrick Benard, Michael wanted to bring these beautiful bikes to his home town, Chicago. As a fifth-generation Chicagoan, he decided to not only bring BLB’s Breukelen and Broncks line to the Windy City, but to also add Daisy, the first offering from the Heritage line.

Heritage Bicycles seeks to bring bicycle manufacturing back to Chicago community with frames “built with American steel, welded and assembled locally.” The shop offers full mechanical services on-site via a couple of full-time mechanics and graduates from West Town Bikes, a program that educates youth with a focus on under-served populations.

Open work space

The flagship Heritage Bicycles design is the Daisy Mixte frame – a name that pays tribute to the “cow who was part of a reporter’s fabricated story on the cause of the great Chicago’s fire started in 1871.” Starting at $695, the basic specs (upgrades available) are:

Steel Frame
Small Frame Size – 43cm
1″ Threaded Fork
English Threaded Bottom Bracket
Track Dropouts
Steel Quill Stem
Velo Orange – Belleville Handlebars
Cork Handle Bar Grips
Leather Velo Orange Saddle
Crank w/ 44t Chainring
1/8″ Chain
27″ Steel Wheels w/ Coaster Brake
Kickstand
Fenders

Other options:
racks, headlights, saddle type, dual kickstand

The Daisy Mixte

Salvatore’s main goal is to get more people on bikes. Since his target is not the typical cycling demographic, he wants other Chicago bike shops to know that he is not out to compete with them. In addition to serving the greater cycling community, Salvatore notes that he really wants to “cater to individuals who don’t have bikes or are intimidated by bikes and bike culture. I want to outreach more and be involved with and promote cycling in Chicago.” Heritage Bicycles will only sell its own brand and a few Bowery Lane Bicycle designed bikes, as well as a few bike accessories.

In the back of the space, chic bicycle gear and accessories for “style that fits the bike” are on display, including a those from several local Chicagoans – including cycling hats by Kozie Prery and clothing by Nonetheless.

The Heritage Bicycle General Store shop space reflects Salvatore’s intent to maintain transparent operations. The space is open and airy and he hopes that it invites visitors to get to know him as the owner of this family-run business. He has nothing to hide and wants the open cafe and open shop to demonstrate his passion and be a welcoming space for everyone in the community.

Euro-inspired clean interior space

Vintage decor adorns the shop:

The rest of the space features an espresso bar, benches and tables crafted from reclaimed wood and bench covers of burlap coffee sacks, mirrors and chalkboards on the walls, plenty of natural lighting and built-in shelf space. The walls are painted white for a clean and minimalist look in this Euro-inspired cafe.

Burlap Coffee Sacks as seat bench covers

And the espresso bar brews up handcrafted coffee brews from Stumptown Coffee (a Portland-based coffee roaster), offers non-caffeinated sodas from P&H Natural Soda, and serves up small bites and pastries from the local Southport Grocery.

The espresso bar

Handcrafted Stumptown brews

The coffee bar is already greeting customers this week from 7am to 7pm for the “soft” opening. Yesterday morning I stopped in for a brew and to check out the completed space.

I feel like I’ve been invested in this place since its beginnings, as I have literally watched it take shape as I’ve passed it daily and seen its progress (and tracked it, too, via its Facebook page).

Demand Coffee + Bikes

(NOTE: due to the Grand Opening this weekend, Heritage Bicycles will not be open this Saturday or Sunday (January 28 & 29) except for the grand opening event.)

GRAND OPENING Celebration this Saturday, January 28, 2012:

From the Facebook event page:
Time: 6:00pm until 11:00pm

We are excited to open the doors and invite everyone in! It has been a long yet exciting 6 months since we started construction on our space and it all comes together on January 28th.

Please join us for an evening of drinks and fun to see our new space.

Light appetizers and treats courtesy of our friends at Southport Grocery.
www.southportgrocery.com

Wine courtesy of our friends at VineJoy.
www.vinejoy.net

Whisky Tasting from Spicebox Whisky

http://www.facebook.com/spiceboxcanadianwhisky

and beer provided by Half Acre

http://halfacrebeer.com/

What kind of bike do you want?

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Enter Performance Bike — I had been a mail-order/online customer of theirs for literally decades (I remember the first printed catalogs in the mid-80s), and I stumbled across one of their retail shops on one of my family’s first forays around town. My local Performance shop is in Kettering and is overwhelmingly the most convenient (and closest) shop to my house.

I stopped in periodically to chat and to browse the sale racks…desperately scrambling to get a cold-weather clothing set for the winter soon to follow. Heck, Performance even heard about my move and sent me a $25.00 gift certificate to encourage me to stop in more often!

On the whole, I have been extremely impressed with the staff at my local Performance. I had been to one other Performance shop just after the company started building retail locations…this one was in the D.C. Metro area back in the late 80s. Suffice it to say I was underimpressed at the time. Also, I had heard a variety of horror stories about the quality of the repair staff at the retail locations…many of them on bike forums I frequent.

That’s simply not the case at my local outlet…manager Kevin Sintz is dead-serious about running a tight ship, with trained and certified mechanics and friendly salespeople. They treat me like a minor Internet cycling celebrity when I go in there (ha!)…they even remember my children’s names and help entertain them while I shop. Kevin has some flexibility in tailoring his shop’s wares to reflect local needs, and he and his staff are very active in local cycling events and advocacy initiatives. I have gotten so much good information from the employees there…good mountain biking trails to try, invitations to cyclocross training clinics, suggested routes around the region. It is always a pleasant experience going in there, and I am very appreciative of their nature in welcoming me to the community.

The retail store here is gigantic…and has examples from throughout Performance Bike’s massive online catalog. There are literally hundreds of bikes racked up, ready to sell, and a huge variety of clothing, shoes and accessories to choose from. The place is always clean and the staff is ALWAYS friendly — never hesitating to welcome my family to the store and answering questions. No matter how busy it is in there, someone is always ready to chat for a while. I like that a lot. Oh, and they have a clearance table back near the mechanic’s station…lots of goodies at rock-bottom prices if one is willing to dig a bit!

I’ve since discovered other bike shops in the area, but I keep coming back to Performance — with the exception of one tiny bike shop far away from my house, Performance is the only other local place that hasn’t given me a bad experience. I am VERY particular about the bike shops I do business with, and a good shop is worth its weight in gold.

Don’t be afraid…if there’s a Performance Bike in YOUR area, you might want to give it a try. You might be as surprised as I was!

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That handsome man right there is my favorite Bike Commuter!

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Basically, Joseph Rose of the Oregonian asks, “does it really save bike commuters any time if they run red lights?” Read the full article by clicking here, and watch the video below.

The author raises some good points — the best being “winning the hearts and minds” of fellow road users (other cyclists and motorists) by adhering to the laws. The article (and video) is worth a look.

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