Hostelling International Christmas bike trip around San Diego

by Kelly Amabile on

Speaking of hostels, the latest Travelbytes newsletter from Hostelling International recently appeared in my inbox, with news of a unique holiday bike trip. It turns out that for over 50 years, HI has been hosting a 400-mile Christmas Bike Trip around the greater San Diego area.

So, if you’re looking for something different to do this holiday season, consider ringing in the new year after an intense six day bike trip! It would be a nice nod to the region, and a great way to support businesses that endured a tough wildfire fall. Just don’t expect to stay in many hostels along the way — alternative accommodations available for booking during the ride include inns, ranches and lodges. But riders can stay at San Diego’s Point Loma Elliott Hostel the night before the race, which runs from Dec. 26 through the 31. The registration cost for non-HI members is $350, which includes a year-long HI membership.

A Sport for Athletic Gluttons: Pie Racing

by Martha Edwards on

As far as contests go, would you be more likely to enter a bike race or a pie-eating contest? These two contests seem to be about as far apart on the health spectrum as possible. But there’s good news for all the gluttonous pie-loving bikers and bike-loving pie eaters out there — you don’t have to choose one or the other … you can do them both!

Pie racing is a fairly new event at the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition’s annual Biking Festival. The 6.5-mile bike race has three ‘pie stops’, at which competitors race against time to try and eat a slice of pie before heading off on their merry way. Some competitors choose to furiously ram the pie down their gullet while others choose a more patient eating approach but regardless of how you eat it, you must swallow it completely before re-mounting your bike. It kind of brings a whole new meaning to the term ‘carbo-loading’, doesn’t it?

The race happens on August 25th if you’re interested. Make sure to leave your best jersey at home — the race is bound to be a bit messy.

(Via Intelligent Traveler)

Riding a Penny Farthing Around the World

by Willy Volk on

Joff Summerfield is biking around the world. Not only is his feat impressive — to date, he’s already cycled more than 8400 miles! — but he’s doing it on a 19th century penny farthing bicycle, one of those bikes that boast a front wheel with a 47-inch diameter; sport a tiny little nubbin of a back wheel; and has neither chains nor gears. Much like Rosie O’Donnell, he’s top-heavy and dangerous.

Wearing a traditional English pith helmet, Summerfield left London on May 1, 2006. Since then, he traversed Europe before crapping out from dysentery and altitude sickness in the Middle East. As such, he had to pause his trip to recover. Now healthy, in November, he returned to Oceania to keep pedaling.

Currently in China, Summerfield plans to cover 36 miles each day while spending under $10 a day. (Maybe Ember‘ll buy him lunch.) On such a restrictive budget, Summerfield is forced to sleep in a tent, cook on a stove, and slurp from water bottles. He plans to spend 6 months in China, Myanmar, and Hong Kong before heading to North America.

For some pretty amazing pictures from his journey, check out his website.

Take A Seat And Help Me Pedal…Please!

by Willy Volk on

Dominic Gill is attempting to cycle 20,000 miles from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in South America. Lots of people (well, not lots, but some) make this trip; what’s so special about Gill? He’s tackling this journey on a tandem bike — and he’s asking the people he meets along the way to help pedal! What a fun idea.

Claiming one of the most interesting aspects of cycle touring is meeting folks along the way, Gill was concerned that such meetings would be limited to stopping-off points. Therefore, by riding a tandem bike solo, he figured there’d be a good chance he’d meet people willing to pedal. So far, over half his trip has been solo. As he heads into South America, I bet his chances of recruiting fellow passengers diminishes — unless he speaks globish.

Naturally, Gill is filming, photographing, and blogging (irregularly) his journey. He also recently gave a short but interesting interview to Vagablogging. If you’re interested in pedaling with him, send him an email. He’s looking for some extra legs.

Bicycle of the Future: The Suitcase Bike?

by Willy Volk on

RideTHISbike is reporting that a suitcase bike is (finally) in production. Aimed at cyclists that want to conveniently and quickly protect their bike on a regular basis, the suitcase bike folds neatly and quickly into its protective case, keeping the cyclist clean and the bike undamaged. The bike meets airline checked baggage weight/size specs and the suitcase’s built-in rollers allow the bike to be wheeled through congested airports, train stations, hotel corridors or narrow office hallways almost effortlessly and without unwanted attention.

So far, all the images are computer-generated and not actual photos of the bike, so it’s a bit unclear how long it’ll be before these wheels are ready to roll. However, for urban dwellers who also have to ride the subway, or for people who don’t want to store their bikes outside, this might be a very cool idea. Check out the video, to see what the $400-or-so bike will look like.

[Via Spluch]