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Three easy steps to ride your bike in the rain

By Montague Bikes | Published: June 17, 2010
cycling in the rain

Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Rain.

If there is one thing that keeps cyclists at home or forces them into the car on their daily commute, it’s rain. It’s tough to argue that riding in the rain makes commuting on the bike and cycling in general more challenging, however, it doesn’t need to be impossible.

There are plenty of us commuters who ride in the rain, and speaking from experience I can safely say that it is possible to ride in the rain, and enjoy it. I’ve ridden through just about every weather condition out there (being from New England they are sometimes all in the same ride!) and with a little extra preparation and focus you’ll be saving gas, helping the environment and helping your body even on the worst of weather days. Here are my tips:

Change your mindset

Most people think riding in the rain is a drag. But, isn’t that just a mental attitude? I actually enjoy both running and riding in the rain. For me, maybe it makes me feel more disciplined because not many other people are doing it, and hey, riding in the rain can be fun if you let it be!

Gear Up

There’s rain and then there’s RAIN.  During last night’s commute to the train on my bike it was raining. But, it was light enough that I just wore a rain jacket, didn’t get that wet and dried off within 10 or 15 minutes after getting on the train.  For conditions when more gear is called for there are plenty of options for cycling rain gear. With the right gear, taking a few extra minutes to suit up before your ride, you’ll have a much drier experience.

Don’t forget that your bike is part of your gear. Riding in the rain will inevitably put a little extra sand in the drivetrain and a little extra dirt on the frame.  Give your bike a good wipe down and apply some lubricant to the chain after riding in the rain.

Respect the conditions

Riding on two wheels in the rain is a much different experience than riding on dry roads or on four wheels. So, a few things to be aware of:

  • Allow extra time for braking. Whether you have rim or disk brakes, make sure you allow for extra braking space when riding in wet conditions.
  • Watch the paint lines. Painted road markings and rain don’t mix very well. Road markings can be extremely slick when wet so be very careful when crossing them, especially if you are also cornering.
  • Watch the rail crossings. Railroad tracks can be worse than paint lines when wet. If you find yourself having to cross wet railroad tracks, if it is safe to do so with current traffic conditions, cross them at a perpendicular angle to minimize the time spent on them.
  • Ride defensively. As cyclists, we should always assume that cars don’t see us. But, when rain causes reduced visibility, wet roads and increased braking times, we should be extra diligent of this. And while your buying your wet weather riding gear, make it bright colored to increase how visible you are to drivers.

And of course, with a folding bike, you can combine both driving and riding into your daily commute and have the flexibility to drive or ride depending on the conditions.

What other tips do you have for riding in the rain? Share them in the comments below.

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Boston vs. Los Angeles Face Off in Basketball and in Bikes!

By Montague Bikes | Published: June 15, 2010

Montague Folding Bikes says, "Go Celtics!"

As we are a Boston based company, I’d like to kick this post off by saying “GO CELTICS!”  We, as a folding bike company, always enjoy a little healthy competition and thought we’d take this rivalry one step further – from basketball to cycling – we’re here to compare which is better: Boston or Los Angeles.  Let the games begin!

The battle between East Coast and West Coast is a classic American rivalry that exceeds the realm of basketball.  Which is the better side?  Is one good while the other evil? Why?  Let us know what you think.

In cycling as in all sports, there are rivalries, arguments, and passionate participants to fuel the fire of competition.  The east and west coast (Boston and Los Angeles in particular, here) present two very different sides of the spectrum in the cycling world.  Is one better than the other? Well, we certainly think so, but we’re a little biased.

Los Angeles Cycling

Download LA Bike Map

Considering the size of Metro LA in comparison to Metro Boston, the number of bike routes and paths are surprisingly minimal.  According to the Los Angeles Bicycle Coalition, massive hesitation from LA’s Department of Transportation for the past six years has finally subsided and new “sharrows” will soon appear on many Los Angeles roades by the end of June.  LA seems to be one of the last major Metropolitan areas to jump on the sharrows band wagon.  “Sharrows are used to show motorists that cyclists may “take the lane” and it helps show cyclists good lane positioning, especially where lanes are too narrow to share safely. In San Francisco, which studied design and placement of sharrows in 2004, sharrows were shown to improve lane positioning of cyclists and improved passing distance by motorists,” according to Commutebybike.com

“One day, I found myself biking down an empty little access road next to the notorious 405 freeway during the evening commute. The freeway, as usual, was paralyzed, and I noticed I was actually moving faster than the cars. That’s when the revelation hit: Over the past few months, I had discovered a different Los Angeles,” say Andy Bowers of Slate.com.

Los Angeles is notorious for its dead-stopped traffic and smog produced by all the cars. “…Los Angeles is an almost pathologically bike-unfriendly city. It has pathetically few marked bike lanes, and those it has often peter out for no reason and at the worst possible place. Its drivers go ballistic when a cyclist slows them down, even for a few seconds,” continues Andy.  Andy Bowers has the right idea, though.  He enjoys L.A.’s empty back roads and neighborhoods from atop his bike saddle and soaks up the beautiful weather (year round, too! L.A. definitely beats Boston in that category!)

Boston Cycling

Download Boston Bike Map
Grab a Guinness and celebrate – in this debate at least, Boston is the clear leader.  (Finger’s crossed for the same outcome in the NBA Playoffs!) Recently featured as one of the Top 50 U.S. Biking Cities, Boston had previously been struggling to find its place in the cycling world.

Boston in the Top 50 U.S. Biking Cities

While Los Angeles has the leg up on Boston in year-round cycling weather, thanks to Mayor Menino’s passionate campaign for the equal treatment of bikes in Boston, local cyclists enjoy miles of new bike lanes, sharrows, safety regulations, and parking all around the city.  At Mayor Menino’s Bike Safety Summit in Morse Auditorium at Boston University (Go Terriers!), the Mayor announced that “the car is no longer King is Boston…We should have a shared, common respect for everyone who uses Boston’s roads . . . we all have the right to safe passage through our city streets,” continued Menino.

So while the East Coast – West Coast debate will continue on everything from cycling to basketball, we think it’s safe to say that in the cycling debate, Boston takes the title.

Hey, Matt Damon gets it….

He totally gets it

No Matter Where You Ride

If commuting is part of your daily routine, then no matter where you are,  a folding bike could be the perfect ride to complement your car and help you integrate cycling into your daily commute.  Lots of Montague bike owners (including several of us in the office here) put their bike in the car trunk, drive part way and then ride their bike the rest of the way to work. Contact us if you have questions on how to make this work for your situation.

Rivalry or not, Cyclists share a common passion

There are passionate cyclists from both the east and west coast, everywhere in between and around the world. Whether you ride a folding, road, tri, fixie, townie, cruiser, mountain, unicycle, recumbent, e-bike or handcycle, cycling advocacy is an area that all cyclists can rally around. There are encouraging programs such as Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood’s new policy, which states that “walking and biking should not be an afterthought in roadway design” and will require states and municipalities competing for federal highway funds to include “equal access” for pedestrians and bicyclists. However, let’s use our friendly competition to go beyond policy and raise the overall level of cycling advocacy activity, no matter where you ride.

Ride Safe and GO CELTICS!

Montague Bikes

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What does cycling mean to you?

By Montague Bikes | Published: June 14, 2010
What does cycling mean to you

Photo credit Alex Robinson

Now that National Bike Month has passed now is the perfect time for cyclists to keep the momentum gained in May and reflect on what it is we love about the bike and share with our non-cycling friends why the draw to two wheels is so strong.

I’ll start the list here but the number of reasons we ride is as big as the number of people who ride. So, let us know your reasons in the comments below.

The Body

Cycling is constantly cited as one of the best low-impact aerobic forms of exercise we can do. There are seemingly countless examples of how people are using the bike to get and stay fit, lose weight, and even overcome the effects of diseases most thought we couldn’t overcome.

The Mind

Besides the natural high we get from exercise, being out on the road or trail gives us a chance to get within our own mind.  Some of us use cycling as a way to de-stress at the end of a long day, or to clear our mind before jumping into the busy fray of the workday. Others get a mental lift just from knowing they are doing something healthy for themselves.

The number of club and group rides available in just about any town with a bike shop, and the increasing participation in mobile socials, Critical Mass, and community cycling events is proof that cycling is a social activity. The conversations we have before, during and after a ride ranges from the simple introduction to the diving into the deepest of topics. There is no doubt that strong and lifelong relationships are formed on the bike.

The Environment

For many of us the bike is a practical choice in addition to an emotional one. With gas prices hovering between $2.50 and $3.00 per gallon for much of the U.S. (and even higher in some international locations!) and the long-term effects of a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico are still yet to be determined, could there be a better time to spend more time using the bike for transportation?

Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a crisis to effect change on a large scale. To that end it seems as though the build-up of environmentally unfriendly stories proliferate the news, has led to more people seriously looking at alternative means of transportation including, yes, cycling.

And hey, biking is just fun!

What’s your favorite reason to go get on the bike?

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Commuters biking tips for the new or experienced rider

By Montague Bikes | Published: June 10, 2010
folding bike commuterMontague Folding Bikes have a long history in both the road bike and mountain bike market (we’ve been around for 23 years now!)  We’ve recently heard from a lot of Montague riders about their long distance treks and competitive mountain bike racing (keep the stories coming and we’ll get up as many as we can on the blog, Facebook and Twitter!)

There is also a large segment of Montague folding bike owners who also rely on their bike to get to and from work every day (yours truly included) and/or to do their everyday errands.  I haven’t been commuting nearly as long as others in the office who commute by bike, but in the time that I have been commuting by bike I’ve learned a few lessons. I wanted to share a few and hopefully help you feel more comfortable about starting to commute, or improve your commuting experience.

Be prepared

We’ve had such a nice string of weather in Boston that the usual commuting attire of shorts and a short sleeve short have become commonplace recently. As anyone from New England will attest though, there’s a common saying “if you don’t like the weather in New England, just wait a minute, it will change.”  Yesterday was forecast to be clear, sunny and dry which made for a great commute in. However, by 6pm the showers and clouds had rolled in making for a damp commute home without rain gear. Thankfully the rain wasn’t heavy. Lesson: Always be prepared by leaving rain gear at your office or carrying something compact you can keep in your backpack.

Pretend your a car - but on two wheels and with 1 person power:

What I mean by this is to follow your local cycling laws. In many states cyclists have the same road privileges as cars, and, must also follow the same rules. It may be seem like no big deal to roll through that red light or to not yield and assume that on-coming car sees you. My advice though, “drive” defensively and always assume that car doesn’t see you.  Your body and your bike will appreciate it.

Take care of your ride

Cars have their oil changed every few thousand miles or every few months. Try to have a similar mindset and have a regular maintenance schedule for your bike.  A few months is too long but there are daily, weekly and monthly things you should get in the habit of doing to extend the life of your bike and components.

Accessorize

It’s tough to hang fuzzy dice off your rear view mirror on a bike but there are plenty of practical accessories that will make your commuting experience more enjoyable and safer. Some of the basics are:
  • Lights – ideally a front light for both visibility and to see if you get stuck (or enjoy!) riding at night, and a rear light for visibility
  • Fenders – a front fender will help keep your legs and feet dry (or less wet) and a rear fender will keep your backside dry.
  • Racks – depending on how long your commute, or what kind of errands you plan to use your bike for, there is everything from a simple rear rack with bungie cords to put your light items on, to full cargo packs that you could live out of for months.
I know there are more experienced commuters who can add value in the comments by sharing their experience and feedback. What are the biggest lessons and tips from your commuting experience?
Ride Safe,
Montague Bikes
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Montague Folding Bike Riders’ Favorite Places to Ride

By Montague Bikes | Published: June 9, 2010

First off, I’d like to send a big THANK YOU to all the Montague Cyclists for your input on your favorite places to ride!  We love hearing your experiences riding your Montague Bike and encourage all of you to keep the feedback coming!

Today, I’d like to feature John G. from Delaware who rode his Montague Bike from Lewes, DE to Rehoboth Beach, DE – a 12 mile ride to the Atlantic Coast!

John's Trip on his Montague Folding Bike

Thanks to Google Map’s new “Bicycle Feature,” planning a trip on your beach is simple!  John’s trip, shown above, was about 13 miles round trip.  He said the temperature was in incredible 93 degrees, but his trip to the Atlantic Coast on his bike was well worth it.  Thanks so much for your input, John.  You’ve made me incredibly jealous.

We found out about John’s awesome trip with his bike through our Facebook page, where he commented with details about his route.  This is a fantastic way to let us know what YOU’RE doing with your Montague Folding Bike and to share your experiences with our growing online network.

John's Post on Montague Bike's Facebook!

Thanks again, John! Keep us updated with all your new adventures with your Montague Folding Bike!

Rehoboth Beach, DE is described as “the nation’s summer capital”.  “Rehoboth Beach is a beautiful small town on the East Coast featuring enjoyable year round weather, beautiful real estate, great restaurants, and tax free shopping – all just two hours from Washington, DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Rehoboth Beach offers plenty for the whole family to do, including its one mile Boardwalk, its beautiful clean beaches and water, and its many other recreational activities,” says Rehoboth.com

The “Events and Activities” page is almost overwhelming with the different art galleries, bicycle shops, camping grounds, brewery tours, spas, sailing, and water sports pages, just to name a few.  The nightlife and food and restaurants pages also provides great insight into “after hour” events in the area!

Bike to Rehoboth Beach with Montague Bikes

Thanks again, John!  We hope you had a great day at this gorgeous and exciting beach with your Montague Bikes.

What do you do with your bike?  Inspire other cyclists in your area (wherever that may be!) by sending us your story either to our Facebook or to marketing@montaguebikes.com.

Until then,

Ride Safe!

Montague Corporation

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The 20,000 mile bike ride

By Montague Bikes | Published: June 7, 2010

The Pan American Highway from Alaska to Argentina

What is the Pan American Highway?

The Vogel family set out on June 8, 2008 for the adventure of a lifetime-biking the Pan American Highway from Alaska to Argentina.  Their two boys, Daryle and Davy, both 11, are attempting to land themselves in the record books by being the youngest people in history to complete this enormous task.

The Pan American Highway, at its completion, wil run 20,300 miles and connect Alaska, via the Alaska Highway, with the southernmost tip of South America.  It is not a single highway nor is it controlled, cared for, or regulated by one particular country or governing body.  Each country has its own section of the road solely under their jurisdiction.  There is, however, a chief coordinating body called the Pan American Highway Congress that meets every four years.  Each country, with the exception of Central America where North American aid has been substantial, is funding the construction of “their” section of the highway.  It’s been a long road (pun intended) to get the Pan American Highway to where it is today.  The idea was suggested back in 1923 at the Fifth International Conference of American States, meeting in Santiago, Chile, and two years later the Pan American Highway Congress was established to act as a permanent advocate for the road.  The final agreement did not come until 13 years later, however, and construction of the road began!  World War II aided in the support for a highway reaching down to the Panama canal and Central America was, obviously, fully on board, and the road in Inter-America was open to through traffic in 1963.

Who are the Vogels, and why are they biking over 20,000 miles!

The Vogels are truly an inspiration in the cycling community. Taking two and a half years of theirs lives, their jobs, their schools, their friends and family, everything they know, to set out on an incredible journey that will, without a doubt, pay for itself.

“We will be pedaling away from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in June 2008. About thirty months and 20,000 miles later we plan to arrive in Ushuaia, Argentina. This time we will be traveling with two single bikes and a tandem. The kids will be able to switch back and forth between the single and tandem…There are a couple of major other things happening in conjunction with this trip as well: a quest for a world record, and an attempt to bring the world to kids in classrooms. Upon completion of this journey, Davy and Daryl will be awarded the title of “Youngest Person to Cycle the Pan-American Highway” by Guinness World Records,” the Vogels write in their blog.

Reach the World with the Voguls and Montague Bikes

Their adventure is helping to bring interactive learning, through the web, into the classroom.  Reach the World (RTW) is a non-profit organization dedicated “to linking students in under-funded schools to online, global expeditions that have the power to expand learning beyond the four walls of their classroom.  Since 1998, RTW has been linking educators traveling the world directly with classrooms. In addition to gaining essential knowledge about geography and world cultures, children become proficient in the use technology…” the Vogels continue.  Mainly in New York and Chicage, Reach the World is having an astounding effect on the children in these under privileged schools. You can help these children and the Voguls on their journey by making a tax-deductible donation by clicking here.

Their website and blog provides great day-to-day updates about the many adventures they’ve encountered on the ride.  Be sure the check in with them and drop a line or word of encouragement!

Tell us about your epic rides!

How do you, like the Voguls, use your bike to make a difference?  Send your stories to us on Facebook or to marketing@montaguebikes.com – we’d love to share your story with the cycling community!

Ride Safe,

Montague Bikes

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Where to Bike with Montague Bikes: San Diego

By Montague Bikes | Published: June 2, 2010

When I think of San Diego I think of two things: one-the zoo and two- Will Farrell in Anchorman.  The second is, unfortunately, not appropriate for this blog, but “YouTube” it anyway.    Nonetheless, Montague Bikes continues its “Where to Bike with Montague” series with San Diego, California.

Bike to the San Diego Zoo to See...Acrobatic Animals?

So acrobatic animals is something you probably will not encounter in San Diego unless you count this poster and the sea lions during a show, but San Diego has a multitude of great things to offer including, but not limited to, some pretty incredible cycling.

Where to Bike with Montague Bikes: San Diego

San Diego’s mild climate year is just one reason it’s called “the cyclists paradise“.  The varied terrain, from flat to mountainous, makes it ideal for any rider, and most of the highways and even back roads and city streets come equipped with bike lanes for added convenience and safety.  San Diego’s Mass Transportation is also readily available for bikers, making it the ultimate destination for Montague Folding Bike owners.  Buses, commuter trains, the San Diego trolley, Amtrak, the Coronado Ferry, and more are all “bicycle-friendly”.

Buses:

Each bus in San Diego comes equipped with a rack on the front the holds one or two full size bikes for no additional fare.  If you have a Montague Folding Bike, ignore the next few lines of text, for you can simply fold yours and carry it on board, but because we are supportive of the entire cycling community, both folding and non, I will share some tips for loading your bike onto the rack at the front of a bus for all you non-folding bike riders out there.

1.  Remove any loose items from the bike such as bags, water bottles, etc.

2.  Place your bike on the rack with the front wheel towards the curb.  If the rack is empty when you place your bike on the rack, position your bike in the front of the bus before closing the rack and locking it in place.

3.  Move the level, from the bottom, over the front tire of your bike.  This level is spring loaded and will hold your tire into place.

4.  Always alert the driver when either loading or unloading your bike.

San Diego Trolley:

If you’re 16 years or older, you can feel free to bring your bike aboard at any point.  Enter through the rear door of the trolley and stand near the rear driver’s cab.  There’s no need to buy a special ticket or pay an extra fare for bringing your bike on board.

Coaster Commuter Train:

The coaster commuter train makes several stops during the day between downtown San Diego and downtown Oceanside and was designed to accommodate bicycles.  Again, there is no addition fare required.  Enter through the door that shows an icon of a bicycle and secure your bike in the designated area directly inside the door and hold it in place with the provided velcro straps.

Amtrak:

The Amtrak trains makes several trips per day up and down the coast between San Diego and Los Angeles.  If you’re lucky, your Amtrak train will come with roll-up bicycle ramps and you can bring it with you into passenger cars.  Worst case scenario, you have to leave your bike in the baggage car.

Coronado Ferry:

A passenger ferry runs regularly across San Diego Bay between Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego and the Coronado Ferry Landing in Coronado (about 10 minutes each way).

The ferry departs –

  1. from Broadway Pier every hour on the hour from 9AM to 9PM, and also at 10PM on Friday and Saturday only, and
  2. from the Coronado Ferry Landing every hour on the half hour from 9:30AM to 9:30PM, and also at 10:30PM on Friday and Saturday only.

The one-way fare is $3.50 per person.  Bikes are welcome at no additional fee!

San Diego also has a Velodrome for those interested in racing or learning how to race.  In addition to open hours and coaching, the San Diego Velodrome has Tuesday and Saturday night racing and classes for children and adults.

San Diego also has numerous bike shops so you can customize your bike or even rent one for a few days!

San Diego.com offers in depth information for travel, tourism, hotels, restaurants, events, and more to make visiting the area a breeze (pun intended).  Where to stay in San Diego is as diverse as the city itself.  Whether you are looking for a beach front resort, a cozy bed and breakfast, or even camping, San Diego has what you’re looking for.  This month brings around the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon.  This is an awesome marathon that adds an extra element by lining the 26.2 mile course with live music.

Bike with Montague Folding Bikes in San Diego, California!

Exploring San Diego by bike is a great way to view the city in its entirety while still engaging in the culture up close and personal.  The Montague Crosstown is great for zipping around the city streets and along the beaches.  It provides the performance of a non-folding bike while working with San Diego’s versatility for portability and travel convenience.

Plan a trip out west and be sure to visit the zoo while you’re there!

Ride Safe,

Montague Corporation

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Montague Folding Bikes Fondly Remembers Trevor Maxwell Lyons

By Montague Bikes | Published: June 2, 2010

To pay homage to one of our own, I would like to dedicate this blog post to one of Montague Folding Bikes‘ fallen comrades.  You may have known him only as a model that probably should have smiled more, but, to us, he was so much more than just a pretty face.  Trevor Maxwell Lyons, you will be missed.

Trevor Maxwell Lyons: Montague Bikes Model and Friend

Trevor has joined the ranks of the enemy down in New York City to sell his soul to corporate America and, of course, the New York Yankees (he’s a fan, and you CAN hold that against him-especially since he doesn’t watch baseball.)  Tristan Brown, pictured above (relationship, questionable) laments this news.  Trevor rides a fixie that he’s customized himself, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that he doesn’t end up like these NYC “hipster” bike messengers who were recently featured on Judge Judy for setting fire to a mattress and stealing a bike.

But, no.  We have more faith in Trevor than to think that he’d get a hand/neck tattoo.

You may recognize Trevor from several of our recent photo shoots, strutting his stuff for the cycling community on the Montague Folding X70, or from our recent blog post “Where to Bike With Montague: Barcelona”.  Don’t peg Trevor as just a pretty face, though, for he is so much more.  In addition to being 2nd in the country in his division for Mountain Biking, he biked across the country for Habitat for Humanity, served as captain of the BU Cycling Team, and participated in the Tri State Trek for Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  In these ways and more, Trevor show us that he is truly a man of many colors, but mostly…

He makes one heck of a model:

He got me flowers!

Thanks, Trev, for all you’ve done for us.  You’ll certainly be missed.

To aid Trevor in his move to the Big City, I’ve compiled a short list of “All Things New York” for the cycling community:

**For the clever-minded cyclist: Bike Snob NYC

This blog is great for NYC local cyclists.  Anecdotes, pictures, video, personal stories and more await in this awesome blog, but make sure you’ve had your coffee for the day before you read it- it is not for the slow-witted individual!

**To find where you’re going: NYC Bike Maps

Trevor will definitely need to utilize this to make his commute from Astoria (a neighborhood in Queens) to Midtown Manhattan where he sells his soul on a daily basis and gift wraps it before handing it to “The Man”.  But, really.  This is a great website for finding your way through Manhattan or the five boroughs by bike.

**For the Community Cyclist:  Bike New York

Use this website to stay connected with events and opportunities for the cycling community in New York.  Organize bike and trail rides, volunteer opportunities, ride resources, shopping, and even bicycling education is available in this one-stop-shop website for New York Cyclists.  (Hey, Trev-if you run into having to do community service, visit this website.)

**If you need a hand:  New York Cycling Club

This is a great way to meet other people in your area that are involved in the cycling community.  New York City can be intimidating, so why not brave it together?

**For following the law: NYCDOT

Trevor, pay attention!  For cycling laws in New York, this website provides all the insight you need for commuting, working, recreational, or first time cycling.  This site also provides bikes maps, tips for bike safety, information about bikes in buildings,  parking, and cycling statistics.

**A New Street Code for NYC Cyclists: BikingRules.org

For rules made by cyclists, for cyclists-tricks of the trade.  Even get up-to-date information on roadways and bike paths on your commute.

Enjoy New York, Trevor!  We’re all rooting for you!

Trevor Maxwell Lyons: Boston

Ride Safe,

Montague Corporation

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Where to Bike With Montague: Napa Valley

By Montague Bikes | Published: May 28, 2010

Where to Bike with Montague: Napa Valley, California

Montague Bikes continues its “Where to Bike with Montague” series a little closer to home.  Napa Valley offers some of the most beautiful landscape (and the best wine!) in the country and, thankfully for us, equally amazing cycling.  Whether you’re looking for an organized tour that provides bikes, lodging, dinners and wine tasting, or looking to get out and explore Napa Valley on your own, this beautiful area of California has what you’re looking for.

NapaValley.com makes it so easy to find out more information about lodging, restaurants, and things to do in the area.  The area’s most famous feature is undoubtedly its wine.  The landscape is soft, rolling hills covered in vineyards and narrow roads (pictured above) which make it a great area for biking on any level.  A relatively small area-only 30 miles long-contains over 45,000 acres of planted grapes.

It can be a daunting task trying to find the right place to stay during a visit to Napa Valley.  There are tons of bed and breakfasts, hotels, inns, and cottages begging to be rented, but the Adagio Inn Bed and Breakfast ranks about them all.  According to the locals,   this is where you want to stay.  It is situated in the heart of historic downtown Helena in a quiet neighborhood of the Napa Valley and just a short walks from great bars and restaurants.  Also, on your way to the Adagio Inn, you will pass over 400 wineries!  “As innkeeper/owner Polly Keegan says “People seem to love it … especially the comfortable king beds, fine linens and expansive, elegant surroundings“. Aveda amenities are in the bathrooms, sterling silver and Italian dinnerware in the breakfast room, and comfy rockers on the porch, looking down upon a really lovely garden,” according to a blog on NapaValley.com.

After a long bike ride through the vineyards, relaxing on the porch swing with, what else, a glass of wine is the perfect way to unwind.  If guided tours aren’t your thing, self-guided tours and bike rentals are also available.

There’s light trail riding through Napa Valley, so the X50 or X70 would be perfect for this area.  The FIT would also be great if you want to do some long distance riding through the vineyards.

Wherever you are in the world, don’t forget to send us your stories about how you use YOUR Montague Folding Bike for a chance to be featured in our newsletter or here on our blog!

Have a great long weekend and, as always,

Ride Safe!

Montague Corporation

P.S.  Stay tuned for some new videos featuring yours truly presenting the Montague Navigator and Crosstown, coming soon to our website and blog!

Posted in Adventure, Commute, Environment, General, Lifestyle, Recreation, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrate the Mass Commuter Challenge Tonight 5-7

By Montague Bikes | Published: May 26, 2010

Mass Commuter Challenge

Cambridge: MassCommuter Challenge Bike Bash!
WhenWed, May 26, 5pm – 7pm
Website: http://masscommuterchallenge.org/bike-bash/
Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Time 5 pm 7:30 pm Location: address: Flat Top Johnny’s, One Kendall Square city: Cambridge zip: Event Description After everything is said and done, we celebrate the conclusion of the MassCommuter Challenge with the event wrap up party, the Bike Bash! We are happy to announce that this year’s bash is proudly sponsored by our friends at Harpoon Brewery! The MassCommuter Challenge planning teams invites all Challenge participants to join us at Flat Top Johnny’s Bar & Grill located at One Kendall Square, Cambridge MA on Wednesday, May 26th from 5:00pm through 7:30pm. The Bash is our opportunity to acknowledge all of the participating teams and individuals contributions to the Challenge Pledge and to award the winningest teams of 2010. In addition, we have a crew of fantastic sponsors who are donating some great prizes towards the Bike Bash drawing which we promise you, you won’t want to miss! So, see ya there bikey friends! The Bike Bash is FREE and open to all MassCommuter Challenge participants. Thanks to Hub Bicycle Co. , Cambridge MA’s newest bike shop, there will be secure bike parking available.
Participate in the Mass Commuter Challenge? Celebrate tonight from 5-7 at Flat Top Johnny’s in Kendall Square in Cambridge!
Using your bike to commute to and from work, school, or even the train station is a great and eco-friendly way to get around.  The Navigator is the perfect commuting tool with its rear rack and fenders and offers the portability provided by the folding technology.
Send us your story on how to use your Montague Folding Bike to commute and help your environment!
marketing@montaguebikes.com
Ride Safe,
Montague Corporation
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