Do what Tori says and you’ll be smiling too.(Photos © J. Maus) Earlier this week, Tori shared some background on cyclocross. Now she’s got some key pointers for your first foray into racing. This weekend offers two great opportunities to get out there. So get out there (but read Tori’s primer first)! — JM Pre-Race … Read more
Welcome to ‘cross.(Photo © Daniel Sharp) Recently, you may have noticed your neighborhood parks being taken over by lycra clad people running and jumping with their bikes; or maybe you’ve overheard excited murmurs about brand new cowbells or talk of this years “Crusades.” No, this isn’t a religiously sanctioned military campaign for cyclists to take … Read more
You can race ‘cross on nearly any bike; but these tips will help your conversion work better.(Photos © J. Maus) As fall approaches it’s time to start dreaming of the thrill of mud, cowbells, Belgium fries and waffles and hundreds of people cheering for you as you ride your way through cyclocross season. Whether you’re … Read more
Our optimization specialist Tori Bortman is here to help you gain confidence in patching tubes.(Photos: Daniel Sharp) Most folks don’t like to patch tubes for many reasons: “It takes too long,” “it never holds,” or “I just carry a new tube.” Carrying an extra tube will only get you through one flat per ride, and … Read more
As I demonstrate, a road bike with a trailer can work on a multi-day tour (just make sure the gearing will get you up the hills).(Photo: Daniel Sharp)
Make a clean sweep of grime.(Photos: Daniel Sharp) When you break it down, your bicycle only needs to do two things: Go and stop. In our last column we discussed the go (chains), today we’ll delve into the stop (brakes). The Pacific Northwest is known for many things, but one of the most insidious is … Read more
Publisher’s note: This article was written by Tori Bortman. In the coming weeks, Tori will help you Optimize Your Ride by sharing her bike repair tips, tricks and perspectives. Lube it up, wipe it down.(Photos by Daniel Sharp) Today’s topic: the chain. The chain is one of the easiest parts to maintain on your bike; … Read more
This guest article was written by Tori Bortman, owner and operator of Gracie’s Wrench, which offers private and group bike maintenance clinics (and more). Tori wrote a similar article for us last spring, but this one’s new and improved! Spring is coming!(Photos © J. Maus) Thanks to El Nino, spring has officially sprung a bit … Read more
Tori Bortman(Photos © J. Maus) Editor’s Note: This article was written by guest author Tori Bortman. Tori is very active in the local bike scene. She’s a co-host of the KBOO Bike Show, a promoter of bike polo and women-only alleycats, and she’s the proprietor of her own bike mechanic training business, Gracie’s Wrench (which … Read more