Just received a report from Chelsea and Eric, on their bike tour in France. I built Chelsea a touring set up earlier this year. "Bonjour ma famille et les amies! ;) > We camped last night by the Seine and rode out early for a good long day. > We meandered through beautiful tiny towns with wheat and sunflower fields separating them. It was like traveling along a string of pearls, each town the most darling place i've ever seen. The wheat fields linking them cleansed the palette to take in another quaint gem each time with fresh amazement ! > 130 kilometers later we arrived in Auxerre for a good night sleep, rich meal and an evening walk around the medieval hillside city along the Yonne River. I am the navigator for our journey and having a great time planning the routes. The amount of bike paths available is impressive and it appears that there is a path along the Yonne that will take us nearly all the way to Vezelay. We hope to arrive by late lunch, enjoy the town and stay for the evening. > More story from further south ;) > Gros bisous, > Chelsea & Eric

Bike to Work Day is getting near! This day is such a celebration day here in B'ham. Right up there with the Ronde van Vlaanderen and May the Fourth. At least in my book. And the best place to be this friday is the Hub Community Bike Shop. Get your bikes polished up and hope for good weather, it'll be a great day on the bike.

Another

event coming up, this time right here in B'ham! A little alleycat race. Starts at the Hub. I believe H.Q. will be a stop. If so, expect some kind of ridiculous task to get your card signed. You've been warned. See you sunday.

Big bike week this week! Thursday is Ladies Night at Kulshan. Donkelope bikes will be there with some goodies. It's always a rockin', full house. This weekend is the 1st Pedaler's Fair in Ballard. All kinds of bike friendly goods made in Washington!

My fave bike race of the year, Ronde van Vlaanderen, is sunday! But before that bit of awesomeness, there's a little ride I organize called the Ronde van Whatcom. I try to emulate the real deal. Plenty of short, steep climbs, and some unpaved sections. Not quite the same as Belgium's premium cobblestone roads, and the ride isn't as long. This year the planned route is about 92 mi. And we're supposed to have some not so nice weather for it. That's how it's been the last 2 years for this ride. The ride starts and finishes at H.Q. With breakfast at the Mount Bakery, mmm waffles.

Here are some pics of Chelsea's touring bike that we showed at the Swift Industries both. Custom frame, fork, stem, and racks.

The Seattle Bike Expo was pretty much the same as usual. Hang out with friends I don't see often enough, talk bikes with lots of people, and ride around the city in bad weather. It was cool checking out the vintage bike display. Beautiful machines. Coming up the first friday of April is the Art Walk. Kelly Hoekema will be showing her creations here at donkelope HQ. I know we're not downtown, but head on over and say hello.