Taking a Bicycle on Vacation

Citizen's Barcelona Folding Bike at the Beach

Summer is here and perhaps you've already made your vacation plans: Trips to the beach, a cruise or my favorite, a woodland cabin retreat.  Any of these destinations and more can be made all the better by taking along a bicycle.  Cycling is the best way to intimately enjoy the local atmosphere.  It also takes care of the problem of getting in your exercise while vacationing.

Some people use car mounted bicycle racks to take their bikes along. I've done that too but if you're staying at a hotel you might want to bring your bike with you into your room. Traveling by plane or train? Well, that car rack isn't going to be much help so why not consider taking a folding bike?

Folding Bikes like this one by Green Zone are ideal for vacation and travel.

Green Zone Alloy Folding Bicycle
We've taken this folding bicycle on the train to New York City last summer.  We took a trip downtown to the Marina at Chelsea Piers via the New York City Bike Path / Greenway. This Green Zone folding bicycle packs easily into a canvas bag which comes with it. However it is a folding bike with a LOT of features:  Rear spring rack, fenders, 7 Speed Shimano shifters and a sweet bell are ALL included.

The Train Trip

The folding bike itself was very quick and easy to pack into my car trunk, carry on the train and then set up at our destination. It took about 30 seconds (seriously) to unfold on the street outside the train station - ready to ride.  We clipped on our Trek Trunk and effortlessly zipped down the Bike Path!

Our Green Zone in its bag for the train ride!

I've seen full sized bicycles rolled onto trains but ours was very compact and secure in its own neat tote bag.  The picture above shows our folding bike in the bag sitting on the train seat.

Weighing in at only 25 lbs, this folding bicycle was very easy to transport while the 20 inch wheels gave us a safe and comfortable ride downtown.

While New York City is relatively flat, it's good to have 7 speeds at your disposal for hilly terrains. I've ridden the Green Zone through rural towns with rolling hills and it does just great.  The fact that it has fenders means you'll stay cleaner and dryer during a rainfall or if you hit a puddle or two.

The Green Zone at our destination - Chelsea Piers, New York City

A folding bicycle like this can go where YOU go.  Take it with you when you check into your hotel room. Ride it instead of renting a car, especially if your destination is a resort or other attraction. Need a bicycle built for two?  Yes, Green Zone makes FOLDING TANDEMS as well.  Visit their website and get some wheels to go for your BEST summer vacation ever! GREEN ZONE FOLDING BIKES

Poppy Bags

Take a walk to the market, take your bicycle to the office, either way you'll look and feel great while saving gas AND getting some exercise with these Detours Designer Fremonster Flap Panniers in Orange Glo Poppy These were named for the Fremont section of Seattle and created from the delicate artwork of local west coast artist, Herman Yu ...especially for Detours!

The panniers themselves easily clip on and off your bike to take inside for shopping and have a handy laptop sleeve for your school or office commute.  These Fremonsters come with their own rain covers that pop out from a zippered compartment just when you need them.  Lots of space with an additional zippered inner mesh pouch and an outer open pouch. There are even loops for bicycle lights on each side of the bag so I put in a set of Portland Design Works Danger Zone LED Tail Lights for EXTRA funk!

Get ready because the NYC Bike Share Program kicks off this summer and Bike to Work Month is in MAY. You can be totally ready to rock with these!  Get more walking & bike commuting ideas for spring at XTreme XTraining.

The Fremonster Bag comes with a quick clip on carry strap and top straps for easy toting.  Two bags in one that work both on and off your bike.

Valentine's Day-Dreaming

Need a fresh idea for V-Day?  Take your bike on a train for an adventurous day out & ride new terrain.

Do a little online shopping for something that makes you FEEL sensuous.  Hint: Dior works for me.

An all time winner, the proverbial box of assorted chocolates!  Yes, I see women buying these for themselves.

Spend the day at an art museum and have lunch on the town.

How about a skate date at Rockefeller Center?  Romantic, classic and unforgettable.

Valentine's Day is for lovers...or so they say.  It can also be a day to do the things YOU love.  Here are some ideas that span from romantic to adventurous, especially for those who don't want the same old routine year after year.  Do some Valentine's Day-Dreaming now to make your day extra memorable.