Two American Success Stories and a Grocery Store Bike

So, there I was buying a few groceries in Alamogordo earlier this week when I saw a bike, and it was not just any bike - it was the 2016 New Belgium Cruiser. And it was extremely cool- definitely a departure from the earlier models - less of a cruiser and more of a stylish commuter.

Now that is my kind of groceries!

 

Yes, I know, it's just a bike, it's just more stuff to want and to gather dust and to put me in debt (if it were for sale.) But this thing reverberates with something much more.

 

Let's check out its origins.

 

New Belgium...

 

...is a Colorado brewery that embraces bikes in a big way. (Fat Tire Ale!) Since 1999, they have been working with high-quality bike manufacturers (Electra, Felt, Spot, Schwinn) to produce limited edition Fat Tire cruisers for their employees and for promotions and giveaways and such. There have been some beautiful bikes. (I am a big fan of the 2006 and 2011 Felt models.) New Belgium is a company that pursues very green practices for business and for life. Part of that pursuit is the celebration of the bike as enjoyable and healthy transport. Yes, I like New Belgium a whole lot and I want them to live long and prosper!

Detroit Bikes (Number 565 of 2500)

 

Detroit Bikes

 

Let's start with their mission statement: To encourage cycling by making an accessible, enjoyable bicycle while continuing Detroit's legacy of quality manufacturing and design. Detroit is a place that has had and continues to have real economic and social problems.  But Detroit is also showing some real improvement and companies like Detroit Bikes are helping to make that possible. (Detroit is also quickly becoming one of America's best cities for cycling!)

 

Detroit Bikes New Belgium Fat-Tire Bike

The business model is very solid - set up shop in an old warehouse, buy high-quality, second-hand manufacturing equipment, employ local talent, and produce a high-quality product to sell at competitive prices. And they have done a great job of that.

 

I'd love to commute on an A-Type - $699

 

I have been following their story for a few years, so it was very exciting for me to get to see one of their bikes in person. And they are simple, clean, and gorgeous!

 

So, let's sum up:

 

Eco-Friendly Beer Brewer (They have really good beer too!)

Made-in-America high-quality entrepreneurealshippishness bicycle maker

Trip to the grocery store

A couple of videos

The guy who strives for minimalism finds something else he wants

 

That pretty well sums it up!

 

May we see and support more companies like these, and may you be inspired in the grocery store!

Lubbock on a Bike: July NBC Update and Alamogordo

Red means rode!

 

Better than June, not as impressive as May. I did not ride the bike that much in July. By the time I get home today, I should be just a little shy of 40 miles for the month. Excuses, I have a few. First, it was really hot. (I rode the electric bike on several of the hot days - but those miles don't count in the National Bike Challenge.) I also spent the better part of the week working in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

 

MH wandering brain sidebar:

Man, I was jonesing for a bike to explore Alamogordo; all those hills, curves, bike lanes, and solar panels... Alámo gordo means "fat cottonwood" in Spanish. If I were a town in New Mexico, I would call myself Abrazador Gordo de Mezqite. I think it would work because they have places with names like Truth or Consequences and they have a lot of cactus huggers out there. I'd fit right in.

A rocket and a rainbow!

See the reclining woman?

See the solar panels!

 

 

Back to my flat town:

After my mid-month bicycle hiatus I logged back into the NBC expecting to see that I had tumbled down in the Lubbock rankings, but there I was still in the top three with Ms. Wilde and Ms. Wilcox. (I have never met either of them, but I do appreciate the competitive camaraderie!) Apparently everybody else found the sun to be a bit much.

 

I did get an email telling me that I am in an NBC drawing for a New Belgium cruiser - I'd love to win one...



 

...but I'd probably be better off winning one of the other glamorous prizes:

They are Tube-Free!

 

May you know the earth-saving, health-improving, budget-bettering joy of the wind in your spokes!

 

[Allen, I am calling you out - get off your scooter and pedal!]

Big Companies Offering a Bit of Hope: Post-it Notes and the Big Blue Oval

Let me start by saying that I appreciate the company I work for. There are lots of perks around here that involve serving others and spending time with one's family. And they have always supported me in charging my various electric Frankenbikes. My boss even encouraged me to park and charge my e-bike in my office - until we moved to the third floor. Even then, the only real discouragement came from gravity.

Moving on, not once have I ever thought to myself, Gee, I want to work for 3M. Not until today, anyway. And Ford, I have have driven and loved a Ford or two, but I never really wanted to be a part of Ford. But the green news surrounding these two companies this week has been exciting for me.

Ford's news is a little less exciting than 3M's, but still cool. Really, the Ford news is very small so far. It impacts four dealerships initially, but it could be the start of something very good. And, that big Ford VAWT (vertical axis wind turbine) could be downright mesmerizing. I like those! Here's the story from Gas 2:

Ford Testing Wind And Solar Power Systems For Dealerships

More exciting on a larger scale (at least to me) is that 3M is now piloting a program to help its employees go solar. The program offers a 25-35% discount on the cost of the equipment and helps the employee with low payments and no money down. That right there would be attractive to me if I were looking at going to work for them. Here's the story from CleanTechnica:

Duct Tape Giant’s Low Cost Solar Stealth Attack

Any time I see large companies embracing clean, renewable energy, I get excited. In the case of 3M, seeing a company help its employees to switch to that same clean energy - that really gets me excited. So, If I can go to work part time for 3M and get solar on the house, and go to work part time for New Belgium to get a fat-tired bike, and go to work for Ford part time to be able to charge my plug-in C-Max that I have not yet bought....

May your employer make it easy for you to be lean and green!