ERG! Fruit and Nut Bars: Michigan-Made Energy
Traverse City, Michigan, is home to Dennis and Katy Bean-Larson; founders of ERG! Fruit & Nut Bars. Dennis is a long-time Michigan bicyclist who understood the need for good old-fashioned nutrition without unnatural additives or preservatives. In 2011, Dennis had this in mind when he grabbed a blender and a few yummy ingredients, not realizing that in just a few years that moment of inspiration would turn into a successful line of nationally distributed, wholesome energy bars. The ERG! Journey After a few experiments with the blender (and a few messes to clean up), Dennis shared his energy bars with... Read More
Detroit Bikes: Driving American-Made Impact on Two Wheels
Cycling does so much more for us than many realize; it promotes healthy living habits, creates a connected community of enthusiasts, and it’s a fun way to explore the world. However, its role in our society – both in culture and the economy – goes well beyond those immediate benefits. One company that understands the large-scale benefits of cycling is Detroit Bikes; an American-made bike manufacturer and retailer that is continuing Detroit’s innovative history of putting the world on wheels. A Two-Wheeled Approach to Positive Impact Cycling has a multifaceted impact on the world. Not only do individuals experience the... Read More
Wonder Goods: Designing Wonderful Goods for Active Michiganders
Friendship is powerful, and friends Nick Stygstra and Aaron Schaafsma have used theirs to build a Michigan-based company from the ground up. Created through connection and many cups of coffee, Wonder Goods designs and crafts high-quality bags and bike accessories that support an active lifestyle. Their popular handlebar bags are the perfect accessory for cyclists, in addition to an array of other cyclist accessory options! What Makes Wonder Goods’ Bike Accessories Wonderful? Based in Grand Rapids, Wonder Goods offers a variety of products including handlebar bags, snack bags, fanny packs, apparel, and bike accessories. Made from quality materials, we at... Read More
Will Bike Shops Stay Open During Michigan’s Shelter-in-Place and What You Can Do to Help Your Local Bike Shop During These Times
As most Michiganders know by now, in the face of the Coronavirus Pandemic, at 11:00 am on March 23, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a “shelter-in-place” Executive Order that applies to all residents of the State of Michigan. The stated purpose of the Order is “to suppress the spread of COVID-19, to prevent the state’s healthcare system from being overwhelmed, to allow time for the production of critical test kits, ventilators, and personal protective equipment (PPE), and to avoid needless deaths, it is reasonable and necessary to direct residents to remain at home or in their place of residence to... Read More
Meet Henry Ford II
What does Henry Ford II do for the Michigan bicycle community? The better question is what doesn’t Henry do? It is hard to imagine a person who spends more of their time contributing to Michigan’s bicycle scene in a more positive way than Henry. Henry in a nutshell; Started and runs the weekly Palmer Park Ride based out of Palmer Park. The group leaves at 7:00 pm every Thursday night between April and October from the Palmer Park pool parking lot, located at 910 Merrill Plaisance St, Detroit, MI 48203. The ride typically attracts 75-100 cyclists and covers approximately 15-25... Read More
Meet Nate Phipps – Co-Founder of Bike Alliance of Washtenaw
Nate Phipps is a co-founder of the Bike Alliance of Washtenaw and a board member of Common Cycle. In 2014, Nate and his wife, Michelle Bellino (who commutes on a Brompton), moved from Boston to Ann Arbor. Nate had been involved in cycling advocacy in Massachusetts through work with Bikes Not Bombs and the Boston Cyclists Union and saw the positive impact of community-based cycling organizations. When he relocated to Ann Arbor, he was encouraged by the high number of cyclists and bicycle organizations. However, there was a missing piece – a central organization that could harness the energy, connections,... Read More