This will be interesting I’m sure.

It’s been awhile since we’ve had any major design changes around here, and – with things about to get really busy with the Nine to Five and Tour de Watertower on the horizon – I figured if I didn’t do it now it would probably wait until Fall. We’re still working out the kinks so be sure to let us know how the new site is working for you!

It’s Friday.  Things are moving in a couple different directions at Go Means Go.  Big changes are afoot.  What you might ask?  Well you’ll just have to wait and find out.  Until then: Be young, have fun, drink whatever makes you feel good.

Swift Industries- born in Seattle, is housed in a plain, non-descript building in Ballard sharing space with a number of other artists and craftspeople.  Predominately focusing on panniers, Martina and Jason have branched out their line to include a variety of bike baggage including tool bags, handlebar bags, saddle bags and even fanny packs.

The Pelican Porteur is a bag designed around a rack that is becoming more and more common on everything from randonneur bikes to “sweet fixies”: The “5-rail porteur rack.” Born from the needs of newsboys and couriers of old, it’s got a base that is roughly the size of a record sleeve- or a newspaper (go figure.)  There are many companies that are offering these porteur racks- each a little bit different.  Cetma, Paul and Pass & Stow to name a few.

The platform that Swift Industries used for their Pelican is the Cetma 5-rail.  A great rack- I’ve owned one for a number of years and still love it.

The Raleigh Port Townsend made the voyage to Alaska in the hold of a fishing boat and was my transportation for the summer.  After riding it a bit up there, I wanted to make some changes to the front end of the bike- namely the bars.  With that came the brake levers that matched the curve of the bars (fancy.)  And with that came the elk handlebar wrap.  Might as well get one of those dutch locks too… And what the hell, better get a nice shiny new porteur rack to round out the old man hot rod.  I placed the order at Velo Orange and went fishing.

I’d seen the Pelican Porteur a while back and loved it from the start.  There are lots of options for carrying items when you have a front rack, but not many are waterproof.  Cordova is a town with a substantial amount of rainfall (110” a year,) with Seattle getting it’s fair share as well.  A bag that fastens to the rack base, and is waterproof seemed to be just what I needed- and of course it would look great on the bike- quickly becoming a beautiful townie bike well equipped for anything froom city riding to gravel roads.

I talked to Martina to get it going.  I let her know that I would be using a different porteur rack- the Velo Orange.  This was important info, as the fastening system was a little different for the individual designs.  I picked the colors and it arrived a couple weeks later.

I rode with the bag for the remainder of the summer while in Alaska and it’s been a fixture on the Port Townsend since my return to Seattle.  (The bike got to fly home with me, not travel in the belly of a boat)

The Pelican is durable, with a similar construction to a messenger bag. With a trucker tarp lining and Cordura shell, it is highly water resistant. It has a roll top closure and a large flap that goes over that- secured by two plastic buckles in front.  It’s flap is even waterproof- which may even be a little excessive. On the front of the flap there is a strip of reflective ribbon, as well as a place to clip on a light.  Unrolled, the bag is about the size of a square bucket.  The base is  12″x12″ and when unrolled it sits about 23″ high.  When you roll it down and close the flap you have 12″-18″ of height.  In nice weather I often roll the top down inside of the bag, tucking the flap in as well- which makes something of an open top- milk crate sized basket.

With no divider inside- and the rolltop being so tall, it’s sometimes a little difficult to find little things that may have found their way to the bottom of the bag.  There is a small pocket on the front of the bag where I often keep lights or a small tool bag.

The Pelican fastens to the rack by a strap on each side, and a larger buckle in back.  Very easy to clip on- and because of that (as well as my untrusting nature) it’s easy to pull off and take with you.

There are two D-rings on the bag- one on each side. When a strap is clipped into these D-rings and you lift it off the ground, the bag flips over on the front.  No bueno.  When you wear it over the shoulder- it does rest on your back, but it’s still not very comfortable.  I have taken to carrying it by the flap with both hands.  Not excellent if you need your hands for anything else.  The other strap, which is on the back of the bag and looks like it should be a strap with which to lift does the same thing.

Something else to consider with this bag, is whether or not you have a handlebar mounted light.  If so, you will likely need to relocate it.  I made a mount that sits at rack level and now there is no issue at all.

When it comes down to it- the only real issue I’ve found with the bag is how awkward it is to carry.  In Cordova it’s not a big deal, I can leave it on as I go to the store, into the bar, wherever.  In Seattle- not so much.  I don’t like to leave it on if I go to the library just for a minute for fear of returning and fiding my tools, camera, whatever else I’m carrying inside, gone.

The Pelican retails for $150.  A cost that’s reasonable for what you get- a well built bag that does what it’s designed to do.  It’s also made in Seattle by a great company.  As with many handmade products by small companies- turnaround time varies, with holiday season a busy time of year, so if you want one for your tour or as a gift for someone, be prepared.

See more at Swift Industries

I love it when hardcore and bikes cross (as you’ve probably noticed), but it’s not always a common occurrence. In this case, I originally met both John and Connor via loud music years ago in California and have been lucky enough to play the same stages once or twice. This video was produced beautifully, and I think it gives a very personal look at what it means to be a cyclist.

This is only the second video in John’s My Friends Are Talented project, so be sure to check back for more in the future.

The third Tour de Watertower is a wrap! I’ll post a full write up come Monday or so, but thought I’d share the raw feed from the computer. A little more work and I could’ve streamed the results for those following along at home (or on boat), but hey. Next year.

And now onto the results:

I have a few times for those of you that came in after the comp was packed, will update soon.

Thanks to all the folks that raced, helped, donated prizes, and hosted us. I will thank you properly come next week, but I hear there is a party to get to.

If you haven’t pre-registered for the Tour de Watertower yet, you still have time! Pre-registration continues through tomorrow evening. All pre-registered racers will receive their start times via e-mail on Friday, and only need to show up with enough time to check in and ride. Your time is counted from your assigned start time whether you’re there or not, so be sure to give yourself a few minutes to check in.

Can’t pre-register but still want to race? Not a problem! Show up at the start (Cool Guy Park – along the trail starting at Lakeview Blvd E & Belmont Ave E) by 12:30 with your $10 and you’ll be assigned a time after all the pre-registered racers.

Not planning to race at all, but still want to contribute? We’re still looking for volunteers, both at the start and finish and throughout the course. Let me know that you’re interested in helping out, and we will find something for you to do!

Don’t forget that riders will be finishing at Victory Lounge on Eastlake, where we will be keeping track of the standings as each comes in. Later in the evening, those that can still ride will be heading over to Fremont to party through the night at Rubber Side Down, benefiting Seattle Bike Polo.

And don’t forget to check out our sponsors, who are generously donating some prizes in addition to the cash payout. Be sure to let them know you appreciate their support!

Portland Design Works | Mopha