I didn’t have to channel my inner grom to write  the 2017 HARO Pavement/Commuter/Fitness Bike Catalog text, but it was still a very rewarding experience.

PAVEMENT / COMMUTER

Is your weekend spent exploring fire roads, or farmers’ markets? Are you committed to fitness, or your carbon footprint? Feel free to check all of the above, with a bike from the gravel-compatible Solum series, or the pavement-oriented Ventus collection. Sharing Haro’s Rider-Optimized Geometry, durable Shimano components, and powerful disc brakes, the 2017 Haro Commuter Series is built for speed, durability, and fun.

SOLUM SERIES

the road less traveled

 When two roads diverge in the woods, do you take the one without tire tracks? Solum bikes are your versatile travel companion, transitioning smoothly from pavement to that irresistibly overgrown fire road. Featuring Haro’s Rider-Optimized Geometry, high quality aluminum alloy frame, front suspension and disc brakes, the Solum is designed to ensure a comfortable ride, on a bike that always advocates exploration.

ASTORIA

adventure compatible

When the line on the map becomes a series of dots, and the road is rutted and jungly, you need the Astoria, with 63mm of front suspension travel, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, and upgraded Shimano 27 speed drivetrain.

WESTLAKE

the ride begins around the bend

When you can’t stand not to know what’s around the next bend, grab your Westlake. Go further and see more with 63mm of front suspension travel, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, an elevation-conquering Shimano 24 speed drivetrain and fast-rolling, durable Kenda tires.

 

 

BRIDGEPORT ST

instagram views ahead

Oh, the places you’ll go on your Bridgeport ST, a lightweight Step-Thru aluminum alloy bike with hill-conquering Shimano gearing, a comfy 63mm of front suspension, and safe and powerful mechanical disc brakes. Available in color choices as beautiful as the view, the Bridgeport ST is your Instagram-ready riding companion.

 

VENTUS

two-wheeled riding buddy

Your Ventus doesn’t care how many other bicycles you’ve ridden.  

It’s always ready to get away for the weekend.

And it unfailingly goes your exact pace.

Find your perfect workout partner with the Ventus collection, four models that never tell you “not today.” All Ventus bikes feature a high-quality aluminum alloy frame designed with Rider-Optimized Geometry for a great fit, a wide range of gears to tackle a wide range of terrain, a comfy saddle and flat, swept back bars, and the advanced stopping power of disk brakes. Get strong, confident and fit as you run errands, commute, get your burn on, or tackle a charity ride, all on your Ventus.

RIVON SI

commitment to fast

This is your year to raise your mileage and lower your PR, and the Rivon Si is your accomplice, cheerleader and crew chief. Get serious on a Ventus aluminum alloy frame and carbon fork, light and intuitive 2017 Sora 2×9 Sora drive train, and Shimano M315 hydraulic disc brakes.

 

RIVON

#outsideisfree

 Break up with your car, your gym, and your therapeutic donut habit. Get outside further, faster and have more fun on the Rivon with aluminum alloy frame and fork with Rider Optimized Geometry, 24 speeds, and hydraulic disk brakes.

 

AERAS

grab another round

The party’s just getting started. So grab your helmet, grab your Rivon and grab another round, on a fast, efficient, fun aluminum alloy frame with Rider Optimized Geometry, Shimano components, and hydraulic disk brakes. Whether you’re riding for fitness, transportation or fun, the Aeras is your bike for a good time.

 

AIRE

Ride into the sunset

Get that workout glow pedaling through the countryside, or roll with ease on errands in town. You’ll be riding with grace and power on the Aire, with lightweight aluminum step-thru frame, safe and powerful disc brakes, and quality Shimano shifting.

This copy originally appeared in the HARO 2017 catalog.

 

We asked Bobby Evans from Hawaii Bicycling League what three game-changers are coming up for #CommutersofHNL.

1. Bike Share system (not just for Kailua anymore) will be set up for Oahu commuters in 2015 in conjunction with the rail transportation corridor
2. KVIBE, the Kalihi Valley Instructional Bike Exchange http://k-vibe.blogspot.com/ is training the next generation of cyclists, activists, and also mechanics for our growing fleet of Bike Share bikes
3. The King Street Bike Line will be in place by the end of 2014, providing a safe and speedy route for our downtown commuters, as well as athletes biking to their Tantalus lap or Ala Moana swim.

Oahu residents can see a more detailed road map to the future at http://www.hbl.org/theoahubikeproject

This story first appeared in the July issue of Hawaii Sport Magazine: The Bike Issue

Amy and Caiden Vasquez commute to their neighborhood elementary school

Hawaii Sport Magazine: When did you start commuting to school?

Amy Vasquez: I’ve been riding with Caiden to school for about 5 years.

HSM: How did you get started?

AV: Caiden’s first school was about half a mile from our house. It really didn’t make sense to drive him, riding bikes was much faster than waiting in the drop-off line. When we started Caiden was on a trail-a-bike but he’s since switched to riding his own bike.

HSM: What has surprised you about bike commuting to school?

AV: It took a few years but pretty soon we had a whole gang of kids riding to school. People told us they had always wanted to try it and we showed them it was fun and easy.

I also didn’t realize how much more opportunity there is to interact with nature on a bike. On the way home Caiden and I stop and look at plants and animals. It’s a great opportunity for enrichment and quality time with Caiden. It also ensures Caiden gets exercise every day!

This story first appeared in the July issue of Hawaii Sport Magazine: The Bike Issue

You had a great time celebrating Bike to Work day May 18th with the Hawaii Bicycling League. A friendly mechanic touched up your wonky front derailleur, you had coffee and a bagel at one of the six energizer stations, and you got down with 150 of your closest friends at the after party at Manifest. So what can you do the other 364 days a year?

Hawaii is already one of the top 20 bike commuting states in the nation without ever having built a great cycling infrastructure. We have a fit population, good weather, and if you’ve driven on the mainland you know that despite our heavy traffic our drivers drive with aloha.

As an athlete who trains on our roads it is in your best interest to encourage bike and pedestrian traffic. Drivers who are used to seeing bicycles pay more attention when opening car doors, turning and changing lanes. Your neighbors’ weekday commute can make your weekend training ride safer.

There are 3 things you can do right now to make the roads in Hawaii more bike friendly:

1. bike for secondary trips
2. stand up for bike safety
3. and bike to work

The genius of biking for secondary trips is that 50% of car trips are less than 5 miles. Your commute to work may be unfeasible but that ride to Longs can be easy and pleasant, and make a real impact on traffic congestion. Bonus: no stressing about parking.

How about standing up for bike safety? In 2006, an overwhelming majority of voters in Honolulu passed City Charter Amendment #8. The purpose of the amendment was to tell the Department of Transportation Services to prioritize bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. So what can we do to make sure that the will of the people is heard? Attend neighborhood board meetings and talk about how safe streets impact you. Find meetings by searching online for “neighborhood board” and the name of your neighborhood or city. Even easier, increase the lobbying power of Hawaii Bicycling League by becoming a member. Go to www.hbl.org and click on “join.” Hawaii residents want their tax money to pay for safe places to ride, walk and run: stand up and be recognized as the vocal majority.

So you’re running errands on your bike, you advocate for cycling in your community…what’s next? It’s time to check out commuting by bike. As an athlete, that’s an excellent choice. The additional time on your bike can make a significant impact on your speed and fitness. The average bike commuter loses 13 lbs in their first year commuting. A five mile trip can easily burn 300 calories, depending on your weight and effort. Your bike commute revs up your metabolism an extra two times a day, increasing your overall metabolic burn rate. For triathletes it’s an easy way to hang on to some cycling fitness during a swim block. For bike racers commuting miles can be part of your strategy to keep mentally fresh in the off-season without abandoning your bike.

Need more incentive? If you want company or are not sure how to get started, check out Hawaii Bicycling League’s commuter mentor program. Go to http://www.hbl.org/oahu-commutes for a map and contact info and join a commute in your neighborhood.

This story first appeared in the July issue of Hawaii Sport Magazine: The Bike Issue