The Torker Cargo-T bicycle from SBS has a headset lock. You twist the headset lock and it stabilizes the front by locking in the forks and basket. This “anti-wheel flop” device is especially handy if you have the front racks loaded with a basket and filled with goodies.

This is on the new Torker Cargo-T bicycle: a cargo bike with 4130 Chromoly frame and fork, step through frame, centerstand, chainguard and fenders, 3 speed Sturmey-Archer hub, coaster brake rear and roller brake up front. Available now from SBS through your Local Bike Shop. MSRP $639.99, one size fits most.

Watch this space for coverages and photos

Indianapolis pre-registrations numbers surpass Portland show

Speedway, Indiana – With names such as De Rosa, Zullo, Serotta, Sachs, Calfee, Crumpton, Vanilla, Walker and De Salvo among the exhibitors, the world’s leading handmade bicycle show presents not only the greatest concentration of quality custom bicycles in the world this year, but in the five years of running the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS).

The show takes place this weekend at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, February 27 – March 1. Policy changes after last year’s show restricted entry to builders with product liability insurance, who had completed at least 50 frames or been in business for two years.

“It is always a risk to introduce a policy that raises the bar like this, but NAHBS is a show that presents the best of the best in bicycling, and to be true to this goal we needed to have only the more accomplished frame builders there,” said Don Walker, the founder and director of the show, a frame builder himself who runs Speedway Handmade Bicycle Works out of Speedway, Indiana.

Not only are the top frame builders in the world showing up among the 116 exhibitors at NAHBS, but also the top component manufacturers will be there, represented by names such as Zipp, Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM, Cane Creek, Paul, White Industries, Chris King and HED.

With the show starting this week, Friday February 27, online ticket purchases have already surpassed the 2008 Portland figure, and is far in excess of San Jose in 2007. About 6,500 people are expected to attend the show over the weekend.

Admission Price Information

$20 per day at the door (Cash and credit cards accepted)
Children 5 and under free
Children age 6-14 $8 per day
Teenagers 15 and over pay full adult price

Watch Cyclelicious over the weekend for show notes and photos. Please feel free to leave a comment here with links to your blog posts, Tweets and photos from this year’s show.

More details at HandMakeBicycleShow.com.

I have a partial list of NAHBS Twitter people here, more on the way.

This is photographer Carson Blume in Sacramento.

Carson prepares his photo slideshow for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California prologue that took place earlier on Saturday in Sacramento.

I guess Carson is normally clean shaven, but he grew the beard for insulation, anticipating the wet and cold conditions he’d have to endure on the photo motorcycles during the Amgen Tour of California. Because of the heavy media attention, however, even Carson couldn’t get a ride on the moto foto!

See Carson Blume’s bike photos. He’s currently in Santa Barbara where he rides, races, shoots great photography, invents stuff, and teaches photography. He’s a super nice and helpful guy.

Program this Thursday afternoon in Palo Alto!

United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) partnered with the Blind Center Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto for the 2009 Tandem Program for the Blind.

The Blind Center will present this program with the USABA and Para Olympics this afternoon Thursday, February 26 from 1 PM to 3 PM at 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, Building 48 in room A208. The Palo Alto VA Hospital is a huge, sprawling complex so give yourself time to find the building if you’re not familiar with the facility.

In their partnership with the USABA, the Blind Center seeks to expand their existing tandem program. They need more tandem captains, help with equipment maintenance, and tandem bicycle donations.

Every 4th Sunday and beginning on March 22 they hold a large group tandem and adaptive cycling ride. They will train new tandem captains: prerequisites are confidence and good cycling skills.

If you are in the mid-Peninsula or South Bay area and are interested in becoming a volunteer for the tandem and adaptive cycling program at the VA please contact Kathy Kelley at 650-493-5000 ext 64387 or send email to Kathy [dot] Kelley2 [at] va [dot] gov or Elizabeth dot Jessen [at] va [dot] gov. (Liz is the one who seems to respond to emails more quickly)

The Tri Flow Menlo Park Grand Prix Criterium presented by Velo Girls and Hawk Relay takes place Sunday, March 8 in (where else?) Menlo Park. Registration is filling up fast for both men’s and women’s races, with cash prizes for women’s races and merchandise for other categories.

Race organizer Lorri Lee Lown is taking applications for podium boys. Qualifications: “Must be hot and willing to wear white shorts,” says Lorri, and “Podium boys absolutely must kiss winners. On the cheeks.”

For your chance to get up close and personal with the likes of winning cyclists like Liz Hatch, contact Lorri for a personal interview.