Here's a little Copenhagenize.com reportage from one of our readers, Koll.
"These folks catch the fish out off the of the peninsula of Washington State (Port Townsend), then ride the ferry boat across to Seattle and tow their catch to the farmer's market in Ballard (Seattle's most Scandinavian neighborhood and home to many original immigrants and fisher-people) by bike every Sunday, that's a good 5 mile [8 km] ride after getting off the ferry, and the whole shebang is about 30 feet [10 m.] long!
The trailers hold 3 coolers each, and are made from aluminum ladders with wheel assemblies and a unique hitch that that connects to each of their Surly Big Dummies (Xtra Bikes with extended wheelbases, made by the owner, Rick). Anyway, an awfully cool setup (and wonderful fish!) Here is their website (which is all about fish, not bikes, but there you go)."
The Ballard Market is darn fun, with lots of carts, bikes, and just folks rolling in. Not Copenhagen, or even Portland, but pretty cool all the same."
Now how on earth would we ever have heard this splendid tale if one of our readers didn't take the time to photograph and send a description?! Thanks so much, Koll.
9 thinking out louds:
that's pretty cool. Love the idea of using the aluminum ladders. I have been meaning to build a kayak trailer. Already have some wheels. The ladder would provide the perfect base structure. Just throw on a couple foam forms to hold the kayak and provide some mounts for the wheels to bolt on. Of course there's the arm too, but all in all very simple. Best of all it can still be converted back to a later in a couple minutes should you need it.
Interesting
I have never seen that, and I've been down there so many times. How on earth did I miss this?!
Thanks so much for posting that!
I think I may be wrong about where they catch the fish, I think perhaps they are actually caught up in Alaska, not off Washington. In any event, it's a pretty creative set-up.
terrific post...i would like to know 'the specs' on the big dummy...
It looks like the images aren't loading anymore, which makes this story a bit confusing. Some additional explanation before the quotes of questionable context would go a long way towards clarifying what this is about (fish? bikes? Scandinavians?).
photos are loading fine here.
it's a story about fishy scandinavians on bicycles.
This is a cool story! However, I'd like to clarify a bit regarding the "Xtra bikes." The Surly Big Dummy is an Xtracycle, made according to the longtail bike standard invented by Xtracycle, Inc. The Big Dummy uses the Xtracycle rack, deck, and bags as part of its long wheelbase platform. Xtracycle also makes a complete longtail bike, as well as the FreeRadical, an extension kit that allows any bike to be turned into a longtail bike like the one you see here. For more information, go to www.xtracycle.com
Hooray!
The trailers and hitch arm resemble the 300lb-capacity Bikes at Work trailers built in Iowa. We like the 32" model for shopping trips, but the 96" models are our workhorses to carry 12-foot valet bike parking racks seen here.
Yes, Cape Cleare fishes out of Alaska. But, their home port is in Port Townsend, on the NE corner of the Olympic Peninsula. They also deliver their fish locally in Port Townsend on these bikes.
I usually buy the fish direct off the boat at the Boat Haven and avoid the 100% mark-up in the stores (they have to cover over-head like any other business).
Glenn
Marrowstone Island
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