timbuk2 blog

Putting the “Mini” in Messenger

2008-12-03T18:11:50-06:00

This three-year-old likes to wear her Metro as a backpack. I can only imagine how jealous the other pre-schoolers are of this little goddess.

The Timbuk2 Undercarriage

2008-12-03T17:57:26-06:00

A crafty Timbuk2 fan recently taught us how to rig an undercarriage for carrying bulky items outside the messenger bag. This is good because we all need a little more room in our bags! This customer - we’ll call him David - explained, “I’ve had a classic messenger for about a year. I carried a bulky fleece sweatshirt last winter that took up too much room inside. So I rigged up a way to carry bulky items like a jacket under the bag and wanted to share with you.”

David, you should be on the T2 payroll. Thank you for teaching all of us how to work what we’ve got. See how to rig your own here.

Photo courtesy of David

World AIDS Day

2008-12-01T15:08:44-06:00

Timbuk2 is proud to celebrate World AIDS day today! To help raise awareness of the fight against HIV/AIDS, we’re handing out free condoms and information on HIV/AIDS in our SF retail store. The San Francisco-based non-profit organization, STOP AIDS donated the condoms and information. Established in 1985, the STOP AIDS project works to prevent HIV transmission among all gay and bisexual men in San Francisco through multicultural, community-based organizing.

As a business born and raised in San Francisco, Timbuk2 feels particularly connected to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Many thanks (and props) to STOP AIDS for the work they do and for helping us celebrate World AIDS day in our retail store.

Goldsprints this weekend!

2008-11-26T02:13:45-06:00

If the Bike Expo and Swap this weekend wasn’t enough reason to come to the Cow Palace this weekend, Murphy will be hosting a two day all-out Goldsprints tournament there! Saturday from 1-5pm is single bike qualifiers. Those who qualify will be going head to head on four bikes from 4-8pm on Sunday. We’re giving away a whole grip of bags, Marin is throwing in a 2009 Ignacio Path Racer, and a bunch of other prizes.

Details on the Swap and Expo:
Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 10am-8pm
Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 10am-8:00pm
Where: Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Daly City, CA

For more info, check out: ridesfo.com

50,000 Miles of Bike Lanes?!

2008-11-24T13:34:50-06:00

The New York Times published this article yesterday that reported, “A blueprint for what could become the largest official bicycle route network in the world . . . was approved last month by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).” This could mean 50,000 miles of bike routes in the US.

Move over Arnold, massive bike routes are the new President’s Physical Fitness Challenge. Learn more here.

Deep thoughts on World Philosophy Day

2008-11-20T11:27:56-06:00

Pop!Tech Bags in Action

2008-11-18T14:31:51-06:00

Timbuk2 and Pop!Tech recently donated 130 messenger bags to Peace Games, an innovative violence prevention program that teaches children the skills they need to create safe schools and communities. The messenger bags include liners that are printed with words of wisdom intended to help their owners be brilliant. We were stoked to receive photos of the bags in action and the following account by Peace Games volunteer, Nick G.

A Day in the Life of a Pop!Tech Timbuk2 Bag: Every Monday, bright and early at 9 am, I volunteer for Peace Games (www.peacegames.org), an innovative program that teaches children to be peacemakers. Using the PopTech! Timbuk2 bag, I can put all my Peace Games materials, school materials and a morning snack in one bag ready to go. I throw it over my shoulder and I’m on my way. Walking across the city in the morning with a backpack can be a pain, but with my Timbuk2 bag moving is easy, and I don’t have to stop along the way to pull things like my cell phone or a snack out. I get to Cathedral Grammar School in Boston’s South End on time, and after teaching a 5th grade Peace Games class about resolving conflicts, I know I’m prepared for my day on campus because I have my laptop, folders, and notebooks in my Timbuk2 bag with extra space available too. Before I leave, I throw in papers my instructor wants me to look over, and hop to a café where I snag a drink and a bagel. In my Timbuk2 bag they go! As my Monday flies by, my Timbuk2 bag remains constantly at my side. After a long day of walking, volunteering with Peace Games, studying in class, and walking back home, my back doesn’t ache and I pack my Timbuk2 bag once again, ready for the next day ahead of me. - Nick G.

Thanks for sharing your story Nick. We expect your Timbuk2 bag will keep loving you until you can’t stand it any more (mine is > 9 years old!). In the meantime, you can see more Pop!Tech Timbuk2 bags in action here.

Protests on the Streets

2008-11-18T14:11:12-06:00

A T2 team member captured this shot of the recent protests in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood. We’re not supposed to be political so we’ll just leave it at that.

Saving Lives One Bag at a Time

2008-11-13T11:20:37-06:00

We recently received this true story from a customer about how their bag saved their life. The following is his story:

I’m writing this to you to let you know that my Timbuk2 messenger bag saved my life. I got it a week ago, it’s an XL Leaf Green one. Today I was riding home from work when a lady in an SUV that I was riding next to makes a right turn without signaling, runs over my back wheel, and I go flying about 6 feet, and then tumbling for another 4. My hands are scraped up, my elbows, and a small portion of my lower back. But the majority of the battering was taken by my new messenger bag, and it looks fine still. If I wasn’t wearing it, I would most certainly be missing all the skin on my back. So thank you.

-Noah Wilson

Heavy stuff! Thanks for sharing your story Noah. We’ll all thank our messenger bags a little more than usual today.

Reflective Is Hot Right Now

2008-11-04T17:31:00-06:00

Last night, Cordarounds fans from far and wide came together to ride the San Francisco streets in their best reflective gear. Their mission? Raise awareness for cyclists in this post time-change era and celebrate the wonderful utility of Bike to Work Pants. We think these pants go quite well with our Reflective Bags.

Photos courtesy of Cordurounds.