This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Columbia Bicycles, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #RideColumbia http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstVOne of my favorite things to do is ride a bike, there’s nothing like the wind in your hair. Plus biking is one of those activities that doesn’t feel like exercise when you are doing it.

We love to take our bikes when we are on vacation. Sometimes the best way to see a new place is on a bike. This slower pace allows for you to not miss fun details along the way. Really you can cover a lot of ground on a bike. and parking is never an issue.

A couple weeks ago I spent a couple days in Palm Springs with some of my blog friends. Sarah of Sarah Hearts, her husband, Kevin, and I decided the best way to take in Palm Springs’ mid century architecture and desert landscapes.The next chapter for Columbia has been written. Back in 1877, Columbia started selling bicycles before any other company in the USA. This company knows bikes, Columbia invented the tandem bicycle, a bicycle built for two, expertly capitalizing on their engineering superiority. And now they are rolling out a brand new fleet of beautiful bikes available at Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, Amazon and Dicks. 

This cute red bike is Columbia’s 1920’s inspired Archbar 700c Vintage City Bike, available at Target. It has a steel frame, 7-speeds, steel fenders and a retro inspired seat the hand grips. It’s a really smooth, comfortable bike to ride.

And if you are going to ride your bike, you are definitely going to need a snack along the way. You gotta fuel your body. These Homemade Chocolate Coconut Granola bars are jam packed with all the good stuff. They are gluten free and sweetened with just honey and dates (oh and a few semi-sweet chocolate chips). It’s kind of nice to know what you’re putting in your body. I’m not sure if I’ll even be able to eat a store bought bar again. I might have become a granola bar snob. Plus these require no baking, so they are quick and easy to make. Homemade Chocolate Coconut Granola Bars

• 1 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup dates, pitted
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
• 2 tbsp raw shelled hemp seeds (optional)
• 2 tbsp flax seed (optional)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/4  cup honey
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• pink of salt

In the bowl of an electric mixer place the rolled oats, pecans, hemp seeds, flax seed, coconut, and salt. Place the pitted dates in a food processor and blend until the dates come are one big ball. Place the peanut butter and honey in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds or until it is a liquid.  Add the dates and honey and peanut butter mixture to the oat mixture and mix with the electric mixer until the ingredients are well combined.

Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper.  Firmly pack the oat mixture into the pan.  Sprinkle with the mini chocolate chips and press firmly into the bars. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours. Remove from the pan and cut into 10 equal sized bars.

Wrap the bars in parchment paper and store in an airtight container for a week (if they last that long). For more about these fun new bikes check Columbia out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.