Friday, December 19, 2014

HOLIDAY HOURS!

Christmas and the New Year are coming fast, so please make note of our holiday hours:

Wednesday, Christmas Eve: 10am - 4pm
Thursday, Christmas Day: CLOSED
Friday, Boxing Day: CLOSED
Saturday: 10am - 6pm
Sunday: Noon - 5pm

Wednesday, New Years Eve: 10am - 4pm
Thursday, New Years Day: CLOSED
Friday, Jan 2nd: 10am - 7pm
Saturday, Jan 3rd: 10am - 6pm
Sunday, Jan 4th: Noon - 5pm

Then it's back to our regular winter hours!

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Join us for holiday cheer!

On Wednesday, December 17th, we'll be having hot cider, coffee, tea, cookies and holiday music from 5pm to 7pm. Come join us to celebrate the holidays.  While you're here, check out some special deals we'll be offering.  We won't be posting the details in advance, so you'll just have to come in and see for yourself... and grab a hot beverage and cookie while you're at it!

Bromptons for the Holidays!

Is there someone on your holiday shopping list who has been particularly good?  Have YOU been particularly good?  Well, what better reward than a Brompton bicycle or Brompton accessories for the holidays!  We've got a good selection of the bikes in stock, including three Super Light models (a M6L-X, P6L-X and S6L-X), in a number of colors and styles.  We've also got all of the Brompton bags in stock, including the fabulous new Game Bag, as well as the Nitto rear rack and the Brompton Toolkit. Or maybe someone on your list would like a DVD or book about the history of Brompton.  Or a spiffy new Carradice bag, perhaps in tweed?  So many great choices... hurry in before the big day!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Possible new bike infrastructure in Vienna!

At 8 pm on Monday, December 15 the Vienna Town Council will be considering a proposal for infrastructure improvements to Marshall Road SW between Nutley Street and Ware Street.

The proposed project includes a climbing bicycle lane on the south side of Nutley as described and shown in the map here:


If this link does not work, please go to the Transportation Safety Commission page here:


and click the link at the bottom of the page for Marshall Road SW Traffic Calming and Pedestrian/Bicycle Improvements.

Please consider emailing your support or comments to:


or if possible attend the meeting Monday night that begins at 8 pm. The Council chambers are on the second floor of Town Hall. 

Town Council meeting agendas are usually posted the Friday before a meeting.  There may be more details about this agenda item posted at that time.

Thursday, December 04, 2014

Brompton 2015 - NEW COLORS!

For 2015, Brompton has introduced 6 new colors, the first major shake up in the color selection in several years.  The new choices look pretty sharp.  Take a look:

Berry Crush

Cherry Blossom

Lagoon Blue

Tempest Blue 
Lime Green

Ivory
 Now, with the new colors coming in, some of the older colors have been discontinued, specifically Yellow, Sage Green, Claret, Cobalt Blue, Desert Sand, Hot Pink, Apple Green and Arctic Blue.  I'm sure some of those colors will be missed by some, but I think the new choices are really great.

As of mid-October, Brompton has been taking orders for 2015 bikes, with about a 4 week turnaround time.  Be the first on your block to have one of the new colors... come on in and place an order now.  We'll have some of the new colors in stock around the first of the year, and sample chips soon.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Linus Sale for the Holidays!


In time for your holiday shopping, we're once again offering our entire stock of Linus bikes at 10% off!  Come on in and check out a Dutchi, Mixte or Roadster for that special someone on your list... even if that special someone is you! ;-)

This sale is limited to stock on hand, so don't wait too long!

We'll also have some other specials coming up soon, so come on by for a visit and stay tuned here!

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours!

Next week is Thanksgiving, so we're changing our hours to suit -

We will be OPEN -

Wednesday 11/26: 10am - 7pm
Thursday 11/27: CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING
Friday 11/28: 10am - 7pm
Saturday 11/29: 10am - 6pm
Sunday 11/30: Noon - 5pm
Monday 12/1: 7PM - 9PM for the Holiday Stroll

The Church Street Holiday Stroll is a wonderful event, where the town lights up the Christmas tree on Church Street, Santa arrives by fire truck, and businesses stay open later than usual (or in our case, open on a day we are normally closed).  We'll be here that evening, with hot beverages and some special sales and holiday music.

We will be running specials Friday through Monday, so come on by!

Friday, November 21, 2014

Holiday Gift Ideas - First Installment

Christmas is coming! So we're going to offer some gift suggestions and even some sale items as the big day approaches.

First up... for the Brompton owner on your list, why not get them one of the amazing new Game Bags from Brompton? Handcrafted by Chapman in NW England, they are beautifully made, stylish and practical. The perfect accessory for a fine British folding bike! We've got very limited quantities, so get them while we have them, as Brompton themselves are currently out of stock.

Studded tires for Bromptons!

They're here! The new Schwalbe Winter studded tires... in 16"/349mm - Brompton size! They'll also work on Bike Friday's Tikit and Greenspeed's GT series trikes, among other things. We have a limited number of them, and it looks like we got the last that were in the warehouse, so if you want some, come and get them!

You'll be amazed at how well studded tires work on ice and packed snow. It feels like your tires are just as connected to the road as on dry pavement.  Truly amazing!

Monday, October 20, 2014

Halloween Parade 2014 - October 29, 2014!

Coming up in just NINE days - the Town of Vienna is having their 68th Annual Halloween Parade on Wednesday, October 29th. It's a bikes@vienna tradition to ride in the parade, and we'd really appreciate your help in making this the best turnout of bikes and trikes ever!  It's always a good time, and we always have food and drinks afterwards for folks. This is one of Vienna's biggest events of the year... come and be a part of it!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!

We'll meet at the shop at 6:00 pm to get ready, then ride to the start point around 7:00.

(That's Ray's Star Wars Y-Wing fighter/trike in the photo... we can't wait to see what he comes up with this year!)

Saturday, October 04, 2014

Ride To Discovery along the W&OD Trail: Bikes @ Vienna To Falls Church, Sunday, October 19th.

What African-American astronomer helped survey of the original boundaries of the District of Columbia in 1791?
  • Where along the W&OD Trail can you find two of the boundary stones?  
Where is the first house in Falls Church to have indoor plumbing?

What Falls Church resident was inducted as an inaugural member of the Black Athletes Hall of Fame, along with Jesse Owens, Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, and Mohammed Ali?  
  • Why did he and his wife put their lives on the line in 1915 in the struggle for civil rights?  

Find the answers on the next Bikes at Vienna Ride To Discovery along the W&OD Trail!  The route is about 16 miles round-trip.  Most of the ride will be on the W&OD Trail, but we’ll also cycle on city streets for short distances to visit sites of historic significance.  

The ride will take place on Sunday, October 19, leaving from the Bikes at Vienna parking lot at 8:45 AM.  Please arrive early so that you have time to read and sign the liability waiver and get your bike ready to go promptly at 8:45.   


Don’t just ride the W&OD.  Ride To Discovery with Bikes at Vienna!

Photo from our last Ride to Discovery

Friday, October 03, 2014

Next Ride to Discovery is October 19th!

That's right, we're having another one of our Rides to Discovery on Sunday the 19th.  Our last one was a lot of fun, so you don't want to miss the next one.  Stay tuned for details!

Here's a photo from our September Ride to Discovery. A good time was had by all!

Friday, September 12, 2014

Special Deals on Yuba Boda Bodas!

What's a Boda Boda?  Well, if you're familiar with "long tail" cargo bikes, such as the Xtracycle, Yuba Mundo, or Surly Big Dummy, this is a slightly more compact and lighter version.  Some folks call them "medium tail" cargo bikes.  They're capable of carrying up to 220 pounds in addition to the rider!  Folks use them for hauling groceries, sports equipment, kids, and even the occasional adult.

We've got a few of them in stock right now that we'd like to clear out as the season winds down, so we're marking them down.  Our Boda Boda Lux models normally sell for $1199, now on sale for $1049, and our elBoda Boda Lux (same bike, but with a Bionx electric assist system) normally sells for $3108, now on sale for $2599.

This deal is limited to stock on hand, so when they're gone, they're gone, so hurry on in to check them out!

More info on the bike can be found on the Yuba site here:

http://yubabikes.com/cargo-bikes/boda-boda/

http://yubabikes.com/cargo-bikes/elboda/

Friday, August 29, 2014

New Hours for Fall!

Now that Labor Day is upon us, we're changing our hours. Starting the week of Labor Day, September 1st, we will be CLOSED both Monday and Tuesday.  Please make a note in your calendar!  


So the new hours are:


Sun: Noon - 5
Mon: CLOSED
Tue:  CLOSED
Wed: 10 - 7
Thu: 10 - 7
Fri: 10 - 7
Sat: 10 - 6


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Ride To Discovery: Herndon, Virginia

Disaster at sea … a treasure hunt worth millions … a federal fugitive … the X-15 rocket-plane. What links them all to lovely little Herndon?

Find the answers at Bikes at Vienna’s second Ride To Discovery along the W&OD Trail! We’ll cycle from the Bikes at Vienna parking lot to Herndon and back, with a rest-stop at the Herndon Caboose. The route is 17 miles round-trip, all on the W&OD Trail.

The ride will take place on Sunday, September 28, leaving from the Bikes at Vienna parking lot at 8:45 AM. Please arrive early so that you have time to read and sign the liability waiver and get your bike ready to go promptly at 8:45.


Don’t just ride the W&OD. Ride to Discovery with Bikes at Vienna!



Thursday, August 14, 2014

We Have Superlight Bromptons In Stock!

You read that right!  We have FOUR Superlight Bromptons in stock right now.  What's a Superlight?  Well, take the classic Brompton, and replace various steel bits (including the fork and rear frame) with titanium, use a higher quality, lighter front hub, lighter spokes, etc, and you shave about 2 pounds off the weight of the bike.  Very nice for those who find themselves carrying their Bromptons a lot.  Just recently, Tim took a trip to Connecticut by bus, using a Carradice "rucksack" style carrying back, which carries like a backpack.  He opted to take our demo Superlight P6L-X rather than his own P6R, and he was very glad for the lighter weight.


We now have:

M6L-X in Cobalt Blue
M6L-X in Apple Green
S6L-X in Racing Green
P6L-X in Orange

Come on in and check them out.  Superlights have been very hard to come by the last few years, so get 'em while they're here!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Late Summer Specials on Linus!

Speaking of colorful bikes... we're running a Late Summer Special on ALL Linus models - 10% off any Linus Dutchi, Mixte, or Roadster we have in stock! We have a variety of bikes in an array of colors, in both 3 and 8 speed configurations.  Come on in and try one of these stylish, comfortable and practical bikes today!

Friday, August 08, 2014

Colorful bikes!

For a long time now it has seemed that bike manufacturers had developed an obsession with a limited color palette... namely variations on white, black, grey and silver (which is really just a sort of shiny grey, right?).

Well, the folks at Linus and Breezer have shaken things up!  You can see in these photos some of the variety of colors available from one or the other of those companies.  The bike models are the Breezer Downtown and Uptown series, and the Linus Dutchie and Mixte models.  Quite an array of choices.  Come on in and check them out!



Saturday, July 05, 2014

Don't forget - Ride to Discovery on July 6th!


What African-American mathematician and astronomer helped survey the original boundaries of the District of Columbia in 1791? Where along the W&OD Trail can you find two of the boundary stones the survey team laid?

Where is the first house in Falls Church to have indoor plumbing?

What Falls Church resident was inducted into the Black Athletes Hall of Fame as an inaugural member, along with Jesse Owens, Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, and Muhammed Ali? Why did he and his wife put their lives on the line in the civil rights struggle in 1915?

Find the answers to these questions and more on the Bikes at Vienna Ride To Discovery along the W&OD Trail! The route is about 16 miles round trip. Most of the ride will be on the trail, but we'll cycle short distances on city streets to visit points of historical significance.

We'll depart the shop at 8:45 AM on Sunday, July 6, and plan to be back to the shop by 11:30. Please arrive early so you have time to read and sign the liability waiver and be ready to go promptly at 8:45. No go in case of rain.


Don't just ride the trail. Ride to Discovery with bikes@vienna!

Wednesday, July 02, 2014

Brompton US Championship, July 11 - 13!

Hey Brompton Owners!
We are closing in on a week away from the Brompton US Championship.  If you haven't registered yet, act fast!  A ticket to the event guarantees you:

  • Admission to a Exclusive Reception at the British Embassy with Open Bar and Prizes galore.
  • Entry to an incredibly fun scavenger hunt through the city with Brompton specific tasks andPrizes.
  • Racing on Sunday-- earn the admiration of cheering spectators and Win a Trip to the UK

This is an event to celebrate the Brompton brand and riders.  Come out to have fun, socialize, and enjoy your bike.



Saturday, June 21, 2014

bikes@vienna Ride To Discovery along the W&OD, July 6th


What African-American mathematician and astronomer helped survey the original boundaries of the District of Columbia in 1791? Where along the W&OD Trail can you find two of the boundary stones the survey team laid?

Where is the first house in Falls Church to have indoor plumbing?

What Falls Church resident was inducted into the Black Athletes Hall of Fame as an inaugural member, along with Jesse Owens, Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, and Muhammed Ali? Why did he and his wife put their lives on the line in the civil rights struggle in 1915?

Find the answers to these questions and more on the Bikes at Vienna Ride To Discovery along the W&OD Trail! The route is about 16 miles round trip. Most of the ride will be on the trail, but we'll cycle short distances on city streets to visit points of historical significance.

We'll depart the shop at 8:45 AM on Sunday, July 6, and plan to be back to the shop by 11:30. Please arrive early so you have time to read and sign the liability waiver and be ready to go promptly at 8:45. No go in case of rain.


Don't just ride the trail. Ride to Discovery with bikes@vienna!

Friday, May 30, 2014

News on Superlight Bromptons!

Many Brompton fans are aware that there has been an ongoing supply problem with the Superlight version of the bikes, and that it's generally impossible to get your hands on one. Well, Brompton recently contacted us to see if we wanted a limited number of Superlights, and now we have this cobalt blue M6L-X... M-type bars, 6 speed drive train, fenders, and titanium rear frame and fork. Come on in and check it out!

But wait, there's even better news!  We have three production slots for Superlights reserved for us, to be built in late June! We have to finalize the specifications by June 10th, but if you've been wanting a Superlight, now's the time to order one exactly the way you want it.  Call or email to reserve yours soon!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY!

PLEASE NOTE! We will be CLOSED this Sunday, April 20th, for the Easter holiday. We will re-open on our regular schedule next Wednesday. Enjoy the day!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Get Ready for Spring! - From Tim's old Patch Column

 It's been suggested to me that I should "re-print" some of the columns I wrote as the Vienna Pedaler on the Vienna Patch. Here's one from February of 2012, about getting ready for spring. While it seems to never get here, it IS on the way, so here are some thought about it.




Spring will be upon us before you know it, and it’s time to start thinking about riding your bike again. This year, many of you might have kept riding through this unusually warm winter, but I’m guessing most folks have left their bikes in the garage or shed most of this season. Well, it’s time to get ready for the warmer, longer days of spring!

To start with, now is the time to make sure your bike is ready to roll. I can’t tell you how many people walk into their local bike shop on the first warm, sunny weekend in April, asking to get their bikes “tuned up” for the season. Many are surprised and disappointed to learn that they may have to leave their bike with the shop for a week or even more. The simple fact is that when “the season” hits, most bike shops are simply overwhelmed by the sudden influx of bikes in for service.

So how do you avoid this? First and foremost, plan in advance. Sure, it may be several weeks, or even a month or more, before we get consistently nice weather, but if you take care of your bike now, it will be ready at a moment’s notice. So now is the time to pull it out, dust it off, pump up the tires and maybe put a little lube on the chain. Remember though, you should check the tires again when you’re ready to ride, as they lose pressure over time, even if unridden.

If it’s been a year or more since you’ve had your bike looked at by a mechanic, and you don’t have the skills yourself, now is also the time to bring it to your local shop. Trust me, they will be more than happy to help, and will probably be able to get your bike back to you within a couple of days at most. You may even be told the bike doesn’t need any work at all, and you’ll be ready to go, and have the peace of mind of a clean bill of health for your bike. That way, when that sunny weekend arrives, you can just hop on and go!

Well, that is if YOU are ready to ride. Depending on your experience and preferences, you may simply be ready to hop on the bike and go when that lovely day arrives. Some of us, however, might have special clothes, equipment, or other items we like when we ride. 

Now is a good time to dig out your bike clothes and check them over for wear and tear. Gloves in particular lead a hard life, and you might want to consider a fresh pair going into spring. If you wear special bike shorts, these too might need some attention or replacement. Is the padding still holding up and giving enough comfort? If your wear “skin shorts”, make sure they still have enough stretch, and aren’t getting pills or worn spots. Shirts and jerseys and jackets don’t get the same kind of beating, but check them as well. Nylon and other synthetics “age” under sunlight, so check them for any signs of wear and age as well.

It’s also wise to check over any accessories you use when you ride. If you ride with a cyclocomputer or GPS unit, check to see the batteries are still good and that the unit reads when the wheels go around. Check the batteries in your lights as well, so you’re not caught out without lights after dark. Finally, if you carry any sort of bag or have a rack or basket mounted on your bike, make sure they are in good condition and solidly attached to the bike. It’s never fun to have a ride spoiled by a rack or bag coming loose and knocking around.


Well, now that you’ve checked over your bike and gear, all you have to do is wait for that glorious season of warm weather and lots of sunlight. In the meantime, you can start planning and daydreaming about where you will ride.  Next column I’ll throw out some ideas on that. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions in that area, please post them here on the Patch, or email Tim directly.

Obviously, since my Patch column is no longer published, post any comments here, or on Facebook, or email tim@bikesatvienna.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Cruising with Bromptons!

Tim and the Bromptons, on the docks in Nassau, Bahamas
And by "cruising" I don't mean a casual, local ride around town...  No, I'm talking about taking an ocean cruise, and bringing Bromptons along for use in the ports along the way!

The trip was an eight day adventure, with four days at sea and four each in a different port - Port Canaveral, FL, Nassau, Coco Cay (the cruise line's private island) and Key West. From previous experience on a cruise to Bermuda Christy and I knew that having our Bromptons with us would give us more flexibility and opportunities for exploration than if we had to rely on other forms of transportation in port. And it's just a lot more fun to ride around on a bike than sit on some tour bus or in a taxicab!

And here's Christy with the bikes... the smile says it all!
On this trip we found that Nassau and Key West were the most sensible places to use the bikes.  Coco Cay is basically one endless beach, and Port Canaveral just isn't very bike friendly... heavy traffic on highways, essentially. Nassau was a bit challenging, due to some heavy traffic and the fact that they drive on the left there, but we did find it a lot easier to see the things we wanted to see by bike rather than walking. KeyWest, on the other hand, seems to be just about perfect for exploring by bike... the streets really encourage drivers to go slow, and there are lots of folks getting around by bike. I was pleasantly surprised by just how many bikes we saw, both on the streets and parked all over town.

Nassau, near the Queen's Staircase
Sunny, warm days, beautiful scenery, interesting towns... and all so much better by bike! I highly recommend adding some cycling to any cruise you might take, and especially if you can bring a folding bike. You'll want to check with the cruise line you book with, and I recommend getting their policy in writing, just in case. Keep that with you when you get on and off the ship, just in case someone questions you about the bikes. And be prepared to be the center of attention as you get off a fully loaded cruise ship, surrounded by other passengers and folks on the dock, as you unfold your bike and ride off on your day's adventure. We found ourselves with an audience pretty much everywhere we went.





Monday, January 27, 2014

More on Winter Riding from Tim's Patch Column

Here's the followup to the previous posting... a column from the Vienna Patch, January 2011 with some winter riding tips.

The photo below was taken of my Miyata commuter bike, out on the trail.
 
 

Getting Out on the Bike In Winter

At this time of year, even I'll admit it can be tough to work up the enthusiasm for a long ride in the cold “for the fun of it”. Some folks do it... I see hardy souls out on long rides in the coldest of weather. But for most of us, the thought of being out for a couple of hours on a bike in sub-freezing temperatures just isn't appealing.

What to do? Well, my last column told you how to prepare yourself and your bike for winter riding, now I'm going to give you some suggestions on how to simply work riding into your life in the cold.

The first tip is to not set big, unrealistic goals... don't tell yourself “tomorrow, I'm going to get on all my winter gear and ride out to Purcellville in the bracing weather!”  Chances are good you'll either look outside at the grey and cold and change your mind, or get out to Leesburg and be cursing your foolishness that put you so far from home in the freezing cold.

I find one good way to get out and ride in winter is to run errands on my bike. Stay within the town boundaries, and do some local shopping, banking, or visiting by bike. That way you can dress warmly without having to worry about special “technical fabrics” and cycling specific winter clothing.  If you're just tootling around town a mile or two here, a mile or two there, you really don't need to “suit up”... you can wear more or less “street” clothes as long as they are warm. And you still get some exercise and fresh air!

If you're visiting friends or banking or running to the post office by bike, there's no special equipment you need.  However, if you want to try doing some of your shopping by bike, like me, you'll probably need to come up with a way to carry things.  The simplest choice, for small loads, is to toss a small backpack on your back, but that can be limiting and tiring.  A better choice is some sort of carrying system on your bike. This can be as simple has having a rear rack mounted, with a milk crate bungeed on top, or you can buy special bags or baskets to hang on your bike. My “grocery getter” is set up with a smallish wire basket up front, which handles the minor shopping trips, and a rack with folding wire basket on the back, for when the front alone isn't enough.  I also have a Brompton folding bicycle, which allows me to bring the bike right into the store, partly folded, and roll it around as my shopping cart, putting items in the front bag as I shop.  Other options are special “grocery panniers”, cloth bags that hang on either side of the rear rack and are perfect for a bag of groceries each.  The truly dedicated bicycle shopper might consider something like a bicycle cargo trailer for the truly huge load of groceries, but the point is to just get out and give it a try. 

You might be surprised how running errands and visiting on your bike can be both practical AND fun. And your friends will smile when they realize you've come “all that way in this weather” by bike to see them!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Winter Biking - from my old Vienna Patch column...

 It's been suggested to me that I should "re-print" some of the columns I wrote as the Vienna Pedaler on the Vienna Patch, so I thought I'd start out with one from a few winters ago, with thoughts about riding in winter.  Timely, given the snow falling as I write this... not that I'm urging everyone to leap on their bikes in the snow... but give winter riding some thought... you might like it more than you think!

The photo below was taken of my Miyata commuter bike, shortly after arriving at the shop... in December of 2009, after the first of those big snows that year. My Patch column from December of 2010 follows.



About this time of year, most folks have parked their bike in their garage or shed for the winter, waiting for the warm days of Spring to ride again. But I'm here to tell you that you don't have to give up enjoying your bike just because it is winter. There's still fun to be had, errands to be run. I know, because I've done it every one of the eight winters I've lived here.

To begin with, stop and think about it... how many truly wintry days do we get here?  Sure, we're having a heck of a cold snap right now, but let's be honest, it's not going to last that long, and what follows probably won't be all that brutal. And it's very likely that we'll have days of relative warmth and sunshine sprinkled through the entire winter season. So if you pick and choose your days, you can at least get in a few nice rides.

But that's not all... with a little forethought, preparation, and yes, determination, you can ride in truly cold weather, even in snow. And it can actually be fun, with the right attitude.

First and foremost, you need to dress appropriately. Any number of people will tell you what that means, so to some extent you have to find out what works best for you, through trial and error. Take some shorter rides first, testing out different clothing options. For me, I've learned that thin layers of wool and/or silk work best on my upper body, with a cycling specific rain jacket on top if it's wet. For my lower body, depending on the nature of the ride, I will wear cycling tights or regular wool pants, most often from a surplus store. On my hands, I like thick wool gloves down to about 40 degrees, and “lobster claw” gloves (available at bike stores) for colder weather. Likewise, to about 40 I generally just rely on my helmet for a warm head, but use a silk balaclava under it when it's colder.

But what about the bike?  Well, any bike can be ridden year round, but if you're planning to ride a lot in all conditions, you might consider setting up a bike specifically for winter. Lights are absolutely essential, as the days are shorter, and often cloudy, and visibility is reduced. There are a wide variety of lights available in bike shops, including simple ones powered by disposable batteries, more elaborate rechargeable systems, and generator systems that use the rotation of your wheel to produce electricity. Whichever you choose, make sure you have multiple lights, just in case one should fail, and to increase your chances of being seen.

Fenders are your friend in wet weather, and really don't make any significant impact on your speed. They protect both you and your bike from the water picked up by your wheels as you ride. You'll be surprised what a difference they make to your enjoyment and the condition of your bike. In fact, I'm such a fan of fenders that of the many bikes I own, the majority wear fenders year-round. I'd rather be ready for anything, any time, than be stuck out on a ride getting soaking wet.

Finally, for the truly dedicated winter rider, consider studded tires for your bike. These have anywhere from 100 to 300 metal studs embedded in the tread to provide traction on ice and snow, and it's amazing what a difference they make. On smoother frozen surfaces it's almost like riding clear pavement. However, when you are riding on a bumpy, rough surface, such as that created by tires or footsteps in snow frozen over, you have to be a bit careful, as your front wheel may get knocked around by ruts and such. Even so, you'd be amazed just how “stuck” to the surface a studded tire is. And it's good practice for your bike-handling skills. Just try not to tense up, relax and be attentive and enjoy the ride.

Which brings me to riding technique. While it's lots of fun to ride in winter, once you get out there you do have to be a bit more cautious than in warmer weather. It's always possible to be surprised by a patch of ice, and if you ride on roads, motorists are a lot less likely to be expecting you out there this time of year. In addition, the angle of sunlight is shallower, so it's more likely you and those you share the road with have the sun in your eyes. So take it a bit slower, be alert and just enjoy being out there. You'll find it's nice to have the trails to yourself, and that your familiar rides are now new and different with the faded colors and cooler light and sharper air of winter.

I'll see you out there!

Thursday, January 09, 2014

Closing for inventory 1/13 - 1/17.

ATTENTION!  We will be CLOSED for inventory from Monday, January 13th through Friday, January 17th.  We will re-open on the 18th and return to our regular "winter hours" at that time.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

You can see Daniel is getting ready... clipboard and pen in hand!