Bikes & Gear
Everyone can remember the excitement of getting their first bike. And for those who got their first from Santa, Christmas has an extra special place in their hearts. It’s no wonder that people of all ages love to give and receive cycling “stuff” as gifts, though the bikes the people who read this blog usually pine for cost a few bucks more than the Schwinn mom and dad bought us those many years ago. So what’s a non-cycling gift giver to do? Fear not, options abound.
Cyclists always need things like spare tubes (road bikes use 700 x 18/25 tubes), CO2 cartridges, sports gel, or chamois lube (like Butt Butter or Assos Chamois Creme for those who have been particularly good). Another great gift is an Earth-friendly and expensive-cycling-clothing-friendly detergent called Penguin Sport Wash. Obviously the lube and detergent lend themselves nicely to inappropriately worded cards to go along with them.
If you want to do something bigger and more special, the Garmin 800 bike computer is a spectacular choice. And if you really want to impress a hardcore bike snob, nothing says “I love you and understand you” like a the latest and greatest groupset from Campagnolo. Sure the Campy Super Record 11 will set you back about $2,500 but I’m (er, I mean they’re) worth it, right, Santa?
Another personal favorite, though not exactly useful on Cycle Oregon, is the Spaceman Flask Holster by Portland’s own Ahearne Cycles. And let’s not forget the cool line of Cycle Oregon clothing and accessories, which you can read all about in the November Newsletter.
For more ideas, I checked in with James Emond, the store manager of the Woodstock Bike Gallery right here in River City. For those who might not be aware, Bike Gallery is a HUGE supporter of Cycle Oregon and one of the finest bike shops on the planet.
One of the most popular gifts of the season is a set of very cool Portland/Bike Gallery pint glasses. The glasses sell for $5 each and one also comes free with the purchase of a $50 gift certificate, which is another great way to go when it comes to buying for the cyclist in your life. For the serious bike commuter, they’ve got a beautiful merino wool jersey by Bontrager that’s proving to be a big hit this year. At $79.99 it is something any cyclist would cherish.
Another fantastic choice would be a set of arm or knee warmers. Anyone who has read my training tips over the years knows what a big advocate I am of covering those knees below 65 degrees. These important items have a habit of getting lost and it is always great to have extras.
If you’re looking to go a little bigger, the Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifters would make a stellar gift. And if you’re looking to go bigger still, the Bike Gallery is discounting custom Trek bikes by $300 this month. Want a flamed-out Madone this year? No problem.
Speaking of flames, the Bike Gallery is offering a SMOKIN’ deal on complete bike overhauls right now. Normally priced at $275, you can buy a gift certificate for this critical maintenance package today for just $130.
So, if you’re like me and have been putting off Christmas shopping until the last minute, it’s time to get rolling.
I do a bit of travel writing, plus I’m writing an Oregon cycling guidebook, so I’ve been getting around on my bike a lot the last few years. And I find that when I pack for any kind of trip that will involve the bliss of saddle time, when I hit the jersey drawer I make the same choice: the Cycle Oregon jerseys. I push past the retro-art ones, the various other event ones, the more generic versions, and choose from my CO Collection.
Why? Several reasons. First, I’m mighty darn proud to be associated with an event like this. It’s such an optimal combination of having fun and doing good that it blows my mind. I mean, think about it: we get to ride some of the best roads anywhere, with a couple thousand other folks who share our passion for it. We’re burning so many calories that we can eat and drink just about anything we see and want. All we have to worry about is eat, sleep, ride, repeat. And this is pumping tens of thousands of dollars into the economies of the towns we’re thoroughly enjoying hanging out in? Sign me up every year, and give me a chance to tell anyone else I meet about it, too.
And that’s the second reason I love wearing my CO jerseys – they’re great conversation starters. I can’t count the times I’ve been riding with a bike club in some distant city, or out on my own when I encounter other riders, that someone sees the Cycle Oregon and we start talking. They’ve ridden it, or know someone who rides it, or have always wanted to ride it, or live somewhere that’s hosted it. If I were wearing an Oregon Ducks jersey, I’d find some fiercely simpatico friends, but just as likely some Beaver-lovers who would give me the stink-eye. But no one hates Cycle Oregon. We’re the good guys, with the reputation as a quality event that’s consistently a blast.
And so I wear the other jerseys when I ride with my buds around home. But when I head out somewhere, I’m wearing Cycle Oregon.
The following is a contributed piece by Aaron “Rambo” Harrison, who heads up the bike-fit program for The Bike Gallery. A professional bike fitting is one of the best investments a serious cyclist can make, and is something we highly recommend for all Cycle Oregon riders. Those new to the sport will be amazed at what a dramatic difference the correct fit can make when it comes to comfort, performance and overall enjoyment of cycling.
Spring has sprung, and it’s finally time to start adding distance to your training rides. Most people look forward to a season full of long days in the saddle. But nagging aches or pains can suck the enjoyment right out of cycling and turn a long ride into a REALLY long ride. Life’s far too short for that nonsense – particularly since most cycling discomfort is easily eliminated through proper bike fit. For most people, this requires the help of a professional.
What is a bike fit?
Bikes come in a limited number of shapes and sizes. Cyclists do not. Bike manufacturers use adjustable components so their bikes can be made to accommodate a larger cross-section of riders. A trained bike fitter knows which adjustments need to be made to each of these components so that human and machine can truly become one.
Who needs a bike fit?
Anyone who plans to spend any length of time riding a bicycle will benefit greatly from a professional bike fit. A proper fit can:
- Improve overall rider comfort
- Help prevent cycling-induced repetitive stress injuries
- Reduce or eliminate back, knee, neck and wrist pain
- Reduce or eliminate “hot foot”
- Reduce or eliminate saddle discomfort and genital numbness
- Reduce or eliminate numbness in the hands and fingers
- Reduce rider fatigue
A good fit can also improve riding performance, because it allows the rider to use multiple muscle groups in the most effective and efficient manner.
What happens during a bike fitting session?
The first step in the process is the rider interview. We take into account your history as a cyclist (and an athlete), your cycling goals and any injuries you’ve had that can affect your comfort on the bicycle. From there we assess your flexibility and measure various parts of your body.
A typical fitting includes:
- Setting clipless pedal cleats in the correct orientation and fore/aft position
- Setting your seat height and fore/aft position
- Evaluating shoes and insoles
- Determining correct stem length, handlebar height and handlebar width
A fitting takes between one and two hours and costs between $100 and $150. Much of the fitting takes place with you and your bike on a stationary indoor trainer. For this reason, you should bring all your riding gear to your fitting and be prepared to spend 10 minutes or more riding on the trainer.
When should you get your bike fit?
As soon as possible. Today is the ideal day to make an appointment to have your bike fit. Getting this taken care of early in the season will give you and your body time to adapt to changes made to your position on the bike before the start of Cycle Oregon. In addition, it will make your training rides more enjoyable.
Most fitters guarantee the fit for a full year, so you can go back later in the season to take care of any adjustments and fine-tuning if the need arises, or to facilitate any changes your body might have undergone through training.
Where can I go for a bike fitting?
Today there are more professional bike fitters than ever before. Most work in full-service bike shops, but some cycling-specific physical therapists and coaches also do fittings. One good place to find a local fitter is to consult the list of dealers of Bike Fit Systems products. Of course, if you’re in Portland, come see us at any of the six Bike Gallery locations in the metro area. The Bike Gallery has been doing bike fittings for more than two decades, and all our fitters are highly trained and experienced professionals.
Our ultimate goal is for the bike to all but disappear underneath you. While we can’t guarantee you won’t be sore after that long ride, we do guarantee you won’t be in any pain. If you’d like to know more, check out our list of frequently asked questions or shoot us an e-mail at fitinfo@bikegallery.com.
This is a guest post from Cycle Oregon veteran rider, Robert Holler. To read more about Robert’s bent bike adventures, visit http://hollerit.blogspot.com.
They might be a bit slower going up, but they are fast going down
There are more bicycle options today than ever. As you begin your training for Cycle Oregon, the main piece of equipment to nail down is the bike you’ll ride. If you’re interested in taking a trip on the wild side, you might try out a recumbent.
As a recumbent cyclist, a common question I get is, “Why do you ride that thing?” There is an urban legend that recumbents are for people who can’t ride “normal” bikes. This is wrong on all levels. Riding a recumbent is an experience – fast speeds with less effort, in complete comfort. Maintaining speed in a headwind is easier with the built-in aerodynamics. Plus I was never a fan of sore hands, arms, rear, neck or back, or of smearing a cold, creamy substance in my pants each morning before breakfast.
There have been great strides in the development of recumbents. These are not all garage-builder bikes anymore. Recumbents come in a variety of models, ranging from entry-level to well-equipped touring models to high-end carbon fiber speed-haulers that rival the weight of lightweight diamond frames. The components on a recumbent are the same as any other bike, so weight weenies still have a plethora of options.
Riding a recumbent is just as easy as any other bike. Techniques like maintaining cadence apply to recumbents just as with diamond frames. A “negative” that is pointed out to me quite often is the inability to stand on the pedals during a climb. This is not such a loss, in my opinion, since continual standing on the pedals is a real energy-waster. I prefer to spin, spin, spin. Getting aerodynamic on a recumbent is simple: just sit down and go.
We don't ride recumbents because we have to, we ride them because we want to
The 2010 week ride will be my seventh Cycle Oregon by recumbent, and I can’t wait. An “IMAX-stunning” view, curvy “fighter jet” downhills, and fast and easy flats will be mine. Indeed, the climbs may be a bit slower, but is arriving at the top 20 minutes later than my diamond-frame companions much of a difference? Not when the white plastic beer-garden chair you sit in on the layover day only creates a longing for the comfortable seat of the recumbent.
Should you decide to “recline,” there are several online resources to get you started, such as bentrideronline.com. If you have specific questions, there are others on the Cycle Oregon Forum and the Facebook group who ride recumbents. I imagine any of them would be happy to help out.
