Joyride Bikes

One last post from Kory.

2012-02-09T14:48:00.001-08:00

Hello Friends,

In life, I love that there are many roads to choose from. Each has
it’s own traits and the variety is what keeps us going. With that in
mind I am excited to announce that I have sold Joyride Bikes. I look
back at the results of the efforts I have put in over the years and
reflect with fondness that my best successes have been helping to make
cycling a real part of people’s lives. I’m fortunate to be able to
consider many riders in the Valley as friends and that that list has
grown during my time at Joyride.

The new owner of Joyride Bikes is a Cache Valley native, Wayne Wheeler
and his wife Cory (that should cause some confusion!). Wayne brings
many years of bike shop experience to the table. He has ridden with
and worked on many Valley residents bikes while at Al’s Sporting Goods
and knows the bicycle industry well. He is a seasoned mountain biker
and will be a familiar face to many. He’s easy going, and super
excited to share the stoke of cycling with new customers and friends.
Go in and say ‘hi’, he is usually smiling which should make him easy
to spot.

Not everything will change for me. I’ll still be involved in the
bicycle world. I’m opening a small custom fit studio in North Logan
called Confluence Fit Studio. One thing that will change (I’m greatly
looking forward to) is that I’ll be out there much more often
alongside many of you pedaling the ribbons of asphalt in our beautiful
Valley.

It has been a pleasure and a privilege helping each of you with your
cycling needs. I look forward to many miles on new roads to come.

Kory

Back to the Future...

2011-12-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

Anyone who lucked out and got to grow up in the 80s remembers Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future. Remember the 'Hoverboard'? It was awesome! I allowed our protagonist to successfully keep up with a train, evade hooligans and look good doing it. We all swore we were going to get one as soon as they came out in 20 years or so. I still haven't seen one on Mythbusters yet but Jones Snowboards has taken matters into their own hands.

The Hovercraft is the closest board I've come to that mimics the idea of effortless surfing over and above all on the mountain. At 156 cm it defies what your collective experience tells you. It floats. In the deep and in the steeps it rides high and lets you slash and carve your way. It is short and maneuverable and extremely playful. Still fairly quick edge-to-edge this is an all-mountain shredder. Tons of setback, a short-almost vestigial tail; and a long, pronounced nose combined with directional rocker changes your expectations for the better.

Where I was most impressed was in questionable snow conditions with sun-exposed icy slopes that hadn't seen a storm in a while, chop and crud with lots of tracks; the board still made the conditions fun. The board rose above the crud and powered through the chatter to make a barely-salvageable day enjoyable. The short tail will not land like a board with a longer tail and takes some getting used to. That said this board is amazingly versatile. It may not be the only board but anytime the conditions require a tool that can save the day and make snowboarding more fun - the future is now.

Great Customers

2011-08-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

Our customers are great. We love having the best customers in the area. People who are passionate about what they do and want to maximize their enjoyment of cycling and share that enthusiasm with others as well as introduce new comers to the sport. Our customers have many choices and we appreciate them selecting us to help them with their needs.

Retail business is an interesting way to spend the day. It's never boring. We are usually busy and see all types of requests and sometimes see problems that have no solution while being presented by someone wanting an answer 'right now'. Yesterday we were busy in the shop and missed greeting a customer and helping them out. Unfortunately he was in the store for under five minutes and we hadn't greeted him yet. We strive for better and fell short in this instance. This customer very clearly let us know that he didn't appreciate our lack of responsiveness to his presence. As he headed out the door he yelled a couple of things about our lack of service and his disappointment, that we were losing business etc. We were a little stunned at his outburst but at the same time we were trying to finish what we were in the middle of to try and attend to his needs. He was correct, we were slower than we should have been in acknowledging his needs and his expectations were not met. In retail it is truly impossible to be all things to all people.

Today is another day and I just had another experience that makes us appreciate our customers even more. Tanna had some work done on her bike a month ago and was going through her credit card statement and realized we had undercharged her repair by $100.00. That's a good chunk of money for both her and us. She came in today with her repair ticket, explained what she thought we had done wrong and asked to pay the full balance of her repair. I shouldn't be surprised. I am very appreciative. At the same time the contrast in transactions in two days was kind of shocking. Most people are honest and appreciative. Frequently, people set courtesy aside when they are upset.

In any case, thanks to our customers of all types. There are those we haven't been able to help but we appreciate them letting us have the opportunity. There are those who view our transactions as part of a relationship and wish to make sure both parties are happy with our interactions. This post is just kind of a feel-good note to say thanks to those who give us the chance to do what we love to do. The Discount Tire photo is from an ad than ran in 1975 showing a little old lady who wasn't satisfied with her purchase throwing a tire through the front window of the store. Thanks for not taking things that far.

Tour de France Sale is Back!

2011-07-07T09:34:00.000-07:00

Here's how the sale will work. Follow the Tour de France with us and pursue the Maillot Jaune with some of the same equipment being used by the Worlds' best racers. For each day check with us to see who won and on what equipment. The days certain wheels, tires, clothing, bikes and equipment win; we'll have that equipment on sale. Expect 25-50% off some of the hottest equipment going. It's kind of a Bike Race Fantasy for Equipment. If Zipp wheels win today they'll be on sale today and tomorrow for 25% off! Allez!

Borrowed a good article on endurance nutrition...

2011-06-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

Since many cyclists struggle with what the nutrition needs are and how to address them on longer rides..

http://blogs.cybersym.com/ultrarunning-biochem.html

Written addressing ultra runners but much applies well to cyclists and other endurance athletes.

Good post by Dayton Crites on Trails we get to Enjoy.

2011-06-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a great little post Dayton wrote on some issues that mountain bikers will have to begin taking consideration of as outdoor recreation from all user groups becomes more popular.

http://bikethebeav.wordpress.com/

Preserving Access
June 6, 2011
by Lonesome Hank

Think of all the miles of singletrack you’ve ridden in your life. Think of the hundreds of thousands of feet of manicured earth you’ve enjoyed, the meters of berm and roller you’ve utilized to defy gravity for just a moment. Adds up, don’t it?

Think of all the times you’ve come across a downed tree, a rockfall, washed out section, or other obstacle blocking the trail. Maybe, if it was in your power, you moved it. Maybe it was too big, you vowed to come back with friends and tools to take care of it. Maybe you didn’t.

Point being, is that for all we enjoy riding the trails, too few of us get involved in the effort of maintaining them.

I’m one of the guilty party too. National Trail Day came and went, and I only found out after the fact that a dedicated crew of trail workers was there, working on improvements all day long. And from what I hear, there were not many mountain bikers.

In Green Canyon, that’s a problem.

That trail is one of the best resources of any Logan or Cache County mountain biker, and we need to show we care about the trails we love to ride. The more we do that, the more opportunities we’re going to get, from eventual access at Beaver Mountain to more mountain bike and freeride specific opportunities in Providence canyon and elsewhere.

But please, don’t be one of those people building imitation north shore features on public land. That does nothing but piss the forest service off, and make it harder than ever to establish more mountain bike opportunities.

If you want to help us create more goodwill with the forest service, and establish mountain bike specific trails that will last several lifetimes – come out and help us build again in Green Canyon. I’ll See you there.

June 11th 8:30am, Green Canyon Parking Lot

Thanks Dayton and see you there!

Thanks for participating in the BeWell/Joyride Sprint Tri!

2011-05-31T09:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the participants who came out and helped make the triathlon a success! We had our biggest turnout in the history of the event. We continue to draw a large field of first-time racers as this event is geared toward being fun and welcoming.

The volunteers from the Joyride Bikes Team, BeWell, Old Navy, Nathan and Mike with the music and other organizations along with cooperation from EMT services and local law enforcement allow this event to get better each year. Thanks to Missy and the Sports Academy and Racket Club for being gracious hosts again.

Look for pics taken by Charcie Rebalkin found here:

http://milestonephotography.smugmug.com/Other/Joyride-triathlon-2011/17187190_Fp2jKk#1303846857_bcbsbKW-A-LB

See everyone next year!

High School Mountain Biking?

2011-03-23T19:48:00.001-07:00

I've been hearing for some time about the potential other areas of the country have developed regarding cycling as a high school sport. It looks like those efforts are coming to Utah. Hopefully this endeavor finds success and support. One of the best things about cycling is that participants are usually life-long athletes rather than 4-5years through high school and then the activity stops. Here is the info below:

My name is Lori Harward. I am the director of Utah High School Mountain Biking. I am contacting Utah’s cycling clubs to let them know about us and what we are doing.

We are an organization bringing mountain biking into Utah’s high schools in 2012. We are in the bid process with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) to become a Project League. NICA is the governing body for high school cycling. We have a strong bid and feel confident this will happen. Upon winning this bid, NICA invests in Utah to get our League up and running. They provide coaching education and certification. Partnered with THE POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE, they will train coaches, assistants, rider leaders, etc. They will bring to Utah a Coaching Clinic which will teach coaches everything from how to teach mountain biking skills to running the school program, all with a focus on how to treat kids with respect and how to build their self esteem through positive coaching. NICA will aid in skills clinics for kids, aid in getting our races up and running and they will help provide means and sponsorship to get us off the ground.

Race Venues following NICA specifications, follow a 4-6 mile lap format, making them very spectator friendly so parents, families, and friends can watch their athlete race and cheer them on. Our proposed race season will be in the fall.

We already have 40 volunteer coaches in over 25 schools. We have over 80 volunteers total. And, we are still growing.

Our League Development Committee, being highly passionate bikers ourselves, is fully committed in bringing to kids this wonderful sport which has brought so much joy in our own lives! It is fun, and the kids will have fun! We wanted to meet the needs of those kids not in mainstream sports. And, we want to do so in a positive way that builds the self esteem of kids. The great thing about cycling is that is is life-long, you can be 30, 40, or 60 years old and still out riding for fun and/or racing, providing health and fitness for life! Unlike many high school sports that realistically end for most kids when they graduate.

We need your help. As part of our bid process, we need to have 1000 likes on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/UtahHSMTBike. Could you please let your club members know about us. Also, please have them contact me if they have children who would be interested in participating or if they would like to volunteer themselves. I have attached a flyer you can view and/or use.

Lastly, could you please tell me the number of people in your organization? Feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your help!

Lori Harward

More potential good news from UDPS.

2011-03-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

I am trying to contact bicycle advocates in Cache County to invite them to participate/provide feedback in UDOT's Peace on the Pavement Campaign.
If you or others you know may be interested in this effort, please contact me ASAP. Thank you.
Please see info below:

As you may have heard, the Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Department of Public Safety are launching a campaign to raise awareness of traffic laws related to bicycles on the road, and to improve the relationship between bicyclists and motor vehicle
drivers. As a part of the campaign (which has been branded "Peace on the Pavement"), a bicycle ride across Utah is being planned. The ride will bring cyclists into cities and towns for events that will inform families about bicycle safety and the need for cooperation in
sharing the road.

We are now in the secondary planning phase of the campaign. The campaign team has determined that the most efficient way to move this phase forward is to assemble a planning group made up of people from the locations where the ride and events will take place to generate ideas and help to coordinate logistics. If you are interested in participating in this effort and/or know of a bicycle advocate(s) in your County that is, please let me know.

We have selected 9 counties to hold awareness rides/media events including: Cache, Davis, Grand, Salt Lake, Utah, Wayne, Weber, Washington and Summit. I am still looking for contacts who would like to be involved in Cache, and Summit Counties. Please let me know if you or someone you know can participate in this effort. We want your county to be represented.

A planning meeting will be held next Tuesday at UDOT's headquarters. If you can't attend the meeting in person, you can call-in. Let me know if you will be calling in and I will email you the call in number.
Again the meeting will be held on:
Tuesday, March 29 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the UDOT Complex (4501 South
2700 West, Salt Lake City)
We appreciate your willingness to be a part of this important effort to build awareness and improve safety for bicyclists and motorists on Utah's roads. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns.
RSVP to Keri Gibson at kgibson@utah.gov or by calling the number below.

Keri Gibson
Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety
Utah Department of Public Safety/ Highway Safety Office
801-243-7571
kgibson@utah.gov

A bit of information from the Joyride Club President regarding some new access for recreation in the Cache Valley area...

2011-03-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

Fellow Bikers (especially those MTB ers....),

I have recently caught wind of a meeting in SLC on March 31 of the Cache-Wasatch Recreational Advisory Committee (RAC). This committee will be discussing and voting on, among other issues, a proposed plan to do some work in Smithfield Canyon. Though I have not seen exact details, I have spoken with a member of the RAC that lives in Smithfield and helped draft the proposal. Of main interest to myself, is the inclusion of a singletrack multi-use trail that runs the length of Smithfield Canyon (from the campground to the wilderness boundary. Other points of the proposal include cleaning up the canyon by designating camping areas and improving the road, as well as restoring the road to the original boundaries drawn up by the congressional committee that first instituted the wilderness area.

Expanded recreational opportunities in these Congressionally appointed corridors through wilderness area are hugely beneficial to the population at large. A shining example of that is in Green Canyon with the recent singletrack improvements/additions as well as designating campsites. Along with these improvements have come conflicts though. As Green Canyon is by far the best piece of singletrack close to town, it is becoming more crowded and there will be increased conflicts between those of different as well as within the same user groups. The trail up Smithfield Canyon would definitely help the growing congestion problem in Green Canyon, by offering another viable recreational option.

There is a public comment period immediately prior to the vote. So far, there are two of us that are willing to carpool/caravan down to SLC to help in this effort. I wanted to throw this out to the cycling community at large to see if we could drum up some more support. We would love to have as many people as possible attend this meeting. I'm a little short on details, but hopefully will be able to provide more in the near future. Please let me know if you are interested in more details or if you would be interested in joining us.

Thanks,

-Neil-

Triathlon Club Meeting

2011-02-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

Trainer sessions are up and going strong. For those who haven't joined us yet they are Wednesday nights from 6:00-7:30 PM.

This Thurday we are very excited to announce the addition of a new member to the Joyride Bikes Cycling Club. Emily Monroe-Jones has decided to partner with Joyride bikes this year. She is a USAT certified triathlon coach and has been running successful training programs in Cache Valley for the last two years and will be offering custom training programs through Joyride Bikes. Emily has big plans for the multi-sport scene in Cache Valley and we are very excited to be partnering with her in this endeavor.

We are going to be doing a meet and greet with Emily at the Sports Academy on February 10, at 8:00 p.m. at the Sports Academy. We encourage all club members to attend as we will be discussing general club issues for 2011 as well as triathlon specific plans. Let me know if you have any questions.

A little history of Logan bike shops.

2010-11-18T18:08:00.000-08:00

People that have been around cycling in Logan for some time often comment that there has been a shop at the Joyride Bikes location forever. That's only partly correct, so I thought I'd type up some of the history of bike shops in Logan. I'm sure I'll miss some things but one thing that has been consistent is that there has always been a strong passion for cycling among the shop owners.

The location of most of the shops people are referring to is actually just a bit north of Joyride Bikes current location at what is now Mackley Designer Portraiture. The first shop I remember being there when I young was Aardvark Cycles. I remember seeing a mountain bike in there that was the typical for the time: bullhorn bars, rigid fork and thumb shifters except that it had a 26" front wheel and a 20" back wheel. We get lucky and get Janet out on rides with us sometimes.

The next shop to move into that location was Pursuit Cycles. Weston Allen was the owner and also made his own frames. They were all painted black and neon green, 80s style-which is cool again. For a small price he would strip your bike and paint it to match the team colors. I recall going in there and hanging out. Weston and Dave were about the coolest guys ever because they knew about bikes. They would give me old team tires so I could get use out of them to finish them off. Cameron worked there and now is back in Logan after being in St. George for many years. Paul Witteker worked there and now runs a CrossFit gym in Smithfield. I eventually bought my first bike from Weston, a Miyata 714, I wanted a 912 but they were sold out. A friend bought that from me and now I hear it is styling under a hipster in Sugarhouse. I also remember meeting a very tall John Hernandez on a group ride who went up the hill out of Richmond really fast and is still doing that today.

I'm pretty sure that Pursuit Cycles then became Adventure Sports. A different Dave owned that and Ron Stagg turned a wrench there for some time. Ron also spent time at Sunrise prior and later at Al's. Adventure also expanded into climbing and the location became a climbing gym for several years. Here the time line gets a little shifted as we move further north. I recall Psycle Path being around for a short period. There also used to be a shop up on 400 North that was not long lived. Further north on Main was the Bike and Lock Shop. Lots of Fuji road bikes in there. Rod managed The Sportsman for a long time. Remember when Panasonic made bicycles?

Moving back Downtown was Sunrise which has been in the same location for 35+ years. Al's used to be over on 100 West before they built their building out north.

Ed at EK Ekcessories owned the building at 565 North Main where he has come full circle from starting EK Ekcessories to buying the building back to open a factory EK store at the same location. In the mean time that location was Guido's Cycle and Sport which I managed for about a year. Marilyn, who is now at Al's, ran Guido's where Brian Jeppson was her service manager. Marilyn left Guido's for Al's and I took over as manager and Brian Jeppson moved to Cedar City where he has been doing a great job with Cedar Cycles for, what, 13+ years now?

I managed Guido's-I know weird name-people always wanted a large pepperoni special, and worked with Joel Peterson who worked with me at Sunrise Cyclery for a few years prior and with Steve Johnson. Joel later went to Al's where he finished up his time in the industry prior to opening his own small shop for a stint. Steve went on to work at Al's for a time and rejoin me when I went back to Sunrise Cyclery. While at Guido's I hired a great guy named Justin who is now the Midwest sales rep for Raleigh Bicycles. I still see other people from the Guido's crew at races. I left Guido's and shortly thereafter Adventure Sports bought out Guido's making that the second bike shop in that location.

I got my start in the industry at Sunrise Cyclery and worked there off and on for many years. I started as a mechanic and then sales, eventually managing it with my friend Jared. At Sunrise I worked with Brandon who now runs a shop in Park City. I met Josh Felt who is one of the best wrenches I've ever met. He would later go to Al's and then help me for a time after I bought Joyride Bikes. Kyle Isaacs started there as the bottom man on the pole and has since gone on to own a very successful shop, SBR Sports in Orem, UT. Many other faces came and went over the years at Sunrise. Scott went from Sunrise to Al's. Todd became an industry rep for Specialized then to Fuji Bicycles and now with a company that distributes LED lights. Paul Vaslet now writes mortgage loans here in town and has a company that makes some cool changing tents. One noteworthy co-worker was Jim Clonts. Jim was a very exacting and skilled mechanic who quickly grew his own following which would form the basis of Joyride Bikes which opened in the back of Great Harvest a long time ago.

After Guido's I was out of the industry for a time. I came back with the intention of buying Sunrise Cyclery. After that not working out I was back to finish my formal education. I sold drugs, legally for Johnson & Johnson, took 90 days to realize it wasn't for me and I planned to go back to school to get even smarter. That's when Jim and Michelle Clonts called me. After seven hard years of building Joyride Bikes into a successful business they were ready to move on and I became owner of Joyride Bikes.

It's been a fast-moving, merry-go-round. Sunrise Cyclery ended up with three employees owning bike shops throughout Utah. Several people became semi-lifers with 10+ years in shops and some working at 2-3 shops in Logan. Many other great guys and gals made their ways through college while spreading the love of two wheels.

So there is a multi-directional and convoluted wander through the history of Logan bike shops according to myself. Please feel free to comment any details the reader may remember. It's been great meeting these friends, sharing their love of life and the experience on two wheels. Sometimes we lead sometimes we follow, but it's always better to have great friends to share the journey with.

Some cyclocross results...

2010-11-18T17:46:00.000-08:00

CX season is well under way with only four race days left in the season. In my opinion this is one of the most demanding forms of racing a person can choose to participate in. Ups and plenty of downs. Crashes, bad starts, bad sprints, and plenty of tough competition. It's been said and I'll repeat, this is not a sport for the weak.

The Utah State Championships were just held and many on the Joyride Bikes Team had a great showing. The season has seen us with lots of top-tens and some tough showings. Beth has been fighting in the women's A's, Dan had ridden tough in the men's A's with a really hard crash, Brad B. has been a machine in the B's with a full schedule-that's why Brad has always been fast. Robert Hamlin has been awesome in the 45 masters... fair warning to anyone who plans to keep up with him. Brian has come on very strong in the single speed after several-year absence from racing 'cross. Brian H. is the Energizer Bunny. He'll ride five hours, climb 6000' and do it again the next day. He consistently doubles up on race day and always pushes himself. Local powerhouse Johnny B. has been where he usually is-at the front. Myself has had one good showing in Idaho and one in the 35+ masters in Utah, the rest-not so good. Graysen has been on the podium of every junior race he's entered this season.

John Burton is our 2010/11 2nd place in single speed (these guys are fast!). Congrats out to all the team for a strong showing so far. For the rest of you enjoy this photo montage that should convince anyone that bike racing is not easy.

http://www.pdxcross.com/galleries/barton-park-last-cross-crusade-race-of-the-season/

Why do we sell what we sell?

2010-11-18T17:25:00.000-08:00

Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Giant, Scott, Felt, Bianchi, Intense, Santa Cruz, Kona, Yeti, Serotta, Pinarello... the list goes on. And on.

All of us here at Joyride Bikes are riders first. Some of us race, some commute, some just cruise. We sell what we, as riders, want to ride. In Kory's 15+ years as in industry person and Brian's 12+ along with everyone else in the store we have seen, ridden and sold it all. There is a difference. A Pinarello does things in a unique way that other brands do not. While a Bianchi may have some similarities, neither is a Trek. Roast beef ==> prime rib ==> filet mignon==>?? For those that are omnivores, can you tell the difference? Both will satiate the palate but they do it in a different way. (For those of other dietary preferences I'll leave you to your own analogy.)

I'll elaborate some, my personal experience sums to 70+ nice bikes I have personally owned. Titanium, carbon fiber, steel, aluminum, mixed construction and all have been Ultegra or Dura Ace, SRAM Red, Rival or Force and Campagnolo Chorus to Record. That doesn't even begin to count the bikes I've demoed and otherwise learned about. The includes the big brands and many that most have never heard of. I've ridden about every wheelset out there. I'm certainly not stating this to indicate that I am the end-all when it comes to bicycle expertise. Just that I can take my expertise and adapt it to help you find the very best bike for your needs. That is really what Joyride Bikes is about.

Value is another thing we take seriously here at Joyride Bikes. We pay for our stuff too and appreciate getting the best bike for our dollar. We look at the variety of components and weigh the overall package of fit, ride quality and performance to help guide people to the best bike they can find. Not all carbon fiber is the same. Fit does vary tremendously among brands. We'll help you sort and figure it out.

The next time we are asked by a customer is a Pinarello is really as nice as brand 'X', we'll have an answer for that customer. The answer will be 'yes' and if desired there is an accompanying explanation to go along with it. How much time have you got?

Yes, we 29.

2010-11-18T17:15:00.000-08:00

We get it. We have for a long time. We don't wax evangelical about the virtues of 29er wheels and consider anything else a kids bike but we have owned, ridden and compared 29er bikes for the better part of 10 years.

There is a movement to push 29er bikes into the establishment with most every manufacturer offering a bike. Even some than openly criticized the notion of wagon wheels only a few years ago have now jumped in and their marketing departments try to convince us they were on board all along. No longer the domain of single speeders and pariahs with Unabomber-like beards. There is a 29er for all.

We offer Felt Racing with some of the most solid values in twenty-nine inch bikes starting at $599.99. Others have sold $599.99 bikes before but they were fairly junky. The Felt beats everything we've seen close to that price-from anybody. Rocky Mountain offers 29ers in every variety, those that have tried have liked. GT has some monster-truck chrome-moly, rigid fork monsters that are just fun. Ride it to school. Ride it to work. Ride the trails and take it to Cape Horn if you want to. Scott takes the light and fast approach to their 29er as usual. Intense has a sweet VPP Spider 29. Serotta, Salsa and Niner have made their way out our doors with 29ers.

So the next time someone asks your opinion as their bike expert, suggest they come down and check out some of our offerings in the big-wheel category and find out what all the fuss is about.

Ventures are here!

2010-11-18T16:56:00.000-08:00

So what do we do in the Wintertime? Funny when we get that question. One of the things that makes living in Cache Valley is the variety of outdoor activities we have to pick from. The cold and dark takes away from cycling but opens up new sports that make us better athletes and improves our fitness in ways that a single sport simply cannot.

We've quitely offered Venture Snowboards for a couple of seasons now. Venture was a brand that was easy to believe in: local manufacturing-they do everything in house in Silverton, Colorado; a green ethos that germinated way before the recent fad of companies being environmentally conscientious; they are a small company, Klem and Lisa own the brand. Everything is done by them and their crew in house. A tight knit crew and they ride and manufacture the stuff they want to ride. A good outcome is a foregone conclusion when the you want to ride the best and own your own company.

We're proud to shout out and bring to Cache Valley the best splitboards, and solids, on the market. I've owned, ridden and demoed about everything. The Venture boards stand apart and just like the way a truly dialed mountain bike does, makes every ride more enjoyable and opens up new terrain. Snowboarders can now split and tour almost as fast as skiers and enjoy the flow of riding sideways down our local inbound and outbound terrain. So for those that see the madness in why we choose the brands we do, come in and check out the craftsmanship and design that stokes our fires the other five months out of the year. If anyone is so inclined talk to Kory about a demo and start to discover where your own two legs can take you this Winter.

Yes, it is cyclocross season..

2010-09-24T10:27:00.001-07:00

The season has already begun for many and a couple of local racers already have a couple of races under their belts. The Utah series officially starts next Saturday, Oct. 2nd. Many from the Joyride crew are planning a pilgrimage to Victor, ID for Moosecross on the 2nd as well. I heard it was a great time last year and a great way to go gently into the CX pool. Join us for that if you can.

Practices are in full swing and happening on Tuesdays at 6:00 at the Cache County Fairgrounds. About an hour long and a great way to have a fun workout.

We have our largest CX team roster ever at 23 racers and growing! Finally, the new skinsuits are here and looking sharp, just begging to get dirty.

It's better to be lucky than good.

2010-09-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

I did it. I won a major award. We had the chance to attend Dealer Camp at Deer Valley last month and ride some of the future goodness we'll be offering in the store this next season. We also got to check out some of the other brands we don't carry-always on the lookout for the best for us to ride.

As part of the Dealer Camp there was a drawing for a pretty nice and serious prize. I managed to win somehow, no skill required, and scored a sweet new 2011 Fox Talas 180. This is a waay nice fork and should find a happy home on my new Slayer with a grin attached to me while riding it. It's about an $1100.00 fork! I was pretty stoked about that obviously.

I also checked out some cool new bike goods. I rode a couple of Ibis bikes, the cyclocross Hakkalugi as well as a Mojo SL. I'm a fan of DW and SDL (short dual link) bikes such as Intense that we offer. The Mojo was fast with a fairly firm feel and lot's of anti-squat. Made me think that someone unaccustomed to full suspension or just wanting a firm feel to the back of the bike would be really happy on one of those bikes. Checked out some road and CX offerings from Blue. Jonathan Page's influence is doing good things for those bikes. One of the pure speed machines I rode was the new Scott Scale carbon 29er. Think a full carbon 29er ready to rip at under #21. The frame is under 949 grams. That's more than likely lighter than the road frame you are on. Crazy. Demoed the new SRAM 2 X 10 in a couple of variations and one was on a Transition Covert. That bike descended great. Climbing you had to stay seated and smooth to make it work but the SRAM and Rockshox goodies are taking performance up in a serious way.

All in all a great day and a fun way to call what I did work. Like I said, it's better to be lucky than good.

Be careful out there!

2010-08-31T10:27:00.000-07:00

As I write this I'm thinking of two cyclists I have known for a long time. Both of these individuals are experienced riders with thousands of miles and hundreds on hours on the saddle. Both of them were recently hit by cars and made trips to the hospital. I wish both of them a full and speedy recovery.

This thought along with the passing of Laurent Fignon has me in a somber mood. Each year there are thousands of bicycle/automobile accidents. The exact number is unknown because these accidents are very under reported. Some of the accidents result in serious injury and death.

We all know the rules and the risks. We all ride and eventually settle into a comfort zone and feeling of security. As motorists we feel rushed and don't fully comprehend the constant changing landscape of risks. Lack of attention on either end result in accidents. As riders, let's be hyper vigilant. Help those in your pack. That might include not running a light or shooting a gap that may tempt others to do the same. For those driving, get off the phone. Pay attention to the task and responsibility at hand.

With schools back in and the University at full swing, the chance for conflict is greater than ever. In the end we are all people who ultimately want to go home safely after our ride at the end of the day.

Here's a link that has some common ideas to help safety: http://bicyclesafe.com/

Be careful out there riding and driving. The person riding the bike will lose in a collision with a car and is probably a friend of mine.

He will be missed..

2010-08-31T09:55:00.000-07:00

On a sad note today one of the giants of cycling has passed away. The article on Cycling News tells:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/laurent-fignon-remembered

He was one of the first I remember growing up watching. His distinct style and flair did nothing to cover how fiercely competitive he was. Even recently in the 2010 Tour he criticized Contador and Schleck for being too friendly with one another. Fignon's nature demanded that in the greatest sporting event in the world, the one who would be champion must be aggressive and take the victory from all challengers.

Fignon was the last French winner of the Tour de France and one of the true champions of his generation. My own jingoism wants to trump the spirit of American athletes but Fignon resides at the level of Jalabert, Hinault and other great French cyclists who demonstrate the true character of champions and gives us something to admire.

In his battle with cancer and his desire to live he truly showed us that he was not the man that lost the Tour de France by 8 seconds. He was the Champion that won the Tour de France twice.

A word on tires...

2010-08-06T13:30:00.000-07:00

I've often been telling people for the past few years that the tire pressures I prefer are lower than what is perpetuated by the common wisdom of the masses. When I tell a person 110 psi max for their weight when they have been running 130 psi for years often results in an expression that says that I just grew a unicorn horn on top of my head. Here's the reasoning behind my tire pressure evolution.

I used to be a high pressure guy. I rode best when I weighed about 150 pounds and I would pump up my road tires 120-130 psi for all rides. It felt faster. If some was good then more must be awesome. I went happily skipping down the road and sliding through corners relying on sheer skill and courage to try and ride like the racers of the time. When I made the jump to tubulars, man, 140 psi became easy and knew guys who ran 160+. That's on road-not track tubulars.

Years later I noticed that tire side wall recommended pressures seemed to be climbing. Some even went as high as 140 psi for a clincher. It was like a tire psi cold war. On roads that were rough enough I noticed a unpleasant feeling of bouncing rather than rolling across the surface. I tried all the major and most of the smaller brands of tires. I compared Vittoria EVO CX to KS tires. Conti GP4000s to regular Grand Prix. Vredestein, Michelin, Challenge, etc.

I started riding with less pressure. It felt good. I got feedback from people running 25c rather than 23c tires. Anyone heavy enough to exert more forces than the average person on the tire came back with positive comments. I spoke with some of the smart people at Vittoria and Continental at trade shows to get their opinions. Almost universally they said all of their in-house people ran much lower pressures that what was on the sidewalls. Most of the employees run about 100 psi I was told. I started doing this myself. I liked it. I started telling others.

Companies started to validate what myself and many other cyclists were discovering. Mavic states that if their wheels are run at >130 psi they won't warranty the product. Now, rim companies are taking cues from mountain bike influence and widening the rim bed to accommodate a wider tire contact patch which improves ride quality. The age of running 18, 19 and 21c tires are gone. It's not even more aero according to some companies testing. The tire feels like the casing is working to soften the ride and absorb road imperfections. The tire feels like it's putting down a much more solid footprint when leaning into a corner. Flats are diminished. I'd be hard pressed to have anyone convince me that a 25c tire is much slower than a 23c tire in real-world conditions.

Just for reference here is a chart that Michelin has been publishing for a few years regarding tire pressure. Take a look and do some experimenting and see if this works well for you. If your experience has led you to a different outcome than mine, do what works best for you. Just making a small point here that what works for Jack will not always work for Jill and tire pressure is an easy way to potentially improve performance on your next ride.

TDF SRAM Red LTE

2010-07-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yep, the gorgeous and limited edition SRAM Red group that features yellow highlights to celebrate their second TDF win a in as many years is available to us. I don't know how long SRAM will offer the group or how many will be available. The black and yellow finish is really sharp. More details can be seen at cycling news here:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-tech-sram-delivers-special-red-lte-groups

Pricing is $2400.00. Anyone wanting one of these groups can contact me at the shop.

Tour de France

2010-07-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

It was a great event this time around. Contador demonstrated he was the strongest rider as well as developing his persona as an individual and maturity as a racer. He's even learning diplomacy with praise for Armstrong and calm in the wake of the 'mechanical' that Schleck suffered. He still has a long way to go to attain the image of one of favorite TDF Champions of all time, Miguel Indurain, but it should be fun to watch. Maybe when he loses the Shooter McGavin Pistol Salute he can become the real deal.

One note: that without winning a single stage of the TDF, Contador is the first Maillot Jaune wearer to top the podium in Paris in this manner in a very long time. I don't recall the last time that happened? The first one to tell me gets a free goodie from the shop.

Cavendish. One word brings an image to my mind of the best pure sprinter we may have seen in 20 years. He just gets it done. Handles the pressure and crosses the line first. Team mates rely on him, the competition guns for him, he ends up isolated and still he wins. No Saeco train but more like McEwen with his stealth but a top speed that bests just about any of his cohorts from the last 15 years. Not the long-drag out sprint of Pettachi or maybe quite the savvy of Zabel, but man it's a blast watching the guy. He wins going away and recently, with class. I'm becoming a fan and look forward to cheering for him often.

Lance. It's done. His career is over and due to some unlucky events his Tour was as well-way before it got started. I noticed for the first time that the fire in his belly seemed to be a smolder rather than an energy that could push him through his trials. Too much easy living? Who knows, but he was gracious to concede that the Tour now belongs to another generation. Love him or hate him, his influence will leave a lasting legacy that was the genesis for many people becoming cyclists.

I had fun watching the Tour. Phil and Paul making the racing entertaining while we watch heros become immortal. I've also enjoyed noticing more road cyclists out this year. Maybe it's the nice effect I remember when I watched Becker and Lendl during the French Open and for weeks afterward the tennis courts would be full. Through all of this, I think that watching the pros is a blast and allows us to arm-chair coach and dream. What really makes cycling come alive for us though are the miles and hours we spend on the bike. Tarmac, trails, gravel roads-it doesn't matter; the effort, experience and companionship we store away is what makes us smile. We get restless when we've been away. We relish the thought of watching the sun crest a new dawn while we follow a ribbon of pavement through cool fields of alfalfa. I bet if you really asked each pro, that's what they love too. Feels like it's getting time to ride.

Jens Voigt: Classic hardman, says it like it is and hard not to admire.

2010-07-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

For anyone who wasn't already a Voigt fan you will be now.

http://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-france/tour-features/saying-no-sag-wagon

The French are winning Stages!

2010-07-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

So far it's been a crazy Tour. Crashes, DQs, and lots of aggressive racing. Cavendish has done HTC proud with a trio on fantastic stage wins. The Pyrennes should bring out the real shake down for the GC duel.

For today and tomorrow's TdF stage sale the featured item will be a Di2 demo group. This group spent about 300 miles on my demo Serotta Meivici AE and is in perfect condition. The demo/sale price is $2800.00. A lot yes, but a far cry less than the $4800.00 regular price for a complete group. Anyone who has ridden around me on a road bike has heard me ramble about how good this stuff is. Good riding!

Come 'cross with us!

2010-07-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

Come out and take a fun spin race at the Hyde Park City celebrations Cyclocross Race. A great time for all-beginners, kids & families to experienced competitors. Free race entry. Any mountain or 'cross bike will do. Registration at 11:30 AM with the kids race at 12:00 Noon and men/women at 12:30 PM. 40 minutes plus for the race time. Lion's Park, Hyde Park, UT. See you there!

Finally!

2010-07-08T18:29:00.001-07:00

Cavendish has picked up his first stage win of this years Tour today. He rode great and his team rode great. So on Friday, July 9th, all Scott bikes will be on sale for 25% off. 20% off 2010 models. The blog TdF sale must be mentioned for this price. Check out the great photo from Cycling News!

Congrats to Thor!

2010-07-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

Well we don't sell some of Thor's equipment but we are the area dealer for Castelli. Anyone coming in and mentioning the TDF sale today can pick up any Castelli item in stock for 30% off.

Tour de France Sale

2010-07-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

Tour de France Sale

Here's how the sale will work. Follow the Tour de France with us and pursue the Maillot Jaune with some of the same equipment being used by the Worlds' best racers. For each day check with us to see who won and on what equipment. The days certain wheels, tires, clothing, bikes and equipment win; we'll have that equipment on sale. Expect 25-50% off some of the hottest equipment going. It's kind of a Bike Race Fantasy for Equipment. If Zipp wheels win today they'll be on sale today and tomorrow for 25% off! Allez!

Come ride with us!

2010-07-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

Come out and join us for a great demo ride Wednesday, July 7th, anytime from around 4:30 pm till 8:30 pm. Green Canyon, North Logan, UT. There will be fun, food and riding! The food is from Rocky Mountain, the fun will be provided by you and the riding will be on some of the new 2011 and 2010 Rocky Mountain bikes. The demo bikes will include the redesigned 2011 Rocky Mountain Slayer and the popular Altitude 29er. No cost to participate. Bring your gear, shoes and pedals. Helmets are mandatory. Minors will require a guardian signature. Ride anything from great cross, to XC to trail bikes from one of the best in the industry! I'm told anyone who shows up riding a Rocky Mountain bike gets a free t-shirt!

A little late but found I this picture of Brent Carpenter's retirement.

2009-12-09T09:07:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has lived in this Valley for any amount of time knows Brent Carpenter. If they don't know who he is then they've at least been likely to see his enthusiastic smile and wave to all he passes, along with a honk from his horn - from the saddle of his bicycle. Rain, cold and snow, or blistering heat doesn't keep Brent from the bike. He rode for years through the back roads of Cache Valley to get to and from work. His dim headlight could be seen late at night and his blazing orange flag could be seen throughout the day. Brent is a person who truly characterizes all who live in Cache County as we hope to think of ourselves - good, cheerful and always positive. It was only fitting that Brent was chosen to represent us and what the fire from Greece represents as he carried the Olympic Torch into the Spectrum to the cheers of thousands.

I've known Brent for about 15 years. I've worked on his bike at numerous times and occasions. Sometimes it's been an easy fix - a zip tie to his American Flag. Sometimes it's been a free adjustment that ends up becoming what I feared considering the poor quality of some of his past bikes and the expected condition given the use it was exposed to. Through all of those visits with Brent it's been a joy to help keep Brent's bike on the road.

Recently Brent retired from his job at USU food services. His co-workers celebrated with the perfect gift for Brent - a new bike. We were lucky to be part of that and help set up Brent on his new bike - but I'm sure not his last. This sort of thing is the kind of instance that make this job truly fun. Brent was as excited as ever. The bike was 'customized' to be the perfect utility machine.

Brent now lives in Logan so his miles have probably gone down. Even so, I still see Brent often. Sometimes he's on his old bike when he's not riding his new GT - maybe it's the rain bike? It was an occurrence that brought a smile to my face last month as Brent pulled up next to me and waved to me through my window, smile at 100% and sharing the best contagious happiness. Thanks Brent, for letting us be a part of your journey down the road - and for being part of ours.

Bikes for X-Mas Sale -- Joyride Bikes Biggest Sale Ever!

2009-12-04T09:36:00.000-08:00

With the Holidays fast approaching and the chill of Winter settling in Joyride Bikes is having our biggest sale ever! We'll have discounts the week of December 7-12 with some crazy prices on Friday and Saturday.

Bikes and frames as much as 50% off!
Clothing 40-70% off!
Demo Items(bikes, wheels etc.) up to 60% off!
All bicycle Tubes Buy 2 get 1 free!
Energy Food and Supplements 40-50% Off!
Scott CR1 Bikes Sale $1299.99-1599.99 For the complete bike!
Remaining 2009 Serotta Bikes up to $2000.00 Off!
Scott Contessa Speedster Womens Road Reg. $1299.99 Sale. $849.99
Trainers 20% Off!
Schwinn Roadster Trike Reg. $109.99 Sale. $69.99
Sole Sandals Reg. $69.99 Sale. $29.99
Sole Custom Insoles Reg. $42.99-47.99 Sale $22.99
Bianchi Valle Ultimate Commuter Reg. $1049.99 Sale $699.99
All Remaining Kevlar-Beaded Road Tires Save 40%
Zipp Carbon Fiber H2O cages ½ Off!
All Mini-Tools 35% Off!
Ducati/Bianchi LS Jersey Reg. $149.99 Sale. $69.99

There will be lots more on sale at huge savings. Many items at or below cost! We don't have sales often so come on down and check us out for the best deals of the year!

World Champion Eric Carter comes to Logan!

2009-10-07T09:26:00.001-07:00

That's right, Joyride Bikes is super stoked to be welcoming Eric Carter, factory pro for Mongoose bicycles and '99, '03 and '04 Dual Slalom and 4-Cross World Champion to Logan, UT on Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

EC should be pulling into the shop midday and hanging out with us. Come down, meet EC, say 'hi' and ask questions about riding and life as one of the top pros on the international race scene!

In my years in the bike industry I've met many of the celebrities and professional athletes of our sport. I've had a few of the major decision makers and movers from companies large and small in my store. It's truly unique to have an athlete, World Champion, and ambassador of the sport of EC's caliber under our roof.

One of the coolest things I noted when I first met EC was that he 'get's it', or rather when you hear him talk it's clear it's NOT about him but about YOU. He's stoked to share his passion for riding, the same passion that 'regular' riders like us get stoked about. EC is a consummate professional and a genuine rider that simply loves to ride!

We've got that.

2009-06-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

In the same vein and complete ignorance to any alleged 'recession' we present the worlds' most obscene crankset. Come down and check it out in person. Please provide your own bibs for drool.

This crankset will be going on a project Serotta Meivici AE that will showcase some of whats possible with the current state of technology.

Season Under Way

2009-04-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

Looks like the sun may finally come out and make an appearance this Spring. Hopefully that means yard work gets put on hold and we start to hit the roads. We're seeing lots of new product roll into the store from our usual favorite suspects: Serotta, Rocky Mountain, Scott, Felt and Bianchi. One of the newest innovations to be available to us is the new electronic Dura Ace from Shimano. I'll go ahead and predict that this is the future of what we'll see on road bikes in the next 5-10 years. Ultegra electronic may be the very next permutation after the coming generation of mechanical. That means that for some of you, you're next road bicycle will be electronic shifting. I'll be building up my Serotta with Di2 in the next month or so. We've had a chance to play with it and ride it and we think it's cool. The following press release from Pinarello is interesting and informative about some of the features of Di2. Check it out:

Pinarello Prince Di2
The Prince Electric

In stock now! Limited quantities available.

Pinarello announces the introduction of the Prince Di2 showcasing the new Shimano Dura Ace Di2 electronic gruppo. Shimano has actually made available several versions of this gruppo; including the one Pinarello has chosen for the Prince Di2 which features internal routing of the actuation cables for the electronic componentry.

This Prince was designed by Pinarello's engineers in conjunction with Shimano to eliminate unsightly wiring and the accompanying fasteners. The cables from the levers follow the brake cables under the MOst Talon bar and enter the downtube a short distance from the headtube. This area has been reinforced and features a sealed cover to keep the elements out of the frame. The battery is located below the water bottle cage on the downtube and is attached at an additional boss below the cage and the lower bottle boss. The actuation cables enter and exit the battery pack through another sealed port in the frame and emerge near both the front and rear derailleurs. This creates a very clean line for the cables while keeping the weight of the battery pack as low as possible without the risk of interference with the drivetrain. Everywhere the wiring enters or exits the frame is sealed against the elements and reinforced internally for additional strength.

The geometry and ride characteristics of the Prince Di2 are identical to the Prince FP framesets designed for traditional componentry. The Shimano Dura Ace Di2 electronic gruppo has been thoroughly tested by Pinarello over the last few months and determined to be of outstanding quality and reliability. Once you have ridden this gruppo, you will be amazed at how quickly it shifts and how much effort it really takes to shift a mechanical system. Shimano has designed the system to be able to compensate for maladjustments with an on-board calibration system. The control box, which is conveniently located, but out of the way, under the handlebars on the brake cable shows battery life left as well as the means to recalibrate the system should the need arise. The range of the system is easily 1000+ miles between charges and, in the unlikely event of the battery running low; you will get plenty of warning (and shifts) as the front derailleur will quit shifting approximately 50 shifts before the rear derailleur. This should easily be enough to conclude nearly any ride without being stuck in the wrong gear. In the event of a crash, the wiring is protected inside the frame to avoid damage.

Pinarello is among the very first manufacturers to take advantage of this OEM Di2 system, which offers the cleanest and safest way to offer this first of the next generation of componentry.
MSRP: $15,900.00

I expect to sell gobs of these so get your deposit in early. Until then, hope fun sunshine.

what's a cross racing bike?

2009-02-06T14:47:00.000-08:00

As little as 10 years ago, a cross racing bike was whatever a racer (usually a shop mechanic with spare parts since almost no one else knew what cyclocross was) threw together on any frame that somewhat resembled the right machine for the job of racing cyclocross and then proceeded to go out and race around in the muck and slop. It was great fun. There were a few specialy cross manufacturers available in the US such as Vitus and Alan. A few custom builders offered frames for the truly committed. Many of us simply put narrow knobbies on our mtn. bikes and removed our bar ends. Remember those?

Years ago I dreamed of a cross bike from a custom shop such as Serotta, Gunnar or Waterford. Reality saw me on a hard tail with 1.5 Continental Cross Country tires and a rigid fork installed. Other racers were on similar bikes.

Currently cross bikes have become a legitimate category of bicycle. Every major manufacturer, even if they have zero cross heritage, offers a cross bike. Some just don't work and even though the price ticks in at up to $8K, they still don't get the component specifications right. Like a 34T small chainring on a pro-caliber race bike.

So back to the question of what is a 'cross bike? Currently I'm racing on three Bianchi cross bikes. Two geared and a single speed. They are by far the nicest cross bikes I've ever owned. They aren't ridiculous in price. I passed a couple of $8K Colnagos and Times on the race course and was also passed by a couple of mountain bikes over the race season, the bikes certainly didn't hold me back.

For those truly curious about this fun and far-out faction of cycling on the semi-fringe... a cross bike is whatever you bring to ride and race with us. I've seen regular road bikes on the race course and I think that's awesome. I've seen plenty of mountain bikes out at the races and lot's of cobbled-together franken bikes. Anything is a cross bike.

Be warned: 'cross is the 'crack of cycling' and right now I'm feeling a bit of withdrawl. Trying 'cross hopefully has the same effect on everyone else. At least it's only eight months till 'cross season! See you out there.

Am I slow?

2009-02-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

Why yes, I am slow. Do I race? Yes, I do race. Is that ok? Absolutely.

Regardless of whether we ride for fun or trying to have fun and trying to be faster than someone, anyone-it doesn't matter how fast we are. I'm slow. I'm faster than some of you and slower than many of you.

Speed is relative. Even speed on a bike. Graeme Obree is fast. Brent Carpenter that got to carry the Olympic flame isn't fast on that scale but sure has fun. On the continuum of speed there are stops all along the way. The most fun for me is to see where I have moved on that continuum relative to other times and other circumstances. In my younger years, if faster was further to the right, I'm convinced I was much faster than I am now. I rode more, had more time for play and took advantage of it. I'm now further to the left but it's still fun to race and see where I am now relative to the positions that others have stopped at on that same continuum. Whether they are now training and going much faster and I've trained less, or the opposite, it's great to see other progress and hopefully go with them.

Setting goals and realizing that; yes, I did hang onto that group longer than last week is a great reward in itself. For those of us going for a spot on the podium to those simply trying to finish before anyone, racing is good. So yes, slow is a stop I've frequently hovered around but that certainly won't keep me from pinning on a number and getting out and testing myself on the race course. Slow shouldn't stop you either.

New Product Info

2009-02-06T13:17:00.000-08:00

Much is going on that is exciting in the product offerings of both road and mountain bikes. This year continues to innovate with many of the current technologies being ridden by the top cyclists in the Tour de France. Sram RED is firmly established as one of the premier road groups. We're developing a good reference base with the new Sram and expect to see even more bike offerings featuring the innovation of this American company.

The road front also forecasts change with Shimano Dura Ace receiving major changes-the first in seven years. Shimano usually sets the benchmark for the industry in terms of performance and availability so expect to see the striking two-tone finish of Dura Ace on the top offerings from the serious road companies. Campagnolo is launching their 75^th anniversary with an amazing 11 cogs fit into the rear cluster. The Super Record name is resurrected to top Record in the Campy offerings. More carbon fiber, new Ergo lever shape, and ceramic bearings push this group to new levels of sophistication and yes, expense.

The mountain side of the sport is developing more travel at less weight. Scott will have an offering with 6” of travel at twenty two pounds. Unbelievable, what was once XC race day only weight ranges will become the new norm for comfortable and capable-all day on any trail. We just received the new Shimano XT 29er wheels. Full UST compatibility, center-lock rotors along with Shimano bearing quality point to one of the best 29er wheelsets available at any price.

In just a few short weeks we'll be getting our hands on all of these new goodies first hand. Until then, this means great things for this years offerings. Our major suppliers are warning of 10-20% cost increases across the board for new products. The weaker dollar, fuel charges, and increased manufacturing costs are some of the reasons for this. The $5000.00 bike you've been saving for may be $6000.00 next year! Though availability is fairly slim, remaining '08 bicycles, wheel upgrades, and parts may be a much better option to waiting.

Get ready. The riding is coming soon.

2009 Dura Ace Goodies

2008-11-26T10:57:00.000-08:00

If anyone feels the desire to put their fingers on the new, redesigned 2009 Dura Ace; come down to Joyride Bikes and see it in person. It is as nice as it looks. The 7900 series offers gorgeous finish along with unbelievable weight that likely re-establishes Shimano as the king of road-bike componentry.

Innovations like the newly improved hood shape which allows for a flatter transition from the handlebar to brake hood, hidden-shift cable routing, carbon fiber brake blades and the two tone finish truly set the bar-very high. These improvements along with setting the established benchmark in braking power and control are going to be really fun to ride and race next season.

So, even though pictures and ad copy are ok-come down and put your hands on the new goodness from our friends at Shimano.

Sales, Great Deals and Other Goings Ons:

2008-11-20T10:23:00.000-08:00

Though the snow is notably tardy it has slowed down here at Joyride Bikes. Cyclocross season is winding down with the state championships this Saturday. Soon it will be time to go for the most-vertical-feet-descended-in-a-winter-while-standing-sideways goal.

For now though we are still open six-days a week and have some great deals. All remaining longboards from Loaded and Arbor are on sale. 15-20% off of the most technically advanced and artistically vibrant brands on the market.

Cruisers and kids bikes are on sale at 10% off in time for Christmas. Beat the '09 price increases on bikes which remain largely unchanged other than cosmetics.

We have a few remaining road and mountain bikes such as the Scott Contessa Speedsters on sale from $1029.99, an Intense 5.5 EVP built with a SRAM X7 kit for $2499.99. Check with us for other great deals from Bianchi, Felt, and Foes Racing.

For the roadies on your Christmas list we have wheelsets remaining from Zipp - including 404s and Flashpoints, as well as Mavic, Reynolds and Shimano. The hottest new wheelset from Mavic, the R-SYS is on sale for $1049.99 while they last.

On to other news: Curious about Shimano D2 electronic Dura Ace? Plan to see it here this spring. SRAM Red? Had it first last Winter(and have it on sale now). Campy Record 11-speed? Check it out on the Colnago CX-1 pictured above when it arrives:

That's all for now. In January we should have the anticipated Felt AR series of road bikes here. Check them out while you can or wait and try to catch one taking the fast track to finish lines next year.

Cyclocross. The crack of cycling??

2008-10-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

I was recently trying to convince a customer of Joyride Bikes to come out and give cyclocross a try. He replied that he had heard 'cross was the 'crack of cycling'. By that he meant extremely addictive. Well, he is probably right.

The history and rise in popularity of cyclocross can be found with our friend google or with Simon Burney's excellent book: Cyclocross, Third Edition. I've been fascinated for years. I've mountain biked. I'm a competent bike handler in sloppy conditions. I've road biked. Cross blends the elements of road strategy, bike handling, equipment selection, and dumb luck into a race format that is distilled and condensed into 45 minutes of hedonistic fun.

It's great for those with short attention spans. It's great for those lacking in fitness (it's only 45 minutes). It takes the crucial strategy of a road race and eliminates the unnecessary miles between the key events. It's great for obsessive-compulsives because equipment selection is vital: what tires? what pressure? what gearing? It allows innovation in thinking whereas most road-race bikes fit nicely into molds of what works and what doesn't. It's great for tacticians because there is usually a right place that can make or break a race. One mistake can take you out of the running. It's great as a social venue because we're not road snobs. It almost feels like mountain bike racing did 15+ years ago.

Cross is easy to get into. That old hardtail that sits in the garage? Some minor work and it's an ideal entry-level 'cross steed. The hybrid you thought you'd commute on? Just about perfect. I've even seen people cross racing on regular road bikes. Run what you brung. Also, if you need another excuse: 'cross bikes are the perfect, versatile do-most-everything bike you can have in your stable. Keep the carbon fiber wonder bike inside when't it's rotten. Ride the 'cross! Need a commuter? Ride the 'cross! Want to connect roads via dirt roads? Ride the 'cross! Want to improve your technical abilities on a mtn. bike? Ride the 'cross! Want to try a crit where you're 99% sure some category 5 guy wants to take you out? Ride the 'cross!

Opportunities to ride cross are abounding. Excuses are few. There's your invitation. Come out and cross with us this fall and find out what the addiction is about - at least most of what you'll see at a cyclocross race is legal.

Titus Demo Days!

2008-05-19T10:04:00.000-07:00

The scheduled demo day for Titus Cycles has been moved from Thursday, May 22nd to tomorrow, Tuesday, May 20th due to prediction of bad weather on Thursday.

This is a great opportunity to take advantage of Titus' hospitality and shred your local trails on some of the finest machines to put a tire to trail.

With a history going back almost 17 years, Titus has been at the forefront in nearly all areas of full suspension performance. Like most good things, from the floundering attempts at full-suspension design, the acceptance and view of what the ideal trail bike is has been evolutionary and not revolutionary. The celebrated 4-bar or Horst link design has performance advantages that still leave other companies and designers scratching their heads on how to compete. Though Titus didn't develop this design-they have brought it close to perfection. Laterally stiff, optimized pivot placements, and trail manners that never get ruffled whether seated, standing, on the brakes or off-one of the ideal compromises in off-road bicycle performance.

See everyone there! Please bring a photo ID, credit card and a guardian if you are under 18. We'll start ~3:00 and go to ~8:00pm. The trail at Green Canyon is in great condition and should have all the ingredients for a great time!

GT Demo Tour Coming to Logan

2008-05-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

Kind of late notice but we're lucky to have the GT Demo tour coming to Logan, UT tomorrow, May 8th! The bikes should be at the shop throughout the day and then at Green Canyon from about 3:30-7:30 PM. Louis who is in charge of the program will have a great selection of bikes available for all to come demo. New full-suspension designs will be featured on the Force, Sanction and Marathon bikes.

Come and try them out on trails you are familiar with! I rode Green Canyon last night and there is snow shortly past the second gate but the lower single track is in super condition. Nice and fast-not loose and dusty.

We hope to see many people there!

http://www.experiencegt.com/index.html

USU Bike Swap

2008-03-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

The USU Cycling Team asked that we post this. It's a great fund raiser supporting local collegiate racing.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 5 and spread the word! The USU Cycling Club is hosting our annual BIKE SWAP. Looking to buy a new ride? Need parts, clothing, or other cycling gear? Want to sell stuff? Want an alternate transportation method to escape $4 per gallon gas prices anticipated this summer?

Expect to see anything from entry level to high end gear for:

- road, mountain, cyclocross, commuter, bmx, single speed, fixed gear, cruizer, kids bikes

- clothing, parts, gadgets, tools, rack systems, wheels, etc...

Details

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Merlin Olsen Park (300 East and Center)

Sellers Drop Off Times: 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM

SWAP STARTS!! 11 AM and goes til 4 PM

More details, contact Eric at 801-660-9173 or Ira at 435-757-2709 or see www.usu.edu/cycling

Though it is a bike swap, items sold are not limited to bicycling only. If you have a tent, a backpack, or other outdoor equipment you'd like to sell, feel free to bring it by.

Proceeds support the USU Cycling Team to compete intercollegiately in Fall MTB, Winter Cyclo-cross, and Spring Road race seasons. Donations are welcome and very much appreciated!

Race Team Shaping Up Nicely.

2008-03-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a race report and a congratulations to Joyride Bikes/EK Ekcessories racer Eric Gardiner. We're having a great response to the team so far and look forward to getting out on the roads/trails with you. We're not just about results as much as the experience of having fun but we have some talented riders who are bringing strong finishes to the team. Here's Eric's report on our first 1st place finish of the season:

RMR Crit – March 8, 2008

Awakening to snow on the ground did not help me to prep for the crit race that was planned at the RMR speedway this last Saturday. I had the same feeling that comes on every raced day. You know…. that feeling of the unknown. I wasn't sure how I would do but was excited to see how I could fair against other racers.

Upon arriving to the track I got changed quick and started warming up a bit while I waited for the U-man to finish suiting up. It was fun to be on my bike on the road rather than on a trainer inside. Once U-man was ready we took off to the registration booth. There I registered for the C flite. Coach had told me that I should try for the B's but the race officials said no to that one. I was content to race in whatever category. I just wanted to get back into the adrenaline riding that I hadn't had since the cross season.

After Registration I started to really warm up. The race this Saturday was on the oval at the RMR. I guess they normally race on the outside of the oval on a slightly larger track. I decided to follow a few of the guys that were warming up on that so I could scout the track for the next race there.

After doing a few laps I wanted to see a race so I went to the top of the bowl to watch what the A and B flites were doing in the races. I noticed a few things that I decided I would try during my race.

Finally it was time for me to race. I jumped to the front of the line so I cold get a good start position. The man explained a few things and then let us loose. Being that the racing I had done has only been cyclocross I was use to the fast sprints in the beginning of the race. To my surprise no one thought that a quick early sprint was good so I decided to slow down so I could get into a group.

From there the pace was fast and fun. A group of about 7 or 8 became what I guess was the break away. I tried to stay in the top 5 the entire time. It was fun to experience the teamwork that emerged in the front of the race. Once the official called 3 laps left I was trying to think of what I was going to do to finish this race off. From what I had seen in the others it was obvious to me that who ever had the best sprint would win. So my strategy was to lay down a long hard sprint to surprise everyone. Luckily it worked and I finished ahead of the rest with a bit of room to spare.

The race was a lot of fun. I felt good to win and I am excited to try and see what I can do in the B flite.

Eric R381

A Great Little Lift...

2008-03-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

Josh found this great little video. Kind of mesmerizes me and makes me think of how much fun riding a bicycle really is. Take a 6 minute 40 second break from work and enjoy.

For Those That Want to Help...

2008-03-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

What makes it possible for you to be out there riding your bike? Besides the fact that, yes we are legally entitled to be on the road as a motor vehicle? For those of us who ride road or commute; who is working for the betterment of cyclists rights right here?

Recently there has been an increase in dialog regarding the role of bicycle commuters and their rights to our roadways. Here, as in other areas of the country, the discussion has gotten vigorous and occasionally emotional. There is in our community a small contingent of individuals who appear to be taking a face-to-face, challenging and occasionally adversarial position with those with whom we share the road, as evidenced by a recent Herald Journal article relating obscenities exchanged between a motorist and a cyclist. A 'critical mass' style event ala San Francisco and New York City has even been formed. My first response to this is that we (fortunately) don't live in either of those places.

I've witnessed first-hand a truck swerve to avoid hitting the cyclists in this group, honk, yell, and then offer the obligatory universal sign involving the middle digit. The frustration of the motorist was reciprocated with several 'salutes' from those in the 'critical mass' group.

Hmmm. I've lived here for a long time. I've seen and been a part of all sorts of interactions with other motorists while riding my bike. I've been driving a car and observed those on bicycle commit illegal acts. I've also seen the quality of cyclists image with the Valley residents wax and wane. I wonder how effective an attempt to force this issue will be with motorists in the long term? Will that frustration experienced by a motorist now be released toward me when I am on a ride this summer? Will it be directed at someone I care about?

Fortunately, there is another group working to advocate cycling and bicycle use to improve our cities infrastructure and traffic patterns. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee has been working relentlessly to the benefit of anyone who rides a bicycle in Cache Valley. They are dedicated and hard-working, organized, connected, and willing to go through the proper channels to help protect and promote cycling interests in Cache Valley. They meet monthly and have an open vision of what the Valley can be like long-term. I won't name these individuals but I should. They should be thanked and recognized. They are school counselors, business owners, and other professionals and they are doing something great.

So while we are out riding our bikes, we can do so because of the courtesy extended by people on the roadways and the letter of the law which protects our rights and so on. But really, we can be out there thanks to those whose work is driving the interests of bicyclists in a way that is tremendous, attainable, and durable. Can our bicycle culture ever approach that of Boulder, Colorado. Probably not, but it sure is cool to think about.

Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia. -- H.G. Wells

Congrats to Joyride/EK Ekcessories Racers!

2008-03-05T08:13:00.000-08:00

Joyride/EK racers John Burton and Jedd Cox placed 2nd and 4th in the first XC mountain bike race of the season in St. George, UT. Not bad for a couple of snowbound junior racers from Logan!

Love helping people and biking?

2008-02-28T11:22:00.000-08:00

Our needs are growing. We've gotten to the point that we are welcoming great personalities to apply to be a part of our team. So here's the job description:

Joyride Bikes; Logan's premiere full-service bicycle shop is seeking quality individuals for mechanic/sales positions to join our staff for the 2008 season and beyond. Experience with current technologies: suspension, carbon fiber frames and components, high-end wheels, etc. required. The qualified candidate will be comfortable working with all aspects of road and mountain bicycles but also have a strong drive to learn and improve continually. Openness to ideas and a highly-driven work ethic are required as well as recognizing and addressing details. The ideal addition to our team will be able to demonstrate established habits of EXCELLENCE. Concern for customer needs and the ability to communicate in an effective/friendly manner.

Joyride Bikes has served the communities of Cache Valley for over 8 years. We provide top-notch service, expertise delivered in a friendly manner, pro bike fit, and product from the industries' leading manufacturers.

If you feel you can contribute to Joyride Bikes please email a resume to Kory@joyridebikes.com or drop it off at:

Joyride Bikes

65 S. Main

Logan, UT 84321

In return you will be rewarded with challenge, good pay, discounts on product as well as a chance to work at a job that you love because it is FUN!

Tool time.

2008-02-11T13:00:00.000-08:00

I just read a note on a forum saying that you should ask oneself wether or not you are a 'tool-snob'. This seemed to me like a very important question so I thought, 'well I probably am a tool snob'. I know the differences between numerous brands. Take screwdrivers: Klein, Wiha, Craftsman, SK, Proto, Snap-On, Matco, & PB Swiss-among others. Holy smokes that's just screwdrivers! There are LOTS more brands. I mostly prefer the Wihas for screwdrivers. See, I'm already showing tool snobbishness. Then there are bike specific tool companies: Park, Pedros, Cyclus, JA Stein and the venerable Campagnolo. All have numerous advantages and disadvantages.

I have preferences definitely. Campagnolo finish quality sets the bar-very high. With that level comes a corresponding but not commensurate increase in cost. The equivalent to a Park bottom bracket tap is two-and-a-half times more money! That puts a park at ~$250.00 and the Campy at close to $675.00! And a fully equipped pro-bicycle shop should have three of them! That's just to cover the bottom-bracket threads. Add an additional $450.00 to handle the facing tasks of the bottom bracket shell.

So I bought a set of Cyclus tools for the job. I own a Campy but just the dies are more than the entire Park or Cyclus tool. The Cyclus tool works great. Not as easy to start as the Campy but nice clean cutting surfaces on the taps. The design is actually a bit better (longer cutting surfaces) for extended chasing of difficult threads. It does a great job.

The forum thread then diverged into talk about having the right tool for the job. I agree whole heartedly. I've heard of a bike shop using a rubber mallet to insert headset cups! It could work if we were in a Mad-Maxesque-post-holocaust situation where that was the only option available. But we, thankfully, are not. So your headset should not be installed with a rubber mallet - ever. I've also read comments that a tool for such a simple task should not cost upwards of $400.00. I do agree with this as well. But I also know I can consistently do a much better job of cleanly pressing in a headset with my Efficient Velo Tools press than anyone else can with a home-made bolt, washer and nut apparatus or a bench vise and 2 x 4's. I can also cleanly press cups into an extremely wide range of frame sizes-possibly as large as 70 cm. Bring on Shaquille's bike! A very good tool by Park for pressing headset cups would have cost me $230.00. I bought the EVT headset press for close to $400.00.

So I don't think that every recreational rider needs a set of Wiha screwdrivers for $150.00 when the $19.99 set of Craftsmans will work fine and the reality is probably closer to a $2.00 Stanley. Heck, I bought the Cyclus stuff rather than the Campy tools. The ultimate result of those tools is the quality of the product that results from the tools available.

I could build a lot of things and they would look cobbly and chunky by comparison to a true craftsman at that given set of skills-regardless of what was available to me while building it. For me and the work I do on bicycles, tools are not only fun but a vital extension of how the idea I have visualized can be transformed into the desired outcome. The result has to be consistent, repeatable, and timely. Which is a bicycle that is aesthetically and functionally at the peak of it's mechanical potential. So if I'm sporting a rainbow-colored set of PB Swiss hexes that emptied my pockets to the tune of $80.00 you can feel free to go ahead and call me out-as the tool geek that I am.

What race?

2008-02-08T17:40:00.000-08:00

The first race of the season is just four weeks away. Way too little time for those of us that are sorely lacking fitness but plan to go out and flounder anyway. It's the Red Rock Rampage in St. George, UT. People from the warmer climes have been riding and will out in force to remind us that we should have stayed in our cold-northern hibernation.

Fully aware of the likely outcome, we'll be toeing the start line anyway. Casualties may occur. We'll probably come back licking our wounds but hopefully be better as we start to get some weather that cooperates with our training efforts.

Right now, the intentions are to be in racing shape for most of the season. That is said before the 60 hour work weeks hit us and we have little time for anything other than keeping bikes running for folks. And it is said as another snow flurry is coming down. At least the cold might numb some of our fitness shortcomings.

Winter has created too much time for my mind to roam.

2008-02-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

Do bikes have a soul? I don’t think so. This is an old argument and I’ve heard numerous philosophical positions on this topic but lately nobody seems to care. Some say that any bike coming from a mass-produced factory in the Orient can’t possibly have a soul. They argue that only a bike crafted by an artisan in ways secret and sacred can be infused with a soul from the builders’ hands.

Gary Fisher once commented that the ‘soul’ is not in the bike but in the experiences relating to that specific bike. That seems to gel with me but it avoids the argument altogether and diverges into making the bicycle a vehicle for an experience rather than an inanimate object seeming to posses life.

So while I don’t think a bike has a soul, there are a few among the 50 or so nice bicycles that I have owned that I really miss. One of those was my Serotta Ti-Max. It was just all-around bicycle goodness. It was titanium when titanium was the new wonder stuff that Zeus’ staff must have been made from. Waay lighter than any steel. But, noticeably more compliant than any aluminum bike (all mountain bikes were hard tails at this time). A co-worker bought and pimped out a custom Independent Fabrications Deluxe. Shimano XTR brand new Crossmax wheels, Syncros crome-moly crank, etc. It was a beautiful bike and one of the first crafted from Reynolds 853 steel. We rode the same pedals and swapped bikes one ride. We kept our observations to ourselves until the end and then compared notes. We both thought my bike was noticeably stiffer and quicker.

Those that think titanium is whippy have not ridden all titanium. I’ve ridden ti that is as stiff as the numerous Kleins I’ve owned. The Ti-Max was not uber stiff but just right. Fast, lively and solid. Straight-gauge tubing manipulated by Serotta into Colorado Concept shapes. I had great rides on that bike and was probably at the peak of my strength as far as being a go-fast rider. It’s green and plum colored. A weird color combination yes, it was done as a one-off paint to be a show bike.

It is now happily being ridden about by an intrepid local cyclist. Let’s call him ‘Jim’. If you see it out there take note, it’s a great example of how alive a bike can be.

Cool new goodies to have fun with.

2008-02-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

So we have a couple of new additions to the shop in the way of product offerings. We are happy to offer Rocky Mountain Bicycles as well as Pinarello Italian road bicycles.

Rocky Mountain has been at this bike stuff for a long time. I have a Rocky Mountain mug I picked up at Interbike that says ‘Total Commitment for 15 years’. That was in 1996. Handmade frames from Canada using designs that have been refined and improved to create a great ride.

Pinarello almost needs no introduction. Pure Italian speed machines. History and lore-all of it is there. The Pinarello Prince was my pick as the run-away sexiest bike at the Interbike trade show. As much as I love it all when it comes to bikes: handmade steel from the artisan shops to cutting edge carbon; the Prince simply left me speechless. For those of you that know me that is an accomplishment when it comes to bikes. Our Pinarello representative was talking about the technical merits of the bike and his voice just kind of faded into the Charlie Brown adult voice of ‘wawaawaawaa’. I just stared, no sounds registered in my brain. The lines, the finish and color palette were done like only the Italians can. Think Ducati. Think Moto Guzzi. Or some cool shoes if I knew the brands. It’s not the lightest or any of those other technical adjectives ending in ‘est’. But it was just ‘right’. It was really fun for me because I haven’t had a bike actually speak to me like that in a long, long time.

Good times and 60 degrees in Phoenix.

2008-02-04T16:50:00.000-08:00

I got to spend nine days in sunny Phoenix, AZ after Christmas. I made it through the Holidays and couldn’t wait to get away to where I could actually ride some bikes. I was able to remember that I really like my Bianchi Rita 29er single speed, road biking is really fun, and my Scott Ransom rules.

I also bumped into the crew from BH/Pivot bikes. I rendezvoused with Jeff Baugh of Al’s Cyclery fame and glory and we went out and tackled South Mountain. The Pivot crew saw me and I said 'hi' and I knew would be roped into a ride with them. So a couple of days later I went out with Chris Cocalis of Titus/Pivot fame and Kenny-national sales manager for DT Swiss. Chris Cocalis goes down hill really fast. On bikes that are more XC with only 4” of travel and 2.35” tires, I definitely had no chance-no prayer of staying with him. Granted, his trails, his bikes but he is a smooth, skilled rider. At least I would have been faster on any climbs if there were any.

Rode the Pivot Cycles Mach 4. This is a 4” XC DW Link bike. Rides great. I had a chance to ride one at Interbike as well. The second ride told me I wasn’t totally in tune with the bike but a few more rides and I think I would have been as comfortable as I am on anything.

I also got a cooks' tour of the Pivot Cycles facility. It’s new, clean and tidy. Pivot is prototyping a big-hit bike as well as a full-sus 29er. You heard it here first! Should have some cool stuff by next fall. BH bikes looks good as well. The new G4 will be under a Pro-Tour squad this year. Kenny showed us a new DT Swiss full-carbon xc race wheel: holy smokes.

So my take of the vacation: getting to take some time off at Christmas-well worth it; nine days in 50-70 weather-very nice, riding with industry influencers because they all want me as their customer? Priceless.

Fun year round.

2008-02-01T18:47:00.000-08:00

We’re all cut from the same cloth. Think about it, all of us that bike often like other similar activities. We ski or snowboard. We love the backcountry. We love looking at the world from a summit. A mountain biker is equally at home going sideways down the mountain through the powder. A committed road racer is likely to be skate skiing the groomed in the off season. I’m not sure about where tele people come from.

Many mountain bikers also motorcycle. Some may hide it, but all those with 5+ inches of full-suspension travel secretly have combustion envy. I mean 70 horsepower in a light, flickable two-wheel package is just cool joy. 65 mph on my road bike feels way cooler but sometimes a motorcycle will do.

Is it the process of taking a journey? Is it the competitive itch? Does the sensation of a mini-exodus fulfill our inner wanderlust? Are we all just geeks that find that biking pushes all of our buttons so we love the two-wheeled experience?

And what is it with dogs? How many dogs do you see at a trailhead or bike area? Big dogs, fast dogs, slow dogs, nervous dogs, but mostly just bright-eyed, happy dogs in their element running behind us. Are the dogs on to something? It has to have something to do with the dogs doesn't it?

NAHMBS.

2008-01-29T14:41:00.000-08:00

North American Handmade Bike Show, Portland, OR, Feb. 8-10, 2008

I want to go so bad. I’ve wanted to go ever since I saw pictures of it when it was in San Jose, CA. I want to see the stuff Richard Sachs is crazy enough to sweat and labor over and then go race it in the mud and sweat of cyclocross. I want to see the emerald paint of Keith Anderson’s work. I want to see the new-school spit-polish of Sacha White. I want to talk with the personalities like Jeff Jones and John Castellano. I want to see the insight of designers like David Kirk and Tom Kellog. When you are talking with Steve Potts you are talking to one of the founders of the mountain bike sport! From new to tradition, anyone who loves the beauty and feeling of stillness one of these bikes evokes should make the trip.

I had planned to go this year. A friend’s (Cookie) uncle has a place in Portland where we were going to crash. Dreams of deep and luminous paint. Ornate stainless steel lugs cradling Reynolds 953 tubing. Organic and invisible fillet-brazed joints.

They moved the show up by a month this year. I won't be going. So if you love these things, that is the place to be next month. Just be sure to bring me back a show guide.

Maintenance Class

2008-01-23T16:39:00.000-08:00

The annual Joyride Bikes maintenance course will be starting soon. This class will be offered on a first-come basis. The cost will be $175.00 and will include five nights of bicycle study (approximately 12 hours). We will take a bike of your choice and essentially have it stripped down to a bare frame. We will instruct and then assist you in performing a full overhaul on your ride. Bearings will be repacked, wheels will be trued and wheel theory discussed, frames and components will be inspected, cables replaced and adjusted – all by you with the assistance of mechanics with over 20 years of experience.

A syllabus will be provided and there will be plenty of time for questions and individual direction. I’ve done this before as an instructor for the University cycling course for several years and it’s always a good time. Tools will be available for purchase at a discount if desired. See you there!

One year down.

2008-01-10T16:36:00.000-08:00

So it's official; it has been one year and a few weeks that the new crew have been at it at Joyride Bikes. It has been an interesting year with the struggles to balance time, customer needs, trying to establish the standards we strive for in this new business, and balancing personal needs. There is never a shortage of work to do and people to help.

It’s not like it is all new to us though. I’ve been in the industry for 12 years now. I’ve had the chance to develop and hone skills as a mechanic, bike fitter, and as a salesperson who truly tries to listen to customers. I’ve been exposed to about every bike out there and have been a major factor in the success of numerous bike shops. I have also been able to work with and learn from some great individuals.

The advice and questions from many of you have been informative and encouraging – thanks for the contributions! We look forward to this year with many new and FUN plans in the works. So check back often and get out there – Spring is coming!