Another ride canceled

Our extremely wet weather has forced me to cancel yet another mountain ride at GCC. The trails woud be less safe and we risk the chance of doing permanent damage to the trail system by riding them when they are so muddy. Remember the IMBA rule of the trail "Leave No Trace". Thanks and I hope to see you next weekend for the monthly beginner ride.

Trail repair instead of mountain ride 12/23

At Gloucester County College, the recent rain and wind storms have downed a lot of trees both large and small. Since the trails are not in good condition, we're going to try to clean them up a bit instead of riding this Sunday 12/23. Grab your work gloves, anything that can trim back branches and a rake or two and join us for some clean up in the woods. Hope to see you at 9am in the parking lot by the tennis courts.

Ride cancellation

Due to inclement weather, we are cancelling the Saturday and Sunday rides this weekend. Both the road and the woods will be a mess to ride in these conditions. See you Monday night at 6pm at the shop for our clinic on Core Workouts and Stability Training.

The Transition Has Arrived!

One of the most anticipated bikes of 2008 has arrived at Action Wheels...the all new Specialized S-Works Transition. Be sure to check it out at the shop...and if you've been thinking about one, don't wait too long...these guys are in very short supply!

Mountain ride

Due to the "wintry mix" that is falling from the sky this morning, I am canceling the beginner's mountain clinic at Gloucester County College. Next weekend, it will be a regular ride - intermediate level - at 9am at GCC. The beginner's clinics will be the first Sunday of every month and all others will be intermediate rides.

Remember to wish Ronny a Happy 50th Birthday when you see him since we won't be riding with him on his birthday.

Custom name decals...

We bought a vinyl cutter and have decided to offer custom decals for your bicycle. Lots of riders, including quite a few pros, have their name on the top tube of their bike. For $15, you can purchase two rub-on decals sized to fit your frame with choice of font and color. (6 font choices, 6 vinyl color choices.)

Stop by the shop to check out the menu of offerings and sign up to personalize your steed.

Thanksgiving Day Ride!

Earn your turkey

Meet us at the bike shop on Thanksgiving Day at 9am for a 40 mile road ride. Looks like the temperature may cooperate but remember, if it is raining, we cancel.

D Ride canceled for Saturday Morning

Our ride leader is under the weather so we are canceling this Saturday's D ride. Thank you for your understanding.

Seeing Red...

The second of our 2008 SRAM Red equipped bikes have arrived...be sure to check out the new S-Works Tarmac SL2 the next time you are in the shop. It looks so fast it's almost scary...

Gonna try to ride

The radar is showing no rain over our area and it's dry here in Mantua (about 1 1/2 miles from the shop). We'll give it a go and see what happens. I will be riding with my fender, though!!!

New Saturday ride times

All Saturday morning rides are changing start times this weekend. The 37 mile B and C rides will now roll at 9am and the 22 mile D ride will go to 10am.

Rides cancelled for Saturday

At 7am there was precipitation and the winds are gusting up to 25 mph, so we have cancelled the rides for today just to be safe. So far, tomorrows mountain bike ride will go on as scheduled. Next weeks Saturday ride moves to 9am.

Clothing sale!

We have some great cool weather jackets and vests on sale now...the fall weather is finally arriving so be prepared!

ALSO, we are clearing out this seasons warm weather jerseys, BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE! (Sleeveless and short sleeved jerseys only, in stock only, jersey of lesser value is free.) Offer valid through 11/11.

2008 Orbeas...

...are arriving! Including the new red color of the Orca, and the new RED group from SRAM. Be sure to check them out the next time you visit!

Rides Canceled Saturday and Sunday

All weekend rides, road and mountain, have been canceled due to rain. Please join us Monday/Thursday night on the road at 4:45p, Saturday at 8a (we go to 9a after DST ends) and Sunday in the woods at 9a next week.

No rain in Spain

Join us Monday night at 6:30p for an informational meeting about our 2008 trip to Girona Spain. Hear accounts of last years trip and start planning early for next April.

Rained out 10/25

There is wet stuff falling from the grey skies. In the interest of safety, we have canceled the evening ride. Join us Saturday morning at 8a or Monday/Thursday next week at 4:45p for the last two weeknight rides.

Stumpjumper 29ers are arriving!

Specialized has always made some of the sweetest hardtails...the ante has been upped with the new Stumpjumper Comp 29ers...and we've got 17's, 18's and 19's in stock. (These guys are hard to come by!)

For the ultimate, check out the new Stumpjumper FSR Expert 29er. (Large now in stock.)

Hot new lights from Knog...

Don't let the darkness keep you from riding!

There are a few local road and mountain night rides and lights are, of course, a must...

Check out these new lights from Knog...slim, easy mount batteries, quick charge times, long run times and bright LED light output.

Easily mounted (and removed) from just about any size handlebar.

Cool weather gear is here...

We have an excellent selection of cool/cold weather riding gear from Specialized, Pearl Izumi and Bellwether. (The Specialized and Bellwether stuff looks especially nice this year...great styles, features and value.)

Check 'em out your next time in and see how easy it is to ride 12 months of the year!

Park Tool School at AW in '08...

The first two Beginner Park Tool Schools of 2008 have hit the schedule. Each class will meet on 2 consecutive Tues evenings. Each class limted to 4 participants, so click the link now for more info and to reserve your spot!

Sunday Morning Mtn Bike Ride @ GCC

Meet us each Sunday morning at 9 AM for a beginner to intermediate level mountain bike ride at Gloucester County College.

Meet in the parking lots by the tennis courts.

(Specialized FSR Test Bikes can be reserved and picked up Saturday at the shop.)

Helmet, flat fix kit and water required.

Call 856-468-5115 for more info.

Monday and Thursday ride time change...

Beginning October 22nd, the Monday Night and Thursday Night Road Rides will move back to 5 PM start times.

We will try to get in as close to 20 miles as daylight will allow.

More FSR Demo Bikes Arriving!

Each day seems to bring in more '08 FSR demo bikes...if you are even thinking of a new moutain bike you owe it to yourself to give a Specialized FSR a try.

We have FSR XC Experts, Stumpjumper FSR Experts, Enduro SL Experts and Women's Safire Experts avaialable for you to try out on the local trails.

Call or stop by today to reserve one. (Deposit required.)

9.20.07 New weeknight ride times

The Monday and Thursday night rides will go to a 5:45p start time as of Monday, September 24th.

Ride time starts...

Ride time starts remain the same (6 PM on Mon and Thurs) but distances are dropping to 17-20 miles due to less daylight. Saturday start time also remains 8 AM.

Labor Day...

AW will be closed Monday September 3rd to celebrate Labor Day...but we'll be riding!

Leaving at 8AM from the shop for a roughly 60 mile B pace ride. (16-18 mph average) Bring plenty of fluids and food! (Flat fix kit and helmets required.)

Hot Wheels!

Next time you are in the shop, be sure to check out the new Roval Rapide Star carbon clincher wheels...they are sweet and fast!

We have several Roval models that you can demo on your own ride...if you are considering a wheel upgrade you should definitely give a set of Rovals a try!

08 Demo Bikes...

...are arriving!

Check out the new Specialized Womens Safire Expert and FSR XC Expert on a trail near you today. (Call or stop by the shop to set up an appointment or for more info. 856-468-5115)

08 Rockhopper 29'ers...

...have arrived. Stop by and check out the Rockhopper Disc 29er ($830) and the Rockhopper Comp Disc 29er ($1050.)

2007 Demo Bike Sale

Hey all, we have a couple of '07 Specialized FSR Demo Bikes available for purchase; first come, first served.

Stumpjumper FSR Expert, Large, regular retail $3300, only $1600. Very Good Condition.

SOLD! Womens Stumpjumper FSR Expert, Medium, regular retail $3300, only $1600. Excellent condition.

A cool new ride hits the floor...

The new Specialized Langster Seattle is in! Seldom does the arrival of a bike this inexepensive make everyone in the shop drop what they are doing to take a look...if you like bikes, you'll want one...cool ano green coffee holder and woodgrain fenders included!

As the fine folks at Specialized put it: "Fixed or freewheel? Commuting or velodrome? Transportation or entertainment? With the Langster, one bike can do it all. Sometimes, one speed is all you need. Simple, pure & uncluttered. Push down, go forward, and the routine route from Point A to Point B becomes its own adventure.
In Seattle trim, the Langster is emerald green--in honor of the Emerald City, of course--and features requisite fenders for a place where it's been known to rain every now & then. "

Time Flies When You're Having Fun....

HELP US CELEBRATE - YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED to attend our 30th Anniversary Bash at the shop on Monday, August 13th from 7-9pm. We will be toasting with Victory beer and eating slices of pizza and cake in celebration. Please stop in to reminisce or join us on the 6pm ride and stay after for some celebrating.

Holiday ride

The 4th of July 50 miler has been canceled due to rain. Sorry kids. Have a great holiday and don't forget the Tour de France starts on Saturday!

Cool QR rant

Check out this hilarious rant about the proposed ban on quick releases in NJ.

Monday Night Ride is Cancelled...

...due to loud thunder! (and lightning and rain...)

Seeya Thursday night.

Specialized Demo Day Is Coming!

This Thursday, June 7th from Noon to 7-ish...the Specialized Demo Trailer will be at the shop...this is your chance to ride some of the hottest bikes on the planet before you buy!

S-Works Tarmacs, S-Works Roubaixs, S-Work Epics, S-Works Stumpjumpers, S-Works Enduro SLs, TriCross Experts, Ruby Experts and more!

Want to reserve a bike at a particular time? Call 856-468-5115 or email patty@actionwheels.com

See ya Thursday!

Tuesday Night D Ride...

...begins this Tuesday, June 5th at 6:30 PM. Leaves from the AW parking lot. Helmet, water and flat fix kit required.

Lasts for about an hour, 10-13 mph average speed along a low-traffic route.

Great for beginners, or those just looking for a little slower pace!

Summer Merlin Sale!

To celebrate the arrival of summer (I know, I know, it's not here yet,) we're offering huge (HUGE) savings on all in-stock Merlins:

Cielo, 55cm, w/Dura Ace; Original Price: $5800, now only $3900

Cyrene, 55cm w/Dura Ace Mix; Original Price: $4800, now only $3500

Cyrene, 54 cm w/105 10 speed, Original Price: $3900, now only $2500 !!

Solis, Medium, w/Ultegra 10; Original Price: $4335, now only $3300

TR 3/2.5, 55cm w/Ultegra 10; Original Price: $3900, now only $2900 !!

CR 3/2.5, Medium, w/Ultegra 10; Original Price: $3900, now only $2900 !!

Sale is limited to stock on hand, first come, first served...

Ride of Silence

The Ride of Silence has been canceled due to thunderstorms and extreme winds.

Thursday Night Ride...

...rolls out at 6 PM!

Spring Cleaning BLOWOUTS!

My-oh-my, what you find when you clean...the following deals are available on a first come, first served basis. All items are new.

Shimano XTR M-966 Hydraulic Brake/Shifter combo, with cables. Originally $378, now $280

DT Front 340 Centerlock Disc hub, 32h, Originally $120, now $77

Niterider Storm HID light set, originally $399, now $232

Look Carbon Crankset, ISIS mount, 172.5, 53/39t; originally $550, now $266

Demos, demos, demos...

Lotsa fun schtuff for you to demo before you buy:

Orbea Lanza 29er (http://actionwheels.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=3992) Available in 17 and 19"

Specialized FSR XC Pro (http://actionwheels.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=3532)

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert Womens (http://actionwheels.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=3993)

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert (http://actionwheels.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=3994)

Roval Wheels; Fusee Stars, Fusees and Pave SL's...(http://actionwheels.com/page.cfm?pageId=431)

Saturday ride

It's sunny and 55 degrees. We roll.

Tales from Spain

Our last ride on Friday was a 90 miler and considered to be Eurocycler's most scenic route. There was a moderate amount of climbing and, as always, stunning views that even after a week we still cannot believe. The weather all week was incredible. Mid-seventies and sunny so much that repeated use of sunscreen was required. We were lucky to not have rain or bad winds to hinder our riding adventures. Everyone was glad to be getting off their saddles after 5 days, almost 350 miles, 10,000 feet plus of elevation and more than 11,000 calories burned.

The few glitches aside (a missed flight and Dave never receiving his luggage, it's seems that it may be in Grenada), the group finished with flying colors and plans to return in 2008.

Many thanks to the folks at Eurocycler for a true cycling training camp/vacation. The guides- Dan, Amir, Olaf and Richard were wonderful, informative, tolerant and fun. Photographers/logistics specialists Andrea and Eddie were on top of things all week and hiding in the bushes to capture some great candid photos of our gang. To the non-English speaking, water providing SAG drivers, we say "danke". We were always grateful to turn a corner and see them waiting to refill our bottles.

If you love to ride your bike and want a truly international, incredible cycling experience, start planning now to join us next April.

Spain Update...

More news from Patty in Spain:

"Another great ride today - we did 65 miles with quite a bit of climbing. The weather is beautiful and the scenery is not to be believed!

Our last day is tomorrow; we set out on a 91 mile adventure that the guides consider their most scenic route. Can't wait!"

Thursday Night Ride...

Thursday Night Ride is a go at 6 PM!

Rest Day...

More news from Patty in Spain:

"Today we relaxed, no time on the bike.

Our group split into two; some went to the Dali Museum, others to downtown Tossa de Mar for lunch and shopping, returning home by glass bottom boat.

We are now preparing for tomorrow's 60 mile adventure..."

Updates from Spain...Click for Video of Tuesdays ride!

Thanks to the wonders of modern communication we have some almost up to the minute updates from Patty at the EuroCycler training camp in lovely Gerona, Spain:

"Our long awaited journey to Spain has begun! After long lines and a hectic day of travel, we arrived at Club-Hotel Giverola, Tossa de Mar, Costa Brava, Espagne...We are thrilled to be here, but nervous with anticipation.

This resort is exclusively for athletes in training. There are people here from all over the world.

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner and settled into our apartments. We look forward to our first ride tomorrow. (Sunday)

Sunday. The 'Prologue' was 41 miles and a chance for us to get our feet wet in the mountains of Spain. The coaches use this day to assess rider abilities for future rides. We all had a great day and are all so excited that we talked over dinner about returning next year...

The scenery is unbelievable, the climbing is intense, and the weather is mid-70's and sunny!

Monday. We had another picture-perfect day - our 49 mile ride included 4000 feet of climbing. A much more difficult day and we all finished smiling.

Tuesday. They broke us into smaller groups today, as the length of the ride was 90 miles and they wanted to control the pace. That mileage at home wouldn't have been so daunting but in the mountains of Spain it took 6 hours to complete! We worked together, making sure that each of us stayed hydrated, fed and properly motivated.

It is an amazing revelation to find that drivers in Spain regard cyclists as equals on the road, even yielding to them in roundabouts and on mountain passes!

All the people here are wonderful, and all of the EuroCycler folks are very helpful and knowledgeable.

Tomorrow (Wed) is a rest day, and we are all looking forward to not being in the saddle."

Click on the post heading above to check out some video from Tuesdays ride...

Monday Night Ride Cancelled...

...Due to high winds and rain there will be no Monday Night Ride...seeya Thursday!

Cannondale 2007 SI Carbon Crank Recall...

Cannondale is recalling 2007 and newer road and mountain System Integrated 2-piece cranks (see examples below). The aluminum spindle of these cranks was incorrectly heat treated during the manufacturing process, which can lead to crankset failure. Cannondale has had no reports of injuries.

You can call Cannondale at 1-800-245-3872 for more information.

Included Bicycles and Included Framesets
2007 Six13 Team 1, compact and standard drive
Synapse SL SI
2007 Six13 Team 3, compact and standard drive
System 6 Team SI
2007 Synapse Carbon SL1, compact drive
CAAD9 Cyclocross SI
2007 Cyclocross CAAD9 SI1, compact drive
(All Carbon SI Cranksets)
2007 Ironman Six13 Slice 1, Carbon SI standard drive
2007 Taurine Carbon 1
2007 Rush Carbon 2
2008 System 6 Liquigas 3, compact and standard drive

Kurt Vonnegut has died...

Nothing to do with bikes, but...I have been lucky enough to stumble across a few authors whose ideas and art have changed the way I see the world, and there are few things to rival that feeling...

Many were already dead when I discovered them...Gabriel Marcel, Soren Kierkegaard, Jack Kerouac, Bertrand Russell, Ezra Pound...

Some were still alive, like Hunter Thompson and, especially, Kurt Vonnegut.

When the author is living you hold out the selfish hope that more is coming...one more book, one more essay...

Now it is time to be thankful for the words that we already have. For those who may be unfamiliar with his work I humbly offer these suggestions:

Welcome To The Monkey House
Breakfast of Champions
Slaughterhouse Five
Fates Worse Than Death
A Man Without a Country

"1492. As children we were taught to memorize this year with pride and joy as the year people began living full and imaginative lives on the continent of North America. Actually, people had been living full and imaginative lives on the continent of North America for hundreds of years before that. 1492 was simply the year sea pirates began to rob, cheat, and kill them."

Kurt Vonnegut, Breakfast of Champions
US novelist (1922 - 2007)

Yes it's cold...

...but the Saturday ride is on. (@8AM)

Saturday ride time...

...is now 8 AM.

Welcome...

OK-now we have something in common with Arianna Huffington and Andrew Sullivan...a blog. (Woo and hoo!)

This is the place to check for info on upcoming shop rides...any schedule changes, cancellations or last minute additions will be listed here first.

We'll also feature info and pics on some of the latest and greatest goodies that comes our way, some web-only specials, and all the local cycling gossip that's fit to print...