First 2010 AW Park Tool School

7 hour novice course, which will consist of two 4 hour sessions on consecutive Sundays (9am - 1pm) Topics covered include:

• Tool selection, shop set up and lubrication
• Wheels, tires and tubes
• Brakes adjustment and maintenance
• Derailleur adjustment

Sessions run from 9:00 AM - 1 PM on two consecutive Sundays. Class size is limited to 4 students. Cost is $125.00 +tax ($133.75, due at registration.)

Participants get the chance to learn by working on their own bicycle. Cost includes the Park Tool School Student Manual.

Offered:
January 31/February 7

Ride canceled

Sorry kids- the extra wet holiday week has led us to pull the plug on the Tuesday night mountain bike ride. We will hopefully see less precipitation in the coming days and New Year. Stay tuned to our shop email and Blog for current ride info.

2010 We The People Bikes...

...have arrived! Just in time for the holidays!

More rain

With an 80% chance of rain in the forecast, I really have no choice but to cancel the Sunday morning mountain bike rides. If it was warmer out, I might take a chance on it not being accurate and trying to get the rides in. But with the cold temps, no one will be happy if we are mid-ride and it starts to come down. Thanks for understanding.

Wind chill and woods rides

The "Feels Like" temperature is going to be about 20 degrees at 9am this morning, so we are canceling the Saturday morning road ride. Looks like it will be a bit warmer this afternoon, so get your to-do list done this morning and fit a ride in later today.

Join me in the woods at Brandywine tomorrow morning, on the dirt at 9am, for a 2 hour intermediate mountain ride. It's a little rocky and there is a lot of climbing. Find us by taking the Commodore Barry Bridge to 95S, to 495S, to the exit for Naaman's Rd. Rt 92W (right turn off the exit). Follow about 15 lights to Route 202 and turn left. Less than a mile down the road on the right is the Courtyard Marriott. We park all the way around back. It's about 30 minutes from Action Wheels.

Our beginner mountain bike ride is in the woods at Camden County College at 10am tomorrow morning. You can get a nice taste of mountain biking without the rocks and climbing. This group meets in the park right next to the Blackwood campus of the college. Rob is your group leader. For directions go to: http://www.camdencc.edu/campusdirections.htm

For more info, please call the shop 856.468.5115

Too much rain

The extra nasty weather has left me with no option but to cancel our Sunday morning beginner ride. Sorry kids, but we don't want to damage the trail system. The next ride is our Tuesday night mtn ride at CCC. Grab your lights and join Adam at 7p for a fun night ride!

Crying foul

Due to the wet ground and the prediction of foul weather all morning, the Saturday 9am road ride has been canceled. Looks like some sun in the forecast for tomorrow, so get your indoor errands done today and get out and play in the alleged sunshine on SUNday!

Remember that at the shop today, we are giving away a Specialized EMT Multi Tool (value $20) with any purchase over $30. Get there early as it is while supplies last. This was an email special so you have to mention the offer to get the deal. One per customer, blah, blah, blah.

If the skies are clear in the morning, the Sunday 10am beginner mountain ride will go off as scheduled at Camden County College. Call or stop by the shop today for details- ask for Rob. 856.468.5115

Extreme wind

The forecast for tomorrow is showing extreme winds and gusts that could prove to be pretty dangerous for us on the road. It is with safety in mind that we have made the decision to cancel the Saturday road ride. Join us Sunday morning at 9am at the Brandywine for an intermediate mountain bike ride with lots of climbing or at 10am at Camden County College for a wooded beginner ride.

The Brandywine ride meets in the Courtyard Marriott parking lot off from Rt202. The CCC ride meets in the back lot of the park that is just past CCC.

Clothing Special!

For a limited time buy any full price winter piece (jersey, tight or jacket) in stock and get any in-stock shorts for half off!

One down, one's a go

While the Brandywine ride is canceled due to wet trails, the CCC beginner mountain ride is ON at 10 am Sunday morning. Join Rob for some fun miles in the woods. Meet in the parking lot of the park just after Camden County College on Peter Cheeseman Rd. It's a guaranteed good time!!

Ride time change

The Saturday morning road ride starts at 9am as of this Saturday, November 7th.

Group rides

The weeknight rides will roll at 5pm both Monday and Thursday nights this week. This is the last week for the night road rides as we change the clocks this weekend.

Don't forget to join Adam at Camden County College on Tuesday nights at 7pm for a wooded night ride. This is a beginner/intermediate mountain bike ride that requires lights in addition to helmets, water, and flat fix kits.

The Saturday morning road ride will move to 9am starting the first weekend in November (the 7th). We meet in the shop parking lot for a 37 mile loop at either a B or C pace.

The Sunday morning beginner mountain bike ride will start this weekend (barring this crazy rainy weather). It's a 10am ride that meets in the park on Peter Cheeseman Road immediately after Camden Co College.

Call the shop for any further info about the rides. 856-468-5115

Thanks!

Ride cancellations

Both of the Sunday mountain bike rides have been canceled due to excessive rain. Cross your fingers for some sun this week, we hope to see you next weekend.

AW night ride

We're going to roll the Monday night ride right at 5:15 tonight. It will be a shortened loop, of course, to accommodate for the loss of daylight. The Thursday night ride will move to 5pm this week. Please be ready to go on time and have your blinkie light on your bike.

Today's ride, tonight's ride

The Monday night ride has been preempted by the morning holiday ride. So...there will not be an evening ride. Please join us on Thursday night at 5:15p for our next evening ride.

Thanks to all who came out to play this morning. We had a great turnout and a really nice 50 mile ride in moderately chilly temps. Everyone took a turn pulling the group as we cruised out to Parvin State Park and back. The next holiday ride will be Thanksgiving morning. Mark your calendar.

Join us this Sunday for the Covered Bridges Century at Tinnicum Park! We will gather near registration and roll out at 8am...

The Sunday mtn ride is canceled due to the fact that I can't be in two places at once. Thanks for understanding.

Game on

Hi Kids! We're going to give the Brandywine a shot this morning. Grab your bike and your gear and meet me at the Courtyard Marriott on Route 202. We roll at 9am.

Tomorrow morning, we are riding the holiday 50 mile loop for Columbus Day. This is a 9am ride that leaves from the bike shop. Bring plenty of water and energy food. See you there.

Weeknight rides

The Monday and Thursday night rides will still roll out at 5:30p this week. Distances will be shortened to accomodate the daylight (or lack thereof).

Finally- the Woods

We are going to head to the Brandywine this morning for a dirt ride. Looks like there might be a few mushy spots but that the conditions will be rideable. Meet us for a 9am start behind the Courtyard Marriott on Rte 202.

Ride totals- The Komen Ride to Vegas

For those who like numbers:

I rode 513 miles in 6 days
Burned 21,542 calories
Rode in 116 degree temps in Death Valley
Climbed almost 50,000 feet
Descended at 48, 50 and 55mph on 3 separate descents
Did my fastest century, riding 100 miles in just over 4 hrs- avg speed 24.5
Rode gradients of 16 and 18%
Rode at 8000 feet and was still breathing comfortably
Descended 4200 ft out of Yosemite covering 13 miles (passing a pick-up and a motorcycle) at 55mph

Things I learned:

The tarantulas crossed the road to get to the other side
There are coyotes on Mt Hamilton
Wine doesn't help when you can't sleep
A negative attitude breeds negative results
I feel the need for speed
I like to descend more than I like to climb and I LOVE to climb
After 500 miles on a bike, the saddle is less than comfy
You can share a tent with someone you don't know and have fun
You can dehydrate despite drinking 24 ounces every 15 minutes
People you don't know one day can save your butt the next
You don't have to fall just because you crossed wheels at 25mph
Sometimes taking a huge leap will be the best thing you could ever do

Thanks for all of your support!

Days 5 and 6 Komen ride to Vegas

We were up and on the road early to beat some of the afternoon heat in Death Valley. It was another 100 plus mile day and we ended up riding in 116 degree temps. There was one huge climb that took us up over 5000 feet. Luckily, the payback on the other side was another screaming descent. I love to climb but hadn't really gotten my legs here until Day 5. I felt great today and was finally able to settle in. Let me tell ya, 50 miles an hour on a bike...pretty darn cool.

Day 6 We were eating breakfast in the dark to get on the road early. Luckily the heat never got to yesterdays extreme highs. Though we were told 134 isn't uncommon. We completed our last leg to the Interbike Dirt Demo at about 2pm today. The crowds were huge and of course the champagne was flowing.

This was a major undertaking for me. I want to thank Mike Sinyard and all of the wonderful folks at Specialized for making this adventure possible. Also, thanks to everyone on the ride and back home for all of your encouragement. I couldn't have done this without you. A special thanks to Dan, for dragging and pushing me back in the many times I fell off. Kisses to the ChickTrain for all their hard work and determination and to Rachel for keeping us strong mentally when I just wanted to get off my bike. I made many new friends and found a toughness inside that I had no idea was there. What a week. I'm sorry it's over but I can't imagine having to get back in the saddle today!

Total distance that I rode: 513 miles in 6 days