looking for a gear...

calculator? well if you have an iphone or ipod touch, then check out this little app for such a device.

need to calculate your gear inches, gear ratios and the like; on the go? well, then you are set.

or to examine your 'skid patches' on your fixed gear bike?

almost makes me want to pick up an ipod touch or iphone.

amitabha...

Handmade Bike Show is Coming!

The 5th annual North American Handmade Bike show is coming to Indianapolis Feb 27th-Mar 1st! Normally way on the west coast, this is amazing opportunity to see handmade works of bicycle art just a few hours away. Above you can see last years prototype Co-mootour, now available from Moots. Just take a look at this gallery from Cycling News and you will realize the endless possibilities of the bicycle. Art and function combined together. Most of these builders are making these bikes right here in the USA. Some have state of the art facilities, some have jigs in there garage. So you want a handmade bike? Do you want the frame to be made of Wood, Steel, Titanium, Aluminum, Bamboo or Carbon? Do you want your Steel frame with lugs? Horizontal drop outs with and eccentric Bottom Bracket? Belt Drive or Chain? Handmade racks built into the frame? 700c, 650b, 29", 29-26 combo(96er), or 26" wheel size. Would you like a matching stem? Go to the Show and find out. You will see us there.

clothing...

is the most important accessory that a cyclist is able to have.

a couple of days ago a friend of mine was asking what kind of clothing he needed to ride in cold weather. i pointed some essentials out to him; some he had, others he needed. this is the inspiration for this post.

in cleveland, you are able to ride all year round; regardless of weather. of course there are a few days that are un-ridable, but other than that...you're good to go. with the proper clothing, you won't notice how cold it really is. i've spent years building my clothing collection. now, during the summer it is easy...jersey, shorts, gloves (or not); done. winter is another beast.

there are many options out there; for many weather conditions. you don't want to be too hot, or too cold. some essentials would be; a base layer, good tights, wool/cold weather jersey, jacket (and not one of those 'wind jackets'), and don't forget a good pair of socks. and if you feel you need them...winter shoes.

personally; i have about three base layers, three different pairs of gloves, four different styles of wool jerseys (not to mention my heavier cold weather jerseys), one winter jacket, many other jackets, bibs, knickers, tights, shoe covers, winter shoes, and a ton of socks.

granted; this is all over a course of many years, but it has become a wise investment in my riding during the winter, and cold days. so the only thing that is able to hold me back is...me.

amitabha...

Slash Rides a Redline

I found this old video of Slash from Gn'R riding a Redline Bmx (the bike is looks to be from 83 or 84) around a sound check. You'll have to get though the Gap ad first. I can see how Jack Daniels, BMX bikes and rock stars can mix well. It's a little long, but watch to the end cause the 180's on the stage ramps are sweet! Be for warned for bad language. Years ago I met Slash at a show and the only thing I had on my for him to sign was a business card. He looked at the card and said "like regular bikes? I love bikes!"

Snow on the ground?

With the snow falling around Northeastern Ohio we start to thinking of future and past cycling trips. As you've seen on the MRC site every year a group of us head to Slaty Fork/Snowshoe WV. However as I think back to all the other places my tires have touched. For a couple years we took a break from W. V. to head to Tsali North Carolina. Where as W.V. has roots, rocks, bike climbs, downhill/freeride and back country, Tsali was fast flowing hardpack and Eastern Slick rock. Think a Really big West Branch with a granite Moab down the road. They even have a bike wash and the trails are shared with horses. One day the the horses use trail A and B and Mtb's use C and D. The next day it switches. What a concept?? Then theres all the after Interbike trips. Go hit Vegas for a few day then drive to the Mecca that is Moab or down to Flagstaff and Sedona. The Bell Rock Trial offers great hiking and riding. What about the Laurel Highlands in Western PA. Only 3 hours away. Check out the Frank Loydd Wright Houses then ride the Allegheny Trail or the great road riding around there. A few of us have been talking about doing the whole Pittsburgh to D.C. thing next year. Need warmth? Rent a beach cruiser in the Florida Key's and see how many islands you can hit (one rumrunner per island). One of the best parts of this job is listening to customers tell their cycling stories and responding about our own. I love hearing (and getting postcard/pics) about them riding the Tour Routes or their latest Backroads adventure. The point is get out and experience new rides, come in and talk about it in January when there is 3 feet of snow. It will make next season or that hour on the Trainer dreaming about it that much better. Just think there are people planning a bike trip to Cleveland to ride Rays right now

New Ink for the arms??

This is sure to keep you entertained!

Just click and drag parts and you to can create your own trichopperaerobmxfreeridekidstrack bike.

To some... an obsession...to others .... a way of life..... to us just a ride around the block. Every ride can be just a ride around the block...around the block in the woods, in another state, another country....Kenny's good for that. It is and should be that simple. So happy trails, road, grass, and whatever else may bite you.

What Happens at Pool Day Stays at Pool Day.

Three days of Interbike (the bike industries huge trade show in Vegas) make you very hot and thirsty! Russ, Ben, Nick, Jacob. The Mirage Pool.

The 2009 Kona Shonky Park Bike

The 2009 Kona Shonky park bike. Just the bike you want to
take to Ray's Mountain Bike Park. Instock now!

MRC Team at Chagrin River Cyclocross