Meet Paul

Meet Paul, manager of our Berea store and co-organizer of our racing team, 765 Racing. We did a 

Q & A with Paul so you could get to know a little bit more about the team and one of our cyclo-cross and fat bike enthusiast co-workers.

Bikes you ride: 

"I race more cross and that is often single speed, so mostly on my Independent Fabrication or my Spot Carbon Belt drive. It depends on the gearing I have set up and if I want disc or cantis [brakes]. For mountain biking, depends. If it’s a long race then I’ll race on my Moots Smoothie. If it’s a short race, then my Scott Scale."

Tell me what 765 racing is? 

"I think 765 has changed since we first started planning the team. What it is now, is a group of cyclists that are like minded, where we are not worrying about placing up; but supporting each other in the sport that we love. We want to grow cycling in all forms and bring more attention to the great companies that support us like Nooma & Mountain Road Cycles. We want to grow cycling in the Cleveland area."

Favorite local races: NEOCycle, Kirtland Park, and Brooklyn cyclo-cross races.

Race Day Routine? 

With my life, I like to be at the venue about 45 minutes before the start, so I plan my morning around that. Have some coffee, and get some food in. A good bowl of oatmeal is ideal for me. If that doesn’t happen, a banana and a cereal bar on the way to the race works as well. For cyclo-cross, I’d like to get a lap in before the race; if not, then just riding around the parking lot, something to get the legs moving and the blood flowing.

Best advice for someone who wants to get into racing?  

"For cross, I’d say go to a race and watch one or two and maybe start talking to people, like the guys from 765. That way you can get an idea (although vague as that idea will be, because it’s cross) of what it’s all about, and try one out. For the most part, there is no pressure in cross racing. So it’s all about going out and enjoying your self, and putting yourself through some punishment. Cross is a very welcoming venue, so it’s very accepting when new people show up that have a passion for this kind of racing. Show up with a good attitude and ready to have some fun, and while you’re at it - don’t be afraid to grab a hand-up or two; it’s a quick way to make friends."

Favorite training day?

"With the craziness of my life, I don’t have a 'plan.' I just ride my bike as much as possible; but when I do go out with a 'plan,' one of the best things that I have found is to get out and do hill repeats. I’ll leave my house and hit has many hills in my area as possible and do repeats on some of them. I have found, for myself, this is the best way to get some 'training' in. My goal isn’t to get to the top as quickly as possible, but to down shift (better yet, take out the single speed) and make climbing harder. Another thing I really like to do, is to take my cross bike on a mountain bike trail - I’ve been doing this for years. (Long before the kids thought it was cool.) Again, if I can make my riding harder, then I will be more ready for races, and this is how and where you build your skill."

Have other questions for Paul? Contact him at paul@mtnroadcycles.com

Up and Coming Events and Promotions

As the season continues to roll on, here's a compiled list of upcoming events we have going on at our various locations.

-Father's Day Special: stop in any of our locations for a $25 gift card with the purchase of any bike from now until Sunday the 21st.

-Slow Roll Road Bike Social Tuesday, June 23rd at 6 p.m.

 

 -Women's Night. Size Matters: saddles, shoes, stems.  

Our 2nd women and wine night at the Chardon location. Join Rose and Melissa for your questions about fit, whether that be clothing or the reach on your bike.
Women get 20% off accessories and nutrition!

-Prep for the 4th of July parade in Chagrin Falls from 4-6 p.m. at the Chagrin location. 

-Jacob English's, the owner of Mountain Road Cycles, band Way of Life is performing at the Cleveland Velodrome, July 24th at the Friday night races.

The Rove thus far....

I first met the Rove at Kona’s 2013 product launch in Bellingham WA. What drew me to this bike were four things; 1) steel 2) disc brakes 3) the geometry 4) the tire width that it could handle.

At this time, I was looking for a cross style bike that was all of these things. It’s like the fine folks at Kona were reading my mind (enter in spooky music). So after I got myself checked out for a chip in my head, and got over my paranoid delusions (or are they?) I took a test ride on the Rove at the demo and immediately fell for this bike.

Why did the four for mentioned things intrigue me? Well; I am one of “steel is real” kind of guys. I’m picking steel if I have a choice. I love the feel and how it responds. Disc brakes for stopping power. There’s a reason why the motto for canti’s is “can’t stop, won’t stop”, because they don’t. Canti’s are great for racing cross, because you don’t want to stop; but not when you’re commuting. The geometry is that of a gravel grinder bike.  The handling was just what I was looking for. It was quick and responsive, yet stable and predictable. Finally some big fat tires that would still take a fender.

I received my Rove at the end of February 2013. I threw some fenders on it, and a Portland Design rack on it right away. The Rove has become a staple in my quiver. One of my go to bikes. I use it mostly for commuting and exploring. There are times that my commute asks more of me than just getting to work. There are times that that dirt path calls me, or the gravel road, or the brick road. The Rove is all up for whatever I throw at it.

The Kona Rove has not only gotten me through many, many miles of commuting and exploring (though all weather conditions, summer & winter with studs on); it has also helped me get through a few Cleveland Cobbles, and one Funk Bottoms Gravel Race (Ohio’s toughest Gravel Race. If you are not familiar with it…look it up, or click -- http://funkbottomsgravel.blogspot.com/   ), and it will help me this year at the race as well.

I have had zero issues with this bike. With all that I put it through, I take really good care of it; especially in the winter. Keep the frame and drivetrain clean of the harshness of winter. I’ve had to change a chain or two and some cables, but that’s really it.

Kona did an amazing job with the design and set up for the Rove, this is a bike I will not be parting with any time soon. Kona meant this bike to be the “do all machine”, from commuting, gravel grinding, and even to cross; and they have achieved that with this bike. Check out one of Kona’s videos here: https://vimeo.com/77090243

And if the Rove is a bit out of your price range; they make the Big Rove & Rove Al that is a little friendlier to your wallet. Found here: http://konaworld.com/freerange_rd.cfm

Thanks, and enjoy the journey.