Christmas Eve Fun...

by paul ▫ Dec 23 ▫

We will be open on Christmas Eve from 10am until 2pm. The delivery of cookies and milk are always encouraged.

Something big...

by paul ▫ Dec 22 ▫

...is on the way. I am excited and you should be too. There will be a groundbreaking announcement sometime in the next two weeks so stay alert!

King of Traction is King of COOL!

by paul ▫ Dec 10 ▫

I have a tire fetish. I am certain of it. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a wall full of tires. Skinny ones, fat ones, knobby ones, smooth ones, and even ones in weird colors. I am still talking about tires here so get your mind out of the gutter…

Being as we live in Charlottesville, Virginia and it is currently fall, the mountain bike trails are in their most challenging condition of the year. The wet, leafy single-track is the perfect environment for slippage and slideage. We, at the shop, have become weary of having our mountain riding limited by this season’s terrain. Thanks to hours of research driven by a little bit of insanity, we have uncovered the ultimate weapon: The Kenda King of Traction.

Since they have arrived at the shop, these tires have been compared to football cleats, the tail of a Stegosaurus, and a gumdrop lined rubber tube…all reasonable similes.

The bottom line is that we have these tires in stock so come try ‘em out!

Nutrition Avalanche!

by paul ▫ Dec 9 ▫

In keeping with the spirit of the cold, I have officially primed the shop for a nutrition avalanche. Some background; We recently decided to go “all in” on the nutrition side of our shop. New shelving was erected, taking up an entire wall. So what do you do with tons of new shelving and empty space? Fill it in, of course! In keeping with my “more is always better” mantra, I have created The Great Wall of nutritional products at the front of the store. In fact, I actually had to have Chris reinforce the grid wall with new metal fasteners every two inches in an effort to support my excess.

We now have everything. And I mean EVERYTHING, in the way of nutrition. Gels, gummy things, bars, snacks, recovery beverages, and electrolyte drinks now sit perched on a wall ever begging for, “mercy”. I will give it none. In fact, if there is something you desire and can’t find at our shop (barring the ever ridiculed Honey Stinger and Cheer Pack) I will be happy to call you an ingrate and fully encourage you to, “open your own store if you feel ours is inadequate”.

Now your task is: Come and buy nutrition stuff before we actually do experience a catastrophic display failure. Every ounce helps!

Paul's Review of the GIANT TCR Advanced 3

by paul ▫ Dec 5 ▫

After a painful re-introduction into the world of road biking I have decided: 1) I have lost a great deal of hip and lower back flexibility from a year of exclusively riding mountain and commuter bikes, 2) Nothing, not even four hours of mountain biking on O-hill, can do a number on your undercarriage like a road bike, 3) Road bikes make you go too fast in the wintertime and you get cold. I hate the cold, 4) I really hate the cold.

Pros and Cons of the new demo road bike:

Pros
-The bike is extremely stiff.
-The full Shimano 105 group shifts like butter
-Quick handling for those who like a snappy bike
-Aero tubing is cool…

Cons
-The bike comes stock with THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE SADDLE I HAVE EVER SAT ON. This saddle lifts and separates by effectively being narrow enough to slide right up in between the sit bones and do as much soft tissue damage as possible.
-The bike’s handling can be mistaken as “twitchy”. Getting up out of the saddle requires a great deal of control on the front end of the bike so as not to lose control entirely.
-The gearing set-up for around here is unpleasant, to say the least. The standard crank with an 11-25 rear cassette is a far cry from my compact and 12-26 on my old Roubaix.