August 18, 2016
At the beginning of the race season, enthusiasm and energy is high! About the mid-season point, accumulated season fatigue catches up with most racers. Recovery rate from workouts and from races slows down and finally, by the end of the season, some find their motivation waning. As the racing season seems to be getting longer and longer, what are the ways to maintain motivation and also – capture added gains towards next year’s goals? Keep riding, of course!
Previously, we blogged about how to finish the season strong and suggested bucket list rides through August of 2016. Now that the road and mountain bike cycling season is nearing its end, it’s time to rally! Dig deep! Celebrate the end of the season with a final push. Then, make the transition to the fall season having no regrets.
The key to late season racing and bike events is really to have fun! Earlier in the season, the focus is on improving fitness or achieving goals. Now is the time to enjoy the gains of your hard work. With fitness levels high, late season bike events offer a chance to experiment with race strategies and new cycling accessories. If experimentation isn’t your thing, then at least replace worn out bike parts or catch deals on bike close outs, bike parts and components. Having a fun, relaxed attitude combined with a celebratory bike event is a great way to finish your season. Here are the bike races and events on tap through October, 2016.
Road Bike Races and Events in Colorado
Mountain Bike Races and Events in Colorado
- September 2-4. 2016 – Yeti Cycles Big Mountain Enduro, Crested Butte, enduro
- September 3, 2016 – Ring the Peak, Manitou Springs, endurance
- September 4, 2016 – Grand Traverse Mountain Bike Race, Aspen-Crested Butte
- September 4, 2016 The Fall Classic XC Breckenridge
- September 9-11, 2016 – Vail Outlier Offroad Festival, Vail, XC, enduro
- September 10-11, 2016 – Vapor Trail 125, Salida 125mi, (night MTB)
- September 15-18, 2016 – Salida Bike Fest, Salida, MTB, 4-days
- September 17, 2016 – Banana Belt Mountain Bike Race, Salida, XC
- September 17, 2016 – Golden Giddy Up, Golden, Festival, MTB, enduro
- September 17-18, 2016 – Todd & Ned’s Durango Dirt Fondo, Durango, 30/50mi, 2-days
- September 18, 2016 – Monarch Crest Crank, Salida, 25mi, MTB
- September 24, 2016 – Rico 50/100, Rico, endurance
- September 24, 2016 – Cougar Slayer, Blackhawk, endurance
- October 1, 2016 – Dolores 100/50, Dolores, endurance)
- October 1, 2016 – 12 Hours of Peaceful Valley, Elbert, endurance
- October 1, 2016 – Pedal 50, Monument, 55mi, gravel *free
- October 8, 2016 – 12 Hours of Penitence, Penitente Canyon, San Luis Valley 12-hr (MTB)
Late season races should be fun. If you love what you are doing and are having fun with it, then you are setting yourself up for more good stuff to come in the following season…or cyclocross! Stay tuned for our cyclocross post by following us on Twitter and connecting on Facebook.
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Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 12 Hours of Peaceful Valley, 12 Hours of Penitence, Banana Belt Mountain Bike Race, bike parts, bike parts and components, Bikes and Brew, Cougar Slayer, cycling accessories, Dolores 100/50, Golden Giddy Up, Grand Traverse Mountain Bike Race, ICON Tour of the Moon, Monarch Crest Crank, Pedal 50, Pedal the Plains, Rico 50/100, Ride for Success, Salida Bike Fest, Steamboat Springs Stage Race, The Fall Classic, Todd & Ned's Durango Dirt Fondo, Vail Outlier Offroad Festival, Vapor Trail 125, West Elk Bicycle Classic, Yeti Cycles Big Mountain Enduro | 
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Posted by staffwriter8
August 11, 2016
Training Consistency is Key for Podium Performances
The Rio 2016 Olympic Games kicked off this past weekend and already the mens’ and women’s road races and time trial medal winners have captured the heart’s of cycling fans. Watching the Olympic performances can inspire you to get slimmer, faster, and stronger. More so, you can find inspiration in the Olympics to take your health and fitness goals to new heights. Here’s what Olympic cyclists are doing that you can too.
Olympic cyclists take nutrition seriously – on and off the bike. Many cyclist have different preferences as to how they prefer to get their fuel while riding – whether that is in nutrition bars, gels, and liquids. Regardless, Olympic cyclist dial in their race day nutrition needs and execute their strategy accordingly.
Olympic cyclists train with power and heart rate. Some mistakingly think that technology takes away the “riding experience” or that it is too costly for their level of riding. However, times have changed and power meters are much more affordable. They offer objective bio feedback to help you perform your best. Our most popular are Stages Power Meters beginning at $1000. Stages Power meter is the lightest, smallest, most technologically advanced unit available today. Another option is the Pioneer Power Meter offered at $2000 and is a bit more sophisticated. A third favorite is a company that’s been around for a while now – PowerTap Power Meter.
Olympic cyclist master race day jitters. They set clearly defined goals; establish race day success rituals; have a bike that fits; have the right bike parts, and wear the appropriate cycling accessories for the event. These may seem obvious but the small things add up to bigger gains.
Olympic cyclist recover smart. Included in the recovery process is quality sleep. According to the post, This Is Your Body On Sleep, reduced sleep negatively impacts your HGH production, and your body’s ability to restore its muscle glycogen supply. May pro cyclists add rolling or massage, stretching, compression, and low intensity activity to aid in recovery and getting a good night’s rest. As a bonus, many cyclist sleep in compression garments because they claim that it lowers perceived muscle soreness the day after a big day on the bike.
With envy, many fans watch the Olympic cyclists and wonder how they can mimic the fitness and performance of such talented athletes. It seems that pro cyclists are often thought to be blessed with nature’s special gifts – a huge heart, enormous lungs and infinite leg power. That may very well be the case; yet, the truth is that most of us have the physiology to be a decent racer – if we trained as much as they do and if we adopted their training habits. Stop by Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop in Golden, Colorado to unleash your inner Olympian! We have all the bike parts and cycling accessories to help you take your fitness to new heights!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike fit, bike nutrition, bike parts, compression, cycling accessories, heart rate monitor training, Olympic cyclists, Pioneer Power Meter, power meter, PowerTap Power Meter, Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Stages Power Meter | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
August 4, 2016
BikeParts.com team rider Dan Dwyer in action!
While the temps are soaring and the days are still long, soon – summer will come to an end. Now is the time to get rolling. All of the rides, races, and cycling adventures you hoped to complete this summer need to have a check mark next to them. Who wants to look back on the season with regret? No one! So get out your planner and make August your best month yet.
If you are competitive cyclist, you may still have the itch for more racing. Fortunately, in Colorado the cycling season finishes strong in August. Following are a handful of road races and mountain bike races happening this month:
- August 6, 2016 – I-25 Kia Copper Triangle, Copper Mountain, 82mi
- August 6, 2016 – Stonewall Century Bicycle Ride, Spanish Peaks, La Veta, 100mi
- August 7, 2016 – Classic Velo Retro Rider, Boulder, Vecchio’s at 10am
- August 9-14, 2016 – Breck Epic, Breckenridge, 35-50mi a day, 6-day stage race, MTB
- August 13, 2016 – Leadville Trail 100 MTB, Leadville, 100mi, MTB
- August 13, 2016 – Red Rocks Gran Fondo, Red Rocks (a hard one!), 33/50/62/100mi
- August 13, 2016 – BStrong Ride, Boulder, 24/69mi
- August 13, 2016 – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cycling Hillclimb Gran Fondo, 12.42m, ~8,000ft
- August 13, 2016 – Prestige Imports Vuelta a Dillon Fondo, Dillon, 20/60/90mi
- August 13, 2016 – Tour of the Valley, Grand Junction, 30/50/78/100mi
- August 20, 2016 – Tour de Cure Colorado, Longmont, 10/50/62/100mi
- August 20, 2016 – Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop, Golden, 200mi, 15,000ft
- August 28, 2016 – Golden Gran Fondo, Golden, 20/60/90mi
- August 27, 2016 – Colo Bike Law Lookout Mountain Hillclimb, Golden, 4.6mi, 1200ft
- August 27, 2016 – Venus de Miles, Boulder, 33/51/100mi, women only
- August 27, 2016 – CF Cycle For Life (Cystic Fibrosis), Highlands Ranch, 14/49/65mi
- August 28, 2016 – Good Sam Bike Jam, Lafayette (Boulder County), 62/100mi
- August 29, 2016 – Colorado Gran Fondo, Colorado Springs, 60/100mi
Racing isn’t for everyone. If competition isn’t your thing, there are several Front Range rides you can do. Following are some of our favorites:
- Historic Lariat Loop
- Deer Creek Canyon
- Bergen Park or Idaho Springs to Guanella Pass
- Red Rocks Park Loop
- Bergen Park or Idaho Springs to St. Mary’s Glacier (Alice)
- Idaho Springs to Loveland Pass
- Golden to Cold Springs Campground via Golden Gate Canyon
- Bergen Park to Echo Lake
- Idaho Springs to Juniper Pass
- Manitou Springs to Pike Peak Summit Parking Lot (Pikes Peak Hill Climb)
- Morgul-Bismark Route
- Jamestown Canyon Ride
- Flagstaff Hill Climb
- NCAR Hill Climb
- Lookout Mountain Hill Climb
- Sunshine Hill Climb
- Magnolia Hill Climb
- Mt. Evans Hill Climb
- Pikes Peak
- Trail Ridge Road
The best way to make the most of your bucket list rides is be prepared: mentally, physically, and have fully inspected your bike parts. You want to make the most of your rides, don’t you? Of course! No one wants a mechanical during training or racing. Obviously, functioning brakes are essential on the long, fast descents. Proper gearing can make or break your chance of making a climb. And, having the right bike tools, cycling accessories, and extra bike parts on hand make a difference between a stellar ride and a bail out.
Better yet, why not get a new bike for your bucket list rides? Yep, that’s right – a new bike! Get 20% off all bikes $1000 and up and 10% off all bikes under $1000. Stop by the Peak Cycling Bike Shop for help or visit us at bikeparts.com for all your cycling needs.
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, bike tools, BikeParts.com, brakes, Breck Epic, Copper Triangle, cycling accessories, Leadville 100, Red Rocks GranFondo, TOUR de CURE Colorado | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
July 28, 2016
BikeParts.com team rider Joshua Vogt mastered the jitters! #1 at the Rattler Series #3
Before a race or a big event, do you ever feel overwhelmed? Nervous? Anxious?
For the most part, experiencing those sensations is normal. Yet, oftentimes, negative self talk can exasperate the problem.
Thoughts like, “I haven’t trained enough” or you find yourself caring too much about what other people think. Maybe looking around the start of an event you take a mental inventory and think other cyclist look more fit or have better bikes. Worst case scenario, you notice the weather and assign its condition as to how you think you will perform. Whatever the case may be, managing your thoughts and creating successful race day routines is well within your scope of control.
At Peak Cycles Bicycle shop, we’ve found that a little preparation can aid in reducing race day jitters. Here’s what works!
Register for an Event – In order to experience race day jitters, you actually have to be registered for an event! If you don’t have anything planned, select a road race and / or MTB race for the upcoming month. Here’s what we have on tap for Colorado racing:
- July 30, 2016 – 155 Team Challenge Gran Fondo, Montrose
- July 30, 2016 – Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Denver to Winter Park, 96mi (a challenge!)
- July 30, 2016 – Circle the Summit (Bob Guthrie Memorial), Summit County, 21/45/60/100mi
- July 30, 2016 – Cripple Creek Crippler, Ken Caryl, 207mi, 19,000ft, Double Century
- July 31-August 6, 2016 – Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour, Gunnison, 472mi, 7-days
- August 6, 2016 – I-25 Kia Copper Triangle, Copper Mountain, 82mi
- August 6, 2016 – Stonewall Century Bicycle Ride, Spanish Peaks, La Veta, 100mi
- August 7, 2016 – Classic Velo Retro Rider, Boulder, Vecchio’s at 10am
- August 9-14, 2016 – Breck Epic, Breckenridge, 35-50mi a day, 6-day stage race, MTB
- August 13, 2016 – Leadville Trail 100 MTB, Leadville, 100mi, MTB
- August 13, 2016 – Red Rocks Gran Fondo, Red Rocks (a hard one!), 33/50/62/100mi
- August 13, 2016 – BStrong Ride, Boulder, 24/69mi
- August 13, 2016 – The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cycling Hillclimb Gran Fondo, 12.42m, ~8,000ft
- August 13, 2016 – Prestige Imports Vuelta a Dillon Fondo, Dillon, 20/60/90mi
- August 13, 2016 – Tour of the Valley, Grand Junction, 30/50/78/100mi
- August 20, 2016 – Tour de Cure Colorado, Longmont, 10/50/62/100mi
- August 20, 2016 – Tim Kalisch Memorial Grand Loop, Golden, 200mi, 15,000ft
- August 28, 2016 – Golden Gran Fondo, Golden, 20/60/90mi
- August 27, 2016 – Colo Bike Law Lookout Mountain Hillclimb, Golden, 4.6mi, 1200ft
- August 27, 2016 – Venus de Miles, Boulder, 33/51/100mi, women only
- August 27, 2016 – CF Cycle For Life (Cystic Fibrosis), Highlands Ranch, 14/49/65mi
- August 28, 2016 – Good Sam Bike Jam, Lafayette (Boulder County), 62/100mi
- August 29, 2016 – Colorado Gran Fondo, Colorado Springs, 60/100mi
Set Goals – Everyone has different goals. For some, races are just about getting harder efforts in and saddle time. For others, it’s making the podium. For most cyclist, it’s about achieving personal bests. The most important aspect of having a goals it that it can help reduce pre race anxiety and also help you better evaluate your performance post race. Identify what you want to accomplish with this event – whether it be a targeted heart rate or power zone, a solid nutrition plan, or attacking certain areas on the race course.
Race Route – Know the course and the conditions. Weather can alter race course conditions considerably. Take into consideration the bike parts you’ll be racing and confirm you have the bike components and gear needed to successfully race the course. For mountain bike components – consider tire selection carefully when riding wet and muddy trails. Familiarity with the race course and weather conditions aids in having confidence to tackle anything that comes at you during your big event.
Race Day Rituals – Designing and refining a pre-event routine is an important part of building a successful race season. Does having a checklist of race day activities help structure your preparation to the start line? Include items such as nutrition, hydration, clothes, gear, extra bike parts and basic bike tools. This way, you won’t forget anything as you prepare for your start. Maybe visualization, mantras, and breathing exercises are your thing. Regardless, each event offers you a chance to build on race day rituals that have helped you in the past and also enhance your support for your next race.
Start Line Mental State – Your thoughts, emotions, and pre race behaviors are components of your mental state; with that in mind, take inventory of your mental state and align them with your goals. It’s easy to compare your training and fitness to others. Here is where having your race plan and goals specific to this event comes in handy.
Success Parameters – Evaluate your results based on your goals. What worked? What didn’t? What can you do next race to get a better result? Be objective and explore how your mental and physical training helped prepare you for this event. Remember to evaluate your bike and cycling accessory selections. Did you race the right bike? Would a different wheel set make a difference? Did you suffer from mechanicals? Now is the time to dial in, replace, and buy the bike parts that you need going into your next event.
Whether you’re entering your first event or you’re a seasoned racer, you’re always likely to suffer from some race day nerves. However, with a little planning you can gain confidence. No matter what your training has been like up until this point, having successful race day strategies in place puts you way ahead of a lot of other people on race day.
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike components, bike parts, Breck Epic, Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Colorado Racing, Copper Triangle, hydration, Leadville Trail 100 MTB, mmountain bike components, race day nutrition, TOUR de CURE Colorado | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
July 21, 2016
Summer is a great time to travel. It’s exciting to travel to new locations, spend time with friends and family but for many cyclist, there’s that nagging thought lingering in the back of your mind which prevents you from fully embracing the vacation experience.
How much fitness do you lose when you stop training? It’s a scary thought. When you think about it, you’ve worked hard all year to increase fitness and maximize result on the bike. One option is to take your bike with you on vacation. However, that involves logistics, extra luggage, as well as, the challenge of coordinating your bike riding with non cycling family and friends activities.
Is there a way to take a vacation from your bike and not loose fitness?
For starters, a little time off from the bike might not be a bad thing. The post, Missing training – Adjusting the plan, suggest a few options for recalibrating your weekly training schedule. The big take away is the mindset. “Often remind yourself of the big picture. It’s easy to beat yourself up over missed training, but if you have been steady with training, give yourself a break. Gaining fitness doesn’t happen in one or two days and losing fitness doesn’t happen in one or two days. It takes months of steady training to gain good fitness. A few days missed or logging a fewer less hours than planned for a week is a small blip on the radar.”
With that in mind, there are some options to mitigate fitness loss and accelerate your re-entry to training upon return from vacation.
While on vacation, splurge a little with your food but be mindful too. Eat well. Vacation treats offer irresistible food temptations adding extra pounds to your waste lines. Moderate your reaching for the goodies and opt for nutritious snacks. Eating poorly during vacation can affect your mood and motivation towards training when you return. Mix a variety of non cycling exercise into your vacation. Instead of driving to a close by scenic spot, opt to walk instead. Look for hikes to do as a family. Enjoy other outdoor activities like disc golf or jogging. Discover all the different bike shops in the town you are visiting and make a goal to walk or run to explore the shop, discover the local cycling scene, and browse at bike parts.
When you return from vacation, don’t beat yourself up for missed training! You don’t want to jump right back in to your training and riding routine where you left off before vacation. Ease back into it and give yourself some slack. Great suggestions to do this are made in the post, Making up For Lost Training Time. Basically, be mindful of what you can control. You can control the intensity, duration, and consistencies of your workouts. Don’t go too hard to soon or riding too many miles right away. You can also control the elements surrounding your training, as in, your bike parts, bike functioning, and being well prepared nutritionally to get the best out of your workouts. Remember, while you may feel fresh, you did take some time off so be gentle with yourself. You can also focus your efforts on training with power and heart rate. All play a key role in bringing your training back to where you want it to be.
Enjoy vacation and time off from the bike. With a little planning you can experience all the reward of vacation with minimal fitness loss.
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, cycling training, disc golf, heart rate monitor, nutrition, power meter, training on vacation | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
July 14, 2016
With the great weather we’ve been having in Golden, Colorado, it’s hard to keep yourself off the bike! Do you find yourself overtraining? Riding too many long miles? Or simply, skimping on your regular self care? How do you know if you’re pushing the limits too far?
First off, it’s important to note that during the summer months it is easy to get swept away in the joys of riding. The temps are great – the trails are great- riding a new mountain bike or road bike is great! All in all, riding in general is just plain amazing. But, with all the bike riding accompanies fatigue and over doing it. In fact, there are three stages of overtraining. Each stage is defined by certain levels of fatigue and recovery time. But in a nutshell, there are common symptoms cyclists can experience when they overtrain.
- get a washed-out feeling
- feel tired
- get grumpy and experience sudden mood swings
- become irrational
- feel a lack of energy for other activities
- suffer from depression
- have a decreased appetite
- get headaches
- get an increased incidence of injuries
- have trouble sleeping
- feel a loss of enthusiasm for the sport
- experience a sudden drop in performance
Yikes! That doesn’t sound fun – especially when the mountain bike trails and fun adventure road rides are beckoning. What can you do about it? Consider the tools at your disposal to aid in recovery.
Nutrition Options: A favorite nutritional product available post ride is PhysioPhyx. Here’s what we like about this product. PhysioPhyx LPR takes recovery nutrition to a new level of support and performance by delivering a powerful, evidence-based blend of Carbohydrates + Protein + Leucine. This potent combination of nutrients has been precisely formulated to help ensure you rapidly and effectively restore muscle energy (glycogen), minimize muscle soreness, stimulate muscle repair and speed training adaptations after moderate, intense and exhaustive exercise or competition. In fact, recent studies have shown the nutrient trio of Carbs + Protein + Leucine taken after exercise creates an absolute ideal environment for your body to quickly go into recovery overdrive. Who doesn’t like “overdrive”?! Speaking of overdrive – you may enjoy reading more on the subject of nutrition and recovery in these post:
Sleep: Included in the recovery process is quality sleep. According to the post, This Is Your Body On Sleep, reduced sleep negatively impacts your HGH production, and your body’s ability to restore its muscle glycogen supply. Ensure you are going quality of sleep by using the Sleep Cycle App. This cool app analyzing users’ sleep patterns and displays data showing how well (or poorly) you slept during the night. You might also add rolling or massage, stretching, compression, and low intensity activity to aid in getting a better night’s sleep. Many cyclist sleep in compression garments because they claim that it lowers perceived muscle soreness the day after a big day on the bike and they can reduce the swelling of legs after prolonged sitting.
Ultimately, the best way to identify if you are over training is by listening to your body. If you can’t keep yourself from riding, then maybe try the distraction technique! Distract yourself from the trails and road rides with some bike bling! Swap a training ride for a visit to Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop. Check out the new bike parts we have in stock. Try on some of the new Specialized Merino wool jerseys that offer evaporative cooling. Explore new tire or wheel options. The possibilities are limitless. And, once you have that spark back in your legs, you’ll enjoy your riding even more!
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, bike tires, compression garments, overtraining, PhysioPhyx, recovery, Specialized Merino wool jerseys, wheels | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
July 7, 2016
July – the best month of the year! As cyclist, we all love July because the Tour de France is in full swing and so is the touring and racing season in Colorado. With envy, many cyclist watch the pro riders at the Tour de France and wonder how they can mimic the fitness and performance of such talented athletes. Cycling fans follow each day’s stage, drama, and favorite riders as the Tour unfolds.
Many find themselves inspired by the passion and prowess of the Tour riders and feel the call to unleash their own inner pro. Granted, we may not have the legs, power, endurance, or sprinting power of pro riders, but surely, each of us hears the calling to test our abilities – to push a little harder – to see if we have what it takes when the pressure is on.
So given you’re not riding in the Tour, you can still take on the ultimate cycling challenge. To do that, you need an event or race to test the limits. Fortunately, Colorado has some of the greatest road bike and mountain bike rides in the country. From bone-rattling descents to leisurely loops, locals and vacationers alike welcome the challenge of pushing the limits while taking in breathtaking views that only Colorado has to offer. To unleash your inner pro, you have to select an event.
Following are a list rides, road races, and mountain bike races from our friends over at Pedal Dancer for the month of July.
Cycling Events:
- July 9, 2016 – Tour de Ladies, Parker, 30/62.5mi
- July 9, 2016 – Colorado Classic Double Century, Boulder, 243mi, 16,000ft
- July 9-10, 2016 – Triple Bypass, Evergreen-Avon, 120mi/240mi, 1 or 2 days
- July 16, 2016 – Bike to Build (SLV Century), Alamosa San Luis Valley, 35/60/100mi
- July 23, 2016 – Bob Cool Memorial Mt Evans Hill Climb, Idaho Springs, 28mi, 6,900ft
- July 23, 2016 – Kent Eriksen Tour de Steamboat, Steamboat Springs, 25/40/110mi
- July 23-24, 2016 – Courage Classic, Summit and Eagle Counties, 3-days
- July 23-30, 2016 – 109˚ West Bicycle Tour, SW Colorado, week-long tour
- July 23, 2016 – SOS Outreach Colorado – Eagle River Ride, Beaver Creek, 42/68/100mi
- July , 2016 – Grin & Barrett Black Canyon Buttkicker, Montrose, 33/50/75/115/155mi
- July 30, 2016 – Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Denver to Winter Park, 96mi
- July 30, 2016 – Circle the Summit (Bob Guthrie Memorial), Summit County, 21/45/60/100mi
- July 30, 2016 – Cripple Creek Crippler, Ken Caryl, 207mi, 19,000ft, Double Century
- July 31-August 6, 2016 – Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour, Gunnison, 472mi, 7-days
Road Races:
Mountain Bike Races:
- July 9, 2016 – Winter Park Series (Race Rendezvous), Winter Park, XC
- July 9, 2016 – Leadville Silver Rush 50, Leadville, endurance
- July 9-10, 2016 – Yeti Cycles Big Mountain Enduro, Keystone, Enduro
- July 13, 2016 – Ascent Cycling Series, Colorado Springs, XC
- July 16, 2016 – Breckenridge 100 Challenge, Breckenridge, endurance
- July 20-21, 2016 – Enduro X Games series, Steamboat Springs, Downhill, Enduro
- July 23, 2016 – Telluride 100, Telluride, endurance
- July 23, 2016 – Screamin Beaver Enduro, Fort Collins, enduro
- July 24, 2016 – 40 in the Fort, Fort Collins, XC, endurance, 20 mi, 4500ft+
- July 29-31, 2016 – Leadville Stage Race, Leadville, XC
- July 30, 2016 – RME Copper Crush, Copper Mountain, XC, endurance
Next – plan!
In your planning preparations, you’ll want to gather road ride or trail intelligence. Meaning, there are key elements you should know before heading out on any unfamiliar route:
- Know the profile – How much climbing and descending should you expect?
- Know the route – Where is the start or the trailhead? How long is the route? What is the technical difficulty? What type of terrain will you be riding? And, What are the current trail conditions if opting for a mountain bike ride?
- Know the weather conditions before, during, and soon after you expect to ride. Colorado weather changes quickly and sometimes, radically. Be prepared.
Ultimately, the best way to unleash your inner pro is to be prepared: mentally, physically, and have fully inspected your bike parts. Functioning brakes are essential on the long, fast descents. Proper gearing can make or break your chance of making a climb. And, having the right bike tools, cycling accessories, and extra bike parts on hand make a difference between a stellar ride and a bail out.
Next time you are watching a stage in the Tour de France and you find yourself inspired to see what you’ve got – go for it! Pick a cycling event in July, get your bike and cycling accessories dialed in and go big! At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we’re cheering for you!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 109˚ West Bicycle Tour, 3 Days of Salida, 40 in the Fort, Ascent Cycling Series, bike parts, Bike to Build, bike tools, Bob Cool Memorial Mt Evans Hill Climb, Boulder Orthopedic Crit, brakes, Breckenridge 100 Challenge, Circle the Summit, Colorado Classic Double Century, Colorado Park to Park Challenge, Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour, Courage Classic, Cripple Creek Crippler, cycling accessories, Enduro X Games, Grin & Barrett Black Canyon Buttkicker, Kent Eriksen Tour de Steamboat, Leadville Silver Rush 50, Leadville Stage Race, Mike Neilds Memorial Bannock Street Criterium, mountain bike, RME Copper Crush, road bike, Screamin Beaver Enduro, SOS Outreach Colorado-Eagle River Ride, Telluride 100, Tour De France, Tour de Ladies, Triple Bypass, Winter Park Series, Yeti Cycles Big Mountain Enduro | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
June 30, 2016
From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
While many American’s hang an American flag from their home, car, or work building, why not celebrate the 4th from your two wheels? You can decorate your bike with bike bells, streamers, and the like; but why note take it a step further and include your bike riding in your holiday festivities? Here’s how!
Celebrate the 4th with a new ride!
Colorado has some of the greatest road bike rides and mountain bike trails in the country. Knowing where and when to ride is half of the trick to enjoyable riding in Colorado. For ride ideas, check out the post, 20 Colorado Front Range Bucket List Rides. If that doesn’t inspire you, maybe this post will: Colorado Summer Vacations: Travelers Guide To Golden, Colorado Mountain Biking.
Celebrate the 4th in style – get some new threads!
This year, the introduction of POC Sports’ 2016 line of cycling gear turned some heads in the biking community. New designs and innovations make the gear an attractive choice for cycling accessories and can even make you a better rider. Aside from the sleek style, the integration of new technology and compatibility adds a new-age touch to POC’s elegant design. For example, separate components of the new 2016 line are designed to work together to make a more enjoyable and hassle-free cycling experience. At Peak Cycles, we have just received all this POC gear and more. Ride in style this 4th with some new cycling apparel.
Celebrate the 4th with the Pro’s!
July marks our favorite bike race – the Tour de France. Pick your favorite routes, cheer for your favorite pro cyclist and stay abreast of what’s going on right from the start with the Tour de France Guide.
Celebrate the 4th by drinking up!
While you might think of the 4th of July as an opportunity to consume adult beverages, we’re actually talking about water and other nutritional products. It’s hot out there folks -hydration and proper fueling for riding is important! Many cyclist have different preferences as to how they prefer to get their fuel while riding – whether that is in nutrition bars, gels, and liquids. Some of our favorite nutritional products for summer are: Oslo nutrition , Scratch Labs, and Honey Stinger products. Stock up now and be ready to roll all month long.
Celebrate the 4th by bike commuting!
Commute to parades and 4th of July outings by bicycle. Along the Front Range, and in particular, our home town of Golden, Colorado, it’s easy to commute by bike. Not only do we have a vast network of well maintained bike paths, but at bikeparts.com, we also have all the road parts and mtb parts, commuter bikes, and cycling accessories to make any bike commute easy and fun! Remember to plan a safe route, make sure your bikes are well maintained, and get out there and have some fun!
As a reminder this 4th of July, our shop BikeParts.com offers a huge selection of road bike parts, mountain bike parts, BMX bike parts and more. If you need it for your bike, then we have it! Because we sell our bicycle parts online, we are able to help customers all over the world – even if you don’t celebrate the 4th. Stop by our Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop in Golden, Colorado to pick up your 4th of July cycling accessories or visit us online at BikeParts.com. Happy 4th of July friends!
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Posted by staffwriter8
June 23, 2016
At the end of a strenuous training ride or race, cyclist quickly reach for their recovery drink with the intention of refueling their body to prepare for the next round of hard cycling efforts. But what exactly is the goal of “recovery”? What are the best ways to recover in the training cycle? And, is there a way to accelerate recovery? Here’s a hint: recovery is not just drinking a carb loaded fluid after a hard effort.
Think of it this way, according to Rowe and King, “all effective training plans are structured and involve carefully placed recovery phases. A recovery phase can be a single day in the middle of a training block, or up to a week to really recovery and peak before a specific event. However, a common mistake made by cyclists is to repeat the same training, week after week, all season or all year round. It is the progression and overload, paired with recovery that leads to improvement. Without allowing yourself to recover, you will stop making progress, increase the risk of injury and illness, run the risk of overtraining.”
Here’s what’s happening when you train – you stress your body and break down your muscles. According to Joe Friel, endurance coach and author, “recovery days come in two forms: days of complete rest (“passive” recovery) and days with light exercise (“active” recovery). Passive recovery is generally best for novices. If they take the day off from exercise the day after a workout they will improve greatly. For the pure novice any form of training may very well be too stressful. As fitness improves, the recovery days are better spent doing some very light exercise. For the novice this could be light cross training in a sport such as swimming or cycling. Novice runners should never run on a recovery day. It’s simply too stressful even for somewhat advanced novices. The advanced, experienced athlete is best advised to train lightly on a recovery day as this maintains some of the most basic gains made in previous, harder sessions, especially economy of movement and aerobic endurance. Given the advanced athlete’s high level of fitness, such a light training session is not stressful. But it must be easy. Making these sessions too hard is the most common mistake in training at this level. Regardless of one’s level of experience or fitness, the harder the hard workouts, the easier one’s recovery days should be.”
Is there a way to accelerate recovery? Whether recovering from a hard training effort or as part of your training cycle, there are quite a few actions you can take to facilitate quicker adaptations beginning with your ride style. At the completion of your ride, be mindful to cool down appropriately. Spin your legs out and get your heart rate down. Immediately following your ride, Carrie McCusker, an endurance coach, recommends to “restore fluid and electrolyte balance, to replenish muscle and liver glycogen stores, and to stimulate protein synthesis. You can accomplish this by consuming carbohydrates, protein and fluids within thirty to sixty minutes of finishing your workout. Based on research data, athletes are encouraged to utilize this “glycogen window” to restore the muscles. It is particularly important for glycogen-depleting workouts, those that are longer than two hours or those with high intensity efforts, or if the day involves two or three workouts.”
Included in the recovery process is ongoing proper nutrition, sleep, rolling or massage, stretching, compression, and low intensity activity. Compression gear has risen to new heights in recent years. Medical compression stockings have been used to treat poor blood flow for many years. Recently, the technology has been made available to cyclist of all levels. While the many claim it is difficult to prove that an immediate performance gain from wearing compression garments, many do claim that it lowers perceived muscle soreness the day after a big day on the bike and they can reduce the swelling of legs after prolonged sitting.
There are lots of resources online for you to learn about recovery best-practices and get the fuel and equipment you need for adequate recovery. Bikeparts.com has lots of different types of nutritional supplements all in one place as well as bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel that can help you with your recovery training. And if you just want to talk to an expert, stop into Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop in Golden, Colorado to talk to one of our competitive cyclists. Have fun with your summer training!
2 Comments | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: active recovery, bike parts, BikeParts.com, compression gear, cycling accessories, cycling apparel, nutrition, nutritional supplements, passive recovery, recovery, recovery drink, training cycle | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
June 16, 2016
Get Your Dad A New Bike from BikeParts.com for Father’s Day!
Father’s Day is almost here, and it’s the perfect opportunity to show dad how much you care. Nothing says “I care about you” more than showing interest in someone’s life – especially their passions.
So, if you’re stuck wondering what to get your cycling Dad for Father’s day, then look no further! At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we’ve put together a list of spin worthy Father’s day gift suggestions.
Super Plush Gifts:
For those going all our for their cycling Dad, nothing beats a new bike! You might think, he already has one – maybe two- or even three bikes…how could he need another? Truth is, you can’t ever have enough bikes. Consider a new road bicycle or mountain bike for your Dad. Even better, opt for a fat bike!
Maybe a new bike is a bit of a stretch, but you really want to treat your Dad to something he might not purchase for himself. Give him power – a power meter that is! If your Dad is a data junkie, then this is the ideal gift for him! The main idea behind using cycling training tools is to dial in training to optimize performance as it relates to specific goals and objectives. Our post, The Best Training Aids to Launch into Spring Cycling, dives into the benefits of training with power. As for which power meter to purchase, consider our most popular one, Stages Power Meters, beginning at $1000. Stages Power meter is the lightest, smallest, most technologically advanced unit available today. Another option is the Pioneer Power Meter offered at $2000 and is a bit more sophisticated. A third option is a company that’s been around for a while now – PowerTap Power Meter.
Plush Gifts that Don’t Break the Bank:
Does your Dad complain of hands falling asleep while riding? Or shoulder or neck pain after a long ride? Ease your Dad’s discomfort with a bike fit. A bike fit isn’t just for professional riders – they are for anyone who rides whether they are a beginner or advanced rider. A bike fit helps ensure riding comfort but it also impacts technique which is crucial to preventing overuse injuries and how an athlete rides. Give us a call (303) 216-1616 or stop by the shop in Golden to schedule your Dad’s bike fit. Not only can we help him with the fit, but we carry all the bike parts required to get the bike in the very best setup for his riding needs.
If you aren’t in the market for purchasing a new bike for your Dad, then gift him with a bike demo. One of our most popular demos is a fat bike! Riding a fat bike is a great new adventure. Renew your Dad’s cycling enthusiasm by trying out a new bike. Or, try out some new bike parts! What cyclist doesn’t love bike parts? Whether it’s a new saddle, shifters, brakes, seatpost, fork, pedals, hubs or wheels, your Dad probably wants it. The usual problem is how to know exactly what to get. Our answer, get a gift certificate.
Plush Gifts on a Budget:
If Dad taught you to be thrifty, you may be looking for Father’s Day deals so you can get gifts for Dad that don’t break the bank
Tubes: This is one gift you absolutely positively will get used. Make sure you get the right size of tube. If you aren’t sure, stop in the Peaks Cycling Store and ask one of our friendly staff to help you. Or, visit us online at bikeparts.com
A good bottle: Every cyclist has a ton of bottles, but that’s not the same as having good bottles. Buy a good bottle and stuff it with other goodies.
Socks: Did you know Dad likes to wear their cycling socks even when he isn’t riding? Why? Because they are so comfortable. Pick out a pair of socks you like for your Dad and maybe even get a pair for yourself!
Tires: Treat yourself to Dad to some new rubber! We have a ton of tires for road and mountain bikes.
Lube: Every Dad goes through it and we’ve got tons of it.
See how easy it is to get your cycling Dad a great gift for Father’s Day? If by chance you are still in need of ideas for creative Father’s Day gifts, stop by the shop in Golden, Colorado or give us a call at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop (303) 216-1616 and we’ll gladly help you out! Happy Father’s Day!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike fit, bike parts, bottle, brakes, chain lube, Cycling Dad, cycling socks, fat bike, Father's Day, fork, lube, mountain bike, pedals, Pioneer Power Meter, PowerTap Power Meter, road bicycle, saddle, seatpost, shifters, Stages Power Meters, tube | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
June 9, 2016
New Specialized Merino wool jerseys SL & RBX
– Keeps you warm if you are cool
– Keeps you cool if it’s warm outside – evaporative cooling
Studies suggest bike commuting is one of the best ways to stay healthy.
Fortunately, the number of bicyclists is growing rapidly from coast to coast. The National Household Travel Survey showed that the number of trips made by bicycle in the U.S. more than doubled from 1.7 billion in 2001 to 4 billion in 2009. That’s great news!
But as the Summer months beckon with warmer temperatures, is there a way to getting around safely, happily, and efficiently on two wheels? The heat discourages many from hopping on the bike to ride to work or to run errands. Yet, bike commuting improves fitness, health, saves money, and also benefits the environment by keeping one less car on the road. If you aren’t a bike commuter now, maybe this Summer you will be. And, if you already bike commute, perhaps you plan to commute by bike more frequently.
To get the most out of your bike commute it’s best to plan a good route. Knowing a clear path to your destination avoids the frustration of getting lost while also prevents overheating and sweating unnecessarily. Learn how to pick a route you like. Google maps for cycling is a good option. If you are new to bike commuting, you will want to give yourself more time than you need. This allows for a pressure free experience.
Invest in commute specific cycling apparel. Consider wearing clothing that is comfortable for your ride, as well as, your planned daily activity. Good options for men include the new Specialized Merino wool jerseys. They keep you warm if you are cool and cool if you are warm outside with evaporative cooling. We have a woman’s option too! Casual women’s shirts with short and long sleeved in Marino wool are great to wear for cool morning rides into the office or running errands on the bike.
Aside from clothing options, a few necessary cycling accessories to have on hand include a good helmet; a repair or maintenance tool kit; a lock; and a way to carry things. This could be as simple as a messenger bag or as elaborate as a set of touring panniers. These are the basic necessities needed to secure your road or mountain bike while you’re away at work or running errands. Depending on your final destination, you may consider packing a “clean up kit” to freshen up after your ride. Your clean up kit can be as simple as having some baby wipes, deodorant, a comb, face wash and sunscreen.
A critical factor in bike commuting is having fun. Fun includes enjoying the adventure, as well as, feeling confident in riding the bike paths and the roads. If you are new to bike commuting and unfamiliar with the rules of riding on the road, register for our Bike Safety Class on June 16th. This is a great opportunity to get caught up on bike safety and the current rules of the road in Colorado. Learn what the laws are for cyclists; how you legally and appropriately ride on public roads; what the rules are for turning, stopping, passing; your rights and obligations; become educated on bike safety, commuting and much, much more! And…it gets even better! On the night of the event, Peak Cycles will be offering a 15% discount for all items, including bikes. Keep in mind, discount excludes already discounted bikes and items.
Embrace bike commuting this summer! Make it an epic summer and set personal goals for the miles you want to ride this season.
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike commuter, bike commuting, cycling accessories, cycling apparel, Helmet, maintenance tool kit, mountain bike, Specialized Merino wool jerseys | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
June 2, 2016
Avoid Muscle Cramps! PhysioPhyx LPR available at BikeParts.com
June is finally here! Welcoming the summer months also means riding in hotter temperatures. As the weather improves, it makes it easier to increase your mileage and saddle time. Yet, to the unprepared cyclist, riding longer in hotter weather can be counterproductive to training.
Over enthusiastic riders may take on too much, suffer from improper fueling, and maybe even fatigue from not having a properly fit bike or the ideal bike parts for the ride planned. The best approach is to ease into the summer riding months and aim to balance nutrition, hydration, recovery along with the increased mileage and intensity.
Not sure how to do it? Well, at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we’ve got you covered. Read our favorite posts to optimize recovery, avoid heat stress and unnecessary fatigue, and actually train effectively in the warmer temps.
There are lots of resources online for you to learn about recovery best-practices and get the fuel and equipment you need for adequate recovery. Bikeparts.com has lots of different types of nutritional supplements all in one place as well as bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel that can help you with your recovery training. And if you just want to talk to an expert, stop into Peak Cycles in Golden, CO to talk to one of our competitive cyclists. Have fun with your summer training!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, BikeParts.com, bikes, cycling accessories, cycling apparel, Eat Smart, How to Dial in Your Race Day Nutrition Needs, Keys to a Successful Cycling Race: Think Smart, nutrition, nutritional supplements, On Bike Nutrition: It’s Different for Girls, Our Favorite Nutritional Products to Avoid Muscle Cramps, Why Our New POC Cycling Gear Makes You a Better Rider | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
May 26, 2016
Wondering what to do with your day off this upcoming Memorial Day weekend? Ride, of course! As the cycling season kicks off, there are plenty of casual and competitive cycling activities to do.
Rescheduled from a previous date, the infamous Koppenberg Race leads the weekend actives for competitive road bike athletes. The Koppenberg Race featuring a 17% grade climb and is considered the queen of the spring time cycling events in Colorado. This event jump starts the cycling season with an impressive 5.5 mile road race circuit, with 300ft of elevation gain per lap, and includes 2 miles on a packed dirt road. Join in the fun if you are ready for a lung burning, leg twitching feast! More information can be found here. And, while you’re at it, you can prepare to recover well from this race with our compression gear and nutritional recovery supplements- specifically bars, gels, and recovery drinks. You have to get ready for the next ride, right?
Speaking of next rides, the 2016 – Cafe Velo Gran Fondo is on Sunday. This event starts and finishes in Monument, Colorado at the Pikes Peak Brewery. What’s great about this ride is that you have the option to choose from 1, 2, 3, 4 or up to 5 loops (110 miles, 9110 foot elevation gain) making it a great recovery ride from the Koppenberg Race or a great season starter if you are just now getting back on the bike. The ride covers a scenic 22 mile loop with an 1822 foot elevation gain through scenic Northern El Paso County; so plan according to your level of fitness.
While not local to the Front Range, this weekend also hosts the famous Iron Horse Bicycle Classic in Durango, Colorado. The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is one of the oldest cycling events in the country (since 1972) and is a multi-event bicycling weekend for cyclists of all levels. Beautiful 10,000-foot mountain passes on the ride or race to Silverton on Saturday. Wonderful Sunday events in downtown Durango including kid races, the costume ride, road circuit race and mountain bike race. Monday completes the weekend with an individual time trial.
You’ll want to visit their website for more information.
If road riding isn’t your thing, consider making the trip to Gunnison, Colorado for The Original Growler endurance mountain bike race. This popular event usually fills up so fast you generally can’t get in to the event. Fortunately, this year’s Sunday’s Full – Growler and Half Growler are still open for registration. Keep in mind, the course takes place in rugged, isolated backcountry terrain. That means, check your bike for the right bike parts, have your hydration pack full, bring your nutritional items, and have all your necessary cycling apparel on hand. Why? Because the event is remote, organizers responding to mechanicals or an injured rider could be time consuming and difficult on this course. Plan accordingly.
Finally, maybe traveling this weekend isn’t your thing. No worries – we’ve got you covered! Check out Our Guide to The Best Bike Trails in Golden, Colorado to create an adventurous day of trail riding. Or spend some time preparing for the upcoming season. Consider performing bike maintenance, schedule a bike fit, or shop for new cycling apparel. We bet Our New POC Cycling Gear Makes You a Better Rider.
Whichever rides or races you opt to do, Happy Memorial Day weekend to you!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike fit, bike maintenance, bike parts, Cafe Velo Gran Fondo, Colorado, compression gear, cycling apparel, Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Koppenberg Race, Memorial Day, mountain bike, nutritional recovery supplements, Our Guide to The Best Bike Trails in Golden, road bike, The Original Growler, tubes | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
May 19, 2016
Now that the rain has passed and spring has officially sprung, the roads and mountain bike trails on the Front Range trails are beckoning us to ride them. Anticipating the fresh air and the sun on our faces, it’s easy to get caught up in the experience and forget critical riding safety tips that were all so familiar at the end of last season.
Now is the time to check your bike for spring riding! Do you have a flat that needs changing? Are your brakes working properly? Is your chain lubed? Do you need new bike parts? But wait! It’s not all about the bike, right? Spring is also the time to reacquaint yourself with bike safety, the rules of the road, and proper cycling etiquette. In fact, the most important thing a cyclist can do to ensure bicycle safety is to follow the rules of the road.
To help you start the season off right, Peak Cycles/Bikeparts.com in Collaboration with the Foothills Running and Cycling Club is hosting a League of American Bicyclists Bike Safety Class. The feature presenter will be Golden’s very own Megan Hottman aka “The Cyclist Lawyer“. This is a great opportunity to get caught up on bike safety and the current rules of the road in Colorado. Learn what the laws are for cyclists; how you legally and appropriately ride on public roads; what the rules are for turning, stopping, passing; your rights and obligations; become educated on bike safety, commuting and much, much more! And…it gets even better! On the night of the event, Peak Cycles will be offering a 15% discount for all items, including bikes. Keep in mind, discount excludes already discounted bikes and items.
- When: Thursday, June 16th from 6PM – 9PM
- Where: Peak Cycles, 1224 Washington Ave #145, Golden, CO 80401
- Who’s it for: All cyclist! We will provide you with materials and guidance, as well as the laws and etiquette you need to take to the roads and trails. You will leave feeling more informed, more secure in your rights and obligations as a cyclist, and more confident and comfortable as you embark on your cycling journey.
Join the fun! There will be food, drinks, cycling education, and even bike parts to drool over! Become a street smart, savvy, safe, educated, conscientious cyclist. Register today!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bicycle safety, bike parts, bike safety, BikeParts.com, Foothills Running and Cycling Club, laws are for cyclists, League of American Bicyclists Bike Safety Class, The Cyclist Lawyer | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
May 12, 2016
Peak Cycles/Bikeparts.com cyclists enjoy the evening views off Lookout Mountain
Are you new in town? Or maybe you are just getting into mountain biking? If you are in the Golden area, you are in for a treat. We have a broad variety of trails that cater to a range of skill and athletic abilities. The mountain views will take your breath away (as well as some of the hills) and we can guarantee you’ll be coming back for more.
All of Golden’s trails can be found on the City of Golden website. For your convenience, however, we thought we would highlight some of our favorite cycling trails.
Chimney Gulch Trail
Skill Level: Moderate – Advanced
Not too far away from downtown Golden, Chimney Gulch is a visitor and local favorite because it ascends the well-known Golden landmark — Lookout Mountain. Chimney Gulch is mostly an uphill climb which winds through the Golden foothills and emerges at the top of Lookout Mountain. At the summit, you can park your bike to enjoy gorgeous mountain and city overlooks or visit the Lookout Mountain Nature Center and Preserve. And the way down is all downhill!
Apex Trail
Skill Level: Moderate – Advanced
Similar to (but less popular than) the Chimney Gulch Trail, the Apex Trail winds up and up into Golden’s western foothills. For much of the way, the track is surrounded by pine forests, giving you a feeling that you are far away from the bustle of city life. The Chimney Gulch and Apex trails can actually be connected for an extended ride up one and down the other. If you are combining the trails, you may want to consider stopping at Buffalo Bill’s grave at the top of Lookout Mountain.
North and South Table Mountain
Skill Level: Easy – Moderate
Both North and South Table Mountain (located on the east side of Golden) offer a unique mountain biking experience. The flat-top mesa makes for relatively easy cycling, which gives riders the chance to enjoy the open prairie. Both mesas have multiple access points and extensive trails that weave on top and along the side of the mountains, just out of reach of urban Golden. We find that morning and evening light glancing off the prairies make for an especially special ride on these trails.
White Ranch Trail
Skill Level: Moderate
If you are looking for solitude, this is one of your best bets. On the north end of Golden, the White Ranch Park offers a different type of beauty from the rest of town and encompasses meadows, pine forests, views of buttes, and unique rock formations. It has about 20 miles of trails that wind through both rugged and gentle terrain.
Before taking your mountain bike for a spin, it’s important to be prepared. Having plenty of water, food and nutrition, extra tire tubes, and repair kits, as well as the right tires and maps will ensure you have an enjoyable and stress free experience.
If you need a bike, we have a large selection of rental bikes at our store – Peak Cycles in downtown Golden. Don’t hesitate to stop in to ask questions, take a bike for a spin, or peruse our array of bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel.
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: Apex Trail, bike demos, bike parts, bike tire tubes, bike tires, Bike Trail, bikes, Chimney Gulch Trail, cycling accessorites, cycling apparel, food and nutrition, hydration pack, mountain biking, North Table Mountain, peak cycles, rental bikes, South Table Mountain, tire repair kit, trail maps, White Ranch Trail | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
May 5, 2016
We’re excited for what the month of May holds. Do you know why? May is National Bike Month, and that means we get the share the streets with many more cycling aficionados.
If you want to join in the fun, consider leaving your car in the garage and using your bike to commute to work. In fact, we will give you 7 essential gear items to make your bike commute safe, enjoyable, and utilitarian.
- Bike — Choosing a commuter bike will depend on what you are carrying and how far you are traveling. Most people have to haul a load to work, so you are going to want something sturdy with a wide-range of gearing. Many touring and commuter bikes, like this Detroit Bikes A-Type bicycle are already built for towing your luggage. For a little longer ride, you might consider something like this Cinelli Mystic Rats bicycle (on sale!) or even a road bike.
- Helmet — For those who want to get on the bike the next morning, this is a given. We love the POC Octal helmet which is light and comfortable.
- Fenders — If you don’t want to get your cloths wet or muddy, buying fenders is a wise decision. Particularly in May, there are quite a few puddles on the roads that you might have to ride through. Fenders come in all types of shapes and sizes but full coverage fenders are ideal to keep your legs, feet, and butt dry.
- Pump and Repair Kit — While it is unlikely you will have to use a pump or repair kit very often, having them in a pinch could save you from making major excuses to your boss. A full size frame pump will make it easier to pump your tire.
- Panniers, Backpacks, and Racks — People are carrying their things in all kinds of contraptions these days. Most, however, use either a pannier or a backpack. Axiom and Banjo Brothers provide a variety of options included…wait for it…a backpack pannier!
- Lights — When you’re riding on the streets in the morning or evening, a bike light might just be your most valuable item on hand. Essentially, it allows you to be seen by other cars and be alive the rest of the month to bike commute. We recommend a front light that has at least 1000 lumens as well as a couple of tail lights.
- Shoes — Bike shoes help with efficiency. Especially if you are biking a long way, a clipless shoe will keep your foot on the pedal and get you to work faster. One of our favorites that we have in store is the Specialized 2FO Cliplite. This is a good all-around shoe that has a stiff sole for efficiency but can easily be walked in off the bike.
For more gear, don’t hesitate to visit our website or stop into our store – Peak Cycles in Golden, Colorado. We have tons of advice, as well as bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel.
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike commuting, bike fenders, bike helmet, bike lights, bike month, bike pannier, bike parts, bike pump, bike rack, bike shoes, bikes, cinelli mystic rats, cycling accessories, cycling apparel, detroit bikes a-type, National Bike Month, peak cycles, poc octal helmet, repair kit, road bike, specialized 2fo cliplite | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
April 28, 2016
It’s inevitable, if you are riding your bike on trails in the spring you are going to hit mud. But a muddy trail shouldn’t be the doom of your ride. Knowing how to prepare for and ride in muddy conditions will help you be a successful wet-weather cyclist.
Preparation
Start by doing your research before a ride to get a sense of what the trails will look like. Ask a friend who has ridden recently, read online forums or social media updates, or scope out the trail yourself (this is especially important if you are racing on a potentially muddy course).
Know which bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel are appropriate for the trail and weather conditions. Some important considerations include:
- Extra Wheels — Cyclists will often have multiple sets of wheels in preparation for mud and grime. Riding in poor conditions can be disastrous to your bike! It’s not fun to have to deal with broken spokes, loose skewers, and cemented mud, especially while racing. If you have a set of wheels in the pit, you can make a change and be underway pretty quickly.
- Tires with Traction — Choosing the right tires really hinges on you doing your homework before your ride. Really muddy conditions sometimes warrant extra grippy bike tires with aggressive edges and sticky rubber. But these kinds of tires usually also add some extra weight. For less severe wet-weather conditions, you might want to choose something a little less aggressive. If you’re unsure about which tire is best for your upcoming event, stop by Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop and we’ll help you dial it in.
- Chain Lube — As on any ride, taking care of your drive chain is one of the most important considerations for your bike. Using a wet lubricant during soggy and muddy conditions is ideal because it is thick enough to stay on the chain and thin enough to penetrate all of the small moving parts.
- Wet-Weather Apparel — If mud is on the ground, then there is a chance that you might face wet weather on your ride. Keeping warm and staying dry, especially in a race, is key. Layering with base layers and jackets that won’t absorb water is your best option.
Knowledge
Now that you have your bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel in gear, you should make sure that you know how to ride in mud. During your ride or race, mud threatens to slow you down or topple you over. Your ability to (1) select a good line and (2) pedal smoothly through mud will likely keep you moving and maybe even give you an edge over other riders. See Bike Radar’s article, “Technique: Winter Skills — Mud Master” for more tips.
Cleaning
After your bike ride, it’s very important to TAKE CARE OF YOUR BIKE. If you like your bike and want to keep it for a while, giving it a good cleaning is of upmost importance. This doesn’t have to be a laborious process but we recommend being thorough. Grab a good brush and do some scrubbing. See How To Clean Your Mountain Bike in 10 Easy Steps from Singletracks for a more thorough explanation.
For more information, or to get a bike check-up after a sloppy ride, stop into our store – Peak Cycles in Golden, Colorado. We have tons of advice, as well as bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel.
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: base layers, bike apparel, bike jackets, bike parts, bike tires, bike wheels, bikes, chain lube, cycling accessories, cycling apparel, cycling preperation, cycling training, muddy conditions, muddy cycling, wet-weather cycling | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
April 21, 2016
There are so many things to pay attention to in order to prepare for a race. As a competitive cyclist, you have to be savvy in a number of different key areas such as cycling nutrition, bike maintenance, repairing or replacing bike parts, and knowing how to use various cycling accessories such as power meters and heart rate monitors to maximize performance.
If you also have a full-time job, it’s a lot to think about! In this article, we’re going to help take the load off your mind by focusing on a very specific aspect of race prep – eating before, during and after a race. Hopeful you can glean some useful information for you upcoming competition.
Keep in mind that eating changes depending on the distance and intensity of your race/workout. Not all suggestions may apply.
Before:
We typically find lots of articles that talk about what you should eat after a race, but not as many about what you should eat before. The key is, if you are already eating healthy and balanced meals, you probably don’t have to change much before a race.
One thing you want to make sure you are including in your pre-race diet the night before a race are carbohydrates. Carbs store glycogen in your muscles, which will be burned during the race the next day. Foods like pasta, breads, and rice are carb-heavy that could be on your dinner plate. Try to keep protein dense foods at a minimum.
If you have a long or particularly intense race the next day, you can do what’s called “carb-loading.” Cycling Tips explains that carb-loading typically takes place 2 days before your race. Male athletes can typically store about 1,500 to 1,900 calories of carbs in the blood, liver and muscles combined. And after two hours of exercise, glycogen levels will be depleted. Cycling Tips recommends eating 10 grams of carbs per kg of body weight daily in the two days before the race.
During:
There is no formula that stipulates how much you should eat during a race because different body types and habits cause athletes to have different eating patterns. Some of the variables that determine how much athletes should eat include: lean body mass, metabolic efficiency, intensity, race distance, and environmental conditions.
CoachLevi.com offers some valuable insights into what cyclists might eat during rides at varying distances and intensity.
If you feel that you should be eating differently, here are some questions from Training Peaks that guide your eating habits:
Do you find that you have enough energy for your workouts and races?
- You should finish strong but spent, not crawling home or hitching a ride!
- Eat more often if you bonk!
Do you ever get “grumpy” during a long session?
- If so, you likely aren’t consuming enough carbohydrates.
Do you experiencing GI distress?
- You might be consuming too much or need to combine different sources of carbohydrate (i.e., glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltodextrin).
- You can try fewer calories or read labels to find products made with multiple carbohydrate sources and try different brands of products.
- You might also work on metabolic efficiency to see if you can reduce the number of calories you need.
Do you seem to be able to eat whatever you want, even when the intensity is high?
- No reason to back off if it is working for you!
After:
Right after a race you want to digest simple carbohydrates such as bananas, a bagel, or maybe even a slice of pizza. These things are often offered at the end of a race. Eating caloric-dense foods will restore your glycogen levels in your liver and muscles and getting some protein will help your muscles recover.
Stay away from the really fatty foods and foods high in protein. We know that some of you may be craving potato chips and whole pizzas, but its not the best thing for you.
See the article, “Maximize Your Post Race Recovery“ from Training Peaks for more information.
For more information, don’t hesitate to visit our website or stop into our store – Peak Cycles in Golden, Colorado. We have tons of advice, as well as bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel.
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike maintenance, bike parts, bikes, cycling accessories, cycling apparel, cycling nutrition, cycling tips, eating smart, heart rate monitors, peak cycles, power meters, race nutrition, training peaks | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
April 14, 2016
For those of you preparing for endurance trail races, we know that you are getting ready to ride long, get dirty, and have the time of your life. And while some you may have trained through the winter months, many have not. So we warn you winter sofa spuds that the alluring call of gorgeous spring days will tantalize you to ride too hard, too fast. This could lead to injuries, poor performances, and an overall unhappy 2016 cycling season.
Here are some ways not to meet that unfortunately end:
Endurance trail cyclists are on the cusp of some of the most favored mountain bike races in Colorado and the American west — races like Rocky Mountain Endurance Series, Thaw Massacre, 18 Hours of Fruita, Desert RATS Classic, 12 Hours of Mesa Verde, and The Half/Original Growler. And being success in these races requires you to closely monitor early season training.
Key points to keep in mind include training intensity, duration, and frequency. There are coaches and coaching plans to assist with specific and customized training. Or, you can create your own training program.
Regardless of your approach, for precise bio feedback to align your training plan, you’ll need to use cycling accessories available to you – such as power meters, GPS computers, and/or heart rate monitors. Early season training lends itself to “false” feedback. Meaning, because you may be fresh, your perceived effort on the bike may be low causing you to push too hard, too soon. As a result, your training suffers later due to increased recovery time or even injury. By monitoring your efforts with specific data, you objectively know when you are pushing beyond your targeted indictors, as well as when you aren’t pushing hard enough. This allows your body to adjust to increased training load over time and in a manner that meets your 2016 cycling season goals.
Now, just because you can’t go all-out in your early training, doesn’t mean that you can’t build the mental toughness and focus that you will need during an endurance race. As described in the post, Developing Mental Toughness: Are you Tough Enough?, “mental toughness is your ability to persevere in the face of challenges, to keep going even when things get hard, and to have an unrelenting commitment to your goals. When you develop your mental toughness, obstacles are only temporary and one bad performance doesn’t shake your belief in your ability.”
For more information, don’t hesitate to visit our website or stop into our store – Peak Cycles in Golden, Colorado. We have tons of advice, as well as bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel.
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Posted by staffwriter8
April 7, 2016
Joshua Murdock (Peak Cycles/bikeparts.com team cyclist) climbing Old Three Mile Highway in Linnville, North Carolina.
When spring comes around every year, the temptation for many cyclists is to jump into race training with all the intensity, determination, and vigor they can muster. While these are positive mentalities to have, its important that competitive bicyclists not let their excitement for spring training cause them to overwork themselves. One of the key stages of training where this takes places is cycling recovery.
While it may not always seem like it, a recovery ride is just as important to a cyclist’s race training as a workout. Together, recovery and workouts are the ‘yin and yang’ that balances a riders preparation and optimizes performance. Three key areas of recovery to pay attention to include post-workout recovery, post-race recovery, and balanced nutrition.
Post-Workout Recovery
One of the easiest ways to undermine training is to ride too hard during a recovery ride. The article, “7 Ways to Nail Your Recovery Rides” from Bicycling Magazine explains this well –
When you train hard you do damage—that’s part of the plan. Your workout breaks down your muscle, empties out your fuel stores, and generally taxes your metabolism above and beyond its status quo. When you recover, your body repairs the damage so you can come back stronger and ready for more. If you skip the recovery part, you’re cheating yourself out of the maximum return on your hard work.
Even though it seems counter intuitive, recovery rides should feel easy! Here are some ways to ensure that you are getting a proper recovery:
- Ride by yourself. You won’t be tempted to keep up with anyone else.
- Pull out the beater bike. If you have an older bike, you can spin easy and not be tempted to go faster.
- Get casual. Wear cloths that will make you feel like you’re just out for a cycling stroll
- Use a bike computer. Let your gadgets tell you if you are going too fast
Post-Race Recovery
Races are often the hardest workout cyclists will do. They redline for longer periods of time than their training workouts and expend more energy. As a result, the mind sends signals to the body that aren’t always what the body needs – such as exclusively eating junk food and sitting on the sofa for the rest of the day. The article, “Maximize Your Post Race Recovery“ from Training Peaks offers some ways that you can recover more quickly from a race:
- Right after the race, eat simple carbohydrates. Go for that orange slice, banana, and slice of pizza offered at the race.
- Supplement your post-race pizza and beer with other nutritional and caloric dense foods. Getting some protein will help your muscles recover (high protein intake is not good post-race, however) and caloric-dense foods restore glycogen levels in your liver and muscles.
- Stay away from really fatty foods and foods that are high in protein.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
- Get your feet up after the race. Yes, we’re giving you permission to chill and get off of your feet. This is best if done right after you are off the bike.
- Take a walk later that day. Getting up on your feet and moving around a while after the race helps speed the recovery process.
There are lots of resources online for you to learn about recovery best-practices and get the fuel and equipment you need for adequate recovery. bikeparts.com has lots of different types of nutritional supplements all in one place as well as bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel that can help you with your recovery training. And if you just want to talk to an expert, stop into Peak Cycles in Golden, CO to talk to one of our competitive cyclists. Have fun with your Spring Training!
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike computer, bike parts, bikes, cycling accessories, cycling apparel, cycling nutrition, Cycling recovery, cycling training, early season training, nutrition, nutritional supplements, peak cycles, post-race recovery, post-workout recovery, spring training | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
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