Dillon Turner – riding fast at UCI BMC World Championships in New Zealand!
Colorado bike races are more popular than ever. The physical challenge of Colorado’s altitude combined with amazing alpine views pair for a cycler’s dream.
What makes it even better? Cool bikes, new bike parts, and team riders crushing it in local, national, and international mountain bike races.
We’re super proud of our team racers at bikeparts.com.
Congrats to PeakCycles BMX Rider Dillon Turner – riding fast at UCI BMC World Championships in New Zealand!
High fives to Joshua Murdock and Taylor Shull for impressive showings at the Mountain Bike Nationals in Bear Creek, Pennsylvania!
Stellar finish for Stacy Moller at the Leadville Silver Rush 50!
Congrats to all of our racers! At BikeParts.com, we do all we can to support our competitive and non completive athletes. And while our racers can tell you, racing takes its toll on themselves as athletes, but also on their bikes. The season is in full swing and most venturing into the shop want to know how to ride faster, ride easier, and what they need to do either get their bike parts in order or keep them well maintained.
What can we learn from our podium finishers? For starters, they start their races with a clean and lubricated chain. They make sure to lubricate the moving parts of brakes and derailleurs. Their brake pads are in good shape and tires have the appropriate air pressure. And, most importantly, after they race, they inspect their bike and replace damaged bike parts.
Get in to the shop to hear about our racers most recent adventures and success stories. Let’s finish this season strong!
Endless trails, a variety of terrain, scenic views of wildlife and bike parts that make a ride seem effortless.
Golden’s Apex Park – Enchanted Forest mountain bike ride contains 11+ miles of trails of stellar single track and a delightful surprise with the Enchanted Forest trail. True to its name, the Enchanted Forest provides lush tree cover and is considered a favorite among local riders. Watch the video to see why!
As many Golden locals well know, mountain bike trails along the Colorado Front Range take on a different view as the seasons unfold here in Colorado. While many trail riders will tell you, riding in the opposite direction on a trail can make the trail look entirely different. Well, our trails take on a different form whether that be during the Summer, Fall, Spring, and even Winter – when rideable.
Now that we are in full swing summer riding, local riders and tourist alike are scoring new bike parts, replacing dated cycling apparel, and headed out to the trails. Can you name these Golden mountain bike trails?
Trail A:
Trail B:
Trail C:
Trail D:
Want to know the answers? Follow us on Twitter or stop by the Peak Cycles Bike Shop to pick up some much needed bike parts and also to see if you guessed right!
For many people, buying a new bike is a more difficult decision than buying a new car. Why? Because today, manufacturers offer more models than ever in a wider variety of price points. And there are an exceptional array of bike parts, wheels, brakes and shifting systems that operate like never before. Having a variety of choices is a wonderful thing but at BikeParts.com, we’re here to help you navigate the confusion to help you get the bike you want – and the bike you will ride.
First off, build your bike profile. Decide what type of riding you will be doing, how often, and the types of terrain you plan to ride. Because there are so many bike parts to build a new mountain bike or road bike, it’s important to get clear on what you are looking to do. Here are some questions you need to get you started:
What type of bicycle do I want? Will I be mountain biking, road cycling, or is comfort my biggest factor in a bike?
Am I interested in casual riding? Entry level competitive cycling? Full on racing?
How many miles might I log per week, or year?
What type of tires should my bike have?
What color bike do I want?
What size bike do I need? The size of the bicycle is critical for comfortable riding. It is helpful if the bike shop has a fit service. Fortunately, at Peak Cycles, we do! Learn more here.
Do I want a bike with gears? If so, How many?
Do I prefer squishy handlebar pads, hard ones, or ones with tassels?
What kind of seat do I want?
Cycling accessories – what matters to me most: high-tech gadgets or are simpler designs?
What kind of handle bars do I want? Straight or curved?
Am I interested in the highest quality bike parts? Or, can I get by with industry standard bicycle accessories?
How much am I willing to spend on a bike?
Finally, buy what you like. Feel good about what you’re buying, how it looks, how it rides. Because of our varied mountain bike trials in Golden, Colorado and road ride circuits along the Front Range, we are asked for our advice on other bike accessories cyclist may need or want. Of course, buy a helmet first, and wear it. There are many other products which can enhance the riding experience as in hydration packs, eye protection, cycling apparel as well as numerous books and magazines available to help you educate yourself about the nuances of cycling. We’re here to help you with all of it.
You couldn’t pick a better time to shop for a new bike. There are so many attractive choices today. Visit us at Peak Cycles in Golden or online at bikeparts.com and we can help with your decision making and offer advice you need to get you rolling on your new bike just in time for summer riding
Spring is finally here! The sun is shining, the temperatures are warmer, and the trails are dry! The Peak Cycle Bicycle Shop is buzzing with activity. Folks are stopping by to select new jerseys, replace old bike parts and schedule bike maintenance. Now is the time to get your ride ready!
What’s stopping you from getting out there on your mountain bike and riding? If our great weather isn’t enough inspiration to get you out pedaling, then check out our video featuring a sneak peak of North Table Mountain, South Table Mountain, and Green Mountain. Fun trails for families, recreational riders, and competitive cyclist alike.
We’re centrally located to all of these trails so remember to stop by the shop to pick up any last minute necessities like bike nutrition (bars, gels, drinks), sunscreen, lube, big air, or tubes. Or, swing by to say hi. Happy Trails!
What does the Ridgeline Rampage, Battle of the Bear, Eagle 40, and 12 Hours of Mesa Verde all have in common? Sure, they are all mountain bike races but they are also all races in which the Peak Cycles Race Team have all raced AND celebrated their success on the podium!
Congrats to all of our racers! At BikeParts.com, we do all we can to support our competitive and non completive athletes. And while our racers can tell you, racing takes its toll on themselves as athletes, but also on their bikes. The season is in full swing and most venturing into the shop want to know how to ride faster, ride easier, and what they need to do either get their bike parts in order or keep them well maintained.
So, what can we learn from our podium finishers that the rest of us can use to better our cycling season? For starters, they start their races with a clean and lubricated chain. They make sure to lubricate the moving parts of brakes and derailleurs. Their brake pads are in good shape and tires have the appropriate air pressure. And, most importantly, after they race, they inspect their bike and replace damaged bike parts.
What other things can we learn from our top racers? Find out for yourself! Stop by the Peak Cycles Bike Shop for the shop ride in Golden, Colorado, follow us on Twitter, or catch up on Colorado racing in our recent blog posts.
What’s next? Look for Taylor J Schmidt, Weston Burcar, Dan Dwyer and Joshua Murdock at this weekend’s RME Indian Creek race. Cheer them on, or better yet, get out there and race!
Planning a trip to Colorado? Why not explore the Front Range from the seat of a mountain bike?
Colorado’s Front Range includes countless mountain bike trails offering an abundance of steep, rocky and sandy terrain with exposed terrain, an abundance of climbing, as well as easy, smooth single track. Sounds like a mountain biker’s dream – and it is.
Whether you’re traveling solo, with your family, or in a large group, the trick to enjoying the Front Range Single Track is being prepared.
The first step in your trip preparation is selecting the trails you want to ride. Golden, located just outside of Denver, Colorado offers world class mountain bike riding. Some of the popular Front Range trails include:
Next, you’ll want to gather trail intelligence. Meaning, there are key elements you should know before heading out on any unfamiliar trail:
Know the profile – How much climbing and descending should you expect?
Know the route – Where is 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?
Know the weather conditions before, during, and soon after you expect to ride. Colorado weather changes quickly and sometimes, radically. Be prepared.
Know what cycling apparel to wear. Being over or under dressed makes for an uncomfortable ride.
Know which bike components are best for the terrain type and the right mountain bike tire to use.
Finally, there’s a checklist of essential items to carry with you.
The big question is what to ride? Of course, you can ship or bring your own bike. Our shop, Peak Cycles Bike Shop offers rental bikes and all the bike accessories you may have forgotten to pack. Or, opt to buy a new bike! Embark on its inaugural rides here in Golden and ship it home.
Which bikes would we suggest for Front Range riding? One option is a hard tail Stump Jumper or Giant XTC Composite hard tail.If you don’t mind a little extra weight but want a more comfortable ride, the Epic Carbon Expert is a good choice or the Giant Anthem. Both are full suspension bikes. Whether you go the hard tail option or with a full suspension bike, having the right bike parts and mtb parts is going to make a difference over the long haul in terms of performance and comfort.
Enjoy Colorado’s Front Range mountain bike trails. Stop by our Peak Cycles Bike Shop for trail information, to pick up a map, or visit us online at BikeParts.com to get trail information as you’re planning your trip! Happy Riding!
Mountain bike riders this time of year start hearing the call of the trails as the temps get warmer and the days get longer. Not quite dry yet, but soon to be, is one of the Front Range’s best trail system: Buffalo Creek.
Located an hour west of Denver, or about 45 minutes from our Peak Cycles Bike Shop in Golden, the Buffalo Creek trail system is a hands down favorite trail in the greater-Denver region. Why? With a diverse trail system consisting of 20 plus miles of sweet single track and 2,700 feet in elevation gain, you’ll enjoy mountain views, majestic rock formations, great downhills, smooth roller coasters, and almost ALL single track. Here’s what you need to know.
Where it’s located: Buffalo Creek Trails, Pine, Colorado
Directions: From the Denver foothills, drive west up Highway 285 past Conifer to Pine Junction. Take a left (southeast) onto County Road 126 (Pine Valley Road) and continue 5.5 miles toward the town of Pine. Take a right onto Crystal Lake Road and follow it to the parking lot.
Trail Map: There are literally dozens of trail combinations in the buffalo creek area. Meaning, you can make this a short or long ride covering 30 or 40 miles in an afternoon. The two long downhill trails are arguably the best in the Buffalo Creek trail system: Sandy Wash Trial and the Strawberry Jack Trial. Like most of the trails in the system, you will find a lot of gravel and sand under your tires, not too many rocks, not too bad of a killer technical ride, but your legs will most likely feel it on the climbs. Because there are many possible loops in this area, it is easy for it to be confusing. Be sure to stop by the shop to get a map of the system before heading out.
Trail Ratings: The trails are good for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders. All of them fun and several can be challenging. Note, The Black Jack Trails are advanced trails and require advanced skills and bike control. Getting through this section of trail might call for a dropper seat post and maybe a full faced helmet.
Bike Parts and Components: As always, you are going to want to have your basic essentials: full fingered gloves, a hydration pack, sunscreen, and dialed in bike components. The last thing you want to be doing on this trail is fixing your bike. Wondering what type of bike is best suited for the Buffalo Creek Trail system? You have several options and you can’t go wrong with any of them. A full suspension bike, like the Specialized Stump Jumper 29er, might be best for longer or more casual rides; however, opt for a hardtail like the Specialized Carve Expert 29 for a good workout and speed. Singlespeed bikes are a good option as well.
When to Ride: The trail system is mostly isolated from storms and the trails tend to dry quick after Summer rains. Spring can be wet but Summer and Fall are a must.
There you have it! Make a point to get out and ride the Buffalo Creek Trail System – you won’t regret it!
Whether new to the area, a resident, or vacationing in the greater Denver area, recreational and competitive cyclist are always looking for options to get their rides in. While Colorado is blessed with amazing single track, finding a dry trail during the winter season can be a challenge.
Green Mountain (a.k.a. William F. Hayden Park), a fun, intermediate mountain bike ride about 20 minutes west of Denver and close to the Peak Cycles bike shop in Golden, Colorado is a trail to be ridden year round. A special perk to this nearly treeless trail is that it can be enjoyed by both novice riders and competitive cyclists. In general, the trail options are numerous. Novice riders may forgo the steeper climbs and opt for an easier route while those looking for a challenge have a few hill climbs and intermediate descents to conquer. The trick to riding the trail well is having the right mindset, bike and gear.
Mindset: Because Green Mountain is less technical than some of the surrounding trails in Golden, some consider it to be boring. Yet, to others, it can be a great trail to do intervals or even test ride a new bike or dial in new bike components before heading out to a more challenging trail. For some, Green Mountain offers the mental ease of road riding, but on dirt. For others, it’s an opportunity to work heart rate and power zones. Either option works, but having a workout objective when riding Green Mountain trail can spice up the trail to those who consider this trail boring.
Bike: Hardtail or Full Suspension? The trail is hard packed but it also has loose and bobble head sections. A full suspension bike, like the Specialized Stump Jumper 29er, might be best for longer or more casual rides; however, opt for a hardtail like the Specialized Carve Expert 29 for a good workout and speed. Some ride cyclocross bikes.
Gear: Fortunately, the trail is nearby so it’s not as critical to be as prepared for epic rides. Do keep in mind, Green Mountain is exposed. Sunscreen is important. During the Summer months, thunder and lightening storms can roll in fast. Be prepared with the right gear. A hydration pack may be your better option during the warmer, summer months but opt for bottles for shorter and faster rides.
What else is great about Green Mountain? It is awesome for night riding. Of course, be safe – get a good light and be mindful of the evening critters.
Green Mountain may not be the most technical nor scenic trail Golden has to offer, but its accessibility and appeal to a range of cyclist for year round riding makes Green Mountain a keeper.
When we catch ourselves visualizing or fantasying about racing, winning or accomplishing something big in our race dreams, rarely do we visualize ourselves falling apart. On the contrary, we view the victory as coming rather easily. Even if the scene involves us digging to the depths of our inner being to pull something out of nothing, that agonizing pull from our inner selves is viewed in fantasy world as masterfully manifested.
In real life, we all know it doesn’t actually work like that. Many of us can suffer but there are breaking points and limitations to the line we cross. And while we aspire to be our better selves and pull out the magic in a moment of victory, the magic won’t be there if we don’t train it to be there. Sure, we know how to train the body for suffering on the bike. But the real master to train is the brain.
How are you training your brain? Daily workouts offer opportunities to dig deeper. Extended minutes at threshold heart rate or within specific power zones offer challenges. Conquering a hill climb or masterfully navigating technical sections on the mountain bike build confidence. While these rides garner motivation to go beyond our limits, bigger challenges garner insights to training your brain for mental suffering. Take these early season races and rides as an example.
Compare your mental attitude, preparation, and willingness to “get after it” when considering a race like the Triple Bypass or the Copper Triangle versus a training ride with a group of spirited athletes. The level of digging deep and mental suffering for a race exceeds that of a fast paced training ride.
Bigger challenges help to prepare for the mental suffering athletes are bound to encounter during the season. They also help build mental fitness and confidence. On the other hand, it is true, some athletes and recreational enthusiast focus on the bike itself. As in, “Is it light enough?” “Does it have the latest and greatest bike parts?” Granted, having the right bike components and bike accessories makes a difference but to perform your best, you have to train your brain.
The holidays have passed, the New Year has come and gone, and now, the 2013 Ride and Race Season planning is underway. Whenever you want to achieve something, you have to have a definite goal. As such, it’s important to plan your season right. Whether you are a casual rider or a competitive cyclist, training, racing, recovering and having the appropriate gear, tools, bike setup to reach your goals is critical.
For starters, what are you’re 2013 cycling goals? As mentioned in our recent blog post, it’s important to make your goals SMART. As in, specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. With that being said, Colorado offers world class riding and racing. A few of our top race and ride recommendations include:
How do you plan to train? Riding in cooler temps and shorter days tugs at motivation. However, having a few rides and races on your radar can help you maintain determination. Remember, buddying up, eating well, or even joining us for our local shop ride in Golden, Colorado can help build training momentum.
Is your bike ready? Our post, Winterizing Your Bike: What’s In Your Tool Kit? offers some great tips for bike maintenance during winter riding. But is your bike set for the 2013 season? Do you need a new bike or maybe even need to replace old bike parts? Sometimes getting a bike fit can help better position you for a season of successful riding.
When you’re working toward a goal that’s important to you, the last thing you want is to face an obstacle or unexpected challenge. Set up your 2013 right by planning ahead, getting your road bike or mountain bike in order, and getting the gear and resources you need. With the right mental attitude and the best bike parts, your successful training and race prep is well underway.
Posted by staffwriter8 
For many people, buying a new bike is a more difficult decision than buying a new car. Why? Because today, manufacturers offer more models than ever in a wider variety of price points. And there are an exceptional array of 
Planning a trip to Colorado? Why not explore the Front Range from the seat of a 
Mountain bike riders this time of year start hearing the call of the trails as the temps get warmer and the days get longer. Not quite dry yet, but soon to be, is one of the Front Range’s best trail system: Buffalo Creek.
Whether new to the area, a resident, or vacationing in the greater Denver area, recreational and competitive cyclist are always looking for options to get their rides in. While Colorado is blessed with amazing single track, finding a dry trail during the winter season can be a challenge.
When we catch ourselves visualizing or fantasying about racing, winning or accomplishing something big in our race dreams, rarely do we visualize ourselves falling apart. On the contrary, we view the victory as coming rather easily. Even if the scene involves us digging to the depths of our inner being to pull something out of nothing, that agonizing pull from our inner selves is viewed in fantasy world as masterfully manifested.
Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com Blog 
