March 1, 2018
Early Season Training for Peak Cycles Race Team
The winter months aren’t very conducive to maintaining a solid level of fitness and keeping in shape. Yet spring is right around the corner and with the warming temperatures and the start of daylight savings time it’s fair to say we’re seeing the first signs of spring. This can be both hugely exciting, and also slightly nerve racking for cyclists who have spent the winter months working towards spring or summer goals. So, what are the best ways to optimize your cycling to prepare best for the upcoming season? Rest assured, we’ve got you covered. Read on.
Optimize your fitness with a power meter:
Whether you plan to ride a century, multi-day rides, race or aspire to longer or more frequent rides in 2018, monitoring your early season training and racing sets the stage for a successful year ahead. Key points to keep in mind include training intensity, duration, and frequency. Our tip to do this? Use power meters and heart rate monitors to guide you. Given that 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, and then 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 2018 cycling season goals. Check out our post, The Best Training Aids to Launch into Spring Cycling, to dial in which training aid is best for you.
Optimize biological feedback with a heart rate monitor:
Speaking of heart rate, heart rate monitors are a funny thing – they can be completely useless or extremely valuable depending on how you use them. Heart rate training has been viewed in many ways over the years, from very precise to not so precise. Now, a growing number of coaches and exercise physiologists support the use of heart rates as an important part of biological feedback, as heart rates are a direct reflection of what is happening internally. If you’re new to training with heart rate monitors, the post, The Variables and Trends of Heart Rate Training, walks you through the steps of learning your “threshold” heart rate range, setting up heart rate training zones, and identifying the daily variables that affect heart rate. But before you begin to analyze data, you actually have to have a heart rate monitor to get started! Visit us at Peak Cycles Bike Shop or BikeParts.com to check out the heart rate monitors for the 2018 cycling season.
Optimize your riding position with a bike fit:
An often overlooked, yet incredibly powerful tool for improved cycling is a bike fit. If you haven’t ridden much through the winter, now is the best time for a bike fit. Why? Because your body is unaccustomed to the riding position. You have an opportunity to optimize your position and make needed upgrades to your road bike or mountain bike. Think of it this way – leg strength, endurance, and fitness are at the heart of cycling speed, but without a proper bike fit, you are sabotaging your training efforts. In a sport based on such a highly repetitive action, like pedaling, the first line of defense against injury is a proper bike fit. And, a bike fit goes beyond just setting saddle height and bar reach. To get the most enjoyment and reward from your training programs it’s critical to dial in the fit and confirm you have the right bike parts for optimal performance.
Optimize bike mechanics with regular inspection:
Bike maintenance can be a chore, but a necessity. As you ride more through the early season, some things that weren’t visible upon your first bike inspection may become apparent as the season progresses. Regular maintenance is essential. There are several things you want to do to keep it in good working order for the early season cycling months. For starters, wipe down and inspect the frame. Rain, snow, mud, and road elements pose different cleaning challenges to your frame and bicycle parts. Consider using a stiff, soft-bristled brush to knock off any chunks of dried-on mud that may be on your frame or wheels. Then, follow that up by taking a rag to your bike, wiping it down generally all over to get off any remaining dust or dirt. If you are concerned about how to maintain and clean carbon frames, check out this video for best suggestions. Don’t forget to lube your chain and cables. As unglamorous as chain lube is, it is a necessity. It will keep your bike parts in working order and squeak free! There are many lubes to choose – wet vs dry lube. As conditions vary, you may want to have a couple of different choices on hand. Finally, inspect your brake pads. You’ll want to make sure the brake pads are not worn. And, remember to inspect where the brake pads hit the rim; they should contact the rim evenly on both sides and not rub the tire in any way that may cause a flat. Remember, pre season bike maintenance and training paves the way for a long, healthy, and enjoyable cycling season.
There you have it! Plan for a successful cycling season by training right early season. A good bike fit, steady riding, and the use of training tools paves the way for a healthy, injury free 2018.
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Posted by staffwriter8
January 25, 2018
Trainers and Rollers at BikeParts.com
While the weather conditions have been warm and dry across the state of Colorado, recently we finally got a hint of Winter with our recent snow fall. No doubt a joyous occasion for those riding fat bikes! But for those forced to ride inside, how do you make the most of winter riding? It brings up the trainer vs roller debate, as well as, how to stay motivated to ride indoors altogether.
When it comes to rollers vs the trainer, the debate is far from over as it really depends on individual preference. Both come with many different levels of resistance and accessories to fine tune the experience.
For most, a trainer will have more appeal. They are good for any type of ride from casual to the all out sprint. Trainers don’t require a lot of concentration either, so the option to flip through channels on the TV, reply to email, send text messages, or take a quick break is easier. And, trainers are great for virtual training tools like Zwift.
On the other hand, rollers offer some advantages too. They create more of a road-like feel than trainers do. Rollers help your cycling form as your legs spinning pattern becomes much more efficient. And, riding rollers keeps you a bit more mindful and engaged so that you don’t fall off!
Some things you want to take into consideration, whether you opt for rollers or the trainer, is to set it up correctly. Having the right equipment and bike parts can make your indoor workouts less boring and more effective. When we’re talking about equipment, sure, we mean having your road bike on the trainer or rollers, but we’re also talking about having a fan, a sweat towel, a trainer mat, indoor riding clothes, a cadence sensor, a power meter, and a heart rate monitor. You might not think all of these cycling accessories add up to a great trainer workout, but it can make all the difference in the world.
Make your indoor riding really count. It’s hard to stay motivated riding indoors for days in a row. So, another way to make riding indoors work is to shorten your ride. In fact, a one hour hard trainer workout will do more to improve your cycling and race fitness than 2 to 4 hours easy on the trainer. So, plan your time on the trainer or rollers accordingly.
Granted, trainer rides will never replace the joy of cycling outside. However, you can take pride in that you are getting your rides in and building your cycling base for the season ahead.
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Posted by staffwriter8
October 26, 2017
Cycling Apparel at BikeParts.com for Winter Riding
Cold, winter weather is right around the corner. While we are just getting a taste of the cooler temps, not too long from now we’ll be bundled up wondering where the sunshine and dry roads and trails have gone. The trick to riding through the Winter months is to prepare now. Preparation gets you in the habit before the weather turns poor. Here are our tips how to make the most of it.
#1 Trainer
Most cyclist have a love / hate relationship with the trainer. As a training aid, cyclist love it because it offers training options during poor weather and winter months. Yet, on the flip side, trainer rides can be boring, lead to muscle- specific fatigue, and basically, offer uninspired riding. Ugh. Is there a way to make it work? Yes! It’s important to have the right trainer setup.
When we’re talking about setup, sure, we mean having your road bike on the trainer, but we’re also talking about having a fan, a trainer tire, a riser block, a sweat towel, a trainer mat, and indoor riding clothes. If you are using a basic trainer, you may also want a cadence sensor, a power meter, and a heart rate monitor. You might not think all of these cycling accessories add up to a great trainer workout, but if you’re looking to take your training to the next level, having the right bike parts helps support motivation and training consistency.
#2 Build Your Core
Most everyone agrees that building a stronger core helps you improve your performance on the bike. Moving into the cooler months, it is easier to cross train and focus on developing core strength. But what exercises are best for more core strength?
The best way to train all parts of the body is through working with a full range of motion while strength training. A bench press, for example, will only work your arms and shoulders through a fixed range of motion. A great way to gain core strength and work full range of motion with many repetitions and longer durations is through practices that primarily use body weight such as yoga and pilates, for example. Ashtanga and power yoga are styles of yoga that are faster flowing, continuous, and challenging. Yoga is hands down one of the best way to work for aerobic strength gains throughout the entire body. Not only do you focus on many repetitions such as with pushups, squats, and lunges, you work each joint in a full range of motion while doing so, which focuses on core endurance, stability, and flexibility.
In a nutshell, a core group of muscles that fatigues less will allow you to work with increased power ranges for a longer period of time while riding a road bike or mountain bike. With more range of motion, increased flexibility, and a stronger core, you will not only feel better before, during and after each workout, you will be slightly more productive as well.
#3 Dial in Your Cycling Apparel
You don’t want to miss riding outdoors all together. So, it’s important to dial in your cycling apparel for the type of riding you will be doing. Specifically, when you are riding, you want to balance your warmth and comfort with the intensity of your bike ride. If you are really bundled up when you start riding, you will likely want to start shedding layers. It may feel good to sweat in 25 degree weather, but you want clothes that are both breathable, wind-stopping, and sometimes waterproof. You also want to evaluate the type of ride you are doing? Is this a training ride? Will you be working really hard? Or are you just going to work?
With all that in mind, get clear on the type of cycling apparel you have in your existing wardrobe and identify the clothing you need purchase to enable you to ride in a variety of weather conditions. Be mindful of having waterproof and wind resistant clothing. Check do see if you have enough of the basic cycling necessities, as in leggings? Arm warmers? Knee warmers? Scull cap? What about your base layers? Do you have enough of them or do you need to add in some fleece lined clothing? Lucky for you, at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we can help you with all of your cycling apparel needs! In fact, we’ve got quite a lot of new cycling clothing in store right now.
When you think about it, it’s easy to embrace winter riding when you are warm and toasty. So prepare now. Get your trainer setup ready – make plans to cross train and build your core – and figure out your cycling apparel needs to avoid a clothing crisis on a Winter bike ride.
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Posted by staffwriter8
September 14, 2017
Kicking off the fall riding season is the Tour de Vineyards.
The Tour de Vineyards offers recreational and competitive cyclists alike the opportunity to cycle by beautiful and lush vineyards, enjoy foods and beverages authentic to the region, all while being treated to some of Colorado’s finest western slope hospitality. How do you make the most of it? First, online registration is closed but the day of the event you can register for either the 23 mile or 58 mile event.
To make sure you enjoy the event and also ride your best, there are a few ways to prepare. As we’ve mentioned before in older posts, you’ll want to remember these important tips:
- Prepare your bike in advance. Give your road bike a once over. Notice any bike parts that need to be replaced.
- Know the course and aid stations. Primarily, you want to anticipate your needs as you tick off each mile. For instance, learn or write down on a card to put in your jersey the mile markers for the aid stations. You may also make note of the mileage between aid stations. You may end up passing through the earlier aid stations only to stop more frequently at the the aid stations later in the event.
- Consider taking a rain jacket and extra chain lube in your jersey pocket or seat bag.
- Lay everything out the night before. This includes your every day cycling apparel: helmet, gloves, shoes, socks, shorts, jersey, sunglasses, water bottles, food, and sunscreen.
- Go easy at the start and ease into the ride. It’s tempting to go too fast at the start, but holding back some energy will allow you to finsih feeling strong.
- Recover smart! At the completion of your ride, be mindful to cool down appropriately. Spin your legs out and get your heart rate down. Consider wearing compression garments or using a nutritional aid to accelerate the recover process. After all, the fast you recover, the faster you can ride your bike again!
At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we have a lot of suggestions and advice on making the most of your ride. Stop in the shop to pick up the bike parts you need to have the best Tour de Vineyards ride. In face, our online store, Bikeparts.com, has lots of different types of nutritional supplements, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel all in one place to help you make the most of your riding. So, enjoy the ride and the scenery! The Tour do Vineyards is exceptional in that you get to usher in the fall with a scenic and leisurely tour of Colorado’s Wine Country. Take in the beauty of the Western Slope, explore the wineries, vineyards, orchards and mesas.
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Posted by staffwriter8
August 31, 2017
Happy Labor Day from Peak Cycles / BikeParts.com
Ah, Labor Day! Time off from work. Time to kick back, enjoy time with friends and family. Time to really have fun on the bike! Earlier in the season, the focus is on improving fitness or achieving goals. Now is the time to enjoy the gains of all your hard work.
With fitness levels high, late season rides offer a chance to experiment with ride routes, different bikes, and even different cycling accessories. Without the pressure of training or getting into shape, the freedom of late season riding brings a fresh approach and a relaxed casual ride attitude. So, why not have an adventurous Labor Day? Following are our top 20 Front Range bike rides to celebrate Labor Day on your bike.
- 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
As a reminder, 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. Stop by our Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop in Golden, Colorado to pick up the cycling accessories you’ll need for your Labor Day ride adventures or visit us online at BikeParts.com. Happy Labor Day friends!
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Posted by staffwriter8
August 10, 2017
BikeParts.com Team Rider Racing in Colorado
With school starting and only about a month and half left of the Colorado cycling racing and touring season, many are filling up their calendars with the last big events of the season hoping to capitalize on the fitness gains made during the season.
Some of the popular Colorado races and tours on tap for August include:
Yet, as we transition from summer to fall, many cyclist find their enthusiasm for riding dwindling. Have you noticed that 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 and cyclist. Recovery rate from workouts and from races slows down and finally, by the end of the season, some find their motivation just plain lacking. With that in mind, what are the ways to maintain motivation while also capture added gains towards next year’s goals?
The key to late season racing and bike events is really to have fun! Try new events, ride routes, and races. 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. Venture out of your comfort zone and try racing a new road bike or mountain bike for one of the events mentioned above.
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. Stock up on cycling apparel for the fall and winter months to keep motivation high through the transitioning season.
Or, maybe training is too grueling for you this time of year. Switch from training to riding to work. Bike commuting helps get in the miles while offering up time for other fun activities. Other fun activities include strength training and yoga. Both of these activities help to extend the fitness gains you’ve made through the current year.
Another option for fun is adding in some skill training. During peak training periods, bike skills and technique is often overlooked. Why not spend some time improving your bike skills? The video: Five key skills to improve your bike handling offers great visuals and the post, Body Position on the MTB, dials in where you need to be on the bike to ride your best. Experimenting late season avoids the risk of injury during peak races but also can offer a new challenge – like learning how to do a track stand.
Enjoy the fitness gains you have made through the season. Have fun! Having a fun, relaxed attitude combined with a celebratory bike event is a great way to finish your season.
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Posted by staffwriter8
August 3, 2017
Team Rider at BikeParts.com Riding in Moab
Here in Colorado, we’re now into super warm temps and managing the heat while riding and racing is critical not only to comfort, but also performance. Many cyclist, whether recreational or competitive, find dealing with the heat an issue.
Think about it. Heat is the ultimate enemy for a cyclist, because after a point, the hotter you get, the slower you’ll go. If the weather won’t cooperate to be cooler, then what can you do about it?
When it is hot, especially when temps are in the 90-100F (36-40C) range, your body needs to work harder to keep your core temperatures in a safe range to allow the organs to function normally. There are numerous heat–coping strategies to consider when planning a high-intensity workout or doing a race in hot weather.
Tip#1
If you haven’t exposed yourself to the warmer temps, you should. One tip is to acclimate. It takes about 10 to 14 days of frequent exposure to heat for your body to adapt. During this period of time workout daily in hot conditions at a lower-than-normal intensity. After a couple of weeks of near-daily exposure to hot conditions you will begin perform better in the heat than prior although performance will still likely be diminished from what you might have done in cooler conditions.
Tip #2
This is obvious, but an often overlooked component. Hydrate. Water is 60% of your body weight and the number one concern on any athlete’s intake list. For both performance and health, the importance of your water intake exceeds that of your vitamin, calorie, and electrolyte consumption. For your road racing needs, be sure to carry the water bottles and containers that you need on your road bike but have extras available for bottles that are tossed and extras for immediate refueling post race. If you’re a mountain bike rider, you know tricky descents can bump a bottle right out of its cage. This time of year, it’s best to wear a full hydration pack as well as have extra bottles on hand.
Tip #3
Protect yourself from the sun. While some enjoy exposure to the sun, a sunburn does more than fry your skin – it contributes to fatigue and increases your metabolism. Always wear sunscreen; choose jerseys, shorts, and arm skins with built-in sun protection; and wear a cap under your helmet to shield your head.
Tip #4
Plan ahead. Planning your route in advance and knowing where the nearest sources of water can be handy in case you find yourself running low at any point. Also, planning a route with options to shorten the ride or take a shortcut back to your starting point in case you start to struggle is also a good plan. If possible with your schedule, consider riding during the cooler times of the day.
Tip#5
Recover. This seems like another overlooked strategy but after a long day in the saddle and the heat, you really do need to cool off. Get your legs up. Stay in the shade or AC. It is important to get your core body temperature down so you can recover. We all know that recovery is a critical element of preparing for the next bout of exercise. One of our favorite recovery products at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop is PhysioPhyx. PhysioPhyx LPR takes recovery nutrition to a new level of support and performance by delivering a powerful, evidence-based blend of Carbohydrates + Protein + Leucine. 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.
With that said, training and riding in the heat doesn’t have to be so bad. Wear cooling cycling apparel. Ride a bike with proper functioning bike parts to avoid over excretion. Need more tips? Stop by the Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop in Golden, Colorado to chat with our racers, mechanics, and other cyclist to see what works for them.
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, cycling apparel, hot weather riding tips, hydration pack, mountain bike, PhysioPhyx, road bike, sunscreen, water bottles | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
July 13, 2017
Get the Right Bike for You at BikeParts.com
If you’re riding for an hour or less at a time on a properly-fitted bike, you probably won’t be riding for long enough for that to matter. A bike that fits well and is right for your height, flexibility and riding style is a bike you’ll love riding and you will find yourself looking for reasons to ride your bike.
However, a bike that fits poorly can lead to inefficient riding, muscle aches and pains, and general discomfort that might discourage you from riding as long or as far as you want. Whether you are buying a new bike, switching between bikes, or simply installing a new saddle, bike fit is important.
As you know, bikes come in all sizes and shapes, and there are endless bike parts and cycling accessories that can be added or swapped to make bikes a better fit for you. When considering a bike that will actually fit you, most bike experts consider things like frame size, frame dimensions, saddle height, top tube and stem dimensions, knee and cleat position, handle bar size, crank length and body angle. Following are the 5 important bike fit tips to help you dial in your ride.
- Get the correct bike for your needs. Getting a bike whose frame matches your body is the most important part of bike fit . If the frame size is wrong, you probably won’t be able to adjust the seat and handlebars enough to compensate. Some adjustments can be made easily with the bike’s existing components (seat height, angle, etc.) and some may require swapping out a component (as in, a new stem can change the location of the handlebars for a more comfortable riding position).
- Seat height. When you’re pedaling and your leg is all the way down, your knee should be slightly bent. If your leg is straight (knee locked), your seat is too high. If your knee is very bent, your seat is too low. Either problem can hurt your knees, and a seat height that’s too short robs you of power and makes it harder to ride. To get the proper seat height, you want the saddle to be high enough that your heel barely touches the pedal at the bottom of the pedal rotation, but not so high that your heel comes above your toes at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
- Seat position. Saddle setback another important measurement to get right. The front of your kneecap should be directly over your pedal spindle when you’re mid-pedal stroke. Most bike fitters dangle a piece of string with a small weight at the bottom (a plumb line) from the side of the rider’s kneecap to see if it lines up directly with the spindle—you may need to enlist a friend to help get this exactly right. Or better yet, schedule a bike fit at our shop and we’ll help you do it!
- Reach to your handlebars. Handlebar reach is simply the distance you reach from your saddle to your handlebars. Aim for a riding position that gives you a modest amount of shock-absorbing bend in your arms without forcing you to reach too far to apply the brakes.
- Handlebar height. Your handlebars should be at least as high as your seat.
At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we believe that there is much more to fitting a cyclist to his/her bicycle than just the physical dimensions of a bike. Each cyclist has a different history, experience, comfort level, and goal on the bike; each of these variables are important to the bike-fit process.
If you’re still struggling to nail these three measurements, you may want to consider a bike fit. With eleven years of fitting experience and over over two-thousand fits, George Mullen at has the experience, the tools and the advanced training to handle any fit scenario. Stop by the Peak Cycles bike fitting studio to schedule a fit. Also, order any bike parts you need from a recent fit online at bikeparts.com. We offer 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!
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Posted by staffwriter8
June 8, 2017
Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop / BikeParts.com Riding
If you are a casual bike rider and have opted to push your personal limits and go for a big event, have you found yourself perplexed about preparations?
Oftentimes, those making the jump from one level of fitness to another find themselves wondering about what to expect. Most riders just want to make it to the end of the ride.
Yet, we are here to offer our tips to help you to not only finish your big charity ride – but also, enjoying every pedal stroke of it. Enjoy our do’s and don’ts of mastering your charity ride.
Do prepare your bike in advance. This is an obvious but overlooked first step. Give your road bike a once over. Notice any bike parts that need to be replaced. As an example, your saddle may look and feel fine, looks can be deceiving. Materials and composition deteriorate beyond what is visible. Consider replacing worn bike parts and purchasing new cycling accessories you may need.
Do know the course and aid stations. Review the course. Identify aid station sand watch the weather. Primarily, you want to anticipate your needs as you tick off each mile. For instance, learn or write down on a card to put in your jersey the mile markers for the aid stations. You may also make note of the mileage between aid stations. You may end up passing through the earlier aid stations only to stop more frequently at the the aid stations later in the event. Having this knowledge is helpful mentally and helps you gauge your energy during the ride.
Do pack extra cycling accessories. If the event offers drop bags, you may consider placing extra gloves, a rain jacket, lube, and maybe even a small towel in your drop bag. Pack your nutritional and clothing needs to pair with the aid stations so that you ride with the items you need and can gather extra when needed. These necessary items can make all the difference in avoiding discomfort in poor weather and /or poor riding conditions.
Don’t forget the basic essentials. Lay everything out the night before. Basic essentials include your every day cycling apparel: helmet, gloves, shoes, socks, shorts, jersey, sunglasses, water bottles, food, and sunscreen.
Don’t go out too fast. Pace yourself. It’s tempting to go out too hard when you are feeling fresh and the enthusiasm is high. You’re going to be in the saddle for a long day; so be mindful of your pace, as well as, your ongoing nutrition needs. Eat and drink as needed and avoid consuming too much at the aid stations.
Don’t compare yourself with other riders. If this is your first big event, most likely, you won’t be in the front group. Sometimes that can be discouraging; other times that can be comforting. Regardless, it is important to benchmark your success based on your own achievements. Be inspired by fitter and faster riders and celebrate in your achievement of finishing your big event at your pace and in your way.
Most of all, enjoy the ride! Take these do’s and don’ts and create your own guidelines to successfully master all of your big, epic rides!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, chain lube, charity ride, cycling accessories, gloves, rain jacket, road bike | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
June 1, 2017
Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop / BikeParts.com Team Racer
Bye bye snow and rainy days. Hello blue skies and warm temps! Finally, we’re getting some rideable weather here along the Front Range in Colorado. Great timing too! This weekend, June 3-4th, marks the beginning of June racing and there are quite a few mountain bike and road bike events taking place:
Not too long ago, we shared in our Peak Cycles blog post 5 race day strategies to prepare for the Spring races in Colorado highlighting the importance of setting goals, knowing the race route, establishing race day rituals and getting into the proper mental state for racing. The post, 5 Steps to Being Race Ready, reinforces the need for mental and physical preparation, as well as nutrition and bike parts checks, but part of racing is using your energy effectively – especially during the summer heat.
Since it’s early season and most of us have been accustomed to the cooler temperatures, it’s important to take note and prepare accordingly for the warm weather this weekend. Managing the heat while riding and racing is critical not only to comfort, but also performance. Many cyclist, whether recreational or competitive, find dealing with the heat an issue. Suffering from some degree of cramps at one time or another or heat related stomach issues, the heat brings on specific challenges to overcome in the summer months. What, if anything, be done to help you train and race best in the heat?
When it is hot, especially when temps are in the 90-100F (36-40C) range, your body needs to work harder to keep your core temperatures in a safe range to allow the organs to function normally. There are numerous heat–coping strategies to consider when planning a high-intensity workout or doing a race, like those mentioned above, in hot weather.
If you can, acclimate. It takes about 10 to 14 days of frequent exposure to heat for your body to adapt. During this period of time workout daily in hot conditions at a lower-than-normal intensity. After a couple of weeks of near-daily exposure to hot conditions you will begin perform better in the heat than prior although performance will still likely be diminished from what you might have done in cooler conditions.
Focus on nutrition. You want to eat “quality” carbs leading up to, and including, a hard effort or race day. That includes eating plenty of fruits, veggies, etc. Watermelon is a great fruit (carb) to consume even during race day. Also, remember to stay away from the simple carbs. i.e. sugars, sweets, prior to the race or training in hot conditions.
This is obvious, but an often overlooked component. Hydrate. Water is 60% of your body weight and the number one concern on any athlete’s intake list. For both performance and health, the importance of your water intake exceeds that of your vitamin, calorie, and electrolyte consumption. For your road racing needs, be sure to carry the water bottles and containers that you need on your bike but have extras available for bottles that are tossed and extras for immediate refueling post race. If you’re a mountain bike rider, you know tricky descents can bump a bottle right out of its cage. This time of year, it’s best to wear a full camelback as well as have extra bottles on hand.
To train and compete at your best during this upcoming events, it is important to understand how your body copes with heat, and what you can do to keep cool. Everyone adapts differently to heat stress.
Need more tips? Stop by the Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop in Golden, Colorado to chat with our racers, mechanics, and other cyclist to see what works for them. Maybe you’ll learn some new heat-coping strategies that will keep you cool when the racing and riding gets hot!
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Posted by staffwriter8
May 11, 2017
Mother’s Day Cycling Gifts at BikeParts.com
You love your Mom and your Mom loves to ride. So what do you do for Mother’s Day? Celebrate it with cycling gifts. We’ve pulled together our best Mother’s Day gift ideas, with recommendations you won’t find anywhere else!
Get a New Bike! Surprise your Mom with a new road bike or mountain bike. If you aren’t sure which one to get her, read up on our post, Here’s How to Buy a New Bike. It will guide you through the process of dialing in the type of bike your Mom wants for the type of riding she will be doing.
Get New Bike Parts! If a new bike isn’t an option, then opt for upgraded bike parts. Help your Mom spin faster with a high quality wheel set. A good wheel set impacts ride quality, ease of pedaling, reliability, and functionality. Or, consider purchasing some new, lighter tires for your Mom’s wheels. A third option is to reconsider the current crank set and pedals setup. Wheels aren’t the only bike parts to upgrade. Look for worn parts to be replaced with newer, lighter cycling components.
Get Cycling Apparel! Every woman wants to ride in style. With that in mind, you can never go wrong in getting your Mom cycling apparel! She can’t have too many jerseys, shorts, tights, jacket, sunglasses, or cycling shoes! Having a variety of cycling apparel to wear keeps cycling fresh and makes it fun to get out and ride!
Get a Bike Fit! If your Mom has a bike but doesn’t ride as often as she would like, ask her if her bike is comfortable. Maybe a bike fit would help. 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 your Mom the gift of riding comfortably. Give us a call (303) 216-1616 or stop by the shop in Golden to schedule your bike fit.
Get Gift Certificates! If all else fails, get your Mom a gift certificate. It can be used for purchasing bike parts and cycling accessories and allows your Mom to select the precise gift that will make her the happiest.
With Mother’s Day right around the corner, you couldn’t pick a better time to shop for a new bike, cycling accessories, or bike parts. 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 make this Mother’s Day the best ever!
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Posted by staffwriter8
March 9, 2017
The weather has been amazing in Colorado! The warmer temps are beckoning recreational and competitive cyclist to ride! Enthusiasm is high; but, caution should be in order! Athletes can make early season training errors. Namely, taking on too much physical activity too quickly. Going too fast, exercising for too long, or simply doing too much of one type of physical activity can strain your muscles and lead to an overuse injury.
Whether you are planning to ride a century, multi-day rides, race or aspire to longer or more frequent rides in 2017, monitoring your early season training sets the stage for a successful year ahead.
Train right:
From a training perspective, 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 – as in power meters 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, and then 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 2017 cycling season goals.
Optimize Your Bike Fit:
An often overlooked, yet incredibly powerful tool for improved cycling is a bike fit. If you haven’t ridden much through the winter, now is the best time for a bike fit. Why? Because your body is unaccustomed to the riding position. You have an opportunity to optimize your position and make needed upgrades to your road bike or mountain bike. Think of it this way – leg strength, endurance, and fitness are at the heart of cycling speed, but without a proper bike fit, you are sabotaging your training efforts. In a sport based on such a highly repetitive action, like pedaling, the first line of defense against injury is a proper bike fit. And, a bike fit goes beyond just setting saddle height and bar reach. To get the most enjoyment and reward from your training programs it’s critical to dial in the fit and confirm you have the right bike parts for optimal performance.
Perform Bike Inspections:
Does your bike have cobwebs on it from non use during the winter months? Now is the time to dust it off, put some air in those tires, and do a thorough bike inspection. It seems simple enough but there are some critical areas to pay attention.
What do you look for? Notice any bike parts that need to be replaced. Saddle injuries are the result of poor seat position, height, angle or design. While your saddle may look and feel fine, looks can be deceiving. Materials and composition deteriorate beyond what is visible. Also, neck, shoulder, and bike pain can result of an improper fitting bike. Handlebars, stems, and bike position all contribute to a rider’s stability, endurance, and safety. Make sure all is well before embarking on longer rides which could lead to lasting discomfort.
How important are brakes? Obviously, a lot! When you don’t have them, or they aren’t working properly, then you know the importance of well maintained brakes for your road or mountain bike. Another important component to spring riding is checking out your wheels. Unquestionably, wheels matter! They impact ride quality, ease of pedaling, reliability, and functionality. Spring is a great time to upgrade bicycle components.
With a little preparation and planning, your pre season bike maintenance and training can pave the way for a long, healthy, and enjoyable 2017 cycling season. Stop by Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop to pick up the bike parts you need to launch your best cycling season ever!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike fit, bike parts, cycling accessories, heart rate monitors, mountain bike, power meters, road bike, saddle | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
January 12, 2017
Yoga and Stretching at Peak Cycles/ BikeParts.com
We all know that cycling is the best sport out there, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens of good reasons to mix it up with a few others.
In fact, when the weather is cold and the days are long, many cyclist are more apt to consider cross training to maintain fitness while minimizing those cold, bone chilling rides outside.
There are ways that cross training can help you to improve your fitness. Not only can cross-training flat-out make you a better cyclist through core support and enhanced focus, but it can also help your body in tons of ways cycling can’t—like building up bone density and strengthening underused muscle groups. At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, here are two of our favorites.
Yoga – Some of the most elite cyclists use yoga as part of a successful training program, including 2012 Tour De France winner Bradley Wiggins. Wiggins’ benefits from the focus it brings to his cycling, while others, such as pro mountain biker and Olympian Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, use yoga to gain strength. From power to endurance, athletes at all levels are incorporating yoga to gain an edge over the competition, and prevent injury. The next question – how to get started? Check out our post, Yoga and Cycling: What’s In It For You? for ideas and inspiration.
Strength training – For some cyclists, strength training is a welcomed part of the training process; however, for others, it is a necessary evil. Many cyclist wonder if they should train year round? Answering these questions, the post, Year-Round Strength Training for Cyclists states , “one of the main goals with sport-specific strength training is to target your prime movers as well as the assistance muscles that support your prime movers. With proper strength training, each time you press on the pedal, your primary group of muscles (those that take on the majority of the load) will be stronger and have a stronger group of assisting muscles to help produce power. Since you are only as strong as your weakest link, the stronger system you build as a whole, the more potential you have for cycling specific gains. For ideas and inspiration on strength training, read our post, Why Year-Round Strength Training for Cyclists Matters.
Bike parts – Hmmm? You might be wondering, how does cross training apply to bike parts? Well, consider doing different types of workouts and rides on different bikes. Use your road bike for intervals, your mountain bike in the nastier weather and to do drills to improve bike handling, and race your fat bike on the snowy days. Mixing it up keeps it fresh! So, get started cross training to make 2017 one of your best years yet!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, cross training, fat bike, mountain bike, pedal, road bike, strength training, yoga | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
December 22, 2016
The holidays can be just plain hectic, and some gifts may fall through the cracks until the very end. With Christmas Day just a few days away, we thought we would entice you with some last minute cycling gifts. Purchase some as stocking stuffers or buy bike parts and other goodies as gifts to put under the tree. You can’t go wrong – unless you just don’t get anything!
Just a few of the many choices for small items that can be used as stocking stuffers. These small items make great gifts for your cyclist friends or family.
Cygolite Expilion 720 lumen light! USB rechargeable, water resistant, and 8 different light modes. Come get the perfect light for night riding season.
Peak Cycles is your stop for Colorado gear! These make great stocking stuffers or gifts for the holiday season!
A new road bike! A beautiful shot of a custom S-Works Tarmac. 15.4 lbs of pure speed.
A Giant Anthem Advanced SX 27.5. What’s not to love? Carbon frame, carbon wheels, SRAM XO 1×11 drivetrain, SRAM Guide RS brakes, a dropper post, and rockshox suspension. Stop in the store for pricing.
Here at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we feel that the true Christmas spirit of cycling is the love of the bike. It’s the adventure cycling brings – the challenge of a new ride, the experimentation with new or different bike parts, the joy of connecting with friends in meaningful ways, and the building of camaraderie with teammates.
These are all the very blessings we wish for you and your family this holiday season. Merry Christmas from Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop and BikeParts.com!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, Cygolite Expilion 720 lumen light, Giant Anthem Advanced SX 27.5, road bike, S-Works Tarmac | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
December 1, 2016
While the holiday season brings times of joy and celebration, it is often tainted with juggling holiday parties, kids events, family gatherings, and travel. While all fun activities, they can contribute to a stressful experience. As athletes, we all know that there is only an infinite amount of stress the body can handle. Holiday stresses of staying up too late, eating tempting treats, and overall training fatigue can create a loss of training motivation or just plain not riding. Not fun, given exercise can aid in reducing stress. So, what is the balance during the holidays to reduce stress, maintain fitness, and still hit all the holiday parties and complete those endless shopping lists?
Manage Expectations! Are your expectations for the holidays realistic? Asking yourself this question is the first step to managing holiday stress. Make a list of what you expect from yourself and your family during the holidays. Hidden within these expectations you might find your potential holiday stressors — the things specific to you that can cause stress. Once identified, you can then write down what changes you can make to prevent or defuse stress. At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop in Golden, Colorado, we get a lot of input from our customers as to common holiday stressors. Here’s what we’ve got to say to beat the stress and still maintain your fitness.
Stress #1 – Weight gain. Obviously, increased caloric intake combined with less exercise is going to add a little weight. A little gain in the off season isn’t so bad; however, you don’t want a little weight gain to grow into a lot. So, focus on eating well. The holidays offer irresistible food temptations adding extra pounds to our waste lines and robbing us of precious energy. Instead of reaching for the holiday goodies, opt for nutritious snacks. Eating poorly during the holidays can affect mood and motivation towards training. Focus on good nutrition and choose your bike nutrition when you need it most- on the bike. Being mindful of your food choices can positively affect your energy levels and help maintain your ability to ride and perform better. It will help you feel better about yourself too!
Stress #2 – Too Many Things to Do. The holidays can make anyone feel scattered and worn out. Yet, the flurry of holiday activities makes time precious. Take the time you need to prioritize your ride schedule. You may not have time for a lengthy ride, so make the most of the time you do have. Employ the strategy of focus and control. Increase your focus on what you can control. Let go of things beyond your control. Think about it and write it down. What can you control? Set priorities and let go of impossible goals. Regarding your cycling training, you can certainly focus the intensity, duration, and consistencies of your workouts. Using a heart rate monitor or power meter can help. 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.
Stress #3 – Guilt. Yep, there it is. As a cyclist, you want to ride. You know you should ride. And yet, you don’t. And, you beat yourself up for not riding. We’ve all been there. The strategy for dealing with guilt is just to accept it and move on. Give yourself a break mentally and physically knowing the holiday season doesn’t last forever. If you just can’t find the time or motivation to ride during the holiday season, at least feed your velo passion with pictures of new road bikes , new mountain bikes, and cool bike parts. This will feed your spirit and breathe life into next year’s bike season. In fact, the post, Missing training – Adjusting the plan, reminds us, “ 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.”
While the holiday season can be stressful, it doesn’t have to be. It’s all in your approach. Try your best to make good food choices, exercise, and relax to restore energy. Balance is key and you’re in control Happy Holidays!
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Posted by staffwriter8
November 17, 2016
Most cyclists, whether competitive or not, enjoy being at the front of the pack. Sure, it’s safer, but it’s also cool to be in front. As the Thanksgiving Holiday is right around the corner, now’s the time to position yourself to be at the front of the pack – shopping that is!
Leading out the shopping season is Black Friday. From the start, you have a chance to cash in on bike components, cycling apparel, bicycle parts including trainers and all sorts of bike goodies. Here’s what you’re going to want to stock up on!
Start small and go for the usual suspects for stocking stuffers including multi tools, tubes, bottles, socks, head warmers, arm warmers, shoe covers, gloves, lube, energy bars, gels, chews and similar items. Add these to your wish list or invite family and friends to purchase them for you. You can never have too many of these items, so indulge!
Next, evaluate what is missing in your cycling program. Are you in need of new cycling apparel? As in jerseys, layering options, or cycling shoes. What about your bike? Do you need new bike parts? And, don’t forget about nutrition and supplements! Now’s the time time to select the cycling accessories and other much needed items that you would like to see show up under the tree.
Yet, let’s not forget for a moment that holiday wish lists and making the most of Black Friday is all about what you need, right? Isn’t it about dreaming big? Which training elements would you love to have, but don’t? A new heart rate monitor? Or a power meter? 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.
Don’t stop there! Drop the hammer and make your wish list epic! Go big! Get a new road bike, mountain bike, or fat bike! Take advantage of Black Friday or Cyber Monday for savings and specials. Great road bicycles don’t have to come at a hefty price tag either. Right now, in our Golden, Colorado shop we have a variety of bikes that are light and fast for racing. If a new bike isn’t in your budget, then start with the basics. Have good equipment. Meaning, add some bike parts to your list.
As a reminder, 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 helping them – and you – to get the gifts you want and need.
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike components, bike parts, cycling apparel, fat bike, heart rate monitor, mountain bike, power meter, road bike, trainers | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
November 10, 2016
Cycling Goal Setting for 2017
While the year may not be quite over, many are already planning their 2017 race and cycling season.
Sure, it’s fun to have lofty new goals, new ambitions, and new venues to fuel your cycling passions through the winter months and upcoming holiday season, but not pausing to reflect on what has recently come to pass during the previous season is missing a valuable opportunity to make personal gains that only you can make. In fact, a proper season review is the best way to identify your strengths and weaknesses and develop a comprehensive plan for the upcoming season.
Too often, we get stuck in the same winter cycle of: strength, base, aerobic work, anaerobic work and repeat this cycle year after year. We never adapt our training because we are creatures of habit. We like sticking to the same routine year after year. Now’s the time to sit down with some paper, a pencil and/or your coach to review how your season went and determine how to improve for next year. Initial questions to ask yourself include the easiest ones. Did you reach your goals? Where did you excel? What were your weaknesses? How, overall do you think your training paired with meeting your goals?
Now, drill down a bit more. Before setting your sights on new goals for 2017, it’s important to evaluate the previous season with more detail. A favorite post, Athlete-Coach Season Review, poses 10 questions to review your past season’s performance:
- What was the highlight of your season (for example, best race or greatest accomplishment)? Why?
- What was your greatest disappointment? Why?
- Review your top three goals for this season. Do you feel these were achieved?
- What did you do in training this season that you feel made you faster?
- What did you do in training this season that you feel was not productive?
- If you could change your training, mental preparation, or race tactics/strategy this past season, what would you do differently?
- Was there anything missing in your training this season?
- Do you feel that you trained enough and worked hard enough in training this season?
- Do you feel that you had adequate rest during training and before races?
- Do you have any extra comments and insights on this season?
With these personal insights in mind, you are better equipped to plan and execute a rewarding and successful 2017 cycling season. Granted, most of these questions are performance based questions – not bike related. In as much as evaluating your training, it’s important to take inventory of your bike performance too. For instance, were you performing well but your bike, bike parts, or gear held you back? If you have a heavier bike, perhaps now is the time to upgrade to a lighter road bike or mountain bike. Did you suffer from mechanicals during the season? That’s an easy fix for 2017 – just replace worn out bike parts with new ones. Maybe your time would be faster with a new wheel set.
You won’t know what to do to improve for next year until you take stock of the previous season’s performance with an objective mindset. A performance review of your training program, nutritional support, and your bike and bike parts is critical to creating an objective review of the past season so you can prepare best for a fresh, new season in 2017.
2 Comments | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, cycling training, goal setting, mountain bike, road bike, season review | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
October 6, 2016
As we transition from summer to fall, the Colorado mountain colors are beginning to explode into a vibrant mix of autumn hues. The hot, summer days are replaced with cooler temperatures making riding even that more enjoyable. What better way to enjoy the brisk temperatures and vibrant colors of the leaves turning than from the view of mountain bike or road bike?
However, not all cyclist are motivated to ride in the fall. As we mentioned last week in our post, Fall Isn’t End of Season – It’s the Beginning of Next Season. Here’s Why , Fall is actually the best time to transition from peak cycling form to a relaxed one. Doing so doesn’t include missing rides. It means shifting your mindset to embrace fall cycling while actually boosting your cycling performance for next year.
You can make the most of fall riding easily in Colorado because there are so many options available to you. Consider adding one or more of these cycling events to your October schedule. You’ll enjoy the added bonus of maintaining fitness through the Fall and even building it well into the winter months.
Road cycling: 10/9 Ride of the Ancients
Mountain bike: 10 /8 12 Hours of Penitence MTB Race
Cyclocross races:
10/15 – 10/16 US Open of Cyclocross
10/23 Shimano CX Series
10/30 Shimano CX Series
It’s important to note, that as you make the transition from summer to fall to winter riding safely, it’s wise to make sure that your bike is working and that you have the proper cycling apparel to keep you warm and also motivated to ride in the cooler temps.
Just as much as your body has taken a toll from training stress over the season, so has your bike! At Peak Cycles Bicycle shop, we recommend getting a tune-up and replacing workout bike parts. The summer rush has slowed a bit and we have service slots available. Call 303-216-1616 for an appointment. See you soon!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 12 Hours of Penitence MTB Race, bike parts, cycling apparel, Fall bike riding, mountain bike, Ride of the Ancients, road bike, Shimano CX Series, US Open of Cyclocross | 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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