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!
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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.
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Posted by staffwriter8
January 28, 2016
Cycling Motivation from BikeParts.com
“I love riding the trainer!” – said no one – ever! The trainer can be a love / hate relationship. As a training aid, you 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! There is! With a mixture of planning and dose of discipline, you can motivate yourself to get in quality trainer rides. Here’s how.
First and foremost, set up your trainer right. 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, but we’re also talking about having a fan, a trainer tire, a riser block, 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 according to the post, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Trainer, it can make all the difference in the world. Aside from the actual cycling components, setting up your trainer right means creating an inviting cycling environment. Do you need bright lights to keep you motivated? An upbeat playlist? Be mindful to the “little things” that either inspire you or detract you from getting on the trainer. By noticing those elements that dissuade you, you can take actions to create a better trainer environment for yourself.
Another way to make riding indoors work is to shorten your ride and add strength training to your workouts. One way to do this is to avoid long rides on the trainer all together. Year round strength training for cyclists matters and substituting your indoor rides with strength training will do more for your cycling later on in the season than doing another trainer session. 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 accordingly and substitute ride time for strength training time.
Sometimes seeing is believing! Keep your motivation strong with visual effects. Pop in a DVD training video or select a few YouTube clips to get your mind in the game. Posters, a vision board, books, maps, apps, or pictures of upcoming races can trigger your motivation to not only get on the bike, but maybe even dig a little deeper than you would have otherwise. If that doesn’t motivate you, another option is to focus on form. One way to improve form is by not rocking your hips while seated and spinning. Maintaining level hips, along with a tight core will place more emphasis on the leg muscles, working them just a little harder through the revolution. This will lead to increased leg strength over time. The torso, shoulders and arms also need to be engaged at all times. Focusing on strong arms, bent elbows and a strong upper torso will increase upper body muscle endurance, being of great value on race day. Shifting your mental focus to your riding form can make the minutes on the trainer tick away faster.
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.
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, cadence censor, cycling accessories, DVD training video, heart rate monitor, indoor riding, road bike, strength training, trainer | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
January 14, 2016
Foundation Training at BikeParts.com/Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop
What is perhaps the most essential region of your body that contributes most to overall cycling performance? Is it your legs? Your abs? No, it’s your back!
George Mullen from Peak Cycles spends lots of time helping people optimize their biking performance by analyzing their athletic history, studying their form and cycling habits, offering bike parts suggestions, and adjusting their road bike or mountain bike to fit their riding style. But when people come to George with injuries, pain, performance issues, he often finds that the problem isn’t just a poor bike fit, but weak back muscles.
Your back has a vital group of muscles (known as the posterior chain) that are designed to be the strongest chain of muscles in your body. These muscles control key body parts used in cycling and most other sports such as your hips, thigh muscles, knees, and calf muscles. And if these crucial back muscles are not used and strengthened on a daily basis, the results are often pain, instability, inflexibility, and poor performance.
So how do you strengthen these muscles? We at Peak Cycles advocate for Foundation Training! Foundation Training is a program designed by Dr. Eric Goodman, an expert in chiropractics and strength conditioning, and is a set of daily exercises to help you strengthen the core muscles in your posterior chain (see a great TedX Talk on this topic here).
Matt Rabin, Team Chiropractor and Physical therapist for the Garmin-Sharp cycling team, is also an advocate for Foundation Training and says that turning on these back muscles using Goodman’s exercises both reduces pain and increases power output and performance for his riders. Essentially, Foundation Training helps you change your basic human movement patterns so that you are stabilizing your key back muscles on a regular basis.
So if you want to eliminate back and lower body pain, improve stability and flexibility, or develop sturdy body habits that improve your form and condition your overall strength, you should attend our first Foundation Training class! Join certified Foundation Training instructor Gili Wolf on January 28th from 6:15-7:15 PM at the Peak Cycles store in Golden, CO to learn about Foundation Training exercises that you can do for just 12 minutes a day. Call 303-216-1616 to sign up today!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike fit, bike parts, Foundation Training, Garmin-Sharp Cycling Team, mountain bike, road bike | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
December 24, 2015
Happy Holidays from BikeParts.com
Cycling seasons come and go. There is the big training ramp up in the spring for summer riding and racing followed by fun and challenging cyclocross racing and fall riding.
And, there’s the lull in training and intensity during the winter months accompanied by trainer rides and possibly, a few, fun fat bike rides in the snow. Yet, through all the seasons runs a thread of passion and love for the sport that unites all the seasons in a unified, blissful experience. An experience of health, fitness, adventure, camaraderie, and personal victories. Riding a bike offers freedom and adventure unparalleled by other experiences. Whether it’s seeing wildlife up close from your mountain bike on a remote bike trail; or, claiming a new personal best while riding your road bike on a long ride or race – the cycling journey never gets old.
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. It’s about inspiration. Riding and training towards goals that call us to be our best selves and enlist the support of family and friends that unites in powerful connections. At its essence, the true spirit of cycling is really about passion, joy, exhilaration, excitement, camaraderie, enthusiasm, and gratitude. These are all the very blessings we wish for you and your family this Christmas day. Merry Christmas from Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop and
BikeParts.com!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, BikeParts.com, cyclocross, fat bike, mountain bike, road bike, trainer, training | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
October 22, 2015
Winter Proof Your Bike @ BikeParts.com
Winter is coming in most parts of the country. But even though it is winter does not mean that you have to give up riding your bike. While the off season may be underway, this is the perfect time of year for commuters and athletes to start bike maintenance preparation for the winter months.
Winter riding poses many threats so having a bike in good working order keeps you safe, warmer, and provides the opportunity for a more enjoyable ride. Besides, a good ride always does the body and mind good! The trick to making winter riding work for you is to winterize your bike. When prepping your bike for for the winter, there are several things you want to do to keep it in good working order for the winter months.
- Invest in fenders! You’ll love them because the fight off salt, sand, and oil-laden road spray. By installing full fenders, you will keep crud off clothing and grit from getting into—and wearing out—most components. And you!
- Keep the rubber side down! Slick surfaces and crashes are fun – said no one- ever! Do yourself a favor and invest in new tires. New tires will be easier to control on icy roads and slushy trails. We have a huge selection of mountain bike and road bike tires online at BikeParts.com and also in our Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop. Stop by to hand select the best tires for you.
- Wipe your bike down. Combat corrosion and griminess due to salt and dirt by wiping down your frame after each ride. This is especially important for wet bikes. Rain, snow, ice, 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. You’ll want to make a point to clean your bike chain weekly.
- Safety First! Be seen and be safe. Winter riding involves riding in grey days! Of course, visibility is critical. Outfit your bike with a good light system. You will want lights for the front of your bike. Consider having multiple lights for the front of your bike. One on your helmet so you can shine side roads and traffic and have a second light on your handlebars so you can see at least 10 ft. or more in front of you. For the rear of your bike, opt for a rear red light- particularly one that blinks. A blinking red light is much more likely to get the attention of a passing motorist who might otherwise not notice you. You may also consider purchasing cycling apparel that is visible. There are options to choose from including vests and ankle bands. Also, reflective tape is a good idea. 3M makes black reflective tape that is great to put on black wheels. You do not notice it during the day and it shows up white at night.
- Avoid a wardrobe malfunction! As the temperature drops, it’s hard to know what to wear when it’s 50 degrees and sunny outside versus 30 – 35 degrees and cloudy. Riding in transitional weather can be a challenge! But, with clothing that is versatile, lightweight, and easy to pack down, you can find a cycling wardrobe that works for you. Check out our post, Avoid a Clothing Crisis! New Threads to Keep you Warm for Fall and Winter Cycling for great winter riding clothing options.
Have no fear of losing cycling motivation in the winter months! The first step towards successfully riding through the winter months is winter proofing your bike. When you are confident in your bike and clothing options, there are less excuses to tell yourself for not riding and more reasons to get on the bike and enjoy the ride.
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: Avoid a Clothing Crisis! New Threads to Keep you Warm for Fall and Winter Cycling, bicycle parts, bike maintenance, cycling apparel, fendors, lights, mountain bike, road bike, tires, vests, winter riding | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
September 10, 2015
Fall bike riding offers the chance to enjoy cooler temperatures, view the changing colors of the leaves, and reinvigorate our spirits with the freedom riding a bike inspires. Officially, fall begins September 23, early in the morning. While we’re only two weeks away from the official fall season, you can see the season transitioning. Days are shorter. The temperatures are cooler. Kids are back in school. And, sadly, vacationing is nearing an end. Now is the time to mark your calendar to get in your favorite rides before winter heads our way.
Mountain bike enthusiast will enjoy several of our local trails. In fact, surprisingly, Green Mountain Trail is a year long favorite for us. 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 what we like best about riding Green Mountain trail is that it’s a staple in the trail riding system along the Front Range.
Now, if you prefer grueling climbs, steep and narrow descents and tight switch-backs, then White Ranch may be the trail for you. White Ranch Trail, located in Golden, Colorado near the Peak Cycles bicycle shop, offers an extensive trail system of 20 miles of multi-use trails over both gentle and rugged terrain. You can read why this popular trail is a favorite of ours here.
Close to our shop is also Golden’s Apex Park –the Enchanted Forest trail. This 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 our video to see why!
Finally, a favorite to many, 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.
Aside from Green Mountain, most of these trails are unrideable in the winter months. Enjoy them now or maybe opt for some fall road rides. As many know, Colorado has some of the greatest road bike rides in the country. Some are shorter, convenient rides whereas others offer steeper, longer climbs and extended distances. Check out our list of 20 Colorado Front Range Bucket List Rides and make plans to get your rides in.
A third option for enjoying the fall leaves and maintaining fitness is bike commuting. Granted, we don’t have a favorite bike commuting route, but we do know that selecting a good route matters! Learn how to pick a route you like. Google maps for cycling is a good option. Because the days are getting shorter, be mindful of the time and we suggesting having a set of small, modern LED lights on hand in case you get stuck at the office.
It’s easy to embrace the transition from summer to fall when you have great rides to look forward to riding. Being mindful of the best clothing options, cycling apparel, bike parts, and nutritional needs during the changing season helps too! So, whether you are enjoying the vibrant mix of autumn hues from a scenic country road, a bike path, or a trail, fall bike rides in Colorado are the best way to get up close and personal with the season’s colors while filling up their lungs with crisp Colorado air.
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 20 Colorado Front Range Bucket List Rides, Apex Park, bike components, bike parts, Buffalo Creek trail system, cycling apparel, Enchanted Forest trail, Fall bike riding, Green Mountain Trail, LED lights, mountain bike, road bike, White Ranch Trail | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
September 3, 2015
photo credit: ProVeloPassion.com
While the cross country mountain bike and road bike race seasons may be winding down, the cyclocross race season is just starting. In fact, you could officially say that it is now cyclocross season! If you’re new to cyclocross, you might wonder what the big deal is? Cyclist who have ventured into the discipline are passionate about it and here’s why.
Cyclocross is one of the fastest growing sections of cycling – it’s an all-out mad dash through the dirt, pavement, grass, mud, sand, snow and/or ice that will leave you sucking wind, barely able to see straight…and excited to do it again. It’s held on a relatively short track (2 miles or less) making it spectator-friendly as well. Cyclocross is also one of the few sports where heckling is not only carried on by the spectators but encouraged, even by the top-level touring elites.
Sounds fun, right? And it is!
Cyclocross is a wonderful way for road cyclists and mountain bikers to extend their competitive seasons and get a head-start on training for next season. The intensity of cyclocross racing provides a training stimulus that’s very difficult to replicate with standard interval training during the fall and winter, especially as the temperatures fall and athletes turn primarily to indoor cycling. As the season is just now getting underway, what do you need to know?
Transition: If you’ve been racing throughout the summer season, recognize that there is going to be a transition phase. Moving from one form of racing to another takes a bit of adjustment. This generally takes 4 – 6 weeks to fully adjust to a new cycling position, frame geometry, gear ratios, and race tactic specific strength.
Running and Drills: You’ll want to plan time for running and cyclocross specific skills training. Running prepares your body to handle the stress of runs and dismounts at the beginning of cross season. Skill training is essential for safe riding and also, efficiency during the race! The better your skills are, the faster you will go! Skills to focus on include practicing starts, dismounts, remounts, shouldering, cornering, and riding through different conditions, as in, mud and sand. All play an important factor is racing efficiently.
Training: As for training for cyclocross, the best approach is a comprehensive one. Meaning, now is the time to begin planning your season using goals, monthly progressions, and setting a weekly schedule. For those athletes who want to focus their efforts and manage their time, a good plan is to structure your cyclocross training week. While training time, heart rate and power zones vary, a typical training week usually includes a variety of focused activity. As an example, the post, Preparing for Cyclocross Season, shares more on what you need to include in your training plan.
It’s easy to get started with cyclocross. If you are new to cyclocross, check out our cyclocross bikes online at bikeparts.com. Equipment choices matter! Dial in the best bike parts and and tire choice. While bike setup and having the right cyclocross bicycle parts is important, one of the most important parts of all is tire selection and their pressure. Next, sign up for Golden’s very own Back to Basics Cyclocross Series. Held Wednesday evenings from September through early October, the series offers a fun challenge to build your cyclocross skills and enthusiasm!
So what’s stopping you? Plan your cyclocross season now, order your bike parts at bikeparts.com and grab your cow bell! With a little planning, your 2015 cyclocross season can be very rewarding. Sure, cyclocross races are very high intensity and extremely demanding; yet, cyclocross as a sport is meant to be fun, otherwise, there wouldn’t be beer handoffs, money pits, crowds heckling the pros, or pros heckling the crowd! At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we’re gearing up for some cowbell cheer. See you at the races!
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: Back to Basics Cyclocross Series, Basic Cyclocross Skills, bike parts, cyclocross 2015, Cyclocross Bicycle Parts and Cross Bike Components, Cyclocross Training Week, mountain bike, road bike | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
July 16, 2015
The Tour de France is under way, and the buzz has never been so great! The world’s fastest cyclists and bike manufacturers have sharpened this year’s competition with increased fitness, improved road bikes, better bike parts – leaving us all inspired and gripped on the watching the next day’s stage.
With the addition of GoPro Hero 4 on the riders bikes, it has changed forever how we watch the Tour de France. Ultimately, as spectators, we gain a greater perspective of the event along with a longing for the gear, bikes, and thrill experienced by the pro cyclist. Granted, we may never race in the Tour de France, but we do have access to the great gear the pro cyclist ride!
Watching the Tour de France might give you the itch for a new road bike and it’s perfect timing because shortly our 2015 road bikes and mountain bikes in our Golden, Colorado Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop will be going on sale to make way for the 2016 product releases. Here’s what’s coming in and a brief description of why we like them.
If you can’t stand the wait and are looking to get that new bike thrill now, check out a really nice S-works bike in our store with Shimano XTR components and 11-speed in back. It’s light and fast for racing – just like the tour riders like it!
Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to keep up with news on bikes, bike parts, and new product releases.
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Posted by staffwriter8
July 2, 2015
The beautiful scenery and challenging terrain of Colorado’s cycling scene beckons riders from all over the world to ride along the backdrop of blue skies and snow capped mountains. In fact, Colorado has some of the greatest road bike rides and mountain bike trails in the country. And, it’s host to one of the world’s favorite bike races – the US ProCycling Challenge. However, one of the toughest challenges a cyclist can face is how to prepare for a tour or race when traveling from out of state.
A first step in preparation is selecting the road rides, mountain bike trails, and or road and mountain bike races you want to do. July is packed with events including some of our top favorites:
- Firecracker 50
- Tour de Ladies
- Clasica de Rio Grande
- Big Mountain Enduro Keystone
- Triple Bypass
- Longmont Criterium
- SOS Outreach Colorado-Eagle River Ride
- Tour de Steamboat
- Breckenridge 100
- Salida Classic
- Bob Cook Memorial Mt. Evans Hill Climb
- Leadville Stage Race
- Colorado Freeride Festival
Next, you’ll want to gather event intelligence. As in, what are key elements you should know about the event for planning, preparation, etc. You’ll want to know the course profile. If you are a flatlander, most likely, you’ll be interested in knowing how much climbing and descending to expect. Obviously, a no brainer is to have your bike and the correct bike parts in order! If you are accustomed to riding on flat terrain, you’ll also want to have the appropriate gearing for your event. Your legs will thank you for this!
As the event gets closer, you will want to be aware of the weather conditions before, during, and soon after you expect to ride. Colorado weather changes quickly and sometimes, radically. It’s critical to prepared. With that in mind, it is important to know which cycling apparel to pack and have available during your stay.
More importantly, travelers coming from sea level to higher altitudes will want to plan their trip accordingly to allow for acclimation. Specific to altitude acclimations, there is definitely science and research behind acclimating for cycling performance but without getting too technical, following are some of most common approaches. You may consider spending time at higher elevations prior to your event which enables the body to adapt and increase the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. This improves your ability to deliver oxygen to the brain and working muscles at all levels of activity, including high-intensity exercise. The longer you can acclimatize – the better. Keep in mind, true acclimation can take three weeks or more.
Another option and an important one is to hydrate and drink plenty of liquids. High elevations can cause fluid loss, so it’s important to stay well hydrated. Your best course of action is to stick with water or liquids that replace electrolytes and avoid sugary or caffeinated beverages. These liquids act as diuretics and can dehydrate you.
Finally, during training and racing, use your training tools for biofeedback. It’s important to know your limits going into an event and modify your strategy if necessary. This includes dialing in your race day nutrition requirements, heart rate limits, and using your power meter for feedback. Power meters are especially useful because they help riders to gauge their efforts.
Colorado tours and races in July can be rewarding experiences. Part of what makes them fun is the scenery and the great Colorado experience. However, to make the even more memorable, it’s important to evaluate your results based on your goals. What worked? What didn’t? What can you do for the next race or tour to get a better result? Be objective and explore how your mental and physical training helped prepare you for this event.
It might seem unimportant to evaluate the experience, but post event evaluation is an important element in deciding if you want to do that event again the following year. If you do, it’s helpful to make note of your bike and cycling accessory selections. What would you change or do differently next time? As in, you might wonder, did you race the right bike? Would a different wheel set make a difference? Build on this foundation to create success in planning and preparing going into next year’s event.
If you are coming in from out of state to participate in one of Colorado’s July cycling events and need help making bike part selections or deciding on the right gear for an event, give us a call at Peak Cycles Bicycle shop. We’re also on Facebook and Twitter and happy to help! Happy riding!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: acclimation, Big Mountain Enduro Keystone, bike parts, Bob Cook Memorial Mt. Evans Hill Climb, Breckenridge 100, Clasica de Rio Grande, Colorado Cycling in July, Colorado Freeride Festival, cycling apparel, cylcing accessories, Firecracker 50, Leadville Stage Race, Longmont Criterium, power meter, race day strategies, road bike, Salida Classic, SOS Outreach Colorado-Eagle River Ride, Tour de Ladies, Tour de Steamboat, Triple Bypass, wheel set | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
June 18, 2015
Happy Father’s Day from BikeParts.com
What do you get a Dad who has everything? Father’s Day can be a tough one. Everyone knows Dad’s are impossible to shop for. Sure, you could just pick him up another tie or another box of golf balls. But why not get him something unique this year? Why not tap into his true passion and gift him with items he will appreciate year round!
To help you in the ideas department, at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we’ve put together this list of suggestions that we’re sure will help turn his Father’s Day into more than just another game night or round of golf.
1. Get a Fat Bike! Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop is passionate about fat bikes in the winter months but they can actually be ridden year round! They are fun and versatile bikes that can be used in almost any terrain. We have found the Specialized Fatboy to be a highly rated, mid-range fat bike that is usable for a wide range of ages and skill-levels. Splurge and get him a fat bike or get him a bike demo so he can try it out himself!
2. Get New Bike Parts! So many bike parts – the question is what to purchase? Consider getting your Dad a high quality wheel set. A good wheel set impacts ride quality, ease of pedaling, reliability, and functionality. Maybe purchase some new, lighter tires for your Dad’s wheels. Another option is to reconsider the current crank set and pedals setup.
3. Get a Power Meter! Is your Dad 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 get for your Dad, 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.
4. Get Cycling Accessories! So what do you get a Dad that has everything? Cycling apparel! You can’t have too many jerseys, shorts, tights, jacket, sunglasses, and cycling shoes! Cycling apparel is much better than just getting another tie!
5. Get 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 your Dad the gift of riding comfortably. Give us a call (303) 216-1616 or stop by the shop in Golden to schedule your bike fit.
6. Get Gift Certificates! Gift certificates can be used for purchasing bike parts and cycling accessories. Also consider a variety of gift certificates, as in, those to Starbucks for after ride coffee. Or, even a trial member ship for yoga. If your cycling Dad complains of tight muscles, yoga helps ease the tightness, creating core strength, and aligning the spine.
7. Get a Cycling Vacation! The lifestyle here in Colorado celebrates the great outdoors. Even better, Colorado has some of the greatest road bike and mountain bike rides in the country. Some rides are shorter and convenient whereas others offer steeper, longer climbs and extended distances. There are several Destination Hotspots for Colorado Summer Cycling Trips that the whole family can enjoy.
8. Get Riding! Riding together with your Dad on Father’s day could be one of his most favorite and memorable shared activities to do. Consider selecting one of the 20 Colorado Front Range Bucket List Rides or keep it local and ride some of the best mountain bike trails Golden, Colorado has to offer.
Make your Father’s Day memorable! Gift him with bike parts and cycling accessories that tap into his cycling passion. Happy Father’s Day!
4 Comments | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 20 Colorado Front Range Bucket List Rides, bike fit, bike parts, Colorado Summer Cycling Trips, cycling apparel, fat bike, Father's Day Gifts, mountain bike, pedals, Pioneer Power Meter, power meter, Power Tap Power Meter, road bike, Specialized Fatboy, Stages Power Meter, tires, wheel set | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
April 30, 2015
As cyclist, we know the more we ride, the more we want to ride! So, how can you make cycling get even better? Make a whole month celebration of it! Whether you bike to work or school; ride to save money or time; pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment; or simply to explore your community, May is National Bike Month and is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride.
As cyclist, we experience the benefits that cycling has to offer but to those new to the sport, embarking in unfamiliar territory may seem a tad intimidating. National Bike Month is an opportunity to inspire others to our sport. Fortunately, bike commuting is on the rise! In fact, among the 51 largest U.S. cities, 43 hosted Bike to Work Day events in 2010. The City of Denver reported the highest rate of participation with one out of every 28 adults participating in its 2010 Bike to Work event. That effort makes a difference: Many people who participate in their Bike to Work Day promotion as first-time commuters become regular bike commuters. But Bike Month is more than one day — or week! It’s an entire month!
There are countless ways to inspire others to bike commute, ride, or race this month. See which activities inspire you to help others enjoy our fabulous sport!
Inspire with a bike-friendly shopping program. Everyone likes to shop, right? Inspire new cyclist with bike parts bling! Many aspiring bike riding enthusiast appreciate a shop that offers quality bike components along with solid advice on bike parts and cycling apparel. Convenience helps too. Look for a shop that offers online and store front shopping to aid in your cyclist needs. Fortunately, Peak Cycles offers both!
Inspire with bike education programs. Having the right bike setup, cycling accessories and gear makes all the difference. Consider offering a bike safety class for new riders or participate in a bike maintenance class. All tools aren’t created equal – some are good for mountain bike parts while others are designed for road bike parts. Knowing which tools to use on the appropriate bike components can make all the difference in making bike maintenance easy. Our post, Bike Inspections: A Guide for Injury Free, Enjoyable Spring Cycling, offers bike inspection tips and bike accessories you need to maintain your bike.
Inspire with a list of rides and events. Colorado has some of the greatest road bike rides in the country. Some are shorter, convenient rides whereas others offer steeper, longer climbs and extended distances. Locals and vacationers alike welcome the challenge of pushing the limits while taking in breathtaking views that only Colorado has to offer. Inspire new riders by checking out a few of 20 Colorado Front Range Bucket List Rides or invite them to spectate at one of the MTB races in Colorado.
Inspire with bike events! Check out one of the events held in your area. The League of American Bicyclist has countless events scheduled. Keep in mind, in 2015, Bike to Work Week will be May 11-15, with Bike to Work Day on May 15. To keep the momentum going, join our shop ride on Wednesday evenings and like our Peak Cycles Race Team Facebook page to keep informed of other rides and events.
Have fun, be active! Enjoy and inspire others to enjoy the outdoors and experience the joy of cycling this National Bike Month!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 20 Colorado Front Range Bucket List Rides, bike commuting, bike maintenance, bike parts, Bike to Work Month, Bike to Work Week, bike tools, cycling accessories, cycling apparel, National Bike Month, road bike | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
April 16, 2015
You’ve worked hard the past year and expect a healthy tax refund from the government. With anticipation, you’re thinking of how to spend that money wisely. Maybe you’re thinking you should save that money, put it in the bank, or invest in those long over due house projects. Yet, the other side of you is taunting you with images of bike parts and bike purchases. You might even feel these ideas are a guilty pleasure. However, spending your tax refund money on a new mountain bike or a road bike, or even cycling accessories, does more for your health and longevity than you know.
Investing in your cycling regime is an investment in you. Physical activity can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Physical activity and exercise can have immediate and long-term health benefits. Most importantly, regular activity can improve your quality of life. With that being said, investing in your bike and cycling program is a great way to spend your tax refund wisely. Enjoy our top 5 ways to do just that!
1. Get a Fat Bike!
Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop is passionate about fat bikes in the winter months but they can actually be ridden year round! They are fun and versatile bikes that can be used in almost any terrain. We have found the Specialized Fatboy to be a highly rated, mid-range fat bike that is usable for a wide range of ages and skill-levels. The fun isn’t exclusive to adults either! Specialized has also created a 20” and 24” Fatboy for kids at half the price of a full sized Fat Boy. If you’re not sure a fat bike is for you, demo one! Book a fat bike demo today and up the giggle factor to your normal riding program. Who can’t smile while riding a fat bike?
2. Get New Bike Parts!
So many bike parts – the question is what to purchase? Consider getting a high quality wheel set. A good wheel set impacts ride quality, ease of pedaling, reliability, and functionality. Maybe purchase some new, lighter tires for your wheels. Another option is to reconsider the current crank set and pedals setup. Who can’t justify spending tax refunds on losing lighter handlebars, a lighter saddle, and seat post?
3. Get a Power Meter!
The main idea behind using cycling training tools is to dial in your training to optimize your performance as it relates to your goals and objectives. Our post, The Best Training Aids to Launch into Spring Cycling, dives into the benefits of training with power. As for our favorite power meter options, 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.
4. Get Cycling Accessories!
Maybe your refund check wasn’t as large as you wanted it to be? This doesn’t exempt you from spending money on quality bike parts – it just means you might spend less. Items for purchase in this category include a variety of cycling apparel: jerseys, shorts, tights, jacket, cycling shoes.
5. Get 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. We can help you use your refund dollars wisely. Not only can we help you with the fit, but we carry all the bike parts required to get your bike in the very best setup for your riding needs. Give us a call (303) 216-1616 or stop by the shop in Golden to schedule your bike fit.
Considering how regular physical activity can produce long term health benefits, investing your tax refund dollars in your cycling program couldn’t be a wiser choice!
4 Comments | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike fit, bike parts, cycling accessories, cycling apparel, fat bike, handlebars, mountain bike, pedals, Pioneer Power Meter, PowerTap Power Meter, road bike, saddle, seat post, Specialized Fatboy, Stages Power Meters, Tax Refund, tires, wheel set | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
March 19, 2015
Spring riding and racing is just around the corner and athletes everywhere are starting to think about their “A” races as well as secondary races to use for training and motivation. A given rule of thumb is that all races provide experience, training benefits, and act as a stage to assess your form. Because of that, targeting a handful of high and low priority races and events throughout the year can be useful as learning experiences and opportunities to dial in nutritional needs and race strategies. The question for many is, where to start?
Use your 2015 cycling goals as your compass. We talk more about goals in our blog post, but the basic take away is to make your goals SMART. As in, specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. With that being said, you need to pick the right events during the cycling season to help you best achieve those goals.
Notably, not all events are equal. Some are harder than others. One approach is to use different course profiles, distances, and bike part options to mindfully select A, B, and C type races according to your training plans and race goals. Keep this simple reminder in mind – 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. A successful season starts off right by planning ahead, getting your mountain bike in order, as well as, getting the gear and cycling accessories you need.
Now, which races will you do? There are many tours, races, and events to choose from in Colorado. While this isn’t a comprehensive list, following are some of our upcoming favorite events at BikeParts.com.
Goudy Grinder – Wyoming – Sunday, May 31, 2015 – Registration open March 16th
40 in the fork – Fort Collins – Saturday, June 27, 2015 – Registration is open now. This event is considered “one of the Front Range’s toughest mountain bike races.”
Rocky Mountain Endurance Series – Colorado. This race series offers the best variety of mountain bike racing in Colorado. Great for beginners to experienced racers including different distances. The series begins kicks off in late April with the Ridgeline Rampage. Visit their site for registration and series information and check out our Sneak Peak to the RME Series.
MTB radio – endurance calendar. For those that enjoy epic, longer mountain bike events. Check out the MTB radio endurance calendar. Following are a few of the fun event on tap through May.
- April 18 – 6 Hours in Frog Hollow – Hurricane, UT
- April 23, Fruita Fat Tire Fest – Fruita
- April 25, Ridgeline Rampage – Castle Rock
- May 1, 18 Hours of Fruita – Fruita
- May 9, Desert RATS Classic – Fruita
- May 9, 12 Hours of Mesa Verde – Cortez
- May 9, Battle the Bear – Lakewood
- May 16, Dirty Double Fondo – Salida
- May 23, The Half Growler – Gunnison
- May 24, The Origional Growler – Gunnison
- May 29, Grand Junction Off-Road – Grand Junction
- May 30, PV Derby, Elbert
- May 31, The Great Bicycle Carnival for Kids on bikes
Planning your 2015 cycling season is a multi step process: Identify your cycling goals, dial in your bike, and select the events you are enthusiastic in participating. If you’re left questioning how to roll out your pre season training plan, well then, we’ve got you covered on that too. Check out our previous guides to get you training started or vista us at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop.
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, Races | Tagged: 12 Hours of Mesa Verde, 18 Hours of Fruita, 2015 cycling season, 6 Hours in Frog Hollow, battle the bear, bike parts, Colorado racing season, cycling accessories, Desert RATS Classic, Forty in the Fork, Fruita Fat Tire Fest, Gowdy Grinder, Grand Junction Off-Road, mountain bike, MTB Radio Endurance Calendar, Ridgeline Rampage, road bike, Rocky Mountain Endurance Series, spring cycling, The Half Growler, The Origional Growler | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
December 18, 2014
Are you stressing yourself out looking for the perfect holiday gift for your cyclist? Look no further! Surprise and delight your favorite cyclist with our list of best bike gifts for cyclist!
Stocking stuffer ideas are first and foremost! We mentioned in our post, Unique Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Cyclist, traditionally, stocking stuffers are smaller gifts that tend to pale in comparison to the main gifts under the Christmas tree. But with some creativity, don’t be surprised if our ideas for stocking stuffers turn out to be a big hit on Christmas morning. The usual suspects for stocking stuffers include multi tools, tubes, bottles, socks, head warmers, arm warmers, shoe covers, gloves, lube, energy bars, gels, chews and similar items. Smaller items that pack a big bang in your cyclist training regime include heart rate monitors and coaching gift certificates.
Combine these ideas with some items better placed under the tree, and you’re sure to delight your cyclist. And what might these gifts be? The very items that make cycling fun! This list of gift items includes a variety of cycling apparel: jerseys, shorts, tights, jacket, cycling shoes and…..a new bike! A new road bike, mountain bike, or even a fat bike might just be the very gift your cyclist is hoping Santa will deliver!
Another option – give the gift of experience! These are gifts that delight the whole year long!
Gift a Bike fit – Does your cyclist complain of hands falling asleep while riding? Or shoulder or neck pain after a long ride? 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. Consider the gift of giving your favorite cyclist a bike fit for Christmas. Not only can we help them with the fit, but we carry all the bike parts required to get the bike in the very best setup for their riding needs. Give us a call (303) 216-1616 or stop by the shop in Golden to schedule your bike fit.
Demo a fat bike! That’s right! Fat bikes are all the rage – they thrive in snow, sand, desert, bogs and mud as well as riding what is considered normal mountain biking. In fact, fat bikes are the fastest growing segment in the bike industry. Book a fat bike demo for your favorite cyclist that will up the giggle factor to their normal winter riding program. Who can’t smile while riding a fat bike?
Gift an App that keeps on giving – Smart phones, apps, and technology are paving the way for increased year round fitness. Consider giving the gift of paid apps to help keep your cyclist on track. The post, Top 5 Apps for Cyclists for Off-Season Fitness Gains, offers great suggestions including Lose it!, Strava, and Sleep Cycle.
We’ve talked about gifts for your favorite cyclist, but what about the bike? There are Gifts To Give Your Bike for Christmas! You haven’t forgotten about the two wheeled friend, now have you? Show some love for the bike this holiday season. Get it some presents!
Your favorite cyclists’ bike’s #1 holiday wish would be to drop the weight – on bike components that is! Consider getting a high quality wheel set. A good wheel set impacts ride quality, ease of pedaling, reliability, and functionality. Maybe purchase some new, lighter tires on your wheels. Another option is to reconsider the current crank set and pedals setup. You can help your favorite cyclist shave some weight there while also selecting lighter handlebars, a lighter saddle, and seat post. Loosing weight never seemed so easy!
And last but not least, what is a cyclist dream gift? Bike parts! What cyclist doesn’t love bike parts? Whether it’s a new shifters, brakes, seatpost, or fork, your favorite cyclist wants it.
See how easy it is to make your favorite cyclist smile this Christmas? Happy Holidays!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike fit, bike gifts, bike parts, brakes, cold weather cycling apparel, fat bike, fork, handlebars, mountain bike wheel sets, road bike, road bike wheel sets, seat post, shifters, Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Cyclist, tires | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
November 20, 2014
“We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter’s evening. Some of us let our dreams die, but others nourish and protect them, nurse them through bad days till they bring them to sunshine and light.” ~ Woodrow Wilson
Gone are the epic rides of summer only to be replaced with cooler temperatures, shorter days, and less time on the bike. Aside from cyclocross, the 2014 cycling season is over, but, this season may just be the most important season of them all. Now, it’s dreaming season . Dreams are where the journey starts for next year. Dreams set you down the path towards achieving something you may not have believed you could accomplish. They are what drive you to fit workouts into hectic schedules and push you when you want to quit. Dreaming season is when you start fueling the fire for 2015. Have you dialed in your cycling dreams for next season?
For some, it may seem too soon to think about next year but for others, many are already planning their 2015 race and cycling season. Regardless of which camp you fall into, it’s important to have lofty new goals, new ambitions, and new venues to fuel your cycling passions through the winter months. However, one misstep in planning is not pausing to reflect on what has recently come to pass. Personal reflection of the past season offers insights to truly optimize your training and racing regimen going forward.
Fueling the fires for next year begins with evaluating this past year. Set aside some time for reflection; consider asking yourself 10 Questions to Evaluate the Success of Your Cycling Season. Or, get insights into your performance by evaluating if your goals were smart (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound). You may question if you were Mentally Set Up for Success?
Moving past the emotional and psychological evaluation, don’t forget to take stock of your bike and bike parts performance. Did you have the right bike and tire setup for the conditions, geography, and terrain in which you raced or trained? Take notice of what worked and what didn’t work. It’s easy to get attached to particular brands or a set up because that is what you have always used; but upon reflection of bike accessories and bike part performance, honest appraisal of performance can steer you to look for cycling accessories that will work better for you in the future. Sometimes getting a bike fit can help better position you for a season of successful riding.
As an athlete, there is certainly a lot of value in staying in tune with your achievements and goals. However, it’s equally important to take the time to reflect on those achievements so that you can repeat them. If you find yourself unable to reach your goals, don’t get discouraged – take the time to re-assess them. Equally important, wWen 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 2015 right by planning ahead, plan now to get your road bike or mountain bike in order, along with the gear and resources you need. By dreaming big and having the best bike parts, your successful training and race prep is well underway for a successful 2015.
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 2015 cycling season, bike fit, bike parts, cycling accessories, cycling season review, mountain bike, performance review, road bike, training | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
July 24, 2014
BikeParts.com biking in Breckenridge, Colorado
The lifestyle here in Colorado celebrates the great outdoors. Even better, Colorado has some of the greatest road bike and mountain bike rides in the country. Some rides are shorter and convenient whereas others offer steeper, longer climbs and extended distances. Locals and vacationers alike welcome the challenge of pushing the limits while taking in breathtaking views that only Colorado has to offer.
According to ColoradoInfo.com, what makes Colorado so special is that it claims 53 peaks higher than 14,000 feet and the cycling and hiking trails ascending them are very popular and demanding. The state is something of a mecca for both long-haul road bikers and mountain biking enthusiasts. Bike paths are abundant on the Front Range from Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver, and Colorado Springs to Pueblo. In the mountains there are paved bike paths as well as hundreds of miles of single-track trails for off-road biking.
With that being said, which are the destination hotspots for cycling in Colorado? No doubt, there’s too many great rides, trails, and locations to name them all, but following are a few of our favorites.
– 10 Best Colorado Trails
– The Athlete’s Guide to Boulder
– 20 Colorado Front Range Bucket List Rides
– Colorado’s Backcountry Biker’s Huts
– Top 10 outdoor trips and activities in Colorado
Now, aside from selecting your ideal riding location, there are a few additional elements to lock in to ensure a successful cycling adventure. Extra considerations include preparing for riding in Colorado’s altitude. The post, Racing at Altitude. What You Need to Know, gives some quick tips on acclimation and don’t forget about having your cycling essentials on hand. Meaning, make sure you have your maps, bike parts, hydration pack, and arrange in advance the details if you are shipping your bike.
Now, all you have to do is visit! At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we invite you to visit Colorado’s cities, towns and mountain communities. Join us on road and mountain bike rides across the state and embrace all the beauty this glorious state has to offer!
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: Adventure travel, bike parts, Boulder, Colorado, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Front Range, mountain bike, Mountain Biking Travel, Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, Pueblo, road bike | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
December 26, 2013
Joshua Murdock climbing Old Three Mile Highway in Linnville, North Carolina.
While the year may not be quite over, many are already planning their 2014 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 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. Personal reflection offers insights to truly optimize your training and racing regimen.
Before setting your sights on new goals for 2014, it’s important to evaluate the previous season with an objective, yet critical eye. The 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 2014 cycling season. Take the lessons and insights from these questions to make SMART goals for 2014. When you make your resolutions SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound), not only do you boost your chance of attaining your goals, but you also become a better cyclist in the process. Aside from the traditional resolutions to ride more, to lose weight, and to explore new rides, consider taking on some different resolutions. Explore how these suggestions can add to your training or mental preparation for the upcoming season.
Set a personal goal for the miles you want to ride in 2014. Using a cycling computer, heart rate monitor, or power meter offers options in calculating mileage and other fitness related variables. Try a new tool and see if it makes adding up the miles a little easier.
Learn to maintain your own bike. For some, bike maintenance can be a chore, but having the right set of bike components and tools can make all the difference. Consider creating a pre-ride bike check or an ongoing maintenance program to follow. Bike maintenance can be a great way of engaging in your cycling passion the whole year long.
Bike commute and do it more often. 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 in 2014 you will be. And, if you already bike commute, perhaps resolve to commute by bike more frequently.
Inspire others to get out and ride. Bike inspiration comes in many forms, from DVD‘s, to books, to new bikes and bike parts, to riding with others. Share your bike passion with others in ways that are meaningful and inspiring to them. How many friends do you think you could inspire to be two wheeled friends in 2014?
Give Back. Cycling by nature brings out the best in us all. Consider volunteering your time, skills, or resources at local bike races and bike events. Event participants will be in your gratitude but you may get back more than you give! Many volunteers are inspired to participate, race, or take on bigger goals than they previously imagined due to volunteering and helping others to reach their goals.
Commit to a Positive Attitude. Nothing is more contagious than a positive attitude! Resolve in 2014 to embrace power thoughts and bike parts that motivate you to get on your bike and ride. Surround yourself with fellow cyclist aiming for similar goals. Remember, your attitude determines your altitude.
For cyclist, attaining goals is part motivation, part perspiration, and part having the right tools to help you reach your goals. Here’s to a bright and rewarding New Year ahead!
6 Comments | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 2014 cycling season, Athlete-Coach Season Review, bike commuting, bike components, bike maintenance, bike parts, computer, goal setting, heart rate monitor, road bike, SMART goals | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
October 10, 2013
For some cyclists, strength training is a welcomed part of the training process; however, for others, it is a necessary evil. Yet, to avoid injury as well as get stronger on the bike, strength training is becoming a critical aspect of year round training.
With that being said, how should you train year round? Is it a good idea to hit the weights while racing? Are there certain strength training exercises to accompany different aspects of the racing year?
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.
Another major goal with strength training for cyclists is to train more muscle aerobically. This includes the muscles in your legs and the muscles in your arms and core. The more aerobically trained muscle you have, the more potential you have to clear lactic acid, and the less overall body fatigue you will experience. A weaker core and upper body that fatigues fast will result in poor form and cause you to slow no matter how strong and aerobically trained your legs are.”
From this, we can see the importance of building a stronger core through year round strength training. 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. The time you spend working on it now will greatly pay off throughout the entire year.
8 Comments | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: pedal, road bike, strength training, Year-Round Strength Training for Cyclists | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
August 22, 2013
The 3rd Annual US Pro Cycling Challenge is well underway in Colorado. Being that Peak Cycles in Golden, Colorado participated in the first two years of the race, we’ve had a chance to field many of the questions asked by fans and sports enthusiast. In fact, just the other day, our friends, Team Jelly Belly were in the shop!
Pro rider’s bikes are a hot conversation topic. Many are curious as to what the pro’s are riding and what they can do to their own bikes to gain the advantages that the pro riders seem to have. Following are few favorite questions:
How much does a pro’s bike weigh? Typically, a road bicycle that the USA Pro Cycling Challenge participants race on will weigh around 15 pounds. You might be wondering, “What does a 15 pound bike feel like?” Light! See for yourself. We have a variety of road bikes and mountain bikes in the shop to try out for feel. You’d be surprised what a difference a lighter bike makes in climbing.
What makes the bikes so light? The bike frames in and of themselves are made of lightweight materials but having light weight bike parts and bike accessories keeps the bike light in addition to the light weight frame. For our customers, it’s easy to swap out older bike components with newer, lighter bike parts. Granted, it’s not the same as riding a pro riders bike, but every reduction in bike weight means you have the opportunity to go faster.
Where have the professional riders raced in Golden, Colorado and can I ride there? The last two years of the US Pro Cycling Challenge had racers ride through downtown Golden and up through Lookout Mountain. This year, if you are visiting Stage 6 Loveland – Fort Collins or heading over to Stage 7 Denver, stop by Peak Cycles bike shop and we’ll be happy to tell you the route.
We’re loving the good cycling vibe that the US Pro Cycling Challenge brings to our state. Good luck to all racing the ProCycling Challenge!
Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike parts, Colorado, cycling accessories, Golden, Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, road bike, Team Jelly Belly, US Pro Cycling Challenge | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com Blog 