THE QUICK RELEASE

A newsletter from Velo City Cycles

July 2009 

July! Long hot days and warm nights! The Holland Hundred! The Tour de France! Enough rides and races and events to keep any cyclist happy and smiling! We’re smilin’ too, and we’ll be smiling even more if you were to join us for a ride and/or stop in the shop to say “howdy”! Plenty to talk about so read on…………

WEEKLY RIDES - Our full menu of shop rides will continue through the summer. We try to offer something for everyone so c’mon out!

Tuesday Night Ride - Leaves the shop @ 6:00pm sharp. 3-4 groups for all levels of riders. Feelin’ fast? The “Hot” group is for you ‘cuz this group will cover 30+ miles @ a pace of 23+mph. That sounds like a bit much? No sweat…..roll out /w the “Medium” group for 25+ miles @ an 18-20 mph pace. Looking for a more relaxing ride? We hear you….join the “Mild” group for 20-ish miles @ a 16-17mph pace. The “Medium” and “Mild” groups are always led by Velo-Citizens so that no one gets lost or abandoned. Remember that the last night of the month is Pizza Night!

Thursday AM Recovery Ride - We roll @ 8:30 for 20 miles of easy spinning to help help race or workout-weary legs recover. We’ll end up @ The Good Earth for breakfast.

Friday AM Bagel Ride - Join us @ 8:30 for 25-28 miles and then (again!) bagels-n-such afterwards.

Saturday Sprint Ride - A long-standing local tradition, the Sprint Ride clips in @ 8:00am for 25 miles of high-intensity sprints for stop-ahead signs.A fast ride!

Saturday No-Sprint Ride - Looking for a nice way to start your weekend w/out all that pain and suffering? This is your ride. Meets @ the same time as the Sprint Ride and does the same route, just w/out all that sprinting stuff.

IMPORTANT NOTE - All Velo City rides assume that the participants understand that our goal is to ride safe and legally! If you’re not interested in being a good citizen and positive member of the paceline……these might not be the rides for you, dig? Helmets and at least one brake are also required.

OTHER WEEKLY RIDES - Holland’s local bike club offers weekly rides on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Check them out @ www.macatawacyclingclub.org.

THE HOLLAND HUNDRED IS JULY 18TH! - As previously mentioned this is the month that Holland’s long-standing tour takes place. We are proud to be a primary sponsor once again for the 35th edition of this fine event. The ride offers routes from 18-100 miles, the famous pancake breakfast, sweet country roads and for the 1st time the ride will benefit The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as well as other worthy local causes. Stop in the shop for an application or check the club’s website to register online.

VEL-O-DRAM CANCELED - We’re sorry to announce that our plans to continue the ODRAM tradition have been shelved for this year due to a combination of a lack of interest on y’all’s part and an increasingly crowded calendar. Maybe next year!  

DIGGIN’ THE DIRT W/ DANIELLE RIDES ON HIATUS ‘TIL 7/27!  Our series of fun, instructional trail rides led by pro-mountainbike rider Danielle Musto have been a big hit but she’ll be in Colorado training for the next 3 weeks. She’ll be back - and back at it - on Monday the 27th. Luton Park in Rockford is the place and 6:30pm is the time.

12 HOURS OF PANDO TEAMS FORMING NOW! One of our favorite events of the summer, the 12 Hours of Pando is an off-raod relay race @ the Pando Ski Area in Belding. The date is 8/15 and it runs from noon-midnight. This is totally one of those “the more the merrier” sorta deals and we’d like to get as many folks there as possible. Let MC know if you’d like to be a part of a 2 or 4 person team. (If you’re gonna “man up” and ride it solo go ahead and register your-own-bad-self!) It’s a great trail and making a day of it and hangin’ w/ your Velo-buds all day is a COMPLETE blast!

More info? www.funpromotions.com  

STUFF ON SALE! STUFF ON SALE! STUFF ON SALE! - Yep, we interrupt this program to bring you a special announcement. We have some cool stuff marked down that you might want to think about…….

ALL CANNONDALE MOUNTAINBIKES STILL 20% OFF! Not all that many left but if we have your size - now’s the time!

ALL 2008 BIKES FROM C-DALE, NINER, TERRY, SALSA & REDLINE ARE 20-35% OFF! Again, not many left but if your dream bike is still here………..

WHEELSET SALE! PICK UP A SWEET NEW SET OF WHEELS FOR YOUR RIDE AND GET FREE TIRES!  - Every Mavic, Rolf Prima, Easton and Reynolds wheelset on hand is now 20% off and you’ll also receive free tires! (A$100-$140 value!) Choose the Challenge Criterium for the best ride, the Vittoria Diamante Light for races and special rides or the Gran Compe SS ‘cuz you just hafta have hot pink, neon green or bright orange tires. (They ride great too!) Easton’s still runnig their “buy wheels and get a free helmet” deal too! That’d be in addition to the discount and free tires!

ALL WOMEN’S JERSEYS NOW 20% OFF! Check out the area’s best selection of wmn’s jerseys from Pearl Izumi, Cannondale, Terry and Twin 6!  Grab ‘em while we got ‘em!

FINE PRINT - All sale stuff is limited to stock on hand, no special orders, etc etc blahblahblah.

EDITORIAL - ARE YOU INVOLVED? I rode a lot of dirt this past holiday weekend….Ft. Custer twice & Yankee Springs. I was really impressed w/ the work that’s been done @ Custer and that got me to thinking how hard the Michigan Mountain Biking Association has been working on local trails. Just look @ what’s been done lately - the new trails @ Cannonsburg Ski Area, Luton Park, Custer, Yankee…the list goes on. The MMBA folks are just like the rest of us - they’re busy w/ life and work and tryin’ to find the time to ride. But they are also out there working on the trails, figuring out stuff w/ the DNR and givin’ a little back, y’know? If you are a mountain biker and you live in Michigan you should be an active member of the MMBA! It’s that simple.The same thing goes for the League of Michigan Bicyclists, your local bike club and all the other organizations that rely on volunteer time and a check every now and then to get stuff done that we all take advantage of as we ride our bikes.

M.C.

www.mmba.org

www.lmb.org

www.macatawacyclingclub.org

www.rapidwheelmen.com

COME HEAR THE BAND! MC & his musical cohorts will be tearin’ it up at various local venues over the next few weeks……come and join the fun!

Saturday 7/11 - New Holland Brewery 7-11pm

Saturday 8/8 - Ditto

Sunday 8/9 - The Red Dock in Saugatuck 4-8pm

Saturday 8/22 - Saugatuck Brewing Company 8-Midnight

www.tlcb.com

So……..as is always the case we’d love to have the pleasure of your company here @ the shop or out on a ride. Be safe, ride lots and remember……….

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, Hovel in the Hills 

We’ll see you out there!

Berger, Sandy, Matt, Austin, Rhonda, Glenn, Aaron & MC

THE QUICK RELEASE

A newsletter from Velo City Cycles

April, 2009 

It’s April! The month of “transition” from Winter to Spring. The month of the “Spring Classic” races in Europe. The month where we can f-i-n-a-l-l-y ride outside w/out 3 layers of gear! Needless to say - your buds @ the Cool Bike Shop find themselves kind of excited by all that, and plenty more!

We’d be much obliged if you could take a minute or so and read about all the cool stuff we have coming up & going on…………………. 

THE RETURN OF THE TUESDAY NIGHT RIDE! Our most popular weekly ride kicks off the season for the 1st time on April 7th. Just like before - we roll @ 6:00pm sharp and there will be 3 groups: “Hot”, “Medium” and “Mild”. The “Mild” group will go 20 miles @ a pace of 13-15mph. The “Medium” group will go 25 miles @ a pace of 18-19mph and the “Hot” group is on its own. Velo-Citizens will lead the “Medium” and “Mild” groups so no one gets lost or left behind. We do expect everyone to be on their best behavior and obey all traffic laws!

According to tradition - the last Tuesday of the month is pizza night so mark your calendars! 

THE SATURDAY MORNING SPRINT RIDE WILL START ON 4/18! Legend has it that this ride actually pre-dates the very existence of Velo City by decades! (We find that concept somewhat unsettling so we try not to think about it). Never less - the Sprint Ride is a local institution and the only ride associated w/ the shop where the “gloves are off” so to speak. This is a fast-paced ride down towards Saugatuck and back w/ furious sprints for each “stop ahead” sign along the way. A great way to test your fitness and see if you’re ready for the Grattan Race Series! Roll-out is @ 8:00 sharp.

APRIL’S FUN-RAISER RIDE IS THE “DESSERT RIDE!  Our “Fun-Raiser” series of rides happen every month from September through May and always feature a food theme, maps and tons o’ fun! Come on down to ride -n-hang w/ a buncha other cool like-minded folks! The Dessert Ride is set for April 26th we’ll have 25 and 40 mile loops and lotsa sweet treats back @ the shop! (Feel free to bring something to add to the pile…or not)

We leave @ 2:00 and there will be several groups w/ a pace for everyone! 

APRIL IS CANNONDALE MOUNTAINBIKE MONTH! If you’ve been thinking that it might be time to get yourself a new mountainbike - now’s the time! We’ll have every mountainbike in the shop on sale all month!

All 2009 models - 20% off!

All 2008 models - 25-35% off!

See what we mean? Here’s your chance to get yourself all set up on a sweet ATB @ a sweet price!

(FINE PRINT - APPLIES TO BIKES ON HAND ONLY) 

INTRODUCING…..CERVELO! We are pretty psyched to announce that we are now West Michigan’s exclusive Cervelo dealer! In a few short years this Canadian company has become synonymous with high performance as their bikes have been ridden to victory in everything from the Tour de France to Paris-Roubaix to the Ironman. We’re anxious to show you why they might be the best choice for you as well. The 1st shipment should be here by the middle of the month.

“MORE THAN A 100 MILES” MOVIE PREMIER ON 4/16! Most of our friends and customers are aware that the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the shop’s favorite cause and that we support the West Michigan Ride Team in a number of ways. MC has been the coach of the team since Day 1 (and has just been “promoted” to Co-National Head Coach) and VCC is also the Tech Support provider for all 6 of their Rides for 2009. A long-time member of the Team has produced a documentary about the 2008 ride season and the movie makes its debut this month!

The date is April 16

The time is 7:00pm

The place is Celebration Cinemas North in GR

The cost is 5 bucks.

There will be an after-party at Boston’s (right next door) and you’re liable to see some faces you recognize!

More info @ www.morethan100miles.blogspot.com  

SAY “HOWDY” TO GLENN RUTKOWSKAUS! Glenn’s the last piece o’ the puzzle as far as the cast of Velo-Citizens for the season, joining Berger, Aaron and Matt in the service area as of late last month. He’s another “roadie” and is looking forward to gettin’ a buncha miles in w/ the rest of the staff this summer. He lives in downtown Saugatuck w/ Courtney and Silas and will be here 2-3 days a week making sure that your bike gets the TLC that it deserves. A graduate of our “Tool School” and a machinist by trade, he’s here to help!

COOL NEW STUFF REPORT - Our first shipment of Keen cycling sandals kinda flew out the door but we just got a new batch in! These look to be the hottest new design in sweet riding footwear and everyone here @ the shop can hardly wait to ride in ‘em! Men’s and women’s sizes, all w/ that super comfy Keen fit and combo of ventilation and toe protection. $115 and compatible w/ any “walkable” pedal system.

COOL EVENTS CALENDAR…….So much goin’ on, sweet!

4/6 - Macatawa Cycling Club meeting.

4/7 - Tuesday Night Ride starts.

4/16 - World Premier of “More Than a 100 Miles” film in GR

4/18 - Sprint Ride commences.

4/19 - Yankee Springs Time Trial.

4/25 - GRBMX Mountainbike Race - GR

4/26 - Dessert Ride.

4/26 - Classic Bike Swap Meet - Ann Arbor

5/3 - Cone-Azalia Road Race

5/9- Kal-Haven Trail Blazer

Info on all these events available here @ the shop.

COME HEAR THE BAND! Make the scene @ the Saugatuck Brewery on 4/11 to see (and hear) what MC and the other 5 members of The Last Call Band have been up to! Music starts @ 8:00 and goes until past their bed-time! No cover and smoke-free!

Wow! See what we meant when we said that there’s a lot goin’ on? We sure do hope that this note finds you well and ready to ride! If there’s anything we can do to help w/ that…be sure to let us know, okay? We’ll be here, ready to tune-up your current bike or fit you to a new one (or both!)

So - stop in and say howdy and we’ll see you on a ride! 

Berger, Sandy, Aaron, Matt, Rhonda, Glenn & MC

“Cycling is Childhood Perfected”

Heather Sellers, Cyclist 

THE QUICK RELEASE

A newsletter from Velo City Cycles

Feb. 2009 

Hey y’all! Just ‘cuz it’s only early February and it’s been a l-o-n-g winter there’s no reason to fret! Spring will come and we’ll be rolling down the roads, paths and trails of our beautiful state soon enough! Until then - there’s all sorts of stuff goin’ on in and around the Cool Bike Shop so how ’bout you read on and see what’s up?

HOT DEALS ON STUFF FOR COLD WEATHER! Despite our big talk in the earlier paragragh there…the simple fact is that we have a good bit o’ winter to deal with and we’re here to help! Whether you prefer to ride inside or outside this time of the year we’ve got some good deals cookin’ for you to check out! Take a peek…….

20% off all heavy tights, jackets, gloves & booties - Want to keep gettin’ some outside miles in? We understand.Wrap yourself in some great cold-weather gear!

20% off all Cycle-Ops Wind, Magneto or SuperMagneto Pro trainers and rollers. You’d prefer to ride inside? Yeah - we understand, we do too sometimes! Might as well do it right on a new Cycle-Ops trainer.

20% off all Spinervals training DVD’s.(Coach Troy wants YOU!)

FIRST EVER “SEVEN RENDEZVOUS” COMING UP! On Sunday 2/ 8 we are hosting a celebration of Seven Cycles. Our “Seven Guy” Joe W is coming aaaaaaalll the way from Boston to join us and fill us in on what they’re up to for 2009. Join us! (Contact MC for details mike@velo-citycycles.com)

INDOOR RIDES ROLLING ON! ‘Tis true! Our Indoor Training Rides are still a big hit and continue to get folks out of the house and onto the saddle! The drill: You bring your bike and trainer, we provide the space, fans, TV, training DVD’s and company! (You can store your stuff here - ask for details). Times are 8:00am on Saturday and 8:00pm on Wednesday. There are also random “Sunday Special Super Suffer Sessions”……watch the website! (www.velo-citycycles.com)

OUTDOOR RIDES A-ROLLIN’ TOO! The Friday Morning Bagel Ride has missed nary a week all winter and we’re not gonna start now! It rolls from the backdoor @ 8:30am for 20 miles or so and a stop @ the Good Earth for refueling and warmth. And - the “Crazy Bastard Rides” leave from the Hamilton Grocery Store on M-40 every Sunday @ 2:00.Expect some dirt and gravel roads on this one!

TUESDAY NIGHT YOGA CLASS! The area’s original cyclist-focused yoga sessions are going strong (and that’s what you’ll be if you join us!) Instructor Heather Allegrina is an avid cyclist and she takes the class on a journey towards greater balance, flexibility and strength. Time is 6:30pm, the cost is $10. You will need a yoga mat.

FEBRUARY FUN-RAISER RIDE ON 2/15! Join us for the “SOUP RIDE” - a 25 mile jaunt followed by all the soup you can eat over @ the New Holland Brewery! We roll @ 2:00!

(Our infamous “Fun-Raiser” ride series is designed to do just that…raise the “fun level” for our friends in the cycling community. We host a ride every month from Oct-May w/ a theme, good eats and…yes…..a lotta fun! Details of the schedule on our website. www.velo-citycycles.com )

RIDERS NEEDED TO FIGHT DIABETES! If you’ve been around the shop at all over the past 4 years you’ve no doubt noticed that we’ve chosen the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as our favorite non-profit to support. MC has been the coach since Day One and the West Michigan Ride to Cure Team is getting revved up for another great season! Registration for the 2009 Rides is now open and they would love to have you join them! Of the 5 Rides scheduled the Mi. squad will be attending the Killington VT Ride in late August and the Death Valley Ride in mid-Oct. Intrigued? Inspired? We’re not surprised! MC has been heard to say that these Rides are the coolest thing he’s ever done on a bike and he’s done a fair bit of cool stuff. (Not well maybe, but he’s done it!) Feel free to stop in the shop and pick his brain about the program or surf on over to www.ridejdrf.org.

RIDERS NEEDED TO FIGHT CANCER TOO! Join us as we climb aboard the trainers to give the Big C a poke in the eye @ the Ultimate Cycle Challenge! It’s a 12 or 24 hour team indoor relay event to raise $ for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and it takes place on Feb 20/21! We still have some openings on the Velo City team so if you’d like to join us please contact MC (mike@velo-citycycles.com) It’s a minimum donation of $30 to the L.A.F. and we’ll provide the trainer set-up. It’s WAY more fun that it sounds, trust us!

COOL STUFF COMING UP!

Check out this list of upcoming events for happy cyclers. More info here @ the shop for the asking!

2nd Annual Grand Rapids Cycling Film Festival - Sat. 2/7 @ the Wealthy Theatre. (www.grbff.blogspot.com) Don’t miss it!

KissCross Sno-Cross Race - Sat 2/14. (www.kisscross.com)

Michigan Mountainbike Association Annual Meeting - 2/22, Lansing. (www.mmba.org)

North American Handmade Bicycle Show - 2/27-3/1 Indianapolis. (www.handmadebikeshow,com)

COOL PROJECT THAT YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF DEPARTMENT: Here’s a quick note from MC about The Motion Initiative in Grand Rapids: “I had heard about this bike shop / community outreach program and had been meaning to check it out so I made my way over there last week. What I found was kind of inspiring! They teach local kids about bikes and bike repair as a way ot inspire and move them! Check out www.mibike.org and see for yourself! By the way..if you’re ever left any usable parts here this is where they ended up!”

IMPORTANT SAFETY NEWS! READ THIS PLEASE!

Mavic has announced a recall of ALL R-SYS MODEL FRONT WHEELS effective immediately!  If you own these wheels STOP RIDING THE FRONT ONE RIGHT NOW and bring it to us (or any Mavic dealer) to get the details of the recall. Don’t screw around w/ this…..you could get yourself hurt! You can also check out www.mavic.com

So…..we think that oughta do it for this edition of the Quick Release! Lots to be excited about, lots to look forward to, lots to do right now! We hope that you’re riding, or at least thinking about riding and if you have a sec……stop by the shop and say “howdy!

The Velo Citizens