Velo City Cycles

THE SEPTEMBER QUICK RELEASE

a newsletter from Velo City Cycles

September 2010

September!?!?!? Yup – sho’ nuff! Wanna know what we here @ the Cool Bike Shop think of when you say “September”? More summer! To us September is yet another glorious month of summer w/ a little less daylight! This might be the best month of the year to be a cyclist here on the 3rd coast – great weather, lotsa cool events (Mapleleaf Metric, Harvest Tour, DALMAC, Apple Cider Century to name a few), the start of cyclo-cross season…..it’s an awesome month!

While other shops cut their hours, lay off their staff and prepare to hibernate we’re keepin’ it inthe big ring! Same massive menu of shop rides, same hours, same faces (okay – the teachers might be here a little less!) and cool stuff comin’ in nearly everyday!

So – stop by when you get a sec. Let us tell you about all that September (and our lil’ ol’ shop) has in store for you if you’re fortunate enough to be a cyclist in West Michigan in September.

WEEKLY RIDES – The same schedule (w/ one addition) that’s been rollin’ since April. If it ain’ t broke………

Tuesday Night Ride – Our biggie! 3 groups w/ a distance and pace to suit pretty much anyone. 6:00pm. Last Tuesday of the month is pizza night!

Wednesday Night ‘Cross Practice – Dust off your ‘cross bike, pump up them knobbies and refine your skills w/ us every Wed night. Time is 6pm and the location for the time being is Paw Paw Park  just west of the corner of Paw Paw and 112th. Note – this location might change after the middle of the month - watch our FaceBook page for updates.

Thursday Recovery Ride – Spin out weary legs w/ 25-ish miles @ a 17-19mph pace and then breakfast @ the Good Earth Cafe. 8:30am

Thursday Night Lights Ride – Discover the joy of a nighttime group road ride. We quite often watch thesun set and the moon rise on this ride. Full lights required, ‘natch! 35-45 miles @ a 18-20mph pace. 8:15pm

Friday Bagel Ride – A classic and “very civilized way to start your day”.  25-30 miles @ a 19-21mph pace. And then……….it’s bagel time!

The Saturday Sprint Ride – a 30+ year tradition! 25 miles of sprints for stop ahead signs and zippy paceline work. 8am.

“SPECIAL RIDES” – these guys don’t come around every week so grab ‘em when you can!

Danielle’s Dirt Rides are a work in progress as this is written so check our FB page and her blog for updates. (www.daniellemusto.blogspot.com)

Dawn Patrol! – A great way to get a whooe buncha miles in before breakfast! Leaves the shop @ 5am for 50 miles before joining up w/ the Bagel Ride. For this month the sole Dawn Patrol is on 9/17. A production of the “Shut up & Ride Club” about which you are invited to read more about on our website. (www.velo-citycycles.com)

THIS MONTH’S TOP 5 REASONS YOU OUGHTA “FOLLOW” US ON FACEBOOK:

#1 – Our FB buds got several special offers in August.

#2 – Daily updates for the Interbike Show later this month.

#3 – A heads up on the arrival of fresh Jan Cookies!

#4 – Word up on the latest arrivals of the coolest newest stuff!

#5 – ‘Cuz maybe, just ma-y-b-e we’re not kiddin’ about that 24 hour Berger-cam!

Yep – our FB followers receive regular-but-not-annoying notes about this that or the other. Simple to sign up for and 100% fat free! (Except for the cookie thing)

SPEAKING OF THE BIKE SHOW………we need to go, so we can stay connected to our industry, see our suppliers and friends and find all the cool little companies that make the cool stuff that makes us different, but we wanna  be here when you need us too. So – this years’ comprimise is that we will be closed on Wed and Thurs 9/22 & 23.  That’s it. Other than that – we’re here our regular summer (aka year-round) hours. Please plan service needs, shopping trips and cookie visits accordingly. Thanks!

BUT IT’S GETTING A LITTLE COOLER….WHAT DO I WEAR? Great question and as you might have guessed (since we brought it up) we have the answer(s)! most of us ride all year ’round so we are well-equipped to help you figure out just what you need (and don’t need!) to stay comfy, happy and safe as we roll into Fall. (or as we like to refer to it – later summer). As this is being typed (late on 9/2) trucks fulla cool and cold weather clothing and accessories are en route from Pearl Izumi, Cannondale, Smartwool, Ibex and many more fine brands. We’re here to help you sort it out and stay in the saddle!

BOT WHAT IF I WANNA RIDE INSIDE? Okay – got’cha covered there as well! By mid-month we’ll have indoor trainers, rollers and all the fixin’s, once again accompanied w/ our no BS advice, derived from our personal experiences.

STUFF ON SALE DEPARTMENT As more 2011 bikes roll in and the summer clothing gets crowded out by the arrival of the warmer stuff you can expect to see sale prices on 2010 bikes and all the sunmmer jerseys and such. It’s always worth checkin’ the “Deal Wheel” to see what cool clothing we’ve added to it recently and you’re gonna start to see sale tages onthe bikes any day now. The selection could be better frankly…it’s been a great season….but the prices wil be sweet!

LAST CALL BAND RIDES AGAIN! Yes, yet again MC has the outright bald-faced nerve to hijack our shop newsletter to babble about his band. Sad but true. Anyway – check ‘em out @ the Saugatuck Brewery this month on 9/18 from 7-11pm. They’re actually sorta good! (If you like that sort of alt-country/old rock kinda thang)

SEPTEMBER EVENT CALENDAR (a * means you can read more about it elsewhere in this newsletter. Otherwise we have info here @ the shop)

9/4 – 6/12 Hours of Drummond Island ATB race

9/11 – MapleLeaf Metric Tour / KissCross race and season kick off / Mt Baldy run

9/12 – KissCross race / Vinyard Classic Tour / Addison Oaks ATB  race

9/17 – Dawn Patrol!*

9/18 – 12 Hours of Hanson Hills ATB race / Tailwinds CX race / Last Call Band @ SBC*

9/19 – KissCross race / Leelanau Harvest Tour / Tailwinds CX race

9/22-23 – Shop closed for the bike show*

9/25 – Ride for Runaways Charity Tour

9/26 – Apple Cider Century Tour / Pando ATB race

See what we mean !?!?!?!?!??!? tons of cool stuff!  What a great month to be on 2 wheels!

Okay – it’s only a few minutes away from being tomorrow so we’re gonna wrap this up and call it a day. We sure would dig it if you were to stop by, join us for a ride or maybe even test ride a bike or 2. ( We have a couple of sweet Cervelo demos @ the moment for instance!) We also wanna thank you for making this one of the best seasons we’ve ever had here @ the shop…we are much obliged! Keep riding, be safe, watch out for one another and we will see you on (or off) the road!

Your bikin’ buds here @ VCC ( in order of frame size)

Alan, Kaat, Keith, MC, Sandy, Glenn, Aaron & Berger

“The bicycle is a Truly Great Invention because it is part of the entire range of human existence, from frivolity to necessity.”

Bike Snob NYC