Velo City Cycles

October – the “transition month” for cyclers here on the 3rd Coast…..the month where shorter days and cooler temps means that we get out the lights, break out the tights and full-fingered gloves & start thinking (ever so reluctantly!) about our “off-season” programs…….and just exactly where DID we leave that fluid trainer, huh?

However – here @ the cool bike shop October means Cyclo-Cross races, gravel road rides and lots of other Cool Bike Stuff ‘cuz after all……that’s how we roll. So – read on about the many ways you can roll w/ us……

WEEKLY RIDES – Still the very center of what our shop’s all about, our October Weekly Ride Menu offers quite a selection: (unless otherwise noted – all rides leave from the shop)

The Tuesday Night Ride rolls @ 6pm, offers 3 groups (all led by Veo-Citizens) and was chosen by Bicycling Magazine as one of the “Top 50 Shop Rides in the USA”.  Chose from the “Medium” group (24 miles @ 21-24mph), the “Mild” group (same loop @ 18-20mph) or the “Mellow” group (20miles @ 15-17mph). Lights are encouraged and the last TNR of each month is followed by PIZZA NIGHT!

‘Cross Practice 101 is on Wed @ 6pm & will give you a chance to pick up some tips on ‘cross technique (barriers, dis-mounts, etc) and a chance to practice ‘em.

Jan’s Recovery Ride is Thurs @ 8:30am. We’ll roll 24-ish miles @ a “recovery” pace of 17-19mph to give weary legs a chance to “spin out” some toxins. Followed by breakfast @ the local bakery/cafe.

Chris’ Gravel Road Ride rolls from Holland Christian High School (the lot on 40th st) @ 6pm on Thurs. Velo-Coach Chris will show you some of his fav dirt roads. 1.5-2 hours, lights required.

The Bagel Ride is Friday @ 8:30am. It covers 25-ish miles @ a 18-21mph pace and winds up @ The Good Earth Cafe for – what else? – bagels! (Or cupcakes, cookies, egg sandwiches, muffins, etc!)

The Sprint Ride rolls @ 8am on Saturday and is the longest running ride in the area. (nearly 3 decades!). 20-ish miles of furious sprints for every stop ahead sign ‘tween here and Saugatuck. Paceline speeds of 24-30mph. The pack re-groups after every sprint until the top of Beeline Hill so c’mon out and see what’cha got!

Please note – all VCC rides are open to anyone and any bike providing that you: wear a helmet, have at least 1 working brake, are equipped w/ lights when appropriate and are willing to ride in a safe and legal fashion.

SPECIAL RIDES & EVENTS THIS MONTH: There’s always extra stuff going on and this month is no exception – check it out…….

The Pineapple Bob Classic is Sunday 10/9 @ 2pm. Part of our famed “Fun-Raiser” Series, the P. BOB is a ride that features a mix of paved and gravel roads. There will be a 35-40 mile loop featuring as much gravel as we can find as well as a 25-30 mile paved only option. Snacks and munchies back at the shop afterwards – feel free to bring something to share. Tip sheets will be provided.

Dressing for Cool/Cold Weather 101 Seminar – Monday 10/10 @ 6pm & Thursday 10/20 @ 6pm. Confounded by the rapidly changing temps and conditions of Michigan’s Autumn? Trying to build the ultimate wardrobe @ the lowest cost? Just tired of wondering whatintheheck to wear? Come on down and let us help! (This seminar will also be offered as part of Kaat’s “Cycling for Women 101 Series – watch the FB page for dates and times)

NEW STUFF REPORT – We’ve been back from the Bike Show for a few weeks now and our efforts there are just starting to bear fruit. You’ll see a lotta cool new stuff  fillin’ up the shop as we roll into Fall.

One the new lines we are most excited about is our reunion w/ Salsa Cycles! We’ve been partnered w/ them in the past (MC rides a Mamasita 29r, Chris a MukLuk, Kaat an A La Carte, etc) but right now we are giddy w/ excitement for the arrival of our 1st shipment of Mukluks, the 4″ wide tire-equipped go-anywhere (and we mean anywhere!) so-called “Fat Bike! The huge tires allows super-low psi (like  6-8!) and that means sand and snow are no prob! Truly a full-on fun machine and they’ll be here any day! (We’ll have a demo or 2 as well!) Our initail shipment will include the already-legendary Fargo as well – a 29r do-all mtn/road/touring monster’cross rig. We are way excited to welcome Salsa back into the VCC stable!

We are also thrilled to offer you Ibex Wool Clothing! Made here in the USA of New Zealand Merino wool – Ibex offers wool base layers, jerseys and fabulous wool knickers and tights. All of the year-round-riding Velo-Citizens will talk your ear off about the wonders of wool if you give ‘em half a chance and y’know what? They’re right! You owe it to yourself to check ‘em out! (Ibex that is, not the Velo-Cits!)

Other new (or new-ish) stuff includes Castelli fall clothing, a fresh batch of VCC kit (including long sleeve jerseys for both genders & wind vests), the revolutionary Veleau bike-mounted hydration system (perfect for anyone that struggles to drink while riding) & a host of other bits and pieces – all vetted by our staff of dedicated bike geeks! If you see it here in our shop that means that we’ve tried it, tested it and believe in it. Simple as that.

Also we are happy to report that the “usual” Fall shipments have arrived and as you’ve come to expect we have pretty much anythign you could possibly crave in the way of gloves, booties, hats, tights, jerseys, jackets, vests, baselayers, socks, indoor trainers, rollers, and such from Castelli, Pearl Izumi, Ibex, Smartwool, Cycle-Ops, Kreitler, Cannondale and more!

We got’cha covered – that’s all we’re sayin’.

SPEAKING OF “NEW STUFF – STOP IN AND MEET NATE! As Aaron transitions to part-time here @ the shop (as he embarks on the next phase of his life) we’d like to introduce you to Nate Guiles, our new mechanic. Nate lives on GR’s west side and has been in the bike biz since 2006. He’s a skilled mechanic but is alos eager to learn the “VC Way” from Jeremy as he takes over the extremely critical task of taking care of the service needs of your bikes. Rest assured that we have 100% confidence in his ability to do just exactly that! He’s looking forward to meetin’ all y’all soon! (And looking forward to his 1st Jan Cookie too!)

STUFF ON SALE STUFF ON SALE STUFF ON SALE! (Didja get that?) As all the 2012 bikes continue to roll in we have reduced the pricesd on all our 2011 bikes from Cannondale, Cervelo, Electra & Surly.  The selectiojn continues to dwindle but if we have what’cher looking for this could be the best time to go bike shoppin’! With 2012 prices trending upwards – the 15-25% discounts we’re offering on 2011 models will result in way more bike for your $!

We’ve also recently re-loaded the Deal Wheel with lotsa summer shorts, jerseys, tee shirts, etc to make room for the avalanche of Fall/Winter stuff.

SUPER-SPECIAL DEAL ON CANNONDALE F5 CONTINUES! They are goin’ fast but we still have a decent supply of that 2009 C-Dale F5 mtn bike we told you about last month. This bike retailed for $750 in ’09 and we bought a big pile of ‘em to offer you a 50% discount! Yup – $375 for a dirt-ready ATB w/ a RockShox fork, Avid disc brakes and a Sram drivetrain! Shucks – those parts alone are worth $375! Here’s the only catch – we only have it in XXS. Due to the way the bike fits that’ll fit most folks from 5’1′ to 5’6″ so if anyone in your fam falls within that range (or ever will!) you really oughta check this bad boy (girl) out!

OCTOBER RACE, RIDE AND EVENT CALENDAR: (A * means more info elsewhere in this newsletter)

10/9 – Pineapple Bob Classic *

10/9 – Run-Up CX Race, TK Lawless Park (runupcx.com)

10/10 – Dressing for Cold Weather 101 Seminar*

10/15 – Colorburst Tour (rapidwheelmen.com/colorburst)

10/16 – KissCross CX Race, Richmond Park GR (kisscross.com)

10/16 – TailWinds CX Race

10/20 – Kitting Up For the Cold 101 Seminar*

10/22 – Mad Anthony CX Race

10/23 – KissCross CX Race, Manhattan Park GR

10/29 – Last Call Band – Saugatuck Brewery Halloween Bash*

10/29 – Tailwinds CX Race, Ann Arbor

10/30 – KissCross CX Race, Caledonia

10/30 – Tailwinds CX Race, Ann Arbor

11/5 – Iceman XC Race

THE LAST CALL BAND GETS SCARY! (some might say that’s old news)At any rate your only chance to see/hear MC’s band this month will be @ Saugatuck Brewing Company’s Halloween Bash on 10/29.

THIS IS OUR MONTHLY PLEA/SUGGESTION TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!  (We thought we might try and put it here @ the end this time!) There is SO MUCH  going on here @ the shop that the flat-out best way to stay in the loop, get the heads up and stay off the front is to follow us on Facebook. We;ll let’cha know when the cookeis are here (and fresh!), when we’ve decided to put something on sale, when the next batch of Mukluks has arrived…….and much more! So – find us on FB and “friend” us….it won’t hurt a’tall!

So…..here we are again at the end of another Quick Release. That means that another month has flown by and we’re lookin’ ahead to the next! As always we wanna thank you for coming along for the ride(s), hangin’ out here @ letting us be a part of your cycling life. It means the world to us, it really does!

So – ride lots, be safe and we’ll see you on (or off) the road!

Your cyclin’ buds @ VCC….Berger, Aaron, Nate, lil’ Mike, Sandy, Alex, Keith, Chris, Kaat & MC

“Four Wheels Move my Stuff,  Two Wheels Move my Soul”

(poster we saw @ the bike show – author unknown)