Posts tagged ‘Southeast Cycling’
Southern Cycling Culture: August 10-12th
I’ve been keeping something hot under my cycling lid.
An event August 10-12th in NC. The goal is to focus on Southern Cycling Culture. Open houses, bike rides, skills clinics, family friendly, cycling vendors from all over the south. Now I need help naming this event. So far I have…
Pedal South
Grits ‘n Gears
Crankolina
Dirty South Bike Fest
Southern Pedal
Southern Spokes
Which do you like? Which appeals to you? Or do you have something creative that kicks butt??
The Starbucks Effect
I’m a big fan of Starbucks and Apple. If you were to ask me two brands that I relate to in the most upwards of ways, it would be these two. I’m sure someone will hop on the comments and blast me about child labor or over priced coffee, but I like what I like.
Why does all this matter to bikes? Service matters.
I visit and pay full retail to the above places for the experience, customer service and reliability. I can walk into any Starbucks across the country and receive the same tasting green tea. I can walk into any Apple store and receive the same great shopping experience. I have used Apple products pretty strictly since 2002, they work, they last and they come loaded with many things I need. They are more expensive but the experience and product is worth it for me.
As I travel through my territory of the Southeast the question of online price wars comes up and I always bring up the examples of Apple and Starbucks. These two hold true to their core mission, and have well trained staff. When was the last time you went into look at Apple products and you saw a huge SALE sign? They actually go out of their way on their website to put discounted or refurbished product out of the main view of the consumer. (It is all the way on the bottom of the navigation bar on the left.)
When was the last time you asked the person making your coffee if you can give them less than their asking price?
Discounting product does not win customers for life.
Experienced staff, a pleasant shopping experience, reliability and amazing service is what wins customers for life. There is a reason that the Gap owns Old Navy, Gap and Banana Republic. Different shopping experiences, different quality of product and different prices. All of them have well trained staff, thoughtfully laid out merchandise and HAPPY staff.
I shop at all three depending what I need, and each location I walk away with a good experience.
Consumers, I encourage you to give feedback to your local shops.
Did you stop shopping there because they kept messing up your bike when you brought it in for a tuneup? Did they sell you the wrong tube size 3 times? Did someone rub you wrong because they were grouchy and lacked customer service? Was your experience one that left you shaking your head and heading straight to google to find what you needed online?
I still try local coffee shops when I’m traveling, I buy clothes from other places as well, but when in a pinch I know who I can rely on and in todays times when we are all running around like crazy, this matters more to me than saving 5%.
6 Hours of Warrior Creek Secret Discount Code
For some reason Jason over at 6 Hours of Warrior Creek likes me… Regardless he has allowed me to slip you folks a secret discount code.
6 Hours of Warrior Creek
April 7, 2012 in Wilkesboro, NC
Registration opens October 31, 2011 at 12:01am here…Click me (but look at the code below)
The first 100 spots that use the below coupon code… get 20% off applicable registration fees!
Secret Code for Registration: HEADWATERS1
Laurel Trail Review at Lake Norman State Park
When I am riding locally in Charlotte NC I have roughly 4 trails I visit, either due to distance from my house, work or time restraints. One of my favorite trails,that is also one of the closer ones to my house, recently had a trail addition that opened earlier this fall.
Lake Norman State Park which is about 25 minutes north of center city Charlotte is a great trail for all levels. 20 or so miles can now be found wrapping around the lake. Well maintained with a decent amount of length it will give you a reason to make the drive. The words I would use to describe the whole circuit of trails is flowing, moderate, and scenic. The Tarheel Trailblazers have done a great job building and keeping up with the trails, the State Park Rangers keep an eye on the trail, encourage use but also make sure it isn’t abused when the weather is foul.
The recently finished addition, the Laurel loop added 8 miles to the other two loops that have been staples at Lake Norman. The loop is a bit more technical, adding fun switchbacks, little kicker climbs, man built log rollers and will give you a work out no matter your experience. Those in shape will hit the trail harder, those looking to step up their game the trail is completely rideable, you may need to walk a couple hills but there is not shame in it!
The trail reminds me of a tamed Warrior Creek in Wilkesboro. Not as much elevation change, not as many berms, but fun. 20 miles of mountain biking, with 10 more planned will make this a destination spot. I’m lucky to live relatively close to the trail (10 minute drive)!
Lake Norman Bike Route Ribbon Cutting This Weekend
If you are a local to me (Charlotte/Lake Norman, NC) then you should know about the dedication event of the Lake Norman Bicycle Route. The route is planned to circle Lake Norman on marked roads, greenways, and showing points of interest. The route is 3/4 of the way marked and mapped! Read more about it or view the map here.
This Saturday is the event to kick things off, including a bike ride!
Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Troutman Depot
137 South Main Street, Troutman, NC
Starts at 10am
Description of the Troutman Loop to be ridden after the ceremony Saturday
Begin at Downtown Troutman’s landmark Old Depot at US 21/NC 115 (Main St.) and Wagner Rd. Careful crossing US 21 to start your ride south on Wagner. After 1.5 miles, veer right onto State Park Rd. The scenery becomes more rural and wooded approaching Lake Norman State Park. Past the first bridge, see a parking area at Park Lake. Boats can be rented here during summer. The building provides restrooms and drinking fountain (mid-March to November). A Porta-John is located at the north entrance of the parking lot by the Itusi Mountain Bike Trail entrance. A mile further on State Park Rd., turn right after the Park’s west gate. St. John’s Rd. ends at E. Monbo Rd. Turn right, and in a ¼-mile, veer right to stay on E. Monbo and the Loop. E. Monbo stretches another 4 miles through hilly, rural horse country before reaching Old Mountain Rd. (To visit Daveste’ Vineyards, divert right onto Talley St., past Hicks Creek Rd., and another right onto Lytton Farm.) Continue to Troutman, turning right on Old Mountain Rd. to reach US 21/NC 115. At the light, turn right. After a ¼ mile, turn left at Old Murdock, then right onto Eastway. Notice the “Richardson Greenway” path across from Town Hall. In ¾-mile return to the Depot. If you’re hungry, enjoy one of the several restaurants you just passed along Main St.
Va Du Mar Cyclocross Race Report
Peeling myself out from the warm covers early Sunday morning, the light wasn’t out yet and as I stumbled my way through getting dressed. It was going to be a long day as my knee and body screamed in pain due to the prior days 5k race efforts.
Record time into the car, hitting up McDonalds for a Muffin, sausage, egg and cheese breakfast. 25 minutes later I am sitting in a Super Walmart parking long waiting for my friends and fellow EM:PWR teammates to arrive for our car pooling. Many good topics, a couple moments of daydreaming and we arrive in Spartanburg, SC finding the Va Du Mar park quickly. Chatting, dressing and registering. I probably should have warmed up more than the 30 minutes on the road that I did. During my pre-race course preview lap I dismounted tweaking my knee even further. This would sum up the next 45 minutes if you want to finish reading now.
On the start line there was 4 women and maybe 8 men. A very sad showing for the cyclocross community in South Carolina. The women’s field even had cash payouts! As I stumbled around the course, carefully getting off the bike, somewhere on the backside of the first lap I was questioning what I was doing and how much pain in every down stroke I was feeling. I finished though, slow and at least 8 minutes behind the person in front of me.
The Course
The course was fun other than the lack of pavement, and a good amount of grass riding. There is a jaunt through the woods that stumbled up some of the roadies. As the course was worked over the dirt became more and more loose. The park was gorgeous, tons of parking, and new bathrooms that were heated!
Finishing Thoughts and Goals
I need to ride my bike more. Too often I get done races and simply realize I need to ride my bike and I would be better. It isn’t the nutrition, mental, or bike, I just need time in the saddle for progress.
Questioning to continue to pay $20 a race to realize this. Maybe go to simply photograph and ride the course before I have to pay!
Big Stampede Swap Meet in Charlotte NC
What is the BIG STAMPEDE?
How about the biggest bicycle expo and swap to hit the Southeast! Big Stampede features 25,000 square feet of manufacturers, retailers, clubs/teams, and individuals buying, selling, and swapping new and used cycling and triathlon equipment. A place for YOU to sell your old gear, and buy or swap for new gear, plus a whole lot more!
November 6, 2011
WHEN: The expo/swap is from 9AM until 3PM.
WHERE: Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC, will host the 2011 Big Stampede Southeast Bike Expo & Swap in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Garage located in the infield of the Speedway.
Admission = $5.00
12 and under = FREE
Parking = FREE
There is an ATM on site and there will be concessions.
The Official beneficiary for the Big Stampede is Trips for Kids. They will be there to accept any donations of used cycling equipment. Please bring something to give to them.
Video from NC Cyclocross Practice Last Week
Cyclocross Practice in Lake Norman, NC from Arleigh Jenkins on Vimeo.
A clip of our Wednesday night practices for NC Cyclocross in Bradford Park in Huntersville North Carolina. Come play with us!
NC Cyclocross Clinic Recap
This past Sunday I dragged myself out of bed at o’dark 30 to prep myself and brain for my first cyclocross “clinic”. At around 7 o’clock teammate and all around awesome guy, George Berger, picked me up in his little Prius and we were off into the sunrise. The goal was to get to mountains of Boone North Carolina and the Pirate Race Products Cyclocross Clinics.
Walking into a cyclocross clinic I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have participated in cyclocross practices, and various other road/mtb clinics before but never dedicated for cyclocross.
Here are the things I did know:
The clinic was segregated for women and men. There ended up being roughly 12 women that showed up which seemed to be a decent group for learning and trying new things with two instructors.
It would be a long day. The clinic was scheduled from 10 to 4, and I knew from cyclocross practices that I would be completely worn out doing these quick burst of anaerobic effort.
There would be good food. Burrito’s from Black Cat in Boone, if you haven’t been there – go visit soon.
I had no goals. There were things I want to improve on in cyclocross this year, but a specific skill other than not hurting myself, I didn’t have one dead set in mind. Oh wait, that is a lie.I want to be able to do the “flying squirrel” remount by the end of the season. You know that one were you “hop” off the ground and gracefully slide over your saddle like a cowboy on a bareback horse? Yes that is what I want to be able to do.
Drills and practice makes perfect
For 6 hours I was taken back to high school. All the drills and random technique forming (brain numbing) things you would do, and hate, wanting to just PLAY the game you were practicing for. You didn’t want to practice sprints, side to side, crazy legs, etc.
Quickly these feelings went away and I was left really enjoying myself and fellow company. I hope to have video’s of all the things below later this week. Video editing is just not in the time early this week.
Crazy 8′s - You basically take two objects, maybe 20-50 feet apart, with a partner you circle the objects/cones/trees/phone poles in a crazy 8 fashion. Learning how to take the corners properly at speed, while at the same time making sure your partner doesn’t catch or pass you (especially in the corners.)
Hill Climbs – This is the one I avoid, I did it twice and stopped. Find a hill and run up it with your bike. At the top either walk down or hop on your bike to ride back down. We started off slowly, simply picking up our bike and walking up the hill to learn where to place the bike on our shoulders and how to use our free arm to propel ourselves up. After a few times in slow, we then would ride into the hill, dismount and “scurry” up the hill.
Dismounts – A great thing for someone getting used to hopping off the CX bikes, especially with clipless pedals. With some momentum unclip your right foot and swing it over the saddle to be behind your left foot. Simply glide in that position. Once you feel comfortable doing this, repeat but this time swing your right leg back over to and clip back in. Next step is to complete the dismount. There were two schools of thought for this, sliding your right leg between your left leg and bike, or swinging your right leg behind your left and allowing the momentum to unclick you. I don’t feel comfortable the first way, and I’m much faster with the second.
Mounting – At a walking pace work on hip rotation and in motion of your walking stride take your right leg and slide it over the saddle so you “catch” yourself on your inner thigh right below your groin. Work on getting faster and “pushing off” your left leg so you get more speed into the sliding onto the saddle. (This is the one I need to work more on.)
Starts- Try out different gearing for your start, where should you be on your seat, do you do better with your hands on the shifters or in the drops, learn your limits so that you can push them but also land in the top positions in the start of the race. It is always better to allow people to pass you than to pick off people through out the race.
Other things gained at the NC CX clinic
The drills were awesome. Having 12 women to talk about womens CX and learn their ways of doing things, was awesome. Having “hot laps” at the end, was awesome. More than anything I believe the best part was meeting 12 semi-local women that will be on the courses beside me. Having people to talk with, making new friends and hopefully helping grow the sport.
Testing out George’s new Kuat rack was also very informative, if only they came out for a hitch for my new car!
I feel more motivated and able for the season. All I need to work on is my motor and I have over a month to work on that one. Here’s to NC Cyclocross! You can find all the photos over yonder.
Pre-Race Preparation, Rituals and Stupidity
What are your race day rituals? I find that rituals are so different between the niches of cycling. You can easily identify someones personality by how they prepare for a race. Is your gear in a box all organized? Are your bottles prepared the night before and put in the fridge with your gels already under the cap? Do you warm up on a trainer, or in your jeans on the road?
Mud and Cowbells put together a great Powerpoint deck of pre-race rituals for cyclocross. Click through but please share your setup and rituals in the comments below!
A Wash of a Weekend
Going in to the weekend I had great plans for riding every day, enjoying time with my lovely and hitting up roller-coasters at Carowinds. Can I tell you that I did not do almost any of those things?
While the closest I got to riding was overhauling the Airborne Goblin Saturday morning, and cleaning out my car from all the water bottles I have been collecting for the past two weeks. Yes, that is the closest I came to riding. It stunk. More to come later on overhauling the Goblin, including the steps you should take when lubing the chain and pumping up the tires aren’t enough. Needless to say I was very excited to ride a non-creaking, tire and seat-post swapped, shined up Goblin but it didn’t happen.
Neither did that road ride on Saturday morning. I didn’t even meet up with the last Trail Crawl of the century with the Dirt Divas.
Here’s to not being sick and sleeping more!