A common misnomer is that, as long as your helmet looks okay, then it is okay. Not true. Over time, the materials in your helmet will begin to break down. This includes the outer shell, the shock absorbing material in the shell as well as the strapping material. UV exposure, perspiration and body oils all contribute to this progressive decline. A good rule of thumb is to replace your helmet every 5 years. However, some manufacturers, like Bell and Giro, recommend that you replace your helmet every 3 years.
A common misnomer is that, as long as your helmet looks okay, then it is okay. Not true. Over time, the materials in your helmet will begin to break down. This includes the outer shell, the shock absorbing material in the shell as well as the strapping material. UV exposure, perspiration and body oils all contribute to this progressive decline. A good rule of thumb is to replace your helmet every 5 years. However, some manufacturers, like Bell and Giro, recommend that you replace your helmet every 3 years. Bicycle Garage Indy Receives Thanks from N.I.T.E. Ride Chair
Bicycle Garage Indy is proud to be a long-time sponsor of the N.I.T.E. Ride, held on June 26th. Not only does BGI help promote the event, we provide supplies and service before and during the event, including riding support who do small repairs on the route as well as support vehicles to bring in those who can’t finish the ride. In recognition of our efforts to provide service to the riders before and during the event, we received the following "Thanks" from NITE Ride Director Dan Shields:
"On behalf of Central Indiana Bicycling Association (CIBA), I would like to thank you and the entire BGI team for your efforts to help make 2010 N.I.T.E. Ride (Navigate Indy This Evening) such a huge success.
This year’s event, on June 26, 2010, far surpassed our registration record that was set just last year, with nearly 3,300 paid registrations. We are also clearly reaching more novice riders as evidenced by an even higher rate of growth in riders needing assistance, whether for bicycle servicing before the event or SAG support during the ride. BGI’s incredible support in this area has been crucial to achieving our mission of promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, commuting and touring while maintaining a great experience for all participants.
We are also thankful for your working with Giant Bicycles in providing the bicyclies for the BGI Great Bike Giveaway", the prizes for the "L.I.T.E. Up Your Bike" contest, BGI’s efforts to co-promote the event and all of the other valuable elements of BGI’s sponsorship.
Please accept our thanks for your fine support of N.I.T.E. Ride 2010!
Dan Shields
Chair, 2010 N.I.T.E. Ride Committee"
Bicycle Garage Indy looks forward to supporting the N.I.T.E. Ride in 2011! (June 25th, 2011)
Connie Szabo SchmuckerAdvocacy Director
Bicycle Garage Indy
Indianapolis and Greenwood, IN
Online Coupon- If It Fits In the Bag, Save 20%
Yes, that's right. Pick up one of our in-store mesh shopping bags at the front door, fill it up, and carry it (no dragging allowed!) to the the check out, and Bicycle Garage Indy will take 20% off the lowest marked price on every item in the bag. You must bring in the coupon, or show it on your smart phone, and the BGI staff will do the rest.
This coupon is good through Monday, August 15, at either Bicycle Garage Indy location - North (Clearwater area in Indianapolis) and South (just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood)
Pre-Ride Safety Check: The A, B, C's
A = Air
B = Brakes
C = Chain, Crank, Cassette
A = Air. Squeeze each tire. It should feel very firm. Once it begins to go soft, it is time to inflate your tire to the PSI (pounds per square inch) which is stamped onto the tire. A floor pump with built-in gauge, like the Bontrager Charger, is your best tool for this. Note: It is important to keep your tires properly inflated, as an under-inflated tire may cause control problems AND is more likely to go flat. C = Chain, cranks, cassettes (think “gears” on the rear hub). When you first get on the bicycle, run through the gears. Do you have full use of all your gears? Does the chain fall crisply onto each cog?
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it may be time to visit your friendly mechanic. But if all your answers were “yes”, then you are ready to ride. Go out and enjoy!
Check the Bicycle Garage Indy Events Calendar for our schedule of informative mini-clinics and maintenance classes, available at both Bicycle Garage Indy locations.
Bloomington. Every year's goal.
I've been thinking about this race ever since a mechanical last year kept me from being in contention. It's the one I dwell on when trying to finish the last interval in the garage in January. However, I knew my fitness would be somewhat compromised by the Holsmans' week-long trip to Tennessee
just before the race. I really shouldn't be doing long, steady hill rides the week before a goal crit, but on the other hand, how often do I get to ride in Tennessee? So I did the vacation-type epic rides, had a great time, went kayaking, had a Cuban cigar with my dad, played in the river with Kaia, etc, etc, great vacation but not necessarily the greatest race prep.So I woke up on Saturday morning feeling not very ready. But nil desperandum. Headed down to Bloomington, picked up an espresso at Soma, met up with the whole family (who stopped to see me race on the way back from TN, which was AWESOME), went for the warmup ride, ran into Neibler, RJ, and Schroeder. . . all of a sudden I was feeling a lot more positive.
Off to the start line. It was a fast start with a first-lap prime for the coveted Kilroy's gift card. Naveen John from Sustainable Cycling went out hard and would continue to do so for the entire race. 65 riders + short course + nine primes = hard, fast racing. I don't think anyone ever got more than 50 yards off the front. I saw Neibler go down by the Sample Gates pretty early on. He had also just had a bout of intestinal flu, so that was the end of the day for him.
My lethargy from the morning caught up with me about halfway in and I started to lose position, sliding from the front all the way to the back third of the field. I finally remembered to take a gel, got my legs working again, and started working my way back up through the field. The behavior and smoothness of the race was a pleasant surprise. Usually this race has quite a few agressive/scary moments, but instead we just rode hard and fought for position without making each other unsafe. Nice work, everyone.(Aside: check out Naveen in the white/green, bridging up to the small group going for the prime. He really dominated the race and set his guys up to take the win. Great riding.)
That is, until the last lap. I had gotten up to about 15th with two laps to go, and then got caught behind a pulling-off leadout man. That cost me a quick ten places, and 25th when they ring the bell is just about impossible to deal with. I was still hoping to squeeze into the top 10 (along with everyone else from 11 to 25), and sure enough, the guy in front of me caught a pedal on the outside of the dreaded corner at 6th and Dunn. No time to react, nowhere to go, I went straight into him, three other guys went into me, and thus we'll spend another year wondering what might have been.
So what did we learn? A crash at that spot at that point in the race is a near-certainty. You just have to be at the front to have any shot at this thing. Period. So this winter's training will be all about being able to maintain that high effort to be in the prime position at the end.
Teammates: I hear that RJ got taken out in the last turn. Schroeder rode very well in the top 10 the entire race and wound up at about 7th. I saw Ian in the last 5 laps and then we got separated; not sure where he wound up, but I think he managed to keep off the pavement.
I'll spare you the photos of my scabby knee, but here's one of the other victim:

That's right--the Cannondale CAAD9 is toast after a too-brief tour of duty. Luckily I have another on the way, and so it shall rise, like Phoenix from the ashes.
Next up: probably the Lawton Loop crit on August 1.
Thanks for reading!
(Toby Holsman is the Operations Manager for Bicycle Garage Indy)
Dream Bigger - Win your Dream Bike from Trek
Bicycle Garage Indy wants you to know about Trek's Dream Bigger contest, starting July 16 and running through the end of the Tour De France on July 25th. Just visit Trek's Web site (www.trekbikes.com) and follow the Dream Bigger links. One bike winner will be picked every day by Trek, and hundreds other prizes will be awarded.You will also find all Trek Bikes on sale during the BGi Big Summer Bicycle Sale going on now though July 25th. We also have hundreds of essentials on sale, our new bike buyer discounts on helmets, and our $75 Value Intro fit included with every bicycle, or credit toward any of our selection of bicycle fitting services.
Visit Bicycle Garage Indy’s two locations, North (in the Clearwater area in Indianapolis) and South (just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood).
Rack Trunks: Great for Day Trip Essentials

There are a lot of bicyclists who can put their complete riding needs for a day in a couple of jersey pockets. I am not one of them. It is not that I am a totally fred rider. While a strong believer in self-sufficiency on the road, contrary to rumor, I can't quite overhaul a bike on the roadside. However, I am the family ride sherpa, responsible for sunscreen, food, spares, rain gear, our restaurant lock, and anything else that I was supposed to bring. And then there is a camera that comes on almost every ride ride. So I have a rack trunk on my touring bike and our tandem. Rack trunks are also great for 3-season and day-trip riders with space for jackets, vests, arm and leg warmers.
Obviously, a rack trunk needs a rack, and there are two types. Traditional 4-point racks from Blackburn or Bontrager, which require eyelets on your bike. Or seat post mounted racks like the Bontrager Seat Post Rack. Note that if your bike has a carbon fiber seat post, check with the manufactures specs before using a seat post rack.
Triathlon Basics at Bicycle Garage Indy's First Tri-Night
New to Triathlons? Come to Bicycle Garage Indy's first "Tri Night" and find out about Bikes, Accessories, Nutrition, Clothing and Transition tips to shave minutes off your time!Location: Bicycle Garage Indy North,
4130 E. 82nd Street, Indianapolis.

Runners - Extend Your Running Years with Cross Training
Running is my passion and my sport of choice. In my youth, I would run every single day – even twice a day in college – with no problem. But at some point, probably in my 30’s, I found that injuries began to crop up with daily training. After much experimentation, I found that running every other day kept those nagging injuries at bay. Cross training on the alternate days have allowed me to maintain my aerobic fitness while still getting to run regularly and into my current 50’s. I think this is important for runners to consider NOW, while healthy, before future potential injuries could permanently sideline them from their running. I can’t tell you how many times I have met “new to bicycling” 40-60 year olds, who took up bicycling because of hip, knee or back injuries from running. These folks have accepted that they have completely given up their first love, running. I am thrilled that they have discovered a new joyful endeavor, bicycling, but sad that they had to give up their first and original passion. If only they had introduced cross training earlier – then they might still be running AND bicycling. That is why I urge you to consider cross-training NOW.
Low impact cross training alternatives include bicycling, swimming, low impact aerobic classes and even elliptical trainers. Alternate your running days with these low impact days. Or follow up particularly pounding workouts (intervals or longer distance) with a day of lower impact activity. Achieve your goal of running for a lifetime – and give your legs a break!
(For the new to bicycling of any age, Bicycle Garage Indy can help you find the right bicycle to fit your needs from just having fun to competitive fitness.)
Dry County 1000-2007
Name: Alan Ladd
Bicycle: Trek 520
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
Alan: Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for Your Bicycle Story.
My Commuter Bike
Name: Chris Baggott
Bicycle: Trek 4500 Mountain Bike
City: Greenfield
State: IN

(Thanks Chris- we will pass your thanks along to to Toby and the rest of the staff at Bicycle Garage Indy)
Friday ride is ON for 5/28/10
A handful of other things:
Attended the annual Bike To Work Indianapolis celebration, which had a great turnout despite rain in the forecast. Well done, Bicycle Indiana!
Bicycle Garage Indy got a visit from ProTour rider Dominique Rollin today as part of his trip to the Zipp factory. Nice fellow!
Took the first broccoli out of the garden and planted the beans and tomatoes. Peas should be ready any day now.
Visited the alma mater to play against this year's incarnation of the Carleton Ultimate Team and hoo boy, are they good (please don't laugh. We take it really, really seriously).
Took a few too many days off the bike and the numbers show it. Time to rebuild fitness. Next race will probably be McCormick's Creek, and after that it's time to target my favorite: the Bloomington Grand Prix!
Our Latest Coupon Will Knock Your Socks Off (your receipt!)
Then pick a pair if Pearl Izumi Attack cycling socks for free!. Pearl Izumi's Attack Socks provide complete comfort for every activity. The ultra-soft Select Transfer fabric ensures a sweet fit and delivers excellent wicking power for all-day dry feet. To keep your feet feeling fresh, these socks feature seamless toes and lightweight instep fabric. And, the reinforced heels and toes ensure excellent durability.
Sidi, Cannondale,Shimano, Bontrager and Keen cycling shoes Indianapolis are found at our two locations, Bicycle Garage Indy North (Clearwater area in Indianapolis) and Bicycle Garage Indy South (just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood)
My current road bike
Name: Bob Locke (Manager, Bicycle Garage Indy South)
Bicycle: 09 Giant TCR Alliance
City: Indianapolis
State: Indiana

(The TCR Alliance is just one one of the Giant Bikes Indianapolis available from Bicycle Garage Indy - North, in the Clearwater Crossing area and South, Greenwood, just west of I-65 on County Line Rd.)
Discover Cannondale Sales Event at Bicycle Garage Indy
The Discover Cannondale Event details are:
Also in this edition of the the Bicycle Garage Indy Email Newsletter, you will find information on
You can sign-up for the BGI Email Newsletter on our home page at www.bgindy.com or the next time you visit BGI.
The Discover Cannondale Sales Event takes place at both Bicycle Garage Indy locations, BGI North, (Indianapolis, E 82nd St. in the Clearwater area) or BGI South (Greenwood, just west of I-65 on County Line Rd).
Comfortable, Pretty AND Fast
Name: Linda Hardcastle
Bicycle: Trek 1.2 WSD
City: Carmel
State: IN

(Thanks Linda! - Linda is a Fitness Content contributor for Bicycle Garage Indy and BGI Fitness )
Bicycle Friendly Celebration and Visits from Washington DC
After the celebration, I took Andy Clarke on a tour of Indianapolis, highlighting what's been accomplished and what we hope to acheive in the near future. He was duly impressed. Andy had been sent the feedback Indianapolis has been given last fall when we received the Bronze designation and as he listened to Mayor Ballard tout the most recent accomplishments, he realized we has already accomplished much on the "to-do" list we had been given.
The next morning Andy led the bike train for St. Thomas Aquinas Walk/Bike to School with Your Grandparent event. I participated in the bike ride and got the opportunity to meet Rep. Andre Carson, Mayor Ballard, and USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood. It was a whirlwind 24 hours.
Here are some links of media coverage of the event:
LAB's blog about the 4/22 event
http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2010/04/indianapolis-bicycling-and-ray-lahood/
LAB's blog on the Bike to School event:
http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2010/04/big-names-at-indianapolis-safe-routes-to-school-event/
USDOT Sec. LaHood's blog
http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/04/grandparents-day-safe-routes-to-school-mash-up.html
NUVO item
http://www.nuvo.net/NewsBlog/archives/2010/04/23/indianapolis-a-bicycle-friendly-city
Courier-Journal - Louisville, KY
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100423/NEWS02/4240304/-1/EXTRAS05/Obama+official+walks+kids+to+Indianapolis+school
IndyStar
http://www.indystar.com/article/20100423/NEWS04/4230374/Obama-official-walks-kids-to-Northside-school
USDOT policy article/backlash
http://www.theindychannel.com/automotive/23144733/detail.html
St. Thomas Aquinas website - photos
http://www.staindy.org/school/section.php?page=3-84
another Indy website coverage
http://www.indy.com/posts/obama-official-walks-kids-to-northside-school
And in our own blogs:
http://blog.bgindy.com/blog/bicycle-garage-indy/0/0/bicycle-friendly-city-event-in-downtown-indianapolis
Connie Szabo Schmucker
Advocacy Director
Bicycle Garage Indy / BGI Fitness
Indianapolis & Greenwood, IN
cschmucker@bgindy.com
www.bgindy.com
Bicycle Friendly City event in downtown Indianapolis










Tom, Pete and Eduardo, and Stacie, 4 friends and regular Monon Commuters who stopped by for the event.


(Photos by Jay Hardcastle for Bicycle Garage Indy.)
Two Tools for Bicycle Chain Maintenance
The Park CC-3 Chain Wear Indicator does one thing; tells you the how much the chain has stretched. It measures stretch as a percentage of chain length. You fit one end of the two-sided tool over a roller of the chain, and swing the other end down onto the chain. If the tab fits into a space between rollers, the chain is stretched the amount indicated, either .75% or 1%. While a chain with .75% stretch chain can still be used, a chain with 1% stretch should be replaced. The stretched chain will result in excessive wear of the cassette, requiring a more costly replacement.
The Park CT-3 Chain Tool is solid and shop quality. It has both a full size grip and T-bar handle, and shelves for dealing with tight links. I especially like it for working with my tandem timing chains (where 2 chains must be used to assemble the extra long chain) and my older 6-7-8 speed bike chains. And while many modern 9, 10, & 11 speed chains come with master links or special pins, the CT-3 will allow you to safely remove links to adjust the chain length. (Always follow the manufacturers instructions specific to the chain you purchase.)BGI Spring Expo - Great deals!
Name: Sarah
Bicycle: Trek
City: Carmel
State: In
