Bicycle Garage Indy

Trek Project 1 Madone with Dura Ace Di2 at Bicycle Garage Indy Noth

Saturday, February 6, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

Shimano DuraAce Di2 Front Derailleur and battery pack

We have our first Shimano Dura Ace Di2 Treks Bike Indianapolis! We have a Trek Project 1 Madone with a complete Dura Ace Di2 drive train assembled and on display. Better yet, we have have it on CycleOps Jet Fluid Trainer, so you can try it yourself at BGI - North.

Shimano's SEIS (Shimano Electronic Intelligent Shifting) is a remarkable riding experiencing. On of the most fascinating features is the self-triming front derailleur, with it's two-step shifting between rings. The the Di2's lithium battery pack mounts in-line with and below a water bottle cage, and is designed for 1,000 miles of riding between charges. You can find a complete set of pictures on Flickr.

Bicycle Garage Indy Tire Deal Buy 1, save 50% on the next

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

With warmer weather fast approaching, now is good time to start spring bike maintenance, Indianapolis. And while you might wait until roads have been cleaned up a little from winter debris before mounting them, new tires are a good place to start. And to help you do that, for a limited time, Bicycle Garage Indy is offering 50% off the second tire when you buy one at full price. Even better, you can do this twice!, Buy 2 Tires at full price, and buy 2 more at 50%. One coupon per customer, good at Bicycle Garage Indy North and Bicycle Garage Indy South in Greenwood.

The Cycling Den

Saturday, January 30, 2010 by James Sells

Every cyclist should have one, a place that is dedicated to his or her passion for cycling. It is a retreat, an isolated place in their living space that accommodates bicycles, tools, motivation, and training. It can be anywhere, garage, basement or even an out door shed. My first such place was in a large walk in closet under the stairs that lead to the apartment above mine.

Here is a picture of my space. I call it "Sanctuary".

Here is a few pictures of a friend’s cycling den. We call it the "Den of Pain" as you can see it is the meeting place for full contact indoor training.

Nick’s reply to my excuse for not riding this night!

Note the weights and Power Rack. Great for the off season!

Note the Park Work Stand….

Cycling Dens are great place to get into a zone and ride your troubles away, with the help from Cyclops Indoor Trainers…

Cycling Den’s are tradition…I encourage you to claim a space in your home and create your own Cycling Den…Send me a picture and I will post it here!

A Problem with Trial & Error Bicycle Fitting

Friday, January 29, 2010 by Frank Radaker

While the bicycle industry and many experienced cyclists have finally awakened to the importance of bicycle fittings performed by trained shop employees, the majority of bicycle riders are still operating under the belief that they can handle the task all by themselves. While it’s true that given a few years of trial and (mostly) error and a few hundreds if not thousands of dollars (for wrong-size parts), most serious cyclists can in fact get their bicycles pretty well dialed into a comfortable and efficient set-up. Unfortunately, most of those years will be filled with uncomfortable cycling. And that’s the best case scenario. More likely is that the years of repetitive motion in an improper position will cause overuse injuries that require long healing periods.

Here are the numbers to consider:

A beginning recreational cyclist pedaling at 70RPM over the course of an average season –
2 hours / week = 8,400 pedals strokes / leg / week
26 weeks / season = 218,400 pedals strokes / leg / season

The serious club rider pedaling at 90RPM over the course of an average season –
5 hours / week = 27,000 pedals strokes / leg / week
26 weeks / season = 702,000 pedal strokes / leg / season

So if you’re the serious rider using the personal trial and error method to get comfortable on your bike, over 5 seasons that’s repeating a improperly aligned pedal stroke over 3 ½ millions times before you finally get it right (hopefully without injury). Food for thought.

Great Story from one of Customers

Friday, January 29, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

Bob Walters, a customer of Bicycle Garage Indy - North, has a great blog post about a new Cannondale Touring 1 bicycle being assembled and customized for his missionary work in Africa. Looks like a very interesting story worth following.

Summertime goals and winter plans

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 by Toby Holsman

Goal: to win at least one Cat 3 criterium this year.
Winter plans: determine what would be needed to do that and implement it.

Two components to winning races: fitness and skills. Unfortunately, during the winter in Indianapolis, it's hard to practice the race skills that are needed for this goal. So this is the time to focus on fitness.

I'm a big believer in maintaining high-intensity workouts all year long. Here's an article from Pez Cycling News discussing it in more detail. So right now I'm trying to develop sustained high intensity, but not too high--just trying to stimulate my aerobic system a bit and get ready for higher-intensity efforts later on.

Tomorrow I'll be doing this workout on my Cycleops JetFluid:
My standard warmup (20 minutes)
10 minutes at 270W, followed by 5 minutes easy. Repeat twice more.

65 minutes, short and sweet. The interval pace should be hard enough to make you breathe fast and deep. You could talk if you had to, but you'd rather not. If your breathing gets ragged and short, back off.

One other note: most people are hesitant to disclose their power numbers. I can understand that if you're a pro who has a serious disadvantage if the competition knows how strong you are, but I don't think I care whether my cat 3 competitors know. Bring out the measuring sticks and let's compare, says I. It's better motivation for the winter, and after all, we don't really know until we get to the finish line, do we? Bring it on!

BGI has been awarded an Angie’s List Super Service Award

Sunday, January 17, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

Bicycle Garage Indy has been awarded the prestigious 2009 Angie’s List Super Service Award! The Super Service Award, now celebrating its 11th year, is reserved for companies who have achieved and maintained a superior service rating on Angie's List – the nation’s leading provider of consumer ratings on local service companies – throughout the past year.

The entire BGI staff would like to thank our customers and Angie's List Members who made this years award (our seventh!) possible.

It all part of BGI providing the best bike maintenance Indianapolis has to offer!

New Pricing and Savings on Professional Bicycle Fitting Services at BGI

Saturday, January 16, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

We've realigned our fitting packages to give you better choices. With our new "Intro Fit" package, we use current industry standards to set saddle height, saddle fore/aft, stem length, etc. While not as thorough as our "Body Fit" & "Custom Fitting", the Intro Fit addresses the basics in just one hour.

Take a 50% discount by scheduling your Intro Fit session by February 20th.

Click here to contact master fitter, Frank Radaker, to schedule your session.

Our Latest Email Newsletter

Friday, January 15, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

Our latest email newsletter is always available at www.bgindy.com/for/newsletter. Visit the BGI web site, or click the links at left to be added our email list.

January 9th 2010 - Another day in the life of a professional endurance athlete

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 by James Sells

It is 6am in the morning when my alarm sounds off. I instantly realize it is my day off. How do I know this? Because if it was a work day, the numbers on the clock would read 5am, I get to sleep an extra hour on my days off.

I stumble to the garage and turn on the small space heater. Hopefully in the next 45 minutes, the garage air temperature will climb into the 30 degree range.

Bikes in a Row

On tap for today, 1 hour on the trainer with grade "A" training partner, Nick! Quick breakfast and a cup of coffee and Nick shows up. We set the bikes up on trainers and prepare for our workout session.

The garage was a balmy 30 degree when we started, however it didn’t take long for us to get a good sweat going! When I took this photo, I was hoping to capture the steam rising off Nick’s back and head!

Thank you Cyclops for great trainers.

Here is my new ride, thank you Giant!

We each finished an hour +. Nick is a stud so he did some one leg pedaling drills while I went inside to make coffee.

We had a post ride meeting to discuss race schedule.

So far good day off! I love the relaxed atmosphere of the "Off Season"

How to add to your trainer time

Sunday, January 10, 2010 by Toby Holsman

If you're like most Indianapolis cyclists, you've been stuck indoors to on the trainer lately (you do have a trainer, don't you? Good). My last post was about indoor cycling training strategies, so let's take a look at how we can apply those.

I've found it very helpful to have a standard 20-30 minute warmup that you have memorized and can do without thinking. Here's my standard warmup. It seems complicated, but once you do it a few times, it'll be easy to remember:

start with light, smooth pedaling, gradually increasing cadence and gear.
3:30: 1 min of fast pedal (>110 rpm) in an easy gear)
4:30: easy pedal at 90 rpm
6:00: 1 min in a big gear, starting at a hard intensity and increasing to very hard by the end of the minute.
7:00: easy pedal at 90 rpm
8:00: 1 min in a big gear, standing pedaling slowly. This is to stretch the back, give the butt a break.
9:00: easy pedal at 90 rpm
10:00: 30s pedaling at 100rpm with one leg in an easy gear.
10:30: repeat with the other leg.
11:00: 30s in the same gear with both legs.
11:30: 30s pedaling at 100rpm with one leg in an easy gear.
12:00: repeat with the other leg.
12:30: 90s in the same gear with both legs.
14:00: 30s pedaling at 100rpm with one leg in an easy gear.
14:30: repeat with the other leg.
15:00: 30s in the same gear with both legs.
15:30: 30s pedaling at 100rpm with one leg in an easy gear.
16:00: repeat with the other leg.
16:30: 90s in the same gear with both legs.
18:00: 1 min in a big gear, standing pedaling slowly.
19:00: easy pedal at 90 rpm
20:00: ready to start the rest of the workout.

It'll help you get mentally and physically ready, and then you only have to do another 40 minutes or so to get an hour total. Seems more attainable already, doesn't it?

Next time: we'll talk about my goals for the year, and how I'm planning workouts around them.

Phil Campbell, Sprint 8, and Vision Fitness at BGI Fitness/Bicycle Garage Indy

Friday, January 8, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

Phil Campbell, developer of Sprint 8 and author of "Ready, Set Go!"

Over 25 people attended Phil Campbell's Sprint 8 session over separate evenings at BGI South and North. Included in each 1 hour presentation was a 20 minute, Sprint 8 workout, which is programmed into many models of Vision Fitness Treadmills, Vision Fitness Recumbent Cycles and Vision Fitness Ellipticals. Vision Fitness equipment is one of the many lines carried by BGI Fitness and Bicycle Garage Indy at our Indianapolis and Greenwood locations. Each attendee received a copy of Phil's fitness and training guide, "Ready, Set, Go!"

BGI 2010 Resolution Fitness Sale

Wednesday, January 6, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

Our latest ad from the Indy Star for our 2010 Resolution Fitness Sale.

Winter Service Specials from BGI.

Monday, January 4, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

Have checked your Bottom Bracket lately?

We tell our customers every year, but it bears repeating. When spring arrives and you are ready to start riding is not the time for your Bike Maintenance, Indianapolis!. Right now our full time winter staff of trained bicycle mechanics is ready to tune up or overhaul you bike, and return it to you ready to go. And bring your bike in now for savings of 40% off labor. Our Winter service offer runs through January 31. Don't loose those first spring weekends on problems you already know need to be fixed, like rusted cables, worn tires, or wheels that are out of true.

And while you are in, check out the latest in 2010 Bicycle Clothing in Indianapolis, arriving daily and hitting the shelves at both our locations.

IMPD Receives Bicycles from BGI Fitness and CIBA Foundation

Monday, January 4, 2010 by Connie Schmucker

On November 14, Sgt. Joshua Shaughnessy was injured and his bike was totaled when he was on-duty riding in downtown Indianapolis. While his injuries were not serious, the bike was damaged beyond repair. When Bicycle Garage Indy/BGI Fitness learned of Sgt. Shaughnessy’s accident, first there was a sigh of relief that the officer was not seriously injured. Then, once it was determined the bicycle was damaged beyond repair, BGI President and Founder Randy Clark opted to donate a replacement bike for the officer to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). The new bicycle, a Trek 2010 Police Bike, was presented to Sgt. Shaughnessy on Tuesday, December 22, 2009. (Photo L-R: Joey Antico, BGI Fitness Commercial Division, Sgt. Joshua Shaughnessy, Sgt. Robert Hipple).

“It is my vision that Indianapolis become as bike-friendly as possible and that includes having active bicycle patrolmen with quality equipment. BGI has been involved with outfitting bicycle police and security officers for many years. We wanted to take this opportunity to give back to the community and to those who serve us day in and day out, keeping the city safer. It is truly our pleasure to support our local police force and we all very happy that the accident didn't result in any major injuries to those involved.” Randy Clark, founder and president of Bicycle Garage Indy / BGI Fitness.

“I’d like to thank BGI for making such a significant contribution to community policing in Indianapolis. This patrol bike will enable officers to more effectively deter crime through proactive crime fighting initiatives. On behalf of IMPD, we are very grateful to BGI for their donation and positive role in the community,” Sgt. Joshua Shaughnessey.

In addition to the police bicycle donated from Bicycle Garage Indy/BGI Fitness, there were four mountain bikes (Giant Yukons) and helmets (Trek Vapor) presented by CIBA Foundation board member Irwin Prince. The bikes and helmets were provided to the IMPD by a $2500 grant from CIBA Foundation. CIBA Foundation has given more than $220,000 in grants supporting all forms of bicycling. Through its grant program, the foundation strives to provide resources to partner organizations that support its goal of promoting the benefits of cycling to the community.

Sgt. Robert Hipple, IMPD Bicycle Liaison, states “The four bicycles will allow IMPD Downtown District Officers to continue policing by bicycle while in a plainclothes capacity. The IMPD Bicycle officers appreciate the tremendous support from the CIBA Foundation and the Indiana cycling community.”

(Photo L-R: Irwin Prince, CIBA Foundation, Sgt. Joshua Shaugnessy, Sgt. Robert Hipple.)

Connie Szabo Schmucker
Advocacy Director
Bicycle Garage Indy / BGI Fitness
Indianapolis & Greenwood, IN
cschmucker@bgindy.com

Indy Named Bronze Bicycle Friendly City

Monday, January 4, 2010 by Connie Schmucker

For years bicycle advocates have been working to improve Indianapolis for bicycling. The first attempt in 2003 to receive Bicycle Friendly Community designation from the League of American Bicyclists was met with a "Honorable Mention".

Much has changed in Indianapolis in the past 6 years. The newly established Indianapolis Bicycle Advisory Council set a goal of applying for and receiving a Bicycle Friendly Community designation. There are 5 "E's" in the evaluation of a city: Engineering, Education, encouragement, Enforcement and Evaluation/Planning. The application is quite comprehensive. A committee of 15+ worked for several months to complete the application, gathering information about the bicycling activities and infrastructure in Indianapolis.

Just completing the application gave those on the committee a better idea of the opportunities and challenges Indianapolis has in becoming more bicycle friendly. While we're pleased to have received a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community Award, we're already making plans to achieve Silver Status.

Bicycle Friendly Community - Indianapolis' profile

The Indianapolis Advisory Council is working with Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard to hold a celebration of this achievement in Spring 2010.

Connie Szabo Schmucker, Advocacy Director
Bicycle Garage Indy / BGI Fitness
Indianapolis & Greenwood, IN
cschmucker@bgindy.com

Bicycle Training Indianapolis

Sunday, January 3, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

Did you see our ad in the Indianapolis Star? It features our 2010 Resolution Sale, and Phil Campbell's Sprint 8 program. We have a busy week ahead!

BGI Fitness, Indy Star Resolution Sale Ad w Phil Campbell

January One-On-One offering: Test Ride a Trainer

Saturday, January 2, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

At Bicycle Garage Indy's January One-On-One offering: Test Ride a Trainer, you can choose to bring your own bike in and test an indoor trainers CycleOps or test ride one of our indoor cycles and recumbents From CycleOps, Vision Fitness or AFG. This is a perfect time to find out which will be the best Indianapolis Fitness Equipment choice for you. Sign in here for a 30 minute minute session on Tuesday, January 5 and Wednesday, January 6 between 11 am - 7 pm. Sessions are available at both BGI Locations, North (Indianapolis, on 82nd street in the Clearwater area) or South (in Greenwood, just west of I-65 on County Line Road).

2009 in Review - NUVO Highlights Bicycling in Indianapolis

Friday, January 1, 2010 by Connie Schmucker

I'm not a patient person. Bicycle Advocacy seems to go at a snail's pace sometimes. But every so often I'm reminded that progress is being made. I got such a reminder when Kevin McKinney of NUVO forwarded me this article about 2009 Year in review, highlighting all that has happened in the past year to improve bicycling in Indianapolis: NUVO Article

What's even more impressive than the list of accomplishments for bicycling in Indianapolis is that BGI had quite a bit to do with nearly everything mentioned in the article:

BGI supported the Handmade Bicycle Show as a sponsor, promoted the event and helped recruit volunteers
For the Mayor's Bike Ride, BGI was not only a financial sponsor, but also served on the organizing committee and provided mechanical support for the event
BGI sponsored the Corporate Challenge for Indianapolis Bike to Work Day and several BGI staff lead and participated in the group commuting rides
BGI sponsored and helped promote the Indiana Bicycle Summit
BGI sponsored the Mass Ave Crit
BGI has been involved in not only developing but getting the SustainIndy BikeWays bike lane plan implemented
BGI Founder and President Randy Clark and I serve on the Indianapolis Bicycle Advisory Council that submitted the Bicycle Friendly Community application leading to the Indianapolis receiving a Bronze Award
Randy Clark helped facilitate getting tickets on the Monon reversed
IN BikePort supplied the bike racks mentioned in the article

I'm hoping 2010 may be just as exciting for bicycling in Indianapolis!

Connie Szabo Schmucker
Advocacy Director
Bicycle Garage Indy / BGI Fitness
Indianapolis & Greenwood, IN
cschmucker@bgindy.com

WTHR-TV at BGI- Bicycle Training Indianapolis

Friday, January 1, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

Check out this clip* of Tim Bush, (aka Treeboy) from WTHR-TV, Channel 13 with our Toby Holsman talking about CycleOps trainers, Vision Fitness Treadmills and Sprint 8 fitness programs.