Indiana Bike Race

The first Friday ride of the year! (3/12)

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Toby Holsman

Decent weather + morning daylight = let's ride tomorrow. Meet at the shop at 7:15, rolling at 7:30. Mild Indianapolis mornings are hard to come by in March, so grab the opportunity!

Chances are that we'll get a little wet, so you might need a fender, like this one from SKS. Or you can just wrap up with your favorite rain gear, like Pearl Izumi's Zephyr vest. I wear the Cannondale Morphis jacket all the time during the spring.

In other news, the pro racing season is well underway, and my favorite, the Tour of Flanders, is fast approaching on April 4th. It'll be followed directly by my racing debut at Ceraland on April 17th. I haven't been using the power meter much lately, in favor of just enjoying the sensation of being outside, but I'll be sure to get that fired up again soon and start posting my eletronic self-worth for all to admire/scorn.

But the bottom line is: let's get riding.

As custom as it gets...

Saturday, March 6, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy

I have a 3 year old Roark http://www.roarkcycles.com built right here in Indiana. It's tricked out with SRAM Red and for the final personal touch, I've added Wheeltags http://www.wheeltags.com to both my Zipp 404's and 808's.

Name: Matt Tanner
Bicycle: Roark - Full Aero
City: Carmel
State: IN

My First (Tri) Bike

Saturday, March 6, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy

I was getting started in triathlons back in 2007 and needed a bike. The guys at BGI were incredibly helpful in guiding my decision. They warned me against spending too much, and not getting a sport specific time trial bike. This was invaluable advice and one that I have heard echoed many times since in various publications. BGI also made sure that the bike I selected fit me properly and worked for exactly what I needed it to. Since that day in 2007 I have finished a number of triathlons including some half-Ironman distance races, all on that bike. Without the expert advice of BGI, I wouldn't have come as far as I have. Thanks BGI!

Name: Blake Matheny
Bicycle: Cannondale Six13
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

Town Run Trail Closed during Spring Thaw

Friday, March 5, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle

Passing along an update on local trail conditions from Mark Finney, an avid off-road rider and BGI employee.

Please, if you see people with MTBs and/or gear, do your best to dissuade them from riding the trails for the next few weeks.

As the ground thaws, the trail turns into "grease mud" with a layer of ice beneath. It is VERY susceptible to damage from tire ruts (or footprints), which hold more water and create more mud. If the trails get to thaw and absorb without being disturbed, they can be re-opened WEEKS earlier, and without requiring a ton of volunteer labor from the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association to repair the damage.

Town Run is officially closed (gate closed @ 96th St entrance), but too many people still "poach" in from other points. Other trails to avoid are Westwood (New Castle), Brown County, and Versailles.

Rangeline (Anderson) is the exception. It is an old gravel quarry, and is less prone to the freeze/thaw cycle.

Please refer to http://www.HMBA.org/ (and specifically to the fresh info in the Forums area) for more information. Thanks to Mark Finney on the Bicycle Garage Indy Staff for this trail update.

Brown County is great for Family Mt. Biking

Friday, March 5, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy

Since today is such a nice day with the first hint of spring I wanted to make sure that people make a point to get to Brown County this season. The Hoosier Mt. Bike Association (HMBA) has done an amazing job here, creating a truly world class track with miles and miles of awesome trails and routes for the entire family regardless of skill level. I've ridden here with my 9 year old and I've ridden with people from around the country who made me beg for oxygen. (of course all on Bikes from Indy's best bike shop) Brown County is close too. There are a bunch of us in the Indy Business community who meet early on Friday mornings there and are back in the office before lunch. A great way to top off the week....Indiana Mountain Biking.

Name: Chris
City: Greenfield
State: IN

Make sure IndyConnect's plans include bikes

Thursday, March 4, 2010 by Connie Schmucker

Want to help shape the future of transportation in Central Indiana and make sure the needs of bicyclists are met? Here’s you chance!

For the next several weeks (through March 25, 2010), IndyConnect is holding public meetings to gather input and support for a bold transportation plan. The visionary plan calls for increased investment in mass transit, road improvements and bicycle and pedestrian pathways to address the transportation needs of the area.

Suggested Talking Points supporting bicycling in the plan:

Incorporate the SustainIndy BikeWays Plan within the plan (200-mile bike lane plan for Marion County) and show how the transit stops will connect with the bike lane plan
Bicycle parking at every transit stop – long-term (bicycle lockers) and short term (bicycle racks) are both needed.
Allow bikes on transit (light rail)

If you can’t make the public meetings, public meeting comment forms will be available online.

Visit IndyConnect.org for more info, a schedule of upcoming meetings and opportunity to comment online.

Connie Szabo Schmucker
Advocacy Director
Bicycle Garage Indy
Indianapolis & Greenwood, IN

My First Ride of 2010

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy

My name is Sandy Spears and I work at BGI South and this is the story of my first bike ride of 2010. I like many others have been itching to get outside and ride bicycles, the weather on the other hand has not cooperated, unleashing on the city mounds of snow and bitter cold temperatures. This past Sunday however, held the promise of warmer temps enticing me to make a date with my bike and my friend, I was not going to let this opportunity slip through my pedals. Donned in my cold weather clothing I loaded my bike on to the car rack and made my way downtown to meet my friend. They sky was cloudy and the streets were wet and sloppy from a light misting of rain and melting snow, I knew my bike was going to be a mess before I even started to ride, but I didn’t care I was not to be denied this day or the anticipation of the simple pleasure of being back on my bicycle. On the road we encountered a wide array of conditions including puddles of water, sheets of ice, piles of shoveled snow and light drizzling rain. Now you might be thinking that’s a little reckless getting out on a road bike in those conditions. Rest assured this was not a job for my road bike, nor would I be using one of my mountain bikes or my hybrid, no this ride was going to take a very special type of bike to handle these conditions. I would need to use my sweet little single speed Trek Wasabi for this journey. Oh the fun that was had that day as we rode around the Canal and White River trails. We barely noticed the 39-degree temperature and wet feet as we pedaled away the 14.5 miles made up our adventure. Ah, how could it possibly get any better? Well you end it all with a shared meal and more relevant conversation. “Life is Good”

Name: Sandra Spears
Bicycle: Trek SS Wasabi
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

Good times and great rides

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy

This bike has been with me for more epic rides on more roads and trails than any other bike I own. The good times I had with friends and the quiet rides on the trail by myself-this bike has so much history. In the 10+ years I've had it, it's seen most trails in Indiana and many trails in all of our neighboring states. It was with me for the 50+ mile road ride that included a nap on the side of the road. It was with me when my wife and I got lost in the Wayne National forest in Ohio. It has raced the DINO series with me and done countless group trail rides. Riding this bike feels like an extension of myself, like we're linked together, a feeling you get after thousands of miles in the saddle. When I look at this bike I can't help but think of the rides it's been a part of and look forward the rides that are yet to come.

Name: Mark Degunya
Bicycle: 1999 Diamondback Team Issue
City: Greenwood
State: IN

Making the best of the best.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy

I work at BGI and usually buy a new road bike every year. It's always a little melancholy, to sever that attachment and start a new one, but it's wonderful to try all the different options out there. Last year I took the plunge and bought a much nicer bike than I'd ever had before (that's me in the yellow). I was a little concerned about the extra investment, the risk of expensive damage, etc, but as soon as I started riding it: holy moly. Fast, agile, and most of all, smooth. I wasn't sure if it was the right choice when I ordered the bike, but it's been a great year, and I'll remember it fondly. I rode it a bunch, I got my best race results on it, and I'm sad to see it go--until the next one arrives.

Name: Toby Holsman
Bicycle: Trek Madone 6.5 Pro
City: Indianapolis
State: Indiana

Even the best laid training plans…

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 by James Sells

So you have a training plan. You have goals. You faithfully record all the data from your workout into your journal. You are on track!

Then it happens, an obstacle gets in the way. Maybe it is an un-expected visit from a relative, or a family emergency, or the boss is demanding that you finish that project this week. Or in my case…SNOW!

What is a budding endurance athlete to do? We all know most of us athletes are type “A” personalities. If you are not careful, this sudden obstruction to your training schedule will send you in a downward spiral. You may become a fierce ogre biting the head off of anyone who crosses your path. Or will you toss the whole season, saying that there is no use in continuing! Maybe you will overcompensate for the loss workouts by overindulge the next few workouts and send your body into a state of “Over Training”? I know, these outcomes sound silly and outrageous. Laugh if you will, however, these are all traps that lie and await endurance athletes.

The good news is this…the answer is simple. RELAX! One or two even 5 missed work outs will not end your career! We are all human and have lives outside our training and racing. We have families, careers and other demands on our time and energy. This is the reason why I consider myself a Professional Endurance Athlete, not because I race on a pro circuit or have a sponsor (because I don’t have either). But because I make it work with a family, job, commitments outside racing and training. I have learned to live with interruptions in my training schedule; I have learned to make difficult decisions. To know when racing and training comes second or even third. I now recognize this makes me a more successful endurance athlete!

So what did I do Saturday when my training plans were put on hold due to the snow storm?

I engaged in a game of full contact “Tackle Daddy”. Surprisingly, this game was very challenging cardio work out!

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!

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"

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

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

Kids racing!

Monday, December 14, 2009 by Toby Holsman

Bike racing is a tough sport for kids to get started in. A lot of parents worry about the startup cost and the risk of injury. Fortunately, the fastest-growing race category in the US is also the most kid-friendly: cyclocross!

Most kids' bikes are not well-suited to road or mountain bike racing, but a cyclocross racer can use just about anything--as evidenced by these fellas trying to negotiate the sand pit.

The Ohio Valley Cyclocross Series has put a strong emphasis on encouraging kids' participation. They frequently get junior-aged fields of 30 or more. Many of the stronger junior riders compete in the senior categories and put a hurt on them (myself included)!

Josh's bike handling skills are second to. . . well, many, but they're still pretty good.

Cyclocross races are generally much friendlier to kids or other inexperienced racers. There are no high-speed packs of riders to negotiate. The consequences of a fall are generally much less than in a road race or on a rock-strewn mountain bike descent. And you get to do lots of different fun, playful things on your bike--like trying to leap back onto the seat after running up a hill!

BGI has several riders who participate in cyclocross races in Indianapolis and surrounding cities. This picture is of Josh Prater, assistant service manager, en route to winning the Category 3 state championship in 2008.

You can also get cyclocross advice from some of our other riders: the South store has Shane Meadows, Daniel Bartholomew, and Bob Locke; the North store has Mark Trousdale, Josh, and yours truly.

The cross season is over for this year, but keep an eye on www.ovcx.com next year as the summer winds down--there'll be plenty more muddy, sandy, snowy, awesome action to be had.

Cyclocrossed.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 by Toby Holsman

Well, I did a couple of cross races. Not too much to report other than
1) if you do it right, it hurts, and you want to quit halfway through
2) the second it's over, you want to you want to do it again tomorrow
3) 44x18 is a great gear for commuting, but as a cross race gear, it causes next-day back spasms.

Not sure what I'm doing with my left hand--comforting the bike?

And this is the most flattering picture I could find.

Cross season ends once again, too quickly after it begins, with a "you know, I should have done more than two of those races, they're really pretty fun." Mmmaybe next year.

The Winter Agenda.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 by Toby Holsman

The winter is setting in. The Friday morning rides are essentially done in by darkness and cold. Not a lot of people are test riding bikes.

Which means it's time to get next year started.

Every spring, you can instantly tell who's put in a strong winter of training and who hasn't. You roll out with your friends, you get to the first bit of challenging terrain, and right away you know the answer: "Hey, I'm going to have a good year!" or "Uh-oh, this could be a rough start."

My theory is that everybody rides a lot during the summer--it's easy. The winter is your opportunity to make progress against your rivals, your 40K time, you average speed. Don't give up the progress you made this summer. Come out of the winter STRONGER than you are now.

Get yourself a trainer, like the Cycleops JetFluid I got last month.

Get some way to measure your performance, like the Trek Incite 11i, or the Cycleops Powertap.

There goes the Womens Masters National TT Champion.

Get motivated--by a video like Robbie Ventura's Race Day, by watching Lance's return to the Tour De France (in stock now), or by some particularly humiliating moment from the past year. Man, do I look plump. Getting caught by Tracy Tolson is not as shameful as getting caught by some less-accomplished rider, but still.

Now get on the trainer!

It's just winter! It's not that long! It's the perfect opportunity to do low-distraction, extremely focused training! You can do it!

BGI Receives Gold Bicycle Friendly Business Award from League of American Bicyclists

Friday, November 20, 2009 by Connie Schmucker

The League of American Bicyclists has named Bicycle Garage Indy/BGI Fitness (BGI) as a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB), one of only 12 Gold BFBs in the country and the only Bicycle Friendly Business in Indiana.

"We're very pleased to receive this recognition, not only for what we do for our employees to encourage them to bike to work, but also in recognition of the leadership role Bicycle Garage Indy and BGI Fitness have taken in the Indianapolis community to provide more bicycling opportunities and encourage the city to improve conditions for bicycling. While we are proud to be the first Indiana business to be recognized as a Gold Bicycle Friendly Business, we hope others will follow in our footsteps by promoting bicycling to their employees, customers and supporting bicycling in the community as well," Randy Clark, Founder and President of Bicycle Garage Indy and BGI Fitness.

Full press release
Complete List of Bicycle Friendly Businesses

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

Friday ride ON for 11/4, and other bric-a-brac

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 by Toby Holsman

Well, thanks, Daylight Savings Time! The forecast looks favorable for the first time in weeks, so we've got a group of people riding from the shop at 7:30. Bring your road bike and we'll be back at 9.

Just reloaded my winter clothing wardrobe. My new Pearl Izumi jacket and booties are winners.

Looks like I'll finally be able to pop the cork on my cyclocross season at the Major Taylor Velodrome! Nice to go into a race with no expectations. Or preparations. I also hear that there's a hill which might not be rideable on my singlespeed rig. If the race is decided by my running prowess, it might get ugly.

Fenders For The All Season Rider

Monday, November 2, 2009 by Jay Hardcastle

My first extended tour was 11 days and 900 miles, riding from Toledo, Ohio to St. Ignace, Michigan, and back. It rained 7 of those 11 days; not rain showers, but all day, record breaking, cats and dogs cloud burst rain. That was over 500 soaking wet miles. At the end of the trip, everything with bearings on my one year old bike needed to re-packed, and the headset and bottom bracket had to be replaced. Ever since I have never toured without fenders, and they stay year round on my touring/wet weather bike. I also keep fenders on the bike I ride for bicycle commuting in Indianapolis.

With routine care and maintenance, it is fine to get caught in the rain on your bike. It is when you regularly ride in wet conditions that you want to consider fenders. The muddy streak running up your back is just half the story. That grime is also being dumped on the exposed moving parts of your bike (chain, headset, bottom bracket and pedals), shortening their time between maintenance and usable life. And when you ride year round or on early spring training rides, you also expose your bike to the sand, salt and other chemicals used on the roads during the winter.

There are many styles of fenders available from Bicycle Garage. From Giant, we have the

Splendor Full and Half Length Fenders. Partial length fenders are more common for mountain bikes, which must stop mud but still have wide clearance to prevent mud build up. If you don’t want a dedicated wet weather bike, clip on fenders like the

Planet Bike Freddy Fenders are available for road or mountain bikes, and can be installed and removed without tools. These are just a few of the brands and styles available at BGI.

Along with protecting your bike from the elements, fenders are also part of your personal rain gear. Your feet and legs stay dryer, and your clothing and gear are protected from from road grit and grime. And if you are commuting, you co-workers will appreciate that!