The Best of All Worlds!

Monday, August 30, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
I'm Kat and have been a Bicycle Garage Indy customer for years!! I love all the staff,they are helpful and accomodating at times when I needed them! I currently own 3 bikes,all from BGI and I LOVE every single one for what they are to me!!! My Hybrid bike is a Giant Sedona.It is my Cadillac.All comfort,upright positioning,moderate in weight and solid...great for touring,camping and the NITE RIDE!!! #2 bike is my Cannondale Six road bike-my sports car!!! Wow,light and FAST and incredible!! Never thought in a million years I would love road biking (MTB biker at heart..)..Beautiful bike!!! Gets lots of looks...#3 bike- my dream bike,Cannondale red Mountain Bike!!! Wow!! This bike eats trails like crazy!!! Did Town Run many times and Westwood...so, at 49 years old,this old lady can still run the trails..may take me alittle longer,but that doesn't matter to me!! Thanks BGI for great service and the amazing bikes in my life!!!

Name: Kat Andrzejewski
Bicycle: Giant Sedona/Cannondale Six/Cannondale MTB
City: Greenfield
State: Indiana

Thank you Kat, from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy!  Glad that we can be part of your bicycling fun! 

Dumb Luck

Friday, August 27, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
My wife researched vacation spots and settled on Blowing Rock and nearby Boone North Carolina as picturesque artist communities full of galleries, good restaurants, and close to the Blueridge Parkway. We made cottage reservations and, when we arrived in the area, were energized by the narrow winding tree-covered roads up mountains with folksy names that suddenly swept down into the ‘hollers’ where homes clung on the hillsides. Many times we came up on road cyclists grinding out the long serpentine climbs and each one gave me a chance to pine for my own bike which hadn’t made the agenda for this trip. But I had wanted to try off-road biking so, on the last day, I rented a mountain bike, got directions to a set of trails near a local reservoir and took off to try it out. I wish I had the space here to express how fantastic the experience turned out. Little did I know. A week after returning home I was amazed to read a bicycling magazine article that identified the area as one of the top five mountain biking areas in the country. Dumb luck indeed.

Name: Alan Edgar
Bicycle: Cannondale Synapse 3
City: Yorktown
State: IN

Alan: Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing your story with our Customers, Friends and Fans.

Drinking While Running – So Many Options (Pt 2 of 2)

Friday, August 27, 2010 by Linda Hardcastle
CamelBak FlashFlo at Bicycle Garage Indy(Continued) To understand the third option, visualize a small CamelBak which is mounted on your waist, not your back, and you have the CamelBak FlashFlo.  Being an avid fan of CamelBak’s for my riding, I was instantly sold on this waist mounted option for running.  Water remains ice cold for the duration of your run.  The drinking tube is unusually long, and hooks to the waist strap.  When thirsty, you just unhook it, take your sip, then rehook it to your pack.  I do find that I need to cinch the pack up quite tightly, in order to minimize pack bounce.  
 
One of the many FuelBelt products at Bicycle Garage IndyOur last option for drinking/food replacement while running is the fuel belt.  This is a belt which holds assorted containers for your food, gel, fluid, etc.  These are extremely popular, judging by the number I see worn in the weeks leading up to local marathons.  However, they probably are not as important until your runs begin to exceed one hour in length.  The FuelBelt Hydration Belt and Nathan Speed Belt hold anywhere from 2-4 containers.  The Nathan Booster Belt can hold your race number AND clip on flasks are available separately.  

Bicycle Garage Indy has a full line of Hydration accessories from CamelBak, Nathan and FuelBelt for cross training, running, triathlons and adventure racing.  

Bicycle Garage Indy, North (Clearwater area in Indianapolis) and South (just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood)

Drinking While Running – So Many Options (Pt 1 of 2)

Friday, August 20, 2010 by Linda Hardcastle
CamelBak Quick Grip and Podium Chill Bottle at Bicycle Garage IndyWe are experiencing one of the hottest and most humid summers in recent memory.  Proper fluid hydration during exercise is particularly important this summer (How much do you need to drink:  Exercise and Fluid Replacement).  Whereas I used to carry water only on my longest runs in the peak of summer, I am even bringing it along on some of my shorter runs.  Consider the following options for accomplishing this.
 
The simplest option is to carry the water bottle in your hand.  This used to be quite cumbersome, as the action of gripping the water bottle prevented your arms from swinging freely.  However, the CamelBak Quick Grip offers an adjustable comfort grip for a water bottle.  By attaching the bottle to your hand, you no longer need to grip and thus your hand remains relaxed and your arm swing normal.  There is even a stash pocket for your key, gel or other small item.
 
A second option that I used for several years also involves a water bottle, but one that is placed in a pack around your waist.  I preferred this option as my hands were left totally free.  The original design was limited in that the pack would bounce a fair amount on your back.  But newer designs, such as the Nathan Triangle Hydration Pack, have reduced this problem by angling the position of the water bottle.  The bottle snugs up into the natural curves of your back, keeping it much more steady.  These packs today also come with a zippered pocket.
 
Nathan Triangle Hydration Pack at Bicycle Garage IndyWhatever product works best for you, just be sure that you keep drinking on these lovely, hot and oh so humid days.  

Bicycle Garage Indy has a full line of Hydration accessories from CamelBak, Nathan and Fuel Belt for cross training, triathlons and adventure racing.  

Bicycle Garage Indy, North (Clearwater area in Indianapolis) and South (just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood)

Bicycle Garage Indy Receives Thanks from N.I.T.E. Ride Chair

Thursday, August 19, 2010 by Connie Schmucker

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:

Bicycle Garage Tech Services at NITE Ride"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 Schmucker
Advocacy Director
Bicycle Garage Indy
Indianapolis and Greenwood, IN

My Guerciotti Road Bike

Monday, August 16, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
One day I got lucky and bought a frame for a Guerciotti stage racing bike that was in my size. I installed all Dura Ace gruppo parts using a Shimano Triple setup no less. It has been a great bike, fast and very nimble. The tires are Vittoria Open Corsa's. The handlebar is a semi-aero design with a large flat area on top, which is handy on those long rides.

Name: Earl Bollinger
Bicycle: Guercriotti
City: Grapevine
State: Texas

Earl, thanks for you post from the staff at Bicycle Garage Indy.  Let us know the next time you are up north!

Sunday Ride Starts with Yard Work on Saturday!

Friday, August 13, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
So, here's what it looked like at oh-dark-thirty on Saturday morning…
 
Our good friend Rob caught a wicked virus last year.  It attacked his heart muscle, and really brought him to his knees.  He went from bike-commuting a 70mile round trip several times a week, to not being able to keep up with household chores.  He's on the mend, but behind the curve… 
 
On Saturday, about 20 of us descended on their house and blitzed through a season's-worth of chores.  We blew sticks off the roof (they live in the woods) and cleaned the gutters.  We got rid of wasp nests in the downspouts and in the grill. (Did you know that plantain neutralizes venom?!) We raked and mowed and ran the string trimmers.  Raspberry bushes that were engulfed with nightshade breathed a sigh of relief. Volunteer tomato plants were untangled and draped over cages. Herbs were found amongst brambles.  Walkways between raised beds were found and cleared.  The pile of weeds we pulled was bigger than our couch!  
 
We'd planned to ride Gnaw Bone Camp afterward, but that didn't happen. Ride plans morphed to Sunday, and it ended up even better than we imagined!
 
Amanda won the Women's Division of the Sub-9 SuperD race at Brown County State Park.  Tim won the Overall title, wearing his HalfWheelers kit. (Woo-hoo, first team victory!!)   Montana took 4th in Men's Expert.  Alex raced and got to see world-class riders grinning ear-to-ear over the quality and challenge of the trails that he helped design and build.
 
Ready to Roll - Mark FinneySally, Jill, Tom, Dno, Fred and I went to Versailles and rode the Dino course.  Hooked up with Guy (VSP trailbuilder) Scotty (riding animal) and Tim (from Cinci) and Dave (webmaster from England-Idlewild) on the trails.  Scott and Sally were still hungry for more, so they bid us adieu and we headed home.  Scotty logged 75 miles before dusk, and Sally rode all night.  She's training for this fall's  World MTB Endurance Championships in Australia (the motive force behind Team HalfWheelers!), and came prepared with her night-riding lights.  She said she had to put on arm-warmers by 4am, and that the sunrise was beautiful.
 
So…  Things didn't go exactly as planned, but turned out even better! 
 
BTW, here's my packing list: Bike (ABC quick-check done), shoes, helmet, gloves, shorts, jersey, socks, CamelBak (full and stocked w/ food & tools), cooler w/ water bottles, 2 PB&Js and a couple of apres-ride refreshments. 

Mark Finney (Sales Staff - Bicycle Garage Indy North)
Bicycle: '08 Giant Trance Advanced
Indianapolis, IN
 

Nothing But Us Chicks Ride Reports - July and August

Thursday, August 12, 2010 by Connie Schmucker



July 2010 Nothing But Us Chicks Ride

On July 1, we had one of the few evenings that was sunny but actually cool. Eight of us rode from Bicycle Garage Indy southeast to Fall Creek Trail and back, about 20 miles. No flats this time (unlike in June) and great conversations.
Thanks to Johnine Adomitis for taking our picture (she's the 8th person, not in the picture).

August 5

No photo, but we had 10 women for the ride - several regulars and some new people. We rode out to Fort Harrison State Park, did a loop in the park and headed back.  Everyone stayed dry except me - I started riding home just as a big, dark rain cloud came overhead. About a mile down the road, I had ridden out of the range of the cloud, it stopped raining and I was dry by the time I reached home.

Email message from one of the new riders:
Hi Connie,
Thanks again for hosting the ride.  I really enjoyed it.  The weather, the light traffic, the scenic route, and the conversation were all good.  I hope your ride back home in the rain was not too bad.  I love my new helmet and look forward your Sept. 2 ride.
Kathy


Hope to see even more women bicycling on our last Nothing But Us Chicks Ride, September 2nd. NOTE: On  September 2nd, we'll be starting at 6 pm so we can return before dark.
Check out BGI's calendar of events for this and other happenings.
 
Connie Szabo Schmucker
Advocacy Director
Bicycle Garage Indy
Indianapolis, IN and Greenwood, IN

this is why i ride

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
I am for bikes. I'm for long rides and short rides. I'm for commuting to work, weekend rides, racing, riding to school, or just a quick spin around the block. I believe that no matter how I ride, biking makes me happy and is great for my health, my community and the environment we all share. That is why I am pledging my name in support of a better future for bicycling—one that is safe and fun for everyone and i also think ppl should wear helmets cuz one slip of ur pedals no helmet who knows what will happen

Name: rj zeph
Bicycle: cannondale f9
City: Carmel
State: IN

Thanks RJ, from the entire staff at Bicycle Garage Indy.  We will be contacting you about picking up your Keen Deluxe OTL bag, and you are entered in Bicycle Garage Indy's next Your Bicycle Gift Card drawing in September.

BGI is the Go Girl Triathlon Official Bike Sponsor

Monday, August 9, 2010 by The Latest Buzz from Bicycle Garage Indy
Bicycle Garage Indy is proud to be the Official Bike Store Sponsor of the Go Girl Triathlon, Indianapolis's first women only triathlon. The triathlon will take place on Saturday, August 28, 2010, with the venue opening at 7:00 AM.  Held at Eagle Creek Park on the northwest side of Indianapolis, the Go Girl Triathlon is is a Sprint Distance event, with a 500 Meter Swim in the Eagle Creek Reservoir, a 10 mile bike in and around the Eagle Creek Park, and a 3 mile run.

More details can be found at the The Tuxedo Brothers Go Girl Triathlon web site.   The Go Girl Triathlon is sanctioned by USA Triathlon. 



Triathlon Packing List

Sunday, August 8, 2010 by Linda Hardcastle
Forgetting gear on race day can erase months of training.Tri’s are different than other competitions, in that you have a lot of different pieces of gear that are essential to your competition day.  Should you forget anything on race day (e.g. helmet, running shoes), then you literally cannot race.  All that time, preparation, money and emotional energy is wasted.
 
Don’t let this happen to you.  Get in the habit of using a packing list as your checklist every time you leave the house on race day.  Below is a sample list which you can modify and make your own.
 
And what about transporting this gear from your car to the start of the race?  You will find that a standard backpack is just too small.  Louis Garneau now makes an oversized, wheeled gear bag specifically for triathlon gear.  It is designed to keep your wet gear separate from the rest of your items.  
 
Packing List for Triathlon Competition (PDF)
 
Swim Gear:
o Swimsuit or Tri-Suit (Wear this to race)
o Goggles
o Swim Cap
o Flip Flops (optional)
 
Bicycle Gear:
o Bicycle
o Helmet
o Gloves (optional)
o Bicycle Shorts and Top (optional)
o Bicycle Shoes
o Socks (optional)
o Sunglasses (optional)
o Water Bottle filled with Water or Special Drink
 
Running Gear:
o Running Shorts and Top (optional)
o Running Shoes
o Race Belt (or race number affixed to running clothes)
 
Louis Garneau Tri Wheel Bag at Bicycle Garage IndyMiscellaneous:
o Triathlon Gear Bag
o Race Packet Numbers
o Timing Chip
o Large Towel
o Smaller Hand Towel
o Suntan Lotion (optional)


Bicycle Garage Indy stocks triathlon clothing and gear from Louis Garneau, Nathan and Fuel Belt, along with hundreds of other bike accessories Indianapolis.  Available at both Bicycle Garage Indy-North and Bicycle Garage Indy-South in Greenwood.

Bicycle Garage Indy is the Official Bike Store Sponsor of the Tuxedo Brother's Go Girl (Women's Only) Triathlon, Saturday, August 28, 2010 at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis.

Teaching Kids to Ride - a BGI Customer Thank You

Friday, August 6, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
The following thank you email was sent by Jim Wagner of Indianapolis:
 
Dear Mr. Clark,
 
Teaching Kids to Ride - a BGI Customer Thank YouI just wanted you to know that you have some of the finest staff in the cycling industry at your (Bicycle Garage Indy) store in Castleton.  Sure, it is exciting (and profitable) working with the folks buying the high end bikes, but Danielle Duning took the time to work with my son (Everest is seven) who was having such a tough time learning to ride without training wheels.  She went the extra mile...and then some.  Finally, she printed off instructions about removing the pedals, lowering the seat and learning to balance.  She said he would learn to ride in about an hour... and wouldn't you know it, he did!  And to add icing to the cake, his five year old brother Ethan learned to ride the very next day!  I have included a YouTube link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1Z0TLobduc ) that shows Everest and Ethan riding (balancing) their bikes...and they were so thrilled and I was so proud of them and thankful for Danielle's patience and understanding in helping my boys!
 
Please be sure to pass along my very sincere thanks for her efforts...she has created a family of cyclists who will definitely shop BGI for years to come!
 
Sincerely,
 
Jim Wagner
Indianapolis, IN
 
And in a follow-up note, Jim added the following. ". .please make sure to mention Everest’s five year old brother Ethan as well…he really took to the bike after watching his brother and applying the same technique."

Thanks to Jim, Everest and Ethan, from the entire staff at Bicycle Garage Indy.

Volunteers Needed for the Mass Ave Criterium - Saturday August 14

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 by The Latest Buzz from Bicycle Garage Indy
The New Belgium Brewing Mass Avenue Criterium will be held on Saturday, August 14th, from 11:30am-9:30pm. As a volunteer, you can see European-style racing up close and personal as cyclists race by at 25-30 mph competing for $10,000 in cash and prizes!

Volunteers are needed for the Race Course and Pedal & Park
, with the following shifts (11:30am-2pm, 2-4:30pm, 4:30-7pm, 7-9:30pm)
 
Duties will Include:
- Setting up Criterium course
- Monitoring traffic and intersections on the course to ensure cyclist safety
- Assisting attendees and residents with parking needs
 
All volunteers will receive a FREE Criterium t-shirt and FREE food provided by Pita Pit!
 
Promote your neighborhood or organization while interacting with your community, enjoying the festival, and watching the state championships right in downtown Indy!
 
To Volunteer, please contact:
Sarah Myer
, Promotions and Marketing Manager, NUVO
Email: volunteer@nuvo.net
Direct: 317-808-4615

Bicycle Garage Indy is proud to a White Ribbon Sponsor and Prime sponsor for the Mass Avenue Criterium and a sponsor of NUVO Cycling.

Bicycle Garage Indy has two locations, North (Clearwater area in Indianapolis) and South (just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood)
 

Bloomington. Every year's goal.

Saturday, July 17, 2010 by Toby Holsman
My longtime readers will no doubt recall that my favorite race of the year is the Bloomington Grand Prix.  It's a challenging, technical course with lots of spectators and emotional resonance.  This year it drew huge fields--65 guys in my race!  A lot of things make it special, but the biggest thing is that every bike racer in Indiana wants to win it.

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 TennesseeRode from our cabin in Tennessee up into this gorge in Kentucky. 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.

I think I'm at the front of the field on the left.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:

Gone too soon.
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

Friday, July 16, 2010 by The Latest Buzz from Bicycle Garage Indy
Trek's Dream Bigger Contest is now in progressBicycle 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

Thursday, July 8, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle
Bontrager Rack Trunk at Bicycle Garage IndyRack Trunks are great for day trip essentials: Bicycle Garage IndyThere 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.
 
The Trek Rear Trunk Bag is good basic bag of 600 to 800 cubic inches. It easily has room for day trip sundries. For quick errands, small packages easily fit in a trunk, or you can get drop down pannier models like the Bontrager Interchange Deluxe Plus Rear Trunk.  This type of bag is also popular with commuter cyclists.  Rack trunks will attach easily and securely using combination of straps and velcro, or the Bontrager Interchange system of spring loaded clips and matched racks.Bontrager Deluxe Plus Rack Trunk at Bicycle Garage Indy

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.
 
Bontrager and Blackburn are just two of the hundreds of brands of Bike Accessories Indianapolis, in-stock now at Bicycle Garage Indy North in Indianapolis, and Bicycle Garage Indy South in Greenwood.

Parke County Tour

Monday, July 5, 2010 by Customers, Friends and Fans of Bicycle Garage Indy
I spent the day touring Parke County, Indiana. Our Ride started in Rosedale, IN, and snaked around North of Rosedale to Mecca, IN. After a short SAG stop, we headed back to Rosedale for Stage 2. We then headed from Rosedale out to a small town named Bridgeton. Bridgeton is home to a working mill, covered bridge, and other small town fair, sans a gas station... Stop in at the mill and have some Ice Cream, it is perfect on a hot day. All said and done, 50 mi touring Parke County, Indiana

Name: Jeremey Jukes
Bicycle: Specialized ALLEZ
City: Greenwood
State: IN

Jeremy:  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle story.

A Check List N.I.T.E. Riders

Friday, June 25, 2010 by Jay Hardcastle
As a primary sponsor and technical support provider for the N.I.T.E. Ride since 1998, Bicycle Garage Indy has seen it all when it comes to bike problems.  The  N.I.T.E. Ride attracts all types of riders, and even experienced riders who bring along non-riding family members will find surprises when they arrive at the Major Taylor Velodrome.
 
To help you out, here is a quick checklist of the most common things we see in the hours leading up to start, and out on the N.I.T.E. Ride route. So check your bike, and your car before you leave the house, to insure you can spend the evening RIDING the N.I.T.E. Ride 
 
On your bike:
  • Air up bicycle tires
  • Check Tires for holes, cracks
  • Check Brakes
  • Check Shifting
  • Lube Bike Chain
  • Lights and Batteries
 
And don't forget to pack:
  • Water bottle
  • Helmet
  • Gloves
  • Riding Shoes
  • Did we mention "Air up bicycle tires"?
 
Bicycle Garage Indy mechanics ready for action.And if your best intentions and plans fail, look for the Bicycle Garage Indy Tents at the Velodrome.  We will have our "Got Air" station, mechanics for quick bike checks, and merchandise for new (and forgetful) riders.
 
For an updated calendar of our sponsored rides and events, go to www.bgindy.com/for/calendar. Bicycle Garage Indy North (Clearwater area in Indianapolis) and South (just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood), serving Indiana cyclists since 1983.

How Can Couples Bicycle Together?

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 by Linda Hardcastle
Tandems let couples of different abilities share bicycling!What to do when you are a couple who wants to bike together, but one of you is so much stronger than the other?  We have seen this scenario play out so many times.  The stronger spouse is holding back, putting the brakes on their speed and fun.  And the slower spouse is busting a gut – struggling to hold a pace that is much too fast.  The ride is frustrating and not much fun for either person.  After a few more attempts, the slower spouse usually gives up, leaving only the faster one to continue with the sport of bicycling.  This is where a tandem bicycle comes in handy.  A tandem is the great equalizer – allowing couples with greatly varying abilities to ride together seamlessly. 

My husband Jay and I are the perfect example.  Being a triathlete, my training miles are spread between three different sports.  As a die-hard cyclist, Jay’s miles are focused entirely on the bike, and therefore he is a much stronger cyclist.  Yet we can come together on the tandem and BOTH have a fantastic ride.

The other benefit of tandeming is the ease of talking which it provides. A couple on two single bikes can have quite the disjointed conversation what with moving back and forth to accommodate passing cars and road hazards.  With a tandem you are always together and the talking flows so much easier. From the female perspective, definitely a big plus.  But from the male perspective, I wonder, ……do you consider this a positive or a negative?????? 

Tandems have come a long way from the single speed resort bikes you rode as a kid.  The Cannondale Road 3 feature a light weight aluminum frame, has a 30-speed Shimano drive train, front and rear disc brakes, and is ready for fun for couples and families of all abilities.  It  is just one of the performance Cannondale Bikes Indianapolis, available at both Bicycle Garage Indy North and Bicycle Garage Indy South in Greenwood.


Markdowns on Giant 2010 Bikes at Bicycle Garage Indy

Monday, June 21, 2010 by The Latest Buzz from Bicycle Garage Indy
It is time to get ready for 2011 bikes - yes, 2011, and Bicycle Garage Indy has to start marking down our remaining stock of 2010 bikes.  Here are pictures and links to two of the Giant bikes we have already marked down.  Supplies are limited; some of these are the last of a size and model for 2010.   More are are listed on the Bicycle Garage Indy web site here.
Giant XTC 2 at Bicycle Garage Indy
Giant's XTC 2 features an ALUXX SL aluminum frame and a 100mm RockShox fork that is perfect for cruising everywhere from the local singletrack to downtown. More details here.   Regularly priced at $799, now clearance priced at $539
Giant Rainier W at Bicycle Garage Indy
Giant's Women's Rainier carves singletrack, paths and city streets with ease thanks to Giant's quick-handling and responsive ALUXX-aluminum frame. More details here.  Regularly priced at $799, now clearance priced at $539.

Remember, supplies are limited, and these are just two of the Giant Bikes Indianapolis.  See our full selection of 2010 and soon to arrive 2011 bikes at either BGI location - North (Clearwater area in Indianapolis) and South (just west of I-65 on County Line Rd, Greenwood)