Your Bicycle

I have been bicycling for over 30 years now, but always on a more traditional road-style bicycle. The goal was usually to cover a large distance in a short time. But earlier this year I participated in a Downtown History Tour by bicycle,  presented by Nathan Smurdon of ActiveIndy Tours.

We were all provided an extremely upright, comfy bicycle from Bicycle Garage Indy's rental bikes. What fun this was!! The upright posture allowed us to drink up the downtown sights without crashing into each other. Never having tried such an, upright,  comfy bike before, I was hooked! So this summer I have a Giant Cypress for my leisurely "toddles" on the trails around Indy. I will continue to use my road bike for faster rides out in the countryside.

Name: Linda Hardcastle
Bicycle: Giant Cypress
City: Carmel
State: IN

Linda is the Exercise Physiologist for BGI Fitness and Bicycle Garage Indy, providing both Personal Training in the use of fitness equipment purchased from BGI Fitness, and an instructor for BGI's Get Back on Your Bike Corporate Wellness programs.

Last week, a cycling pal of mine flew in from British Columbia and we drove to Saluda, North Carolina for five days of biking in the mountains. We rode over 300 miles and climbed over 20,000' while sharing lots of laughs, good food and good spirits!

Name: Doreen Crenshaw
Bicycle: Bianchi Vigorelli
City: Indianapolis
State: In
 

Doreen:  North Carolina seems to be a very popular cycling destination for a lot of folks. Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.

Last year JoAn and I did our maiden tour. From Miami airport to Key West. We loved the idea of seeing America at 14 MPH. Retirement is here for me and soon for her. We have new touring bikes and plan to have three week long tours this summer. Assuming we don’t get lost. A great way for life part two.

Name: Joe Hettle
Bicycle: Bianchi, Vigorelli
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
 

Hi Joe & JoAn:  Sound like a great start to Part II.  We hope you many fun miles, ahead! Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.

NEW! You can now email Your Bicycle Picture and Story to: yourbicycle@bgindy.com
 

I pretty much ride my bike everyday, doesn't matter if its raining or snowing out i will be out there, the big event i do is RAGBRAI (Register Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). I don't race I just ride for fun. It shouldn't matter how fast you are or how often you ride just get out there and have some fun!! Be safe out there, always wear you're helmet, share and follow rules of the road!!

Name: rj zeph
Bicycle: 2011 cannondale synapse
City: carmel
State: indiana

Hi RJ.  Glad the new wheel are working out, they should be a lot of fun riding in Iowa this summer!  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.

I have only been commuting to work for a few months. I knew I would not miss driving but the unexpected perks are daily. Today, I stopped in the American Legion Mall to drink my coffee. Earlier this week I stopped to watch some ducks. And seriously, it's just plain fun.

Name: Shelly
Bicycle: Giant FCR
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

Hi Shelly:  Glad you are enjoying and sharing all those fringe benefits of bicycle commuting. Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.

NEW! You can now email Your Bicycle Picture and Story to: yourbicycle@bgindy.com
 

Just over one year ago I decided to start saving some gas by taking the bus to work.  The problem?  The nearest bus stop to my house was over 1 mile away and I would have to leave very early (5 am or so) to walk there in time for the bus. The solution? A bike, I started with a used one from a pawn shop and liked it so much that I soon upgraded to a "real" bike (with multiple gears and everything).  I rode in the Bicycle Garage Indy Get Back On Your Bike program and won the $400 that year.  Since then I have saved a lot of money and lost over 90lbs.  I ride to and from work some days and can be seen riding around downtown at lunch most days.  I love my bike and am always looking for more chances to ride.

Name: Sam Cohen
Bicycle: Schwinn
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
 

Sam: We are glad you enjoyed Get Back on Your Bike, and congratulations on your weight loss!  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.


 

Celebrate National Bike Month with BGI!

Share Your Bicycle
Picture and Story
during May!

Your picture is a chance to win a Garmin Edge 800 GPS from BGI!
The first 20 entries will receive a $10 BGI Gift Card

No matter how you ride Your Bicycle during the League of American Bicyclists National Bike Month in Indianapolis, Bicycle Garage Indy  would like to hear your story, and share it with our customers, friends and fans.  

You can share a picture from your commute to work, your workout ride, your favorite outing with friends, or even your latest jaunt for coffee. 

And when Bicycle Garage Indy shares Your Bicycle picture and story, you will be entered in a prize drawing for a Garmin Edge 800 Touchscreen GPS for Your Bicycle.

The contest is easy.  Submit Your Bicycle picture and story using this form www.bgindy.com/for/yourbicycle. Eligible entries* must be submitted by Midnight, May 30, 2013. Once your entry has been processed, you will be entered in random drawing for the Garmin Edge 800.  The drawing will be held and the winner will be announced on Friday, May 31, 2013.

Bicycle Garage Indy has dozens of Your Bicycle pictures on our website, from our friends, fans and customers.  We also have 2 video albums (Vol. I, Vol. II) with pictures from the last year of Your Bicycle stories.

Find the latest information on National Bike Month events in Indianapolis on the BGI Website - www.bgindy.com/for/bikemonth.

*Indiana Residents only, full details on the entry form web page at www.bgindy.com/for/yourbicycle.

A few weeks ago we received this exceptional, inspirational story from a customer, and share it with her permission.

When I started my lifestyle change in 2008 I was definitely at the end of my
rope.

Diagnosed with several medical issues, Doctors told me I was a great candidate for knee surgery and I suffered from chronic pain due to several other problems.

They had prescribed 14 different medications I took daily.
Something had to change and I knew it was my lifestyle.
Many people suggested gastric bypass.  I chose going for a change in
nutrition/exercise, since surgery was not an option for me.

On a cold day in March, we entered a large tent and talked with some experts
about Giant bikes.

Biking didn't just change my life.  It truly SAVED my life!
From that day forward, I never looked back, determined to be healthy again,
off the medications, lose the weight and defy all the doctors who said I
could not/ would not do it!

I fell instantly "in love" with biking.
Biking takes me to all those places of freedom I have not experienced since
I was a kid and the health benefits are astounding.  The nature I have
witnessed has been incredible.  Each moment I spend on my bike is a drink in
the fountain of youth.

Life can pass you by or you can LIVE IT!

I now have 30 pounds to my goal.  We just purchased our second set of road
bikes from Bicycle Garage Indy and are looking forward to an incredibly active summer, full of bike races and adventure!

As for the meds, I now only take 2 daily.  My knees still have some pain, but no surgery needed in the future.

I ran in my first 8k trail run last weekend after hearing doctors tell me for years I would never run... I believed them for awhile.

When we are focused, positive and determined, it is amazing what we can
accomplish.

Looking forward to training for the RAIN Ride now.  That is my next goal.

Happy trails....

Name: Victoria Williams
Bike: Giant Hybrid
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

Victoria: Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.


 

Found out the my reusable Starbucks cup is a perfect fit for my bicycle's cup holder!

Name: Maryanne Hayes
Bicycle: A blue one (from Giant)
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

Hi Maryanne:  Looks good, tastes great, and is enviromentally friendly!  A perfect combination!  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.

Roughly a year and a half ago, I vowed to bike to work more often in the elements, whether it be cold or rain. For the most part, there was nothing to prove because we had a very mild winter last year! Unfortunately, this extra cold March has led me to drive to work way too often! Today marked only my fourth commute of the month! It was cold but the streets were clear and the ride home will be grand! The photo is deceiving; it was not from this morning's commute!

Name: Doreen Crenshaw
Bicycle: Bianchi Vigorelli
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

Hi Doreen:  And we thought you had one epic commute!  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.

My Miami to Key West ride was 160 miles of the 5800 miles pedaled last year. But my favorite miles of the entire year were the 7 traversing the "7 Mile Bridge" on the way to Key West. Just spectacular. Going again in 2013!

Name: Mike Bernauer
Bicycle: Giant FCR2
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

Mike:  Great picture, and congratulation on your 2012 riding season.  Hope have just as much cycling fun in 2013.Thanks again from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy.  (Nice Jersey too!) 

Last summer, I told my wife i wanted a new bike, since I was getting a little uncomfortable on the RAIN Ride at 9 hours. Her suggestion was that I stop at 8 hours.

Since I don't expect to be able to ride an 8 hour RAIN, I decided to go ahead with the new bike. So after a successful CIBA swap meet, I am now riding a Trek Domane 2.3, one of Trek's new endurance bikes introduced last year. Now I am just waiting for warm weather and looking forward to more centuries on TOSRV and RAIN again this year.

Name: Jay Hardcastle
Bicycle: Trek Domane 2.3
City: Carmel
State: IN

Jay is the Marketing Manager for Bicycle Garage Indy and BGI Fitness.

I started riding last year, and really enjoyed it. I got in with a great local riding group and haven't looked back. Riding inside has helped me maintain my fitness during cold months. I can't wait until spring to come.

Name: Adam Scott
Bicycle: Canondale Synapse
City: Richmond
State: Indiana
 

Adam:  Our welcome to another convert.  We are all counting the days until dry roads and warm tailwinds. Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.  

In 2007, I bought my first bike, a Trek 1000 because I wanted to race in a sprint triathlon. Since then, I've been riding and racing sprints on and off. Last year, I finally stepped up to an Olympic distance tri, the Boilerman (go Hoosiers). I even built a tri-specific bike (with a little assistance from the Bicycle Garage Indy North service team). I enjoyed the longer distance so much that I immediately decided that I wanted to race the 2013 IRONMAN 70.3 in Muncie. I've got a lot of long hours ahead of my on the trainer until it warms up and here is my setup!...

Name: Matt Snoke
Bicycle: Kestrel 4000 Pro SL & Trek 1000
=City: Fishers
State: IN


Matt: We hope the indoor workouts this winter payoff in your next Ironman!  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.


 

It's not exactly the Y, but my garage setup gets the job done. I got my trainer (a CycleOps Jet Fluid Pro) for Christmas, and since then have spent many hours spinning and watching movies. I am looking forward to hitting the road and trails without the usual ramp up weeks needed in the past.

Name: Jason Sole
Bicycle: Giant Talon 29er
City: Avon
State: IN
 

Jason, looks don't matter, it's the effort that pays off on those first spring rides!  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.

This pic is a year old but it's pretty much the same set up I'm using this winter. Although now I'm clipless and I have a tv to watch instead of just staring at the kitchen cabinets!

Name: Ron Fife
Bicycle: Gary Fisher/Trek Chronus
City: Noblesville
State: IN


Ron, nice to see someone riding rollers, the original indoor trainer, and a great bicycle skill to have.  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.


 

Along w a few friends, I participated in Saturday's 2nd annual Polar Bear Pedal. We rode downtown, through the circle, Fountain Square & Garfield Park. It was great to explore some of the new bike lanes on the South side. The sunny day drew over 1,000 riders. This was a great, free event that I am looking forward to participating in next year!

Name: Jake
Bicycle: Mongoose-Crossway
City: Carmel
State: IN

Jacob: Glad you enjoyed the ride.  For indy to bring out that many riders on winter day shows we really have a thriving bicycle culture!  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.

Being new to Indy Dora (my Giant) and I LOVED making new friends at the Polar Bear Pedal!

Here she is 'hanging' out with some of her new buddies.

Name: Shelly Willams
Bicycle: Giant, FCR
City: Indianapolis
State: IN

Shelly:  Glad to hear you enjoyed the  Polar Bear Pedal, and made some new friends.  It was a very exciting event to be a part of. Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.

A great time was had by our group! We all met up at our house and rode to the ride! Had a lot of fun rolling around Indy and laughing it up! After the ride we enjoyed hot chocolate (and a few of the group had some free beer) Mayor Ballard strolled by and stopped to chat us up! Of course we couldn't miss the photo op! Was a great day to get out and pedal socially! Looking forward to next year!

Name: Kristen
City: Indpls
State: IN
 

Hi Kristen:  It was really neat to see how many groups of friends who were out riding.  Glad to hear your group was one of them, and had such a great time.  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.

I needed 66 miles to reach 10,000 bicycle miles for 2012. This is just under 2,000 miles more then I have ever gone in a year.
Because of the snow I could not get out until yesterday, December 31st.

Left my house at 7:45am and headed east. Roads were wetter then I wanted and I had to try and find dry pavement as the car tracks were wet. wind was SW and kinda brutal as there was more south then west in the wind. I headed towards SR-38 as I knew that that rode would be clear. was very tough and I had to keep my goal in mind every mile. Turned around at 33 miles in and headed home. Roads were dryer and I was glad to turn around as drifting snow was starting to appear in spots on 38. Wind was very tough on the way back and it was everything I could do trying to get back home. I made it though, 10,000 miles for 2012 and over 20,000 miles on my 2009 Specialized Tarmac Pro. All miles this year were outside.

Name: John Cook
Bicycle: 2009 Specialized Tarmac Pro
City: Fishers
State: Indiana
 

John:  Congratulations on an great 2012 riding season, and good luck in 2013.  Thanks from everyone at Bicycle Garage Indy for sharing Your Bicycle picture and story.