Tis' the Season

I have been living in Harrisonburg now for five months and working for SBC for four months.  I came here knowing no one and having zero connections.  Tim, Thomas and the rest of the gang at the bike shop gave me a chance to work with them here at SBC and PULP.  I have to say it has been quite the experience.  Not only did I learn a heck of a lot of information about bikes, but I gained so many good friends and connected with so many amazing people. The sense of community that ties with this town is unbelievable.  I guess what I am trying to say is try not to get caught up in the holiday craziness.  Remember and acknowledge the ones you love and cherish.  That is what counts.  Appreciate the small things, get out in nature, and give a bear hug to a friend. Happy holidays and good day!
-Brittney

               

SBC HOLIDAY HOURS

SBC HOLIDAY HOURS!!!!

12/21: OPEN 11-5pm for staff Christmas Party

12/22-23: OPEN Regular Hours 11-7

12/24: OPEN 11am-2pm

12/25: CLOSED

12/26: CLOSED

12/27: CLOSED

12/28-30: OPEN Regular Hours 11-7

12/31: OPEN 11am-5pm

1/1: CLOSED

1/2: OPEN Regular Hours 9-4

The Uphill! by Ethan Denzil Jenkins

We went to Massanutten to ride and this is the story about what happened. The people that are in the story are Dylan, Lucus, Thomas, Ethan, Joel and  Ann Brie. At the start Lucas did not want to go but we got him into it.

This is Lucas!

We rode up hill for about 2 miles.  We had a couple of snack breaks and water breaks.  It was very hard and we had to walk a lot. There was a couple of parts where I wanted to quit.

Here we are walking: Ethan, Ane Brie, Joel, Lucus

When we got to the top, we stopped for about 5 minutes. We had a couple of snacks, then we got on our bikes again.

Dylan, Me and My Dad!

We went down hill for a long time and ended up at the pond.  We rode several big rocks.

This is me going over a big rock!

Our hands kinda trembled because it was so rocky.  All of us almost fell off our bikes. There was very cool rocks and turns. It was the longest downill I have ever done.  At the end me and Dylan fell down because we were so tired.

Me and Dylan laying down at the end.

Thank you for reading my story.

-signed Ethan Denzil Jenkins

Valley views

Lucky enough to get out on one of these and got to see some of this. Enjoy the photos from rural Rockingham county.

Humpback Rocks!

My old good friend mentioned about Humpback Rock and asked me to hike with him. Of course, I never turn down on any hiking adventures. It easily beats being at home all day. Just go out and live life!

Look what we found on the way to the peak rock, literally right in front of our face. That poor frog.

Buck Mountain, a back country classic!

Post ride chillin at the Wild Oak!

When I got the call a few weeks ago about a buddy, Ken Lee, wanting to bring a crew from the Roanoke area up to ride  the second week in December my first thought that this might be a  little bit of a weather gamble.  But the record breaking temperatures on Sunday opened the door to experience some riding that you don't usually get to enjoy in the winter.  If you have never heard of the Buck Mountain Trail  or the North River Trail (not North River Gorge Trail) you are probably not alone. These two trails are some of the most back country routes that our beautiful national forest west of town has to offer.  I suggest putting this on your too ride list if you like to experience big mountain, deeps woods riding.

The early gentle slopes of the North River Trail 

I warned the 8 person crew that it had been a few years since I had done this loop. I was pleasantly surprised by North River Trail, the wider double track corridor that I once remembered has been growing in nicely over the years creating a tighter single track corridor. The North River Trail is an alternative route over the "Death Climb" or the Wild Oak Trail  to get to Little Balk Knob area, it is probably the most friendly route as well, something the more downhill oriented crew enjoyed.  The upper portions of the climb give you the North Shore feel. The terrain of moist, moss and organic covered trail bed, and to even make it better it is paralleling the head waters of the North River. The large pine canopy is icing on the cake for any photo snapping junky.

A row of smiles on Buck Mountain

As the trail rolled out to the fire road that takes you to Little Bald Knob I warned the air jumping fools to be careful of trucks ruts that follow each jump. It did not take more then two jumps before the first victim was taken.  The report of "OK" rider but damaged bike was not reported to me until about a mile later, so while the crew refueled with Reddish, Flagpole, Meadow and Oak Knob all in the back ground, I headed back to see if I could help. Even though Lincoln seemed content to walk out of woods due to no hanger or derailleur I told him that was not an option this deep in the woods. 20 minutes later, after some creative mechanics and valuable lessons we were back riding to the group. (A few lessons here...der. hanger is only good if you have the tool to replace it, zip ties can do great things, always bring a chain connector link and a der cable is easy and valuable to stuff in your pack.).

Bear damaged signs deep in the woods.

If you have ever ridden out to Little Bald Knob, about half way out the fire road, there is a well marked fire road/trail on your left, this is the entrance to Buck Mountain.  The beginning fire road section quickly closes down to tight single track that had been freshly brushed this past year by the forest service. The open corridor was an early Christmas present to us all. Our group of speed lovers were amazed at the quick turns, the surprising rock fields and the steep shoots that define this epic trail.  With 2000' of descending behind us we had no problems getting our feet wet on this 70 degree winter day. The final 2 mile roll out in the drainage taking you to Hearthstone Dam is know for being wet. There is no fighting mother nature in this huge drainage.

By the time we returned to the Wild Oak Parking lot, our crew was done, with smiles and laughter overflowing the parking area.  I am sure this was the seen all across the forest on this warm winter day!

-Jenkini!

Book Learnin'

Some of you may have noticed that I'm not in the shop as much these days as has been typical over the last several years. I miss seeing all of your smiling faces, but I am in pursuit of knowledge! Over the summer, I started back to school at JMU studying Geographic Science. It was an interesting transition from using a phone to keep up with email to full immersion in a tech-intensive field. It's been good to stretch myself and learn new things. I am working on a project mapping some bicycle goodness in the area that I hope to share down the road.

One of the perks of playing with maps is access to all sorts of good imagery from satellites and airplanes. Check out this goodie of our treasured Massanutten collected in 1994:

Co workers rides!

Ever wonder what kind of bikes we folks here at the shop ride? Well wait no longer. The bike below belongs to SBCs Stephen phunky Proffitt. Don't let me mislead you though. Ole Phunky has a stable full of steel steeds this is just one of them.

ALSO SBC WILL BE CLOSED DECEMBER 8TH FOR INVENTORY!

Ground breaking: Big rig on Tillman!

Unloading the beast!

Late Wednesday evening I got email..."We are ready to go can you meet at 8am?".   This was an email I was not expecting to receive yet, but very glad to have in my inbox. I knew I would have to do a last minute rearranging of my schedule, the great thing about having an awesome staff at SBC is I can change my schedule at the last minute and the crew covers the bases. The correspondance in my inbox referred to the start of the new Tillman Road parking lot.  

The first dig!

One of the reasons I love working at the bike shop is the opportunity to be involved with so many great projects outside the shop, projects that provide more opportunities for folks to get outside and enjoy life on two wheels.  No better place to give back to our community then the National Forest, our local playground that is incredible underfunded and always strapped for help. 

To find stay up to date with upcoming projects or way to help out with all the exciting projects that are about to happen in the next year stay in tune with the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition. 

It is has always been a lot work but great fun to help the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition with successful trail projects like the new Tillman Road Parking Lot. I look forward to spending more time west of town as SVBC unleashes a treasure chest of trail improvements!

No turning back now!

Holiday clearance sale December 10th! Make a difference and Save!

Save BIG this Holiday at the SBC Holiday Clearance Storewide Sale extended hours 11-9!

Deep Discount Details on :

-20-60% off all parts, accessories and clothing in the shop!

-10-40% off on all Bikes!

-10% off gift cards!

Plus, 10% of our sales on 12/10 will go to the Shenrock Scholarship Fund! 

We'll be updating the Facebook event with our hottest deals so keep up to date and let us know you're coming to see us 

SBC Holiday Open House

It has become a tradition that SBC leaves it doors open during the annual Harrisonburg Holiday Parade. For many years in a row the shop has been a place to retreat before, during or after the parade. Folks come in to escape the cold or wet conditions that can sometimes grace our valley during the beginning of December. Even during the few years of nice weather folks just stop in to "Hi".  This Friday evening we will be pushing the bikes aside and making room for our friends, so stop by and enjoy some beverage and snacks during the SBC Holiday Open House!

See you this Friday!

The Crew at SBC
-Thomas, Tim, David, Scott, Jason, Stephen, Dillon, Sam, Britney, Jeremy, Ellen

Winter Dreaming

No matter what, the rocks will need to be negotiated.

Winter is the time for dreaming. For my kids it is the dream of what Santa might bring to them if they are good, for me the dream of future trails raps my brain during the winter. With so much of last winter's  time being consumed by flagging the upcoming SVBC RTP grant projects west of town, this winter my mind and body will be exploring the western slopes of Massanutten. For years the western slope's southern boundry was Del Web Drive, then the 2K trail redefined the southern trail limits. Well, let me tell you, 2K is just the beginning of the southern future of the Massanutten trail system.

I have been exploring the area between the Massanutten overlook and Massanutten Peak for the past year. The next few months will hopefully begin the details of trail design. Folks always ask me how do I design trails, well I go about it the old school way of just getting on the ground and exploring. Instead of laying out a design on a map I like wonder the terrain with an open mind, looking for the magical natural elements that could define a trail, think of  Leigton Overlook, the big rock at the bottom of Lairds Nose, the beer cave on 2K, all areas found by just exploring.  These magical areas become dots, then more dots are flagged, then before you know it you are connecting enough dots that a trail begins to take shape.

The western view just prior to the final scramble to the ridge. 

The exploring is not easy, there is always a lot falling, time being lost, time crawling on the ground hoping most of mother nature is away sleeping for the winter.  Does it sounds like fun? Well come join my sometime, I always enjoy the company in the woods!

Want to see where I was exploring...here is my Strava route.

The fruit crawling in the woods,

Thomas

The Eastern View once reaching the ridge trail. 

The existing ridge trail about 1.5 miles south of the overlook. 

Changing bigger tires and tubes.

Got me a new front tire tube and brake pads for the big bike. Early morning install taking place below.

Where two rivers and three states meet.

Harper Ferry, West Virginia became one of my must-visit attractions since I have always drove by the old historic river town for many years. My best friend and I decided to visit the town on the way home from Fredrick, Maryland where we had a wedding to attend a few weeks ago.   Finally, I got to see it! As soon as we walked into the town, we instantly felt as if we were exiting a time machine and were now in the Civil War era. I was in awe of how they preserved the whole town. In the photo, where I stood is in West Virginia, the left rocky hill is in Maryland, and the right hill is in Virginia. Also, you can see the Potomac River and there is the Shenandoah River under the train bridge goes thru the cave on the left. It is definitely a worth visit. - Jeremy

Remembering a friend.

The new sign at the top of Lairds Nose.

A lot folks did not know Leighton Shank. But if you have been involved in the local bike community, then he probably touched your life with out you knowing. Leighton was the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Club's (SMBC) computer guy  in the early 2000's, when finding a cyclist and a knowledgeable computer person was not so easy. This was prior to the SMBC and Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Club forming today's Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC). He create the logo for the Tour de Burg  and the website for SMBC, along with many other great local bike touches. At the time Leighton worked at SOS advertising, using his job connections to bring fun logo products to cycling community. Many of the older Tour de Burg and Festival items (tee shirts, hats, etc) came from late night session at SOS advertising.

One of the best views around!

In the early 2000's, when we started running with trail work Thursdays at Massanutten, Leighton was always making sure he got off work early so he could make it to the nut. He loved drinking his post trail work Yuegling Larger and Mountain Dew as much, if not more, than building the trails. It was during these post  trail work hang out times, on the tail gate of big red, that I got to know Leighton.

When Leighton left the Valley and moved back to hometown of Richmond he continued to stay connected to the bike scene. He was always a quick phone call or email away to help with computer needs or friendly advice.  Last year when a job opportunity opened for Leighton at JMU he made his way back to the Valley, this time with wife and son in tow. It did not take long for Leighton to find his usual trail work tool and head back to the nut on Thursday nights.  He also picked up where her left off and immediately devoted hours behind the computer scene making the back end of SVBC run smoothly.

The shot glass for Tour de Burg carbombs!

On October 10th Leighton passed away and left a big hole in many hearts and big hole in the SVBC community.  The last Thursday trail work before he passed away we spent a beautiful evening building what has become Leighton's Overlook, I encourage you to take ride or a hike and check out one of the best overlooks around. Maybe give a shout out to Leighton, I think he will hear you!

Here is a Dew & Yuegling for you my friend.
Your missed by many!

Your friend,
Thomas.

Don't Get Cabin Fever

 Don't think that since winter is coming upon us, that there is not going to be some SBC fun.  Our winter schedule is packed full of clinics, holiday parades and clearance sales!

 Have you ever wanted to learn more about your bike? Well instead of staying cooped up and getting cabin fever this winter, come to our clinics! Starting November 5 we are teaching a Basic Routine Bike Maintainance class. All clinics are Free! Participants should bring their own bike so they can learn how to work on it with SBC mechanics. In the photo above, a list of the other clinics. Also, there will be snacks and refreshments. Can't beat that!

That is right folks. Take some advice from Calvin's dad. The more we get out and bike and stay active during the fall and winter months.  The more our bodies and minds will thank us.   

Fall Time is the Best Time

Reconnecting with nature can be as rejuvenating as jumping in a nice cool swimming pool.  We decided to take an adventure to the Shenandoah National Park this weekend, so we can re-establish that connection.  There is nothing better than taking a beautiful hike with the moderate temperatures and the colorful foliage.  Kevin and I decided to camp out at Lewis Mountain Campgrounds.  It was our first time staying at a campsite with running water and indoor plumbing. The campground was small and far enough away from the busyness that this time of year brings, which is exactly what we wanted.  It was a chance for us to get away and enjoy what nature had to offer.  

 Pictures do not do the mountain's color justice.  I could not take my eyes away from the roaring colors coming from the hundreds of different species of trees.

 Blue is Kevin and I's full of life and vibrant hound dog.  It was his first over night camping experience in a tent.  Though he woke me up with his kisses 2 hours before I was ready to get up, he was a trooper.  We can't wait to take him on more trips.

The view on the trails looked like something from a movie. 

 It has been over six years since I have hiked on the Appalachian Trail.  It felt so nice to be back.  The views never disappoint. Blue was enjoying all the new scents and sights on the trail as well.

On Sunday we made a stop at one of the overlooks.  The morning mist and fog gave the mountains this mystical feel.  It was a great morning to meditate and enjoy the scenery before heading back to the city.  

Trees on fire.

Got stopped in my tracks on a test ride the other day by this tree. It's the little things......

Late fall pier fishing.

Got down to my favorite pier and put some time in with great results. Sea trout, blues, spot, red drum, skates and even the occasional turtle where getting caught. I did ok and mostly hooked snapper blues. They are fun to catch and put up a good fight. Thanks nags head fishing pier. Last of the old piers where it don't cost a million bucks to be on and still has the pier house bar where you catch it they cook it. A true working man's pier where your money can only buy you more bait or cans of Budweiser. Don't go changing. Enjoy some pics below....