SBC ranked one America's Best Bike Shops for Third year in a row

Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, VA)

August 26, 2015

Section: News (Business)

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City Bicycle Shop Again Rated Highly

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HARRISONBURG - A city bicycle shop has been named one of America's Best Bike Shops for the third straight year.

Shenandoah Bicycle Co. at 135 S. Main St. made the 2015 annual list selected by the National Bicycle Dealers Association, according to a press release. Fewer than 300 of the approximately 4,000 bike shops in America were recognized.

The 15-year-old business is a full-service shop with bicycle and accessory sales, rentals and repairs.

To be considered for the honor, shop owners must fill out a detailed application explaining how their business is different from the average bike retailer. Mystery shoppers visit stores for an evaluation, review their websites and phone the shop to assess customer service.

Shops also are rated on bicycle advocacy and support for their communities.

The award program is designed to help consumers find great stores in their areas.

- Vic Bradshaw

Copyright (c) 2015, Byrd Newspapers, All Rights Reserved.

Friday Fatty season finale

Tomorrow 8/28 will be the season finale of the friday fatty ride, come on out for heaps of fun! Post ride cookout too! Ride leaves at three from Sbc...do it!

Question: if a tree falls on a Wooten in the forest, does it make a sound?

 

Answer: yes everyone laughs.

The great stumps project!

Stump under load...move Damit!

This past Saturday was the beginning of the Fall Trail Work Series.  The Fall Trail Work Series has going on since the beginning of the Fall Six Pack Series, 20 years ago.   We left Mr's J's at 9am and drove in the dry rocky approach to the bottom of the Lynn Trail. Big Red was  loaded down with an assortment of tools to help with what was going to become a great day on the mountain.  The gray hairs came out and did some of the best work I have seen in a while, I would say the average age for the crew was at least 55!  Marshall ended up a little beat up after the the morning work, the fight he pick with a yellow jacket hive ended giving him more stings then you could count on two hands. Carol and Melba where rock starts cutting back the growth that has taken over so many of our trails this summer. Frank and Tim Cook never gave up after many of us wood, a 34" oak trail is not easy thing to move!

Carole and Melba cutting back the growth

Tim Cook and Frank freeing stump #2 for removal.

This coming Saturday trail work will continue on the Lynn Trail, come out and help fix the tread where the 3 great stumps had previous layed. You can meet at Mr J's (Route 42 South) at 9am or at the bottom of the Lynn Trail at 9:30. Come out and help get the trails ready for all the great fall riding.  The fall trail work days are the mountain bike community's best opportunity to give back to the George Washington National Forest.

After a big crash...stump out of the trail!

Birthday Bikes

These 2 dudes have a birthday coming up and got some cool rides on Saturday to celebrate! All of us here at SBC wish them a happy birthday and hope you guys have fun cruising around on those sweet bikes!

Wootten's Bachelor Basher

In a world where Wootten rides Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday in one week; some say the seeing he's seeking is somewhere in Adventuresland.  The party all started at 5:30 with a solid NICA shredding at the Nutt.  The party ended in the Watershed when a tree fell on Wootten.

Wednesday was wonderful with framily on Bryce, jumping for joy on Brew Thru and blowing up wheels with Car Bombs.  The i9 wheel building party porch poach at the Jenkins was a recipe for successful Snowshoe adventures.
   

Bachelor Gimbals from Adventure Seen on Vimeo.

Wootten brothers united and ventured to the precipice of Pocahontas County for some finger fern surfin' and patrol house poachin'.  They even heard about a whale string ride in that weird place known as the village.  Just remember not to get your hang down caught in your whale string.


Whale String Ride from Adventure Seen on Vimeo.

Salmon Collin hopped over to ride laps with Woot and ended up in a place where the biker beers overflow like wine and the streams run like Hardee's sweet tea.  They each tasted their first sweet shuttle of Slatyfork, the headwaters of the Gauley drainage.  Needless to say, the experience was magical.  

Upon completion of the WV mission, a busy Saturday at the bike shop would be the only thing Wootten needed to recharge his batteries for another big bike Sunday in Marry Land.  The riding was spectacular in the Shed but don't tell your friends.  With wooden walkways and stone stairwells the tread was treated with the rubber rollers and maximum rad occurred.  

Sam Pushin' w8!

Tim on the Golden Line

Nate Shearer's photos are amazing!

Right after Wootten went dry, the day started to die.  He stuck his front wheel into a rock and shook the earth.  A tree fell on Wootten and his bike.  The end.

P.s.  He's ok.    

Gone Phishin'....again.

I've always had a dream to professionally write about Phish. This counts, right? 

As you all know, the people that make up Shenandoah Bicycle Company love bicycles. With this said, all of us have respected hobbies outside of the shop. Mine happens to be live music. Since the age of 13, my passion has been going to see live music, jam bands specifically.

A picture from the lot Friday night in Raleigh.
Just got to poke around

This weekend, for the first time in over a year I got the chance to hop on the road and travel around seeing my beloved Phish, a quartet of middle-aged white males from Burlington, VT. The description is appropriate when I look back over my young 22 years and calculate how much money and time I've spent following (phollowing) these guys around. 

An 800-mile weekend on the road is a piece of cake when you know what lies just beyond the sunset inside a worn-down pavilion.

As the sun sets, the fun begins in Raleigh Friday night

   The band, who got their start in a Burlington, VT bar back in the 80s has built a career based on the live performance. Their records, while not successful have served as a tangible way to compliment their on stage magic. This weekend wasn't my first rodeo. One must know that you cannot simply see Phish just once. This was my 32nd, 33rd and 34th shows.

 I've been everywhere from Essex Junction, VT following a 36-hour Greyhound bus ride to multiple nights sleeping in the back of my car with insufficient funds to afford a hotel after tickets. 

You won't find a more professional and synchronized light show

   The shows are always different and the smiles are always larger. It simply never gets old for me and it always leaves me wanting more and more. Friday afternoon, I arrived in Raleigh, NC to catch up with friends, some of whom were in Philadelphia earlier in the week at the band's two-night run. 

Steeeeeammmm!

   Phish, famous for swift changes and tonal versatility brought the funk early and often that night, which I loved. It's by far my favorite facet to their ever-changing sound. After a surprisingly impressive hotel breakfast Saturday morning, we buzzed out of Raleigh and began the six and a half hour trek to Columbia, MD where more friends would be met and more good times would be had.

 
Slightly after seven, we began funneling through the tapered Merriweather Post Pavilion entrance and flowed out onto the spacious lawn as the sun set to our right. When you see a band this often, the nuances of the group and the individuals become more evident. 

   "7:37"

   "No, last night they came on at 7:26, no way it'll be that late." 

   "I say 7:42." 

    Yes, it becomes a nightly trivia battle on when the house music will dissolve and the house lights will give way to the band emerging from backstage to the roar of 19-plus thousand people. 

   Saturday night, the band continued on a tear as if they had never stopped what they started Friday night, over three-hundred miles away. 

The band closes their nearly month long tour
in elegant fashion Sunday night under the stars in Maryland. 

   One of my favorite things while "on tour" is the long Sunday brunch that allows all of us to debrief all that has happened thus far in the weekend as we usually gear up for the final show of the run. 

  Inside Plato's Diner, we convened around a half circle table and enjoyed breakfast burritos and stacks of french toast while guzzling dark, diner coffee. It wasn't a full weekend without some bike-oriented events. I visited College Park Bikes and Proteus Bicycles while in the area. 

   Sunday proved to be yet another great show, which left me sleeping, once again in the back of my car. 

Panoramic shot from the lawn at Merriweather Post Sunday night. Never miss a Sunday show

   "This has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way," frontman Trey Anastasio belts out during "Down with Disease."

   We'll meet again, Phish. Sometime very soon. 

1 by 11 is so last year...2 by 11 is NOW!

I had the pleasure of building a real fancy titanium 650b bike with the new shimano 2 by 11 drive line. I am not often impressed with new technology in the bicycle world however shimano got it right and I'm stoked on this. We can get this for anyone who desires. Enough blah blah ing. Pictures are below. Enjoy the eye candy!

#drivenbyadventure

We at SBC were very very excited to plan out and host the contest winners of Trek's Driven by Adventure Contest back in June. The contest was designed to help promote Trek's new line of Touring/adventure bikes. Bicycle Times wrote a nice piece on the bikes and the contest back in March. Trek is trying to reclaim its title as an American bicycle touring company. The Trek 520 appeared in the early 1980s and Vintage Trek claims that the bike "probably has made more trans-America crossings than any other bike model." The Trek 520 continues with the addition of disc brakes for 2015 but of biggest interest to us was the addition of the Trek 920 which looks very much like the Salsa Fargo. One of the caveats of the trip was that Trek had a professional film crew follow around the winners and create the video that you see above.

Photo credit goes to Jacob Seigel-Boettner

It must have been more than a coincidence that the Trek 920 caught my eye as soon as it was released only to then learn that the Trek Driven by Adventure contestant winners would ride the 920 through Virginia. I thought about applying to win the trip but you needed a pretty hefty resume with plenty of photos and a video to get into the running and I just didn't take the time. While I was thinking about applying we received a phone call from Trek asking if we were interested in helping plan out a route for the tour and launching the contest winners from SBC. I and the shop of course jumped at the opportunity and started working with our friends at Trek to plan out an incredible route to showcase our amazingly beautiful corner of the world.

Photo credit goes to Jacob Seigel-Boettner.

We interrupt this blog post for an official word from Trek: "Touring has been a definitive part of Trek since the company was founded in 1976. The all-new Touring & Adventure line continues Trek’s established legacy as a pioneer in the category, and affirms the company’s commitment to the adventure lifestyle.

Photo credit goes to Jacob Seigel-Boettner.

Now for the route. I wanted to make sure that they had a fun tour that was adventurous and still manageable. It was admittedly challenging to layout a tour for two people who I had never met and didn't know what they were capable of. I figured I would error on the side of caution for the first two days. Recognizing that they likely wouldn't leave the Burg until after lunch on day 1. Here is the route that I laid out: Trek Driven By Adventure: The Virginia Reel on Ride with GPS
They headed down to Douthat State Park for the second night and did some fly fishing in the lake. The hardest days of the trip were day 2 and 3 as I sent them to the top of Warm Springs Mountain across the highest airport east of the Mississippi, through the Nature Conservancy Warm Springs Mountain preserve and down to Williamsville Virgina. From there they would have to climb back over Shenandoah Mountain to reach the valley.

The Virginia Reel!

Here is how the days panned out:

Day 1: The Burg to Deerfield Valley via Stokesville

Day 2: Deerfield Valley to Douthat 

Day 3: Douthat to Williamsville

Day 4:Williamsville to the Burg
Highlights included: Douthat State Park, The Ingalls Field Airport, The Nature Conservancy's Warm Spring Mountain Preserve, and the Bull Pasture Gorge along with Aqua cave.

Photo credit goes to Jacob Seigel-Boettner.

Jacob and Issac who won the trip turned out to be really fun guys who flew in from Oakland California for the trip, they beat out 500 other duo "teams" who entered. Probably in part because they have their own video production company called "Pedal Born Pictures" These guys are well versed at bicycle touring but much like myself, they said had only previously toured with BOB Trailers. For this trip they used the robust racks that come stock on the Trek 920. They even experimented with most of the weight on the front of the bike and low for more stable descending.

Photo credit goes to Jacob Seigel-Boettner.

The weight on the front and low ended up riding really well for them but did cost Issac a trip to the emergency room. On a bumpy dirt descent his front pannier flew off and somehow got caught up in the front wheel of the bike. I drove over to West Virginia to meet them for a car rescue. They were in good spirits and probably could have made it back just fine but I did save them a few hours at the emergency room. After a number of stitches, Issac was in good shape and we went to Jack Browns to top off their trip.

The Ride of a Lifetime!

Whether it’s due to my recent birthday, or college graduation , I have been finding myself reflecting on life, where its been and where it’s headed in the years to come.

Yes, its hard to believe but my style has always been top model worthy.

Riding bikes (or being chauffeured around by one) has always been an integral part of my life. Taking bike trips to the local 7-Eleven for Slurpees was always a summertime favorite!

New bike days are the best days! 

Rolling! I received this beautiful 12 inch bike for my third birthday and had to ride ASAP. There was no time to change before taking it out for a test ride, dresses do not slow me down!

Racing at our local BMX track in New Jersey!

Before I was allowed to race at our local BMX track, Central Jersey BMX, I had to pass my parents rigorous cycling test. This riding assessment tested my strength, endurance and will-power by requiring me to ride three laps around the neighborhood and climb a hill that has a 40 foot elevation change. This was to be done non-stop and unsupported. Luckily, I pulled through and was racing on my new 16 inch bike at the age of 5.

Luckily we weren't in the same age class every year so I had a few opportunities to get 1st place.

While difficult to admit, I spent most of my early days as a cyclist trying to keep up with my siblings. They could always ride faster and jump higher. My brothers pushed me to face my fears in the air on their questionable homemade ramps, and my sisters were my biggest competition on the race track. Any time I approached my brothers, needing advice on technical riding, their answer was "pedal faster and you'll make it!"

 Yes, those are awesome wheels on my first full suspension bike!

My bikes and I made the move to Harrisonburg, VA in the spring of 2009 to attend James Madison University. I quickly made new friends in the bike community through group rides and began improving my skills as a mountain bike rider. Riding bikes in the Shenandoah Valley has provided some of the best bike riding experiences of my life and I know there will be more great adventures to come. There is nothing better than riding in the valley with great friends.

Monday ride at Massanutten!

Over the past few years I have changed residences, degree programs and career paths many times. I am not sure where life will take me from here, but I know it will be a great ride.

Taking a break on our first ride at Big Schloss, 

Our back yard...I think.

With all of the plus size wheel/tire options and boost hub spacing and suspension forks to accommodate, I am having a heck of a time picking a new mountain bike. Last night, I was reading up on the Manitou Magnum Pro suspension fork that comes on Trek's 29+ Stache 9 and I came across this video.

I hadn't seen it before and never caught wind of its filming. THAT'S THE WESTERN SLOPE! I mean...isn't it?

Oregon Rail Trail

While I lived in Oregon, I had been wanting to ride my bike on a 21 mile long paved rail to trail called Banks–Vernonia State Trail. The trail is about 45 minute drive west of Portland. My friend finally decided to join me exploring the trail and I was more than eager to check it out. Also, I had never ridden a bike more than 10 miles and our mission was to ride the whole trail forth and back which means 42 miles total. Of course, I was a bit nervous; however, I was fascinated by its beautiful scenery that made the whole trip go by fast. I truly enjoyed the journey and workout. If you have a chance to check it out, make sure to stop by The Black Iron Grill at the end of the path in Vernonia for beer and delicious grub on your break.

Riding Dirty at Timberline Resort

Timberline is one of West Virginia's sweetest spots for skiing and snowboarding, primarily because of the tree runs between the slopes.  They are steep enough to make proper powder turns and get your annual supply of face shots. With cheap lift tickets and never any lift lines this place is a winter wonderland, but what is it like in the summer?

Wootten went exploring on a solo mission to discover some of the most difficult terrain he's ridden, on the same trails he rides on in the snow.  Here are a few photos and some videos of the terrain & magnificence he found as the ONLY mountain biker out there that weekend.

If you like extremely difficult terrain and riding by yourself, roll over to Timberline one weekend to get a taste of the flavor.  Wootten got on Cactus Tom, Gnarnia, Zinger, Doc's and Crawdad.  They are all relatively cleaned up and super dirty.  Bring your pads, full face and drooper post for maximum fun.  We recommend going out there if it is dry, you'll want the added traction on the super steep roots and rock pitches that are all over the trail system.  Be sure to to to the bar for their daily specials, MEATLOAF!

Go Skateboarding Day

Did you know that we have an international skateboarding day? June 21, 2015 was the 12th annual celebration of Go Skateboarding Day and it is an official annual holiday conceived by the International Association Of Skateboard Companies. Muchas gracias to our beloved co-worker, Jason Williams, for hosting this holiday cookout/skate session party on the special day. Tim Richardson even showed up and ripped the mini halfpipe!

Jason's scooter shack and what goes on in it.

I love pretty much anything with wheels. My favorite vehicles include motorcycles skateboards and bicycles. All three require some know how when assembling or fixing. Growing up money was tight, so when something broke, you pulled it apart found what was broken and fixed it. My grandpa told me at an early age to always be able to do something with your hands and you will have a job and a place in this world. I ran with that and it's worked out so far. When my Harley has an issue, I have no problem pulling it apart and fixing it. First picture is my motor with new primary chain tensioner and compensator nut installed. Next is some worn push rods on the floor that I had to cut out with bolt cutters. Not the ideal way to do it but I've put 3000 plus miles on it since then and all is good. Final 2 are my shop. Money is still tight so me and my wife built the Scooter Shack ourselves. It's no SBC but it's all I need. Until next time.....                                         

 

The Unusual Hike Trail, AKA Massanutten Ridge South

Our plan was to meet a couple of friends at the Massanutten overlook and hike along its peak all the way to the #6 chairlift and back on the same trail. While we were hiking on the way to the ski slope, we realized the path was getting narrower and narrower as if it becomes a jungle. We found some recent bear feces and learned that we were in the bear territory. Luckily, we made it to the lift and one of our friends didn't feel like hiking all the way back to where we started due to his worn out knee. I texted my good friend who works in the ski office and thought maybe he could give us a ride back to our vehicles if we took a chairlift ride down. It turned out that he was not at work, but informed me to go to the ski/bike rental and they would shuttle us up. My friends were excited to jump on the chairlift down on a gorgeous day and relieved that we didn't have to hike back through the jungle again. Still, what an adventurous day!

For more information about hiking and riding at Massanutten Resort, check out the SVBC website or Massresort.com