Winter time exploring...At a cross roads!!

View from the Wild Oak Trail...Mountains for Miles and Miles!

When temperatures hit single digits, I explore the depths of the National Forest.   Winter is my time to get off trail, see things I won't see from my bike. A time to dream about future two wheel fun. Plus, nothing heats you like crawling on the forest floor or slipping on 60degree side hill, hoping you don't fall again!

At a cross roads!

With a Forest Service deadline for flagging some new trail options approaching fast I found the time and weather right to do some needed last minute ribbon hanging.  This was also a great opportunity to get my 13 year old woods dog out for some running, she is also my safety net if shit hits the fan.

The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition is looking at some potential large trail projects on the Wild Oak Trail. One of these projects would include a reroute of the steep eroded section on Dowell's Draft. The new proposed route will be a great addition to one of the finest downhills in the GW. But before any of this can happen the Forest Service will send out the Biologist and Archeologist to make sure we are not disturbing the remains of Big Foot or some old ancient burial ground.  I have yet to find either during my many off trail hikes in the GW National Forest but I have seen spectacular views, great rock outcroppings and places that just scream out, Trail, Trail, Trail! 2015 and 2016 might have some great new trail options coming to a forest near you!

The beginning of a great descent...to only get better

Embroidered Dickies Jackets at SBC

Men's and women's quilted Dickies jackets are now available at SBC emblazoned with our logo on the chest and the town we all hold so dear on the back. Thanks to our model, Grayson.

Ohio or whatever

"I did this today. It was very muddy and fun and foggy and weird and adventurous. I rode with my friend, Zach. I think I'm going to copy this text into a blog post for work." -text to Deborah 5:39pm 12/23/2014

Fat bikes and social trails sure make the most of areas with limited trail access and little public land. Mud bogging on the eastern bank of the Little Miami River yielded plenty of opportunities to ride over buried shopping carts, climb on abandoned foundations, and wall ride eroded clay. 

Here's a picture of Zach.

-David 

A Break from Bikes - Bird Bonanza

Walking is cross training. Walking is harder than I thought. However, pheasant hunting in South Dakota is worth slumming through fields all day. Plus the sunsets are terrific.


 We lucked out while we were there with weather in the low to mid 30's each day. On one of the days, the newspaper said it had been -27 degrees that same day the previous year...


We walked through massive fields and corn rows to flush wild pheasant from the brush and reeds.

We had our dog Trotter to help us out - pointing, flushing, and collecting the birds.Three solid days of hunting made for a great mini-vacation in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

BIke Rack Returns!

The bike rack on the sidewalk in front of the store has returned! It was away on vacation while the city overhauled the sidewalks downtown. We are glad to see it again, and already being used. Thanks to whomever for the bike rack. Long live the Bike Rack!

Be Seen. Be Fashionable. Be Safe. Don't Hate Bikes!

Most of you probably know that Whitney March actually hates bicycles. Hates bikes most of the time. Her new hobbies of stained glass and cleaning teeth have been keeping her busy. With all that in mind she realized that she LOVES riding her bike to work. Since Whitney spends two days a week biking from Old Town to Rocktown Family Dental Care on the "evil" side of town and down route 42 to Dayton 3 days a week to another dental office, She wanted to make sure that she was warm and visible and as you can see she has on plenty of gear to make sure drivers see her. 

Fixed gear Earl with Bar Mitts, full fenders, waterproof pannier, bright jacket, helmet cover, and more full list of gear is below.bi

List of Whitney Gear all of which is available at Shenandoah Bicycle Company:

Trek Earl- Steel fixed gear Trek 700c machine.

Endura- Luminite II Jacket - Women's- The brightest jacket we have ever seen. Bright colors, very reflective, and has a built in rear light.

Endura- Luminite Helmet Cover- Very Very bright, very very water/wind proof, built in rear light (Not pictured)

Light & Motion- Taz 1000 Headlight- On sale now at SBC. Very bright all in one rechargeable bike light. Built in California!

Light & Motion- Vis 180 Micro Taillight- Small bright rechargeable tail light

Bar Mitts- Wear thin gloves. Stay warm.

Planet Bike- K.O.K.O. Cargo Rack- Get that monkey off your back (your backpack that is) and try a rear rack on your bike complete with a pannier to attach to the rack.

Arkel Dolphin waterproof bags- most functional, durable, waterproof dry-bags on the market.

Wednesday Night Ride: Stokesville Market Loop

This week for our Weekly Wednesday Night Ride, we opted to head west of town due to excessive

moisture at Hillandale Park.  We had the opportunity to take a couple people night riding for their first time, Travis Carmichael & Meriam Velker.  I was most impressed by Meriam, a 6th grader on her first night ride on a trail she's never ridden in 30 degree weather and sideways snow. She's a tough one!!!  Kudos to the Harrisonburg NICA mountain bike team for cultivating the next generation of SHREDDRS!

For those descending Tillman West, be forewarned of a tree down just before the section of jumps.  Its obvious to see from a safe stopping distance.  We were a group of six, fueled by Stokesville Market Pizza and Chocolate Covered Caramel Peanut Clusters (a new favorite ride food).

Remember that we have plenty of demo Light and Motion lights for you to try out on our Wednesday night rides. Just give us a call if you need to reserve a light for the evening!