Winter is Calling!

Winter is coming right around the corner and we have all the essentials to get you through the cold, rain, sleet and snow. 

 Get your hands on our comfy and warm PULP and SBC sweatshirts.  Nothing like bundling up in one of these with a cup of joe and a good book.

For you lovely ladies out there, we have a whole winter selection just for you! Try out the Endura Neck Warmers and try on Endura's X Track Jacket.  

  Super cool Dillon, sporting the Bontrager Race Windshell Glove and the slick looking Bontrager RXL 180 Softshell Jacket.

Dillon and Scott are ready for winter! 

My New Friend, Leznye

Do you have money that's burning a hole in your pocket? Even the most frugal of us have been in this position. A week or so back I found myself wanting the ultimate multi-tool. Over the last seven years of bike commuting I have attempted to perfect my bike pouch. It's a dirty, red pencil pouch from my adolescent days filled with extra tubes, quick links, patches, spoke wrenches, you name it. 

What it's always lacked is a nice multi-tool. I've used multiple in the past, but they were cheap and ended up being more of a headache than my repair at hand. After my last cheap one broke, I resorted to a hilariously bulky three-way (4, 5, 6mm) allen wrench. 

It was time for something nice, something appropriate. My search came down to the Topeak Alien, which comes in at $49.99 and the Lezyne CRV-12, a mere $29.99. 

The Alien looks great from the exterior, but it boiled down to a philosophy I usually get defeated on: packing too many features into one device, thus sacrificing the quality of its main intention, a tool. 

The Lezyne CRV-12 is the perfect multi-tool for your pack, coming in at 150 grams, you know if that's your thing to count those, it features all the necessary functions:

• 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm allen keys
• Phillips #1
• 8, 9, 10 spd chain tool 

On a tool this size, it's rare to find a chain tool and paired with a <$5 quick link, it can surely save your tush on the road. 

All in all, we are trying to do a better job reviewing products here at the shop. I highly recommend this tool for anyone looking to keep their bike operable, whether rolling through one of our local universities or on the backside of Reddish during your 50-mile morning. 

   

Closed up, the CRV-12 is smaller than a credit card. 

   

Life's full of decisions, GET THE RIGHT MULTI-TOOL!

The tool's short purchase gives exceptional leverage on tightening bolts while on the trail. 

U

A Great Day in Richmond!

The crowds of Libby Hill.

The riders of this year's men's UCI Road World Championship Race in Richmond must have been super tired after 161 miles of racing but nothing compared to the fatigue of these two spectators! Sunday was the greatest day of bike racing in which I have ever experienced, period.

The start at University of Richmond

Our Sunday in Richmond began with a quick ride to the start of the race at the campus of the University of Richmond. Our initial crew, with five bikes and three trail-a-bikes, fit right in with the hundreds of riders heading to spectate the start. You could feel the buzz of the day beginning as the scores of motorcycles, cars and support vehicles started their engines for what was about to becoming a long and  beautiful day in our Commonwealth capital.

Ethan..about to get buzzed by the peloton.

After sending off the best riders in the world to the loud cheers and cowbells our crew rode back to our host house to prepare for the rest of day. After a packing some sandwiches and filling up on last minute snacks Ethan & I jumped on our bike rig (my commuter with his Burley Trail-a-Bike) and began our 6 mile journey to get to the circuit race course.  With us we had an overflowing saddle bag of rain gear which would never have to come out on what become a gorgeous Sunday.

The brutal 23rd street hill!

Ethan and I entered the circuit from the west side allowing us to catch several high speed sections of the course. We were able to enjoy being close to the riders since the crowds were not as deep on these flatter sections of the course.   We then  decided to make our way for the far east end of the circuit and head to cobbles of Libby Hill.  As we got closer we decided to ditch the bike and lock it to one of the few remaining free structures, a gas meter outside someone house. The excitement from here continued for the remaining 150K and 4 hours of racing.  These four hours seemed like a blur as we  walked, ran and road our way to all the exciting sections of the course.  It seems there was not a block that did not include rowdy spectators and the constant bumping into of old friends.

After catching the last minutes of the award ceremony in the convention center Ethan & I made our way back to the race course, but this time inside the barriers as we began our return trip to the County. After several miles into our ride back towards the University of Richmond our stomachs reminded us that the excitement of the day allowed us not to eat. So with only a few miles in our ride left, not wanting the day to end, we dropped into the closest bar, and in complete silence we refueled with glass after glass of water and two big plates of food.

Peter Sagan..1K from the rainbow jersey!

We finally arrived at our car some 10 hours later and quickly packed up so we could pick up Stephen and make the drive back to the burg. Ethan was asleep before we took the ramp to I64 while Stephen and I reflected on how we both enjoyed the day in Richmond. We both knew we just enjoyed a day in the Virginia Capital that will probably never happen again, even the six year old in the back seat knew it was a special day.

Thank you RICHMOND!

Pumpkin and Spice and Everything Nice...

Well, fall is here and PULP is getting festive people... This weeks special is everything tasty and beautiful.  Pumpkin and Spice and Everything Nice is the epic combination of acai, aronia berry, banana, cinnamon, almond milk, pumpkin seeds and honey.  We roasted the pumpkin seeds with cinnamon, sugar and a dash of sea salt.  Tis the season, come and get it while it lasts!

You may be asking yourself what an aronia berry is?  Well here is the answer. The aronia berry is a super food super star! Packed full of antioxidants, fiber, vitamin c and is a cancer fighting fruit.  This berry is even said to help reduce wrinkles and protect your skin from pollutants and UV rays.  You can't get much better than that.

  

SBC getting spooky. 

Alien technology finally available on Earth.

On my home planet, light years away, we used to race these inter-galactic rides. It's good to see that the technology my people enjoyed eons ago has made it to earth!

Bicycle Campout Season Finale

Our fourth and final bicycle campout of the year is only a month away! Schedule off work, get your projects finished early, borrow a sleeping bag. Whatever it takes, I want to ride bikes and sleep outside with you and any friends you can wrangle to join us.

On Saturday October 24th, we will meet at the bike shop at 11:30am to mingle before our 12:00pm roll out. Our destination is Stokesville Campground. The route is 24 miles with some pavement, some gravel, and some excellent panoramic views of the national forest. It has become a favorite route in my own road ride repertoire and I think you will love it too. We will take plenty of time so everybody can have fun.

This is a self supported event. Bring what you need to be happy outside on and off your bike for 24 hours. There is potable water at the campground and a store near by. 

Come early if you need our help with your bike or packing. If at all possible, address these issues over the next couple of weeks so you can roll into your weekend relaxed and prepared. 

Read about past trips here and sign up here.

Call the bike shop or send me an email at David@shenandoahbicycle.com with any questions or concerns. Most of all, get excited! It's going to be a real good time.

Wootten Went West to the White Water capital.

Every year, weirdos gather in Southern WV for scheduled dam releases on the Gauley River.  In the past 5 years, a new sport has emerged; River Surfing, standing on standing waves.  Most river surfers use shortboards, designed for ocean waves because they are fast and stable versus the higher volume and super wide stand-up paddle boards.

Can you see the difference between a SUP and a Shortboard?  Couple rippers on Diagonal Wedges.

Wootten rolled out to WV to learn how to stand up on his new 6' softech shortboard.  His mate Shane Groves hooked him up with a ticket to the Party in the Holler over at Ace Adventure Resort to see the Wood Brothers on Saturday Night.

Shane and Wootten had breakfast at the WV chain Tudors Biscuit World for some caloric overload before a big day of park and play on the Lower G.  Following breakfast, the dynamic duo dropped by la hacienda de George.  George, who just got back from Honduras with his wife, is quite the homesteader.  Here, you see the cabin he's built with lumber he milled with a chainsaw on location.

La Hacienda de George is conveniently located adjacent to the rough access road to the Middle Gauley.  After a short drive down into the gorge, river noises filled the air.  Over the bridge and down the tracks to the wave...

Looking upstream from the Peters Creek Bridge.

Commuting

Shane made all the other kayakers look like beginners with his sweet freestyle maneuvers.  

Shane backstabbing

George and Yadira ponder the future of la Hacienda from the lip of Laurel Creek Falls.