The Bike Lane WOW Sale Starts Today

Bike Valet Parking at the Reston Festival this weekend!

Ride Your Bike to Reston Festival
The Reston Festival Committee encourages attendees to come to the event by bicycle – Take advantage of a free parking service for bicycles at Reston Town Center. In cooperation with Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (FABB), The Bike Lane, bikes@vienna, and Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), the Reston Festival will provide free secure bicycle valet parking. For more details, click here…

http://www.restonfestival.com/

Lances Bike Customized Trek

Lance’s New Trek Customized by Marc Newson2009/07/03

 

 

Featuring subtle flat black paint offset by glossy contrast details including Newson’s “Stroboscopic” rear wheel design that appears to pulse as it spins, the bike brings a new level of design sophistication to the most legendary cycling event in the world while simultaneously flying the flag of cancer awareness in Livestrong yellow.

 

LANCE ARMSTRONG TO RIDE TREK ART BIKE CUSTOMIZED BY RENOWNED DESIGNER MARC NEWSON IN TOUR DE FRANCE LAUNCH IN MONACO ON JULY 4

To help raise awareness for LANCE ARMSTRONG’s mission to bring heightened global attention to the cancer burden and his anti-cancer art show STAGES, which will open its doors in Paris on July 16, world-renowned designer MARC NEWSON has created a special TREK time trial art bike for Lance’s debut ride on the Tour de France on July 4 in Monaco.

Lance made history in 2005 when he rode an artist-designed Trek TTX in his final run in the Tour de France before retiring, and his return to professional racing in 2009 has been marked by a

via Trek Life | News | Lance’s New Trek Customized by Marc Newson.

Mountain Biking The Wheel Deal

Cameron at the Wednesday's at Wakefield

Pick up your local Connection Newspaper this week to catch a great article about the local youth mountain biking movement!  Yes, one of our little ones is the feature kid, which makes it pretty cool.  However, the more important focus is on local kids getting more into mountain biking and thanks to Trips for Kids Metro DC for helping to make this happen.  Bring your kids and join us at the races!

 

Mountain Biking: The Wheel Deal
Interest in mountain bike riding increases, as does Trips for Kids program’s influence.

By Jason Mackey
Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Cameron Mader has days when he enjoys the solitude of a bike ride. Other times, he said, it’s fun to be able to have his mother, Anne Mader, ride along with him. No less than 100 percent of the time, Mader likes one thing the most when it comes to riding mountain bikes.

“I like to go fast,” said Cameron Mader, 7, who started pedaling at 18 months and has been riding mountain bikes since he was 4.

The Maders, who’ve owned The Bike Lane in Burke for eight years and recently opened a second store in Reston, are a bike-riding family. In addition to competitive rides throughout the week, Cameron Mader rides with his father, Todd Mader, every morning to Oak View Elementary School.

Cameron Mader has also been one of a growing number of participants in the Northern Virginia Youth Mountain Bike Series, which was started in 2007 as a joint effort between local mountain bike race promoters and advocacy groups to get more children riding bicycles. Last year, more than 100 local children took to the trails.

Because of the mountain biking series, which is comprised of multiple races that are sponsored by the Bike Lane, the Potomac Velo Club and EX2 Adventures, mountain biking has become a formidable option for youth sports, as the group’s level of participation has more than quadrupled since its inaugural year.

On Wednesday nights, participants take to the 3.6-mile course at Wakefield Park. In addition to a 10-and-under race, races of four separate classifications run every two years up to age 18.

“It seems like the kids really want to do it because they can’t just ride their bikes around the neighborhood anymore,” Anne Mader said. “Instead, biking has become a planned activity and people are looking for it to become a sport like soccer or basketball, because they’re going to plan for everything and they want to get into the competition part of it.”

PAT CHILDERS jokes that Trips for Kids, a local nonprofit that has been linking under-privileged children with mountain biking for two years, is housed in Springfield. Childers laughs because the bikes are stored in a backyard trailer at his house … and in his basement, shed and under his deck.

Trips for Kids has 40 bicycles that it loans to eager riders so that they may experience the thrill of navigating a dirt trail.

“We’re trying to make it the Little League of mountain biking,” Childers said.

One TFK regular has been Laura Martinez, a rising freshman at Lee High School and an aspiring soccer player. Martinez hopes to make the girls’ soccer team at Lee and has enjoyed her time spent on a bike as a way to prepare for competition on the soccer pitch.

“In soccer, you run and exercise your legs,” Martinez said. “In bike riding, you do the same thing. It’s really interesting as a sport and you get to exercise a lot.”

Childers said that the group started with exclusively under-privileged children. Now, he and his wife, Julie Childers, have fielded several e-mails asking if it’s O.K. for middle- and upper-class families to participate, too.

“It shows that the interest is there,” Pat Childers said. “When Trips for Kids was started, we were providing opportunities for at-risk youth and kids that wouldn’t get out to nature. We started to find that kids in general weren’t getting out to nature.”

Pat Childers’ efforts have paid off. For the month of June, Liberty Mutual Insurance presented Childers with the Responsible Coaching Award, an honor for men and woman who emphasize sportsmanship and character-building in their approach to teaching children.

He’s one of 41 award-winners from across the country that were chosen out of more than 560 nominees. The award also included a $250 check for the organization.

“It’s a great opportunity to get kids together that wouldn’t normally get together,” Pat Childers said, “and they get a chance to spend some time with nature that they normally wouldn’t get.”

We Can Do It

Rosie the Riveter Call to Action

We Can Do It!- The Fountainhead Project is under way!  Thanks to  Trek Bicycles, REI, Team IMBA/Sram and private donations MORE will be starting to plan Phase One of the Fountainhead Project. The trail project should start in the fall and we will need all of the volunteers we can get.  If you can’t volunteer, think about making a donation toward the project.  Your contribution will go toward making this trail system an awesome riding experience- the more money the project raises the better the trails will be!  Please check out the website for more details.

Below is an article for next months SpokesWomen Article by Anne Mader:

We Can Do It!
Congratulations to all of us mountain biking women who have conquered the trails, raced the races, and own bikes that match our counterpart mountain biking men!  We deserve a big pat on the back!  These days there is no doubt that women are a part of the mountain biking scene.   Not only are there numerous organized women’s rides and clinics; such as the Maryland “Girlie Rides” and the “Ride Like a Girl Rides”, but women riders can be seen taking over the parking lots at trail heads on most weekends and turning out in large numbers at the local XC and off road adventure races.  We also grace the covers of the most popular cycling magazines, decked out in the most fashionable mountain bike apparel, while riding some of the hottest XC bikes on the market.  Way to go Girls!

However, while we have made our mark on the sport as legitimate riders we are slightly behind in giving a helping hand when it comes to building and maintaining the trails that we have come to love.   The Mid Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts (MORE) maintain and build hundreds of miles of trails in Maryland, DC, and Virginia.  MORE is the local nonprofit mountain biking club that organizes hundreds of rides throughout the year as well as advocates for new trails while building on and maintaining the current single track we ride.  MORE schedules annual fall and spring trail work days at every park it maintains, which adds up to more than 3000 volunteer hours a year.  However, only about 10-15% of those hours are put in by women.  So, while there are many women out there who are definitely giving back (some give a tremendous amount), there are still some who need to get a shovel and get out there.   Anyone who rides the trails should take a little time each year to give back, and we are not the exception.  Trail work can be a great way to meet other riders.  It can also be a great family event- bring the kids and teach them that trails don’t just appear.  Hours and hours of volunteer service go into every trail you ride.  So, while we are in the heart of the summer; ride, ride, ride!  But when it starts to get cooler, check out MORE’s fall and spring trail work calendar on their website at www.more-mtb.org and give back to the trails you ride this summer.  Let’s show those guys what we can do!

Speaking of giving back, have you ridden the trails at Fountainhead Park lately?  If you have, you may be aware that the trails are in dire shape and in need of some TLC!  MORE has been maintaining Fountainhead for over ten years.  This amazing trail system is a mountain biking gem in Fairfax County however, due to an increase in ridership and the way the trails are built these trails are becoming increasingly unsustainable.  As a result, MORE and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority hired IMBA Trail Solutions to create a trail plan that will help rehabilitate the trails and build a sustainable trail system.  The rehabilitated trail system will provide a more diverse trail for beginners to advanced riders.  The plan suggests a stacked loop system with skills areas and an increase in mileage from seven miles to 12-15 miles.  A stacked looped system is very unique and provides an opportunity to create levels of difficulty the further one gets into the trail.  As a result, the trails can have increasingly more difficult trail sections because riders will have trail options depending of their skill level.   This also increases educational opportunities along the trail- so those of us who need to learn certain skills will have the opportunity  to learn these skills before moving on to the next trail section.    Trail features and armoring will also create a trail system with unique features that enhance sustainability while providing an amazing riding experience for all mountain bikers.  MORE and the park are very excited to get this project underway.  A website has been specifically set up for this project at www.fountianheadproject.org.  

The Fountainhead Project is a huge undertaking for a small nonprofit like MORE.  Not only does MORE want to create a more sustainable trail system the club also wants to maintain the challenging legacy of the Fountainhead trails. As a result, the price tag for this project is larger than many other trail building projects.  Fundraising has been underway for the Fountainhead Project for a couple of years and it will take a few large fundraising efforts to complete the entire project.  However, thanks to the generous contributions of trail users and funding from Trek Bicycles, REI, and TEAM IMBA/SRAM; the first phase of the Fountainhead Project will be underway this fall!   MORE hopes to use the first phase of the project to showcase what can be done at Fountainhead to create sustainable, fun, and challenging trails. 

However, the Fountainhead Project will only be successful if volunteers step up to the plate.  This is where WE can make a difference!  It just so happens, that Rosie the Riveter is helping to get the word out about the Fountainhead Project.  So it is only appropriate to use this opportunity to call women riders into action!  MORE will need all of the volunteers it can get to help out with this project.   Volunteers will be needed to haul, shovel, lope, and cut new trail.  A little muscle power is important, (not a problem for us women mountain bikers) while trail building knowledge is not necessary.  By volunteering you will be adding to the legacy of mountain biking while giving back to the trails you love.  You will also gain an appreciation of what it takes to build and maintain the trails you and thousands of others ride.   Keep an eye out on the Fountainhead Project website for trail work dates, or sign up for updates on the site. If you can’t make the Fountainhead trail work days check out the MORE trail work calendar for other options.  We can do it!

Cyclefest goes Rain or Shine

At the moment, things are looking good for Saturday but you never know.  However, Cyclefest will go on – rain or shine.  The mountain bike rides will have to be modified and we are working to get some pretty good skill practice areas created- so while we may not be riding single track we will be having a blast learning new skills! 

The road rides will go on as long as it is not raining.  The  awesome seminars will go on no matter what- so come on out!  By this weekend, it will be time to get out and breathe some fresh air and push on some pedals- and what better place than at Cyclefest!!

Cyclefest Rides

Cyclefest Supported Rides:  

All rides will have a ride leader and sweeper.  The road rides will be a 16-18 mph pace for the longer rides and less for the shorter rides.  Participants will be given a cue sheet and are welcome to go at their own pace.  The mountain bike rides will be no drop rides-meaning no one will be dropped from the ride and rides will be as fast as the slowest rider. Ride leaders may decide to split groups up if  riders have different skill levels.   Participants must register for the event (either prereg at active.com for $10 or register on the day of for $15) to participate in the rides.  Registration includes supported rides, cool t-shirt, schwag bag, and raffle entry.  Proceeds will go to rehabilitating the trails at Lake Fairfax.   

8:00 am
Long Road Ride (45ish miles)- hilly rides through Great Falls and Reston – 16-18 mph pace or ride at you own pace.

8:30 am
The Moderate Road Ride (30ish miles) – moderate hills through Great Falls and Reston- 16-18 mph pace
Long Mountain Bike Ride (3 Hours) CCT/Lake Fairfax/Reston Trails

9:00 am
Shorty Road Ride (20ish miles)- easier pace 12-16 mph – mostly through Reston
Women’s Mountain Bike Ride (1.5-2 hours) CCT/Lake Fairfax Loop

9:30 am
Women’s Road Ride (20ish miles) – easier pace 12-16 mph- mainly through Reston
Mountain Bike Fun/Casual Ride  (1.5 hours) CCT/Lake Fairfax Loop

10:00 am
Beginner Road Ride (12ish miles)  easy pace 10-12 mph around Reston
Beginner Mountain Bike Ride (1 hour) CCT- Park Loop

10:30 am
Family Mountain Bike Ride (4 miles/ 1 hour) CCT- Park Loop

Don’t Miss the Cyclefest Seminars

Below are some of the fabulous seminars that we are having ar Cyclefest.  Seminars and bike demos are free to everyone .  However, if you want to join us on our supported rides, get an awesome t-shirt, and have lunch- register today for only $10!  ($15 on the day of). 

12:00 pm- 1 pm
Forget Everything you’ve heard about yoga!  Take your Biking to the Next Level!
A Power Yoga Workshop with Dancing Mind Yoga owner, Paula Baake
In this dynamic and interactive workshop, we will go over body anatomy on the bike.  Together we will explore and learn how to maximize pedaling power, release saddle pains, eliminate lower back pain, and relax the shoulders.  Learn power yoga principles that are practical and effective for everyone, especially athletes!  Imagine competing with your body feeling stronger, more flexible and more durable. Imagine competing with a mental focus like you have never had.  Imagine having complete control of your emotions, your thoughts and all distractions. Learn how to be in power to create “the zone.”  Forget old notions about your mind and body, and cross the threshold to merge Baptiste Power Yoga with your athletic training program. Wake up to the reality that your mind plays the main role in performance!

About Paula Baake: Paula is an avid Mt. Biker and Rock Climber, her favorite rides include the North Fork Mt. Trail in WV, Shenandoah Mt. Race course, Porcupine Rim, Road Apple and Gooseberry Mesa trails out West.  Rock Climbing has taken Paula to amazing places such as Yosemite National Park, Thailand, Greece, and off course Seneca Rocks and the New River Gorge

12 pm- 1pm:
Team In Training Information Seminar:
Team In Training (TNT) is the world’s first, largest and best endurance sports training program. In the 20 years it has been around, more than 380,000 participants have crossed the finish line with TNT and have helped raise more than $980 million for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A panel of speakers, comprised of a TNT Coach, Team Captain, TNT Alumni, and an honored patient will be speaking about the benefits of training with the Team.

1:00 pm- 2 pm
Bike Specific Injury Prevention: Positively Chiropractic:
Dr. Kathy, owner of Positively Chiropractic, is a certified Applied Kinesiologist (A.K.),  Chiropractic Sports Physician (C.C.S.P.), and certified in Active Release Technique (A.R.T.) She will go over how to prevent injury while riding your bike or training for an event. You will learn how to avoid injuries such as;  ITBAND Syndrome, Hamstring pulls, Knee Tracking Issues and knee pain, Biker’s Back aka lower back spasm from being in the seat too long or early in the season.  Bill Redding, current Vice President of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM), will also discuss how Accupuncture can help in prevention and treatment of cycling related injuries. 
 
1:00 pm- 2 pm
Training for your first triathlon.:  Whole Life Fitness
Learn what to expect and how to train for your first triathlon.  We’ll go over the basics from how to find a good first triathlon, to the gear you need, to how to prepare and train your body.  If you are thinking of doing your first triathlon don’t miss this seminar!

1pm- 2:00 pm
Cycling Essentials:  The Bike Lane
Learn everything you n:00 eed to know to get you riding through the year. You will learn how to prepare for a ride, what to bring, and how to make sure your bike is ready to roll.  You will also learn the basics of cycling gear; everything from what to wear, to what kind of lube to use, to how much pressure you need in your tires.  We will also go over how to fix a flat.

 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Heart Rate Training 101  Melissa Dalio- Edura Coaching
Please come join Melissa Dalio of Endura Coaching for a discussion on heart rate training.  This program is designed to target the beginner exerciser as well as the athlete.  Training at the proper intensity is the optimal way to lose weight and trim down but also to train at the proper intensity for your racing goals and get yourself on that podium!  Learn about ways to figure out those training zones by field testing and also V02 max testing.

2:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Road Bike Fitting:  The Bike Lane
Are you thinking of buying a new road bike?  Or wondering if your current road bike is the right size?  Proper road bike fit is essential to making sure your bike is comfortable and providing you with maximum performance.  An improper bike fit can lead to discomfort and even injury.  In this seminar we will go over how a road bike should fit and things to consider when making fit changes to your current bike or when buying a new one.  A little bit of a change can make a huge difference.  

2:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Core Training:  Core Strengthening and Stretching for Cyclists: Joanne Bradbury, Syn Fit

During this interactive session, Joanne Bradbury will explain how core training improves a cyclist’s overall ability to sprint faster, climb hills more efficiently and improve muscular endurance on the bike.  Joanne will demonstrate a variety of exercises, while participants perform them, using stability balls and their own body weight to strengthen the core and challenge the balance. She will also demonstrate a series of stretches that can be done in a minimal amount of time that specifically target muscles that tend to be tight on cyclists.  Be prepared to do some work and leave with an arsenal of exercises to take with you to improve your cycling.  A fitness professional for over 25 years, Joanne Bradbury is a USA Cycling Licensed Coach & personal trainer, a previous bronze medalist in the British National Cross-Country Mountain Biking Series Competition, qualifying for the World Masters Championships, and has competed and won NORBA races in the U.S. and 10 and 25 mile road time trials in the U.K. She’s cycled in 15 countries, climbed Alpe de Huez, mountain biked through Tanzania in Africa, and the Amazon Cloud forest in Peru. She is ACE & AFAA certified, holds several other gold fitness certifications, and is also an Associate Coach with Synergy Fitness Training (www.Syn-Fit.com), sponsor of Evolution Cycling Racing Team.

3:00 pm- 4 pm
Women’s Bike Fit and Basic Maintenance: 
Trek Women Bike Demo Tour
Ever wonder what the difference is between a women’s bike and a standard bike? Want to learn more about how a bike should really fit? Join Chris Garrison from Trek’s WSD Women Demo Tour and learn all about the WSD difference. Chris will also show you how to change a flat without getting you hands dirty! Join in on this seminar and then go ride some of Trek’s latest women’s road and mountain bikes.

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Training for a Century: The Bike Lane
Have you been thinking of doing your first century this year?  Now is the time to start preparing.  In this seminar we will go over everything you need to know about preparing to do that first 100 Miler!  You will learn about local centuries, how to start training, how to get your bike and your body ready; as well as the dos and don’ts to your first century.

4:00 pm:  Fashion Show and Raffles to close the day!

Trek and Fisher Demo Bikes at Cyclefest

The Trek and Fisher Demo Trucks will be on site at Cyclefest.  Demos will be available from 10-3 pm.  Come RIDE THE BEST!  The Trek Womens Specific demo fleet will be there too!  I will post up their inventory when I get it.

Brand	Size	Color	Model
Trek	15.5	Tan/Blk	69er SS
Trek	17.5	TAN/BLK	69er SS
Trek	17.5	ONYX CARBON	EX 9.9
Trek	18.5	Onyx CARBON	EX 9.9
Trek	19.5	ONYX CARBON	EX 9.9
Trek	54	wht/blu	6.9 pro
Fisher	17.5	RED	HiFi 29 29er
Fisher	15	Red	Hifi pro 29er
Fisher	19	Red	Hifi pro 29er
Fisher	21	Red	Hifi pro 29er
Trek	52	RED	Madone 5.5
Trek	54	RED	Madone 5.5
Trek	56	RED	Madone 5.5
Trek	58	RED	Madone 5.5
Trek	60	RED	Madone 5.5
Trek	62	RED	Madone 5.5
Trek	15.5	BLASTED ALUMINUM	Remedy 9
Trek	17.5	BLASTED ALUMINUM	Remedy 9
Trek	19.5	BLASTED ALUMINUM	Remedy 9
Fisher	L	GLOSS WHITE	Roscoe 3
Fisher	M	GLOSS WHITE	Roscoe 3
Fisher	XL	GLOSS WHITE	Roscoe 3
Fisher	15	BLACK CARBON	Superfly
Fisher	17.5	BLACK CARBON	Superfly
Fisher	19	BLACK CARBON	Superfly
Fisher	21	BLACK CARBON	Superfly
Trek	17.5	silver	Session 88 FR
Trek	19	sil/blk	Session 88 DH
Trek	17.5	BLACK CARBON	Top Fuel 9.8
Trek	19.5	BLACK CARBON	Top Fuel 9.8
Trek	21.5	Black/Red	Top Fuel 9.9

Cyclefest Registration Only Ten Bucks

Cyclefest is only 10 days away!  The Bike Lane has been planning away and we have some pretty exciting stuff happening on June 6 at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston VA!  June 6 is National Trails day.  What better way to celebrate than to spend the day riding bikes, learning from top athletes and trainers, and seeing some the most advanced technology in the bike industry?  The Bike Lane has put together a packed day full of road and mountain bike rides, skills clinics, seminars including; Yoga, training for your first triathlon, Team in Training, and more!  We will also have free demo rides from Trek, Fisher, and the Trek Women’s Demo fleet.  Local clubs and organizations will be there as well!   We hope everyone comes out to celebrate cycling  at Cyclefest on National Trails Day! 

Don’t forget to preregister here .  The first 100 people to preregister will receive an awesome t-shirt!