Cyclefest and Pauls Ride for Life this Saturday

Join us this Saturday for Paul’s Ride for Life and Cyclefest at the Reston Town Center pavilion!  Paul’s Ride for Life kicks off at 8 am for a 10, 20, or 50 mile ride along the beautiful W&OD. Proceeds from the ride benefit the Washington Regional Transplant Community.   The Community Canteen will be welcoming back riders with free coffee and pastries.  Park your bike in our free Bike Valet (courtesy of EX2 Adventures) and stick around for The Bike Lane’s Cyclefest Expo.  Ride some of the top bikes in the world!  Trek and Felt will have their demo trucks filled with road, mountain and tri bikes!  The Bike Lane will be bringing our Niner mountain bike demos for you to take out for a spin on the trail. Bring the kids and their bikes out for the Bike Safety Rodeo sponsored by Trails for Youth! The rodeo starts at Noon until 2:00 pm.  Also, we will have live performances from TUNNEL- an up and coming Prog/Alternative/Rock band based in the Washington, DC.  Check out the expo from 10-3 pm we will have vendors and local clubs including Saris, Camel Bak, Yakima, MORE, Team Z, Team in Training, Evolution Cycling, MS Ride, Tour de Cure, Reston Bike Club, Positively Chiropractic, FABB, Wilderness Voyagers, Pedal Pushers and more.  Enter to win a Trek 7.3 FX and other raffles!  See you Saturday.

 

The National Bike Summit Visit – a different message

The 2011 National Bike Summit has come to an end.  This year was a little different than in years past.  This year the message was not about asking congress to support bike friendly bills, or increased funding for bike projects, or heaven forbid asking for more transportation funds.  No, this year was all about spreading the word that bikes SAVE money.  In a time of tightening our belts, making sacrifices, and cutting funding to just about everything, the message to congress was that the bicycle is GOOD for the economy.  This year it was important for bike shops, bike manufacturers, and tourism companies to make their case to Congress to NOT cut funding for bike projects- this includes Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and the Recreational Trail Program.  The message being that if you cut funding to bicycle projects it will have a negative effect on businesses that rely on selling and riding bikes.  Of course, we all know that cutting funding to these programs will have a negative effect on all cyclists.  We all know that getting more people on bikes is good for the environment and for creating healthy communities.  And we all know that walkable bikeable communities are safer and healthier than communities where everyone is stuck in traffic.  We are just starting to see great local programs such as Capitol Bike Share and  Safe Routes to School programs starting to work; if the funding is cut these projects may die out fast.  BUT, that is not what Congress wants to talk about.   No, right now they want to hear about how we are going to make money and save money.  They need to hear about about how many independent bike shops,  large bike retailers, and bike companies are in their district and how much money and jobs are made through cycling- and many of us retailers were there (more than ever) spreading the Small Business gospel.    They also needed to hear about how building bike infrastructure is way cheaper than building bigger roads.  Getting people on bikes takes cars off the roads- and that saves money.

Rick Bartels, Trek Bicycles; David Wiens, retired pro rider; Anne Mader, TBL Owner; Scott Scudamore- all around bike advocate

So I think we made some noise while we were there walking the halls with colorful bike pins.  There is nothing like seeing a bunch of cyclists in suits and ties.  But we looked good and I think our message was clear.  The trick is to keep on congress and make them accountable to what they are cutting and why.  Cutting funding for bike programs is big mistake that will not only effect the health and well being of our communities but will have a dramatic effect on our small businesses.

Trek Rummmmmble Fish

Yes, they are here and in perfect time!  The Bike Lane’s Demo fleet of Trek 2011 Rumble Fish (Gary Fisher Collection) have arrived!  And they are sweet!!  If you have not had a chance to ride a 29er this is a great bike to try out.   The Rumble Fish is an awesome trail bike.  Many of The Bike Lane staff have taken these bad boys out to ride in the snow, at the Shed, and Fountainhead.  The overall consensus is “the bike rolls over everything”.  Smooth handling and big wheels make this bike the Ride for any of the logs, roots, and rocks that come when riding on the East Coast.  Come in today and ask about our demos.

Trek Launches New Fit

Madone Fit: H1, H2 and H3

07/02/2010

Introducing the widest pro platform size range on the market today. The 2011 Madone range features three different pro-level fits: H1, H2 and H3. No matter your body shape, flexibility, or size, we’ve got the right fit to give you the most comfort, efficiency, stability, and power on the road. The fits vary primarily in hand position— H1 lowest, H3 highest. Each fit has the same single-minded purpose: make the best bike on the planet fit every rider. Perfectly.

• H1: Developed for athletes with extraordinary range of pelvic rotation, superior core stability, and the desire to get low and aero, H1 offers the lowest hand position options available for Madone. The choice of most team Radio Shack riders.
• H2: The right fit for most riders, H2 retains all the handling geometry and ride characteristics of the H1 platform, with a slightly higher head tube height to put less strain on a rider’s back and neck. It will also accommodate riders with slightly less pelvic rotation and core stability. The H2 higher head tube is the right way to get most riders in the right place. No goofy high-rise stems, no huge stack of spacers—the look is nothing but pro. The right fit for select Team Radio Shack riders.
• H3 increases head tube height a bit beyond H2, with a slight geometry adjustment to increase the bike’s stability. Perfect for those who need a back-saving, neck-saving, more upright position, but still want pro-level performance and a pro look. No high-rise stems or huge stack of spacers. The chosen fit of Team Radio Shack Director Sportif Johan Bruyneel. Fast as hell, strong as hell, and the perfect choice when the desire for comfort trumps aero.

GIVE UP YOUR CAR FOR A YEAR CHALLENGE!

The Bike Lane is excited to announce our go by bike for a year challenge. The Bike Lane is giving one lucky rider a Trek+ ride Commuter bike and all the gear he or she will need to commute for a year.
Apply Here Today!!!   http://thebikelane.com/about/give-up-your-car-for-a-year-challenge-application-pg594.htm

For more information about the challenge click below:

http://thebikelane.com/about/take-the-challenge-pg593.htm

2010 Bikes @ THE BIKE LANE

The 2010 Models are rolling into the shops, and they are looking better then ever! Check out a few pics of the newest Madone Road Bikes in the shops this week.  To look up the details on your future wheels swing by thebikelane.com, or design your dream bike here @ https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/projectone/     Have A Great Fall Day!

WSD Project One

WSD Project One

MADONE

THE BIKE LANE MADONE

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 2009!

Cyclefest 2009

 Register for Cyclefest Here! 

June 6 at Lake Fairfax Park!
Lake Fairfax Park
1400 Lake Fairfax Dr
Reston, VA 20190
(703) 471-5414
Get directions

Cyclefest is back!  This year The Bike Lane is hosting Cyclefest at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, VA on National Trails Day!  We will be celebrating our trails, riding our bikes, and getting people excited about bicycling!   Cyclefest will have plenty of educational seminars, riding clinics, and an expo showcasing the latest in gear and bike technology!  Local clubs and riding organizations will be promoting themselves as well.

Lake Fairfax, is an amazing event location.  Mountain Biking opportunities are endless with a network of natural surface trails in the park that connect to the 40 mile Cross County Trail.  The park is also surrounded by some fabulous road riding routes.  This pristine park offers a water park, camping, hiking and plenty of picnic areas.  It is the perfect location for Cyclefest!

Participants should preregister through Active.com (the link above).  Registered participants will enjoy supported road and mountain bike rides, various seminars (see below), lunch, event t-shirt, schwag bag, and entry into the days raffles.  The Expo Area and demo bike rides are free for everyone (you do not need to register for this).  However, only registered partcipants can attend the scheduled rides, seminars, and clinics. 

Preregister today!  All proceeds from Cyclefest will go towards the rehabiltation of Lake Fairfax trails.  Come out and enjoy National Trail Day at Cyclefest!  This is a rain or shine event!

Cyclefest Schedule of Events:Cyclefest Supported Rides:8:00 am Long Road Ride (45ish miles) 8:30 am The Moderate Road Ride (30ish miles) Long Mountain Bike Ride (3 Hours) CCT/Lake Fairfax/Reston Trails 9:00 am Shorty Road Ride (20ish miles) Women’s Mountain Bike Ride (1.5-2 hours) CCT/Lake Fairfax Loop 9:30 am Women’s Road Ride (20ish miles) Mountain Bike Fun/Casual Ride  (1.5 hours) CCT/Lake Fairfax Loop 10:00 am Beginner Road Ride (12ish miles)  Beginner Mountain Bike Ride (1 hour) CCT- Park Loop 10:30 am Family Mountain Bike Ride (4 miles/ 1 hour) CCT- Park Loop Cyclefest Afternoon: (seminar descriptions below)10:00 am    Free Expo and Demo Area opens:  Trek, Gary Fisher, and Trek Women’s Demo Tour opens.  Expo area;  local clubs, organizations  as well as Yakima, Sugio, Electra, Mavic, Camelbak, Shimano, Loiuse Garneau and More!11:00 am Lunch opens (free for registered participants) Other participants can buy food. 12:00 pm   Yoga For Cyclists: Dancing Mind Yoga Team In Training Informational Seminar: Team In Training 1:00 pm   Bike Specific Injury Prevention: Positively Chiropractic Training and Racing with Diabetes:  Tour de Cure Cycling Essentials: The Bike Lane Youth Mountain Bike Clinic (ages 6-16): Trips for Kids Metro DC Womens Beginner Mountain Bike Clinic:  MORE 1:30 pm   Beginner Mountain Bike Clinic: MORE 2:00 pm   Heart Rate Training 101  Melissa Dalio- Edura Coaching Road Bike Fitting:  The Bike Lane Core Training:  Strengthening and Stretching for Cyclists: Joanne Bradbury, Syn Fit Advanced Mountain Bike Clinic: MORE 3:00 pm   Women’s Bike Fit and Basic Maintenance:  Trek Women Bike Demo Tour Training for a Century: The Bike Lane Road Bike Handling Skills: Adam Coon, Synfit 4:00 pm    Fashion Show and Raffles- End of Cyclefest.  Seminar Descriptions: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 Living, Riding, and Training with Diabetes: Tour de Cure 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm Cycling Essentials:  The Bike Lane Learn everything you need 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.

 Want info on the Trek Demo Tour check this out:   Trek Factory Demo Tour (we’ll get a list of demo bikes up soon).