Showing posts with label
Simplicity Bicycles Hanover Pennsylvania.
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Showing posts with label
Simplicity Bicycles Hanover Pennsylvania.
Show all posts
I can't say that it feels like summertime is slowing down but with the kids heading back to school in less that two weeks and the buzz of my comrades discussing dismounting and threshold work; I'd say it is.
The later part of this is obvious, cyclocross season is on the horizon and chasing the field in the local crit is in the rear view mirror. Entering my fourth fall season with Bianchi Bicycles, I've somehow gotten my head out of my tail and will be having a go at it with some cross racing. I'm in contact with many who race this version of the sport of cycling. Every fall I'm like, 'Yeah, blah blah blah is going on and NEXT year I'll get my shit together for cross season.' Really, does putting off the obvious really make things better? The obvious is that other than the lady reps we have covering the far reaches of the US for the brand who don't cross race, I need to HTFU and kit up like the remaining employees.
My approach for cross season will be much like my like that of this season's crits and mountain bike races; finish mid pack or better. That may seem a little underachieving but seriously, I'm more realistic about my goals and physical abilities than many of the guys who pin a number on any given Sunday morning. Ride safe, ride aggressive and don't ride more than 15% of my ability at any given time.
Cross fitness/form is still a bit undefined to me; other than picking Sean Mealey's brain from time to time, his answers have been, 'Start running!'. Ok, I'll take that and a bit of what I've been digesting through my training with Michael DeCarlo at Max Power. DeCarlo and trainer Nic have been feeding me a regimine of core and strength work over the past two winters and before you dudes reading this roll your eyes and think, 'whatever man, stop bragging...', I'm not bragging. Think of this as a small confession of what old guys need to do; get your butt in gear and supplement your workout routines with something other than pedaling your bicycle. Your jump out of the next four corner crit will thank you.
With the launch of the Cavaria Force for the 2012 season I'm putting my money where my mouth is and building up a Cavaria Red for myself. Same wheels as the Cav Force, tubeless ready with Bulldog tires (as the pit wheels). SRAM bits, Challenge race rubber on the primary wheels and some rad Hincapie skin suits for getting dirty.
The rest of the teammates are loyal servants for Simplicity Cycles based out of Hanover, PA. I jumped on their road team this season and flew the colors in races spanning PA, VA, and NC. We're up to 10 guys racing cross for ~S.C.~ this season ranging from first timers on up to Elite Men's. Two of our DS are seasoned Elite Masters and Pro 1/2 competitors, bringing a lot of knowledge to the squad. MABRA Super 8 will be the arena.
I'll make an effort to do some updates on the team, races, and our bikes and time unfolds. And yes, we're racing on Bianchi Bicycles.
Last Thursday, on my way home from the VA/MD territory, I parked the E at Simplicity Cycles. This evening was their Thursday Night Shop Ride.
Seven of us rolled out at 5:45pm and headed north for some tempo on the hills. I didn't start the data acquisition via iPhone App Cyclemeter; until 6pm. Oops!
Ride map click here.
Started: Jul 8, 2010 6:01:17 PM
Ride Time: 1:22:47
Stopped Time: 0:00
Distance: 23.21 miles
Average: 16.82 miles/hr
Fastest Speed: 49.46 miles/hr
Climb: 679 feet
Calories: 1250
I'm not going to whine about being an out_of_shape sales rep...but this was the fastest and hardest I've climbed all year. Averaging close 15mph for 2 miles over 400' of elevation. I spun most of it in the big ring, sure why not, right? It was a good pain...
The descent off the back of the mountain was like dropping off the Empire State Building. Reaching almost 50mph on sub-par Hanover, Pa roads, I forgot I was on a mostly aluminum framed road bike. The carbon seat stays of my 1885 did a great job of keeping the bike planted on the road, even through the high speed sweeping turns. The only thing that I'm yearning for right now is a set of the Alex Tubeless wheels and Hutchinson Fusion2 Ultra tubeless tires. I want to feel what 90psi in a tubeless tire is like on a section of road like this one. More grip, even more supple ride? I better make a phone call to my connections soon.
Kirk at Simplicity Cycles has the right idea. This is his first year of business and is working hard at developing his community involvement within cycling. Shop rides are a fabulous idea when done correctly. His customers will make new friends in which to ride with, learn how to properly handle a road bike and navigate the local roads.
I know I'm going to do my best to have my bike and a fresh kit with me if I'm in the area every Thursday!
Shop owner Kirk, at Simplicity Cycles has a really unique Volpe which he uses as his commuter bike.
2009 Bianchi Volpe. Kirk removed the stock groupo and wheel set and installed Dura Ace components and a classic Mavic Open Pro hoops.
His favorite Ritchey compact crank and Fizik Arione saddle round out the back half of the bike. Kirk will sell you on the benefits of a quality steel bike before putting you on a rough riding sub $1000 aluminum road bike. Steel is real to Simplicity Cycles.
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Dollar per dollar when comparing and selling similarly equipped low to sub-mid range road bikes; (one steel and the other aluminum) they'll weigh within a pound of each other. That pound is typically made up of the weight of the frame and the components--not so much the wheel set. A pound of non-rotational mass (bike minus wheels) isn't going to affect the average cyclists on a 1-2 hour road ride. A pound at the wheel set, you'll feel that over the course of the ride because you have to work harder to keep the heavier wheels spooled up.
I have a dealer in TN that knocks it out of the park with the Vigorelli using the 'test ride comparison'. That comparison is the $1800 carbon road bike vs the Vig. Unless that customer has a gun to their head, being told to buy the carbon bike (Tiagra component spec'd); a one hour test ride on the Vigorelli and the $1800 carbon bike will yield positive results.
The winning result of the one hour test ride 9 out of 10 times has been for my TN dealer-- the Vigorelli. The Reynolds 631 tubing of the Vigorelli provides a very lively, controlled ride with minimal chattering as you pedal across the tar chip country roads this side of the Mississippi. The Vigorelli is spec'd with a full Shimano 105 groupo, crank w/an Ultegra rr derailleur...I don't need to explain here why this combo would shift better than a full Tiagra groupo and FSA crank, do I? Not to mention on this price level, the steel bike will last longer than the carbon frame bicycle. The sales don't lie, the test ride won't be denied.
This data is purely geared towards the recreational cyclist and does not apply to you Cat 3s out there. ;)
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Will Mahler
There is a new shop in my territory. Simplicity Bicycles. Kirk, the owner and head chief knows his way around a bike shop pretty well. So much that this solo break of his should stick and never be reeled back in. (This is his first store after being asst mgr for 20+ yrs at a bike shop in the neighboring county.)
This photo is a sliver of the main counter and repair bay. Simplicity is a Bianchi Dealer and a dealer with a lot of heart. His wife has an old Bianchi from back in the day and still loves the bikes so much that when it was game time for Kirk, bringing Bianchi on board was an easy choice.
From working at the previous shop, Kirk kept some of the Bianchi displays pieces. This is a classic lighted sign that we don't make anymore. Or at least one that looks like this one. And a banner too as shown behind the counter.
The shop has a nice Mom and Pop feel to it and is wonderfully decorated with cycling memorabilia from the 80s and 90s. Kirk has a sweet collection of old racing caps, helmets, water bottles and jerseys that just ooze class. But this isn't an elitist racer snob-shop. Kirk has what it takes to give you the best service and attention whether you're a CAT 1/2 or a Rail Trail-Commuter.
Best of miles Kirk!
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Will Mahler
