December Newsletter Number 2
Welcome to another newsletter from Goldstream Sports. We had a good response from our first issue, and we hope to keep the good information, sale items and stories coming. Please let us know if there is a topic you would like us to cover. Until then, keep up with your snow dances.
Tech Tip - Hot wiping
Hot wiping is the best way to clean the glide zones of your skis as it avoids using corrosive solvents that can damage the base. Cleaning the glide zones is important for taking the dirt, grime, and dog poop from your skis, giving you a smoother faster glide.
A hot wipe is done by applying a warm wax, which melts at a low temperature, and then wiping it off while it is still wet with a lint-free paper like Swix’s Fiberlene or Toko’s Base Tex. The paper will soak up all of the liquid wax leaving you with a clean base without the residues left behind from solvents. You can then apply wax as you normally would.
Stocking stuffer ideas
Great gift ideas that are small enough to fit into your Christmas stocking, and also useful!
- Ski Ties: securely holds skis together without abrasion
- Hand and body warmers: keep those extremities warm on cold Fairbanks days from
- Toko Arctic Lobster Mitts: warmth and dexterity
- Ski hats: variety of sizes and styles for the whole family
- Swix mid-weight ski sock: keep your feet dry and toes warm
Trek Bikes at Goldstream Sports
Trek, North America’s most popular bike company has partnered with Goldstream Sports, and that makes us the exclusive Trek dealer in the Interior providing the knowledge and services that Trek stores are known for. Goldstream Sports also now offers free financing, gift cards and many other services in partnership with Trek. We have in stock an extensive variety of Trek, Gary Fisher, and LeMond. Trek offers some of the most comfortable and tough performance and commuter bikes around, including road, hybrid, comfort and mountain bikes. We have Trek kid’s bikes, and the bomber Trek tricycles. We also stock all of the accessories needed to make your bike experience even more enjoyable.
We will fit your bike to you. By putting you on your bike on our in-store trainers, we will make sure the bike is fit to your body, and for your needs and experience.
Featured Item - Garmin Forerunner 305
Garmin, the leader in personal GPS units has done it again. This programmable unit can help you plan your workout, and tell you how hard you have worked. It continuously monitors your heart rate, speed, distance, pace, elevation, and calories burned so you can train smarter and more effectively. The GPS is sensitive enough to work in tree-covered trails, and near tall buildings. Receive a detailed post-workout analysis, including maps on your PC with the included software.
The program keeps track of your training and the GPS maps your workout. Record your workouts and on your next workout over the same course it will show your current position and the same position at that time from the last workout. The wrist mounted unit can let you know in real time how you are working relative to past workouts, showing you your current and previously saved position on the map. You can view your training route on a detailed topographic map from Garmin MapSources. The screen shot below is a ski that Joel did last week around the UAF ski trails.
Winter biking - Being safe and being seen
Cycling in Fairbanks is not just for the summer months - there are die-hard cyclists who ride no matter the temperature, weather or amount of light.
The most important factor when cycling in the dark is to be seen. The winter months are long and dark, and at a time when motorists are concerned about the slick roads, it is up to you - the cyclist - to alert them of your presence.
A good headlamp is necessary and choosing the right light for your purpose is important. Some headlamps are as powerful as car headlights, and can allow you to see obstacles far ahead. Trek and Nightpro have a great range of headlamps, varying in brightness and beam length. With a long battery burn-time, these are a safe and efficient way to be seen on the road.
Equally, or even more important is the rear light, especially when you are riding with traffic. The rear lights, which are usually red, have solid and flashing settings making you more visible. Wheel reflectors are a good visual attractant, catching the drivers’ eye.
Another important factor is staying warm. Riding in clothing that is too warm can be as hazardous as riding in clothing that is too cool. Therefore, a balance of warm clothing, a wicking layer and wind-proof layer is essential. A wicking layer is important when you are riding to move the perspiration out to the outer layer. Without a wicking layer, your perspiration will evaporate to cool you, or will pool causing your clothing to stay wet - not something you need in the already cold temperatures.
Gloves are always a touchy subject, pardon the pun. Everybody has a different thermal tolerance in their hands and feet. Finding the right glove, or combination may take a few attempts. Hand and foot warmers are also an option.
Your bike may need adjusting as well. Studded tires on the pavement are a good addition, giving extra grip on the ice. Both road and mountain bike tires are available with studs, with various stud counts. Off-road riding will require good tread, and while studs are not required, a good nobbly tire with large surface area is the best option.
Tire pressure varies with the different tire types. Studded tires should be at a relatively high pressure: 40 to 50PSI on-road, and off-road you will want to reduce this to around 20 to 30PSI.
Winterizing the bike is important for a safe and comfortable ride. There are a few different things you can do to a bike to prepare it for the cold temperatures. Gluing tires to one side of the rim will make sure that the tires stay firmly in place and not rotate on the rim and rip off the air valve. This is most important on bikes that are being moved from a warm temperature to a cold temperature which causes the metal and rubber to contract at different rates, and that can break the seal from the rim and the tire.
Here are a few other things you can do:
- Change out grease in the hubs and head-set to a winter grease.
- Change to a rigid front fork, as most shocks are filled with oil, and the rubber o-ring can split.
- Swap the clip-in pedal to a platform pedal if you are going to be wearing winter boots.
Goldstream sports can winterize your bike for you, saving you the hassle. Come in and talk to one of our bike specialists.
Mail Bag
... That’s the way to lose those ski boot blues…
Joel, what you did to that Salomon RS Carbon boot with that heat gun did the trick – I did the Bear today in total comfort – and the thermo-bagged Salomon skis flew. What a great ride! If you need a satisfied customer to refer someone disgruntled with a ski boot complaint to, send them to me. Thanks for the great customer service!!!!
D. Hojna, Fairbanks
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