June Newsletter, Volume 1
Welcome to another Goldstream Sports newsletter. We have had a fun May. We had our bike demo, and everyone got to try the newest in our full suspension, 29er and road bikes from Gary Fisher and Trek. And, we shuttled over 50 people up Ester Dome over the three days. The favorite of most people was the HiFi Deluxe, the cushiest ride on 2 wheels. The women's version, the HiFi Deluxe GS, was voted as the Bicycling Magazine Editor's Choice for women's mountain bikes. I have to admit it is a very sweet ride. We have some new 07 and 08 models in, and as usual we have expert mechanics and quality customer service so come and visit us and bring your bike in for a free safety inspection. Remember, when you purchase a bike from us, you are purchasing much more than just a bike. You get a lifetime warranty on the frame, a full year warranty on all components and a lifetime of free brake and shifter adjustments.
New 2008 Trek Madone 5.9
Check out the latest in road bike technology. This revolutionary design is going to change the peformance of the bike and strke fear into the heart of other bike companies. http://velonews.com/tech/report/articles/12366.0.html
Sale Item - Softride Road Bikes 50% off
These aerodynamic bikes put you into a position that wards off fatigue and gives you a stronger ride. This is the smoothest riding seat ever; you do not feel any bumps through the seat at all. Now starting at $400, come and test ride these bikes.
Fairbanks Cycle Club Junior Series takes off
The Fairbanks Cycle Club has long been a way for adults to get out and enjoy the local Fairbanks trails in the company of like-minded folks. There was something missing though, a similar venue for junior riders. In 2005 Rick Johnson and his wife, Laura, started organizing races for junior riders. The races held would attract 12 - 15 kids, but a lot of the similar aged kids didn't want to race. Something else was needed. Modeled after the Junior Nordics, the Youth Series started training rides in 2006, offering training sessions, and some races for the competitive kids. The rides include developing skills in climbing, descending, handling, obstacles and racing.
In 2007 the rides started again at Birch Hill on Monday nights with the intent to "give an outlet for kids of all ages and skills to ride in an organized way," says Rick Johnson. The kids, aged from kindergarten through to high school, are split into age and skill groups. The groups ride for an hour starting at 7pm. Registration is required and new kids are encouraged to arrived at 6.30pm with their parent or guardian to sign up. The joining fees are $30 for the year, $45 for the family, or $5 for a single night. Payment goes towards insurance, and membership is valid towards any Fairbanks Cycle Club event.
There are currently 60 kids signed up, helmets are mandatory - the club offers no exceptions: "No helmet, no ride". Riders need mountain bikes as all rides are off-road. Races are scheduled for: June 9th, July 7th and August 4th.
For more information visit www.fairbankscycleclub.org, or call Rick and Laura at 455 6950. The club needs volunteers - parents, teens and coaches.
Tech Tip - Riding efficiently through unstable surface
When riding on trails, or even the road, you will undoubtedly encounter soft, shifting ground that makes you suddenly slow, loose your balance, and even fall. When riding through this type of conditions such as mud, sand or deep gravel, there are a few things you can do to make the ride easier and stay balanced:
Move your weight back on the bike - this shifts the balance back and reduces nose diving into the soft substrate, and the rear wheel will need to bite more.
Keep your speed the same but shift into a higher gear, this will make you more stable, and allow you to keep moving and not get bogged down.
Stay clipped in - being balanced and in contact with your bike is important.
Steer with your handlebars not your weight - don't lean as the rear wheel will slip out. Try not to change line, staying straight will get you through the mud or sand easier.
Feature Item - Chamois Butt'r
Many riders suffer from chaffing when riding. Remember, when riding with bike shorts do not wear your underwear, this causes major chaffing! If though, you do follow proper riding etiquette, you may still suffer from chaffing. A product has been developed to help with this - Chamois Butt'r. This is a skin and chamois cream which helps keep the offending area chaff free. The cream can be applied directly to the chamois or the skin, and it also keeps the chamois supple. Chamois Butt'r comes in single use sachets or larger tubes. Many of our bike technicians and customers swear by the cream.
Cyclist discovers trails, happiness level increases
By Amanda Byrd - road riding rookie.
A trip to Los Anchorage for me has always been wrought with fear of traffic-filled one-way streets, over-crowded stores, highways and endless wrong turns. This last trip, though, has changed forever my feelings towards Alaska's largest city.
I was introduced to the Coastal Trail and connecting trails. This is a part of Anchorage I never knew existed. The tree-lined trails have spectacular views of the volcanoes and from the bay side the enormous, graceful 747s pass close overhead as they prepare to land. It is amazing how graceful a 400-ton piece of metal can be as it passes disturbingly close over you.
But, the best part of all is the endless trails, and the smiling people. Yes, you have to put up with the people who panic when they see a fast approaching road bike and swerve into your path, and the kids who suddenly stop for no apparent reason. But with all the bike and foot traffic, the trails are well maintained, well signed and pass through beautiful parks and neighborhoods.
Commuting into town one day I rode 17 miles to make an appointment. I rode as if my life depended on it - well my job anyway. The directions were ‘left’ at the first road, ‘left’ at the airplane and ‘left’ at the pond. I am directionally challenged at the best of times, but this ride quashed all of my disabilities. I made the ride in just over 1 hour. On the way back I tried to match the speed and time, a moose encounter slowed things a little. The meeting was non-threatening, though I was on edge as rarely I have had such a close encounter in Fairbanks without a charge ending the serenity.
Every ride has a Hill of Death, and this one is long and windy. I met a man around 40 years my senior who I challenged up the hill. I had passed him easily on the flats, but his steady pace had me beat on the first turn. I thanked him, as my head spun, for the drive he gave me, and continued on my way. Youth doesn’t beat experience.
It is the chance encounters of people and non-threatening moose, the scenery and the freedom from car traffic that has turned my ill thoughts of Anchorage into a wonderland of undiscovered trails waiting for a willing explorer.
June Events Calendar
| 1 | Mtn Bike Stage Race - Hill Climb | Anne Greenhouse | 6pm |
| 2 | Group Road Ride | Goldstream Sports | 8am |
| 2 | Mtn Bike Stage Race - XC | Moose Mtn | 9am |
| 2 | Mtn Bike Stage Race - Trials | Moose Mtn | 12pm |
| 2 | Mtn Bike Stage Race - PTC | Moose Mtn | 1pm |
| 2 | Mtn Bike Stage Race - Goldstream XC | Moose Mtn | 1.30pm |
| 4 | Youth Series Cycling Ride | Birch Hill | 7pm |
| 5 | Doug Ride | Treasure Creek | 7pm |
| 6 | Women's Ride | Patty Center | 6pm |
| 7 | Women's Less fast Ride | Patty Center | 6pm |
| 7 | TOF Stage Race - Hill Climb | Pedro Monument | 6pm |
| 8 | TOF Stage Race - Circuit | Annes Greenhouse | 6.30pm |
| 9 | Group Road Ride | Goldstream Sports | 8am |
| 9 | Youth Series Race 1 | TBA | 11am |
| 9 | TOF Stage race - Criterium | TBA | |
| 9 | TOF Stage Race - TT | Chatanika Lodge | 6pm |
| 10 | TOF Stage Race - Circuit | Hagelbarger pullout | 9am |
| 11 | Youth Series Cycling Ride | Birch Hill | 7pm |
| 12 | Doug Ride | Birch Hill | 7pm |
| 13 | Women's ride | Patty Center | 6pm |
| 14 | Women's Less Fast Ride | Patty Center | 6pm |
| 14 | Roadies vs Mtn Bikes | OMDR and Elliot | 6pm |
| 16 | Group Road Ride | Goldstream Sports | 8am |
| 18 | Youth Series Cycling Series | Birch Hill | 7pm |
| 19 | Doug Ride | Amanita Climb | 7pm |
| 20 | Women's Ride | Patty Center | 6pm |
| 21 | Women's Less Fast Ride | Patty Center | 6pm |
| 21 | Summit Hill Climb | Mushers Hall | 6pm |
| 23 | Group Road Ride | Goldstream Sports | 8am |
| 23 | Midnight Sun Run | Patty Center | 9.30pm |
| 25 | Youth Series Cycling Ride | Birch Hill | 7pm |
| 26 | Doug Ride | Death Ride | 7pm |
| 27 | Women's Ride | Patty Center | 6pm |
| 28 | Women's Less Fast Ride | Patty Center | 6pm |
| 30 | Chena Hotsprings Bike Ride | Bank Near Lowes | 9am |
| 30 | Group Road Ride | Goldstream Sports | 8am |
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