Goldstream Sports June Newsletter, Volume 1
The Tour of Fairbanks has just finished, and one thing that was evident this year was the amazing turnout of women! Good job ladies! The tour was once again a great way for the best riders in Alaska put their bodies and bikes to the test. Our own Tyson Flaharty rode well, and we are always proud of his achievements. Read down to find out more about the Tour and a link to results.
The wildflowers are out, and a recent ride out to Chatanika made me fall in love all over again with the Alaskan summer. What a great time to be in Alaska! The best way to enjoy it is by bike.
Notice to all recent bike purchasers at Goldstream Sports
If you have purchased a new bike from Goldstream Sports, now is the time to bring in your new bike for it's free tune-up. We will make sure that your brakes and shifters are in perfect working order, free of charge, so you can enjoy your new bike even more! Remember that when you buy a bike from Goldstream Sports you receive free shifter and brake adjustments for the life of your bike. You also receive a lifetime warranty on the frame, 1 year warranty on all components, and $20 off all tune-up packages. We want to make sure that your wheels keep rolling and that you are safe and happy on your bike.
Military Appreciation Day at Goldstream Sports –
Saturday June 21st - 20% OFF
Goldstream Sports would like to thank the men and women of the military who have served their country, and for our gratitude we will take 20% off storewide on Saturday June 21st. Bring the whole family for fun and food, as well as 20% off storewide. That includes bikes, shoes, clothing, joggers and all accessories. Just show your current military ID and save!
Goldstream Sports Jerseys
We finally have our Goldstream Sports cycling jerseys in stock! Long and short sleeve jerseys are available in sizes ranging from XS through to XL. Purchase a jersey to show your support of Goldstream Sports, or wear the jersey just look extremely cool in front of your friends.
Goldstream Sports Water Bottles Help Build Bike Trails!
Purchase a Goldstream Sports water bottle and 100% of the proceeds go to the Ester Dome Single track Trail Fund.
Show your support for the new 30-mile trail system and purchase a water bottle today, and look cool sporting the new design water bottles!
20oz water bottle $10, 26oz water bottle $15
100% of proceeds go to the trail fund!
Tour of Fairbanks showcases Alaska’s best riders
The 2008 Tour of Fairbanks saw its largest participation yet, with 79 riders participating in some or all of the 5 stage road race. Full results and stage recaps are available at http://www.goldstreamsports.com/TOF
Heather Best of Fairbanks shot ahead to win the final stage and overtake Tiffanie Novakovich for the overall win in the women's category.
Logan Hanneman of Fairbanks completed his sweep of the sport men's competition, outpacing Ryan Burlingame of Whitehorse by 10 seconds over the 4 stages.
The Men's Open Overall title was taken by Matt Novakovich of Anchorage for the 4th or maybe 5th year in a row. He was followed by Kaladi/Subway teammates James Stull and Tom Peichel of Anchorage. Tyson Flaharty was the highest finishing Fairbanks rider, taking 5th, followed by David Norris in 6th and Reese Hanneman finished 7 th overall after a flat tire slowed him down in the final stage.
Novakovich also claimed the points competition, earning 144 points for stage sprints and finishes, followed by Reese Hanneman with 112 and James Stull with 110. Jesse Reams of Yukon was highly placed in points and General Classification contests, but his team was disqualified for having an unqualified rider in the Team Time Trial.
Raven Racing of Fairbanks was edged out in the teams competition by one point, amassing 436 points to Kaladi/Subway's 437. That's a good bike race.
Tech Tip: Disc Brake Maintenance
Disc brakes are becoming more common on mountain bikes, and even some road and touring bikes. The stopping power of disc brakes is amazing, but what do you do when your brakes become squishy?
Firstly there are two types of disc brakes – mechanical and hydraulic.
Hydraulic disc brakes are like the brakes on your car – a fluid filled line with reservoirs on either end. When you press the levers on these brakes an immediate response that presses the calipers against the disc is felt. The stopping power is amazing and strong. Hydraulic disc brakes become ‘squishy’ when air bubbles become present in the hydraulic line. Bleeding the brakes is only the solution - this flushes the line with new fluid which also flushes out the air bubbles and gives you back the solid feel. Each brake brand uses a different fluid, so be careful if you wish to bleed your brakes yourself. Bleed kits are available, but sometimes finicky work like this is best left to the professionals.
Mechanical disc brakes are activated by a cable, much like the cable on v-brakes. And, like v-brake cables, mechanical disc brakes can experience cable stretch - this is when you seem to be pulling back on the brake levers more than usual before the calipers meet the disc. A simple cable adjustment can be made to get the solid feel back to the brakes.
The disc and calipers are similar on both systems. The discs should be cleaned if they come into contact with oil or other foreign substances. Things like dirt, mud and water are not bad for discs, and after a muddy ride, a simple wipe down will suffice. Do not clean disc brakes anything but only isopropyl alcohol! Oils and other substances contaminate the brake pads will require replacement.
If you have any questions about your disc brakes, come on in and let us help you keep your wheels rolling - and stopping!
The comfort of riding carbon
Riding on the Alaskan roads is a beautiful experience, especially now with the wildflowers blooming. But, riding in Alaska usually means frequent patches of chip-sealed roads. This can be very uncomfortable. A way to make this a more pleasant experience is to ride a carbon road bike, or at least a bike with a carbon fork.
Bike technology has changed a lot since the days of heavy steel frames. Carbon has used to create lightweight and strong frames, forks, and even derailleurs. Carbon frames are very light, and Trek has designed a carbon frame that flexes in one direction and is completely solid in the other. This is accomplished by wrapping the weave of the carbon in certain directions to stiffen, or allow for flex. As well as lightness, this creates a truly efficient ride where all of your energy through the cranks goes directly to the forward motion of the wheels; you do not loose energy through flexing of the frame.
To see more about OCLV carbon, visit the Trek site.
Come in and test-ride a carbon bike and feel the difference.
June Calendar
| 19 | Leisure ladies | Birch Hill 6pm (MTB) |
| 19 | Summit Hill Climb | Musher's Hall 6pm |
| 20 | Youth Cycling Series | Birch Hill 6.30pm |
| 21 | Group Road Ride | Goldstream Sports 8am |
| 21 | Kluane Chilkat Bike Relay | www.kcbir.org |
| 22 | Co-ed Group Ride | Patty Center 9am |
| 24 | Doug Ride | Steele Ck and CHSR 7pm |
| 25 | Women On Wheels | Anne's Greenhouse 6pm (MTB) |
| 26 | Leisure ladies | Patty Center 6pm |
| 27 | Youth Cycling Series | Birch Hill 6.30pm |
| 28 | Group Road Ride | Goldstream Sports 8am |
| 28 | Chena Hot Springs Bike Classic | Near Lowes 9am, Valley Ctr 10.30, Angel Rocks 12pm. |
| 29 | Co-ed Group Ride | Patty Center 9am |
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