December 2006

Christmas Season is here again and we are stocked up and ready. Come check out our selection of quality kids bikes all of which come with a full years worth of free tune-ups. We also have gift cards and lots of accessories that make great gifts. Give yourself a Christmas present and take advantage of dramatic closeout pricing on a large variety of bikes. Many road bikes are marked down hundreds of dollars. We have Giant mountain bikes on sale from $300 hardtails on up to some full suspension models. They are all substantially reduced in price and are a great deal. Speaking of mountain bikes:

The 2007 Orbea Orca is in. After winning the Eurobike Design Awards, Orbea expects this beauty to be a hot seller. We concur. This is the most beautiful frame I’ve ever seen and the ride quality equals the aesthetic appeal-truly an amazing bike. Orbea is the bike for people with imagination. Forget Trek, Specialized and all the other “me-too” bikes. Ride a bike that sets you apart from the crowd. You won’t find a better road bike anywhere.

The Urban Bicycle Gallery MS150 Team still has some room for some fun-loving riders. We offer an all-inclusive package to our team members. First to get you ready for the big ride we have a series of ten training rides starting at the end of January that are fully supported with sag vehicles, food, drink and maps on great routes in the Texas countryside. Then for the ride we provide you with a unique fully custom jersey and a gear bag to haul your stuff. For your overnight stay during the ride you will be picked up at the Fairgrounds and whisked away to a private ranch six miles down the road where you can relax to a barbeque dinner without the hectic overcrowded situation at the Fairgrounds. The morning of the second day you will awaken to a breakfast of fruit, pastries and coffee and be allowed to head out on your ride at the time of your choosing without being herded into groups and released in mass. This is the lux way to do this ride. This is our fourth year doing it our way.

The Jingle Bell Ride is another UBG tradition and it’s right around the corner. Once again we have teamed up with those great guys and gals of Ghorba to bring you this family ride to see beautiful Christmas lights. The ride ends at Mission Burrito down the street from us where the riders will be treated to some tasty snacks provided by that great eating establishment. Prizes will be awarded for the best Christmas decorations on a bike so get your extra Christmas junk out and tape it to your bike and put on your Santa hat. All the proceeds for this ride will benefit The Center for The Retarded which is located right down the street from us and provides everything needed to create a more fulfilling life for adults with mental retardation. It’s a fun ride of about 8 miles that is great for families. Go to the home page of our website for more details.

UBG Fall Series

We wrapped up our fall series of rides with a great route from Schulenburg passing through Flatonia. We thank Aaron of Old School Cycling Club for the route. It’s a beauty that passes by a number of old small town churches. It was way cold and so windy we had to cut it short but everyone seemed to enjoy it anyway.

Winter Cycling Tips 

Don't dress too warmly.  
You should feel a little chilly for the first few minutes until your pedaling warms you up. Remember even though it is cold you will sweat, and that dampness will make you cold if you sit around too long.

Beware of tight shoes.
Wearing thick socks can make your cycling shoes too tight. When your shoes are too tight it reduces circulation causing your feet to become cold. It is better to wear toe warmers over the outside of your shoes. They prevent cold air from flowing in.

Wear bright colors.
They help motorists see you.

Install a taillight.
Often on morning rides there is fog and the sun sets early in the winter so it’s a good idea to always have a taillight.

Make stops brief.
The longer you're off the bike, the chillier it feels when you start riding again. Remember that even though it is cold you. cold when you sit around too long.

Items you may need for the winter months

Long finger gloves
Arm warmers
Leg warmers or long leggings
Ear warmers
Toe or shoe covers
Wind proof jacket

Crashes Happen

Always get a post-crash inspection. Some of the worst damage I see on bikes in the shop is caused only secondarily by a crash. Here’s what happens: you crash, the bike hits the street, you get up take a quick look at your bike and jump back on it. Later when you climb a big hill you shift into a low gear. Suddenly your chain locks up; you hear a horrible grinding and crunching sound. When you look down you see that your rear derailleur is tangled up in the spokes of your rear wheel. This usually results in broken spokes, a ruined rear derailleur, a bent chain and a broken derailleur hanger. If that sounds expensive, that’s because it is. The best way to prevent this post crash disaster is to crouch down behind your bike after a crash and look to be sure that your rear derailleur is not bent inward toward the wheel. The two plastic wheels on the derailleur should be in line with one another and perfectly vertical. If the derailleur cage appears to be bent inward then you should grasp as much of the rear derailleur as you can in both hands and bend it back so it looks straight. Then bring it into the shop as soon as you can.