How to Win the Holidays and Stay Cycling

 

     The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the temptations of indulgent foods and curling up with family and friends around decorations. However, staying fit during this season does not have to be daunting. Cycling offers an excellent way to keep active and maintain our fitness while celebrating the holidays. We are going to explore some ways we can add cycling to our holiday routines. 

Embrace the Joy of Holiday Rides:

    The Holidays offer a unique opportunity to enjoy cycling with festive twists. 

    Decorate Your Bike: Get your wheels into the holiday spirit by decorating your bike with lights, tinsel, ornaments, or inflatable passengers. You can not only stay fit on your decked out ride but also bring joy. 

    Plan Themed Rides: Explore our beautiful area on themed rides. Cycle to see holiday lights, get to the Holiday Market downtown by bike, or explore new areas that are known for their decorations by bike. Main Street in Brockport does the holiday big so you could head down the canal towards our second location. 

    Family-Friendly Activities:

    Cycling is a fantastic family activity that can involve everyone, from kids to grandparents.

    Family Rides: Organize family rides to local parks, trails or nature reserves. These rides are a great opportunity for us to bond, have fun and stay active together. 

    Holiday Scavenger Hunts: Create a cycling scavenger hunt to keep the family engaged and excited about riding. Search for holiday themed items or decorations along your route. 

    Balance Your Treats:

    Enjoying our favorite holiday treats is a tradition for many of us, cycling can help us maintain a balance with these indulgences.  

    Plan Your Rides: We make our plans for our rides in addition to the parties and events filling our calendars this time of year. 

    Stay Hydrated: With the weather cooling down on us it is as important as ever to keep water close at hand. Carrying a water bottle out on all our holiday adventures is a great way to keep your hydration momentum going. 

    Stay Consistent:

    Maintaining a fitness routine during the holidays can be challenging, but consistency is key.

    Set SMART Goals: Establish specific cycling goals for the season. Some examples of goals could be hitting a certain distance each week, a set number of rides over the season, or checking off news routes explored. 

    Create a Schedule: Plan your rides ahead of time and include them in your overall holiday schedule. Treat these times like you do an appointment that you do not want to miss. 

    Explore New Routes:

    Cycling during the holidays can be an opportunity to explore our area and see it in new ways. 

    Fall/ Winter Wonderlands: Discover the beauty of the changing landscapes in our area. The festive decorations, fall leaves and quiet roads and trails can make for memorable rides.

    Take Detours: We can be more spontaneous and take detours during our rides to explore areas that catch our eyes. We may stumble upon hidden gems, neighborhoods that have amazing decorations or charming parks that we haven't taken the time to explore before.

    The holiday season does not have to be a pause in our cycling journey. There are many ways to integrate riding into the season, we have talked about a few in this post. To help everyone Win the Holidays this year we are holding a fun fitness challenge. 

    Bike Zone Win the Holidays Challenge:

    Join the Bike Zone Rochester Strava Group

    Ride your bike anytime between November 20, 2023 and December 31, 2023

    Log your rides in Strava

    Each Ride entitles you to one entry into a drawing for $75 in-store Credit

    Whether you take some of the ideas from this post or have your own routine, pedal through the holidays and make this season memorable for both your fitness and your festive spirit!

 

Fall Riding Comfort and Safety

 Cycling is not just a means of transportation or exercise; it's a way of life for many of us. Whether we are a daily commuter, a weekend rider or a dedicated cyclist, safety should always be our top priority. So lets explore the ways to stay comfortable and safe while the seasons are changing. 

    Weatherproofing for Fall into Winter:

 

One of the benefits of cycling is that we can do it year round. However, weather conditions can change in an instant. Being prepared for whatever Rochester throws our way allows us to be safe and comfortable throughout our rides.

    Rain: Invest in a quality waterproof cycling jacket, like the Trek Circuit Rain Jacket. One feature we love to see in a rain jacket is that it packs down small when not in use to not take up much storage. Next think about if you want to invest in some fenders or mud guards to keep you dry from road spray. Finally if the temperatures are dipping lower we want to think about a protective shoe cover to keep our feet warm and dry. A good option we like is the Lizard Skins Dry-Fiant Shoe cover.

    Cold: Layering is essential in cold weather. Wearing moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers and windproof outer layers. We will go into more information further along in this blog post.

Lighting The Way:

    Proper lighting is crucial for both visibility and safety.  Whether we are riding in the early morning, late at night, or during adverse weather, being seen and seeing the trail ahead is important.

    Front Lights: A strong front light, like the Planet Bike Dual Blaze 1500, is important for lighting the road or trail in front of us. These lights will also alert other road and trail users to our presence. Before every ride we want to ensure that our lights have enough power to light our way the entire ride. If your light is USB powered it might also be a good idea for longer rides to bring a extra USB power bank that you can use as extra power. 

    Rear Lights: Rear lights, like the Bontager Flare 1, make us more visible to traffic and trail users coming up behind. The best rear lights blink in a way to catch the eye no matter what the lighting conditions are. 

    Reflective Gear: Reflective clothing and accessories add an extra layer of visibility that requires no power. Consider adding reflective tape to your bike, a reflective vest or jacket as your topmost outer layer, and maybe even reflective ankle bands so we are visible from the side as well.

Layering For Comfort:

 

    Cycling in variable weather can be challenging, but layering allows us to adapt to changing conditions while out on the road. 

    Base Layers: Choose a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from your skin. This allows us to stay warmer in the cold than a fabric like cotton allows. A good example of a wicking base layer for riding is the Pearl Izumi Thermal Cycling Tight. 

    Mid-Layers: In cooler weather, and insulating mid-layer helps trap heat in close to our body. Materials like fleece and merino wool are great for this layer. An example of this type of layer is the Endura Singletrack Fleece Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey. 

    Outer Layers: Our outer most layer should be windproof, waterproof and breathable. A great cycling jacket can be a ride saver in windy and rainy conditions. An example we use is the Trek Circuit Softshell Cycling Jacket. 

    Accessories: We should not forget to keep all our body covered and comfortable. If you prefer cycling shorts a leg warmer is a good way to layer. Neck gaiters can protect our necks and faces from the cold and wind. Insulated shoe covers can act as jackets for our feet. Gloves can help us keep our hands from getting too cold.

    Cycling in the fall can be safe and enjoyable with proper preparation. We have talked about some of our favorite items, is there a layer or jacket that you love? Comment below with your favorites and Happy Cycling!

Leaves are Falling Rides

 Fall is the most magical time of the year to me. You can ride trails through forests with reds, yellows, oranges, greens and more. The temperatures have come down so mid day rides are more comfortable. There are many places around our state that can be fun and magical for any rider. 

Roads:

Lake Road in Webster is a great rollings hills ride with amazing views along Lake Ontario. You can park at Sand Bar Park close to the swing bridge, or you can park at the Holt Road Lot for Webster County Park. After your ride you can swing to Mama Lors for a great meal along the lake.

Gannett Hill Road S and W are great views and just enough elevation change to make the road more fun. You can park in any of the lots in Ontario County Park. If you want to pair the road ride with a short hike along the Accessible trail in the park you can get a view that is worth it.

Gravel:

Auburn Trail is a gravel path that runs through Victor area. You can connect to other paths while out on it, including the Dryer Rd Mountain Bike trails. There are some great points of interest along the trail, like some old rail depot.

Greenway Trail takes you through the best of Rochester and Monroe County. You get the double whammy of the fall colors and our beautiful water ways. There are multiple parking areas to start your journey. 

Mountain:

Dryer Road Trails there are trails for all ability levels and one of Rochester's first adaptive trails. The local off road community is building new trails to explore. The views are amazing and the jump skills track is a fun way to get better at jumps. 

September Events Caledar

Sunday Sept 10, 2023 RCommunity Bike Drive at Brighton Farmers Market 9am-1pm

Thursday September 14, 2023 at 5pm Back to School Flat tire Clinic. RSVP at https://forms.gle/6hN8VABQzGoEfvpAA

Thursday September   21, 2023 E-Bike FAQs and Demo Rides with Wolf, Addmotor, Trek, Electra and GoCycle 5pm in Greece RSVP link coming soon.

Saturday September 23, 2023 R Community Bike Drive Victor High School 9am-1pm

Saturday September 23, 2023 E-Bike Group Ride Along the Canal, More Details to come.

Saturday September 23. 2023 Ironman 70.3 Jones Beach, Jones Beach NY

Back to School/ Commute Riding

Summer is coming to a close and its time to start thinking about fall commuting. This brings a whole new dimension to our relationships to our bikes. Our bikes can go from being a fun pass time to our mode of transportation. That change can bring about a change in how the bike wears over time. At the beginning of the season we recommend looking at the tires and chain. These are the most used parts on the bike mile after mile.

1. Check the tire wear and inflation. On the sidewall of the tire it will tell you the optimum PSI range and the size. With a good bike pump you can check the inflation and keep the tires within that range. You may also want to invest in a tube for your bike so you can get back on the road without a trip to the shop.

2. Check the chain and the chain rings for wear and proper lubrication. This extends the life of the chain and keeps the squeaks away. 

3. Think about storage for your belongings while on your commute. Some may choose to wear a backpack. Some may choose to add a rack for connecting a trunk bag or pannier bags. Looking for bags that are water proof or water resistant. 

4. Having our wheels when we get done with our days is as important as using them to get to work or school. Investing in a good lock can help with knowing your bike will be right where you left it. We have different types and lengths to fit your needs.

Sign up for our Back to School Flat Tire Clinic Thursday September 14, 2023 at 5pm in the Greece Location. 

https://forms.gle/6hN8VABQzGoEfvpAA

August Events Calendar

 Aug 4th, 2023 Brockport Welcome Center, Bike Clinic Taught by Justin at 3:30pm

E-Bike Questions Answered

 When out on the trails and roads you can see more e-bikes being used and enjoyed. Here are some of the main questions we get asked.

1. Is riding an e-bike cheating? Short answer is no. Longer answer is riding an e-bike still requires that you pedal. The motor is just assisting you along when you need it. As an e-bike owner myself I can say that I have gotten as good or better workouts when I am on my electric bike. 

2. Does a bigger battery mean I can go further between charges? No, there are many factors that go into the range of your e-bike. The biggest factor is going to be what assist level you are using, the terrain you are riding, the type of motor and the ambient temperature. I have gotten close to 50 miles on a 350w battery on flat land and have gotten 22 miles on a 500w battery on mountain bike trails. 

3. What is the max speed that I can go on my e-bike? This depends, there are 3 classes of e-bikes. Class 1 bikes have a max speed of 20MPH and can have a throttle but requires that you keep pedaling lightly. Class 2 e-bikes have a max speed of 20 MPH and have no throttle. Class 3 e-bikes have a max speed of 30MPH and can have a throttle without the requirement to pedal. There have been a couple of times where I have been going down a hill where I could roll faster than the 20mph on the bike and the motor was braking keeping the bike below the max speed. This is a good thing when riding on trails and in municipalities with bike speed limits. 

4. Are there places I cannot take my e-bike? Yes, some private land owners do not want e-bikes on their trails. Be sure to check with your local laws and the laws of where you would like to use the bike. More riders have experienced getting a ticket from law enforcement for not following the laws. 

5. Do I have to charge my bike after every ride? It depends, in most cases no. The batteries are like a cell phone or computer battery and can hold a charge for a while. If the battery is drained or down to about 25% you may want to consider charging back up to 100%. Also if you have a long ride planned, more than 20 miles it is recommended to start with a full charge.

6. Is there a minimum age for riding an e-bike? This varies state by state, here in New York the state law is 16 years of age or older.  Many of the e-bike makers do not make frames small enough for a child. 

7. Can I wear a normal helmet on a e-bike? Maybe, depends on the helmet. Some of the helmets made for road racing have crash speed ratings high enough. Otherwise we recommend looking for a helmet that specifically says that it is e-bike rated. A great resource for this 

8. Do I have to register my e-bike? Depends on where you live. There are some areas that require bikes to be registered just like cars but check with your local area.  

Having a new e-bike can open up new trails to explore. Most of us at the shop have at least one e-bike and enjoy using them. Stop in for any other questions and if you would like to take one for a test ride.

Summer Riding

 We are coming up on the busiest season of bike trails here in Rochester. This means that there are more people out using the trails for many different uses. You will come across people out walking their dogs, having the kids burn off that summer energy, fishing in the canal or river, rolling along the paved paths and more. Here are some safety tips so that every one can have a fun and healthy summer.

1. Call out or ring a bell to let pedestrians know you are coming up on them. 

2. Pass on the left keeping an eye for on coming trail users.

3. Slow down when there are many trail users.

4. Know the laws in the area you are riding. There are places that have path speed limits, if you can use a throttle e-bike and more. 

5. Keep an eye on the weather and have a storm plan. In the heat the weather can turn on a dime and it is better to have a plan and not need it.

6. Make sure to bring more water and snacks than what you need. 

7. Enjoy the Ride!

July Events Calendar

 July Events

July 1st Brockport Welcome Center: Bike Clinic from 3:30pm- 4:30pm Partnership with On the Canals Community Bike Ride 1-3pm, if you bring your own bike you do not have to pre sign up. 

July 4th All shops will be closed.

July 9th Musselman 70.3 Geneva NY

July 23rd On the Canals Community Ride 1-3pm Starting at the Brockport Welcome Center

What to Get the Dad in your Life

  We are quickly approaching fathers day. Has dad been looking at e-bikes on the internet and through TV commercials. We are having a sale to help make those dreams a reality. Now through June 19th.  

 

June Events Calendar

2023 Roc 'n Roll Community Ride June 3 Check in 11:30am Register at reconnectrochester.org/roc-n-roll 

2023 Low Bridge, High Water Brockport- 200 years on the Erie Canal June 9-10 brockportny.org

R Community Bikes Donation Drive June 17, 2023 9am- 12pm at Orchard View Senior Appartments 1 Orchard View Drive, Greece https://www.rcommunitybikes.net/donate

Rochester Local history Bike Tours June, 24 10am-12:30pm $25 Register at reconnectrochester.org/local-history-bike-tours