Kentucky Trail Map

Check out the trail map Eric O'Neal is programming for KyMBA. We have the honor of hosting the map system for now, hopefully it will stay for a while. Feel free to link to it or put it in a frame on your own website. Click on the individual trails for a nice detailed trailmap and conditions are at the bottom. Please reply here with feedback!

Hitting the Skies with your Bike

Thanks to Jason and the rest of the crew at Reser Bicycle Outfitters for giving us the guest tip of the week!

My wife and I have been traveling the world a bit and have started our own cycle touring business. We are offering trips to watch the Spring Classics in Belgium, ride the same routes the pro's do, and experience Northern Europe in the glorious springtime! Check out our trips at www.bikebelgium.com.

Travel Tips: The tips we present today are from our experiences traveling with bikes. Here's our helpful advice we have gathered from traveling all over the world with our bikes.

Packing up your bike

Measure twice: Either with a permanent marker or electrical tape, mark the position of your seat height. Or, use a tape measure and write down the measurements. Also note the spacer arrangement on your stem so you can replicate it later.

Required Tools : Gather the tools you need to dismantle your bike; most likely 4, 5, and 6 millimeter wrenches along with a pedal wrench. After your bike is packed, wrap your tools in shop rags to prevent your frame from getting scratched and place them in your bike case. Some bike parts may require a unique tool, so make sure that you have the right tools with you to reassemble your bike when you arrive at your destination.

Use a bike box: To prevent damage, we recommend a hard shell case, but there are soft sided cases that can be used as well. If you have a buddy who can lend you a case, try borrowing one first. If not, make a trip to your local bike shop and inquire about renting one. Many bike shops will rent a case for your cycling vacation. Plan ahead and reserve one early. If you need to buy a case check with local bike shops. There are many brands to choose from. It's a good idea to practice fitting your bike in the case to ensure everything fits properly. Also review airline policies for bike case sizes since regulations change frequently and each airline is very different. A few inches too big could mean your bike may be left at the airport.

Packing everything tight: We recommend putting your helmet and cycling shoes in with your regular luggage in case your bike gets lost in flight. This allows you to ride during your cycling vacation, on a rented bike, without interrupting your itinerary. However we do recommend putting certain items in with your bike; powdered sports drink, extra tubes and tires, tools required to reassemble your bike, etc. Do not pack CO2 cartridges in with your bike as pressurized items are not allowed on planes.

Expect an inspection: The TSA often inspects bike cases. Be prepared for an inspection and make it easy for them to repack the contents of your bike case after an inspection.
We hope our travel tips help you the next time you take your bike with you to Belgium or any location. If you have any questions or comments fill out our Contact Page!

Thanks!
John Edward Max Chinkes
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John and Lynnda met while riding for the same cycling team in Louisville Colorado. Both have been riding and racing for many years. John has lived and raced in Europe as well as all over the US. John beat Jason in a mountain bike race when Jason was only 15 years old, but that was the last time.

Winter Riding

It is that time of year again when riding your bike can seem almost impossible. Here's a few tips to make things a little easier.

Block that Wind!!! Wind proof gloves, jackets and tights are your strongest ally when trying to keep warm in the winter months. A thinner jacket with a wind front is very versatile as a top layer. Having regular fabric in the non crucial areas allows for breathability to keep you dry. When it is chilly wear it with a long sleeve jersey, as the temperature drops just add more base layers. Wind front tights often come with or without the chamois. Opting for the ones without are more useful for cross training and work well as a compliment to your favorite riding shorts. Be careful not to over dress. Remember that if you are warm when you leave you will definitely be hot on the ride!

Cover Your Head and Feet!!! I find that my ears get the coldest during cold weather rides. Even if I am just riding a few miles I always wear a thin hat under my helmet. As long as it covers my ears I'm in good shape. Thin balaclavas are also nice for protecting your face and neck. Wool socks are always helpful in winter but with many bicycle shoes made to be breathable adding shoe covers will keep out the chill. They come in many different styles and some offer my favorite addition, wind and water proofing!

Lights!!! Since the colder months also means less daylight hours bicycle lights make it possible to extend your riding time. When picking out lights first determine if your goal is to see or be seen. There are many good LED lights on the market that flash and make a bright statement when riding on the road. These may be enough for city riding where there are already some street lights and car headlights to show you the road. If you are more concerned about actually lighting your path opt for the more powerful Halogen or HID lights with rechargeable batteries. These lights can be pricey but by comparison have obvious advantages. With a run time of up to 8+ hours they can be as bright as a headlight. There are also many options in batteries. If you are a mountain biker looking to hit the trails at night these brighter lights are where its at and mounting the light on your helmet is a definite must. Stop in the shop for a light show! We'll help you find the right one for you.

Protect your Bike and the Trails!!! In our area, the winter months often bring dampness with the cold. This may require a some extra attention to your drive train. Be sure to clean and lube it more often than in the dry summer. Adding some lightweight fenders to your bike will also help cut down on road spray on you and your bike! And besides, they just look cool.
If you are a trail rider remember to follow the IMBA rules of the trail and keep off of them when they are wet. Riding wet trails makes for some serious erosion problems and hours of trail maintenance. Waiting until the ground is frozen is the best option for winter mountain biking.
Or did someone say Road Trip?

Indoor Riding!!! Everyone has their limit, on days when there aren't enough layers to get you out indoor trainers and rollers can turn your bike into your very own exercise machine. Trainers will offer more variations in resistance but rollers are a little more exciting since you still have to maintain your balance.
Want to try something new? Bring your mountain bike and join us on Tuesday nights for some skate park riding at Ollies! This is a great way to get your heart pumping, hone your handling skills and learn a few new tricks to show off in the spring!

I hope these tricks will keep you moving all winter long and avoid the dreaded holiday bulge!
If all you need is a little motivation we've got that too! There's nothing like a visit to Reser Bicycle Outfitters to get you riding again! We'll offer you a smile, a hot cup of coco, a light show and maybe even a peak at all the cool new stuff on its way for 08. See you soon!

Campagnolo Ergopower Serivce

Many of our bikes have Campagnolo equipment, so I thought it would be a nice idea to post these videos of the Ergopower shift/brake levers being serviced.

Disassembly:

Assembly:

Tips and Tricks

Tips & Tricks is going to be one of the best features of the Reser Bicycle Outfitters website. Since the technicians work on dozens of bikes (including our own) every week, we find out all the ins and outs of the tech side very quickly and will share it with you. This will also encompass some good tips for riders just getting into cycling.

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