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: