Just last week we were out knocking out training rides, getting nervous, and putting our fast wheels on the cyclocross bikes to get ready for the state championship races. This week, there’s nothing except figuring out excuses to skip Trans Iowa and debating how many 100 mile mountain bike races are actually doable next year for a couple of guys who’ve never done one. As we cope with the abrupt end to racing season, we’ll recap the last weekend and give a shout out to a worthy cause that we can all get behind and help with.
Want some great deals on clothing, wheels or that bike you’ve always wanted? Check out the remaining closeout specials on our web site, in this newsletter, or stop by today for in-store specials. The CompuTrainers are ready for indoor group rides!
Domination is a Strong Word, What’s Just Shy of That?
To say that excelcycle was well-represented in the Category 4 race at the MN State Cyclocross championship races last weekend would be an understatement. To say we dominated it would be a bit strong, but taking two of three podium spots is pretty dang good. Friend of the shop Charles took second place, and mechanic extraordinaire Matt took third place. I like to think that their results were due to my massive sprint to lead the start of the race, graceful baseball slide through the first tricky corner, and recovery to battle the majority of the field the first lap while they got away, but realistically it’s because they’re good at cyclocross and I’m not.
Other notable excelcycle finishes from Saturday include customers Chris and Matthew taking 38th and 39th respectively (out of a huge, 96 rider starting field). I picked up 19th, which was expected thanks to my solid lockdown on a position that’s 1/5 to 1/4 of the way down the field area all year.
Sunday’s race was the last Cyclocross Rider of the Year race. Matt rode strong for third, which locked up his second place in the CRY series. For those of you keeping track at home, that’s a second overall in his class in the MNSCS mountain bike series (ask him who he finished behind) and a second in the CRY cyclocross competition. Not bad.
A Foreign Concept: Riding with ZERO Training Plan
Matt and I went out on our mountain bikes on Tuesday morning and did something that we haven’t done in a long time – we rode just for kicks and giggles. No “hard day,” no “easy day,” just ride as hard as we feel like going. Turns out we felt like going pretty slow, although that was due in part to the sketchy trail conditions caused by the leaves and the interesting combination of dry trail, frozen trail, and thawed out, formerly-frozen-and-now-muddy-on-top trail. Slip and slide fun, made even more fun by my choosing the rigid singlespeed. In reality, the singlespeed chose me because the rest of my bikes are in shambles from a tough season. But I digress…
The point I was getting to is this: Riding for fun is, well, fun. I’ve only done a handful of rides this year without any real aim to them other than to go out and have fun. Heck, this is probably the ONLY one I’ve done where it wasn’t for base miles or just to be a recovery ride. It was nice, and I hope the snow stays away for a while longer so I can ride like that some more.
That Worthy Cause I Mentioned
Some of our customers are involved with freebikes4kidz.org, an organization that collects and refurbishes bikes for kids that need them. They’ll take new bikes, too, if you want to pick up a few of those from us to donate to the cause.
To donate a bike, all you need to do is drop it off at Otten Brothers Nursery in Long Lake by December 11th (aim for early to give them a little time to get things ready!). They’ll run through the bikes, replace parts that need replacing, get them tuned up, and then give them out the weekend of December 12th and 13th.
Don’t have a used bike or the cash to spend to donate a new one? Know how to fix flats and turn some wrenches? Give ‘em a shout and see if they still need more people to come help out. There were rumors floating around about them already having a couple hundred bikes, so I’m sure they’ll be able to use the help!
Don’t forget our other good causes, the ICA Food Shelf donation bin and Hopkins-Minnetonka Family Resource Center jacket/blanket/warm clothes drop-off box we have at the store.
Winter Hours
We’re open from 10 am to 8 pm Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, and Noon to 5 pm on Sunday.
Facebook Group Ride Discussion
We set up some discussion forums on Facebook about our group rides. Each scheduled ride has its own thread, so feel free to add questions or comments, use the forums to see who’s coming on a ride, or even make plans for a post ride drink.
Subscribe to the Rides Email List
If you want to get on our rides email list, just send an email to rides-subscribe@excelcycle.com to sign up. There’s also a new rides list specifically for the Women’s rides. To subscribe, send an email to womensrides-subscribe@excelcycle.com .If you’re planning on coming out for a ride and the weather looks iffy, call ahead to make sure we’re still on.
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