Shenandoah Bicycle Company

It was a beauty on the mountain and in terms of winter conditions it was probably one of the more forgiving years that one can remember. A fresh layer of white, deep mud holes, no wind..what more could you ask for, thanks to the 60+ crowd that show up for the annual kick off to the 2012 riding season.

The first crews arriving on Flagpole!

Tuesday evening at 7pm is a film fundraiser for the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition  at Grafton Stovall Theater, Life Cycles film will be showing, from the many local folks who have seen the film they say it is “Really Good”! Only $5 and it gets you a free raffle ticket to some SBC goodies!

We are on the eve of Super Bowl Sunday which means look out for Super Heros to be invading Harrisonburg as they get ready  to use their powers to tackel Shenandoah Mountain. This ride (Ride from Briery Branch Community Center at 10am or Mr J’s Route 42 South at 8:30am) has a long history in the Harrisonburg cycling book.  These 3 gentleman below have over 50 super bowl rides between them, hopefully they will notch another one this year.

Carl, James and Joe...2002 Super Bowl Ride.

 
Be at  Grafton Stovall Theather on JMU Campus  this Tuesday February 7th at 7pm for the benefit showing of “Life Cycles” film. There is a suggested donation of $5  and this will also get you a raffle ticket for free prizes from SBC.  All proceeds benefits the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition.

Slate Springs Trail...Freshly benched and brushed! Thanks to the Coalition!

It seem like where ever you went yesterday folks where on two wheels, be it on beautiful county roads or the trails from Massanutten to Flagpole Knob. This week is Pre Super Bowl Sunday week, usually the time to blow off the dust for two wheel adventures on Shenandoah Mountain, but it seems this year folks will have plenty of miles in their legs for an assault to 4400′.  SBC welcomes you to the SUPER BOWL SUNDAY RIDE…one of the oldest annual mountain bike adventures on the planet!

With the handful of Fargo and Vaya bikes now circulating around town, there are more and more people aware of Salsa’s wood chipper bar.  For everyone else, here it is!
At first glance it looks like a strange choice for bikes designed for all-terrain use. But dropped bars on single track and dirt roads has a rich history. Originally it was Charlie Cunningham and his sidekick Jacquie Phelan who ran drop-bars off road with fine results. Here is Jacquie doing what she does best; beating up boys!

They still may not be the best handlebar for everyone, but having a couple more hand positions on your adventure bike might be kind of nice.   The Salsa bar allows for use with STI brake/shift levers and also takes bar-end shifters and is available in two widths 42 and 46mm.

Some of the SBC crew was out yesterday helping the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition with pre Super Bowl Ride Trail work.  There were  19 volunteers were spread out over Shenandoah Mountain working on Hone Quarry Ridge, Red Diamond (Slate Springs Trail) and Pond Knob Trail. The SBC crews to get out and help keep the hundreds of miles of local trails open for all to enjoy.

Kurt getting ready to start the early brushing mission on Red Diamond!

We hope you will be able to join the SBC crew at one of the longest annual mountain bike rides in the country…The Super Bowl Sunday ride. Harrisonburg  has been hosting this ride since the mid 80′s, that is almost 30 years of great riding history.

See you on Flagpole Knob!

Kurt teaches wheels to curious budding home mechanics

A big Thanks to everyone who made it out to our maintenance clinic last night. Mark your calendars for our next winter maintenance clinic on February 2 right here at SBC 7-9pm topic will be brakes of all shapes, kinds, makes, models, and colors. As usual, bring your bicycle!

Tim Richardson Teaches others how to adjust the shifting on their cycles

Make sure to come out this Thursday (January 19) at 7pm for the continuation of the SBC Winter Maintenance Clinics. As always these clinics are free and open to everyone who has a desire to learn the ins and outs of their cycle. This week we will focus on wheels, how to true them and how to adjust hubs, level of detail will depend on group size and interests. We are always happy to reteach any basic maintenance subjects that you might have questions about. We love showing people how to change a flat tire so that they are self-sufficient when out on their own. Mark your calendars for our next maintenance clinic day Thursday February 2 and always at 7pm.

Remember to bring your own bike to each maintenance clinic!

The longest annual mountain bike ride in the Valley is slated for February 5th….The Super Bowl Sunday Ride.  Yesterday was a scouting mission to see what the current conditions were on the upper meadows and the steep descents back off the mountain. Not a sign of any snow up top, just some big ice spots that always exist in the winter months. The trails are in the need of some love…so look for a trail work day in the next few weeks.

Thinking of Tim Pyle on top of the mountain!

SBC wishes you the best in 2012.

We think this year can be another positive year for local bicycling and infrastructure! D0 you up want to learn how get more involved or just find out what is happening in the City for bike lanes, shared used paths and more? If so come to SBC’s Winter Bicycle Workshop this Thurday the 5th. Starting at 7pm we will have maps, discussion’s and opportunity to for you to learn more about the 2010 Harrisonburg Bicycle and Pedestrain Plan as well as opportunity to give some feedback.

Want to know more about these items and more? Then come to SBC this Thursday Evening.

• Northend Greenway
• Bluestone Trail
• Thomas Harrisonburg Middle School Path
• Harrisonburg High School Path
• Bikes Lanes
• Maps

A great friend of SBC’s and the Harrisonburg community passed away on Thursday. He had a hard uphill battle with cancer and hopefully he can now rest and enjoy the view. We love you!

Tim Pyle

Enjoy many great Pyle memories at Smugmug!