Tomorrow, we’re hosting another cookout on our porch. Following the SVBC road ride and Massanutten trail work, all our welcome to come out for burgers and brews. We’ll probably fire-up the grill and tap the keg around 7:30. We will have veggie burgers and soda for those not into beef and beer. Bring your friends and come watch the sunset over the “Bike Capital of Virgina”.
Check out these photo’s from last month’s event:
After a super snowy March, spring is finally here. April was chock full of cycling!
Over 150 people attended the annual SVBC Harris-Roubaix.
The Thursday Night Ride rolls out of Rocktown and explores the valley’s beautiful rolling roads.
Despite his recently dislocated shoulder, Ben grilled over 60 burgers for the first of Rocktown’s monthly cookouts.
There were burgers and Three Brothers ale (plus soda) for all at the first monthly Rocktown cookout.
The seasons first visit from cyclotourists. This pair was wandering from Lancaster, PA to Arkansas and beyond.
The VAHSMTB circuit came to the trails at Hillendale park.
After a fairly eventful April, May is finally here. Of course, May is bike month in Harrisonburg.
Here are some highlights to look forward to:
For more information about these event, as well as other cycling related tips and info, check out the Bike Month Harrisonburg web page here. Rocktown Bicycles is proud to be a “Titanium Sponsor” of Bike Month Harrisonburg. We’re excited to see this event continue to grow as our “Friendly City” cements its reputation as the Bike Capital of Virginia. It’s only fitting that Harrisonburg host the most diverse and exciting bike to work week this side of Portland.
The weekly snowfall, this March, has really hampered early spring mountain biking here in the Shenandoah Valley. Still, a few brave souls, including the Rocktown Racing junior team members, have ventured out into the frigid temperature to ride the snow encrusted trails. When the mountains are covered in dry icy snow, the trails can still be fun to rip – you just have to keep your appendages warm. Just remember to stay off thawing trails. Riding on muddy trails can cause some serious erosion – plus soggy trails aren’t very fun to ride anyway. Hopefully, this weekend’s snow will be our last, so we can get on with spring riding.
Specialized Epic on the icy “2,000 Hours Trail” at the Massanutten western slope
Are you one of the millions of Americans who are trying to go gluten free? We’re now stocking Kit’s Organic bars. These bars, made by Clif Bar, are gluten free, soy free, dairy fee, organic, and truly delicious. If you are trying to cut back your gluten intake or have a dairy allergy – try a Kit’s Organic bar.
Here at Rocktown Bicycles, we have variety of bikes designed specifically with women’s anatomy in mind. Generally, this means that they have a taller seat tube – for woman’s longer legs, and they have a shorter top tube – for women’s shorter torso. These bikes also feature more narrow handlebars and wider saddles. Correct fit is one of the most important aspects of an enjoyable ride. Specialized’s women’s specific line features some of the best designed bikes for the female cyclist. For more information on Specialized’s line of women’s bikes, look to their website: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/technology/womens
We’ve been open for two weeks now. It has been surreal to watch this place turn from a construction site into a functional bike shop. Right now, we’re working out some of the kinks and completing some of the finishing touches, while excitedly showing off our renovated space and full line of Specialized bicycles. We plan to have a grand opening during the first weekend of April. In the meantime, feel free to come check out the shop, meet our two full-time employees Jacob and Ben, or equip your bike for the spring riding season.
We’re open Tuesday through Friday from 11-7 and on Saturday from 9-3.
On Mondays we take the day off to go for a ride. Here a few pics from this past Monday’s ride. We strung together a few of our favorite trails in the National Forest. The weather was surprisingly warm and we only encountered a little bit of snow. As usual the descent to Braley pond was super flowy, fast, and tons of fun.
We’ve been making some progress over on Mason St. Here are some of the projects we’ve been working on:
Fridays tend to be productive construction days at Rocktown Bicycles. Just before the weekend, our staff’s individual projects coincide in a whirlwind of drastic bike shop preparation. Here are some snapshots of the many projects that were underway last Friday morning.
As construction at the Rocktown Bicylcles retail shop approaches completion, Specialized bikes are rolling in. Here are a few of the bikes that we can’t wait to move into our new space.
It has taken longer than we planned to get the shop space ready and open for business. Aside from a few surprises, like not having any footers under the front of our building, the delay has been due to our own effort to make the shop as sweet as possible. We have had many opportunities to cut-corners or put-off our ideas as long term plans. Instead, we’ve decided to do it right the first time. Here are some pictures of our progress thus far. With only a handful of projects left ahead of us, the end is in sight, as well as the beginning.
Junior connor has a tough race but finishes at the Houffalize World Cup.
Rocktown Bicycles again took the overall series in both the individual and team varsity competitions. Connor Bell won the State Championship to seal his his overall victory in the individual. Jonas Zimmerman grabbed third after a edging a Miller School rival. This was good enough to secure second place overall for Jonas. Cameron wound up seventh on the day and took 3rd overall.
VAHSMTB series overall standings:
1. Connor Bell (Rocktown Racing)
2. Jonas Zimmerman (Rocktown Racing)
3. Cameron Ritcher (Rocktown Racing)
VAHSMTB Team overall:
1. Rocktown Racing
2. Miller School of Albemarle
3. The Blue Ridge School
Our web guru Curtis Winsor is riding in his first year with Kenda/5hr Energy Pro Cycling Team and we've seen him grow as a person and bike racer. He coaches four riders on our junior team and loves to help as much as possible. Periodically we'll pick his brain for some training tips. Today's topic: How much should I ride?
Your chain is one of the most important parts of your bike....it makes your wheels go! Black, crud-covered links are not only gross and ugly, but they will slow you down and wear your cassette.
