Christmas Gift Ideas

Well...if you've waited this long to do your Christmas shopping - good luck! Here's one last idea for the cycling enthusiast on your list: a BikeTown gift certificate! It's good any time of the year and can be used for whatever cycling item your friend or family member wants. So, if you are venturing out in the snow this morning, drop on by the store and pick up a one-size-fits-all gift certificate.

Christmas Gift Ideas

Here's another Christmas gift idea for any of you out there needing last minute ideas: the Pearl Izumi Vagabond jacket. These things are great! I wear mine all the time in the winter months. It is extremely lightweight, and great at blocking the good ol West Texas wind. It also has sleeves that easily zip off if you get a tad too warm. It's one of those clothing pieces that after you try it you wonder how you went without it. Come on in to the store and check it out. While you're there, check out all our other cold-weather gear. There are lots of jerseys, tights, socks, gloves, etc. to choose from!

Christmas Gift Ideas

Time is running out! Christmas is just a few days away! Here's another gift idea for you: trainers. It is winter now, and sometimes it's just not too pleasant outside. Instead of forgoing your bike ride, stick your bike in that trainer and pedal away. No, it's not the same as riding outside, but it does help you keep up the riding during the cold weather season. Come on in to the store and check out the trainers that we have in stock. Any one of them would look good under the tree!

Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas is almost here. It's hard to believe that it is a week from tomorrow! If you're like me, you haven't finished shopping yet. Actually, if you're like me, you haven't even figured out what you are shopping for yet. If you are in that same predicament, check here from now until Christmas. I'll be sharing some good gift ideas for bicycle-loving friends and family.

Here's the idea for today: Arm, leg, or knee warmers. Our weather around here is rather unpredictable in the winter time. We can have 60 degree weather one day and then have 25 degree weather the next. Sometimes, that temperature change occurs within hours. It's always nice to be prepared for the weather to change. It might be a bit cool when your ride starts, but really warm up as you go, either from the weather or the workout. Being able to shed arm or leg warmers as you ride is really nice. Your cycling family member will appreciate this gift under the tree!

ABC Membership

This is a reminder that all memberships in the Abilene Bicycling Club expire at the end of December. Go ahead and renew now! Print out the form below, fill it in, and either mail it in or drop it off with your dues at BikeTown. Dues are $20 for the year, and one membership does cover your immediate family. If you write a check, please make it out to Abilene Bicycling Club.

Click on this link for the membership form:

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B-0LCR9d8v4iZGMyYTUwZmItMTMxOS00NzI3LTgxODctODU4YTI3YjM4NDMw&hl=en

Winter Weather

Have we really been in Abilene the last few days? Since when do we get such cold weather this early? We never know what type of weather will be thrown at us this time of year in West Texas. Make sure you're prepared for whatever weather shows up. Rides can be miserable if it's cold and you don't have the right gear to keep you warm. Come on in to the store and see what we have to help make your winter riding much more enjoyable.

Bent Wheel Bash 2009 Results

What a great event! The 2009 Bent Wheel Bash had terrific weather, an awesome off-road course, and a bunch of great riders. Top it off with the police/fire challenge, and it was a fun-filled day. We doubled the number of racers at this event from last year. Let's keep growing it! Thanks to everyone who helped out with it. A special shout-out to Gary Fraser for organizing the event. Events like this are a lot of work. We appreciate all you did, Gary! For all you racers, check out this link for the results: www.usacycling.org/results/?permit+2009-2857 The event name is Buck Creek Bent Wheel Bash.

After the race, the police/fire challenge began. This consisted of a sledgehammer challenge, body drag, fire hose challenge, 1.5 mile mountain bike course, and, finally, target practice. This might not sound like much, but string all those things together, and you have a pretty challenging event. Last spring, the police took home overall bragging rights. Apparently, the firefighters didn't like that. Aaron Barr (firefighter) defended his first place finish from last time, and the rest of his team helped the firefighters win overall this time. Here are the results for their challenge:

1. Aaron Barr (AFD) - 12:37

2. Marty Sanders (AFD) - 13.02

3. Brian Scalf (AFD) - 13.47

4. Tony Hay (AFD) - 13.55

5. Clay Grothe (APD) - 13.57

6. Joe Tauer (APD) - 14.30

7. Richard Valdez* (APD) - 15.19

8. Scott Wilkerson (AFD) - 15.40

9. Pat Edwards (AFD) - 16.26

10. James Young (APD) - 20.58

11. Greg Valentine (AFD) - 24.21

12. Stephanie Rollins (APD) - 24.29

13. Kimberly Scalf (APD) - 11.32 (modified course - no off-road)

* FYI - Richard completed this challenge AFTER competing in the Bent Wheel Bash Race of 18 miles AND he's 60+ years old. Way to go, Richard!

Thanks to everyone who came out and rode. We can't wait for next year!