Season’s Change

It’s that time of year again…the days are getting shorter, leaves are falling and there’s a chill in the Bellingham air. What’s that mean? It means winter is just around the corner, and we’ve got the gear you need for any cold weather adventure.

For the hardcore cyclists,  we’re stocking up on baselayers, shoe covers, rainwear and lighting systems. Stay warm, dry and visible when the dark and rainy days arrive. We’ve got great apparel from Gore, Specialized and Ibex, while Light & Motion and Serfas will keep you illuminated on the lighting front.

For the two plankers we’ve got new skis in stock from Armada (including the much-anticipated Bubba), Atomic and Dynafit. The latest Salomon skis should be landing any day now.

2012/13 snowboards from Arbor and Neversummer have arrived, including the new Arbor Abacus splitboard with Karakoram attachment hardware.  We also have outerwear from Trew, Mountain Equipment and the Burton AK line.

Dividend checks came out this week, so you hopefully have a little extra funding to help you get prepared for winter. We’ve also extended our hours – we’re here until 8pm Monday – Friday, 6 on Saturday and 5 on Sundays. See you soon!

Bellingham’s Best Swimming and Biking Spots

Finishing a long, hot ride with a swim is a classic Bellingham summer ritual. There’s no better way to wash off the sweat and dust than a plunge into one of the many swimming holes around town. Here are a few of our top ride/swim combinations. Feel free to add your favorites in the comments section below.

Lake Padden

Galbraith / Lake Padden – Finishing a Galbraith mountain bike ride with a swim in Lake Padden is a sure sign that summer has arrived. Located only 1.5 miles from the Galbraith Lane parking lot, Lake Padden has picnic spots, hiking and biking trails, and sometimes, if you’re lucky, an ice cream man who drives a white mini van.

Fragrance Lake

Fragrance Lake – The perfect place to stop mid-ride and go for a swim. Suggested mountain bike route: ride up Cleator Road, down Double Black, swim, down Two Dollar Trail.

Lake Whatcom

Lake Whatcom – There are a number of great road rides within close proximity to Lake Whatcom. North Shore Drive to Y Road is popular, or for a longer ride you can head out to Deming Road, which parallels 542, go through Acme on Route 9, then turn right onto Park Road to start working your way around the lake towards town. Don’t forget to stop at Bloedel Donovan park for a swim before you’re done.

Clayton Beach– Pack a picnic, then ride on the gravel Interurban Trail from town (it’s about 9 miles) to Larrabee State Park. Lock up your bike, then hike down to the beach to wade or swim in the bay. If the tide is right, you might even spot brightly colored starfish.

Electra Townie: Product Profile

Has it been a while since you rode a bike? Are you looking for a comfortable, easy-to-ride bike, one that’s perfect for running errands and getting around town? How about a bike where you can reach the ground with your feet, even when the seat is at the correct height? The Electra Townie accomplishes all of this and more.

The Electra Townie falls into the “comfort bike” category. This type of bike has an upright riding position, designed to take the pressure off of the back and shoulders. For many riders this position feels much more natural than the hunched over position found on road bikes. Townies have 26” wheels, and come with tires designed for riding on pavement, but with enough traction to handle the occasional trip off road (like Bellingham’s Interurban Trail).

Townies use what Electra calls “Flat Foot Technology.” By adjusting the frame geometry of the bicycle, Electra was able to achieve a pedaling position where the rider can have proper leg extension and still easily reach the ground. Flat Foot Technology places the pedals in front of the rider rather than underneath, a position similar to the way a recumbent bicycle is set up.

While creating this extremely functional bike, Electra didn’t forget about fashion. The swoopy frame design has a retro feel to it, yet has modern brakes and shifters. The Townie is available in multiple colors, and there are numerous accessories, including fenders, racks, baskets and bells which you can use to customize your bicycle.

Stop by Fairhaven Bike and Ski to take a Townie for a test ride – it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Bellingham Bike to Work and School Day

This Friday, May 18th, is Bike to Work and School Day. From 6:30-9:30am there will be Celebration Stations set up across town with food, prizes and stickers. At noon, there will be the City Hall tricycle race, and the festivities continue at Chuckanut Brewery starting at 5pm. For more information, visit biketoworkandschoolday.org

Bike to Work and School Day is a great way to celebrate commuting by bicycle in Bellingham. Plus, if you have co-workers who have been hesitant to commit to riding to work, tell them about the free food. Sometimes a little bribery is all it takes to get someone to leave their car at home.

Ski to Sea Time is Approaching – Are You Ready?

Ski to Sea Race (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With only three weeks left until Ski to Sea weekend, now is the time to make sure your equipment is ready for the big day. Skiing and biking are our specialties, so we’re going to focus on those legs of the race in this article.

Bike Preparation
Whether you’re signed up for the road or mountain bike portion of the Ski to Sea, it’s crucial to make sure your bike is in good working condition. The last thing you need is for a mechanical to hinder your performance on race day. Check your brake pads, chain and tires for wear. If you’re not sure what to look for, take a look at our previous article on bike maintenance, or stop by the shop for a tune-up. We’ll make sure your bike is dialed in and race ready.

Bike fit is important – even if you’re using a borrowed or rented bike it’s important to make sure the bike fits. Go for a few test rides before the day of the race to make sure you are able to ride in comfort – numbness and pain are never fun, especially during a race. Little things, like installing a shorter stem or a different seat can go a long way towards improving the comfort and fit of a bike. We offer professional bike fitting which is designed to maximize your comfort and efficiency on the bike.

Ski Preparation
Got a need for speed? Our ski shop is stocked with some of the fastest wax money can buy – the same stuff the World Cup and Olympic racers use. Drop your skis off and we’ll get them buffed out and ready to fly. Even if you don’t need the World Cup level wax, our basic wax will help ensure your skis are running smoothly.

Need skis? We have rental skate and classic cross country ski packages available. If you rent them now, you can keep the equipment through race day – skate ski packages are $120, while classic ski packages are $85. This way, you’ll be able to try out the equipment a few times before the race.

Want to brush up on your cross-country skiing technique? Todd Eastman will be holding a skate skiing technique on May 11^th from 10am-1pm at the Heather Meadows base area. Sign up at the shop for this educational on-snow clinic.

We do have one final tip, and it’s the most important: Have fun! Sure, the Ski to Sea is a big race, but it’s also a great way to get outside with your friends and enjoy the recreational activities Whatcom County has to offer. Don’t forget to look around and soak in the views while you’re cruising to victory.