Peak Riding Season and Peak
Foliage Season
I noticed the first leaves changing colors last week. It's a signal
that peak foliage season is a month or so away. For me this
coincides with the peak of my riding season. The cool mornings and
evenings beg me to come out and ride and the changing colors of the
landscape provides for a beautiful backdrop. Shorter days do try to
ruin the fun but that's why someone invented bike lights.
Autumn also brings with it a few of our annual traditions. This
month we will be hosting our Two Ferry Ride which may be my
favorite event of the year. I love the anticipation as the parking
lot fills up with cars, bikes and riders on the morning of the
ride. I get a kick listening to the click of hundreds of riders
clipping in to their pedals as they set out on the ride. Then, when
the grills are fired up I get the opportunity to relax and share
Two Ferry stories. It's always a rewarding day. See this month's
happenings column for details.
Every time this year we also send some of our staff to Interbike,
an annual trade show typically held in Las Vegas. They say "what
happens in vegas stays in vegas" but that doesn't hold true for us.
Our staff comes back happy to share new knowledge about product and
industry trends.
Make sure to read up about all our shop happenings this month.
Also, please note that this will be the last week of 6pm group
rides. Let's hope for good riding weather.
-Keith
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CC
University
This Month:
Torque
Cycling technology has made huge
advances over the past couple of decades. With the introduction of
materials like carbon fiber and an even greater emphasis on
lightweight it has become increasingly important to use the proper
torque when tightening fasteners. Torque is a measurement of how
tight a fastener needs to be to install a part safely. If there is
too little torque the part may slip, too much torque the part may
be damaged and become a safety concern. Most manufacturers print
their torque specification on their parts or put them inside the
parts manual. These specifications usually come in one of three
measurements, Newton Meters (Nm), Inch Pounds (in-lb), and Foot
Pounds (ft-lb). It is extremely important to follow these specs in
order to avoid damage or a potential safety hazard. A torque wrench
is a great investment for individuals looking to do some of their
own wrench work and will insure proper installation of parts as
well as protect the manufacturers warranty.
For more in depth information
on torque visit the Park Tools
website.
Brought to you by: Sean
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Customer
Inspiration
Cycling
Concepts customer Scott Tomassetti has literally been
transformed by the sport of cycling (as you can see in the photos
above). Over the past year Scott decided to get back into cycling
after a long hiatus. He had let his weight get to a point where he
wasn't comfortable in his own skin, something that many of us can
relate to at some point in our lives.
Instead of
continuing down a path of weight gain, Scott took matters into his
own hands. He starting commuting to work two days a week and
started riding more and more. Since April of 2010 he's logged over
1,300 miles. As a result he's lost 11 inches around his waist line
and re-invigorated his love of cycling.
This past May he
completed his first Metric Century (at our May Day ride) and has
plans to ride the Two-Ferry ride this coming September at our Rocky
Hill shop. (Speaking of which, have you signed up yet? You'll get
to meet Scott in person!)
When asked what
motives him, Scott says his love for cycling is internal. He says,
"I like to be on the road with my thoughts, training for lifelong
fitness. Although I'm no longer competitive with my riding, I still
enjoy being on my bike looking for new challenges."
Scott certainly
has the right attitude to achieve his goal of lifelong fitness and
all of us at the shop are inspired by him and thankful that we've
gotten to witness his transformation first hand.
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Store Happenings
Rides
Group Rides continue into the Fall. Every Tuesday in Glastonbury
and every Wednesday in Rocky Hill. Check our twitter or facebook
pages for ride updates.
Learn
more
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Special
Events
Sign up
for our annual Two Ferry Ride! The event will be held on Sept. 26th
at our Rocky Hill Shop. For details and to register online click here.
Brand new CycloCross series to be held in Rocky Hill! Race
Dates are Sept 8, 15, 22, 29 and Oct 6 & 13. This event series
benefits the Rocky Hill Dog Park. Details here.
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CC Racing
Team
Our Racing Team is
hosting a talk about Cyclocross by Paul Nyberg on Sept 16th at 6:30
p.m. at the Glastonbury Shop. Talks are open to all. Contact Karen for more details.
Also, big news! We are forming a Men's Racing Team
in 2011. Interested? Contact Karen.
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Education
Tool
School
Know Your
Bike classes are
continuing. Topics include basic bike maintenance & advanced
bike repair.
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New
Products
Triathletes: Blue
Seventy Wetsuits are in stock and are 10% off!
New saddles
from Cobb in stock!
ZIPP and SRAM
wheels in stock
New BMX bikes from Redline and We The People!
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Staff
Development
Cycling
Concepts is sending several staff members to Interbike this month. Interbike is the leading
bicycle industry business-to-business event, bringing together top
manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct
the business of cycling.
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After a one year absence in 2009, popular demand
has brought back the Discover Hartford Bicycling & Walking Tour
in 2010! Bike Walk Connecticut (formerly Central Connecticut
Bicycle Alliance) and the City of Hartford will present 10 and 25
mile bike rides through Hartford's beautiful parks, vibrant and
diverse neighborhoods and cityscape. There will also be a new 15
mile extension to Batterson Park to include a 40 mile bike ride.
The Hartford Preservation Alliance will host four different 1.5
mile walking tours of some of Hartford's historic sites. When
participants return to Bushnell Park after their tours they can
enjoy live music and visit vendors and exhibitors. Food vendors
will be serving breakfast and lunch items. 
Edited by Cycling Concepts Social Media Diva
Michelle