VOTE for Us on the A-List

The KCRA A-List has been around now for five or so years, the competition at the top is stiff, and at times brutal.  The shops at the top of the A-List each year pull out all the smiles, discounts, and handshakes they can for your vote, that is..... until the winner is announced.  It's not until afterward though, and when the dust settles, that its back to the less than warm receptions and promises as they were before the votes were counted, as a matter of fact it might remind you of a Etch-A-Sketch campaign.

Oh woes to us I say, just because we have never stuck our foot into this race, and it is not for us being unable to stand our own ground in the tangle for votes, but more due to our low kept profile, modest and well hidden bicycle shop.  Carmichael Cycles is a place where our subdued sign reads simply "BICYCLES" faintly behind the trees in a place of solitude, Yes we do have a definite identity crises going on.  To most cyclists we are simply known as “Carmichael Cycles”, to those who have been with us the longest “Precision Bicycles #2”, and yet we find ourselves still referred as “The Bicycle Shop at 5 points" for those who catch a glimpse of our sign as they walk or ride by.

We have been located on Arden Way in the 5-Points Shopping Center, just up from the American River Trail, at William Pond Park, now for the last 22 years. Being here has always been an ideal location for our shop, it is a shop where conversations and friends meet for their next ride, a place where family's shop and children dream, and it shows by the numbers of people that have come in to buy our bicycles and accessories.

Our two shop mechanics; Steve, a graduate of United Bicycle Institute, and Jim, a graduate of Barnett’s Bicycle Institute, have a combined 40 years of experience in bicycle related issues and repair.  Quality assurance and our ability to work on any style of road, mountain, cruiser, and single speed bike, ensures that we can meet your individual cycling needs; with fast turnaround times on most repairs, and a guarantee that it will be done right.  We also have some of the best rates on bike and wheel builds, tune ups, repairs, and other service related items in the Sacramento area.  As always, air for your tires, directions, information and answers to your bike related questions are, and always will be free.

The KCRA A-LIST is now accepting YOUR vote, and it’s time to VOTE for your favorite Bike Shop in Sacramento!  Vote, vote, vote, we probably will not win, but let’s give those Big City, Dogs, and Cats, a run for the money, and see how many VOTES we can get.  We are “Carmichael Cycles”, So VOTE often, and help give us an identity, and help us to make an impact on the cycling community, by showing how important Customer Service, and Great Prices are too you.  Here is KCRA’s link to be an A-List Voter … http://kcra.cityvoter.com/

BH Bikes Demo at Carmichael Cycles

Carmichael Cycles will be hosting BH Bikes on Sunday April 1^st, from 9:00am-12:00pm for a morning of ride demonstrations of some of the lightest and fastest bikes made.

  The demo fleet is stocked with bike models including the: G5, RC1, Cristal, Prisma, Speedrom, GC Aero and RX1. Whether you're serious with plans to buy a new bike, or just want the chance to ride some of the best bikes in the business. 

 Carmichael Cycles will be taking orders on NEW BH Bikes on the day of the demo along with a 20% down payment, and in return Carmichael Cycles will be offering you a FREE 2 Year Tune-Up Package with your New BH bike purchased here. 

Be sure you bring your shoes, helmet and pedals for your demo ride.  We are located at 5142 Arden Way, Carmichael, Ca, 95608.   For more info on BH Bikes here is the link:  http://www.bhbikes-us.com/

More Clothes, Bikes and a Frame, OH My!!

The Carmichael Cycles

Spring Clearance

SALE

Continues

We have now entered week three of our Spring Sale and not much is left, so as tradition dictates we will just add some more stuff to the sale.

First items of interest is Leon, (our owner) stopped by today with a box of Louie Garneau bibs, and jackets, jerseys from Endura, and Surfas at 50% off, quite a few Campagnolo black arm warmers at $25.00 a pair, and an assortment of $10.00 gloves that are all destined for the Bargain Box.

We still have one 2011 Kestrel RT 1000 frame.

Included with the frame is a Ritchy stem and headset, Shimano BB 7900 bottom bracket, and Carbon seat-post.  This bike was used as a demo and has no damage and vary few miles on it.  This frame is a size 59cm and we are asking $1499.99 as is but we are always open for serious offers, just call us or drop by the shop.  This is Kestrels flagship road frame and is constructed with Kestrel’s 800K Carbon Fiber and the color is Orange and Silver with Carbon Black. NOTE: we have placed this frame on EBay with a reserve of $999.99

The Sale Is On

Carmichael Cycles

is having a 

Spring Clearance Sale

Not only do we have all or winter clothing on Sale at 20-40%, we still have a few 2011 bikes at great prices, like a Fuji SST 2.0 w/Ultegra, in a size 58 on sale now at $1999.99, and for $1299.99 we have a choice of two Fuji Supreme 2.0, one size 44, and the other is a size 47, and we have two Fuji Altamira 3.0 left in sizes 44 and 53 both loaded with Shimano 105 also at $1299.99. 

And The 2012 Fuji Bikes Are Here

Yes! not only have we have been busy here at the shop building all the 2012 bikes that have been arriving from Fuji, and getting them out on the floor for you to ride, but also restocking the racks with spring clothing from Sugoi and Terry in both men and women sizes and styles. Besides the Fuji AltaMira 2.0 with the Di2 that we described in January, we have now received these great Fuji bikes for your riding enjoyment.

The 2012 Fuji Altamira 3.0 with Shimano 105 10 speed and now available with a Oval compact 50/34 crankset and is paired with a Shimano 12-28 ten speed cassette.  The MSRP for this all carbon frame bike is $2529.00, but available from us for $1799.99

The 2012 Fuji Altamira 2.0 is loaded with Shimano Ultegra 10 speed components and a ROTOR 50/34 compact double, Shimano 105 11-28 cassette and with a MSRP of $4059.00, this bike is a great bargain at $2499.99.

Introducing next is the 2012 Fuji SST 3.0, this machine is outfitted with Shimano 105, an Oval 700 50/34 compact crankset, a Shimano 11-28 10 speed cassette with Oval 330 aero alloy clincher wheelset, all set on a lightweight yet stiff full C-4 carbon frame.  This bike is race ready and with a the MSRP at $2829.00 is ready for at $1999.99, plus tax of course.

The 2012 Fuji SST 2.0 with Shimano Ultegra components and the ROTOR standard 53/39 double crankset, all rolling on a Oval 535 clincher wheelset, and Hutchinson Equinox tires, speed is not an issue.  The MSRP is $4059.00 but is your for a song, at a price of $2499.99

Great News !!!

We are now selling yearly Parkway Passes at Carmichael Cycles.  We have partnered with the Parkway foundation as a pass distributor, so all that you have to do is just stop in at the shop and we’ll get you set up with a yearly pass for your car, trailer, boat and kayak.

The Carmichael Cycles Kits have been restocked and are now in the window in full range of both men’s and women’s sizes.  Made by VOLER clothing with our distinct colors standing out not only on the trail but also on the road and mountain circuits as well, letting others know that you like to ride in comfort and style, at a price that is hard to beat.

Jerseys                 $89.00
Shorts                   $89.00
Bib Shorts             $100.00
Wind Vest             $79.00
Thermal Vest        $145.00

And now we have Thermal Arm Warmers for $30.00

Gearing up for spring

During this blustery time of year, most of us take our yard equipment into the maintenance shop so that it will be ready for us in time for spring, but did you know that now is also the best time of year to bring your bike in for its yearly service?  Yes, now is the time to get those bikes out of the shed, and bring them in for a lube, a tune and maybe a new set of tires.

Bicycles are machines, the carry us on our way to work, and out for a day of fun, but bicycles still need to be cared for in the same manner as your mower or car.  Inspection of the frame, chain, wheels, brakes and shifting, should be checked at least once a year by a qualified technician for cracks, wear, and fraying, for your safety and for those around you. 

The chain connects the rear wheel to the pedals and usually has the most wear of all the components involving the drivetrain.  The chain constantly rubs against the cogs and chain-wheels as you pedal on your ride, and if not properly lubricated your chain will wear down quickly, becoming thin and eventually braking under pressure.  Yearly replacement of the chain is common and inexpensive, and will save you money by not having to replace more expensive components later.

The wheels of your bike are not only important for your bike to roll, but are also important for supporting your weight, and the spokes in your wheels need to be inspected for tension and the wheel for “True”, to preform this task. This is easily done by spinning your wheel to see if it moves in a side to side motion as it spins, if there is movement, then the wheel is considered to be out of true and is also probably rubbing on your brakes and adding friction as you ride.  Truing your wheels is done on a “Truing stand”, and takes a short period of time to make the corrections to them.

Your braking system is a lot like your cars, without them you can’t stop.  And proper maintenance is important for your safety.  For most of the brakes on today’s bikes are made up of a system of pads, cables and levers;

1)    Your brake pads are made of a rubber like material that is compressed against the wheel to cause friction and slowing you to a stop.  The pads can become hard and brittle with age, or they can become worn by use and do not have enough surface area to cause the friction needed to slow you properly.

2)    The brake cable is made up of steel wires that move within the cable housing and connects the brake pads and calipers to the brake lever.  The friction between the cable and the housing causes the cable to wear over time and can create rust and fraying of the cable, preventing the brake pads to freely release.

3)    Your brake levers connect your hand to the brake cable and one should be present for each set of brakes.  The levers are supposed to be free of cracks and arrant bends that are caused from being dropped or bumped.

Finally, adjusting your shifting system is like getting a tune up for your car.  The cables that actuate the shifting for the derailleur’s, has the same problems as the brake cables, fraying and rust accumulations in the housing will create a delay in the shifting and cause mis-shifts between gears. These cables should be replaced yearly to prevent more costly repairs by the cable braking inside the shifter.

A smooth and safe bicycle ride will always bring you a smile and a sense of accomplishment. In time, you will find that your smiles will get bigger, your rides longer, and your self esteem and fitness level will grow proportionally.  Getting a professional tune up is not only good for your bike but for you, because you are also a machine.

For the month of February, Carmichael Cycles is offering a discount on our Standard Tune-up which is normally $69.99, and will cover all of the adjustments and more that we discussed (sorry but parts and fitness not included).  Our coupon will be in the Inside Arden publication, found in most the newsstands around the Carmichael-Arden area, or at Inside Arden online.

Bring it on

After a winter spoiled by sunshine and decently warm afternoons, the weather forecasters are now becoming excited about a change in our weather, rain is now expected and it may last for the duration of the winter season, but that does not mean we have to change the amount of weekly riding that we do here in the golden state.

We take a lot for granted here in California, mild winters, lots of sunshine and the lack of snow throughout most of our state, however, we do pay for the privilege of this lifestyle, water rationing, air rationing, and a deteriorating infrastructure.  But fortunately for us who live in this grand state, when the rains do come, all it takes is a well made cycling slicker, and some wool socks to make it all manageable and comfortable enough for us to ride.  In fact as we all have seen, when the rains do not come as expected, we all have to deal with blistering cold temperatures that dip into the thirties, requiring us to layer clothing that can cause one to closely resemble Cartman, so what I am saying  is; “Bring on the rain, I’m ready”.

Riding in the rain is nothing more than a psychological block that can easily be overcome with a little preparedness and good clothing, I mean come on, we don't live in Minnesota, and those folks ride year round.

One - Get yourself a great cycling rain slicker.  Depending on the maker you should expect to pay anywhere from $100.00 to $300.00 for a well made one, look for underarm vent zippers, a water resistant chest pocket and rear pocket, top and bottom pull zippers on the front, and a shoulder blade vent flap.  Colors of Hi-Vis yellow or red with white reflective piping make you easily spotted in wet and dark situations, keeping you safer.  We keep two styles of slicker her at the shop, the Endura slicker at $99.00 and the Sugoi slicker at $180.00.

Two - Never underestimate the power of wool.  Socks made of wool will keep your feet happy and warm and for the most part dry, even with wet shoes.  A base layer made of wool will keep you warm and comfortable as you ride by helping to regulate your body heat while riding.   Of course you can take it a step further by including a wool jersey which will repel a light misting and fog.  Today’s wool products are not those scratchy and itchy garments of the past, Smartwool takes wool to a whole new level of comfort and ease of care.

Wool will cost you about $14.00 for socks from DeFeet, and $40.00 – $60.00 for base layers from Sugoi.  Wool jerseys run anywhere from $120.00 - $180.00 depending which manufacturer you go to but are easily found online for less.

Three – Get some fleece lined bib-tights or pants.  Not only will these garments keep you warm on those sub thirty degree days, they will also keep you warm on wet rides. 

 Most tights repel water that is splashed up from you front tire and on to your shins and keeping your body heat inside where it belongs.  We carry the Sugoi Pro Tights at $110.00 and the Sugoi Mid-Zero Bib-Tights at $140.00, here at Carmichael Cycles.

Yup, I am ready, because riding in the rain is a great way to stay on your bike.  Me? I prefer the wind in my face and the sound of the wheels as I glide into the turn, not the whirr of a trainer that goes nowhere.

Goals are for soccer

The New Year has begun and the time to make those pesky commitments is upon us.  We as humans are notorious for making promises to ourselves that defy our very nature, yet we try to accomplish these feats anyway.  The basis of this promise always seems to revolve around some type of self-improvement or in some cases, organizing our environment, either way with a failure rate of about 90%, it’s probably mentally unhealthy to even try to resolve anything that goes against our vary nature.

Here is a thought. Instead of psychologically impaling our self esteem by doing what we really do not want to do, how about we promise ourselves to do something fun, let’s say … visit the American River Parkway and see why it’s one of the great remaining parks in California, better yet let’s do it while we ride a bike.  The parkway has more than 65 miles of paved trail you can follow as you ride, and with bathrooms, picnic tables and drinking fountains located about every three to four miles; you can spend hours along the Sacramento River and its wonders.

The great thing about the trail is that you can take your time as you visit, there are never any lines to get in, and with every visit the park changes, flowers bloom, grasses grow and leaves change from green to brown, it’s a seasonal thing. Along with the vegetation, so do the critters that inhabit the parkway, the mornings are alive with creatures big and small, you can watch as the deer go from velvet, to antlers, as the year progresses.  In the evenings the owls search for field mice and birds flock to the trees for a nights rest, coyotes hunt as squirrels and rabbits return to their burrows to sleep.

The trail is also full of people, bike-commuters winding their way to work or home, joggers and walkers setting new goals, and cyclists looking for a car free environment.  The trail is a place you can feel safe, hear nature and get healthy in mind, and in body, and isn’t that what we all want, to be better, happier and healthier, to improve ourselves in some way.

We have enough goals in our lives; maybe we just take it a little easier on ourselves and start with a bike, a smile and a ride down a trail.

2012 Is Here and so is Di-2

Happy New Years from Carmichael Cycles!

As the New Year begins, we here at Carmichael Cycles would like to thank all of you for being such great and loyal customers, readers of our blog and all around friends.  As you know we strive to bring you the best service, pricing and inventory in the Carmichael, Ca, and the greater Sacramento area, and this year we plan to bring in even more essentials for all your rides.

We will be closed for the first day of the year to spend it with friends and sports on the tele, but we will return on January, 2ed 2012 at 10:00am, for a normal day of business.

We do have some new arrivals in the shop for you to see and test ride.

We now have the 2012 Fuji Alta Mira Di2 Ultegra quipped bikes in stock and ready to ride.  This bike is loaded with coolness and built on a C4 Carbon frameset with the PIIS BB86, Oval 30 mm Aero Wheelset, and ROTOR 3D+F Crankset with a 34/50 compact double.  Weighing in at a total weight of 18 +/- pounds nothing is given up for total performance.

We also have some 2011 Fuji SL1 Pro Ultegra equipped road bikes that feature a C4 carbon frame and C-4 carbon curved stays and a FSA crankset, for incredibly fast and lightweight performance.

We hope that you all have a safe and wonderful new year. It looks like 2012 is shaping up to be a great and exciting year for all of us, and we hope that all your resolutions come to fruition.



Tis the Season

We would like to wish everyone the Happiest of Holidays wherever you are this Yule season. 

Just a reminder that we will be closing for the holiday on Saturday, December 24^th at 2:00pm and reopen on Monday, December, 26^th at 10:00 am.

The shop kits are in and the bike trail is looking good.

Carmichael Cycles is once again sporting colors after a 10 year hiatus, and we are back with some style and flair.  The shop had its kit unveiling last night to an enthusiastic group enjoying wine and pizza provided by Matteo’s.  The new kits made by Voler Apparel, are now available for purchase at our store located in Carmichael, California, or by contacting of us by email or phone.  For those friends of ours who have relocated, we will gladly ship to any location in the continental U.S. for about $16.00. Here is the link to Voler’s sizing chart to help you decide your fit. http://www.voler.com/help/#HelpSizingCharts .

Because we want to share our kit with everyone we are keeping our prices as reasonable as permitted, but are still a bargain, for these high quality cycling garments.

Jerseys - Race cut or Raglan cut, Women’s or Men’s ….… $89.00
Shorts - Women’s or Men’s …..........................................$89.00
Bib Shorts – Women’s or Men’s ….................................. $100.00
Wind Vests (with pockets) Women's and Men's............ $79.00
Thermal Vest (warm, with pockets) Women’s or Men’s …...$145.00

Of course we will add more accessories, such as jackets, arm and leg warmers, hats and other items as we progress through the initial investment, but let us know what you would like, and we will keep your name on file and do all we to get it for you.
The shop design was put together by our Voler reps, Linda and John Elgart along with Steve, and is a great representative of the shop, simplistic  in design, with a black front, white back and asymmetric stripe, the jersey is easy to identify and appealing to the eye.  Also located on the back of the jersey is our store logo along with the logos of our sponsors which are positioned on the left and rear pockets.  Speaking of our sponsors; “

Matteo’s” is one of two bicycle friendly eateries located in the 5 Points Shopping Center located on Arden Way.  Matt has been a supporter of Sacramento bike culture since opening next door two years ago.  The restaurant sports inside and patio dining where you can enjoy a varied selection of wines, beer on tap and bistro styled foods and pizzas, all while keeping your bike in view and safe.  Here is the link so you can visit their website and find menus and any of their specials.  http://www.pizzamatteo.com   

Our other sponsor “Giro d’Oro Cycling” is a start up cycling Tour Company which caters to cycling enthusiasts and non cycling enthusiasts alike.  For those who are visiting the Sacramento and surrounding communities and foothills, Giro d’Oro offers guided cycling and foot tours to the unexplored roads, trails and historical venues from the San Francisco bay to the Sierras. Debbie, the owner and chief guide of Giro D’oro, ensures that it will always be an adventure that both locals, and visitors, who are looking for something off the normal pedestrian path will find interesting and fun.  For more information on Giro D’oro services just go to their website at http://www.girodorocycling.com .

Remember not to forget about us, if you would like to sign up for our coupons, specials, deals, announcements etc. you can sign up to receive them at the bottom of our home page at our web site at http://www.bicycleproducts.com/

Yes Bobby, there is a bike worth riding.

To often hasty decisions can at times end in total failure, yes, the classic crash and burn, where triumph ends in shattered dreams and the reality of how cruel life can be becomes apparent to all involved.  It’s the frustration of trying to assemble late night bicycles and realizing the one you just purchased is missing a crucial part, yes, it's the agony of seeing Christmas morning tears because the parts did not match up quite right.  I too have become its victim, and from that faithfull day forth I have refused to fall to the depths of hell again all because I believed that all bicycle vendors were the same. 

It’s that awakening or revelation you may say that brought me to where I am today, no, I have not been in the cycling business all my life, I just ended up here because of my passion and my desire to advocate the use of the bicycle.  The independent bicycle shop relies on the community it serves, and without it, it will perish, that is why service is the most important aspect of any small bicycle retailer.  The larger box store can assimilate their lack of service in low prices and high volume merchandising, in other words, service does not matter and neither do you. 

Yes, the independent retailer’s bicycle will cost you more, but there is bigger picture of why that cost is higher. 

1.       Retail space is expensive.   On average, the smaller the retail space, the higher the cost per square foot increases, and although small retail space is not in demand, property owners know that it is huge expense for a small retailer to change its location, and rent increases happen often.  The large retailer actually pays significantly less per square foot and for more space often getting yearly tax credits and deep discounts to maintain large properties that cannot be filled otherwise.

2.       Qualified bike mechanics don’t work for minimum wage.  Most large retailers rely on seasonal workers that are paid as little as possible and are most likely put into positions were they rarely have a working knowledge in the assembly or the maintenance of a bicycle.  The small retailer usually has at least one, and most often two certified mechanics, with years of experience on every type and style of bicycle and component. 

3.       Tools. The instruments used in the bicycle trade are expensive and require more than a pair of pliers and a couple of screwdrivers, although they are also needed.  Most shops carry the burden of the less commonly used tools, the ones that have a hefty cost, but each mechanic maintains a set of tools that cost in excess of $2000.00 a set

4.       Quality not quantity.  Probably the highest costs in buying a new bicycle are the materials and components which make up the whole of the bike.  Low grade steel is commonly used in most of the bikes you find from large retailers, rust, metal fatigue and non-repairable components will cost you in the long run and sooner than you think.  Most small retailers buy bikes from the parent companies they represent, such as Specialized, Giant, Trek, and Fuji, and from children’s bikes to adult bikes and even carbon bikes, these large companies do not want to tarnish their names or reputations  in any way, so every bike that is made with their logo on it is made with strict quality assurances and must be built by a bike shop.

So next time you’re out bicycle shopping, ask yourself; What will this bike truly cost me in the long run?  From my experience here at Carmichael Cycles, it’s the personal service given to each and every customer that comes through the front door, the phone calls that ask if the store can remain open for an extra five or ten minutes due to sticky traffic, so they can pick up their bike for tomorrows ride, the flat tires that are fixed with haste while the rider waits comfortably on the couch.  Don’t get me wrong, this is not a complaint, this is what I love about this industry, it’s the friends I have made, the conversation and the exchange of related information, and its watching people’s lives change, all because of a bicycle bought from the shop down the street.  Thank you for making my job fun. Peace.

Carmichael Cycles.... We are GO!

 We are very proud to announce that today we are launching our new and improved website and we are beyond excited, not for us but for you, yes you.  You now have the power to sit at home and see what we have in stock, on sale and browse through the pages to see what we have to offer you as a customer. We have included new pages so that you can relax and peruse around our pages and see what classes Steve has scheduled, rides with Jim, and musings around with Mike and other patrons from the shop. We have added active links to not only Our Blog, but out EBay outlet, our Facebook page, and our Precession Bicycles on line EBay Store.

http://www.bicycleproducts.com/

In our hollowed pages, you will find a list of the Nutrition supplements such as Hammer, 1st Endurance, and Power Bar Products along with their prices that we carry here in the shop, and soon we will link these pages to their manufacturers to help you make some sense of the more difficult decisions involved in picking out your nutritional needs. In the near future we will also be adding our clothing lines such as Voler, Sugoi, DeFeet and Endura along with the prices of each garment so that you comfortable knowing that you are getting the best prices in Sacramento.

For those who ride with a destination

Being involved with the cycling community is more than just getting out and riding your bike when you have nothing else better to do, it is being involved. The cycling community in Sacramento is well positioned, and loaded with the advantages that promote the use of the bicycle over the use of the car. Sacramento knows that bicycles can be a promotional tool, a tool that keeps us both healthy and reduces our carbon footprint in a world that has gotten out of control from the overuse of the automobile.

With all that said, starting this month we will promote these businesses in our blog and pass it on to a growing culture in the Sacramento area. YES!! Sacramento is now becoming a strong voice in bicycle advocacy. Yes, Sacramento is becoming an integral part in the national cycling culture, and Yes, since Davis, Ca, has decided that to yield more to the culture of the car than the bike in recent years, we will gladly take their spot on the cycling radar.

Cycling and restaurants have always had a great history together. As far back as the beginnings of the Tour D’ France, riders would stop for a bottle of beer, some meats, cheeses and crackers as they rode along the paths of France to victory. This relationship in the towns of Europe still hold true to this day and is one of the genuine pleasures of visiting and cycling in the European Union. In America and with the emergence of the American car culture in the early 1900’s, the relationship between cycling and the small American bistro type restaurants ended as the restaurateurs need to cater to the growing culture of the time, cars ruled the roadway and the death of the American bistro was almost accomplished with the birth of the American drive-thru.

In today’s restaurant landscape nothing has really changed in the last 80 years, with the exception of those few individuals who have the insight that the cycling culture is again on the rise and calling out for the return of the American bistro. These restaurateurs make extra efforts so that cyclist have a place to park and feel comfortable while stopping for breakfast, lunch or dinner. These efforts have become synonymous in the downtown area due to people such as John Boyer and his Edible Pedal delivery service, Rick Mahan owner of One Speed and The Waterboy and many others. It is these symbiotic relationships that are now starting to emerge into the unincorporated regions of Sacramento as well, and is a welcome note to the area.

In our corner of Sacramento, collectively called Carmichael, this opportunity is being created by our location adjacent to one of the best access points along the American River Parkway, the entrance to William Pond Park. Here we have the privilege to be neighbors with two high quality restaurants, Bella Brew, and Matteos Pizza & Bistro.

Matt Woolston, the owner of Matteos is involved in the cycling community not so much for his riding prowlness, although he is an avid cyclist, but in his sense of community and understanding that cycling is good for business. Matt recognizes that like the downtown grid, Carmichael is also a viable cycling destination, and that the businesses that are located in this prime spot, need to be able to accommodate cyclists and their nutritional and cultural needs.

With the help of his wife Yvette, together they have created a sanctuary for the cyclist, with outdoor seating that is located away from the sounds of traffic and a menu that is accepting to the health minded. As a business man, Matt knows that with small investments, such as accommodating bikes and cyclists, the returns will bring in new customers.Matteos offers also indoor seating with plenty of eyesight bicycle parking, great pizza’s and entrees, all made with fresh ingredients. The menu is full of great foods that are healthy and pack the sophistication that cyclist desire. Also, let it be known that Matteos also sports a large array of libations on tap and wines for those with a distinctive pallet and a cyclist’s wallet. Here is a link to Matteos bistro which has their complete menu and wine list.
http://www.pizzamatteo.com/pages/about
As a bonus Matteos is offering to those who ride a bike for the “Ride to Matteos on Mondays” promotion, will receive a $2.00 off on all regularly priced fare of $10.00 or more.
http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/548688/7b9158ac26/ARCHIVE
Remember to Facebook Matteos for more promotions and daily fare specials. http://www.facebook.com/MatteosPizzaBistro?ref=ts&sk=wall
After lunch be sure to stop by and say hello to us at the shop and let us know of other great stops along the Parkway so that we can write about them as well.

Off The Back and Into The Bag

With gasoline prices on the rise, it’s time to air up the tires and dust off the cobwebs so we can ride the bike for those short trips to work, school, and to the grocery store. This more often than not raises the questain, "How shall I get my items to and fro?"  In todays cycling market there are many helpfull ways that address that problem, be it a backpack, basket, rack, panniers or a combination of all.

Backpacks, although inexpensive, can be cumbersome, and on hot days make your back reflect heat back into your body instead of venting it off your back as you ride, making for a sweaty and sticky back. Baskets are fun and act as a catch all for water bottles, clothing, and even a g
bag of groceries; they also come in many assorted sizes and styles for mounting off the back, on the sides of a rack, or for on the handlebars. Racks have a well meaning intention, but fall short, unless accompanied by a set of bags, panniers and even the occasional basket that has been zip tied on top.

This brings us to the topic of today’s blog, “Bags.” The cycling bag market is as varied and as eclectic as the assortment of tires available for cycling, but we are going to focus mainly on Arkel Bags and Panniers, because they are some of the most versatile and durable bags made. Arkel bags are used and sought after by commuters and adventure cyclists alike, owning to Arkel’s use of 100% Cordura, a fabric which is constructed using high tenacity fiber technologies, in construction of all of their bags.

Cordura's Fabric Weave

Arkel bags can be used year round and will easily resist a regular rain for an hour or two before experiencing any sort of seeping, which is more than enough for most cyclists to get to their destination. It is not necessarily a question of the fabric, Cordura is a totally watertight fabric, but stitching means holes in the fabric, and in any case the zippers will eventually leak. If your riding dictates more time spent in the rain, then options like rain covers or dry bags inside the panniers will easily take care of the problem.

Arkel's Slip-over Rain Cover

Arkel bags are also diverse and although most people think of Arkel as touring bag company but they make so much more than that. Arkel’s Urban Series features many deviations from the touring bag such as; the “Bug”, “Messenger”, “Metropolitan” and the “Switchback”. These are convertible pannier/backpacks that can be used for work, school and smaller errands where carrying your bag with you is a must.

The “Shopper HHB”, “Shopper” and the “Utility Basket” panniers are large capacity foldable bags for the daily chores in your life be it going to the farmers market, grocery store or the park for a picnic.  For the commuter, it's the “Briefcase” and the “Laptop”, which are the bags that go the extra mile to protect laptops and everything else they carry.

All of Arkel’s bags are attached and held in place by their Cam-Lock system®, and are where the twin mirror cams firmly grip on the rack tubing when the handle is released. Because of the opposing force of the cams that rotate in opposite directions, the pannier is locked in place and cannot move forward nor backward with outward movement secured by a bungee cord hook attachment.

What we like about Arkel bags is that you are not restricted to having two of the same bags on your bike unless of course you prefer it that way. Mixing and matching Arkel bags to meet your daily needs is what Arkel is about.

At Carmichael Cycles we try to keep a full assortment of Arkel bags in stock and ready for use on your bike, but as all other in demand accessories, we sometimes run a bit low on inventory. If you are looking for a great bag here is Arkel’s web site: http://www.arkel-od.com/ and not only is it designed to help you find the bag you seek, but is full of useful articles for commuters, but adventurers and overnight campers too. If you see the bag that matches your need or use give us a call and see if we have it in stock and if it is not we will order the bag for you saving you freight charges.

Orbea, it’s not just about the bikes

It is already well known that the Orbea brand produces the most beautifully crafted and performance minded bikes in the world, but, did you know that some of those same characteristics carry into Orbea’s helmets?
Orbea’s organically designed helmets include all styles of cycling, be it road, triathlon, or mountain, with equal amounts of impact protection for all. Orbea has introduced three new helmets into their family of eye catching cycling products, the Rune, the Thor, and the Odin, and their design is based on two of the most essential elements of bicycle design: the riders, and state-of-the-art technology. Each helmet is built using a certain number of layers, and a specific material is chosen for each layer according to its features. The more layers there are, the more the surface area of the helmet can be reduced, providing it with better ventilation and a more compact structure.

The Rune has two layers, one polycarbonate and one of EPS (expanded polystyrene foam). The Rune, shortened from Rune stones, were a method of communication which told of the exploits of Scandinavians who participated in expeditions and in voyages abroad. The Rune sells at our shop for $99.99 and is available in White, Black, Blue, Red and Orange.

The Thor has three layers with one being polycarbonate, one layer of EPS and a layer of nylon. The inspiration of the helmet comes from the Nordic god associated with “thunder,” “lightning,” “strength,” and is adorned with a winged helmet. It is these qualities that Orbea wants you to inherit, and why wings have been incorporated in the organic design of this helmet. Priced at $149.99, the Thor incorporates Orbea's breeze channeling technology that will keep cool and safe. Available colors are White, Black, Red, Blue and light Blue.

The Odin has four layers of protection, one of polycarbonate, one of carbon fiber, one of EPS and one of nylon. The name of this chief Nordic god was known as the most knowledgeable of the gods and had a love for wisdom. Keeping it cool while defeating your opponent with large air ports, cool max pads and for $199.99, defeat is not possible.  Available colors are White, Black, Red, Blue, Multicolor (World Champion), and Team Replica.

We have a large selection of colors and sizes here at the shop, so as you browse for your next bike, jersey or accessory, stop by the Orbea helmet tree and see what Orbea helmets have to offer you, and as always, we will be glad to fit you into one.