Issue 145: Early Fall 2017

Prologue

As we move into the fall season, we bring you another issue brimming with information to help you make the most of your time riding bicycles, wherever you may be. The summer heat has ticked down a bit, kids are back in school, who’s ready for a weekend getaway? A visit to a new place to explore? Look no further than these pages for your inspiration.

The fall is a popular time for cyclocross, across the United States. Here in our neck of the woods, we have a packed season of races with the SoCalCross Series (see cover). This year, SoCalCross has scheduled their ‘Happy Hour’ workshops before the season starts. With cyclocross serving as the most beginner-friendly form of bike racing available, maybe this is the year to give it a try?

In the same spirit of new experiences, you may find triathlons are something you’d like to try. The founder of California Triathlon, Thom Richmond, reminds us in this issue that one of the biggest expenses of triathlons is the bike and we’ve already got that one covered. His organization provides a panalopy of benefits for the aspiring triathlete, and they have chapters across the US. Best part? Membership is free. And if that doesn’t inspire you to buy a swim cap and running shoes, you must relive the excitement from the 1989 Kona Triathlon with a Last Page from Richard Duquette. It’s one of those classic nail biter finishes with really tough competition, one of the reasons it’s referred to as the “Iron War”. Also from Richard Duquette, a comprehensive guide for if and when you encounter a police officer while riding – we’ll thank Richard for this one for a long time.

The regular Bike Coach, Rick Schultz, knows a thing or two about traveling and touring so he compiled a list of considerations when you’re renting a bike on tour or vacation, with a focus on the fit. In fact, if you’re heading towards Tucson, Arizona anytime soon, you might want to take that vacation bike out for a fast one with club riders at Fairwheel Bikes for the weekly ‘Tuesday’ ride. John Woodson reports back as he rolls through another club ride in the USA, a great chance to make lifelong friends and competitors.

Back to basics, Carl Lawton brings you the low-down on Protected Bike Lanes, the latest in bicycle infrastructure. Is it the gift bicyclists have been waiting for? It’s complicated.

Victor Prestinary spent some time in Colorado and made a stop at this years Outerbike, an outdoor festival in Crested Butte, Colorado. We have his report on the Why Cycles S7, the Otso Warakin and the Proudfoot Proudfat. I’m not sure what looks better, the bikes or the backdrop. Check them out on page 8 and you be the judge.

Speaking of Outerbike, two other unrelated and unaffiliated (but similarly named) bicycle shows, EuroBike and Interbike are providing insight into what we can expect to find in bike shops in 2018. Our BICYCLIST Provisions Matrix(BPM) on page 6 will give you the quick skinny on what everyones talking about this year. Bob Becker also provides a peak ‘Behind the Curtain’ with a run-down of brands expected to release exciting products.

We didn’t forget about our SoCal roadies and we’ve got two road rides for your consideration. The Huasna Hill climb is featured as the KOM/QOM for this year’s Central Coast Classique, Professional road cyclist Alexi Grewal (see Issue #136) once trained on. ‘The Route’ profiles Finish the Ride’s 62 mile route in Santa Clarita, an approachable ride for an energetic novice with the right amount of support – a very doable endeavor. Both the Central Coast Classique and Finish the Ride support great charities and also provide excellent events with safe riding amongst like-minded bicyclists.

See you on the route. Stay Safe. Peace.

Chris Reynolds | Editorial Director