This past weekend, I had the opportunity to represent Ciclismo Classico at the Rocky Mountain Bicycle Festival in Denver, Colorado. Being from Denver, it was particularly cool to take part in such an event and meet a wide array of people who ride bicycles. The interest amongst those who came to the Ciclismo table was very high for our trips--many people are Ciclismo alumni in the area and many more know about us even though, historically, we haven't had a physical presence in the Denver Metro area.
During this time of year at Ciclismo U.S. headquarters, in marketing we're working tirelessly on getting next year's trips decided upon and our catalog designed and printed. Our sales team is busy working to fit guests into the remaining slots for our fall trips that haven't sold out and they're already taking reservations for 2012. Since we have many trips running concurrently over the summer, we are also busy with general travel questions, lots of paperwork and following up with guests after they've returned home from their trips. Long story short, we're busy so I traveled to Denver solo for the event. We shared tent space with
Timberline Adventures and their company was greatly appreciated. Offering a solid array of domestic bike trips and a solid reputation, we are happy to have a good relationship with Timberline and their help this weekend was greatly appreciated. Shown in the Ciclismo tent is Christy from Timberline.
The bike festival was attended by many innovative vendors and I learned a lot. There are quite a few people doing great things for people via bicycles and it is heartening to see the energy that people put into endeavors that are for the good of mankind. In our segment of the industry, for example, is Assisted Cycling Tours, a non-profit that leads bicycle tours for people with disabilities and their families.
I never knew quite what to think about electric assist bikes. After a test ride of one, I was sold. They call them the "great equalizer" and that is a good way to describe it. It's not like the bike is doing all of the work, it just makes it easier. It's the friendly push from behind when you're working to make it up a hill. The bike I test rode is adequate for 60 miles in the Alps. I can see many more people riding later into life or taking on challenges that they would otherwise be afraid of with the help of these bikes.
Speaking of test bikes, now that all of my trusty bicycles are in Boston, I have to rely on riding bikes I don't own. All of the bikes I've ever had ended up in my life on a suggestion by someone or by some other means than my going to a bicycle shop and going through the list of qualities and deciding which one would be best for me. That being said, I've been happy with all of the bikes I've owned. Maybe I haven't known better, maybe I'm easy to please or maybe I got lucky. In any case, I had to test ride a bike this weekend and it really opened my eyes to a lot.
I rang Adam (I'd met him at the Wheatridge Cyclery festa Ciclismo Classico hosted back in March) and told him that I needed a bike for the weekend. He hooked me up with a Trek Madone 5.2 in the right size.
Wheatridge Cyclery and I go way back to about seven years ago when they had a women's only bike night and ride--their inaugural year for this event which has since grown to be huge. At that event, I ended up meeting a woman who became one of my best friends. Wheatridge does a lot for the riding community and I'm pleased to have gotten a chance to get to know some of the terrific individuals who work there.
One of the things I appreciate about Wheatridge Cyclery is that they are really into bikes: they know what they're talking about from experience and their employees have longevity. They also carry a wide variety. Not common in the bike retail business. Their test bike fleet is new for every season so this bike was not your typical beater rental bike.
I used to think all carbon-fiber frames were made about the same and the ride quality would be similar. The stiffness of the Madone, yet handleability made me see differently. I've spent thousands of hard miles riding a competing carbon frame by a major manufacturer and I could feel a significant difference between them. The point of this story is not to encourage you to buy one type of bike or another but to emphasize the importance of test riding bikes. Don't go for a spin in the parking lot, though, take each one for a real ride. Hills, mountains, flats, descents, sprints, you name it.
By joining in the Denver Century ride (a ride that drew well over 1,200 entrants), the bike got the test it deserved. I can vividly remember how it reacted on the road (particularly how it climbed up Lookout Mountain with ease) and now I'm anxious to test the next bike. At the moment, I'm riding a well-crafted steel bike and I like steel a lot. The comfort of the ride is outstanding, though there is a trade-off in weight. By the end of my test-riding extravaganza, I will choose a new bike to buy. It will need to offer the best ride (I need to be happy after doing a century on it) without being so heavy I get dropped by my riding partners. It will also need to be distinctly mine, somehow. Cost will not be a concern: when I choose the bike that is right, it will be worth saving for and then when I can get it, it'll be a ride I can appreciate all that much more. Like anything in life, a good bike is worth the wait (so long as there's another to ride in the interim).
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello during the weekend and for our super alumni (Stacy, left and Sally, right) who came by to visit, reminisce about their trips and offer suggestions to others who are interested in doing their first trip with Ciclismo.
