Nigel, Mike, Kevin & Karl at Sky Londa after heading up 84
You might have noticed there were no photos in today’s ride report, a rarity. That’s because I’m finally coming up with a workable solution for shooting video on our rides, using the Contour HD camera. The problem had been the mounting system; until recently, they only had a helmet mount (probably better for off-road use, as head movements can be distracting) and a bike mount for small-diameter bars. They finally came out with a mount for oversized (which are now the norm) road bars, and I took it for its first test this morning.
Two bike computers and a video camera. Isn't that standard equipment these days?
Still a few bugs in the system; the way I had it set up, it would sometimes hit my left leg when standing, which caused me to knock it out of place a couple of times (not to mention mess with my climbing!). I finally stopped 2/3rds of the way through the ride and re-oriented it to have its body more inward than outward, which did the trick.
No videos to show yet, just the shot at the top of this post, done from a print screen. It’s going to take a while to get the image stabilized and learn how to use Adobe Premiere, but I’ll get there.
#1:A new bike will ride better than what you’re riding. Or what your buddies might be riding now. I’ve got a top-of-the-line road bike from 2003, and a 2010 TREK Madone 6-series. I am faster, more comfortable and more confident on my new Madone. The difference is more than even I expected it to be.
#2:There may never be a better time to buy one! People ask “When will this bike go on sale?” The answer is today. We’ve got hundreds of TREK bikes on sale, including every single 2010 & earlier model, with additional savings tacked on for this week only. You don’t have to compromise with a lesser brand or a shop that doesn’t offer the care & pride & 30 years of the same owner/management that Chain Reaction does. If you want a new bike (and who doesn’t?) this is the time, and Chain Reaction is the place!
Winter days like this shouldn't be missed!
#3: Be ready for that unexpectedly-great day to ride! Winter in California means great days to ride! Look at the picture on the right; that’s from a ride I did with my son last week.
When people think it’s going to be gray and wet (like it is right now while I’m writing this), a great day is right around the corner. Even in a “wet” year we have more nice days than bad. You’ll miss a lot of great rides if you wait until Spring.
#4: Bikes are one of the few things you can buy that make you better looking, healthier and live longer. Cars, video games, big-screen TVs… don’t think so!
#5: Biking is forever. We’ve got a customer who’s 87 years old and still rides 130 miles/week. I asked him how he does it, what’s his secret. Simple, he said. Just don’t stop. Keep on riding and you’ll remain active, and maybe you’ll be putting your kids in the retirement home, not the other way around.
Yes, it’s totally self-serving of me to say all this, because putting people on bikes, and acting like it’s still “our” bike long after we’ve sold it, is how my brother Steve and I have kept a roof over our heads and put our kids through school these past 30 years.
We believe in cycling. We believe it can make a difference in your life, and even make the world a bit better place. This week, make it a Bike for Christmas. Just like it was 40, OK 50 years ago for some of us, when we woke up and saw that bike under the tree that Santa brought. –Mike Jacoubowsky, partner, Chain Reaction Bicycles
Mike & Steve Jacoubowsky & Joey & Manny & Andrew & Greg & Karen & Ed & Kevin & Becky & Danny & Patrick & Burt & Todd & Charlie & Don & Roger & Tom & Chris & Ron & Richard & Jesus & Adam & Stephen & Frank & Jim & Amy & Adam & Andy all wish you a great holiday season and a lifetime of fun riding!
