Olympia Cycle & Ski

Arrowhead 135 is almost upon "us" - updated

2012-01-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

Update: Beginning Monday morning we'll try to embed Lindsay's tracking info so you can follow him as he embarks on this year's Arrowhead adventure. We'll also post updates as they become available.

Also, click on the OCC link near the top right column on this page to check out updates from one of the support crew - we're hopeful to see blog update and pics as the race progresses.

And lastly also, you can catch up on exactly what the Arrowhead experience is by reading Lindsay's report from last year, here.

You can look further below for a link directly to the Arrowhead site, or what the heck, just click here).

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Well, the title is a bit misleading because "us" is certainly not referring to the guy typing this, though I'll be cheering the participants on in spirit, and so can you....just surf over to the Arrowhead site here.

What the heck is the Arrowhead 135 you ask? It's a similar but slightly dumber idea than Actif Epica. We kid. Check out their site for all the answers - your reaction will either be "cool", or "how stupid", or some combination of both. Regardless, we wish the best of luck to Al Dixon, Dallas Sigurder, Hal Loewen, Ian Hall, and Lindsay Gauld who are all affiliated with the shop and will surely represent us well, and to everyone else from Manitoba, Canada, and beyond for being up to the challenge!

Racing starts Monday morning, and ends many, many hours after that.

Ski Grip Wax

2012-01-25T16:01:00.001-08:00

Well when the photo was taken of the wax pictured above earlier in the week it actually felt like winter outside. Not so much as this is posted. By the time you read this who knows?...

Regardless, we have whatever you require to get your skis out on the local trails. We stock grip wax for any temperature, and we offer the inexpensive stuff for everyday use or the super high quality stuff if you're racing or just inclined towards the best.

Of course we also have glide wax and, as might be most appropriate at the moment, clister. Whatever you require you can set yourself up by stopping by anytime.

Rolling a Fatty

2012-01-24T18:30:00.000-08:00

Rolling a Fatty for adventure - Actif Epic makes the Metro: Read all about it here.

More Toques

2012-01-24T08:44:00.001-08:00

We have more toques in! It's not like we were running low but we still thought it was worth pointing out that we have a large variety in stock in simple and complex print designs, and in synthetic and wool weaves.

You can never have too many! Seriously. Toques are to Winnipegers what shoes are to Carrie Bradshaw. Except way more practical and less costly.

Used Bike Update

2012-01-23T10:27:00.001-08:00

It's time for a used bike update:

First of all, we should highlight this smoking good deal on a XL Niner Air Nine. The frame is actually brand new (it was a warranty replacement) and it's been built up with choice used bits like XO drivetrain with FSA K Force Light crank, Juicy Ultimate brakes, Thomson post and stem, and much more. At $3000 this is an almost unthinkable deal for an absolutely no compromise racing hard tail. Feel free to check it or any of the other used bikes in stock today, but remember that our used stuff are always one off deals. For more info on specs call or come down any time.

Trek 9.9. $1500
Giant Cadex mtn bike, $400
Cannondale Quick 3, $800
Redline D660, $2000
Giant Sedona, $275
Specialized Transition, $950
Focus Black Raider, $2000
Oryx kids bike, $110
Norco kids bike, $95
Trek Carbon EX, $2800
Giant Two to One, $599
Raleigh 3 speed, $150
Élan 3 speed, $150
Niner EMD, $1200
Niner Air 9, $2800
Giant ATX, $350

Mountain Hard Wear Parkas

2012-01-23T08:08:00.001-08:00

If you're having trouble day to day knowing if it's going to be -5 or -35 C outside you're not alone. While we can't help you with the weather forecast we can help you dress for whatever the weather ends up being by offering you a good selection of outerwear from Mountain Hard Wear, like the Hunker Down Parka pictured above.

This parka is exceptionally warm for its weight, but amazingly it can also be used in warmer winter temperatures without causing you to overheat. We can attest first hand to using this jacket in -30 temps with nothing but a short sleeved shirt underneath and also using it in -5 temps with a sweater underneath, and in both instances we were cosy but not too warm. Whatever they're doing at Mountain Hard Wear they're doing it exceptionally well.

Feel free to check out this, plus many other, jacket and parka choices available in the shop now.

Ski Race Season has finally begun!

2012-01-19T10:03:00.000-08:00

For a while there we began to wonder if it would ever feel like winter in Winnipeg again (foolish us!). Withe temperatures dropping and a bit of snow finally sticking to the ground the Windsor Park Nordic Ski Centre is finally operating in full swing. You may just want to drop in for some recreational skiing on a great course conveniently well within city limits, but you might also consider the video invitation below to try out of a bit of racing...

Clown Shoe Rims

2012-01-18T12:41:00.000-08:00

Okay, we've made of a lot of fat bike related posts on here recently, so we're declaring a week long moratorium* of sorts...after this post.

It all started a few years ago with the 65mm Large Marge rim (the fat bike craze, not these posts), and the stakes were raised more recently with Darryl 80mm rims. Now Surly has come out with the outrageously wide 100mm Clown Shoe rims. These are the rims that come stock on the new Moonlander.

If you have an existing fat bike (if you got one from us you're likely riding a Pugsley or a Mukluk) and you don't want to spring for a whole new ride just to accommodate the larger rims you may be able to use them with your existing bike.

First the bad news: They will not work in the rear end of a Pugsley because the seat stays just aren't far enough apart. Well, that may not be entirely true if you wanted to run the Clown Shoes with something smaller than a Big Fat Larry (like, say, an Endomorph or a Nate), but you'd still have a problem because the Pugsley rear end is offset. Yes, the Clown Shoe is drilled to be laced offset as well, but to a different dimension than the Pugsley (16mm vs. 24mm, or something like that) so you're just out of luck there.

Up front you could accommodate the Clown Shoes on a Pugsley by setting the bike up with a Moonlander fork. That fork is centred (ie. non-offset) and the Clown Shoe rims are drilled to also be laced without a dish, so that set up will work fine, and will accommodate any tire you'd like.

Compatibility with the Mukluk is more of a guess to us at this point. It looks like the stock Mukluk front fork should be able to accommodate the larger width of a Clown Shoe rim and a Big Fat Larry (the widest overall combo available at the moment), and because the Mukluk fork is not offset it is compatible with the Clown Shoe in that regard, but until we build a wheel like that up for the Mukluk we won't know for sure. Yes, we could take some width measurements but we never trust exactly how the tire is going to seat on the rim, what rim and tube flex will do when the bike is actually ridden, and how much gunk will stick to the tires and be a problem clearing the frame or fork even if the rubber technically fits. Of course even if the Mukluk's front end doesn't accommodate the larger rim and largest tire (and we think it might) you can always stick a Moonlander fork on the from to work with the larger wheel combo just like we suggested for the Pugsley above.

We can say without a doubt that the Clown Shoe will work in the Mukluk fork with a 3.7 inch wide tire such as a Larry or Nate because (and follow this closely) a Clown Shoe with a 3.7 inch wide tire is very close to the same net maximum width as an 80mm rim (such as the stock Darryl) with a 4.7 inch tire (such as the Big Fat Larry), and we've run a Darryl/Big Fat Larry combo up front on a Mukluk with no problem. Why would you want to run a Clown Show and Larry instead of a Darryl and a Big Fat Larry if the net width is pretty much the same? Because with a wider rim width the tire sits differently and with low pressure it provides more traction because it flattens out more, even though it clears the fork with pretty much the same width. This is especially applicable if you want to run Nates or Black Floyds, which only come in a 3.7 or so width (as opposed to the Larry / Big Fat Larry, where you have the option of two tire widths with the same tread pattern). The only way to effectively make the Nates or Black Floyds 'wider' is to increase the rim width.

Finally, it looks like there's a chance the Clown Show / Big Fat Larry combo will even fit in the rear of the Mukluk (the larger rim with a Larry or other 3.7 inch tire will fit for sure), and this is helped by the non-offset nature of the rear of the Mukluk (compared with the Puglsey) BUT for some not satisfactorily answered reason the Mukluk actually comes stock with minor chain rub issues which will only be emphasized with a larger rim, tire, or both, so think about that before you decide to beef up the rear. There are ways to compensate, but you'll want to talk to us or do your own research first.

So there you have it, sort of. Hope it's more helpful than it is confusing.

*the moratorium will last a full week unless something new fat bike related unexpectedly shows up in the shop before then.

Nate - Knobby Fat Bike Tire

2012-01-17T08:13:00.000-08:00

As fat bikes have figuratively found traction in the local market more tire options are slowly being produced, and the latest rubber iteration from Surly finally finds literal traction!

For the last while the 'standard' fat bike tire set up has arguable been a Larry (or now the Big Fat Larry) up front and an Endomorph in the rear. This is a great set up for many conditions, especially the intended primary purpose of fat bikes, which is to float over snow, sand, and other soft or uneven surfaces that narrower mountain bike tires struggle with. They don't however excel when you hit slick or loose uphill or off camber sections - they just don't have enough tread to grip well in those conditions. That's not a shortcoming per se, it's a purpose built design that isn't perfectly applicable to every condition.

So, what if you find yourself riding your fat bike more like a traditional mountain bike and less as a point and shoot machine for flat patches of snow and sand? You buy a Nate, that's what. We recently brought in a few and they have received rave reviews from those we sold them too. Rather than trying to recap what we've been told, and what we've found elsewhere online, below is a link to a great write up by some dude unaffiliated with our shop. Check it out, and think about picking up a Nate or two for yourself.

Dear Nate, I love you...

Used Bike Update

2012-01-16T10:30:00.001-08:00

Looking for an inexpensive but professionally looked over kids bike? From time to time we have exactly that sort of thing in stock, usually taken in on trade. Pictured above is a 20 inch (wheel size) Norco ZX-80 in good shape for $95. It's a single speed and has both a coaster and hand rear brake.

Check out a listing of our other used bikes below, and as always for more details feel free to give the shop a call at 888-4586 or come on down. Our used bikes are obviously one-off deals so once they're gone they're gone.

Trek 9.9 $1500
Giant Cadex mtn bike $400
Cannondale Quick 3 $800
Redline D660 specially spec'd with choice components $2000
Giant Sedona $275
Trek 2300 $750
Specialized Transition $950
Focus Black Raider $2000 ridden twice
Oryx kids bike $110
Niner Air 9 $3000 new frame
Trek OCLV EX $2800
Giant Boulder SE price TBD
Giant XTC two x one $599
Raleigh 3 speed $150
Niner EMD $1200
CCM 3 speed $150
Niner Air 9 $2800
Giant ATX 780 $350

Moonlander - The Sort of Review

2012-01-13T13:22:00.000-08:00

Well we finally have some pics of the new Surly Moonlander actually built up and inside the shop! It is truly a sight to behold. For those of you who have visited this site recently you're already well aware that fat bikes have really become a force to recon with this year. They are still, and maybe always will be something of a niche bike, but a purpose built winter bike might cater to a big niche in this part of the world.

We've already posted at length about the Surly Pugsley and the Salsa Mukluk, so we won't belabour their winter biking attributes further here, and instead leave you with a few pictures of the even wider tired Moonlander.

The big (literally) thing about the Moonlander is that it can fit, without any modifications, the new 100mm wide Clownshoe rim wearing the Big Fat Larry 4"+ tire. Previous fat bike incarnations can, with some minor modifications, fit a Big Fat Larry on an 80mm wide rim at best. So, it goes without saying that the Moonlander accommodates the widest tread yet (though I guess we just said it, didn't we?)

That much we knew before the bike arrived. What we didn't know was just how gorgeous the paint job was going to me. Pictures don't do the bike justice, so come down to the shop to gaze at it while you have a chance. We have just 1 for sale at the moment; an 18" (medium), and the cost is $2900. If you absolutely can't make it down to the shop to check it out and least take a look at the pics below, though it really is better in person.

Moonlanders have landed!

2012-01-11T07:28:00.000-08:00

Yes, that's a picture of the new Surly Moonlander. No, it's not a photo taken of product we have in the shop....but WE DO NOW HAVE MOONLADERS IN THE SHOP!

Well, before we get too carried away we have a whopping 2 Moonlanders in house, and 1 of them is spoken for. The other possibly up for grabs one is an 18".

Yours truly isn't in the shop at the moment (I was notified as soon as they arrived through the wonders of modern technology) but I'll get my butt in there sometime today and take some pics - more to be posted soon....

Pepsi Challenge Ski Race

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a relatively short road trip to a ski race later this month then check out the 28th annual Pepsi Challenge. It looks like a well organized event that should prove to be loads of fun. Check out more details by visiting the race site here.

That's gold Jerry! Gold!

2012-01-10T04:51:00.000-08:00

This happened to come into the shop while our camera was out and we were pretty much morally obligated to take a picture of it and post it here.

Yes, it's a gold coloured Chris King rear hub, and if it's possible it's even better looking in real life. This particular hub was ordered in for an employee but that doesn't mean we can't get one for you too :).

In the mean time you can bask in its goldness in front of your computer screen.

Rollers

2012-01-09T06:59:00.001-08:00

If you're getting bored of your indoor trainer already (and let's be honest, there are more exciting things to do than riding on an indoor trainer, no matter how good it is for you) why not try out some new rollers?

For just $240 you can really change up your indoor training routine. Rollers require you to balance the whole time you're pedaling and definitely break thru the monotony of a regular resistance trainer.

Rollers also take up very little room and can be shoved under a bed or other furniture with ease, or be left unobtrusively in the corner of a room.

So, unless you have vertigo there are really no excuses :).

Trek Bikes 30% off!

2012-01-06T14:10:00.001-08:00

All IN STOCK Trek bikes are now 30% off their regular price! We don't want to give away the entire bike shop business model but it's probably okay to let you know that there isn't really that much mark up on bikes, so 30% off is a pretty big deal!

Of course when the in-stock Trek's are gone, they're gone, so check 'em out today!

Paul Front Hub

2012-01-06T13:53:00.001-08:00

Pictured above is one of the nicest front hubs money can buy, and at $212 it certainly isn't the cheapest but compared to some other high end hubs (say Chris King for instance - not that we're knocking Chris King) it's a pretty good deal for one of the best names on the market.

It employs a simple, elegant design and uses an Allan key to tighten instead of a traditional skewer. It should be obvious from the picture that it's disc ready, but it should also be noted that it's 32 hole (it's also available in 36 hole, which we can certainly order but don't happen to have in stock).

If you're building up a new front wheel this just might be the perfect hub for your project so we thought you should know we have one in stock!

Banff Mountain Film Festival

2012-01-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again!...the Banff Mountain Film Festival is coming to town Saturday, January 21 at 7:00 pm. Tickets for $15 each are available here at the shop so come and get 'em while they last.

As usual, if the full show is even half as good as the trailer we're in for a real treat:

Used Bikes

2012-01-03T12:42:00.001-08:00

Here's the 1st used bike round up of the new year. As always if you have any questions or want more details on the bikes give us a shout at 888-4586 or better yet come on down to the shop.

Used bikes in stock at the time of this posting:

Trek 9.9 carbon $1500
Cadex mtn bike $400
Cannondale Quick 3 $800
Redline D660 $2000
Giant Sedona $275
Trek 2300 $750
Specialized Transition $950
Focus Black Raider $2000
Norco kids bike $95
Oryx kids bike $110
Miner Air 9 $3000
Trek Carbon EX $2800
Niner EMD $1200
Giant XTC $599
Raleigh 3 speed $150
CCM 3 speed $150

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T05:44:00.000-08:00

Well that's a wrap on another great year! We're looking forward to helping you with all your biking and skiing needs in 2012. The snow and ski season is bound to hit in earnest soon, and the next summer bike season is going to be here before we know it (not that you can't continue to enjoy all that winter biking has to offer right now). Whatever your bike and ski passion we've got you covered year 'round!

Torker Unicycle

2011-12-30T13:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, we know that the picture above is sideways. It fits better on the page that way, and that's usually the position you'll see it in when we're attempting to ride it (or at least that goes for the guy typing this).

Unicycles have kind of come back into vogue in the last few years, and we're trying to keep a few styles in stock but we ran out for a little bit. We've had a recent shipment of them come in though, so we now have the 20" model you see here for $150, and a 26" model for a bit more.

We can't think of a better New Year's resolution than to learn how to ride one of these things. It's certainly a better resolution than giving up chocolate. If you ride one of these you can probably eat more chocolate guilt free.

Boxing Week Sale continues

2011-12-29T07:46:00.001-08:00

Just a reminder that there are still some good specials to be had as our Boxing Week sale continues, like deals on snowshoes, mitts and gloves, and winter outerwear (check out the posters below for details).

Most bikes are discounted right now too, so it's definitely worth the visit.

Chris King Headset

2011-12-28T13:16:00.000-08:00

We know that we've featured the Chris King headset on this site before, but it's just past Christmas and we were wondering if you didn't quite get everything on your list, or maybe you got a bit of Christmas money and are thinking about where to spend it.

There's really no better way to treat yourself than to swap up your current headset with a Chris King. Nothing looks nicer, lasts longer, or feels better. Sometimes it's nice to have the best, and that's just what this is.

We happen to have one in black as pictured above and another in red in stock now. We're happy to pop out your current headset and stick this one on in minutes.

Oh, as for price, you know how the saying goes, "If you have to ask..." (It's in the $200 range - the best doesn't come cheap :))

Klister

2011-12-27T04:23:00.000-08:00

Seeing as it's not really getting much colder out there right now (though we're sure it will come sometime), and we have precious little snow, it's probably worth noting that we have a good supply of klister in stock.

As you might know, when the ice crystals that form snow aren't very hard (for lack of a more technical term) conventional grip wax doesn't always do a great job of grabbing hold of the crystals, which results in you slipping instead of pushing yourself forward on your skis. Klister is designed to be grippier in these conditions (again, without getting too technical) and allows you to keep skiing even when it's unseasonably warm, assuming there's at least a little snow on the ground.

Applying klister requires a different technique than applying regular grip wax, and we might post a word about that down the road. For now if you're unfamiliar with how to apply the klister yourself ask one of us to prep your skis for your and we'll be happy to help and get you out on the trails.

2011-12-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and we look forward to helping with your ski and bike needs in the New Year.

Boot Buddy

2011-12-24T01:26:00.000-08:00

Looking for a very last minute stocking stuffer for a skier? We have the answer - the Boot Buddy! Corny name aside if you or someone you know has boots that are compatible with pilot bindings these little guys are a great little purchase.

The boots we sell are great on the trails once you're clipped into the skis, but when you walk in them from the car to the trail you're bound to scrape the toes along the grit and grim that's ever present on Winnipeg winter streets, and that erodes the plastic on the front of the boot right where one of the two bindings on a pilot system is located. With excessive scraping that pin is actually in danger of getting loose, and the whole boot is pretty much rendered useless then.

The Boot Buddy simply snaps into place under and in front of your two pins, protecting them from your dragging feat and providing you with more traction in the process.

They're just $15 a pair and come in a variety of colours, if it makes a difference. Regardless of colour these things do what they were meant to do, and are a simple solution to what could turn out to be a costly problem.

Bar Mitts (Pogies)

2011-12-23T04:36:00.000-08:00

These are pretty much what they say they are, though around these parts they're more commonly referred to as Bike Pogies. For those who are unfamiliar they're used either to add an extra layer of warmth to your existing set up (we assume you already have warm gloves or mitts for winter cycling) or they can be used in place of warm gloves in milder temperatures. Instead you can wear 'regular' bike gloves underneath and therefore have a better grip on your bars and better access to your brake and shift levers, because the pogies fit overtop of the bar and levers themselves, creating a nice little pouch for your hands.

They're also really nice to use with small gloves because you can easily take your hands out of the pogies and with just a small glove remaining it's easier to fiddle with buckles, zippers, find loose change, fasten your lock, etc.

These pogies are made to work with either drop bars or flat bars, so they should work with just about any set up. If you're not sure if they'll work for you bring your bike down to the shop and we'll see if they fit. Worst case scenario, it's an excuse to ride down to the shop. Best case scenario, you buy them and they end up saving your fingers from falling off in our notoriously cold winter - don't be fooled, it's coming :)

Studded Big Kahuna's

2011-12-21T15:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we featured studs that we can use to build up your choice of 'ice' tires and suggested that today we'd feature som pre-studded tires, but first we'll feature a set of tires we've put together with the aforementioned studs.

The Big Kahuna tires pictured above are one of our favourite for stud modifications. The knobbies are big enough to easily accommodate the studs, and the placement is perfect. We have a few sets of these 'built' and ready to go out the door anytime, and as mentioned we have other pre-fab studded tires in stock as well, so no matter your specific needs we should have you covered.

Studs

2011-12-20T08:46:00.000-08:00

No, we're not talking about ourselves (though we could be :) ). We have a big jar 'o studs in the back of the shop that we use to build up studded winter tires for better traction on ice. They don't work with every kind of tire (more than anything we need reasonably sized knobbies to screw the studs into) but we'll do our best to build the right tire for you.

We have a few pre made for you to take a look at, and of course we also have prefab studded tires from a few of the manufacturers out there that make them (more about that in the next posting).

Whatever flavour you choose now is a great time for studs. With the warmer temps and lack of snowfall the precipitation we have received has mostly turned into a nice layer of slick ice on the trails and side roads. Not fun. Well, it's all fun but the falling.

GoPro Hero2's are here!

2011-12-15T09:28:00.000-08:00

There's a pretty good chance that after watching this video you're gonna want to buy a GoPro Hero2 camera. Good for you we now have them in stock for $350. The video clarity really is as good as you see in the clips above (be sure to view in 1080p) - your illustrious webguy already has a Hero2 and can attest to the quality 1st hand.

Of course the action you shoot is up to you, so get a camera, mount it to your bike (or helmet, or boat, or parachute, or whatever) and get out there!

Please note that the camera requires an SD card, not included, but everything else is provided to get you out the door and filming right away. Oh, it's worth noting that video editing software is also not provided, but many computers come with competent video editing packages built in, and if you don't have anything you can buy some decent software for $50 - $100. We've used Pinnacle for PC (starts at just $50 for the basic edition) and iMovie for Mac (comes free with newer Mac's) and found both to have ample features and be pretty intuitive to use. You can of course purchase more upscale "pro" software for more bucks to get all the features.

What's the difference between the Hero2 and the Hero that we previously stocked? The biggest differences in our opinion are:

1) You can now shoot video in super wide angle (170 degrees) in 1080p (formerly you could only shoot 170 degrees in 720p).

2) You can take up to 10 photos in 1 second, and in up to 11 MP (formerly you could shoot a max of 3 photos per second in up to 5 MP)

3) Better low light image quality (e.g. shooting indoors or inside looking out)

4) GoPro is soon to release a wireless remote control and an add-on that will enable live, wireless video streaming via WiFi thru your smartphone to, well, to wherever you want! That's right, you can be swimming with the dolphins and your friends can jealously watch you from their office cubicles (assuming the dolphins are swimming near cellular service).

There are a few other differences between the last generation and this one but we think these are the big ones. For all the info on specs, accessories, and lots of cool videos go to GoPro's site. Or skip that and just come to the shop and grab the hardware for yourself!

Actif Epica Winter Riding and Event Info Session

2011-12-14T06:34:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that tonight (Wednesday, December 14) is the Actif Epica winter riding and event info session at the shop.

The evening's schedule is below. If you cannot make it to the shop the interweb rumour is that it will be live-tweeted. To join via twitter, or to get further info or updates, surf on over to www.actifepi.ca or the olympia club site

7:00 – Introductions from Ian Hall, Actif Epica coordinator
7:10 – Ernie Whelan* – Cold weather safety/survival
7:40 – Hal Loewen – bike prep and clothing/gear advice (cables, freehub body, big boots, pogies, test all your stuff, etc.)
8:00 – Lindsay Gauld – mental toughness and mental preparation (tales from Ukatak and more)
8:15 – Q&A

If you cannot make it in person you can tweet your questions @actifepica.

Coloured Rolling Darryl's

2011-12-13T05:48:00.000-08:00

Yup, you read (and you see) that right!...we have coloured Rolling Darryl's in stock now, just in time for Christmas. How appropriate that they come in green, red, and white. They cost the same as 'regular' black Rolling Darryl's ($210 per rim), and oh my are they pretty. Your fat bike will never the same.

As with the regular Darryl's these are drilled to be laced up either as a non-dished or an offset wheel, so they'll work with your Pugsley or your Mukluk, or any of the other fat bikes out there.

We'd be happy to build you up a new wheel set - just name the colour.

Riding Mountain National Park conditions update

2011-12-13T05:25:00.000-08:00

As is their custom, our friends at Riding Mountain National Park have begun emails us their winter activity updates, including mention of ski and snowshoe conditions in the park and much more. Read below...

Hello from Riding Mountain National Park,

We invite you and your family to join park interpreters and Friends of
Riding Mountain for unparalleled winter experiences in RMNP! Relax with
your family around a warm campfire after a snowshoe walk through the forest
looking for evidence of winter wildlife. Choose from many unique
experiences. (see schedule)

Don’t forget
-The Skating Park and Snow Hill – Day or night, this beautifully lit
skating rink and trail through the forest is located behind the Visitor
Centre. There is an on-site warming shelter with wood stove, picnic tables
and heated washroom open year round.

- Cross-country skiing – With over 200 km of packed and groomed
cross-country ski trail, there are many options for everyone. Warming
shelters are located at Whirlpool Lake; along Lake Katherine, Crawford
Creek, Moon Lake and Grey Owl trails

- Snowshoeing in RMNP is truly amazing! The beauty lies in creating your
own trail anywhere, at any time, allowing you to explore many special nooks
in the park. If you prefer, there are also 100km of designated snowshoe
trails.

Friends of Riding Mountain Learning Centre at 154 Columbine Street,
Wasagaming (848-4037) is open during the holiday break from 10:00am-3:00pm
daily. Stop in for hot chocolate, coffee, RMNP souvenirs, trail
information and snowshoe rentals.

Plan your next winter adventure now.....

Coloured Plastic Headset Spacers

2011-12-09T06:54:00.000-08:00

These are pretty close to the perfect stocking suffer (so long as you don't forget the chocolate, and maybe a Star Wars action figure). You know those little spacers that get placed between your headset and your bike's stem in order to give you the correct stem/bar height? Maybe your bike was sized and set up for you at the shop and you didn't really pay attention to the spacers themselves. You should. While any old spacer will do the trick, swapping out something plain jane for a more exciting spacer is a simple and inexpensive way to have a little fun with your bike and add a little bling.

Most often the standard alloy silver or black spacers are swapped for lighter carbon fibre ones. No, they won't take pounds off the weight of your bike but if you're a self confessed weight weenie every bit counts. More recently we've seen an emerging trend to colour match headset spacers with the rest of the bike. These plastic spacers combine both weight savings and colour coordination. Nothing more, nothing less.

They just arrived and we haven't even sorted through the packing slip yet to determine the retail price so we can't post that yet, but they won't be much and we just had to get a pic of them on the site immediately. As you can see above we have red, blue, orange, pink, and green spacers in stock. Come and get 'em while they're still here!

Snow Shoe Accessories

2011-12-08T11:16:00.001-08:00

While we're talking snowshoes (see previous post) we should also point out that we have accessories like snowshoe bags and poles in stock now.

The poles make even a casual urban adventure more of a whole body workout. In more technical terrain they can help you tackle off camber, uphill, and downhill challenges.

To and from your adventures the bag can help you tote your snowshoes with ease.

Check 'em both out soon. If someone you know has snowshoes already or is expecting some for Christmas the poles and bags made great complimentary gifts!

Youth Snowshoes

2011-12-07T06:17:00.000-08:00

As you may already know, we started carrying the excellent RedFeather brand of snowshoes a couple of years ago, and they've been selling fast ever since. They're well made, lightweight, very durable, and maybe best of all their various binding systems are all very easy to get in and out of (which you learn quickly to appreciate on cold days).

These snowshoes come in a variety of styles to suit the type of snowshoeing you're planning to do (urban fitness walking, backcountry exploration, competitive running, etc.) and they also come as a Youth model, pictured above. For just $100 (plus taxes of course) your son, daughter, nephew, niece, or the kid down the street can share in the fun. The bindings on these shoes are especially easy for kids to get into and out of, they'e lightweight, and the decking is virtually indestructible and stays supple even in our coldest conditions (well, maybe not 'supple', but they don't get hard and crack).

Check 'em out before the snow flies again.

Used Bike Update

2011-12-07T04:56:00.000-08:00

Not much has changed this week in our used bike stock, but it's worth posting again as a reminder of what's here at the moment. As always, if you require more detail feel free to give us a shout at 888-4586 or better yet come down to the shop.

This is the used stuff in stock at the time of this posting:

Trek 9.9, $1500

Cadex mtn bike, $400

Cannondale Quick 3, $800

Redline d660, $2000

Specialized Transition, $950

Focus Black Raider, $2000

Norco kids, $95

Oryx kids, $110

Niner Air Nine, $3000

Trek Carbon EX, $2800

Niner EMD, $1200

Giant NRS3, $800

Giant XTC Two x One, $599

Argus is Lonely

2011-12-06T13:53:00.001-08:00

Poor Argus is lonely... If you're looking for a warm destination for a dog walk on a cold winter's day feel free to bring your mutt to the shop - Argus plays well with others.

He's not here all the time, but you know when he is.

Mountain Hard Wear Zonal Vest

2011-12-05T08:40:00.000-08:00

Yikes, did it ever suddenly get cold outside! Time to feature some warm winter wear, like this Mountain Hard Wear Zonal Vest. It's contoured to fit the body nicely so while adding minimal bulk it also keeps the warmth in. It's also fairly stretchy, so although it's form fitting it doesn't restrict movement or blood flow, which as you can imagine is a bad thing at anytime of year, but especially in the winter.

Like all Mountain Hard Wear stuff this vest is well thought thru in other areas too, like the warmly lined pockets, dual hem drawcords to keep the warmth in, and a lined chin guard that helps prevent the cold zipper from rubbing against your face.

How to stop worrying and learn to love biking long distances in freezing temperatures

2011-12-02T12:02:00.000-08:00

Ian Hall, long time friend and some time worker here at Olympia is organizing one of the most epic events these parts have ever seen - Actif Epica, a 130 km winter bike race along Crow Foot Trail, from St. Malo in southern Manitoba to St. Boniface here in Winnipeg, taking place on Feb 18th, 2012 (entries due by Jan 10th).

If this challenge piques your interest but you have more question than answers as to just how to take on a cold event of such proportions you're not alone. That's why a get together of like-minded individuals is being organized. You'll be able to compare notes with others, maybe find a few training partners, and listen to and ask questions of the best - local cycling legend and epic winter riding event survivor, nay, conquerer, Lindsay Gauld.

The 411 is after the jump - for much more info on the race itself surf over here. If you can't make the meeting you can still join the group ride noted further below:

Whether you’re planning to ride the Actif Epica bike challenge or even just considering it, you probably have some questions about how to prepare for it and what kind of gear you might need. We totally get that. We also know that meeting some possible training buddies can help too, so we’re having a little get together to go over things and answer questions. Then, a couple days later, we’re organizing a relaxed group ride to try it out.

Get together: Wednesday, December 14th – 7 to 9 p.m. at Olympia Cycle and Ski, 1813 Portage Avenue.

Group ride: Sunday, December 18th – 9 a.m. at the Assiniboine Forest parking lot (meet at Grant Avenue at Chalfont Rd) for a 2-3 hour group ride. Experienced ride guides will lead the ride at an easy pace (we’ll go as fast as the slowest rider) that will head out the Harte Trail and tackle some open prairie sections.

CycleOps for the home or office gym

2011-12-02T12:01:00.000-08:00

Most folks know that we have a good stock of stationary trainers for your outdoor bike so that you can keep riding inside when the weather isn't to your liking, but did you know that we can also special order high end 'spin class' style stationary bikes?

A few years ago we featured the highest end CycleOps indoor trainer, but it's worth pointing out that CycleOps has four trainer models that come with different levels of electronics, so if you're looking for something more basic, but still of the highest quality, we can get that for you too.

Please also think of us if your workplace, education centre, or elsewhere is looking for bike equipment for their onsite fitness facility. Pictured above are a couple of CycleOps trainers that we just installed for a local business who provides a workout space and equipment for their workers. Though we don't usually have these items in stock we can get then in quickly.

Big Fat Larry's Fit Fine

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

In a previous post we demonstrated that the new Big Fat Larry FatBike tires can be mated with Rolling Daryll 82mm rims and still fit well within the Salsa Mukluk frameset. This is significant because the Big Fat Larry's are almost a full inch wider than their already ridiculously wide little cousin, the standard Larry.

Until now though we haven't tested the set up in real world riding conditions, but the bike you see as built above confirms that there's plenty of clearance for the tires between both the rear triangle and the front fork, and there's just enough chain clearance if you use two drive side spacers to move over your crankset (depending on the specific crankset we suppose).

So, there you have it. Based on what we see here we think it might be possible that the Mukluk could even handle the larger 100mm Clown Foot rims, whenever they arrive, though getting the chain line right may be a challenge. We'll keep you posted.

Pics of the tire clearance after the jump...

Used Bike Update

2011-11-29T07:35:00.000-08:00

Are you looking to get in some good indoor riding this winter so you're ready to tear up the pavement come spring? Then maybe you'll consider investing in this used Trek 2300 road bike. It's full Ultegra equipped with a pair of Race Lite wheels, it's in good shape, and it's selling for the low, low price of just $750. It's a 58 cm frame so it's suited best to someone 6 feet or taller.

Below is a list of our other used bikes in stock at the time of this posting. As always if you'd like more details give us a shout or better yet come on down to the shop.

Trek 9.9, $1500
Cadex mtn bike, $400
Cannondale Quick 3, $800
Redline d660, $2000
Specialized Transition, $950
Focus Black Raider, $2000
Norco kids, $95
Oryx kids, $110
Niner Air Nine, $3000
Trek Carbon EX, $2800
Niner EMD, $1200
Giant NRS3, $800
Giant XTC Two x One, $599

Plexi Scraper Sharpener

2011-11-28T05:55:00.001-08:00

While this is a great little product there really isn't much to say here - the name covers pretty much all of it. If you're constantly frustrated with a dull plexiglass scraper while trying to get wax off your skis this sharpener is indispensable. It does what it says and keeps your scraper nice and sharp, paying for itself in no time because your don't have to keep reinvesting in brand new scrapers.

That's about it. We tried looking at the manufacturer's site to see if there was anything we might have missed (was the sharpener made from recycled Lego pieces, or could its blade be compares favorably against a Gillette Mach IX?) but we found nothing. Actually it's frustrating to even google Swix - the search engine insists you have clumsy fingers and really are trying to plan your next vacation at Six Flags.

At any rate, we have these in now so get one now and save yourself a winter's worth of frustration.

Cross Country Ski Service

2011-11-25T11:19:00.000-08:00

As winter sort of comes, and goes, and we assume comes again soon we should take a second to remind you that we're happy to wax your skis for you as you prepare to hit the trails or back country.

We can hot wax, grip wax, or even tar your skis, and in most cases get the skis back to you by the next day (except maybe the 1st few days after the snow really flies, when we're inundated with many wax requests at once, so come early to get it done and avoid the rush).

Of course we can also repair your skis and install bindings. For a complete price list of our shop services click here (scroll to the bottom of the page for ski specific info).

Auclair Extreme Gloves

2011-11-24T07:01:00.001-08:00

Sometimes we like to offer technical reviews of the stuff we stock. Other times we just like to point out when something is awesome, all technical mumbo jumbo aside. This would be an example of the latter.

The Auclair Extreme gloves are, well, extreme. They keep your digits seriously warm. They might be overkill for all but the most extreme ski conditions but we can definitely see them being helpful for cold weather riding.

If you're in need of even more warmth (gasp) Auclair makes the same thing pictured above as a mitt! That's some really serious warmth. We have both the gloves and mitts in stock now, in a variety of sizes.

'Other' Winter Bikes

2011-11-23T05:07:00.000-08:00

We've made a number of recent posts on winter bikes, or "FatBikes" as they've affectionately become known, but Pugsley's, Mukluk's, and their kin aren't the only bikes that we recommend for year round riding. If you're looking to spend a little less but still get a bike that can stand up to the rigours of riding in Winnipeg in January you should consider the 26 inch wheeled Surly 1x1 and 29er Karate Monkey.

Both of these bike have long been on our favourites list, in no small part due to their versatility. Both have wide seat and chain stains that live up to their "Fatties Fit Fine" label, allowing tire widths up to 3 inches. That was pretty much the widest you could find tires (or rims to fit them) until the new generation of FatBikes came along.

Though they can't fit 4-5 inch behemoth tires, the 1x1 and Karate Monkey save weight as a result, and will obviously be more efficient on the paved patches that inevitably link up the snowy sections of your ride. The 1x1 is single speed only (unless you run an internally geared hub), whereas the Karate Monkey offers the ability to be easily set up as either a single speed or a fully geared bike.

Both are rigid frame sets, because you really don't need suspension in the winter, and both are reasonably priced around the $1000 mark. In fact the orange 1x1 pictured above is selling for just $900 right now. If you're looking for a winter ride but aren't ready to move all the way to full bore FatBike check out either of these models soon!

Used Bike Update

2011-11-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

We have a really nice Redline d660 frame built up with an XT / XTR drivetrain, BB5's, Speed City wheels, Reba shock, Chris King headset, and more. It's in excellent shape and selling for $2000. It's 21 inches large so it fits a big boy or girl.

Here's a list of our other used bikes in stock at the time of this posting:

Trek 9.9, $1500
Cadex 3 mtn bike, $400
Niner EMD, $1200
Norco Ride, $350
Trek 2300, $750
Specialized Transition, $950
Focus Black Raider, $2000
Oryx kids bike, $110
Norco kids bike, $95
Niner Air Nine, $3000
Trek carbon EX, $2800
Cannondale F1, $1500
Giant NRS, $800
Giant Two x One, $599
Niner Air 9, $2800

Craft Base Layers

2011-11-21T05:01:00.000-08:00

Wow did it suddenly get chilly outside. Although it looks like warmer temps should return soon we know that what we're getting at the moment is just a foretaste of what's to come, so let it be a positive reminder to you to make sure you're equipped with some decent base layers!

A good quality, thin, form fitting, breathable, moisture wicking garment next to your skin might just be the most important winter piece of clothing you can own. You'll buy it for riding or skiing in cold temps but shortly thereafter you'll find yourself wearing it under everything, in every situation and for every occasion.

No one makes a better base layer than Craft, and we have a number of their items in stock in both men's and women's cuts. We really like their "Zero" line of winter apparel and will feature one of those items here in the near future, but in the mean time feel free to come down to the shop to check their stuff out in person. You won't be disappointed.

Mukluk 2

2011-11-19T15:24:00.001-08:00

We, and maybe you, are in luck! We thought we'd only be getting the Mukluk 2 in stock in spring (which doesn't really make a lot of sense but what can you do?) but all of a sudden they've arrived!

The Mukluk 2's are a higher end version of the base Mukluk Fatbike that we've been selling (the base model is a "3" for those who are keeping track). The 2 has a slightly upgraded drive train, BB7's, anodized flat black frame with many nice red anodized components, and drilled out Rolling Darryl rims (with red rim strips that show through the rims nicely).

We don't have a price at the time of this posting but will soon - we estimate it'll be about $2500 to $2600, compared with $2100 for the 3.

The snow is flying, so come check out this fine looking Fatbike today.

Fat Rim Tape

2011-11-18T05:14:00.000-08:00

Do you have factory drilled Rolling Darryl's, or do plan to drill your 80-82mm fat bike rims out yourself (not that we condone such a practice :))? Well then you really need coloured rim tape, like the stuff pictured above that we now have in stock. All the cool kids are doing it.

Ski Package Pricing

2011-11-18T05:05:00.000-08:00

We got the cross country skis, boots, bindings, poles and accessories all sorted and out on display a week or so ago and now we have the package prices posted around the shop. For your convenience they're also posted below. If you don't see a package that works for you we are of course happy to put something together just for you.

Used Bike Update

2011-11-17T12:35:00.000-08:00

Pictured above is one sweet 'used' bike. It was built up earlier this year and used by our shop Manager, but he's already moved on to other things (he loves the bike, but there's just too much to ride and a fun new bike is buying built up as this is typed) so this large sizes Niner Air Nine is now on the selling block.

Aside from the top of the line Scandium frame it has XTR bits, a Race Face Deus XC crankset, Juicy Ultimate brakes, ZTR Crest rims with Stan's 3.30 hubs, Thomson post and stem, and other good stuff to round it out. Wow. For $2800 you can buy what would easily cost a couple thousand dollars more new, and it's been very, very well maintained.

Check out our other used bikes in stock at the time of this posting below:

Giant Cadex mtn bike, $400
Cannondale Quick 3, $800
Trek 2300, $750
Specialized Transition, $950
Focus Black Raider, $2000
Norco kids mtn bike, $95
Oryx kids mtn bike, $110
Niner Air 9, $3000
Trek OCLV EX $2800
Giant NRS, $800
Redline D660, $2000
Giant ALM1 mtn bike, $275
Giant XTC Two x One, $599

A Light Fat Bike?

2011-11-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

Fat bikes like the Surly Pugsley and the Salsa Mukluk have really taken off this year, and in our winter conditions there's good reason - the wide, high volume / low pressure tires offer much better flotation and traction in snowy and icy conditions than 'normal' tires, and make conditions that were once treacherous suddenly much more rideable. The obvious downside? Weight. All that extra size obviously tips the scale a bit sooner than a conventional ride. For instance, a stock medium size Pugsley weighs in at about 36 lbs or so.

There are some lighter weight options out there. If you want to spend a lot more on your frame there are now a couple of outfits in Alaska that offer lighter weight aluminum and titanium frames and titanium and carbon forks. You can also spec your fat bike out with lighter components - the stock Pugsley drivetrain is Deore level, which offers great performance at an excellent price point, but you can certainly get lighter stuff. The biggest problem with these light weight options? Price. Lighter frames and top end components can cost exponentially more than quality midrange stuff.

So what are your options if you want to build a reasonably priced fat bike but save a few grams (or maybe a few thousand)? Well take a look at our head mechanic Liam's build, pictured above. He's done a few relatively simple things to his Pug's that brings the overall weight below 30 lbs and into the range of a more modest conventional mountain bike.

First off, he's running just one chainring with a chain guide up front so he saves the weight of a couple of rings, a front derailleur, and a front shifter. The ring he's using splits the difference between the number of teeth on the middle and granny rings so when coupled with a full cassette in the back he still has decent gear range. Frankly the outer chainring is of virtually no use for most fat bike applications so there's no loss getting rid of that one. Surprisingly he's using a conventional trigger shifter for the rear derailleur, as opposed to a lighter grip shift that is often preferred for winter riding with mitts anyway, but we suspect he had the trigger shifter kicking around and wanted to reuse it, and besides it is XTR so it's not exactly heavy.

Second, he's using the little seen (at least in these parts) 100mm Pugsley fork, which allows him to use a normal 100mm hub on the front wheel instead of the 135mm 'rear' hub that's usually required up front on fat bikes. This does necessitate having to either partially deflate the tire or unbolt the disc brake caliper to remove the wheel from the fork (which narrows to connect to the 100mm hub while remaining wider near the crown to allow for wide tire clearance), but it's a relatively cheap way to save quite a bit of weight. The only other downside? If your Pugs is built with offset rims front and rear and the 135 fork / front hub set up you can interchange the wheels, so if you run a single speed 'front' hub with a fixed gear and your rear hub freezes up in the cold you can swap wheels and use the fixie hub to get you home - not so with the lighter 100mm setup. None the less, if you're building your own from scratch anyway this lighter front end setup is something to consider.

Lastly, Liam broke out the drill bits and the Dremel to lighten up his ride. He was already using factory drilled out Rolling Darryl's to build his wheels but further lightened things up by adding some additional holes (see pic below). Note: We need to cover our butts by saying that we can't attest to the safety of doing this to your rims so do so at your own risk, and obviously keep in mind that your rim warranty is seriously voided if you take a drill to it. With that said, the Rolling Darryl rims are pretty easy to drill out because they have two sets of spoke holes to allow you to build them up either offset or 'normal'. The set of spoke holes that you don't use for the spokes end up being wonderful pilot holes for your drill bit.

Liam also took a Dremel to some other bits on his bike to further reduce a bit of weight, but we endorse this even less than we endorse the rim drilling - butt covering again.

In fairness, Liam did also equip his bike with pretty lightweight components in addition to the modifications mentioned above, but hopefully this brief description of his bike lets you see how a fat bike doesn't have to be a pig. Maybe you really can be fat and fit.

Used Bike Update

2011-11-15T10:47:00.000-08:00

Pictured above is what we like to call old school meets new school - a used Trek 9.9 carbon frame with Crossmax wheels, xtr and xt drivetrain with Attack shifters and plenty more. This bike sold new for untold thousands but is on sale used for just $1500. It's a 21.5 inch bike so it fits tall guys or crazy tall gals.

Check out our other used bikes in stock at the time of this posting below:

Giant Cadex mtn bike, $400
Cannondale Quick 3, $800
Trek 2300, $750
Specialized Transition, $950
Focus Black Raider, $2000
Norco kids mtn bike, $95
Oryx kids mtn bike, $110
Niner Air 9, $3000
Trek OCLV EX $2800
Giant NRS, $800
Redline D660, $2000
Giant ALM1 mtn bike, $275
Giant XTC Two x One, $599

Toques for under the helmet

2011-11-15T06:51:00.000-08:00

We all have our favourite toques, the ones that keep us the warmest, fit the best, and look good, but sometimes our favourites have a serious shortcoming: The don't fit under our helmets. A big and bulky toque can feel just awful underneath the pads, strapping, and especially the rear cradle on most modern bike helmets.

On the other hand (or head, as it were) we have the CTR Chaos Fits All Collection of toques in store, like the one pictured above. They're very warm, and have ample ear and forehead coverage, but they're quite thin and fit nicely under your helmet. It helps that they don't bunch up either - to mix metaphors and body parts again they fit like a glove owing at least in part to their unique 'yarn wrapped over spandex threads' design.

They also happen to look pretty good, and cost just $23. Not bad. It ain't getting any warmer out there so get your bare head down to the shop while you can and check 'em out.

Redfeather Snowshoes

2011-11-14T05:21:00.001-08:00

If you're like us you woke up this morning to find a dusting of snow on the ground. No, it's not exactly snowshoe conditions yet but it's a reminder that deeper snow will come (it always does) so maybe you should prepare now and check out our selection of snowshoes from Redfeather.

The pair pictured above are Trek's, designed for more aggressive hiking through rough terrain. We also have more recreational models for simple urban exercise, and we have them in a variety of sizes to accommodate almost anyone.

Our prices are very competitive. Check 'em out today before we're caught off guard with deeper white stuff outside.

Mountain Hardware Microgrid Jacket

2011-11-08T05:56:00.000-08:00

This is kind of a messed up time of year, temperature wise. It's tough to know what to wear when it's -5 and dark in the morning but +5 and sunny in the afternoon. For some reason that 10 degree temperature range feels far more significant than, say, the difference between +15 and +25.

Of course that's why layering is so important. Not only does it provide extra warm without a ton of bulk by creating warm air pockets between layers but it also allows you to adjust your warmth easily as conditions change.

The Mountain Hardwear Microgrid Jacket is a perfect example of apparel that can be worn alone or as a base layer. It has a reasonably snug cut to allow for overgarments but it's not clingy (the ample stretch of the material likely has something to do with that). It has a hem draw cord and 3 zipped pockets, 2 for your hands which are warm enough to keep them from freezing in temps a little below zero.

For $120 you can add this garment to your personal wardrobe and literally establish the base layer of your plan to tackle the winter temperatures to come.

Balaclavas

2011-11-07T11:35:00.000-08:00

Sheesh, if you happened to be riding around last night you'll know that it got a little cold. Truthfully the temperature was to be expected this time of year, but combined with high winds and frozen rain it was getting a little tough on the exposed face.

That reminded us that we have plenty of balaclavas in stock. The other day we noted here that we have a wide assortment of toques, and we love us some toques, but sometimes you just need as much skin as possible covered...and we're not even talking about -30 plus windchill, which we all know is on its way.

So before it gets that extreme do yourself a favour if you're not already equipped with a good balaclava and come down to the shop to pick some winter survival gear up for yourself.

Great used 29er for sale

2011-11-05T07:32:00.001-07:00

One of our mechanics is selling his Giant 29er. Its Deore level components are ready to be ridden hard on the trails but for just $1200 it won't be hard on your wallet. Come check it, and our other used bikes, out anytime.

MCA AGM / Board Positions Available

2011-11-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

We just received the info below from MCA and figured we'd pass it on. If you're looking for a way to give back to the local riding community and have an administrative nack give it a thought...

The MCA Annual Awards Dinner is being held on Saturday November 19th at the Rossmere Country Club.

Address: 925 Watt Street.

The Annual General Meeting will start at 4:30 p.m.

The following positions require election:

President (1 year term)
Vice-President (2 year term)
Treasurer (2 year term)
Secretary (2 year term)
Mountain Bike Coordinator (1 year term)
Road Co-ordinator (2 year term)
Kids of Mud Coordinator (1 year term)
BMX Coordinator (1 year term)
Provincial Program Coordinator (2 year term)

If you have an interest in any of these positions please contact the office by e-mail info@cycling.mb.ca or by phone: 204-925-5686.

Following the AGM the MCA will host an Awards Dinner staring at 6:30 p.m. Cost for the dinner is $35 or $15 for 12 and under.The tickets are currently available from the MCA office at 145 Pacific Avenue.

Please contact Twila Pitcher for tickets (Cash or cheque made out to the Manitoba Cycling Association only please.)

Kind Regards,
Twila Pitcher
Executive Director Manitoba Cycling Association
145 Pacific AvenueWinnipeg, MB, R3B 2Z6
info@cycling.mb.ca
Phone: 204.925.5686Fax: 204.925.5703www.mbcycling.ca

We've got Toques!

2011-11-02T06:16:00.000-07:00

We're dragging the winter apparel out onto the sales floor as we officially enter the cold season and welcome November. Yeah we know, for some reason kids in L.A. seem to where these things when it's 80 F outside (though they call them knit hats, or beanies, or head socks, or anything but toques), and we laugh at them a bit, but then again they probably laugh at us for having to wear them for survival in winter.

Fortunately we can still be fashionable while surviving because we have many cool styles to choose from (we're pretty sure the kids in L.A. don't use the word "cool" either). In the near future we'll feature a toque or two, tell you about the materials used to create warmth and breathability, and so on, but for now we wanted to let you know that they're on display and ready to keep your ears warm.

Mountain Hardware Hunker Down Parka

2011-10-31T11:02:00.000-07:00

It's getting colder out there (and still has a long way to go) so we're turning our attention to some down parkas, like the Mountain Hardwear Hunker Down Parka pictured here.

With a 650 fill goose down we can attest first hand to the warmth this jacket provides. We can also attest to the great attention to detail paid to Mountain Hardware's products, such as fleece lined pockets, dual draw cords to keep out the cold, interior zip pockets to safely store your keys, wallet, phone, etc., zip off hood, adjustable fit cuffs, and a chin guard to provide protection from zipper chaffing.

All in all this jacket makes winter in Winnipeg MUCH more enjoyable, and is $240 very well spent.

Stan's NoTubes 2 oz Tire Sealant

2011-10-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

We recently took into stock some convenient 2 oz bottles of Stan's NoTube Tire Sealant. The description of this sealant as posted on Stan's website is pretty concise, and there's really not much to add except to say that we're selling it for $5 a pop, so we're pasting the official description here:

Just two ounces of Stan's Tire Sealant in a converted standard tire or a tubeless tire can repair up to a 1/4" hole instantly.

Pre-measured and ready to apply to one bicycle tire.

Stan’s Tire Sealant will stay liquid in a mountain bike tire with a thin casing for two to seven months on average. Riding in arid climates or storing the bike in a hot area will require more frequent monitoring of sealant levels. Special anti-freeze agents allow the sealant to be used in environments as cold as -30° F.

Ski Wax is out

2011-10-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

Our vast selection of cross country ski wax and related paraphernalia is now on display, ready for purchase and application in anticipation of the season to come.

We have everything to keep you moving in every winter condition, from basic wax for all temperature ranges to more advanced wax that's optimized for the best possible glide and grip from around 0 C to pretty much as low as you can go.

Everything required to clean, prep, and apply is also now on display, so come down to the shop and get ready for the snow today!

Studded Tires

2011-10-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

The wait was a bit long but we finally got in some 'average' width 29er studded tires for winter riding. Until recently the only 29er studded tires we could get our hands on were 35mm width tires really better suited to 'cross bikes. The tires we have in now, Nokian Extreme 294's, are 2.1 inchs wide, have 294 carbide pins, an excellent knobby pattern for our crunchy winter snow (as pictured on the lower tire, above), and a supple, grippy compound. They don't come cheap, at $200 a piece, but if aggressive winter riding is your thing they're worth every penny. 990 grams per tire.

While we're at it we also have Schwalbe Ice Spiker's in stock (the top tire pictured above). They have a similar tread pattern to the Nokians but are for 26 inch wheels. They're also 2.1 inches wide. 304 Carbide studs and 980 grams. $127 each.

Of course we have less expensive studded tires in stock too, so no matter your budget or application we should have you covered. For total convenience we also sell relatively inexpensive wheelsets that you can equip with studded tires so on icy days you can simply swap out your wheels and head out. Whatever you require come check 'em out before winter sets in!

Electra Catalogues

2011-10-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

The 2012 Electra catalogues are here! Electra tends to change up the paint and graphics on most of their models annually so every year they look a bit (or quite a bit) different. If you're dreaming about a new cruiser for the new year come and grab a catalogue from us today, or check out the great prices we have on remaining 2011 models in stock.

Kinetic Stationary Trainers

2011-10-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

We have our stationary bike trainers on display and ready for testing. If you're more of a warm weather kind of rider and the colder temps are pushing you inside they're worth checking out. We're not saying your ride will suddenly become as dramatic as the video below, but hey, it's still exercise, and you're still on your bike.

Reel Rock Repeat Performance

2011-10-24T06:42:00.000-07:00

We just got word that the 2011 Reel Rock film is returning to Winnipeg tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct 25). Click here for info; check out the trailer below. No, it's not cycling, but it's still cool, and we assume some of our customers occasionally climb off their saddles and do other things to enjoy life and the great outdoors - nothing wrong with that!

Mountain Hardwear Stuff

2011-10-18T06:32:00.000-07:00

Brrr, it's cold out there this morning. Time to come to the shop, pick up some Mountain Hardwear cold weather clothing, and then get back outside!

Marin Team CXR 29er

2011-10-17T05:45:00.000-07:00

Another bad pic (time to upgrade the smart phone) but another great bike to be featured: The Marin Team CXR 29er. It's got a mix of Sram X9 and X0, Fox 32 F29 RL, 100mm travel with Rebound Adjustment, Lockout, and Air Spring Preload, Elixer CR dics, and much more, but the biggest single feature may be the full carbon frame.

All this good stuff doesn't come cheap, but the retail price of $4250 is one of the best price points we've seen for a full carbon 29er, and we've sweetened the deal a bit more by offering the bike at a sale price of just $3570. A pro team ride for a budget team price.

A word about FAT tires

2011-10-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

We know we've been posting quite a bit about fat tire bikes recently, but we've been building a lot of them up (relatively speaking at least) for customers in preparation for winter and it's what's on our minds, so here's some more info:

Actually, this is in response to some questions we've been getting about the brand new Big Fat Larry 4.7" tire. Specifically, will it work in a Puglsey or a Mukluk, which until now our customers have been using with the under 4" wide Larry and Endomorphe tires.

Here's what we know so far

First, the summary - It looks like you can use the new Big Fat Larry tires in the rear of either the Pugsley or the Mukluk (the two fat tire models we currently carry) with varying degrees of chainline adjustments, and certainly with the soon to arrive Moonlander with no adjustments. The Big Fat Larry fits fine in the front forks that come stock with all of these bikes with no adjustments.

Note that we talk about Larry tires below, but if you're using Endomorphe's in the rear instead of Larry's you can refer to the Larry measurements because the tire width between the two tire models is negligible for our purposes here.

Note also that our observations below were made with tires all pumped to about 15 psi.

If you have a Surly Moonlander (and you don't, because there are only two coming to Winnipeg before Christmas, and the guy typing this has his name on one, and the shop manager is getting the other, but don't worry, more should be available for order shortly thereafter) you can fit any fat bike tire and rim combo, so if you plan to get yourself a Moonlander (a) talk to us about it now so we can make sure you're next in line, and (b) surf over to something more interesting because you have no worries here.

If you have a stock Surly Pugsley with Large Marge or Marge Lite 65mm rims you can run the Big Fat Larry's with what appears to be no chain rub (based on our experimentation in the bike stand - real world results may be a bit different). The chain will come close to rubbing but looks to be okay. You may want to use a spacer to push your crankset driveside out a bit more (if that's an option for you) and/or get rid of your smallest cog and space the rest of the cassette outboard a bit to make sure there's no rub though. Your tire width should increase from 89mm if you're using a Large Marge/Larry combo to 97mm if you move to a Large Marge/Big Fat Larry combo.

Unfortunately we can't tell you how a Big Fat Larry looks on a Rolling Darryl 82mm rim yet because we don't happen to have any Rolling Darryl wheels built up in the way they are required to be dished to sit properly in a Pugsley. However, we do know that a Big Fat Larry / Rolling Darryl combo yields a 100mm wide tire according to our unscientific back-of-the-shop study, so we're only talking 1 1/2 mm per side (3 mm in total) between this combo and the Big Fat Larry / Large Marge combo we tested above. If we're reading this right it indicates to us that you may only need to lose 1 more cog in order to run Big Fat Larry's and Rolling Darryl's on your Pugsley, if that.

FYI, Surly's blog states that using the Big Fat Larry's with the Large Marge rims (let alone Big Fat Larry's and Rolling Darryl's) will cause you to lose the use of a few cogs. We disagree, for now, but again we haven't tested the set up in the real world.

If you're riding a Salsa Mukluk you probably already have an 80mm or 82mm rim because that's how most of them shipped. If you're running an 82mm rim like a Rolling Darryl with a Larry tire the resulting width looks to be approx. 97mm (coincidentally that's the same as the Big Fat Larry / Large Marge combo) which will rub with the chain when you're shifted into the largest 4 gears on your rear cassette and your granny gear. Of course the 2012 Salsa Mukluk 3 (the model we're using for this test) comes out of the box with chain rub issues in the two largest cogs (more about that here) so our hope is that if you use a fat tire specific crankset like the Mr Whirly Offset Double or maybe the E 13 that comes spec on the 2012 Mukluk 2 you may only need to give up the same cog or two in the rear to use the Big Fat Larry. If you happen to have built up your Mukluk with Large Marge rims you should be able to use Big Fat Larry tires and have pretty much the same results as with the stock Larry / Rolling Darryl combo because both combinations yield the same 97mm width.

Clear as muddy snow? If you have any thoughts to share, if you think our measurements are way off, or if you want to congratulate us on such great investigative journalism, feel free to email us at editor(at)olympiacycle.com. We're aways happy to post added info / corrections here.

Fatties Flip Fine

2011-10-14T19:06:00.000-07:00

While doing a bit of online research for a posting on fat tire bike width compatibilities (hopefully to post tomorrow) we came across this fun, short video clip from Surly. It's not what we typically do with the Pugsley, but hey, it's interesting, and impressive...

Big Fat Larry's

2011-10-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

With our apologies to all the Larry's out there (we don't know why Surly makes that name association) welcome to the fattest thing in cycling - the brand new Big Fat Larry tires. They measure a whopping 4.7" width on 100mm rims, which makes them the widest tires for a 'conventional' bicycle that we're aware of.

Although they were designed specifically for the upcoming Moonlander frameset, they will also fit in the frames and forks of the Pugsley and Mukluk. However, you'll have to space your crankset further outboard, or get a different fatbike specific crankset, and/or put up with some chain rub (ie. lose a few gears) to accomodate the wider rubber if you're not using the Moonlander frame.

We haven't tested these tires on the 65mm Large Marge rims yet but are told that they will work, though that combination won't produce quite as large an overall tire width, which we assume means less chain rub issue in, for instance, a Pugsley frame. We're going to try to test this out as soon as possible and post the results here. Stay tuned...

Surly Rim Stips

2011-10-12T11:32:00.000-07:00

It's not the most glamorous product we have in the shop (though it's very nicely packaged) and doesn't really warrant a long technical review, but if you're riding or building up a 'fatbike' like a Pugsley, Mukluk, or the upcoming Moonlander you need some super wide rim tape, like the stuff pictured above from Surly. There are two types and a few widths for 65mm thru to 100mm rims, and there are also a few colours. We have some stuff in stock, and other varieties we can easily order for you. $6 gets you the ones you want (per wheel). That's 'bout it.

Marin Toscana CX bike

2011-10-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

Yeah, we know, the picture posted above isn't the best we've ever taken, but the bike itself is pretty good. In fact it's a great deal for the dollar. If you're looking to upgrade to a full bore cyclocross rig with a few races left this season, or if you want a very capable commuter and fitness bike, check out this year end special on a 2011 Marin Toscana.

With Sora/Tiagra components it's a really good deal at the regular price of $1330, but it's a great deal for the sale price of just $1130.

Marin Pine Mountain 29er

2011-10-11T06:44:00.000-07:00

We were placing some 2012 bike orders recently and as is our habit we found some good deals on year end closeouts, like the 2011 Marin Pine Mountain 29er pictured above. If you want to enter the 29er world without remortgaging the house but still want a great mix of components check out this X7/X9 equipped bike with Elixer 3 hydraulic discs, Recon fork with rebound adjustment and lockout, and much more.

2nd best of all is the price, regularly $1800 but on sale for just $1530. Best of all?...seeing neon decals make a comeback.

The Original Buff

2011-10-07T07:27:00.000-07:00

Ever thought those scarves you see on Survivor would come in handy? They'd help with sweat in the summer and wind chill in the winter. If you're follicley challenged they'd help with sunburns, and if your follicles produce in abundance you can use them to keep the hair out of your face. Well your thoughts can now be a reality because we have the Original Buff in stock now.

We have many fabric patterns to choose from, and more coming soon, and they're just $24 each. Check them out today.

Cdale Comfort and Adventure frame blowout

2011-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting deal: The story is that Cannondale had some extra 'warranty' Comfort and Adventure model hybrid bike frames kicking around because fewer warranty claims were made than anticipated (that's probably a good thing) so they offered us the frames at a blowout rate, and we're passing the deal on to you by selling them for just $100 per frame.

That means if you have some parts kicking around your basement or garage that are looking for a frame, or want to build up a custom hybrid by hand-selecting parts from the shop, you can start with a great frame deal.

We have Comforts in s, m, l, and xl, and we have the Adventures in m and l. The Comforts fit 26 inch wheels, while the Adventures are for 700c's. Both frames are rim brake only and have standard 1 1/8th inch headtubes. Come and check them out in person if you want more details, and start digging through those Rubbermaid bins at home to see what parts you have just waiting to be built up.

Knog Boomer

2011-09-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

A few years back Knog stormed onto the 'blinkie' bike light scene with a simple yet radical light design. They used a flexible silicon casing that allowed their lights to easily be mounted to pretty much any bar or tube on your bike. Since their first Knog Frogs they've introduced many other light variations, but pictured above is what we're considering the first complete update of their original design. It's called the Boomer, and is pretty much the same in concept, but it throws twice the light (50 lumens instead of 25 for the white light) and uses 2 included aaa batteries (which results in the slightly larger casing). As usual there are plenty of colours to choose from, and we have a number of them in stock.

Dark Cross / CX in MB gets national coverage

2011-09-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

Photo by Mark Reimer

Well look at this...Olympia Cycling Club's own Ian Hall (or at least his pic) made the Daily News over at canadiancyclist.com. The context was coverage of the recent DarkCross 'cross race, a highlight of the season for sure, with even more promised for next year. If you missed out on the fun you don't have to wait until next year to feel the hurt of 'cross racing though - check out the rest of the schedule here.

Cdale Synapse 6 Wmns / Sram Apex

2011-09-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

Pictured above is a Cannondale Synapse Carbon Women's bike with all of the current C'dale road bike touches like SAVE carbon stays to dampen road vibrations, a BB30 bottom bracket to provide stiffness where it's most wanted, and a flawless finish. The Synapse series is a blend of road racing and comfort performance - the geometry isn't quite as aggressive as Cannondale's full racing series but still allows you to do pretty much anything you wish with the bike while enjoying a slightly taller position. Of course the women's version featured here also has geometry that's more specific to the fairer sex's proportions.

As much as we like the bike, what's more interesting to us is the Sram Apex components it comes spec'd with. Apex is the new 'entry level' group from Sram, designed to compete directly with Shimano's 105 group. For starters we should say that entry level is a bit of a misnomer. If you want lighter and slightly quicker shifting you can get it by spending more, but Apex (and 105 for that matter) perform so well that there's no reason you need to aspire to more. What we really like about Apex though is the wide range double chainring set up (sort of the same concept as the XX mountain group) that allows for a similar overall range but better shifting, lighter weight, and much less redundancy than the average triple chainring set up. Mated with the Synapse geometry this becomes the perfect do-almost-anything road bike. Heck, the brake arms are even long enough to accommodate up to 28mm tires (assuming they can squeeze between the stays and fork).

At just $1900 this is the sort of bike that can attract 1st time buyers who want to get a performance bike right away, but it can also entice long time riders looking for excellent performance without ProTour prices.

Cyclocross Frames

2011-09-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

The 1st three sanctioned cyclocross races for 2011 have come and gone but there's still plenty to more. If you're trying out 'cross for the 1st time this season and using a mountain bike or something else that's not 'cross specific and you're yearning to upgrade to a committed 'cross bike take a look at what we have in stock. We still have a few complete bikes to choose from, or maybe you'd like to build up your own (with our help, or not). Pictured above are a couple of framesets, one from Salsa and the other from Giant, just waiting to be built and raced.

Check them, and others, out before 'cross season is over!

Salsa Mukluk Complete Bike

2011-09-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

We've been on a bit of a fat tire bike posting kick recently, likely because (a) the web guy who's typing this posting is waiting for his own to arrive, and (b) we have a few frames and complete bikes in the shop right now and are just itching to see them out on the trails, and later, the snow.

When we say fat, we're talking Ben & Jerry's binge fat. The Biggest Loser 'before' pic fat. 3.7" tire width fat. Last month we featured the Sasla Mukluk and Surly Pugsley, the two preeminent models in this class, but since then we've received a few more frames and a couple of complete bikes, so we figured we should post a pic of the Mukluk again. Ordering the complete bike from the distributor is a little cheaper than building a frameset up yourself, and we think the spec list on this bike is perfect for its purpose. It offers a sensible mix of parts including an X7 rear derailleur and similar pieces throughout. The end result is a price of just $1880 for a fat tire bike that's ready to ride out the door.

Of course if you'd prefer to build up your own we're happy to work with you to make that happen. Come talk to us about what you need anytime.

Mitts 'n Gloves

2011-09-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

Don't worry, we're not running low on winter stock, we're just changing over some of our displays and bringing out some of our colder winter wear - by the time this is posted the wall pictured above should be full of various gloves and mitts in all types of weights and temperature ratings. It's still a while until the snow flies but it is getting pretty nippy some mornings and some sort of hand cover is in order. Check out our growing stock anytime.

Focus Variado 105

2011-09-19T06:58:00.000-07:00

Oddly, we seem to sell a lot of road bikes in the 'off-season', and although we're not anticipating winter to hit anytime soon we should admit to ourselves that the dog days of summer are now behind us. That means that we tend to find our regular routines again, and for some of us that means, ironically, as the weather turns colder we start training on our bikes more consistently, first outdoors, and eventually on the trainer inside. That's why we have a few new arrival road bikes, like the Focus Variado pictured above, hanging from the shop ceiling right now, just waiting for use with your fall training commitment plan.

The Variado has a full compliment of Shimano 105 parts, including the newly designed for 2012 105 brake/shift levers, which are gorgeous in part because they internally route all of the cables, much like the most recent editions of Ultegra and Dura Ace. Many of the rest of the bits are from FSA. The frame is an aluminum affair mated with a carbon fork of course, and the geometry is pretty much comprised of middle of the road racing lengths and angles. It's just a really nice, solid package at a good price (just $1580) from a slightly more exotic manufacturer than the big North American or Asian stalwarts. So, if you're looking for a road racing rig with a bit of euro flair come check out the Variado today.

Cross Country Canada

2011-09-16T04:50:00.000-07:00

Despite the cooler mornings of late it's still a bit early for the average joe to be thinking of breaking out the skis, but the folks at Cross Country Canada have been busy redesigning their website so that when the season does change they'll be prepared.

If you're interested in keeping up to date on competitive national and international cross country skiing the CCC site is an excellent resource, worthy of a bookmark.

Replacement Wheels

2011-09-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

If you've recently 'pretzeled' one of your bike wheels you're certainly not alone. We have customers come in pretty much daily with damaged wheels, or wheels that have simply been ridden hard and long enough that they're worn out, whether that means broken spokes, untrue rims, or grinding hubs. In some cases we can fix the wheel, but if the rim is really bent out of shape or if the hub is really spent than it's usually less expensive to replace the whole wheel with a new, prebuilt one than to rebuild what you've got.

That's why we have a basement full of new wheels. We have road bike wheels, 29er's, 26 inch, rim and disc brake wheels, freehub, freewheel, and single speed wheels, and even coaster brake wheels in stock, and of course we've got them in all sizes for both front and rear. Most of our wheels range in price from approx. $50 to a little over $100 each. Of course we can also build you a new wheel from scratch with the hub, rim, and spokes of your choice (in which case the cost can go as high as you want), and we usually have a few prebuilt higher end wheelsets to choose from as well, but most of our customers simply need a relatively inexpensive prebuilt wheel to get them back on the road.

In most instances we can swap the tire and rear cassette (if applicable) in just a few minutes while you wait, so if you have a damaged wheel we can usually get you back on the road right away. If we think we can fix the original wheel instead of replacing it we usually have to keep it for a day but we'll still get you out there again soon.

Fall Sale Example 1 of 3 - Giant Boulder SE

2011-09-14T07:03:00.000-07:00

Today we're featuring a few hard tail mountain bikes that are discounted as a part of our Fall Sale.

Here's a Giant Boulder SE that was regularly $470, on sale now for just $370! Sizes and quantities are limited so call or come down to the shop soon if you're in the market for a well priced hardtail - there's still plenty of riding season left.

Fall Sale Example 2 of 3 - Marin Pioneer Trail Disc

2011-09-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Today we're featuring a few hard tail mountain bikes that are discounted as a part of our Fall Sale.

Here's a Marin Pioneer Trail Disc that was regularly $530, on sale now for just $400! Sizes and quantities are limited so call or come down to the shop soon if you're in the market for a well priced hardtail - there's still plenty of riding season left.

Fall Sale Example 3 of 3 - Trek 3900

2011-09-14T06:58:00.000-07:00

Today we're featuring a few hard tail mountain bikes that are discounted as a part of our Fall Sale.

Here's a Trek 3900 that was regularly $530, on sale now for just $430! Sizes and quantities are limited to call or come down to the shop soon if you're in the market for a well priced hardtail - there's still plenty of riding season left.

Villain Motorsports frame painting

2011-09-14T06:22:00.000-07:00

Are you looking to get a beat up old frame repainted, or have you built up a custom frameset that needs some colour, or maybe you're just bored with the look of your current ride? Why not get it (re)painted in the powder coating finish of your choice?

We had a customer drop by the other day with a sweet looking paint job on his equally sweet new ride, and he referred us to the guy who prettied up his rig, who's from Villain Motorsport right here in Winnipeg. Based on what we've seen we think the outfit is worth checking out. Their site has prices listed and contact info if you want to pursue things further.

TSL-1000 Serfas 1000 lumen light

2011-09-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

We just got these in, so to be honest we haven't tested them yet, but they look very promising. They're 1000 lumen helmet or bar mount lights with lithium ion batteries and a 2.5 hr run time in their brightest setting. They come highly recommended and they're from Serfas, a name we've really come to trust. They're $299 each, which ain't cheap, but considering the illumination they provide (you should be able to race at close to full pace through trails at night) they look like a pretty great value.

If you're looking more for the types of lights that allow you to be seen, as opposed to seeing, we have stuff in stock for a fraction of the cost. If you want to see well in dark places this is the item for you.

We'll put this product through the gears soon and update you with the performance - we're looking forward to tests!

Reel Rock

2011-09-08T04:54:00.000-07:00

The REEL ROCK film tour is returning to Winnipeg for another amazing, heart pounding, sweaty palms screening! No, this doesn't really have anything to do with biking or xc skiing, but it does have something to do with the free spirit of adventure and a determination to overcome obstacles, so we figure cyclists can relate and are happy to post some info about the film at the request of the promoters:

The show will take place on Tuesday, October 25 at the Park Theatre café, 698 Osborne Street. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm. Tickets are $15 advance and $17 at the door. Advance tickets and film details are available at: www.whattheheck.ca
Join our REEL ROCK facebook event at: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128046413945894

Read the details after the jump:

DETAILS:
The REEL ROCK Film Tour brings the best in climbing and adventure films to local audiences across the globe. REEL ROCK shows are exciting events where climbers and outdoors lovers come together to celebrate and the ultimate in adventure filmmaking.

For the sixth annual film tour, co-founders Sender Films and Big UP Productions are taking audiences to the edge of what’s possible. From climbing the world’s most difficult frozen falls, to the hardest big wall free climb and crazed highline antics, these heart pounding tales of superhuman skills will leave audiences wanting more.

FILMS:
Origins: Obe and Ashima
There's a nine year old girl from New York City taking the bouldering world by storm, and her name is Ashima Shiraishi. Under the tutelage of her passionate coach, Obe Carrion, this tiny master is crushing competitions and raising the bar for climbing's youth. Obe brings her to bouldering's proving ground, Hueco Tanks, TX, where he had his own big breakthrough 13 years earlier, and Ashima rips the place apart.

Race for the Nose
Welcome to the wildest competition known to man -- the speed record on the Nose route of El Capitan. For 50 years, the best climbers in the world have been one-upping each other on this massive granite monolith in Yosemite National Park, racing up 3,000 feet of vertical rock in under three hours, and risking life and limb to shave mere seconds off the record time. We follow Dean Potter and Sean Leary on their attempt to break this legendary record on the classic route that has been the scene of epic rivalries, brutal accidents, and remains to this day a hotly contested prize.

Slacklife
American climbing dirtbag Andy Lewis is taking the discipline of slacklining into the future as he solos the worlds longest high-lines and masters the hardest aerial tricks, all the while pushing his equipment to the limit. As Andy goes higher, harder and faster with climbing, slack and BASE, we all have to wonder how far he can go before it’s one step over the line.

Ice Revolution
At British Columbia's spectacular Helmcken Falls, a revolution is taking place, led by Canadian maniac Will Gadd. After 30+ years of ice climbing, Gadd has finally realized his dream of climbing radically overhanging, heinously difficult ice. Gadd and Tim Emmett dodge exploding 30 foot icicle bombs and send the hardest pure ice climb in the world, but they swear it's just the first step in a whole new direction for the sport.

Project Dawn Wall
Tommy Caldwell is the master of big wall free climbing. He's devoted the last decade of his life to opening free routes on Yosemite's El Capitan, rewriting climbing history in the process. Now he's three seasons deep into his ultimate project - the seemingly impossible Dawn Wall. Joined by bouldering specialist Kevin Jorgeson, Tommy makes his first big ground-up push, pulling pitch after pitch of 5.14 first ascents before an epic storm shuts the team down until next year…

COLD
Over the past 26 years, 16 expeditions have tried and failed to climb one of Pakistan's 8,000 meter peaks in winter. In February 2011, Simone Moro, Denis Urubko, and Corey Richards became the first to achieve this alpine dream by summiting Gasherbrum II, surviving -50 degree temperatures and a massive avalanche. Richards captured both the glory and the pain of their adventure in this raw and moving, first-person look at modern super-alpinism.

2012 Power Smart MB Summer Games

2011-09-08T04:28:00.000-07:00

Cycling Manitoba forwarded this info on to us and would like to get the word out, so please read on:

The Power Smart Manitoba Games are the province's largest ongoing multi-sport program bringing together participants from across the province. The Games are held every two years and alternate between summer and winter sports events. Each set of Games involve upwards of 10,000 athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers.

Where: Swan Valley
When: July 15 - 21, 2012
Who: Athletes ages 11,12,13,14 will be eligible to compete
What: Race Format : Mountain XCO and a Skills Cross Race

We are looking for COACHES in the following regions: · Interlake· Winnipeg · Brandon· Eastman· Portage (Please see Coaching courses posted on the MCA website.) All interested athletes and coaches can register on the Sport Manitoba 2012 Powersmart Games website at:www.manitobagames.ca

If you are interested in coaching, competing, or volunteering please contact the MCA office.

Coke is it!

2011-09-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

We take this pause from plugging our own product to bring you this commercial break plugging a product we don't carry, but trust us, it's worth it. Yes, that's ~~Neo~~ Keanu Reeves. Wow. Just, wow.

Cyclocross begins next weekend!

2011-08-31T07:28:00.000-07:00

Cyclocross season officially starts next weekend! Our good friends from the Olympia Cycling Club are putting on the first race of the season (as well as the last). For details click on the OCC link near the upper right of this page.

For info on the whole cx season you can visit the Cyclocross Manitoba blog or you can go to MCA. See you on course.

Ti Salsa

2011-08-31T07:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, you're correct, that's a titanium frame! We featured this ti Salsa 29er frame a little while ago but now it's built up as a complete bike so we figured it was worth another picture. It's also worth a test ride, so if the idea of pedalling a new 2012 XT drivetrain bolted to one of the sweetest frames around, rolling on high quality sun ringle 29'er wheels is something that gets you excited (and it really should) then come check it out in all of its unpainted glory.

Fall Sale on Clothes!

2011-08-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

The poster kind of says it all: 30% off all clothing!

That means shorts, jerseys, jackets, tights, and so on...whatever clothes are currently on the shelves we'll knock 30% off of.

Come now while the get'n is good.

Sale on while supplies last and is subject to change anytime.

The Moonlander has landed (or at least it's leaving orbit)

2011-08-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

Speaking of Pugsleys and Mukluks (see the post immediately below) pictured above is literally the biggest thing in bikes since, well, ever. The brand-spanking new Surly Moonlander has finally landed! We've been really good about not sharing the details even though we've known about the model for some time (we were sworn to sort-of secrecy) but the goods are now posted on Surly's blog. We posted a preview a few weeks ago when news started to leak out and Surly revealed its 1st pic, but now the official launch has commenced.

We won't bore you again with technical details (but you can visit the Surly blog here to get your fix) but instead we'll share one simple number: 4.7 Maybe decimals aren't simple, but you get the idea. Yup, that's the tire width in inches. The Moonlander eats roadies for breakfast (assuming the roadies have completely gassed out after their double century and are just lying beside the road waiting to be devoured, because the Moonlander isn't going to catch much on pavement).

The initial offering for these frames only allocated 8 for all of Canada, and 2 are coming to our shop, but they're both accounted for already. A 2nd order will likely take place early in the new year so we'll post pics, video, and whatever else we can gather of the ones that come in soon so you can crave one for yourself and get your name down for the 2nd order.

Until then, you can dream happy dreams.