Possible Routes for B.N.Y.E.F.G.C.O.P.™

I'm considering a couple routes for the ride Sunday a.m.

Remember, we don't have to do the same route both directions... we can change it up a little to make things more interesting. Note: this is not the entire route... it doesn't include the 10 mile stretch between here and benbrook lake, nor the 16 mile stretch from Cartwright park to Mineral Wells State Park. We'll probably keep those sections the same in both directions.

Ron might have some additional routes or suggested changes to these, but these are the best and most direct I've come up with:

possible route #1

possible route #2


Any thoughts on these?

RSVP for the Century of Pain™

Could everyone planning to participate in the New Year's Eve ride leave a comment here confirming your attendance? I'd like to have a pretty good idea of how many are coming by Dec. 29 or thereabouts. As I mentioned in the comment thread of the previous Century post, there's a possibility some of our friends might be able to have lunch ready for us upon our arrival at Mineral Wells SP.

Holiday Hours

We're going to close early tomorrow, so if you want any last-minute gifts or supplies for your holiday rides come get them now! We won't reopen until Wednesday, Dec. 27th.

We will also be closed on New Year's Day (We'll be busy recovering from the Century of Pain™ and its after-party).

Bernie's New-Years-Eve Fixed-Gear Century of Pain™

Do you need one last bicycle story for 2006? You know, the stories that you love to tell your non-cycling friends because they look at you with such a sense of bewilderment as to why anybody would do such a thing to their own bodies?

Well, they don't get it. But you do, so that's why I'm inviting anybody who desires to come with me on a really long fixed-gear ride this New Year's eve. Single-speed road/cyclocross bikes are welcome too. Actually, if you don't have a non-geared bike you can still do this ride. You can just choose a suitable gear, and I'll render your shifters temporarily inoperable with some athletic tape.

The pace will be moderate, because I'm pretty out of shape and because we'll be heading into somewhat hilly (and very headwindy) country. That means you should GEAR LOW. I'm running a 44-18 gear, which is 64.5 gear inches. Shoot for something close to that if you can.

If you've got tires bigger than 23mm, it wouldn't be a bad idea to put 'em on your bike. There will be some non-paved sections on this route. There are also long sections with no convenience store support, so be sure you can carry plenty of food/drink on your bike. This will be an out-and-back route, with the start being here at the shop at 6 a.m. and the turn-around being Mineral Wells Lake (in Mineral Wells State Park). I estimate this route will be about 110 miles.

The prize for finishing? A spoke card and a fajita dinner at my house later that evening. House Party starts @ 7:30 p.m. and goes 'till the ball drops.

A beautiful new bike is born:

I was trying to wait until I'd finished building it, but I'm just so smitten by this bike, I couldn't wait any longer to share it with everyone out there...

Meet Jim Burger's new titanium Crown Jewel, built just for him by Independent Fabrication in Somerville, Mass.:



Jim chose nice, understated black decals so as not to take away from the beautiful finish of the frame:


Detail of the gorgeous Sterling Silver headbadge:


Cool crown engraving on the rear brake bridge:


I don't think I can say enough about how beautiful and unique the shotpeened titanium finish is... this isn't your cousin's boring brushed Litespeed! The shot peening gives the raw titanium a depth and a sparkle you just don't see from anybody else. And those welds... flawless!


It that a beautiful bicycle or what!? We are so proud to be Fort Worth's #1 Indy Fab dealer...

For Mark:

Here's a picture of the front and back of the Men's $20 sale jerseys (better hurry in, though, Mark... I've only got 2 left):


They're made of a nice, breathable wicking fabric; They're "club cut" (a little fuller than the trim racing jerseys) with an 18" zipper and 3 BIG pockets on back.


I've also got a few more of the women's sizes:

Jansport Hydration Packs

Jansport Hydration Packs: 70 oz. Nalgene bladder, leak-free drinking valve, pump sleeve, and storage pocket. Regularly $55, now just $30.

Get pumped... (for only $15!)

Here's the pump we have on sale. It's got an aluminum barrel, stable base, integrated gauge with both PSI and BAR, hassle-free dual head fits both presta and schrader valves, and it's even got accessories to inflate basketballs and pool floats hidden in the end of the handle.

Everybody needs a spare pump... and somebody needs one for Christmas, too.

Winter Sale!

Come see our display of holiday gifts for the cyclist in your life. We've got tons of great gift ideas at all different price points, from stocking stuffers on up.

We also have lots of items on sale as we clear out our inventory and try to pay some bills during the slow season.

Some sale highlights:

Three-pocket coolmax cycling jerseys: were $30, now just $20!

Serfas FP50 floor pumps: were $25, now just $15!

Cinelli Cork handlebar tape (assorted colors): was $16, now just $9.99!

All tubes, buy two get one free (That's 3 tubes for just $10!)

Sidi Raiden cycling shoes: were $120, now just $100!

JanSport hydration packs: were $55, now just $30!

There are more deals to be had, even on bikes... come in and check them out.

First Saturday Bike Ride!

That's right friends... tomorrow is the first Saturday of December, which means it's time for our monthly bicycle-powered beer ride. First stop: The Rahr Brewery for FREE beers. Rumor has it there'll be a couple of kegs of the new (and incredibly tasty) Rahr Winter Warmer on tap.

Be here at the shop (1306 W Magnolia) at noon if you want to participate in the festivities.