Annual THOR Meeting - Feb. 17th

THOR ANNUAL MEETING

Hello and Happy New Year!

The 2008 riding season is around the corner and there are many plans on the agenda. And in order for those plans to get executed, we need people. People like you who have so generously given your time, money or otherwise to keep THOR thriving. For that we say thank you and hope you will continue your support this year.

There are many ways in which you can support THOR. To find out just how many, we'd like you to attend our annual members meeting. At this meeting you will get a chance to hear about the accomplishments of the past year and learn of the plans for 2008. You will get a chance to volunteer for open spots on the advisory board. Maybe you have the leadership skills and dedication to be a Trail Leader. There are endless opportunities to contribute outside of just building trails. We encourage you to attend and feel free to bring a friend.

When: Sunday, Feb. 17, 4-6 p.m.
Where: Confluence Bookstore and Business Center, 505 Cornhusker Road, Suite 107, Bellevue, NE For directions Click HERE.
Ammenities: We will be in a large classroom. There is a bar and bistro on sight for hot or cold beverages as well as light snacks.
If you have any questions, email Roxzanne at roxzanne.abbott@gmail.com.
Roxzanne Abbott
THOR Advisory Board
Director of Operations

PS - If you haven't renewed your membership this is a great time to do so. The cost is $20. Once you renew, for an additional $20 you can get a THOR hoody. For an additional $10, a THOR t-shirt. We will have a limited supply at the meeting.

2008 RAGBRAI Route is Announced.

This years RAGBRAI route has been announced and registration is now open. The ride starts July 19th and runs through the 26th. This years ride will begin in Missouri Valley, go through Harlan, Jefferson, Ames, Tama-Toledo, North Liberty, Tipton and then end in Le Claire.Visit the RAGBRAI website for more information.

Great Holiday Gift Idea!!!

Need a great holiday gift idea for the cyclist who has everything. Check out the Bontrager Power Charger pump. The Bontrager Power Charger pump is a rechargeable, portable tire pump. This pump will fill up all the bike tires in your garage whether they are your kids 12" bike or your top of the line road bike. It is charged using AC or DC current and can be operated off your cars 12V power outlet. The Power Charger will inflate up to 200psi and includes a Auto Select head for use with Schrader or Presta valves. It includes a 12V outlet so you can plug in your IPod or other device out on the road. The Bontrager Power Charger makes a great holiday gift idea because it is a simple, fast way to make sure your bikes are always ready to go riding.

FFL CFK PGGB

From all accounts, the 1st annual Cabin Fever Killer was a huge success and fun was had by all who attended.

Thanks to CVO for organizing the race and making sure everyone had a good time!

Just ta let ya know

the first annual 'cabin fever killer' will be goin' down 2-24-07 at 12noon. check the following for details:

http://www.jedionabike.blogspot.com

or

www.cabinfeverkiller.blogspot.com

The New Edition of the Jeff Hart Cycling Class

Back by popualr demand, always taking it one game at a time, always giving 110%....

Jeff Hart will be conducting another cycling class at Blues Bike on Sunday, Feb. 11th from 3pm to around 5pm.

Jeff has 4 spots open in this particular class in which he urges participants in this class to bring a trainer for their bike.

For more information on this class, please email Jeff at jeffcapone@aol.com

Did ya hear? It's a snowin'

I woke up this morning, hearing the weather was going to bring some white fluff stuff to the Lincoln area. Little did I know it was gonna bring a lot of white fluff stuff. Of course, these days a dusting of snow is too much for my liking.

Anyhoo, February will bring some exciting things to the shop: look for 30% off winter gear and as always, we gotta move out the exercise equipment to make room for new bikes!

Has January seemed like a long month to the rest of you? I know it is comprised of 31 days and all, but for me, the month of January has felt like its own year- so happy new year to you too!

mach5

it has been a good morning so far, we've got n.p.r. on the loud speaker (thanks again jeff!), life is good until i went to weather.com for the extended 10 day forecast: http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/sports/tenday/68502?from=36hr_fcst10DayLink_sports

then life didn't get so good.

fear not kitties, in a little over a month, it will be daylight savings time (march 11th)

so just hold tight, do push-ups, sit-ups, run up and down your basement stairs-the light is at the end of the tunnel!

mach5

New SRAM Road Parts

Anyone out there thinking of upgrading parts on your road bike please take notice of this entry. I replaced my Shimano parts on my cyclocross with the new SRAM Rival gruppo.

Needless to say I am quite impressed with SRAM's first offering of road parts. Those of you who know me, know that I have got my glass full of SRAM Kool-Aid, but really this stuff is so nice.

First of all, early in my tenure of working at a bike shop, mechanics and bike builders would tell me parts that have any quality are going to be easy to install on the bike and therefore "dial it in." I don't pretend to be a mechanic, but I felt like a pro-jock installing these parts on my cyclocross. The process did not take as long as I had thought, and once I got the parts on my bike, they were easy to adjust and blammo I was off ridin' my bike.

Second, and most important, the thing I love about SRAM's mountain parts is that they possess 1:1 actuation. What 1:1 actuation means is that for every movement of the shifter, the derailleur moves in exact accordance to the shifter. Therefore, shifting is lightnin' fast! SRAM road parts possess the same 1:1 actuation ratio, which makes the shifting very quick and crisp.

So, if you are satisfied with everything on your road bike, but want to upgrade your parts, I highly recommend giving the SRAM Rival or Force gruppo a try, you will not be disappointed!

For more information, visit www.willyoumaketheleap.com or www.sram.com

mach5

Baseball season is coming, so....

Two reasons why I, the machster, loves the springtime: 1) on the bike more and 2) Nebraska Baseball.

Usually there are Tuesday night games starting at around 6:30 during the season. So, I was thinking of leading a ride down to Haymarket Park to catch some great baseball action. The ride would leave Blues Bikes at around 6ish and we would take the trails to the gates at Haymarket Park.

Haymarket Park is very bike friendly; there are plenty of places to lock yer bike up. You can also ride yer bike up to the gate.

General Admission to the games is $7 which kind of promises you a spot on the berm(depending on the game). If you want better seats, sorry I can't help ya. If you want reserved seats most likely you will have to either buy the tix in advance or show up to the gate an hour before first pitch.

Nonetheless it is a pretty inexpensive evening of fun and watching one of the best college baseball teams in the land and the burgers at Haymarket are quite exceptional!

Just thought I'd bounce the idea off y'all bein's that it is cold out right now.

mach5

Thanks Jeff Frey

Thanks to Jeff Frey who is our Head Groundskeeper for extending the antenna on our stereo so that we can listen to a more reputible radio station rather than B107.3. I mean I love all of Kelly Clarkson's songs, as well as Hinder's 'Lips of an Angel.' But I would rather not hear them 15 times in one day!

Thanks again Jeff we owe ya one!

mach5

Not your Daddy's big wheel! Trek MOD

We just got this in. New for 2007. This may look just like the big you used to cruise on. But after a quick look you'll see that it is so much more. It has a 16" front wheel, front hand brake, adjustable seat, and it has a steel frame. This thing is tough. Just ask the little guy, he has it mastered already.

CYCLING CLINICS AT BLUE'S

Thanks to Jeff Hart for providing the Road Cycling and Women's Clinic this past week. Lots of good info!

SEVEN 07

NEW MODELS IN AND AVAILABLE FOR TEST RIDES

CYCLING CLINICS AT BLUE'S

Jeff Hart is presenting 2 separate cycling clinics in December. Road Cycling Basics will be Thursday, 12-7 from 6:30-8:00pm and Women's Cycling will be Sunday, 12-10 from 3:30-5:00pm. Clinics are $10 each or both for $15. More info on Blue's Web site.

hi my name is.....

hi my name is mach5 and i reside on the blues blog. you can find me lurking here to answer all of your questions regarding blues bike and fitness, the blues blog. and remember you cant fake the funk of a nasty dunk!

Anyone want to ride before it gets cold???

Leaving Blue's at 6pm tonight for a ride on paved town trails.

INDOOR TRAINING

Any plans for indoor group training sessions at Blue's this winter?