B-B-BRRR... be prepared, winter is coming

The lack of snow has some pondering if winter will really rear its' ugly head. Even when it does, remember that on January 29th you will have an opportunity to take your bike out of the garage and ride it on the Red River between Minnesota and North Dakota. The event poster doesn't really explain it, but this event is whatever you want to make of it. Yes, some may want to race, but many others are just out for a good time, some comraderie, or the chance to win some great prizes. Don't forget that the main idea here is enjoy riding your bike in January.

The course is 6 laps around a 1-mile loop over prairie grass, paved multi-use path, and the frozen Red River. Depending on the condition of the river, studded tires may be desired, but certainly are not necessary. Along the course there will also be bonfires for the spectators to stay warm and heckle the riders. If you didn't make it out last year, you don't know what you're missing.

It's that time again... B-B-BRRR

Registration has officially begun. Get your registration form filled out and sent in to Great Northern Bicycle Co. This year we're only doing the 10k as 90% of last years participants chose that option, and it should allow us to have more accurate results. That aside, we have decided to do a separate Fatbike category for those with tires wider than 3.7". Stay tuned for more info and stuff to be given away. Registration forms can be printed from here or found at Great Northern Bicycle Co., www.gncycles.com, and a few other select businesses around the F-M area.

Brrr registration2012

Think snow... think Surly Pugsley

Surly Pugsley Necromancer has arrived, and just in time for SNOW. Now, the Surly Pugsley was already a great bike, but Surly took thinks up a notch with the Pugsley Necromancer.

Equipped with the MWOD (Mr. Whirly Offset Double) crankset. This gives you more clearance if you want to run the new BIG FAT LARRY tire. That said, you can already run a fatter than usual 3.7" tire.

The shifting moves from the trigger-style to the top mounted levers. I'm a huge fan of these and currently have a similar setup on my own Pugsley. The headset also sees an upgrade to the Cane Creek Forty.

Last, but not least, Surly also made some changes to the front of the bike. The fork, still 135 spaced, but is the fork that comes stock on the new Moonlander. That means you add mounts for bottle cages or stuff, and you don't have the offset wheel build. You also switch the rims on the Necromancer to the Rolling Darryl w/o cutouts. That increases the rim width from 65mm to 82mm which gives you a much wider footprint.

One Way Killer Deal

If you've been looking for that singlespeed to do it all and have contemplated going 'fixie', the One Way has both. This bike not only works as your daily commuter, but at least one current owner of this bike has take the fenders off, put on some knobbies, and raced a full season of cyclocross. Certainly this bike would qualify as a jack-of-all-trades.

The SRAM torpedo hub allows you to switch back and forth between 'fixed' and 'free' without having to take the wheel out and flip it around. The only tool that you need is a micro flathead screwdriver.

Staying with the Heritage theme, Raleigh also includes a pretty classy chainguard that runs the full length of the chainstay.

And who wouldn't appreciate the Brooks B-17 and matching synthetic leather bar tape.

One piece stem and a bell!

To top it all off, your matching polished Lezyne frame pump.

Swiftwick Socks

Swiftwick socks are now at Great Northern Bicycle Co. I've been using these socks for a while now after my Smartwools died, and I love 'em. They come in a number of different heights and essentially two different flavors, the Pursuit (merino wool) and the Aspire. Personally, I love wool socks year-round, and with winter coming, I'm looking forward to warm toes. Nothing says 'Merry Christmas' like a new pair of socks.

Downtown Baby... with the Raleigh Back Alley

We just got in the new 2012 Raleigh Back Alley and they look stellar. As we all know, it's pretty flat here in Fargo-Moorhead, so it's the perfect playground for 'fixie' riding. The only thing it's missing is a matching purple-ano bell.

 Raleigh start with a great Reynolds 520 frame and pairs it with a solid 4130 chromoly fork. This creates a very stable and fun bike to ride.

They also add some great highlights with matching purple grips, seat collar, and go even as far as purple alloy spoke nipples. Raleigh's steel 'Heritage' bikes really go back to the roots that Raleigh is known for.

Shimano Di2 is here!

We just got in a Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL3 with Shimano Di2 electric shifting. Come down and take a look, and possibly a spin on it. Larry put the finishing touches on it last night and it's ready to ride. The automatic trim on the front derailleur is pretty sweet. It weighs in at just over 16 lbs and has everything you could possibly want in a new bike. Here are some pics to wet your appetite; you've got to come down and see this one in person...

Snow or No Snow - Ride On

We're back... and there's still no snow. Either way, join us tonight for a ride around on some larger-than-average rubber. Tonight is the first of what I hope are many Tuesday nights spent on my Pugsley. We're meeting at 7:30 at Great Northern Bicycle Co. The route is TBD, so bring your ideas as well as your lights. See you there.

Giro Reverb helmets

Here's Giro's take on a classic look for today's urban cyclists. The cool part about it is that it has a removal cycling cap-style visor. These helmets look great and are functional as well; they come in a variety of colors.

Specialized Polar Booties

We just got in a shipment of the NEW Specialized Polar Booties. These are perfect for keeping those toes warm in the biting wind that we've had lately. Remember that just because it snows, it doesn't mean that it's time to hang the bike up for the winter. Come in and check out our accessories to keep you warm when it isn't outside.

 

These have a flap to allow you to buckle or dial in the tension of your shoe without taking off the bootie. 

Just In Time - Pugsley almost ready

It looks like I got my Pugsley back together just in time. It has few upgrades from the stock one I rode last winter: Rolling Darryls, 100mm front fork, e Thirteen crankset, Titec J-bar, King headset, and Thomson seatpost and stem are just a few of the more obvious. Oh, and of course, it's now BLAZE ORANGE. The only thing left is to put the grips/tape on and decide what decal set to go with; White or Black?

Studded Tires from Nokian and Kenda

After this week, we all know that snow is inevitable. We've got the studded tires to keep you connected to the road this winter. They are available in 700c, 29er, and 26in varieties. All the tires we carry use steel studs with carbide tips to give you multiple seasons of use.

Kinetic Power Trainer CPU

We just got these Kinetic Power CPUs in today. It's designed to give you accurate power (watt) readings when you are using a Kinetic Trainer. The watts reading is calibrated based on a mathematical relationship between power and speed. All other functions (speed, distance, cadence, calorie burn, altimeter, etc) are accurate both on and off the trainer. Come in and check them out.

GNBC Socks, now in black

For those of you that were tired of white socks, our GNBC shop socks are now available in black. SockGuy socks with a 3" cuff and the logo of your local bike shop, Great Northern Bicycle Co. Just in time for the holidays for that cyclist that has everything.

SPIN CLASS SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED AT GNBC

Starting November 27th and running 'til February 19th, the Great Northern Bicycle Co. is once again offering indoor spin classes. Enjoy warm temps, no head winds, and train with your friends; think of it as an extension of our summer group rides. Just bring your bike down, hop on a trainer, and ride. Below you'll find the schedule of sessions. Please arrive 15min before the start times to get set up. See you there.

Tuesday/Thursday - 6pm start
Saturday - 10:30am start 

SEEING ORANGE

My Pugsley has finally returned with a fresh coat of paint. May even get it built in time for my hunting trip this weekend. Only wish I had a trailer to help me get the deer out of the woods. Thank you Mr. Skagen.

ColdAvenger Winter Masks

Find your inner winter-ninja with the ColdAvenger masks by Talus. The perfect addition to anyones arsenal of cold-weather riding gear, it give coverage to your face, neck, and ears. We've got both the Classic and Pro versions in stock. The ColdAvenger mixes inhaled cold air with exhaled warm air to achieve a dynamic balance of warmth while keeping the face dry. Inside mask temperatures are 40º to 60ºF higher than outside, depending on activity. Moisture from exhaled air binds to the plastic piece, keeping the face dry.

                      

 

The soft shell stretch fabric is wind proof and water resistant in the Pro, with an inner fleece lining for a comfortable fit and to help wick the moisture from your skin to help keep you dry.

My Pugsley Teaser

For those that know me, you've probably heard me talking about getting my Surly Pugsley painted and making a few upgrades from the 'Complete' that was under me at the inaugural BRRR ride. So, here's a little teaser of some of the pieces that will adorn her. Larry, I know more than a few people who want to see that frame come back before the first snow flies. More to come; stay posted...

Fat bikes are here!

Surly Pugsleys are here! The last I looked, the weather channel predicted that we might see the first snowfall over the weekend, so now's the time to get ready. More Fat bike and winter accessories to come; stay posted . 

 

2012 BRRR date set - Mark your calendars

It's been a while since my last post, but I was just waiting until something really big came up. Great Northern Bicycle Co. has set the date for the 2012 running of B-B-BRRR (Border Battle Bike Ride on the Red River). It will take place on Sunday, January 29th, so mark your calendars. For those of you that didn't participate last year, this is a great chance to get your bike out of the garage and ride outside on the frozen Red River. There will be tons of giveaways, so start planning on how you'll spend that Sunday. I'll have more as the details become available.

Only 2 days 'til the big event and still more giveaways...

There are now only two days 'til the B-B-BRRR Winter Classic. There is still time to sing up. Whether it be before or the day of, don't miss this chance to play on the snow and ice AND have the opportunity to walk away with some great prizes. Giro was kind enough to send a couple of helmets and goggles to help with your winter ride. Thanks, Giro. As of right now, there are 30 people registered, and the chances of walking away with some great prizes is pretty high. Don't forget, it's not everyday that you get to ride on the river. Come out and cheer everyone on. There will also be bonfires to keep warm and events to follow. Hope to see you out there.