B-B-BRRR 2013, Now with ONLINE registration

The physical posters for the 2013 running of the B-B-BRRR Winter Classic are at the printers now and we should see them either tomorrow or Thursday. Many thanks to Sir Speedy in Fargo for their support of our event! However, you don't have to wait 'til then to sign up. Online registration is now available at http://www.gncycles.com/component/content/article/120-events/brrr-inforegistration/197-brrr2013-mobile-and-pc-registration or if you have a fancy phone, just scan the QR code on the poster below. The other addition for the upcoming year is FREE BRATS AND BEER or CIDER to follow the race at Great Northern Bicycle Co. Sign up now and save a few bucks!

Latest addition to the FM cycling community

So, this post doesn't have much to do with cycling, but it's what been on my mind most recently and has helped to create the time disparity between posts. Anyway, here's a photo of the newest member of my family. Clive Jerome Christianson was born on Sunday, November 18th 2012. He weighed in at 9 lbs 6 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. I'm not sure why that's relevant, but they're the answers to the questions my wife always asks when I mentioned someone had a new baby. I also want to give props to my amazing wife, Jill, and our Midwife, Beth and her assistants for helping with our 2nd homebirth. Praise God for our newest baby boy!

Surly + School Bus Yellow = Hi-Vis Dream

The Surly Pugsley is known for its all-around versatility, but you can see for yourself at Great Northern Bicycle Co. They just received the 2013 model and it has some nice upgrades over the past incarnations. First, you're sure to see it against a backdrop of white with its Matte School-Bus Yellow paint and it only gets better from there.

It takes a cue from the Neckromancer Pugs of the past (and current) and is adorned with Microshift thumbies, a seat-tube mounted front derailleur, and the drilled out single-wall Marge Lite rims. One you've got to throw a leg over for yourself to really appreciate, so come on down...

Sur(e)ly, a bike for ALL seasons...

The Surly Pugsley is definitely a bike for all seasons, and now at GNBC you've got a great opportunity to take one home at a great price. We all know that eventually winter will come again, so get ready early AND in the meantime, enjoy rolling on some 'Fat' tires. 

The trails at MB Johnson Park in Moorhead,MN are in prime condition for some off-road riding as well. Don't forget to join us on Thursdays at 6:30 for our weekly off-road ride (we depart the shop at a little after 6 OR meet us out there).

S-Works goes electric

Here's a few images of the latest build to leave Great Northern Bicycle Co. You can't go wrong when you start with something as nice as a Specialized SkunkWorks Roubaix. Dress it up a little with some Shimano Ultegra electric components and top it off with some great HED wheels and you've got something pretty special. Thanks, Kevin. We hope you enjoy riding it as much as we enjoyed building it.

Note: If you see a flash of neon go by you on the roads up north in Grand Forks, you now know what it was.

Art and bicycles come together

Join us as we work with our friends at the FM Community Bike Workshop (FMCBW)to celebrate local art and help them fundraise for their cause.

Great Northern Bicycle Co. celebrates 25 years

Has it really been that long since I posted. Wow, things have been crazy around here. On that note, congrats and thanks to Great Northern Bicycle Co. on serving the FM area everything cycling over the last 25 YEARS! Hats off to Tom Smith and crew. Spring is sprung, so if you haven't already, grab your bike and take it for a ride.

Video footage of B-B-BRRR 2012

Here's a link to video of Spencer Salmon's first lap during Sunday's B-B-BRRR. The first outing of the ContourROAM worked great in the cool temps. Can't wait to further test it out. Still on long way to go on my video-editing skills. I love the run up and the chaos that ensues in finding his bike. Definitely going to keep that for next year. If you participated, we'd love you hear your thoughts. Enjoy.

B-B-BRRR Wonderland captured in stills

For those that weren't able to attend this years' BRRR ride or if you were there and just love to see yourself in all your glory, check out the following links to some images:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guardian_rayovac/sets/72157629091311897/

http://www.inforum.com/event/photogallery/id/2204/

A special thanks to those who captured the race on film.

Results are in; Thanks for making B-B-BRRR a huge success

I just wanted to personally thank all of those that participated, volunteered, and spectated yesterday at the 2012 running of B-B-BRRR. We had a record turnout and I hope that you all enjoyed it as much as I did. Below you'll find a posting of the results. I'd really appreciate any feedback that you have: positive or negative. We're always looking for ways to improve and make this event even better next year. Also, if you took pictures and are willing to share, we'd love to have copies. Thanks again for all the support.

They've landed...

Our Demos for this weekend's B-B-BRRR have landed and are being assembled as we speak. Surly was gracious enough to send us two Moonlanders, one 18" and one 20". These bikes will be available for all to test ride on Sunday at the race, but for those that want a chance sooner, they will be at the shop all weekend long. Come by and see what 'FAT' really is.

They call that paint 'Space'. Don't let it suck you into the black hole that is Fatbikes. Or check that... DO.

Surly Big Fat Larry tires on the 100mm Clownshoe rims.

Moon landing set for end of week and BRRR

Just got off the phone with our friends at Surly and it looks like we'll have some new bikes to demo at
B-B-BRRR this Sunday. Perfect timing for the most recent snowfall, the ride on Sunday is going to be a blast. Current weather outlook is set for partly cloudy skies and temps in the low 20s; we couldn't ask for a better backdrop for the ride. In short, don't miss your chance to put the real 'fatties' to some snow come Sunday. More details coming soon, so stay tuned. Surly Moonlander Surly Pugsley

oonlanders coming...

More giveaways for B-B-BRRR

We just received a package from ColdAvenger with 3 masks to give away at B-B-BRRR on January, 29th. Since it has now dipped below zero, I've finally had the opportunity to see what these masks can really do. In short, they do not disappoint; one of the best features is that you can use these for anything from cycling to skiing, mountain climbing to traversing the North Pole, or just snowblowing your driveway (or the frozen Red River if you feel inclined). We have one Classic, one Pro, and one Expedition Balaclava to give away. We'll see you in a few weeks for your chance to win.

Worth the price of admission

It's now less than two weeks until B-B-BRRR rides again. Over the last few days we've been getting a bunch of goodies in that will be given away at the event. For the fun of it, I started tallying just how much it was; so far we're in the ballpark of $2000 worth of FREE STUFF. So, for the $25 entry fee, the odds are pretty good that you're going to walk away with something. I'm sure you've all see the Serfas light (see last post) and we just got some awesome bags from Revelate Design up in AK.

Here they are mounted on a Surly Pugsley to give you a better idea of their purpose.

The Tangle bag is an adjustable, rectangular-shaped frame bag that leaves room for both water bottle mounts on the frame. These fit a variety of frames and are used for anything from everyday riding & commuting to more epic rides such as the Almanzo and Heck of the North gravel road rides.

The Gas Tank offers easy, one-handed access while riding. Fill it with anything from a camera to your favorite on-the-bike snack. Both of these bags are meticulously constructed and would be a great addition for anyone who likes to ride.

Pre-registration date extended to Monday, January 16th

I just realized that our current pre-registration deadline is on a Sunday; that's not very condusive to getting things mailed as our USPS doesn't work on Sunday. For those of you that procrastenate like myself, that gives you one more day to guarantee that you get one of the awesome B-B-BRRR event tees. If you need a little more incentive, Serfas has just given us a TSL-1000 rechargeable headlight to give away.

A number of us here at Great Northern Bicycle Co. have used the 'little' brother of this light and have raved about how awesome it is. If you haven't seen it yet, come in and check out the TSL-250 and make sure you're seen this winter.

Once again, registration forms can be found in a downloadable form here in an older post, at www.gncycles.com, or printed at GNBC. Don't miss your chance to save a few bucks and get registered.

Pre-registration for B-B-BRRR ends in 12 days

I just spent the last eleven days on the Gulf Coast in Florida and let me say it was nice to get away. That being said, I was glad to see some snow on the ground when I returned; if for nothing else but the Winter bike race that is fast approaching. Pre-registration for BRRR ends in 12 days, so don't miss your chance to save a few bucks and be guaranteed a T-shirt. To entice those of you who haven't signed up yet, here are a few images of just one of the many prizes to be given away at this years' event. Thanks go out to Chrome and our other sponsors. Enjoy.

The Brigadier from Chrome is a large roll-top backpack/duffel. Like most Chrome products, it has a waterproof liner and superbly constructed. Don't miss your chance to win this.