During a ride yesterday the subject of high end race wheels came up, like most equipment in cycling I’m already dreaming of getting a “race” PowerTap wheel but until then I’ll just have to dream…OR I could rent!  Take this example, a PowerTap disc which would set you back about $3500 to buy or $200+ to rent.   I stumbled upon two companies that do just that, rent high quality wheels. 

• Echappe Equipmen in New York
• Race Day Wheels in Colorado

I haven’t tried them yet but will be soon and would be interested to hear if anyone else has?

I agree especially with the disc wheels, of course I’m one of the few running Campy but most wheels allow for the freehub to be swapped out.

I considered buying and renting out wheels like this, but I thought that if I was successful, there would be peak demand on TT days on race days only. Also it would be difficult to maintain a constant income stream as this is a very small market. It would be better for shop to do this since they would get the wheels at cost, guaranteed professional maintenance, and could keep up with changes faster. I was having trouble determining how you could really make money at this.

On the other hand, having the club own a couple of disk wheels that are rented out to just cover costs makes a lot of sense.

Bicycle Radio is a radio program based in Mesa, AZ.  They are a weekly radio show and website that supports the participation of cycling activities and events. Fueling the passions for the cyclist in all of us. That’s right! All of us! Whether you have aspirations for the Tour de France or it’s been 20 years since you’ve been on a bike, we know there’s a little cyclist in there somewhere, yearning to get out on the open road or tear it up on a mountain trail, that part of you desires to… Escape the Peloton!

Listen in to the 7/13 episode where Jonathan Parrish is a guest on the show. You can listen live online or via iTunes or by downloading the shows.

This past weekend a small group of WMRC Green Angels rode in the 21st Annual bike MS Round Up Ride presented by Discount Tire in historic Florence, AZ.  Florence is located just 45 minutes away from the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. This ride is the largest and best supported two-day, fully catered cycling event in Arizona, attracting over 1,000 cyclists from across the country each year.  

Day 1 Map

• 35 miles 
• 75 miles
• 100 miles

Day 2 Map

• 50 miles
• 75 miles

The Green Angels provide basic bike support on the road to cyclists and this year I think we lucked out and didn’t change any flats!  I just wanted to say thanks to Mike Shannon, Dave Lehnen, Eddie & Lucy McKee, Bill Heob & Matt Joy for joining me over the weekend.   

Hopefully you’ll join us next year!

Paco

Clif Bar is recalling 14 products in the U.S. and four in Canada because the peanut butter in those products was sourced from the Peanut Corporation of America.

 

“PCA is under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a recent salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter,” a Clif Bar press release said. “In light of this investigation, and with an abundance of caution, Clif Bar & Company has enacted a voluntary recall. We take the health and safety of our consumers very seriously.”

 

Check their website http://www.clifbar.com/ to list the following 14 products are included in the recall. Only bars with wrappers that have the following BEST BY or SELL BY codes on them, in all sizes and packages, are being recalled:

 

If you purchased the recalled bars, the company asks that you destroy the food but hold on to the BEST BY, SELL BY or EXPIRY DATE/DATE D’EXPIRATION code found on the back of the package. For questions or a refund, contact the company online or call 1-800-CLIFBAR (1-800-254-3227).

This morning our own, Brad Jones left with 21 other cyclists for The Ride For Semper Fi.  The riders are expected to arrive at Camp Pendleton on Saturday afternoon. 

As a team they will ride from Phoenix, Arizona to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California where they will present the donations from this event. The objective of this ride is to raise funds and awareness for the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund.  The “IMSFF” has been successful in granting more than 21 million dollars to Marines and Sailors injured in combat, training, or with life threatening illnesses.

When you pledge your gift you will be giving directly to those Marines who have made the ultimate commitment and sometimes the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our way of life and our freedom.