Cyclocross season recap from Swift Racing's Katy Salinas

Some of you may not know that we've been sponsoring the Swift Racing team for the past two years.  The 30 or so cyclists on the team race road and mountain, but cyclocross is what really brought them all together.  Their results this season were impressive:

• 3rd place team (out of 97) at Blind Date
• 448 race starts in 96 races
• 180 top ten finishes
• 214 volunteer hours (for more on Swift’s community involvement, click here)

For Volunteer Coordinator and Elite Women's racer Katy Salinas, this past ‘cross season has been about more than just skinsuits and powermeters; it’s about people.

“It was an amazing season to see people with podium finishes and upgrade points to compete in the next hardest category.  Other victories include breaking into the top half of a huge field, coming back from an injury, winning a duel with that other racer who used to always finish ahead.  There’s a saying that friends multiply joy and divide suffering.  After each race, in the team tent, I rehash the race highlights, so glad that I have people.

“Cyclocross is easy to get into, but the rabbit hole is deep.  Sport-specific knowledge includes gear, training, technique, eating and resting strategies.  Team is a cadre of people to consult on what to wear in variable weather, what tire pressure to run.  I am having trouble figuring out why I struggle in corners, so one of the guys takes some time out to work with me.  I will keep growing as a racer because I have stronger racers supporting me, and racers are kind of like people.

“On a team, you get two kinds of mechanical support.  Our shop support is unparalleled, helping us maintain our bikes, decide on gear, and dial in bicycle fit.  Race days, I found additional support in my teammates.  In the tent, you see someone lubing cleats and pedals for himself and everyone else present, checking tire pressure or a glue job.  When I have a mechanical problem in a race, someone meets me in the pit to get me on a working bike and back into the fray.  In that moment, I feel like I approach something of pro status: I have people.

“Although the ribbing and heckling is loud, you could not find a more supportive group.  Head down, trying to breathe and not vomit, I hear someone telling me I can go faster, and I get out of the saddle one more time.  Some races I find myself all by myself on the course and desperate for motivation, and then I hear someone cheering me on.  I’m not alone; I have people.

“This year, we went legit with a beautiful team tent to shelter us from the elements. Our sponsors made it possible for us to indulge in details like a table for the water jug, energy drinks and food, a changing tent and even a heater.  With this luxury, I put all my suffering into the race instead of losing energy to heat/cold.  I love that almost everyone took a turn setting up or tearing down the team tent.  Water hand ups on sweltering days?  Dry towels after a downpour? Care Bear costume design for Halloween? All done by these people.

“We head into winter, wrung out from the racing season.  Then someone mentions beautiful winding roads by the coast, or pristine single track.  I start to think about how far I’ve come as a racer and how much farther I have to go.  A long ride at base mile pace allows for conversation, and I hear about plans for an upgrade, building better fitness, improving technical skills.  An email thread starts about new team spinning competitions and another one about Nationals next year.  How do I stay motivated when wind and rain threaten to drive me under fuzzy blankets by the fireplace?  I have people.”

Thanks, Katy!  Be sure and follow the Swift racers next season, and any women interested in being a part of this friendly and supportive team can contact tim@21stbikes.com to be put in touch with Katy.

…and as a reward for reading the whole thing, here's a photo of team captain Matt taking his job too seriously in Bend (photo: Matthew Lasala for Cyclocross Magazine)

Lube it or Lose it...Three Flavors to Save it!

As bike mechanics, we know that it becomes necessary to have 'the talk' with developing cyclists.  You know the symptoms: high pitched squeaking, rusty discoloration/discharge and if left untreated for extended periods, total parts failure.  Perhaps you as a rider once lived in a more mild climate or had been attended to by a well-meaning bike mechanic who treated you kindly but perhaps never had the guts to break down the situation in great detail.  Here at 21st Avenue Bikes we don't shy away from having 'the talk' about proper chain lubrication.  Because we care.  Here are three different flavors of chain lube we sell and recommend...

Tri-Flow: Superior Lubricant

Tri-Flow is a light oil with PTFE, a teflon additive.  When you apply it to your chain you add a thin layer of protective film to the metal moving surfaces.  Before you use it, shake the bottle thoroughly to disperse the PTFE additive that sinks to the bottom.  The bottle comes with a handy plastic applicator tube.  It is the only chain lube we sell that comes in a black bottle.

Kurt: "It's affordable.  You will need to reapply any lube you buy.  It is what bike shops smell like and possibly made out of bananas."

Prolink and Prolink Xtreme chain lube: with MFR Technology

Do you like cleaning your chain?  Probably not.  Prolink likes to clean your chain.  The patented M etal F riction R educer magic works great.  After you apply Prolink, wipe down your chain with a clean rag and witness the amazing cleaning action of MFR tech.  It does not smell like bananas.

Ben:  "Prolink's solvent action lubes, cleans and protects in one step.  Lube on, wipe off and... all done.  I like that it does not have a disturbing food smell."

Dumonde Tech Lite Chain Lube

This is heavier and more viscous than your average chain lubricant.  This means more staying power in wet'n nasty riding conditions.  Dumonde recommends that you thoroughly clean your chain before applying this lube.  Many people believe that it carries the odor of a delightful cave-aged blue cheese.  You decide.

Jerry:  "Built by science for nerds."

What about other chain lubes?   And whats the deal with chain wax?  I heard it is the best.     

There are many fine chain lubrication products on the market.  As the old joke goes, ask two bike mechanics which lube they like and you'll get two answers and a third that both of them hate.  The most important feature of any chain lubricant is that you use it regularly.  Wet Portland riding conditions will wash even the stickiest lube off your chain so be prepared to reapply your lube of choice following a rainy ride.  That could mean lubing up three to five times a week!

Products that are powered by "Ice", "Lightning" or "Honey Bees" are generally wax or silicone-based chain lubricants.  These products coat the chain surface with, you guessed it, the waxy stuff.  Over time, wax lubricants migrate away from the surfaces they are meant to protect and accumulate on nearby surfaces.  In dry riding conditions this takes a fairly long time and as a result wax lubes don't need to reapplied very often. 

In sloppy, rainy Portland conditions these wax lubes wear off fast and gunk up drive parts.  Chain cleaners and normal solvents don't break down these compounds making them very difficult to clean.  The best way to remove wax from chains is boiling them in a pot of water, which can be a real drag.  Different strokes for different folks, different lubes for different tudes'...but you've been warned. 

Steel Wheel Deal is Real!

Steel is real.  And in the rain, steel rims are real slippery! Noisy and inconsistent wet weather brake action can be symptoms related to the widespread scourge of steel rims on older bikes.  Holler at us all you 70's and 80's Schwinn, Peugeot and Raleigh riders!  Those vintage bike manufacturers and many others once offered aluminum (AKA Alloy) rims as major upgrade to cheaper steel rims on basic wheelsets.  Today, the lighter weight and better brake action of aluminum rim surfaces are standard features on almost all new bikes of decent quality.

As a service to our vintage bike riders who need better brake action, we are discounting labor to upgrade to a new set of alloy wheels and fresh brake pads!  Dropping the pounds (yes, in many cases making your bike pounds lighter) by ditching your old steel wheels for an alloy wheelset will improve handling and acceleration.  In short, alloy wheels are the best possible safety and performance upgrade you can make to any vintage ride with steel rims!  Stop in for us to check out your bike and give you a full estimate for this great deal.

The Fine Print: Our "Steel Wheel Deal" is 25 bucks (normally $40) and covers installation and adjustment of a new alloy wheelset plus the installation and adjustment of wet weather specific brake pads (if available).  Labor charge does NOT include parts.  The offer only applies to replacement of both front and rear wheels and cannot be applied individually or split between two bikes.  Must be present to win.