New Employee Welcome!

This is Betsy. She's been with us for about a month now, so be sure and say hi next time you're in the shop!

Nickname: Wheaties

Hometown: Norfolk, VA

Former Profession: Preschool teacher

Hobbies other than bikes: Hot Yoga and baking

Favorite Beer: Bass Ale

Favorite local ride: Hill repeats on carwash. (There's a reason we call her Wheaties)

Best advice to new riders: Find a group ride and try it!

Labor Day Hours

BikeBeat will be open Labor Day 10am-5pm.

Shenandoah 100 this weekend!

The usual BikeBeat suspects are heading up to the Shenandoah 100 this weekend. For those not familiar with the epic 100 mile ride, check out the course profile above. Robert will be going for the 8th time (possibly nuts?). Creedence will be going for the first time. I (Sharon) sadly have to stay and man the shop. It's an awesome ride (well, I REALLY enjoyed the first 75 miles, the last 25 were painful.)

To recap last year, Robert, Chris, Sharon, Scott, and several of our friends/customers went. Scott crashed pretty badly about 20 miles in, and a few of our friends ended up missing a time cut-off. So this year they're all goin back to finish (except Scott who has decamped to Santa Cruz).

There will be an update on Tuesday or Wednesday next week to let y'all know how the BB-WB crew did. Wish 'em luck if you see them before Saturday.

New Employee Welcome

This is Elisa. She's been working at BikeBeat for a couple weeks now, so be sure to say Hi next time you're in the shop.

Vital Stats:

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Former Occupation(s): Veterinarian and mom of two
Funniest Moment at Former Job: Either doing a C-section on a guinea pig, or treating a goat for marijuana consumption.
Favorite Beer: Stone Brewery IPA
Favorite Local Ride: Jolly Pond and around Little Creek Dam Reservoir
Riding Since: 1987 (recreationaly) 2007 serious road.
Best advice for new cyclists? "Look where you want to go. If you stare at a piece of debris you will run right into/over it."

4th of July Ride

So this is a month late, but here's the picture from the 4th of July ride. In honor of the shop being closed for the 4th (first time ever!!!) we did a 45 mile loop through some roads in New Kent County that we seldom ride. It was a great route and so much fun we're hoping to do it again next year.

In attendance were Daniel and Michelle Ballin, Matt Kleiman, Rich Thompson, Tony Watkinson, Chris Nusbaum, Barry Taylor, Sharon Oakley, Greg Hancock, Bernie Farmer, Clair Walizer, Jack Reitz, Bob Smole, Robert Maye, Ted Evans, Cecil Lame, Bruce Lowekamp, Dave Magnant, and Charlie Marcotte.

Current Ride Schedule Update

Here's the current ride schedule. I will update this post as it changes into the fall.

Monday and Friday, 7 AM we have a 25-30 mile B pace (15-17MPH avg) ride led by Jack. No one will be left behind, and the route varies by day.

Some B ride regulars - Larry, Jim, Cecil, and Greg

Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 AM we have an A pace (19-21MPH avg) ride led by Robert, Chris, Sharon. We gotta keep the pace up on this ride to get the shop open on time, but we won't leave any new riders out on their own.

Wednesday at 5:30 PM Robert leads a 40-50 mile A+ paced ride. This ride usually averages 22+ MPH with several efforts that maintain at 25-28mph. It is generally a drop ride.

Thursday at 5:30 is the Ladies Ride! All ages and ability levels are welcome. If we have enough women we brake into two groups. It is a no-drop ride and we frequently include skills sessions.

Saturday at 7:30 AM is another A pace ride. It tends to be larger and faster than Tuesday/Thursday, but not as hectic as Wednesday evening (though it depends on who comes out to ride!).

Sunday at 9am there is a ride FROM WALLER MILL PARK, A+ ride, 40-50 miles. Lead by various JRVS members.

Sundays at 9 are also the EVMA rides. Check EVMA.org for current ride schedule.

If the weather looks iffy, call the shop at 229-0096 to make sure it's going.