Wordless Wednesday
April 3, 2013 Leave a comment
Pro Profile: 10 Questions with Triathlete Cameron Dye
April 1, 2013 Leave a comment
Since Kestrel-sponsored world-class pro triathlete Cameron Dye will be dropping by our Fort Lauderdale store on Friday, April 5, we thought that we would reach out to him beforehand to answer 10 questions, for those of you who aren’t able to meet him in person in Florida. But before we get to the questions, we want to give you a little background on Cam, and what makes him so fast.
The 28-year-old Boulder native won his age group in his first triathlon, the Boulder Peak Triathlon, as a 15-year-old high school student. Cam attended the University of Iowa on a swimming scholarship, where he was named team captain of the swim team and received All-Big Ten Academic honors. After receiving his degree in finance in 2006, he moved back to Boulder and began training and racing full-time. He earned his pro license later that summer.
With his 2010 victory at the St. Anthony’s Triathlon, Cam – along with his blonde, curly locks and his signature style of demolishing the field on the bike – made his presence known. Deemed an up-and-comer storming onto the tri scene, Cam tallied two wins and five podiums in 2011. After tallying six wins and an additional six Top-10’s aboard his Kestrel 4000 last year, Cam capped off his 2012 season with the greatest victory of his career: the 2012 Race the Toyota Cup series title. In recognition of his outstanding year, Cam was named 2012 Non-Olympic/ITU Triathlete of the Year by USA Triathlon.
10 Questions with Cameron Dye
Where are you from and how did you get started racing triathlons?
I was born and raised in Boulder, CO and began racing triathlons at 15. I grew up a swimmer and runner and after doing one at 15 decided it was something I wanted to chase as a career after swimming in college.
What is your favorite distance and why?
My favorite distance is the olympic distance, because of all the variety you have between drafting and non draft racing, and the fact that it is flat out for the whole race.
What’s your strongest event – swim, bike or run?
Historically it’s swimming, but I have won most of my victories because of my riding.
Which event do you need to work on the most?
Running is my weakest of the 3, and although I have made big strides as a runner it is something that I will continue to try and master.
What’s one piece of gear that you can’t do without (for racing or training)?
My headband… something has to keep the ‘fro under control!
Tell us about your bike – what do you love about your Kestrel?
My 4000 is fast, plain and simple. I love the fact that it still looks like a bike, and not a space ship like some of the “super bikes” and yet it is still winning lots of races. I have won 9 out of my 10 professional victories on a Kestrel, 8 of them on a 4000.
What do you eat before a race – is it the same every time?
I try and find Hawaiian pizza the night before, and I have always eaten maple and brown sugar instant oatmeal the morning of the race.
What is your best advice for a beginning triathlete?
In everything you do have a plan, but be willing to deviate from it if necessary. Listen to your body, and make sure you are having fun. Even the hardest workouts need to be enjoyable in some respect.
What are your goals for the season?
Defend my title as the Lifetime Fitness Series Champion, and win the fastest race in the world at HyVee.
Tell us about your hair – how does it fit under an aero helmet?
My hair has sort of become my trademark. I love the fact that I stick out a little bit from the average pro triathlete, and it fits my personality. Once it’s wet it fits just fine in a helmet, the trick is keeping it under control on the run!
Community Events: Performance Bicycle in Florida
March 16, 2013 Leave a comment
Here at Performance Bicycle, we are proud to announce the opening of five stores in Florida, the first time that we have opened a store in the Sunshine State. To celebrate the much-anticipated stores, each new location will host a Grand Opening event featuring many exciting offers for cyclists of all levels.
David Pruitt, Performance Bicycle’s chief executive officer, summed up why Florida was such a great fit for Performance Bicycle: “Florida has a vibrant and growing cycling community, and we’re looking forward to becoming a part of that on the local level. While Florida’s always been a strong state for our e-commerce business, we’re very excited to serve Florida cyclists even better with our five initial locations.”
The new stores all feature our easy to shop layout with over 3,000 cycling items including a great selection of bikes, cycling clothing, sports nutrition, components and accessories. The stores will also feature Performance Bicycle’s signature Spin Doctor Service and Repair department. Spin Doctor Certified Mechanics participate in a continuous training program that assures customers receive expert service for their bike. This training, combined with years of experience working with the top brands in cycling, enable Performance Spin Doctors to expertly service all brands of bikes, no matter where they were originally purchased.
Our new Performance stores will offer a broad selection of cycling products and services to meet the needs of all cyclists. In addition, with the high number of tri-athletes living and training in the area, all Florida stores will feature clothing, bicycles and accessories for triathletes.
During the first half of 2013, Performance Bicycle plans to open the following five stores in Florida:
- Fort Lauderdale (Open now)
- Tampa (Open now)
- Winter Park (Orlando) (April)
- Boca Raton (April)
- Jacksonville (June)
If you are in Fort Lauderdale or Tampa during the weekends of 3/15-3/17 or 3/22-3/24, definitely stop by to say hello and check out the Grand Opening celebrations.
If you live in the area of our new Florida stores, or any of our over 100 other locations, remember that local cycling clubs are invited to contact their neighborhood Performance Bicycle stores to organize membership drives, group rides or to use the store as a location for club meetings. We hope to see you soon!
Product Profile: 2013 Performance Clothing
March 5, 2013 Leave a comment
Our new line of 2013 Performance clothing is our best lineup of Performance brand cycling gear ever. Our clothing team logged long hours designing and testing this gear to make sure that it meets the highest standards for both value and performance on the bike, for every level of cyclist. Give it a try and we know that you’ll love this cycling clothing as much as we do!
The new lineup of Performance clothing is divided into 3 levels: Ultra, Elite and Club.
Ultra clothing is designed with the latest performance technologies to meet the demands of serious cyclists. It’s optimized comfort and durability for racing and training, to give you a performance advantage.
Elite clothing is for the experienced cyclist looking for enhanced comfort and quality. It’s designed to take you from short group spins to all-day century rides with its precision designed support.
Club clothing is our foundation line for essential quality and value. It’s for cyclists who want comfort and value, from casual to long distance rides.
As the top level of our cycling gear, both our Ultra and Elite lines feature physiodynamic design.
So what does that mean? Think of it as the perfect synthesis of comfort, aerodynamics, and support for cyclists. It features a best-in-class Italian-made chamois with 4 way stretch, variable density and anti microbial properties – perfect for all day in the saddle. Aerodynamic leg and arm bands enhance airflow over the transition areas, while multi-panel construction supports cycling muscles for maximum power delivery. Plus maximized fabric placement wicks sweat and allows ventilation for all day comfort.
ULTRA 
Designed for serious riders, our Performance Ultra cycling jersey with physiodynamic design has tons of new features that’ll enhance the way you ride, whether you’re training, racing or testing your endurance. Open knit fabric pattern allows air to pass through the fabric, moving moisture away from your skin for quick evaporation. Coldblack technology in the shoulders reduces skin temperature under direct sunlight, so you stay cool and comfortable. Next-to-skin fit enhances speed, compression arm bands stay put, silicone gripper hem prevents ride-up and three pockets hold race-day essentials.
Performance Ultra jersey & shorts
Coldblack 
is an all-new finish applied directly to the fabric, which delivers better heat management and better protection against harmful UV rays. To achieve this double sun protection coldblack uses a unique combination: absorption and reflection. Coldblack reduces the absorption of heat in dark colors and reflects up to 80% of the sun’s rays, so the rider stays noticeably cooler.
Performance Ultra jersey & shorts
Our Performance Ultra women’s cycling jersey maintains comfort without compromising competitive performance utilizing the same physiodynamic design and coldblack technology as the Ultra men’s jersey - in a women’s specific design featuring a tapered collar, gripper-free arm openings and next-to-skin styling.
Performance Ultra jersey & shorts
Constructed for the weekend warrior or the everyday racer, the Performance Ultra shorts give serious riders the best technology at the best price. In addition to Coldblack technology on the fabric surface, we also added a new Italian chamois with Skyve technology to eliminate all possible pressure points while enhancing breathable support. The physiodynamic design with ergo-panels, flatlock stitching and compressive fabric promotes riding comfort. Powerband leg grippers stay put while cutting through the air. The Ultra shorts are the most comfortable, best-fitting shorts that money can buy under $100, and are available in men’s, men’s bib and women’s versions.
ELITE
The Performance Elite men’s cycling jersey utilizes a physiodynamic design and has everything you need for every kind of ride. Polyester/spandex fabric moves with you, wicks moisture away from your skin and gives you a streamlined fit. Strategic mesh panels and full zip keep you cool while the tail light clip and 360° reflectivity keep you visible. Silicone gripper hem won’t ride up when you’re down in the drops and three pockets hold your extra gear.
Performance Elite jersey
Physiodynamic design also helps to enhance the cycling motion for regular commutes, club rides, tours or off-road excursions while wearing the Performance Elite women’s cycling jersey (also available in sleeveless). It will be your new go-to piece for comfort on every ride, carefully designed with a women’s specific fit.
Performance Elite jersey & shorts
The Performance Elite shorts are the best everyday shorts you can find. We combined our new physiodynamic design with the best technical properties and an updated fabric blend to keep you well-supported and comfortable on every ride. New Italian made, multi-density chamois gives excellent cushioning on longer rides; reflective accents, and new Comfortband leg grippers feature silicone prints for a soft, no-slip grip. The best quality shorts you can find for under $80, available in men’s, men’s bib, women’s and women’s bib versions.
Performance Elite jersey & shorts
CLUB
Whether you’re pedaling around the neighborhood or training for your first charity event, the Performance Club II cycling jersey provides the cooling comfort you need to ride well. Polyester fabric leaves your skin dry, thanks to its fast-wicking properties and front zip keeps you well-ventilated as the day heats up. Reflective logo improves visibility and three pockets hold keys, nutrition, plus other essentials.
Performance Club jersey & shorts
The Club II cycling shorts (available in both men’s and women’s versions) blend fast-wicking fabrics with comfort-focused features for everyday riding performance. Six panels follow the pedaling motion and stabilize your hardworking muscles. Breathable foam chamois with silicone inserts provides cushy support and eliminates hot spots. Adjustable drawstring waist gives you a custom fit. Silicone leg grippers stay put, plus they feel great.
Performance Better Bicycling Community Grant: Cascade Bicycle Club
February 26, 2013 Leave a comment
It’s been nearly a year since we identified 10 worthy organizations to receive one of the $3,000 Better Bicycling Community Grants, in honor of our 30th anniversary, so we thought that it was time to catch up with these groups to see how they’ve used the grants to make a difference in their local communities. Cascade Bicycle Club, a non-profit organization based in Seattle, Washington, used their grant to help fund Cascade’s Advocacy Leadership Institute, a group that is building the grassroots power of the bicycle movement. We asked Tarrell Wright, of Cascade Bicycle Club, to write a few words about what ALI is all about:
“Our Better Bicycling Community Grant has enabled us to bring power to the bicycling movement by harnessing the enthusiasm of community members. With the skills and training they’ve gained through the Advocacy Leadership Institute, our first crop of Community Bicycle Advocates have gone on to testify at public hearings and start advocacy groups of their own. They’ve already become an invaluable asset to Cascade as we work toward safer, more connected communities where people of all ages and abilities can comfortably bike where they need to go.
“Since completing the inaugural eight-week session of our new Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI) in July 2012, several of our first 18 Community Bicycle Advocates have gone on to lead their own campaigns, including Don Brubeck of West Seattle Bike Connections and Janet Shull of WaBiBurien. Four graduates testified in support of funding for bicycling at the City of Seattle budget hearing last October. Shannon Koller was featured in the Al Jazeera piece on bicycling in Seattle and across the nation, and Merlin Rainwater has spearheaded an initiative called Safe Routes to Health focused on engaging health care facilities and hospitals in making sure patients, visitors and staff can safely and easily walk, bike and take transit to those facilities. Glen Buhlmann started Kirkland Greenways, the first Seattle Neighborhood Greenways affiliate based outside of the city. We’ve been providing ongoing support to these advocates as they’ve continued working toward better bicycling in their communities, thanks in part to funding through this Performance Better Bicycling Community Grant.
“It’s a bit early to gauge increases in bicycling as a result of our January 2013 session, as it has only just begun. However, we succeeded in gathering more than 1,000 petition signatures for a bold and visionary Seattle Bicycle Master Plan update, and more than 5,000 people have responded to our electronic calls to action. The draft network plan includes 523 miles of bicycle facilities to be built or upgraded over the next 20 years – including cycle tracks, bike lanes, trails and family-friendly neighborhood greenways. Several ALI participants have created their own grassroots advocacy groups, engaging more than 250 community members.”
Here at Performance Bicycle, we are proud to support the work of the Cascade Bicycle Club Advocacy Leadership Institute as they continue to grow this valuable and influential program, and make a real difference to cyclists in the Seattle area.
Event Recap: 2013 UCI Cyclo-Cross Worlds
February 5, 2013 Leave a comment
With plenty of cowbells, intense racing and a raucous crowd – the 2013 UCI Cyclocross Worlds in Louisville, Kentucky, was a great show! For the first time ever, the elite cyclocross world championships were held outside of Europe, and, since it was only a short drive from our Cincinnati store, we couldn’t miss the chance to see what it was all about in person! As a proud sponsor of this once-in-a-lifetime event here in the US, Performance Bicycle sent a team of associates to meet some of the dedicated ‘cross fans and also take in the racing action.
Our team arrived a day early to get set up in the expo area near the race course only to be greeted by frigid temperatures and fresh snow – perfect ‘cross weather. But soon after we started unpacking our gear, we learned that the planned 2 day event had been compressed down to a single day of racing, due to impending flood waters from the nearby Ohio River.
So that meant that race day was an early one for our team – to get all 4 championship races completed, the schedule started in the morning and ran all day long. Fans started rolling in shortly after 8AM to find their favorite viewing spot on the compact race course and we were ready for the influx with an array of giveaways, games and (of course) cowbells.
Our tent was busy all day long – we met ‘cross fans from all across the US and Europe, including folks from about 30 states and at least 6 different countries. It’s not just Belgians and Dutch who love cyclocross – fans of all stripes were out in force to watch their favorite racers!
We even ran into Captain America and his blue-haired sidekick, who obligingly posed with our cool cowbells.
Of course the dedicated European supporters’ clubs made the trip as well – with matching wigs, flags, hats and outfits. These groups travel to almost every race on the pro circuit, so they weren’t going to let an ocean get in the way of watching the world championships in person.
But we should also take a moment to give a special thanks to the dedicated Louisville Parks Department team that worked late into the night to hold back the flood waters long enough for the race to go on – without the sandbags and barriers below, no one would have had the chance to enjoy this spectacular event.
Finally it was race time – a non-stop showcase of the best cyclocross racing in the world. The junior men’s race was first out of the blocks on a still-frozen course – as you can see, conditions were fast but still slippery for these youngest racers. Dutch rider Mathieu Van Der Poel continued his season-long domination and defended his junior world crown, but American Logan Owen rode to an impressive 4th place overall – supported by a boisterous crowd!
And the crowd noise was indeed impressive! The ‘cross fans were in full throat from the earliest races to the end of the day – and not just for the leaders or US riders (although there was plenty of “USA! USA!” chants for the home team). Even the last place riders were supported with a wall of sound on every lap – we put together a quick video to share some of what the atmosphere was like:
And they’re off – these Belgian fans got a snapshot of the women’s race as they gunned for the hole shot.
But in the women’s race no one could touch the incomparable Marianne Vos, who soloed to her 6th cyclocross world championship (although American Katie Compton put in a valiant chase to get second place).
By the time the men’s race started in the late afternoon, the slowly thawing course turned into a sloppy, muddy track – perfect for ‘cross racing and epic race photos.
We had our cowbells ready to cheer on the racers, especially in front of the Performance Bicycle course banners.
Top-placed American finisher Tim Johnson here navigates a tricky corner in front of the huge crowd.
The new world champ, Sven Nys, was focused all race long – he stayed at the front of the pack all race and escaped for the win on the last lap, out-dueling teammate Klaas Vantornout.
Crowds, banners, cowbells and mud – is this Belgium or Kentucky?
American Jonathan Page put together a great race on his brand new Fuji Altamira CX 1.0 bike – he was running in the top 10 until a jammed chain slowed him down in the middle of the race.
And just to show that the event organizers made the right call to move all of the racing to Saturday, here’s what the course looked like on Sunday morning!
Flooded course via @timjohnsoncx on Twitter
All in all, this was an amazing event – we want to thank everyone who came by our tent to say hello and the folks at the Louisville 2013 organization for letting us be a part of this historic day of racing. If you weren’t able to make it to the race in person, definitely check out the replay on the UCI Youtube channel.
Cycling First Aid Essentials – What to Pack
January 29, 2013 2 Comments
We were recently asked the following on Facebook, by Michael P., and we thought it was an excellent question that is not often discussed in cycling:
I always carry a well equipped first aid kit in my vehicle. I also keep first aid kits in my target shooting bag. What should be in a first aid kit for road biking? Recreational biking with the family? Mountain biking?
Luckily we have a certified EMT who also works here in our home office, Chris, who could offer some advice, and he was happy to write up this reply to Michael’s inquiry:
First off, let me say that you sound like a great person to ride with (though I’m sure you hear that all the time). Your question really highlights the varying needs that different cyclists have. To respond very generally, let me start with your basic family trip. Most of your injuries are going to be scrapes and bruises. You’re probably not going to see anything that a basic “stock” first aid kit wouldn’t cover. I would carry: band-aids, small gauze pads (2”x 2”), waterproof tape, anti-biotic ointment, anti-itch cream, and some sunblock. Stock first aid kits will have more variety and will range from $15-$60 depending on the size and quality. A good “all-around” kit would be the this one.
For road riding, you might consider our Brave Soldier Crash Pack: It’s got a very well thought-out mixture of gauze, non-adhering wound dressings (essential for comfortably treating road rash), butterfly closures, and betadine. This pack will keep you ready to handle basic road crashes and get you and your friends home or to a doctor’s office where you can get more treatment. It’s also very light weight and comes in a waterproof pouch – perfect for that un-used jersey pocket.
Mountain biking is an entirely different animal. I’ve been deep in the woods and had a nasty crash that would have had me calling a friend for a ride if I was on the road. No such options exist when you’re in the back country however, so I would recommend a couple of extra measures.
Starting with a basic first aid kit like the one mentioned above, you might think about adding Tegaderm. Tegaderm is a transparent dressing that will seal a wound off from the outside. If you have a cut and have contained the bleeding and cleaned (and dried) the area, Tegaderm will keep it that way until you make it out of the woods.
SAM Splints would also be a good, light weight add-on to a back country first aid kit.
Of course the MOST important thing is your knowledge. Having training can make a panic-inducing situation into just another pit-stop. See if there is a Wilderness First Aid class in your area or take a basic First Aid/CPR class. Most community colleges will offer these things for a very reasonable fee. It’s fun, interesting, and could save a life. Also, I would be remiss to not include a big reminder to call 911 if there’s a real emergency. If someone loses consciousness for even one second, or slurs their speech after a crash, it’s hospital time. If you can’t stop their bleeding or if they have a broken bone, it’s best to call it in. EMS workers will be happy to come get you and will have many more tools than you could ever carry in your hydration pack. That being said, the most important life saving measure we all carry today is probably our cell phones. Keep yours intact and safe in your bag by adding a waterproof case like the Blackburn VIP SL Ride Wallet.
Any other suggestions from our readers out there?
Performance Bicycle at the 2013 UCI Cyclo-Cross Elite World Championships
January 29, 2013 Leave a comment
In case you’ve missed it, the UCI Cyclo-Cross Elite World Championships is leaving Europe for the very first time in 2013 (the weekend of February 2-3 to be precise). The cyclocross elite are going to descend on Louisville, Kentucky to celebrate the crazy world that is ‘cross racing – full of cold weather, mud, Belgians, cowbells, barriers and some of the most intense bike racing that you will ever find. If you’re not familiar with the basics of cyclocross, head over to our Learning Center to find out what this specialized winter cycling discipline is all about. If you haven’t seen it in person, the US cyclocross scene is passionate and growing fast – the guys here in our office don’t use ‘cross to stay in shape for next season, they use the rest of the year to get ready for ‘cross season!
Ben and Ross, from our home office, at our local ‘Nascross’ race
Needless to say, we couldn’t miss this amazing opportunity to see the world’s best cyclocross racers battle it out for a coveted rainbow jersey here in the US. As an official sponsor of Louisville 2013, we’ll be sending a crew to the event to cover the action and also to meet fans at the expo who come by our Performance Bicycle tent. We’re excited to meet cyclocross fans from around the globe (although we need to work on our Flemish), show off some of the great cyclocross bikes that we carry, and even give away some pretty amazing prizes and freebies (yes, we will have cowbells)!
Performance Bicycle tent at Stage 6 of the 2012 USA Pro Challenge
So what do you need to know if you can’t make it to Louisville for the big event this year? We’ll be posting updates to the Performance Bike Facebook and Twitter pages live every day, plus of course there will be great coverage of the racing on cycling news sites like VeloNews and Cyclocross Magazine. If you want to watch the races live here in the US, you’ll either need to find an international channel that is broadcasting the races or tune in to USA Cycling’s YouTube channel, which will stream every race live for free. But whatever you do, don’t miss out on this opportunity to watch the world’s best here in the US. Whether you are rooting for the American team of Jonathan Page, Jeremy Powers, Ryan Trebon, Zach McDonald, Logan Owen, and Katie Compton (to name just a few), or if you want to see international stars like Sven Nys, Niels Albert, Lars Van der Haar, or the incomparable Marianne Vos – it is definitely going to be a weekend to remember in Kentucky.
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