Tonight I closed shop, layered up some Ibex wool, and went for the first snow ride of the year. Now, I recognize that we only got a skiff of snow today but as some of you know when it snows, it collects on the trail first making a most spectacular ribbon of white flowing through the woods. It’s getting dark quite early these days so this was a lighted ride. It was beautiful to see the snow falling in the light of the super bright headlight as it fired up the night. I rode over to Hubbard Hills with a bottle of Stout to enjoy, and an extra layer to wear while sitting on one of the many Leopold benches scattered around the woods. If you haven’t been to this great trail network in awhile, you’ve got to get out there. A hearty crew of trail workers has been diligently pluggin’ away for the past couple months to open up a new section of singletrack that is riding great and going to snowshoe wonderfully. In fact, just yesterday we finally connected the brand new stuff to the existing and now there’s about a mile of twisty fun that highlights some of the rock features and some great sinkholes. Sitting on the bench enjoying my reward, as cozy as could be, I had one of those “Life is real good” moments and wished that there was a way of capturing it all in photos or something. Of course there was not. I hope that some of you can read this though and think about your last trip into the snowy woods and how special it was and embrace what is about to happen to our local paradise.
The snow is coming.

Staff Picks- Bar Mitts

I just got back from one of the best trail rides I've taken this year. It was so special that I also wrote an entry about it, but this is all about the new product that I've been testing and think that you should all know about. I first heard about Bar Mitts when I was checkin' out some of the Iditabike reports. If you're not familiar with this event, here's the scoop. Folks who are way more dedicated than myself will head up to Alaska every winter to race mountain bikes across the frozen landscape some 1000+ miles and endure 40 below temps. Beyond the obvious question of "Why", the next question is "How"? How do they stay warm (and alive)? Introducing Bar Mitts. These groovy handlebar covers of sorts are the warmest answer to cold weather riding I've found yet. I've had mine now for about a month. And while we haven't had sub zero temps, we have had teens and we've had freezing rain. I've been out on the Pugsley in both and my hands have been toasty warm. In fact, just the other morning I headed out for a pre-work ride. The temperature was in the teens and I ended up having to stop and take my lobster mitts off cuz my hands were sweaty hot. Bar Mitts attach to any standard mountain bike or road bike handlebar easily and can be used with or without gloves. Come on in to the shop, check mine out and pick up a set for yourself and the rider on your Christmas list. 

Coffee, Super Sales, and Parades!!

We’re planning a big week here at Bluedog Cycles and here’s the scoop.

It’s official!!! Brewdog is open. The coffee shop has been under construction for some time now and we are finally opening the doors. We have been licensed, trained by the pros at Kickapoo Coffee. We put together a menu, and Kait, Alycann, and Bryn are ready to pour it on.

Stop by this week and enjoy a cup of coffee while you do your Christmas shopping, or just belly up to the coffee bar, grab a fancy espresso drink, and hang out with some friends. We will be open late on Friday for the Twinkle Fest Parade so you can warm up before the fun event.

Bluedog will be open this Friday on the “big shopping day”. We will open our doors at noon (we need to ride off the Thanksgiving turkey first) and stay open through the Twinkle Fest Parade. For the big sale we’re blowing everything out. Everything is on sale on Friday and Saturday. All items are 20-50% off including 2011 bikes, Ibex wool, Atlas snowshoes, Rossignol Nordic skis, and Vernon Trails’ garb. Some of last years bikes, clothes, bags, and accessories will be marked down as low as 50% off. Come by and do your Christmas shopping locally for your favorite outdoor player.

And finally, Bluedog Cycles will be participating again in the Twinkle Fest Parade. This year we will be meeting in the large parking lot behind Nelson’s Agri-Center right next to the Warehouse (look for the Bluedog Cycles white van) at 6:45pm for the short, but super fun parade. Afterwards we will be partying at the shop. Prizes will be given to the best decorated rider and/or bike.

We look forward to seeing you this week and hope to play with you all soon.

Twinkle Fest Parade

Calling all riders and parade lovers!

The Twinkle Fest Parade is quickly approaching the town of Viroqua, and Bluedog Cycles is looking for parade riders. Every year, on the Friday night after Thanksgiving we decorate our bikes, don our warm wears, and ride our trusted two-wheeled steeds through the streets of Viroqua as the most enthusiastic group in the Twinkle Fest Parade. This year we will be meeting in the large parking lot behind Nelson’s Agri-Center right next to the Warehouse (look for the Bluedog Cycles white van) at 6:45pm to do our pre-ride warm-ups and practice our choreographed riding tricks. As always, the best decorated rider/bike will be rewarded with a gift certificate from your favorite local bike shop. After the parade, we will head to the shop for a little party. Please pass this along to anyone that you think might enjoy being in a parade, and we’ll see you on Friday night.

Happy Thanksgiving from our staff and please eat responsibly.