Tour de Frederick

It was great fun to help out with the very first Tour de Frederick. We had fun meeting the many cyclists at our water stop.

What is Custom?

The term custom is thrown around quite a bit in the bicycle industry. Sometimes it describes a stock bike frame with a hand-picked parts assortment. To others a custom bike is one with custom geometry and tubes designed to best suit a specific persons needs.

The YiPsan pictured is a wonderful example of what a truly custom bike can be. Each and every detail of this machine is tailored to one rider's desires. His name is Dan and his goal was to own a bike that is comfortable for long rides and built tough to tackle foul weather and averse conditions.

The bike began with custom geometry (as you can tell Dan is very tall) and extra heavy duty frame tubes. Next a selection of parts were identified to suit the rider's needs. The bike was equipped with the bomb proof Rohloff 14 speed internally geared Speedhub. To accommodate the twist shifter required for this drive-train Renold at YiPsan Bicycles made a special stem with a shifter mount. The bike is also equipped with a Schmidt Dynamo/SON generator front hub to power both the front and rear light. Fenders, a Nitto front rack and Tubus rear round-out the build. This machine is not limited to the road, the 40mm tires and stout wheels will be right at home on dirt and gravel roads.

This bike is one mans dream and perfectly illustrates what a custom bike can be.

More pictures available here.

www.thebicycleescape.com

2011 Specialized Camber

Introducing the 2011 Specialized Camber series of full suspension mountain bikes. The Camber models range from $1650-$2900. The versatile Specialized FSR full suspension design used on the Camber is ideal for general use mountain biking.

2011 Specialized Stumpjumpers

Well folks here are a couple of the hot new 2011 Specialized bicycles... Stumpjumpers to be exact! First up is the faboulus Stumpjumper Expert Carbon 29er. This beauty will only cost you $3300 so don't for get to pre-book. Second is the Stumpy Comp Carbon 29er for $2800. The next bike shown in black and lime is the Stumpjumper Comp 29 which will be available for $1950. Next up is the 26" Stumpjumper Comp which sells for $100 bucks less. The single speed Stumpjumper is $2600 with the Fox F29RL fork. The Blacked out Specialized Stumpjumper 29er Evo offers a 1x10 drive-train for $2050. The white and carbon bike with a touch of gold is the Stumpjumper Carbon Evo R 29er which goes for $3300.

YiPsan in Red and White

I was quite pleased with the way our most recent YiPsan build. Steel tubes and components kept the weight down to 18.5lbs with custom frame, fork, post, and stem. Keep your eyes open for this beauty around Maryland and on the tri circuit. There is a 'ghost pearl panel' on the downtube that looks really good. If only I were a better photographer you could see it too :)

Check out more pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebicycleescape/

Bike Taxis in Downtown Frederick

Have you seen the cool bike taxis rolling around downtown Frederick lately? They are so cool. Geo and I took our first ride in one last week and it was fun! It is such a great idea to have these in the city. It was a beautiful, sunny day so we were able to enjoy the weather and get to the our restaurant in no time at all. The driver was really friendly. He said he has been busy pedaling people all over town. If you ever need to get somewhere downtown quick or if you just want to enjoy the evening air, consider hopping on one of these bike taxis. All you have to do is text your location to the number below and they will pick you up!

Here is the company info:
MacFawn's Green Rides
301-246-2221

2011 Specialized 29er

For 2011 Specialized pushes the envelope with a 18.8 pound 29er mountain bike.

Bicycle Classes

BICYCLE CLASSES OFFERED

________________________________________________________________________

Frederick, Md. -- The Frederick Bicycle Coalition, The Frederick Pedalers Bicycle Club and The City of Frederick Parks & Recreation Department is pleased to announce the following bicycle programs. For more information or to register, please call 301.600.1492 or stop by the William Talley Recreation Center.

Mountain Biking (MTB) 101 for Beginner Teens

• Age: 13 to17
• Dates: Saturday, 8/14
• Time: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• Location: 1775 Monocacy Blvd, Frederick, MD 21701 (Parking Lot by Boat Launch)
• Registration: Pre registration required at the Wm. Talley Rec. Center/ 301-600-1492
• Instructors: Rebecca Bafford / Mic Dunn
• Fee: $25 city / $30 non city

Rain Date: Saturday, August 21^st, same time and place.

Call the cancellation / information line for cancellations due to weather 301-600-6970

A parent / legal guardian will need to sign a waiver the day of class on 8/14.

Introduction to mountain biking, including: basic elements that make a mountain bike different from a road bike, required safety and maintenance tools, advice on preparation for rides (food, drink, extra clothing), demonstration of changing a flat tire, and teaching the basics of dealing with technical trail sections. Training will include a short mountain bike ride that includes general mountain biking challenges. All students will receive written information and references for mountain biking, bike stores, and safety tips. General biking skills, a mountain bike, helmet and water are required.

Minimum enrollment:10 / Maximum enrollment: 20

The Frederick Pedalers Bicycle Club along with The City of Frederick Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce the following bicycle program.

Basic Bicycle Program

• Age: 13 & up
• Dates: Tuesdays, August 17, 24 & 31
• Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
• Location: Monocacy Village Park Pavilion
• Registration; Wm Talley Rec Center / 301-600-1492
• Instructors: Frederick Pedalers Bicycle Club
• Fee: $25 City / $30 non-city

This program will be an introduction to safe bicycle riding on city and county roads for purposes of commuting, shopping and recreation. Each class session will include one hour of instruction and one hour of riding. First class will cover safety issues including protective clothing / helmets and hand signals. Bike maintenance, including fixing flats and cleaning chains is covered in second session Final class will be on handling techniques such as shifting, braking and traffic control.. Bicycles and helmets required for all classes.

Minimum enrollment 10 / Maximum enrollment 25

(Age 17 & under must be accompanied by a parent from 7:30 – 8:30 pm on the bike ride.)

Call the cancellation / information line for cancellations due to weather 301-600-6970

A parent / legal guardian will need to sign a waiver the day of class on 8/17 for age under age 18.

Comic

I have been too busy to post so how about this. Credit: http://www.marriedtothesea.com/archives/2010/Jun/

Bike to Work Winner 2010

A big congratulations to Tonya! She is the proud winner of the Breezer Greenway we donated to promote Bike to Work Day at the Frederick Pit Stop. www.thebicycleescape.com

2011 Specialized Road Bicycles

2011 Specialized Allez Comp Apex

2011 Specialized Dolce Elite Apex

2011 Specialized Secteur Elite Apex

For $1400 you can take your pick.

www.thebicycleescape.com

2011 Specialized Cyclocross Bikes

Some of the 2011 Specialized Cyclecross are revealed above. For 2011 the Big Red 'S' has the lots to offer! The new Specialized S-Works CruX Carbon Module (frame 'n' stuff) sells for $2500 while the same money can get you the well equipped Crux Expert Carbon bike (like the whole thing). For $3100 you can throw your leg over the CruX Pro Carbon and for just $1800 you can enjoy their base model CruX Comp. www.thebicycleescape.com

2011 S-WORKS Shiv Module

A Shiv is now more than a homemade weapon smuggled in a cell-mates trousers. It is the latest weapon in surgically removing seconds from your bike split. The Specialized S-Works Fact carbon frame, seat post, fork, cockpit, crank, BB, and brakes will cost you a cool $5500 but, man, is it cooler than a sharpened toothbrush.

Super stiff and light S-Works FACT carbon monocoque fork is incredibly aerodynamic for the fastest ride on the planet
Designed for the fastest triathletes, this FACT IS 10r carbon frame features a fully integrated cockpit and radical tube shaping for the ultimate optimization of aerodynamics, stiffness, and weight
Integrated aerodynamic carbon stem blends with the 1" to 1-1/8" tapered steerer to form a super stiff structure with ultra-low drag
S-Works FACT carbon crankset and oversized BB with interchangeable alloy spider and ceramic bearings provides maximum power transfer at minimal weight
S-Works FACT carbon integrated handlebar/aero bar offers 0-115mm height adjustment for fastest performance in aero position

2011 Specialized 29er Hardrocks

The 29er trend seems stronger than ever. For 2011 Specialized has several base model bikes with big wheels. The white/brown and black bike pictured is the Hardrock Sport Disc which should cost about $660. The Grey bike and the blue bike are Hardrock Disc 29 which cost only $580. www.thebicycleescape.com

2011 Specialized Bicycles

Here is a quick look at some of the 2011 Specialized bicycles. The green and white bike is a 29er designed around the female form. Expect to see several bikes of this type in 2011. www.thebicycleescape.com

2011 Specialized Dolce Bicycles

Here is a quick look at some of the 2011 Specialized Dolce bicycles. www.thebicycleescape.com

Make your voice heard

PLEASE take this 2 minute survey!

Dinner TONIGHT!!!

Last announcement for the fundraiser dinner TONIGHT details below:

Where: Agro Dolce Restaurant, Germantown, MD
When: April 20th, 7pm

5 course dinner with Heavy Seas beer pairing. $65/person. A vegetarian option will be available, if you want this, let the staff know when you call to reserve a spot.

Limited seating. If you are going with others, let the staff know when you call so you can be seated together.

Call for reservations. 301.528.6150

You might notice the dinner is Montgomery County and be wondering why. Well, Agro Dolce’s owner is an avid cyclist and loves riding in Frederick. When he offered this opportunity to FBC we couldn’t say no. Besides, the food is great and the beer is brewed in Maryland.

YiPsan in the News

In case you missed it there is a great article about Renold Yip of YiPsan Bicycles in Spokes Magazine. The beautiful "Sunflower" bike on the cover is still here at the shop if you would like to see it in person.

Renold's work also received a rave review in Mountain Flyer Magazine. The bike that was reviewed is a 650b mountain bike that is now part of the TBE Demo Fleet.

So if you are in the Frederick, Baltimore, D.C. area and you love handmade bikes, stop by and check out some of our famous rides. www.thebicycleescape.com

Promote Bicycles, Drink Beer, Eat, Repeat

The snowy craziness of the long and painful winter gave us time to think, plan and discuss. "Wouldn't it be GREAT to start a Frederick area bicycle advocacy group!" So, we took the leap and founded the Frederick Bicycle Coalition. We're still a young group but with the help of our friends at The Bike Doctor and area cyclists we are already making a difference. You can support our efforts and have a super meal by joining 80 or so other riders at Agro Dolce on Tuesday, April 20, at 7 pm. The beer will be provided by the fabulous Clipper City Brewing Co.

Check out our Blog were you can donate to the cause and fan us on Facebook as another way to keep in touch.