The much anticipated Specialized Alias is soon to be unveiled, ladies! We don't have much info at this time, but we were able to get our hands on a sneak peek photo! The full product launch is fast approaching. If you want to be the first to learn about the new product check out this link: http://specialized.liveconnectevent.com/69972

https://www.facebook.com/TheBicycleEscape

C.Guide Chain Guide

 This chain guide utilizes very simple and smart design. We just got them is stock is several color. Stop by and check them out.

www.thebicycleescape.com

High Wheels and Charity Rides

"Hey Tom can you get Greg LeMond set up on a bicycle tomorrow....?" 

This question was posed at the end of an extremely busy week.

"Sure, sounds fun."

This past weekend was huge (and extremely busy) for cycling! The Tour de Frederick kicked off the weekend with a 3 day charity bike ride benefiting the Frederick Boys & Girls Club and 1 in 6. About 200 riders participated this year including cycling legend Greg LeMond. In the morning I grabbed my road bike, made some fit adjustments, and sent Mr. LeMond him on his way. What a surreal experience. I found the 3 time Tour de France winner to be surprisingly good humored and friendly. 

That evening huge crowds cheered on as High Wheel bicycles raced through downtown Frederick in the Clustered Spires High Wheel Race. After the race I got the chance to speak with one of the most experienced contestants. While he has competed in high wheel races across the world, he told me that Frederick drew a bigger crowed than any race he had participated in!

The otherwise perfect day was tainted however with an accident that sent racer Alison Torpey to the hospital. Sadly accidents occasionally happen in any sport and we wish Alison a speedy recovery. 

Pixels by Jeff- thanks Jeff

2013 Specialized Bicycle Highlights

The 2013 Specialized bicycle info has just been released. Some of the little surprises are the Tricross STEEL. The 2013 Tricoss Elite Disc Steel is a do it all kind of bike. You will be right at home on asphalt, gravel, and dirt. Other bikes I wish to note are the Carve single speed  and the FULLY RIGID Stumpjumper Expert Carbon EVO R 29er. I can't wait to see these bikes in person but alas we will have to wait a bit for these new goodies to hit the shop. 

Three generations keep Frederick’s wheels spinning

Originally printed in the Frederick News Post By Ike Wilson

The Bicycle Escape boasts three generations of bike repairmen.

And 3-year-old Geoffrey Rinker, who pretends to repair bikes when he's in the shop, seems to be well on his way to continuing the family tradition into generation four.

Roger Rinker had been fixing bikes all his life, so when his son graduated from college and was contemplating a career move, father and son talked about opening a bike shop. The Bicycle Escape was born in 2005 on Monocacy Boulevard in Frederick.

Tom Rinker, 32, Roger's son, said he was tinkering with bikes before he could drive a car.

"The attraction for me is just a passion for bikes," Tom said. "I romanticize the machines. I love the simplicity of them, the efficiency of them, the smile they bring to one's face."

His grandfather's 50 years as a machinist also came in handy over the years, Tom said.

"He made many custom tools for us, and anytime a complex problem came up, he was there with his expertise to help," Tom said.

Victor Rinker, 90, visits the business once a week.

Business was good at their former shop on Monocacy Boulevard, but their new location at Clemson Corner shopping center offers more visibility and foot traffic, Roger said.

The business has benefited from customers who treat them like family, Roger said.

"People bring us food and drinks. That's very nice," Roger said. "It's a good way to make a living."

That type of response from the public is the result of treating people right, Roger said.

"Some people come in, they don't know what they want," he said. "We talk, and after some time they return to buy a bike for their kid or send their friends here."

Individual attention is key, according to Tom. "Being a family business, we're trying to be polar opposite of a chain store, paying attention to customers' needs and offering advice based on personal knowledge and general care."

When they were preparing the original store for the business, people would come by and say, "We can't wait until you're open," Tom said. "It's pretty cool to be integrated into a community and help fuel the passion for bike riding."

Tom and Roger also helped establish the Frederick Bicycle Coalition, which advocates for bike paths, bike lanes and recreational cycling facilities.

"We're excited to say that all the bike store businesses are members, and you see a lot of good happening for bike riders in Frederick County because of that," Tom said.

No matter your age, it's fun to ride a bike, Tom said.

"You feel like a kid again. Exercise offers health benefits but not all of them are fun," Tom said.

Roger started a Bicycle 101 class and got an incredible response.

"It seemed to touch a need," he said.

In addition to being the founding chairman of the Bicycle Coalition, Roger is a member of the mayor's ad hoc committee on bicycling. Tom is the coalition's president. Victor Rinker said the country needs more youngsters who are interested in becoming engineers, or working with their hands.

"You got to be able to make stuff with your hand, build things people can use," he said.

The Bicycle Escape carries all kinds of bikes, Tom said -- from a model for 2-year-old riders to Tour de France quality.

We recently had the joy building this for-stock mountain bike. It is an Independent Fabrication Steel Deluxe 29er. The frame is dressed in Sram formal ware ranging from XX to XO with Chris King accessories pulling the outfit together. Stop by The Bicycle Escape and check it out!

Food & Brew For a Cause

Join the Frederick Bicycle Coalition on January 3rd at Brewer's Alley. All day long 20% of your bill will be donated to FBC. Supporting the Coalition has never been easier!

Paramount Clean Up

This was one of my favorite restorations. The bike is owned by my pediatrician. He purchased it from his family's bike shop a few decades ago. Well after the ole' spit shine, repaint (Keith Anderson), and a recreated shop sticker (thanks Danielle) the bike is tip top.

Happy Halloween

Thanks to Mic for the great picture!

Oregon Manifest

The Oregon Manifest presents bicycle frame builders with the challenge of designing the best utility bicycle. These designs range from large cargo bikes that carry heavy loads to lighter bikes suited for the challenges of urban commuting.

Our frame-building friend, Renold Yip, of YiPsan Bicycles, has submitted this offering (above). Some of you may recognize it as a sister bike to Danielle's award-winning Sunflower bike. As always Renold's bike is an impressive machine. Some highlights on this one include the integrated cable lock and the custom chain guard.

Good luck Renold!

The Bicycle Escape
Facebook
Flickr

Smash

2 1/2 months before we bid this fine shopping center adieu some little punk decides to smash in our window.   Thanks to some kind street sweepers the guy was scared off very quickly and left the scene before he/she stole anything (that I can tell anyway). The police were fast to respond and great to deal with. At the end of the day we were left with a mess and sleepless night. It could be worse.

Emmitsburg Trail Moves Along PLEASE HELP

Here is anther opportunity to help the Emmitsburg trail system.

Meet at Rainbow Lake on Hampton Valley Road west of town on October 8th from 8:00am to 1:00pm
Enjoy FREE coffee, juice and bagels before playing in the dirt. After working on the trail there will be a free BBQ. This is a great opportunity to bring more riding options to Frederick County.

If you have any questions contact todonnell@emmitsburgmd.gov

Jacquie Phelan Mountain Bike History Talk/Party

On Sunday October 16th at 6:30 you have an opportunity to meet Jacquie Phelan. She will be giving a mountain bike history presentation and sharing insider information on the formation of the machine and the sport. As always the event will be catered with plenty of food and drink.

www.thebicycleescape.com

Trail Building Project, More Trails = More FUN!

Here is another great opportunity to help create a new system of trails in Emmitsburg. PLEASE help with this project!

Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 8am - 1:30pm

Location: Emmitsburg, Maryland

Rainbow Lake on Hampton Valley Road

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Ha...=prev&t=p&z=12

The Project: Complete corridor clearing & Begin tread construction

Bring gloves, sturdy shoes, a drink & a snack.

Description: The Town of Emmitsburg has started construction on a stacked loop trail network. This will become the newest singletrack in Frederick County. 75% of the Beginner Trail's corridor has been cleared and the goal is to finish this work and begin shaping the tread on Saturday, August 27, 2011.

In time, this trail system should boast in excess of 20 miles of diverse single track, on terrain comparable to the Frederick Watershed AND Schaeffers Farm. The Town of Emmitsburg has also approved the design Intermediate and Advanced Trails. Upon the completion of the Beginner Trail they will be built.

Join us Saturday for a great morning of trail building followed by a BBQ in Community Park.

Contact Tim O'Donnell: todonnell@emmitsburgmd.gov - 301-447-3839

FREE Ride w/ the Mayor & Keys Game

The Frederick Bicycle Coalition is proud to host Frederick’s Second Annual Ride with the Mayor event. Mayor McClement will join us as we ride from the gazebo behind the William Talley Recreation Center to the Harry Grove Stadium to watch the Frederick Keys take on the Potomac Nationals. All participants will receive a free general admission ticket to the game! All ages are welcome; however, we ask that children under the age of six either ride in a trailer or in a tow behind bicycle. Registration will begin at 12:45pm and we will leave for the stadium at 1pm. Come out and join us!!!!

Here are the details:

Where – William Talley Recreation Center (121 North Bentz Street, Frederick, MD) When – Sunday, August 28, 2011 Registration – 12:45pm Leave for Stadium – 1pm

Please ride responsibly and wear a helmet

Tour de Frederick 2011

The Tour de Frederick went off with a bang (and a few rain drops). Pictured is a happy group of riders, and Tom's crazy save-the-day Down Tube shifter fix.

The bike pictured's shifter mount had debonded from the frame. I could not let this rider's event end this way! So with a little Gorilla Glue, safety wire and clear electrical tape (yes, clear!) the bike was good as.... well it was rideable!

In other news a certain someone hogged all the peanut butter.

(Peanut butter kid photoed by Maili Godwin)

New Trails are COMING please HELP!!!

New trails are getting built in Emmitsburg, MD and they need your help! Corridor clearing will be taking place August 13th and they are hoping for a good turn out to show their town council there’s excitement for the project. The complete project will be a stacked loop system and they’ll be breaking ground on the first piece of a multi-phase project.

Where is Emmitsburg? It is north of Frederick, MD and the trails will be built on the town reservoir property which is situated on the same ridge as Gambrill and the Frederick Watershed so expect similar terrain. Want to know more about the project? Check these recent articles:Frederick News Post & The Gazette

Date: Saturday, August 13, 2011
Time: 8am- 1pm
Location: Rainbow Lake on Hampton Valley Road. Google Maps link.
Contact: Tim O’Donnell- todonnell@emmitsburgmd.gov – 301-447-3839

Second Life

We just completed this Firestone Pilot restoration. The owner drug it out of her barn and now has a fun way to re-live her childhood. What a fun challenge!

www.thebicycleescape.com

Tour de Frederick SPECIAL Offer

I have the deal of a century for you (pun intended). If you join the Frederick Bicycle Coalition (or are already a member) you can sign up for any day of the Tour de Frederick for ONLY $35. You should join FBC anyway but now you would be doubly silly not too.

This special offer is to hot for the computer so you can mail a check to:

Tour de Frederick; 5911 Jefferson Blvd., Frederick, MD 21703 or stop by and drop it off at the shop. Please make checks payable to Tour de Frederick and do not forget to sign up for the Frederick Bicycle Coalition.

Clean It Up

This was a fun project.