CHOOSING THE RIGHT BICYCLE SHOP

Choosing the right bicycle is just as important as choosing the right bicycle shop. With the growing popularity of bicycling in the U.S., media, print and online resources have commercialized that special bond between kids and bikes. Often however, the quality of the information you find online comes nowhere near the quantity of sites available. With the recent explosion of the bicycle market choosing a bicycle of any type for any purpose can be a daunting task. As a child your first bicycle was chosen for you, handed down to you, or magically appeared on Christmas morning, shiny and new with training wheels, streamers and a bell you could ring. Brand, shape, size and fit didn’t play into this “rite of passage”.  Making the transition from a bicycle chosen for you to one fitting your specific needs can be challenging. Choosing the right bicycle shop leads to choosing the right bicycle. 

Knowing how much you want to spend is important. Bicycles range in price from hundreds of dollars to thousands, not including upkeep, maintenance, gear and accessories; then there’s the overwhelming choice of products. The right bicycle shop offers a trained, knowledgeable sales team asking the right questions, be local to the community you live in and the places you ride, have reasonable hours of operations and an approachable repair and maintenance staff.  Maintaining your bicycle is important. Whether you’re riding for pleasure, for exercise, commuting or racing, having the right bike shop repair and maintenance personnel will keep your bike riding smoothly. A good bicycle shop will quote prices, give estimates and make appointments – with pickup dates and times. 

Are you riding off-road, are you riding on pavement, do you need a mountain bike, road, hybrid, commuter, or e-bike?  All important questions – easily answered on the internet, however understanding fit, testing various models, test riding, assembly, adjustments, training, access to certified coaches and the comradery of other riders will only happen in a brick and mortar store. Purchasing the wrong equipment, having a bad fit, being unprepared for weather and road conditions and the absence of proper gear and accessories can lead to discomfort, frustration and injury.

The right bicycle shop will provide personal service from a cycling professional who will explain budget (often includes more than just the bicycle), brands, fit, equipment, gears and accessories. The customer service focused bicycle shop will include individual and group training sessions, group rides, and accessories such as helmets, all weather clothing, shoes, protective wear and nutritional products.  The riders physical fitness, experience and riding goals are considered when choosing equipment, providing maps, bicycle trails, access to events and in developing a coach/rider training program.  

Fitting the person to the bicycle and not the bicycle to the person should be the mission and the goal of each customer interaction.  Specialized service, Individualized training plans, a concentration on fitness and injury prevention, coupled with a wide range of products, a knowledgeable staff, and bicycle training and coaching in a clean, safe and friendly environment makes knowing and understanding the options an easy one. Local to and invested in the community, the right bicycle shop is open to new, novice and experienced riders and racers. With the right brick and mortar bicycle shop, you’ll enjoy the experience and enjoy the ride.

BUSTER BROWN, USA Certified Cycling Coach

MEET CYCLIST BUSTER BROWN

As a child I experienced the freedom you get when you are perched on a leather shell, astride a metal frame, pumping pedals gripped by a pair of my favorite shoes. With the sun in my face and the wind at my back, balanced on two wheels, steering uphill and downhill, leaning left then right, on paved streets and old dirt roads, there was a childlike exhilaration, an unexplainable devotion that continues every time I climb aboard a bicycle.

 

 

At sixteen I knew my education would not come from books, that high school graduation would be a premium and there would be no college; no long-term employment, no XYZ company and no retirement plans. Leaving home and finding my way I had two things: An enthusiasm for health and fitness and a passion for bicycles and bicycling. A series of “highs and low” were to come – and they did.

     Success starts with a desire, a vision, a dream and the certainty of adversity. Faced on a regular basis adversity fought me, threw up road blocks, stopped me in my tracks and brought me to my knees. It made me question my goals and objectives, wonder if it’s worth it and if I should quit or keep going. It crushed my ambitions and shattered my motivation yet it was the driving force that kept me cycling, kept me competing and kept me winning again and again. When you make the decision to allow adversity into your dreams, to be one of your goals, to be built into your plans, trust me -your mission will be accomplished, your goals will be achieved and your cycling dreams will soar,  

     These are the opening lines to my story, what are the opening lines to yours? Most cyclist began as a child, however today more and more adults who have never bicycled are appreciating the benefits and enjoying the ride. Bicycling has become the sport of choice for men and women nationwide. Looking for a sport with health benefits that’s easy to adapt to, bicycling offers improved balance, agility, durability and cardiovascular fitness. It builds muscle, releases stress, makes daily activities easier to accomplish and improves physical and cognitive function – and let’s not forget it’s fun! Whether you believe in global warming or not, bicycling is great for the environment. You can cycle indoors or outdoors, alone or in a group, in the city or in the country, for sport or for play. There’s road bikes, mountain bikes, cruiser bikes and BMX; Hybrid bikes, city bikes, tandem bikes and adult tricycles. You can see the world, make friends and burn calories as you achieve health and wellness.

      Joining a bicycle or riding club keeps you connected to the world of cycling; to bike trails, group rides, weekend rides, State Road Races, Time Trials, and bicycle and accessory discounts. You’ll meet people from all walks of life, build camaraderie and see and experience the world in a way you never could in a car - and the financial benefits are many. Other than savings from servicing and gassing up, most insurance companies will reduce your premiums if you’re commuting by bicycle on a daily basis.  

     As a boy I began on a yellow two-wheeler from my father’s general store. It was a means of transportation and a source of joy. At ten I would find old bicycles, stripe the good parts and make one new bicycle. I would sell it and use the money to buy slotted race cars for our TYCO Race Track. Riding to the mall and to the movies was as rewarding as racing my Mongoose around the neighborhood.  I was a kid teaching kids to ride; to adjust seats, adjust pedals, change tires, and win races. Bicycles became my world and I loved every minute of it; I love it even more today.

     We each have a story, a reason for riding. If you’re new to the sport, come see us. Bixby Bicycles and Accessories mission is to create new cyclist, and to coach and support existing and mature cyclist and racers providing quality bicycles and cutting edge products in an honest, fair, friendly and courteous buying and training environment. Educating and fostering a healthy fun method of exercise and sustainable fitness, Bixby Bicycles and Accessories promotes “One Stop, One Vision”. Learn more about me and my career in cycling at: http://www.cyclingforsuccess.net/, then visit our website and like us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Bixbybicycleworks/, but most of all “enjoy the ride.”

 

2016 CYCLING GOALS AND RESOLUTIONS



With each new year comes New Year’s Resolutions. Cyclists nationwide make promises, set goals, and chart road maps toward physical fitness, resilience, and a much longed for podium finish. The equipment is checked, unhealthy food is replaced with fruits, vegetables and protein drinks, and the clock is set for an early morning workout. Ambitions run high and this time will be different, or will it.

Over 85% of cyclist fail within the first 30 days, and 50% fail within the first 5-7 days. Setting unrealistic goals based on idealistic or guilt driven motivations leads to a lack of willpower and the mental fuel needed to succeed. A fear of failure, a lack of discipline and listening to naysayers contributes to making excuses, a defeatist attitude and eventually giving up.

These are a few ways to stay on course, remain inspired and achieve your goals. The first, and one of the most effective is investing in a coach. The right coach helps you set realistic goals based on where you are and what you want to achieve. A coach charts your strengths and weaknesses and takes into consideration the multiple aspects of your overall health, flexibility, nutrition, strength, and endurance as well as the technical and tactical aspects of cycling.  

Now your limitations. Family, home life, work schedules and lifestyle all “affect” and “effect” goals and goal setting. Poor time management is a major obstacle and obstruction to a training program. Missing training sessions, skipping rides, arriving late and leaving early indicates a lack of dedication – to your goals, your training program, your coach and most importantly to yourself. Low self-esteem, poor self-worth and an inability to prioritize often leads to poor time management. Resolutions and goals must fit into the life you’re living day to day.

Poor diets and bad nutritional choices lead to poor health. If you don’t have the stamina or energy to follow a training schedule you will fail. Listening to your body is key to fulfilling the requirements of a successful training program. If you’re pushing too hard, ignoring the signals your body is sending or putting yourself in danger you will fail. Yes, pushing yourself is a good thing. Feeling the burn is a good thing. Failure to stop or adjust in painful situations is irresponsible; the challenge is knowing when enough is enough. It is better and wiser to adjust your training program than to sustain physical damage from over-training.

You’ve set your goals, mapped your objectives, filled the refrigerator with health food and planned and scheduled your workout. You show up on time, push yourself, listen to your body and pain kicks in. The last obstacle I’ll cover is wrong or ill-fitted equipment. Training daily or two or three times a week on a bicycle that is ill-fitted to your body and body type can lead to stress, pain and injuries. The frame size, cleat placement, saddle position and handlebar reach are required measurements. Road bike fitting and bike sizing are two different things. You can use your bicycle for outdoor and indoor training, however when transitioning from outdoor elements and roadways to indoor training, consider saddle selection, saddle fit, tilt and height; handlebar positioning, height, reach, drop and rotation; Crank length, crank position, crank tilt and pedal connection. Like so many other things, bicycle gear is important. You might want to wear lighter weight clothes and different shoes for indoor training.   

Setting Goals and making resolutions is great. With dedication, responsibility discipline, patience and persistence, success can be yours. For more information on cycling, training and goal setting contact me, Buster Brown, Cycling Coach at Bixby Bicycles and Accessories.

BUSTER BROWN,

Certified USA Cycling Coach

Email:  busterbrown2004@gmail.com

918-943-6700 / 479.530.9491

 

 

Bixby Bicycles owner to compete in Tulsa Tough for a good cause.

Buster Brown, the nearly 50-year-old cyclist  responded to a

 Tulsa Tough challenge with a fundraising goal. 

Tulsa World Communities Posted: Thursday, June 5, 2014, 10:21 am,
By STEPHANIE ANDRE World Correspondent

BIXBY — They say everyone has a price. And for Buster Brown, that price was $2,000.

Brown, a lifelong cyclist and owner of Bixby Bicycles, had put the brakes on racing in extremely competitive levels of cycling.

With him turning 50 years old on the horizon, he was beginning to focus on moving up to a new age category in racing and embracing the more mellow attitudes that come with it. That was until members of his local cycling club, or his “kids” as he calls them, challenged him to participate one more time in a Men’s Category I/II race at the Tulsa Tough cycling event on Friday.

The Category I/II field, which includes mostly 18-to-25-year-olds, is extremely fast and competitive. A large number of zealous cyclists, combined with speeds topping 30 mph, make the race a potentially dangerous feat for Brown.

“If they want me to race in there and risk my life with 150 other riders, then I figured it ought to be for something worthwhile,” Brown said.

He said he would do it under one condition: They must raise $2,000 in cash and/or canned goods to be donated to the Bixby Outreach Center. The nonprofit center assists families with basic needs in times of emergency, offering clothing, school supplies, health care services and a food pantry.

Within a month, the group was able to collect $2,000 in private donations of cash and canned goods, thus ensuring that Brown would be hitting the road as a Category I/II racer once again.

“I think he’s going to do phenomenal,” said Stephen Phillips, a member of Brown’s cycling club. “He’s as good as it gets. Don’t let his age fool you.”

Phillips, along with other members of the Bixby Bicycles club, will be in downtown Tulsa to cheer Brown on during the race Friday night.

They will also be sporting blue T-shirts in a show of solidarity and to raise additional funds for the Bixby Outreach Center.

The shirts, which are priced at $12, will be available at Bixby Bicycles until they sell out.

Brown said he hopes to place in the top 20 on Friday, but he is cautiously optimistic.

“Knock on wood,” he said. “I don’t know if you’ve ever hit concrete at 30 mph wearing hardly any clothes, but it hurts.”

http://www.tulsaworld.com/communities/bixby/bixbyhomepage1/bixby-bicycles-owner-to-compete-in-tulsa-tough-for-a/article_c97bae7b-f15f-522a-a3f7-f7f49dde9f13.html

COMMUTING BY BICYCLE

Are you riding your bicycle to work?  People all over the world are changing their methods of transportation. The millenniums and Y Generation have forced us to think differently about a lot of things. Some do it to save the planet, some to save money, others find they are forced economically and financially to find a better way of doing things. Transporting ones-self five days a week, 50 weeks a year is costly. Whether by car, bus or train, getting from point A to point B sustains a cost whereas bicycling is virtually free. True, there are upfront costs, yet once you have the bicycle, the clothing, a couple of spare tires, a wire bottle and a good pair of shoes, your cost free.  There is one factor which remains a challenge for many – the physical requirements. Hoping on a bicycle and riding 6-8 miles to work doesn’t come easy.

Google commuting by bicycle and you’ll find articles referencing exercise, fitness, race training, health benefits and more. There is very little however on how to prepare for the commute. If you don’t exercise at all, jumping on a bicycle and expecting to ride 6-8 miles on day one will led to parking your newly purchased bicycle in the garage or hanging it from a hook in the ceiling never to be touched again. If you don’t know your physical limitations, you will end up hating the experience as much as you hate the bicycle.

Although cycling is a low-impact exercise, any prolonged physically activity (you’re not prepared for) can leave you with injuries.  Back strain, arm pain, shoulder and knee discomfort are problem areas new and many seasoned cyclist experience.  Tiredness, fatigue, a lack of hydration and poor nutrition should be added to the list.  If you are planning to purchase a bicycle, or own one you’re planning to use for commuting prepare yourself for the ride – emotionally and physically. There are rules and regulations when riding in traffic, there are challenges riding up and down hills, bike routes aren’t always available and safety is a major concern.

Group bike rides are a must. Before heading out alone join a local group bike ride. Most have different levels and many offer indoor classes before taking to the road. Bike Shops such as Bixby Bicycles and Accessories can provide maps to lay out safe routes.  They also have coaches who can help you prepare physically, give nutritional advice, ensure equipment fits properly, and teach recovery methods. No one wants to feel great about bicycling to work and arrive unable to put in an eight hour day. Your boss just might have something to say about that. Being aware of the weather conditions, having extra clothing, and having a plan B is crucial. Bicycling is physical exercise and if you’re in a hot climate you’ll need a way to freshen-up once you arrive at the work place. You don’t want to arrive exhausted neither do you want everyone to smell you coming.  Snow, rain and drastic changes in temperature can make the ride home challenging, have a plan B. Preparation is key!

Commuting to work by bicycle is more popular than ever.  You save money, see things you’ve never seen before, avoid rush hour traffic and rush hour crowds, save money, save the planet, get your daily dose of exercise, and let’s not forget the freedom of the ride. If you’re properly trained, physically fit, and properly attired for safety and comfort, know your route and have a plan B for unexpected changes in the weather or that requirement to work overtime, commuting by bicycle can be a truly rewarding experience.