You have a partner, boy/girlfriend or spouse, and you want to score a lot of brownie points this Christmas. You've been great, or maybe you haven't. Either way, you know you want to surprise them with a new bicycle. But you don't know a thing about what they want, much less need. That's OK, we've got you covered.

Here's what to do: Let us know how much you want to spend on a Christmas bike. We'll build you up a new bicycle worth that amount of money, but don't even worry if it's not exactly what he/she wants. After Christmas, he/she will come into the store for a proper bike fitting, and get set up with something perfect for them. And voila, you're the hero with the best Christmas gift. Ever.

We'll have your gift built up, with a big ribbon on it, ready before the holiday. It's probably best hidden here, until the Big Day, right? Call us up today to make your arrangements.

Making sense of the recent bad news is difficult, but in its wake are some fundamental questions worth asking: Has the Omertà finally been broken? Where are the European national equivalents to USADA? Why bother drug testing if they can be beaten by so many, for so long? Do those who have confessed to doping have any place left in cycling? How do we know the sport is any cleaner now?

Dealing with these lasting issues hurts, but only because we allow it. Like any relationship, the more you emotionally invest in it, the more you expose yourself to higher highs, but also lower lows. I personally feel betrayed, so my way of transcending this dark chapter is to ignore what’s happening in the Pro peloton, and instead focus on sporting integrity.

Where is the joy of sport? Surely it’s not found in a ‘winning is everything’ attitude- we see where that’s gotten us. Now is our cue to avoid superimposing our own aspirations and expectations onto the leaders of cycling because, quite simply, they are not like us. Instead, let’s take inspiration from the characteristics of winners. Voeckler, Voigt and Hoogerland, for example, all demonstrate the style and panache shared by the greatest men in our sport. Let’s leave the lesser men, with their hubris, greed and power-wielding, behind. It’s still OK to dream big, to dream of Tour de France glory, and its mythic beauty. Just get there in good standing.

For me personally, riding is a tiny capsule of intimacy in an otherwise hectic world. It’s about friendship, respect, courage, sacrifice, going to your limits and then going further, adventurousness, and perseverance. It is a reflection of the complexity and beauty of the human condition itself. These qualities are not always apparent, but they are there. And it’s within you to see it.

Forgiveness will come, I’m sure, but it’s a question of timing: those who sinned need to be prepared to ask for, and deserve absolution, while those sinned against need to be prepared to grant it. Do we give confessed dopers a second chance? A chance to rehabilitate and redeem themselves?

It seems strange to say this, but I actually owe Lance Armstrong a debt of gratitude. Without USADA’s Reasoned Decision, proving beyond reasonable doubt that he doped, I wouldn’t be thinking these thoughts to being with. Ironically, it’s acting as a crucible, and out of it is emerging the core reasons why I love this sport.

You’re committed to riding, and now you want to bring it indoors for the winter. That’s awesome! But with so many choices in trainers, you’re unsure which one is right for you. Not a problem; let me help. The way I see it, all indoor training options can be organized into five categories: Solid & simple, those that don’t sell (and why), power-based units, rollers, and indoor cycles.

Solid & simple:

For 80% of riders, there are two excellent candidates for everyday use, year-in year-out: the CycleOps JetFluid Pro and the Kurt Kinetic Road Machine. Both are the best all-rounders, with collapsible legs, little noise, good resistance, and a good price-point. In comparison, the Road Machine has a more industrial, heavy duty build, whereas the JetFluid Pro is a bit quieter, and has a smoother roller. Neither have any knobs or dials, and are built off centrifugal force (ie. the harder you pedal, the more resistance). How do you decide between the two? It usually comes down to a popularity contest (ie. whatever your friends ride is what you’ll get).

Those that don’t sell (and why):

• Anything priced under ~$300 is lacking something, whether it’s not enough resistance, too noisy, or not a sturdy base. You don’t buy trainers every year, so it’s worth investing in something less compromising.
 
• Tacx Booster: It’s good for intervals, with its handlebar-mounted resistance dial (not centrifugal force), used in conjunction with your bike’s gears. It doesn’t sell because it’s a bit too pricey for what it offers.
 
• Lemond Revoltion: Its innovative design doesn’t require a rear wheel, so you avoid all that wear-and-tear. It doesn’t sell because it’s very loud. Unless you live in the woods, solo, someone will complain about excessive noise.
 
• Tacx Flow: Admittedly, this is a great trainer. It measures (but doesn’t record) power, speed, cadence, and heart rate, and it’s been in production, unchanged, for years. Because it’s caught in the middle of the ‘solid & simple’ and ‘power’ categories, it gets overlooked.
 
• Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll: It’s cool, but also kinda gimmicky. Its positive points are: your bike won’t flex torsionally, you can stand up on the pedals with a natural side-to-side sway, and you can engage your core muscles. However, other trainers don’t flex your bike much anyways, most people barely ride out of the saddle, and if you want to work your core muscles, you’re better off with rollers instead.
 
• CycleOps SuperMagneto Pro: This is the quietest trainer, with adjustable leg levels, four resistance settings, and centrifugal force. Because it’s priced a bit above the ‘solid & simple’ category, it too gets overlooked, but remains a ‘sleeper’ (just like the Flow).

Power:

If you’re very committed to indoor training (10+ hours/week), you’ll want to record your power, and you’ll want entertainment to help pass the time. In this case, the best option is the Tacx Genius. It records all important metrics, the Real Life Videos and GPS Rides replicate anything done outdoors, and the Multiplayer function lets you compete against friends remotely. There’s nothing quite like it on the market. In comparison across this category, the CycleOps PowerBeam Pro catches on fire, and the Tacx Flow doesn’t record power. Another option, which can be used on the open road, is to build a PowerTap wheel.

Rollers:

Riding rollers is mentally engaging. You have to focus on balance, fluidity, and leg speed, making you a better bike rider (not just stronger). Tacx’s Galaxia uses 4” concave drums, and the whole unit rocks forward-and-back, which is very forgiving to first-time users. An add-on resistance unit is not available, although you can still get a decent workout without it. The CycleOps Aluminum Rollers have smaller 3.25” drums (ie. harder) and have resistance settings built in.

Indoor cycles:

These are the most heavy-duty trainers on the market. They can mimic your exact road position, are the quietest, and have a very solid feel. They also last forever. CycleOps is the only name in this game. There's even an option now to turn the 400 Pro model into a virtual trainer.

So there are your options. Get your mind geared up, set some goals for next spring, and stick to it!

Everyone has days when they just can’t muster the physical, or mental energy to get out and ride. Even when it’s sunny out. And you have the time. And your friends are expecting you. The mind is a powerful thing that can amplify benign, or altogether non-substantial reasons into insurmountable obstacles.

Earlier in the summer, I asked our Facebook fans and Twitter followers what their best excuses were for not going riding. Here’s some of my favourite answers:
 
• Bike is too dirty
• Forgot to shave my legs
• Waiting for the wind to change
• Tires are flat
• Waiting for Richard Pickering
• Too fat
• Didn't want to get my new Rapha kit sweaty - its too nice
• My wife has plans
• Lost  my water bottle
 
But with Toronto’s first frost warning behind us, and a widespread doping scandal unfolding, it’s timely to look deep inside and remind ourselves why we ride. Embrace just one of the following reasons to motivate your next favourite riding experience: camaraderie, fitness, sustainable transportation, suffering for a love, glory through suffering, mental clarity, mental fortitude, seeing where the road ends, an insatiable appetite, discovery, or scenery, to name a few.

Please ignore the weather, and the pro’s- if you ride for yourself, it will be more meaningful. From now on, along with asking any cyclist how they’re doing, I’ll also ask what’s the latest, greatest ride they’ve done. Have an answer at the ready.

Just as any annual event should be, the 5th La Bicicletta Gran Fondo was bigger and better than ever. Lots of advance planning yielded a host of amazing prizes, an improved route (with plenty of clear signage), our best jersey design, and one George Hincapie coming up from North Carolina for the day. The only thing working against us was the forecasted cold rain, but that miraculously passed by sunrise on the day-of for clear sunny skies, a mild wind, and 18° temperature. Everyone knows God is a cyclist, and this was no time to be messing about.

As riders arrived, they were treated to a loot-bag of goodies, cool Diadora sneakers, and a warm breakfast. Those not shmoozing got to play with the new Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 electronic groupset, and try out Assos Zegho sunglasses. Soon enough, Heath gave his last-minute pre-ride chat, and then the ride was off. Each group, the Gran- and Medio Fondo, had a BMW motorcycle as a lead, and three support cars in tow, with extra food and spare wheels. ‘Gruppo compatto’ was the order of the day, with team riders from Jet Fuel Coffee and RealDealRacing controlling the pace, and even helping riders fading in the rear with pacing, encouragement, and a good push when needed. Autumn colours were in full effect, and at the top of every hill many riders were seen staring at the sweeping countryside views.

Once back at the Endras BMW dealership, a carb-heavy lunch with lots of wine and cool beer awaited. Everyone rolled in in great spirits, and mostly together. The one exception was David Kim (who abandoned last year’s ride after 10km), who received  a round of applause as he came in  well over an hour behind. Chapeau, David!

After everyone was satiated, many raffle prizes were drawn, and then George Hincapie’s jersey and BMC Impec were auctioned off. To serve as a reminder of where the funds were being directed, Kevin Davis retold the story of Ilija Petrovski’s life-threatening bike crash, and his current condition. All the money raised from the auction was being given to support Ilija’s family. It was very exciting to see the winner of the Impec throw it back into the ring, so it could be auctioned off a second time. Even George was impressed at the gesture. Finally, a massive cake was presented to George for his incredible career, and his just-announced retirement from the Pro peloton.

Overall, it was a very pleasant day, and had all the qualities of a great day on the bike: good people, a great route, a new kit, the chance to rub elbows with a pro rider, food a-plenty, and prizes. Plus it feels good to raise money for someone so integral to the local cycling community. It’s too bad we have to wait another year to do it all over again.

Thank you to all our sponsors (Endras BMW, Diadora, Enervit, Giordana, Pinarello, Shimano, Assos), volunteers, and participants- you all contributed to making it a very special day.

More pictures can be seen on our flickr page.

Making a fashion statement in cycling is a long-standing tradition, with new precedents always being set. First Anquetil had his grooming obsession, then Lemond made sunglasses de rigueur, Cipollini had outrageous kits, and now Bradley Wiggins has his own clothing line.

The man who’s reinvented cycling as cool for a generation of Brits has always been a dyed-in-the-wool Fred Perry devotee. Modernist to the core with his Weller-esque haircuts, rebellious streak and enviable collection of classic scooters and guitars, the three-time Olympic gold medalist and maillot jaune winner has an acute sense of style.

The Fred Perry x Bradley Wiggins collection is a natural collaboration, with every style, colour and  label designed with Wiggo’s approval. The line is a strictly non-technical range of casual wear,  intentionally fashioned for the street (or pub). It’s typically British (and Fred Perry) with a clean aesthetic, spruced by iconic cycling details such as extended hems, rear pockets, and World Champion and English red/white/blue bands.

Key pieces include the merino Zip Neck Cycling Polo, a more sporty Paneled Cycling Shirt, a vintage Track Jacket, stretch twill shorts and a Drop Hem Harrington. Accessories include two shoe styles in suede and perforated leather, and an old school grip bag in ecru with contrasting black handles and multicoloured stitch details.

We will have the full collection available for sale beginning February 2013.

More product pictures can be seen on our Flickr page.

If there was ever a cycling company boasting their “heritage” and “tradition”, Brooks England would be rightfully entitled. To this day, all Brooks products are either inspired by, or replicas of designs dating back to the 1880’s when they began manufacturing. As you can imagine, change comes slowly for a company this old, yet they’ve managed to release a few new, handsome products for autumn.

First up, the Pickwick Backpack. A design professor (and avid commuter) at London’s Royal College of Art was tasked with developing a day-pack he would want to use both by bike, and on the Tube. His creation has a simple, clean aesthetic, with functional details for the urban commuter. Made from water-resistant canvas and finished with leather trim, this roll-top backpack has many thoughtful features: all zippers are seam-sealed; a hidden bottom compartment where to stash your wallet; a separate padded pocket for your lock; snap-buttons to keep the bag compacted; and two internal pockets for organizing your belongings. It is pictured here in ‘goose beak’ with ‘mandarin’ leather accents, and ‘asphalt’ with ‘natural’ accents. This one personally struck me as a real stand-out piece.

Next we have the Pickadilly Leather Knapsack, which is an updated version of last year’s Soho. It has a slightly larger capacity, but the big change is the addition of knapsack-style shoulder straps. The snap-in carrier pouch remains, and you can also carry it as a handbag from the top handle. This bag, and all other Brooks leather products, draws from the same source of Swedish cows that Louis Vuitton and Hermes use. How’s that for quality?

To coincide with the timing of their release, the newest saddles are done up in classic autumn colours: a B17 Standard in ochre and red, as well as a Team Pro in maroon and olive green. There’s also a limited edition B17 Select to commemorate all the year’s great bike touring, called the ‘2012 World Traveler’. Global production is limited to, you guessed it, 2012 units, with only 250 of those coming to North America.

Brooks may not be for every cyclist, but I know there’s a number of people who are now lustful. More detailed product shots can be seen on our Flickr page.

Nobody deserves to suffer from cancer, least of all kids. From this simple idea, our favourite change agent, Jeff Rushton, created a national organization to raise funds for childhood cancer charities which improve the survival rate and quality of life for children impacted by cancer.  We asked ourselves how we could contribute to such a noble cause, so for the second year running, we’ve proudly done mobile mechanical support for one of their events, Tour for Kids Ontario.

Tour for Kids Ontario is a super-well organized 4-day cycling tour which sees 550 participants have a boatload of fun, and raises over $5 million dollars. There’s 25 - 200km daily routes, flash mobs, Celtic bands, themed rest stops, massages, beer, yummy food, and skydivers, too.

But it’s also an emotional experience. Each day starts with heartfelt dedications, there are reminders at every stop about who you’re riding for, you meet caregivers and recipients of the funds, and hear first-hand what it’s like for kids with cancer (and their families) who just try to lead a normal life. The cause is made present and meaningful, each rider understands what they’re riding for, and it unites them all into a strong community- the feeling is palpable. Their passion steers them forward, and it’s no surprise many participants return year after year.

Fixing countless bikes for four days can be physically tiring, but it’s made easier when there’s a cause behind you. All our mechanics had to do, really, is keep the riders riding, which means they’d have a better time, which means they’d raise more money, spread the word, and come back again. We all win.

Congratulations to everyone involved, and we’ll see you again next year!

I’m here in Montreal for two days with Henry, and a number of other Specialized dealers from across Canada, for their 2013 Product Launch. From the outset, I thought it would be all seminars and nodding heads, but it’s much more like summer camp for cyclists. There was a great dinner and stand-up comedy  last night, hanging with new folks, super-fun MTB test riding, and yes, seminars sprinkled in for good measure.

With today’s MTB-focused programming, I was out of my element for two big reasons: (1) We don’t really sell MTB at La Bicicletta, and (2) I’ve never ridden a MTB in my life. But today changed all that, and I must say I had a lot of fun (and scrapes) in the process. During the morning product seminar, I was almost completely lost, so I just paid attention to the two Cross Country race bikes (Stumpjumper & Epic), since I know those are most ideal for Toronto MTB conditions (ie. very fast)- the former being a hard tail, the latter a dual-suspension bike.

Both bikes focus on two things: (1) superior handling – with just 29” wheels offered, you almost sit into the bike, and it rolls over obstacles much easier than 26”, and (2) great suspension, courtesy of the ‘Brain’, which is efficient, yet knows to slacken on tougher terrain. The Epic goes one step further with ‘Autosag’, which gets the rear suspension dialed correctly, and easily, in 30 seconds.

Later, at a nearby ski hill, I got to test ride both bikes. On my fist run, I chose the S-Works Stumpjumper. It felt very fast, and super responsive, much like a good road bike. I felt very much in-tune with what I was rolling over, even if every rock I hit deflected energy back at me, and threw me a little off my line. Riding up, and down, with Al from Pedal Performance and Bill from Chain Reaction, their technical skills were polished, but with my good fitness, I was able to stick with them (lest I get lost like Heath did last year).

The S-Works Epic, in stark contrast, initially felt mushier. I even stopped to check if the ‘Brain’ was opened up all the way (ie. most slack). It wasn’t! I was on my own now, so just opened up the throttle and went as fast as I could, sticking to the same route as before. I then realized the Epic isn’t any slower than the Stumpjumper, it just flattens out the trail, and helps you glide over things much more easily. Kevin, our rep, told me despite the Epic weighing 2lb more, you’ll still ride faster, because the bike keeps you feeling fresher, longer. It’s very cool to be riding such a game-changing bike, and ‘getting it’ straight away. Today of all days, Kulhavy won Olympic gold on one (a World Cup first), which reinforces the impact of how the dual-suspension Epic has changed the game.

By now I was starting to feel a little more risky, and thought it be wise to follow someone from Quilicot, as he bombed through the technical, washed-out trails. I kept him in my sights until a rock threw me over and cut up my knee. But I still came back to the chalet drenched in sweat and mud, and happy about it, too. I think I know how I’m going to stay in shape this winter.

Tomorrow it’s back to normal (ie. road), when I get to do the ultimate Specialzed test: Venge vs. Tarmac vs. Roubiax. Stay tuned! But first, dinner and a reggae band. Jah mon.

Our fearless leader, Henry, just returned from Pinarello’s “Cycling Marathon” (ie. Gran Fondo) in Treviso on July 15th. But while there, he also got a sneak peek at the full 2013 lineup, which we present the highlights to you here.

The latest generation Dogma, called the “65.1 Think 2”, uses a newly developed 65-ton high-modulus carbon from Japan’s Torayca, which is stronger and lighter than the Dogma2. This is big news, since the Dogma2 remains the best bike I’ve ever ridden, but admittedly, it wasn’t nearly the lightest. The second big change to the 2013 Dogma is having a single frame for both electric and mechanical  groupsets. This is where the "Think 2" part of the name comes from. Pinarello came up with interchangeable cable stops, so if you use electric (internal) wiring, you’d use them, but if you’re running  mechanical (external) wires, just seal them up. The Dogma 65.1 will carry over the 1.5”  headset bearing for front-end stability, the aero integrated downtube & fork junction, and Italian bottom bracket threading (bucking the trend towards press-fit). The colourways  look more classic Pinarello, and less box-y, or reptilian, than last year.

For the first time in decades, Pinarello has made a hard-tail mountain bike.  Built using the Dogma’s assymetric technology (different load-bearing capacities on different sides of the bike to give a more steady ride), it has clean internal cable routing, (just like Gerard Vroomen’s new Open bikes), and a very cool seatstay / seat tube junction, meant to strengthen the bike, yet dissipate vibration.

The MAAT Pista, borne from the Graal TT, looks very sharp, and will probably be seen quite a bit at the upcoming London Olympics. It uses the same carbon as the Dogma2, called Torayca 60HM1K.

The steel Veneto model is a complete throwback, both aesthetically and functionally (downtube shifters!), but there are currently no plans to bring it into North America. If you think this one's cool, let us know and we can probably get it for you anyways.

The Shimano Dura-Ace 11-speed Di2 is still a rare site globally, so it was cool to see it in person. The crankarm has been reduced to just four arms, which lightens and stiffens it up. The front derailleur has a huge arm, which makes shift actuation much more effortless. The rear derailleur is now capable of shifting through multiple cogs by a single stroke of the shifter (how many cogs, exactly, is programmed by you), and can handle both 10- and 11-speed cassettes. The brake calipers are much beefier, and apparently brake much more powerfully than before. The shifter blade has been lengthened, but the shifter hood, ergonomically-speaking, remains the same as the 7900 Di2.

Not to be overlooked, Campagnolo also has news in the way of EPS electronic shifting moving down to the Athena level. With identical electronic functionality as it’s higher-end brethren, but with a pricetag around $3000, we should see EPS being ridden around much more regularly. However, with smaller (thinner) wiring connectors, Athena EPS will not be compatible with Super Record or Record EPS.

The full set of pictures can be seen on our Flickr page.