Raleigh Cyclo-cross

If you've never heard of cyclocross I recommend going to Youtube and looking up some of the races. This could be the coolest, fastest and muddiest cycling sport in the world. It's like a cross between road racing and mountain bike racing. Riders navigate down roads, through the rough terrain of the woods and then dismount their bicycles and carry them over obstacles. The Raleigh RX 1.0 is built for the demanding sport of cyclocross, but it's also the ultimate fast, light and agile recreational bike.


Here are some of the features of the RX 1.0-

• Easton carbon fiber fork



• Butted alloy aluminum frame



• SRAM Rival 10 spd. shifter



• Vittoria Cross XG Pro 700X32c tires



• SRAM Rival front and rear derailleurs

The Raleigh RX 1.0 is at the shop now. Whether you are into cyclocross racing or just want a unique road bike, come give it test ride.

A ride down the Illinois and Michigan Canal

One of our favorite rides is along the I&M Canal from Channahon, IL to Morris, IL. Although we only ride this 15 mile section, the trail extends 50+ miles all the way to LaSalle/Peru. The I&M canal trail is an old towpath. In the mid-1800s through 1933 when it was closed, mules and horses pulled barges using this towpath. Along the route you’ll pass several locks, a locktender’s house, an aqueduct and even an old mule barn. You’ll also find a shelter or two built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Dresden Island Dam, old railroad trestles – there really is something of interest around every turn. All the while you are cycling along the canal, and for quite a ways you also have the Illinois River on your other side.




And if the historic sights aren’t enough, wildlife is abundant. Last week we saw 3 deer, 2 muskrat and a beaver before we even rode one mile. As we rode further there were many more deer and muskrats, as well as green herons, great blue herons, frogs, turtles, fabulous giant lily pads and the calls of many song birds. We’ve even seen white pelicans here stopping for a break during their migration.





There are many opportunities to picnic along the route or you can eat in Morris – there are a number of restaurants to choose from as well as an ice cream store. Morris is a great place to re-energize for the return ride. There are four “primitive” restroom facilities along this route which aren’t easy to locate unless you know they’re there – here is a link to a DNR site which has detailed maps to help.

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/i&m/main.htm%5ClTrail


The trail from Channon to Morris is well-maintained crushed limestone. The path is very level, which makes it an easy ride. From Morris west we’ve had problems with trail washouts – if it’s been rainy and you’re headed west of Morris I would try to contact the DNR to check on washouts.





In the spring you see amazing wildflowers and in the fall the colors are brilliant! If you are riding on a hot summer day you’ll be pleased to find that 90% of the route is in the shade. It’s only a 45 minute ride from Glen Ellyn to Channahon – so pack your bikes and head out of town for the I&M Canal – enjoy!

Dual Sport Bike

The Gary Fisher Utopia is a Dual Sport Bike that you can ride through loose gravel trails one day and down city streets the next. This flat black hybrid is aggressive enough for trails and smooth enough for the city. It features an aluminum frame and all the quality components you'd expect in a Gary Fisher bike. Here are the specs for the Utopia-

Wheels

• Shimano M475 disc hubs

• Bontrager Ranger disc rims

• Bontrager LT3 tires

Fork

• SR Suntour NRX

Components

• Shimano Deore front derailleur

• SRAM X7 rear derailleur

• SRAM X5 9-speed

• Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes

Cool kid's bikes

Here is something for the kids- the boy's Schwinn Aerostar and the girl's Schwinn Stardust. These bikes have the fun accessories and vibrant colors that the kids want, and the safety features that mom and dad are looking for. This bike will fit appropximately ages 5-9, depending on the size of the rider.

First, here are the safety features parents want to see in a quality kid's bike.

• Low standover height makes getting on and off a breeze


• Integrated kickstand for stability


• Steel chainguard and fenders keep little legs and fingers away from moving parts


• Pads on the handlebars and stem

Now for the fun stuff the kids love. The boy's Aerostar comes in two color combinations: metallic midnight blue with red trim and black with fire engine red trim. It is accessorized with a cage and water bottle. The girl's Stardust is available in pearly white with pink trim and magenta with purple trim. Girls love the streamers flowing from the handgrips and the detachable bag on the handlebars. These bikes have safety and style for the kiddies!