Looking Ahead

2013 Salsa Vaya Travel

Well, July, and therefore all the RAGBRAI madness- is over. Now it is time to kick the blog here back to life.

It's been a long, hot month and a half, but we have not been hiding in the A/C. Oh no! And besides our long gravel rides, commuting, and RAGBRAI experiences, we've also been gathering tons of intel on new 2013 bikes that we may be seeing on the shop floor soon.

With that in mind, the next series of posts will focus on what we have seen and heard will be big deals for 2013 bicycles and what you might expect to see on Europa Cycle and ski's sales floor in the coming months.

Stay tuned. There will be lots to see!

Salsa Cycles Demo Tour: June 29th: Update

Update: It has come to my attention that the "exact" location within Geo Wyth State Park is not clear for the demo, which happens Friday at 4pm and goes on until 8:00pm in the evening.

Please follow the access road until you reach the "turnaround" at the shelter. (Notice- don't take any lefts or rights off the main road. Just follow the road in until you cannot go any further.) This is about a three mile service road that winds through the heart of the park and starts at the gate off of Highways 218/27.

Please remember to bring the following:

• Helmet
• Credit card and I.D.
• Shoes/pedals*
• Good attitude!

*Note- these are not necessary unless your cycling shoes are specific to a certain clipless pedal.

Remember- Guitar Ted will also be leading a short version of a Fargo/Vaya Adventure Ride starting at 6:00pm.

Questions? Call the shop at 319-277-0734 Thanks! See ya there Friday!

Salsa Cycles Demo Tour: June 29th

Europa Cycle and Ski presents a demo day with Salsa Cycles! The event will happen at Geo Wyth State Park at the shelter/turn-around area.

The date and times are as follows:

Date: June 29th, (Friday)
Time: 4:00pm - 8:00pm

What: Ride Salsa Cycles bicycles and see what you think of them on Geo Wyth dirt and paved trails. Both mountain and pavement oriented bicycles will be featured.

How: You'll need to show up between 4:00pm and 8:00pm with your helmet, a current credit card/ID, and your specific clipless pedals, if necessary. Sign waivers, ride, decide.

Bonus: Guitar Ted will be leading a mini-Fargo/Vaya Adventure Ride starting at 6:00pm to show off the capabilities of Salsa's Fargo and Vaya models, specifically, but any bike should work. Plan on about 1-1.5hrs of ride time and be prepared for single track, pavement, and dirt roads.

3GR Report

Ali digging for a bottle

Hey, guess what? I actually thought to bring a camera on the ride this past Friday! I know....amazing!

Well, the 3GR is having a slow start with folks. This time I played host to my co-worker, Ali, who was on her first gravel grinder. She brought along her recently purchased 70's era Kabuki.

(See- you don't need to worry about which bike you "need", you just "need" to ride your bicycle!)

I used a slightly modified loop to what the first two had been, since there was a wicked South-Southeasterly wind afoot. So we went only a few miles North, and then mostly East, a bit back South, then back Westwards to finish up.

It was good to pass on a bit of knowledge to a new rider, and I think Ali got a good time out of it all. We did arrive at the conclusion that she is likely a natural born single speeder. I look for the Kabuki to shed some shifty bits soon!

Okay, I am still planning on continuing this series of rides every Friday at 5:30pm out of Gateway Park. Hope to see ya all there!

3GR Report

I didn't get a pic on the ride, but I rode this bike!

I forgot my camera for the first 3GR on Friday, May 4th. We had five riders and did about a 20 mile loop north out of Cedar Falls at a very casual pace.

We're teeing up to do it all again this coming Friday at 5:30pm at Gateway Park to go north out of town again.

Maybe this time we'll get the whole loop in! We cut the ride a little short due to weather concerns last Friday. Come join us in the fun!

Update On The 3GR For This Friday

Hey all! 3GR is happening this Friday at 5:30pm. I have a route picked out that should be fairly easy for most gravel aficionados and will make a great beginners  route. Here are the details:

• Ride start at 5:30pm Friday, May 4th
• Meet at Gateway Park at the shelter.
• Route will be 20-25 miles north and east of Cedar Falls
• Must wear an ANSI approved helmet to ride.

Riders of all abilities are encouraged to check out the gravel with me. If this takes root there will be a varied route selection in the future with longer Saturday options which will be in different, scenic locations in Iowa.

Stay tuned for more announcements, and come join me for some gravel good times.

Update On 3GR

Okay folks, the first "3GR" ride is going to happen on Friday May 4th at 5:30pm starting from Europa Cycle And Ski's back door.

The route should be a fairly easy paced, 25-30mile maximum ride north out of Cedar Falls and back to Europa. An exact route detail will be posted next week.

Hope to see you then!