Cyclocross Fever

Ok, SO I did my first cyclocross race this weekend I am hooked. The mix between mountain biking and road cycling goes beyond the changes in terrain. Mountain biking has many short bursts of power where road cycling is more high cadance spinning. Cyclocross combines the constant spin with more power. Now I understand why it is a great training program extending the season so the winter recovery brings ytou right into spring. When you are moving into the sea of mud that is a thick as wet concrete, you learn to keep pumping hard without mashing so you wheel does not spin out. Also remember that you are not on a mountain bike. There are times when you want to rip the bike around the corner but having less rubber to grip the turn does give it an element of danger to raise you heart rate just enough to keep it exciting. One thing that is worth learning is the proper mount-remount because many people get passed like they are standing still.

I road my new Jamis Supernova. It felt great in all the conditions thrown at it. This bike is also been my commuter bike for the past few weeks. The wider softer tire is great on a road that is full of potholes and piles of leaves. The bike just rolls on through it. Especially at night when even the brightest of lights doesnt show every bump in the road. http://www.getawaycyclecenter.com/

Offical fall weather moves in

That special weather that chills you to the bone. The kind of cold that you just cant shake until you are in front of a fire. Hot choclate, Tea, Coffee, Soup, or Brandy......anything to take away that chill. We have been riding all season and we fell on top of our game then we deal with the season end. Truely the season never ends for cycling it just gets harder to get out there and do it. Certain items can keep you rolling thru the fall.

1) Lights - front & rear.....do not be shy....the brighter the better.
2) Waterproof/Windproff/Thermal Jacket & Tights such as various Pearl Izumi's "Barrier" or the "Pro" lines
3) Gloves, Hat/Balaclavia, Shoe cover with the same qualities as 2) above
4) Wider/knobby tires, maybe even metal studded
5) Fenders - the roads are just messy this time of year

This equipment in not cheap, but it will last season after season and keep you smiling because you will be riding comfortably all year long.

Go slower then normal, watch wet leaves, and caution on corners. Wet leaves on a corner is the last time I fell on the road (20yrs ago).

H2H Mountain Series - Blue Mountain

I am preparing for the next race in the Campmor H2H Mountain bike series. Blue Mtn is a fun place. The climbs are fire road long and the down hills are rocky fun. I am going to bring the Jamis Xam Bicycle. This bike is plenty plush (6 inch) to absorb all that Blue can throw at it while keeping the ride and the handling XC like. I hope I do well this time, the past few races did not go so well. Keep riding and smiling.

Cool Weather moves in

So I get on my bike this morning in wayne new jersey and take my 10 mile ride to work. I see temperature before getting dressed, then say it will warm up when I get to the pompton lakes flatlands. Well it didnt, I put shorts and short sleeves on and I froze all the way there. After being used to the warm summer months the roll in of fall sure caught me off guard. Needless to say I ordered some cool weahter gear today. I chose Pearl Izumi's Pro softshell long bibs with a elite Long Sleeve jersey. That combo with a short or long sleeve base layer should take me into the upper 40's. I have time to choose a jacket, gloves, and winter riding shoes. I have my eye on the pro soft shell jacket, the new lobster claw full finger glves from Pearl Izumi. The shoes are the barrier GTX from Pearl Izumi, I have had a pair in the past and they are great. Prepare with smart layers and your riding will roll strong.



"bicycle, new jersey, nj, jamis, mountain bike, getaway cycle, ellsworth, ski, tune up, bloomingdale, wayne, kinnelon, oakland"

Jamis Aurora Touring Bicycle

The season has been zipping by in between the rain and the sun. People have been look and buying road and moutain bikes with no concern for the state of union. Hybrids that are fast on the road and ready for the cross across the field are also a hot item this year. But one bike has not been looked at until this week. The Jamis Touring road bike. I had 2 requests witha few days. I guess it is the season when packing your bike for a trip beyond home is abound. We at the www.getawaycyclecenter.com will have the 2010 demo model soon.


If you want to experience the cyclist’s version of backpacking you’ll want an Aurora, arguably the last of the true loaded touring bikes.
Our Auroras use legendary Reynolds chromoly steel, with air-hardened 631 in the Aurora Elite and double-butted 520 in the Aurora, both with our SST frame design so every size rides like it was custom-built. Aluminum might be lighter, but that half-pound you’d save is nothing on a big tour, and steel’s smoothness won’t leave you fatigued the way you’d be after 100 miles of aluminum road buzz.

Jamis 2010 Models

Well they are starting to unveil the new Jamis Bicycles. They look sweet. Some great models have been added and some great looking paint jobs are on them. They have a relaxed geometry carbon bike that lists for under $2000, a great new carbon 29er, and the much taked about 650 Moutain bike.

Tues Group Road Ride

Good Bicycle ride for all. We had a good turn out and great weather. We started and finished at the Getaway cycle center in bloomingdale new jeresey. We headed down into Lincoln park, up over jacksonville rd, cut thru valhalla, and back thru kinnelon. Average spead about 14.5mph, crusing at 20-22mph, 18 miles total, with some fast down hills over 40mph. We did get beeped at by a car as we were decending boonton ave. We were doing 38 in a 35mph zone with a car beeping at us from the rear. She was very upset that at we were in the middle of a one lane road with no shoulder. . As we all got to the bottom we all waited at the same light and she got a mouthful. She said we do not belong there, we gave her a different point of veiw. People need to relax.

Next ride Sat morning, 7:30am at the Getaway Cycle Center in blooningdale.

Group Road Ride

It been a good start to the season despite the rain. We have had 5-10 people join in for our Tues 6pm and sat 7:30am rides. We have been out for an hour plus riding in the 18-22mph range. Slowly we have been draging the group into the hills as we become more conditioned. Cycling in north NJ is great. As a group we are seen by the cars. We choose some safer routes through neighborhoods and such. We travel thru bloomingdale, riverdale, west milford, wayne, oakland, franklin lakes, lincoln park, pompton, kinnelon, and more. Riding a Bicycle is great fun and fitness but it is even better when we can do it as a group. Come out and join in, we would love to have you. We gather and start at the Getaway Cycle Center and return to the same. Hope to see you there.