Comp Entries for the 2011 Chicago Triathlon

It's that time of year again, and as a sponsor to the 2011 Life Time Fitness Chicago Triathlon, we have comp entries to give away.

We have the following comps available:

Chicago Triathlon x4

Fleet Feet Sports Super Sprint x2

Chicago Kid’s Triathlon x4
 
We will be giving away the entries in different ways through our social media networks.
If you do not yet follow our tweets or like us on facebook, do so, and watch for your chances to win.
For those of you who are not so social online, there will be an chance to win via email as well.

 

Captain Stubing comes to Village Cycle Center

Today the Love Boat has docked at Village Cycle Center, and Captain Stubing from the Thought You Knew Radder Calendar is here.
Stop by, say hi, give a high five to the captain, and get a free water bottle.

Hats, Brakes, and a Machete.

We just got some great new products in.

Some sweet hats from Assos, Pace, and All-City...

I really like the Pace hats. They fit my head well and quite comfy.

We also have a pile of Avid Shortys, including Ultimates!

And....

PDW MACHETE! Get one of your own, chop chop!

All these great new items are in stock in the store and will be available online soon!

Village Cycle Center, The Blizzard of 2011, a snow throne, and The Onion

So, by now, we all know there was a big ol' snow storm in Feb 2011. And, we also should know, that in Chicago bike shops during the winter, we get a bit slower. Especially the day after a blizzard.

So, I go bored and made the Snow Throne and sent the fine folks at the Onion a picture....

There we laughs and they were super appreciative of the effort. So they sent me some stuff like t-shirts, an exploding hooker that writes bad checks, a kick ass Jim Anchover Air Freshener, and Our Front Pages book, which they signed.....

The Onion rocks.

Thanks very much to everyone there.

p.s. I dug out the mini van later on and ate their hands. They were delicious. Delicious hands.

Announcing the SCG Poster Contest

Announcing the SCG Poster Contest

2011 Saris Cycling Group Poster Contest
"Bicycling is fun. . . and Healthy too!"

This is the perfect time to teach fifth grade students about the important role bicycles play in our environment, our community, and our world. Ask each student (fifth grade only) to create a poster that reveals his or her understanding of the significant purpose bicycling can play in their community. Encourage students to think about the ways bicycles benefit their community and themselves (bicycling is fun, healthy and green). Students should make sure their poster follows the contest rules by using the checklist below. The winners will be selected by a panel of individuals from the Bicycling Industry.

PRIZES National Prize Winner: Three day/two night trip for two (parent or guardian and child) to Washington DC during the 2012 National Bike Summit (airfare and lodging included). Each state will have the following winners: First Place Schwinn Ranger Boys/Girls Mountain Bike Lazer Helmet Planet Bike Spok Light School Receives a Saris Bicycle Parking Rack Second Place Lazer Helmet Planet Bike Spok Light Third Place Lazer Helmet

Contest Rules

1. Only one winner from each school will be eligible to compete in the State contest.
2. Entry must be original artwork created by a student who is currently in the fifth grade. A student may enter the contest only once.
3. The student’s first and last name must be written or signed in the lower right-hand corner on the back of the poster.
4. Design:
   1. Poster may be done in marker, crayon, paint pens, watercolor, ink, acrylic, colored pencil, and/or tempera paint.
   2. Collages are not acceptable. (Do not glue anything on your poster).
   3. Computer or photo generated art and/or printing is not acceptable.
   4. Entries should not display the names of commercial products, companies or organizations.
5. Entry must be no smaller than 8½ x 11” and no larger than 14 x 18”.
6. Entry must be done on paper that will allow for duplication, display and framing.
7. The poster must be related to the contest theme in some way. The theme “Bicycling is fun. . .and healthy too!” must be on the poster. All words must be spelled correctly.
8. Entry should not be matted, mounted, laminated, framed or folded. Poster may be rolled and mailed in a mailing tube.
9. Submit entry by April 22nd, 2011 to your state lead.

As a result of this activity, students should develop an understanding of:

• Designing a product in light of information given.
• Explore the causes, consequences and possible solutions to persistent, contemporary and emerging issues.
• How to act on personal and social issues, develop decision-making skills, and provide them with a foundation on which to base decisions they will face as citizens.

Please attach a sheet to each poster with the winner’s name, winner’s home address, winner’s parent or guardian, teacher’s name, teacher’s email, school name, school address, and school phone. We will accept one poster per school. Please send the winning poster to your state contest coordinator.

Submit entry by April 22nd! State and National Winners contacted by May 20th (In celebration of Bike to Work Day), National Award Winner displayed on SCG website. Winners will be contacted via mail (and email). Awards will be sent out by July 1st.

Resources for teachers:
www.peopleforbikes.org, www.bikesbelong.org, www.bikeleague.org, www.saferoutesinfo.org, www.bfw.org, www.bikeleague.org, www.worldbicyclerelief.org

Motorex BIke Clean - Tested and approved by Lucy

Today I tried a new product that we picked up in our store. The Bike Cleaner by Motorex.
Comes in a trigger bottle and we sell 1 litter refills as well.

Spray, let sit, wipe off!

That's it. And Lucy came out clean!

I give this stuff a thumbs up and looking forward to cleaning loads of dirt and grime off my mountain bike and cross bike this year.

Oh yeah, it is carbon safe too!

You can buy the trigger bottle in our store or on our site:
http://villagecycle.com/product/11-motorex-bike-clean-trigger-bottle-500ml-4820.htm

And the refill is also available:
http://villagecycle.com/product/11-motorex-bike-clean-refill-bottle-1ltr-4821.htm