Short Sleeve Gore-Tex for the Win!

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/10/short-sleeve-gore-tex-for-the-win/


It’s days like these that I love me some short sleeve Gore-Tex jackets and Gore-Tex shorts. Starting to get chilly, with a dash of rain, but still too warm for a full rain kit? Perfect weather for rain shorts and short sleeve jacket! Keeps my chamois from soaking up rain water, or even worse, Chicago street nastiness. Jacket keeps my core dry, while the short sleeves allow for venting and keep me sweat free. Add some Gore-Tex socks to the ensemble, and I am just about as waterproof as a frogs butt.
Got questions about what to where when? Let me know, and I can point you in the right direction. Or, if you have the means, come to Village Cycle Center’s “Dressing for the Weather” with Gore Bike Wear Thursday, November 15th 6-8pm.

Dressing For The Weather with Gore Bike Wear

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/10/dressing-for-the-weather-with-gore-bike-wear/

Village Cycle Center presents:

Dressing for the Weather, with Gore Bike Wear.

This event will take at Village Cycle Center - 1337 N. Wells Street, Chicago IL. 60610 on Thursday, November 15th, 6-8pm.

This event is brought to you with participation from Gore Bike Wear.

Topics for the evening!

• Little bit of Gore history.
• Fabric technology - Gore-Tex & Windstopper
• When to wear what?
• Unicorn vs. minotaur hair*.
• Cycling apparel and gear care.

 
Whats happening!

• Welcome
• GORE Bike Wear
• History
• Fabric technology
• Products

• Cycling apparel care
• Wash
• Dry
• Reweaving minotaur fur*

• Break!
• When to wear what?
• Commuting
• Riding
• Racing
• Herding snipe*

• Questions!
• About what we just went over.
• About stuff we didn't cover.
• About why unicorn hair really does have the best wicking capabilities on the market today*.
• About cold weather commuting, riding, or racing.

What else is happening this fine evening?

• Discounts on Gore Bike Wear!
• Raffle for snazzy products from Gore Bike Wear!
• Snacks!
• Free stuff!

This here gathering at Village Cycle Center will be limited to 65 seats, after that, it is standing room only, but you are welcome to come.



Indoor bike valet parking will be available, please mention you would like to park inside in you RSVP.

MUST RSVP to events@villagecycle.com by  Tuesday November 13th.

*No unicorns, minotaurs, or other "mythological" creatures are harmed during the manufacturing processes of Gore Bike Wear, Gore-Tex, or Windstopper products.

Don't forget to RSVP.

Gore Bike Wear and Village Cycle Center Give You More Gore!

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/10/gore-bike-wear-and-village-cycle-center-give-you-more-gore/

Gore Bike Wear and Village Cycle Center Give You More Gore!

Village Cycle Center and Gore Bike Wear have teamed up and put together one pretty sweet deal for you.

From 10/17/2012 until the end of the year, every $50 you spend Gore Bike Wear at Village Cycle Center gets you a raffle ticket in our weekly drawing. All tickets go into the drawing for fabulous products from Gore Bike Wear, from socks to jackets, product to be given away each week, over $1000 in total!

New Gore Bike Wear fall/winter gear has arrived!

Drawing Dates and Winning Product


Friday Oct. 19th - GT Socks
Friday Oct. 26th - Mistral Gloves
Friday Nov. 2nd - Windstopper Neck Face Warmer
Friday Nov. 9th - MTB Thermo Socks
Friday Nov. 16th - GT Socks
Friday Nov. 23rd - Cross Glove
Friday Nov. 30th - Tool Jacket
Friday Dec. 7th - Alp-X Glove
Friday Dec. 14th - Fusion GT Glove
Friday Dec. 21st - GT Socks
Friday Dec. 28th - Fusion Jacket


Contest details and rules:

• (1) ticket per every $50 (fifty dollars) spent at Village Cycle Center on Gore Bike Wear products. The total spend does not include tax.
• All tickets that go into the drawing, stay in the drawing until it is picked or the raffle is over. The ticket bucket will not be emptied after each weeks drawing.
• Each winner has 30 days to claim their winnings. After 30 days, unclaimed winnings get donated to West Town Bikes youth programs. They thank you up front for not picking up your booty.
• When it comes to this contest, this contest is Barter Town, and we are Master Blaster, and Master Blaster runs Barter Town. If you don't like it raggity man, hit the road. 
• Gore Bike Wear is the bomb and and a pretty sweet company to be doing this, give them some love and check out their Facebook page or follow their Tweets. You could also send them an email and tell them they need a brand page for Gore Bike Wear.

GORE Bike Wear Fall/Winter Apparel Has Arrived - Gore-Tex & Windstopper For Everyone!

Gore Bike Wear Gore Tex Socks

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/10/gore-bike-wear-fallwinter-apparel-has-arrived-gore-tex-windstopper-for-everyone/

The brisk temperatures of fall have come, and to welcome the cooler days, our fall/winter GORE Bike Wear order has made its way to the sales floor the store.

We have jackets, pants, jerseys,  shorts, knickers, gloves, hats, face masks, socks, made from GORE's Windstopper and Gore-Tex materials for the men and the ladies.

Riding into the cold has never been easier with Gore Bike Wear, stop by the store for a fabric demo today.

GORE-TEX® Fabrics

Gore Bike Wear Fusion 2.0 GT AS Jacket

Gore Bike Wear Gore Tex Gloves

The origin of waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® outerwear, footwear, and gloves starts with five little letters: ePTFE. ePTFE, or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, was created by Bob Gore in 1969 when he rapidly stretched PTFE under certain conditions. The result was an incredibly strong, microporous material with an amazing list of characteristics including low water adsorption and good weathering properties. By 1978, GORE-TEX® fabric was introduced and the world met the first truly waterproof, breathable outerwear. Thanks to our commitment to innovation and creativity, waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® products have continued to improve and evolve to keep in step with the changing needs of our customers. The basic hallmarks that make our outerwear, footwear, and gloves the choice of serious professionals and casual outdoor enthusiasts alike remain, however:

The GORE-TEX® membrane: The secret of GORE-TEX® products -- which are both completely waterproof and completely breathable at the same time -- lies within its our revolutionary bi-component membrane. The membrane contains over 9 billion microscopic pores which are approximately 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, but 700 times bigger than a molecule of moisture vapor. So while water in its liquid form cannot penetrate the GORE-TEX® membrane, as moisture vapor it can easily escape.

Waterproof, windproof and breathable: The GORE-TEX® membrane makes garments durably waterproof, windproof and breathable so that you stay dry and comfortable.

Gore Bike Wear Gore-Tex Guaranteed To Keep You Dry

Durable: Waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® outerwear is made of the very toughest fabrics and is thoroughly tested to guarantee performance even after serious wear and tear. Easy care: Just because it’s high tech doesn’t mean it has to be high maintenance. GORE-TEX® fabric is extremely easy to take care of and won’t lose its effectiveness even after repeated washing.

Guaranteed to Keep You Dry® Promise: Perhaps the most important aspect of breathable, waterproof GORE-TEX® outerwear. We firmly believe in our outerwear and back it up with a promise: No liquid from the outside will get to you on the inside. This includes moisture from the wet grass you’re kneeling in to the sudden squall you get caught in. We take this guarantee seriously. If you are not completely satisfied with the waterproofness, windproofness, or breathability of your GORE-TEX® product, then we will repair it, replace it, or refund your purchase price.

Gore Bike Wear Windstopper Accessories

Born of innovation, creativity and a love of discovery, waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® outerwear encourages you to get out there and get more out of the outdoors. And remember, if it doesn’t say “GORE-TEX®” brand, it’s not.

WINDSTOPPER® fabrics

Technical Fabrics

 Membrane:

WINDSTOPPER® fabrics are constructed by laminating our special membrane to a wide range of functional fabrics selected according to the final product’s intended use.

Laminates:

Every square inch of the WINDSTOPPER® membrane contains 1.4 billion micropores. This revolutionary structure is ultra-light, ultra-thin, and highly resistant to extreme temperatures. The microporous structure of the WINDSTOPPER® membrane ensures maximum breathability; cold wind is kept out, but moisture vapor can easily escape.

Gore Bike Wear Alp-X 2.0 SO Zip Off

Integrated into the ePTFE portion of the membrane is a hydrophobic, or water-hating, substance to keep external moisture away from your skin. This thermoregulating effect keeps you comfortable longer, so you can be at your best.
“Dress for the occasion.” Forget fashion rules, we’re talking about achieving optimum climate control based on your intended activity, level of intensity, and environment. That’s why we engineer different WINDSTOPPER® laminates for a wide range of activities and weather conditions.

To construct a WINDSTOPPER® laminate, the ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluorethylene) membrane is bonded to a wide range of high-performance fabrics. Depending on the application, a variety of outer fabrics and lining materials are used to create 2-, 3- and even 4-layer constructions.

Fabric Performance

Gore Bike Wear Windstopper

Gore Bike Wear Tool Jack

Windproof:

More comfort equals better performance. Yes, it really is that simple. Just ask any professional athlete.

WINDSTOPPER® fabrics offer soft, lightweight weather protection in one versatile and durable garment. Owing to their total windproofness and maximum breathability, our garments will keep you comfortable longer across a wide range of weather conditions and activities.

Breathable: 

Gore Bike Wear Phantom 2.0

Gore Bike Wear Contest 2.0 AS Jacket

Lower heartbeat. Lower exertion rate. Higher average speeds. These are just three performance-boosting reasons why you should opt for highly breathable fabrics. Need more? How about this: During heavy exertion, our bodies can release over 4½ cups of perspiration in an hour, and up to 17 cups during a world-class marathon. Only the most breathable fabrics can handle this much sweat to prevent you from overheating and eventually becoming chilled. WINDSTOPPER® products are 2X more breathable than comparable windproof products, and offer the same level of breathability as comparable non-windproof products. What makes them so breathable? The 1.4 billion micropores in every square inch of the WINDSTOPPER® membrane let water vapor escape virtually unhindered, even when you’re working at maximum intensity.

More Features:

Gore Bike Wear Oxygen Windstopper Jersey

Gore Bike Wear Contest SO Ladys Jacket

Gore Bike Wear Phantom SO Ladys Jacket

Gore Bike Wear Windstopper Accessories

Gore Bike Wear Winstopper Gloves

Ever felt cold and clammy even though your clothes were dry? You were the unlucky victim of wet out.
WINDSTOPPER® fabrics offer water- and snow-resistant capability with faster drying time.
Different activities and weather conditions call for different levels of protection from rain or snow.
Terms like water repellence, water resistance and waterproofness are often used to describe the varying abilities of textiles to provide protection in wet weather. But each term has a distinct meaning.
1. Water-repellent fabrics shed water and snow as long as the chemical treatment remains intact. Over time, the treatment will wash or wear off and has to be renewed.
Of course, restoring your WINDSTOPPER® garment’s DWR treatment is easy. See how.
2. Only water-resistant WINDSTOPPER® fabrics with a continuous barrier (like the WINDSTOPPER® membrane) durably withstand water entry at pressures up to 0.1 bar. That is why they can offer reliable protection against light rain and snow, even after multiple washes.
3. GORE-TEX® garments, which are made of waterproof fabrics, zippers and sophisticated garment constructions offer total, all-around protection in very wet conditions. Only GORE-TEX® products are “Guaranteed to Keep You Dry.”
- Soft & Stretchy
Soft & stretchy fabrics give you greater freedom of movement and comfort for improved performance. All WINDSTOPPER® garments feature soft & stretchy materials.
- Abrasion Resistant
Only face fabrics made of abrasion-resistant materials can durably withstand friction from stones and rocks - or the straps of a backpack. Fabrics without this feature will pill and lose functionality over time. That’s why only the most abrasion-resistant face fabrics like polyester and polyamide – which are proven to offer reliable protection even under rough conditions – are used for WINDSTOPPER® garments

Gore Bike Wear MTB Thermo Socks

Gore Bike Wear Gore Tex Race Power Thermo

Llama's review on Gore-Tex Active Shell and GORE Bike Wear Fusion GT kit.

Rus' review on the Gore Bike Wear Mistral Glove.

Pretty. Fast. Womens Race Mechanics Workshop at Village Cycle Center

On Saturday the 11th, we were lucky enough and very proud to host a women's race mechanics workshop with Pretty. Fast.

We had four workstations set up around the shop each with it's designated topic of discussion and hands on demonstration. The four stations included pre race, during race, post race mechanics and maintenance, as well as one dedicated to tires, tools, and the new SRAM Red, which was helicoptered in, and tactically escorted in it's ballistic casing.  interrupted only by the crashing tranquility emanating from our revered gong which signaled it was time to rotate. Cardboard treasure chest brimming with precious bicycle goods to be raffled off which included priceless gems from Gore Bike Wear, Park Tool, and Blackburn Design.



Great turnout, ample volunteers, lots of participation, and a surplus of knowledge. Everyone had fun, and learned quite a bit in the process.



"Thanks for hosting the Pretty. Fast. Women's Cycling Clinic on Saturday! I learned a ton and it was far the best clinic I have attended." - Deanna Doohaluk  via Facebook 

Village Cycle Center Google+ & Gore Bike Wear Contest

Village Cycle Center Google+ & Gore Bike Wear Contest

The Low Down:

What you gotta do to win:
Add Village Cycle Center to your circles on Google+.
On February 29th at noon we will be selecting 4 people at random to win.

What you can win:
Gore-Tex Socks
Gore Windstopper Gloves
Contest Jersey
Oxygen Cycling Shorts

What you can and can't do to win:
Must have a US shipping address in the continental 48 states. Sorry, we don't ship international.
Our decision is final. Who gets picked, is who gets picked. We have lots of contests, try another one.

Cold & Wet Outside, Warm & Dry Inside.

Love me some Chicago weather. Mmhmm. 37 degrees and raining in January. Most people don't like going outside in this stuff, much less ride their bike in it. I used to be one of those folks. That was before I had the right gear for the weather. I rode in cotton t-shirts and cheap "rain" gear that really didn't keep the rain out. And the cheap gear that did, was not breathable at all. I've used plastic garbage bags for rain kits. Kinda like a sauna on wheels. Plastic bags on the feet. Done that too. Yeah, it works better than nothing, but there is nothing that compares to having the right gear. Once you have some truly solid rain and cold weather apparel and outer wear, you will understand when you hear people say....

"There is no bad weather, just bad gear."


In the time before good gear, I was using Performance this and Pearl Izumi that. Now I ride in Gore Bike Wear Gore-Tex & Windstopper on the cold/wet days, and life is grand. No, it is freaking sweet. Like smiling while you ride your bike on days you used to dread freaking sweet. Smiling because you realize just how much a difference the right jacket and pants make. Then a bigger smile when you think that the gear you are wearing cost more then the bike you are riding in the winter. I've been using the Fusion jacket and pant from Gore Bike Wear for 5 years now, and it keeps getting better each year. Not that you will need new jackets from Gore that soon, I just love me some technical stuff, and like to try everything I can get my hands on.

I am not saying to go out and put yourself in the poor house on gear. But, if you ride when the weather turns to pewp, you owe it to yourself to pick up some pieces as you can. Not the pieces of pewp of course, but rather the articles of superb winter excellence. Perhaps a set of Gore-Tex socks to start. Or some City Overshoes. Windstopper gloves make a tremendous difference. The most spendy items of a cyclist's winter arsenal tend to be the jacket and pant. If you get cheap on this, you will be disappointed with the results. One $200 Gore-Tex jacket will outlast three $80 rain jackets, and actually keep you dry. If you have not had a chance to see a demo of Gore-Tex or Windstopper material, stop by our store and demand to! You can also check out Gore-Tex here, or Windstopper here.

Gore Bike Wear Fusion jacket & pant, Tool jacket, Tool gloves, City Overshoes, Sidi Diablo GTX, Bell Volt, Mission Workshop Vandal. Not pictured, Gore Bike Wear Xenon Sonic bibs & Windstopper tights.

Don't forget your helmet! Also, I always have my RoadID on my wrist whilst cruising on my bike. And to make sure the stuff I carry stays dry, a waterproof Mission Workshop Vandal. The harness system on the backpack is amazing. Make sure to get the optional waist strap.

Some days are cold, and some days are wet. But I have yet to find a day that I didn't want to ride my bike.

First Snow Under My Wheels

Today was the first snow in Chicago that actually stuck. And I forgot how much I love it. I look forward to riding my bike through fresh snow and laying the first tracks down my alley in the mornings. Up until 3 years ago, I did not have such enthusiasm for the cold day rides. I call this time in my life pre-Gore. This was when I liked to ride my bike in the snow, but I would eventually get wet and freeze my ass off. Then along came Simon with his Gore Bike Wear. And for the first time ever, I looked forward to snow rides and was smiling while riding on the coldest days.
This time, is called Post-Gore. This time rocks. I won’t bash on the brands that didn’t cut it, if you are cold and unhappy while riding in the winter, you already know which ones they are. I highly recommend Gore-Tex and Windstopper products from GBW. A couple of my must haves for cold weather are: Tool Jacket, Vista Windstopper tights, Gore-Tex socks, Power Thermo jersey, Power Beany, and depending on your facial hair, either a Windstopper hat, or balaclava. When things get uber cold, or for the wet days prior to the cold ones, a Fusion Jacket and Fusion Pants are my go to coverings. You can check out my review on them here.

Today was 24 felt like 17. I had a delivery on the way in, so I had an extra layer over my tights of knickers. I also only was going a total of 6 miles. So I was a bit over dressed and rode slower than usual. I wore a Craft baselayer, Gore Bike Wear Power Thermo jersey and my Tool jacket. Bottom side held Xenon II Sonic bibs, Vista Windstopper tights, Sidi Diablo GTX, and a custom version of the City Overshoe I made into gaiters. On the head Winstopper Bike Headband and Merino wool cycling hat.

The ride was fun, cars were courteous, and the delivery customer was happy to see me.

If you are not sure what to wear, check out this handy guide. http://www.bicycling.com/whattowear

Sidi Diablo GTX - Making My Feet Happy All Winter Long

Roses are red,
violets are blue.
Sidi Diablo GTX,
I love you!

If you have yet to get yourself a pair of dedicated cold weather shoes, get yourself some Sidi Diablo GTX. Up until last year I was using my Dragons with Gore Tex socks, and City Overshoes for slushy days. But then I was lucky enough to get my feet into a set of Sidi's Diablo GTX and since then, my feet have never been happier. I use them for my daily commute, cross racing in a foot of snow, or mountain biking at Palos once everything is frozen over. Usually a pair of thin socks is all I need, but occasionally, on the uber cold days, I need some thick socks. Which Sidi was kind enough to think about by adding some extra room so my tootsies still get blood flow.

After a pedaling through a full Chicago winter last year, 2 races, and couple trips to Palos, mine are still holding strong and ready for another year.

Sidi Diablo GTX

Your feet are vulnerable on cold, wet off- and on-road rides. Keep them toasty and dry with Sidi’s Diablo GTX shoes. They sport waterproof and thermal Gore-Tex uppers along with neoprene cuffs and billow tongues so winter seems a world away. Plus, you'll benefit from supreme pedaling dynamics with Sidi’s Competition soles and Velcro closures for fine-tuning the fit. And, you'll appreciate the aggressive tread on the soles for all-conditions traction.

http://villagecycle.com/product/sidi-diablo-gtx-52463-1.htm

In stock at Village Cycle Center, with a fill order on the way.

Check them out in our store or online here.

Gore Bike Wear GORE-TEX® Active Shell Fusion Rain Kit

I love the new Fusion Pant and Fusion Jacket made from GORE-TEX® Active Shell . The GORE-TEX® Active Shell is amazing. It is light, it breathes well, and it's waterproof. The new Active Shell also does not feel clammy against your skin. Hot damn! Breathable and waterproof? How is that possible you ask? The answer is science! Air is a smaller molecule then water, and with the right membrane, air can pass through it, while water can not. Think of a chain link fence, a golf ball will pass through it, while a baseball will not. Check the video on the Gore-Tex membrane here. The jacket and pant have a great fit with stretchy Gore-Tex where you need it. Jacket includes a built in under the helmet hood that doesn't have you sweating just from use. Well placed, slender vents on the pants work well and do not allow much water in while open. Another huge plus is that both jacket and pant are very packable and stow into their own pockets. Combine this kit with some Gore Bike Wear City Overshoes and a pair of Mistral gloves, and you are set. We stock all of these products and more in our store, or you can shop online at www.villagecycle.com.

Chicago Cross Cup #5 Carpentersville, IL.

What a great course! So much fun! Mud, rollers, water crossings, sand, sweet corners, and a beer garden. This is cross.

This year the rollers had an add on of farm field full of mud. Thick, sticky, clay filled, mud. Gave the earlier races hell. Hell being fun in cross. We surely do enjoy the suffering. And suffer we did. Everyone on the team put in their best and had a good time doing it.

Katie Tom was sporting her leaders jersey after becoming the overall points leader for the Women’s Cat 4 last race. Brandon held his own in the Cat 3 race. I almost got to finish my second 1/2/3 race. Only getting lapped by the top 4 riders. Great job fast SRAM dude. Mumford was in the top 10. Get some.

But mostly, I can just say, THIS COURSE ROCKS!

Here are some pictures. And thanks to our sponsors!

Village Cycle Center, Trek Bicycle Corp, SRAM, Sidi, Giro, Gore Bike Wear, Tifosi, and Saris Cycling Group.

Mud creek crossing. Photo credit to: Ben Van Couvering

Mud covered rollers.

Kinky Llama Racing base camp and heckle corner

Katie sporting her fancy yellow jersey!

Becky powering around heckle corner

Mumford moving through the corn field faster than Malachi.

Brandon avoiding someone during their prayers to the mud rollers. Photo credit: Bill Draper

Race report was cut short. More to come soon. Have a great day! Go ride your bike.

Sport Wash - Product Review by llama

I wish they made this stuff in gallon containers. Especially for cross season. Sport Wash does not have any dyes or perfumes that clog your technical fabrics or leave a film on your Gore-Tex. I have been using Sport Wash for about 5 years, and have noticed that my gear keeps its performance levels up longer with it. Not to mention it actually gets the stink out of dirty base layers and socks. I ride all year round, and this stuff even cleans the winter road salt encrusted off my Gore Bike Wear City Overshoes.
Here is what Penguin Apparel Care says about their product:

Outperforming your performance wear? If you are washing it with regular detergent, then you are. Residues left by regular detergents trap moisture which cause odor, and block their performance-enhancing features of your gear.

Penguin Sport-Wash is no regular detergent.

Its residue-free, non-allergenic formula is deisgned to keep high-tech fabric at peak performance and odor-free by washing away residues left by regular detergents, removing dirt, neutralizing bacteria, and restoring breathability, moisture-wicking, and factory applied waterproofing (DWR).

And it's biodegradable, so your conscience is as clean as your gear.

• Removes trapped odors from fabrics
• Restores factory applied waterproofing (DWR)
• Keeps high-tech fabrics looking & working like new
• Restores wicking properties and eliminates odor to *Dri-FIT®, *Under Armour ®,Coolmax ® and engineered polyester fibers
• Restores the loft & effectiveness to down & synthetic insulation
• Removes blood & grass stains
• Prevents color fading
• Biodegradable
  (Contains biodegradable vegetable surfactants.)

*Under Armour® is a registered trademark.
*CoolMax® is a registered trademark of INVISTA.
*Dri-FIT® is a registered trademark of NIKE.

Village Cycle Center has Sport Wash in stock at all times.