Best Shop Ever

Every town has its bike culture 'feel', and Tucson is no different. Although it has its fair share of Pro riders rolling around, and cyclist's who wouldn't think twice about dropping $10 000 on a rig, there was something different about this place that I was missing.

While exploring through town, I would walk into the typical roadie shop and see $10 000 rigs, stacked against your typical $1000 commuter. There would be Lightweight wheels on the wall($5000 wheels) and more carbon fiber than Nasa's junkyard. I would see things like $80 arm-warmers and accessories that people would need only if they read the mag's cover to cover.

Along with this part of the cycling scene I also saw the most interesting bike builds rolling around under sketchy dirty University students. I wasn't seeing any of these bikes in all the shops I visited, until I flat out asked one of the sketchy University kids about the shops in town. He pointed out some I had been to, but he also mentioned another. I thought I would check it out, and thats when I discovered Bica's bike shop.

BICA's, I'm told, was developed by the city of Tucson as a way to get transportation to the newer immigrants and lower income classes of the town. Over time it evolved into a hub of bike culture and passion among the community.

There is very little money that exchanges hands here. Most parts are donated(I found a left side drive DA crank today) or are collected through the community. Its taken years for the shop to develop, but now its a very happening place. There are few staff that 'work' there. The place is mostly run by volunteers.

Some interesting things are bike classes that teach you to disassemble and rebuild you bike, movie nights, and the odd music show here and there. There is also a program that teaches underprivileged kids to build up their own bike. After they've assembled it themselves they get to keep it. All for free. There is a safety and maitinence course that teaches you about your bike, then your given a helmet and lock and tube all for free.

Most people see piles and piles of used bike crap(most of it is). But, underneath mostly worn out pieces there is some authentic cycling 'treasure' as I call it. Today while stumbling through a stem box I found a vintage Cinelli steel stem that was about 40 years old. There are piles and piles of neat bits here and there that mostly get thrown out at other shops.

I quickly made my way to the 'back room' where most of the volunteers and employees hide things of interest from the general public. There I found hoards of cycling treasure. Things that come to mind are original handmade Bontrager frames. Brooks leather saddles made in England from the 60's. Campagnolo galore(mostly from the 70's). Everything had a story and could be considered a collectors item.

(look twice, its a smoothie machine)
The most important part of BICA's aside from the decades of cycling treasure is the community. In the humble shop you'll find people of all income levels and all ranges of cycling knowledge. I saw many guys there today who I would have sworn were homeless people(they might have been) but then I looked down and they were wearing a nice pair of Shimano cycling shoes. You get displaced youth who hang out there because they have nothing better to do(reminds me of myself), and middle aged men who come in with their kids.

In most bike shops, I find the ones with the most knowledge are the ones who seem to be the 'snobbiest' or the least likely to give you a hand, where at BICA's those folks are the ones who are walking around asking you if you need a hand...or need help finding something. Its the type of place where YOU LEARN to fix your flat. The shop rate is $4 an hour, but thats for YOU to work on YOUR bike, using their tools.

BICA's is something that surprised and enthused me about the bike business. Its a friendly reminder that you don't need carbon, or aluminum or new rubber. All that matters is that your rolling on 2 wheels. It really is the best bike shop I've ever been to.

pop pop

I went to my local pizza place the other night(which I had been twice since I got to Tucson). Wanted the usual, a piece of killer pizza and a beer. But something was different this time...they wouldnt serve me a beer!??? Apparently being 21 in Canada isnt the same as being 21 in the US. Even though I presented my Driver's Licence, Health Card AND Birth Certificate(all government issued IDs), no beer is being served to Canadians that night.

One of my goals for this year is to continue racing and riding throughout the year until the cross season. I've always had a hinckeing to do cross, but in previous years I've either been doing something else, or just plain tired of bikes.

Every ride this goal is in the back of my mind. I think its very healthy to take time off the bike, but its also a sign of a heathly athlete and cyclist to be able to have fun riding from Febuary until October. In a great place to ride such as Tucson(especially in February) the motivation to do big epic hard rides is very tempting. This year I've tried to look at things differently.

While on a killer climb or while pushing myself, I'm questioning whether this is TOO hard. Is this ride going to burn me out? Will I be able to recover well? I'm comparing this season to a road race. During the first 15km you don't sprint as hard as you can while still having 185km to go. You have to ease yourself into it, mentally and physically. With lots of travel, and many questionsmarks up the road, it remains to be seen whether I accomplish this goal.

Cory Jay always use to tell me its better to be 80% in the game 100% of the time, as opposed to 100% in the game 30% of the time. There are April champions, and there are July champions. Usually you want to be the latter.

The Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round

Days are comming and going and I've worked myself into habits here. 5 hours today, 5 hours yesterday for a grand total of 25 hours last week. One more to go before the rest week.


(Since when was BLUE a flavor?)

I went to a music show last night as a little way to break up the week. The cool part was the that show was in a bike shop, and the musicans were a couple guys who needed some money to travel around. It was one of the most intamite performances I've ever been to, and I picked up a CD. The price for the CD was whatever I thought it was worth, which was pretty fair I thought.

Just a few people showed up, most riding bikes, and everyone just glad to be alive. I find I can connect more with the fixxie single-speed/dirty shop guys more than I can with the racers around. I guess years in a bike shop have molded me that way, either way its good chatting with the community here.

More on the bike shop later, it is by far the coolest bike shop I've ever been to x10.



Because I do most of my rides alone, I tend to find a lot of people to chat with. Some I talk with for longer than others, but its cool to hear everyones stories. In Tucson, on an average ride I've been seeing at least 30 other cyclists per ride, and on the weekends it would problably double that. Most people who are riding usually arn't from here, and oddly enough I see a lot of Canadians out on the bike. I've been chatting with everyone from 60 year old buisness men on vaction, to 30something guidance councellors from the Bronx in New York(he needs his time off for sure). Either way, they are all stoked to be comming from the cold into the warmth and riding their bikes.


(Beer is so cheap....so cheap)

Tomorrow is coffee shop day. ye

Up and Up

I've been hitting the bike a lot lately, 12 hours of riding in the last 3 days. I'm in the dead center of the 3 week build cycle, so that means one more week with huge miles then a rest week.

Yesterday I took a jaunt up to Mt. Lemmon. It has nice mellow grades, so your not hitting the roof of you heart rate, but the damn hill goes for 30 miles. Looking at the mountain, it doesnt seem to have 30 miles of climbing, but then you'll come around a corner, and you see it go up and up and up.

Climbing mountains is something that I didnt experience until moving to BC. No matter how you look at it, there is no fun. Zero Fun. Mt Lemmon for example, I climbed and climbed and climbed for 15 miles( bout and hour and a half up) until it got too cold and windy to continue. The whole time you logically are thinking"wow this is going to feel so good when you reach the finish or the point to stop."

Its those thoughts that get you to the top, but then you turn around, thinking its smooth sailing and you have to deal with the FREEZING cold all the way down. Of course your not dressed for the decent either as its warm at the base. At the top your dealing with snow, and single digit temps, then you turn around and have to freeeze all the way down. Holy crap. Think about how cold over half hour of decending is at altitude, going upwards of 50+ km/h. COLD

I can honestly say it was the 3rd coldest time on the bike in my life(other 2, are stories all on their own). I can remember thinking all the way down..."I'm never going to take my arm warmers off ..ever...even off the bike" So cold.

You might think that once you reach the bottom, its smooth sailing, even after reaching the warmer temps, but no. Because of the decent all your joints and muscles are locked solid and all the blood has gone to your core. So even though its warm, your pedaling squares because your knees are so cold. It takes about a half hour to recover from. Mountains are no fun indeed.

A Lot Can Be Said for Good Support People

If you read any of Lance Armstrongs books, he frequently mentiones the joys he finds living a single minded lifestyle. For him his only thought was winning the Tour De France. The process begins with having a single goal in mind, and with that thought, the seed of months of energy are focused onto one thing. Every athlete takes comfort and enjoys this way of living their life, and its something that has to be experienced to fully appreciate it.

I know for me, I cant train at home. Sure, its a good set up. Free food, free rent. Lots of loved ones around. Lots of buddies to hang out with. But thats where the problems lie. Its the friends who are distracing from the goals. Its the great food that takes away focus from what needs to be done. Although it seems strange, its really hard on the head to live at home and train.

For me personally, there is no better(or worse) feeling than getting up in the morning and knowing that the ONLY thing you have to do that day is to ride your bike. You can go early, or late. Drink 5 cups of coffee or none. But the only thing you have to do is ride that bike.

With each day you come closer and closer to reaching that goal that you have in mind. Each day you have a chance to attack it, with no distractions and each night, look foreward to the following day of work.

Lets All go To ManVille!

Another day, another doller. A solid 4 hours again today. I missed a turn which put me off schedule and with no water in 25 degree heat. I came very very close to the wall but managed not to hit it today.





Other than the Ipod, the new, best thing to happen to cycling is Googlemaps. In 5 minutes I can go from knowing nothing about an area, to having a full ride planned, with all the secret back roads and little stops. When I was younger I had a map of PEI that I followed all the routes with pen that I happen to like to ride.

For those you you who travel a lot. The best rides are now at your fingertips. Take a look at your own area as well. I'm sure you'll find out that hidden away road that connects the best loop ever. I can't believe I havent found it sooner.


Have I mentioned the beer down here? Even in training I like to have a little brew with my meal(especially buritos) and this area has it made for indie breweries. So much selection, and so cheap too. I went to the local stone fired pizza place and picked up a pint of solid Oatmeal Stout for $2.50. I thought the bartender made a mistake. Holy Crap




I've been singing this place's praises for a long time now, and its finally starting to wear off. Dont get me wrong, its killer, but its no Canada.

My SpellChecker Went Ka-Put

Lots has been happening the past few days. You Northeners will be happy to hear that the weather went to shit for a couple days. I went out with the intention of doing 4 hours when it started to pour like a madman. I couldnt escape, and the fellas and I decided to cut the ride short and head to the coffee shop. In an hour the temps went from 14 to 4 degrees. Vancouver always has a way of sticking around.

Yesterday was nicer, but the cold has been lingering around. we popped out for a quick spin just under 4 hours. I've been trying to keep my cadence up to try to shed some of this single speed bulk, and I've been finding all the extra speed in the legs has been very draining.

There was also a 24 hour race in town. Matty boy and I decided to check it out and we ran into some old friends. Kris Sneddon was in town with the Kona team, and I also met up with Jim Wannamaker. An old chum who is the big wig for Kenda Tires. He was working the event, and we chatted about old times with the 24 hours of Adrenalin. Jim's always a guy I like to see around.

Today was the big ride. The Canadian Povilian came out in full force, with in the group of 6 we were all Canadian, comming from BC ,O-town, and myself from the Maritimes. It was the longest ride I sqeeked in all year being just under 6 hours.

Half way we killed up it up a 3 mile climb, and I wish I had a 25 or 27 as I was maxing out my 23 rear cassette. A hill like that shows who has the good legs and takes no prisoners.

Tomorrow I'm looking foreward to a rest day. Its funny how in this mode my life travels in simple cycles. 4-5 days where you ride all day....then the other you go to the coffee shop and get a big cookie. Oh yeah.

First week of the year 20+ hours accumulated and I'm feeling pretty good so far, other than the horrible sunburn.

Heart Shaped Box

Well, My valentines was pretty exciting. I did listen to the CBC Valentines Day podcast, which was the most loving I got. Another 4 hours today which wasnt bad. The problem was the hour long gradual climb with about 80-90km winds attached to it. Not fun, not fun. Oh, I did get a Valentines day card from my mom. Thats pretty cool I guess.

The best thing to ever happen to cycling is padded shorts, second best would be Euro roadie caps that are so cool. On the podium comes the IPOD, which makes Podcasts one of the best things to ever happen to cycling. Stephan Widmer got me on them today, and I will never go back. Now I can express my CBC love while riding.

Yesterday was a rest day, so that means a light spin down to the coffee shop. Not wanting to BagBalm stain a new pair of shorts I took the landlords riggus, which proved to be trusty ride indeed. Oh yeah, did I mention everyone rides a bike here.

Turn Up the Headphones Baby Yeah!

Another 4.5 whores today. A little bit less intense, and I felt great. I went to the infamous Mount Lemmon today. I only went up about 2 miles of 30 just to take a peak, I'm in no shape to climb mountains yet.

Things I've noticed about Tucson:

-Bikes are eveywhere. There are hundreds and hundreds of racks, and they are all full
-The locals are all faster than you are.
-Expect to see 50 or so other riders every ride
-Expect to see many pro's out(I saw a guy from Symmetrics, and Slipsteam today)
-Dont mess with the guy riding the red Specialized. He ONLY wears cut off jeans, and is the hairiest person I've ever seen. Even more than Eric, especially on the back.
-Every girl under the age of 45 is hot
-There is no need to buy delicious fruit as you can steal it from someones yard
-Everyone has nice cars, except the Spanish, who just put nice wheels on crappy cars.
-Mexican cowboys dont like cyclists.

I'm looking foreward to the rest day tomorrow. Gonna clean up the riggus and take a spin down to the coffee shop and put the legs up. Yee Haw

Into the Tank

Finally, the MARS bar has been eaten. Last September I got a MARS bar for the reserve tank for the Eligin 80. I never ended up eating it, and its been in my jersey pocket for about 15 long rides...just incase. Today, during my first 4.5 hour ride of the year, I finished its melted, beaten, and mashed contents. I didnt hit the wall, but I the definatly went into the reserves.



Do you ever see former Pro cyclists after they retire? Most of them after living the usual day to day life have become fat. Yeah, anyone can splurge here and there, but a lot of them constantly have that little, if not huge gut. The reason for this gut maybe from splurging here and there, but the differance is that the average ex-pro can obsoarb carbohydrates and fat so much more efficiently than Joe Blow. They have been training they're bodies to do it for years. Hence the gut.


The same thing happens on your first ride of the year, after 2 hours your drinking the water from puddles your so messed up. Later on in year, you can ride for 2-3 hours and not really need any food. Thats is how it is.



This time of year is a double edge sword. Your so happy to be able to ride. But at the same time it shows you that your weak as a kitten and usually end up licking your stem by the end of the ride. Its amazing just how efficient the average body is at adapting.

Arizona Baby!

I made it out of the airports alive. 6 hours late, and one less bag. Unfortunatly/fortunatly it was the bag with my clothes/shaving kit/everything else. But I did have my riding clothes, so I took advantage of that.

Arizona is amazing. I've been on two rides and its like riding in a cycling magazine. Just unbelieveable. I've done a 2.5, and a 3 hour ride today and yesterday, hoping to up it to about 4 hours tomorrow. Both days its been 25degrees and hardly a cloud in the sky. Traffic is kind of nuts on some roads, but the bike lanes are killer. They're mostly the width of a normal car lane.

The place I'm staying in is pretty cool. There is a lemon and grapefruit tree in our backyard(the grapfruit tree is actually the neighbors. It takes some sneeky buisness to get the delicious grapefruit) Honestly they are the best grapefruit I've ever had, picked right from the tree. They are sweet like an orange. We do have a pool as well, but it is so cold it would make my junk disappear into my body. Speaking of which, it always takes a good couple weeks to get the junk into proper riding form, and I'm currently struggling with that right now.

This is the first year where I haven't pushed myself to the brink of death the first couple days on the bike. I've finished the past few days feeling pretty fresh, which is probably good in the long run.

I'm staying with Stephan Widmer and Matt Cottroell from BC. Both guys are pretty solid, and have a good 2 weeks on me, which means they are kicking my ass. I'm hoping after a week or so I'll be able to hang in there with them. Anyway, dinner needs to be made. A picture says a thousand words.