Summer Riding

Well, I realize that I am quite behind in posts, so I should probably start with a recap of the summer. I stayed down in Grantham, PA for most of the summer due to a biochemistry research project I was working on. I enjoyed living in an apartment owned by "Pops" Dr. Beck. My summer days usually started around 5 or 6 AM with a 35-50 mile ride, research from 9-5 (sometimes later) and then maybe a group ride or another solo ride later in the day. I was able to scout out a bunch of new routes that I hope to introduce to the rest of the team in the Fall. I made it out to quite a few of the Mechanicsburg A-group rides which I found to be quite challenging and fun, even though most of the guys treat it like a race and hammer as long and hard as they can.

Into the Mountains via Whiskey Springs Rd.

I also spent a number of weekends helping out at Recycle Bicycle where I continued to learn the ropes and help Ross out around the shop and the mobile unit, in addition to working on some beautiful new team bikes.

Keane working on the blue Trek team bike at Recycle Bicycle

Jeremy modeling the yellow and white team Trek

Adam and Jeremy came with me and got to see the shop for the first time. As I didn't have a car all summer, I rode into Harrisburg quite a bit. The mobile unit is Ross's "Garden Shed on Wheels," and it's basically the coolest thing ever. As the "bike man" Ross drives a bright red Honda Element with a huge rectangular, box contraption made from plywood as a trailer.

Recycle Bicycle Mobile Unit Hard at Work in Hall Manor Projects

Inside he has everything he could need to fix bikes all over the city. The idea behind the mobile operation is to bring the shop to the kids. We went around to various housing projects, fixed bike and talked with kids. It was an eye-opening experience for me as I have never really spent much time in the inner city.

Waiting for the start of Iron Hill Criterium

In addition to all the local stuff, I got a little racing in on a few weekends in July. A local racer was incredibly generous and was willing to pick me up from my apartment in Grantham and bring me to races. I raced in 4 criteriums (short courses designed for multiple laps) and crashed out in 2 of them.

That said, it was a good test of my legs to see where my fitness was after a slow start to the season due to traveling and school. I am looking forward to a few road races while home in New York and then a lot of group rides and races in September and October back in PA; although the highlight of the season will undoubtedly be Pittsburgh's Dirty Dozen in November!