Terry Peloton

Author: tpbWPadmin

  • A January Morning at Terry

    Early January, 2009. It’s snowing. It’s freezing. Not a cycling creature is stirring. Unless they work at Terry, that is. Today finds us busy welcoming just one of many vendors who will be visiting us this month, showing off their cycling apparel lines for Fall 2009.

    What could be more fun than sitting around with freshly baked coffee cake looking at clothes? I thought you’d enjoy this sneak peak of a morning spent sampling one of my favorite lines, Gore Bike Wear™.

    We’ve carried Gore for a number of years and in that time, we’ve become close friends with the Gore Bike Wear folks. If you’re coming to the Wild Goose Chase ride in May, you’ll see their name right beside ours as a proud sponsor of this great event.

    Tailwinds,

    Georgena
    talktous@terrybicycles.com
    www.terrybicycles.com

  • Remember Kirtland?

    The project seemed simple enough: resurrect an old Kirtland Tour Pac handlebar bag and its hardware that has been languishing in my closet and put it on a bike I’ll be using in a few weeks for some biking and birding. I’ve stuffed small binoculars into my jersey pocket before, but where do you put a field guide? This Kirtland bag did it all in the past; it could do it all now. Opens from the top, has a built-in plastic map holder and two side pockets. And is sturdy enough to carry a lot of stuff without even sagging (or worse, falling off into the front wheel).

    There’s a good reason why you don’t see this style bag around anymore — it’s just not compatible with threadless stems and STI shifters. Today’s stems are too “fat” to accept the mounting hardware, which was designed for yesterday’s forged “skinny” stems. And the derailleur cables on Shimano STI levers (yeah, I know — they buried them with the new Dura Ace) run smack into the space where the bag goes.

    Well, heck, since I was putting this on an older Terry that looks a little retro itself, why not go all the way? Build the bike up around the Kirtland. Armed with a can of Lysol to ward off the mold, I buried myself in the basement and returned an hour later with just what I needed: bar end shift levers, standard brake levers and brakes to go with them, and a forged stem. Let the games begin.

    In the photo you can see the bag, the still unwrapped bars, and a glimpse of the Shimano 600 short reach brake lever and Shimano bar end shifters. Works like a charm. My only concession to modern day goodies are GORE™ Ride-On® brake and derailleur cables, Schwalbe Stelvio tires and a Terry Firefly saddle. And, yeah, I set the shift levers to friction. In for a dime, in for a dollar.

    Tailwinds,
    Georgena

    talktous@terrybicycles.com
    www.terrybicycles.com

  • Sitting in on a Cloud

    Recently I was in Maryland for the 4th Annual Women’s Council sponsored by W.L. Gore, makers of Gore-Tex® and Gore Bike Wear™. Prior to the Council, I headed down the Eastern Shore of Maryland for a few days of riding. July on the Eastern Shore is synonymous with hot and humid.

    And so I found myself cycling along one day and thinking how just a wee bit of shade would make things ever so much more comfortable. A few teeny clouds floated sparsely above me. One of them must have read my thoughts because its shadow drifted across the road and lingered just in front of me as if to say, “Here I am. Let’s go.”

    Hmm — too good to pass up. I picked up the pace to ride into the shadow. For a serendipitous mile or so, the relative velocities and position of the sun and this little cloud aligned and I rode in bliss, encircled by a refreshing bit of shade.

    All good things come to an end and soon it was back to full sun. But I’ll never forget the day I sat in on a cloud.

    Tailwinds,
    Georgena

    talktous@terrybicycles.com
    www.terrybicycles.com

  • Organic Henry

    It finally happened: summer has returned to upstate New York. Riding a wave of heat and humidity, it arrived in full bloom this weekend. Ah, there’s nothing like that first bike ride in the stuff. Fragrances abound, cotton fluffies stick to your face and your breath gets hot. Huh?

    In 1977, when I started riding in hilly Pittsburgh (finest city on the planet), my cycling club looked forward to those occasional centuries in (comparatively) flat Ohio. We yearned for the chance to just sit up and cruise effortlessly for 100 miles. And so it was that I found myself in the company of Dave, his son, Larry, and Henry, riding the roads in Ohio on a particularly warm July day.

    Thinking back on it, Henry was organic when organic was just an adjective that described chemistry. Rumor had it he lived in a tent in his backyard, eschewing the comforts of indoor living until the weather drove him to it. He was a vegetarian, lean and sinewy, with a peculiar bow-leggedness that came from who knows where. He didn’t own a car, relying instead on his bike and friends when he needed to get somewhere.

    We finished the ride happy but fried. I had to admit it was a luxury to climb into Dave’s air conditioned behemoth to drive back to the Burgh. (Don’t get bent out of shape — this was 30 years ago!) Dave conked out in the front seat, leaving the wheel to Larry, his 17 year old, who relished the job at hand.

    Corn fields whizzed past in the late afternoon sun and Henry put his hand to his mouth and blew gently on it. He smiled and told me to do the same. “Hot, isn’t it?” he said. Yeah, amazingly so. I was surprised. He smiled again and looked out the window.

    A cyclist in reasonable condition can tolerate a core temperature of almost 101 degrees with no ill effects. Hot breath is just one of nature’s ways of blowing off a little heat. To Henry, it was the merit badge of another perfect cycling adventure. Enjoy these days while we have them!

    Tailwinds,
    Georgena

    talktous@terrybicycles.com
    www.terrybicycles.com

  • Thanks, Elizabeth!

    My cousin Elizabeth was one of the many riders at the Wild Goose Chase event at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge this past Sunday. She’s the one holding the bouquet. No, she didn’t dress like this for the ride — this photo was taken at her wedding on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in July, 2003. As I told her on Sunday, she planted the seeds for the Wild Goose Chase.

    When I was invited to her wedding, I knew I had to go. One more missed family event and I would be out of the loop forever! But I needed an incentive to coax me all the way down to Maryland from upstate New York.

    That meant only one thing: I had to find a good place to ride my bike. So, I hauled out Delorme’s Atlas & Gazetteer of Maryland and looked up bicycle rides. There, just 30 miles south of the wedding site was Blackwater Refuge and what looked like good riding. I had the route and the bike. My cousin said I could wear whatever I wanted to the wedding as long as I showed up (the family is desperate, with good reason), so off to Maryland I went.

    Wedding morning dawned clear and warm. Breakfast with the family? No. Must go on bike ride. Must go now. So I headed south, quickly leaving the hustle of the tourist traps and soon arriving in the most incredible country I think I’ve ever seen. Dead flat. No traffic. Just miles and miles of loblolly pines and marshes and heady fragrances that took me back to my childhood in Alabama. Remember that line from a John Denver song: “Coming home to a place he’d never been before”? I had come home, although it took me a few years to figure that out.

    So, if you rode the Wild Goose Chase and loved it, you can thank Elizabeth.

    Tailwinds,
    Georgena

    talktous@terrybicycles.com
    www.terrybicycles.com

  • The Gift of a Hummingbird

    f you read this blog regularly, you know I skip work some mornings to go for a bike ride. The boss is setting a bad precedent….

    I never come back from a bike ride without feeling it was a gift. This morning was no exception. I was enjoying a nice little tailwind as I rode up Lincoln Road. A little way up the road, I could see a bunch of people standing around. I figured it was probably a garage sale. But as I came closer, I saw they had binoculars and scopes. And since they weren’t policemen, they could only be….birders!

    I came to a stop, announced myself as a birder and asked what they were looking at. A rufous hummingbird, they said! This hummer is a west coast resident. Once in a while, he comes east, but usually southeast. Wow! Somehow he ended up in upstate New York and found a full hummingbird feeder.

    So, I hung out with them for a while. They were nice enough to share a scope when the rufous went for the feeder, so I now have another bird to add to my life list.

    Life is full of small gifts like this. And they’re all the better when they happen on a bike ride!

    Oh yeah — the hummer in this drawing? It’s a ruby-throated. But it’s in the public domain!

    Tailwinds,
    Georgena

    talktous@terrybicycles.com
    www.terrybicycles.com

  • Mileage Charts

    Around this time of year, the word “mileage” always creeps into my thoughts. As in “how’s my mileage this year compared to last year?” Now, a couple of years of using Graeme’s training programs have taught me that it’s not the quantity of miles that matter; it’s the quality.

    Quantity, not quality. Oops. I slipped up again. Quality, not quantity. Sigh. Let’s face it: quantity does matter. If only psychologically, it matters.

    In the past several years, my mileage has hovered around 6000 miles a year. My best year was in 1988, when I rode 7754 miles. Round that off to 8000 and it sounds impressive.

    So once the mileage bug bites, I inevitably haul out many years of mileage charts. Some are on sheets of graph paper, others are torn out from magazines. Lately I seem to have settled on an Excel-based format which I embellish with all kinds of memorabilia about a ride — who I was with, whether the weather was a factor. And scribbled in the margins are records of bike maintenance. Good spreadsheet that it is, it constantly reminds me if I’m ahead of or behind my goals.

    Typically, it’s always the weather notes that stand out. Coldest, hottest, windiest. Here’s one from a miserable spring: “rain usually one day of each weekend”. How about this one: “rain, wind, tornado, t’storm”. And I lived to tell about it. Amazing.

    One of these days, I’m going to haul these mileage charts over to the bank and put them in my safe deposit box. They certainly qualify as irreplaceable valuable documents. Mileage rules!

    Tailwinds,
    Georgena

    talktous@terrybicycles.com
    www.terrybicycles.com

  • I’m toast…no I’m not.

    Four members of our Terry racing team just arrived at my house to go on a bike ride with me and I’m feeling a little panicky. I mean, they rode the Rochester Crit last night, so I know they can make mincemeat out of me within the first half mile, leaving me groveling and gasping to catch up with them on our 30 mile jaunt. How stupid I was to accept their offer to go for a ride. Drat!

    Nonetheless, I’ve ridden a ten mile warm up prior to their arrival and I’m loaded for bear with every piece of nutrition magic I own — gels, drinks and bars. I have my breathing down pat – three out, two in. Graeme Street’s tips to make me a better rider are rolling around in my head. You think the team looks nervous before a race — you should see me.

    We’re ready to ride. Five resounding snaps and we’re in the pedals and off. A right turn out of my road and up the first teeny tiny little grade. I’m toast. Wait…I’m not toast. I’m actually hanging in this little group. Probably because they’re chitty chatting away and just haven’t noticed that we’re moving at a snail’s pace. Of course, that tailwind’s not hurting us at all either. Gotta love the suction at the back of this pack.

    In a blur of pink and green, the miles roll by. I’m starting to feel right at home, riding shoulder to shoulder and wheel to wheel. Yeah — I can even steal a drink from my water bottle without taking out the pack. But the coolest part is the other cyclists we’re seeing on the road on this perfect riding day. They’re all giving us a wave and shouting out things like, “You rode a great race last night!”. I hope the team is as proud of themselves as I am of them!

    All too soon, our ride is over. It was a great chance for me to spend some good one-on-one time with each of them. Four very intelligent, very motivated women who are perfect ambassadors for the sport of cycling and for Terry Precision Bicycles. And…four women who are very, very nice to let me ride with them on a beautiful Sunday morning in June!

    Tailwinds,
    Georgena

    talktous@terrybicycles.com
    www.terrybicycles.com

  • Thoughts During a Bike Race

    I’m turning the blog over to Naomi Cermak, a member of Team Terry. Naomi pushes a pen about as fast as she pushes her bike. This post is about her win in the recent Bristol Mountain Road Race. Enjoy!
    Ever wonder what’s going through that empty space between my two ears during a bike race?


    Now the mystery is revealed….
    Inside my Head….The empty space between my two ears
    This entry comes with a “RAYOR” rating . i.e., Read at your own risk.
    ***
    As Naomi lined up for the 2007 Bristol Mountain Road Race a number of thoughts started racing through her head:
    T-minus 5 minutes before the start:
    – The whole team is bundled with arm warmers….Ann (who is notoriously overdressed) rolls to the start line minus the arm warmers. This sets off alarm bells in Naomi’s head…..Rosie and Naomi convince Ann to put on her arm warmers for sake of the team’s performance. Heaven forbid Ann would be less dressed than the rest of us….
    T-minus 4 minutes before the start:
    – Naomi has to go to the bathroom.
    T-minus 3 minutes 58 seconds before the start:
    – Naomi surveys the competition….”2006 Cdn National Timetrial medalist and pursuit champion, 2006 Cdn World Cyclocross Team member….”…
    T-minus 3 minutes 45 seconds before the start:
    – Naomi stops surveying the competition – it is freaking her out.
    T-minus 3 minutes 30 seconds before the start:
    – Naomi is hungry and wonders why she dumped her Clif bar in the car instead of eating it.
    T-minus 3 minutes 25 seconds before the start:
    – Naomi then remembers that she has to go to the bathroom….
    T-minus 3 minutes 15 seconds before the start:
    – Official starts talking…..Naomi listens for approximately 3 seconds before losing interest
    T-minus 1 minute before the start:
    – Naomi realizes that the official has stopped talking…..time to listen for the starting whistle
    T-minus 30 seconds before the start:
    – Naomi thinks that this last minute before the start is never going to end.
    T-minus 15 seconds before the start:
    – Naomi still has to go to the bathroom.
    T-minus 3 seconds before the start:
    – Naomi hates bike racing.
    Lap 1 of 3:
    – Cyclocross girl attacks….Naomi realizes that she should’ve done a warmup.
    – Cyclocross girl attacks AGAIN…Naomi realizes that she most DEFINITELY should have warmed up.
    First climb: Naomi is quickly being pushed out the back of the group.
    – Naomi watches cyclocross girl and pursuit champion create a gap between the field.
    – Naomi watches as SHE gets gapped from some of her teammates. Somehow Naomi fights to stay on.
    Second climb: (this is the major climb of each lap) Naomi watches as cyclocross, pursuit champ and an unknown strong girl gap the group. Naomi doesn’t want to close the gap.
    – Naomi’s legs burn too much.
    – Naomi is wondering whether she looks as though she is 500lbs because her legs sure feel like it.
    – Naomi starts cursing her coach because obviously this awful leg feeling must be his fault….then Naomi decides she should close the gap.
    – Naomi sucks major wind (still climbing).
    – Naomi starts gasping
    – Cyclocross girl attacks but Naomi anticipated the attack and everyone stays together.
    – Naomi hates bike racing.
    End of lap 1:
    – Naomi is sucking so much wind you’d think she is trying to swallow up her rivals. Naomi hopes to hell her teammates catch back on.
    – During this moment Naomi realizes that she is not the only one from Team pink that is hurting like a….[insert bad word].
    Naomi sees team pink join back into the group….Naomi is relieved until she realizes that there is no sign of Kerry. This upsets Naomi.
    Lap 2 of 3:
    – Naomi decides she should eat a gel…it’s chocolate flavored – her favorite. Someone decides to be a pain in the butt and attack while Naomi is eating her “chocolate pudding”….Naomi starts chasing with chocolate pudding hanging out of her mouth. Naomi tries to dispose of the gel wrapper back in her jersey pocket – the wind whips the wrapper out of Naomi’s hand. Naomi is upset. She doesn’t like to litter and she hadn’t finished her chocolate gel. Naomi wonders whether she should turn around and ride back to where she dropped the wrapper – Naomi decides (while watching the leader ride off into the distance) that this is not a good idea.
    – The peloton gets antsy and a men’s group passes the women’s peloton. Things get messy. Naomi is tired and trying her best. Naomi wants to stop racing.
    First climb: Naomi remembers Rosie’s sisters yelling “KERRY”….Naomi is laughing to herself because she is at least 2x the size of Kerry.
    – Cyclocross girl attacks again and Naomi rides someone else’s wheel up to cyclocross girl.
    Second climb: Naomi figures out whose wheel to ride up the major climb. – Naomi has now sucked enough wind to swallow up the whole peloton.
    – As Naomi’s bike starts making strange noises Naomi think that she should just roll off her bike and lie on the side of the road.
    Lap 3 of 3:
    – Naomi hears Kerry’s voice and realizes that Kerry has caught back onto the group (Naomi rejoices). Naomi finally realizes that the group has shed 1/2 of the riders from the start line. Naomi does some mental math and wonders whether Kerry has the turbochargers this week as she must’ve done some crazy work to catch back onto the group. Naomi is VERY impressed. Naomi then realizes other people have caught onto the group too…Naomi starts to wonder if there is a short-cut on this course that she has not been informed about…
    First climb:
    – Naomi is about to have a panic attack because she thinks there will be an attack
    – Naomi was wrong
    – Naomi finds that she is in a front group of 4 – but again – she is the only pink. Naomi starts praying that her other teammates come back!
    – Right before the second climb her teammates catch back on and Ann tells Naomi to “take a break” thus Ann starts pulling. At least this is what Naomi thinks Ann has said but it could have been a mirage by this point in the race. Whatever Ann said – Naomi is grateful.
    – Naomi thinks she sees an elephant cross the road. Now Naomi knows that she is really losing it.
    Second climb:
    – Naomi rides the wheel of the pursuit champion.
    – Naomi and her bike now sound like a broken boxspring mattress.
    – Naomi really wants to just sit on the side of the road.
    – Naomi hears pursuit champions coach yelling…..Naomi looks back and realizes that her and pursuit champion have created a gap.
    – Naomi also realizes that her and pursuit champion are catching the race leader. Naomi tells pursuit champion that they need to step on it and Naomi pulls through…
    – Naomi and pursuit champion catch the race leader…Naomi starts yelling instructions…Naomi is wondering how she is still pedaling her bicycle.
    – Naomi is wondering why it is taking so long to make it to the descent.
    – The threesome finally reach the descent – Going down the descent Naomi thinks “Now don’t “F” this one up this time”
    – Naomi checks to make sure she is in her drops
    – Naomi finishes the descent and then BANG – race leader attacks, BANG – pursuit champion attacks…Naomi thinks “SH@$!!” but then Naomi quickly gets on race leader’s wheel.
    – Naomi starts her acceleration………(Naomi accelerates like an 18-wheeled transport truck)….Naomi is thinking “NOW NOW NOW…Don’t run out of room….”.
    – Naomi has inched ahead – Naomi crosses the line….Naomi thinks…
    I LOVE BIKE RACING!
    Naomi also realizes…

    I don’t have to go to the bathroom anymore!
    Thanks, Naomi! And to all of you on Team Terry — I LOVE BIKE RACING, too! Here’s Kerry sharing the joy of her teammate’s win.
    Tailwinds,
    Georgena

  • Edward “Ted” “Teddy” King

    Edward “Ted” “Teddy” King stopped by our office for lunch today. He rides on the Priority Health racing team and lives here in the “Hell of the North” between racing gigs to be with his lady. It was neat to hear about the Tours of California and Georgia from the rider’s point of view. What was it like to ride with Tyler? What’s the latest scoop on Floyd? You really rode a compact crankset up Brasstown Bald? And it was easy? Yeah, wouldn’t that be nice?
    Do you remember the old Pepsi ad on television – the one with the secretaries gazing out the window to get a glimpse of the shirtless workman? That’s kind of what it’s like when Teddy comes to visit. I’m not sure if it’s the bike or the rider, but everything is first class. From the spotless Pinarello to the track stands in the parking lot, this is a guy who was born to ride a bicycle and sure looks good doing it.
    “Vicarious thrills” sums it up. Looking like that on a bike, feeling like that. Knowing that when you think back on your life, you weren’t afraid to put the same old, same old on hold to be a bike racer.
    So, Edward “Ted” “Teddy” King, all of us at Terry wish you the best in your cycling career. We’ll be watching your blog and reading VeloNews and Road to keep up with you and your team. Feel free to stop in whenever you’re in town — and ride a few miles for all of us!
    Tailwinds,
    Georgena