Spring is a Comin' - By Javier

If you haven’t noticed, the spring is almost upon us. All the tell-tale signs are starting to show themselves: the Mercury is slowly starting to creep in an upward direction, the precipitation is starting to fall more as rain than snow, and most importantly, we’re getting more sunlight. YES!!!! I mean, it’s almost 5:30pm and there’s still enough light for me to enjoy being outside. Many of us relish the return of warmer temperatures as the jump-start we need to get out of our winter hibernation. For those of us in the cycling industry, the spring marks a return to what we enjoy seeing most, people riding their bikes. Regardless of whether you race, are a daily commuter, or a recreational cyclist who loves to cruise around Kelly Drive, warm weather makes it all so much more enjoyable. But, if you’re like many Philadelphians, hell, many Northeasterners, your bike has probably been hibernating since November. Before you get all gung-ho, and decide to take your bike on that ride you’ve been thinking about for months, take a few minutes to get yourself prepared for the season.


Let’s start with a visual inspection. Before you even throw your leg over the top-tube of the bike, take a few minutes to look over your bike. Is the tread of your tires worn? Do your wheels spin true? Is your chain rusty or dirty? If your bike has been sitting for the past few months, it might be a good idea to bring it in for a tune-up before you hit the open road. Now that you’ve looked the bike over, jump on the saddle and give it a quick spin around the block. Pay attention to how the bike feels and sounds. If your bike isn’t shifting, or braking, properly, or you hear a strange noise every time you pedal, remember that it won’t get better with time. We have the best mechanics in the city and they are ready to keep you rolling with our tune up services. One piece of advice, bring your bike in sooner rather than later. A Soup or Salad tune-up that might keep you off your bike for a day in early March can easily become two-weeks in mid-June due to the high volume of tune – ups we must perform as the weather warms. When it’s a beautiful out, and you decide that you want to ride your bike, remember that there are others in the city who feel the same way.

Ok, so one of our wrenches has shown your bike some love and you’re ready to roll, right? Not so fast. Your bike may be in tip top shape but what about your other gear? We all know the meteorological saying, “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb”, if you don’t, see here. March is known for its unpredictable weather and being prepared for it all is paramount. Some might argue with me about this but I think proper eyewear is the most important piece of outerwear any cyclist own. Good eyewear protects you from rain, dust, debris, and wind. Unless you have The Force, I don’t recommend riding with your eyes closed. Luckily, we have a wide selection of stylish and functional eyewear by Tifosi. I don’t want you thinking that as long as you have a good pair of glasses, you’ll be ready to attack the elements. Come in and check-out our full line of Louis Garneau clothing.

Your bike is ready, you’ve got the clothing, now it’s time to think about ‘you.’ Yeah, that’s right, I want you to think about yourself going into this spring. I want you to ask yourself what type of riding you’ll be doing this season. Are you going to do your first triathlon or will this be the year you plan on completing that Century? We’ve recently revamped our coaching packages and there’s something for everyone. The coaches at Breakaway are the best in the city. We’re experienced, dedicated, and are there to make sure you get the most out of your season. Let the spring be the time where you lay the groundwork for your goals.

I hope this little conversation has been the kick in the pants you’ve needed tog et a jump start on the season. . Be sure to stop by the shop. It’s been a few months and we miss you and your bike.