Don't let Texas' summer heat slow you down! There are tons of informative, challenging and fun events throughout the season to keep you inspired on those endless summer days. Learn more about cycling, mechanics and fitness at Austin Luna Chix and J&A's Bicycle Rodeo. Get back to the basics at Jack's Generic Triathlon or add an extra element of speed to your next event by renting race wheels, purchasing an aero helmet or using John Cobb's expertise to guide you along the way.

Remember to stay hydrated, wear sunblock, shades and a hat and train at optimal times of the day (avoiding mid-afternoons) when accomplishing your summer goals. We at J&A are here to help you have the best season possible, so be sure to stop by if you have any questions or simply want to chat!

Team Luna Chix will join J&A on June 8th from 6:30 to 8:30pm for a Bicycle Rodeo, an event for cyclists and athletes of all levels to learn bike skills and tips for healthy living. Grease Monkey Wipes will also be there to give lessons on changing tires while helping you keep your hands grease-free while doing so. The Austin Cycle Camp will give cyclists valuable tips about riding on the road and in groups. Dr. Jen Mushtaler, or OB Jen, will be available to offer health and wellness tips to female athletes. A triathlete herself, OB Jen is a knowledgeable and experienced resource for women of all ages.

J&A's Bicycle Rodeo is free and open to anyone, so come out an enjoy a great afternoon of fun and interesting events - just RSVP to info@jackandadams.com. Don't forget to bring your appetite too - Austin's Pizza will also be there with their fantastic slices!

Do you want to recapture that simple, thrilling feeling brought on by participating in a great triathlon event? Then Jack's Generic Tri (or JGT) is for you. Inspired by a time when triathlons were not planned around sponsorship, location or prestige but the joy of racing that you, the everyday triathlete, feel when participating in a safe, well-organized and, most of all, fun event.

With a 500 meter swim, 11.8 mile bike and 3 mile run, JGT is short enough for beginners, but challenging enough for experienced triathletes. Held at the Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas, JGT's course is almost completely traffic free, which allows you to take your triathlon experience to the next level. Of course, all participants are invited to celebrate in style with a fabulous after-party!

Race wheels are a big investment and many triathletes wonder if they are ready for the commitment of purchasing them. Luckily, you can experience the speed and efficiency of race wheels with little expense and no hassle by renting them from us here at J&A. Whether you want to gain an extra advantage in your next "A" event or are curious to experience the difference of a race setup, you can call or stop by the shop to choose from a range of amazing SRAM wheelsets for rent on the date of your choice.

You can also purchase an aero helmet, which is a cost-effective way to gain extra speed and efficiency during your bike phase. J&A has a number of different options, including the Lazer Tardiz and the Giro Advantage 2. Our staff is happy to fit you to the perfect helmet that fits your cycling style.

John Cobb, the mastermind behind the V-Flow Saddle and other crowd-pleasing, aero cycling products, took some time out of his busy schedule to shed light on the mystifying world of cycling aerodynamics. Typical of his teaching style, Cobb's explanations of the time-savings value of race wheels and aero helmets were straightforward and really informative. So much so that we thought it would be best to print our interview with him verbatim. Of course, if you have any other questions feel free to call, email or ask any of the staff in the shop and we'll be happy to find an answer for you.

J&A: Recently, we've read a lot about the cost effectiveness of the time savings of an aero helmet versus race wheels. What do you find to be true?

JC: Aero helmets do save time but not in the same way as wheels. Wheels directly save watts, or the amount of energy the muscle burns per stroke. Helmets help manage the airflow but do not directly effect the muscle usage. A good helmet can save 10 -15 seconds over a 40k distance, race wheels can save a couple of minutes.

J&A: How does one go about choosing the right aero helmet?

JC: The riders shoulder and back shape determines the best choice. There are two basic back shapes [A] Flat with an acute bend at the waist and [B] back flexibility at the shoulder blades with a pronounced hump in the upper back.There are about 75% more [B] style riders, [A] style riders are generally more aero and more powerful. [A] style backs usually do better with longer tail helmets with enclosed bottoms [Spiuk, LAS Laser, Specializes] while [B] shape riders do better with shorter tail helmets, Rudy Project Wingspan, LG Rocket, Giro to name a few. Most riders, either [A] or [B] are equally as fast if the tail of the helmet is up or down so it's not very important to try to maintain perfect position.

J&A: At what stage in an athlete's involvement in the sport is it a good idea to invest in a set of race wheels?

Tubular wheels have been all the rage lately at J&A's, and with the inherent performance benefits, it's no wonder. The distinctive feel and great look of "tubies" is a popular draw to upgrade, but many are concerned about the upkeep on said wheels. The fact is, tubies aren't much more work than their clincher counter parts.

As far as day to day maintenance, they're not different at all. As long as you're keeping your bike in a dry area, they should be fine. Tubulars tend to lose air slightly faster, depending on what brand of tire you purchase, but a weekly top off should be sufficient.

Regarding flat replacement, you should be carrying a pre-glued tire with you on rides, as you would an extra tube. When you do get a flat, simply peel the tire off the rim, using a tire lever works well, and stretch your new tire over the rim. It takes a little practice and some muscle to get the tires on quickly, but stop by the shop for pointers, and you'll be an ace in no time. For the rest of the ride, just take the corners a bit on the easy side, and you should be fine getting back home. Then come on in and have us do a more permanent glue job on the spare tire, which will take 24 hours to cure completely.

If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to call the shop and talk to our friendly mechanics.