A new year & a new season for swimming, biking and running! We're excited about 2011 and all of the upcoming events, both new and old. Be sure to check out the new Round Rock Express Ride and the ever popular Splash & Dash Series now in it's 4th year. What new (or new to you) event will you be participating in this year? Let us know over on FaceBook.

Besides new events, Jack & Adam's also has new package deals for this year! You can check those out below. And whether you got a new bike from Santa or ride your oldie but goodie, read on for tips on how to protect it. We don't want Francis to steal your bike and lock it up in the basement of the Alamo like Pee Wee!

At Jack and Adam's Bicycles, we're making it easier to gear up for the upcoming triathlon season. This year we're offering two great package deals to help you take the confusion out of all the equipment you need to tri. Not only that, but you'll save some bucks in the process. Package deals start at $529.99 which includes the bike, helmet, shirt, shorts and more. You can learn more about the package deals HERE.

2011 will be the 5th annual Texas Tri Series.  The series ties together many of the regions best triathlon events into a season long goal that is fun and competitive, but achievable by anyone.  The 6 events range from the super short Rookie Triathlon kick off event to the season finale of a half ironman distance triathlon in Kerrville.  Series finishers are rewarded with a wonderful celebration at the Hyatt Regency.  You can participate or volunteer at the events in order to finish the series.  Series registration is free!  

"Obsessive Security"  that's OnGuard Locks' tag line.  Isn't that what you want when you're trying to protect your beloved bicycle from mean thieves?  OnGuard offers a complete line of locks in all shapes and sizes.  We stock a number of their most useful and popular models at the shop.  One of our favorites is the BulldogDT.  The double bolt locking mechanism with the pick, pull and drill resistant M-Key design makes this one tough lock for a thief to crack. 

The Cycling/Triathlon community is relatively small. Most of us know someone whose bike has been stolen or even worse you have had your bike stolen. The off season is the perfect time to re-evaluate your bike security. Here are a few tips to keep your bike out of the arms of a thief:

* Verify the serial # that is etched on the bike. Typically it is underneath the bottom bracket or on one of the chain stays. Some bike shops record the serial # at the time of purchase; consider contacting the original bike shop to verify the #.

* Let your insurance company know about your important investment. Provide your insurer with photos to verify ownership as well as original sales receipt and serial#. This helps you in case your bike is stolen. The police and your insurance company need this information to expedite the process.

* Never leave your bike unlocked and unattended outside ANY building - this includes your local bike shop. Unfortunately bike theft can happen even in your backyard. You just never know who might be passing through.

* Avoid locking your bike outside for an extended period of time. If you ride your bike to work on a consistent basis see if your employer will allow you to bring your bike inside or to a more secure place that is visible to more people.

* If locking your bike outside is unavoidable invest in a quality lock. Avoid the thinner cable locks. Look for the beefier U- Lock style lock. In addition to the U-Lock, commuters should consider carrying a heavier cable lock as well so you can lock your bike to almost anything.

* If you need to leave your bike unattended in your car consider covering it with a blanket and/or keep it out of plain view as much as possible.

* If you need to leave your bike on your bike rack for an extended period, make sure to lock it on the rack. Some racks come with an existing lock which works great. The other option is to use a heavy cable lock.

* Register your bike with the National Bike Registry (NBR). The NBR is the only true national database where bikes can be identified by police and returned to the rightful owner. Register today!

Just about everyone transports their bike from home to wherever they ride, so what do you do with your bike when you stop at a convenience store to get your drink or when you have to make a quick stop on the way home to pick up dinner? You should lock your bike on your rack so that someone does not borrow that bike you worked so hard to buy.

If you have a roof rack chances are that you either have locks built in to your rack or you can easily get them from a shop that sells your brand of rack. If you do not have locks or you have a rear rack for your car then you can use a cable lock to lock your bike to your car. Anytime you lock your bike, you should run the cable through the frame of the bike and through your wheels as well. This also goes for locking your bike to a bike rack if you are commuting. Remember that anything you can get off of your bike without tools (wheels, or seatpost on mountain bikes) someone else can take off as well.

One last thing to remember is that locking your bike is a deterrent, if someone really wants it and they have a little time they will get it. Lock your bike in plain sight so people can see it, and try not to leave it outside for long periods of time.