In the spirit of school being back in session, we at Breakaway present you with your first pop quiz. It is a word problem:
 
OK, you've just spent an entire summer outdoors. Your daily mileage total has been exactly half of the inverse cosine of a 2 degree angle, and you're thinking to yourself, what now? Do you:
A. Try a new hobby that helps you still stay in shape
B. Channel your inner Belgian, whatever that may mean to you
C. Discover what it truly means to have fun while hardening up
D. All of the above.
 
The answer, is... did you get it?-of course, D, all of the above. That is why you absolutely must try the brand of cycling that the Belgians invented, but the Americans, at least in the Greater Philly Metro Area, are gradually perfecting. They call it cyclocross, and it has quickly developed a cult-like following here in the states--and with good reason! Check out this video here to get a glimpse at the chaotic fun that is 'cross. Or, if you'd rather not, suffice to know this one simple fact, and think of it as a paradigmatic element of cyclocross: The Hillbilly Hustle, now in its 4th year, is held on the grounds of a defunct tree nursery owned by the family of our venerable shop owner, and this year, the course will run directly through the very, very large beer garden set up for spectators and racers alike. Need you really know more? (If you do, check out the Hustle's homepage.)

If you're interested in 'cross, be sure to attend our FREE cyclocross clinics, held by Breakaway Head Coach and cross (and brew)-master, Joe Wentzell. Those will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at Belmont Plateau, or on the Hustle Course the Saturday (October 3rd) before the race (email Joe for details).  In addition to the clinic, Joe will be having a camp out for those who wish to stay the night before the race . (It is a well known fact that all cyclocross racers love a camp out.) And what's more, even if you don't own a cross bike, you can try it out on the demo bikes provided by Scott and Fuji. But as you well know, it's more fun when you have your own. And of course, we can make that happen. Check out our Cyclocross Bike selection here.

OK, maybe you're just not crazy enough to try cross...yet. It is an aquired taste, 'tis true. But what you certainly don't want to be accused of being a fair-weather rider, right? You bought a bike to get fit, or to commute, or to be environmentally friendly, and you'll be damned if you'll let the elements get in your way, right? Of course, but at the same time, you want to arrive to work or home from the gym dry and in one piece. If that's the case, you're going to need some warmer clothes, preferrably something water proof. You'll also need lights if you don't want to end up sprawled on the hood of some crazy cab. And the tires you have now might be ok for summer, but once the roads start getting slicker, and the salt and grit begins to cake the roads, you'll need some heftier tires. Can Breakaway help with all that? Check, check, and check. We've got a full selection of apparel, lights, fenders, and city tires waiting just for you. You can order directly from there, but if the choice seems overwhelming, visit us in the shop, where we stock many of these products.

While we support riding in any conditions, different occasions call for different bikes. Your primary summer bike may not be suitable for what's predicted to be a snowy winter in the Northeast (Not just BS-ing you.) Therefore it may be time for your end-of-summer tune. After logging tons of miles, the cables have stretched and the shifting has gone soft. Perhaps the brake pads or worn and the chain stretched. Not sure? Bring the bike on in. It's 100% for us to just look at the bike, and our expert mechanics will give you the full lowdown on just what your bike will need to kick off 2010 the right way.

But for you racers, you may sitll have 2009 on your mind. Did it go well? Were goals met, were results achieved, or were you disappointed? Consider a consultation with one of our coaches where we can discuss your trajectory throughout 2009, and where you might like to head for 2010. E-mail Joe to set up a meeting with any of our caring and capable coaches.

Whether your 2009 season went well or not, there is a surefire way to get 2010 off to the right start. The answer to how you know to kick things off the right way is three little letters hundreds of athletes, from pro racers and Ironmen and Ironwomen to the physically active office worker have sworn by for years: R.P.M. And right now you can still sign up for our fall RPM classes at the same rate they were when they first began 10 years ago--inflation bedamned! But hurry, as this deal won't last much longer. Register for class here.

Breakaway is also pleased to announce the formation of a brand new triathlon team for 2010. Breakaway  started the area's first ever tri-team and now they're starting one again over 10 years later. The tri-team will be sponsored by Breakaway, and receive discounts on goods and superior service. In addition, tri-team members have many opportunities to earn "Breakaway Dollars," which are as good as cash at our store. And you needn't be a standout athlete to earn these. Breakaway Dollars are not only awarded for top performances in races, but also for promoting cycling in its multidinous forms, as well as the shop, Philadelphia metro area. The team will also have access to our brand new 24 foot trailer and two event tents, from which volunteers can provide race support at big events. To find out more about this brand new team, click here.


And finally, the biggest news to come out of Breakaway in quite some time:We are proud to be a partner of BIKE TEMPLE. To promote cycling in all its forms, as a healthcare-propadeutic and as an occasional environmental imperative, Breakaway has teamed up with Temple University (proud alma mater or current school of roughly 60% of the Breakaway workstaff) and local bike producers Fuji USA to offer bikes, accessories, and service for Temple students, staff, and alumni at downright silly discounts. Here is the story from Temple's newspaper. Do please check it out.

Remember to keep on riding, and come to us for all your biking and fitness related needs! Thanks for reading.

For more Breakaway information, be sure to check out our website, Breakawaybikes.com, and, as always, thanks for your support and helping make us the #1 bike shop and training center in Philadelphia! Breakaway Bikes: We care for your equipment and your health.