This month's topics: Weight-loss essentials, discounted RPM classes, free coaching, 2009 closeout sale, kids' bikes sale, & the Spain bike trip (or, the "chance to see Lance.")

Ever notice that the holiday season, now--broadly defined as Halloween through, gosh, I suppose what? President's Day?--more or less revolves around consuming vast amounts of generally unhealthy food? As (along with Joe & Tyler) a newly minted "elite" (Level II) USAC cycling coach, I know that overeating, for aspiring athletes, is generally regarded as inadvisable (yes, we did pay good money for those certification classes--why do you ask?). It's true. And so, dear readers, you should all do your best to watch what you eat this holiday season. But here's the rub--if you're working out in the winter, you actually need to a great deal more than in the warmer months. Eating too little will cause you to burn lean muscle mass: once again, inadvisable. Finding a well-balanced diet and exercise plan this time of year can be frustrating, what with the charybdis of overeating on one side and the scylla of burning lean muscle mass due to under eating on the other. Which is why you should let us be the Athena on your own 2010 sports odyssey. And so:


Sign up now for a resting metabolic rate test. This simple, 15 minute, $50 test will tell you exactly how many calories you burn on a typical day, either when exercising or not. And it will let you know how many to eat each day to achieve your target weight loss goal.
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And while you're upstairs getting tested, you'll get a chance to see our revamped training center, where winter RPM classes begin Jan. 4, just after the new year. There's still time to sign up for the full 12-week, 2-hours a week sessions--currently discounted for those who act first. Also, you can always drop in (provided there's space) and pay on a per diem basis. Either way, they're sure to whip you into shape for the upcoming season. Learn more about RPM here.

'Tis the season of giving, I'm told, and so for this month and next, anyone who buys a bike valued at $1500 or more will now receive a free month's worth of coaching. You will receive a login name for trainingpeaks, along with an entire month's worth of daily schedule workouts, courtesy of the coaches at Breakaway Bikes. TrainingPeaks is the number 1 training software that lets you log every mile and give feedback to your coach. It is utilized by pro Ironmen, runners, rowers, swimmers, and cyclists alike as a proven, science-based way to improve your fitness, performance, and health. So stop in soon! And if you stay with the coaching, you receive discounts on all products and testing services. Just imaging having this beautiful, carbon Tri/TT bike and a monthly personalized training regime for under $2000! Treat yourself or someone you love to a B-16 this Christmas. You won't regret it!

Or perhaps you're looking for a sweet deal on road bikes? Come on in soon and check out or last few remaining 2009 models, currently at closeout-prices!
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Though if you've already got a stable full of bikes, perhaps it's time to think of somebody else--how about your kids? They are, after all, if nothing else, lovely tax deductions, and therefore deserve a little something special once in a while. Why not get them a bike? From now until Christmas Eve, all kids bikes are 10% off!





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And you know where any new bike would roll exceptionally fast? Girona. As in, Girona, Spain, Europe. In April. When the weather here will be dreary, wet and cold, you could be basking in the sun on our annual Spain training trip/pilgrimmage to Girona, home base for just about every American pro cyclist racing in Europe (e.g. last year we hung out 3-time US Time Trial champ and former yellow jersey holder Dave Zabriskie from [then] Team Garmin-Slipstream). He did not give us any DZ Nutz chamois cream samples, even though he owns the company, but hopefully we'll score some from him this year. Even still, you can get full tubes from the shop for a reasonable price.

As an added bonus, you'll get to see the most famous man in cycling's history Himself and his Team Radio Shack mates take on the world's toughest competition at the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.

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Speaking of tubes, don't forget to stock up on spares--along  spare foul-weather tires to match your fenders, gloves, booties, and rain capes. And did you know that by joining a Breakaway sponsored team (QCW, Breakaway Tri Team, Temple University Cycling, or UPenn Cycling), you have access to an exclusive, once-a-year parts and bikes order that gives you between 20-50% off bikes and accessories. The details are too good to share with everyone, but if you sign up soon you'll have access to this rare opportunity.

Finally, speaking of rare opportunities, one of Breakaway's own recently traveled
abroad to study film in Japan. In just a few short days, we will welcome back our mechanic Andrew Harrold from his term abroad. Welcome home, Harrold.

Thanks for reading, and do forward this along to your friends.

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.