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Issue: 20
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August 14, 2009 |
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Cycling Excitement!
 Greetings!
Even though summer is coming to a close, I'm excited because the best cycling is still to come! This time of year - late summer/early fall - is my favorite time to ride. Don't start thinking of putting your bike away until you've enjoyed it.
I'm also super excited to be riding in my first MS 150 Pedal to the Point this weekend. Although Century Cycles has supported the MS 150 for the 18 years we've been in business, this will be my first year riding in it. (Kevin Madzia will also be riding, and Gary is doing SAG support.) I look forward to seeing all our Century Cycles friends on the road!
Last but not least, I am really excited to see what's coming from Raleigh and Giant. I recently traveled to Seattle for Raleigh and to Colorado for Giant, to see their 2010 bicycle presentations. You'll be excited, too, when you see what both companies are doing for the new model year.
Cheers,
Scott Cowan, Owner
Century Cycles
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Back-To-School Checklist
We're your bike-to-school specialists! With another school year just about to start, use the following Biking Back-To-School Checklist to make sure the ride is safe, dependable, and FUN! Then, click here to read the inspiring story of how over 1,200 students registered for Bay Bike To School Challenge sponsored by Century Cycles last May - and how they inspired the grown-ups! - in the August issue of Ohio Sports and Fitness on newsstands now.- A bicycle in good working order - The mechanics at Century Cycles can make sure your bike is properly tuned up. If you're in need of a new ride, let our experts help you select the bike that meets your needs, and sized to fit you right!
- Helmet - Help keep all of that new knowledge intact with a helmet, which we will adjust to give you the best fit for comfort and protection.
- Lights - When commuting during the dawn and dusk hours, be seen better on the road with a good headlight and taillight. Enhance your visibility even more with reflective tape on your bike, helmet, or clothing.
- Bag or basket - We carry a full selection of racks, bags, and baskets for your books and other gear, including a selection of Timbuktu messenger bags in hip colors!
- Lock - secure your bike from jealous eyes with a good lock. Also, review this post from our blog last year on Properly Securing Your Bike.
- Know the Rules of the Road - A bicycle is considered a vehicle, and when you're riding your bike on public streets, you are subject to the same rights and responsibilities as cars. Pick up a FREE copy of "Ohio Cycling Street Smarts" in any of our three stores; this pamphlet reviews the motor vehicle codes that apply to cyclists, as well as provides other tips for sharing the road safely.
Of course, we also have a wide selection of cycling-specific shorts, jerseys, jackets, gloves, tools, and other accessories!
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HOT PRODUCTS - Cherry Bomb and SuperFlash Taillights
 In the ever-escalating arms race of who can make the brightest, most attention-getting taillight, the current leaders are NiteRider and Planet Bike, with their Cherry Bomb and Super Flash (respectively) taillights. Both taillights have been among our top-selling items this year.
Both feature a 1/2-watt main LED bulb that can be seen up to a mile away, flanked by two smaller LEDs. Both can be activated in either steady or flashing modes, and include the 2 AAA batteries needed for power, a bracket for mounting on your seat post or bike frame, and a clip-mount for your jersey pocket, seat bag, or messenger bag.
The NiteRider Cherry Bomb weighs just 76 grams, and runs for 40 hours in flashing mode from one set of batteries.
The Planet Bike Super Flash taillight weighs in at only 60 grams, and runs up to 100 hours in flashing mode. It comes in a red and white case, or a "stealth" clear and black case.
Both lights are in stock in all three of our stores; $29.99 each!
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TechTalk: All About Fenders
Fenders -- often maligned, but making a comeback. Here's the rundown on what you need to know about different styles of fenders, and how to select the right fenders for your bikes.
Read it all in this article on our blog.
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5 Questions: Sharon Constantino
When most people think of bicycle store employees, they think of bike mechanics who keep the wheels spinning or salespeople who help us find the right ride. But a bike store would grind to a halt without the expertise of people like Sharon Constantino, Century Cycles' office manager. Based in Peninsula, Sharon takes care of all the financial paperwork for all three stores - paying bills, reconciling accounts, and managing payroll and benefits for over 30 employees - all in less than 20 hours per week. She lives in Solon with her husband, Mark, and their sons, Evan (age 11) and Reid (age 8).
Q. How long have you been working for Century Cycles?
A. In June I celebrated my 5-year anniversary. I started at the Solon store, after
I answered an ad for a bookkeeper in the Solon Valley Times. When Solon closed,
I was transferred to the Peninsula store. My commute to work went from 3 miles
to 18 miles, but I don't really mind because I love Peninsula and the
people I work with. Plus I love that the train goes right by my office!
Q. Have you always been a bicyclist?
A.
I have. I'm really proud that both my sons learned to ride bikes before
they were three years old and without training wheels.
Q. How many bikes do you own?
A. I have just one, a Raleigh Route 66 flat bar road bike. If I had more time to
ride, I'd maybe get a really nice road bike. Or maybe I'd get an
Electra or one of those around-town bikes, for when Solon becomes more
bike-friendly. They are working on it, putting in bike paths and trying to connect
them.
Q. What do you like to do when you're not working at Century Cycles?
A.
I like to spend time with my kids. I'm involved in their school through
the PTA. I also like to read, and hang out with my friends and husband.
Q. Any piece of cycling advice you regularly offer up?
A. Suck it up and wear the bike shorts. People get self-conscious and don't
want to wear them. I tell them they make your life so much easier - and more
comfortable.
You can read the rest of our interview with Sharon on our blog.
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Used Rental Bikes for Sale
We will be replacing our fleet of rental bicycles in the Peninsula store at the end of this season, so we will be offering the old models for sale to the public.
We will have 37 '08 Raleigh Venture 4.0 bicycles for sale, with men's frame sizes of 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 inches, and women's frame sizes of 16 and 19 inches. We also have 4 '08 Raleigh Mountain Scout 24-inch wheeled kids' bikes, and 6 Electra Townie 3-speed comfort bikes (3 men's and 3 women's). The Venture 4.0 and Townie models will be sold for $225 each; the Mountain Scouts for $175 each. We will NOT be selling any of the rental tag-alongs or Burley trailers.
Used Rental Bike Purchase Procedure:
- Beginning on September 1, 2009, visit the Peninsula store. We will help you select the model and size of bike that you want.
- Place a non-refundable deposit of at least $75 per bike.
- We will continue to rent the bicycles for the remainder of the season; exact timing will be dependent on the weather. After our final rentals, we will give every bike our standard full tune-up to be sure that each is in good working order.
- We will call each customer when their bikes are ready to be picked up, most likely around the beginning of December.
Availability of the used rental bikes is on a first-come, first served basis beginning on September 1.
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Define your life. Ride a bike.™
Our Stores:
1079 N. Court St. (Rt 42, K-Mart Plaza)
Medina, OH 44256
Phone: 330-722-7119
1621 Main St. (Rt 303)
Peninsula, OH 44264
Phone: 330-657-2209
19955 Detroit Rd. (between Wagar and Wooster Roads)
Rocky River, OH 44116
Phone: 440-356-5705 www.centurycycles.com
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