Snow Snow Snow

Winter is now upon us. As the snow falls each day, conditions for outdoor playing just gets better. Each store has holiday hours so you have more time to get geared up for playtime. Calumet has hours until 7pm and Houghton is open Sundays until Christmas. Stop in and check out all the great gear on sale now or shop for last minute gifts.... See you on the trails.

It's Time to Gear Up For Winter

It's a few days after our first snow accumulation of the year. Okay, it is raining today and the snow is just about gone but we had snow! Even though it's sad to see another great season of bike riding come to an end, we are ready for the next great season...skiing and boarding and snowshoeing and skijoring, snow fort building and shoveling (well maybe not shoveling)!

Both stores are now switched over to winter gear and are ready to help customers get ready for the season. Up north, Calumet is the go to place for full nordic outfitting but they also offer a limited stash of snowboarding equipment. Down south, the Houghton Store is the go to place for any thing alpine or snowboarding but there is also enough nordic equipment to get you on the trail. At either location you can get your skis and boards tuned up for the season but you can also drop your skis or board off for a little refreshing with a professional stone grind on our Wintersteiger Machine. Come in soon for the fastest service!

Think snow! We'll see you on the trails.....

The Last Official Wednesday CCS Ride for 2008

Last night, Oct. 1, marked the last evening of Wednesday Shop Rides. Once again it was a great ride enhanced by beautiful fall colors at the Swedetown Trails. About 10 of us braved the chilly temperatures and thankfully, the rains of the last few days let up in time for the ride. Afterwards, Rick and Lorri treated us to brats and hot dogs and the rest of the riders contributed to the potluck. It was a very good end to our Wednesday Rides.

Wednesday Rides were enjoyed by many throughout the summer so I think we all have agreed to do it again next year. I don't think any of us need an excuse to get out and ride but having scheduled rides sure made the decision a lot easier. So, mark your calendars...Wednesday CCS Rides will begin as soon as the snow melts....

Students Are Arriving

Yes it's that time of the year..the students are returning and the Keweenaw is alive with activity. We want to welcome back returning students and welcome the new with some special offers:

Present your student ID and get:

A Free Cross Country Sports water bottle!

20% off bike accessories and clothing!

20% off advertised retail price on all bikes!

Specials in both shops! Offer good through September 13, 2008

Be sure to stop in, check out the new bikes and the special deals on closeouts, and of course find out about where to ride in the Keweenaw.

Deer Chase Destruction

So what happens when your 12 year old son races by you "like a monkey on steroids" ? Well, that son (Pete Karinen) takes sixth place overall in the short race and dad (Bill K) is left wondering how to redeem himself at the next race...Copper Harbor Fat Tire. It's been a great year of biking with the Keweenaw Cycling (Kids) Mountain Bike Team and apparently its paying off with some great results. Not only did Pete pull off an amazing finish, sister Nina took 2nd overall in the Women's race. If you don't yet know the Karinen Clan, you will...behind Nina, the oldest, follows Pete, Oskar, Heidi, Ethel and Sam. All six are pedaling and dad Bill, brings them regularly to work at the Calumet Store. So not only will we be getting pounded at the races in the coming years, all 6 kids will no doubt know more about wrenching on bikes than most of us.

In addition to the Karinen results, a big thumbs up to another of our CCS family, as our Head Wrench, Andrew I. took 3rd place overall (1st in his age) in the long Deer Chase. This summer Andrew chose to just have fun and not focus so much on the training...apparently the strategy is a good one. Congrats Andrew!

Check out all the Deer Chase results at: www.greatdeerchase.org

Great Deer Chase Tomorrow!

Wow the summer is flying. Saturday is the Great Deer Chase, so we hope you and your mountain bike are ready. If you aren't ready, there's not much we can do for you but if you need any last minute bike adjustments we're here for you. There may even be some special prices for GDC participants in the Calumet Store...stop in and see. Good luck racers! Thanks volunteers!

IMBA Report

The IMBA Crew loved the Keweenaw...check out their blog at: http://onthetrail.imbatools.com/

It was a fabulous weekend of sun, trails, good people, food and trail building. Kelly and Collins are doing a great job spreading the word for IMBA...fun people...fun times. If you aren't already an IMBA member, consider joining. If you haven't been out on the trails building, join in next time an opportunity presents itself.

Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Is Arriving

Tomorrow is the day!

This Thursday the Subaru/International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) Trail Care Crew (TCC)will be arriving in Houghton for a weekend of trail events in the Keweenaw. Please help welcome Collins & Kelly Bishop to our area by joining them and local mountain bikers for a group ride and potluck hosted by Terry Kinzel and Sue Ellen Kingsley at the Churning Rapids Trail System at 6:30pm. We will meet at the Kinzel/Kingsley home at the intersection of M203 and Christensen Road for the ride and potluck. Please come along for the ride and bring a dish to pass for post ride festivities.

The TCC visit is thanks to an application submitted by the Keweenaw Trekkers, Copper Harbor Trails Club, Great Deer Chase (Swedetown) and Michigan Tech Trails. In addition to the group ride on Thursday and Free Trail School in Copper Harbor on Saturday, the TCC will be meeting with local trail managers to provide input on our local trails. Find out more about their visit at www.copperharbortrails.org

Ladies Trek Demo Tour - July 28th

Trek and Cross Country Sports invite you to The Trek Ladies Demo Day in Calumet at the Store and Swedetown Trails. Monday July 28, 2008 from 4-8pm Trek Bicycles and Representatives will be in the Keweenaw to give you the opportunity to test the newest Women's Specific Design (WSD) Road and Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes.Prizes, Refreshments and Schwag await you as well as discounts on Women's Bikes, Clothing and Accessories. Stop in and roll along on some new Trek bikes...

Racing and Riding

You know its riding season when blog postings become more sporadic. The weather has finally warmed up, the leaves are out, the trails are dry and everyone is on their bikes..not sitting behind the computer. Chain Drive 2008 was wrapped up with some great results from many of our shop employees, employee's kids and local riders. Check out photos and everyone's results at www.chaindrive.org In Marquette, at the Superior Bike Fest, CCS's Jamie Bourgo took first in the women's downhill and Pat Szub was second in his age group in the 24 mile cross country race. Congrats Jamie and Pat! More events are coming up...and lots more riding.

Tonight we'll be riding in Calumet. Options include Fat and Skinny tire rides. No excuses, come join us, there's a ride for everyone....

Are You Ready?

In a mere two days, over 300 racers will descend upon the Keweenaw to attack the 2008 Chain Drive Festival. Its always great to talk to the racers before and after the event. Its also amazing how expectations and race outcome vary as people find out that when we say "no whining", we mean it. Lots of climbing, lots of rock, lots of singletrack (esp. in the 32 mile)...yes we love that the Chain Drive is true mountain biking.

Many people may not realize it, but the Chain Drive also serves other purposes. The Chain Drive is all about raising funds for the trails that we can to play on all year round. The CD has donated to the Swedetown land acquisition, purchased tools, and more. Prior to the event, the trail preparations also help to get the trails ready for riding. This year a beaver instigated the addition of new trail because it's dam helped to flood the traditional race route...result, more singletrack. Do we like beavers? Well maybe this time. So go ride, support the trails...

Great Swedetown Ride

Lots of folks showed up for the CCS Wednesday Ride in Calumet. It's great having such an active cycling community. This week we head north to Mount Houghton.

Wednesday Wednesay Wednesday

For this weeks CCS Ride we'll venture north to the land of Camelot (Calumet). Meet at the Calumet shop at 6:30 pm and we'll head over to Swedetown for a ride. After the ride we'll grab some grub at one of the local eateries. If you need a lift north, meet at the Houghton Store at 6pm to carpool. Is there a better way to spend your Wednesday?

Ride of Silence - Wednesday May 21st

The regular CCS wednesday ride will be the Ride of Silence this week. Rain or Shine it will be: Wednesday, May 21 at 7pm. We will join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

Where: Mich Tech MUB parking lot
Start: 7pm sharp! Get there by 6:45pm at the latest to ride
Distance; 12 miles at 12mph in Silence!
Houghton Police to escort as usual

Everything is the same as previous years...from time of ride, start/finish to route. Wear your orange shirts from last year. Terry Smythe will hand out left over shirts to anyone new to the ride while supply lasts. Learn more about the ride of silence at www.rideofsilence.org

"RULES OF THE ROAD" FOR SAFE CYCLING*

1. Always Wear A Helmet A helmet will not prevent a bike crash but it is good, cheap insurance that may allow you to walk away from one. Make sure your helmet fits and is adjusted properly.

2. Follow The Rules Of The Road Obeying the same traffic laws that apply to motorists allows safe and efficient travel for all. Cyclists who make up their own rules are in great danger.

3. Ride On The Right With Other Traffic Some people were taught to ride on the wrong side of the road so they can “see traffic coming”. This is dangerous and it is illegal in all 50 states. Pedestrians walk facing traffic so they can sidestep off the road, if necessary. But you cannot sidestep on a bike. The accident rate for wrong-way cyclists is 3.6 times as high as for cycling the "right" way. Other drivers look for traffic coming from the usual direction. They usually are not looking for wrong way traffic.

4. Be Visible! Other drivers will not hit you IF they can see you. Bright clothes make you easier to spot in the daytime but they are useless at night. Riding without lights in the dark is a very dangerous mistake. About thirty percent of cycling crashes occur at night although only about four percent of cycling is done then. The reflectors that come with new bikes are grossly inadequate for nighttime safety. Always use a headlight and taillight when you ride in the dark.

5. Learn Proper Lane Position Beginners usually “hug the curb” and then wonder why cars pass so close. Experienced cyclists let traffic pass when they can but they “take the lane” when needed for safety. If cars are passing you too close, move a bit left to signal to passing drivers that they must use another lane to pass. If you collect a string of cars behind you, try to find a safe way to let them pass. It takes practice to learn to ride effectively in traffic.

6. Be Predictable Ride a good, straight “line”, signal turns and generally look like you know what you are doing. How can you expect other drivers to avoid you if they cannot tell where you are going?

7. Be Courteous Act like an adult and share the road with other drivers. If others act like jerks, keep your temper -- don't descend to their level.

8. Keep Your Bike In Safe Condition Give your bike an occasional tune up. Before hopping on your bike, give it a quick check, making sure that wheels are tight and properly inflated and squeeze the brakes hard to see that they work and that cables are not about to snap.

9. Learn From Experienced Cyclists Experience can be a harsh teacher and it is a slow one. It takes at least 10,000 miles of cycling in traffic to become confident if you try to learn on your own. Joining a good cycling club is an effective way to learn the ins-and-outs of safe cycling.

A Little Wrenching

Starting tonight (tuesday), CCS will begin its 2008 series of bike repair clinics. Starting at 7pm, its a chance to learn the basics of keeping your bike moving while on the trail or road. Come gets your hands greasy and leave with the confidence that you can change a flat tire when you need to. Questions? Call Ryan at the Houghton Shop.

Wednesday Ride - Burr....

Even though the forecast is a little chilly, we're still planning to ride. Just remember to dress warm and peddle hard. We'll be leaving from the Houghton Shop at 6:30pm. Ryan will lead an easy/medium paced road ride and Lori will be leading a mountain bike ride heading north across the bridge following the rail trail. Since the singletrack trails are still soft we'll be avoiding them for another week or two until the reports are good. Less damage now means better trails and less trail work later...

As always, all abilities and ages are welcome at CCS rides and we will group up for additional ride options as needed.

Hope to see you there.

Man Gone - Enjoy the Mountains Gavin

So this weekend marks one of the last days that a great wrench and a main character at our shop will be in Houghton. Moving on to bigger mountains and longer downhill runs, Gavin is heading west to Montana to further pursue his education. We're pretty sure its in pursuit of big powder runs, not the books, but we won't tell anyone.

Thanks Gavin for all your help during the transition in managers and keeping it fun. We wish you the best in the future. Go west young man and make the most of it....

Let's Ride - Wednesday Night

The sun is shining..the roads are dry..

Who: Anyone that wants to get out on their bikes

What: Wednesday Ride hosted by Cross Country Sports, tentatively planning on two road rides: 1 easy pace ~1hr loop, 1 medium pace ~1.5 to 2 hr loop.

When & Where: Leaving at 6:30 pm from Houghton Store

Questions: Please call the Houghton Store @ 483-BIKE

**Once the snow melts and the ground dries out, we will be hitting the trails. Until then...we play on pavement**

Wednesday Shop Rides Start This Coming Week

Everyone is thinking spring and riding weather is in the air. The calendar at www.keweenawcyclingclub.org is filling up with opportunities for cyclists to get themselves in the groove. Have you checked it out yet?

Did you know that CCS is helping fill your summer calendar by hosting rides every Wednesday? Well if you didn't, you do now. Details for weekly rides will be posted on the calendar so please check it out and if you have questions, please stop in or call either of the shops. The plan is to move rides around this summer so check the calendar regularly. Until then...have a great weekend...get out and ride! See you Wednesday.

Movie Night & KCC Kickoff

Tonight is the big kickoff for the newest cycling organization in the area, the Keweenaw Cycling Club (KCC). The 'club' hopes to help coordinate all the cycling activities so there is one go to source for riding information in the Keweenaw. Their online calendar will be the place for finding out how to join up with rides and for information on events happening locally. The KCC's goal is to grow the sport of cycling so they are also organizing a kids team, so far 45 kids have shown interest...the future of cycling! Cross Country Sports will be an active sponsor of the KCC and Junior Team.

The KCC's first movie night will be tonight and it is "Klunkerz" which depicts the history of mtn. biking . The roots of mtn. biking are Marin County/San Francisco in the early 70's so we're expecting a little footage of hippy culture mixed in. Should be a good time.

For more information on the KCC or for movie information head on over to: www.keweenawcyclingclub.com

And don't forget to ride your bike.

Melt Snow...Melt

The banks are shrinking, the bikes are appearing on the roads! We love spring...

Bike Season?

I've got two rides in already despite the snowbanks holding their own. Yes sloppy, wet road rides but rides none the less. What about you?

Bikes are on our minds...if you're thinking biking too, we're ready for you. The 2008 bikes are on the floor at Pre-Season Sale prices and we've also got great deals on remaining 06 & 07 rides. Don't forget to bring your current rides in to get them tuned up for the season with one of our 3 levels of tune packages. Stop in soon because we're talking bikes and looking forward to dry roads (and trails).

Crust Season

The snow is starting to get a little to hard for soft landings (demonstrated here by an anonymous Keweenaw showshoer) so it must be getting close to crust skiing time. Yes that magical time of the year when you can cruise through the trees where there are no trails. It takes a few freeze-thaw cycles but once the snow settles you can regularly head out for a morning ski when temps are cold enough. One of our favorite destinations is Trimountain, where the snow seems to last forever, but there's plenty of areas to find great crust including the Lake Superior shoreline. Get out while you can because bike season is on its way.......

Speaking of bikes...both the Calumet and Houghton Stores are looking more like bike shops daily. Skis are disappearing and being replaced by a lot of machines with two wheels. Stop in and visit while we ramp up for our next favorite season...

K2 Snowboard (& Ski) Demo - Friday Mar. 21

It's coming......Try out Next Year`s latest and greatest K2 Snowboarding Gear! Sponsored by Cross Country Sports and K2 Snowboards. We're expecting some skis to be brought along for the demo too so don't let all the boarders scare you skiers off. Event is from 4-8pm Friday evening only at Mont Ripley. Be there! Make sure you check out our final end of season specials......

End of Season Sales Continue

All CCS Stores are closing out winter merchandise at incredible prices, stop in and check out the deals in Calumet, Houghton and the Gravity Shop at Mont Ripley - Up to 40% off clothing and equipment. Get ready for next year ... or finish of the season with some new gear....

Bear Chase Results

Another Bear Chase has come and gone and Adam from Brockit.com caught one of our own, Mr. Tervo, sporting some of Rick's vintage threads on his way to a 5th place overall finish in the 26k classic. See all the results @ www.itiming.com

It's Bear Chase Weekend!!!

Welcome to the Keweenaw. Our Calumet Store is looking forward to seeing old friends and new faces for the 28th Annual Great Bear Chase, this weekend at the Swedetown Trails. Registration/Bib Pickup is at CCS as follows:

Saturday, March 8, 2008 -- Registration and bib pick-up, noon - 8 p.m., Cross Country Sports, 507 Oak Street, Calumet.

Sunday, March 9, 2008 -- Bib pick-up 7:30-8:30 a.m., Cross Country Sports, 507 Oak Street, Calumet. No race day registration.

CCS Calumet will also be open all day on Sunday for your last minute waxing and gear needs.

The Junior Bear Chase is being held in Houghton on Saturday at the MTU Trails. Addit. info can be found at www.keweenawtrails.org

The 50% Sale Continues - Houghton Store

We had a great turnout for the Wednesday night customer appreciation sale. Fortunately for those that didn't make it in, there's still a lot of great gear left so we are going to continue the sale through Saturday, March 8th. All winter goods are 50% off at the Houghton Store (the only exclusion is waxing and tuning supplies, and non-winter items of course). Yes - 50% off skis, boards, boots, poles, clothing, gloves, goggles, etc. High end, low end...there's a ton of gear to choose from. See you at the shop....

Houghton Store Only - The Ad Says The Rest

The Early Spring Teaser

Did you play outside this last weekend? Beautiful! After talking to people coming in and out of the store on saturday, we couldn't help but live vicariously through them. Sunday of course was our day to play. If you didn't get out to ski, shoe, board or bike....what were you thinking? We all know that the Keweenaw sun only shines on special days in the winter...and saturday and sunday were two of them. Here's hoping for more sunny days ahead.

And while we're talking sun, why not talk bikes? The Red Jacket - Blue Sky Health Cycling Team is in its formative stages. If you are interested in finding out more, plan to attend the informational meeting planned for Sunday, March 2, 7pm, Room 237 of the SDC. More info is at: www.redjacketcycling.com

Back from the Madison Winter Gear Show

It's amazing to see the amount of new gear, clothing, accessories, etc. that the snowsports industry can pump out year after year after year. Rick, Lorri, Ryan (Holt) and Lori spent the last 3 days checking out all the cool new stuff that'll be hitting the trails and slopes when the white stuff flies again next fall. After countless appointments, wandering through endless booths of all the new gear, spending $3 for a single bottle of water at the Alliance Center...we're back. We'll now be sifting through all the shiny literature and putting our orders in for the 08-09 winter.

Rick has been playing the game for over 30 years and that helps when trying to separate the cool marketing ploy from what is actually a new technology. It's really quite fun to watch the XC reps squirm when put on the spot as to why a ski 'A' would be better or different than Ski 'B'. Don't get me wrong, there's a number of reps that are the no BS kind of salesmen and simply tell it how it is and give you the facts...but many still try to sell you on the latest and greatest that may not be that great. Lorri hit the XC booths with Rick, helping to try on boots and evaluate clothing.

Ryan and Lori spent most of the time checking out alpine, snowboard and related gear. CCS staff provided some great suggestions of equipment to check out which helped maximize our time. We can say some very cool technology is heading our way with the buzz being 'rockered' boards (and skis) for the big mountain pow. Every helmet company is incorporating headphones. Graphics, textures and bright colors are everywhere... wonder how Rick would feel about all florescent clothing for next year?

For those that need a little catch up on the CCS shop news. Ryan Holt is now traveling south to manage the Houghton Store. Pat Szub and Bill Karinen have joined the CCS crew and are putting some hours in wrenching bikes at both shops. All nordic gear has been moved north for the remainder of the season in order to offer the best selection/fit possible as the season winds down. Bikes are slowly appearing from the dark depths of the Calumet Warehouse/Houghton Basement and I know everyone is looking forward to the upcoming bike season...until then...

Keep the tips up and don't forget to stop in and check out our Mid-Winter Closeout deals (30% clothing & up to 60% off skis/boards) at the Calumet and Houghton Stores, and also at the Mont Ripley - CCS Gravity Shop.