30 Day Price Protection Guarantee

If we lower the price on any item you purchased from us within 30 days, or if one of our local competitors advertises* a lower price within 30 days, we will gladly refund the difference in price when you bring in your receipt (even if it is crumpled and coffee-stained). Price matching applies at time of purchase as well. If you find a locally identical product in stock at a lower price, we will match the price (sorry, does not include mail-order or web pricing).*Proof of advertised price must be presented to qualify.

Learn more about our Customer Loyalty Programs

Santa is coming to town on his sleigh at the Trek Store.

Rudolph the Superfly is leading the way.  

Come on in and check out the discounts.

-10 cans of food for The Harvesters gets you 10% of a regularly priced bike

-1 year same as cash on purchases over $250

-Free money when you buy a gift card(10% of the amount, buy $50 get $55)

-There are also many instore specials, click here

Storewide Savings Throughout the Holiday Season

The Chase for Start Position

Toronto International Cyclocross Race (UCI-1)

In the third month of my quest for UCI points, I boarded a plane to Buffalo with a final destination of Toronto to be accomplished by car. Why fly to Buffalo and then drive two hours to Toronto? The green back, my friends. One way trip to Buffalo: $88. One way trip to Toronto $325. The auto trip rout also included a lovely stop at Niagra Falls which I had never seen.

I arrived just before sunset on Friday, November 7, 2008; quickly put the bike together and rode over to the course which was about 4 miles from the hotel. It was cold, below 45 and windy and cloudy. Thankfully, the course was set up.

The course set up for the next day, Saturday, was excellent and suited my riding style: A long flat section in the beginning, followed by a steep up hill which u-turned to a quick descent with a hard left at the bottom. The neatest part of the course was a bowl of technical ups, downs, and off-camber turns that reminded me of the Nationals course in 2005 and 2006 in Providence, RI. I practiced the more technical parts of the course several times and then headed back to the hotel to set up for the next day.

Saturday arrived as a cold, extremely windy day typical of late fall cross racing. I lined up in the first row based on current UCI standings which is always an advantage. I got a good start just behind Natasha Elliott who is having a phenomenal year. As we went through the barriers, I lost a few spots and a few more as we headed into the wicked head wind. There’s not much drafting in cross! I settled into about 12th place and, then, started picking off riders in the more technical spots, like the wheel-eating mud ditch that only three of uscleared each lap. Ultimately, I rode into 8th place and secured the ever treasured UCI points.

The TREK bike handled great on the technical aspects of the course and TREK’s light frame was much appreciated up the steep, short, power climbs. I rode SRAM Red, as I always do, and it shifted perfectly through some very thick, wet mud. I’m always amazed how well that stuff works in the worst of conditions. The top three riders that day were Natasha Elliott of Canada; Dawn Anderson of Canada, and Kristin Wentworth of the U.S.

Day Two of the Toronto International Cyclocross Race arrived in similar fashion with considerable wind, cold, and clouds; but, also lurking was a new course. Unfortunately, a significant part of the course was up a ski hill that resembled a mountain bike race because of the steepness. The steep up-hill course was lengthy and made more difficult by extreme mud created by a hard, long rain the afternoon before. (The deluge on Saturday occurred at the start of the Elite Men’s race and turned their course into an almost unmanageable icerink on which few excelled.)

As I talked to my fellow racers, we all agreed that those with micro-drive gearing that included a 34 front chain ring were going to be the ringers of the day. While I normally would have loved Sunday’s course with it’s climbs and multiple twists and turns, it proved almost impossible with my gearing in terms of competitiveness. I slogged through to finish 12th. I wasn’t nearly has giddy as I had been the day before. But, that is the joy (and pang) of racing that definitely has kept me on point this week as I waited not so patiently for this weekend’s racing. The top three riders on Sunday were: Natasha Elliott, Kristin Wentworth, and Rebecca Wellons.

Over and Out. Catherine

Donating can save you money at the Trek Store

Your Donations Make a Difference

Each of our stores has partnered with their local food bank to collect food for local families in need. By bringing in a can of non-perishable food to donate and you will save money on your purchase!

Bikes

1% discount for each can of food up to a maximum 10 cans of food for a total of a 10% discount on your bike purchase

Winter Clothing / Accessories

10% off of clothing and accessory purchases of $50
15% off of clothing and accessory purchases of $100
20% off of clothing and accessory purchases of $150

Midwest Cycling's Economic Stimulus Package

We know times are tough, so we are finding a way to help your money go further. For a limited time, purchase a gift card (GC) of $50 or more and receive an additional 10% return on your investment.

$50 GC = And get an extra $5 FREE$100 GC = And get an extra $10 FREE$150 GC = And get an extra $15 FREE$200 GC = And get an extra $20 FREE

Offer good between now and November 26th.

Special Holiday Layaway Hideaway

Make sure your gifts are not discovered before the holidays with MWC layaway plan. We've extended special layaway terms. All you have to do is put 20% down on your qualifying purchase and we'll store your items until December 24 at no additional charge.

Holiday Financing Available

Make your purchase of $250 or more before December 24th, and you can qualify to receive 12 months no payments, no interest financing with a Trek Credit Card Account.

Inventory Wednesday.

This Wednesday the Trek store will be closed till 5pm for inventory.
We will reopen at 5pm to 8pm
Thanks from the Staff at the Trek Store.

REMINDER: BCAR this Saturday

Click the banner to sign up early or come into the shop Saturday before the ride. We will have bagels and coffee at 9am to get you fueled up and ready to ride. Door prizes will be raffled off after the ride.

Meet Dave Chapman

Meet Dave; cycling enthusiast, all around nice guy and easy to talk to. I always enjoy our chats when he comes in the store and recently he shared a little about himself and his bike rides.

Dave's first bike was a red Schwinn, which he got in kindergarten (in the 60's), and he's been riding ever since... not that one of course. While living in Boulder, Colorado his love of cycling grew while watching the Coors Classic with some of the great racers like Davis Phinney, Rebecca Twigg, Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault. His dream now of a 5.5 Madone will have to wait just a bit longer for his girls to get through college. Being a real family guy, his wife and the kids come first...that's the way he wants it. In his college days he reminisced of several years, riding 23 miles to class each day to save cash (don't all parents have a story like that?). Now he rides for pleasure, health and the all important stress reduction factor. He says it makes him feel young. I think we can all relate.

Dave's love of riding includes going fast. He used to be a downhill & super-g alpine skier...I'm impressed! Then came a back injury and surgery. His current ride, a 22 year-old Bianchi Specialissima steel road bike is a classic that he appreciates but would like to replace with, hmm...something in maybe, carbon? He recently did a Lawrence ride with a bunch of guys on REALLY nice bikes, most of them 10-15 years his junior. Dave usually averages around 16-18 miles/hr. with his daily rides around 30 miles. These guys averaged 25 miles/hr. and the ride they took him on was 65 miles. He says one of them let him suck his rear wheel most of the way...I should say! We ain't no spring chickens here! Good work Dave!!!

One more thing I got from Dave that I liked was how he feels about encouraging others. Basically the same way he encouraged the kids he coached in archery years ago. Do it if it feels good, pursue what you love. Good advice that works for just about everything. Thanks Dave!

Never too late....

Here is the recap from my first day at the Tour of Missouri. I had the opportunity to ride the Kelly Benefits Team car for Stage 1. It was an amazing experience to witness this level of race from this vantage point. Listening to Jonas Carney and Kent Mills as the gave out instructions to the team. Ken was a mad man behind the wheel getting through the field as Johnny Sundt bridged up to the brake. Imagine the Dukes of Hazard, but in a VW Passat wagon. Once we made it through the field we were moving at about 60-70 mph to catch the break away. I don't think Ken was aware of the rollers in Missouri. As we hit the top of the first one he had to slam on the brakes in order to keep the car on the ground. Yee Ha!!!


I need to talk to the owners about getting this type of support before I race.

We are starting to make our way through the field to get to Johnny Sundt and the break away.

Say cheese Ivan!


Here the main field is with Garmin/Chipolte (George Hincapie leading the way) at the front driving the pace to catch the break away.

After that I never had a chance to really get more pictures. Well, except for our friend here with his co-pilot.

What an amazing event to have in our backyard and to have the hometown team of Garmin-Chipolte take the victory. Christian Vandevelde has the best season of this career and topped it off here winning the Tour of Missouri.

####CLOSED MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH####

The Trek Store will be close Monday September 8th for the Tour of Missouri. Come down and join the festivities.

*****Ladies Night Out August 28th*******

Trek Bicycle Store of Kansas City presents
Ladies Night Out
Bike demo, ride, and Cook out.
August 28
Thursday
5pm - 9pm

Please join us for an evening of friends and fun on us.
The Trek Womens Specific Design Demo team will have
great bikes to try. Group rides will be social for all levels.

Shawnee Mission Park Near the Tennis Courts
5:00 - 6:00pm Trek WSD Demo
6:00 - 7:30pm Ride the Streamway Path
7:30 - 9:00pm Cookout, Demonstrations, Q&A

This free event is for any woman who likes bikes and
likes making new friends who share your interests.

Contact Scott at scott@trekkc.com
to let us know you are coming!

!!!Women's Inform Saddles are here!!!

Ladies, they saddles you have always wanted are finally here. Meet the new Bontrager Inform F.I.T. Womens Saddles


For more information to learn all about these saddles click the photos!

Attention Bike Mechanics.

Career Opportunities

TREK Bicycle Store of Kansas City is a fast growing bicycle retailer with one location in the Kansas City metro area is now hiring mechanics.

We offer competitive wages, benefits and a partnership atmosphere.

Are we the perfect match for you?

We are:
Progressive and cutting edge
Growth oriented
Perfect for employees seeking advancement opportunity
Fresh and exciting with the a great atmosphere

Bike riders, enjoying bikes like a kid is what we are about.

You are:
Passionate about cyclingGreat with people
Ready to learn
Dedicated and take ownership in your work.
Good PC Skills
Long term employment plans

Interested?If this seems like a good fit for you, then please contact us today.

Summer Season in Full Swing

Things have been extremely busy at the Trek Store this month. Gas prices are driving more people to pedal, 4th of July rodeos and celebrations, the Shawnee triathlon plus the start of the Tour de France have us all busier than ever.


Well, at least Cam manages to look busy while Tom and Jerry catch up on the live coverage of Thursday's mountain stage - nice bid VandeVelde - between repairs and helping customers.

We have live coverage on every morning and repeats all day long, so grab some coffee from Scooters and stop on in to get your Tour fix.

July 4th, 2008

The Trek Store will be closed in celebration of the 4th of July. However, not everyone will be taking the day off and relaxing by the pool. Join our staff at Villagefest where we will be working the bike rodeo with Headstrong for Jake. Please click on the photo for a map and schedule of events.

We apologize for any inconvenience and will resume regular hours on Saturday, 10am - 6pm.

The Gas Savings Calculator

Give it a try!

Demo Days This Weekend June 14th and 15th

Celebrate Dad's day by stoking him out with test rides on cool new bikes from Trek and Gary Fisher. Representatives from our staff will be on hand to answer questions, along with the Trek Factory Demo Rep.

Hope to see you there.

Location: Shawnee Mission ParkDate:

June 14th & 15th

Time: 10:00AM to 4:00PMBikes:

Trek & Gary FisherStyles:

Road & Mountain


Directions: Exit 435 (North or South) at 87th and go West 1 block to Renner Road. Take Renner road north about 2 miles. The Park entrance is on the West side. You can't miss it. Follow the park roads West to the very end of the lake. Park where the road begins to cross the dam.

Bicycle Friendly.

Now that's something I didn't know ...

Recently the folks from Trek were in Kansas City to help promote
becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community. I had a chance to meet Rebecca
Anderson, Trek's Director of Advocacy who was hired to lead the One
World, Two Wheels effort. She brought along a group of folks from Omaha
... what an amazing group! The folks from Omaha told me how they had
raised $600,000 in private donations to get the city started on creating
a better bicycling environment in Omaha. That is quite impressive ...
way to go Omaha! With employees like that being active in the community
Trek can certainly be proud of their accomplishment.

The same night I met Rebecca and the gang from Nebraska, we also heard
from the League of American Bicyclists about their awards program that
recognizes communities that actively support bicycling
http://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org/. As they went through the
presentation, they talked about how the awards program had changed since
it's inception. For a community to be recognized (at either the Bronze,
Silver, Gold or Platinum levels), various criteria are evaluated
covering the five "E's" ... engineering, education, encouragement,
evaluation and enforcement. There are only two cities at the platinum
level ... Davis, CA and Portland, OR. Something I saw that evening got
me to thinking (which some say is when I am most dangerous). It was a
sign from the early days of the program. I remembered seeing one
recently and it was actually in my city (Overland Park, KS). A few days
later I stopped by that location and sure enough it was one of the
original signs (installed in 1995). Once upon a time we were also
recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community. Now it's time we see where
we stand in 2008 so later this year we will submit our info. If anyone
has any advice, drop me a note.

Brian and his mental short list.

Great Ending to National Bike Week

After my chain suck problem on Wednesday, I've had three straight days of great biking. On Thursday and Friday I rode my bike to work (about 8.5 miles one way). Along the way I stopped at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center on 119th Street (Thursday) and then the Matt Ross Community Center in Historic Downtown OP (Friday) where the city was sponsoring energizing stations. It was great to see other riders there and also to check the sign in sheet to see how many had already stopped by. It's interesting to see what's happening at work this year ... a couple of my employees car pooled this week, another rode the bus and another rode his bike to work. That's a lot of change since last year (when we did nothing), and I hope we all will be able to keep it going.

My trips to work are north-south oriented from where I live. That means crossing over or under I-435 (which means there are a limited number of crossing points). I opted to go up Antioch the first day and Metcalf the second day. Now I'm not crazy enough (yet) to actually ride on either of these streets since they carry about 40,000 vehicles per day so I stayed on the sidewalks (I have to confess that I had to ride in the travel lanes across the bridge just north of 103rd and Metcalf since it is under construction and there is no sidewalk yet ... try that in the morning rush hour to get your heart pumping). I have developed a mental shortlist of things to watch for ... broken glass, people jogging with their ipods and not paying attention, drivers exiting driveways or turning right ... I've also developed a shortlist of irritations like people that plant bushes that encroach into the sidewalk and people that don't keep their trees pruned up high enough so I can ride under them. One other thing of interest has been the continuity of the sidewalk system ... it looks great 95% of the time and then in the blink of an eye there will be a short piece missing. Both days I had to be home rather quickly after work so I rode part way and caught the JO for the remainder. It was only $1.25 to ride on Thursday and free on Friday. I was mildly surprised to actually see 20 other people riding the bus (that's actually a pretty amazing number for the burbs).

This morning my daughter and I rode to have breakfast ... what a beautiful morning ... nothing like a little fresh air to build up your appetite. After chowing down on pancakes, we headed back home with a brief stop along the way to see a friend who had just had surgery and was home recuperating. If next week is anything like this week, I think I will be well on my way to a permanent change in my car only lifestyle.

Memorial Day.

We will be closed Monday, May 26th in observance of Memorial Day. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Brian and a case of chainsuck.

Dean to the rescue

Chainsuck

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

I have not been able to ride for two days, but this morning I was ready to go for my first try at a weekday commute to work. I hopped on the trail near our house so I could head over to Fire Station #3 where Overland Park was sponsoring an energizing station for morning bike

commuters. I got about a mile from home when my carrying bag became dislodged from the back of the bike and started dragging on the ground. I stopped and fixed it real quick but when I got back on something else had happened. Apparently during my shifting to come to a stop the chain had become kinked between the front gears and the bike frame. I quickly found there was no easy fix to this problem (at least for me). So I headed back home pushing my bike along the trail (luckily I had not gone too far) so it was only about a 10 to 15 minute walk back home.

On my way back home I was thinking about the whole notion of riding a bike for short trips or to work. Was this an omen of things to come? But then I started thinking about something that had happened with my old Toyota one afternoon. I was about two miles from home when a belt

broke in the engine and similarly, I was out of commission. The difference was that I had to wait for a tow truck (for an hour) and then spend several hundred dollars to get the car fixed. At least I was under my own power right now, got to avoid the cost of a tow, and figured that any repair cost would be minimal.

Once home I called one of the bike experts that I work with (Lisa actually was the one that got me to enter the Go By Bike Challenge) and I described what had happened. She gave me the technical term for it ... it's called 'chain suck'. So later in the day I made a visit to the Trek store. Dean was the person that helped me and it seemed to take him no time at all (having the proper tools sure is a big help ... probably something I'll need to invest in soon ... maybe for Father's

Day, hint, hint). Anyway, Dean also explained that I shouldn't be using the smallest gears on the bike very often since that puts a lot of wear on the chain (so that's my tip for the day for the rest of you novices in case you've read this far). I especially liked it when Dean said 'No charge' for his time! They definitely know how to keep a customer wanting to come back to their store.
Well, I'm all ready now for tomorrow when I'll once again try this commuter bike challenge. For what it's worth, I hear there was a good turnout at the fire station.

Brian keeps on going.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Today we had beautiful weather for Mother's Day. In the evening I had to go to church because I teach Sunday school for the fifth grade class. This made for another perfect opportunity to go by bike so once again I convinced my daughter to tag along with me. I'm thinking if I can instill in her ever more deeply at this early age the importance of taking care of our planet and making smart choices when it comes to life, at least she'll be headed in the right direction.

One thing I have come to realize is that there are not a lot of bike racks near most places I go (other than at schools). Such is the case at our church. I understand a couple of weeks ago they borrowed a bike rack from a nearby school for Earth Day but they didn't really see a need for one other than that one time. With that being the case, we decided to lock our bikes on the handrail where everyone entering and exiting would see them ... kind of a reminder that there is more than one way to go places.

I received a couple of comments from folks at church ... one of the staff members couldn't believe that I rode 2.5 miles to church (wonder what she was implying ... it's not like Dr. Kevorkian is going to be paying me a visit anytime soon!). I made sure she knew all about National Bike Week (she thought I was kidding that we actually have such an event). Later when I was leaving one of my fifth graders saw me with my bike helmet and started asking questions. I told him it was a great way to be healthy and eco-friendly. Who knows, maybe I'll start seeing more people riding in the near future.

I have been trying to promote Bike Week activities at work ... we'll see how it goes this week (which, by the way, is National Transportation Week too).

Brian Shields Post #2

Brian's daughter is now going by bike

Brian with his new bike waiting to ride

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Earlier in the week I decided I needed a haircut. Instead of making a special trip by car, I decided to make a special trip by bike! Saturday morning I convinced my daughter to go with me and take both of our bikes out for a spin. We have some great off-road bike trails in our city, and we were able to go the entire distance without leaving the trail network (other than a short two block stretch to actually get on it in our neighborhood). It was a little muddy in a couple of places due to some recent rains, but it felt great getting out and enjoying the morning sun and light wind that hits your face as you ride. We traveled a little over three miles each way.

I remember when I was younger (OK, much younger) and a bicycle was my only means of commuting (I couldn't get my driver's license until I was 16 years, 1 month and 1 day old ... seriously, who thinks up these laws anyway?). I used to use a bike to go most places since my parents both worked. Sometimes it was a two mile ride to school and other times it was just to meet a friend to play tennis. I remember how sometimes it was nice to just get on my bike and ride with nowhere in particular in mind ... it was just such a relaxing and enjoyable time that I could really clear my head when I was out on the road (just how much head clearing a teenager really needs is debatable, I guess). Anyway, I have survived my first bike trip in almost two decades.

Go By Bike Update #1 Brian

Thursday, May 8, 2008

The big day finally arrived. About two months ago I entered a contest designed to challenge people to take short trips by bike. To my amazement I was one of the lucky few chosen to receive a new Trek bike and see if I was up to the challenge. So today I went to the local Trek store in Kansas City and picked up my new alternative mode of transportation.

The folks at the store were just incredibly nice and very customer oriented. I bought a few 'extras' and they added on the equipment while I waited. The main thing I wanted was some type of carrier on the back in case I needed to haul something (like a sack of groceries from the store or a basketball when I go to the community center nearby).

It's been a long time since I actually owned a bike. When I got married 22 years ago my wife and I bought bikes as our wedding gifts to each other (how romantic, you're probably thinking!). For the day, they were really nice Schwinn 12 speeds (my wife still has hers by the way ... I wonder if that qualifies as an antique yet?). Mine, on the other hand, ended up being stolen one night when we lived in California. So, for the last 18 years it's pretty much been just me using a car for transportation.

I'm looking forward to the first ride. We'll see how easy it is for an old dog to change!

Go By Bike Update #1 Kristen

Well… I have my bike and I am ready to roll!! I had my friend take my picture right outside the front door of my loft – just like my first day of kindergarten with my new outfit – today was with my new bike and all the wonderful accessories Trek has given to me. I am so excited to have nice weather. I moved to the city last October and missed the walk-about town weather. I did make some walking trips, but for the most part weather limited me. So now is my chance to explore the city. This may seem like nothing for most of you … but I have never biked in the city. I have a feeling I will be doing a lot of “drive by shooting” for this blog of other people!! The city is an interesting place!!

I never really seriously “biked” other than when I was a kid, some in college. Going by foot or by car have been my only means of transportation. That said…. if anyone has any tips for a newbie on how to learn gears… I am open!! Is there a “Bikes for Dummies” out at the bookstores?

BIKE WEEK, MAY 12-16

I just got a reminder from Deb Ridgway, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for KC, that Bike Week is nearly upon us. Click the logo or links below to learn more.

Dust off your bike and walking shoes and start recruiting your friends, family and co-workers for Bike Week 2008! With more than 60 events to choose from, there's sure to be something for everyone. For a full list of events go to http://kcbike.info/bikeweek/calendar.php

• Car Free Challenge - enter your trips starting May 10 through 16.
• News conference with Mayor Funkhouser on May 14th.
• Car Free Weekends on Cliff Drive start May 16th.
• Bike Buddy Commuter Convoys start on Monday, May 10 for first time bike commuters to pair up with experienced commuters.
• Refreshments every morning and afternoon on the Trolley Track Trail.
• Ride of Silence, May 14th.
• Overland Park - three days of events.
• Lee's Summit Bike to Work Day - May 13th.
• Discounts for cyclists at ice cream and coffee shops.

Help us triple the number of registered Car Free Challenge participants! Register individually or join a team! To join the City's Team choose, "City of Kansas City" in the team list. Go to http://kcbike.info/bikeweek/challenge.php

We'll track your:

• carbon emissions savings,
• gas savings,
• the number of trips you take, and
• reward you with great prizes!

This year Bike Week organizers have partnered with local bike shops and GreenGuru.com to bring you some outstanding rewards for your efforts. Spread the word, choose to be Car Free and see how many trips you can replace with a biking, walking, bus or carpool trip. The Car Free Challenge runs from May 10 - 16th.

Bike Week is brought to you by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, Mid-America Regional Council and Missouri Bicycle Federation along with numerous community partners.

IT'S HERE!!!

This season's Midwest Cycling Community clothing has arrived and Thanks to Jerry and the sales crew it is sorted, tagged, and ready to ride. If you have recently joined the community and not gotten your new gear come on in, pick it up and then show it off on our next Monday night recovery ride.

New Bike

This is Dean’s Equinox TTX9.9 time trial ride. It’s outfitted with all Dura-Ace, an Aeolus front wheel, and an HED wheel in the rear. He rides Speedplay Zero pedals.

How do you train?
I’ve been training with Jim Whittaker as a coach since 2002. It’s primarily for road and cross. I ride mostly six days a week; it amounts to about 12-14 hours a week. Working with a coach has made a big difference in my fitness.

What is your favorite route around Kansas City?
I think one of my favorite rides is the Wednesday night hill ride. It’s hard and intense but it doesn’t last very long and it feels so good when you’re finished. That’s also why I like time trials: because it feels so good when you stop.

What's your favorite race?
I think Jingle Cross. It was good competition and a course that was hard but not crazy technical. There were large fields, I think in my group- the 55s- I had 12 riders. That’s a big group for that age. They had good crowds; the spectators were fun. (He didn't mention how the race turned out so Amber asked. He decimated.)

Hang on. I just thought of my favorite. 2002 Cross Nationals in Napa California. It rained 15 inches that weekend and I got Second.

What do you drink during a ride? After a ride for recovery?
During a ride I’ll alternate between Accelerade and Powerade. My favorite flavors are blue. And I like chocolate milk for a post-ride drink.

Do you worry about your daughter on the rink? She is a roller derby chic.
Yeah. It was pretty good after I broke my collar bone. She showed me a bruise on her thigh. I said, oh, that’s nothing. I showed her a bruise that went from my knee up to my waist. (For Dean, that is a long way.) That hip is still bigger than the right side. We compared bruises. My him and my her hip.


What does your nickname (FOG) mean?
Frickin’ Old Guy or in polite company it’s Fast Old Guy. Cause I was the oldest one on the team.



What has kept you riding and racing?
What has kept me riding is the fun part of it and the fact that it satisfies that competitive urge. I ran track and cross country all through high school and college. I can’t swim good enough to do triathlons. I think another part of it is the people I have met and have helped make it enjoyable as well.

You’re never too old. I didn’t start racing until I was like 40, around 1992. As I’ve gotten older other problems have come up, but you just keep plugging away and find out ways to work around them.

Dean and his wife, Deb, traveled to Nebraska City the weekend of April 12 to celebrate her birthday and Dan and Alice Hansen's anniversary. They said to tell everyone "Hello!"

Shadd Smith Interview

On April 15, Amber got the chance to talk to HRRC Racer Shadd Smith about Great Bend, racing, and how much fun can be had on two wheels.

When did you start riding?
Um, start? I did a lot of BMX growing up. It was all local, a bunch of Great Bend locals from the south side built a course out in the woods. It was maintained and built up and changed by teenagers down to some really young ones. We wanted to have fun. We’d start our own races; it was all pride.

What do you like best about the new Madone?
There is a more direct transfer of power. Some bikes are flexy, and you don’t have the direct power turnover. Especially when climbing you notice if a bike is flexy. I did a race outside Tulsa last weekend and sprinting uphill to the end, it was direct. The bike wasn’t fishing around or anything.

What is your favorite post-ride chow? Drink?
Mexican food- a burrito as a matter of fact.
Chocolate milk.

What’s your favorite KC coffee shop?
The High Hat. It used to be a gas station and they have a photo of it as it used to be. No more than ten people can fit inside at once. It’s also on one of my recovery routes, so it’s a good place to go for a cold coffee or hot coffee, depending on the weather. It’s super laid back and off the beaten path.

Where is it?
It’s on Stateline, near Shawnee Mission Pkwy.

In a recent poll at the Trek Shop you were tied as the best-looking rider on the HRRC team with Josh Crow. What tips the scales in your favor?
That I’m better looking, but the scales tip in his favor because he has control of the team.


What are the new riders (Chris Hall, Derek Gorke, and Joe Schmalz) bringing to the team?
Chris Hall is well rounded; he mountain bikes and he races cross. He showed us last year that he can finish in the top 15 at races like the Quad Cities. Derek is a good sprinter. I think as far as leading out or being led out for a sprint, the two of us will help each other a lot. Joe is young. It’s early to tell for him because he’s just starting in the Cat 1/ 2 field. But what I’ve seen so far is that he climbs well and he can time trial. He seems to have good bike handling skills, which is obviously important. I think one cool thing about him is that he asks questions. He finds ways he can get better. He listens and takes action.


What’s your favorite race? Why?
(Without a pause) The Tour of Kansas City. It’s a local race where we have a big fan base. The crowds are crazy on the hill on Saturday and they’re pretty much all over the downtown Overland Park course on Sunday. On almost every section of the course you hear spectators yelling for someone on the Trek team. That’s cool.
Also, my wife, Trina, has always gotten to come. Having two wild boys and a busy schedule, it’s great that she always gets to attend the race. Since my boys have been born they have always been at that race. It’s the one they’ve never missed, no matter how hot.

How do you balance working full-time at Merck, your family, training, and racing?
Sleep less.

The rumor is that you might be on a Richard Sachs frame next year for Cross. Can you confirm or deny that rumor?
(Smiling) Can’t confirm or deny at this point. I met the guy and he’s super nice. I’ve talked to him on the phone and he builds beautiful steel frames. P.S. he has a six-year wait list if that tells you anything.

What is your favorite cycling discipline?
Pedaling. You know, I like all of them. Just about the time I’m ready to hang up the road bike, I’m ready for cross. At the end of cross I’m ready for my mountain bike. It depends on the season. I like to do it all. I like every discipline.

Monday Night

The route.

The Crew.

Fun.

New Bike

Moots!

Alan Sikes keeps busy in his retirement as an employee here at the Trek Store as well as Gary Gribbles, where he has mastered the art of shoe fitting. If he’s around and you’re looking for shoes, his expertise is worth the wait. Last month he bought his first Moots, a Mooto XZ frame dual suspension two-niner. He laced up some Chris King hubs to tubeless rims. Put on Sram X-O shifters, an XT crank, Juicy Sevens, a Reba fork, and Time Attack pedals. Amber caught up with him last Sunday to talk to him about his sweet new ride.


Mr. Sikes, where was your first ride?
Shawnee Mission Park.

The day you got it?
Yea, it was a Sunday and darn the luck, we didn’t have much work. Scott asked if I would like to take off. The trails were pretty dry with only a few muddy spots.

How was the bike?
The bike was fun. It was, I don’t know if the adrenaline was flowing too rapidly through my veins, but it rode so well. It just handles better.

Where are your favorite rides?
Well, I’m going to find out how Colorado is this summer. I think I’ll go to Lawrence sometime and do the trails out there. The river trails are fun. I’ll probably hit Clinton and Perry.

Is the dual suspension 29er nice?
It is. I like it. I have a bad back, so I appreciate some suspension.

How does titanium ride?
Awesome. Yea, I’ve had a Legend, have an Ottrott, and a CX2 Ti. I do have the Concours CX, which is a cross bike. So I like Titanium. For me, it will last forever. It rides nicely. The titanium absorbs bumps and it rides wonderfully.

What’s your favorite post-ride chow?
Wow. There are so many things. I’d say a Chipotle burrito.

How would you compare the fitness of cycling and running?
They go hand in hand. I know running is harder on your body, but if you can
only do one or the other- if you’re short on time- a run is a good way to get a workout. You can get a good workout in thirty or forty minutes. They really compliment each other.

It’s been a blessing working here. The people working here are great- well to me you’re kids. So the kids working here are great. Every day I look forward to coming to work.

Check out those welds!

Moots builds Ti frames and the frames can come as kits. If you'd like more information on Moots, come in and see us.

New Bike

Trek Store Employee and local principal Alejandro Schagel took home his new Serotta today. The Legend Ti SE with carbon rear end, Dura-Ace gruppo, and tubeless Dura-Ace wheels weighed in at 17.5 lbs. He opted for a pewter Chris King headset with gold race and silver top cap with understated Celeste bar tape and King Ti cages (not Chris). He rides Keo Look Carbon pedals.




Where are you going to ride this thing first?
I don't know probably on a ride with my lovely lady, Anja, who will be riding her Serotta Concours CX.

You have 'porcelain artiste' tagged on the side of your new bicycle. What's that about?
I earned this bike by cleaning 4,267 toilets and you, too, can do that.

When did you start working at the Trek Store?
I started the month after it opened- in April 2004.

What's your favorite Trek Store memory?
My favorite Trek Store memory... there are so many. You know a good memory was with our first store manager, Doug Plumer, who would pop his jaw. Another was with our next store manager, Stacey, when she flirted with Tony. Another good memory was when the next store manager came. It was just like 'the Price is right' at all times with Tom Price. My last good memory is with our present manager, Scott 'the Bull' Stevens, who hired our in-house journalist Amber Chambers. The fondest memory of all was when Caitlin and I washed the windows last year for the Discovery Team to visit. That was another good memory- I spoke Spanish with Alberto.

Is this bike going to be your favorite?
It will be my favorite until the next one comes along.

Are you planning to race this bike at all?
No. Just plan to sleep with it.

What are your favorite times to ride?
Um, high noon on a summer day.