Friday Photo - Micro Gypsy Wagon Bicycle Trailer

The trailer provides about 12 square feet of floor space

Here's a bike trailer that the creator, Barry Howard calls his "Micro Gypsy Wagon." I'm pretty impressed with the design. It provides twelve square feet  of sleeping space. There is a small fold-down table mounted on the wall. Storage is in the bottom of the trailer, under the sleeping pad. The trailer folds down - When it's folded down, the top of the trailer is about the height of the bike seat. From reading the article on Tiny House Talk, it sounds like Barry was pretty resourceful in coming up with material for his trailer. He re-used material from a church organ, craft fair booth, camera tripod, folding bicycle and mini van camper. If you are interested, Barry says to contact him. Here is his Facebook page.

No Halloween Costume? Why Not Use Your Bike?

12 Cycling Halloween Costumes, Just For You

Halloween is such a fun time of year. Maybe you waited until the last minute to decide on a costume, or you don't want to spend too much. Either way we have collected some of our favorite bicycle themed Halloween costumes for your viewing pleasure. Following the pictures we have included some bicycle safety tips so you can enjoy your night to the fullest!

Please follow all traffic and city laws. Of course you should be doing this anyway, but Halloween is one of those holidays during which you should be extra vigilant.

You may need to be quick if you want to try one of these first few costumes

1. Headless Horseman

This one is the most difficult of all the costumes, in our opinion. Mostly because it would be so difficult to see while riding your bike. If you are riding on trails or on lightly traveled (and excellently paved) roads, this costume could be amazing!

2. Cardboard Car 

Depending on your skills, you can make a cardboard car that is the joke of the party or that will amaze everyone who sees you. Make sure you can move your arms comfortably enough to ride your bike and that you can turn your head in both directions. Cardboard is great because there is so much you can do with it. Don't want to be a car? Make yourself into a tetris block, a lego man, a plane, or anything you think you can fashion out of cardboard. There are even some DIY articles online!

Think You Can Do It Better?

3. Riding Falkor the Luckdragon or a Unicorn/Horse/Shark Etc...

Wow, that first example was really specific, wasn't it? It is truly up to you how much effort you put into this one. You can try to find a large stuffed animal at a thrift store to sew around your bike or buy a large animal onesie and fasten it like a sail. Or for the very last minute Halloweener - buy a horse head and mount it to the front of your bike. Cardboard can help here too! It's probably best not to avoid being any animal that has a long tail. 

Now on to some easier costumes. 

4. E.T.

This one can be really simple, and you can use any bike to do it! Just mount a milk crate to the front and buy an E.T. doll. If you can't afford the doll, you can make a dummy by stuffing your old clothes with other old clothes, and then wrap it up in a blanket. Grab a green light-up bracelet or something similar at the dollar store and - Viola!

5. Dorothy (Scarecrow)

While it would be interesting to see someone in a Tin Man costume try to ride a bike, we would advise against it. This costume works especially well if you already have a little dog! Dorothy costumes are easy to come by (and relatively cheap). Adding your bicycle makes it unique and fun! For scarecrow, try your local thrift store for all brown clothes. You can buy fake hey or straw at many different places. Makeup is essential for both of these characters.

6. Witch

You don't want to be GOOD on Halloween do you? Instead of Dorothy, try out the wicked witch! Fasten a broom to your bike, grab a witch hat from a party store, and paint yourself green. Customize to your heart's content!

7. Astronaut

This costume may take a bit of money to accomplish, as you will want a realistic looking helmet and; It's getting harder and harder to find parachute pants in stores. You could try and create a spaceship out of cardboard if you'd like, but, just being an astronaut on a bicycle should turn some heads.

Now for the easiest costumes that you could literally wait until the day of your party and still look like you put thought into your costume.

It'd be nice if you could pull me into town

8. Napoleon Dynamite

All you need for this costume is poor fashion sense! Kidding - but seriously - Get an afro wig, light blue shirt (preferably with a unicorn on it) and some 80s glasses and you are ready to go! If you have a friend who is daring, he could dress up in the Kip costume, complete with headband and roller skates.

Everyone loves Pee-Wee Herman!

9. Pee-Wee Herman

This costume requires a red cruiser bicycle, but if you have that then you are nearly done! Find yourself a grey suit and red bow tie and try out your Pee-Wee-est laugh! Join up with your friends before the party to establish a "secret word." Every time the secret word is spoken - you and your friends start screaming! 

10. Fred Armisen from Portlandia

A quick trip to the local thrift store will probably get you more hipster clothes than you even know what to do with. Roll up your pant leg, throw on a fake goatee and cycling cap, and you're 90% of the way there. The weirder, the better.

11. Skeleton in a basket

This costume speaks for itself. Make it yours by adding a mask or clothes to the skeleton. Put fake blood on it and on your bike in your best attempt to be creepier than this picture. Good Luck!

12. Wrecked Cyclist

This is the end-all beat-all of lazy, last minute costumes. When you get home from riding your bike on the day of Halloween, simply find your old tubes, ripped cycling clothes and broken helmet to accomplish the wrecked cyclist look.

Fake blood, crutches, and bicycle optional. 

We hope that you have enjoyed our list of possible Halloween costumes!

Here are some safety tips to make sure your night is everything it can be!

1. Don't wear your cape, tail, or anything else draping over your legs or back when riding your bike. It can get caught in the gears, pedals, or tires and cause a nasty accident. If you have to keep your costume on, use safety pins to make sure it's not dangerous.

2. If you will be riding your bicycle at night, use front and rear lights AND your helmet. There are amazing statistics about alcohol consumption, Halloween night and fatal car accidents. Make sure you are protected and aware.

Circle City Bicycles and Fitness

5506 Madison Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46227

(317) 786-9244

ed@circlecitybicycles.com

www.circlecitybicycles.com

Indoor Training Class at Circle City Bicyles?

Bob Brooks is looking for people interested in an indoor training class at Circle City Bicycles

Bob Brooks is interested in teaching a training class at Circle City Bicycles shop on Wednesday nights. Classes will be 90 minutes long and include 20 minutes of pilates / yoga and 70 minutes on the bikes. Participants bring their bikes and Bob provides the trainers and wheel risers. The class will be a 9 week session beginning January 6. Cost for all 9 weeks is $205. The class will run if we can get a minimum of 8 riders to commit. Call Bob Brooks at (317) 801-3801 or email him at coach@brooksintegrativetraining.com  to let him know if you are interested.
 

Coach Bob Brooks is a Level 3 USA Cycling certified coach with 15 years experience. As a personal fitness trainer and spinning instructor since 1997, Bob works with athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all levels, across multiple athletic disciplines. Since 2004 cyclists coached by Bob have won four State Championships and numerous other local and regional events.Bob began racing bicycles in 1992 and currently holds a Category 3 USA Cycling racing license, competing in Masters races throughout the Midwest. For more information, please visit his website at brooksintegrativetraining.com.

PRICE DROP MONDAY - See More Bikes At HUGE Discount Prices - BID NOW

2015 Scott Contessa Solace 35

Prices Drop Every Monday - Great Deals On Over 50 Bikes!

Here Are Just A Few Of The Bikes In The Auction!

See more details here.

CARBON ROAD

Model	Size	MSRP	Was	NOW	11/2
2015 Scott Addict	56	$2499	$2229	$2142	$1964
2015 Scott CR-1 30	54	$1499	$1392	$1285	$1178
2015 Scott Contessa Solace 35	51	$2149	$1996	$1842	$1689

Aluminum Road

Model	Size	MSRP	Was	NOW	11/2
2015 Scott Cont Speedster 35	48	$949	$922	$895	$868
2015 Scott Speedster 60	56	$749	$749	$728	$706
2013 Scott Speedster Jr.		$875	$813	$750	$688

MOUNTAIN BIKES

Model	Size	MSRP	Was	NOW	11/2
2013 Scott Scale 950	Large	$1950	$1486	$1371	$1257
2015 Scott Aspect 740	Small, Large	$749	$728	$706	$685
2015 Scott Scale 960	Large	$1499	$1392	$1285	$1178

Flat Bar Bikes

 

Model	Size	MSRP	Was	NOW	11/2
2013 Scott Metrix 30	Small, Medium	$750	$553	$510	$468
2014 Scott Sub 30	M,L,XL	$875	$813	$750	$688
2015 Scott Sportster - Ladies		$599	$556	$513	$471

*Remember* Prices will go down EVERY Monday... You can put in a bid for any bike, as long as it is above the 12/7 price. You must put down a $100 deposit. If no one buys it before it drops to that price, it's yours. Keep in mind that someone could buy it before then at a higher price. In that case, we will refund your $100.
MORE DETAILS AND A FULL LIST OF BIKES HERE

Circle City Bicycles and Fitness

5506 Madison Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46227

(317) 786-9244

ed@circlecitybicycles.com
www.circlecitybicycles.com

Friday Photo - World War I Cyclist Recuitment Poster

British World War I military cyclist recruitment poster

 

This week's Friday photo comes from Roads Were Not Built For Cars. It is a British World War I poster recruiting cyclists for the military. Note that at the bottom it says "Bad Teeth No Bar" - I'll refrain from any comments about English dental skills.

Although motorized vehicles were available during World War I (1914-1918), they were not as numerous or as reliable as today. This would have been the era of the Ford Model T. Both bicycles and horses were used by the military. Horses were used primarily for moving supplies in western Europe. Cyclists were used for a variety of purposes. Some bikes were adapted to hold rifles, so soldiers could cover greater distances than they could by marching. Others were used as ambulances to transport the wounded. Vickers manufactured a tandem tricycle that carried two machine guns. Unfortunately it weighed nearly 400 pounds without the riders, so it wasn't all that mobile.

Communication was often difficult in World War I. The telegraph was well developed, but radio was relatively new. Marconi won a share of the Nobel Prize for Physics for his work developing radio just five years before the war started. Carrier pigeons were even used to communicate during the war. Cyclists were often used as messengers, which was a pretty dangerous job. The most famous of these cyclist messengers, or "radfahrer" as the Germans called them, was a corporal from Austria named Adolph Hitler.

VIDEO - How Our Reverse Auction Works

Now Is The Perfect Time To Get That Scott Bike You've Always Wanted, Without The Huge Price Tag

Carbon Road, Aluminum Road, Mountain and Flat Bar Bikes Getting Cheaper Every Monday!


All prices drop again THIS MONDAY (10/26/15) so get your bid in RIGHT NOW!
Go to THIS LINK for more details and a list of bikes!

Circle City Bicycles and Fitness

5506 Madison Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46227

(317) 786-9244

ed@circlecitybicycles.com

www.circlecitybicycles.com

Reverse Auction - FIRST PRICE DROP - Bid Now!

2015 Scott Addict 30

Prices Drop Every Monday - Great Deals On Over 50 Bikes!

Here Are Just A Few Of The Bikes In The Auction!

See more details here.

CARBON ROAD

Model	Size	MSRP	Was	NOW	10/26
2013 Scott CR-1 Team	49, 58	2700	2400	$2229	2057
2014 Scott Solace 30	56	2749	2520	$2340	2160
2015 Scott Addict	56	2499	2499	$2321	2142

Aluminum Road

Model	Size	MSRP	Was	NOW	10/26
2013 Scott Speedster 30	47	1175	1075	$998	921
2015 Scott Speedster 60	56	749	749	$728	706
2015 Scott Cont Speedster 25	52, 54, 56	1149	1149	$1116	1083

MOUNTAIN BIKES

Model	Size	MSRP	Was	NOW	10/26
2013 Scott Spark 950	Large	2856	2500	$2321	2143
2015 Scott Aspect 950	X-Large	599	599	$582	565
2015 Scott Spark 960	Large	1999	1999	$1856	1713

Flat Bar Bikes

Model	Size	MSRP	Was	NOW	10/26
2013 Scott Atacama Sport	X-Large	525	499	$463	428
2014 Scott Sub 40	Medium	650	650	$604	557
2015 Scott Sub Speed 30	Large	749	749	$696	642

*Remember* Prices will go down EVERY Monday... You can put in a bid for any bike, as long as it is above the 12/7 price. You must put down a $100 deposit. If no one buys it before it drops to that price, it's yours. Keep in mind that someone could buy it before then at a higher price. In that case, we will refund your $100. MORE DETAILS HERE

Circle City Bicycles and Fitness

5506 Madison Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46227

(317) 786-9244

ed@circlecitybicycles.com
www.circlecitybicycles.com

Rock and Roll Cycling Jerseys

Grateful Dead Steal Your Face cycling jersey

We now have Primal Wear rock & roll cycling jerseys for sale on our website. Jerseys are currently available for three groups:

• Grateful Dead
• Pink Floyd
• Rush

Grateful Dead jerseys are the most popular. It has been over twenty years since Jerry Garcia passed away, but their fans still haven't forgotten them.

Friday Photo - Skyride MTB Stage Race

Skyride MTB Stage Race

This week's Friday photo comes from the Skyride MTB Stage Race in South Africa. It is held in the Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve, where you might see wildlife such as black wildebeest, red hartebeest, springbuck, blesbuck, zebra, steenbok, mountain rhebuck, eland and gemsbok. When mountain biking in South Africa one has to be ready for dangers that you would not encounter in North America, as shown in this video.

[Video Review] 2016 Scott Genius 700 Premium

INTERBIKE 2015 - Check Out This Awesome Bike From Scott!

Brad Titzer from Scott Sports took some time at Interbike 2015 to talk with us about the Scott Genius 700 Premium!

Versatile, Confident and Balanced, this bike is anything you need it to be!

 



The Genius Plus uses the same front triangle as the current Genius HMX-carbon model just the head angle was slackened to 67.5° using an angleset. Instead of 150mm travel the Genius Plus has 140mm front and 130mm rear suspension.

At the rear end a completely new aluminium-swingarm is used based on the new Boost-standard.

By operating the new remote-lever, which can be positioned like a left shifter the entire suspension system can be regulated in synchronisation: Descend (full travel, open damping), Traction-Control (at the front: full travel but more damping, at the rear 130mm reduced to 90mm travel, more damping and steeper geometry), and Lockout.

Full Shimano XTR drivetrain, Syncros wheelset with weighted DT Swiss spokes.

Come in to Circle City Bicycles today to see the bikes we have in stock!

Circle City Bicycles and Fitness

5506 Madison Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46227

(317) 786-9244

ed@circlecitybicycles.com
www.circlecitybicycles.com

Crane Cruise Bike Ride this Saturday

3,400 Sandhill cranes were counted at Jasper-Pulaski Wildlife Area on October 6
(Photo courtesy of Indiana-Travel.net)

This Saturday, October 17, the Crane Cruise will be held in Medaryville, Indiana. This small town of  about 600 is approximately 50 miles north of Lafayette. It is best known for being close to Jasper-Pulaski Wildlife Area. Each fall a vast number of sandhill cranes stop there during their migration southward. Their numbers typically peak at over 10,000 during November. This makes it the largest concentration of sandhill cranes east of the Mississippi. On October 6, this year's count was up to 3,400.

The cranes spend most of the day away from the wildlife area feeding on grains left over after crops are harvested in the surrounding fields. The best time for viewing at the wildlife area is about an hour before dusk when they fly back in from the fields. There is an observation platform to view from. To get to it from the parking lot, just follow the signs and noise (Click here to find out what they sound like).

The Crane Cruise bike ride,organized by the Medaryville Lions Club, has routes from 12 to 50 miles. There are a number of sag stops featuring home baked goods. You may see some cranes out in the fields as you ride, but be sure to spend some time at the Jasper-Pulaski Wildlife Area. There will be a presentation there at 5:00 P.M. after the ride.

Friday Photo - Hilly Hundred

Riders in the 2006 Hilly Hundred

My wife took this photo when we rode the 2006 Hilly Hundred. I don't know who any of these people are, but the guy in the middle truly shows the joy of riding. If you attend this year's event (this weekend), be sure to visit Circle City Bicycles in the vendors tent. We'll have lots of closeout items for sale.

State Cycling Jerseys Available at Circle City Bicycles!

Rep Where You're From When Riding Your Bike!

Or maybe a cyclist friend of yours is not from Indianapolis. These jerseys make an excellent Christmas or birthday present. We also have City Jerseys, Nation Jerseys, Beer Jerseys and even Rock 'n' Roll Jerseys.

See our full collection of State Cycling Jerseys HERE

Available States: Arizona, California 2 styles!, Hawaii 4 styles!, New England, New Mexico, Texas 3 styles!, Colorado, New York, and of course: Indiana



Stop by today to see our full collection of jerseys in person!!

Circle City Bicycles and Fitness

5506 Madison Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46227

(317) 786-9244

ed@circlecitybicycles.com
www.circlecitybicycles.com

Cycling Tips - 9 Ways To Help Improve Your Ride

Here Are Nine Great Tips To Help You Be A Better Cyclist

1. To corner, enter wide and exit wide.

Carve a smooth arc through the apex of the turn: Start at the outside of the corner, near the center line. Aim toward the inside of the turn, then exit as far to the outside as possible. Do not cross the double yellow line.

2. Brake Less

It sounds counter-intuitive, but the harder you yank on the brakes, the less control you have over your bike. The best riders brake well before a corner. Plus, laying off the stoppers force you to focus on key bike cornering skills such as weight distribution, body position, and line choice.  

3. Look Where you Want to Go

"When riding a tricky or dangerous section of trail (or road), focus on the path you want your bike to follow, not the rock, tree, or other obstacle you're trying to avoid," says globe-trotting mountain biker Hans Rey.

 
4. Avoid Helmet Hair

"For God's sake, make sure your hair is under your helmet and not poking out the front," advises Garmin-Cervelo pro Christian Vande Velde

 

5. Take the Lane

You have a right to the road, so use it! It's safer than riding on the shoulder which is often cracked, covered in gravel, or worse. But don't be a road hog either.

 

6. Set your Suspension — And Check It Often

It's frightening how many riders hit the trail with poorly adjusted forks and shocks. Not only will droopy suspension make your bike feel like a wet noodle, it can also be downright dangerous. A few simple adjustments are all it takes to have your suspension smoothly sucking up bumps. Check online or in your owners manual to get specific instructions on how to set your suspension.

7. Clean Your Shoes Monthly.

Also, Wash Your Gloves  

8. Warm Up

A slow start primes your engine by directing oxygen from your blood cells to your muscles. Spin easy for 20 to 30 minutes before you begin to hammer.

9. Always Carry Cash

Money can't buy love, but it can buy food, water, a phone call, or a spare tube. Watch out for the rest of the tips in this five part series - every Tuesday right here on our blog.

Circle City Bicycles and Fitness

5506 Madison Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46227

(317) 786-9244

www.CircleCityBicycles.com