The 2007 Orbea Orca has landed!
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Ok, I'm going to go easy on the hype here since there will be enough of it from the magazine editors. Besides, there's no way to describe in words or photographs what amazing bikes the 2007 Orbea Orca and the 2007 Orbea Diva are. Come by and check them out if for no other reason than to see a bike that is truly different. Fitzgerald's currently has in stock full Campagnolo Record Orcas (51 white, 54 bronze) and a Diva (53 Pink). Learn more about Size Specific Nerve and other advancements these bikes have here.
01 07 07 - 3:44
We're here for YOU!
Stressed out? Running from holiday party to holiday party in between work and attempts to go skiing? Wondering how your neighbor had time to hang their Christmas lights when you barely have time to do laundry and hang up your clean clothes? How can you possibly get your Christmas shopping done under these circumstances? Ok, maybe that's just me projecting out my life...
Remember, we have the some solutions here at Fitzgerald's just for YOU! Tim and I can make suggestions for every budget to get every biker stoked on Christmas day. Here are a few to get your creative crank turning:
DVD's - $19.99 - 29.99
This is a no brainer. We guarantee any mountain biker would be psyched for Roam, New World Disorder 7, or Kranked 6 and any roadie would be psyched for a Tour De France or Carmichael Training System DVD. Drive right up to the front door of the shop, run in, ooh and ahh at the new '07 bikes while we ring up your DVD and you're gone. Just remember to turn your car off because we think idling is lame even for a few minutes!
Pearl Izumi Arm / Leg / Knee Warmers, Microsensor Caps / Headbands, and Booties - $19.99 - 44.99
Tools and Bike Repair Books - $4.99 - 29.99
Every biker can use a new gear brush or spoke wrench. Just think how psyched you are to open a new tooth brush and multiply that by a factor of 10! Want to give the gift that keeps on giving? Zinn and the Art of Road Bike or Mountain Bike Repair books wrap up beautifully and keep the bills at Fitzgerald's lower than ever once your loved one starts adjusting their own brakes!
Retro Wool Jerseys - $110.00 - 120.00
Now we're talking premier gifting opportunities. These are the Christmas day show stoppers! If you're still looking for that marquee present here it is. These performance wool jerseys keep your rider warm when they need to be, and cool when that's what's called for. Yes, the original miracle fiber. Earth Wind and Rider has nailed the retro look so the performance is overshadowed by style points. Choose one of 6 different styles or take it up a notch with the custom embroidered Fitzgerald's Bicycles limited edition wool jersey! This picture is a preproduction image, they're perfect in person.
The Sale Rack - 30% Off!
Yeah, yeah sale racks... X-small shirts that went out of fashion 2 years ago right? Not here. We stuffed the sale rack with men's and women's baggy mtb shorts from Pearl and Race Face, last years Fitzgerald's team jerseys, and full size runs of short sleeve and sleeveless men's and women's Pearl jerseys. Slam dunk gifting.
12 19 06 - 10:52
Riding the White Dirt!
12 13 06 - 2:03
Organic Cotton Continues
10 24 06 - 11:49
Interbike 2006
The Fitzgerald's crew returned this weekend from another successful trip to Interbike in Las Vegas. Tim, Tom, Jannine, and Scott did it up right this year after 5 years of practice! We all spent 2 days in Boulder City just outside of Vegas where we got to demo all the latest '07 bike goodies. OK, the most asked question after the show is, "so, what was the best stuff you rode?" Here's my personal short list of the gear that caught my attention:Norco Faze and Fluid 4" and 5" bikes. Norco has been our shop favorite for years and they are poised to rule the 2007 model year. Additional refinements make the Fluid our #1 choice for 5" bikes and finally we have a sweet 4" xc bike with "Canadian geometry"! Check out how sweet the Faze is!
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Compeletly redesigned Jamis 5" and 4" mountian bikes. These were awesome! Jamis has been long overdue for a new look and feel to their xc bikes. They fully delivered with the XAM 5" bikes and the XCR 4" bikes. Lighter, quicker, stiffer, and just plain more fun. Nice work!
Turner Sultan! Yes, the 29er thing is here to stay. I was very unwilling to adopt the big wheel revolution, until, now! I rode tons of 29ers and loved most of them. This was the king though. Yes it's better for taller riders, but Jannine at 5'6" loved them too. Drool factor is huge with this Turner. All I can say is... Get one before they're gone! Dave B - sell the Flux and the 5-spot, this is your one bike!
SRAM and Shimano Drivetrains. I've been all about SRAM for a couple of years now but I must say that Shimano stepped it up huge for '07. Nothing like a little competition to raise the bar. I'm still riding SRAM... for now...
Salsa El Mariachi. I walked away from Interbike wanting a lot of things, but I only bought one... this bike! Fully rigid, 29er, 1x9 drivetrain. It'll be here tommorrow, come check it out! Steel is real, derailuers are for failures (I'll drop the rear when I get strong enough), and suspension is for sallies!
Orbea Orca! Get your order in now for hands down the SICKEST new road bike since the C-40. It looks 10 times better in person if you can believe it. The top tube shaping is unreal! Yes, it rides just as sweet as it looks!
Colnago CLX and Extreme Power. If you don't know about the Extreme Power you soon will. This is the Extreme C Colnago that has no weight or riding style restrictions. The finest Colnago yet. I got to ride one. This is the best. But wait, don't forget about the other great news from Colnago. The carbon CLX is a taiwan version of the Cristallo. So what? Well now we can all afford Signor Colnago's legendary ride. Start your Colnago collection before you're 50 years old or the product manager for a ski company.
The demo days in Boulder City were complete with heat stroke, many margaritas (funny how Jannine works at Picas and is still a light weight with the margs), killer wall riding at the motel (not telling where, find it yourself), too much Fat Tire (how'd that beer get popular anyway?), carnage (Tom, Jannine, and I got to play first responder to the nastiest, most grusome bike wreck I've ever seen in person). On to Vegas.
Sensory overload! Here's the clifnotes:
Condo on the strip? Yeah that's how Fitzgerald's does it! BMX bikes, not Escalades are the only way to roll around Vegas. Breakfast with Ernesto was classic! The comb over is in full effect and he sure does love his bikes. '07 Campy... the only way to go. Fitzy kits in the Giordana catelogue, Nice work Ray!! New speedplay "light action"... here ya go Murph. Footbeds in Fitzgerald's, of course. Ceramic bearings, where have YOU been? PF Changs saved the day. The Irish bar in NY, NY was very glad to see us again! I can now truly sympathize with Evil Kinevel, that fountain outside Casers is TOUGH! Ron Murray who taught me what a chainwhip is still rules the world! Check out the pump track he helped build in a city park in Stowe, VT below. Go to his shop Irie Cycles in Stowe. And finally, Interbike is a slut fest. Sure I like pretty girls, but the bike industry sunk to new lows this year, LAME. If we took all the money spent on booth whores we could have raised the budget for cycling advocacy by 20%! Think twice the next time you see an ad for bike parts that only shows some big chested nail polish model who would rather wear Carhardts than be caught on a bicycle.
Bikes Rule! And so does Fitzgerald's!
10 03 06 - 2:07
Fitzy Newesletter 9/20/06
FITZGERALD’S BICYCLES NEWSLETTER-SEPTEMBER 2006
BRRRrrr! It is NOT too hot to ride today. At least the smoke is gone though and the dare we say…skiing…is just around the corner.
Since so much has happened since the last update…I’m going to let it all flow- so tune in and out as you like, but here’s the news from the road and singletrack.
LOTOJA 2006..or was it 206 (miles)? It’s all a bad dream.
Even with a week of medicinal pizza, beer and ice-cream, it’s still giving me nightmares. But TEAM ORANGE represented huge!
Ian Tuttle’s 2nd Place in Cat IV was awesome. Even without super-domestic Tim Kelley for the final 110 miles, and reporting seeing dead people and other dark times near Alpine, Ian was able to out-sprint the case group (with only a 6’5” sandbag of all sandbags…besting him in his category). If the team can retain Tuttle in the off-season he will be a force in 2007.
Brian Shill(dog)Shilling’s 4th place in the Pro I-II field is reportedly the best overall result for a Jackson-ite, in this Utah dominated race. Kris Lunning put in great efforts throughout to keep Shilling in position for the final drag race up the village road. Lunner held on for 6th overall, his first time off the podium in Lotoja…but he could be heard muttering- “I’m going to kill those guys,” as he left the awards to begin his specialized training for a rematch next year.
Many others from the team deserve a call out, as it is still a monster accomplishment to simply finish this race. 206 miles, over 3 mountain passes (one a 20 mile climb), with wind and rumple strips…it’s one heck of a long, hard, ride.
Brian Schilling Pro – 4th place 9:17
Kris Lunning Pro – 6th place 9:19
Ian Tuttle Cat IV – 2nd place 9:34
Dave Bergart Cat III – 13th place 10:01
Tim Kelley Cat IV - 36th place 10:24
Dave Hutchinson Cit – 26th place 12:29
Len Carlman, Roger Brecheen, Roger Smith, Kevin Patno Relay Team – 9th place 10:10
Editor’s Note: I gotta say- seeing fellow Fitzgerald’s Bicycles riders out on the course was a huge help and having friends and JayP yelling out of passing cars in the final miles was awesome. This team thing is pretty cool.
MOOSE Roubaix. aka Moose to Moose. aka What Race?
It’s 3 hours to game time as I write, so a full report to come. But I’ve put my money on a 3-peat. You go Lunner! They can trash talk all they want, but barring a flat tire…your Furious Rage and Power is 2nd to none. (jayp has you beat on F.R. alone…but not the power combo).
Editors Note- The outcome is in. Sittin’ in and waiting to pounce, Ian Tuttle looked as cool as Cancellara hoisting his (teton granite) cobble trophy, to the dismay of 2 time defending champ Kris Cross (dressing) Lunning, who finally conceded after uncountable attacks by those who knew they couldn’t beat him, but also couldn’t stand to see him 3-peat. Lunner is rumored to be living out of his truck in down a Bend, OR forest service road this summer, alongside Chris Horner…hoping that Jedi Horner gives him the magic tactical view that will allow Lunning to out whit his rivals.
Chellie Terry took the W’s trophy, with a strong push through the first dirt and a gritty effort to hang with the leaders until the devil hill. Cheers to Lori Erickson for being the Devil (fan) on the Moose/Wilson road. Of note, fresh off his sailboat Scott Fitzgerald put in a serious effort and was seen swapping pulls with the Lion of Belgian Beer-Chris Erickson, in attempt to hold onto the family title. (Janine, slowed by a book club injury may not have been at her best.)
New Bikes! Who say’s Fall is not the time for new bike stoke? Luke Lynch’s 29-er is in the house. Beware a ride with JayP, DanK and Luke…as they’ve simply got bigger diameter than you. Sexy bike Luke…podium in Laramie next year?
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Tim, Tom, Scott and Janine head to Sin City for bike overload next week, here’s hoping they remember what hot stuff to order for ’07! Speaking of 07, it’s time to start your Christmas lists…so talk to Scott about the new Campy, New Orca, New FSA cranks, New New stuff. (as he already knows).
OK…..Just when you thought we were a little’ol bike club: Top Shelf Team Racers Chellie Terry get’s Fitzgerald’s Bicycles into Velonews.com! Chellie took on the W’s Pro Peleton in the Parker Mainstreet Omnium over the weekend outside Denver, CO. 6th in the Timetrail, 12th in the Road Race and 9th in the Criterium put Chellie and Fitzgerald’s Bicycles in 7th Overall. With some of the country’s top racers present, this was a huge season ending victory for Chellie. We’re all proud she represented the team so well at this national level event. Lunner’s wheels, Bergy’s Helmet, Shop Mechanic help on her bikes and team tdi help on her bio-team car all went into her successful weekend. See article: (scroll to bottom for Chellie/Fitzy Team listings in results) http://www.velonews.com/race/dom/articles/10890.0.html
MUST HAVE GEAR- If you don’t own the team edition, Alpine Light Jacket, I don’t envy you. This is simply the best cycling top going. It blocks wind, rain, cars (it’s bright), doesn’t flap, has rear pockets for vest, etc. and simply put…it will make you feel and look faster. Period.
Limited supply on sale at the shop- $120.
Thank you to our sponsors! We love you guys. And we hope we’ve represented you well all season. It has been the teams most successful and most visable season yet. I’ll have a recap of the season in October, with a guest writer to recap the mountain bike season.
Riding slow but clean,
tK
09 21 06 - 1:29
Congratulations Teton Park! 42 Miles of Pathways.
Today the park announced the Final Environmental Impact Statement for their Transportation Plan. Thanks to all of you who voiced support for pathways in the park, public participation made a difference in influencing the park's decision to combine elements of alternatives three and four from the Draft EIS for a total of 42 miles of multi-use pathways in Grand Teton National Park.
Please take a moment today and thank Senator Craig Thomas for his leadership, support and tireless efforts to fund pathways in Grand Teton National Park. Go ahead and send the Senator an e-mail from his websie http://thomas.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home
Superintendent Mary Gibson-Scott also deserves your praise for coming out with a plan that will provide the opportunity to create a substantial network of pathways in the park within a framework of monitoring and analysis of impacts potentially associated with pathways. The Superintendent can be reached here:
Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott
National Park Service
Grand Teton National Park
Drawer 170
Moose, WY 83012
Guess what. It ain't over yet. The next stage of the process involves a 120 day consultation period with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At the end of that consultation period and depending on issues brought forward by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the final record of decision should be released by January 2007 with initial pathway construction from Moose to South Jenny Lake to start in 2008.
The complete Final Grand Teton National Park Transportation Plan / Environmental Impact Statement is available at http://parkplanning.nps.gov. You can also review the park's press release here http://www.nps.gov/archive/grte/news/news.htm
Regards,
David Vandenberg
Your Executive Director at Friends of Pathways
Thanks Jackson Hole for all your hard work on this!
09 20 06 - 10:04
Don't forget about LotoJa!
If you were lucky (or unlucky) enough to register for LotoJa before it filled up you certainly are aware of this Saturday's drama. If you won't be participating in the country's longest single day road race then I strongly encourage you to take at least 5 minutes out of your day this Saturday to stop along the roadside and cheer on any of the riders you see. There will be especially good drama unfolding sometime around 4pm when Fitzgerald's riders Ian Tuttle and Kris Lunning will be looking to win the CatIV and Pro Categories respectively.
Endurance races are very special events in the lilves of these athletes. Recently our own Dave Byers completed the Park City 100 mile mountain bike race and wrote a great insight to what these events mean to a rider. The submition below should get everyone pumped for some LotoJa cheering!
For the 2006 E100 100-mile race in Park City I had one simple goal: FINISH
Since early 2006 this beast of a race has been looming on the horizon as my first attempt at a 100-mile mountain bike race. With 18,600’ of climbing and roughly 95% of the course on singletrack trails, the E100 would be a huge challenge and gave me plenty of motivation to train this summer.
In the end I crossed the line in 13:41:49 for a middle-of-the pack finish, my first off-road hundie under my belt, and my proudest achievement on the bike to date. After many highs and lows throughout the day the final 4-mile singletrack descent into the Canyons Resort was euphoric. I had a serious case of perma-grin throughout the final descent as I could hear the crowd and see the race banners below me at a distance and all the pain that had accumulated during the day temporarily melted away. As I crossed the finish line I was cheered by my wife Michelle, many friends, and many more strangers. Receiving my “100-mile Finisher” medal was a feeling I will not forget.
So many factors influenced my day of racing that it would be tough to give a detailed account. Pre-race anxiety, darkness, rain, hail, wind, brutal climbing, tricky descending, crashes, beautiful singletrack, more climbing, and a lot of time riding alone shaped the whole experience.
There were a few highlights:
- The anxiety and excitement of lining up for a race that I was not 100% sure I could finish
- Ripping along the Mid-Mountain trail during Stage 1 with the sun rise peaking through the storm clouds
- Seeing my wife Michelle face her demons in the rainy darkness and toe the line for the 50-mile race; her first solo mountain bike race of any kind.
- Receiving support and motivation at aid stations from Tracy Petervary, my homie Rick, and my wife Michelle when I had expected to race fully self-supported
- The ebb and flow of insane amounts of climbing followed by incredible and challenging descents
My short journey in endurance mountain bike racing has been filled with memorable experiences and inspiring people. I am inspired by the super-fast guys like Jay P. as well the racers who toe the line not knowing for sure if they will make the cutoff times. Seeing my fellow Fitzy team members at races this year and getting to know more of you has added to the experience. Only 362 days til’ next year’s E100!
Dave