Onion River Century Ride Registration is Now Open!

We are happy to announce that the new and improved website for the 5th Annual Onion River Century Ride to Benefit the Kellogg Hubbard Library is now up, running and ready for your registration at onionriver.com/century! All the information you'll need to join The OR Century Ride is right there, and this year's ride is shaping up to be better than ever! Some new and improved features are:

• Easier than ever donation and pledge capabilities (it's easier than ever to get your friends and family to support you and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library)

• Full ride online maps with marked food/beverage stops

• Sponsorship from Rock Art Brewery of Morrisville, VT (just a little more to look forward to at the end of ride BBQ!)

• Easy online registration (not that it wasn't easy before..we're just making sure you knew!)

• Added bonuses for pre-registrants (register by 7/12 and get a FREE Onion River Century Ride t-shirt and $15 off the regular registration fee of $65)

Start training, this could be your best Century ever!

See you at the 5th Annual Onion River Century Ride to Benefit the Kellogg Hubbard Library!

Flat Fix Clinics

Join ORS for our monthly Flat Fix clinics, Fridays 6pm - 7:45pm. Learn how to fix a flat, and if there's time, learn a little bit more about your bike! Everyone welcome, no experience (or date) necessary.

Friday Night Fix 2008 Dates:
May 30
June 27
July 18
August 22

We will also hold 2

Ladies Only Fix Nights:
Thursday, May 15 , 6 - 7:45 pm
Thursday, June 26, 6 – 7:45pm

The 6th Annual Vermont Eco Tour

Sunday, June 22 at the Morse Farm in Montpelier.

100km, 50km and 25km courses are available, and the entry fee includes music, lunch and rest stops, as well as a chance to win a new bike!

• 8:00 am - Day of ride registration opens

• 9:00 am - Scenic 100 km ride begins

• 10:00 am - 30/50 km & Run/Walk begins

The charity ride covers scenic dirt roads and is best experienced on a mountain bike. A variety of courses will accommodate many riding abilities on scenic dirt roads, as well as trails at the Morse Farm Ski Touring Center for walkers & runners. There will be food and games at the venue in the afternoon. Registration fees: $10 for under 18, $50 adult individual, $75 family.

The Eco Tour benefits Washington County Youth Services Bureau's programs for at-risk youth and The Magic House. For more information, contact
Nora at WCYSB 229-9151 or Jen at The Magic House 479-4142.

Local Motion Unveils the Trail Finder

Check out the latest and greatest tool for hikers and bikers in Chittenden County, the Trail Finder, check it out at:
www.localmotion.org/trails.
It's a fantastic resource - it shows maps, directions, photos and comments for almost every walking, biking, hiking trail in Chittenden County!

Created by Local Motion - the Greater Burlington, non-profit organization whose mission is to "promote bicycling, walking, running, inline skating and the facilities that make such travel safe, easy and fun," with the help of 50 volunteers, this resource could make the jump to Central VT. Local Motion wants to expand the Trail Finder beyond Chittenden County and they'd welcome trail surveyors (they'll train 'ya) to GPS, photograph, and inventory trails. Got to their www.localmotion.org for contact information, if you're interested!

The Humble Sport Bra

Ladies, I bet you'll agree when I say the humble sport bra is one of the most overlooked but most important pieces of women's sporting equipment! Compared to sports bras of old, the modern sport bra isn't the uncomfortable masher that it used to be. Bra companies have wised up and realized that we still need to breath to exercise, but we don't want to give up support: we want both! (& some nice colors, breathable fabric, comfy straps, and styles that don't require gymnastics to get in and out!)

Sport bras come in 2 basic styles: Compression and Encapsulation; some hi-tech bras utilize both techniques. The general rule is that for smaller sizes (A to C cup) a compression style bra is sufficient. For larger sizes (C to DD) encapsulation styles that separate and support are often more comfortable.

A good sport bra should fit more snugly than a lingerie bra to provide you with support, but should not be uncomfortable or restrict movement (or breathing). The bra should feel comfortable, stay in place, and not chafe. Make sure the straps don't dig into your shoulders and the band doesn't shift or bind. Fit varies with style and some bras may not feel right for you; we recommend that you try on a few. You'll get a feel for the variety of styles and fits that are available.

Our selection covers all of the bra bases. Styles from Under Armor with wicking fabric will keep you cool, CW-X's bras support (their compression/encapsulation system is one of the most supportive we've found - especially good for the larger busted crowd) and the ever-popular Moving Comfort bras come in soft fabrics and fantastic colors. Stop in and try all the options!

Group Rides Have Begun!

Our Spring Group Road Rides have begun! All Rides
leave from the Onion River Sports parking lot, and don't
forget: wear a helmet, all riders must abide by the rules of
the road, and be able to change a flat on the fly! (if you
can't, see Friday Night Fix, below) For more information
about Group Rides, contact Carrie at 229-9409 or
thefolks@onionriver.com

Thursday Night Ride - Thursdays at 6:15pm - This ride leans toward group riders with experience at a brisk pace, or those who want to get there. Covers 30-35 miles through Central Vermont around Montpelier.
Saturday Morning Ride -Saturdays at 9:00am - This ride is a great way to wake up and start your weekend. This 25-35 mile ride is for all abilities, but with emphasis on riding in a group.
Lady's Ride - Tuesdays at 6:15pm - Evening rides on the roads of Central VT around Montpelier with the ladies, this ride will have an A Group and B Group to accomodate differing ability levels and cover between 20 to 30 miles per week.

Paul (Pablo) Snyder - General Manager

Just writing to say hello to all of the Onion River faithful! I was asked to be the "product review" for the week, and I will apologize in advance for not being as exciting as the latest full suspension 29er. My outdoor roots are traced back to my time as a Boy Scout, earning the rank of Eagle Scout and working at camp for more summers than I can count. I broke into the outdoor industry in 1997 with Eastern Mountain Sports, starting as seasonal help in the Pittsburgh, PA market. I was raised in the Pittsburgh area, my blood runs black and gold (sorry to all of you Patriot fans). From there, I did a whirlwind tour with EMS. Having spent a year or more in each Detroit, Syracuse, Keene (NH), Ithaca, and Albany, I decided I wanted to make yet another move and come to Vermont. My career with EMS lasted for a little over 10 years, and I value every bit of that experience. I absolutely love working in the outdoor industry, because of the people I meet, the product I am surrounded by and the lifestyle it promotes.

A little personal beta: I already mentioned that I am originally from Pittsburgh, PA. In January, my wife Tirzah and I got married. I enjoy spending time with my wife and my chocolate lab, Noah. Being outside is my passion. I always brag that I have spent over 4 years of my life living in a tent. When I have a day off I usually reach for tele skis or a fly rod, but biking is slowly creeping up on those activities. I am sure my biking will increase being at Onion River. And of course, those activities are capped off at the end of the day with some good beer and bluegrass music.

So, in a nutshell that's me. Please stop by and introduce yourself. I am excited to be here at Onion River, surrounded by a fabulous crew and a great group of customers!

Introducing the Specialized Stumpjumper 29er

Although the 29" wheel mountain bike isn't a new concept, they first hit the dirt way back in 1994 when Bianchi Bicycles released three models, it wasn't until just recently that 29ers caught on and became the new rage - and boy, are they ever. More and more riders are trading in their 26ers than ever before and just about every major brand has 29er models in their product line. And the real sign of the times is that Andrew now owns one.

So what is the big deal with the big wheels, you ask? Well, for one, they make obstacles in your way smaller. Other advantages include increased traction and improved cornering due to a larger contact patch on the ground, as well as better flotation in mud. All good things for a mountain bike, wouldn't you say? And what about drawbacks? There are a few, such as slower acceleration, and a slight weight penalty, but most riders agree that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

For 2008, Specialized has released various models with the larger hoops, including their flagship hardtail, the Stumpjumper, aptly named the Stumpjumper Comp 29er. It's everything that the tried and true Stumpy is; a cross-country race bike designed for folks looking for the lightest and most efficient bike possible.

Highlights include an M5 alloy frame, Rock Shox Reba fork with 80mm of travel, Avid Juicy 5 disc brakes, and SRAM X-9 rear derailleur. Andrew tricked his out with Mavic Crossmax D 29er wheels, an FSA K-Force Light Double Crankset, and a Crank Bros Joplin seatpost, which allows you to adjust the saddle height while riding, and his weighs in at 25 lbs. He loves to show it off, so come check it out, or better yet, come check out one of our shiny new ones, fall in love with it, and take it home with you.

Andrew interviews Liz Stephen

Check out podcasts on OnionRiver.com for Andrew's interview with Central Vermont's own US Ski Teammember, and Onion River sponsored athlete, Liz Stephen. Hear her talk about her recent bronze medal in Italy, how she got her start in Nordic skiing, and the summer training regime of a world class athlete!

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