Going out of Business

Yes after many years of serving the community Agoura Cycles and Boulevard Cycles are closing the doors. It's a sad day, for me, for Joel (owner), for the dozen employees who will lose their jobs and for the clients who rely on the shop for gear, advice, repairs and more.

As you can imagine, we all are emotional and shocked. I'm disappointed, angry and sad about the whole thing. I am not in denial, mistakes have been made, but as an entrepreneur also, it saddens me to see this.

America is built on the entrepreneurial spirit, people like Joel who risk everything in h0pes of giving something back to the community. Sure everyone wants to make a few bucks that's in our blood too, but rarely is that the main focus.

So, yes there's a big sale and you can get great deals and you're in shock too. Part of me feels for you and the loss, part of me thinks in all honesty (in my mind) "where have you been, I've been here two years and never seen you." Part of me knows that this will hit everyone hardest in a month, when we are gone, and you have a flat, or need a little valve stem or some obscure part that only Joel would have in a drawer that only he can find.

The other part of me sees all of our regulars, the die-hards who show up in the rain to ride, who've been so helpful to me as I learned to cycle, those who ate pink cake and celebrated with us, cried with us, those who have worked and are working all day at the sale w/o pay helping us physically and emotionally, bringing us lunch, coffee and hugs:) I will miss these friends and doing shop things with them, although we will always be friends in a different location maybe- they are amazing.

All in all, everything happens for a reason and this too shall pass. We all will look forward to what a new beginning will bring~

~~RaeLynn

Saturday rides back to 7:45 a.m meet time 8 a.m. start

Let's all meet at 7:45 a.m. and roll out at 8:00 a.m. for the Saturday Shop Ride this Sat. January24th.

We are hoping it won't rain...but of course rain cancels the ride.

Last week we did the Rock Store routes, so this week we start our ride rotation over with the Hidden Valley routes...

See you all there!

Remember helmets required, bike in good condition, water bottles, and a desire to have fun::))
RaeLynn

A day at the Velodrome

Velodrome riding
Yes, Velodrome...I attended a women's clinic at the Encino Velodrome last Saturday. It was scary to think of getting up onto that concrete ramp on a bike with no brakes, no gears...and I'm scared of heights.
I waited after the orientation and let Deanne go first, we would share a very small bike that fit her. Luckily KK was there and he gave both of us a "private lesson". Without him I would have never made it up that ramp:)
Deanne rocked the house getting all the way up to the rail with KK...she did experience a few moments when she stopped pedaling for a second--only to remember the briefing "don't stop pedaling or you'll cartwheel over the top". Not what you want to do at those speeds and with all that concrete.
I took quite a long time on the warm up track. KK was so patient explaining the track to me and what to do...finally he convinced me to get onto the track and off we went. I was like Nemo ..."just keep pedaling" the whole time this was in my brain.... Girls were flying by us like we were standing still...they yell "stay" as they approach, you better just stay or else it will be ugly.
Fun thing was that each track has rules and everyone has to ride a certain way. Unlike group rides when you have no idea what the riders are going to do. The velodrome is very predictable and it's a really great way to improve your pedal stroke.
I would definitely do this again, perhaps find a time when KK can do another lesson and when the track is fairly empty. I don't think I would race this type of thing...but never say never.
RL
Here are the pics Deanne took...http://breakawaycycling.shutterfly.com/

8:30 Shop Ride Saturday 17th January

Ready to Rock & Roll?

Short and Long Rides to Rock Store and beyond begin at 8:30 a.m. at Agoura Cycles!

Ladies....Velodrome practice in afternoon...still time to get in on this:) see me at shop for details.

See you there,
RaeLynn

Breakfast with the Pros anyone?

Agoura Cycles Christmas Party

Ok well Christmas party might be a stretch since Joel is Jewish, but whatever the reason, we decided to celebrate the season in true bike shop crew style....

By going GO-KARTING...yes you read it right--no little black dresses or champagne, but instead jeans and some fast, fun machines to race.

We headed to a place in Newbury Park called MB2 and got suited up for the night. We had to wear helmets and neck protection; gosh isn't that what you want to do for a company party?

Much to my surprise it was really fun, although I admit to be scared to death! We were able to race 3 times, each race had a number of laps (of course for me less as the boys lapped me multiple times)....who would have thought that those two foot pedals have different functions? one means go; the other stop....I don't think it was a good idea to use both at once!

I think Ryan won the overall night, but I was definitely most improved gaining time and speed with each lap. Lisa gets the big prize for aggressive driving as she drove not into, but yes under the barriers and also managed to be facing the opposite direction more often than not:)

Colby, John, Bobbie, Tim and Jim were speed demons while Joel made himself dizzy going around so fast for so many laps.

It was really fun and I urge you to forget the boring company gig next year and book your next party at MB2.

Here are some pics above...

rl

ps..we missed you Andy:(

Long time no blogging - too much going on!

It feels as though I have been on a cookie diet lately with the holidays finally here.  I've been riding more when I can, though the weather and getting ready for this season seems to have gotten in the way now and again.

So to burn more calories, I've taken up running again.  My last attempt at this resulted in me getting shin splints for weeks and I decided running wasn't for me.  This time around I am starting slow and working into it.

Along with the running, I also have been hitting the dirt in some of the best riding of the year!  The dirt is tacky making for really fast times especially in the downhill sections of my routes.

Here is some pictures of some recent rides in the dirt... it's been a while so I can't really remember them all.

Oh, and to take my losing weight more seriously, I actually rode the road bike yesterday and did intervals for two hours.  Next up, perfect pushups and exercise balls... I guess I do want to be like Lance RaeLynn!