From farmer’s markets to urban development, the discussion about sustainability and buying local is a hot one. The bicycle industry is inherently green, but long before sustainability and buying local was trendy, I knew I wanted to focus Signature Cycles around local partnerships. Back in 1999, I saw that creating the best custom built bicycles was about creating personal relationships – both with the best manufacturers and with our clients. What’s drawing people to the buy local movement is the sense of confidence and trust they feel when they actually know where a product comes from, who made it and how it’s made. It’s about transparency and going back to old values of real craftsmanship, whether we’re talking artisan cheeses or handmade bicycles.
Coming to Terms with the Descent
Help Wanted: Looking to Replace Me
Though I don’t feel like my work at Signature Cycles is done by any measure, I will be moving away from Greenwich, CT in a few short months. My planned move puts me in a unique position to find my replacement. I’ve worked in bike shops for most of my working years, and I’d like to think that I’ve ascended to working at Signature Cycles. My time at Signature Cycles has improved me professionally in as many ways as I have improved the business.
I wear a lot of different hats at Signature Cycles, which is not unusual for many small businesses like us. A typical day will see me working with a client in a SizeCycle fitting, some time updating our web site and blogs, and tuning a bike or gluing tubulars in the workshop. A wide range, to be sure. As my replacement, your primary responsibilities will be sales, being a resource for product knowledge and processing parts and bike orders.
We seek a candidate with an open mind that is willing to learn new skills and adapt to the needs of our clients. Continue reading
Tri 101: A Lecture Series with Dr. Andrew Haas
Signature Cycles of Greenwich
Dr. Andrew Haas of Orthopedic Associates of Stamford will present the bike-specific portion of his three-part triathlon lecture series at Signature Cycles of Greenwich. Our own Lori Hoefer will present a section on bike fit and positioning that evening.
For more details about the series, click on the flyer to the right or contact Lori Hoefer: (203) 485-0500 or
lori@signaturecycles.com.
This series is presented in conjunction with:
Signature Cycles, Elite Heath Services, Greenwich Tri Club, GXB Yoga & Pilates, & The Greenwich YMCA
Introducing: Rapha Grand Tour Shoes
We are very excited to announce the launch of the Grand Tour cycling shoes from Rapha. Combining the best new technology with the finest shoe making craftsmanship, the Grand Tour shoes feature Easton EC90 carbon soles and hand cut yak leather uppers. Signature Cycles partnered with Rapha as the exclusive East Coast dealer for the initial launch of the shoes. They are available at our Manhattan studio and through our web store. Stock on the first run is limited to one of each size in each color, so act quickly.
For a closer look at the shoes, check out our video below:
Rapha Grand Tour Shoes from Signature Cycles on Vimeo.
The Easiest (and cheapest) Performance Upgrade
How many times have you heard someone say “take a deep breath and relax”?
I would hazard a guess that most people (not just athletes) truly understand that deep, controlled breathing is the best way to calm the mind and relax the body. This is true if you’re stressed at work, stressed while you’re sitting in traffic on the highway, or stressed because you’re pummeling yourself to keep up with the rest of the group out on your bike.
I can’t tell you how many times, whether it’s in a race or on a group ride, that I’ve heard people around me taking quick, shallow breaths while they’re working to get over the hill we’re climbing or someone’s acceleration at the front of the group. Continue reading
Mental Toughness: Sport Psychology with Dr. Jenny Susser
6:30 pm, Thursday, April 26, 2012
Signature Cycles of Greenwich
RSVP to Lori Hoefer: lori@signaturecycles.com or (203) 485-0500.
Mental Toughness is defined by sport psychologists as “a natural or developed psychological edge that enables mentally tough performers to generally cope better than their opponents with the demands and related pressures that occur at the highest level in sport.” Really, it should say “any level” in any sport, performance, or even training. The key to this definition lies in two words, “developed” and “cope”. This edge can be accessed through mental skills training and practice. Sport Psychology uses mental skills training, similar to a coach using drills or workouts to teach and practice . Once these skills are strong and usable by an athlete, the coping part becomes easier and better.
Dr. Jenny Susser is a Clinical Sport Psychologist with experience on every level. Once an All-American and US National Team swimmer, then coach at her alma mater, UCLA. Now as a Sport Psychologist, she knows what it is to train and compete at the highest levels. Her work with athletes across all sports, ages, and levels gives her experience that when combined with her background, creates a powerful platform of Sport Psychology.
Signature Cycles welcomes Dr. Susser for an evening workshop on sport psychology and improving your cycling performance. You will learn about Sport Psychology and how to apply it to your current situation and level right now! The evening will be two-fold. First, learn about mental skills and concepts. Focus, confidence, and goal setting are foundations of mental skills training and will each be defined and discussed in detail. Second, we will break into small groups and work on how applying these tools to your specific program and needs. It will be a great jump start to your own mental skills training program and put you on a powerful track to accomplish your goals and feel great about your performance.
Velojoy recaps our Majorca Training Trip
Susi from Velojoy joined us on our Spring Training Trip to Majorca this past week. Judging from the post she wrote up after the trip, she was extremely happy with her experience on the island. It’s an insightful take on the experience from an NYC resident. Click through to Velojoy to read the article . . .
Greenwich Shop Ride, March 24th
We’ve had unbelievably amazing weather for March (I can’t quite believe it’s almost April, but that’s another story). Unfortunately we have some rain coming in this weekend, so you’d better get out on your bike tomorrow morning!
In addition to Getting Your Season Started, our regular ride will leave from 28 Bruce Park Ave at 9:00 am. The usual route, the usual pace (about 16 mph). Call with any questions: (203) 485-0500.
Just Arrived … New SRAM Red!
SRAM looks to have made a lot of significant functional changes to their 2012 Red group. When we got a sneak peak of the parts about a month back, the consensus amongst us at Signature was that any issue we had with SRAM components up to now were addressed and improved in the new 2012 Red group. Time and miles will tell the tale, of course, but things look good from here.
