When I can’t find something I need in the house, which is more often than I like, my wife will cheerily chime in that I should start cleaning up, as that is often the best way to find something. I mildly resent this; and she is right.

A similar thing applies to bike maintenance, something I do better with than household organization. If you want to know what your bike needs, a great place to start is by giving the bike a careful clean.

GRVL Series & StS Castle Rock under new ownership.

2024 Registration Now Open!

Choose your adventure for the new year. Registration for all TRC road rides is now open.

Charity and community are two significant pillars of The Ride Collective. They go hand in hand when it comes to orchestrating our signature rides and races.

This year is nowhere near over, and I’m already looking forward to next year. By that I mean, I love daydreaming about big rides to come. Fall is a great time to plant the seed with your riding buddies, and put a big event or two on everybody’s calendars.

If you want to ride faster next year, consider doing a block of weightlifting now.

The power you build in the gym translates into power on the bike outside. Weight lifting for cycling doesn’t have to be complicated; in fact, it’s better to keep it simple. At FasCat, we advocate for just three exercises: the squat, the leg press, and the leg curl. That’s it.

Just like any exercise and particularly one that involves weights, start off nice and slow. Or in this case, nice and *light*. Over a couple of weeks, slowly add weight each time you go into the gym.

I love riding in the fall. The temps are a bit cooler, the leaves are starting to change, and there is no worry about needing to train for an event. We can just enjoy being outside!

When I started cycling, I would often avoid climbs. Compared to the easy speed of riding on the flats, lugging myself slowly uphill just wasn’t fun. And it was hard!

Now, though, I look forward to climbing in the Colorado mountains. It’s still hard, but I embrace the workout, and years of repetition have welded the associations of fresh air, the ever-changing natural scenery, mood-elevating endorphins and a sense of accomplishment with the simple act of pedaling uphill.

Everyone wants to improve on the bike, and there are six primary ways to do so.

I’ve been going to Crooked Gravel since before it existed, and I can’t wait for the 2023 edition. By ‘before it existed’ I mean I was lucky enough to link up with race directors Scotty and Chandler before they created and launched this great event in Winter Park, Colorado. It’s easy to assume that cool bike events just exist, like highways or airports or restaurants. But like all of those things, someone had to dream up the concept and then do the work to build it!

When it comes to maintaining the performance and safety of your bicycle, one critical aspect often overlooked is the proper bedding-in of disc brakes. Bedding-in your brakes is the process of conditioning the braking system to optimize its efficiency, responsiveness, and overall stopping power, and is an important process to follow anytime you’re replacing your brake pads or getting started on a brand new bike.

We've got six more great events on tap this year, starting with the Winter Park doubleheader July 22, two more in August and the final two in September. Whether you are aiming for a PR at Crooked Gravel or looking to enjoy the big climbs at Copper Triangle and not simply endure them, the best way to get the most of your big event is simple: ride more, starting now.

The bike chain is the essential part of your bicycle. It’s responsible for transferring power from the pedals to the wheels. But as you ride, dirt, dust, and grime build up on the chain. This can cause friction and wear, which can lead to damage and ultimately reduce the lifespan of your chain. Lubricating your bike chain reduces friction, wear and it helps to keep your chain running smoothly and can significantly extend its lifespan. This means that you'll get better performance from your bike and save money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs or replacement parts.

Coach Frank here, to share some training advice with you for any of The Ride Collective’s excellent events. As we like to say, “it’s more fun when you are fit,” and that all starts by riding consistently.

I've studied physiology and coached athletes from Olympians to everyday riders for 20 years, and I’m here to tell you that the number one thing you can do to improve your training is simply by riding consistency. Ride your bike at least three days per week; do four days per week if you have the time, and try for five days per week if you have big goals.

Hi friends. Ben Delaney here. May is a great time to give your bike a little TLC and get it ready to go for riding this season. Here are four quick tips.

If any of these seem intimidating — or just like too much trouble — then take your bike to a shop, where the pros will be happy to get your rig dialed in.