Bicycling December 2013

OON AN ODDLYWARM FALL AFTERNOON, I went for a solo ride. It had been a crazy day at work, and I needed to clear my mind. I had an urge for a roller-coaster descent through a tunnel of foliage, so I pointed my bike southwest and began pedaling. I knew before long that I’d wind up on Dale Road but didn’t have a plan for how I’d get there. As I climbed out of town, my head felt clogged with all the pressing concerns that a typical weekday can bring. Then, in the course of 2 miles, my whole point of view started to shift. I turned onto a road with nubby pavement that felt like music on the steel bike I was riding. I heard driedout stalks of corn…

“The difficulty of a piece like this is that it seems so obvious,” longtime contributor Steve Friedman says of his profile of paralympic cyclist Damian Lopez Alfonso (page 50), who lost parts of both his arms in a childhood accident. But after Friedman dug into the story, he saw it was more than a clichéd inspirational tale; Alfonso turns out to be a complex character. Friedman also writes for Men’s Health and GQ; his latest book, a memoir titled Lost in Treasure Island, was released in paperback in October. Photographer Joshua Simpson shot both the TiGr creators and a lock-breaking experiment for “Unlocked” (page 42). The latter experience was a bit surreal, he says: Simpson had a bikeshop worker try to slice open a lock with a cordless angle grinder…

VSANDNESS VIA BICYCLING.COM David Carr’s story (“All That You Leave Behind,” October) was breathtaking. He obviously has seen himself through many climbs—yet he does not try to fool us, or himself, that any one hill on the way is redemption. KEITH HANADEL BROOKLYN, NY Swift Praise Heidi Swift’s “The Greatest Cheeseburger Ever” was a great article. I do not know what I want to do more when I get back from Afghanistan: ride my bike on a multi-day trip or have a bacon burger and a beer. NATE SHARP VIA FACEBOOK Adding Swift to your roster is a fantastic move. Something she once wrote led me on the journey to where I am today: 40-plus pounds lighter and enjoying cycling more than ever. JAYME HALAS CALGARY, ALBERTA A Vegan Cyclist…

In the 1950s, kids across America dreamed of finding a shiny new Schwinn under the Christmas tree. Not only was the brand synonymous with quality, it was also a household name—that decade, the company sold about 500,000 bikes each year. In 1954, the Black Phantom was preferred nine to one over any other bicycle, according to Schwinn. Indulge your nostalgia with the company’s newest offering, The Biking Game ($25). The object is simple: Answer bike-related questions (drafting in a paceline can save up to what percent of your energy?) and learn facts about cycling (in 1972, bicycles outsold cars in the US) to advance your gamepiece along the trail and be first to reach home. For 11 more gift ideas, turn to page 21.—JENNIFER SHERRY…

Q I plan to commute by bike this winter. Besides cold-weather clothing, what essentials do I need? “A STRONG DISPOSITION GOES FURTHER THAN the newest, lightest, most waterproof gear,” says Craig Etheridge, the 2012 Bike Messenger World Champion and a Raleigh-Clement Cyclocross Team rider. “When the weather hits the fan, you’ve got to be in the right mindset.” If you’re willing to tough it out, he recommends three must-haves. Fenders are simple to install and will shield you from road spray. If ice and snow are in the forecast, go for wider tires (25 to 30c), Etheridge says. Finally, lights are essential when there’s dwindling daylight. USB-rechargeable sets start at around $20 for a rear blinkie and $90 for superbright headlights to mount on your helmet and handlebar. (Turn to…

Cook Whether you’re trying to save money on ride fuel, avoid artificial ingredients, or bake a healthier brownie, there’s a treat for you in Power Hungry: The Ultimate Energy Bar Cookbook. Recipe developer and fitness trainer Camilla V. Saulsbury’s creations can be adapted for soy-free, gluten-free, vegan, paleo, or raw diets. $17 Stay Retired professional cyclist George Hincapie and his brother, Rich, have opened Hotel Domestique in South Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Guests can visit the on-site bike shop for repairs or road-and mountain-bike rentals, and can join weekly rides—you might even find yourself shoulder to shoulder with Big George. $295–$495/night Learn Improve your riding by hiring an expert: New online service CoachUp can connect you with a cycling coach, such as Garmin-Sharp sports director Chann McRae (pictured). Browsing the…