Whining About the Weather at Passion Trail Bikes

Well, it’s raining, and the trails are muddy. Nevertheless, here’s the news on the trail, on March 30, 2010

1. Wednesday Wrides, Paved or Not, at 5:45pm
2. Trailwork in Waterdog 4/11, Maybe
3. Passion Trail Bikes is Hiring – Mechanic
4. Carbon Santa Cruz Nomad, oh YEAH

1. Wednesday Wrides, Paved or Not, at 5:45pm
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Sunset is at 7:30PM this Wednesday 03/31/2010. Twilight ends and near-darkness falls right around 8:15pm.
Next week on April 7 the Regular Ride launches at 6:00PM.

We’re not putting a lot of faith in the hope that the weather prediction for a 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms tomorrow is completely wrong. Given how much we hate to tear up the trails, we’re guessing we won’t be hitting dirt (or mud, as the case may be). So, we’re thinking pizza and beer, and maybe a Wroad Wride, or maybe just sitting around. We encourage you to show up with some foul weather gear, toe booties, a change of dry clothes and clean shoes, and a bike you can pedal on pavement, even if it’s your trail bike. After we hem and haw a bit we can decide who wants to wride, where, etc. There are some gravel roads in town, and there’s also the fireroad at Waterdog, pavement on Canada Road, Jefferson, Polhemus, Sawyer Camp Trail, or the Bay Trail etc. If the rain doesn’t materialize we can try for some firm dirt (if any is to be found), if it does rain, then we will get wet on the wroad. Not wriding is also a viable option for those fair weather pedalers who want to stay dry and mud free.

Charles’ paved/dirt commuter, a Salsa cross bike with wood fenders

P. L. E. A. S. E. . . . P. U. T. . . . L. I. G. H. T. S. . . . O. N ! ! ! !

Please remember to put a light on your handlebar and have a blinky ready for the ride back to the shop! CA vehicle code requires it. Don’t get caught out on the streets in the dark! Also, a reminder that we need to be super conscientious about stopping at stop signs and lights, yielding to pedestrians, and operating our bikes predictably and responsibly while on the roads and trails. Let’s be safe and kind out there.

For all the details about what makes each group listed below unique, please refer to this webpage. If your questions aren’t answered there, you can also email us for info at info@passiontrailbikes.com.

All rides start pedaling from the shop: Passion Trail Bikes, 415 Old County Road, Belmont, CA 94002 650-620-9798.

The ALL wrides will go out starting around 5:45 PM.

Note we may not have leaders for each ride but usually someone knows their way around. All groups will meet back here at Passion Trail Bikes right around dark for the usual story telling & beverage enjoyment. We will have stuff to eat plus chips and fatty snacks and EANABS to pair up with the Devil’s Canyon Brewery’s Full Boar Scotch Ale, Silicon Blonde Ale, and Little Devil Root Beer. We will hang out until about 10pm, so come on down, even if you can’t make the ride! Passion Parties are better with YOU in the mix!

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2. Trailwork in Waterdog 4/11, Maybe
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We had a fantastic turnout of over 26 volunteers on our project last week! We had folks from ROMP, VOCal, Team Wrong Way, Belmont Lions, SF Urban Riders, and Belmont Parks and Rec. A WHOLE LOT of work got done and we now have trail tread leading up to both sides of the north bridge site. We intend to get the footings in and the bridge installed this summer.

Ron, Henry and Brad work on fitting large stones into a low retaining wall

Hank got his workout in, swinging a pick mattock for hours on a tough rock formation

Belmont Parks Commissioner Kevin Sullivan, and VOCal volunteer Bam Bam, who came down from Napa

Team Wrong Way and Passionistas laid down some serious bench cutting under the oaks

The Belmont Lions contributed to some quality trail construction near the north bridge site

Click here for more photos of the workday.

Our next project is scheduled for April 11th at 8:30am, but we are unsure if we can free our calendar from some scheduling conflicts that have come up. It may need to be rescheduled. If you want to help out, please RSVP to Patty at patty@passiontrailbikes.com, and let her know you want to join in. She will send you confirmation and details on the project once they are finalized.

Upcoming dates on our trailwork calendar are as follows:

Sunday 4/11 8:30am
Thursday 4/22 4:00pm (Earthday)
May and June projects TBD

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3. Passion Trail Bikes is Hiring – Mechanic
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We are seeking a mechanic for our high-end service department. This is a full time position in the best mountain bike focused shop in the Bay Area.

The ideal candidate is someone who:
• has extremely high standards for precision mechanical work
• turns a wrench with a nuanced hand
• values time and skill
• stays on track despite distractions
• is intelligent and wants to learn
• has excellent interpersonal skills
• is passionate about mountain biking and trails

We are looking for someone who either has experience working as a bicycle mechanic or who would like to transfer their skills from another industry and work in a bike shop.

Ideally you would be confident in your ability to take apart, troubleshoot, and reassemble bicycle components such as forks, shocks, suspension linkages, hydraulic brake systems, and drivetrains. You would also be experienced in facing frames, assembly, and all other typical duties of a bicycle mechanic. Although we prefer someone with experience working on mountain bikes, we are willing to train the right person. Most important is that you have really good problem solving skills, you have a good touch with a wrench, you can handle working in a demanding environment, and you can work with customers from all walks of life with respect and a high level of customer service. Sales experience is also helpful.

To apply, please send your resume to Charles at info@passiontrailbikes.com, and include a cover letter explaining why you are qualified and want to work at our shop. Please no phone or in-person inquiries, thanks!

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4. Carbon Santa Cruz Nomad, oh YEAH

We got some pretty pictures in the mail the other day from our Santa Cruz sales rep Danny. And we thought we’d share. We already have a large on order. What size do you want? Shipping is sometime in June. We have a large Nomad in aluminum (same geometry) with a Hammerschmidt crank if you want to demo it.

The Nomad is now available in Carbon

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Read back issues of the Passion Trail Bikes Community e-Newsletter on our website.

To contact us, email us at info@passiontrailbikes.com, or call the shop at 650-620-9798.

Happy Trails, from the PTB crew
Charles, Patty, John, Bret, Sterling, Pancho, Will, Peter, and Reba