Smart Cycling, Inc.

Peggy Thordarson checks out a statue of guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Allen's Boots has been producing hand made cowboy boots for over 70 years. The store was a hit with our campers.

Scott Dalhover, a local rider and musician, led us on a hilly ride that included a 23 percent grade and lots of wind.

The 2008 Smart Cycling Spring Training Camp will start Friday, February 29th. Complete details will be posted here soon.

2007 Austin, Texas Training Camp Highlights

February 2007 marked the First Annual Smart Cycling Bike Shop Spring Training Camp. Our training base was in Austin, Texas and it proved to be a great choice.

The riding conditions were wonderful with temperatures in the 70's every day. Except for a very short rain storm of about 30 minutes, the weather was perfect. The terrain was a marked improvement from the flat land of the Chicagoland area. Riding east of highway 183 was flat and windy. Riding west of highway 183 was rolling to steep hills and occasional winds.

Chicago has been famous for painted or decorated cows, but Austin is famous for decorated electric guitars.

Throughout the city there are dozens of uniquely painted or decorated replicas of the famous Gibson Les Paul. This was just one of hundreds of points of interest we found. The city has a vast network of bicycle routes, even on the four lanes highways. Bike lanes are respected and riders can actually feel safe riding there. The slogan that kept appearing everywhere was "Keep Austin Weird". If being bicycle friendly is part of being weird, then other cities should consider getting weird.

We stayed at the Crestwood Suites, an extended stay with kitchenettes and a location right in the middle of the best riding. The rooms were very comfortable, the service good and it was close to everything from shopping to restaurants.

As you can see here, there are actual hills in Austin. Not the typical flat terrain of the Chicagoland area. We met with a few local riders who took us on some routes we were not familiar with. One of these included a street called Beauford, which has a climb that reaches 23 percent gradient. It was a bit rough for some of us, but we survived.

The scenery was beautiful throughout the area. Austin has a wide variety of attractions as it is not only the capital, but is also a college town and arts-music center.

More information will be posted in the future. Check this sight for additional details.

Sample Sessions

Smart Cycling Bike Shop, Inc.

2300 Lehigh Ave. Suite 100

Glenview, IL 60025

Telephone (847) 998-0200

Fax (847) 998-0201