HARO BIKES

Sunshine, Snow, too windy for skiing, giant gusts of wind, Loch Morlich Cycle Path, Mor@Glenmore, specialised Altura Clothing, Ridley Cross Bike, Merida Transmission HFS 3000D, windproof BUFF, DB womens 2011 MTBs,Team Raleigh, Shimano Ultegra Wheel Deal.....

Better than the turbo trainer - YES. After abandoning skiing after one run on Sunday due to the wind, we arrived home wondering what to do, I suggested a cycle round Rothiemurchus followed by coffee but this was greeted with a grunt by the teenager who had her sights set on a day with the stripey crew on the ski slopes, it was Mike and I going it alone. First stop the shop, to pump up the tyres on my bike because to be honest it hadn't been out yet in 2011, Mikes had but not mine! We set off from the shop in sadly 'matching jackets', but I was delighted to have mine on as it was very cold and there was a pretty strong wind but I was warm all afternoon - so what was I wearing? Fully kitted in Altura clothing - Attack Trousers, Night Vision Windproof Raspberry Jacket, and an Attack Jacket - topped up with a windproof BUFF, Sallys UVEX XP100 helmet and her Chiba Gloves - there was no way I was getting cold.

Mike and I had a great afternoon (although I am sure he was frustrated at the speed I was cycling at), the cycle path up to Loch Morlich was in great shape up until Badaguish then it started to get a bit icy so we had to take care but with care and attention it was fine, the views were superb and it was hard to believe at times we had abandoned the skiing when you looked at the Cairngorms - they looked magnificent. When we reached Glenmore we stopped in at Mor@Glenmore for refreshments, I opted for a large cold drink due to the fact I had worked up a bit of a sweat trying to keep up with Mike (incidently he was on his Ridley Cross Bike). We left Glenmore when it was still sunny and enjoyed our ride back to Aviemore, although I spent most of the time staring at Mikes back, even with him stopping to chat to a couple of guys who come into the shop. There was only one thing missing from the afternoon - a pair of warm socks or overshoes, my £5 for a pack of 5 pairs of socks from M&S weren't up to the mark for a bike ride at the end of January - next time I will be wearing the Sealskinz thermal socks......So that is the extent of my cycling over the winter so far! Mike has faired somewhat better - he has been on the turbo trainer quite a bit and also managed the Kincraig Loop on his cross bike - to be honest Cal (Saturday boy) has being showing us all up - he is still out on his Ashton street trials bike or his new DB NNY BMX most nights in 'short sleeves', although pleased to say he has been spotted with his helmet on now. Hopefully most of you have managed more biking than me over the winter. I know a few of our customers have, as one of them was part of one of the winning teams in the Strathpuffer (well done to the Carrbridge riders) and another Aviemore resident has managed 30 rides so far in January - did he make it 31 today?

There has been a fair bit of activity in the shop in January, Merida seems to be the brand in demand at the moment - one of our recent sales was the pro level Merida Cyclo Cross 907, there were only 4 made for the UK market and thanks to James our rep he managed to source one for our customer (Mike is jealous of it!!) He also saw his Merida 96 HFS 1000D sold before he had been out on it, so he has had to order another one for himself. Merida have extended their ladies road range this year, which from my point of view is great and we've already sold the top of the range model. Mike and Sally are off to the Diamondback and Raleigh show in a few weeks, we have had a look at some of the 2011 range already and delighted to see Diamondback have brought out a full range of womens MTBs.  Raleigh have invested heavily in their road range this year and as you will know their professional team is being heavily promoted and can be seen in action at loads of national & international events during 2011.

We have had a couple of giveaways recently, the bike was won by local boy Jordon Stuart - he can be seen now on a DB Ashton Effect and Paula Brand won the helmet, check out our facebook page for future competitions/giveaways.

Full details of February's offers can be seen on the special offer page, but one offer to bring to your attention is HIGH5 are offering a 500ml bottle for £3.99 and you get 4 free HIGH5 sachets - we have a limited stock, also check our the Ultegra Wheel Deal - one set only....

At the start of the year we received clarification from Cyclescheme about the changes to the cycle to work scheme, so if anyone wants the information just let us know, we have A5 information sheets we can post out to you.

Finally, most of you will be pleased to know Dougie is re-joining us on a part-time basis in the summer - so you will need plenty of spare time on your hands when you come in, as you know he enjoys a chat with the customers, so between him and the odd appearance from Dom - allow yourself an hour..............