Five Hills Bikes

Tax Free Day - March 6

In honor of the Vermont State Tax Holiday - we’re having a big ‘ol sale on Saturday, March 6. Not only will you save the 6% state sales tax, but there will be huge savings on the following:

• All 2009 Gary Fisher instock bikes
• All Oakley apparel (including our favorite baggy cycling shorts)
• All Twin6 cycling jerseys
• All Sidi bike shoes in stock
• Some Lake cycling shoes
• And more

For this special savings event we’ll be open from 9am - 5pm on Saturday, March 6. Email us or more information and we look foward to seeing you this weekend.

Gravel Grinder Info

Packet Pick-up

We’re going to offer riders the opportunity to pick up their packets the day prior to the Grinder this year, in addition to the day-of registration at the event site. Everyone must pick up their stuff and sign the event waiver.

• Saturday, April 17: 3-5 PM at Five Hills Bikes, 2 North Main Street, Waterbury, Vermont
• Sunday, April 18: 8-8:45 AM at Pilgrim Park 5, Waterbury, Vermont

Carbo Load

Pick up your stuff on Saturday and then head next door to the Reservoir Restaurant and Tap Room. They’ll be offering a special on Saturday for the Grinder riders, better fuel up because those are some big hills.

Need a Place to Stay?

There are a couple of options of good options in Waterbury:

• Old Stagecoach Inn: walking (and riding) distance to Five Hills Bikes, The Res, and the event start. Also home of the best breakfast in town. Tell them Five Hills Bikes sent you.
• The Best Western: has an indoor pool and hot tub.
• Grunberg House: beautiful place in the woods

Post Ride Feasting

After you’ve conquered the dirt, you’ve earned yourself some good eats. We’re pleased to announce that Frida’s Taqueria is catering the post-ride feast. Seriously good food.

Champion! Singlespeed USA 2010

It’s not every day that Vermont can claim a new champion amongst it’s citizens, but we’re proud to announce that Five Hills Bikes has brought forth a winner. Mandy Wisell, co-owner of Five Hills Bikes, took home the championship at Singlespeed USA on February 6, 2010.

Singlespeed USA, held in conjunction with SSAZ in Tucson, Arizona, featured a 46.5 mile course. Riders climbed through classic desert terrain, crossed flowing washes, and navigated technical downhills - all on mountain bikes with only one gear. After the race, a final test of balance and skill determined the men’s and women’s Singlespeed USA champions for 2010.

SSUSA belt

Congrats to everyone involved! Visit the shop and check out the prize belt.

Shop Closed Feb 11

Five Hills Bikes will be closed an additional day this week, bad weather in the mid-atlantic has prolonged our mid-winter trip to Arizona for SSAZ/SSUSA.

It is our intention to be back and open for business on Friday, February 12.

Gravel Grinder Registration is Open

Register here!

We’re pleased to announce that the Gravel Grinder is back for 2010 in a big way. We’ll be adding some fun adventure sections to the course but still keeping the beautiful scenery, dirt road riding, and easy-going atmosphere that kept this event so fun and approachable.

The 1st and 2nd Gravel Grinders in 2008 and 2009 were so popular that we had to turn riders away.. This year we’ll be ready for more, but we encourage folks to register early to ensure their place on the start list. At the least, it’s a great incentive to get out and get in shape for biking this spring and summer.

April 18, 2009  in Waterbury, VT. Register here and see event details and course description on the Gravel Grinder page.

Five Hills Bikes for the Holidays

Five Hills Bikes is open all winter. We’ve got bikes and gear for serious cyclists as well as for folks that just like riding along. Here are some ideas that might be great for someone on your list:

• Nutritional products
• A Hydration pack from Camelback - even if she’s already got one, they get nasty after being used and a new pack is always welcome
• Bike29 t-shirt or jersey - support your local shop
• Pedals - upgrade them to clipless or get them a second set for the second bike
• Bike blinkies and lights for safe travel after dark
• Oakley sunglasses - we have a nice selection of styles and prices
• Mountain bike clothing from Oakley - stylish and functional, our favorite
• Tubes! Great stocking stuffers, and always needed.

Kids bikes are in stock. 2010 bikes from Gary Fisher are in stock and all leftover 2009 bikes are on sale.

Through the holidays we’re open 10-6 on Thursdays and Fridays, 10-4 Saturday, and 10-4 Monday through Wed. Call us for more info or to check on stock. 802-244-7330.

Cycle des Spectres: October 30

Gary Fisher Demo - Saturday October 3

This saturday, October 3 come to Catamount Outdoor Center in Williston, VT to test out the lastest demo bikes from Gary Fisher. The crew from Five Hills Bikes and Bike29 will be on hand as well as the Fisher demo crew. We’ll talk you through the different 26″ and 29″ wheel and suspension options and you can try them out on the trails at Catamount.

The demo starts at 10 and goes through the day. If you have any questions at all, give us a call at 802-244-7330 and we’ll fill in the details. Enjoy what will hopefully be a lovely fall day with plenty of beautiful foliage.

Singlespeed World Championships

Five Hills Bikes was well represented at this years SSWC09 in Durango, Colorado. George, Mandy and Mike headed out for a long weekend of riding, racing, and partying with singlespeeders from across the globe.

The terrain in Colorado was a lot of fun and a nice change of pace. We rode high in lush mountains and on dry, desert-like trails right from town. From technical rock sections to buff downhill singletrack, Durango seemed to have it all. And riding around town seeing singlespeeds and 29ers everywhere was a blast.

Costumes were the rule not the exception for the big race, from Elvis to Flash to prom - we saw it all. The entire town seemed to come out and support the 100+ racers that took to the hills. The finish line was a big party, followed by an even bigger party that night at the local brewery.

We got to meet a lot of folks that had been to the shop or knew about the shop or bike29.com and it was awesome to build new connections. Next year worlds will be in New Zealand - will we be there? Hard to say right now, but you can bet we’ll try.

“Boss is Away” Sale

The big Boss is headed out to Durango, CO for this weekend’s SSWC09 (singlespeed world championships) - while he’s gone we’re having a big sale.

All in-stock bikes from Gary Fisher are marked down. Prices too good to advertise on the web.

All Oakley apparel is 30% off - all riding shorts, all jerseys - all on sale.

Get yourself a new bike and some new duds and enjoy the biking before winter returns.