A new year doesn't have to mean reinventing yourself.
Maybe you just want to ride a little farther.
Try a new trail.
Finally sign up for that event you've been thinking about.
Get back on the bike after some time away.
Take better care of the bike you already have.
Or simply spend more time outside.
Whatever your version of adventure looks like this year, now is a pretty good time to start thinking about what's next.
Start With the Bike You Already Have
Before making a giant list of everything you think you need, start with what you've already got.
When was the last time you really looked over your bike?
Check your tires. Look at your chain. Test your brakes. Think about anything that didn't feel quite right during your last few rides.
A little maintenance now can help get your bike ready when warmer days start showing up again.
And if you're not sure what you're looking at?
Bring it to us.
You don't need to diagnose the problem before walking through the door. That's our job.
Give Your Drivetrain Some Attention
If one of your goals this year is taking better care of your bike, your chain is a good place to start.
It's doing a lot of work every time you ride.
Keeping your drivetrain clean and properly maintained can help everything run more smoothly, and this might be the year you finally see what the whole waxed-chain thing is about.
Our Waxed Chain Club is an option for riders who want the benefits of a waxed chain without turning chain waxing into another hobby.
If you've been curious, come talk to us about how it works and whether it makes sense for the way you ride.
Make This the Year You Track Your Miles
Some people couldn't care less how far they rode.
Others want all the numbers.
If you're in the second group, a Garmin cycling computer can add a whole new layer to your rides.
Track your routes. Follow navigation. Watch your progress. Set goals. Find out just how far that "quick little ride" actually was.
If cycling is only one of the ways you like to stay active, a Garmin watch may make more sense.
The important thing isn't collecting data for the sake of collecting data.
It's using the information that motivates you.
Maybe that's total miles.
Maybe it's consistency.
Maybe it's watching yourself get stronger.
Or maybe it's finally being able to prove that the hill really was as bad as you said it was.
Don't Wait for Spring to Start Riding
It's winter.
We know.
Missouri weather isn't exactly known for cooperating with carefully planned cycling schedules.
That's where an indoor trainer can help.
With trainer options from Wahoo, Garmin Tacx, Minoura and Elite, you can keep riding even when the weather outside has other ideas.
Indoor riding can help you maintain fitness through winter, prepare for spring or simply keep the habit going.
And you don't have to be training for a race.
Sometimes the goal is just to move.
That's enough.
Make Your Bike Work Better for You
Sometimes you don't need a new bike.
You need your current bike to fit your life a little better.
Maybe that means better lights because you ride after work.
Maybe it's a Garmin because you're exploring farther from home.
Maybe it's new cycling shoes, padded shorts or socks because you've started riding longer distances.
Maybe you need tubes, tire sealant or a power bank so you're better prepared when something doesn't go according to plan.
And sometimes?
You just want new bar tape because the old stuff is boring.
That's allowed, too.
Small upgrades can make you more comfortable, more prepared and more excited to get back on the bike.
Or Maybe This Is the Year for a New Bike
There comes a point when an upgrade isn't about adding another accessory.
You might simply be ready for another bike.
Maybe you want to explore trails instead of pavement.
Maybe you've discovered that your current bike isn't a great match for the kind of riding you actually enjoy.
Maybe you've been borrowing someone else's bike long enough.
Or maybe you've been staring at a particular Trek every time you come into the store.
We see you.
Buying a bike doesn't have to start with knowing exactly which model you want.
Start with where you want to ride.
Tell us what you like doing, where you want to go and what you want your bike to be able to handle.
We'll work backward from there.
Pick an Adventure
Goals don't always need numbers attached to them.
Instead of saying you need to ride a certain number of miles this year, pick something you're excited to do.
Ride a trail you've never tried.
Take the family somewhere new.
Plan a bike trip.
Try mountain biking.
Commute by bike once a week.
Sign up for an event.
Explore your own town on two wheels.
Learn how to take better care of your bike.
Or just make a point to say yes when somebody asks, "Want to go for a ride?"
Adventure doesn't have to be extreme to count.
See Where This Year Takes You
You don't need January 1 to become a completely different person.
You don't need the fanciest bike.
You don't need to ride the farthest.
And you definitely don't need to have everything figured out before you start.
You just need somewhere you want to go.
We'll help with the gear that gets you there.
Stop by Gio's Outdoors in Smithville, Raymore or Leavenworth to talk Trek bikes, Garmin cycling computers and watches, indoor trainers, bike maintenance, the Waxed Chain Club and the gear that can help make your next adventure happen.
Here's to more miles, more trails, more time outside and a few adventures you haven't thought of yet.
GO Adventure.
