I updated our testimonials page for the first time in over a year today.   I took a little time and read back through a few years worth of old correspondence as I was updating the page.   While I was reading through all the great notes we have received, it made me think of a few things and I just wanted to share some of those thoughts:

• We have some great athletes that we work with.   I don’t necessarily mean people who are phenomenally gifted riders or triathletes (thought there are plenty who are), I mean riders who are good people – people who care and are supportive.   Thanks for working with us and being who you are.
• I have over sixty pages of Word document testimonials we have received through the years and nine pages from the past year or so alone – wow!   You don’t realize how many people you hear from when you get them one at a time, but when you look at them over some time it really adds up.  It was a lot of fun going through the notes and remembering people and their bikes.
• Possibly the most rewarding part of our jobs is helping people have a better time riding their bikes and doing triathlons.  There is little reward that is more meaningful than knowing that you have helped someone experience something in a way that has improved their lives.   Thank you to each and every person who took the time over the years to let us know when we helped in this regard – your notes are something we save because they are meaningful.   The Testimonials page makes me (and I think I can speak for our whole staff) proud of what we do and glad to come into work each day.
• We’ve delivered a lot of really great and fun bikes through the years.   Whether you get a stock bike or a custom through Fit Werx, we always want each bike to feel like it is truly unique and  “yours” and it was really nice to see people who appreciated that.  From the start of the bike buying process with your fitter, to the attention to detail our technicians work to apply to every bike they build, to the delivery, our entire staff feels lucky to be a part of creating dreams.   We look forward to being a part of many more…   Be sure to email pictures of you and your bike or, even better, post to our Facebook page!
• A lot has changed since Fit Werx first opened our doors.   We were pretty early to the “game” and we know that you have a lot more options regarding where you get your bike fit and where you buy your cycling products now.  I want to personally extend a big “thank you” to all those people who have loyally continued to work with us through the years.   Your consistency and support has helped us grow and extend our offerings and reach and remain viable in a marketplace that has changed markedly.    From referrals to other cyclists to purchasing your new cycling products through us, know that we appreciate your support and we know we would not have become what we have without you.   Again, thank you.

I just wanted to share these thoughts as Fit Werx has come a long way and we wouldn’t be here without all of you who have supported us through the years.   Also, our jobs would be a lot less meaningful and rewarding if people had not taken the time to give us feedback to improve from as well as to let us know when we had helped.  We’re proud to be a part of your sport and your cycling experience!

Have a great week and ride often,

Ian
Fit Werx

After being closed since Tropical Storm Irene, we are pleased to announce that Route 100B between Waitsfield and Middlesex, VT is open again.  This means that for northbound I-89 travelers, you can once again get off at Exit 9 again instead of driving the extra bit to Exit 10.

Press Release:

Fit Werx, Road & Triathlon Cycling Specialists, was recognized as one of the “100 Best Bike Shops” in the United States in the October 2011 issue of Bicycling Magazine.  The article recognized Fit Werx for the quality of their bicycle fitting services and the depth, quantity and quality of the products offered in store.  A link to the article can be found at http://www.bicycling.com/maintenance/featured-stories/hallowed-ground-best-bike-shops?page=0,1.

Fit Werx offers cycling and triathlon products and services out of stores in Waitsfield, VT and Peabody, MA and can be found on-line at www.fitwerx.com.    Bicycling Magazine is the largest cycling publication in the world.

Our Vermont location has been open all week and the main roads from the north to Waitsfield are fine.  Roads from the south are more problematic.   Use the main exit off I-89 (number 10) for Waterbury/Stowe/Waitsfield and then just go south on 100 to Waitsfield.   The only common road off I-89 that is closed is Route 100B from Middlesex (exit 9) to Waitsfield, there is a detour from Middlesex up to Waterbury on Route 2 if you use exit 9.   If the state’s 511 page tells you otherwise, it is wrong!   Please feel free to give us a call with any questions.

Fit Werx sponsors the Lake George Tri and this is an event well worth attending and racing.  Check it out if you have not…

http://adktri.org/sponsors.php

First, thank you to all those who have checked in and expressed concern after Irene roared through Vermont.   In general, many towns got hit very hard, including Waitsfield.   Fit Werx got lucky.   The water got within about 60′, but no further and a lightly damp basement and some lost power was about it.  Again, we got lucky.   Check out the story and pictures (many from just 100-200′ away from our front door) at The Valley Reporter’s site.

Ian, Jim and Bruce

Fit Werx has sponsored the BUMPS hill climb series since its inception and we are a sponsor of the Burke Mountain Bike Race/Hill Climb.   The Burke race is coming right up (September 3).   Who is in?  You might just win some great prizes, like Fit Werx gift certificates…

Coming up this weekend (August 27) is the Mad River Century Ride, which starts in the home town of our Vermont location – Waitsfield.   Often described as the “flattest century in Vermont”, the century offers good food and good times.  If you are in the area for the century, please stop in the shop and say, “Hi”.   For more information, visit http://www.mrvcenturyride.com/.

The latest Sugarbush summer resort report can be found here as well.