Down Wind Sports

Summer 2012 Newsletter www.downwindsports.com Summer Events & Specials

March

23-25...... Superior Dome Boat, Sport and RV Show- Marquette This is the sale that everyone’s been waiting for. Join us this weekend if you’re looking to save on Bikes, Boats or Stand Up Boards! Come to The Superior Dome in Marquette and find deals on the latest , , Stand Up Boards and new 2012 Bikes! These will be our lowest prices of the year. Stop in and paddle or pedal a new toy this spring!

April

20-22nd...... Recreation Show - Lakeview Arena Marquette The grand daddy of all recreation shows! Did you miss the show in March? Here is your chance to see what new bikes, boats and stand up boards will be available for the 2012 season. Best of all they will be on sale throughout the weekend!

May

12th...... Hope Starts Here Challenge Events include competitive 5K, 10K runs and individual and team duathlon. New this year is a competitive half marathon as well as non competitive options which include a leisure walk or a short bike ride on the lakeshore bike path, dogs welcome.

June

2nd...... /SUP Try And Buy- Marquette This is your opportunity to test paddle the new 2012 kayaks and Stand Up Paddle Boards from all of the leading manufacturers. We are a firm believer in test paddling kayaks before you by them! We will also be offering discount packages on boats and accessories all weekend long. 9am-4pm Teal Lake Neguanee

3rd...... Kayak/SUP Try And Buy- Houghton This is your opportunity to test paddle the new 2012 kayaks and Stand Up Paddle Boards from all of the leading manufacturer’s. We are a firm believer in test paddling kayaks before you by them! We will also be offering discount packages on boats and accessories all weekend long. 9am-4pm City Beach- Chutes and Ladders

16th...... Chain Drive Race- Houghton The Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival mountain bike race includes 16- and 32-mile point-to- point cross-country distance races and the Junior Chain Drive youth races. The Chain Drive promotes the sport of through fun family events and supports trail preservation efforts throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula. 27th...... Giant Demo Tour- Ishpeming Want to test out a brand new 2012 Giant Bike? Join Down Wind Sports at the Jasper Ridge Brewery for this unique off road opportunity. We will be set up from 4-9pm so grab a friend, come out and ride the Ishpeming trails on a new bike from Giant!

2 www.downwindsports.com Summer Events & Specials www.downwindsports.com

28th...... Giant Bicycle Demo Tour- Marquette Want to test out a brand new 2012 Giant Bike? Join Down Wind Sports at the South Marquette trailhead for this unique off road opportunity. We will be set up from 4-9pm so grab a friend come out and ride the South trails on a new bike from Giant! 29-31st...... Marquette Bike Jam- Marquette Scheduled for June 29,30 and July 1, the weekend will feature a return of the downtown Criterium, a Gran Fondo (a road tour of varying distances), Gravity events like Super-D and Dual Slalom, a kids bike rodeo and a cross-country mountain bike race will be held on Marquette’s renowned South Trails. We will be running specials all weekend long!

July

14-15th...... Run The Keweenaw- Copper Harbor Michigan Come join us for an exciting weekend on the beautiful and rugged trails of the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Events include – Mt. Baldy Summit Run, 12K Copper Harbor Trails Challenge, 12K Copper Harbor Trails Non-Competitive Run/Hike, 2K Junior Trail Run and 25K Keweenaw Trails Run. RTK Weekend – Conquer the weekend by running the Mt. Baldy Summit, the 12K Copper Harbor Trails Adventure and the 25K Keweenaw Trails Run! 18-22nd...... Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium- Grand Marais Michigan GLSKS is the oldest kayaking symposium on the Great Lakes! Grand Marais Michigan, has a protected harbor that is ideal for class sessions and skills practice while offering a perfect starting point for unforgettable trips along the scenic Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Whether you are being introduced to kayaking for the first time or you have been on the water for years, attendees will enjoy learning from a team of qualified, highly experienced individuals who are passionate about the sport and eager to share their knowledge in a non- competitive, supportive, and encouraging atmosphere. All abilities are welcome!

August

11th...... Ore To Shore Mountain Bike Race- Marquette The Ore To Shore is a 48 mile and 24 mile point-to-point mountain bike race in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Stop by for all of your race needs! Specials all weekend long at Down Wind Sports. For more information please visit - www.oretoshore.com/ 16-19th...... Ladies Of The Lake Sea Kayak Symposium- Grand Marais Michigan During the symposium there will be instructional courses, clinics on a variety of kayaking related topics, interesting and inspiring slide shows, as well as opportunities to try out the latest and greatest paddling gear and clothing. The highlight of the symposium is the Saturday evening Werner Theme Party! We invite you and your friends to participate in Ladies of the Lake and enjoy the incredible paddling the Upper Peninsula has to offer and in the process become part of our growing group of friends. From first time paddlers to seasoned veterans, all of us are going to have a great time!

September

2nd...... Fat Tire Mountain Bike Race- Copper Harbor The Fat Tire is a 28 mile and 16 mile mountain bike race in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Stop by for all of your race needs! Specials all weekend long at Down Wind Sports.

3 www.downwindsports.com www.downwindsports.com Summer Treks & Socials

Tuesday Night Kayak and SUP Demo Days This is your opportunity to test paddle new 2012 Kayaks and Stand Up Paddle Boards from all the leading manufacturer’s. We are a firm believer in test paddling kayaks before you by them! Meet at Harlow Lake Marquette 6-7pm. Registration is required for this free event by calling 906-226-7112 or Meet at Kessner Waterfront Park Houghton 6-7pm. Registration is required for this free event by calling 906-482-2500

Summer Equipment Rentals - Houghton & Marquette Here at Down Wind Sports we firmly believe in the concept of “Try Before You Buy”. Our rental program provides the perfect opportunity to try out a particular piece of equipment or activity without having to make a large monetary commitment. That’s why here at Down Wind Sports we have an extensive selection of equipment available for you to rent. And don’t forget – a one-time rental fee can be applied to the purchase of any new equipment if you do decide to buy. Transportation not provided. Rental Equipment »»Kayak Package- $50/day $200.00/week »»Stand Up Board Package- $50/day $200/week

Thursday Night Mountain Bike Rides- Marquette Store

Join us in Marquette every Thursday evening for our Mountain Bike Group rides. This is a good ole’ ride at your own pace, social, off road bike ride. These rides are a great way to meet other local bikers and to be introduced to all of the different trails in the Marquette area as each week we will choose a different trail to ride. Bring water, energy food or gels, and of course helmets are required. Typical ride times are between 1-2 hours and we meet at 6:30pm. For more information please call the shop at 906-226-7112. Ride locations can be found on our event calendar at: www.dowwindsports.com

Down Wind Sports - Side Treks Adventure Guide Service When visiting the Upper Peninsula consider an adventure with Side Treks! Side Treks was formed because we all have a common interest: the love of the outdoors. We specialize in custom trips for small groups and our goal is simple – to provide you with a high quality, safe and unique outdoor adventure opportunity. Side Treks offers a variety of courses from mountain biking and sea kayaking to rock and ice climbing. Classes range in cost from $99 to $175 per person and that includes all equipment and instruction for the day. More information can be found on our website, www.downwindsports.com, or by calling one of our stores – Marquette 906.226.7112 or Houghton 906.482.2500

4 www.downwindsports.com Even More Purchasing Options www.downwindsports.com Second Wind Second Wind is a consignment shop- the newest addition to the Houghton store. We have enlarged our floor plan in the lower level of the Houghton store to display consignment items as well as dscountinued items at killer prices! If you have used outdoor equipment in good condition and you are no longer using it bring it by and we will put it on display and sell it for you. Second Wind accepts skis, , bikes, clothing, or camping gear. All we ask that the products are clean and functional. A small fee will be charged for all items sold and you can collect cash on the spot or receive store credit towards a purchase at Down Wind Sports! Stop by our Houghton location this April for the grand opening!

Shop Down Wind Sports Online

Well, it’s been a year since we launched our online store So, if you still have not checked out the site you should see and we have been quite pleased with the response. We what it’s all about. If you are already familiar with the site, hope our customers continue to find it to be a useful, easy take another look as quite a few things have changed. If way to pick up their favorite outdoor related products. you find something you like please take advantage of the promotional code found below. Our goal of providing easy access to high quality equipment from a name you trust is something we are committed to. All winter we have been working hard at updating the site, and this spring you will find a much larger selection Use Promo Code “summernews10” to of summer equipment including camping, climbing and receive 20% off any order paddling products. from now through July 1st! www.shopdownwindsports.com If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can be sure that a knowledgeable person will answer the phone and they will be happy to help you with whatever you need. 5 www.downwindsports.com www.downwindsports.com GLSKS - July 18-22nd

What is the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium? GLSKS is the oldest kayaking symposium on the Great Lakes! Grand Marais Michigan, has a protected harbor that is ideal for class sessions and skills practice while offering a perfect starting point for unforgettable trips along the scenic Pictured Rocks. Why should you go to the GLSKS? The paddling for sure! You will also be inspired by the amazing slide shows, develop new skills, and reconnect with friends and fellow paddlers from around the Midwest.

So we hope you can take time out of your busy schedules to come on up, paddle, be inspired and most of all have fun! During the symposium there will be opportunities to try out the latest paddling gear and clothing, instructional courses, clinics on a variety of kayaking-related subjects, as well as interesting and inspiring slide shows from world-class paddlers.

We hope you join us for an unparalleled paddling experience. For more information and to register please visit:

www.greatlakesseakayaksymposium.com

6 www.downwindsports.com Ladies Of The Lake - August 16-19 www.downwindsports.com

Down Wind Sports of Houghton organizes Ladies Of The Lake each year because we believe that we are addressing a need in the kayaking community that was not currently being met. Our idea is to provide a quality paddling experience promoting “women kayaking with women for women.” This is also a unique symposium because it’s a “traveling” symposium. We pick a new location in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula each year that offers diverse paddling opportunities and somewhere new to explore. During the symposium there will be instructional courses, clinics on a variety of kayaking related topics, interesting and inspiring slide shows, as well as opportunities to try out the latest, and greatest, paddling gear and clothing. The highlight of the symposium is the Saturday evening Werner Theme Party- The Roaring 20’s! We invite you and your friends to participate in Ladies of the Lake. Come enjoy the incredible paddling the Upper Peninsula has to offer, and in the process become part of our growing group of friends. From first time paddlers to seasoned veterans, all of us are going to have a great time! For more information or to register please visit:

www.ladiesofthelake.com

7 www.downwindsports.com www.downwindsports.com New Summer Products Sheila Moon

Imagine, your favorite shimmel as a dress! This dress has the requisite two large back pockets, soft & wickable built-in bra, and super- flattering fit & flare cut which hugs the waist and flares lovingly over the hips. HOT!!! Sheila Moon designs and manufactures fun clothing focusing on finely tailored garments that are built for the ease of cycling and for a fashionable fit. Be sure to stop by and check out the sweet designs from Sheila Moon!

Merrell Trail Glove For many years DWS has carried the Merrell footwear brand that Yoopers have come to love. We are happy to announce that this season we will be carrying Merrell’s extremely popular line of barefoot shoes- the Trail Gloves!

The Merrell Trail Glove is a minimalist trail shoe that offers a barefoot-like ride that keeps the runner connected to the ground for the ultimate natural ride. Minimal as it may be, the 1mm thick forefoot plate offers a bit of protection. A sticky Vibram outsole and a secure heel fit allow the runner to be one with the trail. Hit the trails this summer with the Trail Gloves from Merrell! Osprey Poco Kid Carrier Optimus (H)eat Insulated Pouch The Poco provides all the ba- sics needed in a child carrier. It Another one of those products features a fixed hipbelt, a mesh where you go...why didn’t I pocket with small zippered pouch think of that! and our Daylite daypack can also With the new Optimus (H)EAT be attached using the built-in Insulation Pouch, you will eat AddOn™ loops. The Poco Series your food as hot as it has been channels everything we know cooked. The Optimus (H)EAT about packs into a line of child allows you to keep your meals carriers that are comfortable, sup- hot to the very last morsel – portive, light, well ventilated and even while outdoors. No matter supremely easy to adjust for fit. how foul the weather is, the Thoughtfully designed to ensure convenient slip-in side pockets the safety and comfort of their protect your hands against the precious cargo, the fully-featured wind and cold while keeping Pocos are child carriers done your food warm. right. 8 www.downwindsports.com New Summer Products www.downwindsports.com Big Agnus Big House 4 Tent

Large enough to shelter the entire family, the Big Agnes Big House 4 is a fully-featured three-season camping tent. Vast interior space and a 68” peak height speak to the roominess of the Big House 4 and ample mesh in the roof, walls and dual doors increases the livability of the tent. Werner Fiji Stand Up Paddle

The Fiji with Recreational Fi- berglass reinforced injection molded blade and a fiber- glass wrapped shaft offers performance at an introduc- tory price. A low cadence shape gives you immediate Stonewear Designs power and good stability. Great shape for straight The Double Cross Top ahead tracking. features a unique combination of wide and narrow straps for extra support. A slim fit and our signature bra provide the perfect top for every active sport. Moisture wicking and breathable fabric.

GoPro Hero HD 2

GoPro cameras are used by more professional athletes, sports filmmakers and core enthusiasts than any other camera in the world. The HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition is the most advanced GoPro camera yet. Wearable and gear mountable, waterproof to 197′ (60m), capable of capturing professional full 170º wide angle 1080p video and 11 megapixel photos at a rate of 10 photos per second, the HD HERO2 is the world’s most ver- satile camera. Whether your goal is to capture a great day out with friends or you’re gunning for the cover of a magazine, the HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition can help you nail it and look like a HERO. Teva Fuse Ion

At Teva they spend an awful lot of time around people that live for adventure. When Teva asked them for the biggest problem with high-performance shoes, they kept hearing the same one: “I can’t wear them to the bar.” So, what’d Teva do? They designed a shoe that they would gladly wear to the bar, then they figured out a way to make it the highest performing water shoe ever built. No big deal. 9 www.downwindsports.com {seen}

Karl Crosby sees the light. Little Presque Isle Lake Superior {seen}

Spencer Denbeste rides the skinny rail at the Down Wind Sports Jr. Mountain Bike Team Lesson Marquette Michigan {seen}

Blake Thompson discovering the rewards of an early morning launch, Oscoda Michigan. {seen}

Down Wind Sports employee Blake Thompson discovering the rewards of an early Nic Dobb’s getting after it morning launch, Oscoda Michigan. on the ultra classic Pinnacle. {seen}

A yearling moose looks for its mother. Presque Isle Marquette {seen}

Luke Tikkanen tearing it up on the Superior Bike Fest downhill course Marquette Michigan www.downwindsports.com 2012 SUP Preview The snow starting to melt and here at the store we are busy unpackng beautiful stand up boards! It’s time to gear up for the 2012 season—but what board should you buy? Have no fear, we’ve taken the guesswork out of it with the launch of the Down Wind Sports 2012 OnThe Water SUP Preview. Need a flatwater board for your days on Teal Lake? We got you covered. Looking for a one SUP quiver that will hold it’s own in the big lake or Harlow Lake? We’ve got that too! Researched all of the boards and still unsure of what you want? Stop by Tuesday evenings for our SUP Demos. This is your opporunty to test paddle any new 2012 SUP. We are a firm believer of “try before buying” so call either of our store locations to get the low down on how you can test paddle one our our Stand Up Boards.

The new Boardworks Raven 12’6” is The Boardworks Rusty is designed for all purpose cruising, a proven, go-to, bottom recreational racing, fishing, or just plain design for that getting out on the water. This model is has stood the test of time designed for speed and stability in flatter for decades. It generates water making it the perfect all purpose a lot of speed yet enables board for lakes, bays, harbors, and that the rider to make smooth, deep docile river. Like a Raven gliding controlled, rail-to-rail silently on currents of air, The Raven by transitions with minimal Boardworks will allow you to do the same effort. across the water. This sweet board also Price $1499.00-1649.00 was the recipient of the Men’s Journal Gear Of The Year Award! Dimensions: Price $1460.00 Height: 10’0” 10’4” Nose: 19 5/16” Dimensions: Width: 29 3/8” Height: 12’6” Tail: 18 3/4” Nose: 13 9/16” Thickness: 4 1/16” Width: 30 3/16” Fins Included: 2+1 Tail: 15 5/8”

The Boardworks Joy Ride is a SUP board with stability and fun on the brain. 34 inches wide with flat rock- ers and thick foils, this is a board that is sure to satisfy a paddler that has an eye for a stable platform. With its shorter length this is a board that is easy to maneuver, carry and store. Whether you’re in deep waters or shallow, be ready to have the Joy put back in your Ride! Need a good board for out at camp? The Joy Ride make the perfect dive platform for the kids! Price $1150.00-1200.00 Dimensions Length: 9’ 11” 10’ 11” Width: 34 16 www.downwindsports.com 2012 SUP Preview www.downwindsports.com

TIPS FOR BUYING YOUR SUP Lakeshore Paddleboard Company’s The type of SUP that you should purchase depends The Heavenly is the most stable all on where you will be paddling. If you are intending to around recreational flat-water SUP on paddle flat water, this usually requires a slightly the market. Designed with the whole bigger board than those who intend to ride the waves family in mind and enjoyable for of Lake Superior. Of course, smaller, surf specific anyone at any skill level. The boards are better used with waves, but tend to be less Heavenly is a true representation of stable. If you are a beginner, just keep in mind that the LPC lifestyle – fun, adventurous, you need an SUP that is big enough to keep the pad- healthy, and free. dler afloat while in flat water without waves. Experience the comfort, ease, and Size is also a big consideration when it comes to convenience of this popular Resort choosing a stand up paddle board. The safest board board. length to choose is 11 to 12 feet because it can float a Price $1375.00 wide range of rider weight. It can lift those with a small frame (even kids) all the way up to a full grown 220 Dimensions: pound person. Usually, smaller riders choose a smaller Height: 12’6” board too. The usual Stand Up Paddle Board length is Width: 32” 10.5 feet and 4-5 inches thick. Interestingly, this board Thick: 5” size also works great for riders with advanced skill. If you want a multipurpose SUP board while you are still learning, go for the bigger ones initially.

Lakeshore Paddleboard Company’s The Our favorite board from last year River Rover is the ultimate expedition SUP. makes a return to our line up- the This board is designed to carry a lot of Lakeshore Paddleboard Company’s weight and has numerous tie-downs for Wet Woody Sport! Designed as one of all your gear. Effortless glide, excellent LPBC sport models, this board is fast, tracking, and extreme stability & buoyancy agile, and very responsive….yet still makes this board the premiere watercraft very stable. A sport inspired graph- for exploration and discovery. Whether ics scheme combined with the same it be fishing, camping, snorkeling, diving, beautiful wood finish as its larger exploring, or touring at Pictured Rocks counterpart gives this board the looks National Lakeshore – this is the board for that match its performance. The Wet your next Woody Sport is a perfect fit for the adventure. typical sports enthusiast and a great Price $1475.00 size for training, fitness, and all around recreation. Dimensions: Price $1275.00 Height: 14’ Width: 31” Dimensions: Thick: 5” Height: 11’6” Width: 30” Thick: 5” 17 www.downwindsports.com www.downwindsports.com 2012 Bike Preview How To Choose Your Bike Stopping by the store in the spring and seeing a plethra of on display can be intimidating. However, buying a bike is actually very simple. Here’s are your steps. Determine what type of bike you need; decide how much you want to spend on it; get on the right size; test ride a few; and take one home. It’s really that simple, but read on for the details. Determine What Type of Bike You Need. What type of bike you need, of course, depends on how you are going to be using it. These days there are numerous types of bikes on the market from which to choose. Moreover, different companies call them by different names, so what type of bike you’re looking at can be con- fusing. Here are some descriptions of the most common types of bikes you’ll see to help you determine what kind you need, excluding children’s bikes and other specialty bikes. Road Bikes, once called ten speeds or racing bikes, are still around. These are those familiar bikes with the skinny tires and dropped handlebars where you lean over a lot. They’re light and fast, which makes them great for riding long distances, but they’re pretty much restricted to pavement use. These are good workout bikes. A road bike is a good choice if you want to add cycling to your fitness routine, to replace or supplement your run- ning, or for maybe trying your first triathlon. Geared toward the enthusiast, road bikes start at around $700. Mountain Bikes, no doubt you’ve seen them with their fat, knobby tires and flat handlebars. However, these days you’ll see several variations on that theme as mountain bikes have evolved into several species. They’re still offered with front suspension only, called hard tails, and in dual suspension models where there is suspension on both the front and rear wheels. These bikes have traditionally come with 26” wheels. However, in the past few years, mountain bikes have begun to be offered with larger 29” wheels. These bikes, called “’s”, have been mainly for sport riding with their big, fat, roll-over-anything wheels, but now we’re starting to see these big wheels as well, on what might be called urban mountain bikes . The difference in these urban bikes is that they use more narrow tires to make them faster on the street. Which type of mountain bike you pick: hard tail, dual suspension, 29’er, or urban mountain bike, depends on whether you’re taking up the sport of mountain biking, or riding predominantly on the street. Mountain bikes start at around $300. Hybrids & Comfort Bikes are basically the same kind of bike except that they have different size tires. Both types of bikes are designed for more casual riding with relatively high handlebars and a comfortable up- right riding position. Hybrids, with medium size tires, easily negotiate the rougher city streets- Comfort bikes have wider tires which absorb bumps better, giving the bike a smoother, more stable ride. The’re also good for riding on dirt roads. Both hybrids and comfort bikes make good city bikes. They’re ideal for pedaling around presque Isle, riding with the kids, or for running the occasional errand. They range from $400 to $600. Flat Bar Road Bikes are a relatively new type of bicycle. They are a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. With flat handlebars, they fit like a mountain bike where you lean over a little bit, but they ride like a road bike with their narrow tires. These bikes also easily accommodate luggage racks and fenders. Thus, a flat bar road bike makes a good city, commuter, or utility bike, yet it maintains a good bit of performance for longer rides. This category of bike normally starts close to $600. Determine Your Size/Test Ride. Bike shop quality bikes come in different sizes to fit different size peo- ple. You determine what size bike you need by simply standing over it. In general, you want to clear that top bar by an inch or two, depending on the type bike and the type of riding you’ll be doing. You’ll find that the “stand over height” will vary from bike to bike, even though they may be the same size bikes. That’s because different manufacturers measure their bikes differently. Thus, you may ride a different size bike in a different brand. That’s OK. The other critical dimension to be aware of when sizing your bike, is the reach from the seat to the bars. Like the stand over height, the reach will vary from bike to bike. In any case, the overriding goal is to end up on the most comfortable bike. You can best assess the size and fit of a bike by taking it for a test ride, which is the last step in selecting your new bike.

Next Step, Take one home!

18 www.downwindsports.com 2012 Bike Preview www.downwindsports.com Weather you are a little girl looking at her first pink bike with streamers on the handlebars, or a grandfather looking to enjoy some scenery on the bike path, Down Wind Sports has the perfect bike to get you riding. The following bikes break it down by bike type to help you learn what type of bike is best for you.

Giant Defy. This bike redefines the performance possibilities of any entry-level road bike. Made with the ALUXX SL aluminum frame and featuring components made to optimize its performance, it climbs, corners and sprints like bikes costing thousands more. The Defy is available in a women’s and men’s version (Avail for women) starting at $650.00 you can enjoy road riding all summer long!

With the Escape series from Giant bicycles, you can turn mundane trips into mini adventures. The Escape is a fun, efficient way to leave your daily stresses behind. The bike is sporty enough to commute or just cruise around town. Escapes start at $390.00.

The Sedona series from Giant is designed around the comfortable stance of a mountain bike including the fat tires and upright position, but is equally at home just cruising the street. With easily adjustable positioning, you can get your upper body in a position that is really comfortable. The Sedona is loaded with comfort. The suspension in the seat post and front fork make for a plush ride anywhere. Sedonas are sold in Men’s and Women’s frames and start at $400.00.

When the Roam bike was designed, someone must have been making a bike for the U.P. It is the perfect UP commuter. The taller wheel size lets it roll better than a regular Mountain bike. The tires are less aggressive, but aggressive enough to hit a little dirt. The Roam is great for someone that wants to go for a spin on the road, but there may be some dirt along the way. Roams are light and fun starting at $480.00.

19 www.downwindsports.com www.downwindsports.com 2012 Bike Preview I always say that the hard-tail mountain bike is like the SUV of bikes. They spend most of their time on paved and dirt roads, but are capable of tackling any single track trail out there. Weather you are riding to your friend’s house, or racing the Ore To Shore, these bikes are a great way to go. The Revel series from Giant is just one of the versatile hard-tails that we carry. The Revels start at $380.

The Full-suspension bikes will take your trail riding to a whole new level. The Yukon FX is a great bike to see what it is like to have air suspension for the rear wheel and balanced suspension in the front. When you can float over the roughest trails out there and not beat up your body you will be riding happy. The Yukon is our least expensive Full-suspension bike at $950.00

The Trance bike is the highest performance, most versatile mountain bike on the planet. If you are looking for the best blend of efficiency, travel, weight and capability, you will defiantly find it with the Trance. The Trance boasts five inches of wheel travel and has the perfect angles for descending tricky lines. The bike holds traction and climbs like a mountain goat. You will really love the Trance for all day epic trail rides. The Trance is available in Men’s and Women’s frames and starts at $1450.00. The Reign X is the Free-rider’s cross-country bike, or the cross- country riders Free-ride bike. The Reign is burly enough to dive into any line out there and charge through with confidence. The unique thing about this bike is the pedaling efficiency for such a big travel bike. The Reign X has 6.7” of rear wheel travel, but climbs like a bike that has 4” travel. The positioning of the frame gives you confidence and traction. You can’t ride one without smiling. Reign X series start at $2600.00

Kid’s bikes is where the passion starts. Most kids are on their bikes after they finish their cereal in the morning till Mom calls them for dinner. If you think about it, the kids put a lot more time on their bikes than we do as adults. That is why they need a safe, fun, well built bike to ride. In the past few years Giant has been working hard to keep the weight down, and focus on kid friendly features that make riding more fun and easier. There are styles for all sizes of kids to get them into any type of riding they want to do. They have smaller brake levers for small hands, derailleur protectors and kickstands standard. Youth bikes start at $150.00. 20 www.downwindsports.com 2012 Bike Preview 2012 Kayak Preview www.downwindsports.com Tips For Buying A Kayak When choosing your kayak keep in mind where you might be paddling. Will you be paddling inland lakes and rivers? Do you have plans to paddle on one of the Great Lakes? Where you paddle will determine what type of kayak you will need to get the job done. Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 Many consider the 12- Recreational Boats are usually 10-12 feet long foot Wilderness Systems Pungo the perfect balance of size and may have up to one bulk head. Generally and manageability. It is by far the best selling boat in the speaking they have large open cockpits that are Down Wind Sports fleet! Quick, stable, and not too big for not suited for open water like the Great Lakes. one person to handle, portage, or car-top. The phase 3 seat They are made for calm water, and are perfect for is the most comfortable seat on the market and will make inland lakes and rivers. hours of kayking a joy!This boat is a pleasure to paddle on Recreational Touring kayaks are 12-14 feet flat and slow-moving water like the Autrain River or on Teal long and are a hybrid between recreational kay- Lake. aks and touring kayaks. These boats will have Price $829.00 two bulk heads enabling them to paddle open Weight 49lbs water and will generally have larger cockpits. This type of boat is comforortable paddling inland lakes and rivers as well as a basic boat for the Great Lakes. Touring Sea Kayaks are 14-20 feet long and have two bulk heads. The longer length of these Eddyline Samba The Samba is a fully outfitted boats makes them very efficent in the water and sea-worthy kayak with perimeter lines, bulkheads and a perfect boat for the open waters of the Great hatches, retractable carry handles, deck bungies and Lakes. adjustable seat and backband. The backband and our optional backrest are fully interchangeable. She also Having determined the right type of kayak for sports a drop down skeg for a wider range of hull you, the next step is to ensure that it is the right performance. At home on inland lakes of for day paddling fit. Your purchase is an important one and it is on the Great Lakes- this boat is just plain fun! imperative that it meets all your personal require- Price $2199.00 ments. You should therefore first sit in the boat Weight 43lbs and test the seat, shifting around in it, adjust- ing the backrest, and footrest, making sure you achieve optimum comfort levels and that it “feels right”. Remember that you’re likely to spend long pleasurable hours in this kayak! Your final step before purchase should be to test paddle the boat. It is the one true test to determine if the P&H Cetus MV Perfect for new comers and experts to boat is really the “best” fit for you. We do offer launch their adventures, the Cetus MV has superb test paddles in both of our stores every Tuesday stability in all conditions and the ability to inspire evening. confidence is remarkable and truly unrivalled by any other The key thing about kayak buying is that like ev- sea kayak out there. ery other important purchase, it ought to be done Two main hatches plus a spacious day hatch and deck pod in consultation with an expert, thereby leading there is plenty of room for all your kit for an extended stay to the incredible and memorable experience and at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. thrill of kayaking. Price $3795.00 Weight 59lbs 21 www.downwindsports.com {parting shot}

In memory of our good friend and long time employee Dan “Danimal” Wissman. You are missed my friend.