The big chill is off, and the heat is on. It’s time to get outside and do some cruisin'. Our list of events for May is especially varied – including plays, celebrations, shopping excursions, festivals, as well as rides. No wonder May is Bike Month.

One place I love to cruise on my town bike is to the local Saturday morning farmers' markets. Both the Carmel Farmers' Market (at Center Green near Monon) and the Zionsville Farmers Market kick-off this year on Saturday morning, May 18. Sling a bag over your shoulder, ride on over, and fill up on great locally produced, natural produce.

This year our shop and the Zionsville Farmers' Market have designated Saturday, May 25, as "Bike-to-Market Day". We will have prizes for all who bike to the market as well as special prizes for Longest/Shortest Trip, Oldest/Youngest Rider, Best Market Rig, Spirit Award, and Longest Family Train.

To add to the fun of May, we will host a ladies' evening on Thursday evening, May 23, at 7:30 following our Thursday night rides. After participating in our 17 mile Fun & Fitness Ride, we invite our female customers and riders to come on in the shop to sample wine, beer, beverages and snacks. We will have a short program with a panel of great speakers – Mike Schmalandt of Castelli Clothing will present on Castelli's approach to fashion and function with its world-beating cycling apparel, and we will have panelists to answer your every question on nutrition, riding and training – all to help you get more fun out of your bike!

In the meantime, check out our great and deep selection of women's road, mountain, fitness and cruiser bikes. It has never been better.

Never sure about wasting money on a high-end new saddle that may not fit your bum? Why not take out one of our demonstration saddles from Fi:zik, Selle Italia or WTB and see if it will cure what ails you. We will help you get the demo saddle properly put on, and give you a week or two to sample it.

Likewise, are you curious about those champion carbon aero wheels from Zipp built right here in Indianapolis? The new Zipp carbon clincher wheelsets combine the usefulness of clincher wheelsets with Tour winning performance of the lightest and most aero carbon wheels. Why not try them out with our demo program! From the deeper dish Zipp 808s, to the ever-popular 404s, the rugged and versatile 303s, the climbers' dream 202s, or the utilitarian 101s, we've got a set for you to try out for a week or two. Ask any of our staff about this great program.

Late last year, Nebo Ridge Bicycles was again named by the industry's top trade magazine, Bicycling Retailing, as a Top 100 Bike Shop. The year before Bicycling Magazine – also named us as a Top 100 Shop. We are proud of these designations and invite you to come in our shop and discover why we've received this award.

Besides our great service, expert mechanics, premier fitting services, and broad support of bicycling in our community – we have put the "indie" in the designation of independent retailer. We have done our homework and selected FOR YOU a superior set of bicycling-related products to delight and serve your cycling needs. We are not beholden to any one bike manufacturer or supplier. Come in and see what the buzz is all about.

Our customers have been raving about our new cycling clothing apparel collection –functional and stylish apparel from Castelli, Giordana, Sugoi and Endura. We have added Giordana this season and invite you to try on a jersey or short from Giordana's FormaRed-Carbon collection – award-winning pieces designed and made in Italy that set the bar for technical innovation and form-fitting comfort. See some of their great collection online.

Another new line for us this season is eyewear from SPY+. Their pieces are crafted with care, in-your-face fashionable, and priced reasonably. You can check out SPY+ on their website.

Our full-time professional mechanics are ready for the season and ready to help you get your bike running the way you want. Remember that our unique open mechanics' area invites interaction, questions, answers, and some fun bantering. You are always welcome at our shop, and we want you to feel this from the front door, to the coffee bar, to the service area.

Unlike most shops, we use an appointment system for our tune-ups to keep you on your bike as long as possible – but don't wait until the season is in full-swing to make your appointment. Get your bike in or call now at (317) 471-1089 for your tune-up appointment.

Cannondale Super Six EVO Black: According to VeloNews, the "lightest bike ever."

There is a lot to be excited about when it comes to new or substantially updated 2013 bike models from our key suppliers. Cannondale and Scott continue to update and improve their award-winning carbon road bikes like the Cannondale Super Six, the CAAD10, and the Synapse road bikes, and the Scott Foil and CR1 road bikes and Scale and Spark mountain bikes. The Cannondale Super Six EVO Black has just made the cover of the VeloNew Annual Buyers' Guide and is claimed by VeloNews the "lightest bike ever." (And we've got one in the shop for you to pick-up with your pinky finger.) Bicycling Magazine has lauded the Cannondale CAAD10 road bike and its 1150 gram aluminum frame as leading the resurging interest in great but affordable aluminum bikes. The Scott Foil is recognized as one of the best aero bikes in the world but still light and rigid enough to climb and sprint well. It's the true all-rounder. And we've got them all on the floor for you to drool over, paw at, and even test ride.

Of course, you might find yourself enamored with some of our Pinarello or Wilier road bike beauties from Italy (www.pinarellousa.com and www.wilier-usa.com, respectively), or Ridley cyclocross bikes, which are cobblestone-tested in Belgium (www.ridley-bikes.com).

Besides road bikes, we also have more Electra Townies in more colors than ever on the floor (www.electrabicycles.com) and have stocked up big time with fitness and path bikes like the Quick from Cannondale or the Metrix and Sub from Scott. Just by the fact you are reading this newsletter in February, suggests you are crazy about bikes – a true enthusiast. But we have a passion at Nebo Ridge Bicycles to serve up to every member of your family an outstanding bike – with great value – for just about any use imaginable.

Check our Photo Album on Facebook:

I've consulted staff and customers and come up with a Top Event List of some of the very best cycling events of 2013. These are events that folks say have been the highlight of their riding year – big, awesome, life-changing, and mostly accessible to a broad variety of riders with a bit (or in some instances, a lot) of training. – Tim

March 2013

Sub-Nine Death March – Hoosier National Forest – March 9

Two-person teams scramble over miles of forest gravel road and trail to see who can find a number of historic cemeteries in the Hoosier National Forest. There are different ways to ride it – to approach it – and to cover the ground – but you can tailor your challenge and count on fun with over 300 eager participants from around the Midwest. See www.subdeathmarch.com for more info and to register.

5th Annual Barry-Roubaix -- Hastings, Michigan -- March 23

A very gnarly early season low-key endurance race which gets rave reviews. The Barry Roubaix offer up lots of gravel roads and hills in and around the area around lovely Barry County, Michigan. You will race once or twice (depending on level) a 35 mile hilly loop which is 85% gravel. Each loop offers 2200 feet of climbing. This one sells out so register soon at www.barry-roubaix.com.

Hillsboro Roubaix Road Race -- Hillsboro, Illinois – March 23

For hardy, early-season road racers, try the Hillsboro Roubaix on Saturday, March 23. For most, it's a 58 mile race on windy, bad chip and seal roads in southwest Illinois – with a famous climbing finish up brick side streets into the heart of Hillsboro. You can get more info here.

April 2013

Tour of the Battenkill Challenge Gran Fondo – Cambridge, NY – April 14

This traditionally large pro-am race in scenic NE New York (the course bumps up against Vermont) has this year scrapped its pro race and substituted a "Gran Fondo" ride, which uses certain timed segments to challenge citizen riders. Part gravel, mostly scenic roads – drive time is about 12 hours from Indy! Amateur USA Cycling racing will still be offered on Saturday. Go to www.tourthebattenkill.com to register. The Gran Fondo is limited to 1000 riders. The editor of Bicycling Magazine, Peter Flax, rates this course and amateur race as one of his favorites.

May 2013

3 State 3 Mountain Challenge Ride – Chattanooga, Tennessee – May 4

One of the toughest, biggest and best organized one-day century rides east of the Mississippi! Sample Chattanooga and surrounding states' (TN, GA, and AL) mountains with a one-day ride of 26, 67, 83 or 100 miles. Lots of Hoosiers love to head south for this early season ride. See www.chattbike.com for more information.

June 2013

Dirty Kanza 200 – Emporia, Kansas – June 1

This famous ultra-endurance one day challenge ride is known as the ultimate gravel grinder. It takes in a single, remote 200 mile hilly, gravel road loop in the Flint Hills region of eastern/central Kansas. Not for beginners. This year you are offered the "Half Pint" choice of a mere 100 miles. Go to www.dirtykanza200.com for more information.

28th Annual Ride the Rockies – Colorado – June 8-15

This ride takes in nearly 500 miles of asphalt over six to seven days with, obviously, lots of climbing. This non-competitive supported ride is a beauty in the midst of the Colorado Rockies. The field is limited to 2000 (last year over 3500 applied) and the precise course announcement will be announced on February 3, and entries will be accepted starting then. So check out the gorgeous and challenging 2013 route and logistics quickly at www.ridetherockies.com.

Click here for the full list: BEST BIKE RIDES 2013