VeloVie Cycles: Recession Proof Performance!

Don't let the title mislead you about the recession blabbity blah. Yes, in fact VeloVie Cycles produces complete bikes and frames at costs that would out-in-outright blow past the competition in the final kilometer like Sparticus at Milan-San Remo. These bikes are...wait for it...le-...-git! Too legit to quit in fact.

After spending some quality phone time with former PRO, industry veteran and co-founder of VeloVie Cycles, Daniel Barnes, we got lost in the typical industry schmaz that all former shop rats like Dan and I respectively are...but he explained to me that VeloVie not only produces tube-to-tube type carbon constructed frames that yield barelly there frame weights and crit quality stiffness, but that they are manufactured in and around the vicinity of and close to the same factories that make some of todays most well regarded frames. (Extreme run on sentance, closed.)

But why is VeloVie selling direct-to-consumer bikes and frames at prices that are reasonable for most college students on the six-year-plan to afford? Because like us, Dan and his co-broheems are performance minded racers that know better than to base quality, durability and performance on a price tag. Why pay $120 for a Ed Hardy T-shirt when the $25 American Apparell t-shirt is just as fly...and probably made in the same factory! Heck, I mean, if you're the type of guy that likes to wear blinged out t-shirts...by all means, douche on! But what I'm trying to get across here is that VeloVie bikes are just as, if not more, performance minded than the more expensive alternative.

"Well so-and-so sponsors this-and-that PRO squad," you say? Well take a look at the historic Amore e Vita-McDonald's team...duh duh duh da da, I'm lovin' it! You know, the very PRO Italian squadra you see wearing the very PRO all white bibs and riding the very PRO all white VeloVie Vitesse 300SE's. You get the point. I hope that's PRO enough for you.

If you're ready to pick up your next race rig and you're squirming to not wet your pants as you peruse manufacturer's websites because you've lost all of your retirement savings and your 401K is shite while the value of your home has depleted to mere pennies in comparison...(gasp)...I suggest you take a look at VeloVie.com and their very handy Customizable Bike Builder. You can kit your bike out anyway you want from nearly all of the top end group and kit retailers on the market.

And even if you're not like the rest of us, picking pennies from your couch cushions. And you're fortunate enough to have a fortune in your back pocket and you want a no-nonsense race machine bred for performance...you might want to take a gander at VeloVie as well.

Check it!

Team TOMS at DailyPeloton.com!

http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=14013

The good folks at DailyPeloton.com recently took interest in Team TOMS Shoes and our cause. They were kind enough to spread the love on their uber cool, totally on-top-of-it website. Check it.

Nice Gams...and Shoes!

I bet she rides bikes. Just sayin'...

Clap Your Hands for Champion Systems!

I feel like I need to A: apologize to Champion Systems for putting them though the hell that I've put them through. And B: thank them for all of their hard work and patience as they help to get our jersey designs lookin' fresh ta' def'. Seriously, to Sal (see below, studly in carnation):

...and to everyone else at Champion Systems...many, many thanks yous for being such an amazing company!

Random Team Photo of the Day.

It's almost that time of year.

Good Starting Weekend for Sean in Florida!

Team TOMS Shoes' sprinter extroirdinaire, Sean O'Niell had a great first outing at the Rosewood Winter Series. Barring some technical problems before and during the start on the very technical and uber fast critirium course, Sean managed to keep the bike upright and finished just out of the top-ten.

After Sean felt out a few laps on the course from the back end of the pack, he decided it was time to start moving upwards all the while the bunch was chasing down an escape of two riders that had gotten away in the early parts of the race. Sean worked his saddle off getting to the front of the group, setting himself up nicely for the finishing sprint. Sean told team management, "I could've conserved more energy at the start of the race because when I stood up to sprint, my legs just weren't there." Sean still managed a great position for his first race of the 2009 calender year and everyone at Team TOMS is excited to watch his progression.

New to the sport, Sean has shown great improvements since he first threw a leg over a proper racing bike. Sean is a natural athlete with a great competitive mindset. He loves to challenge himself by setting goals and constantly improving on the bike. Don't let his competitive side give you the wrong impression, Sean is one of the nicest guys on planet earth and Team TOMS Shoes/SpecializedRiders.com is very proud to have him on board!

Look for Sean tearing up crit races and road races all year long in the greater Miami area, he'll even be doing some races in Chicago this summer!

Congratulations Sean, on a safe race and a hard effort!

Williams Cycling Wheels, official wheel supplier in 2009!

I am pleased to announce the partnership of Team TOMS Shoes/SpecializedRiders.com and Williams Cycling Wheels for the 2009 racing season! Williams Cycling, based out of Stockton, California, is a direct-to-customer wheel system supplier that prides itself in quality wheels that are lighter, faster and stronger than it's competitors at a more competitive price point.

Keith Williams, owner and president of Williams Cycling, is an ambassador to the sport often volunteering his time as neutral support at local races. But don't let William's local roots sway you from the performance ability and benefits his wheels provide to the most discerning of riders! Frankie Andreau, Daniel Holloway, Chance Noble, Adam Meyerson and Rachel Lloyd all have put Williams Wheels to the test and the results have proven in their respective domination at the sport's highest of levels.

Team TOMS riders will benefit from the full collection of hoops that Williams Cycling provides; from lightweight alloy mountain goat climbers to aero carbon crit mongrols! Two favorites of Team TOMS thus far, are the quick accelerating yet bomb-proof Williams System 19 niobium alloy clinchers and the full carbon clincher System 38's! All wheelsets come complete with hybrid ceramic bearings to keep Team TOMS riding smooth in all road and crit courses, cyclocross tracks and triathlons in 2009!

To get a set of your own just take a web stroll to WilliamsCycling.com and buy a set of your own today!

Rainy Day in North Carolina

So what better to do on a rainy day? You can't ride, right, so why not go check out the local bike shops when you're new to a town? Great idea! And I did.

Right down the road there was a shop in a tiny strip mall that simply read: BICYCLES in white letters on a blue storefront panel. Inside of BICYCLES, I was pleasently surprised with what is more notably known as the Clemmons Bicycles Shop. Right away I was floored with the beautiful store and wide variety of high-end to beginner bicycles, components and apparel. This shop has everything!

Clemmons Bicycles is owned by two young cyclists, Travis and Josh. I had a great time talking "shop", pun intended, with these two. I was excited and surprised to learn that Josh is also a single speed cross nut like myself. He's out there at the NCCX series races churning his 34:17 like a badass in the Pro1/2 races. Nuts.

Over the years, I've had a great deal of experience with bike shops as a consumer and a shop rat myself. Some shops know what they are doing and what's going on in the biz. Other shops really don't have a clue. Travis and Josh, they've got it going on at Clemmons Bicycles. We talked about the industry, about local racing and riding and the more I talked the more I felt like I had found my new local bike shop. I would trust these fellas with any and every bike problem, build, etc. Not because they said they'd pay me to write this (because they didn't), but because they are just as passionate about bikes and riding as I am. Not overly concerned with mark-up, quotas and selling the most expensive bike they have (you should see the beautiful Storck bikes, they are one of the few shops in America to sell and own some of these German engineered speed mongrols)...just to make a buck. I walked away with the impression that they truly want to cater to every rider's needs from blossoming newbie to the hard-seasoned veteran.

If you're in the Piedmont Triad area, living, travelling or here for a race-don't hesitate to stop by and see Travis and Josh. Or check out their website at: clemmonsbicycle.com. I feel confident in saying that they will take care of you.

Now, I'm off to do my other favorite thing to do on a rainy day: watch old Tour de France documentaries. Don't scoff at my nerdiness. :)

Hope everyone enjoyed their New Years, time to get working on those base miles!