(Hey everybody, here's an announcement that I wrote about my upcoming Tour de France viewing party. I'd love to see a lot of you there. The ride is optional, and it's kid friendly)
Tour de France viewing party benefits diabetes research
SAUGATUCK, Mich. — Cycling's Tour de France is one of the most mythic sporting events of all time, and with seven-time champion Lance Armstrong seeking to return to glory after four years of retirement, the excitement level is even higher. West Michigan cycling fans will have a chance to celebrate the Tour's storied final stage while supporting the fight against type 1 diabetes.
On JULY 26 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Spectators Bar and Grill in Saugatuck will host a benefit viewing party of the Tour de France's stage 21, which ends on the Champs-Elysees, with proceeds to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's West Michigan cycling team. The breakfast buffet costs $8, with a portion of each benefiting the JDRF team. Spectators is located at 6432 Blue Star Hwy in Saugatuck. For more information, call (269) 857-5001.
Spectators owner and chef Clare Ray said the restaurant is happy to host the event. "I've been a fan of the Tour de France since Greg LeMond was the first American to win back in the '80s," Ray said. "This gives us a chance to not only celebrate cycling, but to help JDRF in its quest for a cure for type one diabetes."
This year, some 58 riders are raising funds to participate in hundred-mile events in Killington Vt. or Death Valley, Calif. Since 2005, the West Michigan JDRF ride team has raised some $778,000 for the charity, and this year so far has raised nearly $100,000 more. Team member and event organizer Brian J. Bowe said the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes program is physically challenging, but also rewarding. "The team is filled with dedicated people who are focused on helping find a cure for diabetes, all while reaping the amazing physical benefits of spending lots of time on the bike," he said. "
Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, is a devastating, often deadly disease that affects millions of people — a large and growing percentage of them children. Insulin keeps people with type 1 diabetes alive, but it's not a cure. Along with the challenges of living with diabetes, there are many severe and/or fatal complications caused by the disease. Thanks to advanced research, a cure for type 1 diabetes is within reach. The JDRF funding and its leadership is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in diabetes research. JDRF funds a major portion of all type 1 diabetes research worldwide, more than any other charity.
Note: A an optional pre-breakfast road bike ride will leave from Velo City Cycles, 77 E 8th Street in Holland, at 7:30 a.m.
http://spectatorsrestaurant.com/
Friday, July 10, 2009
Allez! Allez!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Road ID Tour de France Challenge
Sunday Ride @ Casa de Clark
Just a reminder about our upcoming team ride, this Sunday at Casa de Coach Clark in Holland. Roll out is at 10:00 am, and the fajita bash will follow afterward. 60ish and 45ish mile options will be available. This will be a great opportunity to work on that riding-with-who-you'll-ride-with stuff, paceline practice, etc. that was mentioned in a recent team e-mail too.
A map to the house was included in that last team e-mail. Contact MC or Nicole if you need directions.
See you there!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The XS is here!
First off, thanks to XS Energy Drinks for once again sponsoring the West Michigan Ride Team. Their participation has helped us raise over $8,000 over the last four years. This year XS has again donated a pallet load of energy drinks. That's 224 cases. We don't have room at our house for that much product, so let us know soon how much you would like. Remember, you can drink it yourself or sell it as a fundraiser. Either way all the money goes directly to your ride account.
There are lots of great flavors, including:
Cran-Grape, Tropical, Citrus, Cherry, Lemon, Cola, Black Cherry Cola, TeaBerry, Peach Tea, New Wild Berry, and Caffeine-free Root Beer.
For more info or to schedule a pick up time contact Tom or Mary.
Monday, June 29, 2009
TODAY'S PROOF THAT IT IS A SMALL WORLD!
So, check this, y'all..........On friday morning @ about 2:00 Team Type 1 won the Race Across America for the 2nd time in 3 years. The 8 man team set a new world record of 5 days, 9 hours and 5 minutes for the 3, 021 miles (or 4, 821 km if you prefer). As our resident math geeks SC and LTP can tell you, that's an average speed of 23.41 mph.
As you probably know - every member of the Team is Type 1.
Read more about it here: http://velonews.com/article/93839/team-type-1-wins-race-across-america-betters-team-record
As you probably didn't know - one of the riders, Jeff Bannink, is from Holland freakin' Michigan and worked at my shop in the '80's! He was the first person I ever met w/ Type 1 and some of you have probably heard the story of when he went way low, trashed the shop, passed out in his car, ended up in the ER and went on to place 13th in the National JR Time Trial race 2 days later. (If you haven't, and you wanna........you know where to find me. It's a good'un!)
Is this a weird / crazy / cool world or what?
Great job yesterday, hangin' tough in the wind and all. Sure would've rather been there than in the plane. See you soon!
MC
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Post-Ride Report, 6/28/2009
Well, Coach MC couldn't join us for today's rides of 54ish and 38ish miles, but it seems that some brutally gusty headwinds were happy to show up in his place. I'm just speaking for me here, but I prefer his company MUCH more.
Still, even with not-quite-DV-07-but-close gusts, and a few somewhat wacky things (flying water bottles and inhalers for Steve and Lin, an uncooperative wheel & tube set for Herb, a granny gear that just wasn't havin' it on Kris' bike, Pea's H2O cage deciding to start flying in the breeze, and my own computer taking a nose dive into the weeds), the people that made the trek today made it all good. As usual. :)
Speaking of people...Roll call (I hope I got everyone!): Heather, Brian, Did (riding faster with the absence of his flowing locks that hindered his aerodynamics), Katie, Steve, Cindy, Tom Miller, Karen (left early with a temperamental knee again--get better!), Chris Radford, Lin, Kris (no, she's not an aunt again yet), Cath, Chris Machuta, Herb, Doug, Pea, Linda, Nick, and yours truly.
Next ride is 7/12 in Holland at Casa de Clark for the Tour de Taco. This is hands-down one of the best rides and post-rides of the year...highly recommended if you haven't been there before (and if you have, I'm not telling you anything new)! Details to come.
Also, if you want to work the Holland Hundred, make sure you let Jasker know this week. And, if you're taking the bus to Killington and still owe some cash, another installment would be greatly appreciated. It's still $125 a head.
T-shirts are in the works and should be off to the printer this week. Stay tuned!
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