How Santa REALLY Delivers All Those Gifts

Merry Christmas, my friends!

LETS GET IT ON!

Okay kids, here's the latest on the greatest. (Team, that is!)

Mary and I met w/ Rod Stephens and Brian Walker @ Herman Miller yesterday. They are in as a Big Team Sponsor for 2008 and are committed to at least 20 riders again. We are also planning to do a West Michigan Team / Herman Miller / Velo City jersey for team riders to wear @ training rides, events and for the Friday Shake-down rides. We'll also make extras for everyone to sell as a fund-raising deal. It's gonna be cool!

(Rumours that it will be plaid are just that......rumours!) (For the moment anyway)

The other big news is that we've decided to focus our Collective Team Attention on the September Whitefish Ride and Death Valley. These are the Rides that score highest in the Team Survey and we think that focusing on 2 Rides will increase the chances of everyone having the kind of experience that we all know is possible. The dates are Sept 11/14 for MT and Oct 16/19 for DV so it's time to make your plans, weigh your options and decide! We still can't officially register but the Nat'l folks are slavin' away to get all the details set so that they can open up for business. 'Til then have your eager-beaver donors send you a check and let Mary know which Ride you favor so we can make sure that everyone gets in!

Having the Rides that we're planning on oughta make it easier to get new riders on board as well so let's do talk to all those folks that we know are thinkin' about it and get 'em on board before the train leaves the station!

Have a great holiday, a Merry Christmas and a Happy Happy New Year! Thanks again (and again and again and again..................!) for all you did for the Team and JDRF this past season and for lettin' me be a part of it w/ you. Don't forget the shop's New Years' Day ride, the indoor rides, the Ultimate Cycling Indoor Challenge in Feb and all the other cool stuff that's goin' on!

Blessings and Peace to you all,
Mike

Happy Holidays

A little extra-curricular holiday fun this past weekend, as the entire Scheidel clan visited Chicago. Tom, Mary, Colleen, Jake, and Ian are rockstars, enjoying every minute of their trip, even in a snowstorm. While the 7" of snow prevented us from logging any miles on the lakefront trail, we did manage to meet up at the Christkindl Market, take a stroll to Macy's to see the windows and the tree, marvel at The Bean and other artwork at Millennium Park, stuff our faces at one of my favorite loop pubs, and even get a little smarter and thoughtful with our visit to the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum.

PS. Check out Tom's hat--public shout-out to our team!

We had a great time, even chatting a bit about our great time in 2007 and looking forward to an even more amazing 2008 season with our team.

Happy Holidays to all!

Chances to Ride!

You know us Velo City folks...............always tryin' tp make sure you don't have too many excuses to let'cher arse get outta saddle-shape! Here's what's up 'round the shop these days rides-wise:

Sunday 12/16 : The December "Fun-Raiser" is the "Coffee & Chocolate Ride". It rolls from the shop @ 2:00pm for 20-25 miles and then a veritable feast of all things bean-based. JP's Coffee Shop will supply coffee and hot chocolate and there will be various sweets and other cocoa-based goodies. There will also be a (much!) shorter route option for them that are more interested in chocolate that riding in December! No charge, 'natch!

Tuesday 1/1: The (In)famous New Year's Day Ride is a 25+ year tradition! Join us @ 1:00pm (1-1-1, get it?) for a ride to seize the moral high ground and get the year off on the right foot! Route and distance to be determined (somewhat weather-related) but we'll start w/ the traditional parade on Downtown Holland's heated streets! Various snacks to follow!

Every Wed night and Sat morning we have group Indoor Training Rides @ 8:00. Bring your bike and trainer and join in the "fun". We do a different workout DVD each session and the company makes the time go by fast! (Which is what you'll be next Spring in you join us!)
Wanna store your bike and trainer here for the winter? Okay!

Keep in touch w/ me if you have any questions about indoor training, off-season workouts, etc. That's what I'm here for!

MC

Time to step up!

Okay, I wanna get the Team Roster for the Ultimate Cycling Challenge set up as soon as I can so let me know via e-mail if you are interested and what time slots you can and cannot take. The event runs from 8pm Fri 2/15 'til 8pm Sat 2/16. It's gonna be a minimum donation of 30 bux each and we need at least 4 to make a team.

I have an official "Yes" from Katie & Steve, Nicole, DiD, Jack C, new rider Ross S, Tom & Mary and myself.

I've gotten 2nd hand "I'm in" notification from Rob and Sarah. (As in "Oh, I'm sure _____ will wanna do it!")

Anyone else?

Bueller?

Bueller?

Shoot me an e-mail (mike@velo-citycycles.com) and I'll start making a schedule and such.

Be sure to have a safe and happy holiday, be well and stay healthy!

MC

Who needs money?

As in, "who wants to raise some?" while slinging beers, making salty pretzels, and wearing the super-stylish apron/trucker hat combo that's quickly becoming our second team uniform?

We're up to about $11,000 raised through working at Van Andel Arena concessions, and really, the big event season is just kicking in. In only the last week or so, we've brought in almost $2,000! There are huge events on the schedule for the dark months - Kid Rock, Van Halen, Grand Rapids Griffins games, and more - that'll give all of us the chance to get a big head start on our 2008 goals.

What's more, if you've got a friend who wants to support you, but can't swing a donation, they can work alongside you, and you'll get the credit. We're running at around $10 an hour, so one event can be worth $50 or more per person. The money gets distributed according to hours worked over a period of time, not based on what events you work, so even working a small event that doesn't raise much, you'll get the same hourly rate as someone who works a crazy busy thing.

If you're interested (and you should be), contact your mentor (yeah, we're still mentors after the ride season ends!) or Mary at the JDRF office and we'll get you the schedule of events and all the info you need to join the fun!

Take the Ultimate Cycling Challenge!

We're gonna put togehter at leats one team for the U.C.C., which is comin' up in about 6 weeks. What is it, you ask? Great question! "It" is an indoor 12 or 24 hour cycling even to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It takes place here in Holland @ Ultimate Fitness on the north side and is Feb 16 & 17. We put together a team in 2007 and had a blast. It's a great way to keep in touch w/ your teammates and maybe spread the word about our team and JDRF. It's a relay.one rider @ a time and I'll provide the trainers and stuff.

I think it'd be cool to have more than one team, but that depends on the level of interest. The cost is $30 per rider and we have to have the team roster in by 1/25/08.

So...........let me know if you are interested and I'll get things organized. I think we oughta do the 24 hour event. It starts @ 8:00pm on Friday the 16th.

Check out www.cteam4.com for more info or gimme a shout.

Let's do it!

MC