2013 Team Ride Two...

Hey hey hey, it's all warm and stuff outside - let's have us another team ride, OK?

SUNDAY, May 5, right?

11 AM roll-out time
Starting from Rosy Mound Natural Area, just south of Grand Haven - mappitty map here.
20(ish) or 32(ish) miles - shorter options possible, too.

***CAN'T STOP WON'T STOP OPTION***

Gotta have more miles? Freaked out about the hundred mile MTB race you signed up for that's coming in like 6 weeks? Love sitting on 6 square inches of synthetic leather? Have we got a deal for you! Show up ready to roll by 9 am from Rosy Mound, and we'll do 20-25 quick miles before the official team ride at 11. How can you resist????

Post ride shindig with taco bar at our house - details will be at the ride, if you don't have them already.

Questions? Bug me!

Allez!

THE FIRST TEAM RIDE REPORT OF 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my my my..........T1D you are REALLY in trouble now,  you big jerk! The World's Coolest Team has made it know that you are on their list and it will NOT go well for you.

I almost feel sorry for ya..........almost.

This past Sunday was the 1st gathering of the aforementioned W.C.T......and there was much flexing of muscles, pumping of tires, consumption of chili and such - as befits such an occasion.

We gathered @ the home of Katie, Steve Ellie & Anna Clark (sorry - I forget the cat's names) and after meeting & greeting new friends and past teammates we saddled up for forays ranging from 12-29 miles. The weather sort of co-operated (especially held to this "Spring"s sad standard) and the temps were benign. The wind, however was somewhat less so and suffice to say that all concerned held their own but were okay w/ being done as the homestead hove into view.

The Roll Call:
Greg S (new rider!)
Simon S (ditto!)
Scott W (ditto ditto!)
Kim M (ditto x 3!)
Vern V (ditto again!)
Ellie C (ditto x5!)
Steve C
Katie C
Jeff W (guest star / past rider)
John J
Chris R
Julie R (guest star)
Linda T-P
Kaat T (finishing up her April Century)
Coach Did
Kirsten D
Becky M
Tom M
JD (back this year - yaaaay!)
Tom S
Mary S
Cliff L
Super-stoker Cam L (extra-special guest star / future rider)
Linda C
Andy G (super-special guest star and #1 Bike Room Guy for this year!)
Jason (Andy's teammate)
and - yours truly.

Thanks a ton to  the Clark's for their traditional over-the-top hospitality, to Chris M for takin' one for the team and stayin' behind w/ the young'uns (you KNOW he wanted to roll!) and to everyone that contributed to the post-ride spread.

The next BIG TEAM RIDE is on May 5. Details will be out soon but expect an early ride from the Grand Haven area and then the house-warming bash @ Derek n Kirsten's place afterwards!

Okay - keep rocking like you do / keep fund-raising, recruiting new riders and gettin' some miles in.....I'm lookin' forward to seein' you on Cinco de Mayo if not before!

You guys rock, I've mentioned that, yes?
Coach MC

NEW TEAM BIKE SHOP SPONSOR (the details)

We'd like to welcome Grand Rapids Bicycle Company as our new bike shop supporter. They have 2 locations - on East Paris (next to Bill & Paul's Sporthaus) & in Gaslight Village on Lovett 'tween Wealthy & Lake.

The owners and staff of the shops (which includes yours truly since 3/1) are happy and excited to back up the World's Coolest Team & JDRF's mission to rid the world of T1D.

We carry bikes from Felt, Cervelo, Jamis and Scott / clothing, helmets and shoes from Louie Garneau and plenty o' cool stuff.

As a member of the aforementioned World's Coolest Team - you'll receive the following discounts from GRBC:

20% off any Felt bike.
10% off any Jamis bike.
10 or 15% of Scott bikes. (It varies w/ the model)
10% storewide on any accessories, clothing, etc.

Also - during the JDRF "Meet & Greet" on Thursday (@ the E Paris shop from 6-8pm) you can order any Scott or Syncros stuff (everything from carbon wheels to floor pumps, shoes to saddles) @ a one-time discount of 20% off.
(Can't make the party? They'll extend the offer for a week)

So - that's the story.

I hope you're riding a bit (despite this lousy weather) and I hope to see all y'all @ the 1st Team Ride of 2013 on 4/21!

Rock on you rollin' rockstars!

Coach MC

BIG WEEKEND Y'ALL!

Hey Team! 3 HUGE events happening this Saturday (as in "4/13") that you wanna be aware of -

The 2nd Annual Dunecross Race goes down @ Shoreline Township Park in Saugatuck (home of the Felt Mansion). This race is gonna be a blast and if you don't race (which you should re-consider) at LEAST come on down to yell and ring a cowbell and watch the fun!

The C / Fat Bike race goes off @ 11:00 and the B/A race @ noon. Lotsa chances to see friends get all dirty and sweaty and tons of fun in general!

All the proceeds benefit the hungry Ride Accounts of Cliff and Nicole and thus - JDRF!

It's NOT to be missed!    www.dunecross.com

Later that day......work yourself over to East Grand Rapids where the 9th ever Jake's Music Festival takes over the venerable Wealthy Theatre for an evening of fun music from 7 different local acts (including yours truly kickin' things off @ 7:00 w/ my Last Call Band buds) and offers a silent auction, yummy snacks, frosty adult beverages and tons o' fun.

This rockin' event benefits the Ride Accounts of Team Scheidel so c'mon down!

www.jakesmusicfestival

So - izzat a big day or what?!?!?!?

And on Sunday - various members of the team (Kaat, Michelle, Coach Did, lil ol' me) are racing again @ the Fisk Knob Time Trial in Sand Lake. Come up and see us! (Although - truth bew told, there's not a TON to see @ a TT!)

Oh yeah - are you wondering what the THIRD THING is that's happenin' Saturday!!?!?
Linda Clark's Birthday!

Keep rockin' and start rollin' you rockstars!

Coach MC

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! (...IS SPRINGING?)

Hey Team!

Wow! That big yeller spot in that purty blue sky can only mean one thing, huh?

Spring!

Finally!

Yay!

I just wanted to remind y'all of a few important and way cool dates that are comin' up FAST!

April 2, 3, 4 - Ride Venue Webinars. Here's your chance to learn everything you're wondering about Burlington, La Crosse, Tahoe, Nashville, Death Valley or Tucson. Hosted by our esteemed Ride Producer Chuck Hodge - you'll have an opportunity to get any questions answered as well.
http://jdrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Ride-Venue-Webinar_2013.pdf

April 13 - DuneCross Race @ Shoreline Acres Park / Felt Mansion. This is the 2nd edition of this super-fun event. There will be catagories for Fat Bikes as well as MTN / CX bikes and a ton of fun is guaranteed! This race is hosted by Nicole and Cliff Lewis and benefits their ride accounts. Come to race, come to watch, come to help! Racing starts @ 11:00.
www.dunecross.com                                                                                                
           
April 13 - Jake's Music Fest. This is the 8th year for this concert and a fund-raiser for Team Scheidel. It takes place at the Wealthy Theatre in GR and the music starts @ 7:00. There's no cover or ticket price - but donations are accepted. (Even encouraged!) The show features a total of 7 acts - commencing w/ yours truly's band kicking things off. There are also drawings, snacks and general coolness going on.
www.jakesmusicfest.com

April 21 - Team Ride #1! It's time to get this party started, huh? The traditional First Ride O' The Year happens @ the home of Steve, Katie, Ella and Annie Clark in Grandville @ 2:00. There will be eats and fellowship afterwards. (More details coming soon)

So - how's THAT for a buncha coolness?!?! I'm looking forward to sharing all of this and more w/ you guys!

Ride on!
Coach MC

THE ULTIMATE CYCLE CHALLENGE APPROACHETH!

Okay you Rock Stars! Time to step up and be counted! As has been the case for the last chunk o' years we're signed up to do a 24 Hour team @ the UCC. It's a lotta fun (way more than it sounds like it would be for sure!), gives you a chance to break a sweat and get'cher ride on, hooks you up w/ too-long-absent-from-your-life team mates and benefits (another) good cause - namely the Livestrong Foundation. (Let's face it - they've likely not had the Best Winter Ever and could use a boost!)

So - here's What It Is and How It Works...........

"It" is the Ultimate Cycle Challenge. It starts @ 8pm on March 1 and goes for 24 hours. The location is Ridgepoint Church in Holland/Zeeland (right offa 196 near Herman Miller).

We'll provide the trainer, mat and front wheel riser block - you bring your bike and your-own-bad-self. (Wear a JDRF jersey please!)

It's 30 bux. If you sign up by 2/15 you get a tee shirt. There's live entertainment (including my band from 8-10pm on Friday), lotsa snacks and lotsa folks! Seriously - it's fun and also a great way for us to be a part of the Larger Cycling Community, fly our JDRF flag and...who knows?....maybe even meet some potential team mates!

So - what happens next? It's easy! Follow these steps:

1 - www.ultimatecyclechallenge.com
2 - "register now"
3 - chose "JDRF West Michigan" from the team list
4 - Let me (MC) know that you're in and which hour(s) you'd like to ride.

It's that easy!

As of right-this-second I only have a few hours covered so the sooner you get back to me the less likely it is that you'll hafta cover the dreaded "Bad '80's Music Videos in the middle of the Night" shifts!

8pm - John J
9pm - Michelle C
10pm -
11pm - Mary G from Chicago
Midnight - ditto
1am -
2am -
3am -
4am -
5am-
6am-
7am -
8am -
9am - Michelle C (should we just call her MCtoo?)
10am - Paul Brown
11am - Ditto
Noon -
1pm - The Clarks
2pm- Ditto
3pm- Ditto Ditto
4pm - Kirsten D
5pm - Ditto
6pm
7pm