Who Eats Cherry Pie? The Racing Season Has Begun....

...so the Cherry Pie Criterium isn't the 'official' start of the NCNCA racing season. But based on the field sizes and strength of each category, it was eminent that riders are ready to 'flex their muscles' for 2013. Team Mike's Bikes p/b Incase lined up 10 riders for the start of the Pro/1/2 race. Our plan was to do all we could to get Napa local, James Laberge, the win. My role was sit in the front of the field, hang back on going with any breaks, unless needed, and lead out James on the final lap from 200 meters out. Two of our other strong men were to get me to that point (the final chicane) first.

Within the first 20 minutes of racing there was your typical  hard digs to try to get away, but to no avail. It wasn't until about 30 minutes into the race that a break of 11 got off the front. And it included some strong riders: Freddie Rodriguez, Chad Sayers, Logan Loader, Nate English, Charles Hutcheson and three TMB p/b Incase riders (Adam Switters, Eric Riggs and Daniel Holloway). Back in the field, my intuition told me that the break was going to stay away. Some riders tried to bridge but were brought back. Only one rider was able to bridge up, that was Kirk Carlsen. In retrospect, I could have been a bit more attentive and hopped on his wheel for a tow to get in the break.

As it turned out, the break did stay away. Logan Loader ended up winning by surprising everybody with a well timed jump from behind most of the break with about 200 meters to go. TMB p/b Incase's Daniel Holloway ended up 2nd and Charles Hutcheson came in third. Full results can be viewed by click here.

In the field sprint, three of us hit the front on the last lap and executed a good lead out for James to take the win.

It's too bad we didn't get the overall win but we raced well as a team for our first race. It fuels the fire and we're already looking forward to our next one in two weeks; Snelling Road Race.

Thank you to all of our awesome fans and sponsors for all your support. We really appreciate it and look forward to racing well this year.

TEAM CAMP PLEASANTON

Team Mike's Bikes got together in Pleasanton for a weekend to ride our bikes: two hundred and thirty miles and seventeen thousand five hundred feet of climbing. Here are some pictures.

Cal Aggie Criterium

Yesterday was the Cal Aggie Criterium. It is one of the first races of the year on the NCNCA calendar and usually isn't known to have such strong fields since it is January. But this year was different. The result - 60 minutes of hard racing. Teammates Adam Switters and Eric Riggs showed up and we came up with a game plan to make sure we are represented in the breakaways and if nothing gets away, we set up a lead out for me.

The race started fast and the pace continued to speed up every lap, but the wind was a large factor the entire race as there was a headwind finish and various cross winds in between. About 35 minutes into the race, all three of us ended up getting into a breakaway group of about 15 riders but despite Eric and Adam's hard work on the front, we were brought back to the pack a few laps later. I started to sit in more and save up for the finish as it looked more and more to be a field sprint. We all kept communicating with each other; seeing how each other were and where to ride in the pack so that we were all safe from the wind and any kind of danger. We moved forward with 1/2 laps to go and took over the lead just before a couple of tight turns with just 1 kilometer left to go. We took it easy through the turns as no one could move up past us during this stretch and then Eric gave it all he had into the last turn but as we were turning up the gas there was an attack from Alexander Freund (Lombardi) and Chuck Hutcheson (Full Circle Racing). Alexander took 1st position, Eric taking 2nd, then Chuck, Adam, and I respectively. We came out of the last turn and I told  Adam to start to sprint but it ended up being a little bit too strong for me so I sprinted back up to Adam and by the time I caught up with him, it was time for me to sprint but as I got closer and closer to the line, Sam Bassetti (Cal Giant)came up next to me and after a bike throw at the line, it was very close but he beat me by about a 1/2 wheel-length.

Overall, it was a good day as we were able to represent in most of the breakaways and we got some fitness in when we did a lead out at the end. Eric and Adam did a great job following everything and it was a great lead out at the end! Last but certainly not least, I want to thank all of our sponsors for the 2013 season: Mike's Bikes, Incase, Specialized, Sram, Zipp, Capo, Look, Osmo Nutrition, Garmin, City Park, Clif Bar, GoPro, Smith Optics, Bike Smart, and Bar Fly! Looking forward to the rest of the 2013 season!

Thanks.

--James LaBerge

Team Mike's Bikes on Social Media

In addition to keeping up with the team on our blog, you can now Like our Team Mike's Bikes Page on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter @TMBIncase, Like our photos on Instagram @TMBIncase, see our Photostream on Flickr, and even listen to our favorite tracks on Spotify! Dont forget to use #TMBIncase !

Incase Sonic open ear headphone

Incase Sonic open ear headphone Working as a cycling coach, I spend a lot of my time either at home, at the cafe, or on the road. I love music and I like it to sound good. Wherever I am, I've got a nice set of over ear headphones that look as good as they are comfortable.

With the soft, open cell memory foam, they mimic some of the properties of open air headphones. This does mean that sound emanate to your surroundings a little bit more than the standard closed air headphones. Maybe not the best headphones for a quiet car ride while listening to auto-tuned fun from Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen. Quiet enough for any other environment. This helps reduce the pounding sensation that other headphones will create and also allows for a more natural sound.

We're on Spotify now.

Something I've found with every over the ear headphone I've used is that my MacBook just doesn't produce enough juice. Check out the app "Boom" for extra volume and a global equalizer to push the headphones harder with some extra pumping, distortion free bass.

Did I mention it's got an inline microphone for making hands free phone calls? Consolations with clients, talks with mom, weekly team conference calls etc.

Did I mention anything about the comfort? They use memory foam for padding. Memory foam has been widely accepted as a godsend material for pillows and mattresses. I've fallen asleep with these headphones on.

For more isolation and for an active lifestyle, they've got the stylish earbuds with inline volume control, track control and a microphone.

Detangling Life

I recently got an Incase USB Mini Cable Kit and this small and simple product has completely changed how I pack. The USB Mini Cable Kit is a small pouch with three USB cables (iPod connector, Mini USB, & Micro USB). After getting the kit, I left it in my backpack (Incase Range Large Backpack) and when I got back to the campus, I had to run to the library to work on a project. After some studying I remembered to download my training files from the ride and that I needed to charge my phone. It took me a second and then I realized that I already had the cables with me. Ever since then I have taken this kit with my everywhere. I no longer have to plan which long, tangled cables I should bring for a trip (whether to a race or just to study). This kit fits my lifestyle because it allows me connect all the devices I need for both my cycling and school everywhere I go.

To go on a ride I use two of the cables to make sure that both my phone and Bike Computer are charged and downloaded. To go to school I use anther two cables to make sure I have all my textbooks (Kindle - Micro USB) and my phone are charged.

Thank you Incase for this awesome product.

-Marcus Smith

2013 Specialized S-Works Road Shoe Review

When I first tried 2013 S-Works Road Shoe (size 42.5, the same size as my previous 2012 s-works shoes), I noticed that these shoes fit slightly on the smaller side. For me, this wasn’t a problem since I was between a 42 and a 42.5 with the old pair anyway. Right away, something just felt right... like these shoes were custom-tailored for my feet. The heel cup feels deeper, and better shaped, so there is virtually no heel-slip. On the inside of the heel, the lining has little rubberized grippers for even more anti-slip protection - a very nice detail.

One of the biggest advances that Specialized made with these shoes was the way they positioned the BOA dials. Instead of going straight across the tongue of the shoe, they’re slightly askew - so as to pull the two sides of the more supple upper together to wrap around the foot, rather than just to secure the foot down to the sole of the shoe. This was the biggest difference that I noticed while riding in them. I didn’t find myself needing to re-tighten them after a few hours on the bike like I did with the previous generation S-works shoes. This also made the shoes much more comfortable to wear on the longer 4+ hour training rides. It may sound a little cliché, but I often forgot I was wearing them.

I’ll be honest, I have a pair of white “hand-made” Italian cycling shoes that I wear on occasion for the short coffee shop rides on recovery days or local group ride. But with the panache styling of the new 2013 S-works Road shoe - super clean patent finish upper, and bold, sleek lines – you’ll more than likely see me enjoying my next mid-ride cappuccino and muffin wearing these shoes instead.

I accompany my S-works Road shoes with a set of Specialized Green Performance Insoles and Look Keo cleats in Grey, also available at your local Mike’s Bikes.

-Travis Lyons

Mike’s Bikes Announces New Master’s Team in 2013

  San Rafael, CA - January 8, 2012 - Mike’s Bikes, locally owned and operated since 1964, announces the formation of a men’s Masters race team.

Matt Adams, co-owner and President, said he is proud of the spirit and philosophy of Team Mike’s Bikes Masters.

“My motivation for assembling this team is not to create a strong masters team just for the sake of having a strong masters team. My motivation is to put together a great group of strong riders who want to commit to each other and who want to help us give back to the next generation of racers by supporting our Elite program.”

The mission of the Team Mike’s Bikes Elite program is to develop, inspire, and nurture the potential and happiness of the next generation of racers on and off the bike. “That is what matters to me, and that is what I think is important,” said Adams.

Our idea for the Masters team is to get a group of strong 35+ 1/2/3’s together who share our values of service, mentorship, and teamwork. Members will receive the personal gratification of helping to make a difference for the next generation of elite and professional racers, as part of the best team in Northern California and the vibrant Mike’s Bikes community, dedicated to getting more people on bikes.

Members will also enjoy the race day support that the elite team receives and a strong group of teammates who are dedicated to the team’s success. Further, they will be able to tap into the collective knowledge of the entire team, whether that’s training or nutrition advice, race tactics, or equipment choices. The roster includes nine men who have stepped up in support of the Team MB philosophy.

Matt Adams Marcel Appelman John Barbicas Jacob Berkman Mike Foley Chris Hobbs Michael Kopp Oli Ryan Dan Vigil

Mike's Bikes currently operates 11 stores throughout Northern California, is the largest local bike shop in America, and holds the title as #1 retailer in the US for both Specialized and Raleigh.  Mike’s employs over 250 cycling enthusiasts in the area, all with the singular goal of getting more people involved in the cycling community.

For additional information: http://www.mikesbikes.com or http://www.teammikesbikes.com/

2012 TMB Specialized Team Bikes are up for Sale!

Interested in a great deal on a carbon road bike? 2012 Team Mike's Bikes custom Specialized bikes are up for sale! Best part, all proceeds go directly into the 2013 budget to send the team to more NRC level races.

Team Mike's Bikes Tarmac Race Machine

Wanna check one out? We'll be showing the bikes this Sunday in GGP!When: This Sunday 1/13/13 from 10:00am-1:00pm Where: Nancy Pelosi Dr & Bowling Green Dr in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park http://goo.gl/maps/xuUSW

Bikes are freshly tuned up and come with complete 2011 SRAM Red Black group, Zipp Service Course SL Beyond Black Bar/Stem/Post (Tarmac), Specialized Saddle, and other goodies. Bikes are being sold for $4,000 with Zipp wheels without tires, $2,800 without wheels. We will only be selling the wheels individually if a bike is sold without them. They do not come with a warranty or have any affiliation or benefits of buying a new bikes from Mike's Bikes. Here is what's available:

Team Mike's Bikes Venge Race Machine - 1

2 x Tarmac - 54 2 x Tarmac - 54 2 x Tarmac - 56 1 x Tarmac - 58 1 x Tarmac - 61 2 x Venge - 54 1 x Venge - 54 available in February

We have Zipp 303/404 Front and 404/808 Rear carbon clinchers to choose from. First sold, first pick from depth, most are 303 Fronts and 404 Rears. Most all are brand new rims just rebuilt in box from the Zipp factory, the remainder very minor wear.

Shoot me an e-mail with any questions or for more details! hank.scholz@mikesbikes.com

-Hank Scholz

Team Mike's Bikes Tarmac Race Machine - 2

Team Mike's Bikes Venge Race Machine - 2

Winter Miles

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Winter miles are always better with friends.

San Bruno Hill Climb

CATEGORY 35+ 1/2/3

AUTHOR Jacob Berkman

TEAMMATES Appel, Oli

COURSE DESCRIPTION "7-8% up Guadalupe Canyon, right turn into San Bruno Mtn County Park, back under Guadalupe Canyon to Radio Road with narrow switchbacks and grades to 10%. Total distance is 3.5 miles."

Basically 3 sections of climbing, with false flats between the first two, and a short descent before the third. PREVIOUS RESULTS 2010: 3rd, E5 2011: 3rd, E3 2012: 6th, P/1/2

WEATHER Beautiful sunny morning, chilly. Bit of a headwind in the top half.

GOALS 1. Win. 2. Sweep the podium. 3. Get a PR for the course.

PLAN Mostly sit in the first half, and try to finish strong on radio road where it gets a bit steeper. Try to stay on Appel's wheel.

RACE SUMMARY Going in I figured the main competition was (friend) Greg McQuaid (Thirsty Bear), but he has a cold and was DNS. I didn't think the ex-Taleos (Scotts Cox & Bromstead) would really pose a challenge. For some reason they were merging start fields this year, and started us with the 25-strong 35+ 4/5 field. They were supposed to line up behind the 1/2/3s, but one of them was in the front, wearing full tights, cap, long sleeve jersey, booties, ski gloves, and sporting a saddle bag (with light attached) and a bottle half out of his cage already. Maybe he had fenders. I lined up sort of behind him, next to Appel (who looked strange in all black!), prepared to get around that guy as quickly as possible.

They start us off and Appel seems to have a little trouble clipping in so I go around him so as not to get caught behind any riff-raff. Some goof attacks off the left but he's a 4/5 so I don't react. It's 3-wide: John Roberts (Dolce Vita) to my left, and I guess Scott Bromstead (Barclay's Racing) on my right. It's a long way to the finish so I was just riding sorta sub-threshold, and everyone seemed fine with that.

We caught the guy and then someone else attacked, but no reaction from anyone to that either. He was caught before the turn into the park. I'm sure someone was dropped but I think pretty much the whole field was there.

Scott pulls in front so I sit on his wheel; going into the park he goes around the little shack on the left (technically over the centre line), and I sort of sheepishly take the inside corner, trying to avoid the puddle. The road kicks up and I put in a bit of a dig but out of the "forest" there seemed to be 4-5 guys on my wheel. I didn't know who they were, but it didn't look like Appel was right on my wheel.

I tried to keep the pace high and the field was finally separating, with Scott on my wheel and I could finally see Appel coming up behind us. I didn't want to pull this guy to the top by myself, so I eased up a bit hoping Appel would catch back on. Before he did, Scott made an attack which I followed briefly but he really turned it on and I didn't stay with him. I know that extra adrenaline rush you get from thinking you're going to win and I sure didn't get it.

RESULT 2nd

TAKEAWAYS * I think, as a team, it was our race to lose and we lost it (or I did). * During the race, I should've communicated more and found Appel so he could set the pace for the upper half, letting me attack instead of getting attacked. * Before the race, if we'd thought Scott was stronger, we probably should've had Appel attack earlier and let him do the chasing. We were the team with cards to play, but I don't think we played our hand very well. * It's early. I didn't really target this race & haven't been doing much intensity. Yet. * It was still fun and we got some Clif bars. Looking forward to improving on the team riding aspect. * No podium, medals, or girl scout cookies this year?

NUMBERS Distance: 5.9km Elevation Gain: 362m Avg Grade: 5.9% Time: 16:40 VAM: 1273 Power: ~297W Avg HR: 168bpm Max HR: 181bpm

app.strava.com/activities/35181537#575345418

raceshape.com/strava-segments/378701?rides=575345418-575336604-575392082-576276295-575333341&sd=2012-12-32

Cheers, Jacob

MB employees Zach P. and Ian C. from MB Sausalito, and J.P.R. from MB S.F. were also in the mix. Way to represent, guys!

Team Mike's Bikes p/b Incase Cycling Team for 2013

Press Release San Francisco, CA., Dec 31, 2012 - Team Mike's Bikes elite cycling team is again poised to dominate Norcal racing and will also pursue success at NRC and NCC races with the announcement of new recruits: Daniel Holloway (25), Roman Kilun (31), Marcus Smith (19), and Nick Newcomb (20).   Returning riders are:  Eric Riggs (26), Dana Williams (37), James LaBerge (19) , Andy Goesling (25) , Travis Lyons (19) , Shawn Rosenthal (26) , Ryan Johnson (22) , Hank Scholz (24) , Rainier Schaefer (26), and Steve O'Mara (30), and Steve Pelaez (40).

As the best Elite team in Norcal  with 50+ wins in 2012, Team Mike's Bikes will turn their attention to more quality wins at the national level.   Daniel Holloway, 2010 US PRO Crit Champion, and Roman Kilun of Kenda 5 Hour Energy are both seasoned professionals who will add tremendous strength and leadership to the team.

"We are very excited to have Daniel and Roman on the squad.  And I'm equally optimistic about the new young riders, Marcus and Nick.   They will blossom in our U23 program, like James did in 2012.  James will step it up this year in the national level," said team director, Steve Pelaez.    "Riders like Eric Riggs, Dana Williams, Andy Goesling, Shawn Rosenthal will add serious horsepower and results potential to an incredibly talented team."    Each rider was carefully picked from a long list of applicants.   "It's easy to find talented riders, the hard part is finding selfless riders who share our team's values."  said Pelaez.

At the team's recent team development camp on Dec. 8, 2012 in the headlands, Team Mike's Bikes focused on establishing the foundation that will see the team propel itself to greater success in 2013.   "It's important that we develop the effective habits of a successful team from the beginning.  We need to be a team first and foremost.  Then the rest will take care of itself."   Consequently, team director Steve Pelaez, who is also a leadership and team development consultant, is devoting a lot of attention and energy to making sure that the team's atmosphere and goals are inline with the team's core values and mission.

"It's going to be a fun year for Team Mike's Bikes, and I hope we can deliver a lot of happiness to the cycling community."

Here's the link to our team development camp:  Enjoy!  http://vimeo.com/56497993

LOOK Keo Blade Carbon Pedals - Mini Review

Pedals are fairly simple component that serve one vital purpose: Keep your shoes locked on to the bike in order to throw down the watts. I pushed the pedals around many many times in 2012, and I've been notably impressed with the Look Keo Blade Carbons that were issued to Team Mike's Bikes.

Having been a stalwart user of the ubiquitous chunks of aluminum called Shimano Dura Ace for many seasons, I was initially skeptical of the Blades incredible light weight, composite construction, and crazy carbon leaf-spring retention system. What if I clip a pedal and snap the thing off? Won't the composite cage wear out prematurely?

Well, after a full crazy year of riding, It's January 1st, 2013 and the Blades feel as crisp as they did when we picked up our brand new bikes last January. I'll be the first to say I'm not the easiest on my equiment, and the Blades have held up to some serious abuse on some very tough terrain. I also love how easy it is to clip in and out of them; the light but solid engagment belies the fact that the pedals hold my zero degree float cleats tighter than any other brand I've used.

Overall, these pedals have performed far above and beyond my expectations. I'm stoked for to pedaling the Look Carbon Blades around again in 2013.

The Look Keo Blade Carbon are available at your nearest Mike's Bikes for $289.99.

TMB Development Camp: Headlands Games - GoPro Video

The purpose of this team development camp was to establish the foundation for a successful 2013 team campaign. We worked on the team's collective emotional intelligence, strengthen our trust in each other, improved our communication, discussed effective leadership, and exhibited commitment to our team's goals and core values.

It was cold and raining and yet we all had a blast. If the attitudes and camaraderie from the team development camp is any indication for the upcoming season, then we are poised for great results in 2013.

This has the makings of a truly great team. It's going to be a fun 2013 race season!!

2013 Roster:

Steve Pelaez, Dana Williams, Hank Scholz, James LaBerge, Travis Lyons, Marcus Smith, Nick Newcomb, Andy Goesling, Daniel Holloway, Roman Kilun, Ryan Johnson, Steve O'mara, Eric Riggs, Shawn Rosenthal, and Rainier Schaefer.

How well did Team Mike's Bikes do this 2012 season?

It goes without saying that Team Mike's Bikes had a phenomenal 2012 road racing season, but how exactly did we do? TMB had a squad of 20 racers ranging from age 19 to 40 racing from the San Bruno Hill Climb on January 1st to Henleyville Road Race on September 30th. That's nine months of racing up to sometimes four times in a weekend. Our boys traveled not just within the confines of the Norther California Nevada district borders but to San Dimas, Oregon, Wisconsin, Atlanta, British Columbia, and even across the ocean to Belgium. We upgraded several riders from Category 3 to Category 2 to Category 1.

We had an astonishing

43 1st place results

27 2nd place results

18 3rd place results

That's 88 Podiums and a total of 194 Top 10 results.

Northern California /Nevada Cycling Association 2012 BikeReg.com Premier Series The 2012 NCNCA BikeReg.com Premier Series is a group of 20 races that represent some of the best races in the Northern California/Nevada racing district. The Premier Series includes eight criteriums, ten road races and two time trials.

Out of 30 Teams Total, we placed 1st in the Team Premier series just beating out Marc Pro - Strava with our podium sweep at the final race of the series, the Giro di SF.

Team Points - Category 1/2 Men
Place	Team	Total Points
1	Team Mike's Bikes	346
2	Marc Pro - Strava	328
3	California Giant/Specialized	227

Out of 30 Teams Total

Out of 77 individual Category 1/2 Men in the Premier series, we had 4 riders in the top 5.

Category 1/2 Men
Place	Lic #	First Name	Last Name	Team
1	54686	Charles	Hutcheson	Marc Pro - Strava
2	210604	Tyler	Brandt	Team Mike's Bikes
3	295988	Dana	Williams	Team Mike's Bikes
4	191302	Eric	Riggs	Team Mike's Bikes
5	221376	James	LaBerge	Team Mike's Bikes
6	276108	Keith	Hillier	Marc Pro - Strava
7	234584	Joshua	Carling	Michael David Winery Cycling Team
8	249743	Chris	Stastny	California Giant/Specialized
9	182990	Rand	Miller	California Giant/Specialized
10	304249	Rainier	Schaefer	Team Mike's Bikes

Out of 77 Racers Total

2012 NCNCA Points Series To encourage teamwork and competitiveness by recognizing both the leaders of the Individual Points Competition and Team Points Competition in each designated category and the overall Team Points Competition by combining all results from eligible events.

Out of 35 Elite 1/2 Teams, we placed 1st overall in the 2012 NCNCA Team Category Points series.

Elite 1/2 Team Points
Place	Team	Total Points
1	Team Mike's Bikes	1426
2	Marc Pro - Strava	1108
3	California Giant/Specialized	806

Out of 35 Teams Total

Out of 253 racers in the Individual Men's Elite 1/2 Category Points, we had 3 riders in the top 5 and and 5 riders in the top 10 standings.

Elite 1/2 Points
Place	License #	First Name	Last Name	Team	Points
1	54686	Charles	Hutcheson	Marc Pro - Strava	692
2	210604	Tyler	Brandt	Team Mike's Bikes	206
3	221376	James	LaBerge	Team Mike's Bikes	191
4	295988	Dana	Williams	Team Mike's Bikes	181
5	234584	Joshua	Carling	Michael David Winery Cycling Team	178
6	191302	Eric	Riggs	Team Mike's Bikes	169
7	182990	Rand	Miller	California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized	166
8	256481	James	Wingert	Team Mike's Bikes	159
9	304249	Rainier	Schaefer	Team Mike's Bikes	156
10	249743	Chris	Stastny	California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized	155

Out of 253 Racers Total

CALIFORNIA CUP 2012

Out of 50 racers, we had 4 riders in the top 10.

Cat 1/2/PRO
Place	Lic #	First Name	Last Name	Team
1	298550	Justin	Rossi	Marc Pro - Strava
2	195652	Max	Jenkins	Competitive Cyclist
2	263055	Torey	Philipp	California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized
4	204739	Jesse	Moore	California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized
5	282569	Stephen	Leece	California Giant/Specialized
6	295988	Dana	Williams	Team Mike's Bikes
6	266467	Kurt	Wolfgang	SquadraSF
8	210604	Tyler	Brandt	Team Mike's Bikes
8	191302	Eric	Riggs	Team Mike's Bikes
10	332190	Christopher	HarlandDunaway	Davis Bike Club
10	241392	Stephen	O'Mara	Team Mike's Bikes

Cycles Gladiator Uninhibited Racer Award For the 2012 road racing season, Cycles Gladiator Wine is teaming up with the Health is Wealth Racing Team to proudly present the Fifth Annual 'Uninhibited Racer Award' for the most aggressive racer in each category in participating criteriums in the California region. Throughout the 2012 season, we received 6 total Uninhibited Racer Awards.

Elite Pro/1/2 Recipients
John Piasta	Folsom Cyclebration Crit
Dana Williams	Berkeley Bicycle Club
Tyler Brandt	Suisun Harbor Criterium
Elite 3 Recipients
Ryan Johnson	Folsom Cyclebration Crit
Henry Sholtz	Folsom Cyclebration Circuit Race
Elite 4 Recipients
Taylor Cody	Cherry Pie Crit.

Cycles Gladiator Boneshaker Top Sprinter Award As a Cat 3 rider, Ryan Johnson was able to accrue  enough points to hold the title of the Elite 3 Boneshaker Top Sprinter Award.

Elite 3 Leaders
Winner 13pts	Ryan Johnson

BikeSmart Elmer Crudd Fender

BikeSmart Elmer Crudd fender has a bolted hinge that allows it to fit the shape of any bike perfectly. The hinge also allows it to fold up small enough to fit into a backpack (for example the Incase Large Range Backpack), so you aren't bikefendering when the roads are dry, but are ready when they are wet!

Team Mike's Bikes Masters - The Manifesto

Dear Prospective Team MB Masters Racer, I want to thank you for your interest in our program and share the spirit and philosophy of our team.  But before that, I want to do my best to convince you that this is not the team for you.

Let me first express that masters racing is not that important in the grand scheme of things.  I’m not interested in supporting older guys with established careers by providing financial support or excessive discounts so you can go for the win at a local office park crit or road race in the middle of nowhere.  I don’t want to mislead you that my motivation for assembling this team is to create a strong masters team for the sake of having a strong masters team.  My motivation is to put together a great group of strong riders who want to commit to each other and who want to help us give back to the next generation of racers.

That being said, I’m a 36 yr old Cat 3 who lays awake at night kicking myself for totally blowing the last 5K at Winters RR last year or reliving my well timed attack to get the Mt Tam HC win.  Personally, racing is very important and worth the sacrifices I have to make.  But at the same time, my heart and company are committed to building our Elite program.  We’ve developed an incredible team that’s been extremely rewarding to help build and be a part of.  The mission of our Elite program is to develop, inspire, and nurture the potential and happiness of the next generation of racers on and off the bike.  And that is what matters to me, and that is what I think is important.

So if you’re still reading by this point, thank you and there’s hope.  Our idea for the Master’s Team is to get a group of strong 35+ 1/2/3’s together who share our values of service, mentorship, and teamwork.

In joining the team, you’ll get the personal gratification of helping to make a difference for the next generation of Elite racers and hopefully Pro’s.  In addition, you’ll be a part of the best team in Northern California and the vibrant Mike’s Bikes community, dedicated to getting more people on bikes.  Also, you’ll enjoy the race day support that the elite team receives and a strong group of teammates who are as interested in team’s success as you are.  Further, you’ll be able to tap into the collective knowledge of the entire team, whether that’s training or nutrition advice, race tactics, or equipment choices.   And I also believe that if we get the right group of guys together who all buy in to the team first philosophy of Team MB, that success will happen.  We are all competitive and success validates the work we put in.  So in the words of Appel, “Let’s do this!”.

Sincerely,

Matt Adams

President, Mike’s Bikes

Spiritual Leader, Team Mike’s Bikes

Portlandia

loaded and ready for flight

the cleanest these bikes will ever be

lithia water, phil's favorite

andy, forest park

hank, forest park

phil, forest park

andy, forest park. best cyclocross ride of my life.

i was out of my element in the mud at canby cx on saturday

but i learned about real cyclocross conditions

phil's mud butt. he got third. andy was second. out of eight.

everyone else was saving it for cross crusade in barton on sunday

here's andy, clearly thrilled for the first of two run ups

portland does pits right

portland cyclocross style: full kit and boots. i love it.

the day before in canby, this girl swerved in front of me on a short, steep, slippery mud jammer. i pushed her up, then she fell over in front of me and i fell on top of her. just saying. we're pretty much dating now.

seventh and eleventh place bikes. out of eighty single speed racers. eighty!

andy and i both came in too hot on different corners, inside knee out, and tagged immovable metal stakes. yeowch!

this is adrian, modeling perfect portland cx style

not pictured: phil's tenth place in the elite race, maple bacon donuts from voodoo (even though it's apparently not punk anymore. we ate about twelve between the four of us, and then brought home about sixteen more.), free bob's red mill steel cut oats at the venue, cooked to perfection and with all the fixins (what!!!), delicious home cooked breakfast and dinner from hank's parents (thanks bob and judy!), and the trip's team banger.

Capo Transforming the Ride - featuring Team Mike's Bikes!

Check out this video Capo Cycling Apparel put together featuring Team Mike's Bikes members Rainier Schaefer, Henry Scholz, and Taylor Cody. Thanks Capo for supporting the squad and making us look so good. Pop into your local Mike's Bikes to check out their latest kits.

Riggs Wins Oakland Grand Prix

Check out some video from another great win by Eric Riggs and TMB!