WSBA | Meet the Teams Rides

Meet the Teams Rides

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Meet the Teams Rides 2008
[printable flyer]

Meet the Teams Rides - Seattle
If you're thinking of joining a (new) team for the 2009 racing season, here's your chance to meet members of many of the teams in the Seattle area. Starting Saturday, September 6, clubs will lead weekly rides around the south end of Lake Washington for riders of all skill levels who are interested in racing. The complete ride schedule and information about each team are listed below.

Now is the time to find a team that matches your interests and goals. The winter months (November-February) are when teams ride together, learn from and motivate each other, and make plans for next season. By March, you'll be ready to start racing! Many teams close their rosters sometime in the fall because of deadlines for clothing orders, so choosing a team is not a decision to postpone.

Rides leave on Saturdays from Pert's Deli (120 Lakeside Ave, Seattle, WA 98122), in the Leschi neighborhood. There is ample parking nearby. Please be at Pert's by 9:20 for a 9:30 AM departure.

These are social rides, at a conversational pace, around the south end of Lake Washington. Allow about 2 hours. The ride may stop for 5-10 minutes along the way, but otherwise, be prepared for a continuous ride. These rides happen rain, wind, or sunshine! Bring a functioning road bike (full fenders are appreciated on damp days), helmet, water, some food, weather-appropriate clothing, a little money, and an extra tube in case you flat.

If your team would like to host a ride to be added to this list, please contact marthalwalsh [at] yahoo [dot] com.

September 6 (Saturday) - Recycled Cycles Racing
www.recycledcycles.com/racing
Contact: Nick Adsero recycledcyclesracing [at] comcast [dot] net

Since its inception, the Recycled Cycles Racing team has emphasized rider development by fostering an environment which encourages racers to fulfill their potential. This relationship promotes the sport of cycling and demonstrates our commitment to teamwork and to the cycling community. We support grass roots men's and junior's racing programs, local race promotion, helmet safety, cycling organizations such as USCF, Washington State Bicycle Association (WSBA), IMBA, NORBA, and affiliate associations.

September 13 (Saturday) - Starbucks Cycling
www.starbuckscycling.com
Contacts: Jill Talcott jtalcott [at] starbucks [dot] com (women's team)
Steve Zeliadt szeliadt [at] gmail [dot] com (men's team)

Starbucks Cycling is a regional bike racing team spanning road, track, and cyclocross racing. Our goal is to support and build committed racers that embrace and support a strong team community through:
- commitment to standards of excellence and safety;
- support to improve as individuals and help achieve team success;
- participating in challenging, supportive, and fun training, racing, and social opportunities;
- contribute positively to the cycling community and home communities;
- upholding a positive image for team sponsors;
- embrace diversity

September 20 (Saturday) - First Rate Mortgage
www.northwestvelo.com
Contacts: Garth Billstin gbillstin [at] hotmail [dot] com (men's team)
Martha Walsh marthalwalsh [at] yahoo [dot] com (women's team)

Northwest Velo (First Rate Mortgage Cycling Team) is focused on developing team-centric racing and rider development in the Road, Track and Cross disciplines throughout the Northwest. For 2009 FRM is looking to add depth in all categories including our very successful women's squad--which is going into its second year. If you are looking to race and continue to develop team centric racing skills by being a part of a cohesive racing team, please join us on our Meet the Teams Ride.

September 21 (Sunday) - Hagens-Berman Cycling Team
www.hagensbermancycling.com
Contacts: Brian Marr membership [at] hagensbermancycling [dot] com

Hagens-Berman Cycling Team is the trade team title for the racing membership of the Lake Washington Velo cycling club. Lake Washington Velo was established in 1997 with the goal of developing not only the cycling abilities of its members, but also the sport of competitive cycling in the Northwest. In addition to our focus on team-oriented racing, members are highly encouraged to be active in the club and assist in the club's operations and projects. For the 2009 racing season, we are recruiting in all categories, and have added a new women's team that we are excited to grow. In addition to our Meet the Team ride, you can join us any Saturday during the fall for a 3-hour ride leaving from Leschi at 9:30 am.

September 27 (Saturday) - [two teams are sharing this date]

Team Group Health
www.teamgrouphealth.com
Contact: Karen Wilkinson karen.wilkinson [at] seattlechildrens [dot] org

Team Group Health (TGH) is a competitive women's cycling club based in Seattle, WA. Our mission is to promote women's health, fitness, and competitive spirit through bicycle racing. It is the largest women's cycling team in the Pacific Northwest with around 90 members in Washington and Oregon. TGH supports and competes in every discipline of cycling: road, track, mountain, and cyclocross. TGH's long-term goal is to support women racers, emphasizing developing new riders and building a strong, experienced senior team. Focusing on women allows us to concentrate our resources on specific goals and differentiates us from other Northwest teams. USA Cycling has named Team Group Health the "Women's Club of the Year" two seasons in a row.

Second Ascent
www.stepdownracing.com
Contact: membership [at] stepdownracing [dot] com

Second Ascent/Step Down Racing is a regional men's team, formed in 2002 with an emphasis on the fun and camaraderie of team training and racing. We like to train hard, race to win, and also enjoy team functions off the bike. We look forward to another season of growth and success with the committed sponsorship of our title sponsor Second Ascent. For 2009 we are looking to expand our team at every level and we invite all riders who are interested in bike racing to come out and join us for our introductory ride.

September 28 (Sunday) - ByrneInvent Cycling Team
www.jetcityvelo.com
Contacts: Brian Cole cole.b [at] comcast [dot] net

The ByrneInvent Cycling Team is a team of people who like to ride together, hang out together, and generally have fun. We encourage team members to race but do not expect it. We have developed very solid groups of Men's Masters and Women racers on the track and road. We also have a strong group of up-and-coming Men's and women's category racers. We support several charitable and recreational rides, including the Tour de Cure, Ride of Silence, and Bike MS. Racing is not the "be all and end all" of our lives, however. Most of us have careers and/or families but enjoy riding our bikes and staying fit and healthy. We are here because we want to be and look for like-minded individuals who also understand the team concept. We are open for new members who share this philosophy and will commit to participate in the team by volunteering to help support team efforts.

October 4 (Saturday) - Wines of Washington
www.unionbaycycling.com
Contacts: Joe joe.baratto [at] boeing [dot] com (men's team)
Gina gina [at] rentonww [dot] com (women's team)

UBC, Wines of Washington, is looking for new riders interested in racing. At UBC, we value the teamwork it takes to create great racers in all women's, men's, and master's categories. We believe in the impact teamwork makes and are committed to the growth of the team and the individual riders. UBC has a development program aimed at providing a structured program for progressing within the sport of bicycle racing. All new (Category 5) and Cat 4 riders are welcome to check out our program. Upper category riders (3s and 1-2s), please inquire with the respective team captains (you can also contact them via e-mail from web site).

October 11 (Saturday) - Bicycle Centres/Collision 1
www.bicyclecentresracing.com
Contact: Kent Smith kentleysmith [at] gmail [dot] com

2009 will be Pilchuck Cycling Club's (PCC) third year in existence. Open membership allows cyclists of every interest, discipline, and skill level to join while also fully supporting race teams that participate in road, mountain bike, cyclocross, and track races while helping new racers get involved in racing in a positive manner while giving back to the Northwest cycling scene. Men, women, and juniors are encouraged to join. Please email us with any questions.

October 18 (Saturday) - Cucina Fresca
www.supersquadra.com
Contact: info [at] supersquadra [dot] com

Cucina Fresca (a.k.a. Seattle Super Squadra, or "S3") is welcoming racers of all categories for the 2009 season. We like to call ourselves "a serious racing team that doesn't take itself too seriously." We've built a solid team environment out of people who enjoy being with each other both on and off the race course. When we say we're accepting racers of all categories, that doesn't mean you have to have prior racing experience, but it does mean that you are willing to make a serious commitment to some discipline of competitive cycling, whether it is road, cyclocross, mountain bike, track, or triathlon. Come ride with us, and let's see what we can do for each other.

October 25 (Saturday) - Native Planet
www.ride4areason.org
Contact: Bart Hawkinson bart [at] ride4areason [dot] org

Would you like your racing to support a good cause? Native Planet is expanding our roster of the women's and men's teams. We are looking for racers interested in disciplines including road, track, mountain, cyclocross, and triathlon. Our members range from Cat 4,5 racers to Ironman triathletes to expert female mountain bikers. We race competitively, yet put no pressure on our team. We understand that family and work are a priority and do not require racing or training commitments. We focus on friendship and promoting the Native Planet Outdoor Club (NPOC)'s mission. NPOC aims to promoting the fitness and recreation of its members and raising awareness for Native Planet, a separate charitable organization, which works to protect indigenous cultures worldwide.

November 1 (Saturday) - Avanti Racing
www.avanti-racing.com
Contact: Ben Larson benlarson [at] gmail [dot] com

The Avanti Racing team supports the development of competitive cyclists. The team encourages new and experienced racers and seeks to attract athletes who are passionate about bike racing. We maintain a healthy balance between cycling and greater responsibilities such as career and family. For 2009 we are building on the strengths of our road racing program to create a highly competitive elite squad for both men and women. In particular, we are looking for more category 3 and higher racers (men and women).

November 8 (Saturday) - AVA/Counterbalance Bicycles
www.avacbbracing.com
Contact: avacbbracing [at] gmail [dot] com

AVA/Counterbalance Bicycles' mission is to provide riders who find themselves on the fringes of the mainstream cycling community access to competitive amateur racing through excellent training guidance and financial support. The team has grown from its roots racing at the Marymoor Velodrome to field state champions in every discipline of cycle racing. Often referred to as "those crazy bike messengers," the team ranges from U16 Juniors to Masters 60+. Come share our vision to discover and stretch your physical limits as part of a like-minded team.

November 15 (Saturday) - Cycle University's Developmental Road Team
www.cycleu.com
Contact: Kristi Berg kristi [at ] cycleu [dot] com

Team Cycle U will be comprised of recreational riders up through all levels of racing with the focus on developing beginners who are looking to improve rapidly in a structured environment and represent Cycle University and showcase our coaching and training methodology. We are looking for quality people, both men and women, who have a balanced yet serious focus on improving their cycling skills and are willing to be coached. The goal of this program is creating riders prepared and ready to race well by giving them more entry-level guidance so they can more easily feed into existing racing teams when ready.

November 22 (Saturday) - Market Street Cycling/Joe Bar
www.marketstreetcycling.com
Contact: Ben Ullness info [at] marketstreetcycling [dot] com

Market Street Cycling Club (Joe Bar Racing) is a community-based organization whose goal is to promote cycling as a means of transportation, recreation, and sport in the Seattle area. We recognize that there are many barriers which prohibit certain segments of the local population from participating in both competitive and non-competitive cycling. Because we believe that the healthful benefits of cycling should be available to all, we promote cycling through volunteer work with youth and cycling advocacy groups.

Seattle rides | more rides

Meet the Teams Rides - outside the greater Seattle area
If you're thinking of joining a (new) team for the 2009 racing season, here's your chance to meet members of teams outside Seattle. We'll add to the list below as more teams send information about their rides.

If your team would like to host a ride to be added to this list, please contact marthalwalsh [at] yahoo [dot] com.

September 13 (Saturday) - Old Town Bicycle
www.narrowsvelo.org
Contact: Jeff Patterson jeffpatterson [at] comcast [dot] net or narrowsvelo [at] gmail [dot] com

Where: Forza Coffee, 2700 Bridgeport Way W, Suite G, University Place WA 98466

When: 9:00 am departure for a 2.5 - 3.0 hour ride

Our team is sponsored by the premier bicycle shop in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, and Olympia. Primarily a regional team with members who live near an Old Town Bicycle shop, the team has a long and successful history of Masters racing. This year, the team's Cat. 4-5 team was also the number one team in WSBA. New members for 2008-09 need to have at least one year of racing experience and intend to race at least 10 times during the season. In addition to our Sept. 13 Meet the Team Ride, interested riders may join us any Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at the same Forza coffee shop for a training ride of three to four hours. We place a high value on training and racing together for a collegial athletic experience.

October 4 (Saturday) - The Valley Athletic Club/CBC Racing
www.cbcracing.org
Contacts: Dan Donahue dnjdonahue [at] mac [dot] com or Michelle Kautzmann mtkkautzmann [at] yahoo [dot] com

Where: The Valley Athletic Club Cafe, 4833 Tumwater Valley Dr SE, Olympia WA 98506

When: 9:30 departure for a 2-hour casual ride

The Valley Athletic Club/CBC racing is a regional race team that supports and encourages road, track and cyclocross racing for all team members. We have an aggressive approach for gaining sponsorship, which enables us to give our members maximum team benefits to aid in our members' racing success. One primary goal for the team this year is to continue to grow our developmental program, which guides new riders in understanding and implementing race strategy as well as develop bike handling techniques. For 2009 we look forward to expanding our team with all levels and discipline of riders. Come join us for an introductory ride on Oct 4.

October 5 (Sunday) - Fanatik Juniors Team
fanatikbike.com
Contact: Stewart Bowmer stewartbowmer [at] comcast [dot] net

Where: Fanatik Bike Shop, 2025 James Street, Bellingham WA 98225 (directions on shop web site above)

When: 10:00 am

Route: Meet the Shuksan Velo Team Fanatik Juniors team. Ages 10-17. Boys and girls. Road bike or cyclocross bike required. Easy, social pace. Will ride and then stop at The Mount Bakery for treats before heading back to Fanatik. Parents will need to sign waivers that will be provided before the ride. Shuksan Velo Club is funding a one-day ride clinic November 9 from 9 am to 5 pm. Space is limited, but Whatcom and Skagit County juniors have priority.

October 19 (Sunday) - Bicycle Centres/Collision 1
www.bicyclecentresracing.com
Contact: Kent Smith kentleysmith [at] gmail [dot] com

Where: Bicycle Centres of Everett, 4707-A Evergreen Way, Everett WA 98203
425-252-1441

When: 9:20 am for 9:30 am departure

Route: From the shop around Homeacres Rd into Snohomish and South to Springetti Rd, along Lowell Larimer to finish the ride with a loop around North Everett along the bike lanes along 19th and Colby to the shop.

Allow about 2 hours. The ride may stop for 5-10 minutes along the way, but otherwise, be prepared for a continuous ride. The ride will happen rain, wind, or sunshine! Bring a functioning road bike (full fenders are appreciated on damp days), helmet, water, some food, weather-appropriate clothing, a little money, and an extra tube in case you flat.