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Deserving Child + New Bike & Helmet = Merry Spinmas

 - by Shawn Buddenhagen

Do you want to give the gift of cycling to a deserving child this holiday season? Do you remember the feeling of receiving a brand new bike, and the sense of excitement and freedom that wells up inside? Then, consider giving to Merry Spinmas. 

What is Merry Spinmas? Southside Tri & Cycle (STC), formerly All About Bikes Racing, has a simple goal of providing twenty bikes and helmets to deserving children this holiday season. Shawn Buddenhagen explains the intent of Merry Spinmas: “We reformed our team earlier this year with a clear mission, to promote and support endurance sports and athletes in the area, and make a difference in our community. We feel Merry Spinmas fits in nicely with our mission, as we are trying to inspire the cyclists of tomorrow.”

STC has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Chesapeake, to recognize deserving children in their programs, and distribute the bikes and helmets. The Boys and Girls Club serves many students from a low socioeconomic status by offering program activities in the following five areas: Character and Leadership, Education and Career Development, The Arts, Health and Life Skills, and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. The Boys and Girls Club programs provide a safe place in the community, where at-risk children can go and learn skills to help them excel in school, and in life.

To select the Merry Spinmas bike recipients, the students will fill out a brief questionnaire. The questionnaire will ask:

- What is the student’s “Dream Bike”?
- How would the student use a new bike?
- Height and weight measurements for sizing.

Along with input from the directors at the Boys and Girls Club, STC will select the twenty children to receive the Merry Spinmas bikes and helmets. The bikes and helmets will be presented to the children in an event in Mid- December.

In July, STC survived the hot tub, hair dryer, and suana, on the way to winning the Mid-Atlantic Triathlon Club Championship, in Richmond. The purse for the event was $1000, and the members of the team that participated, have donated the winnings to fund the first ten bikes. STC plans to raise the funds for the remaining  ten bikes between now and early December. “We are really counting on support from the community, particularly the cycling community. As cyclists, we understand the myriad of benefits and sense of freedom from something as simple as a bike, and want to share that experience with these deserving children,” said Jimmy Parrott, STC’s Community Services Director.

By now you are asking, “How can I get involved and make this a fantastic holiday for a deserving child with a brand new bike?” It is easy, you can donate directly to Merry Spinmas through Paypal on the STC Blog. All money donated will go directly toward purchasing the bikes and helmets for those in need. If any individual, team, or shop would like donate a bike or helmet directly, please email STC. We will provide sizing info, and make pick up arrangements.

Thanks and, Merry Spinmas!!

Richmond Cycling Corps needs Votes to Finish in the Money at Pepsi Refresh Campaign

The Richmond Cycling Corps (formerly Richmond Pro Cycling) is in the running for a $25K grant from Pepsi Refresh, the beverage company's grant program dedicated to funding ideas that refresh the world. Richmond Cycling Corps does exactly that, by making better citizens out of cyclists and by using cycling to breathe fresh air into the inner city.

The top 15 vote getters receive a $25K grant. Vote for Richmond Cycling Corps here. If you really groove on what they're doing you can find more ways to get involved here.

DC's Bicycle Film Festival Clips In This Weekend

The Washington DC Bicycle Film Festival returns this weekend, with two nights of feature-length and short films devoted exclusively to our preferred pursuit. A couple films in particular are notable to racers:

The CycloCross Meeting, a documentary following Barry Wicks and Adam McGrath as they travel to Japan to throwdown on the Land of the Rising Sun's burgeoning CX circuit:

Bicycle Dreams covers the grueling Race Across America, which concludes each year in Annapolis:

The fun and suffering kicks off tonight with Goldsprints at Asylum in DC. Tickets and complete screening information is at The Bicycle Film Festival Website.

Recall on 2010 Redline Conquest Pro Cyclocross Bikes

Did you get a shiny new Redline Conquest Pro for the 2010 season? It may have just been recalled. Bicycle Retailer and Industry News reports that

This recall involves all 2010 Redline Conquest Pro Cyclocross bicycles and framesets. The bicycles and framesets were sold in pearl white/blue and have aluminum frames with carbon fiber forks and aluminum steerer tubes.

Evidently some forks have separated, liable to compromise your finishing position and/or teeth. Contact Redline Bicycles at (800) 283-2453 or on the interwebs.

Arlington Cinema 'n Draft House screens "A Ride with George Hincapie" on Thursday

Here's the trailer:

And here's the whole movie. Thursday December 10th at 7:30pm.

The Bicycle Film Festival, and You: December 3rd - 5th

How many of those cartoon text-to-movies have you watched in the past two weeks? If they've captured your attention, imagine how much you'll like real movies, starring real cyclists, in real races?

Like this one for example:

Thursday December 3rd: Bicycle Stations

That's the trailer for the Adventures for the Cure: The Doc, a feature film about the team's 6500 mile trek across the country on bikes. Single speed bikes. Fixed gear single speed bikes. The film won the People's Choice Award at the Benoit International Film Festival (where many of the "People" making this "Choice" don't even race bicycles). It's narrated by Greg LeMond. And of course it stars Adam Driscoll and some other AFC riders who beat up on you at Cross races pretty regularly. 

It's one of those performances you'd hate to be the opening act for. But if anything is up for it, it may well be the 2009 Lost River Classic. This short documentary on the inaugural Lost River sufferfest precedes the AFC: The Doc screening. Come see if you looked like you hurt as much as you felt like you hurt.

And the AFC and LRC films are just part of the Bicycle Film Festival's warmup screening, Thursday December 3rd at Bicycle Stations (14th & W St NW, DC), starting at 7pm.

Friday December 4th: Asylum

The official Bicycle Film Festival events are kicked off by a party at Asylum with Goldsprints (beer-fueled mano-a-mano trainer races). 9pm.

Saturday December 5th: Navy Memorial Theatre

The full schedule for the BFF on December 4-5 is here. You can also buy tickets online there, which is encouraged. 

The Bicycle Film Festival on Saturday December 5th showcases over 20 films about cycling. Many are under 10 minutes, but several are 1+ hour features. A partial list of titles includes:

• The Cyclocross Meeting
• Keirin
• Road to Roubaix
• Standing Start
• Anima D'Acciaio (Soul of Steel) 

See the complete program with descriptions (and buy tickets online) here.

All 12/5 shows are at the Navy Memorial Theatre at 701 Pennsylvania Ave.

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About the Bicycle Film Festival:

In 2001, Brendt Barbur, Founder and Director, was compelled to start the Bicycle Film Festival after being hit by a bus while riding his bike in New York City. Instead of being deterred by this experience, it inspired him to create a festival that celebrates the bicycle through music, art, and film. Now in its ninth year the festival is held in 39 cities worldwide. The BFF brings together many creative communities, including fashion, music and art as well as various bicycling communities - including mountain biking, fixed gear, BMX, and road cycling - over a shared passion for bike riding.

Meet Dave Zabriskie and Yield to Life in DC Tomorrow (10/1)

Fresh off his first professional stage race win ever, Dave Zabriskie will be at CycleLife in DC tomorrow (October 1), spreading the word about Yield to Life, an organization he founded to build awareness on Share-the-Road initiatives. Doesn't it seem like there has been a rash of bicycle vs. car incidents over the past year? Maybe there are, but maybe we're just more attuned to them.

Wouldn't it be something if motorists were as attuned to them as we are? That's where DZ comes in. Check him out at CycleLife tomorrow night. Tickets are available at YieldtoLife.org. 

(See how there are no cars on the road in the DZ photo to the right? That ain't gonna happen around here, so let's try something else.)

NCVC Announces Annual Ed Sander Memorial Cross Charity Raffle

Below is the announcement from NCVC on this year's Ed Sander Memorial CX Charity Raffle. Each $10 donation not only goes to the Chris Sander scholarship fund - it buys you a chance to win a 2010 Specialized Tricross Comp. (What an elegant looking bike.)

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The National Capitol Velo Club is holding a charity raffle for NEW 2010 Specialized Tricross Comp Cyclocross Bike – a $1900 value. Proceeds from this raffle will go to the Chris Sander scholarship fund. Chris is the only son of former NCVC racer Ed Sander.

Ed was a longtime employee of Lilypons Water Gardens who died tragically in August 2001 in a training fall. Speaking volumes to his commitment of cycling, Ed’s workspace had two photos hanging in it. One of Lance Armstrong. The other was of Nicole Reinhart—a racer for Saturn who died after a crash in a race in 2000.

A total of 300 tickets will be sold at $10 each. Tickets are available at Bikereg.

The raffle winner will be announced at one of the crown jewels of Mid-Atlantic cyclocross racing: the Ed Sander Memorial at Lilypons Water Gardens in Buckeystown Maryland on September 27th at 1pm. No other race venue is so uniquely tied to the race that it hosts. Ed was the manager of the ponds and property at Lilypons, and was "part of the family" to the tight-knit staff and owners of the company. Each year, the race passes by a permanent memorial just past the finish line that was erected by Lilypons in honor of Sander.

For full details on the bike, go to the Specialized website. The bike will be available to the winner at the Ed Sander Memorial Cyclocross race  but the winner does NOT need to be present at the drawing. The winner will be able to exchange the bike for another size via the Spokes, Etc. shop.

Special thanks to Spokes, Etc. and Specialized bikes.

Troubled Philly Race asks Regional Racers and Fans for Help

Maybe you've heard that the Philadelphia International Championship (or "Philly") is on the ropes for this year. Like many races, they were backed principally by a financial services firm (TD Bank in their case). And like many financial services firms, their sponsor is "re-evaluating their commitment." Additionally, the city of Philadelphia is having a budget crunch, and are now charging the race for about $250K worth of services previously provided at no cost (police coverage and the like).

The race is scheduled for June 7th, and if the organizers can't bring in about $500K to cover the shortfall, bye-bye Philly. Race organizers David Chauner and Jerry Casale have written the following impassioned plea to the racing community (ie, You), asking for support. They're not asking for donations; rather they've created some pretty compelling game-day spectating experiences that are definitely worth checking out. Have a read below, and go here to buy tickets and merchandise.

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PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SEND TO EVERY FRIEND OF CYCLING YOU KNOW. VIP TICKETS AND EMBRACE THE RACE STICKERS AND POSTERS CAN GET US OVER THE TOP AT NO RISK TO THE PURCHASER. SPONSORS TAKE TOO LONG AND ARE TOO WORRIED TO DECIDE. MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND CLICK YOUR SUPPORT PREFERENCE BELOW! D-DAY IS MONDAY, APRIL 27...

The event that started it all for international, professional cycling in the U.S. needs your help. After 24 years as the largest single-day, professional cycling race in North America, the Philadelphia International Championship is in jeopardy.

The economic challenges experienced in both corporate and civic circles have converged to create a shortfall in the operating budget of the race’s 25th year, and the reality of the situation is that unless a $500,000 gap can be closed in the next several days, the race will be canceled. (You can read an article on the status of the race in The Philadelphia Inquirer.)

While the scenario seems extraordinary, what we know is truly extraordinary is the love of this event among fans, cyclists and sports enthusiasts in Philadelphia, throughout the Delaware Valley and across the country. This is a decidedly difficult position for any event organizer – and perhaps one that’s become too familiar in recent months.

However, it is because of the incredible support the Philly race has enjoyed throughout its history, that we are bringing an appeal directly to you, the fans and cycling community. Thousands of fans line the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and streets of Manayunk each June to watch the world’s best in this sport. There is power in those numbers, and we’re hoping that power can help save the 25th running of the race.

HOW YOU CAN HELP – PURCHASE A TICKET, A POSTER OR A DECAL…
If you are interested in helping, there are three immediate ways to do so.

1. You can go online right now and buy Champions Row VIP tickets for $100 or $75 each. Our goal is to sell 3,000 VIP tickets for this first-ever opportunity to be under tent at the start/finish line for all of the racing action. These tickets include all-day catered buffets, complimentary beverages, drawings for pace car rides, VIP credential, a rider appearance, free transport to and from Manayunk and parking. CLICK HERE TO BUY THE TICKETS NOW.
2. You can buy a $10 official Embrace the Race poster. CLICK HERE TO BUY THE POSTER NOW.
3. You can also buy a $5 official Philadelphia International Cycling Championship Embrace the Race decal. CLICK HERE TO BUY THE STICKER NOW.

Please note: If the goal is not met and the race is canceled, ALL VIP TICKETS WILL BE FULLY REFUNDED and proceeds from Embrace the Race poster and decal purchases will be donated to one or more local charities that support cycling development in the Delaware Valley.

If just 3,000 people out of the 350,000 fans who come every year to the event each buy a Champions Row VIP ticket, the gap will be significantly reduced. If 50,000 people purchase a $10 Embrace the Race commemorative poster, the gap will be closed. Whatever your purchase, your Embrace of the Race and the support that goes with that will be deeply appreciated.

Your support over the years has never gone unnoticed or been underestimated. We hope to see you on June 7!

Thank you.
David Chauner and Jerry Casale
Race Founders

https://pct.ticketleap.com/ (Tickets, posters, and stickers)

"Road to Roubaix" at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse this Thursday

I hope this is a reminder and that you already know "Road to Roubaix" is showing at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse on Thursday of this week (2/26). If you do know, then you probably also know that doors open at 8pm and the film starts at 8:30pm and you can find more information at the Arlington Cinema website and buy tickets at Gripped Films.

If you didn't know any of this before, you do now. If you don't know whether or not you're going, the trailer might help convince you: