The Buy Local Cycling team is happy to welcome Ruckus Components as a sponsor in our efforts. Ruckus Components is based in Portland, Oregon and exemplifies the Buy Local spirit by hand laying custom carbon cyclocross, mountain bike, and commuter components in their SE Portland workshop. Ruckus also does custom carbon frame and wheel repairs as well as developing prototype frames.
When we started the Buy Local team, companies like Ruckus Components were exactly who we had in mind to help promote to wider audiences -- small, local businesses producing high quality components by hand. Like the carbon bashguard seen on my cross bike, you may see a variety of Ruckus Components appear on Buy Local riders team bikes in 2010 and beyond.
Before we welcome in 2010 we need to acknowledge the work that was accomplished in 2009. The Buy Local Cycling Team concept evolved over several months and many conversations. We began with a simple premise: Amazing craftspeople in the region make some pretty cool bike stuff. We've expanded our net a bit and have discovered that some pretty cool bike stuff is made in Wisconsin, Utah, California, Indiana, and New York too. Our mission was never to assemble a team that rode on complete US made bikes, down to the brake pads and crank bolts. We knew such a goal would be impossible to reach. We did, however, want the cycling community to consider the high quality options in its backyard. Over the past year we have had some fruitful conversations with the cycling community about the "buy local" concept and why it does, and sometimes does not, make sense.
Buying local bike products, although not the easy choice, just feels right. Not because of the dollars it may bring to the region or the hundred other arguments for buying locally, but because of the simple fact that it helps us feel connected. Making this connection with our local manufactures builds community; a concept we can all benefit from. It's difficult to explain if you've never had the opportunity, but stepping over a bike that was designed and built by someone you know (and have actually talked to!) gives you a sense of pride and appreciation for the builder's craftsmanship; like you had a hand in the process. Thanks DeSalvo! We love our bikes!!
2009 was a blast and a blur. It's remarkable what a bunch of weekend warriors pulled off in one year. Sponsors were found, kits were designed, the roster was assembled, and events were organized. We'd like to thank our 2009 sponsors and welcome in our 2010 partners. We'd would also like to specifically acknowledge MetaFilter and Matt Haughey. Without MeFi and Matt none of this would be possible. Thanks Matt!
So was 2009 a success? We think so. Our team's success is not determined by individual podiums or BAR points. Our team's success is based on three simple things: building community, supporting our riders, and representing our sponsors. The feedback we received from our sponsors and peers was amazing. Team members understand the BuyLocal mission and do their best to stay true that mission.
2010 brings four new partners; Northwest Multisports, Showers Pass, nuun hydration, and Ruckus Components. We are very excited about these partners and the work they do locally. Read more about our sponsors here.
So what goals have we set for 2010? You can check out individual riders' bios and goals here. Collectively, our goal for 2010 hasn't changed much from 2009: Do right by local folks making amazing bike stuff!
Just in case you missed us in 2009, here's a gallery from some of our adventures.
Peace,
BL
About half of our team ventured out to Bend, Oregon this week for the US National Championships of Cyclocross. Team riders scored the following finishes:
- Sean Kelsey 30th place, Men's Masters 40-44
- Maren Nelson 20th place, Women's Masters 35-39
Eric Vickers was doing well in his race until a barrier mishap ended his race with a badly cut ear(!!!).
In the elite races, Katie Compton showed why she's the number one ranked women's rider in the world by stomping the competition, adding 10-15 seconds to her lead each lap. Tim Johnson held off defending champ Ryan Trebon to become the new national champ for his third time. A slideshow of my photos from the weekend is here (static photos here).
Buy Local team rider Sean Kelsey rode this weekend's USGP event in Portland, scoring a 7th on Saturday and I would guess about a 12th Sunday (still awaiting results) in the 35+ Masters class. Sean's also racing next week at the Cyclocross National Championships in Bend, Oregon.
My photos from Day 1 and Day 2 are posted over at Flickr and here's a video I shot of Ryan Trebon flying through barriers.
The Buy Local Cycling team is happy to report that we've added Nuun Hydration (out of Seattle, WA) and Northwest Multisports (Corvallis, OR) as sponsors for the team.
Nuun is known for their line of electrolyte tablets (no powder) without sugar, calories, or carbohydrates. In a world of overly sugary, bad tasting drink mixes, Nuun is a refreshing alternative.
Northwest Multisports is one of Oregon's few local shops focused on triathalons (including bikes, of course). It's lead by Gordie Cummings who ripped some of our summer Short Track races apart.
From the time the idea was born for the team -- to use local builders and as many local parts as possible, it's been a long journey putting a team together, making connections with builders and manufacturers, and finally, doing loads of research to try and meet the goals of the team to ride on bikes and products made locally.
This particular bike is mine, and I'm 6'4" so it's a very large frame (seat tube is about 64cm). It's a custom geometry (after a fit from Seth Hosmer) titanium frame built by Mike DeSalvo in Ashland, Oregon. From there, we assembled parts with the following priority:
- Companies making parts locally in Oregon (DeSalvo frame, Chris King hubs & bottom bracket, Kool-Stop brake pads, Ruckus bashguard)
- American companies making parts in the US (Thomson stem & seatpost, Paul brakes, Selle An-Atomica saddle, Woundup Components Fork, Stans NoTubes rims & sealant)
- American companies making parts internationally (SRAM Force shifters & derailleurs, Salsa components, FSA crankset)
People told us going into this project that it's wasn't possible to ride a truly local bike from the top of the seat to the bottom of the tires, and though it's true you can't build an entire bike from parts produced in Oregon, we did our best here to show you can go pretty far and find some really top quality components and frames produced quite closely to where our team members live.
I want to give a big thanks Mike DeSalvo for believing in our team when it was barely more than an idea. I want to thank Spectrum Powder Works for the amazing detailed all powdercoat paint job and Woundup for making a custom carbon cross fork with fender eyelets for winter training after cross season is over. I want to thank Gordie at Northwest Multisports for wrangling up our parts and Shawn at Ruckus for getting me parts on short notice. I also want to give a big thanks to Mike at my local bike shop Tommy's for dialing it all in just in time for racing. Lastly I want to thank local bike photography legend Jared Souney for taking the time to shoot this and make it look amazing.
More shots of the bike in my Flickr gallery
You might have spotted our shirts on team members at local events, and on anyone that bought a Salem Short Track Series pass. We're now selling our team shirts to the public for $15 with $5 priority shipping (1-2 day anywhere in the US) here. Proceeds benefit a local school.
If you ever wanted to tell the world you prefer pedaling to being behind the wheel, here's your chance. Note that shirts are printed on Royal Apparel (all organic cotton, 90% US grown, sewn in Brooklyn, NY) and have a snug fit (they are patterned after American Apparel and 70s snug tees).
Ryder Kelsey, born 10/5 at 1:30am, 7.6lbs. The word is Ryder has a full head of hair and CX ready lungs!
Buy Local Cycling's Sean Kelsey raced both the Starcrossed and Rad Racing GP events this past weekend in Seattle, the highlight of which was pulling off a 5th in the Masters 35+ 1-2 class. Congrats, Sean!
Just in time for the LifeSource Salem Short Track Series and our upcoming cyclocross season, the new Buy Local Cycling team kits arrived from Mt. Borah's custom division. The design is by Naz Hamid at Weightshift.
