Congrats to our team member Ross Brody for finishing OBRA's cyclocross season in 2nd 1st place in the Best All-around Rider cyclocross competition (and he capped it off with a couple wins this weekend).
Go Ross!
Agenda was tough but we trudged through it like a well-oiled machine! Getting the pool behind us to match our kits was a bitch!!
Photo Credit: Some random guy on the trail using Sue's camera.
I got nothing on Matt's infographic, but dang, Buy Local Cycling team members were busy in 2010. Team members participated in over 160 OBRA races (plus races in WA), including the Cyclocross National Championships in Bend, Oregon. ~63% of these races were ‘cross events, ~32% mountain (cross country and short track), and few road events sprinkled on top for good measure. Suzanne’s events (Tour Divide and the Oregon Stampede) are indescribable. That seems like a ton of racing/riding for a small team of 20 members. Nice work!
Our team members were busy racing and helping organize team events. This was the second year for the Salem STXC series. We grew our participant numbers in 2010 and gave away a bunch of cash and prizes. Big thanks to Mike Peterson and Heltzel Williams Law and their willingness to sponsor the event. I’d also like to acknowledge Gordie’s (NW Multi owner) continued support of this event and the team itself. I cannot thank Buy Local team members Jim Allen, Jenny Vannoy, Carol Peterson, Patrick Jackson, and Dusty Miller enough for their sweat (literally, it was f’in HOT in August) and assistance. As usual, Jesse Finch Gnehem and his wife Kurstin helped the event registration/results run oily smooth. Kenji and Tessa Sugahara rocked it. Although I will not be directing the 2011 Salem STXC series, Jim Allen and Patrick Jackson have something in the works for 2011. Many thanks to Showers Pass, Bike Peddler, and Metafilter for supporting the series. I can’t recall if Patrick Jackson or Todd Dye won the jump contest? You can judge for yourself (Patrick vs. Todd).
As usual, Matt took some amazing photos during the series and they are posted here.
Our third annual Heiser Farms ‘cross race was held on October 9th. I love this race. John and Kristi Heiser are super sweet, easygoing folk to work with. No stress for me and 2010 brought with it a ton of new stuff at the farm. Heiser Farms has fast become a favorite by many ‘crossers, especially those with children. The event is tentative for 2011. The Heiser’s are ready to host, but we’re searching for a race director. The event would not have gone so smoothly if it weren’t for Jenny Vannoy, John Divelbiss, Jesse Finch Gnehem, and the Cap Velo crew of volunteers. Again, NW Multi stepped up as a major sponsor and provided gift certificates and cash for the winners. I really hope to see this event in the future…maybe I can finally race it again.
Matt's Heiser photos are here.
Buy Local, along with BicycleAttorney.com, capped off the 2010 race organizing calendar with the OBRA Cyclocross Championships held at West Salem High School. The local community really came together to make this race happen. All the Salem bike shops (Peddler, Scott's, Santiam) and bike friendly area businesses (Venti’s Café, Yenne Schofield Orthodontics, and Patrick Jackson Construction) stepped forward to make the event a reality in Salem. The highlight of the race day was the raffle. We raffled off a Giant TCX frame donated by Giant Bicycles/BikeNHike, a beautiful set of wheels from Corsa Concepts, several Showers Pass rain jackets, and gift certificates from BikeNHike and NW Multi. The Salem-Keizer School District and City of Salem were professional, well organized, and generous. We really appreciated both agencies’ willingness to work with us. After 10 months of planning, the event went off without…too many hitches. There was the matter of parking and some mud in the road, but in the end, everyone involved agreed that the event was a huge success. Over 800 riders and spectators took part. The first ever Cyclocross High School Champion was crowned. 85 bales of hay and 150 lbs of grass seed was spread….some the of the grass is already beginning to sprout! Team members John Divelbiss, Steve Williams, Eric Vickers, Matt Haughey, Carol and Mike Peterson, Jim Allen, Patrick Jackson, and Ross Brody (plus Kurt Haas from CV) really put themselves out to make this entire event a success. Steve’s wife and mom won the “Most-Valuable-People-Not-Actually-on-the-Team Award. Steve’s wife and mom showed up on Sunday, while we were cleaning up and spreading grass seed, with a Thanksgiving spread of food and hot chocolate. This was only the second year that the OBRA cyclocross championship race was detached from Cross Crusade Series. I believe we set the bar high for the 2011-2012 event promoter.
Matt's OBRA CCX Championship photos here.
So what’s on the calendar for 2011? I have decided to take a break from race promotion. There are some rumblings on the team about folks organizing the 2011 Salem STXC series and at least one cyclocross race. I really love putting on races (you have to) and will miss the planning and the chaos - but I am ready for a new challenge. I have had this crazy dream to build an extensive single-track loop in and around Salem. Mike Peterson has helped me make this a reality. Mike helped me incorporate the Salem Area Trail Alliance (SATA) as an Oregon non-profit and we are working toward 501(c)(3) status in 2011. The plan is to connect five Oregon State Parks on the West bank of the Willamette River and approximately 18 local wineries via natural terrain single track. We’ve already had some success finding support from IMBA's Trail Care Crew grant program. SATA will host an event sometime during the summer of 2011. We’ve also asked IMBA to conduct a feasibility to will allow SATA to move forward in 2011. We've applied for some support from Cycle Oregon. Wish SATA luck! We’re working on a SATA web page and all that other social media crap.
Once again I’d like to thank all of our sponsors - they are all very generous. They know damn well that supporting our team isn’t going to boost their bottom line (most often the opposite). The relationships we’ve built with our sponsors are strong and we appreciate their continued support in 2011. Without their generosity and dedication, most of us couldn’t afford to participate in those 150 events.
Metafilter, DeSalvo Custom Cycles, Northwest Multisports, Corsa Concepts, Shower Pass, Mt. Borah, White Bros, Nuun, Ruckus, and Scrub…THANK YOU! Here's [clank!] to 2011!!
Sincerely,
Jeff McNamee
Buy Local Cycling
Yesterday, about 3/4 of the team got together for a BBQ and mountain bike ride, and we also distributed our new jersey designs. Here's the assembled masses:
Thanks again to Weightshift for the excellent design help on the kits.
To prepare for the upcoming season, Brett Luelling is getting a new DeSalvo Titanium cyclocross bike custom made. In order to get it just right, he got a full bike fit and shoe fit from Molly Cameron at Portland Bicycle Studio. Below you'll find a handful of shots from the fitting.
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:
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).
