Velo City Cycles

THE QUICK RELEASE

A newsletter from Velo City Cycles

April, 2009 

It’s April! The month of “transition” from Winter to Spring. The month of the “Spring Classic” races in Europe. The month where we can f-i-n-a-l-l-y ride outside w/out 3 layers of gear! Needless to say – your buds @ the Cool Bike Shop find themselves kind of excited by all that, and plenty more!

We’d be much obliged if you could take a minute or so and read about all the cool stuff we have coming up & going on…………………. 

THE RETURN OF THE TUESDAY NIGHT RIDE! Our most popular weekly ride kicks off the season for the 1st time on April 7th. Just like before – we roll @ 6:00pm sharp and there will be 3 groups: “Hot”, “Medium” and “Mild”. The “Mild” group will go 20 miles @ a pace of 13-15mph. The “Medium” group will go 25 miles @ a pace of 18-19mph and the “Hot” group is on its own. Velo-Citizens will lead the “Medium” and “Mild” groups so no one gets lost or left behind. We do expect everyone to be on their best behavior and obey all traffic laws!

According to tradition – the last Tuesday of the month is pizza night so mark your calendars! 

THE SATURDAY MORNING SPRINT RIDE WILL START ON 4/18! Legend has it that this ride actually pre-dates the very existence of Velo City by decades! (We find that concept somewhat unsettling so we try not to think about it). Never less – the Sprint Ride is a local institution and the only ride associated w/ the shop where the “gloves are off” so to speak. This is a fast-paced ride down towards Saugatuck and back w/ furious sprints for each “stop ahead” sign along the way. A great way to test your fitness and see if you’re ready for the Grattan Race Series! Roll-out is @ 8:00 sharp.

APRIL’S FUN-RAISER RIDE IS THE “DESSERT RIDE!  Our “Fun-Raiser” series of rides happen every month from September through May and always feature a food theme, maps and tons o’ fun! Come on down to ride -n-hang w/ a buncha other cool like-minded folks! The Dessert Ride is set for April 26th we’ll have 25 and 40 mile loops and lotsa sweet treats back @ the shop! (Feel free to bring something to add to the pile…or not)

We leave @ 2:00 and there will be several groups w/ a pace for everyone! 

APRIL IS CANNONDALE MOUNTAINBIKE MONTH! If you’ve been thinking that it might be time to get yourself a new mountainbike – now’s the time! We’ll have every mountainbike in the shop on sale all month!

All 2009 models – 20% off!

All 2008 models – 25-35% off!

See what we mean? Here’s your chance to get yourself all set up on a sweet ATB @ a sweet price!

(FINE PRINT – APPLIES TO BIKES ON HAND ONLY) 

INTRODUCING…..CERVELO! We are pretty psyched to announce that we are now West Michigan’s exclusive Cervelo dealer! In a few short years this Canadian company has become synonymous with high performance as their bikes have been ridden to victory in everything from the Tour de France to Paris-Roubaix to the Ironman. We’re anxious to show you why they might be the best choice for you as well. The 1st shipment should be here by the middle of the month.

“MORE THAN A 100 MILES” MOVIE PREMIER ON 4/16! Most of our friends and customers are aware that the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the shop’s favorite cause and that we support the West Michigan Ride Team in a number of ways. MC has been the coach of the team since Day 1 (and has just been “promoted” to Co-National Head Coach) and VCC is also the Tech Support provider for all 6 of their Rides for 2009. A long-time member of the Team has produced a documentary about the 2008 ride season and the movie makes its debut this month!

The date is April 16

The time is 7:00pm

The place is Celebration Cinemas North in GR

The cost is 5 bucks.

There will be an after-party at Boston’s (right next door) and you’re liable to see some faces you recognize!

More info @ www.morethan100miles.blogspot.com  

SAY “HOWDY” TO GLENN RUTKOWSKAUS! Glenn’s the last piece o’ the puzzle as far as the cast of Velo-Citizens for the season, joining Berger, Aaron and Matt in the service area as of late last month. He’s another “roadie” and is looking forward to gettin’ a buncha miles in w/ the rest of the staff this summer. He lives in downtown Saugatuck w/ Courtney and Silas and will be here 2-3 days a week making sure that your bike gets the TLC that it deserves. A graduate of our “Tool School” and a machinist by trade, he’s here to help!

COOL NEW STUFF REPORT – Our first shipment of Keen cycling sandals kinda flew out the door but we just got a new batch in! These look to be the hottest new design in sweet riding footwear and everyone here @ the shop can hardly wait to ride in ‘em! Men’s and women’s sizes, all w/ that super comfy Keen fit and combo of ventilation and toe protection. $115 and compatible w/ any “walkable” pedal system.

COOL EVENTS CALENDAR…….So much goin’ on, sweet!

4/6 – Macatawa Cycling Club meeting.

4/7 – Tuesday Night Ride starts.

4/16 – World Premier of “More Than a 100 Miles” film in GR

4/18 – Sprint Ride commences.

4/19 – Yankee Springs Time Trial.

4/25 – GRBMX Mountainbike Race – GR

4/26 – Dessert Ride.

4/26 – Classic Bike Swap Meet – Ann Arbor

5/3 – Cone-Azalia Road Race

5/9- Kal-Haven Trail Blazer

Info on all these events available here @ the shop.

COME HEAR THE BAND! Make the scene @ the Saugatuck Brewery on 4/11 to see (and hear) what MC and the other 5 members of The Last Call Band have been up to! Music starts @ 8:00 and goes until past their bed-time! No cover and smoke-free!

Wow! See what we meant when we said that there’s a lot goin’ on? We sure do hope that this note finds you well and ready to ride! If there’s anything we can do to help w/ that…be sure to let us know, okay? We’ll be here, ready to tune-up your current bike or fit you to a new one (or both!)

So – stop in and say howdy and we’ll see you on a ride! 

Berger, Sandy, Aaron, Matt, Rhonda, Glenn & MC

“Cycling is Childhood Perfected”

Heather Sellers, Cyclist