So.. funny thing. I had been thinking lately that it was about time to take a different approach to my cycling endeavors and quests for sponsorships. My thoughts (no kidding) were to assemble a crew and try and get us all on the new Stumpjumper and build a team around RIDING not just racing. I have been racing the better part of my life now, and while I hope to always do some racing, I find it is the rides that I remember most, get the most smiles, meet the most people, and even ride the best. I have already hosted or been apart of countless rides that have gone down in legend, so why not market this along with my race results and find the support for the sport I truly love!
So I guess I am not the only person who has thought of this but I still believe it is the place for me. Thanks for checking me out, here is what I got.
Leader of a Cycling Community
My role as a cyclist has bloomed over the last 8 years I have lived here in Chico and cycling here is booming! After a very successful 5 years racing for the Chico State Cycling Team, getting to know most of the riders in the area, and with growing support from many local fans, I started the Team Chico Cycling club as a way to link some of the top riders and "keep it in Chico." It is because of the team that I have been able to focus more on riding and pick and choose the races I want to do and give alot back to the community scene. Our team hosts several "Cutty Training Series" events each year which showcases our Adventure style rides.
My wife and I have run a Mountain Bike Camp for kids for 5 summers now and have seen hundreds of kids come through and get a taste of the life on the trail! I am sure that among them lies more that a few future trail junkies!!
With such a vibrant scene and all the contacts I have made through cycling my career as a Massage Therapist is taking off quite nicely! Hard to beat sharing tales of ripping singletrack action as I dig an elbow into that IT band!!
I do believe my future lies in Chico as I continue as a cyclist, teacher, coach, team manager, CMT and more!!
Pro Cyclist
Now, I know a lot of times "pros" get left out of opportunities like this because there is the perception that "they get paid to ride their bikes, get all the free bikes they want and get massages every day (my wife does do pretty good on that one)" but that is certainly not the case. Maintaining a working, competitive bike, getting to the races and finding enough food to eat are some of the challenges most found by a pro MTB racer so all the help that people give along the way is really felt.
Yet being a Pro does mean that I like to ride my bike. A lot. Fast. Everywhere. It means 15 years of hard riding. It means hundreds of friends from around the world. It means thousands and thousands of miles of trails ridden. It has taken me to beautiful places around the world and makes me want to go back for more. It also makes my everyday rides seem pretty big. It might scare a few people off but mostly lures people into going out with me. It means I can ride to the top of that mountain AND ride back down and love every second of it. It is the rider who I am and hope to always be. Bottom line here is that I can (and already do) go BIG on that Stumpjumper.
More Info
Team Chico Cycling works out of Team Shop Chico Sports LTD and has worked closely with Specialized over the past several years. Being apart of the Specialized Trail Crew would go along perfectly under this setup and would enhance the image of the team and promotion of the shop and sponsors. I also have some good friends now working at Specialized who I keep in contact with and work with on product testing. This relationship again is part of our successful team and would also be strengthened by being apart of the Trail Crew (hopefully we could get together and ride more!!)
I am already in love with the Stumpjumper and really look forward to the cooler months and the BIG rides that come along with it. I usually let my riding (or rides) speak for itself, and word gets around quick on what I have been doing and the rides that I have done. But I love to take pictures, have friends in many cool places and certainly know how to blog and keep in touch. Let me ride for you and I will share my rides with the world and evoke envy in all who hear about them!
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