Team Stories
The team gathered in El Dorado Hills, CA this past month for their annual training camp weekend. Check out the gallery below. Photos by Wil Matthews
After months of sun and balmy temps in the Bay, it was only fitting that the skies opened up during our annual team camp weekend, just as they’re done for the past FOUR years in a row! However, the wet weather did little to dampen our spirits, as evidenced by these incredible candid moments, captured throughout the weekend by our resident 35mm film photographer, Mr. Andrew Shimizu.
Three days, three hundred eighty miles. The Coast Ride was a fantastic way to kick off the 2019 season for the team. Here are a few snaps from the ride.
The heat of racing and a year of gunning it take their toll on us all. It was freezing rain at team camp, at Lakeport it was 90 and thick with smoke after the sun set. As the racing dies down and we get to enjoy those miles with no agenda or specific plan, it’s good to reset and focus on the positive aspects of cycling.
Ride with friends, ride by yourself, ride new roads or old haunts, ride up down, flat or around, but most of all, just ride.
Thanks for following along this year, enjoy your offseason.
TMBFY
After training and racing seriously for several years, I decided to scale it back after Masters Nationals a year ago to focus more on family and work. The plan was to continue to ride but in a less structured way, and get back to more riding on the dirt. I’d jump in a few events and try to maintain enough fitness to help the team on the few occasions where I could race, but the plan was to take training much less seriously. I wasn’t sure how I'd feel watching my fitness slide over time and how’d I’d feel watching my team mates race but I was excited to try out the new trend in cycling, gravel racing. As it turns out, I have enjoyed riding much more over the last year as mountain biking and gravel riding have replaced intervals and I can use group rides more to get in some intensity. But the most challenging part was this spring as everyone’s fitness started to return and I was just maintaining. It sucked to not be able to hang, or even attack like I used to. But I’ve known I was going to do the San Rafael Sunset Crit for a while so it was time to try to get some form back. Part of that prep was needing to dust off the race legs and I found an opportunity last weekend at the Brisbane Criterium. Our team had a decent turnout as did the rest of the field so it was a good test. Maybe it was the time off from racing or just one of those reflective days, but the experience gave me some clarity around why road racing is so rad and why there’s nothing else like it.
Over this last year, I’ve done some “alternative events” like grasshoppers, the Lost and Found Gravel Race, and one day of the Haute Route. All very hard and very fun events but races where you can finish just about anywhere and still have a good day out. But there’s just no other style of racing that matches road racing. The teamwork, intensity, tactics, split second decision making and talent of the NorCal masters scene separate this racing style from all others. We like to joke that it’s like playing chess while at your physical limit. And while I get the draw of fondo’s and gravel racing, it’s just not the same. Yes, road racing is harder, and you have to put in more work in order for it to be fun, and getting dropped sucks. But when you’re fit enough to be up in the mix and participate in the racing rather than hanging on for dear life, there’s no better competitive experience on a bike.
But what really separates road racing from other styles is the post race get together. Maybe not all teams do this but our post race gatherings are one part race recap, one part top notch beer tasting. And yesterday was no exception. It certainly helped that Dana won and we didn’t have to dwell on what we did wrong, but I was struck by the experience and how it differed from the other events I had done. Those alternative races are generally a series of individual stories and it’s certainly fun to swap them around the campfire or over a cold beer. But with road racing, it’s a shared experience. We spoke about what we saw each other doing, and explained what we were thinking when we did what we did. We asked questions about what was happening in the break or back in the pack. We had all been in the same race but had different thoughts and experiences within the race. Our competitors would stop by and we’d chat with them about how the race played out. All of our stories were interwoven and made up the entirety of the race. And that’s what really makes road racing so special and unique. You experience it with others and each of us out there impact and contribute to the experience of the rest.
I’m a huge supporter of the new trend in racing and I love that these “alternative” races are so inclusive and can help introduce the competitive aspect to cycling or rekindle the fire in a retired racer. But I hope road racing never dies and maybe these new events will help newer riders catch the competitive bug. I can’t wait for San Rafael, my favorite race of the year. Now just need to get some intervals in...
I was particularly excited about this team camp, for a couple reasons. It was going to be in Santa Cruz, my hometown and best city for cycling (in the world?!), our team roster boasted 11 of my favorite cycling friends, and the weather was going to be perfect.
Friday night we all showed up at the host house with bikes spilling out of cars and hugs and chatter all around. Amy opened up the Equator box and handed around our Equator beanies and bags of fresh coffee. I handed out the team t-shirts and broke open the box of Gu product for the weekend. It was the ultimate cyclist partay. Even the two host house kittens made friends and cautiously investigated the noisy living room.
Saturday dawned clear and COLD. After a huge breakfast by our own Melanie (oatmeal, and bacon and scrambled eggs, and baked cinnamon apples!!!) complete with the requisite Equator French presses, we went through the typical layers on and layers off and finally rolled down the hill into the redwood trees and backroads.
Team camp doubled as kitty camp
Today’s ride was an iconic 55 mile Santa Cruz classic; Eureka Canyon. The loop did not disappoint. After warming up through the trees, and meandering out through town, we hit Corralitos and the base of Eureka with smiles and miles of snacks to go. Some people smashed up the hill, and some rode casually to take in the views, but by the time we rounded up at the top of Soquel-San Jose Rd, everyone had logged a decent leg beating at some point or another. Lunch was equally epic and dinner soon followed. We tried to go mini-golfing but the Boardwalk had rented the golf course out to a “private event”.
Always time for mid-ride selfies
Day 2 was intended to be a team day, with a flat route to facilitate rotating and team work. After our team picture in our beanies and tees, we took the scenic route past East Cliff, to take in the ocean breeze and views of Monterey, before heading to the flatlands of South County. Along San Andreas, we hammered out a team time trial, staggering two teams to add an element of racing. At the turn around point, it was time to head home, as the miles of smiles was taking a toll. Rolling back smoothly, we climbed the brutal 4 minute, 15% hill to the host house, and collapsed around the table for a late lunch.
Beach day!
Interested to hear what the Women’s team has in store for 2018? Looking for a new group to race with and friends that will challenge you on the road, on the dirt and gravel, and in races?
If you're looking for a new team to ride for next season, consider contacting Samantha Vroomen of the Team Mike's Bikes p/b Equator's women’s squad. We're on the hunt for riders in the Cat 2's to riders who are 3's and ready to start working up the ranks.
Why ride for us? Because we continue to improve while having fun. Most importantly, we strive to be a good influence for other women looking to join the sport and for racers looking for leadership in races. The entire Mike's Bikes team has found success through teamwork and a big reason for this is that teammates become like family and we're willing to rise to the challenges of racing in a strong NCNCA field.
Feel free to chat us up if you see a women riding by in the 2017 Mikes Bikes kit. Or, contact us if you are interested to see what we are planning for 2018!
Old School Rap
My Posse Won Districts
(Play video above and read along below)
Me and Oli Ryan, my friend the British chap
I’m on the black Venge Vias with the SRAM eTap
I'm calling up the posse, it's time to get racin’
A team full of beasts, to keep you suckas trippin'
Everybody's looking if you're jealous turn around
The 64 wheels keep us closer to the ground
We’re getting good grip from the turbo cotton tires
The GU juice pumping but I need the caffeine higher
Cause the CapoForma team kit makes the girlies get dumb
We're rolling to the start and the jealous wanna get some
Every time we do this sucka masters wanna battle
We’re the team they love to hate, the TMB that you can’t rattle
We headed off the start on Parker Flat Rd
Heading for the win, yes we're in cruisin’ mode
The field’s kinda crowded, the whole pack was kinda stacked
Amatelli’s watching T.V. with two girlies on his lap
On Eucalyptus Rd the set looks kinda dead
We need a new attack so posse move ahead
We all look kinda swass the crew you can't forget
The TMB posse cold rippin’ up the set
My posse’s winning Districts
My posse’s winning Districts
Rollin’ in, my posse was getting kinda bored
There's not another posse with more points scored
We don't ride around like pack fodder or flex like big gorillas
My homeboy Oli Ryan is the British blurple killa
Luigi’s on the move his bike dancing like a freak
The girlies see his booty and their knees get weak
Cox is the white guy people think he’s funny
An animal doctor who’s attacks are hella money
Clocking lots a watts, he got a big gap
We cruising in the field and markin’ all the moves
Wheeling past the start, saw nothing in the pack
The competition got mad from watching Cox attack
Cause the Scott man got ‘em and their watts just drop
The teams look depressed cause our crew won’t stop
For lap after lap, the Doc held his gap
Josh shouted Mustard Flowers it's time to get slapped
Oli blew me a kiss he said I looked fit
He’s looking mighty freaky in his TMB kit
The closer that we get, the crazier I feel
My posse's winning Districts, it's time to get ill
My posse’s winning Districts
My posse’s winning Districts
Following the chase and my wheels spin slow
Rolling with your posse is the only way to go
The others finally caught him he was looking for a ride
We even picked him up but then attacked the other side
We attacked up the left, we attacked up the right
We attacked up the middle and made them suckas bite
The posse’s getting stronger, the attacks are getting fierce
My brakes ain’t dragging and my tires ain’t pierced
Other racers getting’ tired from TMB’s dishin’
I attack on the left, a little bit of fishin’
But Baker was done, And so was Jer-o-my
They said, "Please stop this racing ‘cause we’re getting too damn tired"
The finish is the place were the cool hang out
The swass like to play and the fast flaunt clout
I get a big gap, so big we count by twos
We're getting dirty looks from those other sucker crews
My gap got big, like over a minute
Skeezer from another crew attacked hard but missed it
The others were illin’, kept trying to close it down
My homeboys TMB cold marked them down like clowns
Cause I never liked a dude who wouldn’t pull through
If you don't have legs then let us crush your world
I help the gap for laps, 2 to be exact
I crossed the line alone and Beardo starts to cheer
Boy I got a def posse you got a bunch a dudes
You're broke cold crying about the TMB blues
Ya couldn’t hang with us and now you got a cramp
The TMB posse just won the District champs
My posse won Districts
My posse won Districts
Maybe it's best to have your first Coast Ride be the El Nino version. Important lessons came quickly: My bike is fairly waterproof, and so am I. I say "fairly waterproof" because of destroyed brake pads and some saddle sores.
On MLK weekend our crew of Dana, Emily, Shelagh, Julie and I - with Jared as our chief wind-blocker/flat fixer/steady wheel - rolled from San Francisco in a light rain, headed for Monterey with 200+ others. The Coast Ride begins.
There's a peaceful silence a group of riders will fall into when they're perfectly content, enjoying the miles as they pass effortlessly beneath their wheels. Our silence was more the kind that happens when you're miserable but trying your damnedest not to complain. Thankfully everyone was on the same page about this, mile after mile.
As we passed through towns and the lunch stop, it became hard to know whether the water hitting my face was rain or just spray from the wheel ahead. A turn on the front answered the question; yep, still raining. Through the back roads of Monterey the wheel spray turned brown and it was pretty obvious that wasn't just dirt flying into my mouth and dripping from my helmet.
Monterey, what a glorious sight after 125 miles! I got into the shower in full kit, with my bike. (Apologies to the Days Inn about those towels.) Now relatively clean and with just one more day of rain-riding ahead, my misery changed to optimism. That's right, we were bailing in Morro Bay, which I insist is a sign of maturity, not weakness.
Elise joined us for Day 2, which goes along a really gorgeous stretch of road...when you can see it. The rains of the day before were replaced by mist, fog, and then wind. We only needed fire to have experienced all the elements on this adventure.
Heading out of Ragged Point for that final stretch, with our brakes nearly worn down to the metal, it was everyone for themselves. I glued onto the wheels of some guys laying down a fast pace and shamelessly drafted my way to Morro Bay. Everyone made it in - Shelagh cried tears of joy (I think) while Emily rolled up in an RV already 3 beers deep and bragging of delicious sausages consumed in warmth and comfort. So jealous, but so incredibly excited to grab a beverage of my own!
And just like that, our Coast Ride was over. Watching everyone roll out the next morning into the rain, I thought maybe, just maybe I should have been riding. But then we went for cappuccinos and a huge breakfast and knew we made the right decision. Till next year Coast Ride, we'll bring our A-Game if you do!
words: Roman Kilun images: Andrew Goessling & Mike's Bikes
Day two of camp was scheduled to be the big ride of the weekend. Kings Ridge, Tin Barn, HWY 1 and Coleman Valley. In addition to some serious training the other goal for the ride was to work with our photographers to get some action shots of the team on the new bikes. All fueled on Equator Speed Blend we kitted up and got out the door. As team captain, it warmed my heart that everyone was ready on time and looking super fly for photos.
The first portion of the ride was fast and flat. Big smiles were had all around as we realized how silly fast these Vias bikes really are. As we rode and chatted the Caesar chaffered the photographers to get “the shot.” It was all fun and games until the base of King Ridge when our Colin Daw, our national champion, set a hard pace and the conversation was a minimum. The views were incredible, the weather was great, and the pain in the legs was just right. Once at the top we stopped for a big group photo and refilled on Osmo. The climbing was by no means over but everyone was quite relieved to have main climb over.
An hour later we reached the coast just north of Fort Ross. At this point we spit up into 2 groups to practice on pace lines and to do some intensity. The plan was ride hard for 20k but no one wanted to stop and we smashed each other all the way to Bodega, some 30 miles later. Hungry and tired, we still had the climb up Coleman Valley to get home.
Once within spitting distance of the house the guys started turning to me and asking about dinner… and I honestly did not know. We did not have much food in the house but I did know that a chef was coming to cook for us. It was five o’clock and I did not expect that he had arrived… but I am glad I was wrong. As we came into the house we realized that our chef, Matt Accarino (of SPQR) and had arrived, and he had made us the most amazing spread I have ever seen at any team event. It was a cornucopia of treats, all perfect for recovery. And we were told that this was just to tide us over until dinner.. we were over the moon.
After snacks and showers, Chef Accarino did a really informative presentation on race food preparation and how to cook a variety of grains. The team was super curious and got to try a dozen new ingredients. And then, it was dinner. Moroccan chicken, truffle risotto, roasted squash, and herb salad with grapefruit. Everything was beyond delicious and made with love. It was obvious that Accarino is a world-class chef and the next day we would learn that he is also a very good bike rider.
words: Cameron Bronstein images: Andrew Goessling
After an early morning at work, I pedaled home to meet part of the East Bay crew (Roman and Reese). We hit the road in Roman’s sweet old car for Novato to meet up with Caesar --our selfless mechanic-- and team papas Matt Adams and Steve Pelaez. It was quite the job to pack up our Toyota Sienna with the team’s gear from all of our sponsors: ProBar, Capo Cycling Apparel, Specialized Evade helmets and Sub6 shoes, Look Pedals, and BikeSmart gear. Amazingly everything fit in the Sienna and we were off. What a way to start the weekend in seeing the Mike’s Bikes warehouse, where a team of mechanics spends countless hours building all the bikes for Mike’s Bikes, including our new Specialized Venge ViAS team bikes.
We made our way through the green Sonoma pastures and up the familiar grade of Joy Rd. in Occidental where we’d be staying for the weekend (huge thanks to Travis Lyons for setting us up with an amazing cabin). A few quick introductions later and we finally took off for the first ride of the weekend. Rain, wet roads, and a couple punctures kept the intensity mellow, but we had a fun time familiarizing ourselves with the steep curves of Coleman Valley Rd. which would serve as a motif for the weekend’s rides.
We got all cleaned up from our muddy ride and relaxed for a bit, chatting about our awesome new bikes and our excitement for dinner. As forever hungry cyclists, we all opted for the “Dinner” option for entrees at Negri’s Original, which included countless sides and a seemingly endless amount of delicious Italian food. I was not one to complain! A long dinner later and we were getting more food for breakfast across the road. It was here that our team camp anthem was found and some major dance moves were thrown down (Fairfax by Gladiator).
As the evening came to a close, some of us played with our bikes while the rest divvied out our team gear. What a feeling to make a separate “stars and stripes” pile for all of our past and current National Champions -- a true testament to the depth and hard work of our riders! Cheers to a great first day of camp.
The boys check out the USA Cycling Nationals Road Race course in Truckee, CA.
