Rider Profiles

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Omaha Devo news

Good buddy Kevin asked me to make sure Velo members knew about this cool program for getting youngsters started in mountain biking. Sweet!

WHO: Kids interested in learning the lifelong sport of Mountain Biking

WHAT: A kids’ mountain bike club for ages 5-18

WHEN/WHERE: Sessions that run from April-August at Tranquility Park in Omaha, and Swanson Park in Bellevue

Omaha “Devo” (short for development) is the product of a partnership with Activate Omaha and local volunteers whom are dedicate to introducing, teaching, and developing kids in the lifelong sport of Mountain Biking.

Omaha DEVO is currently offering 8-week programs to develop kids of all abilities, aged 5-19, in the exciting sport of mountain biking. The program is arranged in a building block style to increase interest in mountain biking and promote each athlete in a positive, encouraging environment.

The practices currently will be held on Monday nights for each age group. U19 (18 & under), U14 (13 & under), U10 (9 & under). Parents can choose which practice site works best for them when they sign up. We currently offer Tranquility Park at 120th & Maple in Omaha, as well as Swanson Park at 32nd & Cornhusker in Bellevue.

All age groups from both practice sites will ride together on Saturday mornings “Just Ride” day. This all club group ride will rotate between area trails. Weekly locations will be posted on the Omaha Devo facebook page as well as communicated at the weekly practice.

In addition, each 8 week session will provide stewardship opportunities as we partner with T.H.O.R (trails have our respect) to do a trail maintenance day with each age group.

Omaha Devo is currently offering free custom Devo cycling jerseys to the first 40 kids who sign up. In addition, each child will get a free Omaha Devo water botte, free bike safety tune up, and for those interested in competeing, free entry into Omaha Devo kids races in the Pscycowpath Nebraska Mountain Bike Championship series events.

Omaha Devo has a talented group of mountain bike coaches and enthusiasts that range from dedicated parents to highly competitive athletes. All Omaha Devo head coaches are pediatric 1st Aid/CPR certified and have undergone a background check with the Sarpy county Sheriff’s department.

For current details chose from the following:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Omaha-DEVO/165227640167055

http://www.omahadevo.blogspot.com/

To register for the 8 week session:

http://www.raceregister.net/RaceRegister/event?action=view&id=28

For more information contact Omaha Devo at:

omaha.devo@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Velo Veloce Sunday Training Ride - March 20, 2011

As an addendum to El Guapo’s comments I add the following. A terrific group of riders Sunday with all levels represented. Our 40.8 mile route(15.1 mph avg, 41 mph max), with paceline training in peloton formation around the airport and climbing intervals (max. at 15%) in the Iowa Loess Hills, provided great training for the upcoming Twin Bing Classic scheduled for April 11th in Climbing Hill, Iowa (more details to follow later).


All are invited for this Sunday morning “no drop” ride. All levels are welcome, with the formation of “A” and “B” established during each ride. We promise a comfortable, or a challenging pace, for anyone with the interest.


Real talent displayed from our junior Velo Veloce racers (left to right: Simone, Zach, Connor, Jack, Danny(front), Maddie, and Nick). Watch for these guys and girls in the race reports over the upcoming season.

Spread the word for these terrific Sunday rides. Again, multiple paces will be accommodated with “A” and “B” groups available. As the season furthers, we will be adding the opportunity for a Tuesday evening ride as well.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Junior Rollout!



Velo riders/guests about 30 strong swarm the Kerrey Bridge on their way to the Bluffs


Seven "beast" juniors perched atop the Kerrey Bridge. Left to right: Nick, Jack, Connor, Danny, Maddie, Simone, Zach

Sunday's Velo ride featured the Seven Horsemen of the Apocalypse, aka the Velo Veloce juniors. Only hard-at-work-on-Sundays Max was missing. We practiced our pacelining back and forth behind the airport. Then we blasted over the Kerrey Bridge, turned north and ended up on top of steep Monument Hill in the Bluffs. A fast descent back to the river, a romp to the top of the bridge, and a photo op. Then completed the day by enjoying Goodnight's pizza, Little Italy meat lover's to be exact. That goes well with the junior Veloer's battle cry....Looks like meat is back on the menu! They are fired up for Twin Bing!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Green is for GO!



Sarah, Simone, Maddie and Millie roll out the new Specialized Dulce

Green is for Greenstreet. Green is for Go Fast. Green is for beautiful paint job on a new women's Specialized Dulce for junior Veloer Simone. Green is for dinero-less Dad. Green is for envy and bike-lust. Green is for St. Patty's Day present. Green is for leaving a fossil-free footprint riding instead of driving. Green is good. Green is my favorite color.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sunday ride report

Good turnout of hard-core bikers today. Temps were cold at 28F, but wind was not bad. We did a quick turn around the airport and practiced pace lines. Then hit River Road, Ponca Hills Road and attacked 47th street. Ended up in Ft. Calhoun and enjoyed the wind at our back thru Boyer Chute and Surfside Hill. 17.5 mph average pace on the 40 mile ride. Let's do it again next Sunday!

Tuesday, March 08, 2011



Update: Now this is a better look at our new jersey. Thanks Mike for an attractive design.


I know it isn't great, but to give you an idea of what the 2011 Velo Veloce team kit looks like, here is the two-dimensional view. Red/black/white. Very sharp looking!

Monday, March 07, 2011

Veloers and visitors. Please note the following event! Mark your calendars and we'll hang out together at this fun(d) event. El Guapo..

RIDE THE DIVIDE,
AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY FILM,
COMING TO OMAHA MARCH 15


Ride The Divide, the award-winning feature-length documentary about the world’s toughest mountain bike race, will stop in Omaha on Tuesday, March 15 at the Aksarben Cinema. The event will be a fundraiser for OmahaBikes.org.

The film chronicles the story of several mountain bikers who attempt the 2,711-mile race named the Tour Divide along the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. The movie was named the best adventure film at the 2010 Vail Film Festival.

This film has become an instant cycling classic, and made its television premiere in September on the Documentary Channel. But the Adventure Cycling Association said the film should be seen on the big screen: “The cinematography is stunning!” Added UpaDowna, “Ride The Divide is one of the most inspiring real cycling movies … in a long time.” Epic Riding summed the movie up as follows: “In a word? Fantastic. In more words? Moving, funny, inspiring.”

Ride The Divide embraces the inspiring stories of three of the racers who experience the immense mountain beauty and small-town culture as they attempt to pedal from Banff, Canada, to a small, dusty crossing on the Mexican border. There’s Mike, a 40-year-old family man who uses this challenge to chart a new course in life; Matthew, a leader in extreme endurance racing who’s competing for his fifth time; and Mary, the first female rider to race this route. As they set out, they will attempt to accomplish what very few have been able to. Over the course of a few weeks, they’ll attempt to climb over 200,000 vertical feet along the backbone of the Rocky Mountains.

They’ll experience mental breakdowns, treacherous snow, hellacious blisters, and total fatigue. Above all, they’ll race with no support – at times in total isolation. The tests of endurance and the accomplished moments throughout Ride the Divide prompt us to reflect on our inner desires to live life to the fullest.

Ride The Divide made its debut at the Vail Film Festival and was named the best adventure film at the event. Outside Magazine proclaimed that “(t)he toughest bike race in the world is not in France,” after reviewing the film.

Ride The Divide will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Aksarben Cinema located at 2110 S. 67th St., in Omaha. Tickets are $15 at the door, and $10 in advance at www.IMAthlete.com/Events/RideTheDividemovie. This event is sponsored by GreenStreet Cycles of Omaha.
Media contact: Garry Harrington 603-209-5010 gharrington3165@hotmail.com

Inaugural Sunday Velo-Greenstreet ride is on ice

Swan Song! Veloers/guests line up before hitting the wintery traverse across frozen tundra!

Booo-yah! About a dozen hardy souls convened on Sunday for the 1st Velo-Greenstreet weekly ride. The early birds enjoyed triple shots of expresso at nearby Blue Line Coffee. Many a war story was exchanged. Jonathon showed up in shorts! That's one tuff mudder.

After a team pic in front of Greenstreet, we headed north with the wind towards NP Dodge Park, Surfside Hill and Ft. Calhoun. There were some frozen toes and other appendages due to the 34F temps and brish SSE wind, but everyone toughed it out.

The sweepers (Pete, Michelle and Dan) stopped for java hits at Ft. Calhoun and again at Crane Coffee, before completing the ride. That's a 3 caffeine pit stop day, if you're counting.

Thanks to everyone for a nice 1st outing. This Sunday is looking better at 40 F. Hope to see you there early at Blue Line. Bring your friends.

El Guapo

Friday, March 04, 2011

Velo/Greenstreet weekly Sunday rides commencing!

Velo Veloce Club Ride
Velo Veloce is going to start hosting a weekly Sunday ride. The first one is this weekend, March 6th, at 11 AM. Here are some of the details. Hope to see you! PETE
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WHO: Road or cross bicycle riders interested in moderately paced group road rides. Rides open to everyone, not just Velo Veloce members.

WHAT: Road rides starting and ending at Greenstreet Cycles, 1310 Mike Fahey Street, near the new downtown baseball stadium. See Greenstreet Cycles for a map. Helmets required. Riders understand that Velo/Greenstreet is not liable for accidents.

WHERE: Meet at nearby Blue Line Coffee if you are early. Ride will leave from Greenstreet storefront at 11 AM. Various routes, but 30 to 40 miles in length, approximately 2 hours long, on public streets and highways. Riders must be comfortable with riding on the street.

WHEN: Sunday mornings, 11 AM. Rides leave promptly at 11, so please arrive early.