Meet the Teams Rides 2007

If you're thinking of joining a (new) team for the 2008 racing season, here's your chance to meet members of many of the teams in the Seattle area. Starting Saturday, September 8, clubs will lead weekly rides around the south end of Lake Washington for riders of all skill levels who are interested in racing. The complete ride schedule and information about each team are listed below.

Now is the time to find a team that matches your interests and goals. The winter months (November-February) are when teams ride together, learn from and motivate each other, and make plans for next season. By March, you'll be ready to start racing! Many teams close their rosters sometime in the fall because of deadlines for clothing orders, so choosing a team is not a decision to postpone.

Rides leave on Saturdays from Pert's Deli (120 Lakeside Avenue, Seattle 98122), in the Leschi neighborhood. There is ample parking nearby. Please be at Pert's by 9:20 for a 9:30 AM departure.

These are social rides, at a conversational pace, around the south end of Lake Washington. Allow about 2 hours. The ride may stop for 5-10 minutes along the way, but otherwise, be prepared for a continuous ride. These rides happen rain, wind, or sunshine! Bring a functioning road bike (full fenders are appreciated on damp days), helmet, water, some food, weather-appropriate clothing, a little money, and an extra tube in case you flat.

The 2007 Meet the Teams rides are dedicated to the memory of our friend Wendy Wahl, who was instrumental in developing this event, and to her passion for making bike racing accessible and user friendly.

September 8 - Team Zoka
www.supersquadra.com
Contact: info [at] supersquadra [dot] com

Team Zoka (a.k.a. Seattle Super Squadra, or "S3") is welcoming racers of all categories for the 2008 season. We take our racing very seriously, but never forget that we do it because it's fun, and that we do it as a team. We've built a solid team environment out of people who enjoy being with each other both on and off the race course. When we say we're accepting racers of all categories, that doesn't mean you have to have experience, but it does mean that you are willing to make a serious commitment to some discipline of competitive cycling, whether it is road racing, cyclocross, mountain biking, track, or triathlon. Come ride with us, and let's see what we can do for each other.

September 15 - First Rate Mortgage Cycling Team
www.pazzovelo.com
Contacts: Garth Billstin gbillstin [at] hotmail [dot] com
Andy Shirey andys [at] entellium [dot] com

First Rate Mortgage Cycling Team (Pazzo Velo) is focused on providing team-centric racing and rider development in road, track, and cross disciplines, throughout the West Coast. This year FRM is looking to add depth to our Cat 3,4 & 5 squads with athletes of all ages looking to develop their fundamentals and eventually join the Cat 1,2 squad, or maintain an active position on the Cat 3,4 or Masters squads.

September 22 - Wines of Washington
www.unionbaycycling.com
Contacts: Joe Baratto joe.baratto [at] boeing [dot] com
Gina Kavesh gina [at] rentonww [dot] com (women's team)

Wines of Washington (UBC), is looking for new riders interested in racing. At UBC, we value the teamwork it takes to create great racers in all women's, men's, and master's categories. We believe in the impact teamwork makes and are committed to the growth of the team and the individual riders. UBC has a development program aimed at providing a structured program for progressing within the sport of bicycle racing. All new (Category 5) and Cat 4 riders are welcome to check out our program. Upper category riders (3s and 1-2s), please inquire with the respective team captains (you can also contact them via e-mail from our website).

September 29 - Starbucks Cycling
www.starbuckscycling.com
Contacts: Jill Talcott jtalcott [at] starbucks [dot] com (women's team)
Steve Zeliadt szeliadt [at] gmail [dot] com (men's team)

Starbucks Cycling is excited to announce that in 2008 we will have both a women's squad and a new men's squad. We are looking to build our core group of individuals committed to racing as a fun cohesive team. The men's squad is looking to add up to 15 new riders to our current group of Cat 4 racers who raced their hearts out in 2007. We welcome new racers of all ages and skill levels who are committed to racing the full team calendar. We are also welcoming a new co-sponsor, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and will be offering some great benefits to our racers. We place a premium on strong team cohesion, mutual respect, professionalism, diversity, and individual commitment to improving as racers.

October 6 - Second Ascent
www.stepdownracing.com/
Contact: Nik Rebhuhn nrebhuhn [at] msn [dot] com

Second Ascent (Step Down Racing) is a regional men's team, formed in 2002 with an emphasis on the fun and camaraderie of team training and racing. As we look forward to another season of growth and success with the committed sponsorship of Second Ascent, we invite road and cyclocross racers of all experience levels to join us for an introductory ride.

October 13 [two teams will be sharing this date]

Cycle University Development Team
www.cycleu.com
Contact: Heather Gertmenian heather [at] cycleu [dot] com

The Cycle University Development Team will be comprised of new men and women riders who are considering racing or have minimal competitive experience. Our ideal rider is looking to improve rapidly in a structured environment and represent Cycle University and showcasing our coaching and training methodology while having a great time. We are looking for quality people who have a balanced yet serious focus on improving their cycling. The goal of this program is to create riders prepared and ready to race well at the higher levels by giving them high-quality entry-level guidance.

AVA/Counterbalance Bicycles
www.avacbbracing.com
Contacts: Todd Gallaher anytwowheels [at] hotmail [dot] com
Lara Thoreson laralee222 [at] hotmail [dot] com

AVA/Counterbalance Bicycles' mission is to provide riders who find themselves on the fringes of the mainstream cycling community access to competitive amateur racing through excellent training guidance and financial support. The team has grown from its roots racing at the Marymoor Velodrome to field state champions in every discipline of cycle racing. Often referred to as "those crazy bike messengers," the team ranges from U16 Juniors to Masters 60+. Elite team riders needed as well for our national calendar racing aspirations; full funding for cat 1/2 team riders. Come share our vision to discover and stretch your physical limits as part of a like-minded team.

October 20 - Recycled Cycles Racing
www.recycledcycles.com/racing
Contacts: Jimmy Lingwood (road 1/2s), Nick Adsero (road 3/4/5s), Randy Salamon (cross and track)
recycledcyclesracing [at] comcast [dot] net

Since its inception, the Recycled Cycles Racing team has emphasized rider development by fostering an environment which encourages racers to fulfill their potential. This relationship promotes the sport of cycling and demonstrates our commitment to teamwork and to the cycling community. We support grassroots men's and junior's racing programs, local race promotion, helmet safety, cycling organizations such as USA Cycling, Washington State Bicycle Association (WSBA), IMBA, NORBA and affiliate associations.

October 27 - Team Group Health
www.teamgrouphealth.com
Contact: info [at] teamgrouphealth [dot] com

Team Group Health is one of the largest women's cycling teams in the Pacific Northwest, with a roster of 87 women ranging in age from 15 to 55. Team Group Health strives to promote women's health, fitness, and competitive spirit through bicycle racing. The TGH roster is open to women of all ages and skill levels who are interested in bicycle racing, and members compete in some or all of cycling's disciplines--road, cyclocross, track, and mountain. Team Group Health is recruiting women who are committed to learning, racing, and having fun for the 2008 season.

November 3 - Bicycle Centres/Collision 1
Contact: Kent Smith bicyclecentresracing [at] gmail [dot] com

Bicycle Centres/Collision 1 (Pilchuck Cycling Club) is preparing for our second season in 2008, Bicycle Centres-Collision 1 Racing Team is an open membership team dedicated to road, cyclocross, mountain, and track racing and helping new racers get involved in racing in a positive manner while giving back to the Northwest cycling scene. Men, women, and juniors are encouraged to join. Please email us with any questions.

November 10 - Ti Cycles Racing
www.ticycles.com/racing/page0/page0.html
Contact: Elizabeth Nettles jenettles [at] comcast [dot] net

Ti Cycles Racing (Avanti) team supports the development of competitive cyclists. The team encourages new and experienced racers and seeks to attract athletes passionate about bike racing. We maintain a healthy balance between cycling and greater responsibilities such as career and family. Ti Cycles Racing has been active in the Northwest peloton since 1988, competing in road, track, mountain, and cyclocross events.

November 17 - Native Planet
www.ride4areason.org
Contact: Bart Hawkinson bhawkinson79 [at] gmail [dot] com

Native Planet Outdoor Club is a new club promoting the fitness and recreation of its members and raising awareness for Native Planet, a separate charitable organization (www.nativeplanet.org). Our race team is a development team, i.e., Cat 4 & 5. We race to promote the club mission and to compete in an inclusive and friendly manner. We place a premium on positive training and having fun.

December 1 - Seattle International Randonneurs
www.seattlerandonneur.org
Contact: Mark Thomas rba [at] seattlerandonneur [dot] org

The Seattle International Randonneurs (SIR) is the largest local randonneuring organization in the US. Randonneuring is long-distance unsupported endurance cycling. This style of riding is non-competitive in nature, and self-sufficiency is paramount. When riders participate in randonneuring events, they are part of a long tradition that goes back to the beginning of the sport of cycling. Friendly camaraderie, not competition, is the hallmark of randonneuring. Sixty members of SIR participated in Paris-Brest-Paris in 2007, the largest contingent ever. Come learn about our 2008 events.