After much ado...

Now, I won't lie. I didn't know exactly what to expect for pictures from the Ray's trip by the guys. I knew that the battery died pretty quickly into the trip but I still had hopes that a few good shots would make it.

Well, they never claimed to be artists only riders; only around 6 pictures made it and honestly I'm ok with that because the last thing you want to do at Ray's is carry around a camera while you're riding let alone stop and take pictures.

Brian over at Alger Cycle was kind enough the lend out their van to get everyone to Cleveland. There ended up being around 13 guys making the trip, 8 in van [one picked up in Detroit] and another 5 who met up at Ray's. As Brad mentioned this was the maiden voyage for the blue van and what better way to stretch the legs than a 5 hour drive from GR to Cleveland; fortunately, no issues. Ryan and Jacobi spearheaded the trip guaranteeing anyone who went to improve at least 20% and I think it's safe to say, everyone had a blast and improved in some regard. Here are a few pictures that made it back...

Waiting to take off...

View from the back of the van...

Matt fresh off the 'Sport' or Intermediate section

Sure, more pictures would have been nice but then again they went there to ride and that's what we do... we ride our bikes.

A video that has been making it's way around Velocity this morning definitely shows the versatility of the bicycle... not only as an instrument of recreation and exercise but also an instrument of the beat down.

It appears that the proper form to use when delivering a beat down with a bike is strikingly similar to that of a cyclocross dismount and transition over a barrier. Don't be afraid when preparing to use your bike as an instrument of carnage to line up to your target, making sure that not only both wheels hit the desired object/person but also the frame. This video was a classic example of a 2-for-1 deal and proving that a bicycle beats anything with a motor on it.

Now for the answer you've all been waiting for to yesterdays 'Who's Cousins' edition of the Wheel Department Trivia... That question being 'At a recent Christmas gathering, one Velocity employee became aware of being distant cousins to what other Velocity employee... Name those two... ' Was it A. J-Bolt B. Rach C. Ryan or D. M.D.?

The answer is best told in pseudo-story form. The one and only J-Bolt or Boltman or his newest name/title for himself being that of Shipmas-Christ [yeah, we know] was celebrating Christmas Eve with his family. Seeing that J-Bolt is such the family man, conversation was aplenty. Since bikes and our work are never far from our mind or the conversations we seem to get into, J-Bolt was talking with a cousin. Through the normal family banter a fellow Velocity employees name was brought up and then realized that there was a strange connection. As the day went on, it began to become clear that there were family ties... distant cousins going some thing like this:

J-Bolt has a cousin, who is married to a guy, who has a brother, who is married to girl, who dated a guy, who's best friend roomed with a few guys and one of their sisters mothers had a grandfather who was the parent of twins who were separated at birth, who then met later in life through a cousin who was married to woman who ended up knowing another lady who married a cousin of Ryan.

If you haven't put it together yet, the two Velocity employee's who are distant cousins by law are J-Bolt and Ryan. It's an extremely distant bond but regardless the world may never quite be the same after this realization.

Of course, a quickly photoshoped picture was in order for such an occasion.

And we're back at it...

In what we'll call my feeble attempt at an Ansel Adams type photo, a quick glimpse into the Velocity wheel department. You can see our Senior, err, Master Wheel Builder Paul and Ryan getting back into the swing of things after a great 4 day weekend, even though it's another short week here at the Velocity there's always a wheel to be built.

There was a bit of, let's say disturbing, news that came about over the holiday. Disturbing maybe an overstatement, but it surely illuminates some things and that news [queue the dramatic music] is this weeks...

Wheel Department Trivia

We'll put today's trivia in the Name Those Cousins category. At a recent Christmas gathering, one Velocity employee became aware of being distant cousins to what other Velocity employee... Name those two...

The shocking answer tomorrow. I have not forgotten about an update on Ryan, J-Bolt, Matt and Jacobi's trip to Ray's a week back, simply waiting on some pictures. For now, head over to the Founders Racing site and read a little write up from one of their riders who headed down with the crew.

Yankee Doodle

Despite the snow this past weekend Ryan and Jacobi went out and rocked Yankee Springs. Got a few good pictures and a nice little ride report from Ryan:

'The single track was firm, the sky was clear, and the snow was exactly the right depth. I will also say that P-35’s, set-up tubeless may be the very best wheelset I have ever ridden. With the right pressure it felt like having 80 millimeters of suspension.

Having Phil Collins stuck in my head from earlier that morning couldn’t even ruin the rush of bombing the slick, ice covered, root infested descents that Deep Lake [Yankee Springs] has to offer. In the end, this ride taught me that when your coworker calls you a pussy for not wanting to ride in the snow, get off your butt and go. It may just turn into a great day.'

_ _ _

Now, as I sit dreaming of mild spring time weather and hot summer days, waiting for a blizzard to hit us here in the north, I've got another Alleycat race this weekend to tell you about. The Skidaddleisco Alleycat race out west in San Francisco this Saturday. You'll have a chance to get your hands on a Fusion track wheelset and some Deep V and B43 rims. Check out their website for more details.

As for the answer for yesterday's Wheel Department Trivia... the answer is simply the perfect storm of J-Bolt entering the room. In his words 'Like a tsunami bombi!'

I am still trying to figure out what that means.

Look out Dallas and St. Petersburg!

Two upcoming events that we've sent a little swag towards coming up this month. The first is the Nut-Cracker II Alleycat down in St. Petersburg, Florida coming up this Saturday, December 12th put on by St. Pete's Skirts. There will be a Deep V wheel set up for grabs.


The next is also down south put on by the Pedallas crew, the Twenty Alley Cat happening on Sunday, December 20th. There you will have the chance to get your hands on some Deep V and Chukker rims.

Keep checking back here for more events from around the nation, where you'll be able to get your hands on some sweet Velocity gear and enjoy a good time getting out on the bike! I'll be doing our best to highlight these upcoming events and there will always be a running list on the sidebar.

Finally I leave you with today's Wheel Department Trivia:

How do you go from E.P.A. regulations to two girls, one cup in the same conversation?

The answer tomorrow.