Aug
29
Pacific Cycle and Saris Throw Down the Gauntlet
By Rich Kelly, Filed Under Attendee News, Exhibitor News, Interbike, Racing
Saw a press release posted at the Bicycle Retailer & Industry News site this morning from Pacific Cycle and Saris about the Industry Cup race at Interbike.
Pacific and Saris have formed a joint team called “SchwycleOps” (from their respective brands Schwinn and CycleOps). Their mission? “Ass whupping.” Looks like somebody is taking this race pretty seriously:
Though little is known about SchwycleOps, lore of the team’s epic training rides has spread. Tales of team SchwycleOps team doing 800+ mile lunch rides have become legend. The team’s virility and stamina is coveted, feared and studied–can it be bottled somehow? Are these men indeed mere mortals? The Industry Cup will decide.
I think this is awesome. I hope some of the other companies and teams that are participating are getting into the friendly competitive spirit like Pacific and Saris. While I’m certain that somebody will be taking this race a bit too seriously ( I won’t name any names here), I expect most of us will keep things fun and remember that there will still be another day of Interbike on Friday morning after the race.
Another way that Pacific and Saris could inspire other companies is by their decision to make a donation in the name of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers’ companies to Bikes Belong. They’ve committed to giving $1,500, $750 and $250, respectively, to the coalition. How cool is that?
Well, I’ve got to get back to working on 2008(!) budgets – they’re due by close of business today. Craziness. No lunch ride today…
Comments
4 Responses to “Pacific Cycle and Saris Throw Down the Gauntlet”
It’s the ones that aren’t talking, you’ve got to worry about . . . the silent, but deadly types.
SchwycleOps has some competition:
Planet Bike Goes All In For Industry Crit on Sep 06, 2007
MADISON, WI (BRAIN) In response to the recent Pacific-Saris challenge to Industry Cup crit racers, Planet Bike has decided to “put its money where its mouth is” by issuing its own challenge.
The Industry Crit will be the middle event on the USA Criterium Finals card that will be held Thursday September 27th at the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas during the annual bicycle industry trade show, Interbike. “This ”SchwycleOps” challenge really primed the pump for us,” said Erik “Minnesota Slim” Olson. “We”re going to Vegas to do two things; shoot dice and drop SchwycleOps. And I figure we”ll be tired of dice by Wednesday, so there”ll only be one thing left to do come Thursday night.”
The uber-domestique Olson will be teaming with Bob “Boss Man” Downs for a Planet Bike one-two combo punch in the Industry Cup criterium. Along with bringing an Old Country Buffet sized portion of beat down to the race, they”re also going to be sweetening the pot for bicycle advocacy. Planet Bike will make a $5000 donation in the company name of the last rider to cross the line (DNF and pulled riders don”t count) to the Thunderhead Alliance. The DFL rider will also walk away with a Planet Bike Alias HID lighting system and other swag.
Downs and Olson have been sleeping in oxygen tents, crunching watt readouts, and having one-handed push-up contests in the 90 degree heat on the roof of Planet Bike warehouse in preparation for the event, always to the music of a David Lee Roth-fronted Van Halen. They have also lately stepped up their speed training by getting involved in the local Madison underground motorcycle street racing scene.
“I really feel like I can lay the bike into the corners and punch it on the straight-aways now with no fear,” Olson said coolly about his newfound handling skills. “If only my road bike had a throttle.”
Earlier on Thursday Planet Bike will also be hosting its second annual Ping Pong Tournament in Booth #1424. Like last year, Planet Bike will make a $2000 donation in the winner’’s name to the bicycle advocacy of their choice, and $1000 for second place.
Erik, you’re right and thanks for posting! I hadn’t had a chance to post that news yet. Awesome!
I have many junior & youth bicycle sketches that you all have to see! Graphic artists email me and let’s get this thing started!