Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Pactimo Does It Again!

We've had a great relationship with Pactimo the past two seasons, and we're super-excited about the winner's jersey they've designed for the 8th Annual Menlo Park Grand Prix presented by KitOrder.com.  Check it out!  And don't forget, you can't WIN if you don't register to race.  Save $$$ with our early registration discount if you register by June 30th.  Yup, that's this Sunday!

https://www.usacycling.org/register/2013-1977





Tuesday, June 18, 2013

How Can YOU Support Women's Cycling?

For the past 8 years, Velo Girls has promoted (bike racing lingo for putting on a race) the Menlo Park Grand Prix.  This is an awesome criterium on a very unique course and we pull out all the stops to make this a fun, family-oriented day of bike racing.  In addition to our competitive events, we have a super-fun expo, a FREE children's race, other fun kid's events, and even gourmet food trucks.  This year's race is July 28th and we're busy planning all the details of this year's event.

As one of the only all-women's cycling clubs in the United States to promote a bike race, we've made it our mission to use this race to promote women's bike racing.  With eleven races during the course of the day, we have FIVE women's races (while most other races only have one or two).  This year's edition of the Menlo Park Grand Prix is host to the Elite Women's State Championship, the Master Women's State Championship (with two races), and separate races for CAT 3 and CAT 4 women.  This is a HUGE investment for us since women's fields are smaller than men's fields and there is a pretty significant loss of income for the women's races.  But women's cycling is our mission so we're willing to take that risk and find other sources of income to underwrite this investment.

It takes a lot of resources for us to put on this race and we'd love to get YOU involved this year.  Here's how you can help:

#1 -- Register to Race:  We have 11 competitive events during the day, including Northern California Nevada Cycling Association BikeReg.com Premier Series races for P/1/2 (men), Masters 1/2/3 35+ (men), Masters 1/2/3 45+ (men), and Women 1/2/3.  We're also part of the NCNCA Women's Series with separate fields for the CAT3 and CAT 4 women.   You'll find registration here:  https://www.usacycling.org/register/2013-1977

#2 -- Become a Sponsor:  We're particularly interested in cash sponsorship, but donations of goods and services are also welcome (either to supplement race production or to be used as prizes).  We're utilizing social media this year to help raise funds and all donations are welcome and appreciated.  Check out our new "Friend of Menlo Park Grand Prix sponsorship level (and get a super-sexy race t-shirt).  http://www.gofundme.com/8thmenloparkgrandprix

#3 -- Volunteer on Race Day:  It takes more than 70 volunteers and staff to put on a race of this caliber.  We've got volunteer positions for course marshalls, registration staff, and even podium girls!  Email Lorri@velogirls.com for details.


Our list of event sponsors is growing daily, but special thanks go to KitOrder.com for stepping up as presenting sponsor this year.  

We'd also like to thank Cycles Fanatic, Davis Junior Race Team, High Note Coffee, Ink Monkey Graphics, Pactimo, Rock Tape, and Savvy Bike.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Are YOU Ready For A Century?

Okay, this is your year.  You've been riding your bike pretty consistently.  Maybe you've been thinking about completing a century ride (100 miles).  Maybe it's your first.  Maybe it's your 100th.  Maybe you've lost count.

Team Velo Girls wants to ride a century with YOU!

Our next Progressive Training Ride Series starts in August, so mark these dates on your calendar.  This series is focused on the Foxy's Fall Century in Davis on October 19th.  This is a great fall century -- not too hilly, not too flat -- and Napa and Solano counties are just gorgeous in the fall!  Registration opens on August 1st and typically sells out quickly so mark that date on your calendar, too!

This 8-week series begins with a 45-mile ride on August 18th, so start ramping up your mileage so you're ready to jump right in!  Details and RSVP for these and all our rides + events can be found on our meetup at http://www.meetup.com/velogirls

2013 Foxy's Fall Century Progressive Training Ride Series:


August 18th -- Orinda BART -- 45 miles

August 25th -- Mike's Bikes Sausalito -- 50 miles

September 8th -- Orinda BART -- 50 miles

September 15th -- Woodside Town Hall -- 60 miles

September 22nd -- Mike's Bikes Sausalito -- 65 miles

September 29th -- Woodside Town Hall -- 70 miles

October 6th -- East Bay -- 80 miles

October 13th -- Mike's Bikes Sausalito -- 60 miles

October 19th -- Foxy's Fall Century, Davis, CA -- 100 miles (or 64 miles)



Velo Girls on our Cinderella Progressive Training Ride Series