Interbike Goodies pt 1: New Goodies from SRAM

Rumor was that our friends and long time supporters of the team from SRAM had some new products to introduce for 2009...so we had to check out the buzz. Sure enough, we were pleased to see their new inovations for 2009 and you will be to.

New for 2009 is the SRAM line of wheels. The S40, S60 and S80 wheels are a combination of technology from SRAM and their partners at ZIPP. All three sets of wheels feature a deep carbon rim (40mm, 60mm, or 80mm hence the names) married with an aluminum clincher braking surface. The rims are laced with bladed aero sapim spokes to a ZIPP hub found on the current Flashpoint wheelsets with sealed bearings. Smart and stylish wheel graphics finish off the total package.

Our team has been fortunate to use the SRAM Force groupo for the 2008 season with great success. It was great to see that some of its features have trickled down to the 09' SRAM Rival Groupo. The new Rival hits the streets with a new black gloss finish on all components and carbon brake levers, mirroring the Force groupo.

Those hardcore freeriders out there will also be blow away with SRAM's new Truvativ Hammerschmidt crankset, which uses internal gearing to switch chainring gear ratios while using only one chainring...I know, I had to see it to beleive it too! Even got a chance to ride it. The 1:1 and 1:1.6 overdrive internal gearing give you the security of a single chainring and the shifting abilities of a double. Technology that will prove to revolutionize the ideas of shifting and gear ratios for the MTB crowd and beyond.

The Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Cycling Team is pleased to continue its partnership with SRAM as our official groupo provider for the 2009 race season. Check them out at http://www.sramnation.com/ and make the leap.

Team takes on the Dirt...and WINS!

We put up the road bikes for a weekend and whipped out the mountain bikes to get a little dirty at the 6 hour and 12 hour Tree Shaker Endurace Race in Rock Hill. Turns out, we had a blast, and did great on the trails. Deb won the solo 6hr race, while we took 2nd place in two 12hr races and 3rd in the 6hr mens duo. Everyone had a blast. Harkey got to take a little swim in the after drifting off course, jumping an eight foot bank and landing in the middle of the river. Blair and Shane had a clear lead of more than 30 minutes in the mens 6 hour duo event, but slipped to 3rd with only 2 laps to go after Blair breaking his chain and having to run several miles of the course.

On the same weekend, John tackled the Poor Mountain Hill Climb. This event was won by, and a record time set by our very own Scottie Weiss back in 2002. The Hill Climb is a mountain bike event with 4000 feet of climbing over 7 miles of dirt road/trail...super tough. Yeah, but not for John, who decided to make it even tougher by racing his road bike rather than a MTB. Other than a 28 cassette and a wider set of tires, he rode his bike stock. John won the "AnyBike" category and took 2nd OVERALL!

Results for the weekend:
*Fastest Lap - Darren Fuller
1st place - 6 Hour Women's Solo - Deb Elliot
1st place - Poor Mountain Hill Climb (AnyBike) - John Delong
2nd place - Poor Mountain Hill Climb Overall - John Delong
2nd place - 12 Hour Men's Trio (Harkey, Fuller, Harkey)
2nd place - 12 Hour Women's Trio (Lori, Lisa, Lauren)
3rd place - 6 Hour Men's Duo (Blair, Shane)

Marianne WINS NC State TT Championship, Bruce takes 2nd

Big congrats go out to our very own Marianne Holt for winning the North Carolina Womens Pro 1,2,3 Time Trial State Championship. A little history here...Marianne won the Masters National TT Championship in 2007 and wore the stars and stripes most of the year. She suffered an unfortunate crash in the Bristol Criterium one month prior to this year's National Championships and broke 2 ribs along with a punctured lung. While still attending Nationals to support her teammates, Marianne dreamed of the day she could get healed up and race again. After a short recovery, and some secret training (don't tell her doctor). Marianne's mounted a strong comeback, taking 2nd place in her first criterium back on the bike (Lexington Crit). The NC State TT was a great chance for her to demonstrate that she is still the fastest gal on the TT bike.

We have to also give a shout out to Bruce Humpries for taking 2nd place in the South Carolina State TT Championships. Bruce had a great ride...you need to check out the custom painted Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley TT bike he used to pilot his journey. Great job Bruce.

Bunch-O-Results: Blair 4th in Fort Mill, Justin 2nd at Columbia, Girls rack up!

Fort Mill, SC 9-19: This was the first event of the Dylan Mitchell Memorial Criterium sponsored by John Deere. Dylan was a local category 2 racer who was killed by a motorist while on a local training ride. Know by his characteristic strong riding style and that cool tribal flame tattoo, Dylan was a good friend to the local cycling community. Eric Peterson, Dylan's coach on the John Deere Development Team, organized and funded the event. Great course, great prizes...great folks to support. Spread the word on this event and lets make it bigger and better next year. Our rider Reid Beloni (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley) and Alder Marcs (Hot Tubes Development) were both teammates with Dylan before he was killed. It was awesome to see them racing in their old John Deere team jerseys to honor Dylan in this event...class act!

Gals did an awesome job in their 1,2,3 criterium. Marriane and Lori got in the lead break of 7 girls, and took 5th and 6th. Deb and Lisa were at the front of the chase group taking 8th and 9th.
After missing the lead break, the men's team dug deep to chase it back. With 10 laps to go, we abbandoned the win and started setting the field sprint for Blair. The boys did a great leadout with Bruce punching up the back hill and Justin turning on the gas to the finish. Blair won the field sprint for 4th, while Justin (only passed by one other rider) took 6th. Chris Knetche came just behind for 9th.

Sunday's Criterium in Columbia was a great ride for Justin, who took 2nd place in the Pro 1-2 event just behind a member of the Slavanian National Team after lapping the field.

Sat: Women's Pro 1,2,3
5th -Marianne Holt
6th - Lori Harkey
8th - Deb Elliott
9th - Lisa Preaslar

Men's Pro 1-2
4th - Blair Craig
6th - Justin Beard
9th - Chris Knetsche

Sunday: Men's Pro 1-2
2nd - Justin Beard

Interbike Preview - Product Goodies you really need

On the eve of the famous Interbike Trade Show (starts next week) in Vegas, lets take a look at some of the new products that you are going to start hearing a buzz over. May not be a bad idea for your early Christmas lists either.

SRAM, who we all know are already for producing the best, lightest groupos on the planet, have recently added to their lineup for 09 with race wheels. After purchasing ZIPP a month ago, SRAM has decided to dress up the Flash Point line from ZIPP as the new SRAM aero wheels for 2009. The wheels come in 40mm, 60mm and 80mm depths with an aluminum braking surface and carbon deep rim. We have tested the 60mm version and found it to be an awesome wheel. See Link for pictures. Booth 1339

BELL Sports introduced the new Volt road helmet at a little race called the Tour de France this year. Remember that Sastre guy? With massive vents, it's structure is built around sculpted Composite Fiber Intakes to keep the air flow coming. The Volt is made even more comfortable by Bell’s new Twin Axis Gear (TAG) fit system that allows riders to both dial in the exact fit as well as adjust the mechanism’s horizontal position on the back of the head. Booth #3553 http://www.bellbikenews.blogspot.com/

VETTA: Inside sources tell me that VETTA is planning to unveil a new computer for 09 that will detect power functions. The top secret computer is designed to work with both Quark and Powertap powermeter systems and uses the ANT+ technology to pick up all the digits you need. You heard it here first! Booth 4819

Timbuk2 must have forseen the hike in gas prices on the horizon. Already know by racers, commuters and bike messengers as a go anywhere, do it all bag, Timbuk2 raises the bar with the new Covert bag. The bag features the new Covert Reflective Fabric on the center panel to show those gas guzzlers where you are. Check out the video of the bag in action.

If you are lucky enough to attend Interbike this year, take a close at the "superlight" display bikes that various vendors build up for show. You will notice that nearly all of the 9-10lb bikes on display will have the super light KMC X10SL-TI Gold chain. At only 240 grams, this is the lightest production race chain on the market. Its easy to use "missing link" quick link lets you pull the chain off easily for repairs or cleaning. Hollow pins, machined links and smooth shifting make it a great chain for your own super bike. If you are lucky you might get the gold one. Also look for the DX10 chain with solid pins and solid links for a bombproof training and race chain. http://www.kmcchain.us/ Booth #2951

Liquid Gold

Ok, let's all try to commute to work next week at least once...you in with me? $0.00/gal

Winning Streak Continues! Conn Wins at Wake Forest. Weiss 4th in Asheville

After very successful weekend for the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/BARKLEY Team, Jeremy Conn ensures that the winning streak is kept alive Sunday. Jeremy lapped the field with a small group at the Wake Forest Pro 1-2 Criterium and then jump free to solo in for the WIN! Don't let the smile fool ya, Jeremy is one tough cookie on the bike. Great job "Conn Man" for the well deserved win.Saturday the Team had a great race at the 1st running of the Asheville Grand Prix in Asheville close to the Biltmore Village. The team was very active from the gun in the hilly, technical course. Scottie got in a break chasing down three leaders (Toyota, Jittery Joes, T-type1). Scottie hit it to the line from his group to win the field sprint for 4th place. Other results for the team - Justin 12th, Harkey 14th, Monte 18th.

Harkey 3rd at 100K Classic (NRC Road Race)

7:00am - Line up with a sea of close to 200 Pro and Elite racers from the US and abroad.

8:00am - Toughing it out over the climbs in the main loop as 10,000+ runners race by cheering you on. Justin and Chris are in a break up the road.

9:12am - Flying into last lap. Chris is going on his 2nd lap off the front with one Time Pro rider, Jelly Belly Pro rider, and Bajadali from Kelly Benefits Pro team. Colavita Pro Team and Jittery Joes Pro Cycling have missed the move and are chasing fast!

9:23am - Field closing down, but Chris is still away through the feedzone, dropped the Time rider, now only 3 up the road. Justin, Blair, Knetch holding position.

9:24am - Final last turn, left onto the finishing 3/4 mile.

9:25am - Harkey leads it out...sprint for the chicken. Jelly Belly and Kelly Benefits on his wheel down the final desent(look closely behind the Publix flag). Field only 100 ft behind, closing fast. Blair is in the grass. Crashes start.

9:25:27am - 3 up sprint at the line. Baj. and Jelly Belly jump Chris and start to come around.

9:25:31am - Harkey takes 3rd at the 100K Classic! Field only feet behind as Huff, Heckman, AC, HealthNet, Barajo and Travisio duke it out for 4th place. Lemond bikes finish 2nd(Baj) and 3rd(Harkey)10:05am - Podium pictures on stage...opening act for Jordin Sparks (Blair starts dancing at this point) 50 screaming teenage American Idol fans go nuts. Harkey can't put down the 100K Cup.

10:08am - Hammin' it up with some Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley fans (Bruce jumps in on the dancing kick) Local Coca-Cola fans Cornelia Nicholas and Tammy Wright jump in the pic after running their 6th 10K Classic in ATL. Note cup flex pose.10:09am - Everyone dancing! Go Jordin

10:48am - 6 mile bike ride back to the hotel never seemed so easy.

Congrats to Chris and the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Team doing us proud in the heart of Coca-Cola country Atlanta, GA. Thanks to Cornelia for some great pics. See you next year! Andy, wish you could have been there. Next year you are road-tripping with us.

Super Big weekend - 5 WINS!!!

Saturday:
-1st place Pro 1-2 TN Omnium Road Race - John Delong (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)
-1st place Cat 3 TN Omnium Road Race - Roger Troyer (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)
-1st place Pro 1-2 Walnut Cove Criterium - Chris Harkey (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)
-2nd place Wmn's open Walnut Cove Criterium - Marianne Holt (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)

Sunday:
-1st place Pro 1-2 TN Omnium Criterium -Geri Mewett (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)
-1st place Wmn's Cat 4 Carolina Cup Criterium - Bridgette McLean (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)
-5th place Pro 1-2 Carolina Cup Criterium - Chris Monteleone (Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley)

...nuff said?

Trek Launches Gary Fisher Road Bikes for 2009

http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/blog/gary-fisher-to-debut-road-bikes-in-2009/

This week Trek, the parent company of the Gary Fisher brand, launched the new line of Gary Fisher road bikes to hit local shops for 2009. Gary Fisher has long been a mainstay in the world of mountain bikes, but this marks its first crack at road bikes. The new line is highlighted by the ARC Pro and ARC Super (aluminum frames with carbon seat and chainstays), and the all aluminum AR Super. Also new in the line are the Presidio (true temper steel frame cyclocross machine) and Triton (steel framed fixie). All the bikes are decked out with the best components from Bontrager, SRAM and Shimano.

A Visit from our Friends at BARKLEY

Andy learns about Sports Nutrition

During the recent 8 day Crossroads race series, we were able to have a great visit from our presenting sponsor, BARKLEY. Andy Woolard from BARKLEY flew down Friday night to check out the Statesville Crit, Presbyterian Criterium, and Hanes Park Race.

All of the guys had a blast visiting with him and sharing their experiences of the week of racing. All of the races had great turnouts.

Andy interviews Coach Eric about the future of youth in cycling

While here, Andy was able to meet with and interview several local cyclist and spectators to find out what has drawn them to the sport, and the love of a healthy lifestyle that comes along with cycling. BARKLEY, which sponsors our team along with the Hincapie/Barkley Development Team, has long been a supporter of the sport, and the benefits of healthy living. Through the interviews the Andy conducted, they hope to learn more about the sport and it's culture. The Team was very appreciative to have Andy visit us. It is always great to know that your sponsors value you as much as you value them. Read Andy's recap of the visit "When Sponsorship Works" on his blog.

Racing was great. Jeremy, Chris and Mike took 4 total wins in the Masters races, Lara and Lori took 1st and 2nd at Hanes Park, and Scottie, Darren and Justin all took top 10 finishes in the Pro races. However, we are all glad that it is over...lots of racing and long nights.

Thanks again to all of our supporters at BARKLEY. We race for you!

Bridgette competes at the US Junior National Championships

Bridgette McClean is currently representing the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Team at the US Junior National Championships in Irvine, CA. She competed in the first event, individual time trial, Wednesday and had a great 11th place result. Thursday's crit proved to be a tough one, but Bridgette toughed it out for 21st place. Friday marks a short rest day before her final event, the road race, on Saturday. We wish Bridgette the best of luck. UPDATE (8-11-08) Bridgette had an awesome ride in her final Road Race placing 7th, just two spots off the podium. Congrats again to Bridgette for doing a great job representing the team at Junior Nationals.

Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley boys on Cyclingnews.com, Velonews.com

Check out some great pics of the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Team at http://www.cyclingnews.com/ from Emory Ball and http://www.velonews.com/

Presbyterian Criterium (NRC) Charlotte, NC Sat. 8-2-08
*Harkey get his call up to the line
*Scottie ready to go
*Jeremy Conn keeping the pace high

Hanes Park Criterium (NRC) Winston Salem, NC Sun 8-3-08
*Scottie beats the heat at the line
*Blair Craig works the early moves
*Chris Harkey takes a dig
*Harkey goes hard on the inside
*Scottie (5th wheel) ready to make a move

Team takes 2nd and 3rd at Piedmont

Attack, keep rolling at 30mph, lap the field, keep the field in check. That's how it went down for the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Team at the Piedmont Criterium. The Pro 1-2 twilight crit started late under the lights at 9:30. Our team was very active and worked great to cover everything as Chris jumped away with current Masters TT Nat. Champ Pete Cannel (Mob), and Bobby Sweeting (Toshiba Pro). After dropping Sweeting from the break. Chris and Pete kept the pace high on the classic 4 corner course. Jeremy, Darren, Reid, Mike, Adam and Knetch followed wheels and covered the field with included several strong riders from DLP Pro, Inferno, Jittery Joes, Toshiba, Time Pro Cycling and several other strong local elite racers. Chris and Pete lapped the field, deciding to dangle 3-5 seconds off the pack to keep from getting mixed up with everyone in the sprint. Darren (Mr. $ Banks) sprinted to win a sweet $100 prime with 5 laps to go, promting 4 other riders to jump just off the front. Jeremy rode like a madman to jump across to the chase group, attacking with 4 laps to go. Adam attacked with 2 laps to go, and Jeremy countered again with one lap to go. Knetch rode at the front and took 2nd in the fieldsprint for 8th place.

Women's Crit: Shalini and Lori's field was combined with the Jr's field. Coming down to a field sprint, Shalini and Lori took 7th and 8th, with local racer Holly Steelman (Juice Plus) winning the sprint.

Road Race: Hot, hilly and humid. From the gun, Jeremy Conn got up the road with Jon Hamblen(Time Pro), and Bobby Sweeting(Tosiba Pro). With the gap growing to 4.5 minutes Chris, Roger, Blair, Adam, Reid and Rigby rode tempo in the field. Jeremy finished 3rd, great result after being away for close to 50 miles in the heat. Great job Conn.

Women's RR: The newly wed Lauren Rigby proved that she is still was a fast sprint, taking a close 2nd in the field sprint after several weeks off the bike. With one lone racers off the front, Lauren finished 3rd overall with Shalini 6th. All in all a great weekend for the team and a successful first event for the promotors of the Piedmont Omnium.

SRAM Force ROCKS!

The Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley Team is powered by SRAM. The SRAM Force group keeps us ahead of the pack, on top of our game, and on the podium. "Will you make the leap?" Trust us, you will be glad you did. We offer our utmost thanks to the folks at SRAM for their support of the team, and innovation in the world of cycling. The team's LeMond Zurich's are equipt with a full SRAM Force groupo, Bontrager Race X Lite wheels, Michelin Pro Race tires, KMC chain, Vetta V100 computer. What more could you ask for?

Nationals Update (Days 5-7) Fuller Takes 2nd!

Day 5: We woke to a hot, rainy morning for the women's 30-34 criterium at the famous Churchhill Downs (Kentucky Derby Horse Race Track). We went out to support Lori, knowing how much she loves to race in the rain. Lori did a great job covering early moves from the nervous field. With close to 10 laps to go, a strong group of 3 riders (including the 2007 Crit National Champion) broke free. Lori, and 5 other racers formed a chase group, with Lori coming to the line to claim a great 7th place finish. I think she was just happy to leave with all her skin.
Day 6: REST DAY- Finally. We drove out to the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana to do a little spin on the time trial course. Nice relaxing flat route in some awesome country. We stayed together for the first mile or two...then it was ON! Seems like even we are not racing...we ARE racing, but it was great to clear our minds, legs and break some cabin fever.
Day 7: Last day, last races, last chance at the National jersey...pressure is on. Darren and Knetch raced first. A small group jumped free, and Knetch jumped on Dirk's wheel and almost got across. The lead reshuffled, and Darren jumped across to 2 lone riders to make the lead break of 3. Darren worked hard in the break to keep it away for close to 30 laps, eventually lapping the field with a chase group of 10+ racers. The chase group came bearing down, closing the gap to only 4 seconds with 2 laps to go. Darren sprinted to the line to take 2nd place! Our best finish so far. He was stocked, and we were pumped going into our races.

While Darren styled for his podium pics, Chris, Conn, Shane, Scottie, and Blair lined up to do battle in the 35-39 crit. From the gun the Hincapie/Coca-Cola/Barkley boys were super aggressive. Scottie started the first move, which Conn countered to establish the lead break. Chris bridged up to the break with 3 other riders. Chris and Conn started driving the break to build up a lead of close to 1 min. Scottie and two other riders jumped clear, and started the long process of trying to bridge across, which they did with close to 10 laps to secure us 3 men in the lead break of 11. This group of 11 lapped the field, and unfortunately had to come to the line of the sprint along with all the other lapped riders fighting for 12th place. We came out 7th, 8th, and 9th place. Not the finish we were hoping for, but we were all proud at how strong the boys rode. Big props to Blair and Shane for covering the field and keeping the wolves at bay, saving up for a strong leadout and sticking to the plan.

Blair and Adam went to work in the last race of the day (30-34). Bruce and Adam were aggressive early on, covering Texas Roadhouse and Crater from Wheel and Sprocket. Bruce got in a small group up the road, but was eventually chased down. A lead break of 7 riders formed, without any of our team in there. Adam layed it all out for 2 laps to chase the break down, pulling it back. Bruce got set up for the sprint, but got caught behind 2 crashes in the final two turns to cruise in around 15th.
Thanks to all the team riders for giving up their week to do what we do best. Thanks also to all of our sponsors, especially the folks at Barkley for their support of our bid at Nationals.

Nationals Tally Total(13 top 20 finishes) : *Podium Finishes
*2nd - Darren Fuller (40+ Crit) -Silver Medal
*3rd - Lori Harkey (30+ RR) - Bronze Medal
*4th - Scottie Weiss (35+ RR) - Bronze Medal
*5th - Chris Harkey (35+TT) - Bronze Medal
6th - Lara Cassidy (35+ RR)
7th - Jeremy Conn (35+ RR)
8th - Scottie Weiss (35+Crit)
9th - Lisa Preslar (35+ Crit)
9th - Jeremy Conn (35+Crit)
10th - Chris Harkey (35+Crit)
12th - Darren Fuller (40+RR)
15th - Bruce Humphries (30+Crit)
18th - AT Stamp (30+RR)