Cancer Ride 2013

It’s not every day you meet a multiple gold medal winning Olympian. And a winner of marathons in Chicago and London. Members of the Beverly Bike/Vee-Pak Bicycle Racing team not only got to meet Tatyana McFadden, but rode alongside her on Sunday, April 28^th.

          For the past ten years, Beverly Bike and Ski Shop owner Paul Weise has helped sponsor the American Cancer Society’s annual Walk and Roll in downtown Chicago. This year’s was no different: Paul once again provided any needed repairs to riders in the 15K charity bike ride event. What would be different this time around was the inclusion of paralympian Tatyana McFadden, who serves as an ambassador for BP. Fresh off her wins in the Boston and London Marathon women’s wheelchair division, Tatyana was escorted along the course in Chicago by members of the Beverly Bike/Vee-Pak team. Other members patrolled the course to help out any participants in case of mechanical or medical incidents.

“Yeah, we are a race team, but it’s not always about going fast. It’s about going the distance. Just like Tatyana and the American Cancer Society,” said Beverly team president Bob Murray after he and other members of the team escorted the gold medal winner around the course. Although the team has won numerous state championships on the road and dirt, helping out at the annual Walk and Roll is something the whole team makes a commitment to attend when the yearly calendar is set in January.

With Paul’s wrenching experience and the team’s patrolling for riders in need, it’s safe to say the Beverly Bike/Vee-Pak Racing team will be helping out for another ten years and beyond.

 

 

Serfas FP-200 Floor Pump

 

This is a review of the Serfas model FP-200 floor pump. MSRP $45.00 when tested. The first thing that you notice right away is the stylish design, and the sturdy construction of the pump.

 

  

The gage is easy to read and near the top of the pump. I prefer it that way over placing it at the bottom.  They also placed a small clasp at the top of the pump to hold the handle down. That’s another nice feature to have when tossing it into the trunk to head out to a race or just a trail ride.

 
         

 

Next is the pump head. By far the best thing I have used in a long time. It’s a non complicated valve . Just press it on and flip the lever, and that’s it. You’re good to go.  

          

     
                                               

 

I have been using this pump for about six months now, and it’s been flawless. The gage is very accurate. That’s a huge plus when running tubulars during Cyclocross season when you have to set your pressure at 28psi. In the summer ,when you’re at your local Crit race and running at 110psi, you know you will be spot every time.  The only drawback is my wife liked the pump so much that I may have to her one. Thank goodness they come in different colors.

BBVP 2013

Calling All Ladies!

OK, so it's not as important as what happened in the 30s and 40s; but the Beverly Bike/Vee-Pak Racing Team, based in the heart of Chicago's Southside, is looking to start a women's program. One of our goals last year was to expand our roster. Our first step was looking for juniors to join our ranks. Not only did we accomplish that, but we got a junior state championship in CX!

Now we're looking for some ladies who enjoy crits, road rides, CX, triathlons, and/or mountainbiking. Please click on "Contact The Team" on the right, shoot us an email, and we'll get back to you and let you know what we are all about. Thanks for your time!

Looking Back and Looking Forward

Looking back to last year, the team had its best showing yet. We had a number of new members join us from all levels of the sport. From Diego, our youngest rider, To Nikki our Race Director. The team worked together to help Mike Seguin bring home the Illinois Cup Masters 40+ overall, to Mike Bucholtz winning the cat-4 overall in the Chicago Cyclocross Cup. But the top honor goes to Diego Arana winning the Illinois Cyclocross State Championship for the Jr. 10-14.

Now we look to this Year. Everyone is praying for the weather to get above 30deg to get out and do some riding outside,were all tired of sitting inside on the trainer. Living in the Midwest will test you’re your dedication to the sport. All we can do is look forward to the fast approaching race season. One look at the calendar and you can see it’s going to be another full year with races every weekend from the middle of March to the end of September. The Biggest race for the team will be the Beverly Classic. This year the Beverly Classic is part of the Prairie State Series it will be the first day of 4 straight days of racing that’s on the National Crit Calendar. That should bring out some of the best riders from the Midwest and the rest of the country.