The velodrome!!!!

I was extremely excited about the velodrome too!!!
I haven't been on one since August!! and not on a 250 since ADT in March of last year! the whole weekend of watching the racing just made itch! When we got there the gates were closed. All worried we went over to the offices at the Northern Sports Center and they told us we couldn't go in without one of the people who runs the track being there. As I'm leaving I start talking to this guy who happened to have a key and helped us "sneak" in. The track was gorgeous wood. Grey and white and beautiful and smooth. The ride was totally badass! I forgot how exhilerating every single turn is!!! Brian was loving it...though it turned out to be WAY harder than he expected it to be so he was coooked for like 2 days...as was I. But totally worth it!!

Madison WI

This is a bit out of order as Madison was before Minneapolis, but it was a great stop and great city and I feel it deserves some highlights. We stayed a little bit outside of Madison and in the morning drove a bit closer to the city and pulled into a really cool bike shop to park the supervan while riding. Williamson bike shop was great and let us leave our car infront of their store for a few hours. Special thanks to Jim who was very friendly!! We hope you enjoy your "I ride bikes to look good naked" tshirts!! We rode from the bike shop and did a couple loops of Lake Monona, had a few flats, stopped at a couple bike stores, rode through downtown and the college camps. It was a really nice ride as it was nearly perfect out!! When we got back to the car we cleaned off a little and headed over to Chipotle. I had forgotten my phone at Willamson bike shop and right as I realize that and am walking into Chipotle, one of the guys from the bike store rides up on a motorcycle with my cell phone in his hand! It was awesome!! Yet again you guys rock!! If ever in Madison WI visit Willamson bikes!!

NSC SPECIAL

First Facebook "Fans" of Spokiz and NSC Velodrome to message Spokiz on Facebook will receive a **FREE** pair of Spokiz Sunglasses! I will extend another offer to the first 10 "Fans" of NSC and Spokiz will receive 50% off their first pair of Spokiz.

I had a BLAST with ya'll this past weekend! Thanks for the GREAT RACING!!!

Start a REVOLUTION.
Spokiz.

Cleveland!

From Philly we drove the nice long 8-10 hours to Cleveland. We had booked a really nice hotel on hotwire for about $50 and when we arrived, it was one of the coolest hotels I've ever stayed in!! We pulled up to the Hyatt Regency in downtown Cleveland, literally a block from EVERYTHING. The hotel was big and gold with its own little mall in the middle. The room was also really nice, BIG and comfy!! When we got to our room though the first thing we did was jump on our bikes and hit the road...we cruised around central Cleveland at about 8 at night for an hour or so. I was quite supprised and impressed at how nice the city was. Clean and spacious with amazing buildings. There was also a NASA building on the water that was pretty badass looking!! After such a long day in the car it was really nice to get some of the cobwebs out!!! After the ride, we walked across the street into what looked to be one of the most popular streets in the city for food and bars and such. We landed in a REALLY AMAZINGLY tasty mexican restaurant that was again very supprising. It was classy with unbelievable flavor! Might be the best mexican restaurant I've ever had(sorry Las Fajitas youve been passed)!!
We were hoping to wake up early and hit the streets again, but we seem to bring the rain and crap weather everywhere we go!! Next is Madison WI!!!! Pictures of Cleveland to come!!

Philly!!

We left Omaha after a nice ride around the lake Brian's parents live on, and drove till midnight or so through a terrible rain storm where we could hardly see through the windows!  We were staying near the Philly airport at a hotel with a Ruby Tuesday's next door.  We must have eaten at that restaurant 5 times in the 3 days we stayed there!!  Luckily they had good fish :) That was quite the late night as when we arrived, we went straight to dinner.  The next day I got to see STEVE!!! YAY!! It was only for 30 minutes or so, but I miss him and home so much!!  I drove down to Camden NJ to meet steve at the IRA rowing championships where his athletes were racing.  After getting lost in downtown Philly for 45 minutes or so when my Iphone maps stopped working I eventually made it down to the river.  I am REALLY not used to the humidity out here...was sweating the second I got out of the car.  It was really nice being at the event and not working!  JLracing had a booth set up and a friend of mine was working.  Then came the drive home....yet another 45 minutes of being lost with  no GPS and no map.  FUN times!!! Wheres Brian when you need him?!?!?!;D 

Sunday was the race.  We got to the course at 6 and spent 2 hours setting up.  It was quite a jam packed day.  No time to sit down or eat!! I love and hate when that happens....lots of business but also very tired hungry people.  It was very successful for both JLvelo and Spokiz and Peanut Butter and Co Twenty12 as well!! Shelley Evans got second in the women's pro race and Sinead Miller won the U23 jersey as well!  One of the coolest parts of the day was being set up next to the Peanut Butter and Co booth.  We refilled our stores of Cinnamon raison, Maple, White chocolate and regular peanut butter.  Though, its only been 2 days and we've made our way through 2 tubs already!!  We also brought out our new promo shirts for the day and sold 40-50 of them!  I RIDE BIKES TO LOOK GOOD NAKED!!!  People loved it!! 

Monday we checked out of our hotel and moved into a new one in downtown Philly so we could peddle around the city and check out the sites!  We spent several hours biking around the city checking out the murals, parks, waterfront, and saw a totally badass band playing in "LOVE park."  We wanted to keep riding as it was a gorgeous day but crashed out early.  Traveling is getting really hard on both of us.  Were having an AMAZING time and seeing new places, but this much driving is starting to take a bit of a tole.  Cleveland is next!!  Here are some cool pictures from the last few days!!

Omaha, somewhere in Middle America...

So, back in order...so, after our night in Vegas we got up early and headed to my hometown of Omaha, NE. You just can't re-create that feeling you get every time you pull into the place you have always called "home". I don't mean the structure as my entire family has picked up and moved more in a year than most people will in a life-time! Thanks for that mom and dad! You have given me the courage and proof that you have to make BIG MOVES to make BIG MOVES, ya' dig? That is why I don't understand unemployment as if you are willing to work hard (with a shovel if needed) there is always work available for those who truly want to work. (Must give some of that credit to Mark at Sapphire Pools who told me that about the shovel) That was the HARDEST summer of work in my life, but I promise if needed I would dig a trench again and again! ANYWAY, sidetracked there...so back to Omaha trip.

We drove straight to my sister and brother-in-laws house in Omaha, very nice job guys!! After saying hello my nephews, Henry and Charlie wanted NOTHING more than to bike with Uncle Brian and Kate just because she was there at the time, but TRUST ME those boys' warmed up to Kate quickly! ;) So, headed to grandma's house for a bike ride and a much needed nap for the boys' and us! It was fun because Henry and I got a special "oldest brother/uncle" bike ride and he had such a blast having some special 1 on 1 time! IT WAS GREAT!!!!

So we went to the Henry Doorley Zoo after the night before having one of the WORST storms I have ever seen in Omaha! We walked through all the sites that make that zoo world famous! It is so cool! After walking the zoo is when Charlie and Henry really started to warm up to Kate. Henry because he held her hand all day and Charlie because he likes cute girls...I don't know where he learned that?!?!? :)
I laugh because at dinner Charlie wanted to sit by Kate and then the next day when we were leaving he made sure to get 3 hugs and 3 kisses from Kate...he didn't seem to mind me leaving though...but I am sure he'll miss me too! :)

Last but not least HENRY ALEXANDER L'HEUREUX made his first bike ride with only 1 that's right ONLY 1 Training wheel!!!! Way to go HENRY!!!!!

Peace and Love,
Brian

Great Western Bike Festival

So...a few days late, since this event was before Vegas, but here we go since we had SO much fun!!

It was a nice start to the trip to see familiar places in Paso Robles, CA from my "previous" life, as I like to call it. Kate and I grabbed a bite to eat @ BIG BUBBA'S BAD BBQ and it was GREAT! When in Rome"...so I had some TRI-TIP, sorry all my Texas and Nebraska friends who just got offended. After lunch we headed to the Paso Robles Fair Grounds for the GREAT WESTERN BIKE FESTIVAL and RALLY!!! That's right AUSTIN, a BIKE FESTIVAL!!! And I hope that Spokiz will be bringing you the Austin Bike Festival in 2011!!!! If you have ideas and want to help, LET ME KNOW!!!! Anyway, so seeing a fair ground packed with cyclists of all types is pretty freaking sweet!! We meet up with Laurel and Sharon with GWBR and the fun began! These two women LOVE to bike, LOVE to talk and LOVE to share both loves with EVERYONE ELSE! You can't help but smile seeing how excited these two women running this event are when they see everyone show up! The whole GWBR team rocks and was so kind to us!!! We met some great travelers from all around! So many that most names escape me writing this a week after, but still THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!!!

Kate and I even got to go on a 40 mile ride (turned out to be more like 5 miles with a few missed turns). Oh and the 3 hour tour turned into about 4.5 when I got a flat tire...well that GOODNESS I did. When I took off my back wheel a spacer fell off that had been CRACKED IN HALF! Okay, so big deal, it was still on...WELL DID YOU SEE THE HILLS WE BOMBED?!?!?!?!?!?!? Seriously, there was one turn that made me wanna get off my bike...ON A HIGHWAY!!!! It was crazy...OH AND ON A FIXIE BTW!!!!!!!!!! It was a blast...pics soon, we promise!!!

The rally had bike rides an group lead rides for 3 straight days and some stayed and biked a 4th day!!! Can't wait to go back! Spokiz and JL Velo had a GREAT showing. As usual Spokiz grabbed EVERYONE'S attention as the most innovative product at the event. Once in the both JL Velo's quality BLEW people away!

So needless to say, business is kicking butt! We are having more fun than work it feels like somedays. But then you realize you haven't been in your own bed for 2 weeks and you get a little sad. It is great hearing Kate and Steve keeping in touch. I'll let ya'll know about them getting to see eachother and me seeing my family in Omaha with some CUTE pictures to share! next post with pictures or a FB link to see them at least!!!!

Start a Revolution.
Spokiz


PS--PEOPLE...STOP BUYING GAS FROM BP!!!!!!!!!!! truly AMAZED how many people DON'T CARE!

Night in Las Vegas!!

We were only in Las Vegas for one night, but it was quite the interesting night! We arrived semi early in the evening, went to check in at the Luxor on the strip and they can't find our reservation. That little piece of stress only lasted ten minutes or so and we headed up to our room....riding our bikes through the halls as it was 1/2 a mile walk. We had a pretty cool room in the side of the pyramid on the 6th floor overlooking the pools. Having never been to Vegas, it was a crazy environment to all the sudden drop yourself into. I've seen it in the movies and heard about how things are, but Vegas has to be the best city in the world for people watching. Everyone there was on vacation and left all their cares and worries at home for those 2 days or so that they get to let loose. Within 2 hours we ran into 4 people we knew really well...not just acquaintances...really good friends!!! We ended up meeting up with a couple of them later in the night and putzing around the casinos.

Cirque du soleil "Love" was our main entertainment for the night. I've seen a few different shows in the past and was excited about the Beatles side of it, but it wasn't all it cracked up to be. Good music, a few good acts, a few meh acts, but fun none the less being around all the excited people. After the show we walked the whole strip back to our hotel, which again was an experience. People from all over just living it up and holding nothing back!! We met up with the friends we ran into before the show, one of which happens to be a fellow JLracing employee and lives in Austin. We walked around the Luxor and Excalibur casinos, being random and watching the craziness around us. At one point we were on our way back to the Luxor in one of the underground tunnels going down an escalator when Brian starts laughing uncontrollably. Some random woman came up and started rubbing on our friend and when we got to the bottom she looks over and goes "YEAH BITCH YEAH!!" That was one of the funniest things I've seen in a while, our friend was just in shock, so much so that he could hardly even laugh!! Its ok, we were doing plenty of that for him!

Morro Bay Bike Ride

So, we arrived in Paso Robles yesterday and visited the Convention Center. It is funny that I actually DJ'd a business Christmas Party here over 6 years ago! HA! So, the event looks like a blast! Great people, fun times and BIKES!!!

Today starts The Great Western Bike Rally. 3 Days of BIKES, BIKES, BIKES in a BEAUTIFUL California town of Paso Robles. We stopped for a bite yesterday @ BIG BUBBA'S BAD BBQ. I had this years ago when it first opened and they are still rocking! BBQ Chicken Nachos and TRI-TIP! Yep that's right, when in Cali, eat the bad meat! :)

After driving over to Morro Bay to the hotel Kate and I decided to hit the road...WITH OUR BIKES!!!!!!! We cruised to Morro Rock and checked it out, then up and down Main Street to check out all the local stuff, FUN TIMES!!!! There was a hill that even with switch backs I made it 3/4 the way up the hill!!! On a fixie of course! Kate as expected made it to the top, but she did use gears! :) So today there are NO hotel rooms available for about 30 miles from the event due to the holiday weekend. So, we are going to find a new place to crash and then head to the bike rally tonight!!!!!!

First person at the Great Western Bike Rally to visit our booth and YELL (truly YELL) I WANT TO JOIN THE SUNGLASS REVOLUTION!!!!!!! will receive a **FREE**Pair of Spokiz Sunglasses!!!!!!! Polarized sunglasses with our own patented band!!

www.teamspokiz.com

We will keep ya posted!

Peace and Love,
Brian and Kate

Shipping my Bike

COME BACK TO ME S.O.W.!!!!!!!!!!!

So, for those of you who don't know my new addiction is fixed gear riding in my city of Austin, TX! There is just something about a continuous cadence and pedaling EVERY pedal of your ride. The true exhaustion after riding non-stop for an entire day. And when you lean into a turn, well let's just say, "Heaven on Wheels!".

I wake up with my hand in drop position and ready to ride about 5 days a week. It is pretty fun to wake up and . on my bike, take two turns and BAM I'M ON SOCO in Austin, TX. Not much more than my nephews smiles make me as happy as riding north on South Congress and stare at the Capitol Building the entire ride in after Live Oak. So, I will be traveling the entire month so I made SURE to ship my S.O.W. (Sex on Wheels) that's my baby's name, btw. I just finished placing all of my new TEAM Spokiz bike decals! Thanks littlejef for all of your time and help! It looks great! Want Spokiz bike decals for yourself? Email brian@teamspokiz.com for at cost decals to help support the Sunglass REVOLUTION!!!

So, I will be pedaling my Fixie from Coast to Almost Coast (Cali to Philly) and making sure to hit up local groups all around the nation! The reason for my addiction is the people I have met while biking in Austin and all over! The biking community is so accepting and helpful when needing to get around town or get anything in town.

When you see someone on their bike, using their OWN POWER to get them from A to B just says something. When you see them dripping sweat on a 100 degree day you REALLY know they are DOWN and RIDE WITH THEM! All us bikers whether spandex, straight legged jeans, cut offs and all the gear in between....

If you see someone riding their bike JOIN THEM! Stop and have a sip together somewhere! Learn something about them and I bet 50% of the time you will have friends in common that you didn't even realize!!!!!!!!!!

Peace and Love and Missing my Fixie!!!

Brian

Well it's "T-minus" 4 days until the EPIC, JL Velo/Spokiz Haulin' Ass on NO GAS.

We are very excited for this trip. As many of you know the recent happenings with BL and the oil spill tensions are running high with gas companies. As we have always shown, Spokiz and JL Velo are doing what we can to grow our businesses responsibly. We will be traveling over 5500 miles on Bio-diesel, diesel and bike power.

That is right, HAULIN' ASS on NO GAS!!! We will be keeping an updated blog on our travels and especially those people we meet!! We will have photos, videos, interviews and such from bike shops, general stores and some of the nation's BIGGEST BIKE RACES OF THE YEAR!!! So, please keep updated on our blog spot: Haulin'Ass on NO GAS!
Our travels will take us from SoCal to Philadelphia to Minneapolis to Seattle. We are pretty excited to represent JL Velo and Spokiz Sunglasses on this EPIC tour to promote responsible business ownership.


Oh and we will offer discounts and promos ALL month so KEEP POSTED!!!!

Start a Revolution.
Spokiz/JL Velo