On a recent unseasonably warm weekend, the Sacramento Pipeworks bike club held their annual Bodega Dunes ride and camp-out. 16 people showed up armed with sleeping bags, a strong desire to ride and as usual with this club, a ton of food and drink. The easy ride was around 35 miles, including the gorgeous Coleman Valley Road, while the hard ride covered over 55 miles and ascended the imposing Marshall Grade Road (over 10% climb). Dinner was a hours long affair and saying that no one went to bed hungry would be an understatement! If an event like this appeals to you, or even if you'd prefer a ride closer to home, check our online message board under the "cycling" or "ride schedules" tab.
-Vaughn Medford

Labels: Coleman Valley Road, Sacramento Pipeworks Bike Club, Touchstone Cycling

On Saturday, July 18, the Touchstone Cycling team will be hosting the 2009 Revolution Kick-Off Party at the Adaptive Cycling Center in Berkeley.

The day starts at 10AM with your choice of two road rides (a faster drop ride and a shorter, no-drop ride). At the completion of the rides, we will celebrate the start of this year's Revolution season - starting around 1 PM.

There will be a BBQ and drinks along with a great raffle. And if this wasn't already enough you'll also have a chance to meet BORP athletes, learn more about BORP, and register for this year's Revolution Ride (September 26th).

Don't miss a great day of fun! Please RSVP to revolution@borp.org

On another note, we're hard at work on the 2009 Revolution Ride, Festival & Auction. We are in the process of designing this year's jerseys (for those of you who raise at least $750), and we are looking for a quote. We put a quote inside the collar of the jersey and if you have a quote you think would be good for this year's jersey, please email it to us. Best quote goes on the jersey!

Labels: Adaptive Cycling Center, BORP, Touchstone Cycling

Here is a bit of good news on the Touchstone Cycling front: Looks like once again we will be supporting the AIDS/Lifecycle Ride this year. Word just came down the pipe and it's looking like this will be another great event and a great ride.

Here's the official info on the AIDS/Lifecycle ride, straight from the top:

Touchstone will once again be supporting members who are taking part in the 7-day ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, May 31 – June 6, 2009. Last year we gave over $5000 to 10 different members who participated in the ride. This year, in an effort to support a larger group of participants, we will give $100 donations to all Touchstone members who are participating in the ride. We will also donate a Touchstone cycling jersey to any member that wants to wear the jersey during the ride.

(Jersey limited to sizes we currently have in stock.)

To request a donation or for more info, email:
aidsride@touchstoneclimbing.com

You still have time, you can still take part. Lets make this one of the best ever. Hopefully we'll see you there!

Labels: AIDS/Lifecycle, Charity, Events, Ride, Touchstone Cycling

Just got this awesome press release from those in the know with all the Touchstone Cycling awesomeness and I thought it'd be something I'd be smart to share with all of you. Bottom line, they do great, great things and if you're in the area and into cycling, they are something that is beyond worth your time to check into.

Without further ado, here is the Press Release I just got my hands on! Check it out, then check THEM out...it should be a wildly exciting 2009, that is for sure!

Touchstone Cycling Press Release

Touchstone Climbing enters the 2009 season with an expanded roster and additional sponsorship. After an impressive 2008 season, Touchstone looks to increase their presence and podium appearances.

Kelly McDonald, 6th in the Mogollon RR at Tour of the Gila (or [with consistent top NRC placings]), returns to the team and looks to add to her impressive NRC results. 2008 Irish National TT Champion, Olivia Dillion, will also look to build on a successful 2008 season. Other returning riders include Holly Borowski, Jill McLaughlin, Maria Monica, Pat Ross, and Janeen Thorpe.

Touchstone picked up several highly talented new riders including Sarah Bamberger, who spent the last three years on Cheerwine and Beverley Harper, who spent the last two years on Webcor. Touchstone expects to benefit greatly from Beverley and Sarah’s racing experiences. Other new riders include Kristina Seley, Carol Irving, and fellow Canadians Cara Gillis and Megan Rathwell. This mix of talented, powerful, and intelligent riders will make for a successful 2009 season.

Touchstone Climbing and Fitness remains the title sponsor, and Wrench Science continues its support of the larger roster. Additional sponsors include Velo Vie, manufacturer and reseller of high quality and customized bicycle frames, Lezyne, a cycling accessories company, Voler, apparel providers, Williams Cycling, world class lightweight wheel systems, Clif, Fluid Recovery and Psoas Massage & Bodywork.

Touchstone is also proud to support the National Ataxia foundation and BORP (Bay Area Outreach Program).

Team Roster: Sarah Bamberger, Holly Borowski, Olivia Dillon, Cara Gillis, Beverley Harper, Carol Irving, Megan Rathwell, Kelly McDonald, Jill McLaughlin, Maria Monica, Pat Ross, Kristina Seley, and Janeen Thorpe.

Sponsor Websites:
www.touchstoneclimbing.com; www.wrenchscience.com; www.velovie.com; www.lezyne.com; www.clifbar.com; www.williamscycling.com; www.voler.com; www.livefluid.com; www.psoasbodywork.com;

Labels: cycling, Press Release, Touchstone Cycling

Just a quick note to let all you fans of Touchstone Cycling know that they have officially finalized their roster for the 2009 season! After an extremely successful 2008 season, the combination of new riders to the squad and some returning members should make the 2009 team a pretty intense and lethal combination

According to their site, "New additions for 2009 include Sarah Bamberger, Cara Gillis, Beverley Harper, Carol Irving, Megan Rathwell and Kristina Seley. Returning riders are Holly Borowski, Olivia Dillon, Kelly McDonald, Jill McLaughlin, Maria Monica, Pat Ross, and Janeen Thorpe." Personally I can't wait to see what this new squad can do, and if it's anything like their previous teams, it should be quite a bit and it should always be impressive.

We'll keep you up to date on more relevant news and information concerning Touchstone Cycling as it comes up, but for now, welcome to the 2009 Touchstone Cycling Team all you new members, and welcome back all you seasoned veterans! Here's looking towards an awesome 2009 season!

Labels: 2009 Roster, cycling, Team Sport, Touchstone Cycling