PT’s Coffee Ride

Since April, the GP Velotek Topeka chapter launched a community/easy ride starting from PT’s Coffee Roasting Co. on Tuesday nights at 6:00 PM. We designed the ride to appeal to families and riders of all skill levels. The ride is all about comaraderie, community, coffee, and maybe even a beer or two!

The ride leaves from PT’s Coffee and heads through the Washburn Campus and eventually joins up with the Shunga trail where we ride out to the end, 5 miles away. Then, you guessed it, we turn around and roll back into town. After a 10 mile ride all of us are usually ready to treat ourselves to a beverage. A French press of any kind is usually my choice. If you’ve never had PT’s Coffee, you are missing something special.

This ride has been great for the Topeka community. I, and many other people that enjoy two wheels and freedom, want to see the sport grow in the communities in which we live. On average, we have had 7 people show up. That’s a good average from April to October in this ride’s inaugural year.

This is a non-intimidating ride that is designed to encourage and promote the sport of cycling. I feel that’s important, especially since we’re trying to grow the sport. Too many rides these days are fueled by testosterone where the sole purpose seems to be trying to rip the person’s legs off next to you. I can promise you this: The people riding the PT’s Coffee ride will NOT do that.

So, if you haven’t been to PT’s Coffee Tuesday night ride, I would encourage you to try it next spring.

Til’ 2014,
Ian Silovsky

GP Winter Team Ride Kicks off

Think it’s too cold to ride road? Not so, get out to the TREK store of Shawnee for your winter gear and come out and see us. With proper prep riding in the cold can be every bit as enjoyable as 70 degree’s. And the coffee taste better and the warm shop is even more enjoyable.

Team GP VeloTek starts their official Winter Team Training Ride. This ride will be every Saturday until further notice.

Where: Henry’s Coffee Shop - 8th & Massachusetts, Lawrence.

When: Saturday 9am – weekly

What: 2.5hrs of non-competitive zone 2 pace (15-17mph)

Route: East on Hwy 32 past Lawrence airport and through De Soto and back on river bottom roads. Mostly flat with a few rollers on some nice scencery. Going mostly east/west makes the Winter winds more managlembale.
This ride is open to Team GP VeloTek riders and friends of VeloTek. This is a no drop ride and we often split half way into two groups. It’s November, it’s not a race.

Team GP VIP and Volunteer Power!

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Team GP VeloTek is hosting a VIP Party at the Tour of Lawrence. Join our team and our regional guests to celebrate high speed American Style Crit racing! Special thanks to Ingredient and Cork & Barrel for their awesome support.
ingridentLook for our Team area in the middle of the Downtown “figure eight”. See the finish line, the wheel pit, and watch the critical last corner before the drag race to the finish. Team GP VeloTek has 75+ teammates along I-70 from Junction City to St. Louis. Our founder lives in Lawrence, KS but we even have 20 teammates in Albuquerque New Mexico.

ToL2013_Logo100x202Before the Tour of Lawrence Team GP was leading many KCA Race and participation categories, look here. Over 50 local and regional Team GP teammates are volunteering to staff the Tour of Lawrence Race. You’ll see them all over the course this weekend helping along with other community partners to make a difference.

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Check out the invite here TOL_Invite

GP New Mexico Junior Climbing Phenom Wins!

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Frank Sanchez Team, GP VeloTek New Mexico Coach reports that Samuel wins his 1st Gold medal at the Sandia Road Race, New Mexico. Samuel attacked and stayed away to win by 10 mins from the  competition. 15 Year old GP VeloTek racer Samuel gets it done! When asked what he was thinking “He said if he put his mind to it He could.” He did it! Two RR so far this year. Two 1st places and is leading the series. Other earlier season RR only gave him series points but no medal!

Samuel is 15 years old and has the build of a pure climber. Sandia has an altitude of 10,800′ at the finish line, and the climb is over 5000 feet of vertical.

Stay tuned for an interview with Samuel.

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Join our regional fun rides.

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The generous folk at Team GP VeloTek power regional Rides.

Ever notice how most runners don’t smile when they run? And cyclist are gabbing, smiling and chatting when they ride and even race? The social aspect courtesy of drafting is one of the best parts of cycling. As you get into cycling you’ll notice that you’ll hang around cyclist more and more. You will have more energy, your clothes will seem oversized, you’ll fantasy about riding and not driving your car. Strange things happen when you pedal your bike. Pedal in a group and even greater things are possible.

Maybe you’ll start shaving your legs and wear spandex, maybe your bike will have no gears or brakes and you’ll wear wool. Maybe you’ll ride to work in work clothes and save money, your health, and the world?! It doesn’t matter, as long as you pedal something you are making a difference.

Join Team GP VeloTek in making a difference. We promote health competition, communities, youth and sustainability.

 The “Pizza” Ride.

pizzaride3rd Monday of every month May through October. Meet at Johnny’s across the Kansas River in Lawrence KS at 6pm to stage. We’ll ride from 6:30pm to 7:30pm along the crushed gravel Kansas River levee trail. This is a no drop ride with varying abilities. Typically we average around 10mph. This ride is sponsored by Team 360360RacingLogo_1 and Venturing Crew #2159. Crew Advisor and Coach Jim Whittaker is your contact. Open to everyone with a helmet! Kids’ bring a parent. Rain or shine, if it storms we’ll just eat pizza and talk about riding. Jim’s cell 913.269.VELO

 

 PT’s “Flying Monkey” Ride

Join Ian Silovsky and Mike Rost in Topeka EVERY Monday from April to September for an easy ride from the best coffee shop in the World! It’s a relaxed recovery ride that travels the Big Shunga trail. Talk to Ian about health and fitness needs as he’s a Professional Fitness Trainer at Rebound PT. Heavy rains or dangerous storms will cancel this ride. Ian’s cell 785.223.1988 FlyingMonkeyRideFlyer

TREK Store of KC Shawnee Store Rides.

Wednesday – Join the experienced VeloTek race squad and very helpful TREK store shop riders to learn basic road safety, pace line and other group riding skills. 6:30 pm Start.

Thursday – Join the VeloTek ladies on the women’s ride 6:30 pm Start

Trek Store ride link.

A VeloTek Performance group riding tip.

1. Keep your head up and forward, where you look is where you go.

2. Be consistent and calm.

3. Easy on the brakes and go in a straight line.