Cyclocross has been underway since the first week of September for the DAS Racing crew. Our Wednesday night Cyclocross Training Series has been bringing in a crew of all different levels, and it seems to be getting faster every week. We are currently starting at 5:30pm sharp, but if you arrive earlier, there are usually some of us there warming up - we'll show you around.
Look for some of our racers this weekend at the Gran Prix of Gloucester .
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Cold Weather Clothing
There has been some interest shown in ordering some cold weather DAS clothing. We'd like to get this order in by early next week (hopefully Monday). If you want in, your cash needs to be Donnie's hand by order time.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Send your stories...
If you are a DAS affiliated rider and want to share your story, email it to me and I will put it on the blog.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Ride for DAS as "amateur"
There have been comments about the rules being a little strict. Basically, the rules are for the people who are serious about racing and want to get the benefits.
That being said, anyone who wants to represent DAS as a racer is more than welcome to do so. We ask that you follow one rule: Have a positive attitude consistently. That's it. Wear your gear, show your pride, and have fun.
That being said, anyone who wants to represent DAS as a racer is more than welcome to do so. We ask that you follow one rule: Have a positive attitude consistently. That's it. Wear your gear, show your pride, and have fun.
Benny Pack (aka benefits package)
Okay, so you want to know what's in it for you. Well, other than the awesome camaraderie that comes with racing for a great small-town bike shop like DAS, Donnie D has offered some incentives to those brave enough to sign on/ be accepted.
1. Team Kits @ cost. Yeah, you might think we should get it all for free, but that stuff is expensive and Donnie would end up footing the bill... on a small shop income, that just wouldn't be fair. There have been suggestions about getting sponsors to cut down on costs, and that may happen, but there are currently no promises on anything other than "at cost kits."
2. 20% off one bike per year.
3. 20% off all merchandise per racing season. (March-August for MTB team) (August -January for CX team) Basically, you have 6 months of awesome discounts. If you are accepted to *both mountain and cross teams, then you get the discount every month except February.
4. Free labor and priority service. This means: you bring your bike in (during store hours) to get repairs done, your parts (as mentioned above) are 20% off, and there is no charge for the labor. Please, DO NOT bring your bike in at Friday at 7pm to be fixed for Saturday morning's race.
*Racers on both teams count as one person per team. So if Johnny Appleseed makes both teams, then he takes a spot on the MTB team, and he also takes a spot on CX.
1. Team Kits @ cost. Yeah, you might think we should get it all for free, but that stuff is expensive and Donnie would end up footing the bill... on a small shop income, that just wouldn't be fair. There have been suggestions about getting sponsors to cut down on costs, and that may happen, but there are currently no promises on anything other than "at cost kits."
2. 20% off one bike per year.
3. 20% off all merchandise per racing season. (March-August for MTB team) (August -January for CX team) Basically, you have 6 months of awesome discounts. If you are accepted to *both mountain and cross teams, then you get the discount every month except February.
4. Free labor and priority service. This means: you bring your bike in (during store hours) to get repairs done, your parts (as mentioned above) are 20% off, and there is no charge for the labor. Please, DO NOT bring your bike in at Friday at 7pm to be fixed for Saturday morning's race.
*Racers on both teams count as one person per team. So if Johnny Appleseed makes both teams, then he takes a spot on the MTB team, and he also takes a spot on CX.
Team Rules (rev.9/2011)
DAS is looking for 5 MTB and 5 Cross Racers (a total of 10 people) for the 2012 seasons' DAS Race Team. The requirements are as follows:
1. NO WHINERS! we mean it... attitude is important. If your race didn't go well or you haven't been able to train like you want to because your kid/wife/boss throw a hissy fit every time you get on your bike, DEAL WITH IT! No complaining, no excuses. We want someone who might not do so great every week but goes out and gives it their all, shows some enthusiasm, and represents DAS in a positive way.
2. You must complete 6 races in your respective category (i.e. MTB or CX) per season. You cannot combine 3 MTB with 3 CX to make 6. If you race both, then you need to do 6 and 6. You will understand the reason for this when you see the "Benny Pack" (benefits package). Not meeting the quota will result in a probation from the Benny Pack for the next season. That being said, if you were on the 2011 team and did NOT meet the quota (which was formerly 8 races), then you are now on probation and will not be one of the 5 team members for either team.
3. You must do local trail work regularly.
4. If you go into another bike shop, to buy something or just browse, you must do so wearing the team kit (bib shorts, jersey, socks, gloves all provided by DAS).
5. You must ride a bike from DAS. There are plenty to choose from and you get a sweet deal on one per year in your Benny Pack. You don't need to buy a new bike, but should you find the opportunity to buy one, you should shop at the place you ride for.
6. You cannot weigh your food or be the sort of person who engages in such activities. This statement can also be read as, "You cannot take yourself too seriously... you aren't Lance."
7. You should be down with drinking a beer or two after a ride or a race... meaning, you have to be a chill sort of dude, or gal, and cool with hanging out and having a good time. (If you don't drink, at least be cool with teammates who do.) We want a fun, laid back, yet competitive group.
8. You should be an avid participant of the 3Rs. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Take that however you want it, but you should be earth conscious.
9. Team kit must be worn on rides: training, group, secret, etc.
10. You should be willing to make it to DAS events. Absences will only be excused with a doctor's note, by a death in the family, or by the birth of a child.
11. You should be willing to make community appearances as a representative of DAS. For example, clean up the park on earth day because you ride for DAS.
12. You should visit DAS at least once per week.
13. You should ride one team and/or social ride per week.
I'm sure there will be plenty of questions and concerns and suggestions... feel free to comment.
That's it so far. Basically, DAS wants serious people only, and for that reason, we are only accepting five people for each team. You must first pass by me (Liz). If I think you are worthy of all 13 of the afore stated rules, then you must pass through Donnie D.
Team Roster should be set up by Dec 31st 2011.
MTB Racers will be chosen based on number of races completed in 2011 as well as adherence to 2011 rules. (There is still one more race left locally this season if you want to up your game).
CX Racers will be chosen based on number of races completed in this ongoing 2011 season... get out there and show us what you're made of. This may be the opportunity to see if you've got the drive to race as much as we're asking.
Racer cap-off's at 5 per team can be left unfilled. We stop at 5, but reserve the right to have less. We also reserve the right to change the numbers. For example: If we find 7 CX racers this season who ROCK, but only 3 MTB racers, then we might go with 3 and 7. You follow? Good... now get out there and race.
1. NO WHINERS! we mean it... attitude is important. If your race didn't go well or you haven't been able to train like you want to because your kid/wife/boss throw a hissy fit every time you get on your bike, DEAL WITH IT! No complaining, no excuses. We want someone who might not do so great every week but goes out and gives it their all, shows some enthusiasm, and represents DAS in a positive way.
2. You must complete 6 races in your respective category (i.e. MTB or CX) per season. You cannot combine 3 MTB with 3 CX to make 6. If you race both, then you need to do 6 and 6. You will understand the reason for this when you see the "Benny Pack" (benefits package). Not meeting the quota will result in a probation from the Benny Pack for the next season. That being said, if you were on the 2011 team and did NOT meet the quota (which was formerly 8 races), then you are now on probation and will not be one of the 5 team members for either team.
3. You must do local trail work regularly.
4. If you go into another bike shop, to buy something or just browse, you must do so wearing the team kit (bib shorts, jersey, socks, gloves all provided by DAS).
5. You must ride a bike from DAS. There are plenty to choose from and you get a sweet deal on one per year in your Benny Pack. You don't need to buy a new bike, but should you find the opportunity to buy one, you should shop at the place you ride for.
6. You cannot weigh your food or be the sort of person who engages in such activities. This statement can also be read as, "You cannot take yourself too seriously... you aren't Lance."
7. You should be down with drinking a beer or two after a ride or a race... meaning, you have to be a chill sort of dude, or gal, and cool with hanging out and having a good time. (If you don't drink, at least be cool with teammates who do.) We want a fun, laid back, yet competitive group.
8. You should be an avid participant of the 3Rs. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Take that however you want it, but you should be earth conscious.
9. Team kit must be worn on rides: training, group, secret, etc.
10. You should be willing to make it to DAS events. Absences will only be excused with a doctor's note, by a death in the family, or by the birth of a child.
11. You should be willing to make community appearances as a representative of DAS. For example, clean up the park on earth day because you ride for DAS.
12. You should visit DAS at least once per week.
13. You should ride one team and/or social ride per week.
I'm sure there will be plenty of questions and concerns and suggestions... feel free to comment.
That's it so far. Basically, DAS wants serious people only, and for that reason, we are only accepting five people for each team. You must first pass by me (Liz). If I think you are worthy of all 13 of the afore stated rules, then you must pass through Donnie D.
Team Roster should be set up by Dec 31st 2011.
MTB Racers will be chosen based on number of races completed in 2011 as well as adherence to 2011 rules. (There is still one more race left locally this season if you want to up your game).
CX Racers will be chosen based on number of races completed in this ongoing 2011 season... get out there and show us what you're made of. This may be the opportunity to see if you've got the drive to race as much as we're asking.
Racer cap-off's at 5 per team can be left unfilled. We stop at 5, but reserve the right to have less. We also reserve the right to change the numbers. For example: If we find 7 CX racers this season who ROCK, but only 3 MTB racers, then we might go with 3 and 7. You follow? Good... now get out there and race.
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