Unknown Cycling

Junior Tour of Ireland 2018

8/9/2018

Max and I were in the airport waiting for our flight to Ireland and the World Cup was playing. We stopped to watch the final moments between Croatia and Russia. It was a cracker of a game. Croatia scored to pull ahead by one with 20 minutes left, leaving Russia, the underdog, breathless and on the verge of elimination.

Through sheer will and determination, Russia, off a set play, knocked a screaming header into the back of Croatia’s net with less than five minutes left in regulation. The stadium erupted, their emotions flipped 180 degrees in the flick of a second. I turned to Max and grinned. “This is why people love sport. It is in these moments, when the odds are against you and the pressure is on, that greatness rises into view.”

While we didn’t feel pressure, the odds were stacked against the DORNIER Racing squad going into the 2018 Junior Tour of Ireland. We had a young team with plenty of inexperience in international races. On top of that, I, an experienced racer, was in a brand new role as Director. However, similar to the Croatia vs Russia game, simply because the odds are against you does not exclude anyone from the sweet taste of victory. It takes grit, skill, determination, and a little luck and any David can fell a Goliath.

For the riders the days in a stage race follow a consistent pattern. Wake up. Eat. Race. Eat. Go back to the hotel. Eat. Relax. Eat. Team meeting. Eat some more? Sleep. Myself and Alexis would take care of things like bikes and water bottles and planning for the next day.

Stage 1 was simple - a 6 kilometer rolling time trial. No tactics here, just brute strength. Seth was our highest place rider at 21st of 120 racers - around 40 seconds behind the leader but more importantly only 20 seconds from the top 5. Now the real racing could begin.

That goal for stage 2 was to stay safe and figure out where we ranked in the peloton. It would be hectic. The first stage of an international stage race always is! But it would provide us with an idea of where we stood amongst all the riders. Early on we had some crashes and flat tires but the boys kept calm and got back into the main field using the caravan. The race ended in a bunch sprint and our two strongest riders, Lance and Seth finished on the same time as the leaders. Ride of the day went to Gino who crashed heavily with 20 kilometers to go and had to ride the rest of the race with an upturned saddle!

After discussing our strengths and weaknesses, I decided with the boys that we couldn’t just sit in all race and wait for it to come to us. We had to try something. Stage 3 went up and over an exposed berg near the ocean. Seth was going to step on the gas a little and try to see if he could force any splits to start gaining time while the rest of the guys were going to try and make those splits in order to give us options on the run into the finish. Seth gave it a go but a headwind over the climb negated his efforts and the bunch rolled towards the finish as one big group. Ride of the day went to Brooks Wienke who crashed heavily with 2 kilometers remaining. When I got to him, he said he wanted to finish the stage. He courageously made it to the finish line but a broken bike and minor concussion prevented him from starting the next day - stage races can be cruel.

Stage 4 featured more climbs and more exposed coast line. The goal was for Seth to conserve his energy and for the other boys to give it a go. And we did just that. Our youngest member, Lance Davidson got into a strong 8 man breakaway. He picked up mountain points, put pressure on the leader behind, and made a name for himself riding like a hard man. With 20 kilometers to go, the break split, with Lance still in the front. Unfortunately this caused a change in the tactics behind and the breakaway was reeled in with less than 10 kilometers remaining. Another bunch sprint ensued and the status quo stayed in tact more or less. Ride of the day easily went to Lance for being aggressive and putting his nose out there going after a stage win. He also picked up quite a few KOM points! Unfortunately, in a moment of being his good natured self, Lance was passing an extra bottle he had snagged to his breakaway mates which caused him to go from 1st to 5th moments before cresting the largest climb of the day! Had he nabbed it, he would have been second overall in the Climber competition!

Stage 5 was our last opportunity to create any real time gaps in order to claw back those 20 or so seconds we needed for a top 5 overall. We were going to race for the stage win and let the GC fall into place. The goal was for Seth to be aggressive and the other guys to help him. Seth was confident in his abilities but in order to win on the final climb to the finish, he needed to be away from the leader of the race.

In the finale of stage 5, Seth was aggressive and put himself in several promising moves. The yellow jersey ended up having a flat tire causing a huge chase from behind. Several crashes and attacks over the climbs caused the race to splinter into about 10 different groups. Seth was always at the front trying to create an opportunity but was continually shut down. On the final climb, he stayed with the leaders until the last 100 meters or so when he lost the wheel. The gap to the front group was barely more than a few bike lengths but it was enough for the judges to penalize Seth with real time to the leaders instead of group time. Those 13 seconds would have lifted him from 11th overall to the top 5 like we had wanted. Ride of the day - Seth. He rode positively and aggressively when a lot of others were willing to sit back and wait for the race to come to them. After the stage I had a lot of other teams come up to me and compliment the boys on their aggressive style of racing.

The shake up from Stage 5 meant that the final stage was going to be very aggressive. The new leader’s team was an unknown and the big teams would be licking their chops. I told the guys to watch for weakness from the leader and follow the big teams. Halfway through the stage, Max Bein crashed heavily. It took a while to get his chain back on and he grimly chased for 3 laps in the caravan trying to get back while the field ahead was racing full gas. He was almost there when another crash caused the cars behind to block the road which opened one gap too many. While he never made it back on I was seriously impressed by Max’s determination and the ride of the day goes to him.

At the end of the race we didn’t win anything. We didn’t get a top 10 in the GC or a top 5 overall. But the results sheet doesn’t show everything. The boys raced hard, they raced aggressively, they raced like they wanted it. They also honed their racing craft, using the caravan, feeding from the cars, paying attention to the wind, arriving to dinner on time. And I’m incredibly proud of them for the efforts that they put forth. Bike racing doesn’t always work out in your favor but they weren’t scared of a huge international race and gave it a go. That’s the biggest win in my book. (The End)

For a video of the 2018 Junior Tour of Ireland click here:

Author: Alder Martz
Photos: Susan Wienke

Thanks to Alder and Alexis for managing the team on the ground in Ireland. Thanks to the sponsors and the people of the Junior Tour of Ireland, especially Alice, for putting on a great race trying to thank you all for a sometimes thankless effort. Special thanks to our sponsors without which we could not participate in such a world class event:

American DORNIER
Charlotte Knights
Keffer Mazda/VW
Freedom Financial Solutions
BikeSource Charlotte
Hincapie Sportswear
Veristor Systems
Threadline Prints
B-LINE Natural Energy
Unknown Bike & Brew
DOS Ruedas Coffee
OneLap2Go Coaching

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Winston Salem Cycling Classic 2018

5/29/2018

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The Winston Salem Cycling Classic 2018 DORNIER Racing Women

The Winston Salem Cycling Classic is a Memorial Day weekend cycling event complete with bike racing, concerts, Gears and Guitars, Gran Fondos, celebrity bike rides, and retired-pro-mini-celebrity Phil Gaimon chasing KOMs (while eating cookies and riding with locals wearing jean shorts). This was a huge weekend for the DORNIER Racing Women and their Domestic Elite status - which allows them to be invited to big events. And the WSCC Pro Crit and Road Race are big events.

DORNIER Racing Women Pre-ride the UCI course in Winston Salem

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the world governing body for cycling and is manages most of the largest global bike events, fondos, and races (Except the Tour de France run by ASO). This weekend in Winston-Salem DORNIER Racing had the opportunity to race in the UCI Winston-Salem Cycling Classic. This UCI 1.1 race is very popular and has become one of the most exciting weekends of bike racing in the Southeast. Teams from all over the world come to compete in a crit and on a nine mile circuit through the closed roads of Winston-Salem. The DORNIER Racing Women faced off against continental and world tour teams like Astana, Rally, TIBCO, Hagens Berman, and UHC, to name a few. These are teams that make full-time jobs out of racing bikes while our women are at work in professional jobs like accounting and teaching.

Alder Martz reviews important details about the road race at the pre-race meeting.

Phil Gaimon chasing KOMs and cookies on the famed Pilot View climb

In order to participate in these races a number of things have to happen. One, you need a team of strong domestic elite women; two, you need a budget and invitation to enter the race; three, you need all the other surrounding items that help you get to the start line and compete - including bikes, mechanics, and cars. To make those three things happen you need to have sponsors and management. This weekend the team, on and off the course, were fantastic in assembling all the things needed to get to the start and compete fairly and competitively. In the end, we didn't win and Lily Williams of Hagens Berman did - a top racer from a top team. Along the way, the experience was great for the DORNIER women; and everyone learned a lot - further establishing the Women as a serious team with big goals.

Alder, Ben, and Bryan prepare - in style - for the Winston Salem Cycling Classic Road Race

Theresa, Austin, Emma, Danielle and Kristina at the start of the WSCC

Now, to the race. The nine mile circuit is a rolling course through the city and surrounding neighborhoods of WS with a lot of turns, curbs, and traffic furniture. A key feature is the final climb where splits always happen. This famed Pilot View climb rises 130 vertical feet at an inconvenient pitch of 10-15% over .3 of a mile. Racers in the women’s field see that hill eight times and like a paper cut it hurts more and more and causes more cumulative damage at each cut or ascent. On this day, the threat of rain persisted throughout the forecast prior to the race but in the end a few showers appeared but didn't materially affect the race.

The women - Theresa O’Sullivan, Austin Thompson, Emma Langley, Danielle Clark, and guest riders Kristina Vrouwenvelder (Colorado USA) and Edwige Pitel (France) - all rolled to the line to start the race. Behind them in Car 11 DS Alder Martz, Driver Ben Turits, and Mechanic Bryan Dubuc. In the feed zone Merrill Thierman, out with illness, and friends of the team Jeff Montgomerie and Ben Spain. Success and challenges in this race can be measured in more than one way. For example, showing up, starting, laps completed, KOM points, TV time, winning, finishing with the field, or some other team-inspired measure like helping a teammate or getting into a breakaway.

Emma Langley hard at work in the 2018 WSCC

Theresa O'Sullivan up and over the KOM in the 2018 WSCC

In the end Emma Langley had the best overall finishing place - surviving the long war of attrition over three hours and 80 miles finishing with the field in place 70/120 - ahead of a number of big team professionals and known badasses; many of whom did not finish. Kristina 85/120, Theresa 89/120, Danielle 97/120, and Austin 111/120. So we are super proud of those results even though it’s not 1, 2, or 3… The team they pedaled hard, took bottles from the feed zone, churned out "laps", rolled back to the car for bottles, talked on the radios, and rode until the officials told them to stop trying - like real bike racers do. That effort is all that we can ask against this caliber of racer and teams. Ride to make themselves and others proud - and that is the case here. Team inspired goals for sure.

As for TV time - Emma won the day working the back of the field for the first half of the race where the only in-race camera on the USACrits.tv broadcast was working - and she owned the screen and dialog for a better part of an hour while riders shuffled back behind her getting dropped from the field at a rate of 10-15 per lap. Great results for sponsors, Emma, and the rest of the team.

See you next time as this now UCI raced team comes out more experienced and in search of even more impressive races and results. Next up is Tour of America's Dairylands (TOAD) the largest competitive road cycling series in the US. It hosts 11 straight days of racing throughout Southeast Wisconsin. And then the Junior Tour of Ireland for the Juniors.

Thanks to the UCI, USA Cycling, The City of WS, police, volunteers, and residents of Winston-Salem, and the sponsors who made this possible:
American DORNIER, Keffer Mazda, Keffer VW, Charlotte Knights, Freedom Financial Solutions, Unknown Brewery, Unknown Bike & Brew, Hincapie Sportswear, BikeSource Charlotte, B-LINE Natural Energy, Weldon Weaver, and Veristor Systems. And finally, Sterling Swain and Alexis Batista for getting the team invited to the event.

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Junior Tour of Ireland - DORNIER Racing

7/21/2017

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2017 was very special for the American DORNIER Racing team in that the season brought an invite to the Junior Tour of Ireland. This race has been going on for 40 years put on a by a terrific group of volunteers and professionals. It is the largest event of its kind in Ireland and much bigger than any of the races the team had been involved with in the states. It turns out that it's somewhat hard to put on bike races even in Europe - the home of competitive cycling. We were honored to be a part of it this year. Below is a copy of the day-by-day results for the six stage race originally shared on the Facebook team page for followers of the Team. Please click on and like the Team page stay up-to-date.

Stage 1 Results - 113 racers started the Time Trial including some of the best junior time trlalists in the world separated by under 2 minutes. The winner traveled at 50kph over the 6.2km rolling course. That is fast. The best placing for the team was Hugo in 49th followed by 66, 75, and 76 for Mark, Alastair, and Giovanni. 110km Stage 2 tomorrow covering some beautiful countryside.

Stage 2 Results - When the best riders in the world get together they go fast - and they don't let up. That is what happened today in stage 2. Attacks started at the gun, continued, and the race eventually broke into six groups leaving a lead peloton of about 40 riders including Mark and Alastair. The rest of the field scattered about the road including a few crashes that caused a split for Giovanni Vasta (Gino). On the famed Castle Hill climb, Alastair got gapped from the main group late leaving Mark Yaroshevsky to salvage a 24th place finish with Alastair, Gino, and Hugo coming in the following groups but ahead of the looming time cuts. Tomorrow the Team regroups and faces the Cliffs of Moher a picturesque course along the most famous cliffs in Ireland.

Stage 3 Results - Stage racing is unforgiving and the chaos is hard to explain. On today’s stage, at 8km, in there was a major crash involving cars and affecting over 20 riders including Hugo Schreur and Giovanni Vasta. Gino bounced back up, put himself together, and rolled away - only to find he had lost both his water bottles on impact - at the beginning of a 100km stage! At the same time, the road was covered with cars, bikes, ambulances, mechanics, wheels, traffic… It all started when the “rolling enclosure” left a few cars sticking out on the narrow road. One of the young riders clipped a mirror causing the chain reaction crash. In Ireland, they generally don’t neutralize (slow) road races so the race continues. So when the DORNIER team car came up on this event there were people running in every direction taking stock of what happened. As we made our way to the front we finally found Hugo with a cracked bike frame and bloody. It was at that point we thought the race was over for Hugo. But instead, the mechanic from Hincapie Juniors squad volunteered a bike to Hugo to get him on his way. As the race continued the speed picked up, the rain started and then the attacks began. None other than the yellow jersey and green jersey attacking. At this point, the peloton is flying through coastal towns with a caravan of 40 cars and motorcycles leading and following them zig-zagging around tourists and the buses that carry them. The rain started again. The racing was on as they approached the big climb of the day. Alastair gave his water to Gino since the support car couldn’t work forward in the confusion - great teamwork. On this climb, more attacks and a 20mph [side] wind off of the ocean. This combination of rain, wind, attacks, and hill proved to be too much for Gino and others so they dropped back to form a second and third group. The pressure was on. Mark Yaroshevsky and Alastair Pounder survived that picturesque hill - at the Cliffs of Moher - and kept up with the main group. There is now 20km to go and it is raining and the technical descents on blind curved narrow unfamiliar roads. Remember to “stay left” as these are open roads in Ireland. The race continues to the final roundabout with Mark and Alastair working together fighting for position in the remaining group of 30. In the sprint Alastair gets 13th and Mark 23rd separated by a few seconds. The team’s first points of the race! A few minutes later Gino rolls in. Hugo, after being unable to continue due to wrist pain, is picked up by the support vehicle and returns to the finish medical staff. Not ideal his race is done, Mark sits in the GC at 36th place and three boys will start the hilly stage 4 tomorrow. Great effort today.

Stage 4 Results - Today’s stage involved a transfer from the home base hotel Treacys West County in Ennis to the Coastal town of Ballyvaughan. In this stage, there is a Category climb at the 12km mark followed by three more Cat climbs and finally a fast descent to the finish. Of note today was the 20mph steady cross-tail wind along the final 20km of the race. The start rolled and the team was strong through the first category climb of the day. On the second climb - the famed “Corkscrew Hill” the pressure was too much and the field split. Mark Yaroshevsky and Alastair Pounder in the front group and Giovanni Vasta in the second. As the race rolled on there was the obligatory crash this time involving a rider in between the team cars - he got up. Over the next climbs, the race stayed that way with a lead group and a second group. As the race approached the final stretch of road the attacks started. From none other than the yellow jersey (The race leader). That attack split the lead group into four smaller groups. Why attack as the yellow jersey? Because you can and to do so assert yourself as the strongest person in the race. This really frustrated In the riders. It worked. In the end, Mark and Alastair finished just behind the leader and the break - and well enough to move Mark into 26th and Alastair into 46th place in the GC. More racing in stage 5 tomorrow covering fast flat roads and then Gallows HIll - the biggest and longest climb of the Tour.

Stage 5 Results - Yaro cracks the Top 10 on Gallows Hill! Today’s hilltop finish was hard - and it came after three other category climbs. Let’s go to the beginning of the stage where a fast flat start led to early attacks and speeds averaging almost 30 mph. In the first climb of the day, the field was back together and Alastair was crashed by a rider - got up, crashes feel normal now. In the ensuing climbs the field kept dropping riders; but not our team. In the Team car, the narrow roads made the descents nerve-racking as there was not enough room to zoom past dropped riders at speeds over 60kmh. “Bi-Roads” in Ireland are single lane roads that leave room for only one car. These dynamics appear to be normal for the locals. Much of this stage was on these narrow roads including the last big climb of the day a hill-top finish with 6% grade and 500 final vertical feet to the line. You can see in the pictures the riders out of the saddle pushing. With Mark Yaroshevsky grabbing 10th he achieved the best result of the race for the Team so far. Seconds later, Alastair Pounder and Giovanni Vasta crossed the line for a field result. Stage 6 is Sunday - the last stage - a seven lap circuit with two climbs and a really fast finish.

Results for Stage 6 - Giovanni Vasta goes on the attack! The plan for the final day was to give Gino a shot on a course that suited him. The race was a rolling circuit for 7 laps totaling 75km. Gino was told to attack the group 1X and "see what result he got"... And he did attack on lap 2 gaining 10 seconds... and again on lap 2... and again on lap 3 trying to perfect the craft... Super aggressive attempts to challenge some of the best junior riders forcing the other team’s top riders to chase. The moves didn’t stick but certainly showed that he belonged in the race and that he had the endurance and staying power to face the six tough stages - and then on the last day put on meaningful attacks. Alastair also went on the attack on the famed and team-named “Spaceship Hill” (Peak of the climb marked by a spaceship looking water tower). But in the end, none of the attacks on the day from any of the big teams, like Hot Tubes and Hincapie, worked as The Irish National team covered them all protecting their race leader. The race then ended in a bunch sprint with the Irish national team winning that sprint and then awarding Ben Wolf the overall yellow jersey. In the final GC, Mark Yaroshevsky achieved 24th, Alastair Pounder 44th, and Gino 75th and Mark collecting prize money for the GC rewarding his day-to-day consistency! This was a great week in Ennis Ireland and while we didn't win - the Team grew from the experience. More details, photos, and videos to come later via a blog post. For now REST… Racing begins again soon. Thanks for following along this wonderful event in Ireland.

Stage 6 and complete results can be found here.

stage-6-final-results.pdf
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Two Years of Bike & Brew Fundraising

11/20/2016

5 Comments

Why this picture ???
Why on this day???
There is a picture in this picture - Elisa painted a tribute to the Unknown Bike & Brew Club and gave it to Steve "Foxy" Fox on this day - the two year celebration party. But why did we choose this picture when there are so many others throughout the year?

Unknown Bike & Brew started as a training ride for people who were going to do the bigger MS rides but needed a place to train. From that ride we made it a weekly ride. From that weekly ride we started raising money for MS and other causes like 24 Hours of Booty, Alzheimer's Association, Bike Luck, Bike2DC, Cystic Fibrosis. The Unknown Bike & Brew weekly ride is free so people started showing up. The fact that the Unknown Brewery gives $1 to MS for every rider makes the free ride a great way to give to charity simply by showing up. After the launch - each week more people showed up and now 40-100 people come out each week and ride at 2:30PM each Saturday. And some stay after the ride to drink a beer and tell stories. We like that too.

But why this picture? First of all Foxy - he is the leader of the ride and the volunteers. Each ride they get direction from Foxy and lead out a 10, 25 and 35 mile marked route. The great thing about these routes is they overlap each other so support and sweep happens naturally. Have a flat? Someone will help you out. New to biking? Ride the 10 mile route with Liz and Christine they will show you the way. Getting better? Jonathan and Skinny will take you on the 25 mile route. In over your head? There's a secret 18 mile option to get you back sooner. Starting to go farther and faster? The 35 mile route will challenge even the strongest racers and riders.

Back to the photo. Also in this photo is Elisa - she is new to the club. Any club needs new people and she is the greatest kind of new person in that she rides her bike, likes beer, and gives back. By painting the picture taking the time and thought to give back to the Club she personifies what makes the Club great. Did we mention the Club is free too?

What is missing form this picture is an actual bike. And that is because the Club has become more than just about a bike ride. It's about people - like the two in this picture - the oldest and newest members of the Club. Thanks for being part of it on this day - the day we celebrate and recognize two years of fundraising and over $115,000 raised with our partners the Unknown Brewing Company and American Dornier. THANKS

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Safety On The Group Ride

9/1/2016

3 Comments

Getting a great ride in is important but not as important as rider safety. Most of the items below apply to just about any group ride but always check with ride leaders on the ride you are on if you have any questions.

Be Courteous - "Let people in" when needed you are an amateur and this is not a race show courtesy when interacting with others or giving feedback. Overcommunication is ok this inlcudes phrases like "on your right", "inside", "outside", "hole", etc. Talk to your fellow rider it's OK.
Point Out Objects - Manholes, potholes, sticks, debris, boxes - to name a few - the person(s) behind you depends on you making them aware of obstacles that can affect their ride and safety. Call out and point out more severe hazards. This is a common group riding practice.
Don't Overlap Wheels - This is very basic important group riding advice - if you have an overlapped wheel correct it carefully and as soon as possible to avoid having someone swerve and catch your front wheel possibly sending you and others flying (See picture below to see what overlapped wheels like like)
Use Hand Signals - Here is a link to the most common hand signals that help you communicate with fellow riders but the most common point out hazards, direction, and slowing / stopping. Please get to know them and use them. (See graphic below with a summary).
No Riding in Tri Bars or Praying Mantis Mode - While tri bikes are not completely banned on most group riders do get uncomfortable when they see them - so the riding in the aerobar position while in the group is generally banned. That goes for "Praying Mantis" style riding as well. Unless you have an active signed pro contract and are off the front of the ride - these maneuvers are generally not welcomed or allowed as, in the group, you can't take evasive measures or get to the brakes fast enough to be safe. (See picture below where a rider demonstrates the Praying Mantis riding style).
Stop at Red Lights - Obey all traffic laws and stop for red lights. Even in the early morning hours. Make sure to communicate so others can safely stop as well.
Use Only One Lane - Cars find group bike rides confusing when riders leak five or six wide into more than one lane it gets worse and can affect the safety of the whole group so don't do it - use only one lane at most.
Left Turns Suck - This is true on any ride - except in Ireland - be careful, look back and front for clear, communicate with your fellow riders. Traffic from behind and the cutting in front of bikes/cars to make "your" turn can make it extremely dangerous for the next riders behind you. Be careful and think about how your move could affect the safety of others.
Be On-Time - riders that join the ride while underway create additional hazards for other riders and they can also miss important safety announcements at the start of the ride and can affect the flow of the ride - if you must join on the route do so carefully from the back
What else did we miss? Let us know in the comments and we can include it in the next post or on the website.

Overlapped wheels

Praying Mantis riding style

Common hand signals when riding

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What Makes Bike and Brew Great – Part 3 – The “Pint” Ride

7/10/2016

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New to group biking? Need an entry-level group ride and route? Consider the “Pint” ride at Unknown Brewery every Saturday at 2:30pm.

Not new to group biking? Maybe you haven’t had the time to dig the bike out of the back of the shed in a while. If you are looking to improve your fitness, looking for a new hobby, looking to meet a few people, or looking to share your love of biking with your family, look no further.

Rick Pryll brought his wife, Holly, and their two kids, Edie and Jack, ages 11 and 9, to the “Pint” ride last Saturday:

“I was not sure what to expect. My son was riding a BMX bike. My daughter was riding an extra small mountain bike. My wife was riding a beach cruiser. We’ve done some greenway rides before. Would we make it?”

“Yes. We not only finished the ride, we each learned a little something along the way. The “Pint” course is challenging – let’s not beat around the bush - there are more than a few hills to get up. But in terms of contending with car traffic, navigating left hand turns, and communicating within the group, we could not have been in better hands. The ride features both a leader* and a sweeper**, and as long as you stay between them, you are good to go.”

“We had a blast. Back at the brewery, there was a food truck parked outside, so I was able to get the kids something to eat while Holly and I enjoyed a few beers with the crew. The kids are already asking when we can do it again.”

As a way to get the family outside participating in an activity that is free, challenging and rewarding, cycling is a great option for a Saturday afternoon. The Unknown Bike & Brew “Pint” is an entry-level introduction to the art of group riding in an urban environment. If you are looking for a way to bridge up to the 25-mile route, or if you are looking for a more social way to learn how to get around the city on two wheels, the Unknown Bike & Brew “Pint” ride is friendly, supportive and educational. Come on out and join us. You’ll be glad you did.

*Thank you, Liz!

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What Makes Bike and Brew Great 2

5/31/2016

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Sometimes it's just best to let others tell a story. In the case of Liz that is what we are doing here. Thanks for supporting the Unknown Bike and Brew and making it great and everything else you do in the community.

"Liz and her teal helmet are a regular sight at cycling events in and around Charlotte – from 24 Hours of Booty to the Bike MS: Greater Carolinas rides to the Free Wheelin Fridays - Bike Commute bike commuting breakfasts. Through her leadership of the Bank of America Bike MS teams, she is always seeking out new riders to join her in the fight against MS.

She is a dedicated mentor to new triathletes through the Tri It For Life program, and a patient and kind route leader on the Unknown Bike & Brew Pint ride. You can easily see how much she enjoys helping new cyclists become confident and comfortable on the bike… and her genuine kindness is contagious.

If you look for Liz in group photos, she’s often sporting the 'Selfie Steve' smile – a recent tradition born out of the silliness and camaraderie within our cycling community. She’s always up for a ride so keep an eye out for that teal helmet, wave hello and follow along to learn from a savvy cyclist." - Christine Weber

"Liz is strong in every sense of the word.She is physically strong as she participates in all 3 Carolina MS Bike events and completed a MS Challenge Walk (50 miles).
Liz is strong mentally, pushing through barriers that most people would just quit.
Liz is strong emotionally, supporting friends and family and always keeps an ear open to give a kind word, jump in to assist with a job or give a hug.
Liz has a strong sense of humor and is quick with a smile and a joke.
I'm blessed to have her as a friend." - Stephen Fox

"Hey!!! I know her! That's my bike mentor!!! She's the best!!! She'll even laugh with you when running your bike into her's and pushing her over!!! Pint group forever, Liz!!! I'll always remember my first ride at Unknown and how welcoming you were!" - Tracey Ann Stone

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What Makes Bike and Brew Great

5/23/2016

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"Stephen Fox (AKA Foxy) is an amazing man, his love of people and his willingness to share his heart is contagious. Starting the Unknown Ride with the help of The Unknown Brewing Company owners and cyclist friend Chris Guella, their passion to help Bike MS: Greater Carolinas quickly took off after finding out that the brewery owners wife has MS affecting her family. Under Foxy the team has grown and grown with cyclist of every ability being welcomed and loved no matter what. Foxy wears his heart on his sleeve in all the right ways, taking his passion for cycling and using it for all the good he can leverage in this world. Wanting to help those who need it most, Unknown-Dornier cycling has taken on 24 Hours of Booty this year to help make an even larger impact on those here in our community who have needs. His constant concern for team mates, the sharing of his love with others and his enthusiasm for cycling has created the perfect storm for making a real difference in the lives of others. That's my Foxy!" - Randy Fulp

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Jan 30 2016 - Bike & Brew

2/4/2016

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A great day Jan 30, 2016 at the Unknown Bike & Brew. The short video below shows how a typical day with B&B goes... It also highlights the great views of Charlotte on the most scenic bike return in Charlotte.