RMBF Followup and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge
Posted on 27. Jul, 2011 by Jordan in Jordan, Pro Wrenching, The Gear Movers
The Gear Movement setup at The Rocky Mountain Bike Festival at Invesco Field in Denver! Photo Courtesy of Hardcastle Photography
July 11th and 12th rocked hard! Perfect weather, a bit of rain and tons of sunshine and the sweet tarmac at Invesco Field in Denver, home to the Denver Broncos. Its every uber fan’s dream to get to hang out VIP style at Invesco Field and that is exactly what we did for the Rocky Mountain Bike Festival.
Ben and Jordan hanging with the kids at The Gear Movement Booth
A cultural event, rich with bikes, character, locals, and community flavor, we couldn’t ask for much more. Put on by Miles Ahead Events and Carol Johnson, The Gear Movement rocked the house for two days straight! Community Events are the name of the game in this day and age, its a competitive market and anyway we can touch our client base on a positive level is great! Our next event coming up before we go into the cross season full swing will be the People’s Pedal Party – a pre-party and welcoming to the pro cyclists coming to our state for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge!
Jordan and his sister hanging at The Gear Movement booth, enjoying the amazing weather! Photo Courtesy of Hardcastle Photography
The Gear Movement ladies racing each other at the WielerSport tent! Photo Courtesy of Hardcastle Photography
The People’s Pedal Party in Colorado Springs on August 21st 4-8pm will be a blast! Live music, BMX demonstrations, USOC demonstrations, tennis, fencing and of course some sweet cycling companies like The Gear Movement! The event will be held in the middle of downtown Colorado Springs on the eve of the Prologue to kick off the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.
The Peoples Pedal Party, a pre-cursor to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado Springs, CO August 21st 4-8pm downtown!
Come visit us for the party in downtown Colorado Springs and follow us on Facebook and Twitter throughout the week of August 22nd – 28th for updates from Jordan Schware in the yellow Mavic cars, winding through the mtns of CO!
See you then!
The Gear Movement ladies chalking it up and reppin the company! Photo Courtesy of Hardcastle Photography
Valmont Bike Park Opening June 11th, 2011
Posted on 08. Jun, 2011 by Ben in Ben, The Gear Movers
Valmont Bike Park Grand Opening this weekend! Be there or be missing it on Saturday!
Ben here -
Recently, my vehicle needed an emissions test done. I drive up Airport road off of North Valmont and what do I see to my right? Huckability! Serious stuff that would make the number one Red Bull athlete pucker up – The new Valmont Bike Park. Absolutely huge features, pump tracks, etc. I thought, no way is that for me. I’m a fragile dad with a diminishing ego… I don’t need to prove anything. Then I learn, this park is not just for the elite, its considered one of the most progressive bike parks in the world. There is something for everyone. Singletrack, smaller pump tracks that help beginners learn in a safe environment.
Some serious doubles, note - not for the faint of heart, but this is for the heart of Boulder!
More sick lines to be had, we are itching to get on the park!
With two kids whose egos are growing with every pedal stroke, this was music to my ears. Something I can do with them and we can all have fun.
A sick wall hit! Can you say POW!
Needless to say, I am pumped for Valmont Bike Park’s grand opening this weekend! They open June 11th – I encourage any local cyclist to at least go check it out. This is a free park that should charge Disneyland prices… you’re cheating yourself by not going. See you this weekend!
Flying off of this would be nice...
Rocky Mountain Bike Festival 2011 – Denver, CO
Posted on 08. Jun, 2011 by Jordan in Ben, Jordan, The Gear Movers
The Rocky Mountain Bike Festival signs are colorful for the summer!
80’s and sunny this weekend? Check. Spend the weekend outdoors in the gorgeous spring weather? Check. Attend the 4th annual Rocky Mountain Bike Festival at Invesco Field in Denver? Check!
In Leadville in 2010, the backdrop was amazing! On to Denver this year
This will be the second year we are attending the festival and we couldn’t be more excited. With last year’s event up in Leadville, the highest city in the US, the increase in oxygen and warm weather will be a welcome in Denver. The festival will run from 10am-6pm both Saturday and Sunday in the M parking lot at Invesco Field. The Denver Century Ride will start and finish in the same location on the 12th with a community fun ride on the 11th.
Ben Duke shows off his Gear Movement T-shirt under our booth!
With all this good cycling activity Ben and Jordan couldn’t miss this opportunity to show the fine talents of The Gear Movement crew. We have dug deep into the inventory at the shop to pull out some great giveaways and a couple of pieces of high-end gear to raffle off. We will have an HTC-Highroad ProTeam signed Giro d’Italia official jersey on hand for one lucky winner to take home!
The festival was busy in Leadville, its gonna be packed in Denver at Invesco!
Look for our tent and wrapped car, and stop by the booth for some fun smoozing and boozing with Ben and Jordan!
Jordan Schware and Tom Hopper ham it up next to The Gear Movement booth in Leadville last year
Tour of the Gila – The End
Posted on 04. May, 2011 by Jordan in Jordan, Pro Wrenching, The Gear Movers
Jordan working the turnaround point of the Tyrone Stage 3 Time Trial
Stage 3 = Time for a time trial! The Tyrone time trial on stage 3 turned out to be a slightly boring day in the sun and wind. With gusty winds of up to 50mph starting slow in the morning and gaining speed later in the afternoon, it was a rough one!
A nice visitor stopped by at the TT turnaround. What a cool picture with the SRAM car in the foreground
A Chipotle Development rider flies into the TT turnaround with his team car in tow...
I was positioned for the day at the turnaround point. The course was 26 miles long, out and back on a small exposed highway. I sat at the turnaround point with a SRAM Volvo car, wheels and bike, ready to assist if needed. Without seeing much action throughout the day, it proved to be a boring one, see pic below for the confirmation…
Mechanic Extroadinare TJ Grove listed how bored Jordan was on his TT race programme
Our SRAM NRS crew for the entire Men's Pro Race. L-R Desira Miller, Jose Alcala, Miss P, TJ Grove and Jordan (taking the photo)
Stage 4 saw the Downtown Silver City Criterium. The funnest race of the year provided me with a chance to smooze and booze with all the pro teams and all my buddies from back in the day. I think these pictures tell the story. Yet again two days in a row, one of the Trek-Livestrong U23 boys rode away with a stunning victory.
Jordan posing with the podium girls during the crit at the SRAM Tour of the Gila!
The Gila Monster on Stage 5 was the grand marquee for the whole week. With more than 10,000ft of climbing and some gnarly descents that freaked out the entire caravan, it was a hairy one. Being used to sitting in team cars in scary bike races, I gotta tell ya, this is always the scariest ride of my life. Sitting in a car with riders all around you, driving like a formula 1 race down mountain passes at 100kph is crazy! That’s what we do and that is why rocking out with the SRAM Neutral Service Crew is so much fun!
A view from Jordan's office during the final and 5th stage of the race - The Gila Monster! More than 10,000ft of climbing, wow!!
Miss P about ready to tear it up on the SRAM NRS special addition Aprilla Moto!
Ever seen a burn like this? Captions welcome. (Jordan was hurting after this)
The final podium for the Women's Pro Race at Gila. Congrats Ladies!
Jordan and moto ace Steve Donovan from Turin Bikes fly home on I-25 towards Boulder. What a beautiful stormy sky ahead into Santa Fe!
SRAM Tour of the Gila Stages 1,2
Posted on 29. Apr, 2011 by Jordan in Jordan, Pro Wrenching, The Gear Movers
The SRAM Neutral Service Volvos ready to rock and roll, sexy!
Hello Silver City, NM! If you have been to Silver City, you have been here for a reason. This town is great but it is way off the grid. Travel down I-25 from the Boulder/Denver area for about 10 hrs and you find Highway 152 just a bit north of the Mexican border. Take that road for an hour or two over the Contintenal Divide and you are in Silver City. A town known for its Silver mine you can see from space or Google maps, this place is remote. Once a year at the end of April the entire community rallies around the SRAM Tour of the Gila and makes a great atmosphere for us cyclists/team staff.
SRAM Staff Michael Zellman, Desira Miller, Jordan Schware! ready to rock for stage 1
I decided the annual trip to see some of my great friends was worth the trip down south for some fun in the sun and a hard working cycling vacation. Working with the SRAM Neutral Service crew is an absolute blast. The team is strong and they are always ready to help a cyclist out and then have a beer afterwards.
Some great friends, Gord Fraser of RealCyclist.com and Ben Day of Kenda!
The Madness! Kelly Benefits Reid Mumford
My role for the race decided by headman Jose Alcala is that of mechanic/jumper in the SRAM car 2 with the Men’s Pro Race. Sitting in the backseat I am accompanied by Desira Miller, my trusty and rad driver and Miss Piera, Jose’s daughter.
Stage 1 saw some nervous and tactical bike racing for the men. A good amount of strong winds and some rolling roads for a large amount of the 151km kept us on our toes. Pair that with more flat tires than I have ever seen in race and the SRAM crew was scrambling all over the road. At the end of the Stage 1 Mogollon Road Race, came a monster climb. The bike race was shattered to pieces and the win went to Francisco Mancebo, putting more than 20 sec on his closest competition and raising his arms in triumph.
The Mogollon climb at the end of Stage 1
Day 2 saw a much more relaxed bike race beginning and ending in the old deserted Ft. Bayard Military Base. From the gun the men set out to keep the pace high and safe. With tons of climbs and gnarly descents we were lucky to only have a few flat tires and no crashes on the day. Our very own Frank Pipp from Team Bissell flew away with the win screaming into Ft. Bayard pumping his fists. Reports from the officials show him leading the Sprinters competition.
Jordan and Jose's daughter, Miss Piera!
The view from my office inside the Volvo all day!
Super busy in the back of the car = self portrait time!
Thats a wrap from days 1 and 2. Tomorrow we have the Stage 3 Tyrone Time Trial. I will check in again afterwards!
Spring Open Ping Pong Tournament Follow Up
Posted on 26. Apr, 2011 by Ben in The Gear Movers
Grand Master of Tournament festivities, none other than The Duke, Ben Duke himself! Photo Credit Dane Cronin
Our first ever Spring Open Ping Pong tournament proved to be a success; with plenty of laughs, beer, flying ping pong balls and good times. We are proud to say that we raised over $800 for Community Cycles!
The Gear Movement Spring Open is underway, ping pong time! Photo Credit Dane Cronin
This is only the beginning pong people! This was a warm up for tournaments to come. Next on deck, the fall classic. Through the experience gained from the inaugural tourny, we have already begun to lay out the format for this fall’s extravaganza. With shorter games for the early rounds, referees for each table, and helpful tips from all of you; we can promise a fast flowing and exciting time in August.
Super staff member Nick Ranno working the bracket for the tourney. Photo credit Dane Cronin
Our goal is to double the amount earned for Community Cycles, so please put this in your calendars for the last weekend in August, Saturday the 27th! Until then, thank you for your support and practice up as the talent most certainly is!
Check our Facebook page in the coming months for the next invite!
Cheers!
Ultimate host Ryan van Duzer and TGM master Jordan Schware, giving out some sweet schwag! Photo Credit Dane Cronin
The Top 3, Akira in 3rd, Mike in 1st and Rob in 3rd. Congrats Gents! Photo Credit Dane Cronin
Are the 80’s Back?
Posted on 22. Feb, 2011 by Ben in Ben, The Gear Movers
Are the 80’s back? Listen to today’s music. Look at how kids are dressing. Come-On! Am I right? The 80’s are back. Just different, but fu-get ‘bout it, they’re back! Now, how can our outdated generation fit in? Easy, we grew up in the 80’s (at least I did), so lets use that knowledge. First order of business to consider, what season is it? Right now, its winter, so lets plan our wardrobe accordingly. Second, what to wear? Well a puffy (yet tight fitting), overly obnoxiously colored, one-piece ski suit – OF COURSE! Or maybe just go skiing with some jeans and a hot pink and yellow vest. Dunno? Just a guess. We’ve sold a few of these items in the past, maybe we could help you find one. eBay is always the best choice for finding such attire.
Rad 80's gear, this is a necessity... Photo courtesy of eBay seller Retrovision65
Third, what to do? Um…. Ski. Or snowboard, whatever floats your boat, who needs to get specific? Or wait!… lets get specific… MONOSKIING! Ya, that bridges the gap! That’s totally 80’s bro! I’d give a body part to have one of those. If we get one in to sell, we’ll be sure to make a fuss about it in another, never boring, Newsletter.
Looking to bridge the gap? Done! Phot courtesy of www.pdhyman.com
Ok, fourth consideration to consider considerably would be your ability to pull a Spread Eagle… (level = Easy)
Skill Level = Spread Eagle, check! Photo courtesy of amazing bad-ass spread eagle dude...
Ok, got that one? Think that’s easy? Try a Daffy… (level = Medium)
Need we say more? Uhh no... Photo courtesy of www.shredbook.com
Ok hot shot. You’re beyond level Medium… it’s time to try a Screamin’ Seamen!
Seriously, this video is a must see, the guy does a 360 and a Screamin’ Seamen. at the same time! Not even guys from the 80’s could pull that off! …. “Poor some sugar on me” – ya sing it!
Finally, you’ll need to listen to good music. The 80’s rocked! Today, artists are trying to recreate the sounds of 80’s rock legends like Queen. Although they’re no match, today’s tunes are actually quite catchy.
Fast Tube by Casper
…CRAP! I’m old. I can’t tell you any new artists to listen to, or what exactly to wear when you’re NOT skiing. So just listen to Def Leopord; wear bright clothes (that are too tight in some areas and too baggy in others w/ tendancies to lowride); buy a Mono-Board, and with it… try a SPREAD EAGLE!
‘Till next time – CHEERS!
Ben, Jordan and the entire crew at The Gear Movement. Rock on!
Post Holiday Blues
Posted on 19. Jan, 2011 by Ben in Ben, Nicole, The Gear Movers
The famous Tram at Jackson, fresh Pow here we come... Photo Courtesy of www.snowrev.com
If you’re like the rest of us, you probably had your fair share of holiday gifts, parties, lights, trees, crowds and hoopla. You’re ready to bundle up and grit your way through the winter months with a few glasses of red wine and wait for spring to arrive when we can all go out and play again!
Well, we have a few ideas that will help pass the time and, hey, maybe even make winter fun…
First idea? Well, skiing of course. Tons of snow in the high country means plenty-o-pow for you powder junkies. And, yes, we have a nice selection of skis, backcountry equipment, and warm clothing to get you out and playing for a reasonable, affordable cost. If you’re like me, you’ll want to spend that extra money you save on a trip to, well, Jackson Hole, WY. Did you know that you can get 3 nights lodging and 2 days of skiing for only $229 per person when you go up with 4 or more people? Ya, just found that out, I’m heading out at the end of the month and am likely skiing while you’re reading this – HA! Now, it’s Your turn!
Hiking the ridge at Jackson Photo courtesy of www.onthesnow.com
Second idea? Clean out the house. Ok, this one is not as fun; but the wife and I have been on a cleanse binge and it feels great to simplify our lives! Once you start, you won’t stop ‘till the house feels right. How do we get rid of all that extra junk? Oh yes, it’s another plug for The Gear Movement! Turn that old junk into cash so you can go to Jackson Hole!
Last idea? Go to the Denver Stock Show. Ok, too late now, but put it on your calendar for next January. If you live in Colorado, you must go ‘hick’ at least once, and this is the perfect opportunity. My kids loved it. They got to ride the merry-go-round driven by real ponies, pet the pigs, lamas and goats, and even see a real live, um, ah, cow show. How exciting! Ok, no kids? Then just go to the Rodeo at least, it’s a blast and you get to drink beer (which is a change from the wine you’ve been drinking).
Fast Tube by Casper
T-Shirt Contest? That’s it, I’m all out of ideas – let us know some of your ideas and we’ll give a free T-shirt to the best idea. Maybe even post that idea in our next Newsletter. Email us your winter fun ideas and you could win a sweet Gear Movement T-Shirt! If you dont want to be creative we can sell you one… just shoot us an email and we will hook it up!
The Gear Movement T-Shirt. Win yours today!
Rock On – Ben!
Holiday season sales, tis the season
Posted on 09. Jan, 2011 by Jordan in The Gear Movers
Yep, the holidays are over, you no longer want to hear about what Santa brought or didn’t bring, or how happy this person is to see their family. Its over, it’s a memory, and for most of us it was a good one, but come on people lets move on!
Well that is the mutual feeling of millions of people around the world who have enjoyed the holidays and are ready to move on, but not us here at The Gear Movement. Like most online businesses and retailers, this was our time to shine and now its gone! The holiday season is a chance for us to work our tails off and try to make our company look that much better than the next. When else do we get this chance? In the summer when everyone is out riding their bikes and enjoying the weather, no! It’s the cold wintry season around the holidays where we make our bread and butter.
What is our bread and butter in the winter holiday season? Its not tough to guess here…its skis! We have been unloading some amazing and interesting inventories of used and demo skis this winter. And with a price point between $150-$500, they are a perfect margin for our company and usually net a great price for our consignors. If you haven’t already seen our ski category, click this link to our eBay store. We also sell a nice bit of bike inventory leading up to the holidays. Some hot items were frames, wheelsets and drivetrain parts, everything that your loved one could pinch a couple of pennies for and give you a sweet present!
Here’s a small video to provide you with some laughs of our holiday season!
Fast Tube by Casper
“Hell is dark and you have to ride a mountain bike the whole time.”
Posted on 27. Oct, 2010 by Matt in The Gear Movers
Our Resident Pro tackles the 24hrs of Moab, not his forte but he killed it!
After a long and tiring season of racing all over the country on the pro road circuit I was enjoying a relaxing off season of not riding my bike, spending time with my girlfriend and working at The Gear Movement. The last thing I wanted to do was ride my bike at any speed over a snails pace. So on Tuesday a few weeks ago when I got a text message about riding 24 Hours of Moab I thought “You’re asking the wrong guy.” The text was followed by a voice mail and an email. And even though the last time I rode a mountain bike was 1997 (I was 18 then and am 31 now) I said “OK, I’ll do it.” As soon as I committed to riding with these guys I wondered what the hell I was thinking, I didn’t even have a mountain bike!
I was to be part of the four man Excel Sports team. They told me I was filling in for a guy who bailed on them but I found out later that there had never even been a fourth guy!
None other than our resident pro Matt Cooke "riding the rim"
My new teammates had found a very small and kind of beat old bike for me to ride, but it was in the end way way too small for me to actually ride. I was almost hitting my chin with my knees every time I pedaled.
I managed to barrow an a bike from the awesome people at Ellsworth. And they really did save the weekend.
We switched off who was racing and when it was my turn I went as hard as I could, absolutely flat out. I probably would have gotten a good time too had I not had to walk just about every technical section. I was very afraid of crashing and caution is not a good thing in bike racing.
My night laps were even slower. It had been 13 years since I rode a mountain bike and I had never done it at night. Turns out I hate mountain biking in the dark, go figure. I came up with a mantra I would keep telling myself for all the night laps, “Hell is dark and you have to ride a mountain bike the whole time.” Not the most positive statement but I was in a pretty dark spot mentally.
The team got through it and we placed 6th in the Expert field. It’s funny, during the race I thought to myself I never want to do one of these again but as soon as we hit the drive home I was already thinking about what mountain bike I wanted to buy. Matt Cooke aka “Cookie” from Moab, out!
"I am really not looking forward to when the sun goes down."
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