Props Where Props are Due

This entry as been a long time coming. It's one that I always want to write but always seem to put off. Well not this time. After all the team would not exist if it weren't for our sponsors. Please support them, as they support grassroots cycling.

First up, we'll talk about the bike people. Our team has, in my opinion, the best of the best. We have rockin' Van Dessel frames. Anything from the super light Rivet to the ever so versatile Ramble Tamble (this can be run as a single speed, full X.O grouppo, or with a Ruhloff). Not to mention the awesomeness in between.

Honey Stinger is also back again. These guys are just super easy to work with and their products are like honey. Yum! They do have a new item out this year, the organic energy chews. They are delish. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a little boost on a long ride. Easier on the stomach than gel (I think so anyway). Also, HS does not outsource the production of their peanut butter from the company that was involved in the Salmonella outbreak. ++.

Crank Bros will once again be under our feet. These pedals have always been a personal favorite for a few reasons...First they are super easy to use. No spring tension to set. Second, they shed mud on nasty days. Clip in and forget about it. Third, they are super easy to rebuild. Let's face it, if you ride as much as we do bearings wear out. CB got your back with complete rebuild kits and easy to follow instructions.

AMC will also be on Stan's No Tubes wheels again. These are cutting edge when it comes to light weight, tubeless wheels. Good people. What else could you ask for?

New to this year will be Tifosi, Schwalbe, Nuun, SRAM, and Magura.

Tifosi has been really cool to deal with. They hooked our team up with some of the nicest glasses I've ever had on my face. Lightwieght, three sets of lenses (with great optics), and a nice rubber nose piece. The model is the Tyrant. Check them out.

Schwalbe Tires gave us a deal we couldn't turn down. We feel that their tires are about as good as you can get on the road, mountain, or 'cross. Maybe the only ones better would be the ones still handmade...maybe. With Schwalbe we have a huge selection to choose from and I was like a kid in a candy store. I will say this though, I showed some restraint when I opted to not get the 295 gram Furious Fred. I did however get the 425 gram tubeless version. Ha! Look out suckers.

Nuun is a hydration company that has really just recently popped their head this way. Unless of course I just wasn't paying attention. They offer us an electrolyte tablet for our water bottles that should keep the Milk(wo)men from cramping up this summer. Again, look out suckers.

SRAM hooked us up with road grouppos on the cheap. SRAM is always at the cutting edge of technology and is the parent company of Avid and Rock Shox but...

We have Magura for brakes and forks which are awesome. They are the parent company of Syntace and Mawri. Can I get a what what?

Next we can cover the money people. Arro, Isaac's Deli, and of course Allied Milk Producers' Cooperative. Without their continued support there would not be a team at all. This milk's for you...