“What do I get as a member of the Bicycle Heaven Racing Team?”
What was John F. Kennedy’s famous line? Something about “ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” If your prime motivation for joining a race team is to figure out which one offers the best “stuff” then we’re probably not the ideal team for you. We are focused on putting together a tight-knit team of people who share a common thread of passion for the sport of cycling.
Look, unless you’re a pro (and you’re surely not if you’re reading this) racing bikes is a hobby. Granted, it’s a very serious hobby… but it’s still a hobby. We’re not interested in racing with a flash-in-the-pan team of people with constant turnover. When the common thread of your team is loaner race bikes and free Honey Stinger products, you’re bound to have riders come-and-go as other teams offer that one extra Honey Stinger waffle. We’re looking for people who want to land here and stay here.
So, before we talk about what we’re willing to offer you, lets talk about what we expect out of you:
- Be around. You don’t have to live near the shop. You don’t have to make all the group rides. You don’t even have to race all that much. You need to be a familiar face. The most valued members of the team are the ones that chip in- not even necessarily in terms of racing. Coming out to watch teammates race once or twice a year can actually mean as much to us as anything else. We like to know our teammates. Many of us will go out of our way to get to know you if we can. The best races are the ones where we’re all hanging out and having fun. Let us get to know you.
- Be decent. Like it or not, when you’re on Bicycle Heaven you’re a representative of the shop, the rest of the team, and most importantly, our sponsors. Some very generous sponsors have ponied up their own money to fund your foolish hobby. Don’t ever forget that most of what we offer is a direct result of their generousness. Also, don’t forget that you’re an ambassador for their organization. Being decent doesn’t only mean not getting disqualified at races for hitting an official with your glasses. Being decent means being considerate to other cyclists and pedestrians, and doing whatever is necessary to minimize conflicts with motorists. It also means remembering our sponsors should they offer a service that may benefit you or a friend.
- Pitch in. Nothing on this team has ever been mandatory, and we’re not about to change that now. This team only “works” because members step up and pitch in when they can. We have impromptu group rides nearly every clear weekend throughout winter and spring. We put on a rocking cyclocross race every fall. We spend the day before the race setting up the course. We’ve also got a team tent we’d like to bring to more races. Getting a group ride kick started, setting up Campton or putting up and taking down the tent are small things that can make a big difference with us. Pitch in if you can.
Are you willing to give in to get back? Will you race for your teammates as hard as they’ll race for you? If so, we’re willing to give back to you.