While it is officially spring, Mother Nature has not yet gotten the message. Ice lingers on the lakes, snowflakes continue to dot the weather forecast, and robins are few and far between. However, with enough gear the riders from Team Wisconsin were back on the roads this Saturday after a long hibernation.
A group of riders braved the wind and cold for a ride out to Holy Hill
Revere’s in Delafield was once again our gracious host for the annual Team Launch event. Back for a 24th season of racing, the Red Train will be more colorful than ever thanks to our new kit designs. After several years of financial support, Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital has signed on as our title sponsor for the next 3 seasons while KS Energy continues to support our crew after 7 seasons as the lead sponsor. We’ve also welcomed Wheel & Sprocket Delafield to the team as our go-to store for all things cycling. Keeping the team warm and alert will be Anodyne Coffee, another first-time sponsor and great local business. Our very own Fred “Fast Freddie” Derocher continues to support the team through his company, Countrywide Financial. Wisconsin’s very own Trek Bikes and Clif Bar also continue their support.
In addition to new sponsors, we’ve added more new riders to the roster across all levels and disciplines. For 2018 we’ve had an infusion of youth with several talented Junior/U23 riders as well as adding some more experienced (read: old) riders to the mix. With a roster of more than 40 riders you should see the Team Wisconsin kit at every race this season!
Everyone patiently waited for lunch while taking care of team business
The 2018 Team Launch was an opportunity for the new team members to learn more about Team Wisconsin’s mission: Bicycling advocacy and giving back to our communities. We committed to being stewards of the sport by demonstrating good behavior while out on the roads, encouraging others to get involved in the sport and talking about cycling whenever possible (ok, that last one happens a bit too often, especially if you ask friends and loved ones). We also got the rundown on how to support all of our great sponsors by using social media (some of us more experienced riders may need a tutorial). In addition, we covered our major events for the 2018 season: helping the fight against childhood cancer at the Trek 100 Ride for Hope (June 9th), hosting the Whitnall Spring Classic criterium (April 21st) and supporting the East Troy Cycling Classic (June 22nd). The team also expects good showings at the Tour of America’s Dairyland race series (June 21-July1) and the Trek sponsored World Cup cyclocross race in Waterloo (Sept. 21-23).
The team poses in front of Wheel & Sprocket after the meeting, before splitting for a ride
The food was great, the camaraderie wonderful and the post-meal ride brisk. We lined up in our awesome new kits outside Wheel & Sprocket in Delafield for a team picture and quickly headed out onto the quiet lake country roads for a spin up to Holy Hill. 45 miles and a few hours later we wrapped up the day back at Revere’s to warm up and rehydrate. Another successful team launch in the books, and we’re all looking forward to a great season of riding, racing and good times!