Jeff Louder of BMC Pro Cycling Team

Join us and bring a friend.  RSVP to contactus@nineteensports.com to be eligible for some giveaways.  You must RSVP to be eligible.

More groups rides will be added as weather allows.

There a lot of  reasons to ride, gas savings, the social aspects of the ride, fitness, etc. etc.  We would love to hear your reason for riding, here is mine.In 2004 a great friend Kenny Heidrich was diagnosed with brain cancer.  We dove into Lance Armstrong’s books for inspiration. 

When Kenny succumb to the disease that effects over 28 million people worldwide now I wanted to do something meaningful in his memory.  The Lance Armstrong Foundation was the place that I felt like I could make an impact and provide a link for Kenny back to people who needed help, encouragement and peace.  I raised money and wrote my own check to that wonderful organization.

As a result of the amount my wife Stacy and I donated I qualified, along with a small group of people, for a private ride with the man himself, Lance.

Frankly. I had no idea a bunch of guys got together and road bikes almost every morning less than a mile from our house.  Cycling wasn’t in my consciousness except for watching the TDF on Wide World of Sports as a kid and more recently OLN.  I enjoyed the sport for the athletic accomplishment but no different than watching bobsled or the javelin.  It was fun watching these sports but I was a stick and ball athlete growing up so participation in these sports wasn’t a consideration.

Another good friend Steve Cahall, an accomplished triathlete, found about the Lance ride and he encouraged me to get a bike.  At 250 pounds and without any endurance I said “what the heck”.  I got my first bike in August 2004 with intentions of doing the Ride for the Roses with Lance in October.  Steve was a great coach and I loved the suffering on the bike.  Fast forward a few months and Steve and I finished the 100 miles in 5:15.  Not bad for my first ever century.

The bike was refuge.  It allowed me to remember my friend.  To this day I wear something yellow everyday specifically to remember Kenny.  The bike became an obsession.  Like most other things if I was going to ride I wanted to be good.  I signed up for a Cat 5 racing license and went at it hard.  In a short period of time I was a newbie 40 year old Cat 2.  Not bad for a domestique on a Masters cycling team.  I won races, led rides, climbed the epic climbs of the Tour de France, ridden with multiple yellow jerseys wearers and count a number of pros and ex pros as friends. 

The bike has been good to me. The bike provided me with enjoyment, some fitness.  My charitable contributions effected the lives of many and the memory of my buddy lives on in me every time I swing a leg over the bike.

 I wear Yellow for my good friend who we lost to brain cancer and for his family who we still have.

 With Yellow we have a constant reminder of victories and struggles, both important in life.

Lance inspired me, Yellow inspires us.Why do you ride?

The kits feature our 19 logo as well as a few of our partners.  We included Park City, UT on the side panel to let everyone know the place you love to ride.  The kits are created in a fully printed white fabric with our ever present star motif.  You can see the details of the construction of each piece but rest assured we have chosen the top of the line products from Pactimo in the full zip jersey and our bib shorts.  We are offering two jerseys, a full zip and half zip versions. A bib short that includes a compression leg band just like the pros for incredible comfort.  In addition we offer a wind vest to cover up on those cold days.  Later in the week will add a sleeveless jersey option which will change the stars to pink.

To order our kit follow these directions;

1. Go to www.pactimo.com

2. Click on the Custom Team Apparel button on the left side of the page.

3. Click on Team Store link at the top of the page. NOT the LOG IN link.

4. Enter your Team Password which is “VOLUNTEER“. No quotations.

5. Click Enter Store.

6. Under the heading Need a New Pactimo Account, click on Register as a Pactimo user, or enter your personal login information if you have previously created an account.