Benson Hits the Big Time!!!

We always knew that he was kind of a big deal, however, we never knew he would have this much media appeal!

With his toight pants and toight shirt, Paul made sure to catch the eye of local newspaper reporter and photographer, Charles Tweed, who asked to take a shot of Paul doing what he does best!

Great weather, sweet jumps, and Paul getting famous. Now THAT is what I call a Sunday.

THFC!

New School Kid, Old School Whip.

A 14 year old with a 24 year old bike. It goes like stink.

World, meet Levi. Young, talented and a HECK of a guy, Levi will be racing and riding with us this season (and hopefully many more) and we couldn't be happier about it!

It is really quite rare when a young guy like this is so humble, kind and amazingly fast. Levi really embodies the Happy-Fun vibe and maintains a smile even when he is deep, deep, deeeeeep in the "pain cave". So, with this being said, welcome to the group, we are glad to have some young blood in the crew, as let's face it, some of us are getting OLD.
 

Levi in 10 years???

Sunday Problems: Superstore Closed = No Pineapple.

Post ride, first stop. Espresso tastes great after a hard slog, defying death through hick-town highway traffic, messy gravel roads, and cheeky, cat-calling women. Thank you ladies. Unfortunately for Paul, he was out riding so hard, and for so long, that he missed his opportunity to grab a tasty Piney-apple...maybe if he took up coffee, the Check's could help him out a bit more.

Next stop, Grand Beach. The vibe: Melodic House Techno. We are getting the engines ready....and if you hear some good music in the parking lot on race-day, make sure you come and git yer dance on.

Below are is a serious track that should get you in the mood to go out and rip some legs off! Get your weapons primed for Sunday, and make sure you keep it fun! We can't wait to rub shoulders with the wonderful people we DON'T get to see in the off-season. See you soon!!!!!




THFC

Smile and Wave.

There’s this new thing I’m trying lately. Its called “Smile and Wave.” The premise is simple: no matter what happens, all you do, is Smile and Wave. So, as the weather has recently taken that wonderful turn for the better, and at the end of a long Saturday selling bikes, what better release than to go for a ride. Having my riding gear at work makes the transition from work to bliss seamless, however, the bliss I have come to know involves solitary miles in my turbo trainer dungeon. Things are different when you hit the dusty, hick-filled streets of Brandon Manitoba.

As I leave the shop, the air is cool but comfortable, and I relax into my own pace…today is a good day for riding. First stop light. “Nice tights champ.” Some guy in a truck with his pals is flexing his wit, living just one step up from internet warriors…at least this guy will say it to my face. My response: Smile and Wave. As they roll away, he lets fly with a word that rhymes with “Tag” to which I once again, smile and wave.

Pushing through town, I make a stop at home to pick up some flat repair kit which I forgot in the morning. Rolling through my own neighborhood, I hear a dad, at a family barbeque say something about Lance Armstrong…the family laughs. I smile and wave.

I make it to my house, grab my stuff, and try to plan the fastest, least motorist-filled way out of dodge. I obviously didn’t make the right choice. With only a kilometer to go to the highway, with no other traffic around, a large red truck leans on his horn, revs his engine, and swerves to pass me. The horn doesn’t stop until his rear bumper comes unnervingly close to my front tire and he slams on the brakes. I slow, check my temper, smile and wave. Maybe it’s the early season, and the fact that motorists haven’t seen a cyclist all winter long. Maybe people are unnaturally rude on beautiful Saturdays in early March. Either way, I take a few minutes to cool down and hit the highway.

A good interval session does wonders for the soul, and as I head into town I veer towards a new neighborhood development. Here, there will be classy, refined people who won’t make fun of my attire, right? Wrong. There’s that “Tag” rhyme again. I don’t even see who said it but I smile and wave.

Having sufficiently lost all hope in this town, I turn for home.

On the way, I pass through a residential area, and I spot a young girl on her front lawn. She must be five or six, dressed in a bright purple tutu. She is spinning in circles, which is what kids like her do. As I near, she spots me coming. She stops spinning and starts jumping up and down excitedly, genuinely cheering me on as I approach. I am stunned, but as I go past, I smile and I wave. She smiles and she waves. She must know what its like to put on weird clothes, just because you like them. She must get that doing what you love is important, even if its just spinning in circles. At that moment I get it too. Of all the people I ran into tonight, her opinion is the only one that matters, because she was the only person I saw who was actually comfortable with who she was. She didn’t have to hide behind hateful actions or words, because she was dizzy, and happy, and wearing purple. For the rest of the night, I was happy too. The jeers and insults faded into the background, my day was made, and it was all because of a simple smile, and a little wave.

Simply Unbelievable.

Like most cyclists, we have recently been hearing a ton about Vegan and Gluten-Free diet options. When we tell our friends about this, or anyone really, they think we eat spinach. And maybe lettuce.

If we're honest, it is tough to say that Gluten-Free products are "exactly the same" or even "as good" as their wheat-based counterparts. Now, obviously "good" is different to different folks (read: good = health benefits OR the taste you have come to accept as "good")

BUT, if we are being honest yet again, we can now safely say that we have found the most unbelievable book we have ever read. The tastes that have come from this work of sheer genius are nothing short of staggering. For example, we just indulged in raspberry scones which were completely Vegan. In addition to this, they were moist, buttery (yes. buttery.) rich, sweet, and in the end, healthy. And not your standard "blue label" healthy...but actually beneficial to your body in many ways. Spelt flour, Coconut oil, Agave nectar, Vanilla extract, Raspberries, and water. No refined sugars, dairy or over-processed nonsense.

The best part, from a lazy persons point of view: They take twenty minutes. From start to finish. That's it. We have tried a couple recipes from this book, and feel that it is worth its weight in gold...for the taste, yes, and the fact that you can rub Vegan and Gluten-Free diet options in the faces of the friends who mock you. The best part...they won't even be mad, because they will be fully mesmerized by your tasty treats.