Team Globalbike Blog

including crash, flat, trip to the pits, and great comeback!

Cyclocross National Championships Masters 35-39 from Josh Whitmore on Vimeo.

2010 Cyclocross National Championships Seeding Time Trial from Josh Whitmore on Vimeo.

Cyclocross coming to the Upstate

Not going to the Cyclocross National Championships in Bend OR? Want to race on December 12th? This is your chance!

Click on the image to download the flyer or click here

Click on the image to get the .pdf

Greetings Friends,

We have very exciting news to share with you! As you know, since 2006, globalbike has been focused on using the transformative power of bikes to create positive social change in the developing world. It is our vision to help create and sustain a world where bicycles and creative partnerships provide those in need with access to health care and vital services for their collective prosperity. In 2009, Team Globalbike won an international award from the Beyond Sport Foundation, chaired by Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and supported by dignitaries from around the world. Beyond Sport selected Team Globalbike from hundreds of entries from over 80 countries because it is “a professional sports team delivering an intelligent development tool, but in a way that is totally aligned with their core purpose: riding bikes. This strategic alignment means the project makes sense both internally and externally, and therefore gives Team Globalbike’s efforts every chance of being sustained and developed as their team grows.” The Foundation recognizes that the partnerships we have developed through the award have enabled us to expand our mission and reach more people in need, with more opportunities in the future. One such opportunity is now upon us as a result of an invitation we received at the Foundation’s conference held just last month.

Here’s the big news: Sport Accord, located in Luzanne, Switzerland, an umbrella organization for both Olympic and non-Olympic international sports, invited members of globalbike and Team Globalbike to participate in the “Kilimanjaro Initiative,” an partnership between Sport Accord, the United Nations, Kenya, and Tanzania. This year’s focus is on ecologically sustainable and safe transportation, a natural fit for globalbike. The trip will visit several areas and include a number of outreach opportunities, but most importantly, globalbike will be on-site to provide bicycles to two partner organizations: 1) a youth organization building a safety network in a depressed area of Nairobi; and 2) and a youth organization in Marangu working to combat HIV/AIDS, prevent environmental degradation, and learn leadership skills to improve the community around them.

Click on the image to open the .pdf version

We are looking for individual and corporate sponsors to invest in this one-of-a-kind opportunity. Sponsors would receive ample public recognition, and a social return on an investment that cannot be measured – saving lives with two wheels. Why should this matter to us here and now? It is well expressed by the African concept of Ubuntu: “I am what I am because of who we all are.” As we give of ourselves, we improve the world around us. Thank you for your kind consideration of this request, and please use the enclosed form to help us meet our goal of $15,000.00. The trip is scheduled for February and March of 2011, so time is of the essence!

Click on either of the images to the left to learn more about the project and to download the giving form.

The long awaited video from the handlebar of Josh Whitmore from the Masters 35+ race at the North Carolina Grand Prix UCI cyclocross race on Sunday Nov 21st.

NCGP UCI Cyclocross Masters 35+ highlights from Josh Whitmore on Vimeo.

NCGP UCI Cyclocross Elite Men 1st lap HD from Josh Whitmore on Vimeo.

Unloading the latest round of bikes for Rwanda

Just got these photos of the latest round of bikes for the Globalbike project in Rwanda. These 40 bikes will go to the Reconciliation Ambassadors from the video below.

40 bikes for reconciliation ambassadors

The recipients still have some un-wrapping to do, but these bikes are typical of what goes to most Globalbike Projects. Very simple bikes that are easy to maintain. Single-speed, rod-actuated brakes, made in Africa.

One of the projects that Globalbike supplies bicycles to are Reconciliation Ambassadors in Rwanda who work to heal the scars of genocide and create unity. Check out the video to see how the bikes are helping to make a difference and how the Team is involved.

Veloce Speedwear

Team Globalbike is pleased to announce a fantastic partnership with Velocé Speedwear to supply clothing to the Elite Team and the Club Teams in 2011. Based in Miami, Velocé (pronounced velo-che) is an international maker of custom clothing for cycling, triathlon, and speed skating. With a wide range of products including a full line of accessories like vests, arm warmers, knee warmers, gloves, etc., Team Globalbike is going to be racing in style with matching…. well…. everything!

As a supplier of custom design clothing, Velocé is unique for not having a minimum order. You can order 1 or 100 and get the same great service and quality products. You can’t beat this feature if you are a small team or an individual looking for custom design.

Velocé has all the features the team was looking for. Flat-lock stitching on everything, premium Italian chamois, mesh panels in the jerseys, advanced fabrics, short turn-arounds, etc.

Stay tuned for some product reports and photos of the Globalbike kits soon! In the mean time, check out Velocé for yourself: website, facebook, twitter

Velocé Speedwear

Hawk Bottom Brackets

Globalbike is pleased to announce that Hawk Racing is returning in 2011 as the official team supplier of Bottom Brackets and Pulley wheels. More races were won in 2010 in the Southeast on Hawk BBs than any other brand. The smooth and resistance-free bearing design only made us faster and is an addictive feeling.

“A good test of your BB bearings is remove the chain from the chainrings and hold it away so the cranks spin freely. Now give your cranks a good spin and see how long they keep spinning,” says Josh Whitmore, Globalbike Team Manager. “A normal BB will stop spinning in a few revolutions. The Hawk BB just keeps on going. This is a difference you can feel when pedaling also. As soon as you get on the bike you can notice it just feels easier.”

The team prefers the Globalbike Green color, but you can choose any color you want or be plain with black or silver.

Hawk Racing Pulley Wheels

The team is also excited to add the Hawk Racing pulley wheels to our list of secret weapons for 2011. With the same bearing technology as all of the Hawk products, the team drive-trains will be the smoothest in the pack.

“You really have to read up on Hawk’s bearings,” says Josh. “The whole ceramic thing is sort of a gimmick. You can achieve the exact same low-friction without needing ceramic material.  Hawk’s bearings are a fraction of the cost.”

Hawk racing also makes a host of other products including high quality wheels, custom clothing, and a range of specialty BMX parts.

Team Globalbike is also pleased to announce that you too can ride with the same efficiency as the team, and spend less money. We’ve arranged a 10% off coupon code. Click here for more details.

Get 10% off your next order of Hawk Racing Products