Team Spotlight: AJ Linnell

This week we spoke with AJ Linnell, one of the many freshmen riders on the Fitzgerald’s Bicycles team who have made a serious impact on race scene. AJ shares with us why he is scared to ride a snow bike, the philosophy of the single geared bike and how he has gotten good at wrecking.

SKH: How long have you been on the Fitzy Team?

AJ: I am a proud member of the freshman class of Fitzy Riders.

SKH: Why did you join the team and what do you like best about being on the team?

AJ: Well, I was WAY stoked to be asked to join the team — I just love the camaraderie and energy on the Fitzy Team! Traveling to races together, group rides, being a member of the cheering section for anybody and everybody who’s cranking their way through a race course. And I love orange. (more…)

Jay Petervary’s Record Setting Tour Divide Trip Report

Warning: it’s alot to read all at once, so I hope I don’t bore you. Grab a cup of coffee or a beer…..

So, two and a half days after a 15 day, 16 hour and 4 minute record setting bike ride along the 2745 mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, I sit here and put down these thoughts. Wow, that was a mouthful! Maybe I will read that again. Mind you we just power-drove home in 36 hours after finishing at the border. As I am not much of a play by play race re-cap type of writer, and I don’t want my thoughts to slip away I will go ahead and jot my thoughts down as a mind dump. Note: It has taken me another week to actually finish these thoughts. Enjoy. (more…)

Guest Spot: Tim Young shares a ride with Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis

Tim Young, Executive Director of Wyoming Pathways, shared with us some photos of his recent ride with Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis on the new pathway in Grand Teton National Park. Tim, thanks for stopping by the shop and sharing your story!

A friend and Executive Director of Bike Texas called and asked me to take visiting Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis on a bike ride. It sounds like he has helped quite a bit with bicycle related legislation in Texas, and I thought it might be of interest to meet him. (more…)

Congrats JayP!

Team Spotlight: Katie Engleman

This week we spoke with Katie Engleman about the upcoming cyclocross season, riding LOTOJA on a tandem and the hardest (and best) ride in Teton Valley.

SKH: How long have you been on the Fitzgerald’s Bicycles Team?

KE: This is my third season.

SKH: Why did you join and what do you like best about being on the team?

KE: A few years ago I started getting more competitively into biking. I thought it would be a good way to integrate into the racing scene and meet other racers. I love the team because its jam-packed full of great people and incredible athletes. When we all get together we just talk about biking, its dorky, and awesome. (more…)

Team Spotlight: Dave Saurman

This week we chat with Dave “Sourdude” Saurman. Dave, a long time Fitzy team rider, chats with us about his Pierre’s Hole race, lucky socks and a bracelet that keeps him from whining.

SKH: How long have you been riding with the Fitzgerald’s Bicycles Team?

DS: I have ridden on the Fitzy team at least 5 years now if not 6?

SKH: Why did you join the team?

DS: I was invited to join the team and felt honored to be part of the best team in town. I have been loyal to “my shop” since I started going there in the old shop in the back of the Brew Pub and never gave any thought to any other team. I was psyched to ride for Fitzy’s. I love being on the team because we have a great group. My teammates are awesome and get me excited to ride and race. And we have great parties with good beer.

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1st Annual Targhee Super D Race Report

People ask me all the time (literally, all the time), “so are you doing much racing this Summer?” To which I usually answer, “No, I don’t really race… just ride for fun.” Of course this statement is mostly true. But those of you who know me well would say this statement is BS when it comes to cross and the occasional downhill race. But compared to most “racers”, I really don’t race.

So if that’s the case, why was I so worked up over the 1st Annual Targhee Super D race during the Wydaho Rendezvous Mountain Bike Festival? Maybe it was the fact that I fancy myself a bit of an all arounder on the bike with a leg up on the downhills. Maybe it’s because I have a downhill race background so this form of DH lite is appealing. Maybe it’s because my Pivot Mach 429 is the best bike I’ve ever owned and is perfectly suited for this race. Or maybe it’s because I bet fellow shop owner Aaron Grutzmacher of the Hub Bicycles that I would be his shop mechanic for a day if I lost to him!

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