Colombia Bike Race by Stradalli Cycle

Colombia Bike Race by Stradalli Cycle

Team Colavita/Fine Cooking's/Stradalli Cycle Erica Allar Captures the USA National Criterium Calendar (NCC) Season Title!

Team Colavita/Fine Cooking's/Stradalli Cycle Erica Allar Captures the USA National Criterium Calendar (NCC) Season Title!

 

   Erica Allar

  Edison, NJ- Team Colavita/Fine Cooking/Stradalli Cycle has been targeting the 15 stops on the USA National Criterium Calendar (NCC) all season long.  With two races remaining on the NCC, Erica Allar has built a large enough lead to win the individual title even before heading into this weekend's contest at the Staenberg Group Gateway Cup in St. Louis, MO Aug. 28-September 1st.  Allar captured the season title with 997 points, followed by second place at 692 points. Team Colavita/Fine Cooking will continue to battle for the team title with just two races remaining in St. Louis and Boston, MA. 
  Next up on the schedule for Team Colavita/Fine Cooking is the 22nd edition of The Staenberg Group Gateway Cup in St. Louis, MO. The Gateway Cup takes place in four unique neighborhoods in the heart of St. Louis.  All four days of the event will be on the USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar (NCC).

    Roster for the

Staenberg Group Gateway Cup:

  Erica Allar

Lenore Pipes

Jen Purcell

Whitney Schultz

Mary Zider

Team Colavita/Fine Cooking/ Stradalli Cycle Back on the Podium!

Team Colavita/Fine Cooking/ Stradalli Cycle

Back on the Podium!

Erica Allar Sprints to Second Place!

 

Erica Allar  / Scott Kingsley Photography

Team Colavita/Fine Cooking/ Stradalli cycle lined up in Binghamton, NY this past Saturday evening for the 13th stop on the NCC Calendar. The new downtown venue and race course for the 31st annual Chris Thater Memorial played to the favor of the Colavita/Fine Cooking/ stradalli cycle  crit squad. The race was controlled by Jessi Prinner, Jen Purcell, Lenore Pipes and Mary Zider who were able to gobble up several mid-race primes. In the final laps of the race the Colavita/Fine Cooking/ stradalli cycle train was able to refocus and deliver Erica Allar for a second place sprint finish on her stradalli R7.  Allar continues to dominate the overall individual standings while Team Colavita/Fine Cooking/ stradalli cycle continues to hold the #1 spot in the overall team rankings. 

Up next for Team Colavita/Fine Cooking/ stradalli cycle  is the 22nd edition of The Staenberg Group Gateway Cup in St. Louis, MO. The Staenberg Group Gateway Cup takes place in four unique neighborhoods in the heart of St. Louis.  All four days of The Gateway Cup will be on the USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar (NCC).

Colavita/Fine Cooking/Stradalli Cycle Pro Cycling Team Announces Roster for Chris Thater Memorial Criterium!

Colavita/Fine Cooking/Stradalli Cycle Pro Cycling Team Announces Roster for Chris Thater Memorial Criterium!

Erica Allar and Team Colavita/Fine Cooking Continue to Dominate the NCC!!

    

Erica Allar 1st place NCC Individual Leader / Scott Kingsley Photography

Team Colavita/Fine Cooking/Stradalli Cycle, ranked #1 in USA Cycling's NCC Championships Standings in both the individual and team category has announced the roster for the 31st Annual Chris Thater Memorial on Saturday, August 23rd at 6:00pm in downtown, Binghamton, NY. The Crit squad will include Erica Allar, the 2013 defending champion, Jessi Prinner, Jen Purcell, Lenore Pipes, and Mary Zider. Allar currently leads the individual standings by a 263-point-margin over second place. Team Colavita/Fine Cooking, along with Allar, will look to further increase their place in the rankings this weekend. 

 

Mary Zider - Scott Kingsley Photography

Watch the Race Live!

http://new.livestream.com/steadypace/events/3303870

Meet Dalli

Today was a beautiful day in Manizalez, Colombia, not only because of its pure landscapes, but because Cesar Grajales and Tom Steinbacher had an opportunity to help a stray dog find it's way! "On the road" is the English translation of Stradalli which was instrumental in choosing a suiting name for their soon to be friend. As soon as they seen him they decided to stop the car to take a closer look, he was roaming aimlessly around the winding route we were driving. "Dalli" looked like he needed some TLC and they were about to get the job done! It took 20 minutes, the guys, a local neighborhood, and some crackers to coax him into the car, but their collected efforts soon prevailed and he was soon seated in the back seat of the car. They attempted to find his home, but were unsuccessful. Cesar and Tom knew that something needed to be done for Dalli and brought him in for a much needed bath, medical attention, and a cool new leash! Cesar spoke to the Vet and after $200.00 Dalli was a clean, healthy, and loving little guy! Tom even had the privilege of taking him for the initial walk on his new leash =) Currently, Tom and Cesar have him in the rented apartment which may or may not allow animals... no one is entirely sure at this point =)

Now all they need is to find someone willing to adopt Dalli within the next two weeks because they are returning home on September 1.

If anyone knows of a good home in the Manizalez area and would like to help that would be greatly appreciated! The guys will even personally deliver him to you!‎

The Stradalli Cycle Euro trip (sort of like being in a Crazy movie).

Hey everyone 

The first problem we had was that the bikes for Cesar Grajals and Thomas Steinbacher ended up getting over charged by FedEx. Then they ended up being held by German customs. As well as all the clothing that was packed for the riders, marketing articles and shirts also ended up in impound in Germany.  A great start to our Euro trip. No bikes, it’s raining, its cold and a tax bill with a note saying  to meet us at customs in Pirmasens Germany .

When Tom landed He got an email that Cesar had his entry into the country denied by Lufthansa, after American Express told us all is set with his passport and green card for reentry into USA. Cesar ended up going to the Austria consulate ‎in Denver, Colorado and it was closed. This delayed Cesar a whole day. And with Tom was fighting with German customs, they missed the start in Austria for World Cup. And if you miss the prologue start you cannot qualify for the overall race win. So now sitting in Germany and it’s about 50 degrees and it’s raining, and raining, and raining.

Not a problem they figured. Let’s just get out of here. All they need to do is to change the flight tickets back but Lufthansa said because of law (blah blah) ‎Tom cannot return for minimum of 7 days.

So they called American Express. And because Tom is a good client of 16 years they will help but because all the tickets and fine print it will cost almost more money than the original 2 way ticket. So no matter how they do it or try it doesn't work. So far, not the most perfect trip.  The day of Tom’s flight to Germany he booked tickets for Cesar and himself to Columbia on August 27th for a business meeting on the 28th. While Tom was waiting for the email confirmation from Amex he was on the phone with Amex supervisors were informing Tom of the flight and of course that was also booked wrong (now at this point, just  imagine Tom’s heart rate with a long distance phone bill) 

While this was going on Tom also was trying to get an appointment with the German customs in his home town Pirmasens. Tom was about to lose his mind and was 2 steps away from getting arrested. German customs is run very black and white, never thinking outside of the box. They finally gave Tom his bike. They inspected his USED bicycles and then charged Double Taxes claiming that they are new bicycles. Then realized they were wrong and approved that the bikes are in fact USED and that they over charged him. It only took them an hour to realize this. But now they want Tom to go to Koln which is 350km away and fill out a form for their mistake and not ride the bikes, but to ship them back and maybe, just maybe, Tom can get his money back for the overcharge on the taxes. Sounds like a joke, but it’s not. Tom is stuck in Germany with not allowed to ride his bikes, Missed the World Cup race, it’s raining none stop, and it’s freaking cold out. And on top of that, German customs also tagged his bike with an official seal stamped on his bike, which they stated he cannot ride it with the seal on the bike. This has to be a joke.  The response from customs was “what can you do?” likes it’s a out of there hands.

Finally Amex called back and the rep says “ok I have multiple solution, let's look at them quickly because it is almost 5.30 and my shift is over soon”, OMG what the F@#% is this a hidden camera show?

Tom’s options are, He waits 7 days in Germany and they can give me a free exchange flight, but I have to pay exchange rate. Or Tom buys a new one way for more than originally 2 way. or in 5 days Tom can fly for a little cheaper or Amex can refund my money for the messed up Colombia flight (there messed up but Tom can say thanks for fixing it and giving MY own money back) or option number 4 Tom can get his Colombia flight money back and he can give Tom a super cheap flights directly to Columbia and also can change Cesar tickets for free by using the refund money to pay for it. So now Tom is flying Saturday with my bikes (with German tax seal on it) to Columbia and because He cannot go to Koln to the tax office and because he want to ride my bikes He cannot get his tax money back. How the heck after Tom explained 12 times to the customs people that Tom rides, sells eats, sleeps, bicycles they put a German seal on the bike and says just wait till the paperwork is done and the bikes go back to the USA (MAYBE) Tom is absolutely speechless about the thinking process of some people, how do you live in such a box. Now Tom finds out that the hotel in Austria also refuses to refund his money or even refused to refund partial money. So now Tom will be stuck in Colombia for 12 days till my meeting on the 28th. 

But life sometimes doesn't always go your way but as long as you can smile you’ll be fine.

Today is the first day they have a small break from the rain and Tom get dressed and walk out the door and boom, full blown rain AGAIN, ok back in the house and have coffee number 6.

About an hour later a little sun so now Tom said “Forget this I'm going”. With 3 shirts and jacket off he go. Awesome fun ride around his mom’s house back to my old neighborhood. But here we go again with more bad luck. A landslide and the road was closed. Tom just smiled and said “great trip”. He turned around and only knew the highway route so he ask a friendly German guy and his daughter, she looks at me and say “Hey you’re Tom from Florida we watched your show” and they all laughed Tom’s new friends said “no no go around this way it's longer and uphill but no cars and a fun road little rough but nice”. So Tom say thanks and smiles and go up this rough road he is right nice quite and fun, bad road but good, 30 min later up hill road turns into gravel and mud , Tom look around, nice woods and fields. But no paved road so back to square one. All Tom can think about all that happened in 3 days and smile and laugh it off. Finally he stopped a car and get good none gravel directions, now on his way home. A fun ride but guess what?  45 min away from home here it comes again, Rain and more rain even more rain. Downhill all the way back home in the rain nothing Tom can do but smile. Back at moms now writing this with a big smile coffee number 7 and a good home made German meal. 

Ok now let's see how tomorrow's 17 hour journey to Colombia will work out :)

See attached pictures of my nice German seal on my bikes and a succession from the 5 customs people not 2 ride. 1 hour at customs and tax office with 5 people. Now I know where our tax dollars go , lol lol live is amazing just ride and smile away.

 

lol

Hopefully I don't need to keep you guys posted and I'll be back to normal soon :)

Colombia Adventure

Colombia Adventure

cesar and tom getting ready for there 7000 foot climb , wonder if tom can keep up :)

amazing views everywhere 

3

this is mostliky the last time tom will see cesar 

up up and more up

last stop before going higher in to the clouds

cesar grajales and tom steinbacher above the clouds 

tom made it , cold tired beat up but with a smile, cesar is long gone

stradalli 650b full suspension 

toms new friends relaxing on the way down

nice walk home from school with a smile and satying clean , wish some florida kids could see this picture

up up and more going up

tom was homesick and needed dunkin donuts in colombia :)

tacking the local kids from the track to coffee and breakfast after track training

tour stage winner and top 5 finisher in the giro, awesome racer and does he climb

back after 5 long hours to the hotel

Team Colavita/Fine Cooking/Stradalli cycle Continues to Shine! Olivia Dillon takes Sprinter Points Jersey in Tour of Utah!

Team Colavita/Fine Cooking/Stradalli cycle Continues to Shine!
Olivia Dillon takes Sprinter Points Jersey in Tour of Utah!

 

Mary Zider, Lenore Pipes, Jen Purcell, and Erica Allar - Iron Hill Twilight Cycling Criterium
 
 
Team Colavita/Fine Cooking/Stradalli cycle toed the line at two separate races this past weekend and walked away with solid results in both events.  The east coast squad took to the line on the historical downtown streets of West Chester, PA as part of the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium this past Saturday evening. From the gun Team Colavita/Fine Cooking was ready to make their presence known with Erica Allar stringing out the peloton from the gun as she took the USA Crit's signature opening prime lap. From that moment on the team meant business gobbling up prime after prime, having representation in every breakaway attempt, and not allowing a rider to get away unmarked. It wasn't until 12 laps to go that Mary Zider's attack would be "the break". Along with Zider, other teams represented were Mellow Mushroom, Fearless Femme, and FCS Rouse.  The small break away worked to create a gap in excess of one minute on the field.   Ultimately the break ended up lapping the field at the beginning of the last lap which took the peloton 2 laps to go to 1 lap to go. This breakaway was instantly swallowed up by the peloton making for a very confusing finish!  Zider attempted to find her way through the chaotic peloton, narrowly missing out on a podium spot with a solid fourth place finish.   
 
On Monday afternoon the west coast squad lined up to contest the Cedar City Grand Prix which included a strong field of sprinters along with the reigning road and time trial national champion.  The four-corner bicycle criterium circuit in downtown Cedar City, UT with a slight uphill finish and strong winds made for an aggressive and challenging day of racing. Team Colavita/Fine Cooking/ Stradalli cycle’s small but strong roster of riders consisting of Lindsay Bayer, Olivia Dillon, Whitney Schultz, and guest rider Anna Grace Christensen raced aggressively throughout, focusing on leading Dillon out to earn sprint points on the three interim sprint laps with her Stradalli Carbon RP14 . The team was represented in key breaks and worked hard to set up for a strong finish. In the end, it was a great day - Dillon placed fifth in the field sprint after a leadout from the team and captured the sprint jersey.
Great amazing race weekend with fantastic results for team Colavita/Fine Cooking/ Stradalli cycle

Olivia Dillon - Winner of Sprinters Jersey at Tour of Utah


The west coast squad will continue racing at the Tour of Utah Women's Edition on Wednesday, August 6th

Stradalli helps cyclists of Caldas Colombia Manizales, Colombia

A pleasant surprise was yesterday Alejandro Ruiz. He was cited at 7:00 am to the cycling track in Manizales Colombia , but did not know why.
Cycling Coach, Jhon Jairo Narvaez, chose Alejandro Ruiz for a new Stradalli carbon frame brought by Thomas Tom Steinbacher owner and CEO of Stradalli cycle, and cycling legend Cesar Grajales who came to the city to train week in the mountains and to pitch in and help the kids in need with some training tips , rides and some free Stradalli products.

Junior cyclist Alejandro Ruiz  "I am very grateful, I needed it and hopefully this will help me in my cycling future ," said the young racer, who is gaining ground in the midst of difficulties and economic times.

. "It's a pleasure and honor to help and contribute in some way to improve the lives of these young riders," said Thomas Tom Steinbacher, CEO - Stradalli cycle

Meanwhile, Cesar Grajales, who led the charitable cause, was also happy: "One lived many difficulties and how to help now that we have, we do."
Grajales came to town and made several upgrades to the Gualí, 4000 meters high above sea level, he is preparing for the Leadville 100 , largest MTB race in USA.

Besides the frame given to Ruiz, Stradalli also gave them sports equipment to four other junior riders:
Juan José Amador and Sebastian Ortegon, Manizales; Felipe Adrián Granada and Jordan Ramirez, Neira.