MISSION STATEMENT

To give those who find themselves on the fringes of the mainstream cycling community access to competitive amateur racing, excellent training guidance and the chance to discover and stretch their physical limits as part of a like-minded team.

DISCIPLINES

The founding focus for this team has been track racing at our own Marymoor Velodrome. As our team grows, we will work towards developing Washington state road & cyclocross programs.

SPONSORS

Counterbalance Bicycles
AVA Real Estate Corp
DeSalvo Cycles
Schwalbe Tires
Full Speed Ahead
Tifosi Sunglasses
Indy/Stealth Messengers

We are always seeking new sponsors. There are many ways you can help! If you feel that we could represent your firm or business and would like to sponsor a fledgling racing team, contact either Counterbalance Bicycles at 206-352-3252 or Brandon Lockwood at 206-718-9880.

TEAM HISTORY

The foundation of our team is Counterbalance Bicycles who has been helping non-traditional cyclists enter competitive racing for about six years. The first Team Counterbalance was a group of five messengers who participated and won their cateogoy in the 2000 24-Hour Round-the-Clock race in Spokane, WA.

Counterbalance Bicycles has helped other racers get involved over the next four years. In '02-'03, the shop sponsored Brandon Lockwood in cross country mountain biking, track, and cyclocross. Brandon was able to get a few friends from work to come out to the track in 2004 and asked Adam Smith & Peter Clark, Counterbalance co-owners, if they would sponsor a “team”. The formal USCF licensed team came together in the 2004-2005 racing season and Team Counterbalance Bicycles was born. Starting teamates were Brandon Lockwood, Jeff Middlewood, Todd McMeen, Will Johnson, and Drew Arce. All of whom are either actively working messengers or were former messengers.During the '05 season the team competed as Cat 4/5’s in various road races around the state, Cat 3 and 4’s at the track, in the Single speed category in cyclocross, and in a few mountain bike races.

We look forward to the years to come growing this team into a competitive force within WA state racing. We welcome all newcomers and veterans alike who might not feel like they fit into a traditional cycling team.

USCF LICENSE INFO

Organization: USAC Club Id: 10886
Affiliation: Club/Team
Registered Teams: AVA/Counterbalance Bicycles
President: Adam Smith
Club contact: Brandon Lockwood
Join Date: 03/29/2005
Expire Date: 12/31/2005

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS AND BENEFITS

Each member will pay a fee (TBD) to join the team and will have a minimum required participation to stay in good standing with the team. A 12 race punch card for track racing will be purchased at the beginning of the season to help eliminate “I don’t have money to race tonight” excuses. In return each team member will receive membership benefits from the sponsors (TBD). The money will go into a general team fund to help with team licensing fees, purchase of jerseys, insurance, and event promotion.

Each team member will be required to:
Attend min. 2 training rides per month
Attend the monthly team meeting Every second Saturday at 6pm at Counterbalance Bicycles
Every team member must commit to help support the team sponsored event. TBD
Participate in at least (depending upon your discipline):
Track: min. 10 nights
Road: 3 dedicated races
Cyclocross: 4 races out of 9
Mountain: TBD based upon individual riders

TRAINING

n the past year, team training rides usually took place on Sunday mornings and focused on mileage and aerobic conditioning on the road, while riding both fixed geared bicycle and traditional road bicycles. The team usually meets at Cafe Vita on Capitol Hill Saturdays at 9am for a slower "B" ride and in Leschi at the cafe across the street from Starbucks, Sunday at 9am. The training schedule varies from week to week check the FORUM for the most up to date ride info.

This next season we will incorporate a fast squad and a slower squad so none of the team members feel under or over challenged during training rides. Mountain biking is also a training tool we would like to see worked into the team’s training regime to give a break from burning out on the road before the season starts or throughout the season. Team members are also highly encouraged to cross train with weight training in a gym and in different sports as well.

ROSTER

Adam Smith, President

Brandon Lockwood, Team Capt. (on Injured Reserve)

Peter Clark, Mechanic

Anthony Vega, Sponsor AVA Real Estate Corp.

Jeff Middlewood, Ride Leader

Todd McMeen

Forrest Houg

Craig Ethridge

Kris Lepine

Matt Messenger, Trans Org.

Jose Sandoval

Sam Sawyer

Kelsey Wood, Tech/Web guru

Rob Kittilson, Photog

Matt Case, Sponsorship Org.

Addison Linville

Jamie Welle

Karli Koreski, Women's Team Captain

Lara Thoreson

Molly Foster

Jenny Dailey

Sharon Anderson

Todd Gallaher, Coaching Advisor

RACE RESULTS

Individual race results
Season race results
Team results

EVENTS

TBD.

LINKS

USA Cycling
Washington State Bicycle Association
Marymoor Velodrome
Alpenrose Velodrome
WSBA Events
Seattle Cyclocross
DeSalvo Cycles
Schawlbe Tires
Planet Bike
Tifosi Sunglasses