The Annual ABD New Year's Day Ride & Chili Fest!

ABD'er Steve Gage is hosting the 2008 edition of the ABD NYD ride and Chili-fest at his place (please refer to your ABD rosters or contact ABDcycling gmail.com for directions).

Please arrive at 11:30 am to bundle up for the "1 degree=1 mile" ride. That's right, if it's 27 degrees you'll be riding 27 miles!*

If you're not quite up for the ride you're more than welcome to join the group around 2 pm for some of Vicki's famous chili! The chili, fixings and some sides will be provided, and it would be great if others would like to contribute side dishes, desserts and/or beverages!

Please RSVP to ABDcyclinggmail.com and let us know the following:
- Name and how many are in your party
- If you'll be joining the ride
- If you're planning to bring something (and what)

This event is open to all ABD members and their families!

*Well, actually there can be many variations to the 1 degree=1 mile rule, if it's very bad weather it can be altered to "each degree above freezing" or "each degree below freezing"... it's more of a guideline.

ABD Dinner @ Mr. Samurai's

Don't forget the ABD Night Wednesday, December 19, 2007, 7:30 PM at Mr. Samurai Steak and Sushi, 546 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, IL.

Anyone who is planning on attending, but has not yet RSVP'ed, please contact James Sneddon by Monday, December 17.

The special menu for ABD is:
A: Lobster/Filet Mignon or Lobster/Ribeye: $35
B: NY Steak/Chicken/Shrimp Combo: $27
C: Kids NY Steak/Chicken/Shrimp Combo: $14
D: Vegeterian (Assorted vegetables): $12
E: Sushi Deluxe (10 pcs Sushi & Cali Roll): $25

All options above come with soup, fruit salad and Desert.

One free beer or a glass of wine. Tip is included.

ABD Coaching Now Accepting Athletes for 2008 Season

ABD Announces NEW Coaching Programs!

As the 2007 cycling season draws to a close and riders start to look ahead to next year, Athletes By Design Coaching is excited to announce their 2008 programs.

In addition to FREE seminars and weekly tactics discussions open to all ABD members, Athletes By Design is offering discounted coaching rates to all club members interested in personalized coaching services.

There are two Coaching Levels to choose from:

“Level 1” Coaching includes:

• An initial one-on-one consultation to determine goals and workloads.
• An initial 12-week training plan with weight lifting programs (optional). Ensuing training plans will be between 4 and 6 weeks long, depending on your training phase.
• A “live-update” online training calendar so you can report your progress. Coaches will be able track your workouts and make modifications as necessary.
• Weekly coaching consultation in person or via phone, e-mail or teleconference. (Coaches are always available via e-mail to help clarify specific workout questions).

“Level 2” Coaching includes all of the above, PLUS:

• Daily power analysis of your workouts using Cycling Peaks® software.

*PowerTap, Computrainer, SRM or compatible power-measuring device required.

Standard prices for Athletes By Design Coaching are $125/month for Level 1 and $175/month for Level 2.

All ABD members receive Level 1 Coaching for just $100/month, or Level 2 Coaching for $150/month- that’s just a little more than $3 a day for daily, structured workouts or $5 a day including daily power analysis!

Interested athletes should contact Mike Ebert at 630-890-6767, or e-mail ebert@abdcycling.com

ABD/Gear Grinder announce 2008 Pro Development Team

ABD Cycling, based in the Chicago suburbs, and Gear Grinder Cycling, based in Milwaukee are partnering to sponsor a Midwest-based Pro Development Team in 2008. The team will compete in the region's biggest events and target select NRC races with the goal of reclaiming the top spot for an amateur team in the NRC rankings.

The ABD Team, part of the 200 member ABD Cycle Club, finished as the number one amateur team in the NRC rankings two years ago and 10 riders have come out of ABD's Elite squads to move to the professional ranks or the US National team.

Gear Grinder Cycling is the new name of PCW Cycling, one of Wisconsin’s largest cycling organizations, created by cyclists Paul Weaver and Rob Boldt ten years ago to promote all facets of cycling, with an emphasis on mountain biking, road bike, triathlons and cyclocross racing. Nearly 130 athletes strong, PCW has developed and supported top riders such as Megan Monroe (Spot Bikes), Travis Woodruff (Momentum Endurance), Tristan Schouten (Trek VW), Brian Matter (Gear Grinder Cycling), Brian Schaning (Timex Triathlon) and Chad Melis (Spot Bikes).

“Sponsoring and promoting competitive and recreational teams and events enables people of all fitness levels to satisfy their desire for competition, fitness and fun,” says Gear Grinder Cycling team leader Paul Weaver. “ABD is of that same belief, and together we can create greater awareness of the benefits the sport of cycling offers.”

Cyclists Pat Peery and Dan Mahlik join Weaver and Boldt to extend the Gear Grinder brand, launching in early 2008 a line of cycling-inspired apparel for consumers’ active lifestyles.

“Cycling is more than a way to stay fit or a means to get to a destination, it’s a feeling that just envelops you…the inspiration for the Gear Grinder brand comes from that bicycling culture,” says Weaver.

Equally important to supporting the club and keeping the team competitive, the Gear Grinder brand extension will donate to organizations that utilize the bicycle to inspire and educate our youth, provide opportunities for underprivileged children, protect the environment and promote health and wellness.

Says Weaver, “ABD shares in Gear Grinder’s philosophy that we each have a responsibility to give back more than we take out. Both teams are focused and goal-oriented so our combined effort will not only develop stronger riders but benefit those in our communities as well.

"Gear Grinder's philosophy of giving back to the cycling community is the perfect extension of ABD goal to make the sport of cycling fun and accessible for all riders", said ABD president Mike Farrell.

Gear Grinder's support insures the team's continued success and extends to adding two strong riders to the roster. The White twins, Rob and Ryan, both bring horsepower and a strong finishing kick to complement team sprinter Josh Carter, who in 2007 took ABD's first Superweek win and a silver medal at the US National Criterium Championship. The team has also added John Meyers from the Turin squad, who at 21 is now the youngest rider on the team. "John reminds me a lot of former ABD'ers Reid Mumford(KBS/MEdifast) and Bryce Mead(Jelly Belly), and not just because he's a foot taller than me!", says team manager Mike Ebert, "The really exciting thing is that he's still so young."

Qdoba Mexican Grill is another new sponsor to the program. "Qdoba is the perfect sponsor for a team that is always on the road and needs quick, healthy food choices," adds Ebert. With 44 locations already in Illinois and Wisconsin the team will never need to look far for refueling.

In 2008 the team will ride LeMond Triomphe Ultimate frames outfitted with Bontrager wheels and components and rolling on Serfas tires. Serfas Optics will also provide eyewear and other returning sponsors include PowerBar, Emergen-C and Voler Team apparel. The team will train on CycleOps PowerTaps under the coaching of Julie Carter.

ABD/Gear Grinder Pro Development Team roster:
Josh Carter Fairview Heights, IL
Mike Ebert Glendale, CA
Rob Jungels Elmhurst, IL
John Meyers Barrington, IL
Jeff Schroetlin Decatur, IL
Alex Sharon Wheaton, IL
Brett Stewart Munster, IN
Rob White Brown Deer, WI
Ryan White Lomira, WI

Team Coach: Julie Carter
Team Manager: Mike Ebert

ABD/Gear Grinder riders stop by Prairie Path Cycles' Batavia location to pick up their 2008 LeMond Victoires. From left to right: Brett Stewart, Rob White, Josh Carter, John Meyers, Ryan White and Rob Jungels. (Not pictured: Alex Sharon, Jeff Schroetlin and Mike Ebert)

The 2008 ABD/Gear Grinder PDT jersey, designed by Dave Hornung at Graphic Center.

ABD's California Training Camp

Attention ABD'ers!

The dates are set, one house is already reserved, now we just need a head count. Check those calendars and make the decision to join us!

Where:   Borrego Springs, California
When:  We will be checking in the house on Sunday January 13th, checking out on Saturday the 19th.
Housing:  Housing will cost approximately  $200 for the week  (give or take no more than $50)
Food: $125.00 for the week.  We have a big, beautiful kitchen, so we will be eating in.

Other details:

Fly into San Diego. Rent cars, two hour drive to Borrego.(I will email everyone that is interested which flights others are booking on so that you can contact each other to share the cost of the car rentals.)

I am certain that some people, including ABD Prez Mike Farrell, will be going at least a day early and staying a day late and staying at a hotel in San Diego for a couple of days on the ocean. If you're interested in that it's up to you to contact other people to book and share the cost of the hotel room.  I will let you know which hotel we start booking at.

I will also look into the cost of shipping your bike directly to the house (versus flying with it).

Please RSVP by Dec. 10th to prairiepathcycle (at) aol.com

Mary Lee

ABD Night at Mr. Samurai

ABD'ers: take a break from Christmas shopping and join the club at Mr. Samurai Steak and Sushi.

ABD’s own Yong Qi will be hosting an ABD Night at his restaurant on Wednesday, December 19, 2007, at 7:30 PM. Mr. Samurai is at 546 S. Randall Road in St. Charles. Visit http://mrsamurairestaurant.com/ for an interactive map.

The special menu for members and guests is:

A: Lobster/Filet Mignon or Lobster/Ribeye: $35
B: NY Steak/Chicken/Shrimp Combo: $27
C: Kids NY Steak/Chicken/Shrimp Combo: $14
D: Vegeterian (Assorted vegetables): $12
E: Sushi Deluxe (10 pcs Sushi & Cali Roll): $25

All options above come with soup, fruit salad and Desert.

One free beer or a glass of wine. Tip is included.

James Sneddon will be coordinating the R.S.V.P. list. Send an email to jpsneddon@comcast.net to let him know how many are in your party.