Sonic Kittens need Some Mittens ....

As some of y'all may or may not be aware, our friend and fellow cycling cat (aka Amos K) has started a gals junior development team called the Sonic Kittens here in the Syracuse area.  Since Amos is a good cat (at least when she's a riding and hanging w/the Ommegangsters) and this concept is a truly cool way to give back to cycling, we're encouraging all the folks out there to make an effort to support them in whatever way we can.  From the Amos blog .....

"We've had some really generous gifts so far and the girls REALLY appreciate it! Any used cycling gear will be put to good use. Shoes, bikes, bike parts, wheels, pedals, saddles...you name it, we can use it! Somebody gave them an older frame and we had Pete put a 9 speed group on there that somebody donated. That's one more kid racing that wouldn't have been able to afford it otherwise! Thank you!!!"

So now you (hopefully) see the "... need some mittens reference" .... check your stash of cycling "stuff" and see what you can donate as you can well see, every little bit helps.  
 
To donate items to the Sonic Kittens, there is a donation drop box at Syracuse Bicycle. (You are going to donate something right? -- Don't make us sick the Dawg on ya.)  If you would like to contact "Amos" directly regarding the Sonic Kittens, please do so through the normal channels (Amos is a regular on various regional group rides, if you don't know her, ask an Ommegangster) or just respond to this post &we'll put you in touch.

Go Orange !! Go Hennepin !!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/foodanddining/features/2010/beer-madness/

We need your help & support.  You are probably making plans to watch the Orange play tomorrow night (after your workout of course) as they make a push for the Final Four.  Well that's not the only big tourny going on.  You see the Washington Post does a Beer Madness tourny and Brewery Ommegang's Hennepin has made it to the second round.  (See link above).
I encourage you to go vote for Hennepin to go to the round of 6, and then on to the finale.  Go to the site, and just click on the beer name. Then a red check appears, (pick your other favorites too) then click submit.  Keep checking back as the tourny progresses and keep voting for Hennepin.

(lame Dickie V voice ...) "C'mon Baby, Help us make Hennepin #1" ... and while you're at it, pick up a Hennepin to enjoy while watching the Orange.

Go Orange !!  Go Hennepin !!

Spring Is In The Air

Ahhh, spring time in CNY.  Green beer,  50+ degrees outside, birds a chirpin', more daylight to ride, Paris-Nice on VS Network, Johnny Cake and Spring Giros, and yup, them buckets and such plugged into the maple trees means it's maple syrup time.  (See, even the maple trees know it's spring.)  Honestly now, when's the last time you had REAL maple syrup?   Real maple syrup is kinda like getting the road bike out for the first time all spring after slogging on the 'cross or mtn bike all winter on slushy roads. 

So now that you are in need of a maple fix (or just need to get the cabin fever kids out of the house), our friends at Critz Farms just happen to be having their Maple Syrup Celebration going on for the next several weekends so you should get on out there.   Your incentive ... free admission,  a chance to checkout the sugar house and learn about the syrup making process, FREE samples, hayrides, and the all you can eat breakfast buffet as the Critz Cafe is also open.

Visit them online (http://critzfarms.com/index.html) and then visit them on Route 13 just a few miles south of Cazenovia,

Critz Farms
3232 Rippleton Road
Cazenovia, NY 13035  
Phone:800-442-3225
Fax:(315)662-3040
email:info@critzfarms.com

BPA baby, BPA

Look for the latest greatest offering from Brewery Ommegang ... Belgian style Pale Ale.  Sorry if you were expecting a bunch of indoor trainer-induced blabber about the upcoming bike racing season.  Yeah, we're getting pumped and doing top secret training for the April and May races but c'mon, there's a new brew to explore. (Where are your priorities?)

Let me know if you're buying and I'll surely see ya at the Blue Tusk or other quality establishment.

Need more BPA info ?? ....

http://greatbrewers.com/product/ommegang-belgian-pale-ale

http://beernews.org/2010/01/ommegang-belgian-style-pale-ale-coming-in-march/