Gnomegang

Lots happening at the brewery ........  http://beernews.org/2011/01/brewery-ommegang-to-close-temporarily-gnomegang-coming-in-april/

Unofficial Winter Throw Down: Team Ommegang - Syracuse Bicycle ChiliMan Challenge

Forecast -- Cazenovia, NY  -- Sunday(1/23):

A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 8. Calm wind becoming northwest between 7 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

High of 8 ? ! !... ummmm, dress warm!

** January 13, 2011 Update **

All details are tentative and subject to change, even during the event, (mainly because we're winging it and making up the rules as we go along) but here's what we're thinking:

Ride Start Time/Place:  ready to ride at 10am sharp from the Caz High School parking lot off of East Lake Rd.  This is where the Caz based OCC rides usually leave from.

Ride Route:  So we don't have to put too much thought into this, we'll "borrow" a route from OCC.  We'll do the 31 mile Caz-Hardscrabble ride -- see link:  http://onondagacyclingclub.org/maps/pdf/Caz-1.pdf

Prize List: A 750 ml Three Philosophers (1st place), a small 3 Phils for 2nd, and some PBR for 3rd to share with everyone else. First place will also be given a coveted ChiliMan talisman as pictured above.  We're also considering adding a Ladies division if in fact any are interested.

Registration:  To register, just say "I'm in" under the comments section of the post.  You ridin or hidin?

We're sure some of ya have heard of and/or may have ran in the Chilly Chili.  While admittedly yes, it is a non-cycling event, it is a good time that you should try to attend (yes you can run a 5K).  Last year's event saw a surprising number of local cyclist lacing up their running shoes with some putting in some pretty darn respectable times.

OK, if you're still not convinced, we believe there will be lots of chili sampling and beer sampling at the post race festivities.

So we're thinking that to "spice" things up a little bit (we're talking chili here), we're going to throw down an informal challenge .. the unofficial, informal, loosely formatted, casually structured Team Ommegang-Syracuse Bicycle ChiliMan Challenge.  Ya ready ... weather permitting (and it will have to be real bad), we will plan on riding for probably 2 hours or so BEFORE the 5K.  We'll finish the ride 45-60 minutes before the 5K and then participate in the 5K.   The person who posts the best 5K time that also rode prior will be the winner of a highly coveted 750 ml bottle of Three Philosophers as well as the hard earned bragging rights as the ChiliMan.

Info on the 5K is below.  Registration for the Team Ommegang-Syracuse Bicycle ChiliMan Challenge is well, -- all you have to do is show up at the bike ride portion and you're entered.  Details on the bike ride portion will be posted at a later date -- stay tuned.  Please remember this is meant to be an informal, fun twist on a basic training ride and is not officially affiliated with the 5K event.

http://www.chillychili.com/

An Interview With Georgia Gould

Nah, we didn't talk to Georgia but the good ol' Rooster (aka Mike W.) did.   After all, Georgia grew up right down the road a bit from where Mike calls home.

Check it out at his blog/website ...... http://www.catskillscycling.com/

Mike, with his big smile and friendly word, has been a great ambassador for Catskills area cycling scene as well as the general region as a whole.   Check out his website from time to time and do not hesitate to drop him a line should you find yourself headed down to the Catskills.  He's a wealth of information and he'll get you pointed in the right direction be it a bike shop, a flat route, a fishing hole, a hiking trail, a hilly route, dirt roads and even where to have a post ride meal or your favourite Ommegang recovery beverage.

Brewery Ommegang & Bourbon? ! ? !

Yup, You read it correctly ...Bourbon.

Brewery Ommegang has recently released some brews that have been aged in used bourbon barrels.   Talk about adding a bit of mystique to the wonderfulness we already know as Abbey Ale, Adoration, and Three Philosophers.  By a stroke of good luck and the generosity of a fellow CX (and Ommegang) enthusiast, a few Ommegangsters got to try a little of the 3-Phils aged in bourbon barrels.   Now if you are a  3-Phils enthusiast, you are certainly entitled to wonder or perhaps even question how the bourbon thing would work with3-Phils.  In short, it was quite interesting, and yes, potent, and quite amazing.  The bourbon was prominent but didn't overwhelm the 3-Phils.  In some ways, the bourbon may have even added a few different characteristics while possibly enhancing some of the traditional 3-Phis flavour notes.  Quantities are very limited (if not already sold out).  To get your hands on some, you may have to make the journey to the brewery but call ahead to make sure they still have some on hand.

Here's a little twitter blurb (or tweet if you will) from the brewery:  http://twitter.com/breweryOmmegang

Offseason Goings On

 

All sorts of cool stuff happening lately.  First of all, the recent Toys for Tots event at Syracuse Bicycle was a great success.  Lots of fun, plenty of Ommegang cheer, toy bins overflowing, and even some rather unique foosball action.  A big thanks to Syracuse Bicycle for putting out a great spread and hosting the event and all those who brought a toy.

The offseason also finds us looking at a kit redesign as well as a few Ommegangsters moving on to pursue alternative opportunities while a few excited folks have gladly agreed to join in the Ommegangster fun for 2011. 

Lastly, we received a note (below) from our friends at Soul Cycles that might not help with the stocking stuffer situation but would surely be a great addition under the tree!    

"Halfway through 2010 we began handing out coupons good for 20% off any retail priced frame at events. They do not expire and more information about them can be found here. If you would like one just email your physical mailing address and name to WEB@RIDESOUL.COM. As always we will never sell, trade, or store you information"

Hydrofracking & Craft Brewing .... hmmmm?

You may already have an opinion, or may not, but at minimum you have most likely heard hydrofracking mentioned in the local and regional media recently. 

While the Team Ommegang - Syracuse Bicycle blog here has remained relatively "bike" oriented and steered clear of advocacy (other than pro-bike!), we felt it appropriate to pass along a document put together by Brewery Ommegang as a courtesy since they have provided great support to us (Team Ommegang - Syracuse Bicycle) and the regional cycling scene.  For example, not only have the provided support to the team and hosted one of the coolest CX events in the region for several years now, they are in part responsible for having Ommegang brews available for tasting at the upcoming Syracuse Bicycle Toys for Tots event this coming Thursday (12/16).

With that said, here's a link to their position paper ... please give it a read:  

Brewery Ommegang Hydrofracking Statement -- Nov 2010

Thxs and hope to see you at the Toys for Tots event.

Chomper Body on Board for 2011

 While we're deciding what kits, what colors, and all that related team "fun" stuff for the upcoming season, we're really excited to announce we have been able to add Chomper Body as a new supporter for Team Ommegang - Syracuse Bicycle for 2011.  Since Chomper Body has helped us out with some product at our CX @ Brewery Ommegang event the past couple of years, a few of the team guys have been able to try out a sample or two and reported they really liked the stuff alot (the Ballocks chamois cream got rave reviews from multiple folks).  In fact, they liked it so much that they ordered some products for their own personal use and suggested to others to get some for themselves. 

We truly look forward to working with Chomper Body in the upcoming season and if you see a Team Ommegang - Syracuse Bicycle team member smiling suspiciously while out riding this spring, just think, he is probably riding some great, well maintained equipment (thanks Syracuse Bicycle), has a good recovery beverage home in the fridge (thanks Brewery Ommegang), and he also has a very happy "under carriage" (thanks Chomper Body).