News
2012 News and Notes
January 16, 2012 - DC Velo is pleased to announce updated and renewing sponsorship for the 2012 season. For the sixth year in a row, Clean Currents returns as our primary team sponsor. As a green energy solutions provider, Clean Currents continues to be a leading supplier of wind power to commercial and residential clients across the region, as well as other green energy solutions, including residential solar panel systems. We thank them for their unwavering continued support.
We're also excited to announce our newest presenting sponsor, Beyer Kia. The Beyer family of dealerships has been very supportive of DC Velo in the past (especially Don Beyer Volvo) and we are grateful for their continued support. Kia offers a full line of vehicles, so check them out at www.beyerkia.com.
Cyclelife DC continues as the local shop sponsor. Whether it's getting the latest leading-edge race gear, buying that first bike for your five year old daughter, or getting the perfect fit on your existing ride, Cyclelife has what you need to get the most out of your riding.
In other local cycling news, numerous track events appear on the 2012 MABRA race calendar, as a DC velodrome appears to be close to a reality! Follow the developments at www.dcvelodrome.org.
Finally, we will again host the regional race community at the Carl Dolan Memorial Spring Classicone of MABRAs first races of the season. This local favorite returns for the 19th edition on April 15th, so mark your calendars and plan to test your early season form with us. We look forward to seeing you there.
Team Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Volvo continues to promote carbon neutral bicycle racing at the 2009 Carl Dolan Memorial in Columbia Maryland
April 27, 2009 - The Carl Dolan Memorial Classic held April 20, 2009 in Columbia Maryland was certified as "carbon neutral" by the Clean Energy Partnership (www.cleanenergypartnership.com) based on the round trip mileage travelled and the carbon dioxide emissions generated from promoting the race. Team title sponsor Clean Currents (www.cleancurrents.com) once again kindly donated the offsets in the form of renewable energy credits (RECs) equivalent to 25,000 kilowatt hours, which offset roughly 35,000 pounds of CO2 generated from promoting this event.
Total round-trip mileage for all racers, support staff, volunteers, officials, vendors, and facilities was 32,067. From that total, 933 miles were travelled by bicycle to the event. It is interesting to note that both of these figures are comparable to the 2007 DrinkMore Water Grand Prix of Silver Spring and the 2008 Carl Dolan Memorial Classic. This suggests that, despite the absence of a more accessible downtown venue, people in the cycling community are continuing to make a strong effort to reduce their carbon footprint.
ING DIRECT Capital Criterium powered by CycleLife Carbon Emission Data and Offsets Released
October 16, 2008 - DC Velo is proud to have promoted the ING Direct Capital Criterium powered by CycleLife carbon neutral.
The 2008 event carbon emission data was compiled from the roundtrip travel of all racers, race staff, vendors, and government service providers, as well as from the activities of those involved in pre-event planning and promotion. Mileage associated with the planning, promotion, and production of the event broke down as follows:
- Airline mileage - 72,729
- Trucks and heavy machinery mileage - 8,874
- Vehicle mileage - 27,052
The mileage and transportation type produced a total of 75,346 lbs. of CO2 emissions. Those CO2 emissions were offset by 54 RECs (one renewable energy credit offsets 1400 lbs of CO2 emissions).
Thanks to a generous donation of RECs from local green energy broker and club sponsor Clean Currents (www.cleancurrents.com), the carbon emissions associated with the staging of the Capital Criterium have been offset.
We appreciate everyone who provided information on mileage and type of travel. If anyone is interested in learning more about how to organize and collect data in order to run a carbon neutral event, please visit www.dcvelo.com/guidelines.php, where you will find useful guidelines, or contact Ryan McKinney at rmckinney(at)dcvelo.com.
Record Crowds Attend US Cycling's Newest Showcase Criterium
September 21, 2008 - The inaugural ING DIRECT Capital Criterium powered by CycleLife drew record crowds and world class cyclists to downtown, Washington. A full field of racers competed in the pro event on fast 8 corner, 1km circuit in the shadow of the Nation's Capitol. The ING DIRECT Capital Criterium featured a $51,000 purse with a $10,000 first prize. Featured riders included Tour de France participants from the Garmin-Chipotle team highlighted by the recent Tour of Missouri winner Christian Vande Velde, Rock Racing's National Champions Raashan Bahati and Fred Rodriguez, HealthNet pb Maxxis' Karl Menzies, Toyota United's Hilton Clark and Domenique Rollin.
As the crowds continued to build, the pros lined up at 11:30 anxious to vie for the $51,000 on the line. The racing started out at a blistering pace of almost 30 miles per hour. Initial laps saw attacks by Domenique Rollin from Toyota United, Christian Vande Velde of Garmin-Chipotle, and Rock's Raashan Bahati. Tom Soladay of Time Pro Racing made several attempts to break away with success and was able to stay away for 10 laps until he was swallowed up by Christian Vande Velde and company. The remainder of the race was punctuated with numerous attempts at additional breakaways but the pack tenaciously held its grip on anyone who attempted to get away.
It promised to be an explosive sprint contested by all in the field. Clarke Hilton of Toyota United narrowly beat the field as Freddie Rodriguez of Rock Racing spoiled a 1-2 finish of Toyota United taking second place relegating Domenique Rollin to third.
More information on the race can be obtained at www.capitalcriterium.com.
Inaugural Running of ING Direct Capital Criterium powered by CycleLife is Announced
August 21, 2008 - It was announced today that the inaugural running of a showcase downtown professional cycling race is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 2008. The event, known as the ING DIRECT Capital Criterium powered by CycleLife, promises to bring top professionals from around the world, including riders that raced in this year's Tour de France and Olympic Games. The finishing straight of the race will end along Pennsylvania Avenue, framed by the US Capitol in the background and District of Columbia City Hall in the foreground.
Information about the event can be found at the event website www.capitalcriterium.com.
Team Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Volvo continues tradition of promoting "carbon neutral" bike racing at the 2008 Carl Dolan Memorial
May 10, 2008 - Team Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Volvo continued to promote "carbon neutral" bicycle racing at the 2008 Carl Dolan Memorial in Columbia Maryland.
The Carl Dolan Memorial Classic held April 20, 2008 in Columbia Maryland was certified as a "carbon neutral" by the Clean Energy Partnership (www.cleanenergypartnership.com) based on the round trip mileage traveled and the carbon dioxide emissions generated from promoting the race. Team's title sponsor Clean Currents (www.cleancurrents.com) once again kindly donated the offsets in the form of renewable energy credits (RECs) equivalent to 25,000 kilowatt hours, which offset roughly 35,000 pounds of CO2 generated from promoting this event.
Total round-trip mileage for all racers, support staff, volunteers, officials, vendors, and facilities was 32,497.38. From that total, 933.66 miles were traveled by bicycle to the event. It is interesting to note that both of these figures are comparable to the 2007 DrinkMore Water Grand Prix of Silver Spring. This suggests that, despite a less accessible venue, people in the cycling community are continuing to make a strong effort to reduce their "carbon footprint."
Thanks to all the racers for answering the questions regarding transportation during registration on BikeReg. This information is pivotal in the calculation and certification.
CycleLife Signs On as a 2008 and 2009 Team Sponsor
November 29, 2007 - CycleLife has signed on to become a team sponsor for seasons 2008 and 2009. CycleLife is a cycling-centric lifestyle business model that departs from traditional cycling retail shops and cycling performance centers. CycleLife will offer a complete range of retail cycling equipment, clothing, and repair services, performance evaluation and testing for the professional to the avid cyclist, complete health club services, including massage therapy and nutritional consulting, and full smoothie bar and eatery, with flat screens, for the cycling-minded and health conscious alike to congregate. CycleLife will be located in the heart of Georgetown at Wisconsin and K Street, NW, with a grand opening planned for the first half of 2008. We are very excited and honored to be involved with CycleLife from its inception.
Signal Financial Becomes a Team Sponsor for 2008 and 2009
November 21, 2007 - We are delighted to announce that Bethesda-based federal credit union Signal Financial will become a team sponsor for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. This deals follows in the wake of Signal Financial's event sponsorship of the 2007 Signal Financial Kids' Helmet Races--the highly successful children's event run during the 2007 DrinkMore Water Grand Prix of Silver Spring that gave away 200 helmets to participants to promote and bring awareness to kids' cycling safety. Friends and family, be on the lookout for a DC Velo credit card in the future.
Team Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Volvo continues its pioneering efforts to promote "Carbon Neutral" bicycle racing at the third annual DrinkMore Water Grand Prix of Silver Spring.
October 21, 2007 - The DrinkMore Water Grand Prix as well as the Signal Financial Kid's Helmet Races, held July 22, 2007 in Silver Spring Maryland, have been certified as a "carbon neutral" event by the Clean Energy Partnership (www.cleanenergypartnership.org). Certification was approved based on exhaustive calculations of the carbon emissions generated to promote the event. Team sponsor Clean Currents (www.cleancurrents.com) has graciously donated the offsets in the form of "Green Tags" based on the certification issued by the CEP.
Total round-trip mileage for all racers calculated from home addresses provided in SAR's to/from the race course in Silver Spring was 31,534.44. Round-trip mileage for officials, SRAM neutral support, pace car, sponsors, support staff and personnel, and event facilities was 2,855. Thus, the resulting total round-trip mileage was 34,389.44.
Thanks to all the racers for answering the questions regarding transportation during registration on BikeReg. This information was vital for calculating the emissions and their subsequent certification by the CEP.
Record Turnout for Third Annual DrinkMore Water Grand Prix of Silver Spring
July 22, 2007 - Ellsworth Drive was jam packed with screaming fans on a picture-perfect day for this year's DrinkMore Water Grand Prix of Silver Spring. A record number of competitors raced the fast one-kilometer course. Over 200 kids participated in a series of kids' races sponsored by local federal credit union Signal Financial. To top things off, Ken Young of Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Volvo (the race-team host) won the premier event of the day. Visit the Press Room section of the official race website, www.ssgrandprix.com, to read exciting media accounts of the race.
Frick Earns Stars and Stripes at Nationals in Masters 30-34 TT
July 6, 2007 - Member Josh Frick won the National championship in the Masters 30-34 time trial for a third straight year running, putting down the second fastest time of the day by all riders combined. Congratulations Josh.
Real Estate Investment and Management Leader Minshall Stewart Properties To Sponsor Cash Race Primes for "DrinkMore Water Grand Prix"
June 2, 2007 - Minshall Stewart Properties has agreed to jump in as a cash race prime sponsor for the 2007 "DrinkMore Water Grand Prix." Minshall Stewart's generous sponsorship will increase the payouts in primes and purse to over $12,500 on race day. Minshall Stewart is a Bethesda-based real estate investment and management company (www.msscompany.com), boasting some of the Washington DC metropolitan areas leading commercial properties.
Signal Financial Steps Up as the 2007 "Kids' Helmet Races" Sponsor
May 30, 2007 - Bethesda-based federal credit union Signal Financial (www.sfonline.com) will be the sponsor of the highly popular kids' races that will run this year prior to the Men's Pro/Elite race at the DrinkMore Water Grand Prix, scheduled for Sunday July 22, 2007. Thanks to Signal Financial's sponsorship, up to 200 helmets and t-shirts will be given away as part of our club's pledge to help promote children's bicycle safety. Kids' race entry fees are also being covered by Signal Financial, so all kids will race for free.
The 13th Annual Carl Dolan Memorial Spring Classic Becomes One of the First USCF Sanctioned Races Held Carbon Neutral
May 30, 2007 - The carbon emissions for the Carl Dolan Memorial Spring Classic held in Columbia on Sunday April 22, 2007 have now been calculated and certified by the Clean Energy Partnership (www.cleanenergypartnership.org). Based on the CEP's certification, team sponsor Clean Currents (www.cleancurrents.com) has generously donated the offsets.
Total mileage for all racers based on round-trip travel taken from the home addresses provided in the SARs to the race course in Columbia was 35,493.82. Total mileage for officials, pace car, port-a-john delivery, all club members, and supporting personnel was 4441.44 miles. This resulted in a total mileage calculation of 39,935.26 miles. The letter of certification from the CEP is available upon request.
We thank all racers for taking the time to answer the various travel questions that we required for registration through BikeReg. That input was appreciated and allowed us to collect the data necessary for certification.
DrinkMore Water To Take Over Race Title of 2007 "Grand Prix of Silver Spring"
May 21, 2007 - We are pleased to announce that local water delivery company DrinkMore Water (www.drinkmorewater.com) has signed on as the race title sponsor for the 2007 Grand Prix of Silver Spring, which will be held in the revitalize downtown of Silver Springs on Sunday, July 22, 2007.
The level of community involvement and high profile nature of this race make it a perfect fit for DrinkMore Water given both its regional business presence and existing support of the cycling community. This year's "DrinkMore Water Grand Prix" plans to be a bigger and better race than ever, with considerable more media and advertising. The event will also be held carbon neutral, thanks to a generous donation from Silver Spring based green energy broker Clean Currents.
Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Volvo to put on the first ever USCF "carbon neutral" slate of races
February 8, 2007 - The third annual Grand Prix of Silver Spring and the 13th annual Carl Dolan Memorial Spring Classic will be history's first "carbon neutral" USCF races.
Scheduled for Sunday July 22, 2007, the Grand Prix of Silver Spring is a high profile, $10,000+ race purse, spectator-friendly cycling criterium run through the streets of the newly revitalized downtown of Silver Spring, Maryland. The "Carl Dolan Memorial Spring Classic" will be held Sunday April 22, 2007 and run on its traditional course in the Gateway Business Center in Columbia, Maryland.
These two races will be "carbon neutral" events. Each event's respective carbon footprints or emissions will be measured and verified by Clean Energy Partnership, a non profit organization. Those emissions will then be "offset" through renewable energy credits donated by Clean Currents, a Silver Spring green energy company.
DC Velo Outreach Foundation to Operate as Cycling Related Charity
February 2, 2007 - DC Velo Outreach Foundation will be established and operate as 501(c)(3) charitable corporation, dedicated to promoting kids bicycle safety and other cycling related charitable causes. The Foundation is the outgrowth of the club's continued commitment to charitable community work. Having raised money in years past for the college tuitions of former teammate Carl Dolan's children, who tragically died at the Church Creek time trial in 1999, DC Velo Outreach Foundation will be the vehicle through which we will tackle our next charitable challenges.
The Foundation will organize the ever popular "Kid Ride With Helmets," which is schedule to run right before the men's pro/elite race at the third annual Grand Prix of Silver Spring, to be held on Sunday July 22 in the revitalized downtown of Silver Spring. The Foundation's goal that day will be to provide free entry and free helmets for up to 200 kids.
Introducing "Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Volvo"
January 31, 2007 - For 2007, we will race under the new USCA "team" name "Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Volvo," which is a combination of our new primary team sponsor "Clean Currents" and our new presenting team sponsor "Don Beyer Volvo."
The familiar "DC Velo" name will continue to be our official USCA "club" name, given both our continuing close ties to the metropolitan Washington DC region and, of course, club member DC Mayor Adrian Fenty.
Don Beyer Volvo Signs on as Presenting Team Sponsor
January 29, 2007 - We are pleased to report that Don Beyer Volvo will be our new presenting team sponsor for 2007.
As part of this deal, Don Beyer Volvo is generously providing the club with a new Volvo XC90. This car will be carbon neutral based on offsets generated by the club.
Having served Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, Alexandria, and Maryland since 1973, Don Beyer Volvo is the leading Volvo dealership in Northern Virginia, with locations in Falls Church, Alexandria, and Dulles.
We encourage anyone interested in a Volvo vehicle to give General Manger Jon Holl a call at 703 237 5000, or stop in for a visit and test drive at their showroom, located at 1231 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046. More information on Don Beyer Volvo is available at their website www.donbeyervolvo.com.
Silver Spring Based Green Energy Broker "Clean Currents" to Take Over Primary Team Sponsor Spot
January 10, 2007 - DC Velo is delighted to announce that our new 2007 primary team sponsor will be Clean Currents. Pictured is Team President Mark Sommers with Gary Skulnik and Lee Keshishian of Clean Currents.
Clean Currents is a Silver Spring based broker of clean, renewable energy. Information on Clean Currents can be found at their website, located at www.cleancurrents.com.
As noted on their website, Clean Currents brokers green energy to help overcome today's biggest environmental challenge - global warming and air pollution. Through clean energy, greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming can be dramatically cut. Clean Currents offers commercial and residential green energy and seeks to work with citizens and elected leaders to promote a vision of a cleaner, better, future free from the threat of global warming.
Clean Currents is the perfect cycling sponsor. The synergies between renewable green energy and the largest form of non-polluting mode of transportation are obvious.
We hope that you will join us in promoting the use of green energy. If you have any questions about how your business or your home can receive green energy, please contact Gary Skulnik of Clean Currents at 301 754 0430 or gary@cleancurrents.com.
