The Echelon Chronicles

Garmin-Barracuda to ride Sonoma Napa Gran Fondo

2012-01-17T06:33:00.000-08:00

Garmin-Barracuda Team Members to Ride the Echelon Sonoma Napa Gran Fondo

Registration is now open

SONOMA, CA (January 18, 2012) - For the third year, the Echelon Gran Fondo is back in the wine country announcing a new start/finish in Sonoma, just 21 miles from the start of the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC). In honor of Sonoma Valley Hospital and Charity of Choice, Team Garmin-Barracuda will support the event including passing near the start of the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC) that begins in Santa Rosa the next day.

The Gran Fondo will start at 9 AM on May 12, 2012 with 11 (super mini kids fondo), 50 and 75 mile ride options that include parts of the Napa Valley. “We are really excited about having Team Garmin-Barracuda support the event this year as well as our Sonoma start,” said Echelon’s event director, Michael Sexton.“ The new course is outstanding and includes northern parts of Napa Valley that we could not get to last year such as the Dry Creek, Mt Veeder and Trinity grade.” The Garmin-Barracuda team, which captured the Best Team classification at the 2011 ATOC and placed Tom Danielson on the podium with 3rd overall, will be there for the ceremonial start and will lead out the fondo just a day before they begin the 5th annual ATOC. At the ATOC, 18 professional bike teams including Garmin-Barracuda will compete in an eight-day stage race that finishes in Southern California.

Team Garmin-Barracuda is the top American professional cycling team dedicated to ethical sport and developing the next generation of cycling champions. Since its inception the team has placed riders in the top 10 of the Tour de France, and in the 2011 edition, the team placed the top American in the race (Tom Danielson, 9th overall), won the Team Time Trial, captured a total of four stage wins, held the yellow jersey for eight days, and won Best Team Overall.

“We look forward to the Amgen Tour of California every year, and this year is extra special because we are excited to take part in the Gran Fondo to raise funds for local community partnerships and Charity of Choice,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO, Slipstream Sports.

Garmin Corporation has been a title sponsor of the Echelon Gran Fondo series since its inception and donates merchandise including the Garmin Edge 500 and 800 GPS cycling computers to top fundraisers.

Media Contacts:

Team Garmin-Barracuda

Marya Pongrace

Email: Marya.pongrace@slipstreamsports.com

U.S. Mobile: 347-698-3412

2012-01-05T07:28:00.000-08:00

Here are our dates so far for 2012:

Napa CA Gran Fondo--Saturday May 12
The Napa gran fondo will now feature a start/finish just 21 miles from the start of the Amgen Tour of California professional bike race (TOC). This exciting new course will include some great new climbs and scenic parts of the wine country, as well as a to be announced very special guest of honor pro team that will ride along side of you.

Full details will be out in early January 16. This will be a great weekend to travel to California!

Hood River OR Gran Fondo, Saturday September 22

Palo Alto, CA--Sunday, September 16 (Gran Fondo & Challenge)

Registration and Charity of Choice open on Jan. 16

Both registration and Charity of Choice launch on January 16. Charity of Choice is a new and very cool online platform that will enable people to fundraise around any activity, event, and for your preferred charity. Cycling partner events include the USA Gran Fondo series, the Gran Fondo Canada series, as well as the NY Gran Fondo and the Sea Otter Gran Fondo.

LeMond Revolution follow up

2011-09-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

I was introduced to Greg and Kathy LeMond in 2008 by Betsie and Frankie Andreu. They all came out to my summer place and all Greg could talk about besides the fishing was this new trainer he was working on. A year later, I flew a small plane across the country and stopped in on Greg and Kathy in St Paul (unannounced I might ad--They very generous people offering me their cars, food, etc). I ended up staying three days and never felt unwelcome. Their German Shepherd did bite me on day three so I knew it was time to leave but not before going to the lab to see the new wind trainer Greg and his team where working on.

Well, I Just set up my new LeMond Revolution trainer. OMG--WOW

5 minutes to unpack the box and mount the base
20 seconds to mount my bike to it
Sits level--You don't need a stand for your front wheel
Has levelers in the base for ground that is not flat--so easy
Rides like you are on the road--NO BS! Blew me away.
No wearing out tires, works on MTB and Cross bikes
Not as noisy as the ones I saw in the lab two years ago with G LeMond in St Paul
It is simple and of very high quality
I want stock in this company

Things I will ask the company about:

How can I hook a blower up to the fan to direct the air coming off the fan to my core, for cooling
What is the plan to add power?

Photo as of today

Photo of me and GL in the lab in 2009

Hunter Ziesing, for Echelon

LeMond Fitness Trainer

2011-08-31T05:37:00.000-07:00

Two years ago I visited Greg LeMond at his home in St Paul. Wonderful guy. He took me to his test lab to see the new LeMond Revolution wind trainer. His company is donating some to Echelon to give away as awards. Greg is also riding in our Palo Alto gran fondo so when I say this you might think I am biased but this new trainer really is "Revolutionary"

Feels like you are riding your own bike. You are
Does not wear out your tires or your rear free wheel (cog)
It is priced competitively
for more go to http://www.lemondfitness.com/

Having Cramps?

2011-08-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

I am spending much of my summer on the east coast where the humidity can take the heat index up to 114 as it did last year at US Nationals in Kentucky where I was dropped in the 50+ category trying to bridge to Thurlow Rodgers. I CRAMPED. That desert monger! Maybe he is just used to thick air living in LA.

Anyway, Hammer's Endurolytes are a sure saver in the heat. Ask Mike Vella from Webcor Alto Velo who just came back for Tour of the Catskills NY. He was blown out by cramps on day 2 and limped in for 16th place. One bottle of Endurolytes coming your way for registering for the Echelon Palo Alto Gran Fondo Mike.

Follow Hammer's instructions and or just take some capsules before your ride and during. Check out the new fizz tablets too. We give out tons of Hammer samples at all of our fondo's. You can have all you want but for my Hammer Cashew Coconut Chocolate Chip bars. Every time Hammer sends me a box for our participants they end up in my stomach. Sorry

Hunter Ziesing for Echelon

Di2 Follow up review

2011-08-06T07:22:00.001-07:00

Shimano and other sponsor/partners are kind enough to sponsor our gran fondo series and well as provide us some product to try, review and share with our participants including Shimano's Di2 electronic shifting system. I have been riding the Di2 now on a Wilier Cento Uno road bike as well as the Wilier Cento Uno Crono TT bike.

Here is a quick mid year review after some hard use riding and racing all season.

The lighter shift levers are noticeably lighter on climbs and better for maneuverability. The bike just feels more snappy and responsive. (I will brag about Wilier later--what a bike). The Di2 shift levers might look like the old ones but there are no guts inside, just some electronics to send the signal to the derailleurs. Shifting only requires a tap of your fingers and you can shift under full power.

The TT Di2 has shifters on the bar ends

and where you brake

The road bike has shifters in a single spot.

Rumor has it, Mark Cavandish has a sprint button

on the drops.

The Electronics so far have been flawless. No cables, just wires that are internal so maintenance is zero. It never goes out of tune and the front derailleur self adjusts automatically no matter what freewheel cog you are on in the rear, i.e., you front derailleur never rubs. Rain? no problem. I wash mine with a hose often too.

The battery blows me away. I charged it in February, then a gain in June even though it did not need it. If only the iphone could do that.

Complaints--none really, well maybe the price but they recently announced that an Ultegra version is coming. I would like to see a wireless shift system using ANT. Seams easy to me. The battery is not bulky or heavy as it is now but I bet they can make is smaller since the charge lasts nearly 3 months.

Conclusion: I was skeptical coming in to this electronic thing but now I see. Say goodbye to external cabling. Just for the lack of maintenance, Di2 is worth it alone.

Hunter Ziesing for Echelon Gran Fondo

All Echelon Partner Sponsors

Wilier Di2 ready Cento Uno

ZteaM Cycling goes to free membership model

2011-06-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

Echelon Gran Fondo announces the merging of ZteaM Cycling with Echelon Gran Fondo effective July 1^st 2011 - Moves to free membership model.

Hunter Ziesing, founder of ZteaM Cycling and also Echelon Gran Fondo has announced that the approximately 1,000 current and past members of ZteaM Cycling around the country are to be transferred to join the nearly 7,000 participants and followers of the Echelon Gran Fondo organization creating one large and growing group of cyclists and fitness buffs. “This ensures continued benefits for ZteaM members as part of the Echelon organization with preferred access to world class mass rides during the year as well as the enhanced benefits a much larger number of riders can command long term.”

ZteaM Cycling, a 501 (c) 3 and the predecessor to Echelon, was founded in 2004 as a social riding club in Marin California and later grew to over 20 regional chapters around the country. Several put on their own local charity rides including the Oak Hill School ride for autism with Eddy Merckx, as well as rides with Bob Roll, and Frankie Andreu. In 2006, ZteaM developed a racing program led by Hans Gouwens who built a very strong masters team as well as a U27 team that took his developing riders to a third place finish at the 2008 Tour of Pennsylvania. Video

In 2009, Hunter Ziesing and Echelon co-founder, David Cochran left their full time careers to enter the event fundraising arena full time starting with the production of two gran fondos in the US in 2010. Both benefitted local cancer organizations. Echelon now has 5 cycling events in 2011 and is expanding into walking and running with their first Echelon Challenge in Palo Alto this fall including a novel idea in the event business: Charity of Choice, where participants have the ability to fundraise for their own charity.

Being part of Echelon is now free and followers get a growing list of benefits from corporate partners through upcoming discounts and deals including loyalty programs for gran fondo participants. Anyone can get these benefits by simply following Echelon.

Napa - post event release

2011-05-26T06:50:00.000-07:00

RESULTS ARE IN: ECHELON NAPA GRAN FONDO NAPA

SETS THE STAGE FOR 2011 SERIES

Next stop – A thrilling course including a 17-mile climb up Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula famous Hurricane Ridge at the July 23rd Echelon Seattle Gran Fondo

(Napa, CA – May 26, 2011) – The clouds parted ways as the helicopter hovered over the starting line of downtown Napa’s Main Street for the 2^nd annual Echelon Gran Fondo. Nearly 1000 cyclists lined up to experience the first ever police escorted road-enclosure down ten miles of the famous Napa Valley Silverado Trail. From the fanfare at the start of the festival, the organizers of Echelon focused their efforts on creating an exclusive “Hollywood meets the hills of Napa Valley” cycling experience for individuals, participants and their fundraising teams.

The Napa Valley event, open to all levels and abilities of cyclists, allowed participants the choice to sign up as strictly paying participants or fundraisers in which monies go to the Queen of the Valley Cancer Center in Napa, the Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center located on the campus of St. Helena Hospital and the Napa Valley Vine Trail, an important non-profit organization dedicated to implementing a 44 mile multi-use trail from Calistoga to Vallejo, California.

Team Clydesdales, a three-man crew, was recognized as the top fundraising team with Endurance PTC as a close second, which had recruited over 40 people for their Echelon team. Pine Ridge Vineyards was this year’s leading fundraising winery followed by Team Chappellet, and Castello di Amorosa. TRIMORE Fitness and Fusion Sport were also recognized for their efforts that spanned both fundraising and event promotion. Along with the over 45 teams, several cancer-survivor participants were called out during the starting line ceremony.

“Our goal is to give people an out of the box cycling experience, reward those that put in their personal time fundraising before the event, and recognize those that cancer has directly impacted. Combining a traditional Gran Fondo with a Charity ride does offer complexities, but at the end of the day we were very pleased with the outcome given that we wanted to keep this an intimate and exclusive experience,” commented Executive Director, Hunter Ziesing.

As in year one, after the timed 4 mile hill climb on Napa Valley’s Ink Grade, a 20 piece Jazz band from Napa High was stationed to greet the riders and the renowned Culinary Institute of America was set up to provide a healthy dose of carbohydrates. The event’s signature icon, the Angel of Echelon, moved along the entire course inspiring those to keep pedaling and stopping for photos with her fans. The event’s festival featured Napa Valley wineries, Sierra Nevada beer and a smorgasbord of culinary dishes from the Model Bakery, The Napa General Store, Three Twins Ice Cream and others.

The Echelon entourage has now turned its sights north to the Seattle area’s Olympic Peninsula in which they are staging another first-ever cycling experience – up the famed Hurricane Ridge. The event offers spectacular 30, 70, and 100 courses and limited entrants to their Super Gran Fondo course, a one-way ticket to a first time 100 mile ride summiting Hurricane Ridge. For more information about the July 23^rd event, visit http://www.echelongranfondo.org/seattle

About PlanetZ/Echelon:

PlanetZ is a non-profit global member organization that promotes human affairs including health, environment, and community, and is greatly committed to the cycling community at large by creating events and fitness challenges that are designed to raise money to local and national cancer focused institutions. For more information, please visit www.echelongranfondo.org

UCI Worlds Update

2011-05-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

UCI World Masters Cycling finals moved to Belgium

(USA Qualifier—August 19-21 in Fort Collins, CO)

Want to go for a rainbow jersey? The rules have changed. Get ready for Belgium in September with a stop in Fort Collins Colorado to qualify in August.

Goodbye Austria, hello Bastogne-Liege, Belgium

(May 18, 2011, San Francisco, CA) - There has been some confusion over the UCI Amateur World Championships (Road and ITT) but the game has recently changed. With seven different countries holding the qualifiers for the Road and ITT, the UCI World Cycling Tour Final (Amateur and Masters Worlds) is now in Belgium. The remaining USA qualifier is in Fort Collins, Colorado this August. Finalists from the top 25% of each age category will receive an invitation to compete in Belgium - on the roads along part of the famous Bastogne-Liege course.

Why the change?

Late last year, the International Cycling Union (UCI - the world governing body for sports cycling) revamped the world amateurs competition and announced a new competitive cycling series: UCI World Cycling Tour or UWCT, a global competitive cycling series for amateurs ages 16 to 65+. According to Andrea Marcellini Mendonça, UCI Cycling “for All” and Masters Coordinator, “Although professional cycling has been in the center of UCI’s regulations and championships, we cannot ignore the large participation in amateur cycling events. The UWCT was created to give people who devote their free time to cycling a chance to battle for a World Champion title.” Six countries are holding qualifiers with the finals in Belgium. The old “UCI Worlds” hosted in St Johann, Austria had its very last edition in 2010. Anyone who desires a UCI rainbow jersey will have to qualify first, then head on to Belgium. The new worlds finals course is not only famous but suits all rider types with its undulating terrain. The US Fort Collins qualifier road race is similar and boasts practically 70 miles of road closure, separate age run groups with field sizes up to 120. The TT course is a full 17.4 miles.

Photo from Perth, Australia qualifier this spring

The Echelon organization is the promoter of the Fort Collins Gran Fondo and host to these key United States UCI qualifying events. “Why come to Fort Collins? Well first of all, you have to if you want to qualify for Worlds,” said Hunter Ziesing, Director of the Echelon Gran Fondo series. “Equally as important, Fort Collins is hosting a premier event. Both the Road and ITT USA Qualifiers are open to any riders and we are running separate age groups on one of the best racecourses in the country including a near 70 mile road closure for the road races. Fort Collins is easy to get to, accommodations are reasonable and the weekend is a huge party.”

Organizers estimate over 10,000 people will be attending the weekend’s Fort Collins Cycling Festival featuring live music, great food, and family entertainment.

“One of the distinct features of our road races is the course and our support for the riders up to 120 in each field. Racers will not be mixed in with the Gran Fondo riders and will leave Colorado feeling as though they raced in their own gran tour.” Said Charlie Weinbeck, Director of the Fort Collins Cycling Festival. The Colorado Pro Challenge also starts the Monday following the UCI Fort Collins event.

Media Contact: 415-720-6789

Email: info@echelongranfondo.org

Echelon Sweeps Sea Otter Classic

2011-04-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

Members of Echelon Gran Fondo/Zteam 45+ masters team take 1, 2 & and 3 in the very competitive 69 mile road race with 6,000' of climbing coming in at 2:35 total time (26.7 MPH). We also took spots 1, 2, 4 & 6th in the circuit race the day before. Racing where Cale Reeder, Janne Hamalainen, Dirk Himley, and Hunter Ziesing. Don't forget to sign up for Echelon Gran Fondo. Zteam check out code is available upon request. www.echelongranfondo.org

LG X-Lite helmet review

2011-04-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, call me biased when I write this review--our sponsors including Louis Garneau who give us a few products (mostly to give to our top fundraisers) but once in a while a company takes an old concept and really makes improvements not so easy for the eye to see. I just have to tell you about it.

Last night a box of 6 Louis Garneau X-Lite helmets showed up at our headquarters so what did I do?: Quit work of course and went out for a test ride. The first thing I noticed was the helmet strap which is made of a softer material. You don't even feel it on your chin. The second obvious item is the helmet's overall simplicity. In addition to lighter materials, all of the hardware is so simple and modest, you might think this is a low priced helmet. Put it on though and you might forget it is on your head. 6.7 oz/190 grams.

Two of my Hammer Nutrition bars weigh more than that. Oh, one more thing. It is way less bulky than any helmet I have ever ridden and while I dont plan to crash test it, it is so light that I asked myself, "Is this really street legal?". It is well vented too.

'Hats off' to LG for having the lightest helmet on the market and pricing it $50 under anything close to it on the market and thank you for sponsoring Echelon Gran Fondo

Hunter Z for Echelon

Where to buy

Direct at LG

Competitive Cyclist

Land of Fondo's

2011-03-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

What is a gran fondo anyway? Who is doing it right?

In our opinion, a gran fondo is a ride, a race (if you want--Echelon times all its hill climbs), and theater on roads like you see at the TDF. Some are saying there are going to be too many gran fondos. Not so. There are 10's of thousands of organized rides in the US each year. As to the north american fran fondo, we think only a few have it right and only a few have actually produced events. We are biased. Echelon differentiates itself by offering a fundraiser option plus a little more frivolity vs your father's century ride.

Here is our plug on some great operators who have actual experience:

A. San Diego Gran Fondo (CA + other cities). The first to use the name "fondo" in the USA and a great event. Italian style, Ferrari's off the front and more. They close the Coronado bridge--way cool!

B. Levi's Kings Ridge Gran Fondo (CA). Hard to beat. Levi is the man and we like their charity component. 6,000 riders. The event is well run.

C. Gran Fondo Canada (BC and other cities planned). RBC GranFondo Whistler. A true Tour de France experience with over 7000 riders. Spectacular challenging point to point closed course connecting Vancouver to Whistler. Big event, great food, numerous parties, and memorable experiences.

Speaking of fundraising, The Pan Mass Challenge (MA). A pure two day charity event--raises over $25 million a year for the Dana Farber Institute. In 2009 Pelotonia (Ohio) launched and raised $4.5m in year one. They doubled it in 2010 for the benefit of the Ohio James Cancer Center. LIVESTRONG? Well, we are biased. They put on spectacular events and make every participant feel like a winner.

Cale's Corner--Shimano Tubeless

2011-01-12T05:59:00.000-08:00

As part of our relationship with Shimano, we are excited to be featuring Shimano components at all of our 6 Echelon Gran Fondo's including the electronic shifters, Di2 (yet to be reviewed by me--It is in so much demand Shimano is backlogged). We are building up three Wilier bikes to display and be test ridden at our fondo's so feel free to come demo any of it.

Last week we got our first package from Shimano that included a set of Dura-Ace WH-7850-C24 tubeless carbon composite wheels. Okay, Shimano is our sponsor so perhaps this sounds biased but WOW, this is one responsive wheel. I ran it on Hutchinson tubeless tires at 115 PSI in some pretty rough winter conditions and was amazed how smooth the ride was. The rear wheel is asymmetrical or beefier on the drive side which I could feel during accelerations. They feel as light as my Zipp 202's but stiffer. I am still racing on sew-ups but the jury is out on those after riding this tubeless wheel from Shimano. More after I race on them.

Cale.

Cale Reeder (47) was a member of the 1982 Junior National Cycling Team. He competed in the World Championships in 1982 in Italy for both Road and TTT. After racing for the Senior National Cycling Team as a CAT 1 and a member of the 25 Man Olympic Development Team in 1983 and 1984. He retired from racing in 1984. In 1996 after a couple of Silicon Valley startups and weighing in at over 180 pounds he started riding his bike again. He decided to start racing again in 2009, and won the US Masters age 45-49 national champion road race in 2010.

Introducing 2011 Echelon Masters 45+ team Roster

2010-10-19T14:37:00.000-07:00

PlanetZ/Echelon is pleased to announce its small masters 45+ national cycling team managed by current US National Road Champion, Cale Reeder. The team is charged with marketing the Echelon Challenge and Gran Fondo series, its related charities, and our sponsor company products, Wilier Triestina, Garmin, Hammer Nutrition, Vredestein, Shimano, Bicycling, and Bike Radar. The team will compete largely in California and Oregon but also attend the US National Championships and the World Championships in 2011.

Racer Bios:

Cale Reeder (46) was a member of the 1982 Junior National Cycling Team. He competed in the World Championships in 1982 in Italy for both Road and TTT. After racing for the Senior National Cycling Team as a CAT 1 and a member of the 25 Man Olympic Development Team in 1983 and 1984. He retired from racing in 1984. In 1996 after a couple of Silicon Valley startups and weighing in at over 180 pounds he started riding his bike again. He fell in love with cycling again, but had no desire to race back then. He decided to start racing again in 2009, but in February 2009 he suffered a set back when he had a ruptured kidney and nearly died from blood loss. Still, after missing the first third of the season and recovering from severe Anemia, he was finally able to start racing and produced amazing results. Cale is a husband, dad and entrepreneur. He lives in the NorCal Sierra Foothills, enjoys good food, wine, loves climbing and likes to win with integrity.

Cale Reeder: 2010 US National Champion

Cale's Recent Race Highlights

- 2010 US National Masters Road Champion (45-49)

- 2010 Podium Finishes: 16-1^st Places, 10-2^nd Places, and 5-3^rd Places

- 2010 Northern California Best All-Round Rider (BAR) Point Series Champion

- 2010 Northern California Endurance Racer Points Series Champion

- 2010 Central Coast Circuit Race - Spring Series Champion

- 2010 Cascade Classic Stage Race - 2^nd overall GC

- 2010 Mt. Hood Stage Race - 2^nd overall GC

- 2010 San Dimas Stage Race - 2^nd overall GC

- 2010 Madera Stage Race - 2^nd overall GC

- 2009 Northern California Best All-Round Rider (BAR) Point Series Champion

- Other Notable Podium Finishes:

1^st - Mt Hamilton RR 2010

1^st - Nevada City Classic 2009 & 2010

1^st - Winters RR 2009 & 2010

1^st - Pescadero RR 2009

1^st - University RR 2009

1^st - Spring Hill RR 2009

1^st - Sea Otter Circuit Race 2010

1^st - Mt Tamalpais Hill Climb 2010

1^st - Fremont Peak Hill Climb 2010

1^st - Cantua Creek RR 2010

1^st - Henleyville RR 2009

1^st - Sonora RR 2009

2^nd - State Road Championships 2009

2^nd - Sea Otter Road Race 2010

2^nd - San Ardo RR 2010

2^nd - Challenge RR 2009 & 2010

3^rd - Mt Hamilton RR 2009

3^rd - Pescadero RR 2010

3^rd - Spring Hill RR 2010

3^rd - State TT Championships 2010

Kurt Bickel (51) (Joes Pro Bikes) began his two wheeled racing as a teen in the early days of BMX. After switching to motorcycles, he turned professional, winning two state roadrace and two regional dirt track titles, while serving as a Aviation Crew Chief in the Army Reserve. After injuries forced retirement, he took up free dive spearfishing, while plying his trade as a writer/editor for numerous publications. At 40 he returned to cycling because of health considerations, and returned to racing in 2005. Since that time he's won over 90 races, including two national and nine state championships, all of which has surprised the heck out of him: "I was just some fat guy trying to lose weight and not end up on blood pressure meds". He splits time between McKinney Texas and Reno Nevada with his wife of 24 years Karen, and their two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

Kurt Bickel at Texas state crit champs

Kurt's Recent Race Highlights

2010 US National Track 50-54 Team Sprint Champion

2010 US National Track 50-54 2km Pursuit Silver Medalist

2010 US National Track 40-50 Team Pursuit Bronze Medalist

2010 Texas 50-54 Criterium Champion

2010 Texas 50-54 Time Trial Champion

2010 Texas 40+ Team Time Trial Champion

2010 Texas Track 50-54 2km Pursuit Champion

2010 Texas Track 50+ Team Sprint Champion

2009 Texas 40+ Best All Around Cup Champion

2009 Texas 45-49 Road Race Champion

2009 Texas 45-49 Time Trial Champion

2008-2009 Horse Country Time Trial Course Record Holder

- Other Notable Podium Finishes

1st- Rockwall Criterium 2010

1st- Elk Hill Circuit Race 2010

1st- Horse Country Time Trial (Fall & Spring editions) 2010

1st- OKC Rocks Criterium 2010

1st- Windy 100 Criterium 2010

1st- Superdrome Omnium 2010

1st- Topsport Stage Race TT stage 2010 (3rd GC)

1st- Pace Bend Road Race 2010

2nd- Tour of the Gila TT stage 2010

2nd- Sea Otter 35+ Criterium 2010

1st- Ft. Davis Hammerfest Stage Race GC (1 stage win) 2009

1st- Alsatian Omnium GC (2 stage wins) 2009

1st- Tour of Arkansas GC (2 stage wins) 2008

1st- Joe Martin Stage Race GC (3 stage wins) 2008

1st- Fayetteville Stage Race GC (1 stage win) 2008

Janne Hamalainen (48) (Tulsa Wheelmen) ran cross country and track growing up in Finland and finished a few times on the podium in the Finnish Junior Nationals. He attended the University of Tulsa on a track scholarship and earned an electrical engineering degree 1986. Janne started racing with Tulsa Wheelmen in the spring of 2003. By spring of 2005, Janne had two top 30 GC finishes in NRC races at Joe Martin (28th) and Tripeaks (23rd) earning him NRC points. He finished second that year in the M40+ US Nationals Criterium in Park City, Utah. He won the Sea Otter M40+ Circuit Race the following year and accumulated enough points to get upgraded to category 1. He was unable to participate in the Master's Nationals in 2006 and 2007. Janne was able to return to the Nationals in 2008 and finished third in the M45+ Road Race. In 2009, Janne won 10 races including the US National Masters Road Championships. Janne is married to Rae who also enjoys cycling.

Yanne Hamalainen (far right) at Sea Otter 2010

Janne's Recent Race Highlights (photo far right)

- 2009 US National Masters Road Champion (45-49)

- 2010 Oklahoma State Elite Road Race Champion (Cat 1-2)

- 2010 US National Masters Road Championships – 4^th

- Other Notable Podium Finishes:

1^st - Sea Otter Road Race 2009 & 2010

1^st - Sea Otter Circuit Race 2009

1^st - Tour of Lawrence Circuit Race 2010

1^st - Tour of Kansas City Crit 2010

1^st - Breakthrough Tour Crit 2010

2^nd - Sea Otter Circuit Race 2010

Dirk Himley (48) started racing in 1977 in New Jersey and moved to Northern California in 1979. In 1980 he was selected to be on the US Junior National Team and was an alternate on the Junior World Team after healing from a bad crash. Later that year Dirk left cycling to pursue a career. After back surgery in 1994 he started riding again. He started racing competitively again from 1996 to 1999 and now again in 2010. Dirk is excited to be part of finding and fighting for a cure for cancer through his involvement with Echelon. He is also a mentor to the youth and up and coming riders, and helping others to realize their dreams. Dirk only began racing with Echelon in August of 2010 and won 3 out of 5 races he entered.

Dirk breaking away for the win at Central Coast

*Dirk's Recent Race Highlights

1^st - Challenge RR 2010

1^st - Henleyville RR 2010

1^st - Central Coast Circuit Race Fall Series 2010

*Dirk only began racing again in August of 2010.

Craig Parker--Craig started bike racing at age 16 and was Junior State Champion in road, time trial and multiple track events. He was on the 1979 Junior National Track Team and on the 1980 National Development Track Team before going to college and medical school. Craig raced somewhat competitively on the track throughout the 1980's and re-started a racing career in the Masters category after moving to California in the early 90's. He has won more than 30 National and State Championship medals. Craig was the 2008 Masters 45-50 Northern California State and U.S. National Champion on the track in the kilometer and was 7th in the 2008 UCI Masters World Track Championships in Sydney, Australia. He is currently an entrepreneur in the biotechnology industry and unlike most of the Echelon team has a serious aversion to races with hills.

Craig Parker at Worlds

Key Results

1st - 2008 Masters National Track Championships

1st - 2008 Northern California/Nevada State Track Championships (Kilometer)

3rd - 2008 Northern California/Nevada State Track Championships (Pursuit)

7th - 2008 UCI Masters World Track Championships

Hunter Ziesing worked in the investment banking industry for nearly 20 years for Thomas Weisel (founder of the U.S. Postal/Discovery Cycling Team) before founding PlanetZ/Echelon Foundation. Over the years, Hunter's passion grew for cycling and later, philanthropy. Hunter's full time occupation is now managing the cancer foundation and its events, "The Echelon Challenge and Gran Fondo Series." His roll includes traveling the country speaking at schools, hospitals & local cancer foundations as well as marketing Echelon at various professional, amateur, and recreational cycling events. Hunter finished second in the California Best All Around competition in 2010 and has aspirations of winning a national title in Bend Oregon next year in the age 50-54 category masters cycling championships.

"Being able to race my bike at this level at age 50, while running an up and coming foundation that helps others, has added ultimate self purpose and inspiration to my graying years."

Chris Horner/Hunter Ziesing @Echelon Oregon 2010

Hunter's Recent Race Highlights

- 2010 Northern California Best All-Round Rider (BAR) Point Series - 2^nd

- Notable Podium Finishes:

1^st - Cat's Hill Classic 2010

1^st - San Ardo RR 2010

1^st - Modesto RR 2010

1^st - Mt Hood Crit 2010

1^st - Three Village Tour RR 2010

1^st - Wente Vineyards Classic Road Race 2009

2^nd - Winters RR 2010

2^nd - Ronde Van Brisbeen 2010

3^rd - Snelling RR 2010

3^rd - Giro Di San Francisco 2010

3^rd - Topsport Circuit Race 2010

3^rd - Cantua Creek RR 2010

3^rd - Central Coast Circuit Race Spring Series 2010

3^rd - Central Coast Circuit Race Fall Series 2010

3^rd - Napa River Velo Grand Prix 2009

3^rd - Ronde Van Brisbeen 2009

3^rd - Spring Hill RR 2009

3^rd - Henleyville RR 2009

Proposed 2011 Race Team Schedule:

Pine Flat Road Race

Southern Nevada Stage Race, Las Vegas

Snelling Road Race

Madera Stage Race

Tucson Classic Stage Race

San Dimas Stage Race

Bariani (Zamora) Road Race

Topsport Stage Race

Copperopolis Road Race

Spring Hill Road Race

Sea Otter Classic Circuit Race

Sea Otter Classic Road Race

Cherry Blossom Classic Stage Race

Wente Road Race

Tour of the Gila Stage Race

Cat's Hill Classic

Sonora Road Race

Berkeley Hills Road Race

Panoche Road Race

Mt Hamilton Road Race

Mt. Hood Stage Race

Pescadero Road Race

Nevada City Classic

Cascade Classic Stage Race

NorCal State Masters Road Race Championships

US National Masters Road Championships

UCI World Masters Road Championships

San Ardo Road Race

University Road Race

Winters Road Race

Challenge Road Race

Giro Di San Francisco

Mt Tamalpais Hill Climb

Echelon Oregon Recap

2010-10-12T06:07:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release:

ECHELON GRAN FONDO DELIGHTS A CROWD OF 700 CYCLISTS FOR ITS INAUGURAL OREGON EVENT

Praise from all for the September 26^th Echelon Gran Fondo in Hood River as event reaffirms accomplishment of a community focused fundraising event

(Hood River, OR – September 26, 2010) – The all-star fall weather conditions set the stage for this first time Oregon Gran Fondo produced by Echelon/PlanetZ in Hood River. The starting line resembled the beginning line up of a Tour de France stage, featuring the Yellow, Polk-a-dot, Green, and other colored jersey’s, which designated the levels of dollars the participants raised in their efforts to support the event’s beneficiaries. Fundraising Teams such as the world-renowned OHSU Knight Cancer Institute boasted their custom-logoed Green Jersey as well as a cast of characters from the Traders Joes team in their Echelon kits, while others joined in force in their team kits.

The Hood River event, open to all levels and abilities of cyclists, and was focused on raising dollars for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, LIVESTRONG®, The Knight Cancer Institute in Portland and the Celilo Cancer Center located in The Dalles, OR. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will be given to the Historic Columbia River Highway and their important grassroots efforts to improve the old highway from Troutdale to The Dalles.

The event, intended to offer a cycling experience beyond what you see in a typical century ride or what Executive Director, Hunter Ziesing has claimed, “theater on the roads”, the 700 plus participants were welcomed by a cast of characters and stunts designed to give racers and recreational cyclists a day to remember. The Angel of Echelon, Elvis, a Red Devil, and cheerleaders added to the buzz and exhilaration of the cyclists’ day. Team Radio Shack’s Chris Horner participated and politely hung back with most of the riders until the competitive 20-mile hill climb began. He was third to the summit behind local Washington pro, Lang Reynolds and Jennifer Slawata who finished just one second in front of Horner.

Along with the on course entertainment – a SAMBA band was stationed at the peak of the 20-mile hill climb where a little rain began to fall. “Our goal was to create a uniquely fulfilling experience for the community and our participants. For the most part we did, but for a few mistakes out on course, your post survey feedback has helped us identify a few areas where we can improve to make next year’s event even better.

Hunter Ziesing the event’s Executive Director commented, “We were really pleased with the generosity of the Oregon/Washington fundraising levels and especially the friendly nature of the northwest community.”

With little funding from corporate sponsorship, early indication is that Echelon will make a significant donation to its beneficiaries. “Our early look is that we will make close to a $40,000 net donation to our charities and based on this level of success, we know that in 2011 along with increased participants and corporate sponsorship, we will be able to offer EVEN MORE substantial dollars to our beneficiaries,” said Ziesing. The Echelon team now turns their creative efforts towards 2011 that will include Arizona and Colorado events. In addition to the Hood River Gran Fondo, Echelon intends to add an “Echelon Challenge” to Portland, a 12-24 hour fun fitness challenge in the city.

About PlanetZ/Echelon:

Media Contact: Rebecca Kotch

Email: Rebecca@rebeccakotch.com

Phone: 323.806.5900

Echelon expansion cities announced

2010-08-18T16:22:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release:

ECHELON GRAN FONDO SERIES ANNOUNCES EXPANSION PLANS FOR 2011 AND BEYOND.

Targeting communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, New York, and Washington DC.

(San Francisco, CA – August 17, 2010) – The Echelon Gran Fondo Cycling Series by PlanetZ/Echelon, a non-profit organization that benefits cancer research and survivor support, has announced intentions to increase their program to additional markets in 2011 and beyond. Echelon, a unique series designed for cyclists of all levels, combines riding, racing, and fundraising, along with what the organizers call a “Tour de France-like frivolity” to offset the serious nature of fundraising. Echelon has produced smaller charitable events since 2005 with cycling celebrities Eddy Merckx, Bob Roll, and Frankie Andreu, and this past May produced its first Gran Fondo in Napa, CA.

Based on the success of the Napa event and strong participation levels at the forthcoming September Hood River, OR event featuring Chris Horner of Team RadioShack®, the Echelon Gran Fondo will enter Arizona, the Rocky Mountain Region, Washington DC, Manhattan/Southern Connecticut, and the Stanford/Palo Alto markets. According to David Cochran, Director of Operations for Echelon, “Not only have certain cycling-oriented communities come forward and asked us to create a Gran Fondo for them such as groups from the New York Tri-states area, but we also have pursued locations such as Tucson and Palo Alto both of which have tremendous health oriented demographics and highly specialized cancer research universities. Specific to Colorado, with the recent introduction of the 2011 Quiznos® Pro Challenge cycling tour in Colorado, there is a logical fit for us to give fans their own challenge and support the local community.” The Echelon team also anticipates partnering with a key events operator for a Washington DC Gran Fondo; this would occur in conjunction with the Prologue stage of the Giro slated to start in the Capitol city in 2012.

What makes the Echelon event distinct from other charity-based cycling rides is the ride itself, or what Echelon’s Executive Director Hunter Ziesing calls “theater on the roads” –where cyclists are treated to an experience of riding in a grand tour for the day. At an Echelon event, a rider can expect announcers, balloons, cheerleaders, helicopters, live music, marching bands, epicurean treats, and a cast of characters typically found on Alpe d’Huez. Additionally, and fundamental to the both the fundraising efforts and the ride is the integration of sponsor partners. (Sponsors for the 2010 series are Capo, Skins, Garmin, Hammer Nutrition and Bicycling Magazine). According to Ziesing, “Activation of our sponsor partners is a critical ingredient of offering an outstanding experience, fundraiser awards, as well as lowering our cost ratios. We are now in dialogue with potential national partners who recognize the platform we have created for brand immersion in the worlds of health, healing and fitness.”

Echelon’s national beneficiary is LIVESTRONG® but unique to the Echelon model is their heavy focus on partnerships with local hospitals that have cancer specific clinics or foundations. “Fundraising is not for everyone and it is optional, but we offer all levels of cyclists the opportunity to raise money for the fight against cancer, reap rewards from their efforts, and have an unbelievable day on some of the most beautiful roads in this country,” commented Ziesing.

For more information, please visit www.echelongranfondo.org

About PlanetZ/Echelon:

Media Contact: Rebecca Kotch

Email: Rebecca@rebeccakotch.com

Phone: 323.806.5900

Echelon at US National Masters Road Championships

2010-08-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Cale Reeder, Echelon Masters Bike Team leader and donor who finished in first place (stars & and stripes) in the US Masters age 45-49 road championships in Louisville Kentucky last week. A photo finish. Echelon Masters Team races to help promote Echelon, its local partner charities and LIVESTRONG.

Visiting Manhattan

2010-07-15T07:07:00.000-07:00

Spent the day in Manhattan yesterday visiting Bicycling Magazine, a potential sponsor/donor, as well as NY based cancer institute. Back in my career days I traveled by black car. Here I sit on the Echelon company vehicle. Aside from dodging taxi cabs and busses, the only challenge is getting past office reception door men for meetings with company executives. In a thick NY accent, as I approach reception areas in NY office buildings I usually get, "Excuse me sir, messenger deliveries are in the rear by the freight elevator". Crack me up.

The Echelon Chronicles

2010-06-24T06:22:00.000-07:00

Since our May 23 Napa event the Echelon team has been out traveling and networking this summer to market our Hood River Oregon Gran Fondo starting with a Dave Cochran's drive to Oregon for the Mt Hood Cycling Classic. Hunter Ziesing later departed by small plane for a trip accross country to meet some notable charities and scout out locations for 2011 Echelon Gran Fondos as well as meeting potential sponsor donors. This summer we will visit 20 states and 8 Cancer institutes. These photos chronicle our travels and marketing of Echelon.

Dave, Jana & Hunter departing Napa May 23 for Oregon

Mt Hood Cycling Classic Early June

Mt Adam stage of Mt Hood Cycling Classic

Cale Reeder Echelon M45+ team, proudly wears leaders jersey. Echelon has a small masters racing team who help fundraise and market our events. Cale Reeder quit racing for 25 years only to return to racing to dominate. His company, Cozy Winters, is a large donor to Echelon

Stopping to market Echelon in some southern OR towns
That is snow in June

Flying east over the Rockies and the Beech Bonanza

Stopping in South Dakota for supplies--yes Walmart

Welcome to South Dakota

Checked out a ride in the Caribou National forest, Idaho

Flight continued East to see the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN

Copilot, "Charlie" responding to g-forces in bank turn

Stopping to stay with Greg and Kathy Lemond in MN

Spectacular country. Greg and Kathy are the nicest people on the planet.
Greg recently settled his lawsuit with Trek and is in a very good place. You will be seeing more of Greg in Cycling.

Casa de Lemond in Medina MN

Greg Lemond observing Hunter on an epic new wind trainer to come due out from Lemond Fitness this fall. A low tech solution that will blow your mind.

One of Greg's many Yellow Jerseys

Scoped out some great roads for a MN fondo, rode with Greg who still holds 400 watts on occasion. Just got to slim him down for 2011. Stay tuned.

Departed east for Chicago to see the Kellogg Cancer Institute. Rarely saw the ground.
Hit Toronto the next day and met with Don Listwin, early investor in Open Wave Systems and Cisco Systems. He founded The Canary Foundation at Stanford--an early cancer detection research center.
We are discussing a fondo with Canary and or Stanford. Stay tuned. Don is going to put on a cool event this fall in the South Bay SF area. Don has a lot of zero's on his balance sheet but is driven by cause and to give back.

I wish

Thanks--The Echelon Staff

Hunter Ziesing & Marcy Ziesing are back in the Boston area now.

Dave Cochran is still traveling around Oregon hitting bike shops and camping

Linda Klein (team fundraising) is at home in CA hitting the phones fundraising along with Nick Mcgowan. (fundraising and registration)

Rebecca Kotch (our marketing guru) has moved to Napa and working on projects of her own as well as Echelon.

The Chronicles of Echelon

2010-06-23T06:31:00.001-07:00

Mt Hood Classic

Minnesota

Flying to Minnesota

Passing a few clouds

The Copilot

ECHELON GRAN FONDO DELIGHTS A CROWD OF 700 CYCLISTS AND CONFIRMS VICTORY FOR THIS INAUGURAL EVENT

2010-06-03T11:41:00.001-07:00

Praise from all for the May 23^rd Echelon Gran Fondo in Napa Valley as event reaffirms accomplishment of a community focused fundraising event

(Napa, CA – June 3rd, 2010) – The all-star weather conditions set the stage for this first time and first of a kind Gran Fondo produced by Echelon/PlanetZ in Napa Valley. The starting line resembled the beginning line up of a Tour de France stage, featuring the Yellow, Polk-a-dot, Green, and other colored jersey’s, which designated the levels of dollars the participants raised in their efforts to support the event’s beneficiaries. Fundraising Teams such as the world-renowned Silver Oak Winery boasted their custom-logoed Yellow Jersey, while others joined in force in their team kits.

The Napa Valley event, open to all levels and abilities of cyclists, and was focused on raising dollars for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, LIVESTRONG®, Queen of the Valley Cancer Center in Napa, and the Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center located on the campus of St. Helena Hospital. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will be given to the Napa Valley Vine Trail and their important grassroots efforts to implement a multi-use trail from Calistoga to Vallejo.

The event, intended to offer a cycling experience beyond the expected, or what Executive Director, Hunter Ziesing has claimed, “theater on the roads”, the 700 plus participants were welcomed by a cast of characters and stunts designed to give racers and recreational cyclists a day to remember. The Angel of Echelon, a Borat-inspired character, a photographer’s helicopter hovering over the start, a hot air balloon, and cheerleaders added to the buzz and exhilaration of the cyclists’ day.

Along with the on course entertainment – a Jazz band was stationed at the peak of the four mile hill climb - and gourmet cuisine, such as sandwiches from the famed Culinary Institute of America, the event itself was structured as a partnership model between the donors, volunteers, corporate partners and charitable recipients. “Our goal was to create a uniquely fulfilling experience for our participants and a significant contribution to worthy, local programs. Everyone gives…and everyone receives,” said Ziesing. According to Ziesing, ninety percent of the event’s expenses went to local merchants, with an additional several thousand dollars in donation to the Napa Food Bank.

David Cochran, the event’s Chief Operating Officer commented, “We have been very please by the continual positive feedback from the participants, and how our team, though limited in size, was able to pull off this new breed of event. While we had some minor glitches such as the size of our signage and our delayed start time, all in all we are encouraged by the momentum this will bring to future Echelon events.”

With little funding from corporate sponsorship, early indication is that Echelon will make a significant donation to its beneficiaries. “Based on this level of success, we know that in 2011 along with increased participants and corporate sponsorship, we will be able to offer even a more substantial amount to our beneficiaries,” said Ziesing. The Echelon team now turns their creative efforts towards their next event, September 26^th in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge featuring pro-cyclist, Team RadioShack’s® Chris Horner.

THE ANGEL OF ECHELON HAS RISEN

2010-04-16T08:04:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release:

THE ANGEL OF ECHELON RISES FOR THE INAUGURAL ECHELON GRAN FONDO SERIES – NAPA VALLEY, MAY 23RD

Angel serves dual role of inspiring the cancer community and encouraging cycling fundraisers on the Napa Gran Fondo course.

(San Francisco, CA – April 16th, 2010) – With the focus on fundraising for LIVESTRONG® and local cancer institutions, Queen of the Valley Hospital and the Martin O’Neil Cancer Center, organizers of the Echelon Gran Fondo series have resurrected a known figure in the world of professional cycling, and soon to be known to many more in the cancer centered hospital communities where the Echelon rides will occur – the Angel of Echelon. The Angel, formerly known as the Specialized® Angel, popular to both the cyclists and fans, has been restored and restyled to emulate a protector and healer while still maintaining her celebrated allure and charisma.

The real life angel, California native Jana Ireton, began her career in the service sector as a nurse and is all too familiar with the emotional toils of working in hospitals. “When I was asked to bring back the Angel, I was thrilled, as I know the cycling fans liked this character and it was also great to simply energize the peloton. Now I have the chance to take the Angel to a different level, and work with the Echelon beneficiary partners and spread good will and encouragement to those who need it the most,” stated Ireton.

Echelon Event Director, Hunter Ziesing, has said that this particular series will emulate more the fanfare of the Tour De France, than the Italian heritage of Gran Fondos. “The angel character serves a dual role: one to inspire and support those off the bike and the other to captivate and cheer those on the bike,” said Ziesing. Ziesing has explained that other lively and unexpected characters will be on course cheering the riders along.

The Echelon series is designed as a partnership between the local beneficiaries who donate their time, and the donors who are focused on raising money for cancer initiatives. The key event sponsors - Garmin®, Louis Garneau®, Hammer Nutrition®, Capo®, Skins™, Bicycling Magazine and 1440 KVON- have donated product and services, of which will be rewarded to the fundraisers.

The Echelon Napa cycling event will begin at 8:30am at Napa’s Veteran’s Park. Shortly after the cyclists depart much of downtown Napa will be closed for the inaugural Echelon 5k Run/Walk benefiting the Napa Valley Vine Trail, and beginning at 9:30am. A fun run for kids under 12 will take place after the 5K run. Deadline for team and individual registration is May 16,2010. For more information, visit http://www.echelongranfondo.org/napa.

About PlanetZ/Echelon:

Chris Horner to ride Oregon Echelon Gran Fondo

2010-03-02T06:59:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release:

PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST CHRIS HORNER TO SERVE AS AMBASSADOR FOR ECHELON GRAN FONDO PORTLAND/COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE

Bend, OR resident, and Team RadioShack® Rider will return to his home state to promote and participate in the state’s inaugural Echelon event

(San Francisco, CA – March 2nd, 2010) – PlanetZ/Echelon is proud to announce a partnership with professional cyclist Chris Horner for the inaugural September 26^th, 2010 Echelon Gran Fondo in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Horner, a resident of Bend, Oregon, will serve as an event ambassador, and aid in creating greater awareness of the organization’s commitment to creating community focused cycling events, which raise money for local and national cancer institutions. The majority of entry fees and additional donations contributed by participating individuals and teams will support the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and LIVESTRONG®.

Horner, a dominant figure for over 15 years in international pro-cycling, and member of the newly formed Team RadioShack® with American teammates Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Jason McCartney, is excited to partner with Echelon and the community of Portland. “When I was approached by Echelon and learned about their event goals, a unique opportunity was created for me to support the beneficiary organizations and participate on my home turf,” commented Horner.

The primary local beneficiary of the Echelon event is the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, considered as one of the nation’s top cancer centers. With the latest treatments, technologies, hundreds of research studies and approximately 400 clinical trials, the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is the only cancer center between Sacramento and Seattle designated by the National Cancer Institute — an honor earned only by the nation's top cancer centers. LIVESTRONG®, the event’s national beneficiary and source of inspiration and assistance for millions is the globally recognized Lance Armstrong Foundation, which connects individuals to the support they need, leverages funding and resources to spur innovation and engages communities and leaders to drive social change. Additionally, a portion of funds will support the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway (FHCRH), an Oregon nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support the restoration of the historic highway through the Columbia River.

“Having Chris as part of this event is quite a thrill. His spirited personality and his commitment to generating awareness for our event are exciting. We look forward to our Portland participants having the opportunity to meet and ride with Chris,” said Hunter Ziesing, founder of Echelon.

Echelon, whose 2010 events are planned in Napa, CA and Portland, OR, has created 30, 60, and 100-mile rides to emulate the pageantry of the Tour de France. All abilities of riders are welcome, and all participants will encounter a uniquely crafted and festive event.

About PlanetZ/Echelon: PlanetZ is a non-profit global member organization that promotes human affairs including health, environment, and community, and is greatly committed to the cycling community at large by creating events and fitness challenges that are designed to raise money for local and national cancer focused institutions.

For more information, please visit www.echelongranfondo.org.

Media Contact:

Rebecca Kotch

323.806.5900

Rebecca@Rebeccakotch.com

Lucas Euser, Ambassador Echelon Napa Gran Fondo

2010-01-20T06:26:00.001-08:00

PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST LUCAS EUSER TO SERVE AS AMBASSADOR FOR ECHELON GRAN FONDO NAPA

Napa, CA Native Recently Signed with Professional Team; Will Work to Foster Growth of Sport with Involvement in New Event

(San Francisco, CA – January 20^th, 2010) – Professional cyclist and Napa, CA native Lucas Euser has signed on to play a lead role in development of Echelon Gran Fondo Napa, scheduled for May 23^rd, 2010. The event is the first in the Echelon Gran Fondo cycling series by PlanetZ, a non-profit organization that benefits cancer research and supports cancer survivors at local and national institutions.

Euser, who grew up in Napa and honed his cycling prowess on the area’s roads, recently signed with Canadian UCI continental team SpiderTech presented by Planet Energy. His intimate familiarity with the Napa community and desire to support cancer research and survivors made him a natural to play a lead role in the development of the Echelon Gran Fondo Napa.

“Like many people, cancer has impacted my life,”said Euser. “My grandfather died of cancer and my stepfather is currently in remission. This is a great opportunity to support LIVESTRONG™, our local treatment centers and those currently battling the disease.”

Queen of the Valley Medical Center, St. Helena Martin-O'Neil Cancer Center and the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute are all beneficiaries of the 2010 Echelon Gran Fondo events.

Lucas returned to Napa in 2009 after being hit by a car while on a training ride near Girona, Spain, his European home during his tenure with Garmin Slipstream. Since the accident he has developed an interest in cycling advocacy, with Echelon Gran Fondo Napa providing a platform to help make the Napa Valley a safer venue for cyclists and motorists alike. “Roads to cyclists are not just for transportation,” added Euser. “Cyclists develop relationships with the terrain and the surrounding community. I’ve trained and raced on cycling’s hallowed grounds – the Alps, the Dolomites, the Pyrenees – but Napa Valley will always remain dear to me, and I want to do my part to help others enjoy it.”

PlanteZ/Echelon, whose 2010 events are planned in Napa, CA and Portland, OR, has created 30, 60, and 100-mile rides to emulate the pageantry of the Tour de France. All abilities of riders are welcome, and all participants will encounter a uniquely crafted and festive event. “Our intention first and foremost is to make our events a destination fundraising event that individuals and teams can participate in, and challenge each other pre ride and during. What we’ve layered on top of the experience is guaranteed to surprise and delight our audience,” said Hunter Ziesing, founder of PlanetZ/Echelon.

About PlanetZ: PlanetZ is a non-profit global member organization that promotes human affairs including health, environment, and community, and is greatly committed to the cycling community at large by creating events and fitness challenges that are designed to raise money to local and national cancer focused institutions.

For more information on Lucas, please visit Lucas Euser at www.lucaseuser.com, twitter.com/lucaseuser.