Cadence Cyclery riding across the Southwestern

  • By chad@cadencecyclery.com
  • 01 Apr, 2019
The last weeks our Norwegian man in town, Jonas Orset, did an epic road and bike trip from McKinney and all the way to Los Angeles and back. Jonas put the colours of Cadence Cyclery in 6 states and 2 countries during his 11-day round trip. A trip for a good cause. The Hope Journey. Here’s his own-written recap. I’m sure you have heard about slavery. But did you know it’s never been more slaves than it is today? Modern slavery is a global issue causing more than 25 million children, women and men worldwide to live a life deprived of freedom. USA is the land of the free, and I wanted to meet and hear what people knew and thought about modern slavery during my road trip to LA. My mid-goal was to race the Saddleback Gran Fondo in Irvine, CA, as a part of the Gran Fondo World Tour I won the last two years. The Saddleback GF was a charity event raising money for Pediatric Cancer Research. It’d be a long drive. I couldn’t just do it as a drive, that would both kill me mentally and physically, so I got in some stopover both to ride my bike and see some of the amazing places America has to offer, while meeting and talking to people along the way. DAY 1: My westbound journey started from Texas, and I had a long day in the car even though I got in a short ride crossing into Oklahoma, where I had a chat with some locals about what’s important in life, before eventually crossing into New Mexico. READ FROM DAY 1: Family first in Oklahoma https://www.facebook.com/notes/jonas-orset/family-first-in-oklahoma/ 2338836979513639/ DAY 2: My morning started with a few hours drive towards Albuquerque. The foggy morning weather eventually cleared up, so I decided to go for a ride from a town called Moriarty. I followed the old Route 66 to a place called Edgewood where I met an interesting character dressed up like the Statue of Liberty. I had a chat with him. Different cause, but we both wanted to set people free. READ FROM DAY 2: All about freedom in New Mexico https://www.facebook.com/notes/jonas-orset/all-about-liberty-in-new-mexico/ 2339971849400152/ DAY 3: I woke up in the trunk off my car for the 2nd day in a row on day 3. This time in a small town called Cameroon just off Grand Canyon. A chilly morning, and event snow up the mountain. Still I got up and had a good view on the amazing canyon. Such an incredible place! Later the same day I came to a town called Kingman where I got in a good ride to a small old gold-mining town, Oatman. A really cool place, looking like it was still year 1900. I met a nice guy from Montana, who was eating ice cream in the historic town. Later that evening I drove the last bit into Las Vegas which was a fascinating site for a boy from the small kingdom up in the north of Europe. We don’t really have anything like that where I’m from. I had a small spinn downtown looking at some of the crazy stuff going on. I don’t personally support the values of Sin City, but it was still an amazing place to see. READ FROM DAY 3: Icy in Arizona https://www.facebook.com/notes/jonas-orset/icy-in-arizona/2342063612524309/ DAY 4: The day started with heading to the Death Valley. I met a few inspiring people at the Death Valley Junction, two riders doing a bikepacking from San Francisco to Denver. I always get fascinated talking to people that are doing things outside the norm. After a short chat I went on to the Death Valley National Park. I got my bike out the car getting ready for a good ride myself. I rolled down to -170 ft below the sea level. The lowest I’ve ever been. From there it can only go up, and it did. All the way up to Dante’s view at 5,476 ft. 26 miles of consistent climbing! I got a great view at the top in sunset. It was epic, but so cold. And the downhill was therefore not very pleasant. But I got back to my car and continued on to California. READ FROM DAY 4: You never know in Vegas https://www.facebook.com/notes/jonas-orset/give-all-a-chance-you-never-know-invegas/2343616215702382... DAY 5: My fifth day offered a last drive into LA and I got a sweet ride seeing some of the world-famous places from the movies. The Hollywood sign from the Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Barbara and Venice Beach. I was pretty much overwhelmed by being these places. Really cool to cross them of my bucket list. I ended my day driving down to Irvine to park and sleep in the Walmart parking lot. READ FROM DAY 5: Alive in Death Valley, Footsteps of the stars in Hollywood https://www.facebook.com/notes/jonas-orset/alive-in-death-valley-footsteps-of-thestars-in-hollywood/... DAY 6: This is what I came for, the Saddleback Gran Fondo and the first race of the Gran Fondo World Tour. It started real early at 6 a.m. so good I slept nearby. It was a noncompetitive event, so it most importantly was to finish. However we quickly made a leader’s group of 6 riders doing the 100-miles in a good tempo. We weren’t drilling it, so I had time to enjoy the Californian hills and the Pacific coast line. A great day on the saddle. In the evening I went back to Hollywood to stay the night in the guest room of the son of my fathers friend, which is living the dream trying to make it as a big time film producer in LA. Another Norwegian enjoying the US. READ FROM DAY 6: Riding for a cause in LA https://www.facebook.com/notes/jonas-orset/riding-for-a-cause-in-cali/ 2348070085256995/ DAY 7: It was the weekend of the Redlands Cycle Classic and I went over to race the cat 1 crit in Redlands Downtown. I start to get why everyone are talking about the US crits. They are well-organised, fun and there’s a lot of them. It seems to be the main type of racing you are doing over here. I had another good experience from Redlands, and got a couple primes underway. In Vegas spirit I went all-in for the win and had a massive attack with 5 laps to go. I made a good gap and at some points it looked promising. But a team really got organised in the chase and caught me just before the last lap. A bummer, but a decent attempt, and maybe it next time stays? I’ll keep trying. READ FROM DAY 7: The priceless people behind the scenes https://www.facebook.com/notes/jonas-orset/the-priceless-people-behind-the-scenes/ 2350396001691070/ DAY 8: I got in a few hours drive after Redlands and woke up in Blythe. After a morning coffee at Starbucks I went on eastwards. It was great weather today’s plan was to check out the huge climb of Mt Lemmon outside Tucson. It was a good drive to get there and already 5 p.m when I got started, so the sun was setting and I definitely wasn’t prepared about for the temperature drop higher up, especially in the shadow areas. But I used my Norwegian viking spirit to push through the cold and got up. What a huge hill. 5446 ft over 21 miles. I didn’t go fast, just finding a rhythm and enjoy it. Which I did, except the freezing chill. READ FROM DAY 8: Aiming for the Sky in Tucson https://www.facebook.com/notes/jonas-orset/aiming-for-the-sky-in-tucson/ 2362525930478077/ DAY 9: I started to get used to sleeping in the trunk, so I got another in before continuing east. A few hours drive took me to a place called Lordsburg, NM. The weather was great so I rolled over for today’s training ride. I looked up a road leading me into Gila National Park. That must be good, I thought. I got on the bike but quickly realised I was not very welcomed on this road. The trucked passed me in 80 mph with few feet apart. I got pretty anxious, and started to look more behind than forward. Sometimes the car drivers in the US are just insane. But I made my training and got another session in the bank. The evening I drove back to Texas and passed El Paso. I had found a host on warm showers inviting me to stay in her home near Tornillo. Great hospitality and sweet to be back in a proper bed. READ FROM DAY 9: Great hospitality in Texas https://www.facebook.com/notes/jonas-orset/open-hearths-and-borders-in-el-paso/ 2352671651463505/ DAY 10: Waking up so close to Mexico makes an adventurer like myself start dreaming about putting my feet on Mexican ground. I’d hear stories about danger, but my host, Mary, calmed me down. I made a route on Stava and planned to ask some American border guards about the safety before I went across. But when I came to the border there were no-one to see, and suddenly I had passed the Mexican border. I was planning to ask someone there about safety, but I guessed, since there’s no-one to ask I’d just ride on. It was an interesting ride and I added a few sweet spot intervals made it both a small adventure and a good session. I got a few times chased by some dogs, with was the worst part of the ride, but coming into the US border I understood I’d been lucky. This was a cartel-runned area and one of the most dangerous parts along the border. Man, I guess I had angel guardian and I now get why all the houses were ruined. It was a war zone. RECOMMENDED READ FROM DAY 10: In the streets of traffickers https://www.facebook.com/notes/jonas-orset/crossing-into-mexico-in-the-streets-oftraffickers/2354452... DAY 11: Last night I was getting close to Dallas, and could have driven all the way to McKInney, but I wanted to check out Stockyards in Fort Worth before delivering my rental car at the airport rental service. A sweet old town and a great place to see. A taste of the Old Wild West. Pretty cool and something else than Norway’s national history. After my ride I went to meet Jim Goodyear, my host in McKinney, and I delivered my car before we headed off to Fair Park Thursday Night Crit. I didn’t race that night myself, but watching Jim and another 100 of riders really loving riding their bike was a perfect way to end of my Hope Journey. It’s been a pretty massive experience, but I have really enjoyed it. Both seeing and riding in all these famous places, racing in California, but maybe most of all meeting and talking to so many good people. I believe in the great value of trying to understand other people, people with various backgrounds, and have other thoughts and beliefs. That people are different doesn’t mean we shall not get to know them and learn from them. We all have our stories and we all deserved to be heard. The facts that 25 million people are caught in modern slavery, and deprived their freedom are not only injustice to the abused ones, but an assault to the whole humanity. I belive all people should have the rights to live a free life. A life of liberty, equality, diversity, and unity, the core values of America. Cycling is a great way to experience freedom and meet people. With Hope Journey I wanted to raise the awareness and get people together to stand up against modern slavery. I wish you want to walk with me on this mission. I want to thank you to Cadence Cyclery for the opportunity to come to the US to ride and share my mission through cycling. Now it’s time to get back to Texas to race!
By marketing@cadencecyclery.com 04 Mar, 2019
  • The second biggest state in the US and definitely one of the strongest states for
    the sport of cycling. I know European racing. I know Asian racing. I raced in Africa
    and South America. Now, new adventures lays ahead in Texas. !
    28 year young Norwegian exploring the world of cycling
    First, let me introduce myself. My name is Jonas Orset. People say I look like I’m
    20 years old, but the reality is that my birth certificate says I’m 28, so I guess on in
    my last years of the twenties already. As a cyclist you’re young and promising
    while your under 23 years old. From then it each year getting tougher and tougher
    to climb the stairs in the international cycling scene. !
    I raced since I was 17 years old, and been continental rider 4 years. Started in
    Norway, then Sweden, then China actually. What an amazing few months living as
    a pro in Shanghai! !
    The following years I decided to try my luck in Belgium. 2 years in the Flanders
    gave me heaps of experience and knowledge of what cycling really is about, but it
    was also challenging, both mentally and physically. I needed a new view on my
    career. !
    Colombian adventure and some ultra racing
    I had some cycling friends in Colombia inviting me over, which proved to be
    another epic experience. Racing and riding over there is incredible. I went home
    racing nationally in Norway the summer of 2017. One of the most insane races I
    did was a Norwegian Classic, the 540 km (336 miles) Styrkeprøven Trondheim-
    Oslo, which I manage to win on my first attempt. The doors of ultras was opening
    up, but I still decided to give the pro UCI-races another go when signing for a
    Spanish continental team for 2018. A team that did deliver what they promised and
    I once again looked into endurance racing. !
    I was last year 2nd in the Styrkeprøven, and raced my first Everesting (8850 meter/
    29.000 feet of elevation up and down in one single climb until you reach the same
    elevation as Mount Everest). The Everesting went great, so I continued and I sat a
    new Norwegian record on 10.000 meter elevation in 12h 50 min in the charity event
    Hope Challenge to raise money for Hope for Justice. !
    I decided to give it another go just a month later, since I knew I could do it faster.
    On my birthday I went for it and finished my second 10.000 meter in 10h 57min
    which is a new World Record ! !
    Extreme Challenge
    Last year I also won the Gran Fondo World Tour for the 2nd year in a row, and I
    should also mention Extreme Challenge where I rode as a charity event from
  • Cambodia to Vietnam. To make it extra challenging I had a backpack of 25 kg (55
    lb) rice for the 25 million slaves in the world. It was some tough five days. !
    During this trip I met Jim Goodyear who invited me to Texas. I have a hard time
    saying no to an adventure and when he hooked me up with Cadence Cyclery it
    was all green lights. !
    Develop as a pro rider and experience America
    Racing in the US will be another in the bucket, and a great way to develop my
    racing repertoire and become a even better and stronger rider. Next to the racing
    I’m looking forward to get to see what the US got for me and get to know the
    American people and the culture of Texas. !
    I just made it through my first week in McKinney, Dallas, and have another 10
    weeks in Texas left. It’s been all good so far, I been well settled with the Goodyears
    and very welcomed to the Cadence Cyclery family. I already kickstarted my spring
    season riding for Giant Lakeside - Audi McKinney p/b Baylor Scott and White. !
    I’m thankful for the opportunity and glad to already get to know so many good
    people. The upcoming months are going to be awesome! !
    Follow o n social medias:
  • https://www.cadencecycleryteam.com/
  • https://www.facebook.com/TeamGiantLakeside/
    By Admin 14 Jan, 2019
    The team will have many returning riders, including David Gaona, Christopher Hanson, Tyler Stewart and Ben Williams. Our team captain, Corey Ray, is also returning after a year away from the team. We will also be bringing on many new riders, including Austin Whittington, Randy Lee, Collin Davis, and Tucker Nichols. We would also like to welcome Jonas Orset, all the way from Oslo, Norway. He brings experience from several pro teams including Jilun-Shakeland Cycling and Prorace Cycling Team in Europe.

    The Official 2019 Giant Lakeside - Audi McKinney p/b Baylor Scott & White Roster is as follows:

    Corey Ray (Team Captain) Whitesboro, Texas
    Ben Williams McKinney, Texas
    Aston Haswell Fort Worth, Texas
    Christopher Hanson Austin, Texas
    Tyler Stewart Austin, Texas
    Caleb Hulsey Austin, Texas
    Andy Heuser Denton, Texas
    David Gaona Morelia, Mexico
    Austin Whittington Keller, Texas
    Randy Lee Dallas, Texas
    Collin Davis Dallas, Texas
    Jonas Orset Oslo, Norway
    Tucker Nickols McKinney, Texas
    By Chris Degenaars 24 Dec, 2017
    We are excited to announce the official roster for the 2018 Team Giant Lakeside - Audi McKinney p/b RŌKA.
    By Chris Degenaars 13 Apr, 2017

    The Tuesday Night Crit was a coming out party for the Cadence 4/5 race team with 11 teammates lining up for the 5:45 PM start. It’s always nice hearing competitors say, “Damn, Cadence showed up tonight” when you roll to the starting line.

    You know the saying, “Everyone has a plan, until you get punched in the throat.” Well, Cadence went in to the race with a plan and an understanding of what roles each person was willing to play based on early season fitness. Their main goal was to make sure no break was established unless they were in it and controlling it.

    As the timer started, the first lap commenced at tempo pace. There was a strong south wind that evening that would require special consideration as the race unfolded. On the second lap, David Kim made a move on the outside with Jim Goodyear on his wheel. He slingshotted Jim off the front and the break was underway.

    After a lap on his own, Jim was joined by a six-man group that bridged up by the third lap. Tucker Nickols and Jay Coleman of Cadence Cyclery were among that group being pulled up to Jim by riders from Windsor Door and PACC. From there it was a Cadence controlled race. While a lot of the work was done by the three Cadence teammates, it was perplexing to see the three others take an occasional pull on the front. Smarter racers would have sat sixth wheel all evening with three Cadence racers in the break. Of course, we’ve all seen crazier things in a C race before.

    Bicycles Plus failed to put anyone in the break. During the race you could hear their frustration at the lack of help to pull back the 6 man breakaway. Each time someone would launch an attempt to bridge, there were multiple Candace riders ready to respond and crush their efforts. Noah Moran, Brian Mazzei, Chris Rogers, David Kim, Scott Neice, Bill Kane, Austin Hoover and Gerry Douglas all played an instrumental roll in making sure this race didn’t come back together. Each time BP would try to get something going, Brian Mazzei would flash his pearly whites with a sarcastic grin bigger than Chad Plumlee’s bank account and pull them back. Not only was this good strategy, but it most likely helped avoid a last lap crash like the previous week. There’s nothing scarier in life than a 4/5 bunch sprint to the finish. It worse than a blind cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

    In the end, Jim pulled the last lap coming into the final turn. Jay launched early and took one rider with him. In the sprint finish Jay and Jim didn’t have a response to the sprint of Sam Findlater of Windsor Door who is in mid-season form. However, placing two riders on the podium was an accomplishment for a group of riders just getting to know one another.

    The Cadence 4/5 team is going to target one Tuesday Night Crit a month for an all out blitzkrieg. If you are a 4/5 racer and would like to join this effort please let Brian Mazzei know. We have a Facebook group set up for those that wish to race on a regular basis and would welcome your participation. Until the next race, keep the rubber side down and the bugs out of your teeth.

    By Chris Degenaars 31 Jan, 2017

    We hope everyone had a great time at our 2017 Kick-Off party. We are sorry we could not communicate as well as we would have liked at the venue, so here is a recap of what we covered, or would have liked to cover:

     

    January 8, 2017

    Team Cadence Cyclery – 2017 Kick-Off Meeting

    Time: 6:00 – 9:00PM

    Location: Mini of Plano

    Catering: College Street Diner

     

    6:00PM                                Gather for food and drinks

    6:30PM – 7:00PM             Overview

    • Name Tags
    • Suggestion Box
    • Organization
    • Kit Display
    • Onsite Membership and Kit Ordering
    • 2016 Point Awards
    • Raffle – throughout the evening
    • Food
    • Sponsor Recognition

     

                                                     Organization

                                                   

                                                    Board of Directors          

    • Gary Deserrano
    • Chad Plumlee
    • Patrick Herron
    • Eric Warden
    • Brian Mazzei
    • Rodger Nutt
    • Mike Valentine

                                                    Team Officers

    • President – Gary Deserrano
    • Vice President – Chad Plumlee
    • Secretary – Patrick Herron
    • Treasurer – Eric Warden
    • Membership – Brian Mazzei
    • BoD Liaison – Rodger Nutt
    • PBA Ride Coordinator – Mike Valentine
    • Communication – Lauren Koon
    • Marketing/Website –  Chris Degenaars
    • General Counsel – Chip Burrell
    • Sponsors – Chad Plumlee

                                                    Team Leaders

    • Elite – Corey Ray
    • Road Cat 2/3 – Ryan Godfrey
    • Road Cat 4/5 – Brian Mazzei
    • Women’s – Leigh Anne Robertson
    • Master’s – Jeff Noon
    • Junior/U23 – Chris Degenaars
    • MTB – Steve Allen
    • CX – Eric Warden
    • Tri – Jamie Bryson
    • Rally – Jennifer Kaltenbach
    • Gravel – John Trotter
    • PBA Ride Leader – Mike Valentine

                           

    Elite Team  

     

    • Chris Dauwe
    • Chris Wright
    • Kent Myer
    • Grayson Keppler
    • Dayne Martin
    • Tyler Stewart
    • Corey Ray
    • Michael Jones
    • Caleb Hulsey
    • Kyle Walker
    • Sam Thorpe-Loversuch(New Zealand)
    • Frank Sutton(New Zealand)
    • Cameron Hoffman(guest rider)

     

    2017 Membership

    • Dues paid by January 31 – $75 payable to payments@cadencecycleryteam.com via PayPal
    • Website ( www.cadencecycleryteam.com )

       

      • Sponsor Pages
      • Membership Application
      • Event Reports
      • Event Calendar
      • Forums – prefer over Facebook
      • Online Store – open until Jan. 10 for kit orders
      • Frame Stickers – order anytime

     

    From the Suggestion Box      

    • Do more "meet and greets" socials so we can get to know more.
    • Two Local "Supported" Training Weekends in DFW. Hosted by the Elite Team but for Masters and Cat 3, 4, 5.

    you can view pictures from the party here:

    https://www.facebook.com/1702907856666631/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1704145176542899

    Show More
    Share by: