TriSports.com Blog

Make-A-Wish – NH Style

TriSports.com is continually giving back to communities all over the United States and the entire planet.  This past summer we supported the Make-A-Wish foundation of New Hampshire.  We stepped up big time to help them raise over $50,000 to help kids in their local community.  The entire event culminated around the Timberman Triathlon in August with a special appearance from Chrissy Wellington.   Here is a video of that event:

24 HIOP

The 24 HIOP (Hours In the Old Pueblo) is a 24-hour mountain bike race that has been going on here in Tucson for the last 11 years.  I have done this race for 8 of the 11 years (the first 7 and again this year).  The course is fun yet challenging and it is a great melting pot of all types of cyclists – roadies, trigeeks, fixies, hippies, and everything else young and old.  I was forwarded this video by Vladimir Chaloupka.  Mr. Chaloupka is amazing with a video camera and really captured the spirit of the event.  If you are ever in the Old Pueblo (yes, that’s what we call Tucson) in mid February you might want to come check out the event (oh yes, if you do want to race it does fill up early).  P.S. I do make a short cameo in the film during the stampede!  P.S.S. Check out the TriSports Cycling guys at the front of the start!

24 Hours in the Old Pueblo from Vladimir Chaloupka on Vimeo.

Who’s Who of Women’s Multi-Sport to compete in 2010 TriSports.com Desert Classic Duathlon

Phoenix, AZ, 2/24/2010 – The elite women’s field at the 2010 TriSports.com Desert Classic Duathlon is shaping up to be a virtual Who’s Who of women’s multi-sport.  The 3.5 mile run, 21 mile bike, 2.7 mile run duathlon is in its 13^th year and will take place on February 28th at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Phoenix, Arizona.

 Scheduled to race in the women’s elite race this year are:

• Anne Curi Preisig: 2008 Elite National Duathlon Champion, 2^nd at 2009 Powerman Alabama
• Renata Bucher: 2009 XTERRA European Champion and 1^st place at 2009 XTERRA Germany
• Leanda Cave: 2009 Ironman 70.3 Florida Champion and 2 time Champion at Escape from Alcatraz
• Linsey Corbin: 15 top five IM 70.3 finishes and 2^nd place at 2009 IM Arizona
• Samantha McGlone: Olympian, 70.3 World Champion, 2009 IM Arizona Champion, 2 time champions and women’s course record holder the TriSports.com Desert Classic Duathlon.
• Michellie Jones: 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist, 1992 & 1993 ITU World Champion, 1998 & 2000  ITU World Cup Champion, 2006 Ironman World Champion

 ”This is very unique and stunning desert venue that combines smooth trail runs with a challenging road bike course through the majestic sonoran desert” said co-race director John Lierle.   “The Trisports.com Desert Classic Duathlon is a favorite of professional triathletes who use the race as an early season test of their fitness” he said. “The race also draws a very strong field of top age-group athletes from across the U.S. looking for a warm weather destination where they can race and vacation.”   

 The TriSports.com Desert Classic Duathlon raises money for education programs in the Maricopa County Parks system and is produced by the Phoenix Triathlon Club, whose members serve as the volunteers who put on the race. 

 TriSports.com, the events title sponsor, is a Tucson, AZ based company known as the online and retail triathlon shop, created for triathletes, by triathletes.  TriSports.com will be celebrating it’s 10th year in business this year on the tails of a 10,000 sqft retail/warehouse expansion project. 

For additional information on the TriSports.com Desert Classic Duathlon, contact Race Director John Lierle at RaceDirector@DesertClassicDuathlon.com  or visit the race web site at www.DesertClassicDuathlon.com 

To register for the race visit: http://desertclassicduathlon.com/registration.html

TriSports Cycling Bullet Train

Twelve months ago TriSports.com did not have a cycling club or team.  Fast forward a year and we have now, with the help of many people, built up the most dominant cycling club and team in Arizona, if not the entire southwest.  The club is well over 120 members and we have both a men’s and women’s Cat 1/2 team (riding on Scott, SRAM Force, Zipp equiped bikes).  Look out for more inforation on the club and team in the months to come.

TriSports.com in good company

Tucson, AZ – Riders and staff from the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis joined Mayor Bob Walkup Monday night in a ceremony proclaiming Tucson the “Winter Training Capital.” The proclamation ceremony was held in conjunction with the “Evening With the Pros” reception hosted by team sponsor TriSports.com. More than 75 people attended the exclusive event at the retail store of TriSports.com, which is in its second year sponsoring the team. Another 40 guests of TriSports.com joined the team for a two-plus hour training ride through the Saguaro National Monument Tuesday morning.

“Both events were really well attended and professionally done,” said new UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis directeur sportif Gord Fraser. “It was a shot in the arm for the team to see that we already have some good fans out there.”

TriSports.com and the Tucson Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau partnered to celebrate and reward the City of Tucson and local athletic community in its efforts to accommodate and encourage winter seasonal training, by proclaiming Tucson the “Winter Training Capital.” The designation will be used by local event promoters, athletic coaches and other tourism-based businesses to increase awareness and interest in selecting Tucson as a destination venue for winter training.

Fraser, who started training in the Tucson area in 1991 and has called Tucson home for over 12 years, knows full well how good the winter training is there.

“Tucson is one of the best cycling destinations, not just in winter, but all year round,” he said. “But certainly in the winter it’s hard to beat for weather. It’s usually pretty sunny. This has been the wettest it’s been in years here and we’ve only had one day of rain so far during camp. We may have another, but it’s perfect for what we need right now. Guys are getting what they need for training. Camp’s going really well.”

Alex the demolition man

One of the biggest compliments we get from people when they are in our retail store is the register counters. They are quite impressive – over 60 feet of custom concrete counter tops. After being in the space for three years, we learned that they are great for serving food but take up a bit too much space in our retail floor.  Along with the rest of our retail remodel, these counters got a nice visit from a man named Alex – Alex the Demolition Man.  It is sad to see them go, but the steel and drywall are being recycled and the actual counter top is going to be reused in a separate phase of construction. 

Alex the Demo Man

Bicycle Bar Tape Installation

As of this post, TriSports.com has made over 170 videos available on TriSports.com TV.  We have tons of product information, behind the scenes footage with our pro cycling team, and much more.  Arguably, the video with the best feedback from our customers from around the world is our Bicycle Bar Tape Insallation Video.  If you haven’t seen it, here it is – a must for every DIY cyclist.

New Bike Fit Area

Here is a our architects rendition of what the outside of our new bike department will look like.  Right now the space is just a bunch of metal studs; however, progress is happening fast in order to meet our deadline!

New Bike Department Area

Green Demolition

Just over three years ago we moved into our current location.  We spent months planning doing our best to build for our future.  I am now sitting in my office listening to some guys absolutely demolish the walls we just erected a few short years ago to make room for our new expansion.  Before this project started I was very clear that we had to do what we could to recycle/reuse materials (this is a very tall order in the construction industry as they have little concept of the word “reuse” or “recycle”).  To accomodate our request our contractor found us a recycler that is taking our demolished dry wall and steel.  This service cost us a significant amount more money but the price is worth it to us.  We are also able to reuse several items such as doors, windows, electrical plates, lighting, and more.  All in all, our goal is to recycle or reuse over 80% of the demolition material.  Keeping true to our values.

The metal recycling dumpster

The drywall recycling dumpster

TriSports.com becomes the official store of UHC Pro Cycling

TriSports.com has signed on once again to be the official store of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team presented by Maxxis (formerly the OUCH Pro Cyling Team). While this isn’t our official press release, at least you can say that you heard it here first. Last year the team had quite a bit of success and they are even stronger for 2010. This year you can expect more behind the scenes interviews and team updates coming from TriSports.com.

TriSports.com is the offical store of UHC Pro Cycling