Wild, Wild West Virginia

The velomihottie’s brother came back from a Germany/Austria after a year of studying abroad. I guess he is back in the spirit of being American, because they took this photo.

This is how we roll in WV! Note, the legit revolver, not a plastic toy~

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WV Cycling’s Service Course

Now that the season is well under way, we have all seen Radio Shack’s, Team Sky’s, Team Quick Step’s and Garmin Transition’s Service Course; heck you might have even seen The Service Course, but now it is time to journey into WV Cycling’s very own Service Course!

Exclusive images of wvcycling’s home base.

In a totally behind the scenes trip to wvcycling’s Service Course in Buckhannon, West Virginia, we were shown around the site’s Appalachian base.

With wvcycling focusing on group rides in five different counties, the Service Course was described by the site as “standard”, yet we still discovered plenty of equipment and history when we were given a sneak-peek to the local Service Course of wvcycling. The well-established base also displays a modest contrast to the comparatively less PRO Service Course of Team Sky, that Cycling News posted an article about earlier this month.

When we arrived on Monday, wvcycling was busy swapping a nine-speed chain for Andrew Dasilva before going on a trail ride. Carbon fiber race wheels were nonexistent but clinchers were being prepared with UST tires, ready to be fitted.

With the Service Course being split into three areas over 600 sq. ft, it’s one of the biggest West Virginian Service Course in the sport, while also being home to wvcycling’s transportation and mechanic’s trucks. The huge space is dominated by residential storage space for the multitude of bikes for wvcycling’s site.

“It’s very central within West Virginia” Andrew Dasilva, the service course owner told us. “It’s close to the highway, the airport and is central in very cycling friendly areas.”

“We have about five bikes here now, and four pair of wheels,” said Dasilva. “We hold them here for when the site wants to review bikes. The riders just tell us what they need. What you’re seeing now is probably worth around six thousand Dollars. At full capacity we can probably store up to ten bikes and necessary equipment.”

Each rider has his own station where up to five bikes can be stored. At present Andrew Dasilva’s station is full, with all of his bikes in storage. The pit stops aren’t just for bikes though; the riders also have their own storage area in which all their personal effects are dished out before being taken to events or sent to the riders directly.

Riders are responsible for the transportation and organization of their riding garments and helmets; here Andrew Dasilva has his supply well covered:

Shoes, Gloves, Winter Gear, and Recovery Sandals~

The storage containers in the warehouse are dominated by riding products and food. Along with typical crates of drinks and bars the team also has its own cereal, chocolate spread, recovery drinks, and snack goods to last at least three days on the road.

WV Cycling is fortunate enough to have sponsorship from leading companies in the industry such as SRAM and Ritchey Components**. What would a service course be without spare parts?

The sponsors keep the site well stocked with spare tubes and other supplies!

These 'to go' boxes are filled with spare parts that mechanics may need when away from home base.

Of course, no Service Course would be complete without a workshop area, in which each bike is checked and serviced before it’s either shipped to a ride or stored.

Note, the spots on the concrete are not grease, but water. It was rainy when I set up this photo.

After receiving le Grand Tour of wvcycling’s Service Course, we were optimistic for the proliferation of cycling, and cycling friendly cities in the Appalachian regions of America.

**Note – not actually sponsored by Ritchey or SRAM 😦

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