Coming from the great state of Utah, Brad and Tasha contacted Vassago Cycles about a team sponsorship and great things happened from there. We usually do not add to a team in the middle of the season but the email request and dedication to 29ers caught our attention.

Brad started out with a Karate Monkey when it first hit the market (we all love the KM) and moved on to other 29ers from there. When his 29er died he jumped back on his 26 and it just wasn't working for him. What was his intrigue with Vassago? Wet Cat Geometry!

In 2007 Brad competed in the Intermountain Cup Series, Single Speed Class
1st place 5-mile Pass
1st place Evanston Wolverine Ridge
1st place Frozen Hog
2nd place Cholla Challenge
2nd place Soldier Hollow
2nd place Draper Challenge
2nd place Sundance Spin
2nd place Snowbird Mountainbout
3rd place Deer Valley

Tasha has been racing for a majority of the past 10 years off and on, with the past couple years dedicating herself to racing. In 2007, she competed in the Park City E50, a tough 50 mile course with 10,000 feet of climbing and 100% technical single track.

In 2007, Tasha took on quite a few races - a few below:
3rd place Women's 35+ Draper, Intermountain Cup Series
4th place Park City E100/50 women's
1st place women's relay team LOTOJA

For 2008, she has already raced in the Desert Rampage Intermountain Cup Series and finished 2nd place.

When not racing Brad and Tasha are running their own business making an endurance sports drink called CarboRocket and are also developing their private land in Gooseberry Mesa, where they held the first Gooseberry Mesa 100 this year.

We're excited to have these two on board.

Congratulations to Namrita O'Dea and Eddie O'Dea on their survival and victory at the 24 Hours of Vail Lake this weekend in Temecula, California. Armed to the teeth with their new OptimusTi, titanium bikes, they endured 100 degree temps and relentless competition to take home 1st and 3rd in Women's Solo and Men's Solo class respectively. This is the first race in the Granny Gear national series for these two.


Namrita took on the Women's Solo class and had some great competition out there. Namrita completed her 11th lap of the course at 9:02 am with 112 miles and 16,478 feet elevation gain. She was pretty far ahead at that point and didn't need to continue. A beautiful ending to a long journey. Did we mention she does this all in a single speed?

Scores for all racers in Women's solo can be seen HERE and read about the Women's Solo riders on the Vail Lake WebCast!


Eddie raced in the Men's Solo class. Competition in the Men's was extreme. Eddie didn't let that start playing on his mind. He stayed focused and kept his finish in sight. Eddie completed his 13th and final lap at 7:33 am with almost 133 miles and 19,474 feet elevation gain. Scores for all Men's Solo can be seen HERE and read the Post Race Report.

Just a quick shout out to our riders heading off to do the Cohutta this weekend. Good luck. This will be the start of the main race season for Eddie O'Dea, Namrita O'Dea, and Brian Archer. All of them are racing the Optimus Ti. So if you're there - stop by and say hi!

As with our Team Riders we also highlight races and events that our supported riders hit! You can check their blogs and read up on the news from their front.

Team Addictive - Awww...come on - if you don't know them you haven't been paying attention! They'll be riding and racing a mix of Jabberwocky and Bandersnatch. Team Addictive also provides neutral support at many races in the southeast. I'm sure you can usually find one of them around. You can read up on their schedules and rides through Cody or Hodge! Thanks guys - you're awesome!

Team Halfway There - our military force coming from DC and Virginia. They're like ninjas in the night - come in for a race and then shipped back out for a few weeks only to come back and race again! We love the secrecy!

Steve and Zach Stilwell out of Minnesota have been hanging out with us for a while. Steve recently upgraded to an Optimus Ti which will soon arrive at his door and Zach Stilwell still riding the Jabberwocky at his cross races will be receiving a much deserved Fisticuff cross frame! Congrats guys!

Ben Shockey out of Decorah Bicycles in Iowa is our newest support rider. Once he climbed aboard we didn't let him go. He's been out there racing and riding up a storm through the snow and rain. You can check Ben out at the Trans Iowa - he will be riding the first ever Fisticuff cross frame in a special powdercoat color custom created just for him. Kick ass Ben!

Jeremy Arnold out of North Carolina who recently led a band of Canadians around the trails of Pisgah and Dupont has been with us for more than a year. Still riding his Jabberwocky and Bandersnatch Jeremy is heading out for the race course of the southeast. First stop is Dragon's Back in Roanoke Virginia.

Chris Davis also out of North Carolina who joined us last April is continuing his quest of races throughout the southeast. Chris owns a carnation pink Bandersnatch and a Black Jabberwocky and is currently moving to the ODIS rigid fork. Chris will be with his brothers on steel at the Dragon's Back and Cohutta 100.

Congrats everyone - we're looking forward to the season.

A 59 mile race in wind chill temperatures of -30 may not be everyone's idea of a nice weekend afternoon. But for Vassago supported rider Ben Shockey, it could not have been better.

In a extreme condition snow race dominated by Pugsley riders, Ben won the Triple D Adventure Race by over 50 minutes aboard his Jabberwocky! Nice job Ben!








Look for Ben again at the upcoming Trans Iowa Race , riding the new Vassago Fisticuff frame. More info on that race and the new Fisticuff will be posted soon.

Ben rides for Vassago Cycles and works at one of our favorite shops, Decorah Bicycles. Ask them about their custom Vassago builds!

The Minnesota Cycling Federation had its awards banquet last night and Zach received a medal for 2nd place in the cyclocross rider of the year competition (15-18).

In addition to our own Team Vassago riders, we happily offer our support to two kick ass teams for the 2008 season. Both of these teams bring different attributes and are a great reflection of Vassago Cycles and our beliefs - Ride, Drink, Repeat!

Team Addictive - There are a lot of you out there that know of Hodge and Cody from Addictive Cycles. They called us up and requested a demo bike to try out...within a week of riding they made the change that all Addictive Cycles Team Riders would ride Vassago. We are overwhelmed with the responses we have received from the Atlanta/Athens area of Georgia and the great team we have signed on. Addictive Cycles is also known for their unbiased support at Southeast races and all the help they provide to the biking community.

Team Half Way There - This team is a mix of active military and are often deployed around the world at various times of the year. All riders hail from Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area. They bike, run, paddle, and navigate! First race signed up with us will be The Most Horrible Thing Ever run by Pisgah Productions.

Welcome aboard everyone. We're excited to have you!