“HI James, This is George Hincapie….”

Nothing like getting a prank call on a Monday morning to start your week, right? But amazingly enough this turned out to be a true call… this really was George Hincapie and he wanted to talk to me.

OK, forgive me for the sidebar but some of you probably need to know who George Hincapie is before we go on: He’s been a professional cyclist for many years and has ridden in 15 Tours de France and five Olympics among many other races during his 19 year pro career. What interests me in him is his persistence in always wanting to be remembered as a “great teammate” and his support of the winning of eight yellow jersey wins is a testament to that attitude. For more please see: http://www.georgehincapie.com/bio/. He now lives in Greenville, SC and has a successful cycling clothing business among other activities.

So… why is a famous cyclist calling me? Well, several months ago I ordered a club jersey from the Clemson Cycling club and they use Hincapie Sportswear to make their ‘stuff’ (aka a “Kit” in cycling lingo). Shortly after I received my jersey I got a mass email encouraging people to apply for the “Ride Hincapie Ambassador” program. This is a program that Hincapie Sportswear uses to “…help support and promote our favorite cycling apparel brand through social media and local grassroots efforts.” In return for doing so I would receive two complete ‘kits’ and numerous other perks and fun things.  I thought to myself: Holy Sprocket, Bat Man, FREE CYCLING CLOTHES ! ! ! I’m in.

The application process was quite fun. I had to complete a form they provided to answer a few questions about my cycling history and discuss a little about why and how much I ride. They also wanted to know how active I was with the multitudinous Social Media websites and apps. All easy stuff, right?  In addition they encouraged a multimedia presentation of me answering five specific questions – ouch. So I sat down with my trusty webcam and proceeded to make a video of me talking about me and answering the five questions. Then I made it again since it was much longer than the five minute maximum they would allow. Then I made it again, and again, and again…do you get the sense that I’m just not a multimedia kind of guy? BUT, in the end I ended up with a five minute video that had a music intro and exit, titles, fades and my snarky attitude littered throughout the whole thing. This video was ME, in all my newfound cycling glory. So I finished up the form and sent it along with my multimedia masterpiece to the Hincapie Sportswear headquarters in Greenville, SC.

Several months (or weeks, we artists tend to be inpatient) went by before I got that ‘prank call’ on a Monday morning – “Hi James, this is George Hincapie”. I laughed and said ‘yeah right’  and luckily fought off spouting some reference to a former cycling team captain (who will remain nameless). Then I heard several people in the background of his call make that laugh that sounds like ‘there’s another one who doesn’t believe him’ and instantly started gushing and stammering at the same time. He went on to say that he had enjoyed my video and thought that I would be a good choice to join the “Ambassador” program. Of course I agreed and thanked him for the opportunity and he then mentioned my goal to ride in RAGBRAI and wished me luck. I thanked him for that and then said something like…”I wish I had a way to record this conversation, no one is going to believe me”. He laughed that nervous laugh that all stalking victims have and thanked me again for applying, wished me luck in my riding and politely signed off the call. “WOW, I’ve been selected….i wonder if they selected everyone” was the thought going through my cynical head as I hung up the phone. I can’t help it, I’m a natural born cynic and have just learned to live with it over the years. A few days later I received an email from the coordinator of the program congratulating me on being chosen and containing a long list of ‘stuff’ that we will be receiving once we return our sizes and other information. Of course I counted the number of people on the email and it appears that there are only about 15 of ‘us’ who have been chosen this year. A quick google and facebook search turned up some interesting information on a few of them…there are at least two pro cyclists on the list, several tri-athletes who compete at a high level, many cyclists who compete in local and regional races and me, an old guy who’s happy to get in a 62 mile ride without falling off of his bike! This week I received my first box of ‘goodies’ which includes a spiffy jacket, a cool trucker hat, two pair of really nice socks, a water bottle and a box of ‘business cards’ that have my name on them as part of a discount code that can be used to purchase Hincapie Sportswear items and also to receive a discount on the registration fee for the annual Hincapie Gran Fondo that will be held in the Greenville, SC area in the Fall.  I’m looking forward to receiving my riding ‘kit’ in a few weeks since the riding season is getting up and into full swing about now. I’ll post photos once it all arrives.

So there you have it.. I’m a Hincapie Ride Ambassador for 2015 and happy to be representing the Hincapie Sportswear line to all of you and my friends, co-riders and anyone that wants to know how great their stuff is. Should be a fun time !

Discount Coupon for Hincapie Sportswear

Discount Coupon for Hincapie "Gran Fondo" Bike Ride

My NEW Socks and Hat

TRAINING PROGRESS

As for riding I’ve had a few up and down weeks. There were a few weeks where I was busy with some family matters and didn’t have much time to ride but I got back on my back a couple of weeks ago with the local weekly rides and last week I rode 140 miles over 4 of the 7 days including my second 62 mile ride of the year. That has me a little ahead of my training schedule and I’m hoping to stay ahead as long as I can. Later this week I’ll be riding in another 62 mile ride on Saturday, a 40 mile ride on Sunday then the weekly ride on Monday but until then I am ‘recovering’. J

NEXT WEEK

So that’s it for this edition of “James’s Ride to RAGBRAI”. Hopefully you’re as excited about my new ‘job’ as I am! Next week I’m thinking that I will talk a little about the struggles I’ve been through so far trying to stay hydrated and fed during the longer rides and cover some of the eating plans that I’ve come across. What do you think about that? Be sure and leave comments and/or questions below… I’d really like to know what you’re thinking and appreciate any feedback you have on how to make this blog more better. Thanks and have a great week!