Vassago to plant 1000 new trees in 09.

With '08 treating us so well and '09 off to a strong start, we decided it was time to expand our IMBA donation concept to the next level. With the help of American Forests, we have set a goal of planting 1000 trees in various forests areas around the US.

We call it the Vassago Singletrack Stimulus Plan. We figure screw the economy, let's throw some love towards that ever endangered, woodsy, swoopy, happy-place we call our trails.

When you buy any model Vassago frame or frame set, we will plant a tree in your honor! You can even pick which forest location you want your tree to be planted in. Nice, right? We will continue this program until we reach our goal of 1,000 new trees across the US.

So, buy a Vassago, get a free tree and a big dose of good karma. Not too shabby we thinks.

24 Hours In The Old Pueblo

Photo courtesy of Zach Stanford

Congratulations to everyone out at the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo this past weekend. We heard it was a huge party full of pain, blood, sweat, and tears! I'm sure there was a little bit of beer thrown in.....

Tom Ament took home 3rd place after riding 13 laps for 22 hours.

Male Solo SingleSpeed

1st Dejay Birtch - Niner Bikes

2nd Sean Sullivan - IF

3rd Tom Ament - Vassago Cycles

24 Hour Male Solo

Congratulations to Zach Stanford who pedaled his way to 9th place in the Male Solo category!

We'd also like to congratulate our co-sponsors Ergon Corporate for taking home the win in Category 5 Person Co-ed 150-199 Combined Age. Sonya Looney, Jeff Kerkove, Yuki Saito, and Dave Weins.

Congratulations to our riders

As Team Manager for Vassago I would first like to express my apologies to our team riders as I have been hard to catch for the past 3 months. I would also like to express my extreme gratitude for all of their support as my daughter continues with her second year of chemotherapy for Neuroblastoma Cancer and ROHHAD Syndrome. I am extremely excited to have all of you on the team this year and am enjoying all of your stories of trails and races. Keep kickin' ass out there!

Now on to the fun stuff -- the past 2 months have not slowed down for our riders and they continue the fight on the trails.

Tom Ament place 2nd in SS Advanced Class in the MBAA first race of the series


Next, Tom hit the 12 Hours of Temecula, also first race of this series, working hard and earning a 2nd Place spot on the podium.

Sara Stanford started her season off at the MBAA series race competing in the Pro Class. Finishing in 1 hour and 49 minutes:

Sara 1st Place

Zach Stanford headed up to Temecula with Tom to take on the Solo Expert Class in the 12 hour race.

Zach 1st Place

Brad Keyes braved the cold and snow at Frozen Hog 2009.

Brad 1st place

Brian Archer just starting Mountain Bike season finished up his Cross Season on the new Fisticuff.

As our main cross race rider we sent Brian the first of the Fisticuff frames to give her a good beating and let us know what he thought. You can read about the Fisti on Brian's blog.

Zach Stilwell has taken on cross season and mountain bike season like a madman! Zach received an award for Minnesota Junior Cyclocross Rider of the Year at the Minnesota Cycling Federation awards banquet!

Congratulations Zach!

John Sanborn comes back after a small break in 2008 to take on Erwin 6 Hour Race.

JJay 1st Place

Vassago Saddles Up for 2009

We're excited to start the 2009 season and ready to whip the team in to shape!

Vassago players for 2009:


Sara Stanford
Arizona
Day job: Student, Substitute Teacher and Kick Ass Beotch!
Rides: Bandersnatch and Optimus Ti














Tom Ament - aka The Goddess
Arizona
Day job: Money Man and Master Saddle Mechanic
Rides: Jabberwocky, Optimus Ti, Fisticuff, and Ton-Ton













Zach Stilwell
Minnesota
Day job: Student and "The Messenger"
Rides: Jabberwocky, Optimus Ti, Fisticuff










David Nice - aka: Fixie Dave
Colorado or Utah or Nevada
Day Job: Trail Navigator, Bike Shop Mechanic and Disco Lady's Man
Rides: Jabberwocky EVERYWHERE











Brian Archer - aka: Duckman
Tennessee
Day job: Auto industry and Fit Model
Rides: Jabberwocky, Optimus Ti, Fisticuff













Steve Stilwell
Minnesota
Day Job: Techy stuff
Rides: Jabberwocky, Optimus Ti












Zach Stanford - aka: Moustache Milkman
Arizona
Day job: Teacher and Wanna be Burt Reynolds
Rides: Optimus Ti and Bandersnatch














John Sanborn - aka JJay
Texas
Day job: Master IT Guru and Snow Taster
Rides: Optimus Ti











Craig Barlow - aka: Original Big Ring
Canada
Day job: Teacher and Bathtub Salesman
Rides: Jabberwocky and Bandersnatch














Ben Shockey - aka: The Shockstar
Iowa
Day Job: Drink Master and Lion Immitator
Rides: Jabberwocky and Fisticuff











Brad Keyes
Utah
Day Job: CarboRocket Mastermind and Stunt Double for Mathew Fox
Rides: Jabberwocky













Mel Sysing
Canada
Day Job: Teacher and Oakley Sunglass Promotor
Rides: Bandersnatch and Optimus Ti

12 Hours Of Temecula

We had a great time at the 12 Hours of Temecula. Vassago crew met up with Tom Ament and Zach Stanford who were originally just going to relax at this event but the competitive side took over and we're happy it did!

Tom Ament
1st Place SingleSpeed
Overall winner of the SoCal Endurace Series


We'd also like to congratulate Tom for his 10th consecutive 1st place singlespeed win in a 12 hour solo endurance race.

Zach Stanford
3rd place expert

A special thank you to Jason for putting on a great event, Andy from Crank Brothers for coming out and hanging with us all day, and Christopher Han from SDG USA for the awesome entertainment!

Scott Hodge Benefit Ride

Photo courtesy of Laurie: aka "Chocolate Girl"

Scott Hodge, Addictive Cycles, and Vassago Cycles would like to thank everyone that came out to the Scott Hodge Benefit Ride in Ft. Yargo. Surrounded by mountain bikes, friends, and family Scott enjoyed just hanging out with everyone. Check out more pictures of the ride and BBQ at Laurie's site.

Hodge we're happy to have you running around and planning Team Addictive races for the 2009 season! Heal up and we'll see you out there!

Scott Hodge Benefit Ride

Photo courtesy of Laurie: aka "Chocolate Girl"

Scott Hodge, Addictive Cycles, and Vassago Cycles would like to thank everyone that came out to the Scott Hodge Benefit Ride in Ft. Yargo. Surrounded by mountain bikes, friends, and family Scott enjoyed just hanging out with everyone. Check out more pictures of the ride and BBQ at Laurie's site.

Hodge we're happy to have you running around and planning Team Addictive races for the 2009 season! Heal up and we'll see you out there!