Herriott Sports Performance

Thursday 10pm

David Richter — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 02:42:59 +0000

“Channel your inner winner.” When I heard Tim Gunn say that, I lit up with enlightenment. For those of you not cool, Tim Gunn is the mentor on Project Runway. Channel your inner winner, I said this over & over. How profound. It hit home. I told my wife that I would attempt to channel my inner winner this weekend in Sequim. See, the weather forecast did not look good. I knew it would most likely be WWC (wet, windy & cold). And as my wife knows (I complain to her), I don’t like that. So, I decided to take Tim Gunn’s advice & channel my inner winner…F*$k the weather, just go get it. And I could also test my theory that sometimes Tim Gunn is full of shit.
So, I packed all my gear in my bag & began to channel my inner winner.
We missed our first ferry (as predicted)…no sweat there would be another. My inner winner had been channeled & was mos def present. We’d have plenty of time to be ready for the race. As we left the ferry at Kingston the team van chatter started about how it could be nice out in Sequim. I didn’t buy it & my inner winner did not give a shit. As we approached the rain shadow the sky darkened…with rain. Rain shadow. As we rolled up to reg the weather began to get redic(ulous). The wind hopped-up about 10-15 clicks. Not caring. Inner winner spirit intact. I could see the panic & smell the fear throughout the parking lot as CAT 5 tents were flying all over the place. Quick chat with a few of the boys on race strategy (I don’t even remember what my inner winner said). I rolled back to the van & placed 4 layers of clothing over some embro, fired up the Garmin, zeroed the torque on my meter & posted up in the front row with a legion of Bikesale dudes. Ready.
30 seconds into the race, break. Fast-forward 70-some miles, 38mph thermal jacket sprint into a 20mph cross wind on Kitchen Dick Road, victory.
Tim Gunn is not full of shit. It is possible to channel your inner winner. But you must channel it. I decided my destiny Thursday night at 10pm. All static was tuned-out. All I had to do was perform & control my destiny with what I could control, not sweating things out of my control. This type of focus leads to hyper focus, clarity & confidence in the things you know you can perform.

Sick Ride

David Richter — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:03:15 +0000

The last sick ride of 2012 is our first Colnago build as a dealer. It’s the Colnago Prestige cyclocross frame set. The Prestige comes as a disk only set-up. We wanted to show what we can do with disk brakes on a ‘cross bike. This is a bike that’s race-ready right off the floor. Tommie built this baby with a couple great custom touches. Full internal hydraulic brake routing & secret tubeless set-up.

Frame Set: Colnago Prestige 52cm
Shifter: 2012 SRAM Red rear only/SRAM carbon aero left lever
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Red 2012
Cassette: SRAM Red 11-28
Chain: SRAM PC 1071
Tyres: Specialized Tracer Pro 700X33 (tubeless)
Wheel Set: Roval Control SL (29′r)
Stem: 110mm Ritchey WCS
Seat Post: Pro Vibe
Saddle: Fizik Antares (ti)
Bars: Easton EC90 SLX3 40cm
Bar Tape: Deda
Pedals: Shimano XTR
Cranks: SRAM 2012 Red GXP 170mm
BB: SRAM Red (ceramic)
Brakes: Hope X2 V-Twin hydraulic
Extras: K-Edge chain watcher, FSA carbon chain guard
Weight: 16.5lbs

Morgan Hill

admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 05:37:13 +0000

I spent last week in Morgan Hill, California. If you’ve been in the bike industry for a few years, then you probably know why I was in Morgan Hill. This San Jose suburb is home to Specialized. I was at Specialized to learn some bicycle fit chops from some of the best in the industry. The same team that fits all the Specialized Pro Tour teams were there to share their experience. One of the most challenging groups to fit are professional racers. Great athletes are not always great because of perfect bike fit, but they can be great despite an imperfect fit. This is the problem, convincing a champion they can be better by changing something. The crew at Specialized has come up with a protocol that addresses these challenges. The pre assessment part of the fit process sets guidelines that help match the rider’s body to the bike geometry…body geometry (BG) fit.

One of the coolest things was seeing fits of the Omega Pharma & Saxo team riders. Watching how a couple of rider’s aero profile actually improved by raising their bars. Sometimes higher is lower…jedi. The first thing I did upon my return from California was perform this wizardry on TH.

The question of comfort versus performance is not an issue with a BG fit. The fit should take you to where the body wants to go. This efficient place is within each riders biomechanic limits.

After a full day of anatomy & biomechanics, we set out to clear our heads on a ride. The Specialized crew has some great lunch routes they ride directly from HQ. It was great to get out on some fresh roads…I rode away with the chubby Specialized guy on the electric bike. Specialized encourages riding everyday & it was an important part of our week there with them. Fitting is one thing, but experiencing the fit on the road is another.

I had a good time at Specialized & learned a lot. They will have a big impact on the way we approach, execute & follow up with our fits.

The BEST lights!

Todd — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:39:30 +0000

In all of my 36 years of riding I’ve never actually owned a really good light or a set of lights for that matter, for my bike. Even during my messenger years in Boston I never bothered to have more than a cheap blinking light for my bag and I would usually lose it a few days after purchase. It wasn’t until Richter brought Light in Motion lights into the Pro Shop that I got really interested in the possibility of motorists seeing me at night out on the road- with age comes wisdom I suppose. Dave has done a lot of research- as he does with everything new we bring into the shop, and the lights we now refer to as our “shop lights” are the VIS 180 and the Urban 200 from Light in Motion. They are SUPER easy to install ( I figured it out!), they are usb rechargeable and they are SUPER bright. If a driver can’t see you it’s because they are sleeping at the wheel. I’m actually enjoying riding in the dark!

Light and Motion has been designing and building lights for over 20 years. Their lights go 200 feet below the ocean and blaze trails wherever mountain bikes venture. They are bike riders who care deeply about their company and community. They haven’t shipped jobs offshore and they design and build their products in Monterey California. The

The Lights:

The Taillight that looks to its Left and its Right. Keep your mind focused on the day ahead, while your VIS® 180 has your back and your side – the first taillight to offer a full 180 degrees of Commuter Safety. The Vis® 180 is available in two different colors: Quartz and Bronze.

Lumens: 50
Run Time: High Pulse- 6:00 Low Pulse- 12:00 High – 4:00 Paceline- 20:00

System Weight: 102 gr

Mounts: We use the set post and it’s really easy to adjust

The light that will perform as good as it looks. Packed with features that matter to commuters as they are zipping through the city on their way to work or hitting up some single-track after work with their buddies. The Urban® 200 is available in two different colors: Ruby and Sterling.

Lumens: 200
Run Time: High- 2:30 Med- 4:00 Low- 8:00 Flash- 24:00
System Weight: 112 gr
Mounts: Bar

These lights are in stock in the Pro Shop. If you’ve been holding out for an amazing set of lights or just need to replace on or the other, look no further.

Best,

THINGS I SHOULD HAVE SAID!

Todd — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 04:59:53 +0000

First blog on new site. For the record, my spelling is not alwasys super-pro but I do in fact proof read my posts….. moving on.

By now all of our clients and pretty much everyone we know, knows that the Pro Shop won a Brainy award at this years Interbike trade show for “Best bicycle road shop in America”. We heard that we were getting the award the day before we left for Vegas but it wasn’t until we stepped up onto the wooden stage at that conference room in the Sands Convention Center to receive the award that it hit me: the last 4 years of long hours and fighting hard to establish ourselves in an over crowded market in a not so booming economy were very much worth it.

When David and I were called to come up to get our Brainy it suddenly occurred to me that I or David was going to probably have to say something. And then we were on the stage, and then my face got really hot and then of course I somehow ended up on the podium with a mike in front of me. I’m not sure if David was looking to be the speaker, I didn’t even ask him. And I didn’t say much other than “Thank you” for the simple reason that I looked out in to the crowd of a million (really a few hundred) and realized that this WAS happening!!!! Usually I am not at a loss for words but this time I was a bit at a loss. We walked back to our table, got our picture taken and went to dinner. Now, onto the things I SHOULD have said. Actually, it’s more like, “the things I wanted to say after having over a week to think about it”.

First, I should have straight up thanked David. Without his input, his head for business and his ability to see things through, the shop would have never have happened. We basically decided we were going to do it, made some sketches on some note paper and discussed how we wanted things to work. Simple enough, just go and do it. I could have never done it without him. David is much more relaxed than I am and he talked me of the ledge more times than I can remember when the days were long and it seemed like the doors would never get opened. They got opened and on the day we said they would (May 6th).

I also should have thanked my parents. If they had not told me to go out and be whoever I wanted to be, to work hard, and to go after what you want, I most likely would still be in Omaha doing something not nearly as awesome as what we are doing now. HSP opened at Nickerson St. in 2007 and the shop trailed after in 2009. Moving into the current space and setting up the training center was hard enough, especially since when I moved to Seattle I knew 2 people. I was told doing the bike shop along with a training facility was probably not a good idea. I /we didn’t see why not other than the fact that it was a big undertaking and it would coat a lot of money do it the way we wanted to do it. I guess ignorance really is bliss because we never even considered not doing it, we were just waiting for our neighbor to move out so we could bust through the wall. I should have assumed it would take up pretty much all of our time, which it did. We knew what we wanted and we made it happen. That’s something I’m really proud of and I don’t need an award to confirm anything, BUT….. it’s nice to be recognized.

Lastly, I would have said that cycling has been a part of my life since I was 15. I could not have imaged back then that cycling and the cycling industry would be such a major part of my life, but it is. And it has taken me a long time to really find my stride when it comes to being a business man who deals with bikes and the people who ride them- on many different levels. I’m not just a bike racer any more. We are in business and we have responsibilities- I know this is a very normal part of adulthood but we arrive at a place at our own pace. And walking up to that podium in Vegas really brought home the fact that cycling has given me so much. It taught me how to suffer, to never give up, to trust your team, and to get it done even on the days when all you wanted to do was stay in bed. I should have thanked “cycling” for helping me grow up, as much as its kept me feeling 15 for all these years.

Best,

Sick Ride

David Richter — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 07:02:12 +0000

Frame Set: BMC SLR01 teammachine
Group set: SRAM 2012 Red
Bars: Zipp Service Course SL 41cm (c/c)
Stem: Zipp Service Course SL 125mm
Saddle: Fizik Antares OO
Pedals: Look Blade
Cranks: SRAM Red Quarq 170mm
Wheel Set: Madfiber clincher
Tyres: Vittoria CX 25mm
Cassette: 11-26
Cages: Zipp carbon
Tape: Zipp Service Course
Accessories: Bar Fly Garmin mount, HSP number hanger, Garmin Edge 500
Weight: 14.5lbs

This sick ride was piloted by Rocket this season. It saw victory lane more than any bike in the NW this year. Rocket’s set up includes short/shallow/narrow bars to compliment the low & long cockpit. The red Look Blade pedals with tighter spring-rate & black (no-float) cleats guarantee secure engagement. Phat tyres (25mm) hook into the Madfiber, built-in-Seattle wheels. Some cool add-ons include a Bar Fly that allows for an easy sight-line of the Garmin Edge 500 while out of the saddle. A SRAM Red chain catcher keeps the chain on the tracks & a custom HSP number hanger keeps things tight.

HSP Dominates Ronde Ohop

David Richter — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 03:38:47 +0000

Ronde Ohop is a unique race that combines a circuit race & a shorter (part off road) shorter circuit.
HSPCC dominated the action with an early attack in the first mile by Will Teal. Another rider (Voler) jumped to join Will & Brad Kilcline followed. Brad & Will worked together & dropped the Voler rider. This early move by the duo set the tone & put HSP in the cat seat. Ryan Iddings & his Audi team ensued with a chase for 2 laps. On lap 2 of 4 Todd Herriott jumped to the duo to make it 3. Shortly after, Brian Hitchcock jumped with an Mt Borah rider (from NY). Iddings responded with an attack on the big hill on the road course, closely watched & followed by Aaron Shaw & Richter. Near the top of the hill Iddings let up & Shaw attacked. As Shaw closed the gap to his team mates, Richter jumped to make the front group of 8 (6 HSP!). HSP then began to march to the dirt circuits with a gap ~ a minute. Todd launched a solo attack 2 miles before the entry of the dirt. This set the table for an attack by Richter as the group hit the dirt. Richter linked up with TH at the end of the first dirt section. The two worked together until TH flatted with a lap & a half to go. Richter soloed in for the victory & TH got a wheel in time to hold on for second. Brad & Hitch battled to top-10 spots to put 4 HSP riders in the top 6 and net HSPCC the team competition prize.

Hulkin’-Out in the Matrix

David Richter — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 06:14:41 +0000

The time it takes to snap your fingers twice is less than a second, but in the matrix there’s a lot going on in less than a second. Bike races are often won, or lost within this interval. Making crucial decisions that will effect the outcome of the race need to made in this split second. Zig or zag? Wait or attack? Left or right? Shift? Veer, steer, brake? So much to process, so little time. The place where these decisions are easy…the matrix. Let’s back up & let you get a glimpse inside the matrix cam. First off, in order to get admission into the matrix you’ll need to know a few things. You can’t just walk into the good clubs, right? You have to know someone. To enter the matrix, you need to have some vision. Vision of what the matrix could/should be. Vision is the first prerequisite, but you’ll need to have an agenda, syllabus, flow chart & oh yeah…mad skills.

Entering the matrix is like David Banner turning into the Incredible Hulk. David Banner doesn’t have much control of his hulking-out, but when the Hulk is needed…shit happens. When you’re in the matrix, you don’t even know until it’s over, then you’re out.

If you’re lucky enough to enter the matrix, you find that your vision is off the charts. Time seems to slow, while space seems to be stretched. Baseballs seem to be the size of watermelons, basketball rims seem to be bigger than hula hoops & tiny holes in the peloton look like airport runways.

Next time you are having a good day on the bike, have done your homework & followed protocol, maybe you’ll hulk-out & come out of it just in time to throw up your arms.

-Rocket