Velocite Cycling Team USA

It is with the most extreme heavy heart that our team has learned of the loss of our brother, Jason Dobbs-Hyer.

To us, he was Monk - a triple entendre moniker earned due to his monk-like lifestyle (purity and integrity), his love of always saying he was "Jazzed" (Thelonious Monk), and his intense attention to detail (ala Tony Shalhoub's character). New riders who joined the team, in fact, often didn't even know his real name for years. He was just Monk. That was all he needed.

There's something about cycling that can bond people together like nothing else. The endless miles of pedaling. The shared pain. The pursuit of individual and collective goals. The long car rides to races. Hotels. Hospitals. And throughout all of this, conversations of philosophy, politics, relationships, life, family, friendship, hopes, dreams, fears, the universe. Being on a cycling team together allows you into the heart, mind, and soul of your teammates. And even though it's been a few years since we all shared the road together, we've always existed in each others' essence and become a part of one another in very significant ways.

Monk touched a lot of people and did a great deal of wonderful acts in this world. As far as cycling goes, one of his most valuable accomplishments was starting a junior team to attract young riders into the sport, not for the aim of winning races, but to give them all the life lessons, direction, and sense of self that cycling can give one. The team he started has since morphed into becoming one of the most formidable junior development teams in New England, and, in fact, the entire US, going so far as to send some of its riders to the UCI world championships this past year. Monk was the genesis of this. And whether today's U23 riders know it or not, the opportunity they are now living is due, in no small part, to Monk's groundwork so many years ago.

Although we traveled together from Tampa, FL to Syracuse, NY to Nantucket and all points in between to race, what we most remember Monk for is his incredible kindness and friendship. He was truly the most positive person we knew - always inspiring us to see that even a dull coin could be shined if we kept working at it.

We got to watch him grow in many ways. From a rider who was insecure and would get dropped on training rides (who of us can forget the 35mph hammer-fest down the Cape Canal and his determination to never get dropped again?!?) to a confident champion who would win races and show his junior riders how hard work and perseverance pays off. We watched him grow as a father, a friend, and a man. And that was what he was about: never stop growing to become a better person tomorrow than you are today. That was Monk. He spoke it. He lived it.

There are just so, so many stories to share about our Monk - many of which bring tears of laughter to our eyes. Here is maybe the funniest:

One day Monk met us for a ride and had a look of stunned horror on his face. We inquired what was up. He proceeded to tell us how the night before someone has totally trashed his car while he was shopping at Patriot's Place in Foxboro. He said that they had slashed all his tires and did irreparable damage to his Scion XD.

For the life of him, he couldn't imagine who in this world could hate him that much to do so such damage to his car (he had his business advertised on his rear window, so you couldn't miss the Monk Mobile) or who would just be so evil to cause this unwarranted destruction - and randomly to his car out of the thousands parked in the lot that night. He was speechless and quite beside himself with anger (yet, being Monk, finding positives in the situation).

We were all horrified and couldn't believe anyone would ever do such a thing to Monk. And then the truth came out...

That night on a local news website, there was a report about the severe thunderstorm that had passed through the region the night before. A photographer captured a perfect shot of a lighting strike right in front of Gillette Stadium. Upon closer inspection, when enlarging the photo, there was a moment of silent awe followed by an outburst of ironic laughter: clear as day in the photo, you can see the lighting bolt striking a white Scion XD - the Monk Mobile! Monk was relieved to see he was not the target of vandalism, but, as usual, simply passed off the loss of his beloved car by exclaiming: "See guys, I told you, God works in mysterious ways!"

Our team/family sends it deepest condolences to Jason's son, family, friends, co-workers, and riding partners. We are saddened to our core. He was truly one of a kind who will never be forgotten. Thank you for all the laughs, inspiration, and memories. Ride in peace.

Celebrating our team's 20th anniversary!

It's been a looong time, but the Velocite USA cycling team finally reunited for a sixty mile old-timers ride around Cape Cod (at least the team members who are still able to lift a leg high enough to get over the top tube).

Almost 20 years ago we got together to form a team based on friendship first, racing results second. From Colavita to Van Dessel to Cycle Taiwan to Velocite, it's been a damn fun ride! We made a lot of friendships along the way and even got a few results every now and then. To be able to still ride (albeit slower) with these founding team members was a very special moment. Great time, and we miss all our teammates who we've shared the roads with over the years.

And who knows, maybe one day we'll have dreams of our youth and be motivated to pin on a race number again.

The Velocite USA junior team showed up at an event hosted by their sponsoring shop, Norwood Bicycle Depot, where Doug and the gang did free kid's bike inspections, tune-ups, and gave parents tutorials for how to keep their kids' bikes running well. Norwood police were also on hand to give out free helmets and to discuss bicycle safety to the children. It was an excellent event and very well attended. If you're in Norwood, stop by to say hi to Doug - the man is a perfectionist, genius, and all around terrific guy.

Another fine day for Velocite with Thad in a two man break that took off at the gun, destroying the field over a beautiful rolling course in jungle-like humidity.

Forgive me fans, for it has been nine months since our last confession (or race report). The season has got off to a slow start due to poor weather, a calendar more sparse than usual (plus races that have too high entry fees and too low miles), and cancelations.

Today's race was quite grueling. Facing a heat index of 101°F, many of the riders were energy depleted just sitting on the start line. Once underway, the race was made all the more tough due to a pair of Columbian riders whose relentless attacks were more to try to make the gringos suffer in the heat than to actually escape the field.

The race was a battle of attrition, where by the final lap, only 5 riders were left, including Velocite's Thad LaVallee, who apart from suffering from heat exhaustion was still dealing with the pain of a shoulder that was broken in three places in the final race of last season and had still not healed.

Thad felt confident leading out the sprint, until with 100m to go, when speedster extraordinaire Colin Murphy (Boston Racing Independent) pulled even, then took the lead to win by a bike-length over Thad, with one of the Columbian duo following for third.

It was a modest result, but as it was the first podium placing of the year, it warrants a write-up. There are four more races coming up for the team in July, let's hope they can have another couple rides worthy of a race report. Stay tuned...

The 2017 road season came crashing down today at the Jamestown (RI) Classic.

The race was bang on from the start, with 12 riders separating themselves from the remainder of the field within the first couple hundred meters. Looking to become a bit thinner, the lead group upped the pace over the first couple rollers, keeping the riders lined out single file. Thad, the lone Velocite rider taking on the October finale, was sitting comfortably seventh wheel, until the rider who was sixth wheel for no apparent reason decided to brake, drastically deviate from his line, and totally chop Thad, sending him hurling towards the pavement. It wasn't so bad as far as race crashes go, but any time a masters rider (read: old man) goes down, there's bound to be pain and some medical attention needed.

After a few seconds, Thad got up, assessed body and bike for damage, got sorted out, and continued up the road. It was either determination, ego, or stupid stubbornness that kept him turning the pedals despite the streams of blood flowing down his leg and a shoulder injured to the point where he couldn't pull on the bars.

With the lead group well up the road by the time he had remounted, Thad joined the first chase group as they caught up to him (the term "chase" being very generously used to define these dozen riders). Within a few miles, it was clear that there would be no catching the leaders, as this group had quickly been pared down to five, with the four other riders being quite content to finish the day as also-rans.

The sprint was handily won by Thad who, due to the agony endured in his shoulder by pulling on the bars, was making facing and shouting creative vocabulary to himself that would've made Thomas Voeckler envious. The effort, though, was good enough for 12th overall, and 2nd in the Masters 35+ category. With any luck, the hospital will take the silver medal as payment when he goes in for x-rays now.

Velocite scored another podium today with Thad taking 2nd in the Pro/1/2/3 race at Wells. The attacks began at the gun, with a group of twelve finally establishing itself with twenty miles to go. The fast pace whittled down the group little by little until only six riders were left with five laps remaining. One rider launched a solo attack with three on the lap cards, while the other five hesitated, waiting for a final surge at the bell to close the 8 second gap and fight out the sprint for the win. However, with one to go, the lead rider in the chase group snapped his chain, checking the others. Thad took off at corner two, caught the lapped field, but came up a few seconds short of overhauling the leader, but was still able to hold off his fellow breakaway companions. We'll see if the team can keep its momentum going for the next few weeks...

Velocite took its second victory of the year today with Thad winning the Cat 3 race at Wells. The race was punctuated by a number of attacks, with a group of six finally able to snap clear with around twelve to go. With Thad's children at the finish line cheering wildly with each passing lap, veteran racer, all-around nice guy, and fellow father Ciaran Mangan offered to give Thad a leadout so he could look like a world champion in front of his kids. The plan worked to perfection as the rider Thad feared most became his brother in (crank)arms and sealed the victory for him. After completing a four-mile running race with his daughter the day before, Thad spent the rest of the afternoon moaning and groaning at every bodily movement, much to the amusement of his kids.

Velocite Cycling Team USA gen 2.0

"The Baby Gorilla" already uses his piggy bank money not on toys and games, but on helmets and gloves at Norwood Bicycle Depot, the best shop ever.

The 2017 edition of the Spud Cycle Classic was another hotly contested affair with Team Velocite battling it out with the local strongmen. The first climb of the race saw six riders separate themselves from the field, and despite many attacks, Christian did the lion's share of the work to keep the lead group together until the final 200 meters when Thad was able to deliver the win for the team by a whisker in the 46 mph sprint. Velocite has now claimed the top prize in Maine's longest and most storied bike race seven of the last eight years, though the hardware is always secondary to the fun of being able to ride and compete with such a terrific group of people.

Fast training ride tonight with Thad LaVallee, Mike Atwood and Mark Stockwell.