Wilier Triestina began its rise to prominence as one of Italy’s preeminent brands in 1906 as Ciclomeccanica Dal Molin. Its main offices and factory have been located near the base of famed Giro climb Monte Grappa, sixty miles from Venice, ever since.

Both Wilier and Triestina were inspired by Italian patriotism following the World Wars. Wilier is an acronym. W is an abbreviation for the word Viva, which means “Long live”, beginning the phrase: W l’Italia liberata e redenta – Long live Italy, liberated and redeemed. It is pronounced /Vee’-lee-air/.

Triestina is pronounced /Tree-es-tee’-na/ and is the Italian equivalent of our English word triestine, which implies related to the Italian city of Trieste on the Adriatic Sea. Following World War II, Trieste and its surrounding coastal area remained part of an occupied free territory while triestine cycling great and 3-time Giro winner, Giordano Cottur, was battling against fellow cycling greats Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali.

Inspired by Cottur and Trieste’s plight, Dal Molin put together a team with Cottur as leader, calling it Wilier Triestina. The brand’s inimitable halberd logo (similar to a fleur-de-lis) was inspired by Trieste’s coat of arms. In Autumn 1945, the company assumed the symbolic name. Wilier Triestina was born, distinguished by its unique copper colored models. The rest is history.

A huge congratulations to Team Sammy’s for all of the excellent results at the recent Iron Madison. Stay tuned for detailed results, until then here is a picture of our beloved athletes. Thanks for making Sammy’s look so good

In 1976 a SoCal kid with an eye for style and a steady hand with an X-acto knife supported his BMX addiction by making custom number plates for the sport’s top racers. The Haro number plate was an instant hit, and went on to become an icon of the sport. Demand for Haro plates was phenomenal, and soon a business was born. When he wasn’t designing products for his fast-growing company, Bob killed time by learning tricks on his BMX bike. Freestyle didn’t have a name yet, but it had a founding father. After perfecting his repertoire, Bob took his trick show on the road and a whole new sport was born.
By the early 1980′s BMX freestyle was in high gear. To satisfy demand among riders for a bike that could handle the abuse from flatland and ramps, Bob Haro introduced the Original Haro Freestyler. It was another instant Haro hit, and the company named after the man who literally developed a sport found itself on the cutting edge of BMX design and technology. In 2008 Haro Bikes celebrated its thirtieth anniversary. Funny how time flies when you’re having fun.
 
 

From the beginning of Masi’s birth and evolution, the Masi philosophy has always been about the way our bikes ride. Masi has never been about the latest fads or fashions in manufacturing, or even geography, but always about how the rider feels when riding the bike. Faliero Masi brought the storied brand to the US in the early 70’s, shunning the myth that a quality racing bicycle could only be built in Italy. Since that time, many of the most well-known brands in the Italian cycling world have followed the trail out of Italy that was blazed by Masi.Faliero Masi was known as “The Tailor” because of the quality of his craftsmanship and his unbending belief in fitting the bike to the rider and the type of riding to be done. The top riders of the time would visit Masi to have their bikes made because of his reputation as the best. Mythical riders like Fausto Coppi, Luison Bobet, Felice Gimondi, Rick van Looy, Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx. These legends of the sport would pay to have Masi craft their frames and then have them painted and decaled as their official team bikes. Year after year.

At Masi Bicycles, as it has been for the better part of 70 years, it’s all about the ride. It is this singular devotion to an esoteric principle that sets Masi apart. We don’t make bicycles for everybody, we make bicycles for you. Masi has evolved into much more than just a race brand, and is now a brand for every facet of your cycling lifestyle. It’s all about the ride, whatever that ride might be.
 
 

Can you believe it Summer is almost over! When the cold winter season approaches us Sammy has your answer for a nice get away. The Grand Fondo Miami ride will be held Friday November 18- Monday November 21st! Staying at the Courtyard Miami Beach South Beach Hotel located right of the ocean Sammy has your getaway all planned out. Join Sammy and his pals at the century ride in Miami! Hotel, Reservation, and assembly of bikes are all included in this special package! Hurry with only 22 12 open rooms, spots are filling fast. Call 630 444-0690 for more information and prices. Escape the snow this November with this amazing offer!
 
 

The Tri-Cities Gran Fondo is a cycling event for all ages to raise funds for the Tri-Cities Health Partnership – a free medical clinic serving the Fox Valley area.
The rides take place on Sunday, August 21, 2011 @ 7:00 am. The various rides begin at Sammy’s Bikes in St. Charles, IL and will course through the open roads and bicycle trails of the beautiful Fox River Valley. Register today at ACTIVE.COM. Registration forms may be downloaded and mailed as well. Registration will also be available on the day of the event.

For more info on the event contact Sammy’s @ (630) 444 – 0690 or visit the Tri Cities Gran Fondo site here.