Velolet.com, a unique bike rental service launched this year, allows bike owners, including both individuals and bike shops, to list their bikes and earn income by renting to other cyclists. Creator Dan Cleary came to 303Cycling to announce that Velolet.com will be making its way to Colorado soon.

The goal of the website is to make it easy for traveling cyclists to rent quality bikes. If you've traveled with your bike recently, you know the pain. The options are either pay the extra $175-200 to bring it along or pay less to ship through other services and be without a bike for a week before and after the trip. “If you travel, you know what the bike rental situation looks like a lot of times -pretty bleak. You can't get to the top of any mountains in Colorado on a beach cruiser,” Cleary said. "Well, I guess you can…but why try when there are sweet mountain bikes and road bikes that are available." The site also allows locals to rent bikes that they may otherwise be unavailable for demo.

Velolet helps cyclists rent bikes by connecting them with other cyclists who have bikes to rent. Through the process, the cyclist has a better selection of bikes and the bike shop/individual listing the bike earns money with insurance protection and minimal paperwork. Velolet only takes a small fee from the renter transaction, but only to keep the bike hub rolling smoothly!
How it works

Thanks to the ACA for sharing the meeting minutes from the recent ACA promoters meeting. Decisions here will effect the 2011 Cyclocross season so read carefully

2011 Cross Promoters Meeting
February 26, 2011
Golden Visitors Center
1-5pm

Minutes by Chris McGee

Chris McGee introduced himself as the new Executive Director and welcomed promoters to the meeting. He
noted the growth and quality of Colorado cross in the last years, with racer numbers over 9,000 for 2010 and
nearly 30 medals at Cross Nationals awarded to Colorado racers of all ages and categories.

As part of the effort to encourage promoters to use the services of local on-line registration providers, Alan
Enos from Madsync and Lucas McCain of PreRace described their online pre-registration services to cross
promoters. The services of Clint & Clark at SignUp365 were also noted. Promoters, please look at our local
providers when creating your online registration.

Bill Barr recognized Jon Tarkington’s role in the ACA’s recent success and financial stability.

Jon Tarkington took over as chair for the meeting, and began by asking all promoters to introduce themselves
and give their opinion as to why Colorado cyclocross racers are finding so much success at the national (and
international) level. Answers included (in no particular order):

• ACA has 40-50 teams that provide support for many skill levels and are committed to junior and
  development programs.
• Our good weather and altitude contribute to excellent training.
• The diversity of hard, quality courses gives racers the opportunity to experience a variety of cross
  situations.
• Full length races help our athletes prepare for shorter races in other settings.
• Many Colorado racers focus on Nationals for their season.
• Top end talent for local racing provides pressure for our racers to get better. Colorado a magnet for high
  end cycling talent.
• Cross attracts road, mountain, and tri athletes – brings lots of talent together.
• Back to back racing most weekends (for juniors too) lets racers improve quickly.
• Colorado’s cycling culture brings passion and commitment to the sport.
• The Boulder cross training rides help riders of all levels to improve.

Photo Credit: SportifImages

Results

UPDATE March 1st 2pm

KHMTT: I am very sorry about the registration fiasco today. The PreRace.com website was simply overwhelmed. In the interest of fairness we have decided to postpone registration until Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 7pm. In this time, the registration servers will be moved to handle the required volume.

Thank you very much for your patience & understanding.
If you have questions, please all me at 303-458-5538.
Thanks, Chris

Chris McGee
Executive Director
American Cycling Association

What you will need to know to register

1. The registration process requires an annual ACA license.http://www.prerace.com/races/event/22763/Karen-Hornbostel-Memorial-Time-Trial-Series-2011
2. In registration, you must also provide d.o.b, emergency contact, phone number, email, and address.
3. Once you start the registration process, you will have 7 minutes to complete and check out.
4. You can register someone other than yourself. On the first screen of the registration, choose "I am registering someone else."
5. All participants over the age of 18 must have a valid email address.
6. Please feel free to contact PreRace.com for account support at info@prerace.com or 888.557.4020
7. If you hesitate you might miss the opportunity to compete

Remembering who Karen Hornbostel was