Sponsor spotlight: Ft Point Beer

Some of you may know Fort Point Beer, a rising star on the craft beer scene, they brew classic styles of beer with an innovative approach here in San Francisco, in an historic Presidio building under the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Fort Point Beer will be on hand at the SF Marin Food Bank Saturday to provide refreshments for all our racers in thanks for your efforts racing around town, collecting food and raising money!

Big thanks Fort Point Beer!

It's not too late, happening Saturday 12/3!   The 11th Annual Supermarket Street Sweep is right around the corner. RACE!  DONATE! VOLUNTEER!

Sponsor Swag from Ass-Savers!!

While the forecast for Saturday's 11th running of the #SMSW2016, we have something good for all our racers to help them fend off the effects of those less than favorable winter days!

Ass-Savers was started by 5 designers in Gothenberg, Sweden (they know a bit about rainy weather) who value riding in all conditions, as well as collaborating with artists on designs for their product. You've seen Ass Savers around, whether here in the Bay Area during the wet winter months or the world over, from Europe to New Zealand.  Their slim profile yet thorough coverage preventing road spray ensures they are the go to for all riders in questionable conditions.

Our main man bringing all the creative designs to yet another edition of the Street Sweep,  Jonathan Koshi (usually taking pictures of all out race attendees) has put together a great pattern sure to be a keepsake to all of this year's riders.

It's not too late, happening Saturday 12/3!   The 11th Annual Supermarket Street Sweep is right around the corner. RACE!  DONATE! VOLUNTEER!

Sponsor Spotlight: PRO Bikegear

Through a collaboration between professional riders of various cycling disciplines and experienced engineers, PRO Bikegear is constantly refining and improving their products to help the pros keep winning and recreational and sport riders benefit from the improvements as well. PRO-Bikegear has worked with professional teams and athletes, like the Athertons, Team Giant-Shimano, and Team Sky. This year, returning sponsors PRO Bikegear donated $600 worth of tools and components including a floor pump, hand pumps, Y-wrenches, saddle bags, and grips/bar tape/bar ends! Thank you for your continued support, PRO Bikegear!

The 11th Annual Supermarket Street Sweep is right around the corner. RACE!  DONATE!  VOLUNTEER!

Sponsor Spotlight: Rivendell Bicycle Works, Citizen Chain Cyclery, Mike's Bikes-Sausalito

We're delighted to welcome back Rivendell Bicycle Works as a sponsor. They've been selling classic lugged steel frames, wool clothing, and leather saddles since 1994. Rivendell focuses on proven technology that's been handed down over generations, and is known for their durable, classy goods with a commitment to quality and an excellent working environment.

Always a big supporter of the Sweep, this year is no different! They donated medium and extra small Sackville SaddleSacks as well as patches, plenty of reading material, and a ton of bottles! Thanks Rivendell!

Co-owned by three guys who genuinely love their craft and all things bike related, Citizen Chain Cyclery is approaching ten years of selling and servicing bikes in North Beach. They sell new bikes too of course, but it takes a special arsenal of knowledge, parts, and panache to rehabilitate used and vintage bicycles, and to listen to the needs and desires of a diverse population of cyclists. Their Sweep donation reflects exactly this type of diversity. They kindly donated a Topeak survival gear box, tees, and two double kickstands perfect for loading/unloading heavy bikes! Thanks Citizen Chain!

Mike's Bikes-Sausalito is conveniently located on the southern end of the Mill Valley-Sausalito bike path. They host Tuesday night tech clinics with a rotation of different topics and starting annually in April, Mike's Bikes-Sausalito is the meet up spot for a weekly ride with three degrees of difficulty called Col du Pantoll. They've donated three $75 worth of gift certificates this year to support the Sweep. Thank you Mike's Bikes-Sausalito!

The 11th Annual Supermarket Street Sweep is right around the corner. RACE. DONATE. VOLUNTEER.

New Sponsor Spotlight: Ornot, Jess Chan, 3D Bike Fit, Ten Speed Hero, Mettle Cycling

Founded in 2013, Ornot is a cycling apparel company driven by minimalistic design (designed here in San Francisco!), domestic manufacturing, and an emphasis on having fun on the bike - as their playful name suggests. Ornot is a new sponsor to the Supermarket Street Sweep, but they made a big commitment by donating two thermal jackets, two $75 gift cards, three pairs of socks, and three water bottles!

Photo by Nich Barresi, featuring our next sponsor, Jess Chan!

Jess Chan is a friend of the Sweep, and is a bad ass on and off the bike. She's led many of the Tuesday night women's rides out of Rapha Cycle Club for over a year, she's been on many a bike tour, recently celebrated "New Bike Day" with the frame she made in a frame welding program, and is an excellent designer of aesthetic, functional gear. Jess has ridden the Sweep, but this year, she made the bags pictured below exclusively as Sweep prizes! They include two sets of front panniers, two hip pouches, and two tool rolls. Some lucky winners will get these one-of-a-kind bags and be ready for more bike adventuring! Thanks Jess!

Client getting a bike fit at 3D Bike Fit, located at 1299 Bush St.

3D Bike Fit - Many people who have spent lots of time in the saddle have suffered from some kind of pain, be it in your knees, hotspots in your feet, or numb hands. This kind of pain can quickly zap the fun out of riding your bike. A professional bike fit can help alleviate these annoyances and make you a stronger cyclist by helping you position your body to better use your muscles. 3D Bike Fit has some of the finest technology and most knowledgeable fitters around! From measuring your "sit bones" for a proper saddle to custom footbeds, their staff has you covered to get your fit dialed. 3D donated a fit valued at $200 and a custom foot bed! Schedule an appointment with them today!

Ten Speed Hero is a cycling journal headquartered in Chicago with satellite offices in California and Belgium, but they also create road and cyclocross apparel for you to sweat in - in both subtle and vibrant designs! They've recently launched a couple kits featuring fun and adorable designs by Amelia Strong. TSH is also a strong supporter of women's racing. Follow their updates related to women's cycling and racing here. We're happy to welcome TSH as a new sponsor this year, with their donation of 10 pairs of cool socks to up your sock game! Thanks TSH!

Mettle Cycling's namesake is based on having the courage to follow through despite facing difficulties. From made-to-order camera straps to a wide array of neckerchiefs, Mettle Cycling is a great go to for a unique gift for that special cycling someone. They donated one of their tool rolls, featuring reflective detailing, a sturdy velcro strap, and a magnetic closure.

The 11th Annual Supermarket Street Sweep is right around the corner. RACE. DONATE. VOLUNTEER.

New Sponsor Spotlight: SRAM!

We’re super excited to announce our next new sponsor: SRAM! SRAM was started in 1987 in Chicago and immediately started changing the cycling industry with the introduction of the Grip Shift method that many cyclists may be familiar with. Growing with the popularity of mountain biking in the 90s, they re-entered the road bike world with a bang in 2006 with their Force groupset, introducing yet a new way to shift: Doubletap.

Never satisfied SRAM pushed the Force further and developed the lightest road groupset: SRAM Red. Very recently, SRAM has showed that they’re still not done, releasing the first true wireless drivetrain, SRAM Red eTap, and with it, a new shifting system inspired by F1 race cars. With eTap, the rider hits the left shifter to shift up, and the right to shift down, and holds both to change what chainring their in.

SRAM has also helped to push forward and develop the 1x drive train. With its XX1 drivetrain, SRAM introduced the large range 10-42 cassette, bringing a huge cassette, designed entirely for a wide-range 1x system. This year, SRAM pushed it further with Eagle, a 1x12 drivetrain focused around a 10-50 cassette, giving incredible range without the hassles of a front derailleur.

While always changing how cyclists change gears, SRAM has slowly built up the rest of its cycling component portfolio. They make some of the best brakes with Avid. Under the Quarq name they make light but extremely accurate power meters. With Zipp, they make ultrafast carbon wheels, and various other carbon components all manufactured in America.

Since 2002 SRAM has been in charge of RockShox, and has been making some of the best mountain bike suspension available. This year, they’ve been super generous in donating one of their Pike RCT3 forks as a prize (valued at $1,030)!

Thank you for supporting the Sweep, SRAM!

Remember, online registration is open through December 1st. Sign up today!

Sponsor Spotlight: Chrome Industries, Phil Wood & Co, The Heavy Pedal, Low Bicycles, DZR Shoes

Chrome Industries recently celebrated their 20th anniversary of making bags, apparel, and footwear. Since then, one of their new projects includes working with denim legends Cone Mills to create the Wyatt Denim Collection, built to withstand the wear and tear of riding bikes and motorbikes. This year, Chrome donated a giant box of rad gear including apparel, accessories, pouches, and three bags!



No stranger to the Sweep, Phil Wood & Co. returns to sponsor us with some shiny high flange track hubs and more of their quality maintenance products to keep your stable running smoothly! Phil Wood products are completely designed, manufactured, and assembled in San Jose, California!

DZR Shoes recently introduced the DZR H2O, the "first ever fully seam sealed waterproof SPD compatible sneaker." DZR believes in a seamless transition for cyclists no matter the occasion or destination. The H20 guarantees that you arrive at your destination with dry and happy feet, and what great timing with these rainy days! DZR donated four gift certificates this year so four lucky Sweep participants can try a pair of DZRs for themselves!

We're happy to welcome Low Bicycles as a new sponsor this year! Low Bicycles, located in San Francisco's Mission District, was established in 2010 by Andrew Low. They excel at building race-focused track, road, and cross bikes out of aluminum, using a multi-pass smooth weld technique they've perfected that delivers improved joint stiffness and smoothed out fillets that are easy on the eyes! Low has donated an envelope full of stickers as well as comfy and soft tees perfect for layering in the City!

The Heavy Pedal also joins us as a new sponsor this year! The Heavy Pedal was founded in 2007 by cycling and design enthusiasts, Terrence and Victor. What started as a cycling blog soon flourished into a brand that also includes cycling apparel, casual wear, and accessories, striving to create great designs for products big and small. The Heavy Pedal operates out of Downtown Phoenix, Arizona and manufactures products in the United States whenever possible. The donated a couple of really cool and soft tanks and tees along with a bunch of stickers!

Thank you to all of our new and returning sponsors!

For a chance to win some of these prizes and support the SF-Marin Food Bank, sign up TODAY! 

Rider Profile for Brad Simeral, and A Special Prize Announcement!

Meet Brad Simeral, a fundraising and cargo racing rockstar who's been doing the Sweep since the very beginning! Last year, he won the fundraising category by raising a whopping $6,579 and placed 4th in the men's cargo category by bringing in 245 lbs in 3 hours and 25 minutes!

Photos by: Jonathan Koshi

Name: Brad Simeral

Sweep Categories: Cargo-Men, Fundraising

What was the race equipment you used? 

I've used a variety of equipment. Every year I've bitten off more than the equipment can handle, many of them were more than a bit scary. 

• My old mountain bike pulling a trailer (one year also I also pulled a wagon behind the trailer)
• That same bike converted to a cargo bike (Xtracycle extension was a Sweep prize)
• A city bike pulling a trailer (bike was a Sweep prize)
• My touring bike with panniers. 

Why is the Sweep important to you? 

Each year I send out a pretty emotional plea for donations in the fundraising category. The essential message is that food insecurity and hunger is a problem that should not exist in an area of such prosperity. My friends, family, colleagues, and I are all privileged enough to not have to worry about where our next meal is coming from and no person deserves to feel that stress. The Sweep is important because it gives me a platform to solicit my network for their donations to help the Food Bank.

How long have you been participating in the Sweep and what's the biggest thing you've learned since then? 
I've been participating in the Sweep since its inception. I had to miss a couple of years when my company's volunteer event had a date conflict, but I've been volunteering on the day of the Sweep since 2005. I've learned that generosity and competition can be great bedfellows. The Cargo competition was such an innovative way to magnify the impact of event. Kudos to our fearless leaders for coming up with that idea.

Favorite Sweep moment/memory? 

Can I have two?

(2012) I loaded 300 pounds of rice on top of the Xtracycle at the FoodsCo in Portola and and it was unridable due to being too top-heavy. I crashed immediately exiting the parking lot. While I was blocking the lane with my mess a police officer stopped behind me and ... asked if she could help. She took half of my load and delivered it to Food Bank. I don't know how I would have finished without her help. 

(2013) I had loaded up 750 pounds of food on the cargo bike, a trailer and a wagon (17 feet of towing capacity), which (yet again) proved too much for me to pull. The whole system was so unstable I ended up falling several times on the way to the Food Bank. When I just couldn't make it up the incline on Indiana street, 3 other riders in the sweep and a homeless man helped push my monstrosity up the hill.  

Any tips for someone considering racing cargo for the first time?

• Tricycles are required for heavy loads
• Multiple trips are your friend
• Pre-order and pay for your food
• Indiana street is longer, but a much better route if you are heavily loaded 

You've always done really well in the fundraising category. Do you have any strategies or tips so others can also lead successful fundraising campaigns? 

• Your friends, family, and coworkers want to donate. Compel them with your dedication and a good story. 
• Remind them several times, but don't be annoying. Offer a story in exchange for their time and annoyance. 
• Remind them to use their corporate matching funds.
• Bring them in on the fun. I've started a raffle for my donors. $5 donation buys you a ticket, including confirmed corporate matches. After the race I pull a number out of a computerized hat and the winner gets a bike! 

Xtracycle has been a huge and long-time supporter of the Supermarket Street Sweep, and for good reason! They've been pivotal in expanding what's possible on a bike, whether you're adding a trailer to your current bike to haul as much as you can carry from the grocery store, or getting a cargo bike so you and your family can experience the joys of cycling together to school, work, and play. This year, Xtracycle donated a certificate for a Leap Cargo Bike Bolt-On Kit (valued at $599!)! It will be available in early 2017 and one lucky Sweep rider is going to be one of the first to get their hands on one so they can carry even MORE in Sweeps to come!

A huge thank you to Brad and Xtracycle!

To sign up for the cargo race, register HERE! For details on fundraising, read our step-by-step instructions HERE or DONATE to an existing fundraising team!

Have a favorite Sweep story you want to share? Send us an email at supermarketstreetsweep@gmail.com

Sponsor Spotlight: Timbuk2

Founded in 1989 and known for their signature three-panel tri-colored messenger bags, Timbuk2 has since grown and expanded their line of bags to fit virtually every riding style of our diverse communities, as well as creating bags for work and travel. This year, they donated four bags and a bunch of seat packs!

They have a manufacturing facility and factory store right here in San Francisco in the Mission District as well as a retail location in Hayes Valley, so be sure to pop in and check them out for your bike bag needs!

Photo provided by Alex Morales

We have yet another awesome sponsor whose representative also participates in the Sweep! Meet Alex Morales, who has been a long-time Sweep volunteer and now works at Timbuk2! 

If you have raced in the event in the past, what was the equipment you used (bike and bags)?

I have raced in alleycats and other races. My favorite was one that a friend of mine put on - a 24hr scavenger hunt race where you had to get images and find things and present your finds. It was cool and a lot of fun. I brought a backpack (at the time a Freight large rolltop), bike tools, a jacket and some food/snacks.

How did you first get involved with the Sweep and how has the event grown since you started?

I started to get involved because I met Jenny Oh on SF Fixed (ooh remember that site?) and we hit it off as friends and love of shiba inus and bikes. She then asked me if I was interested in helping out with an event that donates food to the food bank and well the rest is history. I helped out for 4 events and loved doing it.

Why is the Sweep important to you?

It's important because it brings together our community and you are actually making a difference. I love seeing our bicycle community in the Bay Area come together and support this cause. 

Favorite Sweep moment/memory?

Seeing the father and son tandem bike team. It was so cool and so endearing that it made my day.

The Sweep has been a family affair for Eric and Cooper "Sprocket" Downing since 2011 with the cargo win, and now they have the help of Trenton's pedaling power too! Photo by: Jonathan Koshi

Can you share a tip for someone considering volunteering or sponsoring for the first time?

If you are volunteering remember to bring food for everyone like those large coffee containers you can get at starbucks. Volunteers need fuel too! And snacks as well. Also make sure to pack a jacket/layers because it does get cold.  Sponsor as much as you can because its a great cause.

Thank you so much Alex and Timbuk2!

If you would like to volunteer on race day, EMAIL US!

Sponsor Spotlight: The Freewheel Bike Shop

The Freewheel Bike Shop has been serving the Bay Area with expert repairs, custom wheel building, fitting, and professional road and mountain bike sales since 1978. Not only do they take pride in servicing all types of bikes and riding styles, they also offer bicycle repair courses! These monthly courses take place at their shop located at 1920 Hayes Street, and course registration includes a one-year membership to the shop's tool and stands so you can keep reinforcing and building upon your own skills! 

This year, The Freewheel is donating a custom wheel build using the custom White Industries hubs pictured below (valued at $750)! 

Photo by: Carlos Corujo

In addition to being a returning sponsor of the Sweep, owner Carlos Corujo placed first in the men's cargo race last year, coming in with 712 lbs of food in 3 hours and 43 minutes!

Photo by: Jonathan Koshi

Carlos and The Freewheel Team, thank you for all you do for the Sweep! For more information on the monthly bike maintenance courses at The Freewheel, email Carlos.