1 event in Rochester Hills, Michigan

2026 Mitten Velo Team Rider Application

Team Mission Statement:

Mitten Velo has been established for the purpose of promoting grassroots bicycle racing. We are a team focused wholeheartedly on the fun to be had in the sport of bicycling. Team members are provided with optional organized training rides, support in terms of riding and racing experience, and discounted goods and services from team sponsors.

Mitten Velo Leadership:

President/Team Manager – Eddie Kraft

Vice President/Assistant Team Manager – Brian LaVoie

Secretary – Tony Dodson

Treasurer – Mike Semaan

Areas of Focus for 2026:

• The Team will maintain its Facebook group: Mitten Velo and we need your help to post & share the cool rides and races you’re doing!

• The Team will run well-organized group rides throughout the season, weather permitting. It may be of any experience, MTB, gravel, road, coffee, cyclocross practice etc.

• The Team is continuing with Trek! We’re excited to continue with Trek Royal Oak after the sale of Specialized to Erik's. We're looking forward to working together with Ian and the entire crew over there. If you haven't looked at their lineup, they have multiple mountain and gravel bike options that are being raced at the top level both here and abroad.

Benefits for Team Members:

• Discounts and special team pricing on goods and services from team sponsors: Trek, Stein Home Improvement, HealthQuest, Wolfson, Bolton, Kochis PLLC, Human Brand, Industrial Metal Sales, CTS, Cold Stone, Industry Nine, White Pine Coffee.

• Inclusion on our Mitten Velo email group. This is a great source for ride information and other things.

Team Member Responsibilities:

• Pay annual dues in the amount of $75.00 (the “Dues”) for the 2026 calendar year when your application is submitted or as otherwise required herein along with a signed Release, Assumption of Risk and Indemnification Agreement, which is included with your BikeReg registration. Team members accepted after the set deadline will be based solely upon the discretion of the Team Manager.

• Participate in races and training rides to generate publicity for the Sponsors and the Team. You are expected to represent the Team with pride, professionalism, and good sportsmanship at all times. Our goal is to welcome all riders at our group rides and help educate new riders when it comes to the rules of the road. We’re striving to build and maintain rides that offer a great experience to all riders.

• Volunteer during the year to assist in the organization and running of: Team rides, race events, or in-store promotions. This may be in the form of working a demo, race, promotional event, educational in-store clinics, test-rides with riders in season, coaching high school teams, etc.

• Support the Sponsors by wearing the Mitten Velo kit in your races. Team members will set an example to other cyclists and the community by wearing a helmet and obeying all traffic laws.

• All racing entrants will list Mitten Velo on their USAC license, race registration when entering events and wear approved team apparel in all races and events.

• Team members will not approach Team Sponsors requesting individual or additional sponsorship monies.

• Team members will properly enter races and events and pay the appropriate entry fees. No “bandit” racing.

• Each Team member should post on their social media throughout the year. Primary platforms include Facebook and/or Instagram.

• Failure to fulfill any of these responsibilities is cause for termination of this Agreement and dismissal from the Team, at the Team Manager’s sole discretion.

2026 Team/Member Focus & Goals:

• The Team will run group rides, season allowing - it may be of any experience, MTB, gravel, road, coffee ride, cyclocross practice etc.

• The Team will run community events throughout the course of the year - the Michigan Fat Bike Challenge, Thursday Night winter fat bike rides (TNF), summer Thursday Night Dirt rides (TND), Summer Solstice ride, De Ronde van Grampian gravel race, etc.

• Team kits: By joining the team, please ensure you are able and willing to wear our kit and be part of this long-standing tradition and history that has become one of the most well-recognized cycling teams in the state.

FAQs:

1. Do you accept anyone who applies?

2. No we do not. We prefer quality over quantity. We’re just like-minded individuals who enjoy being able to participate in the fun rides and races we do and overall just love riding bikes.

3. Is Cold Stone still part of the team?

4. Yes! Todd and Cold Stone are still part of the team and will be offering the same great ice cream to all of us.

5. Do I have to race?

6. No, you don’t. Most of us do race and the goal of the team is to work and train for races, but racing is not required to be accepted. Note: if you are interested in racing but aren’t sure where to start, let us know. We have team members happy to help you get started.

7. Do I need to wear the Mitten Velo kit all the time?

8. We’d love you to, as much as possible, but please ensure you can for your races. I mean, you’re here applying to be on the team, right?

9. How should I list Mitten Velo on Strava and on BikeReg for events?

10. Optionally, you're welcome to add “@Mitten Velo Racing” to your Strava name. And for BikeReg, please use “Mitten Velo Racing” for the team name under your profile.

11. How can I get Mitten Velo helmet or bike stickers?

12. We have stickers for both, available for free. Just reach out and ask any of us on the board to get some to you.

13. What if I’m not good at technology things and have trouble signing up?

14. Let someone on the BOD know and we’ll help you through it.

DISCLAIMER:

SUBJECT TO YOUR COMPLETION OF THIS APPLICATION, PAYMENT AND RECEIPT OF DUES, EXECUTION OF THE ATTACHED WAIVER, ACCEPTANCE BY THE TEAM MANAGER, AND FULFILLMENT OF THE OBLIGATIONS STATED HEREIN, TEAM MEMBERS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR TEAM BENEFITS.

DISCOUNTS AND SPECIAL TEAM PRICING/PROMOTIONS ON GOODS AND SERVICES FOR TEAM MEMBERS ARE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.