I’ve been hoping to write this post since I started TriathlonMami. It marks a time when things get real.  It’s not that I am ungrateful for my two sponsors who started me out on this journey.  One gave me my triathlon bike, and Dr. Romero continues to treat me as often as I need it.  But now I am partnering up with Ultrabikex, and it’s taking me to a whole new level.

I first met Andreas from Ultrabikex Studio for a RETÜL bike fitafter I got my new ride; you can read about that here. But this is not the whole of what Ultrabikex is.  The company began in Venezuela by partners who were professional athletes and today it counts with eight stores in that country.  They came to the United States in 2010 opening the first store in Key Biscayne, Florida.  The store is geared (get the pun?) towards cycling, multisport and mountain biking.  In 2012, because of the store’s success and increasing demand for high end services, Ultrabikex opened the Studio at a different location where the RETÜL bike fits and custom builds are performed.

The Studio is run by Andreas, a German native and avid cyclist and triathlete who has been involved in cycling for over twenty years both in the US and Europe.  He maintains an impeccable space that shouts “serious business is held here” with only high end bikes, clothing, accessories and gear displayed.  It is a truly unique space open mostly by appointment only.  Yet Andreas remains remarkably accessible.  He used to run triathlon training camps in Spain and worked with all types of athletes including many beginners.  He finds a way to put you at ease – for example he keeps saying we are racing IronMan Florida together.  Sweet, the inclusive together part, but if I see him after the start it would be only when he is showered, dressed, napped, fed and back to see me cross the finish line!

Andreas is focused on providing exceptional service. In his own words: “there are no walls we won’t jump over for our customers.”  The result is a very loyal and growing following.  For example, customers have asked Andreas to build their bicycle costing thousands of dollars from scratch in whatever way Andreas thinks is best.  It’s that hard earned trust which makes the Studio special.

The Ultrabikex store is at a completely different location and is more a traditional bike store servicing the cycling, mountain biking and some multisport customers.  It also sells nutrition, accessories, children’s bikes and the like, and it will soon enter into event management.   Like the Studio, the store prides itself on its customer service and commitment to the community.  Ultrabikex as a brand sponsors Train2Give, a nonprofit group of over 45 triathletes who train for various races while raising funds for non-governmental organizations in Latin America, as well as Team Trainer Kids the local triathlon group for children.  And now, of course, it sponsors TriathlonMami.

Also several of the Ultrabikex staff have been personally involved with Bike Key Biscayne, an initiative which I am a part of to promote safe cycling in the area.

Needless to say I am stoked – for many reasons.

First, they are committed to our community and so am I.

Second, it gets me around people who really know what they are doing and who take cycling very seriously – perfect for learning.

Third, Ultrabikex Studio is now offering VO2 testing which I really want to try out.  I have a hard time training in my “heart rate zones” and I don’t really even know what they are.  With this testing, not only will the guessing be gone (I will know exactly which zone I am in based on my heart rate) but I will be able to measure my training success. I will repeat the test every few months and gauge my progress.  This will certainly decrease my temptation to skip a workout … that un-cheatable test will be a measure of my true effort.

Fourth … gear!  I haven’t invested one penny in cycling gear.  From clothing to water bottles I am desperately in need of some stuff which I will be reviewing.

And finally accountability.  In addition to the VO2 testing showing empirically that I am either slacking off or not, I cannot quit.  If I couldn’t quit before because I would disappoint myself, my family, and those who have supported me, I really, REALLY can’t quit now.  Ultrabikex is going out of its way to help me succeed showing me the same excellence in service they show their customers, and I am being showered with advice, knowledge and encouragement.

So here we go … we are entering 2013 with some serious work ahead but with a lot to look forward to.  It’s time to get busy.