We’re mid-Speed Week and things are BUSY—here’s your hit of the action.
We’re keeping this week’s update short and sweet—because, well… it’s Speedweek. MG is chasing finish lines nearly every day, and the rest of us are sprinting just to keep up. Between travel, late nights, and crit chaos, it’s been nonstop. We’re tired, a little sunburned, and loving every minute. Here’s what’s been going on:
APERITIVO
Our Friday night before Athens was fantastic. We gathered for Aperitivo at the Studio to celebrate a few very exciting firsts. We toasted the arrival of Basso Bikes as our newest partner—yes, we’re official dealers now—and debuted our “Purple Reign” kit, created specially for the electric energy of Athens Twilight.
With friends and fresh faces filling the space, we couldn't have been more pleased with the turnout. The vibes, the spritzes, the music, the stories – it’s the kind of shared energy that reminds us exactly why we do this.
If you're curious about Basso, reach out. We've got a very fast bike racer who knows these machines inside and out and would be more than happy to help you find your perfect setup.
ATHENS TWILIGHT RECAP
We rolled into Athens ready to party—and party we did. Our special purple-branded horns were everywhere (next year, we triple the order), the streets were the most packed we’ve ever seen, and the energy was unreal.
The race? Total chaos in the best way. A hesitation off the start let two riders sneak away and lap up early, which made the rest of the night tense, tactical, and unusual. MG was right in the mix—animated, aggressive, and undeniably the fan favorite. Every surge, the crowd lit up. It wasn’t the fairytale ending, but it was a show—and that’s what Athens is all about.
And the kit? Let’s be honest… we might’ve dropped the best kit ever seen at Twilight. The “Purple Reign” look turned heads all weekend and the white bibs? Yeah, we’re already working on more.
Want the full download? Nikki and Chad break it all down on this week’s Culture Edit podcast. Don’t miss it.
SPEEDWEEK STATUS
It’s been a wild ride already. MG hit the deck in Greenville- still landing a podium, and took a well-earned breather on Sunday post-Athens to regroup. The crash caught up to him a bit later, but you wouldn’t know it after a near-win in Union City last night—just inches from the top step.
He’s deep in it now, with more racing ahead. The vibe? Well rested, full hearts, all gas. Here's what’s next:
April 30 – Suwanee Crit
May 2 – Spartanburg Crit
May 3 – LaGrange Crit
May 4 - College Park Crit
We’re cheering, we’re crewing, we’re creating—and we’ll be back next week with more stories, photos, and some deeper reflections. Thanks for being part of the ride.
THE TRAKA
If that wasn’t enough for you, then check this out. We have a +S|S contingent flying across the pond as you read this headed to the biggest gravel race in Europe - The Traka (Girona).
Nikki and Chad are in work/party mode, taking on the 200K and 100K with lots of meetings in between. They are then headed north to the French Riviera for a MUCH needed vacay - let’s see if they unplug (doubtful).
Also in attendance, we have the world's fastest gravel racing doctor, Allen McDonald, MD, III (aka, “The North Highland Hip-Ripper”). Doc is taking on the 200K, a relatively short affair for a Saturday if you follow him on Strava. Word is he spent more time on tire selection than he will riding during the race.
We can’t wait to hear the reports from the “Unbound of Europe.”
Weekly +SpeedStudio Saturday’s ride details in our Strava Club here.
MGR CORNER
Hey everyone,
It’s been a nonstop rollercoaster lately—racing, traveling, moving, studying (finals week, anyone?), and somehow still keeping the content flowing. After Levi’s, there wasn’t even time to breathe before diving straight into Speed Week. We came out swinging with a podium in Greenville- 3rd… but it didn’t come easy.
Mid-race, I hit the deck—hard (see it here). A perfectly dropped bottle in the apex of Turn 2 sent me flying. I landed on my right side and my hip’s still paying the price. It’s part of the game, but man, it hurt.
Just a day later, the mood flipped. Friday night at the Studio was magic. We celebrated the debut of Basso as a partner and dropped the all-new “Purple Reign” kit. Honestly, calling it “a hit” is a massive understatement. It felt like more than just a launch—it felt like we were all part of something. The vibes, the people, the energy… it was a night for the books.
Then came Athens.
The energy in Athens was absolutely electric. The streets were jammed, the lights were blinding, and the roar from the crowd? Unreal. No city shows up for bike racing quite like Athens. There’s nothing else in the U.S. that brings the arena feel like Twilight does. You could feel it in your chest.
We showed up with something special. Nikki and my girlfriend Shanon were decked out in full purple-painted jumpsuits, handing out hundreds of branded vuvuzela horns to fans lining the barriers. And they were a hit. Loud, chaotic, pure joy—kids going nuts with their swag, parents cheering, everyone buzzing. We did something no one else has ever done. We didn’t just show up to race—we showed up to create an experience. And that’s exactly what I want to keep building. It’s what the sport needs, fan engagement, personality, stories, and experience.
The race itself? Total chaos. A massive crash on lap one took out a chunk of the field and left a lot of riders seriously hurt. Sending all the healing energy I have—especially to Noah Granigan, who suffered a broken femoral head. His season is over, and I can’t imagine what that kind of heartbreak feels like. It’s a sobering reminder of just how thin the margins are in this sport.
Not long after, two riders took off and lapped the field before anyone fully realized what was happening. I sensed the danger, but when you’re racing solo, you can’t cover everything. That was a move the big teams needed to control—and they didn’t. Once the damage was done, the entire field was rattled. Tension maxed out. Everyone was scrambling, trying to force something, anything. But nothing stuck.
On the final lap, I tried to set up for a late charge, but a fading leadout rider slid backward and pushed me straight into the barriers. I got shuffled too far back, and my sprint was cooked. No sugarcoating it—I was crushed. After everything we’d built up around that night, I wanted so badly to deliver. I shed a few tears.
But here’s the thing: we showed up. With purpose. With fire. With the best damn kit anyone’s ever seen. We were the fan favorites. We were the team that people were screaming for. And that means something. The spirit we brought, the people around us, the love for this sport—it matters. That’s what I’ll carry forward.
I bounced back with a 2nd place last night in Union City and I’m just an hour out from heading up to Suwanee for a new race tonight.
Speed Week isn’t over. My body’s healing, the heart’s all in, and the mission continues. See you out there.
MG
+SPEEDY UPDATES
Ep. 088 - Speed Week, Marketing Strategies, Athens Twilight, and Traka
In this one-on-one episode, Nikki and Chad recap their hectic week as Speed Week kicks off and Aperitivo Hour ensues. They discuss their overall marketing strategy for Athens' Twilight, as well as their execution on a new kind of sponsorship model. They are off to Traka this week, so check back for updates and make sure you say hi if you will be at the race in Girona, Spain!
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