Levi's 2007 US National Championship bike spent a day in Missouri attending "Bike Day". Trek Outside Sales Rep Jeff Chattin sent us this letter updating us on the day's events:
Bike Day was started by the Missouri Bicycle Federation, The federation is a statewide advocacy group for cycling.
The goal of bike day was to talk to every state legislator and Senator regarding changing laws to improve the quality and safety of cycling in the state.
We also met with the Lt. Gov and several key legislators to present them with plaques for their outstanding work in regard to cycling issues.
The Governor was out of the state so we could not meet with him personally.
The Tour of Missouri was a huge topic of the day. The economic impact study done by the University of Missouri showed the state netting 26 million. More sponsor $ are rolling in for this year’s race so the event will be bigger and badder. It goes without saying, that’s great for cycling in Missouri!
The bike was a huge hit. Levi’s name is big in that building after he won the time trial in last year’s event. The politicians were clamoring to get their photo taken with the bike(especially the one’s who are up for election this year).
The legislature was in session that day and we were taken into the chambers and formally introduced to the house. The bike got introduced as well and got bigger applause than we did.
We then went over to the courthouse and met with the attorney general. He had his photo taken with the bike as well (running for Gov. in 08)
After that the bike was on display in the rotunda with some other really cool antique bikes, including a British folding paratrooper bike from WW 2. I think the Brits beat Gary Fisher on the invention of the mountain bike. You may want to keep that one quiet though.
Anyway, there were cameras flashing all day at Levi’s bike. I made a placard telling the story of the bike and the national championship paint job.
The lesson learned here is that it’s way easier than one would think to walk into this building and get these lawmakers to meet with you. I was very nervous meeting with my rep., at first, but he listened well and I was surprised how much he already knew about cycling and the state of the roads in our county.
The bike with it’s ties to the Tour of Missouri was a great attention getter and wonderful tool to break the ice with these people.
Ester Haywood, State rep. for the 71st district, St. Louis is the person in the photo. She also was the person who introduced us and the bike to the house in session.
The following weekend I took the bike to A&B Cycle for their customer appreciation party. The Specialized rep. was pissed. Need I say more?
Jeff Chattin , Trek Sale Representative
