Cycling: Cadence Performance Cycling Centers Team With Renowned Carmichael Training Systems (Cts) To Open First World-Class Retail & Training Facility In Manayunk

One-Stop Cycling Center to Provide Bikes, Training, Apparel, Travel

PHILADELPHIA, PA, MARCH 15, 2004 - Cadence Performance Cycling Centers, the Philadelphia area’s first and most complete world-class retail bicycle facility and home to the nation’s first expansion of the renowned Carmichael Training Systems (CTS), will open its first Center next month at 4323 Main St. in Manayunk, not far from cycle racing’s legendary Manayunk Wall.

Located in the historic Nickels Building in the heart of Manayunk, the specially designed bi-level interior, created by architect Cam Lacey of Wayne, PA, will for the first time in the Philadelphia area provide avid cyclists with exclusive brands of many of the world’s finest cycles and cycle components. Showcased handsomely on the store’s first level, they will include incomparable, international professional product lines like Wilier, Time, BMC, Cyfac, Argon18, Parlee and Yeti; and premier components, wheelsets and high-tech carbons like Velomax, Mavic, Zipp, Campagnolo, Easton, ITM, Deda, Shimano and Cinelli.

Prices for these world-class bicycles range from $1,400 to $2,000 for pre-built bikes; and $1,800 to $15,000 for custom-built bicycles.

The exclusive strategic partnership and the opening of the nation’s first bicycle-specific CTS Performance Center, is a real coup for Cadence owners and partners Jay Snider, Matt Heitmann and Brian Walton. CTS, the world’s leading provider of endurance athlete training and coaching programs, will provide Olympic level physiological testing, personalized fitness and health assessments, and training/coaching/nutrition programs at Cadence to improve clients’ cycling skills, performance and health.

Founded by Lance Armstrong’s personal coach, Chris Carmichael, Cadence’s CTS Performance Center will utilize all of Carmichael’s training methods and techniques to offer coaching, training, nutrition and testing programs to cyclists of all ages and abilities, ranging from competitive cyclists to recreational riders.

The Cadence CTS Performance Center, which will be located on the second level, will be operated under the direction and expertise of Brian Walton, one of the most successful cyclists in North American bike racing. He is a former member of Team 7-Eleven, Team Motorola and Team Saturn, a three-time Olympian and 1996 Silver Medalist, winner of numerous North American and European road races and was named USA Cycling’s 2003 Developmental Coach of the Year.

Other interesting aspects of the Cadence complex on Main St. will be a section devoted to the latest in international cycling apparel for men and women. Under the direction of veteran retail merchandiser Melissa Heitmann, the cycling fashion center will feature men’s apparel like Sportful and Bergamo, both of Italy, and Louis Garneau of Canada. Cycling fashions created and designed specifically for women will include SheBeest, Zoelle and Sportful.

Highly trained experts in their fields will provide the all-important mechanical and bike fitting services. All of Cadence’s mechanics have been hand picked, trained and certified at the prestigious Barnett Bicycle Institute in Colorado Springs, CO.

To make it easy for customers to experience a variety of worldwide cycling locations, Cadence has partnered with EuroCycler and DuVine Adventures, companies that arrange an extensive array of travel services for the cycling enthusiast. EuroCycler owner Richard Debrot is located at the store to help arrange cycling trips that offer riders a combination of performance and luxury.

As avid cyclists, founding partners Jay Snider, Founder and Managing Partner of Snider Capital in Ardmore, PA, Chairman and CEO of Venue1 in Wayne, PA, and former President of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Matt Heitmann, former academic, local businessman and a cycle road racing participant, undertook the Cadence concept to satisfy the needs of prominent cycling communities.

“We wanted to create a distinctive concept - performance cycling centers - that unconditionally cater to cyclists’ every need. From the rarest cycle component to travel packages, we will deliver 100 percent. We’ll ensure that each customer is treated like a pampered professional. Professional products, professional training and professional service, all in one place. That’s our concept,” Heitmann explained.

“The Greater Philadelphia Region is one of the top areas in the country for participation in cycle events,” Snider said. “Cadence brings a professional European touch to all facets of our business, from bikes to apparel to training to the design of our store. There’s nothing like Cadence anywhere in the country. One stop shopping for the avid cyclist.”

Snider and Heitmann hope to expand the dual concept of Cadence Performance Cycling Centers and Carmichael Training Systems to other cities throughout the country where cycling has a great deal of professional, amateur and recreational participation.

Chris Carmichael is excited about his company’s new association with Cadence Performance Cycling Centers. “Starting off the Cadence and CTS strategic partnership in Philadelphia is significant because Philadelphia is historically one of North America’s bike racing centers. For 20 years, the US Pro Cycling Champion has been declared in Philadelphia, and it’s no coincidence that Cadence and CTS pay homage to this history by starting out together in Manayunk in the shadow of the Manayunk Wall, one of cycling’s great tests of endurance, stamina and conditioning.”

For additional information on all aspects of Cadence Performance Cycling Centers visit the company’s web site at www.cadencecycling.com.