Dig deep with Bonk Breaker Apple Pie

Energy bar’s 8th flavor contains the super food chia seed; Sponsoring Kenda 5-hour Energy Pro Cycling and pro triathletes Angela Naeth and Joe Thorne

Chatsworth, CA (X November 2011): While Bonk Breaker can’t claim that eating their new apple pie energy bars will help keep the doctor away, the addition of super food chia seed to the all-natural ingredients certainly bolsters their case. In development for the past six months, the eighth Bonk Breaker flavor arrives in the peak of autumn, providing athletes and anyone in search of a nutritious snack a cool and refreshing, warm and comforting energy bar free from gluten, dairy and soy.

“The feedback that we received from Facebook and our Team Bonk Breaker athletes urged us to create a bar with apples. The numerous health benefits of the added chia seed, which is the world’s richest source of Omega-3 fatty acids as well as an excellent source of calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, niacin, fiber and antioxidants, makes for a super food Bonk Breaker. Welcome to the new era of cutting-edge nutrition,” declared Bonk Breaker founder Jason Winn.

Adding to their roster of World Champions, Olympians and professional athletes and teams that they fuel, Bonk Breaker will sponsor Kenda 5-hour Energy Pro Cycling in 2012 and will enhance their presence in the world of triathlon by sponsoring professional triathletes Joe Thorne and Angela Naeth.

Bonk Breaker’s co-owner Chris Frank said, “The incredible support and feedback we receive from our community of Team Bonk Breaker athletes has been invaluable, and we’re thrilled to grow our squad as a complement to the tremendous growth we’ve experienced as a company.”

A powerhouse domestic squad that competes in the biggest races held on U.S. soil, including the Tour of California, Kenda 5-hour Energy Pro Cycling possesses a talented international lineup capable of winning on any given day. The team’s director sportif Frankie Andreu said, “Bonk Breaker’s peanut butter & jelly bar is fantastic. It's easy to eat on the move, moist, and packed with energy. It's like a power boost with each bite."

Veteran rider Chad Hartley added, “There is nothing worse than cracking open a bar in the middle of a hot ride to find a dry, tasteless, hard chunk of cardboard. Bonk Breakers are always soft and light, extra tasty, and best of all, you don’t need to drink half of a bottle to wash them down. The way I can tell a bar is really good is if I eat them off the bike. I make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches using PB&J Bonk Breakers.”

Canadian Naeth won four 70.3 distance triathlons this year and finished on the podium at three others. "Bonk Breaker is the first energy bar I have used that has the perfect nutritional balance for the demands of training and competition alike. The bars have amazing flavors, are gluten-free, and are incredibly easy to eat and digest. I love that Bonk Breaker really wants and uses my feedback, and I couldn't be more excited about working with such a fast-growing team," enthused Naeth, a pro since 2008 who attended the University of Missouri on a full athletic scholarship.

A two-time All-American runner at the University of Texas prior to discovering triathlon, Thorne stated, “I love Bonk Breaker for a few reasons. The bars are made by athletes for athletes. They are nutritionally-packed and also delicious, which is a unique pairing these days. It seems sports nutrition is either one or the other, but not both so to have great tasting bars with optimal nutrition is the best combination any person could wish for - especially if you are an athlete.”

Baked fresh from all-natural ingredients, all eight Bonk Breaker flavors are gluten-free and dairy-free. Earlier this year, the company successfully introduced the espresso chip and blueberry oat bars, the latter of which utilizes the same oat base as the apple pie bar. Additional flavors will soon be announced. For more information, please visit www.bonkbreaker.com.

About Bonk Breaker

Bonk Breaker is on a mission to feed the world with the best tasting and most nutritious energy bars on the planet. Professional and amateur athletes and anyone hungry for a nutritious snack on the fly reach for the dairy-free, gluten-free bars that are baked fresh from the finest natural ingredients. Selected four times as the “best energy bar” by Competitor Magazine, Bonk Breaker is presently available in eight delicious flavors: peanut butter & jelly, peanut butter & jelly high protein, peanut butter & banana, peanut butter & dark chocolate chip, almond butter & honey, espresso chip, blueberry oat and the new apple pie. Created in 2006 by Jason Winn while training for his first Ironman triathlon, Bonk Breaker is based in Chatsworth, California, and sold throughout the United States and in eight countries abroad. They are proud to sponsor Team SpiderTech (UCI Pro Continental), Hincapie Sportswear Development Team, four- time World Champion track cyclist Sarah Hammer, NFL’s leading receiver Wes Welker, and many other outstanding athletes around the globe. Visit Bonk Breaker online at www.bonkbreaker.com and “like” them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bonk-Breaker/153294675925.

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Congrats to Katie Donovan of SC-Velo/EMPOWER COACHING cycling team...3rd place at Cascade Classic stage 1 Road Race.

State Crit Championships 2011

Empower Coaching Staff: Chris DeMarchi & Kirk Bausch show how its done at the Cal State District Crit championships: Chris (2nd in both Master 35 & Pro), KB (4th in Master 30). These coaches practice what they teach.

Bonk Breaker celebrating a red, white & blueberry July 4th

Unveils blueberry oat energy bar, sponsors U.S. Olympic track cyclists

Chatsworth, CA (30 June 2011): Bringing in the Fourth of July weekend with a touch of patriotic panache, Bonk Breaker introduces the seventh flavor of the best tasting energy bars on the planet: blueberry oat. The fast flourishing company also recently inked sponsorship deals with a trio of American champion track cyclists who are favored to medal at next year’s London Olympic Games: Dotsie Bausch, Sarah Hammer and Jennie Reed.

Following last month’s launch of the espresso chocolate chip bar, which became an overnight sensation, Bonk Breaker believes the blueberry oat bar will be an all-American classic. “Blueberry was on our short list of potential new flavors because of its great taste and antioxidant properties. Plus we received an incredible number of requests for blueberry via Facebook posts, emails and phone calls from our loyal customers, an organic and rapidly growing grassroots group of athletes and health-conscious eaters that we consider to be both valuable advisors and great product ambassadors. Our ‘lucky number 7th’ bar is made from a gluten-free oat base and is our second bar made without nuts, like the espresso chocolate chip bar,” explained Bonk Breaker founder Jason Winn.

Riding as Team USA, Bausch, Hammer and Reed won a World Championship silver medal in the team pursuit last March in Holland. With U.S. teammate Lauren Tamayo, Bausch and Hammer share the world record in the three-kilometer track cycling event that will make its Olympic debut for women in 2012.

Six-time U.S. National Champion and two-time Pan Am Championship gold medal winner Bausch overcame severe eating disorders that threatened to take her life over a decade ago, which put a halt to a promising modeling career. It was during her recovery that she discovered her talent and passion for cycling. She uses the spotlight to help encourage and inspire others to overcome eating disorders and return to healthy eating habits. “As a veteran athlete, I’m careful about what I put into my body. Bonk Breaker is the only bar I ever eat off the bike as well as in training because they are natural and nutritious. There is not another bar on the planet that is as fresh and has that ‘just out of
the oven’ taste. I had been eating them for a while and when the opportunity came to work closely with this dynamic company, I was thrilled,” enthused Bausch, who expects to make her Olympic debut at age 39.

Earlier this year, Hammer won her fourth World Championship and became the first American woman ever to win three medals at a single track cycling world championships. She set a world record in the individual pursuit and next year will be a medal hopeful in her second Olympic Games where she will ride the omnium and the team pursuit. “Not only do I use Bonk Breakers in training, but I eat them any time I want a healthy snack. I take the peanut butter & jelly bars with me on the long flights between the U.S. and Europe,” said Hammer, a Californian who presently resides in Mallorca, Spain.

Looking to make her third Olympic appearance, Reed was the first American woman to win a World Championship in the keirin in 2008. Having amassed four World Championship medals and 30 World Cup medals, the fierce sprinter retired after the 2008 Olympic Games, but was lured back to the track last year by Bausch and Hammer. Reed said, “Bonk Breaker energy bars are so delicious. Now I actually get excited about eating on training rides. I am a bit of a foodie and follow a gluten-free diet, so it was difficult to find a gluten-free bar that provides enough energy and tastes good. But when I tried Bonk Breaker, they gave me the energy boost I needed and the quality ingredients are unlike any bar I've tried.”

“We are excited to add Dotsie, Sarah, and Jennie to Team Bonk Breaker. Our sponsored athletes and teams provide vital feedback, which aids in our product development and keeps us on track. We consider them to be partners and family. These talented women represent the pinnacle of international sporting excellence, and are strong believers in Bonk Breaker and our company’s philosophy. We are proud to fuel their pursuit of Olympic gold,” stated Bonk Breaker co-owner Chris Frank.

Baked fresh using only natural ingredients, all seven flavors of Bonk Breaker are gluten-free and dairy-free. Three additional flavors are expected to be introduced before the end of the year. Further information is available at www.bonkbreaker.com <http://www.bonkbreaker.com/> .


About Bonk Breaker

Selected four times as the “best energy bar” by Competitor Magazine, Bonk Breaker makes the best tasting energy bars on the planet. Professional and amateur athletes and anyone hungry for a nutritious snack on the fly reach for the dairy-free, gluten-free bars that are baked fresh from the finest natural ingredients. Bonk Breaker is presently available in seven delicious flavors: peanut butter & jelly, peanut butter & jelly high protein, peanut butter & banana, peanut butter & dark chocolate chip, almond butter & honey, espresso chocolate chip and the new blueberry oat. Created in 2006 by Jason Winn while training for his first Ironman triathlon, Bonk Breaker is based in Chatsworth, California and sold throughout the United States and in seven countries abroad. They are proud to sponsor Bausch, Hammer, Reed, Team SpiderTech (UCI Pro Continental), the Hincapie Development squad, and many other outstanding athletes around the globe. Visit Bonk Breaker online at www.bonkbreaker.com <http://www.bonkbreaker.com/> and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bonk-Breaker/153294675925 <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bonk-Breaker/153294675925

Rated “R” Race Report by Lisa Campbell

This isn’t so much of a race report…but a report about being at the race and all the exciting and dramatic events that happen behind the scenes. I was lucky enough to be rooming with Bonnie and Pam on Friday night since we were the only ladies doing the “granny” (otherwise known as Masters) race on Saturday.

I knew I was in a bit of trouble when Pam called me just as I was leaving and told me her and Bonnie were already there. Because the next words were….”we are getting ready to break open the wine”…In my head I saw the bottles of 2 buck Chuck being corked while Pam and Bonnie jumped up and down on the beds…with Bonnie’s dog Rusty watching…

Sure enough, when I got there…I was right! In the trash was a bottle of 2 buck chuck and there were Pringles, a loaf of Tillamook Cheddar, and various candy wrappers scattered about the room. Pam left to go to Del Taco for some pre-race carbs. It seemed like it was taking Pam awhile to get back from Del Taco…then, lo and behold Bonnie gets a phone call from her. Her room key was not working…or maybe she was at the wrong room. We’ve all done that before..you know there are no numbers on those silly key cards. But actually Pam was just across the way at the wrong hotel…

When Pam got back to the right hotel…she walked in smiling…carrying a big fat burrito and said “I was sliding the card in every door, going up and down the hallway, thinking, why isn’t this working”.

Opting for something that wasn’t going to cause me severe GI distress (and an unenjoyable race for anyone behind me on the bike Saturday) Bonnie and I went to get pizza. I have never seen someone who can eat, get ready for bed and be asleep before I even sat down with my food…but Bonnie did it..she got in bed, her dog crawled under the covers and they were out like a light. I hate sleeping, but after Pam put her eye mask on and was out too…I had to do the same. I had no one to talk to. Even the dog was ignoring me.

I will spare you the details from Saturday…I’m sure Bonnie’s report will have all the info..but let’s just say that I learned a lesson about NOT chasing after your teammate’s wheel and bringing the damn peloton with you…sorry about that Pam. Yes, I did shed a few alligator tears after the race, but I did it in the privacy of some back lot somewhere after the race. Then Pam and Bonnie cheered me up and entertained me for the rest of the day. Actually, Bonnie pretty much slept the whole day, as did her dog Rusty. Pam…well…Pam helped me re-hash that race over and over until I finally stopped feeling bad about it. By the time dinner rolled around I was ready to focus on Sunday and stop worrying about Saturday.

Speaking of dinner, when I left the room in search of somewhere to buy Epsom salts for my aching “granny” legs Pam was breaking into the Doritos’s…or the Pringles, not sure which. Never have I seen someone so strong and consistent a racer as Pam…and now I saw the “fuel” she used... I was even more impressed, and frankly, a little scared…I was reminded of something Pam said right before Barry Wolfe, when we were talking about warming up. I believe it was something like, “The only time I ever warmed up before a race it was the worst race I ever had.” See…scary.

Sunday was definitely a better day for our team. PC, Bea and Dennis had arrived late Saturday night. I know what they ate for dinner because PC texted me pictures of Chicken and Waffles. I don’t really understand that whole combo…but I did wake up James (who had arrived later on Saturday) to show him the pics and he mumbled something like “yum” and that was the last I heard from him til the next morning. Dotsie and Ruth arrived early Sunday and we were ready to rock and roll!!!!!

Again, I will spare you most of the details of the race, but I can’t leave out one part…(sorry PC). After having several awesome moves throughout the entire day, PC was off the front again coming into the hill. About half way up we could see her…then she took a right hand turn, where there wasn’t a right hand turn. At least not on the course we were on. I heard a few ladies, kind of laugh and say “Oh, PC, that silly girl”…However…I really didn’t think she was taking a wrong turn on purpose. I yelled her name…but she kept climbing…the wrong way. We had some fun in the peloton…figuring out if PC was kidding or not..but when I looked back, I swear the look I saw on her face did not look like someone who was kidding. Well, at least she had a nice downhill to get back on the course. And as we all know, the race went beautifully for us, and we won! When I saw Ruth go, and get over 20 seconds…I knew she was going to TT her way home…

What did I learn this last weekend? Pam has the strongest GI system of anyone I know and something other than blood must run through her veins…Bonnie’s dog LOVES to sleep. (He slept on the front seat of James’s car throughout the whole race), PC needs a compass…Bea and I had really sore asses and need a constant infusion of chamois cream supplied to us throughout the race…Dotsie knows more people than God and Ruth can fricking fly!!!!

BIg Win!!

Empower Coaching Systems Women's Cycling team takes gold and bronze this weekend in the California State Road Race in an incredible display of tight, powerful team work! Way to go girls!

Perseverance Pays Off!

Empower Coaching System's Kimberley Turner turns a somewhat frustrating road race (her goal) into a BRONZE medal ride in the criterium at the 2011 Collegiate National Championships! Now thats the power of perseverance. NICE job Kimberley!

Get Structured to Get Fast!

At 37 Alessandro Patacchi continues to win! His quote: “At 37, I’m able to do sacrifices that I didn’t when I was 25 or 27," he said after winning in Parma. He then speaks about altitude training...He's pointing out that his older years are requiring a serious and structured training program:) If you want to get fast, then get structured, we can tailor a program to fit your needs. www.empowercoachingsystems.com

Dana Point Grand Prix

Empower Coaching's Mark Scott chillin after stealing the bronze at Dana Point Grand Prix yesterday in true sprinter fashion. Nice work Mark. Check out his bum.

Coaching Juniors w/ Chris DeMarchi

I have been coaching Junior racers for about a year and a half. Some coaches will not touch the kids that make the future of our sport because of the maturity levels. I have found that Juniors can be a pleasant surprise to coach. Yes, they are young and have alot on their plates with school, training, other activities, and friends, but helping them find the balance in their life and see the light bulb come on is priceless. I really get alot of joy out of seeing a junior athlete accomplish their goals in cycling and still excel in other parts of their lives.

Even if you are not a coach, mentor a junior today! The rewards go both ways.

COACH ANDY INTERVIEW: GUIDING IRELAND’S ELITE TRACK CYCLISTS

© Shane Stokes

American coach Andy Sparks was previously best known as the coach (and now husband) of multiple world and US champion Sarah Hammer, as well as being the head track coach at the UCI World Cycling Center. He was also U.S. Olympic Track Cycling coach for Beijing 2008.

However from last August he has been coaching the male riders on the Irish track team, and giving his advice and input to women’s coach Brian Nugent. Since coming on board there have been very positive signs, with the various riders showing good improvement. A team of five have travelled to the second round of cycling’s World Cup in Cali, Columbia, which begins today and runs until Saturday.

Martyn Irvine and Felix English will do the Omnium and scratch races respectively, while Jennifer O’Reilly, Caroline Ryan and Ciara Horne will do the women’s team pursuit. O’Reilly will also ride the Omnium, while Ryan will do the individual pursuit.

Sparks is a two time winner of the USA Cycling Coach of the year and his guidance has earned twenty World Cup medals and six world championship titles for his riders. That experience puts him in a very good position to be able to assess the Irish competitors he is overseeing, and he believes that there are grounds to be optimistic.

The rider that seems to excite him most is Martyn Irvine, who he describes as one of the most naturally talented riders he has ever worked with. English is seen as a very focussed rider who he expects to be successful, while he is encourage by the women’s improvement and believes that they should continue to progress.

Sparks spoke to Irishcycling.com in recent days and commented at length about the riders on the team and his short and long term expectations. He believes that Irvine and English can both go top ten in Cali, and that the women’s pursuit will achieve a time of 3 minutes 33 seconds or faster.

Looking further ahead, he expects more improvement in terms of results, and believes that at least some of the team can successfully qualify for the next Olympic Games in London.

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Shane Stokes: Which of the Irish have you been working most with, and where has that work been done?

Andy Sparks: When I first accepted the head coaching position for Cycling Ireland in August, it primarily was focused on the men's team pursuit team. Unfortunately after Matt Brammeier signed a contract with HTC-Columbia, David O'Loughlin decided to focus on family and business and Marcus Christie was on the sidelines due to injury, it sort of spelled the end of the project on the short-term. Some positives to come out of the decision were the ability to really focus on an event that Cycling Ireland could not only be a participant at during the 2012 Games, but a player at and a legitimate medal hopeful.

Out of this refinement we were left with two key male riders; Martyn Irvine, who is our team captain, and Felix English, who is our development omnium rider and who has also turned some heads recently by beating a pretty good British sprinter [Chris Hoy] at the European Champs. Both of these riders are champions. Martyn has absolutely every ingredient needed for success on the short-term and long-term and he will be a rider to watch over the next 2 years. He is both an exceptional races and trainer and we have given him the nickname: The Irish House of Pain. Felix is an exciting young bike rider who is just finishing up his Junior career now. Felix is a very focused and professional bike rider who will be successful in the sport as he will not let anything stand in his way.

The project has already been rewarding but I also got really lucky with inheriting so many talented bike riders. Both the former coach Tommy Evans and current women's coach, Brian Nugent, did a great job of developing and recruiting the Irish talent. My job is to now expose the squad to both the highest level of training and the high standard, needed in every category, to be successful at World and Olympic level. And I'm very happy to report that we are making major gains towards this goal.

SS: What sort of progress have you seen from each of the main riders (ie those going to Cali)?

AS: We are seeing gains in all three parts of the Irish track program: Men's Omnium, Women's Omnium and Women's Team Pursuit. Martyn Irvine, our top omnium rider, finished 9th at the European Championships which is a very good indicator that he has a great shot of qualifying for the London Games (through 12 Olympic points-earning races over 2 years the top 8 European team qualify spots for London). Martyn is incredibly talented and we will be seeing quick and continued gains from him as he is very new to the mass-start racing and will really come out of every race a new and better bike rider. Martyn is one of the most naturally talented bike racers I have ever worked with.

Jennifer O'Reilly is currently our top omnium rider on the women's side. Jennifer has only been racing her bike for about 18 months (she came from a rowing background) but you would not know that when you see her in the bunch. Jennifer had a very respectable first-showing at the European champs in the omnium and now we just need to get her stronger and fitter, which will happen as she has been working hard towards this goal.

Lastly, our women's team pursuit has been making steady progress and are now achieving some respectable times. We have a team goal of 3.33 or faster in Columbia and I really hope, and expect, to achieve it. Brian has been working hard with the ladies for the last year and over the last 3 months I have been providing some guidance and support for the project in the areas where I can offer something.

SS: What do you think is possible there?

AS: My expectations, across the board, are always going to be high. All of the athletes know what level of performance I am interested in and that is what we have been working hard for to achieve. For Cali, we have set the following goals:

Martyn - top 10 Omnium
Felix - top 10 Scratch race
Women's Team Pursuit - 3.33 or faster
Jennifer - Top 15 Omnium
Caroline - Sub 3.45 in 3K Ind. pursuit

Long-term, I would love to see an omnium World Cup medal in the next 2 years for Martyn. For Jennifer in the omnium, a top 10 at a World Cup would be a fantastic results and for our Women's team pursuit squad a top 5 in the next 2 years at a World Cup would be a great achievement. None of these goals will be easy but if the team continues to work hard everyday in training and have confidence in themselves we will be successful.

SS: How do you assess their chances of reaching the Olympics?

AS: Our chances of making the Olympics differs for each event. Objectively speaking, if you examine the results from the European Championship it shows that Martyn has a very good chance of making it to London. For the women the next two World Cups will tell a lot. With the new selection procedure put forth by the UCI, European countries have it much harder than in years past on qualifying for the Games. If our Irish women get consistent top 8's in the team pursuit it would look promising to have them lining up in London come 2012.