Jared Bailey’s Post

The Journey of a Rider : A Sunday Story Each pedal stroke on a Sunday ride symbolizes a commitment to excellence. The open road becomes a training ground where every incline challenges strength, every curve hones agility, and every mile builds stamina. It’s a day where the routine transforms into a ritual of growth and self-improvement. Balancing the life of a rider with personal and career responsibilities is no small feat. It requires discipline, time management, and a relentless drive. Yet, it’s within this balance that we find profound lessons. Riding on Sundays teaches us the importance of consistency and dedication. It reminds us that success in any field demands not just talent but also the perseverance to push through challenges. Moreover, these rides offer a sanctuary from the pressures of everyday life. The rhythmic motion of cycling, the fresh air, and the ever-changing landscapes create a meditative experience. It’s a time to reflect, rejuvenate, and return to our professional and personal lives with renewed energy and focus. In every ride, there is a story of growth—a journey of pushing limits, embracing the joy of the moment, and striving for a better version of ourselves. #mrfloruscent #motorcyclerider

Lessons from Riding a Bike, Striving for Success on Two Wheels Just like navigating the twists and turns of a bike ride, our professional journey is filled with challenges and exhilarating moments. Here's how cycling mirrors essential principles in the world of business: Balance is Key On a bike, finding the right balance ensures a smooth ride. Similarly, achieving work-life balance is vital for sustained success. Balancing priorities, projects, and personal life leads to a more fulfilling professional journey. Pedal Through Challenges Uphill battles are inevitable, both on the bike and in our careers. Embrace challenges with a determined mindset. The harder the climb, the sweeter the victory at the top. Teamwork Wins Races: Just as a peloton moves faster than a solo rider, collaborative efforts outpace individual endeavors. Teamwork amplifies creativity, problem-solving, and results. Together, we can cover more ground and reach new heights. Results Require Persistence Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are cycling skills or successful projects. Consistency, dedication, and persistence are the gears that drive us forward. Celebrate small wins, and keep pushing towards the finish line. Safety First Wearing a helmet while cycling is non-negotiable. Similarly, in business, prioritizing ethics and integrity is fundamental. Trust and credibility are the helmets that safeguard our professional reputation. So, as we pedal through our workweek, let's apply the lessons from our bike rides to cultivate a workplace culture that thrives on balance, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. What lessons have you learned from your experiences, whether on two wheels or in the office? You can share your thoughts too! #BusinessRide #Teamwork #CareerJourney #bike #customerexperience #aftersales #persistence

Hi, We launched new bikes with Ampler Bikes. And as the self-proclaimed number-one fan of Ampler, I take all our new 2-wheelers for a test ride to give you firsthand feedback. Though I usually prefer a diamond frame and have been riding my G1 Curt since 2018, the new Curt Anyroad in low-step is just a dream (yes, I might be a bit biased, of course, but I'm also an everyday city commuter and a weekend gravel rider). The new Curt Anyroad in low-step might be my favourite Ampler yet. So here are my test ride results from Berlin: ⚡ Firstly, the bike is just beautiful. I'd be happy to roll on it to a formal event in a dress, cruise around doing my errands in the city, or go for an off-road forest ride on the weekend. (...and I mean...It also photographs super nicely 💁♀️ ). ⚡ Secondly, it's smooth and comfortable, so riding any terrain on top of asphalt was a breeze. I took the shortcuts in Kreuzberg by the canals, and anyone who's ever ridden those roads knows that unexpected roots and stones pop up everywhere. ⚡ Thirdly, it's so light (16,9 kg) that if there is any staircase on the way (and there were plenty in Berlin), I am able to lift it and carry it to continue my journey with ease. ⚡ Last but not least, our bikes have connectivity, so I don't have to worry about someone taking my pretty bike without permission. So, as biased as it might sound, as I'm so deep in the Ampler world, I give this bike a 10/10 and hope it will make lots of commuters happy in the years to come. So take the road less travelled, or not. The Curt Anyroad can take it. 

Why Ride Fixed Gear? Secrets of Fixed Gear Riding - Fixed Gear VS Geared Bikes Why do we ride fixed gear? It often makes no sense to people when I tell them I ride a bike with no gears and not only that a bike in which the pedals are connected directly to the back wheel meaning the pedals wont stop turning when I stop pedaling. It can be pretty tricky at times going up steep hills and a bit daunting going down hill. Why wouldn't I use the modern day luxuries of the dérailleur system and gears? I could be changing gears as I wish to match my incline and speed as to where I may be going. This system has been scientifically optimised and it allows riders a more efficient ride and the ability to go faster, farther for longer (think the Tour De France Bikes, all gears.) However what if I told you that fixed gear bikes have a few secret benefits of their own; ultimately functional, form meets function, the human body meets machine, rubber meets city street, locked in to the present moment and most importantly, absolutely exhilarating.

The Best New Car is an E-Bike: How Leasing Can Change the Bike Industry Twenty five years ago, the car industry showed us how successful the leasing business can be. How can the bike industry capitalize on leasing in the current market? that will be may topic at this years Bike Leadership conference in the US end of March and looking forward to discuss and share our experience we have in Europe. Tomi Viiala, co-CEO of Stromer, will share his perspective on how the U.S. bike industry can capitalize on leasing in the current market. In 2023, more than 65% of Stromer’s business in Belgium was done through leasing, with a similar trend seen in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Viiala will share lessons learned from Stromer’s success in Europe and the massive opportunity to grow bike leasing in the U.S. #ebike #stromer #commute #leasing #heretochange https://lnkd.in/dNUVmBaC

🚴♂️ 🚴♀️ Lessons from elite cyclists for managers: Pogacar's rivalry with Vingegaard Tadej Pogacar, the Slovenian cyclist, recently highlighted how the intense rivalry between his team and Jonas Vingegaard’s squad is driving groundbreaking innovations. “Every team is pushing each other, with technology, with nutrition, with training plans, with altitude camps. We push each other to reach new limits,” The new performance standards are also resulting from technological advancements: “The bikes now are so much faster, especially the tyres. They make the biggest dif­ference from what we had six, 10 years ago. The wheels, the aerodynamics, the frames – it’s just amazing how different the bike is now compared to five years ago.” Based on these insights, here are five research-based tips for managers to enhance team performance: 1.    Create benchmarks and friendly competitions within your teams. This drives motivation and pushes everyone to excel. Recognize and reward top performers also based on peer-rated collaboration, learning and shared best practices. 2.    Equip your team with the latest tools and technologies. Invest in regular training sessions to ensure everyone is proficient with new tools. Remove the old ways of doing things. 3.    Use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) for goal setting and conduct regular progress reviews. Align with process partners with shared OKRs and get feedback from external stakeholders too. 4.    Create an environment where team members feel safe to experiment and propose new ideas. Target a number of out-of-the-comfort zone initiatives (and measure learning not results). 5.    Invest time in education and skill development partnering with few top quality providers for courses, workshops, and action learning experiences. Set-up learning challenges: AI and growth mindset, emotional intelligence and sustainability, diversity&inclusion and business acumen. Push their limits, step back and watch them grow. Smile. 

The advantages of belt drive | Coh&Co Belt-driven bicycles often catch people’s attention and spur a bunch of questions. Belts are ideal for urban bikes, internal gear touring bikes, single speeds and fixies: and that is why we choose them whenever we believe it makes sense. Despite their many advantages, belts are however often misunderstood. So why would you want to swap out your trusty (remember the “t”) chain and replace it with a belt? #cohandco #beltdrive Gates Corporation #urbancycling

How do you convince someone that your solution will work? Let them try it out for size. That’s exactly what happened when our customer Sam, from West Wycombe, approached us about a new driveway. Sam had his doubts about the Gravel Grip drive we were suggesting for him. Would the surface be grippy enough to handle his motorbike? And would the gravel really stay put once he’d put his beloved Triumph through its paces? The answer was yes and yes. As luck would have it, we’d just completed a Gravel Grip driveway in Pishill near Henley – not far from Sam’s home. So, with the owner’s permission, we invited Sam along to try it out for size. The result? Sam and his bike sailed smoothly down the long, sweeping driveway without so much as a wobble. And with both bike and rider happy, Sam signed up to his own driveway project the very next day. Gravel Grip is a system we’ve developed ourselves here at New Home Improvement Group to solve the problem of shifting gravel. By placing a honeycomb grid structure under the gravel, the stones stay in place without the need for a resin layer. It’s a great halfway option between a traditional loose gravel drive and a more expensive resin-bound driveway. 5 reasons to choose a Gravel Grip driveway… ✔️ Highly affordable ✔️ The gravel stays put!  ✔️ Naturally permeable ✔️ Available in a wide variety of colours and styles ✔️ Suitable for all vehicles – including wheelchairs and motorbikes! Does your driveway need an update this spring? Get in touch to see how we can help. Take a look at Sam trying out our Gravel Grip driveway below in comments ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eYhgDWq3

Employee Spotlight: Julian Zambrano Julian is a full-time outfitter at Fleet Feet Oak Park and has been with us for the past year and a half. Learn more about Julian below: How long have you been running? I have been running since the beginning of 2021. I was looking for a new challenge and hopped straight into the deep end and decided to run the Chicago Marathon. It’s been an unreal journey so far, love every second of it. How long have you been working at Fleet Feet? I’ve been at Fleet Feet for 1.5 years. I love the industry and work environment. I look forward to serving our customers every day and providing the highest level of service possible. Favorite race experience? My favorite race experience has to be running the Chicago Marathon in 2022. I was striving to break the 4 hour mark after being unsuccessful in doing so the year prior. I’m very goal-oriented and seeing the progress throughout training gives you a different energy that translates into all aspects of life. Having my family and friends in support  and crossing the line with time to spare is an unexplainable feeling, one that keeps you striving for more. What's one item you can't leave for a run without? I can’t leave the house without my Garmin Watch. Having the ease of access to my mileage, time and training log allows me to optimize my training and help me progress towards my goals. What's your favorite part about working with our customers? I love being able to help our customers reach their goals and pursue an active and healthy lifestyle. Our customers look to us for our knowledge and expertise and I look forward to upholding the standards we set. #RunningChangesEverything #RunChi 

In professional spheres, we often talk about driving results and powering through objectives. Yet, I find that some of our most profound insights come from moments spent far from the spreadsheets and conference calls – like those atop a bicycle saddle. Can anything truly surpass the invigorating sensation of pedaling across tarmac or trail? I argue not. Each rotation of the wheels forges a unique synergy with the world that is both grounding and electrifying. The act of cycling itself is, perhaps, one of life's finest metaphors for progress. Every journey has its climbs and descents, its rough patches and smooth sailing. The commitment to each stroke signifies far more than locomotion; it embodies resolve, rhythm, and the incremental triumphs that define our ventures both personal and corporate. Interaction with our surroundings delivers unexpected parallels with the business landscape. The cyclist's road is ever-changing, demanding constant awareness and adaptation. It's not unlike navigating market fluctuations or evolving industry trends. Our ability to stay present and responsive on the bike translates seamlessly to strategic agility in business. Moreover, cycling represents a sound investment in personal well-being which invariably impacts professional performance. By prioritizing physical health, we foster mental clarity and resilience. Wielding these amenities of the mind can prove as valuable as any credential or experience, for they are the engines of innovation and leadership. In conclusion, every ride offers a renaissance of spirit, a revitalization that transcends mere recreation. This is an open invitation to my colleagues, clients, and contemporaries: consider the bike not just as a means of transport, but as a vehicle for inspiration. Let's take this discussion from the boardroom to the bike lane, and experience together the profound joy and revelation that awaits with every pedal pushed. Pedal forth into this compelling journey of discovery, reminiscence, and personal conquest.