Swiftwick

Lucas McCain, Swiftwick connoisseur, recently touched base with Dawson Cherry--friend, cyclist and triathlete, and ride director for Charleston Ride for Hope. For those of you not familiar, the Charleston Ride for Hope, or affectionately known as Jerry Zucker Ride for Hope, is a charity ride that takes place in South Carolina and raises monies for local cancer beneficiaries. The ride raised $132,424.93 with only 205 riders, and SC local George Hincapie popped over for a little spin too. Congratulations and glad Swiftwick could be a part of your event! For more information, visit the Charleston Ride For Hope website.



Molly & Dawson Cherry, Lucas and Rachel(Swiftwick) at Blood, Sweat and Gears in Boone. Long day in the saddle.

Why did you decide to put on the Jerry Zucker Ride for Hope and how long did it take to get the idea off the ground?
It all started in August of 07, my Dad was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, my Mom had breast cancer, as well as my Grandfather and Grandmother on my Dad’s side. So, you could say at the age of 43 I now understood there was a since of urgency, a target on my back so to speak. I sent into livestrong.com and asked to be a grass roots sponsor and start the Charleston Ride for Hope. I incorporated the ride and then sat on it wondering if I wanted to undertake this new challenge, recently married in the spring of 08, watched my father pass away in February, Mom declining daily due to stroke, a lot on my plate to consider.

Then on a bike ride on a Spring day with my good friend Joe Calandra, I ran the idea by him. Never one to step away from a challenge, Joe mentioned the passing of Jerry Zucker (same day I got married). “We can do this Dawson and do it well”, the next hour of the ride as we toured the islands, we planned it out. Here goes ……

What positive results have you seen come from the event?
So many, the effect on cancer here locally and the charities we have given money to is number one. Of course, raising 135k and 205 riders is next. So many stories, it would take all day. In short, we are making a difference in a big way.


How did you land George Hincapie and what kind of buzz did this create for your ride?
We kept trying and had asked Lance and George the year before. For a lot of reasons, George decided to come. It really took the ride to another level, increased participation and more publicity.


What was the biggest challenge you faced in putting on the event?
Getting it all together, there are so many things to do, just getting people into all the right spots.


After a nice long ride, what’s your favorite beer to down?
New favorite is Fat Tire, but I will not turn down a New Castle or cheap beer fav it Yuengling.

If someone is looking for a road trip and an event to support, why should they choose The Jerry Zucker Ride for Hope and Charleston, SC?
Great people, great ride, flat and easy finish to the season during a beautiful time of year, and either before or after the Ride there is so much to do around Charleston, i.e. fish, dining, downtown history, etc

Finally, any changes planned for next year’s ride?
Bigger, better, more celebrity riders.


Ooops, one more – what’s your favorite sock?
New favorite is Swiftwick, no seams, and great compression, helps keep an old man upright

Granny Gear had much to say about Swiftwick. Click here to read the full article.

Check out the one and only fatmarc vanderbacon. He had some kind words to say about Swiftwick. Great blog!

Click here to view.

Swiftwick socks are the best socks I've ever worn, period. The fit is great- the heels and toes are free from blister-causing seams, and they are snug on my ankles. The wool socks are the best for cold winter rides and runs, and they are ideal for cyclocross. The quality is clear- I'm still wearing socks from 3 years ago! Thanks for making a great product.

-Georgia Gould
LUNA Chix Pro Team
2008 US Olympian
2009 US Short Track MTB National Champion
2006 XC MTB National Champion


We love you Georgia! Check out her new website here.

SOCKS
Our new socks are here and they’re great. We got some samples from this little company, Swiftwick, some time ago and instantly fell in love with their products. Comfy, tight-fitting, fashionable – all the major essentials. We’re told the reason these socks are so great is because of how tightly they’re knit. They use 200 needle construction – quite high by cycling sock standards. Think of this measurement as similar to TPI in bicycle tires – the higher the number, the tighter the knit, the smoother and more pliant the sock is. Regardless of the technology, all we know is these things rock.

Check out the link here or read below. Nice review from the great folks at Embrocation Cycling Journal.

We have two socks this time around: our team issue navy blue with white and the reverse – a white sock with blue logos. I thought about getting these in a variety of cuff heights, too, but in the end Jeremy talked me out of it. It went something like this:

Me: These socks are great. We should order some tall ones and some lower ones.
Jeremy: No way!
Me: What, you think that…
Jeremy: Nope. Nope. Gotta have high ones, only high ones. If people don’t like the high ones, we have to educate them accordingly.
Me: Um. Well ok, let’s do it.


So, these new socks all have a 6” compression cuff. The 6” will bring the cuff to just below the calf muscle on most people; the compression of the cuff is significant but not overwhelming and keeps the sock from slipping. Plus, we all know the benefits of compression garments, right? Right.

Much has changed and this blog is lacking some serious entries. We will be updating in reverse order.

Our apologies on the delay of Swiftwick news. We've been moving as we've outgrown our facilities, and have outgrown them yet again with several talented additions to our team. Still the same great sock, but with more resources to make your Swiftwick experience better.

So from Interbike 2009 back to March, we'll be updating and continuing to do so after getting caught up. Thanks for reading and we look forward to getting our blog back out there on your radar!