In The News
Working on the Future
A nice piece appeared in the Peace Arch News about a recent speech that Willie and his partner, Matt Young, gave on the topic of Hire Me and earning your rewards.
Take a look at what they had to say here: http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/peacearchnews/news/12946056.html
Take a look at the book for yourself here: http://www.johnhenrybikes.com/catalog.asp?category=62&subcategory=380
Live large. Live to ride.
The Jennifer Burke Show
Learn how to buy a youth bike and cycling accessories by checking out the Jennifer Burke Show on CTV. An awesome feature that helps you take the fear out of buying and gets your little ones in the game!
Team H2V Wrap Up Video
Wrap up video for Team H2V with footage from the ride, news coverage, etc.
Team H2V Leaves for Halifax
Team H2V was on Global TV this morning as they were at the airport getting ready to leave for Halifax. You can watch the video online here.
Team H2V On NSMB.COM
"Nine days, five riders, two coasts, some 6000km, and one very ambitious goal of curing Juvenile Diabetes! If you haven't heard already, or if you live under a rock, Willie Cromack of John Henry Bike Shop and 4 other super motivated individuals of Team H2V are tackling a non-stop coast to coast bike ride to raise funds and awareness for Juvenile Diabetes.
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Willie, ask him some questions, and get the low down on this epic undertaking. Enjoy, and good luck to ya boys!"
Read the full article here.
Willie on Rock 101
Willie was recently interviewed on Rock 101. You can listen to the interview here.
Time Magazine!
Willie, owner of John Henry Bikes, is featured along with the H2V team in Time Magazine. Check out the full page ad here.
Peace Arch News
Cyclists set for 'epic test' of spirit "This is probably the most inspirational story that has come across my plate in a long time, Cheryl Wilson-Stewart said of a trans-Canada bike trip geared at finding a cure for juvenile diabetes. " Team H2V, sponsored by John Henry Bikes, rides for a cure to juvenile diabetes this September.
Oppulence Magazine
Team H2V in the August/September issue of Oppulence Magazine. Check out the article called "Life Cycle" here.
Team H2V In West Coast Families Magazine
"6000 Kilometres, Two Coasts, Nine Days, Five Riders, One Goal: Cure Juvenile Diabetes Kyle Balagno's daughter, Taylor, has Type 1 juvenile diabetes. He promised he would do everything in his power to find a cure for the disease before her 18th birthday. Taylor is 12. Her dad wants a cure. Come September 14th, 2007, he'll be working hard to get one.
On that day, Team H2V: Coast to Coast kicks off. An epic test of human spirit, H2V hopes to raise one million dollars and accelerate a cure for juvenile diabetes. Five riders, all Vancouver businessmen, will be hitting the streets, from Halifax to Vancouver, in a record-setting nine-day Trans-Canada tour. Kyle Balagno is one of them.With the support of four friends who believe anything is possible, together, they are doing something to find a cure. Visit teamH2V.com to see how you can help."
Check out the magazine here.
Team H2V On Diabetes Sports & Wellness
Team H2V mentioned on the Diabetes Sports & Wellness page. Check it out here.
H2V On CTV News
 | H2V, the ride across Canada to raise money for juvenile diabetes, was just recently featured on CTV. You can watch the segment below. Although we're making excellent progress, having raised $550,000 already, we still need your support. Please help us make juvenile diabetes history. Every little bit helps; you can donate online (securely) here. |
There are also new trailers online, so be sure to check them out here.
H2V On the Laila Yuile Show
 Laila Yuile, Taylor Balagno, Kyle Balagno, Willie Cromack |
This past Sunday, June 3rd, the Laila Yuile Show hosted on CKNW AM980 interviewed two riders from the H2V team. In the show Laila discusses the format of the ride, what it's like for Kyle and his daughter Taylor living with diabetes, and their hopes for the ride. If you missed the broadcast you can listen to the entire show online here. Pictures from the show below.
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Uphill ride worthwhile for John Henry Bikes
Check out this May's issue of the North Shore Business Journal for an article about Willie and John Henry Bikes or click below to read the article online.
10 Must-do B.C. Cycling Events
Willie Cromack, owner of John Henry Bikes on the North Shore, picks his 10 top B.C. cycling events in The Province (check them out in our events section).
1. The Seattle to Portland Road Ride: Two days of fun that anyone can do.
2. The Test of Metal: Train right and you CAN accomplish this legendary Squamish off-road ride.
3. The MS Ride: Four choices, four different dates, beautiful scenery and great camaraderie.
4. The Cystic Fibrosis Chicken Ride: White Rock to Harrison or even Calgary! An awesome event.
5. The Single Sock Century and Ride: Three lengths, including the ever popular Century [100km]. Have you earned your sock? Great atmosphere, great grass-roots fun.
6. The Cheakamus Challenge: A mountain bike and a trip from Squamish to Whistler. A challenge but definitely doable and totally worth it for the finish.
7. The RSVP: Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and party. Need we say any more?
8. The Pacific Populaire Century & Ride: 22 years of 100km riding or further. A true Vancouver classic.
9. Critical Mass Ride: Supporting sustainable transportation with more than 2,000 people in June. As much a party as it is a bike ride.
10. The Rat Race: This event includes a cross-country course and a downhill event, all in the beautiful setting of the Sunshine Coast.
#1 Bike Shop On The North Shore
According to the North Shore News you, our faithful customers, have voted us the number one bike shop on the North Shore for the 11th year in a row! A huge thank you for your continuing support, this is a title we are committed to preserving.
Pushing The Way To A Cure
More press coverage in the North Shore News. "On Sept. 14, 44-year-old Balagno, president of Myron Advertising and Design, will depart on a trans-Canada ride from Halifax to Vancouver, dubbed H2V: Push the Pace. He and his fellow riders plan to traverse the approximately 6,000-kilometres as fast as they can, cycling around the clock. At an average 30-kilometres an hour, he estimates the journey along the Trans-Canada Highway will take nine days, says Balagno. They'll complete the ride in a sort of relay with each rider cycling for three hours, then they'll trade off, with a fresh rider taking a turn." "I wanted to send a clear and strong message to the researchers and the doctors that we are behind them and we want to give them all the money that we can to do their work and be able to find the cure," says Balagno. Read the entire article here
H2V In the North Shore News
Be sure to check out the North Shore News both this and next week for articles about Willie and the H2V team and their ride across Canada in search of a cure for juvenile diabetes.
North Shore Outlook: Ready to ride
Willie (on the far left in the picture below) and his H2V team are in the North Shore Outlook! Check out the article below and for more information see the charity section.
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By SAM COOPER Staff Reporter Apr 26 2007
When Kyle Balagno's baby daughter was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at 18 months, he made her a promise. By the time she graduated from high school, he'd find her a cure for diabetes. It was an epic promise, and that's why Balagno and four more elite North Shore cyclists are preparing for an epic challenge. This September, they'll attempt to ride non-stop from Halifax to Vancouver in nine days, setting a five-man relay world record.
Balagno's team is aiming to raise at least $600,000 in the effort, called H2V:Push the Pace. Balagno's daughter Taylor, now 11, has type 1 diabetes. She has to wear a pager-like insulin pump, which administers low-level doses 24 hours a day. Balagno says the disease means he's on edge all the time, trying to balance Taylor's food intake with activity. If insulin levels are off, type 1 diabetes can cause nasty consequences like blindness, organ failure, or amputations. "The fear is you wake up and your child is gone," Balagno said. "You have to manage it 24 hours a day, every day of their life. You can't control a kid that tightly." But with medical advances like gene therapy, a cure is within reach.
It's the last push that will be most difficult though, Balagno says. He's hoping his team's fundraising spurs research activity to the cure. "I think it's an interesting parallel, I feel we're in the last 10 per cent (of research for a cure) which is the hardest," he said. "And as soon as we hit the foot hills of the Rockies, that last 10 per cent of the ride will be the toughest." Balagno's team consists of five fitness professionals who share a love of adventure racing challenges. Innovative Fitness president Matt Young is H2V's ride captain in charge of logistics. He says the team will have two RVs, two sleep vans, and 30 volunteers ushering them on the Trans-Canada Highway as riders push on around the clock.
Team members will ride in three-man shifts for three hours twice a day, with massage, nutritional recovery and sleep time off. Young, who has completed grueling hikes in the Grand Canyon, a 36-hour straight adventure race, the New York Marathon and the Canadian Ironman, said the cross-Canada record effort will be the toughest by far. "The physical and mental aspect of this race is huge," he said. "It'll be the biggest physical challenge any of us have taken." The H2V team has enlisted film producer Malcolm Carter, a cancer survivor, to document the challenge, and produce a 60-second movie-trailer for fundraising purposes. "These guys are doing the equivalent of two ultra marathons every day," Carter said. "This is one of the most grueling marathon events in history."
Carter added that H2V could become an event repeated around the world in future years, as the effort will be documented with a satellite feed and rider blogs online. "With the Internet and social networking there's a real opportunity for young people to get involved," he said. "This could be this generation's Terry Fox run." Last week Balagno's team landed Canaccord Capital as title-sponsor for H2V, with a $100,000 donation. To learn about the challenge and follow the race in September, check out H2Vpushthepace.com.
