I got a cool gift for father’s day from my wife and kids. A Washington State University cycling jersey.
Just one catch, my wife said, “you’re going to have to find it yourself.”
While the Seattle-based Adrenaline Promotions manufacturers the jerseys, she couldn’t find them in any local stores. I called John Ambrose, the company’s owner, who said Rainier Cycle Sports is the only shop in Tacoma that carries the jersey. I picked it up today.

But as I chatted with Ambrose, he let me in on an interesting bit of information regarding his business.
While REI carries his product, the Seattle store placed an interesting request this year.
They ordered Huskies jerseys but declined to place an order for Coug jerseys.

Vs.

Seemed a bit surprising to me considering, the Coug fan base seems more interesting in displaying it’s school pride. For example:
1. Space Needle painted Crimson and Gray a few years back.
2. More WSU license plates sold than any other specialty plate.
3. Hijacking a recent UW Alumni online survey asking which school had more pride.

So, what’s the deal?
- Do Cougs not cycle?
- Does REI have a warped sense of reality being located just a few miles from the UW?

By the way, the folks at REI say if you want to request they carry a new item call their corporate headquarters at 253-395-3780 and ask for the merchandising department.

Here's what REI carries: UW, Cal, Texas A&M, Oregon, Wisconsin, Michigan, Notre dame and Texas.

As for school spirit, here are the top three selling jerseys.
1. Texas

2. Wisconsin

3. Iowa

The rumor I want to start is “The STP sold out early due to the STP Project.” Like most rumors it rarely is true such as “Paris Hilton is not an alien” or “Michael Jackson really is Diana Ross.”

What will happen due to the race being sold out? Some people will ‘poach’ the ride. Poaching means going on the organized ride, race, run, or walk and not paying the entry fee. I can say I have never done it and don’t understand someone who does. Why is it wrong? 1) Many events are put on to support a worthy cause i.e. cure for cancer, children’s hospital, or AIDS 2) To pay for at least part of the ride, the cost of the event is rarely covered completely by the fee. 3)It is disrespectful to those riding the event or putting it on. It is disrespectful to those riding the event or putting it on. Most of us are going to pay our own way; when you get the impulse to say “Forget it,” don’t listen to it.

The STP sold out earlier this week, the first time it has sold out in expanded format (9,000 riders instead of 8,000).

If you want to try and buy a registration packet from a registered rider you'll want to check out the Cascade Bicycle Club classifieds.