Olathe Subaru supports local cycling team

Cycling enthusiasts will fill Olathe Subaru on Feb. 21 in an afternoon event that will help support and promote junior cycling in the Kansas City area.

The event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. at Olathe Subaru, 505 South Fir St., Olathe.

All proceeds from the event will go toward the Olathe Subaru Cycling junior team.

One of the things that will take place is a roller race in which participants get on a stationary bike and see who can do the fastest time, said Kevin Bratteig, general sales manager at Olathe Subaru.

“Anybody is welcome for that,” Bratteig said.

The February event is another example of Olathe Subaru’s increased participation in cycling. The dealership became the main sponsor this year for the Olathe Subaru Cycling team.

“Their sponsorship is huge for us,” said Ian Silovsky, a member of the Olathe Subaru Cycling team. “It allows us to continue to reach our goals in the cycling world, personally and as a sport. With their sponsorship and partnership, they allow us to go after those dreams.

“We hope to deliver a great message that they are supporting and sell some cars as well.”

The cycling season runs from February to the end of September. Last year the Olathe Subaru Cycling team raced in 13 states, mainly in the Midwest.

“There is a race we could do within a 5-hour radius every weekend, for sure,” Silvosky said. “We got some great exposure. We are racing every other weekend. Last year we had two guys race in Virginia, and I raced in California.”

One of the missions of the Olathe Subaru Cycling team is to establish a competitive regional team based in the Kansas City area, Silvosky said.

The team also wants to see the sport grow.

“We have partnered with our sister team, GP VeloTek, to really drive that mission home,” Silvosky said. “What we are trying to do with this event is to get people in the door at Olathe Subaru, and any funds raised from the event will go to the junior team, GP VeloTek. This event will give them exposure. The funds raised will help some of the 15 and 16 year olds go to some bigger races that they might not be able to afford. We want to help them take their dream as far as they want it to go.”

The cycling event in February is one of many projects Olathe Subaru is involved in to help its community.

A couple of other charities that Olathe Subaru is involved in are Meals on Wheels and Make a Wish.

And last November, Olathe Subaru played host to dog adoption event put on by the Great Plains SPCA.

“That was our first one,” Bratteig said. “But I told them anytime they want to do it I am more than willing to do it.”

Bratteig was so moved by the experience that he adopted one of the dogs that was brought to the event.

“I couldn’t help it,” Bratteig said. “I hadn’t had a dog in 30 years. I couldn’t resist. She is awesome. Her name is Birdie.”

This story was originally published January 24, 2015 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Olathe Subaru supports local cycling team."