We updated our socks with our pals at the Vive La Tarte Factory Racing Squad. Not sure if they're actually called that, but it sounded cool so we went for it. It has been a while since we produced the Cubiste socks for their crew, so this time around we thought we should switch it up a bit and try something in the National Collection. Then, they had to go and really switch it up for us and put the heat on us to get some wool socks into the mix. 

SHOP VIVE ORANGE & VIVE WOOL

We checked in with VLT's resident crushers for some action on that side of things as well. Their Cyclocross program continues to grow and foster some great riders that spend their time traversing the West Coast looking for new souls to crush. All while holding down full time jobs as well. So, let's check in with Ryan Rinn & Caitlin Bernstein fresh off of their UCI weekend down in LA (ok, that was a little while ago, but you get the idea). 

CAITLIN BERNSTEIN

INSTAGRAM HANDLE:  @cdawg936 

CURRENT OCCUPATION: 
Full-time Recruiter at Strava/Cyclist before work and on weekends

FAVORITE COMEDIAN: 
Honestly not a huge comedy person, not that I don't have a sense of humor. Does Tina Fey count? I thought her book was hilarious. 

YEARS RACING CYCLOCROSS? 
Currently in my 3rd season, I really dove in head first... the background in mountain biking helped with that! I signed up for a race to see what all the hype was about and I never looked back.

BEST VIVE LA TARTE BAKED GOOD: 
Croissant. Probably the almond one, or chocolate... that's a hard question! I'll eat anything they bake, really.

HUG OR HANDSHAKE?
Hugs! But I do shake a lot of hands in recruiting/ for work- no hugs for candidates, that would be weird.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Matilda

RACE BIKE? TUBS OR TUBELESS? 
I race on a Specialized S-Works Crux. I was lucky to borrow one from a friend for my first season and then I got my own, as my first CX bike. I lucked out and scored one with a cool paint job that no one else has. 

Having grown up on mountain bikes and road bikes only, I was amazed how capable this bike was on all different types of terrain. It's fun for racing, training, mixed-terrain rides, long adventures in the middle of no where- everything! 

Tubeless for training/ gravel races- usually running something fatter whenever I can. This year I got my first set of carbon Tubular race wheels too... helps with the whole UCI rule thing. Plus, they are super fun to race on, but a little skinny and fragile to shred my favorite cross-able single-track on. 

ANYTHING ELSE WE NEED TO KNOW: 
I love rad socks. Seriously though, it's a fun way to express yourself, especially when in kit. Our whole team is stoked on The Athletic socks, thanks! 

RYAN RINN

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @ryanrinn & @vivelatartecx

CURRENT OCCUPATION: Marketing at Rapha

FAVORITE COMEDIAN:
Dave Chapelle is back on top after his last two Netflix specials. I actually ran into him a couple times on my street when he was workshopping his routine in SF a couple years back. Honorable mention goes to John Oliver who has the smartest show on tv right now.

YEARS RACING CYCLOCROSS:
It's been 8 seasons since I put a freewheel on my fixed gear commuter in Chicago and gave it a go. I don't miss the Spam hand-ups.

BEST VIVE LA TARTE BAKED GOOD:
(Their croissants are amazing, but don't sleep on their savory offerings. I'm a breafast sando guy myself and there's is the best in the city. I'm also pretty pumped to try their new croissant taco that you will only be available at their new Ferry Building location. I also dig that I can walk about 10 feet to Fort Point Beer Co. (our beer sponsor) and grab a pint.

HUG OR HANDSHAKE: Hugs for sure. I'm a Michigander, it's our way of life.

FAVORITE MOVIE:
Since we're on the holiday tip, I'm going to go with my favorite Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life. Makes me tear up every year. Runner-up would be A Garfield Christmas, "Whoever invented Christmas trees should be drug out into the street and shot." Garfield is my spirit animal.

RACE BIKE:
Two Rock Lobsters fresh from the Santa Cruz Sea. One to race and one waiting its turn in the pit. The single speed is green and the 1x is sparkly purple inspired by my favorite color palette à la Charlotte Hornets.  

TUBS OR TUBELESS? 
FMB's to 303's on race day so I can run them in the low 20's without worrying about my tire coming off. Tubeless for training and the occasional local race that calls for something a bit bigger than what the UCI allows i.e. The cavity loosening Rock Lobster Cup.

ANYTHING ELSE WE NEED TO KNOW:
Umm, we started the team 6 years ago with the goal of finding some of the most positive people to get dirty with and so far it's been a success. We're lucky to help represent thecross and dirt scene in NorCal which doesn't get the credit it deserves. Just show up to a race here and line up against Tobin Ortenblad, Katerina Nash, Ben Gomez-Villafane or one of our blood thirsty riders. Our fields aren't huge, but the competition is stacked. 

Our dream day is eating pre-ride breakfast at vive la tarte, riding over the bridge to get lost on some dirt, and finishing at Biergarten for brats and beer.  We often make that a reality.  

I've won two of my three single speed state titles with my wife Erin.  I'm very fortunate to have a partner who is almost as crazy as me but way more organized to help keep this thing going.

--- 

So, there you have it, that's what the VLT team is up to these days. Wrecking shop all over SF and then dipping down to LA for a podium shot at some UCI races. NBD, as they say. Check out the Vive La Tarte