As we discuss topics concerning the migration of the 'Blah-Blah' Web page that should be replaced by a more socially interactive page, the question is "Should I feature my company or ME on my Facebook Profile?"I think the answer is fairly obvious...BOTH!
However, as we spoke about in a previous post concerning Company Websites versus Social Media profiles, Websites have come to be viewed as impersonal, sort of "Here is who we are, this is what WE have to offer, take action!"
Companies are always presented as 'WE' which is, from a team work standpoint RIGHT! What Social Media has brought to the table is the SUBTRACTION of WE and added the more personal approach of I.
Think about when you are invited to some sort of social gathering through a Flyer or Billboards. You show up alone and you have no idea who is going to be at this gathering.
You have never heard of the company or group who is throwing the bash and although you aren't gung-ho about going, you decide to anyway!
When you arrive, you stand around for awhile and see 'WE' (company employees) standing around in groups chatting with one another.
No one has welcomed you, spoken to you or anything. You just see a large banner on the wall that says 'Welcome Company employees and Friends.'
You came because you were invited (online ad), you were hesitant to go because you didn't know anyone (unfamiliar with product), company employees never greet you (WE) and all you know of the company is the Welcome Banner (Website). How great of an experience did you have?
To answer the opening question...Customers want to hear voices and see faces! This established repor and repor builds relationships and relationships is what will endure your current future customers to your brand. In closing, a good mix for a bicycle company on Social Media Profiles is 70 percent YOU (or employees) and 30 percent company.
Tribute Bicycle Built called; Iron RIDERZ S.E.
This some grown man stuff here...There isn't another like it in the whole world...3 HOTTER THAN this...colored spokes, rimz, nasty handle bars are coming soon!
In 1897 a contingent of twenty black soldiers, a white West Point officer, a military surgeon and a young newspaper reporter rode bicycles from Fort Missoula, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri, following the Burlington Northern railroad. 
The groups' leader, Lt. Moss, was trying to prove to the army that bicycles could be a valuable asset. I first became acquainted with this little known gem of history through the children's magazine Highlights in the early 90s. I have been fascinated with it ever since. George Niels Sorenson's Iron Riders presents this story and the broader context of those "Buffalo Soldiers-on-wheels". 
He tells us of the practice trip the bicycle corp made to Yellowstone Park before their epic St. Louis run and the lives of the riders after their trip. This 8 x 10 book has many primary source pictures, documents and maps which illuminate the text. It's the only informational book I know of devoted to a story which deserves a wider audience. If you are a middle school history teacher, like me, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. It would make a fantastic unit. 
But I agree with the other reviewer: anybody who likes black history, social history, military history, bicycle touring, the west and/or unsung heroes will find a lot to enjoy in this book. And, if you like this book you'll want to check out the PBS video The Bicycle Corps: America's Black Army on Wheels and the children's book Black Wheels.
The subtitle, "Story of the 1890s Fort Missoula Buffalo Soldiers Bicycle Corps" is a good general description of the book's contents. I had never heard of Ft. Missoula, much less known that they had a bicycle corps, before stumbling across this book in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial's bookstore. It's not a long book, but it covers its topic well. Of course I was interested in the horrendous ride from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis, but the account of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry saving the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill was enlightening.
Also (all too) informative was the account of the "discharge without honor" by order of President Theodore Roosevelt of 167 soldiers, many of them formerly of the bicycle corps. The book also includes numerous photos, a number of which are wonderful shots (and very well-printed) of the soldiers in Yellowstone National Park. I highly recommend this book as an entertaining account of a dedicated group of American soldiers who happened to have been of African descent. 
This is the lively story of the only bicycle corps the U.S. Army ever authorized. Using buffalo soldiers, this 1890s African-American unit conducted drills and exercises on wheels. They rode into Northern Montana on muddy trails and toured Yellowstone on their 100-pound iron bicycles. As proof of their capabilities, these Iron Riders pedaled 1,900 miles from Ft. Missoula, across the snow-dusted Rocky Mountains and steamy Great Plains, to St. Louis. As they approached the city over 1,000 civilian bicyclists rode out to escort them into town in a great parade. Learn more about the adventures of this little known buffalo soldier unit and fascinating details about this era in America. Well researched and a good read. Full of rare pictures and drawings.
The subtitle, "Story of the 1890s Fort Missoula Buffalo Soldiers Bicycle Corps" is a good general description of the book's contents. I had never heard of Ft. Missoula, much less known that they had a bicycle corps, before stumbling across this book in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial's bookstore. It's not a long book, but it covers its topic well. Of course I was interested in the horrendous ride from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis, but the account of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry saving the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill was enlightening. Also (all too) informative was the account of the "discharge without honor" by order of President Theodore Roosevelt of 167 soldiers, many of them formerly of the bicycle corps.
These rims are just straight out NASTY! I mean nasty in the way that when you see them up close (and I have) you say "Yuk!" Now for those of you not familiar with such things...this is a GREAT! I must say I haven't seen such nastiness in rim design since...well..NEVER...Velocity USA does for rims what 'Sweet SKINZ' do for tires folks! Unfortunately, I am just dumb founded as to how both Sweet Skinz and Velocity can make such HOT products and have the nerve to take pictures of GREAT PRODUCTS show cased on bikes that are obviously built for performance because, no offense, they are not WORTHY to have such hot accessories on them. Velocity Dealers, come on yall, send me 4 sets of your rims and I will design (or modify) something that will so stun you that you will curl up in the fetal position, look at me and say "Daddy!"
Which of you ladies would carry a Genuine Gucci purse on your arm, go out for dinner and wear some House Shoes and a robe in an elegant restaurant? (I know a few sisters that would do that though:) The same thing is going on above...HOT RIMS sitting on a bicycle design that is sub-par at best! I promised I wasn't going to do this...but as you all know by now, I have been working on a concept for a bicycle that rides smooth, looks good, exudes class and will make people 'Rubber Neck' (try to get a 2nd look) to see the concept...I still need to get the Logo and Head Badge done for this bike but introducing my personal bicycle design called 'Iron RIDERZ' which is the FIRST of HUNDREDS more designs (none like the other) set to hit the streets!
Late 19th and Early 20th Century feel!
The Logo will have a Wood feel just like the rims..trimmed in white!
Provolution at it's Best!
Some of you may say..."Well I like the black bicycle" while others will say "I like Dale's FUNK BALL"...After today dear readers...you must choose sides...'Performance' or 'Funk', 'Ride Fast' or 'Look Good Riding'...choose well my friends..choose well!
Part of the vision of this blog is to remember and promote the past contributions of long forgotten African-Americans within the ‘Cycling Culture’. One of those forgotten contributions was made by the only bicycle corps the U.S. Army ever authorized. Using African-American Soldiers known as buffalo soldiers, so called by Native Americans because of their thick woolly hair, this unit conducted drills and exercises on wheels. In 1892, they rode into Northern Montana on muddy trails and toured Yellowstone on their 100-pound iron bicycles. As proof of their capabilities, these Iron Riders pedaled 1,900 miles from Ft. Missoula, across the snow-dusted Rocky Mountains and steamy Great Plains, to St. Louis. As they approached the city over 1,000 civilian bicyclists rode out to escort them into town in a great parade. (Pictured left on this blog)
afts currently in use by the U.S. Military.
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