One Day Until Super Prime Super Party!

On Saturday, June 28, the Downer Avenue neighborhood erupts in a bike race known as the ISCorp Downer Classic. It's a full-on all-day party.

And the biggest party by far is the Ben's Cycle Super Prime Party. For $25, you get a wristband that entitles you to as much food and drink as you need, plus a super-awesome t-shirt designed by our very own Steve Tiber. 

We'll use the money we raise at the party to give "significant amounts of cash" to the winner of the men's and women's primes, the rider who wins a particular lap during the race. Last year, Ben's handed out $1,000 to the women's winner, and we hope to double that this year!

Vince on his trike

Finally, one of the highlights of the event is the annual tricycle race, pitting area shop owners in a bitter contest. This year, Vince invited special celebrity guest Scott Ford, defenseman for the Milwaukee Admirals, to ride a specially-fabricated tricycle. 

It's going to be off the hook!

Schedule of Events:
Noon-ish   Ben's Super Prime Party begins
5 p.m.       Pro Women's Race
6:30-ish    Trike Race
7 p.m.       Pro Men's Race
9-ish         Ben's Super Prime Party limps home.

Ben's Jerseys, Tarmacs on Sale at Downer Party

Every year at the Downer Classic Criterium, thousands gather to party throughout the day. And the biggest party, awaited by hundreds all year, is the Ben's Super Prime party. Ben's raises money to fund giant prizes for both the men and women pro races. You can buy the $25 wristband for all the food and drink you need plus a cool t-shirt.

This year, we're also bringing some product to show off and sell.

Add caption

We just released our new shop men's and women's jersey and shorts from Pearl Izumi. We will have a box of jerseys and shorts available. Both jerseys and shorts are $89 each.

We're bringing some Milwaukee Bicycle Company bikes to drool over, including the new Mettle cross bike. 

We are also closing out several Specialized Tarmac frames and bikes to get them out of the shop and with someone who will ride them. Bikes for sale:
1. A 2009 Tarmac Expert frameset 58cm (xl) that retailed for $2,100. We're selling it for $699. 
2. A Tarmac Expert SL X2 54cm that is red and carbon color. it has Ultegra parts and Ksyrium wheels. It lists for $3,300, and we're selling it for $2,199. 
3. A 2012 Tarmac Elite 56cm with Rival and Apex parts. It is carbon and yellow. It retails for $2,750, and we're selling it for $1,833. 
4. A 2012 Ui2-equipped Tarmac SL4 56cm bike. It's white with black trim, and equipped with Ultegra parts. Retail cost is $5,500, and we're selling it for $3579. 
5. A 2012 Tarmac Comp MS 54cm. It is white with blue trim and lists for $3,300. It has a collection of Ultegra and 105 parts, and we're selling it for 2189.

Downer Avenue Trike Race Mystery Clue #3

On Saturday, June 28, Ben's is hosting the Super Prime part at the Downer Avenue Criterium, part of the Tour of America's Dairyland. 

The Super Prime party funds the men's and women's pro race primes that total several thousand dollars. A prime is awarded to one rider who wins one particular lap of the criterium. 


The party runs from noon-ish to nine-ish in the evening. You buy a wristband from us for $25 and get all the food and drink you need plus an awesome t-shirt. 

The pro women's race starts at 5, and the pro men start at 7. 

In between is the (in)famous tricycle race between area bicycle shop owners. Our owner, Vince Hanoski, was able to ride away from the field last year. But this year, Vince has invited a special guest celebrity to ride. And this celebrity is likely to crush Vince in the race!

We are awarding one wristband to the first person who correctly identifies the mystery guest on our Facebook page. Those of you who work for the shop or whom Vince has already told are NOT eligible, you goofballs.

Clue #1 What is Vince's favorite sport? 
Clue #2 Aye, Aye Captain.
Clue #3 The mystery celebrity gets a little defensive.

Mystery Guest Clue #2

The Ben's Super Prime Party will be Saturday, June 28 from noon-ish to 9-ish at the Downer Cycling Classic. A $25 wristband will get you food and drink for the evening plus the new t-shirt. 

While the pro cycling events for the Tour of America's Dairyland take center stage, it's really the Race of the Tricycles that will capture the hearts and minds of the thousands of spectators around the course. 

This year, Ben's owner Vince Hanoski has invited a very special guest, a celebrity who might just crush Vince in the race. 

This made in Milwaukee trike will be ridden by our special guest!

This celebrity will be racing this specially-made Mad Max tricycle, fabricated right here in Milwaukee.

Yesterday, we gave out our first clue as to the identity of the special celebrity. Today we give out the second clue. The first person to identify the celebrity on our Facebook page wins a free wristband for the party! 

Clue #1   What is Vince's favorite sport? 
Clue #2   Aye, Aye Captain.

Are You Ready for the Super Prime Party???

Just six more days. 




That's all you have to get ready for the IS Corp Downer Classic, or better known as the race for the Ben's Super Prime! 

Ben's Cycle hosts a giant party Saturday, June 28 from roughly noon to around 9 p.m. at the corner of Hackett and Park Street on Milwaukee's East Side. It is one of the biggest cycling parties in the country. 

And you are invited to join thousands of your closest new friends at the Downer race. 



The pro women's race is at 5 p.m., the famous trike race with local bike shop owners, including our own Vince Hanoski, and other celebrities is around 6:30, and the pro men's race at 7. 



For $25, you get a wristband that allows you to eat and drink your fill. And the $25 goes directly to funding the Ben's Super Prime for both the men's and women's pro races. 

This year, Ben's has committed to significantly increasing the women's prime from $1,000 to as much as we can raise from the party. 

The wristbands are available at the party at any time. 


In a criterium bike race, which goes around a closed course on city streets, racers who win certain laps are awarded prizes, often cash from sponsors. At the Downer race, the Ben's Super Prime is awarded on a secret lap. Only Vince and Brett know the lap number. And as previous winners have said, the size of the prime changes the race tactics.

So come join the fun and support pro men's and women's cycling at its best. Saturday, June 28, from around noon to around nine p.m. Racing starts with junior events at 10 a.m.