Team Highlight: Serpentijn Art and Athletics

This is the third post in a new blog series highlighting the incredible work that’s done by some of the cycling teams that ERIK’S supports. See all blog posts here, and check back soon for more posts in our Team Highlights series!

Team Name: Serpentijn Art and Athletics
# of Members: 30
Location: Southeast Wisconsin, Milwaukee/Madison area

ERIK’S: What is the history of Serpentijn Art and Athletics?

Serpentijn Art and Athletics was formerly known as Team Belgianwerkx since 2012. When Belgianwerkx bike shop closed shortly after Covid in 2022, we decided to follow a new direction. One of our team members, Jason Reimer, had started a non-profit supporting kids art and athletics programs called Serpentijn Art and Athletics. This non-profit raises money and awareness for Islands of Brilliance, an art program bringing professional artists together with kids on the autism spectrum to collaborate on art projects. Serpentijn equally raises money for MKE MTB, a youth mountain bike program in Milwaukee which prepares kids for entry into NICA.

We decided to make this non-profit and its mission the title name of our team. Half of all funds raised by our annual cyclocross race (Pumpkin Cross) and our fundraiser (Pedal Power) is given directly to these two art and athletics programs.

In a nutshell, describe the riders on your team. Did any shared interests or goals bring you together?

Serpentijn Art and Athletics is a healthy mix of road, mountain bike, gravel, and cyclocross competitors, as well as cycling enthusiasts who may not compete but love our mission and cause. We pride ourselves in serving and representing charitable causes over the individual aspirations of the members. 

We strive to be inclusive of all rider types and abilities. We have a rider agreement signed by every team member requiring volunteer services at our events. New team members must be invested in our mission as a non-profit and must place our mission above personal goals.

What is the team’s mission statement? In other words, why do you ride?

Jason Reimer, the founder of Serpentijn Art and Athletics, began this non-profit because art and athletics played an instrumental role in his upbringing. Jason is now an avid cyclist and competitor as well as a professional graphic artist.

As stated above, our mission is to serve a cause bigger than ourselves. Jason wants to give back to the activities that are so important to him, and this team has jumped on his bandwagon. We ride and compete because we love it, and serving our mission makes the miles more fulfilling.

What are the team’s plans for the future? Any special events or initiatives coming up?

Our two major events to support our mission are Pedal Power and Pumpkin Cross. Pedal Power is a charitable fundraiser held at Sahale Ale Works in Grafton, WI (a team sponsor). The morning will begin with a bike ride choice of 35 or 46 miles led by team members. Once we arrive at the brewery, team members will be working as bartenders and there will be an online auction, door prizes, and food on the grill. This event will be on Saturday, June 29 from noon to 4pm; the ride begins at 10am.

Pumpkin Cross is our annual cyclocross race held in Grafton, WI, at Lime Kiln Park. This race is a mainstay in our very robust Wisconsin Cycling Association (WCA) cyclocross series of 14 races from September through November. This team has hosted this race for over 13 years. This year Pumpkin Cross will be on Saturday, October 19.

Why do you like partnering with ERIK’S?

I met with Chris Dvoran last fall in search of a bike shop that shared our love of cycling and understood and supported our mission. To our delight, Chris was already a big fan of Pumpkin Cross and was very eager to show his support with ERIK’S involvement. Chris was very supportive in navigating us to the proper channels. 

The partnership with ERIK’S is a great match for a few reasons: ERIK’S is a homegrown midwestern bike shop; ERIK’S is looking to grow the sport with local programs; and ERIK’S strives to support its teams with great service and workmanship.

What are your favorite biking trails or routes in your location? This can be mountain biking trails, city streets, hybrid paths, whatever you prefer! 

Cedarburg and Grafton are sister towns on the northern edge of the greater Milwaukee area. To our north is literally road biking heaven. Endless miles of dairy farms, horse farms, and corn fields. 

We also have the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, which follows an old railroad to Milwaukee, where it becomes the Oak Leaf Trail.

Unfortunately we have very little in the way of gravel roads because the dairy farms require solid roads all year round, but there are several mountain bike trails, including Pleasant Valley Trails, Heritage Trails, Glacial Blue Hills, and New Fane Trails.

Stay in touch with Serpentijn Art and Athletics on Facebook and Instagram.