VeloSante Cycling Services
VeloSante Cycling Services
velosante1@gmail.com
(828) 545-1039
VeloSante began in 2012 as a cycling services company. Clients interact directly with the owners. Initially, the husband and wife team, Charlton DuRant and Lynn Petrotte, focused on producing and operating the Big Ride Across America - a 3300 mile/48day/cross-country fundraising event for the American Lung Association. After four years of successfully sheparding riders from Seattle to DC, VeloSante designed custom trips on the Natchez Trace Parkway, the tidewater region of Virginia, the Florida Hill Country and the norther tier of the US. VeloSante then extended its offerings to include multi-day state events, where it provided a range of services including: bicycle shipping, shuttles, bicycle rentals, mechanical services, SAG and concierge camping. The year 2024 will mark VeloSante's 10th year as a contract service provider with the Grand Fondo National Series.
Presently, mobile retail is VeloSante's primary focus. Look for Charlton and Lynn at gravel and bikepaking events, where they can be found sharing their experiences and riding the routes.
Who we are
Cycling took a strong hold on Charlton in his youth as he spent six years, including high school, in Europe riding, racing and commuting. A few highlights of his cycling experiences include: Bicycle messenger in New York City, manager of two bike shops and part owner of a third, organizer for the Tour DuPont and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics Torch Relay, coach, promoter of United States Cycling Federation training camps and races. Lynn has enjoyed the freedom bicycling offered since childhood. After stints in corporate America and education administration, Lynn leaped into a twenty year career in the outdoors. She is a gracious host and highly customer service oriented. In 2000, she rode across the United States and achieved her goal of never SAGing in the process. Now, as an enthusiastic fitness/mountain/gravel rider, Lynn loves exploring nature and seaching for beauty in remote places..
Together, Charlton and Lynn find their bliss while bikepacking. http://velosante.tumblr.com
VeloSante offers custom cycling trips and cycling support services for events, clubs and enthusiasts.
Is your club or group looking for support for a cycling trip? Our 15-passenger van with roof racks, ten and sixteen foot cargo trailers and extensive logistical support experience are available to facilitate your cycling trip logistics.
VeloSante also offers bicycle valet service for groups. Door to door bicycle pick up and transport to ride destination is provided. This allows riders to travel with their carry on only, and not hassle with a bike box at airports or risk damage to their bike. VeloSante's valet service saves riders time, money and provides peace of mind.
Contact us for specifics and to discuss how we can partner with you.
VeloSante Cycling Services
Charlton DuRant & Lynn Petrotte
velosante1@gmail.com
828-545-1039
http://www.facebook.com/VeloSante/
So, if you are going on a bike trip & VeloSante is supporting it, only a fool isn't going to reserve their services. It was fantastic. Charlton & Lynn are the freaking bomb of service. I now have new names to add to my list of friends. Thanks! dp
Thank you for everything! It was a real pleasure to meet you both. You are an incarnation of "delighting the customer". Beyond making arrangements for providing a bike and door-to-door transportation, your warm welcome each day added an extra dimension to the trip. And no one can beat Charlton's vignettes from his past when it comes to scintillating conversation! Thank you so much for making this a wonderful trip. I hope to join you again on another trip. -Barbara
Thank you, you made my dream come true. - Big Rider Alumni
The Natchez trip is one of the best biking experiences that I have ever had. Lynn and Charlton did an outstanding job with all aspects of the trip. Everything was well organized and planned. I would not hesitate to book another trip with them. – Flint Wiles
I thought I'd better write and thank you for helping make the Big Ride so special, because when I tried to tell you in person I started crying and couldn't get the words out. ... it was extremely difficult, extraordinarily fun, interesting, fulfilling…. The trip wouldn’t have gone nearly so well under anyone else’s leadership. So thank you very much. -2012 Big Rider
Charlton and Lynn are so very friendly and accommodating. Their knowledge of cycling is unparalleled, and during the 2013 version of the Florida Bike SAFARI they met my every need. I will definitely be a repeat customer. – Len
The best thing about the trip was the incredible amount of personal attention that you lavished upon us. If any of us even whispered that we had a concern, you were right on it. I have never been on a ride with this level of personal attention. I would enthusiastically recommend VeloSante to others. -John, Grand Rapids, MI
We all talked about how well cared for we felt, and how you both removed all concerns... a great trip run by great people. Thank you so much! -Kathleen K.
You guys were truly amazing to be with these past 7 weeks. I owe my safety, my well-being, and the time of my life to you guys. – Cara
It was a great trip and a nice way to experience the south! Beautiful scenery, wonderful company, great weather, delicious food, easy riding and good road surfaces with little traffic. Plus, it was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with fellow Big Riders and reminisce about the Big Ride experience. (And I loved Charlton's jokes!) -Daria Kurkjy
The personal attention was beyond belief. I felt very well cared for, but not rushed, while on the road. Thanks!!! -Margaret Peters
You went out of your way to accommodate us, from the unplanned stop at Elvis’s birthplace to satisfy Erin, to the stop at Brian’s school so we could see the murals, to the extra servings of Nutella (yuck! I say) to please Darya and the others. We never felt rushed or harried, because you were well organized and timed things right. The road was ideal for riding and the distances about right. The group size was perfect – small enough to get to know everyone and large enough not to get sick of anyone. I feel very lucky to have become your customer, and your friend. Fondly, Glenn
Charlton and Lynn, I met up today with three of the 2012 Big Riders, Molly, Cookie, and Rick who are doing the Pacific Coast charity ride. Coincidently, I met up yesterday with a friend’s daughter who had just completed a cross country bicycle ride and shared her experience. What came to my mind was that, upon reflection, you and Charlton did an absolute amazing job on leading the Big Ride. You started by scouting out the ride before we left on our journey, you built a team of riders through some tough love at the beginning, you scouted the ride again each day, and you were there for any issues which came about during the actual bike riding. Molly, Cookie and Rick all noticed the differences in their current ride and commented, "It’s not the Big Ride" not referring to the trip, but to the level of support you all provided.
It was easy to just ride each day without any thought about logistics, and I think that we just didn't know had good we had it because we had nothing with which to compare your level of effort. Certainly we all appreciated at the time how easy each day was to get from point a to point b, but without any comparison, we didn't really know how truly superior your effort was. Just thought you should know that we all really appreciate how you went above and beyond just running a bike tour, and I promise to stop complaining the next time I ride with you. -Rob, 8/2016 (Big Ride 2012 and Big Ride 2014)
Big Ride Across America is a seven week, 3,300 mile, fully supported bicycle ride from Seattle, Washington to Washington D.C. What began as a charity bicycle event in the 1990s as a fundraiser for the American Lung Association has become a cross-country trek steeped in rich tradition. People throughout the world have participated in the Big Ride as cyclists, volunteers and donors. The Big Ride challenges the body, mind and spirit.
Event Details
Big Ride Across America – the Ride of a Lifetime!
Special thanks to MotorLine and Marich Confectionery, our generous sponsors
For more info contact: info@bigride.org/
(828)545- 1039
https://www.facebook.com/BigRideAcrossAmerica/
What's happening with the Big Ride Across America? The Big Ride is seeking a not for profit partner and route revisions are underway to make the Big Ride safer and better than ever.
We would love to hear from you! Send us a text, email or call.
VeloSante
Charlton DuRant & Lynn Petrotte
velosante1@gmail.com
(828) 545-1039
Big Ride Across America
Bike Florida
Bike Ride Across Tennessee (BRAT)
Bike Virginia
Festivelo
Florida Bicycle Safari
Gran Fondo National Series (on going)
Highlands Bike Fest
North Carolilna Mountains to Coast Ride
Ride the Fault Line
Road Titans 300
The Michigander
2020 & 2021 Tour Postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic
New for Bike Virginia 2020 - VeloSante's Morning Coffee and Tea Service, including French Press Pot Coffee!
VeloSante is pleased to provide concierge camping services at the 2020 Bike Virginia. Our services are designed to enhance your Bike Virginia experience so you can spend more time relaxing and having fun!
The Bike Virginia Tour will be held June 19-24, 2020 in the beautiful Farmville-Prince Edward region of the state. Learn more about the 2020 Bike Virginia tour and register at bikevirginia.org See VeloSante's camping concierge service under Sleep - Outdoors - Assisted Camping.
The VeloSante Full Concierge Camping Package
This full service option includes a spacious Kelty 6-person tent (for one or two occupants), air mattress (queen or twin), camp chair, daily cotton towel and washcloth service, luggage transfer, charging station, secure bicycle corral, mechanical assistance (tire pump, chain lube, minor adjustments), afternoon refreshments, and (new this year) morning coffee and tea service. VeloSante sets up and takes down your tent accommodations at both camping locations. [Please note: You are responsible for your own bedding material, such as pillows, sheets and blankets.]
Service Options
Five (5) Nights (Friday 10:00 AM 6/19 through Wednesday afternoon 6/23)
Single occupancy… $440 [queen or twin air mattress]
Double occupancy…$525 [one queen or two twin air mattresses]
Three (3) Nights
Single occupancy… $365 [queen or twin air mattress]
Double occupancy…$455 [one queen or two twin air mattresses]
Two (2) Nights
Single occupancy...$335 [queen or twin air mattress]
Double occupancy…$415 [one queen or two twin air mattresses]
Note: Trip insurance is always highly recommended!
To initiate a reservation for the VeloSante camping concierge package, email us at velosante1@gmail.com Please specify the number of nights you would like services along with your preference for a queen or twin air mattress(s). We will respond with our mailing address for payment.
Questions? Feel free to contact us by email, text of phone. We look forward to helping make this your most enjoyable Bike Virginia experience ever.
Charlton DuRant & Lynn Petrotte,
http://ironbull.org/bikepacking-summit
Visit VeloSante at the Expo!
See our Lynskeys setup with Rockgeist bikepacking bags
Tune in to the crisp resonating sound of Spurcycle Bells
Join Charlton's Knot Tying class in our booth Friday @11AM
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