OTTO to OTTO: 130 Mile Ride to Raise Dough

glv_ride_blogOn Saturday, September 24, the OTTO-sponsored bicycle racing team Green Line Velo will cycle from OTTO’s Comm Ave location in Boston to OTTO’s Munjoy Hill location in Portland to raise money, and awareness, for two vital New England bicycle organizations, The Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.

In one day.  That’s over 130 miles.  They’re gonna need your help, and a lot of pizza, to power through.

Green Line Velo and OTTO have been working together for a few years now (OTTO has been the final stop on GLV’s Wednesday Night Group Rides for years). The relationship grew out of proximity, shared values, and, well, pizza, bikes, and beer.

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Wednesday Night Group Ride in Brookline

When OTTO became an official sponsor of the team in 2016, the idea of a Boston to Portland ride was sparked.  With a shared vision of improving our communities, the decision was made to raise funds and awareness for MassBike and Bicycle Coalition of Maine, with funds going towards cycling safety, infrastructure initiatives, and the promotion of cycling for fitness, fun, and transportation.

Final Wednesday Night Group Ride & Fundraiser
To kick off the event, we will be holding a fundraiser at our 888 Commonwealth Avenue location in Boston after the final Wednesday Night Group Ride on Wednesday, September 14. A portion of every sale between between 6pm-10pm will be donated to MassBike and Bicycle Coalition of Maine.  Please feel free to come out and celebrate another great season, and wish the team best of luck in their 130-mile journey.

Show Some Love — DONATE!
Anyone willing to make a donation to support cycling initiatives in Maine and Massachusetts can do so at the ride’s fundraising page.

Arrival Party, Giveaways, Food and Drink Specials
On Saturday, September 24, we will be holding an arrival party at our 225 Congress Street location on Munjoy Hill in Portland from 4-7pm.  There will be some great food and drink specials, giveaways, and other goodness.

As an added bonus for our cycling enthusiasts, our usual 10% offer to all Bicycle Benefits members will be extended to Buy One – Get One on all slices during the party. You can learn more about how the program works here. If you haven’t already signed up, the time is now!

Come out, meet the team, and support the cycling community!

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Green Line Velo is a bicycle racing team based in Boston dedicated to competing at a high level and developing both individual riders and the sport in general.  By focusing first on a high level of camaraderie, they strive to create a team experience that is similar to collegiate cycling and which creates a cohesive group both on the road in races, as well as on training rides.

GLV are dedicated to the love of the bike, the spirit of competition and, more importantly, to the pursuit of fun and enjoyment for all.  They believe that the bicycle provides the means for their members to enact social good. Through a combination of competition and community outreach, they seek to promote that social good both on and off the bike.


The Bicycle Coalition of Maine works to make Maine a better place to bicycle. Founded by a small group of cyclists in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition has grown into one of the most effective bike advocacy groups in the country. 


The Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike) promotes a bicycle-friendly environment and encourages bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation.


Make your own Masher!

KR1_96621This Labor Day weekend, we’d like to share the recipe for our award-winning Mashed Potato, Bacon and Scallion pie!

The pizza named one of the ‘Best Pizzas in America’ by The Food Network is not only a joy to eat, it’s a blast to make.

If you’re feeling adventurous over the three-day weekend, give it a try! Share pictures of your experience with us via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.  We’d love to see your take on this fan favorite!

Ingredients
1 16-ounce proofed pizza dough cornmeal (to taste)
Olive oil (to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons grated Asiago
1 cup mashed potatoes (recipe follows)
7 ounces grated low-moisture mozzarella
Heavy cream (to taste)
½ cup chopped cooked bacon
½ cup bias cut scallions (1⁄8-inch thick)
1 tablespoon chopped mix of parsley, rosemary and thyme Salt (to taste)

Instructions
Stretch the pizza dough into a 16-inch circle and place on a peel that has been dusted with cornmeal.
Brush the dough with olive oil.
Season with the black pepper and Asiago.
Break up the mashed potatoes and distribute evenly around the pizza, spreading all the way to the crust.
Top with mozzarella, making sure to cover the entire pizza, and drizzle generously with cream. Top with the bacon, scallions, parsley and salt.
Bake in a preheated 500 F pizza oven until golden brown.
Rotate the pizza half way through for an even bake.
Cut and serve.

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Mashed Potato Ingredients
Ingredients
Mashed Potato
1-2 pounds Maine or red potatoes
½ pound unsalted butter
¼ cup kosher salt
2 tablespoon black pepper
2 cup heavy cream

Mashed Potato Instructions
Fill a large pot with the potatoes, enough cold water to cover, and half the salt.
Bring to a simmer.
Cook until the larger potatoes can easily be crushed with tongs.
Strain in colander.
Immediately add the potatoes to a large container with the butter, remaining salt and pepper.
Mash until smooth and no large lumps remain.
Stir in the cream.
Refrigerate immediately.