I wasn't going to get mushy on the blog just because it was Valentine's Day this week. But then Team Garmin founder Jonathan Vaughters brought a smile to my face as big as his sideburns. A few hours ago, he tweeted to his faithful followers: "Hey folks, need your help: Garmin is having a big wig meeting&we need some examples of how team sponsorship has helped their product sell." After getting over the initial disappointment of realizing that I'm not a big wig, I started watching the replies pour in. First @limintime said, "because of my love for the sport and your team, all I own is garmin, car, on bike, and $10K in boat electronics, any ???" Then @ddfairchild added, "When my daughter went to buy a GPS unit for her car, I told her she needed a Garmin, strictly based on the cycling sponsorship" And they just continued to roll in. Just since I typed the last two sentences, three more popped up:

@bucky651: have a edge 300 & 500 , a forerunner , a dakota , a nuvi and a sumo, why- Garmin sponsors bike racing

@WHYweride: I have purchased six Garmin products since Garmin has sponsored your team. I think that is good marketing value.

@stokedonspokes: had a 705 before, and a 500 now. @garmin's support of cycling is definitely a big reason to buy their products

There are truly too many to cut and paste here, but you can check out JV's Twitter stream as he retweeted many of them. And we read all of them. Thank you. Long before we sponsored the team, we loved cycling. Our engineers who first taped a Garmin to their handlebars and soon after created the Edge did so because they love to ride. We host Bike MS, build a team of colleagues and welcome thousands from across the area to our headquarters because we love to ride - especially for a good cause. I have three bikes in my office right now because I love to ride. And we still get chills whenever we see the argyle armada taking the start line, lining up the leadout train or climbing the podium. Because we love to ride. Thank you all, whether you replied to JV's tweet or are just looking forward to getting on your bike as soon as possible, for reminding us why we love to make products for your handlebars, your wrists, your cars, your boats - your life. Have a great weekend, and enjoy the ride.