Cyclocross Fun in Kalamazoo - No Chain, Some Pain...

Today I expanded my cycling resume to officially include "cyclocross racing" to the list. While I've owned a cyclocross bike for several years, up until today most of what I've used it for has been riding the spring roads here in Michigan (which makes me much more confident with all the potholes).  Besides, what other sport can you do where prizes include six-packs of beer and everyone (who's of age, of course) can grab a cold one after racing?!

[caption id="attachment_516" align="alignright" width="300"] Style points for the multi-colored handlebar tape.[/caption]

I did the Kisscross Masters "B" race at Markin Glenn Park in Kalamazoo, which means I had 45 minutes of racing ahead of me. I initially thought about doing the "C" race for 30 minutes, but for the $25 entry fee, figured I'd at leasts get another 15 minutes of exercise. We took off at noon with a good group of other racers. I had done a couple of pre-race laps to get a handle on the course and true to cyclocross races, there were two sections on the course which required a dismount. The first section involved three foot-high barriers and with some tips from Andy at Team Active the week before, was able to negotiate them without any problems. It's amazing how much easier it is to dismount and then run with your bike when you actually un-clip from your pedals!

The second area that required a dismount (and run) was just after a section that took riders along the water's edge (yes, that means SAND!), and while riding parallel to the water was not much of a challenge, headed back up to the course involved 10-15 feet of wet and soft sand - impossible to ride. Even the "A" racers all walked up this section. More about the sand later.

Each of the laps was about 1.25 miles, but as is the case with cyclocross you race for a set amount of time, so the number of laps you end up doing really depend on how fast the leaders are riding. At 30 minutes (which is the time of the "C" race - and the race I was planning on doing, until I got there and signed up) I was glad that I had 15 minutes left (and not the full "A" race of 60 minutes).

[caption id="attachment_515" align="alignright" width="300"] Kinda hard to go very fast when you don't have a chain![/caption]

Completing my final lap, I successfully managed to run over the three barriers, climb the big hill at the back of the loop, successfully navigated "the ditch" and had one more trip to the beach before crossing the line. I made the hairpin turn to the left and headed into the sand, and while each of my previous entrances were smooth, this time I caught a deep rut left by another bike and it got me off track. The sudden stop caused my chain to come off, get wrapped up in my rear cog and then I heard the SNAP!

Crap, I broke my chain but the good news was that I had made it to the home stretch. This (of course) was also the most populated spectator section, so when everyone realized why I was carrying my bike and running the rest of the couse, the cowbells and cheers seemed to continue to increase. I got passed by several other riders, but at this point it didn't really matter. I just wanted to finish, and that mission was accomplished.

[caption id="attachment_514" align="alignright" width="300"] Toasting the beach that took my chain on the last lap.[/caption]

As I enjoyed my "post-race" beer and watched the "A" group race, I couldn't help but think about my first mountain bike race, which must have been 1989 or 1990. Similar to my finish today, I suffered a mechanical at the end of the race, but unlike today, figured that if my bike was broke I was done. But, luckily I had a buddy yell "RUN, you're almost there" and ended up finishing my first mountain bike race carrying my bike.

Since then I've lost count of how many mountain bike races I've done, but that one finish always sticks in my mind. Today's no exception and what a great way to kick off my cyclocross efforts.

~Eric Cook

ICEMAN 2012

As the largest single day mountain bike race in the country, the ICEMAN is as much an event as it is a race.  Preparing for it is like the excitement of a year-end race party while being anxious about more than 4,000 cyclists in a race.  For me, it was hard not to complain in October about being sick and not being able to train the way I knew I should, but there are so many guys who are fighting so much tougher illnesses and broken bones, I opted to just keep it to myself (and my loving wife who tolerates me).

Pre-riding the last third of the race has become a key part of this race preparation.  The race organizers seem to find pleasure in having a “pseudo” finish with a mile or two left or crazy choke points in the chute that make things interesting after having turned yourself inside out for a couple hours.  On Friday, I rode from Williamsburg road to the finish and found each of Anita’s Hill and Cassies Cliff to be manageable if I stayed off the oak leaves.  There was no traction in the oak leaves in the middle of the 20 percent grade at the top of Anita’s Hill (good lesson for Saturday).  My dad was helping me by dragging me around the county as I did the obligatory package pick up, pre-race prep and other things that make me hard to be around.  But all was good, an easy Friday Prep, the Fuel EX was running great, full suspension (which is not necessary for this race) was topped off and ocked out…I was ready for a fitful night’s sleep.

Listening to the radio on Saturday on the way to Kalkaska, the radio guy said there was 1 ½”  of snow on the ground in Acme, right in the 30 mile path of our ride between Kalkaska and Traverse City.  I recalled a previous ICEMAN where the trail conditions transitioned from an ice rink in Kalkaska to wheel grabbing mud in Timber Ridge, turned out that the finishing conditions were going to be replicated this year.

The race started well, I moved up from mid-front to front 10 after the first hard left turn which guides us out to the trail between the middle school and the Hockey Arena.  Wanting to keep my heart rate well below threshold for the first half of the race (with training well below what it should have been, I wanted to pace myself for the last half of the race) but still wanting to be in position to stay away from the guys who cannot handle the sand well in the first couple of hills, I stayed toward the front.

Guys who clearly were over-confident or under-experienced, went into the oak leaves to pass and were falling down regularly.  In the first 10 miles, I heard more than a half dozen guys go down behind me and maybe the same number fell in front of me.  I actually rode over the back tire of a guy who fell in front of me on some single track.  I was feeling good going into Williamsburg road hill, my dad with his customary goose call rooting me on and good friend Patrick and Cristen yelling at me to get my “fat ass up the hill”.  It made me laugh, and I felt good with about 17 k to go.

My goal was to average 20 minute 5 mile ‘sections’, the first was 18, the second well over 20 and the third was also over 20 minutes.  I was starting to feel the affects of not having put in big efforts in October.  After passing Williamsburg road, it was a different race.  Tactically, I had handled the race exactly how I wanted, and was taking advantage of the big descents that accompany the climbs.  I am not sure what happened during one of the descents, I suspect that I just kicked up a lot of mud into my drive train and I ended up losing access to my small ring and half of my middle ring, climbing became an impossible task.

Anyone who has ridden these hills knows that it is much easier on your legs to spin up in your granny gear than to run up off of your bike…your quads, calves and ham strings just scream when you are off the bike.  Spinning up was no longer an option for me, the chain just wrapped around the middle ring every time I tried to call for the small ring…SUCKED!

I was much more upset about the training that lead up to the race than the race itself, I feel like I handled the course well and, except for being at a full stop between 24 and 26 k (off the bike stopped!  Though I had heard of this, it had never happened to me before…miserable).  After the race, I found that my rear derailleur was bent, I have no idea how it happened, but it compounded the gritty drive train issues, for sure.  At the finish, there was nothing left of me—at all.  By the time I found my dad and my change of clothes, I was feeling sick to my stomach, something that took 45 minutes to go away.

The race was a very hard effort for me and I was very disappointed in my results, it turns out, however, that my results were on par with what they were last year.  I finished 30 out of 92 with a time just over 2:30 (10 minutes slower than last year.)

It is a great sport, I finish this ‘last race’ every year and by the time the beer is gone, I am looking forward to next year’s races and training over the winter.  Thanks as always to Team Active and WSI for sponsoring the team—it was great to see a bunch of TAR Teamies at the finish.  Have a good winter…see you at the end of winter party.

Jack Miner

Chuck's Iceman Race Report

I was seeded in the 7th wave going off at 9:18. With the combined early start time, seeded wave, and weather forecast I was confident for a 2hr or under finish. Watching racers arrive at the start area with snow on their vehicles started to deflate my hopes, the weather man got this one wrong. I second guessed my tire set up and pressure hearing of mushy muddy conditions in the last half of the course.

Well no changing anything now I'll just make the best of what I had set up. I got a good start, pace lining with the top ten in my wave through the first 4-5 miles I then settled into my pace. I had caught a group of 20-30 riders bunched up on the new single track section even coming to a complete stop which was probably the worst hold up of the whole race. In all I think this was one of my funniest.

The trail conditions on the single track really brought out the skill in racers, with the leaves being dry and slick in Kalkaska, to picking the fast line in the sand during the middle half, to using the leaves for traction in the muddy sections at the end.

I finished 17th out of 99 with a time of 2:10:30. A little slower than I was hoping for.

~Chuck Brenner

Triathlon Update - Double Post: Ludington Lighthouse and Cedar Point Rev3

Been a busy few weeks for me and  guess "life" has been getting in the way a bit, keeping me from my updates. Good news is the racing circuit has been good for me over the past couple of races and wanted to bring everyone up to speed.

August 19 - Ludington Lighthouse Olypmic

This is one of my favorite races, not only because the venu is a great location on the shores of Lake Michigan, but it gives my wife and I a chance to spend the weekend with my grandparents who live in Pentwater, just south of Ludington. I came into the race feeling pretty good and had a nice base of miles under my belt. Unlike the Lumberman in Cadillac, I came out of the swim feeling very strong and was pleased with my performance. Looking forward to the bike, where I typically make up any time from a slower swim, I ended up finishing the 26 mile course in just over 1 hour and 3 minutes for an average speed in the 23 mph range. Starting the run, I was a bit afraid that I maybe spent too much energy on the bike and headed out of the transition area for my 6.2 miles the legs were tight and I had to be careful not to let the "tinges" of cramps take hold and manage going fast enough to keep competitive, yet not disable myself with leg cramps. Fortunately, I found the right balance and was able to put in a sub-9 minute mile pace for the entire event.

I was excited to come across the line and see my wife, aunt and cousin (with her brand new baby) waiting for me at the finish line. When the results came out, I was pleased to discover I won the Clydesdale division (200 lbs+). In my years of racing, this marked the very first time I'd ever stood atop the podium with "gold" and being able to do that with family present made it even more special.

September 9 - Cedar Point Rev3

Last time I raced the Rev3 event I had just turned 40 and was one of the "big goals" I had set to make sure that I could prove to myself that I was not getting old. That was the first time that I had completed a 70.3 mile triathlon event and it was an amazing experience. Last year, unfortunately, I dealt with some foot issues that really kept me from doing much running, so running anything longer than 3-4 miles was not an option for me.

The good news is that my foot recovered and I was back on for the event this year. I signed up for the 7.03 (half) event and Kathy Roche-Wallace (www.GoKathyGo.com) signed on for the full 140.6. One of the best parts of the event is they have it at Cedar Point, so I got to "be a kid" on Saturday and spend some time riding the roller coasters. Mark joined me for the weekend as my "support crew" and we stayed with my good buddy, Shayne, who pulled his camper up to CP for the weekend. I was also excited for Mark and Shayne to spend some time together while I raced because Shayne's oldest daughter, Christi, unfortunately passed away in 2006 and Mark is one of the only survivors of the same type of cancer that took her all too soon from us. I'm sure it was a great day for the both of them.



Sunday morning arrived and Kathy and I were up at 5 am and were pleased to see clear skies and no signs of rain in the forecast. Shayne had wanted to do the Olympic event on Saturday, but was rained out, so I was a bit concerned that Mother Nature would do the same to us, but that was not the case. Headed to the transition area while it was still dark outside, I got my area set up and pumped up the tires one last time. Kathy was off at 7:05 am for a mass start and I was able to see her head out into Lake Erie with the rest of the full participants. I took off just over an hour later for my 1.2 mile swim, which went well. I was very comfortable in the water and enjoyed the swim, but as always was looking forward to the bike.

Headed out for my 56 miles on the bike, the wind picked up and some of the roads were "chipped and sealed", making some of the areas a bit of a challenge and made it important to pay attention to where you were headed so your wheel didn't catch a hole or crack and result in an early end to the race. I was able to pass a lot of folks on the bike, which is usually the case. But, I have to admin, I was a bit concerned about the 13.1 mile run coming up since I had started getting some cramps on the bike (which is unusual for me).

Starting the run and knowing that I had a half-marathon waiting for me I figured I'd just "trot" along and keep a steady pace. I went as fast as I could without risking cramps. The race headed out of the park and into downtown Sandusky, where it wound through the city streets. I recalled from two years ago running past an Irish Pub and joked with Shayne about making sure he was there to get me a Guinness. Imagine my surprise when making the turn and looking down the street to see the orange rims of his Trek District bike parked at the Pub. I ran up on the sidewalk and a bunch of race fans were enjoying some "adult beverages" and sure enough he had a freshly poured one waiting for me. I took a healthy pull, the crowd went nuts (ha ha) and then I was off for the remaining 7 miles!

Returning to the park, I could see the finish line and a big smile came across my face because I knew I was on the verge of finishing my second 70.3 event. I was able to run the entire time (ok, maybe I did make a little bit of a Guinness pitstop), which was one of my primary goals. Finishing just over 6 hours and 1 minute, I barely missed my sub-6 hour goal, but there was nothing "left in the tank" and was pleased with my results. I ended up mid-pack in both the Clydesdale division and overall, with around 750 total participants in the half.

Kathy came across in 12.5 hours and ended up winning her age group in the full and finishing 20th women overall! Granted, she's typically used to doing three of these at a time, but I was really proud of her and loved that I was able to be at the finish line to see her come across and give her a great big hug!



What a great event and weekend it ended up being and I'm pleased to say that I'm now able to walk down stairs without wincing in pain thanks to sore legs. I'm already looking forward to coming back again next year. The Rev3 folks put on a great event and can't think of any other venue where you can spend the day riding roller coasters and race the next day. I'm going to enjoy some recovery time, but look forward to getting back on the bike again real soon.

Kisscross Cannonsburg Ski Area - Cyclocross is back

So the day finally came that I have been anticipating since, well since before Christmas last year. That’s right, cyclocross is back! The first race this year was a combined Kisscross/Stomach of Anger event and Cannonsburg Ski Area (did I mention it was a night race under the lights?). The pre race atmosphere was jovial as the Michigan ‘cross crowd reaquainted itself with each other. To the delight of many rain was forecast for during the race and it came as predicted.

A few warm up laps revealed the course to be very bumpy and sandy with a few standout features including a creek crossing, a monster of a sandy hill and a tight 180 turn in a sandpit. I was competing in both the C and B categories tonight. My aim was to do well in C’s and use the B race to fine tune my ‘cross legs for the rest of the season. The hole shot is critical in ‘cross and I only managed to place fifth of sixth rounding hill at the first turn. I was on the inside and the rider in front of my went straight over his bars blocking the whole inside line bringing me to a complete stop. By the time I recovered I was down in about twelfth place. Thoughts of victory were gone in that first turn. When we hit the creek crossing for the first time the field bottlenecked and I ended up, no exaggeration, waiting my turn as riders crossed three abreast. After that, much of the race was a blur. It took a few laps before I found my rhythm. The creek crossing was a focal point for the crowd and a herd of screaming cowbell toting ‘cross fans made for a gladiatorial atmosphere. After thirty lung scorching minutes it was over, all too soon.

Results weren’t available on the night as the new electronic scoring system was bedding in but I found out later that I had managed a respectable 2nd place in the 35+ category. Can’t be disappointed with that at the first race of the season.

After a quick bike clean up and check over I was back at the start line less than thirty minutes later for the 45 minute B race. I took a steadier approach and felt fully in control as I picked off riders lap by lap. I purposefully started at the back and worked my way up about fifteen places during the race as I gained in confidence and commitment. By the end of the B race the creek crossing was a total leap of faith as the lights failed to illuminate the entry bank. Both legs were submerged half way to your knees in mud as you jumped in. Perfect. The hurdles area was also in complete darkness by the later laps with lights shining in your eyes as you tried to line up for them. Again this just added to the challenge.

Post race a crowd of wet, sweaty, muddy racers dissected the race over a beer while the A racers showed us how it was done. Did I mention that I love the fall for a reason?

Cadillac Lumberman Triathlon Race Update

So this update is a bit "tardy" getting to the site, but as they say.... better late than never. On Saturday, July 28th I raced the Olympic(+) distance Lumberman triathlon in Cadillac, MI. As I got in the truck to head to the race (bright and early at 5:15 am), the temperature gauge read 50 degrees - HALF of what the temp had been lately (which was a good thing). Additionally, the Cadillac area had got about 3 inches of rain in the past couple of days, which also helped to drop the water temps and made for what I hoped was going to be a much more comfortable race day.

The swim was an "in-water" start and getting into the water racers got to walk through what seemed like a "mine filed" of rocks and other debris until getting to the deeper water and a smoother sandy bottom. I didn't realize it at the start, but after the 1500 meter swim (which could have been a little faster) I started my exit and with the first step of my right foot, felt like I had something jabbed in the bottom of my foot. I even went so far as to try and pull what I thought was in there before transitioning out of the water, but couldn't find anything. So, I ran "half-footed" up the shore to the transition area and before even taking off my wetsuit, sat down (which is not something that you're supposed to do when doing transitions for a triathlon) and figured I'd see a stick jammed well into the bottom of my foot. Good news (kind of) was my foot was just sliced by a Zebra muscle and there was nothing to extract and it didn't bother me once I got on the bike.

[caption id="attachment_456" align="alignright" width="179"] Finisher and 3rd Place Clydesdale Medals[/caption]

The next event, the bike, is my best and favorite part of a triathlon and I was able to make up a lot of ground from my swim. I'd not been in the water for a bit, so didn't have big expectations for the swim. However, I'd been doing a lot of riding and running so I had big plans to make up some time. I passed a lot of people on the bike and for the most part, the course was flat and fast. Temperatures remained in the mid 60s with a slight breeze and only at the turn-around point did some hills come into play. I was able to pass many of the riders on the hills (as they would not "break" aerodynamic position, but that's not the best way to climb), plus being "clydesdale" size (200 lbs+) the downhills were fast and continued to make up time.

I came into the transition area feeling great, couldn't even feel the cut on my foot, and ready for the last leg, a run around Cadillac Lake. In the opening paragraph, I referred to the event as Olympic(+), which means it was just a bit longer than a typical Olympic distance event since a full lap around the lake is almost 7 miles (and a typical event is a 10k - 6.2 miles). Normally on the run I end up seeing many of the people that I passed on the bike, as I've never been much of a runner. But I had dedicated a lot of my training time to getting faster on the run so I was excited to see if it was paying off.

I came in past the first mile checkpoint around 8:30 which was much faster than I expected, and admit that I cracked a little smile after looking at my watch. The challenge was I had 6 more miles to go and that little voice in the back of my head questioned if I was going to hold that pace for the rest of the run, or if I'd "blow up" half way through. Fortunately, I was able to remain on pace for the remainder of the run and for the first time I actually passed people on the run! Of course, I got passed by a handful of the riders I passed on the bike, but ended up finishing with a 8:50 mile pace for the entire 7 miles. I was very pleased with my time, no leg cramps and finished strong, keeping the footsteps behind me at bay and avoiding getting passed in the final few hundred yards.

I ended up placing 33rd of our around 70 total participants for the day and took 3rd in the Clydesdale division (200 lbs and over). My swim (knowing that it was not my best showing) was 58th fastest, but my bike showing (at 14th) is where I really made up some time and overall had the 38th fastest run. This was the first time (in a long time) that I got any sort of a placing medal, and was more than happy to bring home the "bronze" for the day.

I've done a couple of mountain bike races and a dirt road race this year, but this was my first triathlon of the summer in preparation for my 70.3 Rev3 event at Cedar Point on September 9th. This event is my personal fundraiser to support the fight against childhood cancer and looking forward to raising some money for this worthy cause (hey, how about you make a donation!?).

Next up is the state road race (Citizens/Cat 5) up in Traverse City on August 12th and then I'm headed over to Ludington on the 19th for the Lighthouse Olympic triathlon. That's always a fun weekend, as my grandparents live in Pentwater, just south of Ludington so it's a good weekend all-around and I've had a little cheering section the past couple of years with my wife, aunt and cousins coming over to support me. It's always nice coming across the line and seeing familiar faces.

Hopefully the next report will have even more good news from the road race next weekend, so keep your fingers crossed. It's going to be a busy weekend for WSI-Team Active Cycling, as we've got racers participating in events across the state. Good luck to my teammates and with any luck, we'll see you on the podium!

~Eric

The Lady Luck of Racing

Race #1 Grand Rapids Criterium (Women's 3/4) - BAD Luck.

This weekend I decided to go up and race the Grand Rapids Criterium (Women's 3-4) on Saturday.  Not much in miles this year, haven't done a crit in 3 or 4 years I think, but what the heck, the Michigan Women's Racing Forum was encouraging 3's and 4's to come out and race as the promoter made a separate race this year for the 3/4's.  Three days before the race, I renewed my USA Cycling road license and registered for the race.  Two days before the race, some aggressive bouldering at the local climbing gym tweaked my hip out.  As Danny, Devin and Brett can attest to, I was a whiny bundle of nerves during the drive and before the race.  I squeezed into the skinsuit and warmed up on the rollers of which I gracelessly slid (ok, fell) off 5 minutes later - maybe the beginning of the brake issue?  Warming up on the course (there were delays in starting our race), I just felt tired and sluggish - thinking, yeah a bit out of shape, but must be nerves.  Race started with 15 of us, not too bad a pace on a great 8 corner course - and I felt awful.  I was up where I needed to be, but after a few laps I was so utterly exhausted, I  just slid off the back and finished the race by myself, not quite dead last, but almost.  Very heartbroken, thinking the Wednesday ride is faster, maybe I can no longer do this, I sat next to the car for a bit then as I lifted my bike to the rack, I noticed the back wheel was immobile....come to find out, my brake had shifted and was rubbing quite nicely against my wheel.  I laughed.  Frustrating, but laughing was all I could do.  Bummer!

Race #2  Milford State Criterium Championships (Women 4) - GOOD Luck (and darn lucky!)

Saturday night, I couldn't stop thinking about racing, about maybe more structured training next year...and thinking about the Milford Crit.  But our house has been in construction mode for a while and really needs to be done.  I promised I would work on it this weekend.  But the race....  Couldn't sleep, woke up at 6 am, debating, what time do I have to leave, but the house...  Paced the house, finally Brett grabs me and says go, I'll load your bike, you can still make it over for the 10:45 am start (it was 7:25 am).  Some slight exceeding the speed limit, I didn't tell anyone from the team in case a repeat of performance of Saturday (minus the brake - just my lack of endurance).  Made it, walked into Devin around a corner and to my nervous delight, was thrilled to see him.  He helped pin my number on a smelly skinsuit (sort of forgot to wash it..) and got me set up before heading out for church. 

13 strong Cat 4 women (I was the 13th) for 35 minutes plus 2 laps on the great, technical, bit hilly Milford course.  Off the get go I was out front for a lap to test the corners and then tucked myself in the top 5.  One gal decided she didn't want me to have the 4th spot and kept trying (quite unsucessfully) to 'push' me back.  I politely declined her advances, took the spot, then when she made a small verbal complaint, I very gently guided her tighter into the corner than I think she preferred (I did not and would not intentionally ever put someone in a ditch or off course, but if you are going to actually bump shoulders with me over a spot, I will happily let you know that I could put you in a ditch if you persist).  It was all good btw, we chatted afterward.  A good race, several of us led some strong laps.  My cornering was stronger, but my low endurance wouldn't allow me to stray far from the pack without risking a blowup.  The last left hand corner is just wicked and requires a lot of handling skill at high speeds.  I was testing the corner, trying to tighten my line to gain spots.  Final lap, and one of the stronger, better cornering gals, Shannon, attacked the field, and with a quick jump, I tucked in right behind her, ready for the final sprint.  We hit that corner fast and hard and Shannon went down right in front of me and slid slightly right.  Never touching my brakes, I actually tightened my line into the turn and flew right by her.  My sprint needs some serious work, I forgot I was on the hoods, but sprint I did, not knowing who else was right behind me.  Almost to the finish, I risked a look back and they were far enough back (they told me they got caught behind Shannon - took their corner too wide), I was able to do a victory salute....except, I wasn't over the line yet!!  They have a banner over a section of bricks - looks like the finish, but the tiny white line is 20 feet more forward.  After looking at the finish picture, I was really, really darn lucky I didn't get passed at the actual line (with my hands in the air)!!  Thank you Lady Luck for that one - I owe you!! 

Thanks to Devin and to Jack for making the day fun![gallery]

Tri Del Sol Duathlon Race Report 7.21.12

On Saturday my wife twisted my arm and made me do a duathlon while she competed in her first Triathlon. The duathlon consisted of a 2mi run / 19mi bike / 4.9mi run. The first run I did fairly well and finished in the middle of the pack with a total time of 14:30. Then the bike started. It was a very rolling course with almost no flat sections. I made up a lot of ground and passed nearly everybody with a average of 22. Which is pretty good for me considering drafting is illegal, and as many of you know that's the only way I can keep up on Wednesday night rides. Overall I had the third fastest bike split in the duathlon. Then the dreaded final ran began. It took almost ¾ of a mile before my calves stopped screaming at me. All that hard work and huge lead I had gained was quickly washed away by mile 2 or 3 as the other runners appeared to be sprinting right by my slow ass. I finished the run with a time of 41:24min - avg 8:30min/mi. Which is way better than the goal I had set for my self. Finished 3rd of 4 in my age bracket and 22nd of 59 overall.

Special thanks to WSI and Team Active for making all of this possible.

David Goff

Bloomer Park Cycling Heaven 7.22,12

Not only was there an awesome Mountain Bike race going on at Bloomer today, there was a full-on demonstration of races in the Velodrome.  I need to spend some time in the Velodrome and tell you more about it.

This race report is going to be  kind of ‘run of the mill’ because that was what my performance was.  I went out (my new Fuel EX frame was freaky fast) I rode the switch backs as well as I could , I rode the straight parts as fast as I could and I finished 3^rd.

It was hot and dusty, no disasters, just kinda did was I was supposed to do.  I did ride behind Neil Sharphorn for a lap.  He is a legend.  70 plus years old, Nationally recognized MTB racer.  He was awesome to follow.  Awesome motor up-hills, was smooth as silk in the turns…I kept telling him how awesome he was, he was having trouble hearing me though so every time I talked to him, he slowed down so he could hear me….figured I would quit slowing him down.  And yes, he beat me by a couple minutes—most happy I will ever be to have been beat by a 70 year old stroke surviver….I can only hope to be that fast and fit when I am 70.

Thanks to WSI-Team Active for letting me live a dream.

Jack Miner.

Waterford Race 7.18.12 "Mind over Mechanical"

Both the A race and the B race last night at Waterford Hills were very strange.  Maybe it was just me and a couple other guys that I ride with there, but we all agreed that the races were very schizophrenic. The stats on my bike computer showed that we averaged about 24 miles an hour for 1:10 minutes or so, but the feeling I had in my legs was that we were going 30 mph for 10 hours!  The group was very nervous and there were a lot of quick line changes that kept everyone on edge.  We would power up to 30 MPH and then sit up a mile later at 18 MPH.  Based on what Devin and Danny have been reporting, this seems quite typical of a CAT 4 race, but it was more pronounced last night than I remember it at Waterford.

While I was awaiting the race to start, I heard a strange vibration in my bike, but looked at my hub (new power tap hub) and figured it was just the sound from the hub.  I should have looked at my brakes…more on that later. The first 30 minutes were the usual settling into a pace and getting to know each other, some new faces were there from Bay City TCC Racing and a guy from North Carolina (who thought the course was comically flat!) but these fresh faces seemed unusually uncomfortable in a pack, creating over-braking in the turns and wacky line changes over the splits in the cement.

I am loving my new GARMIN and Cycle Ops Power Tap, I get more data than a Formula One Pit crew chief (too bad I cannot fine tune the engine to put out more horse power.)  Power, Cadence, Heart Rate, Distance, Average Speed were all very similar to the last race, which surprised me—as I stated, I thought last night was a huge effort compared to 3 weeks ago.  Or, maybe it is the fact that I continued to hear a hum from my bike and with 10 minutes to go, I loosed my rear brake and realized that it had been rubbing the whole time.  The brake was a little off-center and there was just enough of a wobble in the rear wheel to cause it to rub, even with the brake released.  Unfortunately, I debugged that too late, if I had realized I was having an issue, I could have taken a mechanical lap, but not in the last 10 minutes of the race.  The hum from my bike and fear that my bike was having a mechanical wore on me the whole race and I think made it seem like a larger effort than it obviously was.

It was a pack finish for me and the IPA tasted extra good at the finish.  GO Team WSI-Team Active.  On my way to Bloomer Park to pre-ride the course for Sunday’s race.

Jack Miner

Ft. Custer, Waterford and Turning 50.

I find it fitting that this is the evening of my 50^th birthday and past due to update my race reports.  It is fitting because cycling keeps one young.  We have all gone for rides with 60 and 70 (some even 80) year old cyclists who are amazing in their fitness and ability.  Seems the older you get on a bike, the less geometrically you age.  My cycling all started about 5 years ago with you guys in Battle Creek and my life has been better ever since.  Thanks for letting me share in a sport that gives you eternal youth.

The Custer’s Revenge race was a little unnerving for me because I had ruined my Trek Top Fuel and was riding on a borrowed 29er hard tail.  I love the hard tail because all of the pedaling energy goes into the wheel and none gets absorbed by the shock.  Unfortunately, this also means that your core needs to be engaged the whole race.  I also felt as if I were riding very high and since it was the first time I was on the bike (ever) and it was a race, my bike handling skills suffered even more than usual.  I thought that the most important thing I could do would be to push it as hard as possible on the straight sections and take a little off in the technical sections.  It was a great day, a lot of TAR/WSI team members on the trail and I was able to steal a 9^th place finish.

Tonight was one of the Waterford  Hills Race series road races.  I am looking forward to pulling in the data from my new Garmin bike computer to see what actually happened, but what I felt was a nice 60 minute race on the 1.5 mile course with a small hill and fighting to stay in the first 10 or so places.  There were nearly 40 of us racing tonight and the wind was pretty strong from the south and the race temperature was about 90, ensuring that positioning in the group would be key for the race.  Not very eventful race, I think I finished in the top 20 or 25, but then some knuckle head cut in front of me at the end of the race…putting me on the turf after the race was over.  So much for an injury free race, but a very happy 50^th birthday—especially since my wife and daughter were there to cheer me on.

Happy trails my friends.  Life is better on our bikes.

Jack Miner.

Fort Custer Mt. Bike TT

Sunday June 10, 2012 I raced the Ft. Custer Mt. Bike TT.  I saw quite a few  WSI/TAR people and it looked like  great race results from the team.  I raced Sport Single Speed and finished 2nd in that catagory.  The weather was hot (about 90 F) and the trail was dry and not super fast.  Attached are the results.  Notice all the WSI/TAR people.  Good job all.

Custers-RevengeTT Results - 2012 

Keith Wilkinson

Dr. TK Lawless TT

Several Teammates and I competed in the Dr. TK Lawless TT on Sunday. The weather and trail conditions could not have been better for us. Around 65° mostly Sunny and dry, very different than what the road team encounter on Saturday. I entered the sport class 30 – 39, which was one 10 mile loop around the park. For the first time in my racing career I beat 5 other guys and took the podium with a first place finish with a time of 48 minutes. Unfortunately I was out on the course with my son during the award ceremony, but climbed the podium a little later to take fame. I have only rode ½ of this course one time last year and have not been back since. So I was in total shock when they told me that I had won. It’s a fun tight and twisty course with just a few short straightaways. I can wait to come back next year and do it again.

My son Dilan also competed in the race. He has never ever been there and he still opted out of the 10 – 12 year old short 1 mile race and competed in Beginner 19 and under class, where he was by far the youngest. As you can imagine he finished last but still had a very impressive time of 71 minutes.

David Goff

DNF versus DFL Demons

West Branch Road Race is hard enough (1500 feet of climbing per lap) without the wind being mixed in.  Add low temperatures (High 40s at start time) and rain and you have a combination that makes the primary pre-race discussion in the pits about; leg warmers or no, arms warmers or no, hat, no hat?  Warming up means sitting in your car as long as you can and hope that your muscles will not penalize you for putting them into the wind and rain before the first attack.  I pre-rode this course with some friends from Wolverine Sports Club and we did 3 laps.  My back was still tender from all the climbing from the ride 3 weeks prior.  If not for a ‘pact’ to do the race between me Danny and Derrick after our Wednesday night team ride, I would not have even set the alarm to drive all the way to West Branch in the rain.  But, loyalty is loyalty…so we death marched our way north.

It is always great to have team mates at a race, on a cold rainy windy nasty day, it is even better  to have some moral support.  We ignored the weather, donned our team kits and proceeded to the start.  In the first turn, we all communicated very well, there were 56 pre-registered, but who knows how many idiots like me actually showed up.  The wind was off to our left and I kept tucked in behind some very strong cyclists for the first 12 miles of the first lap.  Danny was possessed as he was on Wednesday night and was out front for a great deal of the rollers.  I made a mistake and stayed on the windward side of the echelon and when they turned up the tempo, I had no legs.  I knew that the race was over for me with about 5 miles left in the first lap!  Three other riders worked with me in the wind, but by the time we made the turn to the first time up the climb, the pack was gone.

I rolled up the monster hill after the first lap and had the opportunity to call it a day.  After all, I was done, I could not even see the lead pack any more.  But, I committed to have Danny’s “6.”  If he had a mechanical or something, I would give him whatever he needed to get back in the race.  I also remember a team mate telling me (commanding me) that you never ever ever leave a race unless you are hurt, have a mechanical or are pulled.  I fought these demons because I was all alone in the wind and had no one to work with.

I was closing in on a couple Cat 4s who were shelled out the back like me, but when the Cat 5s went by, two of them jumped on the group (an illegal move and when I protested to the follow car, the officials pulled them off, but they were too far ahead and were connected together now and I was, alas, all alone.)

Unfortunately, when you are riding by yourself in a race (it has happened to me way too often) you have time to think.  I committed myself to burning calories in my final lap and ‘being there for Danny’ in case he needed me.  Well, Danny was there for me at the last few yards of the climb to the finish and I know I did not have as good a day as Danny did (we still have not seen results), but I know this, I did not DNF.

Jack Miner.

Seahorse Triathlon - Swim, bike, run and relaxing fun

It was finally time for triathlon season to start and shake off the rust of the winter. I’m taking a lower key approach to racing triathlons this year and my late decision to sign up for the Seahorse triathlon reflects that different mindset. Even with the late sign up, there was still time for the weather forecast to change from 80’s to mid-90’s, I had to be prepared for a hot one. There was great representation from the team at the race with the relay team, RJ and myself plus more non competing others giving us all great support - thanks Micheal and great photos - thanks Stephanie.

A quick warm up swim revealed I was feeling relaxed and ready to go. The water was pleasant without being too warm at 72F so I went with the full wetsuit. I stayed relaxed and focussed despite someone who was trying to draft me constantly grabbing my feet through the whole swim. Other than my drafting partner the water wasn’t too crowded and I was able to get around the two laps efficiently which was my main aim. I clocked a steady 30:57 for the 1500m. I had a hiccup in the first transition when my wetsuit decided to adhere to my right ankle. Doesn’t matter how many times you rehearse, these things happen. I must have lost close to a minute by the time I had untangled myself.

The bike course was smooth and fast with just one longer incline and a short section of rough pavement that had to be negotiated on each of the two laps. Dan riding his relay leg blew past me at about 10K giving encouragement as he went. I settled in and rode a fairly conservative leg averaging 21.2mph for the 40K. My second transition thankfully went exactly to plan and I was in and out in 41 seconds.

The run was interesting, a mix of pavement, grass and wooded trails. I felt like I was running one of the faster Dances With Dirt legs for a while. The run course was another two lap affair made up of multiple intertwining loops. I’m sure I saw RJ eight times out on the course! I started out at 7:30 pace and was able to maintain for the first few miles. The humidity started to build and eventually my legs that had felt strong to that point faded in the last ten minutes. My family came out to cheer me on at the finish which always makes for a great ending to any race.

My finish time of 2:36:50 was in the ballpark of what I was expecting from myself today. It was respectable enough and would even have won my age group last year. Unfortunately there were a lot of faster people out there today and I was only 6th in age group and 37th out of 101 overall but no complaints. All in all I came away satisfied with my performance, shook off the rust for a new season and have a good marker for races to come this year. Now it’s time to really go to work.

See Dan's post below for photos.

- Neil Jenney

SeaHorse Tri

Another good showing from the WSI/TA Racing group at the Seahorse tri. Neil and RJ both rode the Olympic distance (RJ placed 3rd). Chuck, Sara and I did the relay again and kept the tradition alive by winning again - all with good times. Our competition cheated again and we still won:). [gallery]

Addison Oaks Stage Race

[caption id="attachment_375" align="alignnone" width="124" caption="Hard earned, but not widely contested."][/caption]

I love the mountain bike stage races that are done by Tailwind. You have 3 different disciplines, Time Trial, Short Track and Cross Country. Saturday was the TT and Short Track at Addison Oaks , there was a small field for our group of 50 to 59 year old racers but I was able to eek out a psychological win in the short track by taking 3rd place in my age group.  I used my cross bike and it handled the extreme turns very well.  The turns did not affect me, but I stuffed my pedal into the hill on an off camber turn and, although I was in 3rd place of the entire 'sport' group, went to the back of the pack in seconds.  It is only a 15 minute race, so it is a lung burning, leg cramp-fest, a fall is fatal.   So, like I said, a 3rd place finish for our age group was a nice win.

In the morning we had the Time Trial and I ended up 4th of 4 in our age group there.  Even though the number of racers in my age group was low, these stage races are double points races and set the tone for the leaders for the rest of  the season.  As such...finishing 4th is strategically valuable...even if there were only 5 or six of us out there this weekend.

Final tally, 4th place TT, 3rd Place Short Track, 5th place in today's extremely hot 3 lap cross country race...overall I should walk away with a 4th place double points win for WSI-Team Active.

 

Jack Miner.

Goff Family & the Stampede

Again my race day started with Jacob and the little kid’s race. As usual he had a great time; he was slightly disappointed in the course because there were hardly any jumps compared to Yankee. Either way he got to stand on the podium and received a dog tag for his accomplishment.

Then my race started a little while later, I chose to enter the sport class, 2 laps around. There were only 12 people in my wave and I found myself in 11th place at the first of the race. We stayed all together all the way through the cardiac climb, with almost no passing. Then it opened up a bit here and there and I was able to pick a few of the guys here and there throughout the rest of the race. I ended up with a time of 1Hr 26min and that was surprising enough to get me to 4th place in my wave. I was very pleased with my overall race and look forward to next year’s race.

My son Dilan took 3rd place in the 10 and under race, just missing 2nd place by 6 inches in a frantic sprint to the finish line. His time was 56 minutes, it sounded like his race went very well, with no major mishaps.

Special thanks to everybody involved in the after race festivities. The food and beverages where great! Also thanks to Danny and Amy for the pictures and team support. Great Job guys!

David Goff

Stampede Race Photos

I have a lot of photos for everyone - here are a few.[gallery]

Race, Burgers and Dogs... What a Day!

Well, I was slow as I predicted I would be. My endurance isn't where I'd like it to be, and I would have preferred to race in the Sport class and only do two laps instead of three, but in order to cook the food, I needed to ride Expert for the earlier start time.

[caption id="attachment_306" align="alignright" width="300" caption="After racing three laps on the trail, I ran the grill - cooking up burgers and dogs for the hungry racers. What a great day!"][/caption]

Anyway, the start at Custer is always very fast. This year, I told myself not to push it and relax for the first mile or so, which I did. While on the first lap, I saw a couple guys up ahead of me getting back on their bikes and figured there was a crash. A little bit latter, I saw one of the same guys getting back on his bike, and figured he crashed again. Well, now he was right in front of me, which was making me nervous. The guy was fast on the straight parts, but when he got into curvy sections or technical sections, he was right on the edge. I couldn't get around him, but figured sooner or later he would screw up. Well, he did....coming down that hill and across the bridge...once he cleared the bridge, he just dumped it. Luckily, I was able to dart around him and keep going.

As I completed lap 1, I came up on Eric Wallace on his single speed. He was spinning away on the flat start section and I went on bye. At the top of those rocky/rooty hills before grannies garden, my right calf cramped up like a rock. I had to get off my bike and stretch, and Eric and a few others rode past. This wasn't good...leg cramps 1/2 way into the race? I just had to take it easy the rest of the time and not try and push hard up the hills. I finished with a pretty slow time, but I was done and it was time to cook!

100 hot dogs and 160 burgers in 2 hours!!! (All on a charcoal grill) Thanks to Chuck Brenner and Jim Gallagher for being the 'bun' guys. Like years past, this event is a total blast. The people love the free beer and food, and this year's 'Beer Garden' made our team set-up that much cooler.

Congrats to the ladies that placed, as well as the young pup, Caleb. I think us older guys like the beer too much to make a podium!

Mike Groat

My First Expert Mountain Bike Race - 2nd Place!

First and foremost, a huge thanks Groat for singing his arm hairs off cooking all of those dog and burgers! Nice apron dude, priceless.

Thanks to the entire team yesterday for an AWESOME showing, all of the help, camaraderie, racing and results, set-up, clean-up, and just having a great time and looking awesome in team kits and team shirts. It was a wonderful day!! We looked so professional.

[caption id="attachment_297" align="alignright" width="300" caption="2nd place in my first expert race!"][/caption]

Kathi said the Team Active beer garden was a huge success. Congratulations to all who raced, the course was firm and fast and the weather was just perfect. I couldn’t find posted results yet, and can’t remember everyone’s results, but we had at least 3 podium places.

• Caleb, 2nd place Sport (Age 15-19?).


• Me, 2nd place Expert Women


• Kathy, 3rd place Expert Women (rocking it on a SINGLE SPEED!!!)

This was the first time (after much good hearted teasing from Kathy in the past year) I decided to woman up and race Expert class, figuring if nothing else, I could use the miles (and secretly thinking that I would finally get out from under the shadow of Summer the super freak cyclist from Custer only to find out she moved up this year as well – dang). Knowing that I don’t have the best endurance (and I struggle to drink enough while mtn biking), I figured to try and take it easy – riiight. Was 4th back of 7 or 8 women, with Summer in the lead. It was interesting how mellow the first few miles were compared to a Sport race then I remembered oh, we have THREE laps, pace yourself.

A few hang-ups in Granny’s and the new green section by two of the riders in front enabled me to pass to sit behind Summer in the first lap (some advantages to riding those trails all the time). Into the second lap (and still forgetting to drink), I actually dropped back a little and just got into a groove, then caught Summer again. On the back side, I took the lead for a bit, and she was being chatty (this is about the time she’ll take off, if nothing else, she’s predictable), and I was hurting a bit (and still not drinking enough – stupid of me). She passed and I lost a bit in the blue climbs and started the 3rd lap further back, in a lot of pain, and no energy and had to slow down and start sucking fluids. As my body found the joy of hydration, I was able to very slowly increase my pace although the climbs were laughably slow.

Could still see Summer up ahead now and again, but still not enough energy to catch her. Kept glancing back for riders behind me. Caught up to a couple of guys and realized that I could actually maneuver the technical stuff better and passed them. Then came upon a beautiful sight – Eric Cook!! A WSI jersey! I followed him for a while, and then passed and bless his sweet, wonderful soul, he rode right behind me in silent encouragement. We spoke a few times (at this point on the green section and I was struggling to focus and could feel the beginnings of cramps in my legs) and he asked how I liked the Scalpel and all that came out was a gasped, “I can’t talk right now” – sorry Capt Crunch, love ya.

An elite woman (Founders) was in front of me in the red and kept slowing down in the corners (twice in the race, I found it ironic that I was getting mad at slow people in front of me in the technical sections – normally that slow person would be me), but took she off like a rocket up the blue hill, see ya. I hit the last big hill after the bridge and cramps hit in about 3-4 places in my legs, but if I slowed down, they got worse – and if I sped up too much, they got worse. LOL! My arms and shoulders were killing me, cramps were twitching all over my legs and at one point my hamstring started to lock up but I couldn’t stop pedaling. Breathe deep, relax, pedal, ouch, pedal – almost there. What a race.

Summer got me again, but only by 30 seconds or so – yeah, I am (mostly) ok with that.

Angela Bowers :-)

Cone-Azalia Classic - "No pain, no gain?" More like, "No gain, all pain!"

So my decision to race Cone-Azalia had me in Milan, MI on a sunny but windy Sunday morning. For the uninitiated Cone-Azalia is a part rough pavement, part dirt road, all wind exposed box of madness. The weather was overcast as I left Battle Creek, but as I passed Jackson a dark curtain pulled back to reveal a beautiful spring day. On arrival I found out Google’s GPS was not having a good day. Ironically there were four bike laden cars that all arrived at the same old industrial building. I led the convoy into a gas station to get directions and we were soon at registration.

A shorter than I would have liked warm up followed. The wind was high and the course exposed. All my pre-race intel told me the first of the three ten mile laps were typically frantic. There were over three hundred participants this year, a record for the race. We would be starting at two minute intervals by category. The start was fast, I found my place riding fourth or fifth wheel and was able to hold station for the first two laps. The race is known for is flats and true to form, a couple of riders flatted in the group not long after we hit the dirt for the first time.

The first lap was unrelentingly fast with no opportunity whatsoever to recuperate. Thankfully we had a couple of minutes to relax a little before turning back onto the dirt and crosswinds at the beginning of the second lap. As soon as we crossed the railway tracks and hit the dirt the first real attacks came. They were chased down quickly and status quo resumed. More attacks followed, most coming in the corners as we switched from pavement to dirt and back. No one could get away though, and approximately one third of the field took the bell together.

As we made the first turn onto the gravel on the third lap I made a mistake and lost my place at the front of the group, unfortunately this was right as a flurry of hard attacks came. I dug deep and held on. I was afraid the group would split so had to take some wind to get back near the front. I knew that I had to recover as much as possible but at this point it wasn’t going to happen. The attacks kept coming and after another turn I found myself 25 yards off the back of the group. Now it was a pure TT. I got stuck in no man’s land just off the back of the group for the next couple of miles. The two guys on my wheel were unwilling (although I’d like to think they were unable) to come around and help. Eventually we rounded to last corner to the finish stretch. It was mile and a half run directly into a headwind. I never let up but the lead group finally slipped away. My consolation prize was winning a token sprint against those finishing with me.

I was tired but happy with my performance as I always am when I give everything I have in a race. It was great experience for me. There was talk of a big crash somewhere on the course but thankfully I didn't see it. The racing was pretty hair-raising in places so I wasn’t surprised. When I left the provisional results weren’t posted and are still not up online. I’m hoping I was in the 10-15^th place range but it was all about experience and effort for me today.

Neil Jenney

[gallery link="file"]

 

Getting Maximum Sponsorship Exposure at the Stampede

[caption id="attachment_260" align="alignright" width="179" caption="Getting ready to hit the trail for three laps-o-fun!"][/caption]

Ok, so suffice to say that I didn't necessarily "set the trail on fire today at For Custer's Stampede. I opted for the Expert race, which ended up being close to 30 miles on the mountain bike today. The weather was perfect, the trail was in great condition but it was evident to me that my past several years of dedicating my training to the road bike and triathlons had not done much for my mountain biking. Considering I spent quite a bit more time on the trail that most racers, the way I look at it I was just getting as much visibility for our sponsors than other teams!

That being said, I finished the race with only a couple of "dabs" (that's having to get out of my pedals and touch to recover for those non-bikers reading this) and ended up putting in a good strong finish on the straightaway to the line. Despite some leg cramps on the third and final lap, I managed to get through the race without much pain (and avoided a couple of close calls when the trees seemed to "reach out" and try to grab my handlebars and jerk me to the ground.

While my performance today isn't anything to "write home" about, I'm very proud of my teammates and the fact that several of our racers made it on the podium. It was good to see the WSI-Team Active name on more than one occasion during the day. I'm sure there will be more updates shared very soon, so stay tuned.

I'm also proud of the great showing "after the race" and how team members all pitched in and helped with the "beer garden" and hospitality tent. A special thanks and shout-out to Mike Groat for not only giving me a spanking on the trail (nice ride, Mike), but for being grillmaster for the day. The spectators and racers all enjoyed grilled burgers and dogs thanks to Mike's grilling skills and cold beer (for those that were of age, of course). Funny thing, we set up the grill right next to the section on the course the racers had to pass on each list, so by the time the burgers and dogs were going, racers got to ride through some pretty-good smells. Let's just say it's good that Mike was racing in my group, because smelling that food may have been enough to get me to "pit" early.

In closing I want to also forewarn you that the "kilt" made another appearance today and I'm sure that you'll be seeing some pictures very soon. I can tell you it was much more comfortable wearing it today than back when I did the Lowell 50. Danny (and several other shutterbugs) were out and suffice to say I was the only one at the race sportin' classic Scottish apres-cycling attire.

See you on two wheels...
~Eric

Mud, Sweat then Stampede

Mud, Sweat then Stampede

First of all, congratulations to all the WSI-TAR cyclists who finished high in the standings today. It was great to see the team colors on the podium! Second, the mechanics shirts are awesome…not sure if you all had the same impression I had when we were all swarming around the tent with our mechanics shirts…it looked really cool.

Not sure how smart of an idea it was to try to compete at both the Mud, Sweat and Beers and the Stampede, but both races were personally important to me. MSB has become a favorite with some of the guys who originally got me into cycling and the Stampede obviously being very important to WSI-TAR.

The MSB is a fun race with quite a few sponsors (some nice swag when you check in) and Right Brain brewing at the finish. Just like down here, there was a TON of rain that fell during the week, making some think that the course would be firmed up. In the pre-ride, it was clear that the sand just got really loose and washed down the hills. It was a nice 50 ish degrees in the morning where the race starts at the base of Mt Holiday in Traverse City. The course winds through a subdivision and then dumps on the VASA for most of the race and then returns back to the subdivision and a down hill finish on one of the ski hills. It is about 22 miles and they added a significant single track this year (a lot like parts of the Stampede today). At the start, I had problems breathing. I was told that the pollen up there was really bad, but no one else had a problem with it, and Eric Wallace mentioned that it might be athletically-induced asthma…I am not sure what caused the problem, but consider it a complement that Eric thought I was an athlete! I calmed myself down enough to get into a decent pace after about 5 miles, but most of the group I started with was long gone. I picked up the pace a bit and passed several racers, but found myself still-clipped in after crashing in the woods three times. No big injuries, just cost me time. In the single track, I got stuck behind the Tandems (they were doing an awesome job maneuvering the switch backs) and a large plug of cyclists formed behind them. We cleared out, I worked together with a couple guys who clearly knew the lines to take and managed to finish in 1:48 which was good enough for 16/48.

The Stampede was a completely different race for me. Since so many of us raced it, I’ll skip the traditional recap of the course and jump right to the fear I had that I was not going to be able to breathe! I decided to take it a little easy and see how my body reacted and then go from there. I felt very good after about 7 miles passed and decided to try to redeem myself for having such a slow start. It was working, I was making all of the turns I was challenged by in the trenches (I think is what we call that area). I am certain my time for the second lap would be a few minutes faster than the first. 2 miles from the finish, I was going way too fast at a turn and lost my traction in the gravel. (Producing some very ugly cuts and bruises and ripping my shorts a tad (first time the weather was warm enough for me to wear them this year.) I finished the Stampede at 16th—just like the MSB but in this case the field was much smaller 23 guys, so relatively much poorer performance.

Thanks to Groat for cooking and making me laugh and good to see Jim Gallagher helping as always….life is good after the races are over.

See you all soon. Great job everyone!
Jack Miner

Yankee Springs Time Trial Video

Ok, so be warned the music is a bit "techno", but one of the guys on the team did a great job capturing some of the racing highlights from this year's Yankee Springs Mountain Bike Time Trial. Thanks Caleb for the great video and your editing skills! The music makes me want to go out and jump something on my mountain bike!

~Eric

P.S. Those of you interested in more mountain bike fun, be sure to stop out to this years Custer Stampede at Fort Custer Recreation Area this Sunday, May 6th. The event promises to be a lot of fun and WSI Cycling will have racers in all the categories, plus we'll be grillin' out and would love to see you at the race.

Pontiac Lake Time Trial

I had the opportunity to race with JJ today. What a great guy! We warmed up together riding around the parking lot at the lake and got to know each other more. (Best part of bike racing are the friends you make.) JJ and I both left just a little before 11:45 on a time trial effort that would take us one lap around Pontiac Lake's hills.
It was a beautiful morning (especially after being very cold the day before at the Willow Time Trial.) The big difference between the MTB time trial and Willow Time Trial is that there are hills thrown into the mix on MTB time trials (which in my mind are the equivalent to an attack on the pack of a road race). Our time trial covered about 10 miles and at the Sport level is only one lap. On a good day, Pontiac Lake can be done leisurely in about an hour. In a time trial, you have to be in around 45 minutes, 40 if you want to be in the money.
I fear my competition may be a little tougher this year than the first year that I did the Tail Wind MTB series. I pushed it hard enough to almost bite it into the woods a few times (my best indication that I am 'on the edge'), but still fell short of the 'wooden podium' by 3 places. Finished 6th place....not sure what the times are of the guys who beat me...will have to find out online tomorrow. A great beginning to the MTB racing season.
Hope to see you all at the Stampede next weekend. I will be racing in Traverse City on Saturday, then down for some fun in the Fort on Sunday.

Jack Miner.

Willow Time Trial

So today was the Willow TT near the Detroit Airport. A race I do every year and a good early season TT to test the legs. Two weeks after Fisk Knob and I had been a little sick for a week or so. The weather was very chilly in the low 40s with a chance of rain (luckily it held off). I was very unmotivated to go this morning due to the weather. But, Devin picked me up and Jack and his son were there (Jack was our pit "mule":)) so off I went - one we got there I got motivated.

Had a good warmup and cranked out the 13.3 miles in 31.06. One of my faster times there for an average of around 26 (25.77). Good enough only for 5th this year which while frustrating since I was on the podium last year - still a decent rest. The legs are feeling pretty good and I am on the way to hopefully slaying the race that is my nemesis in June (State TT). We shall see. Thanks to Mike for letting us borrow the van and Devin for driving. Great showing by Jack Jr in his first TT and Devin on his "standard" bike. A good day out.

Cheers

Goff Family Yankee Springs TT Race Report

My race day began at 11:30 with the little kid’s race that my youngest son Jacob participated in.  They rode about a ½ mile section of the 2 mile loop near the main trail head.  He thought it was pretty cool and enjoyed going down the 4 – 6” drop offs with his dad alongside holding him up and pushing when the training wheels got hung up.  All the kids received a plaque and they all thought they were the bomb the rest of the day.

[gallery link="file" columns="2" orderby="rand"]

My race started around 12:30 in the sport class. I started off like I always do, and over did myself the first 2 miles, then suffered from severe cardiac problems for a bit, until I found my pace. By the halfway point I had passed about 10 or so people and had only been passed by 2 guys. So I knew I was doing pretty well at this point. I kept waiting for my WSI teammate to come push me along, he started 40 seconds behind me but never caught up. I ended up getting pushed by somebody else the last 4 miles or so, until he made it by me when my calves cramped up a bit. I was able to somehow put together a pretty good sprint at the end and come in with a time of 55 minutes. I finished 15th out of 32 in 30-35 sport class. Anytime time I can get in the top 50% of my class I am a very happy man.

I got back to the start line 2 minutes before my oldest son Dilan took off for his race. He competed in the 10 and younger class which is one full 10 mile lap just like the big boys raced. I replaced my water bottle and took off again to follow my son around the course. This was only his second time at Yankee and he was pretty nervous about the whole thing. He ended up doing just fine though. He got to pass several of the older kids in the 11-14 class then we eventually caught up to and passed some of the beginners in the adult classes. He thought that was pretty cool. He fell a couple of times, had to take a couple of quick breathers and had to walk maybe 3 of the larger hills. Other than that he did quite well and I was very proud of what he accomplished. It will not be long before he is out doing me. He took 2nd place out of 6 riders with a time of 86 minutes.

Special thanks to Mike and Charles for the refreshments after the races. Hope to see everybody at the Stampede on Sunday.

~David Goff

Sunday Race in the Industrial Park (2)

The 3rd race of the AAVC Spring Training Series was today and my son joined the C race again. He did a great job, it was 25 minutes plus 2 laps and in the final 5 minutes, once again, carnage occurred. According to my son, it looked like a cyclist touched the wheel of a racer and went down, taking at least 6 others with her. It was ugly and a couple cyclists remained on the deck for several minutes....all are okay.
My race was was the B race and you may remember that I held on for dear life in this race working with another cyclist just to finish. My goal this week was to ride with the front of the pack for at least the first 20 minutes and then see what I could do. At the end of 20 minutes and having stayed at the front of the group, I felt surprisingly strong. For the next 15 minutes, I just paced the group and watched-out for any wacky line changes.  My boss was in the race too (bonus for getting excused to go for long rides during the work day!) and came up next to me in the last 2 laps and said, "it's go time". I followed him and continued to follow along with the increased pace until the end, finishing in about the top 15. I may actually feel comfortable hanging in the front during the Milford Criterium if this keeps up!  Go TAR Cycling and WSI!

Jack Miner

Lowell 50 Update - Another One (Better Late Than Never)

As Eric Cook, Dave Goff, and I were making our way to registration table I felt as though I was going to have a lonely 20+ miles out there on the course not seeing any other mountain bikes let alone SS. With the usual pre-race preparations complete we made our way to the start line setting around the front 3rd of the field. When the gun went off I was at top speed with a few strokes of the crank as the back half of the field passed me like I was out cruising around on a Sunday ride. With in the first half mile we turned onto the gravel roads and now I had the advantage.

[caption id="attachment_194" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Despite some placing mix-ups in the results, I ended up getting 3rd place in the single speed category (but missed the podium picture opportunity)."][/caption]

The dirt roads started out a little wet and loose for the riders with skinny tires, so I was able to regain all that was lost and even caught a group that Eric was leading. As I hung on to the back of this group we started to pull away from the field behind us. Eric was trying to organize a push to catch the leaders but the group was too worried about racing each other. After about 8-9 miles of spinning out and bouncing off my saddle I realized I was going to blow myself up and not keep a good pace to make it to the end so I backed off a little and let the pack go. Reality is we got out on to some pavement and the pack left me behind to fight a stiff head wind for the next 6+ miles. I would periodically catch a dropped rider, draft off them for a rest and then move on.

A mile or two after the half way point there was an option for mountain bikes to take a shorter route on a rail trail. I thought good idea take it. Not sure if that was true or not. I traded a hill climb for riding down a 3/4 mile rail bed of loose 3-4 inch size rocks that had me cussing the whole way how stupid that it was to take. Note - don't take the rail trail short cut.

Knowing I was on my way back toward he finish I put my head down and just spun away. Having riders insight to chase made it bearable to keep pushing ahead. I was able to pass 3-4 riders while trying to real in one more before the finish but he was able to slip away having the advantage on climbing the hill at the finish line. All in all it was fun and I even finished on the podium. Unfortunately they had some mistakes with the results so I wasn't listed until the next day and didn't get my picture with the rest of the finishers. I look forward to a repeat performance in the fall race.

Chuck Brenner

Waterford Hills Spring Fling

A wonderful day in Waterford Michigan. Was cold at sunrise, but by the time the B race started, it was a nice 50ish degrees. For those who have not raced Waterford Hills, it is a motor sports race course of 1.5 miles with a couple of short hills and several interesting turns. The most challenging part are the cracks in the cement that can suck in your front tire and put you on the deck quickly if you panic...(so don't panic!).

I am not a great road racer, but it makes me stronger, so I continue to get punished. I am trying to shake off the Lantern Rouge honor that was bestowed on me in 2011.

There were about 60 racers for the B race and, as with any road race, it is a race of attrition (physically and emotionally). I usually get completely freaked out by the knuckle heads who crash, but today, they all crashed behind me, so, although I heard several bikes hit the cement, I did not see them...made it easier on me.

Our race was 50 minutes plus 2 laps and featured some of the stronger riders from this area (Ann Arbor Velo Club, Flying Rhinos (race sponsors) and Team O2 were well represented.) I know some of these guys and was happy to be on the wheel of some guys I trusted and trained with.
I was very conservative for the first 40 minutes and tried to preserve as much energy as I could. When they posted 10 minutes left, I worked my way up to the first 10 racers. I could tell, they were willing to put me on the front, but I was not interested in falling for that fatal opportunity. As usual, it is significantly easier to be at the front of one of these races...I always forget that it is much smoother at the front.

With 2 laps to go, the front sat up and waited for someone to take the lead, but the group bunched up and no one bit. On the last lap, there was a nice steady push to the finish line and in the last 300 meters, a full on group sprint ensued. I was passed in the last 50 meters by a few guys but was happy to have finished in the top 3rd of this race. All is good...happy Easter and Passover. Jack Miner.

AAVC Spring Training Carnage

Quick report on a short race.

Today was the first of the Ann Arbor Velo Club’s Spring Training Series in an industrial park near the Airport in Ann Arbor.  These races are great instructional races for beginning racers or racers who are dusting off  their road skills.  In this case, I was the latter and my son was the former…his first road race ever.

Jack 3 did not want me in the same race and I wanted to give him space to find his way through his first race, so he went on to face the “C” race and I did the “B” race.

The weather was similar to what the team faced at the Lowell 50, but then again it was April fool’s day, so, jokes on us!  (Froze our behinds off).  Jack 3’s “C” race was a 15 minute race plus 3 laps on a football-shaped oval on a slightly rolling 1 kilometer course.   The race was quite gentlemanly, with no attacks off the front, but a very nasty crash on the final stretch.  The finish was an uphill finish and the group was probably going 28 miles per hour when one of the guys went wide and took too much weight  off his front wheel and lost control.  I did not see the crash, so he may have been forced out of his tuck, but the result was the poor guy took out a mailbox and broke a 4x4 that the mailbox was on.  A fire engine and 2 ambulances took care of him, he was sitting up, but did not seem to know what day it was.  Pretty sure his helmet kept him in one piece to race another day.  In the meantime, Jack did an excellent job of staying with the group and finished just off the back and loved every minute of it…I think we may have a candidate for next year’s development team!

My “B” was more than I could handle—and I knew it going in.  The B race is cat 3/4 racers and I am a cat 4 on my best day.  But giving Jack 3 some space was more important, so I worked up the nerve to join guys who have traditionally crushed me in other races.  I thought this race was going to be 25 minutes plus 3 laps, but when we lined up, it was announced that it was a 30 minute plus 3 laps…I was not amused.  In our first turn, one of the racers hit his pedal on the ground and took out at least 3 riders, I was able to steer clear and stay connected to the pack.  (As in most of these cases, the group attacks just a little bit and a separation began.)  I was able to fight on to the lead group and hang on for 20 minutes.  There were two cyclists who worked together off the front and owned the group.  In the final laps, I worked with some very talented cyclists (though, I use the term ‘worked with’ loosely as I probably only pulled 1 lap of the final 5 or so).

All in all, it was great as usual to be amongst some great riders and enjoyed the day with my son.  It was a happy April Fool’s Day.  Go Team Active powered by WSI.

Jack Miner (II)

 

A Chilly Lowell 50 Gravel Road Race

[caption id="attachment_175" align="alignright" width="180" caption="After the finish of the Lowell 50 - with just a "little bit" of mud on my face. Great day on the bike!"][/caption]

On Saturday, March 30th four of us from the team traveled to Lowell, MI to race the Lowell 50 (http://www.thelowell50.com) gravel road race. The upper 70s of weeks past were nowhere to be found and the temperature gauge in the team van rad 35 when we got to the race to pick up our numbers. Chuck, David and I met at the shop and took the Team Active van to the race, flying "team colors" (and I must say it was pretty cool to show up in a "team vehicle" - the only one there, I might add). Derrick came down from Grand Rapids and met us at the race. He raced the 50-mile course, while the three of us opted for the 28 miler.

My race started out unusually well, finding me rolling out with the rest of the 28 mile group, even leading the pack for a bit while the course wound through a mixture of gravel and paved country roads. We reached the first hill (ouch!) and the reality of my "gravitational challenges" (i.e. the fact that I weigh 220 lbs.) quickly set in reality smacked me across my chilly face. I watched as rider after rider (yes, the skinny ones) passed me going up the hill. While somewhat discouraging, I knew we were only a few miles into the day, so there would be time to make up the gap - or so I hoped.

The race really turned out to be much more of a road race than last week's Barry Roubaix, with the entire course 100% ridable (and fast). Even the dirt roads were hard-packed and on many of the stretches we had (muddy) pacelines of 23+mph. The group that passed me on the first hill got away and, despite trying to get some of the guys in the second group to form a chance and "hunt them down" I realized they were gone and the best I could do was to at least try and keep in control of the chase group and finish strong with this group of guys.

At about mile 8 Chuck (who was racing on a single-speed mountain bike) caught up to me and we rode for a bit. He was riding really strong, but the fact that he had only one gear really hindered his ability to keep up on the downhills, as well as the faster paved road paceline riding. I'm not sure how he did it, given that I used all of my gears for this race, as there were big hills that required the "granny gear" but then topped out on the road just like on a road bike. My cyclocross bike performed flawlessly, which unfortunately was not the case with porr Derrick who battled technical issues on the cyclocross bike he borrowed (and rode 50 miles). Poor guy, but something tells me a cyclocross bike may be in his future...

Anyway, back on with the race. I made some good pulls, bridged some large gaps to catch some stragglers between the lead group and the chase group. At around mile 18 I took off (again, nobody from the group joined me) and caught a guy on a mountain bike from Freewheel Cycling. He was hauling and had been out in front for several miles on his own. The good news is he was a fellow "big guy" and we joked about how these guys that don't have the luxury of tipping the scales in the 200+ range just don't know what it's like to really ride a bike. As is the case with big guys, we kept out front for another couple of miles swapping turns pulling for the other until we got to another big-arse hill. The chase group caught up about 3/4 of the way up the hill, but this time I was able to hang on and regroup with them at the top. Coming back down the backside I made up most of my places and it wasn't going to be long until the finish line.

There was one more long stretch of road and we were cruising along at a decent pace. My "big" friend put in a massive pull at the front and gave me some much-needed rest and then I took a turn at the front. However, the rest of the group seemed satisfied about sitting on our wheels and taking in the draft. I guess this is one of the things that is somewhat aggravating about road racing is the "mental games" that are involved, as I'd much rather go out and hammer and let the fastest person win. In this case, I knew there were a lot of guys behind me that were keeping "fresh" thanks to our work, but decided I wasn't going to worry about it and just pressed on. Guess that's why I like triathlons and mountain bike racing since your results are largely based on YOUR performance. But, that's bike racing...

Coming into the finish we again crossed one of the two scenic covered bridges that we went through on the way out, so I knew we were getting close. I was sitting in #2 position behind another cyclocross guy that came around with about 500 yards to go and. I timed my jump well enough to get past him, but there were two other guys behind me that had been "enjoying the ride" for the past couple of miles, so their legs were better prepared to get them across the line in front of me. I ended up coming in 3rd in the group sprint, despite that for the last 50 yards every pedal stroke caused my legs to cramp.

Crossing the line I was very pleased at my performance for the day. I was still cramping with every pedal-stroke, so kept on riding until the pain went away. I had a couple of guys come up to me while "cooling down" and comment on what a good ride I had (they must have been some of the beneficiaries of my "pulls" for the day), which made me feel good. Looking over the results, I came in at 1:34:33 for 5th place in the 40-49 category and 6th place had the same time as me (so the sprint finish must have been a close one - I had no idea, as I was focused on getting across the line). It was a great day of racing and was nice to get back into competition. This was my first race of the season and was pretty cool to see the WSI/Team Active kit, even it it was "only" four of us.

~Eric

Results Sumary

Eric Cook - 5/26 (Age 40-49) 1:34:33 - Avg. Speed 17.77 - 28 miles
Chuck Brenner - 3/6 (Single Speed) 1:40:25 - Avg. Speed 16.73 - 28 miles
David Goff - 9/22 (Age 30-39) 1:42:26 - Avg. Speed 16.40 - 28 miles
Derrick O'Brien - 5/13 (Age 20-29) 2:46:01 - Ave. Speed 18.07 - 50 miles

*Full resultes are available here: http://www.thelowell50.com/2012-spring-results.html

[gallery link="file"]

Barry-Roubaix

No one ever wants to follow Jack's eloquently stated race reports, but here it goes: firstly, my wife is incredibly curious as to how Jack has any recollection of the pain of childbirth. Secondly, the lost 12 lbs. are not lost: I found them!

The race itself was as expected. Rough and tough due to a lack of riding over the winter months. The uphills were horrid but I pedaled through it, keeping in mind the words of Dory from Nemo "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."

My race time was 2:31, and I did not even check to see what place I was in. I was a winner for finishing, right? At one particular corner I was greeted enthusiatically with a duck call (that was a first in my racing expriences) and later got to meet and find out the identity of the mystery duck caller. Apparently he can only be a good luck charm for one person at a time and today wasn't my day.

There was a great Team Active/WSI showing. And a big thanks to Jack for bringing the rehydration beverages for post race.

Charles

Barry-Roubaix - Everything that's good about racing a bike

[gallery link="file" columns="2"]

After a week of summer weather in March, I must have been one of the few who was grinning from ear to ear about the twenty four hours of rain the preceded the fourth running of the Barry-Roubaix “Killer” gravel road race. As far as I was concerned, the filthier the conditions, the better!

It was less than an hour’s drive with the race day nerves jangling. After parking in the middle of a swamp and a quick gear check, the biggest headache was gambling on how much to wear. The weather was undecided and of course it had look good with the new TAR/WSI Internet kit. We headed to the road to warm up and check out conditions. A short run on the first gravel section confirmed that my tire pressures were good and I was grinning from ear to ear with anticipation before we made it back to the start.

I was in the third wave and got surprised by the 25+ mph pace during the neutralized roll out. Things were a little crazy and elbows were even flying up at the front of the pack. I backed off as there was plenty of time left to get aggressive with my riding. I settled in for a two hour effort. Things were fairly routine and a lot of fun but I was getting hot on the hills. Had I worn too much? I wasn’t taking on enough fluid either and as a result calf cramps hit at 15 miles. I stripped the arm warmers, committed to my bottles and tagged on to the end of a train where I could recover for a few miles.

I felt myself coming back and chased down one of my buddies on the course who had been disappearing down the road. I was now taking my turn pulling and gaining strength. And then it happened. I hit the new sandy section. I was riding the cross bike and it was a mountain biker’s paradise. It was brutal at that late stage in the race. I found myself alongside one of my new teammates questioning whether we were technically still racing as there was no one in sight pedalling a bike and no way past the bodies in front of us without taking crazy risks. As soon as I could remount I threw myself across the bike and put on my trail riding head. It was Custeresque in nature and there were plenty of the mud and puddles I was hoping for at the outset. Finally it was over and the course was back to the B-R we know and love.

I rose out of the saddle on the final climb and found my quads in knots. Even so, hitting the pavement with about six miles to go it was time to empty the tank. I threw down the hammer and hooked up with a couple of like minded souls who were ready and willing to work plus a couple that weren’t. To their credit they did have the good grace to thank me after we’d finished. I put my head down and (yes I’m really saying this) took a trip to my hurt box.

I can never complain when I left it all on the course. Today I did that and finished with a smile and a huge buzz from the whirlwind finish. A podium was not on the cards this time, I finished 57th of 129 in my category. My measure of success was that it was nearly a full 20 minutes before I started thinking about how I could be faster next year...

~Neil Jenney

Barry Roubaix “Killer Gravel Road Race”

I felt the race went very well for me. In my wave there were about 200 – 300 bikers all sprinting together at crazy fast speeds with water bottles and brackets falling all over the place. I was able to catch teammate Derrick and suck is wheel for about 60 seconds then he realized that 26MPH was to slow and took off like a banshee and left me in dust. After that first 5 mile sprint I settled into my groove and pedaled and pedaled. I then ran into a large group of riders in the 23 mile race right at the Shaw rd. hike, and was basically forced to walk/run with my bike up the hill and around the corner. Then back on for the descent passing many inexperienced cycle crossers trying to navigate loose sand a mud while going down. Then back on the pavement for what seemed like an eternity for the 5 mile or so sprint back to the finish line. Hooked up with teammate Neil a little bit during this sprint, but his cross bike and his engines where no match for me and he pulled away from me just before the entrance to the park. I ended up with a time of 2 hours and 12 minutes with a 16.2 MPH/AVG and took 53rd out of 92 riders in the men’s 30 – 34 36 mile race. This fell just outside of my personal goal by 4 minutes of being in the top 50% of my class.

Like Jack my father (age 60) is also my personnel motivator and is the biggest reason I do this kind of stuff. He basically schooled me pretty good in this race and finshed 22nd in the Fat Bike category with a time of 2 hours and 34 minutes. Way to go Dad!

Can’t wait for next year’s race!
David Goff

Barry Roubaix Photos

Here are some shots of the Barry Roubaix Race this past weekend. Neil, sorry for the blurry shot of you - was not expecting you to shoot by[gallery link="file"]

~Danny Wolin

Barry-Roubaix and Child Birth

The hills in the Barry Roubaix are like child birth, if you could remember how painful they are, you would never do it again…but here it is a day after the BR and I would do the race again (my memory being appropriately modified by the prescribed post race IPA!).  The weather was just about as perfect as you could get in March for this race.  Temperatures were in the 50s, the skies were overcast but not raining and  the day before, rain came down in buckets so all of the sand was nearly hard packed.

 

The gravel road route this year was a mile longer and included a devious little tract of sandy madness along Shaw Lake road.  David had a chance to pre-ride it and updated us with the appropriate expectations…it was hard.  It was also quite frustrating because riders would just get off of their bikes without trying to ride it and caused big back ups.  But that is racing.

 

Well in advance of reaching Shaw Lake road though, was the beginning that went off without a hitch for Jim Gallagher and me.  We rode around a crash at the mouth of the park that looked nasty, but then you never stop to see those or you get to be part of them!  Jim and I were going to work together, but we lost each other in the beginning, and I never saw him again.  I suspect we could have trimmed 5 minutes off of our times if we worked together as we both suffered by ourselves for the 36 miles.

 

The hills were hard, but this winter’s training and our recent training rides in the hills in Atlanta paid big dividends.  That plus having my dad at the aid stations to cheer me on made it a new personal best with 10 minutes cut off of last years shorter race.  (My dad is my good luck charm).

 

It was great to see a bunch of Team Active WSI jerseys at the race.  Thanks to Charles for bringing the team tent and setting it up for us to hang around before and after the race.  My final time was 2 hours and 18 minutes and, like I said, a new personal best for me.  I finished 57 out of 119 , Men 44 to 49 years old.

 

Training works!  (Losing 12 pounds did not hurt either….)  Gonna do both even more.

 

Great to see everyone at the first big race of the year.  GO TAR-WSI!

 

Jack Miner

Pick A Race. Pick a Charity. Make A Difference.

[caption id="attachment_66" align="alignright" width="282" caption="Helping cyclists raise money for worthy causes since 2006."][/caption]

Back in 2006 I started a website called Pedaling With a Purpose as a way to connect the sport I love (cycling) with my interest in fundraising for worthy causes. While there are a lot of organized rides that you can sign up for and raise money, the problem I had was the charity that I wanted to support didn’t have an “organized event”. So, I took matters in my own hands…

Today, Pedaling With a Purpose (www.PedalingWithaPurpose.org) is responsible for raising over $25,000 towards charitable efforts, mostly benefiting the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation (www.NBHope.org). This rare form of child cancer is one that has impacted me profoundly, with very good friends of ours losing their daughter to this beast of a disease at the tender age of 9, after a four-year long battle. However, Christi’s fight inspired me (and countless others that were exposed to her story and bravery), to treat life as a precious gift and do what they can to make a difference while still here.

It’s my honor to carry on Christi’s memory with PWAP and help other like-minded cyclists to take the blessing of being able to race and connect it with something “bigger” and raise money for a worthy cause. Through a partnership with Active Giving Solutions, PWAP helps cyclists create their fundraising page to collect donations and track your results, offers tips on promotion and generating awareness and is there to help get the word out.

While my first several years of fundraising involved racing the Lumberjack 100, Michigan’s only 100-mile mountain bike race, I’ve since turned to triathlons and will be doing the Rev3 Half 70.3 mile triathlon this September at Cedar Point, in Ohio. My good friend (and fellow WSI Cycling team member) Kathy Roche-Wallace will be doing the Full Rev3 140.6 mile event and both of us will be raising money to support the CNCF.

If you’re a cyclist and interested in doing “something more” than simply crossing the finish line at an event this year, please let me know. Stop over to PWAP and learn more and then let’s get in touch. I’d love to help you put together your very own PWAP event and make a difference by supporting the charity of your choice. As the title of this post says, it’s as easy as 1-2-3. You pick a race, then pick your charity and through fundraising and awareness make a difference.

Keep the rubber side down…
Eric