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Fred Wittwer lays down "old man power" to take stars and stripes at CX Nats

Charlottesville's favorite son (and dad) Fred Wittwer (ALAN North American Cycling) put in an impressive performance at the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships yesterday, and handily won the gold medal in the Men's 60-64 category. An excellent write-up on Cyclocross Magazine reveals that Fred prized open a gap in the 2nd lap, and extended it as the race wore on - despite breaking a collarbone only 10 weeks ago.

Fred was also interviewed by Cyclocross Magazine following his win, thusly:

 

Taneytown Mud Provides Battleground for Sportif Cup Finale

by Jay Morali, Cyclocross Contributor

The final race in the Sportif Cross Cup was contested over Thanksgiving weekend at the annual Turkey Chase in what could only be described as a “classic mudfest.”  Consecutive days of nice weather was not enough to dry up all the water at Taneytown Memorial Park and the track quickly turned messy once the start whistle was blown in the first race of the day.  Racers were forced off their machines as much as 5 times per lap due to the “peanut butter” thick mud. 

The 3/4 35+ saw one of the most exciting finishes in quite sometime when John McGreevy was forced to shoulder his bike and run the final 200 meters to the finish line, because of a rolled rear tubular, just holding off a hard charging duo of Todd Bickling of Bike Doctor and Cory Smith of Sportif Coaching Group.  McGreevy, currently riding unattached in his first year of racing cross, attacked on the 2nd lap and was able to establish a gap on his competitors.  “I really wanted to get a lead so I could ride my own race.  There were a lot of areas where you could make mistakes out there.”   That additional time gained from the attack clearly was the difference in the race.  McGreevy added, “I wasn’t really sure what had happened at first but two spectators shouted that I had rolled my tire and started yelling for me to “run for it”.  Cory Smith’s third place finish did earn him enough points to win the overall series. 

Dave Fuentes, of Haymarket/SEAVS, took the top step of the podium in the Master’s Elite field that saw 39 racers in the starting grid.  Fuentes, an established roadie, is not known for his technical skills in the mud but more for his power on the flats.  He showed that he was able to get it done in the slop.  “I did hit it really hard on the two road sections to make sure I kept my gap because Kris Auer (C3) was coming up fast.”  Ron Huebner had a 7th place finish which was enough for the Evolution Cycling Club rider to close out the overall series lead. 

The Women’s 1/2 race had its share of excitement as well.  Jennifer Maxwell of Van Dessel Factory Team took the holeshot and worked her way to a comfortable lead before a slow leak derailed her chance for a win.  “I could feel my tire going flat and was making my way toward the pit to get a new bike” said Maxwell.  Katrina Dowidchuk, Team TBB/Deep Blue, took advantage of the situation and passed Maxwell on her way to victory.  Allyson Tufano’s 4th place finish was enough to reward her with the overall series win.  Tufano, Sportif Coaching Group, entered the race trailing C3’s Elizabeth Harlow by 20 points.  Harlow’s 9th place finish was not enough to hang on to the leader’s jersey as Tufano finished the season with a 2 point advantage.  

Capital 'Cross Classic: Finishing The Super 8 In Style

by Bill Schieken, Cyclocross Contributor

The BikeReg.com / MABRACross Super 8 Series finishes this Sunday with Capital Cross Classic. The series finale will be the last chance for those chasing the Verge Sport leader jersey to make a move. And in many categories the jersey may change hands depending on the outcome of the final race.
The elite men is a two man race between Wes Schempf (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes) and Chris Beck (TeamCF). Schempf has 255 points and Beck has 235. With 60 points going to the winner, 50 for second, 45 for third and on down the line, Beck still has a chance to take the jersey but Schempf has been getting stronger as the season goes on. This is definitely a race worth watching.

The elite women's field has a similar scenario as the men with a bit of a twist: Libbey Sheldon (4 Boys Racing) holds a 26 point lead over Allyson Tufano (Sportif Coaching). Unlike the men, in which Schempf has finished ahead of Beck every time they've raced together, Tufano and Sheldon have each traded higher steps on the podium throughout the Super 8 calendar. To take the jersey, Tufano must finish near the top of the podium and more than four places higher than Sheldon.

The masters elite 45+ men has been a fascinating field to watch all series and the finale will be no exception. Andrew Shaw (NCVC) has finished no lower than fourth in all series races. That consistency has earned him the Verge Sport leaders jersey. Randy Root (Evolution) has been equally consistent and sits just five points behind Shaw. Both Shaw and Root have raced all seven races. Jerzy Wozniak (Winchester Wheelmen) has only raced five races. But he has won all five. That means that he now sits only 20 points off the series lead. If we pencil Jerzy in for another win this Sunday, Shaw and Root will still be battling for the lead as long as they finish in the next two spots. If they slip down the results, it could be Jerzy in the jersey.

Patapsco Cross Unleashes Tough New Track on Competitors

by Jay Morali, GamJams Contributor

The Patapsco Cross introduced a new track to cyclocross racers last week that is destined to be an area "favorite".  The race, #4 in the Sportif Cross Cup, was put on by Patapsco Bike and Sport and was contested in Mt. Airy, MD.  The course featured significant elevation changes, really fast flowing sections and the dreaded "run or ride" sand pit.  "It was definitely one of the better courses this year" said Elite Master's winner Jason Lins.  Lins, who races for Adventures for the Cure, grabbed his first career win by edging out series leader Ron Huebner of Evolution Cycling Club.  "The move that gave me the gap I needed was through the log run-up.  I was really messing up through there on previous laps but finally seemed to get it right" added Lins.  Huebner, winner of race #1 in the series, still holds the overall leader's jersey.    

For the second week in a row, a Sportif Coaching Group rider captured the first win of his cross racing career with a victory in the Masters 3/4 race.  This week it was Cory Smith who stepped on to the top step of the podium.  Smith said he jumped in with about 4-5 riders that formed the lead group right after the prolouge. "No one really wanted to show their hand to early so it stayed together for a while.  We came up on the sand pit and I got through clean and found myself on the front.  I then just started to build my lead.  I did see someone closing in late in the last lap but was able to ride smoothly to the finish."  

Super 8 Cross Series Update: Frederick and Sheldon Retain Jerseys

by Bill Schieken, Cyclocross Editor

As we head in to race six of the BikeReg.com MABRAcross Super 8 Cyclocross Series, the Verge Sport points competitions are really starting to heat up. Schooley Mill Cross, which goes down this Sunday, could be the race folks look back on as the one that turned the tide in several categories. And in case you did not know, there is more to the points-chase than those sweet looking Verge Sport jerseys. There is cold hard cash for the winners in the masters 1/2/3 35+, 45+ and 55 + fields, women and men elite fields, and single speed. Depending on the field, payouts go anywhere from five to 10 deep. Final points prizes will be awarded at Capital Cross Classic, the Super 8 finale.

Racers get 60 points for the win, 50 points for second place, 45 for third and on down the line. This means that a good showing by any of the riders near the top of the standings, or an off day by others could drastically change the outcome in most of the categories.

In the excitement of last week's points update we failed to report on the womens 3/4 category. To make sure there is no repeat of that transgression, this week's rundown starts with that very field. At the top is Emily McDonald (Momentum Racing) who holds a 35 point lead over Madi West (Adventures for the Cure). Amanda Gilbert is another 21 points back in third place. Laura Murray (Baltimore Bicycle Works) and Diedre Ribbens (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes) are tied for fourth 70 points out of the top spot.

The womens elite field continues to be ruled by consistency. The top five riders after five races have accounted for just two victories. Libbey Sheldon (Four Boys Racing) continues to lead the field with 221 points. Allyson Tufano (Sportif) remains in second with 175 points. Laurel Larsen (November Bicycles CX Experience) and Jennifer Maxwell (Van Dessel) are tied for third with 145 points and Elizabeth Harlow (C3) rounds out the top five with 134 points. 

Sportif Cross Cup Gets Crazy with the Psycho Cross

 - by Jay Morali

After a few weeks of racing in the cold and mud, racers were greeted with warm weather and a fast track at the Psycho Cross in Sykesville, MD.  The first-year race was set up on the campus of abandoned 1900 era buildings which gave it a unique feel.  Race #2 in the Sportif Cup did have one thing, however, in common with the race the week before…suffering!  Two run-ups (the first was only able to be ridden by a select few) really put the riders in the “hurt locker” and forced them to look for places to recover.  They also had to negotiate a log barrier shortly after the 2nd run-up.  The decision to ride it or dismount and run it was forced upon the racer’s each lap.  Steve Hyde of West Florida Wheelmen, winner of the 3/4 Men’s race two weeks in a row, said that smoothly bunny-hopping the barrier was one of the keys to his victory.  “I thought the course was fantastic!  It was really hard but fast.”  Steve plans on defending his Sportif Cup Leader’s Jersey in the upcoming weeks.

Patrick Dolan takes over as series leader in the 3/4 35+ with a victory on a course that he described as “perfect for me.”  Dolan, of District Velocity, took the win despite a last row start.  “I was very aggressive in the turns and quickly got up to the lead group.”  George Schulz of The Bike Lane, last week's winner, finished 5th on the day and sits only 4 points behind Dolan in the points standings.

The last race of the day saw the 2/3 Men fight it out over the biggest cash payout of the day.  Ben’s Performance Bikes threw in some additional dollars into the pot a few days before the race to attract some additional racers to come show their speed and get a little “psycho.”  Chris Beck of Team CF accepted the challenge and came out and took home the $225 first place prize.  Beck, an experienced mountain biker quickly making a name for himself in the cross world said, “This is the best cross course I have raced.”  When asked to describe the course, he simply said…“hard!”  Patrick Blair of Adventures for the Cure put in a solid performance and finished 2nd retaining his series lead.

Paul Rades of November Bicycles competed in his first Sportif race of the season and took the win in the Elite Master’s field by showing an impressive display of power.  The 60 points netted for the victory slots him into 6th place in the overall series standings.  Ron Huebner, winner at BCA last week, still sits on top of the leader board with his 2nd place finish on Saturday.

Other winners on the day include:
Libby Sheldon – Women 1/2
Alice Henriques – Women 3
Joyce Gearhart – Women 4
Jim Bronson – Men 1/2/3/4 55+
Nikolas Obriecht – Men 4
George Schulz, III – Junior 10-14
Samuel Lear – Junior 15-18
Anna Lausch – Women Junior 10-14

Thanks to Bob's Red Mill for their support of the series.  All podium finishers earned a bag of Bob's Steel Cut Oats.  Not sure how to make them? Visit www.bobsredmill.com for a wide selection of recipes and tasty ways to enjoy your prize.

Up next on the Sportif Cross Cup schedule is Kinder Kross.  Race #3 in the series, presented by ABRT, will be held on Sunday, October 30th in Severna Park, MD. Also, check out http://www.sportifcrosscup.com/ for overall series points standings and other Sportif Cross Cup details.

Cross Race Bike Wash Etiquette

 - by Chris Carraway, vegan effing straightedge

There is no doubting it - it's looking to be a muddy cross season. With mud means constant crashing, constant laundry trips, and constant bike cleaning. Fortunately, most of the races have been gracious enough to have multiple bike washes available. Unfortunately, there are still absurdly long lines at them, so I figured now would be a great time to go over bike wash etiquette.

First, priority. Someone working the pit for a racer currently on course needs that hose, like now. Let them have it. Below that, people that have yet to race and are cleaning their bike after a few warm up laps should be given a jump to the front of the line. We all know how hectic it is to get ready for a cross race, don't make anyone waste their time in line instead of warming up. Once those racers are taken care of, those that have finished can have a full go at the wash. However, there are some basic guidelines and tips that will make this process go a lot faster.

Brushes and the bucket  - yes! Most races thus far have had at least one bucket and brushes at the wash and every time I wait in line to wash my bike, I never see anyone actually using them. Spending just a few minutes while you are waiting for those hose with a brush knocking off most of the grime from the wheels, frame, and around the drivetrain should reduce the time you spend actually at the hose down to about two minutes. Don't worry that your bike is looking dirtier as you do this, its simply getting the mud and dirt loose to be rinsed off.

Once you get to the hose, you always want to go top down. This is actually a scenario where "trickle down" will unquestionably work. Spray the top of the frame, drivetrain, and wheels. It's best to undo the brakes at this point to have more space open to knock grass and mud that have collected on your pads and brakes. Use your brushes for any parts where mud has really collected.

Your time at the hose should be under 2 or 3 minutes. The whole point of the bike wash is to knock all the large mud and dirt off your bike so it doesn't get caked on or completely ruin your car. This whole fine detailing nonsense is disrespectful to your fellow racers who are covered in mud and probably soaking wet. If you spend some time in line with a bucket and brush, you really should just be rinsing your bike off and then you are done.

So in summary - prioritize pit crews and upcoming racers first. Buckets. Brushes. Rinse. 3 minutes tops.

Sportif Cup Kicks off in Suffering Style with Cold, Wet Mud in Fort Ritchie

- by Jay Morali

The Sportif Cyclocross Cup was kicked off Saturday in Fort Ritchie at the Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge.  The race, presented by Antietam Velo Club, was the first of a 5 race series that will end on Thanksgiving weekend at the annual Turkey Chase in Taneytown.  Racers were greeted to cool temperatures and muddy conditions not seen around here in quite some time.  The course tested all of a rider's ability with sections demanding bike-handling, power, speed, and a whole lot of running.  Patrick Blair of Adventures for the Cure, winner of the 2/3 Men's race said, "I loved the course! Maybe some of the reason I liked it so much was the extreme conditions/mud but regardless the course design was far superior to that of BCA last year. There were quite a few interesting features that I attacked differently each lap, trying to figure out the best way to approach them."  Patrick also went on to say that he hasn't seen conditions like that since Granouge 2009 and 2010 CX Nationals. 
 
The 3/4 35+ race saw George Schulz, Jr. of The Bike Lane take the Sportif CX Cup Leaders Jersey with Cory Smith finishing up in 2nd.  The Sportif Coaching Group rider was working hard to try and catch up to Schulz, Jr. but was forced into the pit with a mechanical that needed a rear wheel change.  Speaking to George after the race it was clear he was having his own little game of angels & demons during the race.  "I really like the mud...but I really hate to run!"  He does plan on defending his jersey this coming weekend at Psycho Cross in Sykesville, MD at Race #2 in the series.
 
District Velocity's Patrick Dolan looked to be very comfortable in the muddy conditions as he took a convincing win in the 3/4 Men's race.  Dolan powered away on the first lap and never looked back.  A group of chasers jockeyed for a few laps until Eric Krause of Antietam Velo found a gap and held it for a runner-up finish.  Krause, an established roadie still young in his cyclocross career, is looking forward to trying to move up one step on the podium this week in Sykesville.
 
Other winners on the day include:
Ron Huebner - Men's 1/2/3 35/45+
Karl Kensinger - Master's 3/4 45+
Jim Bronson - Master's 1/2/3/4 55+
Elizabeth Harlow - Women's 1/2
Samantha Rynas - Women's 3
George Schulz, III - Junior 10-14
 
Will these folks hold on to their series lead or will we have a shake-up on the leaderboard this week at the Psycho Cross? The course is destined to be an instant favorite among racers in the area with its varied terrain which will include two run-ups.  It will be set on the campus of abandoned 1900 era buildings that were formerly the Springfield Medical Hospital, a state run mental institution.  We all know you have to be a little crazy to do this sport anyway!
 
Who will walk away with the cash and prizes?  $1000 cash is up for grabs to five fields plus we have prizes from various restaurants in town (including 100 free beer coupons to give away and gift certificates), coffee from Furnace Hills Coffee in Westminster, 150 pounds of oatmeal from Bob's Red Mill (Train with Grain), various microbrews and Belgian ales for the Masters and goodie bags from Roots Market for the first 150 participants.  And don't forget - every time you register for a Sportif 'Cross Cup event you are entered into the raffle for one of TWO Fuji Altimira cyclocross framesets!

Be sure to sign up for the raffle for TWO ROUNDTRIP AIRLINE TICKETS on JETBLUE.  The raffle is open on Bikereg now or at registration on the day of the event.  $5 buys you one chance, 5 chances for $20.
 
So come on out, bring the family and enjoy what looks like will be a beautiful day (fingers crossed!).

Monday Multimedia 9-12-11

Want to know what Fast (and Muddy) looked like this weekend?  Here it is:

• Anthony Skorochod has 6 galleries from Nittany Lion Cross up, with 11 more on the way.
• Joe Mallis was shooting at Nittany Lion on Saturday, and has 500+ muddy pics to prove it.

Update:

• Dennis Smith was shooting at Nittanly Lion Cross also.

--

Know of any others?  Tell me and I'll tell everyone else.

Singlespeed cyclocross has hit the big time, and you’d better be ready for it.

 - By James McNeely

If cyclocross is the punk rock of cycling disciplines, then SSCX is Bad Brains to everybody else’s Ramones.  Singlespeed is dumber and smarter at the same time, a little more hard core but maybe a little more rewarding for its fans.  And no matter how hard advocates preach the message, it’s never going to be the biggest of mainstream hits.  

That doesn’t mean you should avoid the singlespeed mosh pit.  SSCX is coming to a venue near you, and to Cross Nationals.  Will SSCX survive being taken seriously?  Should you try it?  What is it even like?

SSCX is hard, but simple fun.  It’s fun because it evokes our earliest days of riding as kids, going as fast as we could on our bikes, blowing up, then going hard again and blowing up.  Let’s race!  Some people claim that the simplistic demand of the single – there is no try, only do or not do - causes a Zen-like experience.  Others find that it’s easier to go fast without having to think about gears.  Still others are turned on by the part of cyclocross culture that goes fast but values diversity – really, really diverse riders.  At the same time, it’s a particularly undiluted form of hell on a bike.  When you as a grown-up cross racer blow up on a singlespeed, there’s no granny gear to save you.  It’s put up or shut up time.  And that’s good. 

The big question about SSCX is “why in the hell would you do that?”  The next questions are “how does one go about it, and how is it different?”  The typical SSCX’er – to the extent that you can call any committed SSCXer typical – will probably tell you, “there’s only one gear, see?”  That never fails to draw a huge laugh among singlespeeders.  That fact has some intriguing implications.