GamJams.net: Where Mid-Atlantic bike racers roll

MABRA Needs You To Wear A Blue Shirt!

When the holiday seasons goes off the back, racing season comes into view as that breakaway just on the horizon.  Yes, it is time to start thinking about our 2012 season!  MABRA needs you!

At the regional and state levels, the planning for 2012 is well underway and features a very full schedule.  MABRA's schedule can be viewed here and the Virginia Cycling Association can be viewed here.  Racers will notice that there is very little white space on the calendar and -- for the first time -- it includes an aggressive track schedule.  Details about track and, of course, cyclocross are forthcoming.  

To make it all a reality, new officials are needed! Desperately!

According to Jim Patton, MABRA Officials' Coordinator, last year's "response was outstanding and the class of 2010 was one of the best we've ever had."  Despite this quality, nearly 50% of the clinic attendees never worked an event due to the transient nature of the MABRA region.  Thus, there is always a need for new recruits. This year there is a special need for help in the following areas to help keep promoters' costs down: north in the I-95 corridor (especially Delaware); north in the Frederick and Hagerstown areas; and west along the I-66 corridor.

The entry level USA Cycling Official's training takes one day plus a little study preparation -- and there is NO cost to the new official.  The first Entry Level Official's clinic is scheduled for February 4 in Odenton, MD -- and there will be other options for training.  Check out this link to learn all you'll need to know and send any candidate information directly to Jim Patton.  He'll make it easy for you to make it easy for racers to make it hard on race day.

GamJams Tech: Premes, Picks, Promos p/b November Bicycles — 1-5-12

As a cyclist, the search for newer and better gear is constant — there's always something else out there. Premes, Picks, Promos will highlight both the next big thing and the sleeper deal.

If you've spent any time reading VeloNews (or is it Velo?) or Cyclingnews.com or any of the other big-name cycling sites over the past couple of years, you've seen how rapidly technology is advancing. Three seasons ago we had no electronic groups — now we have three. We'll allegedly have more power-measuring instruments in the spring, when (if?) the Garmin and Polar pedals hit the market.

The march forward extends to nutrition, too, where great taste is actually being considered. The runaway popularity of the Honey Stinger Waffle is a testament to athletes' desires to get something that provides both good fuel and good taste. In their first six months on the market, having Stinger Waffles in the store was like printing money. They were — and still are — very popular.

But man, they're expensive. At $1.50 a pop, they're on par with a Clif Bar or a gel packet and they supply the same amount of calories. If you've decided to go with the Stinger Waffle as your nutrition of choice — and I don't blame you — that adds up.

Even at shop-guy prices it adds up. I don't even want to know how many of those things I bought last year. Dozens, at least. Maybe hundreds. But they taste so good ... .

In any case, having several dozen Stinger Waffles on my customer history won't happen in 2012. Behold:

Thanks, Costco.

No, I didn't kick the waffle jones — I just changed the target a little bit. As you can see on the lower-left corner of the box, this is 3.3 pounds of waffle. Sure, the box says "wafers," but when you open it up you'll recognize it instantly: those are Stinger Waffles.

Well, not really, but the size is nearly identical, as is the waffle flavor itself. These have caramel in them, which is an upgrade for me, since caramel is awesome. They are just slightly thicker than Stinger Waffles, probably because of the caramel, but every bit as good. And they're spot-on in terms of calories and all of that stuff.

But you're wondering about the price, aren't you? Like everything at Costco, these come in packaging you won't see elsewhere, so you have to break it down by unit price. There are 48 waffles in the box.

Forty-eight Stinger Waffles ($1.50 each) will run you $72. Forty-eight caramel wafers from Costco will run you $9.79. They're 20 cents apiece. Jackpot.

Costco memberships are $50 per year. If you're a regular Honey Stinger buyer, a membership and a box of caramel wafers will still be less your likely purchases of a few handfuls of waffles every time you're in the store.

Plus, you'll then have access to giant tubs of hummus, really long loaves of bread and those tasty little Belgian waffles I wrote about last spring. (That said, your local Honey Stinger outlet is probably more convenient than a trip to Costco. Gotta plan ahead for stuff like that.)

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In addition to being GamJams Tech Editor, Bryan Redemske has managed the Trek Bicycle Store of Omaha, is a professional writer and a Cat 3 racer. He drinks a lot of coffee.

 

 

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Sheesh, some of that stuff is expensive. Good thing you get your frames and wheels at Pro Deal pricing. Wait — you don't? You might want to look at November Bicycles. They've got a new racer-specific model designed to strip unnecessary pricing out of the cost of your new bike. It's like a Pro Deal for everyone.

November Bicycles. Race Smart.

 

 

L'equipe de Cyclisme B.C. - a New Squad for Baltimore County Racers

It's 2012, but you already know that. What you may not know is that a new team in Baltimore County is recruiting riders for the 2012 season. L'equipe de Cyclisme B.C. is looking for a small cadre of area riders who want to train, race and improve together. Luke Mysko, founder of the team, maintains that the squad's focus will be a small Cat 3 team for this year, so he is looking for Baltimore County riders who already are or expect to be Cat 3s during 2012.

The team already has a styling new kit, replete with sponsors. The shop sponsor is Princeton Sports, making Cannondale bikes available. DeFeet supplies socks for the team and also sponsoring is a new local restaurant called Earth Wood and Fire.

Before you respond to that next email from USA Cycling asking you to renew your license, have a look at L'equipe de Cyclisme B.C.'s site, follow them on Twitter or send Luke a note directly to see if the team is a good fit for you.

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Got a team announcement of your own for 2012? Let us know.

Haymarket Winter Bike League: 2012 Edition

Haymarket Bicycles recently announced the return of the Winter Bike League, 2012 edition, to MABRA's off-season traininig program.  Recognizing that the word "epic" is the most over-used adjective to describe everything from a six-hour race along the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to a really intense thirty minute roller workout in a bike-bloggers discomfort-cave, it will not be used to describe this training series.  Instead, suffice to say that the HWBL is "really hard" and that, perhaps, is an understatement.

Dates for the event are January 15, February 5, and February 12, 2012 and everyone is invited.  In fact, everyone can win prizes and everyone can get dropped! The time has been adjusted from last year to mitigate the potential for nostril-numbing cold and to allow those less-local to Haymarket than others a few extra minutes cuddle-time with the morning espresso.

As last year, the rides start from Haymarket Bicycles in Haymarket, VA and they will all cover between 65 and 80 miles.  Jared Nieters, Shop Owner and League Overlord, has declared that the pace will be "brisk" as riders navigate the "varying terrain with open flat sections, dirt roads, and tough climbs." Cue sheets will be made available online and will be provided at the start of each ride.

You can find all the details and even become friends with this ride on The Facebook.  Pre-ride smack-talking and vain boasting are, of course, welcome as long as you are able to live up to your own hype (or are equally gifted in the art of post-ride excuse making). 

Nieters also makes the following disclaimers: everyone rides at their own risk because this is most definitely a "drop ride."  As such, everyone must follow the rules of the road and not wear earphones during this "entirely unsanctioned ... glorified group ride."  He warns participants that flat tires are "your own problem" and no one is allowed to complain about the conditions.

So, if you think you are ready to be the early-early-season hero, grab an extra tube and head out to Haymarket, VA to prove that January's got nothing on you.

Could'a, Should'a, Would'a: 12-14-11

Here's how this weekend's racing could'a, should'a and would'a turned out if it hadn't'a turned out the way it did...

Most of the local scene was wrapping up this weekend even though there are a few races left to be ridden:

• Team Bike Doctor was at Luray Caverns Cross making its presence known and finally accomplishing some seaon-long goals in the elite field.
• It was a classic father-son battle for Scott's Right of Way except without all the hand-cutting-off stuff you see in the Star Wars documentaries.
• If you want to see what Luray CX was all about, check out the video posted by In The Crosshairs.  It's totally not processed, bought or sold.
• CX Wife was rocking out it in the next-to-last MAC race of the season at Geler Votre Cul on the "classic" Fair Hill course.
• He's got the video to prove that Luray didn't suck, even if Metro Sucks is his basic theme.  He had fun.
• He could'a raced and certainly would'a raced.  But Beer and Cyclocross got really drunk and changed his mind (not about beer, but about racing).
• FatMarcVanderbacon fought off a pair of "promoter legs" at the Geler Votre Cul race which was actually the Freezer-Votre-[Legs]-Off.

Know of any more great race reports?  Send them to me and I'll file them away to keep me warm during the long, grey winter ahead...

GamJams Tech: Premes, Picks, Promos p/b November Bicycles — 12-8-11

As a cyclist, the search for newer and better gear is constant — there's always something else out there. Premes, Picks, Promos will highlight both the next big thing and the sleeper deal.

As we approach the end of the year, I've been reflecting upon my favorite bits of gear from the past 12 months. Jumping into cyclocross had me checking out a lot of different stuff, which was interesting and semi-costly. In the coming weeks, we'll have a closer look at a pair of options for winter riding boots — Sidi and Shimano — as well as winter training gear.

But for now, here's the best of 2011, as judged by ... well, me.

Lazer Aeroshell
This fairly simple, straightforward idea should be mimicked by every helmet maker — especially those who have lids that vent very well in warm weather. In cold weather, those vents turn into brain freeze.

My Aeroshell has been attached to my Lazer Genesis helmet for at least a month, and it'll probably stay there through spring. With just a thin skullcap, I've been able to stay plenty warm down into the low 20s. If I had any hair whatsoever, I'd probably be able to get away with a headband.

Click here for a more detailed rundown.

Oakley Fast Jacket
I've been an Oakley wearer for a long while now, I had a pretty good idea of what I'd be getting into when I opened the case for the Fast Jacket.

Little did I know, however, that it would become my go-to choice on the bike. While the Jawbone (my previous favorite) and the Radar (which looks pretty cool) offer plenty of eye coverage, the Fast Jacket just fits better. I feel like it sits closer to my face and stays put better than the others. And, again, the polarized lenses are awesome.

Click here for details on the features.

Shimano M315 shoes
These were a definite "prepare for 'cross" purchase. My old off-road shoes were the Bontrager RXL Mountain, which are nice but never really fit me correctly. The M315 is Shimano's top-end, custom-fit model. The outsole was improved from past versions with more tread added, and as a whole the shoes are fairly light.

But the main feature is the fit. Like all Shimano custom-fit shoes, they feel like slippers. They've quickly become my favorite shoes, and that's based mostly on how they feel when you strap yourself in. They performed very well in 'cross in both dry and downright awful conditions. Plus, they're silver. And I can't get enough of shiny silver things.

Bontrager RXXXL shoes
These were a fairly unnecessary purchase in the middle of a long, hot summer. That said, it's turned out quite well. The RXXXL is very, very light and fits my foot well. Not quite custom-made-slipper-well, but pretty well.

One of the things I worried about in my initial review was durability. With something so lightweight, how well would it hold up? After a hard half-season, they certainly have some scuffs and wear (they clean up very easily), but I haven't seen anything that suggests they're not going to get through next season and then some.

Click here for more details.

Clement Crusade PDX tire
These were a sudden, semi-desperate purchase when I saw mud and doom lurking a few days ahead of a local 'cross race. They acquitted themselves wonderfully during the race and allowed me to rip around in fresh snow last weekend.

They'll spend the winter on my 'cross bike for our Nebraska gravel adventures, but I can definitely see myself getting a fresh pair for those sure-to-be-messy races next fall.

Click here for more details.

There you have it — five things I've been really psyched on for a while now. What's on your Best of 2011 list?

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In addition to being GamJams Tech Editor, Bryan Redemske has managed the Trek Bicycle Store of Omaha, is a professional writer and a Cat 3 racer. He drinks a lot of coffee.

 

 

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Sheesh, some of that stuff is expensive. Good thing you get your frames and wheels at Pro Deal pricing. Wait — you don't? You might want to look at November Bicycles. They've got a new racer-specific model designed to strip unnecessary pricing out of the cost of your new bike. It's like a Pro Deal for everyone.

November Bicycles. Race Smart.

 

 

 

Could'a, Should'a, Would'a: 12-06-11

Here's how this weekend's racing could'a, should'a and would'a turned out if it hadn't'a turned out the way it did...

For some, there was the little matter of Mt. Trashmore on Saturday:

• Metro Sucks has videos, photos, a reference to "Monkey" and a dude with an enormous beard.  It's pretty much the coolest blog ever.
• The standings are up for the VA Cyclocross series.  If you've been racing, check and see how much you don't suck.
• Run, Ride and Love has a pretty solid essay on sandbagging (his own) and the feelings of disappointment that come with winning too much.

On Sunday, the efforts shifted to the Capital 'Cross Classic in Reston, VA:

• Want video?  In The Crosshairs is in your sights as you get yourself in position to watch this dude who was in the zone.  Lots of "in" going on.
• Team Bike Doctor has reports from nearly all the races and -- of course -- podium shots and promoter love for all the promoters that made it a great year.
• He's promised "Tuesday night."  So wait a few hours and check out Scott's Right of Way.  Give him heck if he doesn't produce.
• My goodness, Reluctantly CX has the whole thing in Iambic Pentamer (or something like that).  It's worth a look just to see a whole race set to rhyme. 

Know of any more great reports?  Send them to me and I'll make sure everyone sees them.

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.  

GamJams Tech: Premes, Picks, Promos p/b November Bicycles — 12-1-11

As a cyclist, the search for newer and better gear is constant — there's always something else out there. Premes, Picks, Promos will highlight both the next big thing and the sleeper deal.

About six weeks ago, I detailed the new aluminum cyclocross frame offering from Trek — the Ion CX. After a week or two of just letting it hang in the garage, a new baby and — somehow — extra time off, it's built up and ready for ... December, I guess.

To recap, the Ion is the younger sibling of the excellent Cronus CX, which is a bona-fide 'cross wonderbike. The Ion shares the same geometry, a press-fit bottom bracket (BB86 in this case) and the same fork. I went with the frameset option and a pile of parts hanging around my garage.

I built it with similar componentry to the stock Cronus Ultimate — SRAM Force shifters and derailleurs and Avid Shorty Ultimate brakes. I went with a Force crank instead of the off-series SRAM S900 crank. The seatpost (Bontrager RXL), bar (Bontrager RL) and stem (Bontrager RXL) are the same. With a couple of tweaks waiting until next fall, the complete bike with Dura-Ace wheels (the original 7801 wheel) weighed 18.5 pounds. The Cronus in stock form weighed 17 pounds, 14 ounces.

For the sake of comparison, though, I did all of my "testing" — basically just ripping around one of our practice loops for an hour or so — with the same wheels I used on the Cronus: stock Bontrager RL wheels, but the version with the big flanges on the front hub.

Riding to the course, the feel of the Ion and Cronus are the same. I felt no difference between the two. Once we got on the course, the first thing I noticed was something I had expected: The Ion doesn't have the snap of the Cronus when you jump out of a corner. It's still quite good — the bottom bracket and downtube are both massive for an aluminum bike — but the Cronus almost encourages you to stomp on it coming out of the corners. The Ion, meanwhile, allows you to do so.

Handling through the corners is the same, as expected. Even hacks like me can feel fairly smooth through corners, thanks largely to a stable, predictable feel. Once up to speed, the Cronus and Ion feel the same. I never felt wanting for power or more stiffness. Despite the prevailing throught on aluminum bikes (super-rough, they'll beat you up), I didn't feel any different at the end of the ride — likely because the Cronus itself is super-stiff.

By the end of the ride, it was pretty clear that the Ion is more than good enough for me and my pack-filling finishes. Chances are, unless you're racing nationally, it'll probably do the trick for you, too. If you can afford the Cronus, or something similar, go for it. It's a great bike — probably one of my favorites of the last few years. But if spending $3,800 on a cyclocross bike is a bit much (it is), the Ion can be a worthy second choice.

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.