National Motoref Clinic on Thursday, May 20, 2004April 2, 2004 The Wisconsin Cycling Association is pleased to announce that we have been selected to host a National Motoref Clinic on Thursday, May 20, 2004. The clinic will be held at the Madison Concourse Hotel from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and will be taught by Jim Patton from USA Cycling. This is a classroom only seminar required to become a designated motor referee. You don't need a motorcycle, or know how to ride a motorcycle, to attend this clinic! Anyone who is interested in road racing will benefit from this course. All categories of officials are welcome. A basic understanding of the rules of road racing are required and will be tested during the end of clinic exam. For further information, please contact the Wisconsin Cycling Association (wcatech@earthlink.net) or call (262) 215-9548. To register, send name,
email address or phone number, and $20 (lunch will be provided)
to: Registration Deadline is May 13, 2004. New Best All Round Rider OmniumApril 2, 2004 After a series of discussions initiated by riders, the board of WCA is proud to announce a new competition within the Wisconsin Cup series. The "BAR" is a points omnium, consisting of points earned in the three state championship road events. Riders will earn points in their category and in 5 year age increments for juniors (boys and girls) and masters (men and women). The prize for winning the BAR title is: BRAGGING RIGHTS! The three state championship events will still be scored as part of the Wisconsin Cup overall. Questions: contact Heidi Mingesz at wcatech@earthlink.net. The BAR offers a chance for riders to compete against like competition and provides a goal for riders who may not be able to compete for the Cup overall. Thanks to the following WCA riders who formed work team after the January annual meeting to provide feedback and help shape the BAR idea: Kelly Campbell (CVC), Jerry Pearce (Hampshire Cycling), Lowell Kellogg (Nova/IS Corp) and Jeff Littman (Team Wisconsin). Team Endeavour Tackles California - Amusing Reports by Nick ReistadMarch 28, 2004 Pomona Valley Stage Race, March 23 I'll be telling ya'll about
the Pomona Valley Stage Race, a 4 day stage race against 150 of
some of the top riders in the US. Feel free to pass this along to
anyone. Here is the dictionary used by the Endeavour Cycling Team.
Endeavour Cycling Team noun. the coolest team out in California right now. An amatuer team based out of the midwest featuring some of the fastest names in the area. (Bryan Smith, Earendale Fingerson, Frank Pipp, Carlos Vargas, Timmy Reinhardt, Bryce Mead, Bill Jones, and ME!) Smog noun. On the first day in Los Angeles, we were able to see the mountains about 10 miles away from our hotel. That was the only day we were able to see them. The remaining days they were covered with a dense layer of dust and polution and we could only see the outline (if we squinted). What the ... ? exclamation. The phrase used by all the amatuers when the pro's in our field decided to unofficially "neutralize" the first stage because it was "dangerous". We were not notified by the top P-R-O's because we are only amatuers, and P-R-O's don't talk to amatuers. Well, it was kinda dangerous, the roads were too small for a 150man field to race in, there were obstacles hanging out over the course, and it just wasn't a good way to start the race. Overall time was not taken in this stage and everyone was declared a winner. I won my first NRC race. Yeah! Dangerous adj. 1. discriptive word used to describe stage 1, the circuit race, becuase there were mega potholes, dangerous drop-offs with no guard rails, small bridge openings, guard rails with dangerous nail looking thingys sticking out, and skinny bike path roads. 2. see above. Uphill Time Trial noun. Stage 2 of the PVSR. Eight kilometers of uphill pain. As an individual time trial, each rider starts off by himself, the man with the fastest time up the mountain wins. I rode it in 18:23, Chris Horner 15:12. Big difference. synonyms: pain, suffering, ouch, asd#%$sd, steep. P-R-O Party noun. We figured that there must be an elusive party for only the pro's, because all the pro's know each other and will talk to each other, but it is like pulling teeth to socialize with them. They try to ignore us, and we figured it was because we were'nt on the guest list to this exclusive, invite only party. Dodge-the-3-foot-tall-pylons noun. a game played by the cyclists in Stage 3 of the PVSR. The event organizer decided to randomly scatter 3-foot tall pylons throughout the course, creating many dangerous situations. Many of us won, but the losers faced the devastation of being humiliated and suffering from bad cases of road rash. Pylons were placed in corners, on crosswind straightaways (across which the peloton would jump to form the ever-so-cool echelon), and scattered around the course. Chris Horner noun. 1. phenomenon 2. SCARY Fast 3. Winner of the time trial and the road race. Horner spent the first 40 miles chasing breaks himself before he called his team, Webcor, to the front to do their job. He single-handedly chased down the most promising break of the day (probably because he saw me in it!). At the end of the race, he bridged the gap between the field and the break away to win. Road Race noun. Long, hard, and hot. 96 miles of fun in 90degree weather with a pretty steep climb every 8 miles. We got Bryan to the front for the last climb, and our job was done for the day. He got ~30th place. Crash noun. What I did way back on March 14th. My ribs are still hurting and I'm still having trouble breathing. My body isn't built for this. Moral: don't crash! Fast adj. See Chris Horner. That's all i've got, I'm going to bed to ponder the pain I'll endure for the next six days as part of the 200 man field in the UCI race the Redlands Classic! Nick Redlands Update 1, March 25 Here's my update from the Stage 1 of the Redlands Cycling Classic. The Endeavour Cycling Team has six riders starting (Bryan Smith, Frank Pipp, Carlos Vargas, Earendale Fingerson, Bryce Mead, and me): Stage 1: An uphill time trial (for a definition, check the Pomona report!), only this time shorter at 5km. Shorter does not necessarily mean less painful, it just means that the pain doesn't last as long. Redlands is an international race, and therefore is sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internacionale (UCI), and accordingly has UCI officials present. A UCI official is usual some forign dude that don't take no crap off'a nobody. Essentially, a UCI official is paid to be a strict, tough as nails dude (or dudette). Well, we were required to check in EXACTLY 10 minutes prior to our start time, only to be corralled into the start chute to let our legs get stiff. I decided to go to the start line with 9 minutes before my start to check in. As I approached the line, the official asked me "Vhen ist your start TIME?" "In nine minutes, sir" "Vell, tsoo vere stold dat tsoo must arrive here ten mi-nutes before zee start time. Dat ist eine van hoon-dard Sviss Fraank fine." After about a minute, I realized that he was not kidding, and as a college kid AND a poor bike racer, I don't have the money to pay any fines. To make a long story short, he was actually nice about it and let me go without a fine. Besides, he said the same thing to Mike Creed right before me and didn't actually fine him. If he would have let the P-R-O go and charged me... well, I probably wouldn't have said anything! About the race: It was fast. It was painful. And then it was over. I ended up about a minute and a half back from... drum roll please... Chris Horner. But I was still in the top 80/200 (yes, that's top 2/5's for you math weenies!) of the field. Bryan Smith ended up in 22nd place and was one of the highest placing amatuers. Keep ridin' Nick Redlands Update 2, March 25 Stage 2, Redlands: The Crestline Road Race, 138.2km. Finish on a Cat. 1 climb. Chapter 1 A few weeks ago, I explained to the newer riders of the UW Cycling Club how to "put people in the gutter" on cross wind sections. This can be used to drop people, create gaps, or this can be used to protect yourself or your teammates from the nasty cross wind. (editor's note: the expression "putting people in the gutter" is used in the friendliest manner). Today, the Race Bible told us that the first 80% of the course was subject to high winds. A perfect scenario to be put in the gutter by the strong P-R-O teams. Health Net went to the front to drill the tempo, and we were forced to hang on to the wheel in front of us for our dear lives. Everyone was searching for the smallest, tiniest gap where they can find solace from the dreadful cross winds. Just as described in the text books, gaps started forming and the peloton shattered into many small groups. Bryan, Earendale, and I were in the front group. Frank chased up to us. P-R-O's were cracking left and right, and then cracking again. As soon as the cross wind section was over, the entire peloton regrouped. However, it goes to show how using the cross winds is like using a scalpel to surgically reduce the size of the field. Chapter 2 100km done. Only 38km remaining. I feel FAST. I am ready for the Cat. 1 finish today. We enter a downhill. The peloton is flying. I would guess 65-70 kph (40-45mph). I am on the left side of the field, making sure that I am protected from the wind. I see a blur of color ahead. In a moment, I hear screeching. Scraping, the sound of metal on metal, expensive materials grinding to a halt on the hot pavement. Screaming. I smell burning. Brake pads against carbon. The smell that only emanates from crashes. I see bikes flying, people sliding, the entire stretch of pavement covered in a sea of entanglement. I can find no way out. I am unable to stop. I become part of this mess. I am scraping. I am screaming. I am burning. I am somewhere in the middle of the pile, not on the bottom, but not on the top. As riders clear, the team cars stop, hand up new wheels and replacement bikes to those that can ride. Three people lay on the ground, medical staff begins to immobilize their necks. Two riders fell over the edge of the drop off and are screaming for help. I sit on the road unable to comprehend why I am here. I am bleeding from my knees, my elbows, by back is burning, I can't see straight. My helmet is destroyed. Over the radio, I tell my team manager Jim Surges that I am going to sit because I'm dizzy. I sit for a few seconds (which turned out to be eight minutes, as I found out later). Finally, I become aware that I am not dead yet, bend my bike to ridable condition, and say to Jim: "Screw this, I'm riding." I ride the last 30kms by myself, passing people that are not injured but have no will to survive. My legs are covered in blood. I have one thought on my mind: FINISH THIS RACE AND MAKE THE TIME CUT. I WILL START TOMORROW. I finish 18:23 seconds back from the winning time (Chris Horner, surprise surprise). I am within the time cut. I go to the emergency room to get my wounds cleaned and stitched, and after a six hour wait I am ready to sleep. I WILL START TOMORROW. Nick Check out the team's results on cyclingnews.com. New Source for Italian Cycling GoodsMarch 17, 2004 Pinkjersey.com went live
last month and for those of you who want all your Italian cycling
goodies in one spot, this is the site for you. The site is packed
with goodies and even better, buyers can opt to make a contribution
to one of three cycling foundations which pinkjersey.com will match.
Click on the link to the left and enjoy the selection. Bravissimo!
Westby Creamery's Second-Annual
Syttende Mai Bike Tour Scheduled for May 15 Westby Syttende Mai RideMarch 17, 2004 WESTBY, Wis. (March 15, 2004) - The Westby Cooperative Creamery invites cyclists May 15 to participate in a scenic bike tour of the ridges and coulees of Vernon County, home of some of the best biking in the United States. Characterized by terrain that was unscathed by glacial flows 10,000 years ago, Vernon County today is dotted with small dairy farms committed to sustainable agricultural practices, and producing quality dairy products without the use of bovine growth hormone (rBST)*. The ride, which takes place during Westby's annual Norwegian Syttende Mai festival, commences at 8 a.m. at the Westby Creamery, 401 S. Main St., in Westby, Wis. (25 miles southeast of La Crosse). Riders will trek along several points of interest, including cottage industries and some of the top 10 U.S. trout fishing streams as rated by Outside magazine. All roads are paved. The 100K route (about 62 mi.) features a combination of rolling hills and long flats with a few moderate ascents. Three rest stops will offer bathrooms, water, sports drink, cookies and bananas. The first, at Snowflake Ski & Golf Club, will provide riders with breathtaking views of the Timber Coulee region where Westby's world-renowned ski jump complex hugs the vertical hillside, and golf greens carpet the valley floor. The second and third stops are at Kickapoo Valley Ranch and Avalanche Looms, a Scandinavian weaving and farm shop. New this year, the 60K route (about 35 mi.) has three hills - two moderate, one easy - and two rest stops. The 30K route (about 16.5 mi.) features one moderate climb and one rest stop. A $15 registration fee includes route support, free gifts (Westby Creamery cow-spotted cycling sock from SockGuy, sample cheese curds and water bottle), refreshments and a Westby Creamery coupon. To register, contact Dave Maxwell at 608-634-7475, or arrive 30 minutes prior to the start. Participants must sign a waiver and wear a helmet. More information at www.westbywi.com. Located in Westby, Wis., the Westby Cooperative Creamery is one of the oldest cheese factories in the state. Founded in 1903, it is recognized nationwide for its quality dairy products that are all made from milk that is farmer-certified rBST-free. The cooperative is owned by the 120 dairy farmers who supply the milk for its products. Please visit www.westbycreamery.com. * No significant difference
has been shown between milk from rBST-treated or non-rBST-treated
cows.
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