2007 WCA News Archive

LANCE ARMSTRONG JUNIOR OLYMPIC RACE SERIES APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Series is Part of USA Cycling’s Junior Development Efforts and Provides Gateway to USA Cycling Junior Development Camps

Colorado Springs, Colo. (January 5, 2007)—Applications for the Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Race Series are now available to race promoters interested in supporting the junior development efforts of USA Cycling.

Entering its 15th year in 2007, the Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Race Series is a program designed by USA Cycling and endorsed by seven-time Tour de France winner and Olympic medalist Lance Armstrong and provides racing opportunities for junior and U23-aged athletes. Over the course of the last 15 years, the series has evolved into a nationally-recognized junior development program with 88 events on the calendar in 2006.

In 2007, USA Cycling hopes to provide even more racing opportunities for young riders through the development of long-term partnerships with race organizers who will create a safe and fun racing environment.

The Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Race Series is part of USA Cycling’s athlete development pipeline and gives developing riders aged 15-22 a chance to earn an invitation to USA Cycling Regional Development Camps via a top-five placing in a series race.

Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Race Series events will provide racing opportunities for boys and girls as young as 10 years old to 22-year-old men and women.

Invitations to USA Cycling Regional Development Camps are based on competitive race results from either Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Race Series events or its mountain bike counterpart, the Alison Dunlap Junior Olympic Mountain Bike Series, in the 15-18-year-old age groups. Riders aged 14 are eligible for camp invitations provided they achieve competitive results racing in the 15-18-year-old age group categories.

Race promoters interested in becoming part of the Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Race Series can download an application here: http://www.usacycling.org/forms/lajorsapp.pdf, or, for more information, contact USA Cycling National Events Manager Tom Vinson at tvinson@usacycling.org.

About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 60,000 members and 2,500 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the BMX Association (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track), the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men’s road). For more information visit www.usacycling.org or contact USA Cycling Director of Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.

It's time for an upgrade if

• You're a category 5 and have raced in 10 races
• You're a category 4 and consistently in the top ten places
• You're a category 3 and consistently in the top six places

Go to www.usacycling.org and click on "My USA Cycling". Create an online account page for yourself if you have not already done so. Near the bottom of the page are buttons for "upgrade/downgrade" for the various disciplines. Click on the appropriate button; indicate the category you are requesting, and include a resume of pertinent experience and/or results. This request is automatically forwarded to WCA's Technical Director, Heidi Mingesz, for approval.

Renew Your Club Online

Club Memberships expire December 31, so renew now to avoid your members getting "unattached" licenses! If you are already listed as a club contact person with USA Cycling (you can check at https://www.usacycling.org/clubs/index.php?state=WI) the procedure is:

• Go to www.usacycling.
• Click on "My USA Cycling" and about midway down the page you will see a light blue bar that says "Special USA Cycling Roles". Under that heading, you should find "Manage USA Cycling Clubs"
• This should take you to your club page, where you can edit any contact information and renew with a credit card
• This is a good time to specify "event organizers" for your club, as only persons listed are able to file permit applications online.
  

If you are not currently listed as a club contact, please email Heidi Mingesz, wcatech @ earthlink.net to have this corrected.

TENTATIVE 2007 Calendar

We've heard from a number of people who just can't wait until February to see the schedule. We have put together a list of events which are confirmed for next year, but this is not the final schedule. view tentative list.

Win a Free Frame, Fork and Fit in the Transition Triple

$2,500 in Give-a-ways Marks Opening of 1st All-in-one Personal Training Studio, Performance Center & Bicycle Store

Friday March 23 and Saturday March 24 at Transition in Pewaukee.

What: Indoor bike time trails, fitness challenges, family fun and $2,500 in prizes and give-a-ways mark the grand opening of, Transition, Milwaukee’s first all-in-one personal training studio, performance center and bicycle store.

Where: Lakeside at 203 W. Wisconsin Ave., Pewaukee.

When: Friday, March 23, 5p
• Hydrate with free wine & beer and fuel up with delicious appetizers
• Start warming up early -- Indoor time trials start at 5:30p
• Transition Triple: Where Finishing Last Wins – Last one holding on wins free bicycle frame, fork and fit. We’ll stay with you as long as it takes – hours, days or even weeks. Starts at 6p. When will it end?

Saturday, March 24, 7a
• Free Breakfast & Lunch
• Indoor time trials 7a, 10a, 1p
• Stability Ball Balance Contest 9a
• Push-ups Contest 10a
• Monkey Bars Pull-ups Contest Noon
• Kid’s Fitness & Fun Circuit 1:30p
• Stability Ball Balance Contest 2:30p

About: For the first time in Southeastern Wisconsin, weekend warriors, recreational and endurance athletes alike have a single destination for personal and group training, advanced fitness testing, movement and massage, coaching and full-service bicycle needs. Transition is Metro Milwaukee’s first all-in-one personal training studio, performance center and bicycle store. Whether the goal is a daily walk or a first-place finish, Transition offers customers the same types of services and equipment that were once reserved just for elite and professional athletes. Owned and operated by one of the area’s leading personal trainers, Pete Mueller, and former competitive cyclist and bicycle retailer John Huenink.

Contact: Transition, 262-264-0070, www.transition.bz

Lapham Peak Friends Spring Bike Swap

As many cyclists anticipate this year's bike season, many have equipment they no longer use or they are looking for changes. Five bike shops will be attending this year and many private vendors. The Bike Swap is on Saturday, March 24. Click here for the flyer.

Good News for Juniors

The entire Wisconsin Cup series has been accepted into the Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Road Series. Juniors and U-23 riders will receive recognition, and points towards qualifying for development camps.

USAC Grant Application for Juniors Available

Juniors interested in attending a regional USAC camp in LaCrosse or any other USAC event but don't have the financial means to go are encouraged to apply for a grant to cover some or all of the cost. Click here for the application.

PCW Introduces JOE GRINDER Coffee

This editor/addict did not need another reason to buy coffee but all the same PCW Cycling of Sheboygan came up with the perfect reason: a catchy name and great artwork to match.

According to Paul Weaver, the club got into the retail coffee business about two months ago. PCW Team members have been selling the brand to bike shops in Wisconsin. The goal is to promote the PCW team and raise some extra funds for the club’s sponsored riders and juniors.

Weaver came up with the “Gear Grinder” name and found out the name was available and some leg work later, the brand was born. The coffee is locally roasted by Milwaukee’s own Stone Creek Coffee (many of you will remember, fondly, the team that Stone Creek sponsored. *Sigh* miss those free coffee coupons!).Gear Grinder blend can be purchased from the PCW website, under the “merchandise” tab:
www.pcwcycling.org

State Crit Championship Date Change

The date of the State Criterium Championship has changed; please mark you calendars for July 7.

WCA Season Kicks off - Belgian Style

Driving to Sheboygan Sunday for opening day of the ‘07 season was an exercise in expectation management. Since the day started sunny in Madison it was taken for granted that sun would prevail. Alas, the rain we left behind followed us.

A gentle rain became a slashing downpour and everything in between all the way to Sheboygan. There was sliver of sun as we pulled into Everygreen Park and we thought we might just have squeaked past the squall line. That euphoria lasted all of 10 seconds as the rain caught up to us as soon as the car stopped. It didn’t matter though as Team Polska was ready for all conditions. What they had organized was a well run, Belgian-style Spring Classic and while the conditions weren’t the best the course was absolutely safe. The course was in a park which meant no road oil so the twisty descent proved to be a non-issue.

Team Polska debuted the cat 4 women’s race and 20 riders turned out to contest the first race of the new women’s series, a race taken by Ashley James. Fortunately that race was held earlier in the day and with lighter turnout in the remaining races it was obvious that the weather scared a few people off.

The start/finish line had been moved to a spot where the organizers and officials could take cover in the park office. That also proved to be the best (driest) viewing point for the race. At least 30 people were jammed under the building’s awning, cheering, and teasing the riders who passed and who were carrying more mud each lap. Where the mud came from is a mystery, but there was plenty of it on the riders faces at the end of every race that started after 2:30. Also under the awning was a jovial Gordy Paulson (WCA President) and Jeff Littman (past WCA board member) who looked way too clean for the conditions. Heidi Mingesz was at her usual post, with daughter Emma keeping things running smoothly.

Team Polska and WCA would like to thank the City of Sheboygan for use of the park, and John Bartow at Fond du Lac Cycle and Fitness for allowing us to represent his event as the sponsoring team. Chad Wilsing, the race director did a fabulous job at planning the event and laying the groundwork for seamless race.

Team Polska will be back on the WCA calendar with a European-style cyclocross event in November. Brief results of some of yesterday’s events:

Women’s Open
1, Casey Cissna Nova/ IS Corp
2. Madeline Puissant Nova/ IS Corp
3. Rebecca Anderson Americas Dairyland

Men 1,2:
1. John Acker Wheel and Sprocket
2. Ryan White PCW Cycling
3. Kyle Jacobson Nova/ IS Corp

Women’s Cat 4
Sponsored by Brazen Dropouts/Beans & Barley

1. Ashley James Nova/ IS Corp
2. Kaitie Antonneau Nova/ IS Corp
3. Kate Ross America's Dairyland

Mmasters 1,2,3
1. Chris Halverson Spring Street
2. Brian Rybarik Schwinn Homegrown
3. Dave Eckel Wheaton Franciscan

Photos compliments of Andy Reiland and Chris Schutte...

Cycle & Run Night & New Madison Bike Shop

A new bike shop is opening in the Madison burb of Verona. Called “Exclusive Cycles” the shop has teamed up with a local pub, Irish Waters, to host a series called “Cycle & Run Night” that kicks off on March 27. Tammy Zurak is behind this gathering and she intends to host informational clinics weekly to provide a welcome atmosphere to new and seasoned riders alike. Details here:

WHO: You! You’re cordially invited to the new CYCLE & RUN NIGHT each Tuesday Night at Irish Waters pub/restaurant in Madison. Please also invite your friends!

WHAT: Our kickoff gathering will introduce you to “Exclusive Cycles”, Madison’s newest bike shop. Please come in for a chance to win:
• A free set of Michelin Pro2 Race Tires (MSRP $54.00 each) your choice of color!
• Half off ($150 Value) an elite bicycle fitting performed by Exclusive Cycles owner Jeff Mawhinney. He will analyze you in a real world setting (not just plumb lines!) and utilize biomechanics and Dartfish to give you the best fit you’ve ever had! (Both items are sponsored by Exclusive Cycles.)
HOW: CYCLE & RUN NIGHT will start after work every Tuesday evening. Please come to Irish Waters and do the following:
• Park in our lot.
• Come in and get a free raffle ticket and fill up your wattle bottles if necessary.
• Pick up (if you choose) a ride or run cue sheet and map. Rides/runs will be informal, plan to leave at 5:30pm or whenever you get there! There will not be leaders or sweepers unless designated each week.
WHY: You can mingle with a variety of Madison’s cycling and running community, make new friends, find new training partners, listen to great speakers or clinics to get interesting info about your sport, and eat great food and have great drink! Best of all there will be cool gifts given away weekly to those present with their raffle ticket in hand between 8pm-9pm. Each week will be a rotating list of cycle and run related topics and giveaways.

WHEN: Starts this coming Tuesday, March 27th after work. Speakers/clinics will generally be around 7-7:30pm and the giveaways will happen after 8pm.

WHERE: We’re on the corner of Whitney Way & University Ave. Our phone number is 608-233-3398. You can see our menu on the web at www.foodspot.com/irishwaters

RSVP- Please RVSP to me: Tammy Zurak (Manager, Irish Waters) at this email address (irishwaterspub@yahoo.com) if you know you are coming so we can be properly staffed to meet your needs quickly! J Look forward to seeing you there!