Extreme
Ski and Bike 2009 Racing Clinic
Sponsored by CycleOps Power
Extreme Ski and Bike is excited
to host a two-day racing clinic for Milwaukee area cyclists
on Friday, May 15, 2009 and Saturday, May 16, 2009. The purpose
of the camp is to have fun, promote cycling and road racing
specifically.
The camp will be an opportunity
to meet other riders, build cohesiveness across teams and
help promote safe racing through education. The camp will
offer something for racers of all categories and will focus
on further developing racing skills, confidence, race strategy
and how to win a race through team work.
The camp will be lead by Tom Schuler,
the current team manager for Team Type I - an increasingly
successful UCI Continental Team that competes internationally.
Tom has been a team director or manager of several professional
teams for the past 20 years, including Team Saturn (1991 and
2003). Tom also represented the United States at the 1976
and 1980 Summer Olympics and was one of the original seven
members of the 7-Eleven Cycling Team. He won the USPRO National
Road Race in 1987 and the US Pro Criterium in 1981.
CycleOps Power
has embraced the idea behind the camp and will be the title
sponsor for the clinic. They have been very generous in donating
a PowerTap to the lucky clinic attendee that writes the best
short essay on “Why I want to train with power!”
The winning essay will be selected approximately one month
prior to the camp. CycleOps Power will have the wheel built
and ready for you to ride at the camp.
The camp has also been generously
co-sponsored by a number of other supportive companies, including
Planet Bike, Hammer Gel, Tifosi, Sock Guy, Tour of America's
Dairyland and Bontrager. There will be plenty of door prizes
and product samples for riders.
The cost for the camp is $65.00,
which includes two days of on the bike instruction, extensive
practice drills, SAG support, and talks on cycling specific
topics.
Cost also includes lunch and dinner
on Friday and lunch on Saturday.
Optional housing for the clinic
can be purchased separately at a discounted rate at the Country
Inn and Suites in Germantown, Wisconsin.
Racing on May 17, 2009? A ‘B
Option’ has been designed for Saturday afternoon with
a shorter “tune up” ride with Coach Joe Cieszynski
of Wenzel Coaching. Coach Joe will also speak on nutrition
and recovery. A post ride massage will be provided by a local
massage school.
To register for the camp, go to
http://www.teamextremecycling.com/trainingcamp.html
to print out registration forms. Mail or drop off all forms
to Extreme Ski and Bike, 235 N. Main Street, Thiensville,
WI 53092 by Friday, April 10, 2009.
Be sure to include payment (cash
or check), Clinic Registration Form, USA Cycling Waiver AND
your short Essay on “Why I want to train with Power!”
Register Early!!!! Space limited
to 32-34 riders!!!
Held under USA Cycling Permit
(permit pending)
WCA
Announces Panel of Experts
Thanks to all the knowledgeable
people who volunteered for the WCA Panel of Experts Q &
A forum, WCA hopes to bring a wide depth of information to
our WCA members. The panel includes...
Clayton Goldsmith,
sponsorship and event manager at Hayes Bicycle Group who will
take on your questions about team sponsorship from the perspective
of a bike industry insider.
John Van Susteren,
who has 22 years of experience as a physical therapist and
competitive bike racer.
Lowell Kellogg,
who will field questions on junior racing and training.
With their extensive backgrounds
in exercise science, Joe Cieszynski and Jason
Boynton will take on questions related to exercise
physiology.
Scot Van Asten
and Bob Hanisch are experienced coaches who can tackle some
of your training questions throughout the season.
With a background in law, Gordy
Paulson will handle any legal questions that our
riders may have.
Jeff Littmann
has worked for 30 years in the fitness business and can address
questions related to strength training and cross training.
As an ER doctor with experience
treating cycling related injuries both from a team doctor
standpoint as well as a race doctor, Aaron Goldberg
can provide expertise in regards to cycling-related injuries.
Jordan Roessingh
has 5 years of experience working in the cycling industry
and has been racing since 1999. He has a degree in Mechanical
Engineering and is currently a wheel engineer at Trek Bicycles.
He will be fielding our technical questions related to the
mechanics of a bicycle and its components.
Full bios for each contributor
will be posted within the next few weeks. In the meantime,
start thinking of your questions for our Experts!
Renew
Your USA Cycling License for 2009
With the beginning of the WCA
racing calendar just a few weeks away, now is a good time
to renew your USA Cycling license for 2009. You can quickly
and easily purchase a 2009 license online at www.usacycling.org/myusac.
Your participation in this great sport will help us sustain
the significant growth USA Cycling has experienced throughout
the last several years with regards to membership, registered
clubs and event sanctions.
WCA
Extends Positive Thoughts to Paul Warloski
Beans and Barley rider Paul Warloski
was hit by a truck while riding his bike on Saturday, March
14. He is currently recovering in the hospital from his accident.
Local Wisconsin rider Mike Heenan says, "Paul is doing
well. I went over and had lunch with him at the hospital today
[March 18]. He is in great spirits and very much looking forward
to getting back in the saddle. As a result of his accident
he has a titanium rod in his left femur, a broken thumb, a
skin graft covering a large portion of his left quad, and
a possible torn rotatetor cuff. It looks like he will be staying
in the hospital for a little bit and doing some re-hab before
he is allowed to go home. Paul has a great spirit and outlook
on what has happened, I am quite certain that he will be back
on a bike sooner than expected.
"Paul will be updating his
status on his blog - warloski.blogspot.com."
We hope for a speedy recovery
for Paul.
Wisconsin
Milk Marketing Board Named Presenting Sponsor of Midwest Cycling
Series; Series Gains New Title
 Milwaukee,
WI – With the signing of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
(WMMB) as presenting sponsor, organizers of the 2009 Midwest
Cycling Series have announced the series will be taking on
a new name, the Tour of America’s Dairyland.
“The Tour of America’s
Dairyland is about promoting the healthy benefits of cycling
and dairy products as well as showcasing the truly beautiful
scenery of Wisconsin, dotted with nearly 14,000 dairy farms,”
said Tour of America’s Dairyland co-founder Tom Schuler.
“From their recent sponsorship of an elite women’s
racing team to promoting all of Wisconsin's wonderful dairy
products, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board has long been
a staunch supporter of the active, healthy lifestyle.”
“The Wisconsin Milk Marketing
Board is an exemplary partner,” continued Schuler. “And
let’s face it, there’s no better recovery drink
after a solid ride than chocolate milk.”
A new, professionally-produced
10-day series featuring criterium multi-lap races and road
races, the Tour of America’s Dairyland will pay out
over $100,000 in cash prizes plus primes, or rider incentives,
in its inaugural year to professional and amateur men and
women athletes of multiple categories. Several Wisconsin cities
will host the various stages of the Tour of America’s
Dairyland, which runs June 19-28, and will kick off in Waterloo,
home of the Trek Bicycle Corporation. The tour includes the
Downer Avenue Bike Race on Milwaukee’s Eastside, which
will feature the famous Ben's Cycle "Super Prime".
“The tour is the perfect
occasion to demonstrate the many benefits of milk and dairy
products,” said James Robson, WMMB’s CEO. “Not
only is the event going to be fun but it showcases the importance
of fitness and training achieved through the great nutrition
dairy foods provide that all begins with the milk produced
by Wisconsin’s Dairy Farm Families.”
Complementing the racing in the
Wisconsin cities of Milwaukee, Waterloo, Grafton, Manitowoc,
Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Waukesha, will be live entertainment,
family activities, and a sports expo.
Endorsed and supported by the
Wisconsin Cycling Association and United States Cycling Federation,
Tour of America’s Dairyland updates will be posted on
tourofamericasdairyland.com
About Midwest Cycling Series,
LLC
Midwest Cycling Series, LLC, organizers
of the Tour of America’s Dairyland, June 19-28, 2009,
comprises five avid cyclists and successful entrepreneurs
including U.S. Cycling Team Olympian and Team Sports, Inc.
President Tom Schuler, Olympic Road Race Trials qualifier
and former Nova Cycle Sports Foundation President Bill Ochowicz,
Milwaukee Junior Cycling Team co-Executive Director Bill Koch,
National Senior Olympics competitor Jim Michler, and Paul
Weaver, founder of one of Wisconsin's longest running multi-sport
teams. Executive Director Jack Hirt, former executive director
of the Bike Federation of Wisconsin, leads day-to-day operations.
About Wisconsin Milk Marketing
Board
Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board,
a nonprofit organization funded by the Wisconsin dairy producers,
promotes the consumption of milk, cheese and other dairy products
made in America’s Dairyland.
For More Information, Please Contact:
Jack Hirt
Executive Director, Tour of America’s Dairyland
Ph: 414.943.6927
jackhirt@midwestcyclingseries.com
Lisa Downey
Marketing Communications, Tour of America’s Dairyland
Ph: 415.786.2817
lisadowney@midwestcyclingseries.com
Dave Bavlnka
Vice President of Advertising, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board
Ph: 608.836.8820
dbavlnka@wmmb.org
SUPERWEEK
-Point Premium Root Beer - International Cycling Classic /
SuperWeek Pro Tour to celebrate 41st year and announce 2009
Schedule!
“This year we are expecting
a huge turn out, and I am excited things are well organized
and ready to go early this year! I am glad to see some new
events this year and expect some great hard races,”
said Event Founder, Race Director and Grandfather of Cycling
in the US - Otto Wenz.
“We have worked very hard
this year to get the schedule set early. SuperWeek 2009 has
some great new courses and the return of some awesome oldies,”
said Marketing Director Michael Garrison.
“In 2009 SUPERWEEK is poised
to have the best race series ever! , and we expect an international
war waged on Bicycles.” said Director of Operations,
Andy Garrison.
Read full press release, including
full 2009 schedule here.
Point
Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic / SuperWeek
Pro Tour to celebrate 41st Year and announce Schlitz Park
is back.
Our 41st Year July 9th -26th,
2009
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – February 5th, 2009 – Organizers
of the Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic
/ SuperWeek Pro Tour announce the return of The Schlitz Park
Challenge, 41st Anniversary and huge celebration.
The Schlitz Park Cycling Classic
makes a return to the SuperWeek Race Calendar. Schlitz Park
took off two years to construct the new Manpower Corporate
Headquarters on the site. This race is is known as one of
the country's hardest one day races. The Schlitz Park course
features leg wrenching climbs, fast descents and tight turns.
It offers everything that makes US Criterium Racing so exciting.
The prime viewing spot is on the
2nd Street Hill where thousands of fans arrive hours earlier
to get the finest seats.
In the Pro race, riders crawl
past the spectators Eighty Eight times.
This year the Professional Course
will be open to all racing categories and will be racing in
the same spot all day! Now everyone will truly understand
how tough it is to climb the Schlitz Park WALL.
For spectators, the course is
one of the best courses on the SuperWeek racing Calendar.
It will be an all day Party with the Pro Race at 6:00pm.
The Schlitz Park Course is located
in one of Milwaukee's premier neighborhoods, Brewers Hill.
For ten- years, the residents of Brewers Hill made riders
from all over the world feel at home.
“ We are truly excited to
have this time honored event back and look forward to having
a huge all day celebration culminating with the Pro Race,
awesome Primes, and of course the King of the Hill
Prize” said Schlitz Park Race Director Randy
Roth.
“ We have an exciting summer
coming with the return of this great course” said Marketing
Director Michael Garrison.
“ Schlitz Park is one of
the best and most exciting criterium courses in the world
loved by cyclists and spectators, we expect an international
war waged on bicycles.” said Director of Operations,
Andy Garrison.
“ We look at Schlitz Park
as a course that really defines what I have provided racers
for 40 plus years, a great hard race”
said Founder and ICC Race Director, Otto Wenz.
About the Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling
Classic
The Point Premium Root Beer International
Cycling Classic attracts top riders from across the United
States and more than twenty foreign countries to compete in
the longest-running multi-day bicycle race in the United States.
The 41st annual event will take place from July 9th-26th,
2009 with races throughout Eastern Wisconsin and Northern
Illinois. The Classic and Super week Pro Tour, is produced
by Breakaway Event Productions, LLC, and is sanctioned by
USA Cycling. Additional information can be found at www.internationalcycling.com
About Stevens Point Brewery
Founded in 1857, Steven Point
Brewery is one of the oldest breweries in the United States.
During the 1920s and '30s, the brewery was one of the few
breweries to make it through Prohibition by producing near-beer
products and soft drinks. The Stevens Point Brewery uses special
blends of the highest-grade barley, malts, grains and the
choicest hops to make their hand-crafted beers. Its brands
include: Point Special Lager, which won the gold metal in
the American Premium Lager category at the 2003 Great American
Beer Festival; Point Classic Amber, Point Cascade Pale Ale,
Point Horizon Wheat, Point Belgian White, Point Spring Bock,
and four seasonal craft beers.
Point Premium Root Beer was awarded a gold medal by the Beverage
Testing Institute. Other premium soft drinks include; Point
Diet Root Beer, Point Black Cherry Cream, Point Vanilla Cream,
and Point Orange Cream.
For more information about the Stevens Point Brewery, visit
www.pointbeer.com or call (715) 344-9310. Tours of the brewery
are available, with schedules listed on the Web site.
Midwest
Cycling Series Organizers Announce 2009 Venues
Milwaukee, WI - Organizers of
the new Midwest Cycling Series have announced 2009 venues:
June 19: Waterloo, WI
June 20: Grafton, WI
June 21: Manitowoc, WI
June 22: TBA
June 23: Fond du Lac, WI
June 24: Fond du Lac, WI
June 25: Sheboygan, WI
June 26: TBA
June 27: Milwaukee, WI
June 28: Waukesha, WI
Featuring crits and road races,
the Midwest Cycling Series will pay out over $100,000 in cash
prizes and primes in its inaugural year. The winner of every
race will also receive a jersey. In addition, one of the many
highlights of the Historic Downer Avenue Bike Race in Milwaukee
will be the famous Ben's Cycle "Super Prime". Additional
specific venue details will be continually updated at www.midwestcyclingseries.com
, where rider information on awards and prizes, categories
and licensing, rules and regulations, and scoring is currently
posted.
About Midwest Cycling Series,
LLC
Midwest Cycling Series, LLC, organizers
of the new Midwest Cycling Series www.midwestcyclingseries.com
, comprises five avid cyclists and successful entrepreneurs
including U.S. Cycling Team Olympian and Team Sports, Inc.
President Tom Schuler, Olympic Road Race Trials qualifier
and former Nova Cycle Sports Foundation President Bill Ochowicz,
Milwaukee Junior Cycling Team co-Executive Director Bill Koch,
National Senior Olympics competitor Jim Michler, and Paul
Weaver, founder of one of Wisconsin's longest running multi-sport
teams. Day-to-day operations are led by Executive Director
Jack Hirt, former executive director of the Bike Federation
of Wisconsin.
- 30 -
For More Information, Please Contact:
Lisa Downey
Marketing Communications, Midwest Cycling Series
lisadowney@midwestcyclingseries.com
or
Jack Hirt
Executive Director, Midwest Cycling Series
Cel: 414.943.6927
jackhirt@midwestcyclingseries.com
WCA
Annual Meeting Agenda
The annual meeting will be Sunday,
January 18, 2009 at 1 p.m at the Delafield Brewhaus. This
year's agenda has been finalized and is posted here.
If you are interested in providing feedback on the topics
being discussed, we hope to see you there.
Midwest
Cycling Series Dates and Executive Director Announced; Historic
Downer Avenue Event Part of Series
MILWAUKEE, WI – December
3, 2008 – Jack Hirt, former executive director of the
Bike Federation of Wisconsin (BFW), has been named Midwest
Cycling Series Executive Director by founders of the new professional
cycling series, which will showcase 10 Wisconsin cities in
11 days, June 18-28, 2009.
Midwest Cycling Series, LLC, organizers
of the Midwest Cycling Series, comprises five avid cyclists
and successful entrepreneurs including U.S. Cycling Team Olympian
and Team Sports, Inc. President Tom Schuler, Olympic Road
Race Trials qualifier and former Nova Cycle Sports Foundation
President Bill Ochowicz, Milwaukee Junior Cycling Team co-Executive
Director Bill Koch, National Senior Olympics competitor Jim
Michler, and Paul Weaver, founder of one of Wisconsin's longest
running multi-sport teams.
Says Schuler of Hirt's appointment,
"Jack brings his competitive cycling experience as well
as his business acumen and passion for making a difference
in the cycling world and local communities. He is a proven
leader who will work with me and my partners as well as local
race directors and volunteer crews to catapult what began
a couple years back as a successful 2-day series to the professionally-produced
10-day Midwest Cycling Series in 2009 featuring top purses
in best-of-class venues."
Hirt recently stepped down from
his role as BFW Executive Director to lead and manage a new
statewide BFW advocacy initiative aimed at making Wisconsin
the most bicycle-friendly state in the U.S. by working with
officials at the local, regional and national levels to institute
stronger bike-friendly laws and law enforcement.
"Jack has a stellar reputation
of tirelessly promoting cycling and cyclist rights in the
state," says Ochowicz. "He shares our goal of promoting
cycling as a healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyle,
and with the new Midwest Cycling Series, the sport, athletes,
host cities, sponsors and spectators all benefit…Jack
will see to it; he gets the big picture."
Continues Ochowicz, "We will
work with our host cities, athletes and sponsors to create
fun, safe, family-friendly race days which will include a
well-managed schedule of races across all categories, live
entertainment and family activities."
The complete line-up of race cities,
along with major sponsors, will be announced in early 2009;
however, the historic Downer Avenue bike race in Milwaukee
is a confirmed stop on the Midwest Cycling Series as are the
Wisconsin cities of Fond du Lac, Manitowoc and Sheboygan.
Endorsed and supported by the
Wisconsin Cycling Association and United States Cycling Federation,
Midwest Cycling Series updates will be posted on www.midwestcyclingseries.com.
New
Regional Team Forming; Riders Sought
The Colavita-Sutter
Home Cycling Team is recruiting for a regional team based in Madison
Wisconsin. Our sponsors are committed to promoting a healthy and
active lifestyle. All categories and disciplines are welcome and
encouraged to join. Our team is designed to offer support for those
new to the sport as well as provide a path for those looking to
ride at the professional level. We encourage team racing and commradary
through our network of regional teams. You may also have the opportunity
to have one of the professional team members stay at your house
and you could be rewarded with a training ride from one of the top
ranked teams in NRC, Colavita-Sutter Home. We offer great Pro Deals
on bikes/frames, energy bars and other products with the possibility
of clothing and race reimbursement for those who qualify. For more
information please contact Matt Yeakey at madison1969@tds.net.
WCA
Annual Meeting Notice - Save the Date
The annual meeting will be Sunday,
January 18, 2009 at 1 p.m at the Delafield Brewhaus. Clubs
are invited to send as many delegates to the meeting as they
wish and any rider can send suggested agenda items. Traditionally,
the annual meeting serves as time to elect the board of directors
and discuss future intitiatives to strengthen WCA racing.
Please send agenda suggestions to WCA Board President Gordy
Paulson at gordo0106@hotmail.com.
The
Story Behind WIBIKELAW.COM
 I
think there is a saying about lawyers that says something
like “you hate them until you need one.”
Dan Goldberg just might be the
guy you need, although we hope you don’t. Goldberg (IS
Corp) is the brain behind WIBIKELAW.com a new website advertiser
on WCA. Like a lot of WCA riders he is a full time professional
and unassuming behind his blue and white kit.
Goldberg started bike racing in
1968 when he was 10 years old and practicing law since 1983.
So why did he start the website?
“Much of the development
of the website comes from being out on the road on group rides
and running into situations where laws were unclear or misunderstood.
There are always questions about cyclists’ rights to
the road, interactions with police or group riding considerations.
The questions always pop up, so that’s why the website
came about. Plus, riders have been involved in accidents and
don’t know their rights or how to be treated fairly.
Rather than trying to get these questions answered on the
road, the website is designed to be a tool in getting the
information riders need,” says Goldberg.
Goldberg’s first bicycle
accident case was in 1986 and since then he has represented
hundreds of cyclists. Being a competitive cyclist gives him
a perspective that proves valuable in these cases. His goal
is to resolve claims smoothly and effectively so that the
riders can take care of their expenses, get their bikes replaced
or repaired, and move on with their riding.
Goldberg designed the website
to be a one-stop site for cycling information -- especially
from the legal standpoint. On it you’ll find information
such as what to do after an accident, what to do about traffic
tickets, or what to do when your bike gets damaged. Insurance
issues are also confusing; from crashes to airline travel
issues. People are often surprised to hear that even roof
rack mishaps may be covered by insurance.
I’ve also included local
rider resources. There’s a list and description of local
group rides. There’s also a marketplace section in which
cyclists can post free listings to buy or sell bikes or cycling
items. There’s a growing cycling links section. Each
section is going to get better as people contribute information
about rides, events, activities. It’s a great hub for
the local cycling community.
Clearly, no one seeks a bike accident
but what can one do if they are in such a situation? According
to Goldberg “it’s important to gather witness
names and have the police called to the accident scene to
investigate. It’s also a good idea to seek medical attention
as soon as possible. A person should make certain to take
photographs of cuts, bruises and other signs of injury. Get
a picture of your bike before anyone works on it. Don’t
ever give a voluntary statement to an insurance company. I’m
always a phone call away and my consultations are free.”
So what are some things that riders
can do to avoid an accident?
1) Ride like drivers are trying
to hit you. They really are not, but many of them are distracted
so you are better off aiming to make eye contact to know if
they see you before you make a move—even IF you have
the right of way. In the game of car vs. bike, you’ll
lose every time if you want to push your luck or make assumptions.
And for you young folk out there, ask anyone over 40 what
ASSUME really means.
2) Make yourself seen by wearing
brightly colored clothing, especially at dawn and dusk. Get
a blinking light for the back of your bike if you ride in
early spring, late fall, or if your group rides go past dusk.
3) Avoid high-traffic areas if
possible; it’s just too dangerous. You’ve got
car doors opening, slow riders weaving in and out of traffic,
and too much traffic.
4) Drive your bike. Riders have
duties too. Avoid sudden lane changes and intersection “roll
throughs.” And never, ever assume drivers will avoid
you. One of the worst offenses a rider can make is rolling
past a line of cars waiting to make a right turn. By law,
you need to take your place in line, maybe not behind the
car but behind the one that is last in line. By zooming to
the front of the line you are ensuring that you’ll startle
the car at the front of the line making a right turn. Capice?
Don’t think you’re innocent…we’ve
all seen enough stupid rider moves (and made them ourselves)
to pretend we aren’t part of the problem.
Safe travels, all.
New
Policy on Upgrades
USAC has announced an ew policy
on category upgrades. The new policy can be seen at http://www.usacycling.org/forms/USAC_rulebook.pdf.
In brief, the upgrade requirements
for road and CX have been changed significantly and it's the
RIDER'S responsibility to know the rules. The essential differences
compared to last year are:
- There is now a tiered scale
of points based on how many participants were in the race.
In some cases, this will make it easier to upgrade, especially
in classes with small fields, but it will take more races
to do so as the points are fewer.
- If road races do not meet
the distance requirement to be considered a road race, they
may still be long enough to be considered a criterium or
circuit race. In that case there is a different points table
to use, but points would still be available.
- The parameters for upgrading
from 4 to 3 on experience alone have been modified.
Please consult the rulebook and
if you have questions contact Heidi Mingesz or see an official
at an upcoming race.
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