Report from Greg

Gene, Thomas and I entered the Tour de Groundhog, held at Lincoln Salem St Park near Springfield today, and we probably brought half the park back with us - stuck to our wheels, frames and drive train. The first race at 10am was fine, ground frozen, good traction. 11am race - trail starting to get greasy, but the riders were still making good times around the 1 mi. circuit. By noon, and our races, the temps continued to warm, the sun came out, and the mud just began oozing out of the ground. The kind of thick, sticky mud that when combined with sticks, stems and leaves, formed the perfect countermeasure to a spinning wheel.

Gene and I did the masters race. 15 minutes before the start, I rode back the to the car with a flat front tire. No problem, found a tube and the thorn, fixed it and rolled in with at least a couple of minutes to spare before the start. We had about 18 in the field, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. Did I mention it was a bit muddy? The field was off with Gene (on his mtn bike) and me (cx bike) both in the top five, half way through the 1st lap. There was one climb on the circuit, I kept grabbing for a lower gear and suddenly felt the castastrophic crunch that comes from a derailleur getting eaten by the spokes of a rear wheel. My race was finished. Gene perservered and came away with a fantastic third place finish in the 40’s - probably the toughest field in the race. Overall, he placed 5th in all Masters. I also believe he also was the highest placed mtn bike in the race.

Thomas and I were both entered in the last event of the day, a traditional cross race (no mtn bikes allowed). This event featured some of the best riders (the one’s that hadn’t bailed out anyway) from the previous races. Meanwhile, I’d been feverishly working on removing my trashed derailleur, straightening the hanger, and shortening the chain for a single speed set up. I ended up with a chain tight as a piano string around 3rd gear. Too low for the 1/8 mi paved section of the course, too tall for the climbs, but probably the best compromise available. There were 7 riders in the final event, I knew I’d be bringing up the rear but was determined to finish the race, even if I had to walk it (I had $35 in reg fees, so decided to go all in...) Thomas, to his credit, was probably set up to either win, or at least finish 2nd. He flatted on lap 3. This was his first cx race and proved he will be force to be reckoned with in this event in the future. I was able to hang in, and was the last rider through at the end of the event. Two others (including Thomas) DNF’d, so I cruised into 5th and an award. Had Thomas not had the flat, I would not have placed.

The mud was as bad as anything I’d ever raced in. Every lap, I had to stop at least twice to clean out debris because my wheels had just stopped turning. My 22lb bike weighs at least 40lbs as it sits in the garage this evening. The uphill sections of the course were completely un-rideable (no exceptions, no one could ride them). Since wheels wouldn’t turn, there was no pushing your bike - you shouldered the 40+lbs and strode one step up, half slide back, on every stride up the hills.

It was a good day for Wild Card, we’ll have our podium pictures on the Mack website. Thomas has some great photos to share, too

BossCross3_RaceReport_2008.pdf

We have another new sponsor, Thomas, Mamer & Haughey LLP, Legal Services. Check Sponsor Page.
Thanks to John Sturmanis for bringing them on board.

T.I.S. College bookstore has become a Wild Card sponsor. (see sponsor page for link)
Thanks to Mark French for your hard work.
Support our sponsors whenever you can. 

Planning a training century next Saturday Nov.8th , leaving from Meadowbrook at 9:00.

This is not a hammerfest, town sign sprints ok if you feel up to it, but regroup afterward.

Some guide lines:

GROUP RIDE TIP: “Pull and Get Out!”
by Graeme Street, Owner of Cyclo-CORE

When it comes to group riding there are some things you can do to assure yourself of a stronger, faster, more satisfying ride.
I’ve had the opportunity to ride with groups from all round the country and all around the world and one thing holds true for all of them..."Pull too long at the front and you’re likely to get shot out the back!”
Here are a few tips that can guarantee a better group ride:

1. Pull and Get Out!
When it becomes your turn at the front of the group, no matter what size, make your pull for a maximum of only 90 seconds! Maximum!! I see cyclists making 2-5 minute pulls in groups as large as 20 plus. I don’t get it. The group will travel faster and you will stay fresher making faster, more succinct pulls at the front. If you’re in a smaller group, even more reason to make a shorter pull, like 30 seconds. You’d be amazed at how much faster you can travel.  (90 seconds is approx. ½ mile)

2. Beginners: Duck, Dive and Learn!
As a beginner or newbie cyclist (less than 1 year) or if you’re not use to traveling in a group, best to stay towards the back the first few rides and WATCH & LEARN. I call it “duck and dive”. Meaning, let the riders from the front that are falling back get ahead of you in the line. That means you want to leave a small gap between you and the next rider in front. This will allow you to monitor how the group dynamics work and allow you to use the draft without getting forced to the front. You may get some flack from not doing work at the front, but trust me, this will pay off on future rides and protect the group.
Also, when you do start working through the paceline, don’t pull out midway, this leaves a gap and disrupts the flow. Instead, stay in and just take a short pull.
Hopefully you have a group that encourages you to do so and shows you the rules of the road. One thing I can point out is don’t be ashamed to be “NEW”. We all were at some point. I have seen many a ‘newbie’ learn the rules, get super fit and be the one pounding at the front!

3. Let Go of the Ego!
If you’re a strong rider and have more fitness than the group, do not be the one at the front making monster pulls for minuets on end. How is the rest of the group supposed to get stronger?? Ever notice this in groups, the stronger riders are always the ones at the front? The weaker one’s in the back. Think about it. Work as a unit and let the less strong riders get their pulls in so you can grow as a TEAM/CLUB/UNIT.

BONUS TIP: As the rider in front of you pulls up to fall back, DO NOT INCREASE YOUR SPEED! I don’t know how many times I see this with less skilled cyclists. Maintain speed and you will have a stronger, more cohesive group

Wear team kit or colors.

If you dont have time for a century, ride with us as long as you can.