S.O.S. Mountain Bike Challenge: NYS MTB Series Race #3

Posted on July 28, 2013 by aa

Race #3 of the New York State Mountain Bike Series was held this past Sunday July 28, at Stewart State Forest near Newburgh, NY. Stewart has some of the most fun, flowing, singletrack trails in the northeast. Certainly the best in the Hudson Valley Region of New York. This race is a new race and a welcomed race for the NYS MTB Series racers. Many of us remember the old Stewart Singletrack Challenge from back in the day. And we all came here for the singletrack.

The course was a muddy 9.5 mile loop with the majority of the trail being singletrack trails connected by short, but very fast, bursts of dirt road. After a very fast start on a slight down grade, I was the first in the woods, just where I wanted to be. This is the kind of course where I excel…fast, flowing, fun, singletrack. I held the lead for probably about the first four miles, with three of us right there at the front. Then getting passed by the two riders behind me, and trying to stay in contact, I crashed. Not bad…not hard…the front wheel just washed out in the mud on a drop-off. However, after that, something wasn’t quite right with my left middle finger. I couldn’t reach the brake lever very well and I couldn’t squeeze with too much pressure on the break lever. I though I probably broke the finger. At that point I just settled in, rode as fast as I could and enjoyed the trails. I did lose contact with the other two riders, but I was still well ahead of the riders behind me. While I thought that I was holding second, I did realize, after that, it was third. So, I ended up finishing a very strong third place…the first podium of the season!

SOS Mountain Bike Challenge, Stewart State Forest

SOS Mountain Bike Challenge, Stewart State Forest

After the race, I had the folks at the medical tent look at my finger. After my glove was off I could see that it wasn’t broken or dislocated. And after visiting with the on-site EMT’s, I could see that I new more than they did of what was wrong. A visit to my own doctor did reveal a stress fracture at the tip and as I thought, a probable torn ligament. I have no discomfort and no pain, I just can’t straighten the tip at the first knuckle. But, the best news is that I can continue to ride and race as long as I feel the finger won’t be an issue.

Full results for the S.O.S. Mountain Bike Challenge are now available online.

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NYCROSS Thursday Night Lights

Posted on July 25, 2013 by aa

It looks like cyclocross will be starting a bit early for me this season. Here is what NYCROSS.com posted on their Facebook page today:

News Flash: NYCROSS Thursday Night Lights is ready to rock. Three training races guaranteed to get you up to speed for the incoming season. Races will all be in Troy’s Prospect Park, home of the Uncle Sam GP. Mark your calenders for 8/29, 9/5, and 9/12. Racing starts at 7 so you can get there from work no matter where you live! Bikereg and web update on the way soon!

Thanks to Admar Supply for lighting our way!

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Cross Country Nationals at Bear Creek

Posted on July 20, 2013 by aa

Bear Creek Resort in PA was the site of the 2013 USA XC Mountan Bike National Championships. While I don’t compete for a National title in my race category, I still love to attend and compete at a National level. The amateur course at Bear Creek was a much longer course than the Pro course. Much of the Pro course shared some of the features of the amateur course. Like the rocks and the rock and the roots and the drop-offs and rocks. Yes, it was a very rock and very technical amateur race course. And, in my opinion, overly technical. I am a very good technical rider, but I am also a very cautious rider. I loved riding the trails, but for a race course, I do feel it was a bit over the top. Not everyone competing is a elite rider. With that said, I will again add that I loved riding the trails at Bear Creek. Will I go back for the 2014 USA XC Mountan Bike National Championships? Yes, I will!

USA Cycling XC Mountain Bike National Championships

USA Cycling XC Mountain Bike National Championships

I raced on Thursday morning (July 18). And after Wednesday’s pre-ride in a humid 100 degrees, Thursday’s race at 85 degrees was welcome. One 7 mile lap would definitely beat the heat…but barely. Shortly after the finish of my race, we were back to nearly 100 degree and humid. I had a poor start. I didn’t want to go out too fast and blow up on the first climb entering the woods. Most everyone else did go out fast. So, entering the woods, I was pretty far back. I rode steady and I rode strong. I dismounted at a couple of ridiculous short sections, but actually did ride the majority of the course. Over the last mile or so, I ended up passing quite a few riders. However, I had no idea if any of them were from my race.

I ended up in 10th place with a time of 1:03:23, 12 minutes better than my pre-ride. I would have liked a better result, but I’ll take a top 10 with some pretty fast guys from all over the country. And as always, a huge thanks to Hammer Nutrition, Duro Tire, Rudy Project and TriFlow Lubes.

Full results for the 2013 USA XC Mountan Bike National Championships can be seen here–>>RESULTS

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CLIF Bar CrossVegas 2013 Preview Video

Posted on July 12, 2013 by aa

Preview video from CLIF Bar CrossVegas 2013. Join the fun at Desert Breeze Soccer Complex in Las Vegas on Wednesday September 18. Visit www.CrossVegas.com!

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New York First to Implement Race Clean Program

Posted on July 10, 2013 by aa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BY THE NEW YORK STATE BICYCLE RACING ASSOCIATION – www.nysbra.com

July 10, 2013

Endicott, NY – The New York State Bicycle Racing Association (NYSBRA) recently became the first Local Association to formalize the implementation of USA Cycling’s (USAC) Race Clean Program. The new program is designed to help eradicate the use of performance enhancing drugs and methods in cycling through increased testing for road, cyclo-cross and mountain bike events sanctioned by USA Cycling.

NYSBRA will fund the new program and receive matching funds from USAC to help subsidize the costs of testing at local and regional events.  USADA will implement the independent anti-doping program in accordance with the World-Anti-Doping Code.

NYSBRA President Jeffrey Poulin sees the new program as a positive step forward for the sport of cycling in the region: “This grew from a grass-roots desire from NY racers to have a clean sport and so it makes NYSBRA proud to lead the way by joining USA Cycling’s RaceClean program,” Poulin stated.

USA Cycling President & CEO Steve Johnson executed the contract between NYSBRA and USAC and expects many other Local Associations to follow suit.

“The RaceClean program sends a strong statement about anti-doping and ensures a level playing field at all levels of racing,” said Johnson. “It is gratifying to see that race directors, teams, riders and our Local Associations such as the New York State Bicycle Racing Association are eager to get behind this initiative to help further our sport.”

The New York State Bicycle Racing Association was founded in 2007 under USAC’s Local Association Program in order to directly serve the needs of the bicycle racing community in the state of New York through the administration of USAC permits, rider upgrades, and official assignments.  There were 3458 licensed racers and 125 sanctioned cycling events in New York State in 2012.

###

The New York State Bicycle Racing Association

www.nysbra.com

607-725-4493

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Windham US National Cross Country Results

Posted on June 30, 2013 by aa

This year’s race at Windham Mountain was held on Saturday June 29, 2013. It was part of the USA Cycling Pro XCT Series, and amateurs, the New York State Mountain Bike Series and the Root 66 Race Series. I raced for New York points. After a good start and entering the woods in third, I dropped a chain. It didn’t go back on while trying to shift, so I had to stop and put it back on by hand. While that didn’t end my race, it certainly didn’t help as I watched nearly the whole field pass me. So, back on the bike to continue to grind out the climbs. The course conditions at Windham are starting to deteriorate. This was the 6th year of racing on pretty much the same course. It was still 100% ride-able, but mix in the greater amount of exposed roots, some eroded trail and a few days of rain leading up to the race, some areas were very sketchy.

Overall, I rode well. A couple of slip-ups on wet roots and rock, but I was still strong. I managed to gain back a handfull of spots after the dropped chain to finish a mid-pack 7th

Full results can be found here:

Pro/Elite

Cat 1

Cat 2/3

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Windham US National XC Course Recon Ride

Posted on June 27, 2013 by aa

Windham US National Mountain Bike Race is this weekend, June 28-30, 2013. In addition to the ProXCT races, Windham will also host amateur racing as part of the New York State Mountain Bike Series and the Root 66 Race Series.

Today I took a drive down to Windham for a recon ride. I pretty much expected the same course a previous years, and that is just what I found. Starting with a moderate climb leading to some doubletrack, leading to more climbing to some singletrack. That led to more climbing to a short descent to more climbing. And more climbing. And more climbing. Get the picture? Approximately 2.1 miles going up the mountain with a great reward of a fun, approximately 1.4 mile, ride down the mountain on some great, technical, fun singletrack.

I rode two slow laps to just re-familiarize myself the the course. The course was mostly dry, although I’m pretty sure that will change overnight and Friday. Even wet, I know that I’ll enjoy the course and the race.

About Windham US National:

Windham Mountain and The Windham Area Recreation Foundation (WARF) are proud to bring you the Windham U.S. National Mountain Bike Race.

The event will take place June 28th – 30th 2013, in Windham NY. Riders of all abilities from all over the U.S. will compete in 3 disciplines: The Monster Energy PRO GRT Downhill, Stan’s No Tubes XCT Cross Country, and KMC Super D.

This event is open to riders of all abilities, from first timers to seasoned professionals. Spectators are welcome.

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Wilmington-Whiteface 50K (and 100K Leadville Qualifier)

Posted on June 17, 2013 by aa
2013 Wilmington-Whiteface 100K and 50K shotgun start

2013 Wilmington-Whiteface 100K and 50K shotgun start

The Leadville Qualifier Series made its annual stop at Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid, NY. The Wilmington-Whiteface 100K and 50K was held Sunday June 16, 2013. I was excited to see that there would be a 50K option for 2013. 50 K (~31 miles) is a nice distance for me. It’s pretty much what I will ride on a day off from work, although this 50K had approximately 3500 feet of climbing. The race course was a lot of seasonal dirt road, too much paved road for mountain biking, and not nearly enough singletrack. I rode solid and mostly strong. I had a difficult 15 or 20 minutes that just needed heavier fluid intake (Heed) and a Hammer Gel. Once I got through that, I was on my way to the 2 laps on Whiteface.

I set out with two goals; finish under 3 hours and do well…whatever that might mean. I did finish under 3 hours, with a time of 2:44.35, and I did do well. I had no idea how many racers there would be or how many in the 40-49 age group. I ended up 13th overall men and 4th in age 40-49.

Full results for the 100K and the 50 K can be seen here:

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2013 Williams Lake Classic Results

Posted on June 10, 2013 by aa

The Williams Lake Classic, the first race in the New York State Mountain Bike Series, was held on June 9, 2013. With the race being my first ride on a new bike, and after a hard crash, I managed a 7th place finish in age category.

Full results for the 2013 Williams Lake Classic mountain bike race can be found here:

Williams Lake Classic (PDF file)

or

All Sports Events website

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Blackburn Atom SL Cyclometer

Posted on June 7, 2013 by aa

The Blackburn Atom SL computer is the most user friendly bike computer I have used. It’s easy to setup and packed with features. The large screen lets you see it at a quick glance. One of the best features is the ability to install it on the handlebar or the stem. But, the BEST feature is the retail price of only $19.99

Blackburn Atom SL Cyclometer

Blackburn Atom SL Cyclometer

Features:

  • Wired
  • Super thin and lightweight
  • Current, average and max speed w/pace arrow
  • Trip distance/odometer
  • Ride timer, 12/24 hr clock, auto scan
  • Bar or Stem Mounting

Blackburn computers let you geek out to your heart’s content—how far, how fast, how much climbing—there’s a Blackburn computer that will tell you, precisely, so you can quantify your bragging rights. What makes a Blackburn computer? Durability, for one thing—it’s got a lifetime warranty, and with electronics that’s like finding a unicorn grazing on your front lawn. And ease of use, for another—with simple two-button setup, a tall, incredibly easy-to-read display font and a four-screw battery door that’s more weathertight than the usual twist-with-a-coin setup on lesser computers. Some days, you just want to ride. But on days when you’ve gotta know, there’s a Blackburn Atom to data-mine your ride.

Go ahead. Embrace your inner cycling nerd—geek out to your heart’s content.

Visit Blackburn here –>Blackburn Design

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