Twisted Spokes Racing Club

CROSS TRAINING WITH X COUNTRY SKIING

2012-01-27T20:15:00.000-08:00

Just when it looked like we wouldn't get to ski this year - the area finally got enough snow to get the skate skis out. An excellent cross-training effort for time off the bike. John A. and Mike Fox in fine form - both of these guys are really good on the skis - great glide and technique.

Made it to the Kreig's Crossing turn-around. This is Kat's 2nd year Skate Skiing and it is just as challenging but getting better this time around. Multi-talented Mike will be skating for gold this week-end at the Winter Iowa Games in Dubuque - Good Luck Mike!

Look at this guy -Aero Aaron doing the ski thing with his dogs all of whom were having a great time.

Hang on there - what fun! Get out there while the snow is still around.

ROLLER RACING IN MUSCATINE

2012-01-23T18:51:00.000-08:00

Richard Gilmore, Kathleen Porter, Russ Clark and John Adamson

ROLLER RACING

Made the trip to Muscatine

for the two mile TT


Warming up with very fast guy Chad Bishop

Richard racing


Kat and John going head to head

John racing in the 1,2,3 Cat

Full results can be found HERE

HERE is a USA CYCLING site that has racing information for Iowa

including results from past events

and race fliers for upcoming races

including roller races this weekend at

Des Moines and Ft Dodge

A long CX season ends on a high note!

2012-01-16T21:33:00.000-08:00

Carolyn thinks they used my picture on the tee shirt!

I won't try and compete with Tilford's blog but will try to capture some of the happenings of the last month or so.

Jingle Cross went pretty well considering the rain and mud. Managed to avoid any mechanicals which took out a bunch of riders. A 5th on Sat and a 4th on Sunday for my lowest points score to date. Got to get those points for nationals call up.

Now we are into uncharted territory trying to maintain fitness through Dec and Jan. State Championship was probably the coldest race since Nationals in Kansas City in 2007. The action was fast and heating up when Doc's single speed skipped a beat. Sorry about that! Some day the streak will end but I'll go for it as long as I'm able.

Went up to Madison to race the Midwest regional Championship hoping that previewing the Nationals course would be beneficial. I felt a half step slow all race which may have been caused in part by the endo I took just before the race. The Shorty Ultimates are that good but mostly I'm still trying to master the drop bars.

Love the flat bars in the mud. Nationals and Worlds rules don't allow them. Shucks!

Managed to hang on for 6th against Wisconsin's best for my lowest score of the year. That's why I question the ranking system. It was a good field but not better than Jingle Cross, so what gives? Was disappointed with my less than stellar performance.

Now 3 weeks of no racing, just boring practice on my cyclocross track at home or gravel or the rollers. It's tough trying to be social over the holidays and not eat to much of all the good home cooking

Thought I had to get a race effort in before Nationals so I decided to go to Chicago's New Year's resolution CX race. Probably wasn't a great idea cause the 50+ raced at 8:00. Made for a mighty short night and not very satisfying effort. But did get to see an amazing race by Trebon over Powers, Jones and Matter. Another mud race.

Only the finish counts.

Did get a front row call up which was real nice. Was hoping for a top 10.

Got a great start and was with the leaders the first time up the run-up. Hung tough for another for another half lap. I sent a message to the engine room for more power and it responded with something like "there was not enough coal". That's when the backwards slide begin all the way back to 11th. It was discouraging because 5 of the guys ahead of me I had beaten at least one before.

The mind and legs were tired. Looking back I realize we had decent conditions, better than most of the classes, and the course favored the powerful rider. I finished less than 3 minutes behind the winner which in most classes would have easily been in the top 10 and some as high as 3rd. I take that to mean we had a very competitive class and you could not be off your game and expect a good placing.

It was fun meeting old friends and some new ones. Thanks everyone who cheered and shouted encouragement as we raced.

Now get back home and figure out the next 10 days. Unfortunately on the way back a deer misjudged my speed and came out of the dark on the drivers side. First thing I saw was a deer head in front of the windshield and a thud on the drivers door. That will get your attention. Had a nice visit with a Mt Vernon cop who is a Mountain Biker and was interested in cyclocross. Maybe we'll see him at Bobber's or Morgan Cross next year?

I decided probably the best thing to do was not make intense rides to long and on long rides take it easy and hopefully let the legs and back recover. Had to try something else.

I was going to leave on Thursday for Worlds until it started snowing and blowing. Winter is here after all. Decided to wait till Friday when the roads should be better. Reading Tilford's blog I knew it could be a repeat of Nationals with the ruts freezing overnight and thawing when the sun came out. Turns out I didn't ride the course on Friday or Saturday. The conditions changed by the hour and clean up would have taken several hours. I did get an half hour ride in a huge parking lot to get the blood moving.

One bit if excitement Sat was when I took my tires to get them checked for width. The UCI official informed me they were too wide. "I don't care what it says on the tire". Now what? I remembered seeing one vender selling clincher mud tires so I grabbed them. The official said I should be fine with those. Later I was watching the officials at the start and one racer with the same tire I had came up. They had trouble getting the devise over the tire but after a stern look and a comment they let him go. Maybe I would have been fine but didn't want to chance it. I did get a good deal on the Fangos and they worked great!

Only picture I could find of me. Getting ready to lap the 75+ winner.

This is starting to look familiar.

After almost getting trapped in an accident traffic jam I got to the park late and only got a half lap of practice till they ran me off. Squeezed in another lap between races and the rest of the warm up on the trainer. Wow is anything going as planned? You just have to adjust, as the course had gotten sloppier already on top of the frozen ruts. I told Rich Pearson that I wasn't racing for position as much as I wanted to have good race with no broken bones at the finish. Maybe that took the pressure off?

The random drawing for the start leaves something to be desired. I was ok with a second row start but the new National Champ Fred Wittwer drew a 4th row start. Might have cost him a chance at the win. It was interesting to have him come by me a half lap in and nearly go down in front of me and have to pass me again. So with getting passed by a few guys and passing a few I didn't know where I was but felt good. Harry Fortney shouted "you're in the top 10". It was nice to have a cheering section. Thanks Harry! I just tried to stay smooth and not too aggressive in the corners cause you lose a lot of time on the ground especially if you get tangled in the tape. I only tipped over once and had a pretty clean race, figuratively speaking that is. The mud caused the chain to skip when I shifted a few times but hung in there to the end. That's good because I didn't have a pit bike.

I was thrilled to see the results posted. 6th is awesome! Mission accomplished! Thanks for all your kind remarks.

No it's not Gold, Silver, or Bronze but a finishers medal. Nice touch!

I was surprised that the low key feeling of the event. They could learn something from Jingle Cross in promotion. Lee Waldman said it pretty well in his journal on www.cxmagazine.com . I hope they do better next year.

So it's off the bike for now and time to start training if I'm going to reach my goal of running a marathon before I turn 60. See you at the races but maybe as a spectator for a while.

Thanks again for the support and encouragement I felt as I pursued the dream. Thanks to God for health that allows me to be active as well.

Landon

NATIONAL CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS

2012-01-15T19:00:00.000-08:00

More from the National Championships Cross races.
I wish I had some good stories of the action in Madison
About all I have are some cool pictures

Landon Beachy had an excellent race in the 60-64 age group
When we started the race it was frozen icy grass

Landon had one of the most competitive age group of the event

The conditions of the course changed with every lap
with each race
with each day

That's all a part of cross racing
you have to race with whatever you are given
and you can never be completely ready for the conditions
With several health/medical conditions
I felt really lucky to be lining up at the start
I was having trouble shifting, braking, and handling the bike.

I wasn't sure if I was just going to have a good time
in some big time racing
and enjoy one of the most outstanding cities in the country

or race as hard as possible
see what happens
and get a great workout

Maybe the best I could do
was hang out, support the team and watch all the great racing

I hadn't been able to race for over two months
and during that time I rode outside maybe 4 times.
It was a good day
on a great course.
one that suited me.
Landon, Rich and I got a little press from the Milwaukee press.Very glad that get the fourth spot on the podium.
On my best day I may have been able to get third
but the top spot ... probably out of my league.

How can you possibly pass up racing in such a venue.
Regardless of results -
for whatever your goals or reasons
check out this big time racing.
Nationals are going to be back in Madtown in 2013
and WORLDS are to be in Louisville for the next two years
Think about racing in the Memorial Day Weekend races this summer.

MORE CROSS NATIONALS

2012-01-13T06:35:00.001-08:00

Alijah Beatty
racing in the Juniors

The conditions were still very difficult
a lot of running

Climbing

suffering on the steep muddy run ups

With a few down hills in the mix.

In spite of the difficulties
Alijah had some good racing and is ready for another year
And such good support
from her sisters, mom and dad

CROSS NATIONALS - MARK BEATTY

2012-01-11T06:18:00.000-08:00

Mark Beatty and his family showed up for a family vacation
and some serious/difficult X racing

Mark lining up near the back of the huge 45-49 group

The run up after the barriers

In the muddy bike pit area
check out some of the spectacle

Mark running the sandpit

Mark may have had the worst conditions of the entire event
Frozen, icy, ruts.
There was a lot of slipping and sliding
falling and running.

It was a hard day.
Sharing with the family.
Mark is thinking about Crits and a few TT for 2012.
Hoping to see him on a X course or two

ROLLER RACING

2012-01-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

Roller racing in 2012
First race of the season was in Cedar Rapids
At the Hall Bike Shop
The picture below is from the 2011 race
but the place, kits, and pain is the same as 2012.

Richard GilmoreAnd first timer Russ Clark
showed up for a large dose of suffering.
Richard was in the money in the old guys race and Russ was close
Next event is at Harper's in Muscatine.
More info HERE
Connie Inks destroyed the women's field
and Bill Allen was there for the best support.

interview at CX Nationals

2012-01-06T20:09:00.000-08:00

Twisted Spokes in the newspaper. Guess they didn't use any of our pictures. Can't really blame them.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/toughing-it-out-on-two-wheels-et3mm0m-136789223.html

2011 USA Cyclocross National Championships

2012-01-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

John back on the X bike at Nationals. Long difficult travails but he made it and was it ever great racing. A wonderful morning for racing - about 32 degrees - the course conditions changing with each lap going from frozen mud to greasy wet mud.

Congratulations to John for making it onto the Podium with his 4th place finish in the Master 65-69 National Championship! What an awesome medal. Well done! More pictures and reports to come from Landon, Kat, Alijah and Mark.

ANOTHER DAY FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING

2011-12-31T19:39:00.000-08:00

A good day to ride the dirt at the Camp
Karmen with two bikes
is she going to use a X bike?

Rob and Karmen

Getting ready

There was some moisture on the trails
but they were firm

A good day to be in the woods
out of the wind

Sophie was ready
she is always ready for action

MOUNTAIN BIKING

2011-12-29T15:28:00.000-08:00

Another great day at the CAMP
The weather has been outstanding for riding in the dirt.
With no measurable snow this Fall/Winter the trails at the Camp
are nearly perfect for the MTBing

About 10% of the trail were slightly muddy -
good for working on the bike handling skills
AND for breaking in some of the Karmen's new lines

Kathleen Porter's pictures.
The Forecast for the week looks good
Give Camp Ingawanis a try.

CYCLOCROSS NATIONALS - going back- to 2007

2011-12-23T16:19:00.000-08:00

??? NATIONALS 2011 ???

After missing most of the Cross Season this year
I am back on my bike
trying to get ready for the National Championships in Madison
in early January
My legs are doing OK, but the thumb is not really ready for a lot of banging around
There is a lot of banging around on a X course
That's how I broke the thumb in the first place
The cast is off and the Doctor has told me that the bone is healed -
but not much flexibility and the is much pain.
I'm going.
I need to decide what I'm going for
fun
watching the Pros
supporting Kathleen, Landon, Mark and Alijah
go as hard as I can
or just hanging out in one of the most outstanding cities in the country
We'll see

Here is the report and some pictures of my race in 2007
AT THE NATIONAL CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Monday, December 17, 2007

To Pull or Not to Pull

Over 2000 racers showed up at the National X Championships to contest the age group categories, or to race in the huge festive event, or maybe to race, party and watch the elite racers tear it up. We - the old goats of the biking world - are very grateful for the age groups. Within all of the age groups there is a wide range of abilities - Ned Overrand, and Steve Tilford are not kids anymore. In my Sat. race we had the 50 - Overrand - 55, 60, 65 and 70+ age groups on the course at the same time. The younger fast guys started first and every 15-20 seconds another group was started.

Here's the situation. Ned and company started catching the slower old guys before they could finish one lap and the officials were pulling the lapped and soon to be lapped riders. The 60, 65, and 70+ were smaller groups and some of the pulled racers were actually in contention for medals. There are some good reasons to pull riders - confusion in the placing, danger in passing, and unfair advantages. But, to pull a rider who might get on the podium is not one of the good reasons. So, the officials decided to void the 60, 65 and 70's and have them race again on Sunday.

On Sat. we had semi frozen ruts and 2" of snow and of course the wind was blowing and it was snowing. At 11:00 on Sunday the sun was out, it was calm and completely frozen conditions. Both days were a challenge. In the Sat event I was riding strong, fast and had great control of the bike. I passed some of the fast guys from the 55's - really fast guys like Dan Meyer, Gordie Paulson-many many time National road champion and super fast nice guy team mate Landon Beachey with ease. This is going to be a great race!!! I believe I was sitting in 3rd place in the 60's when I had a rear flat and still had 1 1/4 laps to go. I passed the pits and made the decision, perhaps a bad one, to keep on racing rather than change the wheel - both take too much time. I rode it out and got passed by two 60's and my fast friend Landon. In spite of of the decision and the finish I felt great - good form and a flow that kept me flying in some difficult course conditions.

Sunday - Race #2 We had smaller fields than Sat - some went home others didn't want to race twice ... and the conditions were worse than Sat. But, we had a much bigger group cheering us on - they were gathering to watch the elite racers. There were a lot of our truly wild Iowa X racers and spectators spread around the course giving me amazing encouragement.

But. It just wasn't my day. I didn't have the flow, confidence, aggression... that I had on Sat. I'm tellin' you, I was all over the place and doing it slow. Over the years I have been a consistent racer - I have no idea what the difference was between these two races. With the small group I was able to hang on to 4th place.

Our medal presentation was just before the elite awards, so once again we got to take advantage of the huge crowd that waiting for Johnson, Compton, Page and all. My training parter, Kathleen and I talk a lot about the journey aspect of our riding/racing - that everything is a part of a process. This was one big step in that journey - a very special high point in my racing and life.

Things look good from the national podium.

I need to thank all our local X racers and supporters. Kim, Kat, Elizabeth, and Chris who came to KC to help Landon, Steve Bullerman and me. Most of all I want to thank Kat for helping me keep it intense.

There are NO Shortcuts.

John