Hard to believe the season is over, but the end of the summer brought a nice finish for a successful season for the team at the Bud Harris track. Both the men’s and women’s teams achieved their goals at the ACA races, and had a blast in the process.

Steel City Endurance men put forth a strong team effort, racing as a team and helping put Doug Riegner in first in the series standings at the end of the season. EJ Hubstengerger, Joe Lydic, Mike Quigley, Gregg Flood, and Carl Flink all contributed to the team’s success as the men’s team also took first in the standings. Congratulations to the men for going out there week after week and winning the B race.

On the women’s side, Rachel Weaver and Kate Bennett continued to dominate the races, packing a 1-2 punch week after week at the oval. In addition, Rachel rode aggressively all summer and took 3rd in the overall MAR points. Stacie Truszowski, Coach, and P George also put in strong efforts as the team finished second to Team Citius in the overall standings.

Both the men’s and women’s teams enjoyed another fun season at the Oval. Many thanks to the ACA for continuing to provide these fun opportunities to race with friends all summer long.

Full results posted here.

24 Hour Champion Challenge

Seven Springs Ski Resort

Seven Springs, PA

September 3-4, 2011

Four years ago our team had it’s beginnings on the road. Coach Suzanne gathered a group of women, who for some reason or another, wanted to try bike racing. Few of us had ever raced our bikes, so this was completely new to us. As you can see from posts, the team grew into a group of women (and later men) with a passion for bike racing.

Looking to expand our bike experience, this past year, a group of women took their riding off road, and started mountain biking. Spearheaded by Stacie and Kate, and supported by Coach Suzanne and Pam (who have some mad skills and passion for the mountain bike) the women joined up with local area expert mountain bikers on Girls Rule Boys Drool rides, and started to get some skills – mad skills. Skills led to expansions of the bike repertoires, and fun in the woods led to thinking about competing in this new sport.

Stacie was the first to race in the mountains in a Month of Mud TT last Fall and then at Cranky Monkey this year with JR, and she was soon followed by Kate at 6HOP. On the men’s side, Dustin – a true ace on the mountain bike – rode his first 24h race at Seven Springs last year. With more SCE women riding and racing their mountain bikes, the pinnacle for 2011 would be the 24 hour Champion Challenge at Seven Springs (7S).

To prepare for the 24hour race, Kate and Stacie rode their bikes a TON this summer. At least twice per week on the mountain bike, riding in the heat of the summer on their road bikes, they honed their skills and confidence for the challenge that lay ahead. In fact, it was rare to see Stacie off the mountain bike – she took to it like a natural! Pam Milavec, who came to biking on a mountain bike, and had raced 7S in the past, was a natural anchor for the team. In their rides they picked up Greta Daniels, racer with DPS Penn, and one of the funnest people you’ll meet. It soon became obvious that this would be the foursome for the race, under the appropriate name, Team One Non Blonde. Joining the women at Seven Springs were Kate’s husband, Aaron, who rode with Dustin on a 4-man team. Greg Flood rounded out the competitors doing it solo.

Mountain bike racing carries with it a different vibe than road racing. Yes, it is strenuous (in some ways more than road racing), but when you’re at these events it feels like a celebration of the sport. Racers and spectators tent out in a tent city, where people relax, refuel, and recuperate in between laps. When you race and ride the trails you can’t help but think one of two things (at least as a newbie): 1. This is plain scary, or #2. This is plain fun. When you think #1 too much, you figure out a way through a tough section – even if it means running up a steep, muddy switchback, and then you’re back to thinking this is fun again.

The day before the race, our team forged an amazing camp with JR and Gina and the Dynamic Physical Therapy Team on the mountain. Tents, Christmas lights, fire pit. Water, water, ice, and more water. And food and beer. What more could one need? Fans – yeah, I was one of the many groupies, as Doug, Coach and I went up and camped overnight just to hang out and experience this cool event. Pam’s family was there, Rob Riddell. Our friend, Gray Patton rode her cross bike to 7S (Gray = tough) and hung out with the Trek team, cycling friends, and camped out with us. It was really a ton of fun.

On Saturday, the race began at high noon, with Greta elected to run the Le Mans start. It was HOT. When I say hot, I mean HOT HOT. In fact there was a rider down on the first lap due to heat stroke. Despite the heat, Greta rode steady and strong for the ~11-mile lap, and pulled an awesome lap time, just under 2:20 – incredible for someone who had ridden the mountain bike for less than 6 months! Next up was seasoned veteran, Pam, and now everyone was feeling the heat. Pam rode a blistering 1:40 lap time, and she was followed by Stacie with another blistering 1:41. On the men’s side, Aaron and Dustin were riding fast, and – like everyone – feeling the heat. Dustin came in carrying his rear deraileur hanger in 2 pieces in his hand, but Anya came to the rescue and restored his trusty steed to racing form. Greg had issues with cramping, so he tried to recover, refuel, and be smart. He set off on a dusk lap to see if his recovery helped. With this crazy heat, the teams looked forward (even though fatigued) to the cooler night laps. Kate, the anchor of Team One Non Blonde, set out on the women’s dusk lap and finished a 2:05 lap taking the race from daylight into the evening. Incredible – the women’s team was now safely 4 laps in in the first 8 hours of the race and into night riding.

Yes, night riding. This is a 24h race, afterall. At night, you hear crickets, tree frogs, and see the racers roll down the hillside between the trees with headlamps and handlebar lights. It is one of the coolest things in the sport. The night is filled with pulling a lap, eating and recapturing calories, and trying to sleep.

When morning broke, the teams were all now 2/3 through the race. Although the team was tired from the heat of Saturday and a long night of racing, there was this vibe of, well, coolness in the camp. You see, these folks were just getting it done, racing in one of the most physically challenging events in their racing careers. And cyclists are just, well, cool people. For Greta, this was her first mountain bike race ever – why not a 24h race? (Damn!) You look at these folks and you realize how tough they are. And a piece of me that morning, as a true fan of these peeps, really wished to be suffering alongside them.

As the day wound down, and the clock approached noon, Stacie and Dustin set out on a final lap. Stacie ended up bringing it home for the women, Aaron followed Dustin and pulled the graveyard lap for the men. The team was spent, they gave it everything they had, and definitely deserved the post-race beers, post-race DQ, and whatever the heck they wanted. Team One Non Blonde came in 2nd in the women’s 4-person division – mad props to the women! So proud of Dustin, Aaron and Greg for putting it all out there this beast of a race as well!

It’s exciting to see Team SCE moving in new directions – from road biking to cyclocross and now mountain biking. And I had a blast this past weekend just being a groupie for my team. As a fan watching from the outside looking in, I can say for sure that on Team SCE, no matter the event, no matter the terrain, it is all just tons of fun.

6 Hours of Power

July 17th, 2011

Ellicotville, NY

Last fall Michelle Johnson and Eryn Hughes, two local MTB racers and enthusiasts, convinced a couple of the SCE ladies to put down their road bikes and try mountain biking. A couple of us took them up on their offer.   After many a frightfully, fun evening rides with the “Girls Rule, Boys Drool” crew.  A few of us (mainly Stacie Truszkowski) were ready to try some MTB racing. Stacie paired up with SCE Team –friend, JR Petsko, for 9 Hours of Cranky Monkey.  They had a blast.  After I heard all about it, I was determined to try a race myself.

I convinced Stacie to team up with me for the Female Duo portion of 6 Hours of Power.   The cou

rse is an 8 mile mountain bike loop with a long climb at the beginning, tons of single track in the middle, and a scary downhill finish.   Our goal was simple.  We were newbies at this sport; we just needed to finish the race!  It was decided that Stacie would start the first lap since I hate running and she was already familiar with the “Le Mans” start.

Stacie went out for her first lap and finished quite a bit earlier than either of us expected.  She met me at the transition area with a huge grin on her face!  Yep, I thought, this is going to be fun.  I grabbed my bike and

started pedaling up the long climb.  The local photographer was there.  I told him he better take my picturenow because I knew I wasn’t going to smiling later.  He laughed at me, took my picture and wished me luck.  I finally reached the top of the climb and turned on to the single track. I told myself, “Don’t blow up. This is your first year on a mountain bike and your first year racing. Don’t blow up.”   I blew up and promptly crashed into a tree.  I got up and rode at a more sedate pace for my first lap.  I was dreading the downhill finish but I made it through.  Stacie was there at the transition area waiting for me.   “How did it go,” she asked?

“Good.  I crashed,” I said.

Stacie took off for her second lap and I went to our tent to rehydrate, refuel, and get ready for my next lap.  I met Stacie at the transition area.  She had a huge grin on her face.  “How did it go,” I asked?

“Good. No issues,” she said.

I grabbed my bike and started pedaling up the climb.  No photographer this time.  Good.  I wasn’t smiling at this point but neither was I grimacing.  I finished the climb and headed into the single track portion of the loop.  I kept a slower pace but became more timid as the trail went on.  Instead of a tree I crashed into a sapling.  Crap!  I hope no one saw this.  I looked around me, no one was near.  Whew, I thought, that could of have been embarrassing.   Then I wished someone was nearby.  I couldn’t extricate myself from the sapling!  I swear it must have taken me ten minutes to get out of that tangled mess.  I got back on the bike and limped my way back to the transition area. It took some time.  I hurt.  I made it to the transition area with 20 minutes to spare before the clock stopped on the race.  Stacie would have to do on last lap. Stacie was there waiting for me.  “What happened,” she asked?

“I had a run in with a sapling and got stuck,” I said.

“Ooh,” giggled Stacie.  I had to admit, it was funny.

Stacie got on her bike and took off for the final lap.  I headed back to the tent, grabbed a Coke and changed my clothes.

Stacie and I actually managed to get first place in the Female over 30 Duo category.  We were the only Female Duo in the whole race but I’ll take the win.  Our trophy actually says “First Place Female Team Under 29” but I’ll take that as well.  It was a great event for a first race and I had a great partner who smiled the entire time.  I’ll be back next year.

While teammate Carl Flink has moved to Michigan, he still wears his Steel City colors and races – quite fast, actually – with black and gold running through his veins. Join us as we catch up with Carl and enjoy his Michigan race report.

August 28, 2011

It has been great to finally be able to train again, and I am feeling much better than earlier this year.  Of course, I have had to take advantage of racing within a reasonable driving distance.

Three weekends ago I went to Traverse City – a vacation town on Lake Michigan.  The State Road Race (RR) championships – Cherry Roubaix RR, was held on Sunday.  I had hurridly changed my address on the USA cycling web site so I would be eligable.  It was a scary finish as our field caught the 35+ field 300 yds from the finish, and at 100 yds to go to the final corner. No wrecks, but I ended up 8th and failed to nab the state championship.

There had a crit the day before  in downtown Traverse City – Cherry Roubaix crit – which was a 6 corner course that had a short section of rough cobbles. I managed to nab a podium spot as they went 5 deep for the on-stage glory shot. Frankie Andreu was there anouncing which was very cool. (No Suzanne, he didn’t recognize Carl “Starbrick master” Flink). Jason Zimmerman was there racing and vacationing with his family, and it was very nice to see a familiar face.
Last weekend was the US pro criterium championships in Grand Rapids.  It was a nice 6 corner course with a long finishing stretch that was all cobbles, some of which were pretty rough. I rode the 1-2-3 race (there was no cat 3 or 3-4). It was wicked fast – 28.5 avg.  I got caught behind a wreck and chased until I was pulled with 2 to go. I learned a very valuable lesson: Even if you don’t crash, put your foot down, and cruise back to the wheel pit for your free lap. I thought that was illegal, but multiple people have agreed that it’s kosher. Live and learn. I certainly could have hung in there, and was gunning to be one of the top cat 3s.

The next day was a cat 3 crit, this time in East Grand Rapids, a super rich neighborhood.  I led out the sprint and ended up 3rd with a couple big legged dudes passing me in the last 75 yds.

Sinead Miller was there in her first races since her last concussion and the resulting post concussion syndrome. She says she still doesn’t feel great, but isn’t willing to be patient any longer. She finished in the back of the pack on Saturday in a high class field (Laura Van Gilder won), and 3rd on Saturday in a much smaller field. Dan Greene was also there. Again, great to see Yinzers out here.

Today I picked up a Michigan win.  A 0.5mi course with 6 corners and a 100 yd finishing strech….it’s as if they asked me what I wanted and gave me all my demands except the uphill finish.  Cutting to the chase, I had probably 25 yds on the the second place guy and was able to comfortrably get in a two handed victory salute. It felt amazing. It has been a while since I have won anything other than an oval race and it was nice to celebrate (since we all know taking your hands off the bars at the oval is a mortal sin).

These crits have been held in really nice locations: “Downtown” areas (even when they have been in smaller neighborhoods) with lots of shops along the course, great crowd support, tons of volunteers, and great money. As proof of that, in the last 3 weeks I have picked up $410… The women’s Pro-1-2-3 race today payed 15 deep and only 10 women showed up.  They had >$1000 in prize money too!!

Hope all is well in the burgh.  Miss yinz!

Tour de Millersburg

August 13-14, 2011

Millersburg, PA

After having a blast racing the Tour of the Valley (ToTV) stage race, I decided to sign up for Tour de Millersburg (TdM) since I’d heard it was a fun, well-organized stage race that drew a large and competitive field.  There were 21 participants in the Cat 4 women’s field, the biggest field I’ve raced in.

The first event was the time trial.  The Cat 4 women were the first to start, and since the starting order was alphabetical, I was first, and found myself “chasing a ghost” like I did at ToTV.  I’m used to time-trialing from my triathlon experience, but even though drafting isn’t allowed, you can still focus on catching and passing those ahead of you.  With no one to chase, I relied on perceived effort and my power meter to let me know how hard I was riding.  The course was a 9.5 mile out-and-back, comprised mostly of false flats and shallow rollers.  Since I felt like I had a little too much left at the end of the time trial at ToTV , I focused on pushing harder early on.  I was a little disheartened when, at the turn-around, I realized that the girl who’d left 30 seconds behind me had caught up to me.  She passed me soon after the turn, but I kept her in my sights for the remainder of the race.  This left me unsure of how I would fare in the time trial, but when the results were posted, I was excited to see that I’d snagged a 5^th place podium spot – and $50!

After a quick lunch and a brief nap, it was time for the criterium race, an 0.8 mile rectangle through the narrow residential streets of Millersburg.  I had a chance to ride the course a few times as a warm-up and realized that the turns would be very, very tight.  The crit was a little frustrating because no one seemed to want to sit on the front and pull.  A racer I’d met earlier in the season who is from Erie, PA, and I sat on the front for most of the race and talked about trying to work together to get a break. We attempted several attacks, but never got away from the field.  We did 19 laps for a total of 15 miles, and with about 5 laps to go, I could feel my energy fading.  I dropped back in the field a little to try to conserve energy.  With about a lap and a half to go, I found myself behind a bad wheel going into an uphill turn.  The girl braked a lot going into the turn, and was not a strong climber, so we fell even further back behind the field.  At that point, I had nothing left to chase down the leaders and finished in 12^th place.

The course was really technical.  I’m not the most experienced crit racer, but this course had the narrowest roads and tightest turns I’ve seen. I watched the men’s 1/2/3 race, and they were pretty much riding single file the whole time!  They looked ridiculously fast and everytime they passed a big gust of wind followed them.

Sunday afternoon was the 36-mile road race.  Of all 3 races at TdM, I was looking forward to the road race the most.  The course was very different from the courses I’ve raced in Western PA, lacking significantly long climbs to break up the field.  The majority of the course wasn’t technical, although there was one section of the 18-mile loop that had a sharp turn going downhill and then a short power-climb uphill.  This would’ve been the ideal place to break up the field, but being that everyone had the same idea, no breaks were successful. More people took initiative to sit on the front than at the crit, and I once again tried to work with the Erie cyclist and an unattached cyclist from DC to get a break, but we were unsuccessful… this was a really strong field!  With the exception of 2 or 3 riders who got dropped, the field stayed together for the entire race.  The last mile or so is on a gradual downhill, and I knew I needed to move up early on to be in good position for the final sprint, but I waited too long.  I crossed the finish line in 7^th place.
I ended up in 8^th place GC (General Classification, or the overall position from all of the races), missing my goal of finishing on the GC podium (top 5).  I couldn’t be upset over this though, because this race was a completely new experience for me and was a great learning experience.  I learned that I need to limit my time sitting on the front in a crit, even when I’m frustrated with the slow pace.  I learned about positioning in road racing and how important it is to get into a good position early.  I learned what it is like to sit in a dense pack for 36 miles, constantly watching wheels and trying to anticipate a break.

One of the unique aspects of this race worth mentioning was that they offered an “Adopt-a-Racer” homestay program, where residents of Millersburg opened up their homes to cyclists to stay with them during the race.  The family I stayed with had 5 children between the ages of 6 months and 14 years, and were just awesome!  They really made me feel at home while I stayed there and came to cheer me on at the crit race and the road race finish.  Going into a race where I knew absolutely no one, it was so cool to have some familiar faces and voices in the crowds.

All around, TdM was a first-class event.  I would highly recommend it to others, and I am looking forward to racing it again in the future!

Pro Bikes Criterium Championships

July 30, 2011

Aliquippa, PA

So the end of JR’s inaugural ABRA crit series took place in our very own hometown. Steel City knows the Aliquippa Industrial Park like the backs of our hands, and we were excited to finish up the series here. These races were a couple of the most fun to ride and watch in a long time.

Going into the finals, Kate Bennett was in contention for winning the ABRA crit series, so my goal was to ride for her, stay at the front, attack and counter where needed, and see how we could turn out.

As we toed the line for the Women’s race with the Juniors, we saw a lot of new and old faces, as the women’s field filled out nicely despite the heat.

The race started and Stephanie Swan and I traded laps for awhile. Fine with me as I was trying to keep the race pace up, get a workout, and make sure Kate was tucked in. At a couple points there were moves made, and I looked at Kate to see if she’d grab my wheel for a leadout. She had good position though, and she was in good position and form to definitely take the field sprint among her category, so she signaled me to go after Stephanie. Towards the end of the race Shawn Geiger took off, Stephanie on his tail, then I took off after her. We came around the final corner and I made my move, sneaking by her out of her slipstream, ahead for a few seconds, until her massive speed caught up and passed me by a bike length at the finish. It was exciting, but man, she is a beast! Kate came through the finish at the lead of the Women’s 4 field, no problemo, sealing up the Cat 4 win and series victory! Stacie was right behind friend Greta Daniels, taking 3rd in the race and 3rd overall in the ABRA Crit Series. So exciting to see Team SCE on the podium and Kate in the championship jersey!

After the race, I went for a ride and came back to watch the men’s 3/4 race. EJ put the hammer down a few times, but this race would have Quigley’s name all over it. They raced in the absolute heat of the day, with ebbs and flows in the peloton speed as they did. In one of the most exciting finishes ever, we saw Mike wind up behind Keith, and the two of them go in the final sprint with amazing speed. It was such a close finish that video confirmation was required, but Mike took it. Confirmed and for sure. Quigs for the W!

For full ABRA Crit Series standings and results, check out this page: http://www.abraracing.com/Results/2011ACSstandings.html

Congratulations, team, on races well ridden!!!

July 8-10, 2011

Eastern OH

Tour of the Valley weekend is a team favorite race. Promoted by the Quinlans and Carbon Racing, it is a weekend many of us Pittsburghers drive just 90 minutes fora weekend of fun. This year was a super fun year for the Women’s team, as we made a ton of progress and truly rode as a team. Here is a recap:

Going into the Tour of the Valley, I wasn’t sure where my fitness would be. This has been a crazy year, with swings of racing followed by deserts where work took over completely. To be honest, I was a little nervous about the upcoming stage race, until the nervousness was replaced by excitement upon hearing that my teammates Anne-Marie and Rachel were signed up for the 3/4 stage race. This changed everything, and now I was pumped to go out there and do my best to support our team.

Time Trial

July 8, 2011

Mastropietro Winery, Berlin Center, OH

Leading up to the TT, I was obsessing on my TT bike and position. A lot had changed since I’d first started riding my TT bike. I was more flexible, and to be honest, I had not yet taken it outside off the trainer. The week leading up to the race, I took the bike out to work on saddle fit, sitting forward (which gave me power), and just not killing myself falling off that speed machine. I knew that in a stage race, the time trial would be an important place to just lay it all down. It is the start of the event, and initial points here would potentially set us up – good or bad – for the weekend. I figured this event was made for AM, as she is the Ironman athlete between us. She rides a TT bike like nobody’s business. I had also seen Rachel racing strong at the track lately, and with her tri roots, she would also put it down on the course. So that left me working hard to do what I could to put it all on the line, and just work on recovering, Sat/Sun, after the TT.

Last year’s TT was horrible for me. I wasn’t mentally ready, and I even almost missed my start. I also had fuel left in the tank at the race’s end, which came from inexperience at knowing how hard to push, losing the fear that you’ll bonk and not make it back. TTs are challenging. It is just you and your bike against the clock. Go too fast out on the first half, and you burn yourself up and lose gas on the way back. Go too slow, and you’re just slow. There is a happy medium. It’s finding that sweet spot that is the challenge.

So this year, I would be ready. I had practiced the 8.5 mile distance so I knew how to meter my efforts. I had worked on my seat and position, making minor changes which altogether were key. And – most importantly – I wore a watch to get me safely to the starting line.

On the course I pushed it hard. Passed 3 women along the way, who had started each at 15min increments before me. The turnaround was a total momentum-killer, but it was for all racers, so I did my best. On the last uphill stretch I broke 30mph for a bit, pushing pushing pushing hard. When I passed the finish line, I was sick at my stomach, so all-in-all I can say I left nothing on the course. After my finish, I cheered on Rachel, then took a cool down ride with a rider from OH. Our team hung out at the winery, ate dinner, and waited for the results. I was not sure where I finished, but I was certain I had done my best on that day.

When the results came back, I was completely astounded at the finish. I took 1st, beating Jane Geisse by 3 seconds. AM was 6th, and Rachel 9th. As a team we finished well, and now were in contention for the yellow jersey. I just didn’t think I’d be the one wearing it. Now what? We headed back to the hotel, and I was buzzing with a mixture of excitement and exhaustion, and in our suite fit – barely – 4 women and Eric, and 9 bikes. It was a blast.

Road Race

July 9, 2011

Columbiana, OH

After a semi-restful night’s sleep (it was tough to sleep with the endorphins in one’s system), we got up, packed up, and rolled out to Columbiana for the road race. I had looked at the finishers from the TT, so had an idea of who to keep and eye on. The biggest threat, of course, was Jane, an awesome competitor, and great sport. The women 3/4 race raced with the junior boys, and our strategy was to keep up toward the front and be in a break if/when it happened. We needed at least one of us in the break, and hopefully 2. AM and Rach started out towards the front, and I tucked behind AM’s wheel. While the course for our race did not have killer climbs, there were small hills where people picked up sped to get a gap. At one of those points, Rachel got trapped behind another racer, while I jumped around AM, she caught my wheel, and we made the jump into the lead group. The rest of the race it was this group of 2 boys, Jane, AM, and myself. For a time we had Mary Weinholt with us as well. We rode strategically, taking short pulls, and working to keep out of the wind. My main concern was keeping an eye on #2. If she beat me here, she’d likely take the yellow jersey.

Coming into the final turn, we started jockeying for sprint position. It actually slowed slightly until A-M just wound up and went. She was fast, and gained speed rapidly. It was awesome! I tried to catch her wheel and go go go, and about 25m from the finish hit a pothole, catching air, and almost going down completely. I recovered, managed to stay ahead of Jane, and finished proudly behind my teammate.

Meanwhile Rachel, after misfortune with getting caught behind a rider who opened a gap, raced smart. Coming into the sprint finish, she tore it up – classic Weaver winning the bunch sprint.

We celebrated our races with a nice post-race lunch at the Lazy Bean Café, and Coke Classic to help cure “race gut.”

Criterium

July 10, 2011

Youngstown, OH

Our team felt strong after a good two days, and now we were ready coming into the crit. Our strategy was to defend the yellow jersey. I had to mark Jane, and go when she went or get in the break. We also had our eye on other teams with multiple riders, waiting for team counter strategy. As we were wearing yellow, and riding strong, Rachel stepped up to the front of the peloton and drove the pace for the first several laps. I tucked in behind Anne-Marie, and just stayed towards the front, but it was Rachel who took on the responsibility of putting our team in the front. It was unspoken, but important to do. If you are the largest team in the field, and one is in yellow, the team had to put someone on the front for us to ride with pride. Rachel did that for us. At some points she tried to pull off and have someone else pull, but the field was not really up for the task, so it was a bit cat-and-mouse for awhile.  My gut told me to go up there and help out, but Kate, riding next to me, reminded me that was not my job today – I had a different role today, and had to ride smart for our team. The course itself was FUN. Big sweeping descent, nice butt-kicker of a climb into the finish (uphill finish would be suited to me). Rachel took this no problem, and we worked to follow suit.

At one point, on an uphill climb, Rach dropped her chain. She pulled off, and A-M and I moved to the front. We tried to slow the pace just a bit, and – badass that she is, Rach caught back on. No free lap.

In the first points prime, the field took off. A-M won it, Jane was 2^nd (I think), and I think I was behind her. We were still okay. At about 6 laps to go, Jane decided to make her move, and she went. I was at the front, talked to some of the women and said, “Hey women, we gotta go get her.” Nobody jumped, so I took off, about 100m behind her, and just laid chase. I caught her and saw nobody had taken my wheel, so now it was just the two of us, in the break. Jane is a beast – totally strong. I knew she had a tough TT, and wondered what would happen in the crit. We traded off pulls lap after lap. We both knew the finish was better suited to us in a break than getting caught up in a hairy bunch sprint. So we worked together and stayed off. I’m also knew my ‘mates were back there holding the pack in line too. Each time we took the steep hill, I tried to get my pedal stroke right, tried to sort out where I would go for it, and tried to gauge her strength.

At one lap to go, I was pumped. We were close, it was now or never. Jane slowed on this lap. I was going to be the leadout now. I slowed a little too, but she would not take 1^st wheel – I imagine she felt it better to have a leadout into the finish than to be the leadout. Oh well, I thought, I’ll just have to ride her off my wheel. Coming out of the final turn I put the pedal down just before the climb so I would get my momentum and to save her from getting a jump on me. Hands in the drops, standing on my pedals, I sprinted with everything I had left. I knew she was right there, but crossed the line, maybe a bike length ahead. After shaking hands, we pulled around to see the pack finish – A-M bounded up the hill to take 3^rd, and Rachel 4^th. Kate also finished top-10. All-in-all a strong finish for Team SCE.

Having our team win the individual and team GC was one of the most exciting moments of the season. We worked hard, studied our competition, made strategic attacks, and – most of all – worked together to pull it all off. Everyone contributed uniquely to the weekend’s success. The wins were the icing on the cake, but the feeling of racing as a team was the most exciting aspect of this whole experience. I may have had the fortune of wearing the yellow jersey, but I know for a fact that we all earned it. It is an honor – and a heck of a lot of fun – to race with these women.

Many thanks to Mike Briggs for these photos. Check out his website here.

JR Petsko’s Hilly Billy Roubaix is a rite of passage on our team, just like his Tour of Tucker County. It’s something you train for. It’s something you do. On June 25, Team SCE sent Stacie, Greg, and alum Aaron Bennett to the starting line. And at the last minute I decided to join them. Here’s my race report.

Hilly Billy Roubaix

June 25, 2011

All around West Virginia

You know how you get an idea in your head, and you just can’t shake it? It’s this thing that keeps gnawing at you, even though the logic side of your brain says “No, don’t be silly.” Well, for me, Hilly Billy Roubaix (HBR) was just that. You see Hilly Billy Roubaix is crazy. It is. It is just “stupid fun,” as JR, the promoter, says. It is a 70 mile bike race on the back “roads” of West Virginia, on which several I could never drive my car. These roads have climbs, gravel, mud, streams, craters, fallen trees. I mean it is INSANE.

Months ago, when I was training and planning on racing a ton this summer, I had planned on doing the Ohio crits this weekend. So at that time HBR was off the table, not even a thought. Then, real life got in the way of training, so the crits were now not really an option. Not having ridden consistently much in the past month or so, HBR should have been off the table too. In fact it was, till I started seeing JR’s viral marketing campaign on Facebook with photos, and kept hearing teammates talk about it. The little voice in my head telling me to do HBR got a little louder. Then, last week, I saw cyclists race across America in RAAM. They were doing something incredible, pushing themselves to the limits, and in that moment, I was completely inspired to do something (although on a different scale from RAAM) to also push my body to its limits too. Besides, if you gotta get back in shape, no time like the present (to ride a 70 mile backroads race in WV). And last but not least, my ‘mates and friends were totally fired up about this race, so I just

wanted to go to the party too.

I made this decision on Thursday night, and registered at 7:58PM, 2 minutes before registration closed. I spent Thursd

ay evening contemplating which bike (as all HBR racers do). This race is a crazy race on which you could ride

completely different bikes, and over which cyclists will spend hours debating the what and why of their choices.

At the risk of oversimplifying, the choice comes down to racing a heavier mountain bike with skinny tires (which helps in the technical sections with craters, mud, gravel and such), or a lighter cyclocross bike with fatter tires (which gives racers the advantage over paved road sections and smooth dirt sections). My choice was between my Trek Portland, making changes to it to turn it from commuter into a cross beast, or the Turner Flux full suspension mountain bike, with appropriate adaptations. I hadn’t ridden the Portland in over a year. I had been riding the mountain bike (albeit for much shorter distances) a lot lately, and with the Seven Springs 24 hour race on our team’s to do list (Holy smokes – I have my work cut out for me, but that is for another blog on another day), this long race would help me become one with this bike. So the mountain bike it would be! I brought the bike into Todd at ProBikes, and they hooked me up with summer race tires and Ergon grips, shortened the handlebars, and gave her a little tune. I locked out the forks, and she was ready for this race. It was quite beautiful. I knew my bike was race ready, even if my body wasn’t.

On Friday, the night before the race, I was completely amped up. It was tough to focus on work that day, but in the afternoon did manage to get some work in the lab done. Got home from work at 9PM, and started to mentally pack/prepare for the next day. Team kit? Check. Perpetuem, Hammer Gel, Endurolytes? Check. (Nutrition would be KEY for this race as those who bonk have a hard time surviving to the end.) To be honest, I really couldn’t sleep. I wasn’t nervous (although I probably should have been), just excited to ride my bike, and – most of all – see my teammates and friends again. I really missed my bike friends. Out of character for me, I did not look at the race course map, did not tape the milage markers for certain climbs to my top tube. Nope, this would be a take-every-climb-and-obstacle-as-it-comes type race. I had no idea how I’d feel on my mountain bike for that distance, so my goal was just to finish this thing.

Saturday morning included the pre-race ritual with a huge breakfast – pancakes, eggs with broccoli, blueberries, just a half cup of coffee and water. Enjoyed breakfast with Sharon, and we carpooled down to the race, each of us pumped up and sharing pre-race stories. And of course we (even as newbies on the scene) had our discussion over bike choices and adaptations (tires, bars, etc) for this race. We arrived about 30min prior to the race, and quickly got ready. Starting line was like a reunion with teammates and bike friends – great to see everybody again. Then, before you knew it, the race was off.

As we descended the first portion of the race on the paved roads, I went around a very small puddle. My teammate Greg laughed at me and said, “PG, by the time you’re done with this race, you’ll see why I’m laughing. That is nothing compared to what comes.” He was correct. The “roads” that followed were insane. As we descended gravel roads, traversed dirt and water-filled craters, and mud, I soon learned what my mountain bike

was capable of. Seriously if you trust in that bike, it can do a TON of things that would crush my road bike. So cool. For some of the race, I was lucky to ride with Stacie and MJ – honestly I didn’t believe I was keeping up with them even for this long, as they are super fit and super skilled on these roads.

I also met Tricia Lewis, super racer who lives in Morgantown, and was riding her mountain bike with the fork locked out as well.  So as we were riding mostly at the same pace, we buddied up and rode this beast of a race together.

When I say ride together, I have to give her props. It was definitely awesome riding with a buddy to experience this all with someone. At one point after the unofficial aid station, I started to cramp. Just started, but almost out of Endurolytes (salt replacement) I had to slow down. Thank goodness I didn’t full-on cramp. They subsided (fortunately this has not ever happened to me on the bike). I told Tricia to go on, but she waited up – so awesome. We rode the crazy potholes, and I would follow her lines through technical stuff, as she was the more experienced mountain biker, and excellent at picking good lines. When I followed her, I made it through. When I chose my own path, would lose momentum and get stuck in mud. That is the difference (well one of the differences) between a skilled mountain biker and a novice. So glad I had her to help show me the ropes.

I forged my first stream on the bike. Yet something else new on this rig. I first got up to the edge and stopped, but I saw people ride through it, so I backed up the bike, got on and pedal-pedal-pedal (feet under the water at the bottom of each pedal stroke) made it across in up the muddy bank onto the other side (SOOOO COOL). “So this bike really can do anything,” I thought.

We kept saying we felt like we were on an adventure, because it was just that beautiful. There are many places in West Virginia that you may only ever see from these country roads, and that is one thing that is truly awesome about this race. The climbs had awesome payoffs – from ridge line roads with gorgeous panoramic views of rolling farmland, to dense canopies and beautiful forest (even a forested canyon at one point), it was awesome. We loved the race course where it took a turn right past the “road closed” sign by the coal mine. And ate up the fun descents (the payoffs for the climbs) after some of the toughest climbs I have done.

JR planned a perfect race, complete with amazing volunteers at aid stations to refuel water, grab a sandwich, or whatever you needed (and had put into your goodie bag). We also enjoyed the unofficial aid station by Kate and Greta, where you could have a jello shot (didn’t though I was tempted), or a nice slice of the best tasting watermelon in the entire world ever ever (did).

After the last aid station, we continued on pavement, but knew there was a final tough climb coming. And we met it head on at around mile 62 or 63 or so. It started on pavement then a switchback onto dirt/gravel with ridges and leaves and mud. At two points I chose wrong and got stuck in the mud, forcing a dismount and walking a few yards to a level/firm spot to remount the bike. Got on though, caught up to Tricia, and we wove our way through these craters and mud – SO FUN. This is the kind of fun that you shout out Woo hoo! and – in the spirit of Hilly Billy – Yee haw! like a kid because you just can’t help it.

At around mile 65 or so, admittedly we started feeling ready to be done. It had been a long race, and we were wondering if it would really be 70 miles, or longer. If 70, we thought we would make an unofficial goal of under 7 hours. If over 70, it’d be tough. The official goal was to finish that bad boy, and we were definitely going to do that. Then, in the distance we saw the light posts at Mylan Park. Then came the final climb.

As we approached the chute to the finish line, we rode side-by-side, finishing together, after having raced an awesome adventure together. I was so pumped, teetering on emotional, and just so excited to see Coach Suzanne, Greg, Kate and Stacie. Huge hugs to teammates and my new bike buddy Tricia. WE ALL MADE IT!!! Everyone hung out, cheered for the next riders to come in, and just feasted on pizza, beer, and more. Good times with good people. What an incredible day! On days like these I felt like I was really living life.

Many thanks to JR and Gina for a spectacular event. Thanks to the volunteers for keeping us alive. And thanks to all my ‘mates and friends who inspired me to do something crazy this weekend.

Ride fast and have fun!

Facts about Hilly Billy Roubaix:

Distance – 70 miles

Time on course (per my Garmin) – 7:00:20

Total elevation gain – 8,369 feet

Calories burned – 6,507

Fun had on the course – Immeasurable

While most of our race reports cover our own race efforts, it is important to know that Team SCE supports local racing off the bike as well. From organizing clinics to supporting and putting on races, our teammates show up on “off days” to just pitch in and help out. Read about Kate’s Tucker race report from this year, where she may have learned some tips for her awesome unofficial aid station at Hilly Billy.

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I completed the ABRA Tour of Tucker County two years ago.  I told the race promoter, JR Petsko, that I would never race it again but I would volunteer if he needed people to marshall the course.  JR took me up on that offer.

JR needed a wheelman, er wheelwoman, for the category 3/4 race.  I figured that my Subaru Forester could hold a couple wheels.  Racers being racers, many preferred to have their own wheels.  I envisioned carrying about ten wheels, however, I ended up fitting almost 30 wheels in my car!  I realized after the steep descent to the beginning line that I would have quite a day.  Even before the race started, a racer needed a wheel.  Once the race started, I tried to maintain a certain distance from the racers.  I just had to get close, though, when two horses ended up riding alongside the riders.  I managed to snap a couple of pictures of a rider reaching out to touch the horses.  The  horses probably rode alongside the guys for over a mile. It was an amazing sight to see.  Later on,  I ended up untangling two guys who crashed on the descent and helped another rider change a wheel.   I also picked up one of the guys who previously crashed because he was too injured to continue on.  I drop dropped him off with our coach and go-to race doctor, Suzanne.  I then followed the guys on the second lap and slowly made my way up the last and most difficult hill of the race. I picked up another rider who could not finish the climb.

I have to say that while I prefer to race the races, it feels good to help out occasionally.

9 Hours of Cranky Monkey

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Rocky Gap State Park

Flintstone, MD

The team is super stoked at how Stacie “Bulldog” Truszkowski has found a passion in mountain bike racing. She rides and races because it is “just fun,” and she tears it up fearlessly on the trails. Read her first MTB race report from Cranky Monkey.

When i started mountain biking in the fall i just thought it would be a fun alternative to riding on the road.  Well after going to Seven Springs and watching the 24 hour race I soon changed my mind.  I thought “i want to do this” and quickly my Double D JR Pretsko partner said we should do it next year as a duo.  NO WAY was my response.  Well after that he began searching for a race for us to do that wasn’t a 24 hour race.  He searched and searched and came up with Cranky Monkey 9 hour race.  We figured it would be a good place for us to start.

All i needed to start was a bike.  Well with the help of SO many people, most importantly Travis Saler and Michelle Johnson and Probikes i began to put together my girl Roxy!  She’s just fab and i love her and the adventures we have already had!

Anyways i begin to ride her as much as possible.  Take her up to Big Bear with JR to get me out there and comfortable on as many different trails as possible.

So the weekend comes and i head up to JR’s, pack and i do mean pack his car and head up or over to Rocky Gap State Park.  We sent up camp (yes my first camping experience) then head out to test the course.  Was good for most of it UNTIL…. a small rocky area. I know to most of you it wasn’t a problem, but remember i haven’t even been riding a year in the woods yet.

I was a bit unnerved about this section and a bit grumpy the rest of the ride.  JR wanted to take me back out but i wasn’t feeling it and didn’t want to tire myself out but the girls were heading out and thought I’d try to watch them and how they handled it.  Thank you Lauren, Heidi and Amanda!!  Probably shouldn’t have ridden it again, but did feel a bit better about the section after i watched them and other riders navigate the area.

So here it is, race day!! YIKES!! I’m the one doing the run to the start and am reminded by Don Powers that i need a goal.  Well seriously i just want to finish this damn thing in one piece!  But i decide i want my laps to be under an hour.  So here we go, i take off, jersey loaded down and have to run with my hands on my back to keep everything from spilling out.  I get to the bike and take off.  Hit the hill and get ready to hit the woods but there’s a big pile up (which is why i started the race, so JR could avoid this) so i get in there asap.  Try to get into a groove and just go as i can.  Nothing major happens, hit the rock gander and realize that by taking it at a moderate pace i get further on it each time i hit the area.  I come in around 58 minutes.  YAY i survived!  JR AKA the best partner ever takes two laps his first and second time out.  My second wasn’t as uneventful as my first.  I started cramping and didn’t know if i was going to have to walk my bike out of the woods.  I just had to calm down a bit and take it as i could.  Half way through i began to feel better and picked up my speed a bit.  Was still able to finish under an hour but knew i needed some serious down time.  JR again took a double lap and i rested a bit more.  Third lap was MUCH better and i felt strong - still under an hour.  Came in and was told JR was done with double laps and all i could think was i can’t let him down and was told I’d only have to go out one more time anyway.  So here i go on my last lap.  I could feel myself slowing and not having any control to pick up the pace.  Just keep the legs moving was all i could tell myself, and i did.  Was passed by a few guys on the single track, one even flipped over his handle bars, not funny but hhe came flying up and just took to the hill side and lost contol.  I gave as much room as i could without stopping myself.  I finished just over an hour on the last lap but i finished.

JR and i finished fifth – thanks to him busting his butt!! YAY team Double D!!  We finished and came in fifth!!  PODIUM for us!!! Still feel i have so much to learn, like taking more chances.  It’s just dirt and hey what’s another black and blue mark?!
So next up for me is 6 Hours Of Power with teammate Kate.  I’m so excited for her and her first mtn bike race.  I hope i can be half the teammate JR was to me!!