Race to Anyplace

February 25, 2012

Steel Tower, Pittsburgh PA

The Steel City She-Ra’s returned for our second RATP, and this year came back to defend our title as queen of the spin bikes. Let’s just say a year has a way of healing – or making one forget – the pain from spinning a bike at high cadence on no resistance for several 15 minute rounds. And this year on team SCE we had 3 newbies to the competition, new to the fun, joy, and the, um pain afterwards. We raced 215.6 miles in 6 hours. We danced, sang, cheered, and laughed for most of those 6 hours.

Rachel Weaver, returning She-Ra, encapsulates the event:

…and after the pain I felt after last years event, I swore I’d never do it again.  My teammates have a way of talking me into things plus since it was for a good cause, it was the right thing to do.  This year’s was more exciting as we had a few more women’s teams than we did last year and we have five riders to share the work instead of four like last year.  It was a close race again this year but we managed to pull out another “W”!  I had a great time with my teammates and it was fun competing against the other ladies.  I was still sore for nearly a week, but – no doubt – I’ll be back again next year.

In a word, this event was a ton of fun. I don’t know a single person who did it that day who could walk without pain, or sit without pain, or breathe without pain. But everyone seemed to enjoy the camaraderie that comes from totally destroying oneself on a bike with all your friends all for a good cause. At the end of the day, the event raised a TON of money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and well, the whole thing was just really cool.

Many thanks to our friends for donating to the She-Ras, as well as coming out for the pushup contest fundraiser a few weeks before the event. We had a ton of fun, and look forward to doing it all again next year!

While this was a great season for many SCE athletes, the season that stands out in most of our minds is that of Stacie “Bulldog” Truszkowski. She literally tore it up on the mountain bike and cross bike, making it fun for her teammates to celebrate her successes. Read her end-of-season report about her path to the State Championship!

Bulldog’s 2011 Cross Season Recap

Signed up for my first mountain bike of the season last week and it made take a look back at how far I’ve come on knobby tires over the last year.

As the road season came to an end last year I took some time off to just ride my bike. I knew the ‘cross season had already started for some people, I just wasn’t ready to start it myself.

The first race of the year for me was kick off cross.  It was the day after my birthday and was really unsure if I’d even be doing the race. I definitely give in to peer pressure when it comes to racing, so I was talked into doing this race and hesitantly signed up before pre-reg closed.  On the way to the race I wasn’t feeling so optimistic due to a later night then I’d hoped for the night before, but I still knew I just had to give my all.  The conditions were muddy and I think it was snowing. The competition was tough:  MJ, Mika and The Swan were all there so I knew this was gonna be a tough race. To my surprise my legs responded well to the conditions and handled the mud pretty well. MJ was breathing down my neck the entire race and made me work probably the hardest of all the races this season! I was able to hold them all off and took my first “W” ever!  I got the win.  What a great feeling it was!  Oh happy day!  My only thoughts after the race, besides just taking in my win was that my month or so off the road bike and just playing on the mountain bike must’ve worked.

After this race there was pretty much a race every weekend. I continued to feel strong and just kept doing what I was doing. Riding mountain bikes on most days, going to ‘cross practice on Tuesdays (thank you, Chris Mayhew) and just having fun with it. As the race season went on and my winning streak continued I liked that I could pre-ride a course and know if it suited me or not. I was enjoying the more technical races as opposed to the flat and fast. Also JR had put in some run ups in the races and was taking advantage of that by trying to get in at least one run during the week on the trails at Frick. All in all, I was just going with my season the way I wanted, just enjoying it no matter the outcome.

I was encouraged more than once to Cat up from a 4 to a 3, but I had my eye on the series and wanted to finish what I started. As it got closer to the end of the season there was talk of me going to States and really finish the season off the right way. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do because I did want to “cat up,” and maybe make a few of the last races as a Cat 3. After some back-and-forth it was decided that I’d head to states with Greta and Rob who had already planned on making the trip. We stayed at Rob’s parents’ house and had our dinner at a local pub in walking distance from the Riddell’s house. I tried to mimic all my day before rituals without trying too hard. I had a beer with dinner and just tried to relax and not be so nervous. It wasn’t working. I would be racing with ladies I never raced before, I didn’t know their strengths or weaknesses. I kept telling myself, as always, that I just had to do my own race.

The next day, we arrived at the race and saw Gerry Pflug who had just pre-ridden the course. To my worst fears he said it was not a course that I would enjoy – flat and fast.  I like a bit more of a technical course and this was not that kinda course.  I got myself together, cheered on Rob for his race and decided it was time to check the course out. As I pre-rode the course I tried to look at course while riding it, looking for the best line and how to take turns and such. We headed to the starting line. Seemed like a pretty good size field as all women lined up together.  We were given our instructions and we were off.  At I start I reminded myself as I do in every race – don’t start too fast, catch your breath then catch the riders. I had a really good start and found myself close to the front of the pack.  That’s not normally how I start my race and almost started to panic. It usually takes me a bit to settle in, so I just tried to keep riding and stayed in this pack that had formed. We immediately saw that there were a few that just took off and I still found myself mid-pack and was okay with that. I got myself around a few ladies who we were playing the cat and mouse game. We were back and forth most of the race. We each had our strengths and weaknesses. I was good on the hills and technical parts and they were good on the flat section – which there were way more of!  I finished the race feeling that I had given it my all and for being in a Cat 3/4 race was pretty happy with how I did! I may not have won the race but I was the first from PA and for that I became the Pennsylvania State Champ!

I totally exceeded my expectations for the year I had in ‘cross.  My only hope is that I can improve in both ‘cross and mountain bike races for this year to come.

February Fitness Festival

February 12, 2012 at ProBikes

It turns out that there might not be anyone tougher than a Steel City She-Ra, but together, Team SCE and friends joined together to “out-tough” cancer. Team Steel City Endurance would like to thank our friends for coming out to the first annual February Fitness Festival at ProBikes. Held in the brand new spin studio, such awesome participation made this event officially a success! People don’t really think of cyclists as “push up types,” but maybe that’s what made all of this even more fun. Held as a fundraiser to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on behalf of our Race to Anyplace Team, SCE team members welcomed 22 competitors and even more fans cheering them on as they put down some pushups in the name of fighting cancer. In total we raised over $345 for the day, going a long way to our goal for the Race to Anyplace.

AM counts and Nate keeps going and going and going

Competitors had to do as many pushups as they could in one minute. On the men’s side, it was neck-and-neck between Nate Clair and Tim Mould, with Tim taking the top spot on the podium. Coming in a close third was Don Powers.

The women’s event was definitely the most exciting competition of the day as Stacie and Kristen tied not once but TWICE, mandating not one but TWO push-up offs. At first pass, they each had 58 pushups, which then went to 62 in the push-up off. In the second tie-breaker, the women held a plank with elbows at 90 degrees until only one was left standing. It took 1min and 14 seconds for Stacie “Bulldog” Truszkowski to survive.

Final Tie-Breaker

Special thanks to Brooks Broadhurst for donating the Eat ‘N Park Smiley cookies and gift cards for to the winners. Also thank you Sue Falvey for  judging the contest and demonstrating the TRX, and Todd and ProBikes for supporting our event.

Finally, major props to all who came out and showed great spirit in putting down some push-ups for our cause. So awesome – we are proud of all of you.

Official Results (protest period is now over)

Men

Tim Mould – 60

Nate Clair – 57

Don Powers – 53

Jay Downs – 51

Eric Lundgren – 46

Rick Plowman – 40

Rachel announcing the winners

Dustin “Dust Bomb” Wehler – 40

Shawn Geiger – 35

Michael A – 34

JR Petsko – 31

Paul – 29

Floodsie – 23

Women

Stacie – 62, 1min 14sec

Kristen – 62

PG – 50

The 2 strongest people of the day!

Lauren M – 46

Rachel Weaver – 42

Kate Bennett -41

Amanda – 35

Suzanne – 35

Stephanie – 33

Jackie – 22

Men's Podium

Tough stuff all around

Tim showing his moves on the TRX with Sue Falvey

Come find out today at the February Fitness Festival at ProBikes!

February 12,2012

1-4PM

ProBikes, Squirrel Hill

Come measure your fitness metrics, do some pushups, for the the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!

Hope to see you there!

Although race season 2011 is behind us, it does not mean SCE team members are not working out and having fun in the off season. While the holidays were a time to “take it down a notch” and get caught up in some welcome rest and relaxation, the men’s and women’s team also began gearing up for the 2012 season by reuniting and starting team workouts.

On the women’s side, team members returned to the studio of core torture with friend and awesome trainer, Sue Falvey. Each week, she continues to make “our pain her pleasure,” and help us get ready for the upcoming season on the roads, trails, and, well even a little friendly pushup contest. The girls also meet weekly to climb cathedral stairs and such, finding plenty of ways to beat the winter.

On the men’s side, the team has been meeting regularly with Coach on Thursday evenings in the new upstairs spin studio at ProBikes. An hour of power with Suzanne and some rocking tunes has been a way to beat the dark, cold and snowy days.

PG, Coach, and Rachel at Core 'N More with Sue Falvey

Finally, although there is snow on the ground, it does not mean that SCE athletes are staying off their bikes. Quite the contrary, fresh snow for some means skiing, but for most of us on SCE it means MOUNTAIN BIKING! Meanwhile on the milder days, team members Anne-Marie, Stacie, and PG enjoyed getting major base miles and riding with local legend, Danny Chew. No matter the time of year, race season or not, if you look on the roads or trails you probably a Steel City team member on 2 wheels. Looking forward to the 2012 season.

December Ride with Danny Chew

Big news items for Team SCE – Stacie wins STATE! Rachel takes 4th in MABRA ‘Cross Series!

Call it another successful season for SCE athletes!

Team Steel City Endurance is proud of our cyclocross athletes, Stacie Truszkowski and Rachel Weaver, for their accomplishments this past cyclocross season. After an incredible Fall mouton bike and cross season at home, Stacie went to the PA State championships, and BECAME the Women’s Category 4 State Cyclocross champion. Note to fans and followers, she is now a – quite formidable – Cat 3 racer, taking 2nd in her first Cyclocross race the following week!

Meanwhile on the East Coast, Rachel finished the Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association (MABRA) series taking 4th overall in the Women’s Cat 3/4 Cyclocross Series. Solid finishes (9 top ten finishes in her season!) capped off a solid and consistent season of representing Pittsburgh out east.

Team Steel City is proud of our teammates for representing us in our state and region. Congratulations, Women!

This past week Steel City Endurance Bicycle racing team, sponsors, and friends gathered at ProBikes in the Squirrel Hill of Pittsburgh, PA to celebreate our 4th year of racing. While putting together a short list of season highlights I realized (once again), what an incredible group of dedicated and talented cyclists we have, along with sponsors who have been with us since Day #1.

The team’s accomplishments are many, but here are the highlights, starting with the incredible Women’s Racing Squad, now in their 4th year of racing, and comprised of Cat 3 & 4 road & cyclocross racers.

Women’s Team

While our website activity has been quiet, Steel City racers certainly have not. After Labor Day, Stacie Truszkowski and Rachel Weaver have been competing successfully race after race – on the trails on on the cyclocross courses – throughout September and October. To be honest, the Fall has been the Stacie and Rachel show on our team, as they consistently have been racing back-to-back weekend races. We’re super proud of our teammates for taking the Steel City colors to Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the DC area.

In the West, Stacie has been balancing her time between the ABRA cyclocross series and Month of Mud series. Meanwhile, Rachel has taken her cyclocross bike mainly East, putting in several strong showings among big women’s 3/4 fields.

Here are some highlights from their races:

September 17-18, 2011 - Stacie rocked out 4th place in her first sport MTB race at Brady’s Run, while Rach represented 2 days straight in huge fields at Charm City Cross, taking a top 20 spot on Sunday.

October 1-2 - Stacie wins back-to-back cyclocross races, with a Saturday win at ABRA Kickoff Cross Women’s Cat 4, then a 2nd W on a muddy Sunday in the first Month of Mud cyclocross race.

October 8-9 - Steel City was out in numbers today at MOM at North Park. Stacie took Congrats again took 3rd , and was joined in this race by Greg Flood, Dustin Wehler, and Patty George. Meanwhile Rachel Weaver tore it up our East, taking 6th at Hyattsville Cx!

October 16 - Stacie took another WIN at ABRA Morgantown Monster Cross.

October 22-23 - Big weekend for women’s cyclocross racing – Stacie again with the win at Bruceton Mills on Saturday, and Rachel finishing TOP 10 in a big, fast field at DCCx on Sunday! Stacie rocked out a super fast time at the MOM Super D mountain bike race on Sunday and taking 2nd place, missing 1st by less than one minute – 2nd day, 2nd podium.

Make sure you keep following our teammates on Facebook and here on our website. October and November are going to be a lot of fun as MOM winds down, and cross continues to heat up.

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.