Tuesday, August 24, 2010

TNR Aug. 24th Race News, Events and More


It has been a busy two weeks. Summer continued tonight with the TNR getting modestly shorter to accommodate the already waning light. A light sprinkle before the ride dried up and created no issues for the group.


This weekend hosted three local events drawing thousands of participants to NE Wis. The Waupaca Triathlon was held in perfect conditions with 1000 racers [and about 200 kids] enjoyed great racing and a super Potato Bake. http://www.waupacaareatriathlon.com/ for results and photos. Our own Roy Stumpf had a top 10 finish and Sarah Stumpf took second overall with Deb Ernst pulling in third in her age group. Nice.
The Green Bay WORS race http://www.wors.org/news/ had some great conditions and some motivating bugs this weekend with Steve Peplinski defying his age and winning his age group and class. Too bad he was not 61 when he was forty, well done to Steve and all the local talent.
Race the Lake was this weekend. A 90 mile [more or less] around Lake Winnebago that attracted over a thousand riders and most of the "retired" Cat 1 and Pro riders from the past 15 years. The lead pack pulled in at 3:13!!!, almost 28 mph which is a blazing time for an open road course. Check out http://www.midwestsportsevents.com/ for info on this pound fest. This is turning out to be a wild speed fest in our own back yard. http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20100823/FON02/8230536/Race-the-Lake-Bike-Race-results for results and photos.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
This Saturday we are having a sidewalk sale. This is one day only and we have lots of gear ready to go. It would be a good time to see the new 2011 bikes as they are coming in as we speak.
The Cloverleaf Triathlon is Sept. 4th and is a great first time race to get your feet wet on. Close to home near Clintonville it is a fun race with no pressure. See http://www.cloverleaflakes.com/documents/Clintonville%20-%20Triatholon%2018%20mile.pdf
The Door County Century is only weeks away. The event has been overhauled with a new and better course and a whole lot more. See http://www.doorcountycentury.com/ for maps and more. Already the ride is well over last years turnout so plan on a big weekend.
Ironman Wisconsin is the same weekend, Sept 11-12, with lots of local athletes. www.ironmanwisconsin.com/
The Fat Tire Fest is coming soon after in Sept. Time to get the bikes cleaned, tuned and please; new cables BEFORE you bike stops shifting.
Lastly; September 21st marks the return of Bairds Creek Hillbounding. Sign up for and see more on our newsletter at http://www.incompetition.com/html/register.psp
Finally, Kevin Kohrman, a longtime local rider was killed this past week leading a bike ride. It was an accident and Kevin did not suffer. Kevin often came to the store and I enjoyed his knowledge and our spirited debates. He was the real deal on a bike having ridden tens of thousands of miles and having done Brevet length rides and more. He took great pleasure in riding but in other things as well. The day before he passed he came in with his grandson. His enthusiasm for him was obvious and he looked forward to rides with him as much as with anyone. We are still a little in shock over this and I just hope that we can all take away a little from this and re-double our efforts to keep riding the safe and fun sport that it is, Kevin would have wanted that.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

TNR Aug 11 Swim, Sizzle, Sweat and Western Video
















Summer is here for real. For the past several weeks we have been locked in this cycle of heat, humidity and storms. While uncomfortable it is also a great time to ride. Biking when hot is about all you can do (other than swim, more on that later) that will allow a high output with less duress.
The ride went off well with the two groups both having good solid efforts and benefiting from the warm muscles and August fitness. Bill Schneider has provided some nice Action Cam shots and Todd R. unveils his new kit over his lean Uber Bod.
Lots to report: The Point to Lapointe Swim http://www.bayfieldreccenter.com/Point_to_LaPointe_Swim.html was this past weekend. Several local swimmers did the event which means swimming from Bayfield to Madeline Island. Great water and great weather made this a fun event, that and no one drowned. See more shots at www.flikr.com/photos/incomp/ .

As you may remember we recently returned from Washington State where we took part in the Raleigh Dealer Show and now we have a video link to it. We really did ride although I found the steep and deep mountain stuff (yawn) a little tame for my blood. Check out http://raleighsummerevent.com/ and be sure and watch the DB Freestyle dudes on the third video, fearless....good.

We are looking for a serious rider who may need some physical therapy. Aurora Sport Medicine is putting on a serious rider clinic and is looking for a volunteer to get worked on/specimen/featured guest, sweet. They start in Mid Sept. Let me know if your interested.
You probably know that Lance will not be doing the WS 100 this weekend but that is no reason not to do the Ore to Shore in MQT, MI. Nice ride on some cool trails. A fast 40 before FTF. The heat is on so get on the bike. See you next week and SO2.












Tuesday, August 3, 2010

TNR 8-3-10 Sweatiful. Raleigh Dealer Preview











Great weather tonight greeted the group, great weather that is if you like 90 degrees in the shade [there is no shade] with 90 percentile humidity. This is what summer is about and if you keep your wits about you and stay hydrated, don’t go ballistic up every hill and stay out of tar traps it can be a lot of fun. For the twenty or so riders tonight it was a chance to lose some water weight and scour some unneeded rubber off their tires. We are seeing a record number of creaky bikes lately. High temps and high moisture levels form a barrier between bearing surfaces and dissimilar metals that lubricates the metal so that it “gives” forming a squeak or creak. Typically disassembly of the offending area [typically the BB or headset] and cleaning and lubing with waterproof grease cures it. Until then it is not life threatening…… until your riding partners beat you senseless for not maintaining your bike.

I am in the middle of the book ROADIE. It is a great read and is almost like looking in the mirror. I strongly recommend it. Painfully honest, funny and totally accurate it would be a great book to explain to non-riders why we ride.

Deb and I just returned from the Raleigh America Dealer Show in Cle Elum in Washington State. The beautiful Suncadia http://www.suncadiaresort.com/ resort hosted the show. In addition to first rate accommodations and food out of this world we got to ride our choice of hundreds of bikes both road and mountain. We also met with the big wigs of the oldest bike company on earth [123 years old] some highlights: Again the Di2 Dura Ace bikes were a hit. Expensive but totally cool, if you ever get the chance………Raleigh has a Single Speed, Cr-Mo BELT DRIVE 29r that got a lot of play, neat to beat and ultra quiet for those clandestine trail rides through the camp. Shimano was there with the NEW XTR 10 speed setup. Very pretty and very customizable. The new Dura Ace Carbon pedal was there, just when you thought it could not get lighter! They had a slew of internally geared urban and utility bikes which are not glamorous but very high tech and very efficient. I see one in my future.
We had dinner with the head of Raleigh who jetted in from England. Great guy who is enthusiastic out the new Pro Team they are building with hopefully a TdF bid in the next few years. All in all a great time and a great learning experience. Check out the pictures on Flikr http://www.flickr.com/photos/incomp/ and the DB Freestyle Team Riders, who are totally nuts by the way. Enjoy the heat as we go again next week. SO2