Harbin Park cross practices to start in one week!

Wednesday, August 8 will be our first cyclo-cross practice at Harbin Park in Cincinnati. That’s 1.5 weeks from now! They will be every Wednesday from Aug 8 until daylight savings.

Typically in years’ past what’s been happening has been we’ve set up shorter 3-4 minute loops around the park using a lot of the UCI race sections. After a couple of warm up laps, we’ve done various intervals using the loop. Everybody starts together, and after the interval rest enough to get everyone ready for the next one. One to two sections of dismounts are out on the course.

Also in years’ past there wasn’t a whole lot of instruction for beginners. We are looking to change that this year. We have partnered with Fulcrum Coaching’s Dan Tille this year to have 1/2 hour of instruction for beginners available each week starting at 6:30. Those wanting instruction will be taken through proper dismount and remount for barriers, turns, starts, and equipment tips. From there they can jump into some of the course work with everyone.

For the seasoned vets, we will begin the first interval right at 6:30. Please get to the park at 6 to get warmed up and ready to go. We’ll meet in the same place at the north parking lot.

The most we’ve seen at practice is around 30 - let’s try and break some records this year. It’d be great to see 40-50 this year. Bring some newbs along this year!

And don’t forget about the great clinic coming up Sept 15th in the area by one of this country’s premier cyclo-cross coaches, John Verheul.

If anyone has any questions or suggestions dealing with Wednesday nights, feel free to email me off-list.

Hope to see you out there,
Mitch
BioWheels

Single Speeding the ORAMM

The ’07 ORAMM may have been the most fun race I’’ve participated in to date. Let’s see, long all day course, check, long killer climbs, yes, long bone rattling descents, of course! I usually fair better at longer races because my body is riddled with “slow twitch” muscles. Sadly, this isn’t very helpful for your average XC race but any thing over 3 hours I seem to perform better. I had pre-ridden the course a couple of times and had my strategy planned; take it easier at the beginning, force myself to stop at all the aid stations to stretch and refuel and save myself for the long 9 mile climb up Curtis Creek Road. I’’ve been doing a lot of longer rides and I had been feeling the fastest that I have ever felt on the bike. I was getting really psyched and there was a fair amount of good natured smack talking going on in the shop the days before the race.

I had gotten all my gear ready the night before, got up early on race day to force down some early morning cereal and tea. Driving out to Old Fort I was feeling a sense of peace as the beautiful morning sunrise welcomed me to a fun filled day of riding my bike in the woods with 450 of my closest friends. I arrived at the venue, said my hellos, got registered, and geared up quickly. Shortly after we began to line up at the starting area.

And what a start it was as 450 riders lined up to begin what was for some an all day ride on some of the best single track our area has to offer. I had no delusions of grandeur on this day. My goal was simple, to finish in less than 7 hours without blowing myself up in the process. There was no need to go big in the start and while it was fun drafting behind the riders with gears for awhile I let a sea of riders go past me on the pavement. I knew I would see most of them later on the climbs. I was riding with Kris K, and Eli Day for a good portion of the road but soon I had to let those guys go chasing a faster group.

For what seemed like forever we finally turned onto Mill Creek Road a fairly tame dirt road climb that took us to a surprise portion of single track. Ah, finally some actually trail to ride on. Unfortunately I was behind a train of people walking their bikes up a hike a bike section and we all followed suit. There was some groaning coming from behind me, “get on your bikes or run!” – I quickly reminded that person that we had a lot of racing to go still and none of us were in contention for first place anyway! Chill out. We finally got back on our bikes and were enjoying the first small single track descent of the day that took us up to the top of Mill Creek and on to Kitsuma.

Like most people I was concerned about the climb up Kitsuma as there were so many people in front of and behind me. Going up was slow work. I reminded myself to be patient as a lot of people were simply working way too hard this early in the ride. I watched as some people made vain attempts at passing people only to get stuck behind the next rider. We reached the first descent and I could see that this is where we were separating the skilled riders from the not so skilled. I had to get off at one point because there was a bottle neck of people who had fallen off their bikes. I quickly got past them and found some relief as I was chasing a faster group hauling down the mountain side. I caught them quickly but couldn’t make a move on the narrow single track so I decided to holler out to them instead. “Get off the brakes they’re only slowing you down!” “That’s completely ride able, don’t stop!” – I thought it was funny but I could tell by their glances that not everyone agreed with me.

At the bottom of Kitsuma we set out for another lengthy venture onto the road again. This time we would pass Mill Creek and continue to the trail head of Heartbreak. I saw the first aid station and as my plan stated I stopped to refuel and get off the bike for just a minute. In the past I had made the mistake of blowing through aid stations in similar events only to cramp up badly later. This is not something I wanted to happen to me on this day. I watched as many riders rode past me and I simply let them go knowing that I would see many of them later.

Continue reading Single Speeding the ORAMM…

3rd Annual Caesars Creek OMBC coming August 19th!

Three more weeks until the year’s biggest off-road race in Cincinnati - the Caesars Creek OMBC. The course is being run in reverse from last year - or the same as two years ago. Here’s the new course map:

Caesar’s Creek has consistently been the most popular trail system in the Cincinnati-Columbus-Dayton area for years, and had topped the polls of parks that folks wanted to have a race at. Logistically it has always been easier to hold races at the beginner-level 50 Springs area of the park, which is what we’ve seen since the Julie’s race back in 1997 (which used Suicide Hill!). The start and finish of the OMBC race will be at a small park, Hatton-Luken, off of Harveysburg Rd, and utilizes all the trails we’ve come to know and love within the park.

http://media.biowheels.org/photos/L/00005339.jpg

2007 French Broad Classic

The 2007 FBCC was a great event as usual. Like every year this event draws large fields in all categories. The talent that comes to town for the weekend easily rivals other prestigious races in the southeast. The field sizes alone speak for themselves!

For the first year (that I can remember) BioWheels team members made an appearance in the GC for the omnium. The total number of team members over the weekend was 7 including: Adam Ray, Chris Emory, Mike Jackson, Andy Pooser, and Zach Bannow for Cat 3., Daniel Crone Cat. 4, and Kyley Cross wm. Cat. 4. For various reasons, only Kyley, Adam, and Chris completed the entire omnium. However, everyone had a fun time doing what they could to help out the 3 GC contenders.

This was Kyley’s first road race. So it was also her first Omnium. I know guys who have been racing for several years that have yet to race 2 days in a row, let alone 3! In the TT she held her own finishing up 15th. Not bad considering the lack of aero equipment. In the road race she stayed in the main group to lead out the sprint taking 11th respectively. I saw her passing bottles in the afternoon for our Cat 3 mens race, Thanks! For sundays crit she got dropped from the lead group, not being used to the speed of crits. But she hung tuff to stay in the race and worked with the group she was in to finish 15th, for an overall omnium finish of 17th. Nice!

BioWheels had only 1 rider in the Cat. 4 races. Daniel Crone road his first TT with only clip on aero bars and an aero helmet to finnish 20th in a huge field. For a natural climber like Dan, this was a very impressive placing. Continue reading 2007 French Broad Classic…

Hot Doggett 100/Metric Century Boasts Epic Climbs

BioWheels had another strong showing at a local event with the Hot Doggett 100 and Metric Century.  Century Events have come to play an important part in the western North Carolina cycling community.  They bring together the full spectrum riders, from recreational to professional, to test their limits and have a lot fun.  Hot Doggett is quickly becoming one of the locals’ favorites in an area that has a lot of these types of rides. Doggett is only in its second year and as it becomes more established, should rival popular events like the Hilly Hellacious and Blood Sweat and Gears.  The ride begins and ends in Mars Hill and showcases the best this area has to offer. That is, of course, beautiful scenery and climbing.  Doggett has lots and lots of both.  Epic climbs like Sam’s Gap, Grape Vine (metric only), Doggett Mountain (100 only), Devil’s Fork, and Murray Mountain make for two of the most challenging routes around.

BioWheels was well represented at the event with at least eight riders between the two rides.  It was a beautiful, hot summer day and good day to be in the mountains riding. Three of us, including myself, missed the start time of the century. There was some confusion about the start time and some exploding tubes (my fault). When Eric Krause, Jeremy Hargrove, and myself rode up to the starting line the 100-mile riders had been gone for 17+ minutes. Only Matt Rice, Andy Pooser, and Mike Jackson had set out on time. Eric and Jeremy decided to chase on to the group and I decided to ride the Metric, which left a half hour after the 100. Jeremy had an awesome ride and was able to catch well over 50% of the field and finished with Matt Rice in just under 6 hours.

Continue reading Hot Doggett 100/Metric Century Boasts Epic Climbs…

Off-Road Assault on Mt Mitchell Coming Up July 27th!

BioWheels has always supported the Off Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell. In 2007, BioWheels expects to have over 10 jerseys out there. All in all, expect close to 400 racers. We will also be hosting an aid station. Thanks to Todd Branham for bring us this great event!
See you then!

Here is the 2002 article from BioWheels.
here is the 2006 BioWheels ORAMM Article.
Here are the 2006 ORAMM Results.
Here is the 2007 Assault on Mt. Mitchell Entry Form

2007 Fontana Dam Jam

Gone Riding’s SERC series came to Fontana Village in WNC on June 17th. Dave Berger put together a very tough course with more singletrack than we often see. Up & down, through the tight forest primeval.

‘Attrition’ was the name of the game. Humidity soared to 95% just as the second wave hit the course. In the Expert field alone, almost half the contenders skipped their 3rd lap.

14 BioWheels racers tested their mettle on the true mountain bikers course. I was glad to see that some of my teammates were able to pick up my slack. I knew early on that I had no legs for the event.

Travis fender had our best finish with a 3rd place finish in Sport 20-29. Ian Baldwin nailed down 4th place in Singlespeed with teammate Bruce Steinfurth right on his wheel. Eric Krause managed a 5th place finish in Sr. MX after 3 hard laps.

Congratulations to Gone Riding for making the 2007 Dam Jam a huge success.

2007 BioWheels Road Squad step’s it up!

BioWheels has thrown a ton of resources into growing our Cat. 3 road team.

Here is a great slideshow (shots taken by Ben Butler) as our squad hammered on the 2007 Roan Groan. Expect more road race entries from the boys, as they remember how to type this summer & fall.

Fabulous 4th Metric Century, Tryon NC

Hot, Muggy, Fast, Hilly. This years 4^th ride was another good one with Daniel, Mike, Zach, Andy, Eric, Matt, Nate (sorry if I am missing some folks) representing BioWheels
The hardest part of this ride is the lake section which is super technical, fast, lots of gravel and you are moving with a couple hundred people. The group stayed together for the majority of the ride until the Watershed climb in which all the wheels started to fall off for the majority of the riders. This event could be a race and is a great course for all abilities. Great to see so many BioWheels jerseys representing the team.