Bobber's Cross Race Weekend

I participated in three races during the Bobber's Cross series that happened over a beautiful weekend amidst the picturesque backdrop of Lake McBride, near Iowa City.  Ultimately, I took home three envelopes, so the weekend was a success with respect to my results. 

MASTER'S 35+
On Saturday, I decided to enter the first race of the day day, the Master's event, which would give me the opportunity to potentially race twice, should I feel so inclined. 

The first consideration is the course... It still amazes me how much influence the course has on the results, based on how it plays to individual strengths and weaknesses.  Saturday's course was described as a mountain-biker's course.  Essentially, you were always twisting and turning, never really getting a chance to "open it up".  There were a few sections that weaved around trees in such a tight fashion, that it would have probably been faster to simply pick the bike up and run through.  Hidden tree roots added to the challenge. 

Finishing the barricades racing along Lee Venteicher early in the Master's 35+ event.
 I seem to be giggling, as I find it hard to take jumping over hurdles too seriously.

The main obstacle was the dreaded sand pit... This was easily the longest sand trap I have ever tried to navigate by bike.  I watched as people had various degrees of success as they attempted to cross the sand without dismounting.

Good shot of the Dreaded Sand Trap

The single speed riders took off first, then they launched the 15 Master's 35+ racers in my category, followed by the 45+, then 55+ groups.  As we waited, someone mentioned that this course didn't seem to suit me... I was eager to find out if they were right, because it was very technical, without any hills or lengthy straight sections.

I tried to hit it hard from the start, but ended up in about 7th position, which seems to be my Method of Operation.  I have got to say, this course ended up being genuinely "fun".  You never could get bored because you were always contesting an obstacle.  The sand trap and subsequent barriers, were the only areas that I felt winded, it just wasn't one of those redline heart rate type courses.  The rest of the time was devoted to trying to race as smoothly as possible, and avoid making mistakes. 

Early on, I actually got my right leg caught between my rear tire and frame, as I inadvertently kicked someone during a dismount obstacle.  I lost several places, as the group was very tight for the first couple of laps, but gained an intricate scarring pattern on my shin... weird.

Eventually, I found the places on the course where I could advance, and did so accordingly.  In fact, I was in first place with only two laps to go.  There was only one guy still contesting my victory, but I had a nice gap.  He was an Italian who resided in Colorado (hmm, that is a very bike friendly demographic)... One of his buddies shouted something at him in Italian... Not sure what he said, but it must have been inspirational, because he soon found the strength to pass me.  I kept him in my sights but he had established about a 5 second gap.  I knew leading a race with someone right on your back is anxiety provoking and hoped he would crack. 

Yes! Right after the sand trap he lost control and dropped his bike.  I entered the barricades at about the same time, with only about 150 meters left to race.  He was quicker through them, unfortunately, and used that gap to beat me by about 1 second.  Dang...

RESULTS: Place Points Name City, State Time License Bib Team
1 420.10 Lucas Llado Boulder, CO 161592 132 Unattached
2 436.16 Chad Bishop Muscatine, IA 223776 130 American Equity
3 452.22 Andy Breitsprecher Ely, IA 243670 126 DICE
4 468.28 Steve Meek Davenport, IA 53946 128 Team Hammer
5 484.34 Greg Aronson Bettendorf, IA 192337 116 DICE
6 500.40 Lee Venteicher Waukon, IA 74475 3 Bikes To You/World of Bikes
7 516.46 Geoff Perrill Iowa City, IA 223955 ICCC
8 532.52 Karl Thomas Iowa City, IA 316082 119 ICCC
9 548.58 Jason Forbes Iowa City, IA 334140 103 Cross Test Dummies
10 564.64 Thaddeus Paisar North Liberty, IA 90345 129 ICCC
11 580.70 Jon Yetley Coralville, IA 160912 100 Unattached
DNF John Burkle Iowacity, IA 301651 125 Atlas Cycling
DNF Gary McNabb Iowa City, IA 212464 122 Atlas Cycling
DNF Inigo Ibarra Johnston, IA 320274 133 Scheels
DNF Michael Edwards Iowa City, IA 200222 121 Atlas Cycling

I still hadn't decided to enter the Open race yet, and waited for inspiration... There was birthday cake on the table (Happy Birthday Mark), and I thought that was the sign I needed.  I devoured a piece, yet found my desire to take a nap overwhelming.  I drove home, promising myself to return Sunday.

The calm before the storm, as riders anticipate the start of their race.

MASTER'S 35+


Fifteen riders lined up with me to contest the Master's 35+ race on Sunday.  The course had basically been reversed, however the main obstacles had been eliminated (namely the sand trap), so the course was going to have a faster feel to it than Saturday. 

I recognized Ryan Jacobsen (Atlas Cycling) in the field, noting that he has been winning nearly every Master's event he enters.  Having a fast start seems to be crucial to success in cyclocross.  Understanding this, I attempted to pop up to the front, right from the gun, but the first corner was loose with gravel, so I ended up assuming my usual position in about the 7th place.  I was in a position where I could count ahead to see where I needed to be to get an envelope, so I wasn't too panicky.

Ryan started fast and navigated the course with relative ease.  He dropped his bike during a loose gravel section where the course crosses the road, gashing open his ankle, but quickly rebounded.  Unfortunately, Louis DeWild dropped his bike there as well, giving Ryan the start of a gap that he never gave up.

Louis quickly recovered the places he lost, and gradually placed himself in a gap between the race leader and Steve Robinson... It took awhile but I clawed my way up to fourth place (yeah, the start of the envelope pay-outs), and felt content with the situation.  Steve (Zealous Racing) had an insurmountable gap on me, and I had the same gap on Greg Aronson (DICE).  I soft pedalled the last lap, as I had pre-registered for a second race that day, and was content to get 4th place against a very respectable field....

RESULTS: Place Points Name City, State Time License Bib Team

1 380.80 Ryan Jacobsen Iowa City, IA 197021 20 Atlas Cycling
2 395.74 Louis DeWild Des Moines, IA 264102 147 Rasmussens
3 410.68 Steven Robinson Des Moines, IA 213399 10 Zealous Racing
4 425.62 Chad Bishop Muscatine, IA 223776 151 American Equity
5 440.56 Greg Aronson Bettendorf, IA 192337 139 DICE
6 455.50 Anthony Thaller Marquette Heights, IL 298505 341 Little Ades
7 470.44 Steve Reynolds Pella, IA 244044 313 Zealous Racing
8 485.38 Rob Thompson Iowa City, IA 192645 135 Atlas Cycling
9 500.32 Nick Martin Iowa City, IA 213033 142 Atlas Cycling
10 515.26 Russell Buri Iowa City, IA 350374 152 Unattached
11 530.20 Jon Yetley Coralville, IA 160912 100 Unattached
12 545.14 Jason Forbes Iowa City, IA 334140 103 Cross Test Dummies
13 560.08 John Burkle Iowacity, IA 301651 125 Atlas Cycling
14 575.02 Steve Fry Des Moines, IA 225422 145 Unattached
15 589.96 Jack Piper Burlington, IA 130591 146 Atlas Cycling
 
CAT 3/4
 
Steve Robinson started giving me crap right off the bat for sand-bagging by entering the Cat 3/4 race.  His taunts may have been justified, however, as I technically am a Cat 2 on the road, and could have requested an upgrade based on this. However, I only raced one Cross event last year, so really didn't feel like I had earned a Category 2 Cross license. I also reminded myself of all the other Cat 2 roadies I have seen enter the Cat 3/4 races this year.  Additionally, the Open event that day seemed to be loaded with heavy hitting Cyclo Cross all stars from Iowa City, so wasn't feeling all that inspired to try and hang onto some of those wheels... at least not today...  I think more people would enter the Open events if they paid back a little deeper than 5 spots...

View of the some of the twisting sections.

Regardless,  I lined up with a rather large field of 30 experienced cyclo-cross racers all motivated to earn a favorable result.  The race started fast and I was further back in the field than I was comfortable with.  After the first lap, I was still lingering in about the 7th place with not many places on the course where I could advance my position.  There was a lot of single-track type racing throughout the course.  In fact, there were only 2 or 3 sections that I could pass people.  I found a rhythm, and basically passed one person per lap, as I had to bide my time while I waited for the course to present an opportunity to pass. 
 
Eventually I made it up to the second position, and could see the leader within striking distance.  He was wearing a zoom performance kit (Alex Libin), and some of the hecklers questioned the situation "Are you going to let a triathlete beat you?"  I love hecklers because they make the event more engaging.  The things they say get stuck in your head sometimes.  Unfortunately, I couldn't gain any ground on Alex,  he seemed to be racing at exactly the same rate as I was...  Jesse Leonard  (DICE/Iowa State University)was right on my tail, creating a very intense racing experience... I had to keep very focused.
 
Alex did wipe out, however, at that same loose gravel spot that had been giving people problems all day.  It wasn't enough, as I ended up finishing second, about 10 or 15 seconds back...
 
I vow not to enter another Cat 3/4 event, as I now feel confident that I am approximately a Cat 2 level Cyclo-cross rider.  I will upgrade accordingly in 2012, as not to be tempted...

Hmm, I have finished 2nd or 4th in all but one of the 7 races I have entered so far this year.  Though I have got a hole stack of envelopes spilling over with my winnings, this is still a bit disappointing... Why can't I finish 3rd? I really want to finish 3rd at least once before I call it a season. 


RESULTS: Place Points Name City, State Time License Bib Team

1 393.52 Alex Libin (1 - Cat3) Clive, IA 228194 331 Zoom Performance
2 401.08 Chad Bishop (2 - Cat3) Muscatine, IA 223776 346 American Equity
3 408.64 Jesse Leonard (3 - Cat3) Bettendorf, IA 261951 323 Iowa State University
4 416.20 Jory Conor (4 - Cat3) Burlington, IA 308766 347 Unattached
5 423.76 Marius Czarnomski (5 - Cat3) Cedar Rapids, IA 272490 314 ICCC
6 431.32 Keith Snoop (6 - Cat3) Marion, IA 83127 309 HBA Racing
7 438.88 Eric Waldron (7 - Cat3) Iowa City, IA 180909 315 Unattached
8 446.44 Thomas Behne (8 - Cat3) Iowa City, IA 319828 317 Q7 Cycling
9 454.00 Kyle Williams (9 - Cat3) Iowa City, IA 239639 343 ICCC
10 461.56 Seth Long (1 - Cat4) Ames, IA 361324 246 Iowa State University
11 469.12 Matt Kleinmeyer (10 - Cat3) Iowa City, IA 187416 350 Unattached
12 476.68 Zachary Kreifels (2 - Cat4) Ames, IA 295230 353 Unattached
13 484.24 Jared Morford (3 - Cat4) Ames, IA 327682 332 Skunk River Cycles
14 491.80 John Peters (11 - Cat3) Cedar Rapids, IA 125358 340 HBA Racing
15 499.36 Andrew Peterson (12 - Cat3) Iowa City, IA 207441 303 Unattached
16 506.92 Anthony Thaller (4 - Cat4) Marquette Heights, IL 298505 341 Little Ades
17 514.48 Jon Sulzberger (13 - Cat3) Muscatine, IA 72351 349 Harpers Cycling
18 522.04 Jeff Dullard (14 - Cat3) North Liberty, IA 235468 305 ICCC
19 529.60 Brian Kingsbury (5 - Cat4) Davenport, IA 311642 304 Unattached
20 537.16 Mike Frasier (6 - Cat4) Iowa City, IA 189761 345 New Pi/Goosetown
21 544.72 Nick Sobocinski (7 - Cat4) Iowacity, IA 302511 352 New Pi/Goosetown
22 Mike Howard 342 Buschwhackers
23 559.84 Shawn Baker (8 - Cat4) Norwalk, IA 109908 351 Team Emu
24 567.40 Paul Jensen (15 - Cat3) Altoona, IA 67364 328 Zealous Racing
25 574.96 David Parrott Coralville, IA 282124 255 ICCC
26 582.52 Russell Buri Iowa City, IA 350374 354 Unattached
27 590.08 Mark Guthart (9 - Cat4) Iowa City, IA 110666 333 ICCC
DNF Nathan Hicks Des Moines, IA 281712 324 Zealous Racing
DNF Dustin Salter Hiawatha, IA 296487 348 HBA Racing
DNF Damon Salter Hiawatha, IA 293859 344 HBA Racing

Perkins Park Cyclocross Report

I participated in a couple of cyclo-cross races on Sunday in Burlington, Iowa.  I felt much more prepared this week, having gotten back into the groove after gaining some success the week before in Cedar Rapids.  I had put in a couple of good workouts and felt capable of having a good showing, especially in the Master's race.

The course rolled up and down in many sections, but never to any major degree, so it was described as a fast course.  I initially thought the course would suit me, until I noticed that the 4 barricades were placed in 4 separate areas, meaning four dismounts.  Usually there is a series of three barricades in a row,  meaning only one two dismounts.  I always seem to lose a little ground to my competitors during dismounts, so the less I have to get off of the bike to hurdle barricades the better.  One of the barricades was placed at a skewed angle at the base of a root-infested incline... the signage indicated that this was Grandpa Tom's Hill... I would grow to dislike Grandpa Tom by the end of the day.

MASTER'S RACE - I slotted into the first row of the field of 22 Master's/Single Speed racers.  I put the hammer down from the gun, and found myself setting the pace with Lee Venteicher in tow.  I eventually got a gap on the field, however Lee was able to get on my wheel later in the race, where he stayed until the end.  As I got a feel for the course, I realized that there wasn't really any definitive places to try and drop Lee.   There was only one section that was straight long enough to crank up the watts, but it was relatively short, and my efforts to create some distance during this section were futile. 

There was a lengthy switch back section that the course designers used to accomplish the necessary lap distance.  You could easily gauge where your competitors were at because it seemed to take around 2 minutes to get through it, as you could see the others going by in the opposite directions each switch back.    You never could really get up to full speed before each of  the 180 degree turns, so this section became almost an area to rest and minimize wasted energy. 

Lee realized he had the advantage over the barricades and would sometimes end up ahead of me after we re-mounted our bikes, but then his effort flattened out and I would quickly end up setting the pace again.  Towards the end of the race I realized it was going to come down to me and him.  He mentioned that he was just trying to hang on, which inspired me to throttle it up in hopes that this wouldn't come down to a sprint to the line.  I felt good about my chances to get some breathing room during the final out and back section that finished up about 150 meters or so from the finish line.    I wished he would ease up on the pace so I could save some energy for my next race, then I realized that I was the one setting the pace...  I guess I just hoped he would  quit following me, but he hung in and raced to perfection.

As we approached Grandpa Tom's Hill for the last time, I knew the moment had arrived... "Get over this hill and into the out and back section and dash to a victory".  The frantic intensity and exhaustion of the moment resulted in my chain falling off as I attempted to remount my bike at the top of the hill.  Not only did my chain-stopper not keep my chain from falling off, it ended up being in my way as I tried to get my chain back on.... The pit mechanic came to help, but Lee was long gone... He was disappointed because he was hoping for a dramatic showdown, as was I.

At the end of the out and back section, he stopped and waited for me to catch up and offered to sprint it out to the line.  I thought he was kidding, because he deserved the victory, in my opinion.  Ok, we sprinted accordingly, and he was able to beat me to the line, as I finished 2nd overall.

MEN'S OPEN - My fitness is pretty good right now, but I was still a little concerned about how much energy I had used during the Master's race, as I started preparing for the Men's Open event.  My insecurities were elevated as I noticed some of the top cyclo-crossers in the state were entered (Kevin McConnell, Nathan Kullbom, and Matias Perret, for example).  I nearly talked myself out of entering as I began to nod off while waiting for the race to start, but reminded myself that I came down here  for a good workout, and that  you never know how things might shake out.

There only ended being 9 guys that entered.  Brian Moritz and Jeremiah Gantzer were lined up as well as Brett Bohanan of Peoria who had just won the cat 3 race.  Well, I did some quick math along with a reality-check and decided that 4th or 5th place would still be in my sights if things went well.

These guys hit it hard from the start... harder than I had during the Master's event.  Matias flew over his handlebars as we approached the first incline, and I dodged around him.  Some separation started to occur, but everyone was still within striking distance after the first lap.  A group of 4 started to get some distance, as me and Brett seemed to be riding at a similar pace, and Matias was still trying to catch back on.  Eventually, Brian Moritz fell off a bit, as the leading three guys were never to be seen again. 

I rode with Matias  and Brett for a while, but Matias was able to claw his way back up to Brian as the two raced for the 4th and 5th paying spots.  I settled into the 7th spot.  Considering there were only 9 guys entered, 7th might have been a bit discouraging, however this was a small but talented field, so no worries.

My legs however, were all jacked up the next day, from all that barrier hurdling... I figured I must have hurdled those barricades about 80 times over the course of the entire day.  And, towards the end of the Men's open race,  I was getting mentally and physically fatigued, so my technique was ridiculous... In fact, I totally jammed my shin against Grandpa Tom's barricade, as my will to overcome that obstacle was fading once the race got out of my reach.  Darn you Grandpa Tom.

Everyone seemed to enjoy their experience. Thanks to the race coordinators for putting on a top-notch event.

RESULTS:Masters/Single Speed

Masters 35+
1. Lee Venteicher - Bikes To You/World of Bikes
2. Chad Bishop - American Equity Racing/Velosport Iowa
3. Gary McNabb - Atlas
4. Colm Flannery -Peoria Bicycle Club
5. Greg Aronson-DICE
Masters 45+
1. Mark Beatty-Twisted Spokes
2. Dominic Moraniec - Atlas
3. Mike Howard -Bushwackers
4. John Stonebarger -Mass Bay Road Club
5. Steve Fleagle - Iowa City Cycling Club
6. John Peters -Unattached
7. Jon Sulzberger - Melon City Cycling Club
8. Jerry Porter - Peoria Bicycle Club
Masters 55+
1. Landon Beachy -Twisted Spokes
2. John Adamson - Twisted Spokes
3. Richard Gilmore - Twisted Spokes
4. Michael Giudici -DICE
5. Kathleen Porter -Twisted Spokes
6. Gerry Voelliger -DICE
7. Norman Wellings - Unattached
Single Speed
1. Norbert Koenigsfeld - Atlas
2. Jory Conor -Unattached

RESULTS: Men's Open
1. Kevin McConnell - Iowa City Cycling Club
2. Jeremiah Gantzer - Unattached
3. Nathan Kullbom - Atlas
4. Matias Perret  -  Iowa City Cycling Club
5. Bryan Moritz  - Unattached
6. Brett Bohanan  -  Peoria Bicycle Club
7. Chad Bishop  - American Equity Racing/Velosport
8. Tomas Behne - Unattached
9. Derek Cassaday  - Bikes to You/World of Bikes

Morgan Cross Race Report & Photos/Video



Master's Race...Photo by Angie Snoop.

I headed up to Cedar Rapids in hopes of ending my year long stand-off with the sport of cyclo-cross.  I had such a bad time at the one and only race I did in 2010, that I really wasn't sure I would actually line up for any cross in 2011.

I noticed that it was only $5 to enter a second race, so decided to do the Master's Race, and then see what I felt like, hoping to enter either the Cat 3/4 or Men's Open later that day.  I am so far removed from cyclocross that I literally had to look at my USAC licence to see what CX category I am... it said I was a Cat 3.. so I had my pick of three races that day.

I did a warm-up lap of the course, and felt neither encouraged or discouraged.  Lee Venteicher helped remind me that it isn't important to take cyclo-cross too seriously, as I used this perspective to mentally take the pressure off of myself to perform...  Just get out there and have fun competing and exercising.  I was discouraged, however, to see about 40 people line up to compete for the 4 paying spots... they all seemed a bit too 'serious' looking for my preference.

I lined up at the back of the pack and was surprised how fast this race started... I got whacked in the helmet by tree branches trying to hang on... getting held up at the first set of barricades.  I noticed the leaders were already way in front of me... Unfortunately, I also noticed that I was dead last...  I didn't really panic, rather just rode at a comfortable but aggressive pace.  I passed people every couple of minutes... This really is a fun way to race, as there was always a target up the road.  Each time I passed someone I felt energized.

Fellow local blogger Kier James captured some good video of  two of the obstacles...

Lee ended up wiping out right in front of me about midway through the 45 minute event.  His face came within about 6 inches of my wheel.  My reactions were quick and deliberate, as I recieved accolades from spectators who appreciated my ability not to run over his head.

Left: Lee V. navigating the sand trap just ahead of me.  Right: The sand gave riders trouble all day.  Landon Beachy is seen
here trying to dodge the stalled rider ahead of him.

I had no idea what place I was in, but felt secure that I was at least somewhere in the middle.  I was completely shocked to find out that I had actually clawed my way up to fourth place and into a paying result. I never saw the leaders (aside from at the start line) which included Ryan Jacobsen(1st), Jim Cochran(2nd) and Todd Gillihan(3rd). If I had been a little more motivated at the beginning of the race my result may have been higher...  Regardless, my confidence soared and I felt motivated to really step it up for the next race.

MEN'S OPEN (Cat 1,2,3)
I decided to race the 'main event'... the 60 minute Men's Open.  The course seemed to suit me and the temperature was getting hotter, which also is my preference. Somebody mentioned this is a 'roadie course'... not sure if that was meant to be offensive, but I consider myself a 'roadie' and was even further encouraged that I could get into one of the 5 paying spots against this field of 20 Cat 1,2,3 cyclo-crossers.

I lined up at the front of the field  this time, and noticed a certain timidness amongst the field... yes, I could sense weakness and doubt amongst some of the participants. Yet, I didn't really hit it hard from the gun... it seems like guys blow up when they try and get the hole shot... plus, I really don't like having to watch my back the whole race...  On the other hand, dodging around human obstacles creates problems.... it is tricky enough steering through mud pits without having to navigate around racers who wipe out.  I kept track of what place I was in, and found myself in 7th place about half way through the first lap, with plenty of breathing room behind me.

Here is the start of the Men's Open...

I really was feeling good.  There were several straight 'power sections' that I could use to make up serious ground on my competitors.  I also felt encouraged by how strong I was able to run up the staircase obstacle.  Maybe all of those box-jumps and walking lunges paid off.

I kept the race within my grasp and was able to pick off riders one by one throughout the remainder of the event.  I was in third place with about 2 laps to go as I set my sights on the second placed rider.  I gained on him during the 'power sections' and tried to hold my ground during the twisting sections.  I got up on his wheel and decided to execute some psychological warfare by setting behind him for a bit.  I collected some energy, and then passed him in one sweeping motion.  I wanted to get out of his sights quickly, so I didn't have to think about him. 

Unfortunately, I did lose track of the first placed rider about midway through the event, and had no idea how far up the course he was.  A spectator encouraged me by mentioning that I was gaining on him and that he wasn't far ahead.  I did see him eventually, but he had a huge gap and the race was coming to a close.  I focused on staying upright, securing a respectable 2nd place finish.

The HBA guys did a great job of putting on this race, which was very well attended.  I am glad that I decided to compete and look forward to a couple more opportunities to pin on a race number before I close out the 2011 bike racing season.

Results of the Morgan Cross CX race
Oct 9, 2011
Cedar Rapids, IA

Master 35/45/55 single speed
1 Ryan Jacobsen IOWA CITY IA Atlas Cycling Team
2 James Cochran IOWA CITY IA Atlas Cycling Team
3 Todd Gillihan CORALVILLE IA Team Skin
4 Chad Bishop MUSCATINE IA American Equity Racng Team
5 Christopher Eastburn CEDAR RAPIDS IA Iowa City Cycling Club
6 Kyle Sedore Des Moines IA Bike Iowa
7 Andy Breitsprecher ELY IA DICE
8 Andrew Peterson IOWA CITY IA
9 Lee Venteicher WAUKON IA Bikes To You / World of Bikes
10 Gary McNabb IOWA CITY IA Atlas Cycling
11 Michael Edwards IOWA CITY IA Atlas Cycling Team
12 Stephen Goetzelman IOWA CITY IA
13 Norbert Koenigsfeld CEDAR RAPIDS IA Atlas Cycling
14 Steve Fleagle CORALVILLE IA Mercy-Specialized
15 John Stonebarger IOWA CITY IA MBRC/Bicycle Link
16 Timothy Kennel IOWA CITY IA New Pioneer Food Co-op
17 Henning Gerke IOWA CITY IA Mercy-Specialized
18 Robert Thompson IOWA CITY IA Atlas Cycling
19 Landon Beachy KALONA IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
20 Karl Rosenberg CEDAR RAPIDS IA Hawkeye Bicycle Assoc
21 Brent Linn SIOUX CITY IA
22 Greg Aronson BETTENDORF IA DICE
23 Mark Beatty WASHINGTON IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
24 Geoff Eastburn CEDAR RAPIDS IA Mercy-Specialized
25 Robert Greigg SIOUX CITY IA Powerada – Independent Fabication
26 JOhn Peters Cedar Rapids IA HBA
27 Phil Curran Davenport IA
28 John Adamson CEDAR FALLS IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
29 Jason Forbes IOWA CITY IA Cross Test Dummies
30 Richard Gilmore WASHINGTON IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
31 Kathleen Porter CEDAR FALLS IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
32 Michael Heffern Cedar Rapids IA
33 Jason Scholbrock IOWA CITY IA
34 Curtis Sawin Amana IA Cross Test Dummies
DNF Mark Considene IOWA CITY IA Goosetown Racing Club
DNF Jeff Barnes IOWA CITY IA Iowa City Cycling Club
DNF Brian Soppe CEDAR RAPIDS IA Hawkeye Cicycling Assoc

I bunny-hopped the log during my second race... tricky because it was
situated at the base of an incline.

Mens Open
1 Joshua Wandrey ANKENY IA
2 Chad Bishop MUSCATINE IA American Equity Racng Team
3 vaughn pierce GRETNA NE Team Kaos-Alegent Health
4 Lee Venteicher WAUKON IA Bikes To You / World of Bikes
5 Michael Miles OMAHA NE Midwest Cycling Community NE
6 Aaron Robnett NORTH LIBERTY IA
7 Kevin Murray LINCOLN NE Flatwater Cycling
8 Landon Beachy KALONA IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
9 Robin Williams IOWA CITY IA Mercy-Specialized
10 Scott Wilson IOWA CITY IA WOB Racing Co
11 Matt Nagel WEST BRANCH IA Q7
12 John Adamson CEDAR FALLS IA Twisted Spokes Racing Team
13 Jeremy Cook OMAHA NE Midwest Cycling Community NE
14 Kyle Williams Iowa City IA Iowa City Cycling Club
DNF Adam Ventling URBANDALE IA
DNF evin Tempel IOWA CITY IA Bikes to You/World of Bikes
DNF Austin Turner IOWA CITY IA Bikes to You/World of Bikes
DNF Thomas Behne IOWA CITY IA
DNF Derek Cassaday AMES IA Bikes to You/World of Bikes
DNF Geoff Perrill IOWA CITY IA Iowa City Cycling Club
--- Total 20 ---

Cross - Warrior Style

There is lot of cyclo-cross racing going on in Iowa these days... just not anything close enough to the east side to motivate me to compete.   Too bad, because I really like the warm cyclo-cross races as opposed to the chilly ones...  Speaking of cyclo-cross events... man there are alot of them... back to back races all throughout September, October and November... I surmise that this is because they are so much easier to put on than road races and crits... again sort of the opposite of my preference, but completely understandable.

So, rather than mope around while my fellow bike racing enthusiasts are jumping over hurdlers and rolling through sand traps, I have stumbled upon a workout out regimen called WARRIOR CROSSFIT that will allow me to engage in equally odd physical challenges, in an effort to maximize my fall fitness:

I went down to their brand new workout center to ask if they would be willing to let us use their facilities as the 'Muscatine's Biggest Loser' fitness ranch...

As we were talking they invited me to try the workouts for a week... I didn't have my workout clothes with me, so I drove home and dashed back to the 6:30pm workout... I did a workout called 'Jodi' which entailed a timed circuit that included the rowing machine, medicine ball thrusts, box jump-ups, and alligator push-ups/rope climbs... I was joined by the owner as his wife led us through the routine.  I dug into the workout with total disregard... I just wanted to post a fast time and stay somewhat close to the owner's result.

The effort was very intense and seemed to have potential to help my cycling in a variety of unconventional ways.  Unfortunately, I really did nail it, and was getting sore even as I walked to my car.  Yep, my quads were cashed for the next 3 days...  Oddly, I could ride my bike with little discomfort.  The exercises seemed to be engaging a muscle group that isn't prominent during a pedal stroke...

Now I'm hooked... I even recorded the 'Cross Fit Games' on ESPN so I can start to immerse my self into the culture... ever the competitor, I am thinking there will be  some local Cross-Fit competitions this winter/spring that I can enter.   My cardio-vascular engine is much much stronger than my legs/arms/chest, etc, so I am going to enjoy trying to get some more balance.

I am looking for ways to adapt some of these training principles/movements to bike training... it will be a stretch, but either way, I will have fun trying...