Flatland Time Trial

Henry Dimmick, Steve Marlette and Nathan Black ventured west to attend the first race of the 2014 East Ohio Time Trial Series.

Photo by Sonic Imaging

A beautiful day...corrupted only slighty by a HEADWIND on the way out, made for some slower times than normal.  Unfortunatley, none of us OFFICIALLY made the podium this time :((

Henry - 6th Place

Photo by Nathan Black

Steve - 8th Place

Photo by Sonic Imaging

Nate - was almost revealed as our "BIG STAR" by taking 3rd Place in the Merckx division, had he been properly categorized!

Photo by Sonic Imaging

The 2014 ROAD Season is officially ON...!!!

M.A.R. = ????

No. 
M.A.R. does NOT mean Most "Advanced" (age) Rider...!!!
Although, (this one) did occur in a "Master's" Race :)

Mark Briercheck attended an Allegheny Cycling Association Masters (40+) Cat 2/3/4 Criterium at the Bud Harris Oval.

Following the Team directive to "Practice what we Preach", Mark ANIMATED the race by earning the Most Aggressive Rider Award (M.A.R.) for leading the race across the Start/Finish line more times than anyone else.

Understandably, he was a bit GASSED when it came time for the finish sprint.....ending up in 14th Place.

M.A.R = "R e s p e c t "

Erie Time Trial

While in recent years there is an increasing number of races in the spring, for a LONG TIME, the Iroquois Sports Boosters Presque Isle Individual Time Trial has marked the beginning of the ROAD Season!

Steve MarleTTe was our solo adventurer to this event; showing that despite all our "age"(group) jokes, OLD GUYS (still) RULE :)

Here is Steve's report:

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Presque Isle May 4 2014
The winds were gusting across the peninsula, smacking the riders with blasts of cold rain as the race went on.

Even though I knew it was tough for everyone racing, the slow average speed on my computer was sometimes disheartening.  Every pedal stroke seemed to produce very little forward motion.  Still, I kept pedaling as hard as my legs can stand.

When the results were posted at the registration table on the Presque Isle Beach, the top times were some of the slowest I have seen for the 12.5 mile course.  Luckily, my time was the best of the worst. 

I have been doing this race for over 8 years now and I finally left with top prize of the day.

This was a nice victory after a long hard battle and a great way to start the 2014 season.

CONGRATULATIONS STEVE :)

Pedal Pine Springs

Since Kirk could not attend again this year, Mike Maher volunteered to represent Ag3r at the Pedal Pine Springs MTB Race, a fundraiser for Pine Springs Camp in Jennerstown, Pa.

Mike finished in 5th Place of the "Advanced Men" division.

The way Mike tells the story, "Advanced" refers to the skills and speed of his race category.

Secretely, we all wonder if it actually refers to an "Age " category...

...but, "Shhhhh, don't tell Mike" :)

Three Musketeers....

...or Three Stooges?!?!!

Stop at Cummings Candy & Coffee and JUDGE for yourself :)


Christmas Kit
Smurf Kit
Wario Kit

Mayhem Short Track MTB

Kirk Morrison skimmed the CREAM off the top of his life....and headed down to the SLAG at the bottom of the pile ...by attending the Month of MAY-hem's Short Track MTB race #1.

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Here is Kirk's "short story"!

Race Date: 5-3-14
Race Location: Slag pile and riverfront hillsides near Frick Park, Pittsburgh

Race Category: Men's Open

Finish Place: 10th Place

Race Conditions: Overcast with temperatures in the high 50's. Very unique course (think large slag pile)...

Photo by May Hem

...with lots of technical challenges and big features. Impressive new trails along the river which appear to have just recently been "bench cut" into the steep hillside (don't look down !).

Comments: Very fun and challenging (undocumented) grassroots race on mostly new trails using paper plate numbers...

Photo by May Hem

...and a junk pile for the podium. 

Photo by May Hem

This was a great opportunity to check out some of the technical trails in (and near) Frick Park.

Photo by May Hem

Leesburg Baker's Dozen MTB

....Story by Kirk Morrison:

Race Name: Leesburg Baker's Dozen MTB
Race Location: Private farm overlooking the Potomac River near Leesburg, VA

Race Category: 3 person Male - GEEZER

Finish Place: 13th Place

Race Conditions: Bright sun in the afternoon with high temperatures in the high 80's. Fast, tacky trail conditions from yesterday's rain. Rolling hills with plenty of semi-technical challenge in the form of rocks, roots, log piles and small ledges.

Comments: I was invited to join a 3 man team with local mountain bike veterans Brian Parker and Brad Kriley for this 13+ hour race (9am - 10pm+).

This event caps registration at 500 riders and appears to always sell out within 30 minutes of the registration opening. 

We camped along the racecourse with about 25 other Pittsburgh area mountain bikers which provided good opportunities to cheer and support each other throughout the day. The Pittsburgh contingency had lots of podium action including 3 category wins. 

After suffering some early setbacks and sitting in 22nd place at the mid-point of the race, our team finished strong with 13th place (out of 40 teams total).

Yellow Creek MTB

....Story by Kirk Morrison:

Yellow Creek Grassroots Racing MTB
Yellow Creek State Park, PA

Race Category: Expert, 18 miles (around the lake)

Finish Place: 12th Place

Web Address to Results: http://www.rideyc.com/news/march2014results 

Race Review (from the organizers website): “Overcast, cloudy, low 40’s. Trails were mostly dry. Some wet sections but nothing hindering.”

Comments: Challenging but fun race. Unfortunately, the results were affected by a hard crash up ahead of me resulting in a racer being knocked unconscious in a tough, downhill rock garden section.

Also, I had some mechanical issues with a persistent “knocking” from the rear of my bike. My post race inspection revealed a “missing” bolt from the rear suspension linkage. Problem fixed with a quick stop at Pro Bikes Monroeville on my way home from this race.