Blue Sky or Not CX

Kirk Morrison, Ray Sielski, and Mark Briercheck headed into Ohio for the NEOCX (North East Ohio CycloCross) Series Race #1....... The Blue Sky or Not CX.

Here are exerpts from their day:

Mark Writes:
Yes, Blue Sky was a wacky race.
I burped my rear tubless in the singlespeed race. DNF.

I blew my rear tire in the Mastter's 35+ race....but this time had a pit bike, so I could at least finish the race.

At least we have a picture to capture the moment!


Kirk Wrote:
The race day started with an overcast, "not" Blue Sky and ended with a spectacular Blue Sky with temps around 60F.

In the SS Race: Mark burped a tire on his fancy new Spot SS for an unfortunate DNF

In the Masters 35+ Race: Mark again had the misfortune of rolling a tire and popping the tube outside of wheel on one of the early laps.  Fortunately, after a long run, he was able to hop on his re-inflated Spot SS "pit bike" and recovered to finish in 21st place.

In the Masters 55+ Race: Both Ray and I enjoyed the chance to compete in the "race within the race" as Ray finished in 13th place while I ended up in 4th.

The course was fast, dry but twisty through the park with 2 drops into the woods, 2 sets of barriers and a substantial fallen tree to traverse.  We also had the opportunity to "run the sand" on the Lake Erie beach on every lap. 

This was my first 55+ race and I enjoyed the chance to compete with other "mature" riders.  Midway through the first lap, I was able to catch onto the back of a group of 6 riders.  Throughout the remainder of the race I was able to gradually work my way through this group until I passed the final rider within a few minutes of the finish.  Fast pace and very fun !

https://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?year=2014&id=3106

Weebles Wobble

...and hopefully don't FALL DOWN (too hard)!!!

 

That wheel is gonna need some work :)

6 Hours in the Valley

Hannah Brewer, Bobby Irwin, Henry Dimmick, Ben Adduru & Sierra Maher headed into the woods near Kittanning, Pa. for the 6 Hours in the Valley mountain bike race.

 

This DUO format race pits two person teams against one and other for "6" hours...unless you cross the finish line at 5:59:59, in which case, you earn the right to go out for ANOTHER LAP!!!

 

Racing Coed-DUO were Hannah & Bobby

Racing Sport-Duo were Henry, and Ben (in his FIRST mountain bike race EVER :)

 

 

I am not sure what it is about this race, but you may recall that LAST YEAR, Mark Briercheck showed up on a BRAND NEW (ridden only in his driveway) Mountain Bike, and raced as partner with Henry.  These kids are CRAZY!

 

http://ag3r.blogspot.com/2013/09/6-hours-in-valley-of-death.html

 (use the BACK button to get BACK to HERE!!!)
 

So, BACK to the present!
.....before the race, everybody was FRESH and excited... 

 

...and still clean enough to HUG :)

 

...but being "all cleaned up" does not always mean "well dressed"!!!

 

While we were lucky for a sunny and dry day, it was SO HOT that Henry cut the sleeves off his skinsuit...

 

...which was FAR LESS a committment than this poor dog(?) made!

 

Anticipation grew as the START approached...

 

...but once underway, EVERYONE settled in for a LONG day of racing.

 

Back and forth each pair of teammates handed off....

 

...refueling between laps under the dutiful direction of Sierra Maher.

 

...only to head back out for another lap.

 

So it went. Back and Forth. Back and Forth. Back and Forth...

 

 

I'll tell you, it was enough to make a gown man CRY....

 

...but NOT enough to make a WOMAN cry :)

 

Coming out of the woods to finish each lap was a relief...

 

...happy to survive another close encounter with Mother Earth!

 

But, as the day wore on, our rest periods became a little bit more, shall we say, "HORIZONTAL"...

 

 

...even for our BIKES!

Then, as the FINAL LAPS were completed....

 

...the SMILES returned to our faces!

 

After getting cleaned up, we headed over to the Awards Ceremony....

 

...to watch Hannah snag a BIG PIE...

....as reward for she and Bobby taking 1st Place in the Coed-Duo Division...

...and 2nd Place OVERALL, only ~3 minutes back. 

They did AWESOME!

Ben and Henry also got a pie, for finishing in 10th Place of the Men's Sport-Duo Division, but their pie was quite a bit smaller...

...(so I made the picture quite a bit bigger to compensate!)

 

Pies now in hand (and tummy), we headed for home....

 

To a dinner of steamed rice and sugar, courtesy of Sierra & Bobby!

 

 

So, NOW that you have seen the STILLS, you should watch the VIDEO :)

 

Video by Limp Reaper (Brad Dempster & Mary!)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLn6jDy3R4Q#t=10

 

Henry & Bobby @ 0:38

Hannah @ 1:54

Bobby @ 5:08

Henry Crashing! @ 6:38

Hannah @ 7:38

Ben @9:25

Bobby @9:55

 

 

Results:

http://smileymiles.com/2014/RES14%206%20HOUR%20VALLEY%20MTN%20BIKE%20RACE%20OA.htm



Fixie Track Bike Night

Friday Night Fixed Gear Track Bike Night at the Bud Harris Track.

Short Story by Kirk Morrison:
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Fun night on the track bike at the oval. I felt and rode a bit better as the night went on and I became more accustomed to my track bike, some basic tactics as well as the high cadence.

Slightly Longer Story by Oscar Swan!
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A really nice and congenial "crowd" of participants, very evenly matched, contested events up until the end of daylight.

Threatened thunderstorms never materialized. Nobody complained about not getting enough exercise.

Most events had 3-2-1 scoring. If it had been 5-4-3-2-1, the final results might have been different.

The best events, including the unknown-distance race, and the team race using a plastic scouring pad for a baton, never materialized for lack of time. Maybe next year.

Thanks to both participants and to Stephanie Swan for registering, scoring, timing, and flagging.

200-meter flying start
8th Place - Kirk Morrison 17.88

Chariot Sprints
0 points

10-Lap Handicap
0 Points

4-LAP PURSUIT
(SPEED SKATE FORMAT)
7th Place - Morrison 5.29

Danish Sprint
(Win and Out)
7th Place - Morrison

Omnium Points Results:
7th Place - Kirk Morrison (2)