June 7: Riverview Gran Prix

Mark Briercheck, Dave Shaffer and Sam Morrison attended 0.7 mile, seven turn, EVENING criterium in downtown Oakmont, Pa. By the end of the Cat 1/2/3 race... Sam and his 18 yr old legs... fresh off a hard circuit race THAT morning, and an even harder Road Race the day before(!!!), was still in the hunt. Heading into the final turns, a gap in the field caused him to get caught out of the top ten. He tried to get across the gap... resulting in him (winning) the field sprint... but was unable to close down the lead group (of 11?) before the finish line. Official Results are Still Pending Watch Sam's Blog for a possible futher post.

June 7: Millcreek Park Circuit Race

Dave Shaffer and Sam Morrison traveled to Youngstown, Ohio to compete in this closed course, 25 mile circuit race with one HARD power climb each of the 25 laps. While that climb ultimately took it's toll on Dave, Sam was able to stay with the lead group for a 14th Place finish. Yikes. After yesterday's Tour of Tucker County... and surviving Millcreek Park...will Sam have the legs to finish (tonight's) Riverview Gran Prix in Oakmont, Pa.? Stay tuned :)

June 6: Philadelphia Time Trial

Brian Hopkins traveled east this weekend to compete in the Philiadelphia TD Bank Individual Time Trial. Testing (& confirming!) his form for the upcoming Pa. State ITT Championships, Brian finished in 1st Place Category 3, and 5th Place Overall (which included Categories Pro/1/2/3/4/5). Watch Brian's Blog for a possible future post! Nice Job Brian :)

June 6: Tour of Tucker County

Sam Morrison began his 3 race weekend with a very hilly road race in West Virginia. Rolling out in the 52 mile, Cat 1/2/3 race, Sam hung with the lead group though the first two of three 7 mile long climbs, eventually falling off the lead group the final time up. This very hard race was voted one of the Top 10 hardest Road races in the USA by VeloNews. Sam was in very strong company ...finishing in 18th Place on the day. Watch Sam's Blog for a possible future post.

June 5: Friday Night Time Trials

Oscar Swann's PMVC (Pittsburgh Masters Velo Club) Firday Night Time Trials opened with a 10 mile distance Individual Time Trial at the Washington Blvd. Track. These races are always a great way to start the weekend! Here are the results: 2nd - Steve Marlette 13th - Henry Dimmick 15th - T.Lyle Ferderber 17th - Dave Hickey 21st - Rich Allen 24th - Ray Sielski While Sam didn't race... planning 3 other races over the weekend(!), he did come to the track with his single speed commuter bike outfitted for speed :)

TT ramp up

June is looking like a busy month of racing for me (at least by my standards). In theory all of my races in the beginning of the month will lead me towards peaking for the PA state ITT in the last weekend of June. Today started my build upwards. I have taken the last 2 days off of my bike because I've been busy moving into my new house so today was for hard intervals. I was supposed to be doing the Thursday training TT that Yellow Breeches Racing puts on 2 Thursdays per month. It was canceled because of weather so I had to suffer solo. An hour and a half later I'm home and tired. Tomorrow will be an easier ride with just a few hard bursts to get ready for Saturday's "2009 Philadelphia Amateur Time Trial" This should be a good race, it looks like just over 200 people have signed up.

A Quick Public Service Announcement

I have seen two blog posts recently that brings an important maintenance item to my attention. One from Mr. Hopkins http://briansbikeblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-extended-weekend-of-riding.html and another from Sam http://samlikesbikes.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-happens-when-you-dont-work-on-your.html Often overlooked maintenance items on the bike are the cables, housings, and the handlebars. With some of the marathon indoor riding a few of you crazy people do, and the weather we all deal with here in PA, the potential damage to handle bars and cables is very real. The failure of these parts during a ride or race can be catastrophic. Some of the people from Indiana know of a rider who's sweat can eat through steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber over a winter's training sessions. So, if you can't remember the last time you unwrapped your bars and changed tape, housings, and cables, I recommend you do it soon. Once a year is not too soon. If it's been two years, you are probably over due. I happen to find enjoyment and satisfaction doing a good bar wrapping job. Happy Riding, Beachcomber

May 31: Black Bear Triathlon

Craig Dietz, Jim Miller and Mark Harmanos competed in the Black Bear Half Marathon Triathlon in Beltzville State Park, just minutes from Jim Thorpe, Pa.

Craig started things off with a 1.2 mile swim, Jim then took over for a 56 mile bike, with Mark bringing it home with a 13.1 mile run.

Named team "Bob"(!) , they finished 6th Overall in the Half Marathon Relay Division.

Here is a picture of Craig and Jim, chillin' after their efforts, while Mark is still sweating out on the course!

Congratulations Guys :)

A rough week of Training!

Brian Hopkins - 1st day on his new bike! Sam Morrison - Dedicating Blood, Sweat, and Tears!

Rich Allen - "Derailed" by wet Train Tracks

Quip Crit Results

The Official Results for the May 24th Aliquippa Industrial Park Criterium have been updated below!

May 24: Aliquippa (Money) Crit

After many weeks of "Practice", the final "Big Payout" Aliquippa Criterium was held this Memorial Day weekend. Cat 4 / 45+ Race: The first race for me (Henry Dimmick) was the 45+ race. Focusing on the mid race sprints for cash ($20), at about 500 meters out, two riders jumped and I got immediately on their wheel. Once the lead rider finally blew up, the second position rider never pulled through, so I began my attack...at about 300+ meters out! I kept the sprint going the whole way to the line, only to be nipped by a wheel by the only rider that was able to stick with me :) With 4 laps to go, there was a crash in front of me. Only one rider went to the deck, with two riders on either side clipped out and weaving. I was full on the brakes looking to for a way through, and at the last minute just missed the head and hands of the downed rider, but stayed up. However, by now, the peleton was GONE... so I woosed out and abandoned, knowing that I was also riding in the next race. Cat 1/2/3 Race: The last race of the day, was the Cat 1/2/3 race, entered by Dave Shaffer, Mark Briercheck, Sam Morrison and me. Early on, Dave Shaffer was off on a break that we though would stick, especially as the rest of us went to the front of the attack group to disrupt the catch. But the breakaways riders apparently did not want to work together, so everything came back together. While getting ready for the next mid-race sprint for $20, two rider took off the front, followed by Sam and a fourth rider. Again, Mark and I went to the front of the group to interrupt the organization of a threatening chase. Sam stayed out front for at least 2 laps before finally getting drawn back into the main group. While we were not able to get fully organized for a full sprint leadout, we had good results with Dave Shaffer finishing "in the money" :) Dave Shaffer - 5th Sam Morrison - 11th Mark Briercheck - 27th Henry Dimmick - 28th ALSO - Stay tuned for a future post of lots of great pictures from all the 2009 Aliquippa races taken by Fred Jorden!

May 17: Aliquippa Criterium

OK. Our numbers are building! Sam Morrison, Dave Shaffer, Mark Briercheck and I (Henry Dimmick) all showed for this week's Series Final criterium. Problem is... I forgot my shoes :( Individual and Series Results Pending... Cat 1/2/3 Race: Sam Morrison Dave Shaffer Mark Briercheck

May 10: Aliquippa Criterium

Mother's Day was just another day for Dave Shaffer, Mark Briercheck and T.Lyle Ferderber! Cat 1/2/3 Race: 10th - Mark Briercheck 17th - Dave Shaffer Cat 4/5 Race: 19th - T.Lyle Ferderber

N.Carolina Training Camp

Well it has been a little over a week since Dave Shaffer and I (Mark Briercheck) got back from our North Carolina Mountain Training Camp. We have been going down there every spring for quite a few years now. I must say that if you have never ridden in the mountains of NC and TN you are missing out some great riding. We had 4 solid days of riding with the icing on the cake being a climb called 'Little Switzerland'. It was a little under a 10 mile long climb. I think our climb time on Little Switzerland was a little under 45 minutes. In addition to the climbs (and crazy descents), the scenery and the roads are just amazing. And by the time it is all over you come home with a little bit of fitness in the legs. by Mark Briercheck

May 03: Pitts. Half Marathon

Mike Maher did it! He RAN a half marathon... in 1:50:54, when he could have biked it! See "Live Proof" via KDKA's Finish Line Footage. FF to 1:51:26 on the overhead Race Clock... look for the Ag3r jersey with the sleeves cut off and Mike's "GUNS" hanging out! So, what's next for Mike? Triathlons? ...or Body Building ?!?!?!

May 02: Va. State Hill Climb Championship

Brian Hopkins finished this challenging event as the 9th Place Cat 3. ...as if racing a flat TT isn't painful enough :)

May 3: Aliquippa Criterium

Dave Shaffer and Henry Dimmick raced the CAT 1/2/3 Aliquippa Industrial Park Criterium today.

Dave finished 6th Overall, 4th in field sprint.

Henry finished 16th Overall, off the back of the lead group in his first race of the season since coming back from a knee injury.

Apr 26: Carlisle Time Trial(s)

Brian Hopkins competed on the opposite side of the state this weekend at the Carlisle Individual Time Trials. In the morning, he competed in the 40k (Flat) Individual Time Trial, setting a new Personal Record with a time of 52:37, for 1st Place Cat 3, and 3rd Place Overall. For the remainder of the year, the course will be run (backwards) due to construction. ------------- In the afternoon, Brian raced in a 7 mile, mass start hill climb, taking 10th Place Overall and 3rd Place in the Cat 1/2/3 race. ------------- Two races like this, back to back in a single day, builds hard men :)

Apr 26: Erie Time Trial

Another Western Pa. Individual Time Trial season began this weekend with at the Iroquois Sports Boosters, Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa., Individual Time Trial.

For the Spring event, the first of three races at this venue each year, we had a good turnout:

Ray Sielski - 8th Place (50-54 Age Group), 74th Place Overall

Dave Hickey - 7th Place (40-44 Age Group), 44th Place Overall

Rich Allen - 5th Place (50-54 Age Group), 58th Place Overall

Steve Marlette - 2nd Place (45-49 Age Group), 9th Place Overall (Personal Record)

...with Steve receiving a Plaque from the race promoter for his Podium Finish:

(Photo by Shelly O'Keefe)

As always, we all hung out for a hour after everyone else was gone from the site, taking in the sun, talking about the race, and dreaming of the exciting summer season to come.

(Photo by Shelly O'Keefe)

On "Injured Reserve" were SuperFans, Sam (aqualung) Morrison, and me, Henry (wounded knee) Dimmick!

Additionally, we had some "retired"(!) Teammates come out for this event:

Jim Miller - 7th Place (35-39 Age Group), 49th Place Overall

Donnie Panizales - 11th Place (35-39 Age Group), 99th Overall

Dave Kramer - 23rd Place (45-49 Age Group), 80th Place Overall

...and one new friend from ProBikes...

Craig Cozza - 7th Place (45-49 Age Group), 30th Place Overall

A beautiful day in Erie, and perfect conditions on the course...a rare occasion to be sure!

Apr 25: Round-Up ReRun

Mike Maher, still on his quest to race a half marathon in May, competed in his second 10K run of the month. This time it was the Round-Up ReRun in Delmont, Pa. Mike finished 21st overall, 4th in the 40-49 age group, with a time of 51:57.9, or a pace of 8:23 per mile. Always one to believe that "Misery Loves Company", Mike convinced his daughter Sierra to run as well. She finished the 5k race 64th overall, 2nd in the U14 age group, with a time of 32:59.1 or a pace of 10:38 per mile. Now, if we could just get him to cut one of his cycling jerseys into a running singlet :)

Apr 19: 2009 Mingo RR Final

Pneumonia is a hard word to spell.

...and having failed a Physician conducted spelling bee (and x-ray), Sam Morrison was prohibited from racing in the 3rd of 3 races of this long running road race series...putting in jeopardy his ability to retain the Series Points lead in the USACycling Cat 4/5 competition.

But, as luck sometimes has it... a combination of who showed for the races and the result of the 15-man sprint finish, Sam was able to pocket the prize, and the money, for the SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP :) ... or "here", on the ACARacing site.

Mark Briercheck was the only Ag3r racer this day, ending in 23rd in the Cat 1/2/3 race.

While not racing, Sam and I were Corner-Marshals at the top of the descent (me) and the bottom of the descent (Sam)... so between the three of us, there was Ag3r ALL OVER the course!~

Interestingly, this is our 3rd Cat 4/5 Championship.

2001 - Jim Miller

2007 - Brian Hopkins

2009 - Sam Morrison

Apr 14/15: ACA Criteriums

Still on the gas (at the time), Sam Morrison raced 2 Allegheny Cycling Association criteriums this week. On Tuesday, he raced the USACycling Cat 4/5 race. (Sam remains a Cat 4 road racer until his most recent results get posted by the promotors to USACycling, so that they can approve his upgrade request to Category 3). He finished 2nd in this race, collecting multiple mid-race prizes ("primes") along the way. On Wednesday, he raced the USACycling Cat 3/4 race. The story of this race, was that he and his two Team Funny Bunny "teammates"(!), attacked the group in the closing laps... just as one was caught by the peleton, the next would attack, and so forth. When asked where they finished, they replied, "We didn't get lapped"!!! "Results" like this emphasize one of Ag3r's mottos, "If you can't be great...anni-mate" ------------------ During the Wednesday (Apr 15) Cat 1/2/3 race, Dave Shaffer was able to pull off a 10th Place finish in his first criterium of the season.

Apr 11: Morgantown Road Race

Thanks to Fred Jorden for the above photo.

Sam Morrison ventured south onto the hills of West Virginia to attend the Morgantown, 47 mile, Cat 4/5, Road Race this past Easter weekend. After 22 miles of flatland "warm-up", the race headed for the sky. During the climbs, Sam initiated or followed multiple attacks, whittling the group down from 50 ...to 15 ...then to 10. Somehow, somewhere near the end of the race, maybe during a brief encounter with trailing riders from a earlier-started race, one of their group slipped off the front undetected, soloing to the race win. Unknown to Sam as he approached the line, he let loose his new found sprint, claiming what he thought was a victory for Pennsylvania, only to learn that he was left kissing his sister in West Virginia(!) ...taking 2nd Place on the day!!! With this excellent result, Sam has now solidified his USACycling requirements in order to upgrade his road racing license from Category 4 to Category 3 ...where he will certainly find more difficult competition, but where he will surely demonstrate his maturing strength. Congratulations Sam :)

Apr 04: You Can Run & You Can't Hide

Story by Mike Maher Two years back for some silly reason during a moment of obvious weekness, I agreed to run a 1/2 marathon with a buddy. I'm not saying that my faculties were altered by mind altering substances, but I won'tdeny it either. Me and running is a bad combo. First of all I'm slow. Secondly and more descriptively, I run like a fat chick in snow shoes. But I've always had great respect for runners and he was a good friend so I reluctantly agreed. After bike season I started running and was up to 9 miles when in acompletely unrelated incident, I blew out my ACL and the dream /nightmare died. Or so I thought. 2 years later... That terrible feeling of unfulfilled goals came creeping back. So there I was on Saturday morning, 35 degrees and drizzling, standing at the starting line of a 10k wondering if a training race was really necessary. The brochure said 6.2 miles of gently rolling hills, a beautiful and rural scenic course almost sounded like fun....right? Well the gun goes off, the rabbits are GONE! Nothing like a bike race where I can always hang on for at least for a little bit. Not here. The wind is howling and I duck in behind a big dude. Hah! I know how to draft.The gently rolling hills turn into 3.1 miles straight down. At about 2.5miles I started to think how are we going to get back to the finish?Then I see the aforementioned rabbits running back up hill. Oh $hit! That was a LONG way down. I make the turn and the hill starts up. Not too bad though and I'm feeling pretty good. Then the hill turns steeper at mile 5 and the 30mph wind hits me head on. I work pretty hard into the finish and was pleasantly surprised to find I was 2 minutes under my best case scenario time... 5th in my age group. Not too bad considering the snow shoes! So all is good and on target for my 1/2 marathon in May. Wish me Luck!

Apr 05: Mingo Park #2

An unusual day today for the second installment of the 2009 Mingo Park Road Race Series ... 40-50 degF and Sun!

Being temporarily sidelined with a swollen knee, I (Henry Dimmick) marshalled the "Mike Friedman Corner" at the top of the descent. A few years ago, Mike (Garmin-Chipotle) took this turn too hot, crossed the (middle line) and crashed head on into a car stopped waiting for the riders to pass.

Cat 4/5 Race:

Sam Morrison - 1st Place

After multiple attacks on the climb by Jake Grantham (ProBikes),

...five riders, including...

...were able to stay off on a breakaway. These 6, with a group of five more chasing them, went to the sprint, with the WIN taken by Sam Morrison...moving him into 1st Place in the Series with one race remaining. Jake finished with a well deserved 3rd Place.

Cat 1/2/3 Race

Mark Briercheck - (20th Place)

Dave Shaffer - (21+)

Master 50+ Race

T.Lyle Ferderber (8th Place) ... moving him into 9th Place in the Series.

After the Awards ceremony, Sam RODE home ... from (near Washington, Pa.) clear up to Butler! Last we heard from him, he was about 10 miles outside Butler... estimating a 130 mile day. Simply Awesome :)

Ag3r now "Powered by ProBikes"

One of the certainties of bike racing is that cyclists "need" to buy all kinds of bike stuff! So while aligning our team with one shop in particular may place (drive time) hurdles in front of our riders, there are many things we get in return. Things we look for, and what made ProBikes our shop of choice, are: The People... ProBikes employees are a collection of young racing enthusiasts who embrace cycling as a way of life, not just a job. The Service... ProBikes has already demonstrated that they are willing to provide special attention to Ag3r in return for our dedication to buying our bikes and equipment through their shop. The Selection... Ag3r has been racing Cannondale bicycles since 1997... following the brand for a 12th year to ProBikes. In addition to being the leading Cannondale dealer in the Pittsburgh Area, ProBikes also offers Specialized, Seven, Giant, Bianchi and Independent Fabricators as well as clothing and accessories from Cannondale, Specialized, Patagonia, Smart Wool, Arc Terx, Endura and North Face. Watch for a picture and HotLink to ProBikes to show up on the right sidebar sometime soon! In the mean time, you can check out their site at http://www.probikesllc.com/, or better yet, visit one of their stores in Squirrel Hill, Monroeville or across the street from South Hills Village.

New Jersey Rt29 Time Trial

3 years in the making, Brian Hopkins opened up a can of Pennsylvania Whoop-A** on a bunch of New Jersey boys, bringing home the Overall Win in a 36k Individual Time Trial. Read Brian's Story at http://www.briansbikeblog.blogspot.com/

Mingo Park Road Race

The start of the Western Pa. cycling season has been marked for many years by the Mingo Road Race Series (Houston, Pa) ...a history built as much on the weather as the race itself. This year's weather did NOT dissapoint! Cat 4/5 Race Sam Morrison - 3rd Place By Sam Morrison: I hate cold. The whole ride down I was cringing watching the rain. Once the race started, Jake (Pro Bikes) and I attacked on the first hill. Unfortunately, no one drew and we weren't prepared to spend the whole race by ourselves so we drifted back. Iron City was there with 3 or 4 riders and tried to control the race. I went with every group but none worked, until a group of 4 slipped away on the descent into the finish. I realized they weren't coming back when we passed through the finish line. At the base of the hill we passed Shaffes and Briercheck and they gave a hearty yell, so I had to attack and bridge up just to justify the cheering. I snagged the breakaway halfway up the hill and managed to not totally blow the 7 man sprint (two guys bridged up the next lap). See more at http://www.samlikesbikes.blogspot.com/ Cat 1/2/3 Race Crossing together... Mark Briercheck - 20th Dave Shaffer - 21st By Mark Briercheck: Sunday morning was a BEAUTIFUL COLD RAIN during registration and a heavy swirling wind out on the course. The entire backstretch up to the climb had a straight on head wind that would make one want to cry. A true Spring race climate! Shaffes slipped off the back on the 2nd time up the hill but managed to climb back on for the descent. At the start of the 3rd climb he was done. I got dropped at the top of the 3rd hill and didn’t have the power to jump back on for the descent. Gah. So Shaffe’s and I were back together by the 5th lap and then we just finished the race out together. Overall we didn’t feel too bad because we saw a lot of other typical ‘Strong Men’ pedaling their bikes home with their tails between their legs.

Blue Peeps?

Dave Shaffer, Mark Briercheck, Mark Hess and Rob Gaus enjoyed the chilly but sunny weekend weather with a ride around Elwood City. During their loop, a long time Easter favorite was re-discovered... Marshmellow Peeps! Rob Gaus and Dave said, "The heck with Powerbars"...

While Mark Hess simply liked the way the peeps matched his jacket...

But Mark Briercheck (and his horse!) turned their noses up at the whole thing mumbling something about, "... their inorganic non-yuppie flavor..."!!!

We will see if Peep-Food catches on in the Peleton! Personally, I like them best after they get ROCK HARD stale!

Lake Ontelaunee TT

For the second year in a row, Brian Hopkins was Ag3r's first racer of the calendar year. "My first race of the year was this weekend it went well but could still be better. Now I get to reevaluate my training and make some changes." Always the perfectionist, Brian: Won his category, while (temporarily) setting a new course record, then losing it to ultimately end up in 2nd Place Overall. Check it out Here!