Amity Road Race #1

The Appalachian Bicycle Racing Association kicked off the 2001 season with the Amity (Pa.) Spring Training Road Race this past weekend.

Ag3r/FoxVelo riders Mark Briercheck, Dan Schar, Dave Shaffer and T.Lyle Ferderber all attended.
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Photos Courtesy of Fred Jordan

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Mark Briercheck's Writes:
The Amity-ville Horror was indeed an appropriate name for the kick off of the 2011 Road Racing season in lovely Amity, PA. With a high noon start time and a balmy temperature of 34 degrees it was nearly perfect for Spring Classics weather.

With Ag3r/FoxVelo appearances by T.Lyle Ferderber, Dan Schar, Dave Shaffer, and Mark Briercheck, the day was set to be an eye opening experience to bicycle racing in 2011. After ample warm up time and plenty of food, the general forecast for the days ride looked to be "challenging".  The course was a 5 mile loop. 2.5 miles up followed by 2.5 miles down. And no, the course did not disappoint! (For a visual representation, please see the diagram below).

T. Lyle & Schar raced in the 40+ group...

...while Shaffer and Briercheck raced in the Cat 1/2/3 race.

No matter which race you chose it was a suffer-fest. There are no gritty details to reveal. It was just a hard Spring race that didn't allow for anyone to sit in. Some good solid efforts were put out by all despite the cold and gray of the afternoon.

On the day Shaffer took 13th in the 1/2/3 just edging out Briercheck who came in at 14th.

Overall it was a great way to kick off the season and definitely laid the groundwork for what needs to be done to move up as the year takes off. As for next weekend- Amity II, the Demon Hill's Revenge!

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T.Lyle Ferderber reports:
I raced in the 40+ group and it must have been the cold numbing my brain, making me think I was more capable than I really was. After 2 warmup laps (twice up the HILL), I finished 5 more laps (equivalent to the 4/5s) and called it a day.

As folks dropped off the back and out of the race (the UPMC guy with me in the pics only lasted 3 laps), I realized I'd be last, so out of the kindness of my heart and with true compassion for those volunteers and riders with frostbite, I stopped after 25 miles of racing which was enough for me.

This Sunday, it is the 4/5s for me. Thanks go out to ABRA and JR Petsko for finding a place to race where we haven't been yelled at yet by the residents!

A Matter of Perspective

This is a view of what Sam will see when he looks "down" upon the rest of us, still miles behind him in a local Boulder climb!

Race to Any Place?

Steve Brewer and Mark Briercheck kicked off their racing season by not going anywhere.  Literally.

These two Ag3r boys headed to downtown Pittsburgh to attend the 11th Annual 'Race to Anyplace' (http://www.racetoanyplace.com) to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

This race was a distance competition on spin bikes and Schwinn Airdynes. Because the spin bikes were too easy, Steve and Mark accompanied two teams that were signed up for the Airdyne divison.

Steve jumped on with the Pro Bikes squad (http://www.probikesllc.com) while Mark had been recruited by his gym, Team Keystone (http://www.keystonehealthclub.com).

The immediate goal of the day was to complete a team race for 6 hours on an Airdyne. The bigger picture goal was to raise money and awareness for Leukemia and Lymphoma research.

The Plan:
Each team member takes a 15 minute rotation pedaling their heart out as hard as they could. After your shift, you bask in the glow of blaring music, tons of food, lots of hydration, and the general craziness of a saturday morning party where everyone is super fit and having super fun! Then - once you are adequately bloated on food and dancing and feel like laying down for a nap...

....oh...yeah...you have to get back on the airdyne again and go as hard as you can for another 15 minutes.  Now just rinse and repeat this process for six hours!

While three or four 15 minute rounds on an airdyne might seem simple, the reality of a poorly fitting bike, no clip in pedals, a giant marshmallow type seat, blaring music, and a giant crowd all add up to one crazy, tough, fun, and great event.

Although Steve and Mark left before the days winners were announced...I'm sure the most important winner of the day was the $22,000 that was raised for a great cause.

....Story by Mark Briercheck

A New Season Starts

This weekend marks the beginning of the 2011 Racing season.

At present, Ag3r-ButlerHealthSystem racers Kirk Morrison and Dan Schar are Registered...with threats of attending by Mark Briercheck and FoxVelo Club member Dave Shaffer!  More may follow  :)

Stay tuned for the year's first RESULTS posting.

Snow Rides - February

Here is another installment of Winter Wonderland riding in Butler, Pa!

The End...?

Snow Rides - January

Being OUT of the racing season, does NOT mean we stop riding.  Rather, we look to ride in the worst conditions we can find! 

Here is a short collection of January ride photos of the Butler Winter Core Group (Kirk Morrison, Rich Allen and Henry Dimmick)!

Tour de Cape 5K

Brian Hopkins was again, the first of Team Ag3r to compete in the calendar year.  However, THIS year, it was a running race(!)... The Tour de Cape 5K

Brian finished in 1st place (Men's 25-29) and in 13th place overall.

Most importantly, he says, "(he) didn't get beat by any girls."   : )

You can read more about it on Brian's Blog (CLICK HERE)

Colorado Training Ground?

Sam sends this picture trying to entice Ag3r riders into organizing a Boulder Training Camp.

I said it looked MUDDY.

Sam replied, (Don't worry), "That'll be dust in June"  : )

The Call of the Wild

When the conditions are right, we go RIDING!

Kirk and I headed out last night into the SNOW for a ride through Winter Wonderland.

This guy was our only "enemy" throughout the evening!

It was a great way to bring the Holiday Season to a close :)

2010 Review

USA Cycling Rankings

The Breaking Point

Dan Schar has been going to the Gym this off season.  From the looks of his crank arm, he should either STOP doing that(!) ...or find some stronger equipment!!!