Ag3r - ButlerHealthSystem

20130613

PMVC TT

Summer has BEGUN....

...with the opening Friday Night at the Track event of the Pittsburgh Master's Velo Club (PMVC) 5 mile Individual Time Trial at the Bud Harris Oval.

Ray Sielski & Steve Marlette...

...took 40th Place and 8th Place respectively.

While Mark Briercheck and Henry Dimmick...

..."got together" to take 22nd Place and 31st Place Overall :))

20130610

Ft. Classic Road Race

"Stretching the Legs"
by Mark Briercheck

My 2013 racing season kicked off at the annual ABRA Fort Classic Road race. Temperatures in the low 80's, a nice stiff breeze, and sunny skies were the order of the day. Pretty much the most ideal weather one could ask for a bike race.

The Master's 40+ category had a lot of the usual suspects showing up to lay down some hurt.

Five laps on a rolling 8 mile course with one 'sort of hill'.

The peloton must have feared either the hill or the wind because there were few half-hearted attempts to organize a break during the day. So the field held together like glue for 33 miles.

Photo by Fred Jordan

Finally starting into the final lap a group of four rocketed off the front.I missed the break but stayed in the group of chasers hoping to organize a catch. Given the hill and the wind it was unlikely they could hold the break unless the chase group failed to organize.

Long story short - the chase group failed to organize and lost 30 seconds to the leaders.

Coming into the final stretch I was in excellent position to sprint but burned my last match too early at 200m out, and lost a few places just before the line to finihs in 8th Place Overall.

Photo by Fred Jordan

Overall - Just a great day to be on the bike and shake out the racing cob webs for the start of 2013 racing!

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A lot of the locals were coming down hard on JR so i wonder if he might skip this location for next year..we'll see. He even had to approach one local about putting their dogs onto chains to they wouldn't chase the riders - the owner said 'No' and refused to restrain his dogs from coming after the bikes. *sigh*

Oh well...still a super fun day.

thanks,
Mark

ABRA Short Track MTB #1

by Kirk Morrison

Race Date: 6-1-13
Race Location: Oakdale, PA
Race Category: registered to double up with Cat3 and SS races

Finish Place: DNS (for both !) due to crash during warm-up laps.

Details: Took the “XX” downhill section too fast and ended up “burping” off my front tire and crashing on the concrete pad at the bottom.

After trying to “shake it off” for a half-hour, I headed to the nearest hospital ER and was diagnosed with a broken scapula (shoulder blade .. see pics from my later CT Scan at Butler Health System). Disappointing...

...but I was relieved to learn that surgery isn’t required and it should heal up on its own.

I’ll be back.

Oh, since I know some will ask, the bike (steel Spot Rocker SS) is OK.

Thanks.

20130606

Dash for Cash

Hannah Brewer, Rich Allen and Logan Krause gathered in Sarver, Pa. for (possibly?) the FINAL Dash for Cash MTB race(?)

Here is the story from Hannah:
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Ag3r's trusty MTB crew Richy, Logan, and I raced the Dash for Cash. Although the weather was calling for thunderstorms all day, after a morning rain shower, we had sun and clouds the rest of the day. This was great because the course is hard enough when it is mostly dry!

Since I raced women's sport in the Bike the Wild series last year, I really wanted to bump up to expert this year. I knew the longer distance would be difficult because my "time on the bike" up until May this year was a joke. I paced myself well, and I rode more of the technical sections than I made last year.

Photo by Extreme Prestige Worldwide Photography

I finished the 19.4 mile course in 2:17:07. Thanks to a BIG racing weekend of the Mochichan 100, Short Track, and Bear Creek, I was able to take home some podium cash as the only female expert rider.

Photo by Extreme Prestige Worldwide Photography

http://www.smileymiles.com/2013/RES13%20DASH%20FOR%20CASH%20MT%20BIKE%20EXPERT%20OA.HTM

Teammate Logan gets faster everyday, and finished 21st overall in the 14.4 mile course with a time of 1:56:32.

Photo by Extreme Prestige Worldwide Photography

Richie is still coming back from a wreck earlier this season, but put in a solid 25th place finish.

Photo by Extreme Prestige Worldwide Photography

Sierra Maher's boyfriend, Bobby, also rode and finished in 2:10:08. And yes, this is the guy that JUST started riding about 2 months ago!

http://www.smileymiles.com/2013/RES13%20DASH%20FOR%20CASH%20MT%20BIKE%20SPORT%20OA.HTM

The T-shirt confirmed that the rumor is true. As of now, 2013 was the LAST year for the Dash for Cash.

Photo by Hannah Brewer

I hope the race is able to continue in some form since the rock sections, steep climbs, loose descents, and creek and tunnel crossings are one of a kind. I also have unfinished business with the Dash for Cash because I was off of my bike on a few of the techy sections.

If this was the last year, at least we went out with a bang! I had a great day on my bike, and just as good of a time hanging out with great friends before the yummy BBQ.

~HannaH

Yellow Creek MTB

Mike Maher ventured solo inito the back woods of Indiana, Pa. to race the May Edition of the Grassroots Racing Yellow Creek Park X-Country (series).

Problem is, Mike's alter ego, MATT showed up to race, which is likely the reason "HE"was able to achieve 2nd Place in the Sport Division!

Click here for the RESULTS

20130530

OUCH ...#&@!

Aaron (A-Bomb) Zirnsak had a minor mishap with a curb...

...and despite the looks of his front wheel, Aaron actually won (you should see the curb)!!!

Kevlar Bead? Not Bullet-Proof Enough for A-Bomb!

New Technology "Wavy Spokes"!

Note that the hub is centered over the (ground side) rim as an indication of how FAR OUT of TRUE the (air side) rim actually is...!

20130528

Hob-Knobbing!

Luke Scrivanich drove all of 10 minutes from his house to the Santa Rosa finish of the Tour of California....and rubbed it in our faces by sending us these pictures!

You da Man, Luke!

East Ohio Time Trial

The May Eastern Ohio Time Trial had good turnout with over 70 participants. The weather was very nice as well, with a fast tail wind going out and a pounding head wind coming back.

I covered the first half of the course waaaay faster than I had ever done before, but lost nearly all the time that I gained on the way back!

I ended the day in 1st Place of my age group, and 2nd Place Overall (by 1 second!).

It has been a nice start to the racing season!

Note that I actually beat David Thorton, who raced the course for the first time. I felt pretty good about that!

~by Steve Marlette

20130523

Wisp XC

ABRA MTB #1 - Logan Krause

Mike Maher has been helpful in my training, and Steve & Hannah Brewer helped me out at Brady's run. But for this race, I was ON MY OWN!!!

Before the start, I realized that I had lost the nose piece to my glasses and had to have my mom run up to the store by the white water course and get a new pair, turned out to be a very worthwhile purchase.

The day started off pouring down rain. At the time of the start it was still raining and didn't look like it was going to let up anytime soon. It didn't stop raining until almost the end of the first lap.

Photo by Fred Jordan

At the pre race meeting Jr had mentioned that he had changed the course, and changed the course he did! The course consisted of a lot of single track and the first half of the race was all down hill. Then of course, the second half was all UP hill...! And the course turned out to be 10 miles a lap, not the original 8, so my 16 mile race turned into almost 21 miles!

While there were a bunch of DNF out of all of the categorys, I stuck it out and finished in 16th Place of the Men's Sport 2/3 Division.

Over all it was a fun, hard, fast race! I would do it again just never in the rain on that course!

Race Results
https://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?permit=2013-1412

~ by Logan Krause

20130521

6 Hours of Brady's Run

Sunday was a perfect day for racing. Fast dry trails and 70 degree temps are MTB heaven at this time of year. Logan Krause braved the 6 hour race Solo Division, with Steve and Hannah Brewer riding in the Co-Ed DUO Division.

Team Ag3r/BrewCrew got off to a rough start when Steve stripped a hub on his first lap. While he was hiking the bike, another Butler rider saw his dilemma and kindly took the time at the transition zone to inform me that Steve was "off of his bike." I was given permission by the race officials to ride out to meet Steve to get his chip, finish his lap, and begin my first lap. As I was backtracking (half on/half off of the course) as to not get in the way of the racers, "Double Muff" picked up speed and coasted into the finish line, missing me and leaving him at the transition zone with no partner.........

After searching the trail and not finding him, I headed back to the transition zone. After searching the transition zone and not finding me, Steve ditched his dilapidated geared bike and took the Niner Rigid out for Lap 2.

Photo by Mike Briggs

So, Double Muff did Double Laps(!), as I waited impatiently in the transition zone.

Finally, things got back to normal.

Steve came through on his 2nd lap, and I headed out for our 3rd lap.

Photo by Mike Briggs

After Lap 3, I decided to double up and go straight out for our 4th lap since I was either going to have to double up then or later. Steve rode/ran laps 1 and 2, I rode laps 3 and 4, and Steve rode lap 5. We FINALLY started to ride consistently, putting in 54-58 minute laps.

My 3rd (and last) lap was my favorite lap of the day. I finally felt comfortable on the trails, and rode smoother than I did on my first two laps – if only I had fresh legs!

Photo by Mike Briggs

Since we were so far behind at the start, we assumed we would each only get three laps in. Unexpectantly, we finished in time for Steve to put in a 4th lap. At this point, he had had enough of the rigid-fork single speed and took my 29er out for his 4th, and our 7th/final lap.

Photo by Mike Briggs

After a long and chaotic day, we finished in 5th place in the Co-Ed DUO category. Not too bad for starting out DFL. And for the record, it is way more fun to play "catch-up” at the bar than it is at a mountain bike race :)

While driving home after the race, I declared that I was done doing 6 hour races. Steve agreed. This morning, all it took was one cup of coffee and I was already Google-ing 6 Hours of Power!

Results from our long but fun day can be found at:

http://www.smileymiles.com/2013/RES13%20BRADY%27S%20RUN%206%20HR%20MTN%20BIKE%20LAP%20RACE%20DUO%20CO-ED%20OA.HTM

Teammate Logan rode strong as a Solo rider, finishing four fast laps.

Photo by Mike Briggs

Solo results can be found at:

http://www.smileymiles.com/2013/RES13%20BRADY%27S%20RUN%206%20HR%20MTN%20BIKE%20LAP%20RACE%20OPEN%20OA.HTM

Photo by Tim Marsh

Thanks to LOGAN’S DAD for holding down the fort while the riders were out – and for providing water and the moral support that EVERY participant in an endurance race needs between laps.

-- Story by Hannah

20130520

Erie Time Trial

Presque Isle State Park - Erie, Pa.

Steve Marlettte and Ray Sielski represented Ag3r-ButlerHealthSystem at the Spring event benefiting the Iroquois School District Foundation.

Perfect spring conditions for racing, fair winds, calm lake, clear sky, 55 degrees at the start. Great day to race... all the makings for a fast course out and no tail wind on the way back.

These perfect conditions made it a challenge to keep the Spring Legs (and Spring Brain) "in check"!

Steve Marlette
6^th Place Overall
2^nd Place in age group
(2 seconds short of his Personal Record)

Ray Sielski
51^st overall
15^th Place in age group

http://bigwhitetrailer.com/timing/results_2013/20130505PITTResults/Overall.pdf\

~by Ray Sielski

20130516

It's ALL Kirk

While the rest of us were still sitting on the couch...

...the first FIVE races of the year were ALL raced solo by Kirk (The Machine) Morrison!

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Raleigh SS Derby
UCI CycloCross Worlds

Race Date: 1-31-13

Race Location: Seneca Park, Louisville, KY

Race Category: Open Men

Finish: 39th Place of 80 starteres in this "Unofficial" fun-race!

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Yellow Creek Grass Roots MTB - March

Race Date: 3-30-13

Race Location: Yellow Creek State Park, PA

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

Finish Place/TT Time: 18th Place

Web Address to Results: http://www.rideyc.com/news/march2013results

Race Review (from the organizers website): “Cool 32 degree start made way for a nice 45 degree finish. Sunny. Trails a little muddy, but overall not bad”.

Comments: I was glad that I didn’t come in “last place” for my first Expert class race. Had a good day with the exception of a few wrong turns and a broken spoke in my rear wheel (in one of the rock gardens).

Best regards,

Kirk

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Yellow Creek Grass Roots MTB - April

Race Date: 4-21-13

Race Name: Yellow Creek Grassroots Racing MTB

Race Location: Yellow Creek State Park, PA

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

Finish Place/TT Time: 21st Place

Web Address to Results: http://www.rideyc.com/news/april2013results

Race Review (from the organizers website): “Clear. Sunny. Starting temps in the low 40’s, finishing temps in the low 50’s. Course was dry and fast despite late week thunderstorms which made way for a new course record and lots of PR’s on Strava.”

Comments: This is one of the best courses I’ve ever ridden with a good mix of fast singletrack, rock gardens, climbs as well as great views of the lake. While I was still far back in the standings, I was able to improve my time by 13 minutes (over the same 18 mile course from the March race).

Best regards,

Kirk

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ABRA McKeesport Granprix (crit)

Race Date: 4-27-13

Race Location: McKeesport, PA

Race Category: Masters 50+

Finish Place/TT Time: 12^thPlace

Web Address to Results: https://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?permit=2013-1381

Race Review: Clear. Sunny. Starting temps in the 50’s, finishing temps in the 60’s. Nice 0.80 mile circuit with open, safe turns and a ¼ mile hill (19 times …). In spite of the “safe” course, my race had a crash from wheel overlap in the flat, straight section near the Start/Finish line. While I was not caught up in this, Gunnar Shogren did go down in this crash and (after banging his derailleur back into place and swapping out a replacement for a bent wheel) he was still able to rejoin the race and take the win.

Comments: Nice race at this new venue with some local spectators and a good number of racers (I believe with a record # of racers for an ABRA Crit). I enjoyed the chance to watch my nephew (Aaron Morrison) and his co-worker race in the 4/5 race prior to my start. A few pics from Fred Jordan are attached.

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Pedal Pine Springs (XC Mtb)

Race Date: 5-4-13

Race Location: Jennerstown, PA

Race Category: Expert

Finish Place/TT Time: 15^thPlace

Web Address to Results: http://pedalpinesprings.wix.com/race#!results/c1xfq

Race Review: Clear. Sunny. Starting temps in the 50’s, finishing temps in the 60’s. Fast 2 mile course with some tight single-track, a few stream crossings, a jump, and a mud pit. The Expert group did 6 laps on this course with lap times in the 10-12 minute range. My race was fairly uneventful (no crashes !) with the exception of an apparent rear tire puncture on lap #3. Fortunately, my tubeless Stan’s setup did a great job of sealing up the hole so I was able to finish out the race on slightly lower pressure, “squishy” rear tire.

Comments: Nice race at this new venue (their second year) with some local spectators and a lot of enthusiastic volunteers. I even won a wind-vest in the swag drawing after the race. I’d definitely like to come back for next years event.

Kirk M.