Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Bike Swinging

So with the big weather event this weekend I played a little bike swapping on Saturday. It was up early (6am) to ride the fargo on the snowmobile trails. The weather really started in hard at that point and before long the inch of new snow was turning into 4 inches of new snow and the going got slow. So headed back home and switched to the cross bike as the tires really cut thru the snow better and stuck to the tarmac. Unfortunately the amount of traffic even at 8 am was making the roads rutted and dangerous so not as long a ride as I'd planned.


Unfortunately all of this getting up really early to ride before work has finally caught up to me in the form of a wicked cold. Really it's not the getting up early, its the going to bed late. If you ride 15 plus hours a week but only average 5 1/2 hours of sleep a night, eventually you have to pay that dept. My body is finally collecting and I have been sidelined since saturday with a bad head cold. Too much hacking to ride much in this cold weather. Still riding to work every day though. The southern most section of the Douglas that they are keeping plowed this year is really nice for getting to work.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Race Captures Hearts, Minds, and Imaginations of the World!

This weekend there were quite a few races in the midwest, but one stands head and shoulders above the rest. It has set itself apart with the level of difficulty and competitiveness of the event. The length combined with the climbing makes this one of the great Icons of sport. Of coures I am talking about the Murphy Off-road Duathalon.


I was lucky enough to gain the blessing from my lovely wife and daughter to attend this event for the second time in my life and once again it did not disappoint. Also I decided once I got there to try out a new running style. Basically it has to do with some over use injuries I have been experiencing and my theory that they aren't being caused by my increasing age to amount on time spent training ratio, but actually due to the establiment telling us that we should run a certain way. So I wanted to go back to the ways our ancient ancestors ran. They didn't have the fancy running stuff that we do. So for this race I spent a lot of time at como zoo watching our true ancestors the monkeys and gorilla's. So for this race I ran in a hunched over flat footed fashion and used both my legs and the knuckles of my hands to propel me forward. And low and behold I won the race for the second time. I didn't win by as much this time as last time, but I am pretty sure it's because second place must have been a high school track star. Now I have a victory as well as carpel tunnel in both hands and several compacted vertebrae to show for the weekend. Maybe our ancestors were able to run like that a lot easier because they were 4 feet tall and weighed 100 pounds. Well nothing to do but keep at it.


Also with this victory I am declaring myself the best. Period.

Also there was a small race in afton some people might have thought was tough this weekend.

Eastwood is in really good shape with lots of trimming having gotten done recently and the new section on the west side open and ready for riding.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Farewell TRI GUY



Mark Carey (seen above) was the 4th place finisher of the Sandwich as well as helping us set up and take apart the course. Beyond that Mark was a great guy well known in the Rochester athletic community for being a constant fixture at the tuesday night track workouts, mountain bike time trials, tri time trials, and leading Tri bike workouts at Rochester Cycling and Fitness. When I first met Mark he was new to mountain bikes but he impressed me with his enthusiasm to ride and pick up the techniques that many of us thought of as second nature. Mark continued to impress with with his constant steady improvement. He was getting faster every single time he rode. I'm comfortable saying Mark has moved into the category of elite rider and I think we'll all be sorry to see him go and his absence will be felt at the Tuesday championships. So Thanks to Mark for sharing the good times, good luck to both you and your wife, and we hope to see you back someday.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Prize time!!

Pics of the race can be found here and here.

The prize table held many goodies to the deserving. We went all out to get the most top quality merchandise into racer's hands. Here are the big time riders with their big time loot. Although we did not go seeking sponsors, we did have prizes show up on their own. Thanks to Bob Marhefke for adding BBB glasses, Squirt lube and Ritchey lube to our table.














Monday, May 10, 2010

Results!

http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0011/3362/Sandwich_Results.pdf

The results are linked above. I won't racap my race other than to say that I was broken by the end of lap 7. Instead I will just tell a few quick stories about the day.

I was the first one to pass the bacon stop and at that time it was one guy leaning against a surly big dummy. Every lap after that the set up became better and better and the crowd got bigger and bigger. It was like a midlap party that cheered everyone up every time they went by. It was definately a highlight of the day and mountain bike racing is missing that kind of element on a regular basis.

The singlespeeders were going through chains. I think I counted 7 broken chains. Yet they kept on turing over laps.

One guy rode the big boulder to skinny every single lap and he completed the race.

One guy skipped the big log pile in the field on the first lap and instead wiped out on the slick grass going around it.

Bikes were broken left and right, but no body parts were seriously injured and that's always a good thing.

Looking at the lap times you could tell the course started out a little wet and dried out over the next 3 laps. People got faster through lap 5 in some cases.

Cumulatively we probably burned 50,000 calories out there.

One of the crazy guys on a cyclocross bike finished all 7 laps. That is one tough dude.

Let me know any other good stories from the day as I am sure I missed some great stuff.

We will be back next year. Probably the same name, maybe a different format (teams).

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Hammer and the Nail

Monthly Tuesday Night WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP of Eastwood last night. Great turnout with about 18 people out there. I'm sure times are up on the rasc boards so I won't bother reposting. Charlie Tree kept up his winning ways pulling off the W. He may have been helped out by a few ill timed crashes out there. I wasn't the hammer or the nail. So I guess that made me the wood?? Here are a host of pictures from the night for your viewing pleasure.

































































































































































Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Roster/race Update

Well, we are technically down to one left on the wait list. With a few weeks to go it is a safe bet that we will have more people drop out. What does that mean? You can probably get in, but you need to sign up now!

The race will be 7 laps plus a prologue. Currently only 2 people have been able to get close to the 30 minute mark for one lap. Most are mid 30's.

Just an FYI, you will be considered a finisher by finishing just one lap. You do not need to complete all 7 laps to finish.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Drop out

We just saw this on Velonews:

MN Champ Fears the Sandwich 50

The state of MN has seen a formidable professional mountain biker dominate the MN series in the year 2009, taking the win at almost every race with dominating force. Looking to expand his repertoire, the man with the giant calves, Brendan Moore, decided to tackle a new race in MN, The Sandwich 50. "It sounds like a fantastic race", said the series winner earlier this year, "I look forward to it".

Things change. As the date loomed ever closer our mountain bike hero had second thoughts. He worried about the distance, the rumors of phenomenal singletrack, and 2 riders specifically; Charly Tri and Matt Kurke. "They are the Eastwood Ninjas", a Rochester local was heard saying. Yes, Charly and Matt bring fear into the hearts of those that ride Eastwood (and those that lurk as well). So off our MN favorite went this last Easter Sunday. With his children reaching out to be with their Dad and his wife stuck at home dealing with the daily needs, Brendan set out to ride the famous Eastwood trails.

The man in the green Saturn remembers that day, "I was just sitting there when some guy came through on a mountain bike. He kept hitting the trees with his calves. It was like he was not able to master the trail". It was reported that our local hero was frustrated and discouraged. He knew racing "The 50" would only end in his inability to to break the skill of Charly and Matt. With his head down, he made his way home.

It was rumored that he took his frustrations out in his man cave. One, then 2 beers were consumed. Stumbling and slurring his speech, he was reported to be riding down his street on his child's strider bike. Reverting back to a time when life seemed much more innocent.

The next day he would send an e-mail that would only confirm to the rest of the world what he already knew. He didn't have it in him to race The Sandwich 50. You can see here in the picture as part of Brendan's mental regression he fashioned a Velorochester onesie to race in. He can be seen now challenging 5 year old's on his street to races.

We here at Velonews hope Brendan has a speedy recovery.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

So the good news is that one of our people on the waiting list is now in. Porter was thrilled with the news.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Race Roster

Names in italics are those that showed me they are members. If you have not done this then do so ASAP. Oh, and those with *** were simply of the opinion that they would love Justin with any haircut, or no hair at all. Their love for him is never ending, limitless. People in bold are in the preferred start.

1. Charly "Meat" Tri; Rochester, MN -Man, Old
2. Matt "Kuske" Kurke; Rochester, MN -Man ***
3. Larry Sauber; Hudson, WI -Man Old
4. Sean O'Donnell; Rochester, MN -Man Old
5. Bill Franken: Rochester, MN -Man New
6. Jim Goblirsch; Rochester, MN- Man Old
7. Sam Goblirsch; Rochester, MN- Man Old
8. George Eckman; Oronoco, MN -Man ***
9. Mick and Sydney Carlson, Duo Old
10. Bev and Van Carlson Duo New
11. Gunnar Soroos; Rochester, MN- Man New
12. John Reinan; Lakeville, MN -Man New
13. Rick Ochs, Marshall, MN -Man Old
14. Porter Million, -Man ***
15. Ted Clausen; Minneaplois, MN -Man ***
16. Jeremie Van Ryswyk; Crystal, MN -Man New
17. Dave Hoglund; Champlin, MN -Man New
18. Sam Beveridge; Edina, MN -Man Old
19. Paul Jacobs -Man Old
20. Matthew Prentice; Minnetonka, MN -Man Old
21. Adam Caughey; Marshall, MN -Man Old
22. Mat Moore -Man Old
23. Carl Arnold; Northfield, MN -Man Old
24. Nate Kremer; Rochester, MN -Man New
25. Clayton McLagan; Forest Lake,MN -Man New
26. Shari McLagan: Forest Lake, MN -Not Man New
27. Todd Larson; Minneapolis, MN -Man Old
28. Joe Kjeer: Scandia, MN -Man New
29. Will and Maggie Kjeer; Scandia, MN -Duo ***
30. Brendan Moore: Savage, MN -Man Old
31. Isaac Gieesn; Red Wing, MN -Man New
32. Larry Warrington, Red Wing, MN -Man New
33. Marcus Warrington; Red Wing, MN -Man Old
34. Eric Applen; Rochester, MN -Man New
35. Gregorio Ramirez, Dominican Republic -Man ***
36. Dan Funke; Cannon Falls, MN -Man New
37. Doug Fish, Rochester, MN -Man Old
38. Charlie Knutson; Minneapolis, MN -Man New
39. Ben Swenka; Houlton, WI -Man New
40. Matt Weissenborn; Robinsdale, MN -Man Old
41. Christopher Coon; Rochester, MN -Man Old
42. Brian and Melissa Gregg; Rochester, MN -Duo New
43. Todd Amunrud; Northfield, MN -Man Old
44. Chad Olson; Star Prarie, WI -Man Old
45. Mike Pfeiffer; Savage, MN -Man Old
46. Patrick Menton; Winona, MN -Man ***
47. Cory Russell; Amery, WI -Man Old
48. Jon Sigerud; Plymoth, MN -Man New
49. Eddie Karow; St. Paul, MN -Man Old
50. Kevin Flanders; Minneapolis, MN -Man Old
51. Cory Mortensen; Minneapolis, MN -Man ***
52. Alan Eastlund; Edina, MN -Man New
53. Lisa Thompson; Minneapolis, MN -NOT Man ***
54. Amy Ochs; Marshall, MN -NOT Man New
55. Scott Goulet; Amery, WI - Man Old
56. Jason Novak; Rochester, MN -Man/Masters/Clydesdale/Fat Tire Division ***
57. Alex Kiel and Cadi Kivimagi ; Rochester, MN -Duo Old
58. Mark Honecker; Rochester, MN -Man Old
59. Patrick Sheedy; Rochester, MN -Man ***
60. Bob Gritman; Rochester, MN -Man Old
61. Chris Driscol; Rochester, MN -Man New
62. Todd Johnson; Apply Valley, MN -Man Old
63. Ryan Guy; Brooklyn Park, MN -Man Old
64. Ray Nickles; Maplewood, MN -Man Old
65. Matt Sorenson; Rochester, MN -Man New
66. Gary Gross; Rochester, MN -Old Man New
67.  Franz Rinkleff; Rochester, MN  -Man  Old
68.  Tyler Heibel; Fountain, MN  -Man  New
69.  Brett Koplin; Rochester, MN  -Man  ***
70.  Dave Jensen; Fergus Falls, MN  -Man  New
71.  Nate Jensen; Fergus Falls, MN  -Man Old
72.  Kaleb Himli; Fountain, MN  -Man  New
73. Nick Guettler; Eagan, MN  -Man  Old
74.  Rob Belz; Afton, MN             -Man  New
75.  Ryan Fitzgerald;    -Man   ???
76.  Trevor Rockwell; Decorah, IA  -Man  ???
77.  Jacque Poquette; Ham Lake, MN  -Man  New
78.  Paul Hanson; Mankato, MN  -Man  ???
79.  Joel Benton;   Man  New
80.  Bart Rodberg;   Man  New 
81. Rick Foster;  Man  ???

The Rules

Rules:

1. This is a 7 lap race, but you only need to finish 1 lap to be scored.  You will not be considered a DNF, this is for fun.  No need to stress yourself out.  

2. No complaining. No whining. Only constructive compliments allowed.  

3. Start is at 9am, all racers must be done by 6pm.  Le mans start.

4. You are allowed one cooler to set along the trail in a designated area. No tents.

5. There will be 3 categories, Male, Female, 2 Person Team (male/female, female/female, adult/child).  There is not currently a male/male 2 person team option. You have a single speed? Cool, what gender are you because that is your class. 

6. Costumes are encouraged, because why not?

7. Potluck and or BBQ goodies are accepted and encouraged.  The plan is to bring a grill and cook up some hot dogs around lunch time.  If you can bring something to share to go along with it it's highly appreciated!

8. Any place disputes between riders will be settled via King of Funk dance off in the parking lot following the race. 

9. As if we need to say it: wear a helmet.  Be nice.

10. The race directors reserve the right to do whatever we want whenever we want. This includes changing rules as we see fit.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Sandwich 50

What: 50 miles of championship hard Eastwood riding.

When: May 6th 2023, 9am Le Mans start

Who:  You, if you are cool enough.

Where: Eastwood Park in Rochester. 7 miles of the best God given single track that the world has ever known.

Why: Because we need more events that put smiles on faces.

How:  Registration is $20, $5 for High School racers.

Guess who's back, back again....

It's back!!!!!  After a 10 year hibernation the mountain bike race that puts the fun back into racing is back on May 6th.  Most everythi...