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

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

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^th Place

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.

 

 

Comeback TIME?

TIME moves on...

TIME to START it all over again!

2012 Final Results

Ag3r's Excellent Adventures

Sometimes a person can get SO FAR BEHIND, that the easiest way to catch up is to go BACK IN TIME...

...a trip Bill & Ted say is an EXCELLENT ADVENTURE..!

Then, once caught up, make the jump BACK TO THE FUTURE.

With this "timeless philosophy", Ag3r's cyclocross season will be published IN REVERSE...!  So, stay tuned to the (open) posts below.

 Party On, Garth  :)

Pa. State CX Championship

....the best of the best of the best, end up in the mud!

South Park Wave Pool CX

....swamped......signalling S.O.S.....

Raccoon Park CX

....stolen by a masked bandit....!

Bruceton Mills CX

....lost in the West Virginia Mountins...

Murrysville CX

...gone to Flanders.  Sorry, I was LION about that...!

Monster Cross

....hiding under the bed...

Marilla CX

...tricked, not treated...!

Ghostly Grey MTB

...nothing but a wisp of smoke at present...

Ohiopyle Super D

...still on the chair lift...

Military CX

...discipline pending...

North Park CX

...grazing....somewhere out in the "North 40" ...(?)

Kick Off Cross

...waiting to be kicked in the arse...!

Hello #10...?

...so far, NINE (seperate?) readers have declared "unbelievable" in the quest to justify postings.  Can we get ONE more? 

YOU can be the one to make "the grade"...!

Hello?

If "YES"...as a sign that you have been missing our race stories over the past (6) weeks, please click "unbelievable" below this post.

All Crossed-Up in Ohio

In preparation for the pending Pa./WVa. Cyclocross season, a few Ag3r riders (HannaH Brewer, Steve Brewer and Ray Sielski) headed into Ohio for a tune-up:

------------------
Words by Hannah:

I actually forget what happened at North Coast Grand Prix because it was so long ago (like 10 days!) ....so I will jump right to the results!

Steve had a great day and finished 3rd overall in the 3/4 race.

I do remember that I didn't get lapped by any of the girls (or 3/4 boys!) who were in our race. I finished 6th overall in the women's 1,2,3 race.

The course was dry and fast. A power course for sure.

https://www.usacycling.org/results/?year=2012&id=3120&info_id=56690

-----

Since the North Coast NEOCX race was a fun course, we headed back to Ohio the following weekend to race at the Blue Sky or Not cx race. However, when we got there, Blue Sky or Not was not a question... there was no blue sky in sight. Rain, lots of mud, and unseasonably cold temps were the theme of the day. Ray, Steve, and I braved the mud and raced pretty well.

Steve Brewer finished 4th overall in the 3/4.
Ray Sielski finished 8th overall in C50+, and
Hannah Brewer finished 3rd overall in the women's 123.

Don't expect these results from me again. It was either birthday luck, or the fact that I seem to race best when there's mud!!!

http://neocx.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/blue-sky-or-not3-results.pdf

-----

Ray's take on the No Blue Sky Day:
HannaH, Steve and Ray headed out to the shores of Lake Erie to race CX.

An early morning drive starting out in the cold put promising sky appear to be a great day for a race.

Enter the Cleveland factor, driving into Cleveland brought the wall of rain and gray. At the venue steady rain soaked the course and 40's meant for much hand rubbing waiting to register. No pre race on-line registration meant for long lines which took 45 minutes to clear.

The first third of the course was flat grass, one barrier and plenty of twisty tight turns. The grass was very saturated which made for slow speed. The middle course had dips into a central mud hole with three small drops to enter and three small climbs to exit, all rideable. Had to be careful of the twisty roots and each drop had an increasing amount of mud as rain was washing in all morning. The last third had a slight pavement path climbing and two 90 degree turns just to keep you from gaining any speed.

HannaH finished 3rd
Steve finished 4th
Ray finished 8th

http://neocx.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/blue-sky-or-not3-results.pdf

Month of Mud #2

Kirk Morrison and Rich Allen stayed on their Month of Mud Series run ...this time at Brady's Run, a venue with LOTS of climbing, log crossings and roots, roots and more roots!

Rich took 7th Place in the Masters Division

photo by Mike Briggs

Kirk took 12th Place in the Single Speed Division

photo by Mike Briggs

With two rounds of racing left, Rich's results landed him in 4th Place of the Series.

photo by Mike Briggs

Kirk's results find him sitting in 8th Place in his Series.

photo by Mike Briggs

Next Up: The North Park CycloCross Race!

Month of Mud #1

The 2012 Month of Mud kicked off this year with the Moraine State Park mountain bike race.

Attending this year was Rich Allen, Kirk Morrison, and Henry Dimmick.

Rich finished in 6th Place of the Masters Division (32nd Overall in the "Long Course" race)

photo by Mike Briggs

Kirk finished in 8th Place of the Single Speed Division (54th Place Overall in the "Long Course" race)

photo by Mike Briggs

Henry served as the "middle-of-the-woods" Corner Marshal, directing traffic one way on Lap#1 and a different way on Lap#2.

photos by Sonic Imaging

----------------------------------
Here is Kirk's story of the day:

This was my first race in the SS class and, between the course and the competition I was fully challenged.

The good news is that my new belt drive, SS Spot Rocker performed flawlessly.

photo by Mike Briggs

The bad news is that I got caught up in the traffic jam of the slower Masters & Vet racers and never got into a good rhythm. Unfortunately, I was pulled after the first loop since the Sport leaders (on a shorter, less technical loop) passed me just before I was able to start the 2nd loop.

As a consolation, Stacie Truszkowski and I decided to ride the 2nd loop to make a full day of the outing. After we were out on the course (which was now closed), we decided to help the organizers with course cleanup by taking down the course tape. After filling up our pockets and backpacks we ended up stuffing the rest of the tape under our jerseys. Needless to say, by the time we made it back we both resembled the Michelin Man.

photos by Sonic Imaging

Regarding placings, I thought that I had avoided DFL status since I had passed a few other SS racers. However, in the final results I ended up in 8th place (DFL !) since it appears that 2 racers from the SS category DNF’d (the expert loop was pretty challenging on an SS rig …). Oh well, better to end up DFL rather than DNF (I’m hoping that this is the last time I can use this line !).

Results link: http://monthofmud.org/?page_id=2072

Excellent race organization and course work (thanks to Brian Parker & Brad Kriley). Also, great course marshalling by HD!

Richy should have some good info to add (including a hard crash, bent shifters and 4 bee stings !!?).

photo by Tad Riddell

I’m looking forward to the next MoM race at Brady’s Run on Oct 7th.

Peanut Butter Festival

With Hannah Brewer and Rich Allen's Ride the Wilds Series Podiums on the line, Mike Maher, Ray Sielski, Henry Dimmick, and Steve Brewer circled thier wagons and headed to the Peanut Butter Festival MTB race...the final race in the 2012 summer series.

Steve, Ag3r's only rider in the EXPERT division...

...missed a turn while bombing down a hill, and after climbing back up from the bottom, still ended up in 10th place...an impressive ride for a ROADIE :)

The rest of us raced in the Sport Division. Some, like Richy & Hannah were racing for final Series positions, and others, like Ray, Mike and Henry, were in the race for emotional support...

...for race support...

and as sacrificial lambs in the event one of the podium contenders needed "mechanical support"!!!



In the end, it all worked out GREAT!

Hannah took 1st Place in the Women's Race...26th Place Overall Sport...

...and 1st Place in the 2012 Ride the Wilds Women's Series...

...which made her quite happy...

...which made Steve happy too...

...and was something for SISTERS to celebrate ...with Ice Cream :)

Richy took 3rd Place in the Master's 50-59 Race...15th Place Overall Sport....

...and 3rd Place in the Master's 50-59 Sport Series...

...and WAS happy too, despite his podium photo (above)...!!!

Sometimes, he can be such a............(!)

:)

Mike got lost, but finished in 7th Place in Sport 40-49 ... and 30th Place Overall Sport,

Henry had a flat tire, and finished in 7th Place Sport 50-59 ... 39th Place Overall Sport,

Ray finished in 9th Place of the Sport 50-59 ... and 59th Place Overall Sport.

Afterwards, we all headed into town to enjoy the Peanut Butter Festival :)

We definitely were NOT in Kansas (anymore)!!!