Gopher Wheelmen Junior Racing Team
Our team was formed to share the thrill of competitive cycling with junior and senior high school kids.
Goals: Team members learn how to train for racing performance, but more importantly, members develop the skills needed to “ride like a pro in the peloton”. Our team will ride like we’re accomplished racers (even when we’re riding slowly).
Membership: We are members of the Gopher Wheelmen however we collaborate with the St. Paul Bicycle Racing Club for our coaching and activities. To participate in our activities you need to be a member of one of these two clubs.
Junior Team at the Quad Cities, 2011
Activities: We…
- Ride together on weekly skills and training rides,
- Race together at our local races,
- Travel together to big regional races that attract young racers from all over the country,
- And, regularly goof off together, like at Dairy Queen or at “important” team meetings. We actually like hanging out together and we’re pretty serious about having fun!
So Join Us!! We’re very open to new members, and it won’t matter if you’re new to cycling. We’re all from different schools and neighborhoods and we’re really not that cliquish.
What do you need? A road bike (it doesn’t have to be fancy though). A helmet. Your parents’ permission. Let’s talk! Please contact one of us.
Co-Director: Sherry Berde Townsend Sherry, a Clinical Psychologist, is an experienced regional competitor and a reigning National Tandem Champion (with her husband Charlie). Sherry’s recognized as a catalyst for growing women’s and juniors participation in the sport.
Contact Sherry at ssbt123@aol.com
Co-Director: Paul Arsenault Paul is a retired accountant who has a lifetime passion for the sport of bike racing and touring. Ask him a question about what is going on in the pro racing scene (past or present) and he likely will know the answer. Contact Paul at paularsenault@comcast.net
Paul climbing snake alley.
Head Coach and Co- Director: Charlie Townsend Charlie’s a USA Cycling licensed coach with decades of racing experience (currently races with the Bianchi/Grand Performance Team). He’s a 3 time National Champion and current Criterium Masters National Champion.
Contact Charlie at chs1234@aol.com
Charlie on the top step of the podium at Master Nationals.
Assistant Coach and Co-Director: Dylan Knutson Dylan’s a hard working college student and member of the Bianchi / Grand Performance Elite Racing Team. Everybody’s big brother, Dylan can often be found at the front of the local Pro, 1, 2 field.
Contact Dylan at dknutson91@gmail.com
Pictures
Quad Cities
Cross Training
Dairy Queen
Planning meeting