Gopher Wheelmen Cycling Club

From: Bill Connell
Date: Oct 7, 2007 9:45 PM

The lesson learned at Lake Rebecca for me this year was ‘don’t take
the small stuff for granted’. In particular, that *#&#(* log barrier.
It was easily rideable, but ruled at the start line that the C racers
must dismount for it. I understand that *some* C racers maybe
shouldn’t have ridden it, but i think we should have had the option.

Anyway, so it was a tiny barrier, not even a big step over it,
shouldn’t have been a big deal. On the first lap, i spun my cranks
back and dropped the chain. I recovered practically on the fly, losing
2-3 spots and gaining a “nice recovery” from someone as they went by.
Great! On the second lap, my left cleat didn’t come loose, and i
somehow got myself tangled up and ran for about 20 feet that way
before going bum over teakettle, scraping up both legs, cutting my
knee and hitting my ankle on something really really hard. After that,
i was much more careful over that damn log.

Other than that, it was way too hot, but a friend helped with
invaluable water handups. I have no idea how i placed, but was pretty
happy with how i moved up through the pack after a start near the back
(late warm-up lap). No other crashes, though it was a near thing at
the end. I was beat and eased off on the long straight until 2 (two!)
guys passed me with 100′ to go. I stood up and hammered and caught
them both, though the second guy and i leaned on each other a bit
(more like me muscling my way past, from his perspective) and i got a
little out of shape right before the line but held it up ok. I think i
got him by about 1/2 a wheel, but i didn’t get his name or race number
to confirm. A gratifying finish to an otherwise tough race.

From: Martha Gilligan
Date: Oct 8, 2007 9:35 AM

Michael’s Race report:

We got to Lake Rebecca 5 minutes before the start of the C race. Right
after we registered, Sherry announced, “No more C race registrations!”
We had to b-line it to the start and we didn’t know where it was and
we asked a few people on the way. Once the race started it was slow at
the beginning because there were so many people in the C race. I fell
behind, but caught Jordan at the first corner, but then lost him
again. I felt crummy on the first lap. But then I remembered there was
another C4 kid in front of me, so I sped up to try to catch him. After
the second barrier, before going up the grassy hill, the boy was
trying to clip in and ride up the hill. So I went over the barrier and
tried to ride up the hill too, but ended up walking up it. He wasn’t
far ahead of me and we were on a flat surface and so I got close to
him and drafted a bit. Once we got to the big down hill near the tent
at the start/finish, I passed him and was able to hold him off for our
final lap.

Brian’s Race report:

I am tired from the race. I fell on the turn right before you go into
the woods. I slid on the gravel, the bike fell on me and I was still
clipped in. I couldn’t get my shoe unclipped and so I ended up sliding
my foot out of the shoe and getting up. I was trying to smack my shoe
out of the pedal and a bunch of people passed me. It was my first time
doing CX in my new mountain bike shoes and being clipped in. Up to now
I’ve just ridden in my tennis shoes and I didn’t have to worry about
clipping out for the barriers and stuff. It was a hard race.
There is some confusion for the age groups for CX this year in our
category. There is a boy who is 14, at Hudson they put him as a C3,
but at this race he was put as a C4. So when we race, we don’t really
know how we place or finish because we don’t know what category he is
in. I wish they’d figure out.

Here are some pictures from yesterdays race:

http://picasaweb.google.com/gilliganma/GWCyclocross?authkey=KVi9vQvtCbE

This year’s flyer is now posted.

Time to get your bike and your costume ready for action.

From: Sara Brokaw
Date: Oct 1, 2007 9:25 AM

Rodents represented in the C race with Lynne, Sue, Gaines Bros, and
Ted Free (sporting an old-school skinsuit). Rodents in the B race
with myself, Dan, Rich….I think that was it. Rodents represented in
the cheering Section with CherylB and KathyO. IN all, a superb course
(probably most fun I’ve had on a course) with a mix of somewhat
technical single-track-esque sections through some muddy areas and
wide open grassy areas. The two sections of the course were separated
by an uphill sandy run followed by about 25 m of pavement and another
uphill sandy run. The C race escaped w/o rain, but rain fell during
the second half of the B race, making the “race” really fun (and
challenging)! From my own personal perspective, I notice improvement
on remounts & ! finding the pedals, felt supersmooth over the
barriers, and found I could run as fast through the mud as folks who
were still riding it. Room for improvement in the technical
sections…wished I’d had smaller tires of an mtb to get through those
turns.

Good to see so many rodents out there enjoying true cyclocross conditions!

From: Jeff Ingham
Date: Oct 1, 2007 9:10 AM

Well here’s a recap since other than the Gaines brothers I was the
only Gopher crazy enough to show up.

Not liking the weather Saturday I figured I could just race Sunday, it
couldn’t be any worse right. Well I got to Orono and it was POURING.
I figured I’m here I may as well race. I spent about 30 minutes just
circling the football field warming up it was water-logged but at
least it wasn’t muddy. One thing was definitely needed yesterday were
specific mud tires…..I didn’t have those. Started off on with a
loop around the track which was under a good inch of water then off
into the mud. My legs felt great but I had almost no traction. The
start was fast and I had to be really careful in all the turns. I
because of this I quickly fell to the back of the lead group. The
first lap I rode up all but the biggest run up hill but the conditions
quickly deteriorated. Laps 2 and 3 I was basically figuring out a
strategy. I was really moving on all the sections that weren’t gloppy
mud but once in the glop I had no traction, just spinning my rear
wheel, turns were sketchy at best. I really had to slow down in all
the turns.

By lap 3 I had it figured out. Run all the hills, trying to ride them
was much slower. The cattle shoot with the two sharp 180’s were much
faster to run than ride. You had to almost come to a complete stop to
make the turn then accelerating was useless in that gooey mud. I
ended up running quite a bit but it was faster. My strategy was
working. I counted at least 5 people I passed on the last two laps
and I was actually getting stronger/faster as the race went on. Last
lap I just missed catching someone at the line, I took back about half
a lap on riding on the track. If the race went one more lap I’m
positive I would have kept moving up. I was smooth over all the
barriers.

I though it was a fun course, with out the rain I would have really liked it.

The rain really wasn’t all that bad since it wasn’t cold but the mud
sucked, I’ll have to change all my cables/housings since they’re now
filled with mud.

Lessons learned:

Mud specific tires were essential
Toe spikes for my shoes would have helped
Need to start faster (It always takes me a few races to figure this out)

I encourage everyone to check out the pics on skinniski they’re hysterical.

Reminded me of chequemegon circa 91-93

Good Times!

P.S. the newest Gopher will be arriving this Thursday (if not sooner)
so I probably wont be around next weekend.

From : Bill Connell
Date : Sun, 23 Sep 2007 22:21:23 -0500

Yeah, the course was pretty hard. It was deceptive, because the first
1/3 of the course was just winding and flat. The rest of the course
wasn’t horrible, but that flat first 1/3 definitely ended up being a
recovery zone for me. I obviously should have listened to that inner
voice a month ago that said, “you’d better start running now, you know
that cross is going to hurt less if you do some running”.

I thought i was doing pretty well for this race – spent Friday night
prepping the bike, had a good breakfast, got there plenty early enough
for registration and pre-riding the course, and only then realized
that i’d forgotten my helmet. Luckily, i was able to borrow one (in
team colors, no less) and get into the race.

Helmet sorted, I started out the C race pretty well, passing a dozen
or two riders on the first lap after a start toward the back of the
pack. After the first lap and final runup to the start/finish line, i
had to pull back and pace myself to get through the next 4 laps. It
was a pretty hot day for ‘cross, and i was wishing i’d arranged a
water handup after lap 2.

Once i was in pacing mode, i just tried to hold my place and
concentrate on good form and pushing as i could. I was pretty happy
with the barrier form, just a couple of stutter steps and one missed
pedal jumping on for the runup, but the minnehaha practice helped a
lot.

Great to see lots of rodents out today, thanks for the cheering and
fun to cheer everyone else – last year i didn’t really know people’s
names, but i think i knew everyone today. No idea of my how i placed,
but i’m reasonably happy with the season opener overall. I’m taking
next weekend off, i’ll be back for Lake Rebecca in a couple of weeks.

From: Dan Wheeler
Date: Sep 24, 2007 10:37 AM

Here I thought cyclocross season meant the return of long sleeves,
hot coffee and a relaxing race atmosphere… Well, 1 outta 3 was met
yesterday at the Pork Chop CX. Great to see our rodents out in force!
Bill and Lynne looked like consistent forces to be reckoned with in
the C’s. Way to go!

Lined up with Rich and I in the B’s with Sara and Corey (we’ll still
claim her since she WAS wearing our colors) for the lady side – for a
total of 67 riders. Race started out moderately quick with winding in
the grassy flats before the more technical sections (barriers,
run-ups, descents, climbs). I keep leaders in sight and am within the
top 10 into the technical stuff. with Rich close behind. Fly over
barriers and up run-up and pick off riders until I am riding in the
top 3 (lost Rich in this time period somewhere?). Feeling good, but
too hot and early in the season to push harder. Let these 2 go and
ride solo in 3rd for about a lap. Get caught by 2 strong guys and
ride with them for another lap or so. With 2 to go and nobody else
even remotely close, I let go and am ecstatic to roll in for 5th!

Skinnyski.com has some great photos of the GW gang in action (both
C’s and B’s). The C field was big and shows that cx is a growing and
viable cycling discipline. Come find out why everyone is trying it!
GW practice at Minnehaha Falls Park – 6PM (inclement weather
encouraged, but severe weather/lightning cancels).

Thanks for reading! dw

From: Sara Brokaw
Date: Sep 24, 2007 8:54 AM

Lynne Congrats on being the first Gopher this year to “do the double!”
Yesterday was a bit warm, but everybody looked resplendent in the
blue & orange! I thought a short sleved skinsuit would be
sufficiently cool, but it was not! Chills post-race confirmed it was
atypical Cx weather!

Last week mentally I wasn’t quite ready for cx season to
start…needed to be October or something. An attempt at one final
pitstop led Velo Bella to yell, “Sara they’re starting!” Skipped the
final pitstop & raced to the line just in time for the field to
depart! Relief but I knew starting position can make or break ones
race, and this is just how today was going!!

Just focused on watching the girlz in front of me….H-wood, IS Corp,
superstar Jenna Zander, ND Linda were ahead, and girlz at the back
consisted of 2 B-wood (including BWARC), Corey C, and myself. A
Dropped chain in front of me on the first runup lost a bit of
momentum, but I just focused on hanging on to those in front. Hadn’t
encountered the barriers redlined yet this year, but the first attempt
over the double section went rather smoothly. Bobbled a couple of the
uphill remounts (post barrier) and had to run after coming to a
complete stop.

Early on in the race, I passed Bwood#2, and she passed me back, so I
just focused on staying close. BWARC came by and again focused on
staying close. Bwood#2 went backwards after being passed by BWARC,
and I just focused on BWARC, noticing that Corey was closing from
behind. Soon after the double barrier section, I passed BWARC and
tried to focus on staying smooth.

25 m before I saw 3 to go, the leaders came by, giving myself & a very
relieved Loon State rider TWO to go!! Now I just needed to not make
mistakes & focus on holding the gap. Soon Rodent Wheeler came by
having a most excellent race (ended top5?)!

In the end held position (despite mistakes on the uphill remounts)
ahead of scrappy BWARC & Corey, but a super fun race given that we had
a tight race amongst 4 of us (Bwood#2 abandoned).

Of note, bike seems perfectly dialed, I feel smoother over the
barriers compared to last year. I do need to do a bit of skill
practice since I was really riding pretty sloppy throughout the day.

Great to see so many gophers participating in the most difficult of
cycling disciplines!

Sara

From: Lynne
Date: Sep 23, 2007 8:38 PM

Ouch.

Didn’t crash. Just ouch.

It was so incredibly hard, but so much fun! I finished really near
the bottom, but not DFL. Seriously do NOT care because I wasn’t even
able to do this race last year (the ONLY one I missed from being too
tired). So I am really happy I did it and didn’t DFL. It was HOT
and it was HARD. I think there were at least two really hard runups,
and that doesn’t even begin to describe how hard the course was.

My form totally sucked, but I really was still tired from racing
yesterday and driving home and then the much shorter drive today.
Excuses, excuses, lol!

It was so great to look all pro in the GW skinsuit that Sara so
generously let me buy off of her (since I have next to nothing on
Gopher-wear). That and my mean looking bike and I was feeling
goooooood (because it’s all about how you look, right?)

I don’t want to say anything about how any of the other gophers did
because I can’t wait to read their reports. But it was great seeing
Jessica, Dan, Rich, Sara, Corey (I’m missing someone and his name is
escaping me since I am so bad with names) and their significant
others/feed zone pros. Thanks for all the cheers and encouragement

Come out next Saturday-I promise not to be so tired and you can cheer
my MUCH better form

From: Lynne
Date: Sep 22, 2007 8:18 PM

Whew, racing is tiring (especially when you drive 4 hrs to/from!). I
placed 2/4, but that doesn’t do justice to how pleased I am with how
it went today.

This course has greasy mud (much more so than last year), grassy areas
(a nice break from the harder stuff), a sweet off camber grassy
uphill, single track, a small rideable hill in the muddy area, a
single barrier, a double barrier and a single barrier in front of the
mud runup, finishing on asphalt (not all of that is in order). So,
personally I think it’s a tough course.

C’s being first, we of course got the muddiest ride of the day. I was
sliding hither and thither, but held it and never crashed or put my
foot down (which I had to do last year, so I’m tickled pink with
making it through that). I had a huge disadvantage in that I run
really wide tires that don’t have center knobbies (they have furrows
that run perpendicular to the rims). So they fill up with the mud and
it’s like riding on slicks.

Unlike last year, I wasn’t the only woman, yay! Benita was there,
some woman I don’t know and BW Annie trying her first CX race.

I’m so happy because it was night and day from last year!! I started
at the back because I couldn’t prevent a slide and didn’t want someone
to run into me (that would SUCK if I got injured on this first race).

But thanks to practice, practice, practice at the GW clinics and then
practicing that some more by myself, I didn’t have to stop in front of
any of the barriers, I was able to hop right on after the barriers
without completely stopping, I was able to ride the mud, I rode up the
small mud hill (which I had to dismount and run last year) and I made
the off camber perfectly every time.

One time I did have to actually stop and find my pedal-the last lap
after the double barrier because I was totally exhausted. Someone
please let Jessica know that I can’t thank her enough for teaching me
to grab the bike by the downtube on a double barrier! That was sweet,
I was able to run it without slowing, that completely made my day!!

Like last year I did fine on the carry and runup (I think that’s from
the years of hiking/climbing) and this year was no different.

So while I started at the back, I stayed ahead of Benita (which
doesn’t sound like anything, but last year I always had to catch her
and a couple times I think she finished ahead of me), and I caught and
passed Annie! I actually finished at least a few minutes ahead of
her. I kept looking back for her, thinking she would put the gas on
once she had someone to chase, but I passed her and never saw her
again. SWEET! I also passed a couple of guys and a junior and none
of the juniors caught me this year (embarrassing, but getting the idea
how bad I was last year for most of the year?) I never met or saw the
woman who won our category-but there’s always next year when I run the
right PSI and the right tires.

Drove home after the race, so I am completely and utterly exhausted.
I’ll be at St. Cloud, but this being the first weekend, I’m a little
worried because I biff the technical stuff when I’m tired! That’s
racing, better get used to it

Lynne