DBL Weekend !

Double - Race Weekend!Peak to Peak, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonsville, Mi. Saturday October 20th. elite 4th Place It's had been since 1994 since i last raced at crystal mtn. the race was cancelled after that year by management. I remember that race clearly because that was my first elite race win! I had high hopes of repeating the 1994 win but that all changed during the first lap of the 33 mile race. About half way into the first lap sitting in second place and eventually missing a turn and continuing for what seemed like a mile to a deadend with the bulk of the elite field following I realized that the few that had yeld wrong turn were correct! The next 2 1/2 of laps were full tilt chase mode to see just whom had not made the same mistake. Several riders were passed but it seemed so confussing not really knowing who was still up front. There were three to four of us for most of these last 2 laps with a little work from one rider Dan Jansen at the flat road section and part of the two track start. I eventually became frustrated in the last climb as Danjumped past me just as we hit the false flat at the top of the final ski hill climb. I desended and chased but could not regain his wheel. Not knowing were I was at the finish thinking possibly SECOND but only to find out that I was FOURTH. A tad bit confused and frustrated! The race director did his best to communicate and discuss this problem and will be comping a free entry to next years race. It was nice to return to such a great venue and ride on a trail that has not been beat down.....overridden and pre-ridden to death. Long live riding a race course that is not broken in and only ridden the day of with out an advantage for pre-riding. So what's up with all the pre-riding of the sooooo techinical iceman course???? Again and Again! Leave it alone! I remember the days when the moto ripped thru for the very first time with the leaders following. No lines, leaves and snow still covering the entire trail. The leaders were just going for it.....knowing the lead moto was their guide for the best lines cut thru the virgin leaves on the trail to the finish line!










KissCross # 4, Cannosburg Ski Area, Grand Rapids, Mi., October 21st. 5th place "A" Two days in a row of racing? Just a little build up for the upcoming iceman race and a rest weekend following. The race started fast and furious with the speedy Steve Howard gapping us over the first climb. My legs felt a tad bit tired and I settled into third place. Going into the second lap I decided to not take the option around the stream crossing and plunged down in and was able to roll in and out no problem except for the heavy foot feeling with my water logged shoes. I created a problem and i was loosing contact with second place. Lot's of fun and craziness after the race. Watching the bike toss and enjoying the flav of the day founders IPA. Thanks again Rick http://www.kisscross.com/index.htm great race course and sooooo inexpensive $15....food and brew.....I am regaining my love for the sport of Cyclocross race by race.

Sarah's Showdown, Dexter MI

Jason Lummis and Joberon visited the Glovers for a fun day of CX racing, food, beer and friends (new and old). Joberon won with 7laps completed in 36 minutes, Jason was just behind for 2nd place. Fast and furious CX racing that Jeff Wienert himself might of approved of if there was a sand section (in the works for next years Showdown). Great awards from Aberdeen Bikes in Chelsea topped of the days events.







Sarah's Showdown I won! I took my first race win in years this past Sunday at the first annual Sarah's Showdown CX event. Tom Glover and his wife Lisa hosted this "race" in honor of their beautiful newborn baby girl Sarah. They were wonderful hosts and in the end left us all hoping for a 2nd annual Sarah's Showdown. After Saturdays super secret stealthy covert Sarah's Showdown CX practice ride with my super cool mega fast friend Kelli Emmett(Giant) I was charged and ready to take down my CX nemesis. Jason Lummis! "You're going down Lummis" I yelled upon arrival early Sunday atthe Glover's. Only to learn Jason hadn't arrived yet. Oh well. Mentally Iwas there! With the smell of donuts, cider, coffee, chili, beer and other various fall eats Erin and I unloaded the machines from the car.With a fierce look in our eyes we kitted up, filled water bottles,downed some Gu's and began our pre-race warm up. I could feel Jason's presence. I knew he was lurking somewhere on the course. I started my warm-up lap eager to see what Tom had created for us. To my surprise it was a full on very challenging and fun course. He combined his property along with his parents to include all types of terrain and obstacles.Including a large log that only Gary H.(Hell'S Riders) was able to bunny hop. In addition, there were some sweet single track sections, plenty of barriers, some good rips trough the landscaping and a deck run up/down.Hilarious fun. Eventually I bumped into my arch-rival. Not a word spoken. It was all business as neither of us wanted to let little Sarah down during her first attempt at race promotion. Eventually we were ordered to stage for the start. About 25 raging cyclists stepped up to the line. First the countdown then..."GO"! We were off for seven laps of action. Tom Glover himself took the hole shot followed closely by Gary,Lummis then me. We hit the first obstacle, the log, which Gary easily bunny hopped and took over the lead. Over the deck, pass the door wall and around the garage we went. Gary still keeping the pressure on. There was a bit of a gap but thankfully the course opened up allowing me to bridge. We hit the first section of (large) planks and I was nearly there. Around some trees, many tight turns and the sidewalk leading to the basement and I had reached the front. But so had Lummis. It was on!Jason and I battled it out eventually creating a nice cushion to the others. We danced. We pranced. We pedaled our way around the rugged course in hopes of victory. Then, it happened. The kinks in Jason'sarmor began to show. With each passing lap the aroma of hot chili and the site of ice cold brew was slowing the MTB specialist. In the final two laps I took full advantage of my enemies weakness and laid down avicious assault. With one to go I put it into cruise control, leaped over the last set of barriers and through the finish line. The crowd went wild. Jason was the next to come through for second. Erin rode in ashort time later to take 1st in the woman's category. Then too, the crowd went wild. Afterwards everyone enjoyed lots of great food and drink, a hayride and even a bike weigh-in. The awards ceremony was held10 feet from the cooler and included some great swag and trophies thanks to Tom and Aberdeen Bikes. I got myself my very first wool cycling jersey! I haven't taken it off since. Thanks again to the Glover's for their hospitality and putting on a great event. Thank you Kelli and family(Plymouth Orchards) for the excellent pre-race eats and cider mill tour on Saturday. Ya gotta love fall in Michigan. Don't look now, the Iceman is a comin'... Joberon

Kisscross #3 Freeemont Mi

John Meyers:

This past saturday I participated in Kisscross race series #3 up in Freemont, Michigan and placed 5th overall (podium & cash) in the "A" race. http://www.kisscross.com/index.htm Thanks goes out to Rick Plite and the great sponsors. The post race food was great. The course was awesome. The drive up was great with a couple buddies. The 6-pack beer trade for the ride up was a great way to share part of the fall day up north.
The "A" race had an all time high number of entrants (28) racing with the first ever cash pursue for the top 7 finishers. The race consisted of 9 laps around a hilly fast course. The race started fast with a 6 man split just after the first hill climb. I was able to tuck-in and stay in the group and take the lead for the second lap until a young priority rider put a small move in just after the asphalt pull that I had taken. I had rolled to the back of the pace line and missed the three wheels that jump away. I sat in 4th or 5th for most of the race with a 10 - 12 second gap from the three leaders. Lot's of pavement and flat fast section with a crazy steep hike a bike section. I am very happy with my result and looking forward to both the peak to peak race on saturday and Kisscross #4 on sunday. Again the "q" ti 29er and the stans wheels are working flawlessly.

Stony Creek CX

Joberon and Jason Lummis attended the CX race at Stony Creek Metro park put on By Tailwind Ent. and sponsored by Paint Creek Bicycles.
Joe raced the "A" race and Jason raced in the Master 35+. Joe ended up 15th and Jason 6th for their forst cross race/practice of the year.

Joe out of the barriers:



Jason in line:









Joberon report:
Stony Creek CX I wonder if Jeff Weinert(Giant) thought there would be people swimming and laying on beach towels course side as he came up with the torturous Stony Creek CX layout. Each season I try to get a couple cross races in. They are excellent training and super intense. The last time I attended the Stony event there was snow and ice everywhere. The beach was frozen and rideable and there wasn't much post race hangin' out. Things were a tad different this time around. I had the steel Quiring 29er all laced up with some skinny cross tires and a rigid fork thanks to my buddy Keith and Paint Creek Bikes. I did a couple warm up laps and tried out the barriers. It wasn't pretty but enough to get by. I wasn't feeling too spunky but I figured most weren't due to the heat. I managed to get into the second row which resulted in a pretty good start. The bike was like a rocket on the pavement and through the first bit of grass. Up, down, left turn, right turn. BRAKES! Turn again. Up. Down. I was hovering in the top 10 when we hit the first, and only, set of barriers. Not too shabby. Then I came upon a volleyball court. What is this?! Dismount-run-jump back on. That hurt. Back on the bike I was trying to get comfortable. When suddenly, I came across another sand volleyball court. Wait! Was it the same one? This time I managed to ride through. Cool! I looked up the course and saw the leaders fading away. I also saw THE BEACH OF DOOM looming ahead. Unrideable(unless you're Christian Tanguy-American Cycle and Fitness) loose HOT sand. I made a weak attempt at running this section. Behind me I could hear guys gaining. Back onto the grass and on my bike I pedaled my way through to start lap two. Ouch! Each lap that ticked by was like another punch to the gut. About halfway through the 60 minute race I was blown. Riders would pass and I couldn't respond. I tried to find a comfortable pace so I could finish and not get injured on the barriers or rolling around on the beach. I did finish. 15th out of 20ish. Not too good. The ice cold Bell's Oberon as I crossed the line...VERY GOOD. In the end the bike was awesome, the course was super tough but sweet and the day was just perfect. A great way to officially say goodbye to summer. Thank you Robert and Tailwind, Keith and Paint Creek Bicycles for supplying us all with great racing action and superb post race recovery food and beverages. Joberon

Kisscross #2

John Meyers attended the CX race this past saturday in Lansing finishing 3rd in the A race.

KissCross #2, Adado Park, Lansing Michigan #2,




3rd. place "A" race!

This past weekend was filled with opportunities to race close to home in the Third Coast Metro Trek in Kalamazoo, KissCross in Lansing and Pando up in GrandRapids. I had this superman thought that I might be able to do all of them but settle on just one race the Kisscross #2 in Lansing. http://www.kisscross.com/index.htm With a bad sprained ankle from the previous Sunday I changed plans from doing the Adventure race in Kalamazoo due to potential for hazardous terrain and instead settle on the cx race with limited running and dismounting. The race started very well with Don Cameron drilling for the first lap with myself and Brett Robinson in tow. Don rolled thru a couple turns and I jumped up ahead to lead a lap. During the next couple laps I sat behind but during the dismounting I was beginning to feel my ankle and that began to concern me so I began to drift off the back. Don and Brett had a close battle the entire race with Brett jump out for the win at the top of the bridge. Maybe someone has a pair of trick carbon sew-ups and dugast tires they are not using for a few weeks. I heard they are fast and light!Lot's of fun and an easy drive over and back. Thanks Rick! I am Looking forward to Freemont in two weeks! Have fun if I do not see you at Stoner Mike, Joe and Jason!