RacenLog

The Rapid Wheelmen Racing Team continues to grow for 2008.  We've already gotten to a great start putting together a great team.  Meet the members:

There are perks (free stuff!) to joining the Race Team.  Anyone of any age and ability who wants to race their bicycle at any discipline (road, cyclocross, mountain biking, etc...) is free to join.  Join or find out more by calling me at 616-633-8601, join our Yahoogroup at RWRace@YahooGroups.com, or email me at race@rapidwheelmen.com.

For previous issues of the RacenLog visit: http://www.bierling.net/racenlog.htm

Upcoming local races for May:

4 - Ft. Custer Stampede (MTB)

5, 12, 19, 26 - Rapid Wheelmen Time Trial (Road)

7, 14, 21, 28 - Grattan (Road)

14 - Milk Jug Ionia (MTB)

26 - Tour de Gaslight (Road Crit)

28 - Milk Jug Cannonsburg (MTB)

Fisk Knob (March 30, 2008)

RTRs: Joel Bierling (44:54), Dave George (49:02), Scott Walburn (49:18), Jeff Festian (52:34), Dave Staublin (52:58), Dennis Hamel (53:40), Jeff Scofield (54:53), Gene Terhorst (55:29), David Durkee (58:06), Thomas McGovern (58:45), Ashley Livingston (60:11)

We had a record turnout for the Rapid Wheelmen Race Team.  Good job guys.  It sure was cool seeing the RW lined up in a row at the start.  As could probably be expected for a late March race, it was cold.  Cold to the point that I was warming up with fleece pants and a winter jacket.  One of the guys helping with the start pointed out that I needed to fix my number as it couldn't be seen.  No kidding, I'm wearing a winter jacket and pants rolled up to my knees yet!  I'm sure I was a funny sight.  Added to the cold was a stiff wind out of the Southeast.  That meant the first half of the course was downhill with the wind (fun!), and the second half was uphill against the wind (miserable!).

I promised an update on the results of the bike fitting I had done.  Unfortunately, even despite the addition of some aero toys over last year (disc & helmet) my time was 71 seconds slower so I'm unable to say I improved.  However, the cold weather caused almost everyone (~90%) to have a slower time than last year so I wasn't alone.  I think the best comparison time wise will be the Rapid Wheelmen time trials in May.  I did manage to somehow eke out a third place finish in my age group, though, which was good enough for a medal. 

Despite a late finish to the pre-race briefing (I had about 5 minutes for a final warm-up before my start time), I was as impressed with the organization of this race as I was last year.  Great food too!

Pictured from upper left to lower right:

Joel Bierling, Dave Staublin, Scott Walburn, Jeff Festian, Dave George, Jeff Scofield, David Durkee, Dennis Hamel, Thomas McGovern

GRBMX (April 13, 2008)

RTRs: Joel Bierling (4^th), Russ Greenwood (Single Speed - 5^th), Dave Staublin (6^th), Jeff Festian (13^th), Scott Walburn (DNF)

I have a saying that if it takes longer to drive to the race than it does to race, it's not worth it (wasted time in the car, too much $$ for gas, save the environment - take your pick of reasons).  That's why I was so excited about the GRBMX race, which was not only a short drive, but within "step out the front door and ride there as a warm up" distance.  Added to the fact that it was a fundraiser for a BMX track that's being constructed near 131 and Burton, what wasn't to like? 

There were three races for the day: cyclocross, mountain bike, and finally a BMX race (which ended up being mostly for the kids).  The weather was threatening the day before, but race day turned out to be quite pleasant.  Even so, the course was muddy in several places.  The race team all hit the cyclocross race and all had a good time except for Scott who had some bad luck and got a stick caught in his wheel, which did enough damage to prevent the wheel from spinning.

Hopefully we will see some more CX races there over the next year.

Pictured from left to right:

Russ Greenwood, Scott Walburn, Jeff Festian, Joel Bierling, Dave Staublin