The Way We Were

The Tour of Sommerville 2005

The Black-Ace..

 8 minutes in 

and 

1 hr 22 to go..

ouch

You're allowed to do nothing, you don't have to be productive all the time

This from those fine folks that put out a real blog

One of the biggest fields in the race’s five-year history showed up to sample one of the hidden gems of Michigan mountain biking in the form of the Cadillac Pathway. The Elite fields were wide open, with the competition far too even to pick a clear favorite in either the men or women’s categories. But most importantly, the G&D pizza delivery was timed perfectly for the morning racers to tuck into an early lunch. Weird transition? Probably. But I haven’t had my coffee yet this morning.

ELITE MEN
The men’s race was stacked with a deep field, and the race’s opening salvos quickly set the tone for a relentless race. Local boy, Jared Dunham, made the early front group, with the pace being pushed on by Hagerty young guns Garett Jenema and Max Meyer, along with Norte’s Kyan Olshove. Rob Martin, and Josh Zelinski were with the previously mentioned quartet of young people to keep the pace high and the median age of the front group able to buy beer.

To no one’s surprise, Alec Shau had also made the early selection and coaxed the lead group on after the halfway point of the race. With very little lapped traffic and the course in its fastest conditions, there was simply no slowing down a front group that seemed to only build momentum.

It came down to a sprint finish, with Garrett Jenema taking the win by a tire tread. Kyan Olshove took an incredible third place, confirming his transition to Elite field contender at any race he lines up at.

Kolo TC’s best finisher was Dan Ellis with an incredible 10th place finish. Way to represent, Danny boy.

ELITE WOMEN
Some of life’s best decisions come in an impulsive form, as was the case with Courtney Greening’s decision to bump up to the Elite category the morning of the race. Greening has all the horsepower and bike skills to hang with the best, but needed a little coaxing (peer pressure) from BFF/co-worker/life-coach Craig Fortuna. To say the move to Elite paid off would be an understatement.

Lined up against a small but exceptionally fast Elite class consisting of local legends Susan Vigland and Laura Webb, Courtney wasn’t dipping her toes it. She was diving headfirst. The first few laps of the race were a cagey stalemate, with the top three getting away from a tirelessly chasing Aime Elvie. It was only on the last lap that Vigland and Webb were able to distance Greening, with Webb taking a well-earned win in one of the most exciting races of the day.

NOTABLE RIDES
Kolo t.c. rider Craig Fortuna returned to racing after a hiatus of nearly two years to claim third in the Expert singlespeed class. Tuna had been hamstrung by concussion symptoms, but his recovery is seemingly complete. It was great to see one of the nicest dudes on two wheels back to pedaling in anger.

Melissa Ryba, also of kolo t.c., rocked the Intermediate class in a return to racing after a summer of preparing to send a son off to college. She then raced home after her podium finish to get her daughter ready for homecoming. Busy wouldn’t cover the half of it.


We have to give a shout out to the Sisters in Singletrack for awesome rides, too. They had a big group of girls out on the trails, and they’ve improved so much even since last year. Keep up the great work, ladies!

THANK YOU!
Lastly, what can we say about the Bear Claw Epic that hundreds of happy races haven’t already said? Dustin and Michelle have created one of the most well-run and community-focused events in the state. They’re hard work, all to benefit the Cadillac Pathway, is simply incredible. Another huge thank you goes to the Cadillac community. The race has a small army of volunteers who bring so much energy and enthusiasm; their role really sets the race apart from any other. Also, a huge thank you to all of the sponsors of the race who help to keep the costs of putting on the race to a minimum so that all of our entry fees go right back to the trails. From everyone who rides in the woods, thank you for your support.

 

dam i knew shouldn't right clicked all that Russian porn....

could you...
would you...

You thought the leaden winter
Would bring you down forever
But you rode upon a steamer
To the violence of the sun
And the colors of the sea
Blind your eyes with trembling mermaids
And you touch the distant beaches
With tales of brave Ulysses
How his naked ears were tortured
By the sirens sweetly singing
For the sparkling waves are calling you
To touch their white laced lips
And you see a girl?s brown body
Dancing through the turquoise
And her footprints make you follow
Where the sky loves the sea
And when your fingers find her
She drowns you in her body
Carving deep blue ripples
In the tissues of your mind
The tiny purple fishes
Run laughing through your fingers
And you want to take her with you
To the hard land of the winter

the first del taco (now burger den) | yermo, california

I'm wearin' a

Fur Pyjamas

I ride a

Hot Potata'

It's tickling my fancy

no,

 don't pass out on me now cop! 

No, no, no, no, no, not yet, not yet, 

don't pass out on me yet you rotten oinker! 

Do we understand each other? 

I said do we understand each other?

Okay, now listen up cop, I changed my mind. 

I'm going to let her die, I just wanted you to know that. 

You hear me?

 I just wanted you to know that before I killed you!

A gut pull drag on me

Into the chasm gaping we

Mirrors multi-reflecting this

Between spunk stained sheet

And odorous whim

Camera eye-flick-shudder within

Assist me to walk away in sin

Where is the string that Theseus laid

Find me out this labyrinth place.

I do get bored, I get bored

In the flat field.

I get bored, I do get bored

In the flat field

Yin and yang lumber punch

Go taste a tart, then eat my lunch

And force my slender thin and lean

In this solemn place of fill wetting dreams

Of black matted lace of pregnant cows

As life maps out onto my brow

The card is lowered in index turn

Into my filing cabinet hemispheres spurn.

I do get bored, I get bored

In the flat field.

I get bored, I do get bored

In the flat field

Let me catch the slit of light

For a maidens sake

On a maiden flight

In the flat field I do get bored

Replace with Piccadilly whores

In my yearn for some cerebral fix

Transfer me to that solid plain

Hammer me into blazen pain

Moulding shapes no shame to waste

Moulding shapes no shame to waste

And drag me there with deafening haste.

UCI to sanction Zwift’s esports world championships in 2020

VeloNews.com
September 26, 2019
Fast Talk podcast
The UCI has sanctioned a world championships for Zwift esports racing in 2020.


Cycling’s governing body, the Union Cycliste International, will sanction the first esports world championships in 2020, held on the online riding platform Zwift. The news was revealed Thursday afternoon at the UCI world championships in Yorkshire, England.

Esports becomes the newest discipline to join the UCI’s lineup of world championship events, alongside the traditional events such as the road race and individual time trial. The races will be held on the Zwift platform, which already has virtual courses made to mimic past UCI road world championship courses in Richmond, Virginia, and Innsbruck, Austria.

David Lappartient, president of the UCI, said the governing body wanted to remain open to technical innovations in order to “remain relevant to all audiences.”

“Zwift is a platform that is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities,” Lappartient said. “However, there is a particularly exciting opportunity through esports as we look to attract a younger audience to cycling. together we have an opportunity to support a fitter youth, through the creation of a new sustainable sport.”

Craig Edmondson, CEO of Zwift ESports, said the competition will feature equal opportunities for both male and female competitors.

“This means the same number of races, the same coverage for races, and of course, equal prize money,” Edmondson said. “We will set the standard for fair play and equality.”

Zwift’s launch into professional competition has ramped up in 2019 with the creation of the KISS Super League, and the launch of the Zwift Classics Series. Check out an in-depth feature on Zwift’s push to popularize esports on the latest print issue of VeloNews magazine.

Rumour spreadin' a-'round in that Texas town

'bout that shack outside La Grange

and you know what I'm talkin' about.

Just let me know if you wanna go

to that home out on the range.

They gotta lotta nice girls.

Have mercy.

A haw, haw, haw, haw, a haw.

A haw, haw, haw.

Well, I hear it's fine if you got the time

and the ten to get yourself in.

A hmm, hmm.

And I hear it's tight most ev'ry night,

but now I might be mistaken.

hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm.

Have mercy.

Stay Rad

1.Number of venues with a Night CX race race..
1. Munson Park CX

2. Most CX state Titles
6 held by Kelly Patterson

3. Biggest Oh-shit Moment at Miscene CX race
the Pony Saari brawl at Bloomer...

4.Longest standing continue CX venue
Bloomer park 22 years..

5.Most over use of sand at CX race
Hudson Mills 2003 Four Volley ball courts

6.Number CX national titles claimed by Michigan riders
3..
The lil Pony
Casey Manderfield
Alex Morton

7.Number of riders to Finish on the lead lap at CX elite nationals
2.  Anne Shwartz, Robert Foshag

8. The last time a  rider finished on the lead lap at CX Nationals
2006 Providence Rhode Island Robert Foshag

9.Number UCI CX races held in Michigan
5, Bloomer park, Waterford Oaks and Springfield Oaks

10.The last rider to earn UCI point from Michigan
Mike Wissink

11.The three worst CX crashes
The Black Ace falls from the top of the Orange Crush
The Black Ace Face plants after rolling a Tubie
Mike Seamen putting is tooth through his lip after smashing his face into a Barrier

12. Dumbest CX course Idea
The Death Spiral

13. All time best CX announcer
Dave Massey No one can call a race like him..,

14.Best CX promotion
JB Hancock..when the dude starts the day after promoting next year..no question

15.worst CX promotion 
Tailwind paying Jonathon Paige start money for the Springfield Oaks UCI race


random useless Miscene Cx knowledge

CX Power Rankings for September

Dropping in at #10. Those morning Cranks fellas all that show up and support the scene of cross..

This is what TMS has been missing..enthusiasm and a sense of style goes a along way..

#9. Jeramy Duffeld..

The Bissell guy that know one really knows..40 seconds off the Pony at the opening round in Alma and the willingness to travel outside the state to seek the truth...

#8. Chad Wells

This guy has quietly been around the CX scene for years.. since the days of the WIZ and Sven..good to see him show up this fall..a solid ride at Alma cemented him into the top 10 this month...

#7.JB Hancock/Alma GP

Well..whatta ya think was it all it was hyped up to be? did the barriers inside the tent work?..is it worth lettin up the grip for a Alma Skinsuit?? or should he throttle it backand maybe spread al lil jelly  and throw another CX party later in the season it would be crying shame for not including ol JB in the list..

#6. Nate Williams

The multi State champion of various disciplines Now father of two a working man..traveling to Wisco and Hittin up the local scene..hes not a young dude anymore..but with the numbers he probably puts out more than anyone on this list  and maybe with a little fine tuning on the skills he he may have a solid shot come December ..Nate just misses the top 5 this month..

#5. Brian Walcharz

a bald guy with a beard..and the most solid 45 plus guy next to the Pony..Brian pretty much place with the rest of the field when....

#4. Tim Saari is not around.......two weekends and 3 wins give the underdog the last step on the podium ..last weekend after suffering a mechanical he out the most often un-beatable Scotty A I dont want to say..hes not but some say he's a legend..others say hes the guy thats always going to be the bridesmaid..Tim once drove out of state to seek the truth..and was one his way to the next level of the old man world..is this the year?..only time will tell

#3. Judah G..
This kid reminds me of my days of yore..back before my butt got too big to bunnyhop..I like this kid cuz he is young and consistent.. we would a loved to see him Wisco...hope he sticks around until the weather turns crummy  

#2. The illest Pony
the Oldest of the Old guard He might not make it on Novembers list..but a podium in Wisconsin, along with other solid rides this past weekend..keeps the Pony on this podium..

#1. Sam Junge..
UCI points might be a stretch for Sam, but the sheer fact that he's out there flying the flag..I gotta believe the quest for points might be closer to his reach if he ditches the single-speed thing and focuses on the gears...right now Sam you rock!

 

I gotta say the pro peloton hasn't looked this good in years 

Ten Wanted Men

Completely utterly worthless

poorly written

given very little thought

incredibly opinionated  

a huge waste of time for both the reader and writer

CX Power Rankings 

coming later this week to this shit hole