The Way Back Machine

Sherm my young starrie eyed boy time was 1999, and The Golden age was just about to shed its glimmer among the 23c set. Cycling clubs of the 80s were about to embark on new found glory. Small teams were popping up here and there, some getting help from local entrepreneurs, and others from bike shops with a little swag and the now coined term Pro deal..The Scene had a new series coming and the timing was right.

And one such cast of crew were the Maumee Valley Wheelmen a racy bunch of fellas both young and old just south of the Michigan border in Ohio. The club was well organized with weekly rides, as well as weekly racing, from crits to TTs to road races, and yes Sherm..a stage race. The Wheelmen had it figured out way before the Wednesday worlds became the measure of wattage that it is toady.

Yes Mr Peabody, I like where we are going! bur it has nothing to do with this clapped out old sedan, and why cant i find a button to roll these windows down?

Stay with me Sherm. One such club member was staunch competitor at these events and quite possibly the utmost supreme King of Half wheeling. But this gentlemen also was the owner of many car dealerships in the Toledo area. and with this came a budget for a few lucky club members.

Two up and coming Category two racers, Willy Mac, or properly known as William Mclaughlin, Jeff Ray, and two aspiring Junior racers by the name of Mike House, and Jonas Root.

Mr Peabody were they any good? i mean how did they fair against the local scene. 

Well Sherm the group was solid, Jeff, and Will would get there licks in against the tough competition in the tri state area and would be the wheel to have at the local club events. The juniors were coming into there own as well. and will see later how this unfolded as well

The club was gaining steam and riders as the  seasons clicked by. The weekly races would draw upwards 30-45 riders, and often being split into A/B and even C fields.

OH BOY!!!

Oh we have arrived Sherm

What? why? is this the end of the story??

Oh no no ...Sherman this story is much greater than one night. and besides this old dog is tired and ready park his butt on a bed with his feet on pillows for the night.