Nikki Elder – Page 12 – WSI Cycling Team

April 2, 2015May 9, 2016

Barry-Roubaix, The Largest Gravel Road Race Around

While Melting Mann signaled the end of winter, Barry-Roubaix means it’s time to bring on Spring! On Saturday, March 28th, thousands of cyclists lined the streets of Hastings, Michigan as far as the eye could see. Conditions leading up to the race favored cyclists; with hard packed roads and no mud or ice. The temperature, a brisk 13 degrees at the start, was a friendly reminder that you never can quite predict the end of March weather in Michigan.

Dreams of personal bests, podium finishes and just plain finishing filled WSI racers’ minds. For Katie Bridges, this was her first Barry-Roubaix experience, and Devin Winton and Kathy Roche-Wallace opted to tackle the challenge on a single speed. For Kathy, completing the 62 mile chall 11013380_1612767902271233_4228198439824729488_n enge on an old Bontrager single speed, even to her, sounded crazy and stirred up pre-race jitters. She was comforted by the words of her father (and biggest fan) who passed away last year: My darling daughter, stay on top of your pedals. Devin struggled mentally to stay engaged but was determined to keep up in the single speed category with riders half his age. In his “old age” he is quite pleased with 15th.

As the race carried on, riders were taunted by the infamous climbs of the three sisters, and the last hill that quickly reminded riders, such as 220 lb. Eric Cook, of the power of gravity. Minor problems such as rocks in cassettes and frozen water bottles were the biggest challenges of the day for most. Great conditions had many cyclists opting for road bikes. This decision proved to be rewarding for some, helping David Goff secure a spot on the podium coming in 2nd in his AG. For Charles Elder, however, the race was cut short just under 4 miles. After changing one flat, he hopped back on only to discover the front tire was flat as well. Fellow racer, and WSI alumni, Jack Miner, passed by and left a t 11121787_1612765168938173_7885631336882144293_n ube but it turned out to not be a fit. While Charles flatted on the course, some were lucky enough to make it home first before discovering a flat.

Barry-Roubaix is a spring cycling must for riders and spectators alike. It is a well run, great all around event and a great way to kick off the 2015 cycling season! Special thanks to Jack Miner for securing the team an awesome squatting ground and tent set-up, and April and JJ for playing the role of “team photographer” for the day.

For more photos from the event LIKE our Facebook page.

Check out below to see how WSI riders faired this year:

Team competition

WSI/Team Active: 28th out of 36 teams

24 Mile Chiller

David Goff, 1:15, 2nd in AG

Dave Cobeen, 1:24

Peggy Haas, 1:26, 4th in AG

Katie Bridges, 1:54

36 Mile Thriller

Scott Bridges, 2:00, 6th in AG

Dan Frayer, 2:05

Eric Cook, 2:09

Devin Winton, 2:07

Kellie Kramer, 2:12, 4th in AG

Andy Weeks, 2:13

Dwight Denisiuk, 2:14

Keith Wilkinson, 2:16

Stacy Rainey, 2:15

Kevin Bridges, 2:21

Paddi Thornburg, 2:28

David Goff Sr., 2:33

Jana Turpin, 2:44

Charles Elder, DNF, double flat

62 Mile Killer

Kathy Roche-Wallace, 4:02

March 13, 2015

Melting Mann: Lives Up Its Name

It was a brisk 30 degrees on the morning of March 8th as racers lined up for the Melting Mann: A Race Through No Mann’s Land. The course, whose main attraction is Mann Rd., consisted of conditions ranging from dirt roads iced completely over to frozen rutted mud that would grab your tire in an instant. As the temps began to warm up and the course got well-used the frozen mud turned into the real deal, speckling racers with dirty faces and muddy behinds. WSI was well represented at the event taking home several podium finishes. Overall, it was a great event, and riders are looking forward to next year’s challenges in the Melting Mann.

David Goff placed second in his AG for the 22.7 mile course.

David Goff Sr. placed 4th in his AG for the 32 mile course.

Peggy Haas was the first female finisher on the 22 mile course with a respectable time of 1:32 (and that was all done on about an hour and a half of sleep).

Kellie Kramer placed 4th overall in women and 1st in her AG on the 32 mile course with a time of 2:09:08

Dwight Denisiuk raced the 32 mile course in the single speed division with a time of 2:14:21

March 7, 2015March 7, 2015

The Traveling Circus: featuring the Bearded Ice Man

The Circus made the trip to Ypsilanti for stop #3 in the Michigan Fat Bike Series at Rolling Hills. I lined up for the 45 minute B Race with the intention of starting slow and working my way through the field. The first lap was faster than anticipated on the group split quickly. I kept the chase group in site for the first couple of laps, but the leading 4 were gone and stayed gone. The course was a mix of wide open turns and steady climbs. My 5 inch Surly Tires (thanks to Team Active) kept the rubber side down on the icy turns. I kept the effort high on the dicey course for 6 two mile laps and finished 6th

out of 12. After a 30 minute rest, it was time for the Duo Open race with my friend Brian. We are pursuing the point series championship and needed to snag some points after missing stop #2 at Pando. We alternated hot laps for 90 minutes on the melting and muddy course and finished 4th on the day, keeping us in the lead for the overall point series.
#4: Even die hard mountain bike racers need to dial in their running skills every now again. 2 weekends ago (sorry for the late report) I lined up for the “not so frosty” Frostbite 5K in Vicksburg. Top Priority Goal: Enjoy chilli at the post race part. Second priority: Personal Record. The uphill mass start got the heart pumping early and I kept the effort high for a 23:11 finish time, 10 seconds faster than my fastest 5K from a couple of years ago and 1 spot away from the podium.

#5: The latest stop on the Michigan Fat Bike Tour was Addison Oaks County Park. A few miles from the home of Kid Rock, Addison Oaks has a web of well-groomed and fast flowing fat bike trails. 18 degrees at the start line, only 4 points separated the top three Duo Open teams. Our competition made the trip to Marquette for the Polar Roll and Brian and took advantage with a 2nd place finish. Next stop: Pando Winter Sports Park in Rockford Michigan.

~Dan Frayer

December 30, 2014March 7, 2015

Festive Fun for a Good Cause

WSI lead out team decked in holiday spirit (photo courtesy of Worthington Photography)

Saturday, December 13th the weather was drastically different than a year ago. This time last year, we were experiencing our first major snowfall, pounding the streets of Battle Creek from sun up until sundown. This year it was low 40s with a light, misty drizzle. Perfect conditions for a run!

WSI Cycling riders were told to show up festive and bright. They didn’t disappoint. Bikes were decked out in lights, tinsel and wreaths, and even accompanied by the guy in the red suit, himself! The Tinsel Toes 5k is a family fun run through the Festival of Lights in Downtown Battle Creek.

WSI rider, JJ, running with one of the younger WSI team members, Carson (photo courtesy of Worthington Photography)

The event raised almost $9,000 for the local Girls on the Run chapter this year. WSI Cycling were seen leading out the over 350 runners and they did it in style. Some team members opted for running instead, donning their best ugly Christmas sweaters and reindeer hats all in line with the race theme “where the ugly Christmas sweater and running shoes unite”.

Thanks again, WSI Cycling riders, for supporting and leading out local races. It sure does give a race director an added comfort knowing they have you on the course for the runners!

WSI rider, Katie in her infamous reindeer hat having fun prerace in the photo booth (photo courtesy of Callie JC Photography) — WSI rider, Katie, in her infamous reindeer hat having fun pre run in the photo booth (photo courtesy of Callie JC Photography)

~Nikki, Tinsel Toes race director

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September 12, 2014March 7, 2015

Tri 4 Evan

By Nikki Elder

It has taken me a month to write this. Trust me, that is a good thing. It has allowed me to condense my emotions about this experience and NOT bore readers with a novel. To make a long story short, I chose the Cereal City Triathlon to be my fundraising event through Pedaling with a Purpose. I’m a runner, I’ve enjoyed cycling for the last year and well, swimming, let’s just say it wasn’t/isn’t my cup of tea.

I have had a fear of open water for quite some time. Many of you followed my personal blog and Facebook page and were able to see the weekly posts about horrible swim sessions, crying every time I got into a lake, etc. You get the point. But I still did it, and trained, and trained well for the event. I was still having panic attacks near and in water up to five days before the event.

On race day I was a wreck. Tears were flowing all the way up until the horn sounded to start the swim. Amazingly, once my head went underwater I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders and I did what I had trained for. I took the swim SLOW, knowing if I sped up too much I would freak myself out….besides, what is that saying about the turtle and the hare? I was fortunate to have a great volunteer next to me the whole time on his SUP helping to ease my anxiety as well. I came out of the water to one of the biggest cheering sections at the race: complete with posters and cowbells. Did I mention I was the 2nd to last out of the water?

After about a mile on the bike I was finally able to clear my mind and focus on what was ahead. I powered through the bike course making up a great amount of time. The bike course was an out and back and I was able to see and cheer on several WSI riders on bikes as well.

The run was as expected. The course was nice, non-hilly, and with it only being a mile from my home, it was familiar territory. Upon reentering the park I had several friends and family run alongside me up to the finish. I finished.

I finished. That was my accomplishment. I overcame my fear of water and that had been my goal all along. Imagine my surprise when my name was called for 2nd in my age group!

niki-finish I did it AND survived the murky waters! I was a nervous wreck with lots of tears beforehand but the minute my head went underwater I felt this amazing weight lift off my shoulders. As I showered afterward I looked down to see a few pieces of seaweed stuck to my hip as a reminder of what I had just done. It made me smile.

I finished my first triathlon. I overcame my fear of open water. I earned 2nd in my age group. As if that wasn’t enough, through the support of my friends and family I raised OVER $1,000 for the Angelcheeks Foundation in honor of my friends’ son, Evan!!!

I’m overwhelmed at the amount of support I had near and far, thankful that each and every one of you (too many to name) had your place in my journey as supporters, encouragers, prayer warriors, coaches and more.

One down, no promises on more to go, although I do have a 1 second challenge to beat next year, right Chris Gillette?