Mountain Biking – Page 9 – WSI Cycling Team

May 25, 2014

The Bridges Family Members Continue Their Racing Efforts

WSI Cycling’s “cycling family” – The Bridges – have been busy these past couple of weekends. In addition to the two following race reports featuring their exploits on trail and road, you can expect at least one more report on their most recent triathlon, the Seahorse. Scott’s doing the sprint distance, Marie is racing the duathlon and mom and dad (Katie and Kevin) racing the Olympic distance triathlon. Can’t wait for the results!

Yankee Springs Time Trial – Sunday, May 18, 2014

Yankee TT 2014 was almost a repeat of Custer Stampede; Scotty was first in his age group with a 1:03, Marie second. Kevin was 18th racing in the Sport class for the first time, turning in a 1:03. Katie was 13th. Scott’s time was about 20 seconds faster than the old man’s (daddy might need a new bike). Although the trail was fast and the racing fun, I think hanging out with the family and friends at the finish line was the best part of the day. Hopefully next year’s race will be held on a day as nice as this year, but moved to April. The Bridges don’t have any more mountain bike races on our schedule for this year, but we might try to squeeze in one more race, if we can find the time. Triathlon season is starting soon it’s going to be a busy summer.

~The Bridges Family

Tour de Frankenmuth – Saturday, May 24, 2014

The Tour de Frankenmuth 2014 was Scott and my (Kevin, the dad) first road race. Scott raced as a junior that was one 20-mile lap. I raced Cat 5 over 35, which was two laps. The first lap was uneventful, at every turn the peloton would slow then everyone would sprint back into a group. The farther back in the pack you are the harder it is to catch back up. I managed to stay with the peloton until the last left-hand turn where the road widened out the group spread out and picked up the paced, I tried to stay with them, but all I could do was keep them in sight to the finish line. Riding in a large group was very intense. I averaged 22 mph with a top speed of 34 mph and finished in 41st place. I want to go back next year to see how much I can improve.

Scott’s race started with about 15 riders, at the starting line the starter lady said that if there was any swearing you will be disqualified (this may be an issue) but all the riders agreed not to snitch. After the first turn the group narrowed down to about eight riders. In a single file line taking turns pulling, they cruised at about 22 mph. Every two mile there would be one rider drop off the breakaway, until there was five of them, things were calm for about five miles. Then as he got back into position after a pull, took a drink and a deep breath, the person third in line crashed, Scott and the rider in front of him managed to miss him. After they regrouped, there was four of them, knowing the top three got on the podium, he tried to lose at least one rider, but it did not happen. He finished fourth with a 59 second gap between Scott and the winner.

~Kevin Bridges

May 15, 2014

Barry Roubaix – Race Report

Yes, it has been several months since this exciting, fun race, but work and life has been a little busy (we all have those challenges!). In my mind it is better late than not at all – kind a like a wedding gift – give the gift before the first year anniversary and you are fine. Anyway getting to my race report, this was so much fun. I rode a tandem with RJ Mullenix and it was a blast. Not sure if it was RJ that made it so much fun or riding a tandem (probably RJ). We trained almost every week for this race. Not only was it was my first time riding a tandem, we trained in the snow. The first day riding with RJ on the tandem, we rode in 6 inch of snow. We rode only 12 miles in 2.5 hours! It was the most fun I had ever had playing in the snow!

As race time got closer, I felt like we were ready as a team and me as a rider. At the starting line we were in the back and we tried to make it up to the front before we started but ended up still too far back when the gun sounded. I think if we had of gotten at the front of the line when the gun went off we maybe up closer in places. We did not get passed by any other tandem and we had passed a few tandems, so we were thinking we would be closer to 2nd or 3rd spot. The course was great! Temperature was prefect! The whole race was a great time. However, we finished 6th out of 12th – still middle of the pack. But we did finish and we had fun. Total time was 2 hours 23mins

May 8, 2014

The Bridges Family Represent WSI Cycling (Well) at Fort Custer Stampede

One of the cool parts about our team this year is that we have all levels of riders participating. One such example of this variety is the Bridges family. Mom, dad and the kids are all enjoying their time on the bike and even got on the podium this past weekend at the Fort Custer Stampede. Below are the race reports from mom and dad, as well as Scott, the oldest son. Great report “Team Bridges” and way to represent. Be sure to check out WSI Cycling’s Facebook page for more photos of the Bridges family in action!

Scott Bridges’ Race Report – First Place Win!!!

After checking the weather and seeing who’s registered for the past week. The day has arrived. This year I was racing in the 15-18 age group so there was no playing around. After talking to some of the guys at the line and looking at their bikes, I knew my work was cut out for me. They feel comfortable in there niners, while I can hardly fit in one. As we took off hauling butt, I gained the lead, took the sharp turn and went down the hill into the trail and I caught some traffic by the time I got around it, a fella in a yellow and red cross county cycles jersey caught up to me. But that did not last for long. As I got to the rough switchbacks on the green trail there was a big pile up. Once I got through that I looked below and saw a yellow and red jersey. The second half of the race was mellower, finished with my first career win. Looking forward to yankee tt next on the schedule.

Katie and Kevin’s Race Report – The Rest of the Bridges Family

The Custer Stampede was good to the Bridges family this year, Scott and Marie took first place in their age groups. Mom (Katie) and Dad (Kevin) did not bleed on their new WSI/Team Active race kits. Rose did not race as she’s recovering from a foot injury acquired in Track.

All told it was a great day to be in the woods and out of the wind. With Yankee TT postponed the Stampede was the first mountain bike race for us this spring making an already long winter seem to drag on even longer. Now the racing has started it feels like summer is here. Next we race at Yankee hopefully Marie and Scott can continue their winning streak.

We might need to buy Scott a larger helmet if he wins again, he’s pretty happy with his race and Marie as usual is very mellow about the whole ordeal.

Ps. This is Katie checking in, I had a great ride in the woods and saw a huge blue racer… not the kind on a bike!
The Bridges Family

May 4, 2014

Good Things Come In Threes…

Yes, I admit I’ve been a bit lax on my race reports and so far this year I’ve raced three times. Twice on my ‘cross bike in the Barry Roubaix and Lowell 50 gravel road races, and then today at the Fort Custer Stampede on my mountain bike. Each race had it’s own “personality” and given the Winter/Spring season we’ve had here in Michigan, to say that I’ve actually raced three times is a treat.

#1 Barry Roubaix – March 22nd

Named after the Spring Classic, Paris-Roubaix, I raced the BR again this year on my trusty ‘cross bike along 36 gravel roads throughout Barry County. I debated about using my studded tires due to ice the week prior, but ended up putting on regular tires for the race and didn’t regret the decision. We had a great turnout from the team and we had a great crew of racers representing WSI Cycling. The temps were chilly, but not as cold as last year (fortunately). The good news is that the cold weather kept the gravel roads relatively firm, so the course was fast. I finished mid-pack and the best part was I didn’t cramp (like I did last year). However, little did I realized that a few weeks later that would be a different story at the Lowell 50.

#2 Lowell 50 – April 5th

While you’d think the length of this race would be 50 miles, I did the 32 mile version. Temps were not as cold as the Barry Roubaix, which on the onset you’d think would be a good thing. However, there were more gravel roads on this race than in the BR, and due to the warmer temps, the surface was “smooshy” (as best I can describe it). That made it feel like you were riding with flat tires and there was always resistance… making constant pedaling a must. We had another great showing from the team and also got a few podiums. The good news is that for the first 27 or 28 miles I was hanging in there pretty good, but then the “wheels came off.” Ok, not really my wheels, but the legs started cramping and made the last few miles “uncomfortable” (yes, that’s a bit of an understatement. I know I lost several places at the end as I simply could not get the pedals to go around without pain in both legs, but I came across the finish line with a smile (ok, maybe it was a grimace), but I was happy to be done. One of the best parts of the race… Krispy Kreme donuts and hot coffee before the awards ceremony! Gotta maintain my Clydesdale status…

#3 Fort Custer Stampede – May 4th

Unfortunately the temps were still a bit on the chilly side and the wind was blowing like crazy, but the good news is that today I was going to be in the woods on my mountain bike… not riding gravel roads (which is brutal when windy). I raced Expert today, yet traveled quite a bit the week prior and had not been on my bike for over a week. Sure, I tried to keep the fitness up with running, but that’s not the same so I was reserved to chalk this one up to a nice, long training ride for this Summer’s Lumberjack 100. Our group did 36 miles (two Red/Green loops) and the trail was hooking up quite nicely. Last year, I ended up getting a soft front tire (slow leak) that took me down (into a tree) on the first lap, so I was also hoping for a crash-free race.

Hamming it up at the start... yes, that's me photobombing my teammates. — Hamming it up at the start… yes, that’s me photobombing my teammates – right in the middle.

The good news is that I got both of my wishes, although my right shoulder did lose a battle with a tree that got a little close on one of the corners and I’ve got a nice raspberry to show for it. However, not nearly the “battle scar” as the one guy that did a flying endo over one of the “camelback” humps on the first lap. He went down right in front of me, taking up the entire trail with his carnage. I stopped and decided to be the good samaritan, helping him get un-tangled from his cables and twisted handlebar. He was really wound up and as people were flying by us, it was all I could do not to snap at the riders complaining that we were in the trail. Did they not see this guy covered in dirt with his leg twisted up like a pretzel?

Good news is no long-term damage and he got up and was able to continue the race. Must not have fallen too hard, since he ended up catching me later and passed me by. You’d think that he would have given me a courtesy follow and let me stay in front, but that’s racing! Coming into the second lap, I started to feel a little better, although the rest of the field had pretty much gone by and I was riding solo. There were a few stragglers that I picked off as I got closer to the finish, so that made me feel a little better. The good news is that I finished on two (fully-inflated) tires this year and was in a considerably better mood than last year.

Another great part of the race, since this is WSI Cycling’s “home turf” we again cooked burgers and hotdogs for everyone. But this year we did something different, and set out a collection jar to help raise money for a great cause from racers willing to donate for the food. One of the guys on the team works with local Battle Creek youth and started a bike program to get them into fixing bikes and learning a skill. Thanks to the generosity of everyone that attended, we raised over $200!

Finally, and since it was a bike race, the good news is that we had several WSI Cycling racers make the podium. We’ll be posting photos on our Facebook page (be sure to stop by and “like” us), so click-on over and check ’em out. It was a great time and I was proud of everyone for their effort and making it a great day together.

Eric Cook

May 4, 2014

Back in the Race

I am back home sipping on a beer and noshing on some potato chips, my side hurts and I am the happiest guy in Michigan. I was racing again today.

My new Trek Superfly put 25 year old legs under me (those are younger legs for me, for those of you who are in your 20s), I was pushing the limits, had more power, and was low and flowing in the turns. It was great, I was racing the sport class 50 to 59 Custer Stampede and I knew where the leaders were, was nagging at the guy in front of me and was pretty sure we were about 5^th place. After the start, there were some guys who needed to be passed and were done so unceremoniously (felt kind of bad for the guys getting yelled at, but the front 5 were hitting it pretty hard). We gapped the rest of the group by the time we hit the camel backs and needed to get around some less experienced racers who were doing a good job making their way around at a slower pace.

By the time we were in Granny’s Garden, the slower riders were standing on the hills and letting us by (probably educated by the groups in front of us) but the guy in front of me had been gapped enough that I could no longer see the leaders in front of him. Seriously, this hard tail did everything I asked it to and had no problem climbing, turning, weaving—just a great bike (and made up for engine issues!).

As we made our way around the lake, a guy (who was not racing) stopped in the middle of a climb and caused me to stop and start to walk around the turn (where the monument is at the top of the hill). At that point, my buddy Neil Sharphorn came by and I pushed his 70-plus year old back side so he could stay ahead of the other guys behind him (pretty sure that would not qualify as an illegal assist if he is a god!)

We were working our way around the pines and I noticed that my front brake was a lot more sensitive than my back brake and figured I would have Skittles take a look at it when we got back to Team Active. It turned out that it was not the front break that was too sensitive, it was that the back brake was losing pressure. I attacked the guy in front of me on a downhill and when we reached the bottom and started to turn, all I had was front brake and I did an end-o. Knocked the wind out of me and hurt my ribs badly enough that I could not take deep breaths on the ascents.

Screw-it, I knew I could still climb and hit the flats hard, I would just have to take the downhills easy since my back brake hydraulics were completely disconnected. I got passed by EVERYONE. As it turned out, I got 14/23 and was happy to be racing again. Mike (our new team EMT) said ‘cowboy up and grow a pair’! Actually he did not, but he told me I only had bruised ribs if anything at all.

GREAT frigging day on the course.

Jack Miner, WSI Team Active RACER.