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The Traveling Circus Travels Again

The circus has been on hiatus since late April following an operation.  I have recovered, built the legs back to mediocre and decided to tackle the BTR criterium in Kalamazoo.

This was my first skinny tire race in almost 14 years.  I gave it up then because the corners are too fast and you put too much trust in people you really don’t trust.  The pace was still fast and the sketchiest bike handler on course was me.
Michael, Jeff and I put on a solid showing in the Cat 5 citizens race by hanging tough with a blistering fast group until the bell lap when all three of us fell off when the sprint group took off.
I was very happy to put in some solid efforts at the front and stir things up as best I could.
Next up will be fatter tires at the 8 Hours of Ithaca relay followed by Ore to Shore in August.
A special thanks to the Trek Store of Battle Creek and WSI cycling for their continued support.
Until next time.
~Dan Frayer
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A Special Thanks…

“Wacky Riders” is a student-run vocational program at Gull Lake High School.  9th-12th graders learn work-based and independent problem solving skills using bicycle maintenance and repair.

During the 2017 Fort Custer Stampede, WSI Cycling volunteers (Charles, Nicole, Tiffany, Alex, Bobby, Kathy and Zoe) were able to raise over $550 for the program.  These donations will be used for tools, parts, shop supplies and instructional materials for up to 3 years. Continue reading “A Special Thanks…”

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Katie on the Run


There’s Girls on the Run, there’s Let Me Run and then there’s Katie on the Run. Katie had to strategically plan out her spring race schedule as she was coaching not one, but 2 different running teams at her school. In the past two weeks both seasons have come to an end.

Back in December I started planning out the season for my elementary’s runners. Because “it takes a village,” many of my fellow staff members signed up with me to coach our Girls on the Run and Let Me Run teams. Once we had our kids registered, adults trained and ready to go we had 36 girls, 20 boys and 12 adults participating in this happy, 10-week adventure.
Over the course of many weeks, the kids learn about goal-setting and making positive choices. Students and Coaches followed a training plan which teaches the basics and builds mileage and confidence. We also ran a practice 5K, just to make sure we had it.
The Girls on the Run 5K was held May 12 at Harper Creek Stadium. The girls had amazing weather and did a great job. It is so rewarding to watch families celebrate with their girls. The Let Me Run SpringFest 5K was May 19 at River Oaks Park in Galesburg. Even though it was a bit rainy and cold, the boys had a blast, with tons of energy and excitement. Our school’s boys were able to bring in a 2nd, 3rd and 7th place finish. (The girls race is untimed, while the boys event is timed.)
These programs mean so much to me, and our school is very involved with supporting the kids. The positivity, encouragement, and strategies taught in these programs are very important for kids as they grow up. This year’s goal was 50 kids participating from my school (we had 56) and next year’s goal is 70!
WSI riders also led out the Let Me Run SpringFest 5k event.
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Women take the trails at the first women’s duathlon in Battle Creek

Saturday, May 13, women took to the trails and streets of Battle Creek for the first all women’s duathlon in the area. The Women Who Du, presented by Cereal City Athletics, focused on women showcasing their strength, passion and commitment,  and was a great first year event, complete with an oatmeal and yogurt bar AND a spread of chocolate goodies at the finish. The event intentionally took place over Mother’s Day weekend and encouraged mothers and daughters to participate together.

WSI riders Katie and Holly participated in the event.

For Holly, it was her first duathlon. She was up for the challenge, although she usually avoids duathlons like the plague because of the double run!  Being a road runner, the trail run was challenging but gorgeous. The first run was 1.3 miles, but it was so much fun she decided to extend it to 2 (read: wrong turn). The first run was followed by a 9 mile bike and ended with 5k run. This event was created as an event to introduce more women to multisport events and it did just that. It was an accessible event for all levels and drew women with a variety of backgrounds and a fair amount of newbies. Can’t wait for next year!

Katie felt like she was on home turf, being a frequent runner of the trails at Woodland Nature Preserve. She loves the uniqueness in the trails constantly changing from hard wood chips to dirt to rolling prairie and back. The bike course was quite hilly, which she had somehow forgotten until back on it tackling the hills. The finish line food spread and chocolate was much appreciated.

Photography for the event was provided by Stephanie Parshall Photography.

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WSI Participates in National Ride of Silence

Wednesday, May 17, cyclists across the country participated in the National Ride of Silence. The National Ride of Silence consists of hundreds of slow paced rides across the country that are done in complete silence to raise awareness and remember those that have been lost or injured in cycling accidents. WSI riders were present at rides in both Marshall and Battle Creek. Rides were held in Kalamazoo and other local cities as well. The ride had a even more somber significance this year as we approach the one year anniversary of the accident in Kalamazoo which took the lives 5 and injured 4 other cyclists.

For more information about the Ride of Silence, visit www.rideofsilence.org