Ride Summary 4/27/2010

Starters: MSU Triathlon Team is sponsoring a ride to benefit Mason Barker on May 15th, riders can start between 8 & 10 AM at the MSU Pavilion. For info, visit www.msutriathlon.com At this time I plan to make it, we can turn it into a great group ride and it’s a great cause, so if you are riding anyway on Saturday (there are no road races) and I assume you all are, let’s help out.

Summary: High winds and cool weather and exams might have meant a smaller turnout tonight but twenty is not bad. Heading south was like riding with no chain, but once we headed east the group got split up in the strong crosswinds. After the sprint we all got back together however but again got some separation heading into Mason for the final sprint. Brad (President of MSU Cycling) on his second TNR took the Mason sprint on a 1988 Nishiki with downtube shifters, outstanding. Anthony (who is graduating, bummer, and going on to veterinary school) was riding very strong. By the way Anthony got 21st place in Texas collegiates out of more than 700 Triathletes, he even beat Rhone, the "Australian Whip". Mike Kemp took a sprint too, nice work. Finally, Banky told me we should call the ride the 'five puke ride' because five people threw up. I did not see this, I think he's just positioning because he tried to slip off the front and we hunted him down like a pack of wolves on a rabbit in the middle of winter. Remember, we regroup, our intent is not to leave anyone behind. Don't be discouraged by this ride, the crosswinds made it really hard. The way you get stronger is by doing the ride, you cannot do this on your own.

Milestones: The member count on our Blog http://tuesdaynightroadride.blogspot.com/ hit another milestone this week eclipsing 50 riders (now at 52). When we hit sixty riders we will have a ‘primes’ night on the regular TNR. Bike shop swag as well as a monetary prize and no it won’t just all go to the top sprinter, we plan to spread it around, and yes it will be worth it. So if you are interested or just as a fellow cyclist who wants to support us in a free and easy way, Please log on and sign up. Numbers are power, it will open a lot of doors for us. Thanks.

Closing ideas:
 I am considering creating an attendance prime in conjunction with Webbcorp incorporated and the local bike shops, I will need some help to put it together and keep track, thoughts? Prize will go out at the end of the season.
 Lots of positive feedback on the idea of breaking up into teams at TNR, setting an objective and trying to execute tactics to make it even more interesting and compelling than it already is. Does anyone have any ideas of how we can tell two or more groups apart without spending a ton of money? Helmet covers, armbands, handyman’s secret weapon (aka Duct Tape), etc.?

Tuesday Night Ride April 27th

Forecast: Sunny, Cool, 60

Goals: Work on finishing skills, work on breakaways, have fun. (It’s been suggested we break up into teams with simple arm bands and try different racing tactics, we definitely have the numbers, this will be hard to pull off tomorrow, we can discuss for future however, other ideas welcome. We want to keep it fresh and fun and gear it toward the type of work that will help us achieve our cycling goals.)

Ride Digest: Six rides, average temp 62, avg. 24 riders
 March 16th: sunny, 60 degrees, 21 riders. Clearly some are more fit than others, that’s expected, Collegiate racing already started, but others only out for their first time.
 March 23rd: sunny, 60 degrees, 23 riders. Only took a week but many who struggled on the first ride made it through no issues, one flat, ran out of daylight, but great ride.
 March 30th: sunny, 60 degrees (are you kidding me?), 30 riders (wow!). We had a strong group tonight, one drop (sorry), we kept it together, one flat, outstanding turnout.
 April 6th: mostly sunny, 71 degrees, 19 riders. Outstanding turnout despite ominous looking weather earlier in the day. Strong group, everyone made it!
 April 13th: party sunny, 58 degrees, 19 riders. I heard the finishing speeds were impressive, remember anyone can come, we do regroup.
 April 20th: sunny, 60 degrees, 29 riders!

Shameless defense of my not being at TNR last week: Contrary to Mike claiming I was shopping, I was in Asheville trying to ride myself into shape. Limiting boring details; 4 days, 290 miles, 27,000 feet of ascent, top speed 54 MPH and assaulted Mount Mitchell in respectable time.

Racing:
 MSU team went to regional’s in Indiana last weekend, Greg Christian got 3rd in the A crit; results see http://mwccc.org/sp10/
 Adam York and Craig Webb did Yankee TT (off-road) a week ago. Adam did well, me… not so good. See http://www.BikeReg.com/events/register.asp?EventID=9543
 TT last weekend too, I do not have results.

4/20/10 Ride Summary

RIDE SUMMARY:
Last night the temps were in the mid 60s. The wind was uncharacteristically still. And 29 "masters of the universe" showed up for the two most important hours of the week. We could have had 30 if Craig Webb hadn't cut out on us to check out a sale on panties. None the less, the meat grinder was in fine form last night. The group worked well together but not great. I think we only jettisoned one rider, sorry. The average speeds were close to 21.5 mph but the sprint speeds were stupid high last night. I don't own a speedometer but if I did it would have melted. Greg Christian gets the evenings testosterone prize by winning every sprint....jerk.

TIP OF THE WEEK:
Successful cyclists must win three races: The race on the bike, the race to eat enough food, and the race to sleep enough

TRAINING:
Wednesday- Mountain Bike with Jon Gerting, Custer/Poto/Brighton, approx 11am, Jon has 3 open spots on his rack if your interested email him, jgertig@hotmail.com
Wednesday- Every/Still training ride, leaves 6PM, approx 1.5hr, easy/moderate pace
Thursday- Spin Street cycles ride, Leaves 6PM, approx 2hrs, intervals ranging from moderate to easy (Write Eric Phreed for details)

RACING:
Saturday- Get your man card punched at the Willow Time Trial, 13.2 miles, http://www.fredericjames.com/events.

ADMINISTRIVIA:
Map My ride link for TNR (great course, light traffic): http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/mi/mason/238126755889478574
Link to our listing on Michigan Bike Racing website for weekly rides: http://mbraforum.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=46
Link to our blog, please join: http://tuesdaynightroadride.blogspot.com/

4/13/10 Ride Summary

Ride Summary: Despite the MSU Tri Team getting ready for the big race in Texas and the MSU Cycling Team getting ready for their race in Dansville this Saturday and the colder weather we had 19 show (albeit only 18 rode due to Wade forgetting his shoes). It was the hardest ride to date due to the strong crosswinds heading south and then headwinds heading east. If you were challenged by this don’t be discouraged, this was a difficult start. we are regrouping at each sprint which is allowing more people to make the ride, better for everyone, even the strong. We had 3 brand new riders last night; Sam, Mike and John. I did some ciphering & suspect we’ve had about sixty different riders show up at different times, I think we might easily see fifty at this ride if there are no races and we have great weather.

Ride Digest:
§ March 16th: sunny, 60 degrees, 21 riders. Clearly some are more fit than others, that’s expected, Collegiate racing already started, but others only out for their first time.
§ March 23rd: sunny, 60 degrees, 23 riders. Only took a week but many who struggled on the first ride made it through no issues, one flat, ran out of daylight, but great ride.
§ March 30th: sunny, 60 degrees (are you kidding me?), 30 riders (wow!). We had a strong group tonight, one drop (sorry), we kept it together, one flat, outstanding turnout.
§ April 6th: mostly sunny, 71 degrees, 19 riders. Outstanding turnout despite ominous looking weather earlier in the day. Strong group, everyone made it!
§ April 13th: party sunny, 58 degrees, 19 riders.

Racing:
§ MSU Cycling Team Race this weekend in Dansville. They are ready to rip some legs off, go see the race this Saturday it’s just east of us and set up like a circuit so you can see the entire race unfold. Results posted here http://mwccc.org/sp10/
§ MSU Tri Team will be looking to annihilate every mother’s son and daughter in Texas this weekend, I have no site to track results but I will find one.
§ For you mountain bikers, Yankee Springs Time Trial is this weekend. If you are looking to remind yourself what is fun about cycling, this is not a good idea, it will be a suffer-fest.

Fellow Cyclist Mason Barker

Hi everyone, if you are a member of the MSU Triathlon team you probably already know this story, but many of you do not.

In 2008 we all heard of an MSU cyclist who was struck by an auto on Round Lake Road. Until I received the email (below) sent by Lindsey Polinko of the MSU Tri Team I did not know the cyclist name or even the outcome of the incident, just that a cyclist was struck.

Many of you remember that after this incident we altered the route of what was then the Tuesday Night Spin Street ride for safety reasons.

Luckily Mason survived this event. My understanding is his parents put together a site for cyclist and supporters to follow his progress. Lindsey said that one of Mason’s great joys in life is to receive messages through the website’s guestbook.

Please… please, take a few minutes, go to Mason’s website, sign his guestbook and send him a positive message. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/masonbarker

Thanks everyone.

Tuesday Ride Tonight

Forecast: Partly sunny, 53. Thought about moving tonight’s ride to Wednesday, but our MSU Cycling Team hosts their Collegiate race this Saturday and will need to rest after tonight so Game On!

Ride Summary:
 March 16th: sunny, 60 degrees, 21 riders. Clearly some are more fit than others, that’s expected, Collegiate racing already started, but others only out for their first time.
 March 23rd: sunny, 60 degrees, 23 riders. Only took a week but many who struggled on the first ride made it through no issues, one flat, ran out of daylight, but great ride.
 March 30th: sunny, 60 degrees (are you kidding me?), 30 riders (wow!). We had a strong group tonight, one drop (sorry), we kept it together, one flat, outstanding turnout.
 April 6th: mostly sunny, 71 degrees, 19 riders. Outstanding turnout despite ominous looking weather earlier in the day. Strong group, everyone made it!

Racing:
 As mentioned MSU Cycling Team Race this weekend. We have a strong team this year, wish them all luck, we will try to keep them honest tonight. I believe results will eventually be posted here http://mwccc.org/sp10/
 For you mountain bikers, Yankee Springs Time Trial this weekend.

Administrivia:
 Map My ride link for TNR: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/mi/mason/238126755889478574
 Link to our listing on Michigan Bike Racing website for weekly rides: http://mbraforum.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=46
 Link to our blog, please join: http://tuesdaynightroadride.blogspot.com/

Spread the word!

Happenings for the week of 4/12/10

Forecast: Partly sunny, 53. Thought about moving tonight’s ride to Wednesday, but our MSU Cycling Team hosts their Collegiate race this Saturday and will need to rest after tonight so Game On!

Ride Summary:
§ March 16th: sunny, 60 degrees, 21 riders. Clearly some are more fit than others, that’s expected, Collegiate racing already started, but others only out for their first time.
§ March 23rd: sunny, 60 degrees, 23 riders. Only took a week but many who struggled on the first ride made it through no issues, one flat, ran out of daylight, but great ride.
§ March 30th: sunny, 60 degrees (are you kidding me?), 30 riders (wow!). We had a strong group tonight, one drop (sorry), we kept it together, one flat, outstanding turnout.
§ April 6th: mostly sunny, 71 degrees, 19 riders. Outstanding turnout despite ominous looking weather earlier in the day. Strong group, everyone made it!

Racing:
§ As mentioned MSU Cycling Team Race this weekend. We have a strong team this year, wish them all luck, we will try to keep them honest tonight. I believe results will eventually be posted here http://mwccc.org/sp10/
§ For you mountain bikers, Yankee Springs Time Trial this weekend.

Administrivia:
§ Map My ride link for TNR: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/mi/mason/238126755889478574
§ Link to our listing on Michigan Bike Racing website for weekly rides: http://mbraforum.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=46
§ Link to our blog, please join: http://tuesdaynightroadride.blogspot.com/

Spread the word!

TNR Ride Summary for 4/6/2010

Last night's ride might have been the best so far. Despite ominous looking skies all day by ride time the sun was shining and the temps rose into the 70's. Headcount was nineteen. The strength of the group is impressive, everyone made the ride. Those who struggled will get stronger!

Paceline; we can get better as a group, think of it as one organism moving together instead of many disparate parts moving apart. Improving the flow and pace of the overall group is the goal. Think Smooth. Don’t surge, flow. Transition from moving in the wind to pulling off smoothly, not too fast to gap the person behind you and not so slow they have to brake, parts of an intricate puzzle bound together, once you pull off, let up slightly so that the next person doesn’t have to fight to get around you. In Marine Corp boot camp a platoon starts off sounding like a stampede, after three months all you hear is one footstep, one, gives you goose bumps. Forty men, one footstep. Paceline’s the same, when everyone’s working together the combination of speed and cohesion is special.

Collegiate Race results: I got my facts messed up, here is another attempt, please let me know if I botched this. Cameron got 1st and WON the “C” race, outstanding! Todd got 3rd in the “C” race! And Greg got 3rd in the “A” race. Since for the life of me I can’t understand who could have crossed the line before Greg I had to ask and apparently a teammate of his from Panther who raced pro last year with Greg and a Bissell pro finished out the podium. Nice work men!

Final thought; I was talking some of the Traverse City brotherhood, they also have a Tuesday Night Ride, High Quality! They have not even had their first ride! And we already have 4, we are very fortunate.

Happenings for week of 4/5/2010

Forecast: Warm, 77!, but some chance of rain, but we have been lucky so keep fingers crossed

Ride Summary:
-March 16th: sunny, 60 degrees, 21 riders. Clearly some are more fit than others, that’s expected, Collegiate racing already started, but others only out for their first time.
-March 23rd: sunny, 60 degrees, 23 riders. Only took a week but many who struggled on the first ride made it through no issues, one flat, ran out of daylight, but great ride.
-March 30th: sunny, 60 degrees (are you kidding me?), 30 riders (wow!). We had a strong group tonight, one drop (sorry), we kept it together, one flat, outstanding turnout.

Racing:
-MSU Cycling Team raced in Indiana this past weekend. Todd won the D’s, outstanding! Greg got 3rd in the A’s! Here is the link for the results although this past weekend is not up yet; http://mwccc.org/sp10/
-Waterford and Ann Arbor this past weekend, I do not have results.