Gravel Grovel

As told by John Clasen......

Yeah, Mike put together a tough course. I had ridden much of this route in the past so I knew what we were in for and I chose to ride my GF Ferrous 29er with a carbon lefty, carbon XXX Bontrager wheels, Bontrager XR1 tires (kinda like a 1.8" wide small block 8 ) tubeless at about 45psi, 2X9, 44/32 chain rings, 11-34 cassette.

I started at a moderate pace hanging off the back of a pack of about 30-40 riders with Blake, Jake, and Amanda. It was cool riding bikes with a group like that towards the Nebo ridge trailhead since it’s usually me hauling ass down that stretch in a Subie, late for a Wednesday night ride.

We were cruising peloton style until that first hill climb across from the trailhead. That’s when the s#*t hit the fan. We made a 180-degree turn into the first climb across from the trailhead and all I heard was the desperate attempt of a bunch of people trying to downshift. There were dudes on ‘cross bikes, road bikes or whatever just stalling and hopping off like mad. If you can imagine D-day, storming the beach at Normandy, taking rounds, men falling left and right and you have to make your way through it all, that’s what I did, only on a bike with not such high consequences….maybe. (At this time I was listening to Gardenia by Kyuss, YES!)

After redlining on the toughest climb of the day less than say 10 min into the ride I just tried to gather myself for Combs Rd., which I knew was to my advantage. This road is old school and it is what broke me into southern Indiana Mountain biking. Combs was moderately muddy and steep, perfect for my 32/11-34 gearing. I passed a few dudes on the ascent and a few on the descent, nice. (By then I was into Supa Scoopa, Mighty Scoop and Demon Cleaner, Yes!!)

At this point I thought that I had time to peel off a layer and pee. Mike Hemelgarn and Blake Noland cruised up and we rolled out together. After about 30 seconds I realized that I dropped my Ipod shuffle while I shedded layers and pissed. @#$%! I thought about going back to look for it but after seeing at least half a dozen dudes fly past me with determination in their eyes I continued on, thinking that on the way back over Combs Rd. I may be able to find my Ipod. After some time I had realized that Mike and Blake may just be in it for the ride so I pressed on attempting to catch onto the group of 6-8 dudes I could see in the distance. This continued for some time over rolling gravel roads, 30-40 minutes? After a bit they began to break up and it must have been on the next considerable climb when they began to drop off one by one. As I began to catch and pass a bunch of guys on ‘cross bikes, out of nowhere came two guys in IU kits. It turned out to be the Kiel bros. Matt and Ryan, who had flatted earlier and were attempting to catch back on to the leaders. A few seconds of pain and I was on! The three of us traded pulls for awhile, maybe 30-45min. We hammered it. We hoot and hollered that gravel and dirt. Then they dropped me on an extended paved section. I knew I would not be able to hang the whole way. I was just along for the ride for as long as I could. I decided at that point to ride my own ride. Push it. Not kill it.

The out and back to 446 was cool. I saw the leader Rytlewski, then Messer and another not far behind. I was counting how many passed. That is when I realized that I was towards the front. At the turn around I stretched my back, got some water and ate a Quaker Oats granola bar (what, no little chocolate doughnuts? WTF Mike!). This was the toughest part of the ride for me. My back was tight and my legs felt burnt up. Wischmeier bridged up to me and we rode together for a bit and talked about keeping ahead of the group of half dozen dudes that were not to far behind. I began to pick it up on some of the rollers. I just let it go whenever I could, pedaled hard on any incline and kept all the momentum I could in the flowed out turns of the gravel roads.

It wasn’t too long before I was in familiar territory and I began to feel much better about where I was headed and how long it would take me to get there. I killed it from Maumee to Combs Rd., I stopped for a minute to look for my Ipod, no luck. Then I headed up towards the Nebo Ridge trail, and then down. I aggressively passed a rider on a ‘cross bike on the descent, I got some air on a water bar and just after landing proceeded to run straight into a fallen tree. The guy I just passed skidded straight into me, did a nice OTB and landed on my front wheel.

At this time my front wheel was wobbling horribly and my front disc brake rotor was bent also. I was almost home though so I just kept it going until the next intersection. I thought I knew which way to go but I wasn’t sure so I began to look for course markers, I went one way and then the other. The rider that did a cartwheel onto my front wheel caught back up and we soft pedaled until we saw a car and we asked if they had seen any other cyclists headed back the way that they had came from. They said yes and we were gone.

One monster climb remained, borderline cramps ensued. I definitely made the right choice with the Ferrous 29er over the Surly cross check, most others walked the last couple climbs. They were brutal and I was thankful for the lower gearing. I was over the top of the final climb and home free, not a soul in sight.

I ended up finishing 15th. I’m still unsure of my time, it must have been around 3:30 or so. I did find my Ipod while I was changing clothes. It had fallen down my pants!

I’m up for doing this again soon. I’m sure we could get Mike Sharp to ride it also, it would be nice to hear his thoughts on the course and the possibilities for the 2010 Gravel Grovel.

http://gravelgrovel.com/

Iceman Cometh

Congratulations to all the Team Bicycle Station members that raced a brutal race in Michigan on the weekend of November 6th. Taken from the Iceman Cometh website, "


Starting in downtown Kalkaska, the Iceman trail consists of dirt roads, two tracks (the majority of the course), abandoned railroad beds, and the world famous Vasa Nordic ski trial. Approximately 28 miles long, the course crosses only one paved road (Williamsburg Rd. at mile 17) as it winds through the breath taking terrain of the Pere Marquette State Forest in Northwestern Lower Michigan. Course highlights include, "Steve's Secret," "Lombard's Luge," "Cassle Cliffs," and "Ice Breaker" (the last hill to climb.) The finish line at Timber Ridge, just east of Traverse City, will be a welcome sight to all Icemen and Icewomen. The course can be best described as a road race on dirt."


Matt B, Meredith, Larry, Blake, and Mike B raced hard and fast as the official season ended. Check out the pics from Matt L's cool Fat Tire Photos site. Thanks, Matt! Additionally, Larry shared some photos that are posted below. Thanks, Larry!


Race reports indicated temps were in the high 50s at the start for the pro groups, presumably a little colder for the morning races. While the Iceman has seen snow in previous years, the battle for these riders was the 30+ mph wind gusts on double-track roads. Usually some single-track provides some shelter from the wind; apparently the fire roads created more of a funnel for the headwind. Ouch!!!

Again, great job to all the riders ; what a superb effort.

Ok--I'm a lot jealous of this photo of Matt w/ Alison Dunlap. Anyone else green with envy?

Was Blake all smiles before or after the race? or both? Great job, Blake.

Matt & Mer finish together. (-;

And here is Meredith's official finish.



Mike Blanz gets his name on the board! Awesome.

During the race...truly a road race on dirt.

Fall is here!

And with Fall comes the Brown County Breakdown. The epic ride offers distances from 20 - 100 miles through Brown County State Park and Hoosier National Forest. Team Bicycle Station had excellent representation. In addition to the usual racers, several customers were there as well sporting new and old kits. Also noteworthy, I saw Jeff F. volunteering before the start. Thanks, Jeff for helping to put on a great event. Meredith and I helped at the tent on Saturday.

Thanks to HMBA members for posting the pics below.

Following a week of heavy rains, the trail wasn't holding much water by Sunday; however, the roots and rocks remained dangerous & slippery. While some of the group started with the fast "A" wave (Mike B. & Sean O.), the rest of the gang started in the slower waves. With temps hovering around -30 degrees....ok, ok...it was more like 34, but this early in the year near-freezing temperatures feel pretty darn cold....our group opted to take the paved, steep hill in lieu of the Pine Loop to help warm our fingers and toes. It worked!!!! For about 60 seconds. When we rejoined the rest of the participants, the cold crept back in our bones.

I witnessed 3 crashes before one of our own went down. Melissa, on her new fly Cannondale Scalpel, slipped on a rock and ended up with a nose bleed. Below is a stock photo of her new ride. Complementing the pink accents on the derailleur, she added some pink grips, saddle?, and water bottle cage. It's SO pretty (and LIGHT! Weight Weenies beware).


Reaching the top of Hesitation Point, our group further split into smaller ones. Still--the cold did not leave our bodies. I guess some of us (me) weren't riding hard enough.

After some cookies and bananas, another team member, Matt L., slipped on one of the aforementioned slick rocks when his back wheel slid out during a slow technique. He managed to catch himself on another rock and broke 2 of his fingers. OUCH! While it's OK to cringe at the thought of his pain, note that he and Mer returned to the park after the ER visit to eat some BBQ pork. Mmmmmmm. I don't think it helped his pain, though.

The rest of the boys came rolling in a little later. The reports indicated lots of peanut butter mud and slick conditions beyond the park that sucked the energy out of the legs. It was a rough but fun day! Congrats to Sean O'Donnell for completing the 100-miler. Did anyone else go as far?

Meanwhile, team member Denny Barber was showing his cyclocross skills in the Ohio Valley Cyclocross Series. Does this mean he's IN or OUT for next year's racing???? We're all guessing IN. Make us proud, Denny!

The Breakdown wasn't the end for some. John C. represented the team this past week at the Pisgah Mountain Bike Stage Race with great results. The first day is a 4-mile prologue with 3 more days and 126 miles to follow. Oh yeah--and 31,000 feet of elevation gain total. Yikes! We're looking forward to hearing about that adventure. For a preview, check out the video of this pre-ride of the course:

Cycling Videos on CyclingDirt

Happy Riding, all!

Dueling Bicycles - Indy TRTP

Does everyone remember last year's Town Run race? I do. I captured this image from the National Weather Service before driving to Indy last year.

While this year didn't contain the hurricane-force winds, the end of the race was familiar. The first few laps were fast and dry while the last lap was treacherous when the packed dirt became much like an ice rink. The water stood on top of the dirt looking like asphalt making the corners perilous.

Nevertheless, Team Bicycle Station showed up for the last DINO race of the year with great results. Congratulations to all for participating and placing well. Results are here.

While racing has ended for most, there are still plenty of Fall activities to keep us pedaling.

Thanks, again, to Matt L. for the great pics!

Matt & Ben duel it out on the hill just after the start:

Matt checks out Ben's technique.

Logansport pics

Thanks for sharing, Matt L!

Someone smashed the competition in her first race!

Here is some teamwork!

Our loyal fans....

Meredith should get used to standing on the podium.

Mike B is focused.

Blake sometimes gives pushes to unsuspecting female riders during the race.

Note to self: Don't cut through the tape in the pre-ride.

Back-to-back Racing

Team Bicycle Station enjoyed back-to-back racing two weekends in a row with Versailles and Logansport on the schedule. Both weekends provided HOT temps and great results.

Coach Battin summed it up well for the Versailles race. This state park is an awesome place to ride. Thanks, again, to Jeff & Amy for the cookout following the race.

Below is a pic I lifted from the HMBA site (credit to Paul A.) showing one of the features of the trail.


We had great results and welcomed John W to his first mt bike race. He came back smiling, so maybe he'll get some more trail time in. Kudos to all the racers where many earned podium spots!

I would just like to note after Clasen's tire busted during the race, and interesting discussion followed. It turns out one teammate, who shall remain nameless, is exceptional at power-braking. In fact, the rubber just melts away under his power. If we could all put out that kind of wattage.....In other news Denny B. is teaching the other guys how to be complete gentlemen after admitting buying roses for his lovely wife. If you ask me, I don't think he's a good teacher. During the Logansport race, I asked him to be a gentleman and carry my bike up the second run-up hill. He didn't even respond. And I think I know why with Dave McComb not far behind.

The Logansport course welcomed our PA buddy, JL. It's always good to see old friends and new ones. But the biggest surprise of the day was the first race for Melissa Rose who cleaned up the Cat 3 women's race. In fact, all the women were successful with podium spots. Congrats Mer (and me)!

I should also mention Larry Wasson who competed in both triathlons and the Logansport race. Superb effort, Larry!

I always miss some things, so feel free to comment or post. Have a terrific week and see you in Indy.

Mr. Power tells us a story while his support crew looks on.

Ever resourceful, Clasen seals the tire enough to hold air with a power bar wrapper. See the red?

With two postponements, many people having plans already, and a Kentucky points series race so close in Louisville the turnout at Versailles expected to be low. As it was, there was no shortage of talent in all Cat's. Course conditions were very very good considering the rain and newness of the trail. If you haven't been to Versailles it is a great place to ride. The trail is fast and flowing not too much climbing and very scenic. Hat's and shorts off to the trail builders who put this one together. Thanks to all of the Bicycle Station riders who went down there and had a great time. I'd also like to thank Amy and Jeff for the awesome cookout and pool party! Looking forward to next weekend! May the Force be with you.