Eating Crow

So, it's taken me so long to post after the North Vernon race b/c I just finished eating all that crow. If you recall, I sent an e-mail with the following goals:

1) Do not let Matt Battin lap me during a race.
2) I must catch Danny G at some point in the race—game on, Danny!
3) Learn Denny’s secret to success (i.e. befriend Martha).

As far as Matt NOT passing me, well......he was SMOKING FAST on that course and came away with a big "W." He went around me so fast - and early - I might add. So, goal # 1 - FAIL.

By the time Matt passed me, I was giving up on goal #2 as my chain had already come off 5 times. That's too bad b/c the legs felt good. After the 6th time, I called it a day as my mental frustration exceeded my limits. Better racers would have stuck it out in one gear. Admittedly, I like my gears; in fact, I want more. My 1x9 is truly testing my legs on some courses. I have no shame announcing I want my granny back. (Or a 2x9 as in Meredith's new setup? Note to self: ask her how she likes it.) So, #2 = FAIL.

Number 3 proved to be a lot easier than I thought. I took the direct approach with Martha and asked about the secret of Denny's success. I know this blog can be accessed by anyone in the world, but I'm going to tell anyway.

"Never grow old."

It's that easy.

The team suffered some injuries prior to the big race: broken fingers, knee strains, ankle recoveries, etc. But everyone waltzed up to the start line to give it his/her best. Additionally, Larry did the Stoopid run the day before.

So, I left early and didn't get everyone's stories, but I'm pretty sure I missed out on Lindsay's peanut butter & chocolate bars. DRAT. Perhaps next time when I meet more than 1 of my goals.


Great job team on overcome obstacles and finishing strong!

French Lick-DINO

What a day! Can you guess the overall mood of the day from these pics?




That's right--JUBILATION!

And why is everyone so happy? Because French Lick fosters fun! (say 3x fast)

Yes, it was hilly.

Yes, it rained the night before. (Ask Dave McComb about tent camping in low lying areas.)

Yes, it was HOT. (could that be why I blew up on my first lap?)

Yes, it was hilly. Did I mention that already?

Yes, it smelled like farts again b/c of the sulfur water--not b/c of our teammates.

But it's true. All the hills, pain, and temperature were trumped by the ever-so-sweet downhill just before the finish. What a blast!

BCSP pics

What a great looking team!

Denny shows JL how to race.

Meredith is flying down the hill!

Kevin prepares to finish despite some earlier trouble.



Is that a smile or a grimace?

Let's start already!

Need more air.

Matt at the start---there was no one around him at the finish either.

Danny looks calm and focused.

Blake prepares to get wet.

DINO race - BCSP

By Ange:


With trail conditions questionable, some of us were checking the HMBA forum and DINO website for a possible cancellation. Lo and behold, the gods of thunder and inclimate weather smiled upon us as major storm systems missed our beloved park, for the most part.


Conditions were tacky with a few slick spots in between. Team Bicycle Station had a tremendous showing with 13 adults and 5 kids (Noah, Sierra representing the girls, and Teddy--or was it the other one? and Mike B's little ones) participating in different categories of racing. Wearing a helmet and a skin suit, Master Battin schooled all of us in how to race fast. I saw him twice, as a matter of fact: once on the start line and once when he lapped me. (Starting 14-18 minutes behind the Pro/Cat 1 men, my goal this year was to NOT get lapped by them. Fail.)


There may have been a couple of crashes as I saw some blood on not one, but 2 team members with Kevin taking the trophy for what I presume was the most painful. With adrenaline pumping, Kevin had a strong finish in the Cat 2 race.


Results are here. You can read Angela's race report here.


Our own Larry Wasson pulled double duty by racing the 5k DINO Trail Run on Saturday followed by a lap on the mountain bike Sunday. Great job, Larry!


Following our hard work, we enjoyed chicken brats, brownies, beer, and other delicious picnic items. Team pic will be distributed soon. Happy 10th Anniversary to Matt & Melissa for their ownership of the shop. Well done!


CONGRATULATIONS to Matt B, Meredith, Angela, Mike B, Dave M, Jeff, Denny, Blake, Sean, Kevin, Danny, John, and Larry on the great day.

French Lick Report

Do you know what sulfur water smells like? Several Bicycle Station team members are especially aware after last Sunday's DRT tune-up race at the French Lick Resort. We pulled in to the parking lot and camped right by the creek. Ahhhh.

The venue gave us a preview of what the DINO US Cup qualifier race will be all about on June 19. Specifically, we learned that there is over 1,000 feet of climbing per 9-mile lap. Additionally, the sweet, new trail is quite bumpy as riders have not yet smoothed it over. With that in mind, bring your full suspension rigs as you and your back will be thankful you did.

Approaching 90 degrees, the hilly race was challenging and fun. Congrats to the team on some great finishes. Results are here. Also, THANKS to our supporters as well. It's great to see spouses, family members, and friends.

I should also point out that Meredith and I (Angela) helped raise some money for HMBA by representing Bicycle Station at Saturday's Time Trial presented by Planet Adventure. On the shortened course of Town Run Trail Park, we tore up the corners and followed it up with a Trader Joe's run.

GREAT JOB, EVERYONE! Brown County here we come!

2010 DINO #1

From Angela:

After a week of gorgeous weather, the Winona Lake trail was hammered with thunderstorms making for a greasy, muddy race track. For some, this is welcomed. For me, it produces a fear and dread I cannot describe.

On the start line, I changed my tune. After entering the single-track, I realized it really wasn't as bad as I thought. While I couldn't corner as fast as I wanted to, riding and racing was actually rather fun--especially when the racers had screaming spectators ringing cow bells at the top of the short, steep climb just before the field. Weren't those people awesome?

Since the first lap went OK, I knew I could punch it during the second lap. Ten minutes into the lap, I abruptly hit the ground after sliding out on a slick root. To my dismay, it was witnessed by 2 men across the creek.

I jumped up and shouted, "So, what's my score?"

One guy's reply, "25!"

25?!?!? I was expecting something along the lines of gymnastic scoring like a 6.2 or 7.8. For the next 40 minutes I contemplated the scale he was using to warrant a score of 25. Oh yeah, I was racing too.

As it turns out Luther Prater was one of those guys who witnessed my ungraceful fall. (I guess it didn't help that I let out a low scream that sounded like an agonizing grunt.) He explained that I was actually the 25th person to crash in that very spot; it wasn't scoring at all. Whew--perhaps I'm not a total klutz after all.

I saw several teammates on Saturday but didn't get to say Hi to everyone. I hope your racing went well and you have some words of wisdom to share. Congrats to all the hard efforts out there on a tough day!

And here's some pics for the blog.......

Here's one for the record.......

Let the fun begin!

Last Sunday marked a season opener with the DRT time trial at Brown County State Park. Starting at the North parking lot, the riders left in groups of 4 riding the Pine Loop, North Tower Loop, Aynes Loop, then up the Hesitation Point trail for the uphill battle.

Team Bicycle Station showed their colors with 7 riders blazing through the now dense forest. The DRT website shows the results, although it's not broken down by divisions. Nevertheless, it looks like these are superb times that will only get better as the season progresses.

Congrats to Matt, Art, Jeff, Mike B, Denny, Blake, & Meredith!

Thanks to Matt L for the pics below.