BSM CYCLING

(part 1 of a 3 part series)

Another season has come and gone for me. I now find myself firmly planting on the couch after work taking in those coveted days, maybe even weeks, off the bike. As a “roadie” the fall was a time to enjoy the bike to the fullest. Take the long rides that were limited by a rigorous training and racing schedule. Find that symbiosis between me and the bike that is far too elusive while thinking of podiums and glory; that is my fall riding mantra. Some of the most beautiful riding to be had exists only a handful of miles outside of Cincinnati. Add in the camaraderie of teammates, non-teammates, and enemies on the race circuit, multiply by the sights and smells of changing seasons, and you have a grand equation. All this that I wax with mediocre poeticism about was sacrificed to a large degree this year. Why you will likely ask, re-reading the above paragraph for some hint you missed the first time. Well read ahead, not back, because the answer is cyclocross!

2010 was all about the road bike. Funny since a cyclocross bike is practically the same thing, with only modified tyres, brakes, and perhaps smalle geometry changes. The big difference of course lies in the terrain and conditions under which that bike is ridden. Despite encouragement from many people I shunned the cyclocross scene, only spectating 2 or 3 races, and even then never knocking back beers and shouting at racers I did not know, truly missing the point of heckling. Mounting a bike, dismounting, running barriers, and being covered in mud seemed like the last thing I wanted to do with a bike under me. Then came 2011 . . .

A rough road season, some much needed pleasure riding, and solid racing to close out the summer left me confident and capable. There are always times where we have to open wide and insert a foot, tasting our own hypocrisy. A few minutes to remove the fenders from my Surly Cross Check commuter, some borrowed Challenge Grifo tyres, and I was ready to get rad!

Learning How To Barrier Jump

My first race came the day after my final road race of the year. The Lionheart Cyclocross, located at Kingswood Golf Course is our local season opener here in the Ohio Valley, and has plenty of options from the complete cross newbie, to full hour elite racing. Thanks to James O’Laughlin from Team Hungry, I had solid tyres, and a challenge to skip past “Beginners” and “Men’s C” races. It was either B’s or go home. And so I set out, in a foreign land where traction and staying upright mean everything, made ever harder when you are turning yourself inside out for 40 minutes. Somewhere between the excitement, beginner’s luck, and lasting road season fitness, I finished a promising 8th place. More important than the result was the stirring inside. One race wasn’t enough. I wanted more CX racing in my life, more rad getting, and now was the time to get after it.

They said the sprint was at the start!

I spent a couple of weeks doing some of the aforementioned fall riding. Peppered with the occasional skills training sessions my preparation for the next pair of local races was going well. Traveling 2+ hours in each direction did not seem appetizing this early into the experiment but spending 2 days racing in my hometown(s) of Dayton and Yellow Springs was not to be missed. With the addition of Mike “#1″ Schena giving cross his first go, it was as they say  . . . ON!

Gearfest CX and John Bryan Cyclocross Classic

The 4th and 5th stops of the OVCX: Gearfest CX and the John Bryan Cyclocross Classic pair well together, with the first being a fast flat course, some technical sections, but nothing an amateur to strike fear into an amateur. The latter however has a reputation, and deservedly so. With long false flats, fast gravel and tarmac, and faster still single-track through John Bryan State Park, I took heed to the warnings of using energy wisely. Gearfest was an effort in patience. Finding long open spaces where I could utilize strength and fitness to make passes required patience. I was 3 races behind in the series points so a 3rd row call-up combined with terrible starting capability meant I was well behind other cat 4 men and juniors. Patience also when choosing the attack the ground with my hips, shoulders, and even face . . . “you will crash, A LOT” . . . the wise words of a fellow friend and racer rang true for me. But the mistakes were less than the previous race and I finished 8th again, this time much closer to those in front of me. Sunday at John Bryan, the difficulty played to my advantage. While others faded, my confidence bolstered. As all racing is as much of a mental battle as it is physical, it was not long before I found my groove and the front of the race. Heading into the last lap I felt secure in 1st. But a moment of inattention and I was OFF the bike at a time when I should have been securely ON the bike. The single track in the woods was tricky and with that I was left to chase my passer and claim 2nd for the day. It is always hard when you lose, every racer will agree. But to have some level of success my 3rd race into a new sporting season was promising and put the weekend in a celebratory light.

Mike learns about barriers

A new appreciation for Fall

Gun Club Cyclocross

This race will always be memorable for me. I was getting increasingly prepared for races, and pre-riding the course seemed like some of the best prep work a racer could do. Even better, why not volunteer to help create the course, be part of the organic mess that turns into a successful event? And so I spent the day before the race staking, taping, sawing, moving sand, and taking it all in. By midday the semi complete laps were calling my name. I was able to find lines, test speeds, identify hazard areas for my skill level, and practice areas that would prevent race day challenges.
On race day I was happy to see all of my fellow enthusiasts enjoying what I had helped to create. It was a different type of victory, one that will not be reported on USAC, but will not fade in importance after the year is through. When my race was announced, and call-ups began I took my by now usual place in the 3rd row. Despite good results from weeks past, it was not quite enough to move up a row. That illustrious first row call-up would perhaps one day be mine . . . At the gun (and yes a real gun, maybe UCI legal?) I found myself boxed in. I knew the early part of the course would be suitable to my strengths and deft maneuvering was required. As the pack hit the sand, barriers and technical turns my position was steadily improving.  Venturing into the woods was the true gem of this course. It was like being in a video game, a painful, lactate inducing, video game. But by the end of lap 2 I was in 2nd. Or was that 3rd . . . ? The screams from friends and Stepfanie, my loud and steadfast cheerleader, were barely discernible amongst the heavy breathing and raucous crowd. Turns out it was in fact 3rd as I finished securely on the podium behind a local junior phenom, and dark horse of a racer I did not even know was on the 1st row. As fun as the course was, it did not lend well to keeping track of anyone ahead of you, constantly weaving, changing direction and terrain. Pictures would be wonderful but why not watch this video a talented local media artist and bike racer made.

Gun Club Cyclocross: OVCX 2011
by Alex Steinker of Team Hungry

The season continues in part 2 . . .

Ohio Valley Cyclocross: A first-rate cyclocross series

Jeffrey Jakucyk: a premium photographer

Sam and Mike traveled to Chattanooga, TN for the 10th anniversary of River Gorge and the hopes of omnium glory. With sold out fields in the criterium and road race and the whispers of many pros in attendance, it promised to be a exciting weekend. Mike was fresh off his State of Ohio Crit championship win, and I was returning from a week of pleasure riding in Colorado. Poor man’s EPO, or late season training trip to get my head right for the last handful of races?

Mike found the Crash Pad, an incredibly affordable and new hostel in downtown Chattanooga. Opened by 3 local rock climbers who were seeking a place for fellow outdoor enthusiasts to affordably “crash”, this was primarily being rented by bike racers for the weekend.

Saturday morning saw an early start for my TT. With only a 4 mile course, lacking a TT bike was not something I was too concerned about. There was a decent climb followed by two fast descents and a sharp right turn that actually may have allowed me to stay competitive. Unfortunately on the major descent, I was confused by the course marshall and what looked like a turn. I applied my brakes only slightly, but probably enough to lose 10+ seconds.
Mike’s new used TT bike was primed and ready to go. With his race being an hour after mine, he had plenty of time to snag the TT helmet I was using, and get to the start line. Unfortunately despite my warning about the confusing descent, Mike saw an erratic course marshall and slowed even more than me. We would end up finishing 13th (Sam Cat 4) and 28th (Mike Cat 3), outside the top 10 for omnium points.

We spent the afternoon resting and eating before our evening criterium. Having flatted my rear tubular sometime during the cool down from my TT, it was back to the 32 spoke training wheels, making my 20+ lbs bike setup complete! My criterium started at 5:30pm, under a solid 91 degree F blanket of heat. Most people sacrificed a warm up for good start position and I found myself at the back. After 5 laps I was sitting in the top 20 ready to hang out for the 2nd half of the race. Unfortunately my left shifter began to slip down my handlebars, and going into a turn my front brake locked up. I was on the wrong side of the course for the pit, and had to watch as my DNF became a reality.
Mike’s 7:15pm start allowed for some additional rest time, and he showed up ready to be aggressive and mark moves on the front. After a good start Mike made it to the top 7 and maintained this position for most of the race. A crit style box in move forced him back to 20th but with 4 laps to go he was quickly gaining ground back to the front. With a nudge from the right side, Mike was forced into the rear wheel of the rider in front of him. He crossed wheels and ended up taking a spill onto the asphalt. The #STL who caused it all managed to sneak back into the pack unnoticed. Mike would suffer some full body road rash, a broken helmet, and several broken spokes on his front wheel. Crashterium lifestyle . . .

Sunday morning we were both thinking there was not much more to be gained. My RR took off at 10AM. When I left Mike to head to the line, I was convinced he would grab a sixer and chill in the truck vs start his 69 miles of heat and suffering. My race unfolded with little excitement, typical Cat 4 chain drops and jockeying for position at less than critical times. On the short climb midway through my 40 miles race, I noticed that I was slicing through the pack to move to the front with relative ease. This boded well for the 3 mile mountaintop finish.  When the final climb hit the starting pack of 100 was well thinned but still large. In the first 500 meters I made my way to the front and proceeded to grind out a miserably hard pace. I only glanced back once and noticed a handful of people still on my wheel so when I saw a steep pitch before the road folded over on itself I attacked. A SCV/Krystal rider came with but everyone else was gapped. With 1k to go, we had 30 seconds on the next rider and we worked together to keep the speed up on the 5% final pitch. At the 500m to go sign I blew up and without launching an attack, the other rider was able to simply keep his pace as I watched my chance for the win fade. I rolled in for 2nd 15 seconds behind him with that ever familiar face of agony.

Cat 4 RR Podium (tallest ever . . . ?)

Mike’s race played out very differently. Perhaps it was using my front Bora that gave him an aero advantage, or perhaps he simply focused on retribution. Regardless he started in the top 3 and after an attack on the first climb, Mike found himself off the front with one other rider (Jesse) with the peloton strung out through some rollers. Jesse apparently knew the junior on the front of peloton, and remarked it was a good time to initiate a breakaway. Speaking Mike’s language, they went and were soon out of sight, then 1 minute, then 2 minutes ahead of the peloton. The heat would be Mike’s enemy, having already used his 3 bottles, and 2 from the neutral feed. Striking a deal with Jesse, he pulled along the flats in exchange for 2 more bottles. It left him with little for the final climb, but he stayed in contact and gave a valiant last attack with 200m to go. The clever race organizers however had arranged a sneaky left turn and final uphill sprint to the line that allowed Jesse to empty the tanks and steal 1st. Mike came in right behind for 2nd, with the next finisher showing up nearly 5 minutes later!

A Giant Amongst Climbers!

Despite poor TT placings and DNFs in the crit, we both finished well in the omnium. Mike was able to claim 3rd in the cat 3 omnium, with several of the top TT and Crit finishers not starting the RR. I slotted in for 6th in my cat 4 omnium.

Burritos and yet more water rounded it out before we headed back to the heartland.

So much glory for BSM Cycling! On a wet and questionable Saturday before the 2011 Easter holiday, the weather chose to cooperate just long enough for Cleves, OH to host some seriously exciting racing. In both category 4 and 5 the BSM grabbed some podium positions. The lucrative merch is starting to offset the race fees . . .

Cat 4: From the start Max and Mike set to work at the front of their Cat 4 pack. Buffalo Ridge is a brutal climb with a nice final pitch nearing 15% grade. Max went to his dark place while setting a miserably hard pace in an effort to thin the pack. After 1 lap of the 36 mile race the peloton was already thinned down to 15 with Max and Mike leading. Josh was forming a chase group only 40 seconds back. With each successive lap the climb took its merciless toll, breaking racers in legs and spirit. Jeff Jakucyk was well positioned to document epic scenes of pain and suffering, no surprise really.

A Lion at Heart!

After several attacks by Mike to further reduce the pack, 7 were left. In the final 2 laps Mike and Max began to execute the flawless team tactics BSM Cycling has always been known for. Despite several attempts to break free, the pack knew of Mike’s tenacity and shut down every opportunity. On the final climb Mike opened up his sprint with 400m to the line. Nobody could match the Italian’s acceleration and Mike was able to coast in with a smile and a victory salute. Max followed only 5 bike lengths back, out-sprinting a QCW racer for 2nd place! A 1-2 hill-top finish was a fitting way to end Cat 4 racing for Max and Mike. Time to race for straight cash baby!

Josh was an unfortunate victim to the wilds of Cleves, Ohio and the gravel strewn roads. After flatting on the backside of the course during lap 3, he was rescued by a nice man with one eye and a hatchback . . .

Cat 5: Vic and our new recruit Matt Stephenson lined up for their 3 laps race. Despite some of the region’s strongest 5s in attendance, BSM included, there were no small breakaway attempts. The contention for podium spots had no clear leaders until the last climb. Coming around the final bend with 200m to go, it was a BSM rider, and one I barely recognized in the top 3! Matt was wearing his colors well, digging out a powerful sprint to take 3rd place.

Pictures by Jeffrey Jakucyk and Vic N.
Written by Sam Klontz