Gravel Grovel

There might not be a more perfect way to burn off the excesses of Turkey day than the Gravel Grovel. A 60mile ride/race over the gravel roads of the Hoosier National Forest starting in the Story Inn a mere 20miles from Bloomington. It starts on friday at 10am and I'm amazed to report that 85 riders have already registered. It's very much a fend-for-yourself race but looks to be a blast with so many riders on the route. There is no Day-of event registration so register at Truesport and get all the info at gravelgrovel.com

INDY CX Recap

Fantastic weekend of racing at the Indy CX festival. Check out http://www.truesport.com/ or http://www.ovcx.com/ for results and details. Bloomington highlights include Adam Rodkeys saturday win and sunday battle, Ryan Preske saturday 4th place, Ryan Shanahan's chase yet ultimate defeat in the 35+ Cat4 race, Fred Rose's Elite masters state champ win and Erik Hamiltons dual 5ths. Top billing must go to Mike Sherer's return from a bust collar bone to claim the IN state champs. Could this be the stimulus for a run at the US collegiate title....flights to Portland are pretty cheap as I understand.
Elsewhere Ryan Knapp was also back in action down in NC (together with The Mexler) where he added to his haul of UCI points!

The Brookside Park venue is awesome for CX and check out some photos from the stairs during the Eite Race (+ Ryan S and his unusual carrying style!)

Indy CX weekend

The OVCX series is winding down but makes a long awaited trip to Indy this weekend with a duo of races at Southeastway Park (saturday) and Brookside Park (sunday). These events will also round out the IN cup series as well as go someway to deciding the OVCX overall titles. Both Adam Rodkey and Fred Rose are well placed in their respective overall categories with the latter likely being able to wrap the title up over the weekend. Good luck to all who go race!

2009 Little500 Race Viewing......with Pizza!!

From Erin Axley-
There will be a Little 500 race tape viewing tonight at 7:30 pm in Psychology 100 and
101 for anyone who is interested; current riders, prospective riders, past riders. We
will be showing the 2009 men's and women's races, and there will be pizza! Bring your
team, bring your friends and let's watch the race!

This should be fun! Laugh when the announcers fail to mention Pi Phi when they cross the line in first place! Cry when the Cutters claw their way back from a half-lap deficit! Puzzle over your teams 2010 tactics to win the race!

Fixey for Xmas?

USA Cycling announced the list of National Championship events for 2010. Of Midwestern interest are the Masters Road champs in Louisville, Collegiate Road Nationals in Madison and most notably Collegiate Track Champs being held at Major Taylor Velodrome. This past year Eric Young was the sole IU representative at Track Nats, claiming an excellent bronze in the match sprint. The proximity of MTV and their sheer number of riders should enable IU to have a significant presence at Nationals next year. I understand the new IUCC organization is pushing velodrome racing so when you're considering Christmas presents then turn your thoughts to a nice track bike!

Rose in Full Bloom

The Cap City Cross yesterday saw another victory for the recently mercurial Fred Rose! Three races and three wins since last saturday at MTV! A man on form to be sure! Elsewhere Erik Hamilton is starting to feel the effects of a long season but still managed a solid 7th place in the Elite race where he was joined by Zach Edwards in 10th. Elizabeth Cobb continues her improvement as a CX racer with a top 5 finish in the Womens 3/4 race!
Rose in action earlier in the year

Unseasonally good weather- who benefits?

Mid 60s in the middle of November? Nice an' all but what does it mean for next April?

The Facts-
1. Riding outside is more beneficial than being stuck indoors
2. December fitness will be higher throughout all teams
3. Winter will arrive but maybe shorter than usual
4. Bike fitness in general declines throughout the winter
5. Shorter winter means fitness declines will be less
6. Only the Cutters ride in the winter, allowed better maintenance of fitness
7. Other teams arrive in spring fitter than usual

The Result-

Unseasonally good weather= DISADVANTAGE CUTTERS!

LITTLE 500 2010- IT'S A RACE AGAIN!!!!

Could you please stand at the corner of Indiana and 7th for 20minutes please?

Not Bloomington-based and with a significant British slant but it does rather sum up the difficulties of getting bike racers to not ride for a few hours and help out with organizing. Ah the disconnect of being tight-asses yet paying mucho $$$ for componentary!

Brothers on the rise!

The OVCX series head east to Granville OH this weekend. Watch out for the Kiel Brothers to continue their improving results! They came late to the cross season but are finding some solid form with Matt taking two second places over the past weekend at MTV and in Lexington! Watch out Adam Rodkey- the title for best Cat 3 CXer in Bloomington is up for grabs!

Race Across the Sky- Encore

The Galaxy 14 Cinema in Indianapolis will be one of the three theatres in Indiana that will be showing the the Race across the Sky documentary TONIGHT. If you didn't see it already it's probably worth making the trip as there are some spectacular moments. If you are a LANCE fan then it's a must see as you get to see him smite a bunch of US pros and there's not a wily Spaniard to be seen!