CX Season Woefull tales of mud

Sunday October 2nd Month Of Mud CX at North Park Masters Race
Mark Briercheck - 8th sport
Rich Allen - 5th Masters
Kirk Morrison - 6th Masters
Ray Sielski - 9th Masters
Welcome to October, rain for three days cold gray skies and a hundred fools wishing to test their mettle met at North Park.

The first races at 10 and 11 did nothing but encourage the mud up from the ground. Waiting for the Masters and Sport class was ankle deep mud and super saturated grass ready to suck those aero wheels three inches into the turf. The course was twisty with slight uphill sections, under a bridge through a stream (wheel wash) and a horseshoe pit thrown in for "just because".
Runners took over during the uphill and sharp turns. Running proved to be faster through about 25% of the course. The barrier crossings were placed very close together, then wide, then super close throwing off any rhythm in hurdling the section. Blocking out the rain the racers stayed bunched together through the twisty part getting a feel for the mud ride vs. the run through the turns and the mud pits.
Mark Briercheck and Rich Allen stayed in contact and finished on the lead lap, Kirk showed a tough sprint to the line and Ray rounded out the Ag3r field besting a group of mountain bikers in the sport class.

Noted sighting; Army Corps of Engineers meeting at the park dam engaging unsuspecting racers for next years race. CX through drained lake as a cost effective measure to remove and transfer silt from the lake bed to the high ground. Stay tuned.

Time Trial Season finale opens way to CX

Time trialing this season had it's up and downs. Nine races entered over three venues.
The season started with rain at the Colavita Ohio race and Washington Blvd track. Mid summer evenings were perfect in Pittsburgh, closing with a 10 of a morning in Presque Isle. I earned a first place finish in the 50 plus group completing a 25 mile tt. I focused on the the second 25 mile attempt to better my time. Never made it as we were wiped out by a flood that took three lives that afternoon. A very tragic day. All riders were safe.
2011

Presque Isle 12.5 mile PR
Washington Blvd 15 mile PR
Washington Blvd 5 mile PR
Washington Blvd 25 mile 1st place 50 plus
Colavita, Deerfield Ohio, 12.5 mile PR

Tour Latonka

Well if you don't know by now I must tell you I am a two time winner of the Lantern Rouge. Typically reserved for the runner up, the second award must mean I am the runners up runner up. Horse's Ass or something like that.
A well run intra team event in Mercer, PA. 65 miles with 17 stages showcased some very gritty performances for Sprints, KOM's, GC and yes last place. My goal is always to finish strong and turn in my best effort every stage. The Team TT's placed me on a team of winners who worked with me from start to finish. My thanks to them for the instruction and motivation which made the races a privilege to ride with these all stars.

Stay tuned for updates from the Lantern Rouge "Shrine".

Road Signs

As compiled in Boulder Colorado, Henry Dimmick

Gold Album release Party

Gold Album release party at Sportsman's was attended very well and the compilation of music was extremely well received. Full Sielski contingent was present and showed their support and enthusiasm by putting a big dent in the Labatt's and wing inventories.
Sportsmans was under construction showing some promise for a great music venue.
Good job all.

You can find more photos and get your album at the below links.

http://www.goldremembering.com/
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Gold/77628635349

Busy July Fourth weekend

You know a good weekend was entered into the log as Tuesday am comes and it is tough to roll out.
Friday at the track posted a PR for the 15 mile tt.
Saturday a spirited ride with the Ag3r Butler contingent, Sunday a 62 mile ride with the North Park crew, boat ride. Monday a bike ride with Diane on the Freeport trail. This turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Very pretty trail, moderate slope, mostly flat. I recommend the trail.

Boulder Training Day

One week in Boulder Colorado with six Ag3r teammates, Sam Morrison and Diedre York representing University of Colorado.
Day 1, up Flagstaff mountain, down and up four mile Canyon. Teammates were happy to wait for me as I DID make it up. Richey coaxed me up the last half of the climb. The descent was a real eye opener of things to come for the week.
Day 2, out rt. 36 to Left Hand Canyon, up to Ward, over Peak to Peak hgwy. to Nederland. Descent back to Boulder. An epic day with that 15 mile climb, 4,000 ft ascent up to Ward. HD escorted me up the way and I only clipped out once to have a discussion with my racing heart. That bugger was going faster than my wheels would take me. The descent was like none other, fast twisting, 50 mph mind blowing.
Day 3, beautiful day starting with rollers out to Superior, a few sprints were taken in, I saved my energy. Some short climbs and a few dirt roads.
Day 4, more climbing up to Jamestown, great ride through the mountains and a false descent (yes false). Ken (SBg'er for short) tracked me the whole way. I know he wasn't drafting me as I was not going fast enough. I think he had the "I have fallen and can't get up" button and was ready to push it on my behalf. We were close to home and the Lee road was closed and the group  had to climb out and go back. That was a mental challange. This day we took a dirt road to rt.36 and spun back in. Damn, I almost quit four time that day but my Mother wouldn't answer the phone. She wouldn't have given me permission anyway.
Boulder is a great town, good weather, people and the mountains were a perfect backdrop.