This weekend possibilities of snow flurries… sounds like a great day for CYCLOCROSS!
Mello Velo Bicycles is hosting the first ever SYRACROSS cyclocross race at Highland Forest in Fabius, NY.
There will be:
If mud and snow and waffles and all isn’t for you… you can always get excited for winter training like these guys …
Randy Hadzor 2nd overall, 1st in age-group / non pro division
So, this morning I receive a text: “6am 41 degrees, so what! Got to get down to work!”
Wearing a wet suit, heavy weight Otto’s hoodie, and standing with toes in the water to keep somewhat warm. Bob Hadzor was psyched to race.
There was reportedly serious body contact / armed combat in the low lying fog with blazing eastern sunrise glare after the first turn. The bike was an exercise in restraint until the run where the hills worked to his advantage as he reported exchanged many high and low fives and in the last two miles really turned it on.
The hard work definitely paid off today. Great job Dad!
Eventually he was up there on the podium, rockin’ the Strend Syracuse t-shirt. Accepting the 1st place award for his age group and next thing you know he’s on his way to Ironman 70.3 World Championships September 9th, 2012.
Results: http://ironmansyracuse.com/results/
I don’t know about you guys but, I find treadmill running incredibly boring.
I’m not sure whether this is art, athletics, or political statement.. all I know is it’s awesome.
What ever your workout is today – keep it interesting.
– Randy
This weekend was a great weekend of races in Skaneateles. Our newest sponsor Wool Sports teamed up with Mello Velo / BTB to make the weekend awesome.
podiums – skinny man sprint tri & 4mile run
Saturday was the Skinny Man sprint triathlon, where Randy despite coming out of the water an all new slow at 79th place earned 3rd place overall. Wool Sports – Jeff Henderson had a commanding 1st place finish, Jim Eagen of SOS snuck in based on time from the second wave, and Wool Sports – Kristin White came in first as well!
*side note – The Wool Sports Tri top was awesome!
Sunday started with the Escape from the Judge 1 mile open water swim, Randy moved up one whole spot to 78th overall (by running past co-endurancemonster Owen Stokes) after getting out of the lake.
Mid-morning was the Coon Hill Grind up hill, roughly 3mile time trial, where Jim Eagen secured his usual first place, Randy trailing in second by 13 seconds.
By this point it would be a battle to get back up the top portion of the over-all for the whole time cumulative competition that the SkanRaces folks call “I’m All That”. With numerous minutes back, Randy had to run a blazing 4mile race that afternoon to get some minutes back on all the swimmers that had moved up in the standings.
Randy won the Road Race in 22minutes and change, roughly 5:35 pace, however not quite enough to bust back into the top three of the over all.
Results (score-this.com)
+ Skinny Man Sprint Tri – 3rd overall
+ Escape the Judge open water swim – 78th overall
+ Coon Hill Grind TT – 2nd overall
+ Road Race – 1st overall
= I’m All That – 4th overall / 1st in age group
Almost as delicious and locally handcrafted as Middle Ages is Ommegang.. just a short 90 mile ride down route 80. There is a ride being orchestrated by Syracuse Bicycle that sounds prettyyyy awesome…
Got any plans for this Saturday, August 20th? Join Syracuse Bicycle as they ride out to Brewery Ommegang!
The Syracuse Bicycle Point to Pint Ride is for cyclists who enjoy great beer, phenomenal scenery, the company of fellow riders and the opportunity to ride nearly 90 miles without a lot of hand holding. Participants should be capable of averaging a pace of at least 15 mph. There will be no formal rest or water stops; this is a self-supported event.
This non-competitive fun ride is not a race! Rather a unique event that will take you from Syracuse all the way to Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, traveling through some of the most scenic countryside in the state. There will be post-ride complimentary beverages available at Brewery Ommegang as well as special pricing for food and merchandise.
Riders and their bikes will be transported back to the start location. A change of clothes bag will be waiting for you at the brewery.
The ride starts at 9:45am, Saturday, August 20th, at Master Sun Chong’s Tae Kwon Do Center located at 8020 East Genesee Street in Fayetteville, NY near Four Seasons Golf and Ski Center. The route travels east on State Route 5 and then south on State Rte 13 to connect with State Rte 80. The majority of the ride follows Route 80 east through scenic rolling hills onward to Brewery Ommegang which is located just south of the village of Cooperstown. A map, with directions, will be provided to all riders. Brewery Ommegang is located at 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown, NY.
Don’t miss out on the best ride of the summer! Register by Thursday, August 18th.
Cost: $45. Proceeds to benefit the Two Smiles, One Hope Foundation
Questions? Email trish@syracusebicycle.com
A couple years ago that seem like forever, Wesley and I went, completely unaware, to a park in a mystical land… all I knew was that people rode bicycles, fast, on grass and hills and mud. Rumor was they ring cowbells, jump off their bicycles and hurdle over obstacles all while joyously if not slightly maniacally laughing.
So we sought out this park and rode our mountain bikes, we learned to dismount and remount the hefty creatures of this mythical sport called cyclocross. Learned that slippery feet and flat pedals while easier to jump on and off were not as smooth and efficient as those slender yet durable bicycles where peoples feet could become one with their own mounts arms, working in unison and if enough power was generated could even grow magical tails made of mud or even sand.
Maybe this wasn’t all learned in just one day.. However it was definitely the beginning of our insight into this strange world of cyclocross and it’s happening again.
Here’s how the Ommegangsters describe it:
Maybe you’ve never heard of cyclocross, maybe you’re already racing cyclocross, or maybe you’ve been interested in cyclocross but wondering how to get started.
For those unfamiliar with cyclocross (CX), CX races typically last 45 minutes to an hour. They take place on varying terrain that usually includes a mix of grass, gravel, pavement, mud, sand and dirt. There are typically 16” barriers and hill run ups to get you off of your bike and briefly running. The races take place on a loop/circuit that is usually 1-2 miles in length, so they are spectator and family friendly since they get to cheer you on or “heckle” you at least 7-9 times per race. They are held in fall, so it’s a great chance to lengthen the season and carry your Tri/Road/MTB fitness into the winter.
I’m generalizing, but if road racers are viewed as being intensely competitive and solely consumed by watts and hill repeats, and MTBers are viewed as being laid back looking for flowy single track, while triathletes are viewed as super-supportive, friendly, technology geeks, CX’ers sort of split the difference. There’s cool bike gear to add to the collection, competitive racing, and the racers are very friendly and supportive . . . at least before and after the race!
The clinic will be held between 10-2 at Longbranch Park in Liverpool on Sunday August 28th. The clinic will take advantage of many sections from the Syracuse Grand Prix Cyclocross race held by the Onondaga Cycling Club each fall and will be great preparation for the new racer and a great refresher for everyone else.
The techniques will cover dismounts (getting off of your bike at speed to jump over a barrier or prepare for a run up), mounts (you’ll need to get back on your bike quickly after a dismount), carrying your bike over barriers or up hills, cornering, off cambers, basic bunny hopping, and race starts. We’ll also discuss equipment choices, tire choices, pedal options and tire pressure.
If you don’t own a CX bike, Mountain bikes are welcome. For those unfamiliar with CX bikes, they look like this:
Instructors will include myself, along with former Jr. National Cyclocross Champion Anna Young and other local experts.
– Skinny Phil, Ambassador of Syracuse Bicycle – Brewery Ommegang crew.
