2010 MATTS Standings (7/7)

Turn the heat up! With only five time trials left this season, point’s battles are tightening up, and series titles are on the line. It will be a drag race down the stretch with many categories being decided at the MATTS finale in Garden Prairie at the end of the 2010 season.

The 2010 season has seen some new riders rise to the top of the heap. Specifically, Charles Gerlach (Lamb Little Racing) and Bob Burke (Pact Dish Network) come to mind. These two desperados have been tearing up the pavement and the field all year long with Charles winning most of the races and Bob finishing consistently on men's overall podium each week. Heads up young whipper snappers, these two gentlemen are Master's and Grand Master's riders. If you think you can beat these two cats in a strength contest at your local fair, be my guest. 2-1 odds says these guys ring the bell first.

On the ladies side of things, Debbie Dust (Pact Dish Network) has been the gold standard of the women's division turning anything she touches into gold this season. Her offseason diet of serious training has paid her huge dividends this season being crowned the women's overall winner in all but one race she has entered this season. The most improved rider in the woman's division is Stacey Appelwick (Bouledogue Tout Noir). Stacey's times have improved exponentially this season, and she will be a force to reckon with for seasons to come.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Mike Jones (Pact Dish Network) and Brian Harris (Scarletfire / Verizon Racing), who are two of the very finest and fastest riders in our series. Both riders were injured badly in separate incidents over the spring. Brain was hurt in a criterium crash, while Mike was involved in a traffic incident involving a car while riding his bicycle. The rumor from rummormill.com is that Brian is back on his bike, and Mike is slowly healing up. As a true testament to one of the classiest and fastest guys on the circuit, Mike is still in contention to win both the Cat 1/2 and 50+ categories even after missing four races! We are not dealing with some sort of mamby, pampy personality here. This dude is tough, and I would not be at all surprised if Mike is not back on his bike racing this season!

As we look on to the last 5 time trials of the year, Reed Oliff (Lamb Little Racing) has a good chance of winning the overall Cat 1/2 men's title, with his teammate Doug Peterson (Lamb Little Racing) looking to win his third and final men's Cat 3 title before moving out of the category next season. "The Polish Jet" aka Mark Serafin (Pact Dish Network), coming off of two years of back injuries, is having a spectacular outdoor season. If Peterson misses a race down the stretch, the Cat 3 title could go down to the last race in mid-September. Stay tuned for further details. James Flechsig (Athletes by Design) looks to be in total control of the men's Cat 4 category, while Debbie Dust (Pact Dish Network) has all but wrapped up the women’s open division. If Stacey Appelwick ( Bouledogue Tout Noir) does not miss a race, she will have the women’s cat 4 title in her grasp.

On the Men’s Master's side, Charles "Gerlacher" Gerlach (Lamb Little Racing) has taken total control of the men's 30+ and 40+ categories, while Bob Marshall (Athletes by Design) is closing in on his first 50+ title. The men's 55+ category is a barn burner with Richard Kreutzfeldt (Pact Dish Network) winning the category by a mere three points with Dan "Danimal" Madsen (Athletes by Design) in high speed pursuit. If Dan were to win again this year, this would be his third MATTS title in four years! Bob Burke (Pact Dish Network) has the men’s 60+ category wired, and he is in the running with Charles Gerlach for the most improved rider of the year. Rich Vichotka (Midwest Masters) is leading the men’s 65+ charge while Peter Alexander (Midwest Masters) and Edward Wang (Unattached) are leading the men's 70+ and 75+ categories respectively. Ray Putman (Midwest Masters) is in a league of his own winning the men's 80+ category. On the recumbent side of things, former National Cyclocross Champ, Tyger Johnson (Cars R Us) is leading this division.

On the Women’s Master's side of things, Connie Inks (Unattached) has a firm hold on the women's 40+ division while Marilyn Powell (Athletes by Design) is dominating the master's 50+ division. Nancy Beck (Midwest Masters) is on her way to another 60+ title while Pat Beam (Athletes by Design) has the women's 70+ title locked up. Pat was elected into the Senior Olympics Hall of Fame this past June! This is an awesome accomplishment for one of the finest and kindest athletes in our series. Way to go Pat! Until next time.... That's a wrap. See you in Herscher, Illinois for the Wolfgang Fietag Memorial 2-Person Time Trial on July 11th . Check out www.ambikerace.com under the calendar section for further details.

2010 Champ Pain 40k Flicker Photos

If you competed in the Cham Pain 40K over the weekend, check out your photo!  Four hundred and fifty three (453) photos were taken in all. Click on  the link below to see your pictures.  Photo left: Peter Allen, XXx Athletico competing in men's 30+

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ragfield/4612809818/in/set-72157624072940738/

2010 Cham Pain 40K Recap

Welcome to Tolono, Illinois, a slice of life in the middle of nowhere with one gas station, a café, flat, nicely paved roads, and non-existent traffic. One would think this would be an ideal place to hold the first 40k time trial of the season. “Hold up on that carwash gentleman!,” Jackie Gleason a.k.a. Sherriff Buford T. Justice exclaimed to the young hoodlums stripping his son Junior’s car on the side of the road in the 1977 epic Smokey and the Bandit. In other words, everything was perfect except for the weather. There were a handful of riders who rode excellent times, but I suspect that these times would have been much faster had the spring weather cooperated just a tenny bit more.

The weather at the start of the race was in the low 60’s with winds out of the West. During the race, the winds picked up, riders experienced a steady, soaking rain, and the temperatures dropped into the low 50's.  Are we cookie cutting, or are we time trialing, I heard one say?  For the third week in a row, racers faced inclimate weather with a strong tailwind going out to the turnaround followed by a coarse headwind to the finishline.

Also, for the second time in just a few short weeks, Charles “Gerlacher” Gerlach, racing for upstart Lamb Little Racing, posted the fastest time of the day ripping the Tolono pavement in a whopping 54:09. PACT-Dish Network racers took the second and third spots respectively. Mike Jones smoked the course in 54:44 followed by Bob Burke (showing more than a few, young whipper snappers how its done) rolling a 55:59. Brian Harris (Scarletfire / Verizon Racing), slowly showing his form of a year ago, posted the fourth fastest time of the day riding a 56:25. Peter Allen (XXx Athletico), showcasing a new aero rig this season, made it a race finishing fifth and in the money riding a 57:25.

On the ladies side, Debbie Dust (PACT-Dish Network) was easy money as she yet again posted the fastest women’s time of the day with a 1:01:11. Tara Flaig (Unattached) rode a stellar 1:12:05 for second place honors. MATTS tour regular, the ageless Marilyn Powell (ABD) rounded out the women’s overall podium hammering the course in a 1:18:01 for third place honors.

Other riders who produced fast times on this day were former U.S. Cyclocross Champion, Tyger Johnson,  (Cars R Us) 56:24*; Michael Redlich (ABD) 34:43**, Graham Clark (ABD) 39:13**, David Orion (Endure-IT) 57:35, Mark “the Polish Jet” Serafin (PACT-Dish Network)59:24, Richard Adamczyk (Midwest Masters) 59:34, Scott Dahman (Wild Card Racing) 101:04, David Goetzinger (Rock River Oil) 1:01:55, Richard Vichotka (Midwest Masters) 1:14:05,  Edward Wang (Unattached) 1:12:09, and Patricia Beam (ABD)1:25:54.

Next Sunday takes us to Barstow, Illinois for the fastest and flattest 20k TT in the Midwest put on by DICE /QCBC. This is a ROTY point’s race. MATTS points will not be awarded for this race. On-line registration is available. Check the ABR website for race results for the current race. Links to the ABR website as well as the flyer for the Barstow 20k, and online registration are listed below.

http://ambikerace.com/
http://www.ambikerace.com/2010/flyers/2010_Barstow_TT_Flyer_-_Rev_2%5B1%5D.pdf
https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=3298

Picture is of Charles Gerlach (Lamb Little Racing) overall winner of the Cham Pain 40k.  Other pictures show the Wild Card Racing logo and the crazy weather Tolono experienced on 5/16.  Look at the flag for reference.
*   Fairing Vehicle
** Junior 20K

2010 Scarlet Fire Verizon 2-Person Recap

I did a little checking on the internet today to find out just exactly what the term "Scarletfire" means. There were phrases like “bright colored flame” and “rich iridescent tones.” I like the last one: “Stir it up.” Stir it up was exactly what the weather did at the inaugural Scarletfire / Verizon Racing 2-person time trial in Garden Prairie, Illinois this past Saturday. The conditions at the Bong 20k time trial two weeks prior were baby food alongside of what GP had in store for the MATTS faithful on this day. The weather was in the crisp, low 50’s with patchy rain, cloudy skies, and did I mention wind? There was plenty of it!

Teams took advantage of the tailwinds on the way out to the turnaround. However, the trek back to the finish was a whole other story. I heard so many stories of good riders saying they could not wait to get to the finish line with three miles to go. The winds were so strong on the finishing stretch that teams where riding sideways to keep their aero rigs upright. Many riders compared this race to Leland-Kermesse minus the gravel.

Dave Polin and Jeff Otto (WDT/ Allvoi) rode the fastest time of the day annihilating the course and the competition in a stellar 52:07, followed by Jason Smith and Kurt Spoerle (Zipp Factory Team) 54:11. Kyle Mindick and Nick Lauterbach (XXx Athletico) rode a 55:00 even for third place honors. On the ladies side, Kristin Wrede and Christine Anderson (Unattached) lit up the course riding a 105:00,  narrowly nipping Francine Haas and Wendy Gaddey (Alberto's) who rode a stellar 105:08 for second place honors. Third place belonged to Pascale Petro and Ginger Sides who rode a 1:10:03 respectively.

Other Teams having good rides on this day were Gary Painter and Frances Manfred (Fort Wayne Outfitters), Brian Harris and Chris Mosora (Scarletfire / Verizon Racing), Heidi Sarna and Eileen Neville (XXx Athletico), Wayne Simon and Bob Karlow (Verdigris), Michael Jones and James Host (PACT Dish Network), Richard Kreutzfelt and Dan Madsen (PACT/ABD), Clara Smart and Ann Luckow (Northwestern University Cycling Team), Robert Burke and Ziggy Demel (PACT Dish Network), Curtis Bice and James Snedden (ABD), Angela Rochester and Nancy Heyman (Alberto's), Reed Oliff and Charles Gerlach (Lamb Little Racing), Gerald Beam and Ray Putman (Turin), Marilyn Powell and Mimi Fagen (ABD), Sal Troia and Dave Thomson (Mad City Velo), Al Stern and Vitor Alcazar (Velo Club Roubaix / Colavita Chicagoland), Pat Beam and Nancy Iglinski (ABD), Brian Karlow and Vince Boyer (Redline Racing), and Robert Herbert and Edward Wang (Midwest Masters).

The race was not without it’s interesting moments. An irate driver upset with racers riding on both sides of the road decided to take it upon himself to run over the turnaround cone, drag it under his car onto U.S. Route 20, and shred it into a thousand tiny pieces. This indiscretion made it hard for both the turnaround marshal and on the riders who saw no bright orange cone at the turnaround portion of the course. On another occasion, a lady driving a blue Chevy Cavalier told the finishing officials that she had a CDL license and she could not legally by law pass other vehicles in no passing zones and neither should riders (I guess she did not know this race was permitted, and I never knew that one needed a CDL license to drive a compact Chevy). Finally, it appears that some farm equipment or a scofflaw took or took out some of the turning arrows in the middle of the course. These are things that no promoter could foresee, and as a new promoter to the series  Scarletfire Racing gets a "10" for doing an excellent job putting on a great event in inclimate weather. Thanks to Mark Swartzendruber, Mike Zellmann, Brian Harris, Chris Mosora, and the rest of the Verizon Team for putting on this great event!

Next week takes us to Champaign country for the Cham Pain 40k in Tolono, Illinois put on by Wild Card Racing.  The results for the 2-person time trial are posted on the ABR website located in the "News" section.  A copy of the link to the Cham Pain 40k along with a link to the ABR website are listed below.  On-line registration for Cham Pain ends 5/14.

http://www.ambikerace.com/2010/flyers/40KttRGB2champaignMATTS2010.pd

http://www.ambikerace.com/

2010 Single Bong 20K Recap

Sometimes you have to know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em… well at least those were the words I heard in a country song while heading up to the Bong 20K TT this past weekend. Some riders decided to gamble with me and make the trip to Kanasville to tempt fate and weather the storm. Other riders took a more laxidasical approach in favor of a  hot cup of coco in front of a picturesque fire in the comfort of their own homes.

As time trialists, we are a bit of an odd bunch in that to excel in this cycling discipline we must have a good relationship with Pain. We cannot just go on the Dr. Phil Show and obtain the latest and greatest psychological remedy because we have a dysfunctional relationship with Pain. Staying home because of adverse weather is not in our nature, and the Bong 20k brought plenty of it. The race featured damp, cold 50 degree weather with a nice tailwind going out to the second turn. Following the second turn, riders met a slight crosswind that slowly turned into a swirling headwind on the finishing stretch. This monstrosity of a wind brought some riders to the brink on the finishing stretch.

This week featured some new, regular faces to hit the leader board this season. Charles “Gerlacher” Gerlach (Lamb Little Racing) took top honors on the men’s side of the competition torching the course in 26:55, nipping Kevin Pomasl (Team Wisconsin MC2) for second place with a time of 26:58. Curtis Bice (ABD), finally broke his own “twenty-eight minute curse”, completing the podium with a time of 27:08. On the ladies side, Debbie Dust (PACT-Dish Network) yet again took first place honors, ripping the course in 28:56. Leigh Thompson (Vision Quest) was second, riding a 29:54. Arrietta Clauss (Mad City) completed the women’s overall podium with a time of 30:17.

Other MATTS riders turning in excellent times on this day were: Bob Burke (PACT-Dish Network), Dan Madsen (ABD), Daniel Norbeck (Vision Quest), Brain Harris (Scarletfire/Verizon Racing), Peter Allen (XXX Athletico), Francine Hass (Alberto’s), Reed Oliff (Lamb Little Racing), Mike Jones (PACT-Dish Network), Kevin Stephens (Project 5 Racing), Vitor Alexandre (Coltivita-Chicagoland), James Flechsig (ABD), Richard Adamczyk (Midwest Masters), Tristen Petsch-Horvarth (Team Mack), David Goetzinger (Rock River Oil), Gene Nozicka (Alberto’s), Stephen Miwa (South Chicago Wheelmen), Marilyn Powell (ABD), Pat Beam (ABD), and Peter Alexander (Midwest Masters).

Race results and pictures of this event have been posted on the ABR website.  Thanks goes out to Greg Bond for taking excellent photos of this event.  The next race on the MATTS schedule takes riders to Garden Prairie, Illinois for the Scarletfire / Verizon 2-person 40k on May 8th. On-line registration is available for this event. Links to Bong 20k results, pictures, and Scarletfire / Verizon 2-person TT race information are listed below. Happy Training!

http://www.ambikerace.com/2010/resuts/Single%20Bong%20TT%20results%204-25-10.pdf

http://www.ambikerace.com/2010/resuts/2010singlebong20kttphotos.htm

http://www.ambikerace.com/2010/flyers/Verizon2_person_TTT2010.pdf

http://www.truesport.com/register/events/2010/abrtt01/index.html

Note:  Photo top is of Doug Peterson (Lamb Little Racing) and Vitor Alexandre (Coltivita-Chicagoland) racing back and forth for position.  Photo was taken by Greg Bond. Photo center left is of Bob Marshall (ABD) warming up for his race. 

2010 Cherry Valley 30k TT Recap

Get out the shock therapy pads. No, we aren't talking about Sigmund Freud here.  We are talking about the Cherry Valley 30K TT that took place this past weekend! Why shock therapy, you ask? Well, riders in the MATTS series went from fighting a 10 pound monkey a week prior to fighting an 18 pound gorilla this past weekend.

Cherry Valley is a fairly challenging, early season course with a choice mix of hills, flats, winds, and rough terrain. Riders put it into supersonic cruise in the tailwind on the way out to the turn around and met the wall of pain on the way back to the finish line.

On this day, the usual suspects ripped the course. However, the real story of this season has been the entire PACT-Dish Network Team. Debbie Dust has come out of the box completely on fire this year mixing it up with some of the best time trialists in the area. Her off-season diet of serious winter training has paid her huge dividends in the power band department. She rode an impressive 45:48 over 30K this past weekend besting the second fastest woman by over three minutes.  Then, there is the formidable Bob Burke. We knew this cat could ride fast last year, but wow, this dude has found some serious inspiration this season rocking Cherry Valley in 43:13.  Betting on Mike Jones was easy money at any horse racing track.  He turned in a finishing time of 42:43 for the second fastest men's time of the day. Former 2009 Man vs. Machine Champ, Dan Verner, showed he could whip the indoor machine and race on the outdoor machine with the best of them, riding a 44:25. Mark Serafin aka “The Polish Jet”, coming off of two years of setbacks due to back surgery, rode an impressive 44:32, placing third in the Cat 3 ranks. Other notable PACT-Dish Network riders who turned in excellent times at Cherry Valley were James Host (44:32), Mariusz Klus, and (46:31), Richard Kreutzfeldt (46:32).

The next race in the Mid America Time Trial Series is the” half baked”, Bong 20k which will be held on Sunday April 25 in Kanasville, Wisconsin. Riders can pre-register for this race on-line. Registration and race information are contained in the links listed below:

http://www.truesport.com/register/events/2010/abrtt03/index.html

http://www.ambikerace.com/2010/flyers/Bong_Flyer_2010v2.pdf

Please note that if you are looking for a partner for the 2-person Scarletfire Racing / Verizon Time Trial held on May 8th, please contact Bob Lundberg at abrlund@aol.com    Cherry Valley 30k results will be posted on http://www.ambikerace.com when they are made available.

Note:  Picture (top) Debbie Dust (PACT-Dish Network) winner of the Cherry Valley 30K Women's Open Division.  Picture (middle right) Ziggy Demel (PACT-Dish Network). 

2010 John Fraser Memorial Recap

This past Sunday, racers flocked to the 9th annual John Fraser Memorial Time Trial. As the wind blows, so John Fraser goes. This race very well could be the best mini Paris Roubaix time trial in the Midwest. The weather is always a factor, and after a winter freeze, the roads have their fair share of obstacles as well. On this day, 13-15 mph headwinds punished riders on their outward excursion. Tailwinds on the home stretch made for drag strip like conditions as riders pushed their way to the finishline.

This Wild West affair featured some the most feared and revered gunslingers in these parts. There was Bryce Mead (Texas Roadhouse) and Charles Gerlach (Lamb Little Racing), Jeff Otto (RVCC), and Mark Swartzendrubber (Scarletfire Racing), Debbie Dust (PACT) and Leigh Thompson (Vision Quest), Jim Host (PACT) and Dan Madsen (ABD), Chris Misora (Scarletfire Racing) and Dave Polin (WDT), Pat Beam (ABD) and Robert Beck (Midwest Masters), and the list goes on.

In the end, the last men standing were Jeff Otto (20:10), Bryce Mead (20:14), and Mark Swartzendrubber (20:33). On the ladies side, Debbie Dust (22:40), had the best hand, followed by Leigh Thompson (22:42), and Connie Inks (23:38), who made it a heck of a gun fight.

The JFM rock and chip affair also decided the 2010 ABD Time Trial Series overall champions. Winners in each category received a Cyclops Trainer. Wow, not too shabby for first prize. Congratulations goes out to all the riders who participated in the series. The best of the best are as follows: Cat 1/2 Tomaz Boba (WDT); Cat 3 Curtis Bice (ABD); Cat 4 Joe Bernyi (PSI Net); AM30+ Mark Swartzendrubber (Scarletfire Racing); AM40+ Charles Gerlach (Lamb Little Racing); AM50+ Michael Jones (PACT); AM55+ Dan Madsen (ABD); AM60+ Richard Adamczyk (Midwest Masters); AM65+ Lawrence Huey (Unattached); AM70+ Peter Alexander (Midwest Masters); AM75+ Gerald Beam (Turin); AWO Jessie Prinner (ABD); AW4 Stacey Appelwick (Bouledogue Tout Nior); AW40+ Connie Inks (Unattached); AW50+ Ann Matteson (Freeport Bicycle Co.); AW60+ Nancy Beck (Midwest Masters); AW70+ Pat Beam (ABD).

This 2010 JFM also marked the first time the Mid America Time Trial Series ran a live race feed via the internet from the results table. Athletes at the event and family and friends logged onto the internet could access finish times in real time. This also allowed for any timing disputes to be handled and corrected at the race event exponentially. A big thanks goes out to Gina Wilkins for designing the timing program and to Mike Ebert (ABD) for providing the live internet feed via Verizon Wireless.

The next (MATTS) race on the docket is the Cherry Valley 30k presented by Rock River Oil and the Freeport Bicycling Company on 4/18. Last year, it rained cats and dogs at this event. This year, we are praying for great weather! On-line registration is now open for this event. For further race and on-line registration details, please follow the links below:
http://www.ambikerace.com/2010/flyers/Cherry_Valley_Flyer_2010v2.pdf
https://secure.getmeregistered.com/index.php

Lastly, if anyone needs a partner for the  Scarletfire / Verizon 2-person TT coming up May 8th, please let me know.  MATTS regular Rich Kryszak, a member of the South ChicagoWheelmen, is looking for a partner in the 50+ category for this race. 

Note: Picture is of Charles Gerlach of Lamb Little Racing who won the overall 40+ title in the 2010 ABD Time Trial Series. Photo was taken by Bill Cassidy, ABR Official

2010 ABD Indoor Time Trial #3 Recap

On Saturday March 20th, the Chicagoland, indoor time trial faithful took to Winfield Middle School for the final battle in the Man VS. Machine saga. With prevailing winds and snow falling outside, riders would not be deterred from racing on this day. After all, they were racing inside. ABD Cycling saved the best racing for last treating riders to a 9K uphill climb. The term “splitting paper” would describe the men’s competition on this day. A whopping 14 seconds separated the top three finishers on the men's overall podium. Ryan Freund (ABD) pushed the button on the competition, taming the course in a stellar 14:09 for first place honors. Not backing down to any ole gun fight or a Howitzer for that matter, indoor time trial behemoths Charles Gerlach (Lamb Little Racing) 14:16, and Mark Swartzendrubber (Verizon Wireless) 14:23, made it a heck of battle placing second and third respectively. On the ladies side, the cream rose to the top with Jessica Prinner (ABD) annihilating the hill in 15:56, followed by local women’s standout Kristen Meshberg (Flatlandia) 16:20, for second, and  new up and comer Stacey Appelwick (Bouledogue Tout Noir) 16:26, for third. Other MATTS notables turning in good times on this day were: Peter Allen (XXX Athletico), Rob Jungles (ABD), Curtis Bice (ABD), Mike Jones (PACT), Dan Verner (PACT), Jim Rose (Village Cycle Sport), Richard Kryszak (South Side Wheelmen), Jayson Torres (Lamb Little Racing), Patricia Beam (ABD), and Peter Alexander (Midwest Masters).

After three indoor events, overall times have been calculated for all riders in each category. With many riders separated by mere seconds, scores will be settled on the road John Fraser Memorial style! For those of you who do not follow time trials, the John Fraser Memorial is the first outdoor time trial of the season this side of the Mississippi. In year's past, “the Fraser” has been as unpredictable as the spring weather that comes with it. Racers have been treated to temps as low as the mid 20’s to highs in the upper 70’s. Three years back, a wind gust blew a rider using a rear disc off the road. Last year, the race was postponed and moved to a later date due to projected high winds. Who will tame this ole rattle snake this year is anyone’s guess. Ted Binion’s Vegas odds makers have the race playing out this way…Mark Swartzendrubber (2-1); Charles Gerlach (5-1); Mike Jones (20-1), and Dan Verner (30-1). On the ladies side: Jessie Prinner (2-1); Stacy Appelwick (5-2); Kimberly Galdini (20-1), and Kristen Meshberg (30-1).

Another indoor season is in the books, and this means for many of us lots of hours in the saddle outside. Say good bye to the indoor trainer!  Hallelujah!  For those of you who have been invited to the ABD Invitational this weekend, good luck! They are handing out some nice giveaways at this event. Otherwise, see you at the John Fraser on April 11th! For further details on the John Fraser Memorial Time Trial see:  http://abdcycling.com/  In order to keep the John Fraser in Maple Park for years to come, please be polite to our guest, and follow parking rules and good etiquette. Happy Training!

2010 Vision Quest Indoor Time Trial Recap

This past Saturday the man verses CompuTrainer Wild West Show found itself smack dab in the middle of Highland Park, Illinois for the Vision Quest Tour De France Indoor TT. This episode stared the likes of Robbie Ventura and his Vision Quest Squad. Notable MATTS riders who made guest appearances where Charles Gerlach (Lamb Little Racing); Dan Verner (PACT); Mike Jones (PACT); Dan Madsen (ABD); Stacy Applewick (Bouledogue Tout Noir); Bob Marshall (ABD); Pat Beam (ABD); and Gerald Beam (Turin). Cameo appearances were made by Brian Akers (Lamb Little Racing) and Debbie Dust (PACT) who took in the action from the sidelines.

Once racers got saddled up and calibrated, they were treated to an extreme uphill start followed by more terrain, speed, and gear changes than a super crit on a hot Sunday afternoon. The racing was brisk, and the atmosphere was fun. Charles Gerlach (Lamb Little Racing), rode the longest distance over the 30 minute Tour De France Stage with a stellar 12.3 miles followed by Dan Verner (PACT), riding 12.2 miles, with Michael Jones (PACT), rounding off the men’s podium riding a distance of 11.9 miles. On the women’s side, Stacy Appelwick (Bouledogue Tout Noir), ripped the course riding 10.7 miles, followed by Erin Finnegan riding 10.3 miles, and Kim Brokhof completing the women’s podium riding 10.02 miles over 30 minutes.

A big thanks goes out to Robbie Ventura and his Vision Quest Team for putting on a such great, well run event. For this author, the Vision Quest time trial was the toughest indoor challenge to date. The next time trial in the Mid America Time Trial Series brings us back to where it all started:  another burner in Winfield, Illinois on March 20th.  This time, the machine will challenge riders to a 9k hill climb.  See you at the next event.  Happy training.

-DP

2010 ABD Indoor #2 Hilly Course Results

The February installment of the ABD Time Trial Series was another rock'em sock'em fest of man verses computers on a rolling, hilly terrain 10k course. On this day, congratulations goes out to Stacey Appelwick. This was her first overall win in a time trial beating the likes of a very talented Jessie Prinner. Will Novak did what he does best as he took the top spot on the men's podium yet again. Meanwhile, Charles Gerlach continued to solidify himself as a legitimate contender for the men's series overall title, while Mark Swartzendrubber cracked the podium for the first time this season nipping Dan Verner for third by a mere 5 seconds.

The racing got so crazy at times that I heard from race control that some rider dropped a chain in the middle of their battle against the machine. I have no idea how one would drop a chain in the middle of an indoor race, but who am I to say? I also heard the usual complaints about calibration. The bottomline is that we may never get the man verses computer saga fully figured out. This is why in the end, the series is usually settled on the road!

The ABD series has been such a breath of fresh air this winter as we cannot quite get a break from the other machines that reek havoc in our lives called snow blowers. Therefore, it is always nice to see the likes of Pat and Jerry Beam, and a lot of the master's riders that really make the ABD races competitive yet fun, social events.

The next race in the ABD series takes us to Winfield Middle School once again.  On March 20th, racers will be treated to a 9k hill climb challenge. Check out www.abdcycling.com for details. The next MATTS event will be held on 3/6 at Vision Quest in Highland Park. Racers will be racing the 2008 Cholet Tour De France 29k course. Racers have 30 minutes to see how far they fair. See you in Highland Park in two weeks for the second to last episode of "Man Verses Machine" before all heck breaks loose as we cannot take another day of snow...all bets will be off as things get dicey and fueds are settled rock and chip style!
-DP

2010 ABD Indoor TT #2 this Weekend (2/21)

Sparks will be flying and rubber will be burning at this weekend’s second installment of the ABD Indoor Time Trial Series. This time, participants will be challenged by a 10k rolling hills course. The last race saw Will Novak scorch the flat course in a time of 13:57 besting “2009 Indoor Champion,” Dan Verner, by seven seconds. On the ladies side, the competition was fast and furious as well with Kristen Mesberg (16:01) and Jessie Prinner (16:10) leading all women on the flat 10K course.

Will another Compu-trainer malfunction again keep Mark Swartzendrubber from securing another top three overall podium finish? Will Charles Gerlach and Christain Waterstraat show they belong in the class with the indoor behemoths? Will Leigh Thompson or Debbie Dust make cameo appearances? It is anyone’s guess. If you are going raging mad riding your indoor trainer in the doldrums of your basement or the cold has you down, come on out to Winfield this weekend and check out an indoor time trial.

The next race in the series (Race #3) is a 9k hill climb. Here is the breakdown for this race: 1k flat, 1k @ 2% grade, 1k @ -2% grade, 1k flat, 1k @ 1%, 1k @ 2%, 1k @ 3%, 2k @ 4%. For more information visit: http://www.abdcycling.com

Vision Quest 2008 Cholet Tour de France Indoor 29k TT course is the next race on the docket. For more information on this race visit: http://www.visionquestcoaching.com This race is part of MATTS which is giving out $5000 in cash and prizes this year. Check out www.ambikerace.com for full series details.

2010 Vision Quest Indoor Time Trial Tour de France Style 3/6

O.K. all you Tour de France want tow bees....here is your chance to race on a time trial course that the tour pros use right here in Chicago. Well sort of. Riders will be racing on the "infamous 2008 Tour de France Stage 4 time trial course in Cholet" at the Vision Quest Coaching Highland Park Headquarters using a Computrainer setup.

At 29k long, this will be a unique challenge for cyclists and triathletes alike to break up the winter training season. The event is part of the Mid America Time Trial Series (MATTS). Visit the VQ website for registration and event information at: http://www.visionquestcoaching.com/general.php?id=1325

MATTS 2010 IS ON!

Hi everyone. The editor of this blog has been gone a while. Found a new girlfriend at the end of the season, and well this is my excuse. Some may call it lame or otherwise. I think I can handle the abuse! The phrase is "I think." At any rate, I have taken on the Mid America Time Trial Series Coordinator Position.

We have roughly 17 races on the schedule this season which is just plain awesome! Robbie Ventura and his Vision Quest Squad are putting on a 30k simulated Tour de France time trial on March 6th. Bryce Meade, pro racer (Jelly Belly) is putting on a new 23K race near the Iowa /Illinois Border in Coleta, Illinois on June 5th. (This course will most probably be the toughest on the circuit this season with many hill climbs involved.) Mark Swartzendruber, a time trialing legend in these parts, will also be involved in putting on two races. His Verizon Wireless Cycling Team will be putting on a 2-person 39k TT in Garden Prairie on May 8th. Mark will also be involved in putting on a 40K in downstate Champaign the following weekend (May 16th) with Wild Card Cycling. Please visit http://www.ambikerace.com/2010/flyers/2010%20Mid%20America%20Time%20Trial%20Series.pdf for a full copy of the MATTS 2010 racing schedule.

The Midwest Time Trial Series has been going strong for over 25 years. Thanks goes out to the many sponsors, teams, race promoters, and race officals that make the series successful year after year. Our sponsors on board for the 2010 season are Profile Design, Sram, and Park Tool USA. Teams hosting races this year are Athletes by Design, Verizon Wireless, Vision Quest, Rock Valley, Oil, Wild Card Cycling, Tempo Velo, Apache, Midwest Masters, DICE Training, Windy City Wheelmen, and Verdigris Racing.

The series is still actively pursuing a title sponsor for the upcoming 2010 season to help pay for printing costs associated with flyers that go out to bicycle shops and help with either merchandise or money to pool for overall rider awards.

Since I took on this role so late in the season, I want to grow the rider participation in the series over the next few years. I want to do this by adding sponsorships and adding swag like wheelsets, groupos, etc. to our overall end of the year prize lists.

I am open to any and all suggestions to improve the series. Any changes must be made at WIL meetings. Any rider wanting to make a suggestion or change should attend these meetings.

Lastly, I will be doing an upcoming article on the ABD Indoor Time Trial Series. Mark Swartzendruber and Dan Verner are going head to head in this series as usual. However, there is a new Sheriff in town, and his name is Will Nowak (Unattached) who turned in the best time in the first installment of the ABD Series held on January 24th. He turned in a time of 13:57 over the 10K flat course besting series notables Drubber and Verner. The next indoor TT is on February 21st. It is a rolling 10k course. Will an apparent computrainer malfunction ruin Drubber's day again, or will Verner and Drubber square off like Man Verses Food eating a 10 pound Philli Steak with Cheese. May the best man win. That's a wrap -DP