2005 WCA News Archive

Lowell Kellogg Renews “Junior Hub” Column

February 10, 2005

Kellogg, coach of the IS Corp junior team is back with his first installment of his junior hub column for 2005. Lowell aims to provide regular, useful information for junior racers. The Hub column is always on the WCA homepage and Lowell is always willing to answer questions. You can find him at: lkellogg@aol.com. View articles here.

Cross Movie Preview

February 10, 2005

Do you love cyclocross? Are you curious about cyclocross? Do you have no idea what cyclocross is but would like to learn?

Then join the Mad FORCs, Madison's Female Off-Road Cyclists, on Friday, February 18 at 7pm at Rocky Rococo West for a screening of PURE SWEET HELL, a documentary about cyclocross. Don't miss this opportunity to see this great film which has been described as Endless Summer meets Warren Miller but with everyone on bikes!

Tickets are $10 and include the film screening and a pizza and salad buffet. Space is limited and you must reserve your tickets by Tuesday, February 15 by emailing Renee Callaway at rccallaway@charter.net.

The evening will also include a silent auction for fabulous merchandise from local sponsors. Funds raised from the event will support the local cyclocross community and will be used to hold cyclocross clinics later this year.

PURE SWEET HELL explores the passion, pain and pleasure of cyclocross racing. Filmmaker and co-director, Brian Vernor, will be on hand to introduce the film and answer questions. Through creative cinematography and eclectic, original music, this hour-long film captures the essence of what makes cyclocross, its culture, and its community such a distinctive movement.

PURE SWEET HELL features footage from the last three cyclocross seasons all over the US. The film's aim, as Vernor explains, is to "educate people who don't already know about the sport, and . . . reflect American cyclocross racing as we see it: a contradiction of pain and goodness, which just isn't for everyone."

To see the film trailer go to www.pilarcitos.com/dvd01.html. For more information on the Madison screening go to www.madcross.org.

2005 Annual Meeting Kicks off 18 Race Series

January 25, 2005

- -Highlights of Meeting Include Fruitful Masters Discussion--

The WCA Annual Meeting took place on January 23 in Delafield. Member clubs worked through several ideas on how to improve racing in Wisconsin. Highlights of the meeting were a successful discussion on the masters races, thoughtful insight on how to better serve novice riders, and a draft of our 2005 Wisconsin Cup Series Calendar. We also welcomed two new clubs: Brent Emery’s “LifeCyclists” and John Van Susteren’s “Spin Doctors/Lakes Area PT.

There was a productive and thoughtful discussion on masters race categories and ultimately, the end product voted in by 100% of the clubs present is a slight shift in masters categories. The masters categories voted in are: Masters 1,2,3 and Masters 3,4. (Masters being 30 and older). The primary rationale for this change:

• Better competition because masters will now be grouped by ability, not age
• Category 4-5 masters races will be an enjoyable event for new riders over age 30 who have, in the past, been not keen on racing with the elite 4-5s, and not fast enough to race with the 30+ category 1-2s.
• Category 1,2,3 masters who wish to race twice can, with the elite 1,2 or 3s events, making those fields larger and more competitive.

There’s no doubt that WCA is growing and the riders and board are proud to present an outstanding season of racing in 2005. Click here for the full minutes of the meeting.

The Wisconsin Cycling Association is pleased to announce the following entry-level officials seminars:

January 30, 2005

February 6, 3:00 p.m.: Whitewater Wisconsin Green House Cafe

February 26, 10:00 a.m.: Lake Delton, Wisconsin Moose Jaw Brewery and Pizza

Please respond to Heidi Mingesz, wcatech@earthlink.net or (262) 215-9548 if you are interested in attending either of these seminars.

Nick Reistad Heads to Belgium

January 28, 2005

Debuts Column on Euro Life Nick Reistad of the Advantage Benefits/Endeavour Squad, and president of the UW Cycling Club, has been selected to ride on the US U-23 team in Belgium this spring. Nick will update his column bi-weekly. Check often as he takes yet another step in the cycling ladder and knowing Nick, he's sure to more than meet the challenge. Good luck, Nick! Click here to read out interview with Nick.

PRO; the Movie in Review

January 17, 2005

Jamie Paolinetti’s back with a sequel to his debut film, “The Hard Road.” The new movie is called “Pro” and it follows riders during the Philadelphia USPRO series in June of 2004.

Unlike “The Hard Road,” which chronicled the season of a neo pro team Paolinetti’s new documentary shows the inside of professional cycling using the Philly races as the central theme. The races are long, the competition steep and Paolinetti attempts to get inside the minds of the riders to see what it takes to compete in America’s toughest week of racing.

Some of the highlights of the film are interviews with Freddie Rodriguez, America’s soft-spoken, two time USPRO RR Champion whose own insights into himself are poignant. Chris Horner (Webcor), Henk Vogels (Navigators), and Alex Gardner (Ofoto) are among the others featured.

The movie is in “cyclish” meaning: it’s in English but it is cyclists speaking about their own sport and there’s no translation of terms for the uninitiated. Still. there is plenty to hold the interest of a non-cyclist watching the film. The close up shots of the 200-man peloton snaking through turns or up Manyunk Street hill are great. In one scene that was shot from above a spectator on a regular bike tries to keep up with the pack while riding on the sidewalk. The peloton simply slips past the lone rider.

The movie is edgy, straight up, in-your-face cycling. Try watching it while on the trainer or to show your parents what you do all weekend. You can find the movie at: www.prothemovie.com.

Meet Bill Koch of Level Valley/CZ Velo Cycling

January 5, 2005

Bill Koch is the man behind CZ Velo’s Level Valley Dairy Team. Bill was a former owner of Level Valley Dairy and recently sold the company to Schreiber Foods but continues in his position of sales and marketing. He is an avid cyclist and has a birds eye view of the sport from both a rider and a sponsor.

Q: How did you get into cycling? What was your first bike and what are your memories of your first long ride?
A: Guess, like any kid, it was a way to get around that was far easier than walking, so when I survived age 16 and still liked biking, that pretty much set the tone for the rest of my life. My first bike that I really remember was a stingray (gold) with a banana seat, A huge sissy bar and a stick shift on the top tube! The first really long ride I did was at age 18, when four of my buddies and I rode to Mackinac Island from Detroit and back down thru Traverse City! We were gone a total of 2.5 weeks, covering about 750 miles!

Q: What do you like about cycling?
A: A silent sport that is easy on the joints, allows you to cover lots of miles pretty quickly and just gives me the thrills, whether it’s a flat out sprint and climbing hills.

Q: What is your favorite place to ride and why?
A: Out by Level Valley, where we have miles and miles of rolling hills, no traffic and great roads!

Q: What bikes have you owned and what do you ride now? How many bikes are in your garage?
A: Well, by the time I started riding this 24-hour marathon in Detroit back in the mid 70’s, I had a Schwinn Continental. That big trip to Mackinac Island was on a Collegiate that I bought for $45 form a neighbor. My only maintenance was a flat tire during the trip. Anyway, sold the Continental and bought a Super LeTour, which I rode for lots of years. Then found a Paramount, my dream bike as a loyal Schwinn guy! I was riding that bike when I hooked up with the guys of cz velo. They convinced me it was time to upgrade, so we all bought DEAN frames and I was on my way to building my first bike. I have that one still and love it to death! Also just built a Giant TCR Composite and have a Trek 7600 Crosstrainer as well.

Q: As a sponsor and a rider, what do you like most about sponsoring a team?
A: The very best thing is the team, the guys! It’s a great chemistry they have going and have gone out of their way to make me feel like one of them. And they have largely been responsible for giving me the bug like I never had before!

Q: Many teams are looking for sponsors and what tips can you give them about how to properly work with a sponsor to get the most out of a team? For example, what is the most appealing thing to a business person about sponsoring a sports team?
A: This is kind of tough to answer! I think the big thing is just finding people who already have an interest in the sport or who have a very direct connect to the sport. I find today, that there are lots of guys who ride and are in management/decision making capacities in businesses that could have an interest. Like me, they ride expensive bikes, spend lots of time and money trying to be the best they can and nothing might thrill them more than to have a tighter connection to the sport. Digging up them up though is where it gets challenging, but like any selling position, networking is what it’s all about

Q: Do you have any trips planned for 2005 and if so, to where?
A: Headed to Australia in January to follow the Tour Down Under and ride a 200k event that has two mountain passes and like the Horribly Hilly Hundred in Mt. Horeb, has some very significant climbing over the 125 miles. I also just finished my third El Tour de Tucson, where I have bettered my time each year since I began and my second Ride for the Roses in Austin. Interestingly enough, the ride in Tucson draws some great talent because of the locale and time of year. Jaime Carney, Lynn Gaggioli, Robbie Ventura to name a few and there was even at least one Endeavor rider there this year too!

Q: If someone were thinking about getting into cycling what would you tell them to help them get started?
A: Find a club to ride with! Quickly, you’ll find a pace you like and if you have any interest in bettering yourself, you can start working up to the faster group over the course of the summer. I also think Wisport is a great way to break into racing; we’re very lucky to have it here in Wisconsin. Believe it or not, I have only done one real race, a Wisport road race last Spring, but you can bet you’ll see more of me there this coming year; very rookie friendly events!

The Right Fit: Key to Power on the Bike

December 2, 2004

How do you know whether you are on the right bike? Or whether your current bike is set up for maximum comfort? The process starts in the fitting rooms of Cronometro in Madison, Wisconsin. Cronometro is a bike shop that specializes in fitting the bike to the rider.

A visitor walking into Cronometro will sees the usual saddles, shoes and jerseys displayed in a spotless setting. Vintage cycling posters and jerseys hang among the displays. Among them—and not for sale--is an Enron jersey with the words “integrity” and “honesty” blazoned on the front. Tucked away mid-shop are two bike fitting rooms equipped with trainers where recreational riders, triathletes and roadies go to become one with their machines.

Colin O’Brien, owner of Cronometro and Craig Watson share the work of the biodynamic fittings. Together they will have fit more than 440 riders in 2004. O’Brien’s palmares (race bio) includes holding the American hour record. Still fit but not racing as much O’Brien puts his considerable energy into perfecting fit.

“The methodology we use to fit a rider is the same whether we are working with a recreational rider or a racer,” said O’Brien.

Watson got his start working as a boot fitter in the ski industry, work that has served him well in the cycling arena. “We come into the shop and see all the new super light gear that’s available but I like to remind people that a good fit is ‘lighter.’ Let’s get your bike dialed in so you will notice a difference and go further with less effort,” he notes.

Craig Watson starts by taking measurements

Anna Dierking of the America’s Dairyland team had a touch up fit while this interview was taking place. The purpose of her visit was to make some adjustments to her Waterford. After one and a half hours of fine tuning Anna said she was “pleased with the result.”

Craig working with Anna Dierking.

The next client had some concerns about knee problems and wanted to be sure that her bike was dialed in properly. A few minutes into the fitting both Watson and O’Brien were humming and muttering “did you see that?” and “that could change.” Out came a large plastic compass-like tool used to measure body angle. To an outsider it may have looked like two doctors diagnosing a patient.

After some adjustments and discussion and more adjusting the outcome was a raised saddle, a shim in the left shoe, a saddle moved forward and handlebars moved up. At the end of the fitting the client reported feeling nothing in the knees and more comfort in her hands and seat.

Watson is happy with the result. “If the bike is set up well you don’t have to think about it. If it fits, ride it!”

Want to be sure your bike fits? Give Craig or Colin at call at (608)243-7760 or email craig@cronometro.com.

BLOG on your Mind?

December 29, 2004

WCA, like the rest of the world, is going bloggers. Yes, we've created a blog, and you can join. This blog was created for cyclists in Wisconsin to network with each other. Some suggested uses for this website include posting a group ride, find a riding partner, offering to carpool to a race, or simply sharing your thoughts about cycling. The blog is located at www.wicycling.blogspot.com. Happy blogging and remember, this is a "family friendly" blog!

Saris Challenge Indoor TT at Bike Swap

December 29, 2004

Riders are invited to compete in the inaugural Saris Challenge, a delightfully short indoor Time Trial on the new Pro 300 PT indoor cycle at the Cronometro Bike Swap on January 15 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.

Prizes to be awarded for highest average power output and the fastest time. The $5 entry fee will benefit Wisconsin Cycling Association’s new “Bike Racing School” program.

The Pro 300 PT brings the best of Saris technology--a powertap and resistance unit to an indoor cycle that can be fit to each individual rider.

Riders need only bring shorts and a t-shirt for the 2k Time Trial. Regular tennis shoes are recommended.

WCA’s Bike Racing School is a pilot program in 2005 that will bring experienced riders from WCA clubs together with riders interested in starting to race. Locations and dates will be announced in February, 2005 on the WCA website.

Information:
Bike Swap: www.cronometro.com.
Pro 300 PT: www.cycleops.com.
Wisconsin Cycling Association: www.wicycling.org.