Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Women’s Road Cycling Clinic May 22nd..


The Steel City Endurance women’s cycling team will be hosting a clinic at the Washington Blvd Cycling Oval on Saturday May 22. The clinic will teach the basics of riding in a group and will be an excellent event for meeting other local women cyclists. Any woman at any experience level is welcome. The cost will be $20 per person. Must provide your own bike and helmet. There will also be prizes!


Directions to the oval. For more information, contact coach[at]steelcityendurance.com.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Morgantown RR Recap and May Contest #6!

ABRA May Newsletter 2010
May 2, 2010
Morgantown RR Recap and May Contest #6!

Success at Morgantown Road Race Presented by Pathfinder!

As you most of you know unseasonably warm temperatures and high winds made an already tough MRR course an epic this month. Conditions were tough to say the least. Throw in the occasional falling tree and things looked like a war zone some riders reported. “I have never seen so many seasoned riders pushing their road bikes as I did today!” stated Betsy Shogren (Dynamic Physical Therapy Cycling).

Some riders however, dug deep and conquered the difficult race and conditions. Nick Waite (Kenda Pro Cycling) took the Men’s Cat 1/2/3 win in a sprint finish with our buddy Tim Rugg (Battley Harley-Davidson) and Jacob Tremblay (Team Nature’s Path). Jason Meidhof (Clean Currents) was just a few minutes back finishing fourth in a time of 2:10:11. Rounding out the top five in the Men’s 1/2/3 field was Todd Hesel (Kelly Benefit Strategies) crossing the line in 2:10:26.

In the Women’s Cat 1/2/3 race it was Anna Barenfield (Minuteman Road Club) going off alone just a few miles into the race and never looking back. The rider from Massachusetts finished the 45 mile course in 2:33:11. Local hero Betsy Shogren (Dynamic Physical Therapy Cycling) took second of the day in a time of 2:38:43 followed by Katherinr Klauing of Washington D.C. in third with a time of 2:43:30. In fourth was veteran road racer Barbara Grabowski (Steel City Endurance) in 2:48:55 followed by Emily Moy (WVU Cycling) in fifth at 2:52:15.

In the Men’s Cat 4/5 field Brad Dodson (WVU Cycling) took the win in a time of 2:13:22. Brad was followed by Chad Hill, Nate Annon (Pathfinder/Cannondale), Brian Maclean and Lukasz Majewski. Sixth went to Jason Craper (Global Ride) and 2009 defending 4/5 race winner Rob Lochner (Iron City Bikes) was seventh. The great performance by Dodson and Annon gave them both enough USAC points to upgrade after the event and both riders did. The upgrade of those two riders sure will change things up in the ABRA 4/5 series points race. Good luck in the 1/2/3 fellows and congratulations on the upgrades!

The women’s Cat 4 race was controlled by the Steel City Endurance team and its leader Patricia George. George who is really coming into her own this season took the win followed by Nina Wilczek (Global Ride) and Tina Kirk was third. Forth was Pam Milavec (Steel City Endurance) followed by her teammate Stacie “the bull” Truszkowski in fifth.

Kyle Kukieza took the win in the junior’s field, while Jeremy Edwards (Evolution Cycling Club) won the Cat 5 class. It was a sprint finish for the Men’s 40+ field as Ace McDermott (ABRT) just edged out his fellow teammate Michael Brown. Both riders finished in a time of 2:16:30. David Osborne and Gerry Pflug (Salsa/SPK/Pro Bikes) had their own sprint finish for third and fourth with Osborne crossing first in 2:18:05. Local boy Marc Glass (Breakaway Velo) put on a great ride against some heavy hitters to take fifth in 2:19:35.

Ad Bax (Clean Currents) took the win in the 50+ class just ahead of Kean Bird (Breakaway Velo) of Morgantown. Third went to Paul Mittelstadt (Clean Current) with William Ehler (UMPC Cycling Performance) fourth and long time ABRA supporter Mike Spinnler (AVC/ Team Hagerstown-Washington County Tourism) fifth.

What a great day it was despite some very hard course conditions. The next event that I will personal be promoting is the Tour of Tucker County and I hope to see you all there for the toughest single day cycling event in America.

Photos of the event by Jason Clark are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-clark3/sets/

Results can also be found on the ABRAracing website at http://www.abraracing.com/News.html

Also series standings to be posted week after round number two.


Tour of Tucker County Road Race APRRS #3
On May 29th the toughest single day road race in America returns for its third year. The event that includes three seven mile climbs for the Men’s Cat 1/2/3 has been a soul crusher in years past and that is the way we like it in ABRA land. Here are some photos from the 2009 event - http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-clark3/sets/72157619267300207/. Besides being a challenge event this course offers some of the best views you will ever see on a bicycle. Registration is really starting to fill up with just four weeks to go before the race. The men’s Cat 4/5 and Men’s Cat 5 field will most likely fill up for this event like the MRR so DO NOT DELAY if you want to take part in this race. Register on-line at http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=9279
Race Facts:
Men’s Cat 1/2/3 Course Record – Sean Barrie 2:51:41(2008)
Men’s Cat 4/5 Course Record – Wes Schempf 1:50:57 (2009)
Men’s Cat 5 Course Record – Justin Hovatter 2:10:09 (2009)
Women’s Cat 1/2/3 Course Record – Betsy Shogren 2:04:36 (2008)
Women’s Cat 4 Course Record – Ruth Dickinson 2:10:54 (2009)
Men’s 40+ Course Record – Gerry Pflug 1:55:59 (2009)
Men’s 50+ Course Record – Tony Bilotta 2:05:37 (2009)
Junior’s 12-18 Course Record – Elias Husoy 2:02:39 (2009)

Here are a few blog posts from past participates:
Pro Bikes Cycling Team - http://probikespittsburgh.blogspot.com/2009/06/tour-of-tucker-county-road-race.html
Team Traveller.com - http://www.teamtraveller.com/2009/tucker.html
Team Ninja Turtles - http://ninjaturtlesracingdiary.blogspot.com/2009/05/pre-ride-2009-tour-of-tucker-county.html
MoTown Velo - http://teamrowman.blogspot.com/2009/06/june-update.html
Hope to see your there for the toughest race in America!


New Martinsville Road Race Details
Thank the lord baby bi-atch I have race details for New Martinsville.

Here's a link to the race course- http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/wv/new-martinsville/836127040221892257

There will be two laps for the Men's and Women's 1/2/3 and Masters 40+. One lap for all other classes.

Start time will be noon and registration opens at 8.

More info at 304-771-0445 in case anyone wants to call.

The start and registration will be in front of baristas cafe and pub, 326 Main Street. New Martinsville, WV (www.baristascafe-pub.com)

ABRAracing.com May Contest
Tell ‘em what they’re playing for this month Rod! Sure Bob, it is a new car! WAIT WHAT! We can’t afford that! Ok ok. How about a FREE entry into the Tour of Tucker County, plus a prize pack from our friends at Spoke Art? That is more like it! (I tend to talk to myself a lot if you don’t know me).

That right folks, this month’s contest winner will receives a free entry into May 29th ToT “The Toughest One Day Race in America”, plus a gift pack from Spoke Art.com. This month we are going to go old school with a little Q and A. First one to answer ALL the questions correctly is the winner. One answer submission per person please. Here we go!

1) Address for Joey’s Bike Shop?

2) Final climb of ToT is called what?

3) Winner of ABRA’s first ever road race “High Roller Road Race”

4) How many APRRS races are being held in Philippi, WV by Promoter Thad Kelley? And name them?

5) Lance Armstrong just became an owner of what ABRA sponsor?

6) Who was the 2009 ABRA Men’s Cat 1/2/3 Cyclocross Champion?

7) Name one sales person at Superior Ford in Morgantown? (feel free to call and ask)

8) What is the name of the former road pro who is now a coach of the Dynamic Physical Therapy Cycling Team and his company is an ABRA sponsor? Hint.. He holds two USAC Colligate National Titles.

9) My nickname? Hint. Deals with my size.

10) Who finished second in the Men’s Cat 1/2/3 at this year MRR?

11) Winner of the 1944 Tour De France?

12) ABRA Series Championship is held in what West Virginia town in 2010?

Hope you all are enjoying the year so far. If you have any further questions please feel free to email us!



Thanks again to our 2010 ABRA Series Sponsors!
Superior Ford - Cannondale - Hammer Nutrition - Swiftwick - Speedgoat.com - Panaracer - Pathfinder of WV - Pro Bikes - Performance Coaching Service -Global Ride Productions - Twin Six - Smith Optics - Planet Bike - Wamsley Cycles - Dynamic Physical Therapy - Honey Stinger – Verge Sport - Race Face -Sierra Summits Skin Products - Joey’s Bike Shop - Camelbak - Fat Tire Cycle - Dirtbean.com - ProGold Lube - Kenda - Spoke Art - iPlayOutside.com – Rising Creek Bakery & Café -Mountain Roaster – Sports N Spokes – Chris King Precision Components