Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Monday, June 29, 2009

Cowbell Challenge Race Report-----Finally!

Seems like the Cowbell Challenge Race organizers took their time posting results from the June 21st race. Chris Dietrich was the only team member who traveled down to the NC race. Here is his race report.

The Cowbell Challenge was stop number four in the Kenda Cup East series in Davidson, NC. The conditions were hot and dry. The course was awesome. This course was very fast with a lot of great singletrack. I started the race well until I burped the front tire enough to where I had to add some air. I had another minor chain suck issue on lap two. In total both minor technical problems took less than two minutes to fix, but on this course I was passed by some people. I ended up finishing 12th out of 14 racers. I was content with that finish. I am still seeing improvements in all aspects of my riding and racing every week so I think that my training is going well. The next race will be the Lewis Morris Challenge in NJ. I am excited for this race because I know this course extremely well. I hope to see you at the Lewis Morris Challenge on July 5th.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Dark Horse Gallop H2H Race Reports

Below are the race reports for Dylan and Andrew Alesio from the Dark Horse Gallop H2H race.

Andrew:

2nd out of 14 in the Pro race
Ya, this was by far a mud race, the soupy slop that only wants to do one thing, destroy your bike components. At the start of the race I was leading and holding a pace that made me question why don't I feel so good? Well, I remember now, I was sick with a fever for three days after a free massage at the last race that I won at, the Williams Lake Classic. I guess that is what you get for a freebie. Note to self; pass on free massage, don't get any thing too deep after a race (does more damage), and keep on top of massages for maintenance of a happy and healthy muscles. Back to the Dark Horse Gallop mud fest, I defended/battled the lead for about three laps and lost it by the last lap as I was total shot. This race was just under two hours and forty minutes of just pure suffering. The shifting failed, took two hands on the grip shift to attempt to change gears. The mud disintegrated the break pad to the metal backing and making them thin veneers. The last half of the race I had no breaks. I just stuck with it and finished. This was a race I would not want to relive. I hope that next race is dry for a change. I think that Dylan and I are going to pass on Marysville.

Dylan:

DNF. At the start of the I was very reserved off the line, and rode in second behind Andrew. After the Prologue I wanted to pass Andrew, but I just sat tight. Shortly We dropped into 2nd and 3rd and back into 1st and 2nd. The condition were just wet, muddy and nasty. I started my second lap and found my bottoming my brake lever to the grip. I knew what had happen. No more brake pads left. I had trouble telling my to stop racing and after missing several turn and trees, I discontinued the effort to ensure that I don't hurt my self. So it did not go my way that day and I will only learn from this events.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Andrew and Dylan Finish 1 and 2 at Williams Lake Classic

Andrew and Dylan Alesio finished 1st and 2nd respectively at the Williams Lake Classic on Sunday 6/14. Greg has been scouring the internet for photos, so if you come across any, email them to gpolitz@advancedsports.com

Here are the race reports:

Andrew

First place out of 11 pro racers.

This course is privately owned and it was by far on my top three list as far as trails go. The pros had four long laps of the best single track ever. It was about 95% single track that was fast and a little wet/muddy. At the starting line there was a call up based on the order that the racers registered. Dylan and I were called up last, which put us onto only room remaining, on the tall slow grass. The gun went off, Dylan took the lead and I was right there until some silly racer decided to get in between us. With in seconds he slowed me down, so I passed him and got right behind Dylan. With half of the first lap done my bro and I had at least a thirty second lead back to third place. At that point I knew I it was going to be a battle between the both of us. Then, I heard a release of air, Dylan got a flat. When I finished my first lap I used my special twin powers, and I knew that Dylan had fixed his flat and was aiming for my spot, first place. So what the race came down to three and a half laps by myself. I just laid the hammer down from the start and did not let off once. There were lots of climbs and some were slick. I amazed myself, I rode every slick climb at least twice. The mud was the very fun and unpredictable. Just one big slip and slide. The trails are just amazing. There is a cave that you ride through with run way lighting (Very Dim; I felt sorry for people that had poor night vision). Some of the climbs gave you a treat of the most scenic views I have ever seen. There were some large mine hole straight down through the earth, just awesome. I rode this race strong because if I did not I knew that I was going to see some orange through the trees if I looked back. I rode so hard that Dylan never saw me, and that I had a ten minute lead on him. The paced I rode gave me a 19 minute lead on third place at the finish. After I finished, the announcer told me that I had a two minute gap on the first lap and ever lap after that the gap grew. I am happy with first place but it would have been more fun to have by brother around a little longer so that we could hurt each other a little more.

Dylan

2nd Out of 11 Pro men.

The best single track I have ever ridden. The course goes through a long cave with run way lighting. Amazing!!! There is area on the course where the temperatures drops to about 40 degrees, ice cold air from an old cave or mining hole. From the start I launched into 1st as Andrew became my shadow and follow me closely. I was ridding strong and focused. I flatted my rear tire and tried to fix it fast but every thing was slick. Shortly I was up and moving as I dropped way back. The flat was my error as all (most) flats are rider error. I was ridding along and asking too much from them, as a result a breach occurred. So I went from 1st to way in the back all with in the first lap. I worked very hard to catch Andrew, but I just ended up in 2nd place by the end of the second lap with a 2 minute lead on 3rd place. Andrew was long gone never to be seen again. When I passed the 2nd place guy, he told me that he was done and pulled out.The condition were wet and muddy. I love the skill of controlled power sliding in the mud. So another 2nd place for me and soon a 1st.

Neshaminy XC Race presented by Guy's Bicycles FOLLOW UP

Yo, the Neshaminy XC Race this weekend has been postponned. Team members are scattering to change plans for this weekend. Some are headed to North Carolina for the Kenda Cup race while others are going to the H2H Darkhorse race in up-state New York.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Neshaminy XC Race presented by Guy's Bicycles

Just a heads up to everyone local to the Philly area. Fuji MTB will be in full force (minus Chris Dietrich who is headed to North Carolina) at the Neshaminy race on Sunday. All the information you could possibly need can be found here:
http://www.masuperseries.com/2009/index.php?view=details&id=11%3Aguys-neshaminy-xc-classic&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=12

Hope to see you there!

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

I just wanted to throw this out there to get an early start.

With everything long past finalized for the 2009 season now, it is time to think about the Cross 2009 and MTB 2010 seasons. Fuji MTB has opportunities for product and cash sponsorship for both seasons. I will spare you all of the details, but if you or someone you know would be interested in discussing sponsorship for either upcoming seasons please email Greg directly at gpolitz@advancedsports.com

Greg is always accepting racer résumés as well if you dream of racing with Fuji. Obviously we are set for 2009, but one never knows what the future holds.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Kenda Cup Race #3

Here is the race report for Kenda Cup race #3 in Virginia from Chris Dietrich.

This past weekend was the Kenda Cup East #3 race at the Massanutten Ski Resort in western Virginia. As with all but one race this year it was another mud fest. Twenty five miles of some awesome singletrack with plenty of climbing and technical parts of the course. Within the first three miles of the race I had a rear flat. By the time I got going again all the Sport riders had passed me. I was working hard to get past them and I did get past a lot of them, but most of my class was long gone. I finished 10th place which was the last finisher. There were four DNF’s in my group which I thought was a lot. Overall, it was a good performance from me minus the flat, but that’s racing. This week I will be going to the fourth stop on the Kenda Cup East series in Davidson, NC for the Cowbell Challenge. See you there.

-Chris

Friday, June 12, 2009

Tour de Tykes race report

Here are race reports from the Alesio brothers.

Andrew:

6 out of 14 in the Elite Open class
Some days you have it and some are just a little slower. After traveling to and from Alabama, I had a few night of not so good sleep. Pretty much watching the clock tick as i ask myself why I can't fall asleep. Warming-up just a few minutes before the start of the race I knew that it was going to be an off day. I could feel my legs not responding so well, and no warm-up could change that. I started the race and worked my way into my finishing position with in the first few minutes of the race. I had enough power to defend sixth place the whole race but not enough to move up any position. This race was one of my slowest starts this year. I am use to leading the race for about three quarter of the first lap, but not this time. I think that I had a lead for about half a minute. Though I did not start the race the way I wanted, I did pull myself into form later into the race. That was a very good thing because most of the course was far from flat. I love these trails, they are tough and fast. The big 29 inch wheels just ate up the trail and gave all the traction need for the tight turns and the hard breaking.


Dylan:

2nd out of 14 Elite open racers.
From the start of the race I was in the very back of the field and shortly after I found myself up front leading with Andrew (but he did not last as long). I was first on to the fire road and than was battling to hold the position. I dropped back to 4th place for a few minutes and was ready to attack hard. I made my way in to second place and feeling strong as I tried to get 1st back into sight, but I realized that Brandon Draugelis made his move and put the time in between us in the beginning. I attacked every climb. I feel that I am coming into form and really feeling right. I rode flawlessly, no dabbing, and no running. The big wheels are just right.

Results can be seen here:
http://bigwhitetrailer.com/timing/results_2009/20090607TDTElite-Expert.HTM

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Cyclefitters.com

Jason Fritzsche just had his fitting done by John @ Cyclefitters.com out in Palmer Township (just outside of Allentown) and his unsolicited review was so good that I thought I would just copy and paste it right from my email.

"I really recommend going to cyclefitters. Just spinning on the trainer after some of his adjustments, I could feel the difference. I also needed these special insoles that he sold me on, but they get my feet back in line with my knees and hips. Just stuff that I never would have thought about. Also turns out that I was riding my seat almost an inch too low and the saddle too far back. Worth the trip, he’s just outside of Allentown." -Jason Fritzsche

Cyclefitters.com is an official team sponsor. So far Dylan, Andrew and Jason have all had fittings done and experienced significant changes in their performance immediately following their fittings. John was trained at the Serotta International Cycling Institute and is skilled in the fitting of both road and mountain bikes. Check him out at www.cyclefitters.com and tell him Fuji sent you.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Bump N' Gring Kenda Cup Race

Here are race reports from Dylan and Andrew Alesio who were in Alabama last weekend taking part in the first east coast Kenda Cup race. Otherwise known as the Bump N' Grind, this race was sure to draw some of the biggest names in our sport. Dylan and Andrew both wrote their own reports. Enjoy!

Andrew:

32nd out of 64 pro racers at the Bump n Grind.
Saturday, the day before the race, I rode two laps with Dylan trying to feel out the course. The course was about 30% road, but the rest was some ripping high-speed single track that had some tight turns and roots. Defiantly these trails were really fun and fast. After the pre-ride, I gave by bike some love as I always do before a race. I made sure that my bike was clean and that it worked perfectly. The day of the race I warmed-up with Dylan by riding to the start line from our hotel. The announcer called me up two spots before Dylan to the start line. Dylan and I were side by side at the start line with more rows of racer in front of us than behind us. BANG! The gun goes off, I jumped right behind Dylan and held on for dear life just trying to defend my spot. Then it was time to funnel down to the tight single track. The pack aims for the tight single track and it was still about six racers wide and made for one. Racers started jamming up and Dylan forced his way through the center with me right behind him. When the racers were in the single track it was packed from bike to bike. If someone lagged, made a turn too wide, or something of that manner they would be passed by at least one racer. This was the most exciting start ever. In the first road section I had to catch up to the pack that Dylan was in. I put everything I had to the pedals to catch that pack. I could feel my body telling me to stop, but I did not listen and I caught that pack. I was in the middle of the pack going through the start/finish and into the feed zone. Now the only problem in the whole race was the first feed zone. I am pretty sure that this is a simple physics problem. Two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. My feed zone man, Matt Miller, just could not bend the rules of physics, as I was right behind Dylan. I flew by Matt with no bottle, and then stopped, while Matt ran to me, the time that was
passing felt like an eternity. I got my bottle and hammered off into the single track. Even with four more laps to go there was nothing that I could do to catch up to Dylan. I finished in 32nd place, 14 minutes and 4 seconds behind the leader.


Dylan-


28th place out of 64 pro men.
Friday 4:00am WAKE UP, 5:00 Jordan Kahlenberg arrived and stared to pack his Honda Element with every we needed. The Trip started with Jordan having to modify his roof rack to allow clearance for the brake calipers. He asked for a hack saw and I gave him a powered reciprocating saw and I minutes the job was done. After getting that worked out we were on our way. After 16 hours of driving we arrived to the wonderful location of Pelham, Al. We quickly unpacked the car and geared up to treat our leg to motion after being immobilized. Jordan got on his trainer, While Andrew and I rode towards Oak Mountain park. The roads were covered with moon light and a weak homemade LED riding light. Riding in the dark was the best way to clear my head and prepare my legs for Sunday race. Saturday Andrew and I got to pre-ride the course. The Pro course was 5-6 miles and had plenty of passing room on the road sections, but zero room to pass on the single track. In the fourth row of the start line, I know I had to play it smart in order to get into the single track without waiting for the masses to clear. Andrew followed me as I slipped through the middle of the pack just wide enough for half a person. It happened so fast all I remember seeing was elbows, feet, handlebars, pedals, and wheels everywhere. I worked my way in to the mid twenties by the middle of the race. During the race I found my self riding with TJ and several other racers. We worked together on the road section and I lead through the single track. Finishing lap 3 of 5, I found myself drafting off of TJ until Sam Jurekovic passed us like a motorcycle. I jumped on the pedals to catch his draft. Once in Sam J's draft, I still had to work hard to stay with him as we teleported to the start finished line. I later resumed back to my speed and finished strong. It came down to a sprint finish and my legs had it. Overall I am happy about my performance. The 29er trend has finally made it to the Pro circuit. It seems that it was mostly dual suspension 26 and 29er hardtails. 12 minutes 33 seconds form first, not bad.

More from Iron Hill

Here is Jason's report from Iron Hill. Enjoy!

Iron Hill is a pretty straight-forward place to ride, cruise down the hill, then grind your way back up. There are some punchy and technical sections to keep it interesting like the "bone shaker" and the "mega dip". Much to everyone's disappointment, the morning showers forced the closure of the mega dip, the trademark of Iron Hill. The course had pretty much lost its slickness by the time our 2pm start rolled around, but the ground was still a little spongy. Not really a problem, until you have to pound out all of the climbing on the back side. This proved to be more of an energy drain than most single-speeder's anticipated, and by the 4th lap I was gritting my way through it. My lackluster start had me pretty close to the back as the group entered the woods. Mostly because a few of us tried to flank and pass pretty close to the wooded edge, but somehow forgetting around the giant rock planted firmly in front of us. That small moment of hesitation was enough to let the lead group break off and begin their assault. I managed to catch back on to the mid-pack fodder and gain some positions. Overall, I was happy with my 11th place finish. I put in a strong ride, but wish I hadn't bobbled on the start.
-Jason

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Iron Hill 5/31/2009

Here is the race report from Chris for the Iron Hill race last weekend (5/31/2009). Dylan and Andrew Alesio were in Alabama for the Bump N' Grind Kenda Cup race and should be submitting race reports shortly. Photos were tough to come by at Iron Hill as the sun was in and out of clouds and I couldn't wonder to far from the team tent to find a good place. I will post what I have.


Iron Hill Challenge at Iron Hill State Park in Newark, DE. This race is part of the MASS series. The conditions were fairly good with slippery roots and rocks from the mornings rain. I finished 14th out of 18 in my class which I am pleased with. I didn’t have any technical or physical problems as I felt good the whole race. Like I have been saying since the start of the season I am pleased with my steady progress week after week. This week I will be heading off to Virginia to the Massanutten Ho-HAA which is a Kenda Cup East race.




Our "Demo" set up with Fuji's brand new Dodge Sprinter. The Sprinter we be getting decalled soon!


Another picture of the Sprinter, this time with a Notubes.com banner. Have you seen the Notubes.com white rims?


Jimmy at the start line.