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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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