#GPvelotek | Hello Stranger

Whether you race or ride your bike. It is a great way to meet new people. This weekend there were a ton of folks riding and racing their bike. Me? I truly enjoy the freedom of being on a bike. This weekend was no different. I wish I could have been a part of the awesome event that was put on by Cycling Kansas City. The Cider Mill century was enjoyed by 385 men, women and children. To put on a ride like that takes a bunch of volunteers and the CKC board. Thank you to all those that participated and took time out of their day to help. The next ride is the Summer Breeze on 8.26.2018 and I hope to see everyone out for this event.

This weekend had so many options on the race/ride calendar. I, however, committed to racing in Arkansas at the Natural State crits. Along with KCBC teammate Kyle Guinn. We roomed with Connor and Ian from Moveup and Alex from Colavita. 3 days of crit racing at its finest. It started with Friday night under the lights and it was .6 of a mile, 6 turn short course. If you were not on the front line, you were left behind. Ian Pepin was our main focus for this race but he ended up on the back row. Alex Flunker and I worked to stay with the front pack. We also had Thomas Lewin from the KC team Grip n Rip join in the fun. I ended up getting caught behind a crash in the middle of the race, then again later in the race and took me all but out of the race. By the end of the 1st race Thomas took 7th, Alex 9th, Ian 17th and I was in 12th. The only female to race from KC was Molly Benton (Elektra racing). Molly took the course with 56 other pro123 women. This was a really tough field and Molly (cat3) took it on the chin like a champ and ended her race in 50th. I’m proud of that lady for stepping in the ring with the pros. Our Cat3 men had Tim Jansen (AKA Jan Timson) of GP Velotek and Kyle Guinn from KCBC. These boys averaged 25+ miles an hour and Jansen came away in the money with a 6th place finish. These tight turns did not favor the time trial champion and Kyle landed in 28th.

Saturday in the town of Rogers AR, The KC area represented with 16 athletes, 10 of the 16 were the women of the KC. All of these ladies raced in the 3 4 5 womans race. This race had 30 women in it. I would have loved to see more teamwork between the 3 teams from KC that were represented. Amy Cottrell took 6th, Kelly Skinner 10th both from Elektra racing and were in the money. Grip n rip showed up with 4 women, GP Velotek fieled 2 and 4 from Elektra. There was a total of 30 women in the race. Velotek, Elektra, KCBC, Colavita and Move up all set up base camp together on Saturday. I would have liked to have the Grip n Rip folks with us but we did not get to coordinate that to make it happen.

20180707_103349(0) — Kelly, Marianne and Molly

20180707_101324 — Connor, Kyle and I with Marianne spinning

Our goal for the men cat4 was to get Ian on the podium. I figured if any course would favor him, it would be this one. We did what we could to keep him protected and he did all the work in the last 5 laps to get into position for the uphill sprint and he took 2nd. The kid that took 1st almost lapped the entire field but Ian kept that from happening. Time to upgrade Ian. Tom Lewin took 7th, Alex in the 8 spot and I was shot out the back and 18th.

20180707_130021 — and though she be but little, she is fierce

The cat3 race had Tim Jansen working hard for a 3rd place field sprint finish. After the race I asked him what he was doing to get him to where his fitness was. He said he put this weekend as his A race and focused on what he needed to do to best put him in position to win. One hell of an effort. Our KCBC teammate worked hard to hold on to the 28 spot. Kyle had a moment where he took off and went for and won a prem. So, our man Kyle did not walk away with out any $$. After the race we invited the Velotek and Elektra team over for dinner and made a hell of a shrimp and pasta meal. The ladies brought over salad, wine and garlic bread. This is where we get to get out of our race kits and just sit around eat, drink, tell stories and just enjoy each others company. Here is a great photo of the ring leader of the evening. Kelly Skinner has a dynamic personality and was nice to have in the mix. The pictures pretty much tells the story.

20180707_205135 — Kelly giving a dissertation on quantum physics

20180707_205140 — Proper top podium pose. why is Kate wearing one shoe?

I think the dinner was the best part of the weekend. We are all amateur athletes and all have to go to work on Monday. We love riding and that is the common bond we all share. We are human and sometimes we suck and other times we are amazing. I hope you don’t judge a human when they are having one of those days that they suck.

Day 3 of the Natural State was a much longer course with more turns than the other two races. The women kicked off the day with a morning race and all 10 of our KC women worked hard to get into position, only to get crashed out in the finale turn while a prem was at stake. Kelly, Sev Tournadre and Carol Stauffer were all but taken out of the race. Marianne Melling had a huge effort and took 5th place. Amy was in the money at 10th, Michelle Sheppard with elektra at 13th. I decided to double up and start the day with a masters race. I was feeling great and sitting in a top 10 position with 8 to go. Then we had a crash and the race had to be neutralized with 7 to go. The last 6 laps were fast and after 15 minutes of waiting in the sun we all were suffering and out of 29 racers, I sprinted for 12th place. Ugh, in 4 hours I get to do it again. Next up, Cat3 race and boy did it not disappoint. It was a battle of positions and Tim was in the money one more time at 10th and Kyle ended the weekend with a hard fought race at 31st.

There were other KCBC athletes out there racing. One of our mountian bikeracers, Michael Conley was racing in the Marmaton Massacre in Ft. Scott. Michael had a rough go at the race in the single speed category and ended up crashing out and breaking his helmet. Glad he was not seriously injured.

Last but not least was our Triathlete Iron Woman, Michelle Lingenfelser. Michelle took the top podium spot at the Big Shark New Town Tri. She also was 5th overall on the bike portion of the tri. That is 5th out of 215 men and women. WOW! Great Job Michelle. We are all very proud of you. By the way, 2nd place was a 15 year old! Don’t you just love it!

Thank you for reading. And remember, every friend you have today was once a stranger. Go out and meet new strangers. Even if they suck at first, they might just be having a case of the Mondays.

This report should start with the gents that went to road nationals in Agusta GA. But, since I have the proverbial pen in hand, I will begin with the incredible women of KCBC. This weekend we got to see three women race in Ames, Iowa at the 2nd annual Ames Grand Prix. There was a Saturday night criterium and a Sunday circuit race. The Saturday crit took place in downtown Ames under the lights. The race started with all women categories and masters mass start. We had 3 women start that race and the lead pack formed quickly, Lynn Wilson (cat 2) sat in a very comfortable 3rd spot with Madison Shepherd (cat 4) sitting on the back of this peloton. Jennifer Piko was racing in the masters category and missed this break, but held on for a 4th place in 40+ masters. The race pushed speeds of 25+ for our ladies and mid way through the race they announced a $100 prem. Also, there was a local jeweler sponsoring the womans race with over $2800 in diamonds and this is what Mrs Wilson was focused on. As they came into the final turn Lynn was sitting in the 3 or 4 spot and held on to the wheel of Anne Meyer out of La Crosse and Dee Mable of IA. All three of these women laid down the hammer in an all out sprint for the finish line. It was a back and forth race and in the last 30 meters, Anne pulled ahead by a wheel and Dee and Lynn threw their bikes for a photo finish. Lynne took the 3rd spot and one of those lovely diamonds! Madi also took a 3 spot and some cash home.

Day 2 was a hot one and our KCBC ladies were on fire!!! Lynn Wilson took 1st in the 123 race, Madison Shepherd took 1st in the 4/5 race and Jennifer Piko fought it out for a 4th place spot and a little walking around money.

As for us men in Ames? We all worked to get in position and with 2 large local race teams running the race, you pretty much get shut out at every turn.

Kurt Wilson and Kyle Guinn were in the cat 3 race. Kyle had an epic crash with an even better landing (I give his landing a 9.8). Jack Mason of 360 racing was also involved in this mayhem. If you watch closely, at 15 seconds you will see an Ames Velo racer bunny hopping the rider on the ground. At 19 seconds it looks like Kyle is going to finish the race with out his bike with jack pretending to be in his open wheel race car and another racer curled up in the fetal position praying not to be hit by yet another bike.

In Ames on Saturday night here is how the placing looked

Kurt Wilson took 17th/35 in the cat3 race and Kyle Guinn placed 21st in that same race. We also had another Kansas City racer in Ames. Aaron Sims from Cycle City Racing placed 18th in the 3 race.

As for the cat4 race on Saturday evening? It was Ian Pepin and myself representing KC/Lawrence. Ian took 13th of 36 and I limped in with a 22nd place finish.

The gents of Subaru racing out of Lawrence KS worked hard in the pro/1 2 race. but were out numbered 7 to 3. Garick Valverde took 4th, Scott Williamson 6th and Jordan Miller 14th. There were 18 men entered in this race. That is certainly respectable in my book.

Day 2 in Ames for the men looked a bit better. Although with just as many crashes as day 1. We all stayed upright. Cat 3 race – Kyle took 14th out of 22 racers lined up. Cat 4, I took 16th out of 35 racers that lined up. Ian did not finish (DNF) do to several attempts at a break away group and very little sleep:) Great effort Ian! The master race was directly after the 4 race and I jumped in with Kurt Wilson who took 15th out of 20 and I ended up with a 16th place. The Subaru team had a better circuit race and put Garrick in 2nd, Scott in 4th and Jordan in 10th out of 16 men that lined up at the start. Well done Subaru!

NATIONALS————————————-

Mark Horn, Bill Smith, Kenny Carlson from KCBC. Also, Mike Harrison from GP Velotek and Andy brown from 360 racing all traveled to Augusta GA for masters national.

The Friday road race looked like a brutal course and took its toll on the crew. Mark Horn pulled the pin, blew up and decided to save his legs for the crit. Andy 9th in the 70+ with Mike ending up with a respectable 17th place finish.

Saturday was day 2 of the road race with Kenny taking 22nd out of 37 starters and Mr. Smith pulling the plug so not to completely shred his legs. These masters races are basically a bunch of ex-pros that can still drop the hammer. It is a painful event and will put you in the pain cave for the entire race.

Sunday was the crit and the boys did much better. Andy 5th and Mike took 9th in the 70+. Mark Horn 25th out of 52 starters. Kenny with a strong finish, placing 17th. In the masters 40-45 Bill raced the crit and tailgunned it with 5 laps to go. He moved up to the front, and was at the front with 1.5 laps to go, being in a perfect position to contend is extremely tough but a gutsy move. As the front of the pack came through the start finish on the bell (final lap), Bill was swarmed, and they entered turn one, two guys in front of him crashed battling for position and took Bill down and out of the race. With a broken helmet and rashed body, he was out as fast as the race started. To be that close and competing at that high a level he has to be happy with how he performed against the best, but it was just not in the cards. Next time Bill!

Mountain Madness?

Looks like KCBC had one racer in the Mountain Madness race. Mr. Pat Robinson decided to move from the cross country category into the marathon category. This tells me that he loves to suffer:) Well done digging a deeper hole to get out of. That is a true sign of someone who likes to challenge himself. Pat finished 5th overall.

Great job to all of those cyclist out there and keep putting on the miles no matter where you are at in you cycling life.

Remember, Every friend you have today was once a stranger!

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