Holoween Weekend CX Results

Team Indiebike headed north this past weekend. While Justin and Cory stopped in Ft. Wayne for Spooky Cross Dustin kept on going up, all the way to Ann Arbor, MI. It was another weekend of solid performaces put in by a combination of our most and least experienced cross racers.

Ft. Wayne Spooky Cross was a technical course that featured a considerable amount of single track. Cory had a commanding ride finishing a strong second, ahead the distant remains of the Cat3 field. Justin finished 6th in the Cat4 race, made even more impressive by the fact that he rode 4 of 6 laps with a loose connection between his stem and bars. In a post race interview Justin claimed "it is difficult to navigate the obstacles of a cross course when you cant steer your bike."

Veteran's Memorial Park hosted back to back days of cross in Ann Arbor. Overall the course was less technical but still presented considerable challenges not the least of which were two sizable hills. Saturday's course had the group climbing the first hill with a pair of off camber switchbacks and featured a set of barriers at the base of the second incline making for a long grueling run-up. Sunday's version hit the hills from the opposite direction and was absent the barriers at the bottom. This made for a faster course that relied more on fitness than technique in comparison to the day before. When all was said and done Dustin crossed the line 4th on Saturday and 5th on Sunday, respectable results in a mixed field of Cat2-3-4 riders.

Louisville USGP Cat4 Podium

Dustin proves himself against two racers that aren't old enough to drive a car.

USGP Derby City Cup race results

USGP #1 Saturday Results

USGP #2 Sunday Results

Team Indiebike made an appearance at one of the biggest cyclocross races of the year this past weekend. With two days of racing including USGP pro events each day and fields of 100+ in the amateur categories this was the real deal. The races were held at Eva Bandman Cyclocross Park, the home of the 2013 UCI Elite World Cyclocross Championships. The organizers threw in everything but the kitchen sink. There were two sand pits, one that was about a mile across and another that actually went over and down a hill. There were several deceivingly difficult run-ups including one at the base of a downhill around a 180 degree turn. There was a set of barriers that required an immediate dismount after clearing a three foot dirt ramp. And of course there was the Green Monster, a carpeted staircase run-up with a ramp down the other side. Riders definitely had to bring their whole bag of tricks to get around this course quickly.

Riders Cory Swihart and Dustin Jones made the trip and lived to tell about it. Cory finished 28th in the Cat 2-3 event on Saturday after moving up through a chaotic start and picking his way through several riders. Dustin finished 7th on Saturday after coming back from a mishap in the sand pit and a brake malfunction while chasing down the leaders in third positon. Sunday his fortunes were better as he was able to ride back the early break by team Red Zone and pick off one of their young hopefuls for second place.

UPDATED: ZIPP Factory Cross Clinic

The best cross riders in the country, including national champion Tim Johnson, will be teaching a cyclocross skills clinic Monday, October 25th at 5:00p.m. at 56th and Guion Rd. (across from the Zipp headquarters). Helmets required. Presented by ZIPP / SRAM.

BloomingCross Results

BloomingCross Race Results

Team Indiebike posted some good results in what could be considered the inaugural even of the team's 2010 cyclocross schedule. It was a maiden voyage for several riders participating in their first cross race. All in all, six members of Team Indiebike toed the line on Sunday, with the two top results coming from Cory Swihart and Dustin Jones each finishing 4th in the Cat3 and Cat4 races respectively.

The team heads to Louisville this weekend to compete in the USGP Derby City Cup, an event that will draw thousands of spectators and the best elite cyclocross racers from the US and abroad.

Butler run-up

Team Indiebike practices on a long run-up at Butler Holcomb Gardens

Farewell to Tom

Team Indiebike and friends bid farewell to Tom this week as he heads out to start his new life in Portland with his wife Jill. Although I cant figure out why he would want to leave the Crossroads of America behind Tom has decided to head for greener pastures. Lucky for Tom there is one heck of a cyclocross series in Oregon.

I know we will all dearly miss Tom at races and on our weekly training rides. I know I will especially miss that burning sensation in my legs as I try to hold onto his wheel along Fall Creek Parkway as well as the excitement of seeing him come around me after I have unleashed an all out sprint.

Indiebike cross practice, big turnout

Wow, what a show. At one point there were nine guys at the Butler athletic fields last night for cross practice. That meant plenty of new bike bling. It looked like a herd of red Cannondale CAADX cross bikes running gracefully though a field, except for when we approached the barriers. Then it looked a little awkward. But the point is Indiebike cross is definately a reality. More than likely Tuesday will be a standing appintment for cross practice followed by pint night at the Aristocrat.

A few dedicated crossers are heading to Cincinnati for the big UCI cross weekend. The rest of us will be at the Hilly. The following weekend, 10/17 is a great opportunity to test out your cross skills, maybe for the first time like me, at Bloomingcross in, you guessed it, Bloomington, IN. Check it out and register online. Remember preregistration matters in cross because there is almost always a call up. See you there!

The Wheel

I have seen a spoke break, a rim bend and even crack, but last night was the first time I have ever seen a rim completely snap (in two places). As we were practicing a cross style mass start, out of nowhere Cory's bike collapses and all I see is his body and bike tumble in a cloud of dust. As Cory rolls up off the ground brad yells, "good save!" I guess it was in the sense that Cory was able to walk away, but not so for his front wheel. This is the aftermath. On the plus side Cory's glue job was so good that his tire was still fully attached to the shattered wheel and his Dugast tubular tire was still inflated. As a wise observer pointed out "that's what happens when you mash big watts."