That same Sunday, five WWR ‘crossers competed in The Iron Cross ultracross race in Michaux State Forest, PA. In cold, dreary conditions this 10th
annual event challenged riders to a 50K option or the traditional, 100K race which
included of 6,500 feet of climbing across roads, fire-roads and double- and
single-track trails. This race has it
all: the Lippencote Trail descent, which can be carnage or bliss depending on
your skill on rocks; the infamous WigWam “run-up” where you feel every ounce
you are carrying; the relentless 4-mile Hogshead dirt road climb where you
climb and climb and…climb (then swear at the dudes who created the course); and
lastly Larry’s Tavern where racers can fuel up with a few brews for the final
descent to the finish. This race is not
for the faint of heart (or untrained!)…maybe it should be called Iron
Will! Andrew Webster, continuing his
awesome cross race season won the 50k!
Truly an outstanding feat – awesome job! LOVE the jersey on the podium! Opting for the longer distance (who doesn’t
like more pain??) on the 100k side of the race, Will Neide, the team’s Iron
Cross veteran, had a score to settle with this course and that he did. He finished with his best IC performance
leading the WWR team into the finish in 28th place out of 108 total
racers; followed by Rob DiSibio in 40th; and Jason Temple – who
battled three flats – in 78th.
In the senior men’s class, Peter Borromao and Dave Jordan battled the
elements together to finish 77th and 78th, respectively. A fantastic way to start the first weekend
of October racing!
Sunday the 14th brought Heather Heinrich and
Justin Rogers to Cherry Hill, NJ, where they battled in the Cooper River ‘Cross. Wedged between the Cooper River and Park
Road, the course zig-zagged over itself what seemed 5 million times. No real change in elevation, one set of steps
that could be ridden, and one set of barriers…and a 15mph wind that seemed to
increase as the day went on. Despite
disengaging the cable for her rear brakes, (who needs brakes?!?) Heather
finished a solid 12th (22) in Cat 1/2/3 – way to Cat up
Heather! Justin came to Cherry Hill
ready to take on his first cross race.
Full of Justin-excitement, he finished an outstanding 25th
(76) in Cat 4. The class will
definitely have to watch out for Justin – he’s got the ‘cross fever!
Sunday October 21st brought WW cross racers to a
crisp, chilly but sunny race day at the West
Chester Cross Classic in West Chester, PA.
The “classic” course, designed by “angry Bob Reuther a local cross
legend and long-time advocate of local cycling, was a 1.9 mile flowing course
with natural run-ups, off camber sections and lots and lots of cornering. Emily White, our outstanding Junior who is
killing it this year, rode strong finishing 2nd (scoring some sweet
swag!) riding her first time with drop bars on her cross bike. The WWR men also had solid finishes: Justin
Rogers finishing 14th (57) and Earl Hunt finishing 53rd
in their Cat 4 race; and Curtis Miller racing Cat 3/4 Masters finishing a solid
20th (35). Despite dropping
her chain and having to battle back Cati Scheifele finished 6th (12)
in women’s Cat 1/2/3. Another solid day
of cross racing in the books for Wooden Wheels.
Ahhhh, the last weekend of the month…here comes
FrankenStorm! On Saturday, five WW
racers took advantage of the calm before the storm and headed to Bridgeton, NJ
for the Independence Cross. This is the old Beacon Cross course with the
"Amphitheater of Pain" with steps up to racers knees, a beach run,
sandy corners, a few climbs, one set of barriers, and a newly added set of
log-overs. It was a fast, dry course
with fire roads and twisty turns in the pine trees of Jersey. It is a course where the right line was
crucial, and if you missed it, you risked washing out or getting slowed down in
the loose soft sand. Andrew Webster had
a stellar race with another 1st place win! Great job, Web! Heather
Heinrich and Cati Scheifele finished 5th and 6th (18) in
Cat 1/2/3/4 – solid! Jason Temple,
competing in his first non-ultracross race finished an outstanding 9th
(55) in Cat 4. With storm Sandy
approaching, some racers took a gamble on being faster than her and on Sunday headed
to Jamesburg, NJ to race in Highland
Park Cross. Although it was dry
with strong winds, you could feel Sandy on her way. Set off the lake, Highland Park is a great venue with a course
that weaves throughout the park with a set of barriers at the base of a climb,
stretches of fast open sections for power and speed, and a couple slight grades
that wear on you after multiple laps.
Oh and throw in a few roots and acorns and dusty corners that can
flatten your tires and take you down in a heartbeat – fun course! Fighting the winds and the course barriers,
Heather Heinrich and Cati Scheifele turned in a solid performance in Cat
3/4. Heather finished 10th
(42) and battling back after sliding out on a dusty turn, Cati finished 7th. Dennis Dischler battled it out in a big Cat
2/3/4 class pulling in a solid 50th. Due west that day, Andrew Webster headed to continue his rock
star performance this season in Star Rock Cross, a new cyclocross venue in
Washington Boro, PA. Held on the
rolling acreage of Star Rock Farms, the race included the typical barriers, and
also a star-shaped field chicane, a sand pit and a wooded, rocky run-up. Web didn’t disappoint, and WON Cat 3/4 out
of a field of 12. ROCK ON WEB!
Not quite ready to stop racing MTB, James Ambagis traveled to Blue Marsh on Sunday, October 14th to take on the 5th annual "Woods to Wonderful" MTB race. This is a great low key race and never fails to have good competition and good prizes. New to the race in 2012 was a four hour marathon race. The course is mostly flat, fast, twisty singletrack, but there is one awesome climb on the backside of the old ski slope that had just about every competitor walking their bike, with the exception of local pro Ryan DeWald. James chose the marathon race and finished 6th out of 9 racers.
