October 2012

It’s October which means a month packed with ‘cross races!  Starting off the month was Town Hall ‘Cross, in Bethlehem, PA.  Cati Scheifele wore the Wooden Wheels skinsuit in the Womens Cat 1/2/3 race – her first in this class.  The course was packed with mud and had lots of hills, including the steep finale to the top of the course, dubbed “St. Luke’s Staircase.”  The Staircase was particularly slick and muddy, forcing most racers to dismount and run.  Calling the race “very low-key and big on fun” Cati finished a solid 10^th out of 16 – awesome!  Down in Sykesville, MD that day, Dennis Dischler and Heather Heinrich raced Psycho ‘Cross…a very fitting name as the race is on the grounds of a mental institution.  Constructed in the late 1800’s, the complex was home to the former Springfield Hospital Center, one of the state’s largest mental institutions. Abandoned since the 1960’s, the buildings sit vacant – except for the ghosts that remain.  The course was relatively short, with two steep climbs - which many riders dismounted for – followed by off-camber sections and some shorter climbs, a log over, and a set of barriers.  Heather and Dennis proved their psycho-ness finishing 1^st (4) and 32^nd (60).  Carrying on their crazy weekend, Dennis and Heather headed down to Hyattsville, MD on Sunday to race Hyattsville CX.  Unlike Saturday’s picture perfect racing weather, the drizzling rain & 50 degree cold temps meant a messy race was in store.  The course was a bike handler's dream: spirals and serpentines galore, plus an off-camber "w" section preceding a nice wooded area.  It proved to be a fast course as it was flat with only one small climb.  Heather and Dennis continued Saturday’s success by having great finishes: Heather 1^st (18) in Cat 3/4 and Dennis 29^th (75) in Master Men 3/4. 

 That same Sunday, five WWR ‘crossers competed in The Iron Cross ultracross race in Michaux State Forest, PA.  In cold, dreary conditions this 10^th 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 28^th place out of 108 total racers; followed by Rob DiSibio in 40^th; and Jason Temple – who battled three flats – in 78^th.  In the senior men’s class, Peter Borromao and Dave Jordan battled the elements together to finish 77^th and 78^th, respectively.  A fantastic way to start the first weekend of October racing!

 Sunday the 14^th 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 12^th (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 25^th (76) in Cat 4.  The class will definitely have to watch out for Justin – he’s got the ‘cross fever! 

Sunday October 21^st 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 2^nd (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 14^th (57) and Earl Hunt finishing 53^rd in their Cat 4 race; and Curtis Miller racing Cat 3/4 Masters finishing a solid 20^th (35).  Despite dropping her chain and having to battle back Cati Scheifele finished 6^th (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 5^th and 6^th (18) in Cat 1/2/3/4 – solid!  Jason Temple, competing in his first non-ultracross race finished an outstanding 9^th (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 10^th (42) and battling back after sliding out on a dusty turn, Cati finished 7^th.  Dennis Dischler battled it out in a big Cat 2/3/4 class pulling in a solid 50^th.  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.