Randy Rodd (Male Model) Superweek 2009

Superweek 2009

Race your strengths. This phrase started to resonate in my head after a Tuesday ride that was anything but easy for me. My legs where toast after the Troy Classic and the upcoming Michigan races (Fenton and the State TT) appeared that I would instead be racing my weaknesses. As I sat talking to Ray about Superweek the idea of heading out there seemed more and more plausible. The races would be to my advantage and it would consist of quality racing with larger money. After finding arrangements for a place to sleep thanks to the generosity of John Coyle my mind was made up that I would be heading out of state. The only question was how many day to race, to which Ray said if I am driving that far I have to do at least three races. Chicago Crit, Racine, and Kenosha also appeared to be my type of races. I was out the door at 5:30 am on Thursday to be at Racine with plenty of time for my 2:00 start but a flat tire on the car caused a change of plans. I got everything straitened away and got into town still with plenty of time.

Racine Cat 3 7/23/09
The course was an eight corner Crit with a final climb into a left turn and then a 300 meter false flat sprint. I discussed the finish with Coyle and we agreed that I needed to be top 3 out of the corner. With my plan in my head I just wanted to see the finish come together in a field sprint. After the first few laps I found myself in a five man break with about ten seconds on the field. This was not part of my plan. I did not know anyone in the break or their strengths but I knew my weaknesses and decided pulling through would be a poor idea for me. We got reeled in mainly but Team Leadout after about three laps away. The rest of the race had many attacks with none sticking until about five laps to go when one guy got away buy himself. When the field sprint came I was in perfect position and made my move out of the final corner in to large of a gear and pick my back wheel up. I kept it upright but it was a costly mistake taking me back a few spots into fifth place in the end. Not bad for my first Superweek race but I came away from it a bit disappointed.

Kenosha Cat 3 7/24/09
A flat four corner course, I could not ask for a better setup. The finish was 350 meters out of the final corner with a fierce headwind. The race had attack after attack but like Racine nothing stuck. Coming into the final lap Leadout had four guys lined up for the train. I saw it coming and quickly latched onto Geoff Kuyper’s wheel. They lead the whole final lap and in the final turn they launched Kuyper with me on his wheel. I made an early move to come around which cost me the win but I was content with second place.

Chicago Crit Cat 3 7/26/09
I took Saturday off after reading the course description and not wanting burn out my legs on a course that did not suite me. I left Milwaukee at 5:30 with little sleep in me but I was feeling good. This was another course made for me, four corners with a short, steep climb, into a downhill left turn with 200 Meters to the finish. My plan was to hit it from the bottom, get a small gap and take it to the finish. The field was large and filled with many strong riders. My previous good feelings went away right as the race was starting. I was very tired for the first twenty minutes but once I got it rolling the final forty minuets went quick. With two laps to go I was in the middle of the eighty man field and had some moving up to do. Coming into the final turn I was sixth and made my move. I went wide of the field but as I attacked someone off the front sat up and quickly veered right into my line. I dug a pedal into the sidewalk, hit a metal barricade but was able kept the rubber side down. My move was quickly nullified with all my matches burnt. I was able to get back in the field and take sixth not bad for almost losing it.

All in all it was a great weekend of racing and meeting new people. Winning some money was nice but the company and atmosphere was defiantly the highlight of the trip. John was more than accommodating for the weekend and defiantly made it a worthy experience.

Randy Rodd

Tree Farm Relay - Novi, Michigan July 25, 2009

Wolverine Sports Club/American Cycle & Fitness Elite Mountain Bike Team Race Report (July 25, 2009)

Tree Farm Relay - Novi, Michigan

Brent Steinberg - Place: 3rd Advanced Men - Time: 6:19:23 "Did the Tree Farm Relay on a last minute put together team. Some muddy conditions warranted I ride my 69er single speed. Roosted 2 laps in some mud and rain and put in the fastest lap of the day. Was a fun low-key event and good times were had by all."

Big M XC – Manistee, Michigan July 19, 2009

Wolverine Sports Club/American Cycle & Fitness Elite Mountain Bike Team Race Report (July 19, 2009)

Big M XC – Manistee, Michigan

Steve Dempsey - Place: 5th Elite Men – Time: 1:53:32 "A dreamy weekend of remote wilderness which frowns upon to remote parking! Great horned owls called in the morning so fresh and clean. The perfect weather unveiled a fast trail with steady climbs and quick descents. Had oodles of fun ripping with everyone and can't wait for the next one."

Bill Clikeman - Place: 7th Elite Men – Time: 1:54:08 "This is a really fun course to race on; good teamwork made the difference in being able to maintain a strong, consistent pace, and gain positions."

Robert Herriman - Place: 8th Elite Men – Time: 1:54:09 "Another great weekend of camping, campfire stories, star gazing, and playing in the dirt. In the race, Bill, Brent, and I worked together taking turns pushing our pace. That was way fun and we were able to gain some spots."

Brent Steinberg - Place: 10th Elite Men – Time: 1:57:14 "Super fun weekend with an awesome elite turnout. Body was a bit sluggish from the week prior, but it was great being able to work together with Bill and Robert. Had a great time racing and seeing all my racing buddies I haven't seen in a long time. Can't wait for Stony TT next weekend."

Amanda Ryan - Place: 2nd Elite Women – Time: 1:54:30 "Never rode the Big-M before, the name sounded intimidating and hills are never my favorite but pre-riding with fellow teammates helped me learn the course (thanks guys!). However, the shorter race loop made for a seemingly fast race and the downhills were tons of fun, as was the entire weekend."

Patrick Russell - Place: 3rd Elite SingleSpeed – Time: 1:34:18 "I played the caboose as riders dropped off until an attack came at the end of the second lap. I clawed my way back to the lead two. I came unhitched at the same point again but couldn't catch back on. Next time I won't forget to pack my climbing legs."

Robert Herriman

Boyne Marathon - Boyne Falls, Michigan July 11, 2009

Wolverine Sports Club/American Cycle & Fitness Elite Mountain Bike Team Race Report (July 11, 2009)

Boyne Marathon - Boyne Falls, Michigan

Brent Steinberg - Place: 3rd Elite Men - Time: 3:42:49 "Fun race. Legs and body felt good and fitness is starting to come back. Rode lap 1 with Jamie Parker then went solo the last 3 laps. The 29er was perfect, and only one leaky tire on the day. Course was changed up this year and it was awesome. It was a small field, but some good horsepower, I was surprised I was 3rd!"
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Mountain Chase XC - Marquette, Michigan - June 28, 2009

Wolverine Sports Club/American Cycle & Fitness Elite Mountain Bike Team Race Report (June 28, 2009)
Mountain Chase XC - Marquette, Michigan

Jay Moncel - Place: 5th Men 30-39 - Time - 1:47:50 "a mass start for all the distances with a ski hill start to spread the field. after ascending we dropped into some amazing single track. i found my rhythm and started gapping people. then we popped out onto a windy road section. i threw it into the big small and put my head down. 2 laps later I was 17th overall at the finish. pretty happy with the result since I hadn’t raced in about 2 years. fun times!"

Kelly Paterson – Place: 1st Women 40-49 - Time: 2:11:13 "The trail at Marquette Mountain had a little bit of everything. Technical single track, bridges over creeks, ups and downs, rocks and roots, dirt and paved roads. I got a good start and rode in 2nd for most of the race. Flatted with 5 miles to go (out of 24) and painfully clawed my way past two gals to regain my 2nd place overall. It was a blast!"

Tim Finkel - A little long for this site, please see his race report at: http://timfinkel.blogspot.com/

Lumberjack 100 - Manistee, Michigan - June 20th, 2009

Wolverine Sports Club/American Cycle & Fitness Elite Mountain Bike Team Race Report (June 20, 2009)
Lumberjack 100 - Manistee, Michigan

Robert Herriman - Place: 9th Open Men - Time: 7:48:01 "What an incredible day. My 5th Lumberjack started out with a busted seat-post at mile 2 of 100, uhg! I had a spare post in my car and after a quick pit stop, I started out again. It was challenging to work my way back through the field from 272nd place, but I just kept plugging along and was simply flabbergasted to finish top 10 in the end. Wow!!"

Brent Steinberg - Place: 63rd Open Men - Time: 10:15:20 "After only 4 rides in six weeks with naggin knee problems, I went to the Lumbo for fun ride in the woods. 6hrs and 75 miles later in 16th, I called it good. Sat around for a while, then finished up lap 4 with my dad. Happy my knee held up! Fun weekend catching up with everyone after being gone for a while. Can't wait for the next one."

Kelly Paterson - Place: 6th Open Women - Time: 9:30:21 "I wasn’t really sure I could actually do 100 miles on a mountain bike. I was shooting for a time between 10:00 and 10:30. I just kept it steady and was really happy with my finish. It was a blast! A too-long pit stop cost me a place, but I wasn’t really racing anyone but myself. Super fun course with rolling hills, grinders and some insanely fun down hills."

Tour de Mt. Pleasant – June 13th & 14th

Mt. Pleasant, MI - June 13th & 14th

Saturday 75 minutes + 2 laps Crit results: 62 starters (27.6 mph avg.)
5th Luke Cavender
35th Alan Smith
45th Ray Dybowski
47th Tom Kachelmeyer
50th Scott Kroske
Also in the race were:
Chris Bogedin
John Sammut
Cory Dubrish

The weather was perfect and the racing was fast, no, I mean really fast! 27.6 mph for 1-1/4 hours on a 0.80 miles course with 6 corners. The race started from the gun and never slowed, the pack was one long line for most of the race. With the pace so high, not many breaks got off the front, and the few that did, didn’t last very long. One rider tried a solo break with 10 laps to go, but was swallowed up before the bell lap. So with the race coming down to a field sprint, the Kenda Pro team lined it up for there sprinter and former Wolverine, Ben Renkema to take the win.

Sunday’s 105 mile Road Race results: 80 starters (4 hours 3 minutes)
11th Luke Cavender
23rd Adam McClounie
24th Alan Smith
25th Cory Dubrish
27th Scott Kroske
29th Chris Bogedin
36th John Sammut
39th Tim Finkel
44th Tom Kachelmeyer
51st Brian Kozeliski
59th Ray Dybowski

Once again the weather was perfect for a long road race. Normally the pack would start off a little slower in a 105 mile road race, but with the first points sprint only 3 miles into the race, things started off rather quick, and picked up speed as we approached the sprint. After the sprint, the pace slowed considerably for the next 10 miles or so. No one seemed interested in attacking so far out from the finish. About 15 miles into the race the attacks started, and didn’t end until a group of 7 got off the front and held a 30 second lead for a while. The pack held them to that lead for a half hour before letting them start to slip away. Many didn’t believe this move would stick considering the distance left to the finish. This group built the lead to a maximum of 6 minutes before the group started to give chase, but by then it was too little too late. The lead group finished 2 minutes clear of the pack. Luke ended up taking 4th in the field sprint for 11th overall.