The experts taking off
Now the sports
And the beginners
Now for some riders making their way through what looks like Rattlesnake Den
Look for me on the trails in a few years!
The first Bent Wheel Bash at Buck Creek this past weekend was a lot of fun. There was a good turn-out and, hopefully, everyone enjoyed the course. Here are the results:
Beginner - 1 lap
Junior Boys under 10
1. Daniel Ramon - 1:29:44
Junior Boys under 18
1. Tanner OBrien - 40:27
2. Caleb Schnatz - 42:38
3. Bryce Prescott - 47:05
4. Austin Prescott - 1:04:14
5. Connor Shoughnessy - 1:29:13
Junior Girls
1. Claire Allen - 51:38
Women 19+
1. Donna Dorsett - 1:31:39
Men 19-29
1. Brandon Annen - 38:29
2. Steven Riley - 44:06
3. Phillip Miller - 46:00
4. Adam Labrie - 47:01
Travis Crisman - DNF
Men 30-39
1. Brandon Rogers - 36:27
2. Lupe Vargas - 1:28:19
Top Five Overall Beginners
1. Brandon Rogers
2. Brandon Annen
3. Tanner OBrien
4. Caleb Schnatz
5. Steven Riley
Sport - 2 laps
Juniors under 18
1. Luke Allen - 1:33:30
2. Devin Prater - 1:42:57
3. Austin OBrien - 1:48:30
4. Cale Maupin - 1:57:28
Men 19-29
1. Josh Brown - 1:28:14
2. Baylor Blessing - 1:37:38
3. Chester Blessing - 1:39:38
4. Russel Kollaja - 1:41:33
Men 30-39
1. Jesus Ramon - 1:40:07
2. Bobby Prescott - 1:49:11
3. Justin Low - 2:00:37
Men 40-49
1. Greg Allen - 1:34:59
Men 50+
1. Harold Brigance - 1:41:22
2. Thomas Harris - 2:03:20
Top Five Overall Sport
1. Josh Brown
2. Luke Allen
3. Greg Allen
4. Baylor Blessing
5. Chester Blessing
Expert - 3 laps
Junior under 18 (2 laps)
1. Teel Atkinson - 1:46:35
Women (2 laps)
1. Karie Mueller - 2:05:53
2. Kay Maddox - 2:31:56
Men 19-29
1. Simon Gonzalez - 2:28:18
2. Jonathon Kiley - 2:30:49
Men 30-39
1. Jason Frazee - 2:16:19
2. Keevin Sharp - 2:19:58
3. Wiley Mosley - 2:22:18
4. Chris Podzemy - 2:33:00
Men 40+ (2 laps)
1. Lance Slack - 1:39:44
Top Three Overall Expert
1. Jason Frazee
2. Keevin Sharp
3. Wiley Mosley
Great job, everyone! We do want to say a special thanks to the sponsors of Bent Wheel Bash. First, thanks so much to the Abilene Police Department for letting us use the academy parking area and for providing so many volunteers. We appreciate it! Thanks to the city, too, for letting us develop and have access to Buck Creek Trails. Our other Bent Wheel Bash sponsors were McMurry, HSU, Abilene Bicycling Club, and BikeTown.
Of course, we have to give a huge shout-out to Steve Stovall, Gary Fraser, and Richard Valdez for organizing the event and getting the trails ready. It wouldn't have happened without you guys!
Thanks again to everyone who rode or helped out. Check back in a few days for some pictures.
...Set your clocks back before you go to bed this Saturday. Daylight Savings Time will be ending for this year. So...if you are riding in the Bent Wheel Bash on Sunday, make sure your clock is right so you're not waiting at the gate for an hour!
Bent Wheel Bash is just around the corner! This Sunday, head on out to Buck Creek Trails for event #6 of the West Texas Championship Series. The entrance for this event will be the Police Academy entrance just north of the normal trail entrance. For all the entry details, prices, distances, etc. head on over to www.americancycling.org and click on Bent Wheel Bash web page.
For those of you interested in pre-riding the course, the gate to the police academy will be open on Saturday from noon till 6 pm. The gate will be locked at 6, so give yourself enough time to ride and get out of the academy parking lot by 6. There will be no pre-riding the morning of the race, but the gate will open at 7:30am for those needing to register. Registration will take place under an awning in front of the Academy building. If it's cold, registration will be inside the building.
Since the race will be going on all Sunday morning, the normal entrance to Buck Creek Trails will be locked until the race is over. It should be opened back up around two that afternoon.
If you have any questions feel free to contact us!
It was a beautiful afternoon to be out at the trails! Thanks to everyone who came out to ride and to everyone who came out to watch. We had quite a fun bunch out at the trails. Without further ado, here are the results:
1. Jason Frazee - 24:38
2. Josh Brown - 25:45
3. Aaron Barr - 26:16
4. Gary Fraser - 27:12
5. Greg Allen - 27:42
6. Luke Allen - 28:06
7. Baylor Blessing - 28:46
8. Jonathan Kiley - 29:36
9. Jim MacDonald - 29:52
10. Steve Stovall - 31:06
11. Brandon Rogers - 31:38
12. Mike Sparks - 32:26
13. Cameron Moore - 33:47
14. Danny Ellison - 36:28
15. BJ Baldridge - 43:41
16. Bill Leach - 43:44
Jason - thanks for putting everyone else to shame.
Aaron - you finally beat Gary! Don't plan on that happening real often. :)
Luke - keep trying - you'll catch your dad one of these days.
This time trial was the route that the beginners will ride at next weekend's race. So, if anyone noticed anything that can use a little help, make sure and let us know.
Check back in the next day or so for a schedule of pre-ride times for next weekend's race.
It's time trial time! Come on out to the trails this afternoon and test your speed on the 7 mile route. Remember, go to the police academy parking lot this time. It is just north of the normal entrance to Buck Creek Trails. The next entrance on the right to be exact. Sign-up for the time trial will begin at 3:30 with the first rider taking off at 4:00. There is no fee to participate. Just come on out and have fun!
There are a couple events just around the corner for those who like to ride off-road.
First, there will be a time trial at Buck Creek this Saturday, October 25. It will start at 4:00 pm. There is no fee to enter. Just come on out, see how you do on the trail, and have fun! There will be water and Gatorade provided for you. ***The start area will be different than usual!*** Instead of entering the trails at the normal entrance, keep driving on East Lake Road and take the next entrance on your right (north of Buck Creek Trails). This will take you into the police academy parking lot. They are letting us use the parking lot for this time trial as well as for the next event. The time trial will start from their parking area - not from where past time trials have begun. This time trial will be about 7 miles long. We do have to be out of the parking area by 6, so you'll still have plenty of your Saturday night left after the time trial finishes. Come on out and give it a whirl!
Second, the West Texas Mountain Bike Series will have the Bent Wheel Bash at Buck Creek on Sunday, November 2. There are three different categories to race in: beginner, sport, and expert. Beginner men/women race 7 miles, sport men/women race 18 miles, and expert men/women race 27 miles. There is an entry fee of $15 for beginner, $25 for sport, and $30 for expert. Also, you have to have an ACA license to race. A one-day license can be purchased at registration for $10. Beginners 18 and under race free except for their license. Registration the day of the event will begin at 8 am and close 30 minutes prior to the event. Experts will race at 9:30 am. Sports will race at 9:35 am. Beginners will race at 9:40 am. There are awards for this event. The beginners will get medals 3 deep. The sports will get 33% payback 3 deep. The experts will get 100% payback 3 deep. We know there are a lot of you who ride Buck Creek. Come on out and see how you stack up against the competition!
Just a reminder that tonight is the night for Mountain Biking 101. It's beautiful outside so riding should be great tonight! Also, remember that tonight and next week will be the last two weeks for Mountain Biking 101 before we take our winter break. Hope to see ya there!
...that there is a benefit ride this Saturday to help support Christian Homes of Abilene. Meet at the Cisco Junior College parking lot for registration. Registration will begin at 7 am and the ride will start at 8:45. There is a 58 mile route as well as a 5 mile family route. For those riding in the 58 mile ride, the entry fee is $20. For the 5 mile ride, the entry fee is $10 per bike. So, if you have little ones in a trailer, there is no charge for them. The entry fee for both routes covers the ride, lunch, a t-shirt, and a concert at Prime Time. There will also be a kiddie crit of sorts at the Prime Time go-cart track. So, come on out on Saturday, bring the kids, and support a great cause. Hope to see ya there!
The fall TMBRA series began at the end of August and several folks from around here got to go to the first event. It was held at Camp Eagle down in Rocksprings on August 30-31. Here are the results:
Cat 2 Men, 15-18
4. Luke Allen
Cat 2 Men, 40-49
10. Greg Allen
Single Speed Men, 1-99
4. Jason Frazee
Cat 3, Women, 11-12
2. Claire Allen
Super D, Cat 1 Men, 30-39
1. Jason Frazee
Good job everyone!
If you have any pictures from the event that you want to share on the blog, just let us know. We'll be updating the blog on the next few TMBRA events soon.
We got a bit of rain last night! Unfortunately, the rain left the trails a bit soggy, so we'll need to forego the Mountain Biking 101 for tonight. Have a great Monday and hope to see you out there next week.
Hey, everyone - there is a fun event coming up in just two weeks. Wheels for Life is an event for everyone on wheels - bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks - if it has wheels, it can take part! Wheels for Life will benefit Christian Homes & Family Services. Christian Homes is an adoption agency here in town that has provided adoption services and foster care for over 40 years now.
Wheels for Life will start at Prime Time. There will be routes for cyclists and vehicles to follow. Cyclists will have two routes to choose from. One is 50+ miles and the other is 6-8 miles (a good one for the whole family). There will also be a fun bike ride for the kids - on the go-cart track at Prime Time. Think criterium for kiddoes.
Meet out at Prime Time on Saturday, October 18 at 7 am for bicycle registration. The entry fee is $20 which includes lunch, a concert, and a t-shirt. For more information check out their website at www.christianhomes.com .
Yes - it is rather late notice, but the trails are rideable so we ARE going to have Mountain Biking 101 tonight. We will be ready to go at 5:30 this evening. Meet in the parking area at Buck Creek Trails and bring your bike, helmet, and bug spray. Remember, this is for kids, but parents are welcome to join in the fun. We would love to see you out there!
Well, everyone, the trails are wet. Very wet. Unfortunately, that means that Mountain Biking 101 is postponed until the trails dry out. We'll keep checking the trails and let you know when they are dry enough to ride.
Well, the days are slowly getting shorter which means the group rides will be ending soon. We'll have a few more weeks of the normal ride schedule before taking a break for the winter. Our last week of group rides for this year will be the week of September 22-25. So, if you haven't joined us yet, come on out for the last few weeks. Remember - easy ride on Monday night, moderate ride on Tuesday, and fast ride on Thursdays. Check out the group ride link on the left if you need more details.
Well, apparently trying to schedule Mountain Biking 101 brings rain. Unfortunately, the rain we got this afternoon has left standing water at the trails. Not a good thing for parking in the dirt parking area, let alone actually riding. So...let's try again next week! Until then, have a great week and enjoy the fair being in town. Hmm...fair...rain? Any connection?
Just a reminder that Mountain Biking 101 starts its new day and time tomorrow, September 8. We will meet out at Buck Creek Trails at 5:30 pm to ride the trails for an hour. This is designed for kids, but parents are welcome to join in. Make sure and bring bug spray in addition to your bike and helmet. With all the wet weather we've had, there are quite a few mosquitos out there. Check out the Mountain Biking 101 link on the left for more information. If you have any questions, just give us a call or send an email!
Thanks to everyone who came out for the Abilene Bicycling Club's first two-person team time trial this afternoon. Six teams and one solo rider showed up for the event. Here are the results:
1. Josh Brown & Thomas Talley - 22:29
2.(tie) Gaylon Knowlton & Tom Pharris - 26:22
2.(tie) Mike Sparks - riding solo - 26:22
4. Mike Cornelison & Rob Atkinson - 27:54
5. Paul Vaughn & Pat Mullin - 30:35
6. Randy Tollet & Allen Wilson - 31:11
7. Dodie Wooldridge & Travis Crisman - 34:37
Good job, everyone. Thanks for coming out!
Looking for something a little different on a Sunday afternoon? The two-person team time trial is happening tomorrow! The route is the same 10 mile route that we ride every month for the regular ABC time trial. This time, however, y'all will ride in pairs. Each team will take off together and the last wheel to cross the finish line is the team's time. Meet in the Mueller parking lot on FM 18 at 2:00 pm for sign-up. The first pair will take off at 2:30. Grab a partner and meet us out there!
For those who haven't been before, head out Hwy 36 toward the airport. Before you get to the airport, hang a left on FM 18. (Tige boats is on that corner.) Drive a little over a mile and Mueller will be on your right.
Like always, if you have a question, give us a call or drop us an email.
Another time trial has come and gone! There was another great turnout tonight. Thanks to all who showed up and rode! Here are the results:
1. Thomas Talley - 21:53
2. Richard McLamore - 23:32
3. Josh Brown - 24:04
4. Paul Patterson - 24:19
5. Mike Geranis - 24:48
6. Mike Cornelison - 26:36
7. Chuck Patton - 26:39
8. David Doyle - 27:05
9. JR Brock - 27:08
10. Patrick Stevenson - 28:11
11. J Wilson - 28:17
12. Travis Crisman - 28:25
13. Chad Thompson - 28:30
14. Rob Atkinson - 28:34
15. Daniel Phillips - 29:46
16. Paul Vaughn - 30:15
17. Adam Gerow - 30:23
18. Joel Whittemore - 30:40
19. Sam Jones - 31:00
20. Justin Brantely - 31:55
21. Manuel Cortez - 32:48
Thanks again for coming out to ride. Remember the team time trial on Sunday. Check back for a blurb about that later.
Hey, everyone - remember that there is an ABC time trial tonight! Meet at Mueller parking lot on FM 18 at 6:00 to sign up. The first rider will take off at 6:30. Remember to bring a canned good for your entry fee. All the canned goods go to the Food Bank. If you have any questions give us a call or send us an email. Hope to see you there tonight!
Are you looking for an alternative sport for your kids to participate in? Have we got the answer for you! Come on out to Buck Creek Trails and join us for Mountain Biking 101 - a beginner/intermediate level mountain bike class for kids. Kids of all ages are welcome as long as they can safely and confidently ride without training wheels. They just need a bike in good working condition and a helmet.
This class has been going on all summer, but now that school is back in session, the meeting time has been changed. We will meet out at Buck Creek Trails on Mondays from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. This will begin on Monday, September 8 and will continue until the end of October at which point it will be too dark for the kids to be riding out there at night. We'll take a break then and meet back up in the spring sometime. There is no charge to be a part of this class, but you will need to be a member of Abilene Bicycling Club in order to have access to Buck Creek Trails. This is a minimal fee of $15 per calendar year which covers your entire immediate family. Membership forms are available at BikeTown.
This is not a drop-off type of class. A parent/guardian must be present. Of course, parents are welcome to bring their bikes and join in the fun!
Questions? Send us an email or give us a call.
Several Abilene women took part in the Iron Girl triathlon and AquaBike in Irving last month. The triathlon consisted of a 500 meter lake swim, 20K bike, and a 5K run. The aqua bike consisted of the swim and bike without the run. The Abilene contingent made quite a good showing, and sent us some pictures to post.
Abilene girls at Iron Girl
Carey making the transition
Charlette en route
Here are the results I have:
Carey Thompson - finished the triathlon in 1:35:22.
Charlette Sqyres - finished the triathlon in 1:39:24. It was her first triathlon.
Emily McDonald - finished the aquabike in 1:19.
Way to go, ladies! Y'all did awesome!
Just a reminder that this Monday morning, August 18th, will be the last time for the Monday morning group road ride. After this one, we'll take a break until spring. Just remember to check the weather before meeting at the zoo. If it is raining like forecasted, we won't go. The evening rides will continue for a few more weeks.
Hey, everyone - if you haven't had a chance to make it out to one of our group rides, now's the time to do it! We have about six weeks or so left of organized rides before it will be getting dark by the end of the rides. That is when we stop the rides until next spring. So, come on out and join us while you still can! Look at the links to the left to find out more about each night's ride. We'll let you know when the final week of group rides will be sometime in September.
Tonight was the night for the monthly road time trial out by the airport. We had quite a few show up tonight. Here are the results:
1. Thomas Talley - 22:24
2. Richard McLamore - 23:52
3. Josh Brown - 24:50
4. Paul Patterson - 24:52
5. Mike Geranis - 25:25
6. Greg Allen - 25:51
7. Chuck Patton - 26:52
8. David Doyle - 26:57
9. Dan Brower - 27:43
10. Baylor Blessing - 28:32
11. Chad Thompson - 28:37
12. Allen Wilson - 28:51
13. Travis Crissman - 29:04
14. Charles Churchville - 29:05
15. Mike Cornelison - 29:15
16. Brian Muri - 29:47
17. Joel Whittemore - 29:56
18. Rob Atkinson - 30:42
19. Brandi Kaufmann - 32:20
20. Larry Ford - 36:10
21. Luke Allen - DNF
Great job, everyone! Remember - next month will be the last ABC road time trial for this year. Make sure you come on out for your last shot at it.
Hey, everyone - we have a few Tour de Gap t-shirts left from the event. We really don't want to have them sitting around, so here's the deal. They are for sale at BikeTown with every last penny of the purchase price benefitting the Food Bank of West Central Texas. They are $10 apiece. If you buy one, you will need to pay with check or cash. Sorry - no credit or debit cards. Checks need to be made out to the Food Bank of West Central Texas, not to BikeTown. At the moment, we have L, XL, one XXL, and 2 youth mediums. Come on in and get a cool t-shirt and support a good cause!
Another beginner workshop is coming up soon. If you haven't had the chance to get to one of these free workshops in the past, mark your calendar for Saturday morning, August 16 at 9:00 am. Come on in to the store and spend some time listening to Gary share some of his tips about bike maintenance as well as some tips for those emergency, on-the-road repairs. Bring your bike with you because you will be practicing what you're learning! This is not a sit still and listen type of class. Be ready to get some hands-on practice while learning from a mechanic with years of experience.
There will be coffee and some sweet morning treats provided. There is only space for 4 or 5 people at this workshop, so make sure you let us know soon if you want to participate. Use the email link at the bottom of the page to reserve your spot.
I think we are finally recovered from all the planning and implementing of the 2008 Tour de Gap. Now that we can catch our breath, we are already looking to next year's event. Which leads us to some questions. Are there any things that stood out to you about this year's Tour de Gap? What did you like? What would you like to see done differently? Were there some volunteers that were especially helpful to you? We would love to hear what you have to say!
Generally, I have my camera with me at all the events I attend, but for some reason on Saturday the camera never made it out of the bag. If you have some pictures from the Tour de Gap that you would like to share, use the email link at the bottom of the page and send them to us. Until then you can find some great pics of the event at http://www.reporternews.com/news/2008/jul/26/heated-competition/ . There is a gallery of shots at this link as well as a short video clip.
Check back throughout the next few days for more Tour de Gap posts.
The 2008 Tour de Gap happened today. It was a hot day out there, but lots of riders came out to ride and have fun. Thanks to everyone who helped, sponsored, and rode. More info about the day will be coming, but for now I am Tour de Gapped out and plan on sleeping for about the next 48 hours. Come back and check here for updates in the next day or two, and until then, if you were one of the 70 mile riders your race results are posted at http://www.cadencesportsonline.com/ . Check it out.
Can you believe it? It is time for the 2008 Tour de Gap! Come on out and join us this Saturday, July 26 at the Old Settler's Reunion Grounds in Buffalo Gap. There is a distance for everyone, from a nice 10 mile ride up to a 70 mile race. There will be prizes awarded to the top 3 in each age category of the 70 mile race, and raffles for all the other routes. For the top 70 milers, there will be heart rate monitors, cycling shorts, or sunglasses. The raffles will have all sorts of various, fun, cycling items. But...to have a chance at any of them, you have to come out and ride! It costs $30 to register the day of the ride, and that registration fee will go directly to the Food Bank of West Central Texas. Talk about a great deal! You'll have a fun ride and help people who need it. Oh - as an added bonus, children age 14 and under ride free with a paying adult. Just remember that the key word is with. Kids need to ride with an adult. And, of course, helmets are required. No helmet - no ride.
Registration starts at 6:30 am. Lining up for the ride and all those pre-ride announcements everyone needs to hear will start at 7:50am. Then the first route will be off at 8am! There will be plenty of rest stops along the way as well as food when you finish. Yum!
We're looking forward to seeing everyone out there!
A big congratulations to Claire, Luke, and Gary on their results at the USA Cycling National Mountain Bike Championship. They all did great and two of them made it onto the podium.
In the junior women 10 & under age division, Claire brought home 3rd place. In the junior men 13-14 age division, Luke placed 10th. And in the beginner men 40-49 age division, Gary brought home 5th place. Wow - way to go, guys!
We'll get some pictures posted from nationals as soon as we can.
Thanks to the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, anyone coming from out of town for the Tour de Gap can take advantage of some special hotel rates. Just tell them that you are in town for the Tour de Gap. Here are the hotels that are participating:
Abilene Whitten Inn, Expo 840 E. Bus 20, 325-677-8100; 800-880-7666
Restaurant and Lounge, Outdoor Pool
$79 Flat
2-cooked-to-order breakfasts per room
Abilene Whitten Inn, University1625 Hwy. 351, 325-673-5271
Airport Shuttle, Outdoor Pool, 2-Wheelchair accessible rooms
$79 Flat
Continental breakfast
Best Western Abilene Inn & Suites 350 I-20 West, 325-672-5501
Outdoor Pool, 4-Wheelchair accessible rooms
$89.99 Single/Double, $94.99 Triple, $99.99 Quad
Continental breakfast
Civic Plaza Hotel 505 Pine St., 325-676-0222; 800-588-0222
Restaurant, Outdoor Pool, 2-Wheelchair accessible rooms, 1-with roll-in shower
$65 Quad
2-cooked-to-order breakfasts
Regency Inn & Suites 3450 S. Clack, 325-695-7700; 800-676-7262
Restaurant and Lounge, Airport Shuttle, Outdoor Pool, 2-Wheelchair accessible rooms
$69 Flat
Continental breakfast
If you are coming in from out of town for the event or know someone who is, give these hotels a call!
Just a reminder to everyone that the Tour de Gap is just around the corner. Mark your calendars for July 26 and plan on being out at the Old Settler's Reunion Ground in Buffalo Gap. There really is a ride for everyone, so bring the whole family and help support a good cause. Remember - all the proceeds go to the Food Bank of West Central Texas. So, come on out, have a great morning on your bike, have a fun experience close to home, and help people in our community all at the same time.
If you haven't done so already, check out the registration flyer here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3467325/Tour-de-Gap-Registration-Flyer-2008
Can't wait to see you there!
Some people we know are heading out of town - to the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championship in Mt. Snow, Vermont!
Want to join a nice leisurely ride around downtown Abilene? Meet at Monk's at 8:30 Saturday morning and cruise around the downtown area. Check out the farmer's market and just have fun!
No, you don't have to have a Townie to participate. Just plan on a nice relaxing pace. Bring the kids and let them ride, too - on their own bikes or in a trailer behind yours!
Lots of folks from around here participated in at least one of the TMBRA spring series races. For those of you new to this, TMBRA stands for Texas Mountain Bike Racing Association. TMBRA holds a series of races every fall and spring in different venues all over the state. Mountain bikers from all over Texas come and compete in these events. There are several different levels riders can choose to compete in, from the age 10 and under beginner kids all the way up to semi-pro (one level under professional). At these races, if you place in the top few spots in your category, you can qualify for the national race held in July. This year's nationals take place on July 16-20 in Mt. Snow, Vermont. And would you take a look at this! The following list is all the riders from Abilene who qualified for the national competition.
Women Juniors 10 and under
Claire Allen
Maggie Allen
Women Beginner 30-39
Brenda Andress
Men Junior 10 and under
Troy MacDonald
Men Junior 13-14
Luke Allen
Gary Tadvick
Jack Tadvick
Men Beginner 19-24
Baylor Blessing
Men Beginner 25-29
Aaron Andress
Men Beginner 30-39
Len Tadvick
Men Beginner 40-49
Gary Fraser
Jim MacDonald
Men Sport 25-29
Andrew Andress
Josh Brown
Men Sport 35-39
JR Ramon
Men Sport 40-49
Greg Allen
Men Sport 50+
Michael Sparks
Men Single-Speed Open
Jason Frazee
Congratulations everyone! You guys did fantastic! Check back for an update on who is actually making the trip to compete at nationals in Mt. Snow, Vermont.
The TMBRA series finished up in May with several of our local people placing well in the overall standings. To be eligible for the final standings, riders had to participate in at least 4,5, or 6 of the 8 races (depending on which category they rode). Here are how the Abilene crew finished. (I only listed those who were eligible for final standings.)
Junior Men, 13-14
1. Luke Allen
Beginner Women, 1-10
1. Claire Allen
7. Maggie Allen
Beginner Men, 40-49
5. Jim MacDonald
Sport Men, 50-99
10. Michael Sparks
Here are the results for the final race of the TMBRA spring series. It took place at the X-Bar Ranch, just outside of El Dorado on May 18th. Once again, folks from around here had a good showing. Take a look at the results and some pictures from the event.
Jason is loving the swag he won.
Great job, guys!
Can you believe it's July already? Only a few more time trials left this season! We had a good night for the time trial tonight. The wind seems to have moved elsewhere for now, so it was just a normal, hot July evening in West Texas. A great time to be on a bike. All right - on to the results:
1. Thomas Talley - 21:52
2. Richard McLamore - 24:06
3. Josh Brown - 24:33
4. Jason Frazee - 24:39
5. Greg Allen - 25:32
6. Paul Patterson - 25:37
7. JR Brock - 26:35
8. John Sharp - 27:12
9. Chuck Patton - 27:15
10. Mike Cornielison - 27:54
11. Allen Wilson - 29:30
12. Travis Crisman - 29:41
13. Baylor Blessing - 29:51
14. Manny Cortez - 32:42
15. Ronny Koehn - 33:02
16. Adam Gerow - 33:09
17. Joel Whittemore - 33:19
18. Larry Ford - 36:02
Prior to tonight, the fastest time trial this season was finished in 23:34. Great ride tonight, Thomas! Must be the helmet. :) It's impressive how much everyone's times are coming down. Keep up the great riding and see ya out there next month!
Here is the route map for this year's Tour de Gap. Remember - there is construction going on, so the 70 mile route looks a little different from years past. There are two different maps. One shows the 10, 25, and 48 mile routes. The other shows the 70 mile race.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3768961/Tour-de-Gap-Maps-2008
Thanks, everyone! The annual Abilene Reporter News Reader's Choice Awards came out this weekend, and BikeTown was again chosen as the best bike shop in Abilene. We appreciate everyone voting for us. We love it when our customers are happy with their BikeTown experience. We just love getting out and riding our bikes and are so excited to help others enjoy it too!
In celebration of our award, we are offering a great deal. If you come in the store this week (June 30-July 5), and mention that you read about our award on the blog, you can get any jersey or short for 50% off. So, if you have been thinking that it is time for some new cycling clothes - now's the time!
There will be a bike maintenance clinic at the store this Saturday, June 28, at 9:00 am. Gary will be taking you through some things you need to know about your bike, including changing flats, emergency repairs when you're out on the road, etc. There is no charge, but you do need to reserve a spot if you plan to attend. There are still some slots available, so if you are interested in hearing what Gary has to say, leave us a comment, give us a call, or send us an email.
The Tour de Gap this year will once again have 4 route lengths to choose from: 10 miles, 25 miles, 48 miles, and 70 miles. Due to road construction, the 70 mile route will change slightly from years past. We will have an updated route map in the next week or so, so check back here to see the 2008 routes.
The Tour de Gap is fast approaching! Mark your calendars for July 26 and come out and join us for a great ride through and around Buffalo Gap. And, of course, all proceeds will benefit The Food Bank of West Central Texas. You get to have a great time on your bike AND help a good cause! What a great way to spend a Saturday!
For the registration flyer, follow this link:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3467325/Tour-de-Gap-Registration-Flyer-2008-
Right above the flyer there is an ipaper arrow. Click on it and you will then have the option to print it out. The more the merrier so print it out and send it in!
Tonight, it was time once again for the monthly road time trial. Kudos to all who showed up tonight with the wind howling like it was. If the times seem a touch slower that normal, that's because the wind was gusting around 40 miles per hour. At least the way back in on Hwy 36 was enjoyable! Enough talk - here are the results.
1. Thomas Talley - 25:08
2. Josh Brown - 26:07
3. John Paul Barrandey - 27:59
4. Greg Allen - 29:59
5. JR Brock - 30:46
6. Chuck Patton - 31:13
7. Don Dunston - 32:44
8. Charles Churchville - 34:17
9. Baylor Blessing - 34:28
10. Travis Crissman - 35:11
11. Mike Cornielison - 36:21
12. Joel Whittemore - 40:24
13. Danny Barnes - 49:23
Good job, everyone. Can't wait to see how next month goes!
All right - the next TMBRA race in the series took place in Coldspring on May 4. No pictures for this one, but here are the results:
Beginner Women, 1-10
1. Claire Allen
3. Maggie Allen
Beginner Men, 13-14
1. Luke Allen
Sport Men, 40-44
18. Greg Allen
Sport Women, 30-39
5. Brenda Andress
Once again - good job, y'all!
The Tadvic crew
Jason lining up for his race
Luke riding along
Jason on the course
Baylor's not sure if he's having fun yet
At this point Jim is still having fun
After two flats, Jim's just glad to see the finish line
Go, Luke!
Great job, Maggie!
The race at Comfort was a lot of fun and finished just in time. By the end of the awards, the cold wind and rain clouds had blown in. Glad the weather held off as long as it did!
Great job to everyone who showed up. Can't wait to see how we do out there next year!
All right - here are the results for the next TMBRA race in the spring series. This race was held just outside Austin on April 13.
Beginner Junior Women, 1-10
1. Claire Allen
7. Maggie Allen
Beginner Women, 30-39
4. Brenda Andress
Beginner Junior Men, 13-14
1. Luke Allen
Sport Men, 19-29
9. Andrew Andress
12. Josh Brown
Sport Men, 35-39
9. JR Ramon
Sport Men, 50-99
7. Michael Sparks
From what I hear, this was a pretty rocky, rough course. Good job to everyone who competed!
It's time to catch up on the results of the last few TMBRA races. We'll start with the Warda race. This race took place on April 6. Here are the results for the Abilene folks who participated:
Beginner Men, 13-14
2. Luke Allen
Beginner Women, 1-10
1. Claire Allen
6. Maggie Allen
Sport Men, 19-29
8. Andrew Andress
Sport Men, 35-39
11. Jesus Ramon
Sport Men, 50-99
12. Michael Sparks
Abilene folks are continuing to have some great results. Let's keep it up!
...because of this:
Here are the results for the ABC May Road Time Trial. Thanks to everyone for coming out!
1. Josh Brown - 24:02
2. Richard McLamore - 24:18
3. Paul Patterson - 24:59
4. Mike Geramis - 25:18
5. John Paul Barrandey - 25:27
6. Chuck Patton - 27:34
7. Don Dunston - 27:38
8. Allan Wilson - 29:38
9. Mike Cornielison - 30:21
10. Joel Whittemore - 35:43
11. Larry Ford - 37:37
All right - the time is finally here. March Madness is behind us, taxes will soon be done, and the weather is just getting more and more beautiful. So...it's time to start up our group rides. Rides will be starting next Monday, April 14. Here are the times, places, etc.
Monday*: Easy Ride (10-14 mph), 10-15 miles around the time trial course - Start at the zoo parking lot @ 5:30
Tuesday**: Moderate Ride (14-17 mph), 17-20 miles, route dependent on road construction - Start at the zoo parking lot @ 5:30
Wednesday: Off-road Ride - Meet at Buck Creek Trails @ 6:30
1st Thursday of the month - ABC time trial - meet at Tige Boat parking lot @ 6:30
2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month - Fast Ride (17+mph), 25-27 miles on Old Coleman Hwy.Meet at Lake Kirby ball fields @ 5:30
3rd Thursday of the month - criterium @ Shotwell Stadium parking lot @ 6:00
* If you joined in the Tuesday night ride last year, the Monday night ride is the one you want this year. We just switched the nights.
** If you rode with the Monday ride last year, then Tuesday is what you want now!
If you have any questions, feel free to email us using the link at the bottom or give us a call at the store. We are excited about getting started with the rides again and hope to see you there!
Thanks to everyone who came out for the first road time trial of 2008. It was a beautiful evening to test your speed on the 10 mile course. Without further ado, here are the results:
1. Thomas Talley - 23.34
2. Bobby Griffith - 25.03
3. Richard McLemore - 25.27
4. Josh Brown - 25.29
5. Jason Frazee - 26.15
6. John Paul Barrundy - 26.16
7. Joel Thompson - 28.32
8. Paul Patterson - 29.01
9. Chuck Patton - 29.11
10. JR Brock - 30.17
11. Neal Anthony - 31.16
12. Allan Wilson - 31.43
13. Baylor Blessing - 33.16
14. Terry Essex - 35.46
15. Joel Whitman - 41.37
Good job, everyone! Can't wait to see how you do next month.
Remember, everyone - tonight is the first ABC Road Time Trial for 2008. Come on out and join us for the 10 mile loop. Meet at the Tige Boat parking lot on Hwy 36 across from the airport at 6:00 to register. The first rider will take off at 6:30. Please remember that Tige asked us to keep the warm-ups to the main parking area, not the roads that lead to the back of their shop. Also, remember to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Food Bank. This will be your entry fee and a great way to help out a good cause! Come on out and see how you're doing on your bike. If you think you'll be too slow, don't worry about it - we just like to have fun and enjoy riding our bikes. It will be a great chance to see how you are doing right now and then work to improve it.
We're looking forward to seeing you there. Check back on the blog tonight or tomorrow for results. Happy riding!
It is Springtime and time to talk shop!
This coming Thursday, April 3rd, is the first Abilene Bicycle Club's Time Trial of 2008. Registration begins at 6:00 PM. Start and finish is at Tige Boat plant, 1801 Hwy 36 near the Abilene Regional Airport. First rider will leave at about 6:30 PM in one minute intervals. This year there is an Entry Fee of one non-perishable food item, per time trial, to be donated to the Food Bank of West Central Texas. It's a great way to help support a good organization! Time Trials will be every first Thursday of the month through September 4th. TigeBoat has asked that no rider go down the parking lot side roads toward the rear of the plant but warm up and preparation is all right in the main parking lot. The time trial is the usual 10 mile loop and all are invited to come out and ride. A good time to see where you are and set your goals!
Group Rides will be coming up soon as well. I'll get back to you on the exact dates we are starting, but here is the projected schedule:
Monday: Easy 12-14 MPH from Zoo parking lot - 5:30 - 10-12 miles
Tuesday: Moderate 14-17 MPH from Zoo parking lot toward Potosi - 5:30
Wednesday: Trail night at Buck Creek Trails 6:30-8:00 (this group is already meeting)
2nd and 4th Thursday: faster than moderate 17-19 MPH from Kirby Lake ballpark to Old Coleman Hwy and back - 5:30
3rd Thursday: Crit night at Shotwell Stadium parking lot at 6:00
We are open to a Saturday morning group ride but would like some feedback from you about what kind of ride, where, time that would suit you. So that means you need to get back to us with some thoughts. We always want to know what might work for you. So, input, input, input about the group ride schedule and a Saturday morning ride.
A little note to those of you who like to ride the trails at BuckCreek. There has been additional trail cleared at the end of Mesquite Forest. A helping hand to do a little more trail maintenance there and clearing of cactus would be appreciated. If you want to help out but are unsure how, just call us and we will be happy to let you know where the trails could use a little "face lift".
Another TMBRA race has come and gone. This one took place in Waco at Cameron Park. They have a nice trail going all over the city park. Once again, Abilenians had a good showing. The results are as follows:
Claire after her race
Nothing like getting cut off and going down hard on asphalt in the opening yards. Better luck next time, Greg!
