Bikes Cross Barriers....

Tuesday & Thursday Club Rides This Week

Tuesday night we will be doing Lyons, Tyres and Bowers, Oh My!  And Thursday is a favorite- Four Lakes!  Be there!  Rides start promptly at 6:00 from RRB.  We roll out together and once out of town, we tend to settle into some distinct groups.  But it is a group ride and no one gets left behind.  

The TreadHead Calendar can always be found here.

 RRB- DIY Bike Wash

  Don Thomas has all the tools to get your bike sparkling.  So, Saturday, July 4th, why not stop buy and take advantage of a chance to wash the road grime off your favorite ride?  I'd like to suggest that we first go get our bikes dirty.  Anyone up for a morning ride first?  We can meet at RRB at 7:30 AM for a ride before you head off to the lakes with your families,burn wienies on the grill, down cold PBR's  pool side, go watch stuff get blown sky high, or whatever your holiday plans may include.  

New Heroes 

  Rich and Mike Mennenoh are my two of my new heroes.  The Father/Son duo ground out a 99 mile mountain bike race at Lutsen Mountain Minnesota.  I can not do justice to their stories, but sure either one could regale you with the dedication,effort, commitment and down right fun sufferfest they experienced.  Ask Rich about leg cramps at mile 90 and what you do at that point.  Hint:  The Answer is found on our socks and jerseys!  

 
And I am sure there were lots of TreadHeads racing their bikes on the roads for TOAD, Tour of America's Dairy-land.  Regrettably, I am have no information to post at this time.  As always, I would love to share your results with your Biking Brethren, so please let me know.

But maybe the biggest hero is Mackenzie Wann.  Just a year ago, this young woman suffered a life changing injury.  Thanks to some very neat people, she was able to acquire an athletic chair that allows her access to a variety of experiences that had been closed to her this past year.  my Team Triumph, Wisconsin Chapter has a mission statement to enrich the health and well being of individuals with disabilities by fostering lasting, authentic relationships through the teamwork environment of endurance athletics.  Mackenzie, with her Team of Angels, was able to complete the RAM  Bigfoot Triathlon, sprint distance this past Sunday.  What a near perfect day.

You could hear the joy in her voice rolling past the lake, farms, wooded areas, views she has not seen much this past year.  So many others rolled past and shouted out their enthusiasm for her courage.  I think I can speak for Tara Trent, Ann Clausen, Andrea Pether, and Ross Giese in that it made us feel so proud to be TreadHeads, sharing with Mackenzie what we take for granted.  (And thanks to our TreadHead Media Specialist Frank Ludeke for capturing the event on camera!)  

Mackenzie has her own chair, and even her own TreadHead jersey.  So let's get her out on the road with us.  She is eager to go!  It is an easy process to attach her chair to a bike.  There are some things the cyclist has to be aware of, but it is an exhilarating experience for everyone.

Captain Mackenzie with Angel Andrea Pether

Tara Trent & Ann Clausen were Swim Angels

The Smile Says it All

Captain Mackenzie with her new THC jersey.  

Le Tour 

  This is a great time of year, due at least in part to this perennial classic.  Any one willing to go out on a limb and predict a winner?  A possible podium?  I am at a loss to say who has the best chance to win it and as such, think this will be a great year to follow the tour.  There is no one dominating rider or team, at least from what I can tell?  Why don't you put your favorites to win the GC, or any of the other competitions, in the comments below.  

Ride safe and keep the rubber side down.  

Shut Up & Ride... just thought that needed to be said!

General Musings

It's been a great week and weekend of riding, weekend weather notwithstanding.  But hey, it is weather, and every place has it, yet no one does anything about it!  Think of those who live in flooded areas or the Arizona Desert.  It ain't so bad here, is it?

  We are having a great turn out at club rides.  Let's keep it up, and try to get some new folks out to join us.  I get a visceral feeling that some may be intimidated by the length of our rides.  There is always a shorter option on our routes.  Any of us are happy to help you find where to break off.  And no one rides alone!  It is a club ride, not a race.  Sure some folks will ride fast.  That is a good thing.  And some not so fast.  That too is a good thing.

We have been rolling out as one big group.  Let's continue that practice.  We look good going through town that way, and the visibility is a reminder to drivers that there are cyclists on the roads around here.  And continue to talk to each other.  Point out road hazards, encourage each other, and make sure no one is in need of any thing.

  Some are finding cycling makes them both hungry and thirsty. People are going out post ride, so be advised and maybe keep some non spandex in your car????  And once and awhile in the summer, we are known to kickback in RRB's parking lot and have a cold one and some tacos from Super Mercado.

  By the way, I will be out of the Lower 48 for the next couple weeks.  Stay tuned to Facebook and TreadHeadCycling web page, especially the Calendar tab.  I do plan to offer up my swimming pool for a post ride soak after I return.  I'll let you know.

It Is Worth Repeating

  The National Bike is sponsoring a country-wide challenge for riders to log their miles on their cite.  The state with the most miles the end of summer wins!  Illinois TreadHeads, skip down to the next section.  I am encouraging Wisconsin riders only here.  ;-)   Last year, I am told, Wisconsin was the winner, so there is incentive to defend that title.   I am finding it a fun exercise to track my standing both locally and nationally.  If you want to play, here is the link.  

https://nationalbikechallenge.org/

my Team Challenge Wisconsin Chapter & Captain Mackenzie

  The Bigfoot Beach Triathlon is scheduled for June 28th.  my Team Challenge- Wisconsin Chapter is working hard to help Captain Mackenzie in her first triathlon.  If you would like to help out at the team tent, or volunteer to help the promoters with the event itself, please contact Gayle Harrigan at 262-745-7873, visit http://myteamtriumph-wi.org/volunteer/  or even message Gayle on the my Team, Triumph- Wisconsin Chapter Facebook page.  

Udder Century

  As I type this, there is a substantial group of TreadHeads battling the road, wind, hunger, thirst, fatigue and probably having a damn fine time! 

  And as I return to publish, it seems as if the threat of bad weather deterred most, if not all from the ride.  If I am wrong, share some photos or information about the ride with me.

WEMS Race at Alpine Valley

  Seems we have some gluttons for punishment among the TREADHEADCYCLING ranks.  (More on Mike "The Bishop"  below.)  Greg Clausen took 8th in the Six Hour Solo, while Ray Nelson was first with 8 laps and over 8K feet of climbing.  (Imagine what he might have done with lights?)  Kerry Gonzales did three laps in the Three Hour Solo race.  Jay-Rod Collier teamed up with Ernie Huerta for 2nd in the Six Hour Duo race.  Apologies to anyone I missed. 

 Butch Welke did his own enduro ride traveling to Chicagoland on his Fatty to ride in honor of veterans.  

Iron Man Mike

  

Mike "I rode more miles Saturday than you did all week" Bishop appears to have had a wonderful day.  He rode from Bloomington to Twin Lakes, approximately 167.  The motivation (or excuse as Mike seems to need no motivation to ride) was to honor his father who did a similar ride as a kid.  So, are we to assume the Madison to La Crosse ride the previous week was just a warm up Mike?  

Folks, do NOT let him pick the club ride routes!  We will never be back before dark!  Seriously, great job Mike.  You are an inspiration.  

His & Hers Clausen WORS CamRock Medals

Tuesday & Thursday Club Rides

  We meet, every Tuesday and Thursday, throughout the summer at RRB Bikes in Lake Geneva at 6 PM.  We have a series of routes on quiet, low traffic country roads.  Maps of these routes can be found at http://treadheadcycling.com/ride-routes/

  This week-  Tuesday, June 2nd   Four Lakes

  Thursday, June 4th : Bray Road

  Tuesday, June 9th: Lake Geneva To State Line

  Thursday, June 11th  Mohawk

  Once again we  had a super turnout, and great ride this past week. Lot of new faces and visitors.   We have other routes post on our web page at http://treadheadcycling.com/ride-routes/

  Tuesday & Thursday Weather 

Board Meeting:

  The TREADHEADCYCLING CLUB met this past Saturday morning.  Look for the minutes/agenda in an upcoming email.  

Meet Mackenzie

This past rainy Saturday, a few of us got to meet a remarkable young woman and share our passion for cycling with her.  Several TREADHEADS are going work with my Team Triumph-Wisconsin Chapter to help Mackenzie experience the joy and excitement of a triathlon June 28th at Bigfoot Beach State Park.  A special athletic chair is being built specifically for Mackenzie and should be ready on race day.  

The wind in our faces we curse or at least take for granted put a huge smile on Mackenzie's face.  I think it would be great if Mackenzie can join us for some Thursday night club rides, too.  Thanks to Chris Schmidt for bringing the opportunity to our attention.  It put a smile on my face for the rest of the day.  There are more pictures and a couple short videoes on the Team Triumph Facebook Page.  The Swimmers looked like a motor boat.  That too, was amazing to watch.  

  

Race Results

WORS- Cam-Rock  

D. Gage Photograhpy

  As results trickle in.... Heather Rainer Peat was 4th in her age, and 16th overall in the Women's Cat 3.  Kerry Gonzales won Sport Single Speed.  Henrique Lowe finished 6th while Dad, Andy Lowe suffered a DNF.  Greg Spende finished tenth for his age group and 72nd Overall in the Cat 2's.

  Greg & Ann Clausen both earned medals!  Way to Go!

  In the Elite Field, Ray Nelson finished 2nd in his age, and 11th Overall.  Mike "The" Bishop was 5th in 40-44 age group, and 49th Overall.   Jerrod Collier was 12th in his age category, 56th Overall. 

  Again, apologies to those I missed. Let me know, and I'll make amends!   

Some Recent Results from The Road;

Andrea Pether has put up some impressive results;  Remember, she is a TREADHEAD at heart.  

05/30/2015 - LAPT/Trek Midwest Road Race | RR | 19-29
3 / 6	475.76	Andrea Pether	343188		63	ISCorp Cycling p/b SmartChoice MRI
05/25/2015 - Concordia University Criterium p/b Team Velocause | CRIT | 19-29
3 / 9	154.83	Andrea Pether	343188		77	ISCorp Cycling p/b SmartChoice MRI
05/24/2015 - MOSH Criterium | CRIT | 19-29
1 / 7	152.35	Andrea Pether	343188		677	ISCorp Cycling p/b SmartChoice MRI
05/23/2015 - Palmyra Road Race | RR | 19-29
1 / 7	468.50	Andrea Pether	343188		104	ISCorp Cycling p/b SmartChoice MRI
05/17/2015 - Silver Lake Criterium | CRIT | 19-29
3 / 8	133.69	Andrea Pether	343188		462	ISCorp Cycling p/b SmartChoice MRI
05/16/2015 - Wheel & Sprocket Criterium | CRIT | 19-29
6 / 10	237.51	Andrea Pether	343188		593	ISCorp Cycling p/b SmartChoice MRI

Andy Schmidt;

05/25/2015 - Quad Cities Criterium | OMNI
1 / 17	-	Andrew Schmidt	303828		800	Hincapie Development team
05/25/2015 - Quad Cities Criterium | CRIT | Junior | 15-16
1 / 15	125.35	Andrew Schmidt	303828		177	Hincapie Development team
05/25/2015 - Quad Cities Criterium | CRIT
7 / 38	105.40	Andrew Schmidt	303828		239	Hincapie Development team
05/24/2015 - 37th Annual Melon City Criterium/ Rider Development | CRIT
3 / 44	93.55	Andrew Schmidt	303828		248	Hincapie Development team
05/23/2015 - Snake Alley Criterium | CRIT
1 / 42	96.76	Andrew Schmidt	303828		424	Hincapie Development team
05/23/2015 - Snake Alley Criterium | CRIT | Junior | 15-16
2 / 16	118.40	Andrew Schmidt	303828