octane42.com

Omaha cx weekend, is opening cross season for majority of the people we usually ride with.  I must say Velo Veloce and Randy stepped up their game. Designed a great course and did heck of job whole weekend.  Thank you for your hard work. It takes a lot of time and energy to organize an event.

Day 1

I was quite nervous entering the event. We had good turnout for our class.  I got to line a bit late and got second row at the start line. Not to bad. The start was pretty good. I was in decent position which was improved by 5 guys taking a super wide corner on first turn and letting Jeremy and I get up front.  This got strung out for bit and I was glad I was sitting 3 rd wheel when we got to the maze.  I was able to ride the maze cleanly and i hear a giant bottleneck in back. That’s how Jeremy and I got our gap.   We managed to open it for bit and were closing on Kevin Limpach until Jeremy pull off and I was tasked to bring him back myself.  Which was not happening. At some point guy from south dakota pulled ahead of mean and rode away, and then I notice Dave Randleman on my wheel.  We were riding together and for while he tried to put the move on me but I stock it and was able to get pass him on the open sections. It was setting up to be the sprint for 3rd place and that’s what it was. one second difference.  The ladies choose to put some fun in the maze. Pac-man Style … whacka whacka .whacka

Pacman Ladies

Game over Pacman

Day 2

Right before the race My hub lockup on me. BR offered me his bike, I accepted it.  got to the line kind of last. Last row for the start.   Spend a lot of time bridging the gap and figuring out how to shift SRAM shifters. Let’s just say I’m not that good at it and a race is probably not the best place to learn this skill. I gave up on the front shifting and was just shifting the rear. I know this cost me quite a bit as people where gaping me on the opens with ease. During this race I cam close to being one with Jesus. On the maze downhill I carried too much speed and was in  serious border line nose wheelie/ground kissing mode.  I managed to stay upright and somehow muscled myself into 6th place. Not bad on a bike I never rode before. I would say while SRAM shifting was solid I missed  the index clicks of Shimano.

Super stocked for Dave Randleman after coming close to the podium last 2 race he finally got some $$$. After that it was time for heckling and beer drinking….

hmm beer.

Super stocked for Kevin Wilkins for finishing in the money both days. Also big props to Bryan Redemske and Jordan Ross. Both of them raced something else besides cross for first time. They rode well and took some beer handout like a seasoned pros. The CX craziness will continue at ft. Collins this weekend.

Picture Credits goes to Mike Dixon and Emily Hoesly

p.s. I super excited by everyone’s improvement this year. We might not as vibrant  as some other cities but there is a lot of people who invested a lot of time to put Omaha on CX map

2011 Gravel Worlds is in the books   it was fairly long day on bike, not that hard but just long. The talk even before the race started were the MMR (minimum maintenance roads) would they be muddy, dry covered in gummie bears? nobody knew there was only one way to find out.  The start of the  race was pretty mellow  I would say, we were rolling along 18 mph average for about 35 miles. The first 90 minutes of these things usually seeks to split the group to lead pack and people chasing it.  I was made the break to the lead group.  Until the county rd B. Walking in the mud for about 2 miles i not that much fun.. There was actually some much mud that I managed to knock out my single speed axle to one side.  That was pretty much when I lost the front group.   After that is was in chase mode with James Blake and Kevin Burke. Kevin had some issues with his drivetrain… it basically just blew up under load, I pressed on and rolled in to Malcom all by my lonesome.
There I had choice, I could try to go by myself or wait for some people and try to form a group. Luckily Cornbread, Paul and chap named Trevor we all in agreement. Did promise home made pickles at the next oasis. Lis mom stepped up to the game .

Only thing missing is some Lard, rye bread and moonshine… good stuff in that jar…

Powered by pickles we pushed on forward. Riding with Corey is  nice, we were more in the tour mode than race mode just chatting about life and next year.  We were surprised at the resurgence of Mr. Burke wit his magic gear SS the dude was cruising.

JRA the clouds lifted and it was nice day for sure.

Earlier in the week  I was wondering what bike to ride. Trusty old SS/ or 10 spd  geared bike. Before I get on soap box and shim calls me a poser   (and throws his old secret subscription of BQ at me .) I would say that 8 speed friction shifters might actually work better in crappy weather like this ( not to mention like any internal gear setup)  Rant done…. For all you suckers out there you are missing out… on walking with 25-30 lbs of mud.

Forrest Gumping  the MMR We all look very happy !!

After that It was only short while to next oasis where there was beer and pickles waiting for us. Hmm pickles and beer….

Pickles!!!!!

Beer!!!

After refreshments we mozzied over to finish line. Corey an I split 3rd place… WE actually hack sawed our imaginary trophy it only seemed fair.  Congrats to Shim and EB for riding really well whole day. Thank you PCL and everyone on in LNK for great  event.

Also thanks one of my sponsors, TWIN SIX.  The rouge lantern got sweet jersey for the hard effort good times.

Sunday we hit up Polish festival and  re hydrated

Pic sources are Cornbread, Lis mom, Anita Gammel thank you all .