New Year! New Team!

Big Changes! The Fisher Midwest Road Team is now the TREK MIDWEST TEAM. With a new name, kits and sponsors, we have also picked up some stellar new riders. You can follow us on our new website -- http://trekmidwest.blogspot.com/

another fun cross season, in the books!

g.ferguson

 

Well, I’m both happy and sad that another cyclocross season has come to an end, for me.  I know the IL state champs are this Sunday, and that the USGP in Portland would make a nice combination trip with Nationals in Bend, but after our traditional trip to Jingle Cross Rock I’m “done”, and looking forward to skiing.  Snow tonight!

Of course the next 2 years will be different with Nationals coming to Dane County!

 

State Champs

Took the win in the 45+ Open race, with the normal tough competition from John Miller and Mark McGeen.  Those guys were tough all season, and we had a good battle at almost all the races.  I took the overall too, and really enjoyed the season – and my new Trek XO2.  Sweet!

Did the 35+ race right after the 45+, “just for fun”, as I did in many of this season’s races.  Took 6^th, the last money spot!  Put that money to good use buying some beverages for friends on the way home.  Got 4^th overall in the 35+ Open for the season as well; not too bad for a second race, right after my primary race.  But, usually, by the time I had been racing for an hour and a half (between the two races, which total an hour and 45 minutes, usually), I’d be hoping to get lapped by the Pro 1.2 leader, to help end my suffering…

 

Jingle Cross was fun, as usual.

Friday night, under the lights, was tough, icy mud, and rough on the officials trying to get the scoring right.  Our results weren’t official till some time on Saturday, and I’m not 100% confident they are exact.  But they’re close anyway.  Took 6^th, and was just happy to have not hurt myself coming down Mt Krumpit in the dark (the course was mostly well lit, by Musco lighting)

Saturday’s course suited me best of the three days, and I got on the podium with Tom Price and Dan Casper.  Those guys didn’t  make the podium presentation (after the confusion and delay of the night before they may have just been happy to seek a cool down and some warm clothes, and I can’t blame them), so I took the whole thing!  See the photo!

Sunday’s course was more like Friday night’s, and my goal was to have fun and not get hurt on the descent of the icy northeast face of Mt Krumpit.  But they took out the frozen Mt Krumpit at the last minute (except for the Pros, who raced a couple hours later).  I didn’t quite readjust my attitude in time, and was kind of frustrated with another 6^th place, with 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th place in site on the finishing straight.  Right there!  Bummer.

 

Oh well, it was a good season.  And chasing all those “kids” around in crits this summer helped get the fitness for this old guy up where it helps in cross.

 

Time to get ready for next year!

Oh, and ski a little too…

Ode to Cronus

d.rettig

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D99n9f3vU4

 

Nuf said

 

 

 

 

 

 

who woulda thunk Madison would be a great city for an off-road bike race?

g.ferguson

 

Madison held its first ever off-road bike race yesterday.  Thanks to Team Magnus the event at Warner Park was awesome: great venue, course, atmosphere, and, luckily, fantastic weather as well.

 

Fisher MRT had a strong showing, with at least Matt K, David S, Eric K, Jim M, plus some old tall, hairy guy taking to the start line.

It was both good and sad to see David G there, with his family, as he will soon be moving east, of all things, for some reason.

Even Old Man Rettig made an appearance, although the only carbon fiber he brought with him was in the form of a fly rod.

Fish on!

 

Thanks to Madison and Mayor Dave for being open to this great new event!

 

Maybe Madison could attract some similar, quality events in the future?

another beautiful day for cross in Wisconsin!

g. ferguson

 

Washington Park again saw a fun cross course in beautiful weather.

And I race my new Trek XO2 for the first time and notched its first win!

Sweet!

Matt K, Tom H, and Jim M enjoyed the fine sunshine and fun course as well.

 

Now, the first cross race, even in Madison tomorrow!

Warner Park.  Here we come.

Cronus CX

OTC

The new Trek -- Gary Fisher Collection -- Cronus CX cyclocross bike was designed specifically for this race course in England:
http://tinyurl.com/23w9d82

It will also excel in the conditions expected at the 2012-2013 USA Cycling National Championships in Madison, Wisconsin.

2012 wow - time for cross

d.rettig

Looks like the focus next year needs to be a much later start with a big cyclecross finish. If you are from Madison, you will know what I mean.