The 360 Cup Report

Team 360 brought us two days of fine racing in Lawrence, Kansas.  Centennial Park was again the location for this years 360 Cup.  This years course used the majority of the park and navigated around its 18 hole disk golf course.   The course featured many tight switchbacks that lead to long straights and plenty of climbing.  It was a power riders course for sure. 

Some rider highlights below...

Former national Collegiate Criterium champion Mark Smelser put on his game face to win the Men's Cat 3 race on Saturday for Team GP Velotek.  Looks like it is chop growing season. 

Word on the street is that David Wathen is looking for a new mechanic after a chain mishap cost him dearly in the Men's Cat 3 race held on Saturday.

2014 National Mountain Bike Masters 60+ champion  Doug Long proved his versatility as he took another win in the Masters 60+ class only this time in cyclocross.  Heck, we do believe he could win the 50+ class if he entered that. Doug pulled double duty and helped his team with the event and raced. Our money is on Doug winning another championship come January.

Chris Locke navigates around the medical staff in route to 9th in the Masters 40+ class.  The course contained many tight switch backs that caused some riders troubles.  "I never saw so many crashes in a cross race" said Locke.  "It got me thinking about heading back to Hare Scrambles where it is safer and less rocky".

Four time DK 200 winner Dan Hughes won the Men's Cat 4/5 class for the second time this season.  Usually a distance racer Dan is finding this cross stuff is no big deal and usually doubles up with two classes on a given Sunday.

Doug Stone powered his way to another podium finish in the Men's Masters 40+ division.  Here Doug is seen chasing eventual winner Rick Moseley.  These two have been battling hard the last couple of races.

Cow Town's Shane Jones who usually can be found riding his Single Speed mountain bike at local trails brought out his old trusty gravel rig and fought his way to 10th place in the competitive Men's Cat 4/5 class.

Christopher Locke Jr. might have damaged his family jewels on this remount and finished off the pace in 21st place.  "I think I might have to start training some and practice my dismounts before I hurt myself" said Locke.

Not wanting to damage his "Jewels" Chris Locke Sr. decided to ride over the barriers in route to a 7th place finish during Sunday's Masters race.

Cyclocross Racing Heats Up

The 2014 cyclocross season is well underway with two events held over the weekend in Missouri. Both the CoMo Cyclocross Cup in Columbia and the Cliff Drive Cyclocross Classic in Kansas City had heated racing both in the form of hot weather and heated battles on the courses. 

Doug Stone's form is coming along great and it showed over the weekend with two 2nd place finishes in the Master's 40+ class.  Both days Doug battled with Rick Moseley of 360 Racing.  Look for great racing between these two in the weeks to come.

Chris Locke ventured over to Columbia to represent the team and test the offerings that the CoMo Cyclocross Cup had to offer.  Great course and event with night racing on Saturday evening.  Beer and food flowed during the evening of which Locke consumed too much resulting in a 5th place finish on the day.

Damian Almanza  bombed the downhill sections at Cliff Drive in the Men's Cat 3/4 class.  Some bad luck during the race caused a DNF.

2014 Buffalo Bill Cyclocross Report

The 2014 Cyclo-cross season is underway.  The first local event was the Buffalo Bill Cyclocross Race brought to us by the Santa Fe Trails Bicycle and Coffee Shop. This years event was held at Havens Memorial Park in Leavenworth, Kansas.  Havens is a small park located on the edge of town and was last used back in 2007. 

The course has not changed much over the years.  It was hilly then and it is still hilly today.  This did not stop local cyclo-cross racers from coming out to test themselves on the freshly mowed course.  The energy sapping course quickly broke up the tight packs and by the midway point it was only the strongest riders who were able to maintain the pace. 

Pictures can be found the Lantern Rouges House of Photos

Results are up - 2014 Buffalo Bill Cross Race Results

Cow Town riders in action...

Doug Stone started off his season on a new disc brake CX ride and put those brakes to good use attacking the course to earn 3rd place in the highly competitive Masters 40+ class.  Doug put in a last lap charge and passed KD200 winner Dan Hughes for the final step on the podium.  360 Racing's John Jones took the class win ahead of Paul Aldeguer. 

Former junior standout Christopher Locke returned to racing in the Men's Cat 4 division.  "The Cat 4's are really fast, I actually thought my dad had signed me up for the Men's open division when I saw the leader take off and eventually lap me".   Looks like little junior has a lot of work to do as he finished in 16th place on the day. 

David Wathen, who was fresh off a 100 miler the day before, used today's event as a training event.  "I have been focusing on my base, needed to get some time in on the cross bike on a cross course and will now start to add some intensity to my training" said Wathen.  "Last year I peaked early and do not want to make the same mistake this year.  I am hoping to have my racing legs come November and December when it counts".

 A nice sized field lined up for the Men's Cat 1/2/3 race.  Damian Almanza put in a strong race to finish up in 15th place.  "I wanted to test myself in the open class and to put some hurt in this old body of mine.  It was a power course and I was a little down on power, but it is just the first race of the year."  

They say when you get old you start to make poor decisions.  "I decided to race Single Speed today which was not the best idea for a 49 year old".  Despite not having the power to climb with the "Fast" riders Chris Locke took home 5th place on the day.

Wyco's Revenge Mountain Bike Race

Saturday evening is the big day....

Wyco's Revenge Mountain Bike Race
Saturday, August 9, 2014 - 6:00 pm Start
Wyandotte County Lake Park - Shelter #3

A class for all ability levels including kids and ladies. 3 different event distances so anyone can compete.  Great course that is challenging and very fun. Come out Saturday for a fun evening riding then enjoy the post race food and festival atmosphere that only Wyco can provide.

Full Details including, flyer, course maps and updates: Wyco's Revenge

The Olympics only take place every 4 years for elite athletes .  Luckily for us amateur athletes we can compete in our own little Olympics annually.   For Kansas it is the Sunflower State Games.  For Missouri it is the Show-Me-State Games. 

Cow Town Cycling Team participated in both states mountain bike events and brought home some well earned medals.

 Tige Lamb returned from a well earned 7th place at 2014 Mountain Bike National Championships and cruised to 1st place in the Cat 1 40-49 division  over DRJ Racing's  Bob Arnold.

 Tim Greene had a good day in the 50+ division earning 2nd place on the day in the Cat 2 event.

 Doug Stone had a solid ride on the Rock Bridge Memorial Park course finishing up in 4th place in the Cat 1 40-49

 Over in Kansas at the Sun Flower State Games, Shane Martin continues his winning ways taking another win in the Men's Cat 3 19-29 division. 

 Don Martin had has taken to racing like his son and had a good day earning 4th place in the Male Cat 3 50+ Division.

 Jeff Arnaud always rides Perry well and on Sunday he earned 2nd place in the Male Cat 2 30-39 class. 

Wyco's Revenge III Registration Opens

Welcome to the 3rd Annual Wyco’s Revenge Mountain Bike Race. Come challenge yourself to the full Wyco’s Revenge or one of our  two shorter course opens Wyco’s Revenge Lite and Wyco’s Revenge Sprint  With all events you get to enjoy a fabulous evening of riding the super fun Wyandotte County Lake Parks trails and hanging out with your friends.

What is it?: The Wyco’s Revenge is a mountain bike event held on off-road single track trails. The event will challenge participants both physically and mentally.  The final laps of the Wyco’s Revenge will require lights. Full distance participants will complete 4 laps for a total of 60 kilometers miles.  The Wyco’s Revenge Lite will complete 2 laps.  The Wyco’s Sprint will complete 1 lap.  No lights are required for the Wyco Sprint or the Wyco Lite. 

Where is it?: The Wyco’s Revenge will be held on the single track trails of Wyandotte County Lake Park.  Located in Kansas City, KS on the bluffs of the Missouri River.  Shelter #3

W

Registration is now open.  Be sure to register before 7/21/14 to take advantage of the early bird registration fees and to get an event t-shirt.

Event website: http://wycosrevenge.blogspot.com

Masons Midsummer Meltdown v2

The 2nd Annual Masons Midsummer Meltdown returns to Wyandotte County Lake Park this Sunday.  Look for several new trail sections at this years event - a nice climb up OZ has been added along with some new more technical sections added to the course to make it a true cross country classic.  Do not forget to check out the event flyer below.  Start times are 9:00 am and 11:00 am - see flyer for details.

Looking to pre-ride the course before the event?  This Wednesday evening is your chance.  Click on the Course Map link below for details.

Masons Midsummer Meltdown
July, 6th 2014
Wyandotte County Lake Park
Kansas City, KS 

Flyer - Masons Midsummer Meltdown Flyer

Registration (closes 7/2/14) - Masons Midsummer Meltdown Registration

Course Map - Masons Midsummer Meltdown Course Map

Website:  http://masonsmidsummermeltdown.blogspot.com

2014 God's Country MTB Classic Report

A local mountain bike classic for over a decade, this years God's Country race was awarded the 2014 Kansas State XC Mountain Bike Championships.  Normally held in March/April on the Lawrence River Trails the event was moved to June and made a qualifier for the National Mountain Bike XC Championships.

Tropical heat greeted the nearly 150 racers as they not only battled each other but the course and heat.  The key to the day was to maintain a steady pace and keep the breeze flowing over your body to cool you off. Tori Brocket demonstrates perfect form.

 Another way to stay cool on the day was to enjoy some of Carolynn Locke's melons.  

Her melons were really tasty on this day especially with some salt.   10 ice cooled water melons were consumed on the day.

If melons were not your thing we had some tasty donuts.

Our first class to take on the trails and the heat was the Marathon division.  Great rides by all the participants.  Class leaders Kent McNeill and Lyle Reidy had a great battle.  Kent made the trip down from Nebraska pay off and took the top spot on the podium and finished with 5 laps - 50 miles. 

It was good to see so many juniors out having fun racing their mountain bikes, especially the little women mountain bikers.  The future of mountain biking is with them.

The start was up on the Levee.  Each group started in minute intervals.  For some the effort to get the holeshot and lead into the woods is worth the effort.  Others paced themselves in the heat and slowly worked their way up through the fields.

We had all kinds of bikes on Sunday. MTB's, Fat Bikes, Single Speeds and Cyclo-Cross bikes. Chris Thomas demonstrates the proper form on his Cross bike.

There is debate in the mountain bike world as to which wheel size is the best.  After Tige Lamb set the fastest time of the day and won his 3rd straight mountain bike event on his new Giant 27.5.  Word is J.P. Brocket is turning his back on the 29er world and joining Tige on a 27.5.

Without all the volunteers this event would not have been possible.  A special Thank You goes out to Lawrence Mountain Bike Club for getting the trails ready for Sunday's event and members of both the The Wheel Cyclery and Cow Town Cycling Team along with the Midwest Mountain Bike Patrol for giving up your day to allow us mountain bikers a chance to have fun.

Until Masons Midsummer Meltdown .   Peace out.

Picture Links:

• Lantern Rouge's  God's Country / Kansas MTB Championship Photos
• Start, Podium and Candid Gods Country MTB Classic Photos
• Ryan Weaver's God's Country Kansas State Championships 2014

Results:

• 2014 God's Country MTB Classic / Kansas State Championship Results

God's Country MTB Classic - Kansas Championships

Update: 06/20/14

Online registration is closed.  73 riders so far have signed up.  Did not get signed up in time?  No fear, race day registration is available and will open at 8:00 am Sunday Morning along with packet pickup

Art King and the LMBC have gotten the trails is great shape for Sunday's event.  The course will be fully marked by 12:00 pm Saturday afternoon.

Summer is here. The forecast for Sunday is at hot one - 91 degrees and  humid.  Start that hydration process now.

See you Sunday!

Cross Country Mountain Bike racing returns to the Lawrence River Trails on June 22, 2014 with the annual God's Country Mountain Bike Classic.  This years event will also serve as the 2014 Kansas State Mountain Bike Championships. 

Flyer - God's Country MTB Classic Flyer

Registration - God's Country Registration

Course:  Lawrence River Trails

May Mountain Bike News

The temperatures are heating up and so is the Mountain Bike season.  The month of May has been very busy with off-road events.

The Kansas Fat Tire Festival started the month off with another great event out in Wilson, KS.  The trails are like nothing else in Kansas.  Local off-road hero Cameron Chambers returned home to take top honors in the Men's Pro division over Garet Steinmetz and Travis Donn.   Cow Town's Gerard Arantowicz participated in his 10th Kansas Fat Tire Festival with a bike mechanical causing him to get his first DNF.   Full results - 10th Annual Kansas Fat Tire Festal Results

Saturday was the 10th annual Syllamo's Revenge down in Arkansas.  Conditions were less than ideal with rain soaking the course and making the 50 mile event even more challenging (think epic mud fest on slick rocks).  Congratulations to our own Tim Greene for finishing top 10 in his age-group in a time of 7 hours 52 minutes. Some great pictures from Mike Brooks - Syllamo Revenge 2014 Gallery

Congratulations to all participating Cow Town members at Sunday's Dirty Little Secret.  Tige Lamb earned top honors for the day with the fastest overall time of 1:59.  Doug Stone showed some great form by taking a strong 3rd place in the Cat 1 40-49 division with his teammate Damian Almanza coming in 4th for the day.  This resulted in Cow Town taking 1st place in the Team division.  In the Men's Cat 2 30-39 division Cow Town's Jeff Arnaud won over Jason Taulber and John Frigon.  Gerard Arantowicz came back to earn 3rd place in the Men's Cat 2 40+ division.  Complete results - 2014 Dirty Little Secret Mountain Bike Race Results