September 24, 2013

CT Cycling Festival

Steven, Gianni and Mr. Jannke road in the CT Cycling Festival this past Sunday. It was a great experience and training for racing criteriums- fast circuit races that do many laps around a short course. We rode hard for 55 minutes. Mr. Jannke's goal was not to get lapped by the boys, but they both caught him (only once).


September 23, 2013

New Bike Rack

We have a new bike rack, thanks to the LHS administration and the Board of Education!


September 14, 2013

Horner Did It!

The USA Could Make History Today in Cycling

While there are 1000s of bike races all over the world each year, there are only 3 grand tours with 21 days of racing in each, the Tour, Giro and Vuelta. While the Tour de France is considered the biggest race in cycling, the Vuelta de EspaƱa tends to be a more mountainous race. This year's Vuelta is the hardest ever, harder than the Tour. It features 11 summit finishes and 41 categorized climbs (these are hard climbs that most of us could never do). The hardest climbs make climbing Mt. Washington look easy.
Forty one year old Chris Horner from Oregon is positioned to win the entire Vuelta today. While tomorrow's final stage is merely ceremonial, today's stage finishes with a grueling climb with 24% grades. (Have you ever been down a road around here and seen that warning sign for trucks? You'll never see pitches greater than 10%.) Horner carries a mere 3 second lead going into today's decisive stage. While that doesn't sound like much, he has consistently out climbed the others and is favored to win today.

Take 30 minutes out of your day today at 11:00 to watch the end of the race. You'll see the oldest rider in history to lead a grand tour, and you very well might see the first American (without PEDs) to win a grand tour in 30 years. While Horner isn't a specialist at all disciplines in cycling, he is simply an amazing climber, particularly when the ramps are ridiculously steep. He is light, powerful, wise and just a funny guy.

You can watch the race today from 10:00 to 11:30 on Universal Sports, a channel available if you have the right cable package, or you can watch online at: http://www.steephill.tv/vuelta-a-espana/#live. At least try and watch beginning at 11:00. The race is already underway. The Alto de L´Angliru is coming in just a couple of hours. Go Horner!

September 12, 2013

Wednesday's Ride

We did a quick loop with the treacherous Gallup Hill/Wendle Comrie hills. We rode a very fast pace in 90 degree weather. Fun! We ride again on Friday.

September 10, 2013

Monday's Ride

Nice hilly 25 mile ride yesterday up to Griswold. We ride again tomorrow.

September 7, 2013

Rides Week of Sept 9

We plan to ride Monday, Wednesday and Friday this coming week in preparation for the CT Cycling Festival. Meet at the tennis courts at 2:30.

September 5, 2013

Gearing Rules for High School/Junior Races

Apart from a one day license, there are certain gearing requirements for an under 18 rider, if he/she is to compete in an USA Cycling endorsed event. Please read up on the gearing rules. We can consult our local shops for tips, as well.

Fall Clinics

The CT Cycling Advancement Program has offered to come to LHS to run clinics for us to develop various pacing and racing skills. I know many are involved with fall sports, but we will still try to fit in at least one clinic this fall.   cyclingadvancement.com

CT Cycling Festival

We are going to put together a team to ride at the CT Cycling Festival on September 22 in Hartford. Some of the team will do the Citizen's Ride, which is a non-competitive race. This will help riders get accustom to riding a criterium race. We may enter a rider or two in the High School/Junior Race, too. The non-competitive race is 45 minutes and the High School Race is 10 miles. To ride the High School Race, one would need a one-day license from USA Cycling. Anyhow, more to come. Let Mr. Jannke know if you are interested. Also, we need to ramp up the training leading up to this event! For more info on the event, click here.

Ride After School Friday, Sept 6