RACE REPORT: Lewis Morris Challenge XC

By: Hebrew Cyclist

This is not the most exciting picture, but it really is representative of my race.

On a weekend where racing on dirt was plentiful, I found myself carefully choosing my poison.  Wisconsin was too far away, especially since I was moving from Philadelphia to Baltimore this past weekend.  The M.A.S.S. Stage race seemed appealing, but I didn't think I'd have the energy for an 8hr endurance race.  So, it was off to Morristown, NJ for the Lewis Morris Challenge, a stop in the H2H/Campmor race series!

Very start of the race, the jersey would come unzipped about 1 second later.......

Now I may have been able to escape long car rides and long days in the saddle, but the one thing I could not avoid was the heat again.  I've never used my car AC so much!  Once I got to the race, I stayed on track by registering and finding a shady parking spot, which was harder than I thought it would be.  With shady spot secured, it was off to preview the course before the start of the race.  Synopsis:  FAST!

Finishing strong after going through a rough spot mid-race.

I did an easier warm-up, making sure not to overheat, and just prior to the start found a person to feed me (Thanks Pat & Pam!).  Lining up, there were about 8 Pros, 2 of which I thought could give me a run for it. Breathing, focused, we start and Ed-C puts his head down and hammers the entire first lap with Maurice G and I on his wheel.  Towards the end of the lap, he dropped us as we decided to ride our own pace, and as we started lap #2 I dropped myself and stopped to smell the roses.  After I came back to my senses, I started riding again and found my rhythm in the heat.  LOTS of pedaling on this course, and not enough difficult sections to help me pull back significant time on Maurice, who was leading the race and Finished with a big 'W'.  Ed-C blew up apparently, and I beat-boxed my way to second place.  Not too shabby considering I was ready to ride the second lap back to my car!  Only one more step to go........

I got to stand on a podium.  Pretty rad!

As always, huge thanks to Giant Bicycles and all our great sponsor:  Oakley, Geax, Intercourse Brewing Co, Stan's, Shimano, Elete, ESI Grips, Hincapie Sportswear, and BikeFlights.com!

Race Report: Massanutten Hoo-Ha! US Cup Triple Crown Finals

Even the rider's kits were tired after the weekend, and spent the afternoon relaxing in the sun.

Wowsers!  What a crazy weekend for the team!  Some of the best racing on the east coast happened this past weekend down in Virginia at the Massanutten Hoo-Ha Triple Crown Finals.  In attendance for Giant Mid-Atlantic were Matt and Jordan.  Also in attendance were some super fast racers from around the country as well as high heat and humidity.  Swell!

Giant Mid-Atlantic rider Jordan Kahlenberg, front and center for the Pro Men's Short Track.

Saturday brought the short and sweet events, with Super-D as the first course, and Short-Track following.  The Super-D course was awesome, starting with a crazy technical ridge trail section and dumping onto a fast, bermed, flowing descent to the finish.  Both Matt and Jordan rode well, finishing 9th and 10th respectively in the Pro Triple Crown standings.  The short track was one of the best courses around, with some sweeping climbs, fast & twisty doubletrack, and big berms split by a short road section through the start/finish.  Matt got caught in the craziness and had an unfortunate DNF, and Jordan started strong and held it to the end, finishing 9th.  Once that race was done, it was off to the showers for cool-down and recovery.  There was still an XC to race the next day!!

Matt Miller ripping up the short track course, making it look easy.

Sunday served up the 12-mile XC course, on which the Pros did 2 laps.  The start was wide open and allowed for plenty of positioning.  Matt and Jordan sat in and saved energy until the double-track climbs, where both were able to move up cleanly.  Unfortunately, Matt suffered mechanicals during the race and was forced to chase from far back much of the race through the all-classes mass-start field.  Jordan rode clear with the leaders at the onset, then settled into his rhythm, finishing 10th.

Jordan zipping by during the Super-D.

Once the results were tallied up, Jordan landed himself 7th overall for the weekend Triple Crown, and Matt was 17th.  Some great results against a tough Pro field!

It is highly suggested that all try this race next year.  With a great course and great promoters, it's a great time for all.

Next up for the team is another split weekend, with Matt attending the Wisconsin stop of the Pro XC Tour, and Jordan hitting the Lewis Morris Challenge, the next stop in the regional H2H/Campmor series.

See you on the trails!

Event Report: Curt's Cyclery Century Ride

Riders starting to gather at the sign-in, early start to a fun day of riding!

This past Saturday was the 1st annual Curt's Cyclery Century ride, at Curt's Cyclery in Nazareth, PA.  Giant Mid-Atlantic riders Matt Miller (event organizer) and Jordan Kahlenberg were in attendance spreading the Giant love to the field of over 100 riders.  With great weather, everyone had a blast completing their share of 10-mile laps.  With $2-per-lap going to the American Cancer Society, everyone in attendance was able to put their enjoyment towards a good cause.  After the event, everyone got a chance to win some great prizes from some of the local Nazareth businesses and re-fuel with some delicious food donated by area eateries.  Thanks to Matt Miller and Curt Miller, the rest of the Miller family, and the crew at Curt's Cyclery for putting on such a great event!

The man himself, Curt.

The incredible tandem duo of Matt and Yi Ming.

Reported: Iron Hill XC

By: Hebrew Cyclist

Martin sure does have a sweet pain face!

Bring on the HEAT!.......... and humidity.......

This past weekend, while Gary was displaying the Giant Blue & White at JORBAfest and the Philly Pro Race, the team was at Iron Hill Park in Delaware on Sunday for the next stop in the Mid-Atlantic Super Series.  In attendance for the Giant Mid-Atlantic crew were Matt, Martin, and Jordan.  The course was FAST and fun, with a relatively flat profile.  But don't be fooled!  There were plenty of short climbs and long false-flats that provided plenty of vertical on the day.  With 4 laps on tap for the Elite/Open field, it was sure to test our legs and spirits on the day.

A Mega-Dip....er....Jordan, entering the Mega-Dip

The start was a bit furious, with people knocking elbows and squeezing in gaps that weren't there, but we all stayed upright and got into the singletrack without incident.  Matt made some smooth moves to make it towards the front, while Martin and Jordan had gotten squeezed out at the start and were sitting somewhere mid-pack in a group of 30.  We skipped the big course feature on the first lap, the 'MEGA-DIP', which was good since that would have certainly caused some havoc with everyone wheel-to-wheel.  One the first climb of the day, Jordan made his move through the group and got clear, while Matt kept steady and held position.  Martin did the same as Jordan, but had to deal with a little more traffic.

This is where the Giant Mid-Atlantic team practices their mega dips.

Now, because of the heat, things get a little blurry, but in the end Jordan crossed the line 4th, with Martin in 13th.  Matt, feeling the effects of last week's scorcher in Texas, decided to pull the plug and save his energy for the upcoming Triple Crown in Virginia (Massannutten Hoo-Ha, June 19/20th).

We've been blessed with cooler weather for many races thus far this year, but today was somewhat brutal early on, with both heat and humidity making their presence known.  Thankfully, our bottles were filled with Elete the entire race and everyone was cramp free and well hydrated!  I just can't say enough about this stuff!

Elete Electrolyte Replacement.  Addictive in a good way!

Next on tap for the team is the Curt's Cyclery Century, in Nazareth, PA.  Then, the following weekend is the Triple Crown Massannutten Ho-Ha.  Word on the street is that Jordan is gonna hit all three races, Super-D, Short Track, and the Cross Country.  No doubt that the Anthem X will be the bike of choice for the weekend!

And the winner is........

Congratulations to Brad Hawkins who is the winner of our first of 4 'Intercourse Care Packages'!!!  New raffle starts today, and ends July 31st!!  Don't forget to enter for YOUR chance to win!!