Deep Fried Racing

By: Jordan

For Gary

While racing for most doesn't start until March at the earliest, I decided to shake things up a bit this year and head down to Georgia for the Southern Cross race, the first stop in the American Ultracross series.  For those that don't know, ultracross is similar to a dirt road race with a sprinkle of cyclocross and mountain biking thrown in so as to favor a cyclocross bike.  My weapon of choice:  TCX Advanced SL.  Being in Georgia, this race called for a proper road trip, and my cohort in driving was Mateus from Kelpius Cycling (www.kelpiuscycling.com).  If you don't know Mat, and you're in Philly, you should check out his beard, which is rather impressive.  But I digress.......

Mat and his glorious beard up the first climb. Photo by Donna Combs Garcia.

The drive down was thankfully uneventful, with a midway stop at new Giant Mid-Atlantic rider Ryan Fawley's house (Thanks again Ryan!) for a snooze and snack.  As we approached the race venue on the local routes, we were overcome with a mixture of first-race-of-the-year nerves, churches, and hunger ('twas dinner time).  A quick stop into Northstar Bicycle in town to get our numbers, and we quickly made our way to a swank new italian food restaurant for grubbin.  If you're ever in Dahlonega, GA, be sure to stop in to Piazza.  Our waitress was so excited she even spilled an entire beer on my lap!  After wringing out my pants into the nearest glass, I sucked down the bubbly and hit the sack.

Now I'll have to admit, when I planned this trip I fully expected it to be warmer at the race than at home.  Glad I didn't place that bet, 'cause it was purdy durn cold!  Nothing a few windstopper layers couldn't fix though.  The start of the race was a shot out of a cannon onto a grass 'cyclocross' course through the Montaluce vineyard grounds.  I must've forgot how to start a race, as I quickly found myself go from the front to around 30th position in the time it takes a grandma to say BINGO on Sunday night.  As we traversed some rolling paved road, I set sight on the various chasing groups forming ahead, and as the first big climb started, I was able to ride solid pace, steadily picking riders off.  A brief stop to remove a stone from my shoe was my major impediment, and then I started the first big descent.  WAAAASSSSSSHHHBOOOOOAAAARRRDDDDD!!!!!!

Climbing with the mobile cheering section in tow.  Photo by Donna Combs Garcia

As I hit the rollers between the first big descent and the second big climb, my hands started regaining feeling from the numbing rattles of the braking bumps in the fireroads long enough for me to shift a few gears and pick off another 2 or 3 riders.  Then it was up the second big climb, which was a bit less steep, and more enjoyable in my opinion.  Had to stop briefly to pry a gu from the pocket, then made my way back down the hill for the last time.  At the bottom, it was pavement back to the vineyard cyclocross course finish.  I had some left in the tank, so felt it was time for some pinnin' it on the paved rollers back to the vineyard.  Caught my last rider just before the finish, and finished my first race of 2013 in 6th place (6th in Men's Open, 11th Overall).  I'll take it!

Southern Cross 2013:  Men's Open Podium.  Photo by Greg Rides Trails

Overall, the race was well organized and I'd recommend it to anyone searching for some solid winter miles with a little extra oomph.  But be sure to bring your climbin legs ya hear?!

Riverrockin'

By:  Jordan

Checkin out Jeff Lenosky's stunt comp after the race.

This past weekend I turned south and went to Richmond, VA for the Dominion Riverrock event.  If you love adventure and outdoors, this is an event you have to check out!  Rock climbing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, slacklining, dogs jumping into water, people on bikes jumping on ramps, trail running, mountain bike 'rassin and more!

The dogs were getting some siiiick air!

 The course they set up for the race was top-notch.  Flowing, fast, fun singletrack was the name of the game here.  I was even more stoked to race after I pre-rode than before, and I was pretty durn stoked before!  Some of my favorite portions of the course were the man-made rock-gardens.  They reminded me of Olympic and World Cup courses, but not as steep and big.

After a nice pre-ride, I cleaned up and hit a local english pub for some bangers & mash, followed by a stroll back down to the event to catch a little bit of live music and bouldering.  There's always something going on at this event!

Slackers.......

Race day started with some sleeping in, followed by some packing and eating.  Once everything was back in the car, it was time to head to the race and get serious.  During my warm up, I caught up with some of Harrisonburg's finest:  Ryan Fawley & Nick Waite.  After some spinning and chatting, we lined up for the show, and with a short count-down by the announcer we were off and riding!

A decent start was made not-so-great thanks to a rider getting too aggressive and knocking into me around a corner.  Party Foul!  Unable to get back around, I decided to constantly badger him once in the singletrack while he assisted in my losing major time to the leaders.  Eventually, karma kicked in and he slid out, gears jammed, and I passed with a slight grin on my face.  Am I evil?  For the rest of the race, I continued to dodge, duck, dive, and dodge through the awesome singletrack, finishing in 4th overall.

After clean-up, I got lost again in the festivities.  While lost, I found  some awesome fish tacos and a cheeseburger.  I finally found my award and prize money, as well as my sanity (temporarily) and caught some jumping dogs and people (on bikes) before packing it in and heading back home to B'more.

YOU HAVE TO CHECK THIS EVENT OUT!!!!  Go to www.dominionriverrock.com, then leave a comment telling me that I'm right.

Cheers & Jeers,

Jordan

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.

NEW SPONSOR! ELETE ELECTROLYTE ADD-IN

Giant Mid-Atlantic is proud to announce a new partnership for the 2010 season.  ELETE Electrolyte add-in will be supplying the team with top of the line electrolyte supplement to keep us hydrated and healthy while racing, training, and having fun outdoors!

From the ELETE website:

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Visit ELETE's website at www.eletewater.com to learn more about this amazing product and to get some of your own!