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!

REPORTED: Tymor Park Challenge, Lagrangeville, NY

By: Hebrew Cyclist

Ripping the fast singletrack at the beginning of the lap.  

I traveled solo this past weekend to the second stop in the Campmor/H2H race series in Lagrangeville, NY, the Tymor Park Challenge.  I did this race last year, and liked the course which is a good mix of steep & difficult climbs and technically tasty singletrack.  For the 2010 edition, the course designers took out a climb, which sped the course up a bit, but didn't take away from the experience.

Taking a fast corner on one of the descents at the end of the course.

The start of the race was average, and after passing one or two 'fast-starters' I settled into a fast rhythm in the singletrack sections, while attacking the climbs in order to claw back the leaders.  The Anthem X rode beautifully with the shock in the pro-pedal position during the first lap, giving me some extra stiffness for out-of-the-saddle climbing.  Into the second lap, I threw the shock open and started ripping the descents to help make up more time.  The Geax Barro Mountain tires hooked up everywhere and kept me confident through the corners and over the rocks & roots and off-camber trail sections.

The rig for the day, and by far the sexiest beast there.  Definitely a head-turner!

After riding most of the race in 4th, I finally saw 3rd place with less than 1 mile to go.  I dug deep, hoping that he was suffering and just trying to finish, but ultimately ran out of course and finished in 4th. After a confusing podium ceremony (I couldn't figure out when the picture was getting taken, since the said it 3 times), I grabbed some Chipotle with my friends Tim and Janel and headed home.

#4 Pro on the day, #1 in my book.......

Great time, great course, and great burrito!  Thanks again to all of our great sponsors for providing such great equipment and products to help make this racing addiction even more fun!

REPORTED: Cascade Classic XC

By:  Hebrew Cyclist

The Pro/Open podium.  Matt far left, Jordan second from right.  

For a nice recap of the beginning of the race, check out Matt's blog HERE.  Very accurate.

As for the rest of our story, it begins in East Stroudsburg amidst delicious vegan pancakes and scrumptious homemade cinnamon bread french toast.  Just some of the breakfasts of choice of the Giant Mid-Atlantic Cycling Team.  Toeing the line today for the team were Matt and Jordan.  The weather was great, and the course conditions were just a bit soggy, but still nice.  After the start of the race, both Matt and Jordan were in solid position for a top-5 podium run, with Jordan in 5th and Matt in 6th.  Navigating the technical singletrack was challenging, but made much easier on our new Anthem X race bikes.  Seriously, these bikes make you feel like you're cheating.  Unfortunately, as the group containing 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place got within 10 seconds, we (along with many other riders) took a wrong turn at an unmarked trail junction and had to make due with chasing back through the pack for the rest of the race.

This was all good, as we were still having a good day and didn't let the setback bother us, but late in the third lap we both suffered time-consuming mechanicals which allowed a few more riders to slip past.  In the end, the team finished with Matt in 7th and Jordan in 8th.  Not too shabby considering the time lost out on the course.  

Speaking of the course, it was awesome!  Super techy, with lots of steep climbs to help make up more time, or reel riders in.  Our new Stan's ZTR Crest wheelsets were superb, and felt great the entire time!  Thanks Stan's NoTubes!  And of course, our Geax treads gave us confidence, even in the muddy, rocky, and rooty conditions on course.

Next race on tap is one of the Campmor/H2H series races in Lagrangeville, NY, the Tymor Park Challenge.  We all did this race last year and it was a blast!  Hope you can make it!

Race 1 in the books!!

GMA's Matt Miller headed down to Florida to race in the SERC #1 AMBC race in Gainesville and chalked up the first race on dirt for the team.  The northern boy raced to 16th against a stacked field of tan, race-tuned Pros.  Good place to start the season!

Some equipment notes: Anthem X with XTR; Geax Saguaros- 2.2 TNT up front, 2.0 UST in the rear; 34 tooth single front chainring; and wide bars with a garnishing of soft blue ESI grips

Now where's that tanning oil...

soft like...

Liking the new ESI grips.  Paired with some new Easton Monkeylight XC riser bars, the Anthem is a total comfy cush machine riding on some fat Geax Saguaros. 
I like.

A little taste of rubber

Here at GMA we got in our first shipment of Geax tires.  Some of what we will be racing this year are the Gato, Saguaro, Barro Mountain, Barro Race, and the all new AKA (we are still waiting on those to come). 

We also have STICKERS! so swing on by our tent to pick up your very own Geax sticker pack at the next race!

GEAX!

Giant Mid-Atlantic is proud to announce Geax as their official tire sponsor for the 2010 racing season.  Watch for us on the Saguaro, Barro Race, and AKA in UST, TNT, and 29'er. 

We are FIRED UP to have such a reputable partner on-board for 2010!