"Gettin LUCKY in Kentucky"

Well this is my first attempt at a blog post and I will be surprised if anyone makes it past the second sentence. But I signed on with this team and I'm gonna do my part. Who knows, maybe the title will keep ya interested. Anyway, all this cold, wet weather has more than put a damper on my mountain biking lately, so at my last weekly training session at TotalCyclist, Cricket had a great idea. "Hey Kelly, let's come in Monday and do an Ironman" was her remark. "9 am? Sure, I'll be here" was my reply, at the time is sounded like a great idea.

I had a good weekend with some trainer time at home on Saturday and finally a real mountain bike ride on Sunday at Renaissance with Dr. D (Dane, one of my weekly riding partners). We turned out some good efforts and a successful weekend was had. Monday morning came with a text from Cricket reminding me to bring plenty of food and water…..hmmm, this should have been my 2nd clue trouble was around the corner....or over the hill in this case. The 1st clue was not taking the ONLY female finisher of the the 2010 Tour Divide Race seriously when she said “Hey Kelly, let’s come in Monday and do an Ironman”. So I bring twice my usual food for a training session (a 150 calorie bar that looked more like a 50 calorie weight watchers snack) and last I recall there was a water fountain in the back....good to go!

I show up early and roll out as usual while Chad gets the bikes set up. I make my way to the CompuTrainer to find Cricket warming up on the bike, I notice the two large water bottles attached to her bike, 3rd clue, then the huge bulge of bars and gel shots from the back of her jersey, 4th clue, LUCKY she brought double the calories she needed. About the time I saddle up and look to the screen up front, I see “IRONMAN KENTUCKY” in large red letters...5th clue is the charm….I’m history. So we head out on the Ironman Kentucky bike course. Well, a bucket of sweat and 50 miles or so later I got LUCKY in Kentucky when my time was up! Woo Hoo! I had to bolt to an appointment with Mark Kane at Kane Training to work out some imbalances, physical of course. After nearly 3 hours on the trainer I think we covered most of the mental ones! So many perks to this indoor training. I’ve only done the interval training sessions prior to Monday at TotalCyclist, it was pretty sweet to ride an actual road route indoors, unbelievably realistic, buckets of sweat, lots of laughter and all!

Merry Christmas!

Kelly

Bonnie Kleffman

Bonnie holds a USAC Pro/Elite racing license and has been racing off-road for five years.

2014 Race Bike: Niner Air 9 Carbon

Favorite Race: The next one

Why Race? "When I entered my first beginner race 5 winters ago, it was just 7 weeks after my first daughter was born. I was at a point in my life where I needed to try something new in addition to motherhood. I was hooked after that first race! The adrenaline, the fun, the awesome people and exploring new trails are all reasons why I keep coming back to the start line. I enjoy the challenge. I enjoy doing things I never thought I'd be able to do. Most of all, I enjoy the company of my fellow bikers, who are some of the coolest people in the world!"

We've got your number

Ok, without giving away too much to the team about this coming Sunday's training session, all I'll say is that when you leave the session, you will know if you have the right wattage number for your training.

Ouch!

...candle lit, and so were my quads

Yep that's right, we had our first training session at TotalCyclist and it was everything I thought it could be. As Baker mentioned the mission of our first session was to establish our threshold power; the point at which your body begins to produce lactic acid at a rate it can no longer flush from your muscles. It starts to accumulate and most people feel that all too familiar burn. Our goal was to find this level and stay just below it, flirting with stepping over the line but not doing so. We completed three hard intervals lasting about 5min each at a level we perceived we could hold for no more than 20min. I spun those cranks at a rate I know I could hold for only 20min and not a second more. My legs were swollen and my heart rate was pegged at 185 the entire time. By the end of the session I was spent. Man, what a day, and from what I hear this wasn't one of the hard, ass kicking, beat you into a pulp days. After a session like that it was hard, for the rest of the day, not to feel alive.

C

Evaluation day

Step one, determine your threshold wattage. Here the group experiences the middle portion of a 7 minute interval at 100% of a predetermined threshold power number. If they can hold their cadence at 90-95 rpm through this session and have a perceived exertion level of around 8-9 then they are really close to determining their number for building future training programs.

Let's Light This Candle...

Even though it's been a few months since we forged a relationship and a 2011 MTB team with Chad Andrews at TotalCyclist things are just now beginning to feel substantial in our camp. Recently, the entire team got together to hear Make Kane from Kane Training talk about functional movement and how to assess one's ability to move correctly. We were all surprised to find we had areas of weakness and that assessments like these are instrumental in getting the most from training and staying injury free. It was also great because it was the first time the entire team was in the same room and it was easy to see the group start to cure.

I guess there's another reason I'm feeling things are starting to take off. I recently approved the artwork and placed our team clothing order with Giordana. Thanks to Andrew at Tank Design we'll be sporting a fancy kit design next year that will hopefully turn some heads......but that's not quite it either...


Oh, yea, that's right. The big potato is about to get pealed. Chris Baker already tasted the poison (or should I say lactic acid) on Wednesday at the Total Cyclist winter training series. and it's the rest of the team's turn to have a go on Sunday. I think I speak for the entire team when I say let's open this big nasty can of pain and all take a giant gulp. Pass the can around; bring your mom, your brother and your dog. Fun for one, fun for all. The party's begun down in TC town!

C

Garmin acquires MetriGear, adding cycling power to fitness portfolio

Garmin acquires MetriGear, adding cycling power to fitness portfolio

Winter training series - ouch!

To improve my cycling for the 2011 season I have signed up for two sessions of the Total Cyclist winter training program. For those not familiar with this process I'll try to sum it up.

The first step in the Total Cyclist training program is designed to determine your threshold power by using a computrainer(a computerized bicycle trainer). Through a series of increasingly harder intervals, the coaches are able to determine your fitness by discerning your perceived exertion level during this exercise. Once your number is determined, all future programs are based around this number. The sessions are designed to push you to your threshold and beyond for shorter to longer periods thus stressing the body to adapt to this heavier workload. By the end of the program, you have a better understanding of your threshold power, your ability to suffer for longer periods of time and an increase of power and speed on the bike. While on the trainer, you have a large flat panel TV that provides information such as heart rate, pedal cadence, current watt output, maximum watts, watts per kg of body weight etc. The most important part is keeping your pedal rpms in a consistent range during the entire exercise. It is the best hour you could spend training.

Treeshaker 2010

2009 I led the open category for about 6hrs until a bad couple of laps put me into 3rd which I maintained for the remainder of the race. Finishing 118.6 miles. This year I decided to try the Treeshaker 12hr solo on a fully rigid bike. Stupid fully rigid bike. Hands are still swollen, internal organs still sore 11 days later. I'm ordering a front fork. I bailed after 6 laps while in 2nd. Went back out for a 7th lap which confirmed that I needed to quit.

Take a look.

Sherman motor speedway

Only got in 1 lap before the rain came. Started slow and Kelly Hudson (aka Sky King with Turbo boost) lit it up towards the end.

Racing on my mind

Sherry and I are registered for the 6hr of Warrior Creek. Once again we will be suffering in the singlespeed class. This time we will be on the Total Cyclist MTB race team. I set my alarm this morning for 6:15( which happens to be the same time I get up every morning to push the kiddies out of bed for school) for the early bird special at $40. If you haven't signed up yet ya better get on it, just got the text they are 1/3 full already.

As for next weeks 12hr at the Tree Shaker I am still on the fence due to persistent back issue. The Sir9 has been upfitted with the massive Frisbee like 23t cog to get ready. This cog has no speed but can climb like nothing else. For some reason the thought of spinning to keep the strain off the ol back and the heart rate below 140 is the best idea for now. It seams that 58-59 min laps at springs on this cog without hardly breaking a sweat is doable.

Casey Bailey

Casey holds a USAC Category 2 racing license.

2013 Race Bike: Cannondale F-Series 1 29er

2013 Tentative Schedule:

• Charlotte Winter Short Track Series
• US Cup East / South East Regional Series (SERC)
• 6 Hours of Warrior Creek
• Maxxis Southern Classic Series
• River's Edge Mountain Bike Marathon

Why Race? 
"After riding with a local womens mountain biking club, I quickly became addicted to the sport. When I race I become fearless. Obstacles that used to be scary are left behind me. I love feeling my heart and the wind against my face. I also delight in the social aspect of cycling. Mountain biker are such friendly and fun people. I've had some inspirational female racers show me the ropes and provoke my competitive side. Ever since, I've had a hunger to get faster and surpass my limitations and goals."

Springs 6 lap training ride by cbake777 at Garmin Connect - Details

Springs 6 lap training ride by cbake777 at Garmin Connect - Details

Laura Maddy

Laura holds a USAC Cat 1 mountain bike license and has been racing off-road for 6 years.

2014 Race Bike: Kent Eriksen Full Suspension Ti

Favorite Race: Pisgah 111k in North Carolina, Trans Sylvania Epic in Pennsylvania, and Breck Epic in Colorado. 

I love riding and racing on rugged single track through forests and wild places, and over roots and rocks, with friends and fellow racers.  Mountain biking for me is my favorite form of play and also an opportunity to clear my head and heart through nature and community.  Racing adds another dimension to play and peacefulness.  I look to race myself - to push the boundaries of my abilities, to suffer well and with humor, and also to share in that experience with the community of racers.


2014 Race Results

May
4rth, Women 40+, Pisgah 111k 5/17/2014, Laura Maddy


April
3rd, Open Women, Big Frog 65 4/26/2014, Laura Maddy


January & February Winter Short Track Series Charlotte, NC
4th place, Pro/Cat1 Women, Charlotte Winter Short Track #3, Laura Maddy

Total Cyclist shop ride by cbake777 at Garmin Connect - Details

Casual ride from the shop with Chad leading the way. About 40 miles.
Great to ride the old airport route, it's been about 5 years and some things have changed but the hills remain the same.

Bonnie Kleffman

Bonnie holds a USAC Pro/Elite racing license and has been racing off-road for five years.

2014 Race Bike: Niner Air 9 Carbon

Favorite Race: The next one!

Why Race? "When I entered my first beginner race 5 winters ago, it was just 7 weeks after my first daughter was born. I was at a point in my life where I needed to try something new in addition to motherhood. I was hooked after that first race! The adrenaline, the fun, the awesome people and exploring new trails are all reasons why I keep coming back to the start line. I enjoy the challenge. I enjoy doing things I never thought I'd be able to do. Most of all, I enjoy the company of my fellow bikers, who are some of the coolest people in the world!"





2014 Race Results

May
1rst, Pro Women, Race to the River XC (Harbinson) 5/4/2014, Bonnie Kleffman
1rst, Pro Women, Uwharrie Super D, 5/24/2014
2nd, Pro Women, Uwharrie XC 5/25/2014, Bonnie Kleffman

April
1rst, Duo Coed, 6 Hrs of Warrior Creek 4/5/2014, Bonnie Kleffman & Chris Wieczorek
3rd, Pro Women, Dark Mtn XC 4/27/2014, Bonnie Kleffman

March
1rst, Pro Women, The Knot MTB Race 3/2/2014, Bonnie Kleffman
1rst, Pro Women, The Southern Virginia Shootout 3/9/2014, Bonnie Kleffman

January & February Winter Short Track Series Charlotte, NC
1st place, Pro/Cat1 Women, Charlotte Winter Short Track #1, NC, Bonnie Kleffman
2nd place, Pro/Cat1 Women, Charlotte Winter Short Track #2, Bonnie Kleffman
1st place, Pro/Cat1 Women, Charlotte Winter Short Track #3, NC, Bonnie Kleffman
1st place, Pro/Cat1 Women, Charlotte Winter Short Track #4, Bonnie Kleffman

Terry Gleason

Terry holds a USAC category 2 race licence and has been racing mountain bikes for 3 years.

2013 Race Bike: Niner Air 9

2013 Tentative Race Schedule:
          _Charlotte Winter Short Track Series
          _Maxxis Southern Classic Series
          _Big Frog 65
          _Transylvania Epic Stage Race
          _Charlotte Summer XC Series
          _Shenandoah Mountain 100
          _Swank 65

Welcome to the TotalCyclist.com 2011 MTB race team Blog

TotalCyclist

The TotalCyclist.com race team is a small, close-knit group based in North Carolina. Our team is created with a nod back to mountain biking’s glory days of a small team that can be proud to represent it's title sponsor, give something back to the cycling community and bond with like minded individuals that love the sport of Mountain Biking and racing. Along the way, it never hurts to have your title sponsor be a first class training and coaching facility. We aim to resurrect the idea that riding on a team means something to it’s riders and sponsor – its something to be proud of above and beyond any small shop discount or freebies that might be offered.

Our search started with an impetus to build a team and find a title sponsor that fit our ideas and goals. Along the way we extended a hand to those that we believed would truly understand our goals and who happen to be good riders, stand up folks in the community with a love of the bike. We’ve grown our team carefully, and selectively. We believe that any future riders to the team must reflect the ideas that we have built the original crew on.

No elite attitudes. We take racing and riding seriously, but it is all done in the name of fun and for personal growth and achievement. We do our best to help our team mates reach their personal goals. Be it nutrition, mechanics, or riding techniques, podium spots etc, we’re a team and there to help.

Living in the Carolinas gives us the opportunity to participate in more races that you can shake a spoke at, and we race in as many as possible from the 24 hour races, the U.S. Cup XC series, the SERC series, Wednesday night summer series, NUE 100 milers, 6hrs, 12 hrs any hours really. We have a race team that has raced the torturous La Ruta de los Conquistators, Tour Divide, 24HR World Championships, NUE 100 miler series, Adventure races, Run Marathons, National Ultra Endurace Series etc.

Our team has experience, determination and a great blend of youth to middle aged riders with backgrounds as diverse as the terrain we race on. One goal: be the best team for ourselves and our sponsors, be professional, be polite, always offer help to a fellow Mtn biker when they are stopped on a trail, always greet other cyclists with a smile, talk to kids and encourage them to become Mtn bikers, show enthusiasm and passion for the sport.

From the sweetest old growth forests of Pisgah to the tight twisty trails of Warrior Creek, the 2011 TotalCyclist MTB team will be there to participate, get results and have fun.

Stay tuned for rider Bios, sponsor links and race/training schedules.

Mike Schafer

Mike Schafer holds a USAC Category 1 race license and races in the Masters 40+ division.

Sherry George

Sherry holds a USAC Category 2 racing license and typically races in the female single speed category. She started Mtn Biking in 2007.

2013 Race Bike: Orange One Nine

"I love mountain biking because it's outside, away from cars, where I can breathe clean air. There's a lot of trail variety out there to keep it interesting. You can go out for a Sunday morning stroll ride, sign up for a race & push yourself to your limits or anything in between."

"My favorite trail so far is slickrock but I really like going anywhere new. It's neat to see all the different types of terrain there are in these United States! I haven't hit all the trails there are yet so someday this could change" :-)

Sherrie's other interests include family :-) (husband Scott & 3 daughters, Megan, Allee, & Darby), painting pottery, traveling, cooking Thai & Mexican food, and making cool cakes.

Kelly Hudson

Kelly holds a USAC Cat 2 race license.

2014 Race Bike: Gary Fisher SuperFly 29er Hardtail

Favorite Race: Burn 24

"I started mountain biking in the early ninties. I love the challenge and excitement of technical riding. I also enjoy the mental aspect of cycling, racing and pushing my body beyond what my mind THINKS is possible. My other interests are aviation, golf, racquetball and spending time with my family."

2014 Results:

April

1rst, Cat 2 Men 40+, Catawba Riverfront Classic XC 4/18/2014, Kelly Hudson

10th, Cat 1 Men, Charlotte Mtn Bike Summer Series 4/23/2014, Kelly Hudson

March

4rth, Cat 2 45-49, US Cup Fontana 3/23/2014, Kelly Hudson

February 

2nd, Open Team, 12 Hours of Santos 2/15/2014, Kelly Hudson and Josh Strang

January & February Winter Short Track Series Charlotte, NC

1st place, Cat2 Men 40+, Charlotte Winter Short Track #1, NC, Kelly Hudson

1st place, Cat2 Men 40+, Charlotte Winter Short Track #2, Kelly Hudson

2nd place, Cat2 Men 40+, Charlotte Winter Short Track #3, Kelly Hudson

2nd place, Cat2 Men 40+, Charlotte Winter Short Track #4, Kelly Hudson

Chris Wieczorek

Chris holds a USAC Pro/Elite race license and has been racing off-road for 15 years.

2015 Race Bike: Cannondale Flash 29er Ultimate

Favorite Race: "Well, favorite race or favorite race atmosphere?"
Race: Off-Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell
Race Atmosphere: La Ruta de los Conquistadores and Leadville Trail 100

Connect:
Twitter 
Facebook
Coaching 


"For me racing is a way to really face myself, to keep myself in check. In the really tough events it's impossible to hide from your own weakness, it's impossible to be sheltered. Riding, on the other hand, can be pure bliss. It doesn't get much better than floating some really nice singletrack."


Official supporters of Chris Wieczorek:

Scott George

Scott holds a USAC Category 2 license and has been racing off-road for 4 years.

2013 Race Bike: Lynskey Pro 29 Ti, Singlespeed

Favorite Race: Leadville 100, Pisgah 111

Elsa Lee

Elsa holds a USAC Category 2 race license and has been racing for 4 years.

2013 Race Bike: Trek Superfly Elite

Favorite Race: Xterra Freedom Fest MTB Race, Oahu

"Everything about Freedom Fest was amazing. I got to do what I love most in my most favorite place in the world, and I had my family there to share in the experience. The race was held at Kualoa Ranch where Jurassic Park and Lost were filmed, so there were huge props still standing throughout the course. I saw everything from cows to breathtaking ocean views from cliff tops, which helped keep my mind off how much pain I was feeling. It was defiantly one of the most difficult courses  I've ever ridden. I met some cool people from all over the world who got a kick out of my "country" accent, and I truly enjoyed experiencing the local island hospitality that Hawaii is known for. I couldn't have asked for a better day on the bike."

Why Race? "I like challenging myself and pushing myself to reach my goals. I like to see how much my body can take because it's always a lot more than what my mind thinks it can. We're all a lot stronger than we think we are. Sometimes it takes encouragement from your friends, your coach or your teammates.  When you finally reach those goals, it's such an incredibly rewarding feeling. I race because I LOVE it!"

Tentative 2013 Race Schedule: 

Charlotte Winter Short Track Series, Charlotte, NC

6 Hours of Warrior Creek, North Wilkesboro, NC

Maxxis Southern Classic Series, NC, SC, VA

Off-Road Assault on Mt. Mitchell, Old Fort, NC

River's Edge Mountain Bike Marathon, Uwharrie National Forest, NC

Fool's Gold 100, Dahlonega, GA