Monday, January 28, 2013

Winter Short Track #3, Race Report


The cold weather finally showed. After two weeks of fantastic, spring like weather arm and knee warmers could be seen on most riders even in the afternoon. The team had just two riders racing this week: Jamie once again smashed the Sport Men 19-39 class riding away on the first lap and never looking back. The guy looked great, particularly because I was with him on Saturday for a long base miles day of just under 4 hours. It was the first time he's experienced such a long ride the day before a race and didn't know how it would go. I get it, though. Most riders really shy away from doing too much before a short track race but really, that's not always the right thing to do especially if you wanna be fast later in the season. Sacrificing a good long, slow day on the bike just for a little freshness on Sunday morning is not worth it. If you're doing your base miles correctly (and not over exerting yourself) you actually can have a good race.

Elsa is also a great example of this as I know she had a solid day on Saturday too. TotalCyclist coach Luke Sagur would not allow such a Saturday to go to waste. Elsa continued her upward climb in the Expert Women class and finished 6th in a strong, stacked field. Both of these riders seem to really be reaping the benefits of solid winter base training, and in my experience, they will only get stronger. Watch out boys and girls these riders are out to win!


Jamie decided one race wasn't enough. He pulled out the  singlespeed in the afternoon.

Cheryl was on hand getting dirty and taking pictures of all the riders in the races we were there for. I've already posted the link to the pictures but here it is again. Please thank her by liking her Facebook page here. Nice job babe!












Winter Short Track #3 Photos


Check out some great shots of the Winter Short Track #3 here. Races include Juniors, Singlespeed and Expert Women. Race report to follow shortly...

Monday, January 21, 2013

Winter Short Track Series, Race #2

Scott George is all about having fun!

Awesome turnout for the TC MTB team this weekend for the second Charlotte Mountain Bike Short Track Series race.

The Men's Sport class kicked off the day for the team, with Jamie Turski finishing 2nd in the 19-39 group and Kelly Hudson in 4th for the 40 +.

Next up was Scott George and Jamie, in his second race of the day, competing in a full single speed field.  Jamie finished 8th , while Scott, battling a stomach virus, fought hard for a 14th place finish.

Bonnie Kleffman and Elsa Lee made their first appearance of the short track season, competing in the expert class.  Bonnie lapped the entire expert field for a well deserved first place finish.  Elsa fought her way through the expert class to finish 7th.

As soon as Bonnie crossed the finish line, she quickly swapped out numbers and jumped in the Men's Super Sport class; just to get in a few more laps.

Michael Schafer, competing in the Expert class, faced mechanical issues early in the race and had to abandon.

Great job by the entire team!  We even had Sherry George and Laura Gleason cheering from the sidelines!


Kelly Hudson, the man who can't help but smile.

Kelly Hudson during the start of the Sport 40+ race.



Elsa Lee, out for her first short track race of the season.

A happy Scott George and a confused Jamie Turski at the starting line.

Scott George

Jamie Turski

Scott getting some air.


Elsa Lee

Is that a smile, Elsa?

Bonnie Kleffman coming through for the win!

Bonnie Kleffman

Michael Shafer


Thanks again to all our awesome sponsors!



Sunday, January 13, 2013

Winter Short Track Series, Race #1

Winter Short Track Series kicked off at Renaissance Park today.  Blue skies and high temperatures brought out a lot of riders for the first race of the series.


This was also the first race for the TotalCyclist MTB team of 2013, with Jamie Turski, Scott George, Kelly Hudson and Michael Schafer racing in Sport, Single Speed and Expert classes.

Jamie Turski was first out on the course with a full Sport class for a 45 minute race.  He ran out front for most of the race, and finished off with his first win in the sport class and first win of 2013.



Next out was Scott George and Kelly Hudson in the Single Speed class; forty minutes of racing in a full class.  They both made a last sprint effort for passes right at the start/finish line.  Scott pulled out a fifth place finish and Kelly sprinted to a "top 10 (9th place) in a stacked single speed field."


Scott and Kelly look like they're having a good time!

Michael Schafer finished out the day in the 60-minute Expert Class.  Some of the best in the Charlotte area made the trip out for this one.  Schafer rode hard and pulled out an 11th place finish.


 Jamie Turski and Chris Wieczorek

Awesome start to the season for our team!  

7 day countdown til next race!

Thanks TotalCyclist, Bicycle Sport, Kane Training, Giordana, Infinit Nutrition, Meg-Art, Carolina Realty Advisors Jonathon Meek,  ESI Grips.

It's going to be a great 2013 season!