The Willow Time Trial is in the books and all we can say is "WOW". Eight of our racers toed the line and kicked some major ass!
In the Men's Classic division Jimmie took 2nd, Todd took 7th, and John finished 10th.
Mom & Pop took the top two spots in the Women's Classic division with Wendy taking the win and Melissa taking second!
Seth finished 10th in the Master's 35+.
Kim finished 24th and Brad took 26th in the Sr Cat 5 division.
Thanks to our great sponsors : Michigan Rehabilitaion Specialists, Sweet Bikes, Original Gravity Brewing Company, H & R Block (Adrian, MI), One Soul Graphics, and Moonwinks Cafe!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Hanson Hills Fat Tire Race- January 6, 2013
Check out the great article in XXCMag.com at the link below. Seth and Jeff got some words and a great shot of them huffing the Fat Mutha Trucka, fat bike tanden, through the north woods!!
XXCMag Race Coverage
XXCMag Race Coverage
 |
| Jeff and Seth on the podium at Hanson Hills |
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Barry- Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race
March provided Michigan with summer like weather and the 24th was no exception. The weather was perfect for the fourth iteration of the Barry Roubaix- Killer Gravel Road Race, held in beautiful Barry County.
Jeff, Seth, and John traveled up on Friday night, meeting up with Jeff Buerman of Michigan Youth Cycling and Katie of Speed Merchants. After a night’s sleep and several craft beers the guys worked their way over to registration, picked up their race bibs and then grabbed an outstanding breakfast at Sandy’s Country Kitchen. I mean who knew that you could get oatmeal with trimmings and homemade whole wheat toast for $3.72. The food was excellent and a great deal.
By the time breakfast was done, Todd, Wendy, and Kim had made it to the registration area and everyone hooked up. After some quick discussions on race strategy and kitting up we had just enough time to make it to the start line.
Todd and Wendy went out in Wave 1 for the 62 mile Pro race, while Kim was in wave 2, John and Seth were in Wave 3, and Jeff started in Wave 4, for the 36 mile rendition.
I can’t speak for the other wave starts or course traffic but here are my observations from wave 4; the pace was pretty good out of the gate, even with the “neutral rollout”. I started mid to back pack and had to pick my way through a ton of people (next year I’m wiggling in on the front of the start wave). There were just too many “out for a ride” people in this wave clogging up the road.
Entering onto Duffy Rd., the first dirt road section helped to spread out some people as the course started to point a bit up hill at this point.
The turn onto Wildwood/ Sager Rd. was a bit tricky and was completely congested. It looked like Normandy Beach on D- Day with racers lying all over the place in the sand. The congestion was horrendous, with people walking the only lines that could be ridden and then bitching at you (the riders) that you were in their way. Just to keep this in perspective; I still stand by my mantra that, “It’s just amateur bike racing in Michigan”, but for love of Pete people get out of the way if you can’t climb or ride the line. Again, I’ll fix this by getting a start closer to the front of the pack next year (yes, I agree that I bring a little of this upon myself).
The rest of the race was uneventful until the turn back onto W. Sager Rd. and then onto Shaw Rd. Again D-Day type conditions, but not due to inability of the riders, this section was just plain torture and forced many (damn near all) of the riders to dismount and run, walk, crawl, or curl up into the fetal position. After working my (on foot) through this section I realized that I had somehow lost five miles of tracking on my Garmin and that I only had four and a half miles to go and not nearly ten. With this new found information I knew that I had a lot of gas left in the tank and subsequently that I hadn’t worked hard enough in the first part of the race, but that’s a whole story in itself.
I turned onto the pavement on Gun Lake Rd. knowing that I only had about 4 miles left and there was only one real climb between me and a beer or two at the finish. About a quarter of mile after the turn I saw Seth sitting up the road. I mean he was just sitting there waiting. I saw this and turned on the gas, as I pulled up he swung and told me that he’d been waiting for me and that he was just about to leave when he saw me. We chatted for a minute or two, I told him I appreciated it and had been working to try and catch him and John for the past two hours. We then turned on the after burners four the last four miles or so. Trading pulls all the way into the finish. We caught over 30 people in the last 4 miles, a couple of racers asked if they could jump on for the ride in. We told them, “yeah, go ahead” only to pop them off the back within seconds. That is a great feeling but also told me that I hadn’t left it all out on the course.
Seth and I crossed the line side by side and were greeted by John and Kim, both of who had finished ahead of us.
We hung out waiting for Todd and Wendy to cross the line and actually missed them because we had miscalculated their speed. They looked spent and you could tell that they had left it all out there on the course.
Unfortunately no one on Mom & Pop hit the podium this year but we all had a great time and learned a few things about ourselves and our teammates.
I’m proud to race with such a diverse group of my friends. The people who make up this team are my cycling family and I can’t give them enough kudos for all that they bring to the table.
Brad competed in a Cross Fit style competition on the 24th at Life Time Fitness in canton, MI. I haven’t received an update on how it went, but knowing Brad and his abilities he rocked it out!
Next up is our annual foray into crit racing at Runway Plaza in Ann Arbor, MI aka The AASTS (Ann Arbor Spring Training Series). I’m sure we’ll see a few of you out there for this craziness. Until next time, keep the rubber side down and continue to race and more importantly have fun on the bike!!!
Jeff, Seth, and John traveled up on Friday night, meeting up with Jeff Buerman of Michigan Youth Cycling and Katie of Speed Merchants. After a night’s sleep and several craft beers the guys worked their way over to registration, picked up their race bibs and then grabbed an outstanding breakfast at Sandy’s Country Kitchen. I mean who knew that you could get oatmeal with trimmings and homemade whole wheat toast for $3.72. The food was excellent and a great deal.
By the time breakfast was done, Todd, Wendy, and Kim had made it to the registration area and everyone hooked up. After some quick discussions on race strategy and kitting up we had just enough time to make it to the start line.
Todd and Wendy went out in Wave 1 for the 62 mile Pro race, while Kim was in wave 2, John and Seth were in Wave 3, and Jeff started in Wave 4, for the 36 mile rendition.
I can’t speak for the other wave starts or course traffic but here are my observations from wave 4; the pace was pretty good out of the gate, even with the “neutral rollout”. I started mid to back pack and had to pick my way through a ton of people (next year I’m wiggling in on the front of the start wave). There were just too many “out for a ride” people in this wave clogging up the road.
Entering onto Duffy Rd., the first dirt road section helped to spread out some people as the course started to point a bit up hill at this point.
The turn onto Wildwood/ Sager Rd. was a bit tricky and was completely congested. It looked like Normandy Beach on D- Day with racers lying all over the place in the sand. The congestion was horrendous, with people walking the only lines that could be ridden and then bitching at you (the riders) that you were in their way. Just to keep this in perspective; I still stand by my mantra that, “It’s just amateur bike racing in Michigan”, but for love of Pete people get out of the way if you can’t climb or ride the line. Again, I’ll fix this by getting a start closer to the front of the pack next year (yes, I agree that I bring a little of this upon myself).
The rest of the race was uneventful until the turn back onto W. Sager Rd. and then onto Shaw Rd. Again D-Day type conditions, but not due to inability of the riders, this section was just plain torture and forced many (damn near all) of the riders to dismount and run, walk, crawl, or curl up into the fetal position. After working my (on foot) through this section I realized that I had somehow lost five miles of tracking on my Garmin and that I only had four and a half miles to go and not nearly ten. With this new found information I knew that I had a lot of gas left in the tank and subsequently that I hadn’t worked hard enough in the first part of the race, but that’s a whole story in itself.
I turned onto the pavement on Gun Lake Rd. knowing that I only had about 4 miles left and there was only one real climb between me and a beer or two at the finish. About a quarter of mile after the turn I saw Seth sitting up the road. I mean he was just sitting there waiting. I saw this and turned on the gas, as I pulled up he swung and told me that he’d been waiting for me and that he was just about to leave when he saw me. We chatted for a minute or two, I told him I appreciated it and had been working to try and catch him and John for the past two hours. We then turned on the after burners four the last four miles or so. Trading pulls all the way into the finish. We caught over 30 people in the last 4 miles, a couple of racers asked if they could jump on for the ride in. We told them, “yeah, go ahead” only to pop them off the back within seconds. That is a great feeling but also told me that I hadn’t left it all out on the course.
Seth and I crossed the line side by side and were greeted by John and Kim, both of who had finished ahead of us.
We hung out waiting for Todd and Wendy to cross the line and actually missed them because we had miscalculated their speed. They looked spent and you could tell that they had left it all out there on the course.
Unfortunately no one on Mom & Pop hit the podium this year but we all had a great time and learned a few things about ourselves and our teammates.
I’m proud to race with such a diverse group of my friends. The people who make up this team are my cycling family and I can’t give them enough kudos for all that they bring to the table.
Brad competed in a Cross Fit style competition on the 24th at Life Time Fitness in canton, MI. I haven’t received an update on how it went, but knowing Brad and his abilities he rocked it out!
Next up is our annual foray into crit racing at Runway Plaza in Ann Arbor, MI aka The AASTS (Ann Arbor Spring Training Series). I’m sure we’ll see a few of you out there for this craziness. Until next time, keep the rubber side down and continue to race and more importantly have fun on the bike!!!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Hello, 2012 Race Season! We're out in full force!
Spring is in the air, the days are warming up and the Mom & Pop Racing season has begun.
On March 10th Brad took to the indoor pool, stationary bike, and treadmill at the Canton, MI Lifetime Fitness for an indoor tri. Brad finished 2nd in the Open Men division and 4th overall out of 74 male participants. Posting the following results/ personal bests: 10 minute swim: 19 laps (PR), 30 minute bike: 19.1 miles, 20 minute run 2.88 miles (best in wave). Brads next event is a Cross Fit style competition to be held on March 24th at the Lifetime Fitness in Canton, MI.
Todd and Wendy traveled to beautiful Brown County, Indiana for the second annual Sub 9 Death March. This race has a twist as the racers determine their route, navigating from cemetery to cemetery. The dynamic duo finished a 51 mile route with just over 4000 feet of climbing. They battled hard on their new Felt F65X ‘cross bikes and finished second in the Co-Ed Division. Not bad for two kids that live and train in the flatlands of southern Michigan. If this is how the season starts out or them, then Michigan better watch out, ‘cause they will a force to be reckoned with.
Also on the agenda for the 10th was a fundraiser held at our great sponsor, the Original Gravity Brewing Company. We were out in full force raising money so that Jeff and Christine can participate in the Tour du Rouge, a 526 mile tour that supports the American Red Cross. Everyone had a great time, partaking in the OG’s excellent selection of craft beer and deli sandwiches, as well as roller racing on single speed bicycles. We handed out some great SWAG from the OG, Sweet Bikes, Road ID, Mom & Pop Racing, and Canari Cycle Wear. All in all it was great event and raised much needed donations. Many thanks to friends and family for coming out to support us and the great sponsors (listed above) that donated products for us to hand out!!!
Not a bad start to the 2012 season!
On March 10th Brad took to the indoor pool, stationary bike, and treadmill at the Canton, MI Lifetime Fitness for an indoor tri. Brad finished 2nd in the Open Men division and 4th overall out of 74 male participants. Posting the following results/ personal bests: 10 minute swim: 19 laps (PR), 30 minute bike: 19.1 miles, 20 minute run 2.88 miles (best in wave). Brads next event is a Cross Fit style competition to be held on March 24th at the Lifetime Fitness in Canton, MI.
Todd and Wendy traveled to beautiful Brown County, Indiana for the second annual Sub 9 Death March. This race has a twist as the racers determine their route, navigating from cemetery to cemetery. The dynamic duo finished a 51 mile route with just over 4000 feet of climbing. They battled hard on their new Felt F65X ‘cross bikes and finished second in the Co-Ed Division. Not bad for two kids that live and train in the flatlands of southern Michigan. If this is how the season starts out or them, then Michigan better watch out, ‘cause they will a force to be reckoned with.
Also on the agenda for the 10th was a fundraiser held at our great sponsor, the Original Gravity Brewing Company. We were out in full force raising money so that Jeff and Christine can participate in the Tour du Rouge, a 526 mile tour that supports the American Red Cross. Everyone had a great time, partaking in the OG’s excellent selection of craft beer and deli sandwiches, as well as roller racing on single speed bicycles. We handed out some great SWAG from the OG, Sweet Bikes, Road ID, Mom & Pop Racing, and Canari Cycle Wear. All in all it was great event and raised much needed donations. Many thanks to friends and family for coming out to support us and the great sponsors (listed above) that donated products for us to hand out!!!
Not a bad start to the 2012 season!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Farewell 2011, Hello 2012!
The end of the racing season has come to an end here in Michigan and Northern Ohio, with it comes the task of keeping our fitness levels up over the next several months. The members of Mom & Pop Racing have had a great season and are already looking to March and the beginning of another awesome season of riding, racing, running, hanging out with each other and traveling the Midwest in search of new adventures.
In the last month of the 2011 season, we competed in nine more races, with outstanding results. Here’s the highlights:
On September 3rd Dave toed the line at the Manatoc Experience- Big Valley Festival in Peninsula, OH.
On October 1st, Jeff, John, Jimmie, and Melissa lined up at the first ever Grampian Challenge held in and around Oakland County’s Addison Oaks Park. Jimmie finished 11th overall in the Men’s Expert class while Melissa finished 5th in the Women’s expert field. Jeff and John completed in the Men’s Sport field and finished 31st and 35th, respectively.
The 6 and 12 Hours of Addison Oaks was held on October 8th. Kim lined up in his new Mom & Pop Racing kit and tore it up in the Men’s Single Speed class. I heard from a great source (Jim Senska, and old teammate of mine) that he and Kim battled and rode together for most of the second half of the 6 hour race. Kim won out by about 12 minutes and took first place. Not too bad for a guy that’s been out of the racing business for several years.
October 15th brought about the last Northeast Ohio Power Series race held at Vultures Knob just out side of Wooster, OH. Dave lined up and finished his inaugural mountain bike racing season in style. Dave has really worked hard throughout the season and made great improvements. We hope that he plans on returning to race for Mom & Pop in 2012.
Christine competed in the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon on October 16th. Despite the cold and rainy weather she raced hard and finished in just over two hours. She has had a great season this year, competing in a few 5k races and completing two half marathons. Rumor has it that a full marathon is in the works for next season.
With cyclocross in full swing Brad traveled to the “D” and raced in the Mad Anthony CX Race held on the grounds of historic Fort Wayne, on October 22nd. Brad, in his first year of full on cross racing, has improved greatly and soon will a force to be reckoned with. On a side note several members of the Mom & Pop Racing community rode from Sweet Bikes in Canton, MI down to the cross race, 43 miles later we were back home, ride completed, two flats fixed, Mexican food digested, and great times shared by all.
On October 29th Brad met the most challenging cross course in Michigan head on at Vet’s park in Ann Arbor, MI. Brad raced hard and finished with the pack in the “C” race.
The Iceman Cometh Challenge, held in beautiful Traverse City, MI was the last stop for Mom & Pop Racing this season. Seven members of our team traveled north and took to the dirt roads and single track that comprise this classic race. In the end three of our team made the podium. Jimmie won the Men’s 38 category, by two minutes. Melissa took second in the \Women’s 30-34 category. Wendy completed our trio of podium finishers taking second in the Women’s Single Speed category.
Looking back on our second full season as a team, we raced at 37 different events in Michigan and Ohio. We entered 63 different categories at those events and had 32 different podium appearances.
I’d like to take a moment to congratulate the members of Mom & Pop racing for a great season. THANK YOU and we’re looking forward to a great 2012 season.
A HUGE THANK YOU to our sponsors- Sweet Bikes, Original Gravity Brewing Company, Zilke Vegetable Farm, Midwest Wheelsmith, Moon Winks Café, and TSS Photography. Thanks for your support!!!
Watch out in 2012 we’re already training and planning our race schedules.
In the last month of the 2011 season, we competed in nine more races, with outstanding results. Here’s the highlights:
On September 3rd Dave toed the line at the Manatoc Experience- Big Valley Festival in Peninsula, OH.
On October 1st, Jeff, John, Jimmie, and Melissa lined up at the first ever Grampian Challenge held in and around Oakland County’s Addison Oaks Park. Jimmie finished 11th overall in the Men’s Expert class while Melissa finished 5th in the Women’s expert field. Jeff and John completed in the Men’s Sport field and finished 31st and 35th, respectively.
The 6 and 12 Hours of Addison Oaks was held on October 8th. Kim lined up in his new Mom & Pop Racing kit and tore it up in the Men’s Single Speed class. I heard from a great source (Jim Senska, and old teammate of mine) that he and Kim battled and rode together for most of the second half of the 6 hour race. Kim won out by about 12 minutes and took first place. Not too bad for a guy that’s been out of the racing business for several years.
October 15th brought about the last Northeast Ohio Power Series race held at Vultures Knob just out side of Wooster, OH. Dave lined up and finished his inaugural mountain bike racing season in style. Dave has really worked hard throughout the season and made great improvements. We hope that he plans on returning to race for Mom & Pop in 2012.
Christine competed in the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon on October 16th. Despite the cold and rainy weather she raced hard and finished in just over two hours. She has had a great season this year, competing in a few 5k races and completing two half marathons. Rumor has it that a full marathon is in the works for next season.
With cyclocross in full swing Brad traveled to the “D” and raced in the Mad Anthony CX Race held on the grounds of historic Fort Wayne, on October 22nd. Brad, in his first year of full on cross racing, has improved greatly and soon will a force to be reckoned with. On a side note several members of the Mom & Pop Racing community rode from Sweet Bikes in Canton, MI down to the cross race, 43 miles later we were back home, ride completed, two flats fixed, Mexican food digested, and great times shared by all.
On October 29th Brad met the most challenging cross course in Michigan head on at Vet’s park in Ann Arbor, MI. Brad raced hard and finished with the pack in the “C” race.
The Iceman Cometh Challenge, held in beautiful Traverse City, MI was the last stop for Mom & Pop Racing this season. Seven members of our team traveled north and took to the dirt roads and single track that comprise this classic race. In the end three of our team made the podium. Jimmie won the Men’s 38 category, by two minutes. Melissa took second in the \Women’s 30-34 category. Wendy completed our trio of podium finishers taking second in the Women’s Single Speed category.
Looking back on our second full season as a team, we raced at 37 different events in Michigan and Ohio. We entered 63 different categories at those events and had 32 different podium appearances.
I’d like to take a moment to congratulate the members of Mom & Pop racing for a great season. THANK YOU and we’re looking forward to a great 2012 season.
A HUGE THANK YOU to our sponsors- Sweet Bikes, Original Gravity Brewing Company, Zilke Vegetable Farm, Midwest Wheelsmith, Moon Winks Café, and TSS Photography. Thanks for your support!!!
Watch out in 2012 we’re already training and planning our race schedules.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Mad Anthony Group Ride
We're inviting all of our cycling friends to meet at Sweet Bikes which is located at 39904 Ford Rd. in Canton, MI on Saturday, October 22nd at 10:30am. We'll be riding from the shop down to the Mad Anthony CX Race at Historic Fort Wayne in Detroit to watch the "A" race. Ride will be about 50 miles round trip. Hopefully we'll make a stop at one of Mom & Pop Racings seceret eateries for lunch. Hope to see you there!
We'll be updating our exploits soon!!!
We'll be updating our exploits soon!!!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Fall is Finally Here!
As fall is arriving in South East Michigan, Mom & Pop Racing is gearing up for gravel grinders, cyclocross, and the traditional end of the year race/ party the Iceman Cometh Challenge in Traverse City, MI. Here's our results from the past month.
August 28- Stoney Creek XC Race (Shelby Twp., MI)- Jeff took fourth the Beginnger Clydesdale class. Todd finished in first in the Men’s Sport/ Beginner Single Speed race. John raced his ass off in the Sport Men’s 45-49 class.
September 10- MCVi Half Marathon (Saginaw, MI)- Brad finished 1st in 30-34 age group and 9th overall.
September 17- Tailwind Cyclocross race (Waterford, MI)- Brad had a good C-Men cyclocross race and had fun at first first 'cross race in 7 yrs.
September 18- West Branch Mini- Enduro (Ravenna, OH)- Dave took 8th in his first ever endurance style race, while his son Tyler finished second.
September 24- Ronde van Stony (Shelby Twp., MI)- Jeff and Seth used this race as a primer for the up coming Iceman Cometh in Traverse City. They finished the 40 mile course, together, in 2:46.
This season Mom & Pop Racing has appeared at 35 different venues in and around Michigan and Northern Ohio. We would again like to extend our THANKS to our great sponsors: Sweet Bikes, Original Gravity Brewing Company, Zilke Vegetable Farm, Midwest Wheelsmith, Moon Winks Cafe, and TSS Photography, as well as our family supporters. Without them Mom & Pop Racing would be nothing more than a dream.
We'll see you at the races!
August 28- Stoney Creek XC Race (Shelby Twp., MI)- Jeff took fourth the Beginnger Clydesdale class. Todd finished in first in the Men’s Sport/ Beginner Single Speed race. John raced his ass off in the Sport Men’s 45-49 class.
September 10- MCVi Half Marathon (Saginaw, MI)- Brad finished 1st in 30-34 age group and 9th overall.
September 17- Tailwind Cyclocross race (Waterford, MI)- Brad had a good C-Men cyclocross race and had fun at first first 'cross race in 7 yrs.
September 18- West Branch Mini- Enduro (Ravenna, OH)- Dave took 8th in his first ever endurance style race, while his son Tyler finished second.
September 24- Ronde van Stony (Shelby Twp., MI)- Jeff and Seth used this race as a primer for the up coming Iceman Cometh in Traverse City. They finished the 40 mile course, together, in 2:46.
This season Mom & Pop Racing has appeared at 35 different venues in and around Michigan and Northern Ohio. We would again like to extend our THANKS to our great sponsors: Sweet Bikes, Original Gravity Brewing Company, Zilke Vegetable Farm, Midwest Wheelsmith, Moon Winks Cafe, and TSS Photography, as well as our family supporters. Without them Mom & Pop Racing would be nothing more than a dream.
We'll see you at the races!
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