In 2018 Jeff Abitz was not a fat biker. He bought a bike from The Recyclist in Kaukauna, on an impulse, mostly to earn his 906 Triple Crown (see 906adventureteam.com/mountain-bike-events/triple-crown/ ). Although he finished, things did not go well. "I was one and done". He has been back every year since. The drive to Michigan's cold Upper Peninsula has become an annual migration for a few Diablos. Oh, they may miss a year here and there, but they return. Steve Shrek did. Andrew Knickerbocker finished his first! I'd wager he shall return! Riding the Polar Roll is always a crapshoot conditions wise. Some years the snow is angry (deep and drifted), other years it is welcoming (groomed and hard packed). Such is the mystique of the Polar Roll. This year the snow was shallow, the trails were fast...but only if you stayed in the groove of the riders in front of you. Full Results: my.raceresult.com/278158/ Sponsors:
The Recyclist Bicycle Co. https://www.recyclist.com/ Parts Depot http://www2.depotparts.com/ Cranked Bike Studio https://www.crankedbikestudio.com/ - Jabitz
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The Snow Crown Fat-Bike Series finale concluded with a fun and unique course. 1.9 mile laps of paved golf cart paths, tight mountain bike single track, and an icy uphill favored the well rounded bike handler. The long, fast straightaway forced just enough strategic "race craft". Here are Diablo Racing's results: Elite Male - 8 finishers - 6 laps Masters (over 50) total Jeff Abitz - 2nd, 3rd overall Advanced Male - 18 finishers - 5 laps Masters (over 50) total Brian Hansen - 1st, 9th overall Full Results: results.itsracetime.com/results.aspx?CId=17095&RId=1233 - Jabitz
Like most races that involve racing a bicycle off road, there are adaptions often made depending on weather. Race #3 of 4 , of the Snow Crown Fat-Bike Race Series included a venue and start time change just days prior. The races started at 8:00 am to try and beat the melting snow conditions. The participants were given the one time opportunity, to ride the otherwise closed to fat bikes, rolling cross country ski trails of Neshota Park. There was a swampy part of the course that involved, perhaps the first water crossing in Snow Crown history. Sorry, not much for images. I was trying to race. I'll add a link to the Brian Davis video if/when it is released. Here are Diablo Racing's results: Elite Male - 18 total - 6 laps (1-49) 14 total: Brian Davis - 3rd, 4th overall Andrew Knickerbocker – 13th, 15th overall Masters (over 50) 4 total Jeff Abitz - 2nd, 9th overall Full Results: results.itsracetime.com/results.aspx?CId=17095&RId=1229
- Jabitz
Race #2 of 4, of the Snow Crown Fat-Bike Race Series, proved to be a spectacular event. This year's race was held on the fast, hilly, groomed skate skiing trails of the Ariens Nordic Center ariensnordic.com/. If I may offer a little on my (Jeff's) race: "After botching one of the early corners (I'm working on it Davis!) I found myself losing the group very early, instead of early. Consistent 12 and half minute laps allowed me to make a final lap pass, putting me old carcass #2 on the Masters Elite podium. " Here are Diablo Racing's results: Elite Male (18 total) - 6 laps (1-49) 14 total Brian Davis - 10th, 11th overall Andrew Knickerbocker – 13th, 16th overall Masters (over 50) 4 total Jeff Abitz - 2nd, 12 overall Advanced Male (23 total) - 5 laps Masters (over 50) 3 total Brian Hansen - 1st, 9th overall (1-49) 20 total Adam Koenig - 19th, 22nd overall Full Results: results.itsracetime.com/results.aspx?CId=17095&RId=1225 Below images purchased from www.xtrphoto.com/
- Jabitz
Race #1 of 4, of the Snow Crown Fat-Bike Race Series commenced the day after a blizzard. Racers rode what they could and hiked what they had to, on a weather modified course. Here are Diablo Racing's results: Elite Male - 2 laps (17 total) Brian Davis - 11th Andrew Knickerbocker – 16th (on drop bars!) Advanced Male - 1 lap (16 total) Brian Hansen - 4th Full Results: results.itsracetime.com/results.aspx?CId=17095&RId=1222
- Jabitz
Shelltrack Lives! Formally part of the Snow Crown Series, now a stand alone relay/party (beer shortcut!), this race elevated the fun factor and lowered the seriousness. Race objective was start at 12 noon and complete 20 laps. Final lap needed to be started by 3:00 pm. While the top three teams all had four riders, Diablo Cycling choose to do it with two. Of course one Diablo insisted on doing the whole thing himself. Diablo Cycling Results: Solo Men (estimated 13) Adam Koenig - 3rd Relay Men (31 teams of 2 to 4) Brian Davis & Jeff Abitz team "JA/VIS" - 4TH Check out Brian's video at: Although this race was not part of the Snow Crown Series, it was organized by the same folks. Be sure to race, ride, and/or spectate at the upcoming series events. Refer to: snowcrownseries.com/ - Jabitz
Completing a USA Cycling National event is as much about the journey as it is the race. The cyclist must elevate their racing category to a 3 or higher, pay the expensive entry fee, and drive for several hours, if not all day, to the event. In other words those that race these are committed, taking their results very serious. Diablo Cycling's John Lichtenberg and Jeff Abitz showed up with the goal of finishing on the lead lap...no small feat when the fast guys average mid seven minute laps times. Based on their lap times (see below) they remained consistent, never "letting off the gas". Here are their results: Masters 55-59 (50 total) Jeff Abitz - 31st (lead lap finisher) Lap times: 8:25 7:59 7:58 8:01 7:59 Full Results: legacy.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2023-10796 Masters 60-64 (46 total) John Lichtenberg - 33rd (lead lap finisher) Lap times: 9:30 8:57 9:03 9:06 9:03 Full Results: legacy.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2023-10796 Thank you to Fox Cities legend Paul Kordus for the below images: - Jabitz
Saturday, November 18, 2023 Trek Bikes global headquarters in Waterloo, WI Organized by: Revolution Cycles www.bikerepair.com/stores/revolution-cycles-madison Race Description: wicxseries.com/race/wisconsin-state-championship-2023/ The Wisconsin Cyclocross Series, presented by Trek wicxseries.com/, concluded with the State Championships on the grounds of the Trek Factory. Three Diablos reported for duty and had mixed success as far as results, but guaranteed success at challenging themselves (that's all I got for our race details). Jeff's final opportunity to earn that exclusive podium, fell short yet again (three 4th's & three 5th's this year), with another 4th place finish. A quick assessment of his race history at: www.crossresults.com/racer/84625 reveals he had the ability to match most of the front riders, he just couldn't make it happen. Still consistent top 5's put him at a National 55-60 ranking of 17 of 640 legacy.usacycling.org/rankings/points.php?state=&sex=M&disc=Road%3ACX&cat=&agemin=55&agemax=60&mode=get_rank This will help with a good start position at Nationals Dec. 7th. Brian Davis (six races this season) was there, with his camera gear and star power, capturing the cyclocross racing experience for future generations and fanatics! John Lichtenberg's strong race attendance (ten races this season) , and consistent results in the Masters 60+ Cat. 1/2/3, landed him third on the final series podium. Diablo Cycling Results: Masters 35+ 1/2/3 (24 total) Brian Davis - 22nd Masters 50+ 1/2/3 (24 total) Jeff Abitz - 4th Masters 60+ 1/2/3 (12 total) John Lichtenberg - 10th Full Results: legacy.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2023-10896 - Jabitz
The last race before the WI State Championships moved Jeff one position away from a podium. Chasing third place Brent Rhors (3rd) and getting chased by 2022 Series Champion Arlen Spicer (5th) kept his heart rate pegged to the maximum. Diablo Cycling Results: Masters 50+ 1/2/3 (21 total) Jeff Abitz - 4th Masters 60+ 1/2/3 (11 total) John Lichtenberg - 7th Full Results: legacy.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2023-11199 Next race is the Wisconsin State Cyclocross Championships. Let's hope for snow (it ain't happening)! wicxseries.com/race/wisconsin-state-championship-2023/ - Jabitz
In my opinion, the Cyclocross Masters 50+ 1,2,3 field may the most dynamic and competitive race of the day. Our kids are grown, we have more training time, and we are desperate to make the most of our remaining competitive years. Week to week, the top 3 is a "toss up" of about 10 riders. In only four WI Cycling Association races this year, Jeff completed the "hat trick" of three 5th place finishes! All kidding aside, he keeps trying. Never a podium, but never a meltdown. Steady Eddy, don't panic... (okay Jabitz, enough!) Diablo Cycling Results: Masters 35+ 1/2/3 (20 total) Brian Davis - 11th Masters 50+ 1/2/3 (24 total) Jeff Abitz - 5th Daniel Naef - 10th Masters 60+ 1/2/3 John Lichtenberg -10th Full Results: legacy.usacycling.org/results/?permit=2023-10902 Next race is Camrock & Roll CX wicxseries.com/race/camrock-roll-cx-2023/ Thank you to Nate Phelps of Gryphon Velo Racing gryphonveloracing.com/ for most of the below images: - Jabitz
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