Wausau 24 24 hour mountain bike race July 28-29, 2018 Nine Mile Forest in Wausau WI www.wausau24.com/ "Why aim small?" That has been my motto the last few years, now that time has freed up (son off to college). Marji Gesick 100, Dirty Kanza 200, Bear 100, Dairy Roubiax, Applecreek 50k trail run, Sole Burner 5k walk/run...nevermind the last one, are all events I competed in in the last couple of years. This year I was "on the fence" about entering a 24 hour solo mountain bike race. I've ridden over 14 hours a couple of times last year but was still intimidated. When I found out the race director of the Marji Gesick (widely considered the hardest one day race in the United States) entered, that was it! I'm in! Let's say I am inspired by his attitude and blog doingthehardthings.com/author/toddpoquette/. I drove up the morning of the race, set up camp, and realized I was NOT at my solo racer reserved site. Quickly, I tore everything apart, stuffed it in my car, and drove a couple of hundred yards to Site #9. Frantically, I set everything back up with about 30 minutes to start. Saturday, 10 am.: The gun, or whistle, or whatever, went off and I slow jogged the 1/4 mile to my bike. For the next 8 hours I rode steady but casual, never feeling out of breath, or the burn in my legs. About 6:00 pm my support person Brian told me I was in 3rd place (out of 11). Within the next couple of laps I must have passed third place (there is no way to differentiate from the relay people). Now in second I pedaled into the night still feeling fresh. About midnight I had enough of energy bars and started drinking Coke and eating the pizza and maple syrup sent over by teammate Todd Mertz. Around 2 am I started dabbling in the caffiene pills, to stay awake...which turned out to be the biggest challenge. My legs were fine, my wrists were a little sore, and contact areas were chafe free (thanks to Assos chamois cream.) Most my stops were less than 6 minutes. A few successful tips and observations: - Pay for the a solo camp spot on the course, and share it with your friends and teamates. It is just a place to keep your stuff, not sleep...you came to race 24 hours, not sleep, correct? Anyways seeing them and their friends and family every lap or so lifts your enthusiasm, not to mention they may offer warm food. - Go ahead and eat alot starting a couple days prior to race start. The couple of pounds you gain won't matter, but the topped off glycogen (energy) will. - Core training is vital! For about a decade I have used the excercises found in this article: beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=486 My only variation is do two sets of push-ups. Do some pulling actions with your arms, upright rows, and dips (triceps). I also do two sets (about 8-10 reps) of stiff legged deadlifts. When done, follow up with some core stretches. These work for me: www.cxmagazine.com/cyclocross-back-pain-stretches Do these prior, and if necessary, during your race. - Ride efficiently. Use your singletrack riding skills to shorten your lap times. Avoid unnecessary braking. - On the smooth doubletrack ride no-handed and shake the fatigue out of your wrists. - Late at night, you will only notice your lack of sleep if you stop. I felt fully awake when riding. - Caffeine is good. Fatigue from lack of sleep may cause a crash...bad. - After 12 to 14 hours you may as well switch to regular food like pizza, eggs, and bacon. Energy bars become inedible after a while. You are not riding "full gas" so digestion should not be a problem. Always carry a gel (like Gu Roctane) with BCCA's. I still had one every lap. - Assos chamois cream...apply every three hours. - Use a full suspension 29er with a larger tire like 2.35". Inflate 2 PSI less then normal. - Bar ends are not a crime! I like the Ergon GP3 grips. A few lessons learned, for next time, include: - Obtain your competition's race numbers, memorize or write them on tape and attach to your bike. There may not be a way to differentiate solo from relay people. I never knew if I was passed or was being passed by a solo competiter. - raising my stem slightly may have helped reduce wrist fatigue. Solo Camp on the course is a must! Various friends and teamates dropped off coolers and food. I was eager to experiance the night laps and later more eager to experience the sunrise. "Checkpoint Charlie" was about a third the way into the 13 mile lap. It was a "rest area" with water and music. I never stopped once. It was a race afterall. Not me, but a cool image that captured the essense of nightime racing. When riding for 24 hours comfort is priority. I opted for: - soft suspension settings - 2 lesser psi in my 2.35" tires - loose fitting jersey - well padded bibs Lesson for next time: Flip stem for a more upright position (less weight on my wrists). The finish! 24 hours and 12 minutes later it was over. It was strange to lose and entire day on a bicycle, but also pretty "far out". My goal was to do 16 laps (that won last year) and average 1:24 a lap. Also NO SISSY LAPS! No naps or laps over 2 hours. Also, never give up on chasing the leader. Goal acccomplished. I think I could have rode 4 to 5 minutes a lap quicker. No letting up! Even though I could have sat in camp the last four hours and still get 2nd, that was not my objective. I wanted to test my limits and make the winner earn it. Awards! I scored a couple of tires and two chains. Good stuff. Will I do this again 2019? It is doubtfull as I am already joining Jon Lester in "The Crusher" a 225 mile "enhanced" gravel race crushergravel.com/, followed by the "Marji Gesick Out and Back" mountain bike race (This non-advertised version involves starting at the finish of the already sick 100 mile race, riding the course in reverse to the start, running 1/2 mile, then riding to finish. marjigesick100.com/ - Jabitz out
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www.wausau24.com/ Diablo Cycling made a strong appearance, covering the spectrum of distances with several impressive finishes. The course consisted of about 90% aggressive singletrack including the brutally rocky Ho Chi Minh segment. See below for racer participation followed by award images and details: 24 Hour Solo Male Masters: Jeff Abitz - 2nd place (First 24 hour solo race) 12 Hour Solo Male Masters: Todd Mertz - 2nd place (First 12 hour solo race) Scott Barklay Scott Niemi 12 Hour Solo Male: John Bessey - 5th out of 31 6 Hour Solo Male Masters: Rod Jannsen 24 Hour 4 Person Male (Relay): 2nd place The "Honey Badgers" Nick Niemi Ethan Janssen Corbin Hodgeman William Frank (Friend of Diablo Cycling) Jeff Abitz with a 2nd place Masters (4th of 40 overall) 24 Hour finish! 17 laps and 221 miles. Todd Mertz with a 2nd place Masters 12 Solo finish! 8 laps and 104 miles. John Bessy with a 5th place Solo Male finish! 10 laps and 130 miles. Ethan Jansen, Nick Niemi and Corbin Hodgman were part of the Honey Badgers (far left) and got 2nd place in 24 Hour, 4 Person Male! 22 total laps. - Jabitz
legacy.usacycling.org/2018/amateur-road-nationals The Lester's traveled to Hagerstown, Maryland for the USA Cycling Amateur Road Nationals! It was the "Megan and Macy Show" as they raced in all three disciplines. Time Trials: TT Women Junior 15-16 Megan Lester TT Women Junior 11-12 Macy Lester TT Men Amateur Jon Lester Road Race: RR Women Junior 15-16 Megan Lester RR Women Junior 11-12 Macy Lester – 8th Criterium: Criterium Women Junior 11-12 Macy Lester Criterium Women Junior 15-19 Megan Lester - Jabitz
wors.org/schedule/coffee-bean/
Sunday, June 22, 2018 Minooka Park, Waukesha, WI Junior (14 and Under) Female 9 to 10: Kylie Lester – 2nd Junior (14 and Under) Male 7 to 8: Vincent Dipiazza – 4th 9 to 10: Ethan Potrykus 11 to 12: Hunter Lester - 3rd Cat 3 (Citizen) Male 11 to 14: Austin Cullen – 2nd, 4th overall 35 to 39: Joe Eick – 3rd 40 to 44: Mike Lester Cat 3 (Citizen) Clydesdale Rod Janssen Cat 2 (Sport) Female 40 to 49: Ava Rollins – 1st Cat 2 (Sport) Male 40 to 44: Edward Kolka Open Fat Bike Greg Cullen – 2nd, 2nd overall Cat 1 (Junior) Male 17 to 18: Ethan Janssen New Glarus Wisconsin Saturday, July 21, 2018 Jon Lester chose to get some real competition, with a 2nd place in Mens Elite. Had he raced Masters 40-44 he would have won by an astounding 3:37! The remaining Lester family all raced great as well. Junior 11-12 Girls Macy Lester - 1st Junior 15-16 Girls Megan Lester - 1st Masters Women 40-49 Sally Lester - 2nd and Bob Anderson is out there week after week, doing his thing and loving it. Masters Men 55-59 Bob Anderson - 5th Snowshoe WV Cross Country on Saturday, July 21, 2018 Short Track Cross Country on Sunday, July 22, 2018. www.snowshoemtn.com/things-to-do/events/2018-usa-cycling-mountain-bike-national-championships Nick Neimi overcame a nasty fall on Thursdays practice day to race both Long
and Short Course Cross Country. Sunday, July 15, 2018 Frank Murphy Park Egg Harbor, WI www.doorcountytriathlon.com/ When a super fast swimmer, and a super fast runner, both want a super fast cyclist for their relay team, they were wise in going to the talent pool that is Diablo Cycling. Scot Rajsich embraced the honor of being selected, averaging 22.8 mph for 56.3 miles. Scot's team WON the "All Male Relay" division and were 2nd place overall. Next up for Scot is USA Triathlon Nationals www.teamusa.org/usa-triathlon/events/national-championships on August 11th & 12th,
followed by The Big One...Ironman Wisconsin www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/wisconsin.aspx on Sept. 9th. Alpine Valley Resort - Elkhorn, WI Saturday July 7 – Cross-country: Huge congratulations to Midwest Regional Champions Macy Lester, Andrew Dipiazza, Greg Cullen and Ava Rollins. This is a big deal! Junior Female Age 10: Kylie Lester – 3rd, 5th overall Age 12: Macy Lester – 1st, 3rd overall - Champion! Junior Male 7 to 8: Vincent Dipiazza – 6th Age 10: Andrew Dipiazza – 1st, 1st overall - Champion! Age 12: Samuel Dipiazza – 4th Hunter Lester – 6th Cat 3 Male 35 to 39: Joe Eick – 6th 40 to 44: Mike Lester Cat 2 Female 15 to 18: Megan Lester – 2nd 40 to 49: Ava Rollins – 1st, 2nd overall - Champion! Sally Lester Cat 2 Male 40 to 44: Edward Kolka Open Fat Bike Greg Cullen – 1st, 1st overall - Champion! Cat 1 (Junior) Male 17 to 18: Nick Niemi – 7th Jeff Abitz: Registered but could not race. Top Tip: Wheelies mixed with contaminated brakes are not worth the possible injuries. Sunday July 8 – Short Track: The next day several Diablos earned "extra credit", and raced the "Hurricane of Pain" in the lung searing Short Track. Amateur Female 9 to 16: Megan Lester – 4th Macy Lester – 5th Kylie Lester 40 plus: Sally Lester – 3rd Amateur Male 9 to 14: Landon Nelson – 6th Samuel Dipiazza Andrew Dipiazza Hunter Lester 40 to 49: Edward Kolka Mike Lester Cat 1 Male 15 to 18: Nick Niemi Sunday July 8 - King of the Mountain Challenge Enduro: One Diablo braved the two downhill rides down the sketchy, feature filled trail. Well done Fast Eddie! Amateur Male 40 to 49: Edward Kolka - 6th - Jabitz
July 7, 2018The Fitchburg Festival of Speed lived up to its name as it represented the 2018 Wisconsin Criterium Championship.
The Cat 4/5 race averaged over 25 miles per hour, while the P/1/2 peloton set a blister pace at 28! Here's how the Diablo riders conquered all that speed: July 8, 2018A terrific course and picturesque day for racing was not enough for Diablo riders — they were hungry for results at the 2018 Wisconsin State Championship Road Race.
Pete's Garage did a stellar job of scouting out the route and the Gryphon Velo racing team added to the excitement by providing chalk for spectators at the peak of Scray's Hill. A little extra encouragement never hurt anyone as they crest a climb with a 14% grade (not to mention an impending headwind). |
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