Masters Men

Introducing the Team OAM Now Men’s Masters Team

February 25th, 2015 by Team OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors

By Mike Krywanski and Jon Morgan, Team OAM Now Master’s Men Team Captains

Ed Note: After an amazing 2014 season, including 3 riders in the MBRA top ten season long point series, the Master’s Men’s Cycling team is looking to return in 2015, stronger and better. We spoke with Co-Captains Mike Krywanski and Jon Morgan to get a preview of what we can expect in the upcoming year.

Returning Members

Loren Simons
Peter O’Brien
Dave Stebbins
Glenn Dik
Mike Krywanski
Jonathan Morgan
Chris Abston
Terry Ritter
Mike Wyczalek
Richard Landgraff

New Teammates
Leonard VanDrunen
Steve Buccella
Larry Strayhorn

2015 is shaping up as an interesting year for the Team OAM Now Masters 55+ . New teammates squad Leonard VanDrunen, Steve Buccella, and Larry Strayhorn, are all moving up from the Elite Club team. While short on racing experience, they are all fit, enthusiastic and willing to learn. They will be instrumental to our success in our 2015 racing campaign.

Meanwhile, 2014 was a breakout year for the Masters 45+ Team. After rebuilding the roster after the losses of some core riders in 2013, the team built fantastic synergy and placed 2 riders in the Top Ten in nearly every race with more than 12 podiums total. We were also recognized as the most professional among teams and were complimented by other teams for consistent aggressive riding while maintaining a positive presence in the highly competitive masters peloton.

The team makes specific plans and is adept at executing those plans, although it did take us several races to gel completely and start vying for podiums and wins. Eventually, we were able to exert a lot of control over the outcome of races and our strong long rider, Chris Abston, was able to win the final race of the season. Our greatest strength is probably the fact that we’re all very experienced, love to race, and each rider is willing to sacrifice for the plan or the rider in best position to deliver the best team result. We also have 2 dedicated workers in 2014 (Wyzalek and Ritter) who set up the rest of the team for the podiums and results. Riders like this are hard to come by!

Mentoring our rookie group in the 55+ category, will be veteran racers Loren Simons, Peter O’Brien, Dave Stebbins, Glenn Dik, and Mike Krywanski who, between them, have literally thousands of races under their belts. Career highlights from this group include North American and ABR National Road Championships, numerous USAC National Masters podium finishes in all three diciplines, a National 24 hour overall championship, dozens of MBRA State Championships in road, criterium and time trial as well as race wins all over the U.S. In 2014 alone, this group garnered four state age category championships along with top placings at races such as Barry Roubaix, The Lowell 50, Hellkaat Hundie, The National 24 Hour Challenge, Michigan Mountain Mayhem and many others. Loren Simons participated in the Masters National Championships in Ogden Utah where a late crash kept him from a potential podium finish in the criterium.

We are all eagerly looking forward to the upcoming racing season and the blue and orange of Team OAM Now should be well represented, and a force to be reckoned with, at the front of many races, particularly as our new racers gain experience.

Ode to a Gravel Road on a Cold Day

January 6th, 2015 by Team OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors

By Leonard Van Drunen, Team OAM Now cyclist

Ed Note: Lots of riders turn indoors when the weather gets cold and rely heavily upon cross-training, or trainers. However, many brave souls don extra layers and don’t let a little cold scare them off the bike. Team OAM Now cyclist Leonard Van Drunen captures the feeling of a brisk ride with teammates.

I feel the chill from the crisp air as I quietly roll out with my teammates, the only humans in sight. The familiar and comfortable pedaling motion starts, chasing yesterday’s “grumpies” away. The music of crunching gravel wakes my ears. Little ridges of packed earth play with my front tire, connecting my eyes to my brain to my hands. I am fully present.
Still no humans, save my fellow cyclists. I am chillier than expected and wonder if I should have added a layer. My teammates, spinning gravel, crunch on my right and ahead of me. I hope for sun on my face soon.
The first climb is welcome as my heart and lungs chime in, followed by a slow burn in my legs. Soon the burn warms my entire body and, when I summit, the sun finally greets me. My teammate asks me something, but I have no breath to answer. I push on ahead, pretending the climb was no shock to my system. Not the cold, not the climb.
Two wild turkeys scurry off the road as the next climb appears around the bend. The cold is gone from my body. I find a good rhythm, and the crunchy music plays on. We grind on, together. Today, all of it, the cold, the bike, the climbs, the grind, the rhythm, is going to be a good day.

If you’d like to brave the cold and join a gravel ride this winter, check out the following sites for potential rides or riders:
West Michigan Gravel Rides
Kalamazoo Bike Club (Or join their Facebook group here and ask for company!)
Grand Rapids Wheelmen

Stay warm. Keep pedaling.

Where the Rubber Meets the Road (part I)

November 14th, 2014 by Team OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors

By Terry Ritter, Team OAM Cyclist, Road Cat 2, Master’s 45+

I recently read in an automotive magazine article that a given high end racing division has 14 engineers on a team. Two of the engineers are dedicated to just tires: their selection, maintenance, and pressure settings. This isn’t a surprise as small changes in tire pressure, say 38 to 36 psi, can make a car handle noticeably different. Obviously, tires are important as they provide the actual surface contact with the ground, be it road or dirt, for the vehicle.

Just as paramount is the relationship between cyclist and his/her tires. The tire/tube system uses trapped air as a spring that supports the weight of both bicycle and rider attached. Though tire compound is important in cornering and braking adhesion, how the spring is set up likely has a bigger impact in bicycle dynamics. But how do these pressure changes play out in regards to how a bike corners and handles?

A spring is defined by its rate, which is another way of saying how stiff it is. The higher the pressure in the tube/tire, the higher the spring rate and greater the stiffness. Also, the less it’ll deflect for any given force. It’ll also return from a deflection faster for any given force. If we revisit our tube/tire system as a spring, the trapped air is the actually part that provides the support for the rider.

Now, let’s come back to the car and use it as an example. If we had a little subcompact, say a Honda Civic, and we fit it with springs from a F-150 pickup truck, we’d expect it to ride very, very rough because the spring rate would be too high. More specifically, because the weight of the car is a downward force on the springs, and because they were designed to handle the greater force of the truck, the springs wouldn’t deflect as much force over any given bump, and would bounce back too quickly. We have all driven over a series of braking bumps on a gravel road that leaves the car feeling like it’s floating and we losing control. This would happen frequently in our Civic with its too heavy springs. In other words, you want this rate to match the vehicle….and the rider, which brings us back to the bike.

If a 175lbs rider were to inflate his or her tires to the proper pressure, the pressure determines the spring rate. For this heavier rider, the spring rate (pressure) needs to be higher to compensate for the greater downward force delivered by the higher weight. Like the lighter car (Honda), a lighter rider would want a lower spring rate, or less pressure. If using the same pressure as the larger rider, he or she could expect the spring to deflect faster resulting in a rough ride. This quick deflection, due to a higher than needed spring rate, also causes the tire to lose contact with the ground surface and float over irregularities. Loss of contact is rarely good. We would sense this loss as sliding or less secure grip while taking a corner, and as a result, be more cautious and slow down. One of the goals of great cornering is to maintain speed, so slowing down here is counterproductive.

And yet riders, especially smaller ones (<150 lbs), constantly run tire pretty too high. They are Civics on F-150 chassis. Instead of the tire deforming at a slower rate due to ideal pressure, it encounters surface irregularities and quickly bounces back, taking the tire off the road at the tread/surface interface and leaving the rider less confident. An additional undesirable consequence of over inflation is the change in shape and surface area of the contact patch. As the tire is inflated more and more compared to the weight pressing down on it, the tire patch becomes smaller and smaller. There is actually less rubber on the road. Again, not a good thing.

Both of these things produce a tire that gives less confidence to a rider when cornering. It’s important to find a pressure that works well for our weight, road surface, and riding style. So, riders looking to improve riding skills should also be investigating bike mechanics and specifications in addition to physical training.

In part II, I’ll go into a bit more on tire pressure and volume as it relates to bike handling.

Iceman: A test of grit and determination

November 13th, 2014 by Team OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors

By Collin Snyder, Team OAM NOW Elite Men’s cyclist

Some races, it’s all about tactics. Being in the right spot at the right time. 2014’s Iceman was not one of those races. With temperatures hovering in the mid 30’s and rain starting the night before and lasting late into the day, this year’s edition was a test of determination, grit, and survival.

The typical race day preparations went out the window as a steady drizzle greeted racers as we made our way to Kalkaska. The crowd of riders warming up down M72 were absent this year. When we arrived at the start, riders were huddling in the warm, delaying the inevitable. I throw an extra jacket and some huge gloves on and tried to do a small warmup without getting completely drenched. I tool around and swing by the start area. I figured with the nasty conditions, people would skip the normal race to the start line 30 minutes before the gun. I was wrong. I figured the gains in a couple positions would be offset by the early onset of hypothermia so I continue riding. I finish my warmup and make it to the line with a little less than 10 minutes to go which put me near the back of Wave 1. Eying the competition, my former team mate and last years Single Speed winner, Joe Sidel was nearly all the way to the front. I had my work cut out for me.

When the gun goes off, it was the normal 28 mph sprint for the first half mile of pavement. I did my best to gain as many positions as my 1 gear would take me. By the time we reach the first dirt section, I was near the front third of the field. Riders splashed through the infinite number of mud puddles covering everyone in a fine layer of mud. Instantly, everyone’s brakes start making a horrible grinding noise. This was just a small preview of what was to come.

Despite the weather, the dual trains down the opening two track were moving at full steam. I fought for position and moved up when I had the chance, but within the first 5 miles, the field had started to thin. I made it up to Joe and asked if any SS’ers were up the road. He says he tried his best to hold onto Greg Kuhn’s wheel, with no luck. Him and a small train got away and were way up the road. Once we arrive to the first single track section, traction all but disappeared. Riders became nervous and large gaps started to open up. At this point, it was a replay of last year between Joe and I. We work together/punish each other for the next 45 minutes. Both Joe and I’s brakes start going south and made the downhills nerve wracking at best. Normally, to move fast on a SS, you have to do a constant spin, spin, coast sequence. There was none of that today. With the soft trail and brakes that sounded like they were never fully retracted, only option was solid tempo riding. If you let off to coast at all, you’d ride backwards. It was ugly.

Shortly after Willimsburg Road, along the flat open powerline section, a group of 4 geared riders opened a gap on Joe and I and he shrugs and signals he can’t close it. This was it. I put my head down and get in time trial mode. I close the gap and ride their wheels for the next couple miles. When we got to the next single track section, I felt like these guys were holding me up. When we made it to the next climb, I made my move and pulled away from the four. I was on my own. For the last 10 miles, it was just me. My cadence felt good, and I knew that just maybe I could catch Kuhn up the road. I knew as long as I stayed upright on the descents, a podium was in the bag…easier said then done as, by this point, my brakes were completely gone.

Now it was just survival time. The trail had gone from bad to worse, and I was maybe in 10th place out of wave one. I can only imagine how bad this was going to be after 5000 more riders had passed through. The single track in the final couple kilometers had become un-rideable. I was riding one legged, trying to keep it upright. When the trail went up I had no traction so running was the only option. With 2k to go, someone yells Kuhn was just up the road. I’m in near panic mode. podium at iceman I give it everything I have left, but it was just a bit too late. I stop the clock at 2:05:15. Turns out, i was nearly 2:30 behind Greg, but a solid time none the less and good enough for 2nd place. Big congrats to Greg Kuhn of RBS Racing for having nearly the fastest non pro time, on a single speed no les,s and Joe Sidel of KLM Coldstone for holding onto third.

This is one of those races that you won’t forget. When I got home my bottom bracket was nearly seized and 3 out of 4 brake pads were down to the backing. My wheels are making a nice clicking noise each rotation and my clothes had about 10 pounds of dirt on them. But I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

This is the type of race that makes for stories you’ll talk about for years. Remember that one ride that you did a couple years ago where everything went okay, your bike worked flawlessly, and you got a somewhat respectable time at that one race? Of course you don’t. This one on the other hand neared Epic status. Did you miss it this year? If so, pray for horrible rain next year so that you can join the fun and tell glorious tales to your grand kids about how you survived treacherous downhills with no brakes while experiencing the early symptoms of hypothermia. Until next year.

jersey at iceman I’d like to give a huge shout out to all the OAM NOW rider’s who braved the weather along with anyone who raced. This was a year to remember.

TEAM RESULTS:

Collin Snyder – 2nd SS M 39&Under (new mens team member!)

Elaine Sheikh – 4th W 19-24 (new tri team member)

Terry & Cheryl – 4th tandem

Todd Anthes – 5th M 44

Kaitlyn Patterson – 10th W Pro (in the $$ and her 1st Iceman!)

Alex Vanias -17th M Pro

Cory Stange – 1st M19-24

Tristan Greathouse – 75th Pro (new mens team member)

Kevin Long – 9th M 51

Greg Neagos – 11th M54

Roxane Kippen – 13th W 35-39

Cricket Howard – 15th M 43

Loren Simons – 21st M 65-69

Larry Strayhorn – 34th M 55 (1st Iceman)

Scott Miller – 55th M43 (1st Iceman)

Matt Gunderson – 66th M 37

Brad Field – 67th M 28-29

Chuck Grzanka – made it all the way on his new fat bike while shepherding some friends new to Iceman

Bob Schultz – DNF – only time in 17 years at Iceman he didn’t make it to the finish

Leonard Van Drunen – DNF 1st Iceman, hope he tries again

Steve Buccella – DNF like Bob and Leonard suffered mechanicals

Team OAM NOW Snags Several Age Group Wins While Charlotte Long Takes 2nd Overall Women’s at Lowell 50 Classic

November 3rd, 2014 by Team OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors

By Mike Steele, Team OAM NOW Triathlete

The 2014 Fall Lowell 50 Classic Dirt Road Race held on October 25th lived up to it’s name. With distances of 34 and 57 miles, racers competed against one another and, despite warmer than normal temperatures, battled legendary West Michigan winds. As the last big West Michigan race before Iceman, the field of racers could not have been more prepared.

With 18 team members racing in a field with over 500 racers, Team OAM’s presence was felt during the race, and seen on the podium.

Congratulations to 16 yr old Tristan Greathouse for his 6th place overall and 2nd place age group (“AG”) and Steve Buccella for his 2nd place AG finish in the 34 mile men’s race.

At the top of the women’s 34 mile race were Charlotte Long who took 2nd place overall and 1st place AG. Rounding out the women’s field were JoAnn Cranson 2nd place AG, Roxane Kippen with a 3rd place AG and Laura Melendez 4th place AG finish.

Those brave enough to tackle the 57 mile race faced howling winds from the west. Congratulations to Dave Stebbins for his 1st place AG and Glenn Dik for his 2nd place AG finish.

Many racers noted the extreme and brutal winds and the affect it had on overall outcomes. According to Roxane Kippen, TEAM OAM multi-sport team captain, “Staying out of the wind was crucial to ending up on the podium. It was painful to push hard and stay on a wheel or in a group, but well worth it! It would have been 10 times worse pushing into the wind alone. The first steep climb left a lot of carnage with cross bikes struggling to grab the loose gravel on the 12-14% grade. Riders were crashing off their bikes, running into each other, and it was a battle to find room to ride and stay on the bike up the entire climb. At this point, I was really happy I was on my 29er and successfully navigated the carnage.”

As for me, I enjoyed an early morning helping Race Founder/Promoter Jeff Zvirzdinis set up the start/finish then marshaling several corners on the course. I even had the pleasure of testing out my post-insurane career in broadcasting as the finish line voice of the Lowell 50… sorry for all those butchered last names. Finally, a big thanks to Jim Allan who both raced and volunteered, and Bob Schultz for marshaling the transition corner, even if he had a dead battery.

The next Lowell 50 Classic race is April 11, 2015. We’re hoping for another great race, another great showing, but hopefully less wind.

A Virtuous Cyclist?

October 30th, 2014 by Team OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors

By Leonard Van Drunen, CAT 4 Road Cyclist

Colorburst was yesterday, marking the one year anniversary of when and where I met Jim Allan. No surprise, he invited me to do some riding with Athletic Mentors. Since then I have become part of the team, and accomplished my 2014 cycling goal of registering with USA Cycling, completing ten Cat 5 races and thus becoming a Cat 4 Masters racer in August. I am very pleased that Team OAM NOW has supported that goal. Thank you teammates!

But why do I ride so much? And why do I ride with other people… with a team… with Team OAM NOW? Of course riding with Team OAM NOW is fun, a sort of mild hedonism, but I think it is more than that. I like fun, but more than that, I want to become a better cyclist. Riding with a team helps me be a better cyclist. Not only do my team members encourage me, but they also push me and show me how to be faster, stronger, more durable and safer. Even with this goal on the road, on this goal to being a better cyclist, there’s a much larger journey I’m on that is also helped by riding and being a member of Team OAM NOW.

My deeper desire is to be a more virtuous person. I can hear you asking, wondering, how riding with Team OAM NOW could possibly help me become a more virtuous person; I think it can.

First, I learn fortitude from my teammates on a long ride, longer than I would do solo. When I am facing a strong frontal cross wind, I don’t turn around as quickly as I would on my own,when I have teammates modelling fortitude. This determination, this internal fortitude, is definitely useful in other areas of my life. My teammates also model patience. An inconvenient tubular flat, when we really just want to ride, Dan Gauthier helps us hone our patience. When Steve Bucella’s pedal freezes up, we patiently ride into Ionia with him and wait for him to get a new pedal. On one ride, which should have been no-drop, we were pirates and dropped a team mate who was having a slow day; later, as a team, we reflected on how we failed to be virtuously patient. We did not use those words, but it is, clearly, what we all meant. My humility gets training when I race and get beat by older and younger guys alike. When, in my first Master’s race, I was off in the back, all by myself, for six laps in front of the King’s Day Crit crowd, I learned a little bit about what it feels like to be weaker, or slower, or simply left behind. I continue to learn how to be more humble by riding a bike!

Love. Let’s talk about the virtue of love. My favorite contemporary philosopher, Nicholas Wolterstorff, defines love as “seeking the flourishing of another as an end in itself.” Can riding with Team OAM NOW help me love others more? I think so. I am learning about this type of love from my teammates, and perhaps will show it more and more. I experience love when Jim Allan invites me to go riding with him, even though he just met me a few minutes ago. I am loved in this way when Marie Dershem stops during a race and gives me one of her CO2 tubes. I receive love when Larry Strayhorn sells me his old mountain bike at a good price. I am loved when Bob Schultz gives me one of his old Yakama bike mounts, to keep. When Mike Krywanski goes out of his way to teach me the ropes of racing; he is loving me. I feel this kind of love when Terry Ritter leads me out in the Miller Energy Crit sprint finish. I am loved when, every time I see Greg Neagos on a bike, he greets me with a smile, asks how I am doing, and takes the time to listen to my reply.

Yes. I know cycling with Team OAM NOW can help me be a better cyclist and a more virtuous person. I learn virtues from my teammates, and try to put some of it into practice off my bike as well. That is one of the many reasons I ride with a team, this team.

Thank you teammates!

Team OAM NOW’s Mike Jones Narrowly Misses Top Ten Overall in a Tough Inaugural Rock Road 50/50

October 29th, 2014 by Team OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors

by Mike Jones, Team OAM NOW Cyclist

As gravel road racing becomes more and more prevalent, I decided to get in on the inaugural Rock Road 50/50 in Traverse City. This race offered a 50k, or a 50-miler, both starting and finishing at Timber Ridge Resort famous for it’s VASA ski trail and, of course, the finishing point for the ICEMAN!

I checked with my secret TC sources to find that both a cross and a 29’r should be taken to the race. I had all intentions on riding my cross with some new skins on it. They had a lot of rain in the days leading up to the race and the course felt pretty packed (sand rules in TC). We met with the eventual winner, Aaron Beebe, on the scouting ride and found that the course was very soft and muddy and that a 29’r was the way to go. I’m pretty thankful I had both with me.

At the start, it looked like we might miss the rain, but during the National Anthem it opened up hard and didn’t stop for the whole race! At that point, the course was truly muddy with grinding sand added in. The start was vicious as my glasses were so wet I could hardly see. The big horses like Wakeley, Beebe, Simonson, et al were really pushing the pace on the VASA leadout. By the time we reached gravel roads, there was a break of about 8 followed by myself with some Einstein and Hagerty boys chasing hard.

The course was not easy gravel roads; these roads had obstacles in the form of off camber ruts that warranted a “warning ahead” sign at the top of a hill. TC’s Hal Bevier tried to warn me, but then succumbed to the danger himself crashing right in front of me (glad to report he was okay). Eventually, we ended up with just three of us chasing the break, myself, the always impressive Don Fedrigon (winner of the first ICEMAN) and one very tough young Jason Whittaker who was on a fatty!! I have never been in any race, even on a mountain bike that had as much grinding noise as was coming from our bikes that day. My disc brake pads were completely gone by the end of the race.

Don and I gapped young Jason with a couple miles to go and I held on for 11th place overall which I was very happy with! They were was the wettest, nastiest conditions I have ever raced in, but I can’t wait to go back and try it again. As gravel races continue to grow in popularity, this is one to check out.

For the full results, click here!

Team OAM Now’s Kaitlyn Patterson Claims KOM at Gravel Grinder, Places 2nd Overall

October 13th, 2014 by Team OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors

At the Gravel Grinder, part of the Michigan Mountain Mayhem Series, riders shared thoughts of mud, cold, rain, and an anticipation of a tough character-building ride during packet pickup early Saturday morning on October 4, 2014 in Boyne City. Thankfully, the sun began to peek out periodically and we even saw a rainbow!

The riders headed out on the full 60-mile ride which promised, and delivered on that promise, to be one of the most difficult cycling events in Michigan. Alex Vanias once again rode a strong race, taking an early position at the KOMs (including a 2-mile uphill ride to one of 5 KOMs). Alex ended up with a third place finish overall, first in his age group, in a very tough field. Continuing their run as the fastest cycling couple in West Michigan, Kaitlyn Patterson finished 2nd in the overall women for the 60-mile event and first, among the women, in KOM points during the race.

Kaitlyn Patterson

Marie Dersham approaches the finish

Alex and Kaitlyn weren’t the only Team OAM NOW riders , with the masters riders making a good show despite suffering several mechanical issues. Mike Krywanski had a flat about 20 miles into the race, and was seen carrying his bike over his shoulder for more than a mile on the sandy seasonal roads. He was rescued by his ever-faithful pit crew and given a new wheel to ride on. However, by that time he was to far behind and, ultimately, out of competition. Leonard Van Drunen also had challenges with chain droppings and a flat. He was rescued by team mate Marie Dersham and her CO2 air pump. Terry Ritter represented in the masters field with a good finish.

Congratulations to all the Gravel Grinders who competed in the inaugural event today. Great organization, good lunch, and warm heaters were available to all at the end of the race. This team with grit will continue to grind in the sand, dirt, and gravel. We’re already looking forward to next year.

Team OAM Now Triathletes Still Going Strong

August 21st, 2014 by Team OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors

By Roxane Kippen, Team OAM NOW Triathlete

Mike Steele

August has been a busy month of racing, so far, for Team OAM NOW triathletes. The podium pace set earlier in the season has not slowed down. Over the last three weekends, tri team members have raced in six different events and reigned in multiple podium finishes.

August started off with beautiful weather for the Millennium Triathlon in Grand Rapids, MI. After finishing on the podium at XTERRA Ionia Offroad Triathlon the week before, Mike Steele and Roxane Kippen, put away the mountain bikes and got back on their time trial bikes for another great race. Mike finished 2nd in his age group in the Olympic distance race and Roxane finished 1st in her age group in the Sprint distance event.

That same weekend, Alex Vanias and Kaitlyn Patterson entered the hunt for a big cash payout in the Elite race at The Experience Triathlon in Frankenmuth, MI. The pro/elite field was a strong one and included national level professional triathletes. Alex and Kaitlyn both finished 5th overall in their respective fields and pedaled their way to the 2nd fastest overall bike splits of the day. We are very excited to see these two continue to grow in the sport!

Chuck Grzanka tuned up his swim by competing in the Harbor Springs Coastal Crawl. He is fortunate to be able to train in the clean, clear and usually chilly waters of Little Traverse Bay, where this event was held. Chuck finished 1st in his age group and 3rd overall in the one mile, wetsuit division.

Chuck Grzanka

On August 10th, the city of Battle Creek, home of Kellogg’s, hosted the Cereal City Triathlon. This was a sprint distance event consisting 750 meter swim, 20 kilometer bike and 5 kilometer run. Paul Raynes finished on the podium, 3rd in his age group. Mark Olson finished 4th in his age group and posted the 3rd fastest overall bike split of the day. Matt Gunderson, in his first year of triathlon, finished 6th in his age group.

This past weekend, Alex Vanias and Kaitlyn Patterson raced the Detroit Triathlon, a draft-legal U25 Elite Development race in Detroit, MI. This was the first draft legal triathlon for both Alex and Kaitlyn and a good opportunity for more exposure in the pro/elite arena. Look for a blog to come about the experience.

And last, but not least, Chuck Grzanka was at it again, up north at the Traverse City Triathlon where he competed in the Olympic distance race. He finished 1st in his age group and made great improvements in his swim and run times from the previous year’s event. Congratulations Chuck!

Team OAM NOW triathletes are up next at the MI Titanium full and half triathlon in Grand Rapids, MI on August 24. Come on out to Versluis Park to cheer them on!

Criterium Racing Tips and Strategies

July 9th, 2014 by Team OAM NOW / Athletic Mentors

By Dan Yankus, Team OAM Now Cyclist, Road Cat 2

With the upcoming (and local) Miller Energy Criterium , it’s a great time to look at some of the best strategies for racing a criterium. Of course, the best advice I can give a new, or experienced, rider is to ride. I can’t overstate how important confidence is to racing and the best way to build confidence is to ride and race. Take every opportunity you can to build on both of these. Here are some tips and strategies to consider as you prepare for your next, or first, race:

Before the Race

Build a strong foundation- You have to train. Even if the race is short, your ability to maintain speeds, attack, and sprint come from your overall endurance. Don’t skip the long rides and don’t skip intervals in your training. You’ll need to call on both endurance and speed.
Don’t skip the cross-training- Success on the bike comes from a multitude of places, but don’t neglect strength training, particularly your core.
Build confidence- Ride. Train. Race. Repeat. Confidence is built with experience, but it’s vital. The more confident you are, the less you hesitate. Every hesitation during a race is wasted energy and how you use your energy is vital to success.
Ride with groups- Feeling comfortable riding in the pack is a must. Get as much experience as you can here. Find a local group. Train with friends or teammates. Time in the pack is invaluable for building confidence and confidence is king.
Practice your skills- Unlike endurance races, there are skills essential to crit racing, like cornering. Head over to your local school or shopping center parking lot (when empty…be safe!) and use the light posts to make a short, simulated, course. Treat each corner as its own race. Learn, and practice, how to coast/brake before the corner and accelerate out of it to maximize speed and energy.
Know your bike and know how to use it to your advantage- Use 700 x 25c tires at low to medium air pressure (85-110 psi based on rider weight), they provide a larger contact patch with the ground and roll over the bumps in the roads with ease. Most riders are on 23c width tires, so if you go into a corner and the riders in front of you made it, so will you with wider tires. Once I changed over to a wider tire that also decreases rolling resistance, I began to attack the corners.

During the Race

Learn to move around the pack- Getting near the front is always your first priority, but how you get there is more important. Don’t waste energy getting to the front only to fall back because you need a rest. Find a wheel if you need to and draft, but move up.
Maintain your position- Once you find yourself near the front, maintain that position. Hopefully, you’ve used your energy wisely and can stay with the front of the pack until it’s time to make your move.
Don’t be afraid to get in a break (a group of riders breaks away from the main group) – Especially if the course has a lot of turns, riding in break is easier than riding in the field. The pace is more consistent and there are fewer leg-draining accelerations.
Time your attack wisely- When you make your attack makes all the difference in the world. This is where experience and confidence come in incredibly handy. Some of this is reading the race, some is reading the pack, and some is just knowing what your strengths as a rider are.

After the Race

Analyze- The race doesn’t end when you cross the finish line. You have to look back on your performance, on how you feel, and really look at each of the elements of the race to determine where you need to focus your training.

TEAM OAM NOW pic Gran Fondo Building confidence and building experience both come from time on the bike.If crit racing is your event, or if you’d like it to become your event, get out and ride. Get out and get experience, it breeds confidence. A great opportunity to learn from elite and experienced riders is at Athletic Mentors’ Free Clinic this Friday. The clinic is designed for riders of all abilities, both men and women, and provides drills, strategies, and techniques to help you build both confidence and experience.