The Inaugural Terry McGinnis Crit, Holladay City

We do some odd S%$* here in Utah.   For example, The Fourth of July can never, ever fall on a Sunday.  In case it does, most of the State the which proclaims  “Life elevated” as it’s motto, holds the fourth on the third.  Sometimes it’s on the Fifth.  Anyway, yesterday, July 3 2010, the City of Holladay (yes we spell things in unique ways too.. of course it was some dudes name) put together a small bike race as part of their Fourth of July Celebration.  A great three straight course with two 90º corners and a 180º sweeper made for good times as the men (why there was no women’s class is a mystery to be solved later) did 60 minutes and 3 laps.  The race honored long time Utah cycling advocate and the driving force behind the Tour Of Utah, Terry McGinnis.  Terry passed last year shortly after the completion of the 3rd running of the Tour Of Utah, after a long battle with cancer.

Billy Demong... Looking like a bike racer

Saturdays race brought out 70 of the top Utah racers in categories 1-3.  Cameron Hoffman (Bikers Edge/Destination Homes) took the win, after spending some time off the front in a short lived (aren’t they all?) break with Nordic Combined Medalist Billy Demong (Cole Sport Racing).

The boys from Coles, lacking a field sprinter, contented themselves with scarfing up nearly all of the lap prems. In all a pleasent afternoon in the 801, with a light breeze, moderate temperatures, good roads and a well supported race for the 3 of July Celebration.

Chase Pinkham (Trek Livestrong) on the point

Additional images on the new Fred Marx.

Following the race…. Oregon Ho! (part I)

The Fred recently had the opportunity to spend a week following the North American pro circuit into mountainous Oregon.  What’s going on in Oregon in June you ask?  The 2010 Indie Hops Mt Hood Cycling Classic.  From a sodden speedway prolog, to sun drenched roads in east central Oregon, the folks from Breakaway Promotions and the Oregon Bike Racing Association (OBRA) gave a clinic on how to run a great bike race.  Begin with a race director, Chad Sperry, who obviously loves the sport.  Chad put his heart, soul and back into running this event.  Add to this some incredible terrain, strong course selection, and a herd of volunteers, and you have the makings of a great race.

All that remained was to get a solid field to contest the race.  The Classic drew United Healthcare p/b Maxxis, the Bissell Professional Cycling Team, Hagens-Berman out of Seattle, Red Truck Brewing, Total Restoration Cycling from the Okanogan Highlands, as well a collection of  teams and individuals from the western states. Olympic medalist Billy Demong, came to contest the race, riding for Colesport out of Park City Utah.

United Healthcare brought the strongest team.  They demonstrated their power by taking the leader jersey worn by Paul Mach (Bissell Pro Cycling)  on the first road stage, and never letting go.  Morgan Schmitt wore his first ever leader jersey following a slippery circuit race on the slopes of Mt Tabor Park in Portland.
During a puncture filled Mt Adams Road Race, Schmitt was penalized 20 seconds for “excessive drafting” behind the neutral support car after a flat.  UHC, unaware of the penalty, rode to control the tempo and reel in a break away of four riders.  Nic Hamilton (Red Truck Brewing) survived a long day in the break to win the second stage over a fast closing pack of riders including UHC’s Marc de Maar and Sam Johnson of Hagens-Berman.  At the conclusion of the stage Schmitt was preparing to don the yellow jersey for a second time when the officials posted the penalties and protests.  As a result of what DS Gord Fraser felt was a debatable penalty, the Yellow Leader Jersey was bestowed upon Marc de Maar. At the height of the action Torsten Kjellstrand of The Oregonian caught the UHC team car and crew in an unusual predicament. Having picked a bad line through a corner, the team crew was forced to do a wheel change.  No neutral support for caravan vehicles.

No stage race is complete without a time trial.  The Mt Hood Classic obliged with the Scenic Gorge Time trial.  18 miles from The Dalles west along the old Columbia Gorge Highway, US 30, to Hood River.  This section of road, famous for the Rowena Loops and the Mosier Twin Tunnels, is far from flat and presented a course that made it difficult to settle into a strong rhythm.    The morning dawned gray, cold and rainy.  By start time the clouds had fled and the sun burst forth.  Then came the one thing that Hood River is well known for, the wind.  Windsurfers and Kite Boarders don’t call this place heaven for nothing. Note the prominent white caps marking the Columbia River below.

Following stage 2 the overall was close between Marc de Maar (UHC) and Bissell’s Paul Mach.  De Maar was able to extract 14 seconds from Mach in the time trial.  The groundwork was laid for a decisive Queen Stage, The Wy’East Road Race, to be run on a 91 mile loop from Mt Hood Meadows to Dufur Oregon and back.

Snow Crossed

It appears that winter has decided to bless northern Utah with it’s presence.  Temperatures in the 20’s and a gray sky greeted racers for the final points race of the 2009 UTCX Series.  While many in the state struggled to simply drive their cars, these brave souls ventured forth in to the elements in search of double points and the chance to say, “Yes I race Cross, in all conditions.”  No fair weather racing here, no sir.  Ogden’s Fort Buenaventura Historic Park provided the venue. Ma Nature, the weather.  Participants, their own embrocation.

As the day progressed, the course became more and more trecherous, leading to many instances of this…..

In the end, The Church Of The Big Ring took home bragging rights as the top team for the 2009 season.  Bart Gillespie (MonaVie/Cannondale) holds on to his title as Cross King by a narrow 20 point margin over Ali Goulet (CotBR).  On the ladies side Erika Powers (Revolution Cycles/Peak Fasteners) carries off the honors of top female crosser.  Top honors go to the Utah Valley University Grill for their Double Cheese Burger.

Just for fun a short trip down by the river.

For a more complete look please step over here, to Pbase.

November Cross Round-Up (The Men’s Side)

So here it is the end of November. The UTCX Series is winding up and winter may be arriving shortly. November brought us the Boulder Cup, Cutthroat Cross, and the Utah State Championship Races. The Boulder Cup introduced us to the joys of sand. Deep clinging sand.

Mike Kracht (Church Of The Big Ring) Mired In The Sands Of Boulder

During November we were shown that indeed bikes were in fact, made to be air-bourne.

Adam Snyder (Team Jamis) at The Boulder Cup

Bart Gilespie (MonaVie/Cannondale) at Wheeler Farm

In November we were introduced to a dominant force

Tim Johnson (Cannondale/CXWorld) NACT Series Leader Wins The Boulder Cup

November also showed us some close fought titles….

Jeremy Collins (Body Sync Racing) Checks On A Determined Nick Anderson In The UTCX Men's B Title Race

November brought many things.  Next, the ladies side.

Barriers

In  a previous episode of the Marx, we discussed barriers.  The proper technique was shown and we moved on to other subjects.  After the pilgrimage to The Peoples Republic of Boulder, we have decided to revisit this topic.  It’s  short and sweet.  I believe 4 or 5 pictures will convey our thoughts…….

Kelli Emmett (Giant) Boulder Cup

 

Tim Johnson (Cannondale/CXWorld) Boulder Cup

These should be sufficient to demonstrate a pattern…….  Simple you say.  What’s the point.  It’s really a beautiful thing to see.  Then along comes a maverick. His name? Adam Snyder and he rides for Jamis. He’s got another idea, he has a better approach……

Yes he landed it… The second time around he cleared both barriers much to the enjoyment of the large crowd.

More pictures of the Boulder Cup are at Pbase.