Bringing home the Gold, Silver and Bronze!

3-Golds, 1-Silver and 1-Bronze for NI SPIN!

North Iowa SPIN was well represented in the Iowa Games, including the Time Trials in Cambridge on Friday evening, July 13; the Triathlon in Ogden on Saturday morning, July 14; and the Road Races in Boone on Sunday morning, July 15. If you would like to see the entire listings of Iowa Games results, click here: Results

Madilyn Johnson showed her strength, coming home with a Bronze in the Time Trials. John Johnson had a very impressive time in the Time Trials, placing 6th behind an always tough field of 40-49 year old racers, which was won in a superb time of 28:48 by NISPIN standout Don Maschka. The speed of the 50-59 yr olds dropped of from Don’s time by about 2-1/2 minutes, where NI SPIN member Dale Blakestad came in 2nd to an old nemesis from Waterloo. Aging ahead one more bracket, Earl Hill showed his always competitive Time Trial attitude finishing just out of the medals at 4th.

In the Triathlon on Saturday at Don Williams Lake north of Ogden, Madi Johnson won gold in the 15 & Under Female category with a lead of nearly 17 minutes. It appears that her time would have won her a medal in nearly every age category for females. Other participants from Mason City and Clear Lake were Scott Holland, David Grooters, Paul Gordon (3rd in 55-59 Males), Hunter Callanan (2nd in 25-29 Females), and Chris Rogne.

On Sunday, the Road Race was tough on Don Maschka and Evan Peterson. Each was riding strong in their respective categories when they hit the pavement. Don and another rider were sharing those sometimes unavoidable hip and shoulder bumps, when Don suddenly went down. Almost as quickly as he went down, he was back on his bike and finished a strong 6th, riding alone just behind the lead pack. Evan’s wounds were not yet healed from the BBQ race when a rider a couple of lengths ahead dropped his chain and caused a small string of crashes. Fortunately, Evan was not severely injured; unfortunately, his bike took a hit and forced him to drop out. Dale Blakestad won Gold in his 50-59 yr old bracket crossing the finish line with the winner of the 40-49 yr old bracket. Another rider in the 50-59 bracket had to convince the race organizers that he was actually in the race. NI SPIN Racer Mark Dix finished tough in the 8th spot. Once again, Earl Hill hit the road strong. Actually, he had a medal for a short period of time. The logistics of the road race hit some high-tech snags, and it took a while to sort out the final results which at last placed Earl 6th. With the exception of minor finish line problems, the 2007 Iowa Games provided good venues for racing.

NI SPIN Results!

In the Time Trials at Cambridge on Friday evening:

Madilyn Johnson took 3^rd in the Advanced 11-15 Female
Don Maschka took 1^st in the Citizens 40-49 Male
John Johnson took 6^th in the Citizens 40-49 Male
Dale Blackestad took 2^nd in the Citizens 50-59 Male
Earl Hill took 4^th in the Citizens 60-69 Male

Triathlon at Don Williams Lake north of Ogden:

Madi Johnson took 1st in the 15 & Under Female

In the Road Race at Boone on Sunday morning:

Don Maschka took 6^th in the Individual (1 lap) 40-49 Male
Dale Blackestad took 1^st in the Individual (1 lap) 50-59 Male
Mark Dix took 8^th in the Individual (1 lap) 50-59 Male
Earl Hill took 6^th in the Individual (1 lap) 60-69 Male

Due to an unfortunate pile-up, Evan Peterson was unable to finish in the Individual (2 lap) 20-29 Male

Suffering @ Crossroads Triathlon

By Steve Schurtz

The motto of this race is “Suffer”, and I now know why. The bike course is described on the website as “challenging”, and I understand that, too.

The race is sponsored by First Central State Bank of DeWitt. At the prerace briefing, the race director, Timothy McKinnon, said a prayer for Eric Sarno, the race director of the Quad Cities Triathlon held in June. Eric had a spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage recently and is currently unresponsive. Right after the prayer for Eric, Tim said, “OK, everybody! Go out there and kill ‘em dead!” Quite a juxtaposition!

The swim was at Lake Killdeer, a borrow pond on Highway 30 five miles east of DeWitt. The water temperature was 75, and the majority of athletes wore wetsuits, especially Wave 4 – males 40 and over. It was a huge wave, and the whole swim was like a big game of water polo. I hope the organizers split that wave in the future.

There was a 15 mph SW wind at race time. The bike course went north 5 miles, back south 5 miles, and then west into DeWitt 5 miles. The last 10 miles were upwind. When I drove the course on Friday, the first two hills were gently rollers, then, “Holy buckets!” I was able to play cat-and-mouse with a 47 year old and a 65 year old on the last 10 miles. Triathlon riders are not able to work together without a penalty, but we traded leads at least a dozen times. Four riders went down in the early part of the course, caused by a large crack between the right and left lanes. They were going into the left lane to avoid rubbles at the bottom of a long, steep downhill. One rider was taken by ambulance; he had a concussion, but hopefully nothing more. He was conscious and moving all extremities, but he was a little disoriented. The others incurred shoulder injuries, road rash, cuts, etc.

T2 was at DeWitt High School. The run course was pretty flat, and one segment was on gravel due to a washout of part of the original course. There was shade on part of the course, and one resident had their lawn sprinkler aimed at the street about 1/2 mile from the finish. That was a real relief.

The event was very well organized, with an easy registration, well-marked course, lots of volunteers and law enforcement officials at intersections, and a nice awards ceremony. I thought it was particularly nice, as I brought home a plaque for 3^rd in the 55-59 Male group.

BBBQ Photos

More photo's ...

2007 Bicycle Blues and BBQ Road Race - Clear Lake Iowa

July 8, 2007

BBBQ RACE PODCAST

131 Racer

Placing, last name first name team

Pro.1.2

1 Zirbel Tom Priority Health - Bissel
2 Sheedy Brian Priority Health - Bissel
3 Anderson Lane All9Yards.com Cycling Team
4 King Robbie Priority Health - Bissel
5 Priebe Clark Team Mack Paper Co.
6 Waugaman Louis All9Yards.com Cycling Team
7 Thompson Tracy Atlas Core Cycling
8 Deninger Paul Mercy-Specialized
9 Venteicher Lee All9Yards.com Cycling Team
10 McCullough Cody Powerade - Independent Fabrication
11 Lippold David ALL9Yards.com Cycling Team
12 Olney John Mercy-Specialized
13 Walker Sean Atlas Core Cycling
14 Nelson Jonathan Powerade - Independent Fabrication

Category 3

1 Fairbairn Scott All9Yards.com Cycling Team
2 Madsen Joshua Team 14 Productions Cycling Team
3 Kloss Alec MBRC/Flanders
4 Hoffman Nathan Bianchi/Grand Performance
5 Mettler Mark MCT/Tonka
6 Friday Jason Powerade - Independent Fabrication
7 Schuchart Ross All9Yards.com Cycling Team
8 Maharry Christopher Unattached
9 Kisch Anthony Iowa City Cycling Club
DNF Albracht Ben Webcor/Alto Velo
DNF Fore Christopher S & W Racing
DNF Price Adam Mercy-Specialized

Category 4

1 Hansen Chris Team 14 Productions Cycling Team
2 Eppen John Iowa City Cycling Club
3 Osterloh Jared ALL9Yards.com Cycling Team
4 Kealey Brendan Unattached
5 Basso Pete All9Yards.com Cycling Team
6 Henry Chet Unattached
7 Putnam Tim North Iowa Spin
8 Neil Thad Team 14 Productions Cycling Team
9 Robinson Steven All9Yards.com Cycling Team
10 Peterson Evan North Iowa Spin
11 Taylor Tim Unattached
12 Juhlin Todd Powerade - Independent Fabrication
13 Hailstone Neil Loon State Cyclists
14 Mitchell Brent ALL9Yards.com Cycling Team
15 Noyes Richard Mercy-Specialized
16 Logan James All9Yards.com Cycling Team
17 Lewis Timothy Loon State Cyclists
18 Briggs Chad International Christian Cycling Club
19 Brent Monte Powerade - Independent Fabrication
20 Farrell Brian Team 14 Productions Cycling Team
21 Klahsen Douglas Iowa Orthopaedic Center Race Team
22 Fry Jeremy Iowa City Cycling Club
23 Carrico Jimmy Iowa City Cycling Club
24 Linn Brent Powerade - Independent Fabrication
25 Curtis Matt North Iowa Spin
26 Moritz Bryan Double I Cycling Experience (DICE)
27 Bailey Derek Unattached
28 Fish David ALL9Yards.com Cycling Team
29 O'Brien Andrew Powerade - Independent Fabrication
30 Rolle Robert Loon State Cyclists
31 Current Lee Iowa Orthopaedic Center Race Team
32 Christen Carson HBA Racing Team
33 Nelson Geoffrey Powerade - Independent Fabrication
34 Jensen Pete ALL9Yards.com Cycling Team
35 Farrell Jeffry Team 14 Productions Cycling Team
36 Congdon Christopher Bike Tech Racing Club
37 Johnson Michael Bike Tech Racing Club
DNF Robinson Scott ALL9Yards.com Cycling Team
DNF Johnson Andy North Iowa Spin

Category 5

1 Kunze Kristopher Unattached
2 Reynolds Steve Iowa Orthopaedic Center Race Team
3 Buchanan Carl Unattached
4 Stocker Daniel Unattached
5 Johnson John North Iowa Spin
6 Versteegh Robert MBWC
7 Lynn Michael Unattached
8 Bauer Carl Unattached
9 Reuscher Steve North Iowa Spin
10 Osmundson Christian Unattached
11 Korell Jordan Unattached
12 Rennie-Fowler Graham Unattached
13 Thacker James DMOS/Bike World Race Team
14 Schwerin Chris Powerade - Independent Fabrication
15 Hurt Dale Unattached
16 Lewis Randy Unattached
17 Westman Kevin HBA Racing Team
18 Isaak Brad North Iowa Spin
19 Varnum Paul Team 14 Productions Cycling Team
20 Searle Al North Iowa Spin
21 Vander Zyl Tony Unattached
22 Dix Mark North Iowa Spin
33 Riley Patrick Unattached
DNF Huseboe Gavin Unattached

Master 40

1 Loomis Shawn
2 Lauber Steve
3 Wall Scott DMOS/Bike World Race Team
4 Greigg Robert Powerade - Independent Fabrication
5 Griggs Brett Mercy-Specialized
6 Buss Jeffrey Unattached

Masters 50+

1 Eaton Tom Central Iowa Cycling Club
2 Jones Randy Central Iowa Cycling Club
3 West Kim All9Yards.com Cycling Team
4 Arnold Colan DMOS/Bike World Race Team
5 Gilmore Richard Bike Tech Racing Club
6 Delperdang Dave North Iowa SPIN
7 Blakestad Dale North Iowa SPIN
8 Off Bruce Unattached
9 Dockal James Unattached

Masters 60+

1 Adamson John Bike Tech Racing Club
2 LaGrange Edward Two Bee Racing
3 Dahlstrom Price Unattached
4 Brock Tommie Pfeiffer Cycling
5 Juhlin Jerry Unattached

Womens 1.2.3

1 Miller Amanda Atlas Core Cycling
2 Riessen Jane Mercy-Specialized
3 Meyer Anne Mercy Specialized
4 Zierke-Clark Julie DMOS/Bike World Race Team
5 Leroux Nicole DMOS/Bike World Race Team
DNS Venteicher Andrea Atlas Cycling

Womens 4

1 Porter Kathleen Bike Tech Racing Club
2 Stierler Karen Two Bee Racing
3 Douglas Lacey DMOS/Bike World Race Team
DNF Larsen Jane North Iowa Spin

Juniors

1 - W Johnson Mady North Iowa Spin
1 -M Delperdang Geoff Unattached
2 -M Merrit Parker Unattached

Water Bottles and Feed Zones!

It will be HOT Sunday - 94 degrees. So, please BRING any SPARE WATER bottles you have and we will TRY to arrange neutral water support at the feed zones for the P.1.2.3 race. We will also have bottled water to hand up tot the riders. Everyone not racing we could use your support to staff the feed zones!!!! We already have close to 50 volunteers who will try to ensure all riders safety. Please help us at the feed zones!

Cat,Place,Payouts
Pro/1/2, 8,200/150/125/100/75/60/50/40
Cat 3,7,150/125/100/85/60/50/30
Cat 4,6,100/80/70/60/50/40
Cat 5,5,Awards
Master 40+,5,125/85/65/55/45
Master 50+,4,85/65/50/25
Master 60+,3,75/50/25
Women 1/2/3,4,75/50/25
Women 4,3,50/30/20
Jr Men,3,Awards
Jr Women,3,Awards

There will be a wheel vehicle for every "group" on the road.

HED. Jet 50 Wheel Set

"Ride away with your new wheels"

This HED. Jet 50 Wheel Set will be raffled off before the race on SUNDAY and all who have pre-registered for the race have a chance to win. Must receive your entry by 4:00pm, Saturday, July 7.

Last call for pre-registration! Get your entry form and $ in the mail to arrive by Saturday OR show up on Saturday to pre-register and enjoy great BBBQ and the Blues!

BBBQ Road Race
PO Box 332
Clear Lake, IA 50428

Good News:
Tom Zirbel has been cleared to race

Bad News:
Tom Zirbel has been cleared to race and he's bringing a team mate - Brian Sheedy.

Stayed tuned to our team blog and we'll have more updates through Friday!

Note: BBBQ Rule 23.2.6b - All violators of the Center Line Rule and those who complain about entry fee's will be vaporized!

BBBQ Race Volunteers

Volunteer meetings:
Saturday, July 7, 3:00 pm at the Surf Ball Room - east side.

Race Day: Sunday, July 8
Registration volunteers please arrive at the Surf by 6:30am.

All other volunteers will need to arrive by 7:30.am for final instructions at the surf.

Items to bring:

- Push broom to sweep the corners of gravel and debris.

- Water

- Hat

- Sunscreen

- Folding chair

CLEAR LAKE PARADE:
Casey Martin will have the Cerro Gordo bike trails entered in the Clear Lake Parade and
everyone is invited to bring your bike and wear your NI SPIN jersey

Assemble:
North 20th Street - no later than 9:00 a.m. for all units. Entry will only be from Highway 18 or from 7th Avenue North! We are entry number 53.

2007 Senior Olympics

by Earl Hill

Two members of North Iowa Spin participated in the 2007 Senior Olympics currently being held in Louisville, Kentucky.

The 2007 Senior Olympics, otherwise known as the Summer National Senior Games, is the world’s largest multi-sport biennial event. Competitors must qualify in his/her home state by finishing in the top two in his/her age group at a NSGA (National Senior Games Association) sanctioned event. 15,000 athletes from across the nation compete in 18 sports over 16 days, June 22 to July 7. An athlete must be at least 50 years old by December 31, 2007, in order to compete. The oldest cycling competitor was David Ward, a 91 year old from Massachusetts.

Don Jacobusse (known as Jake) and I competed in the cycling events. Don participated in the time trials as well as the road races. I limited my participation to the time trials.

Initially the National Senior Games website, scheduled the venue for the cycling events at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park. (Mr. Sawyer was Diane Sawyer’s father—not the young man in the Mark Twain’s novels.) By letter dated March 12, 2007, we were notified the venue had been changed to Cherokee Park (claimed to be the course of the USCF Masters Road Nationals in August 2003) and maps of the various courses were posted on the Senior Games website. These maps depicted the races as point to point. Upon my arrival in Louisville, before registering, I checked the Senior Games website only to discover the time trial courses had been changed once again to out and back courses.

Check-in was at the Kentucky Expo Center. At check-in, we were told to obtain our numbers and the timing transponder (chip) for our bikes at something called Hogan’s Fountain supposedly located in Cherokee Park. I never did find Hogan’s Fountain (although I did find the park), so it was back to the Expo Center. This time we were told to pick up our numbers and chips in Room 105. No one had told us to bring our bikes. A couple of guys were attaching chips to bikes just outside Room 105. We were told that only they knew how to attach the chips. Frankly, the chips were attached to the left rear stay by a zip tie. I wasn’t about to drive back to the hotel for my bike, so I decided I knew how to attach a chip with a zip tie. I did not disappoint myself.

The “Cycling Competitors Technical Guide,” given to us at check-in, instructed us to attach our numbers to the upper left of the back of the jersey. Upon arrival at the race site, we were instructed to change the numbers to the upper right of the back of the jersey. In addition, the style of chip pictured in the “Cycling Competitors Technical Guide” did not match the chip presented for installation.
Nevertheless, we must remember that most of these events are populated by volunteers who know little or nothing about bike racing. Therefore, we need to be quick to overlook these little hitches and appreciate the effort put forth so we might compete. Once the races got underway, it was my perception they went without a flaw.

Each day the temperature started in the high 60s with humidities in the high 80s to low 90s. On June 26, my wife and I saw a time and temperature sign reading 103º.

In closing, may I quote from the comment posted by Kim West to my discussion of the Iowa Senior Games:

“[J]udging only by the equipment, you’d think this was a JUNIOR’S event, not a grown up race: everyone had such nice toys!!

“[I]t is also apparent that the training for this event is getting pretty darn serious—the results are impressive up and down the age-group lines.”

The same came be said about the National Senior Games.

RESULTS