Thursday, January 20, 2011

Steep Hill

Hard Work



Deep Breathing

Monday, January 17, 2011

Winter Weather Riding!

Out of the dense dark fog, Death emerges!



If they want to make the race season earlier and earlier, well, we'll be ready for them.
No 8am Willamette Valley Road Race is going to surprise Cyclisme this year.
We're rollin!



Hills won't surprise us either, but the toll of fatigue combined with freezing rain makes the ride home a death march.

Recruitment Ride in January!



Cyclists Unite!
by
J.Fritzgerald B.

Upon arriving at Ristretto Coffee Roasters,
I was treated to a warm welcome from a car window full of friends.


Winter Recruitment is alive and well at Cyclisme.

Pacelines are again being described by pedestrians while walking on the sidewalk, just like last year.

The spirit of cooperation is high this year, fueled by some smart fast cyclists.

Winter however, only barely cooperates, as she doesn't send a full gail, but 37 degrees and raining still
challenges the senses.


Marching along in easy gears for legspeed in the early season,
Cyclisme moves over the land
with a brisk traveling clip.


Everyone is strong and motivated,
divided maybe only by the debate over rain fender length.



Rainfenders are useful and polite, for sure, but mud face pride is compelling.

Pacline Practice in Ladd's!

Good Paclines take practice. In a group dynamic, racers interact with the wind while turning both left and and right. When they become tired they still have to remember where they are at on the course.


Ladd's Addition is a neighborhood featuring four Rose gardens built off a central Euro-style traffic circle. In our practice, the Team circulates around these block wide gardens then sets up on the central circle for a 150yard sprint down a yet unused element of the neighborhood.

It takes a lot of thinkin'.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Go Snow Rocky!


Dedicated were the souls who descended into the snow laden Rock Creek Valley Sunday.
Snow and cold were real factors, but pace and tempo, set by strong men of the day, Isaac and Jake were factors as well.

From a starting pack of nine, it was the smallest, Kent Ross who emerged as the real star.
His little body seemed to be thrilled about his new bicycle and with every pedal stoke he celebrated.

Dave Wingard rode great, and Mielle was as brave and tenacious as ever.

Monday, January 10, 2011

We can do this!

Cycling Women Unite!
by
John Benenate


Empowering leadership!

Under a looming gray sky and the auspices of unity, Cyclisme women led us into the 2011 racing season Saturday.

Featuring the recovered return of Jenn Leonard, the introduction of Lori Bernardini, the Rockstar power of Mielle Blomberg, and the rock steady hand of leadership from Ms. Sandra Clark, Saturday's Women's Led Ride was perfect.

All dedicated to the gentle handling of Leonards recovering calf, the tempo out was slow. But three snacks into the wind later, the turn home was raging.

Blomberg pulled out the stops and this young team started to fly. Arguably the cycling sportswriters' prediction for biggest "out of nowhere" OBRA women's team in 2011, they are still going to have to conquer some big miles in the preseason to get there.

Certainly for the coaching staff at Cyclisme Saturday's result was edifying, because Women's Development is the cornerstone their elite training strategy for '11.

Calling out the plan, soothing the politics, and fortifying the personnel has been two months in the making. Meeting people and working with them in Pursuit of Glory, then after hours developing and posting recruitment flyers all over town has made for full time work.

Fortunate is the artisan who can make a plan reality!

Saturday, January 01, 2011

Tough Racers Conquer Wet Winter!

Pursuit Class Report Week Two
by
Jake Hansen

In the Pursuit of Glory Winter Training Class, all systems are go! As the calender turns over, we are launching into a new racing year.

Always ready to ride Junior Cyclocross Star, Keegan O'Neill and his trusty new teammate Kent Ross have been practicing their team time trialing around Fairmont Loop and up Terwilliger Blvd with occasional additions to their paceline like Sarah Hunter and Kent's Mom, Lori Bernadini.

Timing our intervals has been aided by a brand new stopwatch from El Presidente Greg O'Brien and support from UofO's b.i.k.e. Graduate Aaron Boothby on the road.
Sandra Clark, Sarah Hunter, and Lori Bernadini have been consistent in their efforts and are a great foundation for our new Women's team.

While the rain has been constant and the air chilly we have seen our classy riders flow around Ladd's Addition with grace in a tight pack.

DeyShaun Lee gave his cousin, Ahmad, from San Jose, a ride he will not soon forget as he got to stoke the tandem across town.

After class, Ahmad showed us all some of his kickboxing skills that have won him five of five MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fights. This 16 year old may be one to watch for, all you UFC fans out there.

Crank bicycle owners, Justin and Chris, have been selfless with their shop providing OUTSTANDING service, space and comfort for our brave crew of Pursuiters. Yoga, abdominals and handstand pushups against the wall are just 3 of our many secrets that we teach at the Pursuit of Glory Class.

Directuer Sportife John Benenate has provided us with a quality training environment and a class that will make you fast.

Come test yourself against the clock over the next three weeks!