Madison

Something new for me this year is actually racing Madisons. The last 2-3 years I have participated in madison training at the track but never felt strong enough or comfortable enough to sign up for a race. I came close in the middle of last year but as it turned out, I was one of the last to sign up and find a partner and ended up being partnerless. Maybe not such a bad outcome at the time.
This year, more early season madison training and I was actually starting to feel comfortable about the exchanges.
The first madison race of the season came up, I found a partner, Zak M. and off we went. I think it was a 60 lap points race, we didn't place very well but we learned a lot and I found out that I was starting to love madisons.
My next shot was right before Ragbrai, I wasn't palnning to do the madison but one team mate dropped for the night and someone needed a partner so I volunteered. Another successfull race, not great placing but tons more experience. Third event, the State Champ. Madison event for the year. For some reason we had a light racer turn out and the race needed one more team to actually be run. In I jumped even though I was racing against all the Cat 1/2's including my team mate Chris. Another successfull race. I am getting hooked.
The latest adventure was the 2 day Peace Coffee Grind. 2 nights back to back, all madison racing from long points races, to miss and outs to flying TT's. Another great learning experience back with my buddy Zak. As I've told others recently, I would not have traded those race nights, great fun, hard race nights. Not the best pacing but overall great training for USA Master's Championships.

Fixed Gear warm ups

Chris warming up for the next race during the Sunday marathon.

Fixed Gear again

Linsey H. ready to show them how it's done

Fixed Gear Classic

Chris during the track stand contest, eventually the winner

NSC Fixed Gear Classic

The NSC Velodrome hosted it's second Fixed Gear Classic national level race week end again this year June 11th, 12th and 13th. There were track racers from all across the country competeing for medals and money.
This time around, there were races for Cat 3's so I decided to try my luck on at least one day of the event.
As luck would have it, I picked the day that got rained out, Saturday. The Cat 3's got 1 race in, a 10 lap scratch. It was an eye opener for me. Still early in the season and my warm up routine not quite the best yet. I finished a disappointing last overall.
What it did do for me is help re focus my efforts and get me back to the realization that all the races in Blaine were really about training for my real goals which were/are;
1) Reset the 60 plus Flying 200 record at Blaine, matching my Colorado time
2) Be faster and more competitive at USA Masters Track Championships in Frisco TX in Aug/Sept.
3) Be faster and more competitive at Worlds Masters Track Champioships in Portugal in Oct.

High lights of the weekend were my team mate, Chris, winning the track stand contest on Friday and better yet, placing high enough in all the other races to be on the podium for the overall.

Congrats to Chris for putting PJW Racing on the podium for a national level event.

Thanks Rolf and CARS Bike shop

Rolf Prima wheels available from CARS Bike shop in Mounds View MN. Ask for Bruce, tell them PJW Racing sent you

Rolf Prima on RAGBRAI

Here's the Bianchi in Charles City Iowa after a hot day on the road.

Rolf Prima

PJW Racing is lucky to have Rolf Prima wheels as an associate sponsor helping us with sets of Alloy track clincher wheels this year.

Here is one set ready to ride. Their first rides however were not on the track but on a Bianchi Pista track fixie and ridden over 500 miles on RAGBRAI, the ride across Iowa.

Mascot

Mascot for PJW Racing

His name is of course;

Lucky

A small but good looking new Team at the NSC Velodrome in Blaine, MN



PJW Racing

Pat W.

Chris F.

Teschner and Cervelo on Rolf Alloy track wheels.

It's August, time for some excitement

The year continues to fly by as we prepare for the best of the 2010 track and cycling season.
It's also time to catch up since last year when I abandoned this blog.
I don't really remember much about the early part of the year other than lots of weight room work and roller work based on what coach Chris suggested. The idea was to build on last years successes and get stronger for the 2010 season.
Chris was also instrumental in getting me to look at my team affliliation and decide if I wanted to form my own team. It sounded a bit of a strectch but I thought, why not. I already advertise at the track so a PJW Automotive team was not out of the question. Next step was to formalize the teams goals and qualifications and then think about team kits and other possible team members.
Relying on the local MCF bulletin board, I found a local graphic artist, Peter Anderson, who was familiar with designing cycling kits and the creative process began. New to this process, I didn't realize how long it would take to work through all the attempts. We picked Champ Systems for our clothing supplier and by the time I ok'd the final design spring time was close at hand.
As an aid to getting a very small team started, I decided to sell Team wear to any interested cyclist so that I could meet the minimum order levels.
The team was coming together, just me on it but the beginning of a new adventure.
As I formalized the Team support options, coach Chris decided to become team member #2.
I was happy and excited to have him on board.