Team Placid Planet: News

Tour of Georgia is gone by Battenkill may replace it!

On a positive note, Dieter Drake, the Anthem Sports CEO, informed Cyclingnews that the increasingly popular Tour of the Battenkill may fill the Tour de Georgia's spot on the UCI calendar. The Classics-style race with dirt roads and numerous climbs in Cambridge, New York, has been given permission to apply for a late addition to the UCI calendar for an April 18-19, 2009 slot.

Fall club meeting RESCHEDULED TO THURS. DEC. 4, 6:30PM

POSTPONED TO THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 AT 6:30PM. Annual fall meeting. Short review of 2008 season riding, racing, and community service activity. Election of officers and open floor for suggestions from members for club initiatives and activities for 2009 and beyond. Snapshots of the progress of our youth program and our plans for our 2009 Race Weekend. 2009 clothing order will be intiated.

SPECIAL SPEAKER: Kari Fitzsimmons of Adirondack Medical Center, an Olympic strength and conditioning coach, will speak to us about off-season strength training for cyclists and triathletes.

Please come out and participate in the club, let us know your interests and how we can support them!

Tuesday ride August 26th

Dear all,

Hope you are enjoying the very nice weather we've been having! Just to invite you to the Tuesday ride tomorrow evening. Since several of us are doing the Green Mt. Stage Race starting on Friday, we are planning an easy spinning ride on the valley road (9N) from Jay Green to Keene and back. We might go around Hull's Falls Road just to get a little extra in on a nice sideroad. Since the ride will be relatively short, we'll go at 6pm from the Green. Stretch your legs with us and enjoy a more social ride than usual on Tuesday nights!
Jim

Tuesday night hill work August 12th and 19th

Several of us in the road racing group are tuning up for the Green Mt. Stage Race, so we've decided to concentrate on hills more the next two Tuesdays. This Tuesday, the 12th, we will ride Whiteface (weather permitting!). We'll still start from Jay Green at 6pm and will go up the valley to Upper Jay for a warmup, then up Springfield Rd. to Wilmington, regroup there as necessary, and up Whiteface. The climb will be everyone at his or her own pace of course, whether blistering all the way, intervals, whatever. All riders, all paces are welcome as long as it's understood that the group won't stay together the whole time. But we will wait either at the top (weather and blackflies permitting!) or after the descent, regroup again, and ride back to Jay. Whether you are training for the Green Mt. or just want a great and scenic long mountain climb, we hope you will come out.

Paula maybe you could let us know what your group plans to do: stay with the normal routes or do the big climb? Thanks!

August 19th hillclimbing plan to be announced, but probably East Hill, Schaeffer Hill, and maybe Styles Brook too.

First Annual TPP Club Championship Race

Just another reminder about the club championship race on Aug. 9th @ 10:00 A.M. We need to have participation of many of you of our club. It should be a great race - some cash primesand give-a-ways, a patch showing that you are the club champion for '08 (for your jersey), and a club champion mug telling everyone you are the champion. I would like to ask that members who are planning to participate in the race and others who don't want to race but can help to please get back to me via. e-mail, blog, phone (834-7071), letter, smoke signal, flare gun, pony express,etc. I don't want to be surprised and there is quite a bit of work going into this. I want to make sure you all have a good day of some fun racing.

Ironman Aid Station at Wilmington needs volunteers!

Hi team,

The folks out at the Wilmington aid station are still looking for volunteers for the Ironman on Sunday. Jill and I will be there, and I know a good many others of you are there each year.

Of course, lots of us in the club are either competing or volunteering in some other role, but a lot of the rest of us usually volunteer at the Wilmington aid station, which is at the start of the out-and-back leg of the bike course so that every rider comes by four times: very exciting, esp. if you are into the cycling aspect. And you get a real workout handing up bottles!

If you don't have plans to volunteer somewhere else, you should consider it. Good time to hang around and talk in between too. If you want to volunteer then shoot Steve Corvelli an email at mtnman48@charter.net -- he's the Wilmington Ironman Captain. I'm sure he would be very glad to hear from you.

Note that since anyone who isn't off the bike by I believe 5pm can't continue, anyone volunteering at Wilmington has plenty of time to get around to the Oval to watch the runners finishing. (Actually you could get there in time to see the last runners _starting_.)

We'll have the TPP tent out there and will have some fun. See you there, and if you are racing, good luck and we'll be cheering you on!

All best,
Jim

Wilmington-Whiteface Road Race brief report for now

Here is the press release I sent to the LP News/Adk Daily Enterprise on Monday night:

The First Annual Wilmington-Whiteface Road (Cycling) Race was held on Saturday, June 21 starting from the Wilmington Town Park, using roads in the towns of Wilmington and Black Brook, and finishing after a 1.6 mile climb to the Santa’s Workshop/North Pole parking lot on Whiteface Memorial Highway. 130 racers in categories ranging from 10-12 year old girls and boys to men’s Masters 55 and over to top class men and women competed on the hilly and challenging course over distances from 12.5 miles for the youngsters to 69 miles for the top men. The weather was threatening off and on all day but was mostly just fine for bike racing: not too hot with dry roads except for a couple of isolated downpours that cooled down a couple of grateful packs of racers when it was getting a little steamy in the mid afternoon.

The main event, the men’s Pro/1/2/3 category, was won by Yann Deville of Montreal over Stephen Pingree of West Point and Brian Lawney of Ithaca. Adirondack region finishers included Matt Purdy of Albany in 6th, Cory Burns of Watertown in 8th, Andrew Bernstein of Saratoga Springs in 12th, Dieter Drake of Cambridge in 16th after a long breakaway attempt, Kevin Putman of Gloversville in 17th, and Austin McLenithan of Cambridge in 19th.

Jenny Ives of Gloversville won the women’s category 1/2/3 race followed by Susan Croswell of Kingston, Ontario. The women’s category 4 race went to Bryna Nestor, followed by Andrea McGuire and Caitlin Curran.

In the men’s category 3/4 combined field, Damian Bolduc of South Burlington, VT took the top prize with Mark Theeman of Boston and Andrew Lytwynec of Rochester, NY filling out the podium. The men’s category 5 winner was Zach Koop of Ridgefield Park, NJ followed by Jason Schreer of Potsdam and Kevin Mosher of Vorheesville. The sponsoring team of the race Team Placid Planet was represented in the cat 5 field by Shawn Turner of Champlain in 10th and Bruce Bunn of Plattsburgh in 17th.

In the men’s Masters 35+, Eric Phaneuf of Stowe, VT topped Mark Sumner of Clifton Park and Eben Kellogg of Littleton, NH. In the Masters 45+, Robert Duguay edged out Thierry Blanchett of Castleton, NY, who was followed by Philip Beliveau of St. George, VT. Jim Laird and Gary Vienneau of Kingston, Ontario combined with Gilbert Bessin of Montreal for a Canadian sweep of the podium in the Masters 55+ race.

Nathan Piché of Hoosick Falls won the Junior Boy’s 15-18 race over Mackenzie Wilsey of Schoharie and Curtis White of Delanson, who is a double national champion from last year, only 13 but racing in a higher age group. Daniel Romlein of Potsdam was sixth and Peter McDougal of Peru was seventh.

A highlight of the day was the Dr. David Thomashow Memorial Youth Races for ages 10-14. "Dr. Dave" was a longtime local cyclist and endurance athlete and an avid supporter of young people's endurance sports who passed away suddenly this spring. In the Boy's 10-12 race, Keane Brennan of Cambridge bested Joseph Toth of Stephentown and Wyatt Drake of Cambridge, while Jonah Burns of Wilmington finished sixth. Brittany Sumner of Clifton Park held off Emma White of Delanson in a tight finish in the Girls 10-12 race, and in the Boy’s 13-14, Jack Macclarence of Loudonville sped home ahead of Joseph Benson of Loudonville and Duncan Sabatin of Elizabethtown. Owen McCullum of Plattsburgh was fourth and Jacob Burns of Wilmington was 6th. Eydon Thomashow, Dr. Dave's daughter, and her mother, Lisa Keegan, spoke at the awards ceremony and presented gift certificates to the winners in honor of Dr. Dave's support of kid's sports.

The hosting club, Team Placid Planet, would like to thank all its volunteers as well as the race’s many sponsors, area merchants, New York State Police Troop B, the Town of Wilmington and its Visitors Bureau and Youth Center, Santa’s Workshop/North Pole Associates, and area residents and motorists who helped make this a safe and successful event. We hope it is the first of many annual editions!

Tupper Lake Tinman last call for registration!

This is from Michelle Cote, race director of the Tupper Lake Tinman on June 26:

Reminder that Tupper Lake Tinman registration is closing very soon, very limited slots for local triathletes left. If interested, contact me at micheletuptri@roadrunner.com

Important update on ESG Qualifier Registration!

This is from Gary Toth, coordinator of the Adirondack ESG Trials. Please sign up online today if you are planning to race! It will save Gary from the laborious task of keying in your info after the race. Here's the deal:

Last call - registration should be shutting down on the www.empirestategames.org web site Thursday night or Friday morning. Still only 34 men pre-registered. I have heard of some people having problems registering -

- If you already entered under ESG masters cycling, the system will not allow you to enter the open division. You will have to create another user account with a different username and password, re-enter your name, address, etc. and then enter the Adirondack cycling open men or women. The wise thing would have been to wait and enter masters after the open trials, when you know whether you made the open team. No refunds of masters entry fees will be issued.

- If you do not have a USAC license to enter where it's requested, and planned to enter the trials by purchasing a one-day license at check-in, enter 777777 or 999999 or something. We'll have to tweak the system for next year so it doesn't ask for license number for open trials.

- After selecting adirondack region, cycling, and either open men or women, you must then click on ADD THIS EVENT. When the next screen comes up, then enter CONTINUE.

- Don't try to pay the $2 USAC insurance fee online. I will collect that at check-in on Saturday.

- You do not have to answer the questions about uniform size, housing or transportation now. As it says, you have until 7/7 top log back in and answer or change your answers IF YOU MAKE THE OPEN TEAM. If you don't qualify, these questions are moot.

If you absolutely can't get through the online system, come on Saturday anyway - you will have to fill out paper forms, I will have to do the data entry after, but you will get to race.

Gary

Volunteers needed for Saranac Lake Kiwanis Bike Rodeo!

Hi Team Placid Planet members,

Wanted to remind you about the Bike Rodeo in Saranac Lake on Saturday. It would be really great if some of you could help out. Several of us racers will be doing the Empire State Games Qualifier, so won't be able to attend. Having done it last year, however, I can tell you that it was a rewarding experience, both to see the kids excited about biking, bike safety, and getting new helmets, and to have lots of parents and the Kiwanis folks thank us heartily. We mostly fitted the helmets on kids, but it's possible we'll be called on to help set up the course or do other things. Kenny usually sends a mechanic to check out the kids bikes for safety and make recommendations.

The event is from 10 to noon but they want volunteers there at 9. It's at the Civic Center (hockey rink) on Ampersand Ave. If you can attend, please let Hal Schmidt know at Hal.Schmidt@momentive.com

Hal plans a 2-3 hour moderate pace ride after the rodeo, too.

Thanks a lot folks! The next event we'll help out at is the Plattsburgh Mayor's Cup Bike Rally (another kids rodeo). That is July 12, and we racers will be THERE in force, promise!

Jim

Race committee meeting Weds May 28th after TT

We will be having a race committee meeting after Kenny's time trial on Wednesday evening May 28. The TT should be over by 7:30, so let's say 7:30-8pm. All club members who are interested in helping with the race (June 21) are encouraged to attend; all race committee members should attend if at all possible. If race committee members who are responsible for volunteers can't attend, please get names, numbers, phone nos and emails to Mary Levitz beforehand so we can start getting a firm count. One month to go to the race, and we are psyched, yet there is much to do! Thank you! Jim

Empire State Games Adirondack Region Cycling Trials Saturday May 31, 2008

This is to announce the ESG Adirondack Qualifier for the men's and women's open teams to compete at the ESGs in Binghamton July 23-27. This is a challenging circuit road race of 75 miles for men, 38 miles for women, all categories together (categories 1 through 5!). The top ten men and top three women will qualify. Cost is only $2!

Women of all racing levels are especially encouraged to "try out," because the past two years the Adk team has not had a full contingent of women, which is a shame because that means the slots are wasted and also it hurts the team in the overall team competition with the other five regions, which is the main focus of the ESG Cycling finals. So please sign up! And even if you don't make the team it is a great training race and a chance to learn from some top competitors. Ask Bill McGreevy or Dana Van Dorn about what a great experience it is to join the open team at the Games (all meals and lodging paid for, coaching and support provided, plus spiffy ADK jerseys!)

ESG Flyer

Cambridge Balloon Festival Road Race Saturday June 7, 2008

Our good friend and amazing racer and promoter Dieter Drake sends the following announcement about another very challenging and first-class race he and his Farm Team Youth Cycling Team is putting on. This race overlaps with the terrain covered by the Battenkill-Roubaix and is almost as challenging! It's one of the closest races to us in the North Country and a good one, so put it on your calendar! Here's what Dieter has to say:

The 2008 Balloon Festival Classic & Battenkill Valley LAJORS Grand Prix is open for registration. This 5th annual race in Cambridge, NY is hosted by Farm Team Cycling and Cambridge Valley Cycling. Please come to the Battenkill Valley of Upstate, NY for the area's Northeast's Spring Classic finale.

https://www. bikereg.com/ events/register. asp?eventid= 6478

Thanks,

Dieter

Dieter Drake

Team Director

Farm Team Cycling

Cambridge, NY

www.farmteamcycling .org

Wilmington-Whiteface Race Day

As most of you already know Team Placid Planet is hosting the 
Wilmington-Whiteface Road Race on June 21. We're registered as a sponsored club 
with the USCf so we're required to host a race. But we'd do this thing 
regardless...cause this is our sport and these are the mountains that we suffer 
up and fly down... and love. 
    It takes a lot of people to make it all happen on race day. And we still 
need course marshals and volunteers to to assist at the start/staging area, 
directing traffic in the parking area, helping at the finish area, and cleaning 
up the course afterward.  We hope that the majority of the staff will be team 
members and local riders because you're our base - and you get it! 
     Please contact Hal Schmidt at <Hal.Schmidt@momentive.com> if you can be a 
course Marshall. For other volunteer positions please call or email Mary Levitz 
at 518-891-1816 or <birdsonglane2000@yahoo.com>.  
     Help us host a great event on June 21. But until then, throw a leg over 
your bicycle as much as you possibly can, Thanks, Ed.

Race Calendar Now Functional

Craig has added a really cool feature to the site. Once you log in to the site, click on the Race Calendar. If you are planning to do a race, click on the ADD a Race button and it will appear on the calendar. Anyone else who is planning to do that race can then click on that race on the calendar and then click on the RSVP button. That will add them to the list of folks doing that race. By adding races and checking on who is going, car pools can be set up and shared hotel rooms can be scheduled. IT IS ALMOST SHOW TIME!

Hats and T-shirts

Hey guys, I have a limited amount of T-shirts (L and XL) and hats left. T's are $10 and hats are $13. Let me know if you want any.

2009 Etape du Tour

Folks, Attila Tamer and I are doing L'etape du Tour this year. This is a fully supported stage of this years Tour de France that goes over the Tormalat and finishes at the top of the Hautacam. Here is the link http://www.letapedutour.com/2008/ETDT/presentation/us/index.htm

We do it about a week before the pros do it. I did this event in 2004 and it was one of the best experiences on a bike I've ever had. The route changes every year as the Tour changes every year but it always a mountain stage.

Some of you have asked about doing this in 2009. If any of you would like to do this please let me know. It is difficult to get into this race without using a tour company. We are using Custom Getaways www.customgetaways.com this year and they take care of everything. The cost is about $1500 per rider plus airfare. This includes your hotel for 3 nights, dinner and breakfast, entry in the race and some other important logistics items.

If you are interested in 2009 let me know and I will contact Custom Getaways about a group rate.

You will never forget going through a little town in France in a paceline where the folks are lined 4 deep on the streets screaming "Allez" or the folks getting you up those massive climbs.

Let me know.

Hal

Ride Super Sunday @ noon Feb 3 at Purdy's- 3 hours

Sturbridge and Palmer now on Bikereg

The registration is up for the Sturbridge and Palmer races in April. New course for Sturbridge. 14 mile loop now with the off camber 150 turn elimenated.

Meeting Minutes from 12/3/2007

Link to minutes