Hayes scores another off road win!!!

This past weekend Mark Hayes contested the Anglers Ridge Race in Danville Va. With a long and tough course to deal with, along with a larger than average field Mark managed to get a good start. The plan, simple.... Hit it from the gun and see if there were any casualties. It wasn't long before Mark got a sizeable gap. From there on it was a like a Mtn Bike time trial. Everyone was together at the start. Just a little different at the end with NO ONE IN SIGHT!!!
Way to go Mark!!!

Angela Krol takes 2nd in State Crit Champs

Angela Krol took 2nd place in the North Carolina State Crit Championships on Memorial day. Her second place finish was a solo effort after a mixed break of combined riders were able to stay away until the end. Way to go Ang.

Chapman Assaults Mt. Mitchell

Not exactly sure why I continue to do this ride but I find myself at the start line waiting for the clock to hit 0. Away we go, had to take a couple nature breaks going to Marion, three actually, and two of those times I had to work much harder than I wanted to catch back up. The yellow line rule was not in play, saw several guys playing chicken with on coming cars but thankfully there were no accidents. In order to post a sub 6 hour time my Marion split needs to be 3:15 because I climb like an elephant, unfortunately we rolled into Marion at 3:38 and I knew my hopes of a sub 6 hr ride were all but gone. I stayed with the front group about halfway up hwy 80, at that point I went into survival mode. Getting off hwy 80 was nice but the parkway is far from flat. By this time my legs were heavy and could only sustain a moderate pace, I was watching the time tick by on my computer hoping my legs would recover so I could try to make up some time but it never happened. At mile 90 I had a nice cramp flair up in my right hamstring so I had to stop for about a minute to stretch it out. By now it's very obvious that I am not going to reach my goal of sub 6 hours so I'm just riding for pride. I eventaully crossed the line in 6:36, disappointed with my results but thankful to be done.

Hayes Takes 2nd Place at Stump Jump

The Mtn Team headed down to Spartanburg, SC for the Stump Jump Mountain Bike race. Mark Hayes managed to fight his way to a closely contested 2nd place finish. Congrats to Mark for a job well done. Check back for a race recap soon.

Krol Takes 2nd In Sanford

On Sunday, Gary Krol and Chris Chapman travled to Sanford NC to contest the 2nd Annual Sanford Downtown Criterium. The course was a classic four corner course that featured a rising front stretch all the way from turn four to the start finish line. This course always makes for some hard racing. On the top of the order was scorching temps so hot is was melting the asphalt is places making some of the corners a bit dicey. Some of the riders who had temperature on their computers were showing heat from the road at a blistering 98 degrees!!!! Water anyone????

The race started off pretty fast with several attempts of riders trying to establish an early break. One rider actually did manage to slip away for five laps or so, but was eventually reeled back in by the bunch. The pace remained high for most of the race and CCR riders managed to stay toward the front of the race all day.

With three to go the pace quickened even more taking its toll on many riders. On the last lap Gary made a move on the back side along with a rider from ITS KANE who had the same idea. With both riders heading into turn three at a high rate of speed, Gary chose to give way to the Kane rider in order to take a good ine through the turn. Out of turn four it was basically a two man sprint with Krol coming up a half of a bike short of victory taking second place on the day and Chapman taking a solid finish in the group.

On the Day CCR riders worked well together covering moves and looking out for one another. Of the 49 riders that started the race, only 25 or so finished with the pack. All in all it was very hot which made the racing that much harder. Thanks to all who were there cheering us on. We hope to see you at the next one.

Also, congrats to local rider Jay Hartsell of Locust for a 4th place finish in the Category 5 race!!!

Next week the team will be heading over to Charlotte NC for the Dilworth Criterium. Come check it out!!!

Krol wins in Charleston

Gary Krol went down to Charleston SC this weekend to compete in the ION Smackdown Criteriums. He won the 4/5 Masters and placed 5th in the 3/4 race later in the day. Thanks to all who where down there cheering for the team. Also thanks to Harkey and the Hincappie / Gary Fisher team for their continued support.