Super Squadra

This past Sunday, Squadra members rolled out of bed a bit earlier than typical following two days of ACL festivities.  We joined the Austin Flyers ride to lend our company and horsepower to the “4 Weeks to the Challenge” training series which leads up to the Livestrong Challenge on October 25-26.  Here’s a picture from BSS in the morning sunshine.



We split ourselves to cover the two distances.  David and Ian were quick to volunteer for the 30-mile loop and Steven and I were pleased to cover the 50-mile distance.  Between the beautiful weather and some of the newly repaved surfaces south of Creedmoor and east of Turnersville.  Our group was more than up to the pace that Steven and I set.  If this is the event that is supposed to prepare riders for the Livestrong Challenge, I say the riders are ready!  LAF could just as well run it next week as far as rider fitness is concerned.  

The morning was not without incident. Expecting flats on the ride I stuffed a pair of latex gloves in my jersey pocket on my way out the door so I could stay fresh and clean after handing bike parts. Well the only person I heard of getting a flat was myself with about five miles remaining of the ride. One butyl tube, one pair of latex gloves and a few odd stares later, Steven and I were back on the road. We passed Barton Springs one last time to check out all the ACL’ers shuffling off to a final day of SUN and music. Save Dille and me a spot!

If you’re looking to ride with Bicycle Sport Shop pb Girling on the upcoming LiveStrong training rides, then couple that with a complimentary training regimen as well as nutritional support from team sponsor HealthCoach. All you need to do is sign up and select a running, swimming, walking, or as we suggest, a cycling program and then get out and exercise! See you on the road.

With the bike racing season winding down, team members Wikoff and myself mustered motivation and traveled to Greenville, Texas to compete in the Cotton Patch Classic. We never did find out why it’s called Cotton Patch (comments on the subject would be appreciated) but did succeed in defending Wenger’s TXBRA individual overall lead (he was at a wedding in Indiana) and keeping things close with THSJ for the team competition.



Phil managed 5th place in the bunch kick to the line on Saturday’s, single loop, 85-mile road race, despite having to fend for himself after I was taken out in the feedzone while attempting to grab a graciously offered neutral feed. During Sunday’s 12-turn, 3/4-mile business/airpark criterium, I focused on remaining active at the front of the race while Phil sat patiently waiting for counter’s by TXBRA individual points challenger “Super” Stefan Rothe. Despite our presence in a few promising breaks, the race came down to another sprinting duel. A greasy 4th to final turn caused Phil to slip out and lose a few bike lengths on THSJ’s Tyler Jewell and Metro VW’s Christian Helmig. He managed to save a near disaster and finish on the podium, likely moving into second overall atop the individual TXBRA points competition in the process.

Super Squadra patiently looks forward to the announcement of a State Road Race date from storm ravaged Houston (we can mention this without seeming unsympathetic only because Spring, Texas based team member Alan Ting continued training sans running water in preparation for the event).

Then, bring on ‘09!

Bicycle Sport Shop pb Girling rider Ian Dille takes the open race at the Driveway after winning the first prime of the race. He looks forward to tossing the leaders tunic into the cold wash on delicates in South Austin (’45) and defending it in two weeks time. Not bad for a four rider team to come away with many lap prizes and riders in the top five. Go team!

If you’d like to get ready for the Austin LiveStrong Challenge, come on out and be ready to ride at 8:15a from Bicycle Sport Shop on Lamar. Details here.

Or, at least we wish we were anonymous after giving the following bulletin board material to John “College” Koriath when the Statesman’s Pam LeBlanc asked for this team member’s thoughts on the impending comeback of a certain Tuesday Nighter runner-up. With honorary member Pat McCarty in town and fresh off a podium performance of his own, we can expect a ProTour level throwdown at this evening’s local “training ride”—Thursday’s Victory Park, $20K crit and Sunday’s State Championship road race, be damned.

Dear Bicycle Sport Shop pb Girling riders,

Thanks for the lead out. Wikoff and Wheeler have shown great dedication in setting a firm example in how to conduct a wedding. It is now my turn to thrust myself to the alter in the same fashion. While none of us planned 3/5 of the team marrying in 2008 as a dare or some weird form of team hazing, I’m glad we have that distraction for the secondary task at hand, the TX Cup.

It seems very improbable and unpredicted that we would be in the position of winning the TX Cup for the team and individual competitions. I never, ever thought that we’d be in contention with all the great things we have going on off the bike professionally as well as personally. Many of us didn’t get to ride as much as we thought was necessary leading into the season. Ian was in NYC for National Geographic Adventure, Wheeler landed a new job in a tight economy, and Ting had to tune the strings of his violin. Phil tirelessly set up AV equipment and got a major promotion at work. I am trying to grow a business.

The word I’d use to describe our team, its members, their racing, and their lives is fortunate.

We have a lot of exciting things going on in our lives on and off the bike. You know, growing up to be upstanding citizens and adding to the good of the community at large. Heck, we even have the most active website in the TX Cup. Well, at least in the team competition. No matter how the TX Cup ends up, we are fortunate to be walking away at the end of the season from our Serottas with the results on our team resume. I never thought I would be in contention for the individual spot I’m in, so 1st or 5th feels like a blessing and I’m flattered at the way our team has handled itself to do the best possible for our friends as well as sponsors.

I do understand that marrage has a grounding effect. So, TX Cup participants, with 3/5 of team weddings and other associated hoopla out of the way for 2009, be warned that it’s ours. Thanks for the great season, guys.

Yeah, well Lance Armstrong is, too. He’s running the Human Race 10k in 34min by 8.31.08 and finishing 2nd at the Tuesday Nighter by 9.2.08 to Bicycle Sport Shop pb Girling rider Steven Wheeler. The day after countless Far West climbing repeats by several team members, Wheeler chased down Team SIX’s Matt Gordon’s 10s gap in the last 7mi of the race simulation while attacking Matt’s teammate John Korioth. When both were left in Steven’s wake, Lance and Wheeler traded pulls coming into the “finish.” Due to Steven’s strong ride and being the only BSS pb Girling rider to single handedly demolish the Team SIX duo, Lance clung on to Steven’s wheel across the finish. Congratulations, Wheeler. Along with Lance, other Tuesday Nighter regulars competing off the bike include Austin Triathlon age grouper Bob McGee. Congratulations Bob, you looked great crossing the finish line on Labor Day.

Bob McGee finishing the Austin Tri