OVCX #3- Caesars Ford Park, Xenia OH

 BioWheels Racing found the podium again today at the third stop on the Zipp Ohio Valley Cyclocross Tour. Jason Mott finds his first podium and went straight to the top step to take his first cyclocross win in the Men's Cat 3 Open field. Jason found himself on the front of the Cat 3 Men's race from the start and rode off the front by himself for the win. Teammate Dan Pike overcame a less than stellar starting position and a lot of traffic to claim 3rd.

Elite Women's Masters racer Gerry Schulze found the podium for the second week in a row claiming 2nd place.  Gerry pressed forward and moved up on nearly every lap and narrowly missed claiming first place.

Bridget Sempsrott claimed 2nd in the Women's Cat 3 Open field. She started in the back row and slowly moved her way forward throughout the race.

OMBC Mohican State Park

While most of the BioWheels Racing team has traded pavement or mountain bike trails for the cyclocross course one rider was still doing battle in the woods. Team member Kris Karwisch picked up a 3rd place today at the Ohio Mountain Bike Championship race at Mohican State Park in the Expert Single-Speed class.

OVCX #2 St. Mary's CX Indianapolis

BioWheels Racing headed to north east Indianapolis on Sunday to battle in the second stop on the OVCX tour. BWR sent 12 riders into battle on a near perfect fall day. Bridget Donovan-Billiter kept her streak alive claiming another win in the Elite Women's 35+ race. Gerry Schulze fought back from mechanical issues to grab third spot.

Jason Mott fought hard in a very fast Cat 3 field and narrowly missed the podium finish in 4th. Mike Schulze picked up 7th place in the Men's Elite 45+ race.

Next up BWR heads north to the Xenia to contest the Caesars Ford CX race on Saturday October 6th.

OVCX #1 Huber's Apple Cross

BWR's Bridget Donovan jumped out to a strong start to the season with a win in the Elite Women's 35+ race. Teammate Gerry Schulze finished just off the podium in 4th for the day.

Mike Schulze led the charge for the men with a 7th place finish in the Men's 45+ Elite race. Second year ride Dan Pike tasted his first podium of the year with a 2nd place finish in the Men's Cat 3 open race while Jason Mott was 7th on the day.

OVCX Begins

BioWheels Racing ready to take on all comers in the 2012-2013 Ohio Valley Cyclocross Season.

Ault Park

BioWheels Racing's Jason Mott finishes in third place for the 2012 Ault Park 20K Race Series. Congrats Jason!

BioHigh at USA Cycling Challenge in Colorado

BioWheels Racers Dominate after a Long Day in the Saddle

Photo by Speedy-Feet.com

The racing team headed north last weekend to John Bryan State Park outside of Yellow Springs, Ohio. The 6 Hours of John Bryan is a 12+ mile lap event where racers do as many laps as possible in 6 hours (plus a lap). There are many categories from male/female/singlespeed solo, to male/female/co-ed duo teams and a family division.

Gerry Schulze and Joe Bellante teamed up and dominated the co-ed team division. Joe set the pace early with a blistering 53 minute first lap and they didn't look back. Gerry posted solid lap times forcing riders from other teams to falter. They lead the second place team by nearly 7 minutes.


Malissa Petrov teamed with junior racer Hannah Mossman for a winning combo in the Female Duo division — beating the second place team by 2 laps.

James Billiter took second place and a podium for the second year in a row in the hotly contested Solo Male race. The top four riders all lead the race at some point and the race was eventually won by CORA's Marty Sanders.

And Scott Murschel brought home a fifth place in the single speed division — a long day in just one gear!

Woot! Kris Karwisch wins OMBC East Fork Expert Single Speed

BioWheels on CXMagazine.com

BioWheels Racing's Joe Bellante shows the world his pain face in a recent article on Cyclocross Magazine's website. See the article here http://www.cxmagazine.com/girl-cowbell-tattoo-molly-hurford-editor-editorializing-july-5-2011

Jimmy Gets Paid

BioWheels Racing's James "Jimmy" Billiter picked up a 1st place victory in the 30-39 Pro/Expert category at the General Butler Rides Again mountain bike in Carrollton, Kentucky today. Finishing first in the 30-39 age group was good for 5th place overall in the men's Pro/Expet field. The strong result is a great return for the long rides and 20+ hour training weeks Jimmy has been putting together this spring.

Check Out XXC Mag Issue 11

Check out BioWheels Racing's resident blogger Joe Bellante's Sub 9 Death March article in issue 11 of XXC Magazine. The issue is available for download here: http://xxcmag.com/?page_id=196

Good Day for the BioLadies on the road! Malissa Petrov finished in 3rd and Gerry Schulze finished 4th at the last race in the Ohio Spring Race Series series today. Their strong finishes the last few races moved them up in the overall series. Malissa Petrov finished 4th and Gerry Schulze 5th in the overall 123 Womens standings. Now they can tell their families whom they have negleted this entire spring, they made the top 5!

Cool heads prevail in Headwinds

Gerry Schulze and Malissa Petrov raced in the Spring Valley wind tunnel yesterday. Petrov finished 4th and Schulze 7th. Brutal headwind or cross wind everywhere except for the climb where there was a tail wind thank you sweet baby Jesus.

The women rolled out and the first attack came within the first 5 mins. Malissa was in back watching for it and surprised how soon it went out. Two team Dayton gals and an Indie Bike gal, Malissa chased and was oh so close but couldn't quite make the catch.

"I had a Dayton gal and a Texas Roadhouse gal with me. The Dayton gal was just hanging on, and RH and I worked to keep the break in sight, and make sure we stayed out of sight of the main pack. We worked together for about 6 miles then TR house who is a good friend of mine, looked at me and said she was going to let me roll off the front. Thank you again SBJ:) I laid down the hammer, Team Dayton tired to catch, but too late, I got away and never saw them again. I rode 3 laps alone in the wind tunnel, repeating the mantra to myself "I love the wind, I won't get caught, I love the wind I won't get caught...." One section of the course the wind was so fierce that I was in LT HR zone but only going 12mph and bracing myself to keep from blowing over."

Gerry said the pack really got strung out after the attack. Gerry stayed with a splinter group of 4 who made a break from the group as a result of the first break. Gerry did not work at first just hung in and made sure Malissa got a clean get away:) Shulze stayed with that splinter group until the 3rd or 4th lap. At the right turn heading into the climb the course marshalls were trying to keep a car off the course and two of the women went off course. Gerry stayed on course and she was able to break away from the one woman left with her and finish 7th.

"Way to go Schulze:) Thanks for letting me make the getaway!"

85 Degrees and Sunny

Perfect day for a bike ride.

Go Mommy Go: BioWheels Moms at OSRS

Malissa Petrov Forward Center at Hueston Woods

According to the Ohio Spring Race Series (OSRS) Facebook page, after placing 5th and 7th respectively at the third race of the series at Hueston Woods, BioWheels/Reece-Campbell Racing's Gerry Schulze and Malissa Petrov are on the podium for fastest mom's of the series:

OSRS Cat 1/2/3 Mom standings after the first 3 races:

1 Krystal McNutt

2 Malissa Petrov

3 Gerry Schulze

4 Blair Barter

Ohio Spring Road Series #2- Schababerle

If you aren't familiar with Schabaerle, stop two for the Ohio Spring Road Series, you can see a great informational write up from BioWheels Racing's own Joe Biker here. Two brave BioWheels' racers ignored less than ideal weather forecasts and possibly their better judgement to tackle the toughest race of the series. Chirs Carville and Mark Rucker entered the fray of the sold out Cat 5 Men's field. Mark posted a great result for the team finishing 7th on the day and Chris crossed the line in 19th.

And for those that are curious here is what finishing 19th looks like:

Jimmy & Nates' Death March to the Core of Evil

Jimmy & Nates' Death March to the Core of Evil

(cross post from Jimmy's blog)

Yesterday 8 members of the BioWheels/Reece-Campbell team converged on the Hoosier National Forest to compete in Sub 9's Death March. The premise of the Death March is simple and brilliant — there are 9 cemeteries in the Hoosier Forest, the first team of 2 cyclists to connect all the dots via trails, gravel forest roads and roads on whatever type of bike are the winners.

Jaden and Joe mulled over maps for the week leading into the event. They came up with a very solid course that should deliver us to the finish line with very good times. Also, we planned to ride as a team — a CX team time trial! This put a lot of added pressure on a lot of us, I've always liked off-road bike racing because every rider competes for themselves — because I worry that a poor performance or a crash by myself could potentially hurt the teams' time or worse hurt another team member.


So the start was pretty fast and furious and our 8 riders were spread all over the place! We were really gunning it! I turned myself inside out to pace some of my teammates up to the front Bio-riders. When we made contact I pulled to the left for a break and for the first time ever I physically vomited from the effort! I think Bjet's homemade blueberry wheat muffin that I ate 10 MINUTES before the start may have been a bad idea!

We were together for only a few minutes when the Karwash/Collier BioTeam South duo got a flat! We chose not to wait as the first cemetery was just ahead and they might be able to catch up there. But we didn't see them and perhaps the flat was worse than expected. After about an hour of hard riding Ole Gersy was starting to look fatigued — an illness had plagued for the previous week and he wasn't his speedy typical self. The Mott/Gers duo had to bail. Then there were only 4! And only a short time later Joe got a flat as well! The gravel roads were taking their toll on our bikes and our bodies.


One of my favorite things about competition is that I believe it reveals the unlimited potential of humankind. Racing has transformed me as a person and has helped me overcome my fears and inhibitions. I am pretty scared of heights, being near a railing or the thought of falling can actually paralyze me! I have been to Paris twice and have not yet been on top of the Eiffel Tower and I DNF'd a climb to the top of Gaudi's Sograda Familia in Barcelona. So it was required that both team members climb a fire tower and have their pictures taken. I sucked it up and got through it! The old structure swayed and creaked but the view from the top was worth it! Here I come Eiffel!


Mott rejoined at the the Fire Tower — he would be along for a fun ride, just tagging along and not taking pulls. And speaking of unlimited potential: Karwash and Collier caught back up to us looking fresh and fast. As a team we hit the lovely trails to hit Callahan cemetery. Man, the trails were really beautiful! I can't wait to ride there again.

I just drank my last drop of water with 15 miles to go. I was low on calories and hydration and worried I wouldn't make it to the end. Suddenly Sub 9's Ron Burgundy van pulls up filled with beer, water and Clif Bars! Thanks to them I didn't wither away out there!


So we were probably only a few miles from the finish. Jaden got a cramp and had to slow up for a sec. THERE WAS BLOOD IN THE WATER. We mentioned when does it become uncivil, when do we race for the best sub-team times. But part of me wanted to roll in as a united front with Jaden & Joe getting the best placing as a thanks for the organizational brilliance. On a hill just before the end Nate and Karwash were going for King of the Hill bragging rights. As a lark I gunned it to come from behind — and suddenly this was perceived as an attack. Nate and I were suddenly pitted against Karwash/Collier. We chugged up the hills and it appeared that we had dropped them. But the day's efforts had taken their toll and as we crawled up the final hill Karwash and Collier rejoined and we took it into the camp with a sprint finish! Karwash and Collier took it at the line! Perhaps it was a bit unclassy to attack the homies that we owe a debt of gratitude — I see some untimely mechanicals in my future!


Thanks again to Jaden and Joe for orchestrating the BioTeam's diabolical plot. It was so fun to race as a team and I really think with a few tweaks and streamlining we're gonna tear up next year's race. The results aren't posted yet but I think all of us are in the top 15, not bad out of 98 teams!

Great job Sub 9, brilliant race with a beautiful course! Thanks to the Ron Burgundy van I made it to the end.

RESULTS:
10th Place:
BIOWHEELS/REECE-CAMPBELL RACING TEAM SOUTH (Karwisch/Collier)
Total Time: 04:29:00; with Time Bonuses: 01:14:00

11th Place:
BIOWHEELS/REECE-CAMPBELL RACING TEAM #3 (Nate and Jimmy)
Total Time: 04:29:02; with Time Bonuses: 01:14:02

12th Place:
BIOWHEELS/REECE-CAMPBELL RACING TEAM #1 (Jaden & Joe)
Total Time: 04:30:00; with Time Bonuses: 01:15:00

DNF:
BIOWHEELS/REECE-CAMPBELL RACING TEAM #2 (Jason & Gers)
Total Time: 04:30:01;

Gearing Up For 2011

A look back on a lovely November

Autumn Crossing from CinéCinnati on Vimeo.

In November we said goodbye to Autumn as the last of the leaves fell from the trees. The sun began to set on the end of our races and on nearing end of cross season. And winter winds made us bundle up as the races became slick with frost covered mud. The BioWheels/Reece-Campbell racing team continued with a strong November showing, securing their results in the overall and some racers beginning to come into their own as the season wears on. The team has travelled to Columbus, Lexington, and Louisville with a couple of stops in our backyard with the Gun Club race in Miamiville and the Buckingham Financial John Bryan Ohio State Championships outside of Yellow Springs.

Karen Hamilton continued her strong consistent finishes and is looking towards a top-three finish in the Category 3/4 Masters Women. Doug Hamilton, Harry Wicks and Tony Franklin battled weekly in the hotly-contested Category 3 Masters 45+, while Scott Murschel has been doing double-duty fighting in the Category 3 Masters 35+ and steering his titanium Moots towards potential top tens in the OVCX as well as Columbus' CapCity series.

A huge congratulations is in order for Steven Gers. Steven achieved his first podium with third place at Lexington's Promotion Cross after five years of strong finishes in 'cross racing. Steven is always in the top ten if not consistently finishing fourth or fifth so he is extremely proud of his strong finish, in the Lexington's Kentucky State Championships no less!

Brian Collier is continuing his incredible season. Brian finished the summer with a third place podium in the England-Idlewild mountain bike race and winning the Mens Elite overall in the Kings Cyclocross Time Trial Series. Brian has battled weekly for incredible results, bringing home five podium finishes with two second place finishes. Brian is looking to secure a top-three in the overall in the Category 3 Mens 35+. Nate Mirrus is also riding strong and consistently and could even give Steven a run for his money in the top five in the overall for Category 3 Mens 35+.

Jaden Sempstrott is having a strong season in the Category 3 Men Open. As the season has progressed Jaden has gotten closer and closer to the front of the race. In October Jaden captured a podium in CapCity's Dublin race with a second place finish. Jaden used his momentum from Lexingtons fourht place finish to capture a Silver medal in the Buckingham Financial John Bryan Ohio State Championships. With his strong racing Jaden has sewn up a solid sixth place in the Category 3 series, one of the largest and most competitive categories with nearly 200 racers participating this year. Jason Mott has also emerged from a long season coaching the Covington Catholics's Mens Soccer team to take home a seventh place finish in Lexington.

Gerry Schulze is Misses Consistency this year proving to be a top five finisher is just about every race she enters. This includes a fifth place in her age group at the legendary Iceman Cometh, a mountain bike race in Michigan known for its difficult conditions. In the OVCX, Gerry is a constant contender in the front end of the Elite Womens race. Although there must be something about Lexington for Gerry — for second straight year she has battled onto the third step of the podium,

Amanda and Jacob Virostko, long time racers with BioWheels, are coming on strong late in the season. Amanda and Jake are jointly racing with Shamrock Cycles, a local frame builder in their new home of Indiana. Jake is crushing the singlespeed category and Amanda had a great November with two second place finishes.

Bridget Sempsrott, Joe Bellante and James Billiter are three racers who are new to the Elite Categories. Bridget and James are in their third year racing and November provided them with some strong results to secure their place in the Elite Women and Men categories. Joe has been having a great year in the Mens Elite Masters with a strong November full of top ten finishes and a silver medal in the Buckingham Financial John Bryan Ohio State Championships.

Phil Noble continues to terrorize the North with a second place in CapCity's Halloween race. Phil also battled for third place in the Elite Masters 35+ at Infirmary Mound with Mitch and Joe finishing just behind. And Mitch continues to carry a strong presence with strong finishes in Louisville and Columbus, all while being highly involved in the OVCX series and races like the Buckingham Financial John Bryan Ohio State Championships.