Gen X Cycling Home

    In 2005, a few cycling fanatics, mostly those that like to ride off-road, got
    together and decided it would be fun to form a team -- Gen X Cycling is the
    result! Promoting fun outdoors on and off the bicycle for recreation & racing,
    it's about the people, the stories and everything in between. In 2009, the
    Gen X Cycling team will proudly promote the World Bicycle Relief effort
    with the assistance from SRAM , Crank Bros. and Chain Reaction Cyclery, LLC.

    More than 18,000 bikes delivered. Learn more...
   NEW 2/10/09: World Bicycle Relief Newsletter

Latest Banter

Events On Deck: 6/20-21 WORS #4 (Nordic Mtn.) -- Note: XC races are on SATURDAY fo Subaru Cup!
6/27 WEMS (Franklin, WI)

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6/17/09
World Bicycle Relief in Velonews

Check it out -- great to see the momentum continue! Spread the word...

http://www.velonews.com/article/93508/tech-feature-world-bicycle-project-zambia-bike

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6/7/09
WORS #3 Race Report (photos to come)

We all have our own feeling and idea of epic. Is it being on the road at 5AM for a dirt ride? Rocky singletrack with no race line? A bike with no pedals? Strawberry shortcake? Fleece in June? First WORS dirct circus race and slideouts? Trail runs with "extra" mileage? The list could go on and on. One thing is for sure, these and many other moments add up to a great day in the woods.

Wausau greeted visitors with a wet, but not soaked venue. Just enough to add to the adventure possibilities! Cheryl and Dave led off the Gen X crew with two fine trail runs, navigating the anklebreaking Siren calls with ease. Madisyn made it look easy racing just her second race in less than optimal conditions. Strawberry shortcake the reward! Elliott continued to be a photographer magnet on his Skuut and once again rode away with some hard earned bling. His calves are almost bigger than Justin's and he's not even three yet!

Dave chasing a medal Madisyn and her bling

The Citizen race was loaded with nervous legs. Tina rode her usual relaxed yet "I'll step on you if you get in my way" race, placing an excellent 6th in age. But her bottle hand up skills need some work. I have a feeling some handup practice in the back yard will be scheduled for a couple of evenings each week! Jordan continued to show his talent placing 4th our of 21 in age!!! Great riding Jordan. And Derek in his first WORS race in a less than optimal day before "rest" day used some residial B-Matter energy to ride his Superfly to a superb 13 out of 23 finish, even with a crash on both laps at the same corner! Scott ignored his shifting issues and refused to let them affect his fun, placing 18th in age and overcoming some seasonal allergies.

The Sportsters lined up with 4 great looking gents off in the first wave. Jeff "Comp in Training" Bublitz made the move of the day on the second turn and gapped the entire start group by 25 yards, taking home a top 20 overall and his first medal in the sport ranks! Greta work Jeff!!! Adam continued to ride his SS with ease finishing 4th out of 12, racing guys mostly double his age. Outstanding young man! And Danny got back to his usual smooth powerful self, taking 4th out of 20 in age, with Jacob steadily improving and hunting Justin and Mike taking 14th in age. Kevin yet again is taking his endurance and tech skills to new levels as he punished his disc brakes, while Justin and Mike rode for 1+ laps together, before separating in the rocky climb, with Mike placing a great 10th in age and Justin taking 11th.

And so #3 is a wrap, fitness and skill levels are now known and we all get to see who can continue to improve, who will fade and who will add to the definition of Epic.

Thankfully we continue to be safe and healthy, with few mechanicals and no major injuries.

Spin Fast...

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6/1/09
WORS #2 Race Report

What a great weekend in teh Northwoods. Once again, all Gen Xers finished what they started with no injuries and no serious mechanicals. Great riding gang!

The trail was dry, dusty and bumpy, with long stretches of double track to really get the big rings going.

Madisyn started her first ever Cit Youth race and completed the entire Citizen lap AND won a medal! Way to go Madisyn! Elliott completed his second kids race and scored another medal while sporting his sharp Gen X jersey.

The Citizen class continued with Scott having another strong outing, handling all that the course had to offer. Once Citizen was finished, the Sport class lined up. Jeff once again led the way for the Gen X team finishing 27/170 overall. Amazingly, this was not good enough for an age group medal -- once again the 35-39 age group is super fast in 2009! 6+ minutes back, Danny finished followed 6 seconds later by justin and 8 seconds later by Mike. Jacob came through next finishing 105/170 and Kevin put some hurt on the trail to bring everyone home safely.

Next up is the fast and furious Wausau race at Nine Mile. Always a racer favorite, the single track is fast and flowy and the DT will provide lots of big ring action.

Spin Fast...
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6/1/09
WEMS Mud @ Greenbush

Jeff rode his trusty single speed for some training at the recent WEMS race.

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5/28/09
WORS #2 in Hodag country

The trails are supposed to be superb and the weather is enticing. Off to Rhinelander the Gen Xers will go! And don't forget to charge your lights for a saturday night ride.

Travel safely and as always, spin fast...

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5/19/09
WORS #1 @ Iola

Wow, what an awesome day on the trails! No one DNFd or got hurt and as usual, the hills and singletrack at Iola shook open our legs and the WORS series is off and running.

Gen X started the day with 3 trail runners. Allison took to the trail for the first time this year and put on a great show for Aiden. He told me he is hooked on WORS already (no really, he told me so!). And thanks to Grandma Judy for the bell ringing too!!!! Cheryl took third and Dave took 1st overall, winning an awesome pair of Teva shoes. Nice going and keep up the great effort!

Madisyn and Elliott held down the fort in the kids races, both medalling. We were all jealous that we didn't get suckers at the end of our race. Someone needs to talk to The Don about that!

The Citizen racers headed out at 10AM, with Scott and Tom finishing in very close fashion. Jordan also tore it up placing 23/124 overall!!! Nice work young man.

The Sport racers lit up the trail at 11:30. Karlene left off from where she was last year smoking the trail for first overall, and beat many of the guys out there. Kevin, Jeff, Mike, Aaron and Justin all lined up in the 30-39 age group, Danny & Jacob in 19-29 and Adam in the 17-18. What a great performance, as Adam, Jeff and Danny all finished within 90 secs of each other and placed in the top 50 overall out of 237 riders!!!!! Great ride. Kevin had a smooth outing for his first Sport race, as did Jacob, and Mike fought dropped chain devils all race long, as he was sandwiched between Aaron and Justin in age group.

Anyone have photos? Send them to Justin and he will post.

Rhinelander is up next, and hopefully camping in nice weather will be enjoyed.

Reminders:
1.) If you have signed up for the series, email Justin your series #, as we will be submitting a team this season and he needs to know who is racing the series, even if you don't plan to hit a full 7 races.
2.) If you haven't paid your $5 team enjoyment fee (yes, you are special to be on such a world class team!), please get it to Justin some time before Christmas. No really, no hurry. And brews or brats are always valued instead of cash:))

Spin Fast....

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5/18/09
Welcome to Newest Gen X Team Members

Look for these up and coming speedsters on the trails thsi summer -- Adam Lange from Appleton will be racing Sport SS, age 17. Jordan Loeck (pron. Lake) from Neenah will be racing Citizen. Welcome aboard guys!

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5/4/09
Paper Discovery Duathlon and Greenbush hill slaying

Jeff and Cheryl tag teamed to crush the Paper Discovery course. While Jeff danced on his pedals for 19 miles of tri-geek wheel sucking/dodging, Cheryl did her thing setting PR mile averages!! Nice work. The trail run roots and rocks will be in for some suffering as you navigate the trails this summer.

A few members the team made it out for some hill suffering in the Greenbush area on Saturday. What a great area to ride in -- quiet roads, fun hills (I think!?) and beautiful scenery. A must have group ride point again this summer.

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4/27/09
Road Racin'

Mike and Aaron kicked off their cycling season at the Whitewater WISPORT race last weekend. Wet, but fast was the order of the day, with both riders improving on last years time. Nice ride gents!

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4/22/09
Oshkosh Runnin'

Congrats to Cheryl, Aaron, Dave, and Alicia on their efforts at the Oshkosh half marathon. Great attendance at what is becoming a very popular early season event.

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3/31/09
WORS Registration

For consistency purposes, please list the team name for the WORS series and/or individual WORS races as follows:

Gen X / World Bicycle Relief

We have been able to attract the sponsor discounts partly b/c of our willingness to promote the World Bicycle Relief effort. Also, please visit their website and see the great things being achieved. Truly impacting people's lives!
The team roster will be finalized by the end of May.

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3/30/09
Bring It On!

Now that components have been assembled, kits handed out, event sign-ups completed and another winter survived, it's time to ride...and hopefully outside. Ol' Man Winter gave us another dash of snow this week and temps are going to be cool, but April is on the brink and soon enough we will be tying on number plates.

Jeff and Justin got to experience MTB riding at it's finest the past week in Western NC. 3 days of nothing but riding, prepping and riding some more. The climbing was never ending and double track is not a familiar term in Western NC. All singletrack. And all rain. Luckily the trails we rode were not like a Wisco clay -- no mud -- amazing considering the amount of rain. Great time and certainly an area to explore for trail fun...but don't expect good (or any!) cell phone signal!

Now, where should we plan on going for Super Secret Training in 2010...

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3/9/09
SRAM Claus

Christmas in March. Thank you SRAM! Some of the finest looking components on the market. White Elixirs, featherweight Noir WC bar, Noir crankset, and drive train love galore. Bring on the racing season already!

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3/5/09
Sounds...

...of Spring flowed through the air today. The runoff flowing to and through the storm gutters, the birds zipping all around, the trees blowing in the light wind and the sound of kids playing outside.

The Iceman reg is in the mail, after an online snafu that they couldn't seem to fix. Weird to be entering a possible winter weather race when hoping our current winter weather would leave us for good. All entries postmarked by 3/7 will be accepted!

Gen X team gathering on 3/14 @2PM -- see you at Buffalo Wild Wings, East side of Appleton (Calumet/441). Most of the SRAM order has arrived, so those goods along with the remaining kits will be handed out at that time. Be ready for some stories, brewski and wings!

Get your cool weather riding clothes out. Spring is here, be it for a few days at a time!

Spin Fast...

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3/2/09
Washington...

...State that is. That's where Dave V. got his latest cycling fix, pounding the hills out West. Notice no snow in the picture! Yes, still dreaming of such views here in Wisco. So, where has your latest ride been? Snap a photo and make us jealous! Oh, and Iceman registration is now tonight, due to some issue with their system on Friday night.

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3/1/09
WORS Registration Now Open!

Sign up for the series, request your number, or sign up for events.

Spin Fast...

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2/23/09
Itchy

Itching to ride outside in dry conditions and test the off-season gear acquired, without trashing it. Many have upgrades or revisions to their trusty steeds for '09 and some are "Fly"ing new 29" rides altogether. Madisyn, heard you have some new wheels too?????

Team kits are in and the Crank Bros. stuff arrived also. Just waiting on our SRAM goodies...bling bling!

Hoping to have a team gathering the afternoon of Saturday 3/14 in the Appleton area. Nothing better than an afternoon of pre-St. Patricks Day beverages and BSing. Stay tuned for date and time confirmation. And brush up on your lingo. "Slainte", meaning cheers in Irish. Pronounced "slawn-cha".

Hill repeats are needed badly...oh the pain just thinking about those first sets. But a good pain!

Spin Fast...

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2/16/09
Iceman Reminder

Iceman race is scheduled for 11/7/09. Registration is ONLY online and opens at 6PM (CST) on 2/27/09. It fills up fast, so plan to register once it opens.

Also, the deadline for Chequamegon is March 1st.

Spin Fast...

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2/10/09
Tubby, but Not Tubby Enough! For Sale...

I just purchased a Polaris cycling jersey from the UK that is too big on me. Boo Hoo! I guess I am not as round as I thought. Rather than spend $15 in shipping to return it, I am going to sell it and give it a domestic home. Really nice color and quality! Sad that I can't sport it comfortably. It is silver/gray (Ice) with nice accents. Size LARGE.

Check it out, and if you want it, it's yours for $35+ shipping (of your choice). Email Justin if interested and if I know you/you are local (Wisco), you can check it out in person. Contact me at spinfast@genxcycling.com.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/LargeImage.aspx?ModelID=16433&FileName=16433-2.jpg

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2/9/09
Goosebumps

The recent warm - relatively anyway - temps have many of us crusing the grime covered roads and breathing non-basement and gym air - sooooooooo refreshing!

Team kits are shipping next week and should be available by month end.
Crank Bros. order will be placed this week and will be available early March.
SRAM goodies will be delivered late March.

Get your bikes tuned up - cables, lubed parts, new tubes -- whatever to hit the season full steam ahead. Spring is coming, but we all know ol' man winter likely still has some surprises for us.

Team gathering date TBA.

Spin Fast...

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1/30/09
24-9...Never Too Early to Dream!

It's not quite February and already thoughts of 24-9 in late July are bouncing through our heads. Can already feel that midnight dew in the air, the tension in the transition tent, the anxiety before every hand-off. Only 6 months away!

My excitement was sparked today after talking with a team mate and also speaking with Laird Knight, the owner of Granny Gear Productions, who will be the 24-9 event promoter. We had a great discussion -- Laird is obviously passionate and has great experience as a rider and a promoter. 24-9 should be better than ever in 2009, building off Kevin's successful foundation. It's a tough economic period to be an event promoter, but the best will survive, allowing those of us who are weekend warriors to continue to create lifelong stories.

We should have a few teams at 24-9, so a great basecamp again and the adventures should only get more interesting now that we know what to expect. What lights to use, when to eat, what to drink, which line to take. So start thinking about your team and registration should be open in February.

Spin Fast...

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1/29/09
Sponsor Shout Out

February is knocking on our door, which means the days are lengthening and Winter's grip is loosening.

Big shout out to SRAM, Crank Bros., Bikemor and Chain Reaction Cyclery for their support in providing product and service that will no doubt aid us as we tackle our 2009 adventures. The SRAM products should be delivered in mid to late March and the Crank Bros. pro deal will be communicated to the team this week. If you are interested in testing the Bar Mitts, Alan at Bikemor has given me a pair to pass around and use in the cold temps. Just let Justin know that you are interested in testing them. They only fit road bars, so won't work on flatbars I am afraid.

Team kits are in process and we hope to see those in February, so all in all we should be ready to focus on riding once the temps rise!

The event calendars are published for the most part. Many options to enjoy in 2009 with seemingly less schedule conflicts than in past years.

Some key dates are looming. The Chequamegon entry form will be available on the cheq 40 website the first week of February, so get your entry completed and mailed off to Cable. The Iceman registration opens on 2/27 and 24-9 registration should be open some time in February also. A change in promoter for that event will build on the great things that Kevin and his team have done over the years.

Spin Fast...

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1/19/09
Welcome to The Newest Team Rider

Jacob Becker, Manitowoc, WI.

Jacob plans to race the Sport/Cat 2 class age 19-24 in the WORS series in 2009, as well as other possible events including the WEM Series, along with Danny.

With Jacobs addition, Gen X will be fielding at least 8 sport riders in 2009. Lots of fun to be had!

Spin Fast...

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1/16/09
New Year, New Motivation

The new kits have been ordered and should be delivered in March. Stay tuned for a happy hour to get together and exchange kits.

Also, SRAM has generously offered our team their racer discount program. Order info was sent to team members this week and an order will be placed by Jan 27th. Thanks to SRAM we will all be saving mucho buckos on our components!

And as far as outdoor riding here in Wisco? Some of the coldest temps seen in over 10 years blanketed the Midwest this week. Riding outside in winter is tough as it is! But-30 is ridiculous! Once temps get closer to the 20's, many of us will wrap up once again. Justin received a pair of Bar Mitts and will enjoy their warmth on upcoming rides. Check out bikemor.com if you would like a pair -- Alan will treat you well!

Keep the base and strength work going. Spring will be here too soon!

Spin fast...

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1/4/09 (updated)
Happy New Year...Treat Yourself!

5th Anniversary Gen X Cycling team skins for 2009 racing style. Black shorts/bibs to match! Enquire here. Orders will be placed by January 15th, so get sizes and $$$in ASAP. Spring is coming...

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1/4/09
2009 Training Officially Kicked Off!

Training means different things to different people....

Madisyn & Elliott doing hill repeats.             Rock Band...learning to focus!

Mike & Beamish strategizing.                       Foosball...or spinning (at least for Madisyn's players!)

We saved an old fashioned for Jeff!

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12/30/08
Newest Member of the Gen X Cycling Team!

Welcome to Aiden McGinnis and congrats to Allison and Aaron on their little boy...all 9 lbs of him! Now Aaron has even more reasons to add to his bike collection...just smaller wheel sizes now!

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12/8/08
2009 Looms Near

As the holidays near and we all anticipate time with friends and family, the cycling activity is quiet and we prioritize other activities. Happy holidays to all we have met and built friendships with 2 wheels in common. Looking back at the highs and lows of 2008, no doubt cycling is a small component of what is important.

As we flip our calendars and dream of what 2009 will hold (EVENTS page is updated with 2009 dates!), I can think of so many questions. What jokes will Madisyn tell us on race day? Will Elliott pass Justin up in height? Will lil McGiniss be screaming the words "let's spin Daddy" before any other words? Will Scott's personal training coax him to skip Sport and jump into the Cat 1 ranks? Will Dave run a 10K barefoot? Will Kevin's trailer have a satellite dish mounted to the top for live feeds of our racing endeavors? Will Mike be mistaken for a gymnast when he drops to 190 big ones? How badly will Karlene crush Justin & Jeff at the 40? So many questions...so much fun to be had!

Mike's anniversary Jersey should be available in the first quarter of the new year. A simple design to celebrate the Gen X team's 5 year anniversary. The 2008 team kit will also remain unchanged and reorders will be placed in February. We will continue to represent World Bicycle Relief efforts in the WORS Series and while we missed the deadline for the SRAM dealer program, Niki & Trevor at Chain Reaction are only a call away to get you what you need equipment and nutrition-wise at a fair price, with unmatched service! Thank you Niki and Trevor!

Cyclocross season domestically winds down with Nationals in KC, then the big races in Europe continue into the new year. A few WORS elite riders will be treading the Euro scene, so check out race results to see how they do. And for a CX fix, just search You Tube, where you will find all kinds of cool race footage. CX certainly is addictive!

So, happy holidays to you all, be safe, enjoy quality time with those you love and hopefully we will see you some time during the off-season. And squeeze some trainer, yoga or some other activity into the mix too!

Spin Fast....

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10/30/08
Crossin' It Up!

Aaron and Justin have been learning how to Cross on their new CX rigs. Aaron has consistently been placing well as he truly gets the hang of this all out 30 minute Cat 4 cross-eyed racing adventure. Justin is trailing Aaron each time out, but one day sucking Aaron's wheel may actually work.

Double header in Milwaukee this weekend -- check out the bell ringing excitement that this growing scene provides. A fun day out!

Justin bunny hopping a small barrier at Halloween Cross (source: www.madcross.org)

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10/30/08
That's a Wrap...Almost!

The MTB season is complete, all but for the night race at Alterra (11/1) and the Iceman in Michigan. But many trails are still open. CX racing is mid-season with a double header in Milwaukee this weekend (11/1 & 11/2).

Problems with the Gen X website have slowed posted news, but hopefully the issues are resolved.

WORS Overalls are posted and what a great season for the Gen X crew!

Karlene: 1st (Sport Women)
Dave:     3rd (Cit men 30-34)
Kevin:     3rd (Cit men 35-39)
Aaron:    15th (Sport men 30-34)
Jeff:       7th (Sport men 35-39)
Mike:     12th (Sport SS)
Justin:    11th (Sport men 30-34)

Team Competition (Mid-size): 8th
Team Participation (Mid-size): 8th

Great job to Scott, Tom, Alicia, and Danny for a stellar season on the trails also!

Looking forward to a great 2009, with the moving parts already in motion for component discounts, apparel (stay tuned for the team's 5th anniversary jersey design!), and schedules being planned. Lots of fun to be had! Get out there and ride:)

Spin Fast....

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10/15/08
2009 Wisconsin Racing Tentative Schedule

Never too early to start planning and setting goals!

May 17: Iola WORS
May 23: GEARS WEMS
May 31: Rhinelander WORS
June 7: 9 Mile WORS
June 13: Muir WEMS
June 20: Subaru Cup WORS
June 27: Metro WEMS
July 5: Eau Claire WORS
July 11: Levis WEMS
July 19: Sunburst WORS
July 25: 24 hours of 9 Mile
August 2: Alterra WORS
August 8: Ore to Shore (MI)
August 16: Border Battle WORS
August 22: Blue Mounds WEMS
August 30: Suamico WORS
September 5: Stump Farm WEMS
September 13: Treadfest WORS
September 19: Cheq Fat Tire Festival
September 27: Wolf River WORS
Oct 11: Sheboygan WORS

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9/29/08
Fall Racing Update

The Fall weather has been spectacular so far. Today the change is certainly in the air, as the night cooled off and 60's are predicted for the week. Leaf colors are changing now!

This weekend, Jeff, Karlene, Dave and Kevin lined up to break in the new course at Shawano. In Citizen, Dave and Kevin were only separated by 4 seconds, so I am sure there will be some good stories to listen to! Karlene killed it again in Sport finishing 2nd overall and almost assuring her of the top spot for the series in her Cat for the season. Nice riding Karlene! And Jeff continued to dial in his new secret weapon as he took the HiFi to a top ten in Age. Great riding gang! Bring on Shevegas...

Aaron and Justin ventured to Sun Prairie for the UCI CX races. Both lining up on new steeds, it was certain to be even more fun than the races last season. Aaron rode fast on Saturday in a Cat 4 group of over 50 riders. On Sunday, both Aaron and Justin stepped up to teh line, with Aaron taking 36/46 and Justin about 20 secs behind in 37th. Great day in the park! And if you have any interest in racing with an almost full view of the course, lots of cow bells, and fast speeds for the entire race, Cyclocross if something you need to see for yourself! Check out the Planet Bike WCA Schedule!

So what's up next? Lots of racing to be done. Sheboygan WORS in 2 weeks as well as the GB Duathlon, which Aaron will be competing in. More Cyclocross racing and some misc. races also (Beechwood????).

Also, if there is interest, we hope to plan a team night out in Appleton. Starting at Niki's shop, we will head out for some dinner and story telling some time in early November. Details to come.

Spin Fast...

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9/15/08
Cheq Fat Tire Fun

August came and went and updates have been absent for a while. WORS River Falls & Rhinelander as well as Stump Farm 12 are complete...so too is the Fat 40.

The weekend was preceded by some heavy rain, creating a fast, but mud hole filled course. Gen Xers and many friends showed up for the weekend, which turned out to be a great one.
Summary here, as stories continue to roll in.

Tom B. gets the stone saddle award, after completing his first 40 in under 5 hours. Great job Tom! Can't wait for the play by play of how your ride went. The rest of our crew for the weekend is summarized below -- hopefully I haven't missed too many people...

Total 40 Mile riders: 1665

Rider: Time (Placing Overall/Division)
Tom B.:     4:58.45 (1626/1353)
Kevin S.:    4:07.57 (1492/1242)
Derek B.:    3:36.10 (1163/965)
Mike L.:      3:21.37 (967/801)
Blaise C.:    3:17.45 (908/750)
Justin L.:    3:16.40 (887/732)
Jeff B.:       3:12.37 (829/684)
Karlene O.: 3:09.36 (763/ 48 out of 153 women!)
Todd L.:      2:43.57 (319/278)

Todd, Derek, Justin, Mike, Blaise.

Justin, Derek, Jeff, Todd.

Many more photos and stories are floating around...

Spin Fast...the season still has some momentum!

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8/18/08
Update Time: Alterra, Griffen, O2S, 24-9...

August is flying by with some of the best weather of the summer. And there has been much action of all kinds two wheeled since the last Banter Update.

July was wrapped up by some hot and dusty action at the Alterra WORS race. Gen X had a great showing with Cheryl, Aaron, Jeff, Tom, Scott, Karlene, Tina, Mike, Dave and Justin lining up for some trail fun. Cheryl started out the day with a medal in the trail run. Now that she has a high speed road bike, look for more medals. Great job! Tina lined up in the ladies Citizen race and crushed the course, looking her ever-usual calm and smiley self. Elliott was proud! Scott, Tom and Dave pounded out a solid run in the Citizen mens race. Tom's week day riding is really starting to pay off. Sport continues to call their names:)

The Sport race lined up at 11:30 with Mike getting a call-up on his SS. Battling a bad infection, Mike used adrenalin to work the course until teh adrenalin ran out, pull the plug to have more fun watching his peers suffer up the switchback climb. Good effort Mike! Justin, Jeff and Aaron also lined up, with Just taking the wholeshot and leading all the way to teh singletrack. Turning himself inside out to do so worked, as traffic jams on teh first lap were not an issue. Unfortunately seeing double and bouncing off trees and everything else in sight for 18 minutes while recovering hurt a little. Then "Freight Train" Jeff came by on lap 2 and managed a super strong finish -- well done Jeff! With all three riders having a great result, suffering in the heat was well worthwhile. Karlene suffered a flat, but did not give up. Changing it and heading back on course after the Experts started was a brave and excellent move. Vital points and getting the value for money she deserved for teh long drive from Minnesota -- well done Karlene!!

The 24 hour natonal MTB race was held the first weekend in August. What an event! A true festive atmosphere all weekend with perfect weather. Dave, Alicia and Kevin competed on a 5-person team, while Jeff, Aaron, Justin and Mike hammered the trails in the 4-man Sport group. Times were consistent and the trails were a blast. Rocks, high speed double track and momentum sucking corners and bumps kept us on our toes. This event is one to cherish and no doubt we will be back for more next year. Nothing like outrunning your lights at 25mph in the wee hours of the morning!

..............................................................................3/31/09................................................................................3/30/09.........................................................................................3/9/09.................................................................................3/5/09...................................................................................3/2/09..................................................................................3/1/09...................................................................................2/23/09...................................................................................2/16/09.....................................................................................2/10/09....................................................................................2/9/09.......................................................................................1/30/09.........................................................................................1/29/09..........................................................................................1/19/09...........................................................................................1/16/09................................................................................................1/4/09 (updated)...................................................................................................1/4/09...................................................................................................12/30/08...................................................................................................12/8/08..............................................................................................................10/30/08Justin bunny hopping a small barrier at Halloween Cross (source: )....................................................................................10/30/08..........................................................................................10/15/08..............................................................................................9/29/08....................................................................................................9/15/08...........................................................................................8/18/08

.........................................................................................3/9/09.................................................................................3/5/09...................................................................................3/2/09..................................................................................3/1/09...................................................................................2/23/09...................................................................................2/16/09.....................................................................................2/10/09....................................................................................2/9/09.......................................................................................1/30/09.........................................................................................1/29/09..........................................................................................1/19/09...........................................................................................1/16/09................................................................................................1/4/09 (updated)...................................................................................................1/4/09...................................................................................................12/30/08...................................................................................................12/8/08..............................................................................................................10/30/08Justin bunny hopping a small barrier at Halloween Cross (source: )....................................................................................10/30/08..........................................................................................10/15/08..............................................................................................9/29/08....................................................................................................9/15/08...........................................................................................8/18/08

The Griffen Race Around the Lake was also held thsi past weekend. Circling Lake Winnebago, this inaugural race had a strong turnout. Aaron mastered the course in just over 4.5 hours averaging over 19mph!!!! Nicee ride double A!

And Ore to Shore was conquered by Dave and Alicia. With some pre-race rain to firm up teh looming sand, Dave finished the Shortrock in an impressive 1:51!!!!! His diesel is really cranking now and a potential upgrade tyo Sport at Sheboygan will certainly provide for some team excitement, as if all riders show, it will mean Jeff, Aaron, Mike, Justin, Danny and Dave can go elbow to elbow. How fun that will be....

Next up is WORS Rivere Falls, for an interstate contest with Minnesota. The trails at Whitetail Ridge are very fun! WEMS Suamico, Chequamegon and several other races are also on the horizon.

Spin Fast....

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7/23/08
Alterra Coffee Bean Classic & 24-9

The Alterra WORS race in Franklin, WI, is on deck for this week Sunday July 27th. The venue is always one of the most spectator friendly, the heat is almost always a factor, but this year the mud Gods appear to be kind and the Alterra MTB team has put in teh hard work to make it an epic day on the trails.
The revised course promises some new looks this year that will challenge all and provide enhanced views for friends, family and foes alike. And of course with Kopps Custard down the street, all riders have motivation to finish fast and strong!

Next week brings Americas Dairyland 24 Hours of Nine Mile, which will be the host for the 24 Hour National Mountain Bike Race. All teh countries top names will be in attendance and teh Gen X Cycling team will have 2 teams composed of Gen X riders. Camping, riding, camaraderie and hopefully dry conditions...no better way to welcome the month of August!

Alicia completed the Half Iron Man in Door County last weekend, taking 2nd in her class!!!! Outstanding result! And with the Race Around the Lake, Kewaskum WORS, Ore to Shore and so many other events on the horizon, it is difficult to not be excited for the heat of August.

Spin Fast...

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7/16/08
Mid-Season

July is roaring by! many big events still come. Good luck to Alicia at the Half Ironman in Door County on 7/20.

Eau Claire WORS race weekend was a perfect weekend away. Great weather, solid race results and lots of fun, including a night ride and an outdoor movie. Karlene, Justin, Danny, Jeff, Mike and Aaron all rocked it in the Sport race, with Scott, Kevin and Dave holding the flag in the Citizen race. Congrats to Alicia and Cheryl for a great trail run race also!

Good luck to those that are planning to hit the pavement for the Tour De Fest! See you at the Alterra Coffee Bean Classic.

Spin Fast...

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6/26/08
Eau Claire WORS & Team Cookout!

The Firecracker looks to be better than ever! Craig Manthe and the event crew have gone all out again this year to provide a superb event with all amenities necessary. While some of us will be hotelling it, on-site camping will be enjoyed by others. We plan on having a team cookout on Saturday night (at Dave andn Kevin's campsite??)and hope to return for a night ride (24-9 prep!) and bonfire after that also. Bring your own meat and beverages of choice. See you on the trails!

Spin Fast...

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6/26/08
Congratulations Niki!

Niki celebrated the one year anniversary of Chain Reaction Cyclery this month with a large group ride of almost 40 riders last night. A beautiful night for a ride followed by some popcorn, cupcakes and brewskis left everyone in high spirits and anxious for their next ride! Thanks Niki and keep up the great work! Mike even rode his 25 miles with a GU packet holding his tire/tube together, after slicing the tire and blowing 2 tubes. Nice going MOLM!

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6/23/08
Ramblin' On

The Reforestation Camp hosted a longer than normal WORS Marathon style race, with lots of fast double track and tight singletrack, the pace was fast and no better way to spend a summer day outdoors.

With rain the previous days, there several mud spots, but all in all the trails were perfect. After the Expert & Comp classes, Sport lined up, with Danny, Aaron, Justin, Mike and Karlene Olson. Karlene is part of the Muddy Cup Racing team, residing in Rochester, MN, with husband Trevor and will be racing for team points for Gen X this season, as Muddy Cup has a full roster already. Karlene continued her second season of racing with a 3rd in age and 14th overall. Danny posted 10th in age and 142nd overall, Aaron finished in a time of approx. 1:56, placing 15/19 in age and 107/176 overall. Mike continued his single speed adventure with a superb 7th in class and and 61/176 overall, followed by Justin 13/19 in class and 77/176 overall. The pace was grueling and with no major mechanicals, it was a great race. Mike even face planted on the home stretch and used the fresh mud for some epidermis cleansing -- good look Mike!!!

Dave, Alicia and Kevin led off the Citizen race and broke the course in. Dave and Alicia continue their medal streak, with Alicia hammering to a 11/36 overall and 2nd in age!! Kevin had another great day out with a 5th in class and 76th overall, with Dave finishing 3rd in age and 30/118 overall. SPORT is calling your name:)

Thanks to Scott for the hand-ups and Elliott, Tina and Co. for the cheers.

GOOD LUCK to Alicia at the Triathlon in Winneconne next week and we'll see you all at Eau Claire. Pack your tents, book your hotels, and prepare for a night ride.

Spin Fast....

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6/17/08
Peanut Butter Cup

Conditions were outstanding at the WORS Subaru Cup this weekend. No mud holes, but several areas of peanut butter power sucking grass and singletrack to keep our engines in overdrive. Camping conditions were dry and the mozzies were not bad at all, to everyone's surprise!

Memorable moments? Elliott and Madisyn enjoying the base camp, with Madisyn telling her great jokes. Mike's one on one "coaching experience" with his chain at the bridge. Petie relieving himself on Mike's tent. Tom's ever-present moustache endowed smile as he pounded the trail for 2 hard laps. Tina making a daytrip out of a 50 min excursion. Many more of course...

On a non-cycling note, Dave competed against a huge field at the Bellin Run, pacing himself almost to a personal best with a 10K of just over 42 mins!!!!!!!! Nice work. The pro MTB ranks are calling your name...

Kevin and Tom lined up for the Citizen race at 5PM and finished strong, placing 59 and 69 overall. Keep those points coming boys!

Justin, Jeff, Aaron and Mike lined up for the Sport race at 3:30 under sunny skies, after watching the Expert and Comp racers suffer. Mike had a stellar finish in only his second race on his single speed rig, aided by a set of new, lightweight moon glasses that certainly shaved seconds off each lap! He finished 74/166 overall and 10/14 in class. Jeff battled cramps and had a great finish with his SID fork and SRAM components carrying him to a 97/166 overall and 5/9 in age cat. Aaron proved his guts for back to back races and hammered hard to roll in 137th overall after a tough mental talk with himself. Keep it up Aaron! And Justin met with Granny often finishing 88/166 overall and 14/18 in age cat.

Sunday brought a second opportunity to compete for an overall. In addition to one's XC race time, Sport and above riders could participate in the Stage Race, which would add the times of Super Downhill race and a Short Track race. For Citizens, the Super D would be added to XC result for an Omnium total. Kevin hit the Super D hard and finished strong. Results are yet to be posted, but with few age cat competitors, a nice point total can be expected! Justin ran the ragged edge during the Super D and pushed his rig to it's limits. A 4 foot diameter tree almost greeted both he and his rig on a singletrack entry line. Justin also competed in the Short track. The race was about a 3min lap and was shortened to 10 mins plus 1 lap. The pace was insane and the 2 climbs sucked anything you had left after 2 previous hard efforts over the course of the weekend. No mechanicals and solid weekend overall, so more points will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you to Scott for his culinary contributions, Tina for finding her way to the event, Cheryl, Morgan and Allison for their cheers and hand-ups and anyone else I have missed, as I know there are others that said hello and cheered for us -- tough to remember during the blur of a race!

Spin Fast....
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6/6/08
Big Ring, The Cure, Kits and More

WORS #3 had some of the Midwest's best show up for a great day outside with perfect temps and a dry course. Cheryl started the day with a tremendous 5K to finish 16/26 overall -- look out Beijing! Madisyn and Christian kicked some tail in the kids race, even overcoming some accident obstacles -- the next generation is looking good! Kevin and Dave toed the line for the Citizen race with more impressive results. Dave got eeked out on the finish stretch to finish 5/13 in age and 37/144 overall and now lies 3rd in age in the series -- call-up at Nordic Dave -- the 10K that morning will be just the warm-up you need! Kevin rode smoothly and finished 9th in age and 96th overall as his 24-9 fitness continues to ramp up.

Next up, Jeff, Aaron and Mike lined up for the Sport race. Jeff tried to gut it out, but what turned out to be a nasty tooth infection left him weak and shaky, so a smart decision to end his race after lap 1 and have a restful remainder of the day. Great effort Jeffro! Aaron finished strong under some tough conditions, finishing 23/32 in age and 177/251 overall, and is proving that his technical skills are better than advertised! Keep it up Aaron and remember, think good thoughts! Mike debuted his Single Speed with sparkly green Chris Kings and had a fun time, placing 13/22 and 134/251 -- looks like a new passion has been discovered. Now he has to learn how to push a 36/16 like the Lalonde bros., but his 32/18 certainly was a great choice! Maybe riding without a Tick on his leg will shave precious seconds next time out also:)

Tom and Mary lined up for the Race for the Cure 5K along with 11,000 other runners. They continue to tear up the streets and trails with one of the most active competitive schedules of the team. Great work to both of you!

With a chock-a-block 8 or so weeks of events on deck, fitness levels will be tested. The Subaru Cup for WORS #4, followed immediately with the Marathon length Ramble for WORS #5 and Eau Claire for WORS #6 on July 6th lead into what will be an even more competitive July.

FYI: A new hotel opened that is on the same street and overlooks the Eau Claire grounds of the race -- you can find it at metropolishotel.com. I checked it out -- while the pool will not be ready, it is a new age/hip look and feel -- rates are $114/night.

The team kit reorder is in route, so a miraculously fast turnaround will have them in hand by Nordic.

Pack your camping gear and your climbing legs, a 6-pack of your favorite pain relief and we'll see you at Nordic for more outdoor fun. And remember, the race schedule is not the standard, so make sure you check the schedule for event times! Oh, and bike lights for a night ride Saturday night.

Spin Fast...

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5/27/08
RASTA Rally and GB Marathon

The Green Bay Marathon was held a week ago, with Aaron, Allison, Cheryl and Judy all participating. Judy managed to complete her first ever half Marathon with the help of a bell ringer along the way! Aaron paced himself to one of his best 5K finishes ever and Allsion placed in her age category in the 5K with another super run! Cheryl also placed well in her category and celebrated like a true Wisconsinite with beer and a brat. Well done to all four of you.

Jeffro headed to Rhinelander with new SID shock over Memorial Day and between Spotted Cows was able to compete in the Expert race at the RASTA Rally. Finishing a hard earned 38th out of 51, Jeff certainly had a good workout on some of the finest singletrack in the area.

Next up is WORS #3 in Wausau at Nine Mile Forest on Sunday 6/1. This event offers some of the best mix of terrain with some super fast forest road and double track sections -- it is called the Big Ring Classic for a reason!

Spin Fast!

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5/19/08
Treadfest Slugfest

WORS #2, Treadfest at Lake Geneva, was a great day to be on the trails.
The Citizen class rode hard, with Tom, Alicia and Dave all finishing strong.
Alicia is 2 for 2 for medals now, placing 7th out of 27, Dave finished in the top 5 again placing 4th out of 7 and 55 out of 128 overall, with Tom having another great day placing 9th in age and 99th overall.

The Sport class lined up for battle with Danny, Mike and Justin prepared to hammer the course. Justin got the wholeshot to the mountain top and led the race for about 1 minute, then the troops arrived while he slogged his way up the back side of the hill. Fun while it lasted! Mike and Justin battled all race long, finishing just 2 seconds apart, with literally a shoulder to shoulder sprint with less than 100 yards to go. Moments like this are why we race!

Danny paced the Gen X crew with a great top 10 in class and 120th overall, with Justin and Mike finishing 24/33 and 25/33 in class and 134 and 135 out of 235 overall.

Photo: Justin & Mike seconds after a shoulder leaning uphill sprint

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5/5/08
Bump 'n' Jump Bell Ringin' Affair!

WORS #1 at Iola was a perfect day in the woods -- good sized crowds at a spectator friendly venue, a fast dry course, and large starting grids of riders and runners -- PERFECT!

Big shout out to Judy for virgorously ringing the bell, Kristin, Cheryl and all others for your photog skills and hand-ups, and Beamish and Morgan for your post-race affection, even though we were covered in sweat and dirt.

The kids race had Dave's nephew and Madisyn pedal their rigs for dear life, both taking home some bling bling -- well done!

The day started off with Cheryl, Allison and Mary grinding out the trail run in superb fashion. Way to work the dew off the ground ladies and kudos for not breaking any bones on the pine roots!

Following the trail run, riders lined up for Citizen class racing, where Dr. "Skid Mark" Dave, Kevin, Tom and Alicia towed the line. Dave and Alicia (in her very first MTB race!) came home with some hardware, with Dave having yet another hard crash to add to his bruised body -- Aleve is your friend Dave! And Alicia slugged it out with one faulty pedal! Tom shook off some Saturday night indulgence while battling a friendly Clyde and Kevin was his ever smooth self making the roots look like smooth asphalt! (See photo above!)

Sport lined up after the Citizen racers carved a nice racing line. Aaron and Jeff took the line for their first Sport race, along with Justin, Danny and Mike. 239 Sport riders in all made for the largest start group of the day. The hills and bumps were non-stop, but all 5 riders took their trusty steeds to the finish line in good order.

Post your photos on Flickr for all to see. And stay tuned for more news and info.

Spin Fast....

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4/27/08
35 MPH...

...wind, not bike speed. That is what was in store for riders at the Whitewater WISPORT race on Saturday. A good number of riders turned out for the event and winds never eased up. Once out of the peloton, it was survival mode. Mike debuted his road racing adventure by holding the lead pack for quite some time, which paid off as he was the first Gen Xer across the line, followed by Aaron almost 10 minutes back and Justin an additional 4 minutes back. The cross winds were such that you literally had to lean into it to stay upright and wind gusts over 40mph on occasion were enough to push you right into the shoulder.

Another great day on two wheels with some more lessons learned and hopefully more fitness gained. Thanks to Allison for her support also.

Now let's hope the rain/snow stays away and Iola is not a slick or peanut butter slog.

Spin Fast...
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4/22/08
The Sweet Sound...

...of lungs working during hill work echoed through the Northern Kettle Moraine area on Sunday, as a few of us hopped out on the country roads to log some hard miles. The weather was perfect with little wind and if early season juices weren't yet flowing, they certainly are now.

Alicia, Scott, Mike, Tina, Dave and Justin hit the pavement starting from Greenbush and logged a few laps of a hill-ridden loop. Quenched by a High Life afterwards, the afternoon was as good as it gets. Bring on Iola!

Next weekend Mike, Justin and Aaron will try their hand at a Wisport road race in Whitewater to further enhance fitness. All being virgins to road racing, it should be an interesting afternoon.

Spin Fast...

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4/11/08

Kit Time

The kits have arrived and hopefully they fit everyone well. I think they look crisp and fresh. I will distribute as I see people over the coming weeks, and will have the remainder at Iola.

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12/5/07
Season Finale...Snowy CX

The State Championship and final round of the 2007 WCA Series was held in 4-6" of heavy snow. Trails started snow covered with no racing lines and ended the day as hike-a-bike singletrack mud.

Aaron and Justin lined up for the Cat 4 race with Aaron finishing 34 out of 48 and Justin finishing 40th. Tire selections were critical and riding a consistent smooth race proved to be the way to go, with little to no traction available for quick efforts. See madcross.org for photos of the conditions. Thank you to Aaron's supportive crew for hand-ups and cheering! Allison's Mom may be back for more...watching we crazy riders get dirty and fall down definitely is cheap entertainment!

The off-season will fly by with 2008 schedules already being planned, goals being set, bike upgrades and parts replacement underway.

Time to hit the cross training and weights...Ho Ho Ho!

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The Gen X team has evolved over the last 4 years and for 2008, Gen X Cycling will promote World Bicycle Relief. Please visit the World Bicycle Relief web site to learn more about this growing initiative that is helping those less fortunate improve their quality of lives using 2 wheels as a catalyst. Thank you to Chris Strout and his team at World Bicycle Relief for allowing our team to assist in increasing awareness for such a productive initiative. Look for the Gen X / World Bicycle Relief team on the road and trail throughout the Midwest racing in WORS, WEMS and other events.

After two years of team development, 2007 was a break out year for the team, with many new friends made, success was had on the trail and road and the potential for even more exposure became obvious. Gen Xers became more well known on the racing scene and the casual recreation spirit that the team was founded on appealed to many. 2008 looks to be another great year and with a focus on generating increased exposure for World Bicycle Relief, our team will be a great billboard to educate others about the efforts going on near & far from home.

So, with the changes for 2008, let us answer some questions that are undoubtedly running through one's mind.

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Justin & Jeff after Ore to Shore in 2007

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11/4/07
Estabrook CX

An early morning rain greased up the trails, but racing quickly created a fast track. Mark started off the day in the Masters with a Top 10 on his Motobecane CX rig. He then jumped into the Cat 4 race where he joined Aaron and Justin. 3 sets of barriers and one uphill log obstacle were all that slowed the pace of the race. Mark placed 40th, Aaron 45th and Justin 48th out of a solid field of 60 riders.

Winter is coming, so pull out the cold weather riding gear!

These barriers should say "Objects in front of you appear smaller than they are".

PROMOTE A GREAT CAUSE - ENJOY THE OUTDOORS - RACE FOR TEAM POINTS - NEW FRIENDS & FUN!