MooseCross a Huge Success - 2 More Races Scheduled Oct 4th and Oct 18th

Chellie Terry Strikes a pose on the announcers platform.

Troy Barry owns the run up.

On Saturday Sept 20th, 2008 Victor, ID changed. No longer a sleepy town in the shadows of Driggs to the North and Jackson to the East, it became a destination cycling town! If you haven’t looked around lately you may have missed the fact that CycloCross racing is sweeping the country from Gloucester, MA to Seattle, WA. This is a style of bike racing that appeals to hard core racers, weekend warriors, and casual cyclists alike. Train all year for ‘Cross glory or jump off the couch and give it a shot for the fun of it. And that’s exactly what 80+ racers did last Saturday.

Yes, my moment of glory! Hole Shot on turn one, trying to run from the Chicken!

As one of the race orgainizers I was overwhelmed by the success of this event. We had racers from Salt Lake, Boise, Ketchum, Missoula, Bozeman, Boston, and of course Driggs, Victor, and Jackson. Hundreds of spectators lined the course waving cowbells, and the talk all day was how everyone couldn’t wait to come back and race again, “even if gas was 17 dollars a gallon next year, I would make a point to get back to Moose Cross” - The Reverend - Church of the Big Ring. Read his entire blog here.

One of the best races of the day was the under 12 year old kids race. Over a dozen little rippers tore around a condensed MooseCross course complete with chicanes, barriers, and woop dees. I can’t explain the stoke these kids had to be racing their bikes. Truly awesome!

Coming down the homestretch

Every kid received a commemorative Cowbell

The Chicken holds off an attack on the buff pavement.
Check out more pics HERE.

Check out full results and info about the next 2 races HERE.

Week of the Moose

Start off the week of the Moose Wednesday night by entering the fabled Moose-Roubaix. This “race” finds itself often in the category of, “don’t ask, don’t tell” because of its clandestine nature. What to learn more? Come out to Spring Gulch Rd & Hgwy 22 Sept 17th for a 5:30pm start. Riders will follow the classic Moose-Moose course which heads north on Spring Gulch, turns right to the highway at Golf and Tennis, North again to the town of Moose, and finishes at Teton Village by way of Moose-Wilson Rd. No entry fees, no rules, no mercy. The best part is always the post race dinner and awards ceremony at where else? The Mangy Moose of course.

On Saturday Sept 20th head over the hill to Victor for the best family cycling event of the year. MooseCross will sure to entertain riders of all ages and ability levels and spectators alike! Thing is, ‘cross is bike racing for racers and non-racers alike. The events are short (typically 30 min), the courses are extremely spectator friendly (usually a mile or less), you don’t need a special bike (mountain bikes work great), all ages are welcome, and it’s not uncommon to see a few costumed riders! This all adds up to a very family friendly event that has more of a bike festival vibe than a hard core race scene. Just imagine, you bring the family down to the park; mom, dad, and the kids all get to race their own class while the rest of the family cheers and rings cowbells! No need to sacrifice the whole weekend, hire a babysitter, or spend months training. Just show up and have fun! The only thing that could top that off is an Octoberfest celebration right next door. Well, your in luck this Saturday in Victor’s Pioneer Park! Check out all the details at MooseCross.com. See you there!

Fall Bike Swap and Sale!

Team Newsletter 9-1-08

Wow, raise your hand if you cannot believe it is September already. Raise your other if you are not quite ready to see your hard-earned cycle-tan fade after only three months of riding in short sleeves. Many of you have narrowed your focus for LOTOJA this coming weekend and are currently agonizing over your chamois creme selection, tire PSI, and trying to remember which of your water bottles leak and which ones do not. Best of luck to all of you lining up for this beast. Let’s hope that Mother Nature got it out of her system this past weekend and that you will have dry roads and warm (not hot) sunshine all day.

If you did not make it up to the 24 Hours of Grand Targhee, you missed a very cool event. Many members of the Fitzy team dug deep into their tiny seatbags of courage over the course of the 24 hours and inspiring performances were the norm. Andy Williams and Grand Targhee put on a wonderful race that will surely continue to grow each year.

24 Hours of Grand Targhee
August 23-24, 2008

What an incredible weekend. What is better than glorious suffering with some of your closest friends? We had near-perfect weather, a fun but tough course, and great prizes…all in our backyard. Many lessons were learned over the weekend and although many swore never to do another 24 hour race, many more are already secretly scheming to come back stronger and with a better plan next year. It would be great to see an even bigger team turnout next year at this great race.
Here’s a great report from our own J9 and other reports may follow in future newsletters:

“The 24 hours of Targhee came and went this past weekend. Cannot decide if I am happy or sad. I have been training for this race pretty much the entire year. Most of you know that I am not really a “hardcore” racer. I pick and choose a few events mostly to challenge myself and have a goal to train. Since last October I have been committed to working out at Mountain Athlete (mtnathlete.com) Gym, back-country skiing in the winter and once the nicer weather came…after June-uary, I began to get on the bike. My training over the summer consisted of, well, riding my bike. Okay, throw in a few beers, a bunch of coffee, and some weights and that really completed and balanced my training regiment.

Last year I did the 24 Hours Of Targhee on a 4 person women’s team. We placed 1st and had a really great race. I was unsure how I would do the race this year, but in the back of my mind I knew I wanted to try a 2 person format. My body takes a bit to warm up and cools down fast…I guess your classic endurance racer body type. I did not like all the down time between laps on a 4 person team. Finally, I decided to do a two person team with one of the women I raced with last year.

Unfortunately, my partner had to pull out 2 1/2 weeks before the race due to a slow recovery from knee surgery this Spring. At this point I figured I was out. The idea of doing it Solo was just a bit too much for me. At that moment I turned around in the shop and BAM….Brandon was standing right there. I thought to myself, he just did the Laramie Enduro…he must like to suffer also. “Hey, Brandon. Do you want to be my partner in the 24 Hours of Targhee?” At first he laughed an said, “no way!”. But, after a bit of pushing from me and Byers he quickly agreed. Luck me! Team Fitzgerald’s Bicycles “SHOP” Team was formed.

Start time was noon this past Saturday and finish was at noon on Sunday. Brandon and I rode a great race. Considering I gave Brandon no time to mentally prepare himself he held in there and rode strong. We rode 23 laps total. I had a goal of doing 10 and I ended up doing 12. I wanted to keep each lap under an hour and that I did! I reached my goals and was very happy. We took 3rd behind Gabe and Jill who were absolutely amazing. Between mechanicals and some rot gut they totally kicked ass! Their determination was unbelievable.

Overall, my legs and endurance felt amazing. I had no stomach problems luckily. I have been experiencing some lower back pain this season and that did pop up a bit, but working with Matt Kelly and A.I.S. (www.stretchingusa.com) has really helped. I have learned from previous 24 hour races that REAL food is key for me. Because I had about 50 minutes between each lap I would immediately put down some food (mashed potoatoes, rice pudding, warm chicken noodle soup, potato chips mostly). I would rehydrate with some GU20 and pop some Endurolytes . I only carried a bit of water and a few Shot Bloks on me during the lap. This format worked out really well for me. Aside from a bit of saddle soreness, I am ready to get back on the bike and enjoy the Fall riding.

I have to thank Kathy Watkins for being the ultimate pit crew. She kept us fed, water filled, pushed us to the start line and kept our spirits high! She always had an encouraging word and never yawned once. Kathy you are amazing! Trish…you are a rock star for coming up after the shop closed. Your smiling face gave me the energy to keep going. I have to thank Mike Piker for being the best race mechanic ever. Every time I came in he grabbed the bike and completely dialed it in for the next lap. I never had to think about it. You are awesome! I also need to thank Rob Shaul from Mountain Athlete for providing me with the “mental toughness” training that helped get me through this race. Even when it got hard, I knew I could keep going. I also thank him for getting my body strong and ready to take the beating that comes with this type of endurance event. I cannot forget my awesome husband for letting me ride my bike all the time. There are a ton of days that he could not get out due to work or town council meetings. He never complained and always was supportive. Finally, the shop guys at Fitzgerald’s…thank you so much for dialing in my bike and getting me ready for this race! I am the luckiest shop owners wife in the world!

A big shout out to the entire Fitzgerald’s Race Team that rode the 24 race. You are all rock stars. You were all an inspiration to watch and I felt so lucky to be part of the same team with you all. Fitzy Team “crew” members…you are all awesome as well. Your cheers, enthusiasm and support was amazing. Looking forward to seeing you all out there again next year!” - J9

Star Valley Century Ride
August 23rd, 2008 - Star Valley, Wy

David Saurman reported from the Star Valley Century Ride:
“Though it was not a RACE, huge fun at the Star Valley Century RIDE. A bunch of Fitzy riders, myself, Dave Ryan, Doug Cook, Dave Huchinson, and maybe a few others? Also some other Jackson folks, I think 7 or 8 in our little peleton. If you have never ridden in Star Valley, it is great. There are tons of roads way off the main highway, and almost no traffic, good terrain. I actually had no idea it would be so good. Breakfast, totally buffed aid stations(every 20 miles or so) and an awesome BBQ after the 105 miles. Very cool, except no beer at the BBQ…. Oh well, nothing a couple of roadies can’t fix. Anyway good fun, highly recommended next year. This year the benefit sponsored the Docs’ family, he was killed in the avalanche there last winter, I think $5600 raised.” - David S.

Moose Cross Update:
Sign up NOW for the best possible start position

We will base the call-ups for each race on your registration date so the sooner you sign up, the better your start position will be. Don’t get stuck in the last row by signing up the day of the race. Did we mention the course is sweet?

Sign Up Online Here

In most years, the Team Newsletter loses momentum after LOTOJA simply because there are not many events to talk about and many move onto the “next sport”. Well the “next sport” is cyclocross baby! Moose Cross is coming and you can’t stop it, you can only hope to contain it. I don’t want to hear “…but I don’t have a ‘cross bike”. We are not ‘cross snobs in Victor, ID. You are more than welcome to race your cross bike, your mtb bike, or your friggin’ cruiser bike if you want…just don’t whine if you get lapped. Come over to the Victor City Park and check out the course…it is sweet!