Wednesday, November 30, 2011

FishstiCX Finale- Lets talk strategy!!

Hey Everyone,

Hope you're all planning on being there Saturday for the Final cyclocross event. The course's pre-ride results are in. Here's a little of what your up against:

Distance: 1.1 Mile per lap

Time: Your biggest fans hanging at the start should be seeing you every 6-7 minutes.

Obstacles: Expect all the normal barriers, the flyover, the "hill"er coaster, and a concrete set of stairs

Course Condition: Well......Some of this is yet to be determined, we'll see what mother nature has in store.  This course is true cyclocross fashion with a little pavement, dirt trail, grass, and sand.
          

Add a little extra air in the tires for less rolling resistance through the grass, or deflate for traction in the sand. These strategies are up to you. The strategy we would like you to use is to tell your family, friends and anyone who might be interested to come and ride/race. Dig out the big coats for those spectators. Its supposed to be a little cold and similar to the fairgrounds race this will also be very spectator friendly. The first two races have been a blast to put on for you and we are pleased with the participation we have been getting. Lets keep it up and see all of you there on Sat.

                            10AM       SPORT/ RECREATIONAL    START
                   11AM       COMPETITIVE START
                            KIDS RACE TO FOLLOW

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

SOUPer Cross Race Results

Below are the results from the SOUPer Cross race along with the overall standings in the post's below.  As you can see from the overall standing, we have some tie's!!!  That will make the season finale at Mike Sedar Park that much more fun to race and watch.  It will be a true Cross Clash!!

Below is one picture from the Kids' race.  Nobody was injured during this race :)  All the kids rode as hard as they could with Mason taking the win, but all the kids giving it their all.  Lots of spectators and each youth had a spotter the whole race.  Expect that again if your child chooses to race on Dec 3rd at Mike Sedar Park.  Enjoy!


Competitive Category place SOUPer time
Emil Gercke 1 42:02:00
Adam Leiferman 2 43:20:00
Neil Benton 3 44:20:00
Leif Johansson 4 44:26:00
Bryce Straka 5 45:33:00
Joel Simonson 8 DNF
Gordon Edwards 8 DNF
Cristy Olsen 6 45:06 @ 1
Mike Belser 7 46:24 @1
Matt Deane 8 DNF

Sport Category Place SOUPer time
Ethan Murray 1st 32:17:00
Bruce Lamberson 5th 33:15 @1 lap
Jack Custard 6th 36:09 @1 lap
Brian Peterson 8th 38:20 @2laps
Chris Reilly 2nd 32:56:00
Roy Buck 3rd 34:08:00
Mason Sale 4th 34:43:00
Amy Sale 7th 37:17 @1 lap
Jeremy Brusch 9th 35:02 @3laps
Chloe Sale 10th 30:00 @4laps

CX Sport Cat. Standings

Sport Category CX race 1 CX race 2 Total points
Ethan Murray 49 50 99
Bruce Lamberson 48 46 94
Jack Custard 46 45 91
Brian Peterson 45 43 88
Chris Reilly 0 49 49
Roy Buck 0 48 48
Mason Sale 0 47 47
Amy Sale 0 44 44
Jeremy Brusch 0 42 42
Chloe Sale 0 41 41

CX Comp Cat. Standings

Competitive Category CX race 1  CX race 2     Total pts
Emil Gercke 49 50 99
Adam Leiferman 50 49 99
Neil Benton 46 48 94
Leif Johansson 47 47 94
Bryce Straka 44 46 90
Joel Simonson 40 43 83
Gordon Edwards 40 43 83
Paul from Gillette 48 0 48
Cristy Olsen 0 45 45
Keith Wharton 45 0 45
Mike Belser 0 44 44
Matt Deane 0 43 43

Monday, November 14, 2011

podium shots

Sport Women podium top finishers: Amy and Chloe

Sport Men podium top 3: Roy, Ethan, Chris (LtoR)

Kids category 7-10yr old: Macy

Kids category 6 and under: Quincy, Mason and Fisk

Recreation category top 3: Jeff, Lori and Lisa

Competitive category top 3: Neil, Emil and Adam (L to R)

Saturday, November 12, 2011

SOUPer X Recap










Neil Riding the flat tire just before the last lap.  He pitted to put some air in, which cost him second place :(


What a day!  If you ask anyone who was there to tell you about the day, I'm sure the first thing they would mention is the wind.  A steady 30 mile an hour wind with gust up over 40mph.  Roads closed, travel advisories and storm clouds lurking overhead all day long left us wondering what the next hour would bring.  Turns out, that with each hour passed, just brought in more racers and more smiles.
Every single category today ended up having a very exciting battle between the racers!!  Starting at 10am was the, new to Fat Fish Racing, SPORT Category.  Now this category will stay with FFR from here on out and is kind of an "in between" category to our A and B categories that we had in the mountain bike series.  So the top half of the racers in the B category will feel right at home in this new Cat.  "Cat" is short for category ;).  
ok, back to the sport race.......
9 racers came out to compete at 10 am and we knew it was going to be a close one.  Ethan, Bruce, Jack and Brian were the returning CX racers from the EKW CX race....  A race just wouldn't be a Fat Fish Race without starting 10 minutes late, mainly due to Bruce's broken seat post which decided to literally crumble as he rolled up to the starting line.  After some fiddling around he just gave us the go ahead and start without him.  So we did.  
Ethan took the lead immediately with Mason, Chris, and Roy and Jack right on his wheel.  The whole first lap was tight like this until Ethan's fitness gapped the rest of the group.  Chris soon gained a few bike lengths on Mason and the two of them had about 15 seconds on Roy.  Roy kept it very close, but the battle between Chris and Mason kept their pace fast!!  This fast pace gapped Roy about half way through the race.  From then on, Roy stayed very close, but the pair ahead of him gained about 10 seconds each lap.  With 10 minutes to go Mason attacked in the tree section and flew over some barriers to get a gap on Chris.  He held that gap through the Spiral of Doom and over the Flyover.  With two laps to go, Mason had an 8 second gap on Chris and was looking fast and happy as he hammered by the spectators.  The gang of spectators continued their cheering and lost focus on the top 3 guys for a bit while Bruce and Roy, the two bike shop owners in town, rode the Flyover.  Then we cheered on Jack, Amy, Brian, Chloe and Jeremy as they rode over and around the Flyover.  Suddenly we look over to see the front guys and Mason is no where to be seen.  Ethan is way out front, Chris is in second, Roy looks to be in third and now Mason is very rapidly pedaling but moving very slow.  We give Ethan the "one to go one to go one to go one to go".  Chris is now in second with Roy following about 35 seconds later.  Mason spins by after that in his easiest gear.  He says that his derailleur broke and he is stuck in that gear (which is way to slow to keep up his second place).  Well, that order stuck through the final lap as Ethan, then Chris, and Roy pedaled through the finish line.  Amy won the women's category with Chloe placing second.   It was blast to watch.  Mason simply said about his mechanical, "thats racing"!  


You never know what can happen and thats why you should never let off the gas.  Keep spinnin' those pedals no matter what and maybe luck will be on your side.  Great race guys and thanks for the show.  


I'd love to keep writing, but i'm totally exhausted from the day in the wind and racing.  Soon, we will have a race recap from the other categories. 


Thank you everyone who came out today and cheered us on.  Also, thanks to all the folks that checked us out at the Bike Swap.  It was great talking with you and getting lots of people on new bikes.  We had a blast!!  Hope you did too :)


HUNDREDS of pictures were taken today at the race.  For now, check out the rest of the Competitive Category at https://picasaweb.google.com/112924574869290742816/FatFishCyclocross111211
Reed Merschat's got skill with the photo shooter!  Thanks Reed!

Enjoy

Friday, November 11, 2011

RACE INFO

The race is ON!!  The schedule of Saturday's events are located below in a past Post.  So refer to that if you are looking for times.  Please feel free to email me at fatfishracing@gmail.com if you have any questions about tomorrows race.  The course is already completely set up so we won't need any help with that.  We appreciate all the support from you area racers who asked if they could help.  After the day's last race, we would love your help taking down the course.  So if you are still around, you can lend a hand with that :)

below are two pictures of the course.  The Flyover is a blast and will be used for all but the kids' race.  The Recreational category can choose to ride it, or bypass it.  Your call.  Although the Rec category is just for fun, we are expecting some kids who want to compete in that category.  So there WILL be awards for the top 3 riders in the Recreational category.  While we're on that subject.....

Sport Mens category: awards for top 3
Sport Womens category: awards for top 3
Kids 6 and under category: awards and prizes for top 3
Kids 7-10 category: awards and prizes for top 3
~the remaining prizes will be randomly drawn for the kids
Rec category: awards for top 3
Comp category: awards for top 3

Can't wait to see you all tomorrow :)
There is no need for number plates, however you MUST sign a waiver to race.

The race is FREE and made possible by Mountain Sports bike shop in Casper.  Thanks Guys!!


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

SOUPer Cross update

Mountain Sports 
presents.....

SOUPer CROSS 2011

The Fat Fish are so excited to host this upcoming CYCLOCROSS race.  Saturday will be a beautiful day to ride and race.  The day starts with the bike/ski swap at the Hall of Champions building at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds.  Just drive into the fairgrounds and you can't miss it.  There will be signs :)  

The course is going to be fun.  We will have lots of turns and obstacles for all categories.  The flyover is only going to be used for the Sport and the Comp categories.  The Kids and Recreational categories will do the same course, but bypass the flyover.  If you don't know what a flyover is, youtube "cyclocross flyover" and I'm sure some video's will show up.  

Hosting this race at the Fairgrounds during the ski/bike swap is a huge opportunity for cycling in Casper.  We hope that you can come and join us to show everyone how amazing this sport is and how Casper is a great place to ride a bike. 

Bring all the noise making tools you have.  The louder the better!!!

See you soon!

enjoy


I searched everywhere to find pictures of the three Fat Fish Racers who raced a few days ago at their events.  Neil is pictured in the top two with Emil racing in the last pic.  Was hard to find one of Belser when there were over a thousand other people racing.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Bike/Ski swap and SOUPer Cross Race


Thursday, NOVEMBER 10th.  Items that you would like to be sold should be brought to the "Hall of Champions" building at the fairgrounds up to 9pm that night.  

Friday, NOVEMBER 11th.  Bike and ski swap open from 7am to 9pm.  You can still bring in items to be sold at anytime during the swap.  

Saturday, NOVEMBER 12th

9am: Bike and Ski Swap is open to the public and CX course open to pre-ride

10am: Start of the Sport Category Race.  Men and Women race together but are in separate categories.  Awards follow immediately after final finisher.

11am: Course open to ride. 

12: Kids Race!  Two categories; 6 and under or 7-10year olds.  Awards follow race.  Prizes for top racers in each category.

After the Kids Race we will start serving free soups.  We have a variety of Meatball, Chicken noodle, corn chowder, wild rice, and more.  Bring a soup, a pan of bars, juice or just enjoy the food on us!

1pm: Recreational Category start.  All kids over 10 years old are encouraged to race in this category.  Don’t feel like a racer?  That’s why this is called Recreational.

3pm: Competitive Category start.  This is a fast one folks!  You won’t want to miss this.  Awards to follow.

6pm: Bike and Ski Swap closes.  

Sunday NOVEMBER 13th,  pick up all unsold items from the swap.  9am-1pm

Thursday, November 3, 2011

photos

Just discovered some AWESOME photos from Mountain Moon Photography online.  Thought I'd share.  Enjoy!








 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Boulder Cup CX Race

This past weekend was spent the best way the Fat Fish know how, on two wheels.  Emil, Neil and Adam were down in Boulder Colorado racing their bikes in one of the most competitive CX race around.  Neil and Emil competed on both Saturday and Sunday in the Cat 4 35+ category with 88 competitors on Saturday and 77 on Sunday.  Adam raced on just Sunday in the Single Speed category with 34 riders.  The weather was beautiful and even though we didn't win any medals, there was a ton of free stuff from vendors that we got to try :)  I think my brother, who was spectating, had about a years supply of Chamois Butter in single serving packets stuffed into his pockets.  Everyone was a winner!  hahaha   Enjoy!