WI State CX Championships

Photo by djohnnymac

Quick report from the WI State CX Champs held this past Sunday near Milwaukee, WI. Jordan won the Jr 15-18, 8th in the Cat 1/2's. I was 17th in M40+. Great to see some familiar faces, as well as meet some new people.

Ridley Dean TT Bike

Flash back to the end of July, 2009. Jordan is warming up to the Time-trial at US Junior Nationals and I make a deal with him. If he wins the Time-trial, I'll buy him a new TT bike. As most know, he came within 9 seconds winning, and finished 2nd. I couldn't tell if he was more upset about getting beat, or missing out on getting a new TT bike. As a consolation, I said he was close enough.

Back to the present. So many options. Specialized, Scott, Cervelo, Trek, to name a few. All very expensive too. High end TT frame/fork modules go for north of $3500.00 (yes, that's just for the frame and fork)! If I'm going to drop that kind of coin, I want the best.

The Ridley Dean was at the top of our list, but we were committed to purchasing from Flanders Bros. Bike Shop. As luck would have it, Flanders recently started carrying Ridley, and Jordan's dream came true.

Is he spoiled? Damn right, he's spoiled. Does he appreciate what he has? Absolutely, and he knows he has to train hard (and smart) to keep it.

Ciara

Got a call Sunday night that Planet Bike needed Jordan's 52cm Ridley X-night back for another rider. In exchange, Jordan got a brand new 54cm Ridley X-night.

Jordan and I broke down his old Ridley Sunday night, shipped it Monday, and received the new one Tuesday. With help from the friendly Flanders Bros. Bike Shop, "Ciara" is now built and ready to ride.

For Sale: 2007 Giant TCR C3 Road Bike - Size Small - $850

Contact:j.cullen@sbcglobal.net
Original MSRP $1,850.00
Asking Price: $900.00
Size: Small
Color: Silver/Blue/Composite

Carbon Fiber Frame Frame & Fork (aluminum steerer):
Component Group: Complete Shimano 105 10 Speed
Crankset: 170mm Shimano Compact FC-R600, 34/50 teeth (Junior specific gearing 52/36 available)
Rear Cassette: 10-speed, 12 - 25 teeth (Junior specific gearing - 14-25 available)
Seatpost: Giant formulaOne
Saddle: Specialized Alias
Handlebar: Easton EA30 OS
Stem: Easton EA30 OS
Wheel: Xero XSR-3

Excellent condition, in perfect working order. Raced by Jordan Cullen in 2008 road season. Used sparingly in 2009 for Time-trials.

Playin' with the Big Boys

Photo by Frye

Jordan has his first experience with the top guns of MN Cyclocross this weekend at the Minnesota State CX Championships. He rode strong in both races, finishing 13th overall, 8th in the Cat 1/2's Saturday, and 11th overall, 8th in the Cat 1/2's on Sunday. Congratulations Jordan!

A hearty thank you to Race Promoter Smithers and his Crew (Super Rookie, Rivers, Ped, ScottyRob, among others), as well as the amazing sponsors, and efficient USAC officials, for putting on a stellar event. The perfect close to an incredible MN Cyclocross Season.

Time to upgrade you Sandbagger

Photo by Frye

Jordan capped off his Cat 3 cyclocross career this weekend with a pair of wins at Velo CX and Back to School CX. His prize for winning the Cat 3's was a 50lb bag of sand as incentive for an upgrade to Cat 2.

Jordan will be rolling with the Cat 1/2, Master 35+ at MN State CX Champs next weekend in Crystal. Oh crap, that means I've got to race him now! I'll be the one smiling as he laps me:)

Photo by Megan Lennon

Crossinacs Fridley Fall Back Article in Cyclocross Magazine

Photo by Steve Kotvis

A great article on www.cxmagazine.com about the Crossniacs Fridley Fall Back CX race.

Crossin' in Minnesota

Red Barn CX Photos courtesy of Linsey Hamilton

2 great races in Minnesota this weekend, Red Barn CX in Taylors Falls and Crossniacs Fridley Fall Back in Fridley. Jordan stormed to his 2nd Cat 3 CX win of the season at Red Barn, and then finished runner-up to Planet Bike teammate Linda Sone at Fridley Fall Back. I raced at Red Barn, and managed to NOT finish last.

Jordan's performance at Red Barn was fun to watch. He took the hole shot and never looked back. He steadily pulled away from the trio of Dave Oachs, Nils Boberg, and Dan Jacobson. Halfway in, Jordan was 30 secs up on Oachs and Boberg, with Jacobson dropping back a little. Jordan cruised in for the win, with Oachs gapping Boberg before the finish. Great job by all.

Fridley Fall Back was a bigger test for Jordan for several reasons. He had some gear problems, where he was unable to use his big ring, and he could not get into his upper cogs on his cassette. This kept him from being able to really open in up in the straights, and forced him to run-up a hill section, that others with smaller gears could ride. But that's cross racing. Bikes act up from time to time, and you have to deal with it. Jordan did admirably. On top of that, he struggled in the pinwheel portion of the course, mainly due to poor tire choice on my part.

Jordan was able to get away early in the race, then Planet Bike teammate Linda Sone and Nils Boberg bridged up to him. The three traded pulls, but Jordan struggled in the pinwheel. Late in the race, Linda and Jordan were able to distance themselves from Boberg and it looked like the 2 would finish together. However, Linda gapped Jordan in the pinwheel, and Boberg caught back up to Jordan. Linda won handily, with it coming down to a close sprint for second, with Jordan just beating Boberg. Great race to watch, and a good learning experience for Jordan.

It just goes to show you that different courses favor different riders. Sone was 10th in the Cat 3's at Red Barn, then wins the next day in Fridley. Well done.