Congratulations to Team Type 1 RAAM Winner Tom Kingery

Did you know that three time champion of the Race Across America, Tom Kingery is one of us? Pictured here (standing just to the right of Chairman Fred - who never makes eye contact with another champion) is the Ironman triathlete/type 1 diabetic and a 3 time winner of RAAM. Yep, three time champion. Who knew? Maybe the jersey gave it way, that and his ability to pull a pack of riders at 28mph for nearly an hour might have been a hint.

Last night was his first night back training with his fellow World of Pain riders after his five day, ten hour and 48 minute odyssey over the 3,005-mile course that runs from Calififornia to Maryland. read about it here.

 http://www.teamtype1.org/news_stories/show/74>

Welcome back Tom, now can you slow down a bit?

Support Your Favorite Team...and drink, drink, drink.

Summer cycling heat getting you down? You just finished a tuesday night hammerfest and, well you just didn't get enough World of Pain? You're in luck, because now you can enjoy your favorite beverage in a 16oz American made pint glass and support your favorite cycling team in the process.

Available at Beehive Books, 25 N Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015

the cost is just $6.50 per pint or a set of 4 for $25. 

Your favorite beer included (check your refrigerator, I'm sure there's a cold one in there somewhere)

We Are The Champions, My Friends

A great day for your heroes on A World of Pain Cycling Team (not "a WOP," as Conti registered his race). Today was the Ohio State Criterium Championships. We delivered 4 racers to the start. Chairmen Fred, Cadillac George, Farmer John, and myself.

While my race was truly forgettable. All three of my teammates made the podium. John Price is the Cat. 4 champion, winning a Tissot watch and lots of cash. Fred Parks and George Conti Finish 1 and 2 respectively in the Masters 55-59 category.

Way to go boys...indeed, that was PAINLESS....

Tour of The Valley

As race reports go, this one will be brief. Not that there wasn’t quite a lot to tell you about the three day of racing in Youngstown, Ohio, it’s just that the results were slim.

This race is just in its second year and it has the potential to be a great race. The event is run quite well and has many happy/helpful volunteers. Question: why volunteer for our local Columbus races and then act like a wanker? Only criticism was the high (higher than normal) entry fees. 

The Godfather and I signed up for the omnium (forget spell checker, it means all three races). Friday night was to be a 9 mile time trial. We drove all day through pouring rains, never thinking to bring a turbo trainer to warm up on. Needless to say, I wasn’t about to warm up in a downpour, so I raced ‘old school’ flicked my cigarette out and whispered “avanti” as a heard the countdown , “5, 4, 3, 2, 1…” Conti went old school too, Laurant Fignon- style, traditional bike, while others sported Greg Lemond-inspired solid disc wheels, aero helmets, and real TT bikes. Conti flats right outta the start house (lucky bastard) and I have to endure 26 minutes of rain, and emolument-cover aero-racers passing me. 

Saturday was a 33 mile road race, we were joined by Dave "Marilyn" Chambers and Dan Rhule(s)! When we line up the skies had cleared BUT the turnout was quite low. Where was everyone? We soon learned that participants from year 1 opted out of what might have been the toughest course of the 2010 road schedule. There was a 2 mile climb at 10-12% that destroyed the field, even half the cat. 1 / 2 field dropped out. (note to self: skip RR next year)

Sunday was criterium in downtown, it was flat, fast (we avg. 25.5 mph) and fun. I figured, I finished 15th about 40 yards behind the winner.