Geoff Proctor Book Signing Tomorrow

1:30-3pm Fact & Fiction

http://www.factandfictionbooks.com/event/support-first-night-missoula

Behind the Stare

http://behindthestare.deedspublishing.com/

#Powers

Montana All Stars

Big time kudos to Steve Fisher and JT Fountain for ripping legs at Rolling Thunder 2012.  Steve has been battling Logan Owen in Seattle.  This battle between Owen and Fisher is one of the best in the country right now.

It's time for the Montana Racers to migrate west.  The MT all star crew heads to Woodland Park.  John Curry, 4th at Thunder, and Montana State/Overall Champion, makes the trip.  He also brings over his wife Lisa, perennial top 30 national racer, and up and comer Ingrid Lovitt, who wants a higher place then her top ten at Star Crossed.  Adding to the lineup is Phil Grove.  Pip notorious for the big stage, could be the real surprise.  He's on sneaky late season form as he extends his cross season.  A dominating win at Herron Park   last weekend.

Looking at crossresults.com, Courtenay McFadden and Lisa Curry have never gone head to head.  McFadden won last week at the Seattle Cyclocross Series.  Kari Studley leads the series.  In head to head battles with Curry she is 10 and 4.  Meanwhile  John Curry has gone head to head with Fisher (2nd to Owen last weekend) 7 times and lost all 7.  Grove has gone head to head 4 times and lost all 4.  The series leader is Kyle Mcgilvray who is 2 and 1 against Grove and 1 and 6 against Curry.  Stats in cyclocross mean very little, but it's fun to look at stats.

Curry and Grove are not un-familiar with representing Montana on bigger stages.  Let's take a look back at recent history.

2012 Missoula Pro XC
Grove 17th
Curry 18th

2012 CX Nats
Master 30+
Curry 8th

2011 Marathon Nats
Grove 23rd
Curry 32nd

2011 MTB Nats
Curry 25th
Grove 29th

2010 CX Nats
Master 30+
Curry 5th

Grove is pushing on into a December Cross Season.  photo by tomroberstonphoto.com

Curry here at Thunder has a shot at the win this weekend in Seattle.  photo by tomroberstonphoto.com

Lovitt has had another good season and is hunting for another top place in Seattle.  photo by tomrobertsonphoto.com

Herron Park CX Flier

State Champs!

2012 has proven to be a physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging year for cross racers in Montana. A hot and dry summer left thick smoke lingering for the first several races, rider numbers in the upper categories have been noticeably depressed, and injuries or illness plagued the strongmen and household names. And while it is easy to get discouraged about racing in the state this adversity has allowed our best riders to shine and garner the recognition that they deserve. In a lot of ways this weekend's State Championship races were fitting cap for the season. Saturday's Mule X featured a clay mud that wrought havoc on equipment and claimed at least have a dozen derailleur hangers before the race even started. Through the muck the race persisted and allowed an inspired ride by Bieber-Mule, who held onto Coach Curry until the Pug from the Great White North encroached on their gap and the pace hastened over the last few laps. In the end "Cougar Bait" Beckner stood on the top step for the last time this season.

Conditions on Sunday were more amiable for finishing races and a rerouted course, a drier day, and the tireless efforts of the Bozeman promoters kept the most damning of the mud at bay. But the parcours was not without pitfalls and the action not without incident. Eventual winner Admiral Lord Curry was a familiar sight in the pit area as he frequently changed bikes while the neutral support worked feverishly to keep the race running (one benefit of small fields is that one neutral mechanic is sort of like a team mechanic for everyone). He punished the field over the short and punchy climbs that accented the back side, and left more than a few reevaluating the wisdom of playing one's trump cards on Saturday. The result was a podium that any Montana cyclocross fan can probably recite from memory by this point in the season with John Curry on the top step, followed by Landen Beckner and Jesse Doll.

The ladies race was the same knock down, drag out affair that we've seen replay time and time again since September. The Curry Dynasty endures as Lisa proved once again to be insurmountable at home. Bozeman's Megan Lawson and Missoula's Ingrid Lovitt rekindled their grudgematch with ferocity unmatched since Belleau Wood and on the second day the Lady Lovitt found redemption.

The short and spirited cyclocross season in Montana is drawing near to a close as our short attention spans are thinking about elk and we forget that the skiing isn't actually usually very good until some time in January. Only one event remains on the 2012 calendar for the state, and the Glacier Cyclery crew always does a fantastic job with Herron Park cross in Kalispell. This is the last race of the season around here, and it's probably worth just seeing this whole bike racing thing through to the end. Remember, this is pretty much it until the warm and sunny Montana spring road season. The future of racing in the state hasn't been this promising in recent memory. The mens' and womens' Category 4 fields are teeming and the riders at the front of those groups are all due for a new start time, young riders Ben Hoffman and Landen Beckner are already wicked fast and improving at a disconcerting rate. I, for one, can't wait for the next one. 

We'll see you in Kali.

Hot Cheetos and Takis Cross Weekend - Bozeman CX - State Champs

Can't miss cross action in Bozeman this weekend!  Come for one come for both!

Muleterro and Bozeman two of Montana finest clubs are teaming up to give you the best double weekend in Western Montana.

Music, announcer, coffee, grub, Gallatin County Fairgrounds.  Sunday is the State Championship.

visit montanacycling.net for more race info

Jedzilla - #thundermadness vid

Rolling Thunder CX 12 from Jed Zilla on Vimeo.

Rolling Thunder Photos

John Sieber Photography - Click HERE
David Howland (Frigid Light Photography) - Click HERE
Jeremy Lurgio Photography - Click HERE

Rolling Thunder - Tom Robertson Gallery

Click HERE for the Tom Robertson Photography Gallery

Carey and Curry post race chat

Gangam Style

Masters A, Cookie Montser with Neon TCH

The Snake Pit added a different dimension this year

The men's 3 race was one of the most competitive all day

44 ladies at the start

Steve and JT on the run up, 1st and 3rd, JT won Sunday's Race

SS jumping in a wig

Jeremy Lurgio Rolling Thunder Pictures

Updated Results posted on the right hand side.  In order and ready for the finale this week at Maverick Stadium!  Hartman Special!

2012 Rolling Thunder Results

Day 1 Click HERE
Day 2 Click HERE

Carey and Fisher win Thunder

photos by tomrobertsonphotography.com

Galleries and results to come!

Thunder Registration

Online Registration closes tonight at 10pm mdt.  Registration will be available on race day.  It closes 30m before each race and at 6pm.

click here to register

Beckner/Lovvitt win pre-Thunder Tune Up

With only a few tracks on the course, 60+ brave souls jumped on a rough Thunder course.  Lines were found and excitement was built.

Landen Beckner had to come from behind a bit, but only needed 2 laps to catch Toby, who looked at home on the technical terrain.  They two rode together until Beckner was too much and the gap opened.  Like many Wednesday Night Riders, Doll came straight from work to the start line.  Once he learned the course, his power showed up and he took 3rd.

Ingrid Lovitt looks poised for another top ride this season.  She maneuvered the course without much issue.  Big shout of to Margie, Mara, Kristine, and Katie R for ripping Thunder, they will be forces on Saturday.

Lap times for the 1st group in Men's A were just above 5 minutes.

Rolling Thunder Preview - Wednesday Cross for Today

The Wednesday Night Cyclocross Series moves to American Legion Field for tonight.  If you've never been this is the baseball field between the Equestrian Park and DNRC.  Here are a couple notes on tonight's race:

- Please park in the grass field to the south (where you usually park for Thunder).  The entrance is past the stadium driveway 200 meters on your left

- This will be our first time at this venue during the week.  This area is county property and lots of people walk there dogs after work.  Please be respectful of others.

- There will be a small opening to the left of the whoops for folks who don't feel comfortable on them.  You can walk your bike.

- The course has some technical features, but now is the time to ride and get comfortable before the weekends races.  I'll be at the venue from 1pm on today if anyone needs instruction.

- The stadium driveway and parking area will be open to traffic, please look before you get onto the finishing stretch.

Thanks and enjoy the course.  Feel free to ride as many laps as you want from today until Saturdays Event.

Email me with questions, shaun@thecyclinghouse.com

Rolling Thunder Ladies

The Rolling Thunder Women's Race always has the best groups.  From masters champions, to mid level pros, we've witnessed some great rides.  The level of women's cross in Montana has grown exponentially.  It started with Lisa Curry putting a focus on cross 5 years ago.  She attended national races and started achieving top 20 results.  She lit the fire to Lindsy Campbell who was a top 5 collegiate nationals rider.  During the same time Amy Frykman and Patricia Dowd began to show on the regional/national stage. This led to the emergence of defending RT Champ Anna Dingman putting a focus on cyclocross.  Anna will be fresh off a muddy USGP (biggest series in the US) last weekend.  In Missoula we've seen the growth of Ingrid Lovitt.  8th place at Star Crossed this year, her cyclocross focus has changed the game for Missoula ladies.  Expect a few more cross ladies next year.  There is still a place for the all around Montana Athlete to have fun and get a good workout, but the top end Montana Ladies are some of the finest crossers in the region.  I've been reading Geoff Proctor's, Behind the Stare.  I just read a section where Geoff has a conversation with Mark Legg (Katie Compton's husband/mechanic).  They talk about the state of ladies racing in Europe.  The book goes on to say at that time (2007) the womens racing in the US is more fun.  The fans are great at the races, the fields are deep, and the sport is growing.  I don't know if that is still the case, and I know we have a long way to go, but you can see it even at Thunder.  The women's field is deep and the fans will be out in force.  I guess the point of bringing this up is that I think the ladies race at Thunder is a treat for us spectators.  One of these gals isn't far from a taking that next level....masters nat champ, worlds team members, UCI podium.  So, when your watching the ladies go round and round on Saturday, give them a hollar, they deserve it.

Nylene Wicks wins the inaugural Thunder for UM Cycling. Photo by John Sieber

2007 Curry rides the "Pit of Dispair" to victory and starts to think big.  Photo by John Sieber

2008 Amy Frykman makes the road to cross transition look easy on a techy course.  Photo by John Sieber

2009 The "Tire Trap" leads to Curry taking her 2nd Win.

2010 Curry text book form over the barriers, flies high for her 3rd Thunder win.  Photo by John Sieber

2011 Anna Dingman rides away from the field and launches her elite cx career.  Photo by John Sieber

Prizes and Cash

The Cycling House Beer Tent - $750 - $1000 cash for women's and men's elite purse

Mery Storb is donating $150 to most aggressive rider in the ladies race.  She's matching that with a donation to feeding children in Ghana.

Kent Brothers Automotive - Apparel, jerseys

Big Sky Brewery - Beer!

Joel Brown is donating $100 to most aggressive rider in the mens elite race.

Sapphire PT donated $500 cash to be spread around the podiums.

Hammer Nutrition - product and clothes

Le Petite, 5 cycling LPO jerseys

Cafe Dolce - Food and coffee cards

Big Sky Bikes - clothing, gift cards, Easton SLX wheels for men's category 3 winner

Missoula Bicycle Works - clothing, and a box of goodies, and money from MBW bbq

Hellgate Cyclery is donating $100 for a first lap prime in the ladies race and clothing

Mountain Khakis - gift cards for clothes

I Love Cowbell - shirts

Of course much more day of.  If you'd like to donate, drop me a line.  Thanks!

Rolling Thunder Registration

Registration link added to the right side column.

Online registration closes on Thursday night at 10pm MDT.  Day of registration is available.  It closes 30 minutes before each race and at 6pm.  That means elite men have to register before 6pm on Saturday.  

Sign up now!

Curry Slaying Moose Cross Day #2

The Cycling House Beer Tent

The tradition continues.  The Cycling House Beer Tent and Crow's Nest V2.  Big shout out to Big Sky Brewery for supporting Thunder once again.

All money raised goes to the men's and women's elite prize purse.

Also, new one off TCH Truck Hats.

The Crow's Nest was a top place to watch in 2011.  Pictured center, Matt Shryock will once again be the "voice" of Thunder.

Wednesday Cross #4 - The Thunder Fine Tuning Begins

Big thanks again to the MBW crew for putting on another Wednesday.  Pat, Alex, Steve, Tim, it doesn't happen without those guys.

After a high altitude training block in the Bitterroot and Flathead (aka riding around on his 5 and 5 bike with a huge grin) Sam took his 2nd win of the series and despite what he says will be considered a favorite for Rolling Thunder.  The leaders established themselves early with Toby, Landen, and Schultz not looking back.  The youngster was too much for the Glacial Master and took 2nd.  

The battle for 4th was worth noting.  Perhaps a preview of top ten Thunder.  Stinky, Hartman, Horan, Orion, Pip (#thundermadness), and Lenaburg going back and forth.  Top racing action from that group.  Horan made a nice move to take 4th, and Orion chased hard for 5th.  

Rutherford took the men's B in a large field.  I'm not sure who won the ladies race, but Thunder Veteran  LCurry was for sure in attendance.  Will get that info shortly.

Moose Cross this weekend, next Wednesday will be on the Rolling Thunder Course.

Photos by Pat Scharfe

Moose Cross

Our mountain friends are doing it once again....MOOSE CROSS.  Brew, top notch cx, and local vibe!

Moose Cross and Rolling Thunder are cut from the same cloth, and this year it can't be laid out any better.  Back to back weekends of Rocky Mountain Cross Action!

Photo by Lisa Curry

One Lap Race/Ride

New for this year the Kent Brothers Hot Lap Race.  The idea behind the race/ride is to get folks out and experience cyclocross.  You can ride your commuter or whatever you got.

One lap around the course
-7:45 start
-no registration
-no fee
-no previous experience required
-any bike welcome
-ride or race
-helmet required

Thunder 2008, SS debut, Pip on mtcx.com, Sam Krieg, Proc front row

Thunder Sponsors

The folks who've kept the brew flowing for 7 years now!  

The Cycling House - training destination, HED Wheels
Hammer Nutrition - #training, Perpetum Solids!
Big Sky Bikes - Missoula Bike Shop
Missoula Bicycle Works - Missoula Bike Shop
Hellgate Cyclery - Missoula Bike Shop
Schaffer Hardscapes - Best hardscapes in town. 406-370-0324
Kent Brother Automotive - Subaru auto repair and maintenance
Zillastate - Real Estate for cyclists.
Cafe' Dolce - Coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Sapphire Physical Therapy - John and company will take care of you
Wild Rockies Landscaping - Been repping since the original!
Le Petite Outre - Pastries, coffee, great service
Northern Rockies Race Team - The best race volunteers in the region.
Black Coffee - Top coffee, top apparel
Momentum - Learn to train for your sport.
Big Sky Brewery - Helping us from getting thirsty.
tomrobertsonphotography.com -
I love Cowbell - Apparel to raise money for up and coming cross racers.
Mercantile Deli - Food at the race venue!

New for 2012!!!

Mountain Khakis

Have you been practicing Gangnam Style?

#Whale

Photo by John Sieber, www.jpshotos.net

DNRC Cross Report

With the drought ending rain, crisp autumn air, and pumpkin spice latte renaissance, the atmosphere Wednesday evening at the DNRC complex was unmistakably cross. The fields were as swollen as ever, and the first row of the Men’s A race was stocked with a few notorious faces that we’ve missed over the past two weeks. With returning race winners Landen “Will you help me sneak in to this rated R movie” Beckner rubbing shoulders with Jesse “Let’s get this over with I have to be back in surgery in one hour” Doll. Douglas “wait, it’s cross season?” Shryock elected to line up behind Dave “Don’t look at me or I’ll cut you” Hartman and Toby “Sean Kelly, not that Sean Kelly” Meierbachtol. Sam-well “I am from Mon-tana” Schultz took the spot behind Stinky “The Cranky Buddha” Seaton and mostly just heckled everybody. The first start in this race was three and a half rows deep and the short, technical laps ensured that a good start was essential to good placement.

The air was filled with nervous laughter and the aroma of embrocation cream when Monsieur Russell initiated the neutral roll-out a.k.a. hair-raising sprint into a loose, blind, off-camber, constricted right hand two-wheel slide. Heart rates jumped to 190 and despite the anaerobic nature of the first lap, most riders in those first two groups took a moment to comment on Dale’s smooth bike handling skills and intimate familiarity with the course. Constant tight corners and a thick bed of pine needles quickly separated the field into two general categories: those who are in their element on a technically challenging course, and those who are not. Dave attacked early on for Hellgate Cyclery but the move was vetoed by an early forming group of Landen (Montana Velo), Sam (Subaru-Trek), Jesse (Montanacyclocross.com), and Toby (Hellgate Cyclery). The rest of the field shattered into small duos and trios and several riders had a hard time keeping the rubber side down.

In the end, Sam, Landen, and Toby filled out the podium, but the race saw strong rides and deep fields in all of the races. Results are forthcoming, but you can bet that Missoula cross racers will be well represented in the winners’ circle come Thunder. Just two weeks out and the course construction is underway. Channel your inner Lussier. Rip legs. Fill the boot. 

A few photos from last night from Myke Hermsmeyer Photography.