We All Need Some Help Sometime

Many of your know that I am a faculty member at SUNY Cortland. I am also faculty advisor to the Education Club. The Education Club is currently taking donations of school supplies for the many schools that were affected by the flooding in the Binghamton area. Because the Education Club consists of students, I know that they don't have much, so I am asking my friends to help. You can spend as little as $5 and go to Staples, Target, or Office Max and get a bag full of supplies.

This weekend, I'll be taking donations while we are racing at Elison Park and the Swandrome. Any type of school supply that you could donate would be greatly appreciated -- pencils, reams of paper, folders, tape, scissors, notebooks, etc. The teachers and children lost so much. Feel free to throw it on our car if we're not around and leave your name, so I can give you proper recognition. Look for the car with the Crankskins.com stickers!

Remember -- what you want for your own children is what you should want for all children.

Thanks friends! Now, go ride!


Give something and watch it grow

Two Cross Races at Two Apple Farms

This past weekend brought us fabulous fall weather and two fabulous races at two different apple farms in central New York. At the risk of sounding repetitive (at least in the first sentence so far), we competed Saturday at the Critz Farms Kermis in Cazenovia, NY and on Sunday, at the Victor Apple Farm Cross Race in Victor, NY. On Friday, we were certain about our intentions of competing at the Critz Farms race, so I'll start with that.

An amazing fall weekend in central New York














The Critz Farms Kermis is a 'dirt race' that the Ommegang promoters describe as being ideal for either the mountain or the cross bike since the course transverses around and through apple tree fields. At times, the course is extremely bumpy and other times, it is smooth, gravel road. For me, there was no question on which bike I would ride as my cross bike was not put together yet. I was comfortable with that after competing on my mountain bike last weekend in a cross race. We like supporting local race promoters and more importantly, we like racing so close to our home.

The last time I competed on this course, Jeff was home sick and the race was still in its infancy; that is, it was the first year for the event. Now, two years later, the course was changed and the Ommegang team is well-versed in organizing races. As we pulled in, we were in awe of the apples hanging like ripe grapefruit from the trees. The farm itself is set up for family adventure complete with apple picking, tractor rides, and farm animals to entertain the children. All this was going on while we raced.

Jeff raced in the masters category and I did the open women's race. Our races were separated by a minute at the start, so all the racers were out on course at the same time. Jeff had a strong start and was riding with the lead group when half way through the race, he hit a fairly large rock and immediately flatted. He yelled, "See ya later guys...." Having no spare set of wheels, Jeff's race was done. (Often times we don't come prepared to races because we're too tired to do anything on Friday nights or Saturday mornings, so in the end, Jeff was unbothered by this.)

As for me, I had a strong start and held on to a set of skinny tires as long as I could, but eventually fell off the pace by the end of the first lap. I would stay in 3rd place and virtually ride the race alone 'til the end with the exception of catching a few stragglers from the masters race.

Afterwards, Jeff and I did a cool down ride and then, made our way over to the open field where the children were playing and the animals were roaming. This was my favorite part of the day. I love animals and I love children. I guess that's why teaching fits me so well.

With the llamas (llamas are my favorite animal!)















Driving home from the race, Jeff and I discussed the possibility of racing Sunday. We had three races to choose from: two mountain bike races and one cross race. In the end, we decided to go with the closest race to our home which would be the Victor Apple Farm Cross Race in Victor, NY. This was a new race at a new course put on the the Trailblazers Bike Shop. Unfortunately, this race had preregistration only, and as one might expect, the Jeffina reserves the right to always change his/her mind, so we rarely preregister for any race. After a few calls to EJ and to the race promoter, we were given special entry. During one of these phone calls, EJ motivated Jeff to put my new cross bike together. Jeff worked feverishly to finish the bike and by 9:30 pm, it was done. I would race this new bike on Sunday. No pre-ride, just jump on it and go. Based on the work Jeff has done on all my bikes, I trust him wholeheartedly. It's undoubtedly the lightest bike I have ever owned.

New cross bike with new Crankskins (Zoey made her way into every photo!)
















We were especially grateful to the race promoter, Dave Ferritt, for allowing us to race and when we pulled up at the Victor Apple Farm, we were once again greeted by large crowds of people, an on-site 'everything apple' store, and acres and acres of apples. The race was part of a larger festival that drew bands, vendors, and many other fall-related activities. For a first time event, we were impressed. Registration went smoothly, the course was well laid out and very spectator friendly, and parking was convenient. Like the Critz Farms Kermis, this course was also around the apple orchards and in addition, also included hiking trails. Jeff and I both agreed that this was by far the most fun cross course we ever rode. It had amazing flow, some ups and downs, plenty of turns, switch backs, and a few barriers. We loved this course.

Jeff competed in the masters 35+ race and the open division. The masters race took place first and Jeff lined up in the front row (as per the discretion of the race promoter) with a relatively large field of 45. My race was immediately lining up behind the guys, so I was able to watch his start. Jeff had a strong start and then, it was my turn. A lot of local Rochester gals showed up for this race and I was a bit nervous being on a new bike (with some new shifting features), but after racing for so many years, I just rode intuitively not thinking about anything else except for the race. I had a good start and would eventually be passed by one rider who would go on to win the women's event. I had a clean race and finished in 2nd. During my last lap, Jeff and the leader from his race, lapped me. Jeff was in 2nd at this time and would hold on to the place at the finish. He had an amazing race. Afterwards, he said that he and the leader rode the first 3 laps together and the guy eventually pulled away from him. Jeff was unable to respond and just worked to hold his place. Other local riders in the masters division included Bryan B., Aaron J., and Jason D.

The top 5 from the masters race















During Jeff's second race, I was able to walk around and take photos.

Trailblazers bike shop sponsored the event
















The men line up for the open race














Racers on course















Jeff rode the steepest climb that left many walking (like me!)














Jeff at finish of 2nd race














Race venue















There are local cross races every weekend in the upcoming months. For now, we are enjoying ourselves and the beautiful fall weather.

Together, we are Jeffina. Crankin' out the miles, crankin' out the love for Crankskins.com.

New Crankskins Product for Cyclocross Frames

For all of our cyclocross friends, EJ of Crankskins.com has out a new product designed to specifically protect your cyclocross bike.

Check it out!

Now, go ride!

The Start of the Cross Season and the End of the Mountain Bike Season

When September rolls around, it is a month of transition for us. We are wrapping up with our mountain bike season and moving towards the shorter races of cyclocross. It is timely since that the days are growing shorter and the duration which we train is also decreased, but rather than heading out on long, endurance rides and working on handling skills, we work on power, intensity, and dismounts/remounts. It is also during this month, where I make the transition back into full-time teaching, so this change in training is somewhat ideal. We don't completely put away the mountain bikes as they are far too much fun and bring us so much enjoyment. But, sometimes I do think that our muscles are confused during this transitional time.

So, what have we been up to? It's been 3 weeks since our last race at the Single Track Stampede (STS) and I personally used this time to prepare for courses and wrap up with other household responsibilities before the school year began. Since I hit my low back into a tree at the STS race, this time also was used to heal. My range of motion was severely limited and the muscle pain was quite significant. Our bodies know how to heal and sometimes, we just need to give it plenty of time. I am fully recovered and feel well again.

For Jeff, his project during this time was stripping down his old SS frame ridding it completely of parts and paint. He painted the frame and ordered a new drive train. Many of you know that Jeff put away his days of racing his SS this year and switched to a geared bike, but he still wants to have options in his training. He used parts we had laying around in the basement and now has another rig he can enjoy year round.

Jeff painting his frame


















Bike is done!
















As the first cross race neared, Jeff got out his cross bike and laughed because it still had mud on it from the last cross race held last year around Thanksgiving. He worked diligently to prepare it and as for me, well, let's just say that I dropped the ball and didn't order my new groupo for my new cross frame until much too late. If I chose to race at Kirkland, then it would be on my mountain bike. To race or not to race? That was the question. So, I chose to race. Jeff prepared my bike with skinnier tires and our good friend, Fizz, loaned us a carbon fork to lighten up the rig and provide greater stability.

Mother nature was not kind to us in the weeks leading up to the Kirland cross race, the first race in the NYCross series. Our region suffered full on flooding leaving many friends stranded, schools closed, businesses destroyed, or homes with severe flood damage. Likewise, it also left the course heavily saturated. The first race of the season was nothing less than difficult due to the muddy conditions.

As we drove into the race venue, we were glad to see so many friends and to catch up with the details of the summer.

Jeff and Ad














Jeff and Paul














Michelle and John














Jeff warmed up and eventually made his way to the start of the master's race. All men aged 35+ lined up together and then would be scored separately within their respective age group -- there were approximately 45 starters in Jeff's race. As per the promoter, the riders lined up according to the registration order. Jeff did 'day of' registration and started nearly dead last. I would have found this start position to be a bit daunting, but it did not deter Jeff's efforts.














Jeff had a great race. He essentially went through the field despite the muddy conditions. As each lap passed, Jeff continued to reel in riders and move closer to the front riders. He would finish 5th overall and 2nd in his age group. It was an outstanding result for the first race of the season. Jeff was sandwiched between some of our local friends -- Tim, Phil, and Greg -- and all of them, should be congratulated for their efforts.

After the race with his mom














As for me, I prepared for my race and as expected, got quite a few questions about my choice of bike to ride for the race. I felt a bit repetitive as I tried to explain that I failed to order my cross groupo in time, but at least, I was ready for the muddy conditions. The women had a strong field with many of the local heavy hitters and like Jeff, I, too, lined up at the back of the field. The start was not extraordinarily fast, but as soon as we got into the soft grass and muddy areas, chaos broke out. A few people slid out, others mishandled turns and I steadily rode. My greatest challenges were the barriers and the billy goat trail run-up which gave me trouble due to the weight of the bike.

Start of women's race














At the barriers














At the run-up














At the end, I was completed satisfied with my race and with my efforts. My final placing of 6th was not ideal, but I was grateful to have the opportunity to race.

At the end of the race














My groupo arrived yesterday (thanks EJ!) along with some new winter jackets for us. Jeff plans to have the new bike ready for me to race this weekend and I hope to continue to improve my results.

The cross season is long in this part of the country. We will continue to do the cross races in the local area through December while mixing in the remaining mountain bike races. Our goal is to mentally and physically stay positive and to complete in the Master's Worlds race in Louisville, KY later in January. Many of you might laugh and wonder why we may choose to go to Louisville, but if the choice is to race or not race, what would you choose?

Together, we are Jeffina, crankin' out the miles, crankin' out the love for Crankskins.com