Spring Road Rides Beneficial at Cable

The following is a write-up I did for the Red Jacket - BlueSky Health Racing Team web site.


The Red Jackets traveled to Cable, WI this weekend for the Cable Area Off-Road Classic. Two hundred thirty-nine riders, 216 men, attempted the 23-mile race and 120 riders attempted the 18-mile race. Although 14 racers did not finish, all of the Red Jackets had successful races free of any mechanical difficulties.

Pat Szubielak, 50, and James Bialas, 31, accepted the 23-mile challenge making strong 6th and 25th place finishes in their respective age groups. About fifty percent of the course consisted of sweet singletrack requiring cyclocross-style maneuvers over freshly fallen trees from the previous night's rainstorm.

"After a crazy fast start I finally settled into a manageable pace," Pat commented. "I felt I did great in the singletrack – not getting passed – but when we hit the open road sections, that's where the roadies took over and gained ground. I also enjoyed coming up on team mates and offering encouragement." Pat and James were going to race together but were separated by a gaggle of enthusiastic racers entering the first bit of singletrack. When asked for a comment, James said, "Hi, Mom!"

It was the second race of the year for the 18-mile Red Jacket men. Brett Hamlin, 38, felt his performance well-exceeded that of Iola and found himself back in his racing groove finishing 9th in his age group. Chris Lehto, 40, finished 8th in his age group just four minutes ahead of Brett. Terry Kinzel's 9th place finish received an exciting Red Jacket greeting as he rolled across the finish line smiling as always.

Tammi Lehto (left) and Diane Ursu (right) received 3rd and 2nd, respectively, in their age categories.

It was the Red Jacket women, however, who made a podium presence for the 18-mile race. Tammi Lehto, 41, finished a well-earned 3rd in her age category while Diane Ursu barely rolled into 2nd place with the 3rd and 4th place finishers crossing the finish line within 45 seconds of Diane. "I was following the guys in front of me and we went straight at a T-intersection when we were supposed to turn right," Diane said. "The woman behind me kept questioning the direction and we went back. I lost a couple of minutes there. I also began riding about 6-8 mph over the last mile and a half, which was railroad grade. My legs were dead and we were riding into a strong headwind. I knew I had to make up for the previous course blooper, so I really had to muster up some strength to more than double my speed in order to jump on the draft of one of the 25-milers into the finish. Looking at the finish times, it was a wise decision."

The Cable Area Off-Road Classic was a well-run race designed to bring the riders in together. The 23-milers started 20 minutes before the 18-milers and the two races converged for a group finish. "I thought the long course was very challenging and would recommend trying this race," remarked Pat. "About 50 percent of it was singletrack." It makes for the perfect spring race because the great majority of the race is ridden on gravel roads, which is beneficial for those riders restricted to road riding through the spring.

Inspired by the Red Jacket – BlueSky Health van presentation of the Lance Armstrong Tour de France performances, the Red Jackets are preparing for their upcoming races in Rhinelander, Wisconsin for the RASTA Rally Mountain Bike Race on May 25 and the Hanson Hills Challenge in Grayling, Michigan on June 1. Check the calendar for upcoming events.