Don't forget to check out our new website!!!
American University Cycling Team
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Bike-A-Thon
On Tuesday November 25th, we hosted our 4th annual Bike-A-Thon with HUGE success. Thank you to everyone who supported the team by bringing us food or giving a donation. We were able to raise around $900 in total for the entire event. This is the most that the team has ever raised from a given event. Thank You!
If you didn't hear, Greg Pape rode for 12 hours without taking a break. He endured the hot sun, and a swarm of bees, while still being able to do his readings and plan a presentation for the next day.
If you didn't hear, Greg Pape rode for 12 hours without taking a break. He endured the hot sun, and a swarm of bees, while still being able to do his readings and plan a presentation for the next day.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
West Virginia brings another win for Melissa!
This weekend began by celebrating Barry's 20th Birthday with a gourmet selection of food and beverages from the Dunkin Donuts/Gas station across from the hotel.
The crit was held Saturday morning and proved to be the longest day of racing yet this season, since several of our riders doubled up and raced in the USAC race in the afternoon.
Riley, Elliot, and Michael Norton were first off in the Mens D race. A five man break away separated itself from the rest early on and fought hard to win prizes in each of the primes. Elliot finished strong with a 4th place finished with Riley finishing close behind him with a 9th place finish.
Barry raced in the Mens C category, despite feeling under the weather. He fought hard, but had to pull out of the race due to illness.
Melissa was next off, racing in the women's B category. Melissa fought hard from the start and scored first in three out of the four primes and landed an astonishing second place finish.
Coby (the Boss)raced in the Mens B category where he proved how much of a boss he is and scored 19th.
After experiencing several mechanical issues with his bike, Greg raced with a mis-matched wheelset and still finished 8th. Immediately after the A race finished, he rested for 20 minutes before heading out with the Cat 1/2/3 race and still managed to pull off a pack finish.
Barry demonstrated what a real man looks like by racing a second time in the Cat 3/4 race, while still feeling sick. Unfortunately, he was unable unable to rid himself of his sickness in between his two races and had to pull out early again.
After icing and resting his knee, Elliot was ready to race in his first non-collegiate race ever. He stayed with the front of the pack the entire race, until the last lap where a crash caused him to lose the leaders and finish at the tail end of the main group.
Feeling strong, Melissa attempted the Women's 1/2/3 race, where she stayed with the front of the group and scored another top 5 finish.
After feeling exhausted from this long day of racing, we decided to celebrate in style at the Buffalo Wild Wings across from the hotel, where Barry demonstrated his true love for hot sauce.
On Sunday morning, the team woke up to a dense fog and drove through small back roads to make it to start point of the Mountaineer Classic Road Race.
Barry and Melissa were first off and showed true team spirit by working together the entire race, despite being in different categories. By working together Barry helped Melissa score her second road race win this season!
Riley, Elliot, and Michael Norton were second off in the Men's D category. With Elliot's knee feeling weak, he lost the group on "the climb" and worked to chase them down with Riley for the remainder of the race where they scored 6th and 7th place.
Coby and Greg were next off racing in the Men's B and A categories. Coby experienced several mechanical issues and was still able to chase down the tail group and gain a full minute on them in a single lap. Coby (the Boss) scored 17th overall despite having to stop twice for mechanical issues and working alone for most of the race.
An early attack occurred in Men's A, where a single rider gained 2 and half minutes on the main field with one lap to go. By working together, the main field brought his lead to a more respectable 10 seconds in the last lap.
Once again exhausted from one of the hottest and longest race weekends this season, we packed up our cars, grabbed a nice meal, and rested our eyes on the long drive back home.
The crit was held Saturday morning and proved to be the longest day of racing yet this season, since several of our riders doubled up and raced in the USAC race in the afternoon.
Riley, Elliot, and Michael Norton were first off in the Mens D race. A five man break away separated itself from the rest early on and fought hard to win prizes in each of the primes. Elliot finished strong with a 4th place finished with Riley finishing close behind him with a 9th place finish.
Barry raced in the Mens C category, despite feeling under the weather. He fought hard, but had to pull out of the race due to illness.
Melissa was next off, racing in the women's B category. Melissa fought hard from the start and scored first in three out of the four primes and landed an astonishing second place finish.
Coby (the Boss)raced in the Mens B category where he proved how much of a boss he is and scored 19th.
After experiencing several mechanical issues with his bike, Greg raced with a mis-matched wheelset and still finished 8th. Immediately after the A race finished, he rested for 20 minutes before heading out with the Cat 1/2/3 race and still managed to pull off a pack finish.
Barry demonstrated what a real man looks like by racing a second time in the Cat 3/4 race, while still feeling sick. Unfortunately, he was unable unable to rid himself of his sickness in between his two races and had to pull out early again.
After icing and resting his knee, Elliot was ready to race in his first non-collegiate race ever. He stayed with the front of the pack the entire race, until the last lap where a crash caused him to lose the leaders and finish at the tail end of the main group.
Feeling strong, Melissa attempted the Women's 1/2/3 race, where she stayed with the front of the group and scored another top 5 finish.
After feeling exhausted from this long day of racing, we decided to celebrate in style at the Buffalo Wild Wings across from the hotel, where Barry demonstrated his true love for hot sauce.
On Sunday morning, the team woke up to a dense fog and drove through small back roads to make it to start point of the Mountaineer Classic Road Race.
Barry and Melissa were first off and showed true team spirit by working together the entire race, despite being in different categories. By working together Barry helped Melissa score her second road race win this season!
Riley, Elliot, and Michael Norton were second off in the Men's D category. With Elliot's knee feeling weak, he lost the group on "the climb" and worked to chase them down with Riley for the remainder of the race where they scored 6th and 7th place.
Coby and Greg were next off racing in the Men's B and A categories. Coby experienced several mechanical issues and was still able to chase down the tail group and gain a full minute on them in a single lap. Coby (the Boss) scored 17th overall despite having to stop twice for mechanical issues and working alone for most of the race.
An early attack occurred in Men's A, where a single rider gained 2 and half minutes on the main field with one lap to go. By working together, the main field brought his lead to a more respectable 10 seconds in the last lap.
Once again exhausted from one of the hottest and longest race weekends this season, we packed up our cars, grabbed a nice meal, and rested our eyes on the long drive back home.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Brotherly love and bike racing, too!
AU Cycling sent several riders north to Philadelphia last weekend for the Philly Phlyer, re-affirming ECCC territory to be both “legit” and “heck-of-legit.” Following a restful night with Melissa’s family (thanks guys!), the first day of racing made thunder in Philadelphia’s West Fairmont Park in the form of a technical circuit race that made sure to keep the riders on their toes. Thankfully, crashes were few and the course’s layout encouraged gratuitous fracturing of race groups. Spectators: pleased. Temple University hosted a hard-won central-campus crit on Sunday - nice work!
It was Saturday that saw Melissa get 6th in the Bs in her combined Women’s A-B race!
 |
| Melissa Tabas' bike made motocycle sounds |
Billy Hluchan, resolute of oomph and mighty of will, came back from a victory the previous week to snag seventh in the circuit race and fourth in the crit! Concerning the fourth place in the crit on Sunday: “I wasn’t in a good position coming around the last corner," Billy said. "There’s not enough room to set up AND make the move on that last straight before the line - you have to do that before you get there.”
 |
| Big Bad Buff Billy Boom Boom Boom |
Coby Hutzler and Riley Spencer rode Bs and Ds, respectively, and used the weekend to look at birds and rehearse victory salutes at the back of the pack. Regarding plans for the coming season, Coby hopes to up his pre-race dosages of Euro Beats and Heavenly Visualizations, while Riley is eager to ride more and grow his fast. Who will improve? Tune in some other time!
 |
| Coby Hutzler thought about cheesesteak |
All in all, a wonderfully-crafted two days of racing on the parts of Drexel, Penn, and Temple Cycling. Bravo!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Grants Tomb - NYC - BILLY WINS!!!!!
A rest week in the ACCC left the American University Cycling Club looking elsewhere to race this past weekend. Fortunately, the ECCC (our neighboring collegiate cycling conference) was hosting a race in the upper west side of New York City.
On Saturday, Greg Leach, Billy Hluchan, and Melissa Tabas ventured to NYC to race in the Big Apple.
Billy Hluchan was the talk of the day with his first cycling victory in the Men's "D" race. This also was Billy's second ever race! Billy dodged a couple crashes throughout the circuit race that featured a technical corner and a gradual uphill rear straightaway. Going into the last lap, with the field whittled down in half, Billy attacked out of the last corner and powered his way keeping his lead to the finish line, saving just enough energy to give a Jersey Shores style fist-pump at the finish line. Congratulations Billy!
Melissa's race was next in the combined Women's "A" and "B" field. This was Melissa's longest criterium against the toughest field she has ever competed against. Numerous attacks ensued from the start and Melissa rode strongly in the front group navigating the technical corner with precision. About three quarters through the race the field split in two and Melissa got stuck behind another rider in the second group. Unrelentingly Melissa pulled the second group through the next couple laps and bridged to the first group with a super strong pull. Unfortunately the field then attacked and Melissa fell off the back of the first group gassed from her epic pull. Melissa proceeded to finish in a field that eventually broke completely apart. Way to go Melissa for riding strong in a super tough and fast race!
Last but not least was the Men's "A" race. This was Greg's second race of the day having ridden the Pro/1/2 USA Cycling Race in the morning. Greg displayed his epic power from the moment the gun went off. Attacking, attacking, and attacking again. Each time the hungry peloton followed until finally he was able to get away in a break-away of 5 riders. The rest of the race the break-away tore around the course with the peloton viciously trying to catch the break. However, on the last lap the break was caught. Greg managed to power to the line and finish 8th.
All in all great day for the American University Cycling Team!!!
On Saturday, Greg Leach, Billy Hluchan, and Melissa Tabas ventured to NYC to race in the Big Apple.
Billy warming up - he must have known he was going to win
Billy Hluchan was the talk of the day with his first cycling victory in the Men's "D" race. This also was Billy's second ever race! Billy dodged a couple crashes throughout the circuit race that featured a technical corner and a gradual uphill rear straightaway. Going into the last lap, with the field whittled down in half, Billy attacked out of the last corner and powered his way keeping his lead to the finish line, saving just enough energy to give a Jersey Shores style fist-pump at the finish line. Congratulations Billy!
Billy's finishing fist pump!
Melissa's race was next in the combined Women's "A" and "B" field. This was Melissa's longest criterium against the toughest field she has ever competed against. Numerous attacks ensued from the start and Melissa rode strongly in the front group navigating the technical corner with precision. About three quarters through the race the field split in two and Melissa got stuck behind another rider in the second group. Unrelentingly Melissa pulled the second group through the next couple laps and bridged to the first group with a super strong pull. Unfortunately the field then attacked and Melissa fell off the back of the first group gassed from her epic pull. Melissa proceeded to finish in a field that eventually broke completely apart. Way to go Melissa for riding strong in a super tough and fast race!
Last but not least was the Men's "A" race. This was Greg's second race of the day having ridden the Pro/1/2 USA Cycling Race in the morning. Greg displayed his epic power from the moment the gun went off. Attacking, attacking, and attacking again. Each time the hungry peloton followed until finally he was able to get away in a break-away of 5 riders. The rest of the race the break-away tore around the course with the peloton viciously trying to catch the break. However, on the last lap the break was caught. Greg managed to power to the line and finish 8th.
All in all great day for the American University Cycling Team!!!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Duke Race Weekend
This past weekend 4 of our team members (Coby, Elliot, Melissa, and Riley) made their way down to North Carolina once again to compete in a road race and criterium hosted by Duke University. The team got a late start to the road and arrived at the motel around midnight. Upon arrival, the team had to finish building Riley's bike so he could compete in his first race of the season the following morning. As the team packed the car to head out for the road race on Saturday morning, members of motel gathered on the second level to see the team off.
Melissa was first off, starting her race with Men's C and Women's B. The rolling hills of the 14 mile course in the North Carolina countryside caused an erratic pace in the main group of Men's C riders and a few Women's B riders. Melissa fell back from the main group, but fought hard and completed the course with an incredible third place finish.
Elliot and Riley were second off, racing with the Men's D and Women's C riders. Several members of the West Virginia team attacked early on, but were rapidly caught by the main group. The pace was set fast since the Men's D race was a single lap around the course. With 2 miles left, Elliot and a member of the West Virginia team attacked on one of the hills, but were caught with a little less than a kilometer left. Elliot finished towards the front of the main group and landed an 11th place finish.
The second day of racing began with rainy weather, which made many nervous since the criterium was being held in a parking lot. The rain ceased for the duration of the Men's D race, who were first off. Elliot was strong off the front and attacked with a member of the West Virginia team on the second lap. They maintained the lead for the rest of the race, with Elliot receiving a strong second place finish in both primes and second overall.
Due to the rain, the Women's B/C race went off with Women's A who set a strong pace for the Women's B riders. Melissa stayed on the front of the group and scored 4th in two of the primes and second another. Melissa finished strong and scored a 4th place finish.
Tired from a long race weekend and a long day in the rain, the team hit the road to start their spring break's. On the way back the team continued their food tradition and replenished their bodies with a hearty meal from Bojangles' Famous Chicken n' Biscuits.
Melissa was first off, starting her race with Men's C and Women's B. The rolling hills of the 14 mile course in the North Carolina countryside caused an erratic pace in the main group of Men's C riders and a few Women's B riders. Melissa fell back from the main group, but fought hard and completed the course with an incredible third place finish.
Elliot and Riley were second off, racing with the Men's D and Women's C riders. Several members of the West Virginia team attacked early on, but were rapidly caught by the main group. The pace was set fast since the Men's D race was a single lap around the course. With 2 miles left, Elliot and a member of the West Virginia team attacked on one of the hills, but were caught with a little less than a kilometer left. Elliot finished towards the front of the main group and landed an 11th place finish.
The second day of racing began with rainy weather, which made many nervous since the criterium was being held in a parking lot. The rain ceased for the duration of the Men's D race, who were first off. Elliot was strong off the front and attacked with a member of the West Virginia team on the second lap. They maintained the lead for the rest of the race, with Elliot receiving a strong second place finish in both primes and second overall.
Start of the Men's D Race
Due to the rain, the Women's B/C race went off with Women's A who set a strong pace for the Women's B riders. Melissa stayed on the front of the group and scored 4th in two of the primes and second another. Melissa finished strong and scored a 4th place finish.
Tired from a long race weekend and a long day in the rain, the team hit the road to start their spring break's. On the way back the team continued their food tradition and replenished their bodies with a hearty meal from Bojangles' Famous Chicken n' Biscuits.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Race Weekend Checklist
Race Weekend Checklist
Correspondence with teammates is encouraged before race for efficient packing (ex. 1 pump will suffice for the team)
Personal Identification:
1. US Cycling License
2. School ID
3. State issued ID
Bicycle Equipment:
1. Bike
2. Shoes
3. Helmet
4. Water Bottles
5. Spare Wheels (optional)
6. Bike Tools (optional)
7. Flat Kit (optional)
8. Pump (optional)
9. Trainer (optional)
Bicycle Clothing/Accessories:
1. Jersey
2. Bib Shorts
3. Warmers (Knee/Leg/Arm)
4. Shoe Covers
5. Base Layer
6. Socks
7. Sunglasses
Change of Clothing for before/after race:
(Dress appropriately for any conditions the team may face, ALWAYS check weekend forecast before departure from campus/hotel to race location)
Toiletries:
(Toothbrush, glasses, contacts, medicine, etc.)
Food/Hydration:
1. Water
2. Gatorade (powder or liquid)
3. Breakfast Food (Bagels, Peanut Butter, Pop Tarts, etc)
4. Money for lunch, dinner, and whatever else you may need
5. Continental Breakfast may or may not be served by Hotel
6. Anything else you need or may want to bring
Accessories (optional):
1. IPOD
2. EURO BEATS!!!!!!!
3. Cooler
4. Folding Chair
5. Anything else you need or may want to bring
Monday, January 10, 2011
2011 Kit
The American University Cycling Team Kit for the 2011 season! Thank you to all of our sponsors and Coby and Riley for their excellent job on the artwork!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)