thebikeshopge.com

Relax, it’s Just The Ironman. Useful Tips for 140.6 Miles of Racing

dhettinga — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:50:51 +0000

Before I was a "big time blogger," I was just a regular guy, trying to make his way through the world of triathlon. I was fortunate enough to have met Rich Ducar, from The Bike Shop in Glen Ellyn.

Rich is one of the most knowledgeable, enthusiastic and giving guys in the world of endurance sports. I won't embarrass him with the details of a very long story, but if it wasn't for Rich, his guidance and kindness, I never would have made it to the finish line in the Ironman. I am eternally grateful.

Follow the link for the full article.

http://www.chicagonow.com/pace-of-chicago/2011/09/relax-its-just-the-ironman-useful-tips-for-140-6-miles-of-racing/

Bellum Ladies Sweep Podiums in Early Spring Races

lsanda — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:15:01 +0000

Not content to wait for more hospitable weather, Bellum's women's team, including new members Leah Sanda, Katie Isermann and Sue Semaszczuk, hit the season's opening criteriums with some serious goals. Katie and Leah kicked it off on March 30 in the category 3/4 race at Autobahn in Joliet. It was a cold rainy day that seemed more suitable for cyclocross than criterium racing. A small field of 9 started the race. With nerves and excitement high, the crashes started right away on the first tight slippery turn. Leah got away in a 2 person break while Katie defended from the field. Leah won the spring and Katie finished 4th.

Bellum’s Ladies Sweep Podiums in Early Spring Races

lsanda — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:12:55 +0000

Not content to wait for more hospitable weather, Bellum's new ladies, Leah Sanda and Katie Isermann, hit the early season criterium races with a vengeance. March 20th, Leah and Katie opened the season on a cold, windy and wet day in Joliet for the category 3/4 race. Only 9 ladies braved the weather to start the race. After a couple crashes, Leah managed to get away in a 2 person break while Katie defended from the field. Leah won with Katie coming in 4th.

Katie proceeded to race the next 5 nights at the Gapers Block criteriums. She finished the series with three 2nd's, a 3rd and a win among the category 4's, including winning the overall points for the series. Leah joined her on Wednesday and Thursday night to practice some team work. Leah won the Wednesday race after a hard night spent chasing down relentless attacks and giving Katie a rest. Thursday night saw Katie almost stay away in a two person break while Leah defended from the field but the field closed it down just before the finish. After a long week of racing and a bunch of tired ladies, Friday's race came down to a field sprint which Katie won. Congratulations!

On Saturday March 26th, in weather more suitable to cyclocross racing with temps in the 20's and blowing flurries, Katie won the category 4 Illinois Cup opener in South Beloit. That was on her 7th day of racing!! Then Leah, joined by new teammate Sue Semaszczuk, raced in the series new stand-alone category 3 women's race. It was a frustrating day with no other teams in the field thus nobody wanted to be in the wind. There were a few attacks but nothing that got away in the stiff wind. Leah, who has won this race the last 3 years, won again from a field sprint.

Next up, Hillsboro Roubaix!

Scott Plasma Premium

dhettinga — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:49:27 +0000

The Scott Plasma Premium Di2 build is definitely impressing the locals. Stealthy looks, and Pro level components make this bike a dream for any athlete. Although Scott decided to scrap the Di2 ready version of this latest creation, we've decided to offer it to our customers anyways. With a little modification to the harness, and some "tricks" learned from years of fishing countless cables through internally routed frames, we've come up with a great system of hiding the wiring harness. Quantities are limited, so stop in and schedule a fitting now.