2012 was a terrific year for cycling in northeast Ohio and Team Lake Effect
was in the mix for all of it.

We began racing in January with a top placing by Jeff Craft in the National
Cyclocross Championships in Madison, WI.  John Proppe wowed the crowd
bunny hopping the barricades in the Elite race.  Jeff followed up at the Masters
Cyclocross Worlds with an 11th place in Louisville, KY.

In February, mountain bike trail building began in Royalview Metropark in Strongsville.
Julie, Rudy, and Robert were there and the vision of legal mountain biking close to home became
a reality.  After thousands of volunteer hours, the system was officially opened in June.
The success of this cooperation between the Metroparks and the local volunteers has
led to the development of more trail networks in 2013.  The Metropark leaders were
so enthralled with the trails, they purchased a trail building excavator to speed building
of additional trails at Royalview and other parks in 2013.

The team headed to Michigan in March for the Barry-Roubaix  and then to New York in April
for the Tour of the Battenkill, two of the largest gravel road races in the USA.
Locally, we promoted one of the Covered Bridge road races; one of eight fine road events
held annually in late April and early May.
Mike Vanucci led a ride to the Canalway Center to show support for the Metroparks decision
to include mountain biking in their long team planning.

Steve Twining began his dominance of Ohio mountain bike racing at Vulture’s Knob in May.
This was the start of a season filled with over a dozen victories–many by huge margins
that left all other competitors going for a distant second place. In no race was he more
spectacular than the Mohican 100k held in early June.  Steve’s time is a record that will
stand for a long time (unless he challenges it again this year.)  Not since we had Paul Martin
ride for our humble team, have we had a rider so dominant with a win nearly every time
he raced.

The Cleveland Velodrome construction began in May and drew volunteer labor from new and
far. Julie, Rudy, Joe Palotto and several other members spent many spring and summer
hours bolting together the wooden track that would open in August. Once again, northeast
Ohio cycling enthusiasts came together to get a major cycling project done.  At the grand opening,
a group ride of 400 showed up to show support for the long awaited velodrome.
Our team sponsors, Bike Authority, Felt bicycles, and Zipp also contributed to this enormous success.
A rental fleet of 30 premium track bikes await the new season.  Admission and rental is free to
those 18 and under.

Chris Riccardi and Gwen Davis, two faithful Lake Effect riders promoted the Westlake training series
from May to August in 2012.  A northeast Ohio tradition for over a dozen years, the “Westlake Worlds”
attract top level competitors with an average 75 riders racing 30-50 miles. The “A” field often
averages 27mph, very quick for a criterium circuit with 1/2 dozen turns.
Lake Effect had great success in 2012 including wins, and high placings overall. Johnny Proppe,
Robert Sroka, Joe Palotto, Chris Riccardi, and Rudy had consistent results.

The summer saw Team Lake Effect in Cincinnati for road races, and locally in Chagrin Falls, Findley,
and Medina for mountain bike races, Deerfield and LeRoy for time trials, and Slavic Village for velodrome
riding.  Results were plentiful especially wins by Steve at the mountain bike events.

Team Lake Effect is proud to have Bistro on Main in Kent, OH and Chef Aaron Ruggles on board as a sponsor of our Cyclocross Race at Butternut Hill Farm, this Sunday December 2.

Bistro on Main has been a cornerstone of mountain bike sponsorship, setting racers up with some goodies in the 331 racing series, along with sponsoring the Camba race team. We’re glad to have them on board as a supporter of what seems to be shaping up as a great event.

Straight from the source:

Bistro on Main is a dining experience.

As you walk through the door, the sounds of martinis shaking, the scents of freshly prepared cuisine and the sights of metropolitan decor capture the senses. You can enjoy the evening in our laid-back martini lounge, or absorb the warm atmosphere of our dining room. Aaron L. Ruggles’ innovative cuisine, which blends exotic ingredients and cooking styles with traditional favorites, will entice any food lover. Pair this with a knowledgeable, fun-loving wait staff, full-service bar and an extensive, hand-selected boutique wine list, and you’re in for an evening you will want to repeat.

Check them out yourself the next time you’re in the greater Kent area. Great food, beer and an organization that supports cycling. What’s there not to love.

Sunday 12/2/2012

Google Maps Link to the Venue – BE SURE TO PARK ONLY IN MARKED PARKING AREAS!!

See the flyer for the rest of the details.

Team Lake Effect continued its hot streak this previous weekend at the North Coast Grand Prix of Cyclocross – located in Green (near Akron), Ohio (September 29-30, 2012).

———————————————————————————-

Saturday featured a team-based cyclocross race, a new idea for cross racing in which all categories start at the same time, and team members are scored based on their finish. Team Lake Effect fielded two strong men’s teams, where many other teams were bringing in outsiders to fulfill the minimum number for one time.  We also had Julie Lewis-Sroka leading the victorious women’s team along with teammates Lori Erwine and Gwen Davis and a special guest (see below).

The mass start team race started hectically as the course was jam-packed with all 60 racers.   Steve Twining and John Proppe took to the front, with Steve taking a flyer early.  He was eventually brought back, springing John to counter attack and ride in for the individual victory on the day.  Steve finished 3rd, with Nate Loman, and the father/son team of Rudy Sroka and Robert Sroka, close behind.

Unfortunately, a mechanical caused one of our “A” team members to withdraw from the race. Without the necessary 5 team finishers, the “A” team wasn’t given a placing – which would have be 1st by a longshot. The silver lining to this is that the “B” team was still talent-packed enough to pull together a 2nd place finish.

Julie, Gwen and Lori dominated the women’s team race, featuring guests of honor, Molly Hurford of Cyclocross Magazine fame, and Sally Price as well, they made quick work of the women’s field (and most of the men too!) and cruised in for an easy victory.

———————————————————————————-

Sunday was the big show – the 4th race in the Northeast Ohio Cyclocross Series — the inaugural North Coast Grand Prix Cyclocross Race sponsored by Stark Velo Racing.

11 year old Tad Hannibal started off the day as usual – with a strong showing in the 10-12 Junior race.   Tad has been bitten by the ‘cross bug and has been steadily improving with every race completed.  His mom took him to this race because his dad, team member Craig Hannibal, was competing in the Grand Prix of Gloucester!!  Craig’s chain broke on day one and had to chase for 5 laps, but he did finish the race!

Nate Loman, Bill Marut and Joe Pallotto swept the podium of the Master’s 45+ race with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finish, respectively.  Chris Riccardi also rode well, a relative newbie to the sport, picking up the skills necessary to excel in cyclocross as the season wears on.  Rudy Sroka dominated and came up victorious in the singlespeed race.

The next event (Men’s Cat 3 Open/35+ and Women’s Cat 1-3) had Emilio Poggio nabbing 4th in the 35+ masters.   Julie placed 4th in a loaded women’s field featuring some great out-of-town talent and Gwen Davis finished a strong 10th place.

In the men’s Pro-Cat 1-2 race, Steve and John kept up their winning ways, taking 1st (Steve) and 2nd (Johnny).  They took off from the gun together, building up a large lead early on with great team work.  17 year old Robert Sroka finished in 8th after 2 mechanicals, and both Mike Vanucci and Nate Szabo rode well on a difficult and unforgiving course.

Team MVP Jeff Craft once again provided perfect mechanical support in the pits for all the races, as he waits for his season to start up.  Thanks Jeff!

Next up is the Ohio State Mountain Bike Championship Series race at beautiful Mohican State Park in Loudonville, OH.  Steve holds both the course record and the lead in the pro men’s class of the OMBC series and plans on defending both.  Sunday brings NEOCX race #5, in Euclid, OH. The series overall standings have not been released yet, but it’d be safe to assume that we’re leading more than a few categories in that!

Team Lake Effect is proudly supported by Bike Authority, we ride Felt Bicycles and use components, accessories and apparel from SRAM, Zipp and Bontrager, and are fueled by Clif Bar.

12-year-old Tad Hannibal finished second in the junior race.

On Saturday, John Proppe won the Cap City Cyclocross in fine fashion on a difficult course, gapping the field with impressive skills. He took off on the first lap of the “A” race, and rode to a decisive victory solo the entire time, impressing the crowd with his barrier bunnyhopping skills.

Thanks to Jeff C. for manning the spare bikes and using the nearby river to replenish his empty buckets.  What he could accomplish without a power washer was remarkable. Just check out Julie’s race pictures to see how much grass and mud can stick to a bike. (A LOT!!)

Mountain bike XC phenom Steve Twining hit the Ohio Mountain Bike Championship Series event at Alum Creek trails near Columbus, Ohio. With good form building in pursuit of the state championship title, Steve made quick work of the pro/expert field and rolled in comfortably in first place.
 

We plan on carrying our momentum into the North Coast Grand Prix of Cyclocross where the region’s best converge to compete in a team race on Saturday and a traditional ‘cross race on Sunday.

Team Lake Effect is proudly supported by Bike Authority, we ride Felt Bicycles and use components, accessories and apparel from SRAM, Zipp and Bontrager, and are fueled by Clif Bar.

 

Thanks to our supporters, as you keep us rolling!

Photo courtsey of russellleephoto.com

Team Lake Effect had another strong showing this weekend at both the first annual Ohio State Track Championships, and the Whiskey Island Cyclocross Spectacular (stop #2 in the 2012 Northeast Ohio Cyclocross Series) – both held in Cleveland Ohio last weekend.

On Saturday, Rudy Sroka and John Proppe took to the track for the first annual Track State Championships at the Cleveland Velodrome. This event was very special to both, as they were very involved in the completion of the track: John is on the track’s Board of Directors, and Rudy, along with his wife Julie and son Robert have countless hours of sweat equity invested in building the track.

Both riders are new to racing on the track, but had a great time at the event with Rudy being crowned The 2012 Ohio State Champion in the 2km individual time trial, and John scoring a second place in the 3 event omnium.

On Sunday, the Team proved itself to be the dominant cyclocross team in the region with category victories, and a presence on practically every podium at the “Whiskey Island Cyclocross Spectacular”.  The race is on the Cleveland lakefront with unbelievably beautiful views of the city skyline and Lake Erie, which makes it a very popular race for racers and spectators.  The course always lends itself to fast racing, beautiful vistas and a beer tent (sure doesn’t hurt!).   In case you are wondering about the whiskey bottles in the pictures, the race promoter gives whiskey to the top 3 (age 21+) in honor of the location’s namesake.

Tad Hannibal started off the day off with a victory in the junior race – a promising showing for the 10-year-old racer – most importantly he had a big grin on his face for the duration of the race!  Lori Erwine raced with the Cat 4 women and took a strong 5th place in a competitive field.

The team then swept the master’s “B1” race with Emilio Poggio taking the win in the 35+ category, and Nate Loman and Joe Palloto taking 2nd and 3rd.

Rudy Sroka finished second in a very tough (and young) Single Speed field.   Julie Lewis-Sroka and Gwen Davis had a great showing in the Elite Women’s “A” race with Julie taking second.

In the Men’s “B2” race, Joe Palloto, Nate Loman and Chris Riccardi were 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.  A podium sweep!

In the final event of the day, the Elite Men’s “A” race, Steve Twining and John Proppe took off from the gun to control the front of the race from beginning-to-end, keeping the crowd entertained and easily rolling through with 1st and 2nd place finishes.  17-year-old Robert Sroka finished strong with a 9th place finish.  Also having strong races were Craig Hannibal, Scott Gartman (both top 10) and Nate Szabo.

Team Lake Effect fielded the largest team at the Whiskey Island Cyclocross Spectacular!   Team Lake Effect team member Jeff Craft manned the pit for all 4 of the races and did a great job with assisting the team with the many flats and other mechanicals.  John Proppe flatted while in the lead and still managed to place 2nd with Jeff’s assistance.

Next up is the Brooklyn Cross Race, in Brooklyn, OH – where the Team hopes to keep up it’s winning ways.

Team Lake Effect is proudly supported by Bike Authority, we ride Felt Bicycles and use components, accessories and apparel from SRAM, Zipp and Bontrager, and are fueled by Clif Bar.

Thanks to our supporters, as you keep us rolling!

Steve Twining stands on the top step after winning the Men's Expert race at the Chagrin Falls Short Track Spectacular.

On Sunday, 331 Racing Promotions used Brett Davis’ parents yard for a terrific
mountain bike race. Anyone who has raced Brett’s Halloween cyclocross races
would recognize the route; but with much faster turns, jumps, and beautiful
weather.

Each category raced two heats of 30 minutes. This meant all out races for the
hole shot and quick laps.

John Proppe and Steve Twining raced Expert Under 35. They took on Dave
Walker and Chip Meek, along with a tough field of locals. John flatted in
the first heat while in 3rd, but was able to finish after absconding with Julie’s
wheel. Steve soloed in for his first win.
Heat two and Steve again dominated and John rocketed to third.
Overall, Steve wins the Expert Under 35.

Robert raced the Expert Under 18 and his group was started with the Expert 45+
which included his dad. The kids and Tom Franek rolled away from me immediately
even though I was riding fast.
Robert placed second both races, and I got second in both. Lots of fun with the
sandy turns and catching other category racers.

Julie dominated the combined Women Expert and Sport. She rode away quickly and spent her races catching Sport men.And spent the rest of the day photographing the other races.

Really different event, well run, and tons of fun. 331 will be running a similar event day 1 of the Manatoc weekend. There will not be any cyclocross at Manatoc this year; however if you have a mountain bike, try out the short track race.

Bill Marut won the Master’s Division of the Tennessee 1/2 Ironman triathlon.

Robert won the Cat. 4 at Race At the Lakes. (Rudy only got 2nd in the Master’s RATL).

Robert won the Sport under 19 at Vulture’s Knob later in the day.

Rudy won the Sport 50+ at the Knob.

And Steve Twining proved he can win at Vulture’s Knob just as well as Mohican–by a lot!! First Expert–wicked fast 3 laps!

That’s a pretty good day for Team Lake Effect.

And there’s more– Zach was 4th junior at RATL, Gwen 5th Woman, and fine riding by Tiffany, Jim, Chris, Nate L., Craig and Emilio.

And Jarod looked great at the Knob in the Expert race.

The RATL Master’s race was exciting. TLE’s Joe Palotto made a solo effort for several laps, then Chris R. and Rudy tried to go; no gap to speak of; then Jim Gilmore darted away, covered shortly by Spin’s Tom Humphrey. Despite some efforts by Stark Velo racers and Tom Freuh (Carbon) which nearly reeled in the breakaway–the two stayed away with Jim taking second. Joe had run the field at a steady pace quelling most efforts to chase the lead duo.

Excellent teamwork by TLE members on a very cold rainy morning. Congrats to Tom and Jim for a strong effort.

John finished with the field in a wet and cold 1/2/3 race.

Volunteers for tomorrow’s Covered Bridge race meet at 8:00 at registration for instructions.