Team Campmor

Welcoming in the New Year

2012-01-30T10:32:00.000-08:00

As we welcome in the new year, Team Campmor would first and foremost, like to thank our title sponsor, Campmor for their ongoing support. Their support plays a large role in our racing, training, trail advocacy and our many adventures on our bikes. Whether we are racing at National Championships or teaching a beginner how to ride, Campmor is a part of our passion. Thank you, and looking forward to partnering in our adventures in 2012!

As the new year year is underway, we would like to welcome three new team members to our developmental division: Blair Stearns, Joe Esak and Sheryl Senszakiewicz. We look forward to having you aboard! Besides Art and I racing in Cyclocross Master World Championships for some of January, and Tara and Laura training on the west coast, some of the local team has already been out riding together in preparation for the local race season. The weather to date, has certainly been favorable for cycling this winter.

The Team Campmor ladies are once again planning a girls pre-ride series for the Campmor H2H series and a few beginner rides for 2012. The team also plans to partner with the Campmor Bike Shop for some NoTubes clinics. They both should be posted up shortly. Looking forward to seeing you at the races, rides and clinics !

-Ellen

Campmor H2H Series Awards 2011

2011-12-16T12:59:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to our 8 podium finishers!

James Wilbur 1st and Art White 2nd Cat 1 50+

Marianne Santangelo 1st and Darlene Phillips 2nd Cat 1 40+

Mike Zusman 1st Cat 2 30-34

Joe Baldaccci 3rd Cat 1 SS

Team Results:

Marianne Santangelo - 1st place overall Cat 1 40+
James Wilbur - 1st place overall Cat 1 50+
Darlene Phillips - 2nd place overall Cat 1 40+
Art White - 2nd place overall Cat 1 50+
Joe Baldacci - 3rd place overall Cat 1 SS
Ellen White - 4th place overall Cat 1 40+
Steve Wagoner - 4th place overall Cat 1 50+
Jeremy Swift - 7th place overall Cat 1 SS
Tom Stanowski - 8th place overall Cat 1 50+
Joe Barros - 14th place overall Cat 1 40+
Jeff Coneys - 24th place overall Cat 1 40+

Mike Zusman - 1st place Cat 2 30-34
Henry Gozdz - 2nd place Cat 2 SS
Adrienne Blair - 2nd place Cat 3 40+

Team Campmor - 2nd place team challenge competition.
Team Campmor performed 437 hours of trail work at local parks in 2011 (the highest of all the teams) to score that placement. A big thanks to Campmor for creating an incentive for it's racers. Campmor awards team members store credit to those that perform 25 or more hours of trail work and race the local Camomor H2H series.

Tara wins Candlestick CX in NorCal

2011-10-27T05:39:00.000-07:00

Today I did my first CX race in the bay area. The big series in SF is the Bay Area Super Prestige Series. It only has 4 races so I'm not so sure about the Super or Prestige, but it sounds good right?

The last CX I did was back East, Day 1 of Charm City in the Wm 3/4. After that race, I applied for my cat. 2 upgrade and received it, literally over night. So in addition to this being my first cx race in NorCal, it was also my first race with the big girls, I race Elite 35+.

We had around 20 women in my field, including a 3x CX national champion! We raced separately from the Elite women but we all started on the same gun- we were at the back of their field.

The course was in a park across the street from where the 49ers play football and took place on a lumpy bumpy tall jungle cat type grassy dusty field or sorts. There were several short steep power ups, and off camber run up or ride up (took the same amount of time to do either, just preference) 1 full set of barriers, 1 single barrier to a steep run up, a fly over with steps, and lots and lots of transitions from pavement to gravel, gravel to pavement, dirt to gravel and on and on.

Our race was 40 mins but I'm not sure how many laps we did- no lap cards, which was kinda disturbing, and than I came around one lap with no real idea how long we'd been racing or how long there was to go and the official yelled "ONE TO GO!", music to my ears!

The race started and I got a good start and since we were at the back of the race, I immediately started to move up into the Elite field and try to put some space between me and my field- outta sight outta mind kinda thing. This strategy worked very well. I found some elite riders to ride with and the race was on!

I have to say the elite women are sure fast. I've always felt very competent on the technical sections of a course and I use this to my advantage so than I can dial it back a tad on the flat roadie sections, well, not any more. Racing with the big means full gas full on all the time!

So I led the race wire to wire but I could see the 2nd place rider (the 3x cx national champion) close behind me every time the course doubled up on its self- that kept me going for sure!

The course was ok. Bumpy dusty no real running sections, no beach runs (not yet anyway) and it was a good race to get back in the swing of things!

I won my class and finished mid pack in the elite race. I got a lot of "who is that campmor girl" and they reported my name as Robert Terra on the results and even I'm not sure who that is! (I had them fix it for the podium!!).

Cross is boss! Hoping to see more of Campmor peeps mixing it up in this weird totally fun and one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in 40 mins!

My next CX race in the series is a night CX race! Under the lights...should be interesting!!

Tara

H2H Leafblower and State Championships

2011-10-03T10:02:00.001-07:00

LeafBlower Team Results:

Darlene Phillips - 1st place Pro/open
Ellen White - 3rd place Pro/open
James Wilbur - 1st place Cat 1 50+
Art White - 2nd place Cat 1 50+
Jeremy Swift - 2nd place Cat 1 SS
Steve Waggoner - 4th place Cat 1 50+
Joe Baldacci - 5th place Cat 1 SS
Tom Stanowski - 7th place Cat 1 50+

Henry Gozdz - 2nd place Cat 2 SS
Mike Zusman - 3rd place Cat 2 30-34
Adrienne Blaire - 2nd place Cat 3

Campmor podium sweep in State Championship 50+

New Jersey State Champions:

James Wilbur - 1st place Cat 1 50+
Ellen White - 1st place Cat 1 40+
Henry Gozdz - 1st place Cat 2 SS

Say Hello to "MUD" CX Season

2011-09-22T09:00:00.001-07:00

Falling on the heels of hurricane Irene and tropical storms, the east coast has been soaked with rain causing a muddy start to the Cyclocross season. Team Campmor cross enthusiasts are ready for the challenge! Thanks to our sponsor: Campmor, we are in good hands as to dealing with the elements of mother nature.

photo by Christine Perkins

Team Results for MAC CX series:
Ellen White - 2nd series overall 45+
Art White - 4th series overall 55+

Limestone CX
Art White - 3rd place 55+
Ellen White - 3rd place 45+

Geler Votre Cul CX
Ellen White - 2nd place 45+
Art White - 3rd place 55+

Super Cup Day 2
Ellen White - 2nd place 45+
Art White - 3rd place 55+

Super Cup Day 1
Ellen White - 2nd place 45+
Art White - 5th place 55+

Fairhill
Art White - 2nd 55+
Ellen White - 4th place 45+

Beacon CX
Ellen White - 4th place 45+
Art White - 8th place 55+

Granogue Day 1
Ellen White - 6th place 45+
Art White - 8th place 55+

Granogue Day 2
Ellen White - 5th place 45+
Art White - 6th place 55+

Whirlybird
Ellen White - 1st place 45+
Art White - 4th place 55+
James Wilbur - 27th 45+

Charm City Day 1
Tara Walhart - 4th place 3/4
Ellen White - 4th place 45+
Art White - 6th place 55+

Charm City Day 2
Ellen White - 4th place 45+
Art White - 5th place 55+

Nitanny Lion Cross Day 1
Ellen White - 2nd place 45+
Art White - 3rd place 55+

Campmor H2H Series #6 & #7 Results

2011-09-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

Team Results at Chainstretcher

Marianne Santangelo - 1st place Pro/Open
Darlene Phillips - 2nd place Pro/Open

James "Willy" Wilbur - 1st place Cat 1 50+
Tom Stanowski - 5th place Cat 1 50+

Mike Zusman - 1st place Cat 2 30-34
Henry Gozdz - 2nd place Cat 2 SS

Team Results at Rumble in the Jungle

Marianne Santangelo - 2nd place Pro/open
Darlene Phillips - 3rd place Pro/open
Ellen White - 4th place Pro/Open

James Wilbur - 1st place Cat 1 50+
Art White - 2nd Place Cat 1 50+
Steve Wagoner - 6th place Cat 1 50+

Mike Zusman - 7th place Cat 2 30-34

Team Campmor All Girl Skills Ride

2011-09-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

Team Campmor ride leaders: Marianne, Dar and Ellen along with group.

What better way to help bring more women out to race than inviting them along to ride with you and sharing some skills tips with them. Last Sunday at Jungle Habitat, the site of the next Campmor H2H race, and probably the most rocky course of the series, Team Campmor led a women's skills ride. Slippery rocks were mastered and many smiles were had as Marianne, Dar and Ellen led a tour of the park.

Campmor H2H 909

2011-08-25T14:06:00.000-07:00

Art on top of the podium

Big congrats to Mike for his first win this year!

Results:

Darlene Phillips - 3rd place pro open
Marianne Santangelo - 4th place pro open
Art White - 1st place Cat 1 50+
James Wilbur - 2nd place Cat 1 50+
Steve Wagoner - 4th place Cat 1 50+
Joe Baldacci - 5th place Cat 1 SS

Mike Zusman - 1st place Cat 2 30-34
Henry Gozdz - 4th place Cat 2 SS
Adrienne Blair - 2nd place Cat 3

National Championships at Sun Valley

2011-07-21T10:20:00.001-07:00

Tara Walhart Super-D National Champion

Team Results:

XC:
2nd - Tara Walhart Cat 1 35-36
6th - Ellen White open 50-54
14th - Art White open 55-59

Super-D:
1st - Tara Walhart 30-39
6th - Art White 50+
7th - Dar Phillips 40+

Photo op with the mayor of Sun Valley.

On Sunday July 17 (also my birthday!) myself, Arty and Dar all contested the Super D in Sun Valley, ID at the MTB National Championships.

I have to confess, when I first signed up for Nat's I had NO interest in the Super D. Then big E told me if I registered for the Super D I would get a lift ticket, which ment I would only have to ride up the climb on the amature XC once and then could take the gondola up to session any parts of the XC course I felt I needed too, so, once I knew that it was a no brainer, I signed right up!!

I have never raced a Super D event before. So I asked Arty if I could follow his lines on some practice runs and he let me tag along. This ended up leading to a GREAT SUCCESS!

The Super D course started with about a mile long climb and several 100 feet of elevation gain, but it was a wide open fire road so you just had to grind up it. Once at the top the course immediatley dropped you into single track and going down. This piece of single track called the traverse trail had the most amazing views, you'd come around the bend and be smacked in the face with mountain and almost crash because you stopped paying attention to where the trail was~ killer for sure!

Next was a short section of fire ride to a momentum hill then to a long fast road downhill with lose gravel to boot. I think durning the Super D event, an amature rider was clocked with a speed gun going 43 mph on this section. SSSIIIICCCKKK!

Next into some tight ST (repeat from the XC course) fun flowing and momentum section all the way. Once more into the FR, right tight turn in deep gravel then back into ST where we stayed for the rest of the course (again repeat of XC course) down the rock water fall and finally to the finish.

My descending skills are something I have really been working on. West coast riders are hellafast on the downhills- I mean FAST! They can rail the FR and carve up the tight switch back, skills we don't get a chance to practice here on the East Coast. So, its not enough to be able to go up hill real well- you gotta come down in killer fast style too!

So, my plan for the race to was murder the opening climb and try to hold on my own on the rest of the course. I started 3rd. We went off TT style in 30 sec intervals, so once I was released, I charged after my 30 sec girl, catching her quickly and had my sights on my 1 minute girl which I could see up the climb and could also see I was gaining on her. My plan worked, I caught my one minute girl on the climb before hitting the ST and now just had to get down the mountain.

Well remember how I said West coast riders are hellfast going downhill, well this racer from Whole Athlete did not disappoint. She was on my tail in the ST in no time. I was able to stay in front of her until the long FR at which point she passed me, but I was able to sit on her wheel and follow her lines. So this became my new plan for the rest of the rest, along with not crashing and getting down the mountain in one piece.

As it turned out the Whole Athlete rider and myself swapped leads several times, mostly because she would over cook something and I would rider around her! LoL!

As we approached the end of the course and the rock waterfall, I had this feeling the Whole Athelte riders was not going to ride the obstacle (if you watch the video big E made you can see all this happening LIVE!), well, as she rolled into the perferred line for the rock waterfall she fell over and the same time there was an expert man rider walking down on the other side and that just left the middle for me, if I look like a deer in the head light going down that section its because that is NOT the line I wanted, not the line I practiced on all week (and lots of people did toss it on this section) but I had to make it work and I got down! YAY!

In the end, I had 1:20ish on the Whole Athlete rider good enough for the gold and the National Title! I felt like I was a real underdog going into this event, but what doing this race showed me is that racing is racing. Being able to follow a wheel, having confidence in your ability, and fighting hard are solid foundational elements no matter the discipline!

A HUGE thank you to Arty for taking run after run after run with me. Alan and Lam for making me feel sick to stomach every time I try to follow them downhill and Yim for giving me 'attack position' on the bike and in life!

Winning the Super D and the stars and stripes Jersey with my friends and team mates present was incredible! The whole weekend was just crazy amazing and you better believe I want to go back next year to defend and win the XC!

Keep going.

T

H2H Bulldog Rump at Kittatinny

2011-07-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

Team Results:

Marianne Santangelo - 3rd Pro/Open
James Wilbur - 2nd Cat 1 50+
Jeremy Swift - 3rd Cat 1 SS
Steve Wagoner - 6th Cat 1 50+
Joe Baldacci - 8th Cat 1 SS
Joe Barros - 23rd Cat 1 40-49

Mike Zussman - 5th Cat 2 30-34
Adrienne Blaire - 2nd Cat 3 40+

H2H Lewis Morris Challenge

2011-06-29T07:01:00.001-07:00

Tara wins the Pro open women

Team Results:

Tara Walhart 1st Pro/open Women
Marianne Santangelo 5th Pro/open Women (1st 40+)
Ellen White 6th Pro/open Women (2nd 40+)

James Wilbur 3rd Cat 1 50+
Art White 4th Cat 1 50+
Joe Baldacci 6th Cat 1 SS
Joe Barros 9th Cat 1 40-49
Steve Wagoner 9th Cat 1 50+
Tom Stanowski 12th Cat 1 50+

Henry Gozdz 6th Cat 2 SS
Adrienne Blaire 3rd Cat 3 40+

Joe B at neutral support

Team Campmor at the Festivals

2011-06-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 18 was the 4th annual Jorbafest that took place at Waterloo Concert Field in Allamuchy NJ. Jorba, the leading bike trail advocacy organization in New Jersey was celebrating with an action packed day of bike fun for the whole family. Team Campmor was there to support and help lead rides. Art co-led the advanced Allamuchy ride with special guest, professional Trials rider, Jeff Lenosky. I led the women's advanced ride. Thanks to Dar, Marianne, Tara and Willy for helping.

Many kids and adults of all levels enjoyed the day. Although a mountain bike race team, Team Campmor encourages responsible trail us and practicing sustainable community development. Team members are required to do trail maintenance each year, and extra sponsorship is available for those that do more than 25 hours.

"pump the magic dragon" ... built by Art

Sunday Tara and I went up to Huntington State Park to help Darlene teach a women's clinic at the NEMB festival. Although much of the team lives in New Jersey, Huntington Ct is local to Darlene. From the time that I joined the team, I have tried to encourage female participation, and this is very rewarding to see other women, like Dar, step up to encourage women in her area. It is great to know that others will look beyond their own involvement and invest in the future of the sport.

Although a few members of the team took a day off their training and racing, they are happy to know that a day was spent in getting a few more trails open to bikes and a few more racers to the line in the future.

Check out this video by Manny Lugo: http://www.vimeo.com/25314532

- Ellen

Bearscat 50

2011-06-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Team Campmor finishers at the Bearscat 50:

Marianne Santangelo 3rd place open women
Darlene Phillips 5th place open women
Willy Wilbur 6th place 45+ men
Steve Wagoner 10th place 45+ men

Campmor H2H Series #2 Tymor

2011-05-24T11:40:00.001-07:00

A misty soggy race at Tymor. Check out the video:
http://gallery.me.com/ellenandart#100481

Team Results:

Marianne Santangelo - 4th Pro/Open
Darlene Philips - 8th Pro/Open
Laura Winberry - 10th Pro/Open

James Wilbur - 2nd Cat 1 50+
Art White - 3rd Cat 1 50+
Joe Baldacci - 6th Cat 1 SS
Tom Stanowski - 7th Cat 1 50+
Steve Wagoner - 9th Cat 1 50+
Joe Barros - 15th Cat 1 40-49
Jeremy Swift - 16th Cat 1 40-49
Jeff Coneys - 21st Cat 1 40-49

Mike Zussman - 4th Cat 2 30-34

Campmor H2H Series #1 - Wawayanda

2011-05-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

Joe keeping busy at the Campmor neutral support tent.

Team Results:

Marianne Santagelo - 4th place Pro/open
Darlene Phillips - 5th place Pro/open
Ellen White - 6th place Pro/open

Willy Wilbur - 2nd place Cat 1 50+
Art White - 4th place Cat 1 50+
Joe Baldacci - 6th place Cat 1 SS
Tom Stanowski - 8th place Cat 1 50+
Steve Wagoner - 9th place Cat 1 50+
Joe Barros - 11th place Cat 1 40+49

Mike Zussman - 4th place Cat 2 30-34
Henry Gozdz - 6th place Cat 2 SS
Adrienne Blair - 1st place Cat 3 40+

Team Campmor would also like to congratulate Campmor bike shop employees: Joey Wyckoff, who placed 3rd in Cat 1 Junior and Joe E who competed in his first race ever. Nice job guys!

Joe E looking happy after his first race.

Tara Wins Sea Otter

2011-04-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

This years running of the Sea Otter Classic was April 14-17 in Monterey, CA. Sea Otter is a SPECTACLE!! At no other time in all year of being a bike racer, I have expereinced roadies and mtbers living in such harmony!! The race is centered around the Laguna Seca Race way. Which is surrounded by green sandy mountains. So literally, as you are being staged for your dirt race, right next to you are roadies killing it on the pavement! WILD (and very cool at the same time)!!

The expert race was on Friday. My race was one 20.2 mile course with almost 4000 feet of climbing on a combination of the FR/ DT/ ST and some pavement. I had no expectations heading into this race, I mean its Sea Otter after all and its where the big kids put it on the table and measure. I was just hoping for a respectable finish in the middle of the pack. One really neat thing about bigger races is taking the line with people from all over the country!

I love that people know Campmor! There was about 30 seconds to the start of my race and the announcer says "and we have Tara Walhart on the line, representing the east coast with Team Campmor!" I gave him 2 great big Jersey fist pumps for that!! Lol!

The race started on the Laguna Seca Speedway which was kinda cool- love that my old road racing skills still come in handy! I was able to settle into 3rd wheel on the speedway and just sit in as we went up a hill and made our way into the single track. I was still 3rd wheel as we hit the dirt, feeling ok, dealing with the short steep loose power climbs ok and feeling very happy that I was on Sue (my Racer X). I started to loose ground on the descent. The descents are different then back home, super fast and I still acquiring the skill set. At times they were off camber and hard packed- tight and FAST! Other times blind with deep sand pits in the turns (kinda like riding at Allaire!). The little bit of true ST on the course was fun! Tight and twisty with trees to play with and the only shade on the course! There were also some super steep descents that were just acres of sand and going down hill was more like surfing then riding, have to say that was FUN!

So the rhythm of the race we set for me, I would make up ground on the climbs and try to loose too much on the descents. Well I lost a little, I had been in 3rd for about half the race and I was passed by a women in gold. Now I was in 4th. There was a women leading the race in red and women in green in 2nd. I did not panic. The wm in gold was descending way faster then me, but I was still feeling ok and climbing ok so I get keep pluggin' away!

On a long ST climb called Goat Hill, I passed the wm in gold back, now I was back in 3rd. YAY! As we started to tackle the end of course- more and more hills to climb up were thrown at us. This was a good thing for me. The final climb to the finish was a 3 mile middle ring grinder- as we approached this climb, we were coming out of another long rolling ST climb, right before the end of the ST I caught the wm in green, now I was in 2nd! I thought, cool beans, I might have a chance to podium if I can get up this climb with enough of a gap not to get caught on the descent into the finish! And so I started to climb, I felt good! Found a good gear, tapped out a good pace and just went up, up , up!

The CX course finished on the top of the short track course. Narrow, bumpy, grassy, hard pack and OMG the ruts! Glad I didn't get victimized here, being at the end of the race and not seeing straight and all is a terrible time to toss it!

So, I crossed the finish line I thought, cool beans, I think I'm second! Super happy with my ride- stayed calm, didn't panic when I got gapped or caught- race my strengths...all good stuff! I never saw the wm in red. At the podium presentation, I was super happy to take the 2nd place spot. Here's where it gets interesting, Long story short, I received an email from the race promoters that the wm in red was not in my category, she mistakenly thought she raced on Friday when she was actually racing on Saturday in the Pro race! Ooopss!! So a correction was made to the results, that put me 1st!

When it all said in done....my no expectations for this race, just gonna ride, have fun and hope for respectable finish, found my on top of the podium! I never expected to win Sea Otter, so it was a sweet surprise. Even better that LBW was at Sea Otter as well on Friday and I got to share it with her!!

Oh, and its totally true, Sea Otter does not have one single rock in the course!

Keep Going!

T

Tara takes win at Napa Valley Dirt Classic

2011-04-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

Hello Mates!

Sunday, 4/11 I took part in the Napa Valley Dirt Classic. The race was held in the beautiful mountains that surround Napa Valley and we had a pretty awesome day for racing, 68 degrees, clear blue cloudless sky and a slight breeze. This was the 18th running of this race and they use the same course year after year- its a single 22 mile loop made up of fire roads, ST/DT and lots of climbing. The fact that its the same loop makes going back and comparing times (for those dorks of us out there) rather interesting! The race had a great turn out. Its been a long time since I saw 25 Pro men in a local field, WORD!

I just cat'ed up to Cat 1 this year and this was going to be my first race as a Cat 1. Man was I nervous! I even lined up in the back because I didn't want to get blown out of the water at the start! The start of the race was on pavement up a 1/2 mile low angle climb into double track. Once the race started I realized being at the back sucked and I made my way up to 3rd wheel and I wasn't working real hard to be there, so I thought "well this is good!". Once we hit the double track I could tell the women around me were tired- they were all breathing real heavy and not doing so much of the pedaling, so I thought again, I need to get around this, and I did. Not by attacking but just by riding a steady pace.

I soon found myself alone at the front of the race up a longish climb topped off by a nasty hike-a-bike. At the top of the hike-a-bike I was caught by 2 younger Expert women who were rolling and so I decided to jump on that and try and hang on as long as I could. At times I was totally red lined trying to stay with them, but it was the right move to make- and I did worry that I was burning through matches kinda early in a 22 mile race- but oh well- I had to go! We rode that way for the 45 min of the race. The track had a series of whoops (which were fun) but unexpected sans a pre-ride and separated us. One youngster got away and I was able to ride with the other. She set a good pace- a little above my comfort zone, but doable. I rode with her until we hit some fun twisty ST with lots of trees, off camber stuff and OH MY GOD rocks! Yes rocks, I loved it, I said hello to all of them! LoL!. I ended up dropping her through this section and found myself now riding with a Retrotec fella. That was all good- until I had to stop and pull a giant stick out of my rear triangle.

Back on the bike. I started to tackle the end of the course. Which had a very nasty loose steep, hike-a-bike a times sections to it. This climb really sucked and boy did I feel it. I was around all sorts of fellas, my favorite fella was the one that kept calling me 'young lady'! He's say, "you go get those fellas young lady, you can do it!" and "Nice line young lady" Classic.

I also rode my first loose CA decent, its was a super steep decent just covered with loose- powder like sand, dust, talc, etc. I put all my weight over the rear tire, pointed Arby down hill and held on for dear life, hoping for the best as racers washed out and stacked hard all around me (if anyone has a tire recommendation for this type of stuff, please share). I made it down, rubbersidedown, WooHoo!

I hadn't seen any women from my class since the start and as I neared the top of the climb I knew only a couple miles were left between me and the finish- that should be a good feeling right? Well it always makes me want to ride harder just so I don't *hit the bed at the end of the race and muck up all my hard work.

The race ended on a track at a local college. So as we came out of the ST we were directly to the track and had to ride 400m on the track to the finish. That was very cool because the after race party was set up in the track's infield so there were lots of people around.

At the end of the race, I ended up 1st, Go Team Campmor! Very cool since this was not only my first Cat 1 race since the darktimes, but also my first race on Arby (my 29'er) he was awesome! Such a good boy and sooo much fun to ride!!

I have to say it was very strange being at a mtb race and not knowing anyone! The overall vibe of the race and people was very cool! The 2011 mountain bike season is underway and I can't wait to read all your race reports!

Keep going.

T

Tucson Team Camp

2011-03-07T05:53:00.001-08:00

I just got back from a week of mountain biking in Tucson Arizona with Art, Marianne and Darlene of Team Campmor. It was a great week filled with sunshine and warm weather. Each day we rode out of our back yard into the National Forest for a day of riding. Our back yard was Wild Outdoor World of Arizona (WOW), a restored natural habitat oasis that attracted all sorts of critters. Over the week we saw butterflies, hummingbirds, quail, road runners, jack rabbits, gopher snakes and coyotes, to mention a few.

Although the entire team could not make this journey to the dessert, some of the rest of the team did a road ride up to Bear Mt and up Perkins Memorial Dr to the lookout that same weekend that we were away. This all reminds me that outdoor adventure can be found out of nearly any back yard.

Spring is near, lets all get outside!

- Ellen

Day One of 2011

2011-01-01T12:56:00.000-08:00

Team Campmor starting off the new year with a road ride to Harriman State Park. Posing for a photo op at 11:11 on 1/1/11.

Campmor H2H Series Awards Dinner

2010-11-16T12:57:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Darlene and Tara for 1st place overall!
Many thanks to our generous sponsors for 2010: Campmor, Titus, NoTubes, Giro and special thanks to Hammer for keeping us going through a brutally hot race season.

Series Results:
Ed Cecollini - 6th Pro

Darlene Phillips - 1st Cat 1 40+
Ellen White - 2nd Cat 1 40+
Art White - 2nd Cat 1 50+
Marianne Santangelo - 3rd Cat 1 40+
James Wilbur - 3th Cat 1 40-49
Tom Stanowski - 4th Cat 1 50+
Zach Koop - 5th Cat 1 19-29
Steve Wagoner - 6th Cat 1 50+
Joe Barros - 9th Cat 1 40-49
Jeremy Swift - 10th Cat 1 30-39
Jeff Coneys - 14th Cat 1 40-49

Tara Walhart - 1st Cat 2
Henry Gozdz - 4th Cat 2 SS
Adrienne Blair - 3rd Cat 3 40+

Campmor podium sweep

Mid Atlantic Cross "MAC" Series

2010-11-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

Whitmore's Super Cross Day 2
Ellen White - 1st
Tara Walhart - 2nd
Art White - 4th

Whitmore's Super Cross Day 1
Ellen White - 2nd
Art White - 3rd
Tara Walhart - 6th

HPCX Results:
Tara Walhart 3rd
Ellen White 3rd
Art White 4th
Willy Wilbur 34th

Beacon Results:
Tara Walhart 1st

Granogue Day 2 Results:
Art White 2nd
Ellen White 4th

Granogue Day 1 Results:
Art White 6th
Ellen White 4th

H2H Leaf Blower

2010-10-23T17:30:00.001-07:00

Team Results:

Ed Ceccollini - 2nd Pro

Marianne Santangelo - 1st Cat 1
Darlene Phillips - 2nd Cat 1
Ellen White - 3rd Cat 1
Art White - 3rd Cat 1 50+
Willy Wilbur - 5th Cat 1 40-49
Jeremy Swift - 7th Cat 1 30-39
Joe Barros - 7th Cat 1 40-49
Steve Wagoner - 8th Cat 1 50+
Tom Stanowski - 9th Cat 1 50+
Jeff Coneys - 14th Cat 1 40-49

Tara Walhart - 1st Cat 2
Adrienne Blaire - 1st Cat 3

Whirlybird "Cross

2010-09-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Campmorians Tara and Art for podium finishes at Whirlybird Cross, part of the Mac series.

Results
Tara Walhart 1st place B 3/4 Women
Art White 2nd place 55+ Men

Marianne managed to win them some champaign the same day

Rumble in the Jungle and State Championships

2010-09-20T11:48:00.001-07:00

Rumble results:
Ed Cecollini - 1st Pro
Art White - 1st Cat 1 50+
Darlene Phillips - 1st Cat 1 40+
Marianne Santangelo - 2nd Cat 1 40+
Ellen White - 3rd Cat 1 40+
Tom Stanowski - 4th Cat 1 50+
James Wilbur - 4th Cat 1 40-49
Joe Barros - 12th Cat 1 40-49
Tara Walhart - 1st Cat 2
Henry Gozdz - 5th Cat 2 SS
Adrienne Blair - 3rd Cat 3 40+

NJ State Champions:
Ed Cecollini Pro Men
Art White 50+ Men
Ellen White 40+ Women

H2H Chainstretcher

2010-09-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

Team Results:

Ed Cecollini - 2nd Pro

Marianne Santangelo - 1st Cat 1
Darlene Phillips - 2nd Cat 1
Art White - 2nd Cat 1
Ellen White - 3rd Cat 1
Willy Wilbur - 4th Cat 1
Tom Stanowski - 5th Cat 1
Steve Wagoner - 6th Cat 1
Joe Barros - 12th Cat 1
Jeff Coneys - 14th Cat 1

Tara Walhart - 1st Cat 2
Henry Gozdz - 6th Cat 2 SS

Adrienne Blair - 3rd Cat 3

Race at 909

2010-08-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

photo by http://coog.smugmug.com

Team Results:
Pro/Cat 1
1st = Marianne Santangelo
2nd = Darlene Phillips
2nd = Art White
3rd = Willy Wilbur
4th = Ellen White
5th = Zach Koop
6th = Steve Wagoner
7th = Tom Stanowski
17th = Jeremy Swift

Cat 2
1st = Tara Walhart
3rd = Henry Gozdz

Cat 3
3rd = Adrienne Blair

photo by http://gtluke.smugmug.com/

Bulldog Rump at Kittatinny

2010-07-25T07:04:00.000-07:00

Another Campmor podium sweep

Zach on the podium again

Team Results:

Marianne Santangelo - 1st - Cat 1 40+
Darlene Phillips - 2nd - Cat 1 40+
Art White - 2nd - Cat 1 50+
Zach Koop - 3rd - Cat 1 19-29
Ellen White - 3rd Cat 1 40+
Willy Wilbur - 4th - Cat 1 40-49
Tom Stanowski - 4th - Cat 1 50+
Steve Wagoner - 5th - Cat 1 50+
Jeremy Swift - 10th - Cat 1 30-39
Tara Wallhart - 1st - Cat 2
Lance Walker - 15th - Cat 2 50+

Lewis Morris Results

2010-07-09T05:23:00.000-07:00

Team Results:
Ellen White - 2nd Cat 1
Art White - 3rd Cat 1 50+
Steve Wagoner - 6th Cat 1 50+
Tom Stanowski - 7th Cat 1 50+
James Wilbur - 13th Cat 1 40
Joe Barros - 14th Cat 1 40
Jeremy Swift - 16th Cat 1 30
Jeff Coneys - 17th Cat 1 40
Tara Walhart - 2nd Cat 2
Henry Gozdz - 8th Cat 2 SS

Once again, team Campmor was gifted with racing on a dry course for the Lewis Morris Race. Without a technical feature in sight, one could expect all out fast racing, including some mysterious fast road racer types. This course is known for having a high road racer attendance, high beginner attendance and many mechanicals. With super hot temperatures there was some leg cramping as well. Team Campmor racers suffered their share of the above mentioned, Tom breaking off his derailieur hanger and finishing as a single-speed. Tom is one hard core dude! Zach and Ed also suffered mechanicals. Tara made a spectacular come back after a several year layoff from injury, with a 2nd place finish. As for me, my answer to a non technical roadie course is to bring out the single-speed and lay the law down. - Ellen

Campmor H2H Tymor

2010-05-24T11:34:00.001-07:00

Campmor H2H Wawayanda

2010-05-03T12:35:00.001-07:00

Team Results:

Ed Ceccolini - 2nd Pro
Ellen White - 1st Cat 1 40+
Darlene Phillips - 2nd Cat 1 40+
Art White - 2nd Cat 1 50+
Tom Stanowski - 5th Cat 1 50+
Jeremy Swift - 14th Cat 1 30-39
Joe Barros - 14th Cat 1 40-49
Tara Wallhart - 5th Cat 2
Henry Gozdz - 6th Cat 2 SS

Pre-ride Night

2010-04-29T17:42:00.001-07:00

Team Campmor enjoying a beautiful night out pre-riding the Wawayanda race course. Well, just about every night with a ride in it is a good night. Notice Tom with his new Titus X!!

Arizona Training Week

2010-03-17T05:56:00.000-07:00

Campmorians In AZ: Art, Ellen, Willy, Patti (Willy's wife) and Marianne - photo by Tara

Willy as Volunteer of the Year

2010-01-18T15:12:00.001-08:00

On January 17 at the annual Jorba meeting, Willy was recognized as Jorba Volunteer of the year, for his work at Ringwood State Park on the "warm puppy" re-route project. He worked many summer week nights on the trail, and was the master of the come-along. I rode this trail a few days ago and smiled all the way down the trail. Thank you Willy!

Ellen

"The Handsome One"

2010-01-09T15:14:00.000-08:00

NJCX State Championships

2009-12-09T05:14:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Laura Winberry for winning the Elite Women's New Jersey State Cyclocross Championship! Sunday was a perfect day in Phillipsburg NJ, just across the river from Easton, Pa. Snow was falling, making for a technical, slippery course as the day went on. There was much excitement in the air, as what might be expected when you mix, snow, waffles and cyclocross racers together at the end of the season. Also racing from Team Campmor were Art White, Ellen White and Tara Walhart.

Whitmore's Super Cross Cup

2009-11-26T12:47:00.000-08:00

Art took some video clips of women's 3/4 and 45+ race with hills and real single track. It was a very cool course. Team on the podium both days!

Campmor H2H Series Awards Dinner

2009-11-18T16:20:00.001-08:00

Team Results:

Art White - 2nd Pro
Laura Winberry - 4th Pro
Joe Azze - 10th Pro
Ed Ceccolini - 12th Pro

Marianne Santangelo - 2nd Cat 1 40+
Zach Koop - 3rd Cat 1 19-29
Ellen White - 3rd Cat 1 40+
Tom Stanowski - 4th Cat 1 50+
James Wilbur - 5th Cat 1 40-49
Darlene Phillips - 5th Cat 1 40+
Jeff Coneys - 11th Cat 1 40-49
Joe Barros - 14th Cat 1 40-49
Jeremy Swift - 16th Cat 1 30-39

Tara Walhart - 9th Cat 2 19-39
Tyler Conlon - 14th Cat 2 19-29

U.S Grand Prix of Cyclocross - Mercer

2009-11-16T05:23:00.000-08:00

7:30 a.m.: Art and I pull up to Mercer County Park in a light misting rain. It had been raining there already for two days. Cars were lining up in the field.... over a thousand registered racers. This was the big foshizzle come to New Jersey. Racing from Campmor were: Laura, Tara and Art only in his 5th cross race. Destiny or my my better judgement had me at this race to support, and I do love to give back to my dear friends and teammates at the races at least one day a year. This was it.... slicker, rubber booties and umbrella. I had a blast!

Mud, lots of excitement, mud with grass, cowbells, mud, screaming, and more mud. What a day. I was exhausted just spectating. The Campmorians rocked out there with 3 podium finishes and no pitt bikes. Just hard working legs and spirits! -Ellen

Art finishing 3rd behind Richard Sachs

Laura 1st and 2nd place for both days

ah yes, and the clean up.....

Westwood Velo Cross

2009-10-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

New Jersey cyclocross racing made a stop a few miles from the Campmor store last Sunday. This was probably the closest race to my house that I have ever attended. I considered riding there, but bailed because of logistics. Good thing, because my efforts would have seemed non existent after finding out that Rob Lichtenwalner had ridden 80 miles each way from Philadelphia to race. The fall foliage was about perfect, and I was reminded that I live in a beautiful place.

It was a welcoming sight to arrive at a cross race and see so many familiar mountain bike faces, many of them new to racing cross. The Campmorians rocked out there as usual, with Laura winning the A women and Gavi from the store winning the A men. Good times racing and spectating!
- Ellen

Team Results:
Laura Winberry - 1st A women
Ellen White - 2nd B women
Art White - 2nd 55+ men

Campmor H2H Leaf Blower

2009-10-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

photo by coog: http://coog.smugmug.com/Sports

Team Results:
Marianne Santangelo - 2nd Cat 1 40+
Ellen White - 3rd Cat 1 40+
Darlene Phillips - 4th Cat 1 40+
Zach Koop - 6th Cat 1 19-29
Joe Barros - 8th Cat 1 40-49
James Wilbur - 10th Cat 1 40-49
Jeremy Swift - 12th Cat 1 30-39

Ellen's race report: http://pixyandabike.blogspot.com/2009/10/ringwood-race.html

Laura's race report: http://humblecoalition.blogspot.com/2009/10/dee-enn-eff.html

Campmor H2H Rumble in the Jungle

2009-09-30T05:46:00.001-07:00

and the rain curse continues .....

....there is a Titus under there somewhere.

Team Results:
Laura Winberry - 1st Pro/open
Joe Azze - 5th Pro
Art White - 7th Pro
Darlene Phillips - 2nd Cat 1 40+
Ellen White - 3rd Cat 1 40+
Zach Koop - 4th Cat 1 19-29
Tom Stanowski - 4th Cat 1 50+
James Wilbur - 5th Cat 1 40-49
Marianne Santangelo - 5th Cat 1 40+
Jeff Coneys - 9th Cat 1 40-49

Campmor H2H Chainstretcher

2009-09-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

Team Campmor Results:

Ed Ceccolini - 1st Pro
Joe Azze - 5th Pro
Art White - 9th Pro
Marianne Santangelo - 2nd Cat 1 40+
Zach Koop - 3rd Cat 1 19-29
Darlene Phillips - 3rd Cat 1 40+
Ellen White - 4th Cat 1 40+
Tom Stanowski - 6th Cat 1 50+
James Wilbur - 9th Cat 1 40-49
Joe Barros - 13th Cat 1 40-49
Tara Walhart - 6th Cat 2

Windham Kenda Cup East

2009-08-16T13:30:00.001-07:00

Windham Team results:

Ellen White - 1st XC Cat 1 50+
James Wilbur - 3rd XC Cat 1 45-49
Laura Winberry - 4th XC Cat 1 25-29
Art White - 7th XC Single Speed open

Art White - 10th Super-D Pro
Laura Winberry - 1st Super D 19-39
Ellen White - 1st Super-D 40+
James Wilbur - 3rd Super-D 40-49

Complete results here: http://www.windhammountainbike.com

More pictures on Laura's blog. Race report on Ellen's blog.

*****************************************************
Mount Snow Team Results:

Art White - 62nd Pro XC
Marianne Santangelo - 1st XC Cat 1 45-49
Ellen White - 2nd XC Cat 1 50-54
Tom Stanowski - 2nd XC Cat 1 60-64
Laura Winberry - 4th XC Cat 1 25-29
James Wilbur - 4th XC Caat 1 45-49

Laura Winberry - 3rd Super-d open
Marianne Santangelo - 4th Super-d open
Ellen White - 5th Super-d open
James Wilbur - super-d 40+
Art White - super-d pro

Dirty Thursdays at Ringwood

2009-07-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

Art has been coordinating an evening weekday trail building project up at Ringwood called "Dirty Thursdays". He along with Team members, Willy, Ellen, Tom, Marianne and Laura have been pitching in when they can to complete this re-route. A big thanks to all the other volunteers as well, especially Carlos. Yesterday major headway was made with the relocation of a monster rock placed in the switchback turn. The project is nearing completion. Next work days: Thursday July 23 and Sunday July 26.

Campmor H2H Bulldog Rump

2009-07-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

photo by gtluke: http://gtluke.smugmug.com/biking/831996

Team Results:
Laura Winberry -3rd Pro/open
Art White - 7th Pro/open
Marianne Santangelo - 1st Cat 1 (40+)
Ellen White - 3rd Cat 1 (40+)
Zach Koop - 4th Cat 1 (19-29)
James Wilbur - 6th Cat 1 (40-49)
Jeff Coneys - 8th Cat 1 (40-49)
Tyler Conlon - 12th Cat 2 (19-29)

Ellen's race report:

The Bulldog Rump race which takes place in small but beautiful Kittatinny Valley State Park is always a fun event. The course varies from year to year, and this year it was similar to the 2005 Running of the Dogs race course. I have very fond memories of that course as it was my first single-speed race, and actually my first single-speed ride. Feeling good about the course, I was so relaxed going into the race, that I forgot my bottle of Heed. Thanks to Art, as he gave me one of his.

As part of my warm up, I set out to find a hill long enough to elevate my heart rate. The Cat 2’s were still on course, so I found one hill off the field that was not in the race. It was last year’s finish, and resembled a ravine with large towering rocks on both sides. After my interval, the climb dead ended, so I turned around to ride back down for another interval. I was taken back by the sight of a family of small bears looking down at me from the rocks above. As cute as they were, they looked a bit confused, as would be expected with hundreds of racers in their home. They were too close for comfort and I did not see any momma, so I got out of there and looked for a new warm up spot. At that time it dawned on me, how cool it is to race mountain bikes, when you get to see bears.

Off the start of the race, I decided to settle in behind Serruto. As we entered the singletrack there was much cheering. If there was one thing about this race that stood out, I would say it was all the cheering around the field. A big thanks to Zach’s family, who have been at nearly every race cheering us on. The cheering on Sunday was a huge help.

The course was slick in spots from showers the night before. I was trying to hold onto Serruto, and Marianne was on my wheel as well. I had a close call when I nearly shot off the course like a ping-pong ball on greased rocks. From there on I had a better idea of were my boundaries should be, and where I needed to push. Within a mile, my stomach cramped and I needed to back off a tad. I let Marianne by and could see she was right on Serruto’s wheel.

My stomach settled down after about 5 or 10 minutes, and just as I was bringing myself back up to race speed, I caught a glimpse of riders ahead of me and across the back field. Now I had a carrot in front of me, and the games began. One by one, I chased carrots. The more I ate, the better I could see. I seemed to get faster as the course became familiar. I dug the three sisters climbs on the back third. That third little stinker hurt all four times, but I tried not to give in to the pain. I envisioned all the cheering people back in the field, which made that moment of pain seem just so brief and worthwhile, and it was over in seconds.

I rolled into the finish feeling strong. I was very surprised to find out I was only 43 seconds behind Serruto. I was also thrilled to find out that Marianne had taken the win. It feels great to have a strong race, but even better when your friend and team mate has that special day as well.

Campmor H2H Lewis Morris Challenge

2009-07-07T05:38:00.000-07:00

Marianne

Team Results:
Laura Winberry - 3rd Pro/open
Joe Azze - 9th Pro/open
Art White - 11th pro/open
Marianne Santangelo - 3rd Cat 1 40+
Ellen White - 4th Cat 1 40=
Zach Koop - 5th Cat 1 19-29
Tom Stanowski - 5th Cat 1 50+
James Wilbur - 11th Cat 1 40-49

Joe

Willy

Art

Zach

Laura

Tom

Joe B
( photos by gtluke: http://gtluke.smugmug.com/biking/826367)

Campmor H2H Series Dark Horse Gallop

2009-06-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

Art enjoying a splash. - photo by gtluke. Check out more pictures here: http://gtluke.smugmug.com/biking/816378

There have been jokes circulating that the H2H Series should be named the H2O Series, and The Dark Horse Gallop fit right in with that rumor. It was a wet race to say the least. All of team Campmor that started the race, finished the race, and in those conditions that was quite an accomplishment. We are all hoping for sunny days ahead.

Team Results:
Laura Winberry - 2nd Pro/open
Art White - 9th Pro/open
Ellen White - 2nd Cat 1 40+
Zach Koop - 4th Cat 1 19-29
James Wilbur - 6th Cat 1 40-49
Tom Stanowski - 7th Cat 1 50+
Jeremy Swift - 17th Cat 1 30-39
Tara Walhart - 4th Cat 2 19-39
Tyler Conlon - 16th Cat 2 19-29

Campmor H2H Tymor 5/17

2009-05-25T04:52:00.000-07:00

Team Results:
Laura Winberry - 2nd Pro/open
Art White - 15th pro/open
Marianne Santangelo - 2nd Cat 1
Ellen White - 4th Cat 1
Zach Koop - 5th Cat 1
Tom Stanowski - 6th Cat 1
Jeremy Swift - 7th Cat 1
Jeff Coneys - 14th Cat 1
Tyler Conlon - 3rd Cat 2
Tara Walhart - 9th Cat 2

More pictures here:
http://coog.smugmug.com/Sports/720578

Campmor H2H Series Spring Cleaning 5/3

2009-05-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

a good day for rubber shoes

Date: May 3, 2009
Location: Wawayanda State Park

Close to 400 racers showed up for the season opener of the Campmor H2H Series Spring Cleaning race. I think I saw some of the largest Cat 3 fields and women's fields that I have seen in quite some time. There was a lot of excitement in the air as the racers got under way. The weather was a bit dismal with some on and off drizzle, but it didn't seem to effect the early racers. As the day went on, the drizzle became more steady, and racers began to wear mud and big grins. It seemed like the more it rained, the louder the cheering sections became during the Cat 2 race. It was great to be at a race and be part of the whole racing community scene once again. People were making the best of the weather and having a good time. Once the Pro race was under way, the rain seemed more steady. The racers seemed to come through the feed zone half down to business and half sombre, as the conditions deteriorated. With a long race, finishing was an effort for many, but Laura, Jeff and Joe came through with a smile every time! - Ellen

Team Results:

Ed Ceccolini - 3rd Pro/open
Laura Winberry - 4th Pro/open
Joe Azze - 10th - Pro/open
Art White - 12th Pro/open

Marianne Santangelo - 2nd Cat 1 40+
Darlene Phillips - 3rd Cat 1 40+
Jeff Coneys - 14th Cat 1 40-49
Jeremy Swift - 20th Cat 1 30-39

Tara Walhart - 7th Cat 2
Tyler Conlon - 8th Cat 2 19-29

More pictures here: http://coog.smugmug.com/gallery/8113648_jmgEj#529142855_UAneu

Team Campmor All Girl Pre-Ride

2009-04-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

On April 25 Team Campmor led an All Girl Pre-Ride of the Campmor H2H Series Race course at Wawayanda. The race will take place the following weekend on May 3rd. An amazing 20 women showed up to check out the challenging 9 mile course. Campmor racers Darlene Phillips, Ellen White and Marianne Santangelo, along with Jessica Hoevermann from Team Bulldog organized and led the ride and picnic. It was a fun day of sharing, learning and networking for all. Expect to see some new women coming out to race this year!

Next All Girl Ride and skills practice on May 9th 1:00 at Kittatinny Valley State Park. Open to all levels.

Tucson Spring Training

2009-03-24T15:01:00.000-07:00

Marianne, Art and I spent one week mountain biking in the Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson in Arizona. The weather was amazing! Warm sunshine put smiles on our faces every day. Not as many rocks as Ringwood, but cactus thorns and rattlesnakes kept us on our toes. What a nice way to avoid mud season and jump start into spring. - Ellen

Laura In Ecuador

2009-02-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

Laura is in Ecuador brushing up her spanish, getting in some spring training and maybe a few early races. Check her blog for pictures and stories: http://humblecoalition.blogspot.com/

Laura in New Jersey Monthly

2009-02-10T17:22:00.000-08:00

Laura's article on commuting to work on bike has been published in New Jersey Monthly:

http://njmonthly.com/articles/lifestyle/health_and_wellness/cycling-through-the-seasons.html

Campmor H2H Series Awards

2008-12-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

It was a fun night at the Campmor H2H Series awards dinner in Mt Arlington NJ on November 30. 150 racers gathered to celebrate the 2008 race season. Brian Larivere from Team Bulldog hosted the evening of events where top racers were recognized. Sports, Experts and Pro's received winners Jerseys.

Fast Eddy Ceccolini, winning the pro field for 2008. Joining him on the podium is Daughter Evelyn dressed in purple to match his winners jersey, as well as Art White taking second place.

Marianne Santangelo winning the sport 35+, and every race entered, all in her first year racing.

Ben Williams winning the Expert 40-49.

Zach Koop taking 3rd in the Expert 19-29.

Tom Stanowski winning the Expert 50+.

Laura Winberry winning the Expert 12-34.

Darlene Phillips taking 2nd in the Expert 35+, and Ellen White finishing 3rd.

Team Campmor Results
Ed Ceccolini - 1st Pro - 3.5 hours of Paydirt
Art White - 2nd Pro - 101.5 hours of Paydirt
Joe Azze - 13th Pro - 8 hours of Paydirt
Ben Williams - 1st Expert 40-49 - 15 hours of Paydirt
Tom Stanowski - 1st Expert 50+ - 20.5 hours of Paydirt
Laura Winberry - 1st Expert 12-34 - 31.5 hours of Paydirt
Darlene Phillips - 2nd Expert 35+ - 42.5 hours of Paydirt
Zach Koop - 3rd Expert 19-29 - 11.5 hours of Paydirt
Ellen White - 3rd Expert 35+ - 56.5 hours of Paydirt
Jeremy Swift - 4th Expert 30-39 - 8 hours of Paydirt
Joe Baldacci - 8th Expert SS - 16.5 hours of Paydirt
Tahir Thomas - 12th Expert 30-39 - 8 hours of Paydirt
Joe Barros - 13th Expert 40-49 - 9.5 hours of Paydirt
Jeff Coneys - 14th Expert 40-49 - 17.5 hours of Paydirt
Marianne Santangelo - 1st Sport 35+ - 29.5 hours of Paydirt
Tyler Conlon - 3rd Sport 15-18 - 5 hours of Paydirt
Matt Watters - 17th Sport 19-29 - 9.5 hours of Paydirt
*Jeff Sauerman - healing - 5 hours Paydirt
*Tara Walhart - healing ........*and we miss riding with you both!

The team put a total of 399 hours of Paydirt (trail work) in 2008.

Team Campmor would like to thank our very generous sponsors for 2008: Campmor, Titus, Easton, Giro, Sidi and Vredesteine.

SCCX - State Championship

2008-11-29T13:56:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Laura Winberry for winning the SCCX race and also taking the state championship. Great job Laura! I got out on the course as well for my first cross race. Fun stuff!

Three Ways to Skin A Cat

2008-10-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

We were out on some of the new section of trail up at Ringwood and got some video clips. It is apparent everyone sees their own line, but all of us see it different dimensions. .... I stay to the beaten track, Tom a variation of that, and Art goes for the blowhole line ....

Get out and ride! - Ellen

Revenge at Blue Mt Ride

2008-10-12T16:05:00.000-07:00

After such a wet and discouraging race last weekend at Blue, some of us could not put our Blue love to rest for the season with out some sort of revenge ride. We needed to go back and master the flow, roll the faces and just have a fun day of play.

Art, Willy, Marianne, Ben and I met up with Alex and Jane, resident pro, for a somewhat epic tour of Blue, well epic for me these days.

Trails included: ....... some new trail that Marianne and I got lost on in two minutes, Dr Jekyll (the fun way), Neds, Sis's the other way than the race (where I took a good endo), Criss-cross, middle and lower Stinger .......

...... My Favorite Trail (which I now can say is my favorite trail), and the "new" Monster. The new monster trail is awesome!!!

It was truly a #10 day with blue skies, temps in the 70's and the colors of fall starting to turn. Afterwards, .....lunch and a yummy porter at the brew pub in Peekskill. The boys were getting leg cramps in their bar stools. Nice day indeed.

Ben riding a roller.

Art ready to clean up the carnage with a spatula.

- Ellen

Campmor H2H Chain Stretcher at Blue Mt

2008-10-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

Team Results:

Ed Ceccolini - 1st Pro
Art White - 8th Pro
Darlene Phillips - 1st Exp
Laura Winberry - 1st Exp
Tom Stanowski - 2nd Exp 50
Ellen White - 3rd Exp
Zach Koop - 3rd Exp 19
Ben Williams - 4th Exp 40
Jeremy Swift - 7th Exp 30
Marianne Santangelo -1st Sport

Campmor H2H Rumble in the Jungle

2008-09-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

Racing at Jungle Habitat, is one of the highlights of the year for many mountain bikers. The defunct 70’s safari theme park has taken new form, with 30 years of new growth and vines entangling trees and structures of another era. Jorba, the main force behind the extensive trail planning and building in the park, has done a great job on the trails, and this race shows them off well. Racers were certainly challenged with rocks galore and tight off camber single-track with trees nipping at their handle bars the whole way. And if that wasn’t enough to keep their attention, racers could also take in the historical sites along the route as they would ride past a monkey cage, an amphitheater, to the top of a hill, in between tiger and baboon pens, through fences, past an umbilical cord vine, through a tunnel, into the deer pen and around the 80 acres of crumbling parking lot.

It was nice to see Team Campmor out racing on the trails they helped to build! - Ellen

Team Results
Ed Ceccolini - 1st Pro
Art White - 4th - Pro
Laura Winberry - 1st Exp Wom
Darlene Phillips - 2nd Exp 35+
Ben Williams - 3rd Exp 40
Ellen White - 3rd Exp 35+
Tom Stanowski - 4th Exp 50
Zach Koop - 4th Exp 19
Tahir Thomas - 8th Exp 30
Jeff Coneys - 8th Exp 40
Jeremy Swift - 9th Exp 30
Marianne Santangelo - 1st Sport Wom 35+
Tyler Conlon - 3rd Sport Jr

Campmor H2H Ringwood Fall Classic

2008-09-16T05:22:00.000-07:00

Team Results:

Ed Ceccolini - 1st Pro
Joe Azze - 4th Pro
Tom Stanowski - 2nd Expert 50+
Laura Winberry - 2nd Expert 12-34
Darlene Phillips - 2nd Expert 35+
Tahir Thomas - 6th Expert 30-39
Joe Barros - 7th Expert 40-49
Jeremy Swift - 8th Expert 30-39
Ben Williams - 9th Expert 40-49
Marianne Santangelo - 1st Sport Women
Tyler Conlon - 5th Sport Jr

Lauras's report here: http://humblecoalition.blogspot.com/2008/09/swingwood-ringwood-blingwood-and.html

Shenandoah 100

2008-09-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

It’s All in the Family

With over 500 competitors attending the 10th annual Shenandoah Mountain 100 the atmosphere was nothing short of a grassroots festival. At the local Stokesville campgrounds a myriad color of parked cars, Porto-Johns, tents and Ez-ups scattered the outskirts of the start/finish area. Saturday’s check-in and registration was followed by a classic pre-race meal of spaghetti and meatballs. Despite the number of hungry riders eager to fill their stomachs, dinnertime was a rather relaxed mixture of conversation and laughter among a gathering of distant members of the same cycling family.

The evening rolled on with the hoot and holler of a rowdy riders’ meeting, and eventually night blanketed the sacred mountains of Virginia. Headlamps and flashlights searched for tent zippers leading to slumber and just before midnight an assembly of clouds decided to deluge the sleeping campers below. Bellows of thunder accompanied illuminating flashes of energy between each drop of rain and the next day’s course became progressively more interesting. The campsite faded into sleep amid sheets of rain and pages of mountain bikers’ dreams.

The following morning a rain-soaked pre-dawn darkness greeted hundreds of five a.m. risers rubbing fistfuls of night from their eyes. The breakfast scene was typical—bagels and boiling oatmeal water, peanut butter and bananas—and within minutes of consumption the diffused light of an overcast day began to stretch itself over those preparing for the trek ahead. Come six-thirty there was just enough light to get a clear view of the multi-colored sea of spandex congregating about the start/finish area. With a simple “go” the click of cleats entering pedals resounded as hundreds of members of the same family embarked on a hundred mile odyssey through the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.

No more than ten minutes into the ride did I find myself with a swollen tongue and sore throat after having ejected some sort of bee from the depths of my mouth. Was this a premonition of things to come or a minor hindrance to surmount?—I decided on the latter and kept a steady pedal while attempting to assuage some of the pain with squirts of cool water. It was not until we hit the first singletrack climb that my throat actually began to close, thus restricting the necessary flow of oxygen to my already out-of-breath body—needless to say, I pulled to the side and began to yell in hopes that someone might have the denouement to my particular dilemma. Someone did. Kristin Eddy, who turns out is the second ever female to win an off-road iron distance triathlon, was passing and happened to have a flask each of Ledum Palustre and Apis Mellifica, which when combined form an excellent homeopathic solution for the swelling caused by a bee sting. Thank you, Kristin.

With a freshly reopened throat I settled into enjoying the mixture of singletrack and fireroad descents and climbs, all of them fairly long in length, that straight up begged me to partake in the greatness they had to offer. Throughout the day, several mantras played consistently inside my mind, with frequently interjected guest appearances of a few choice songs. As well, I remained focused on a list of simple yet personal goals: no longer than seven minutes at each aid station; middle ring or nothing, granny gear was not an acceptable option; push the limits of turning; love and appreciate what you are doing (this one goes without saying); complete what you have started. I am grateful to say that all of my goals were achieved, and as a bonus my low expectations in terms of projected finishing time were knocked clear out of the water when I arrived at the campgrounds at 10:58.56 to take 11th in an open field of 40 plus women. I’ll take that for my first shot at a 100 miler.

My goals, however, might not have been so obtainable without, at least, two outside factors: the first was the dedication of all the volunteers at each blessed aid station—the smorgasbord of heavenly comestibles, the tech support eager to lube a thousand grimy chains, the youth and adults alike prompt to refill bottle after bottle with your beverage of choice; the second was Al Yoon, of GFK Racing, whom I encountered shortly after leaving aid station 4 (mile 57). Feeling a little sluggish in the false flats, I asked Al if he minded my sitting on his wheel for a bit. He did not, and for the remainder of the race Al and I would trade back and forth; pacing, pushing, and encouraging one another; devouring, consuming, and rushing through aid stations; keeping the flow rolling and constant. We would finish the race together, high-fiving as our grins crossed the finish line. I am a firm believer that we cross paths with people for a reason, however blatant or indeterminable that reason might be; Kristin and Al reaffirmed my belief, and with that, a hundred miles of riding mountains reached a culmination at contentment and peace. In retrospect, I have come to the conclusion that it was more than simply a solo effort. Rather, it was a family working together towards a common goal, a unity without which I might not have faired as well. Certainly, I could have gone it alone, and physically I did; yet, why deny the fact that we are here to help each other out, to learn from one another? If we begin as family, regardless of the outcome of events, we still end as family, comprised of those who we have affected and those who have affected us; and that, perhaps, is what we must remember to take home in the end.

- Laura

Top Five Men
Chris Eatough 7:14.19
Sam Koerber 7:26.55
Jeff Schalk 7:37.25
Chris Beck 7:39.05
Aaron Oakes 7:41.51

Top Five Women
Cheryl Sornson 9:08.14
Trish Stevenson 9:19.42
Betsy Shogren 9:44.13
Johanna Kraus 9:57.11
Andrea Dvorak 9:59.11

24 Hours Of Allamuchy

2008-09-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

Waking up to a beautiful race day....

After nearly a decade of the dreaded Allamuchy rain curse, good fortune finally came to 24 hour racers. Clear skies, cool nights and dry conditions were enjoyed by all. A slightly lighter turn out, made for a festival style atmosphere with the return of the disco ball to the Jorba campsite. While racers embraced the new found dusty conditions, and night festivities, sleep deprivation was still the main challenge. And as always, we ask ourselves afterwards, “why do we do this?” … and then three days and 40 hours of sleep later, we are ready to do it again.

- Ellen

Race Results for team Campmor were:

1st place women’s team – “Team Campmor” Dar Philips , Laura Winberry, Ellen White and Jen Barden.

2nd place corporate team – “Jorba All Stars” Art White and 9 other Jorba board members.

3rd Place 5 person coed – “Yes Deer” Tom Stanowski, Joe Baldacci, Marianne Santangelo, Bryan Petersen, and Steve Kane.

over tired girls getting silly

Jorba board representing

members of "Yes Deer"

Titus Demo at Ringwood

2008-08-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

Titus Demo Day at Ringwood State Park, August 2, 2008 - Brought to you by Titus Bicycles, and Team Campmor. Special thanks to Titus Demo guy Mike Wirth, Regional Rep. Bill Cohan, Campmor bike manager and team rider Tahir, and the other Team Campmor riders Ellen, Marianne, and Joe B., who helped make demo day a success!

While our first responsibility was to be on hand to guide riders around the Park as they test rode a Titus, our real agenda was to get on a few bikes ourselves, and put them through their paces. Getting a chance to demo bikes in my home Park was an opportunity I didn't want to miss, so I made the most of it.

My personal race bike is a titanium Racer-X, which I rode as a benchmark on my first tour. I enjoy the precise handling and almost telepathic steering of the Racer-X. The ride, while I wouldn't call it plush, certainly is quite comfortable, with the rear suspension being set up firm, it still absorbs Ringwoods' rough terrain, allowing me to ride it for hours without being punished. Pedaling efficiency rewards the rider, while the suspension lets the tire hug the ground for traction.

On my second tour, I tried a 29'er Racer-X. I have to preface this review with the caveat that I'm not a big fan of 29'ers, having only tried one once before. My first impression was that I felt like I was riding my big brothers' bike, or was driving a large truck. Once I got moving though, things sort of worked themselves out, and I got a little more comfortable. I think the suspension was a little firmer than I like, and I wasn't getting all the travel out of it. At any rate, it felt more like a hard tail than my 26" wheel Racer-X. I was surprised when I tried to wheelie over a log, and could barely get the front wheel off the ground. The skill requires a lot more effort than with a 26" wheel bike. On the other hand, I did notice that those big wheels just keep going over all those "baby heads". Even at low speeds, I could just plod along, and the bike just kept rolling.

I saved the best for last... On my third trip showing folks around, I took out an El Guapo. I was eager to try the "handsome one" and compare it to my current favorite ride - My Yeti 575. The El Guapo was similarly equipped with a Fox 36 Talus fork, which I rode in the full open (6" travel) position. The first thing I noticed was that this is no ordinary 6" bike. For starters, it felt light. I think the test bike came in just over 30 lbs. My Yeti is around 32 lbs. Secondly, the rear suspension is more like the Racer-X, in that it was incredibly tight, and not the least bit sloppy. I can attest to the fact that I did get all 6" of travel, but it climbs like a shorter travel bike. What more could you want in a trail bike? Another tester mentioned that he thought it should be illegal- How could so much suspension feel so light, and climb so well?

My opinion? The Racer-X is a full on race machine that loves to be pushed hard, and rewards the rider with lightning fast response, yet is comfortable enough to not be punishing in rough terrain.

29'er Racer-X? Not necessarily my cup of tea, but then again, I'm not fond of the big wheeled bikes in my home terrain.

The El Guapo Is hands down my favorite trail bike, and I will most likely purchase one for next season.

You may ask where does the Moto Lite (5" travel) fit in? Although I didn't ride one myself, My wife, Ellen, rides one, and she loves it. I might suggest that a rider of smaller stature would get out of the Moto Lite what a larger rider gets out of the El Guapo, without having to deal with the issue of increased stand-over height, and weight. Besides, If you already have a shorter travel bike, like the Racer -x, and want more suspension, then I say go big! Skip the Moto Lite, and go right to the El Guapo.

Art White / Team Campmor

National Championships at Mt Snow

2008-07-21T03:46:00.001-07:00

Team Campmor Sweeps the podium in Super-D ...... all on Titus bikes

Team Campmor did a great job representing at National Championships at Mt Snow, Vt, this past weekend. The team earned 8 podium spots including three 1st place finishes. During the past two weeks, the National attending Campmorians worked incredibly well together, washing bikes, prepping bikes, making meals, cleaning up after meals, doing laundry, feeding each other and drumming during the race. Those not racing the next day, gave up beds for floor space with out asking. The teamwork was incredible, and I feel lucky to be a part of this team of outstanding people! Congratulations and thank you all for your support.

My race report here: http://pixyandabike.blogspot.com/

Laura's race report here:
http://humblecoalition.blogspot.com/2008/09/mt-snow-retrospective.html

-Ellen

Team Campmor Results:

Cross Country:
Art White - 54th - Semi-Pro
Ellen White - 1st - Expert 50-54
Laura Winberry - 3rd - Expert 19-24
Tom Stanowski - 3rd - Expert 60-64
Darlene Phillips - 4th - Expert 40-44
Zach Koop - 25th Expert 19-24
Marianne Santangelo - 1st - Sport 40+
Matt Watters - 9th Sport 19-24

Super-D
Darlene Phillips - 1st - Women 40+
Marianne Santangelo - 2nd - Women 40+
Ellen White - 3rd - Women 40+
Laura Winberry - 3rd - Women 19-29
Art White - 7th - Men 50+

East Coast National at Windham

2008-07-15T03:22:00.000-07:00

After a fifteen year hiatus, National racing returns to the Catskill Mountains. Attending from Team Campmor: Tom Stanowski, Jeremy Swift, Laura Winberry, Art White and myself. The team earned 5 podium spots, 3 of which were first place finishes.

My report here: http://pixyandabike.blogspot.com/2008/07/east-coast-national-at-windham.html

Race Results:
XC
Art White - 35th : Semi-Pro XC
Tom Stanowski - 1st :Expert XC 60-64
Ellen White - 1st :Expert XC 50+
Laura Winberry - 7th :Expert 19-24
SD
Ellen White - 1st :Super-D 40+
Laura Winberry - 2nd :Super-D 19-29
Art White - 4th :Super-D 40+
Jeremy Swift - 6th :Super-D 30-39

- Ellen

Campmor H2H #5 Bulldog Rump

2008-07-07T05:22:00.000-07:00

The Bulldog Rump race at Kittatinny Valley State Park is a favorite to many. It also happens to be an AMBC race and the NJ State Championship race, so well attended as well. Once again, threatened by rain showers mid day, somehow the heavy rain seemed to miss the park, and we were left with good race conditions. A big congrats to Pro Ed Ceccolini and Expert Laura Winberry for winning the New Jersey State Champion titles!

Team Results:
Ed Ceccolini - 5th Pro
Art White - 12th Pro
Ellen White - 2nd Exp 35+
Zach Koop - 3rd Exp 19
Laura Winberry - 3rd Exp
Darlene Phillips - 3rd Exp 35+
Tom Stanowski - 4th Exp 50+
Joe Baldacci - 7th Exp SS
Jeremy Swift - 13th Exp 30
Joe Barros - 15th Exp 40
Marianne Santangelo - 1st Sport 35+
Tyler Conlon - 4th Sport Jr
Matt Watters - 5th Sport 19

2008-07-07T05:05:00.000-07:00

Ellen's Moto-lite Report

2008-06-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

I love my Titus Racer-X and decided to look into getting more of a trail bike as a second bike to broaden my riding experience with all the rocks we have around here in northern New Jersey. A big thanks goes out to my sponsors Campmor, Titus, and Easton, in helping me make this happen. Luckily I had some extra parts stashed, waiting for this special day. My new Moto-lite is spec’d with a Fox Talas fork, and a combination of XTR, Sram, and Easton parts. It weighs in at an impressive 25.8 pounds with beefy tires. Being a wimpy 120 pound chick, I hope it is the right combination of lightness and durability, as it is highly unlikely that I will ever be "hucking meat".

This past week, I put the Moto-lite through the virgin test ride and all I can say is … WOW! I rode some of the most technical trails up at Skyline, Ringwood and Blue Mountain and the bike handled the trails perfectly, being nimble, plush and forgiving. Even with a 110mm stem, I was able to split my tires around rocks in tight turns, and nail it every time. The bike feels like it could climb up a wall if I had the gas. The rear did rob some power in comparison to the racer-x, but it was not as noticeable on short climbs. The ride feel instilled confidence in both climbing and descending and did not demand too much finesse, creating a relaxing ride. At one point I clipped a tree at speed, and very calmly rode out the deflection.

I rode the fork in the 120mm position but still need to try the 140. I may also need to firm up the rear suspension a bit for my liking, and still need to play with the pro- pedal, but overall my impressions were positive. If I wasn't laughing, I was smiling the whole time while riding. I am looking forward to some more riding on this bike. I may even try the Super-D at National Championships at Mt Snow. The bike certainly seems worthy of super-D, probably more than I, and after one week of riding, I think it might be fun to try and chase some others down the mountain.

Tis the season ... get out and ride!!!
- Ellen

Campmor H2H #4 Darkhorse Gallop

2008-06-19T05:48:00.000-07:00

Saved by the rain gods, Stewart somehow did not get as much rain on Saturday night as in most places in New jersey. Needless to say, the course was ripping fast. Congratulations to Laura Winberry, Darlene Phillips and Ben Williams for first place finishes in the expert class.
- Ellen

Team Race Results:
Joe Azze - 14th pro
Art White - 18th pro
Ben Williams - 1st exp40
Darlene Phillips - 1st exp35
Laura Winberry - 1st exp
Tom Stanowski - 4th exp50
Joe Baldacci - 10th exp ss
Jeff Coneys - 19th exp40
Tyler Conlon - 4th sport jr
Matt Watters - 13th sport 19
Kyle Paolucci - 23rd sport 19

Joe Azze's race report and video can be found here: http://mountainpeakfitness.blogspot.com/

Laura's race report:

Stew the Rat

Darkhorse sponsored events would not be the same without Mike, the Hawaiian-shirted man counting down each and every start alongside his stopwatch-sidekick. His presence is peaceful, good-humored, and somewhat iconic in nature; and so, seeing the familiar orange shirt with white Hibiscus pattern flapping in the afternoon’s slight breeze, I felt a sense of familiarity mixed with the usual pre-race stomach rumblings. Soon enough though, the orange and white blur into a peripheral past and dusty legs pedal for first entrance into the prologue, a shaded section of single track that screams momentum. Gripping tires ride the sidewalls of hard-packed berms, while a tunnel-like vision of thick spring brush, root, and branch fold behind one’s push for speed.

Within twenty minutes of leaving Hawaii-Five-O in a wake of stirring dust, Campmor teammate, Dar, and I are elbow to elbow up the gravel climb—both in contention for the cash preem dangling from a lady’s fingers. Pushing two more strokes at the last second I reach over to snatch the Benjamin (it was actually a Jackson, but the former just sounds better), which I instantly feel bad about and so proceed for the entire next lap to inform Dar of how she deserves half of it. At her suggestion, we finally decide to donate it to Art and Ellen White’s shuttle service, in honor of their ever-present generosity.

Dar and I remain in the same flow of twisting, turning, pumping energy for the first lap, until at last I can no longer keep her pace as well as keep the skin-prickle of heat-chills at bay. By this time I have run out of pack water and the bottle is down to half, and so fortunately when Ellen decides to accompany us going into the second lap, I ask her to grab me another bottle for the third—have I ever mentioned how my Campmor family is a blessing in more ways than one?

With my yipping partner having moved into the lead—yes, we were yipping through some of the most enjoyable sections—I continue to push harder than normal gears for myself, while also making certain to stay clear of the onslaught of pros quickly passing and becoming sunbeams and dust around every tunneled corner. After my Lewis Morris single-speed experience, and after watching single-speeder Jocelyn fly up the short steeps during our pre-ride, I had decided going into this race to think like a single-speeder—once again, enter momentum. Weighting and un-weighting when the occasional stone-laden roller appears, I grow closer and closer to the two-wheeled machine temporarily fused to my body by two tiny pieces of metal. She (her name is Sula, which is Norse for “sun”) is now an extension of my body, and I am a continuation of hers.

Entering the last section of chestnut veins serpentining verdant earth, the unevenness of recently cut single track slows down the tempo, yet at the same time invigorates me to push even harder knowing these are the last turns before a gravelly inclined conclusion. With Hotwheels (Dar) finishing about a minute ahead, I am content with my effort and churn the last few pedal strokes past a pair of orange traffic cones signaling the finish. Although Frank (my soon-to-have-one-gear day-glow Klein) is missed, I am thankful to have had the company of Sula, and look forward to the experiences yet to come with her. After cleaning off beneath the saving grace of a portable shower bag, I make my way over to the area where results are posted; finding, of course, the man in the Hawaiian shirt, I shake his hand and thank him for yet another rewarding Darkhorse race.

- LW

Campmor H2H #3 at Lewis Morris

2008-06-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

La Matadora y El Toro

I may not have had more than one gear to grind in this past Sunday’s race at Lewis Morris; but I certainly had a real nifty bell to ring in lieu. Initial pre-race meditations were akin to those of a Spanish Matador contending the searing glare of an unyielding bull; it came down to the gear and me, alone in the ring, and I was dressed in red. Nevertheless, I had chosen to be there, to be alone with the bull, and it was all or nothing. Upon entering the first lap, though, I would come into a total body feeling—mind, soul, flesh—of connectedness and unity with the bike, the earth, and the race itself. Standing up on the first climb to muster past a few shift-happy racers, I touched the essence of a mono-geared ride—you can only go one speed. At first I felt apologetic, letting others know that I was not trying to blast them, but that I simply could not go any slower, something seldom encountered on my geared bike.

The first two laps consisted of a three-dot paceline; with myself in the rear, proceeded by Ellen White, and then Jess McGinn. White and I were running the same gearing, so I mixed her experience with my own knowledge of self in order to keep both heart rate and legs in check for the remaining two laps. When White got out of the saddle, I got out of the saddle; when she sat, I sat; when she snot-rocketed, I dodged and sent out one of my own. With McGinn setting a single-speed-esque pace, the three of us were in synch, thus allowing for a focus on the churning wheel in front and an absorption of the beauty of momentum. The bike-body unification made itself known right away, and with each off-camber turn and every exposed root, I felt the bike as an extension of my own movements. Sweeping turns, little leaps, and rhythmic ascents were the foundation in my house of rapture Before long, the bull and the fighter were looking less like enemies, and more like two individuals working hard together at their newly formed marriage.

With this two-wheeled device as an extension of my energies and my determination, when fatigue found me in the fourth lap, so it also found the bike; and although the speed was still single, it eventually grew to be one of a slightly slower cadence. By now White was neither seen nor heard, and I was intent on keeping McGinn within focus for as long as possible. With lap four, the bull and the fighter were near their end, neither looking to any longer draw blood from the other. Now they were one, at last content in their common struggle, continuing to the very end. Approaching the graveled finish line, the bull and the fighter knew they were stronger; they knew they had learned from one another, from those around them, and they were thankful. Rather than taking one another’s life, they had embraced, and at the end they were at a new beginning, ready to enjoy the moment and rebuild for the next to come.

-LW

Team Results:

Ed Cecollini - 2nd Pro
Joe Azze - 10th Pro
Art White - 13th Pro
Laura Winberry - 2nd Expert
Darlene Philips- 2nd Expert 35+
Ben Williams - 3rd Expert 40
Ellen White - 3rd Expert 35+
Tom Stanowski - 5th Expert 50
Zach Koop - 5th Expert 19
Joe Barros - 7th Expert 40
Boe Baldacci - 9th Expert SS
Tahir Thomas - 13th Expert 30
Jeremy Swift - 15th Expert 30
Jeff Coneys - 21 Expert 40

Campmor H2H #2 Tymor

2008-05-28T05:13:00.000-07:00

Team Results:
Ed Cecollini - 5th Pro
Art White - 15th Pro
Darlene Philps - 2nd Exp 35+
Laura Winberry - 2nd Exp
Ellen White - 3rd Exp 35+
Ben Williams - 3rd Exp 40-49
Tom Stanowski - 5th Exp 50+
Tahir Thomas - 8th Exp 30-39
Joe Baldacci - 11th Exp SS
Jeremy Swift - 13th Exp 30-39
Joe Barros - 13th Exp 40-49
Jeff Coneys - 15th Exp 40-49
Tyler Conlon - 2nd Sport Jr

Campmor H2H Series #1 Wawayanda

2008-05-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

The Campmor H2H Series race season got off to a good start on May 4 at Wawayanda State Park in Hewitt NJ. Black Bear Cycling did a great job, as always, running the race. Rains the night before, eventually gave way to heavy fog by day break. The drive up the hill and past the upper lakes to the park in the morning was eerie, and although the rain was done, the rocky, rooty course was slick in spots, offering plenty of challenge for the racers. There was a large turn out for the beginner race, which is nice to see.

Racing from Team Campmor in the sport class were Tyler Conlon and new team member and Campmor bike shop manager, Tahir Thomas. The sport racers lucked out, as half way through the sport race, the sun came out, making for a very nice day to backdrop all the grins out on the course. Tahir made a great come back to racing with a first place finish, and Tyler racing in his first sport race, finished 2nd. Also in attendance and supporting at the race were Jeff Sauerman and Jeff Coneys, both unable to race due to illness. Thanks for coming out!

Racing later in pro/expert fields were Ben Williams, Darlene Phillips and Laura Winberry all taking 2nd place in their classes. Ed Ceccolinni took the win in the large pro field. Zach Koop, racing for the first time in the expert class, was disapointed with a flat early in the race. He fought hard to catch back up, finishing 8th. This was also Laura's first expert race, and she did very well, finishing only minutes behind me. I expect her to be passing me soon. Other finishers from the team were: Tom Stanowski, Joe Barros, Art White, and Jeremy Swift. Art, who is returning to racing after a full hip replacement in November was happy to report meeting all his race day goals ..... not to break any bones, ..... not to get lapped by Eddy and not to finish last.

Team Results:
Ed Ceccolini - 1st Pro
Art White - 12th Pro
Ben Williams - 2nd Exp 40
Darlene Phillips - 2nd Exp 35+
Laura Winberry - 2nd Exp
Ellen White - 3rd Exp 35+
Tom Stanowski - 5th Exp 50
Zach Koop - 8th - Exp 19
Joe Barros - 11th - Exp 40
Jeremy Swift - 16th Exp 30
Tahir Thomas - 1st Sport 30
Tyler Conlon - 2nd Sport Jr

Team Campmor women ran an open to anyone All-Girl Pre-Ride the Sunday Prior. Fifteen women ages 11 to 50 attended the ride. Eight of these women raced beginner or sport at Wawayanda, some for the first time. It was very gratifying to see four of those women win 1st place in their races. Rock on ladies!

It was a good day for team Campmor and racing in New Jersey. Many thanks to Geoff and Nicole for neutral support, and to the Jeff's that offered team support. See you in a few weeks!

Ellen

2008 Racer Profiles

2008-05-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

Jeff Sauerman - Team Manager - Sport XC
Age 49
3 years racing
2007 - 9th Campmor H2H Series
2008 - 5 hours of Paydirt
Career Highlight: being on the Campmor Team.
Why do you mountain bike and race? I love getting outside locally to take part in a fast paced, skilled oriented sport that I can do for many years at whatever level I choose. I love meeting the riders. I have met very few that I have not liked. Every ride is consistently a great ride. I always come away exhilarated!

Ellen White - Expert XC
Age 51
16 years racing
The ride : Titus Racer-X
2008 - 56 hours of Paydirt
Career Highlight: 2003, 2008 National Champion
Why do you mountain bike and race? It rejuvenates my mind, body and spirit, and connects me with nature and makes me feel alive. The racing gives me an incentive to explore my limitations and possibilities.

Art White - Pro XC
Age - 54
19 years racing
The Ride - Titus Racer-X
2008 - 2nd Campmor H2H Series Pro
2008 - 101 hours Paydirt
2007 - full hip replacement
Career Highlight: 1st 2006 National Mt Snow Exp 50-55
Why do you mountain bike and race ? It gives me a pure unbridled freedom, as if I were 12 years old, and I am able to briefly forget about the cares of my day. I also enjoy the challenge of pushing my limitations.

Laura Winberry
Expert XC
Age 24
4 years racing
The Ride: Titus Fireline
2008 - 1st Campmor H2H Series Expert
2008 - New Jersey State Cyclecross Champion
2007 - 31 hours of Paydirt

Ed Ceccolini
Pro XC
Age 36
22 years racing
The Ride - Titus Racer-X
2008 - 1st Campmor H2H Series Pro
2007 - 1st NJ State Champion
Career Highlight: 3rd 2004 UCI Master Worlds
More to come.
Why do you mountain bike and race? I ride since I enjoy the freedom of being out in my own world. I race so I can go as fast as I can with an ambulance waiting!

Joe Baldacci - Expert XC & SS
Age 50
5 years racing
The Ride - Racer-X, Kona Unit
2007 - 24 hours of Paydirt
2007 - 4th Campmor H2H SS

Darlene Phillips - Expert XC
Age - 41
6 years racing
The Ride - Titus Racer-X
2008 - 42 hours of Paydirt
2008 - Super D National Champion

2008 -2nd Campmor H2H Series
2007 - 1st Darkhorse 40
Why do you mountain bike and race? Riding is where I find my serenity. Racing keeps me disciplined with training. Plus I like the people.

Jeff Coneys - Expert XC
Age 45 / 17 years racing
The Ride - Titus Racer-X
2007 - 10 hours of paydirt 2008 Super-D National Champion
2007 - 2nd Campmor H2H Series
Volunteer Ski Patrol
Why do you mountain bike and race? - I Mountain Bike to free my mind, deal with work related stress and get into Nature. I love the outdoors and solitude that being in the woods provides. An added bonus is that riding increases your physical fitness. The more you ride, the stronger you feel, win/win. I got into racing because I loved pushing myself farther then I would during a normal ride. There is nothing like the buzz you get from adrenaline and endorphins from riding hard.

Jeremy Swift - Expert XC
Age 38
5 years racing
The Ride - Titus Carbon Racer-X
2007 -12 hours of Paydirt

Zach Koop - Expert XC & SS
Age - 20
3 years racing
2008 - 11 hours of Paydit
2008 - 3rd - Campmor H2H Series Expert
2007 - 1st Darkhorse 40 sport SS

Tom Stanowski - Expert XC
Age - 62
2008 - 20 hours of Paydirt
2007 - ist Campmor H2H Series
2007 - 2nd National Championships