Congratulations to Tom Carpenter, Category 4 Michigan Road Racing Champion!
Picture courtesy of Chris Schmidt/XMATIC
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Culvers Racing claims Michigan State Champion
Tom Carpenter, rider for Culvers Racing, claimed his first road victory of his career Saturday and it was a significant one. The Superior Bike Fest in Marquette, MI has claimed the Michigan Road State Championship two years running. Tom grabbed the championship by a slim margin of .29 seconds by ending the 55 mile course on a sprint. With the course slightly changed this year Marquette Mountain came a bit sooner into the race but it didn't stop the high pace as a 9 man break away was established immedietaly. Culvers Racing was represented in the break by Tom Carpenter and the group worked perfectly together to stay away for the entire 55 miles.
Congratulations to Tom Carpenter, Category 4 Michigan Road Racing Champion!
Congratulations to Tom Carpenter, Category 4 Michigan Road Racing Champion!
Monday, June 21, 2010
6/21/10 PRESS RELEASE
5 members of Culvers Racing stayed on U.P. turf this weekend for the Keweenaw Chain Drive. The Keweenaw Chain Drive has grown over the past few years and has become a premier event for the North, known for its spectacular single track. So spectacular it grabbed the attention of 3 professional riders. It’s a 32 mile point to point race with over 75% single track.
The team, consisting of Tyler Gauthier, Tom Carpenter, Justin Weber, Glen Lerlie, and Danny Hill, worked hard to put 1 rider in the top 10 and 3 riders in the top 20 with a field full of elite riders. The final overall results on the day were Tyler Gauthier 6th, Top Carpenter 12th, Justin Weber 17th, Glen Lerlie 22nd, and Danny Hill 52nd.
Keweenaw Chain Drive - Tyler's Race Report
The Chain Drive has become quite the event. Best known for its miles of single track in a point to point race it is now becoming known for its elite field. Looking down the start line this year was some sight. This race always brings out the better riders in the UP but it has now drawn the attention of the Midwest's best riders including 3 professionals. You know when Brian Matter, Mike Anderson, and Chris Peariso line up its going to be a different and faster race than years prior.
For the first time in 4 years that I've been doing the Chain Drive the race did not start as a sprint. I think with the presence of 3 pros and a hefty head wind no one wanted to lead out to cemetery hill. That changed when we got to cemetery hill. Like last year I wanted to be one of the first up the hill and into the single track. I wanted to hang with the Matter, Anderson, and Peariso as long as I could getting a feel for their pace in the single track. Peariso launched a small burst at the bottom of the climb and Anderson kept the tempo high. I hooked Matters wheel and I didn't leave it. I made it up the 15-18% grade hill 3rd right behind Anderson and Matter, at the last second Wells came around. Running 4th into the single track, I felt great about this position, but that feeling didn't last too long. Following Wells wheel and neglected to see a 1 inch branch sticking out and it grabbed me and threw me as if a 300 pound man was standing in the trail. I was on the ground and water bottles scattered I frantically tried to reposition but had lost about 10 seconds. Not quite in full panic mode yet I got back on pace and kept an eye on the front 3 guys. Now behind another rider I felt like I had to put a small attack to get back on but could not with a rider in front. I yelled up, "I gotta go." and the guy was polite about it and said next section. He yelled, "OK" and I attempted a left side pass. I was quickly on the ground again as our handle bars tangled and we were a caught in a web of bikes. On the ground and water bottles scattered again I was now in full panic mode. I remounted and settled in with Todd McFadden. I was so disappointed at this time knowing that any chance I had to stay with the pros was gone.
I stepped down to race reality and worked with what I had. McFadden, Swanson and I slowly worked our way up to 2 riders, which I didn't know where Jesse Bell and Tom Carpenter at the time, and formed a small group. I was happy to see my team mate. I knew Tom could put on an awesome temp on the single track and maybe make up some small time to the 5 guys ahead. Right before a long section of single track I jumped 2nd wheel to Tom with McFadden, Bell, and then Swanson to follow. Tom was so fast and smooth I noticed that the 3 behind were yo-yoing quote a bit. I told Tom to up the tempo to see if we could make them work on the back just to stay on. We didn't quite shed them but I believe it put enough pressure on them that when we came out of single track and approached a hill it drained them just enough. I came around Tom to do my job and add tempo to the hills. As I approached the top I noticed I had put a small gap of maybe 10-15 feet. I had to quickly decide if wanted to try and keep the gap or if it was smarter to rejoin. I said hell with it, if they catch me then I ride with them but if they don't I'm by myself. I put in a hard effort at the top of the hill and stayed steady through the single track. I knew we were close to an open field and figured if I can get through the field without them seeing me they might forget about me. I attacked the field and right as I entered back into the woods I peaked back and seen no one. This might have been my best move of the race and it was confirmed by Todd McFadden after the race when he said when they couldn't see me in that field it deflated the group.
Now on my own and with about 20 miles to go I was presented with, what pace do I ride? Enough to stay way? Try to catch the guy in front? Or enough not to bonk with a mile to go like I did last year? So I figured I would stay comfortable on the single track and attack every open section and uphill. This seemed to work as I consistency put time on the group behind, confirmed by a spectator that was nice enough to give me a time check, and felt I was racing within my fitness. The race from that point was pretty uneventful as I rode over half the course by myself.
After finding out the guy in front was 4 minutes ahead I gave up any chance of catching him. My next obstacle was climbing out of the creek with about 3 miles to go. They drop you down into a creek and it slowly makes its way back up never really flattening until the finish. The first accent really hurt me and I felt a small cramp so I told myself I'm better off slowing then stopping with a cramp. I made it up and found somewhat of a second wind and finished out with a steady pace.
I finished about 1 minute ahead of the closest chaser and about 2 minutes ahead of the group I was with. So my last 1/3 of the race was a bit slower than I wanted it and I needed the 2 minutes I put on the guys in the middle as Todd McFadden gained back over a minute on me in about 8 miles. I had a respectable finish and was happy with the result after the small hiccups I had in the start, 6th overall.
Pictures courtesy of Straight A Photography. (More pictures to come on Culvers blog and Straight A Photography blog.)
For the first time in 4 years that I've been doing the Chain Drive the race did not start as a sprint. I think with the presence of 3 pros and a hefty head wind no one wanted to lead out to cemetery hill. That changed when we got to cemetery hill. Like last year I wanted to be one of the first up the hill and into the single track. I wanted to hang with the Matter, Anderson, and Peariso as long as I could getting a feel for their pace in the single track. Peariso launched a small burst at the bottom of the climb and Anderson kept the tempo high. I hooked Matters wheel and I didn't leave it. I made it up the 15-18% grade hill 3rd right behind Anderson and Matter, at the last second Wells came around. Running 4th into the single track, I felt great about this position, but that feeling didn't last too long. Following Wells wheel and neglected to see a 1 inch branch sticking out and it grabbed me and threw me as if a 300 pound man was standing in the trail. I was on the ground and water bottles scattered I frantically tried to reposition but had lost about 10 seconds. Not quite in full panic mode yet I got back on pace and kept an eye on the front 3 guys. Now behind another rider I felt like I had to put a small attack to get back on but could not with a rider in front. I yelled up, "I gotta go." and the guy was polite about it and said next section. He yelled, "OK" and I attempted a left side pass. I was quickly on the ground again as our handle bars tangled and we were a caught in a web of bikes. On the ground and water bottles scattered again I was now in full panic mode. I remounted and settled in with Todd McFadden. I was so disappointed at this time knowing that any chance I had to stay with the pros was gone.
I stepped down to race reality and worked with what I had. McFadden, Swanson and I slowly worked our way up to 2 riders, which I didn't know where Jesse Bell and Tom Carpenter at the time, and formed a small group. I was happy to see my team mate. I knew Tom could put on an awesome temp on the single track and maybe make up some small time to the 5 guys ahead. Right before a long section of single track I jumped 2nd wheel to Tom with McFadden, Bell, and then Swanson to follow. Tom was so fast and smooth I noticed that the 3 behind were yo-yoing quote a bit. I told Tom to up the tempo to see if we could make them work on the back just to stay on. We didn't quite shed them but I believe it put enough pressure on them that when we came out of single track and approached a hill it drained them just enough. I came around Tom to do my job and add tempo to the hills. As I approached the top I noticed I had put a small gap of maybe 10-15 feet. I had to quickly decide if wanted to try and keep the gap or if it was smarter to rejoin. I said hell with it, if they catch me then I ride with them but if they don't I'm by myself. I put in a hard effort at the top of the hill and stayed steady through the single track. I knew we were close to an open field and figured if I can get through the field without them seeing me they might forget about me. I attacked the field and right as I entered back into the woods I peaked back and seen no one. This might have been my best move of the race and it was confirmed by Todd McFadden after the race when he said when they couldn't see me in that field it deflated the group. 
Now on my own and with about 20 miles to go I was presented with, what pace do I ride? Enough to stay way? Try to catch the guy in front? Or enough not to bonk with a mile to go like I did last year? So I figured I would stay comfortable on the single track and attack every open section and uphill. This seemed to work as I consistency put time on the group behind, confirmed by a spectator that was nice enough to give me a time check, and felt I was racing within my fitness. The race from that point was pretty uneventful as I rode over half the course by myself. After finding out the guy in front was 4 minutes ahead I gave up any chance of catching him. My next obstacle was climbing out of the creek with about 3 miles to go. They drop you down into a creek and it slowly makes its way back up never really flattening until the finish. The first accent really hurt me and I felt a small cramp so I told myself I'm better off slowing then stopping with a cramp. I made it up and found somewhat of a second wind and finished out with a steady pace.
I finished about 1 minute ahead of the closest chaser and about 2 minutes ahead of the group I was with. So my last 1/3 of the race was a bit slower than I wanted it and I needed the 2 minutes I put on the guys in the middle as Todd McFadden gained back over a minute on me in about 8 miles. I had a respectable finish and was happy with the result after the small hiccups I had in the start, 6th overall.
Pictures courtesy of Straight A Photography. (More pictures to come on Culvers blog and Straight A Photography blog.)
Monday, June 14, 2010
WORS #4/Sunburst Showdown - Tyler's Race Report
The course description on paper said a lot climbing and fast descending. We pulled up Saturday to a ski hill and that description was confirmed by our eyes. Not a terribly big ski hill but it offered its fair share of climbing. Not much single track which is a bit unusual for a WORS event but they still managed to add some fun with the downhills. The course went up the hill 3 times, each time switch backing up the hill. The worst of the climbs was the 1st about 1/2 mile into the course. It switch backed 4 times before entering the woods into a straight up leg kicker. It entered a the only wooded single track back down and then ran us through some cedars back and forth about 4 times before climbing and descending again, for the most part a pretty boring course but tough.
With my two prior Comp finishes and my 10th in Pro/Elite in Wausau it was enough points for a call up. This was the highlight of my weekend and I was truly honored to be called up with such great riders such as Tristan Shouten, Brian Matter, Nathan Guerra, Darrin Braun, Chris Peariso, and Barry Wicks. These are pro's at the highest level and I earned my way to the same front line they had their wheels on. I took the last spot on the front line and Tristan was called up after me. As much as I wanted to stay there I took a step back and offered my spot to Tristan as he has eared that spot a lot more than I have. I was happy to do that as I know my day will come to be on that front line. I was surprising calm after that and my HR was an amazing 30 beats lower than my first Pro/Elite race. I managed to keep in between 110-120. My nerves were calming and I was ready to hear the infamous, "GOOOOO."
The race quickly funneled to a 4 foot wide trail and huge train was formed up the first climb. I can only imagine what it looked like to a spectator with 4 switchbacks of riders linked wheel for wheel. It only took about 3 minutes for the 6 pros to make a group and the next group yo-yoed behind. I was in the 2nd group about 10-15th going up the first climb. Tyler Jenema and I were together in between two groups for most of the 1st and 2nd lap with a few guys passing us catching up to the group ahead. On the third lap we were combined into a group of 5 and Tyler and I led this group for most of the 3rd lap. On the start of the 4th a rider made a steady move up the 1st hill and left us down to 4. Somewhere in the middle the two other guys slowly pulled away but I was OK with it, confident that if I stayed steady and didn't overdue it I could pull them back in on the last lap. Beginning the final lap I upped the tempo just a bit and committed myself to working hard on all the up hills on the final lap. This worked and I slowly put time on the guys behind me and more importantly pulled in guys in front of me. A strong tempo and some small attacks on the final lap enabled me to pass 3 riders pushing me up to 17th overall.
I didn't feel spectacular and I didn't have as much power as usual but I felt good. Having a small conversation with my mom at the end helped me put this race into perspective. She had mentioned in my past races that I've felt really good and the bike has been amazing. The bike was once again amazing but I was not 100%, but it's OK as I'm learning and coming to accept you can't be on all the time.
This was a great weekend. I was humbled by both my call up (to know that I have a lot of hard work ahead to be with the best) and my conversation with my mom (realizing that I'm blessed to be in my position and have had great luck to this point.) Bike racing is full of ups and downs both literally and figuratively.
6/14/2010 PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
The Culvers Racing team represented 3 different states over the weekend. They had riders in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Along with the representation the results were great.
Ron Williams competed in Minnesota at the Dirt Spanker, part of the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series. He placed 4th overall and 1st in his age group in the Comp division.
Tom Carpenter, Justin Weber, and Glen Lerlie stayed on home turf and made the short drive over to Crystal Falls, a new race to the area, which turned out to be a 25 mile mud fest. Culvers swept the podium on Saturday going 1,2,3. Tom Carpenter 1st, Justin Weber 2nd, and Glen Lerlie 3rd.
Tyler Gauthier headed south to compete in the Sunburst Showdown/Wisconsin Off Road Series (WORS) in Kewaskum, WI. The course was laid out on a ski hill and had plenty of climbing and descending. Rain the day before left a spongy and soggy course. Arguably the strongest field of the year was on hand with 6 national pros. Tyler placed 17th overall in the Pro/Elite division.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
WORS #3/Wausau - Tyler's Race Report
Wausau was my first ever Pro/Elite race. I was no longer playing with the boys I was going to work with the men and with it being over 100 degrees in the direct sun at race start it had the potential to be a very hard day at work.
The course was not well suited to my strengths. It had 50% two track road and 50% single track. The only thing that really slanted in my favor was the two kickers about half way in the race, typically I like to see those hills with some more single track and accelerations. With it being so wide open I knew it would be fast, tempo group riding and I had to make every effort to be close to front when groups formed. I've learned to calm myself this year in races and keep my energy low but being in with these guys spiked my HR to an amazing 152 before the race even started. I was either really nervous or really ready to go. The countdown started and I through all thoughts out of my mind. The start was blazing, as they always are in MTB races and it was so dry the dirt cloud formed to the point where the guy in front of you disappeared in the haze. Like the race wasn't hard enough I now had to work at keeping my eyes and throat clear of dust. A line formed and I worked hard to pick my spots one at at time. By about 1/4 way into the race I felt comfortable (in mind) with my position at about 20 spots back but was not comfortable (in body.) The heat was extreme and the pace was fast and I was doubting that 4 laps were possible. The first of the 2 hills approached and they were directly into the sun making even hotter but I knew I had to take advantage. I made up a few more spots and settled in for the 1st lap.
The 2nd lap was pretty uneventful. There were groups that formed and everyone pretty much settled with that. The biggest thing for me on the 2nd lap was I regained some confidence. I had recovered from the fast pace of the 1st lap and had a fresh cold bottle to feed on. At the start of the 3rd lap I found myself at the front of our group with Tyler Jenema right behind. I had a another cold bottle hand off and this one must of had some extra electrolytes because I found my 2nd wind. I started some tempo hoping we could slowly bring the next group in while also putting some stress on the guys behind. About 1/4 way into the lap I handed the duties off to Tyler J. and he continued the pressure and sure enough we pulled two guys in. We got to the hills and I continued with the pressure with a solid effort up both hills and noticed on each one I was spreading the group out. I sat up just a bit on the open flat to bring the group back together as I didn't feel that was the time to make a move. The group reformed with all except for the one guy I really wished was there, Tyler J, he flatted at the top of the second hill and his race ended just like that. (He fixed his flat and his brake, which was on most of the race, and finished the race like a true competitor.) I let a Polska guy set pace in the single track for the rest of the 3rd lap until the last small section where I jumped back to the front of the group. I put on a little faster pace through this section and noticed coming out of it I had put on a small gap. I grabbed another cold water hand off and figured as long as I felt good I would keep the pressure on.
At the start of the 4th lap I felt really good. Good enough where I was comfortable not being with the group and wanted to make them work to catch me. I managed to slowly put time on them and then the hills came again and I put in two monster attacks up them. When I got the straight stretch I didn't want to look back so I kept the pressure on. When I finally decided to look back I had noticed they were no longer in sight. This gave me another boost of energy and my mind changed modes to wheres the next group. In the distance I could tell there was a solo rider with a two digit number meaning it was a Pro/Elite rider. I was now on a mission to catch him. Right before the half way point there is a longer gradual hill and I stood the whole thing trying to put as much time on as I could. Coming into the last 1/4 of the lap I still could not see him. Then with about 2 miles to go I had caught him. He exchanged some encouraging words, (Thank Michael, it was nice to meet you and I look forward to racing with you again.) I briefly passed him and never looked back. Come to find out that was my most significant move of the whole race because it put me in the top 10. Coming down the straight stretch I had some adrenaline from seeing my family and friends and I finished with a monster sprint. My first Pro/Elite finish! I was physically toast but I was on a mental high. At the time I wasn't quite sure of my finish but I knew it would be top 15 which was completely acceptable to me. Soon after spectators and family confirmed it was a 10th place finish.
I could not of asked for any better of a day. From the excitement at the start, to the fun single track, to my fitness feeling great, to sharing the moment with friends and family at the end. It was a great day.
More action pictures to come from Straight A Photography.
Thank you to my wife, family, friends, and all my sponsors.
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