Sunapee /Continental Paving Cycling Team

Race Weekend Report - Providence/E. Hartford

2008-07-01T06:43:00.001-04:00

This was a great weekend for the guys and gals in blue, yellow, and black. Our tally for the weekend was as follows:
A total of 10 top ten finishes, with 7 of them being top five, 3 of which were podium finishes, and one of which was a win ... at one of the biggest races in the Northeast this year (Cox Charities Criterium in Providence, RI)!

At last count, we have 13 team members racing at Exeter on Tues.. 7/1 (9 men and 4 women).

Prime Time TV coverage for Team Sunapee/S&W Sports/Continental Paving!!

2008-07-01T06:36:00.002-04:00

The purpose of this post is to make sure you are all aware of a very exciting community outreach activity that many members of the team participated in earlier this year, which has lead directly to prime-time exposure for the team on WMUR (New Hampshire ABC Affiliate) and WPTZ (Vermont NBC Affiliate) over the past few weeks. The story begins back in April, when the organizers of the Prouty Bike Ride (an annual fundraising ride for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth Medical Center in Hanover, New Hampshire) were looking to expand the ride into a double century on July 11th and July 12th. Before they opened up registration for this event, they wanted a group of experienced cyclists to pre-ride the new section of the course and provide feedback. On April 28th, nine members of our team along with five close cycling friends and four additional cyclists set out to ride the 100 miles from Manchester, NH to Hanover, NH. Along the way, we stopped at the rest stops the promoters had planned and provided feedback on the trip. Everyone had an excellent time and the ride organizers really appreciated our input.

Along the way, video footage was shot at a number of locations. This footage was compiled into a 30 second promotional spot that has aired on WMUR and WPTZ over the past few weeks. Just in case you have not seen the spot yourself, please look at the video that the Prouty folks have put online at the following web address:

http://www.kintera.org/htmlcontent.asp?cid=81784

You will find four things of interest at that web address:

1. the 30 second clip that has appeared on TV

2. a longer montage that shows a bit more of the route and the team

3. portions of an interview with Debony Diehl

4. portions of an interview with Chris Naimie

Sunapee Women go 1-2 at Auburn Road Race

2008-06-08T21:43:00.000-04:00

Congrats to Debony Diehl for winning the Women's Pro-1-2-3 race at Auburn, Maine by an impressive 5 minute gap. And to Kat and Sam for taking 2nd and 8th respectively.

Stafford Springs & Hartford mini-report - PLUS PICS!

2008-05-26T11:35:00.003-04:00

Saturday saw Keith Ford win the 45+ at Stafford Springs in a field sprint while Craig Harrison won primes in both the 45+ and 1-2-3 races. It was a lot like racing the oval at Loudon - but clockwise, and with fewer spectators. Very windy day.

Sunday in Hartford, Patrick won a prime (true to form for this race, it's believed that it was an empty water bottle and a pair of socks), and Sunapee had a good showing - showing the team colors in at least 4 of the events. Preliminary results show that Debony took 5th in the women's pro race, and a photo gallery is posted. Just click here to go to it.

A few of the Sunapee women are currently at the Tour of Sommerville for Memorial Day. Hopefully a report will be forthcoming.

Not to be outdone, some of the masters riders are considering the unsanctioned Cape Able crashfest for Monday afternoon.

Grand Tour Report from Gary Evans

2008-05-22T09:11:00.000-04:00

What a classic ride today, The Grand Tour.

Even with the headwind in the morning going north from Plymouth and the headwind going south to Plymouth (only in NH) it was a great ride.

It is always good to have Sunapee / S&W presence at races but after talking with some of the locals and core participants of the Grand Tour our presence is also important plus showing up in "Team Kits" makes us stand out.

Comment from one of the Grand Tour regulars after the ride section from Twin Mountain to the bike path in Franconia Notch through the Goverment Reserve:

" I have never riden that hard and pace through that section of road. I was so pumped seeing the "Sunapee Train" pushing the pace at the front as a team. I felt like I was at the Tour de France with the USPS controling the front of the peleton driving Lance to the finish". Corny, but a cool comment about us.

I also notice alot of general conversations with whoever anyone was lined up with in the pacelines. Makes for good PR for our group. The "image" we show at these rides is sometimes more important than at races.

Everyone should try to get this ride on their calendars at some time. Great course.

Blue Hills Report from Mark J.

2008-05-07T07:38:00.000-04:00

No WIMPS here..........Mark Thompson and I did the Blue Hills race Master 45 race......pouring at the start.....let up some during the race....cold & wet..........nice course.......Mark T took 10th......I finished with the 2nd pack but I wasn't listed in the results......I've sent an email asking what's up with that.......perhaps I was DSQ'd........who knows..........good course........you guys would like it.......short (28 miles - 4 laps)......or I should say just right length given the weather conditions....

Mark J

Jiminy Report from Craig

2008-05-07T06:45:00.000-04:00

Jiminy turned out not as bad as expected. The rain let up just after the start -- it spit a little after that, but not too bad. Was cold and windy though. A typical spring day in New England.

Bruce, with his brand new skipping chain (more wanker points for him) stayed comfortably in the main field the whole day wearing every piece of clothing he owns, as usual -- while Patrick, Tim and I came in together in a group of about 15, a couple minutes behind (at least we HOPE it was just a couple minutes -- that's our story and we're sticking to it). As of this morning, Patrick still has not stopped whining about how he hates road races.

I saw Dale riding happily in the 45's. In fact, I saw him several times as they passed us, then we passed them back, then they passed us again (don't ask). I think Patrick, Tim and I might be in danger of earning a few wanker points for letting the 45's pass us TWICE!

Debony took 6th, despite climbing the hill in her big ring (or maybe because of it) and Kat was 12th. So as usual, the women saved the day.

We decided not to do Blue Hill because, well,... it was raining. Yes, we're wimps. But at least we're warm, dry and comfortable wimps.

Jiminy Peak Report - Bruce Diehl

2008-05-07T06:44:00.001-04:00

I would like to first say that if I don't get to race without first donning everything in my race bag prior to starting soon I'm considering taking up golf. So in two words Jiminy Peak, Cold and Windy.

I think I did a good job of reinforcing my title as wanker 2008 by 1, showing up to an important race with a drive train in the condition mine was in. "I have all new parts on the way so it won't happen again sorry"

And 2, racing with my overcoat covering my number which I'm sure will at best get me an unidentified rider on the result sheet. Luckily I was outside the top 10 so the damage to our reputation shouldn't be too severe.

Congratulation to our women Kat and Debony who both rode really well and finished in the top 12 in a large and competitive field.

BD

President's / Pizza Night at Loudon this week!

2008-05-07T06:42:00.001-04:00

This just in from Leslie, especially useful for you ol' guys:
This Thursday will be the annual President's Night at the track. The highest scoring 50+ riders in the A, B, and C groups will receive an S&W gift certificate. There will be pizza, soda and water for everyone. If you qualify to compete for the President's prize (e.g. you're 50 and over) please make sure that Diane and Cindy have your number before the race. See you there!

Grand Tour for Day After Sunapee RR

2008-05-07T06:41:00.000-04:00

The day after our race (Sunday the 18th) Rhino Bike Works is doing their "Grand Tour". Ride leaves 7:00 am from Rhino in Plymouth, NH up Rte. 3 to N.Woodstock, over the Kanc, over Bear Notch, up Crawford notch to Twin Mt. back down the bike path through Franconia notch, down Rte 3 back to Plymouth. Approximately 120 miles. Big group of varied speeds. Non supported. Run what ya brung. There are usually re-groups in North Woodstock, in Bartlett at the Bear Notch Deli, at the top of Crawford Notch and as needed as determined by the group. Attendance is usually a core of 30 to 40 with people dropping in and out as it suits their schedule. There are a few people that treat this as a World Cup but 90% of the attendees are there for scenery. Wicked fun if the weather co-operates, if it rains . . .there are better things to do on a rainy day.

Patrick R.

C4 reports on his from-the-gun flyer at Loudon 5/1/08

2008-05-02T10:56:00.001-04:00

Not that I'm not always glad to see you folks, but I was soooo happy to see you all speeding past my lactic-acid-laden colleague and I with 6 laps to go. Although I could smell Harrison coming, I was glad to see him on the front drilling it Sunapee style!

You have to love a from-the-gun break ehh? It was a very painful, uncooperating, snot-nosed breakaway group. I did alot of yelling. I kinda felt like Aaron..... I think the average age was 12. The numbskull with the "argentina team camp" skinsuit actually got dropped after 2 laps, then waited at the hill and got back on two laps later????&*&^&%$^&*. This led to my first undiplomatic discussion of the evening. This will remain a mystery to me....Pretty dicey. Maybe I should fake a seizure in every race when I get shelled...Hmmmm.

The Slipstream guy kept attacking me after every pull. I must have hurt his feelings with my blunt critique of his teamwork approach. He also said some bad words, but I held back the tears pretty well. Good thing I outweighed him by about 60 pounds. I was quite glad to help diesel back the little bastard. Slipstream......I used to like them.

Anyway, good to see the blue train in action. Always good to shut-out the neo-pro.

Yours in shared suffering and cramping,
C4

Turtle Pond Slide Show!

2008-04-24T07:00:00.001-04:00

Battenkill Report - Ryan earns first Wanker points of 08

2008-04-24T06:12:00.002-04:00

After finally getting into the race on Wed. night (after being on the wait list), I was pretty excited to thrash myself on some dirt roads. The race was going fairly well, I was in the field, mostly at the front, but rarely on the front, and my legs came into it as we rode. I just wish that my computer didn't read 43 miles at the finish, so I would have realized that I was finishing! What an amateur move I know, but I didn't know the course so I was looking at my mileage to gauge my efforts and I had a rough idea what miles the big climbs were at. So at 43 miles I was looking for the last big climb, not the finish. As the field started sprinting I looked up and realized what happened but it was too late. I rolled in dumbfounded in 23rd place feeling like I could and should have been sprinting at the front. And I thoroughly look forward to next year, great race, great course, stupid computer.

R. Kelly

Scarborough, ME Training Crit- race report

2008-04-06T15:33:00.003-04:00

Bruce and Debony Diehl, and Craig Harrison drove to an industrial park in Scarborough, ME Sunday morning, 4/6, for the first of an 8-week criterum training series put on by SMCC on a 7/8 mile flat course with very few corners. With cold, breezy conditions (but at least they were dry!), a field of about 50 took off and went round and round for 20 laps. Debony rode safely in the middle (except for when both of her bottles shook loose at once), and finally seemed to clear out the phlegm she's been harboring for the past week, and Bruce and Craig took stabs at making life difficult for the assembled masses. Craig was in a few breaks, and hallucinated that he won a prime with 4 to go (the officials, who had the advantage of knowing what was going on, saw things differently). Pretty safe race, moderately fast but not uncomfortably so. Road surface had a few rough spots; but considering the winter we just had, we really can't complain. Could be a good option for those "off" weekends in April and May when there's no Sunday race. There are primes, prize money, and the entry fee is only $10. Plus there's a Tim Horton's just 2 blocks away!

Team Building Ride / Turtle Pond Recon

2008-04-06T15:09:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, April 5th, a small group of intrepid Sunapee team members met at Mark J's house in Concord (just a stone's throw from the Turtle Pond race course) for an early season ride, and to check out course conditions for next Saturday's race. In the course of our nearly 50 mile day, Tim Buckley took the early lead in town line sprints (usually by being the only one to sprint) while Bruce somehow managed to wrestle 3 sprints away from him toward the end -- might've had something to do with the fact that Debony kept Tim busy talking with him at the back of the group while Bruce slyly moved to the front.

We also snuck into NHIS to check out the conditions. Lots of snow and water -- the 4/10 race is already canceled, and 4/17 is questionable. Bruce Diehl even took pictures!

Afterward, we gathered back at Mark J's house for homemade pizza and cookies. THANKS MARK AND JULIE!

Attendees: Brian Lavigne, Mark J., Tim Buckley, Bruce Diehl, Debony Diehl, Chris Fore, Craig Harrison

1st Race of '08 -- report from the peloton

2008-03-30T18:13:00.002-04:00

Reported by Craig Harrison:

Chris Fore and I set sail at 8AM from the snowpacked Bow Park n Ride to participate in the 1/2/3 race at Marblehead, as the masters race closed out early and only Bruce Diehl was able to get in . When we arrived (after relying on dueling GPS units to navigate through Salem, MA), Bruce's race was just starting. We connected with him between races to get a heads up on the course and conditions.

Hopefully Bruce has thawed out by now -- he reported being really, really cold, despite wearing every piece of clothing he owned. That's what he gets for not having any body fat.

By the time of the 1/2/3 race (11AM), it had warmed up considerably and both of us found the temps to be quite manageable -- as were the course and the pace. We rolled around for 17 laps (37 miles), dodging water bottles and a bit of "argy bargy" as the typical first race jitters seemed to affect some riders' handling skills and ability to grasp their bottles. Mr. Fore was spotted -- for a brief moment -- in a break. Really. I saw it myself.

We both finished in the main field -- which apparently had been whittled down quite a bit by the finish, though as usual I was too scared to look behind me for fear I'd find out I was holding up the rear. Chris commented on a couple of crashes, though I didn't see them. I was too busy trying to miss the water bottles rolling across the road in front of me.

So we survived race #1.

ON TO N.H.I.S. AND THEN TURTLE POND!!!!

Michelin Tire Order

2008-03-29T17:44:00.002-04:00

Please e-mail the DS with your michelin tire order not later than 4/2/08.

'08 Team Clothing Design Unveiled

2008-01-02T21:44:00.000-05:00

For the 4th year, we'll be going with Hincapie Sports for our uniforms, and here's the design!

C4 Recounts Widespread Sunapee Influence

2007-11-10T20:41:00.000-05:00

I'm walking around Cambridge Mass two days ago trying not to lose my mind over lunch. I was attending a 6 day, 12hrs/day medical conference in Boston (only medical people are stupid enough to do this to themselves).

I walk into a welcome sight...a LBS (there is a god). I start poking around and notice a scruffy-bearded young guy wanting to ask me if I need anything. I noted to him I admired the really cool collection of european fixies and track bikes (there's nothing more cool than a buff track bike). They had some very cool rigs! He admits he races road, but also track. This catches my attention (I've always wanted to race track bikes). I ask where. He says in Londonderry.

We talk racing/life/rock-n-roll/politics for awhile. Then somehow the word SUNAPEE sneaks into my conversation.

"Hey...do you know Jim Pammer?"

"Hell yes I do!"

"I won the track series with him this year!"

"Excellent!"

"He's an animal!"

"Yes, I've noticed that about him."

We talk some more, and he decides I'm cool and leads me to the crown jewel of the store...hippy-style stone-ground chocolate. We have some and part ways, and I dash back to my conference...once again stylishly late.

SO, the next time you wonder if your showing up to an event leaves an impression, consider this story. I know Chris (DS) will chuckle with this story. I say we shoot for world-wide fame next!

Nice work Jim.. you animal!

Warmest autumn regards,

Custom team paint jobs available

2007-11-03T19:09:00.000-04:00

We've gotten a quote for a special Sunapee paint job from Vicious Cycles in New Paltz, NY (they are well known for their paint jobs -- and have done paint for many other small builders. They have a gallery posted at viciouscycles.com). The cost to prep and paint frame and fork is $750, including return shipping. Anyone wishing to get their bike (TT or otherwise) painted to match should contact Craig Harrison (craig@harrisoncreative.com).
Above is the paint scheme we are planning to use. The main background color is black with a mottled dark gray pattern to look like pavement and match the jersey -- the flames are the same ones used on the jersey as well.

Welcome to the Sunapee Cycling team blog!

2007-10-26T09:06:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all team members who attended the team meeting and ride at Mark J.'s house -- especially the new additions to our powerhouse women's squad.

If any team members would like to add posts to this blog, please send them to Craig Harrison at craig@harrisoncreative.com.

If you'd like to add comments about any of the posts, just click on the comments link below.