Ironclad Cycling

Yeah, everything’s fine.

HQ has been buzzing as folks are cleaning out their cubes for the end of road season, and drinking beer in larger qty’s than usual. Can’t blame us. It’s been a hell of a year.

And Eva checks in from her medical studies in Israel, with her unique perspective on the multiple uses for rear jersey pockets.

Geez, sorry for the wait on the updates, but the ol’ site, she got a bit of the trench foot. Laid up. Laid back.

So, where to start…..let’s see…..we raced our bikes at a couple of events, and things went pretty well. As of tonight, we’re sitting 3rd in Team Bar, and that’s a good feeling here in mid-August. We’re also about to sit around with our feet up pretty soon here, and drink more beer.

OBRA Crit Champs – 3 Champion jerseys in one day: Sharon Sandoval, Brianna Walle, and Daniel Penner – most awesome. As in, the most succulent awesome. Lots of other podium spots and layout riding by the team.

Embrocation Omnium Track Race – a race we were happy to sponsor with cash and product, and our Daniel Penner took 3rd in the 3′s.

Tigard Criterium – Alana Armstrong notched her first ever win in the W4′s, and Mark Crawford took the Master’s 35+ 3/4 race top spot.

We had a men’s and women’s team at Rapha Gentlemen’s ride. Hot, deadly hot, long, super difficult. Both teams came home together in the ultimate show of unity.

Giro di Portland – Brianna Walle rounded out the podium in 3rd behind esteemed company, with teammates Ace Christiansen and Jenn Levo leaving everything out on the road to set up the break in which Brianna sprinted from. Pinko, Penner, and Trevorcakes also raced the event in the 3′s and the 1/2 event.

A more insightful update with a plethora of pictures soon to come. Standby please.

This scribe is off to Alaska, so we’ll hopefully be able to upload a few things from the road on the weekend. Twilight Crit, OBRA Crit, EmbrOmnium on Fri/Sat/Sun makes for a busy weekend for you folks.

In the meanwhile, the cacophony which is Cyclocross fervor is reaching cruising speed. Clinics, camps, glue, stupidity, too serious, schemes, scams, and fraudulent idiocy is afoot alright. I seem to remember it used to be about falling down in the mud, and drinking beer. Ah well, maybe I speak too soon, for I now share with you the Ironclad Super Stinky Double Secret training plan! And guess what!? IT’S FREE! We’re hitting the gym, getting stupid haircuts, and screaming for mercy as we train super hard. Check it:

Whirlwind, would be a good way to start. Saturday was Longview, Sunday Albany, then two PIR’s as usual on Monday and Tuesday. Ironclad was all over the place with a busy weekend, featuring a good bye party for Jeff and Anne Harwood, who move to Morocco (yes, that Morocco) on a 2 year teaching contract. We wish them all the best and a safe two years. We’ll be waiting when you come back. And the rest of you in the sprinter category can be happy you don’t have to take on the mighty goat anymore. The party had lots of moments over the 2 nights it lasted, most noteworthy was Cass’ confusing the “goat horns’ rock and roll hand signal with “the shocker”. Then it was a big bonfire at the Colonel’s where the family recipe chicken was prepared in mass quantities, and much food and drink were consumed as we bade our farewells. Of course, this encompassed a topless dance party in the “party room” at the Colonel’s house. Party photos of all sorts are here.

gathering for the feast

Also of mention is the recent engagement of Greg “Colonel” Sanders and Anna Clark, announced last Friday. These two met while cycling for their respective college’s, and have been staunch riders on Ironclad for almost all 5 years the program has existed. Congrats, you two!

So, Longview’s ace performance was Dan Penner in the 2/3 with a hard fought and won 2nd place when all was said and done. Rob Thompson comes in with a podium spot as well, landing 3rd in the 3/4 race. In the 1/2/3 race, Crawfy slotted in with a quality 5th place finish. Our women all stayed home, and put in the long miles for the upcoming Rapha Gentlemen’s Ride.

Albany the next day was lightly attended by the squad, with most of us stuck with real life activities. That pesky, pesky real life. Only Crawfy went to town, and managed a nice top ten in the masters race with 7th. Well done!

As usual, Pat Malach at OCA has your lowdown and photos HERE.

Monday PIR had Levo and Whitley in the Women’s Open, and Rob Thompson and Dave Dezellum duking it out in the dudes affairs. All finished well.

Tuesday PIR had Crawfy and Penner in the 1/2/3, and Dave, Dizzy, and Rob T in the 3/4 race, with Rob taking home a hard earned win, his first since joining the team this year! Crawfy managed a top ten in the 1/2/3 as well, we think 7th or so (unofficially). The 3/4 saw the usual good team action we’ve seen so far in 2011, with good lines and safe strategies. Well, almost. Apparently the practice of blocking is a bit misunderstood in some cases. Anyhow, Rob eked out a tough win by a single point. Solid field all around aside from the earlier lapses in protocol, and zero crashes!

This weekend coming up is Twilight, Master’s Nationals, and the Embrocation Omnium Track Race, which we’re proud to help out with as a sponsor.

Mark Crawford took home the top spot in Tuesday’s 3/4 affair, while in the 1/2/3 McCoy managed 3rd out of the break. Nice work boyos.

This weekend we see Longview and Albany crits on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

We’ll certainly try to make it, but we may still be recovering from tonight’s farewell party for Jeff and Anne Harwood, as they move their lives to Morocco for a 2 year teaching gig. We will miss those wonderful people very much. Please join us in wishing them a safe trip.

Needless to say, we’re angling for Ironclad’s 2012 training camp to be in Morocco. Wouldn’t that be fun? Probably have to bring CX bikes though….

Whew…..lots to go over. Pull up a chair, give yourself a scratch where you need it most, and turn an ear this-a-way.

The Gresham Criterium on Saturday yielded a nice ripe W with Brianna Walle winning the Women’s 1/2 race, assists by Croy and Levo. Rob Thompson raced with the old fogies and managed to squeak into the top 10. Sharon Anderson scored 3rd in the women’s 4′s.

Also on Saturday, we had Mark Koller racing the OBRA SXTC and winning the Cat 3 men’s U-35 race, taking the jersey with his first ever win. Nice work, Mark. This has been a long time coming after steady and marked improvement, a fine milestone for a deserving rider.

On Sunday, a pile of us trekked up to Vancouver to contest the Courthouse Criterium, where everyone turned in some solid rides, and a few of us messed around in some breakaways. Spahr, McCoy, Willis, Thompson, Aldersebaes, Anderson, Croy, Schultz, Walle, Levo, Pressey, Conley, Penner, and Carver all jumped in the mix. Great racing by all, and congrats to the winners! We do have some pictures of the day right here.

Monday night saw Stephanie Croy winning her first ever PIR women’s open, winning alone. Assists by Shellypants, Levo, and Schultzy. In the old fart affair, Thompson, Aldersebaes, and Weaver jumped in and Rob managed a top ten or so after spending earlier time in some breaks. Mark Koller rang it up in the Short Track finale.

That’s about all we got for now. Lots of wins and podiums over 3 days against some top notch competition – making hay while the sun shines….