The RASC Road Cycling Committee has been meeting to figure out how and when to start up group rides for the 2021 season. Some of you many have already responded to this survey about our plans for the 2021 road biking season. However, with the rapidly improving options for vaccination, many members are vaccinated and more interested in group rides than was the case a few weeks ago. Hence we are re-sending this survey, to get an more up-to-date indication of interest in the group rides. We are looking at a tentative start date of sometime in early May, but obviously we will be closely monitoring state guidelines between now and then. Below is a quick 2-question survey. Your response to this survey will remain anonymous. Please consider completing this so we can better plan for this coming season.

Click here to complete the survey

Thank You - From Ian Torchia

Hey All! Ian here. Wanted to provide an end-of-season recap and sincerely thank each and every one of you for the support you have provided during this interesting season. With your financial backing, I was able to race on the World Cup in Davos, Switzerland as well as Lahti, Finland, and Falun, Sweden. All these international opportunities on the highest level of skiing are valuable experiences that I will bring into the Olympic year as I chase the goal I have had since I was 5 watching the Opening Ceremonies on our 12-inch TV with tin foil bunny ears. Someone once said, “you either win, or you learn”. Well, I did a lot of learning this year! I started out my training year early during the COVID quarantine when I should have been recovering from the season before, and kept on pushing my limits throughout the summer and fall. I felt so good training so much and so hard that I probably flew too close to the sun and was unable to access that essential race mode when it mattered most in the winter. That race shape that comes from smart, balanced, and targeted training was missing and if you are even 1% off on the World Cup, it gets magnified on the results sheet tenfold. I am taking these lessons of overtraining into the Olympic buildup and training with the mindset of entering my peak shape for Olympic qualifying in December and January.   However, my season did end on a bright note with a big-margin win at the Birkie Classic through a blizzard and the worst bonk I have ever experienced. I am proud of the effort I put forth that day, going for it early, and hanging on when every part of my body was telling me to stop. I will take that momentum into next year and also the belief that I can push my body to the absolute limit when the time is right. I am now settled in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the spring with my fiancé Kameron and am waiting to hear back from a local bike shop for a job opportunity. I will head back to Vermont around mid-May to start up the long training season, but I hope to come back to Rochester during the summer at some point and lead another training clinic for the incredible ski community there. If financial needs necessitate it for winter racing costs, I will look into another holding another auction, as I believe it is a great way to raise funds with you, my supporters, getting some sweet skiing gear out of the equation! I hope this finds you healthy and enjoying the spring! Happy Trails, Ian Torchia

Disparities in Silent Sports

We are reaching out with a message for our members following a profoundly tragic week across Minnesota and the country.

We have been deeply saddened this past month to learn of the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, and so many more black Americans who have been robbed of their lives while simply living, jogging and breathing in their communities. Incidents like these are sadly not new, as they are a consequence of many unjust systems in this country that date all the way back to our nation’s founding. We stand in support of those who are seeking an end to institutionalized racism across our country and we are taking time to listen and learn how we can better support the needs of our community through our work.

As an organization that strives to make SE Minnesota a healthier place to live, work and play through our programming, the racism and discrimination that is harming our communities and making life unsafe for our black and minority neighbors goes against everything that we stand for. We recognize that, because of a legacy of disenfranchisement through public and private policy, outdoor sports have historically been unsafe and less accessible for our community members of color. This has produced disparities in who we see represented in the cycling and Nordic ski communities today. We want to make it clear that at RASC, we believe deeply that black lives matter and that we are committed to ensuring that our programming provides a safe and inclusive space for ALL members to enjoy these sports together. To our black members and members of color, we say without hesitation: We welcome you here and we are proud to have you on our team.

We know we still have work to do as we stand firmly against discrimination, racism and violence in all forms. Going forward we are establishing a fund to support a minimum of 5 scholarships per year in our RMBT and RNST programs for students of color. Initial funding for these programs will come from the RASC general fund, and you can support the fight for equity and inclusivity in our communities by donating to this program on our donations page (RASC Minorities in Silent Sports). Alternatively you may want to donate to organizations dedicated to racial justice work. Here are some places to give:

Black Lives Matter 

Campaign Zero

George Floyd Memorial Fund

RASC Chasing Dogs Reports

New Google map created by Marty Cormack that documents locations of dogs known to chase cyclists and runners.Below is a description of the app from Marty

Recently while taking a gravel ride on an unfamiliar road in Olmsted County I was surprised and chased hard by a loose German Shepherd.  I had no time to react and nearly lost control of my bicycle.  It would have been helpful, and more safe had I been aware of the possibility of being chased on that route.  Unfortunately Olmsted County has no ordinance regarding loose dogs chasing pedestrians or bicyclists on public roads, so there is not a lot of recourse for these situations, other than awareness.

Back in the days of message boards, RASC had maintained a thread on chasing dog reports.  However, the data was more than five years old, and in dog years, that is nearly an eternity. Given my experience in the Google toolset, I set about creating a new, easier to use and maintain tool to remedy that situation.

  

Using Google Sites, Google Maps and Google Forms. I created a web page (https://www.martycormack.org/dogs) that shows the location of reports of dogs chasing bicyclists and runners.  Below the map is a Google Form that can easily record any new reports.  When a report is submitted, I am immediately notified via email of the new report, and I can very easily add the new "pin" to the map.  The map can be scrolled and zoomed.  If you click on the pin, the specific details of the report is displayed, including the date and breed, if known.  The map and form work well on computers, tablets and Smartphones. Please let me know of any suggested improvements.

Thanks.

Marty Cormackmartycormack@gmail.com

Ski Bindings

Thanks to the North Star Ski Touring Club, we have been awarded a grant of $2860 to cover the cost of replacing all the old bindings on our RNST club skis. The new bindings will be delivered this fall and we plan to replace the bindings on ~60 of our 115 pairs this fall, with the remaining skis being upgraded early next year. 

 

RASC Board and Committees

Need to contact us - see the complete list of RASC Board members and committee members here.

Weekly Group Rides are postponed until further notice

due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus

We are still planning on having group rides with leaders this summer, but this is obviously dependent on status of COVID-19.

Bike Summit 2020 - Virtual

WeBikeRochester

Rochester Bike Summit is going digital!
 

As you already know, WeBikeRochester are unable to hold their annual bike summit in real life, so they are going to help you celebrate bike month by providing digital sessions.

Here's the registration information for the online Bike Summit sessions  All of these sessions will be held via Zoom, thanks to BikeMN.To attend a session, click the designated button to register through Eventbrite. The link for the Zoom session will appear at the bottom of the ticket you receive by email from Eventbrite. For some extra incentive, they will be awarding door prizes for attending the online sessions and for participating in the Virtual Social Rides Photo Challenge (see below). A participant will earn one entry for each session attended and for each photo posted (max one photo per week). Winners will be determined using a random number generator. Session 1 - May 12 May 12: 4-5pm - City of Rochester (Jaymi Wilson) and Destination Medical Center (Kevin Bright)

Session 2 - May 19 May 19: 4-5pm - Safe Routes to School (Dani Gardner) and Bicycle Alliance of MN (Dorian Grilley) Session 3 - May 26

May 26: 4-5pm - Rochester Active Sports Club (Michael O'Connor) and Flood Control Project (Gary Neumann)

All are welcome to join the weekly Virtual Social Rides (https://www.webikerochester.com/community-social-rides) and to participate in the Photo Challenge. Each photo should include your bike at the following locations. Week 1: at your favorite Rochester drive-through coffee place, Week 2: at your favorite Rochester covid19 curbside restaurant/retailer, Week 3: at your favorite Rochester Art4Trails sculpture. Post photos here

2020 Bike Season Kickoff

Last night, 85 area cyclists attended our 2020 kickoff party to share some laughs, retell stories and meet friends.

Dave gave us the quick skinny on what is new for RASC in 2020.

Pete gave us a look at road cycling plans for this year. Rides start next week: Monday from Bamber Elementary School and Wednesday from the Bicycle Sports @ 6pm sharp!

Beginning in May, C and D groups will include leaders that will work the make those rides more friendly for new riders.  Visit the Ride Planner.

Jackson shared mountain bike trail updates & plans and brought us up to speed on the Rochester High School Mountain Bike team.  Visit Gamehaven and Eastwood for live condition updates throughout the season.

Joel shared news of area gravel rides, future RASC fun ride events and more.  Be sure to check back here and join the Google Group to see upcoming events.

Guest speaker Trent Raygor spoke a bit about the past and future of gravel cycling, then screened his Banff Film entry 'Delta Of Spirit' for us.

Carolyn has opened the Pactimo jersey store through 3/15/2020 with a nice discount due to our volume.  Be sure to get your kit ordered asap. Pactimo Store   password: RASC

RNST Alumnus 2nd in Birkie

Congrats to Rochester's Ian Torchia on placing 2nd overall in this year's American Birkie

View from camera at the finish line shows Ian Torchia (on left of picture) finishing second and beating out France’s Robin Duvillard, an Olympian and multiple-time World Championships racer, into third place by 0.3 seconds. Niklas Dyrhaug, a 32-year-old Norwegian Olympian and World Cup regular, beat out Ian by 1.6 seconds!

Essex Loopy Loppet

Thanks to Mike Trantow and the RASC grooming team for a very successful inaugural Essex Loopy Loppet race. A total of 53 skiers participated in this event, with many doing the double or triple loppet distances. The event raised $635 towards support of the Essex and Quarry Hill trails. Great way to raise money and have fun at the same time.

This year's Birkie Warriors (Left to right) - Vergil, Caelan, and Tasha Pinckney and David Kettula were at the Essex Loopy Loppet and led off the event.

Full results are posted below.  

Results

Overall Results          Lap Times

You can find more news on the event on KAAL and KTTC News

2019 Tour de Essex Results

The only rain in a 6 day period fell right during the Tour de Essex trail run on Saturday, October 19, 2019. Despite the slick conditions on the downhills, the runners successfully navigated the the rolling terrain of the 7.4 K course in very comfortable running conditions of 51 degrees and an 8 mph west wind. A large washed out, rough section of trail caused by recent heavy rains added another twist to the run.

Noah Billings scampered across the finish line in first running at an 8:01 mile pace. Lonny Olson-Williams (8:11 min/mile) and Randy Shelerud (8:20 mile pace) placed 2nd and 3rd.

Finishing first among women and 4th overall was Kris Nelson cranking out 8:54 minute miles. The next women following Kris over the line were Sabrena Resman (10:28 min/mile) and Beth Kangas (12:21/mile).

Congratulations to all of the runners who conquered greasy conditions on the challenging hills of the Tour de Essex.

Tour de Essex Results 2019

Gamehaven Lakeside Grind

Minnesota Series Mountain Bike Race

September 22, 2019

Congrats to RASC member, Noah Billings, on taking 1st in his age group and 4th overall at USA Triathlon 2019 Youth & Junior National Championships in Westchester, Ohio!

Thanks to Ian Torchia for two great dryland training clinics on August 17th. If you missed the opportunity to attend one of these clinics, we are hoping to have ian back in Rochester for another clinic in November.

Below are video clips from the morning session from local news channels.

Congratulations to Jim Bennett who won the free pair of Marwe rollerskis donated by Finn Sisu!

ABOUT IAN TORCHIA:
Ian Torchia began skiing the day before he turned 2, but was on his Mom’s back long before then, sliding around Rochester’s golf courses during the winter months. He grew up a runner, chasing his older brother Mike around on the roads and trails and cross country skied in the winters as a member of the Rochester Nordic Ski Team. During his junior year in high school, Ian won the American Birkebeiner Korteloppet race and it was later that year, at his 1st Junior National championship in Fairbanks, Alaska, when Ian decided to cross-country ski at the collegiate level, breaking away from his 4 siblings’ tradition of running in college.  He attended Northern Michigan University under the direction of legendary ski coach Sten Fjeldheim, and accumulated 6 All-Americans, tied for most in program history. His junior season, he became an NCAA champion in the 20k freestyle in Steamboat, Colorado. He was a member of the US Development Ski Team for 3 years training alongside the nation’s best skiers.  Ian earned a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and is currently pursuing skiing at the professional level with the Stratton Mountain School T2 Elite Team, a professional ski team that boasts of 3 Olympians, including Gold Medalist Jessie Diggins.  Ian recently got engaged to his fiancé, Kameron Burmeister, who he coached to a 2:42 marathon at Grandma’s, an Olympic Trials qualifier!  He is stoked to come back to Rochester this summer to teach and inspire the next generation of skiers!
  
Dryland Clinics with Ian Torchia are sponsored by the Rochester Active Sports Club and the Rochester Nordic Ski Team

Maplelag Photos

Photos from Maplelag time trial

Thanks to Anna Sortland for all these photos

1st place in the state!!

Congrats to the Rochester Middle School MTB Team on their 2018 season win!

Individual Top 10s for Middle/High School
3rd: Caleb Kittleson - JV2 Boys 
4th: Franziska Rinkleff - 8th Grade Girls
5th: Patrick McCauley - 8th Grade Boys
6th: Ari Walker - 8th Grade Boys
6th: Jack McCauley - 7th Grade Boys
6th: Veronika Voss - 7th Grade Girls
8th: Noah Billings - 7th Grade Boys
10th:Victoria Voss - Freshman Girls