Horrible Hundred

If it's really so horrible then why did over 2,000 cyclists show up in Clermont, Fl today in order to participate in this amazing event. From team Colavita alone we brought 20 people. Representing the junior racers, we had Zoe Mullins and Briana Luthman who both rode 35 miles along with moms Wanda Luthman and Jill Blanchard. Michelle Blake, Casey Braga, Nick Blanchard, Jos Chalmers, Bradley Gordon, Taylor Warren, Brandon Forman and Ian McGauvran all completed the 100 mile ride though the hardest hills of Central Florida. Masters racer, Neville Brabrook also finished the century as well. Colavita parents Dean Warren, Brad Gordon, Eddie Braga and Tracy Mullins (Team Armada) rode the whole 100 miles unable to catch up with their speedy kids. Daryl Forman, who had never done more than 30 miles, rode with Diane Blake through the hills, successfully completing the 70 mile ride.
The weather was a beautiful compliment to the extremely well-run event put on by the Florida Freewheelers. Details such as police at all the intersections and well-stocked rest stops made it a fantastic day to be riding a bike.
Note: Brad, it is a good idea to hang onto your jacket when you take it off, lest it escape and smite thee.

Lakeland and Dade City Cyclocross

This weekend kicked off the 2009-2010 Florida Cyclocross season with races in Lakeland and Dade City. Saturday's course was located at Loyce Harpe Park and included some tight single track as well as difficult sugarsand sections. Sunday's race was hosted at Little Everglades Ranch with course that included a little sugarsand, fast flats though the woods and even a trip through a barn every lap. There were also some great vendors there, selling marvelous Belgian waffles and other tasty after-race foods. Big thanks to Little Everglades Ranch who let us borrow their stakes and tape for our cyclocross race coming up (more info coming soon). Team Colavita had a great showing out there this weekend, we got a total of 11 podium places over the course of two days!


Race Report
By Brandon Forman
After an intense day of racing, jumping on and off the bike a number of times, I am very happy with my results at my very first ever cyclocross race. It was an interesting course and after 30 minutes of racing, I held it all together to finish the junior 15-18 race with a first place. After completing that, I did another race right after, even though I was tired. I surprised myself by getting a forth place position in the mens C, finishing with the pack.

Results

Saturday

Junior 10-14
James Mertens 1st

Junior 15-18

Brandon Forman 1st

Women C
Michelle Blake 2nd

Women A/B

Diane Blake 3rd

Masters +35
Brent Harrell

Mens A

John-Paul Russo 5th

Will Willis

Mens C
Brandon Forman 4th

Sunday

Kiddie Race

Chase Forman

Jack Greene

Owen Greene

Junior 10-14
James Mertens 1st
Zoe Mullins 2nd

Junior 15-18

Jos Chalmers

Casey Braga

Brandon Forman

Christian Teather

Women C
Michelle Blake 2nd

Women A/B

Diane Blake 4th

Men A
John-Paul Russo
Will Willis

Men B

Jos Chalmers

Men C
Taylor Warren 1st

Masters +35

Brent Harrell

Photos this weekend take by: Dean Warren, Jan Chalmers, and Michelle Blake

State Track Championships

This Halloween, while many kids were partying with friends or out in the neighborhoods trick or treating, the Florida State Track Championships were being held at Brian Piccolo Velodrome in Miami, FL. Team Colavita was represented by Michelle Blake, who had come down that afternoon, all the way from Orlando to participate that evening. Some other familiar Florida road racing faces were there as well, including Kevin McGuire and Amir Merali.

The first of the three races was the 500m TT, followed by the 4 km Scratch race and 36 lap Points race. Michelle made a time of 44.86 seconds in the time trial, came in 7th overall in the scratch race and was the first across the finish line in the points race, putting her in first in her category. Michelle won the womens 13-14 omnium with 15 points and is now the 2009 Florida State Track Champion, Congratulations.

Team Colavita Helmet Decorating Contest

In honor of Halloween, Team Colavita held our second ever Helmet Decorating Contest. The overall winner was Daryl Forman who had attached a giant, fluffy pumpkin to the top of his helmet, followed closely by John-Paul Russo, the news paper boy. Michelle Blake's helmet came in 3rd, decorated as a Chipotle burrito and chips, which she seriously considered eating after the ride. Briana Luthman, Zoe Mullins, Chase Forman and Brandon Forman also participated in the contest and won some Halloween candy for their awesome adornments.

One of our riders, Taylor Warren, was not able to make it to the ride last night because he was participating at the district swim meet. Taylor came in 1st in two of the events he participated. Great job, hard training pays off, on the bike or not.

We also had a new rider with us last night, Riley. She is very enthusiastic on the bike and we hope to see her again out at the airport with us.

Gainesville Senior Games

Congratulations to Colavita racer, John Gibson, who participated in the Gainesville Senior Games this past weekend. Mr. Gibson placed 1st in the 5k and 10k time trials for his age group, 50-54. He is now qualified for the state games which will be held this December in Cape Coral. Good luck, we're cheering for you.

Final Orlando Time Trial

Results:
Jos Chalmers 15:12
Taylor Warren 16:22
John-Paul Russo 16:36
Brandon Forman 18:00
Michelle Blake (Fixie) 20:00
Zoe Mullins 21:27

State Road Race Championships

Exclamation Point (eks'kle ma'shen point) mark (!) used to show surprise or strong emotion.

What better way to end the 2009 road season than with a finish that required numerous !!!!!
After Saturday night's awards party in which Team Colavita walked out with BOXES of trophies and jerseys, the only way to top it would be another State Championship in Sunday's category day races. Bradley Gordon gave us the perfect ending by out-sprinting his team mate, Taylor Warren by .o1 second (or about an inch), to win the Cat 4 road race. Wow! Not just one but TWO Colavita riders on the podium.
This year has been full of great races, lots of fun and (I hope) some learning. I would like to thank all the juniors for training hard, racing hard and behaving like true sportsmen. You are all a credit to cycling. I would also like to thank all the parents who tirelessly drive, feed, cheer and unwaveringly support the juniors. It will reap benefits many years down the road with young adults they can truly be proud of.
I hope everyone had as much fun as I did this season and I can't wait until next year!
Diane

Junior 10-12
Anselm Teather 1st
Zoe Mullins 4th
James Mertens 5th

Junior 13-14
Casey Braga 2nd
Christian Teather 4th
Michelle Blake 5th

Junior 15-16
Jos Chalmers 6th
Nick Blanchard 9th

Junior 17-18
Taylor Warren 8th
Brandon Forman 9th

Category 3
Jos Chalmers 40th


Category 4
Bradley Gordon 1st
Taylor Warren 2nd
Casey Braga 39th
Ian McGauvran 42nd
Brandon Forman 55th

Ironkids

Congratulations to Kyle Deschenes who placed 5th at the national Ironkids Triathlon today in Tucson AZ. Great Job!