Exergy Boise Crit

Exergy Twilight Criterium

Exergy Twilight Criterium:

A brief July rain put chaos in the peloton at the 2012 Exergy Twilight Criterium. Both the men's and women's races endured glacial mid-race roads before the pavement dried in time for fair finishes on the flat, fast parcourse.

Confusion and carnage reigned during the first half of the men's race. Crashed and lapped riders poured through the pit area each lap making it impossible to determine the exact cause of their malais, and many unfortunate victims were removed while less worthy adversaries remained in the race.

After the storm settled a group of 7 slipped the field, setting a strong pace and threatening the victory. In the group were Ben Chaddock and Carlos Alzate, among others. The break suffered a major hit when Eric Marcotte lost contact due to a late flat tyre.

Riders from United Healthcare and Jamis teamed up to reel in the escapees on the ultimate lap and UHC's Hilton Clarke took top honors as Alzate hung on for 2nd. This was Clarke's 2nd victory in Boise following a 2008 title.

Clarke 2nd Boise Twilight title

Full Results

McGrath overcomes prostest to claim women's race

Men - Pro/Cat 1

		Result
1	Hilton Clarke (United Healthcare)	1:25:14
2	Carlos Alzate (Team Exergy) WN
3	Michael Weicht
4	Luke Keough (Team SmartStop/MK)
5	Rafael Meran (CRCA/Foundation)
6	Conor Mullervy (Team Exergy)WN
7	Jean-Michel Lechance (Rosetti Devo)
8	Euris Vidal (CRCA/Foundation)
9	David Santos (CashCall Mortgage)
10	Erik Slack

Sho-Air leads Pro UET both men & women!

How cool is it to know and provide WN Fast facts to these guys & gal!

These two dogs get on a hunt & get it done!

Davids takes Pro UET lead

at Galena, stage set for

Snowmass finale

4

Brendon Davids (RSA/Sho-Air - Specialized WN) earned the victory at the Galena Grinder Whit Henry Memorial, on Saturday in Idaho and took the overall USA Cycling Pro Mountain Bike Ultra Endurance Tour (Pro UET) lead. Monique 'Pua' Mata (Anaheim, Calif./Team Sho-Air WN Specialized) tallied yet another victory, adding to her commanding series lead on the women's side with only one event remaining.

The future is here before you know it!

Brendon Davids WN 19 years from S. Africa (Sho-Air)

US XC Nats Full Results

U23 men

		Result
1	Russell Finsterwald (Subaru Trek)	1:32:27
2	Howard Grotts (Fort Lewis College)	0:00:52
3	Skyler Trujillo (Niner Stans Ergon) WN 19 years	0:06:28

Cat. 1 Junior men 17-18

		Result
1	Keegan Swenson (Cannondale Factory Racing)	1:17:08
2	Lucas Newcomb (Whole Athlete)	0:02:21
3	Cody Phillips WN 17 years

Team Exergy's Chaddock at Gastown GP

Gastown Grand Prix 2012 results

Results – Men Pro/Cat. 1/2

• 1. Ken Hanson, Optum P/b Kelly Benefit Strategies, at 1:16:20.86
• 2. Ryan Anderson, Spider Tech, at 1:16:20.86
• 3. Tommy Nankervis, Competitive Cyclist, at 1:16:20.86
• 4. Ben Chaddock, Team Exergy /WN Pro Cycling, at 1:16:20.86
• 5. Florenz Knauer, Team Baier Lanshut, at 1:16:20.86

From Lone Wolves to Wolf packs! Exergy at the Tour of UT.

Wolf packs in general function similarly to The Three Musketeers' motto of "one for all, and all for one." The bonds within these canine (human) groups seem as strong as glue in spite of intrapack fighting and fierce hierarchies. But individual wolves within the packs play unique and important roles that contribute to collective survival.

Alpha males and alpha females lead the pack, which usually includes their offspring and at times, a few other wolves. From there, the beta wolf is the lieutenant of the crew, assuming authority if an alpha dies. Traveling down the pecking order, we come to the omega wolf at the bottom. The omega is the runt, subordinate to all other pack members and regarded as comic relief. The dynamics of this unit are detailed more thoroughly in What is a wolf pack mentality?

This strict arrangement keeps the chain of command in place. For instance, lower-ranked wolves must display submissive body language such as crouching if a dominant wolf approaches. When an outside Alpha enters the pack, there is going to be a fight. Except during times of prey abundance, only alpha males and females will mate. Even dinnertime involves special etiquette, with alphas getting the choice (beer, pizza, etc...) organs or meat, and the omegas waiting until the others have gotten their fill before foraging for scraps.

Speaking of food, the pack organization serves the important purpose of filling the wolves' bellies. When tracking large prey, such as moose, elk, bison (big races) strength in numbers certainly makes a difference. However, the hunting patterns of the Ethiopian wolves in Africa stray from that custom. While Ethiopian (mtb) wolves, on the brink of extinction, mostly adhere to a pack formation, they actually track down smaller prey solo [source:Williams]. Likewise, research has found that wolf pack members help to preserve the food [source: Mech and Boitani]. With multiple wolves dining, little goes to waste and the group setting keeps scavengers away.

But life in the pack isn't some idyllic wilderness summer camp. Contending with prey can inflict painful wounds, such as broken bones and fractured skulls, etc... Territorial showdowns within packs can also lead to injury and even death or getting fired.

Just like the rigors of "Army life" may force a new recruit to quit during basic training, this regimentation of life in the pack can compel a wolf to set out on its own. But departing from the pack may be more difficult than enduring the challenges within it.

Dispersing Wolves

When a wolf leaves its natal pack (team), or the one it was born into, it becomes a lone wolf. Wolf biologists also refer to this process as dispersal. In most cases, dispersal occurs between the ages of 1 and 2 years old (being on a team) coinciding with sexual maturity [source:Feldhamer et al].

One significant factor that pushes a wolf to hit the road is aggression from the pack's dominant wolves [source: Whitt]. For instance, an omega wolf or a sickly alpha wolf that can no longer lead its pack may be picked on or physically challenged to the point of leaving the group. Especially when food is scarce (cash) the weaker wolves may not receive adequate nutrition and leave out of necessity.

Both male and female wolves may disperse from packs, although males may do so more often in certain regions, such as south-central Alaska [source: Mech and Boitani]. Since wolves naturally coalesce into packs and enjoy social behavior, lone wolves are the exception rather than the rule. Studies have projected the number of dispersing wolves to make up less than 15 percent of the world's wolf population [source:Busch]. Lone wolves are more predominant in Europe, however, since prey is usually smaller [source:Busch].

Abandoning the pack also means leaving behind the protection other members offer. Because of wolves' territorial nature, "loners must be cautious about trespassing into lands belonging to other packs." To safely find food, a lone wolf may need to search for hundreds of miles. Or, a wolf may float between the borders of pack territories, checking scent marks to make sure that it isn't in danger. To further conceal its whereabouts, a lone wolf limits its howling because it could give away its location to enemies [source:Mech and Boitani]. The exception is if a wolf accidentally gets lost from the pack -- it will howl to signal its location [source: Feldhamer et al].

Dispersal doesn't always lead to a life of loneliness. A younger lone wolf may eventually cross into another pack's area to challenge a weak alpha in order to take over. Except during times of abundant prey, the alpha male and female is the only pair allowed to breed. Consequently, hormonal influences surrounding mating season may open an exit door from the pack. A subordinate wolf may catch the scent of a wolf from another pack that's ready to mate, and it may seek out that breeding wolf. In this way, lone wolves can help stimulate and diversify the wolf population. For example, a lone wolf from Finland actually revived the dwindling wolf population in Sweden when it crossed the border and mated. The last Swedish wolf pack had begun inbreeding, and the Finnish wolf mixed up the gene pool, which sparked a resurgence in the pack [source: Hogan].

Even if lone wolves track down mates, the odds are against them. Without the support of the pack, they're more likely to die. But just because a wolf leaves its home doesn't mean it's gone forever. If a lone wolf can't succeed on its own, it may eventually return to its natal pack.

Lots of "Stars & Strips" at USA MTB Nats, SV, ID

It was great to see so many people we have worked with and known through the years! It's not a love hate relationship! Many of them had super results and I went over to give them hand shake, or hug and a cheer.

If you have worked with as many guys & gals as we have, its hard to show favor when they all come together, by interacting with so many through the 35,000 fits and 12 years, there is going to be spite. For those souls, we only hope they keep in mind, that this is a game, a game should have good sportsmanship, meaning a person who behaves sportingly. Name dropping is going to happen, history is going to be shared. There are tribes and camps. Wow, this is like NASCAR!

How about waking up to 25 F 4th of July. Things where plenty hot the rest of the week.

Well that was a action packed week! A lot of work and I made a lot of new contact (tribes, braves), new fits, new teams, etc... It's better to go to Nats than go to Interbike , you meet the cream of the crop and you make contacts. Many "Stars & Strips", plus many a WN user on the podium, some older, some younger, after the many years, you only hope so!

Some really new, like a few days before their Nats, some obtaining their 4th US Nats, some even getting their 7th Stars & Strips! The XC is not ultra distance, it brings a different mind set.

It was held at Mt. Baldy, or better "River Run" and it's a cooker, it will take the stuffing out of the legs and had a real nasty rock section, On this ski run, the service road goes straight up and that had the racers stressed. But boy oh boy what a great place to see the many pedaling styles. The best rode away from the not so good!

There are many fit systems that claim they provide the fit or they promote they work with certain top pros? Not so! As I age, the world is not quite what it is claimed and we learn that money is the root of evil.

I will not provide names, but after working w/ so many of them at one time or another "I needed to know" if they really used. I very happy and pleased with the feedback. The only thing I'm not happy is how after 12 years the WN user still doesn't share with others that they use our system? It must make a difference, they don't want their rivials to know?

I heard a story where one of our long time users (big ego), a top dog, said to a GM of a team (tribe), we are the real deal, that it would for sure help this team, then added at their level. Funny! The warrior has spoken! Find me a brave who doesn't have a ego? It's what they do!

I leave the final US Nats and Idaho with great pride! I had a chance to approached many pros, in private about their bike setups, the answer, there was no way they would change from WN, or what got them to the top of their game. That's a good feeling after sticking to this for so long!

Nice to know!

I think Idaho did well having the US mtb Nats here for the last two years. I will miss it! Perhaps another day and time. Right now I understand the ultra distance will be held at Sun Valley, ID in 2013, super!

USA MTB Nats - Sun Valley, ID "An Ace is A Ace" Not cool!

Well it's been a long week for WN. Much of that time was spent, making sure many guys and gals where dialed, reviewing how to get the most from their game (thinking), fixing poor fits, fixing broken stems, fixing broken saddles, etc... Of course, you don't have to perform well!

It must be paying off. The Sho-Air team has stepped up to the plate and scored a couple of podiums. There is still much to come. Sho-Airs top gun Pua is racing today. Racing is racing, so you never know, but WN knows she has a fighting chance. The reason we know this, we have worked with most of the top guns she is racing at one time or another, plus we can see their pedal stroke, how they work, some so, some not! It's our job, it's what we do, we don't promote some product, we teach pedaling and people how to WN.

You have no idea how many e-mails have been sent through the years to the best races in the world. They all share a common ground, they had to learn. It's a sport, you have to learn it, you are not born with it! For sure, many have been paid off for one reason are another, mostly money. That's why you don't see our logo all over everything!

WN HAS NEVER PAID A USER TO USE OUR "BLUE PRINT'

The neat thing about racing, you can't never know what the mind of the racer is thinking?

So to claim that they are going to kill it is a bit far fetched! The best you can do is provide the best horseshoe, the best truth you can. The rest is between their ears, if they can focus on the the things WN teaches them, they do well.

OK, this is not the TDF, a tt, a tri, or a road race or track, With the WN MTB fit, not a road bike fit that comes from the many mass marketing sizzle fits, basic at best, only using a plumb line, a racer can reach their dreams, even if they just had the fit only a few days before the event! Cody Phillips standing on the podium! His bike fit was a mess!

A racer should never have some fit system ruin their season, have their body (feet, back) hurting, because the pro fitter doesn't know the different event needs! To have to move a saddle height over 23mm is a crying shame, plus change the reach by 6cm is a crime! In fact, the bike was the wrong size? Come on! If you want results from the race horse, you best get the correct horse shoes on that horse, to give it a fighting chance!

Shame on you! You know who you are! So your at the US Open Golf, don't bring a sand wedge to the tee if you expect a good performance! And by the way, the golf swing that's being taught is "WRONG" for the shot! The horse didn't have a chance, he couldn't even put the club on the ball, so the pretty swing would never make a difference! The cleats where off 13mm?

Every stroke counts! If you can't address the pedals.... game over all season!

Working at USA MTB Nats in Sun Valley, ID. Temp 25F in camp!

I know there is extreme heat through most of the country. So I wanted to show you what camp was like in the morning, it really wakes you up!

Camping just north of Ketchum, ID or better known to most as Sun Valley, ID. Mother nature had the AC on this morning, someone forgot to turn it off. I think this is as cold as I have ever seen it on July 4th. Oh well, I will never forget running a river w/ my oldest girl, age 26 young, Whitney at the age of 2 and it snowed on us in the boat on the Snake River in Jackson Hole, WY. The Rockies!

Working hard to get Pua Mata WN faster, she already is, but nothing like being WN Fast and some of her teammates, a 17 year old Cody Phillips who has a full ride to Lees-McRae College - Banner Elk, NC. They have a teammate who has our sticker on his seat post, he's a hot rod 19 year old Brendon Davids from South Africa. These young guys are coming, and Pua is already plenty fast, they listen to Pua. They took the Men (Brenda) & Women (Pua) Galena Grinder and not just by a few mins, they killed it. The plan is to be working the 4th July w/ the team. Got to take care of the young guys, they are the future, mtb is still alvie and what can we say about Pua, she is the real deal and brings the pudding!

Happy 4th of July!

Great MTB Action in Idaho. Pua #1 & Amanda #2!

I have been attending the Galena Grinder for years. It's one tough mtb race.

This year, I got to watch last year WN'er Pua Mata and also Amanda Carey take on the 50-mile mostly single track, with a few steep fire roads. As expected, they went 1, 2.

Pua really put the (XC Style) hammer from the gun on the first of two 25 mile laps, in prep, she is attending this years US Nats just 19 miles down the road, pretty much a "must get hole shot" sprint from the gun up the side of Mt. Baldy "River Run".

At the end of the race, Pua repeats her Galena WN for the 2nd year and Amanda took 2nd. These WN users both had many mins ahead of the field. They should, they are the best in their game at 50 & 100 mile mtb races. Check their records!

Pua seems to be in form, race ready for US MTB Nats this coming weekend in Sun Valley area. Pua has a real chance at being in the top 5, even taking it, against London bound, long time (8.5 years) WN'er Georgia Gould. Georgia shot to the front and took the win last year, got the hole shot and never looked back with Katie Compton in toll. Amanda had a great race and took a top (7th or 8th), a top 10 at US Nats XC, very respectful for a 100 mile gal.

After many where cooked, Amanda said, after the 50 mile race Sat, I'm ready for the next 50. Amanda is not attending the US Nats XC this year, she has a 100 mile NUE event the next weekend. US Nats takes a lot out of you, so she is staying on her game plan.

What a great place to live, I get to watch the fastest mtb racers in the world come to Idaho. Many of them already live here or have e.g. Reba Rusch, Georgia Gould, Amanda Carey, etc... So pleased to see mtb still alive and kicking.

I rode the course ahead of the field and it was a very real challenge, even on a KTM 350. I twisted my right knee a few weeks ago. Nothing grand, just walking down my back steps (Alieve & ice).

I know most of the east is under major heat, by the way, it was 34 F at 6:30am in camp, frost on the bike and by 9:loam, sun out hit 80 F.

Great job Ladies!