Hoosier mountain bikers may be crafting some new resolutions New Years Eve, as a new race series springs to life for 2012.

Planet Adventure’s IndianaMTB.com inaugural event will be held Dec. 31 in Zionsville, coinciding with the Indiana Cup cyclocross series finale. Upland Brewery will provide free beer to help warm up racers, or at least help them forget about the cold temperatures. On April 14, the series kicks off in earnest at Winona Lake, near Warsaw.

Long-time Planet Adventure supporter Gray Goat Sports is the title sponsor for the new race series. Series payouts for the various category winners are currently being determined and will be announced closer to the first race of the season.

Already one of the largest cycling promoters in the state thanks to its success putting on road and cyclocross races, Planet Adventure seeks to expand on those triumphs with the new mountain bike series. Event Director James Nichols promises competitors will love the new series’ chip timing – allowing for quick and accurate results posting – and multiple single-category races.

“This series was designed with racer experience as top priority and launched only after we determined we had the best technology, schedule, resources and staff available,” Nichols said. “It will continue to evolve and improve as mountain-biking trends change, and we receive valuable feedback from our racers.”

Fourteen events are scheduled for 2012, including four June Wednesday night races in Indianapolis. The series will reward strong, all-around riders; courses will range from .5-mile short-track dirt crits to longer cross-country races to relay events, as well as a few surprises. Nichols said most event weekends will include a time-trial element as well.

For more information, check out the series’ website, www.indianamtb.com, and enter a contest to win a free race entry.


By Robert Annis For Planet Adventure

By Robert Annis

Unless you’re lucky enough to be living somewhere in a tropical climate (or just love pedaling your trainer), chances are at some point in the year, you’re going to be riding – and, if you’re crazy like me, racing -- in the cold.

The right winter-riding gear can mean the difference between a productive four-hour base-building session and a 20-minute ride that ended prematurely with you shivering under a space blanket in a rural convenience store. Here are some tips that will help you keep riding through spring.

Know your internal thermometer
I tend to get cold fairly easily, so I wear one or two more layers than my wife, who can ride in 30-degree weather in shorts and a long-sleeve jersey. Call it reverse chivalry; there’ve been times when she’s doffed her jacket after 30 minutes of moderate riding to give to me, shivering at the back of the pack.

When the weather turns colder, a good jacket is a must. This season I’ve been wearing Sugoi’s RPM jacket, that offers great protection against the rain and wind. The inside of the jacket is covered with a silver laminate that reflects heat back in, but you have to be generating heat – moving, not just standing around – for it to work effectively.

My hands tend to stay cold longer than the rest of my body. I own a pair of neoprene Castelli gloves that I love – the padding’s perfect, and they’re the most comfortable gloves I’ve ever worn – but they’re only good for very specific conditions: windy days with a slight chill. If it’s colder than 35 degrees, they take forever to warm up. I’ve worn them for two-to-three hour rides, and only during the last hour could I squeeze the brake levers. My friend Jay Hardcastle swears Pearl Izumi Lobster mitts kept his claws toasty warm even when the temperatures fell to the mid-teens. I’ve used a similar pair of Novara Stratos gloves in below-freezing weather and managed to stave off frostbite.

Another trick to keep your hands warm, according to superfast BikeReg.com racer Sarah Fredrickson? Wear a pair of latex gloves under your full-fingered riding gloves. Your hands will be a little clammy when the ride’s over, but at least they’ll stay warm.

In the early spring and late fall, arm and knee warmers are essential. As the weather warms up, simply slide them down your arms or legs. No stopping required! SmartWool makes a great set, as well as Sugoi and several other manufacturers.

Build your base
The proper base-layer is the foundation for staying comfortable on a ride, so you want to build a collection with various weights and attributes. National age-group cross-country champion Rebecca Zink swears by Smartwool base layers.

“They're soft, comfy, warm, don't get stinky, not bulky,” Zink said. “I really don't want to wear anything else.”

On breezy days, I’m partial to Peal Izumi’s Barrier long-sleeve baselayer featuring a windproof front panel that helps keep my core toasty.  Sugoi’s zippered mid-weight baselayer is also a keeper.

Warming your poles
There’ve been times in the past when I’ve piled on multiple layers of clothes, only to forget to worry about my feet and head. Needless to say, those rides have been too short and too cold.

A lightweight Smartwool Headliner or similar wicking hat underneath your helmet is a must. I have at three of varying thickness I regularly use in cold weather, as well as a balaclava I use primarily for skiing.

Another quick and cheap tip: The next time you stay at a hotel, take a shower cap or two with you. If there’s an unexpected rain or snow shower, just pop the shower cap over your helmet to keep everything dry.

I’ve probably bought close to $100 of Smartwool socks over the years because they’re so comfortable and they do a good job of keeping my feet warm in cool temperatures. But when the mercury drops below 40-degrees, it’s time for the Sugoi Resistor booties. They’ve done a great job of keeping my feet warm and dry this cyclocross season, even though they’re not built for that kind of abuse. The bottoms of the bootie are fairly thrashed, and the sides have a few tears, but it’s nothing a little duct tape can’t fix.

Plan ahead
On a casual or base-building ride, I try to err a bit on the warmer side. I know I’m not going to be generating much heat internally, so I add warmer, thicker layers under my jacket.

But, if I’m racing, all bets are off. The next time you’re at a cyclocross race, make your way to the start line. Somewhere between the 30-second warning and the start whistle, bundled-up racers shed more clothes than a plus-size strip club. If you plan to go for a fast or high-intensity workout, be prepared to be cold in the first 5 or 10 minutes of your ride; you’ll warm up before you know it. If you start out toasty, you’re going to be burnt by the end of your workout.

Most importantly, if you’re heading out for a long-distance ride, stash extra baselayers, gloves and socks in a watertight bag in a small backpack or Camelbak. Getting soaked to the bone 30 miles from your car can quickly become a life-or-death situation.

With the proper gear and planning, you’ll be racking up hundreds of training miles while your peers and competitors are watching Top Chef on their couches. You’ll know who they are when they ask, “How did you get so fast?” when spring rolls around again. It’s up to you how you want to answer.

The 1st Annual Planet Adventure New Year’s Eve 5k: “Acts of 5Kindness Maquerace” fundraiser will be held on Saturday, December 31 at 10 a.m. The race will take place at Traders Point and will benefit Back on My Feet.

You are invited to run or walk in a fancy, creative, or funny masquerade mask. Can’t get a mask of your own? Don’t worry! We will have plenty for everyone to wear.

Come have fun while giving back to the community. The theme of this red-carpet event is to encourage more acts of kindness in 2012! A portion of your entry fee will be donated to Back on My Feet.

Back on My Feet is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength, and self-esteem.

“Back on My Feet is truly grateful for the support of Planet Adventure and we are looking forward to working together for future events,” said Back on My Feet Director of Communication and Corporate Relations, Lindsey Hein. “Thank you for believing in our mission and supporting us as we help our members move toward self-sufficiency!”

There will not only be a 5k race, there will also be a 2012 Meter Fun Run/Walk. Awards will be presented to the overall top three female and male participants as well as top male and female for each age group. There will even be prizes for the best masquerade masks!

The Masquerace will take place at Traders Point in Zionsville. It only costs $10 to register! For more information and to register online, go to http://tinyurl.com/masquerace.

In addition to sharing a passion for running, Planet Adventure also admires the sincerity and commitment of the Back on My Feet team which is one of the reasons we’re dedicated to supporting their program.

“Partnering with Brian and Lindsey, the Runners, and the Volunteers during last year’s Eagle Creek Trail Marathon event was truly inspiring,” said Planet Adventure Outreach Director, Hope Martin. “Whether it was seeing the pride in a finishing runner’s eyes or the continuous smile of a volunteer at an aid station, Back on My Feet is a group Planet Adventure will look forward to partnering with for years to come!”

Cyclocross 101

By Robert Annis For Planet Adventure

Most spectators have the same reaction the first time they get roped into coming out to a friend or loved one’s cyclocross race: what is going on?

Trying to explain the sport of cyclocross to the uninitiated can be a bit difficult. For most racers, cyclocross is all the best parts of riding bikes as a kid – chasing your friends on the dirt and grass, trying to pedal up short, steep climbs and laughing your butt off after you fall, or better yet, when one of your friends fall. At certain points of the race, riders will have to dismount their bike, leap over barriers or climb up steps other obstacles and remount their bikes.

The courses typically are very twisty and technical, so there are a lot of crashes and falls. It’s a different animal than most other forms of bike racing, rewarding the cardio fitness of roadies, while demanding the superior bike-handling skills of mountain-bike riders.

Cyclocross racers are the postal carriers of the two-wheeled set – neither rain, sleet nor snow will not prevent them from carrying out their duty, to race as hard and as fast as they can. Most experienced racers can tell you about the time they raced in a foot of snow or seemingly an ocean of sticky mud. Take these stories with a grain of salt though; bike racers are worse than fishermen when it comes to their race memories.

Races typically have pre-set time. The less-experienced riders typically race for 30 or 40 minutes, while the better, faster riders can go for an hour or more. After a lap or two, race organizers will calculate the leader’s average lap speed and determine how many more laps the riders will race. Even though a race’s advertised time is for 40 minutes, most of the riders will be on the course a bit longer.

As a spectator, you have a few responsibilities. First and foremost is safety. It might sound obvious, but when you’re crossing the course, be sure to look if any racers are hurtling your way.

Second, and nearly as important, is to have fun and be loud. Bring a cowbell and shake it at the passing riders. As a rider, I know what it’s like to be dead tired 30 minutes into a race and looking for any sort of motivation to keep you going. Words of encouragement or a well-timed heckle has gotten me through more races than I can count.

When you come out to the races, be sure to walk around the course during the race, checking out the various spectating spots. Most courses are at most a mile-and-a-half long, so you shouldn’t have any problem seeing all the action. I find the best spots for watching the action are the barrier sections, sandpits or other obstacles that make the riders get off their bikes and run or on the steep uphill sections where the competitors are gritting their teeth as they try to muscle their machines upward.

Depending on where you are, you might want to consider doing a hand-up. Hand-ups can be practically anything; at races I’ve seen $1 hand-ups, beer hand-ups … even waffle hand-ups. Just hold out your item over the course tape and wait. Most of your front-runners are going to be too focused on making the podium to take a hand-up, but for the mid- or back-of-the-pack rider, getting a nice beer in the middle of the race can be a real morale booster. Look for more experienced spectators on the course and mimic what they’re doing.

Cheering and words of support are always appreciated during a race, and although it may seem counter-intuitive, a good heckle can help riders as well. Like most things, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. Keep it clean; there are kids around. Don’t yell things like “You suck!”; it’s too obvious and there’s nothing really humorous about it. The standard “Pedal faster!” is a good start, but you can do better. Try something like, “Get off the course! The kids’ race ended an hour ago!” or “Your sponsor is going to take your bike away!”

“The biggest reason I love cyclocross is the people – the riders and the fans,” said Team Nebo Ridge Cat. 4 racer Jimmy Foster. “It’s a very welcoming atmosphere; no one’s elitist or snobby. No one looks down on you because you ride a certain type of bike. They do heckle you, but it’s fun and it helps you take your mind off your pain as you try to hold on. You’re suffering, but you want to finish. There are other racers out there, but (in the end) it’s just you against yourself.”

While Catherine Hollibaugh’s friends are at the mall or talking on the phone about boys, she’s probably trudging through the mud on her cyclocross bike or tearing down tight singletrack somewhere.

The 17-year-old Midwest Academy student is one of the rising stars in the Planet Adventure race series, routinely beating more experienced riders twice her age. Not only has the youngest member of Team Nebo Ridge gained respect from her peers based on her athletic performances – she’s reached the podium in several of her last races -- but she’s also garnered many fans off the bike as well for her relentless enthusiasm and support toward her fellow riders.


Where do you intend to go to college?

I got accepted at Marian University for next fall, however I received a scholarship from ISU. I’m rooting big time for Marian, but I’ve not made my final decision.
 
What do you plan to study at school?

I think I’m going to major in Sports Performance with a concentration in Sports Psychology and maybe a minor in business. I like just about everything and anything to do with exercise and sports. Being healthy is a top priority for me.

I would like to study abroad because my parents did and have always talked about how important it is to learn another language and other cultures. My brother studied in China for three semesters and speaks Mandarin. My sister is looking at grad schools in the Netherlands. With the exception of this semester, I’ve taken Spanish since middle school and plan to continue Spanish in college so I'll be better prepared to study abroad.

What do you hope to do professionally after you graduate?

I can see myself teaching and coaching good nutrition and proper amounts of physical activity to people who'd like help in that area. I want to help people, especially children and teens, build self esteem and positive mindsets so they can lead happy, healthy balanced lifestyles for themselves and maybe encourage their family and friends to do the same.

What got you into cycling?

I have always been an active person, I like swimming, running, kayaking and especially cycling. My school is small and we don’t have any sports teams, so since 8th grade almost every day after school, I ride my bike to the Monon Center to work out.

I had been wanting to join some kind of sports club or team for years --swimming, soccer, baseball I didn’t care. A little over a year ago my mom took me seriously when I said I really wanted to try cycling. This time she searched on the Internet and found Nebo Ridge and Scott Bond. Scott invited me to the Backyard Cross last year and made arrangements for Yngvar Brynildssen to meet me at the course a week before the race. I had an old mountain bike that was too small for me and weighed about 40 pounds, but Yngvar said it was a “tank” and convinced us that try to find something lets say a little lighter. Chris from Nebo Ridge had an old mountain bike in his garage that actually fit, so he loaned it to me for the race. I’ve been hooked ever since.

What type of rider are you? If you had to compare yourself to a professional cyclist, who would it be?

I really like mountain biking; I love everything about it. I don’t know who I would compare myself to. That is a hard question because I don’t really “know” many pros except for Sally Marchand Collins.  I don’t really compare myself with her, but I do admire her. She has helped me a lot with my cycling.

What's been your proudest moment as a cyclist?

I’m going to have to say this past race in Cincinnati (Kings X). I wanted to win first place so bad, I could almost taste it. I ended up getting 2nd in the 35 and under and 4th (overall). This season, my performance has been all over the place: from good, ok, bad, terrible, even worse than before. I was starting to think maybe I should put myself out of my misery, until this weekend when I seemed to have an explosion of energy.  

What's been your most fun memory?

I have so many great memories: Rebecca’s, Janet’s, Sherry’s, and Lindsay’s silly socks with Matt egging them on over the PA; Will Johnson racing; Scott and Matt on the hill setting the stakes for the first MTV course, fighting like girls about the best lines and where to put the tape; Corbin racing in his long jeans and sneakers when there was snow on the ground … but I love the heckling! Jimmy with his megaphone, everyone lined up by the tape with their cowbells pounding a screaming, acting like idiots. The heckling is one of the reasons why I live for cyclocross, that and the racing, of course.

What are your goals for the rest of this season? For 2012?

My goal for the rest of the season would be to keep on improving in my performance. Hopefully I’ll reach my main goal which is to win the top step on the podium after the race. For 2012, I hope to see drastic improvements overall in my performance for racing mountain, road and cyclocross.

What's your favorite type of racing? Why?

My favorite type of racing I thought was mountain, but now I’m kind of digging cyclocross. I just love how crazy it is with the people, some you don’t even know, cheering you on to push harder. Yet, I love mountain because that is where I feel most at home with myself as a rider. Actually I love it all.

What's your favorite Planet Adventure event this season?

I liked the Major Taylor Velodrome races the most because I practiced on the course  with Scott Bond’s group. In addition I would sometimes ride during my extra free time which helped me get more familiar with the course, making the races easier and more fun.

Who do you love or hate competing against during the Planet Adventure season?

I love the group I race with in the women’s CAT 4. They are genuinely nice women as well as incredible racers. They are forcing me to ride harder and become a stronger racer.  However, I secretly hate how good they are!

What's the best piece of advice you've gotten from a teammate or peer?

The best advice I’ve gotten from almost everyone is to make sure you’re having fun. If it’s not fun, you won’t want to do it and you won’t do as well. At times I’ve questioned if what I’m doing is something I actually enjoy and want to continue doing. However, I am confident that I am in fact enjoying myself and that I really want to keep pursuing this sport.

What advice would you like to pass on?

For those new to the sport, I would pass on advice that has been given to me. Be patient with their abilities. I know it’s difficult not being where you want, not being as fast as the other experienced riders, not seeing outstanding results and improvements right away, but your body takes a long time to develop. I’m still trying to accept this fact. The key idea, in my opinion, is that it takes time to develop endurance, skills and speed, but eventually it’ll all fall into place.

What's your dream bike?

My dream bike would be an extremely light mountain bike and/or cyclocross bike.  I sometimes think, “Man, if only my bike was 5 or 10 lbs lighter, I could get to this spot, X times faster and pass person X, Y and Z.”

Favorite piece of gear?

My favorite piece of gear would be my arm and leg warmers. Rather than covering my team shorts or shirt with tights, I can put my leg and arm warmers on and still support my team while riding.

Best pre-ride meal? Post-ride?

The night before a race I try to eat salmon, a vegetable and potatoes. On race day, I eat oatmeal two hours beforehand, with bananas, blueberries and a hard-boiled egg. Post-ride, I always drink chocolate milk

If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I wish I were a little more adventurous and crave to ride somewhere like Switzerland or Quebec, but I really want to go out west to Utah or Colorado and ride the mountain bike trails.

By Robert Annis 

Throughout Europe, Sankt Nikolaus is known as the protector of children. Every year, he gives gifts to the needy and well-behaved children. For the past three years, the German Heritage Society has brought this tradition to Indiana through the Sankt Nikolaus Day Lauf 5k & 5 mile run.

The Sankt Nikolaus Day Lauf 5k & 5 mile run will be held on Saturday, December 3 at the Athenaeum in downtown Indianapolis. Participants are encouraged to dress up in holiday apparel in the spirit of Sankt Nikolaus.

“One unique aspect to this event is that Ruprecht, the companion to Sankt Nikolaus, chases down the slow runners and places stickers on them when he catches them,” said Race Director, Brian Griesemer.
The Sankt Nikolaus race, sponsored by the German Heritage Society and Eli Lilly and Company, is raising money for local non-profits that benefit the children of Indiana.

This year, the proceeds will go to the Riley Hospital for Children, the Cancer Center, the Greater Indianapolis YMCA “Y for All” Campaign, Lutheran Child and Family services, and Girls on the Run Program.

Join the German Heritage Society and Planet Adventure by signing up online at RaceMyPlanet.com. Prizes and gift certificates will be awarded after the race at the Rathskeller Bier Garten!
The German Heritage Society is a non-profit organization that promotes education in German and German-American studies and seeks to help others develop an appreciation for German contributions to Indiana.

This year, the St. Nikolaus race is also celebrating the “Do-Deutsch Program” which involves the German Embassy honoring German language teachers and their students at high schools and colleges across America.

By Caitlin Berger