Team Kaos Finishes Another Successful year

For 2012 Team Kaos was very active in all five of its identified areas:  Road Racing, CycloCross, Mountain Biking, Triathlons, and Community Events.  Kaos members participated in over 75 competitive events in several states and in several benefit rides, including Rollin to Colon, Tour de Cure, and Cranksgiving and others.  Kaotics also participated in numerous informal group rides and other cycling related activities. 

For 2013 Team Kaos will once again be sponsored by Alegent Health, now renamed to Alegent Creighton Health.    Other major sponsors will continue to be Specialized and Joyride.  We are grateful for the generous support of our sponsors throughout the year. 

We already are planning for next year.  The major race event will be the Nebraska Omnium Weekend on June 8, which will be part of a new series:  Flyover Midwest Omnium Race Series., a  5 state series of road race weekends with a total purse of $20,000.   Other tentative events include a Lincoln based Granfondo in August.  Check later for details on these and othe activities.  

Kaos Members Keep Going All Summer Long

Team Kaos members continue to be successful in a variety of cycling related events. Here is a sampling of races so far this summer:

Kyle McClellan raced in the Dead Dog Classic in Laramie Wyoming where he had a mid-pack finish in both the time trial and road race (category 2).  He also competed in the Tour of Lawrence the following week.

Clear Lake BBQ on July 7-8: Rich Pearson won the time trial, criterium and Road Race in the Masters 60+ division, with Scott Bullfinch grabbing 3rd, 2nd and 3rdnd in these to wind up 2nd in the omnium for 60+. Andrew Karstrom participated as a junior in all three races.

In the Papillion Triathlon July 15th Kaos had several high finishes: Brandon Fenster came in 4th overall, Lou Andersen got 29th overall and 2nd in his age division. Mark Heubner came in 9th overall and 1st in the juniors. Anne Andersen came in 4th in her age division.

Kevin Limpach and Rich Pearson rode the IGranfondo July 21st where Limpach crossed the line first. (he was getting ready for Leadville)

Omaha Triathlon August 4th: Youth Super Sprint Distance: Andrew Karstrom 1st Overall Sprint Distance Anne Andersen 2nd in her Age Group, Lou Andersen 2nd in his Age Group. Olympic Distance: Brandon Fenster 3rd in his Age Group.

Several riders went to Des Moines on August 4th for the East Village Criterium.  Kevin Limpach 4th and Kyle McClellan 18 in cat 1/2 (Limpach also was 2nd in the masters race); Jordon Ross and John Rokke 3rd and 4th in Category 3; Mark Huebner 4th and Mike Dixon 12th in category 4; Randy Marks 22nd in Category 5. (see our face book page for lots of pics)
Manawa Mayhem: August 11th: several Kaos rider were participating but results are not available yet

Scott Bulfinch and Suzanne Wilson took part in the Nebraska Senior Games in Kearny August 4.  Wilson cleaned up in the womens division.

Xterra bolt (a triathlon with mountain biking) August 11th: Craig Tuttle ( no official results available yet)

Mark Weitzel has been making the circuits in Kansas and Iowa: The Tour of Lawrence on June 30th (He was in the same group as Rich Pearson when Pearson crashed), the State Line Road Race July 14th, the Sunflower State Games July 22 (3rd in the 50 59 age group) and the Kansas State Road Race August 5th where he was 1st in the 50-59 age group. (Mark lives in Kansas so he is the new state champ for his age group. The on August 11 he drove over to the Iowa State Road Race where he got 2nd in the 50-59 age group.

Kevin Limpach just finished the Leadville 100 on August 11:  100 miles of off road torture at 7000 feet. He finished a very respectable 183 out of 1481 overall and 40 out of 570 in his 40-49 age group. (Just to finish under 10 hours is amazing).

Here are some coming events:
Papillion Twightlight Criterium August 18th.
Canton Stage Race (SD), August 22nd, 23rd.
USATriathlon National Championships August 18th and 19th.

After a short Labor Day break we start the cyclocross season. Several Kaos members will be active in cyclocross this fall, culminating in the National and World Championships in January.

Team Kaos and Greenstreet Velo Host a Successful Omaha Cycling Weekend

Team Kaos and Greenstreet Velo pulled off another successful weekend of racing on June 23rd and 24th.   

After morning thunderstorms, the weather cleared in time for the 1215 start to Saturday's road race, hosted by Team Kaos.   Racers started in 4 groups, circling around the 10 mile course on the smooth, hilly roads near South Bend, Nebraska.  Most of the groups stayed together until the last few miles.  A good tailwind sped the racers towards a fast and exciting finish, with just enough of a hill at the finish line to spread out the fields.  

Sunday's Time Trial, hosted by Greenstreet Velo, also had near-perfect weather.  Racers rode south from Yutan over a mix of rolling hills and pancake-flat terrain.

Participants, volunteers, and spectators felt that both events were well organized and enjoyable.  Both clubs plan to repeat the same format next year at the same locations, although the dates may be different.

Team Kaos (and other Nebraskans) had a good weekend at the Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville, Arkansas,  held April 28 and 29^th .   Rich Pearson was actually on the podium 3 times for Masters B: 4^th in 40+, 2^nd in 50+, and 1^st in 60+, along with Bullfinch who was 4^th in the 60+ age group in Masters B.    Jordan Ross (category 3) had a disappointing time trial Saturday morning but came back strong later in the day and won the  road race, covering 60+ miles of hilly country with a super fast sprint finish.   On Sunday’s crit he and two other riders had a very promising break that stayed away most of the race, only to be reeled in on the very last lap.  He hung on to finish mid-pack at the end, ending up 21^st overall in GC.   Matt ODonnel competed in the Masters A race but was not in his top form and ended up towards the back, and junior Patrick Summrell also struggled, being plagued by a sore hamstring and a saddle sore that kept him out of the saddle a good portion of the weekend.   Other Nebraskans also did well:  Lincoln native Travis Furman (Lincoln Industries) won the category 3 GC, John Hovendick (Midwest Cycling Community) won the Masters B Time Trial and GC,  and Lea Kleager (Midwest Cycilng Community) ended up with 2^nd in the Women’s 3/4 General Classification.   Other Nebraskans competing:  Rich Anderson, Sam Oakes, and  Joe Savoie from EVCC, Brady Murphy from MWCC, and Lee Bumgarner from Mack Racing.   Check our facebook page for more photos.

Team Kaos Riders Have Fun on Mountain BIkes

Team Kaos riders John Rokke, Kevin Limpach and Nate Lewis took advantage of our warm spring with a great time racing at Jewel Park the last weekend of March. The weather was ideal, the trails were in great condition and everyone had a ton of fun.  Rokke crashed once and lost a little bit of time but ended up 6th in the Cat 1s and Limpach was 5^th.  Nate Lewis rode great and ended up 2nd in Juniors

 The evening brought a short 20 minute fat tire criterium in Belllevue.  The pace started fast with Kevin Limpach covering some moves. Eventually 2 riders got up the road, and the chase group let them go as they kept an eye on each other, and the chase group came into the last lap together.   Limpach and Rokke attacked together on the last hill, but Limpach slipped a pedal and Rokke got caught.  Kevin Wilkins made a good move to get away from the other chasers, and Rokke rolled in 2nd in that group.  Limpach ended up 4th in the chase group, ending up 4th and Rokke 2nd overall in Cat 1 40-49.   Nate Lewis rode his first crit and despite being nervous ended up riding great and getting 5^th in the juniors.

Sunday was the Swanson Park cross country race. Rokke was unable to attend, but Limpach rode strong again to finish 4^th, not far behind Mark Savery, Kent McNeill, and Steven Jarrett.   Lewis rode great again too, grabbing 2^nd place among the juniors.

All in all it was a fun and satisfying weekend for our three Kaos riders.    Next up:  Twin Bing in Climbing Hill Iowa just south of Sioux City, Sunday April 15th.  It is a fun race on a hilly course.

Team Kaos on the Podium at Tour de Husker.

Kevin Limpach started out the Tour de Husker weekend in impressive style, holding off a hard charging pack to finish with a solo win in the category 123 road race around Branched Oak Park.  On lap 2 of 5 he and Jay Thomas (Midwest Cycling Community/Trek) broke off and developed a gap of about 2 minutes.  Thomas flatted and dropped out, but Limpach was still able to stay out on his own despite the best efforts of the MWCC group.   Although the gap shrunk Limpach was still able to coast across the finish line with his hands in the air.  He was greatly aided by teammates John Vondracek (3rd place), Jarred Berger, Chris Spence, Joe McWilliams, Matt ODonnell, John Rokke and Justin Maresh, who all finished in the main pack.   

In the category 4 race Brent Robinson finished in 5th place, with Jason Johaning and Rich Pearson finishing in the main pack and Scott Bullfinch not far behind.  (Mark Heubner had 2 flats and dropped out).  KC Carnes finished mid-pack in the cat 5 race and Suzanne Wilson won the women's race. 

Sunday brought perfect weather on short fast crit course at the Innovation Park in Lincoln.  In the collegiate races two Team Kaos members competed on their collegiate teams.   Graham Williams got 3rd in the CD group and Justin Maresh got 3rd in the AB group.  The masters event started the USAC events, with Matt ODonnell (3rd place), Rich Pearson (5th), Mark Weitzel (7th), and Scott Bullfinch.  In category 5 we had young Andrew Karstrom, who won in the juniors in his first race ever. Our category 4 riders Patrick Sumrell, Glen Houtchens, and Jason Johaning finished in midpack, even though Sumrell and Johaning went down in a 4 man pile up that briefly stopped the race.

In the 123race  Chris Spence was one of a foursome that broke away and eventually lapped the field.  Lucas Marshal (Midwest Cycling Community), Lee Bumgarner (Team Mack) and Kent McNeil (MWCC) charged hard at the last corner and Spence lost their wheel and came in fourth. In the mad sprint of the main group Joe McWilliams nabbed 2nd (6th overall) while Jordan Ross, and Jarred Berger finished in the bunch.  (John Vondracek, Matt ODonnell, and John Rokke were pulled earlier).

All agreed that the weather was superb and the event was well organized by the UNL Cycling Club and race director Ben Dilley. 

Here is a YouTube video of the road race:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27g3SzkvRGc

check the Team Kaos Facebook page for more photos.

Team Kaos Starts the Year with Three on the Podium

Masters riders Matt ODonnel, Mark Weitzel and Scott Bullfinch started out the year in fine style, landing on the podium in the masters races at Perry Kansas on March 18th.  The weather cooperated with dry but windy conditions, continuing the pattern of above normal temperatures for this time of year.  Matt ODonnel won the 50+ competition over 6 other competitors, including teammate Mark Weitzel who came in third.  In the 60+ competiion Scott Bullfinch was on the third step of the podium, behind Dean Parker and Sam Roberts, arch rivals of team president Rich Pearson, who was unable to attend.  

Several Team Kaos riders are readying themselves for our first local race--the UNL Tour de Husker on March 24th and 25th, consisting of a road race on saturday at Branched Oak State Park and a criterium on Sunday in Lincoln on a new course.   After that there are events almost every weekend, either in mountain biking, road bikes or triathlons.  

Last weekend we tried a new venture--team kaos group rides at the Flying J truck stop south of Gretna. A few brave souls fought the winds for a pleasant 45 mile ride.  The rides will continue at 10 am on the first and third saturdays of each month.   Although it is organized around Team Kaos, other non-kaos riders are welcome to join in the fun.

Team Kaos Prepares for a New Season

Team Kaos riders are enjoying the mild winter with regular gravel rides plus the usual indoor training.  Several Kaotics have been discovered lusting after new Specialized bikes and new SRAM parts. 

The last Team Kaos rider to finish the 2011 season was Rich Pearson, who participated in the Cyclocross Nationals in Wisconsin on January 5th and Masters Cyclocross Worlds in Kentucky on January 15th.    (Most of the other Kaos riders were smart enough to stay inside in January).

2012 looks to be a good year for the group with almost all of the elite team returning and several new members at the club level.   The 2012 Elite Team consists of

Jarred Berger                                     Road

Matt Farnham                                   Road 

Brandon Fenster                              Triathlon

Kevin Limpach                                   Mountain/Road

Justin Maresh                                    Road

Kyle McClellan                                   Road

Joe McWilliams                                 Road

John Rokke                                         Cyclocross/mountain

Jordan Ross                                        Road/ Cyclocross

Chris Spence                                      Road

Marco Vasquez                                 Road/Track

John Vondracek                               Road             

We also welcomed new members Anne Andersen, Scott Bullfinch, Jason Johanning, Andrew Karstrom, Nate Lewis, and Patrick Sumrell as Club level members.  (Age range: 13 to 62)  As always we welcome new members of any ability level.  Go to the Contact link if you are interested in joining.