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teamsomerset  | from the President's Desk
Courtesy of https://gdesign.us/

10/5/2021 - Second Season

Outstanding accomplishments (podiums, wins, championships) and some fantastic "second" season riding. Great job overall by the team. Congrats and still going strong into October. Somerset racing well, wire to wire, in 2021.

Team Somerset riders are representing the team well as we enter the "second" season.

Rick Anderson is on a hot streak with wins at Nittany and Bubble Cross and a second and third at the prestigious Charm City Cross in Baltimore over the weekend. Nick Romanello rode his first ever cross race in south Jersey and took out the junior 10-14 race.

A few weeks ago the Masters Track Nationals in Trexlertown, PA saw some fine results by Somersets.

Mike Brent took the championship in the 80+ scratch race backed up by silver medals in the points race, 500m tt and match sprints.

Joe Saling took championships in the 80+ individual pursuit and points race.

Patrick Gellineau won silver in the 70-74 points race, third in both match sprint and 500 m tt and fifth in the scratch race.

Robert Kowal won bronze in the team pursuit and was fifth in team sprint. He won an exciting 5th though 8th place race in match sprints (60+) to secure the final podium spot.

Rod Murray had good rides in the hotly contested 60-64 class.

HPCX coming up in a few weeks and it is the NJ cyclocross state championship. Good luck boys!

Thanks,
Joe and Chuck


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8/14/2021 - Thanks for a Great Day of Racing and Season

Just wanted to thank everyone that helped make today's Somerset Circuit TT a success, and our entire 85th Anniversary TT Series. Results are now posted live and standings for our Series being updated for the website.

We, today, dodged more bumps with the chip timing approach to still pull off an awesome event of high quality. Our team is really good at that and the TT community appreciates it. Three (3) races organized/executed in 7 weeks is no small effort, so all should be proud. Weather, while summer warm and sticky, held out today and it was a full team effort to manage the various turns and nuances that course brings. Shout out all to our sponsors Saunders Jewelry, Power Bar, and Rudy Project, that made our prize dissemination smooth and certainly cost effective for the team and great for the racers.

Specifically, there is an endless list of things that Joe and Dottie Saling did and their input, presence and support is unrivaled. Everything from race input, to prize organization, port-a-john ordering, course set up/take down and also helping to keep me sane with the results issues going on. Thanks to my wife Fran also who helped at registration, packing things, set up, and helping me haul things back and forth, answer questions etc. - and deal with me piling the house with things for 3 races.

Bob Perlee handled our webmaster support before and after and always keeps me on task with flyers, starts, results, etc. A special "thank you" to Marc Perrault who hung out after the race and helped us pack things up also. In terms of location/start support and marshals, we had:

Rod Murray and Ken Drake managing the start area getting riders to the lining, holding etc
First Turn on to Hillcrest marshals at the tri-pod of roads - Rick Danielson, Marc Perrault, Steve Kowalski
Left Turn at Sunset View T - Steve Petouvis
Right Turn at Old York Rd - Lew Saling
Right Turn at Craig Rd - Jeff Olszyk
Right Turn at Pleasant Run Rd - Pieter Dehaan
Cole Rd Climb - Erich Neise, Herman Storms
Holland Brook Bridge - Jim Ludovici, Greg Schutske, Mike Brent
Last Left Turn to Roosevelt Ave - John Chaki

Thanks all for a great and successful Series, and we look forward to our Steve Reed Memorial event at Cape May to open the season in the spring of 2022. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Let's support the Eddy next weekend being run by Jim L at Bridge Velo, the NJ non-aero State Championship.

Thanks,
Chuck


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7/28/2021 - Somerset Circuit Time Trial and Support

The final leg of our TT Series is Saturday, August 14 in Readington at the Holland Brook School location. Somerset Circuit TT. I am reaching out shortly after Flanders as this last event is the largest resource requirement with the technical elements and turns involved. If you are available for a couple of hours that morning, particularly for marshaling, please let me know. We want to certainly close out the year in style and have gotten outstanding feedback thus far on our team organization and execution of the races.

Thanks so much and let me know if there are any questions. Look forward to seeing you out there.

Thanks,
Chuck


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7/25/2021 - Thanks for an Outstanding Flanders TT

Just wanted to send out a follow-up collective "thank you" to everyone for the efforts at Flanders. The 22nd year of this great time trial. Perfect weather, great race, the usual Somerset cohesive team work to deliver an outstanding TT, along with super prizes. For those interested, here are results for the day. Formatted on website shortly and to USAC. Naughright Rd was as steep as we all remember it:

Appreciate everyone being patient with our continued efforts to support technology with chips, but ensure the appropriate results/#s and officiating are in place. 2021 is a little trial and error for that and I recognize the bumps along the way. Specifically, yesterday's help included:

  • Joe and Dottie Saling - my race right hands in which I bounce off lots of things for input, race general organization, course set up/take down and Dottie worked at registration area handling all issues from chip/# handout to writing checks and helping with clean up.
  • Fran Crocco - registration help and managing a lot of issues around the reg table, answering questions, chips/#s, band-aids, and helping me haul our prize bunch to the race and unload etc.
  • Start area - outstanding usual help from Rod Murray as the holder and Ken Drake as the Whip
  • Corner marshals - we were a little tight on the overall # but just had what we needed and all were outstanding
    -Bartley First Turn - Marc Perrault (Marc was also seen clipping off zip ties to help riders return chips)
    -Flocktown Right - John Andre, so awesome having him back in the fold
    -Drakestown Rd Left - a tricky one and well handled by Scott Breed and Herman Storms
    -River Rd Right Turn - Bob Peters. Bob was also instrumental in course set up, clean up and a long time advisor of the course and promoter of the race
    -Final River Rd to Bartley Turn - a tough one. Eric Schlauch and Frank Villani did a great job in a critical area

Lastly, Bob Perlee (our webmaster) provided comprehensive and critical support updating our web page, setting up flyer, links, start lists, results etc. Bob does a great job and we really appreciate his support. Shout out to sponsors as well for prizes specifically yesterday included PowerBar and Rudy Project. They have really helped us this year provide high level quality prizes that everyone is so happy about.

These events don't happen without this level of full outstanding support and its much appreciated. The Somerset 85th Anniversary TT Series has one more piece to it on August 14 at the Somerset Circuit TT. Let's celebrate the success of Flanders and I will shortly be in touch on Somerset as it is our largest resource need and home race.

Thanks again for everything and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Thanks,
Chuck


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7/11/2021 - Flanders TT reminder

Just a reminder that the 2nd race in Team Somerset's 2021 85th Anniversary TT Summer Series is Saturday, July 24, at Flanders (Palmer Park, Long Valley). As always, pre-reg only closing late Thursday night (July 22) before and a road bike event, so "no time trial bikes." Also, no junior classes, which is also not a change. Part of our summer series, so, in the absence of the formal New Jersey TT Cup this year, we are tracking points for the 3 Race Series (20....1 for results) in each class. Additionally, for some added fun/competition, we are adding a point segment(timed) at Flanders on Naughright road (chip timed and marked). Top 5 (5...1 points) for all classes, except the larger classes (Non TT Bike Men and Masters 55+) will be Top 10 (10...1) for the segment. Series standings will be tracked on our website and are up there now with Allamuchy results only. Sponsor prizes for each race and we'll award a Series winner in each class at the conclusion of the Series, and an overall QOM and KOM on the Flanders Naughright hill. I shared this information with all who raced at Allamuchy, but also want to share with the full TT Community. Please contact me with any questions and look forward to seeing you all at Flanders on July 24 and Somerset Circuit on August 14.

Thanks,
Chuck


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7/6/2021 - Happy 4th Weekend and on to Flanders - July 24 (Seeking to Confirm Marshals)

Hope all had a great long July 4 weekend. Certainly shaped up for great family fun and riding 2nd half of weekend. As we move on to our "second leg" in the Team Somerset Series of TTs this summer, I just wanted to reach out to confirm our overall support for the race. Flanders is July 24 and our last race this year is the Somerset Circuit on August 14. Both Saturdays. Some have reached out already to offer help, but please let me know if you are available for help for 90 minutes in the morning for marshaling, etc. I have a couple of spots on the Flanders course where a single marshal is OK. However, a few others where several are needed for safety. If you can come out to support our event and the team, please let me know. Enjoy another hot summer week, but keep cool and hydrate for sure.

Thanks,
Chuck


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6/13/2021 - from NJ TT Cup Facebook page

Heads up that the Flanders Time Trial (July 24) registration goes live on Tuesday, June 15 for entries. Allamuchy (June 26), Flanders (July 24) and Somerset Circuit (August 14) are combined as the Team Somerset-POPS 2021 TT Series celebrating our team's 85th anniversary. We will have great sponsor prizes for each race, and also award a full Series winner (each category) based on points. We'll work that point set up prior to the first race. Please review the Event Notes and registration carefully as our categories have been paired down a little from the standard NJ TT Cup Series Cup, which will return in 2022. In the interest of utilizing some things we learned in 2020, chip timing is going to be used at all the races, and, additionally, Flanders will include a KOM/QOM points segment for the Naughright Hill. This will an opportunity for us to use the new tools, have some fun, and reward the climbers as they balance the demands of a full TT with a big climb. We feel the diversity of the Series taps into the classic TT work on the flats, climbing both on a road bike (Flanders) and TT bike (Somerset TT) and some technical handling at all the races. Also working to potentially get Pactimo Somerset Anniversary jerseys for the Series winners, and really anyone who might like to order them. More to follow on that. Look forward to seeing you at the Series and first at Allamuchy on June 26.

Thanks,
Chuck


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5/16/2021 - 2021 Team Somerset 85th Anniversary TT Series

Hello all. Hope you are all enjoying this nice stretch of weather as we move into a summer-like week and on to summer. I am including a communication I released to the NJ TT Cup Facebook page today announcing our events for 2021. There will not be a full TT Cup this year, but we are running 3, of our standard 4, events, as a Series and doing it in conjunction with the team's 85th Anniversary. A great long run for Somerset!!

The details are both here, on Bike Reg, and our website. As you know, these promotions don't come off without team support and it is certainly appreciated. We'll make a few modifications for Covid and post Covid, but, starting with Allamuchy, having corner marshal support is essential to the success and safety of the race.We'll do all we can to make the environment safe and as "low touch" as possible. If you are able to help out at Allamuchy on Saturday, June 26, for a couple of hours, please let me know. I will communicate details for Flanders (July 24) and Somerset TT (August 14) also, but if you know that could help for any of those, please let me know. For any of our new team members/families, happy to also connect and discuss what assisting at an event entails. Usually it is only a commitment of a couple of hours and makes our overall team approach very effective. We like to bring water, bananas, cookies and goodies for anyone there.

Look forward to getting back out and seeing everyone. We have not formalized anything to celebrate the team anniversary, as Covid took over, but we will do that and also return to a semblance of team meeting as our events begin. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, or as Joe would say, "Push Hard and Pedal Fast" and please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Chuck


NJ TT Cup Series Page Announcement
Hope all are enjoying a great May weekend as we kick into a hot summer-like week. on the cusp of summer. Just a heads up that the Allamuchy TT will go live for registration at midnight tonight (5/16). The event is Saturday, June 26, and part of our race series this year, along with Flanders on July 24 and Somerset Circuit TT on August 14. Those races will be up for registration each about 6-7 weeks prior to the event as we work through permits/approvals. It is the 85th Anniversary of the Somerset Wheelmen/Team Somerset and, without a formal TT Cup this year, seemed appropriate to run our events as part of a Series. We will handle each race individually with placing, prizes, etc, but there will be a category winner (based off of total points) for the Series. Please note that we modified the Cup categories somewhat to streamline, without compromising competition, and attraction for new riders etc. Also, since we are running Allamuchy and Somerset slightly off (later than) their calendar time from prior years, always helpful to either pre-ride. or check out the area for conditions prior to racing. More to follow on the events certainly, but wanted to give all the heads up that we are ready to roll. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and look forward to seeing you at races.

https://www.bikereg.com/50442


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4/10/2021 - Happy Spring and Team Somerset 2021 Events

Hello all! I hope everyone is rolling into the spring well and managing best as possible through a rather difficult year. NJ has positives and negatives currently as it relates to the pandemic, but we are all hoping to move forward. When weather has permitted, our Sunday rides have gone well at both Readington Middle School and POPS Somerville and, while this weekend looks like a Sunday washout, hopefully next Sunday is much better and we keep moving forward.

I wanted to give the team a heads up that I am posting some information on the NJ Time Trial Cup Series FB page today on our proposed time trial events and dates this year. They are, as follows, of course pending appropriate progress of things in NJ and all the requisite approvals and permits necessary. Saturday dates:

Joe Saling and I have discussed and I have also made preliminary contact with the venues, towns, etc. There are pieces that need to be put together on this "Somerset Rural West Jersey TT Series" as I am calling it. LOL. As you all know, events don't happen with support. I do, however, want to ensure that all appropriate protocol and safety is in place for these and that only those comfortable race and volunteer. My expectation and hope is that we'll be in a better spot in late June, but it will be monitored closely and the races will look a little different and have as much "low or no" contact and social distance as we can add. Still working through categories and other parts of the puzzle, but wanted to give the team a heads up.

If there are questions, let me know. Once this comes together more fully, I'll reach out for volunteers etc in May as we get closer. As always, stay safe, but ride your bike and best to all of you, family and friends.

Thanks,
Chuck


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