Team Cycle Funattic – 3^rd Quarter News Updates

Well, along with the end of summer comes the end of the road racing season for most of Team Cycle Funattic. The arrival of tropical storm Hanna put an abrupt end to our season with the cancellation of the Phillipsburg Criterium. An unfortunate decision, but one we felt was in the best interest of everyone’s safety. Cyclocross season has just started and the Team has already gotten great results. Cyclocross is hugely popular in Europe and combines road racing with mountain biking. It was developed by the European professionals (who else?) to stay in shape over the winter months.

This past season has been exceptionally successful for Team Cycle Funattic. Since our last update, we are extremely proud to announce a podium placing for Austin Matlee who earned a 3^rd place in the race at Basking Ridge – right in our Greenberg and Rapp sponsor’s backyard for all to see. And that’s not all: Austin has collected a total of 3 wins this past season and Jeff Myer’s has had several top 10 placings. More on them below.

• Austin Matlee: Austin has had a fantastic season. We have collected wins in at the Cycle Sports Circuit Race in Doylestown, PA, Bicycling Magazine’s Tour de Brew in Allentown, PA, and at the Lehigh Valley Winery Criterium. As stated above, he also came in 3^rd at the Olde Mill Tour of Basking Ridge Labor Day weekend and placed 3^rd at the Marlton Criterium in southern NJ. Austin continues to race at the weekly Thursday Night Training races in Trexlertown, hoping for breakaways and sprints in which to out-fox the local pros.

• Jeff Myers: About mid-August, Jeff earned 50 points and the right to move up to the late race at the Thursday night races in Trexlertown. So now Russ, Austin, Jeremy (see below) and now Jeff race together in the late race – the first time 4 Cycle Funattic members have been in the late race. Jeff has also been placing well in his races: 3^rd at Alaric Gayfer PA State Criterium Championship; 4^th at the Marlton Criterium; 5^th in the Lehigh Valley Winery Criterium; and in the pack at the Olde Mill Tour of Basking Ridge in Basking Ridge, NJ. Jeff also is training to compete in the International Trade Center Triathlon in Budd Lake, NJ on September 27. As he finishes the season Jeff is ranked by US Cycling 33^rd nationally as a Cat 5 level racer, 6^th in the 30-34 age range, AND (!) 2^nd in New Jersey. Not bad for a rookie. Jeff’s an animal!

• Russ Padgett: Russ also continues to race in the Thursday Night Training races. He also has done well in several Master’s level races. Russ came in 2^nd in the Master’s race at the Bicycling Hall of Fame’s 4th of July Criterium Cycling Classic in Raritan, NJ; finished in the pack at the Tour de Brew in Allentown; and 18^th at the Olde Mill Tour of Basking Ridge. Russ is one of our top line cyclocross racers. This past weekend, he finished 2^nd in the Master’s category at the Nittany Lion Cross race. The Nittany Lion Cross race was a UCI (Union Cyclistes Internationale, the international governing body of cycling) sanctioned event that drew several hundred of the region’s top racers. In 2006, Russ earned the NJ State Cyclocross championship in his age group. With the cyclocross season underway, Russ is ready to go for more.

• Rich Fay: Even though Rich doesn’t race as often as some of the other guys, his plans for the remainder of the season came to an abrupt end at the July 3 Thursday Night Training race. With 3 laps to go, Rich was trying to position himself at the front of the pack to lead out Jeff for the final sprint when Rich was cut off and crashed. This crash resulted in several broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung, and nearly a week in the hospital. The good news is his bike was fine. Fear not, he’s on the road to recovery for sure. After 7 weeks off, he’s back on the bike and still planning on participating in the upcoming City to Shore MS 150. Rich is looking forward to the winter training season. He hopes to return to the peloton in fine shape next season.

• Julian Natisin: Julian finished a 19^th in the Pottsville City Cycle in July and 23^rd in the Schooley’s Mountain Hill Road Race in early July. Again, Julian competes in adventure-style races. His next events include the Lehigh River bike and boat challenge on September 21, the International Trade Center Triathlon on September 27 with Jeff, and the Mt. Man Duathon on October 26.  Julian also races cyclocross and is tentatively scheduled for 3 cyclocross races this fall including Wissahickon Cross Oct. 19, the Spring Mt. Cross Nov 23, and ending the cross season at the Phillipsburg Cyclocross race December 7. As you can see, Julian is one busy guy. 

• Rick Carpenter: In early August, Rick completed a 1000K (about 630 miles!) trek through Eastern PA. Completed is not quite accurate: Rick smashed the previous record for completion by more than 3 hours! That’s quite a long ways to ride and his shoulders have just gotta hurt. You can check out the ride report at http://users.rcn.com/trosenbauer/PA1000K_Report080801.html. Rick’s next big ride will be in Jackson Mississippi riding a 400k brevet.

• Jeremy Hoadley: Jeremy has been easing his way back into the racing scene. He made his return to serious racing at the Tour d Brew in Allentown where he finished in the pack in 21^st place. That’s a pretty good showing for his first race in 2 or 3 years. He also has been participating in some of the Thursday Night Training Races with Russ, Jeff, and Austin. Look for Jeremy to regain his full form with a solid winter training program and to start challenging for wins at the Cat 3 level. Jeremy has an awesome sprint and is one tough guy to pass when he revs it up.

• Mike Arnold, Donna Long, Danny Hahn, and Kevin Kocher participated in a balloon bike race the end of July. This race was more of a charity event and riders were paired with a hot-air balloonist and launched way up into the atmosphere for 20-30 minutes. After time had elapsed, the balloons landed and the riders made their way to the finish which was at the Warren County NJ fair grounds. No winners from Cycle Funattic but everyone finished. Mike and Donna also plan to participate in the upcoming City to Shore MS 150 ride with Rich and Russ. They won’t be bringing their balloon friends, though.

• Glenn Bray: Glenn broke his leg in February. Since then, he’s found it difficult regaining form. Now that the season is over, Glenn is looking forward to the end of the season and regaining his strength over the winter for 2009. Team Cycle Funattic has a pretty solid winter training program. We’ll get Glenn back to top form for next season for sure.

• We also would like to announce that we have recruited new members for next season:

1. John Brew: John is a junior racer in the 15-16 year old age group. He finished 5^th at the Bicycling Magazine’s Tour de Brew. He’s been out with the team for a couple of training rides and, quite honestly, John’s got the goods. Look for him to have a bright future in cycling. We’re in the process of developing a solid winter program for John. It will be great fun to watch him develop.

2. Bob Webb: Bob is a Cat 3 road and track racer. Bob also is a US Cycling official. Bob brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team. He will be a huge asset for us.

3. Mike Decker: Not really a “new” recruit, Mike returns to us after a few years’ hiatus from racing. He will be returning as a Cat 4, which will mean five Cat 4 racers in the Cycle Funattic roster. We are very glad to have Mike back.

Finally, we’ve updated the team web site at http://www.cyclefunattic.com/team/. We also have included a "Sponsor's Page" which we recognize our sponsors and provide you the opportunity to advertise your business and correspond with the racers.

The winter training season starts shortly and believe it or not, the 2009 season will be here before you know it. Races start as early as the first weekend in March when it’s still cold and snowy. But, there’s plenty of nice weather to look forward to, and there’s still lots of action to come this year for Team Cycle Funattic.

Your sponsorship has enabled the team to continually achieve beyond our objectives for the year. And for this, we are truly appreciative.

On behalf of Team Cycle Funattic,

Rich Fay

Director of Sponsor Relations

RF / vm – © 2008 Cycle Funattic