Tour Preparations

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Austin and crew did the Triple Bypass ride which not only passes over Skyball Mountain but also what is known as Hog Mountain. This is a sadistic training ride which no one really enjoys. It was noted that it is getting harder and harder to stay on Austins wheel. He is training like a madman for the Tour de Tuscaloosa. If he finishes first or second in the road race he qualifies for the regional Lance Armstrong developmental camp. I think its in the bag!

Austin Oliver Rocks! Sumatanga #3

. Austin Oliver hammering up Chandler Mountain

Sprinting to a Top Ten Overall!

Austin Oliver showed why alot of people not just in Cullman are excited. Austin rode a great race today and finished in the TOP TEN OVERALL of the Sumatanga Race Series which in the finale finished on top of Chandler Mountain. This was a brutal climb after a very hard and fast 40 mile road race. Austin stayed in the main pack until after the 4th lap of the road race then the chaos began. On the lead up to the base of Chandler Mountain several attacks took place, Austin countered and began the long steep climb to the finish.

Partie Deux de Sumatanga!

What a beautiful day for racing at Camp Sumatanga in Gallant, Alabama. As the previous week there was a great turnout both locally and regionally. The A race was 50 miles and the B race 40.


Do they know how to have a good time in Cullman or what? The Cullman Cycling Club was out with families and a pre race picnic. On the spread was coffee from Primavera Coffee Roasters in Cahaba Heights. Brett and Havilah Burton made ground fresh coffee with a french press to get the Cullman boys motivated. Also on the table was great sandwiches and homemade cup cakes.

The Cullman Cycling Club riders, Cayce Cherry, Brett Burton, Bill St. John and Austin Oliver, plotting some pre race strategy.

Huge turnout in both races. The racers lining up for the 40 mile B race.

Amy Gravlee had a stellar race and made the selection. Amy looked strong and good in that new Team Medplan kit. She was in the sprint to win the race overall.

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Austin Oliver put in another great performance. Austin is a junior racer and finished in the main break.

The race according to Super Dave. David Edwards of Bike Works in Huntsville, giving some post race analysis

AUSTIN POWER!

.......................Austin Power: Local Man of Misery

Local junior rider Austin Oliver has been hitting the gym in preparations for the 2008 season. Rumor is he will be wearing the CCC kit for 2008, and riding with a new Campagnolo grouppo.

New Years Day Ride

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After a fantastic New Years dinner and party hosted by the St. Johns we struggled thru a ride more appropriately an artic ride New Years Day. We had a nice group to start the year off right. Austin Oliver worked over the group...a condition that will become familiar. We rode the Bethsadia loop which was a little over 30 miles.

Homemade biscuits with ham, jam, cheese and coffee when we got back, all the suffering was worth it!

Tour de Lombardia

Held in the autumn season in October the Tour de Lombardia is called "the race of the falling leaves" or "la classica delle foglie morte".

A local priest Father Ermelindo Vigano declared Madonna del Ghisallo the patroness of cyclists, which was recognized by Pope Pius XII. The Chapel of Madonna del Ghisallo contains a museum of cycling with some very interesting artifacts, including an eternal flame for the cyclists who have died.

These are some great pictures worthy of Pez Cycling News. Some of our Cullman Cycling Club members were relaxing and riding around Como and got some great shots.

The group climbing up towards the Madonna del Ghisallo.


Now this one is really worthy of Pez.

Cullman Cyclocross 2007