Mulally Signs with Specialized/GROM

Specialized/GROM proudly announces the addition of East Coast talent, Logan Mulally, for the 2011 season. Logan had many options for 2011. Choosing our program not only pushes us forward towards our goal of preparing young American riders for International competition, but takes Logan to the next level as well. We are honored that he chose Specialized/GROM.

Christopher Herndon- Team Director, former National Champion and World Cup competitor say’s of his teams latest addition: “I’ve had a long relationship with the Mulally family and have seen Logan develop since he was 10 years old racing at Snowshoe, WV. Having the opportunity to introduce and prepare him for World Cup competition is very inspiring. He has an incredible natural talent and we want to compliment that talent with a solid program designed to prepare him both mentally and physically. We have some incredible young riders in our program and Logan exemplifies what we’re looking for in those riders. He has a lot of experience for such a young athlete and we know the rest of our riders will benefit from having him on the team.”

Logan recognizes that there is more to winning races than just talent. Specialized/GROM’s training program is focused on preparing riders to compete and win races internationally. Mulally’s goals are high, and so are his skills. We have a solid program that produces solid riders and Logan is the next step in bridging the gap between great domestic competitors and great international competitors. Combining his talent with our tailor made program will take him, and us, to the next level of racing. 

We are excited that Logan will be representing Specialized/GROM in Europe this season. We need to prepare our riders for the next level of competition and this is our first opportunity to prove we can deliver American talent to the International racing scene and show that our riders are physically and mentally prepared to perform at a World Class level.

“Our mission is to develop US talent and offer a well rounded program. I think for Logan it’s about being able to work with our staff and fully develop him into a well trained and well disciplined World Cup competitor” -Christopher Herndon 

Logan says, “I’ve known Chris and Tim for as long as I’ve been racing Mountain bikes. Chris has always been there in the background doing things to help us whenever he could. When it came time for me to make a decision for 2011, I was offered several really generous opportunities to choose from. For me, it all came down to the hands on approach I knew I would get from the Specialized/GROM racing program. Tim raced World Championships both years as a junior and I know he has a lot experience and advice to offer about upper level competition. I’ve ridden with the GROM squad and am very impressed with the professionalism of the program and the riders. I see a solid structure for me to build a world cup career upon. Chris and Tim have the experience to help me get there prepared to win. I am ready for a great season in 2011!”

We are looking forward to seeing what a winter of training alongside big brother Neko will do for Logan, and everyone is excited to see where this next chapter will take us. Look for Specialized/GROM at our first race of the season, the Port Angeles Pro GRT. Check out gromracing.com for more news and a full race schedule. Specialized/GROM is proudly partnered with Specialized Bikes, SRAM, Cane Creek, Industry Nine, Sycamore Cycles and Snowshoe Mountain for 2011.

Tim Price

Specialized/GROM Coach

Gravity USA - Specialized USA

Specialized GROM Racing is happy about the Gravity USA announcement of Curis Keene and Brad Benedict as  pro downhillers riding for Specialized in 2011. Riding similar Specialized bikes with SRAM and GAMUT components will make it even more fun at races.

In the 2010 season GROM Racers got to meet and attend National Championships with Curtis Keene. In addition, several GROM members joined Curtis for the recent Sea Otter Classic. Congratulations to Curis on his 8th place finish in the downhill competition. Plus, teammate Brad Benedict finished with an impressive 19th place finish too.

GROM looks forward joining Gravity USA at more races in the 2011 season. Read the full press release at: http://iamspecialized.com/gravity/team/specialized-racing--gravity-usa 

Specialized/GROM at ETSU

Race report by Specialized/GROM Racer - Ben Calhoun & Jay Fesperman

This weekend (April 9 & 10) the majority of the Specialized/GROM Racing team went to the ETSU national championship qualifiers. The rest of the team was busy racing the Port Angeles Pro GRT. ETSU was a relaxed, fun race with the most important goal to qualify for national championships later this year. 

We all had a great time in between races relaxing and having fun. Midway through the day, the downhill was over and we all grabbed our Specialized SX's and sessioned the slalom and 4x track. The tracks were great! Sadly the races were cancelled due to a heavy rain storm. Jay qualified first and picked up the win.

We were the last team in the pits packing up and the tornado sirens in the town started to blare, "Life threatening situation, A tornado has been sighted in the area, Stay away from windows and doors." As the brave Specialized/GROM Racers chilled in the pits determined what to do next. Sam Pensler (top GROM racer) hid under a table to humor everyone. The whole team went to the ETSU library to stay safe and eventually the sirens ended and it was all clear. However, the rains returned just-in-time for the awards presentations, forcing the ETSU race organizers to distribute the ceremonial "Shovels" from the back of the race trailer.  

The next day the team decided to race XC. A few of us raced it on our sweet slalom bikes. The track was fun and everyone had a good time and overall the weekend was a great success for the team, with everyone quaifying for nationals and having a bit of pre-big race season fun. Click Here for more photos (courtesy of Tim O'Brien).

DOWNHILL

2nd JR Ex- Jay Fesperman

3rd JR Ex- Ben Calhoun

3rd PRO- Sam Pensler

2nd PRO WMN- Lauren Daney

SLALOM

1st JR Ex- Jay Fesperman

2nd JR EX- Ben Calhoun

3rd JR Ex- Sam Pensler

CROSS COUNTRY

1st- Ben Calhoun

2nd- Jay Fesperman

3rd- Eric Vest

Carmichael Training Systems and Specialized/GROM

Six weeks ago, I heard that Carmichael Training Systems was going to sponsor Specialized/GROM and I had no idea what to expect. I ride road with some of my dad’s friends that use heart rate monitors as well as specific training programs, but I didn’t really know what to think. 

We received our first instructions from Tristan Cowie. We were told to purchase heart rate monitors and send in what we had been doing for the last 2 months. I was fortunate, for my brother and I keep training logs; therefore we knew exactly what we had been doing. Then we were given our training peaks account. This was where we could communicate with the coaches as well as view our program. I was super excited to start the training. After several weeks of getting used to it, I could feel my body becoming accustomed to it. Personally what really helped me was that I had been doing A LOT of riding prior, including Cyclocross, BMX, and XC. The program has really established some routine and structure to my training. It is based on getting a really strong base/foundation during the winter months. It mainly consists of road rides, some gym work, and my favorite... Pump track sessions in my yard.

            In late February, I was given the chance to go up to the CTS office in Ashville NC, not too far from my house. The head coach, Colin Izard, gave me the opportunity to do a lactate threshold test. I was super pumped to give it a go, and see how I could do. The day felt like a Race day for me personally, as there were some nerves involved. The test is on a stationary bike with a power meter. The watts increase roughly every three minutes, which form zones. The beginning was super easy, but things got serious really quickly. It felt just like one of the many Cyclocross races I had competed in, during the fall. My finger was pricked, and blood taken every zone, to test the amount of lactic acid in my blood. The purpose of this test was to see the highest level you can ride before you cross your lactate threshold. In other words, hurting really badly. The test took about 40 minutes and at the end I was cooked. Afterwards, I sat down with Colin and Tristan and they spent some time explaining things with me. They showed me what all the numbers meant, as well as the graph of the power meter. I was very happy with how I did, and how much I learned. I was very excited, and it made my day when I found out, that with some different training, XC racing would be right up my alley.

            I’m super excited to be working with Carmichael Training Systems. I have already learned so much, and I know that with a lot of hard work, that this can lead me to great places. I want to thank everyone associated with Specialized/ Grom as well as Colin and Tristan at CTS for the opportunity.

                         -Walker Shaw 

Clemson Ride Weekend

About two weeks ago, Timmy, Sam and Burke came down for the weekend. On Saturday we decided to go down to Clemson to get some riding in. So on Saturday morning, we all rode down along with Tristan Cowie and Chris Bennet. When we got there we didn't waste anytime and went straight into riding.

The course was in really good shape and a lot faster than I remember it. It also had some cool new features that I thought really contributed to the flow of the course. There was one wooden jump over a burm just after the wall ride and a really fun drop near the end of the course. After doing a few runs, we decided to help with some trail work.  It was fun to see everyone working together.

Next we decided to session some key parts of the course. We looked at the rollers for a while, trying to find some lines that might buy some extra time. Then we went down to the bottom of the course to look at the rock garden. This is for sure one of my favorite parts of the course and also the hardest for me. It features an off camber turn with some pretty big roots in it then into a small rock garden and then off the drop. You are also pretty tired by the time you get to this section of the track. We worked on this section for a long time for there were many line choices. In the end we had all figured out what line we thought worked best for us. 

By this time, we were all really hungry and getting tired. We had ridden for a pretty long time and we all felt confident on all parts of the track. A few of us were a little sick too so we decided to wrap it up and head to Chick-fil-a.. It was really fun to ride with my teammate Sam again, and of course it is always fun riding with my coaches Timmy and Chris. In the end it was a really fun day of riding and I am looking forward to many more this season!

Luca Shaw-Specialized/GROM

Hawk-O-Ween at the Dirty Bird

Eric "Hot Dog" Vest on the Hawk-O-Ween Podiumrace report by Jay Fesperman and Eric Vest

This weekend was the last time we will ever ride at the Dirty Bird at Hawksnest Resort in Seven Devils, NC and  it was the last time we will ever ride our 2010 Specialized Big Hits. We loved riding at the Dirty Bird this season. The Dirty Bird trails had sweet berms, technical rock gardens, and fun jumps. Since this race was the last race of the season and it was on Halloween weekend, everyone was encouraged to wear costumes. This made the race extremely fun and relaxed. Christopher and Ben got mullets to go with their Hick costumes (they looked really funny!). Eric was rocking a hot dog costume, which was pretty hilarious too.  Walker had a sleek Industry Nine skin suit, which made him smooth out on the course.

Saturday started out with slalom, on the new DS course at the Bird. The track was tight, short and really fast, with flowy rollers and berms. It was a track to test your pumping and cornering ability.  They took 16 qualifiers; with the GROM team all riding in one class. There was a lot of intense racing and Christopher came out on top, with Walker in second and Tim in third. As soon as slalom was over everyone got ready to practice downhill before the race later in the afternoon.

With our costumes on, we started practice for the downhill race. The weather was great and the course was perfect. By 3:00 people started heading up the mountain for their race runs. At the top where everyone waited for their number to be called, we sat and looked at all of the costumes - some of them were really out there - crazy stuff. GROM dad Mike Calhoun won best costume in his, very appropriate, Evil Kenevil suit.

Riding down the course through the fast technical trail there were pumpkins in the ground especially at the (pumpkin jump) where most people watched. After the last racer came down the mountain and across the finish line people went to get cleaned up for the awards. After the awards the team loaded up in the cars and went back to the mountain house to eat a delicious meal courtesy of Fesperman and Calhoun families.

Sunday Luca and Walker woke up early to get ready for their cycle cross race that morning. We all had a great time watching them duke it out in the off camber/dual slalom section where Luca jumped one of the rollers with Walker gooning right next to him. It sure is amazing to watch all of the cycle cross racers ride the off camber section on the thin tires they ride on. 

When their cycle cross race was over, we all went to the trailer to get ready to ride the Dirty Bird for the last time. It was so cool riding the mixture of all the race courses from the past races. On the last run of the day, every one took a huge train down the race course. I think their where 50 people riding down the trail all at once. The toughest part of the day was when we had to give back our Specialized Big Hits. Some of us hugged our bikes after we put them in the GROM trailer ready to go home.

Plattekill - New York State Championships

GROM Racer Lauren Daney Represents the Team in Plattekill
Race Report by Lauren Daney, 9/27/10

Last Weekend I traveled to Plattekill for the New York State Championship with friend Brian Yannuzzi. Practice day, we had beautiful weather and did numerous runs on the race course. The track was mostly smooth single track with a couple steep sections, and wide open grass. It was one of my favorite race courses ever ridden. Later that day we hung out by the campfire with some good friends. Race day the rider turn out wasn't so great but had a great run. I was the only pro woman with a time of 3:10 and Brian Yanuzzi took 2nd with a 2:38 missing first to Chris Higgerson by 2 seconds. Pro mens class had only 5 riders. After the race we took many runs with the Plattekill locals and George Ulmer. Had a great weekend :]

Beech Race #3 and Dual Slalom at Lees McRae College

Ben Calhoun & Luca Shaw - exiting one of the mud boggs

Race Report by Luca Shaw

 

This weekend the team traveled to Beech Mountain for the third race in the Beech Mountain triple crown series. Everyone on the team was able to attend except for Eric and Lauren. When we arrived we were greeted with a brand new course and some heavy rain. The new course was wide and steep and very, very muddy. It rained non-stop for most of the day leading up to the race. By race time the course was covered in thick mud. People were having trouble putting together a clean run but fortunately everyone got down safely.

 

Junior Expert

1st- Jay Fesperman

2nd- Will O'brien

4th- Luca Shaw

6th- Walker Shaw

 

Pro

2nd- Chris Herndon

4th- Sam Pensler

6th- Ben Calhoun

7th- Tim Price

 

Sunday was the day of the Lees McRae dual slalom. The course was a little damp in the morning but perfect by race time. Since there were only four racers in the Junior Expert class we all decided to move up to Pro creating a very deep Pro class. Everyone had fast clean qualifying runs and the brackets were made. Jay, Walker, Luca, Chris and Timmy all made it out of the first round. Only Walker and Chris made it out of the second round. Going into the semi final, Chris won his bracket advancing him to the finals and Walker took second advancing him to the small final. Walker rode an amazing race in the small final and sealed third place in his first ever Pro race. Chris also rode outstanding and took the win in the final.

 

Pro Slalom

1st- Chris Herndon

3rd- Walker Shaw

 

Dirty Bird #2 - Dirty and Fun

GROM Podium - Jr. Expert - Dirty Bird #2 GROM Podium - Lauren Daney take 1st - Pro Women

Tires made the difference - Specialized Storms - were perfect for the course after Saturday afternoon's rain. The course started out slick and loamy but by the afternoon it was near perfect. Then the moutain rain came and course got according to the young GROMS - fast and a blast.

Sunday morning the course started out slick but was in great shape as race time approached. What a great course with doubles to jump, an agressive rock garden, stepdowns wth good air, and berms glalore.

GROMs raced the Pro-Elite course for some really fast times: Luca Shaw 1st, Jay Fesperman 2nd, Will O'Brien 3rd. Pro Elite: Christopher Herndon 2nd. The Pro Women were led by GROM Lauren Daney with a great time of 2.09.

A good time was had by all. Thanks to all the spectators ringing those cowbells and to DB Productions for a great race weekend.

Windham World Cup 2010 from Lauren Daney

Race report from 8/28/10

This past weekend I traveled with my mom to Windham Mountain NY, for the World Cup Finals. We arrived on Wednesday to some rainy weather where I did a course walk. The beginning of the track started off very steep with tight corners than opened up towards the middle and end, with some drops.

Thursday practice started off rough. Some other riders and I were taken to the bottom of the mountain by a rhino, due to a sketchy section up top.  This left me with only one practice run before Friday's qualifying. On Friday the weather was beautiful and the course dried up a lot. I squeezed in one run before I went off and crashed in my qually once but managed to just make the cut off of 20 women. Later that day we watched 4x quali's with close friend Joe Mulally and his family. Then we headed home for some lasagna!

Unfortuately on Saturday, Logan Mulally crashed in practice and was knocked out for a good 3 minutes. He was taken to the hospital where a friend Jenna and I met him, arriving on a Vespa after taking over an hour to get there. Thankfully Logan was okay and we went on with spectating the 4x finals that night, followed by an interesting town fair.

Sunday was day of the Downhill finals. I had never been so nervous in my life, but I was fortunate enough to ride and talk with pro rider Brad Benedict who made it a little less stressful. My final run I crashed twice, but i had a great weekend hanging out with friends and family, getting to ride with the fastest people in the world, and expierencing my first World Cup race, hopefully just one of many more.