The bugs were out in force, but that was the only downside Wednesday for the CRANDIC Time Trial. Hot and windless, the evening was perfect for setting some records, and that we did: a record 42 racers toed the line; a record 14 raced on 1-day licenses; a record 13 raced in the Breakaway category.

Many return racers set new Personal Records including Kent Becker and Tara Coady, who both PR'd by more than a minute. No record, but a definite first: Doug Siemen raced his BMX bike, leading to a new category that we haven't completely identified yet. A lot of strong rides on a hot, windless day.

Photos thanks to Matt Hartman (midcourse) and Burne Sippy (turnaround).

It wasn't pretty, but at least we had a break in the rain for episode one of the 2019 CRANDIC TT Series. A cloudy, brisk 60F, but without much wind. Still, whether due to mechanicals, jet lag, an extra layer of clothes, or maybe lingering hibernation, most of us fell short of any PR effort Wednesday. But it felt great to be back out there.
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Thanks again for the photos to our Matt Hartman.

The days were already noticeably shorter on August 1 as the final race in the 2018 CRANDIC Time Trial Series drew 26 racers on warm, breezy Wednesday evening. We finished racing no problem, but by the time racers settled into Big Grove back in Solon the shadows were a bit long. The breezy day, on the other hand, didn't stop Joanna Hall from besting her own course record yet again.

Results were shared. Final standings were figured. Series winnings were awarded, both cash and prizes. Top three in each category of the final season standings earned a CRANDIC TT/Big Grove pint glass to remember the race by. If you didn't get yours let us know. 

Special thanks to all the folks that made this series possible: volunteers Brad Roark, Gary Henry, Chelsea Bilskemper, Burne Sippy, and Shawn Meaney; officials and stand-ins Larry Howe, Kirschen Shea, and Brian Abbott; the entire CRANDIC crew, but most especially Tara Coady, Matt Hartman, and Steve Tygrett; Doug Goettsch, Ellee Murphey, Andrew Mitchell, and all our favorite wait staff at Big Grove Solon; Johnson County Supervisor Mike Carberry; and all 50+ racers who joined us for year one of the CRANDIC Time Trial Series.

Any ideas or suggestions for next year would be appreciated. One that we've started already is an email list/newsletter for folks who want reminders of race dates and notices of weather and traffic conditions. You can submit either here:

It was a bit breazy July 18 for the CRANDIC Time Trial, but that didn't seem to slow down anyone. In fact, our two course record holders, Joanna Hall and Brian Eppen, both managed to up the bar by besting their own records by about 20 seconds. Maybe the cooler temperatures made up for the breeze? Regardless, it was a perfect night for a time trial.

Thirty racers toed the line in this third of four races. The final edition is just two weeks away on August 1 -- and the newly updated Series standings show some very close competitions. See you then!

Okay, so there was no storm. But 32 people braved a nasty looking radar and forecast Wednesday, June 6, to race the CRANDIC TT out of Big Grove Solon. Despite dire predictions the wind was calm and cloud cover dropped the temps out of the 90s for some pretty sweet conditions for racing. We did get some sprinkles on our way back to Solon, but not enough to keep us from dining outside on the patio back at Big Grove.

As always, huge thanks to the USAC's Larry Howe, volunteers Gary Henry, Chelsea Bilskemper, and Burne Sippy, and all our favorite staff at Big Grove Solon. You people make this event a very special one.

Sorry if you missed it, as the next CRANDIC TT won't be for almost six weeks. We won't try to TT on the fourth of July,  so instead of the first Wednesday of the month we'll do the third, July 18. See you then!

Photos below are from our man in the bushes, Matt Hartman. Thanks, Matt!

Plus a few bonus shots from Nick Crum. Thanks, Nick!

The CRANDIC Time Trial Series got off to a great start Wednesday with 23 racers and absolutely perfect weather. Turnout wasn't what we had hoped, due in part to postponing two weeks earlier and to conflicting events in both Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, but that didn't stop folks from having fun and riding hard.

An inaugural event means course records are inevitable, but nearly windless conditions helped Brian Eppen and Joanna Hall lay down men's and women's benchmarks that will be very hard to beat. The course itself proved popular with riders, which most described as tough but fun. We look forward to another crack at it in just three weeks on June 6.

Big thanks to volunteers Brad Roark, Burne Sippy, Chelsea Bilskemper, and Tara Coady, without whom the race would not have happened. And to Larry Howe, one of the more patient USACycling officials out there.

Photos below are courtesy of the man in the bushes, Matt Hartman. Thanks Matt!