Team Set for First Collegiate Stop in Statesboro

Macon, GA -
With Mercer Cycling's first collegiate race in Statesboro just days away, the Bears continue to train and prepare for the three events that will take place Saturday and Sunday. The Battle in the 'Boro will comprise of the 20K team time trial and 30 minute + 3 lap criterium on Saturday and then the 22 mile Rocky Ford Road Collegiate C race around Screven County on Sunday. With SECCC points on the line, Mercer Cycling hopes to make a huge splash in their first official collegiate race after sweeping the podium at last weekend's 8th Annual Tundra Time Trials in Dallas, Ga.

This weekend's traveling squad includes the Tundra time trial winner Kevin Roberts, runner-up Andrew Lockwood, third-place finisher Evan Ayoub, Gabe Denes, A.J. Sholly, experienced racer Elizabeth Lee, Paul Rush, and a newcomer but experienced athlete to the squad, Jason Glow.

The fairly flat terrain in Stateboro and predicted temperatures in the mid 50s could result in some fast times, especially in the time trial and criterium events.

"This is a big learning experience for our team," commented racing director Andrew Lockwood. "We've got a lot of talent and I hope that we're able to turn some heads this weekend in Statesboro," he added.

Stay tuned to MercerCycling.Blogspot.com for the latest news on MU Cycling.

Charles Weaving

Charles Weaving III
Lawrenceville, GA
Vocal Performance/Biology Major

Mountain: Category 1/A
Cyclocross: Category 2/A
Road: Category 5/B
Track: Category 4/B

A Day in the Life of a Mercer Time Trialist

Written by 8th Annual Tundra Time Trial Collegiate Division Winner Kevin Roberts -

Tough week of classes ends at 2:50 PM Friday afternoon. Soak up the surprisingly good weather for a while. 6:00 PM, eat a hearty dinner at the Caf. 8:30 PM, hit the hay early. Get eight short hours of toss and turn sleep. Anticipation keeps me up because I can’t stop picturing the atmosphere of the race and the final, gut-wrenching sprint to the finish. Wake up at 4:30 AM. Shower, eat a cold breakfast, suit up, load gear, trainer, bike and tools into the truck. 5:30 AM, meet the guys in the parking lot of the RLC. One philosophy major, three engineers and one engineering professor gripe about how cold it is, eat some peanut butter balls, talk about directions, and leave in two cars at 5:50AM. Tell some jokes, get turned around…twice, and arrive at Rambo Nursery (event location) at 7:45AM. Rush to the bathroom, get registered, and get bikes ready. 8:08 AM, warm up. 8:37 AM first Mercer rider departs, air temperature 32 degrees. 9:05 AM, last Mercer rider departs air temperature 35 degrees. One after another, the team finishes and gathers near the finish line to catch their breaths and snap some pictures. Cool down, hop in some warm dry clothes, and WHO’s HUNGRY! It’s off to an early 10:30 AM lunch. We decide to eat at Waho (Waffle House). 11:00 AM, waffles and eggs make it to the table. 11:45 AM, head back to the award ceremony for the off chance that one of us gets an award. Last racers are finishing up, air temperature 50 degrees...go figure. Wait around, talk to some Walthall Oil guys (Macon’s pro team), meet the man who won it all (his legs were huge and he had a sweet beard, really nice guy). 1:15 PM, award ceremony starts late. Looky there, we swept the collegiate podium! I Never thought that we would. Fall asleep on the car ride back. 3:30 PM, back to school, back to the books. What a weekend!

Mercer Cycling Sweeps Collegiate Podium at Tundra!

Event Photos
Results
Dallas, GA -
After the race was postponed for a week due to inclement weather, the Mercer Cycling team traveled north to Dallas, Georgia for the 8th Annual Lillie Glass Tundra Time Trial. The 12 mile time-trial on the Silver Comet Trail is an early season warm-up for many cycling teams in the southeast and is known for its brutally cold weather.

And cold it was. Temperatures hovered in the mid 30s as all five Mercer riders launched between 8:30am and 9:00am. The temperatures the riders were experiencing were close to 10 degrees colder than air temperature and were excruiating to the lungs and legs as they warmed up.

Despite the low temperatures, Mercer swept the collegiate cateogory podium en route to a strong finish. Kevin Roberts notched the fast time on the course in the collegiate category, averaging 22.87 mph while Andrew Lockwood had the second fastest category time, pacing his bike at 22.0 mph.

Newcomer Evan Ayoub would finish third in the collegiate field followed by Gabe Denes and Dr. Loren Sumner in the Category 5 field. The 1-2-3 finish was a good showing for Mercer Cycling's first official race during their inaugural season.

"That was no doubt the coldest race I've ever been a part of. It was a great first showing by our team and while we swept the podium, we still know there's plenty of work to do to get to where we want to be by the end of the season," team captain Andrew Lockwood said after the race. "The times were down a bit from what I expected, but then again we don't often train in these kinds of brutal conditions all the time. It certainly does a number on your lungs when go all out for half an hour," he added.

Indeed if Mercer had started a bit later in the afternoon when temperatures hovered in the 50s, then there would've been a slight difference in the times, but the race order was predetermined based on online regristration as riders were launched every 30 seconds.

"I thought our team did outstanding," said Kevin Roberts. "Especially with the cold, I'm excited to see us place where we did and I'm excited about our upcoming season," Roberts said after his first career time trial victory.

Mercer Cycling now hits the road to the southeast as they travel to Georgia Southern for next week's collegiate race. The two day event will feature a time trial, criterium, and road race. Stay tuned to MercerCycling.Blogspot.com for more details.

A full list of results to come soon from SurgeSports.com

An Interview with Collegiate Winner Kevin Roberts


An interview with MU Cycling team member Dr. Sumner

Sunnier Weather forecasted for Tundra Time Trials

Macon, GA -

After nearly four inches of snow covered the ground last weekend, this weekend's weather seems to be a bit milder as the 8th Annual Tundra Time Trials will commence on Saturday at 8:30am. Bringing five riders to the race, Mercer Cycling will look to get the 2010 season off to a good start as Andrew Lockwood, Kevin Roberts, Gabe Denes, Evan Ayoub, and Dr. Loren Sumner head north to hammer down the 10 mile time trial trail. Forecasts predict the weather to be in the high 30s in the morning hours, but temperatures look to extend in the low 50s around noon on the Silver Comet Trail.

Launch times for the Mercer Cycling racers are:
Evan Ayoub - 8:37:30
Dr. Loren Sumner - 8:38:30
Andrew Lockwood - 8:57:00
Kevin Roberts - 9:03:00
Gabe Denes - 9:05:00

A full recap of results will follow after the race. For more details, visit the official race website.

Tundra Time Trials Postponed Due to Inclement Weather

Dallas, Ga -

A rare southeastern snow canceled Saturday's early spring time trial on the Silver Comet trial just north of Atlanta as nearly 4 inches of snow covered the ground. When race organizer Jim Burt canceled the race at approximately 5pm, nearly 2 inches of snow covered the race course. With temperatures predicted to remain below freezing for most of the day Saturday, Burt announced that the race, named after its usual tough weather conditions, would be postponed until further notice. Check the race website (surgesports.com) or here for later details on a makeup date.

Lineups Set for 8th Annual Tundra Time Trials

Mercer's first race for their inaugural 2010 season is about to kick off as part of their team travels to Dallas, GA for the highly competitive 8th Annual Tundra Time Trials. The short 10 mile time trial takes place on the Silver Comet Trial and from the final standings last year will prove to be an early test of speed for a number of Mercer riders early in the season. The roster for the race includes: J. Andrew Lockwood, Dr. Loren Sumner, Kevin Roberts, Gabe Denes, A.J. Sholly, and Evan Ayoub. Weather could be a factor in the race as temperatures are expected to dip in the high 20s before peaking in the mid-40s. It will certainly be an epic time trial in freezing weather.

Mercer Cycling Shirts to Go on Sale Soon!

MU Cycling's 2010 Road Long-Sleeve 'Bike' Shirt is $15. Please submit order requests to Elizabeth Lee at elizabeth.marie.lee@live.mercer.edu

Dr. Loren Sumner

Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Advisor for Mercer Cycling Club

Triathlete, time-trialist, first season of criterium racing in 2011