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In
any given race, the Red Jackets, sporting retro-jerseys
emblazoned with the logo of the former Red Jacket Athletic
Club, accounted for a sizeable portion of the field and
took home its fair share of hardware (a 2nd, 3rd, and
4th overall in the series). But what we also took home
was the feeling of belonging to a team: training and racing
together, cheering each other on and traveling to and
from the races. Every aspect of racing was enhanced by
the fact that we were there as a group. Not just as a
group of individuals, but as a group that was competing
as a team.
After the cyclocross season ended, several of us: John
Gershenson, Steve Webber, Bruce Pletka, Diane Ursu, Pat
Szubielak and myself realized that there was something
special about what we'd been a part of. So, we began exploring
the idea of forming a team dedicated to all types of bike
racing: road, mountain and cyclocross. Those of us who
have had the opportunity to ride as part of a cycling
team elsewhere knew what the area has been missing, but
there has always been a certain amount of doubt as to
whether a cycling team would fly here. The fact that we
had just mobilized a group of twenty riders of all abilities
to commit to a season of cyclocross racing was proof enough
for us that the Keweenaw was ready for a team.
What we're proposing is in no way intended to compete
with any other local organization - the Trekkers or C4.
These are great groups, groups that we are and always
will be a part of, and they have done wonders for promoting
cycling in the Keweenaw. Many of us never would have gotten
into racing if it were not for the Trekkers. With the
creation of the Red Jacket - BlueSky Health Cycling Team,
we're hoping to offer a new outlet for local riders who
are interested in competitive cycling and who are willing
to commit to competing in a number of races. Ability is
of secondary importance. What matters is dedication. We're
hoping to put together a group of riders willing to represent
the area, and our sponsors -- most notably our title sponsor
BlueSky Health of Houghton -- throughout Michigan, northern
Wisconsin and beyond.
We're still working out the details of the team structure,
but we have a pretty good idea where we're headed. We'd
like to invite everyone who is interested in learning
more about our ideas and plans to an informational meeting
on Sunday, March 2 at 7pm in room 237 of the SDC.. |
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