Test Drive: EPI PEPPI from Carefast

EPI PEPPI aka Rocket Fuel!

When our key sponsor, Carefast, told us they were developing something that would give us an edge on the bike, we were stoked! Our riders have been testing the new hydration/energy supplement, EPI PEPPI, and the feedback has been very positive.

We tested it on race day:
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“It gives you a substantial kick and it doesn’t fade like most energy supplements, it lasted the entire race!”

 

We are testing it on our winter training rides:
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“Provides lasting energy to get through the long days on the bike!”

EPI PEPPI is available online now! Click Here –> Carefast EPI Peppi

Carefast | Storck Race Results – Manhattan Beach Gran Prix Aug 7

Manhattan Beach Grand Prix

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The boys in plaid were back in So Cal for the 55th Annual Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. This race attracts big fields and the racing is always fast on this 1.3 mile course. It is an out and back course with a decent riser before the first turn followed by another small bump then a fast downhill into the final turn, leaving approx 300-400 meters to the finish line. The first race of the day was the 35+ 3/4 with Jeff Mitchell, Sergei Vasilyev, Shannon Larsen and Tony Rago. The boys lined up in a field of 55 racers with the plan to get Jeff in a break and then protect it from being chased down. Early in the race Jeff made his move and slipped away with another rider while the rest of the guys did a perfect job of discouraging a chase. Jeff was able to stay away with over a 30 second gap on the field to seal a second place finish! Unfortunately Tony went down in the final corner of the last lap as he was setting up to sprint for 3rd, heal quickly Tony! The next race was the Cat 3 with Danny Pearce, Jeff Mitchell, Shannon Larsen and Taylor Sisson in a field of 65 racers. There were plenty of break attempts but our boys remained in control of the race by staying up front and chasing anything down that tried to get away. With two laps to go Jeff takes a flyer with another rider and gets a small gap on the field, the field reacts and brings Danny right to the final corner for him to do what he does best, Danny wins the field sprint with a decent gap and takes home the winners jersey! The guys executed their race plan in both races absolutely flawlessly and worked together to bring home the results.

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Huge Congrats for a solid day of racing!

Carefast | Storck Race Results – Carlsbad Grand Prix July 17

Carlsbad Grand Prix

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One of the bigger races on the calendar, The Carlsbad Grand Prix always attracts the big So Cal teams and they bring their best. Today was no exception, we saw a strong break survive the 35+ race early in the day and we had Mike Allec and Tony Rago in the 45+ which looked to be equally tough. There were plenty of attacks and break attempts but it came down to a field sprint and after getting caught in traffic Tony was able to manage a top 10 finish for 8th place. We had Kevin Turchin in the P12 race that was lining up at noon, in the middle of the race schedule (a nice change for the guys in that field!). The pace was hot in the P12 and again a break got away and stayed away. Kevin put up a great fight and came in for a mid-pack finish. Next, we had Jeff Mitchell, Andy Erickson, Mike Allec and Tony Rago in the Cat 3, another big field, and the plan was to get one of our guys in the break, it seem to be the theme of the day. Jeff was successful at getting into a promising break only to get caught at the last corner on the final lap. No time to salvage anything, the rest of the guys came in for pack finishes. Finally rounding up the day was Steven Keltie in the Cat 4 race and he bridged a break that look like it had legs but again it was brought back and another pack finish for the boys in plaid.

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Photo courtesy of Eliel Cycling

Overall it was a fantastic day for us, the event was well organized and everything went off really smooth. We got to spend time with our boys at Eliel Cycling as well as other industry folks that are helping progress our beautiful sport.

We cant wait for next years Carlsbad Grand Prix!

Carefast | Storck Team Summer Camp 2016

The Carefast | Storck Team were in Redlands, CA for their 2016 Summer Camp to enjoy some downtime, do some local rides and train with Brian and Joy McCulloch from Big Wheel Coaching.

Hemant Kishore, the 6pack Chef, was there to provide the meals for the team that were nothing short of amazing. To say that everything was handled from the moment we got there would be an understatement.

Hemant also provided all of the photography! The HK Life

Check out the pics below in the gallery!

See you on the road!

Carefast | Storck Race Results from So Cal June 18-19th

Victorville Road Race

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30+ 3/4

Yash Gokul, Tyler Chairsell, Andy Erickson, Shannon Larsen, Steven Keltie and Zac Harpin line up for this one. Relatively flat course with good pavement, the exception being a short technical neighborhood section with horrible pavement. Solid race plan and executed flawlessly until the final lap, unfortunately Andy washes out a dusty turn. This splits the group that is left; Shannon makes the front group, Yash and Zac are caught behind but manage to chase back on. It comes down to Zac leading Yash out for the win and Yash flats in the final kilometer! Zac recovers from the effort and seals 2nd with Shannon rolling in for 7th place.

Taylor Sisson lines up for the Cat 3 later in the day(temps over 100 at this point) and with neutral support not that well organized the excessive heat gets the best of him… we are glad he is safe and didnt push himself to the point of no return.

Victorville Crit Cat 3

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Another scorcher in the high desert. A 3-man break gets away, several attempts to bridge but the break sticks. Taylor manages to roll in for 9th place.

Another great weekend for the Plaid Army! Solid riding boys!

Carefast | Storck Race Results from So Cal June 11-12th

Lake Elizabeth Road Race

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Results from the Lake Elizabeth Road Race in California today.

Field of 32 in the Cat 3 whittled down to under 15 finishers by the tough climb and windy conditions.

Mike Allec brings home a 4th place finish!

Yash Gokul inside the top 10 and Taylor Sisson and Danny Pearce bring up the final finishers.

Great job guys!!

CBR Crit

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The Boys killin it at CBR today in the Cat 3!!

Danny Pearce rolls in 2nd and Jeff Mitchell seals the 3rd!!

Mike Allec avoided a nasty crash in the 45+ at the final corner and was just outside the top 10 for 13th ….

Great weekend for The Plaid Army!!

Way to crush it guys!!

The Mighty Tour De Nez

Steven Keltie and Eliiot Grothe were in Reno for The Mighty Tour De Nez.

Steven brings comes in just outside the top 10 for an 11th place finish and Elliot Grothe inside the top 20 in the 35+ 123 with a 16th place finish.
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Plaid is Rad!

Carefast | Storck Race Results from So Cal June 4th

Adrenaline Circuit Race

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Some great results out of the Adrenaline Circuit Race in San Diego yesterday.

Mike Allec with a 6th place finish in the 45+.

Shannon Larsen with a top 5 in the Cat 4 and Steven Keltie inside the top 10.

Andy Erickson with a top 5 in the Cat 3s and Taylor Sisson just outside top 10.

Kevin Turchin with a mid-pack finish in the Pro 1-2 and Nathan Grill dealing with a mechanical(bummer)..

Lodi Cyclefest

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Team Rider Elliot Grothe seals a top 10 at the Lodi Cycle Fest today! Nice job E!

Carefast | Storck Race Results from So Cal April 16-17

San Luis Rey Road Race

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Cat 3

Race Report by Danny Pearce

Yash and I started next to 48 other riders. This was my first time at SLR. I didn’t know what to expect other than hold on for the climbs. Soliciting other’s advice and experiences, there would be break attempts but it would most likely come down to a group duking it out on the final climb. Because of this, Yash and I planned to sit in to conserve as much energy as possible for the 8-minute climb. My goal was to get near the front for the start of the climb and sag back as needed.

For the first couple laps, riders tried getting up the road. The crosswinds lowered their morale after a couple minutes and they were reeled back. The major moment in the race came on the third lap’s climb. The pace was hot leading into it, about half way up an attack was made. This splintered the pack into smaller groups of 6-10 riders, with gaps of 10-15 seconds in between each. Yash and I found ourselves in the 3rd group. We bridged to the second group after gaining some composure after the downhill. There was a lull in the race as teams were blocking for their teammates up the road. It became apparent we were racing for a top 10 spot at this point. Coming into the final climb I was positioned 6th. Not even a minute into it, my right leg starts twinging and lightly cramping. Keep riding…… BOOM, hammy and quad lock up. I unclip my right leg to shake it off. Too late. In the end I’d lose another 2 minutes while I mastered yoga in the dirt. I limped up the final hill to a 25th or so finish. Overall, I was pleased to be in that position at the end of a tough race that didn’t suit my strengths. BIG THANK YOU to Sergei Vasilyev, Mike Allec and Tony Rago for helping with the feed zone. I would of been off the bike on the 3rd lap if it weren’t for you guys.

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Race Report by Mike Allec

Tony and I lined up with 30+ guys, including all of the top old guy climbers in SoCal for a 73 mile road race, 5 laps with a 8-9 min climb at the end of each lap.

Our race plan was pretty simple, don’t do any work in the race. We were willing to bridge to a break or go with a promising break, but we were not going to do any work reeling in breaks. We knew the race would most likely come down to the final climb and we would need to conserve energy to be able to hang on.

The race officials asked us to roll out semi neutral until the first s curve, about a mile down the hill, but 3 big guys ignored that and attacked after 100m. As we got to the first climb we caught 2 guys, as I expected, but the other guy was still putting time on the group. After the second lap the solo rider had put 2 minutes on the group so some of the race favorites were getting anxious and started to try and get guys working to pull him back. I sat near the front, but refused to do any work, which got a few guys fired up, especially the race favorite, but we stuck to the plan.

After 3 laps I started having some leg cramping issues, i think caused by the heat and from not using any hydration pre load. I was able to fight off full on cramps and was in pretty good position thru the final lap. A couple of guys attacked a few miles before the final climb so I jumped on the race favorites wheel as he worked to reel them in. Tony came around and put a great final effort to get us about halfway to the break just as we hit the final climb. I continued to follow the wheel, but just as the climb kicked up I popped and my legs were done. I got separated from the group, rolled in for 13th, Tony a little behind me for 15th. The solo guy stayed away, won by 4 minutes.

Pro 1-2

Race Report by Kevin Turchin

I lined up with a field of just under 50 riders for 103 miles of fun in the heat and wind on a grueling course. My plan was to just follow wheels, don’t put myself into the wind, and try to position myself near the front of climb each lap. Pretty much the same plan as 90% of the field I’m sure. Before the downhill begins about 6 riders go off the front and by the end of the first lap they have a small, but decent gap.

The first climb wasn’t too bad as everyone was feeling each other out. The second time up the climb was brutal and it took me and several others chasing for almost half a lap to catch back on. The third climb started fairly mellow and then we were neutralized so the break in the 35+ could pass. The rest of the climb was fairly easy and guys started fetching bottles from the feed zone so they weren’t hitting it as hard near the top. The whole time this is going on there are a few attacks each lap to bridge up to the break which by now was only a couple riders. The wind had kicked up by now and no bridge attempt was successful.

The fourth climb was a little tougher but I managed to latch back on right after the turn around. The descent was very mellow and I was even talking to Tate from Allegiant on most of it. As soon as we hit the bottom and made the left turn a couple teams started putting in the chase to reel in the break which was holding steady at two minutes. The rest of the lap was strung out all the way back to the climb. A lot of guys were hurting by now. I made it up the climb until just after the S turn and then a couple surges did me in along with a lot of other riders. The rest of the race I never saw more than 6 or 8 riders together. The race had imploded. I tried to mount a chase with two other riders, but we lost one quickly and it was starting to feel like I was pedaling while wearing a pair of wet pants. A SoCalCycling.com rider put in a decent chase and I would provide help occasionally. On the sixth climb he dropped me. I passed a few more riders up the climb and watched a few more call it a day. I was hurting but why not just finish?; which is what I did. No idea where I finished, but well down in the 20’s or 30’s if I had to guess. A tough day of racing, but I think it is a very fair course and I will probably do the race again.

LA Circuit Race

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45+ 123

Race Report by Tony Rago

Mike and I line up in a field of 53 on a hot and breezey day. The out and back course is 4 miles a lap — we were doing 6 laps. All the big So Cal teams were in the mix — I knew if it came down to a sprint Bart was one to be close to so I kept an eye on him and his Surf City boys.

First lap starts kinda hot and there are moves being made pretty much immediately, we make the turn around and there was a decent head wind on this side of the course. No one wanted to be in the front for too long so Mike and I were just following wheels and maintaining top 10 or so in the field. I ended up in the front a couple times just from being in the rotation and refused to close any gaps — it was so early and there was really no reason — no one was staying away today. I was on Mikes wheel for a solid lap or so but it really wasnt organized at all and didnt want to end up back up front so I slid back and got behind the biggest bodies I could for the headwind portion of the laps.

Final lap, I start moving up to top 10 wheels or so headed into the turnaround, I knew the sprint was going to be a long one so I wanted to be clear and stay on the outside — I chose the left side because of all the cones on the right. Sitting 8th wheel or so it heats up and guys start jumpin, SOOOO EARLY UGH. No choice time to go – freelanced my way thru everyone so I could to get a clear shot at the line and just kept diggin. I came around a final guy at the line and did a big bike throw to seal 3rd.

Nice cap to a great weekend of So Cal racing – weekend was just a blast. Seeing all our boys representing at SLR and LA was just awesome. Way to go everyone — great representation all weekend!

Plaid is Rad!

Carefast | Storck Race Results from Arizona Crit State Champs April 2

AZ Crit State Champs Pro 1-2

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Race Report by Nathan Grill
I’m not ready for this temperature. It was hot. L-shaped course with a hard u-turn for the first corner and a long, long sprint. I’m guessing 300m from the corner. Anyways, it was Pro12, but 2s were scored separately. It made it interesting, to say the least. The 2s had different colored numbers and that made it a bit easier. For the first few laps it was hard, but that’s because I haven’t been riding that much lately. I tried to get in a few early moves, but after a few failed attempts, I decided to simply mark other 2s and only react if they got into something.

A move with 1s would have been a free ride to the line. A break gets up the road, all 1s and the 3 major teams represented, and then come all the little counters and chasing and whatnot. I’m still just marking 2s and letting the 1s do whatever they’re gonna do. Lap after lap after lap. Bell lap arrives and out of the first turn, a 2 attacks. 1s stay kinda chasing, but I attack approaching turn 2 and I’m closing. Doesn’t look like I’m being followed at this point. Go through turn 3 and… drop my chain and one of my shoes unclip. WHAT THE I CAN’T EVEN. I’M GOING TO CRASH ARGHHHHHH. Somehow get my foot back into the pedal and chain back on before turn 4 and get back into the strung out field around 4th wheel with the one cat 2 still ahead. Everyone starts sprinting out of the last corner. OMG IT’S SO FAR. I give it a go and kick to stay on. Then I kick again and get around a 2. Closing, closing, and I get the one guy that was ahead a few meters before the line. Couldn’t close the other 2, though.

Great Work Nathan!!

Carefast | Storck Race Results from Utah March 4-5

Desert Crit Series Finale – Omnium Weekend

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Photo from Allegiant Facebook page

Pro 123

Race Report by Elliot Grothe

TT

The TT was an out and back, 9.1 miles with a sharp climb onto main road then rolling terrain. I was happy with my time, but not in my placing, 7/8

Road Race

Everyone kinda knew that Allegiant wanted Tate to defend his series placing from last year. We just didn’t know how they were going to do this. Race starts and of course and Allegiant is attacking before we make the first turn (100meters away). We get out of town, Grill goes with Shackley and one other rider. Allegiant seems ok with it, I figure that Tyrel and Tate will bridge later on so I am content to try and go with that move.

About 10 miles in, Kevin and two other riders get a gap, and I hear Tyrel tell his team to not worry about it. Kevin’s group catches Grill’s group and now 6 in the break.

We hit the first turn around and are told 4 mins, but it seemed more like 3. This is when I hear Isiah tell someone, let’s bring it back. The entire Allegiant team of 6 goes to the front and start team time trialing the break back. The rest of us sit in getting a free ride. I spend the next 30 miles waiting for Tyrel and Tate to bridge but it never happens and the gap really isn’t coming down. 60 miles in, the gap is just under 3 mins, Allegiant only now has 3 guys pulling, Tyrel, Isaiah, and Jed. We are coming to the first climb, gap is now 2 mins, we can see the lead goup which is now only 3. Kevin, Shackley and one other rider.

We hit the climb at a solid tempo, Tyrel attacks and the group is down to 4 or 5. I am managing well, but others look to be hurting. I knew Tyrel was never going to leave Tate behind, so I was in a good spot knowing I had some in the tank still. Over the top, the gap is 1:30 and Tyrel is back on the front towing us to the next climb. We are closing fast though. We go over the top and I can see Kevin doing most of the work. We make the catch just as we are coming into town, and now things get tricky since nobody really knows where to go or where to turn (The promoter had to employ city volunteers that did not the course.) Kevin tells me he is blown, expectedly after being in the break forever. I try to key off a S2C rider since he is sitting on Tate’s wheel and Tyrel is going to lead him out. It gets a bit chaotic since we are blowing through stop signs and not knowing if we are taking the right turns, then a car pulls out in front of us and slows down! I am just trying to follow wheels and not get killed. I had no idea the last turn was the last turn until a we made the turn, Tyrel wins, Kocher goes by Tate for 2nd and I go past Tate for 3rd. I’ll take that after 80 miles. Kevin get’s 6th which is great after being in the break forever! Grill did an impressive effort in the crit after this which was awesome. Somehow I end up in 3rd overall for the entire series. I jumped into this at the last second after talking with Mike Thursday, and I am glad I did, lot of fun just hanging out. Also awesome to see the team do well in the 3-4 races also. A great weekend for the team!

Pro 123 Crit

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Race Report by Nathan Grill

I think there were 15 guys at the start? Everyone had done the road race. Plan was to mark Tate and get Kevin or Elliot into a move with him and if it came down to a bunch sprint, the guys would line it up for me.

Well, Allegiant took the front almost immediately and within 5-8 laps, half of the field was gone. Two Allegiant guys gone already. Elliot made a move and then so did Kevin,but with the small field, nothing was going to get away. From that point, I made sure to stay on or near Tate. Allegiant was just riding tempo at the front, exchanging between Shackley and Tyrel.

At 3 to go, I had Elliot and Kevin get in front of me. At 1.5 laps to go, Kevin started it and came on the inside of the Allegiant train on the back straight. Elliot missed it, but it was okay and Kevin kept it hot for am entire lap. It was great. Out of turn 2, he skipped his wheel and lost some of his momentum and I was going to have to take it from 500m/half a lap. Suddenly, Tyrel pops out, looking for Tate to get on his wheel. I oblige and I’m glued to him until the last corner, where I jump, nobody’s coming around. I take the win to close out a great weekend of racing!

Cat 3/4

The TT was an out and back 9.1 miles final results had Tony 3rd and Mike 4th.

Road Race

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Race Report by Andy Erickson
Mike, Jeff, Tony, Tyler, and myself were in a field of 25 or so for this 60 mile out and back. We wanted to ensure Tony’s series points status stayed intact. Aside from that, we wanted to control the race and follow any opportunity that opened up. About 15 or 20 miles into the race I followed an SBR guy and the infamous Charlie Macfarlane as they sprinted away. I had no interest in working with them and I made that clear when an obnoxious rider ever so eloquently requested that I pull through to help hold the pace. A few four letter words were sent my way and the field caught us.

The two big climbs coming back were hot, but not deathly. All of us gathered together after the first but the second climb took its’ toll. Tony flatted on the top and Tyler decided to stay with him to provide help if there was any way to pace back but the lead group was descending and they had a delay at the wheel car.

Mike and myself continued with a group of nine with one Total Care guy off the front. His teammates did a solid job of interrupting efforts to catch. Coming into town we were improperly told to go straight through a 4-way stop where we should have turned right. This led us onto the main town road and we found our way back to the finish via a gas station and parking lot. Keep in mind we’re very much still racing. We had the finish line in site, albeit from a 90 degree angle, with only the registration tent as our final obstacle. We raced around and I crossed the line 2nd in the group, 3rd overall. The Total Care racer stayed away and to his credit rightfully earned it.

We controlled the race extremely well for about 75% of the time and the field respected our efforts. As Mike already said, it was a genuinely great weekend for us all. The hard work put into every race was rewarded every time.

Cat 3/4 Crit

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Race Report by Jeff Mitchell
Mike, Tyler and Andy lined up, all around our legs were not fresh after the 60 mile road race prior. Tony Rago sat out for the Crit, having the series title on lockdown and battling respiratory issues, recovery was prudent.

Tyler went out on an early break away with Sidney Thomas and a Total Care racer, max gap hits 45 seconds. Mike and Andy and I chase down any bridge attempts. Ultimately as a result of the Total Care racing team, the break was caught 25 minutes into the race. Several failed attacks subsequent from Total Care, SBR etc. nothing sticks.

2 laps to go, Andy gets on the front and I’m on his wheel, I tell him to keep it hot so the race stays strung out, he does just that, beastly pull, I’m pushing to stay on his wheel, it’s perfect – everyone else is struggling too. He takes us to the first corner of the last lap and on the straight away he tells me he’s done, so it’s go time – I don’t want to lose momentum so I hit it, throwing down a BIG effort through the last 3 corners, I’m still on the front, no swarm so I gun the final sprint and the Total Care lads can’t match the pace, I take the win with about a bike length. Great racing by everyone. Awesome weekend of racing!

Overall Series Results

Due to Jeff’s stellar performance this weekend, and Andy and Mike holding others off in the RR and Crit, he was able to catapult to the 2nd spot in the overall series in the Cat 3/4! Carefast  takes 1st and 2nd in the Desert Crit Series. Congrats Tony and Jeff!

Amazing job by everyone on the team through out this entire series!
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