JM takes no prisoners!

John has been racing for Scoot and Skate for about a year, and it has been amazing to watch him as his skills have progressed.  John is definitely a talented racer and amazingly dedicated to training for only being teen aged.  His drive to be the best is clear–he has been known to get home from school and complete a workout on a trainer while doing homework–this guy is dedicated!

JM taking on a climb at Knobschorcher

To prepare for the race, JM did many specific workouts including grass training on a road bike, intervals, and hill repeats on the “Powerline” climb aka the long-ish hill at the Virginia Key Mountain Bike Trails.  He also worked with his coach, Bob McCarty of McCarty Training regularly-including a pre-race lesson on Friday before the race at Markham Park (a local park featuring very technical elements as well as a lot of elevation change).

The race course, located in the Tsali Mountains in NC, was 13.5 miles with 2300 feet of elevation change. JM races in Cat3 11-14 and is currently the points leader after 2 races, winning both races this year and earning max Time Trial points. This is what JM had to say about the race:

“I liked the TT course after the few big climbs it was fast and flowing. I warmed up right till the start on a friend’s advice.  I did a 17:56 (top cat3 and beat a few experts and seconds off one pro) the top time was 15:06. The actual race on Sunday was dryer than I expected as it rained heavily before. I was number 2 off the start and another kid passed us both from early on but blew out fast. As we were finishing the double track, I attacked up hill before the single track and kept the lead from that point. I liked all the climbing, I seem to do all my pulling away on climbs. The one thing that really stinks is that my start, the JR 11-14 start, is second to last in our wave.  I lost count of how many riders I passed and in every race you just get riders that will not get out of your way.  I was 2nd to pass one rider and we actually bumped, I dont think he knew there was a second rider coming thru.  I don’t think people expect Florida riders to do so well in mountains. The second place rider and my toughest competition is my friend Michael Mace from Ocala, his times were so fast he could have won the 15-18 category.”

JM finished with the fastest CAT3 time regardless of age group and was the only CAT 3 to come in under 60 minutes!!!  It is certain that all his training and hard work has definitely been paying off as JM has taken the top spot on the podium at BOTH SERC races this Spring 2012 and there is definitely more where that came from in store!

Watch out for Scoot, Skate and Bike Co. Team Rider John Michael Koch–he is the kid in blue that just whizzed by you on the trails!

Thursday, December 22nd
8pm

Meet at The Scoot Skate & Bike Co (1800 Biscayne Plaza)

Join us as we honor and celebrate the life of our beloved friend Ferny Heria Jr.
We’ll be riding through Downtown, Brickell, Key Biscayne and end ride at
Mamushka’s in Midtown.

Bring fireworks & Prosecco. All are welcomed.

Friday, November 18 – Saturday, November 19

The Southern Most AIDS/HIV Ride Twenty-Eleven (SMART) Ride

Register today and join hundreds of others in the fight against AIDS.

2 days, 165 miles, from Miami to Key West. 100% to Charity.

Help our friend and fellow cyclist Larry Mailloux raise money for AIDs/HIV services in Florida by donating under his rider number 267. Larry is riding for the second year in SMART Ride, the southern most charity bike ride that raises money for HIV/AIDs. Unlike many charity rides 100% of the proceeds go directly to a select number of local charities. Last year he kicked ass for 165 miles, from Miami to Key West, on a mountain bike but this year he has graduated to his newly recovered fixie (it was stolen and then found on Craig’s list by a loyal friend). Thanks in advance for supported a fellow Miami rider!

To pledge go to this link and enter his last name and rider number (267)

Thursday, November 3rd
10pm (arrive by 9:45pm)

Starts @
Revolution Cycles
3444 Main Hwy Ste 16
Coconut Grove, FL 33133

Ends @
Mamushka’s
31 NW 36th Street
Miami, FL 33128

The race / ride is about 8-9 miles.

1st Fixed Gear wins $25 bar tab
1st Road bike wins $25 bar tab
1st girl wins 2 drink tickets
1st fat tire gets a beer
Last person gets a beer

Lights & helmets strongly encouraged.

RSVP on Facebook.

Miami Critical Mass will be hosting a Halloween themed ride on Friday, October 28th!

“Mack Cycle’s MTB Rad Race is very similar to a type of mountain bike racing called 4x or mountain cross. 4 or more racers start the race together and compete on a wide, short and fast track. The race track more closely resembles moto-cross or BMX. The kickass track is designed for speed with jumps, banked turns and big drops! Winners of each heat qualify for the finals, held on the same day.

Racers must compete in all three races to qualify for the cash prize championship! The point based system will be explained by “Frenchie” at the Ocober 30 Rad Race! Riders must compete on mountain bikes. No BMX or hybrids allowed.

First heat starts at 8AM sharp. Top finishers of each heat advance to the next round. Spectators are welcomed. Riders are welcomed to bring 10×10 pop-up tents. There are no bathrooms, water or food at the location, so come prepared!”

More information available here.

Please be advised that all riders must attend a short safety class at the main office and have in their possession a “Mountain Bike Trail Access Pass” in order to ride or race the trails at Markham park.  This is a one time process and there is no cost but please factor in time in your schedule to take the class and get your card.

The 1st round of the Coconut Cup comes back to this popular South Florida trail, always different layout from the trail crew.  Course is approximately 6 miles in length.  Saturday the 5th at 4pm there will be a short track event for series bonus points.

weekend sale

For a lot of people, Friday means pay-day, which means a weekend full of extravagant spending: a little boutique shopping, perhaps a night at da club, etc. If you’re like us though, and the majority of your pay checks are followed by staying in rather than going out, fear not. Huge weekend sales mean you can still feel like a big spender without having to blow an entire check. The sale ends Sunday.

Jose Marti Park
(Basketball courts under I-95 on SW 5th Street, between 3rd & 4th Ave)

Miami Bike Polo is hosting a special BBQ this Sunday! Bring beverages and food to grill, most importantly bring your bike and some friends. They’ll be playing pick up games all afternoon, beginners and spectators welcomed.

RSVP on Facebook