Noble Wraps up Second Euro Tour

For Immediate Release

Vicky Sama, JAM Fund Media Coordinator

jamcycling@gmail.com

Above photo by Vic Geerlings

Ellen Noble is back in the U.S. after her second stint racing World Cup Cyclocross in Belgium. On this most recent trip, she spent nine days in The Netherlands, practiced the Zolder race course on Christmas and then raced the next day. It was one of the crazier starts of the year.

"The woman behind me had her front wheel dangerously close to my left foot, and my front wheel was within centimeters of another woman's derailleur," Noble said.

All of a sudden the traffic light turned green for the left side of the start line and they took off while the rest of the women were standing in shock that their traffic light was still red. The officials stopped the race and restarted it. Then things got even nuttier.

"On the second lap, my rear cantilever brake detached after a women ran into the back of my bike," Noble said. "I was unable to reattach it, so I was forced to ride the steep drop with only my front brake. My front Avid Shorty Ultimate slowed me down enough so I didn't crash on the steep, muddy drop."

Despite one of her rougher experiences, Noble had amazing finishes in her previous three World Cup races. She finished 12th at Flandriencross and 14th at Koksijde in November, which qualified her for the World Cup Championships to be held on the same race course in Zolder in late January. The weekend before Christmas, she got 18th at Namur.

"I am so excited to achieve a top-20 at World Cup, especially one I have been eyeing for so long," she said after the Namur race. "So thankful for the opportunity to be here and the support that's made my job so easy." 

Ellen Noble and British champion and eventual race winner Helen Wyman (Kona) battle the slick mud at Flandriencross on November 29. It was one of the most technically challenging courses of the year and Noble had her best World Cup finish yet. UCI photo.

Noble now focuses on the U23 Cyclocross National Championships in Asheville on Jan. 9. After that, she returns to Belgium to race U23 at Worlds.

Noble Goes Back to Belgium

Photo by Elisa Haumesser

Ellen Noble is on her way back to Belgium for more World Cup racing during the holiday. She will race at Namur on Sunday, Dec. 20 and at Zolder the day after Christmas. It's her second trip to Europe in as many months.

"Namur is a really tough course that has a huge amount of elevation and running," Coach Alec Donahue said. "It's nothing like we see in the U.S."

Noble will be racing in the elite fields in preparation for the U23 World Championships next month.

"Zolder is the same venue as the world course, so that will give her a trial run at the big event," Donahue said.

Noble had two impressive finishes in her first-ever European cross races in November. She finished 12th in the slippery mud at Flandriencross and 14th in the wet sand of Koksijde a week earlier. Those two top-15 place finishes automatically qualify her for the World Championships on January 30 in Zolder, about a two-hour car drive from Brussels. She will once again wear her red, white and blue USA cycling kit while racing overseas in the coming weeks.

In the time since Noble returned from her first trip to Belgium, she celebrated her 20th birthday and won the New England Cyclocross Series. She is excited to return to the motherland of cross.

"Getting to see my doggy, grandmother and mom before leaving for Europe was the best Christmas present ever," Noble said. "Being away from my family for the holidays is hard, but days like these make it so much easier."

Jack Be Quick

Story by Vicky Sama

 Above photo by Angelica Dixon

Jack Kisseberth has achieved the goal he wanted all season: a top five finish in a C2 cross race. He did that and more when he finished on the podium in third place at the Verge New England Cyclocross Series Finale in Warwick, Rhode Island on Saturday. It was his first UCI podium finish, an amazing accomplishment for his first season with the elite JAM/NCC/Vittoria squad.

“Last year I had so little guidance and poor equipment, so I knew I’d improve this year,” Kisseberth said. “So far, it’s going fairly well. I feel like I’m moving in a positive direction and getting stronger.”

He’s right.

Kisseberth had a strong start on Day One at the NBX Gran Prix Finale, the last race weekend in the Verge series. He started in the second row and immediately stuck with a small chase group trying to close the gap to leaders Jeremy Martin (Louis Garneau) and Anthony Clark (Squid). Kisseberth kept a steady rhythm, bunny hopping the double thick logs and running flawlessly through the long stretches of sand. He slowly separated himself from the rest of the chasers and crossed the line only nine seconds behind Clark and 13 seconds behind winner Martin. Kisseberth’s 3rd place elite finish is his best yet.

“I slid out around a corner and then there was a solid ten, fifteen foot gap… just couldn’t close it for so long,” Kisseberth said. “And then people just kept on plucking off when they flatted or slid out or something, and I tried to keep it steady after that little bobble, and it worked out. I’m so stoked. I can’t believe it. This is an awesome course, a lot of corners, nice and technical for me, had some stuff to hop. Still can’t believe it though.”

“Jack is an exciting guy to watch because he can ride up anything,” said Coach Al Donahue. “I’m psyched to have him on the team. He’s doing great, and it’s everything I can hope for.”

Jack Kisseberth holds a steady tempo and drops the chase group at the NBX Gran Prix Finale on Saturday. Photo by Todd Prekaski.

Kisseberth on his first UCI podium. From left to right: Anthony Clark (Squid), Jeremy Martin (Louis Garneau) and Kisseberth (JAM/NCC/Vittoria). Photo by Todd Prekaski.

At 22, Kisseberth still has the skills from growing up as a downhill skier in Tiburon, California. He and his two younger sisters spent most of their childhood shredding deep powder at Tahoe, Whistler and Jackson Hole. During summers, he rode mountain bikes with his buddies and built trails near their middle school.

“Me and my friends built this trail network called the Fern Forest and it had a bunch of downhill tracks and dirt jumps,” Kisseberth said. “We spent five hours a day digging and riding. That was pretty much my life outside of school. The whole experience, digging and hanging out with friends, that combination got me into biking.”

They were good at it too. They built bridges out of crates and used rakes and loppers to cut down poison oak and clear the brush for berms and rails.

“We watched a bunch of bike videos of what cool trails look like and we tried to replicate it with sweet features,” he said. “We took our parents tools. It was a serious operation.”

Four years ago, Kisseberth moved to the Boston area to attend Tufts University. He raced for its collegiate road and mountain bike teams. During sophomore year, he rode too much and was injured, forced out most of the season.

“I looked up what the pros were doing and so I started riding 25 hours a week,” he said. “I over-trained and destroyed my knees.”

Then last year, while Kisseberth was a college senior, a friend introduced him to cyclocross. He bought a 900-dollar bike on eBay. One of the first cross races he entered was the KMC in Providence.

“I had zero knowledge. Hadn’t even seen a video of it and didn’t know how to dismount,” he said. “Then I went into the Cat 4 race and won it. The next day they upgraded me to Cat 3 and I started in the back row out of 150 or so. I finished 22. After that weekend, I was like, wow, I can do really well. I was hooked after that.”

Kisseberth graduated in May with a degree in economics. He now works full-time doing analytics and marketing for New Balance, just a ten-minute bike ride from where he lives in Brighton. Kisseberth joined JAM/NCC/Vittoria over the summer.

“Working 8:30 to 5:00 is tough for training. It’s getting easier during race season, but I can only ride for an hour and a half or so each day during the week.”

Despite the hour and a half distance away from Northampton, Massachusetts—JAM’s home base—Kisseberth remains committed to the team. And it shows. He consistently finished top-ten this season, getting 6th and 10th at Supercross Cup, 7th at Nittany and HPCX, 10th both days at Cycle-Smart International and 17th at the Gran Prix of Gloucester—a C1 cross race with a number of international competitors. Saturday’s 3rd place podium finish in Warwick should propel him to next month’s Cyclocross National Championships in Asheville, North Carolina.

“As soon as I reach one goal, I want more,” Kisseberth says. “It pushes me and motivates me to do even better.”

Noble wins New England series while Smith takes U23

For Immediate Release

Vicky Sama, JAM Fund Media Coordinator

jamcycling@gmail.com

Ellen Noble (JAM/NCC/Vittoria) won the New England Cyclocross Series presented by Stans NoTues and Cycle-Smart after two days of exciting racing at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick, Rhode Island. Day one of the NBX Gran Prix was a close battle between Noble and Emma White (Cyclocrossworld.com) who raced pedal-to-pedal for 50-minutes over mud, roots, ruts and long stretches of sand. Noble-- who was a bit tired after two weeks of racing in Belgium-- put that thought behind her, put in a few digs, gained some time and beat White by eleven seconds.

"The most valuable lesson I've ever learned about bike racing is to never give up," Noble said. "I remembered that lesson today and kicked it back into gear."

On Sunday, Noble finished second to White but had enough points to win the overall elite women's and U23 series titles.

Scott Smith #16, rode over the giant logs while most other riders jumped on foot during Saturday's NBX Gran Prix. Photo by Todd Prekaski.

Scott Smith (JAM/NCC/Vittoria) retained the series lead and was crowned the U23 king after finishing 5th on Sunday and 8th on Saturday. 

Jack Kisseberth (JAM/NCC/Vittoria) got his first UCI podium finish on Saturday, pulling away from the chase group in the final lap and crossing the line in 3rd place.  Coach Al Donahue got two top ten finishes in the elite men's race.

Jack Kisseberth had an impressive race on Saturday, separating himself from the chase group to finish 3rd. It was his first UCI podium finish. Photo by Todd Prekaski.

Men's elite podium after Saturday's NBX Gran Prix, from left to right: Anthony Clark (Squid), Jeremy Martin (Louis Garneau) and Jack Kisseberth (JAM/NCC/Vittoria). Photo by Jena Greaser.

Jena Greaser (JAM/NCC/Vittoria) had a super strong race on Sunday, putting in the watts on the runs and taking third.

"Stoked! Took third and got my revenge," Greaser said. "It was the raddest cross course-- techie and challenging, just like it should be."

Jena Greaser and Emma White (Cyclocrossworld.com) ran through the sand during Sunday's NBX Gran Prix. Photo by Angelica Dixon.

JAM Alum Anthony Clark (Squid) got his first-ever UCI victory, winning Sunday's race, which also gave him the overall series title.

JAM alum Anthony Clark (Squid) won the series finale on Sunday through blood, sweat and tears. Photo by Todd Prekaski.

Other JAM/NCC/Vittoria riders at the Verge Series Finale had solid races including Cameron Scott who got 5th in the men's category 3, Dylan Belkap-Lerner and Aiden Mapel.

A Super Supercross

Story by Vicky Sama

Scott Smith rides into third place at the Supercross Cup on Nov. 22. Photo by Robert Lai.

JAM/NCC/Vittoria had a super showing at the UCI Supercross Cup in Stony Point, New York on Saturday and Sunday. Scott Smith showed great form in the elite men's race, finishing on the podium in 3rd place on Sunday after getting 6th the previous day. Jack Kisseberth was also there in the thick of the action, finishing in the top ten both days with his best finish on Sunday in 6th. Chris Niesen is earning his chops in the elite field and put in some really good efforts, while Coach Al Donahue joined the guys on the highly technical course with deep ruts, a pro-only rock field and a narrow creek crossing. 

Sunny days for Jena Greaser, taking 4th on Saturday and 3rd on Sunday in Supercross Cup. Photo by Nin Lei.

In the women's race, Jena Greaser moved up a spot from Day 1, and sprinted at the line getting third right behind Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D) on Sunday. 

Cameron Scott rallied through the soupy mud on Saturday, winning the men's 3/4 race. Dylan Belknap-Lerner raced in the same category. On Sunday, Mark Hewett raced in the 3/4's.

JAM Fund grand recipient Aiden Mapel continues to impress us, finishing 2nd in the junior 9-14 race on Saturday and getting fourth on Sunday.

Jack Kisseberth has been consistent all season, finishing in the top ten on both days at Supercross Cup. Photo by Robert Lai.

Chris Niesen takes on his first UCI elite men's race at Supercross Cup. Photo by Robert Lai.

Coach Al Donahue usually crushes the master's category but this weekend opted to put the hurt on the elites, finishing 13th on Saturday. Photo by Nin Lei.

Listen to Scott Smith talk about Saturday's race on dirtwire.tv.  And enjoy the race highlights.

Another Way to Support JAM Fund

Our partner Nuun Hydration has produced a calendar featuring Jeremy Powers that makes a perfect gift this holiday season (or for you)! The 2016 calendar features our U.S. Cyclocross National Champion playing around in costumes with tons of silly props. All the proceeds from the calendar go to JAM Fund! What a great way to bring in the new year and support your favorite non-profit!  Get a view of the calendar in the making.

Noble and Smith Shine at Nohocx

Noble goes 1-2 while Smith rules U23.

By Vicky Sama

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Ellen Noble leads the women's elite start of the Cycle-Smart International on Sunday. Photo by Todd Prekaski.

Fresh off her Pan Am U23 championship, Ellen Noble (JAM/NCC/Vittoria) won the Cycle-Smart International in Northampton, Massachusetts on Saturday and got 2nd on Sunday, giving her the overall lead in the Verge New England Cyclocross Series. Noble dueled it out with Emma White (Cyclocrossworld) in a tight battle on Saturday. With two laps to go, Noble put in a dig, gaining valuable seconds on White and rode in for the win. The two repeated their duel on Sunday.

"I've been racing Emma since my first race here five years ago," Noble said. "As long as we both stay in it, we will always be racing together, and it's really great because we push each other so much."

While Noble and White gained a slight advantage over other riders, Noble's teammate Jena Greaser was hot on their wheels. Greaser rode super strong races and got back-to-back 4th place finishes.

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Victory is sweet! Scott Smith won the U23 at the Cycle-Smart Northampton International on Saturday and Sunday. Tart Baking Co. supplied the winner's cookie. Photo by Todd Prekaski.

Scott Smith was the winner among the U23, but equally impressive were his overall finishes in the elite men's field, getting an 8th place on Saturday and 6th on Sunday.

It was a big weekend for the JAM/NCC/Vittoria team racing on home turf. Jack Kisseberth got 10th both days in the elite men's field with Case Butler and Ian Gielar also competing with the pros. Al Donahue finished 6th in the junior/master's races on Saturday and Sunday. Dylan Belknap-Lerner and Cameron Scott raced in the Cat. 3 while Caitlin McCarthy raced the women's Cat. 3. Aiden Mapel and Mira Fowler raced in the junior 9-14 race, with Aiden finishing an impressive 4th place on Saturday. JAM Fund alum Anthony Clark had an amazing day of racing on Saturday, sprinting to 3rd place in a tight elite men's race. He finished 7th on Sunday.

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Scott Smith had an aggressive start to Sunday's race, giving him a 6th place finish overall and winning the U23. Photo by Todd Prekaski.

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Jack Kisseberth clears the technical descent, riding to a strong 10th place on Saturday and Sunday in the pro 1/2. 

A Noble Victory

Read the full story on cxmagazine.com and velonews.com.

Noble Wins Pan Am U23

Ellen Noble (JAM/NCC/Vittoria) added another championship to her repertoire on Sunday, winning the U23 Pan Am Continental Championships in Covington, Kentucky. Noble took the lead from the gun but worried she would be passed after crashing on a short, steep off-camber climb in the first lap.

"That section had been closed for pre-ride, so when we made it to it, every rider crashed including myself," Noble said. "That crash terrified me because I was leading and didn't know whether other girls had gone down. I thought my race was done. But I got up and started running as hard as I could and was first out of that brutal section. By the end of the first lap, I had nearly a minute. I knew if I could stay upright and not have a mechanical I could do it because I felt very confident on every part of the course."

Noble held that gap the entire 45-minute race, which took place on a wet course at Devou Park.

"All of the technical features were so rad and it was good to finally have a muddy, technical race in the US!" she said. "Crossing the line in first felt so amazing and I am so thankful for all the support from JAM to help me win today."

In addition to her newly won Pan Am Championship title, Noble is the reigning U23 U.S. National Cyclocross Champion. 

Scott Smith Likes to Jump

Story by Vicky Sama

Photo above by Todd Fawcett

Scott Smith will never forget one of his first bike rides. He was five years old and growing up in Agawam, Massachusetts. His dad saddled his baby sister Amanda on the back seat of a mountain bike while Scott rode his own bike with coaster breaks. His dad warned him to be careful as they approached the road's steep descent.

"I got going so fast, I couldn't hold on any longer," Smith said. "I was thrown off the bike and got road rash on the whole side of my face and arms and cut my finger. I was missing a lot of skin."

Smith went to the hospital. But as soon as he could grip the handlebars again, he was back on the bike.

Smith joined the JAM Fund in 2013 and has been racing on the JAM/NCC/Vittoria elite team since last year. He finished 5th at Nitanny in early September and won the U23 at the Trek Cx Cup in Madison, Wisconsin on October 10-- impressive finishes at both UCI races. His life plan is to be a cross pro. This is his story.

Scott Smith at the top of the podium after winning the U23 at the Trek CXC in Madison on October 10.

He is long, lean and has locks of golden wavy hair like a California surfer. And that's appropriate, since he was born in Ventura. But his time there was brief. Smith moved to the East Coast even before he was a year old. He grew up in Agawam and now lives in Easthampton in an apartment he shares with Stephen Hyde and Sean McCarthy. 

"It's a biker's house, but we do have a couch and kitchen table," Smith said. "What else do you need?"

Before he was hopping barriers, Smith was clearing even bigger obstacles. When he was 10, he started riding BMX. He loved jumping curbs and trash cans on his heavy 20-inch chrome Redline.

"I was jumping, always jumping on the bike," he said.

Wearing a full-face helmet, he started racing on Friday nights at the track.

"I was really bad at it, but it was fun. I met a lot of friends and we all started riding together," he said.

Smith was a typical teen who liked bikes, going to the skatepark and riding dirt jumps. Then in 7th grade, things got a little more serious when he met Trevor Emond, owner of a local bike shop. The two soon became good friends.

"I would go into the shop every day after school and look at all the bikes," Smith said.

Emond took Smith on his first-ever group ride on some blown-out motocross trails. Smith showed up in a loose T-shirt and cut-offs on his old mountain bike from Walmart. He was 14 and far younger than the other guys.

"I went with him on a legitimate ride with guys in spandex," Smith said. "I had never seen that before."

Eventually, Smith got hooked on riding fast downhill in the woods, so he bought a better bike off Craigslist and started riding more with the group with one goal: don't finish last. Emond convinced him to race.

"My mom had to come with me. I entered a Cat 2, 12-18 year old mountain bike race in Ware and won it, and it just spread my ego. There you go Trevor, I did my first race and won it!" Smith said. "Smack talk aside, it was fun."

When he was in high school, Smith's friend Justin Coelho introduced him to cyclocross. Smith realized he could ride a cross bike faster than a mountain bike and still rip trails and rail berms. Coelho convinced him to skip Cat 4 and enter a Cat 3 cross race in Springfield.

"I didn't even know how to dismount because I would bunny hop everything," Smith said. "I got 7th, and everyone thought it was great. That hooked me." 

Smith wanted to get better at cross. He heard about the JAM Fund development program founded by National Cyclocross Champion Jeremy Powers and Powers' two friends Al Donahue and Mukunda Feldman. Smith applied but was rejected at the time.

"I knew I didn't want to do anything else. I wanted to get paid to race cross. I wanted that to be the end result, but I got back a generic response that said, 'See you at the races.' That sucked," Smith said.

So Smith enrolled in community college, but that didn't last long. He dropped out freshman year and drove across the country to Valhalla, California to live with Emond's cousin who was a pro cyclist. At 18, Smith thought he was on the right track.

"I rode every day. I thought I was being pro," he said. "But I had no structure."

So Smith moved back home. A few days later, he gave JAM Fund another try. Then came the call.

"I showed my friends at the bike shop my phone, that Jeremy left me a message saying let's connect for a ride," Smith said. "They didn't believe me and thought it must be someone else making a prank."

"That's how it happened, true story," Powers said. "We played phone tag, and I remember his voicemail saying, 'Hey man, I really don't want to miss this opportunity with you, and I want to ride.' I'm a sucker for someone who has that kind of passion and is willing to follow up."

So Powers and Smith went for a ride on an early summer June day. Two months later at the August Grand Fundo, JAM Fund announced Smith was now part of the program.

"He was willing to do whatever it took," Powers said. "He helped at the Fundo, took riders motor pacing... he helps me with my bike."

"We train together and he's always down to help me with skills work," said teammate Ellen Noble, the reigning U23 National Cyclocross Champion. "Having a close friend as a teammate is just fantastic."

This season, Smith is off to a strong start and will be one to watch at Nationals in Asheville, North Carolina in January.

"Scott is a shoe-in for podiums in the U23 this year," Powers said. "He does better in sloppier, nastier stuff like at Nationals, so that's going to be a chance for him to shine."

As for overseas, Powers says there's a possibility that Smith will race in Europe in November. But they'll wait and see.

"It's so hard to go over, it could break a rider," Powers said. "You could get dejected and want to quit. We want to protect them until they're ready. The trajectory is do to a lot of races in New England."

"If you want to race at the next level, and you want to make it your life, that's what JAM is for," Smith said. "At the same time, it's a cool group of people who like to share their passion and we have a lot of different energy and emotions and when it combines, everybody feeds off it and loves it and takes that energy and grows."

Smith will be jumping more barriers at his next big race-- the Cycle-Smart International on Nov. 7 and 8.

Highlights from the Trek CXC Elite Men's race. 

The Goods in Gloucester

Ellen Noble shows the exuberance of a well-earned 2nd place in Saturday's Gran Prix of Gloucester at Stage Fort Park. Photo by Will Matlack

JAM/NCC/Vittoria had a pious start to Holy Week with strong racing by elite team members Ellen Noble, Scott Smith and Jack Kisseberth at the Gran Prix of Gloucester. Noble had an incredible race on Saturday, finishing second in the shadows of Caroline Mani. Noble, Mani and Multiple-time National Cyclocross Champion Katie Compton were at the front on the last lap with a sizable gap to the rest of the riders. Noble attacked up the "super gnarly run-up," but she slipped giving Mani the lead.

"It was intimating to be chased by Caroline and Katie, so I ended up crashing and just tried to keep a cool head," Noble said. "I gave it everything I had to close the gap to Caroline, but it was such a short distance to the finish."

Scott Smith finished 13th in a field of 85 elite men that saw three-time National Cyclocross Champion and JAM Fund Co-founder Jeremy Powers take back-to-back victories on Saturday and Sunday. Jack Kisseberth rallied on Sunday to a 17th place finish. Noble finished 6th on Sunday.

JAM/NCC/Vittoria's development team was also at the Gran Prix with Dylan Belknap-Lerner, Braedan Weller and Mark Hewitt. Coach Al Donahue finished 2nd on the podium both days in the masters race, with fields each day of more than 90 riders.

JAM's pro alum shined over the weekend with Stephen Hyde (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) taking third both days and Anthony Clark (Squid Bikes) taking 11th and 10th. Rebecca Fahringer (Amy D Racing) finished 12th and 8th in the elite women's races.

The Gran Prix of Gloucester is part of Holy Week of Cyclocross in New England, which also includes the Midnight Ride of Cyclocross, Night Weasles and KMC Cyclocross Festival. JAM/NCC/Vittoria will be in Providence starting Thursday.

Racing in China

 

By Chris Neisen

Earlier this month, I competed in my first-ever UCI cyclocross races in China. My eight-day journey started in Beijing and took me to China’s southern-most tropical island of Hainan. I competed in two races in the Qiansen Trophy Cyclocross Festival. As a member of the JAM/NCC/Vittoria development team, I was invited on the trip by the Chinese race organizers, who paid for most of my expenses. Here’s a list of my favorite things about China.

1. Finding little bits of the rest of the world in faraway China, like the Keanu Reeves clothing store.
2. The culture. Visiting China was like visiting another planet with weird stuff around every corner: motorbike moving vans, lettuce clotheslines and belly shirts.
3. Pandas.
4. Food. I was there to race bikes but would go back just for the food.
5. The bike racing was amazing. Race organizers prepared every little detail to a science.
6. Chinese history is way cooler than ours.
7. Surviving an attack of some random stinging creature.
8. The Chinese language. In order to communicate, I had to be creative by using hand gestures, drawings and charades. But just like in a bike race, those barriers were crossed.

Chris Neisen was greeted by Chinese race ambassadors at the airport near Changsha.

Want to race in China? Here are a few tips for your travel.

First, do it! If you’re planning on racing in China, it is a complicated process but worth it.  Get your passports and visas as soon as possible. Avoid my rookie mistake of rushing at the last minute.

Second, make sure your equipment is ready for travel.

Third, bring a bike pump! Also, bring tools or anything else that you’ll need. What you bring is what you have to work with. The second race is on a remote island.

Fourth, meet new people and learn from them. You are racing, eating and traveling around with some of the most talented cyclists in the world, including world champions.

Fifth, take it all in. I walked around Beijing and explored the city to see as much as possible.

Lastly, thank the people at JAM Fund and all its sponsors for supporting this kick-butt program that gives committed cyclists the opportunity to pursue their dream and experience lessons that will last a lifetime.

Thank you for following my journey to China. If you have any questions about the Qiansen Trophy Cup or want more details about making the trip yourself, let me know. 

Noble to Race Historic Cross Vegas

Ellen Noble will be on the start line with the best elite cyclocross racers in the world for the first-ever UCI World Cup in the United States on Wednesday in Las Vegas. Cross Vegas is the official kickoff to the international cross race calendar. Of the 50 women who are listed to start, 17 are from the U.S., and the rest are from overseas. Riders must be ranked in the UCI top 50 in order to qualify for the World Cup. Noble says she is a bit nervous but mostly excited.

"The energy is like no other," she said from Vegas on Tuesday. "I'm so honored to represent the U.S. and the JAM Fund/NCC/Vittoria at the inaugural Cross Vegas World Cup."

While Noble is in Sin City, she is getting additional support from Aspire Racing, the pro team run by three-time U.S. National Cyclocross Champion Jeremy Powers, who will be racing with the men at 9 p.m. PT, immediately after the women's race at 8.

"This is such an amazing opportunity," Noble said. "I haven't wrapped my head around it yet."

While Noble's transcontinental flight from New England is shorter than the trips of the European racers, she has been busy juggling training and school. 

"Homework this week, oh gosh! I am trying not to think about that until I get back," she said. "But I did an essay in the hotel this morning before I went to ride the course."

Noble is a junior at UMass/Amherst studying public health. 

She is riding strong, finishing fourth at Nittany Lion in Eastern Pennsylvania on Saturday. She says she's ready for tomorrow's race on the demanding soft grass at the Desert Breeze Soccer Complex.

"The course is super challenging, but I feel really prepared," she said.

Noble won the U23 U.S. National Cyclocross Championships in Austin, Texas earlier this year. She hopes to defend that title at National Championships in Asheville, N.C. in January and then compete at the World Championships in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium later the same month.

Watch Noble race live on Wednesday on the Universal Sports stream starting at 8 PT.

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Story by Vicky Sama, JAM Fund Media Relations. For more information, email Vicky at jamcycling at gmail.com.

New JAM Grants Announced

Press Release for Immediate Release

Contact Vicky Sama, Media Relations at jamcycling at gmail.com.

JAM Cycling Fund is awarding this year's JAM Grants to eight cyclists who show promise as future cyclocross pros. The recipients of the senior grant are Trent Blackburn from Wilmington, N.C., Merv Davis of Morgantown, W. Va., Ian Gielar of Petersborough, N.H., Jena Greaser of Barkhamsted, Conn., and Van Morales from Morgantown, W. Va.. The recipients of the junior grants are Mira Fowler of Florence, Mass., Aden Maple and Cameron Scott from Somers, Conn.

"We're pretty excited about this year's crop of recipients," said Al Donahue, JAM Fund's cycling coach and co-founder. "A good group of these riders came out of Northampton Cycling Club and the kids series we do with them."

Fowler is 12 years old and has been racing bikes since she was "really little." She says she will use the grant money for registration fees and tires. 

"I plan on racing the Connecticut series and maybe nationals for the first time," Fowler said. 

Fowler finished in second place at Saturday's Silk City Cross in Manchester, Conn.

Mira Fowler got 2nd in the junior girls 10-12 year olds race at Silk City Cross. Photo by Jeff Fowler.

Merv Davis (pictured in header), who turns 23 in December, is relocating from West Virginia. to Easthampton, Mass. later this month to be closer to the JAM family. Davis has been racing cross for three years and this summer attended the Cycle-Smart Cross Camp where he met Coach Donahue.

"Just the weekend at the camp, I gained so much riding with those guys," Davis said. "That's the big reason I'm moving up there-- to spend more time with the best guys in this sport."

Davis was selected for a senior JAM Grant and wants to use that support to make it to the races.

Jena Greaser, 29, is off to a strong start this season, finishing 5th and 6th at Nittany on Saturday and Sunday despite being sick the week before and recovering from a knee injury over the past year. Her passion for cross helped her win a JAM Grant.

"It's a huge help to have the support from Al," Greaser said. "It's a big honor that he recognizes my passion for cycling, putting faith in me and believing in me. I'm doing my best and trying my hardest and JAM sees that in their athletes. The program is doing such an amazing thing for up-and-coming athletes who have potential and need extra guidance and support."

Jena Greaser has a background in cross country mountain biking but says cross is her main love. Here she is at Nittany Lion Cross where she finished top ten both days in the UCI women's race.

The JAM Fund Grants are made possible by generous donations from supporters including the Northampton Cycling Club and from the JAM Fund Grand Fundo. Your donations are always appreciated and help support the future of cyclocross. To make a gift, simply click on the Join Us button above or write us at jamcycling at gmail.com.

Season Opener

Photo above by Tom Burrows

JAM Fund Cycling Team kicked off the 2015 cross season with races in the sticky mud of Eastern Pennsylvania and the slightly drier and sunnier campus grounds of Manchester Community College in Connecticut. Ellen Noble, Scott Smith and Jack Kisseberth raced Saturday and Sunday in the UCI elite fields at Nittany Lion Cross in Breinigsville, Penn. The three elite members of JAM Cycling Team sported their new kits, each with a unique color, made by Pactimo. 

"Felt good to get the first muddy race of the season under my belt this weekend," Noble said. "I feel strong and motivated for Cross Vegas on Wednesday."

Ellen Noble showing off her pink power skin suit at Nittany Lion Cross. 

Scott Smith (left) and Jack Kisseberth (right) breaking in their mud-splashed kits at Nittany. Smith finished 5th and Kisseberth 7th in Sunday's elite race.  Photo by Ellen Noble.

Check out the races at Nittany in this video from In The Crosshairs.

Meanwhile further north, Chris Neisen, Caitlin McCarthy, Mira Fowler, Dylan Lerner and Braedan Weller competed at Silk City Cyclocross on Saturday. Fresh off his UCI races in China, Neisen had the legs for an eighth place finish in the pro 1/2/3 race. Fowler, who just this month received one of the coveted JAM Grants, took second in the junior girls 10-12 year-old race. McCarthy finished second in the women's 3/4. 

"It's my first big-girl race of the season," McCarthy said. "Time to cat up!"

Caitlin McCarthy finished a strong second place at Silk City Cyclocross. Photo by Steven Yau.

Chris Neisen finished eighth in the pro 1/2/3 race at Silk City Cyclocross on Saturday. Photo by Steven Yau.

Mira Fowler has the right attitude! She got second place at Silk City. Photo by Jeff Fowler.

The Road to China

Chris Niesen says he's a little nervous, but in a good way. He's getting ready to take his first-ever trip overseas to race in two UCI cyclocross races in China. There have been a lot of firsts for Niesen recently.

"I’ve been dreaming about having a UCI license for three years," he said. "Now I look at my license and see UCI elite. Yes! That’s cool."

Niesen leaves on Thursday for the 8-day journey that starts with the Aug. 30 Qiansen Trophy Cyclocross Festival in Yanqing Station, a place known as the summer resort of Beijing. 

"Just getting everything together for this trip has been a process," Niesen said. "There are passports, visas and logistics. Beijing has four airports. You have to fly into the right airport so that people can pick you up. And on the way back, you have to make sure you are dropped off at the right airport." 

From Beijing, Niesen will fly to Hainan, China's southern-most island for another cross race on Sept. 2.

"I was reading that this is going to be the hottest UCI race of the season," Niesen said. "I don't know anything about China, but I'm expecting it to be a tropical jungle. It's supposed to be 95 degrees, even hotter than Cross Vegas."

For the past two years, race promoters and Chinese sports officials have invited a JAM Fund cyclist to participate in the races, both ranked C1 and which get a pretty good turnout of U.S. pros. Last year, JAM's Scott Smith had the experience. This year, it's Niesen's turn.

"I'm so excited. Ever since I started planning for this trip, I've been like, don't get sick, don't get hurt. I bought hand sanitizer for the first time in my life," Niesen said. "And of course this weekend [Jeremy] Durrin and Anthony [Clark] and I were riding these sandpits and within two minutes I fell into the sand drop right on my knee. It's been sore, but it'll clear up before I get to China."

Niesen is heading to China with only $400 in his pocket. 

"I don't want to be taken advantage of when I give people money so I did some research on the currency," he said. "There's no backup fund that I have set aside for this trip. Everything that I've been able to come up with has been just to get there. There's no room for mistakes."

Niesen will be traveling alone but knows that this trip will build his confidence so that he will be able to do it again in the future. 

"It's a world of unknowns, but it's going to be awesome," he said. "I'm just ready to lay it all down regardless of finishing 1st or 31st. It's just time for me."

Watch Niesen in action on Aug. 30 and Sept. 2 on the UCI's YouTube channel.

Black Birch Vineyard Provides Nest for JAM Fund

By Vicky Sama

Cover photo by Meg McMahon

(SOUTHAMPTON, MA) Ed Hamel drives his tractor over the sloping hills at Black Birch Vineyard. He cuts the tall grass into large rows, creating a parking lot for the upcoming JAM Fund Grand Fundo.

Just in time too. A 70-foot long white tent arrived this morning. It's for the one-day charity bike ride and post-ride barbecue for the record 400 cyclists registered for this year's event.

Since it started six years ago, the Grand Fundo is held at the Black Birch Vineyard, nestled in the foothills of the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Hamel runs the small winery with his wife Mary and their two friends and business partners Ian Modestow and Michelle Kersbergen. They grow 17 different grapes, including some experimental types. Their best sellers are the white Traminette and reds Cabernet Franc and, my favorite, Corot Noir.

"We produced 32 thousand bottles of wine last year," Hamel said. "It was our biggest year yet. We went from 7 to 17 to 28 to 32-thousand bottles in the four years we've been open to the public." 

Michelle Kersbergen, Ian Modestow, Ed Hamel and Mary Hamel pose on the vineyard tractor. Photo courtesy Black Birch Vineyard.

The Manhan River borders the 80-acre property. Only a small portion of that, five acres, is for growing vines. The rest is hayfields and some forest swamp, perfect not only for growing grapes but for a cyclocross course.

"In late September, we've had 50 to 60 people coming here for some intense training," Hamel said. "It's a cool scene."

For three days in August, the Black Birch hosted the Cycle-Smart Cyclocross Camp. Again, Hamel was out there cutting the grass to make sure it was in good shape for the training camp.

Before there was cross at Black Birch, there was cross country skiing-- Hamel's other passion. For years, Hamel captured snow using long, plastic fencing. He spread the snow across the field and then groomed it into a classic ski track with fine corduroy for his skate-ski loving daughter. Hamel put Coleman lanterns along the track so they could ski at night. His wife Mary says he was an amazing groomer, but...

"He spent more time setting up the snow than he ever got to ski it," she said."

It was a labor of love but one that Ed hardly has time for anymore. In January, the vineyard was socked with snow, but by the end of the week, it melted. 

"The snow is very fickle here," Mary said.

When he's not driving the tractor or greeting winery guests, the 63-year-old Hamel is riding his Independent cross bike with road tubulars, the same bike he'll ride in this year's 68-mile Fundo.

"I've been on a bike only 12 times this year. I'm going to suffer," he said.

Ed Hamel of Black Birch Vineyard and Winery during the JAM Fund VIP dinner. Photo by Vicky Sama.

With the stunning view and all of the delicious food, gifts for riders and the love for cycling spinning around under the tent, the Fundo feels more like a wedding than a bike event. Hamel has created the perfect nest for this special day. The relationship Hamel has with his land is as strong as that with JAM.

"These guys are amazing," Hamel said. "Al, Mukunda and Jeremy are doers. They take action and follow through. They're good guys focused on cycling as a part of life and helping people."

Jeremy Powers, Al Donahue and Mukunda Feldman are the J-A-M in JAM Fund.

"Ed and Mary are huge supporters of cyclocross in our area and have been incredibly generous with their beautiful property," said Feldman, who does all the cooking onsite during the Fundo. "They let us host the Grand Fundo at their vineyard, providing a picturesque backdrop for our main fundraising event."

The vineyard is a nesting ground not only for the Grand Fundo but for the young fledglings of the JAM Fund development cycling team. The Black Birch hosts regular cyclocross training rides, wine tasting events and live music during summer months. The night before the Sept. 25 Grand Fundo, JAM held a VIP dinner for special guests in the winery's spacious backyard. Ed, Mary, their daughter and grandson were there, hobnobbing with guests and serving wine to go with a catered gourmet meal. 

Hamel sets up the winery's backyard for the JAM Fund's special VIP dinner the evening before the big ride. Photo by Vicky Sama.

Hamel doubts he'll have time for cross racing this year, but says he won't miss riding in future Grand Fundos.

"I'm going to do the next 20," he said.

Jeremy Powers toasts to JAM Fund's generous supporters during the Friday night VIP dinner at Black Birch Vineyard as Al Donahue and Mukunda Feldman look on. Photo by Vicky Sama.

The Black Birch Vineyard is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., and later for special events. 

Cross Camp Puts Season in Right Gear

JAM Fund was jamming at the 15th annual cyclocross camp by Cycle-Smart training systems this weekend. Dozens of riders got tips from the best and learned how to improve their cross skills. Our JAM alumni Stephen Hyde and Anthony Clark were among those who helped coach riders who came from all over the Northeast.  The weekend camp was held at Black Birch Vineyard in Southampton and is headed by Cycle-Smart coaches Adam Myerson and Alec Donahue. Now it's time to put those skills to work!

Under the big tent, cross camp participants get tips from the pros. Photo by dirtwire.tv.

For more photos and video from cross camp, visit dirtwire.tv on Facebook.

A Grand Fundo Review from Steve the Bike Guy

You don't have to take our word for it. The Grand Fundo will challenge any rider and make you feel like a champ when you're done. Just ask Steve.

Sixth Annual Grand Fundo is Best Yet

Story by Vicky Sama

Photo above by Meg McMahon

It was a picture perfect day at the Sixth Annual Grand Fundo on Saturday. A record 400 cyclists rode in the one-day charity ride through the Pioneer Valley that started and ended at the Black Birch Vineyard in Southampton.

"There was so much energy at the start," said vineyard owner Ed Hamel, who has also ridden in all six Fundos. "The energy was magical. Everyone was in a great mood."

Cyclists from all over Western Massachusetts and as far away as France came to the Grand Fundo including pro riders Brad Huff, Stephen Hyde, Tim Johnson, Jeremy Durin, Gabby Day, Anthony Clark, Ellen Noble, Mo Bruno Roy and of course, event founder Jeremy Powers. Most participants rode the 68-mile Fundo while about 40 rode the Mini Fundo and almost 100 braved the 88-mile Hundo with 9,000 feet of climbing. Everyone had to conquer the challenging Kings Highway, a steep grunter, but then riders were able to take a break at the first rest stop in Chesterfield and refuel on sandwiches made with peanut butter, Fluffernutter, blueberries and bacon.

"Some sweet, some salty, it's an awesome sandwich with beautiful alliteration," said JAM Fund rider Dylan Lerner.

One of the newest additions in this year's ride was the swimming hole rest stop at Ashfield Lake House where riders cooled off at the JAM Fund's famous ice cream truck packed with ice pops, ice cream sandwiches and cones. A handful of riders took a dip in the lake including Brad Huff who had enough energy to do two front flips and a back flip off the diving board, (without his bike).

After riders finished the ride, they feasted on a giant pig roast, grilled herb chicken, barbecue tofu, baked beans, corn on the cob, coleslaw, grilled tomatoes, refreshing watermelon more ice cream and plenty of water and beer. JAM co-founder Mukunda Feldman cooked everything to perfection on site in an open pit fire that he started up the night before.

Mary Ruane from Winthrop has been to the Grand Fundo several times and said this year's tofu was unforgettable. 

"The marinated tofu was the best part of the Fundo," she said.

The afternoon capped off with a raffle where Don Powers (no relation to JPow) won the Focus Mares bike that Jeremy Powers rode to victory at January's Cyclocross National Championships in Austin. Other folks won raffle prizes such as Oakley sunglasses, Rapha jerseys and jackets, a Pactimo cycling kit, WD-40 Bike lube and degreaser, a Thule bike stand and backpack, Nuun hydration tablets, Giro gift pack with shoes, helmet and gloves and a lot more valuable things to support the JAM Fund cycling development program. Lesli Cohen, a longtime JAM Fund supporter, screamed for joy when she won a one-of-a-kind T-shirt designed for and signed by pro cyclist Anthony Clark.

"Wananana!" Clark shouted.

The Fundo wrapped up at about 6 and riders were invited to listen to live music at the Black Birch Winery grounds while the JAM Fund Cycling Team, event organizers and volunteers cleaned up the venue and had some more fun taking pictures and arm wrestling.

It was a great day all around.

Photos by Vicky Sama