Wolfpack Hustle

Competitor Spotlight: Scott Piercefield

May 10, 2013 in News by Sara Bond

Scott Piercefield crossed the finish line at the Wolfpack Crash Race this year in 3^rd Place Overall and 2^nd Place Fixed. An avid skateboarder for 18 years, Scott’s body not being able to take it anymore, pushed him in the direction to pick up a fixed gear bicycle. He says he needed to find something to help repair his worn out knees as well as commute to and from school, realizing that riding fixed was his best option. About five years ago, he ventured forth into road racing.

“Shortly after my first week of riding, I started doing big rides and training with friends. Riding quickly turned into my lifestyle and there isn’t a second I don’t think about it. I now race road, mountain, and fixed gear races. The fixed races are by far my favorite, giving me an opportunity for my roots to shine.”

One on One with Scott Piercefield:

What influenced you to pursue racing? Why?

I didn’t intend to start racing until a few friends had pushed me. They saw the long hours I was putting in on my saddle and felt it was a waste without putting that effort to the test. After my first race, I was instantly hooked and so it all began.

What have been your results this year in “sanctioned” and “unsanctioned” races?

This year I have not participated in many races, mostly because I had recently relocated to Colorado and also because I am still slowly recovering from a broken leg. I do intend to do much more fixed racing around the US this summer, and some mountain bike races in Colorado.

What do you think about when you train for races?

That top step of the podium! I also just think about the hurt that I will be feeling and if I don’t get enough training in, it will be much worse.

What interests do you have outside of cycling?

Bikes take up almost all of my outside life, but I also enjoy spending time off the bike with my girlfriend Kate along with fishing and camping.

What is your all-time favorite racing moment to this day?

Any Red Hook crit or Crash Race! I have raced hundreds of times, and nothing beats the exhilaration of those 2 races.

What are you looking forward to this year whether in “sanctioned” races or “unsanctioned”?

I definitely look forward to the rest of the Wolfpack Hustle series, but also reclaiming my victory at the Lord of Griffith race.

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by Roadblock

Wolfpack Hustle: From LA to the Red Hook Crit presented by Aventon Bikes

May 3, 2013 in News, Race Events, video, Wolfpack A by Roadblock

Back at the end of March Wolfpack Hustle Team A traveled to NYC to experience the Red Hook Crit.
We would like to thank Aventón Bikes and Red Bull for making this possible. What a race and what a good time hanging with
friends riding through out Brooklyn and Manhattan. Thanks to Lucas Brunelle for capturing a good chunk of the fun with his
iconic helmet cam – we appreciate the use of his footage.

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by Sara Bond

Competitor Spotlight: Asia Morris

April 30, 2013 in Los Angeles, Marathon Crash Race, News, Race Events, Race Results, Rider Spotlight by Sara Bond

At 22 and with only one race under her belt, Asia Morris took third overall in the geared ladies category at the 2013 Marathon Crash Race. Born and raised in Long Beach, a college roommate inspired her to trade in her beach cruiser for “a little less clunky” bike. It was then that she started riding avidly on Tuesday nights with a group called the Juggernauts in 2008. Asia was busy acquiring her BA from Scripps College in Claremont when she won a sprint race in Riverside in 2010, and only a week ago she competed in her third race in South Korea at King Track placing 2^nd. Natural talent is strong with this one.

“So, I guess you could say you’re catching me at the beginning
of what might be a promising career or just a really fruitful hobby.”

One on One with Asia Morris:

1. What influenced you to pursue racing? Why?

I race because I like to surprise myself. I think the scary part about racing is putting yourself out there, believing that you’re fast, that maybe, just maybe, you’ve put in enough time and training to put yourself above the other competitors. I remember the first time I raced, I hadn’t planned on it at all. I’d been riding for a couple years but not with the hopes of winning any races. I’d always enjoyed the friendly competition with the guys I rode with weekly, but I’d never thought about having any potential to win. I remember I’d tagged along with my boyfriend at the time to watch the Victoria St. Drag Race in Riverside. There were about forty male competitors, some looked pretty serious, others not so serious, and then I noticed there were only five female competitors. I thought, wow, I’ve been riding a lot, maybe I could do well. Just the thought of entering the race gave me butterflies, made me almost sick to my stomach, but that could’ve been the Little Caesars I had just eaten. It was silly, but I won and blew my fears out of the water.

I didn’t race again until Wolfpack this year where a whole new set of fears waited for me, I didn’t exactly blow past them, I mostly crashed into them, twisting my cleat out of place and messing up my knee. I remember falling over before the race even started because I couldn’t get my shoe out in time (I’m kind of new to clip less pedals) I got up and bowed to a round of awkward applause. Then my chain fell off. I’m kind of a klutz so it’s absolutely amazing that I even placed. I expected top sixteen, but 3rd?! That’s crazy. So yea, I race because every time I do well it’s a surprise. Even in Korea, I chose not to expect to do well, but just to do my absolute best. I wanted to go on the trip because it seemed like a crazy thing to do, but I figured if I’m not doing things that seem crazy I’m not really living.

2. What have been your results this year in “sanctioned” and “unsanctioned” races?

This year I placed 3rd in the Wolfpack Crash Race and 2nd in the Women’s Keirin for King of Track in Korea.

3. What do you think about when you train for races?

I usually think about how I’m not training hard enough or how Bud’s rear wheel is getting farther and farther and farther away from me… We’ve been training together for a couple months now and I figure, as long as I can keep up with his chill pace that means I’m pushing myself hard enough. But now I think it’s time to push myself a little bit harder.

4. What interests do you have outside of cycling?

Outside of cycling I’m a creative writer, a visual artist, and sometimes a singer when I’m not paralyzed by shyness. Since graduation, I’ve showed my work three or four times, in a couple galleries and someone’s house, while I just finished up an internship at the Orange County Museum of Art. I’m currently looking for a job in the visual arts and paying the bills as a receptionist.

5. What is your all-time favorite racing moment to this day?

Probably when I lost at King of Track. The other cyclist, MJ, kicked my butt by like half a wheel. I wouldn’t have wanted the finish to be any different. It was so exciting, and I learned what I need to do differently for my next track race. That’s the beautiful thing about racing, you can always lose, but then you just learn, train a little harder, and then go back for more.

6. What are you looking forward to this year whether in “sanctioned” races or “unsanctioned”?

I’m looking forward to meeting other female cyclists, hopefully some that I can train with.

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by Sara Bond

Competitor Spotlight: Veronica Volok

April 23, 2013 in HANNEL ET, Los Angeles, Marathon Crash Race, News, Rider Spotlight by Sara Bond

Veronica Volok received her first set of Dog Tags at the Wolfpack Marathon Crash Race this year in Los Angeles as 1^st Ladies’ Fixed. Born in Russia and raised in the Bay area, Veronica slangs coffee at the quaint coffee shop, Cento, and runs the Coffee Bar at CHROME Industries in San Francisco. She rides for DESTROY BIKES and with her ladies in FWOD (Fixed Without Dix), an all girl bike club based out of Oakland.

“FWOD is an all ladies and trans only bike club that hosts a ride every Wednesday night in Oakland (Rain or shine). New riders are always welcomed and encouraged to come out every week! Despite FWOD standing for fixed-with-out-dix, all bike types can come and ride. The most important part is having a lady/trans bike community since many bike rides and bike clubs are male dominated. We throw events like alleycats, fundraisers and co-ed rides with a theme. It’s easy to spot us because most of us are wearing brown vests with our FWOD patches on the back. People associate and confuse us as being a “bike gang”, which has a negative connotation with it. We are a social bike club that organizes social bike rides and events.”

In October 2011, Veronica competed in her first race ever at the WOB’s Judgment Day Time Trials placing 2^nd in the women’s fixed category. In 2012, she competed in teams of three on a 68 mile route from Pittsburg to Sacramento in MASH’s fixed gear only Time Trial Race to the HAHB’s. Her team, Team Beaver, only a few miles from the finish line suffered a loss when Veronica flew off her bike into a pole, which resulted in a broken collarbone and a hefty surgery bill.

“I was off my bike for three months, which feels like forever when you’re told you can’t ride a bike for that long. But once I recovered, I got back on my bike and went to the Hellyer Velodrome in San Jose!”

Entering into this year’s Mission Bay Crit hosted by Crihs Tian, she describes it as “one of the hardest and most intimidating races I have ever experienced,” Veronica placed first. “There were these moments I wanted to give up, but I clenched my teeth and kept pushing and pulling and spinning until I knew it was over. Can’t stop. Never Stop.”

One on one with Veronica Volok:

What influenced you to pursue racing? Why?

It sounds cheesy, but my boyfriend is my biggest influence in racing. He is the one who first suggested that I should try racing, and even though I was hesitant, I took his suggestion and was surprised with the results. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am.

What have been your results this year in “sanctioned” and “unsanctioned” races?

I haven’t done any sanctioned races this year…yet.
I’ve only done two unsanctioned races this year; The Mission Bay Crit, which I placed in women’s 1st; and the Crash Marathon Race, which I placed in women’s 1st fixed.

What do you think about when you train for races?

When I train for races I think about what I did in the previous race and how I can improve. There’s always room for improvement.

What interests do you have outside of cycling?

Dogs! I’m a total nerd for dogs and love taking my dog out on adventures, especially on bike rides. I also really enjoy running. Its a good way for me to let out the stress and anxiety that builds ups.

What is your all-time favorite racing moment to this day?

Winning first placed fixed in the Crash Marathon Race this year. Hands down. Even though it wasn’t made official, I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. I remember walking over to Steve, the president of Chrome Industries, and saying, “I did it…I won…” and he gave me the fattest hug as tears exploded from my eyes. Next thing I knew the Chrome family was shaking bottles of champagne and spraying me down. It was surreal. I was crying, laughing, and shaking at the same time. It felt so good to make so many people proud.

What are you looking forward to this year whether in “sanctioned” races or the “Wolfpack Unified Title Race Series”?

I’m really looking forward to participate at the Hellyer Velodrome races in San Jose this year, but my biggest excitement will be the Wolfpack Unified Title Race Series. It will be my first time racing in those events so we’ll see how it goes! I just want to have fun and see what happens.

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Wolfpack Hustle

Competitor Spotlight: Scott Piercefield

Wolfpack Hustle: From LA to the Red Hook Crit presented by Aventon Bikes

Competitor Spotlight: Asia Morris

“So, I guess you could say you’re catching me at the beginning of what might be a promising career or just a really fruitful hobby.”

Competitor Spotlight: Veronica Volok

#WOLFPACKHUSTLE on Instagram

“So, I guess you could say you’re catching me at the beginning
of what might be a promising career or just a really fruitful hobby.”