VeloLosers

It’s now official!  VeloLosers 2 is underway!  16 competitors have come to the line for this smack down of cycling and weight loss competition!  This was the first coed competition the team at VeloLosers have organized.  The added competition seems to be welcomed by all.  VeloLoser 1 winner, Scott, pointed out “The womenz up on the Biggest Loser are always putting a hurt on the male fatties… I fear the results these women will post!”. 

On to this week’s racing!  Three competitors from the orginal VeloLosers came to the line.  Scott, Alex and Don all came to the line, looking a bit leaner and a bit meaner.   “I’m ready to race” said the every unpredictible Alex.  Race they did!

From the gun, the powerhouse of the Rocky Mountain region, Jess took the lead.  Eager to get ahead of the game – Jess swore off beer in a ceremonial twitter post.  The rest of the field found a the first “climb” of the competition – Memorial Day – to be a bit daunting.  Scott was quoted as saying “It’s hard to finish lean, enjoy a barbeque and get back into the swing of things all in the same weekend, but I have to remain vigilant.  Everybody will have a bad week now and then… it’s how you handle it that defines your legacy.” 

Merl and Don were a bit held back by the festivities in Indianapolis… soemthing about a 500 mile race and a pork chop weighing them down held them back a bit.  

Bill had a rough weekend travelling to Italy, but has set himself up for a great stage two and we all wish him well.  

When the dust settled… it was suprising to see VeloLosers 1 winner Scott right in the middle of the field 9th place.  Right in front of him was his VL1 nemesis.  ”Next week, i’m kicking ass!” said Alex.  These two have fought 8 weeks of battles side by side, it’s not suprising to see them so closely matched.  

Ken comes across the line in third with a 1.55% loss.  Our highest place Women was Friday scoring an impressive 2.21% loss.  Holding the lead from the start was Jess earning himself his first stage and the VL2 Yellow Jersey with a 2.88% loss.

Jess looks strong in his Yellow Jersey, but as we all know, every week throws different challenges at our competitors!  

Stage 1 Results & GC:

1.  Jess (2.88%)
2. Friday (2.21%)
3. Ken (1.55%)
4. Liz (1.03%)
5. Hamish (1.03%)
6. Bernhard (0.99%)
7. Phoenix (0.51%)
8. Alex (0.44%)
9. Scott (0.33%)
10. Ron (0.09%)
11. Tammy (0.00%)
12. Scotterson (+0.09)
13. Don (+0.14%)
14. Jason (+0.33%)
15. Merl Hoss (+1.56%)
16. Bill (+2.02%) 

After nearly 9 weeks in the saddle, VeloLosers I has come to close.  The five compatriats in rode into the finish line ending the first ever cycling based weight competition all with a new perspective on various things!  Going into the final stage of the competition, there were only two riders with a chance to take the overall victory, but the ever glorious stage win was still on the table.  

As he had done for several weeks leading into the final stage, the yellow jersey was looking over his shoulder – wondering if Alex was going to come around him and take the lead.  The pressure, the tension, the focus all helped as Scott came across the line winning his third consecutive stage.  ”You never know with Alex, he’s all over the place.  I wanted to win VeloLosers – but I wanted to win the stage as well!  I have to admit – I tried harder just to beat Alex!” said Scott.  Ultimately, in this final stage, it was the “Tyler Farrar” of VeloLosers, Don taking Scott to the line.  ”I really feel like I’m starting to mix things up, like I have a chance in this thing!”  Don’s determiination should help him in his quest to win VeloLosers II!

The overall title of the “Velo Loser” has been awarded to Scott for his impressive 9.3% overall weight loss over the competiton.  Scott was only available for a brief interview as he headed down the road to the start of VeloLosers II.  ”For me, Don and Alex… this felt like a Miss-n-Out!  We are sprinting for the win, right into the back of the VeloLosers II peloton!  We don’t get a break, we are back in the saddle already!”

With nearly 60 pounds lot by 5 riders, VeloLosers I was definitely a success!  14 riders have lined up for VeloLosers II including people with some incredible athletic achievments in their past.  When asked if that was intimidating, Scott replied “I’m ready for the challenge, but I’ve got to go ride.  Later!”

Stage 8 Results:

1.  Scott (0.82%)
2. Don (0.28%)
3. Alex (+1.81%)
4. Carleton
5. Nathan

Final General Classification:

1. Scott (9.3%)
2. Alex (6.1%)
3. Don (3.6%)
4. Nathan (1.57%)
5. Carleton (1.44%)

After weeks of see-saw battling with Alex, Scott has finally broken the pattern and taken the first ever back-to-back stage wins!  Posting this weeks biggest loss, both in pounds and percentage Scott dropped a nice 2.6 pounds for a 1.75% loss.  Don Walker hit the workout path on two occasions for his last chance efforts, bringing home a nice 1.7 pound loss in second place.  A bit off the pace, Alex admitted it wasn’t his best week and rolled for a 1 pound loss.  ”Given the week I had, I’m happy with a pound.”  

Nathan is still out of competition and will rejoin the VeloLosers Peloton for VeloLosers 2 which starts on 5/22/2009.  Carleton is looking forward to the end of VeloLosers 1 siting an increase in lean body mass, but no significant net-loss.  

Typically winning a stage will bring unfound joy, excitement and cheers from the fans, but in this stage 7 of the VeloLoser competition, it’s put the Yellow Jersey at odds.  ”Alex and I have traded ever week – back and forth – I broke the streak – what if it goes the other way next week?  He’s like a balm, he’s unpredictable!” muttered the befuddled weight loss contenstant.  ”I’m going to have to stay on top of this.  No rest this weeek!”.  

Next week is a double-wack-pack of VeloLoser insanity!  We will sprint to the line for VeloLosers 1 and start VeloLosers 2 at the same time.  ”It’s really our only choice.  We had a couple of racers get off the front and put a gap on the field.  It’s like moving from the Giro to Tour – everybody gets a fresh start.  

“It’s going to be a fast run to the line.  I’m watching for a late attack from Alex – he could do some damage if he has a good week!” said Scott after receiving his second yellow jersey in as many weeks.

Stage 7 Results:

1. Scott (1/05%)
2. Don (0.59%)
3. Alex (0.45%)
4. Carleton (+0.54%)
5. Nathan

General Classification 

1. Scott (8.55%)
2. Alex (7.75% – 1.8 lbs)
3. Don (3.31% – 15.0 lbs)
4. Nathan (1.57% – 19.3 lbs)
5. Carleton (1.44% – 18.5 lbs)

After 7 weeks in the saddle!

It’s been a rough few weeks – after being falsly awarded the Yellow Jersey, riding without when he earned it and a bout with the Guinea Pig Flu – Scott has returned to form and put up numbers that the great champions can appreciate!  ”That third place finish last week gave me the kick in the pants that I needed!  These guys are playing hard, I need to as well!” said Patton, in a quiet interview.  Posting impressive results at 4.4 pounds, 1.75% winning both the Stage and they lead in the VeloLosers competition, Scott is certainly the man to beat right now.  Alex got the results early in the day and headed out for a long ride with his wife.  ”It’s a see-saw battle.  I can’t beat him 2 weeks in a row!  Losing 3 pounds wasn’t enough!”

With Natan Zeep on a special training camp related Hiatus, Don and Carleton found their form and are preparing for a big run into week 7.  Don’s found his groove in the Thursday Group Ride and got his weight headed down.  Carleton is enjoying his new cross bike and random breakfast treats – but still managed to post his largest loss to date! 

Who will be the VeloLoser in Stage 7? The high stakes antics are all up in the air.  Can anybody break the back-and-forth action between Scott and Alex?  Alex is the favorite to win, but Scott looks focused and determined to change the game!  ”We are trying to drive a culture of weight loss here!  If I can keep the stakes high, I can enhance my value to this competition!   When losing is winning, helping others lose is like delivering a healthy chunk of profitablity!  I’m here to win, but I want the team to win too!” said Scott as he rode away for an afternoon of training.

Stage 6 Results:

1. Scott (1.75%)
2. Alex (1.33%)
3. Carleton (0.77%)
4. Don (0.72%)
5. Nathan 

General Classification:

1. Scott (7.57%)
2. Alex (7.31% – 0.59 lbs)
3. Don (2.74% – 13.9 lbs)
4. Carleton (1.97% – 14.4 lbs)
5. Nathan (1.57% – 16.58 lbs)

VeloLoser Facts

• Total Loss – 55.4 pounds
• Total Percentage – 4.11%

Current Status

With the Yellow Jersey – not any particular rider – but the jersey itself – on vacation, the door of opportunity was wide open!  Some of our riders attacked with furious anger, other did everything they could but the cylinders just weren’t hitting like they should!

The talk of the Peloton this week is the man dropping over FOUR POUNDS!  Natan Zeep has been spending way too much time on the job, but not letting donut friday get the better of him!  This fella dropped 4.4 pounds on rollers alone, that is a phenominal result.  Unable to catch the wheel – last weeks jersey-less leader Scott rode like a madman, eclipsing nearly 200 miles in 6 day to post a seemingly insigificant .4 pounds.  “Sometimes, it just works out like that…  Today, all I can do is try again.  The competition is tough!” said Scott upon learning he was losing the lead yet again.

Carleton and Don rode some rough roads this past week.  Don battled “The Man”, Carleton spent a little to much time sorting out his cross bike situation.  With a gain for both of these riders, it may be time to follow Scott’s lead and just keep going.

Taking back the jersey he deserved in Stage 4, Alex rocks back into the lead with a 1.53% loss!  This moves Alex back into the Yellow Jersey and brings him to a tie in the Green Jersey competition for the most stage wins.  Always keeping a positive attitude, Alex was coaching and working with some of his competitors – helping them keep their train rolling.  That’s a true champion!

Stage 5 Results:

1. Alex (1.53%)
2. Nathan (1.43%)
3. Scott (0.16%)
4. Don (+0.35%)
5. Carleton (+0.54%)

General Classification:

1. Alex (6.05%)
2. Scott (5.92%)
3. Don (2.03%)
4. Nathan (1.57%)
5. Carleton (1.21%)

Points Leader (Stage Wins):

• Alex – 3
• Scott – 3

Red Jersey (Most Aggressive):

• Nathan

Note: As there is a tie for the green jersey, one rider is in yellow, Scott will be awarded the green jersey as well.