Big D Cycling, a competitive cycling club in Kansas City, has achieved much in a few short years.
The team was created in 2010 following the tragic loss of fellow cyclist and friend, Dalton Eli Hawkins. Dalton was a straight-A, pharmacy student at The University of Kansas and loved riding his bike. Dalton’s nickname, Big D, was given to him in third grade by Stephen Whalen, his neighbor. Dalton showed interest in cycling at a young age, as his father, Shawn, passed along his passion for cycling, along with his old steel frame road bike.
In 2007, Dalton and his father completed the infamous Triple Bypass Bicycle Ride in Colorado, along with numerous other charity rides. Shawn commented that, even though Dalton was young, on the local Wednesday night hill ride, “He could hang with those front guys.”
Dalton and Shawn enjoying the ride and spectacular views.
Some of the early members of the team, Shawn Hawkins, Shawn Knight, John Taton and Whalen, raced at the Froze Toes Road Race in February 2009 under the Whale Spout Race Team, named after Whalen’s car wash in Shawnee, KS. After Dalton’s passing, they continued to race and started writing ‘Big D’ on the race registration form, in memory of Dalton.
Later in 2009, they started talking about registering the team with USA Cycling. To honor Dalton, they chose the name Big D Cycling. The team eventually obtained its first title sponsor, SeQual, and sponsored its first race, The Veterans Cross, in November 2010.
Fast forward to 2015, the team has achieved a long list of on- and off-the-road accomplishments. The team’s current and long-term title sponsor, Keen Wealth Advisors, is deeply committed to the development of cycling in Kansas, in particular the junior racing category, donating $3,000 over the past two seasons to the Kansas Cycling Association to sponsor Kansas junior race entry fees. In line with this, Big D Cycling, over the past five years, has teamed up with the local Kiwanis Club and Shawnee Rotary Club at their annual bike rodeos, helping youngsters with simple maintenance of their bikes and proper helmet fitting.
In recent team competition, Big D Cycling won the Kansas Best All-Around Team competition for Overall Women’s Masters Team in 2013 and for Overall Men’s Masters Team in 2014. The 2015 season is just beginning, but Cody Jones, Joe Kleidosty and Greg Vaught have already stood on the top of the podium, winning their respective categories at the ALS Road Race Series in Perry, KS, in March 2015. On April 11, the trio of Nick Comiskey, Joe Kleidosty and Greg Vaught won the Eddy Merckx division at the Sunflower State Games Team Time Trial event in Lecompton, KS. The team has its sights set for more podium finishes at Tour of Kansas City and Tour of Lawrence, to name just a few of the major races in the area.
Big D Cycling has grown from a handful of cyclists in 2010 to 55 strong, with members competing in almost every race category. With an emphasis on junior and women’s team development in 2015, the team will continue to grow and carry on the memory of Dalton Hawkins.
The Velotek Grand Prix is known as the biggest stage race in Kansas. It can now have the honor of being the wettest stage race in Kansas. Big D Cycling’s Men’s Masters team competed in two categories at this stage race: Masters 40+ Cat 1/2/3, Group A (Paul Aldeguer, Jim Clevenger, and Joe Kleidosty) and Masters 40+ Cat 4/5, Group B (Ben Christian, Leo Simbaqueva, Steve VanNieuwenhuyse, Greg Vaught, and Chip Zimmer).
The local weather forecasters actually predicted the timing of this storm with good accuracy. The team’s eyes were glued to radars, as thunderstorms approached from the south. The rain started falling just before the start of the first stage, a .68-mile uphill time trial, with no aero equipment allowed. Due to lightning, several 15-minute delays turned into an actual delayed start of two hours and 15 minutes.
The wet and cool conditions made it practically impossible to warm up properly for this event. Kleidosty used the heater in his vehicle to ‘warm up’ for this event. This unproven method seemed to work, as he laid down the team’s best time trial effort at 2:15, putting him in second place behind J.P. Brocket by five seconds. VanNieuwenhuyse just edged out Vaught in Group B, taking 2:34 to finish the time trial. This placed him tied for fourth, just four seconds behind the leader.
The rain continued throughout the afternoon during the second stage, a .96-mile technical course (made even more technical with the wet conditions) on the Haskell Indian Nations University campus. In the Group A field, J.P. Brocket and Trey Harrison displayed their good bike handling skills in the wet conditions, lapping several competitors in the field, including Aldeguer and Kleidosty. This gave the duo a commanding lead of more than two minutes going into the final stage.
In the Group B field, Vaught was able to sprint his way to a fourth place, just two seconds behind the winner. His criterium finish put Vaught in the closest position to contend for a podium finish.
After a wet and soggy Saturday, the team was given a reprieve from these nasty conditions with some dry weather and cool temperatures for the final stage on Sunday, a road race consisting of a 28.26-mile loop around Lake Perry. The Group A field completed two laps (with prime bonus seconds for the top three to cross the finish line after the first lap), while the Group B field completed one lap.
The day did not start without any drama. Vaught and Kleidosty received a text from Clevenger at 7:59 am, “So sorry flat tire on the way going to miss the start.” Vaught quickly texted back, “Quick change! Get movin!” The race started at 9:05 am. Kleidosty, also known as monGO, has a special relationship with Clevenger. He often times does monGO-speak when talking with Clevenger to keep him focused and to motivate him to excel in all he does. This tactic worked, as Clevenger realized he had enough time to get to the race, with some assistance from a helpful Highway Patrol officer.
With help from VanNieuwenhuyse and Vaught, Clevenger rolled up to the start line at 9:05 am. For some reason, the officials did not start the race until 9:10 am. Clevenger did not have time to use the restroom before the race, but the Group A field, to Clevenger’s benefit, agreed to stop for a restroom break during the race!
Kleidosty communicated with Aldeguer of his plan to attack on one of the steeper hills to contest for the prime bonus seconds. Kleidosty was able to break clear and won the prime bonus of three seconds, getting a gap of 30 seconds on the field. Kleidosty sat up and rejoined the field after winning the prime.
Kleidosty enjoying the ride during the first few miles of the road race.
Much later in the race, one of the General Classification contenders, Brian Peters, had an unfortunate flat going into the final turn onto the dam. Kleidosty saw this as an opportunity to gain position in the GC, and led the field across the dam into the final climb. Aldeguer was able to break clear and took second in the road race, while also earning a six-second bonus for that finish.
Overall in Group A, Clevenger took fourth, Kleidosty was fifth and Aldeguer was sixth, with the top seven finishers getting paid.
Masters Group A podium
Going into the Masters Group B road race, Vaught was in the top five, with a good chance of getting on the podium. Vaught had plans to attack on one of the many hills on the course to get some separation on the field. With the giddiness of VanNieuwenhuyse in a field of rocks (he’s a rock collector), he decided to attack on the first significant climb!
Vaught breaking away from the peloton! Many think he attacked here so Roger Harrison could get a good photo of him…
The headwinds were too strong, and everything came back together before the midpoint of the race. The Tulsa Wheelmen had a strong team at this stage race, so Big D Cycling wanted to keep the pressure on them and force them to work hard throughout the race. Vaught’s attack forced Tulsa Wheelmen to the front of the peloton to chase him down.
The field was still intact going into the final turn onto the dam, so it was all about positioning going into the hilltop finish. Vaught was sitting close to the front, so Simbaqueva saw an opportunity to get into better position and possibly help lead Vaught out into the finish. As he went by Vaught, he yelled for Vaught to grab his wheel. Simbaqueva glanced back to check on Vaught, but he was not on his wheel.
Simbaqueva decided to position himself behind the GC leader. As the hill steepened, the Tulsa Wheelmen team started to fade. Simbaqueva stated, “Now, it was all or nothing for me, so I put my head down and buried myself.” Simbaqueva made it past the Tulsa Wheelmen team and came in second in the road race and fifth overall in the GC. Simbaqueva knew this was a team effort, saying, “I can only thank my teammates and their tremendous efforts.”
Masters Group B Podium
Special thanks also goes out to Keen Wealth Advisors for their tremendous support of our team and junior cycling in Kansas. The team also thanks Bollé Cycling Eyewear for keeping the wet debris out of our eyes during the soggiest stages of our lives!
Special thanks to Roger Harrison of Lanterne Rouge for providing the road race images for this story. See more of his images on his Flickr site.
Nick Comiskey, Joe Kleidosty and Greg Vaught set out to lay down a good time at the Sunflower State Games Team Time Trial event in Lecompton, Kansas, on April 11. The trio did just that, setting a time of 28:37.64, with the second place team coming in at 30:03.86. They set an average pace of 24.2 mph in the Merckx division (no aero equipment allowed). Even more impressive, the trio’s race ages covered three decades (race ages in 30s, 40s, 50s)!
Comiskey, Kleidosty and Vaught with SSG Gold around their necks!
The trio only practiced once prior to this event, riding the course after a Spring Fling event a few weeks ago. The wind played a factor at this event, as there was a brisk enough wind that the three had to work in an echelon, as most of the course had a cross wind.
The course also had several decent climbs in it, so it took communication and effort to keep together on the climbs. Kleidosty was amazed by the number of TT teams who were separated, observing this on the return route after the lone turnaround on the course.
A brutally placed climb was right ahead of the finish, with steep pitches reaching 10 percent in some areas of the climb. Comiskey took the lead on the climb and Kleidosty paced Vaught into the finish line for a sweet Sunflower State Games victory! Chalk it up as another win for the Keen Wealth Advisors-sponsored team.
Big D Cycling is travelling to Bazaar, KS, on April 12 for the bizarre road race that is affectionately called Bazaar Road Race.
Kleidosty thinks that, since his race number said ‘Cyclocross’, he has now completed his first Cx race! I guess that’s why he’s called monGO.
Uncharacteristically beautiful weather welcomed racers at the 2015 ALS Road Race Series in Perry, KS. The event was co-sponsored by the Lanterne Rouge Racing Team and by Big D Cycling.
The first event in the series was cancelled due to the typical weather associated with this race series, but it was nothing but mild temperatures and blue skies for the final two events in the series.
Many of our new 2015 team members competed at this event, showing good promise for the season. Lisa Doane showed true grit by completing the first race in the series, which included four arduous climbs to the finish.
Jay Raupp placed third in the series in his age group (the very competitive 60+ age group), with this being the first time he has been on a competitive cycling team. Donavon Hottman and Bill Wells showed good early season form, placing second and third, respectively, in the 65+ age group.
Jay Raupp, with Roger Harrison, accepting his bronze medal!
Cody Jones, new to the team and competitive cycling, won the first race in the series in Category 5. His strong showing in the second race of the series sealed his first place finish overall in Category 5.
Cody Jones showed almost too much enthusiasm with his first place finish, almost getting nipped at the line!
Another highlight in the series was Greg Vaught earning his first road win in Masters 50+. Vaught was close in points with another competitor in his category going into the final race in the series. He needed a victory to be certain of securing first overall in the series. He would not be denied. On the final hill climb, he went off road, utilizing his cyclocross skills, to get by his competitors and break away for his first win, securing his first place overall in the series, as well.
Greg Vaught practices putting his hands up in victory on training rides, but he did not have any energy left as he approached the finish line! One of the drawbacks of getting old …
Joe Kleidosty placed fourth in the first Category 3/4 race of the series, so he needed to have another higher placement in the last race to ensure a podium finish for the series. The field increased for the final race, so another strong showing would not be easy. With an extra lap for the final race, seven hill climbs were required. Kleidosty was certainly glad he allowed himself to go cross-eyed during the training ride to Bartlett Lake at the team training camp in Scottsdale, AZ, in February. Cross-eyed he went as he crossed the line for his first road win in 2015 ~ it’s good to go into the pain cave whilst training. The win also secured first overall in Cat 3/4 for the series.
Kleidosty approaching the finish line, with a “Slow” sign in the foreground – is this some type of subliminal message??
Nigel Vaught continued his winning ways, getting first in his age group for the series. Once again, Nigel benefited by having the junior race fees sponsored by our title sponsor, Keen Wealth Advisors.
In addition to all of these podium finishes, the race series also had a King of the Mountain competition. Michael Fiola, Greg Vaught, Donavon Hottman, Nigel Vaught, Cody Jones and Chip Zimmer all won a KOM t-shirt for winning the KOM competition in their respective category or age group!
Joe Rehm, new to our team, competed in his first competitive road race at this event in Category 5. Unfortunately, on the final climb, another racer tangled up with Shane Jones, causing Rehm to crash and shatter his helmet. He received a pretty nasty concussion, as a result. Rehm lives in Wyandotte County and showed he is Dotte Tough, getting back on his bike and finishing the race! He is still recovering, but is looking forward to his next event. Rehm has a nasty addiction with buying and selling bikes, recently purchasing a time trial bike that he plans to keep for a while. I think you’ll be seeing him at the time trials this season ~ less chance of getting tangled up with other cyclists!
Recollections of Steve VanNewindahouse, once his blood sugar was brought to normal levels:
Fifteen members of the Big D Cycling team recently returned from the annual training camp in Scottsdale, Arizona, and two things are certain: Our new Pactimo kits are the real deal, and we owe weeks’ worth of long miles in the saddle to Chamois Butt’r. The team used these fine products to rack up a total of more than 4,000 miles of saddle time, including almost 200,000 feet of climbing in six beautiful days of cycling!
Big D Cycling team getting ready for another training ride in Scottsdale, AZ.
For those not fortunate enough to be there, a normal day in camp consisted of breakfast, which included a debate over the strength of the coffee, a brief recap of “who woke who up at what time last night”, and a cul-de-sac meeting in preparation for the 10 am ride. The daily rides were then followed by a jump in the pool or hot tub, a quality dinner, and a social hour lasting until it was time to go again. Perfect!
The rides were led by Rick Nord, aka Uncle Rick or Mr. Sunshine, our local guide and team friend who was more than familiar with the local terrain and its challenges. Uncle Rick led us up to Stagecoach Pass in Carefree, Arizona, on day one, which was a relatively easy ride that proved to be a nice warm up for what was to follow. Day two had the team rocking their shiny new kits on a 70-mile ride, which included a scenic stretch along the Sonoran Desert Parkway. This was a well-paced ride which proved to be a nice lead into the real work for the following day.
The day three ride into Bartlett Lake was as rugged and brutal as it was beautiful. We were greeted with a headwind at the entrance into the lake The team broke into groups and set into the work of surviving back-to-back-to-back-to-back climbs that let you know where your legs were (or were not). By the generous assistance of Bill Mason, the team had a SAG support waiting at the bottom near the lake which proved to be most beneficial, as the local store located at the lake was no longer in business. PB&J’s on rye bread never tasted so good! Bartlett was conquered and even managed to give up a precious Strava leader board position to our own digitally over-driven monGO, Joe Kleidosty .
SAG stop at Bartlett Lake – Bill Mason even did some climbing at the Lake!
Dynamite (a local road that just keeps going up) climb and Dynamite ‘around the mountain’ (around McDowell Mountain) routes wrapped up days four and five, as some riders opted for recovery routes and milder paces to soothe the mid-winter legs of this Shawnee, Kansas-based team, sponsored by Keen Wealth Advisors.
Looking back at the Golden Eagle climb conquered by Greg, Ron, Leo, Joe, John and Jen!
Quality teamwork was reflected in every aspect of our week together: from lending a mate with a push up a steep incline to everyone taking pulls on the front, no matter how spent we all were. From the relentless fixing and changing of flat tires to the community after-ride maintenance groups. From the shuttling spent riders home to the meal preparation and cleaning. It was obvious that each member of Big D Cycling was there to help each other out.
Greg and Joe would shop for second homes whilst rolling out bonus miles – this gate impressed Greg and may be seen at the Vaught Compound soon!
This winter camp was a great way to strengthen relationships, while also logging those very important base miles. Based on the experiences in this camp, we are optimistic we will have many podium finishes and have fun doing it!
Special thanks to Bill Mason and Bill Wells for safely making the trip to and from Scottsdale, AZ, transporting our steeds and gear on the team trailer.
Official Website of the Big D Cycling Team Presented by Keen Wealth Advisors
