Bad news, better odds
The following is the Editor's Letter that appeared in the September 2011 issue of the print magazine.
Cole House wins attention for his speed on two wheels
Cole House, a pro cyclist from Oneida, leads the news on the Indian Country Today site devoted to Native Americans.
The feature piece describes the 23-year-old as the fastest American Indian on two wheels. House will work to make that simply "fastest on two wheels" this weekend in the four-race Gateway Cup in St. Louis, Mo.
Shadowy warriors win Birkebeiner t-shirt contest
Charles Rietschel's depiction of Birkebeiner warriors shadowing modern skiers has been chosen as the winner in the race's 2012 T-shirt design contest.
More than 4,000 skiers voted in the contest to select the images for the race clothing.
Cycling fatalities through August match 2009 total
Two more bicyclists have been added to the list of those killed in crashes on Wisconsin roads, and the total for the year now matches the nine fatalities recorded in all of 2010.
Tour de France veteran Christian Vande Velde signs on to race Chequamegon 40
Christian Vande Velde figures a link to his results in the Tour de France will earn him a spot in the elite start area for his first run in the Chequamegon Fat Tire 40.
The Lemont, Ill., native finished fourth in the grand tour in 2008, and helped Lance Armstrong win with the U.S. Postal team in 1999 and 2001. A string of crashes and injuries set back Vande Velde in 2009 and 2010, but he has been back on form in 2011: 17th in the tour and second last month in the inaugural US Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado.
Motorist says he blacked out before fatal crash with bicyclist
An 18-year-old motorist who crashed into and killed a man bicycling in Oak Creek on July 17 told police he blacked out just before the impact, according to a court record.
The information is included in an affidavit Oak Creek police submitted in a request for the cellphone records from the driver, Joshua Chomicki.
Drugged driver sentenced to 13 years for hitting runner
The man who hit local athlete Greg Phelps on a training run in Pewaukee has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for the crimes he committed that afternoon.
Mike Johnson reports that Thomas Brinkman, 22, pleaded guilty in June to charges of intoxicated use of a vehicle and possession of narcotic drugs. As part of a plea agreement, charges of reckless driving-causing great bodily harm, injury by use of a vehicle while under the influence of controlled substance and possession of cocaine were dismissed.
Hiking and writing leads to guide for parents and kids
Rob Bignell, an award-winning journalist from Wisconsin, has combined his talents and outdoor interests to produce a practical guide for day-hiking with kids.
The Dunn County News reported on the Menomonie native's latest project in a recent feature.
Keys to success in Ironman Wisconsin
With five days to the 10th annual Ford Ironman Wisconsin, participants are likely to gobble advice like energy gels.
Active.com offers this list of 10 keys to success on Sunday, which will be particularly important for those looking to earn one of the 65 qualifying slots to the 2012 Ford Ironman World Championship held in Kona, Hawaii.
Bikers ready to shift gears and kick off the cyclocross season
A few of the folks fond of knobby tires and smooth dismounts have begun practicing for the coming cyclocross season, giving themselves a slight head start on the official preseason race in Verona on Saturday.
Hosted by Team MadCross, the race in Badger Prairie County Park follows a three-hour clinic that starts at 9 a.m. The experts on hand will teach basic cyclocross skills: mounting, dismounting, clearing obstacles, grassy corners, sand and run-ups.
Ironman Wisconsin stories: 9-11 survivor joins emergency responders
More than 150 first responders will be honored participants in the Ford Ironman Wisconsin on Sunday, a date marking the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S.
A 9-11 survivor, who fled from the World Trade Center in Manhattan, will join them and 2,500 competitors in Madison.
Standing tall: Ski flyers defend Copper Peak
Admittedly, ski flying is a bit off the beat for Off the Couch.
But this column describing the photographic shrinkage of the Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill was worth a slight detour to rediscover an Upper Peninsula outpost and ponder the butt-puckering fear of standing on a launch pad 18 stories high.
Add Frankie Andreu to the list
When I first posted the news about Christian Vande Velde signing up to race the Chequamegon Fat Tire 40, I listed him as one of three riders with Tour de France credentials to tackle the mountain bike spectacle in Hayward.
I was wrong.
Kenosha County paving its bike / pedestrian trail
Work will start Monday to pave the 7.5-mile Kenosha County Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail, which includes two segments on the north and south ends of the county.
The trail has existed for decades as a crushed-gravel path. Frequent washouts created the need for the asphalt.
Firefighter collecting disability pay finds unwelcome spotlight as an Ironman
A former North Shore firefighter has come under criticism similar to that levied upon a retired Milwaukee cop for pursuing endurance events while receiving disability payments.
WITI-TV Fox 6 reporter Bryan Polcyn reported this week on Aaron Marjala, who left his firefighting duties because of an elbow injury, but went on to compete in the Ford Ironman Wisconsin last year.
Life-saving persistence earns a 100-mile payback
Persistence saved Hans Wegesser’s life.
Fittingly, he ran nearly 100 miles to return the favor.
Hiker begins Ice Age trek to benefit Habitat for Humanity
Loyal Mehnert, a 34-year-travelanthropist, will set forth from Potawatomi State Park Saturday morning on a 1,100-mile thru hike of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
The Milwaukee resident plans to join the ranks of about 50 people to trek the entire Ice Age across Wisconsin, and to raise money for Habitat for Humanity's rebuilding efforts in Haiti. Check out this page to add support.
IronKids show the way for the adults in the Ford Ironman Wisconsin
On the eve of the 2011 Ford Ironman Wisconsin for adults, 318 youths from 6 to 15 participated in the first-ever Hy-Vee IronKids Madison triathlon.
The young athletes competed in three age divisions, over distances that ranged from 50 yard swim, two-mile bike, 500 yard run for the Juniors; up to a 300 yard swim, eight-mile bike, two-mile run for the seniors.
Retired Army captain from Green Bay takes win in Ford Ironman Wisconsin
Jessica Jacobs, a retired Army captain from Green Bay, paid her own tribute to the 9-11 anniversary by running to a come-from-behind victory in the 10th Ford Ironman Wisconsin.
Jacobs trailed Merideth Kessler by nearly 12 minutes going into the 26.2-mile, closed the gap, made the pass and pulled away over the final eight miles. Her husband, deployed in Iraq, watched via an online feed.
Police investigating death of woman found on Oak Leaf Trail
Police have offered few details about the woman who was found dead on the Oak Leaf Trail about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, pending an autopsy being conducted this morning.
She was found near the 1600 block of N. Prospect Ave., south of Brady St.