My Clincher Can Beat Up Your Clincher

I have a feeling that I possess the only known pair of these in the City of Chicago if not the entire state. I bought these back in 1997 and have used them ever since. Quite possibly the best cyclocross tire. Ever. These babies hook up well in the loose stuff, hardpack, mud and grass. Fetching upwards of $100 sometimes for only one on eBay and often used, I feel lucky to have held onto them for so long. Now the question is which wheelset should I mount them on?

New Toy

After spotting one of these at Church a few weeks back everyone who was present knew they had to have one. We all joked about how Amazon was going to crash because we were all going to be logging on to buy one. Bob took the plunge first and had his at the last Church race where he put it to good use, rumor has it that he was charging $1 a bike!

As of yesterday there were still a few left over at Amazon, I ordered mine on Sunday and had it yesterday, so there is still time to have it for Jackson Park, although the weather looks like it will hold out til then. Even so, I expect to hear lots of little orange pressure washers at races this year, get yours while supplies last! Now I just need some rubber rain boots.

Snow Or Mud?

While the hill isn't this steep at Montrose, it does appear that we will either have a fresh layer of snow, or several inches of mud to deal with come Sunday and the series finale. Might I suggest a pair of toe spikes. Either way work on your running while you can, you will definately need it.

Northbrook Delivers First Time Out

Being new on the calendar, you never quite know what you are going to get when you arrive at a new venue. The boys of Flatlandia surely did not disappoint with today's stop of the circus we like to call the Chicago Cyclocross Cup. This course offered up a little bit of everything, and in extra servings in case anyone was hungry for more.



I drive 294 maybe once a week and I swear I have never seen the hill that was thrown at us today. But I know every time I drive past it in the future I will never forget that it is there. Off the start we hit a technical section that kept you busy between braking, shifting and re-accelerating out of every corner. After the that, there was a brief power section before hitting the first climb of the lap. Stairs or run-ups have never been that difficult for me in the past, but because of the spacing of the stairs getting a good rhythm going proved difficult. After ascending the stairs you had the pleasure of riding the most challenging section we have ridden all year, three off-camber muddy, greasy turns where if you had too much speed, or hesitated just a bit you found yourself upside down. And believe me, more than a few people were trying to ride that section who had no business doing so, and some were making it look easy.



After that you were shot back into some off-camber, twisty technical stuff that tested the traction of your tires before heading back to the hill for more running, more off-camber insanity that prompted a bit of puckering if you know what I mean. Off the hill and onto the pavement for a bit of power and then right back to a short twisty section and a hill climb that wasn't so bad at all. Down the hill and towards "4 guys on a couch" with a serenade from a trumpeter and a bull horn, into a pinwheel, through some chicanes and then back towards the finish line. Definitely a sweet course, but a really difficult one at that. This race to me would be more a matter of staying upright when others hopefully couldn't, and minimizing any mistakes.



After the call ups, Tony, Elvis and myself wiggle into the 2nd row. Whistle! Go! I am a bit over geared for the start, but Tony and I are riding strong with Elvis just a few behind us. Up towards the hill and I decide to run the corners and save myself from crashing. I think Tony and Elvis both rode it cleanly. I wasn't losing any ground, nor was I gaining any though. Tony and I are still together heading toward the 2nd hill where he opens a gap on the decent that I cannot close for the rest of the race. Meanwhile, Elvis is closing down every chance he gets.





First time going through the tennis courts and I think Tony lost his chain, as I can see him running up ahead. Now is my chance to close it down, yeah right. He just has so much raw power, that I do not possess. Back towards the hill and Tony is still in sight, I run the section again, this time passing a few riders in the process. Into the technical section and now Elvis has joined me in pursuit of Tony. As we hit the pavement, I let Elvis come past to take his wheel and a breather. Through the pinwheel and past the "4 guys on a couch" and we have now been labeled the Olsen Twins by Al and crew.

Elvis and I continue to trade pulls, and continue to reel back in Tony. At some point he drops his chain again, and we move that much closer to him. But again, his power is incredible and he hangs on just in front of us. Elvis makes a great jump as I get caught behind a lapped rider as we enter the finish chute, Tony 22nd, Elvis 23rd, me 24th.

The B's line up with Jorge, Bob, Sergio and Joe. Jorge and Bob make it into the 2nd row again but get a bit swallowed up at the start. They still probably make the top 20-25 though as they head for the hill of death. With Bob leading the way and Jorge just a few wheels back, Bob charges toward the first corner with confidence and BAM! He goes down, it looks terrible, but he quickly gets to his feet and remounts. Jorge manages to pass at this point and never looks back. Sergio, then Joe make it cleanly through the first of 3 laps.



Every time I see Jorge on the course, I shout encouragement and instructions and he listens. Everyone takes the downhill off-camber cleanly and then head out onto the backside and out of sight. On the second time up the hill Jorge cleans every corner, puts his back down and hammers, trying to close the gap in front while putting some time on those behind. At this point I was sure that Bob would run the corners, but not Bob, he comes into the first corner again looking good only to have his front wheel come out as he exited the bottom of the corner. He manages a quick remount with only losing two places, a testament to his drive for a top 15 finish.



The second time through wasn't so good for Sergio though. He cleans the first corner and is about to enter the 3rd when he is taken out from above. A crashing rider from turn 1, goes careening downhill just as Sergio is passing by. BAM! He goes down hard, but quickly remounts not losing any position in the process. Luck would not be with later as he slid out twice on the off-camber downhill, luckily no damage was done though. Joe meanwhile is slogging it out and passing riders in the process.

Bob is making up ground every lap on the back half of the course where he is able to put down the power. Bob is able to pass Sergio and make it stick after the Sergio slide out and he hangs on for 31st. Sergio finished just behind, but I'm not sure where exactly. Jorge rode an impressive race and again finished in the top twenty at 19th, racking up even more points in the overall. Joe finished just a bit behind Sergio, but again I'm not sure where.

This course was definitely the toughest we have had all year. I look forward to the flat course next week at Lansing and the dreaded "Pit of Despair". A little inside info between you and me, I was told there will be a corner introduced into the sandpit this year. This course suited all of us last year, so I know we will be placing high again this year. Bob should be able to realize his top 15, and Jorge could shoot for a top 10. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us, and if it doesn't so be it, that's one of the things that makes cyclocross so special.

Mud, Money and Beer

Today's race had it all! The course laid out for us today in St. Charles by the Chicago Cyclocross Cup was a doozy. Not necessarily very difficult, but there was no place to let your mind wander. From the winding climb just off of the start, to the off-camber section on the back of the course, to the twisting downhill and of course the best section on the course for me was the improvised beer garden. This section was an absolute blast to ride through everytime. Riders were shouted at, heckled, encouraged, some beer hand-ups were given out, bells were rung, pictures were taken, money was handed-up, you name it, it happened all within these 25 yards. Incredible fun!


As for our race, I managed a front row line-up for the second week in a row. Elvis and Tony filed in right behind me. Numbers were checked, tires were squeezed, and at the last minute I remembered to shift into the big ring. I wasn't going to get swarmed like I did at Bartlett, at least I was going to try my hardest not to. At the whistle I clip in instantly and begin putting the power down. Through the first few corners I am sitting 5-8 or so. Up the climb still with the leaders, hoping Tony and Elvis had as good a start as I did. Coming through the end of the first lap I had slipped back a few places as I am sure the heart rate was into the 200's. I was using the big ring for about 75% of each lap and that seemed like a good thing.


Everytime I race against Tony and I happen to get in front I always know it is just a matter of time before I get passed. There is always a little countdown going on in my head the longer he is behind me. Well the timer went off on the second lap as we entered the gravel after the beer garden. The match that I had burned trying to stay with the leaders was beginning to take its toll, and Tony capitalized on it. I grabbed his wheel, albeit briefly, as we worked toward the start/finish line. I was holding on for dear life when we came through and my heart sank a bit as the lap cards read 4. Typically our races have only been 4 laps long, so to see 4 to go was an odd experience. Granted we are still only racing for 30 minutes, but the mind sure has a way getting used to only 4 laps. Oh well, here we go.


At this point, with Tony just ahead at least I had a rabbit to catch. Up the hill and onto the back side of the course things were looking good until the off-camber section. Tony came in really hot and couldn't correct his line so rather than risking a crash, he did the next best thing. Crashed through the tape, twice, to the cheers of those watching shouting "if you can't go around, then just go through it"! I got caught behind him momementarily as we turned to go back up as Scott from the Pony Shop rode a perfect line through and blasted right past us. I tried to take his wheel, but he bombed the next little downhill and I couldn't latch on.


I believe Tony stayed just behind me for the remainder of the lap, again there goes the countdown timer in my head. At this point Dave from Flatlandia also caught up to us after his first lap shenanigins with the double barriers. Now it was game on, as I could hear Dave heckling me from behind. This is where things get a little fuzzy for me as far as events concerning Tony. At some point he flatted a front tire, grabbed Jorge's bike, crashed, and dropped a chain. I just can't remember how it all unfolded. Sorry Tony. Dave and I rode out the remainder of the race together as I tried to shed him at every opportunity. No such luck though, much like herpes, he kept coming back. Sorry Dave, I know you are reading this. Anyway, through the beer garden one last time with Dave hanging tight and back onto the final stretch of gravel. At this point Dave asks me how my sprint is, I reply awful and try to wind it up a bit, yeah didn't work, he jumped and I sat up. We traded places from last week him 19th, me 20th. Tony rolled in at 29th on Jorge's bike and Elvis at 30th with at least one dropped chain hurting his placings.


The B's race looked like it was a huge field. It always seems to be twice as large as ours, maybe it just strings out faster from the gun. Off the line Bob found his pedal and quickly jumped in with the leaders, with Jorge just a few behind. As they came through the beer garden though Bob got caught behind someone who drove him into the tape, Jorge came through clean and took over Bob's former position. Bob got things going again quickly and only lost a few places in the process. Sergio came through later in the field, a testament to his lining up in the rear. Dude, move up!


Through the next few laps, Jorge and Bob were both maintaining position, if not improving on it. Sergio was also making up places, but the field was so strung out, he wasn't making much headway. Sergio is so strong, yet for some reason he always lines up in the back and has to work to pass people that should be behind in him in the first place.

As they entered the last two laps Jorge was still within striking distance of a top ten finish, but he bobbled the tough entrance going into the beer garden. He lost those two important places, but quickly got back on to minimize the damage. Bob also had trouble through this time nearly stalling out and then catching the last troublesome stake on the left hand side. He to corrected and got into his big ring to finish strong. Sergio made the move of the day the last time through the beer garden. As he approached we shouted instructions to him for how to ride the section and he listened. Up and around the chicanes he went then into the throng of spectators shouting and cheering on every competitor, and just before he exited the melee' he grabbed the single out of Ben's hand
much to the delight of the crowd.


Jorge came oh so close to his first top ten in only his 5th 'cross race finishing 12th. Bob came in at 19th, again and Sergio couldn't remember his number so we will have to wait and see how he finished.


After the race as we were all relaying our personal races, Tony summed up 'cross racing. Its not about riding a perfect race, which for us will probably never happen, but about minimizing the number of mistakes we do make. If we can eliminate some of the mistakes we make each lap and capitalize on them instead, we can surely move up in the placings. Here is to next week then, and perhaps only making a few dozen mistakes!

Today In 'Cross

Sven Nys won today in Koppenberg for the fifth straight time over Lars Boom. The course was absolutely atrocious as nearly every inch of not only the course, but also the riders were covered with mud. The mechanics were surely kept busy in the pits with bike changes not only from the mud but the numerous crashes.

These guys were riding sections of the course that we would have difficulty walking, yet alone running, and forget about even riding them. Towards the end of the race, Nys, Boom and Albert were all crashing, a testament to the ridiculous course conditions.

It doesn't look like we will be seeing conditions anywhere near what they saw today, and sure most of us are pretty happy about that. MAke sure you watch the video all the way through and just check out these guys as they cross the line. If it weren't for the announcers, it would be nearly impossible to tell them apart!

De Kalb

Where do I even start with this race today. What a blast we had, from the miserable conditions that greeted us to the sunny skies when we left. I think every one of us had a good time, even those that fell. Upon arriving at the course I was a bit confused as to why we drove almost 75 miles to ride around some tennis courts, but once the cars were unpacked and the bikes put together we were pleasantly surprised by the course that unfolded before our eyes.

At this point in the day the rain started to come down a bit harder as we tried to get a good look at the course and see what kind of tires and pressures would work best. As the races went on a clear line was developing through most of the corners, however that line consisted of mostly greasy mud. We took a few warm up laps then headed over to the hill to watch the Cuttin' Crew heckle any and all, especially those that fell on the tight off-camber left hander. As race time approached we made our way over to the start finish where tire pressures were adjusted for a final time and we stood and waited for instructions.

Pleasantries were exchanged on the line with a few other riders, and then it was go time. Tony and myself were wise enough to secure a front row position as there was an 180 degree turn about 150 yards into the race. Off the start Tony snagged his shorts on the nose of his saddle and leaned on me for what seemed like the first 100 yards of the race. I was just hoping not to go down in the first 15 seconds like I did at Montrose last year. I led around the first corner for the team around 10th-15th or so with Tony, Jim, Patrick and Elvis just behind. As we swept through the second corner I could already begin to hear the sound of front tires meeting rear derailleurs at the bottle neck.

Through the first few turns I played it safe, just trying to keep my wheels underneath me, not knowing what kind of damage had been done behind . As the course looped back on itself I could see that we were all safe and charging hard. Across the pavement and onto the run-up and I was quickly off the bike and hoofing it up the hill, down the hill, back up again and Tony comes flying past me! Now the chase was on in earnest. Tony got on the gas and passed a few riders immediately, with myself not far behind. On such a technical course, and all of the mud present, there were not a lot of places to recover on the course. Over the single barrier and into the slippery, uphill singletrack that sucked the energy right out of your legs before putting you onto an asphalt section that rose ever so slightly. As we rolled back into the grass I could count the leaders and saw that Tony was about 13th and I was just 3 back from him. Sweet!

Still no major problems as we started the second lap and the leaders were just within reach, or so I hoped. I began to get aggressive and sprint out of each corner up and out of the saddle trying to keep the leaders and Tony in sight. Onto the last lap and Tony realizes that I am quickly gaining ground and he turns it up a bit, maybe a bit too much. As we head towards the run-up he goes down at the base of the hill, actually sliding uphill! I make my pass and shout encouragement for him to keep working hard. By this time a few riders make it past him while I keep the pressure on the pedals to maintain my position. Through the barrier a final time and I make my last pass of the race, but try desperately to latch onto the group ahead. A few more turns and my race is over, Tony just a few riders back goes down again coming out of the off-camber section. In the A race, Elvis and I are the only ones able to stay upright as Jim, Tony and Patrick all went down at least once.

The B race was next and Jorge and Bob were ready to represent with a first and second row starting position. Off the start and into the first corner and Bob sits 7th and Jorge at 16th. Bob hangs in the top ten for most of the first lap even after crashing once, then comes into the start/finish chute and goes down again. Jorge enters the gauntlet of hecklers at the run-up with 3 other riders ahead of him, scrambles past them on the climb, remounts and perhaps rides the most perfect line through the off camber section I saw all day. He was literally smiling as he threw down the hammer and quickly opened up a 100 yard gap. However, on the back half of the course he managaed to make a wrong turn and got briefly off course. He quickly realized his mistake and the chase was on.

Meanwhile Bob was getting a handle on the course and his bike and kept it upright for the remainder of the race picking off riders as we yelled encouragement. Jorge was never able to make back the positions he lost but finished strong and capped off a break out race for himself. Bob never lost focus despite coming off the bike several times and finished strong. If we can get him on a dry course his ability to generate huge wattage from time trials will surely pay dividends with a top ten finish.

Results for the team were:

Mens 4A
Damon 15th
Tony 19th
Patrick 23rd
Elvis 24th
Jim 25th

Mens 4B
Jorge 15th-I think
Bob 24th

With a bit of practice needed for foul weather racing we were all pretty happy with our finishes. After Tony dug the turf out of his helmet and shifter, he was still smiling. Elvis, Patrick and Jim all rode good strong races. Jorge is on the brink of finishing top 5 or ten and Bob is just an animal having finshed 24th after being on the ground 5 times! Can't wait till next week.

MUD

Based on the current weather patterns, it doesn't look like we will be blessed with the same weather we were last year for the kick off to the Chicago Cyclocross Cup series at Jackson Park. With the hurricanes rolling in off of the ocean down south, the weather pattern seems to be stuck on repeat. And all of the record setting rain can only mean one thing MUD.

For those of you who don't already own a set of mud tires might I suggest you pay a visit to your friendly local bike shop and pick up a pair. You may have just enough time to learn how to use them effectively before Sunday.

There is only one good way to learn how to race in the mud, and that is to train in the mud. Very small deficiencies in technique can become amplified when racing in bad conditions. Using your front brake in the corners becomes a very bad idea, subtle weight shifts and trusting that your tires will work takes a lot of practice, but the time saved in each corner can be the difference between sprinting out of every corner or simply carrying your speed through it. If you do have to brake when entering a corner, make sure you do so before getting there. Almost any amount of front wheel braking in a wet corner will cause the wheel to wash out. Instead, brake before you get to the corner, lean the bike, weight the outside pedal, then accelerate out of the corner. Following this technique will almost surely keep you upright and in the race.

Learn to love the mud and inclement weather. There is nothing more to fear about bad conditions than there is about good conditions. In fact, if you have the attitude that you can race better in the bad weather, you just may be able to capitalize on someone else's fears. And besides, the way this weather has been lately, we may be seeing our share of sloppy courses!

The Spring Classics

Okay, so maybe it wasn't one of THE Spring Classics, but it was one helluva ride. 56 degrees, 30mph cross wind, dangerous railroad crossings, and just a bit of mud and water thrown in. Well at least the new kits haven't arrived yet. I would rather get someone else's kit dirty. A nice little training ride for Hillsboro, with about 4-5 miles of rolling hills thrown in. Average wattage was 247, with a peak of about 450. Not bad for the first week of January. It sure is interesting to see how our bodies are reacting to a full season of 'cross racing. Looks like 2008 might be a good year after all!