And the pain just keeps coming at you. It was another tough race this week brought to you by ABD. The course was long and set up for the power riders, with long straight false flats. The ground kinda soft for my first race, the masters 30+. I am still in a fog with all of the non-training that we have been doing. (The price for puting on our first cross race, well worth it.) I’m not worried anymore about placing in the rest of the cross races. I just want to ride hard and get as much benefit as I can out of them.
One thing that was good was I raced on a set of carbon tubular from Rob Curtis. He is renting sets at each race, so you can try them before you buy them. I will post a review of the wheels on my blog in a few days.
On another note, I had the opportunity to meet some of the upper crust of the local cross scene. One being Tim Boundy from Verdigris Cycling. He gave our team some great praise for our race that we put on. When someone like that says that it was UCI caliber, and very euro, you have to stop and take notice,and he is not the only one. Trust me when you get people of that caliber commend you on your course, it gives you a sense of accomplishment. A bit of fear that you will have to step it up again next year. I’m sure that we will be up to the challenge. We have an outstanding core of riders and sponsers who have stepped up to the plate all the time. To which a lot of the credit should go to. VeePak inc. & the Beverly Bike Shop For now we have more pressing things to tend to. We have shown that we are a good team in retrospect to always being out there, but now we need to work on our commitment to training to achieve better results next year. Only time will tell on that one.
To all of those who were yelling for me all over the course, THX. I was ready to die out there. The cheers were the only thing that was keeping me going in the last race. You are all the best.
Bob
Showing newest posts with label report. Show older posts
Showing newest posts with label report. Show older posts
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Carpentersville Race Report
I changed up races and road in the 30+ event. Not wanting to interfere with the real racers I lined up in the back. I figured if I started in the back and moved up past riders it would be good training. The plan started off well enough, I went into turn 1 DFL, and by the middle of the first lap I was sitting mid pack. I was leading a group of 6 to 8 riders into the last two turns when I hit a large root on a turn and went down. I heard a few of the guys ask if I was ok, and I told them yes, and to go. I jumped up and hopped to remount the bike, but when my leg hit the seat, the seat snapped off the rails with a loud snap. I jumped on the bike anyway, saying to myself, I’m going to finish one lap. That’s when the officials saw me cross the line and laughed as they told me I was done if I didn’t have a saddle or pit bike in the pit. They did say AAAAhhhhhh that’s the noise we heard, as they chuckled.
Bob
Bob
Sunday, June 21, 2009
KA-POW!!!!!!!!!!!
KA-POW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Whoa, was that a gun shot? Did someone just have a blow out? Oh I know what it was, that was me during the Masters 4/5 race today at Fox River Grove. Having never made the drive out the previous three years, and after hearing great things about the course from everyone I talked to, I made sure that I wouldn't miss the race this time around. At about the halfway point I sorta wished I had missed it though.
This year Tony, Jorge, Paul and myself would try and tame the course with Paul lining up for the Cat 4/5 alone while the three of us toed the proverbial line in the Masters race. Upon arrival, Tony and I had planned to double up and do the 4/5 as well, that is until we pre-rode the course in street clothes, whereupon we quickly realized our foolishness and decided the one race would be plenty. We did make one crucial mistake before the race had even started though, we took that free lap as instructed, which put us in the back two rows for the start, and in this race that was a bad place to be.
The gun goes off, the group rolls out and immediately I am stuck behind two guys who cannot clip in to save their life which puts me at the ass end of the race from the gun. Tony goes scampering up the road toward Jorge and the rest of the race as I try and pick my way through the riders. I follow Luke's instructions and try and stay seated for most of the climb to save my legs and things go well the first time up the hill. Although I am pretty sure at this point that I will never see the front of the race. Oh well. Chalk it up to making a poor decision to line up so far back. I chase back on the downhill and regain a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately that glimmer was about as shiny as the rhinestones on Miss Fox River Grove's tiara and soon enough the hill took its toll and I was off the back.
Every so often I would catch a glimpse of Jorge as he made his away through the corners ahead of me, but try as I might, I could not close the distance as my legs, lungs and genetics all teamed up against me. As it turns out Jorge dropped his chain 3 times on the climb, which no doubt sealed his fate at 37th place. As for me, Dave Fowkes kindly pulled me with 2 to go, at which point I didn't put up a fight and actually thanked him. I finished a disappointing 40th.
Tony was left to fend for himself after my legs quit working and Jorge's bike decided that it would have rather stayed at home rather than work today. Tony made progress each lap and eventually found himself sitting in a select group containing the favorites. He played it cool and managed to not take the race into his own hands, staying amongst the wheels and saving it for the finale rather than trying a solo move. Although in hindsight, maybe the course was dictating the tactics today and not allowing anything solo to go up the road. With two to go Tony was still looking strong and sitting in about 8th through the start finish. As luck would have it though that would be the last time he would see the top ten. As they hit the hill an attack went, Tony reacted and went with it but couldn't stay with the move. Try as he may on the back of the course he couldn't close down on the attackers and settled in at 15th. After the finish he was wondering why he was having such a hard time following the move up the hill, when we realized that he had broken a spoke in his rear wheel causing it to rub the brakes with every rotation. So not only had he managed to sit in the top ten for most of the race, he managed to do it with his wheel broken and slowing him down every time it turned. Hulk Strong! Make bike go fast!
As I said earlier Paul was our only representative in the 4/5 race and although I don't know his final result, I do know that he was pulled as was about 25% of the field.
Results:
Tony 15th
Jorge 37th
Damon 40th
Paul???
This year Tony, Jorge, Paul and myself would try and tame the course with Paul lining up for the Cat 4/5 alone while the three of us toed the proverbial line in the Masters race. Upon arrival, Tony and I had planned to double up and do the 4/5 as well, that is until we pre-rode the course in street clothes, whereupon we quickly realized our foolishness and decided the one race would be plenty. We did make one crucial mistake before the race had even started though, we took that free lap as instructed, which put us in the back two rows for the start, and in this race that was a bad place to be.
The gun goes off, the group rolls out and immediately I am stuck behind two guys who cannot clip in to save their life which puts me at the ass end of the race from the gun. Tony goes scampering up the road toward Jorge and the rest of the race as I try and pick my way through the riders. I follow Luke's instructions and try and stay seated for most of the climb to save my legs and things go well the first time up the hill. Although I am pretty sure at this point that I will never see the front of the race. Oh well. Chalk it up to making a poor decision to line up so far back. I chase back on the downhill and regain a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately that glimmer was about as shiny as the rhinestones on Miss Fox River Grove's tiara and soon enough the hill took its toll and I was off the back.
Every so often I would catch a glimpse of Jorge as he made his away through the corners ahead of me, but try as I might, I could not close the distance as my legs, lungs and genetics all teamed up against me. As it turns out Jorge dropped his chain 3 times on the climb, which no doubt sealed his fate at 37th place. As for me, Dave Fowkes kindly pulled me with 2 to go, at which point I didn't put up a fight and actually thanked him. I finished a disappointing 40th.
Tony was left to fend for himself after my legs quit working and Jorge's bike decided that it would have rather stayed at home rather than work today. Tony made progress each lap and eventually found himself sitting in a select group containing the favorites. He played it cool and managed to not take the race into his own hands, staying amongst the wheels and saving it for the finale rather than trying a solo move. Although in hindsight, maybe the course was dictating the tactics today and not allowing anything solo to go up the road. With two to go Tony was still looking strong and sitting in about 8th through the start finish. As luck would have it though that would be the last time he would see the top ten. As they hit the hill an attack went, Tony reacted and went with it but couldn't stay with the move. Try as he may on the back of the course he couldn't close down on the attackers and settled in at 15th. After the finish he was wondering why he was having such a hard time following the move up the hill, when we realized that he had broken a spoke in his rear wheel causing it to rub the brakes with every rotation. So not only had he managed to sit in the top ten for most of the race, he managed to do it with his wheel broken and slowing him down every time it turned. Hulk Strong! Make bike go fast!
As I said earlier Paul was our only representative in the 4/5 race and although I don't know his final result, I do know that he was pulled as was about 25% of the field.
Results:
Tony 15th
Jorge 37th
Damon 40th
Paul???
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Leland Cat/5 Race Report
PAIN!! I don’t know about anyone else, but for me, I thought I was going to die after the race. I was cramping up so much I couldn’t even bend over to get off my shoes.
The race started off ok enough; the pace into the wind was about 20mph with guys rotating off the front. That’s when the guys from Cycle Smith came to the front and the race was on. As soon as the pace quickened the heard immediately thinned out. I was fine until we hit the back section of the first lap, that’s when I was behind a rider who let a gap get between him and the group going around a turn at high speed. He slowed down and the pack accelerated. I tried to come around to bridge the gap, but I didn’t have it. So I hunkered in and tried to keep them in site. I figured they would ease up a bit on the gravel section, if they did, you could have fooled me. I just sat out in the wind and died.
Now that I’m by myself with no one around me, I had to suffer alone. I thought about throwing in the towel, and giving up. But that’s not me, I’m to pig headed for that. I know I am not supposed to jump in with a higher cat group, but on the last lap I didn’t care. I was headed into the wind doing 13-14 just dieing. That’s when I saw a cat 1 and 3 riders working together so I jumped on. I took a min to get my legs back and I started taking my turn in the rotation. I was glad they didn’t ask me to drop off, thanks Guys.
Ok I have one more thing to say, there are some guys out there that are a group of class act guys, Cycle Smith for one (thanks for the words of encouragement). Then there are others. If there is only 6 inches of room between 2 riders, then don’t try and force your way in, and then get an attitude that were not making room for you. I don’t like hearing wheels rub, especially if there mine. I saw the same team do that with multiple members. Just remember, once you get a reputation it’s hard to change people minds that you are not what you seam to be.
Bob
The race started off ok enough; the pace into the wind was about 20mph with guys rotating off the front. That’s when the guys from Cycle Smith came to the front and the race was on. As soon as the pace quickened the heard immediately thinned out. I was fine until we hit the back section of the first lap, that’s when I was behind a rider who let a gap get between him and the group going around a turn at high speed. He slowed down and the pack accelerated. I tried to come around to bridge the gap, but I didn’t have it. So I hunkered in and tried to keep them in site. I figured they would ease up a bit on the gravel section, if they did, you could have fooled me. I just sat out in the wind and died.
Now that I’m by myself with no one around me, I had to suffer alone. I thought about throwing in the towel, and giving up. But that’s not me, I’m to pig headed for that. I know I am not supposed to jump in with a higher cat group, but on the last lap I didn’t care. I was headed into the wind doing 13-14 just dieing. That’s when I saw a cat 1 and 3 riders working together so I jumped on. I took a min to get my legs back and I started taking my turn in the rotation. I was glad they didn’t ask me to drop off, thanks Guys.
Ok I have one more thing to say, there are some guys out there that are a group of class act guys, Cycle Smith for one (thanks for the words of encouragement). Then there are others. If there is only 6 inches of room between 2 riders, then don’t try and force your way in, and then get an attitude that were not making room for you. I don’t like hearing wheels rub, especially if there mine. I saw the same team do that with multiple members. Just remember, once you get a reputation it’s hard to change people minds that you are not what you seam to be.
Bob
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