273424

Pack finsish > DNF

2010-08-10T07:15:00.000-07:00

Grayslake Cycling Classic
Race #48

Short report: I raced. I kind of raced. I sat in. I blew my load and then I hung on the last 4 laps.

Well done ICA! It was a beautiful day to race and the setting was great, low key, relaxed and not blazing hot. Good stuff. I really like this race and the course.

It is amazing how much mental energy can waste away ones physical get-up-and-go energy. Grayslake was my first full race after a season of the highest highs and the lowest lows. Starting off the season with a win means a few things, immediate joy and excitement followed by everything else—averages being what they are, half of which is not too good. Or, its all (mostly) downhill from here.

While that was mostly not true, this season it still kind of was. The slide began when I crashed the sprint at Vernon Hills taking out a few guys at +30mph. Unable to do the next few races I decided to upgrade so I can squeeze in a few races in my new category before heading out to race the Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic, a 4 day stage race in Massachusetts. In my first race back, at Fox River Grove, I finished DFL. Humbled, I set out on six more hardcore weeks of “Fitchburg” training and by the time the end of June rolled around I felt ready…like really, really ready. Stage 1: after the first 50 min of a confidence building circuit race I was crashed out of stage 1 and subsequently the whole race. I damaged enough equipment that starting the “queen stage” road race the following day at 9am would have been very difficult (not to mention that the chief ref would not let me start the next stage because I didn’t finish the first stage). So that was it, 18 hrs drive and months of preparation down the drain. After a bit more than a week off the bike I needed to rebuild (literally) and decided to boycott ICC-Superweek. Why would a guy expecting his first child (and not filthy rich) pay $40-60 to get his ass kicked back into race shape? My common sense told me he shouldn’t. So I didn’t…I looked ahead to the August races—all of which are competitive and well run. I was also looking ahead to cross season, and in my delirium to ride in the dirt I went to Palos with a few guys the day before Elk Grove and dinged up my shoulder pretty badly. Luckily I kept some pain medicine from Fitchburg and was able to sleep pretty well for the week leading up to Grayslake, but I had to scratch racing at Elk Grove.

The accumulative effect of all the events, bad decisions and luck/bad luck I created led to one potent outcome: I was very, very nervous to race at Grayslake. I had not finished a race since mid May (remember, I finished DFL!); I had crashed out of two races; possibly broke my collarbone at Palos, and above that was in the best shape of my life (second to peaking perfectly in early July!). Everyone else, I’m sure, had done more than a dozen races since May, like I had in my previous two seasons, so they were probably not diverting their energy to nerves.

T1 Report: perfect leading up to my warm-up. I ate about 30g Ch too much which led to elevated BGs during and after the race. After the race, not ending in a full-on sprint for me, I was more than 300! That sucks. (but I finished. In one piece. And I didn't think it bothered my racing too much).

Race: I felt good for the first half of the race. Burnham worked the front. Attacks and surges were the order of the day. I went off the front for about 1 min with a guy who I thought was Nick R (Burnham), but it wasn’t, and one other guy on my wheel who said we had a gap (never saw who it was). Then when I pulled off the front there was a string of riders where I had hoped to slot back in third in a three man break. So, I drifted back and recovered. Then after a few more laps I found it more and more difficult mentally to maintain my position. Then some surges and a few more attacks brought about the suffering. I kept getting squeezed to the back, each lap. It was then that I really missed my race fitness. Then the crash happened. Because of my super fantastic ability to maintain position I was gapped off the back and blew my load chasing back to the field. Then, luckily (or not), the officials neutralized the race. I didn’t come back from that very well. The 4-lap sprint didn’t go well for me. I didn’t have the mustard to move up…but I think that was by design.

I’m not terribly proud of my effort, I know I am stronger than what I felt and the way I raced, though I am thrilled I respectably finished the race mid-pack and in one piece. Happily, I've got the fire back, just in time for the off season!

KAWOR: NRAKAWOR

2010-05-19T02:59:00.000-07:00

Not-really-a-kick-ass-weekend-of-racing.

So, listen people, its the 21st century. Some things have remained the same: cubs still suck, sox suck even worse. But it's a new day and men are now supposed to go to baby showers.

And that is what I did on Saturday. So, lads shoulder your responsibilities and quit laughing at me.

...they had good food, and good beer. And that one-thingy was really cute.

Fox River Grove
Race #44
DFL, but not DNF

Nothing like a tough course to humble even ones modest ambitions. My race was over before it started. I learned a lot. In particular, I learned that I have work to do.

I've never felt my lungs hurt like they did on Sunday. Actually, they hurt more than my legs.

I also should NOT have done that race in a 12-23 cassette; even though this was a "C" priority race it was still my first race as a cat 3 and I think could have put in a better showing-in particular by being able to spin a bit more and thus getting dropped with two or three laps to go rather than two or three into the race. But I don't have the legs for that kind of hill. Yet.

Lessons learned; next time.

43 races; first crash

2010-05-03T15:40:00.000-07:00

Vernon Hills
Masters 30+

There are two groups in a typical race: protagonists and the fodder. In this racer I knew I was fodder, but I was interested to see how well I could do. So, after half the race two get away and I was feeling pretty good so I decided that I'd go for the field sprint.

At times sitting in was not easy; at other times it was.

Last lap I made two mistakes. After turn three I made the first. I moved up the outside and the wheel in front of me slowed and so I slowed. I should have kept the momentum going and gone farther into the top 10. But I decided to be conservative.

Mistake two. As we arced to the right, into the wind, with about 250m to go, I waited. I leaned to the right to dodge the wind a bit more and as I did I overlapped wheels with a rider moving to the left. At least, that's what I think happened. I don't even know who's wheel I touched.

I touched the ground. PM read 33mph then 19mph then 0.

Two others go down. Sorry guys. I've been in that position 43 times and each time I've adjusted. Luck ran out yesterday.

I'll be back as soon as some skin grows back.

2010 C.O.U.G.A.R. Omnium

2010-04-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

Spring Super Criterium; 2010 COUGAR Omnium Day 1
3/27/10

Race # 38-41
Masters 30+: 11th/50ish
Cat 4: 1st/70ish

Burnham Racing did an amazing job, yet again, putting on one of the best run events of the year: easy registration; quick & accurate results thanks to the new equipment from the ICA, lovely officiating and I got myself a win...

Last season I was very frustrated by my finishes. Race after race I was subjected to either one or two mental mistakes or “that’s racing” situations which dampened my results.

In this race, luckily, things happened that did not damage my chances. That said, this race was far from perfect and I really didn’t race with any style—if not for one particular situation, I raced this like a sprinter: don’t crash, don’t crash, don’t crash…sprint. However, I think that I earned this one in the last lap.

Type 1 report: bad. Being the first race of the year, nerves were a little high. That “stress” released a bit of cortisone (adrenaline) which ensures that the body has a supply of energy by dumping glucose into your blood. So, my blood sugars were elevated all damn day. I was not below 225 since 5am (normal= 70-100). Nevertheless, I felt ok…so, no complaints on that front.

Race report:

The race was nice and smooth, and a few got away immediately, so I could expect a nice and steady pace. There were a few slowdowns and odd situations, but by and large it was a safe race. I wanted to sit in, warm up and get used to the peloton again, then launch a nice sprint, open up the legs and not care about a result.

Cat 4:

Everyone knows that the peloton is subject to “group think”—this happens when someone doesn’t pull through and the cacophony of cussing from the rear unanimously demands “someone” do some work. It also happens in bike handling. I am far from perfect, and everyone makes mistakes—but with experience people don’t freak out. This race, mistakes happened and people freaked out causing everyone else to tense up and ride herkey-jerkey for 40 min. I was a nervous wreck for 40 min.

In the bell lap, there was a big crash just after turn 1. I was unfortunately behind it and had to veer into the grass, about 10 feet, to avoid a flying bike. Something grazed my leg, but I made it through. I got back on the track, was over-geared and slightly gapped off the back with 1.5 miles to the finish. Echo of last year when the race took off up the road. In both cases I was faced with two choices: sit up or chase.

Luckily, I’m not too bright and so I didn’t need to think too long. I caught straggler after straggler and then began to work my way up the main group pretty quickly. Headed into the final turn, I took the inside edge of the track and moved into the top 20. I stood up for a few kicks to get up to speed, sat back down, got on a wheel, looked around and then with about 300m to go magic happened: a nice wide space opened up in front of me. I surged, moved even to just in front of the leaders. With 200 to go I shifted, stood and moved in front by a length or two. I was able to hold that to the line, and threw my hands in the air.

John Wilke at Peloton Pix got a fantastic shot of it…

First pic on his splash page.

Even though we planned out how to set up the finish, the result was the same. It was still encouraging to talk to my teammates during the race, knowing that we are all working toward a common goal. They did their job and I was lucky enough to improvise and be able walk away (literally) with a top result.

South Chicago Wheelmen,
COUGAR Omnium Day 2
3/28/10

T1 Report: fine. nerves were not as bad as yesterday. Didn't bring enough water. bummer.

Masters 30+: Hast makes waste. I got off the trainer, heard the call to the line and quickly threw on my skewer. Result: an off center rear wheel--my rear break was rubbing up against the rim. But I didn’t notice right away.

So, at the start line there were 20 something guys I don’t recognize. Not good. Whistle. Attack. Wind. Surge. Wind. Attack. Wind. I chase. No one would pull through… Oh. Wait. These guys are trying to hurt me. So I was appropriately hung out to dry for nearly a lap, or something. When we got the tail wind they surged, I jumped on the back and tried to recover. Could not. Gap. Legs broken; race over. DNF.

After rolling around in the parking lot, I heard it rub.

Motherfucker.

Cat 4: 5th/35ish

Fun race. Felt a bit more like a road race than a crit. The wind made it hard. Superman flies away in lap 2 (or something like that) and is gone after 1 lap. I mean gone, as in not visible around any turn. Wow.

A few other guys try to get away, there is the appropriate chasing. I chased a few down on two occasions, and did my fair share of work at the front. But one must recognize when recognition is required: Ted Ramos did more than everyone but the winner (Ted, NOT doing that much work is the best way to improve your sprint! You’re a beast.).

I finished 5th.

I think I’m the cat 4 2010 C.O.U.G.A.R. champ.

Time to start obsessing again!

2010-01-29T15:26:00.000-08:00

I'm already done with Base 1. I'm ready to register for Hillsboro on monday. I'm excited that the Super Crit is only 8 weeks away. I'm already having race fantasies while sitting on the bus and train on the way to work. My legs are starting to get that familiar tight feeling.

The weather sucks.

But I'll ride in this shit anyway.

Cold is only cold.

Coasting is for sissies!

2009-10-06T06:32:00.000-07:00

Chicago 'Cross Cup: Dekalb 10/4/09 4b

Race #37

So, on lap two I was picking off the last people I was going to get for the race while trying to hold off the guy from Dog Fish. As I was heading through a tight section with a few trees and tight turns right before the start/finish line, this kid yells out to me: “NO COASTING!” and then “COASING IS FOR SISSIES!” That was funnier than me grabbing the entirety of that guy’s “equipment set” along with the dollar dangling from his zipper.

So, I finished 9th and I really, really like this sport. But then again, the weather was awesomely perfect.

I’ve heard ‘cross is like a reverse crit, a time trial, and a circus. I think people have gotten it pretty close to right.

The course was great, really a lot of fun to ride. Some parts were quite narrow and I can understand why some would complain about a bad start position ending your race early. Also, I can understand about not being able to “safely” pass in enough places. However, I never really felt that—at all, actually. Except for the single track section passing was never a problem created by the course, only the rider.

The start was not as nutty as I thought it was going to be. I was thinking along the lines of a triathlon swim start. We line up, they start us off and we’re flying at the first turn. John is like way ahead of me by turn two, and I was thinking about going up there, but then waited...why? Probably because I don't care all that much about a result at this point.

By turn 3 things were getting strung out and the leaders we well in front of me. I was still simply following the people in front of me rather than trying to get ahead of them. By the time we hit the tight technical hill, and just a few jittery people had begun to annoy me. It was then that my competitive nature was rekindled and I began to actively get past people and try to get to the front. However, getting to the front was not going to happen. The leaders were in view until that tricky hill with 4 very off camber turns (I liked it!), then once they went through a single track section behind a baseball diamond, the gap became impassible and it was over for anyone not in the lead group.

The barriers: my first time over was very, very ugly. I forgot what I was supposed to do—unclip the right, no left, wait right? Finally, I swung my leg around, unclipped, carried, jumped…set bike down and got on the damn thing one way or another…I passed the my last three people there on the second lap and then it became an individual effort, and that I liked.

Cross is fun. It was a blast to zip through the park. But it really sucked to go over the second set of barriers—what the hell was with the nasty shit smell in those woods? Seriously, it was awful!

Thanks for driving out there John, and thanks Chip for helping me out with my chain before the start!

Willow Springs

2009-09-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

Illinois Road Race Championship (Cat 4), 9/12/09

(40 miles)

Race #36

Middle of the pack/50ish

For the record: I spent a grand total of 2 min at registration! Big thanks Tower Racing for making the admin side of the race better than last year, and for securing a nice, long, loop with a great climb. A real road race so close to Chicago is fantastic! I have no problem with he results, because...well, I don't need to care on this one.

T1 Report: fine. BGs were fine. During the race I methodically consumed a little gel and water on a predetermined schedule—because I’d forget otherwise. I felt really great through the race.

The course was without much wind and as a result, pretty fast. We averaged over 25 mph and if you were more than 5 wheels back, you had a really easy ride until you go up the hill. The hill was about 2.5 min long and I never really figured it out. Because I work better with a high cadence I chose to keep my wheel with the PT and 12-23 cassette and shift into the small ring at the right hand turn. My rationale was that if someone attacked prior to that turn and I had to keep it in the big ring that I could manage in the 23. The first two times up my comfort pace was a bit faster than the pack and I moved up to the front easily, though I knew I wasn’t going to have much of an uphill punch left in mile 39. But I had no real idea how or where I was going to attack in that last mile.

Most of the ride….oops, I mean race…was really chill. In the last few miles I was 5^th or 6^th wheel headed into the turn, Drew was with me. I considered attacking at the staging area and thinning out the field before the hill. Not a good idea, Drew wouldn’t make it from that far. So I decided I was going to try to set a pace that discouraged attacks for the first half of the climb. I’m not sure if I did but once I took the front up the hill I was spinning like 125 rpms doing 7w/kg. Then I heard the crash. God knows what happened, but it sounded like it happened just few rider behind me…so I immediately thought there was a gap. For a glorious few seconds I thought that I could keep it up for another minute—I thought we had about that much left to climb. Could I actually get on the podium? Yes, and no. In just a few short seconds (1, 10 more, was it 30 more?) I was done and let up the pace. With around 2-300m remaining Drew came around, then the winner, then the top ten, then friggin everyone else. I couldn’t pick up my head to see the line so I didn’t see how well anyone did and I have no idea where I finished. Even Drew was not sure if he made it saying he was near dead by the line. I wonder if I had paced myself with the pack, if I could have gotten a better result. That night, as I was sitting and watching the most amazing live music spectacle that is U2 with my wife and cousin, I thought about that. My gut tells me ‘yes.’ But honestly, at this point in the season, that does not bother me in the least. I have such a spotty road race record that I’m pleased that I raced a respectable race, and I felt good for the duration. And, more importantly, I gained some confidence and a little of that stuff goes a long way in this sport.

I may do a few more races still…we’ll see.

Rain : Grayslake; Heat : Glenco

2009-08-10T19:28:00.000-07:00

Grayslake Cycling Challenge (Cat 4), 8/8/09
Race #33

???/40ish

Not much to say. I didn’t think I’d be able to race here on Friday afternoon. By Friday night I was making arrangements. Sweet. I was off the bike for a few days and this would be a good opener for Sunday's races

T1 Report: Nothing unusual. Things were looking very good.

Nice course. Jason K. (Burnham Racing) & the ICC had the ship running tight. Weather sucked. I had a good day until the final lap. I allowed myself to drift back a bit too far with 4 to go and so I desperately needed to make up ground. So, in the bell lap I made some aggressive moves. And it cost me. As I was passing on the outside of the lane just before we hit turn three I knew as I was entering the turn that I was not going to make it. So, I bunny hopped the curb, rode the grass and got back on the tarmac without a problem other than being off the back. So I chase. I almost caught a few riders dangling. Almost. Too bad, I felt good that race.

Glenco Grand Prix, 8/9/09

I’ve got to say thank you to the organizers of the Glenco Grand Prix. They did a great job ensuring that, despite the heat, they were as well prepared as could be. The water and cookies for racers was super nice and sooooooooo much appreciated. So was one number for two races...I hate needless pinning.

T1 Report: Well, BGs were fine. Thought I suffered a stupid thing that, luckily, a past flash of genius carried me through. I forgot to refill my pump before I left the house. Shit. Luckily I long ago decided to keep an extra insulin pen in my backpack. So, I was able to manage the sugars well enough with several shots throughout the day. Actually, I did the 4s race without my pump; this was the first time I raced without it. Felt good. Sugars were stable, though because the pen was low I didn’t eat anything between races. This played a part in my fatigue, though I had some HEED to keep my legs going. Not satisfying but functional.

Masters 4/5
Race #34

7th/60???

Great race. Great environment. Great course. And the organizers lived up to their title, it was super efficient: we only needed ONE number for our different category races! And to top it off, I had a lot of fun in this one.

I missed this race last year and was mildly disappointed that we didn’t need to ride through the “Amen Corner” for this race. Too bad, because I could have used another 100m headed into the finish. This was the most active race all year so a special thanks goes to MS Racing for keeping the racing interesting. This was obviously a target race for the team as there was, what, 5 or 6 riders in the field. One or another of their riders was off the front for the whole race and so the field was active. I took it easy for the first half of the race and in the second I started to participate. I chased down a break, only half way, and Tony (Beverly Bike-Vee Pack) finished the job. (Nice work, Tony!) I think it was Mike (xXx-Athletico) who attacked I chased on and two MS racers went along and we became a break of 4 (or it was the MS racer that went and I chased on—either way, someone went and I chased on.) Mike pulled off and the two MS racers did not do much work as a team—one pulled, the other didn’t. I’m sitting third wheel wondering why the guy sitting second wheel doesn’t pull through or why the lead rider doesn’t pull off. Then it dawns on me! Ah Ha!!! He’s “the guy.” I’m thinking this is great: two MS racers, one of whom is “the guy” so the other must be the dedicated workhorse and their team will block; an xXx’er, and his team will block; and me…we can actually make this thing stick! After about one lap or so and the MS guy is still on the front I revise my evaluation. They don’t want it to happen. He does not want his guy to pull and waste his juice. I should have attacked then and there; at least Mike would have come along. At least there would have been three doing some kind of work rather than just one. Tactics. Hmmm. I’ve no idea how much of a gap we had on the field but we’re caught with two to go. Now, I’m on “the guy’s” wheel…second wheel. Yes, he must pull with two to go. Nice. I’m sitting and waiting for the jump. The bell rings, we exit turn one…he turns around and gives me and everyone else “the look”…and then attacks. Hard. I chase for 5 seconds and need to reevaluate my actions very quickly. Game over. I pulled aside and slid in about 5th wheel going into the final turn. We exit the final turn and a rider wobbles a bit, turning wider than I expected…so I grab some breaks. I restart my sprint and finish 7th. The wheel I was on made it on the podium. Damn. Cookies are crumbling all around me. Seems to be my modus operandi: sitting one wheel too far back at the start of the sprint.

Category 4
Race #35

11th/50???

Holy crap was it hot. It felt way hotter than the master's race. I felt bad for the cat 3s. Seems like the 3 o’clock hour was the hottest.

I felt ok at the start. I wished I had some ice in my bottle and water (not heed) so I could dump some on my head through the race. Mental note: check. Race started. More heat. Two or three laps in I started feeling like doggy doo. I heard Dean and Vanessa, and someone else, cheering my name and felt encouraged to hang on. I think Rob (Bike Heaven) was telling me to move up. (Really. Jesus, don’t you know its hot?!?!?!) I really just hung on. Four guys escaped and no one was interested in chasing. I was totally fine with that. With three to go I started to feel optimistic, not at my chances of a strong finish, but of finishing the race. The bell lap; someone crashed at the Amen Corner, I was behind it but not put out too badly. I sprinted for 11th. Went to the Gatorade tent and got some ice for my head and neck and some water and couldn’t imagine eating one of those cookies. Though, I did later. They were amazingly good. I should have gotten more.

It was great to have my parents out for this one. The masters race was a good show where even my father picked up on some of tactics behind the action. He even gave me advice.

My wheel; my responsibility.

2009-08-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

This sequence captures the most terrifying moment of my Elk Grove weekend. My wife's uncle, Efrian Martinez, who saved our wedding pics because the "real" photographer sucked balls, was on point once again. Thanks Efrain!

So, there is a break off the front. I rotate through and pull. The next rider pulls in front of me before he passes my bike. He bumps my bars and almost touches my wheel (I grabbed the brakes.) No big deal. We keep riding. I should have given him more room than I did because once he's on the front the pace slows a lot. At the time, I'm not sure if he is purposely slowing the field or if he is just tired. Anyway, I coast...but clearly don't slow down fast enough. We cross wheels but I'm leaning the wrong way. I grab the breaks, hold my breath, and pull as hard as I can on the bars. It looks super dramatic--more dramatic than I remember it being. I'm mean, it happened in like 1 second.

In the first photo, at that exact moment, I am thinking...this is it...crash time. But luckily no one was to my right when my wheel came free and I shot off to the right side. I look back to see how bad I almost made everything, and seeing no seriously shaken riders. They may have thought that I was just pulling way away like some crazy people like to do to "get the hell off the front." So there was some yelling. I don't care. I'm feeling really, really lucky. I get my right foot clipped back in and slide back into the field and count my lucky stars. Lesson learned.

whew...

Elk Grove

2009-08-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

Tour of Elk Grove (cat 4), 8/1/09
Race #32

4/75

(my dad took this photo of the finish with a bit less than 150m to go. Nice work, Dad!)

Man, I really liked this course. It was challenging with the fairly tight turns and the loooooong finish—right up my alley. The guys who finished 1st and 2nd in our race were definitely strongest today. That does not happen too often.

Type 1 report: not perfect, but not bad either. The worst part was forgetting my bag with my bottles of water…I had one bottle all morning. Not smart, but not a disaster for a 35 min race.

My RPE for this race was way higher than others. The accelerations hurt every time. With the rain and after the first crash no one wanted to take those corners too fast so instead we took them too slow. Or it was my piss poor short warm up that left the legs burning.

Teammate Jordan Ross led me out to finish 2nd in the field sprint, 4th overall, and Jordan was able to hang on for 10th. It was very tight in those final 200m. At the line I was ½ wheel off 3rd and ½ wheel in front of 5th. It was nice to have a good wheel in that finish because of all the jockeying and the length—I didn’t need to fight for one, I just needed to decide when to go. When I went I had to change lanes from the right side, up through the middle, then on the left side—ah! finally I had an open lane! So I went. My chain slipped and I wound up slightly over geared but never mind that, in just a few seconds I was gasping past the finish.

The overall race was tough. Once again, I started in the back of the field; someday I hope to lean how to get a good starting spot on the line (I better just follow Jordan, he seems to know how to do it.). Anyway, we get started and sprint out of every turn, even up front. It was really taxing. Once the rain started the course became very slick and there were a bunch of crashes. I was almost involved in one that had nothing to do with rain or turns. In chasing the break that got away ½ way through the race, I rotated through the front and another rider (I don’t remember anything about him) had trouble coming around me and when he did he hit my bars with his hips and I had to brake, then he just died or purposely killed the pace and I was suddenly overlapped and leaning the wrong way. When I came free of his wheel he was moving left and I was leaning to my right and--I thought, for sure, that my time had come…race over. But I slammed the brakes and escaped with just loosing my balance and, luckily, not taking out anyone else. In retrospect, this was a perfect case of “my wheel; my responsibility.” I was too close to him, though if he didn’t have the mustard to pull through good sense says that he should not have rotated through. After the brief shouting (not by me-I was still in shock) I jumped back in, mid pack. This whole thing sucked because it happened right in front of my entire family too (they were 50m past the finish). As my wife has been reminding me all day, I was much closer to a DNF than 3rd place, by a long shot. She’s right. Anyway, it was a short race and difficult and I’m happy with my result.

I got to hear some good news for our team. Right now we have 1 cat 3. Next season we hope to have 4. That is very good news because Spidermonkeys have been great this year as a development race team for new riders, we’ve got a few kinks to work out but we’re doing a decent job growing the racer population in Chicago. Now we will have several more mid cat racers to challenge and lead the new cats. And as Bryan Merrill said, teamwork and race plans only work well when you have a few riders at the same fitness level. Well, now we will and that will be fun.

Soldier Field Series, 7/29/09
Race #31

8-9/50

What a race. I know the threes will admit that it isn't much better but...I can't wait to upgrade.

Nothing beats racing in 20min from home!

2009-07-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

Chicago Criterium (Cat 4), 7/26/09
Race #30

6th/125

After the race on Sunday the Spidermonkeys had the privilege to hand out and drink many Goose Island 312 beers. And that position of privilege made it possible to chat with people I’ve come to look forward to seeing at the races. No one was in a rush to go home. Nice. The one subject that came up most often was how disappointing it would be for the Chicago racing community to loose the Chicago Criterium should our bid for 2016 go sour. Regardless of your position on Chicago winning the Olympic bid, we’ve got to find a way to keep this race going.

Personally, I’m planning on writing a few letters to my alderman (I’m sure he really does not care), to my congressmen, President Obama, Mayor Daley, his wife, and every major media outlet that will take my letters to print praising this event.

For the two or three people that may read this post, please do the same.

The race organizers did a great job heeding the complaints from last year and that is a generous sign of respect. The layout and logistics were also improved, which allowed the races to go off more or less on time. And frankly, though I’m not “overjoyed” with my result, I can’t look to anyone but myself for any missteps that occurred yesterday. I know there were some (there always are) and I’m sure someone has something to complain about (not sure what?), but I give it a solid two thumbs up.

So, on to the race report.

Type 1 report: diabetes was easy to manage today and my BGs were spot on. As a result, I felt great. My CGMS was cherping during the race and I wasn't able to turn it off...yes, that was me...sorry.

As we were waiting for the officials to let us onto the course, my wife suddenly appeared smiling which totally relaxed me. I knew she would be there, but I didn’t expect to see her before the finish. It was great to see her before the race, it put me in a really good mood.

My goals for this race were simple. I know I’m strong enough to finish well but my weakness are, as shown through all the Superweek races, my field position and passivity. So, I planned on getting a good starting spot on the line, and holding a position in the front of the field for the duration of the race. Also planned to take a few pulls on the front, get my ass in the top 10 with two laps to go, mark the strong finishers, and jump just before cresting the Balbo overpass and bury myself in pain for the final 350m. If I did that, I knew I'd get a good result and secure a few upgrade points.

The race started very awkwardly for me. We get onto the course and +125 guys all immediately line up. I was expecting a free lap and so my start position was once again terrible, second from the back. As we stood there, I chatted with the guys around me for a few seconds then I hear a whistle…oh, we’re racing now. Its funny how Superweek shapes your race expectations: for the last two weeks we'd generally sit on the start line for a looooong time and listen to the pre race lecture from the official. Perhaps because there were 100 riders in front of me I may have missed it. So, with the whistle, I clumsily began to move to the front of the peloton with little problem.

IT was so great to hear the Spidermonkeys cheering from the sideline. We had great representation at the race in both the fan and racer categories. Thanks for showing up!

(here I am, on the front 10 min into the race in turn 4)

The pace was not too tough, though I felt that my legs needed a brief working over so after two or three laps I went on the front. Not an attack, just a pull for a bit short of a lap to see how the legs feel. After I dropped back a few positions, and recovered I felt pretty good. The riding and bike handling was normally bad and at times terrifying. I was almost taken out only a few times by people chopping my wheel near the Congress “chicane” or by a few knuckleheads bombing the inside of turns two and three. Lots of riders; lots of fresh 4s. Heads up!

The call for 2 laps to go also surprised me—once again, an effect the Superweek. I quickly moved to the front 10 or 15 and avoided all the foolishness around me. In the bell lap, I had good position, was ready to go, got on a good wheel on the backside and going up the overpass at Balbo a bunch of riders shifted thier lines and, as result, I lost the wheel I was on. That was the one I wanted. He made it though a gap that closed right behind him and like magic he was gone at the top. I slowed to avoid riding up another riders slowing, flailing ass; was forced outside and couldn't take the inside lane of turn 4 and lost a precious 2 seconds in that place but was able to out sprint a few riders to regain some positions for the finish. I finished 6th. I was pissed after the results were posted because there are no upgrade points for 6th. Well, that’s racing...the best laid plans...etc. etc…Bummer.

To compensate riders, like me, who had glorious aspirations for this race, the payout for 6th was a very nice $75…I didn’t expect to collect any checks the day of, especially after last year’s payout fiasco. But they had checks on hand! Nice.

My parents were out watching and my brother saw his first bike race and was very impressed. I think the Chicago Crit is a great example of what bike racing could be.

I hope it lasts.

Superweek

2009-07-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

International Cycling Classic, 2009

Superweek? Well, it actually has been...sorta.

The events have been run well, the courses safe and clearly marked, the organizers have been living up to their title, the addition or resurrection of some really fun courses--what more can you want?

Elgin, 7/12/08, Masters 4/5, 25th/63
Race #26

Nice course. Very technical and fun to ride. This was my first day back on the bike a week so I was just going to use it to open my legs up and go for results Monday and Tuesday. That said, I would have found it hard to work up to the front because with only 5 laps it was really difficult to find a mental rhythm on the course. I never got a good feel for what would come next. If I were looking for a result, like so many others, moving to the front would be challenging. But I was happy to slam on my breaks and then sprint out of every turn to finish 25.

Richton Park, 7/13/09, Cat4/5, 7/35ish
Race #27

Nice environment, very…suburban. There was nothing really technical about this race, it was a typical flat crit. Every attack was chased down making the pace very choppy. Though I didn’t spend much time on the front, it was so much easier to glide rather than navigate through the turns. Jeff was going to lead me out and I didn’t come around him in time, so I lost a few positions as a result. But 7th wasn’t bad...thirty five smackers for a payout. Which was almost one race, it weren’t for a ridiculous “convenience fee” attached to writing a personal check for registration. I asked Chris (the registration diva) if I could charge them an extra $6 for the checks they would be handing me this week and she coldly replied…you know, I’ve never heard that one before. Point taken.

Artlington Heights, 7/14/09, Cat 4/5, 17/40ish
Race #28

Christ! How many times do I need to learn this lesson: the race happens at the front!

This course was a tight 8 corner crit with the finish opposite where they place it at Proctor. So, you had to be in the top 10-15 going into the final 5 turns, or you have no chance. I had no chance. I was feeling “it” a bit more today than the others. I thought the bounce was gone from my bungee. Its not. But I had to relearn that old lesson: read the course, analyze how to do well and where to make your moves. Then go race and make your moves. I didn’t. I just got on my bike and rode around kinda fast. The up side was that I had to bridge a nice size gap (7-10 seconds) that opened up by a crash. Riders in front of me were not going to do it, I feared they may be content to be group 2 or 3—so I pulled around them…oooooohhh wow! Once again flying around those turns without slamming the breaks and sprinting out again! It took a little less than 1 lap for me to jump the gap (and bring everyone with me). But another funny thing happened—my legs opened up. I felt the effort but I actually felt good! But I didn’t go to the front. Why? Because I’m a dunce.

Drew looked to be in great position going into the final two turns when he ate it in the corner..he’s fine. John was also doing great holding his position in the top 10 (I’m jealous), but he ate it in turn 3 or 5. Luckily noth are ok…

There is no way I’d race Bensenville. That course sucks…

Lakefront Short Course, 7/16/09, Cat 4/5, 28/40 starters???
Race #29

I have not written one word about my diabetes. The reason? It’s been great at every race (well, could have been better at Arlington). Today was the terrible exception.

The course was awesome. The hill scared the shit out of me and I’m glad I put on the 26t cassette. It was just over a solid min. effort, but it was not really Wisconsin steep—it was very manageable for dudes like me. The descent was really, really fun. This was by far the greatest addition or resurrection of Superweek. Bravo!!! I’ll do this race again next year even if I’m not race ready.

Diabetes…so, as usual, I was nervous, I wanted a better result after a very, very lackluster crit in Arlington Heights. But I’ve already learned to successfully manage the diabetes as relates to my never ending nerves. Today, Jake and I hit the Whole Foods for a muffin and espresso…I took what I thought was an appropriate amount of insulin to cover the muffin. But as we were less than 1 hr from starting a race I apparently took far too little. I was 94 when I sat down to eat; I was 224 five min before the start; 10 min into the race I was 250. Uh, oh. Looking at my data (no powertap, CGMS data) I can trace it back to that one delicious, chocolate, fucking muffin.

For the uninitiated: normal folks BGs are between 60-110 all the time—diabetics try to aim for that range using doses of synthetic insulin. Exercise boosts your metabolism and makes insulin far more effective. The down side is that when the insulin is too effective, or you over bolus a dose you can go low (which is very, very bad) –in this case, before a highly aerobic activity lasting ~1.3 hrs I took what I thought appropriate. Nope, I totally undershot it. Nerves apparently play into this too…espresso + nerves + under dosing for a muffin caused my BG to rise throughout the race. The effect of elevated BGs can be loss of power, heavy legs, really, really dry mouth, which is caused by dehydration…all fit the bill today.

So, in the second lap my CGMS gave me the alert that my BG was too elevated (yes, that was me cherping). I shut it up. It continues every 5 min. In the 5th lap, I go to the front and help Jake pull. I didn’t take a hard pull, then fell back one place. It goes off again. We turn right and hit the climb. When I crest I hear an alarm I have never heard…it sounded like a “Hey you, fucker! You must look at me NOW!” alarm. So, I go to the back and pull out my pump/CGM system and see that I’m nearly 355. Holy crap. I take two units of Insulin and let the pack slip away.

Looking back on it, I should have stuck at the back occasionally going OTB to check my numbers. But I was scared. I didn’t really know what to do…so I let the race slide away. But I finished. I finished the remaining 9 laps by myself (more or less).

It was my first time going off the back and then getting lapped. A few kind folks in both the 4/5 and masters 4/5 peloton asked, “hey Mike, you alright?”

“Yeah…I’m fine. Sorta.”

I whish I could have been there to help Jake. I wish I could have been there to see how I faired up the hill on the 16th lap with tired but driven racers. Well, I can’t do anything about it….I don’t regret my decision, though this week has been quite disappointing for me. New racing experiences bring new experiments in managing my Diabetes. I’ll probably email Phil Southerland and see if he can’t offer some advice.

Proctor Cycling Classic : Culver's Butterburgers

2009-06-30T05:42:00.000-07:00

Proctor: State Criterium Championships (Cat 4), 6/28/09
Race #25

8/40

It’s funny how little I know about racing. I know how to be a fan; I know how to ride a bike in circles, really fast, and sometimes really really fast. But I don’t know how to race with a team. That is why I was thrilled to head to Peoria with Eric, Julian and Tim (Burnham Racing). So, I shut my mouth and soaked in as much as I could. Thanks for the ride Eric!

T1Report: I prefer racing in the morning. It’s so much easier to control my bloodsugars that way—sitting around all damn day waiting to race just sucks. My BGs were alright, I was a little high before the race and afterward I was very elevated (perhaps the sprint?). Nothing so out of the ordinary that it affected my performance.

Welcome back to summer racing!

Tough race. I worked hard—sometimes very hard and hardly any of it on and none of it off the front. Working on someone else’s terms takes more energy for some reason and so this was the hardest crit of the year so far. Well, for me anyway. Our average pace was a normal 25-26 but there were nutty gusts of wind, and it was hot, and I felt the heat way more today than I did last week at Cobb Park.

There was lots of action from the start and I was feeling all of it in the first 5-8 laps. As usual, I started in the back. Some riders tried to separate right away, stringing out the field and causing a gap—with me at the back! A few bridged up to it, exploding the field in the process. And at one point, I wasn’t sure what group I was in. The second? Third? I saw the race start to slip away from me. I knew didn’t have the legs to make any moves let alone bridge--I just held on wondered how much more of this I could take. Luckily the break was soon caught and the pace settled down.

This is where individuals and teams started to come into play. There were a few teams with a few riders but as usual: xXx (10) and Wild Card (5) were the most well represented. Individually xXx started to go off the front and Wild Card chased a few times, but then their workers were soon worked over and it was left to individuals—who were all, like me, looking for a bunch sprint. In other words, no one willing to do much work. A perfect time to separate from the field.

I missed Liam going off the front. I couldn’t have done anything about it anyway. Man, he earned the title with that effort! There was no chase behind him.

I wanted to do well in this race, and, overall, I did. Though, I didn’t do as well as I would have liked and that burns. Well, what can you do? Some days you have the legs, some days you just don’t. In the last lap I was actually surprised to be near the front. I took the outside lane through turn 7 and 8, got on a wheel and waited to start my sprint. I finished 8th.

Brighter days are sure to be ahead...

It's hot again...finally.

2009-06-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Cobb Park Criterium, 6/20/2009
Race # 23 & 24

Drew emailed me Friday morning writing that he had found a ride for us to Cobb Park. I was so damned excited because I was resigned not to race, this was an awesome turn of events.

South Chicago Wheelmen did a great job hosting it and the weather was great, the environment was great, SCW and the ICA had the organizational element covered like old pros and that led to a really relaxed race day. Too bad it conflicts with Grafton.

T1 report: my bloodsugar was very tight before the race today. I followed the protocol I set up earlier in the year and was able to follow perfectly. After the last lap of the first race my BGs became elevated and they never really settled back down before the start of the masters race. I didn't take any additional insulin as I feared I would go low (essentially "bonking" but for diabetics it is far more dire). I still took a gel and finished the race more within normal range despite the sprint.

The course: This was a surprisingly technical flat ~1k course around a really nice riverside park in Kankakee Illinois. Turn 1 was nice ’n wide leading to turn 2 which led from a wide city street onto the eastbound lane of a narrow residential parkway that was not more than 10-12 feet wide. The first lap or two had the nerves running high, there was some bumping and lots of slowing but after a while we managed it well. Between turn 2 & 3 was an interesting little chicane that could narrow the field even more than turn 2. This chicanery led to turn 3 where it was surprisingly difficult to determine the fastest lane—at least for me. Even when I was near the front I was loosing speed here on every lap, for some reason I didn’t find it till the last lap of my second race.

Cat 4, Race #23
14/40

I hadn’t done much of anything but a few sprints on Wednesday so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel. That and it was the first HOT day of the year. I normally wilt in the heat, but I must be tougher than last year or perhaps I’m just warming up smarter. Anyway, race goes off, we ride around, prime after prime keeps the pace pretty high. Wild Card and xXx were the best represented and so they did all the work: going off the front, each chasing down the other, etc. I sat in, and for ¾ of the race I didn’t feel great and then, finally, the race legs came back. But, my mind was still in vacation mode—no aggression at all, it was all fluf up there: sit in, don’t work hard. Its hot. Who cares about upgrading, I could be a 4 forever, and ever, and ever… On the last lap, poor positioning choices got me pinched in the gutter after turn 1 (grab breaks); pinched in the gutter after turn 2 (grab breaks hard) and once again I lost speed in turn 3. I finished 14th. I knew I could race better than that. Luckily, I was able to stay and race the masters 4/5. Drew did awesome and finished 4th! Drew, work on your 1 min max efforts to control that vomit reflex!

Masters 4/5, Race #24
2/40

Much better. Slower pace because there was only 1 prime. This race was a first: I flatted! While warming up on one of the sidestreets Drew and I were forced to ride over some glass—I though I missed it, but I guess it was everywhere, no escape. Luckily I race on Conti Gatorskins and it didn’t cause a problem in the first race. In the masters race, however, I rolled over something, a stick or stone or something not unusual or serious but then within 10 seconds I started going flat. I didn't pop, but it was a leak—so it must have been some debris already in my tire that finally pushed through. I thought my race was done, this situation was unfamiliar to me but luckily other racers told me to get to SRAM’s neutral support. I cut through the park, got to the Sram tent and quick as a whistle I was on my bike with a nice Zipp 404 rear wheel. I forgot the SRAM guy’s name, but he was really great. I stood there like a dummy watching him work and he began calmly coaching me: “Take a drink. Relax. Get on the bike. Clip in both pedals. Both pedals. Stay to your left ‘till you catch back on!” That was awesome. I was back in the pack after In the final 20 meters DJ (Get a Grip) and I bumped shoulders and I badly threw the bike somewhere near the line, it was an exciting finish. I felt much better going home with a result I could be proud of. But I had to return the wheel. Damn.

Highs/Lows.

2009-06-14T20:23:00.000-07:00

Sherman Park Criterium, 6/13/09
Race #22

2nd/~50

Thanks to xXx for, yet again, putting on a great race. It is not easy, and their hard work is much appreciated.

Racing in the rain is fairly new to me. I once said that I have absolutely no interest in starting a race in the rain. But thanks to those hard working people of the internets we have something called “pre registration.” Which means, mostly simply, “dude, you already paid for it.” Dan and I were even talking about that at 7 this morning, as we began to head south, in the rain.

Short version: Well, I got points. The race overall--a mixed bag.

T1 Report: My diabetes was spot on today. Riding to the race is really helpful in my BG management—I just wish there was more racing in Chicago.

Two teammates got caught up in that amazing crash with 2 to go. Which by the way, was the longest sounding crash I have ever heard. It’s like a sound effect you can grab free online—the kind that are uncomfortably longer than you’d like. This crash, it just wouldn’t stop. I mean, I know that guys were sliding all over the place stopping other riders, but I actually thought the crash was going to catch up to me…Luckily, Jordan escaped the carnage but was gaped off behind it; unfortunately, Drew and Dan were both nailed by sliding riders and suffered some ugly road rash—I hope both heal up quick!

On the up side, all the monkeys were looking very, very strong. Given that and I know that racing is racing, and this is really obvious—but I’ll say it anyway, after one more parenthetical clause, a dependent clause separated from the stem by commas—that crash really changed the dynamic of the final lap. The other guys I was keeping an eye on were caught out by that crash, so I was nervous because I didn’t see them. So, when Dan began his leadout and I sprinted on his left I fully expected a few riders to come around the far right side. But that never happened.

Dan gets major props for being the strong man once again. After his leadout he held on for third. It was awesome to have two on the podium.

Sprinting:
I was comfortable following Dan’s leadout. I kept spinning and jumped around him in the same gear and accelerated easily, I shifted once more for the long haul, then once more, I stood and tried to over take the leader. On this I need to work on my form—I’m loosing some transfer when I stand to sprint. Anyway, I couldn’t make it up to him in that gear; I hit a plateau and finished just off his rear wheel. I think I jumped too late and then shifted too early and definitely once too often. Had I spun up to my max I may have gained some more ground in the final 100m. Lessons learned.

As far as racing in the rain. It sucks.

Breaking the Road Race Doldrums

2009-06-08T12:21:00.000-07:00

Spring Prairie Road Race, 6/7/09
Race #21

20th/36

The way Jake definitively won the Spring Prairie Road Race, digging deep and attacking up the final climb made no mistake that he was clearly the strongest in that field. Congrats on your first win, Jake!

And major props to the team! This was our first race using a legitimate team effort. Two weeks ago when several Monkeys agreed to do this race, Jake had told me this was one of his “A” races. So, in my mind, it was clear—this is Jake’s race and our job to help him do it., so I sent an email stating such. No pressure, right?

Though we intended on racing with 6 we ended up with 5 and after a few laps had only three (John dropped, and despite looking good going up the hill, Josh flatted and one nameless Monkey forgot an essential pair of race equipment). Given this abbreviated team, Dan gets the George Hincapie award! He was never more than a bike or two away from Jake; nearly always on the windward side; paced him up the hill on nearly every lap and hung on for 10th place! Awesome work! I did a little here and there; kept an eye on things at the front; stuck near Jake part of the time; hit the front in the last two miles and drove the pace to prevent late attacks from going and responsibly popped on the final climb—I was flying up that hill at a glorious 7mph and finished 19th.

Honestly, Jake, I really need to think about racing Blue Mounds on the 18th—though I’m leaning more and more toward doing it. Its ironic that suffering up such hills is so glorious in retrospect.

The course was nice, and racing in the evening was a welcome change of pace. The weatherman predicted t-storms by the end of the race, luckily that didn’t happen till much later. It was all around a pleasant day.

The roads were decent the hills were enough to belie the slow pace. And that climb to the finish was real mean. I don’t know the grade—I’m completely illiterate with that stuff—but it was enough to make me suffer—badly—on almost every lap. Not having done more than 2 weeks of short 1 min intervals, I really paid the piper on that hill. Though I was able to find a “comfortable pace” on every lap, and I was “easily” able to catch back on after the climb, it still hurt…bad.

You know how the race ended but two interesting things happened during the race: first, I went off the back for a little while (4th lap, back side) because I thought I flatted (it felt like my bike was moving through mud—more like my legs were jelly) and I dropped back and checked it out—I was fine. Looking up, I was 75m behind the field. I had two choices: drop or chase. I glanced down at my black CSC (now Saxo Bank) wristband, and immediately decided to HARDEN THE FUCK UP and I chased back on. Which, though hard, happened pretty quickly and I didn’t need to go beyond myself. So I feel good about that. Second, I had low bloodsugar reaction in the final lap.

It is difficult to notice the symptoms of low BG (blood glucose levels) in a race because you are generally working so hard and there is no “normal” feeling by which to compare one’s “typical” symptoms. Regardless, I’ve learned the symptoms while riding and told Dan and Jake I was dropping out. But because the pace was not too high I was able to sit on the back and consume the rest of my energy drink and down a gel packet. After a few min, I felt much better, and my legs and bloodsugar had recovered so I returned to the race. This is when I went to the front in the final two miles, I pushed the pace to prevent attacks before dropping back and letting Dan and Jake run it the rest of the way. I was able to recover for a min before the final climb and though I thought I'd just fall right over somewhere near the top, I nevertheless finished my race.

All in all, a good day for Spidermonkey Cycling!

Monsters of the Midway

2009-05-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

Race #20
5/16/09

pack finish.

I’m really glad Vanessa is doing fine and comfortably recovering at home. Speedy recovery Vanessa!

I wish I could have raced with the 4s, after winning the cat 5s race last year I wanted to go for a win. Such is life.

The course was different from last year. With the finish on the south side of the midway they added huge chunk of distance coming out of the final corner. Add a stiff tailwind and that complicates your finish. Do you go early and risk the fadeout, or wait till the last 50 and put all your money on your jump? Unfortunately, I was only able to race an open category race and I knew that my cat 4 ass wouldn’t be in contention. So hanging on would be my first goal.

The race went well. It was faster than a typical 4s race, but it was not as painful as I thought it would be—especially once the break was let go. If that hadn’t happened then we would have had some more dramatics in varying the pace. Once the break was established and the rhythm hadn't made my legs fall off, I even felt pretty good about competing with guys stronger than me.

So, 30 min and we’re done. The break finished ~40 seconds ahead of us.

It was really great to see so many Spidermonkeys show up. See, that is why we have the best team in Chicago. Our teammates show up even though many don’t race, or won’t until late in the day for the 5s. That is really cool.

After a while of hanging out it was off to my visit with my family on the northwest side—into a headwind from the northwest for 1.5 hrs, the whole fucking way. Hell, that ride was a bigger pain than the race.

Leland Kermesse

2009-04-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

Race # 19
who cares/40ish

Many thanks to Flatlandia for hosting a real road race so close to Chicago!

Despite the old but newly enforced USAC rules not allowing racers to transfer results from races sanctioned by other governing bodies, I thought this race was too rare an opportunity to let it pass. I’m glad I didn’t. Bryan and Andrew were going to race rain or shine and I was doubtful I wanted to at first, but then I remember I usually do alright on days I don’t “feel” like racing. I think I did alright.

The course was nearly pancake flat save a few risers, and the ~1mile gravel road. Which by the way looked waaaaay worse in the video than it actually was. The wind was a real challenge for the first 4 miles. But that it was a sustained wind make it possible to find a rhythm. There were some nasty gusts, but it was not “gusty.”

So the first lap was uneventful. A rider from Killjoy (Ben Popper) set the pace, pretty steady, nothing nuts. He was not really creating a disadvantage for himself by staying at the front because the wind was angled. In fact because everyone wanted to be out of the wind, no one would create an echelon—so there we go 2x2. Half the field was in the wind and ½ the field was a ½ wheel back not getting too much respite from the wind--some even thought it best to dangerously cross wheels just to stay leeward even so far as riding just in the gutter. Good thing it wasn’t too gusty.

After a while, just after the right turn and a tail wind, Popper picked jumped and rode away with a few others. I really didn’t have the legs to go with somewhere near 30 miles remaining, and I really didn't think it would stick. (mental note: work on mental toughness and race smarts and go with attacks by really strong riders). So about 10 of us formed a second group.

Holy crap do people need to learn the fundamentals of working in a group. I said something about forming an echelon but Max from Cutting Crew had already organized a rotating line. Some had never been taught or didn’t understand that the point of a pace line is and so they made it really difficult for us to find a rhythm. After too many miles of really poor attempts we finally got it going. Several of us helped a few of the less experienced riders figure it out. Though a few times it was only appropriate to let a guy unknowingly “attack” off the front, only for them to turn around and realize they simply didn’t keep a steady pace and wasted their effort. I’m pretty sure some “learning” happened in this process.

By this point the front group was well out of sight and we would soon duke it out among ourselves. After completing two laps, and about 1-2 miles past he start/finish I went for my gel tucked conveniently in the leg of my shorts and a gust caused me to bump shoulders with a guy next to me. It was not by any means a dramatic bump, but he was already crossed wheels with the guy in front of him and he went down.

We’re in the middle of nowhere. There is no support vehicle. No one will drive by for a loooong time. There are no field marshals anywhere nearby. Hell, there isn’t even a farmhouse in sight. I look back and he’s lying in the middle of the road not moving. I look back again and he’s still there. I sit up and ride back to see that he is ok. Luckily, he was. A Tati rider and one of his teammates did the same.

So, with 1.5 laps to go my “race” is over. Tati goes off to catch back on and we form a nice 3 person echelon and his teammate and I pace him back. By the gravel road I leave them to finish my final lap on my own. The rain finally came along with some spectacular lightning and it looked pretty damn scary. I finished just within 2 hrs. I assume 15-20 min back from the winners. Though I have no idea.

The other Monkeys did well with Bryan and Dave both in the top 15 of the 5s race and Andrew (5s) and John and myself (4s) finishing somewhere – but at least finishing our distance.

Things to work on: 1 min power.

Training notes, #1

2009-04-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

New kits are in, and they look rad.

Spring break last year sucked. This year couldn't be any different. I've been lucky enough to (in the new kit) ride every day this week and train some serious weaknesses.

Two weeks ago I finally got a fit by Ken at Get a Grip and the new shoes are starting to make a noticeable difference in my power (sans powertap). While I've not done any top end speed work, my overall fitness is progressing faster than last year. In the first three races of this year, despite the overall pace, my results have been pretty good and I've finished strong. Even in the Super Crit 4/5 race I didn't finish well, but I put in a solid last lap effor albeit one I could't possibly maintain. The reason I'm happy is because I've done nothing that will "shorten" my season, like I did last year. The work I'm doing is solid base/sub/super/threshold work which is getting me to the line in good poition and I know that I will get faster when I start to traing that area.

I've already done 11 hrs this week, I hope to put in another 5 or 6. I'd don't think I've ever been able to do this much volume. It feels great. This week is a perfect platform to step up to the next level of intensity.

Next week, speed work. I'm hurting already.

Up! Up and away...

Back to Blackhawk!

2009-03-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

Spring Super Criterium, 4/28/2009

The weather aside this was a great day, just as last year, a smooth and highly organized event. The slight issues with sorting out results in a few races was caused by poor resolution with the finish line camera. Nevertheless, Burnham Racing and Dave Fowkes were right on it and professional, so no one can walk away unhappy as long as they followed the proper protocol for correcting the possible errors.

Cat 4/5: Pack finish/60ish
Race # 17

Oh, man. This race was slow. (I'm really not complaining...)

So how did I finish in the middle of the pack? Well, the answer is simple and it is one word: tactics. In my case, poor judgment; on the other a race win.

When we were kids and our parents told us not to rush to a decision, they didn’t tell us that this adage does not apply to bike racing.

In the bell lap, after poking around at a slow pace for 40 min, I chose the wrong position to be in. I was on the inside lane and boxed in. Then xXx jumped and the 5 guys in front of and around me waited. And waited. And waited…I yelled, and then things eventually began to move. Or at least that’s what I’m saying. Honestly, all this happened in like 1-3 seconds (or faster?). But that confusion, that “what do I do now?—‘cause I don’t want to be on the front!” mentality is exactly what a good jump is supposed to play upon. By the time we got up to speed they had created a gap up to 3-4 seconds. Yes we took some of that back, but you don’t need anywhere near that time gap for a win, and Dave was able to hold that for his teammate.

After freeing myself, I got on the front and chased hard. I know that with ~1k to go into a headwind I was pulling at ~30mph, then as we turned out of the wind I tried to recover a bit before the sprint. I slowed and waited for someone to come around. Eventually they did and I jumped their wheel just before the final turn but, at the last second, I chose to take the inside on the final turn and in this case it can also be called the wrong side, and suffered the wind, and then exploded.

Anyway, I gave it my best 3 min chase effort on the front, and as my wife can tell you…that’s all I’ve got. I blew up at the top of the pit area and rolled in mid pack.

Bravo Dave Moyer! He gave an amazing 2k lead out, it was a hell of a jump and ball buster to the finish. He deserves those points.

Cat 3/4: 10th/60
Race #18

This was my first 3/4 race and I was very pleased with seeing what effect experience has on the dynamics of a bike race.

After the two man break was let go and no one was terribly interested in working too hard (except Dave Moyer who bridged the 30sec gap and eventually won.) I saw some strange things happening at the front of the field. A few times there were sudden movements in the lead, with riders moving quickly to the left or right side. I thought “shit someone crashed!” but no, that may have been the case for a 4/5 race, but this was something else.

Magic word: strategy. Burnham was up front controlling the pace and chasing down almost any attempt to bridge. And just after the final turn into the finishing straight, into a head/crosswind, riders would attempt to attack from either side and their reaction was quick and caused the sharp lateral shift to either side of the road. It was very interesting to see this from midpack, and pleasing to be in the same race as racers who know this whole strategy thing,

Anyway, I stayed tucked in, just happy to be along for a nice and smooth ride with riders that are confident and competent using their bikes to accomplish a goal. In the last turn, the field bunched up for the 400 yards to the finish and I was in a good position on the leeward side of the field. I accelerated out of the saddle and began to move up, then someone cut into my lane and I had to slow and change my line, it happened again and by that point we were about 100m and I shifted and sprinted. 32mph into the wind was good enough to let me clip those that started too soon and finish 7th in the field sprint and 10th overall.

As my training has been crap over the last month, it is great to know that what I have done has yielded me this much. While I was disappointed with he 4/5 result, I walked away with a keen awareness of my positioning and little more drive than I had previously. Training this drive will be fun and I’m really looking forward to racing later this summer.

Kvin’s Crit #3, Wedneseday

2009-03-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

3rd/40-something

I almost didn’t show up. Almost.

It was a good first race. I wanted to see how I’d feel as my training has gone to shit lately, so I planned on just sitting in. The one thing I wanted to accomplish was to stay near the front and prevent any breaks from getting away from me. On that point I failed. I kept a close eye on Ernie (Van Wagner-Yojimbos), which was easy because he had a nice white kit, but I lost track of Dave (xXx) – apparently, with three to go Dave and another xXx rider got off the front. I missed that move completely. Perhaps it was their black kits and the darkness at 7:35, or perhaps I was distracted by the happiness that my legs weren’t falling off. I dunno; I missed it.

It was really nice to see Keith, Dan and Sam in the field and even got to chat a little with them. This crit was more typical in that there actually was a single group which made their experience far more enjoyable as compared to the solo-suffer-fest of Monday and Tuesday.

The race was pretty uneventful with a few attacks and one crash. The bell lap was also typical: I moved up, the pace slowed just after the bell and everyone looked around to see who would do the work. My position was pretty good and we picked up the pace on the back side. As we closed in on the final corner I was in perfect position just on the inside of Ernie, and we surged. I accelerated into the slight left bend on the inside lane, stood on the pedals and thought I saw someone put their arms in the air…wha??? (Yes, the break!) The inside lane was the fastest and I took the rather fluffy field sprint. Third place.

Trainer Time: or how I learned to love television

2008-12-07T10:54:00.000-08:00

We need a new TV so I can take the existing one and put it square in front of my tethered carbon-aluminum jewel. That would be smooth. Real smooth. Imagine the joy of not using my laptop for that purpose, or the joy of having a new HD television to enjoy 4 PBS stations in my living room!

I also need a $100 mountain bike.

I accept gifts from strangers.

Ok, I'm ready.

2008-10-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

After a few weeks of not really thinking about training I have finally gotten bitten by the bug. I went for a nice long tempo ride yesterday and had a great time. After weeks of lethargy and dispassionate rides I finally feel some inspiration. I'll keep the structure off for still a while and then begin to properly organize my time at the start of next month.

CALL HOME. CALL PIZZA.

2008-08-05T17:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, I’m going to sound the luddite alarm. Beware! The following text makes me seem like the grumpy old man complaining about the invention of the abacus or pacemaker.

The new DA electronic group is cool, but really – I mean just really. Ok, I understand this is cycling and that we buy all kinds of stuff for any kind of nominal gain (I love my carbon fiber brake levers!). And that’s totally cool. The electric group has a couple of major advantages with perfect, faster shifting and never needing to adjust the trim on your cables. I like that, really I do. But isn’t there something lost in that kind of perfection? I mean, we ride and race bicycles for god sake! A sport where the raw fundamentals are relatively unchanged, a sport where the terrain of the Paris-Roubaix is protected and the race itself is one of the most covetous prizes in all of cycling. Is this shift (‘scuse the pun) the same as making the leap from downtube shifters to brifters? Or, from DA to Red? Or is this working group a signal that cycling is falling down the rabbit hole of technological ridiculousness…or ridiculous technology?…whatever. To sound old and crotchety I must ask the same damn question every other stone wielding hominid asked when bronze was first tooled. What the fuck is next? Will we be able to program our shifting based on our power profile of the race course so then all we need to do is pedal and not ride up the RD of the pedal pusher in front? Or, to take an evil slant I like to be one of the first to bemoan a crazy scenario where if this technology becomes wireless, will I…ahem, I mean someone, be able to hack into a competitors group and exact a kind of 21st century version of team Cinzano brutality we all fear most? Or will the suffering we all love and hate take on new meaning?

“HAL, let me in…shift me to my 11 HAL. HAL?”

Chicago Criterium

2008-07-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

Chicago Crit, 7/27/08
Race #14

12th/70ish (125 spots were sold, I don’t know how many people showed up to race)

Pre race BG: 167 (30 min after eating a granola bar, 18g)
Post race: 133

My blood sugar was way more stable and I felt pretty good. Nothing unusual or different, but I was able to ride to the course and that bit of activity helped calm me and stabilize my BG. Too bad not every race can be this close to home. I was fortunate to meet Bob Schrank of Team Type 1 and we got to have a really nice chat before his race. I was surprised to learn that there are FIVE Type 1 diabetic racers in the Chicago area. I know two, the other two I'd like to meet.

Gaining position. Check. Holding position. Fail.

I liked the course. It was long enough and somewhat technical enough to make it interesting. The turns and the bend at Congress forced me to plan my advances up the field.

One goal was to stay up front. I didn’t. Another was to work on positioning in the pack. On this I was able to do something. After two or three laps I was able to read the pack and determine how to move up and when; I did this rather easily on the outside. Once I got near the front I quickly lost ground and was midpack again. I must be a bit more aggressive in holding position.

I’m walking away from this knowing that I can finish 12th. If I learn to position myself better I can win another race before the season ends. I’m getting that same feeling I got after the second Great Dane, that I’m underperforming. I’m happy about that because I am regaining some race confidence and this will lead to progress.

SuperWeek madness.

There has been so much racing in July I don’t know how to manage my training during this thing. Well, I know what I need to do to prepare for next season, and I’m kinda excited about it. I mean, if I can do this well this unstructured, with a little more focus I can make some serious gains. A coach, however, would be really nice…so would a SRM or Powertap.

Results.

Dean, Can and Jonathan raced the 5s and had a great time. Vanessa (8th) raced the women’s 4s; Brian did the masters 1-3; Nate won (again) the Masters 4/5 and also won a prime in the 4s race; Alex (7th), Ernie (8th) and myself (12th) did well in the 4s.

That hill wasn't that bad...really, it wasn't.

2008-07-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

ICC: Whitnall Park Road Race 7/23/08
Race #13

23rd of 70ish

Pre race BG: 256
Post race: 237

I didn’t adjust my basal rate for the 2 hour drive up and so I had to take a pre race bolus. That made me pretty nervous because I hadn’t done this before. I had gel so I’d be ok, but sensing a low blood sugar reaction while racing is not easy and nothing I want to experiment with.

On an up note, I met Alex Bowden of Team Type 1 at the race and spoke with him about glucose management on race days. He likes to over bolus at breakfast because he prefers his BG to be lower as the adrenaline of the race elevates his blood glucose. He also has a continuous BG monitor so he knows what is happening every 5 min. The sensor beeps when he is too high and vibrates when his BG drops below a certain threshold. I want that…

Bottom line: I’ve got to better manage my diabetes on race days because I think I will feel better and more confidence. I mean, at Monsters of the Midway I did and I won that race. A sure sign, I think.

…and the race.

Beautiful course. There was one section of rough pavement on one narrow part of the course, but everyone was extra cautious about holding their lines and not flying all over the place.

I really didn’t actively race this one. It felt like no one really did. I sat in. I played it safe. There were no attacks, few surges. Everyone pedaled along with an understanding. I went above LT once. My average hr was 155; my average for Blue Island was 168. Finished 23rd. Meh.

Alex did some work up front, but he didn’t take the hill strong enough on the last lap and couldn’t out sprint the 10-15 riders he normally would have dusted. He finished a sullen 20th.

My dad came up to this race. It was really nice to have the company. I think he likes it. I mean, he likes competition and seems to enjoy learning about cycling. This will be a good way to get some of my mom’s sandwiches for lunch, too. A win-win situation I think. Now, if I can only get him to take better pictures….

Evanston Grand Prix, or, how the "BK Stacker" earned its name

2008-07-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

ICC: Evanston Grand Prix, 7/20/08, Cat 4/5
Race #12

30th/75

Firs off, Nate I don’t like your kind of counting. A racer like you probably already forgot how to count lower than “second” or, god forbid, “third.” A guy from the crowd said 8-10 seconds and I’m sticking with his take because I like it better than yours.

…to business.

Race started shitty. Moshe and I started at least 50 riders behind the line. As we were warming up we were admiring how hard the volunteers had to work to string up the barriers and how much work they still had left. Then we look up to see everyone lined up. Whoopsie.

We wait long enough for my mom to take dozens of pictures of me standing there trying not to look frustrated about having to work so hard just to move up the field so early in the race.

The field took the corners pretty well but turns 4 and 5 caused the field to spread out and unless you were in the first 10 or 20 riders to make it through you were only going to loose ground as the race progressed. I knew that before the race started. So in the first few laps I looked for ways up front by following this guy and that, and slowly I begin to get there. But…it was too late. Exactly what I though would happen had happened. The Cat 4 all-star team separates from the field. I was sitting perhaps 20 back when a xXx rider (I didn’t and still don’t know his name, but knew he is strong) made a move up the outside and I jumped on his wheel and followed him off the front. Dave (xXx) joined us and we become the chase group of three.
Here we all are feeling tough at the start of the short lived chase. I'm about to pull through on this stretch of road at about 28mph. Whew. The second lap of this kind of effort hurt pretty bad and it was not nearly as fast. Thanks for the photos Ken!

It is funny what you don’t think about when racing – especially chasing. I didn’t think about the riders in the break being strong enough and smart enough to not allow themselves to be caught. I didn’t think how great it was that the other two riders in the chase were xXx and that they had several more riders in the field hat will probably block for them. I didn’t think about what I would do when I eventually blow up for trying to push too hard on my pulls. I didn’t think about my parents and brother seeing all this. I didn’t think about what an exciting race we were creating. All I thought about was pulling and recovering.

I heard the announcer say the break was ~20 seconds off the front. Next lap I heard someone else in the crowd say we were 8 to 10 seconds back. After the race Nate said it was more like 15 seconds.
Here I am in the middle/end of a pull. Just after this point we started riding race tempo (25mph) and catching the break was still the goal, just not a very realistic one.

After only two or so laps off the front we pass through the infamous BK stacker with people waving at us to slow and I saw Nick Gierman and another rider are on the side of the road. I immediately think ‘ok, now the break is down two riders.’ We keep going. Then the officials at the next turn wave us down. The race is neutralized because the rider who crashed at the BK stacker ON THE PREVIOUS LAP remained on the course and this caused Nick to crash into him on the subsequent lap. I don’t understand why a guy can lay on the tarmac for 2 full min in the middle of a bike race and no one immediately helps get him out of harms way.

WTF? (insert several tons of apt criticisms here) Anyway…

The race stopped. We stood as instructed on the start line. The lactic acid in my legs just sat there doing what lactic acid does best. At least everyone else was in the same boat – well, almost. The race officials gave the break their 20 sec lead and then they restart us back with the field.

WTF??? (insert several more tons of apt criticisms here) Anyway…

Instant frustration. And the chase group? I guess we didn’t exist. Chase eliminated. Ok, fine at least I was right up front for the restart. It wasn’t too bad.

When we restarted, I missed my pedal and slipped. I must have bumped the chain because I also slipped gears. When I got back to speed I was once again at the rear of the pack with 5 laps to go (what happened to 7? or at least 6 laps???). I moved up but mentally was done. Frustrated, I didn’t have any race left in me. I placed 30th.

Other monkeys did great: Cat 4/5s: Moshe finished just behind me in the middle of the pack; Cat 4: Nate 2nd, Alex 4th, and Ernie 11th , Ken pack finish; Masters 40+, 1-3: Brian 12th (I think).

They stopped the pro 1/2 race that evening too. So, the officials were consistent and did their job the best they could. It wasn't perfect, but it really wasn't all that bad either.

2008-07-14T06:30:00.001-07:00

Blue Island Pro/Am, 7/12/08 Cat 4/5
Race #10

5th of 40ish

One hour, 25 miles, lots of fruitless attacks and lots of bridging. There was little coordination until the last two laps where a few teams made very strategic and smart attacks to set up their mates for the podium.

I entered the race planning on attacking within the first few laps to stretch out the field and to carve a spot near the front. After the first few laps, I realized what a bad idea that was. I began to revise the plan when I saw the xXx coven at the start line conspiring and Beverly Vee Pack with a sizable group, Tati had a few along with Wild Card -- and there I am, alone, and feeling not so strong. Hmmm…why attack? Right. So the plan changed to a simple one: keep an eye on the stronger riders from each team and mark their position. I didn’t have extra juice to spare and it was still a hard race.

The last lap was interesting. The pace died on the back, and even around turn 3, this allowed us to bunch up and for me to gain position. This was super important because just going into the final lap there was a crash I was involved with. I was bumped from my left and went into the rider to my right, he touched the wheel in front of him and went down. I nearly gave up the race there because I nearly crashed too (my wheel also rubbed and I suppose my bumping that guy kept me upright.) After the crash I was pretty rattled, downshifted and didn’t think I’d be able to catch back on, but the field had been broke up by the crash and I was able to jump back onto the front group after turn two when the pace died. We all recovered for the sprint then after turn 4 we jumped up to pace.

Bunch sprint, I finished 5th. I nipped only one guy in the final 50 when I sprinted. I think I would have had a better chance if I jumped sooner and spun the 13 instead of mashing the 11.

Proctor

2008-06-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

Proctor Il. State Championship, 6/29/08 Cat 4
Race #9

14th of 40ish

This was my first 4s race. Some short observations: it was far less twitchy than the 5s. Corners were smooth and fast, even in the back where I spent most of my time. I did use the breaks, but never more than to take a few mph off a turn to avoid overlapping wheels.

The course was an 8 turn, hourglass crit in the middle of downtown Peoria, Illinois. Not too much going on down there. Really.

I was nervous about the number of turns, but I felt way better after the first lap or two. There is a level of experience in the 4s that the 5/citizens just don’t have -- but I’m not a 5 anymore so, yippee!

This one was not faster than any others I have done. In fact, it was a bit slower. So, why did I do so much work just to hang on? Answer: 15 additional min or racing, but more importantly the accordion effect. I have heard people talk about it, but I have not felt it this dramatically and that was probably due to the additional time and my positioning. A sad data point from today’s race: my top speed was 33mph. I did reach it in the sprint; however, I also hit 32 mph in several separate efforts to stay with the group in laps oh, say 10-20.

Coming out of turn 6 was a great place to push the pace. The front took off here on almost every lap because it was into the wind and the longest stretch of the race save the finishing straight. I put my greatest effort into staying with the peloton here and not in securing a final position. I wasted tons of energy. Whatever. I was recovered enough by the final lap and so because of that, and a crash in turn 7, I placed well enough at 14th.

It was a revelation, this one. I mentally handcuffed myself: I walked into it planning on sitting in and keeping Nate and Alex in sight – that is not too hard when you’re 6’2” and sting on the very back of the field. I acted like I didn’t have any business racing with or against these guys (not just my teammates but everyone else). I do. I know I am faster and smarter than what I showed yesterday.

Alex finished right in front of me at 13th and Nate pulled 6th after doing work at the front. Not terrible grouping -- if we were playing darts.

What does it take to win? After the finish Chris probably was feeling something like cardiac arrest and seeing spots among other things—if he could see at all. Less than 100 m after the finish he fumbled off his bike and sat on the curb, spent. It was clear that he put 100% into his break and he had the guts to make it stick. His courage and heart/guts earned him the state champion jersey. Congrats!

upgrade...

2008-06-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

Just put in for my upgrade to the 4s. No real reason not to. Superweek races are all straight 4s or 4/5 fields and the race director for the Chicago Crit said I can change my registration to the 4s race. I imagine/hope that Downers grove will have the same response.

Sherman Park Criterium

2008-06-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

Sherman Park Criterium, 6/14/08
Race #8

4th place/50

xXx AthletiCo did a great job. I was (and still am) pissed about my result but my prize was by far the nicest trophy I have ever won for anything. Thanks, guys! Trophies like this make it easier to justify so much time and compulsive training on the bike to non-racers, people like my wife.

I really didn’t care about going for a result in this race until it started. These last two weeks I have been tired, bordering on exhausted or possible burn-out, and had been trying to focus on the end of school and being responsible there rather than preoccupied with my rather serious whims on the bike. Shirking my responsibilities for the bike must be mediated by some kind of maturity. So, I spent little time on the bike and it felt pretty damn good.

Report:
This was by far the sketchiest race I have entered. Iowa had crushing wind causing people to loose their line, today many riders just couldn’t hold their line. I was in midpack and in the back for most of the race so I saw nearly everything bad happen. I also got to quickly identify the nuts I should keep behind me and moved to the front half as the race progressed.

The course was a ~1 mile loop around Sherman Park at 55th and Racine. Nice park. Built in the same era as Humboldt park with separate changing rooms for men and women on either end of the park pool. Several Spartan cement pedestrian bridges linked the pool area with the playing fields banked by the park’s lagoon. The course was a closed park drive that circls the lagoon, with a slight downhill start and a slight uphill final 50m to the finish. There were no corners and just a few minor spots of rough pavement. The soft edge of the course caused a few close calls and the drenching rain we’ve had put a bit of mud in my eye. All in all a nice course, I’d rate it 8/10.

The race was not eventful. There were a few attacks, none stuck. From midpack I kept an eye on any breaks and they were all 1 or 2 riders and were eventually sucked back in. I felt pretty strong and with 10 min to go, I was confident I could earn a place. With two to go I was quite sure I could get a podium at least, on the bell lap I got caught out front and lost the sprint for 2nd and got toasted at the line for 3rd. I placed 4th and got a damn nice trophy for the effort.

Nice shot of Grant throwing the bike for 2nd and me about to finish 4th. After closely examining the photographic evidence, Grant must have been moving at light speed because he was pretty far behind me in the previous shot and then is more than a length in front in this one. I must have been more dead than I thought. (Thanks to Luke for taking a perfect finish line shot!)

So the last lap is all that really matters for me. As the bell rang, I was 3rd wheel crossing the line and before I knew it I was on the front. Fuck. I pulled off and grabbed 2nd wheel (perhaps I should have dropped back a few more, but I was concerned that everyone would have been too guarded). This guy was on the front for like 2 seconds, so I’m on the front again. Fuck.

Now my options were jump and go for it/try to hold ‘em off for 1k; not pull and hold for a bunch sprint; pull off and see what happens. I did the stupid thing: stayed on the front and didn’t do anything. I let the pace drop just a bit, but then nothing. The winning move came from a xXx rider who jumped at 200m and pulled away so damn strong and smooth that even as the race was happening I couldn’t help but admire it. It was so strong decisive that I knew it was the win. I tried to jump on his wheel but didn’t really "try" to jump it, I just accelerated a bit and held a higher pace but not enough to keep with him. Looking back, I think I had the strength; I didn’t have the -- I dunno, the blood lust, I guess. With 75m to go I jumped and thought I could hold for 2nd but at ~50m Grant (xXx) came around my outside. I was not holding my line too well because I was reaching my limit and we bumped shoulders while sprinting out of the saddle, but not badly enough to knock him off his momentum (congrats Grant!). I came into his lane and after the race joked that it was because I saw him coming around. That was not true, and not funny--though I didn't realized it until I was riding home later on. That shit is dangerous. I didn’t do it intentionally. Another xxx rider who was way on the inside took 3rd, we both threw the bike, he won the throw. (edit: he had me by a wheel, at least...damn. Two Half Acre guys (thanks for the beer!!) were watching the finish and one had me for 3rd, the other 4th. I guess it was pretty close.)

Once again, I was the lead out man for 2nd. I’m starting to feel like the horse that xXx rides in on. (I’ve got to upgrade so I can do this for Nate and Alex.)

fatigue...

2008-06-05T20:09:00.000-07:00

I'm still tired. I'm have spent 30 min on the bike all week and I know I will pay for it.

I'm gonna ride to work tomorrow so I am not dead wood Saturday and Sunday. The semester will end next week and I plan to ramp up the time in the saddle then. Until then, I am going to forget that I want to race.

A glimmer of hope...

2008-06-04T08:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a write up for the incident involving a drunk driver (villain), some young cyclists, a genius (Dean) and a hero (Matt).

Well done guys!

Winfield Twilight & ABR Championships

2008-06-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

Winfield Twilight, 5/31/08 Cat 5
Race #6

10 of 33

The course was a bit less than a mile, evenly divided between ascent and descent. I thought it was really tough course. The hill is about 300 m and, according to a reliable source, about 3-5%. It was technical and despite the difficulty, really fun. It ran through a subdivision near a park and so it had a nice cozy feeling. Also, there were fans all over the place -- I needed all the support I could get.

Report:

I held on to the lead group of 9 riders until the last lap, where I was again gapped on the climb but this time I couldn’t get back on. I rolled in a very distant 10th place.

The focus of the longer version of the report is an answer to one simple question: how important is a warm up? Very important.

So, the race was to go off at 3:00. Cat. 5s were first, so we were on time. I pulled up at 2:35, changed, got the bike ready, ran to the bathroom (no time for a shit), registered, pinned my number on – now its like 2:55 and my HR is already in Z3. I rode the course for 5 min, two laps -- I had 5 min to warm up! Ok, not a good start. We lined up and waited for a guy to move his truck, and yet another guy to find the keys to his car so he can move it. The official blew the whistle, and we took off – well, not me, I was still trying to get clipped in. Shit. Not a good start…

We turn the corner and head up the hill. This hill really would come to be my enemy, far more than the other racers. I never found the proper gear (warm-up!!!) until 20 min into the race, by then my legs were wood and the race had been set for me. On each of the last 4 laps I was gapped on the climb and bridged back on the descent, meaning I never recovered as well as I should have. I cracked on the last lap.

Lots should have been done differently today, mostly a warm up. A disappointing result because I know I could have done better. I’m not going to cry over it, I still had a good but painful time.

Grant (xXx) and another racer took off on an attack at the second lap and was away for 2 or 3 laps, I thought he would have held it off for the win (he placed 5th), he and the other guy (the eventual winner, got reeled in at about the 18th min. Another xXx rider touched my rear wheel on the climb and went down (It happened after I got out of the saddle but I don’t think I induced it; sorry man.)

ABD gets an A+ for this event.

ABR National Championships, 6/1/08 Cat 5s (39 and under)
Race #7

3rd/18

I stayed up front and though about going with the attack with two laps to go, I followed the attack too late but broke away from the field and was 2nd on the crest of the hill, I lost the legs for 2nd in the final 100m and finished ahead of 4th by about 1.5 bike lengths.

Report:
This course had a steep hill, but it was not as long as the Twilight course. Overall I felt better today primarily because I had a proper warm-up. Amazing physiological effect a warm-up has: yesterday my ave HR was 171, today it was 161, and speeds were 22and 23mph respectively.

I was able to select a good gear for the climb and stuck to the point on the course where I should shift. God, that last 10 meters around turn three hurt, the grade feels a bit steeper there than the rest of the hill. I should have attacked there on the second to last lap.

An ABD rider attacked with two to go and made it stick. I watched him attack after turn 1 and thought he’d get reeled back in on the climb, so I didn’t go (mistake). I began to chase the two man break on the bell lap. I was up front of the field at the start of the climb and was able to ride a bunch off my wheel except for one xXx rider. I was strictly focused on catching the ABD rider who was now solo – I thought I could do it. I reached the top of the climb in 2nd place, and after a few kicks to clear my legs I shifted and began to pick up speed on the descent to the final turn. I took turn 4 hot and then began to kill it to the finish. What I did was provide a top notch lead-out for the xXx rider. Why would I do such a thing? Because I didn’t really know or care that he was there until the last 100 meters when he started to come around me. I should have looked back immediately after turn 4 and I could have been smarter about 2nd place, but I wanted to catch the leader – I wanted to win. So rather than looking after the turn to see who was with me I turned on the juice and pulled him toward the line at 28-32mph. With 100m to go he jumped, I shifted and feebly attempted to stay ahead of him. I held him for a few kicks, then realized I couldn’t hold him off and threw in the towel. I sat up feeling a bit defeated. A teammate who was watching the finish though I misjudged where the line was, I was simply done racing at that point. I coasted in 3rd.

I am happy to say that I did close a big chunk of the gap. And it hurt. Overall, I’m pleased with my result and performance. I earned my result by tactical decisions and not by physical limitations, this is kinda new. It was also nice to stand on the podium and be photographed. That was pretty damn cool as you can clearly tell by my big goofy smile.

Next race: Sherman Park. Flat and fast, so I’m told.

Blah, blah, blah...

2008-05-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

Coming up: Winfield twilight and ABR championships next weekend, 5/31 & 6/1.

This last week was pretty hectic. Work was a bit nutty and I felt, oddly, a lack of control of my subject matter. Really strange feeling because I know it so well--I just couldn't figure out how to teach it well enough. Luckily it was a rest week and I didn't have the fatigue of training wearing me down. I still rode 175 miles and other than the group ride on Saturday, I took it nice and easy.

Tour de Cure/Bike the Drive was a lot of fun. Maria and her father came out to ride with us. I also got a chance to meet the director of the Tour de Cure, Eric Goodwin (Vitaminwater-Trek/Burnham racing). He mentioned something that I have not been able to let go...that Winfield's course has a "real" hill. I have no idea what that means, but he is a 3 so I assume he knows what he is talking about. I am excited because I know I am strong enough to do well, I wonder how I will be able to use a "real hill" -- if at all.

These two 30 min crits will help round out a step-up in my build phase. My race strategy so far has been to sit in and kill it in the last lap. My readjusted goal for this season is to be strong enough to jump with real attacks and eventually break away -- and stay away. I'll need to check the calender and see how much time I have because I sure as shit can't make this happen now (for long anyway). But this weekend will be a nice testing ground.

Training notes: Last week was a recovery week (175 miles base, zone 2 mostly). Sunday and Monday off. Tuesday (am): threshold. Wednesday (pm): over/under (30:30), Thursday (pm): Tempo. Friday: nice and easy. Saturday & Sunday: race.

Monsters of the Midway. 5/17/08

2008-05-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the most prolific cycling photographer in the Midwest, John Wilke, for this photo!

Result: 1st/60

Preface:
Three weeks ago when I dropped out of the Iowa City Road Race, I became upset that I had lulled myself into a state of denial. I ignored my training and thought I could get away with barley doing the minimum. On the long drive back to Chicago, I vowed to earn my next result.

For the last three weeks I had been training with focus and intensity, driven by the embarrassment of earning a DNF. That drive helped me earn the win at Monsters.

All week I had been feeling pretty relaxed thinking only of how I may be able to break away from the field on the Midway, knowing that the wind would play into it. Friday, I was relaxed, had a good dinner and went to bed at a reasonable time. Saturday I woke up early, made a good breakfast and sat around drinking water. That is when the nerves started to build.

By the time I rode down to Hyde Park, I was more calm but still edgy. Warming up I was thinking about how stupid this is, why do I put myself through this, why do I stress out just to race by bike—why don’t I just ride around for fun?

Report:

...cause winning is fun.

On the start line, I realized that I should, first, finish upright; second, I should aim for the podium. If I lowered my intention then, that would have begun the slippery slope to never winning and being comfortable with that. I put that crap aside. I wanted to stay near enough to the front and keep an eye on things.

The race goes off and I didn’t let anyone get too far, and anyone that passed me I got a good look at ‘em to see how long they could keep up the work. Luckily, people looked tired, and didn’t like the fast pace on the backside. I felt strong and even got to chat a bit with Grant (xXx-Athletico) and my teammate Can Meral. I also didn’t have my Garmin working (forgot to charge it!) and so I listened to my body rather than micromanage my HR. I think I may do this from now on. I want to know the data after, but not during.

The racing was sketchy, the first few turns caused lots of problems. One rider went down because – I think – pedal strike. I was sideswiped and almost taken out by a rider who was obviously reaching too far and does not know how to hold a line or a lane (this was on the straight too!); dropped riders also became a real hazzard. Alex almost ran one over after his sprint in the 4s race. But, after 15-20 min in our race the field was strung out enough to where there was plenty of room to maneuver.

On the final lap, I moved up into the wind and was not able to hold a wheel for most of the backside. Mostly because people were fading. There were several pair of riders and a few solos in front of me (99% of them xXx)—I knew would have to turn it on and hold it out. Just before the turn, I ramped up the pace wanting to carry momentum around the turn into the wind. At the turn I was in 6th position. I hit the turn hot, really hot, and made it through in one piece. After the turn on the straight home, I caught up to my buddy Grant (5th position) and hollered his name (I was cutting by him pretty close and he was weaving a bit.) His reply: “fuck!” I pass him and dropped into, I think, my 13 or 14. I stood to get the momentum in the new gear, to get the rpm’s up, and then sat and ground it down. At about 50 meters out, I realized I could take it. I stood again and pushed it, hard. In all the last two min. were hard, but I could have gone longer, meaning I could have gone sooner and crossed uncontested. Though it was fun to catch everyone in the sprint…

I hit the line first by about ½ a bike length. I won a red GP4000 tire. Yippie!

...one week.

2008-05-11T15:40:00.001-07:00

Good training last week. I did 60 min of threshold total, and some good tempo & SST rides in between. I felt pretty strong on the group ride yesterday. I hope to continue that build to Saturday for Monsters of the Midway. This week, I'm going to throw in some shorter efforts to round out the threshold work.

I also need to work on my sprinting form. I was causing my rear wheel to skip--dangerous. Now, I am attempting to lift my hips and keep my head low and torso level to maintain enough weight to keep traction and speed. Thing is, this position is bit uncomfortable because I have never worked my muscles in that position before. I will be slipping this form/posture training into the end of my workouts to learn how to generate the most power like that. Right now I feel like I am pushing the pedals forward, from 1-4 or 5pm on the clock, though I am not sure if that is actually true of if it just feels this way. Bottom line: it does not feel efficient, so it probably is not. I'll play with it a bit and work it out for next weekend.

I really want to come to form in late May/early June and again in July for the Chicago Crit. By "form" I mean a proper racing base training level, strength and body position and tactics based around race goals. My goals this year are simple: learn how to become a racer. I think I'm on my way there. Iowa was an invaluable lesson.

So far...

2008-05-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

Twelve days to go...

I did some good, solid work last week. I didn't put in large volume of time, but the quality was there. Sat and Sunday I took off to travel with my family to Springfield to remember my mom's brother, Tim, who was killed in Vietnam, 40 years ago Friday. Hearing the vets and especially the POW speak of honor, put things in perspective. Namely, that this racing thing is for my personal growth and enjoyment--nothing more.

That is an important perspective because of the physical strain that goes into training. It is hard, and it is easy to wimp out. It is hard, and it is easy to not do it. But if I want to, and choose to, then I should follow through with the commitment to myself and be reminded that many are unable to make that choice. Not that I race for them, that view is pretty condescending, but that I am simply put, fortunate. That is all.

I rode to work today and got about 15 min of SST in on both trips. Tomorrow morning I'll work threshold for about 30 min, and Wednesday evening an hour of SST. Thursday I'll ride to work, weather permitting. Friday morning, V02 work. Saturday and Sunday, I'd like to get in a very long ride, or two. I'll need to play that one by ear.

ouch...

2008-04-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

Iowa City road race: DNF.

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaad day all around. I didn't have the fitness or the mental strength. I failed.

The next two weeks will contain many pain filled sessions to make up for lost training time this last month and especially for the poor performance at Iowa. I am pretty angry with myself. I rationalized what I did prior to the race and I never want to let myself get into a situation like that again. I took my last few results for granted. I ignored the signals at GD#2.

I know what I needed to work on, yet I didn't. I earned that DNF.

Next race: Monsters of the Midway May 17

I'll be training hard for this one. I have not finished out of the top 10 in a crit. This one, I'm going for the win. I will be training to win it.

Great Dane #2

2008-04-21T17:27:00.000-07:00

On paper, my third race was a relative success: 6/39

I wanted to leave everything on the course for this event. I didn’t. I think I worked harder than I needed to at the wrong times and, as a result, yielded places to five “lucky” racers.

I didn’t want to move to the front. I stayed in the middle to rear because the field would bunch up at two choke points on the course. At those times I didn’t see the point in making the effort. Mistake.

The course was a short 1 mile loop with four corners and a few winding turns, and two short hills. The start/finish was on the first hill, the second was ½ way through course on the backside. After the downhill start the first corner turned us into a (light) headwind and the entire field slowed and front to midpack was 20 riders and perhaps 20 feet. The second choke point was after the second corner and a short hill. Because I didn’t move up I was caught in the headwind as a result of being on the outside way too often. So, I was doing just as much work as the leaders but without the benefit of field position. Mistake. Well, I still earned 6th.

Notes: I warmed up more thoroughly than at the Burnham Super Crit two weeks ago. That was helpful and the difference from the was noticeable.

My limiters are my power at threshold and my recovery. I can motor away and do well to hang on, but I cannot really lead—mentally speaking. I didn’t want to go to the front. I can compensate for my fitness with better race tactics: I need to learn how to be up front (by going and being there) rather than in the middle or back. Until I raise my threshold and increase my ability to recover under stress I may be a top 10 guy, but I won’t win any races.

I also need to figure out this diabetes stuff. I began the race with a BG of “160something” this was after a steady rise from 120 1.5 hours out, 140 1 hour out, 160something 20 min out and I finished the race at 310. I wonder if this is the result of nerves or of cortisone released from the physicality of the race. If it it’s the latter, then I should be able to train it and lower the curve. If my nerves get me in the beginning, I will need to figure out ways to dose prior to the race so that elevated blood glucose does not impede my performance. (I don’t think it did today…)

My average HR was 167 (threshold is 168-9), average speed was 24.5mph.

Side note: I saw an amazing thing in the third or fourth lap. A 2o0lb rider lost control of his bike for a few seconds and went way outside the field right into a 70lb junior. He bumped this kid hard…HARD!...and the kid stayed upright. It was amazing. It happened right after the second turn, going up hill, the kid was still leaning to his right and this guy lost it and slammed into him. The kid went from a 30* right leaning position to a 20* left leaning position and still stayed upright. Badass. (There were these gaps in the asphalt filled with this rubbery goo, typical stuff seen everywhere, but when you ride parallel with the gap and cross over it you can loose control and can create a really bad day). Also, a guy touched my rear wheel today. No crash.

I didn't charge my camera battery...pics next time.

Next week is the Iowa City Road Race, cat 5s go for 26 miles. The Bike is in the shop; I hope Alex can get it back to me soon so I can get some training in before Saturday.

Team Spidermonkey

2008-04-19T07:28:00.001-07:00

I joined Team Spidermonkey this week.

These guys seem pretty cool. I rode with Dean and Nate three weeks ago and they didn't leave a bad impression. Also, Nate won the 4/5s race at the Super Crit a two weeks ago (congrats!), so the racing end seems to be pretty serious. I also like that they seem balanced, they have casual riders and organize fun rides and such--basically, they like riding and racing. I think I'll be happy with them. I ordered my kit and paid my dues...I'm on.

I'm racing Grate Dane #2 tomorrow and hopefully I won't get crushed. It will be a fast race (20 min +2) and so I've got to get some palls and kill it from the second or third lap.

First blog post...

2008-04-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

So, welcome to my blog.

I started this thing because I want a way to profile my training and results so I don't need to bore my wife, friends and coworkers with all kinds of cycling nonsense. I figure you came here on purpose, so I can rant and ramble and "you," lovely reader, can take it--or not.

So, I began my base training in January 2008. Each week I put in about 3-4 hours on the bike. Most of my workouts included sub-threshold intervals along with SST durations of aprox. 1 hr. In February I increased my training volume to 6-8 hours per week. One day of SST, one day sub-threshold and L2-3 spinning for the remainder. I began a weak "build" phase in March including sets of 5 min VO2 intervals, and more strength training (higher gear work for SST).

My first two races were in the first weekend of April, the Mississinewa Reservoir Road Race on the 5th and Burnham Racing's Super Crit. on the 6th.

My goals were modest: 1) don't crash, and 2) stick with the peloton. I didn't crash and I did pretty well. I placed 9 of 15 in the road race (28 miles) and that was due to a tactical mistake (I went waaaaaaaaaaay too early for the finish.). At the Super Crit I placed 10/47 (35 min.) and was pretty pleased with my result. I was a bit fearful of the peloton though, with so many turns many riders were holding different (read: crossing) lines. I stayed near the back till the bell lap then moved my way up the outside.

I have my third race this weekend, Great Dane #2 (Cat 5, 20 min +2), and though I have not put in the right training over the last two weeks, I am confident I will learn a great deal. My goals are similar as above, but rather than attempting to stick with the peloton, I am going to attack them and burn all my matches within those 25 or so min.

Unless I really try to dig deep and leave everything on the course, I won' t ever know how.

Wish me luck...