Washington State Criterium Championship 7/8/12
Washington State Criterium Championship 7/8/12
What a great weekend for racing. The weather was fantastic. The State Crit Championship was held up in Bellingham. I arrived early and was able to watch several races. Blue Rooster had two guys go in Cat 4's with 2 laps and stayed away the whole time, to go 1-2. The course had 4 corners but only technically had 3 because the first corner was more of a bend up a slight rise. Then turn 1 was a right down onto the back straight and turn 2 and 3 were very fast short turns back on to the front straight.
In Cat 3's we had all the heavy hitters, guys who would be batting clean-up. We had a little over 30 in our field. This is now my 4th race in the Cat 3 field. All have been criteriums. I must say there seems to be far more crashing than there was in Cat 4's. The field is much more aggressive with corner entry. This tends to not end well. There are also several more risk takers in regards to moving around in the pack. I raced this course in 2009 and wrote about it here. I liked it then and thought I had a good chance at getting a good result. My talks with my future team began here. The goal was to get one of us on the top step. Of course that is everyone’s plan but we thought our chances were good. The plan was for Tony to go off the front with 1 or 2 laps left. He is a marked man in the Cat 3 field and they wouldn’t let him get a gap, but if they did then that was perfect. That would allow Jeff and I to follow the lead out train that we suspected would be Apex, since they had the numbers in the race. With 5 laps to go I began to move closer to the front in anticipation of the move that was possibly coming from Tony. In all bike racing having a plan is key but 90% of the time the entire plan doesn’t pan out as you hoped. Tony was never able to get out of the middle of the group with 2 laps to go so that plan was out the window. I was in a good spot with 1 to go when I could hear this deep, very deep yelling coming from the front. It sounded like something from a death metal band. Come to find out it was Travis from Apex yelling at his guys on the front. As they began exploding and falling back through the pack this caused all of us to swerve around them. This didn’t make for a very safe last lap and coming into turn 2 there were 2 lines that had formed as guys went around the left over lead out train of Apex. The unfortunate part is those two lines met each other in the middle of the Apex (no pun intended); wheels touched and down went an Apex guy. It was my former teammate at the beginning of the year, Todd. I watched him slide and smash into the curb and a street sign. OUCH. He did end up getting a ride in the wambulance and bent the street sign all things considered I saw him racing in August. I thought it was pretty bad as it looked really bad. I had a front row seat. Then coming out of turn 3 an HSP guy had his tire roll right off his rim and he slid over the sidewalk into the netting that was up to protect the grass maybe. With both of those accidents taking place in front of me it allowed a gap to open up. I really had no chance at a top 5. I should have been closer to the front but those are all what “ifs”. I don’t like playing those games and accept I should have been closer to the front. I was able to come home in 12th place with Tony taking 4th and Jeff taking 10th.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Star Bangle Crit Series
Star Bangle Crit Series
Tacoma Twilight Criterium Saturday 6/30/12:
This was a new course this year located in the Proctor district and would be my first Cat 3 race. Of course I ate something that did not agree with me the day before and had multiple visits to several bathrooms. This really didn't help my anxiety much. I enjoyed the course with its 4 corners and all right hand turns. Turn 1 and 2 were slightly downhill and turn 3 was fast leading into a half a block uphill that led you into turn 4 and the start finish straight. All the action was in turn 3. It had rough pavement and bumps on the inside of the corner where the best line through the corner would be. Of course this is where all the crashes took place as well. For my first Category 3 race it was ok. The pace was faster but wasn't to bad. We averaged 24.5 mph and the Category 4 race averaged 22.5 mph so not a big difference but enough to keep you on your toes. The big issue for me was moving up with only a few laps to go. This needs to be done much earlier in the Cat 3 race and you really need to be aggressive with holding your position. I lost a few places on the last lap but was still able to come through with 10th!
Brad Lewis Memorial Boat Street Crit Sunday 7/1/12:
This is a course I have done several times but the last couple of years as a Cat 4 I didn't have the best of luck. Racing with my lucky #666 I knew things had to be better. Once again the pace of the field was higher but wasn't anything that I couldn't handle. My body does pretty good when racing back to back days. The one thing about this course that I don't enjoy is the fast downhill right hand corner. I have almost crashed there a few times and have seen several people wipe out. I was up towards the front again with a few laps to go and just didn't suck it up enough when coming down the hill and taking that corner balls out. I was still able to come around a few guys for 10th again! Avg. speed 28.5 mph, Cat 4 race 26.2 mph.
Joe Matava (Burien Crit) 7/4/12:
With this race being just down the street I was pretty excited. Lindsay and a few friends were coming down to watch so I really wanted to put on a good show. This course I have done several times and it’s a good 4 corners with them all being left handers. The finish is slightly downhill and the first corner is usually where most of the crashes take place. We had 63 starters which always makes it crowded and a bit nerve racking the first few laps. The people that get a good starting position but don't have the fitness to stay up front slowly make their way to the back of the field and then are pulled before they are lapped. Better known as OFT (Off the back). I started making my way to the pointy end of the field with 10 laps to go. With 8 to go someone crashed at the front of the race in the middle of turn 1. I was in the top 15 when it happened so I immediately thought sidewalk around the accident. I headed for the crosswalk entrance on the sidewalk only to ride into the yellow tape they had around the course on the sidewalks. Damn't. I did a complete U turn and got back on the course, only to find myself closing a large gap to the leaders. I caught back up by the time we got to the start finish line. That was it for me as we came around on the last lap I didn't have anything left in my book of matches. 29th place. Average 24.9 mph Cat 4 race 21.2 mph
Tacoma Twilight Criterium Saturday 6/30/12:
This was a new course this year located in the Proctor district and would be my first Cat 3 race. Of course I ate something that did not agree with me the day before and had multiple visits to several bathrooms. This really didn't help my anxiety much. I enjoyed the course with its 4 corners and all right hand turns. Turn 1 and 2 were slightly downhill and turn 3 was fast leading into a half a block uphill that led you into turn 4 and the start finish straight. All the action was in turn 3. It had rough pavement and bumps on the inside of the corner where the best line through the corner would be. Of course this is where all the crashes took place as well. For my first Category 3 race it was ok. The pace was faster but wasn't to bad. We averaged 24.5 mph and the Category 4 race averaged 22.5 mph so not a big difference but enough to keep you on your toes. The big issue for me was moving up with only a few laps to go. This needs to be done much earlier in the Cat 3 race and you really need to be aggressive with holding your position. I lost a few places on the last lap but was still able to come through with 10th!
Brad Lewis Memorial Boat Street Crit Sunday 7/1/12:
This is a course I have done several times but the last couple of years as a Cat 4 I didn't have the best of luck. Racing with my lucky #666 I knew things had to be better. Once again the pace of the field was higher but wasn't anything that I couldn't handle. My body does pretty good when racing back to back days. The one thing about this course that I don't enjoy is the fast downhill right hand corner. I have almost crashed there a few times and have seen several people wipe out. I was up towards the front again with a few laps to go and just didn't suck it up enough when coming down the hill and taking that corner balls out. I was still able to come around a few guys for 10th again! Avg. speed 28.5 mph, Cat 4 race 26.2 mph.
Joe Matava (Burien Crit) 7/4/12:
With this race being just down the street I was pretty excited. Lindsay and a few friends were coming down to watch so I really wanted to put on a good show. This course I have done several times and it’s a good 4 corners with them all being left handers. The finish is slightly downhill and the first corner is usually where most of the crashes take place. We had 63 starters which always makes it crowded and a bit nerve racking the first few laps. The people that get a good starting position but don't have the fitness to stay up front slowly make their way to the back of the field and then are pulled before they are lapped. Better known as OFT (Off the back). I started making my way to the pointy end of the field with 10 laps to go. With 8 to go someone crashed at the front of the race in the middle of turn 1. I was in the top 15 when it happened so I immediately thought sidewalk around the accident. I headed for the crosswalk entrance on the sidewalk only to ride into the yellow tape they had around the course on the sidewalks. Damn't. I did a complete U turn and got back on the course, only to find myself closing a large gap to the leaders. I caught back up by the time we got to the start finish line. That was it for me as we came around on the last lap I didn't have anything left in my book of matches. 29th place. Average 24.9 mph Cat 4 race 21.2 mph
Monday, June 25, 2012
Racing in June and getting a promotion!
June
Second Ascent Ballard Criterium
I enjoy this race. It is known for being somewhat of a crash fest and 2012 didn't disappoint. I missed it last year but did come down and watch (I was still suffering from MONO) and was very similar with several crashes. With all the bars in the area it makes it great for spectators and there is always a good crowd.
Course description; four corners, 1km on bumpy city streets with a very slight side hill coming into the finish. The last corner before you arrive on the start/finish straight is bricks. No matter the weather hot or wet, they are slick. Then for some reason turn 2 always has crashes in it as well. We had a full field and I was hoping to do well in this race. The finish sprint was not really my forte, as its slightly uphill and a ways away from the last corner but I wanted to try for the win. Who doesn't? About half way through the race the first major crash happened just in front of me in turn 2. Very similar to how it happened last year and the year before. A "super-fast guy" takes the corner to tight and his trajectory takes him to the edge of the course that has yellow tape up and "A" boards to keep the pedestrians out and the racers in. Then all the others who are taking the corner properly are pushed out wide because "super-fast guy" has blocked their path as he aims to go through the yellow tape and visit the, part pavement, part gravel section that is not the racing course but for pedestrians. As he goes flying across my front wheel I am able to avoid him as I watch out of the corner of my eye as he helps take down at least 5 guys. We came around for another lap and I see my teammate Greg picking himself up. Damn't "super-fast guy", look what you have done! I continue to keep my eyes out for another "super-fast guy" and with 3 laps to go I don't see one but I hear one behind me. It sounded like a pretty knarly crash as I just came off the bricks and could hear bikes and bodies hitting the floor. (I think that is a song?) It was really close because it was pretty loud as I heard several airs of breathe being punched out of someone’s lunges as they hit the pavement. As well as Carbon snapping. With 3 to go a UW guy got off the front but the pack kept him within reaching distance but as we came around for the last lap nobody wanted to pull him back. I came into the last corner to far back and finished in 7th place. The UW guy held everyone else off for the win.
7th place
Capital Stage Race 3 days 4 stages
Everyone I spoke to who did this race last year really enjoyed it. This would be my first time racing for 3 days straight or 4 stages instead of the normal 3 stages. It would be Gabe and I racing in Cat 4 and Travis D racing in Masters 4's. Gabe and I also had Tim Farrell who races for Farestart/Cycle U so I looked at is we had 3 instead of 2. Both Gabe and Tim would be General Classification guys while my plan was to focus on the criterium.
Stage 1 Road Race 41 miles
We were doing 4 laps of a 10 mile loop that had 300 feet of climbing per lap. The weather was great and I stayed down in Centralia at my Aunt and Uncles place so the drive to the course was only 30 mins. Takes a little stress out of the game and adds a few extra zzz's. The start/finish was flat and on good pavement. Once we got down the road a bit it turned to your standard chip seal and no shoulder. Everything stayed together as nobody could get away. I went with a guy on the decent and we had a nice gap but once on flat roads again everyone caught back on. The climbs were short and punchy and I was able to maintain my position in the pack. The corner coming into the start/finish line was at the bottom of a small hill and back onto nice pavement with a 2 foot shoulder. Last lap and we are all together coming out of the last corner. I wasn't in the best position and was probably 20 wheels back from the front but we had a mile or so to go before the finish so I stayed patient. The plan was for Gabe to be on my wheel coming into the finish so I could lead him out for the sprint but when we came out of the corner he was ahead of me on the left side of the road. I saw a gap open up on my right that would get me to the shoulder of the road. I couldn't believe there was so much room for me to move and that nobody was racing up the shoulder to get to the front. I went right to the front of the pack with about 1k to go. That put Gabe on the left side so our plan was toast. It started to go bad when we lost each other’s wheel coming out of the last corner but now it was going to be difficult. I stayed on Mark's wheel who I suspected would do well in the sprint (he later won the whole stage race). His friend started his sprint, I waited and waited, and then Mark started his. I still stayed tucked in and probably did so for too long as it probably cost me the win but I started my sprint and was able to stretch out over the line to take 2nd place from Mark who got 3rd. Gabe was able to finish with the pack in 16th place.
2nd Place
Stage 2 Time Trial 3.5 miles
I was actually looking forward to this TT. Its short and the times should be fairly close. Long story short I didn't warm up long enough. Then I had a flat on the rear disc wheel so I had to change that and it was bad from then on. I finished 22nd 39 seconds behind the winner Mark Fry. My legs hurt from the word go.
22nd place
Stage 3 Criterium 30 minutes
This was a very, very technical course. I don't say that often. Several one line corners and some shady pavement added to the one line corners made it interesting. The finish was on a nice little hill. Around the course it was fantastic. Racing around the Capital and the grounds and buildings in the area were very scenic. It was really surreal. I hoped to do well in the criterium but when I saw the hill my hopes were diminished a bit. The race started and my goal was to see if I could get Gabe the time bonus prime. We got really close to getting it but we came in a few bike lengths short. Then I tried to get the next prime which was some sort of product but I missed that one by a wheel. Well I had just burned up two of my matches so after that I sat in. With 3 laps to go we came around the left hander where the pavement was not good and the fast line was on the inside. Gabe was just in front of me when someone put on their brakes and caused someone to swerve over to the right taking Gabes front wheel out. Then I saw Sam Park (former teammate) fly over the sidewalk and slide into this little boy and his bike. I made sure to ride up to the person who swerved and gave him an ear full. This wasn't the first time this person had caused a crash. Although this time it wasn't his fault but still. I was pretty pissed off. I was hoping to take that to the finish line. I got stuck behind someone who consistently in the race would move up and squeeze himself in line only to slow down and make me close the gap. He was able to do that again on the last lap to someone in front of me so we had a bit of a gap to close and that was just to much. After the race I rode over to see how the guys were. Thankfully Gabe was just fine and Sam was really sore and I believe he is ok.
6th place
Stage 4 Queen Stage 47.5 miles
This was mostly Independence Valley RR backwards. That had me extremely worried as I got dropped from that race back in March. It has a few hills and going backwards I didn't know how they were going to be. The goal again was to get Gabe (6th place GC) and or Tim (3rd place GC) on the podium. I stayed near the front putting in some work. The first lap was pretty dang fast and we immediately started shedding guys off the back. We went over the first climb and I did ok but was at the back when we crested. Then everyone hit the gas and we were single file almost all the way to the next hill. That brought our group down to about 20-25 guys. I was again at the back going over the second hill but I was pretty happy to be with the lead group. Someone yelled while we were going up the hill to go faster. I immediately yelled back at him to shut the hell up. I liked this pace. Any faster and I would have popped off the back. I was beginning to feel confident for the finish which was flat but I had to hang on for another lap. I was pretty sure the second lap things were going to explode but going over the first hill we all stayed together. Gabe was on the front going over the climbs so he appearred to be feeling really good. Especially after he realized his rear brake was rubbing for most of the first lap. HA! We came over the second climb and nobody attacked. This was a big surprise but I was extremely happy to have made it. Now it was going to come down to a pack sprint. I spoke to Gabe and Tim and told them to be on my wheel with 500 meters to go and I would lead them out. I was stuck on the left side of the road behind a few guys and I couldn't start my sprint early. As usual the last few miles leading into the finish is always sketchy and you really have to be focused and alert. Just as we got to the 200 meters sign I moved to the left side of the road and started my sprint. I went to the front and nobody was coming around me until we were about 50 meters from the finish. Allen from Second Ascent came around to take the lead and I stopped pedaling as I was gassed. What the hell are you doing I thought. Keep going. I started sprinting again and one more came by but I was able to hang onto 3rd place. Tim held on to 3rd place in the General Classification and Gabe finished in 6th Overall.
Capital Stage race complete, I finished 15th overall. Oh how things could have been different if my TT didn't suck. Oh well. Its good to have something to work on. A wonderful race and I look forwad to racing it again next year.
I have received my upgrade to a CATEGORY 3 just in time for CRIT season!
Second Ascent Ballard Criterium
I enjoy this race. It is known for being somewhat of a crash fest and 2012 didn't disappoint. I missed it last year but did come down and watch (I was still suffering from MONO) and was very similar with several crashes. With all the bars in the area it makes it great for spectators and there is always a good crowd.
Course description; four corners, 1km on bumpy city streets with a very slight side hill coming into the finish. The last corner before you arrive on the start/finish straight is bricks. No matter the weather hot or wet, they are slick. Then for some reason turn 2 always has crashes in it as well. We had a full field and I was hoping to do well in this race. The finish sprint was not really my forte, as its slightly uphill and a ways away from the last corner but I wanted to try for the win. Who doesn't? About half way through the race the first major crash happened just in front of me in turn 2. Very similar to how it happened last year and the year before. A "super-fast guy" takes the corner to tight and his trajectory takes him to the edge of the course that has yellow tape up and "A" boards to keep the pedestrians out and the racers in. Then all the others who are taking the corner properly are pushed out wide because "super-fast guy" has blocked their path as he aims to go through the yellow tape and visit the, part pavement, part gravel section that is not the racing course but for pedestrians. As he goes flying across my front wheel I am able to avoid him as I watch out of the corner of my eye as he helps take down at least 5 guys. We came around for another lap and I see my teammate Greg picking himself up. Damn't "super-fast guy", look what you have done! I continue to keep my eyes out for another "super-fast guy" and with 3 laps to go I don't see one but I hear one behind me. It sounded like a pretty knarly crash as I just came off the bricks and could hear bikes and bodies hitting the floor. (I think that is a song?) It was really close because it was pretty loud as I heard several airs of breathe being punched out of someone’s lunges as they hit the pavement. As well as Carbon snapping. With 3 to go a UW guy got off the front but the pack kept him within reaching distance but as we came around for the last lap nobody wanted to pull him back. I came into the last corner to far back and finished in 7th place. The UW guy held everyone else off for the win.
7th place
Capital Stage Race 3 days 4 stages
Everyone I spoke to who did this race last year really enjoyed it. This would be my first time racing for 3 days straight or 4 stages instead of the normal 3 stages. It would be Gabe and I racing in Cat 4 and Travis D racing in Masters 4's. Gabe and I also had Tim Farrell who races for Farestart/Cycle U so I looked at is we had 3 instead of 2. Both Gabe and Tim would be General Classification guys while my plan was to focus on the criterium.
Stage 1 Road Race 41 miles
We were doing 4 laps of a 10 mile loop that had 300 feet of climbing per lap. The weather was great and I stayed down in Centralia at my Aunt and Uncles place so the drive to the course was only 30 mins. Takes a little stress out of the game and adds a few extra zzz's. The start/finish was flat and on good pavement. Once we got down the road a bit it turned to your standard chip seal and no shoulder. Everything stayed together as nobody could get away. I went with a guy on the decent and we had a nice gap but once on flat roads again everyone caught back on. The climbs were short and punchy and I was able to maintain my position in the pack. The corner coming into the start/finish line was at the bottom of a small hill and back onto nice pavement with a 2 foot shoulder. Last lap and we are all together coming out of the last corner. I wasn't in the best position and was probably 20 wheels back from the front but we had a mile or so to go before the finish so I stayed patient. The plan was for Gabe to be on my wheel coming into the finish so I could lead him out for the sprint but when we came out of the corner he was ahead of me on the left side of the road. I saw a gap open up on my right that would get me to the shoulder of the road. I couldn't believe there was so much room for me to move and that nobody was racing up the shoulder to get to the front. I went right to the front of the pack with about 1k to go. That put Gabe on the left side so our plan was toast. It started to go bad when we lost each other’s wheel coming out of the last corner but now it was going to be difficult. I stayed on Mark's wheel who I suspected would do well in the sprint (he later won the whole stage race). His friend started his sprint, I waited and waited, and then Mark started his. I still stayed tucked in and probably did so for too long as it probably cost me the win but I started my sprint and was able to stretch out over the line to take 2nd place from Mark who got 3rd. Gabe was able to finish with the pack in 16th place.
2nd Place
Stage 2 Time Trial 3.5 miles
I was actually looking forward to this TT. Its short and the times should be fairly close. Long story short I didn't warm up long enough. Then I had a flat on the rear disc wheel so I had to change that and it was bad from then on. I finished 22nd 39 seconds behind the winner Mark Fry. My legs hurt from the word go.
22nd place
Stage 3 Criterium 30 minutes
This was a very, very technical course. I don't say that often. Several one line corners and some shady pavement added to the one line corners made it interesting. The finish was on a nice little hill. Around the course it was fantastic. Racing around the Capital and the grounds and buildings in the area were very scenic. It was really surreal. I hoped to do well in the criterium but when I saw the hill my hopes were diminished a bit. The race started and my goal was to see if I could get Gabe the time bonus prime. We got really close to getting it but we came in a few bike lengths short. Then I tried to get the next prime which was some sort of product but I missed that one by a wheel. Well I had just burned up two of my matches so after that I sat in. With 3 laps to go we came around the left hander where the pavement was not good and the fast line was on the inside. Gabe was just in front of me when someone put on their brakes and caused someone to swerve over to the right taking Gabes front wheel out. Then I saw Sam Park (former teammate) fly over the sidewalk and slide into this little boy and his bike. I made sure to ride up to the person who swerved and gave him an ear full. This wasn't the first time this person had caused a crash. Although this time it wasn't his fault but still. I was pretty pissed off. I was hoping to take that to the finish line. I got stuck behind someone who consistently in the race would move up and squeeze himself in line only to slow down and make me close the gap. He was able to do that again on the last lap to someone in front of me so we had a bit of a gap to close and that was just to much. After the race I rode over to see how the guys were. Thankfully Gabe was just fine and Sam was really sore and I believe he is ok.
6th place
Stage 4 Queen Stage 47.5 miles
This was mostly Independence Valley RR backwards. That had me extremely worried as I got dropped from that race back in March. It has a few hills and going backwards I didn't know how they were going to be. The goal again was to get Gabe (6th place GC) and or Tim (3rd place GC) on the podium. I stayed near the front putting in some work. The first lap was pretty dang fast and we immediately started shedding guys off the back. We went over the first climb and I did ok but was at the back when we crested. Then everyone hit the gas and we were single file almost all the way to the next hill. That brought our group down to about 20-25 guys. I was again at the back going over the second hill but I was pretty happy to be with the lead group. Someone yelled while we were going up the hill to go faster. I immediately yelled back at him to shut the hell up. I liked this pace. Any faster and I would have popped off the back. I was beginning to feel confident for the finish which was flat but I had to hang on for another lap. I was pretty sure the second lap things were going to explode but going over the first hill we all stayed together. Gabe was on the front going over the climbs so he appearred to be feeling really good. Especially after he realized his rear brake was rubbing for most of the first lap. HA! We came over the second climb and nobody attacked. This was a big surprise but I was extremely happy to have made it. Now it was going to come down to a pack sprint. I spoke to Gabe and Tim and told them to be on my wheel with 500 meters to go and I would lead them out. I was stuck on the left side of the road behind a few guys and I couldn't start my sprint early. As usual the last few miles leading into the finish is always sketchy and you really have to be focused and alert. Just as we got to the 200 meters sign I moved to the left side of the road and started my sprint. I went to the front and nobody was coming around me until we were about 50 meters from the finish. Allen from Second Ascent came around to take the lead and I stopped pedaling as I was gassed. What the hell are you doing I thought. Keep going. I started sprinting again and one more came by but I was able to hang onto 3rd place. Tim held on to 3rd place in the General Classification and Gabe finished in 6th Overall.
Capital Stage race complete, I finished 15th overall. Oh how things could have been different if my TT didn't suck. Oh well. Its good to have something to work on. A wonderful race and I look forwad to racing it again next year.
I have received my upgrade to a CATEGORY 3 just in time for CRIT season!
Racing in May
It’s strange the amount of cycling I have done this year compared to the last 2 years. It has taken me 3 years to really understand my body. I have ridden less this year than in years past but with that being said I just noticed I have already done over 400 miles this month. My specific training has been sporadic but I have been commuting to work so when I am on the bike it is very quality stuff. My coach for those first couple of years, Ed Ewing really helped teach me about quality and rest. He built a good foundation in my training and it seems this year it is paying dividends. In March I got my first "W" and then in April I got 2nd in the State Road Race Championship. I wasn't to sure if I could milk the fitness into May and June but I was sure going to try. While I am busy testing my body to the limits and learning how to make it go farther when my mind says no, Lindsay is busy growing a small person in her belly. Strange. It is so fascinating to me to watch the transformation as he grows and feeling his little kicks and punches. He is doing well and Lindsay has been blessed with a decent time so far. Her belly is getting bigger by the day and I find myself always wanting to have my hands on it or my ears to it. So far so good and he will be joining the team in early October.
May:
Ravensdale Road Race 45 miles
This course doesn't really suite me much in regards to the finish. It is a fun course though and I do like it. Coming into the finish it has about a mile long climb or bump depending on who you ask. The race went off without a hitch and coming into the last corner for the finish I was in a decent position and wanted to work for Gabe but we got separated coming out of the corner. He was on the inside and I was on the outside. I got a little lazy and let a few people in front of me and the next thing I knew I was 20 wheels back from the front. I started to sprint and then just sat up as I knew I wasn't going to make up any ground. Just as I talked myself out of sprinting for the finish. A crash happened right in front of me. I just shook my head and slowed down as the person slid across the road in front of me. Sprinting for 20th position is never a good idea and I am glad I sat up. Gabe motored up the inside but was blocked and was able to come in 16th position.
38th position
Mutual of Enumclaw Stage Race:
Stage 1 Time Trial 6 miles I had no intention to do this race but my old teammate Andrew Eisen talked me into it. "Brad you have to do this race. The crit is a lot of fun and would be perfect for you." That is really all the talking into I needed, a technical criterium, I'm there! The Time Trial course was a lot of fun. I suck at Time Trials. I just can't go fast for a long period of time. I accept that. It is what it is.
I finished with a time of 15 min which put me in 23rd place, 30 seconds from 1st.
Stage 2 Criterium
The crit was in the afternoon so I had plenty of time to burn and napped in the car. I got warmed up and headed to the course. The race promoter was driving a nice bright red corvette as our lead car for the first few laps. The course was technical for sure with 9 turns. We took a lap and then lined up for the start.
The pavement was good all the way around the course except for a few manhole covers but other than that it was nice. Coming into the last corner I realized the best line was in the front! It was a one line corner and you actually had to be in position the corner before to set up for the last turn. My plan was quickly formed, be on the front for the last corner. I was going to attempt to move to the front once we got on Cole St. Take the left and the quick right and see what I could do with a long sprint. With a lap to go I was in the top 5 sitting on a couple wheels as we came across the line. The pack slowed down a bit once we got on 1st St. I was just getting ready to move to the front when a junior kid from Canada came flying by. Then Morgan from Apex went by. This was the move and I jumped on Morgan's wheel. I was really licking my chops now. This was exactly what I wanted and I didn't have to do any hard work. Right before we made the left hand turn before the start/finish straight I peeked behind me and we still had a 5 bike length gap on the charging field. The kid was done and Morgan went around him to start his sprint. I sat on Morgan's wheel for a couple seconds then launched. Okay so far, nobody had come around me yet. I could see the line and started to look down to see if I could see any wheels in my peripheral, nothing. I came across the line with about a bike length gap to 2nd place. I let out a yell and found the kid that started it off on the cool down lap and thanked him.
1st Place
Stage 3 Road Race 44 miles
Just as we began to line up it started raining and didn't stop the whole race. There was a climb up Mud Mountain that really hurt. The first time up I was able to catch back on during the decent. The next time up not so much and I popped off the back of the pack and soloed in for a boring/wet race. Climbing still eludes me.
32nd place
May:
Ravensdale Road Race 45 miles
This course doesn't really suite me much in regards to the finish. It is a fun course though and I do like it. Coming into the finish it has about a mile long climb or bump depending on who you ask. The race went off without a hitch and coming into the last corner for the finish I was in a decent position and wanted to work for Gabe but we got separated coming out of the corner. He was on the inside and I was on the outside. I got a little lazy and let a few people in front of me and the next thing I knew I was 20 wheels back from the front. I started to sprint and then just sat up as I knew I wasn't going to make up any ground. Just as I talked myself out of sprinting for the finish. A crash happened right in front of me. I just shook my head and slowed down as the person slid across the road in front of me. Sprinting for 20th position is never a good idea and I am glad I sat up. Gabe motored up the inside but was blocked and was able to come in 16th position.
38th position
Mutual of Enumclaw Stage Race:
Stage 1 Time Trial 6 miles I had no intention to do this race but my old teammate Andrew Eisen talked me into it. "Brad you have to do this race. The crit is a lot of fun and would be perfect for you." That is really all the talking into I needed, a technical criterium, I'm there! The Time Trial course was a lot of fun. I suck at Time Trials. I just can't go fast for a long period of time. I accept that. It is what it is.
I finished with a time of 15 min which put me in 23rd place, 30 seconds from 1st.
Stage 2 Criterium
The crit was in the afternoon so I had plenty of time to burn and napped in the car. I got warmed up and headed to the course. The race promoter was driving a nice bright red corvette as our lead car for the first few laps. The course was technical for sure with 9 turns. We took a lap and then lined up for the start.
1st Place
Stage 3 Road Race 44 miles
Just as we began to line up it started raining and didn't stop the whole race. There was a climb up Mud Mountain that really hurt. The first time up I was able to catch back on during the decent. The next time up not so much and I popped off the back of the pack and soloed in for a boring/wet race. Climbing still eludes me.
32nd place
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Olympic View Road Race State Championship
Wow. That is a long title.
I did well here 2 years ago and took 6th. Last year I bonked on the climb and that later would be the first sign of my 3 month battle with Mono. This year everything was different. We had Gabe and me in Cat 4's and Travis and Greg in Masters Cat 4. We would be racing 3 laps of an 18 mile loop for a total of around 54 miles with only 1 real hill. Coming into the race I was kind of worried about that hill based on what happened to me on it last year. As we came around for the first lap I kept waiting for this wall of a climb but as we got to the wonderful downhill hairpin corner I realized that hill is really not even a hill, more like a roller. Since last year leading up to it my mind made it into the biggest climb ever. Lap 1 complete and a few attacks went off the front with 1 guy who would be off the front all the way until about 7 miles to go. I stayed mostly mid pack for the majority of the race. Somewhere during the 2nd lap I see Gabe come drifting back towards me then I hear people yelling flat. Dang. There goes my only teammate. Really sucked for Gabe to flat but he did finish, good job Gabe. I began moving to the front on the last lap and when I got there the solo guy off the front was still out there and I was beginning to worry as nobody in the field was interested in doing any work to bring him back. Several teams had a lot of numbers but nobody would get on the front to work together. That was a bit frustrating as some teams had upwards of 7 guys in the field but only 1 or 2 did anything. Oh well. This is Cat 4 racing at its finest. I was active on the front with Starbucks and a couple other individual guys to keep the pace higher than it had been. It got a bit dicey going up the hill before the downhill corners. I seemed to always be behind the guy that didn't want to go that fast. This created alot of yelling from several of us to get out of the way. Once we made it over the hill, we started to come around for the downhill hairpin and I saw my chance to move up towards the front. In bicycle racing especially, everyone always fans out real wide to set up for the corner. This always leaves the inside wide open and I took advantage of it by diving to the inside and gaining several positions. Once we started down the hill it was full gas. Erik from Apex was on the front and laying down a fast pace. I was roughly 6th wheel at that stage right in the middle of the swarming pack of crazy Cat 4 racers. I could see the sign for 200m (which was set out at 400m to give us the whole road) and as we got closer several guys just to the right of me started bumping as more guys were coming up on the shoulder of the road. Again, crazy Cat 4's. Well, that took out at least 6 or more guys, as bumping each other at 30+mph on the shoulder won't last for too long. Thankfully I was just to the left of it and they mostly flew into the ditch. An ex fellow motorcycle road racer who I used to pit next to, Paul Bishop (Recycled Cycles) was the guy I put my eyes on in the beginning of the race to be there at the finish, based in his performance at Walla Walla Crit. When we hit 400m to go not much happened and then Paul took off from my right at 300m to go. I hesitated for a second as that was a long way to go with the finish being slightly uphill. The guy in front of me started his sprint and then I came around him. I was going farther out than I would have preferred but I had to at this point. I realized once I got out in the wind on my own, it would be really hard to catch Paul. He had a big gap on me and laid down a serious sprint. With the finish line almost to my front wheel I could feel my legs starting to scream at me and begin grinding to a halt. I looked down to see if any wheels were coming close and on the right of me someone was getting closer. I put in one more pedal stroke and stretched out as far as I could. A quarter wheel lengths to my right was third place. I held on for 2nd place. PHEW. It was close and painful. My disappointment for not getting 1st was short lived as Paul had a 2-3 bike length gap on us. He deserved the win with that sprint. I am happy with 2nd place. Then to hear that Greg got 3rd in Masters as well was great stuff for the team. Thanks to my lovely wife Lindsay for being there to get the podium shot. That is two races now Lindsay has attended and I have been on the podium. My good luck charms!
Great job to the whole team. Thanks to Amara from WheelsinFocus for the below shots. The first one is a good shot as it really tells you the pain I was in and shows it. That was the point where my legs were telling me they were done.
Tour of Walla Walla
There were some great races leading up to the Tour of Walla Walla April 21st & 22nd.
First was a race I haven't done in a couple years, the Northshore TT and Road Race up near Bellingham. Both of these races were great to do prior to Walla Walla. The TT course was nice and this was the first real effort on the TT bike this year. I spent some time on it via the trainer but nothing at full gas. I changed my position a little with a longer stem and messed with my seat as well. I think it worked out well. I took 16th in the TT 1:44 behind the winner. Not to shabby for me as I am not very good at TT's. Then the next day was the Northshore Road Race. This course I remember well as it was one of my top 5 worse experiences on the bike. The course is good but it has 500ft of climbing per lap and we would be doing 4 laps of the 9 mile course. I put on a different set of wheels and didn't tune the bike up prior to the race. I was able to make the ghost shifting work up until the last lap when I fell off the back of the pack and came home in 32nd place. It was pretty frustrating but I think if I didn't have to deal with the inconsistent shifting I might have been able to hang on until the finish. Still all in all a good weekend warm up prior to Walla Walla.
Tour of Walla Walla
I love this race. I have been coming here since my first year racing. The organizers changed it up this year with the Criterium being first and then the TT in the afternoon. Travis, Gabe and I would be the only teammates racing. We arrived on Friday and took our TT bikes out and road the TT course. The Criterium was my main focus as I have done well on this course and finished 5th last year. It has 8 corners, rough pavement and it’s flat. All things I don't mind, especially the cornering. I was going to try and go for a time bonus on one of the prime laps but the man to beat from Starbucks got himself in a break and took all the bonus time. We caught him about 2 laps from the finish. I moved up to the front on the last lap and held the position well until half way around when I got a little too relaxed and fell back a few places. This is where I lost the chance to fight for the win. Coming through one of the final few corners someone went wide and pushed several guys up to the curb. With my relaxed position this put me behind this group and I close the gap down to the front guys. I arrived 3 corners before the finish and moved up to about 15th wheel or so. Then coming through the final corner I took the inside and got behind a guy that decided to sit up. I cursed myself again and moved out and started my sprint real early. I was able to bring it home in 9th place and Gabe followed suit and came in 10th. Good showing for the team and Gabe is our GC guy so that was good to see. I was really upset with myself the rest of the day. I went back to the hotel and sat in my room and watched TV until it was time to get ready for the TT.
Time trial:
My goal was to use the anger I had from the crit to channel it into the Time trial since I kind of suck at TT's. I got a good long warm up in with Travis and was able to put together my best TT ever. I finished 21st 1:46 behind the winner. Gabe finished 10th 1:09 behind the winner. Great result.
The road race has never been good to me, including this year.
-My first year racing as a Cat 5 I somehow ended up in the Cat 3 field. Duh. I lasted until the end of the first lap then realized my mistake and called it a day.
-The next year I made it into the correct race. I got a thumb tack stuck in my front wheel on the neutral roll out and flatted about 2 miles after the start of the race. I was able to chase back on but I caught up to everyone just as we got to the big hill and fell off the back again.
-This year I was in much better shape overall and my goal was to maintain my top 20 position on the General Classification and help Gabe as much as possible. The pace was pretty slow to start out as Starbucks was trying to control the race for their GC guy Tony. We were hitting close to 50 mph on the first major decent and at the bottom is a tight left hand corner. About 30 yards from the corner my tire exploded. It sounded like someone shot a gun in the pack. It was so loud it hurt my ears. My tire blew off of the rim so getting slowed down all the way was a little painful. I got it stopped and the wheel change was pretty bad. After getting the wheel on and putting my chain back on I couldn't see the rest of the field. My race was over 15 miles into it. So I road solo for about 45 miles but did catch up to Travis D and we cruised in together. I finished 49th.
Monday, March 26, 2012
IVRR and North Bend Criterium
Independence Valley Road Race (IVRR):Its a good race in my book but I just don't do well at it. The weather was good and it warmed up by the time we started. As usual we lined up middle of the pack only to get going and somehow I found myself at the back of the field. The problem with IVRR is you really can't move up much until you get to the first climb. That put me right towards the back of the pack which for me isn't good. I need all the help I can get. First climb I was able to hang onto the back of the first group. Surprisingly, I lost contact to the front group on the downhill. I got stuck behind a group of 5 or so who were pussy-footing it down the hill. Once on the flat section we had a large group of 20+ working together chasing down the lead group. I just came off the front when we got to the 2nd climb. BOOM. That was it for me. I was off the back. I knew leading up to the climb that I shouldn't do anymore work but I hoped I could make it. That was my race. I was in a small group of 12 or so. Coming into the finish I wanted to practice my sprint, even though it was for 41st place. I am not sure who all sprinted but I went for it and took the group sprint. Small prize for the day. I came home and wanted to look at the data from last year where I finished 25th. Here it is:
2011 IVRR40 miles
1:49:02 duration
22.1 avg speed
47.5 mph max
2012 IVRR40 miles
1:50:32 duration
21.4mph avg
48.3 mph max
Crazy to think I finished 20 places down on last year and the timing was very similar.
North Bend Crit:This is new this year and we were going for 30 minutes full gas. The course is 4 corners and had good pavement except before turn 3 which was pretty bumpy but did have a smooth-er line through the corner. It is a branch off of the collegiate Omnium that took place Saturday and Sunday. First criterium of the year and its flat! There was 58 starters and once again I was at the back. We all lined up on a side road and the yellow team lined up in the grass right in front of start/finish, smart. So they were all on the front and the rest of the field was in the back. Then to make matters worse I couldn't get clipped in when it was GO time. I had work to do. I spent the first 10 laps moving through the carnage of riders who were being blown out the back by the fast pace being set by the Starbucks Team. Once I got to the lead group Starbucks sent a couple guys on off the front along with UW but nothing stuck. Some of the guys in the pack need to go back to cornering 101. (We do hold those clinics that I would highly recommend.) That leads me to THANKING Amara and Kristi for letting me race. I was supposed to help them teach the Cycle U Clinic on Sunday. THANKS LADIES!
I was towards the front a couple times and chased a few moves down but didn't want to do to much work and figured I should slide back a bit and let the teams with numbers in the field do all the chasing. Turns 3 and 4 reminded me of the crit that was used for the Bellingham Stage Race in 2009. I came through those final two corners in 2009 at the front expecting my teammate Rolly to be on my wheel as I was leading him out for the finish. I came out of turn 4 and put in a good dig then pulled off the front but Rolly never came by. A few seconds later, some guy on other team went by for the win. DUH. I felt pretty stupid as I could have easily finished in the top five there if not won. So lesson was learned to never stop that close to the finish. He got tangled with a guy as he was trying to get on my wheel and finished 30th. Okay, back to 2012. That lesson immediately came to mind half way through the race when I felt I had the legs to do something. It was a big question mark after Saturday's race. With 3 laps to go I moved to the front 3rd of the race and coming through turn 3 I heard a peddle clip the pavement then the horrible sound of bikes and bodies hitting the ground. Thankfully I was in front of it. Ouch. Dude laid on the sidewalk with the medics until the race was over. He looked pretty banged up. Final lap and we came by start/finish and the head wind really started to pick up. Once we got to the back straight I knew I had to be at the front of the race going into the final two corners 3 and 4. That way I could carry maximum speed through the corners. If I blew up, I blew up but based on what I learned in 2009 I thought I could do it. Big dig and I got to the front and thankfully nobody came by me before turn 3.
(As most cyclist these days I am addicted to Strava. Below are pictures of my last lap)
This was perfect, this let me pick the fastest line through the corner and get on the gas in between turn 3 and 4.
Since nobody saw me at the front of the race through those corners, they wouldn't know my pace (a motorcycle racing tactic I had learned during my racing days). I had an Ace in the hole. Coming out of turn 4 I punched it.
Where is everyone, someone has to be coming around me I thought as I got closer and closer to the finish line. I got roughly a bike length away and I was out of gas. I extended the bike (bike throw) as far as I could as I came across the line and to my surprise nobody came by me! I had finally done it. That deserved a fist pump. Pretty exciting stuff. Lindsay was even there to see my first Win and we celebrated with a burrito from L-Taco. Hopefully this will lead to more top finishes in the criteriums to come. Thanks to Coach Colin & the Cycle U Team!
2011 IVRR40 miles
1:49:02 duration
22.1 avg speed
47.5 mph max
2012 IVRR40 miles
1:50:32 duration
21.4mph avg
48.3 mph max
Crazy to think I finished 20 places down on last year and the timing was very similar.
North Bend Crit:This is new this year and we were going for 30 minutes full gas. The course is 4 corners and had good pavement except before turn 3 which was pretty bumpy but did have a smooth-er line through the corner. It is a branch off of the collegiate Omnium that took place Saturday and Sunday. First criterium of the year and its flat! There was 58 starters and once again I was at the back. We all lined up on a side road and the yellow team lined up in the grass right in front of start/finish, smart. So they were all on the front and the rest of the field was in the back. Then to make matters worse I couldn't get clipped in when it was GO time. I had work to do. I spent the first 10 laps moving through the carnage of riders who were being blown out the back by the fast pace being set by the Starbucks Team. Once I got to the lead group Starbucks sent a couple guys on off the front along with UW but nothing stuck. Some of the guys in the pack need to go back to cornering 101. (We do hold those clinics that I would highly recommend.) That leads me to THANKING Amara and Kristi for letting me race. I was supposed to help them teach the Cycle U Clinic on Sunday. THANKS LADIES!
I was towards the front a couple times and chased a few moves down but didn't want to do to much work and figured I should slide back a bit and let the teams with numbers in the field do all the chasing. Turns 3 and 4 reminded me of the crit that was used for the Bellingham Stage Race in 2009. I came through those final two corners in 2009 at the front expecting my teammate Rolly to be on my wheel as I was leading him out for the finish. I came out of turn 4 and put in a good dig then pulled off the front but Rolly never came by. A few seconds later, some guy on other team went by for the win. DUH. I felt pretty stupid as I could have easily finished in the top five there if not won. So lesson was learned to never stop that close to the finish. He got tangled with a guy as he was trying to get on my wheel and finished 30th. Okay, back to 2012. That lesson immediately came to mind half way through the race when I felt I had the legs to do something. It was a big question mark after Saturday's race. With 3 laps to go I moved to the front 3rd of the race and coming through turn 3 I heard a peddle clip the pavement then the horrible sound of bikes and bodies hitting the ground. Thankfully I was in front of it. Ouch. Dude laid on the sidewalk with the medics until the race was over. He looked pretty banged up. Final lap and we came by start/finish and the head wind really started to pick up. Once we got to the back straight I knew I had to be at the front of the race going into the final two corners 3 and 4. That way I could carry maximum speed through the corners. If I blew up, I blew up but based on what I learned in 2009 I thought I could do it. Big dig and I got to the front and thankfully nobody came by me before turn 3.
(As most cyclist these days I am addicted to Strava. Below are pictures of my last lap)
This was perfect, this let me pick the fastest line through the corner and get on the gas in between turn 3 and 4.
Since nobody saw me at the front of the race through those corners, they wouldn't know my pace (a motorcycle racing tactic I had learned during my racing days). I had an Ace in the hole. Coming out of turn 4 I punched it.
Where is everyone, someone has to be coming around me I thought as I got closer and closer to the finish line. I got roughly a bike length away and I was out of gas. I extended the bike (bike throw) as far as I could as I came across the line and to my surprise nobody came by me! I had finally done it. That deserved a fist pump. Pretty exciting stuff. Lindsay was even there to see my first Win and we celebrated with a burrito from L-Taco. Hopefully this will lead to more top finishes in the criteriums to come. Thanks to Coach Colin & the Cycle U Team!
2012 Early Races
Its here finally. Off season always seems to take forever. The first few races things went well. I was happy with where my fitness was. This is the first off season since I started racing where I just kinda winged it. We had very focused training on the weekends with team rides on Saturdays. Then on Sundays we had Coach Colin spending Sunday mornings with us in the Compu training room at Sandpoint Cycle U doing very focused workouts.
KELLER ROHRBACK ROAD RACE:
This was the first race of the year and started earlier than normal. It was in late Feb down in Eatonville. I finished in the pack for 20th position.
Mason Lake #1
This is always classified as a crash fest but I think Sequim might have taken that title for the last few years. I took 15th in this race and felt I had the legs but I was in bad position. My teammate Todd took the win!
Sequim #1
Bad position again but finished 10th. This needs to be worked on. Big crash on the final sprint right next to me. Pile up with an innocent guy from Blue Rooster breaking his collarbone or maybe he dislocated his shoulder. Either way not good.
Sequim #2
A break got away with my teammate Todd. They got 3 minutes on us and he was able to take the sprint for another Win. I took 7th out of the bunch sprint for 17th overall.
Now we are caught up to this weekends races at IVRR and North Bend Criterium.
KELLER ROHRBACK ROAD RACE:
This was the first race of the year and started earlier than normal. It was in late Feb down in Eatonville. I finished in the pack for 20th position.
Mason Lake #1
This is always classified as a crash fest but I think Sequim might have taken that title for the last few years. I took 15th in this race and felt I had the legs but I was in bad position. My teammate Todd took the win!
Sequim #1
Bad position again but finished 10th. This needs to be worked on. Big crash on the final sprint right next to me. Pile up with an innocent guy from Blue Rooster breaking his collarbone or maybe he dislocated his shoulder. Either way not good.
Sequim #2
A break got away with my teammate Todd. They got 3 minutes on us and he was able to take the sprint for another Win. I took 7th out of the bunch sprint for 17th overall.
Now we are caught up to this weekends races at IVRR and North Bend Criterium.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Oh 2011
So thankful 2012 is here. Of course I am a few months past due. I am sure my lovely wife Lindsay is happy 2011 is done and dusted. I went out with a bang though! Lets see what I put her through in 2011...
Jan-Sinus Surgery
April-MONO
Horrible I might say. Being active and then having to be out for over a month of doing nothing was really hard. Taking 2 naps a day and still going to bed at 8pm. Some might say that is not so bad but it really sucked. Thanks to Dr Marco at Seattle Integrative Medicine for getting me going sooner.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mononucleosis
June-Crash and Burn. 2nd race back from Mono and I hit the deck.
December 23rd-All I want for Xmas are my two front teeth.
Commuting home from work I hit a drain cover that was in the middle of a corner and face planted. Chipped my two front teeth and put cracks across two others.
So as you can see Lindsay did alot of work in 2011. Not sure how I would have made it without her!
Now 2012 has arrived. My race number for this year is 666. Pretty awesome if you ask me. I am taking it in stride and even painted two red horns on the back of my helmet! Bring it on. You can't top last year. The season has started off pretty well with several pack finishes and a top ten.
Jan-Sinus Surgery
April-MONO
Horrible I might say. Being active and then having to be out for over a month of doing nothing was really hard. Taking 2 naps a day and still going to bed at 8pm. Some might say that is not so bad but it really sucked. Thanks to Dr Marco at Seattle Integrative Medicine for getting me going sooner.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mononucleosis
June-Crash and Burn. 2nd race back from Mono and I hit the deck.
December 23rd-All I want for Xmas are my two front teeth.
Commuting home from work I hit a drain cover that was in the middle of a corner and face planted. Chipped my two front teeth and put cracks across two others.
So as you can see Lindsay did alot of work in 2011. Not sure how I would have made it without her!
Now 2012 has arrived. My race number for this year is 666. Pretty awesome if you ask me. I am taking it in stride and even painted two red horns on the back of my helmet! Bring it on. You can't top last year. The season has started off pretty well with several pack finishes and a top ten.
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