Portland Grand Prix

This past weekend I headed up to Portland for my annual mud pilgrimage. I made sure to get lots of sleep the week leading up to the race as the week before I had been too ill to race. The travel up on Friday went smooth and Alaskan Airlines gave me no hassles about the bike case being too heavy.

Day 1

Day 1 started off in the low 50s and sunshine ! The course today was a real mix; smooth grass, tacky dirt, tacky mud, along with a deep muddy stretch through the BMX course. Based on Anthony's advice I went with 32 psi in both tires and 35 in my pit bike which was running slightly thinner tires at 30 cm.

I was determined not to let this freakishly good weather throw me off as I went about my pre-race preparations :-). There was momentary panic when my tubulars seemed to inexplicably loose their ability to hold air pressure ! I was about ready to pull out the latex syringe before I realized that it was the temperature difference from the basement they had spent the night in and the outside air, phew ! Back to it with a decent warm-up and off to the staging area.

I had been given #21 and I was hoping that in past years your number gave your starting position. Sure enough I was called up in the 3rd row !, with 82 racers that was a big boost.




Photo Courtesy of Tim Gaperak
Copyright Tim Gasperak



I got off to an excellent start and red-lined it to stay in the top 15 for most of the first lap. Eventually this pace got to me and I started to fade. I was riding smooth and fast through most of the course except for a particular boggy section that I found faster to run. However I just couldn't quite hold the wheels of the racers around me as I lost about 1 rider per lap. The race seemed to go forever !. On the last lap my legs found some power and I started catching the rider just ahead. I came onto the finishing straight on his wheel and out sprinted him to finish 23rd ! For my best USGP result.

Day 1 ended with a red sky and whispers of rain the next day, yeah !

Day 2

Day 2 started warmer, high 50s, under overcast skies. An hour before my race the skies opened up and it started to pour. I was really looking forward to this race as I knew it would be an absolute mud-fest ! The course had been changed slightly to add a nasty sharp run-up and more of the muddy BMX course. I stuck with the same psi as the day before 32 front and rear, not confident enough to ride with much lower.



Yesterdays good result kept me in a 3rd row starting position. For some reason the race started 15 minutes late which kept us all shivering in the pouring rain and somewhat cold going into the race. This is the suffering that I look forward to every year :-). I initially got off to a clean if not super-fast start. As soon as we got off the starting straight a few riders just totally lost their front wheels and I was lucky to get by.



The course was super-slick and there was lots of standing water. I barreled into a large section of standing water just before the run-up when my wheel caught a rut and launched my completely over the tape. Damn ! By the time I had untangled myself I was dead last over the run up ! Oh well, these are my conditions and I set about climbing back from the bottom. Today was I feeling really good and by the end of the 2nd lap I had climbed back into around 40th. I was riding the course well, dodging the fallen riders, making sure to de-weight my front wheel through the rutty mud-bogs, cleaning the slick corners. I continued to steadily pass riders through out the race, running certain sections helped. I had a great cheering section of some local friends which definitely helped me go full out.




Photo Courtesy of Tim Gaperak
Copyright Tim Gasperak



By the last lap I had two riders in my sights that i would later find out represented a top-thirty finish. I got a little too aggressive on an off-camber section and slid out, for like 15 feet and ended up loosing one rider, to finish 33rd. Although not my best finish this was for sure my strongest and most fun race of the season.



All in all a great Portland weekend. Thanks to Maureen, Bobby, Ken, Jake, Max, and Ray for coming out and cheering my on throughout the weekend. Special thanks to Ray and Jeff for setting me up with a place to stay !

Bumper cars under the lights

Two weekends ago the local cyclocross scene for the first time switched to a night race. It was somewhat disconcerting loading up the car and picking up a teammate as the sun was going down. It was hard not to get more excited than usual as we entered the venue and saw racers battling it out under the lights.



A big crowd had come up to cheer us on. After a solid warm-up (yes it is important for me), and an excellent start I had the best effort of the season on the short, fast and well lit course. Some friends (thanks Willem and Anna) yelling at me on every lap helped loads !

I had a few problems early in the race and again near the end getting tangled up with lapped riders otherwise I would have finally achieved my sought after top-ten finish. I ended up with a 12th, only 1:18 back from the winner so all in all an excellent race.

This Sunday is the annual Golden Gate Park race which is always fun and well attended by racers and spectators. Next weekend I travel up to Portland for the Grand Prix races in what is usually epic cross conditions.

The cross season is drawing to a close, time for mid-week recovery rides and putting the throttle all the way down on the weekend races.

Over the Mountains and Back

This past weekend two teammates, Matt, Gabe, and I left SF before dawn on Saturday to drive up to Reno for the first race of a cyclocross double-header weekend. The weather was cloudy and a little threatening, but the views driving over the Sierras were awesome !



The Reno course was a fun mix of sand trap, grass switch backs, fast dirt, and brutal 40' foot runup that started with a 2' high barrier !

Matt started off the day with an excellent effort in the Bs race to finish just off the podium in 4th. This was his best race to date of the season, but more excitement was to follow the next day.

Gabe and Mark started 45 seconds apart in the As and Master As respectively. Gabe had it going well where as Mark succumbed to the altitude (5200') and was gasping for air by 1/2 through the full 60 minute race. Gabe held on for a top twenty finish while Mark was happy to flat with 5 laps to go ! With one race down we packed up as the rain and wind rolled in and headed up to Truckee to stay w/ Mark's good friend Steve P.

After a hot tub and fine pasta meal we settled in/passed out ready to start it all again on Sunday.






We started off Sunday morning pouring hot water over the iced bike rakes and happy we had brought in our bike shoes to keep warm ! By the time we got to Sacramento the temp was up to a comfortable and sunny 60 degress, perfect cross weather.

Gabe started off the day in the A's and was joined another teammate Aaron who came up from the Bay Area that morning for his first cross race of the season. They were both joined on the line by none other than the legend himself Ned Overend. Both Aaron and Gabe had great races with Aaron pulling of a stunning 10th and Gabe holding on for 21st in a fast and deep field.

I was up next and eager to bounce back for a flat race the day before. The Masters A were stacked w/ all the local talent and predictably got off to a fast start. Today the legs came through and I had my best race of the season to finish 15th, sprinting away from a group on the last lap.

The story of the day was to come next in Matt's race as he followed up Saturdays break out performance w/ a 2nd place finish as he attacked his group on the last lap to finish ahead in the clear.



A fantastic weekend of racing, with a special thanks to Steve Poncelet for his excellent hospitality that set us all up for our strong performances on Sunday.

Mid-season approaches game on !

After a string top 5 finishes in last few weeks I was looking forward to the first true test of the season at the BASP #1. The race venue was at McLaren Park, a brutally hilly course which always seems to get in my head.

This time was no different as I got to the venue late, parking was a chore, warm-up time was minimal and somehow I managed to get to the start too late for anything but a last row start position, bummer.



The first lap was the usual chaos when you start in the back as riders continued to ditch it right in front of me, i think that happened to me 3 times in the first lap. To top it off I kept knocking my chain off on a particularly bumpy downhill section.

Finally just as I threatened to pull a good lap to together I flatted. Oh well. On the plus side I felt strong, I've got some bike work to do before I'm fully ready for the next big test in two weeks time.

Cross Season Kicks Off

Actually it did 3 weeks ago with the first few DFL "cross" dress outlaw races somewhere within the San Francisco city limits.



The goal for these races is not to get trampled by marauding bike racers in dresses. It really comes down to more of a fashion show than a bike race.


Thanks to the DFL team for putting on these events !

Another Ugly T-shirt

The Patterson Pass road race started out fast from the start thanks to a tall (6' 4") rider from San Jose Bike Club, who went to the front and pulled us up 3/4 of the first climb into the wind. The entire field was strung out single file as we climbed due to a wicked head wind. Being one one side or another of the riders wheel directly in front made a noticeable difference, it was that windy.



Following the descent, "the giant" as he would become known to our pelaton, went to the front on the rollers and proceeded to split the field in 1/2. I almost missed this break, wow ! Did expect that. I made sure to be attentive to any moves he made following that. At the start of the 2nd lap the lead group was down to 20. No one seemed willing to try anything into the head wind so I was able to stay tucked, and had a relatively easy time of it on the long climb.

I figured the attacks would come at the 2nd climb. They came sooner but I was ready, two riders got off the front and I let other riders take up the pace and we held them steady at 50 meters until the start of the 2nd climb. About 3/4 the way up the 2nd climb I went to the front to try to close on the leaders. I didn't quite make it up to them but did drag 3 riders up. They came by and I gave it everything to stay on their wheels as we closed to the leaders.

We now had a lead group of six with a break on the field. At this point we started working together, executing a fairly seemless rotating paceline. We kept this up through most of the 2nd lap, I was thinking about the last little riser before the finish and starting to get a bit worried. Sure enough once we hit the riser my legs lit up and I started falling off, ugh.

I rolled across about 30 seconds off the lead group missing the sprint for the finish,probably would not have made any difference but you never know.

My take home for 6th was another ugly T-shirt.

Bike Against The Odds

I've signed up to ride in this one day event in support of the Breast Cancer Fund.


















Go to

Bike Against the Odds

to donate toward this worthy cause.

thanks

NOT the District Championships

This road race was NOT the District Championships for the masters racers. I'm not sure why that fact is important but its clearly called out.

This course consisted of a 10+ mile loop with one significant climb per lap. The first 3 laps were fairly uneventful with the exception of an inexplicable crash by a single rider which caused my teammate to swerve into a rut and subsequently flat. The crashed rider ended up catching back on, great ! You can certainly be unlucky in a road race.

On the 3rd laps climb one ultra-skinny WebCor rider attacked, I hung on him for a bit but when I realized no one else was giving chase I backed off, not feeling confident that two of us could hold off the field for an entire lap. At the top of this climb there was talk of working to chase him down. I suggested that we let him stew for a bit up front in the wind alone (he seems awfully fast on that climb). I wasn't going to work to bring him back at this point so I settled into the pack.

About 1/2 through the last (4th) lap and riding a steady pace we had not pulled in the leader. Well good for him, but I'm still not going to chase unless there were several riders willing to work. One San Jose BC rider starts jawing around that we should chase, I say I'll work if you bring a few of you teammates up to help (they had 5 riders in the race, jessh).

At the bottom of the last climb my strategy was not to lead but stay 2nd wheel. The pace picks up and about 1/2 up there are 5 of us left. I'm straining to keep up at this point but there is not much climb left, just before the top I loose touch, not good. At the top I'm about 25 meters back, doesn't seem like much but we are riding into a head wind, I go full out but I'm not making any headway! I look up the road to see the group pass the WebCor rider, than I pass him, he is toast. The lead group of 4 are working together to stay away, damn !

Nothing to do but ease up and wait for the chase group. 3 riders come by and I latch on. I stay on the back trying to recover, at the 1k to go sign there's an uphill so I try an attack. I get a small break but i soon realize that 1k is a long way ! I ease up and they are back on me. Another rider in the group goes by and again I'm on the back, good place to be for the sprint.

On the sprint I go a little late pass 2 but run out of road to pass the last rider. I'm ok with the 6th place i got but I really wanted to stay in the lead group and sprint for the win.

If it has a hill

I'll race it. This past weekend I had planned to race in the epic cross country mt bike race that is the Downieville Classic. Two epics in a single week would be too much so I stayed local and instead raced two races on the Coyote Creek Circuit instead.

This race is a circuit race which is basically a longer version of a criterium and usually has a hill. This course has a long gradual hill with the finish near the top. You've usually got a tail wind up the climb and a head wind on the flat.

The first race (open 4s) was fun and very well mannered, I had no trouble staying near the front, moving up at the top of the hill where needed. At one lap to go one of my teammates got stuck at the front so I went up to give him some cover. This turned out to be to much too close to the end, so I pulled the plug and rolled over the line w/o contesting the sprint.

Taking care not to repeat my mistake at Cat's Hill earlier in the season, I made sure to each lunch and stay in the shade as much as possible before my 2nd race. This race was not as well behaved as a few riders were very aggressive in trying move riders off a wheel. There was some pushing from a Penn Velo rider which is inexcusable imho. At 2 to go i was at the front, taking in some wind but holding an inside position. At 1 to go i was about at the same place, around the final corner i lost some position to be around 15th. About 1/2 up the hill the lead group sprints, I turn it up to follow looking for a good line on the right. The first surge starts to fade and i'm going hard but not really sprinting trying to make out where the finish is, is that it yes whoa push the bike forward and finish in 7th.

I think I could have done better if I hadn't waited a little too long to actually sprint, but I'm satisfied with a top ten.

Photo Finish:

Photo by Garret Lau

Leesville Gap RR

I had been warned about the heat, the length, the climb, the awful roads, but I didn't realize how epic this was going to be !

The first 10 miles were uneventfully flat and I kept to the drill, near the front and out of the wind. I had heard that once we crossed route #20 the road turned bad so I was prepared when just before the intersection 2 Davis riders went to the front. I stuck behind them as we hit the dirt. As the road got rougher I got more nervous about not seeing the best line so I went to the front, after about 3 miles of rolling dirt we got back onto rough pavement as we entered the hills. The pavement didn't last long than we were back on dirt. At this point a Z-team rider, one of the Davis riders, and I were taking turns at the front. They both seemed fairly good on their bikes so I felt ok following their lines. Back onto pavement for a stretch and I settled back in out of the wind.

At the start of the climb one rider attacked hard, and I went to follow. He pulled away from the field easily and I worked to stay with him. At this point I had no idea how long the climb was so I decided that instead of trying to stay w/ him and risk blowing I would cover anyone who chased, figuring that we could form a chase group at the end. The climb was long and steep in sections, any rider that came by me I would sit on until he got gassed than I would pass and ride my pace until another came by. We passed most (at it turned out) of the shattered field (35+) ahead of us on this climb.

At the top we had a group of 6 riders together and started talking about working together to reel in the lone rider ahead. Down more rough pavement then back onto some more loose gravel. At this point one of the group gets a flat, so we are at 5. Finally back onto pavement and nice pavement at that. We are all taking turns and working well together put not necessarily at break neck pace. I figured there was no need to as we could reel him in eventually. We continually passed riders in other cats and I'd yell at them if they tried to join, the 35+ riders were particular bad in this respect.

The road starts turning east as we make ready to head back over the hills, and I'm really hoping we don't have to climb as much as we did earlier. More passed riders, but still no leader, jeesh he is a stud ! We get through the feed zone at mile 45 with about 15 miles to go and I'm started to feel it some. I've been eating throughout the race and I've gone through 3 bottles. Down a long fast descent, than back up some and than down and we are back on the flats to the finish. The wind has picked up and is starting to become a factor. I notice some of the group starting to take shorter pulls. Suddenly we loose another rider who has cramped.

We turn south and than suddenly up ahead we see the leader, I'm impressed as he has stayed out front alone for around 40 miles !. He joins us and I can see that he still has some left. I however am starting to loose it and can feel the beginning twinges of the dreaded cramps. No one wants to pull anymore as we have made the catch so we slow.

We hit another dirt section which is loose enough so that there are only two decent lines. Not wanting to have this go down to a sprint I attack to see if we can drop someone, the former leader is right on me. I take it to the end of the dirt but they are all still on. Off the dirt and I'm wonder where the hell is the finish ! Suddenly we are at the 1k sign. I'm at the back and think well do I have one more in me to attack before the sprint. I wind it up and boom my entire left leg seizes, I can only laugh as they ride away.

The four ahead sprint for the win as I roll in to take 5th barely able to pedal. An awesome race and for sure my best effort on the road, plus I got a T-shirt for my trouble :-)

Fruita

Late in the week at Steamboat Springs, CO I arose before dawn to drive down to Fruita, CO to join the Santa Cruz Mt bike gang for some riding on the Kokopelli trail along the Colorado river.

The 7 hour ride in the heat of the day (95+) stretched all of us pretty thin, but we all made it back w/o a spill or too much bonkage.

Steamboat Springs Town Challenge

Any town who's recreation department puts on a Mt Bike race meets my definition of a bike meca. I'm here is Steamboat Springs where my parents live, yes lucky, and I was able to catch this race. I got a little over 24 hours to acclimate to the altitude but a nights stay in Salt Lake due to a missed connection seemed to help as I didn't feel too bad going into the race.



I got a chance to pre-ride the course the day before the race, about 90% of it was fast single track w/ a few short sharp climbs and rolling descents, fun

My strategy was to go fast at the start, see who came around me and try to follow them around. Got off first on the line and was looking good until I immediately took a wrong turn (hadn't pre-ridden the start apparently), taking about 1/2 the field with me ! Luckly the trail I was one joined back onto the course and after letting the field that didn't take the wrong turn go by I hopped on the back.

The pace wasn't fast enough so I went around the group got to the front and put a hard effort in on some fast and rolling single track through some high grass. After this effort there was still 2 riders on my wheel. I eased off some to get a recovery and grabbed the wheel of the rider who went by. I followed him for a bit and as the trail climbed I went around to put in another hard effort. At this point I was passing some racers in the class ahead (30+ expert) so it started to become hard to tell how far behind me my field was. I thought I had a pretty good gap so I settled in to keep picking off racers in the next class figuring that would be a good pace to keep.

About 3/4 the way through we got to the sharp climb w/ some 180 degree sandy switch backs, the race/altitude whatever was really starting to bite so I tried to keep a solid pace w/o blowing up, but realized that I was slowing. Two riders started coming up behind and when I glanced back i saw their numbers were different so I was psyched, figuring that i was in good shape.

They both caught me going down and I let them go by figuring I could stay on their wheels and ride a better line down. One just took off w/ some pro-like speed, wonder where he came from ? At this point I'm not so sure I'm in first anymore, so I stay tight on the rider just in front. I come along side him on the last short climb up before the single track to the finsh, he gets to the top first, but I'm able to sprint by him to get the hole shot. Down the single track fast and to the finish just ahead of him.

Turns out he was in my class, and I beat him to finish 1st.

Awesome course, hope I can plan my trip to Steamboat next year to race this again.






photos courtesy of Art Mastoras race photographer.

Pescadero Road Race

The Pescadero Road Race is one of the highlights on the Northern California Calendar. I've always felt that this is a good course for me but I've always come up far short of expectations.

This race started out very slowly, there were two teams well represented; Synergy with about 8 riders and Wells Fargo with about 4. I was determined to stay out of the wind as much as possible on this one. The climbs up Old Stage Rd went w/o issue, I had no trouble moving up near the end of each of the climbs to ensure good position on the descent. I came down both descents in about 6th wheel, safely ahead of any issues.

On the first trip down 84 the pace was pianissmo !, I didn't really care for it as the field was spread wide across the road, but hey stay out of the wind and near the front and so I did. The short climb up the feed zone after turning off 84 has given me trouble in the past, I don't know why but it just does. This time I was set for it and grunted up it with out too much trouble as the pace picked up as riders got nervous before haskins.

I came into the bottom of Haskins about 1/2 back in the field and paid for it a bit as I had to dodge around the various missed gear shits and riders that suddenly just stop !. The pace didn't seem to bad up and I came to the top in the lead group. Six of us, 2 synergy, 2 wells, 1 webcor and I got clear on the the descent. I thought hey this is a good group, but this is a cat 4 RR so don't get to excited. Webcor and 1 of the wells fargo guys thought so also and drive the pace. Neither seem to want or let others pull through, i was holding back on the end just waiting, looking back before I committed any energy. Webcor was very animated up front but the organization wasn't any good, and sure enough another group joined and than the pace just shutdown, soo enough we are all back together with whats left of the field, around 50 or so.

Back through Pescadero and the pace starts to pick up as someone up ahead goes for the sprint. Just past the sprint point I'm a little surprised to find myself at the back of the field, and I start seeing some gaps opening up ahead not good ! I quickly work my way up to the front, time to pay attention and stay up here. The field is single file at the start of Old Stage climb, cool finally we are racing and some guys are complaining :-). I take turns grabbing the wheel of whatever rider wants to lead and we put a good pace in up the first climb, down the descent in 5th wheel than back up and down. Soon after we get on 84 Synergy guys go to the front and start working, cool ! I tuck in at 8th wheel and they string the field out single file almost all the way down 84 to the turn off. Nicely done, not sure what their strategy was but the pull was well executed with most of the work being done by one big guy.

The field starts to spread out before the turn off and I figure its better to be in good position here and take a little wind than get boxed in. So I go to the front and 1/2 tuck in behind the last Synergy guy, up through the feed and I'm in 5th wheel at the start of the final climb. A larger spine guy gets a break on the first 180, I'm being conservative and just focusing on keeping a good rhythm. 1/2 way up the climb the spine rider is brought back and the lead group is down to 12 of us. There's an oncoming car a few passing motorcycles and suddenly the group is stretching out and i'm on the back! I keep it going looking for my pace, if i go over redline here I'll blow before the finish. I'm looking for the final turn and focusing on bringing back the few riders not far ahead, I start sprinting at the last turn to catch one and come a few lengths short of two more.

Looking back on it I should have gone sooner with a final sprint as it would have got me into the top ten, i'm stronger than I'm letting myself believe! As it was I finished 11th so I'm all right with that, but 10th would have been so much better.

map

A very fine/hard ride

This past weekend I joined and excellently hard ride put on by the local teamsters of cycling DFL. A seriously great bunch of folks I figured this ride would attract some fast riders and good many cyclocrossers. At the Java Hut start there was around 30 riders and Dennis the organizers passed out the ride card. 100 miles w/ stops for food and water and some tough climbs, Wilson Hill, Marshall Wall, and up Farfax-Bolinas from Stinson at mile 82. Ouch !

All was cordial out of Fairfax over Whites Hill until the right turn at Nicasio, where the fireworks always start. Onto the lead group and into some fast pacelining out past the reservoir, right up Hick Mt Ridge climb where two riders + Rachael Lloyd powered away. A stop at the Cheese Factory, more cordial riding out to Bodega Ave back along roads with names I forget until more attacks up Wilson Hill than up Marshall to lunch, thankfully at Marshall.

From Marshall we all road back to Pt Reyes, where I indulged in some BBQ ribs, yes they were awesome, than back on the bike to Olema, where soda and cookies waited before the climb up Fairfax-Bolinas than down than up than finally back to the car.

An excellent BBQ in Fairfax awaited, stories, cross racing friends and families, food and cake !

A most excellent day. Thanks Dennis and to all who joined !

Mt Hamilton Road Race

Over the Memorial Day weekend I raced in the Mt Hamilton Road Race. This was the longest and toughest road race I'd ever done but was also one of the most fun. I prepared well enough to enjoy my race but not well enough to finish w/ the leading group of riders. I hung on for about 3/4 of the 4,177 ft climb and settled in w/ a good group of racers for the remaining parts of the climb and the 42 miles of racing that followed. The group of six I was in worked together, the presence of two Cal Berry racers helped and we caught up to the next group on the road on the back side of the Mt. Instead of a group of 12 we still ended up w/ a group of 6 after the catch as we caught them on the last climb and some couldn't hang on. I ended up crossing the line in 32nd out of around 85 starters. Not a great result but a fun race nonetheless.

Queen of the Classics

On a day when the best racers in the world were battling in the Queen of Classics (Paris-Roubaix) what better way to spend a day than racing a tough and technical mtn bike race. The Napa Valley Dirt Classic is 22 mile single loop course of mostly single track, some double-track, many bitch climbs and a brutal granny gear climb out before finishing w/ a lap around the oval a la Paris-Roubaix. My memory of the course was hazy so my strategy was to stick it hard on the start and be sure to be in the top 2-3 going into the single track. I got a good jump at the start and got to the first single-track in 2nd. The rider in front soon ends up off the track and I find myself in the lead. One rider comes around me but it's just him so I get onto his back wheel as we hit a run-up ?, thought this was a mountain bike race !. We both scurry by a few riders who are in the tail end of the group that started two minutes ahead of us.

We start to wind our way through the groups in front, younger sports, expert women, single-speeders, you get the idea, well somewhere over the next 1 hour of riding I lose his wheel. There were long sections of the course where passing riders was pretty much impossible. Many minor passing adventures, but no falls and one dab later I was able to cross the line 2nd in my start group, 1st in my age group.

My goal was to win my start group, but I'm happy w/ my result. The best part was receiving accolades from my daughter, although she did add that it was about time that I won a race.

Round and Round

After my debacle of the previous day where I barely lasted a 1/4 of the race while in the wind for most of that time, I was determined to "SIT IN" for the first 1/2 of this race. I started in the middle of the pack and managed to stayed tucked in until 8 laps to go. For once I was able to pull this off with a minimal amount of effort.

(That's not me in the picture by the way, but Uber pro Freddie Rodriguez)

8 laps to go and I moved up to the front. My hope was to get in a break as I didn't like my chances in the sprint considering the size of the most of the riders in the field. Honestly I felt like some Italian climber in a field of Northern European sprinters ! Breaks would form in two places; on the downhill left hand turn and sometimes about 3/4 the way up the hill. I made sure to be in everyone. I got in breaks w/ 5, 3, and finally 2, but none got very far. I came around the final hay bail turn in the top 15, but got boxed in as we passed the parked trailers. I avoided a near crash about 3/4 up the hill when one Bicycle Trip rider tried to push his teammate, they briefly collided and I was forced to slow, jeesh !

A fun race and my parents got to see me make a go off it so a good day.

Back racing

This past weekend I kicked off my road racing season at Cooperopolis. Some have labeled this as the Paris-Roubaix of Northern California. The roads are rough and there is some climbing involved but that's where the similarities end.



This was perhaps some of the most fun I've had in a road race. I felt good on this day and immediately went to the front in preparation for the first climb. A San Jose rider went off the front on the false flat before road the turned up so I bridged up. As the climb started he eased off saying he just wanted a little head start. I rode my own pace and was caught about 1/2 way up. I settled in and let two Wells Fargo riders dictate the pace up the rest of the hill. At the top about 1/2 the field was gone and Wells Fargo continued to ride w/ some pace. They soon got frustrated that no one was helping so I went up to work with them. After a bit it became obvious no one else was going to work, so I settled back in as did the Wells Fargo riders.

After the turn back a unattached rider started slowing pulling away. No one seemed interested so after he had gotten about 200' feet up I bridged up as quickly as I could to keep from bringing anyone else along. We worked together for a few pulls but it seemed too early to me and I doubted our chances, as I glanced back I saw the field had come up on us, perhaps others think the new kit fast ;-). Not long after the same rider went away slowly another joined, but no chase from the field. I sat it and we eventually caught them on the short climb before the sharp descent.

We lost more riders on the climb and descent as we seemed down to @ 20 after passing the finish. The 2nd time up the major climb I started getting some twitches in both calves, this wasn't a good sign as I'm prone to cramping ! I eased back and drifted to the back of the field, guys were now falling off but so was I. On the flatter sections I did what I could to make up some time, trying to minimize the damage. I could see Andy was staying w/ the leaders so that helped me to press on. At the very top I caught up to Andy who had come detached. I went on to see the lead group spread out across the road maybe 1/2 mile ahead. I eased off so Andy could join and we started working to catch up. We seemed to be making distance but slowly, at this point both calves started to go, ugh! Fortunately we were joined by the San Jose rider. We worked together but I was having trouble pulling through. I urged them on indicating I was done.

I eased off and downed two gels. I still felt good just had to work out the cramps. The gels started working and I got into the drops and started working hoping that maybe I could join up w/ some dropped riders and we could catch. No luck I passed a few but they were all toast. I rolled across alone to finish 15th.

Andy had caught back on with the San Jose rider after a hard chase and managed an 8th ! Way to go.

Fast Forward to Winter

Mira and got out to Steamboat Springs last week to play in the snow and spend some time with family. Some assorted pictures and one action video follow: