Monday, June 26, 2006
North Country Landscape
When are you gonna up-date this? I'm sick of looking at that blue shit-box. I know it's in the ground doing it's job. What's going on that is new?!
Sunday, June 25, 2006
The Road Less Traveled
It has been 3 weeks since I became a father and I am on the road less traveled when it comes to training, although this is the first weekend I haven't raced. I lucked out with the races being close by the past two weekends. Today with the rain and the very good chance I would not get in with the field limit almost reached through pre-reg, I'm at home. Nathaniel is strapped to my chest with the Baby Bjorn, I'm reading the paper, drinking coffee and eating a scone. Sorry Nate, didn't mean to get crumbs in your hair.
I'm at a record for off days. If I don't get out today it will be 17 days of not riding. In June! 17 days off. Ted is laughing as I'm sure his number far exceeds 17. Building a house can really cut into training and racing.
Oh well. I'll deal and I'll adjust. Laura is already back on the bike a little so we'll inspire each other and work together with Nathaniel to get some training in.
Wade
I'm at a record for off days. If I don't get out today it will be 17 days of not riding. In June! 17 days off. Ted is laughing as I'm sure his number far exceeds 17. Building a house can really cut into training and racing.
Oh well. I'll deal and I'll adjust. Laura is already back on the bike a little so we'll inspire each other and work together with Nathaniel to get some training in.
Wade
Nothing like nice Summer racing weather…
Well, this was it first official race of Summer at Ninigret. I line up with 23 other fools on the wet pavement. It wasn’t raining at the start, but it was getting foggier looking, windier, and any hope of a window between showers was fading fast. Pretty much ¾ of the field was represented by Casters, Union Velo and Gearworks and I was feeling pretty isolated. I figured given the field and weather, the break was going early and would have all three main teams represented.
From the gun, Casters sent a rider up the road and he dangled for a lap or so. I was watching for a possible counter, and as he came back, several riders attacked including at least one rider from each of the three main teams. I jumped up only to have it come back together. With only 15 min of halfhearted warm-up prior to the race, I wasn’t feeling great, so when the counter-counter went, I couldn’t respond. Unfortunately it had everyone it needed to make it work. Instantly, three Casters guys were up in the front slowing the field down to about 20 MPH. The break of six quickly had about 15-20 seconds on us and started to fade off into the mist.
I and a couple of the other poor solo sods tried a few bridging moves, but between the three strong teams, everything was covered. The break was gaining at least 5 sec per lap, so we weren’t seeing them again (unless they lapped us). If it wasn’t for the fact that the race was paying 10 deep, I was seriously considering bagging out (especially one the rain started coming down in earnest again).
So with thunder starting to rumble in the distance, Sandy tells us its 6 to go a bit earlier than expected. A Casters rider was setting a pace to discourage any further breaks with a Union Velo rider on his wheel, followed by yours truly. Coming through 5 to go the other Casters riders start shouting to the lead guy to stop pedaling and let the break lap us. He and the Union Velo rider sit up going into the first sharp left turn. I figure its now or never, so I make an attack going into the back stretch. I get a good gap with only the Casters rider, who had previously been setting pace, on my wheel. He pulled through and said something to the effect of lets work the remaining laps. I say sure, since if we stay away now, its guaranteed money. We got joined by a Gearworks rider and up to 1 to go, we well working well to build our lead on the pack.
At 1 to go, after I’d pulled through the last turn and into the start finish, the Gearworks guy attacks from the back and got a gap. The Casters rider followed and I was looking at a 3-4 bike length separation. I figured ok, at worst I still hold out for 9th and perhaps I can dig deep and get back on. I settle into TT mode after getting through the two sharp left turns and realized that not only was I not losing any more time to the pair, but gaining a bit. By the time we were approaching the final turn, I was essentially on them again. Since I didn’t think they’d seen me catch back on, I decide to launch my sprint on the left side coming out of the turn rather than catch the wheel, hoping to catch them off-guard. Unfortunately, they too chose to jump at that moment. I dug in, but didn’t manage to get by, catching third in that group and 9th overall. In retrospect, going for third wheel might have been best, but the Gearworks rider managed to hold off the Casters rider while sprinting from the front, so I would have been trying to get around 2 riders. Good thing no-one else from the team was there. The $10 winnings would be awfully tough to share out!
From the gun, Casters sent a rider up the road and he dangled for a lap or so. I was watching for a possible counter, and as he came back, several riders attacked including at least one rider from each of the three main teams. I jumped up only to have it come back together. With only 15 min of halfhearted warm-up prior to the race, I wasn’t feeling great, so when the counter-counter went, I couldn’t respond. Unfortunately it had everyone it needed to make it work. Instantly, three Casters guys were up in the front slowing the field down to about 20 MPH. The break of six quickly had about 15-20 seconds on us and started to fade off into the mist.
I and a couple of the other poor solo sods tried a few bridging moves, but between the three strong teams, everything was covered. The break was gaining at least 5 sec per lap, so we weren’t seeing them again (unless they lapped us). If it wasn’t for the fact that the race was paying 10 deep, I was seriously considering bagging out (especially one the rain started coming down in earnest again).
So with thunder starting to rumble in the distance, Sandy tells us its 6 to go a bit earlier than expected. A Casters rider was setting a pace to discourage any further breaks with a Union Velo rider on his wheel, followed by yours truly. Coming through 5 to go the other Casters riders start shouting to the lead guy to stop pedaling and let the break lap us. He and the Union Velo rider sit up going into the first sharp left turn. I figure its now or never, so I make an attack going into the back stretch. I get a good gap with only the Casters rider, who had previously been setting pace, on my wheel. He pulled through and said something to the effect of lets work the remaining laps. I say sure, since if we stay away now, its guaranteed money. We got joined by a Gearworks rider and up to 1 to go, we well working well to build our lead on the pack.
At 1 to go, after I’d pulled through the last turn and into the start finish, the Gearworks guy attacks from the back and got a gap. The Casters rider followed and I was looking at a 3-4 bike length separation. I figured ok, at worst I still hold out for 9th and perhaps I can dig deep and get back on. I settle into TT mode after getting through the two sharp left turns and realized that not only was I not losing any more time to the pair, but gaining a bit. By the time we were approaching the final turn, I was essentially on them again. Since I didn’t think they’d seen me catch back on, I decide to launch my sprint on the left side coming out of the turn rather than catch the wheel, hoping to catch them off-guard. Unfortunately, they too chose to jump at that moment. I dug in, but didn’t manage to get by, catching third in that group and 9th overall. In retrospect, going for third wheel might have been best, but the Gearworks rider managed to hold off the Casters rider while sprinting from the front, so I would have been trying to get around 2 riders. Good thing no-one else from the team was there. The $10 winnings would be awfully tough to share out!
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Do They Get Free Jam?
Today was Fiordifrutta day at Housy Hills, 35+ although I think Roger still won? I didn't hang around to see the results. Our plan was to cover early moves, stay near the front on the first hills, and try to get as many guys as we could in the selection that always happens. Matt covered someone who went on 172 and they stayed 10-30 sec. ahead until the first climb. The first climb felt "fairly" easy to me but on the KOM hill I was at my limit. At one point, I didn't think any of us was up the road ahead of me! Just after the feed, the split had clearly formed, and Ed was just ahead of me. But then Yabroudy attacked and another gap opened up. I tried to close it with Ed on my wheel but couldn't quite do it. Luckily the Boston Scientific and Bicycle Link duos hit the front; these 4 guys did a great job all race trying their best to drive the pace. Tobi and Dale were the Bike Link guys; didn't know the other faces. I joined in with them a little, figuring Roger, Funk and Gump (who had moved clear at some point) might be able to be brought back. But as we hit the final turn on 172, the gap was given at over 2 minutes, and the race for 4th was on. We still probably had a group of 40, but the pace slowed to a crawl along the river and I half suspected we'd be caught from behind.
The second time up the first climb was once again tolerable but the same thing repeated itself on the KOM. I was on Andy Ruiz's wheel, figuring if I could hold that I'd be safe and he BLEW UP with a glance and a "sorry" and I almost couldn't get around him and back on. Yabroudy, Rozsko, and the usual suspects all launched attacks but Curt Davis single-handedly chased pretty much everything down. Fiordi had 5 guys in the group and nothing was going anywhere. Badger alone launched about 4 attacks in the last 10 miles but...nothing stuck. We hit the bottom of the hill in a group of about 25. I put my brain into a zone, trying not to pay attention to others and clung to the back of the field. The really steep part got me, surprisingly. I just could not hang on. I attacked from about 1k to go, but Badger and a group of 3 went around me and I rode across the line alone. Don't know my placing; I'm guessing top-25 but it could be higher or lower. It's always hard to tell on that finish.
All I can say is had I only taken 2 bottles, I would be dead right now. I took 3 and was still bone dry the last 5 miles, save one swig of watery Powerade I was saving for the bottom of the climb. I felt good today and am happy with my form for FSR. I just need to get it in my head I can suck it up that one last time to stay with the leaders.
The second time up the first climb was once again tolerable but the same thing repeated itself on the KOM. I was on Andy Ruiz's wheel, figuring if I could hold that I'd be safe and he BLEW UP with a glance and a "sorry" and I almost couldn't get around him and back on. Yabroudy, Rozsko, and the usual suspects all launched attacks but Curt Davis single-handedly chased pretty much everything down. Fiordi had 5 guys in the group and nothing was going anywhere. Badger alone launched about 4 attacks in the last 10 miles but...nothing stuck. We hit the bottom of the hill in a group of about 25. I put my brain into a zone, trying not to pay attention to others and clung to the back of the field. The really steep part got me, surprisingly. I just could not hang on. I attacked from about 1k to go, but Badger and a group of 3 went around me and I rode across the line alone. Don't know my placing; I'm guessing top-25 but it could be higher or lower. It's always hard to tell on that finish.
All I can say is had I only taken 2 bottles, I would be dead right now. I took 3 and was still bone dry the last 5 miles, save one swig of watery Powerade I was saving for the bottom of the climb. I felt good today and am happy with my form for FSR. I just need to get it in my head I can suck it up that one last time to stay with the leaders.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Four More Crits!
I really feel bad about posting this report and moving cute little Nate Summers down the page but...oh well.
Here's the difference between people like me, and people like "them". Berger 35+, 6 laps to go. Coleman O'Connor attacks, obviously going for the Home Depot Gift Card prime. (Doesn't Coleman look like a guy who does woodworking in his spare time? I mean that in a good way.) Mark Hagen moves up quickly on the inside after turn 1. I figure he is about to attack to bridge. He doesn't, so I do. After a PAINFUL lap, I manage to bridge to Coleman. A CVC comes up shortly thereafter. I do 2 laps with them taking about 0.00001 of a pull, then sit up when it is clear the field will catch us. Ouch. Here's a prediction: Coleman will beat me in the FSR TT.
Saturday at New Britain was wwwwwwiiiiiiiinnnnnndddddddy!!!!! The 35+ race was fast and Yabroudy was hell-bent on riding the whole race off the front either on his own or in a small group, which he almost managed to pull off. Our plan was to get to the front with 5 to go and see what we could make of it but with 7 to go, I followed a Union Velo guy who was trying to bridge to...you guessed it...Yabroudy. We got a gap but as I tried my hardest to close the last little gap to Bill, we hit the wind and the hill, I died, but the field swept us all up. We did a good job with the plan though, and Z. Arlen took 12th. Not bad, but not great. We were in every serious move and I felt like we did all we could. Hey, Vollers only got 2nd. What's up with that?
30+ race was slower. I think everyone was tuckered out from the 35+. I can't remember what happened with much detail. Gary bridged up to a promising move in the last couple laps but it was doomed once the field got cranking. Some guy from a CRCA made a SWEEEET counter attack on the last lap just as we caught the break and soloed in with a little gap.
Sunday at Berger/EH was not quite as windy. Fast race again for 35+. Arlen went from the gun and was in a small group for awhile. We kept covering as much as we could. I made my aforementioned charge that ended with 3 to go. PAULY LED THE FIELD THE ENTIRE LAST HALF LAP into the final corner. I could barely believe my eyes, the strength of the man. I pretty much sat up in the final corner and was last so I'm not sure how the sprint went. Matt got 7th so it must have gone pretty well.
I was cooked for the 30+ but luckily it was painfully slow at times. A group of 3 went up the road, and Steve Roszko was chatting with Tom Stevens behind me about how BikeReg runs itself and he's going to be a millionaire as soon as Wade starts pre-reg'ing for everything again once Nate is in HS. OK, I made that last part up. The next lap I look up and Steve has bridged up to the break, easy as pie. They never came back but then again we never really chased them. Steve won to make up for his lame (not) 2nd place in the first race. I was too whipped to do anything so I got last (or thereabouts) again.
But seriously, it was a fun weekend and we did our best and represented as best we could. We just need Teddy back to let loose with a killer sprint at the end (no offense Gary, Matt, Arlen, Wade...)
Here's the difference between people like me, and people like "them". Berger 35+, 6 laps to go. Coleman O'Connor attacks, obviously going for the Home Depot Gift Card prime. (Doesn't Coleman look like a guy who does woodworking in his spare time? I mean that in a good way.) Mark Hagen moves up quickly on the inside after turn 1. I figure he is about to attack to bridge. He doesn't, so I do. After a PAINFUL lap, I manage to bridge to Coleman. A CVC comes up shortly thereafter. I do 2 laps with them taking about 0.00001 of a pull, then sit up when it is clear the field will catch us. Ouch. Here's a prediction: Coleman will beat me in the FSR TT.
Saturday at New Britain was wwwwwwiiiiiiiinnnnnndddddddy!!!!! The 35+ race was fast and Yabroudy was hell-bent on riding the whole race off the front either on his own or in a small group, which he almost managed to pull off. Our plan was to get to the front with 5 to go and see what we could make of it but with 7 to go, I followed a Union Velo guy who was trying to bridge to...you guessed it...Yabroudy. We got a gap but as I tried my hardest to close the last little gap to Bill, we hit the wind and the hill, I died, but the field swept us all up. We did a good job with the plan though, and Z. Arlen took 12th. Not bad, but not great. We were in every serious move and I felt like we did all we could. Hey, Vollers only got 2nd. What's up with that?
30+ race was slower. I think everyone was tuckered out from the 35+. I can't remember what happened with much detail. Gary bridged up to a promising move in the last couple laps but it was doomed once the field got cranking. Some guy from a CRCA made a SWEEEET counter attack on the last lap just as we caught the break and soloed in with a little gap.
Sunday at Berger/EH was not quite as windy. Fast race again for 35+. Arlen went from the gun and was in a small group for awhile. We kept covering as much as we could. I made my aforementioned charge that ended with 3 to go. PAULY LED THE FIELD THE ENTIRE LAST HALF LAP into the final corner. I could barely believe my eyes, the strength of the man. I pretty much sat up in the final corner and was last so I'm not sure how the sprint went. Matt got 7th so it must have gone pretty well.
I was cooked for the 30+ but luckily it was painfully slow at times. A group of 3 went up the road, and Steve Roszko was chatting with Tom Stevens behind me about how BikeReg runs itself and he's going to be a millionaire as soon as Wade starts pre-reg'ing for everything again once Nate is in HS. OK, I made that last part up. The next lap I look up and Steve has bridged up to the break, easy as pie. They never came back but then again we never really chased them. Steve won to make up for his lame (not) 2nd place in the first race. I was too whipped to do anything so I got last (or thereabouts) again.
But seriously, it was a fun weekend and we did our best and represented as best we could. We just need Teddy back to let loose with a killer sprint at the end (no offense Gary, Matt, Arlen, Wade...)
The New Guy
Nathaniel Connor Summers
8 lbs 6 oz.
June 5, 2006
Just hours old
The proud parents - 1 day old
In Auntie Andrea's arms
Sunday, June 11, 2006
You'd think...
...that after all these years, I'd know how to pin my number on better. You could sleep in that tent.
http://69.49.226.185/tc66/crit%20060606191.htm, photo taken without permission from www.rrookey.com
http://69.49.226.185/tc66/crit%20060606191.htm, photo taken without permission from www.rrookey.com
Friday, June 09, 2006
Fitchburg Registration
From http://www.longsjo.com/racerfaq-logistics.php#q1
Where and When Do I pick up my race numbers?
Race number pick-up is at the Best Western from Noon to 9PM on Wednesday June 28, 2006. We are requiring day-ahead number pick-up because of past problems with people trying to pick-up their numbers just before their TT start time – in some cases missing the race entirely. A teammate can pick up your race number packet for you by presenting your USCF license and government issued photo ID, but you will still have to sign the waiver and release form before racing. We are hosting the massCycling EXPO at the Best Western at the same time, with admission free to all racers, so hopefully your visit on the 28th will be enjoyable.
=========================================
It appears they really are going to do this? In the past a few clowns have been late so now everyone has to suffer? You either make arrangements to have someone pick up your number, or you fork out the dough to spend an extra night up there? That's complete BS. What's our plan? Matt, can you arrange to have the race organizers pulled over repeatedly and harrassed by the MSP until they change this?
Where and When Do I pick up my race numbers?
Race number pick-up is at the Best Western from Noon to 9PM on Wednesday June 28, 2006. We are requiring day-ahead number pick-up because of past problems with people trying to pick-up their numbers just before their TT start time – in some cases missing the race entirely. A teammate can pick up your race number packet for you by presenting your USCF license and government issued photo ID, but you will still have to sign the waiver and release form before racing. We are hosting the massCycling EXPO at the Best Western at the same time, with admission free to all racers, so hopefully your visit on the 28th will be enjoyable.
=========================================
It appears they really are going to do this? In the past a few clowns have been late so now everyone has to suffer? You either make arrangements to have someone pick up your number, or you fork out the dough to spend an extra night up there? That's complete BS. What's our plan? Matt, can you arrange to have the race organizers pulled over repeatedly and harrassed by the MSP until they change this?
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Crits Part 1
No one posted a report here about Hartford so...I did the 40+ with Matt and we went around the park very fast 25 times. Paul, Arlen, Matt, Gary, Ed, Wade and I did the 30+ where we went around the park very fast 25 more times. That's about all I can remember at this point. Except the fact that Peter Vollers won his 34,623rd (give or take a few) crit in the 30+ race.
Last night at EH was the first of 5 crits I will do this week. I guess my reputation is becoming quite notorious since Bill T. yelled across the parking lot "Hey, crit monkey!" when he saw me. Paul, Arlen and I lined up for the race last night, 45 minutes + 5 laps. The race was much different than 2 weeks ago: no wind, bigger field, no breaks stuck, the pace seemed a lot slower (maybe I'm in better shape?). Paul went to the front a few times to drive the pace as the occasional break would try to move clear but for the most part nothing was really happening. An Anthem duo got 10-15 sec. lead at one point and as we slowly started to reel them back in a third Anthem rider bridged to them. I actually attacked twice (gasp) after they came back but only managed to string out the field. We were all back together with about 15 laps left, and with 5 to go I decided I might as well try and sit on Dave Werling's wheel as long as I could. I figured it would be good practice and he'd certainly probably finish pretty far up in the sprint. With 2 to go I moved up the side with Arlen on my wheel and on the back side on the last lap he started yelling for me to "GO!" but I got slammed to the curb (by Werling) just before the last 90 degree turn and I was done. Arlen duked it out in the sprint and I think managed a top-10.
A fun night, a good workout and other than the ridiculous traffic going to and from (they close 2 lanes of I-84 west for evening bridge work about 8 PM) EH, it's a great value for $8.
Last night at EH was the first of 5 crits I will do this week. I guess my reputation is becoming quite notorious since Bill T. yelled across the parking lot "Hey, crit monkey!" when he saw me. Paul, Arlen and I lined up for the race last night, 45 minutes + 5 laps. The race was much different than 2 weeks ago: no wind, bigger field, no breaks stuck, the pace seemed a lot slower (maybe I'm in better shape?). Paul went to the front a few times to drive the pace as the occasional break would try to move clear but for the most part nothing was really happening. An Anthem duo got 10-15 sec. lead at one point and as we slowly started to reel them back in a third Anthem rider bridged to them. I actually attacked twice (gasp) after they came back but only managed to string out the field. We were all back together with about 15 laps left, and with 5 to go I decided I might as well try and sit on Dave Werling's wheel as long as I could. I figured it would be good practice and he'd certainly probably finish pretty far up in the sprint. With 2 to go I moved up the side with Arlen on my wheel and on the back side on the last lap he started yelling for me to "GO!" but I got slammed to the curb (by Werling) just before the last 90 degree turn and I was done. Arlen duked it out in the sprint and I think managed a top-10.
A fun night, a good workout and other than the ridiculous traffic going to and from (they close 2 lanes of I-84 west for evening bridge work about 8 PM) EH, it's a great value for $8.
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