2008 Elgin Crit
OK. I did better than I thought I would. The 5's first thing in the morning were actually nice. Stuck with the pack most of the way. Fell off a bit about 3/4 of the way through, but was still only a little way back. Finished strong and "placed" 20th in a final sprint with nvr.
I say "placed" only because it seemed that some of the lapped traffic ended up being counted on the same lap as us. Oh well. It was fun and the race was a lot slower than I had expected.
I was signed up to do another race - Open Cat Masters 30-39 yr olds. This mean that my Cat 5 butt was racing with Cat 1/2/3/4's. Needless to say this one was a bit faster and twice as long to boot.
We held for a few laps then someone's bad braking in the corner created a gap. Boo. Then the pain really began as we struggled together off the back. The best part is that it makes for good pictures.
We ended up getting lapped. 40 minutes of pain. Still placed 14th. At least 2 DNF's, but I believe I was dead last (DFL) among those that finished.
Enjoy the pics.
Little P man slept through the whole second race, but kept saying "that's daddy" when I was uploading the pictures....so at least he knows what I look like.
Antsy
I'm starting to get antsy about the Elgin crit. I'm not getting much riding in. Ok none.
Lots of racing
Elgin crit is on Sunday. There's a 2-man TT I'm doing with aham on the following Sunday. In between the two I have the following:
- Train all operators and managers in a new Lean visual board system
- Set up a Kaizen event for the following week
- Travel to DC for SPC software training from Tuesday-Friday
- Set up my road bike to a full TT setup...for the first time including new brakes, shifters, bars, etc.
- Validate the setup will work
- Be a father and husband on Saturday before the TT while my wife is at work (no ride on the TT setup)
- Lace 2 wheels, tension, true, validate 4 of them.
Traveling the week before a race will suck. I hate business travel. It's extremely painful mentally anymore and it is a assured way to gain weight and lose fitness. To top it off my flight back is at 5:30 out of DC Dulles to Chicago O'Hare on a Friday afternoon..... = No frigging chance of being even remotely on-time.
I'm starting to wonder when I am going to get any of this stuff done. I was trying to commute, but even that has become hard to do with timing.
Perfect storm - family, work, riding. I am virtually a ghost on BF and basically have resorted to using this blog as my main outlet for now basically because I don't feel the need to check for updates every 5 minutes.
If I have time later today I'll update with a picture of some new toys for the TT, impressions of the Elgin Crit course, and thoughts about the fact that Sunday looks to be the hottest day of the year. Boo.
Coma
I'm coming down from a wedding induced coma of sugar and alcohol. Driving long distances, family, and celebrations although tons of fun don't make for a healthy self.
Got back in town and found the time to hook up a ride. Hot and heavy. I had raised the saddle a bit and again...I make more power there, but I pay a "price"....physically....
I hammered out about 10 miles then turned around. Ran across CyLowe almost right at the turn around point. We talked for a bit and then he decided to ride the return leg back with me before continuing on his ride.
He's been in a leg burning mood lately so it was nice to make some good time back. For only being out an hour I got some good time in. Still slow, and a tad bit apprehensive about Elgin Crit this week.
Sent e-mails to the organizers so it looks like I will be in the Cat 5 race even though my ABR license says 4. Hopefully the day will be a safe one.
Vacation is over
So I am back at work. Moustache is gone. It was starting to come in nicely, but the wife didn't see anything other than White Trash-ness to it. No humor ...
Trying to piece together some upcoming plans:
- Tonight - Possible wrenching in the shop - Voldemort
- Tuesday - Group Ride
- Wednesday - Possible wrenching in the shop - Voldemort
- Thursday - Possible Commute
- Friday - Possible 1/2 commute then leave for RAIN
- Saturday - Ride RAIN and return to Chicago - and convert bike over to TT setup *pain*
- Sunday - Possible Hampshire TT
- Next Tues - Bensenville Races for Superweek
- Next Wednesday - Bensenville Races for Superweek
- Week off - wife working on the weekend so no rides
- Another TT the following weekend - OR - my boss's son's wedding (also my wife's cousin...long story)
- Melon Metric/Chicago Criterium/Oswego Century the next day(?)
- Elgin Crit the next saturday.
Feeling a little overwhelmed....and excited. I wish there was more time for an escape to Wisconsin mixed in there. Might have to take a 1/2 day and head up there sometime. Part of the wellness program....
Elgin Crit 2008 Course
I took the time to map the course for the 2008 Elgin Criterium. I think I'll race Cat5 and Masters 30-39 that day. Should be fun!
Flyer can be found here: http://downtownelgin.com/Bike%20Race%20Flyer%2008_web.pdf
Almost out
I am almost out of the South. Time to rant again. People in the South drive slow, work slow, and seemingly think slowly as well. We made it to Somewhere, KY.
Part of me wishes I was back in Chicago and racing this weekend or at least riding in Wisconsin. With all of the riding I was able to pile on during vacation I think I was able to keep a lot of the normal vacation weight gain at bay. I haven't been on a scale, but I am feeling just as good as when I left. I think the 210-ish miles helped.
Superweek is coming up. I was hoping to put in for the Bensenville race(s). Only working 4 1/2 days this week because of RAIN next weekend. I realized today that I will have spent 3 weekends in a row crossing Indiana. Twice along the North-South route, and twice East-West.
Before I know it the Elgin crit will be here. I also wanted to get my TT setup rolling right and do more of the Chicago TT series. Summer is going by real fast. So fast I forgot that the tour was/is starting.
I can go on about the tour forever, but I am feeling like I don't care about this year's. I'll leave it at that.