Quick Wrap-up
Too much to cover and a lot of work to do today.
We finally got our chance for cake during the last crit of Fall Fling. In the end, when you're a cat 4, cake is all that matters.
We went into the last crit with a formidable team. The fact that it was the last crit of the season and that we had a rider going for overall (Timmyquest) meant we could have some fun.
MJH2, RR, Myself, and Eric were to have all the fun we could. MJH and myself were to attack early and hard just for poops and giggles. If anyone burned some calories following us then so be it. If there were any primes it was MJH that was going to be the man.
Then RR, MJH and Myself were to block, cover moves, etc. as necessary in support.
Raviv and Justin were to protect Timmyquest. Raviv marked Whiple...and marked him hard. Justin rode for TQ - always within arms length.
Simply the races had been too slow in this series so far. Leading to too many people in the final sprint who didn't belong (myself included). We wanted to ratchet it up and shed some of the less fit in hopes of delivering TQ to the final sprint with hopefully a smaller crowd.
Eric was our hidden card. The guy has a engine. Typical "Try"-athlete in that he can sit alone off the front and just power all day long. It's hard as hell to hold his wheel. We talked before the race and deided to use him twice - First time about 15 minutes in. He would hit it hard and fast with the intent of coming back to the pack to recover then to launch again in another 10 mintues.
Well early on it was nice. I was 3rd or 4th wheel for the first lap or two. We had been going kind of hard and I could see people struggling. I was second wheel when the guy pulling pulled off shattered and everyone was hurting. I decided it was time for me to give it a go....so I did. I went coming out of the crosswind section when people were still getting a feel for the tailwind and the gearing to use. I nailed it and got a substantial gap. I looked down and was going something like 33-35 up into the traffic circle on the back side.
I just don't have the engine and everyone knows that but it was fun and it did keep the higher pace on in the pack. I didn't make it a lap.....meh
Next MJH nailed it when I got back. Great move and kept the pace up as people wanted to relax. Then there were a few other attacks. There had just been a big one that was coming back and everyone was hurting and still inthe headwind. I looked for Eric to go, but he held on. It was only 10 minutes in.
At the pre-decided time Eric went. Man he went. He ended up out there and looking good. Someon joined him then myself and RR and MJH took turns going to the front and either disrupting the pace or blocking. Nothing overt, hell I even told one guy flat out when he looked for me to pull through - "I gotta guy in the break. I'm not going to work."
He stayed away for a long time. A few riders bridged up to him, but as they kind of gave up the ghost in the break and started coming back Eric hit the gas again...attacking the break. Fabulous.
Keep your eye on Eric folks. He's a tremendous talent.
Well not too long after that they announced the cake prime. That had us written all over it. As we rolled around to the line I looked up to see Eric and those away coming back into the fold. We actually had a chance to sprint for the prime. As I was thinking that a guy behind me said, "someone has to sprint for this thing."
Like a douche I went. He jumped on my wheel and came around me easily. I didn't get the cake, and MJH says I ended up boxing him in - not my intent.
BTW - ABD - cake - great touch! I propose that there always be a cake prime in Cat 4 races. Let it be known that cat 4 is the cake cat.
Everything else worked out. Raviv had marked Whiple HARD. You'd have to ask him if it made a difference but I think it did. Raviv said Whiple ended up in the wind a ton because of it.
We served Tim up to the sprint and he took it over Whiple at the line winning the series and the final race. All were in agreement it was the most fun crit we have ever raced. It was definitely the best example we had of deploying team tactics.
i was off and in the car to dekalb. I changed and refueled along the way. When we pulled in I jumped out of the car and grabbed the bike offthe back. I rolled up and into the grid just in time for a good position. Perfect timing.
The start was great. I love physical racing. I got a decent one considering. Muscled a few guys out of the way and ran over at least one guy on the ground (his bike...not him). From there my legs just kind of looked at me with a big "FU" look. I was feeling the crit.
I slowly lost every position I gained on the start. Pretty soon I was racing alone. That course was long. Too long if you ask me. I did poorly but to be honest I just don't feel like 30 minutes is a long enough race anymore. My engine just doesn't get going until about 20 minutes in. If I had another 10 minutes I might have picked up 1 or 2 riders but I would probably also had been lapped....
Totally poor performance from me, but about what was to be expected with all the racing I had done in the previous 2 days.
So....now it's cross all the time. I saw Slim_77 and Beverly Bob in the 4b's. Bob is sandbagging it for sure. He should be in the a's - suffering at the back with me. Slim_77 - if he gets addicted, should also be in the a's just simply due to his stellar fitness.
Supergirl made and appearance as well. The wrist is still not 100% and 'she' claims she can't race yet.....but I believe there was a sighting on the course during the 4b's. I could be mistaken though 
. Too bad part of being a superhero includes a secret identity.
I high-tailed it out of there and got back...ate some pizza and had 2 beers and passed out. Waking up in time to go to work this morning.
Tonight - wheels, running, weights. Tomorrow...cross ride.
TT – Done
Good BH Showing. Cat 4 - 3rd-Eric Christ, 6th-Timmyquest, 13th-Psimet, 14th Justin Sommerville, 19th-Raviv Wolfe, 22st-MJH2, 25th-RR - Total of 32 I believe.
Post TT analysis of the overall. Check the tabs. The first one is the overall with those who don't have at least 2 events so far removed (disqualifying them for the overall) - cat 4 only.
Trifecta of Pain
Yes I skipped the report out from Fall Fling stages 1 and 2. Meh. Not much to report. We had a lot of good numbers but only managed to get Tim in the top both days.
Fun races. Slow races. Maybe the two go hand in hand if you're a hack like me. At one point in the road race I was giving a sales pitch about my wheels to another rider. Yeah...race was too slow.
Everyone has been chiming off about Rob Kelley's relegation in the Masters 40+ race. Again...meh. Most of my comments on the matter have been taken out of context by people who don't know me.
In the end the one thing I wanted to get across is as follows: I respect the official's decision. Never disputed it. I think it is critical that everyone always support the officials and any decision they make. That's how I have always rolled.
At the same time I will not let anyone stand out there and poopoo one of the smartest, nicest, competitive, safety concious, talented riders I know. The fact that he's on the team makes that even more of a reason for me to speak up.
Generally as a team we are NOT an "anything goes" group when it comes to racing, but - unlike most of the other teams in this area - we are actually pretty tight knit and we don't back down from just about anything.
Speaking of the team - it is getting bigger. We are picking up some key riders. I need some 5's for next year. If you are willing to pay for the privledge of suffering then contact me. Pre-requisite -
1. No douchebags
2. Show up to race
3. No prima-donnas
Dues: Sweat, Pain, and having to listen to Haiduk go off on you if you even mention the word "Try"-athlon. ...and buy a kit or at least a jersey. If you can't afford one we might be able to scrounge on up to borrow.
We're not officially in the business of turd polishing, but a few have been buffed. Don't know how the I got through actually.
So....on to this weekend.
As some of you know I totally screwed up my thumb on Wednesday night's bandit cross. I was racing along side of Fat Tire jersey guy (dude...send me a mail so I know your name at least! 
). Wasn't feeling very spicy with all of the hard riding I have been doing lately so I had been sitting back. Even waited until everyone rolled out before starting. Anyway - next to FTJG and he and I have been racing pretty evenly the last couple of events.
I love that and we tend to push each other a little further. So he started getting me into it as he nosed ahead and then I would and then he would. Well this built up into some speed and we ended up taking a corner faster than we had up to that point.
FTJG was in front and I heard him slide a bit and then he took a wide line into the prairie grass. I half decided, "OK we're going too fast" at the same time I thought, "here's a chance to pass him". So I dove in shallow and went for an inside line.
*THWACK* front tire went out from under me and I slammed into the ground. Bars twisted and I jammed my thumb into the ground like I was making a hole to plant seeds with it. It hurt enough that I had a flash of light instantly with intense pain. Kind of like hitting your funny bone. I knew I was hurt.
I needed less tire pressure for sure and I knew that before starting. Went to the clinic and got it x-ray'd. Not broken. Really messed up though. Super swollen and stiff. Turning black and blue today. Sucks building wheels with it. Got a queue of about 15 to build right now.....
So...this weekend. Trifecta of pain. I have a TT on Saturday, Crit on Sunday and a Cyclocross race later that same day. Not sure how I am going to do it with the thumb. We'll see. I think the TT will be fine - except for my performance. Biggest concern there is that I did a sub-par re-glue job on my tubular front TT wheel - you always do the worst work for yourself it seems. Then the concern over whether or not someone will end up thinking there is a concession when they check me out overstuffed in my sausage suit. End of season weight gain ....boo...10 lbs but coming down again.
I have found that I naturally peak in the spring and the fall. Mid-summer is the worst for me. Meh. At least now I know. My form is coming back wuickly and I am feeling more powerful every time I get on the bike. Let's hope that eventually shows by way of results. If not....let the self loathing continue.
Rubber side down everyone.....even the d'bags.
O-O
Obscure Omiums - For the Win (FTW)
Fall Fling is this weekend and I have not ridden my road bike in a long time. I have been swamped building wheels. The riding I have done has been cross.
I have ridden a few cross rides out of the shop (3 so far) and 3 bandit cross races. BTW - Bandit Cross is the shiz. My props to our man "Rear Derailler". Great Series.
Today is my dedication day to Wayne Simon. He rocks. He's like our area's own little Chuck Norris. All those Chuck Norris lines go through my head when we're riding/racing together....err....well in the general vicinity of each other - no cat 4 hack is holding Simon's wheel.
Things like:
"Wayne Simon doesn't glue tubulars - he just stares at them and they melt to the rim."
"Wayne Simon doesn't use public transportation - he pulls public transportation behind his TT bike."
"Wayne doesn't 'warmup' at the start of a race - he acquires targets."
"You don't pass Wayne Simon. He goes behind you because that's step 1 in Wayne's book entitled 'I'm going to crush your soul'"
"If you're in front of Wayne Simon...it's because he's about to lap you."
"Wayne Simon IS carbon fiber."
"Wayne Simon airs up his tires with crushed souls."
"Embrocation is sweat from Wayne Simon."
"Wayne Simon wasn't born - he saw a gap and filled it."
"Wayne Simon eats chains, sleeps on a work bench, bleeds lube, and poops excellence."
MJH2 called me one day a few months ago in the middle of a weekday and said, "You know why Wayne Simon is so awesome? I just passed him while he was motorpacing in the middle of the weekday. That's why he's awesome. What are you doing right now? Exactly."
That just about sums it up.
Fall Fling Stage #4 – Final Crit – Citizens Men
Even though the family left late we still ended up there early. I had no idea where the course was. I mean I knew it was in the same industrial park as the last one, but didn't know exactly where it was or where to park.
Then like magic everyone appeared seemingly out of nowhere...a traveling band of bike weenies and their support. Soon the parking lots were filled with sounds of pumps coming off tubes, freewheels, clipping in, and nervous story telling, and standings checking. This is the cyclist's equivalent of tailgating.
Soon it was time to warm up and check out the course.
RJBTrek - getting the engine warmed up.
Yours truly thinking about the hurt to come.
Sean giving me a hard time at the start.
A combine is born. Series #1 Brian Hague is on the left. Behind him is my teammate Robert. The announcer started talking about Hague and we started busting his balls. I started with a good "Cough, cough, cough, sandbagger, cough, cough..." I heard him say, "I'm a triathlete"....
...not what you say to a bunch of road weenies you've been trouncing. All of us on the right of that shot were talking about marking him and not letting any of his moves go. Kind of like a combine but not nearly as well organized.
I knew I wasn't going to put myself in any top spots with the amount of talent out there, but with the short duration of the event combined with my decent form meant I was going to be up in the front....so I decided to just have some fun. Hang on. Chase when I could. Block when I could. Take at least one flyer. Generally have as much fun as possible in a 10 lap - 5 mile crit.
Right out of the gate Sean called it....I jumped into the front....at least until Sean hit the NO2.
L to R: Tati rider that we mistook for Brian Hague when we reeled him in during the crit last week. Not Brian BTW....myself in Bicycle Heaven glory, and Sean Pedersen on the Cervelo sporting the Neon Oakleys
I mentioned something to Sean down the first downhill - can't remember what it was exactly, but it was something like "you sure you want to be up there?" Somewhere around there I decided to jump up front and do some work. Again...I was not looking to do anything big, and I just can't seem to hold off my nerves, adrenaline so I went to the front.
I strung it out on the first lap. Loving it.
Pic Above - Just past the start line starting lap #2- Myself up front followed by Sean Pedersen, Kyle Tabor, #61 - who likes my wheel, Not sure who is next, John Kaminski after that(?), Cezary Mudrewicz (WDT), Richard Lenski (Spin Doctors)
It was after that picture above where we were doign the next downhill leg where I had an incident. I was starting to throttle it back and recover a tad - slowly slipping through the group - when #61 - still don't know the name - must have decided there was room , or I was popping , or something. He hammered it around me, swerved completely into my line, and then came into the 1/2 a bike opening between me and the wheel I was following. Needless to say he clipped my front wheel.
I bounced my wheel off of his skewer and then dragged it off of his rim and tire. I thought I would end up on the deck for sure, but I kept it upright. I was livid. The guy didn't have the line or position....or the legs to stay up there.
I'd like to think it was an honest mistake. Maybe he was on the limit so bad and dying outside the draft that he saw what he thought was a gap and went for it thinking that it was his line...who knows. Right when it happened someone to my side said, "That wasn't very nice of him." I think I responded with something to the effect of, "not only wasn't that not very nice it was a total di**head move!"
I then proceeded to yell at #61 any chance I got to make sure he was holding his line. The next time around into the big turn at the bottom of the hill I took the time to say something like, "Uh-Oh...here's a turn. Where's 61?? Watch yourselves guys. Keep an eye on 61! Maybe he can hold a line this time." I didn't see him much after that, and I have to chalk it up to the tempo, but he could have been there and I just not realized it.
61 - if you're reading this, it could have been an honest mistake and I'm fine with that, but you should have come over and talked about it after the race. I never saw you afterwards, but wanted to make sure you knew that I was just pointing out a dangerous move...and that we've all been there.
At some point on one of the next few laps Hague made his move coming up from the back of our pack. He was a marked man, but most of the guys marking him were riding up front (*slaps forehead* - come on guys). I took it upon myself to shout the warning "HERE HE GOES! ON YOUR LEFT GUYS! LEFT SIDE!LEFT SIDE!LEFT SIDE!LEFT SIDE!GOGOGOGOGOGOGO!"
They were a little slow to react, but it was enough to drive 3-4 of the really fast guys off of the front of us. Enough to let us rest a bit. Kind of like, "well now that they're gone what do you guys want to do? Catch a movie? Call in for pizza? Beer? Wait....half of you aren't old enough....why am I doing this again?"...but I digress.
Around now there was a Prime announced that I know Hague got. That may have been the lap he attacked on. Not sure. I know when we were crossing the line it looked like Pedersen had sat up a bit and was actually applauding Hague's prime victory. Class move. 26+mph 2 handed clap. Nice.
More shots from around this time....Looks like Pedersen off front, Kyle Tabor next with a stream of us behind. My teammate Robert is in the BH kit with the black arm warmers. I am tucked in directly to the left of him. Looks like #61 was still in the mix at that point.
Mudrewicz, Hague(? or Andrew Dix), John Kaminski(?) , Myself, Ryan Austin(?)and so on down the line.
Little P holding down the start finish line cone.
Pedersen, Tabor, Tati rider (Dix or Hague), Austin, Myself, and teammate Riccio
It was about now that things started to shill out a bit. Coming down the hill again gave one time to look around and check the lay of the land. I saw Pedersen near the front with hague and Dix hanging about 1 or 2 wheels back from him kind of keeping an eye on him and Tabor.
I swung up to Pedersen to tell him to just sit in and not waste any energy. He looked at me and said something to the effect of "go to the front and drive the pace Rob". I had nothing else to do so I decided...WTF.
When I came around the front I was out of the saddle nailing it. I looked over at the first guy in line and let out a primal scream. It was like my version of a death cry. Not only was I burning a match, but I was trying to set fire to the whole neighborhood. It looked a little something like this:
Funny how no one chases you when: A- they know you suck and are not going anywhere. B- they think you are insane for yelling at everyone and screaming on lap 6 or 7 for no reason at all.
...but I f'n OWNED that straightaway....
After that I floated back through the front group trying to count the laps. Lenski (Spin Doctors) and I have ridden with each other more than once and as the main group floated up the road to contest the victory he was moving backwards in my direction. A quick look over the shoulder and he seemed to recognize it was me back there.
We both just fell in and started taking turns. he said something like, "these guys are fast." I said something like, "yeah and I've been racing against them for 2 weeks now. Wish you could have shared the pain."
Final sprint. Pedersen takes the win.
About now is when I remembered what my teammate MJH2 has been saying all season about Lenski. He always said that inevitably he would end up pulling on the last lap and Lenski would nab him at the line for the position. I had that in mind as I ratcheted up the pace on the hill coming into the straight. I also got out of the saddle and started a "sprint" much sooner than I ever normally would have.
Austin coming across the line Myself and Lenski fighting for position directly behind him. Guy on left is lap down I believe. If not I don't know who he is.
I gave a lot and ended up feeling lenski on my left as I went for the line. I actually had to throw the bike at the line. I mean total throw...like over the saddle throw. It ended up being close enought that the official had to go to the camera....seriously. I got him though. MJH2 was proud...wherever he was.
Posing with #2 overall and 4th stage winner Sean Pedersen after the torture.
Teammate Riccio joining in the posing.
All in all a great series. I'd like to thank the folks at ABD for putting on so many great races throughout the year. The citizen's crits were too short, but whatever...we still made them fun.
Great effort by Bicycle Heaven's lowly Cat 4/5 crew. MJH2 would have been in the top 10 if he could have raced either the crit or the TT. Riccio put in a killer series even having missed the RR finishing at 6th overall. I dropped in at 8th overall - made my goal of top 10 for the series.
I learned more about where my strengths are, how to yell better, what it's like to string a lot of races together in short succession outside of just doing the double, that while I still do suck I just might suck a little bit less, and finally that I might actually be better suited for TTs...shock to me.
I am sad to see the season go so early...just when I was getting warmed up. Oh well....I guess there is always cross...
Fall Fling Stage #3 – TT
This was it. I actually prepared for this race. First one I have ever prepared for. I actually took my rig after I converted it into a TT setup out on the actual route in preparation. This is the first time I actually knew the route of the TT before starting. I was hoping I would do well.
The warmup was structured for once. I followed some advice I got on my internet home of choice...Bike Forums. Worked great. I was still fairly warm when I got in line.
I talked a bit to the series #2 Sean Pedersen a bit while in line as I tried not to psyche myself out. Sean is a killer rider with boat loads of talent. I was telling him what my target was for the ride and found it refreshing when he apparantly perceived that my target pace was a killer one.
Everything was right. I finally had a TT position I was happy with. I was perched on the line going through the toture that my mind was dishing out.
5....4.....3.....2.....1......Go!
The pain was intense. I think this might shed some light on the pain...
Activity
There were a few riders out on the course tonight. A local came over and asked me what was up. I tired to downplay the severity of the swarm of lycra clad warriors there was going to be in his back yard in 2 days, but he still gave me a bit of stink eye.
I rode the route. It was good. I was born to ride this route.
Numbers: 24:35 Distance 9.25 Avg Spd. = 22.5-ish.
I was holding back as well. Nice. The wind is a huge factor. The course is much more technical that I thought it would be. Lots of black snakes (cracks that they pour crappy sealant over that will grab your wheel). They are really dangerous on a TT setup. Totally nerve racking.
I will have to have everything go right for me, but 23 isn't out of the question.
I am finally getting almost comfortable in a TT position. Almost.
Guess what?
Swap from Road to TT setup...1.5 hours. Full size crank, corn cob DA (it was given to me...I wouldn't waste money on that kind of loss of durability) cassette. Cages are gone. So are my excuses.
Results from last year. I must crack 23. Pre-ride is tonight.
...I'm Batman.
Fall Fling TT Route
I mapped out what I believe to be the course based on what ABD had listed on their website. for some reason whenever I try to embed MapMyRide routes into my blog now it bombs out so you'll have to follow the link.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/il/maple-park/577839343547
Basic stats: 9.25 miles with approx 210ft of climbing (I don't like how you have to calculate their elevation so don't rely on it). Basically fast and flat. Wicked fast and flat. You head out going East and then turn North. You do shortened legs back South and West....meaning if the wind is from the South or West like it always seems to be around Maple Park then you will have a tailwind for ove 1/2 of the route. If its coming out of the Southwest it will be a huge help.
That does leave finishing into the wind though....
I'm trying to get my hands on a disk wheel for the event and depending on the weather outlook (wind speed) I might try to land an 808 or better on the front. As a "fallback" I have inputflangeman's 404's - thank you baby jesus.
RJBTrek mentioned that 24.something took it last year. I am hoping for the best.