Warning: Politically Incorrect, a bit offensive and darn funny. Chris Rippey reports from Surf City CX race: December 16th, 2012

The date of the race: Yesterday
The location: Watsonville fairground
A quick course description: three muddy sections, two were off camber downhills, two  required running, flat asphalt section by start finish.
The category you raced: singlespeed A
The number of racers: more then twenty

After getting cash, gas and waiting longer then I wanted to get bagels and coffee (screw you Izzy's bagels, if your don't have salt or chocolate chips bagel then don't take an order for them, assholes.) I headed out to Watsonville with my girlfreind in tow. We bumped Kanye most of the way there. At the race I discovered I had forgot my shorts. I was not going to ruin my best pair of jeans so I was left with either wearing my girlfriends  skinsuit (I don't believe in skinsuits, they are dumb!)  or trying to see if I could rustle up some shorts. I saw Miles and Dave and informed them of my situation and decided to borrow Miles shorts cause Dave looks a little AIDSy to me. The shorts were gross but at least they matched and Miles seems like a guy free of sexually transmitted diseases. I did a warmup lap and the course was muddy like everyone said so I just rode around talking shit to my fellow cx racers and let my warm up and chances of victory to the cx gods. We were called to line up. I didn't know anyone except my buddy Angus and Rick. I told both of them all I cared about accomplishing in the race was beating them. The gun goes off and I ride mid pack. After the first run up I rip Miles' short and spent the rest of the race checking and adjusting my shorts so that my junk didn't hang out. I raced smooth and at a consistent pace. I didn't make any big mistakes. Ben Jacques-Maynes commented, in a shitty tone, that I should be riding on the grass cause it was faster when I rode in the mud so he could pass me(dickhead). I beat Angus and Ric and ended up in eighth place. I got coffee after the race and crashed into another driver as we were both backing out of our parking spots. All in all I had fun but my bumper is all messed up now.

Sad Day - Godspeed Ricky

CoreTechs teammate, Ricky Lucero died Saturday December 8th, 2012 while out riding his bike. I have pasted the email from his wife below. It seems so far that it was a medical issue and not a car or crash that was the cause.

Ricky was a tremendous guy. He had a great sense of humor, was extremely kind and a great teammate to race with. Ricky raced an old steel bike but was still able to win Santa Cruz crit in 2011 and be a factor in many other races. After much cajoling we convinced him to upgrade (he was super strong and a great rider and deserved a better bike) and he had just purchased a new SL4 to race in 2013. Hard to express the shock and sadness that this would happen to a young guy, who was so strong. Ricky will be missed tremendously.

Ricky leaves behind two boys ages 14 and 11 and his wife Michele. 

Godspeed Ricky.

Andrew

From Ricky's wife:

It's with my heaviest of hearts that I let everyone know today I lost the love of my life. My beloved husband Ricky of 16 yrs died while on his bike today. Details are unclear. He lost consciousness while on his bike and was unresponsive by the time the paramedics got there. We are all in shock, denial and grief. We are all thinking of happy memories with family right now. Please keep Ricky in your thoughts & prayers.

Michele

Henleyville RR-Sept. 2012-Cat 45+ 1/2/3

Henleyville Road Race
73 miles
Andrew, Daryoush, JP (report written by Andrew)
Cat 45+ 1/2/3 Report:

My hamstrings were starting to cramp, my knees hurt, and my butt was sore. I am not sure I am going to make it. This was hard! I am three hours in and still have another hour or more to go. Crap. No turning back now. I put my head down and concentrate. It’s no good, I can’t do it. I turn to Daryoush and ask him to pull off at the next exit. I have to take a leak.

This is a crazy commute. Daryoush and I were on our way to the Henleyville Road Race. A 73 mile slightly rolling but mostly flat race consisting of four laps over chip sealed, vibration inducing roads. The drive there took us slightly over four hours. This is a commitment to crazy, not just a deviation into it. I have raced 26 times this year, not counting the two tri’s I also jumped in. I understand that there is some issue here. I am sure if you dig (some may say you don’t need to dig that far) you will find some major personality flaw that drives this sort of behavior. I have enough self-awareness to know this, but not enough to do anything about it. So there it is; 28 races for the 2012 season and I am still bummed out that there is no more racing to do.

I think we have found the real reason I started this team. It was to find other crazies like me. The big benefit is that it normalizes my behavior. When I talk to non-cyclists, they seem to view my stories with a strange look of confusion, pity and disgust. I am asked why I do this, why I want to drive four plus hours one way to flog myself in some backwoods location. It is a hard question to answer. I tend to smile, nod and look for someone else to talk too. So now you know why I started this team and why you are on it. I don’t get asked this question and even more, I get guys who volunteer to drive with me. Now this is why I love this group.

Daryoush, John Pauley and myself lined up for the 45+ 1/2/3 race. Mike McLaughlin and Mark Dames were racing a bit later in a different category. We had a great time Friday night talking biking over some beers and margaritas. We figured that made the most sense for pre race hydration. Next morning we met up at the Best Western's complimentary food bar to carbo load for our race. Take note new racers, this is how you fuel up to road race.

Regarding the race, well, to sum it up, race started, some guys tried to break (including Daryoush in a two man break) but none were getting anywhere. Then Dirk (one of the five or six mutants I have mentioned in previous reports) had enough of the chit chat and road away from us. Sure, there were still 50 miles to race, but Dirk wanted some alone time. Who were we to question what a mutant wants? So, we acquiesced and watched him seek solitude up the road. He quickly vanished and from what I was later told, crossed the line in first place. Nice racing with you Dirk, certainly enjoyed those deep conversations we were able to have in the first 15 minutes.

Now that he was gone, the rest of us could play bike racers. We did our best at pretending to break away from the group and then being pulled back. We did some mock chasing and had brilliant conversations. Then at the start/finish line with one lap to go, Daryoush had had enough of this silly game playing and decided to flat. He soon regretted his decision though, tried to fix his flat and chase back on. He never did make it all the way, but he did enjoyed his time alone and was able to take in the magnificent scenery.

Coming into the final three miles we were jockeying for position. With two miles left a kindly motorcycle ref stood in the middle of the road and held up a hand and the race. Yep, 71 miles done with two to go and we all took a 10 minute time out. Guess some poor soul in a race in front of us took too close a look at the pavement while finishing and was now getting a very expensive ride to the local Corning hospital. After the time out, the ref lined us up. He reminded us that we had two miles left and then said, "go". One Davis rider took off. Amazingly he thought he could sprint for two miles. He must have still been in game play mode. Another rider chased and I chased him. Davis rider, surprise, blew up with about a mile left. Then the rider in front of me tried to go and I went with him. Anyway, we got to 500 meters to go and we all sprinted and eventually crossed the finish line. I took second in the sprint and third place in the race and thus earned another coveted poorly designed Velo Promo t-shirt.

It was a fun day in the sun and a great way to end the road season.

Thanks for participating and being part of this team. It has been a blast this year to ride with you guys.

Ken's Mt. Tam Race Report-Cat 3

Mt Tam (starting in Stinson Beach)


12 miles, 2000 feet

Cat 3: 1st out of 16

Course: 4 miles of flat on Hwy 1, 4 miles of up, then 4 miles of up/rollers



I pre-rode the course on Wednesday which was pivotal. The rollers at the end were brutal and that's where I knew the race would be won or lost (and it was).

I also warmed up for about 30 min and put in a long, 5 min, hard effort. I think this also helped.



Flat 4 - the group went at an honest pace so i knew our total time wouldn't be hampered (like it was last week at fremont)



Up 4 - We go over a cattle grate and everyone is going crazy to get a front position as it turns up (think small narrow roads like stage). One guy sprints and everyone stays together. Then it slows down. We're 4-wide in about 4 lines. I'm in line 2 and I say "excuse me" to the 2 guys in front of me. They converge and pinch me. Then I say it again, "excuse me" (i figure they can't ignore kindness). We're going at an medium pace as everyone is trying to figure out what's going to happen. We're only 0.5 miles in if even that. Not far. So, on the 2nd ask they let me through. I stand up and push the pace hard (but not so hard that i can't react if someone jumps me). Before I know it I have 10 meters, then 20 meters. So I push it much harder (like an OLH PR ride). 50 meters. Then a Taleo guy catches me (Hanns Detlefsen). I ask him if he wants to work together, he says yes, so we do. Another guy catches (Bill Laddish) but only for 30 seconds until we drop him again. Then we're on our own - can't see any chasers - so I know we have it in the bag.



4 miles rollers (the "Seven Sisters") - after 0.5 miles of flat/descent through redwoods, we open up to an exposed and long climb. The first 'sister'. Hanns accelerates and I can not hang. Rather than burn myself, I let him go. Through the next 4 sisters I just keep him in my sights, around 50-60 meters out. On every sister I gain some distance. On the 6 or 7th sister I give everything I have and before I know it I'm going like 2x his speed up the sister and just fly by him. I'm so surprised at this point that I don't know what to do. I just put my head down and hammer. The rest is flat/rolling and I just hammer. We only had ~1k to go. But before I know it I'm gone and beat him by 16 seconds.



one final note: Peter Stetina (garmin, did well at rode giro this year) rode with the p1/2. He won. :) (but it wasn't 'official' bc he's not 'allowed' to race since he's a UCI rider)

CCCX Sept 16th 45 1/2/3 & 35+ Open-Andrew's report

CCCX Circuit Race Sept 16th.


Sometimes, the clouds part and a ray of sunshine can peak through. Sunday at the final CCCX crit/circuit race, that ray touched the CoreTechs team.

We had a great crew come out. Steve Stewart returned from an almost year long sabbatical with his Bundyesc van full of libations. John Pauley, Tom Rice, Mark Foster, Mark Dames, Scott Fairman (Bear Valley Scott), Dave Puglia, Daryoush and myself also saddled up to race. I will leave both Mark's to impart their race stories (they were both good!). My story was one with no drama and no miscues. This made for a fantastic day but is sure crappy for story telling. In trying to think about how to tell this story in a semi-entertaining way I have struggled. Adversity certainly makes for better entertainment. So, to end my struggle, get something out and bore the hell out of you, I will wrap this up quickly.

The 45+ Cat 1/2/3 race had a few good riders but none better than Kevin Klein. I have noticed this year that there is a group of seven or so riders in Northern California that are just mutants. They are at a racing level that I am not able to attain. They can solo off the front, early in the race and stay away. You can't go with them, you can't do anything but watch them go. I attempted to go with one of these mutants at Dunnigan, and if you have read that race story (scroll through our blog or FB page for that if you have not read), it turned out ugly for me. I am slow to learn lessons, but not a total nitwit. So, when Kevin attacked with six laps remaining (about 5:30 6 min per lap) in this race, I let instinct take over and I jumped with him. After he yelled at me a few times to pull through, which I did, it occurred to me that I was in over my head. Like I said, slow to learn, but eventually, I get the fact that someone is beating me over the head with a 2x4 and I adjust. We still had 5 laps to go, and I pulled the plug. I knew if I kept letting Kevin hit me in the head, I would be dead before the race ended. So, I drifted off the back and let Kevin ride away solo.

Back in the pack, we were now all racing for second. Kevin soloed off the front for his five laps and put time on the bunch each lap. Yep, a mutant that way. Coming into the sprint, which was a 300 meter slight uphill into a head wind, a rider (Dean Knudsen from Don Chapin Team) broke early (about 800 meters from the line). He had Robert Pasco (Safeway) on his wheel and I jumped to catch them. He road so hard that we got a gap on the field. Coming into that final 300 meters he started to sputter and Robert jumped. I was on his wheel. I came out of Robert's draft with 50 meters to go and made it to his front wheel when we crossed the finish line. He got second and I took third. Still, I was pretty happy being on the podium with Klein and Pasco.

An hour later and I am at the start line of the 35+ open (all categories) race. Kevin did not enter this race, but he was replaced by a younger more mutant version named Matt Carino. In case you are not familiar with him, he is 39 and won the National Championships for the 35-39 age group at Bend, Oregon last week. A month before he won the California State championships. He is a top Master's mutant.

Race starts with an attack from Dean (Don Chapin) and the pace is very high from the gun. Sheesh, not sure I am ready for this. I hang on but about half the field is off the back already. Carino bridges up to Dean. I turn to Duane Coughlin (Irondata) and comment, "well, there goes the race." Sure enough, Carino drops Dean and solos the entire race. Final lap is similar to the first race with a rider taking off early. This time though there is no gap and the eight or so of us left all are in a line. We come into the final hill and with 200 meters to go I sprint up the right. I have enough speed to hold it to the line and take first of the mere mortals and second in the race.

Honorable mentions: Mark Foster was in my group at the 35+ race and did a great job of leading the pack for a few laps at the end to keep attacks at bay. He helped me set up my sprint and CoreTechs was the only team with more than one rider in the final group. Very fun! Also have to give Rick Morgan from SJBC some credit. He was in the Kevin Klein break with me and also had the good sense to drift back to the pack. He then led the 45+ race a few laps and kept the pace high and safe. Good riding by both

We finished off the day at the Bundy van with Steve providing some stiff cocktails, which led to massive over estimations of all our cycling abilities and some good laughs. A great way to finish off the CCCX series and for some, the road season.

Andrew

Winters RR story from August 25th, 2012

"There is something wrong with you."

I have heard this most my life, but it has taken me almost 46 years to actually agree. Not sure why, but I love this stuff. What is wrong with me you ask?


• I love being up when it is still dark at 4:20am getting ready for a race

• I love the drive out with the fellas and talking about the race and life.

• I love the drive back and doing as Tom calls it "bench racing". A whole lot of "I could haves and should haves"

• I love the feeling after a super hard ride. Kind of like you just finished finals and now you can party.

• I love writing this immensely self serving and dorky race reports

• And most of all, I love the feeling of the screaming leg pain while riding hard and every now and then causing pain while drilling it.

I suspect the majority of you reading this have similar feelings as I do (though probably not the bullet about writing such silly race reports). So, I would say there is something wrong with all of us. And so, at Winters this past Saturday, a bunch of people with something wrong with them all showed up to race together. Like a Star Trek convention, complete with silly costumes, mythical battle plans and secret handshakes we took the start line. Battleship CoreTechs brought along a Platoon of Tom, Mark, Ricky Lucero, John Pauley, Dave Puglia, Christian, Alan Takahashi, and myself-Andrew.

As battle commenced, we were attacked within the first five miles. This battle was due to last 72. Luckily for starship CoreTechs, our early break designate, Tom Rice, covered and joined the attack. There were four away. We were then allowed to sit in and marshal are troops. Soon we were upon the first outside threat (a hill the size of Hudard park climb-5 minutes in length). The pace to this point was high and climb fairly hard. A few were hit with leg meltdown and were heard yelling: "Scotty, I need more power". Unfortunately, the response of "Captain, this is all the power she's got" came from the leg room and thus their ships were out of the fight.

As we crested the first threat, Tom came back to us. This left three up the road with no member of our ship present. We were thus obligated to add our fuel to the other federation members not up the road. We sent two to the front to help with the chase. We did not expect this chase to last long, but the front three were surprisingly strong and put up a good fight. Finally, as we returned to our main obstacle, we were able to subdue the front three. About 15 minutes later, another attack occurred. We had our shields ready though, and were able to place a CoreTechs member in that attack, thus changing it to a offensive mission. This group had eight present (1 CoreTechs, 1 Third Pillar, 1 Make a Wish, 1 Davis, 2 Taleo, 2 Wells Fargo) and all Federation members had a representative. This was the final attack mission of the day.


The Fed members worked very well together with everyone taking strong pulls at the front in a nice, even rotation. In no time, the peloton was out of site. As we approached the nemesis obstacle for the last time, an attack within the group occurred on the bottom slope. The pace went ballistic and gap between Make a Wish, Davis and Wells Fargo took place. Slowly, CoreTechs reeled them back. As we hit the final switchback, the group was down to five. Both Taleo and Third Pillar blew. We started again working together to make sure that the missing three did not make it back.

With 2.5 miles to go, cramps started to set in. Left leg started to perform independently of body. Arch, calf, and groin all rejected doing anything more. A call went out for help but it went unanswered. As CoreTechs rolled through the rotation, Wells Fargo attacked. Two went with him. CoreTechs was not able to respond. Left leg had seized. Second Wells Fargo just sat on CoreTechs and would not help. Internal conversation: "Noooo". Then cramps eased, power returned. Thoughts changed to, "is it possible to catch front three or should CoreTechs concentrate on getting 4th place and beating Wells guy on his wheel". Chips all in, power down.

Full power and the front three returned to view. We were closing but Wells was getting a free ride. As we got a bit closer, Wells jumped to bridge. CoreTechs jumped to catch his wheel but it turns out only 3/4 of him made the move. Left leg decided to remain seated and for good measure punish the other three quarters for trying to go without him. Wells made the bridge and CoreTechs got a good view of it. Sigh.

Battle was done. Place was confirmed as 5th. A fitting for the convention, mustard yellow t-shirt with poor graphics was won by the team.

After the convention we gathered for lunch and a fun time of "bench racing". Great time, lots of fun. Battleship will be in shop for fine tuning and repairs. Expect to see its return at CCCX on Sept 16th. Could use a full Company, so those held in reserve, give it some serious thought. Season is over in September….for now…beam me up Scotty.

John T races Foothill E4 & 35+ 4

Foothill College Crit


Elite Cat 4 & 35+ Cat 4

Raced with Chris Rippey

The Pace was pretty fast. It felt crowded, I think about 60 racers. Chris and I wanted to see how we felt and then try and get near the front toward the final laps. I basically sat in but tried to be in the front 3rd most of the race, which I did. I heard Chris telling me he was behind me, but wasn't really sure what to do until the final laps. I found an opening with 2 to go and jumped on the wheels of 2 Webcor riders near the top of the back climb. I don't think Chris was behind me anymore. I yelled to ask and there was no response. I was 3rd wheel with 1 1/2 to go, then 2 more guys got ahead of me and I was 5th wheel with 1 to go. The pace really picked up on the climb and I dropped some spots and 3 riders got away in a break. I red lined on the false flat and gave everything I had to stay with group. There was no chance I was getting back to the front at this point. I finished in the pack 28th. Pretty lame

Cat 4 35+

IDIOT: I think the definition should read like this (Repeating the same tasks over and over expecting a different result each time)

This race was not as fast as the E4. I led the first lap, until somebody finally wanted to help. I settled in mid pack and even toward the back for the rest of the race. 2 guys got away with 3 to go when there was a Prime announced. With 2 to go I got near the front and with 1 to go I hammered up the final hill to try and bridge. A 3rd racer, Pen Velo rider, got away as well, which I didn't understand because I think he had a teammate in the break, but I wasn't certain. I was successful in getting a small gap, bridging to the PV rider and then the 2 man break and at the same time brought the whole pack with me and.... burned myself up! Idiot! I had nothing left with a 1/2 lap to go and watched everyone pass me on the back climb and was reminded of my tactical prowess as a rider rode by me telling me nice job! I almost got last finishing at the back of the pack. I did the same thing I always complain about. In this category nobody ever lets a break go. I thought maybe these 2 guys might stay away since there was only 1 lap left. But in hindsight, I should have conserved, we would have caught them anyway and I could have had enough energy to be closer to the front to at least give myself a chance at the finish. The PV guys were parked right next to me. I talked to them and the guy who tried to bridge his own teammate told me he was covering?? Him and his teammate were caught and the highest finish for PV was 8th

Miles gets 2nd in the CCCX Mnt Bike Cat 3 race

Where- Fort Ord, Monterey CA


When- June 24th 9am

Race- 45-55 CAT3 mens

Stats- 3 laps, 5 miles each, 15 total

Fire roads, double and single track.

Team mate- Dave T in the race after me. (Nice 3rd place finish!)

My race was at 9am, so I left MP early to make sure I had time to sign up and warm up. I had time to pre ride about half a lap and felt pretty good at the start.



The race starts on pavement and funnels into single track pretty quickly. Starts are key, being in the back of the pack when you funnel onto the single track makes for a tough time passing.

As we sprint down the road to the dirt section I make sure I am in a good spot. I end up 3 wheel and follow my competition. I visually mark the two in front of me and don't let them out of sight.

There is a bit more climbing than usual, and I think to myself that this will be to my advantage. Towards the end of the first lap we come up on slower racers from the race in front of us.

I bobble a bit and have trouble getting around a few of these guys since I came up on them in tight single track with not much room to pass. I start to loose track of 1st and 2nd place ahead of me.

Finally I get by the slower riders and look up the trail now and then to see if I can see my competitors. I've lost them for now. When we come around the finish line area for the first time

the timer shouts 3rd place. I had my work cut out for me if I wanted to advance. I wasn't sure how far ahead they were but I decided to hammer the middle lap and then hopefully back it off a bit at the end.

Within the blur of the next lap, passing slower riders, and concentrating on not going down in the deep sand sections, I guess I passed 2nd place and didn't even notice. The next thing I know,

I'm going through the finish area and they shout 2nd place! What? are you sure? I think to myself. OK, I'll take it, but I needed a rest so I backed it off for just a few minutes to recover, being careful not to

let 3rd get close. Into the last lap, things were clicking for me and I felt good, so brought it back up to normal race pace. At about that point I caught a glimpse of 3rd place coming up behind me.

If I wanted to keep my well earned 2nd place spot I would need to wick it up to max for the rest of the race. Great, not what I had planed, and not what my body wanted to hear, but it was do or die.

I thought to myself, I didn't skip golf today with my buddies to get caught and passed on my last lap! OK, off we went. I had him on the climbs and he would catch me on the descends, the flowing flat stuff was

pretty even. I decided on the last climb that I would give it all I had and with my weakness ahead of me, then try and hang on to the finish. Once I got to the top of the climb I had pulled a bit of a gap

on him, so I really concentrated on going as smooth and as fast as I could the rest of the way. I definitely pushed it the last few miles. I had a few close calls and just tried to keep it fast and on two wheels.

On the last descend into the finish area, I could hear his bike chattering behind me, maybe 5-6 bike lengths behind. The next thing I heard was Dave T screaming at me at the top of his lungs (thanks Dave!).

In fact it scarred me, because i was in concentration mode at the time. That gave me the extra umph to give it one last hard effort to the finish line, although I had to be careful because there was a sketchy

off camber turn just before the last straight a way. I made it cleanly through everything and got across the line 30s behind 1st place and 6s in front of 3rd.



I felt good about holding on to my position, and pushing it through the end, and I have the poison oak to prove it!



Thanks for reading

-Miles

Andrew has a one night stand in Burlingame

A crit is to biking as a one night stand is to a 22 year old. It all sounds so fun as you are gearing up for the event. Then you focus on the task at hand and enjoy the fast pace and scary moments. You just hope you don’t catch anything that will take too long to heal. Afterwards you are left with hazy recollections of the event and slight feeling of regret. Of course, this all fades with time and you soon find yourself entering the next event with the same anticipation.

As I write this a day after the event, things are indeed hazy and I am left with a mild bit of regret. The party was being held at downtown Burlingame. The crowd at this party was my age when I first walked in. I would say at least 45+. The party picked up quick though and things did get hazy. A few highlights of what I can recall:

• Lots of curves and turns, some oohhing and aahhing and a bit of moaning

• I gave a very hard effort towards the end that left me gasping for breath. I had two others with me. I thought this was my fantasy, but in the end, one jumped away and stayed away and my other partner gave up on me. The lights came up and they played last call. The two of us knew this was going nowhere so we went back to the party.

• With the lights up and the music off, I tried to find my friends to take me home. Could not find them so decided to leave the party with everyone else.

I decided to hang around and see what else this place had to offer. Turns out that when the old dudes left another party was just getting started, a much younger one! I thought I would try hanging with this bunch. Figured they would be lively and who knows, I may have a shot of getting something really pretty. I went to the front and asked for a dance, but a few songs later realized my dance partners were a bit too sketchy for me. I was starting to feel like "that guy". You know, the one the kids point too at the club and ask, "why is the old dude here? Kind of creepy." So, realizing I was a bit creepy, and happy not to catch anything, I just hung near the back till the lights came up and I could see my way out.

And so it was, my biking one night stand ends. Might go back to the party at some point in the future, but for now, I am looking to get more serious. Looking for a long term relationship.

See you soon!

AA

Pescadero RR - E4 report from Kenneth Spencer

Kenneth Spencer: What happened during the E4 race at Pescadero
Cat 4


2 laps, 47 miles

70+ riders, 8th place

Many of you know that this is my favorite race. I've done it enough times to know how things play out. And given my increased mileage and climbing gains as of late, I felt really good about my chances. Here are the key takeaways:

It played out as in the past .... no breaks. A few folks tried, but no one prevailed. The climbs are not long enough and the flats are too windy. It's not worth even attempting. I just stayed near the front on the climbs, was careful on the descents (= passed by a few crazy people) and rest of the time I stayed off the back.

...until chaos ensued... we were neutralized 2nd time up stage road by the moto. he wanted the lead group of p1/2 to pass us. Well, they did. But either then or when we later caught up with them there were some Cat 4s that were 'down the road' (or at least we thought). It's really unclear what happened here. We leapfrogged the p1/2s and vice versa maybe twice on 84 on the lead into the final climb up haskins. Again we were neutralized (and still thinking a few people in the mix at the front of the p1/2s.

...and then began haskins...I was #3 turning up haskins. This time moto man neutralized the p1/2s and I hammered (as I told myself I would). Lungs felt great. Confidence felt great. Hey, I can win this once and for all.

...and there went my legs ... my quads were on fire but the rest of me still felt great. I can't explain it. It's how I've felt since I gave blood 2 weeks ago. Stupid, I know (now). So, I'll blame getting passed by 7 guys on my blood donation.

...but what about the guys who were off the front?...even when we started haskins someone told us that some guys has 1:20 on us. I'm not sure who those guys were bc I'm pretty sure that I was 8th out of our main group. So, either there wasn't anyone off the front, or I passed someone while I was sweet talking my legs, or I simply can't count.

...so in the end...I'm very very disappointed (in myself for donating blood 2 weeks ago). But, the 2 points for 8th give me exactly 20 in past 12 mo, so I've submitted my upgrade to Cat 3. :)

Thanks for reading this nonsense,

Kenneth

John Wilde's PGE 35+ 1/2/3 write up

Who: John Wilde (35+)



What: PG&E Criterium in Pleasanton

Result: I finished 16 out of about 50 riders

It seems the CoreTech-ites may have used up their race passes down in Monterey because only Dave and I showed up in Pleasanton for a 60 min hot, dry, fast 4 corner crit. Incredibly, Dave's computer was reporting a post-race temp of 110! I sat mid-pack most of the race, making an attempt to bridge to a 2-man break about 40 min in. My attempt failed but put me in a good position to latch on to a group of 6 guys who were trying the same thing. After a few laps our group gave up and the break stayed away. The infamous Dirk (Ed note: Dirk is 50-winning the 35+ race-impressive!) took the win (and 2nd in the next race to put an exclamation point on it). Maybe he trains in an oven? Oh right, it's called the noon ride.

I think the heat was a big factor and next time I would carry 2 bottles and pack them with ice. The hot-tea-like liquid I was forcing myself to swallow wasn't pleasant.

Todd Freiermuth Reports from E5 at PG&E (Ouch!)

Todd Freiermuth (bro of Scott) reports from the E5 race at PG&E Crit. Another reason to upgrade fast!

My work schedule finally allowed me to do yesterday’s PG&E Crit. This is the 4th crit I've done this year, and each time I learn something new.

With the weather forecast showing a high of 103, I was happy with the 0800 start and only 80 degrees!!! Arrived early, registered and warmed up on the trainer. They announced the course opened for practice laps, so off I go to preview the course. Nice smooth pavement and sweeping turns!

We line up at the start, get our pep talk about riding smart, protecting your front wheel, and to NOT do anything stupid!!!

The whistle blows and we’re off. The pace out of the gate isn't too bad and we tackle the first few laps without incident. Everyone seems to be riding fairly smooth so far......

After 10 minutes we go into the first sweeper and the carnage begins. Three guys go down on the inside. Before the wreck I heard guys yelling about someone cutting on the inside and to hold there line. The race gets stopped while Fire and Paramedics tend to the wounded ( 2 confirmed broken collar bones and 1 walking wounded).

After 15 minutes of waiting we are off again for our "last 5 laps" of the race. Every one is riding smooth and I’m hopeful all will stay "upright." And then you guessed it, more Cat 5 carnage with 2 laps to go; a tire blew mid turn and 4 more riders went down. I escaped the obstacles and kept going. Everyone was spread out at this point, so I put my head down and decided it was safer to get ahead of the group I was riding with. The last 2 laps I was in between the lead group and the chasing group.

I finished 29th out of 52 starters, and left with all my skin and bones in tact! It was a fun race, I learned more regarding race tactics, and have another race under my belt towards upgrading.

Looking forward to the Foothill Circuit!

Thanks for reading

Rick reports from his 2nd place CCCX (6/9/12)

Written by Rick Adams
45 +, 55+ (1-2-3)


Teammates: Ricky, Andrew, Super Dave, Allen

I like this course – especially when windy. It is similar to racing in Flanders, except the roads are twice as wide in Monterey.

Goal – ride conservatively, wait to see if any 55+ guys go up the road and sprint. With a few super human 45+ riders in the field, I will leave being in the break up to Andrew

Sure enough, a break happens and Andrew is in the move. Ricky does a fantastic job of covering the attacks that attempt to bridge. Ricky displayed some awesome power and tenacity in chasing down many riders — wow!

With 3 laps to Chris Black (very strong 55+) attacks and several other 55+ bring him back. Chris attacks a few more times and I and a few other 55+ are very attentive. Finally on the last lap, Chris Black attacks again and he takes 3 other 45+ with him. They are only about 10 seconds up the road – I am confident the group would bring them back because 5th place for the 45+ is still on the line. But no one takes responsibility to bring them back and they stay away.

Down the hill to the finish, I move all the way to the front and sure enough 2 other guys would rather be in front of me going 100%. As they die, Allen appears on the front going hard. I jump on his wheel. What a perfect lead-out. Thanks!

I win the field sprint giving me 2nd in the 55+ and 9th overall.

Great fun once again with CoreTechs.

Rick Adams

Tom Rice reports from CCCX-35+ open race (June 9th 2012)

Written by Tom Rice:

Pic by Tim Westmore

Where: Central Coast Circuit Racing, Fort Ord, CA
When: 9 July, 2012
Race: 35+ Masters Open
Course: 75 Minutes, 6 laps on a rolling 4.3 mile circuit on a beautiful sunny day on the Monterey Peninsula

Teammates: Andrew Adelman, Mark Foster, Rick Adams, Dave Puglia, Mike McLaughlin, Ricky Lucero

(Some of the other guys should pipe-up to fill in the gaps in my report!)

Mark Foster and I carpool together down to the venue. We get an early start so we have plenty of time to setup the CoreTechs pit suite near the podium in anticipation of a great day of racing. I even bring a couple of new camp chairs to make sure that, between races, the team has a good place to sit and tell the requisite tall tales of daring done! And, I have enough time to screw up the most difficult challenge of the entire day; pinning my numbers correctly. (I only had to re-pin twice to get three different numbers pinned correctly, an average success rate of 60%.)

Mark Foster, Mike McLaughlin, and I had already raced in the 45+ 3/4 race. Rick Adams, Andrew Adelman, Ricky Lucero and Dave Puglia had raced in the 45+/55+ 1/2/3/4 race earlier in the day. So, we were all well warmed up!

This race was going to be different than last week. Last week the race started with 17 riders and 10 of them were from the CoreTechs horde. This week, the race starts with 23 riders including 7 from CoreTechs with one major difference, this week, three of the strongest northern California age 35+ competitors are in our race... we have our work cut out for us!

Still, we know that Duane Coughlan from Iron Data/Thirsty Bear will attack from the start... and he does. This break is quickly subdued by the pack with substantial coverage by the CoreTechs horde. Immediately, a second attack takes off. Mark Foster covers this attack and a small gap forms. A chase group tries to bridge the gap and I cover these guys. Quickly, the pack reels us all in and the whole group is together again. This leaves me at the front of the pack when I hear the third attack coming from behind me - I accellerate. Matt Carinio and Kevin Klein are going for it! I jump on their wheels and soon the three of have a big gap. For those who don't already know, both Carinio and Klein are national class Cat 1 riders who are insanely strong. (Carinio's license number is only four digits and starts with a "6" for crap's sake!)

In this breakaway, I ride well above my "station" and I do my pulls but these guys are fast. After about one and a half laps, I can't hang... On one of the hills on the backside of the course, Carinio accelerates and I get popped.

Now, by myself, I'm thinking, "Well, I still have a good gap and I'm in third place. So, if I can keep a fast pace, maybe I can hang on." I go for it but, I'll admit it here, I was worked!

I'm paying attention behind me and I soon realize I'm going to get caught by a chase group. Apparently, Steve Heaton (a particularly strong Cat 2 rider) is not satisfied to sit in the pack to race for 4th place. So he decides, with 4 others, to bridge up to the front group - that is, me. (I'm not sure how this happened but this is my assumption.) Heaton, Derek Johnson, Benjamin Albracht, Blake Reed, Joe Amon, with Andrew in tow, bridge up to me. Andrew played this perfectly... he just sits in on the bridging attempt to get pulled up to me. I know they're coming so I rest enough that I can join this group as they catch me. This is awesome for me because now I have a teammate to help do the work of trying to reconnect - to no avail - with the front two riders. Matt and Kevin have a huge gap and we're seven guys racing for third place.

Andrew and I are kind of in the catbird's seats - these guys are all really strong and are working hard (except Reed, Carinio's teammate) to catch the front two. I'm doing my best to save some mojo for the finish. So, while Andrew and I take our pulls and do some of the work, the others are doing the lions share. Then, in one of the most bizarre moves I've seen in racing, as we're passing through the start/finish area with two laps to go and Heaton says, "Okay boys, have fun." He lets a huge gap form in front of Andrew and me and just drops out of the race.

What the heck?? Now, we have to close a gap, on three strong guys going very fast, to stay in the running for a podium position (one of the other guys in our group had been popped earlier.) So, we bury ourselves to get back in contact. We get back on but unfortunately, one of the guys accelerates on the backside hill and I can't hang... Andrew and I get gapped.

Andrew and I take a couple kilometers to rest and get ourselves together hoping the acceleration will slow. It does and we give chase - deep in the pain cave - but we cannot close the gap. Still, we need to keep our speed up so the pack does not catch us. We're racing for sixth and seventh place, a good finish given the talent in this race. As we race down the last hill coming up to the right hand turn onto the finish straight, I look back. I can't see anyone so it seems like we're in good shape to finish off the front of the pack. As we come up to the finish straight, there is a rider that I think might be from the breakaway group in front of us. I give chase hoping one of us can get on the podium. But, he's too far out and there is not enough time remaining to catch him. We cross the finish line with me in sixth place (thanks Andrew) and Andrew in seventh place.

After the race, Mark Foster tells me that the pack was gaining on us and could see us coming up to the finish. It's a good thing we kept our pace as high as we could!



This was a great race for me! It was incredibly hard, I'm completely wiped out but I had fun. Even though I didn't get on the box, I feel this is one of my best efforts to date. The competition was top notch and I get two points towards my next upgrade.

I have to thank Andrew in particular for his help in this race along with the rest of our team who helped keep the pack in control while we were off the front. What a great team! I love riding for CoreTechs!

Thanks for reading.



Tom Rice

Bicycle Racer

CoreTechs Cycling Team

Mark Dames Reports from CCCX (Funny!)

Written by Mark Dames

Where: Central Coast Circuit Racing, Fort Ord, CA

When: 9 July, 2012
Race: 45+ Cat 5
Course: 60 Minutes, roundybout the former Ord Military Base.

Teammates: Dave Tripier

Saturday morning. The dilemma .


A) Sleep in,

B) Mow the lawn,

C) drive 1 ½ hours to Monterey, and propel my body into hypoxic overload in the hopes that I’ll recapture my misspent youth.

With no competing family events, no work deadlines looming, no triathlons scheduled, option C rose to the top of the list.

The bike was in good shape, the rider had been newly fitted to it, and I was rested. Excuses not to go, were not materializing.

And the Venerable 45+ Cat 5 category needed some team representation.

At Monterey, the weather was perfect. Slightly cool, but warming in the Sun, windless, beautiful.

This could be a good day.

I signed up and then warmed up taking a few runs down the army base road towards the ocean. What a view.

I meet up with Dave T who is in the same race. We take another warm up lap and then hit the starting line.

There are about 20 entrants between two divisions, 35+ and 45+ Cat 5 racing together. Big Jeff Anders from MVV is there. I take note. He’s gone off the front and stayed away the two prior times I raced this event. I’ll have to watch him. If he goes, I commit, I’m going.

Whistle blows, were off at a blistering first lap pace of about 18 mph. This is a warm up lap to get the old bones working again I guess. Dave T. chats me up for some strategy, and I disgorge my interpretation of Andrew’s race wisdom. Stay in the draft. Conserve energy. Stay near the front. Don’t chase a single breakaway. If a 2nd guy goes, go with him.

Lap two speeds up, and I start to get near my limit going up the back side stepped ascents, but no one is interested in going kamikaze. On the descents I coast past most of the peloton while they are still pedaling. Hmmm. Can I make that work to my advantage? Lap Three is more of the same steady pace, but I don’t feel so winded on the back hill climbs. I try and stay behind bigger guys for more draft. I do note that coming off the long down hill to the last turn I don’t want to be on the inside, so I don’t have to pinch the turn to the finish. Note to self. Stay left.

Third lap, a guy goes off the front on the back side straightaway. After a couple of minutes, big Jeff motors away to bridge up to the breakaway rider. I’m about halfway back in the peloton and not particularly well positioned to jump his wheel. I consider bagging it and riding with the pack home. I remember Andrew’s counsel, “If you let a break go, you blew it”. I’m reminded of the Great Cat Fives who have come before, Merckx, . . . Foster, . . Indurain, . . . Rice. To heck with it I’m going. I surge off the front. As far as I know, no one follows. I get 100 then 200 yards on the peloton. I close to 30 yards on Big Jeff and the other guy. They are working together and I feel like I’m crossing the Sahara solo. It’s desolate out here. I’m working, working, working, but not gaining on the leaders. Lap 4, and I’ve still got a good lead on the peloton, maybe I can stay away. As soon as the road starts rising again, I give up that delusion, and coast back to the pack. At some point on the back side Jeff is done using his breakaway companion and discards him like an old shoe. Alone he flails wildly to stay away on his own, but comes back to the pack. This looks better now. Another spot on the podium is up for grabs. I get a minute to rest and the stair steps start again. For the first time I have to down shift out of the big chain ring. Bad sign. I’m drifting back, now. Now I’m off the back. I go anaerobic trying to get back on and after I crest the hill I force myself to power down the other side hoping I can hook up again. While the pack coasts I catch back on. Down the final hill I’m coasting up through the pack, I maneuver to the left, I should be able to finish mid – pack. I carry some good speed around the final corner, and drift a few more spots up the pack. I look up to the finish line and there’s Big Jeff in the distance and a half a dozen guys in front of me. Some of these may be catchable. Should I expend all that energy? (I read somewhere that its bad form to pass someone just to get a non-podium spot.) The Great Ones beckon me onward. What the heck. I spin furiously. I pass two or three guys before the line and finish what I think is a probable third or fourth. Dave T. is close behind me.

I learn later that I got second amidst the 45+ group, and get a medal for the effort. My first hardware in a bike race!

A good day.

Congratulations to all the CoreTechs riders, especially Alan and Rick for their First and Second finishes!

Cheers.



Mark A. Dames

Mark Dames Triathlon Report-Reservoir Tri

Triathlon Report by Mark Dames
Race: 6/3/2012 Reservoir Olympic Distance Triathlon

Location: Uvas Reservoir Morgan Hill
Race wave: Mixed Relay Division
Place: 4th out of 9 teams

While you folks were attacking the CCCX, my daughter Amanda and I took a shot at the Uvas Reservoir Triathlon in Morgan Hill.

Being that Amanda is coming off finals and the end-of-school year, graduation press, we decided to do this as a relay so she can ease back into competition.

Plan was for her to do the front and back/swim and run, I’d to the bike leg in the middle.

We arrived, set up in transition, said hello to a few friends and headed out for a warm up run along Uvas road. A twenty minute loop and we were ready.

She suited up in the wetsuit and we got to the beach for the line up. She goes in for a swim warm up about 15 minutes before her wave goes off.

Her stroke is looking arrow straight, and efficient, I feel she’s going to do well on this leg. I usually get around in 30 minutes, and I’m hoping she’ll do the same although she hasn’t had much swim training lately. Unbeknownst to me she’s swimming with triathlon goggles I bought her in 8th grade. She’s now a high school senior and apparently they don’t fit so well anymore. She has to turn over several times during the race to clear them from leaks, but she gets around the course in 31 minutes.

It’s a gratifying sight to see Amanda sprinting up the boat ramp which from the swim exit right on schedule. I get ready to strip the timing chip off her leg and transfer to mine. Task done, I jog my bike out of transition to the mount line and I’m off. The course is rolling hills with several significant climbs and some technical descents. I get up to 25 mph and try to keep my heart rate even for the first couple of miles. 151 bpm is my Olympic distance threshold, but I’m bouncing up to 159 at times and have to throttle back. On the first descent I discover that my brakes are not working on the carbon rims too well, and I am in imminent danger of losing it! I get through the first descent, and come to a right hand intersection with a flag man waving me right. Only problem is I’m going over 30 mph and the brakes have the aforementioned problem of reining this TT bike in. I approach the intersection and the brakes are not slowing, not slowing, not slowing, rear disc lock-up! A holy shit moment ensues as the rear skids out to the left, which happens to point me in the correct direction for the right hand turn. Luck or instinct causes me to let off, the rear straightens and I get around the corner. Wish I had a video of the corner worker’s expression. I get back on the gas as I figure there’s a 50/50 chance I’m going to crash in this race. Oh well. No caution now, I’ve got to get that timing chip back to my partner. I pass everyone I come upon and no one passes me. This isn’t saying much because the relays started dead last behind all the age group waves, but I figure at least I’m not having a bad day, . . . yet. One more technical descent comes along, I take it pretty slowly, my brakes are screaming like scalded cats, but I figure an unintentional dismount will cost me even more time. Last five miles to the barn I try to up shift and put the hammer down. This causes almost immediate muscle fatigue, and I have to shift back down and keep the cadence up. I pass numerous people who look to be pedal mashing at a sub 60 cadence. I spin by them at 90-95. Somebody give those poor souls the message. At around 22 miles I’m still sub one hour. I’ve been hovering at LT for an hour with numerous forays into the red zone. My record in the 24 mile bike leg is 1:05. I’m thinking team Dames may get a PR today. At mile 23, my legs start failing. I’m experiencing an alarming drop off in pace going up the rollers. I realize I forgot to eat anything. My goo pack is still taped to my top tube. Too late now, I push through and let the heart rate go ballistic. I enter the bike finish chute in oxygen debt wheezing like a Marlboro addict.

In transition #2 Amanda is waiting, she strips the timing chip, we high five and she’s off on the run. After catching my breath, I note other relay runners still waiting for their bike riders to arrive. Good. Let them wait. Their teammates didn’t go to the pain cave like I did. Maybe we’ll have a shot at the podium.

About three minutes after Amanda left, and small guy in a Stanford kit comes into transition with his bike. A big African American dude is waiting for him. This guy is football big up top, track and field build waist down, and he’s wearing those “I’m serious about this” compression sleeves on his legs. He takes the chip and literally sprints, knees high, arms pumping, out of transition. He looks like he’s doing the 100 yard dash. I think, “either that guy doesn’t know what he’s doing and will blow up, OR one of the podium spots is gone.” I’m hoping Amanda can go 48 minutes for the 10K run, an 8 minute pace. The hills however, prove to be a challenge. She’s pulls in at 52 minutes but has sprinted the last mile and looked like a rocket in the finishing chute. I’m proud of her. We end up one spot off the elusive podium, but have a lot of fun and a great father/daughter experience. My bike leg was a 1:09 for the 24 miles at about a 20 mph average, on a course with some steep hills climbs and twisty descents. I’m 4 minutes off my PR, but I didn’t crash. A good day.

Cheers.

Mark A. Dames

Tom Rice Reports from CCCX-45+ 3/4 (June 4 2012)

Where – Central Coast Circuit Races at Fort Ord, California

When – June 3, 2012
Race - 45+ Cat 3/4
Stats – 60 minutes (5 laps on a rolling course - 4.3 miles each)
Mark Foster and I are the CoreTechs riders in this race
Finish - 13th out of 20

I packed the night before so I could have a nice relaxing breakfast before heading down to Fort Ord on the Monterey Bay to setup for the race. So, at about 7:45, I jump into my truck all packed and ready to go. Mark Foster and I have two races (along with the rest of the CoreTechs Horde), and we'll need a nice shady place to hang out and tell lies. So, I stop on the way and pick up my canopy, jump back in the truck, punch in the "All 70's All the Time" XM radio station and have a very nice drive down to the venue.

I find Mark Foster is already there. So, with plenty of time to get ready, we get our numbers pinned then get our bikes on the trainers so we can warm up. Mark and I discuss race tactics during our warm-up - we decide that we'll save as much energy as possible during this first race. No unnecessary breakaway attempts, just sit in, cover any dangerous looking attacks and make sure we're well positioned to try for the podium. Mark is the better sprinter between the two of us so my job is to make sure he's delivered to the finish straight with a good shot at the line. I'll do what I can to, hopefully, get on the podium with him.

On the first lap, two riders, including Scott Leahy of SJBC, get a gap on our field. While these two are able to hold off the pack for most of 4 laps, with some moderate effort and some not so subtle cajoling of the pack, we keep these miscreants in sight... They would open a gap of about 30 to 45 seconds, the pack would close the gap to about 15 seconds and the chase would wither and die. Then, the breakaway would again open a gap of about 30 to 45 seconds, the pack would close the gap to about 15 seconds and the chase would wither and die. Then we'd repeat that cycle.

Finally, on the last lap before the first hill, I'm thinking, "Okay, either Mark or I need to bridge up to the breakaway or we're gonna lose this race." So, I move to get next to Mark, so we can have a discussion, when Mark jumps to bridge the gap. "Sweet!" It's a good move so I go to the front to cover for him. Mark is catching the breakaway when another rider (I think it was Justin Eatinger of Audi) jumps to bridge. So, I jump onto Justin's wheel and go with him. We end up exciting most of the rest of the pack and soon there are a dozen or so all together at the front.

Mark and I are well positioned as we come down the hill into the final right hander onto the finish straight. I decide to go wide at the turn in order to position for the sprint and I get pushed a little wider than I want. Unfortunately, the next guy I'm passing also pushes way wide and I get vectored off course onto the walkway on the wrong side of the cones (still on the pavement, so I'm not in jeopardy, but I'm off course and it would be unsafe to sprint from there). So, after an expression of frustration, I sit up and coast in to take 13th.

I'm not too excited by my finish but I feel we've raced a very smart race, we both had a shot at the sprint and I have lots of energy remaining for the much more difficult 35+ Open race (report to follow). I still need to work on a good finish when the pack comes to the line all together but it has been a good race and, of course, I get yet another good lesson!


Tom Rice
Bicycle Racer
CoreTechs Cycling Team

CCCX 45+ 1/2/3 on June 3rd 2012

Quick report from CCCX by Andrew A. Race date is June 3rd 2012. Race was the 45+ 1/2/3's. Teammates were Devon, Daryoush and Super Dave.

I think I have done this race close to 250 times. The course feels like home now. Even with all this, it still manages to kick my ass each time. I forget that those little "bumps" hurt to get over. I was reminded quickly.

Somehow I manage to get in a break of six guys within five minutes of starting the race. The problem though is none of the "big dogs" were in our break and we had five or six big dogs barking back in the field. I rotate through in our break but not at full measure. We have 20 miles of rolling terrain ahead and I am about 10% confident in this break surviving. Lap two comes and suddenly we have 7 in the break. Turns out one of those big dogs bridged. Kevin Klein (ex-Rock Racing and Yahoo! pro rider) is up with us and working. Ok, now I think we have a 50/50 shot of surviving. I know Devon, Daryoush and Dave are working to protect the break in the pack, but I also know Dirk and Heaton are back in the peloton too. They will not sit idly by and let us ride away. Now I commit to the break and put in full pulls at full effort. We still have 15 miles to ride.

Final lap starts and Klein bolts out of the group. He takes along with him Chris Wire (SJBC-Cat 1). I am close to full on anaerobic and just can not follow. About two minutes later, Chris comes back to our group. Klein just rides away from all of us. Nothing we can do, he can just do that. So now our group of six is racing for second place. Coming into the final downhill I'm fourth wheel. We take the right to the finish and the sprint starts. I manage to pass one rider. I close on the next guy but he holds me off by half a wheel. I get third in the field sprint and fourth overall.

Some of the best fun started after the race as we sat around and rehashed the day. Was good to get out with the boys, do some racing and some trash talking. Great day! Thanks to Daryoush, Devon and Super Dave for protecting the break so well!

Congratulations as well to the rest of the team in our other races. Good group of guys! Will be fun to do this again next week.

Andrew

Super Dave forgets the pain of Mt. Hamilton RR-and is reminded

Mt. Hamilton Road Race - Masters 55+123

Placing unknown – results not posted yet
No teammates in 55+
Ken Spencer raced in the Cat 4

Part One.

I decide to do a road race that I swore I would never do again – Mt. Hamilton. We line up and I notice most of my competitors look under-nourished. My right leg thigh is larger than most of their waists – I am a flatlander in a sea of climbers. There are 2 options for riding the first 20 miles up to the observatory: Option A.: Ride with the leaders as they push a hard tempo pace trying to weed out the field or Option B: ride at your own pace and treat it like a time trial. Option A is tough since a race pace will take 1hr and 20 mins and that would mean most of my ride would be above FTP or AT and that isn’t possible. I would pop before the top and would then face another 50 miles of road while trying to recover. I choose Option B – given that I can break 1hr and 30mins and would not have me going over FTP. I expect to collect up with others who back off the pace. As expected the leaders push a hard tempo and riders start backing off early. I decide to go at my own pace and back off. I keep others in sight. There are 3 sections to the climb up Mt. Hamilton. I do a good time up the first 2 sections but start to loose concentration on the final stage, which is 7 miles. I get to the top and I don’t see any of the 55+ groups – this is a problem. My time is off….

Part Two

I descend a very technical section down the backside for 6 miles never seeing any riders. I get to the bottom at the bridge at Isabel creek. It’s hot and the headwinds are starting to kick up. No riders just me and a hawk flying above. I get off my bike take off my undershirt, rearrange my back pockets, take a nature break, and count the number of gu-chomps I have left. I'm having a mini picnic. This is now an endurance ride. I get back on my bike. This is a 20 mile section with 2 climbs – one 3 miles and another about 1 mile. I make good time on the flats but when I get to the climbs I have no motivation to hammer these at any pace. I saw a video clip of Mark Cavendish at this year’s Giro climbing a very steep stage of the tour – very slowly. That was about my pace. Then the broom wagon shows up and the guy asks me how I am doing. I tell him I’m fine. There is no way I’m getting into the car. I’m worried that he might cut off my numbers since I’m out of the placing time period. I am now racing against a DNP…

Part Three.

I get to the top of the final climb. This is the final 20-mile section of the race and the elevation goes from 2800 feet to 820 feet at the finish. I am way off in terms of time so I decide to get to the finish line in less than an hour. My wife is waiting and I told Ken Spenser I would give him a ride back to his car at the start. I start this section with a 25mph headwind – my bike meter indicated gusts up to 45mph. This section consists of descents, rolling terrain, and false flats. I get into a big gear and just crank keeping an average at about 25mph. I have seen no riders since the top of Mt. Hamilton except one 55+ who had turned around after Isabel Creek. My legs hurt going against the 25mph headwind. I finally come up on a rider and see that he is from the 45+ 123 group – he has no interest in riding with me. I finally get to the 5K sign and I’m on a really fast descent. 1K then 200 meters and I’m done. I finish 20 miles in 53 minutes – the best workout of the day.

63 miles
6,475 feet of climbing
TSS 305

I will never do this again. Onward to CCCX on Sunday

DP

Mark F's Morgan Hill Crit report (with some ed notes) 5-28-12

Memorial Day Crit, 5-28-12

Morgan Hill
45+ cat 3 & 45+ cat 1,2,3
Team Mates: Devon Joos & John Wilde
Written by Mark Foster

I wasn’t planning on doing these crits, but changed my mind at the last minute and bombed down to Morgan Hill for a 10:45 Start.

The three of us (Ed Note: John Wilde, Devon and Mark) warmed up together and Devon admitted he hadn’t been feeling great and had been on meds. (ed note: He claims the meds are for a physical condition-though some of us have asked him to investiage some for mental as well :) We both knew he could still sprint, he just didn’t have the same mojo he normally has.

I felt great and didn’t really care how I did (Ed Note: Sure, if you know Mark, he is the most competitve dude out there. Him "not caring" means he will not throw a total fit if he does not have the day he wants :), I was just glad to be out riding on such a beautiful day. The race was packed with tons of riders. The results haven’t been posted so I’m not sure how many were in the first race, but my second race had over 70 riders. At any rate, the whistle blows and we’re off. It didn’t feel that fast, but it was. The average speed was over 26 mph. I was messing around up front along with John. He asked me if I wanted a lead out for a “preem”, I declined. I saw big Rick Morgan off of the front with another guy (Ed Note: Rick has a big backside, so I am surprised anyone could see there was someone with him) for about five laps, but we reeled them back.

At one point with about five laps to go an Alto Velo rider said to me, “let’s go for a break!”. I agreed and off he went with me on his wheel. He gave me the “elbow flick” and I came around him and hammered hard for over a minute. When I gave him the flick….nothing. I look back and I’m all alone, but about 50 yards off the front….nice. Five miles to go was too far for me to try to be a hero. I obviously agreed to break with the wrong guy. He said after the race that I rode him off of my wheel. At any rate, I soft pedaled until the peloton caught me. I blended into the group and hid for the last few laps. With a lap to go, I’m about twentieth heading into the wind. I hear Devon’s voice behind me, “Dude, you gotta go”. So “go” I did. With Devon on my wheel, I went into the wind and up to the front guys. I stayed in the wind the entire last lap, but was at the front, to the side of the other leaders. As I came into the final corner, before the sprint, the “check engine” light came on. There was nothing left. Devon did his job and took second and I limped in to 16th. I had completely tapped myself out. My pulse hit it’s highest number this year at 189….ouch. It would barely go under 100 in the next hour and a half before the next race….I was toast. (Ed Note: Awesome teamwork. Would have been hard for Devon to get up front without using up his sprint if Mark did not help-This was great team racing and a well earned Second place for both Mark and Devon)

The next race was the 45+ Cat 1,2,3 race. It started and I hung on to last place for a few laps. Then I started feeling better. I moved up a bit, but was careful never to stick my nose into the wind. I hid the entire race. As the laps wound down I slowly moved up. My heart was still suffering from the previous effort. It’s hard to move up in a pack of over 70 riders and never get into the wind; but I did it. By the time we crossed the finish line I had worked my way up to 19th place. I haven’t seen the results(other than where I finished), but I beat most of the 3’s who had beaten me the previous race (Ed Note: See? Not competitive at all, just out for a fun day. Except that he takes notes during a race and if you beat him, watch out, he will get you the next time out! Mark is a bull, we are just hoping he does not realize it for a while so we can still ride his wheel from time to time - unlike that AV guy in the first race.)  No glory (Ed note: Leading your teammate out to a 2nd place is glory my friend!), tons of fun! Thanks for reading. –Mark F.