The very very very last race was Thursday night racing at the track last night. The A's had BJM, Roman, Steve Paleaz and other tough characters. There were only eight so Larry went with the format where the A's do 60 laps behind the B's without contesting then do their own race. Not all the A's abided by this and sat out the B's here and there but the A's race was fun nonetheless. It was fast, with very little protection from a pack. In addition I was experimenting with 50X14, a whopping 96 inches! It was a bit big but man, once we were rolling, it was actually pretty good. We were hitting speeds over 30 mph pretty often, will be curious to see our average if Larry provides it.
Before the 10 laps to go sprint I was tied with Roman for third which set up an interesting battle. There were only four of us that hadn't lost a lap and I managed to take one position ahead of Roman at the 10 to go. He attacked after that to try to get me for the final but I stayed on his wheel and he couldn't get away. I was pretty happy with 3rd being my best A's points finish to date.
Thanks to Larry for the beer, though it almost made me pack in before the race and just watch the race sipping on Tecate's.
Thank god it's only three months to the first early bird... I'm already thinking about it...
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Last track night?
I heard that there was a move to continue Hellyer racing into the winter, which would seem to be a great idea. It does have lights after all? Anyone have info on why this can't happen?
In the meantime I'm going to head to the last night of racing. Should be a good time, I've only done the Thursday night races once...
In the meantime I'm going to head to the last night of racing. Should be a good time, I've only done the Thursday night races once...
Monday, September 24, 2007
Chico Omnium
It doesn't really exist, but it would have been a good idea right? Easy to calculate that Eric Riggs wins that since he won Saturday (Hennlyville RR) and was second behind teammate Hollaway on Sunday (Chico Crit). After that who knows: I was glad to top ten in them but not assured a second place in the fictional omnium.
Chico crit was really well put on: good prize money, good crowds especially for p1/2 and the 35+ race. It was really loud! For the p1/2 I was a little cooked from the back to back Master's race, but it was a good field: Hollaway in his blazing new stars and stripes skinsuit, Riggs, Klein, Jameel, strong Chico team, some CalGiant. sure enough it was just a matter of time before a break started. What turned into the winning break was started by Miller (CalGiant) and an Owens guy I think. I worked with a Chico rider to bridge, then came Riggs, then Hollaway, then Kevin King (not Klein) with Timmel (Chico) as well as Jameel. I worked for the first half, but by the time the last 10 laps came down, I was really really cooked and couldn't do much but respond to the attacks. Jameel broke his derailleur, Hollaway won it (respect the skinsuit) with Riggs second for the 1/2. I hung on my 8 out of 8 thing, but it was a miracle I was in there at all... Kevin wanted me to mention that he did in fact work in this break: he did... certainly sustained more than I did near the end.
Master's was a strange one, and I'm looking for tactics coaching here. I planned on a warmup for P1/2 race, but after seeing the payout I thought an effort was worthwhile here. Not sure what got into me: maybe the $20 prime for the first lap??!! Started to attack from the onset after feeling good legs after the RR Saturday. Got a group of 7-8 to go with, but it wasn't organized and guys were trying to sit in so I attacked it until there was a more managable group of four: Joe (EMC), Shawn (MS), and Scott (Mako). There was still some sitting in, but it all stayed together, until we could see the back of the field. I really wanted to attack the break and lap solo, but it happened quickly and the three weren't letting me go, so we all lapped together. I didn't see that Briggs also lapped with Vince Gee and I think Pasco as well? When it came down to a sprint Gee ends up winning it, but I thought he had been lapped. Oh well, was good for 4th... Scott's a good sprinter as well and he was 2nd or 3rd, EMC was ahead of me as well.
Coaching question for this: how to best deal with a break catching the field? I tried to attack through the field so I could continue on but they got my wheel and that screwed up everything? Better to not lap? Then Briggs and others would have caught us anyway. Any advice appreciated....
Too much typing already but: Hennlyville came down to two breaks. Early was a group of 6-7 with Riggs, Klein, Jameel, Obregon, myself, some others. It wasn't working well and was caught before 2 laps were done. Mike Andres rolled away halfway through (2 laps) and was making a really good gap solo. After the feed I got away with Sierra Nevada on my wheel and bridged to Mike. Things were looking good for the podium, and he's a great break partner: very unselfish perhaps cause of his mtb background. He just loved to grind it out. With a lap to go we had a minute on the field and 30 seconds on a chase. I thought we had it made but then Riggs and Klein bridged. It certainly solified the break (over 2 minutes) but I don't like finishing with those two (they went 1/2). Got 4th. Still: good course, good fun.
The women's field in the crit were fun to watch: 3/4 field was more active than normal with Hanan and Laurie (Mako) finishing with a break from the field. Then Vanderkitten and Hanan going 1st and 2nd for a good Port of Oakland finish in the 1/2/3 field. Vanderkitten was away for a while but Hanan bridged to her. The field also eventually caught but the effort killed them.
Chico crit was really well put on: good prize money, good crowds especially for p1/2 and the 35+ race. It was really loud! For the p1/2 I was a little cooked from the back to back Master's race, but it was a good field: Hollaway in his blazing new stars and stripes skinsuit, Riggs, Klein, Jameel, strong Chico team, some CalGiant. sure enough it was just a matter of time before a break started. What turned into the winning break was started by Miller (CalGiant) and an Owens guy I think. I worked with a Chico rider to bridge, then came Riggs, then Hollaway, then Kevin King (not Klein) with Timmel (Chico) as well as Jameel. I worked for the first half, but by the time the last 10 laps came down, I was really really cooked and couldn't do much but respond to the attacks. Jameel broke his derailleur, Hollaway won it (respect the skinsuit) with Riggs second for the 1/2. I hung on my 8 out of 8 thing, but it was a miracle I was in there at all... Kevin wanted me to mention that he did in fact work in this break: he did... certainly sustained more than I did near the end.
Master's was a strange one, and I'm looking for tactics coaching here. I planned on a warmup for P1/2 race, but after seeing the payout I thought an effort was worthwhile here. Not sure what got into me: maybe the $20 prime for the first lap??!! Started to attack from the onset after feeling good legs after the RR Saturday. Got a group of 7-8 to go with, but it wasn't organized and guys were trying to sit in so I attacked it until there was a more managable group of four: Joe (EMC), Shawn (MS), and Scott (Mako). There was still some sitting in, but it all stayed together, until we could see the back of the field. I really wanted to attack the break and lap solo, but it happened quickly and the three weren't letting me go, so we all lapped together. I didn't see that Briggs also lapped with Vince Gee and I think Pasco as well? When it came down to a sprint Gee ends up winning it, but I thought he had been lapped. Oh well, was good for 4th... Scott's a good sprinter as well and he was 2nd or 3rd, EMC was ahead of me as well.
Coaching question for this: how to best deal with a break catching the field? I tried to attack through the field so I could continue on but they got my wheel and that screwed up everything? Better to not lap? Then Briggs and others would have caught us anyway. Any advice appreciated....
Too much typing already but: Hennlyville came down to two breaks. Early was a group of 6-7 with Riggs, Klein, Jameel, Obregon, myself, some others. It wasn't working well and was caught before 2 laps were done. Mike Andres rolled away halfway through (2 laps) and was making a really good gap solo. After the feed I got away with Sierra Nevada on my wheel and bridged to Mike. Things were looking good for the podium, and he's a great break partner: very unselfish perhaps cause of his mtb background. He just loved to grind it out. With a lap to go we had a minute on the field and 30 seconds on a chase. I thought we had it made but then Riggs and Klein bridged. It certainly solified the break (over 2 minutes) but I don't like finishing with those two (they went 1/2). Got 4th. Still: good course, good fun.
The women's field in the crit were fun to watch: 3/4 field was more active than normal with Hanan and Laurie (Mako) finishing with a break from the field. Then Vanderkitten and Hanan going 1st and 2nd for a good Port of Oakland finish in the 1/2/3 field. Vanderkitten was away for a while but Hanan bridged to her. The field also eventually caught but the effort killed them.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Can't say no...
...to another race. Probably going to drive way too many miles up to Chico and race. I told myself when I was doing the very first Early bird... eight months ago! That's a lot of races, but I'm still liking it so I'll break my rule again. The rule is not to drive more hours than I race. IE, driving two hours for an hour long crit: not allowed. I break that rule all the time, or tack on the Master's crit to make it allowable.
It's a p1/2/3 race too, so maybe get some 3's from TeamOakland to go up.
It's a p1/2/3 race too, so maybe get some 3's from TeamOakland to go up.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Friday night tracking
Small fields these days at Friday Night Racing. I'm kind of surprised cause end of the season I would think that people would want to end on a good note. Maybe the last night of racing next week will bring everyone out. The races were combined (1/2 and 3/4)
As it was we were all Strawberried, as Reaney, Miller, and Copeland came out to gang up on all the singletons. I wanted to mention part way through the points race, while Copeland and Miller were 1/2ing me for the points, that I actually wasn't in their race, but thought instead that I should get used to being in their race. So I tried, but Miller rolled off front as Copeland let the gap open in front of him. Really I think I could have gotten around him, but let myself think about winning the 3/4 omnium already... what a chump. Should have gone for it.
In the Win and Out I raced worse, sorry guys. No warmup really messed me up, and kept trying to jump on the front, which just wore out my cold legs. Thanks to Reaney for making us chase more of the race to help him companions.
Still, good fun. Hopefully next Friday night I'll be racing the 1/2's, waiting on the upgrade request.
As it was we were all Strawberried, as Reaney, Miller, and Copeland came out to gang up on all the singletons. I wanted to mention part way through the points race, while Copeland and Miller were 1/2ing me for the points, that I actually wasn't in their race, but thought instead that I should get used to being in their race. So I tried, but Miller rolled off front as Copeland let the gap open in front of him. Really I think I could have gotten around him, but let myself think about winning the 3/4 omnium already... what a chump. Should have gone for it.
In the Win and Out I raced worse, sorry guys. No warmup really messed me up, and kept trying to jump on the front, which just wore out my cold legs. Thanks to Reaney for making us chase more of the race to help him companions.
Still, good fun. Hopefully next Friday night I'll be racing the 1/2's, waiting on the upgrade request.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Benicia
And I thought my season was over...
Couldn't help but head out for another event. 1)close to home 2)good money 3)I love to race.
The course is really nice. It's got a Vacaville like hill (OK, little smaller), then little descent, smaller hill, turn to a short rise, turn to the finish. Lots of crashes! Luckily I wasn't involved, but the Tues Port ride took a hit as both Hanan and Carla crashed in the p1/2/3 race. Carla looked a lot worse for it, hope she's OK. Then Roman (OK, only shows up on occasion at the Port, but still) took a bad spill in the p1/2 race. Please comment if you have news on Carla or Roman, I had heard that both took a trip to the hospital.
Masters race was interesting, the field being small the pace was somewhat on the slow side. I took off from the gun to try to speed things up but never got a really big gap and the only taker was a Morgan Stanley rider who wasn't going to work, so... back to the drawing board. Sat and watched as breaks formed and were caught. Then with 10 laps to go or so, a Squadra rider took a flyer and a Mako rider then bridged. Thought it looked promising, so I bridged up as well. It wasn't the smoothest break but it stuck. Two to go I pulled a bunch cause the other guys were prematurely playing the end game I thought, field was getting close. Last lap, I gapped them a bit on the hill, but they got on my wheel again after. Ended in a dead sprint, in which I got second. After five weeks of Cal Cup Velo promo races (which I love) the nice payout was a shocker.
P1/2 race was a lot faster, and the breaks more threatening. Same as always! CalGiant showed up and was the only team really, and with another small field I knew we were in for some trouble. Sure enough it was: CalGiant break, try to bridge or organize break, catch; CalGiant break, try to bridge or organize break, catch....
Four guys were off the front for a long time, and mostly through the work of three or four guys they were caught with five to go or so. I was pretty cooked from all this, including being in no man's land for four or five laps. I was glad to be in top ten in the sprint, but wanted more...
Near the end, ClifBar guy went down right in front of me and I hear two tire pops, which was very confusing. Sounded like another rider went down behind me as well, and I saw Switters later and he had gone down. Any information would be appreciated. It was like the Kennedy Assasination out there, trying to piece together what happened.
Nice work for Ian Swinson who got two 4th's in the 4's too. Stephen Langone also went down and broke his nice carbon handlebars (aluminum works well in crits Steve). He seemed to be fine though.
Couldn't help but head out for another event. 1)close to home 2)good money 3)I love to race.
The course is really nice. It's got a Vacaville like hill (OK, little smaller), then little descent, smaller hill, turn to a short rise, turn to the finish. Lots of crashes! Luckily I wasn't involved, but the Tues Port ride took a hit as both Hanan and Carla crashed in the p1/2/3 race. Carla looked a lot worse for it, hope she's OK. Then Roman (OK, only shows up on occasion at the Port, but still) took a bad spill in the p1/2 race. Please comment if you have news on Carla or Roman, I had heard that both took a trip to the hospital.
Masters race was interesting, the field being small the pace was somewhat on the slow side. I took off from the gun to try to speed things up but never got a really big gap and the only taker was a Morgan Stanley rider who wasn't going to work, so... back to the drawing board. Sat and watched as breaks formed and were caught. Then with 10 laps to go or so, a Squadra rider took a flyer and a Mako rider then bridged. Thought it looked promising, so I bridged up as well. It wasn't the smoothest break but it stuck. Two to go I pulled a bunch cause the other guys were prematurely playing the end game I thought, field was getting close. Last lap, I gapped them a bit on the hill, but they got on my wheel again after. Ended in a dead sprint, in which I got second. After five weeks of Cal Cup Velo promo races (which I love) the nice payout was a shocker.
P1/2 race was a lot faster, and the breaks more threatening. Same as always! CalGiant showed up and was the only team really, and with another small field I knew we were in for some trouble. Sure enough it was: CalGiant break, try to bridge or organize break, catch; CalGiant break, try to bridge or organize break, catch....
Four guys were off the front for a long time, and mostly through the work of three or four guys they were caught with five to go or so. I was pretty cooked from all this, including being in no man's land for four or five laps. I was glad to be in top ten in the sprint, but wanted more...
Near the end, ClifBar guy went down right in front of me and I hear two tire pops, which was very confusing. Sounded like another rider went down behind me as well, and I saw Switters later and he had gone down. Any information would be appreciated. It was like the Kennedy Assasination out there, trying to piece together what happened.
Nice work for Ian Swinson who got two 4th's in the 4's too. Stephen Langone also went down and broke his nice carbon handlebars (aluminum works well in crits Steve). He seemed to be fine though.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Giro
'Last race' of the season was yesterday. My first time doing the p1/2 version of this and it was interesting. Seemed apparent that no one was going to get away, all attacks would get about 10 to 15 seconds out and just stall in the headwind. With the fast downhill too it's pretty hard, cause the field can go pretty damn fast down that thing.
Fun to watch Jerod getting marked everywhere, everyone's eyes seem to be on him. Alot of excited yells from the crowd for him as well. Good to see this kid has such talent and seems to be grounded at the same time. He actually acknowledges everyone even though he's bashing the peloton on a regular basis.
Myself, had some good position with 5 to go, but the spear head stalled out before the CalGiant train started up and I lost my position at that point. Need to get better during those last three, hairy laps. Lot's of jostling, some elbows, minor punches. Too much for me at this point.
Master's race: huge thanks to Brian for making it a fun race. Was able to hold his wheel for the last three laps and hold on for 2nd behind a charging LeBerge. I guess that makes one of the better field sprint finishes for me.
Lots of delays yesterday after a spectator had a heart attack right next to me at turn one. That was crazy. Hope the guy's OK, he did come to after a couple of minutes. Guess it was a pretty exciting race...
Fun to watch Jerod getting marked everywhere, everyone's eyes seem to be on him. Alot of excited yells from the crowd for him as well. Good to see this kid has such talent and seems to be grounded at the same time. He actually acknowledges everyone even though he's bashing the peloton on a regular basis.
Myself, had some good position with 5 to go, but the spear head stalled out before the CalGiant train started up and I lost my position at that point. Need to get better during those last three, hairy laps. Lot's of jostling, some elbows, minor punches. Too much for me at this point.
Master's race: huge thanks to Brian for making it a fun race. Was able to hold his wheel for the last three laps and hold on for 2nd behind a charging LeBerge. I guess that makes one of the better field sprint finishes for me.
Lots of delays yesterday after a spectator had a heart attack right next to me at turn one. That was crazy. Hope the guy's OK, he did come to after a couple of minutes. Guess it was a pretty exciting race...
Saturday, September 1, 2007
First Friday night track
Was out for the Friday night racing last night for the first time. Little different dynamic than the Wednesday night racing, with the 3/4 racing more mandatory. Some of the stronger 3's were given a 'temporary upgrade' to the p1/2 race and did very well, which gave us more room in the 3/4 race I guess.
I was tired from riding too much earlier but managed to eke out a win in the miss n out which was big for me, since this has not been my event. Raced a bit smarter, staying 3rd wheel for most of the race then holding off Doug and Mark for the win.
Was fun to hang out with Hanan, Beth, Mary.
I was tired from riding too much earlier but managed to eke out a win in the miss n out which was big for me, since this has not been my event. Raced a bit smarter, staying 3rd wheel for most of the race then holding off Doug and Mark for the win.
Was fun to hang out with Hanan, Beth, Mary.
love the Giro
Last race of the season, last race of the cal cup. Hard to miss this race. I plan on showing up early and watching all the action from the W3 to the p12 race (the 35+ 4/5 race is mighty early sorry). Don't forget: Bart it, no bridge.
I think one of the biggest reason to go is to talk to everyone, gab with riders etc. And oh yes, race as well. Sure hope we get some good pros out there to make it a fun race.
I think one of the biggest reason to go is to talk to everyone, gab with riders etc. And oh yes, race as well. Sure hope we get some good pros out there to make it a fun race.
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