was laughing with the Maury and John last night about who's Port stock was higher valued. Maury claims he is going to buy a Ridley over Look or Cervelo because he wants to be more like the Wilker.
No one would argue with, least of all me, John being the best looking certainly. if you prefer form over function, by all means go for the JWilk baseball card. On the flip side... well, say no more.
On the other hand, Maury, if you get a Look, you could always say you're flattering Hadyn over me. It wouldn't hurt my feelings cause I want to be Australian too.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
My yearly Copperopolis wake up call
I always wait until Copperopolis to come to the realization that you should really train for climbing races sometimes. Two a half months of crits every weekend does not a road racer make. I started the race with a lot of apprehension, cause last year in the 35+ race I was dropped first lap!
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the legs weren't all that bad this year. I guess crit power doesn't completely evaporate at the sight of the uphill. The extra weight I'm carrying perhaps a little offset by the new LOOK, the bike really was a pleasure. I've been riding Cannondales for three years, and this was a big departure.
First lap a and half were not very eventful. Talked to my three teammates: Bosch, Eric, Greg Mellor. The descent really was different on a carbon bike! Second time up the climb wasn't bad either, though it whittled the group to 19, and we still had four. Eric wasn't feeling good though, and as the group sped along the flats, he and a couple of other riders lost contact with the back.
Then Metclaf solo attacked and got a pretty good gap. On the little climb before descent, Phipps took off with Noble (Time). At the top, I took to the front and strung things out enough that we got a gap on the descent. I was surprised but thought I would continue this, taking teammate Greg and I up to the other three.
I then proceeded to work way too hard to make a gap with the five riders. In retrospect it wasn't smart: create a big gap and deliver the best climbers to the bottom of the climb. The last thing I heard was Greg saying: 'Let's work together up the climb', just before Phipps attacked and dumped both of us! Bastard.
Anyway, they got a 2 minute gap on us by the top! Saw the pack getting close, and I was ready to just go back when Greg said we should give it a try. He was right, and worked really hard, cause we stayed away for 4th and 5th. A real pleasure Greg, thanks for the help. I think he did quite a bit more work than me, I was cooked!
Bosch crashing into a crashing Dan Martin certainly marred things, but sounds like he's healing up and hoping to race again, perhaps as early as this w/e.
Now my back is all f****ed up from climbing without preparation. Hard to be old.... Hopefully back for the w/e though. Looking forward to Sierra Point. Need to decide between Hanford (3 hour drive, $4K, lots of teammates), and Brisbane (30 min drive, $1K, one teammate).
Good to see Ryan and John all jazzed up doing their first p1/2 Copper. They deserve more for their <30 place finish in that race than my 5th place finish in the 35+!
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the legs weren't all that bad this year. I guess crit power doesn't completely evaporate at the sight of the uphill. The extra weight I'm carrying perhaps a little offset by the new LOOK, the bike really was a pleasure. I've been riding Cannondales for three years, and this was a big departure.
First lap a and half were not very eventful. Talked to my three teammates: Bosch, Eric, Greg Mellor. The descent really was different on a carbon bike! Second time up the climb wasn't bad either, though it whittled the group to 19, and we still had four. Eric wasn't feeling good though, and as the group sped along the flats, he and a couple of other riders lost contact with the back.
Then Metclaf solo attacked and got a pretty good gap. On the little climb before descent, Phipps took off with Noble (Time). At the top, I took to the front and strung things out enough that we got a gap on the descent. I was surprised but thought I would continue this, taking teammate Greg and I up to the other three.
I then proceeded to work way too hard to make a gap with the five riders. In retrospect it wasn't smart: create a big gap and deliver the best climbers to the bottom of the climb. The last thing I heard was Greg saying: 'Let's work together up the climb', just before Phipps attacked and dumped both of us! Bastard.
Anyway, they got a 2 minute gap on us by the top! Saw the pack getting close, and I was ready to just go back when Greg said we should give it a try. He was right, and worked really hard, cause we stayed away for 4th and 5th. A real pleasure Greg, thanks for the help. I think he did quite a bit more work than me, I was cooked!
Bosch crashing into a crashing Dan Martin certainly marred things, but sounds like he's healing up and hoping to race again, perhaps as early as this w/e.
Now my back is all f****ed up from climbing without preparation. Hard to be old.... Hopefully back for the w/e though. Looking forward to Sierra Point. Need to decide between Hanford (3 hour drive, $4K, lots of teammates), and Brisbane (30 min drive, $1K, one teammate).
Good to see Ryan and John all jazzed up doing their first p1/2 Copper. They deserve more for their <30 place finish in that race than my 5th place finish in the 35+!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Series 99
So the team did pretty well in the end for the Series. Bosch 1st, me 3rd, Eric 4th. Hopefully some more guys will come out last year, cause there were not a lot of riders that did all five events. That would make it lot more competitive.
Had a great time leading out the last four laps with Tim on Saturday. Hopefully that contributed something to Brian winning. Sometimes the guy is so strong in the last K that I'm not sure he even needs us out there!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
The TT
Never been to Visalia before....
the tt goes through Yokohl Valley which is just beautiful. felt ok,
probably went too easy first half. chased bosch and hutch all the way
back, fun.
Then ran into the scorekeepers for the 99 series in the bar. Bosch is
tied w Bennett for first, I'm 3rd, and eric and hutch are tied for
fourth. makes for a really interesting crit tomorrow. looking forward
to it.
Hutch did that tt twice by the way, still beat me!
the tt goes through Yokohl Valley which is just beautiful. felt ok,
probably went too easy first half. chased bosch and hutch all the way
back, fun.
Then ran into the scorekeepers for the 99 series in the bar. Bosch is
tied w Bennett for first, I'm 3rd, and eric and hutch are tied for
fourth. makes for a really interesting crit tomorrow. looking forward
to it.
Hutch did that tt twice by the way, still beat me!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Cool Port Videos
The Little Ring Man took some nice videos out at the Port on Tuesday. I'm having a hard time picking myself out (maybe LRM edited me out).
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Bosch attacks the break and
Bosch attacks the break and laps. Eric and I watch hernando and bennet play games and manage to get 2nd and 3rd. Nice stuff.
cvc 35 race that was
cvc 35 race
that was fun. Brian orchestated a 1/2/3 for the team and it was great. 5 man break with hernando, bennet, easterling.
that was fun. Brian orchestated a 1/2/3 for the team and it was great. 5 man break with hernando, bennet, easterling.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
mon frere
Hope you get better quickly Sean. His text said 'he left me for dead, but I don't die that easily'. Somebody hit him on his bike while commuting to work at 5 am yesterday and sped off, leaving him unconscious, and as far as he knew, dead. jesus.....
He's home and recuperating. Needs dental cosmetics. Maybe we should pass the hat?
Joel
He's home and recuperating. Needs dental cosmetics. Maybe we should pass the hat?
Joel
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