So Frankie Andreu is guest directing Proman and Hernandez is guest directing Vanderkitten for national level events, Philadelphia... Oklahoma...
I was thinking I could guest direct Team Oakland at the Dash for Cash. I'm waiting for the invite....
Friday, May 30, 2008
Congratulations to John and Juliette!
Yep, Julian Thomas Wilk is fast like his dad I guess. Just had to be born. He's a little early at 32 weeks, 4 lbs 5 oz, and I think John said 17 inches.
But both Julian and Juliette (and John) are fine sounds like, though Julian will be hangin' in the 'cubator for a little while! The whole 'J' motif is pretty cutesy...
Happened this morning. Congratulations guys.
But both Julian and Juliette (and John) are fine sounds like, though Julian will be hangin' in the 'cubator for a little while! The whole 'J' motif is pretty cutesy...
Happened this morning. Congratulations guys.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Trippy race day: June 21st
Not only is AVC going on at Hellyer this weekend, the new Napa Crit has a points race format only for the 35+ race?? Interesting, but who came up with that? Is it in honor of AVC? Why not do it for p1/2 while they're at it?
I'm hoping to race Napa at 2 pm (maybe even p1/2 at 4 pm), then jet down to Hellyer for the 6 pm track session. Any bets on whether this can be done? The Masters Points race on the track isn't until late in the session, so I'm betting it can be!
I'm hoping to race Napa at 2 pm (maybe even p1/2 at 4 pm), then jet down to Hellyer for the 6 pm track session. Any bets on whether this can be done? The Masters Points race on the track isn't until late in the session, so I'm betting it can be!
Track/Sacramento/Memorial Day Racing
Never posted on the overall weekend of racing (tho you can see race reports at the Sierra Pacific blog).
The brave soul could have raced four venues this past Memorial Day weekend (I'm buying beer for anyone that can add Comments saying they did this).
It was:
-Hellyer Friday Night for the Hernando show.
-Golden State's New (sometimes) course Saturday
-Mt Hamilton Logistical Nightmare Sunday
-A wind-less Memorial Day Crit on Monday
1) Hellyer Highlights for Friday night? I was embarrased to be booted out of the 3/4 Miss n Out. The week before they were letting in all 40+ I think, so I assumed I could race. No, I couldn't. I'm starting to like the Miss n Out and was able to top five again in P1/2. Gio was playing the 'devil' and sniping the last rider the whole race! When my time came, I obliged.
The mystery pts race? Eh, it was alright. If you guessed the bells correctly it was good. I didn't. Celebrity guest bell ringers?? Mark Patten?? He didn't even wear his skinsuit.
Tired of getting schooled by Dan Smith in the 40+ Scratch race. He's won both in the series.
2) Golden State Great new 180 turn. Which made it especially irritating when they removed it in the middle of the 5's race! Made the negative Masters even more negative.
Need to learn techniques when being taken to the curb (plow on through? Protest? I've heard suggestions of initiating fist fights... not my style).
Nice work Brian J of TO for winning the 4's. He'll be a very good addition to the 3's. He was in our Port break of four last night and I have a feeling he'll be more than holding his own in the new field.
3) Mt Ham Didn't do it. Jesse Friese crashed and I hope he's doing well. Francesca did her first p1/2/3 race and it sounded like tons of fun.
Some Davis guy rides solo away from 3 Giant, Cozza, and Wohlberg. Gotta love that.
4) Morgan Hills Crit Always like this race... when there is more wind! There was very little wind which meant there not a break to be had all day (someone correct me if I missed one). 35+ race was actually pretty fun: the boys in black and blue did really well. Lot of firepower in p1/2 but came down to a bunch sprint as well.
Never seem Tim G get angry before. Thought I was going to have to break up a fist fight in the reg line. Something about cutting in line, drug allegations...
Mel gets another point. Oh yeah... Toby got his Cat 3 upgrade too! We'll see him Saturday in the 35+ race. Should be fun.
Chance to do this all again this weekend: Another Friday Night Track, Dash for Less Cash, then Dunlap TT!
The brave soul could have raced four venues this past Memorial Day weekend (I'm buying beer for anyone that can add Comments saying they did this).
It was:
-Hellyer Friday Night for the Hernando show.
-Golden State's New (sometimes) course Saturday
-Mt Hamilton Logistical Nightmare Sunday
-A wind-less Memorial Day Crit on Monday
1) Hellyer Highlights for Friday night? I was embarrased to be booted out of the 3/4 Miss n Out. The week before they were letting in all 40+ I think, so I assumed I could race. No, I couldn't. I'm starting to like the Miss n Out and was able to top five again in P1/2. Gio was playing the 'devil' and sniping the last rider the whole race! When my time came, I obliged.
The mystery pts race? Eh, it was alright. If you guessed the bells correctly it was good. I didn't. Celebrity guest bell ringers?? Mark Patten?? He didn't even wear his skinsuit.
Tired of getting schooled by Dan Smith in the 40+ Scratch race. He's won both in the series.
2) Golden State Great new 180 turn. Which made it especially irritating when they removed it in the middle of the 5's race! Made the negative Masters even more negative.
Need to learn techniques when being taken to the curb (plow on through? Protest? I've heard suggestions of initiating fist fights... not my style).
Nice work Brian J of TO for winning the 4's. He'll be a very good addition to the 3's. He was in our Port break of four last night and I have a feeling he'll be more than holding his own in the new field.
3) Mt Ham Didn't do it. Jesse Friese crashed and I hope he's doing well. Francesca did her first p1/2/3 race and it sounded like tons of fun.
Some Davis guy rides solo away from 3 Giant, Cozza, and Wohlberg. Gotta love that.
4) Morgan Hills Crit Always like this race... when there is more wind! There was very little wind which meant there not a break to be had all day (someone correct me if I missed one). 35+ race was actually pretty fun: the boys in black and blue did really well. Lot of firepower in p1/2 but came down to a bunch sprint as well.
Never seem Tim G get angry before. Thought I was going to have to break up a fist fight in the reg line. Something about cutting in line, drug allegations...
Mel gets another point. Oh yeah... Toby got his Cat 3 upgrade too! We'll see him Saturday in the 35+ race. Should be fun.
Chance to do this all again this weekend: Another Friday Night Track, Dash for Less Cash, then Dunlap TT!
thin red line
The line between nature and city was blurred last night as a racoon
continually found its way into my house to eat.... cereal. I'm
surprised he didn't use milk.
continually found its way into my house to eat.... cereal. I'm
surprised he didn't use milk.
Prom pics huh? I'll go look for some pics to post. Suffice to say
everyone looked great. As far as I can tell no one drank or anything.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Valley Ride
Valley Ride not particularly exciting. Was good to see Ted Huang out there, attacking for the Huddard KOM. Three Slipstream riders our there. Dan Martin was there, riding the gravel on the shoulder most of the time for some reason.
Ride home across the bridge was fine, but once I turned north in the East Bay the wind was ridiculous!
Ride home across the bridge was fine, but once I turned north in the East Bay the wind was ridiculous!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Crit/Track weekend
I'll be skipping Mt Ham in favor of 150 miles of perfectly flat crit and track racing this Memorial Day weekend. I figure that Friday night track, plus two races on each crit day, Golden State and Memorial Day, will work out to my 150 mile figure, give or take 20 miles. Don't get me wrong, I love the epic RR, it's just that with all the other racing possibilities it's hard to give up the entire day to the tough logistics that encompass racing Mt Ham. Either leaving a car at both ends, or making it a 120 mile day with the hardcore riders that head back to San Jose though Calaveras.
For anyone that hasn't been, recommend heading down for Friday night at Hellyer, even as a spectator. Beer, food, guffaws, all make it worthwhile. The results from the first Friday are in the NCVA Google Group, but not on the web site yet. Need to know who to target for the series...
Sunday, May 18, 2008
turn left at the cilanto
The Modest RR was weird today. not enough horsepower to get away. Hollaway was marked from the beginning so he just single handedly brought everything for a sprint finish.
With two to go we had a group of seven, but efforts were uneven and Daniel caught that too. Mike Hardy was in it, his first real break in his new field. Maybe next time he'll be able to work.
Last lap I was solo for eight miles but was chased down by Mcguire. They should have used up DH instead. it helped set up John for Third anyway.
There was a strong smell of Cilantro at one of the turns. When I had my head down and suffering when going solo it reminded me to look up and look for that next turn.
With two to go we had a group of seven, but efforts were uneven and Daniel caught that too. Mike Hardy was in it, his first real break in his new field. Maybe next time he'll be able to work.
Last lap I was solo for eight miles but was chased down by Mcguire. They should have used up DH instead. it helped set up John for Third anyway.
There was a strong smell of Cilantro at one of the turns. When I had my head down and suffering when going solo it reminded me to look up and look for that next turn.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Sad and alone
Much like NPR has more listenors than donors, I get the feeling I get a lot more viewers on this blog than I get commentors. I really like comments guys! Come on, give me more comments.
Have had random people roll up and ask about the blog, so I know you're out there!
Unrelated: See you all out in the furnace that will be the Modesto Crit and RR this w/e. Not sure how I lucked out to get the rare early p1/2 race tomorrow but: hellejulah!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Buchholz Is Back? Other 'notables' at Mt Hood
Didn't realize that Buchholz was back racing. Pretty fast healing from breaking leg at Merced Crit...
Other 'notables': (in quotes cause these are people I know rather than famous)
Vinnnie is and even 100 in GC. Go Vinnie!
Virgina Perkins is 20th in GC, did the Port ride with us last year in her CRC kit
AJM 10th! Damn
Other 'notables': (in quotes cause these are people I know rather than famous)
Vinnnie is and even 100 in GC. Go Vinnie!
Virgina Perkins is 20th in GC, did the Port ride with us last year in her CRC kit
AJM 10th! Damn
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Port last night was pretty fast
Finally got my GPS unit fixed so I have some lap averages from last night:
Some warm up laps before but then to business:
25.1
28.6
28.4
28.4
28.0
28.0
28.0 (consistent huh?)
30.1
27.0
29.2
Some warm up laps before but then to business:
25.1
28.6
28.4
28.4
28.0
28.0
28.0 (consistent huh?)
30.1
27.0
29.2
My bro goes down at Track
Sounds like Mark was taken down at the Points Races last night. He reports to be mostly OK, with a sore back and minimal road rash on this shoulder. Bike: fork is dust, front wheel is OK.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Lilian Kim
That is the name of a prim asian american reporter on channel 7. Did she purposely try to associate herself with Lil' Kim?
Some sort of sublimal messaging perhaps...
Some sort of sublimal messaging perhaps...
Pleasanton 35+
Tim and I were being brats at the start of the 35+ race on Saturday, at the re-crowned EBC Crit. We clearly announced to anyone who cared to listen the team's stategy for the race. Tim and I would attack over and over, and if the field cared to pull it all back together for the finish we would unleash Brian on them.
The plan was executed as announced. A number of breaks went and came back, and we were in each one, as far as I remember. At one point Brian went to the front of the pack and wound the pace up so high that the pack was starting to splinter. There were a number of gaps opening up, then I was able to attack off the front of that to create a short lived break.
Ex TO teammate Sean Smith was doing lots of work at the front. It was good cause he would also wind it up, and I attacked and took three with me to create a break. The members moved around a few times but we ended up with Rich from VOS, Chris from Lombardi, and most importantly, Dirk Copeland ex olympian track stud.
I spent the 20 minutes or whatever it was, thinking about how I could finally finish ahead of this guy with great timing, and better jump. One thought was that I could sit in with two or three laps to go and say I didn't need to work since Bosch was back in the field and he could win the pack sprint. That plan was not to work out, since Brian was spotted spectating with three laps to go! So back to my attack. I jumped wide last lap between turn three and four. Dirk didn't bother trying to get on my wheel, he just jumped inside, got a gap and held it to the finish. Class act that he is, he divied up the primes with the guys in the break (he had won all three primes as well as the race).
I got Jessica Layman to believe that they were picking olympians separately and that I had won my division. She quickly figured me out however.
The plan was executed as announced. A number of breaks went and came back, and we were in each one, as far as I remember. At one point Brian went to the front of the pack and wound the pace up so high that the pack was starting to splinter. There were a number of gaps opening up, then I was able to attack off the front of that to create a short lived break.
Ex TO teammate Sean Smith was doing lots of work at the front. It was good cause he would also wind it up, and I attacked and took three with me to create a break. The members moved around a few times but we ended up with Rich from VOS, Chris from Lombardi, and most importantly, Dirk Copeland ex olympian track stud.
I spent the 20 minutes or whatever it was, thinking about how I could finally finish ahead of this guy with great timing, and better jump. One thought was that I could sit in with two or three laps to go and say I didn't need to work since Bosch was back in the field and he could win the pack sprint. That plan was not to work out, since Brian was spotted spectating with three laps to go! So back to my attack. I jumped wide last lap between turn three and four. Dirk didn't bother trying to get on my wheel, he just jumped inside, got a gap and held it to the finish. Class act that he is, he divied up the primes with the guys in the break (he had won all three primes as well as the race).
I got Jessica Layman to believe that they were picking olympians separately and that I had won my division. She quickly figured me out however.
Sunset Magazine
You must admit that it LOOKS like a pic from a a magazine, or maybe the society pages where the caption would read: 'Successful CEO and bike racer Ryan Bennett asks Jessica Soon-to-be-Bennett for her hand in marriage in idyllic Big Sur setting.'
Congrats guys. Hope we still get to see Ryan at the races....
Friday, May 9, 2008
track
my blog has been empty all week mostly cause cat's hill kinda sucked. tonight at the track tho was really fun. first time back this year and my gear was too easy at 90 inches but neither could dampen the good times.
what's up w "reverse win n out"? instead of racing to win w five laps to go, u race for fifth and then on down. what this is means is the less self respect u have the more u sprint early. what happened, since both ajm and bjm were there, was they let four of us go to battle it out for 2nd thru 5th. I had just a little more self respect than doug and got 4th.
back to back miss n outs was... taxing. managed to get 2nd in 40+ and 4th in p1/2. I am starting to really like that race format. key seems to be to relax up in the front five riders. you only need to really start to sprint for spots when it's down to seven riders or so. big advantage that the jm's started to drive a very hard pace the last four laps or so. made it hard for anyone to come around.
what's up w "reverse win n out"? instead of racing to win w five laps to go, u race for fifth and then on down. what this is means is the less self respect u have the more u sprint early. what happened, since both ajm and bjm were there, was they let four of us go to battle it out for 2nd thru 5th. I had just a little more self respect than doug and got 4th.
back to back miss n outs was... taxing. managed to get 2nd in 40+ and 4th in p1/2. I am starting to really like that race format. key seems to be to relax up in the front five riders. you only need to really start to sprint for spots when it's down to seven riders or so. big advantage that the jm's started to drive a very hard pace the last four laps or so. made it hard for anyone to come around.
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