1st Top Ten in Pro 1/2 Race

Grabbed ‎8th place at the SOMO Pro 1/2 Criteriem after bridging to the second break of the day. Messed up the sprint for 5th but feels good to get my first top ten in a Pro 1/2 race. Really happy I was able to bridge... if the gap was 5 meters more I wouldn't have made it. I thought my results would end when I upgraded to Cat 2, but looks like the Cat 1 upgrade is a possibility if I really work for it. We will see, if I can balance school and racing next year I may try to make it happen.

school starts

Truckin'

Half way to SF

Swamis Farewell Ride

Swamis

Cat 2 Track Upgrade Approved

2011 Track Results

USCF Cat 3/4 Races:

Cat 3/4 Encino - Bob Hansing Cup - 3rd overall and WON the Best Endurance Riders in the series of (3) omniums.

5/14 Encino Bob Hansing Cup #3: 3rd Omnium of 15 = 2 Points (out in semis of Keiren, 2nd in Points, DNP in Belgian Win-N-Out)

4/30 Encino Bob Hansing Cup #2: 3rd Omnium of 20 = 2 Points (3rd in Match Sprints, 2nd in Points, 3rd in Miss-N-Out)

4/16 ADT Upgrade Race: 4th Omnium of 13 = 1 Points (DNP in Tempo, Skipped Points, 2nd in Miss-N-Out)

4/2 Encino Bob Hansing Cup #1: 2nd Omnium of 16 = 3 Points (6th in Match Sprints, 1st in Points, 2nd in Miss-N-Out)

 

 

USCF Cat 123 Races:

4/16 ADT Upgrade Race: 2nd Omnium of 8 = 3 Points (4th in Points, 1st in Tempo, 2nd in Scratch)

 

2010 Track Results

USCF Cat 3 Races:

6/26 ADT Upgrade Race: 1st Omnium of 8 = 5 Points (4th in Scratch, 1st in Points, 1st in Miss-N-Out)

7/17 ADT Upgrade Race: 1st Omnium of 7= 5 Points (1st in Scratch, 3rd in Points, 2nd in Miss-N-Out)

8/14 ADT Upgrade Race: 4thin Omnium of 8 = 1 point (4th in Scratch, 2nd in Points, 5th in Miss-N-Out)

 

USCF Cat 1-3 Races:

8/7 SD Championships Elite Nationals Qualifier: 6th in Omnium (5th in 200m, 5th in Scratch = 1 point, 6th in Pursuit, 6th in Points, 5th in Kilo) Field of 11 (3 Cat 1s, 4 Cat 2s, 4 Cat 3s)

 

Other ATRA Events @ SD Velodrome:
8/22 San Diego Club Cup Challenge 1st in A's Omnium (6th in Scratch, 2nd in Miss-N-Out, 1st in Points) field of 10

5/14 "For a Few Laps More" Bon Hansing Memorial Cup #3

So I made the drive up again to Encino to race the final Bob Hansing Cup Omnium of the series. I was tied for 2nd overall and leading the Overall Endurance category. The schedule was interesting and did not particularly suit me but what the hell.

Keiren Quarter Finals: So it was 5 up with 4 advancing in the 1st Keiren round. I drew the #5 straw so lined up at the back and did not fight for position as the moto wound it up. I tail-gunned it and gave it just enough to advance.

 40 Lap Points Race: VIDEO of Cat 3/4 Points Race from 53:00 to 1:06 The field was pretty strong with some fast Bike Religion roadies and the same fast Junior track riders. One rider went from the gun and was brought back about 1km from the 1st sprint. The pace slowed as suspected and I jumped hard over the top. One or two riders came with me and we shared the work, with Bobby and Daniel bridging up just before the first sprint. I ended up leading out the sprint and getting 4th (1-point). I kept rolling after the first sprint and a group of five or so worked together to increase the already established gap. I win the 2nd sprint in the process (5-points) we catch the field a few laps later (20-points). Daniel did not catch, but managed to stay away for the 3rd sprint and I ended up 3rd (2-points). I sit in the group to recover a bit, but there was some confusion on what riders were lapped and what riders we could work with. Bobby and a Bike Religion guy manage to get off the front with another rider I missed the move and was focusing on recovering, but my group was not bringing them back anytime soon. I jump hard and try to close the gap as quick as possible. Just barely making it to the group and leaving a few of the other early break companions behind I sit on and try to recover before the final sprint. I was sitting 2nd wheel and make my move out of turn 2 coming around the rider at the front and Bobby on my wheel. I keep the speed up, but Bobby gave it a late kick to take the Win by a few inches. I got 2nd in the final sprint (3-points). This left Bobby and I tied with 31 points, but he edged me out in the final sprint and that is the tie breaker.

Keiren Semi Finals: I was 5th of 6 riders on the rail and top 3 advance to the finals. I made my move too late and was stuck high on the track and missed 3rd by an inch or two.  So no omnium points for me.

Belgian Win-N-Out: This was a tricky event, a 1KM race then they ring the bell for 5th, then 4th on the next lap and so on until the final sprint for the win, but if you are too confident you end up with nothing! I knew I had the Overall Endurance prize in the but I needed some luck to move from 3rd in the series to 1st or 2nd. So I went for the win, but couldn't take the final sprint and ended up with no omnium points.

In the end I ended up 3rd on the day and 3rd overall in the series, but my 2nd in the Points Race clinched the Overall Best Endurance Rider award. Also I should now have enough USCF point to get the upgrade the should have given me last season.

4/30 “Feet of Fury” @ Encino Velodrome – Bob Hansing Memorial Cup #2

I made the trek up to Encino Velodrome for the Bob Hansing Memorial Cup #2 with a few of the Adams Ave. guys. The Santa Ana conditions meant it was hot, dry, and very windy.

Flying 200m: I brought the disk for the 200 and threw on a 48-14 and gave it a go. I ended up with a 12.43 which was good enough for 4^th, again a little slower than I was hoping for, but with the wind I was happy to get within 1 hundredth of a second of my PR.

Race #1 – 40 Lap Points (sprints every 10, points go 5-3-2-1): Here is a Video of the event, from 1min to the finish shows the Cat 3/4 Points race. Jack L. was riding in the 3/4s because no one else showed up for the Pro 1/2. He was a good sport and ended up leading out most the sprints and not taking them for himself. But is did seem like he had an allegiance to one really fast Junior Bobby U. The fast juniors, Jack, and one or two others in addition to myself ended up lapping the field. Bobby took the Points race and I came in 2nd Place.  


Race #2 – Match Sprint: I was riding for 3rd against another fast Junior, I led the first few laps around the rail but with 1.5 laps to go I was still going rather slow around the top and didn't react to the jump fast enough so limped in for 4th Place.

  

Race #3 - Miss-N-Out: Jack hit the front early and rode tempo, I stayed near the blue line on a wheel, but out of trouble. As the pack shrunk I moved onto Jacks shoulder and stayed put. I was trying to save a little more and go for the Win, but that proved to be the wrong move as I got out by an inch or two in 3rd Place.

OVERALL: 3rd Place in Cat 3/4 Omnium and got some more Track Cat 2 upgrade points.
 

LAVRA Cup #4

Originally I planned on racing the Cat 3/4 field, but the schedule included not too much racing and there was a gap between the 3/4 and the Pro 1/2/3, so I signed up for both. The only problem was the women's Pro 1/2/3 field that was between my 2 race was combined with mens Pro 1/2/3 due to small fields.

RACE #1 – 50 Lap Points: Having a small mixed field made the racing interesting. The pace was pretty slow and everyone was waiting for the sprints and not pulling through. So I went on the attack and grabbed a few points off the front, I pulled off to recover and there was a counter that I let go and was planning in hitching a ride as they chased it down...oops the forgot the field was small and most everyone was looking at everyone else to pull through. In short I did a lot of work trying to keep the 2 riders off the front from lapping, but everyone else was content racing for 3rd so I ended up 4th place which was a little frustrating considering how much that race hurt. (2 omnium points).

RACE #2 – 15 Lap Tempo: This race started out pretty fast as everyone was trying to pick off points early. I grabbed a few, and shuffled back in the group. Micheal the Jamaican National Team rider was at the front riding it like a miss-n-out, not really pulling off and a few other riders would come over the top. The rotation was not flowing like usual so as he eased on one of the laps I hit it hard and kept it rolling over the top grabbing the next lap and getting a gap. As we learned earlier the group was not very organized and didn't want to work too much so I just put my head down and hoped they would not chase for a measily point on the next lap or the next lap. I ended up finishing the race off the front Winning the Tempo Race! (7 omnium points)

RACE #3 – 15 Lap Scratch: Now I was tied for the lead in the omnium. I rode the Scratch aggressively and tried to get away or get a move up the road. In the end it was a Sprint which I led out for the overall. I was nipped at the line by a few inches. A close sprint and fun race. So 2nd Place in the scratch got me 2nd overall.

RACE #4 - Cat 3/4 Miss-N-Out: I rode if from the front and modulated the throttle keeping the tempo just high enough so I don't get overtaken and boxed in. I make it to the final sprint, but didn't have the kick to take it. 2nd Place (5 omnium points).

OVERALL: 2nd in Pro 1/2/3 Omnium and 4th in Cat 3/4 Omnium after racing one of the 3/4 events. Fun day and got some more upgrade points.

Encino Bob Hansing Memorial Cup #1

4/2 “Black Line Fever” @ Encino Velodrome – Bob Hansing Memorial Cup #1

There are lots of good photos from the event, Videos, and a write up in a local track blog Ride The Black Line.

Encino Velodrome has been hosting the Bob Hansing Memorial Cup for as long as I have been racing track (2007). This is an omnium type series where they have awards for Best Overall Rider, Endurance Racer, Sprinter, and Most Aggressive. This year it is a 3 race series and Black Line Fever was the first event. The Cat 3/4 field was pretty big and included some really fast Juniors.

Report:

Flying 200m: I have done a 200 few of these over the years, so I know the idea, but have not dialed it in by any means. I kept my standard gear on, a 50-15 and gave it a go. I felt I hit it ok into turn one and kept the speed up around turn 3 and 4, with my head down I saw painted line #1 which I assumed was the front straight pursuit line and then gave a bike throw for line #2 which I thought was the finish line. Ooops they have (3) painted lines at Encino, one before the pursuit, then the pursuit, and finally the finish line. I ended up with a 12.81 which was good enough for 6^th,a little slower than I was hoping for, but if I threw my bike at the real finish line I may have gotten close to my PR. (12.42) US National Team Rider Kevin Masnker was out in the California sun getting some training in and pulled off a 11.18 a new Encino record! That was pretty cool to watch.

Race #1 – Match Sprint (4-up riding for 5^th place): I drew the short straw and had to lead the riders off the rail. (2) PAA riders were in the group and decided to take the lead from me early and ramp it up slowly in the pole lane for the sprint leading out the guy tucked in second. I ended up at the back of the line and moved along side to box the guy in second in, I waited too long to start the sprint he muscled his way by and got the win for 5^th and I ended up 6^th with no omnium points…darn bad start to my day.

Race #2 – 40 Lap Points (sprints every 10, points go 5-3-2-1): See the Video above, but here is the summary. Pace was really slow from the start everyone wanting to save it for the 1^st sprint (+5 points). The field was big and I hate slow races on the track so I jumped on the inside with 2 laps before the first sprint easily grabbed the 1^st sprint (+5 points). I kept rolling and saw that few riders were coming across, I waited and gave encouragement that we had a gap and can take all the other sprints if we work together. The group worked well together, but started to slow as we reached the second sprint…this frustrated me so I hit it hard and early for the second sprint and easily grabbed it. Only one guy was still with me so we worked together and caught on to the back of the main pack (+20 points). In the pack I recovered a bit then went for the 3^rd sprint grabbing 2^nd I think (+3 points). I knew I was pretty close to having the win locked in, but rode it out for the final sprint and just followed the wheels to grab 3^rd (+2 points). Final tally 1^st Place! w/ 35 points with second place having like 26 points. I have never lapped the field before so was super pleased with that. Got my redemption after a bad 1^st event.

Race #3 -  Miss-N-Out (last rider pulled from race every other lap until only 1 remains): See Video above! This race can be really fun or really lame. Lots of tactics means that the fastest guy can get called out super early! I have blown in enough times that I knew with a big field like ours and pulling riders every lap on the small 250m track it would really pay to be at or near the front and NOT boxed in. So I rode it from the front just modulating the throttle to keep everyone over my right shoulder. The key is going just fast enough so everyone is content to let me lead, but not too fast so that I have nothing left at the end. The big field keeps everyone fighting at the back high on the track so they are going a much longer distance than me and while I ride tempo they sprint every single lap. I nailed it this time and was able to make it to the final sprint without too much effort. I thought I saw the last rider hesitate or get gapped a little so I started the sprint early but was edged out by one fast junior! It was a really fun race and the Juniors were really impressive and willing to work while off the front in the points race.

Overall: 2nd Place in Cat 3/4 Omnium and got some Track Cat 2 upgrade points.
 

Up next ADT this weekend for the LAVRA Cup. Skipping TNR this week but hopefully will get rid of my cold/cough before Saturday.

SFSU

It is official, Natalie and I are moving to San Francisco. I will be attending SFSU as a graduate student in their M.S. Engineering Program in Structural/Earthquake Engineering. We will be moving to SF early June.

2011 San Dimas Stage Race - E2

Stage 1 TT: This year I finally had a good day at the SDSR TT. With a time of 15:26 beat my PR by over one minute and came in 39th of 110 person Cat 2 field. Pretty happy. One min off leaders jersey.

Stage 2 - RR: 

Stage 3 - Crit:

Tuscon Bicycle Classic - E2

In the 2s it was just Chris Burnham and myself racing in the great AZ weather.

Stage 1 - TT: 
3.2 mile rolling TT with a few gradual sustained climbs and a 6-7% kicker towards the end. About 300 feet of climbing. Chris had never raced the course before but put in a great effort and got an 8:01 good enough for 8th. Last year I raced the course as a 3 and got 12th with an 8:44, I went out a little too hard on the rollers and blew up on the kicker. I beat my time from last year so that was a small victory, but still a little bummed on my GC placing.

Placing: 8^th - Chris B. 8:01, 36^th - James E. 8:33

Stage 2 - RR: 
We did 4x20miles on a rolling loop with about 1000' of elevation gain per lap. The plan was simple, stay near the front and cover the moves. Chris mentioned to me that he has not seen a single Cat 2 road race finish in a field sprint. So we need to be attentive, but if it came to a field sprint he would do what he can for me. The first lap was pretty uneventful, Chris and I covered the moves and stayed up near the front. Early on the second lap, towards the end of the rollers I saw a move slowly sneak off over one of the bigger rollers, I move up on the roller and over the top I see that they are drilling it and the group of five had a sizable gap. I jumped hard, came within 50m dragging a Lagrange guy with me, he came around but slowed soon after. The pack came up to us and I kept it moving for Chris, he jumped next and similarly almost made it. So with all but one of the big AZ teams represented in the break, it seemed Bicycle Haus would be drilling it to bring it back. Chris and I decided to wait it out and see if anyone would organize the chase, but if they don't start hitting it by the gradual climb through the start/finish we need to get up there. We hit it on the false flat/climb and do a ton of work at the front to reduce the 2min+ gap. On lap 3 we let bicycle house take control on the decent and flat section. Chris chats it up with the yellow jersey holder with no teammates to organize some firepower. Lap 4, The gap came down but it seemed the pack was gonna let it go back out so Chris and I come back to the front and start rotating HARD with the yellow jersey and one Bicycle Haus guy. We do this for several miles and end up bringing back the break pretty fast. This caused a bit of confusion about if anyone was still up the road. So I told Chris to sit in a be ready for an attack while the yellow jersey and I rotated at the front to just make sure no one was still out there. It turned out to be a big bunch sprint and I decided not to mix it up in it because I assumed I was too gassed to put in a good sprint. There was a headwind so the sprint was late and short...maybe I should have given it a go. In the end I moved up 10 spots on GC because we dropped some people and we saved Chris' 8th on GC for another day.

Placing: 24^th James E., 25^th Chris B.

Stage 3 Circuit: 
The circuit race included 8 laps of a 5.6mile loop with about 400' of climbing each lap. Basically a long gradual climb fallowed by a fast decent with a flat/rolling section through the start finish at the bottom of the decent. Nothing too steep but it is climbing. Again the plan was simple stay near the front and get in the moves, and have me go for the Sprint time bonuses to keep anyone from overtaking Chris on GC. The Circuit race is actually harder than the RR in terms of the course so there could be more of a selection. As planned Chris and I covered most of the early moves. Then a big move hit about half way up the climb. Chris and I tagging along, but the group was too big and slowed, then a counter hit it hard. Chris jumped right on the back of it, while I did a false tempo to open up the gap. This was a decent size move and looked like it was gone, but as the crest go through the feed zone I see Chris and a few other tail off and not make it over the top with a select few. DAMN that was the move and we knew it.. The pack catches everyone except 4 riders on the decent. Chris and I are in an all to familiar situation, almost making the one move that looks promising and then stuck with a bunch of riders that are willing to let the race turn into a tea party. The odd thing was that all the GC contenders missed the move as well, but the big teams were represented.

As the lap cards ticked down the gap grew and I grew more and more frustrated with our current situation. With 3 laps to go I told Chris I was going to see if we can get it within range and hit the front on the climb and drilled it! They yellow jersey, Chris and a few others pull through, but I tell Chris to not do too much work because I wanted him to counter if if something goes again. 

With 2 laps to go I ease off a bit as other start to pull here and there. I chat with Chris and he says he's having an off day and I should ride for the stage and not worry about his GC because the guys up the road are likely gone. I move to the front and the yellow jersey rider is still pulling hard with no one else helping him. As we hit the rough patch of road where the road kicks a tad steeper he hits it and I follow. Through the feed zone the gap has grown and we gained another rider but the pack is now slowing to get their feed. I hammer it over the top and on the decent we rotate. Unfortunately the other rider with us has a man in the break so he is just sitting on for the ride. So it is the yellow jersey and I motoring along. At the bottom of the decent we had gained two more riders, but they were gassed from chasing us down.

We get the bell lap  and have a pretty solid gap and keep motoring hard on the climb. The yellow jersey doing a lot of work and me doing tad less with one of the other riders who was not represented in the break pulling here and there. We make the hard right onto the decent and take a check how far back the pack is and I can't see anyone, just pull through the decent to kept the momentum going. I lay off the gas, but after about 3 laps of drilling it on the climb I am starting to feel the effects. I start taking a look at who has been sitting in this entire time, (2) guys with teammates up the road an (1) guy who says he going for the stage and does not care about GC...then we catch another rider who had been dropped from the break. We hit the final 1km in a group of 6 and 3 up the road... I move to the back to see how it is going to unfold. The yellow jersey leading us out, I slide up on the outside as everyone is in gutter and keep a rider or two boxed in. We hit the final roller and headwind... I jump first (no patience) give it all I got left...it looks like I am gonna get it but I start to slow a tad from using too big a gear on the roller...I end up getting 7th (4th of my group that I towed along for 2 laps)..about 6inches from 5th and one bike length from 4th. We finished 2min down on the winning break and 1min ahead of the pack. I shot up the GC board from 36th after the TT, 26th after the RR, then 8th after the Circuit. A little bittersweet as Chris and I traded spots on GC and I couldn't deliver a better result in the Stage sprinting from my small group....that should be where I have the advantage.

Placing: 7^th James E., 25^th Chris B.

Overall GC: 8^th James E., 15^th Chris.

Up Next Chris, Matt, Pascal, and I will be racing the Cat 2s at San Dimas.

Tour De Murrieta - E2

In the 2s, Swamis had Matt Shackley raced all three days, I raced the crit and circuit race, and Pascal Bonaventure raced the circuit race on Sunday.


Stage 1 TT: 4.1 mile rolling TT with a gradual 1 mile climb on DIRT/GRAVEL. Matt decided to use a standard road bike due to the final kicker and gravel road. He kept it upright and clocked a time good enough for 11th.


Stage 2 Crit: The Crit was a (6) corner flat and technical course with a two quick left hand turns before a 500m+ finishing straight. As planned Matt got in a few moves, but nothing was sticking for more than a lap or so. I tried to stay near the front and out of trouble. With 15min to go there was a prime for a full Nalani kit, one rider jumped near me so I jumped to follow and saw that no one else was. I easily grabbed the prime and waited to get eaten up by the pack. With 2 to go I was little too far back and moved up into the top 5 into the double left hand turn. I was on the outside and in good position for the finish, the sprint basically started 400m out of the last turn and I stayed tucked in, I saw a few riders coming up the left side with 200m to go, I had daylight to my right and went for it on the outside, little did I know but we were already charging at about 43mph and unfortunately I didn't have any more gas to give it and cruised in for 11th. Pretty happy with the finish for my 1st Cat 2 race, just need to work on that top end a bit.


Stage 3 Circuit: We raced 16 laps of a 3.5 mile circuit with a few rollers and one gradual climb, but basically flat. We had Pascal, Matt and myself racing. The plan was simple, get Pascal and Matt to get in every move over the first 2/3rds of the race and if it were a bunch sprint they would get to the front and try to lead me around the technical last few corners to the final corner. Pascal attacked from the gun then Matt and Pascal continued to trade off initiating moves or following moves. The three of us got to the front and drilled it to bring back a dangerous looking move that we missed. Then Pascal attacked with a Lagrange rider, they got a good gap just before the Pro 1 break and then peloton pass neutralized us. The gap hung around 2 minutes for 5 laps and then after a heated lap off attacks in the bunch the gap dropped to 1min. So with 1/3 of the race left they were brought back. Matt then attacked with a few other riders. Matt drove it hard to establish a good gap and the small group of five continued to drill it. After a lap or two Matt and another rider popped, and they fell back into the field.


The last lap or two were pretty slow as the peloton was content to let the group of 3 stay away. I moved up into good position then on the last lap everyone was really riding slow and I just set a tempo near the front to be ready to jump when the pace eventually started flying again. Coming into the last few corners I was in the top five or so, some LaGrange guys started drove the pace with 1km to go, they drilled it into the 3rd to last corner and I was 3rd wheel focusing on staying in the draft and followed their line..big mistake they took it wide and went off into the gravel, I kept it upright and jumped back up, this caused a small gap to form and now I was second wheel, but soon after the LaGrange guy pulled off and I was at the front, I have it a little bit of gas to get through the hard left safely and then I planned on tucking in top five out of that turn and hitting it just before the final turn. As I was setting up to take the turn (2) riders jumped late on the inside (I won't name names or teams) and one on the outside. The guys on the inside were coming in way to hot into this corner that riders had hit the dirt on previously laps. They basically took out the guy who had the race line on the outside and I was right behind all this mess with a bike going over my left shoulder. I tried to slow and do some more offroading by taking the it wide in desperation to slow down. Ended up slamming my front wheel into one guy on the ground and endoing onto his bike or knee with all the force hitting my thigh. Luckily myself, my bike, my kit, and newish race wheels are all good. Walking with a limp, but went for an easy spin today and everything feels "ok".  Matt and Pascal were behind all this carnage and made it safely across the line with the bunch after a fun and active day of racing. I ended up 20th overall in the Omnium.


Up Next Chris B. and I will be out at Tucson then we will have a full Cat 2 squad racing at San Dimas.

Calville Bay Classic - E3

Stage 1: TT

Course: 3.5 mile uphill TT with a huge tail wind.

Report: I rode a standard road bike as many others did. Although a lot of pros had road bikes with disks to try to get a extra push up the hill from the wind. My time of 9:27 was good enough for 24th of about 70 riders, but only about 10 seconds off the top ten on GC. I paced it about right I didn’t blow up on the last kicker, but then you always wonder could have I pushed it harder earlier? I was happy with my time and knew I was more of a stage hunter anyways.

Placing: 24th

Stage 2: Road Race

Course: 70 miles of endless rollers and (2) turnarounds that ended up climbing over 5,000 ft.

Report: Well the weather was not nice to me today. Just about the time we start warming up the temperature drops and the rain starts coming down. Not to mention that the wind is howling. I bundle up and hope for the best. On our way to the first turnaround everyone notices that there will be a string cross wind all day. I end up chatting with some friends near the back after jumping with a Ritta guy off the front to realize that my oversized rain cape is pretty much a sail in these conditions. As we climb up the turnaround I am still in calm collected state chatting with some Catalyst Racing riders. Then all hell breaks loose, I notice that riders at the front are sprinting down the hill as I am about to reach the turnaround that is a tight 180 that most everyone is taking at a snail’s pace. I jump hard out of the 180 and find a wheel…he’s getting gapped so I try to jump across on the decent and my wind cape is not helping at this moment. I literally did an all out sprint down the hill just to barely get back on just as we start a climb that the leaders are hammering up. I am yo-yo-ing at this point and over the top in the cross wind I totally pop, to find Jason Holden in the same situation, we work together to catch on again just to get popped in the cross wind for a second time. After blowing all my matches at mile 20 of a 70 mile race I luckily find a nice groupetto to ride with. Jason Holden (Wolf Pack), Hubert (UCC), and Richard (Catalyst) from SD and a few others complete the remaining 50mile training ride telling jokes and trying to warm out freezing limbs as the hail pounds down on us. As we rode on we say many riders pull out and riders just popping all over the course due to the insane weather and cross winds.

Placing: 48th

Stage 3: Crit. 35min (all races were shortened)

Course: Technical, narrow, and with a nice rise in it. The final turn was a sweeping 180 turn slightly off camber.

Report: On a normal day I would have bailed on the miserable road race, but I was looking forward to the possibility of a dry technical crit with a small climb in it. My kind of course. The pace from the gun was pretty quick which was nice because it kept it strung out and safe (for the most part). For the first 15min or so I just stayed up near the front making sure I could watch the moves and take the corners at full speed. One Specialized junior and a strong Helens rider jumped and I was in a good position to follow. One other rider came with as the pack sat and watched.

Everyone in the move was committed and was working well so we got a gap of 10 to 15 seconds pretty quick. People on the sidelines was thinking the break could stick, but it was still early in the race and being a stage race I knew the chances were numbered. The gap was holding but not increasing. Another rider jumped across to us and added some horsepower. This caused a chain reaction in the pack that ended up killing the break. OK so now sit in for another 15min for the sprint. I drifted back to mid-pack as the pace slowed and was supersized on how sketchy it was sitting back here. So I get the hell out of there and move up just as I get back to the top 5 or 6 riders I hear a crash behind us. The kid was OK, but glad I moved up when I did. In the last few laps my friends from Catalyst Racing were all massed at the front planning a lead out for their sprinter Matt, I fight for Matt’s wheel as the laps tick down. It shuffled a bit before the last lap and I was now second wheel as their last lead out man hits the front he ramps it up and pulls off with about a half lap to go (halfway up the climb), I am now leading it out, Matt is on my wheel and we go over the top and then down into the final turn. On the back straight a few riders hit it hard on the outside, I jump but had to slot in 3rd into the last corner. I hear a crash as I am exiting the fast off camber turn and unfortunately Matt who was on my wheel rolled a tire (but walked away without much damage to him or his bike). I give it all I had but the finish was too short and we finish in the order we entered the last turn. So I get a spot on the podium and had fun getting in a good break and staying up near all the action….but damn so close to the Win in my final Cat 3 race.

Placing: 3rd

Overall GC Placing: 33rd 36:57 back…ouch

Out of 70 starters only 37 finished the Stage Race

UCLA Road Race - E3

Course: 4 laps of a 12.5 mile loop with ~1500ft of climbing each lap. Basically all up or down except for a few mile flat section with a pretty good cross wind after the fast decent. The start/finish is about 1/3 the way up the climb.

Report: So after checking the ever-changing weather forecast for Pearblossom, CA the last few days, Jason Habeger and I decided to roll the dice and drive up and race this HARD road race. I did the race last year in the 3s and fell off the back of the lead group and rolled across the finish wasted in 8th. This year I was looking for revenge. When we arrived we were pleased to see the sun shining, but the wind was howling and was damn cold. I think is was hovering around 40 degrees when we rolled off at 12:40 with about 25 other Cat 3s.

The first lap was pretty mellow, one SDBC rider went off the front all alone, but never got too far. The cross wind section did sting the legs so basically the decent was the only place to rest the legs on the course.

Lap 2 the pace ramped up and a few little attacks were quickly brought back. The momentum was kept over the top and on the fast decent. We hit the flat cross wind section and riders were chasing on and the group was pretty strung out. A few riders had stick off the front that I knew were strong so I jumped from the front of the group and added some pace to the sneaky move. Jason Holden followed my lead. We had some good horsepower and cranked it up to get a gap. Everyone buried their heads and soon the moto came up and said 10seconds, then by the time we were on the climb it was 25. We settled down a bit and just rode a hard tempo rotating through on the climb.

Lap 3 Jason Habeger was having an off day so he decided to call it a day. The dreaded snow started to fall. By the top we had 1:05 on the peleton. Again we flew down the decent and eased a bit on the crosswind section where a SoCal Cycling and Helens rider bridged.

Here is a photo of the Pro1/2 race that was racing at the same time as the 3s. Great weather eh.

Lap 4 two additional riders bridged at some point, but most of what was left of the peleton was scattered all over the course and many called it a day. Again the pace up the climb was tough! Now the snow/sleet was coming down hard and everyone was wet and thus COLD. The decent was freezing and my glasses totally iced over and I had to take them off as my fingers lost function. Everyone was slapping the ice off their arm and leg warmers. One rider was taking a few risks on the decent and everyone in the break was content to let him go. Later I found out that this rider was friends with the (3) Helens guys that were in the break. In the cross winds there were the typical anxious attacks and soft pedaling by all. The lone rider off the front held us off and it was a uphill sprint for the now 8 or so in the break. I managed second in the sprint to grab 3rd on the day. After about 30min of sitting in my car with the heater on full blast I finally came back to life. It was great to initiate a break and have it succeed for once (even if it did swell a bit). In retrospect maybe I was doing more than my fare share in the break and should have saved a bit more to follow he late attacks and/or the sprint, but I really wanted this one to stick.


Result: 3rd

Valley of the Sun Stage Race - E3

In the 3s we had (3) Swamis. Myself, Mario C., and Jason H.

Stage 1: TT 14.4mi basically flat

Report: What had always deterred me from VOS was the flat TT, flat RR, flat Crit. But this year I had a full TT rig and have been training a bit on it. Jason and I had TT setups and Mario was going Merckx style. The wind was pretty calm in the AM and started to pick up on as it got closer to when the 3s went off. Mario rode hard but did not want to leave it all out there because without a TT bike and all the gear he knew he would not be a GC contender. Jason left it all out there and had a solid time of 33:36 good enough for 19^th of the 80 or so riders that started. I did not know what to expect a flat TT is something I am not typically fond of, but what the hell I warmed up well and was setting a good pace on the way out. About 4km from the turnaround I felt the sign of a side crank coming on…damn…I dialed it back a bit to see if it would go away, nope, so I held it at that lovely line where my side stitch was not getting worse but still pushing hard. In the end I came across in 21^st with a time of 33:42.  For reference the fastest time in the 3s was 31:32 and 29:29 for the Pros.

Stage 2: Road Race  

Course: 74miles, 4.5 laps of a 16miles loop with one 6km +/- gradual climb each lap.

Report: Well not being in a great spot in GC we were hunting for the stage. They moved the finish closer to the top of the climb this year so this suited me better. We made up a game plan but none of us had ever ridden the course so it was subject to change. It was 80degrees and pretty windy at high noon when we went off. We assumed that a break would not stick because of everyone riding for GC. The first lap and every lap for that matter was pretty slow until the climb which we hit extremely hard the first and third laps. Well maybe it just felt crazy fast because I was carrying 3 full water bottles up the climb. No neutral feed so we were all hauling our own water. The second lat a group of three broke away and got a good gap. The pace remained pretty slow on the flat sections and as we planned were content to sit in and save energy and eat. The third time up the climb they hit it again, I stayed near the front on the climb and as we crested the top we realized that ½ the group was off the back including the leader, but the guys close on GC did not have the teammates or the strength to drive the group away on the flats so almost everyone cough back on. This continued and the race was pretty boring until the final lap. In the last two laps we were neutralized a few times and this gave the break and even bigger gap. Leading up to the final climb Mario got me to the front and hit it leading up the climb. Mario’s legs were done so he gave me one last effort and set me at the front. There were a few attacks/surges after Mario’s and but everyone was chasing everything down at this point. I found myself a little farther back than I wanted to be while Jason was near the front. We caught one of the Pro breaks going up the climb so they were neutralized and we were allowed to go over the yellow line..my chance to move up 20 spots. Perfect I was right up near the front with Jason when we hit the 3km to go sign. Just a short while after Jason hit it. He jumped clear of everyone and I stayed near the shoulder just watching everyone look at each other. Riders started to ramp up the pace and we caught him and one of the guys in the break just before the 1km sign. Then a rider I recognized from Chula Vista jumped and I followed. He is a breakaway artist and climber and that is his best shot so I knew was going for the line as it was his only shot. I looked back to see who was following as I tried to stay as close to his rear wheel as possible and only one Helen’s guy was with us. Everyone from SoCal J. I yelled at Josh and said we have a gap so that he would not give up and leave me to take the front with 500m. So he took it all the way to 200m before I jumped for the line. I looked under my arm and saw the Helens rider sprinting but not gaining, raised one arm and took the field sprint for 3^rd! Team rode smart and our plan to save energy and let the GC riders do all the peacemaking worked.

Discussing the finish.

Stage 3: Crit. 35min (all races were shortened)  

Course: ~1mile Technical and bumpy 7 or 8 corner flat course.

Report: When warming up for the Crit Swamis got a big complement from Tribe a local team. One of the riders came up to me and said that they were happy to have us in AZ and that we were the smoothest riders in the peloton and we should be sure to come out next year. 

Again the plan was to sit in and stay in good position because the GC guys were not going to let anything go. From the gun Jason gave one solid attack. He drilled it trying to get a small group to go, but instead it just set the pace for most of the race it was pretty fast and strung out. It got pretty sketchy at times so I grabbed a $50 prime early stayed either in the top 10 riders or at the back chatting. Being only 35min, 3 to go came really quick and I was too far back. I waited for the time to move up and not waste too much energy and with 1.5 laps to go finally moved all the way up to the front. Just when I got their one rider hit it hard and I tucked in 3^rd wheel. He took it that full ½ lap but realized that the entire pack was on his wheel so he pulled off. The rider now at the front took a short pull and then I was at the front just past the start finish on the bell lap. Realizing there are like 5 quick corners ahead of me I said what the heck I would rather make it through them cleanly and not have to hit the brakes. I rode high tempo to the back straight and then eased a tad and waited and waited. Started to feel like a Miss-N-Out at the track do just enough so they don’t come around and then be ready for the big move. So one of the local squads was on my right and had a train of 3 guys ready to go the first rider jumped and I jumped to follow he was on the inside so when he swung wide to take the corner at full speed I held my ground and he basically just move in front of me leaving his teammates in the wind….oooooppppss. He drilled it for the double right turn that spits you out onto the front straight with about 350m to the line. As he eased exiting the corner I knew it would be strung out single file for at least the top 10 so this was my chance to get the gap. I jumped hard and went for the smooth outside lane, got the gap then sat back in the saddle and spun up through the gears. I knew that I was moving, had a gap, and just had to keep it going. As the line got closer I looked over my shoulder to see no one was there just in time to raise one arm to win the field sprint again but this time for the WIN. I heard Mario yelling and put his arm up when I turned to look at the pack coming across the line behind. What a perfect last lap! Couldn’t have asked for a cleaner and more fun sprint.

RESULTS

TT: 21^st 33:42 (2:10 off the leader)

Road Race: 3^rd  (50 seconds behind breakaway minus 4 second time bonus for 3rd)

Crit: 1^st  (w/ 10 second time bonus)

Overall GC: 14^th, 2:29 back

BLVD and Red Trolley - E3

BLVD Race Report
In the 3s we had (5) Swamis. Myself, Mario C., Jason H., Ryan D., George Z.

Well the weather was perfect for the first time in many years, so spirits were high in the Cat 3 field of about 50-60.

Lap 1: We started on the decent and got stuck behind a semi which was a little unnerving but Jason H and a few other went to the front and slowed the group down and the truck turned off a mile or so up the road. Then about 1KM or so from the right turn onto La Posta someone attacked was way off the front, ooooops he missed the turn onto La Posta so the group was back together again. Everyone knows how hard BLVD is so the pace was not killer this first lap, but 2/3 down La Posta it bunched up at a cattle guard and I heard a ride explode and some riders go down behind me. Later Ryan made his way up to say that George caught his front tire in the gap in the cattle guard (the one at the center line) Luckily George is alright but his front wheel was trashed. Several Swamis moved up at the end of La Posta to ensure we don’t have to close any gaps on the climb. The pace on the HW 80 was pretty good on the first lap and we dropped a few riders.  

Lap 2: No Chaos this time on the decent of La Posta because Mario stuck to the plan and rode on the front to keep it steady and keep breaks from going. He pulled most of the decent and most of La Posta. (2) riders did jump clear on the decent, but Mario kept the riders at the front rotating and they never got too far away. The pace on La Posta was got pretty heated and several riders fell of the back on the La Posta rollers. Again Swamis rode smart and everyone stayed near the front so we didn’t have to burn any matches to close gaps into the headwind on La Posta. Once on HW 80 it was all together again and one rider (US Navy kit) got on the front and just drilled it. Not really an attack, but just high tempo. By the top there was about 25 riders hanging on. Ryan, Jason, and I managed to stay right near the front. Mario called it a day at the feed zone and did his job for the team knowing the last lap would not be fun up that climb after all the work he had put it.

Final Lap: On the decent about 15 riders caught back on and one or two riders when off the front and got a pretty good gap. La Posta again was brutal, riders started to attack and then were brought back shrinking the group again to about 30. When we hit HW 80 one rider was still of the front but within sight. Just after the turn a few riders attacked and the pace was pretty insane. I came into the turn 1^st wheel so that I could drop back a bit and tucked in about 5^th after the attacks started coming, I don’t really recall the play by play but from the initial attacks on HW 80 the pack got shredded to 20 or so and then the pace remained pretty high tempo. Ryan and Jason got gapped slightly at this point and now were in the wind. I managed to stay tucked in and riders began to get antsy with 3km to go, I stayed in the top five the entire way but the pace was getting to me. This pace also caught the lone rider off the front. With 1KM to go I attacks started to come again, I just followed the wheels on the first few and then it died down again, then with 300m to go a rider made a small move up the road I jumped (not too hard or so I thought) just to get on the wheel and keep in the top 5, but as we hit the final kicker up to the finish I got out of the saddle to follow the wheels and go for the line then realized there was no snap left in these legs. So I gave it a go and limped in for 16^th. Ryan and Jason, didn’t lose much time on the group and finished a few places behind me. Not what we hoped for, but I think we rode a smart race and have a few cards to play on the upcoming races.

Red Trolley Race Report
In the 3s we had (5) Swamis. Myself, Mario C., Miles, Dulie, and Troy.

Report: Red Trolley we had some sore legs sit out and some fresh legs show up. So again we had a small but good group racing Sunday with a pretty big field of 70-80 riders. My plan was to sit-in for the first 2/3 of the race (hopefully my legs would come back from the dead) and Mario and Miles were going to attack, try to get in a break, and grab some primes in the middle third. The wind was blowing on-shore as usual and we have a pretty good headwind onto the front straight. Swamis was active going off the front and trying to get something to go but nothing stuck. As planned I followed a few moves in the last third of the race and launched one or two moves on my own. 

In every move I was in there would be 2-3 guys pulling and 2-3 guys just sitting on disrupting the pace. Here is a short video clip Steve from Platinum took of one of the moves I tried to initiate, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtlIwPNCzzU 

So with 6-to-go I was fed up with the negative racing and decided to wait of the inevitable field sprint. The pace was pretty high and people were hitting it hard on the climb and it would get strung out on the front straight then dwell on the backside. With 2-to-go I was in the top 5 and two riders really hit the hill as if it was the final sprint (some on the sidelines though it was due to how these guys were going) I was on these guys wheels so I decided I want that draft so I hit it hard and stayed with them just in case they get a gap and want to tow me around….but they sat up on the back straight again and then I was gassed and the strung out group swarmed once more. I got swarmed from both sides and I assumed I would not have much of a sprint left so I didn’t fight too hard to keep position. Halfway down the back straight I decided what the f*** I will give it a go so I moved up about 10 spots before the final turn now sitting on the inside line in about 20^th position I follow the wheels up the hill and start to open up my sprint to see a wall of riders in front of me hitting the wind, I look left and see there is a open road between the front group of 15 and the second group of 15 so I give it full gas and make sure my rear wheel is clear of the second group and get a free lane with about 75m left…I passed about 8 riders that were hitting that wall of wind to come in 7^th. I was happy with my sprint, but was pretty upset that I let the pack swarm me towards the end and was sprinting from way to far back....This weekend put some confidence back in my legs so now I just need to race for the Win.

New Orleans

Need to post about our wonderful trip to NOLA