2013 Copperopolis RR - Pro 1/2

Race: Copperopolis one of the true NorCal classics!

Result: 10th (good enough for a coveted teeshirt), 22nd or so for Lee and Kurt/Matt sacrificing themselves early.

Course: 21+mile loop x 5 yes 5 so that makes about 110miles and almost 9000ft of climbing on fair to bad pavement.

Report: You can find the general NorCalCyclingNews coverage here.

But here is how it went down from a SquadraSF perspective. We had Kurt, Lee, Matt & myself. Tim Larkin has won this beast of a race so we asked him for some advice and team strategy for our small but strong squad. The plan was pretty simple Matt and Lee would cover early moves just to take off the pressure a bit for Kurt and I to save our energy for the later selections. Kurt came down with the stomach flu early in the week and was on the mend by late in the week but he wasn't sure how the legs/stomach would be race day so we had to play that one by ear.

The field was stacked. ~6 from CalGaint, ~8 from TMB, ~8 from Marc-Pro,~5 from Bicycles Plus, and several other big names such as Kirk Carlsen (ex Garmin pro-tour rider), Phil Mooney (pro/local legend), Eric Wohlberg (ex Pro & Optum team manager), Logan Loader, and so on. Our goal was a top 5 which in this field would be a big task (but we gotta aim high) and we would be happy with a top 10.

Lap 1: Almost immediately a Yannick (CalGiant) jumped. Matt and I were near the front so Mat jumps with it before we even reach mile 1. This group swelled to include several heavy hitters including Kirk Carlsen, Chuck, 1 MPS, Riggs (TMB), Tim (BearDev). Kurt and Lee were monitoring the front.

Lap 2: Starting the first climb lap most of Matt's group was brought back, shortly after a counter went towards the top of the first main which shot some more big guns up the road, but the pack was still fired up as it seemed most teams didn't like the odds yet.

Lap 3: At the start of lap 3 Kurt attacks and is joined by Adrian Costa, Keith (MPS), Riggs (TMB), and a CalGiant rider. Lee turns to me soon after and says that is a "Money Break."  As we were cresting the main climb, Kurt get re-absorbed. There was a little bunch up on the undulating first climb, Kurt and Matt had to unclip right as the grade got pretty steep and pace quickened. I had been riding near Kirk Carlesn and Logan Loader with a plan to wait it out a bit assuming they would bridge and jump on that train of pain, but soon after they disappeared apparently both having flats. The odds were now against us, we just had to hope that more riders would pop since we still had like 60miles to race. TMB and Marc-Pro now like the odds and start riding false tempo at the front Plan changed to simply pay attention to any bridge efforts and keep the momentum in our group going without wasting too much energy. Between the two main climbs Lee and Matt kept me protected near the front and tried to keep the pace going just a bit. We were not pulling everyone around but at least we would come through when the pace slowed to keep the miles ticking away.

Lap 4: Lee tries to get some life back into our group and attacks across the finish line, a group of 5 or so go clear with another 20 behind. The group includes Teeter (MPS), Eric W., Cal Giant, and maybe Bicycles Plus. TMB misses the move and seems that only Roman is left in the break as Steve Palez yells at our group this time up the climb trying to instigate a chase. Steve O'Mara (TMB) hits the climb pretty good our group shrinks and riders continue to hit it along the reservoir. Before the 2nd climb Lee and a few others from his break were brought back. The pace was pretty aggressive on the climb prior to the decent and we lose a few more riders.

Lap 5: There were at least 10 riders ahead of the "field" of about 20. We started to catch another field on the main climb and re-absorbed all the riders in no mans land so Phil Mooney convinced the group to ride it easy on the climb then take a pee break at the top. After our little tea break Phil called game on and now that we were on the flat/rolling sections he started attacking. From here until the finish line attacks were flying all over the place. Half way through the final lap a group of 7 or 8 separated ourselves from the remaining 15 or so in the "field" if you can even call it that at this point. On the final climb there was some cat and mouse, CalGiant attacked, then I attacked over the top of the climb, shrinking our group down to 5, 2 CalGaint, Joe (MPS), & Josh (Bycles Plus).

The Finale: At the bottom of the descent, Phil had caught our group and it was now going to be a sprint of 6 for 8th on the day. I opened up the sprint first, but the 2 known sprinters in the group Joe and Josh came around me. I held on for 3rd in our group which was good enough for 10th Place and the coveted VeloPromo Copperopolis T shirt. 8th would have been nice, but I gave it all I had at 110miles and 5hrs of racing.

Summary/Lessons Learned: In the end I think we rode the race well with the small but strong crew. Personally it was really fun racing with a team in a race like this, makes everyone a little less nervous but also makes you dig deep since others are counting on you. The field was stacked and this race is one hell of a race so I am happy with our 10th place, yes double digits but good enough for a T shirt. This was our first real race as a team after some bad luck at Snelling. When Kurt went with the big move on lap 3, it was clearly the move to be in, so it was prefect that we were represented in that move. If I were to race this again next week I would be more careful about my position on the climbs and being in a good spot to mark the attacks from the big names that got away on lap 2 on the main climb this was the only significant move we missed. That could have worked out OR it could have burned up all our matches and we would come home with nothing. So we played it a little conservative based on the quality of the field and how hard/long this race is. It was clearly a day for CalGiant (2 in top 5) and MPS (3 in top ten) while TMB, Bicycles Plus, SquadraSF put 1 rider in the top ten.

Strava File: http://app.strava.com/activities/46565541

Battered and beaten but we got a TeeShirt, now we just need to split it 4 ways. And yes there is tar/black asphalt everywhere including our teeth and it even penetrates jersey + base-layer to reach Lee's chest hair!

Data Geek Info:

kJ = 3439

Norm Power = 225w

Time = 5hrs 10min

Distance = 110mi

5sec Power = 893w in final sprint

2013 Regalado RR - Pro 1/2

Since I was already out in Oakdale for Wards Ferry why not make it a solid block of training in prep for some of the bigger road races to come. Plus riding in dirt/gravel in a race is always fun.

Race: Regalado Road Race P12

Course: 72mi w/ long promenade then an almost totally flat 17mile loop with a 2mile gravel section (some hard pack near center of road and loose and deep  towards the shoulder) then a series of small roller leading into the finish which is on top of the last roller. Not exactly my ideal course, but what the hell the gravel always breaks stuff up in races.

Result: 4th Place

Report: The lack of hills attracted a few more riders, but the gravel probably turned others away. But that didn't stop Chuck (MarcPro) & 6 Team Mikes Bikes guys (Roman, Dana, Rainier, Steve O., Marcus, and Jacob) from showing up. A few other teams had minor representation but it was clearly a team practice for TMB. I heard through the grapevine the TMB was planning on rolling deep so I had a quick chat with Tim the night before and again had a loose but effective plan. Stay near the front, and just play the odds game, only committing to a break when TMB has good enough odds that they will pull too, since they have the firepower to bring back just about any move in the ~25 person field..

Lap 1: Not that eventful until the gravel, a few riders were up the road by odds were not in TMB favor so it was not a real threat. Pace slows before the narrow left into the gravel. I kept some momentum on the outside and hit the corner fast, but didn't realize it turned to gravel just after the turn and hit some loose stiff but kept it upright the rider from Japan behind me was lost all momentum into the gravel just keeping it upright. I powered along able to pick my clean line through the gravel and eventually made it to the back of that small group. The There were a few loose turns that caught riders off guard. The front group and bridging riders from the field were really going for it here. As you exit the gravel it is a gradual climb and some rollers begin. Roman, Dana, Rainier, Chuck and a few others attacked during this stretch. I focused on following any move that had odds in favor of TMB and not worrying about the other attacks. After several minutes of attacks and Chuck sneaking off the front solo, I have enough time to look behind and it is clear the pack is split in half with only Roman and Dana from TMB making the move.

Lap 2, 3 & 4: The group of about 8 or 9 works pretty evenly and well together with the odds not exactly in favor of TMB yet so they are kinda soft pedaling. Chuck is off the front but within sight never more that 60seconds or so ahead of us. The pack is within sight behind, but not gaining either so all good just pull through and eat/drink up. Eventually Rainier bridges up with a Davis rider so the odds just turned in the favor of TMB, they take to the front and get everyone else to pitch in as well, but I try to cool the jets a bit knowing they will not play nice forever. Chuck stays on a shorter leash now and eventually we catch him on the 3rd lap. Now the group is up to about 10 or 11 and the real fun begins. So for about 2 full laps TMB just rotates attacking while Chuck, myself and maybe one or two other riders in the group mark their moves. Chuck did most the marking I was 2nd and then the rest of the riders filled in the gaps. It was clear that they didn't want to drag Chuck to the finish and we could always muster up enough riders to help bring a solo TMB guy back if anyone missed marking one of their attacks. So this translates to doing a 1hr + long sprint workout, riders jumping all over the road from either side, drilling it in the gutter then realizing they are not going anywhere and sitting up just in time for another rider to go. Everyone was stubborn enough to not let anything go but also stubborn enough to allow each rider to just kick them in the balls kind is this what Fight Club is like?

The Finale: By this time we were down to 8 in the break. Before the final time through the gravel a Davis rider snuck off, and everyone looked to TMB bring it back. Roman gave the order for Rainier to drive it through the dirt and keep the pressure on. The Davis rider was persistent and Rainer remained on the front until ~2km to go and it was pretty clear the Davis guy would get adsorbed in the last 1km. Roman took off with 1KM or less to go everyone looked at each other, I didn't have much snap in the legs so I let it go and watched Dana and Chuck, the cat and mouse began. At about 150m (uphill) Dana actually opened it up first with Chuck and I jumping immediately, Chuck was able to grab the Win, Dana 2nd, but I had no real pop left and was in too big a gear when the last ramp hit my legs. I faded at the top and was not able to catch Roman before the line. Everyone's legs in the break were shot so I was able to hold on to 4th Place despite a bad sprint. Really wanted that podium today, but still happy considering the odds I was up against and slotting in behind Chuck, Dana, and Roman is pretty good in my book. Overall one exciting, fun, and HARD race.

Strava File: http://app.strava.com/activities/45735225

Data Geek Info:
Time: 2hr 50m
Speed: 23.6mph
Norm Power: 232w
Intensity Factor: 0.86

2013 Wards Ferry RR - Pro 1/2

So I have heard great things about this course and at 60mi (or under) why not give it a go. I was just coming off 5 days totally off the bike due to a stomach flu, finally got out for a spin towards the end of the week started to feel better. What the hell at least I'll be fresh ;) and get some training in this weekend.

Race: Wards Ferry RR P12

Result: 2nd & 14th

Course: Sanora, CA at the foothills of Yosemite. ~56mi over 5 laps constantly up or down totaling over 6k ft of climbing, some steep pitches, some narrow fast descents, but nothing is the same for more than a few minutes. This translates to NO REST and making 56miles feel much longer.

Report: Since SDSR is going on and it is a bit of a drive, only Tim and I represented SquadraSF in the P12 field of about 20. Our plan was pretty simple, since field was likely to be small watch for any splits, but in general try to save energy for the first half, then initiate moves/splits in the 2nd half if we are feeling good. There were a few notables despite the small field. Paul Mach (ExPro w/ Bissel & Kenda/5hrEnergy), Craig Fellers (Red Peleton) and a few local climbers. The only team with any real representation was Red Peleton with 3 riders.

Lap 1 was reasonably tame with a few attacks thrown in, Will R. (Olympic Club) away after the 1st lap. As expected everyone was looking at Paul, but he made it clear that he would not simply pull us around and bring riders back for us. Will was out of sight pretty quick, but it was still a long way. At the start of lap 2 or 3 (gets fussy here) in an effort to keep the pace us a bit and not let Win get away from us I did a halfhearted attack (just to test field and keep pace moving), was brought back, then when the next hesitation came Tim keeps the momentum up and attacks, everyone looks around and I am at the front and ride false tempo. Tim is off the front for several minutes, but starts to come back before the climbs leading up to the feedzone. When he comes back I counter as the pace slows once again and keep it going. Tim and my attacks thinned the pack considerably, (maybe 11 left in the field), but unfortunately I misread how committed Tim's attack was and my counter before and thru the climb which caused Tim to fade as the leaders powered through the false flat. On a positive note, Will was back in sight..

Another lap went by and Craig Fellers attacked with 2.5 laps to go as we caught Will who had been off the front solo. Again everyone looked at Paul, I kept rolling through on the descents and whenever the pace really dropped, but was conscious not to waste any matches since the race was only going to get harder.

The Break: Before the decent on lap 4, I had lot of momentum as the pack slowed to a snails pace (again) at the base of a roller and decided to come thru at speed and keep the pressure on...... I look back and they are giving me a leash. I keep the moderate pressure on as though I am just going to float out there and waste energy, but as the road turns I really hit it over the top and the final rollers before the decent. By the 180deg turn on the decent they were out of sight, so I take the decent as fast as I can and by the bottom, Craig is in sight, on the first climb after the decent I am closer but he slips out if sight as the road bends. Then all of a sudden I am right on him as he is trying to fix his dropped chain. I pass him and ease since wind is not a friend, he is back soon enough and is also clearly happy to have some help. For 1.5 laps we just keep the pressure on trading good strong pulls. I think both of us were having nightmares of Paul Mach catching us and riding right through us with one or two riders in tow.

Last Lap: We were still way out of sight coming through the feedzone then passed a field before the sharp descent and nailed it, surely increasing our lead, but then...the wheels started to fall off with about 1/2 lap to go. I think it was a combination of just one hell of a race and not eating/drinking enough do to the no rest and constant action. The first few climbs after the decent nearly killed me, but I hung in there knowing I needed to be on a wheel for a few more miles, but with about 1.5km to go I just started to fade big time, Craig simply road away without even picking up the pace, I was cracked, dizzy, out of water (it was too late anyways), and putting out tempo watts felt like the hardest thing in the world. The 1KM to go sign was a great sight, then the 200m sign was even better, except for the fact that it really kicks up there and I was out of gears, barely moving. Dropped riders from other fields started to pass me, but still I could not see anyone from the P12 field. I made it across in 2nd Place with plenty of daylight between me and the next P12 rider. It was not a pretty finish, but I am really pleased with the result and making the move when I did. For the record I cannot remember the last time I cracked that hard, Tim fought on catching some dropped riders and finished in 14th.

It was great to have a loose plan at the start of the race, we may have got a bit anxious early (my doing), but I really had a fun reading off Tim throughout the first half of the race, we marked moves well and put in some of our own attacks splitting the field. Having teammates in the race makes racing a little more relaxed and saves a few needed matches. Looking forward to the next race as a team. 

Podium Shot: http://instagram.com/p/XN1r1hlRGG/

Strava File: http://app.strava.com/activities/45565924

Data Geek Info:
Time: ~2:40 forgot to press start at the line
Norm Power: 246w
Intensity Factor: 0.91 !!! Yea NO REST!

2013 CCCX CR #2 & #3 - P123

So after Lee, Carmi, and I tested the new CCCX course 2 weeks ago, I was glad to be back on a real circuit with closed roads, endless rollers, and guttering crosswinds.

CCCX #2
That being said, CCCX #2 was fun despite the very small field and out and back course, Lee won the P123 from a 2man break that went on lap 1 SOLID, I was 3rd after attacking the chasers after they were worn down a bit, Carmi was 6th after attacking the 2nd chase group. So I would say we rode the race just about as good as we could have. In the earlier and larger E2/3 field Carmi rode the entire race off the front but was caught by  a solo rider (or maybe he started in front of Carmi, I forget) and 2 other riders in the last 200m or so but hung tough for 4th. Lee was the rider that got a free tow from a rider bridging the gap on the final la[p, but was able to out-sprint his companion for 2nd!!! Nice work guys.
CCCX #2 Results:
P123 Results: 1st - Lee, 3rd - James, 6th - Carmi
E2/3 Results: 2nd - Lee, 4th - Carmi

CCCX #3
Back to the original course meant bigger fields and longer races YEA!!!. Carmi did the E2/3 race which came down to a field sprint. He manages 5th in good sized field, nice more upgrade/BAR/BAT points!

In the P123 race it was just Matt and myself. Although Madera took some of the usual suspects away the P123 still had about 20 starters. CliffBar had a few guys, BearDev, Leopard-Soporo, Olympic club had a few local Cat1s, but most other riders were racing solo. Local Eamon van Lucas of Cal Giant and the U23 National Team prepping for departure to race most the season in Europe with the National Team was clearly "the guy" to watch with a few climber types and mostly sprinter types in the field Matt and I figured out best chance was just to follow Eamon and any if the other TT/climber types that can split the field and possibly get away. With a small field and breaks often being more if splits that breaks in this course we decide to go with 1 of 3 odds or 2 of any 4+ rider break. So plan was simple.

Lap 1: basically warm-up
Lap 2: Eamon drills it up the first gradual climb and everyone is in the gutter scrambling. He eases everyone sits up and a counter attack goes. Eamon waits then jumps across and picks up the pace from the group up the road. I was boxed in, but Matt jumped just after Eamon did, perfect. Then a Leopard rider jumps across (which would make the group now ~5) so I follow. At the top of the first climb (the one where everyone is guttered on the left of the road), Matt just loses contact as I make contact, I don't pull through hoping Matt can close the gap before the group gets organized. But Eamon piles on the pressure on the flat section before the decent. A few others bridge across as the break initiates. About 7 riders in total.
Lap 3-5: The break was bigger than I wanted, but as the laps ticked down and Eamon convinced everyone to pull through and a few things were clear 1) a few riders would not last and 2) this was "the move." I was not happy since the odds did not match our original plan so I was that enoying guy in the break taking short pulls on the flats and longer hard pulls on the rollers in the gutter hoping to wear out the group a bit. The good news was the sprinters from Cliff and a few other teams were not present. Eventually after it was really clear this group was staying away people started putting in some attacks. All the attacks that happened on the rollers before the finishing straight were unsuccessful but since those roller had a cross headwind they did tire out the group.
Lap ~5: So on lap 5 Eamon hit it again near the bottom of the first climb (which typically has a cross/tail wind) then pulls off to see what damage he caused, I immediately hit it hard over the top and kept drilling it until the 1st descent. Success group explodes and we are down to 4 from 7 or 8.
Laps 6-7?: 4 was still more than I wanted and it was clear due to the explosion behind the dropped riders were gone for good so I take it easier on the flats but start throwing in some attacks on the rollers and the tailwind climb hoping to get Eamon to go with me. Eamon and the BearDev kid were buddies and started chatting now and then when Chris or I could not hear. So I decide to watch what kind of games they may play and took an easy lap to rest up for finale

Last Lap: I was still nervous about the games they might play so I hit the first climb past the start finish hard to see if I could pop anyone, nope could not split Brain & Eamon and I didn't want to attempt a solo move, so I waited for the sprint. Coming into the sprint I just keep repeating in my head "1st into last corner, 1st into last corner" sometime I lose focus in the finale so this helps me :). They made me lead it out on the decent I kept my speed but shifted way to the right waiting... And waiting.... And finally BearDev comes flying by still 200m from the last turn I jump on his wheel, Eamon on mine, then Brian eases. Again too early so we wait and wait as the corner gets closer and closer and we start slowing down again. I wait as long as I can but was afraid we would slow too much or Eamon would jump first, so I jump hard at about 20m before the turn (earlier than I wanted, better too early than too late) I make it thru the turn at full speed use all the road and sprint along the cones on the left side of the road, spin my gear up and hold on for dear life as the road tilts up trying to keep the cadence up as high as I can. YES! My first win of the USCF season in the bag and extremely happy I was able to hold off Eamon. As expected the riders who were popped from the break were absorbed by the field, Matt took a last lap all-or-nothing attack at the start of final roller section, but was drought back on the decent, and rolled in with the pack.

Video of sprint for the Win: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVCVGyC4LGE&feature=youtu.be

Podium Shot: http://instagram.com/p/WrtYr1lRDF/

CCCX #3 Results:
P123 Results: 1st - James, 11th Matt
E2/3 Results: 5th - Carmi

Data Geek Info:
Time: 1hr28m Dist: 34.4mi Norm Power: 265w (w/ 229w ave)