Computrainer Class | Endure - It

Hi Guys,

I went to the Computrainer meeting last night at Endure – It. The meeting was informative and well run, David Fix (owner of Endure – It) has added 6 additional trainers (for a total of 14 trainers) to handle the built up demand, and I would guess there were 60+ in attendance. David has also added a plyometric class after each Computrainer class (this class is optional) on Saturdays only. Plyometrics from my understanding is the conditioning of your lower back, abdominal mussels, shoulders and stretching exercises.

I personally feel with the number of people in attendance and excitement I felt last night the classes will fill quickly. David told me you can sign up weeks in advance if you’d like, however, you will be charged if you don’t show or if you cancel with less then 48 hour notice.

Chris Mosora will be coaching all Saturday classes. Chris is a Cat 1/2 racer and has ridden with the Tower group a couple of occasions this past summer. A number of us from Tower worked with Chris last winter, speaking for myself Chris taught me a lot about training and racing.

I think Endure – It is an excellent run bike shop and I will be attending all winter. Furthermore, the Plyometrics classes are something I need and I’m sure most of you could use conditioning in the areas I mentioned above. If you need any further information on this subject please feel free to contact me.

Please forward to anyone I my have missed….

~Style King~

Tony Cacchillo (AKA) Fabian

This is Fabian winning a race after Team Tower did some incredible blocking strategies.

Blocking Strategy

Found and excellent article about blocking strategy which I think everyone should read. It goes into detail of the strategy and some may be surprised how subtel it really is.


http://www.velonews.com/article/84731/the-explainer---why-not-block

Tower Makes the Podium

Today, Tower hit the podium in a big way as the road/crit season comes to a close. Lori and Pascal both win their respective races with some assistance from Pascal, Lori was able to break away early and stay away.

We had Gary, Tom, Mark, Terry, Don, Charlie (who ran the 50+ earlier), me, and even Lori signed up for the Mens (?) Cat 4. Two Tati women signup up as well.

I go through my typical pre-race 2nd guessing. Did I eat too much this morning? Drink one too many beers last night? Ride too hard yesterday? Did I hydrate enough? At this point, none of it matters, its time to race the last crit of 2008. We line up near each other and hit the start. I follow Tom up the inside to get near the front and try to keep it that way. Somewhere around lap 4/5, they call a prime for sunglasses - I could use sunglasses. If I have a shot, I’m going for it. After turn three, I am in 5th. I see a familiar Tati uniform (it’s that same guy who drove off the front last week) 20 yards off the front. He does not seem to be sprinting just motoring at a high pace. I’m going to try and catch him. No one else challenges except for one, who quickly gives in. Tati looks back and starts to accelerate. I gun it as if the race depended on it. Fly pass Tati after turn 4 and keep going. After a look back to see if the glasses are in jeopardy, I ease up at the line. Hearing Tower Racing takes the prime brings a smile to my face. Tati keeps going. He’s going to do it again. Damn that kid is strong. I wonder if I should follow as we have a good gap at this point. I decide it would be too much effort. I need to work on riding hard while winded (next year.)

I drift to the back and get a great vantage point of my teammates up ahead. Go Tower!
As it turns out that Tati Guy laps us with three to go. I see Tom follow Tati as he drives through the pack a lap up on everyone (impressive). I follow Tati the last lap and a half in 2nd place. Get into a minor scrape when a WDT rider attempts to crowd me out of 2nd place. I’m not moving. He’ll have to move up or drop back. He actually bumps me this time, I push back, fortunately, he backs off this time and drifts back. I don’t like it when this kind of stuff happens. He apologizes later after I call him out.

I decide to leave even earlier than the prime. I take off just after turn 3. I round turn four in 1st. I am doing everything to hold off the pursuits behind, but begin to fade. I get passed by one rider with 25 yards to go and barely hold on for 2nd in the field sprint - 3rd overall. End result: Raced over 26 mph average; Tower is on the podium; I have a pair of sunglasses; $30 goes to Tower Racing Charities (which U.S. Cellular® will match).

It’s a good day for Tower. In fact, it’s been a good year. We started a race team; we have excellent uniforms; we’ve donated to charity; hosted our first race; won some races; placed in many more and people are recognizing us as an up and coming team. We are much stronger as a group than we were last year. I look forward to our future hammer sessions.

- Ed E.

Going for a ride 10/03 Friday

If anyone would care to join me for a ride on 10/03 at 10:00 a.m. get back to me.

I plan on riding N. Frontage to Woodward turning back and going up S. Frontage to Cass then to Madison back into Hinsdale.

Please let me know if you can go.

Style King~

Fall Fling Road Race Sept 27th

What a great day we had on Saturday at the ABR fall fling road race. The weather was perfect. We didn’t have any huge result, just had a lot of fun. There were 10 of us total. Tom M., Tony C., Jimmy H., Don H., Charlie T., Kevin M., Mark M, & Pat D. Bob B. and Dr. Phil raced in the 50s, with the other in the Cat 4 race. Both races were 40 miles long. The course is a rolling course with no significant climbs.

Our plan was to sit in for the first couple of laps, and then soften up the pack with a couple of attacks and then see if Jimmie could get away. We did all of that, and were by far the most active team. It didn’t work out but we had a blast trying to make it happen. It was fun laying out a plan and executing those plans, even if they didn’t turn out the way we wanted (podium).

On the last lap leading up the hill it was pretty much all together. Or at least there was no breakaway. I am sure there was some carnage off the back, but it was still a very large group intact. This made it a challenge to get into position for the sprint. The centerline rule was being enforced (Mark M. got thrown out) and several riders were pulled. We had a nice lead out set up with me as the designated sprinter. We attacked a bit too soon and when it was my turn to go, we were to far out for me to crank it up. I waited for some wheels and followed several attacks, but didn’t have enough to finish strong. I have never been in a better position to win a race. Thanks to my team mates for setting me up.

A high finish would have made it a huge success, but I think we learned a lot and will be better for it next time. Everyone worked as a team with a well executed plan. We even barbequed in the parking lot which was a great way to talk through what went well and what did not. What a great season we have had, everyone should be very proud of how we did as a team. We had some great results and great experiences that should hold us through till next year. Better train hard, because we have a lot to live up to after the success we had in our first year.

I think I probably finished 30th and Tom and Jim somewhere between 15th and 25th but I am not sure. Everyone else were very close to my result. Charlie Tallard had a great race finishing his first ever cat 4 (non age group) race. He may have finishied ahead of me? Pat, Mark, and Tony had several impressive attacks which I started to describe in detail and it started to look like a small novel. Try and follow Pat when he attacks, I was actually trying to tell him to slow down, but he didn’t hear me. By the way Bob got 5th in his race if you didn’t see his e-mail, Phil hung tough finishing strong in the field.

One more race next week and unless you race cross, we are done. Nice job everyone!!!!

Fall Fling - Tower is on the podium

Tower makes the podium.
Case Hultman and I signed up for the Fall Fling Beginner Men Crit on Sunday morning. It is a very short race - 10 laps. But, I am desperate to get a race in as I could not make the road race yesterday. The Wood Dale south course was relatively safe and most importantly no crashes. It had a couple dips and rises that made it more interesting. The race started out very quick with many surges. It settles down after lap 2. I find out later that, unfortunately, Case got gapped out of the gate when he could not get in his pedal at the line at the start during the hammer fest of the first two laps.

A Tati riders pulls to the front on the inside launching a teammate. This is where it’s nice to have teammates along for the ride. (Anyone up for next week for either the 4s or 40+?) I was about 6 or 7 back when I saw this happen. No one jumped. I considered it, but hey, its only one guy on lap 2, we’ll see him again. Even his coaches on the sidelines are saying “Not Yet.” I stay near the front following the teachings of BRB. A couple more attempts to jump, only to get eaten up within a lap. On lap 8 I am getting excited, I see a Tati uniform up ahead; we are back into a race for 1st place. We swallow up the Tati rider. Throughout the race, I see some team tactics at work from a couple of Teams. I do my best to bypass the blockers and stay up front. The effort pays off; I am riding 3rd on the final lap. After turn 2, I am riding 2nd. Before the race, I had planned on hitting it on turn 4. However during the race, I think back to the Chicago crit. – go earlier. I hit it shortly after turn 3 into the wind. As soon as I gun it, I see a line of 4 blue jerseys to my right who were in the process of passing on the outside. The first blue pulls off, I am about even with the rear wheel of the new leader now and gaining. I am feeling fresh and there is no way I am losing to this guy. I round turn 4 and give it everything and sprint the final 250m to the finish line thinking I have to keep this up just a little while longer. I pull away for a 2 length win. I did it. I won my first race. I give Case an update after the race – Tower wins. Pasquale asks how I did, I coolly mention that I won.

I wait for the results only to see a 2nd by my name. Oops! That’s not good, Turns out the Tati jersey we passed on lap 8 was a dropped teammate of the winner who had successfully held us off to the end. Kudos to the winner, he TT’d 80% if the race. My biggest regret is not finding Pasquale in time to correct my blunder. Oh well – I won the field sprint anyway. 2nd is not so bad.

P.S. Case and I had commitments and cound not stay for Pasquale's race. I am sure she did well.


-Ed

Illinois Standings

Both Doug Braun and Laurie Stork placed high in the Illinois Cup Standings. Check out the web-site at the attached link. Laurie was fourth overall in the cat 4s and Doug is 6th in the 40 + 4/5. Maybe next year we target all of the races in this series as a team to help guide us to what races are important.

Congratulations Team Tower!!!!!



http://www.illinoiscycling.org/standings/2008CupTop10.pdf

ABR MASTERS NATIONAL ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP

This Saturday, same course as the Fall Fling....longer distance


http://www.ambikerace.com/2008/flyers/WestlakeVillageRoadrace2008.pdf

Fall Fling!!!

http://www.abdcycling.com/racesevents/2008/Fling/08_FlingFlyer.pdf

MTB race

For those interested the MTB race at Palos, the expert class is 32 miles long (over 2hrs of racing)and had plenty of spots open. Weather permitting I hope to race.

TOOB Feedback

Here is a collection of feedback from our race that was "deposited" into our race inbox...

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I just wanted to say thank you for putting on a great event. It is a massive undertaking and to get it done in the time frame that you guys worked with is impressive. The course wasn't the longest, but it was really enjoyable. It was safe, and made for good racing. I know some people were running around early with the delays but certain issues are to be expected and really aren't a big deal. I hope that oakbrook chooses to sponsor the state road race next year as well.

Again, Thank you.

Dan Sochacki
Wild Card Cycling

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My teammates and I all wanted to send you a personal thanks for supporting the Tour of Oak Brook with such a generous Pro/1/2 prize purse. It was certainly one of the best road races I've done in Illinois and I sure hope it comes back in 09 even bigger and better! Thanks again,
Andy Daleyvitaminwater-Trek Cycling Team

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Thanks for putting on the race. I did the Men's 40+ 4/5 and enjoyed it a lot. My suggestion is to eliminate the primes. That's soooo crit-like. In stead, do something different: a KOM points awarded at the top of the Spring Rd climb. Now that would be different. Get rid of the boring primes like a jersey and a water bottle. Get a sponsor and name the KOM prize so that you can pay for the additional cost for making it happen. Doing KOM will also make the race break up more. There will be more attacking and also will level the playing field a little more for the slightly built riders (like me!). Just a thought. Again, thanks for putting on the race.

Ken G Kabira
1-630-302-0201
KGKabira@aol.com
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All,

I wanted to thank you for taking your time effort and energy to put the “Tour of Oakbrook” race on. The course was wonderful and very well run. I know that you probably only hear about the complaints, but you all took a great deal of effort into allowing us to have a very fun day. It is greatly appreciated and I look forward to next year. Please pass on to the area sponsors I enjoyed the area so much I stayed the next day and saw some of the area attractions including a Polo match on Sunday.

Thank you,
Mark Shea

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Addressed to one of our sponsors:


Dear Greg,

I'd like to thank you for your generous support of the Tour of Oak Brook this past weekend. I know that Jim Hamman and Pat Dillon put this event together on extremely short notice, and I'm sure it wouldn't have been possible or as successful without the help of sponsors like you. As a participant in the Masters 40+ 1/2/3 race, I'd particularly like to thank you for your donation of the prize purse. While I don't race bikes with the intent of eventually giving up my day job, donations like yours definitely help draw bigger fields and cover the expenses involved with the training, travel and equipment necessary to succeed in bike racing. Here's to the future of the TOOB and great sponsosrs like you.


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Jim,

Thank you again for making such a huge effort to rescue the IL State RR this year. To do so much in such a short time is very impressive. I know I enjoyed the course, as well. It was great to get to race on a road we've all recognized for so long as being a unique challenge in our area.

While the course was great, because of the length and the number of race categories, I think you're presented with a big challenge to keep the races from interfering with each other. I was only there for the last two sets of races and was surprised that it didn't happen with the Masters30/40 & Cat 3 Combo of races, based on how those two groups typically race, but with such a short lap, it can really effect how people race if it's clear that any attacks will only be neutralized not necessarily by other racers, but by the need to allow one race move past another using only one lane. Please understand, I'm not writing to you for the sake of complaining, but only to bring up the point in the hope that someone might have a better idea of how to handle the issue. For instance, I know you have to have 2 races going on at once, because you only have the course for so long. I also know that the ICA dictates certain race categories, so you have to include those races. I know there's also a desire to give the upper categories of both men and women a race significant enough in distance to merit the state championships (both symbolicly as well as according to USCF rules) and that holding those races simultaneously is probably the only way to keep races starting and finishing together in unison throughout the day. You have more than enough to coordinate, but I do believe that it's worth considering the typical average speeds/lap times of each group and trying to pair them up accordingly, so as to avoid the possiblity that any group might be lapped multiple times, thus changing the personality and even outcome of the race.

Maybe one thing to consider is one or more follow motorcycles that can be used to help maintain any splits in races that might exist before that race is neutralized. By ensuring not just that the front pack is neutralized but that the chase groups are also neutralized instead of continuing to race themselves back up to the pack, one or more follow motorcycles could help to make the races more fair for everyone. Whether the motorcycles would follow the tail of a race or travel just in front of the pace car, they could be the first to recognize the need to neutralize any rider or group of riders - always in place to help with the fair control of the race. I don't know that this is the answer, but if it helps, great. If not, maybe it will start talks of other, alternative solutions.
I understand how difficult a balancing act you have and I appreciate everything you've done to put on such a great event. I also believe anyone affected by overlapping, neutralized races understands that the officials are acting in the best interests of the racers so that everyone can make it home safely. I'm writing this only in case you have a chance to include the topic in considerations for what you might do for next year and beyond, so that everyone has the opportunity to experience the same great course with as few interruptions as possible. I also understand that how the officials handle the topic is beyond what you can control to some degree, but given time to consider things without the event day pressure, perhaps you can use their years of experience to help in discussions for alternatives for the future.

Thanks again,

Brian Haas
Alberto's Sport

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Just wanted to give everyone who had a hand in the race organization a “GOOD JOB” “ATTABOY!”


Besides the morning glitches (my wife raced early), you all did an AWESOME job.

My number one concern was safety of such an event in a highly urban setting. You pulled this off at a level equal to the recent pro races! I especially appreciated the course marshals late in the day!
The course was a pleasant surprise, hillier than I expected. I think a state championship on a short course that lends itself to spectating is also a huge plus. The only suggestion I have is increasing distances for some men’s categories…

Thanks also for starting to hopefully bring back a state road race championship that in the next few years might bring back the luster and prestige it once had (at least in my mind). Hopefully some of you are old enough to remember when the State RR was a Nationals qualifier and past and current state champions were revered. It would be nice to have it be such a focal point again.

Thanks also for the deep prize list in the Pro-Am. My next email today goes to Veepak.

I hope your club continues to be the host for this race in the upcoming years. Good Luck.


Scott Arrigoni
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hello,I just wanted to say that though the registration process wasa little caotic, I had fun racing and wanted to thank the organizers.I hope you do the race again next year.Thanks Sebastian

Tower Racing Illinois State Road Race

Great job to everyone who helped with the race, I believe it was a great success. Just a few tweaks and we are there. If we can raise enough money we can pay for some services that we had to provide as labor due to the tight money situation. Hiring out those services will take some of the pressure off so that we are just managing the process as apposed to doing the heavy lifting.

But I want to say congratulations to the following people for their high finishes. You guy's did incredibly well. I sent off a press release to a couple of the local papers and hope that they publish the results as well.

Fran Connelly 1st Men’s Cat 5, Group A
Laurie Stork 2nd Women’s Cat 4 & 2nd and Masters Cat 4
Kevin McCann 2nd Men’s Cat 5 Group A
Eric Carlson 2nd Men’s Cat 5 Group B

In addition to everyone that placed well we were very well represented in a number of races. It was very cool to see first time racers out there, some of which did very well. If it wasn't for that massive crash, (did you see Janet's photo's, great job capturing that Janet), we may have had more on the podium.

Pascal Petro (Apache), and Kristen Meshberg (Flatlandia) also placed very well so congratulations to them as well. It is good to see everyone from the Western Suburbs doing well.

Make sure you pinch Fran for good luck. He took home the trifecta of Tower cycling. 1st place in his race, a trip to Jamaica, and the SRAM Force group from the raffle. He is Irish isn't he?

Masters Cat 5 Tour of Elk Grove 8/3

"Remember no man is a failure who has friends." And so ends one of my favorite movies, It's a Wonderful Life. Tower Racing has been a great way for all of us to maintain and improve our fitness. And it has I think, even pushed us to another level in endurance and training. The best part of Tower riding for me though, has always been that it has been a place to gather with like-minded souls who work hard but don't take themselves over seriously and are able to laugh at themselves. I have not been in bike-riding circles for very long, just a few years, as many of you know, but I gather that our Tower group is unique because of its acceptance of anyone willing to ride and that (other than Saturday's rides) we try not to let anyone get dropped. And the after-ride coffee and camaraderie are truly one of life's simple but profound and enduring joys. And so when we started this whole Tower Racing thing, I went along with the idea that it would be fun to see how good all of us could get and I might even improve my strength. If nothing else it would be cool to see if I could hang with some of the best riders out there. I never fully appreciated the total concept of what a team means, until this past Sunday. Saturday's Ride After coffee on Saturday, Don Hanke asked if I was racing Sunday at Elk Grove and I responded that I was. I had forgotten that Don & Kevin had registered for the same race as I did. Kevin McCann had also signed up for the race, but he was looking for someone to take his place because of a family commitment that had come up for Sunday. He found Mark Misicko willing to step up. Now don't get me wrong, but I kind of thought that I'd just hide in the weeds & do this race by myself. Whatever happened would be a good thing: no pressure. When I was reminded about Don's & Kevin's presence and now Mark in place of Kevin, I thought "Oh man, now the pressure will be on. I don't want these guys to be disappointed in my efforts." Because I know that both Don & Mark are much stronger riders than I am. I hoped that I'd be able to help them out in some small way during the course of next day's race. The Warm Up Mark, Don & I arrived early enough (Mark, Don & Karin Hanke came together) for us to pick up our packets and ride around the course a few times to familiarize ourselves with it. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there were ONLY 2 180 degree turns per 1.7 mile (I think) loop. When I went on the website, there were 3 180 degree turns, but fortunately that was only for the Cat. 1-2 race. Whew! Nevertheless, the first 180 degree turn was especially sharp (picture a boulevard with an island in between). I was told that in Saturday's Cat 1-2 race, there had been a couple of crashes on this turn. Since this was a Masters race, there seemed to be a little extra caution out there when we approached & went thru this turn. (But I'm getting ahead of myself). As I approached the start line, already there was Don & Mark. I pulled them close and we talked strategy. Don said to stay close at the end and whoever was feeling strong could then go for it. I said that at the last lap I would try to give them a lead out & they could go from there. Sounded good. The Race It was a registered field of 50 but it looked more like 40-45 riders actually there. The three of us were in the back of the group. "Uh-oh, I thought, not a good place to start a 20 min. plus one lap crit." It's so short time-wise that any mistake might be compounded because there's so little time to recover. Being the "grasshopper" that I am, I remembered the wisdom of mentor Big Ring Bob and immediately began to move to the front after the whistle blew. By the time we reached that first treacherous turn, the 180 degree bad one, I was already 4th or 5th in the peloton, a good spot to be in. The speed started out at about 22-23 with no one really wanting to act as the lead pull. "Smart", I thought, some of these Masters guys are no dummies. But at the same time, if we stayed like this, it could be a dangerous mad rush in the end. I hoped someone would pick it up a bit, but I knew it wouldn't be me. Finally a big guy in a bright neon green Phonak outfit came through after the 2nd turn and ramped the speed up to 25-26. Finally someone was willing to pick up the pace. He led for a full lap or so and again I stayed 3, 4 or 5. I had noticed that it took us a little more than 4 minutes to do one lap. I figured it would probably be a 5 lap race so I knew if I wanted to do well for our team and for me that we had to keep things close and not let anyone out on a breakaway. On the 3rd lap, after the 180 degree turn, suddenly on my left, a rider in black came up hard and passed us creating a gap of 25 yards or so. I immediately stood up, expending some precious energy, but I closed the gap and was on him. Now it was just the two of us. I waited to see if he wanted to try a 2 man break, but he seemed winded. Now suddenly another rider joined us and for a moment, I thought the 3 of us might be able to work as a team and hold the rest of the peloton off. It wasn't meant to be, the two of them died off weakly before we could establish a rotating pace line. I wasn't about to expend any additional energy trying to pull for these guys when it was clear that they weren't up for the yeomen's effort to sustain the break. We slowly were pulled back in to the accelerating peloton, with if I remember, the big guy in the neon green Phonak outfit, leading the group. In hindsight, I should have paid closer attention to that. 2 Laps to Go As we approached the start/finish we heard the announcer telling us about the race's 2 laps remaining. The speed was still a manageable 23-24 mph. Now on my left, I can see Mark coming up making a move to get right behind the lead guy. But Mark just keeps motoring through and now he is in front. I immediately yell out: "No Mark don't do it." I'm thinking he's going way to early and that he will kill himself for nothing. But Mark ignores me. Somewhere about this time, Don came up on my left and yelled at me: "Fran grab my wheel!" I was pinned behind another riders's wheel and couldn't immediately respond. "Fran, grab my wheel!!" The order was barked again. This time I braked slightly and moved to my left just in time to catch Don's wheel before a rider behind could jump in between us. Now Mark not only ignores my earlier directive not to go, but he actually is pushing the pace: 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32! I'm thinking Mark has an overwhelming desire to commit Hari Kari(?) or some kind of self destructive act because this is now a killer pace! I'm thinking "Damn man, I hope you know what you're doing because you sure are putting the hurt on me!!" But I would learn later from Don, that in doing so, Mark has strung out the field: he's taking some of the other would-be sprinters out of the equation. Now the bell rings, one lap to go, Mark is still leading the charge. The treacherous 180 degree turn comes at us. Mark takes it a little too hard, it swings him wide and he has to brake, his momentum slowed. We pass him. Now Don is #2. But suddenly the lead guy just dies and moves to the right. Don is now the lead man. Don maintains the heavy push that Mark just finished. Again we're going 27, 28, 29, 30 mph. Another 180 degree turn, though this one is not as sharp. Don gets momentarily passed. The last turn, a gentle 90 degree turn that seems easy now. We're flying! Don takes the lead again and he's really pushing it for all he's worth! At this rate Don will have nothing left for the sprint, his specialty. Now I admit to being a little more dense than the average guy. So at this point it suddenly and finally dawns on me what Don & Mark's strategy has been: THEY ARE PUSHING THE PACE TO SET ME UP FOR THE FINAL SPRINT! We've got a little more than 500 yards left and I realize that what Mark has done, what Don just killed himself for, leaving nothing left in his tank, all of there efforts were for me! Now some people might have thought things like: "yeah this is just where I want to be, in a fantastic position for the final push." And I suppose in the back of my mind, I was mindful of that as well. But my immediate and overwhelming thought was: "Oh shit, I can't blow this. I can't let those guys, especially Don down. He just killed himself for me. And suddenly there on my right is Mr. Big Stud, the guy in the neon green Phonak jersey with a small train behind him, accelerating to the front passing me, passing Don with a little less than 500 meters to go. Don by now is completely gassed and starting to fade fast, he's given it his all with nothing left but his shaky teammate to bring whatever He has left, home to the finish. And I pass him on his right. Now suddenly I hear Don bellowing: "Go Fran, go. Go Fran go. Hard Fran for all you're worth. Go Fran Go". And I'm standing but spinning too fast. I sit momentarily, just enough to switch to a lower gear. 200 meters. I'm standing again, I feel the bike jump from my push (wow! I'm thinking, that hasn't happened too often in the past. Man it's amazing what this adrenaline can do when you need it.) The effort is so hard. And yet now I'm passing guys. The passing almost feels effortless. It's like I'm watching from above offering commentary in my out of body experience: "hey, that guy was pushing, but you took him easily. That guy too gave it his all, but he was no match for you." When suddenly I'm snapped out of my trance. Hey there's a guy coming up hard on my right. Whoa, where did you come from? Man, he is coming really hard! He's one bike length back....he's a half-length back, he's almost even!!!! Fran you've got to push...now... hard....here...less than 25 meters....keep sprinting...you are strong....think Clarendon Hills sprint...all the way THROUGH the stop sign... one last push....he's finally fading...HEY I'm third. Can I catch #2? No, too late. But hey! I MEAN HEY!!! I think I just finished 3rd! I look to my right. HEY I DID JUST FINISH THIRD!! What the hey, I just finished third!!! Dang, neon Phonak came in 1st.And you know what my immediate thought was as I crossed the finish line? It wasn't what a great race it was. Nor was it, that I have to tell my wife (of course that would come later). My immediate thought as I crossed the finish was: I'm glad I didn't disappoint Don and Mark. When someone sacrifices themselves so totally, so willingly for your benefit, it is incredibly humbling. I certainly know that I am not deserving of their sacrifice, they both are so much more gifted racers than I am. And yet they did it for me. What a wonderful gift they gave me! I must confess, on the ride home, when I finally was able to call my wife (I left the phone in the car), in telling of what Don & Mark did on my behalf, I had to catch my breath. The realization of their sacrificial gift in describing it to my wife, took my breath away. And yeah, I'm not ashamed to admit it but it did bring a tear or two to my eye. You know, hey, I just turned 51. I'm a realist. I may never get a chance to repeat something like that again in my life! Yeah, that was special. Real special. Thanks Mark. Thank you Don. "Thanks for the wings. Love, Clarence" Sincerely, Fran

Go Fran Go!!!!

If you didn't get my E-mail Fran had a great day at Elk Grove finishing on the podium in 3rd place. Smartly, Fran was near the front for most of the race, making sure that those pesky 180 degree turns didn't either A) wear him down B) get him caught in some sort of crash.

We talked at the start that we would work together at the end of the race, making sure that one of us had an opportunity to win. With two laps to go Mark went to the front and set a hard tempo stringing it out keeping Fran and I out of trouble. I saw what he was doing and moved up along Fran talking to him as I went by telling him to get on my wheel. We moved toward the front probably 5 back from mark, not wanting to make it seem like we were setting up a Milram/Quick Step type finish. Mark was still off the front crossing the start/finish (one lap to go) and I was in 3rd or 4th going into the first of two 180 degree turns. Mark swung a bit wide loosing all of his momentum and then all of a sudden I am off the front with almost a full lap to go. As most of you know I am not the type to lead out from that far out. I like to sit in and attack riders trying to go at 500 meters not with 1/2 a mile to go. But I knew Fran was either right behind me or a couple of wheels behind. So I kept the tempo high and continued up the back stretch. A guy came around me (thank you) and I latched on to him for a bit of rest, but he died and again I am off the front.

One more hair pin turn a 90 left hander and we are about 800-1000 meters from the finish. I decide to keep the tempo hard, my legs were pretty much done at that point. I am hoping that Fran is still two or three back ready to go. At 500 meters I feel the pressure behind me and give it everything I had, 200 meters and two or three come around me, where is Fran? There he is, he is looking good, out of the saddle and giving it everything he has. I wish I had a helmet CAM. I start yelling encouragement, Go Fran Go!!! Come on Fran GO, GO, GO!!! I had the best seat in the house at that point. Almost forgot that I was supposed to keep racing. 75 meters, then 50 meters Fran picks off two guy's, I can't tell how he did exactly but know he finished really strong accelerating the whole way. I knew he didn't win but figured he finished at least third if not better!!!

What a great job Fran did. Then I get the pleasure of getting a few choice shots of our guy on the podium. He even gives a great speech and some props about the team. What a great job overall. Mark finished 9th, I finished 11th.

Too bad Gary C. wasn't able to race with us. He had his hands full with a fast Cat 3/4 race. Hey, I did figure out a good reason to cat up and do well in the race Gary was in, $600 bones went to the winner!!! They had two $100 dollar premes (sp) and one $200. Maybe a couple of more, lost count. Those prizes kept the pace high, believe me. Gary looked strong, but didn't have enough in the tank to be in position for a sprint. Hey Gary, don't worry, Fran, Mark and I have three or four races left and we will be racing with you!!! I am a bit worried because I know it will be tough going.

Final Lap less 1

Sorry for the delay in my write up. A lot has happened since my one and only trip to the podium. The paparazzi will not leave me alone; Oprah is hounding me to be on her show; my agent is in negotiations for me to be on the AARP developmental cycling team; the book deals, …. It is hectic.

First, my apologies to Tom (a.k.a. T.O.) I realized as we pass the start/finish that I was off by a lap when responding to Tom on how many laps left. I yelled, but Tom was already out to make a name for Tower Racing on the final lap - 1. You got to fear that guy’s don’t hold back mentality. He was looking pretty strong throughout the race. I can’t help but wonder if he would have taken the whole race.

Tom sets the strategy: track on the inside; stay up front, but not THE front; Hit it hard at the bridge on Balboa on the final lap. Sounds like a plan. I’ll just do what Tom does.

The start of the race, I am feeling tentative, I realize in the first few laps that I have not taken any hard corners since May at Matteson. I am hitting the breaks before every corner and the whole field around me is also surging. I need to get the hang of this quick. After a few laps, I settle down and am able to avoid hitting the breaks by taking a tight inside line in the corners (Tom’s plan).

Gary’s right. It is quite motivating when your teammates are in the race. I could not help but admire Gary’s, Tom’s and Tony’s jerseys as they zoom up the inside. It is super cool looking ahead when each was taking a turn at leading the race. When I grabbed the lead, I realized how hard that wind was coming from the South. I kept the pace going until I had to climb up Balboa. I slow to the right and I look to my left to see Gary driving up the inside (Tom’s plan in action). All the riders behind me jump to his wheel. Thank you, Gary.

I recover from the pull and realize I’m near the back of the pack. You cannot rest for a minute in these races. As I move up, I get boxed in by experimenting with going up the middle. This is not a good feeling. I stick to Tom’s plan and drive up the inside in small spurts to get near the front once again.

On the final lap less 1, Tom works his magic in hopes to get Tower Racing on the board. It was impressive. Shortly after we cross “Tom’s finish line” (notice how I am distancing myself from this), the announcer says “One lap to go”. I find myself at about 12-15th and am seeing the XXX guys collecting near the front. This must be the time. I’m feeling good and try to keep to the inside.

I apply Tom’s plan on each corner moving up a few positions. With ½ lap to go, I am sitting about 8th and feeling that this would be an ok position in the Clarendon Hills sprint, but I’d like to be closer to the front. I have been noticing there is a slow down before turn 3 that I am able to avoid by staying tight, just have to be careful over the man hole covers. Out of the corner, I see the 3 leaders driving up the hill on Balboa and starting to gap, I stand on it to close a minor gap and pass 4 in the process. The lead guy is wasted and gets peeled off. I tuck in behind the new 2nd place guy into the forth corner, I touch the breaks to get behind for the inside lane (dumb move, but the inside worked for me all day.) I sit and wait to pounce (wrong move, didn’t follow Tom’s final plan on hitting it between turns 3-4). After the 4th corner, I am closing in on 2nd place only to run out of track. I am disappointed that I did not go earlier. Not sure I would have passed anyone, but it would have been nice to find out. Then it hits me, I actually placed in a race. While I am concerned I blew a rare opportunity, I’ll take it.

End result: Tower is on the podium; $100 goes to Tower Racing charities and my company (U.S. Cellular®) will match the gift; team Tower has all four finish the race with wheels down in good standing (in a race with its share of crashes). It’s a good day.

-Ed

Chicago Criterium- Tower makes the podium!

Hello Hello,

I have been given the write up captain hat,  I will do so,  but I hope someone special will drop us a little note as well.

Today was the Chicago Criterium.  This was the biggest bike race in the city the since the early 90's, I believe.  The city wanted to make this a big deal and put on a national caliber event.   They did not let down.  I have not been on many crit courses outside of illinois, but I cannot imagine a better course with a better back drop anywhere.  The only thing that may have made it better is if Radio Head would have shown up today to do a sound check for Lallapalooza.   The course had wide roads, the corners were not bad, there was a small amount of incline to spice things up as well.  The professionalism of the staff was great.  It was a great venue and very well run.   The atmosphere surrounding this race was cool to say the least.

I was super excited to find out that Tony C., Ed Ekstrom, Tom Mcnulty (aka.  Terry "closing deals" O'Grady) and myself would be in the 30/40 4-5 field, which was full at 75 riders.  I cannot say enough about how calming it is to see your mates in the field with you.  I introduced Mike Will, from Endure It to the other guys and told him that Ed and Tom have a knack for being in the right spot at the right time.  If he were looking to make things happen look for these two guys.   That was the extent of race strategy.  Something that Tower, as we get stronger, can start to work on when we are in races with multiple riders representing.  

Anyway the race starts and I was not super sure that with the field at 75, starting at the back would be best.  I was on the start finish line and figured that up front would be a safe bet.  I managed to stay up front for a good portion of the beginning of the race.  I noticed Tom would pop up then Ed, then Tony would take his flyer up the left side.  I tell you, we are going to get it right one of these times and Tony is going to spring something up the left side of the race that is going to stick.  I admire his ability to do this on numerous occasions.  You will never know until you try.  It is good stuff.    The race would pick up and slow down throughout the first 25 minutes or so.  Some guys tried to go off the front, but the wind was a tough read and slowed things considerably. I think overall the the race was fast, but seemed to really pick up when the time started to count down and now there where only 5 laps left in the race.  This is when I noticed that Tom and Ed were right up front.  This was motivation for myself to try and pull up closer to them.  Again a great advantage to having mates in the race with you.  I thought we lost Tony to a crash on the finishing straight a few laps prior and figured he left the race.   This was not the case and I think he was behind me.  Well, with 3 laps to go the pace bumps up a little and I can still see the Tower colors flying high at the front of the race.  I think to myself that one of these guys is going to make something happen. This is great.  Some where through the second to the last lap prior to the final lap bell Tom asks Ed how many laps are left.  Ed says a whole lap less than what was actually left.  Note to self,  know how many laps are left myself.  If I do not know do not search Ed out and ask him.  I am not sure if Tom will every believe Ed again, when asking a specific question regarding life or death matters, like how much do I have to kill myself to win this race.  Anyway, Tom takes off like a bat out of heck............... he has smoked the field, gapped us by a good margin and is going strong to the finish line.  He crosses the line going so hard the announcers say "hey there is one more lap buddy..."  we catch Tom just prior to the first turn and that is it.  The jumbotron clearly shows Tom winning the race just on the wrong lap.  Strong work, rookie.  Seriously though if he got it right he may have won that race.  Bad mistake good learning experience.  Tom was smiling after the race and that is all that one can do. 

With less than one lap to go I can see Ed, riding strong at the front of the pack.   He going to do very well in this race.  I guess I underestimated my "very well" statement.  Although I did have a clear sight line, he manages to push himself to the front and is working to catch the number 2 sprinter only to fall just short, but still holds off the group to take sole grasp of the third spot and put Tower Racing on the podium!!  I equal this to a podium at the downers grove race.  It was fantastic.  Tower is on the podium!!!  I managed a 21st place out of 75 and I am sorry to say I am not sure how Tom and Tony did.  Ed...... I am sure everyone wants to hear this from you sir.

All in all,  it was a fantastic day to race and a fantastic day for the team.  I am happy for everyone who raced.  It was a tough race and a good finish is respectable.  

I will leave you with this............... "Tower is on the Podium!"

Take care,

Gary

Ed Ekstrom Lights Up Chicago Crit

We all have witnessed how well Ed Ekstrom can sprint during our training rides. Today he put the hurt on the 77-rider field at Inaugural Chicago Criterium as he blasted his way to a third place podium finish.

Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago went all out for this event. Grant Park had a carnival-like atmosphere with food vendors, a rock band, and a good-sized crowd. There was also some decent schwag in the form of cow bells, kids T-shirts, and cool water bottles. The sun was shining and the winds were light. The course was a 1.1 mile rectangle (with an arc around Congress Plaza) with the start/finish line at Buckingham Fountain. There were a couple of short rises on Jackson and Balbo where the road goes over the train tracks. A few of the corners were tight and you had to be careful not to overshoot a corner or you would end up in one of Da Mayor's concrete planters. The pavement was uneven in a few spots, but nothing worse than we experience out here in the western suburbs.

Tower Racing had four riders enter the Masters 30/40+ Cat 4/5: Ed E, Gary C, Tom M, and me. As usual, the pace was fast right from the gun. All four of us took turns riding at the front of the peleton. I heard the racer announcer call out Gary's name when he was doing a turn at the front. Quite a few riders lost contact and went off the back. I could not hear the prime laps being announced so I did not contest any. On the straightaway to the start/finish, there was an inexplicable crash directly in front of me, most likely caused by touching of wheels. I saw one rider get launched into the air and it looked as if he did a somersault before slamming onto the pavement. Another rider smashed into the barriers. I somehow made it through the carnage and had to sprint to reattach myself to the field.

With only a few laps to go, I noticed Tom riding in second position. I found out after the race that he had asked Ed how many laps were left, and Ed told him that we were coming up on the final lap. On the hill before the final turn, Tom put in a huge effort, passed the rider in front of him and got a gap. He crossed the finish line first with at least a 50-meter gap. He thought he had won the race...until the announcer rang the bell and advised the field there was one lap to go!!! (Tom claims he did not give a victory salute so at least he was spared that embarrassment!) So the peleton goes by Tom who is completely gassed from his sprint. On the final lap, Ed is moving up by taking an inside position on the turns and sliding past riders. On the final rise before the last turn, a rider from Spidermonkey let's it rip. A XXX guy is second with Ed sitting third. This is the way the race would finish. Ed stated after that he wished he had made a move sooner, but ran out of road. After the final turn, it was only 200 meters to the line. I believe Gary finished 21st, I came in at 24th, and Tom around 31st. All in all, a good showing for Tower in such a large, competitive field.

It was great to see Ed on the podium. During the awards ceremony, I think I saw a tear rolling down Tom's cheek (or maybe he was just sweating). Watch out for Ed at Downers if he unleashes his powerful sprint a fraction sooner. However, I would recommend that no one listen to any advice that Ed might dispense during a race!!

We also were able to get some promotion for the Oak Brook race after Tom jotted down a few comments he gave to the race announcer. We also tried to tell as many riders as possible about our race, and everyone I talked to said they planned on racing in Oak Brook.

Thanks for reading.

Dirt

For those not racing the Chicago crit this weekend, I was thininkg about the WORS mountain bike race at Crystal Ridge "Ski Hill" in Franklin WI. If interested let me know. Here is a link to the race.

http://www.wors.org/schedule/event.php?e=4


Doug

Superweek/Evanston

Hello mates,

My story won't be as cool as "Mr Hanke's", as he has requested to be called after posting a win at Blue Island and lending me his race jersey, thanks. I am going to give a recap on the newest and probably one of the best races of superweek for myself.

First off Evanston is a great back drop for this event. The race runs through the retail district of the city. Very nice. From there it is quite hard to put into words why this race is a good one. Fast, large competitive fields,fairly technical(6 turns) one is called........... "The BK Stacker" . This is a turn that shrinks down both into the turn and through the turn. Riders on the outside that overshoot go into the curb and riders that over shoot from the inside can take out an entire group of riders.

After not having a great day yesterday, in Waukesha, I really wanted to be able to compete today. I wanted to hang tough, not get dropped and not crash. All of these things I managed to do or not do the year prior at the same race. The weather was supposed to be better than the day prior, but when we arrived it was misting and there was already water on the course. Not again, I am not in the mood for riding tentatively again. I know that would lead to being spit out the back.

Our race was delayed, again, that is another story. We finally get to line up and stage for the race. I am on the very right side of the street, pressed against the wall and more at the back of the pack than at the front. When the gun goes off it is a drag race. This race averaged 27.1 mph for myself, so who knows how fast I was going to make up some ground and get to the front of this long line. The first couple of laps go fine and my plan to grab the very inside line on the Stacker is working. A couple of laps in this is not the case and I have some riders inside of me. I am calling to stay inside, stay inside. "Not like that, Not like that.." Sure enough guys to my inside go down. I can feel the breeze from the rider next to me as he hits. I manage to keep cool and not over correct. I made it through. Out of the saddle to reengage with the back of the group. 1-2 laps later a guy goes down in turn 4 and is on the course. Race stopped so they can tend to him. Atleast a 10 min stoppage. At this point the race has 8 laps left. Sure enough at superweek when something goes wrong the race is shortened. 5 laps to go. We get restarted and it is a drag race again. 2 laps later BK stacker......... inside rider kills it and takes out 13 or so. I manage to sit on the inside as planned and roll buy. 3 laps to go. Harder faster, watch for crashes, 2 laps.....more of the same. Finally the bell lap and it is all out. At this point I do not want any part of the pavement and am tired. I come in at mid pack, in one piece and have not been spit out. I roll through the course feeling pretty good.

My race report does not come with a lot heoroics. But I can honestly say that I am pleased. I set out to do things and I accomplished them. Something that we can all do with the proper preperation, and be proud of. In my mind I was kind of prepared to crash or get spit out again.............. What if the things I had set out to do were different? Be in the top 20 or something of that sort. Never sell yourself short. It was a good day but there is always room to get better.

I also want to say that I love to race, and because of the schedule I am not able to get out and join my mates on a great group ride, I kind of miss that and look forward to it in the near future.

Thank you for reading.
Gary C.

Evanston Crit

Evanston Crit races is suppose to be a nice race. I'm planning to do the 4's at 9ish AM. Gary C. will also be joining me. Anyone else interested?

http://www.enhgrandprix.com/schedule.html

Tower Strikes Again - This time at Super Week

Hope this doesn’t sound like grandstanding or like I have a big head, (which I do by the way, I wear a size 8 baseball cap) but Tower Racing had a great day today. I was able to win the 30+ Cat 4/5 Super Week race in Blue Island on Saturday. Thanks to Mark and Tom for lending me their wheel on numerous occasions. Tom McNulty carried me down the back stretch pretty much the whole way till just before turn 3 (square flat crit). I think I was on Mark Misko’s wheel or Tom’s for 1/3 of the race.

I was in the top half of the field the whole race moving up on the final three laps. I took great care not to work any more than I had too. Tom took a chance at a breakaway and almost caught the guy, both were sucked back in with maybe 10 laps to go. He was off the front for about a lap and I thought he had a chance. I was sitting about eighth at that point and made sure not to pull through.

Speeds were reasonably fast but I never thought that I was in trouble. Last weekend I was upset with myself because I made no effort to get good positioning, and had a lot left in the tank at the end of the race. This time there was no way I was going to let that happen. So with Tom’s help I moved up on that last lap, and then jumped to two south Chicago wheelmen that were coming around us at a good clip. They took me from about 18th to 12th around the final corner. I am not positive but would say that there was about 400 meters from the last corner to the finish. Triple X had a freight train organized; they had at least four guys organized off the front leading their guy out. Once I was up to speed the peleton swerved right and there was an opening on the left side. I just went as hard as I could around about 12 riders catching them a bit off guard. They miscalculated. I got a great jump and was pulling away. Triple X and a guy from a Milwaukee club made a hard charge at the very end but I had too big of a gap. I threw my bike at the finish winning by about a wheel or less. No celebrating till after the line.

About 24 years ago I finished 2nd at the Moline quad city race. That had been eating away at me for a long time, but not any more!!!

Tom, Mike, and Eddie B finished 20, 22, and 23rd. Not in that order. Thanks to everyone that pushes and challenges me on all of the week day sprints. It felt like a Clarendon Hills finish, perfect pavement, wide, fast and furious (except it was strait as an arrow). We have a strong group of guy’s so I expect someone else to get great results just like Blue Island. Get out there and race!!

Gary C. raced in the 4s and that race looked pretty fast. Ryan Cooper from Flatlandia finished 5 or 6th, so that will tell you how hard those boys were working. Gary looked comfortable, but the pace must have really picked up and he finished just behind the lead group. I will let him give details. I would say our race average speed was about 25 or 26 miles an hour.

Rotary Century Ride - August 3rd, 2008

Team,

As most of you know, one component of Tower Racing mission is to “Give back to our community”. One of the ways we are accomplishing our mission is by donating money to the Rotary Club of Naperville. This organization is organizing a ride in which all the proceeds support Dupage P.A.D.S. P.A.D.S. mission is “committing to end AND prevent homelessness in Dupage County" . Because of our donation, Tower Racing will be a named as a sponsor on event flyers and T-shirts.

The ride (not race) will take place August 3, 2008 in Naperville . It is a well-supported recreational ride for beginners and veteran riders. The ride has 20, 40, 55, 85 and 102 mile routes. All routes are SAG supported.

I am encouraging everyone to think about registering for the event. It is on a Sunday and could supplement our normal Sunday Tower ride or you can make this a nice family ride. Tell your kids there are free snacks at EVERY stop!

Enclosed are the links for more information about the ride.

Link to event: http://www.napervillesunrise.com/Ride/index.htm

Link to registration: http://www.napervillesunrise.com/Ride/rotary_ride_reg.htm

Also, on a side note, we have some minor changes in the Tower Racing officer ranks. Greg Sandman who was our official secretary has stepped down to “pursue other interests”. Because Greg is a good guy and cyclist please do not run him over if you see him running through town. You may recall one of the funnier moments with Greg was when we were out on a ride and the group was going pretty fast around a curve. Greg did not make the turn and went straight instead. Luckily, he was OK.

Anyway, I am the new secretary. I am honored to serve and be a part of a distinguished group of men/women. So in the future, please send all gifts, “officer donations”, etc. to me. I also expect to “pull” less often (not that I do any pulling now).

Kevin McCann
Tower Racing - Secretary

Road Races 7/19

Guys,

Just throwing these one out if anyone is interested.

#1July 19 Indiana state rr 63 miles, masters 35+ starts 10:30am, just north of Indy.Leave in the morning be back late afternoon.
http://www.racelistings.com/register/events/flyer.asp?ID=734

#2 10am start just west of Madison, only 25 miles but... look at the profile !. I know it says citizens race, its just not a uscf race. Plenty of of the large Wisc teams race in this series. They use timing chips for results.

http://www.wisport.org/info/BlueMoundsClassicRR2008.pdf

Doug

Remarkable News--Now,If we can only get Hinsdale to act!

The enclosed was in todays Chicago Tribune

DOWNERS GROVE: Council approves road work on Prairie Avenue
Tribune staff report
July 11, 2008
The Village Council gave the green light to allow officials to begin work on what likely will become the village's largest road project.At this week's meeting, the council unanimously voted to allow the village to entertain bids on the Prairie Avenue reconstruction project. The plan to resurface and repave one of Downers Grove's major thoroughfares is part of the village's plan to rehab shoddy, pothole-filled roads.Assistant Public Works Director Mike Millette said 8,000 to 10,000 cars travel daily on Prairie Avenue, which runs slightly north of downtown. Millette said the work will take place from Belmont Road to Fairview Avenue. The project likely will begin in early September, Millette said.A cost estimate has yet to be attached because the village has not entertained bids

Regards,
Mike Meagher

Super Week, Specifically Blue Island & Olympia Fields

Is anyone signed up for either Blue Island (Saturday) or Olympia Fields (Sunday)? Hopefully they are not filled, but there is a 30 plus cat 4/5 race both days. Both races are down by (I-294/I-80) sort of near Matteson. I think I am going to do the Saturday race so that I can still ride on Sunday. Both are at Noon.

WW Road Race Report 30+ 4/5

Dr Phil and myself made the 2 hr drive into southern Wisconsin for the 42 mile White Water road race. We were greeted by clear sunny skies with a strong wind out of the south east. The coures is a 5.5 mile loop with one gradual climb and plenty of bad pavement to avoid, two rail road crossings, and a screaming corckscrew descent. About 50 of us lined up start the Masters 30+ 4/5. We rolled out for the first of 7 laps and headed straight for the climb into the headwind. the wind would be the main theme of the race. The block headwind up the climb kept everyone in check as did the crosswind on the back part. With the tail wind on the last part all breaks were brought back. The two of us stayed in the first 5-10 spots out of trouble for most of the race. Phil picked up the tempo up the trying to split the group but no one wanted to help so we all stayed together. Heading into the final few laps all efforts to get away were brought back by the bigger Wisconsin teams in the field. Entering the bell lap I wanted to stay at the front, this ended up with me pulling the entire peloton for the final lap. As Phil would mention to me after the race, stay towards the front, not on the front. Before the final decent up a small rise I put in a dig and was able to get a small gap, but was caught at the bottom. From there it was about a mile to the finish and this is where the sprint began. We were already going 40mph off the downhill so I grabbed a wheel and tried the best I could, having a mile long lead out at full gas was a new experience. I ended up sprinting with the group and thought I finished about 6 or so. Phil was a few places back and he told me how many riders were shelled off the back during the sprint because it was so long and fast. After the race I realized I used way to much energy the last lap to have anything for the sprint. Still it was great to race with Phil who was racing against and dropping many guys 15-20 years younger than him. This is as race where numbers matter. The larger team were able to keep the race together for the sprint.

Doug

Wood Dale 50+ Crit

Tower Fans:
Just another perfect day for riding this past Sunday, July 6. The men's 50+ at 9:30 couldn't have been scheduled any better in the day: warm without sweltering with a gentle consistent breeze coming from the south. Supposedly there were 50 guys entered for this race, but my guess was that it was probably closer to 40-45.

Bob Berg and I were the only Tower riders for the 50+ race. If you read Tony C.'s earlier write-up you know that this Wood Dale course is made for speed with only 4 wide turns that could easily hold 6 riders abreast.

With "the master" being in my group, "weed hopper's" goal was to be glued on to BRB's wheel and learn from the best. As we approached the line, Bob began the lesson: "See that guy there, that's Fabio. If you stay near him at the end of the race, you'll be in the top 5." I pointed out Ron Good in an Endure It outfit and mentioned that he too is very strong with a powerful sprint at the end. Both of our insights would prove to be on target.

The race began and Bob and I were in the middle of the pack. The first lap was a wickedly fast 31.5 mph. Surprisingly I felt comfortable yet I hoped the rest of the race would ease off a bit. Fortunately the speed did come back down to the sanity level of 23-24 shortly thereafter. However a couple guys attacked and got away from the main group. My eyes were on Bob, Fabio and Ron Good and all three decided to stay with the main peloton and therefore so did I.

For the first third of the race I was immediately behind Bob and would not relinquish his wheel to anyone trying to move up. As time went on, every now & then one rider would attempt to bridge up to the one or two riders ahead of us; a few times they were actually successful. But Bob, Ron G. and Fabio were still ahead in the main group. On the back stretch at one point, for some reason there was some bunching up with Bob getting caught in that mess. It looked too packed and too dangerous for me so I stayed on the outside, passed Bob and immediately found Ron Good's wheel. There I would attempt to remain for the rest of the race.

At about 37 mins. or so into the 40 min. + 2 lap race, I noticed Fabio at the front of the main peloton looking to make a move to bridge up to the by now 4 lead riders. Ron G. must have noticed it too because throughout the race up until now, he had been right on Fabio's wheel. Sure enough on the backstretch with the wind at our backs, Fabio did make his move. I was ready to follow on the anticipated jump that I was sure Ron would make, where I hoped he would pull me up to the lead group. However Ron's jump never happened. I figured that he, like me, was probably a little tired from Friday's & Saturday's rides and just didn't have it in him to attempt to bridge to the front.

Finally the last lap. It was in the end, a little anticlimactic. Our speeds in the main group had slowed so much, to an average of about 22-23 with no one wanting to expend the energy to pull, so that the leading rider who had early broken away, actually lapped us for the win. Nevertheless, the organizers on the loud speaker told us in the main peloton to race one more lap to the finish. As I said, it was a little anticlimactic, a little confusing and obviously a little disorganized. Nevetheless, now it was a race to see who would finish 6th!

I was in the perfect spot behind Ron, who I knew probably had the best sprint of the remaining riders. On the penultimate turn, Ron dropped into his sprint and put the lead down. I immediately countered and tried to follow his lead. But out of nowhere a rider pulled up from my left, probably from slingshotting behind me, cut me off and grabbed Ron's wheel. It became a little dicey as suddenly about 5 riders all at once, rounded the final turn into the straightaway. I eased up ever so slightly, having no desire to get bumped to the pavement either by someone's rear wheel or bike being swung back & forth. I then jumped into the drops in my best sprint (or at least what resembles a sprint for me) able to finish just ahead of another rider who obviously was gassed by now, unable to stand who was seated for the finish. Fabio had come in 3rd (I think), Ron did indeed come in 6th and I settled for a respectable 11th place. Bob came in 19th.

In the end, a fun day. It was especially fun to watch Tony, Terry, Tom & Gary in the 40+ race a few minutes later. All in all, a good day for Tower racing.
Fran

Riding with the big dogs

Hey Gang,

Tony said it pretty well, fast, exciting and the course is great.  Actually I think that when ever you get a chance to race this course or the north course it should be taken advantage of.  It is a great place to get comfortable with pack racing.  I thought going the opposite direction was a cool change, Vince and the crew at village cycle did, and always do, a great job.  

Some people think that when you are doing these masters races that some of the pressure is off. Masters riders are smoother and so on.  Some how the race will be easier because we are all old people.  Well in the chicago area if you are racing a Masters race get ready to be introduced to the who's who of cycling.  Some of the guys that race these races have been at the top of the heap for as long as I can remember.  Look at the guys that placed in the top 10 or 15.  They have been winning races for a long time.  Most of which I know are not a Cat 4 rider like myself.  That being said,  I think that guys  that participated in this race should be happy with  how things worked out for us.  Would we have all liked to finish better?  Sure, but that is part of the learning curve.  If we continue to race we will get better.  I thought is was pretty cool to see Tony C. and Terry O. heading up the left side of the field on two occasions, giving it a try.  That is what it is all about.  I was happy with todays race, I felt it was a confidence builder for myself, right before superweek and the chicago crit. 

The coolest part of the day was seeing the multiple Tower Racers taking part.  It is exciting to be a part of and I only hope it can grow and more people will take part, if not to race at least check it out and lend support to the team.  It is pretty cool to have teammates in the races with you as well as every time you go through a turn you hear people shouting encouragement.

Bob,  wow,  you took some nice pictures and I really appreciate your effort.  

Until next time.

Make it a great one

Gary C.

Wood Dale Criterium

Tower Racing had riders in at least three races today at the Wood Dale criterium: Masters 50+, Masters 40+, and Cat 4. I rode in the 40+ with Gary C, Terry O, and Tom M. The race took place in an industrial park near Thorndale and Route 83. The course was wide and the pavement may have been the best I have ever raced on - not a pothole or a seam to be found. Most of the corners were gently arced so that one could easily pedal through them. The 40+ race was fast. After the 45 minute race, my computer showed an average speed of 26 mph. Tom's power meter showed his average watts to be 346. Three riders broke away early and stayed away. The field stayed together for the most part with several riders losing contact and then getting lapped. Not pulling the lapped riders from the race would be my only criticism. There were times when we were approaching a corner and the entire filed had to move over to avoid the lapped riders. To give an example of the high speed of this race, there were several occasions when the hammer was down that the entire 40-man field was strung out in a single file. I only noticed maybe two times when the pace actually eased up a bit.

Our race strategy was simple and fluid: if someone felt good, he would attack and the others would try to get on his wheel. With a couple of laps left in the race, I attacked on the back straightaway with a tailwind. I was able to get off the front and a Met Life rider immediately came up on my wheel with Terry and Gary behind him. Tom was blocked in on the opposite side. I traded a couple of pulls with the Met Life rider, but the peleton soon reeled us in. Terry was able to stay in a position near the front as I drifted to the rear to recover. The bell lap was fast with riders blasting into the tight, slightly uphill penultimate corner. Then there is a crash on the final run into the finish. Terry nearly ran into the downed rider. I was able to get around the mayhem and actually pick up a few places due to guys slowing down/swerving to avoid the rider laying on the pavement. Tom and Gary finished ahead of me somewhere in the middle of the pack. I believe that the four of us who raced would agree that Wood Dale was an exciting, fast race on a good course. Thanks also to Bob Berg for taking some great pictures!

July 4th Ride

Just wanted to give a big thanks to all who showed up at 5 am this morning for the ride.  If I had to choose I would pick riding with people who shared the same passion for  bikes over racing every time.  At one point during the ride I was the last man of 11 so I had no one next to me.  I looked from the front of the group all the way to the last pair of riders and everyone was having a conversation with the guy next to them as we rolled through the sod farms at 23 mph.

It brought a smile to my face.  Hanging out with people who enjoy such a simple pleasure.

Thanks for making today a better day.

Gary C

Weekend Races

Two races this weekend.

Saturday- WW Road Race about 2hr drive for 42 miles of racing.
USCF road race
Palmyra,Wisc
http://www.wicycling.org/WisconsinCup/raceflyers08/whitewater%20Race%20Days.pdf
Tower Racers
Doug B
Dr Phil


Sunday- Much closer to home. Masters and 4 races are 45 minutes,.
http://www.ambikerace.com/2008/flyers/2008_Wood_Dale_flyer6-24-8.pdf
ABR criterium
Woodale, IL
Tower Racers

Please post if you are interested in either race.

Willow Springs Road Finally Patched/Repaved

Hey Tower Riders!

Happened to be driving north on Willow Springs road from 95th street this morning. I witnessed a true rarity: our Cook County tax dollars actually hard at work (though truth be told it was an independent contractor at work). Finally they were repairing Willow Springs road from 95th street (on the south) to Archer Ave. (on the north) on BOTH SIDES, NORTH & SOUTH bound lanes. They were actually tearing up 20, 30 even 60 foot long sections from the side of the road to the middle dividing median line, filling with new asphalt & then steamrolling the new road. It's not a completely new road the entire length (from Archer to 95th), but nevertheless it is a huge improvement! No more biking in the middle of the lane trying to avoid the potholes by the side of the road!

They were working on the southbound lane, the route we take when we head south. It looked like they had already repaired all the northbound lane. So hopefully perhaps by as early as tomorrow, Thursday, they might have the entire southbound lane repaired from Archer all the way to 95th street. Eventually they probably will repair Willow Springs all the way to Rt. 83. Here's to hoping!

Friday July 4 Long Ride

Team Tower,
Traditionally we have always done a longer ride (55-70 miles) on the July 4th holiday starting at our usual weekend ride time of 7 a.m. Figure on ride time of 3 1/2 - 4 hours (with coffee of course). We have a few options:

1. Plainfield 100K Ride; there are options for 30, 45 & 62 mile rides. This is a supported ride with rest stops that have food & beverages available every 15 miles, that costs $20 to enter and the ride "starts" at 7 a.m.; though our ride could be later if we chose. The ride begins at Plainfield South High School. Tom McNulty has done this ride in the past with some of the SRAM guys & says it's well run & a lot of fun. This ride surprisingly has (I'm told) a big turnout from other teams in the Chicagoland area. Kind of like a "Horribly Hilly" without the suffering of the hills.
2. Create our own ride: a) Last year we rode into the city & biked on the lakefront up north to Hollywood (Loyola University) & the lakefront before turning around. This was a leisurely ride of 60 miles. or b) Head west toward Fermi Lab & beyond to Batavia and bike along Fox River Valley before heading home. Again about a 60 mile route. The pace is usually a little faster due to less traffic but still nowhere near Saturday's usual hammerfest. or c) Something new altogether: perhaps head south & then west.

I'm also aware that Pat Dillon has a ride heading out at 5 a.m. on Friday (July 4) for all those who have either other plans or younger kids & plan on being back in time for the 9 a.m. parade. A few have already committed for that ride (I believe Don, Terry, Mark & Tony).

I will also post this to Big Ring Bob's normal mailing list of approximately 100 email addresses. Let's kick it around at tomorrow's (Weds. morning) after ride coffee.

Fran

Friday Morning Ride 07/04?

Is anyone planning to ride longer on Friday July 4th then the normal Friday morning ride? I would like to do a century or something close to it. I would like to be back home by 9:30 (I want to go to the parade in Hinsdale which starts at 10:00) I'd like to leave for this ride by 5:00 a.m. or earlier.

This ride will be a nice tempo (nothing crazy something everyone is able to do) with one or two stops to refill water bottles and to eat a power bar or what ever snack you bring. If anyone breaks down or needs a rest I will wait as you will need to wait for me. Please bring at least 3 water bottles and food.

Pat Dillon

Road Race 7/5

Racers,

I plan on racing the Masters 4/5. With Superweek approaching this race should draw a strong field. If anyone is interested in going please let me know.

http://www.wicycling.org/WisconsinCup/raceflyers08/whitewater%20Race%20Days.pdf

Doug

Picture Day -- Saturday 6/28

Team Tower,

Tomorrow (Saturday 6/28) is PICTURE DAY and MOVIE DAY for the team. As such, a few changes will be made to the normal ride (and time)…

Team Picture: Let’s plan to meet at the Tower at 6:50am with your Tower Kits for a group photo. If you don’t have a kit, please ask someone to borrow one. This picture will only be of those wearing a Tower Kit. Bob Berg has kindly volunteered to coordinate the picture and thus after the team photo, we will ride back with him to his house (or wait) so he can drop off his camera.

MOVIE: For our website, we are planning to have a 30second introduction video clip of our team during a group ride paired to music. Pat Dillon’s son, Chris, is a college student and has expertise in this regard and has volunteered to help edit and execute this for us! Please thank Pat and Chris when you see them tomorrow! For reference, check out: http://www.rockracing.com/watchthis/

A few important items with regards to tomorrow’s ride:

1) Slower and Together. Chris (and a friend) will follow us in a car and take video as we ride the standard Saturday Bluff loop. Some footage will be as they are driving next to us. Some footage will be where he tries to get ahead for stationary shots. The idea here is that we will try to keep the group together for the entire ride and this ride will NOT be a hammerfest (so plan accordingly). Parts of the ride we may want to do a single pace line, other parts will be a rotating pace line, but please do not look or wave at the camera :)

2) Tower Only. I’m the first to advocate that we maintain ourselves as an open group. HOWEVER, to make this an effective/cool video clip, we can have only those in Tower Kits on this group ride. So if others show without jerseys/kits, then we will need to send them ahead, or keep them out of the group. If you know someone that is planning to show that doesn’t have a kit, ask around to borrow a jersey/bibs for the day. The more people we can get with Tower Kits on the ride, the better!

3) If you prefer a Hammerfest and/or a longer ride, then feel free to join me and others at 5:15am. We will depart promptly from Starbucks in Hinsdale. The reason for the earlier time is to make it back to the Tower in time for the group photo. Expect a fast pace and a hard earlier ride.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Tower gear at 6:50am tomorrow!

Let me know if you have questions/issues.

Jim

P.S. Please forward to anyone that I may have missed!

State RR Championship

CHECK OUT WHERE THIS RACE IS BEING HELD GANG!!

It is right in our back yard............. 

I did not think a race could get closer to us than Downers

Get ready Tower Racing.

Gary C

Doug's win at Fox River Grove

Just want to say it was great to read Doug's write up and see the photo of him standing on the podium. I checked early yesterday afternoon hoping to see the race report. It was worth the wait.

Like Mark, I too wondered if Doug had left too much out on Saturday's training ride but was glad to see he hadn't. Sounds like the course suited him perfectly. Great tactics! Great sprint!..........When's our next hilly race?

BRB

Tower Racing 1st place Fox River Grove Masters 30/40+!!!!

Race report.

I headed North Sunday morning into the rain and storm clouds(Spring Prairie) again to race at Fox River Grove. The courses main feature is a 400 foot climb each lap at 12-15% depending on what corner you took. The roads on the climb were very narrow but opened up for the decent, and the course was closed so you could use the whole road. As I arrived at the race the sky's cleared and the sun came out. I spent over a hour warming up and riding the course a few times to get ready for the race. By the time we lined up I was ready to go.The Masters 30/40+ field was 39 deep with the majority of riders 40+, and all the major teams represented.

The gun sounds and we are off, 100 yards then a sharp left and up the hill for the first time, you can hear gears popping all around, riders are weaving all over the road, and the heavy breathing and suffering starts right away.. I stayed near the front and crested the climb with two very strong riders from XXX. We bombed the descent diving into corners at 30mph+ trying not to touch the breaks at all.
I never looked behind, but I imagined the fast pace from the start would shatter the field. Each time up the climb a few more riders would fall of the pace, the guys from XXX were setting a devastating pace. Finally after 5 or 6 laps the group is down to 5 and I was sitting 3rd wheel the whole time. I tired to pace my self up the climb and recover on the decent, but bombing at 30+ left little time for recovery. The climb was lined with people shouting encouragement every lap, I tried to stay on the outside of the turns on the climb, because the ramps on the inside were probably 3 to 4% steeper than the outside. This continued for a few more laps and we all realized we gone for good. From there I started counting down the laps and watching for attacks. Finally 2 laps to go, the pace picks up even more, the bell lap, up the climb the climb a 2CC rider attacks I counter and over take him. We crested the hill with a good gap and drilled it, one quick look behind and I know we are gone. We each pulled into the headwind on the back part of the course. Coming into the last corner he was on my wheel but I could see his shadow, so as soon as he jumped I went too. We had a nice drag race to the line and I beat him by a good bike length. One good fist pump and hoot and Tower Racing is on the board a win!!!!

4/5 open.
Time for more pain and suffering. Almost 50 rides lined up and a soon as I saw Chris from Pegasus and a few CC, and other XXX racers knew this was going to be a sufferfest. I was not sure how I would feel after effort in the first race,and the worst part for me was the 15 minute break between races. After the gun sounded and we started the climb for the first time my legs locked up and I struggled up the climb mid pack, We bombed the descent and up the climb again and my legs felt the same and I was now loosing ground, finally towards the top I started to feel better, but I was already well back, on the third trip up I put in a good effort and bridged to the lead group
of several riders, from here I tried to settle down and recover, after a few more times up the climb the group was down to 6 and Chris attacked on the descent , no one wanted to chase, and I couldn't so he was gone for good. Each lap went by and the climb seemed to get steeper and longer, I would stand one lap, and sit the next time up to try to relax the legs. Another guy attacked on the climb with about 4 laps to go and he was gone too. Finally 2 laps to go and I funny thing happened, I started to feel pretty good, so I decide to attack the on the final climb, I did not think I would have a good sprint left against 3 other guys. So after the first turn on the climb I stand and go. I was able to get a gap and then tired to stay away on the descent. Coming into the last corner they caught me and I had nothing left for the sprint. So 6th place for me in the second race. I felt good knowing I left it all on the course and tried. I also wanted to thank Mark for staying and cheering me on in the second race. I could hear hiss words of encouragement before the climb each lap. It was great to have a teammate helping me.

In the end I am very happy to put Tower Racing on the board with its first win!!

Doug

Tower Racing's Braun Wins Gold at Fox River Grove

Doug Braun won the Masters 30/40 at the Fox River Grove Cycling Challenge, to bring home the first victory for Tower Racing in 2008 midwest master's racing. We all know Doug is a great climber, but he laid down the law, and won this race in a contested field sprint.

This was a USAC event, that featured a climb at the Ski Hill at the Norge Ski Jump in Fox River Grove. The climb was similar, but a little shorter to the climb at the Spring Prairie Road race. The descents were similar to the first two curves coming down the first part of Bluff Road, but consisted of about 6 curves. The masters 30/40 race had a field of 29 racers from teams across the area, with 27 racers finishing.

I raced with Doug in the Masters 30/40 and came in 13th. I could not offer any real support to Doug, who was in the lead group throughout the race.

Doug did not stop there. He raced back to back in the Cat 4/5. This race started with 45 riders, many of whom got crushed. About half of the riders got waved off, and about half of the riders that finished got lapped. Doug was in a group of five riders that were chasing the leader, and was in second or third place most of the race. He just missed another podium, and came in fifth.

Before the races, I mentioned to Doug that I thought he may have over done it at yesterday's training rides (rode too hard the day before a race), but he came through any way.

Great job Doug!

Fox River Grove Race

Racers

I plan on racing the Masters at 11am, then the 4/5 at 11:45. Chicago Bike Racing has a description of the course. The main feature is a steep climb up the "ski hill" every lap. Let me know who is interested.

https://www.usacycling.org/events/getflyer.php?permit=2008-750

Doug

Chicago Crit 5’s filling up

Only five spots remain in the Chicago Criterium Cat 5’s. Register now! For the July 27th event in Grant Park.

Kit and gear reordering due June 25th

This is your chance to reorder new team kits and other Tower Racing gear. Because Voler has a 7 week turnaround we are asking to respond to me via email by completing the attached form (send me an email at TowerRacing@hotmail.com I will send you the form). Please respond no later than Wednesday June 25th by noon, so we can get this back still this summer.

We will get the same price per item, as the original order, however they have a minimum quantity requirement of 25 "like" items. So tell me what you want and if Voler will try to work with us if we are close on quantity minimums. So we can't guarantee you will get everything you order.

If you are a race member, you will pay cost (plus shipping), affiliate members will pay cost plus $10 for each top and bottom (plus shipping). Just fill out the form (excel spreadsheet) email it back to me, and we will bill you later and you can send payment to our PO Box. If you are new to the club you will have to sign a waiver as well. Final bills and waivers will go out after when send in the order.

If you have defective or damaged gear, also please drop off at my house (38 Chestnut CH) by next Wednesday at noon, as I will ship back to Voler. Defective merchandise (i.e. broken zipper or loose seem) will be covered via the guarantee, however if you have holes or abrasions from an "incident" Voler will make a best efforts to repair at no charge. If you are unsure my suggestion would be to send it in.


Terry O'Grady

Horribly Hilly is up Plus some old Westlake Village 2007

The Hilly Hundred pictures are posted. Also had some photos from the 2007 West lake Village road race. This is a good course and it should be on every ones calender. It is part of the fall fling by ABR and most years their are two road races, one before and one as part of the fall fling. You are looking at the start finish area of the race. Pat and Kevin are represented in the pictures. Pat is wearing a Endure It kit while Kevin is in his Irish get up. The group photo is Bob, Ed E., Dr Phil, John, Tony, and Tom. Check out the slide show mode of the pictures, it puts them all full screen, and you can stop the action if you want to look at a single photo and then move on.

Cobb Park Criterium

I am wondering if anyone is game for this event.  It is a nice little race around a park in Kankakee.

Would be great to have some mates out there.

Gary C.

BackPack Bill, Grand Canyon, Drinks -- 6/18, 7:30 pm

As a lot of you know , ( Backpack) Bill Noll is planning an epic bike journey, completely unsupported, from the Canadian border to the Grand canyon this summer and he plans on leaving in one week.. As someone who has done Backroads and TrekTravel trips, I have a hard time imagining completing a days ride without a cheese tray and choice of wine or beer being served. Bill has been a great friend, mechanic and source of knowledge to many of us. Many on the HHH ride this weekend communicated that they would value the opportunity to show up and pass on their best wishes for a safe journey.

As a result, I am taking the role of facilitator to assemble a gathering for a nice send off this Wednesday, June 18, at Tracy’s Tavern, 401 55th StClarendon Hills, IL at 7:30 pm. Please plan on stopping by for a drink.

I know we all have busy schedules, and it is a weeknight so we do not anticipate a late night , so show –up , have a drink and show Bill your support.

One additional incentive, first $100 in drinks are on me---so be on time! ( or close to on-time).

Best,
Mike Meagher

Horribly Hilly Update

What a great time we all had on the Horribly Hilly Hundred. There were over 20 of us on the ride and we had to be the most represented team. I can’t say enough about the course, how challenging it was, and how much fun we had doing that ride. Although not a race we rolled along at a challenging pace and the hills took there toll on me. As you know I am not a climber. The only thing saving me was no one wanted to go too hard due to the looming finish up to the top of Blue Mounds state park. You may think the Mid-west is flat, not in this part of the state of Wisconsin. The course takes you up and around the blue mounds area and there are some steep challenging grinds where we all kept clicking for an easier gear. One of the pictures I will be posting shows a guy on a single speed just behind me, some people just are gluttons for punishment.

That last climb was a killer and I had to walk up a bit of it. When I got my legs back there was our unofficial Tower Photographer and affiliate Tower member (my wife) Karin taking photo’s by the side of the road. She jumped on and we both climbed up that last killer section to the top. On the way up that last section some people wrote out encouraging words like “beer ahead”, “don’t stop now, your almost there”, and that really kept me pushing. Plus a few spectators yelling encouragement where last year people told me they had to get off, I was able to keep it going.

Saris leant me a power tap and I can’t wait to see my profile for the ride. I talked to the rep (Pat, Todd’ brother in law) and he said he would love to come down some Saturday with his truck full of wheels and do a power demo for one of our rides. If you think that is a good idea I will try and coordinate that through Todd. This would cost nothing and give us a great educational introduction into power meters. Having that on the ride really allowed me to manage my ride and especially climbing to make sure I wasn’t going past a manageable speed up those climbs. At certain points it didn’t matter because it was pretty much every thing you had to get to the top of some of the really steep sections. I typically stayed around 300 watts, with 400 to 600 watt surges to get over the hump.

Anyway, I will post the pictures either Monday or Tuesday after I have Dan at boss on-line set up a folder for the ride. Any one else that has pictures can post them there as well.

Spills & Thrills on the Southside

Jim H. did a nice summary of the Sherman Park criterium. I will add a few comments from my perspective. The field was huge, but the course easily handled this size of a field. At least a quarter (maybe even a third) of the field was XXX riders as their team sponsored the race. After a couple a laps, a prime was announced. I figured riders would be blasting off to take the prime. I was at the back of the field in my familiar tailgunner position. About halfway through the lap, no one had launched so I pulled out into the wind and accelerated up the right side and heard riders calling out my attack. I then reached the front and surged, no one covered and I took the prime by maybe 50 meters. The peleton quickly reeled me in on the next lap. At this point, I did not know that Jim had hit the floor. I rode up next to Case who told me what had happened. Case was forced off the course and did some cross country riding on the grass, but managed to stay upright. Because of the crash, Case lost contact with the main field and was down a lap.

For the next 20 minutes or so, I sat in and recovered. There were a couple of attacks, but all were brought back. With about 2 1/2 laps to go in the race, I was feeling good so I attacked hard again from the rear of the peleton. The field chased and they came up on me with about 1 1/2 laps left. However, no one passed me - they just sat on my wheel. So I attacked again. Seconds later, I heard the unforgettable sound behind me of tires blowing out and metal and bodies hitting the ground. I had a decent gap on the field as I came up to the line (around 50 to 75 meters) - what a thrill to be in the lead with the bell ringing for the final lap! But it was not to be - I had burned too many matches with my earlier attacks and the field caught me with about a half a lap left in the race. It felt great to shake things up a bit. I feel bad for Jim and hope his shoulder is OK.

I won a pair of socks for the prime (whoopee!!) I know we pledged to give our winnings to charity, but I am going to give the socks to Jim H. - not because he crashed, but because he was wearing some sort of funky white cotton tube socks!! I'm just glad that Pat D. did not have to witness this fashion felony!!