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!!!!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
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
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
Thursday, September 25, 2008
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
Congratulations Team Tower!!!!!
http://www.illinoiscycling.org/standings/2008CupTop10.pdf
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
ABR MASTERS NATIONAL ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIP
This Saturday, same course as the Fall Fling....longer distance
http://www.ambikerace.com/2008/flyers/WestlakeVillageRoadrace2008.pdf
http://www.ambikerace.com/2008/flyers/WestlakeVillageRoadrace2008.pdf
Friday, September 5, 2008
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.
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