Hillsboro

This is still the hardest race of the season, but also the best.

Race stared much slower than last year, so I spent most of the first lap towards the front, the pace picked up several time and riders started to pop off the back. The first time up the hills into town and over the cobbles the group split into two. Later in the second lap it split again in the cross winds and I was able to stay with the small group. Into town I knew the race would detonate on the climbs and cobbles so I made sure I was near the front. Up the climbs the group accelerated and I crested with the top 5 or so. down into the cobbles at 40+ I was in a really good position when my rear wheel exploded. I was able to stay upright going into the turn as my rear brake locked up due to the rim expansion. The tire (Vittoria tubular) never went flat. So my day ended early, but I was safe and unhurt so all was well. Too bad though because I was on a GOOD day and was able to stay with the leaders through all the hills, wind, and constant accelerations. I was ready this year will do it again next year.

A bit about the wind which was out of the south east at 20mph with gust of 30. With over 20 turns each lap it is impossible to stay out of it. One minute its a head wind then you turn into a crosswind , the repeat over and over again..




Doug

The Hillsboro Roubaix Experience

Since Pat started the comments about the race, I will lend my overall impressions this having been my first Hillsboro Roubaix event. Here are my summary thoughts about the event for those that may be considering it in the future:

1. It's a long drive. Although it is all highway 3 and1/2 hours is still a hike. Having said that, I tend to follow the rule of "driving time should be < or = to racing time". If you ride the 66 mile race, this is pretty close. Better than driving 90 minutes for a 40 min crit.

2. It is very well organized. Check in, timing chips, parking, marshals on the course were very well done.

3. Doing a race like this early in the year is REALLY tough. Unless you have a lot of outside or computrainer miles under your belt, do not expect to be competitive. I understand the relation to the spring classics but for those of use from colder climates I wish this race was later in the year.

4. The course was great. Minimal traffic, rollers and a few stiff climbs with flat open wind areas. The cobbles are really kind of fun and are only a minor part of the course. One note, I would highly suggest keeping at least one water bottle in your jersey pocket over the cobbles. I lost my full water bottle just after getting it from the feed as I was going over the cobbles at 30mph. Had to ride the second lap on almost no water and it toasted me.

Would I do this race again? I am not sure due to the early season timing ( I am not a big indoor trainer guy) and the long drive time. It is a GREAT training event and it is one of those events I would suggest you try to do at least once in your racing career. I could not though imagine this race with crappy weather. We had a beautiful day with 60 degree temps and sun. One advantage of riding 50+ is that you can usually wait to see the weather for the event and still get in. For 4s and 5s it is a bit of a crapshoot with the weather as you have to register early.

We had a good Tower turnout, with 3 of us in the 50+ and 5 in the 40+. I will leave it up to individual folks to post their comments on the race.

Dr Phil

Hillsboro Roubaix

Hi Everyone-
What a tuff race, I made the mistake of sitting at the front for most of the first lap. This is something BRB has said to me and many others time and time again not to do. I felt great like King Kong, at one point in the first lap I thought of taking a flyer myself. After the first lap I deiced to go back in the middle of the pack were I stayed until mile 35 that’s when I saw him "The Man with the Hammer” I peddled as hard as I could and got away from him. As the pelaton came over a big hill at mile 41 “The Man with the Hammer” jumped out and hit me over the back of the neck and the light went out.

Congrats

It was the nicest thing to see the race unfold with blue and green all over. Doug’s efforts in his small break were remarkable and the bridge accomplished by Pat was brilliant. The taming of the pace by the rest of the team while other courageous attempts to bridge were made is undeniable proof that Tower operates as a proactive team. I have never seen so many happy faces after a race; not as happy for their own performance as for having carried out together a team plan that worked to perfection!

Pascale

Burnham Criterium | Tower Power

Tower did awesome in its season opener! Taking 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th place.

Sundays ride to Oswego

Hi Everyone-

This Sunday I plan on leaving from the Tower at 7:00 a.m. sharp. I’m riding out to the fire station in Oswego (round trip 60 to 70 miles) at an easy pace (17 to 22 mph but could go faster or slower).

This will be the same format as last Sunday. If you can come, you are welcome to sit in as much as you would like. The fire station in Oswego is always open and happy to fill water bottles or use the bathroom; however I would suggest bringing three bottles with you, along with food to eat.

This is a “no drop ride” and everyone will wait if someone falls behind or breaks down.

Pat D.

Sunday's Ride

Hi Everyone-

Great ride yesterday! Rarely do we have the opportunity to do this ride with a bigger Tower Group and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. From those that I spoke with over the weekend, everyone seemed to enjoy the longer/easier tempo and I hope we can do more of these throughout the year (perhaps once a month?). Thanks to everyone who came out.

As well, I’d also like to thank Rick J. and the Sram folks for their attendance and pulls at the front. Considering their strong fitness levels, they set a perfect tempo for the group and we were happy they could join us! Hope to see them out with us more during the year.

Last, it was nice to see many of the new Tower members. We hope that you will continue to come out with the group and with consistent attendance, you will find your fitness and bike handling will continue to improve. And for those new members who may be uncertain what to do in a particular situation or need help, just ask someone in the group as everyone is happy to help.
Hope to see everyone again soon!

Pat D.

Sunday's Ride to Naperville

Hi Everyone-

Due to an overwhelming response to Sundays ride out to Naperville many of you asked me to change the time to one hour earlier due to family and other commitments.

In short:

This Sunday we will leave from the tower at 8:00 a.m. sharp. We will ride out to the fire station in Naperville (round trip 60 to 70 miles) at an easy pace (17 to 22 mph but could go faster or slower). You do not have to take a pull if you are not up to it yet, you are welcome to sit in as much as you would like. The fire station in Naperville is always open and happy to fill water bottles; however I would suggest bringing three bottles with you along with food to eat. This is a “no drop ride” and everyone will wait if someone falls behind or breaks down.

Please remember to bring the following:

1) tool bag
2) tube
3) co2 cartridge
4) extra water bottle
5) food
6) BRB (Bob Berg)
7) Any extra clothing

Personally, long easy rides on Sunday’s are something I am going to do a lot more of. If you have any questions contact me.

PD.

Burnham Racing -- March 28th

Gang,

The first crit of the year is nearly full. They added a men’s 4/5 race that begins at 8:15. Limit of 50 riders. So far 24 have signed up.

If we plan to do this race, the first 4/5 race would be the only race that we can all enter. The only good news is that we would be able to be home earlier as other races would be in the middle of the day. The bad news is that we would only get to do one race…

I know many of you dislike crits, but this IS the safest crit on the schedule all year and I would highly recommend this race (recall it is a motorcycle track – smooth, with wide turns and no curbs). Further if we can do this as a team, we could take strong command of the race itself and dominate.

I just signed up, who else is in?!?!?

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=7559

Jim Hamman

8th Annual Hillsboro-Roubaix Road Race

Older gents,

Plenty of spots are still open for the 40+ and 50+ races. So far Pat, Mark M, and myself are in the 40+, Brain M is the only 50+ Tower racer. This race is definitely worth the drive.

Doug

Ride on Friday 2-13-09

It looks like the weather will be decent for an AM ride tomorrow. Hope to see someone there. So far Fran, myself, and Bob are in.

Saturday ride

Thinking of a very easy 2.5-3hr ride Saturday morining. Will probably head west, no bluff.This will NOT be a hammer fest.

Doug