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