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
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
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
http://www.wors.org/schedule/event.php?e=4
Doug
Sunday, July 20, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, July 18, 2008
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
http://www.enhgrandprix.com/schedule.html
Saturday, July 12, 2008
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)