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.