So,
here we go again. Another race report.
After being spanked at the Chicago Crit, I signed up for the first heat of the Tour of(de) Elk Grove Village the same evening. I actually took my bike to work and did interval sessions very close to my Skokie workplace (a stretch of Lehigh going northbound from Dempster). I got a few good sessions Mon-Wed and was still able to get home before 8 pm - something I could not do training on the lakefront path averaging 16-17 mph.
Anyway, Saturday comes around and for some reason I estimate that it would take me half hour to get to Elk Grove from my Lincoln Square apartment. Left my place at quarter to 8, and by 8 found myself stuck on I-90 moving snail pace, screaming and shouting with my windows down. Apparently, the bridge at Lawrence Ave. was falling apart and the crews were cleaning up the debris - reducing the traffic to one lane. After that it cleared up and I stepped on the gas pedal. I parked my car at 8:35 (my race starts at 9:00 am), scrambled to pump up my tires while putting on my shoes and gloves and a helmet. Picked up my bib number at 8:54 and procedeed to put my number on MY right side. Erik was giving me advice to stay up front but I was focused on getting to the line in time that it seemed I was blowing him off. I hear a first call to the line and I had not even gotten a lap around the course, let alone a warmup. This was going to be a disaster! At the line, I realize that MY RIGHT side is everyone else's LEFT side, so I tell the official to let me switch my number. As they were reading the instructions, I put my jersey on ready to go, lined up third row or so. I pulled a sneaky move when the pace car was getting through and moved to the first row. Everyone was slow to get back to their position, I just took the open slots. But, as always, I missed a clip in and ended up mid pack as the race started.
First two laps went fine, U-turns were slow enough and there were no crashes. On the third lap I was towards the back of the pack chatting with teammate Matt. I tried to move up on the straight sections but couldn't gain more than 4-5 wheels and I again found myself at the back going through the last turn. I guess my lack of warmup finally kicked me in the ass and I couldn't accelerate to move up. Slowly, I started fading but it was a bit of good luck because there was a big crash in the pack (one rider flipping over his bars), and I was able to ride through the mess. Ended up riding the last lap and a half with 3 more riders that popped off the back and came in 27th on the day.
Can't complain considering that I almost missed the race.
Back to training on Lehigh. I hope to get to know the people who leave on that stretch of road, the kids are waving at me as I go up and down. It's pretty cool.
A big thanks to the Mayor of EGV, who's put on a phenomenal event 30 mins (well, depending on traffic conditions) from my home.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Chicago Criterium.
Oh Boy!
The reality of crit racing sinks in again.
Line up in the second row - miss a clip in - slow down for the second turn down Jackson Ave. - watch the leaders go bye bye down Michigan as you're trying to sprint out of a turn. After sprinting down Michigan finally caught the leading group, but took the uphill turn on Balbo way wide, didn't downshift enough for the kicker, and basically started the chase all over again. The pack was really moving down Columbus and the second time down Jackson, the front 15 already gapped the rest of the field leaving the rest of us to try and form groups. After a lap I found 2 partners in crime- or should I say despair- and we tried working for a few laps wanting to finish the race. I've been dropped after the first 10 minutes of intense riding before but I typically find some rythm to ride it out, but the Ref. was having none of that in the first Cat.5 heat and eventually pulled us even though we were not even half a lap down. Most of the dropped riders got pulled leading to a total of 17 riders finishing the race. Anyway, it was a fast lead group containing 4 teammates whom I knew were prime contenders to win the race. Tom won it in a powerful sprint and Kyle got 3rd. Amazing results. In the second heat things were a lot more compact as the speed was just bit slower according to the announcers, not to blow the race apart from the start. Another 1-3 finish for XXX. So much praise in the awards ceremony was given to the team for its work on the new racer development, and one could not agree more, even if it takes a year or two or three :).
I returned to watch the races after a shower and breakfast. In general everyone was moving freakin' fast from the start hoping to win in the first ever Chicago Crit. Some fields were nearly halved by the end of it, highlighting the discrepancy in the physical preparation needed to compete with the big boys. But I am sure everyone enjoyed having an opportunity to just take a lap on this awesome course.
Hats off to my MS-150 riding buddy Ed Ekstrom of Tower Racing who in his second race ever managed to take 3rd in a highly contested Masters 4/5 race. I didn't see the finish, but when I ran into him and was told about the result, I can tell there is a new star in the works.
I will race the rest of the August events, which is a change in plans. So far this year I have done 2 (two) intervals training sessions, including one on Saturday.
I have gotten lazy and less motivated to ride on the lakefront path after work because of all the dangers that it entails, which leaves me to weekend rides and half hour trainer sessions to keep me in shape. Just on Saturday morning, I almost crashed full speed into a runner (listening to his ipod-but of course) on the south side who in his infinite wisdom decided to JUST turn around in the middle of the path. Now, I've had this happen to me before and even though noone else was near, I went into the opposite lane to give myself enough space in a case the sudden turn happened. It's a good thing I am bilingual and people generally don't understand when I swear but even without that I probably scared the crap out of the guy.
The reality of crit racing sinks in again.
Line up in the second row - miss a clip in - slow down for the second turn down Jackson Ave. - watch the leaders go bye bye down Michigan as you're trying to sprint out of a turn. After sprinting down Michigan finally caught the leading group, but took the uphill turn on Balbo way wide, didn't downshift enough for the kicker, and basically started the chase all over again. The pack was really moving down Columbus and the second time down Jackson, the front 15 already gapped the rest of the field leaving the rest of us to try and form groups. After a lap I found 2 partners in crime- or should I say despair- and we tried working for a few laps wanting to finish the race. I've been dropped after the first 10 minutes of intense riding before but I typically find some rythm to ride it out, but the Ref. was having none of that in the first Cat.5 heat and eventually pulled us even though we were not even half a lap down. Most of the dropped riders got pulled leading to a total of 17 riders finishing the race. Anyway, it was a fast lead group containing 4 teammates whom I knew were prime contenders to win the race. Tom won it in a powerful sprint and Kyle got 3rd. Amazing results. In the second heat things were a lot more compact as the speed was just bit slower according to the announcers, not to blow the race apart from the start. Another 1-3 finish for XXX. So much praise in the awards ceremony was given to the team for its work on the new racer development, and one could not agree more, even if it takes a year or two or three :).
I returned to watch the races after a shower and breakfast. In general everyone was moving freakin' fast from the start hoping to win in the first ever Chicago Crit. Some fields were nearly halved by the end of it, highlighting the discrepancy in the physical preparation needed to compete with the big boys. But I am sure everyone enjoyed having an opportunity to just take a lap on this awesome course.
Hats off to my MS-150 riding buddy Ed Ekstrom of Tower Racing who in his second race ever managed to take 3rd in a highly contested Masters 4/5 race. I didn't see the finish, but when I ran into him and was told about the result, I can tell there is a new star in the works.
I will race the rest of the August events, which is a change in plans. So far this year I have done 2 (two) intervals training sessions, including one on Saturday.
I have gotten lazy and less motivated to ride on the lakefront path after work because of all the dangers that it entails, which leaves me to weekend rides and half hour trainer sessions to keep me in shape. Just on Saturday morning, I almost crashed full speed into a runner (listening to his ipod-but of course) on the south side who in his infinite wisdom decided to JUST turn around in the middle of the path. Now, I've had this happen to me before and even though noone else was near, I went into the opposite lane to give myself enough space in a case the sudden turn happened. It's a good thing I am bilingual and people generally don't understand when I swear but even without that I probably scared the crap out of the guy.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Reckless Driving!!!!?????
I am copying a story from VeloNews about a "doctor" who intentionally stepped on the breakes in front of a group of cyclists. This person should be put away for a long time (longer that 7 years), because these incidents are not just a case of reckless driving but an attempted MURDER.
Doctor charged in one road-rage case, linked to another
By VeloNews.com
Posted Jul. 13, 2008
A California physician alleged to have braked suddenly in front of two cyclists has been charged with four felony counts and could face more than seven years in prison if convicted, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Christopher Thomas Thompson, 59, was charged Friday with two felony counts each of reckless driving causing injury and battery with serious bodily injury in connection with a July 4 incident that sent one cyclist flying through his car’s rear window and the other to the asphalt.
The cyclists, Ron Peterson and Christian Stoehr, alleged that Thompson deliberately bit the brakes in front of them after they exchanged words while descending Mandeville Canyon Road.
Peterson, 40, suffered broken teeth, a broken nose and serious cuts on his face that required 90 stitches to close. Stoehr, 29, had a shoulder separation that he said would require surgery.
Thompson has not spoken to the press about the crash. His lawyer, Peter Swarth, has called it “an unfortunate accident.”
But the Times report quotes a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman as saying that Thompson was involved in a similar encounter with cyclists on March 11, also on Mandeville Canyon Road.
According to LAPD Capt. William Eaton, another pair of cyclists riding on Mandeville Canyon Road accused Thompson of running them off the road and then shouting at them. The Los Angeles city attorney's office declined to file charges, according to the Times.
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Thompson, who is free on $30,000 bail, is to be arraigned Aug. 1 at the airport branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court, the Times reported. If found guilty on all counts, he could face up to seven years and eight months in state prison.
Doctor charged in one road-rage case, linked to another
By VeloNews.com
Posted Jul. 13, 2008
A California physician alleged to have braked suddenly in front of two cyclists has been charged with four felony counts and could face more than seven years in prison if convicted, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Christopher Thomas Thompson, 59, was charged Friday with two felony counts each of reckless driving causing injury and battery with serious bodily injury in connection with a July 4 incident that sent one cyclist flying through his car’s rear window and the other to the asphalt.
The cyclists, Ron Peterson and Christian Stoehr, alleged that Thompson deliberately bit the brakes in front of them after they exchanged words while descending Mandeville Canyon Road.
Peterson, 40, suffered broken teeth, a broken nose and serious cuts on his face that required 90 stitches to close. Stoehr, 29, had a shoulder separation that he said would require surgery.
Thompson has not spoken to the press about the crash. His lawyer, Peter Swarth, has called it “an unfortunate accident.”
But the Times report quotes a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman as saying that Thompson was involved in a similar encounter with cyclists on March 11, also on Mandeville Canyon Road.
According to LAPD Capt. William Eaton, another pair of cyclists riding on Mandeville Canyon Road accused Thompson of running them off the road and then shouting at them. The Los Angeles city attorney's office declined to file charges, according to the Times.
Advertisement
Thompson, who is free on $30,000 bail, is to be arraigned Aug. 1 at the airport branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court, the Times reported. If found guilty on all counts, he could face up to seven years and eight months in state prison.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Adio Barba!
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=768426
This man is a legend. A class act!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EROzqjRpU8c&feature=related
This man is a legend. A class act!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EROzqjRpU8c&feature=related
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Pollsters are getting out of hand!!!! Take 2
http://news.aol.com/elections/story/_a/potential-first-ladies-get-mixed-reviews/20080702065609990002
I know I'm just copying the Yahoo and AOL headlines but it's amusing. I think the two potential first ladies need to have a bakeoff or a swimsuit competition.
I know I'm just copying the Yahoo and AOL headlines but it's amusing. I think the two potential first ladies need to have a bakeoff or a swimsuit competition.
Pollsters are getting out of hand!!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/page/election-2008-political-pulse-candidates
Now that the primaries are over and November is far away, it's down time for the pollsters. That's why they have to come up with stuff like this.
Now that the primaries are over and November is far away, it's down time for the pollsters. That's why they have to come up with stuff like this.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Peoria Corner Bakery
Ahoy!
Another recollection of another sub par performance in a bike race coming your way.
A few days ago I decided to sign up for the IL State Championship Criterium being held in Peoria, IL. I didn’t have an intention of racing this, but signed up anyway. I realized after the fact that the course was what one would call “technical”. Eight corners on a 1.0 mile loop through downtown Peoria seemed like a fun race to watch, but not necessarily participate in for someone who has limited racing experience on such a course. It was going to be a learning experience - hopefully.
I was going down with a couple of teammates and when I received a text message from Erik about a 4:30 am departure I had some second thoughts. It was a summer festival extravaganza in Chicago the day before the race, Stevie Wonder was playing at the Taste of Chicago for free (now who would want to miss that?), and then there was BAM (Belmont Arts and Music Festival) later in the evening with The Redwalls playing at 9 pm. Well, I did manage to wake up and get to his place around 4:45, and we loaded the bikes on the roof rack in the midst of a summer rain shower. Two and a half hours later, we were parked in Peoria watching the juniors warming up on the course.
We had almost 3 hours before the Cat 5 race, so I rode around the parking lot to warm up and watched some of the races. At 9:45 or so we did a practice lap and that was my first look at the corners. The roads were wiiiide no doubt about it, but there was a strong headwind in the longest open stretch of the course that headed into a slight uphill before the final stretch. I lined up and with the sound of a gun 38 of us catfivers were off. After two laps I already started losing ground on the corners as I was very hesitant to take the turns at high speeds without braking, and on the third lap I heard a loud bang ahead, going into a fast descending corner. Seconds later I see Erik getting up from the ground. It was he who crashed after his tube exploded. Instinctively, I slowed down a little to glance if he was ok and lost yet more ground. By this point, I was trying to catch the pack on the windy stretch and that was just not happening. 10-15 meters seemed impossible to bridge, and I could hear my heart thumping as my legs were crapping out.
So I lost contact but kept riding, at least I was going to practice cornering. I can’t say that I didn’t feel like pulling out of the race for a moment (you know, when you’ve realized you blew it 6 minutes into a race) but what good is that. I recovered a few minutes later and then got into a somewhat steady pace and was able to catch 3 others who got spat out from the back of the pack. I eventually got a chance to sprint against these guys but it seemed that I was the only one interested in a little competition at the end of it.
A guy from the local Proctor team ended up winning the race, while Erik jumped back on his bike after a free lap (with a borrowed Zipp wheel) to sprint for 6th. He is one tough dude. The results showed me finishing thirtyfirst. Doesn’t that number sound familiar?
I completely missed the Euro Cup final, but had 3 people text me with updates so I knew that Spain had won it (as I forecasted it, including the goal scorer Fernando Torres). Eventually, I will watch the tape of it. I prefer live viewing of such events anyway.
Another recollection of another sub par performance in a bike race coming your way.
A few days ago I decided to sign up for the IL State Championship Criterium being held in Peoria, IL. I didn’t have an intention of racing this, but signed up anyway. I realized after the fact that the course was what one would call “technical”. Eight corners on a 1.0 mile loop through downtown Peoria seemed like a fun race to watch, but not necessarily participate in for someone who has limited racing experience on such a course. It was going to be a learning experience - hopefully.
I was going down with a couple of teammates and when I received a text message from Erik about a 4:30 am departure I had some second thoughts. It was a summer festival extravaganza in Chicago the day before the race, Stevie Wonder was playing at the Taste of Chicago for free (now who would want to miss that?), and then there was BAM (Belmont Arts and Music Festival) later in the evening with The Redwalls playing at 9 pm. Well, I did manage to wake up and get to his place around 4:45, and we loaded the bikes on the roof rack in the midst of a summer rain shower. Two and a half hours later, we were parked in Peoria watching the juniors warming up on the course.
We had almost 3 hours before the Cat 5 race, so I rode around the parking lot to warm up and watched some of the races. At 9:45 or so we did a practice lap and that was my first look at the corners. The roads were wiiiide no doubt about it, but there was a strong headwind in the longest open stretch of the course that headed into a slight uphill before the final stretch. I lined up and with the sound of a gun 38 of us catfivers were off. After two laps I already started losing ground on the corners as I was very hesitant to take the turns at high speeds without braking, and on the third lap I heard a loud bang ahead, going into a fast descending corner. Seconds later I see Erik getting up from the ground. It was he who crashed after his tube exploded. Instinctively, I slowed down a little to glance if he was ok and lost yet more ground. By this point, I was trying to catch the pack on the windy stretch and that was just not happening. 10-15 meters seemed impossible to bridge, and I could hear my heart thumping as my legs were crapping out.
So I lost contact but kept riding, at least I was going to practice cornering. I can’t say that I didn’t feel like pulling out of the race for a moment (you know, when you’ve realized you blew it 6 minutes into a race) but what good is that. I recovered a few minutes later and then got into a somewhat steady pace and was able to catch 3 others who got spat out from the back of the pack. I eventually got a chance to sprint against these guys but it seemed that I was the only one interested in a little competition at the end of it.
A guy from the local Proctor team ended up winning the race, while Erik jumped back on his bike after a free lap (with a borrowed Zipp wheel) to sprint for 6th. He is one tough dude. The results showed me finishing thirtyfirst. Doesn’t that number sound familiar?
I completely missed the Euro Cup final, but had 3 people text me with updates so I knew that Spain had won it (as I forecasted it, including the goal scorer Fernando Torres). Eventually, I will watch the tape of it. I prefer live viewing of such events anyway.
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