Posted by Dan on 6. September 2011 06:04
It's been more than two whole weeks since the Appalachia Visited road race concluded so I suppose I should document that fateful day's events before I forget the facts and start making things up.
The seventh and final event in the Appalachian Road Series Championship, West Virginia State Championship road race and final race in the GamJams Cat 3 Cup p/b Mountain Khakis was held in Rowlesburg, WV. A 59 mile loop through the beautiful rolling West Virginian countryside set the stage for the final showdown between me and Brian Sjoberg (Team Bike Doctor). As you're probably already aware, Brian and I had been vying for the top spot in the Cat 3 Cup individual competition for several weeks, neither of us ever further than a few points from attaining that goal. At the start of the final event, Brian led by 1 point. All I had to do to win was get a top 10 finish and cross the line one place in front of Brian. Easier said than done.
Our race was scheduled to be a Cat 3/4 race. Both the 1/2/3 and 3/4 fields were a bit anemic so they were combined to give us a 30+ rider group. The first eighteen miles were pretty calm. A few guys would charge up the road but the main field wasn't really interested in chasing. The road traveled south out of Rowlesburg along the Cheat River, so the terrain was relatively flat with two minor climbs where mild pressure was applied by the group’s leaders in an effort to cut into the break's lead.
A right turn put us at the beginning of the first of two big climbs. The average gradient over the entire 5+ mile climb was only 3.3%, but it steadily increased on the way to the summit, with the final mile averaging about 6%. Near the base, both Frank and I individually tried a few attacks to put some breathing room between us and the group, but we were quickly brought back. We would all suffer together (except for those six guys that had gone up the road right after the turn). I kept an eye out for Brian and tried not to burn any more energy than was necessary to keep pace with him. When the group shattered and individuals made their way to the summit, Brian passed me while glued to another rider's wheel. I distinctly recall thinking that this climb was relatively long and that I could do well by staying at threshold and not redlining this early. I'd eventually catch them near the summit. Having made up my mind, I watched the two of them disappear up the road while I slogged on.
Imagine my surprise when I reached the summit and everyone was gone. They were busy recovering on the descent while I was still climbing and now chasing. I had no idea how much time I'd lost. I tucked in tight and began the eight mile descent that would take me to the next right turn and another relatively long, flat stretch. While laying down on the bike, humming along at 45 mph, I tried to paint a picture of the race as I understood it. There was a strong looking group of six that hit the climb first and they seemed to be gone. I'd assume they were still intact. Next was the hoard containing Brian that had surely regrouped by now and was descending quickly. Then me. I had passed Frank a long time ago on the ascent and I hadn't seen him in several miles so I assumed he was off the back with maybe 10 others. I had to make it to the main field or my 6 hour drive west would be wasted.
Nearly eight miles after the second right turn, I finally caught sight of the peloton just ahead. Quite motivated, I pushed through and latched onto Brian's wheel, getting the chance to rest a little. The group was rolling easy, trying to recover before the next big climb. Matt Phillips (Haymarket Bicycles) was on the front, trying to drum up some interest in chasing down the leaders, but no one was going to help whitewash that fence. Maybe five minutes later, I got word that Frank had rejoined the group. He and a few others were right behind me during the chase. Still hyped up over that frantic chase, I moved to the front to help Matt close the gap to the leaders a little, but it wasn't easy with four or five in the rotation but only two really interested in working. We'd give back everything we gained as soon as someone else pulled through. Matt would eventually leap-frog his way into a solo move and leave us for dead as he tried to make his own way in the world. We chilled out and, thanks to Dave Cobb of Team Traveller, enjoyed a nice cold beverage while we waited for our hill to be ready.
The third right turn put us on the George Washington Hwy pointed toward the final climb of the day, a 4.5 mile lump with an average gradient of only 5%, but it was a wicked 5%. The evilest 5% you've ever seen. I moved myself into position behind Brian and prepared for the worst. No matter how deep into the red we'd go, I wasn't going to back off. There'd be no catching back on this time. After the summit, it was a fast 7 mile downhill run to the finish line. Ian Spivack (DCMTB) took over the pace-setting role and made everyone hurt. He opened a small gap with one guy giving chase. Brian was stuck on that guy's wheel and I was just as stuck to Brian's wheel. I have no recollection of what was going on behind me as I was unable to see anything from my vantage point in the hurt locker. With maybe a half mile to the summit, I couldn't take anymore and bid our small chase group of three adieu. Ian was still killing it and the other two were still keeping the loss to a minimum, but I was cooked. I let go and finished the climb alone, hoping they'd both slow up too, but knowing they wouldn't.
I made it to the summit alone and had lost site of the other three. I was really looking forward to the fast descent to the finish, what with its 15 mph switchbacks, roadside bars full of cheering, bearded bikers and very slow traffic. Coming into one of said switchbacks, I had a Toyota, two Harley Davidsons and a Cadillac Escalade in front of me, cautiously tip-toeing around the bend. It took less than a second to throw caution to the wind and pass the whole lot in one fell swoop. I bombed the rest of that hill and made the final left-hand turn with three miles to the finish line. My average speed was 28 mph over the last three miles and my power dipped below 300 watts for only a moment when I thought my face had melted off. I was desperately trying to catch sight of Brian in the expanse of empty road ahead of me. I only caught sight of him and Ian after I'd crossed the finish line. They reported that Ian had won, Brian took 2nd and the wheel that he was on belonged to the 1/2/3. That put me in 3rd. The exact opposite of how I wanted this to play out. Frank crossed the line taking 7th place giving us flatlanders two top 10 finishes.
Brian Sjoberg, Ian Spivack and Dan on the podium.
After swapping post-race stories in the river and posing for podium pictures, Frank and I packed up and headed east for the Dawg Days of Summer Crit in Bowie, MD the next day. This race was probably the best race of the season, with its fantastic course, challenging climbs and phenomenal competition. Congratulations to both Ian and Brian for running a fantastic race, and a hearty well-done to Brian for winning the individual GamJams Cat 3 Cup. Frank's 7th place finish helped us lock-in first place in the team competition. The latter part of the competition was extremely exciting and I learned a great deal by participating. For example, always look back to see where the guys that can help you are and never, ever assume you'll catch the leaders when they blow up. Chances are they will not blow up and will probably eat your lunch later.
Big thanks to everyone involved in making this a fantastic day of racing, well worth the drive from Norfolk, specifically, J.R. Petsko and his army of volunteers and sponsors and Mike May and the guys at GamJams for conceiving of and promoting the GamJams Cat 3 Cup p/b Mountain Khakis. Had I not submitted my Cat 2 upgrade request from the car immediately after the race, which has since been approved, I'd give it more attention next year.
Posted by Dan on 16. August 2011 18:38
Frank with a thing in his beak. Photo by Dan Gibson.
Sunday was the second PLT time trial for me, Frank, Jerry, Anthony and Kirk. Steve would be officiating. This would be my very last BAR race of the year and my one chance to get the points necessary to catch Mickey Turner (Carytown Bicycle Company). Joe Altomare (Hilton Cycling Club) is promoting the very last BAR race of the season, but Frank and I won't be able to attend so this was it. On the upside, the temps were relatively cool and the 7-8 mph winds were blowing the Dismal Swamp's smoke straight north. On the other hand, it looked like rain and the winds were a bit shifty.
Dan at the start. Photo by Marcus Wright.
The rain started 15 minutes before my start. Aside from a little rear wheel slippage in the first few corners, the ride was pretty uneventful. I didn't put out the power I wanted (I was shooting for one billion watts) nor did I set a personal best for that course, but that was to be expected with wet roads. I finished in 0:49:26 for 1st in the Cat 3s and third in the combined 1/2/3/4. Frank got 4th with a 0:52:04. Kirk took 5th in the highly competitive 40+ field with a time of 0:51:38 while Jerry rode a 1:02:24. Anthony finished 14th and bested the hour mark with a time of 0:59:55.
When the dust settled and BAR points could be counted, I finished the season with 465.5 points. Mickey's 5th place finish put him at 466.5 with a insurmountable one point lead. I'll put in for an upgrade after this weekend's race and look forward to a more relaxing 2012 season.
Posted by Dan on 16. August 2011 18:13
My 2011 road season (as if I had any other seasons) is nearly over. There were only a few more races on the calendar including a rather big one in Belgium next month. To cap off the Virginia races, Celerity Cycling headed nowhere because the Chesapeake Crit and PLT Numero Dos were mere minutes from Norfolk.
Saturday's crit was the Virginia age-graded championships. As I'm usually careful so as not to trigger a torrent of Frank's age jokes, I opted to chase the big money and join Frank in the 1/2/3 race. Anthony, Jerry, Steve and Anthony were contesting the 4/5 field. Kirk came to spectate as he wasn't able to register before that race filled to capacity. Jerry used the Masters 40+ race to warm up his legs for the afternoon race.
Jerry's Masters race was first. He hung with the pack for a while until he was sufficiently warmed-up, then pulled himself so as not to overdo it. Wise move as that race was 50 minutes of fast and furious championship action that showed no signs of letting up.
1/2/3 Line-up. Photo by BJ Samuel.
Frank having a moment before the start. Photo by BJ Samuel.
The 1/2/3 group took to the course following two insane kids' races. 35 riders lined up for 80 minutes of fun in the sun. A few early attacks kept the pace high but it was Tyler Karnes off the front in a solo move that provided the seed for what would be the successful break. The field would splinter into a bazillion chase groups as riders would bridge up to the leaders and later get dropped.
Frank. Photo by BJ Samuel.
I found myself in the remnants of the peloton with Frank, trying to latch back on the second chase group. Frank positioned himself on the front and put out a monster effort to get me close so I could bridge up to the group ahead. I made it but Frank didn't. Shortly after his heroic effort, he was shelled and pulled out. Apparently he and Death had a little chat but Frank staged a strong comeback and Death left empty handed. He'd (Frank, not Death) spend the rest of the race shouting useful things at me.
7-Eleven. Photo by BJ Samuel.
After latching on to the second chase, I moved on to the next group. This group was home to Jared Neiters (XO Communications/Battley Harley-Davidson), Keith Johnson (Atlantic Velo), Dirk Pohlman (Texas Roadhouse p/b Motorex) and Walker Owen (Happy Tooth/Bandwidth.com). We represented 7th-11th place. I knew Jared had at least one guy up the road so I wasn't shocked when he passed on pulls. What I failed to comprehend was that Dirk and I were the only ones that DIDN'T have guys up the road. Dirk knew the score and rode accordingly. I, on the other hand, rode a bit more "chasey" than I should have. When Walker kicked, I went with him. We had a small gap I tried to nurture but we were quickly caught. As I pulled off the front, they kicked again and that was it for me. Off the back I went. I soloed for a while until Paul Ward, Mason Haymes and Lane Napolitano came sailing by. I hopped on their train and rode out the remaining 6 laps as a passenger. On the back side, Paul would take off for the win. I secured my 11th place spot without being caught by the field.
Jerry, Steve and Anthony raced next. The 50 rider 4/5 race was lit up by a fierce showing from Fat Frogs Racing and Nick Tempest (Tripower). Jerry and Anthony would eventually succumb to the constant need to sprint from the corners while Steve rode an active race but would come to settle in with the pack for 20th place.
One more to go. Peter L. Teeuwen Memorial 23 mile Time Trial was next.
Posted by Dan on 11. August 2011 19:18
Following last weekend's inaugural running of the Shenandoah Time Trial, I began exhibiting withdrawal symptoms: muscle aches, agitation, heightened anxiety and yes, maybe a little more tearing than usual. Clearly I was going through withdrawal from the rolling goodness called Page County and after only one hit to boot. My dealer, Chris Gould, promised another hit soon enough. The Tour of Page County would satisfy even the darkest craving.
Our grueling yet satisfying weekend would begin on Saturday with a quick drive up to Stanley, VA. A quick stop at the registration table to grab our numbers and Frank and I made for the feed zone where we parked and set up. The ride back down to the starting line served as a warm-up. After a few additional involuntary warm-up laps, the Cat 3 field massed up behind the 1/2/3s. About three minutes into our five minute wait, I realized I probably should have emptied my bladder. Too late. The officials were giving their centerline rule speech and guys were already half clipped in. Relief would have to wait.
The calm before the storm.
Photo by Dave Cobb (Team Traveller)
I started on the back of the field so as to keep a keen eye on Brian Sjoberg (Bike Doctor). Brian and I were engaged in an epic battle for the lead of the GamJams Cat 3 Cup p/b Mountain Khakis - a points competition that included a number of great events throughout the season. With only three races left, Brian and I were tied at 50 points. As I eked out one finishing place higher than him at last weekend's time trial, I got to wear the leader's jersey. Wearing it in previous races had proven detrimental to my escape attempts, but I had no such ambitions for this race. Slow and steady wins this race.
To add just a little more pressure to this one, Frank and I were also leading the GamJams team competition. This race was also the Virginia state championship road race and the last race in the Virginia Omnium. Having won both the Wintergreen Hill Climb and the PLT time trial, I was in contention to win the omnium with Mickey Turner (Carytown Bicycle Company) as my primary competition. Speaking of Mickey, we were also still locked into yet another epic struggle for the Virginia BAR competition. Mickey held a considerable lead but it was shrinking quickly and this race was worth double points. Though he was injured, he showed up ready to ride and hoping to increase his gap.
From my place at the back of the peloton, this was a wonderfully easy race. I did absolutely no work other than hanging on and chatting with Brian, Gus Grissom (GamJams/November Bicycles) and Ben Frederick (Team Traveller), whom I was helping get upgrade points by reminding him not to attack too early. Always glad to help. An early attack of two went up the road a ways and Frank tried to bridge/chase, helping me by keeping the field together. Though the leaders had a multi-minute gap on us, we eventually shut them down after welcoming Frank back to the ranks. The size and strength of the main field made all escape efforts futile. For a breakaway to succeed, a sizeable group would have to be well organized and then maybe they could stay away. We just weren't seeing that. One or two riders off the front were no threat. Slow and steady.
A lap and a half into our race, we were neutralized to allow the Masters 30+/40+ riders to come through. Too slow, but steady. At last I was afforded the opportunity to relieve myself without having to die trying to catch back on to the speeding group or, worse, awkwardly conducting operations on the fly.
A lap later, I found myself on, then off the front. It wasn't intentional, but a gap formed and I believe there's no greater atrocity than wasting a good gap. I turned up the heat a little and started riding away from the pack. Could it really be this easy? I looked back just to make sure I wasn't imagining it. My entire field of vision was occupied with the hulking image of Mickey Turner. Though he was nursing a hamstring injury, he just couldn't let me ride away like that so he bridged. Worrying more about Brian, I thought this might work so we started up the second climb of that lap. It took the field all of about 30 seconds to realize this wasn't good for anyone and they shut us down. I must say I appreciated their efforts.
It was on that climb that I found Frank had dropped, changed and started passing bottles. I didn't know he was even off the back. His bridge attempt and subsequent time trial effort had depleted him and he was shelled on one of the climbs.
Paul Low (Team Traveller) would set out on his own and had a 2'30" gap on the field for quite a while. Though no concentrated effort was made to reel him in, he eventually came back just before the bell lap. He looked very tired. The group was all together for the last lap. Halfway through it, I watched Patrick McKeegan (HPC/List) ride off the front. I considered bridging or chasing, then thought better of it. With two climbs before the finish, I was sure the others would pick up the pace and bring him back. No point in killing myself. We tackled the last climb and approached the second. Patrick's gap was initially reported to be 25 seconds, then quickly changed to 45 seconds. He was gone and assumed to be the winner. Ben Frederick was riding near the front, as was Brian. I hovered nearby, waiting for the moment. The tension going into the last climb was palpable. All it took was one guy to stand up and we were off. Whether they knew their butt was a starter pistol or not is irrelevant, but the resulting sprint was not. Ben had a clear shot and took off like a rocket. I came around on the left side and chased him like he'd just stole my iPhone. Ben took second and I was third. Brian was fourth. I'd managed to defend our individual and team lead in the GamJams Cup and pull ahead by 2 points. I'd also won the Virginia Omnium and racked up a ton of BAR points. Still not enough to overtake Mickey, but I was closer.
Shortly after our finish, the Cat 4 field took to the start line. Our teammate Steve Monk would be this group and we set up camp in the feed zone, ready to pass him much needed bottles as he did for us in the previous race. Steve fell off the back near the end and was pulled while the leaders started the final lap. It was surely frustrating for Steve, but he wore a look of contentment, almost as though he was glad it was over.
Our last shot at getting a Page County fix would be the Luray Crit on Sunday. Good times for sure.
The Luray Crit is a fiendishly grueling 8-corner crit with a wall of a climb leading up to the finish. Only a block long, this 8.5% climb would snatch the life out of anyone given enough laps. We'd give it 25 chances and no more. The goal of this race was exactly the same as yesterdays: watch Brian Sjoberg (Bike Doctor), watch Mickey Turner (Carytown Bicycle Company), don't die and if possible, help Ben get a good finish - just so long as it doesn't interfere with objectives 1 through 3. After a few warm-up laps and a couple failed break attempts. Brian Sjoberg went off the front alone. I says to myself, "Self, that's perfect! Let him fry out there alone!!" I trailed happily behind him in the group, watching and waiting. The longer he sat out there by himself, the more energy he wasted. I could counter his move on the hill, sure that Ben or someone like Ben would go with me, or I could just wait it out and use my stored up energy to overtake him in the final sprint. Beautify. But wait, what's this? Ben Frederick is bridging? Ah, clearly he's going to bring him back. Right? No. Ben grabbed Brian and the two of them immediately began working together. I could chase (and die) or bridge (and die) or let others bring them back. Problem was no one left in the field was as motivated to bring them back and relied on the "wait and see" tactic, which I was secretly also doing, thinking Ben would hit the hills hard and shell Brian who would eventually drift back to us.
Frank leading the charge up The Wall. Photo by Dave Cobb (Team Traveller)
Long story short, that never happened. Ben and Brian rode it out, tempting the wall the requisite 25 times and besting it, finishing 1st and 2nd respectively. With three to go, I attacked the group in the technical downhill and took Jake King (Hot Tubes Development Team) with me. Jake and I gutted out the last few laps and sprinted for the line well ahead of the pack. I got 3rd and Jake took 4th. Point difference between 2nd and 3rd place was 3, but my lead was only 2. It doesn't take a mathemagician to figure out Brian had moved into the lead by a single point. Frank finished with 4th in the bunch sprint, 9th overall.
Jake King letting Dan have the final sprint. Photo by Dave Cobb (Team Traveller)
That last sprint was it for me. My addiction had been beaten. I was finally over the hills, descents, more hills and wicked climbs. I limped back to the car feeling like a new man. A new man who finished 3rd in the Tour of Page County Omnium and had bested a terrible addiction to roads that occupy THREE dimensions. I'd head back to Hampton Roads and give thanks each day for the flatness that is my training grounds and under no circumstances would I ever... wait, what? West Virginia's Appalachia Visited is the last race in the GamJams Cat 3 Cup p/b Mountain Khakis? Done deal! I'm in! I'll check into rehab immediately after I finish.
Steve looking happy to be on his bike.
Photo by Dave Cobb (Team Traveller)
Steve was the last to ride this weekend in the Cat 4 crit. He'd muscle his way through lap after lap, finishing 31st.
1st place Ben Frederick, 2nd place Brian Sjoberg and Dan on the final podium.
Celerity Cycling sincerely thanks Page Valley Cycling, Whole Wheel Velo Club, Syn-Fit Race Team and especially Chris Gould for making the effort to promote a phenomenal weekend of racing. The amount of work involved in an event of this magnitude is astonishing and these guys did made it look effortless. Bravo! Can't wait until next year.
Posted by Dan on 6. August 2011 07:54
This race weekend starting taking form on Tuesday with a cold I contracted from my children, who incidentally were mere carriers and never exhibited a symptom after the initial sniffle. I, on the other hand, did exhibit symptoms all week and unlike those children, I had a time trial to do on Saturday.
The Shenandoah Time Trial was a must-do event on several levels. It was both a Virginia and MABRA BAR race, it was part of the GamJams Cat 3 Cup p/b Mountain Khakis series, it was race number three in the Mid-Atlantic Time Trial Series and, most importantly, it was a TIME TRIAL. I love those things.
Frank and I drove to Harrisonburg Friday afternoon to pre-ride the course as the profile was a little intimidating and a good recon mission would help us decide which cassette to run, which anti-critter sprays to carry and where we should leave a survival kit hidden - just in case. The Friday Afternoon Exodus from the Southside prevented us from seeing it in daylight, so we'd have to drive it the next morning.
Saturday, I awoke to find the cold had not moved into my lungs and that we were a go for racing. If I rode hard enough, there'd be no way to tell snot from sweat or spit. We ate and headed out to drive the course. This race would be very interesting with all its corners, descents and long, gradual climbs. The short but steep climb on the inbound leg was no laughing matter either. I regretted not bringing a more appropriate cassette to pair with the TT bike's 56/42T chainrings.
After registering, we set about our standard TT routine: dress, prep the bike, warm-up, final prep and roll-out to the line. After Frank and I rode 1/2 mile ride to the start/finish, Frank realizes he forgot to pin his number on. I'm looking at 60 seconds to my start; he's about a minute after that. Unable to help, I watched as he sprinted back to the car to get his number. I was long gone before he made it back. Thanks to Nate Hakken of GamJams Racing for the emergency pin job.
The course turned out to be every bit as challenging as we'd thought it'd be. The corners were a little sketchy but manageable. The climbs were tolerable and easily handled on a TT bike, though I'd have preferred the Madone.
Frank killing it out of a corner. Photo by Shenandoah Newz.
After I crossed the line, I was disappointed to see I was unable to maintain what I considered to be an acceptable average power. Could have been the cold or maybe it the easing up on the descents lowered my average more than I thought it would. It'd be awhile before results were posted, confirming that it was the course and not my cold that messed with the numbers. Everyone's results seemed pretty consistent. I got 1st place and Frank finished in 7th place, despite starting two minutes after his start time. He'd have ended up with 4th place had he pinned his number on before the start. In the GamJams Cat 3 Cup p/b Mountain Khakis, Brian Sjoberg (Bike Doctor) tied for 1st.
Dan and Brian Sjoberg on the podium.
2nd place Gus Grissom is MIA.
Photo by Shenandoah Newz.
Thanks to Page Valley Cycling, Whole Wheel Velo Club and Chris Gould for the spectacular race. Tour of Page Valley is next weekend.
Posted by Dan on 27. July 2011 05:11
Back in April, I was faced with a tough choice. Do the Dismal Dash Time Trial #2 in Suffolk or the Meadows Farm Circuit Race in Doswell? Support a local race and participate in a time trial or drive several hours to race one of the best crit courses in Virginia. I finally decided to do both the TT in the morning and the 1/2/3 race in Doswell that afternoon. As luck would have it, the need to race to a race before racing off to another race became unnecessary when Southside Tri & Cycle had to cancel their event. Problem solved.
This past weekend, I was faced with a similar conundrum. The Blacksburg Cycling Classic offered two road races and a time trial while further north, the Lost River Classic was another road race with climbing. The former was good for loads of upgrade and BAR points while the latter was part of the GamJams Cat 3 Cup p/b Mountain Khakis, which I was leading following the road race in Franklin. Just like last time, I decided to do both: Lost River on Saturday and Blacksburg on Sunday. I'd miss the first road race and time trial in the omnium, but I'd make it for the new epic climbing course which also happened to be the age-graded state championship. Also just like last time, one of the races was cancelled making the decision a lot easier.
Frank and I would head to Mathias, WV for the Lost River Classic. I did this race two years ago with Wick, who was feeling a little... dehydrated? He wasn't pleased with his performance, but I was OK taking 9th in the Cat 4 race. I was acutely aware that I was no climber and our lead group was crawling with scrawny guys that clearly had more gas in the tank. 9th worked for me.
This year, I wore the GamJams Cat 3 Cup leader's jersey. I felt much better than last year and wasn't saving anything for a race the next day. With Frank's help, it should be a great race with a good finish. Little did I know.
Frank and Dan at the start. Photo by Dave Cobb (Team Traveller)
The race started with a neutral roll-out from the staging area to the first main road. Ben Frederick (Team Traveller), Grayson Church (District Velocity Racing) and I half-jokingly opened a gap. We were quickly brought back and we all rode easy until Mickey Turner (Carytown Bicycle Company) rode off the front. He was later joined by two more riders. The three of them were caught shortly after the first climb but would be on the first of many break attempts. After word came up from Frank that I was clear, I made my own attempt. It didn't take so I simply increased the pace up the second climb in hopes of splitting up the field. Any fragmentation caused by the effort was undone on the descent.
At this point, I found it difficult to stay off the front. I tried several tactics, such as time trialing away while everyone was eating, drinking and swapping stories, but nothing worked. I was looking around for Frank but couldn't find him at all. By the time we got to the first climb on the second lap, I was already drifting backwards. As I reached the summit, I did a double take when I thought I saw Frank standing next to the church with a puzzled "What are you doing off the back?" look. Sure enough, it was Frank. He flatted. Shanked by the Wheel Goblin again.
I caught the group on the descent, but sat in, staying as far from the front as I could get. Next time around, I'd get gapped again and this time I couldn’t close it. One lap to go and I'd been dropped. My legs had become useless and I finished this race on sheer animal will.
On the back climb, I picked up Jake King (Hot Tubes Junior Development Cycling Team) and hauled him toward the finish as best I could. We passed a few riders on our way to the final climb. With 1k to go, there were two riders in sight. I pulled Jake past one, but couldn't catch the other. Jake says, "I don't want to punk you, but I think I can catch that guy." "Go get some, Jake!" I croaked. So he goes up the road and catches Nessim Mezrahi (All American Bicycle Club) finishing 20th. I finished 22nd, losing the GamJams leader's jersey by 3 points.
After finishing several hours after the leaders, we determined it was my aggressive riding that did me in. Too much time on the front, too high a pace going up the first two climbs. Not enough sitting in.
The next day I climbed aboard the Madone and set out for a penitential 100 mile ride. It was 96 degrees when I left. wunderground.com cheerfully reported it felt like 109. I made it an hour and a half before exploding. I managed to salvage most of the ride, knocking 30 miles off the distance and adding 20 minutes to what should have been a normal time, excluding several stops for water, Gatorade, Coke and prayer. Temps during our race the day before were 91-95 with a heat index of 95-101. I'm desperately hoping it was heat that caused my disastrous riding this weekend and not something far worse, like poor tactics or declining performance.
Thanks to National Capital Velo Club and Raw Talent Ranch for putting on another awesome race. Next stop is Shenandoah for the Shenandoah Time Trial. Sign up now. You know you want to.
Posted by Dan on 27. July 2011 02:34
All photos by BJ Samuel.
Celerity Cycling's history of race promotion is a fairly boring tale. We've put on a series training races at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex (back when there was a course) and a crit at Langley Speedway, the instant coffee of bike races. This time around, we thought we'd go all in and do the omnium thing. A little something for everyone and a load of lessons to be learned.
Taryn preparing race packets.
Our first event was a 9.6 mile time trial starting on Main St. in downtown Franklin and running 5 miles out to Hwy 58 before turning around and coming back. Despite the good course, calm winds and warm temps, this was by no means the easiest time trial I've ever done and if it weren't for Wick setting up my bike, I probably wouldn't have made it to the start at all. We were in the midst of a volunteer crisis when the Southampton County Sheriff's Department showed up for the road race a day early. They were reassigned to the TT course and all was well. Frank and I finished 4th and 1st, respectively. Wick saw a beer truck and departed the course to follow it. Jerry took 10th in the 4 field. Taryn finished 3rd and Penny took 13th, both in the Women's 4/40+ field. Kirk, ignoring his pregnant wife whose due date was less than 24 hours away, came out and crushed the Cat 5 competition, beating 2nd place by more than a minute. He just might have been in a hurry to get back to his precious cell phone.
Dan prepares to be launched from a cannon.
Following the time trial, we had to set up for the afternoon crit. Eure's crew put out signs, barricades and barrels while we walked, blocked and chalked the course. The crit course was a fairly technical eight-corner route winding its way through downtown Franklin, starting and finishing on Main Street. A crash in the juniors' race had me second guessing using the narrow 3rd Street, but it was too late to change. At some point between the juniors' race and my race, someone reported the 3/4 field would be 70 riders strong, way too many for a tight, technical course. It was decided anyone even remotely out of contention would be pulled for safety's sake.
Jerry, pre-crit.
When Jerry, Frank and I lined up for the 3/4 race, there were only 45 riders. A far cry from 70 but a good sized group nonetheless. It was no secret that everyone's plan was to hit it from the gun in order to string out the field, making the corners safer. That's exactly what happened. The pace started high and stayed there. On the second lap, I overcooked turn two and came to a complete stop in the parking lot of a local drycleaner. I jumped back in and found the lead group of 10 or so had formed a nice gap. It took me about three laps to close that gap and get back in the mix with Frank and his friends. The rest of the field slipped backwards and we'd never see them again. James Schaefer (Rostello p/b Fiorucci/Cycor) and Hugh Brown (Chipotle Junior Development Team) hung out in the front with me, Mickey Turner (Carytown Bicycle Company) and Frank. We'd pull, attack, cover, counter and chase. Everything you'd hope to see in a crit. The rest of our party sat patiently behind, happy to watch us kill ourselves on the front in what surely appeared to be a game of chess played out by drunken hobos cinched into burlap sacks.
Frank hammering in the 3/4 crit.
With two laps to go, Frank countered a move and found himself a few seconds ahead of the group with Mickey. The two got down to the business of breaking away when Frank's wheel goblin reared its ugly head and shanked his tubular. Frank's anguish was evident in his loud, expletive-filled roar. The rest of us chased Mickey down but he got the jump coming out of the last turn and did what he does best. I launched my sprint, unwittingly taking one Kevin Horvath (Fat Frogs Racing) with me. He returned the favor by coming around me, certainly intending to lead me out. Too bad we were already at the line. Kevin accidentally got 2nd and I finished in 3rd. Frank and his goblin hobbled over the line for 10th.
Next out was the Cat 5 group. I wish I had a play-by-play for you, but I was back at the registration table doing things. I can tell you that 15+ Cat 5s lined up on Main Street and went at it for 30 minutes. Kirk Cizerle (Celerity Cycling p/b Brooks Systems) won that one too, further cementing his 1st place position in the omnium and making it just a little easier to justify why he was off racing his bicycle with his pregnant wife at home.
Lydia, the patron saint of Race Registration with Sadie.
Sunday was our road race, held on the roads just north of Franklin. Taryn raced the Women's Cat 4/40+ race and had a good time doing it, finishing 5th. Shortly after, she changed and headed out to stand for hours in the sun keeping traffic from mowing down whatever peloton happened to be coming down Storys Station Rd.
The Cat 3 race was part of the GamJams Cat 3 Cup p/b Mountain Khakis. Tied for first with Brian Sjoberg (Bike Doctor), I got to wear the leader's jersey because Brian didn't show up to race. While I was hoping the different jersey would serve as a clever and effective disguise, it turns out having the word "LEADER" scrolled across your back has the opposite effect. The team strategy was to get me a good finish and maintain my lead in the omnium as well as the GamJams Cat 3 Cup. The flat terrain and mild breeze provided no help, so the only way off the front was brute strength. I tried and tried, and Frank countered every catch in hopes he could get a good chase fired up, giving me time to recover before trying again when he got caught. Mickey Turner (CBC) did a great job shutting down my attempts and everyone else did a fantastic job staying with him. Wick did a phenomenal job returning the favor by chasing Mickey (and others) down whenever they'd get to looking a little too successful. He spent a lot of his non-chasing time in the rear making jokes.
Kirk rollin' in the wheel truck.
On the fourth lap, Frank made it off the front with Tom Grinnan (Carytown Bicycle Company) and Mitch Hunt (Fat Frogs Racing). Mickey and I sat on the front of the field, doing no work. Everyone sat next to us, also doing no work. Frank, Tom and Mitch sat 10 seconds up the road, presumably doing work, but their gap wasn't reflecting it very much. We followed them at a safe distance for quite a while. Once we made the final turn on to Sedley Rd., the pack got tired of our shenanigans and picked up the pace, hoping for a catch but preparing for the sprint for fourth. Mickey and I held our position just behind the lead chargers and rode all the way to the 200m to go line. I politely asked Mickey to "get this over with" at which point he exited to his left and sprinted on ahead to claim 4th. I went out through the same hole and wound up with 8th. Unfair. I'd soon learn that Frank got 2nd after getting punked by Mitch at the line. Frank should have hurled his goblin at him with 200 to go. Wick slid out in a particularly gritty corner but finished just seconds behind the main field, working like a dog to catch back on. My 8th place finish knocked me down to 2nd in the omnium while Frank moved up to 4th - just out of the money. Again.
In the Cat 5 race, our boy Kirk was back, but this time he brought his pregnant wife with him. It turns out Kirk needs the stress of not knowing what's going on and being 50 minutes from home in order to perform at his best. He rode the road race as a recovery ride and finished 8th. He did lock up 1st in the omnium though so there's that.
With that, our racing concluded. We continued to hang out in the heat, marshaling corners, running for lunch and compiling start lists, results and omnium scoring. All things considered, it was a great weekend of racing and we fully intend to build on what we've learned to make next year's event even better. Individual payouts, more volunteers, a misting tent and cases of Goblin Repellant should give you a taste of what we have in store. On behalf of Celerity Cycling and Team Vanderkitten, thanks to everyone who made it out to race!