Posted by Dan on 14. February 2012 16:42
Article by Frank Cundiff
The easiest way to get in a cold pool is to just dive in. I think the same can be said for racing as well. I journeyed down to Florida for the week leading up to this race with something like 24 of my closest friends for a week of long, hard rides in what I have termed “pretend to be a pro for week”. I finished the week of riding with everyone on Friday with a total of 527 miles over 7 days. What better way, I decided earlier in the week, to finish out the training week than with a race.
[Race] for Humanity is a road race that takes place about an hour from where we were staying that week. Throughout our week I attempted to coerce fellow Virginians to join me in the P/1/2 race to work as a team, but in the end I lined up solo. When pre-registration closed there were ten of us signed up. I became a little cheery knowing the pay-out was 15 deep, however come race day there were well over 50 racers ready to go.
Once I arrived I picked up my bib and timing chip, and then got everything ready. The race was to be 68 miles over four laps of 17 miles apiece over rollers with a vicious 15-20mph head wind along the finishing 4 mile stretch. I rode around for about half an hour just spinning the legs and checking out who else was there. It made it a little more nerve-racking not knowing anybody else there, and recognizing teams such as Team Type 1, Kenda, Global Bike, and Texas Roadhouse didn’t help either. My goal for the race was to try and piggy back on a bigger teams attack and luck myself into a break. If I didn’t get in one then I would try to hang in and just finish with the field.
In the first lap I stayed near the front, and watched the first attack go up the road; it was brought back instantly. As soon as contact was made with the field a TT1 rider countered. I grabbed his wheel and we shot up the road. I looked back and we had two other people with us, but after two rotations the field had us back. Immediately a US Military rider attacked and I went with him as well, but again to no avail. This continued a few more times until I was well into the red and had to venture back into the field to recover. As I did this a group of four went up the road and the field failed to respond. Due to a center line rule I was trapped as I watched them go. Then about a half lap later another group of about 6 went as well. There was nothing I could do. We kept them within our sights, and on the third lap about 5 miles into it I attacked and tried to bridge, but that wasn’t happening. I then attacked as we came up the climb towards the start/ finish. It failed, but I decided to drag the field around and stay on the front through the feed zone to make it easier on myself. I then entered the feed way too hot and tried to grab a bottle from my wonderful girlfriend at 22 mph and dropped it. The last lap was the easiest with nobody wanting to chase the break-away, and I tried to attack with 2km to go, but got caught as the headwind coupled with the uphill deemed too much for me to handle. I finished in the pack, and overall was happy with my first Pro/1/2 race, and first race of the year.
Posted by Dan on 14. February 2012 16:39
Article by Frank Cundiff
The 2011 cyclocross season was a first for Celerity Cycling as teammates Frank Cundiff, Anthony Bream, Wick Smith, and Brandon Carter took to the dirt to test their handling skills.
I started this season off at the UCI event of Charm City CX hosted by C3. Going into the event as a Cat 3 in the 2/3/4 field was a rude awakening to the strenuous efforts that this sport requires. From the gun you are required to sprint like it’s the last 200m of a crit in order to secure a good starting position, and hold a hard effort through the entirety of the race. Racing half the season I finished mid-pack at several MACC races and podiumed two VACX series races. Next year will be as a Cat 2, and going into it a little more serious.
Anthony Bream took to the dirt with more gusto than most. Proving that will is just as important as fitness in any cycling race. Anthony raced well in several Cat 4 races in the VACX series this year, and I believe in the season next year he will be a dominant figure. You better look out for this guy he’s gunning for YOU.
Brandon Carter is relatively new to the sport and the team. He will be racing this season on Celerity Cycling’s Cat 5 squad and will move up to the Cat 4 squad without problems. This CX season Brandon raced several VACX series races, and made significant improvements in each event he competed in finishing up the season at Trashmore CX in Virginia Beach. Brandon finished this race in the top 15 of the field. As Brandon gains experience he will become more recognized as well.
Team Wick Smith had a fantastic dirt season this year albeit a short one. On whim Wick raced the beginner race at DCCX signing up dead last and as a result starting 106th in the field. This didn’t matter though as Wick made his way up to finish in the top 5. Wick also raced the Tidewater Mountain Bike challenge winning the sport class with over a minute gap to second place.