tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4554407850352584002024-03-13T05:23:00.382-05:00Uruguayo RollingMostly the goings on of an aspiring mediocre cyclist, with your occasional heartfelt post or cigar/beer review.el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-20319530545016513202013-01-31T15:12:00.003-06:002013-01-31T19:45:33.973-06:00<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Exciting News
for the 2013 cycling season!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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As all of you that read this blog know I race bikes competitively
and have been doing so for the past 3 years. For the 2012 season I joined the
brand new Sammy’s Elite Racing program based out of Sammy’s Bike Shop in St. Charles
IL. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After a strong 2012 season the team has grown considerably
and with that growth has come some additional ways for you and many other people
to follow our news.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We now have our own website <a href="http://www.sammyseliteroadteam.com/">www.sammyseliteroadteam.com</a> and I
have created a fresh blog that will auto post its self onto our team home page.
We are still working out the formatting kinks but our site is up and running
and the blog is nearly there. <o:p></o:p></div>
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At the moment my plan is to keep my personal blog up to
date with a variety of posts containing cycling and non cycling material, but since I am also maintaining the team
site spare time may get tight. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Check out our team site and learn about our new riders and
sponsors for the year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am really looking forward to the 2013 season and posting
the play by play right here and on our site!<o:p></o:p></div>
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All the best, <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Kyle <o:p></o:p></div>
el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-45552757145030811152012-12-19T07:42:00.003-06:002012-12-19T07:47:07.600-06:00Easton EA90 XD Review <br />
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When its 1 am local time but your body thinks its half past 2 in the afternoon, you do two things, consider yourself lucky to be in a comfortable
United lounge for the entire 8 hours that United has delayed your flight and second
write a review of your new cyclocross
wheels, duh!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUxK7BgWJdarLpvfUOTmXO6xxx_pxoqIgwFYxiL8gBt6LCTl5VHxll0u2R8vVK5rUAxc6ElqvNWVXZfNmkmJVSKdPmETnUuz_YJntY75BNgocpp-RkE3MGqZUqIFmFxIRq1KIaFyEiumN/s1600/Easton+pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUxK7BgWJdarLpvfUOTmXO6xxx_pxoqIgwFYxiL8gBt6LCTl5VHxll0u2R8vVK5rUAxc6ElqvNWVXZfNmkmJVSKdPmETnUuz_YJntY75BNgocpp-RkE3MGqZUqIFmFxIRq1KIaFyEiumN/s320/Easton+pic+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic borrowed from bikeradar.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Having a whole 6 CX races under my belt makes me feel
confident enough to know just about nothing when it comes to CX and the many
lessons a seasoned CX racer learns about training, equipment, tires, tire
pressure and clothing. What I do know is the difference between using garbage
OEM wheels and taking the time to find and invest into a wheel-set that does
justice to the frame and groupo that you bought. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Before I get specific on the wheels let me tell you about
the bike they get fitted to:<o:p></o:p></div>
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2013 Colnago World
Cup 2.0 Disc w/Sram Red shifters, RD and Cranks<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Single 42 tooth chain
ring and Sram 12/27 rear cassette<o:p></o:p></div>
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Brakes soon to be upgraded
to Avid BB7 SL disc<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEPgq3PeCm98RFr0Eno8FIdna_NzEGRQ-pBUS6z-cjBnPeSw9klqZMyAGgbIqTE_A8quJauOD0QtTuaxv_dO35d9PPdUtWJ7BeiEKIoIfwFzoqm7611Vz1662bX-8hs_F5S_XkoU1tac2/s1600/CX+pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEPgq3PeCm98RFr0Eno8FIdna_NzEGRQ-pBUS6z-cjBnPeSw9klqZMyAGgbIqTE_A8quJauOD0QtTuaxv_dO35d9PPdUtWJ7BeiEKIoIfwFzoqm7611Vz1662bX-8hs_F5S_XkoU1tac2/s320/CX+pic+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great shot taken by Kelly Alexander w/ Alexander Photography @ Campton Hills CX</td></tr>
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After getting fitted to my new Colnago early this season I
noticed two major characteristics, the bike had extremely tight and responsive
handling but it accelerated like it was underwater. It didn’t take long to
realize it was the generic rebranded “Colnago” wheels that were drowning the
Ferrari like handling of this bike. It’s important to note that EVERY bike on
the market and especially mid-level race oriented bikes come with wheel sets
that don’t belong on any race course, they are slapped on bikes to keep cost
low and get the consumer what they really want, frame and group set for a good
price.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGy8jGSZK-2Ghv8-iKeOkL2VO9yiIP0W6WTJ9Gh6mDIDKPHFUmd-pt4UyfemkUrrWnRkQvWT-whHDS-SBBN0OW5Es3lzFuu41IvBIYEc7ngAVEa7kC6gInehvvgem9bw4boaaz8d79Iro/s1600/Easton+pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGy8jGSZK-2Ghv8-iKeOkL2VO9yiIP0W6WTJ9Gh6mDIDKPHFUmd-pt4UyfemkUrrWnRkQvWT-whHDS-SBBN0OW5Es3lzFuu41IvBIYEc7ngAVEa7kC6gInehvvgem9bw4boaaz8d79Iro/s320/Easton+pic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pic also borrowed from bikeradar.com but is the exact rim and tire I am running</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hot on the hunt for new wheels that were light enough to
unleash the beast on the CX course but reliable enough I could train on them
during the off season. Obviously two wheel sets would be optimal for this
situation but since CX is far from my cycling focus and these wheels needed to
be disc specific, one utility wheel set must fit the bill. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I chose the Easton EA90 XD wheels for a couple of reasons:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Road Tubeless Rims<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Easton’s sturdy MTB M1 6 bolt disc hubs<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->1,600ish grams for the set<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Reasonably priced <o:p></o:p></div>
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Basically Easton took their road tubeless (supposedly
different than UST, don’t ask me why) rims, MTB disc hubs and laced them with a
few more spokes than you get in a road wheel
and wala, they created a CX specific wheel with parts they had in the
warehouse, genius!<o:p></o:p></div>
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You would think that this frankenwheel would do some things
well but nothing great? Not so much! For a pieced together CX specific wheel I
am currently two months in and still really pleased with the performance and
feel that these wheels have delivered.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAGV5qdsrlKkpPk39hBF4Y_WVntnaifOioR5lcYF4ICUuhaK9OKQqWFP3ykN-JvO_EU39vqOvzfLtonQvxpLGFBNLc6bqKlfjckXi2casLd9vJFVMT3NODQG06c2porhSXNPJxdOqltiY/s1600/Easton+pic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAGV5qdsrlKkpPk39hBF4Y_WVntnaifOioR5lcYF4ICUuhaK9OKQqWFP3ykN-JvO_EU39vqOvzfLtonQvxpLGFBNLc6bqKlfjckXi2casLd9vJFVMT3NODQG06c2porhSXNPJxdOqltiY/s1600/Easton+pic3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic borrowed from bikeradar.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In all honesty besides the disc hubs the only feature to
these wheels that really impress over your other comparably priced aluminum
race wheels is the fact that with the right tires you can run these wheels
tubeless right out of the box and pull off some seriously low tire pressure for
critical traction in tough conditions.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Note: finding the right tire can be tricky since very few
tire manufactures produce a tubeless
specific CX tire (yet) and any clincher CX tire is a crap shoot weather it will
seal properly on the rim or not. If you don’t use a tubeless specific tire I
have heard that tires with stiffer side walls and Kevlar beads tend to work
better. </div>
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Sammy was able to procure a fresh set of Vittoria’s new TNT (Tube No
Tube) CX EVO tires that matched the Easton rims like a glove. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have honestly not had enough time on the wheels to give
you a full in depth and detailed review of the wheels but if you want big bang for your buck in a
race ready bullet proof wheel set you cant go wrong with these Easton’s. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is obviously just a first impressions review, if these
wheels make it thru the winter in one piece or even if they don't I will have all the details right here in the spring.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJ8JsH15fl-o8GaYB29WtbO3yJCAfE7XLuI5D2M1PIBIGjSo9RR6FN5-ZWsr0n1ntI6e-gh6BDUU1YP0NKvNHI4ZEcld4hjWbvg-X4GYyLCzmIGWfnQN7F-qQw2xsPUZwFsEkSW-8v-iw/s1600/CX+pic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJ8JsH15fl-o8GaYB29WtbO3yJCAfE7XLuI5D2M1PIBIGjSo9RR6FN5-ZWsr0n1ntI6e-gh6BDUU1YP0NKvNHI4ZEcld4hjWbvg-X4GYyLCzmIGWfnQN7F-qQw2xsPUZwFsEkSW-8v-iw/s320/CX+pic+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dollar bum hand-ups at Campton Cross</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stay tuned for some Sammy’s team news over the next couple
weeks…</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-12274038537351343682012-10-09T08:53:00.001-05:002012-10-09T08:53:57.143-05:00Happenings review… <br />
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It’s been a while since I updated my blog, not because life
has been slow, actually quite the opposite but finding the time between
happenings to write about them seems to be the crux. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So here is a “happenings” review of the past 3 months or so…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Family:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Between my work travel and Corie going solo for some family
vacation in August over the past 2 months we haven’t seen too much of each
other, but even after 4 years every day with Corie gets a little sweeter. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYd4Yvz7jOv49vOzFc6YwLXWDuOWSnlJ1nZ9-ToggnIHMiXa0o1NAwxX24HMgAcZ-kFVLsGxyFUfiY4kYFkxogodAbLO3-d3VK-tPxp9uSKY5El1I6bpuvyypK5uaL4d6JCf4TIC1c3PI/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYd4Yvz7jOv49vOzFc6YwLXWDuOWSnlJ1nZ9-ToggnIHMiXa0o1NAwxX24HMgAcZ-kFVLsGxyFUfiY4kYFkxogodAbLO3-d3VK-tPxp9uSKY5El1I6bpuvyypK5uaL4d6JCf4TIC1c3PI/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corie and I @ Sammy's Bikes on our way to a wedding last week</td></tr>
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Last month my sister Julie who resides in my old hood Fresno,
CA came out to Chicago sans husband and kids for the first time ever to join my
oldest sister Janine (Ohio) for an extended weekend of pre-1999 Selph family
fun. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G6N_4nhHeSQuPd0HFSMDn0FllQJVNDjBOecaRaZf1XLZ0uDFd41CeNM4EiFu3RFjgdZIQw7npiWXmazpbP7Ts4tn0J01kMe0SWi4V_Gu9euvR4V0bo8zSIRv1BXChFeVXRevisCWoeFP/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G6N_4nhHeSQuPd0HFSMDn0FllQJVNDjBOecaRaZf1XLZ0uDFd41CeNM4EiFu3RFjgdZIQw7npiWXmazpbP7Ts4tn0J01kMe0SWi4V_Gu9euvR4V0bo8zSIRv1BXChFeVXRevisCWoeFP/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The siblings, Janine on the left and Julie on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Work:</b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over the past two months work travel has taken me to the Philippines,
London 2X, and Toronto2X. I am hoping that Q4 is limited to around 30k miles or
less but who knows with RIM ramping up for the supposed BB10 launch I might be
living on United for the rest of the year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Travel Quiz: Identify this flight… where in
the world can you take off at 6am and land at 6pm the <u>previous</u> day? (Clue:
one location is a U.S. Territory) <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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In general my industry is still struggling but thanks to my
international focus I can rely on non-U.S. centric economies to keep my supply
chain full but when your company trades in USD and things are tight I am
finding it hard to get some of my projects completed and into the market place.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Cycling:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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As many of you know I picked up a MTB sponsorship thru a
work contact in Indo, so for the past three months I have been discovering the
world of “the baggy shorts guys”. I have yet to race XC but hopefully next year
I can get out for at least the Palos Meltdown. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDxzRYyZ2Nbn_5p7hR0Uu7gvZIPBmgYLlJt3qisfJpy_d46VDZvVBlG8v1vrDOH4piBT1_bTtB0zFbkcS6W5f3RfnZVMtvVZfNraLQ_e0JeVVKsKB74vc1WdAifZ7VDGTnae9D3oEoPEZ/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="91" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDxzRYyZ2Nbn_5p7hR0Uu7gvZIPBmgYLlJt3qisfJpy_d46VDZvVBlG8v1vrDOH4piBT1_bTtB0zFbkcS6W5f3RfnZVMtvVZfNraLQ_e0JeVVKsKB74vc1WdAifZ7VDGTnae9D3oEoPEZ/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My team finished up the road season two weeks ago with a
solid showing at the first fall fling race held at the Pella-drome, unfortunately
schedule conflicts kept us from racing the rest of the series. It was during
that race that I pulled off my very first successful long distance bridge. I
made it up to the winning break long enough for them to spot me tucked in and
gassed it hard enough to snap me right off the back again having not yet recovered
from my effort, doooh! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnzulFFhfGAla7f4A3ZoVDkX5WRZ0nrl1hOcJoXuSkhxhFlexNWylq2nhuPUdd4RSwD6-naXPPtOdboxtuf5uE5T-qcpaQV5unMB-vuY3Nmvo4aOj5WttRSWLx_cUhbKorITU8z9lvsjp/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnzulFFhfGAla7f4A3ZoVDkX5WRZ0nrl1hOcJoXuSkhxhFlexNWylq2nhuPUdd4RSwD6-naXPPtOdboxtuf5uE5T-qcpaQV5unMB-vuY3Nmvo4aOj5WttRSWLx_cUhbKorITU8z9lvsjp/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dustin and I chasing back the first break of the day during the fall fling</td></tr>
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My title sponsor <b>Sammy’s
Bikes</b> set me up pretty with a new Colnago World Cup CX bike that I am excited
about getting more proficient on. My first CX race of the season (and 3<sup>rd</sup>
ever) was last Sunday at Hopkins Park, the second stop on the Chicago Cyclocross
Cup. Even if it was my 3<sup>rd</sup> CX race ever any competitor will tell you
that getting you’re a$$ handed to you in a race is never fun. Due to my road
USAC license I have to race CX in Cat3 or higher regardless of my experience so
because the Cat3 event is often too early for me to get to post church my only
option is to race the Pro 1/2/3 race with all the big boys. If I can make enough
races and improve my fitness I’m sure I will earn my place among them but for
the moment my learning curve is pretty steep! </div>
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<b>Last min update:</b>
I wrote the above last week and as of this posting I got to race at the Dan Ryan
Woods CX race on Sunday. I am happy to report that my first lap on the very
open and power hungry course was screaming. I managed to place myself mid pack
after staring in the back and felt great! Heading over the last set of barriers
before the finish a poorly tightened rear quick release gave way causing my
rear wheel to drop out of the stays! I managed to get the wheel back in and
tightened up but b/c of my rush I unknowingly messed up the disc break alignment
and road the rest of the 50 min with a dragging rear disc. I did however make
up at least 10 of the 15 positions lost during the mechanical and improved my
finishing place significantly over last week’s race. Getting better… <o:p></o:p></div>
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Next on tap are a few CX races and maybe a product review or
two…<o:p></o:p></div>
el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-45669735754135699872012-08-01T17:05:00.000-05:002012-08-01T17:05:21.634-05:00Prairie State Cycling series presented by Sammy’s Bike Shop in St. Charles, IL<br />
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Last weekend was the inaugural Prairie State Cycling series kickoff
event presented by Sammy’s Bike Shop in St. Charles, IL. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you take a larger than life bike shop owner
who is committed to his community and growing the sport of cycling and mix in a
highly organized and professional bike race promoter you will get one of the
most impressive first year racing and community events I have ever taken part
of. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s even more impressive is that
the volunteer manpower and much of the race prep work was all done by the brand
new Sammy’s Cycling Club! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hans Van Delft
the clubs president and Sammy’s right hand man took this event and executed like
only a seasoned club could.</div>
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The Sammy’s Elite Road Team had two goals our rookie year,
win the P1/2 IL Cup and take over the podium for our own race. After checking
off goal number one a few weeks ago the team shifted focus to this event. Once
the event schedule was released I was pleased see that 3 of our 4 riders would
have the opportunity to race in two events (this does not happen often for
elite CAT2 riders). First event of the day for the team was the 50min CAT2/3
event followed by our full complement of riders in the 90min Pro 1/2 event. </div>
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As the race drew closer I kept a good eye on the pre-registration
list keeping tabs on the riders in both events. About 3 weeks ago my jaw literally
dropped open when I read over the list of Pro UCI teams registered for the Pro 1/2
event. The intelligent date set for our race was one week prior the Tour of Elk
Grove a Chicago Pro National Racing Calendar event, aka one of the biggest,
largest paying pro races in the U.S. our race just a week prior would be a
perfect opportunity for these traveling teams to tune up before the main event.</div>
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After the bombs dropped in the p1/2 registration it was obvious
our energy would be best spent in the 2/3 event. Dustin, Chris, and I entered
the 2/3 race confident that all three of us were capable of winning this race
and like all year would support our best positioned rider to do so. </div>
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The 2/3 race started as I thought, hitting 30mph on the straights
and cornering around 23mph. I stayed toward the front rather easily for the
first couple laps and tried to sort out the best lines around each corner. A
few min down and 5 or so KS riders moved to the front and very obviously shot
two riders off the front. I jumped around the block and closed the gap with in
a half lap, Dustin saw this as a good place to attack and he went off the front
with one other rider.</div>
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I poked around on the front as long as I could before the KS
team felt it necessary to put in the work and pulled them back. As soon as
Dustin was back and before KC could recover I decided to jump out on my own. I
got a decent gap before I looked back to see if I had any riders coming with me,
in hind sight I should have stayed on the gas hard to make sure the only riders
that made it up deserved to be there.</div>
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6 riders made my wheel but only one who wanted to race, I
knew this break would be my best opportunity to win and I was rather ticked
that we had 4 turds in the group. Lesson #1 for the day, remove head from sphincter,
talk to the other strong rider in the break and attack the crap out of the turds
until they fall off and then make off with the non turds. Instead I drug out
the inevitable by putting my head down and wasting precious matches that could
have been used at a more opportune time followed by watching the group slowly
catch our dysfunctional break. P.s. it’s ok to kill a break! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Back in the group with 10 laps to go and I am starting to
plot the next move as two riders with excellent TT legs go off the front. I wasn’t
too worried since they didn’t represent large numbers in the group. With 4 laps
to go, Dustin grabbed me, shot to the front and drilled it for 3/4 of a lap. I
was slightly confused as to what he wanted me to do with 4 to go but if a teammate
drills it for you at the front you seize the moment and hope your legs feel as good
as Dustin hopes they feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
this move seemed to light the groups chase fire for me and the break quickly
bringing me back and closing in on the break. </div>
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At this point I thought my cards had been played for the
day, but then Dustin shot up the gutter with Chris in toe on the back side headed
into the final turn. I quickly made it onto Chris’s wheel while Dustin killed
himself to pull us up the gutter, just before the turn a few riders moved over hard
putting me up against the curb and un-able to pedal and a small gap opened between
Chris and I. That little gap is all it took to lose my position and free ride
to the front. Fortunately, Dustin and Chris made it up before the turn and
Chris was able to jump out and take 3<sup>rd</sup> on the line. It turns out
the two man break had survived to the last 20 yards and one of the riders
Gareth Reeves stuck it out and took the top spot, impressive. </div>
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Putting a Sammy’s jersey on the podium was the goal, of
course the top spot was the aim but none the less we played our cards as hard
as we could and the rest is racing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The Pro Race… (Abridged version) </div>
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It was obvious this race would roll at warp speed and if I
was going to survive the full 90 min I would have to race SMART. The 4 UCI pro
teams all had full squads to start the race including the newly crowned
national champion. I have only had the opportunity to race at this level once
before and I was retired early due to a dumb mechanical problem so I was determined
to hang in and learn from these teams so I could return the favor to our local
rivals down the road. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent the
majority of the race in the last third of the pack I tried to move around as
much as I possible to get a feel for the pack. A larger than usual break got up
the road and nearly lapped the field which I find shocking because the field
was rarely under 30 MPH, goes to show how much faster you can corner in a small
group versus a 70 man field. </div>
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I ended up 33<sup>rd</sup> of 80+ starters and felt pretty
good about the work I did and more importantly the work I didn’t do. Looking at
my power file the next day I used approximately 20% less energy over 90 min
averaging 28mph than I did averaging 27mph for 50 min. This is a clear picture
of what sitting in vs. attacking means on your legs. </div>
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All that said and done I was still massively impressed with this
event and want to thank my wife Corie, my family and friends who all came out
to cheer us on and I want to especially thank Sammy himself for all the support
he has shown this team. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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All the best, </div>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-50987182347342401722012-07-18T16:12:00.001-05:002012-07-18T16:12:05.271-05:00Michigan Racing Re-Cap<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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Last weekend, 3 of 4 Sammy’s riders (Dustin, Sean, and yours
truly) headed to Kalamazoo MI early Saturday <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>morning for a Criterium held on the campus of
Western Michigan University followed by a road race Sunday morning in the
nearby city of Lawton MI.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I raced in these events last year as a CAT3 and good results
aside I really enjoyed getting away and mixing it up with riders I didn’t know
and who especially didn’t know me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Criterium course is rather large but straight forward,
the start finish is just after a road fly over and thus is partly downhill and immediately
leads you into a chicane. The first right turn of the course was a bit rough as
you had to sweep way left and cut right hard in order to keep your speed and
hit the raised driveway curb transition as straight on as possible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This road transition facilitated a nasty crash
at the front of the group late in the race but for the most part was navigated safely.
The back stretch of the course was largely exposed to cross/ head winds sweeping
off the nearby highway and caused consolidation of the group most laps. The
course finished with a wide right turn again with another driveway transition
(much smoother than turn #1) and quick uphill pull over the road flyover and
down into the start finish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To the race…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the line it was obvious that three teams had serious
numbers, Priority Health, Bissell, and one other team in green kits that supposedly
had a former national elite Criterium champ on it. The race starts unusually
fast for an elite event but none the less as I get reacquainted with the
corners I am relatively pleased with my positioning thru the first 10 laps. 35
min down and the bunch is surprisingly still together, after the leaders chased
down three more escapees I noticed a slight slowdown in the pace and an opportunity
to attack in hopes I could stay away long enough to collect on the midway cash
prime. </div>
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<br /></div>
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From 6<sup>th</sup> wheel I jumped out and nailed it for
15-20 seconds before I looked back to see plenty of daylight behind me. Ok
great! I knew my team mates would do their best to block and I would have to
settle into a sustainable pace if I was going to last more than 2 laps. After 3
times around I noticed a single rider off the front coming across to me, good
for our odds of staying away but bad for the cash prime coming up in 2 laps. </div>
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<br /></div>
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After the chaser made my wheel I asked him if he wanted the
cash or if he wanted to say away? He said “both” yes, it was a stupid question
I know but at the time I was optimistic of our chances for the win and if we
crushed each other for the prime we could kiss our break goodbye. So we agreed
to split the cash and keep our pace consistent. Looking back I should have
known that two nonmembers of the power house teams on a flat open course stood
no chance of staying away for 45 min and I should have kept my mouth shut and destroyed
the guy in the sprint, another lesson learned. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Not more than half a lap after grabbing the prime the two of
us were reeled back and Dustin joined a good looking break of about 6 riders,
after recovering from my effort I moved back to the front and did my best to
slow things down. With a few laps left it was obvious that Priority Health was
organizing a serious chase/lead out train that was pulling the break back very
quickly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With half a lap left I was sitting 20<sup>th</sup> or so
(way too far back) when we caught Dustin and the break. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sean managed to
position himself much higher in the lead out and sprinted to 6<sup>th</sup>
place behind some seriously organized riders. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All said and done Sean and I finished in the $ and along
with my prime we covered our travel expenses and dinner out at the Kalamazoo
Beer Exchange, good times. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big shout out to Meg for letting Dusting and I crash your place! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After couch surfing in Kalamazoo for the night we had a
short drive over the Lawton MI for the start of our p1/2 race. Our race was 30
or so riders and without surprise Bissell and Priority Health showed up in
numbers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The course was a 13 mile rolling course with 3 kicker hills
of note, the P1/2 was scheduled for 6 laps 78 miles total. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The race started with a quick acceleration from the front
followed by some halfhearted attacks from solo riders. This is the part of the
race that I need to be more heads up, I am learning more and more how flipping
important it is to see the composition of the attack before it can really establish
its self because if you get left out of the move and the two strong teams have
representation in the break consider yourself hosed. </div>
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<br /></div>
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A few miles into lap two 3 riders got off the font and out
of sight pretty quickly. On the back side of the course I was pretty frustrated
for being left out of the move and looking for a good time to attack. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Dustin
must have read my mind because he strung the field out nice and thin with yours
truly in 5<sup>th</sup> wheel. The second he started to slow I was down
shifting and on the hunt. For the second time in two days I was off the front
with no shadow, actually unfortunate because I could have really used another
rider to rotate with in search for the 3 man break. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I don’t know how hard the group was chasing or not but I gathered
about 30-40 seconds on the group headed thru the start finish and while keeping
my head down I heard the official give me the time gap to the leaders, 3 min! I
didn’t give up but I certainly lost a lot of motivation to kill myself in chase
since making up a 3 min gap solo on three CAT1’s was not likely in my current
state of fitness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My best bet was to
wait up and see if any solo riders had started to chase me down and I could
join them or just wait for the whole group and try again later. </div>
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<br /></div>
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After soft pedaling for a while and taking in some calories
I was swept up by the group and back in the fold. Almost immediately a group of
6 attacked hard including Dustin that stuck, I was glad Sammy’s finally had representation
in a select group. 40 miles into the race I thought my job was done and started
to relax a bit in the group alongside Sean. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The chase group with Dustin was well up the road and I wasn’t
too worried about the group organizing enough to bring it back. I was sitting
second wheel behind a Bissell rider when he accelerated hard up one of the
hills. I sat on his wheel without too much trouble and before I knew it we had
a gap on the group and he was flicking me thru. At this point I was thinking
that I might as well get a good workout and if anything Dustin could use a good
lead out should the two of us successfully bridge to the break.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Bissell rider and I worked together seamlessly for two
laps and brought the chase group back into view, I estimated the gap about 30
seconds. It was about this time I noticed a Bissell rider heading backwards
pretty fast. Unfortunately, this was the Bissell rider in the original 3 man
break causing his team mates in the chase to pull hard in hopes to bring back
the Priority Health rider in the now 2 man lead break. In retrospect this was
our last chance to make it to the chase group and in short order the Bissell
riders in the chase pulled the group out of sight within minutes. </div>
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<br /></div>
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My chase partner and I headed into our last lap knowing we
would never catch the chase or the break but certainly didn’t want to be caught
by the group. We rotated evenly for the rest of the lap keeping an eye on our
six to make sure we remained alone. At best we would cross the finish line in
the top 10 so I didn’t think we would beat each other up for the sprint too far
out. Turning into the home straight I was willingly in the front and keeping a
decent pace and the moment I saw him purposely drop my wheel just a tiny bit I laid
into the pedals and took to the finish line first. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The two man break had stayed away with Dustin holding his
own in the chase group sprint, the Bissell rider and I came in 12 and 13<sup>th</sup>
2 min behind the chase and 3min in front of the group so not a great result but
a valuable workout and learning experience. </div>
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<br /></div>
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After the short drive I was back home in time for a late
lunch!</div>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-26548546695400273932012-07-10T16:59:00.000-05:002012-07-10T16:59:48.256-05:00Morton Race Re-Cap and IL Cup Results<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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This Saturday we had the whole team together to defend and
hopefully improve our 1<sup>st</sup> 4<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup> place
positions in the last IL Cup Series race hosted by Proctor Cycling in Morton IL.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Early Saturday morning Sean, Dustin and I loaded up our new
team van (compliments of our title sponsor Sammy’s Bike Shop in St. Charles)
and headed south toward Morton,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>after
stopping along the way to pick up our<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4<sup>th</sup>
teammate Chris we arrived at the course 90min before the start.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Going into this race I felt a bit on the ropes of the IL Cup
points race, my fitness has been on a slow decline since the beginning of the season
thanks to injuries and work travel. Fortunately my travel has calmed down and
my ribs have healed enough for me to make a late season push for competitive form.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Headed into the last race of the series I was 11 points
ahead of 2<sup>nd</sup> place rider (Bicycle Heaven) and 12 points ahead of 3<sup>rd
</sup>(Enzo’s) followed by two team mates in 4<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup>.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I fully understand that the IL Cup is not as hotly contested
as say the IL Championships and there are plenty of CAT1’s and Pros in Illinois
who could mop the floor with me should they have chosen to show up to each
race. However, the series rewards consistency in a set schedule of events and
Sammy’s road team decided at the beginning of the year that winning the IL Cup would
be a good starting point for our new P1/2 team. Thus the team has made it a
concerted effort to show up and do our best at these events. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aside from the top IL Cup riders and teams who showed up for
the race I was surprised to see some very strong national CAT1 talent registered.
This meant that I couldn’t afford to let my two marks get up the road with
these riders knowing that the field would seriously struggle to pull them back.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have never started a race with a defensive mind set and
frankly after the fact I didn’t like it. I don’t like the idea of entering
races to consolidate losses I want to enter races to win. Perhaps this is a
taste of what stage racing is like and the need to keeping long term goals prioritized
over singe race results.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On to the race…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
42 riders rolled out at a moderate pace, I immediately
trying to get my barring and find my two marks. Within two laps both of my
marks are heading off the front in a decent size group and I am not with them,
FAIL! Fortunately Dustin also noticed this and came to the front and pulled the
group back. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was the last I saw of the 2<sup>nd</sup> place BH rider
who ended up finishing well back in the pack and out of the cup points. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now my target was clear, I had to make sure that the Enzo’s
rider stayed in my sights. This is the part of a defensive race strategy that I
HATE b/c I acted like a leach. Every move Enzo’s made I was right there with
him never allowing for more than a couple bike lengths to open up. In the mean
time I was happy to see a couple of my team mates go up the road which made my
job two fold, protect my points advantage and block the group from pulling the
break back. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only rider left in the peloton that had the legs to bridge
up to the lead group was my new best friend, who was royally pissed about his
Sammy’s shadow. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
20 min later…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was around mid-race that I lost the ability to think
straight and I became a single minded idiot. I would like to blame the
incredible heat for my temporary retardedness but it was most likely my rookie
understanding of higher level racing strategy that did me in. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Had I realized that the break with my team mate was safely
up the road it would have been in my best interest if even for a short while to
work with my mark and form a chase group separating ourselves from the peloton
and increasing our chances of a good result and payout. Instead I refused to
work and did nothing but sit on wheels as if the break was still in sight. The
whole point was to stay connected to my mark and that doesn’t necessarily mean
we had to stay in the peloton.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With 15 laps to go I didn’t even realize that in chasing
Enzo’s down for the billionth time we had formed a small chase group of 2 other
seemingly strong riders, and without knowing it I was sabotaging this group
from gaining much time on the peloton. Again, I was in my own little world and
after being yelled at by these three and physically pushed around a bit I was
getting seriously pissed off and even less likely to cooperate and or think straight.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As there always is two sides of a story, had I been in their
position I’m sure I would have been fuming mad but at the end of the day its
bike racing and as long as your opponent isn’t posing a physical danger to you
his strategy like it or not is his choice. On a side note, I wasn’t hiding my
strategy or playing coy I straight up said what I was doing and didn’t back
down. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to the race…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With 10 laps to go our small 4 man chase group was brought
back into a 6-7 man group that was off the front of the peloton, I think… the
heat at this point was quickly reducing my level of consciousness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I moved to the back of the group and prayed that Enzo’s was
as tired as I was and luckily he stayed in the group as we rounded the last
corner for the sprint, I was hoping to put up a fight for the sprint but
frankly my legs had long sense gone and I pedaled in crossing the finish in 12<sup>th</sup>
place. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
30 min after the race it was made official that I had done
the work necessary to win the IL Cup and </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dustin had fared well enough in the break
to jump into 3<sup>rd</sup> place! Effectively sandwiching Enzo’s in 2<sup>nd</sup>
place. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even though I am disappointed with how I raced in this last
cup race the strategy did still work and most importantly we won as a TEAM regardless
of who we pissed off along the way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The season isn’t over but in our first year we have indeed achieved
our humble but personally important goal of winning the cup and we can move
onto bigger and better things next season. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-69707829672150059442012-06-05T07:21:00.000-05:002012-06-05T07:21:06.555-05:00Race Report Catch Up<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well since I am pretty behind on race reports let me get you
caught up quickly and concisely. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Tour De Champaign</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This P1/2 race by the looks of the start sheet would qualify
as a regional level race, which means the region’s top domestic pro/amateur
teams show up to duke it out as the local and amateur teams try to work in and
steal away some placing’s. Flat 4 corner course that was FAST, averaging 27MPH.
I made a hard effort to bridge into a break that looked strong but it didn’t
stick more than a few laps. After the failed break attempt I decided to stay in
the pack and continue working on staying relaxed and efficient in the pack
especially in the corners. In the end I was 20th of 50 and enjoyed every minute
of it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Urbana Criterium</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of the two races this weekend I knew this one would be the
more challenging for me. Held in downtown Urbana this crit course was a fast
and technical 8 corner playground of pain. Being this was an IL Cup Race and I
am still leading the P1/2 series I was called to the line first (slightly
embarrassing, considering the talent stacked up behind me). After the shot I
settled in mid pack for the first 30 so minutes again trying to get as
comfortable as possible in the turns. With about 45min to go I moved my way up
to the front of the group in hopes to bridge up to a couple strong men off the
front. With Dustin laying down a really hot lap for me I seriously did my best
to get off the front but without much effort the blocking teams on the front brought
me back into the fold. Now being totally spent from my pathetic bridge attempt
I was starting to feel the course and not in a good way. With about 25 min to
go I was doing everything I could to hold wheels when I jumped my chain clear
off my big ring thru some rough pavement. If I hadn’t been so oxygen deprived I
would have thought to walk back to the pit and get my free lap but instead I
lost my edge mentally and pulled out of the race. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big thanks to Mark Swartzendruber for promoting and putting
on a great weekend of racing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Monsters of the Midway</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This will be my 3<sup>rd</sup> year competing at MOM, and
let me just say that this course should play to my strengths however,
historically this race loves to spite me in new and creative way each year. For
example, consistently bad weather, multiple tubie flats and stupid crashes. I
truly don’t know what it is about this course its a pretty straight forward 4
corner and two long straight track. Why riders leave their self-control and
good judgment on the side lines is beyond me. Unfortunately, this year would be
no exception to my bad luck. Once again in the rain this IL Cup race gets going
at a decent clip and we ride away the first half of the race mostly together.
With 9 or so laps left two are off the front both with team mates who know how
to block at the front of the group so I go off the front only taking a xXx
wheel sucker with me. 2 laps and a match book later I am within 20 yards of the
two but looking back and seeing the group chasing hard I decided to pull the
plug and rest up for the now very likely bunch sprint. All together now on the
bell lap Enzo’s squad was organizing at the front to lead out their sprinter. </div>
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Coming out of turn 2 I managed to glue myself to the Enzo’s train and I
remained determined to defend my position into the finishing straight. About
half way down the back side I noticed a slow in the pace, and for any of you
that have participated in a lead out you know that a slow in pace is a kiss of
death. Before the pace could quicken or I could think of what to do our lead
out got over taken on the inside and in the process of this acceleration an
un-named rider freaked out and came careening over into the Enzo’s rider just
in front of me. Despite his best effort the Enzo’s rider and un-named idiot hit
the deck hard. Seeing this happen in the blink of an eye I was able to scrub
some speed before smashing into the mess of bodies and bikes. I went over the
handlebars and did very well to avoid any road rash, however, once the dust had
settled I quickly noticed the wicked pain in my chest and the immediate
shortness of breath. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not all was lost with a podium appearance from Sean who
avoided the crash and kicked hard to a great sprint. Being that I was leaving
for Asia in less than 24 hours my loving wife convinced me to get checked out
at the hospital. After assuring Corie that I had just bruised some ribs and
that everything was fine the nurse delivered the results of the CT scan…
fractured 10<sup>th</sup> rib. Besides justifying the pain and recovery time
nothing much can be done for a broken rib. Fortunately, I was cleared to fly
and with pain killers in hand headed to Singapore. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks to all who prayed against the suspected internal
bleeding and for the speedy recovery. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Lake Bluff Twilight Crit. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Using my highly advanced cyclist brain I decided to apply
for entry into the Pro/Cat1 Lake Bluff Criterium in order to ease myself back
into racing post injury and travel. Fortunately, only a hand full of the top point’s
leaders in the National Pro Criterium series showed up and brought along 90 of
their pro/cat1 friends. After being granted entry to this death wish I did the
dumbest thing possible, I showed up…</div>
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<br /></div>
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After soaking in the fun of staging with some of the best
domestic pro’s in the country at a race with huge crowds and exhilarating
energy it was time to put my big boy pants on and hang tight. This would be 90
min of a vertical learning curve. During my warm up I had noticed some strange
skipping going on in my drive train but didn’t think too much of it once the
Sram guys took a look and cleared it. Immediately the race started and I knew I
was in for it, the gear issue I was having during my warm up was multiplied by
ten during the race, every time I accelerated with any force my chain was
skipping over my cassette and getting me nowhere. </div>
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After three laps of just
holding onto the back of the pack I rolled out to the pit to have the Sram
mechanic take another look, (since this issue was my own dumb fault I did not
get a free lap). Once the Sram tech started asking me about the chain/cassette
age it struck me I committed a carnal bike sin. After the MOM crash our team
mechanic (John) was nice enough to replace my chain and worn cassette. However,
for this race I had grabbed my tubie wheels that had an old cassette on it and
the combination of a worn cassette and new chain is that it will skip. Stupidly
I didn’t ask for another wheel in the pit so I would have a chance at finishing
the race; instead I let them push me back into a gun fight wielding chop
sticks. Needless to say this would be my third DNF in a row. </div>
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For the record I
HATE DNF’s!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Glencoe GP (State Crit Championship)</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the rookie mistake the night before I was determined
to finish this race no matter what. Having landed on the podium last year
(notice whenever someone says “I made the podium” 90% of the time it means they
took third? Just an observation) I was optimistic I could hold tight and if
things played well I could have a chance at a high finish. I tried to get as
good of a starting position as possible knowing that staying at the sharp end
of this race was going to be key especially with my current lack of race
fitness and 90+ man field. I managed to pick the one guy in the field that
temporarily forgot how to clip in and immediately I was at the back of the
large field. Dang! Not how I wanted to start. Three laps in the inevitable
crashes started on this very tight and technical course. I managed to navigate
around a few quickly gaining some position in the pack. </div>
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Two laps later a big
crash right in front of me brought me to a dead stop both feet down and now
chasing hard to get back on. I traded pulls with one other rider for two laps
before we made contact back with the pack. Finally able to recover from the
chase with 10 laps left I am following a wheel hot into the only left hand turn
on the course and I swear this guy got sniped. All by himself in the apex of
the corner he loses it and goes down right in front of me, I touch the brakes
and down I go. </div>
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<br /></div>
Quickly taking stock I was ok, just some road rash on the left leg and a bum
rear wheel. I was actually proud of myself, I stopped and rationally though
thru my next move. I calmly walked back to the secondary pit and asked for rear
wheel and bike check knowing that I would be placed back in mostly the position
I was in before the shooting.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">While the mechanic was sorting out my bike I was
thinking to myself that in the last 24 hours I have spent more time in the
neutral support tent that in my first 3 years of racing, hmmm… Holding tight to
my goal of finishing, I was pushed back out into the race with 8ish laps left
(really nice to have a good shuv by the way, it helps you get up to speed and
back into the mix of a quickly moving pack). I had recovered a couple matches
by sitting out two laps but I knew my legs would not be happy with the quick
start stop. 3 laps left I knew it was now or never so I took advantage of a
slight slow up and moved to the front of the pack only to get snapped back
after a hard acceleration by the leaders. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">I simply didn’t have the legs to get
myself into contention and stay there. I finished 30<sup>th</sup> out of 100+
starters and honestly was pleased with my effort and state of mind but all too
aware of my lacking race fitness.</span>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-82486019299393096432012-05-01T21:04:00.001-05:002012-05-01T21:04:57.915-05:00Cobb Park Race Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNcmwAUz4vkGW2EODiVAMdD9YbU_Uqh5o4RFRWtKaF4XxNsPzqw-djAnb8z1GLIYDLzP_vOVeXodq1loyuYsOBY2ZRUdpAaZYJjLC_0_m4JZor0p2ChjFqXgnPkCn5pVjRbGqnVCbd8Is/s1600/Cobb+Park2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNcmwAUz4vkGW2EODiVAMdD9YbU_Uqh5o4RFRWtKaF4XxNsPzqw-djAnb8z1GLIYDLzP_vOVeXodq1loyuYsOBY2ZRUdpAaZYJjLC_0_m4JZor0p2ChjFqXgnPkCn5pVjRbGqnVCbd8Is/s320/Cobb+Park2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For one reason or the other I haven't had the opportunity of racing this fun and well organized race in Kankakee IL, hosted by the South Chicago Wheelmen. <br /><br />The forecast wasn't looking pretty on the drive down but dry or wet I felt ready to race and didn't give it much thought after that. <br /><br />The Cobb park course is pretty straight forward, two tight corners and a sweeping right hand turn headed into the finish. The wet conditions did cause some hesitation around the first two corners and a serious avoidance of the manhole covers in the last turn (not a good line anyway).<br /><br />The race started with a nice mix of familiar riders, not a big field but at least 3 teams had more than two riders so odds of a break staying away with the proper representation were good. <br /><br />The first lap of the race was pretty slow followed by a number of predictable solo fliers off the front that were quickly brought back into the fold. I watched a couple of these fliers and thought to myself "well that was dumb" and no less than 2 min later I felt inspired and did the same stupid thing! Why would I take a flier off the front when the group is doing 30+ and has the whole road to chase me down? Dumb, dumb, dumb. <br /><br />Side note: what’s the difference between a flier and an attack? (in my opinion) a flier is a half ass attempt to get off the front solo that both the rider and group know has a snowballs chance in hell of surviving. On the other hand an "attack" is a sold out, gut wrenching effort that makes the field think twice about whether or not they are ever going to see you again. One of these techniques I have mastered, can you guess? <br /><br />Back to the race...<br /><br />I have been fortunate to make the break in my last 2 races so I knew getting off the front was only going to happen with the right group of riders. <br /><br />Finally, around 30 min into the race Dustin got on the front of the group and gassed the pace for half a lap or so just enough to string out the group on the narrow back side of the course (perfect). I was getting ready to make my best attempt at an "attack" since Dustin perfectly strung out the field and did it where the whole group couldn’t see the move. However, an Enzo's rider beat me too it (even more perfect) and attacked from a couple wheels in front of me. <br /><br />Since the Enzo's boys have a lot of firepower in the ranks attacking with one will keep the others off the chase for hopefully long enough to establish a break. Three of us (Enzo’s and Bike Heaven) got a small gap off the front mostly thanks to the lack of immediate chase since I didn’t think were really pushing hard enough to get a good gap. <br />
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Two laps later it was down to a Bike Heaven (BH) rider and I. Here I was again, in a break that was barely off the front and holding a dangerously small time gap on the field. <br /><br />Two options are now on the table, work work work and stay off the front with the help of my teammates blocking or play the game that the BH rider started immediately of sucking my wheel. Is it that flipping obvious that I am willing to kill myself to stay off the front instead of playing cat and mouse and getting caught? b/c the BH rider was acting as if I had “sucker” written across my forehead. <br /><br />After getting my brunt requests for equal work stonewalled by BH I took stock of my legs and felt confident that I could do the work to stay away and still get a result. <br /><br />With a few laps left a 6 man chase bridged the gap and got into the mix, however not a one of them was willing or able to put in the effort needed to keep the now 6-7 rider break away from the charging group. To give credit where credit is due, a couple of them did rotate thru even if they should have been sitting in for a possible sprint. So I was back on the front and pulling the group around as our gap was continuing to shorten. <br /><br />Going into the last lap I was plotting my strategy knowing that it was very likely the group would catch us before the last turn. With that in mind I was planning to jump the field early and leave the break to be swallowed up by the group. Then a rider from the break beat me to it on the long back straight (this is good), I jumped on his wheel and let him lead out the group into the final corner all the while expecting one of the rested wheel suckers to jump the gun and go any second. After we cleared the last corner I knew it was time to gear down and hammer, I saw two riders go on the left and one go on the right. Once I dialed in my sprint gear I stood up and quickly over took the two riders on the left but the rider on my right was gaining ground. <br /><br />By the time I realized the sprinter on the right was Mr. BH who I had just drug around for the past 30 min it was too late. I know I worked hard and it took some of the snap out of my sprint but the combination of poor gear and line selection I was over taken. <br /><br />This is not something that has ever happened to me in a sprint; it’s exactly errors like these that separate winners from losers and seasoned racers from dumb kids. The more I race at this level the more I realize that the little things matter, the margin for error grows ever smaller. <br /><br />To Mr. BH, it was nice to meet you after the race and I thank you for teaching me a valuable lesson in the only way that leaves a lasting impression… kicking my a$$. <br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br />el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-9297469094149926602012-04-25T08:45:00.000-05:002012-04-25T08:45:14.382-05:00xXx Crit - Lincoln Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After marinating in frustration most of Saturday (due to a puncture early in the Leland RR) I was relieved to have another opportunity to redeem my weekend since I tend to have the “only as good as your last showing” mentality. <br />
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The Lincoln Park Criterium is new to the calendar this year after pulling the plug on the historical Sherman Park course due to worsening road conditions. I had no doubt that xXx Racing would host another great event and that this new course would be well thought out and executed.<br /><br />
After arriving on Sunday and walking the course I was confident it would play to my strengths and with fresh legs I stood a good chance of redemption. Certainly two major factors would play a role in today’s race, the wind, and a well-placed (if that’s possible) 180 degree turn on the back side. <br /><br />
After call ups for the IL-Cup Series (of which I was 3rd and now hopefully 1st) the race was off and running. Immediately two riders went off the front, and not having much patience for such behavior I shot off the front in lap two as we headed into the hard head wind. I spent two laps in no man’s land and was then joined by 4-5 other riders all looking pretty strong and ready to pull back the leaders. Our chase group was holding a 20 second lead on the peloton and steadily closing the gap to the leaders. <br /><br />
Couple more laps and our chase brought back the leaders to create a 7-8 man break with a 30+ second lead. Approaching midway in the 75min race a friendly voice came from nowhere with instructions to “sit in” (meaning to stop working and rest). Dustin Morici (teammate and strong man) had executed a text book bridge to the break. Now Sammy’s bike had the upper hand in the break. After catching his breath Dusting got on the front of the group and buried himself to insure the break was not going to be caught. All the while I got the royal treatment sitting on the back of the pack soft pedaling. It didn’t take long for the break to realize that I had stopped working completely and that they were outnumbered. <br /><br />
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As obvious as our team tactic was to the break, frankly there was nothing they could do about it. With 10 laps left the announcers called out a $40 cash prime and Dustin decided it was going in his pocket. He attacked on the back side heading into the 180 and established a 10-15 gap very quickly. I was expecting Dustin to recede back into the group but he had jumped so well and obviously had the legs so he kept the gas on and was now soloing away from the break. <br /><br />
Two other riders noticed that he was still putting in the effort and jumped off the front of the group, I was hoping the group would respond and I could stay on easy street but they didn’t and got away as well headed up to Dustin. This left 3 up the road and 5 with me chasing. I realized now it was my responsibility to make sure no one else got up to Dustin so I sat on the front of the group and put in the most pathetic pulls imaginable until the group got irritated and began to chase. One at a time members of my chase group would try and attack solo and I would pull them back into the fold one after the other. <br /><br />
Eventually with 3 laps left a rider got away from me and up the road but with little chance of catching Dustin and the two others in the remaining time. Heading into the bell lap it was clear my chase group was roasted and I managed to sit back and ride wheels until 250 meters left and sprinted unchallenged for 5th place. <br /><br />
Up the road, Dustin and his break had put in such an effort that they lapped the peloton and ended up sprinting for the finish with the peloton. Not sure exactly what happened besides confusion but Dustin ended up 3rd and very pleased with his effort. <br /><br />
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Moral of the story, unselfish teams make for good results, FACT.<br /><br />Next up… Cobb Park. <br />el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-28964413040826086622012-04-13T14:03:00.000-05:002012-04-13T14:03:50.047-05:00Sammy’s Road Team Introductions and Race Re-Cap<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-a-uonVGc8grT-SDCwGR-2dZGiM6ho2VRWu9E5O7kI1dMh6K3Smv5yo_SAXaR5W9nWz5HKhyphenhyphen6FyfC8tte64_THhlUqJmpRDnZw24IeRLYKl4edtIhswdgZdmRZox0jNXop9dGoGGw7yw/s1600/Sammys+Logo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-a-uonVGc8grT-SDCwGR-2dZGiM6ho2VRWu9E5O7kI1dMh6K3Smv5yo_SAXaR5W9nWz5HKhyphenhyphen6FyfC8tte64_THhlUqJmpRDnZw24IeRLYKl4edtIhswdgZdmRZox0jNXop9dGoGGw7yw/s320/Sammys+Logo.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I could hardly fire off the first race report of the year without first introducing my new team and the sponsors behind it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Fresh for 2012 Sammy’s Bike Shop in St. Charles, IL has decided to branch out from its successful triathlon heritage and assemble a road team that will develop into a Cat 1-5 program. Thus Sammy’s Cycle Club was created as a non-for profit organization that will help support and develop all ages in the sport of competitive road cycling. Sammy’s bike shop its self is a hard to miss blue (literally) cornerstone of down town St. Charles and if for some reason you miss the building first go-round you can’t miss the boisterous personality that is Sammy (owner) as soon as you walk thru the door.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have known Sammy for close to a year now and it doesn’t take long to see that Sammy is not just running a business he is fostering a community of people who love cycling and he does it by opening his shop to whomever walks in and it doesn’t matter if your just hanging out or picking out a new top end bike everyone’s family at Sammy’s. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Starting a new road team in Chicago is not an easy task, especially when your plan is to start at the top of regional armature racing and work your way down. Last June with the help of part time employee and CAT2 racer Dustin Morici the shop started to develop relationships with area CAT 2 and 3 riders who were looking to join a small but focused P1/2 squad. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After the dust settled Sammy’s Bike Shop signed on 4 riders to start the 2012 road season. The team is composed of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sean Metz</b> a CAT1 racer whose years of experience at the top and aggressive style will prove deadly in the sprint. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dustin Morici</b> a CAT2 all-around rider who shows huge promise in multi day series and any race that points up. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chris Curran</b> CAT2 a down right strong man will simply beat the crap out of you for as long as you can hold his wheel, the team will be looking to him for loads of work and race winning sprints. Lastly, yours truly is pulling up the rear with intentions of supporting the team in breaks and sprint lead outs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span></span>Sammy has put together a solid foundation for which we hope to grow in both riders and results during the 2012 season. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiqTMpKrMRgkUUA8K7CgeyEEwQ_N1oQ6fcdooSW4utHac82Z_D_bxPV96K1GhLnF3KzJnKtmUOhfpwUkPJw3WFyYrrXW7qsODjxUVC20BmSFP2iJlIoMtxg0HyvGR0bvZaocsZzYCYF0x/s1600/DSC_0011+%285%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiqTMpKrMRgkUUA8K7CgeyEEwQ_N1oQ6fcdooSW4utHac82Z_D_bxPV96K1GhLnF3KzJnKtmUOhfpwUkPJw3WFyYrrXW7qsODjxUVC20BmSFP2iJlIoMtxg0HyvGR0bvZaocsZzYCYF0x/s320/DSC_0011+%285%29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Opening day…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For the past two years Blackhawk Farms Spring Super Critirium hosted by Burnham and Spider Monkey Racing has been my season opener. Black Hawk Farms is a car and motorcycle road course in northwestern Illinois that offers a smooth and safe venue for bike racing. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I started racing this course in 2010 as a CAT4 and again as a CAT3 in 2011, both years taking the top spot on the podium. For a third year in a row I would be racing this course in a new category and among professional and CAT 1 riders who have been doing this a long time! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I know it’s been two weeks since the race but after reading some other re-caps I’m questioning my race recall but in not honestly suprised. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Three Sammy’s riders lined up to start the P1/2/3 race in a surprisingly large field of 70. Due to the course and time of year this race caters well to breaks so the game plan was to get me into the break and go from there. After getting the competitive scoop from Sean on whom to watch I marked my men and stayed as close to the front of the race as possible. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">15 min into the 60 min race it was obvious that everyone was super optimistic about their fitness and would cover anything trying to get up the road. I sat back in the pack for just a few min to get some calming words from a team mate and then made my way back up front. I saw a few riders trying to get up the road with a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gap of 8-10 seconds this group included Dustin and two other riders I was supposed to be marking, whoops. The gap started to hold steady and when I felt the timing was right I jumped on the pedals and bridged across, right as I was coming up on the group and working into the rotation Dustin and two other riders slipped back in the main group leaving 7-8 riders with a very small gap. My two marked men were taking good notice of the gap and making sure their work was not being wasted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Two laps’ later 6 riders were left in the break with no more than 30 seconds advantage. My endurance felt great but I knew if it came to a group sprint my legs would fold so working in this break was a good idea. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I noticed the pace starting to slow as a result of numerous soft pull and couldn’t stand the idea of being caught this late in the race. So heading into the back corner I took a short flier off the front hoping that the two other riders with good legs would follow and keep the pace fast enough for us to stay away. This kind of worked… We dispatched two riders from the six when I was really hoping to send off 3 or 4 oh well, pipe dreams I guess. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NYyOMmTJoDGkWnYOQbHTB56udPDP8SbJNtQ2zv2GjkxkhgIBnKbDz3ASZHbyBy1DqeULHXTzfVqXgZLtAtnswRyoZPy2UYym7lSkp6dEzhAsr1MgH_MChQFAvuBoHKMKlpMg4G4JggTM/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NYyOMmTJoDGkWnYOQbHTB56udPDP8SbJNtQ2zv2GjkxkhgIBnKbDz3ASZHbyBy1DqeULHXTzfVqXgZLtAtnswRyoZPy2UYym7lSkp6dEzhAsr1MgH_MChQFAvuBoHKMKlpMg4G4JggTM/s320/DSC_0104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I could tell the gap was hovering dangerously thin and every pull was taking more and more out of my sprint. I was mostly concerned about Chad (long time pro) who’s presence and composure on the bike is truly inspiring and Ryan (Enzo’s CAT1) who in hind sight was doing a great job holding his cards close to the chest. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Heading into the last corner the 4<sup>th</sup> rider in the break lead the charge with me in toe where I was hoping to get enough of a lead out to stay up front but as soon as we rounded the corner he was done and before I knew it Chad and Ryan where digging hard toward the finish. This finishing straight is super long and after falling behind off the bat I kept pushing hard and managed to pull back a number of bike lengths but fell short by what felt like inches behind Ryan who took 2<sup>nd</sup>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4TClSot1ZW0p-GqTriXpjiZvMnqC0-ugYhPY93ckpbSg97TM4Xx7rPFfGMXefIb4mcyKlUqU6JfewyCijv1KJTbdCz67fVCTE8IXHD9ba4EbVOHYLBXTbayk46eoRnF_BuhkDpBfFihj/s1600/DSC_0264+%2818%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4TClSot1ZW0p-GqTriXpjiZvMnqC0-ugYhPY93ckpbSg97TM4Xx7rPFfGMXefIb4mcyKlUqU6JfewyCijv1KJTbdCz67fVCTE8IXHD9ba4EbVOHYLBXTbayk46eoRnF_BuhkDpBfFihj/s320/DSC_0264+%2818%29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Over all I am very pleased to have taken 3<sup>rd</sup> in my first CAT2 race and doing it right behind some serious talent. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t regret the work I did in the break regardless of what it took out of my legs, especially after seeing the video and how close the group came to catching us. I would like to think that was Chad and Ryan’s master plan all along… who knows. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Shout out to my team (Sean and Dustin), who did a great job blocking and then kicking it into gear and taking 5<sup>th</sup> and 9<sup>th</sup> out of the field.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope this is a sign of good things to come for the 2012 season!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-29942312152636955112012-02-09T15:54:00.000-06:002012-02-09T15:54:40.623-06:00Work Travle... Glamorous or not?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbPaAKM7nW80GqP7KzfVoAmFzJ2TaFRBTVJaObHnf2_w31j3HGkngL8sTGB8c_BZ4E32COPwdpH8GyLU74DGIqtoq-VMCJB3qe4Yedu8Wl6p71HrMGqBcFGVvNCGS4jRyNLO1lbWRUiB2/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbPaAKM7nW80GqP7KzfVoAmFzJ2TaFRBTVJaObHnf2_w31j3HGkngL8sTGB8c_BZ4E32COPwdpH8GyLU74DGIqtoq-VMCJB3qe4Yedu8Wl6p71HrMGqBcFGVvNCGS4jRyNLO1lbWRUiB2/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Wall of China</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> Many of you know that I have recently started a new job that requires some travel, thus far stamped in the passport is Canada, Mexico, England, France, Belgium, Germany, China, Honk Kong, and Indonesia with a few new stamps to follow soon.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have had a number of people comment on how lucky I was to have a job that included travel to far away glamorous places. Well first of all, I do feel lucky and it’s not because of the travel it’s because I HAVE A JOB. Moreover I work for a family that values its employee’s quality of life as much as their own and show it by providing opportunities to young and old that if seized could fund a financially independent lifestyle. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hong Kong Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> So, what’s the point of this blog entry? Well it’s to give you a little insight on what it’s like to travel for work and more importantly what it’s like to work for a small company that you feel personally responsible for. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Disclaimer:</b> I am writing this 6 hours into a 14.5 hour flight sitting in the second to last row of a 747 where I am conveniently close to the bathroom and enjoying my ample 3.5 inches of leg room. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFE17g_jPtQH6rjKDvOb5EJLEb0e8COct5K89v18M14i5DjW6wjRviANuQxvE4U8eGSYyAQ_VclfnyJ1shpCUqiclIQ3zPmvwIxzF7jpCdSWUTW9fF9Lh8Po3TKaxb4kpx93j4b4N7NXgd/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFE17g_jPtQH6rjKDvOb5EJLEb0e8COct5K89v18M14i5DjW6wjRviANuQxvE4U8eGSYyAQ_VclfnyJ1shpCUqiclIQ3zPmvwIxzF7jpCdSWUTW9fF9Lh8Po3TKaxb4kpx93j4b4N7NXgd/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hong Kong Inner City </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> Let’s first discuss the pro’s I have discovered in traveling for work.</div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>I don't fly to Cleveland… by that I mean the title on my business card has the word international in it. So with the exception of Canada when I get off a plain I am in a wildly different place with a wildly different culture awaiting me at the door. P.s. I love you Canada… </li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>I don’t drive a desk daily. I get to mix up my daily routine on a monthly ish basis with travel and frankly I like having trips to look forward to.</li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>You save gas money… aka food transportation and housing are paid for while gone. However, this pro plays on a comment I made above. When you feel personally responsible for the bottom line of a company the term “expense it” takes on another meaning, case in point the 3.5 inches of room my knees are currently enjoying.</li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>You get to stay in some pretty sweet hotels, at least in Asia. On the other hand, what gets me 5 star rooms and service in Asia would rent a dorm room in Europe. </li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>The food, the food is great! I tend to get treated to some of the best local restaurants and pastimes. </li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Flier miles, obviously nice for vacations and future free upgrades.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5I9af0XVDaCJh8mihExDehnPU58SG82cFSnEqcAIrm31GA0hkhMzY398MRzdk3L-qhYN1D9BPT6wj32hDyFXsRy3y833Qalbbl6lPi2_DA0lFL5eh5RT-SMYoTD0URmilBK7l3mnAtK5/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5I9af0XVDaCJh8mihExDehnPU58SG82cFSnEqcAIrm31GA0hkhMzY398MRzdk3L-qhYN1D9BPT6wj32hDyFXsRy3y833Qalbbl6lPi2_DA0lFL5eh5RT-SMYoTD0URmilBK7l3mnAtK5/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Ben, London</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> With the pro’s always comes the con’s and there are a few noteworthy ones. <br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Being away from home. Even though I have an incredibly understanding and supportive wife leaving her home is hard for many reasons many of which you can probably imagine.</li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Traveling over weekends. Since many of my destinations are a day and a half away it doesn’t make sense to turn around in less than 5 days at the shortest. Not to mention that the cost of said plain tickets tend to be about 60% cheaper if you leave on a Saturday. </li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Sights and sounds. You get to see and experience some really cool stuff but your either doing it alone (example, walking thru Paris) or with a business partner that only wants to keep you entertained. </li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Jet lag. Even though I am getting pretty good at bouncing back I have quickly discovered new levels of exhaustion and mental fatigue related to jammed meeting schedules sandwiched by many hours of travel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
</ul><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Racing/Training. Being off the bike for over a week, eating out every meal and rarely getting any type of physical activity while gone certainly puts a damper on my training regime. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHk8Nk2NPMWvq74Mn36KOdcMpYaIo3zJfk_jj1sOaeS33jtSxKvK5E9OXGMt0n4wWCrA7E9OxTU9J8b4RWdOuopNal6Gf_QHfsViaIUWlvjungkUxcF1-EjMQq4CyphqCemT9PKCEkxlU/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHk8Nk2NPMWvq74Mn36KOdcMpYaIo3zJfk_jj1sOaeS33jtSxKvK5E9OXGMt0n4wWCrA7E9OxTU9J8b4RWdOuopNal6Gf_QHfsViaIUWlvjungkUxcF1-EjMQq4CyphqCemT9PKCEkxlU/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paris</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> Would I go so far as to say this job is glamorous? Not so much, but what I can say about this new job/career is that it’s a blessing to have been given the opportunity to enjoy my work, provide for my family and work for a company that honors God in everything they do.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dresden, Germany</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> For those of you that travel for work domestically or internationally I would be curious to hear your comments on the above and any interesting insights you may have to achieving balance in family, work, and recreation. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All for now but keep an eye out for the 2012 team and racing sneak peek due out soon.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All my best, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">El Uruguayo </div>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-88569129307182384502011-09-28T12:37:00.000-05:002011-09-28T12:37:25.950-05:00Cyclocross<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">So cyclocross… </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaHSDKejnI6OqsMtXFSK-QYTwBsWT7qeOuUFZi0GAomnsC0heqFd9arshAb5uL_lcwoWA_HPiyCn3Ph4GWRD1ygmIoqMoqJZEzF5k-45E9caL6Euv9HKI40mUrfLxzgB4NlOrJ9xTHfb7/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaHSDKejnI6OqsMtXFSK-QYTwBsWT7qeOuUFZi0GAomnsC0heqFd9arshAb5uL_lcwoWA_HPiyCn3Ph4GWRD1ygmIoqMoqJZEzF5k-45E9caL6Euv9HKI40mUrfLxzgB4NlOrJ9xTHfb7/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Last Saturday was my first cyclocross race in Jackson Park located on the south side of the city just past the field museum via lake shore drive.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This race is the first of a series called the Chicago Cyclocross Cup that runs from September thru I believe January? The points and structure of the series is very similar to the Illinois cup that runs throughout the road racing season. I have to honest though, it seems like this series is taken a little more seriously than the ICA cup.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All of you Chicagoland residents know what a pitiful and depressing day last Sunday was, it was nothing but overcast skies and intermittent showers all day long. While Corie and I were driving into the city from Naperville I was thinking to myself “I wonder how many people will actually show up in this weather”. It didn’t take long after arriving at the park to realize my thoughts were those of a true roadie that had no idea what the CX culture was like. Yes, I had heard of the European like hooligans, costumes, and alcoholic post-race recovery beverages, but I had no idea how fun the environment was! On a day that would have cut road races fields in half and sent all 5 spectators indoors this place was jamming! All I can say is I truly enjoyed being there and getting to race almost seemed like an afterthought, almost. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now the race…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I said it was obvious that the weather didn’t stop anyone from pining on a number so I was pretty confident that the 100 riders pre-registered for this race were here and ready to ride. Due to the size of the field I knew that starting position would be important so I made sure to be at the staging area 20 plus minutes or so before the start of the race. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just a quick note for those of you who don’t shave their legs for competitive reasons, Cyclocross is the red headed step child of road racing and mountain bike cross country racing. Meaning that you take a slightly modified road bike and race it around an off road fully flagged course while navigating obstacles such as sharp S-curves, off camber up/down hills, barriers, (forcing you to jump off the bike and then quickly back on all the while maintaining forward momentum (hopefully))sand pits, low trees, and much much more. This course also included a turn that in the slick conditions would gracefully deposit you in a pond should you not handle your bike properly. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Back to the racing, after the aggressive back and forth for starting position I was second row dead center for the start. After the whistle blew I knew it would be a crazy dash for the first turn but I had no idea just how nuts it would really be! Let’s just say next time the whistle blows its game on punks!</div><div class="MsoNormal">After witnessing the mayhem of the start I was able to settle into a bit of a groove navigating the obstacles and riding fast enough not to get passed (much) but not so fast as to eat it on every turn. It seemed like the couple times someone would try and pass me it would be headed into a corner and seconds later I would be running over their dumb A$$ as they thrashed about on the ground after dumping their bike. In fairness I wasn’t exactly making up ground on the riders in front of me but I certainly wasn’t falling behind. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BkxeWV9ey_U/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BkxeWV9ey_U?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BkxeWV9ey_U?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">I finished the short 35min race in 38<sup>th</sup> place, not too bad considering the conditions and my novice but certainly not satisfying. I am looking forward to racing in more controllable conditions and hopefully placing higher in the field but I absolutely enjoyed every minute of my new found down and dirty method of getting my competitive “rocks” off.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I will be in London, Paris, and Brussels next week for work so keep an eye out for some quick post and fun pictures. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s all for now…</div>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-67792234065739528732011-09-13T08:33:00.000-05:002011-09-13T08:33:14.042-05:00Gateway Cup Race Report<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">The Gateway Cup is a 4 day race series held over Labor Day Weekend in St. Louis MO and as I learned firsthand, a highly contended and hugely attended series.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I made the 4hr drive down to St. Louis on Friday afternoon for the first race of the series held on the streets surrounding Lafayette Park. Races were already underway when I arrived 3 hours early for my race slotted at 7:15pm, now you may be thinking to yourself “hmm… 7:30pm this time of year, isn’t it pretty dark?” well… YES it’s very dark!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">These types of races are commonly referred to as twilight races and usually take place middle of summer in the late afternoon/evening sunshine, but for twilight races held late in the season, the higher category elite races normally held last get to race in the DARK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, darkness falling on the final few races of the night is NOT an oversight by the planning committee nor is it a surprise to any returning riders or the community of fans that show up in the thousands to line the streets with glow sticks, light sabers, and beer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I had read in the race description that the latter categories race “under the lights” to me meaning that the entire course would be sufficiently illuminated to facilitate a large peloton at high speeds. Well… half of that was right…the half about a large peloton at high speeds, not the part about being sufficiently illuminated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/usoFR94g9B8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Here is a clip of the race...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well enough about the conditions and on to the race. As the whistle blew the last remaining light had disappeared off the horizon and the 80+ rider peloton tore off down the course. Knowing that my fitness has suffered over the past two months, and my novice of racing in a 80+ rider group at NIGHT I decided to stay tucked away in the upper third of the group thinking to myself I would stay out of the wind and still be able to keep tabs on the front of the group. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The first couple laps were nail biting and fun all at the same time, once I figured out that the majority of the group knew what they were doing and had the same priority of self-preservation I felt more comfortable staying tight in the group and rounding the corners at 27mph+.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The most interesting challenge of racing at night with inconsistent lighting (besides the obvious) is the ever changing and deceptive shadows. Over the past year I have learned to keep my peripheral vision locked onto my flanks in an attempt to predict moves coming from behind me but during this race I had to do my best at ignoring my peripheral vision and focus only on what was in front of me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The rest of the race and the following day’s race are pretty anti-climactic, I finished upper half in both races and left empty handed. I’m glad I made the drive down and pinned the numbers on but it’s a hard pill to swallow when you realize that you just don’t have the legs or the lungs to get yourself into position for a good finish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My success during the first ¾ of the season came from having the fitness to not only get myself into position but also dig deep when it counted in the race to the line. No excuses should or will be made just a lesson learned for next year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Next up… ICA Cup review and my first Cyclocross Race. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-2020947741974208062011-08-29T10:28:00.000-05:002011-08-29T10:28:38.015-05:00Life and Racing Updates<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">It’s been a while since my last entry and a lot has happened in August so I have tried to summarize for you below. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As many of you know last October I was given the privilege to take part in a startup company located in Plainfield. I specifically say “take part in” and not “given a position” because I was the second person to come on board and the last thing we had time and money for was to define and hold to job descriptions. One minute I would be talking to a VP of a large company and the next I’m emptying a container of product using a forklift. Needless to say the variety and challenge were great but we knew it would be a long hard road ahead. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What lead me to leave my well-paying, highly stressful, and slowly marriage killing previous job was to help build something from the ground up and for an owner who believed in taking 80% of this companies’ profits and donating them to ministry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To make a long story short 10 months later God has closed the doors of this company, but God is faithful and he never closes a door without opening another first. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the owner of Kingdom LED announced to me that he would be closing the company he also told me that he had created a new position at his manufacturing company down the road with me in mind.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So once again a guy who painstakingly analyzes every decision in his life will once again in a split second jump head first into a position and a company that I know little about but am confident this is the right move. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So… what am I doing now? Well my new company is called Sennco Solutions, started about 10 years ago in a basement and has grown to a 10+ million dollar a year retail security manufacture. By retail security I mean the devices that keep display electronics and high theft items in stores from growing legs and walking out the door. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I specifically was brought on board to manage Sennco’s international relationships. I will be taking over the 3 existing distributor relationships in the UK, Canada, and Mexico and in the next 6-12 months finding and establishing distributors in South America, Asia, and Australia. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What exactly this position is going to look like day to day no one knows but I am ok with that. What I do know is that I am flattered to have been given this responsibility and am confident it will be a fulfilling and beneficial career step for both Corie and me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>So that’s the scoop on the work front, now for the two wheeled stuff!</i></div><i> </i><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To say the last month on the bike has been hard would be an understatement! Since a crash last month in a race where I was anticipating a great result that would have both awarded my final upgrade points needed for my CAT2 license and clinch the Illinois Cycling Cup Championship I have been a disaster. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now don’t get me wrong, when you race your bike you will crash it’s just part of the sport. What was most damaging about the crash was not the missing skin or damaged bike parts but the implosion of my well thought out plan for the rest of the season.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Since I don’t get to race 30+ races a season the races I do attend need to count and now that time is running out on the season I am finding myself under the gun to perform and the frustration of not is really getting to me as a competitor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If there is a guaranteed way to not win a bike race it’s to overthink it and try too hard. Many would assume I’m racing scared for fear of crashing, this is not the case but what I am doing is just as bad! I am racing under personally inflicted mental pressure that is hurting my confidence and ability to make smart decisions in a race. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Fortunately this mental pit I’m in did not cost me or my team the ICA Cup Championship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I still need one last result to make my upgrade possible this season, and this Friday and Saturday is where I plan on making it happen. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I know this mental barrier is just another obstacle in my pursuit of being a decent bike racer and it’s a challenge I welcome because I know the end result will reveal a stronger wiser competitor. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Here we go…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Coming soon… ICA CUP review and this weekend’s Gateway Cup Race Reports... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-63287160633316168632011-08-08T13:31:00.000-05:002011-08-08T13:31:10.285-05:00Tour of Elk Grove and ABR State Road Race Recap:<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">In competitive cycling races rarely go according to plan, and perhaps it’s the unpredictably that makes it so fun and incredibly satisfying when all the cards fall perfectly in place (or at least most of them).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfK2m9VTCOf6_3O4NqgFdWWB_p3jHq0eAIngIRvFU173TJzd3aWpFkCAQRQyxPzp5uimhUOf0r9TfoLWZt62PsIEkRHx1QoKNry-vvyaXCTVcht-0-V1b_0vjc6VxKQ9tnIRDsQ8U0B31/s1600/TOEG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfK2m9VTCOf6_3O4NqgFdWWB_p3jHq0eAIngIRvFU173TJzd3aWpFkCAQRQyxPzp5uimhUOf0r9TfoLWZt62PsIEkRHx1QoKNry-vvyaXCTVcht-0-V1b_0vjc6VxKQ9tnIRDsQ8U0B31/s400/TOEG.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour of Elk Grove Crit Course </td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">TOEG:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Tour of Elk Grove is a National Racing Calendar event and is a pretty big deal for both men’s and women’s domestic pro teams. This means that all of us armatures get to enjoy the well-organized, well-supported, and largely attended race in our own backyard complete with Jumbo-Tron! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My CAT 3 race was slotted for an 11am start including 52 riders and some strong team presences. Our race was 60 min long and would take us around the 1.2 mile course more times than I can count. The course included a long dog leg right finishing straight, a notable 180 degree turn #1 and a touchy (thanks to a few slick manholes covers) 90 degree turn #2. The surface was still drying after the morning thunderstorms but by half way through the race I felt comfortable taking most the corners at full tilt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I knew this race would be one of positioning and accelerations, but I had not previously raced this course so I didn’t really know how true that would be until the whistle blew, well I was right! Since the surface was still wet at the start I reverted to my “fight for the front” strategy to one, hopefully stay out of any crashes and two, keep my eyes on any team tactics that I could potentially join in on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The usual attacks went off the front, a couple of which by riders I know are strong and enticed me and a couple others to pull them back. I couldn’t help but notice that I was usually the only sprinter at the front of the race surrounded by team work horses and break away artist, but I didn’t really have a choice and continued to fight for position. I can’t say that I was on the rivet the entire race but I surely wasn’t comfortable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Headed into the bell lap I knew my positioning at the 180 turn would be very important, what I did not anticipate was the importance of my positioning headed into turn #2. I was sitting tight in about 5th wheel half way down the straight approaching turn #2 when the pace let off and before I knew it I was surrounded on both sides and squeezed back, coming out of turn #2 I was now 20 plus riders back. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Had a really thought about the final lap I should have known that this corner would be crucial to a good position going into the finish but a mental lapse struck again and I paid for it. In the second half of the bell lap I tried to claw my way back up but by then the lead outs were at full speed and there was no catching them. I was placed half way down the results page and right next to many of the guys who I had been racing with at the front most of the race. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s not impossible to be a strong solo rider and do well, I know a couple of guys that do and consistently place well, but you are not afforded any lapse in aggressiveness or judgment without paying dearly for it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FPRYsEizJQinmn_VQi3zbZBMA4VJzTdpDtnVYEo-tk55B4BOiRtR8KDo_W6406Uq8SOnixbMpejvHmMGVY1-xqE5YXFJ6Z2qTBS0UiwNcoQMXCFBsSLonyHtWhVoeXMgJJpD4DM-ayHK/s1600/course+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FPRYsEizJQinmn_VQi3zbZBMA4VJzTdpDtnVYEo-tk55B4BOiRtR8KDo_W6406Uq8SOnixbMpejvHmMGVY1-xqE5YXFJ6Z2qTBS0UiwNcoQMXCFBsSLonyHtWhVoeXMgJJpD4DM-ayHK/s400/course+2.JPG" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ABR State RR Course</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"> ABR Road Race:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This race was organized very last min and was a replacement for the previously scheduled and canceled ABR State road race earlier in the year. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For those of you not familiar with ABR, it’s a grassroots racing league that takes a more relaxed and laid back approach to racing. This is not to say that these events are not great, they are often highly contested and lots of fun, but sometimes require a little flexibility and patience.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My race was a CAT 1,2,3,4 open race, meaning mixed ability and age levels. Our race was the longest of the day at 72 miles equaling 4 laps on the 18 mile course. I had one teammate in toe who is a very strong rider and one of the most unselfish racers I know. In staging I immediately noticed a couple heavy hitters among the CAT 1-2 guys most notably <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mark Swartzendruber</span></em> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and teammate, whom I know from talking to other riders have a wicked one two punch. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the spirit of ABR I was intent on trying a more relaxed and unconventional approach to this race. Don’t get me wrong I would never enter a race that I didn’t want to win or had a specific team goal to achieve but if I was going to win today it would be because of a new and risky strategy and not my usual and often boring sprinters gamelan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The race rolled off with about 25 riders or so, under overcast skies and light to moderate winds. The first lap was pretty tame mostly due to the wrong turn our pace car made and an early group approved nature break.</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At this point my eyes were on the 4 CAT 1-2 riders and especially on Mark and his teammate. I know enough about Mark to know he is a very accomplished and racer with a specialty in solo breakaways aka time trials. So it was just a matter of time before the attacks started. With the large majority of the 3’s hiding in the back it was not hard to hold position or to move about the group freely. Mark and his team mate both took some fliers off the front to test the field and their eagerness to chase and each time either I or my teammate Ralph jumped on quickly and willing to work but were brought back within moments to the main group. It seemed like this group was only willing to work if it absolutely had too! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Heading into the 3<sup>rd</sup> lap I was feeling spontaneous and decided to go off the front to test my legs and see how vigorously I would be chased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I collected at most a 10 second gap until the 3’s realized that the 1-2’s had no interest in chasing me and that they would have to stick their nose in the wind to pull me back. I was keeping an eye on my proximity to the group and the gap seemed to be coming down at a rate that I did not want to outrun and I decided to sit up and take a drink and gel before I was caught. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Going into the bell lap Mark went off the front again this time getting a pretty good gap when I was 5 or so wheels back. When no one jumped to chase I figured I would let the gap open and then hopefully bridge up to him solo since attacking together was not working. I casually made my way up to the front and jumped off the front in pursuit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During my chase I passed a couple other tower riders in their master’s race and gave them a loud shout on my way bye. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was so focused on getting up to Marks wheel that I failed to realize I was dragging the entire group along with me. When I finally reached Mark in the last corner he was less than pleased to see that I had brought the whole party with me. He quickly and very politely pointed out to me that I had nothing to gain in chasing him since we were technically not racing against each other, and all I was doing was hauling his competition back up to him on my effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then mentioned I would be wise to stay on his partners wheel in the next turn headed into the cross wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just like clockwork his teammate attacked and I was right on his wheel along with another wheel sucker whom I am not too fond of, I came around full speed for my pull and once I was cross eyed and needing a short break I had to practically grab rider “X” by the handle bars and pull him up front. We stayed away for a few min but I later heard that the group had to really dig deep to pull this one back. Just as we were coming back together I learned step #2 of the Mark S. one two punch. Mark shot off the front not to be seen again until the last turn where he soloed across the finish for the CAT 1-2 win. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was now up to the 3’s to sort out the winner, I was leading into the last turn when Ralph came</div><div class="MsoNormal">around me and started to lead out the group with me 2<sup>nd</sup> wheel. I knew my legs were shot and the best chance I had was for a sit down sprint and hope for the best. I know we started the lead out to far out but when I did come around it wasn’t with much acceleration and with 20 yards left to the line I was swallowed up and finished mid pack, again. However, this time I felt great, I felt like I had actually raced my bike and enjoyed doing it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you are an experienced racer and reading this you’re probably thinking to yourself “um yeah, it’s no secret just go out and be aggressive mix things up and if you work hard enough it will pay off!” but coming from a rookie racer who has been so wrapped up in upgrades and high finishes for points I have forgotten that racing is about taking risks followed by either epic success or epic fails, not just playing it safe and hoping for the best. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This isn’t to say that I’ll never sit in during a race and smoke the field in a sprint but it’s certainly not how I want to be known as a racer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Next Up Winfield’s ABR P 1/2/3 main event on Sunday afternoon! </span>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-2161588611002630582011-08-04T11:33:00.000-05:002011-08-04T11:33:18.445-05:00Product Review : "The Stick"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">*Quick blog update: since I have started blogging I have received many more hits that I would have imagined and I hope that means you enjoy what I have written so far and not that your lives are so boring that… well let’s just leave it at that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i> </i><img alt="" height="400" 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" width="398" /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Disclaimer: I don’t stand to gain ANYTHING by this or any future product reviews. </i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">I started using the “runners stick” about a year ago in hopes that I could self-administer some of the many benefits of post exercise massage. If you have never received a proper deep tissue massage after a hard workout you don’t know what you’re missing. I know it’s not financially possible or time feasible for most of us to do so very often but there is a reason why most professional athletes receive daily massages while in season. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">Basically after a hard workout blood and many other byproducts of running your muscles “engine” pool in your muscle tissue and sit stagnate for hours. The quicker you can push the blood and other junk back into the blood stream the quicker your body can process it out and get to work rebuilding and strengthening the muscle tissues you just tore up. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">For those of us who don’t have a massage therapist on call for a rub down after every workout and race I would encourage you to give “the stick” a try and this is why… If used according to the detailed instructions on the web site you are able to progressively work the stick over your major muscles groups post exercise and force much of the pooled blood and garbage stuck in your muscles out, allowing your body to flush the “muscle engine” and freshen things up for your next race or training session. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">I have also started using the stick on my legs pre-race to help warm things up a bit, I can’t say that I’ve noticed a marked improvement but anything that initiates blood flow to where you need it at least theoretically should be beneficial. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">There are a couple different versions of this product out there but I would encourage you to get one of medium length and that’s semi flexible so that in the same amount of passes you will cover more surface area then say a rigid rolling pin from the kitchen (I’ve tried). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">From personal experience this is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NOT </b>the most comfortable 5 min of your day but if the result is fresher legs and quicker recovery times as I have noticed, then it’s more than worth it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">The exact model I use is called the “Power Stick” it’s the most popular model and is most commonly the one carried in retail stores. Check out the other models and descriptions on the web site because there may be one that works better for your needs and body type. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">Retail price for these varies greatly but I have recently found them between $27--$45 in stores. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.thestick.com/" style="color: lime;">http://www.thestick.com/ </a><span style="color: lime;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">If you have any questions or comments shoot me an e-mail or post below. </div>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-9616745953692016632011-08-01T12:16:00.001-05:002011-08-01T12:22:48.740-05:00Reflections and Grayslake Race Report:<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTF4-QH7msh7-27obDicPRkScef5Rhp0JMDx3Jzilg31lin6i3OVAoYVF7NtD6rAT-d9BekV1Rjc7U-kbv8q7cTziFVb10mvoMn3ldZTHcH371W6Q36N-lRD0-8lKpcJORfBIArNRJ2vE/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTF4-QH7msh7-27obDicPRkScef5Rhp0JMDx3Jzilg31lin6i3OVAoYVF7NtD6rAT-d9BekV1Rjc7U-kbv8q7cTziFVb10mvoMn3ldZTHcH371W6Q36N-lRD0-8lKpcJORfBIArNRJ2vE/s400/IMG_0337.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011 Grayslake CAT 3 Elite</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Reflections: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Two years ago last Saturday I turned my first pedal in bike racing anger<span class="st"> on the neighborhood streets of Grayslake, IL</span>. Since that time I have progressed thru a few racing categories, two bikes, a couple sets of wheels, helmets, kits, tires, and countless jars of shammy cream. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Even my body has changed since this addiction began, my arms have shrunk, my legs have grown, and I no longer buy pants that fit my waist but that first fit over my calves and thighs, which means I have a nice collection of belts, fellow riders you know what I’m talking about. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Another profound observation of cycling unique to all other sports I have participated in is that becoming a competitive cyclist was not just a team I joined or a schedule I committed to or a pair of soccer cleats I purchased. Cycling has truly become a part of me and who I am, aside from God, wife, family and sometimes work cycling is at the forefront of my mind. I think that’s what truly attracts me to cycling, you can’t just pick up and put down cycling as you please from time to time and expect to be any good. It takes time; even years to adapt your body and mind in a way that primes you for racing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I will be the first to tell you that I am just scratching the surface of true bike racing, I have been fortunate to find success in the lower ranks of cycling. I received an early upgrade as a CAT 5, CAT4 yielded two state championships and now a full season in CAT3 has me poised Lord willing for a CAT2 upgrade by the end of the season. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s been in the 2<sup>nd</sup> half of this season where I have realized that fitness will only get you so far and I am sorely deficient in a couple key areas crucial to excelling at the next level. I have no doubt that I can hang onto the Pro 1/2 pack for most races but I dint start racing my bike to just “hang on” to the back of the pack, I started racing my bike to win. Thus I am hoping that in the next few seasons I can continue to put together the pieces needed to be competitive at the next level. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Race Report:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Grayslake course runs through the Prairie Crossing neighborhood in the northern suburbs of Chicago. This is a flat course with mostly sweeping turns and a chicane placed between two 90 degree turns on the back side. I was happy to hear that “day of” registration was strong and we would be looking at around 30+ starters for the Elite 3 race. The whistle sounded and off the line I found myself glued to Ryan Fay’s wheel (IL State Crit Champ) for the first two laps. The pace backed off a bit and the two of us receded back into the top ten wheels or so. The first half of the race I was concerned about possible breakaways and made sure I stayed within responding distance of the front in case I saw the “right group” take off of the front. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was fortunate to have two teammates in this race, one got caught behind an early crash and pulled out the other did a great job closing a few gap’s and providing a trustworthy wheel for yours truly to follow.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Before I knew it the lap counter showed 5 laps left in our 40 min race. I couldn’t believe how quickly the race had progressed and how good I was feeling. As things were starting to heat up my remaining team mate had toasted himself on my behalf and it was up to me to maintain a high position. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Bell lap… I was sitting 4th wheel and feeling really good about who I had in front of me, Tim Speciale (jokingly my arch enemy) leading the group and two newer cat 3 riders one being a bicycle heaven rider and then me. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Half lap to go I am starting to plot my positioning for the last two turns that will hopefully put me in prime sprinting position at the finish, my only worry at this point was if the guys in front of my had the gas or were willing to keep the pace high enough to keep the peloton from overtaking us before the last turn. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The next thing I remember is hitting the floor and surfing down the gutter of the back side 90 degree turn dodging bikes and riders that were trying to avoid the mayhem that had just unfolded in front of them. Just before it all became a blur I remember the bicycle heaven rider who I think was second wheel on the inside line foolishly try and pedal through the apex of the corner at high speed and clip his pedal on the ground. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you have ever clipped a pedal in a hard corner you will know the result of said action will lift your back wheel off the ground and send it out sideways into anything or anyone besides you and in most cases taking you to the floor very quickly. In this case it was the 3 place rider who caught the brunt of it and then yours truly barreled into both of them. From what I could tell when trying to untangle the wreckage was that my handle bar had gone through the rear wheel of the rider in front of me, hung up, and sent me flying over the top and into the gutter.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCD1VNVpGy3vX1L-bFxAGcUNct7podZrjjnE0ibOsE5XDUUjn17H0uFzS-LhyphenhyphenCvRVNrJdoM0ebRO9dMy8h2cBLEwAICyNcMxrte9MmNq-Z8TEemR2JvbenhuJMWs8OCYQmHzIeWbWEKBy/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCD1VNVpGy3vX1L-bFxAGcUNct7podZrjjnE0ibOsE5XDUUjn17H0uFzS-LhyphenhyphenCvRVNrJdoM0ebRO9dMy8h2cBLEwAICyNcMxrte9MmNq-Z8TEemR2JvbenhuJMWs8OCYQmHzIeWbWEKBy/s400/IMG_0373.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am still a bit surprised at how calm I managed to stay throughout the whole crash. Had you asked me pre-race what I would have done to a rider that caused such an unnecessary crash I can only imagine my level of inappropriate behavior that would have resulted. Nevertheless, that’s racing, and just because I’ve never clipped a pedal or accidentally caused a crash does not mean I won’t or that this rider in any way shape or form intended too. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj_RuWl2-wuqPUjZpKWD6zSE_tWNfRkyLTaHBEHVVYNqyzP9RMTD0ujIU397vzVAvYLpM3qGnMT7zENAt4ssXKaw-ugY5sCTXBeG3nCbSRBGotu5unUWJLAfW5d_qRsxX8o4DClzwcp9l/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj_RuWl2-wuqPUjZpKWD6zSE_tWNfRkyLTaHBEHVVYNqyzP9RMTD0ujIU397vzVAvYLpM3qGnMT7zENAt4ssXKaw-ugY5sCTXBeG3nCbSRBGotu5unUWJLAfW5d_qRsxX8o4DClzwcp9l/s400/IMG_0385.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As a result of the crash I received my very first DNF (did not finish), not happy about that! I also failed to further secure my IL cup lead or gain any more USA cycling upgrade points. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Congrats to Tim for staying out of trouble and taking the win. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Taking stock a day later, I have small patch of road rash on my left knee a larger patch on my left forearm, and by far the worst absence of skin on my left hip. As for the bike, the frame seems to be in one piece besides a large chip missing from the dropout, destroyed shifter hoods, bar tape and rear wheel skewer. Throw in a mangled kit and shoe covers, and that’s a pricy crash but it could have been much worse. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Big thanks to my loving and still freaked out wife Corie and the in-laws for getting me home in one piece and taken care of. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Next up Tour of Elk Grove, and hopefully a product review or two soon after… thanks for reading. </div>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-84595630900603281552011-07-20T09:35:00.000-05:002011-07-20T09:35:00.323-05:00BTR Crit and Race for Wishes RR in MI Recap July 16-17<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSOoc4YbMPpXxcUStvavUJXdXQdKRmAbkYFjA1bSvVI9w67DE4h0meinAVC6BimpW1hAG-CmswZFOW2vefRLQAjiBBPWOxI89A1NvLZbRrox9RGScb73SJLbGX_iCmG1piE-vvhfSK1X4/s1600/IMAG0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSOoc4YbMPpXxcUStvavUJXdXQdKRmAbkYFjA1bSvVI9w67DE4h0meinAVC6BimpW1hAG-CmswZFOW2vefRLQAjiBBPWOxI89A1NvLZbRrox9RGScb73SJLbGX_iCmG1piE-vvhfSK1X4/s400/IMAG0247.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race for Wishes RR Cat3 Podium </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Below is a lengthy race re-cap, I promise they wont all be this long but Sundays race was a true test for me mentally so I wanted to fully reflect on it so please don’t feel obligated to read it all. I also included some power data as requested by a couple of you. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The RR in MI was brought to my attention through a training buddy of mine who thrives in long hard road races and thought it would be a good way for me to break up all the late season crits. The road race was on Sunday the 17<sup>th</sup> near Kalamazoo MI 2hr. drive. I also found a crit taking place on Saturday right in Kalamazoo on the campus of WMS University’s technology park. Being that I have some family in who lives in Kalamazoo I had a free place to stay so I decided to go out for both. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Crit:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The crit was about 30 players strong, only one of which I knew needed to be marked after his win at the Nature Valley Grand<i> </i>Prix. (thank you USA cycling rider search feature)<i> </i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">65 min race around a very well paved 1.1 mile course with only one hard corner and not due to the angle or width but due to the transition between the new black top and old concrete road. First few laps went as expected fast but all together, then some attacks came and a few guys got off the front. At the time I was tail gunning the race not expecting much chance for a break to succeed on this course. Once I saw the break gain about 30 sec I moved to the front to help bring them back but it was quickly obvious I wasn't going to get any help from the group so I sat back and recovered. I tried to bridge twice but was chased as if I had stolen their first born child, and the whole point of bridging isn't to pull the whole group with you. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I finally accepted the fact we weren't going to catch the break so I sat in and enjoyed the ride into what would be a group sprint. A few laps later the bell rang and the most unenthusiastic sprint ensued. I was expecting much more of a sprint with such a rested group but I managed to drop the group on the last turn headed to the line and didn't look back. I guess blocking is hard work? Took 5<sup>th</sup> on the day with one upgrade point earned, as frustrating as it was not to catch the break it was good to witness good team work and ride a great course. Side note the payouts were pretty good too…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Max W:</b> 1,402 <b>NP:</b> 355w <b>Distance:</b> 30miles <b>Max Speed:</b> 40.3mph <b>Avg Speed:</b> 25.3mph <b>Work:</b> 1,347klj <b>TSS:</b> 142</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">RR:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I mentioned on my FB status, this race was a huge learning experience for me, not on how to win a race and instead on how to conquer my own mind and what is physically possible when you do. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This race started in a small town about 20 min west of Kalamazoo MI. Doug and I met up at around 7am for 8am starts. Being the first year for this race I was expecting an unorganized crazy registration and I was delightfully surprised to find a well-oiled machine working through riders one by one. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was off at 8:05 and Doug at 8:15am, both Doug and I would complete 5 laps and 65 miles of this rolling hills type course. The course had 3 hills that were noteworthy, and plenty of other little kickers that would mix things up a bit. My group was small 15+ riders but they all seemed quality (and light), the first lap was mostly reconnaissance followed by a quicker 2<sup>nd</sup> lap. Half way thru the 2<sup>nd</sup> lap a single rider rolled off the front very casually leaving a small gap. I figured I would come around and sit on his wheel for a while until the rest of the group pulled thought and kept the pace. This was not the case, a few min latter I looked back to see a 100 yard gap between us and the group. I instantly sized up my partner and asked him if he was willing to work, he said sure and once we crested the next hill and were briefly out of site we hit the gas! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My new teammate and I traded pulls for a couple miles and I quickly realized he was not up for the challenge. On a downhill section he was struggling to hold my wheel and then abruptly sat up and yelled “go for it I’m done”. It was at this point that I looked at my Garmin and realized that I still had 40+ miles left in the race and I have never ridden off the front of a RR much less a hilly one! I was thinking to myself “what are you doing? This is not how you win races you are a sprinter, you let other people do the work and then crush them at the last second!” (Not to be mean that’s just how sprinters think) Many thoughts were going thru my mind but since I couldn’t see the group behind me yet so I figured just keep a good pace and see what happens. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Going into lap 3 was rough, the hills are largely front heavy in the course and I normally depend on the twigs to pace me up the hills at a reasonable speed. Riding hills solo in a race is a completely new thing for me. At this point I can see the group chasing and looks to be about a min back. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Knowing the pain in my legs and lungs would do nothing but get worse and the fact I was only half way done lead me to a very dark place in my mind. “Why am I doing this? This hurts so much” I then realized that I was getting just a little taste of what the pro’s refer to as “suffering on the bike” I have been pretty toasted before in training and racing but I have never experienced a level of physical pain and mental challenge of this level while cycling. At this point I seriously wanted to drop off my pace and sink back into the charging group but something kept me pedaling forward enough to notice a solo rider off the front of the group bridging to me. Since he had a good gap on the field and seemed to be working hard, I decided to let off my pace a touch and let the rider come up. Once the 140 pounder was on my wheel I asked him if he could climb, he said yes. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We made a deal that he would pace me up the hills and I would motor the flats for as long as we could and hopefully it would pay off. I estimated the gap at about 1 min with 2.5 laps to go. Once he recovered from the bridge we began working together like clockwork. He would drag me up the hills and I would pull him across the flats and down the hills. I know I was working harder than he was but the help on the hills was more than worth the extra effort. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In 1.5 laps (according to a crossing guard post-race) we put a 10 min gap the chasing field. Headed into the bell lap I could feel my legs starting to tighten up, cramps had already hit my lungs and were starting to take over my calf’s and quads. I knew I had not prepared well enough for the heat, I needed more water and more food than I had brought, but at this point in the game it was a moot point. ¾ laps left, I knew my partner was tired and he was struggling to hold my wheel on the flats but looked strong on the climbs. As we headed toward the first noteworthy climb of the lap I felt a searing pain originating in my groin and radiating all the way down to my left ankle. It wasn’t a muscle spasm but perhaps a nerve pinched by a very tired muscle. I was able to let off my leg enough to ease the pain a little just in time to feel all three major muscled in my left leg lock up so tight all I could was yell “oh no!” Being that I was just short of the climbs top it was all I could do pedal with only my right leg and try to loosen up the lock jaw that had possessed my left. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At this point I watched my little friend pedal away at a very reasonable pace in to the distance. Being that we had over taken the Pro ½ field in our escape we had inherited the police escort bikes and their flashing lights, but know as I had been dropped those lights were quickly fading. It was at this point I reached a cross roads in my mind. I will spare you all the torment my mind was going through in deciding what to do.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am an all or nothing kind of guy, go big or go home and having 1<sup>st</sup> place ride away from me was a hard pill to swallow. I quickly figured out that this race was no longer about winning any more it was about conquering my own mind and finding an inner motivation I have never previously found. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Turns out I was able to loosen up my legs just enough to pedal and proceeded to push myself toward the finish with a freshly discovered determination. Turns out we had gained enough time on the field I was able to roll across the line 1:20 behind the winner and 6:40 ahead of the group for a respectable 2<sup>nd </sup>place along with a few more valuable upgrade points. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One last note on the RR, this was a no purse race meaning no prize money which probably led even more to the small fields but I tell you what! take one look at the kids in the picture and tell me you wouldn't give up a cash prize to help support an organization that is making these terminal kids wishes come true. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Max W:</b> 1,255w <b>NP:</b> 325w <b>Distance:</b> 64.2miles <b>Max Speed:</b> 39.5mph <b>Avg Speed:</b> 22.5mph <b>Work:</b> 2,718klj <b>TSS:</b> 261 <b>Elv:</b> 1,678ft <b>Temp:</b> 92.2 degrees</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Also, a few min latter my good friend Doug came flying through the finish after beating his entire 45+ group in the sprint and taking the top spot and a championship jersey! Well done Doug! Congrats on the win!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-455440785035258400.post-70685268238040182002011-07-19T14:10:00.002-05:002011-07-19T14:17:31.282-05:00Could be fun?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZnSAe-2jh96TXleb_XzFOTiHRX6OyzKR4z2cQKdFxnThsUcKrvACGBj0EpvRlXqsUuRt0x2jJ52Gbu6kbRA5ohmVJ0bdQLC3Lsppao2wYNyZHWWt3pAfJCdjZxkEoaCsEfOvObxOjpbL/s1600/Blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZnSAe-2jh96TXleb_XzFOTiHRX6OyzKR4z2cQKdFxnThsUcKrvACGBj0EpvRlXqsUuRt0x2jJ52Gbu6kbRA5ohmVJ0bdQLC3Lsppao2wYNyZHWWt3pAfJCdjZxkEoaCsEfOvObxOjpbL/s320/Blog+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I was recently encouraged by a fellow cyclist to post my occasional race reports in a way that more than just my e-address book could enjoy them. Never considering my self much of a writer I thought blogging could be a fun and convenient way to share the many different and sometimes odd activities and goings on in my life with those who care to read it. <br />
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<b>Blog Title:</b> what does it mean? Well as many of you know I was born in Uruguay which is a small country in south eastern South America. Males that hail for this country are referred to as Uruguayo's pronounced <i>"udu-gwa-sho</i>" <i>(</i>with the proper accent of course<i>)</i> and I roll... in few ways.<br />
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<b>Content:</b> I have a feeling that many bloggers feel the need hash out their deepest darkest feelings and conflicted opinions on life and what have you. But I consider this blog to be more like a detailed Facebook status update where you will find my race reports, some product reviews, and pictures.<br />
<i>Side note:I reserve the right to change any of the above with out notice. </i><br />
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<b>Summary:</b> So if you want to know the skinny on whats going on in my life and pursuits check back once and while or even do the <i>"follow"</i> thing over on the right, but if you really want the scoop you wont find it here that still takes a phone call or even better the dreaded face to face conversation!el Uruguayohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01522906803069611237noreply@blogger.com1