hot!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
New Glarus for ... ice coffee?
Studner took us on the Fat Cat Coffee Works tour
hot!
hot day for a nice ride.
hot!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Stay within the lines
I had a great result in the Leland Grand Prix road race last weekend, 2nd in Cat 3's. The course was suited for me well, a long hilly road race with an uphill finish. Knowing the Cat 3's, I figured there wasn't going to be a breakaway in the race: no one wants to work with each other, especially on a 90 degree day in May.
My plan - stay in the main pack, don't work too hard, be near the front at the final climb, and let the final climb sort out the field. It's a good plan, knowing I always do well in the hills.
With 300 meters to go, a rider mid-pack created a small gap, accelerated HARD, crossed the virtual yellow center line all the way to the other side, and sprinted to the finish in 1st place. Now... at the pre race briefing of EVERY road race, don't the USAC officials talk about the yellow line rule? They did at this race too, and specifically mentioned this rule applies to the finishing stretch of this race (being an uphill finish, you can't see very far ahead).
Immediately after the race, 6+ riders stopped at the finished line, appealed to the judges, and the rider was relegated to 3rd place (everyone else got dropped pretty hard in the final meters). Therefore my 3rd place on the road became 2nd.
Had it not been for that rider, and I was able to stay with my plan as stated above, a win could have been in the cards for me. I was sitting about 3rd in the pack when that rider jumped. Naturally, I chased after him and another rider grabbed my wheel. That rider was able to come around me at the line. Had I been able to sit 3rd wheel until the last 50 meters when I still had a little left to give...
Anyways, I'm very happy with my result - my best for a road race in years - especially since I didn't feel all that great that day. This weekend - the L'Aple Bl'Huez 10 mile time trial. 7 miles flat and then 3 straight up to the top of Blue Mounds State Park. No tactics to worry about, just ride hard and fast uphill, which is what I do well!
Thanks for reading,
Curtis
My plan - stay in the main pack, don't work too hard, be near the front at the final climb, and let the final climb sort out the field. It's a good plan, knowing I always do well in the hills.
With 300 meters to go, a rider mid-pack created a small gap, accelerated HARD, crossed the virtual yellow center line all the way to the other side, and sprinted to the finish in 1st place. Now... at the pre race briefing of EVERY road race, don't the USAC officials talk about the yellow line rule? They did at this race too, and specifically mentioned this rule applies to the finishing stretch of this race (being an uphill finish, you can't see very far ahead).
Immediately after the race, 6+ riders stopped at the finished line, appealed to the judges, and the rider was relegated to 3rd place (everyone else got dropped pretty hard in the final meters). Therefore my 3rd place on the road became 2nd.
Had it not been for that rider, and I was able to stay with my plan as stated above, a win could have been in the cards for me. I was sitting about 3rd in the pack when that rider jumped. Naturally, I chased after him and another rider grabbed my wheel. That rider was able to come around me at the line. Had I been able to sit 3rd wheel until the last 50 meters when I still had a little left to give...
Anyways, I'm very happy with my result - my best for a road race in years - especially since I didn't feel all that great that day. This weekend - the L'Aple Bl'Huez 10 mile time trial. 7 miles flat and then 3 straight up to the top of Blue Mounds State Park. No tactics to worry about, just ride hard and fast uphill, which is what I do well!
Thanks for reading,
Curtis
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Chris Horner's Trek Madone 6.9 SSL
Cyclingnews.com has a nice piece on Horner's Madone 6.9 SSL. I am particularly impressed by the fact that Horner rides with a seat bag, and hand pump, and a spare tubular on team training rides. He is the iconoclast. Oh yeah, the bike is pretty impressive too.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pro-bike-chris-horners-trek-madone-6-9-ssl
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pro-bike-chris-horners-trek-madone-6-9-ssl
Friday, May 11, 2012
Tools of Life
The majority of my rides lately have been commutes. Its nice to commute by bike but I prefer rides. The world has been conspiring against me and is preventing me form doing the rides and races I want. So I commute and think.
I have started to think of my bike as a tool. I don't think of it as a hammer or channel locks, I think of it as a surgeons tool. Its very well maintained - but unlike a surgeons tool which is very specific, it has many uses. Riding with with another person creates a unique environment to discuss, well...stuff. I think it is more comfortable and allows for more comfortable discussion.
So bikes can be a tool for working out misunderstandings; a tool for difficult discussions less difficult. The reverse is true also as they are a tool for causing problems in relationships by not waiting.
A tool for getting in shape; a tool for staying in shape.
A tool for causing pain in your legs; a tool for causing pain in other peoples legs.
A tool for going fast; a tool for going slow.
The more I ride, the more I'm confident that bicycles are a life tool. A tool for getting around. A tool for working off stress. A tool for maintaining sanity.
A tool for life.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
La Crosse Omnium
Jim Merrifield
Although "it could have been worse" is generally not a glowing report, although I really liked the La Crosse Omnium, "it could have been worse" is what I walked away thinking. Mike M and I drove up together and while in the school registering, I kept hearing on the radio what seemed like non-stop storm alerts. Hmmmm - hope they are not headed my way! I elected to do the M3/4/5 to try to help Glen who is in the points lead for the 55+ M3/4 series. I considered doing the 50+ but Gordie, Barney and Mike were doing it - a good team! The M3/4/5 was only about 35 people - maybe. David S was the other TMT member in the field. Where is everyone? Yeah, it's a long drive but with so few road races on the calendar and in a nice area, I expected more, lots more. There was a long gradual climb each of the 3 laps and while I was with the chase pack at the top of the climb, I was not recovering fast enough and when they tried to claw back to the lead group in the tail wind section, I fell off but at least saw Glen and David rolling up the road. I quickly got in with a few chasers - Andy S from LAPT and others and that was the race. I was a little stronger on the climbs but not as strong into the winds so it all worked out. And no rain! Yet!
I checked in at the hotel afterwards and started to think about the uphill time trial (my favorite - NOT!) when the storm rolled in. Wonderful! But at a little after 5, I rolled out, rain still pouring down with the occasional lightning and thunder, thinking I am SO not gonna enjoy this. Got to the race site and what do I see but Glen and Eric parked in front of a church with a big eave, setting up their trainers out of the wind and rain. It pays to have smart teammates when you can follow their example. Soon enough, I was high and dry and trying to work the road race kinks out of my legs. Still raining but at least it did not seem so bad as I watched others warming up in the rain. And what is that? The trailing edge of the clouds is headed our way? Sure enough, by the time my rain delayed start time arrived, it was not a bad evening - no rain! And unfortunately, I knew I would be going SO SLOW up the climb that I would not be effected by road spray! Oh, but it hurt! "Only" 2.37 miles, climbing 686 feet according to the race bible but more than long enough to go into the pain cave.
The next day, Sunday was the crit and an early check of weather radar was not good. Staying dry was not going to be an option today. I signed up for the 50+ crit hoping to help out Gordie and Mike and loosen up for the M3/4. It quickly became apparent that it was either help out Gordie and Mike OR loosen up for the M3/4/5 cause the field was small (aka no place to hide) and Gordie took off early with all in hot pursuit. I decided to save it for the M3/4/5 even though it looked like the 50+ race might stay dry and the M3/4 was surely going to get drenched. The M3/4/5 field was also smaller than it should have been. I am sure the forecast had a lot to do with that but as we lined up, I was thinking "so far, so good". I do not mind doing crits in the rain but I did not have the highest confidence in many of my fellow racers that day. It started out pretty active with a number of people trying to go up the road and stayed that way thru most of the race. Glen, David S and I were more or less taking turns minding the store - there was always one of us going with moves. But at the end, the field was together and it was going to be a matter of position thru the last couple corners. As luck would have it, I caught a move on the outside on the back stretch and moved up into good position and was thinking "oughta launch" while I had momentum on the pack but let the thought of old legs hold me back (and was kicking myself later for it, just a little). So I came thru the last corner doing my best to hold on to younger wheels to finish a little out of the money - and surprisingly, a little behind Glen! He had gotten pinched but had the legs to claw back. Excellent! That put him as the first 55+ finisher and should be firmly in 1st place after being the first 55+ finisher for the RR and TT also. And it never did rain! Could have been worse!
Although "it could have been worse" is generally not a glowing report, although I really liked the La Crosse Omnium, "it could have been worse" is what I walked away thinking. Mike M and I drove up together and while in the school registering, I kept hearing on the radio what seemed like non-stop storm alerts. Hmmmm - hope they are not headed my way! I elected to do the M3/4/5 to try to help Glen who is in the points lead for the 55+ M3/4 series. I considered doing the 50+ but Gordie, Barney and Mike were doing it - a good team! The M3/4/5 was only about 35 people - maybe. David S was the other TMT member in the field. Where is everyone? Yeah, it's a long drive but with so few road races on the calendar and in a nice area, I expected more, lots more. There was a long gradual climb each of the 3 laps and while I was with the chase pack at the top of the climb, I was not recovering fast enough and when they tried to claw back to the lead group in the tail wind section, I fell off but at least saw Glen and David rolling up the road. I quickly got in with a few chasers - Andy S from LAPT and others and that was the race. I was a little stronger on the climbs but not as strong into the winds so it all worked out. And no rain! Yet!
I checked in at the hotel afterwards and started to think about the uphill time trial (my favorite - NOT!) when the storm rolled in. Wonderful! But at a little after 5, I rolled out, rain still pouring down with the occasional lightning and thunder, thinking I am SO not gonna enjoy this. Got to the race site and what do I see but Glen and Eric parked in front of a church with a big eave, setting up their trainers out of the wind and rain. It pays to have smart teammates when you can follow their example. Soon enough, I was high and dry and trying to work the road race kinks out of my legs. Still raining but at least it did not seem so bad as I watched others warming up in the rain. And what is that? The trailing edge of the clouds is headed our way? Sure enough, by the time my rain delayed start time arrived, it was not a bad evening - no rain! And unfortunately, I knew I would be going SO SLOW up the climb that I would not be effected by road spray! Oh, but it hurt! "Only" 2.37 miles, climbing 686 feet according to the race bible but more than long enough to go into the pain cave.
The next day, Sunday was the crit and an early check of weather radar was not good. Staying dry was not going to be an option today. I signed up for the 50+ crit hoping to help out Gordie and Mike and loosen up for the M3/4. It quickly became apparent that it was either help out Gordie and Mike OR loosen up for the M3/4/5 cause the field was small (aka no place to hide) and Gordie took off early with all in hot pursuit. I decided to save it for the M3/4/5 even though it looked like the 50+ race might stay dry and the M3/4 was surely going to get drenched. The M3/4/5 field was also smaller than it should have been. I am sure the forecast had a lot to do with that but as we lined up, I was thinking "so far, so good". I do not mind doing crits in the rain but I did not have the highest confidence in many of my fellow racers that day. It started out pretty active with a number of people trying to go up the road and stayed that way thru most of the race. Glen, David S and I were more or less taking turns minding the store - there was always one of us going with moves. But at the end, the field was together and it was going to be a matter of position thru the last couple corners. As luck would have it, I caught a move on the outside on the back stretch and moved up into good position and was thinking "oughta launch" while I had momentum on the pack but let the thought of old legs hold me back (and was kicking myself later for it, just a little). So I came thru the last corner doing my best to hold on to younger wheels to finish a little out of the money - and surprisingly, a little behind Glen! He had gotten pinched but had the legs to claw back. Excellent! That put him as the first 55+ finisher and should be firmly in 1st place after being the first 55+ finisher for the RR and TT also. And it never did rain! Could have been worse!
La Crosse Omnium Recap
Fun weekend of racing in La Crosse - definitely recommend putting it on your schedule for next year! The team was well represented in the 3-event race (road race, uphill time trial, and crit) with Dale, Barney, Jay, Dirk, Gordy, Mike, Jim, Glen, David S, Eric, Diane, and Arrietta all racing. The weather cooperated nicely, with the only issue being a slight rain delay for the start of the time trial. (Given it was an uphill time trial, I know several racers were hoping it would be canceled!)
The road course was pretty tough given the long, somewhat rolling, head wind section through the start/finish area, a long sweeping downhill through the valley, and then, of course, back up along a relatively long hill. All of the races seemed to split apart during the multiple laps with the wind and hill taking its toll, with race highlights being Dirk taking 3rd in the M1/2/3, David S 8th in the M3/4, Arrietta 4th in the Women's Open, and Diane 1st in the Masters Women. The rest of us helped block for our teammates in the breaks, but mostly tried to survive the course!
The uphill time trial (up Grandad's Bluff) - 2.5 miles with gradients up to 16% or so and taking place after a hard road race earlier in the day - made for a lot of "happy campers!" As I came back down the course, the faces of those heading up told me I was not the only one who felt the pain! The team again had a good showing with Eric taking 2nd and Dirk 4th in the M1/2/3, Gordy 2nd in the 50+, Glen 5th in the M3/4, and Arrietta 1st in the Women's Open.
The crit on Sunday was located downtown with the home stretch being along the lake - a pretty nice course (and it stayed dry all day despite the forecast of rain!). The impressive ride of the day was from Gordy, who decided to attack on the second lap, and then rode solo for the rest of the race to win by over 50 seconds - I was getting tired just watching! Top ten finishes by Dirk, Mike, and Glen capped a successful weekend of racing for the team.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
on the road again
The season is off to a bang. I have found the racing and the road harder than I expected. I’m finding that talking about team tactics is one thing, executing them is another. I’m inexperienced at that, but working hard to get better, and find that it really adds to the fun. And with so many great, experienced teammates, help is easy to find.
I have a few personal takeaways so far …
(1) make the move. If it’s the right tactic at the right time, then full commitment and do it ….. least of all don’t worry about failing
(2) counter attack when your team mate is being pulled back from a break… someone said it’s an insult to them if you don’t.
(3) be more patient and stop being so dumb and wasting efforts especially early
(4) don’t go up the gutter in the practice crit.
And a few highlights…
(1) Making and sticking a break in the first GDVC crit. Despite blowing the finish.
(2) In the second GDVC crit; as my counter attack to pull the break back was falling short since I was blowing a gasket in the last lap; Ferguson blasted past me and over took the break for victory. That was a great feeling of team work.
(3) Third, was being in the race with Gordy and witnessing him pull away on lap 2 or 3 and solo to victory in the Lacrosse crit last Sunday. That was inspiring! He’s Superman.
(4) Jim’s home brew
Last week I returned to my cyclocross ways – I found myself on the ground in the practice crit on Tuesday (i.e. stay out of the gutter takeaway). Broke a few spokes, scrapped a little paint and aluminum, tore up my bibs, and lost some skin but really came out of it in pretty good shape. Thanks to those that offered up bandages and beer… special thanks to Eric K for the stuff and the “How To” instructions. I now have a back-pack full of road rash supplies. Hopefully that’s where the stuff stays for the rest of the season.
All of the gear has been fantastic and cool looking. And it’s been fun and interesting getting to know all of you. I’m waiting for a good weekend day to host some eating / beer drinking after a long hard ride. Maybe this coming Sunday?
Mike Meteyer
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
No End Game
Hard to believe five races have already come and gone! The team is off to a good start with several top ten finishes and a victory (Greg "I didn't mean to win" Ferguson living up to his nickname!). I should be happy (and I am) to have made it into 3 race-winning breaks out of the 5 races so far (must be the new Madone!), however, it has become very apparent my end game needs work as I've been last in the break all three times! It would be one thing if I had sacrificed myself to help my teammate, Doug B (who was in 2 of the breaks with me), to victory, but alas that was not the case. A couple team beer night meetings (or make that "strategy" meetings) ought to do the trick!
Hopefully for the next race-winning break I am in, I'll go from no end game to at least some end game!
Hopefully for the next race-winning break I am in, I'll go from no end game to at least some end game!
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