For Race Summaries of 2009, click Here Tucked into the armpit of Northwest Highway past Barrington and Lake Zurich is a neat little course of 1.12 miles complete with Nordic Ski Jump and a 100ft climb with 15% steepness in the middle. It winds counterclockwise with the start/finish 100m before the climb. The backside is residential, smooth surface and finish comes winding down and off camber in the last turn. The finish is rough though with some elevated patch jobs. That can be the difference of hitting that last turn faster or not. I'm always analyzing that when it comes to how to perform so your tyres dont roll off or fail you in some way. Oops.
2010 Recaps
Race: Ronald Reagan Crit - Master 30+, Cat 4/5, Cat 3/4
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: Decided to sign up for all three races was eligible to compete in. The two first ones back to back, then an hour break before the last one. I liked the course; wide roads, wide turns, and a nice section of uphill, and a long slight downhill straightaway to the finish. First race was ridiculously short (30 min) and had a bunch of accelerations. One reason was that there was plenty of prime giveaways, felt like one was announced on every other lap! I won myself a T-shirt with a big head of Ronald Reagan on it. With six to go, the pace increased even more, but no one got away, the pack seemed to be eager to answer any break attempt. I guess in such a short race, and a lot of different people attacking, everyone still had fresh legs for the finish. With one to go I saw Joe Bereyni make his way up towards the front for the first time in the race. I knew he was the one to follow. During the long final sprint, I saw him advance a couple of places (he won) while I had a couple of guys come by me. It was like he was gliding forward, and I was gliding backwards relative to everyone else. I came sixth across the line, still in a money payout spot and at the very front of the field, so I was very happy with that.
Coming around the cool down lap, they already called the 3/4s to the starting line. I had my new toy on the bike : a Garmin Edge and was wearing the heart rate monitor; watched it go down from 140 to 130 while getting the instructions. The 3/4 race was 45 minutes and Scott Knoepke attacked right off the whistle! PSIMET had 4 riders in the race, and it felt like they dominated the pace setting and breaks trough out. I tried to get away with each break. Stayed off the front with both Tim Speciale and for a few laps with Scott. Long story short; no successful breakaways, bunch sprint with even stronger sprinters - ended up 12th, 5th Cat 4.
I was a hot day, so I focused on drinking and staying on the move before the last race. No warm up needed - I was still good to go, and tried to psych myself up for the last criterium of the season (except Fall Fling). I have kind of figured out that I have not much sprint chances, and is better off truing to thin the field out by longer efforts earlier in the race. The drawback of this is, of course, that I risk pulling around some of the sprinters, and just thinning the field for them, so they are even fresher at the end. I still haven't figured out what to do about that...?( Who said that most problems could be solved by simply pedaling harder!)
Eric Christ of Bicycle Heaven had the same idea as me, last race, lets bring the pain! We took some long pulls off the front. He got two primes in a row! With 3 to go they announced the next prime : 10 pounds of Jelly Bellies! Ah, my kids and I love that stuff! I felt that the timing was right now, and at least the safest place from a crash perspective on the final laps are off the front. I put my hands down and felt fast and strong as I power-time-trialed one complete lap for the prime. I really wanted it and was starting to feel the lactic acid accumulate as I sat up and looked back. I needed a little breather and my intention was just to slow down be ready to accelerate again as the field catches me. After a moment, I looked back again, still a good gap. Hmmm. No chasers, Allright, this is it! Two laps to go. Spur of the moment thing; I get back into time trial mode and power off another full lap off the front.
At the bell I hear my name announced (mispronounced as usual) from EMC2 has a 15 second lead on the field. I am keeping it going, and mentally prepare myself for the hill. I know that they for sure will accelerate here, so I must too. I stand up and sprint over it, and feel like I nailed it. Just the last turn and the long finish straight left. I round the corner still with a 50 yard gap.
I have both fellow racers and spectators tell me after the race that it looked like I was going to win coming around that corner and they were really rooting for me! The "peloton" is in full flight now. I am not looking back, but feel them closing in fast. So close. So far. Right before the finish banner the sprinters whizz by, 4 on each side.
(Monday Morning Quarterbacking: I lost with just a couple of seconds, but I lost much more than that sitting up and waiting for the field after the prime. Shouldha' just kept going...)
Oh well, I am still happy about my effort, and how close I got. It is going to feel fantastic when that move works
Date: August 28, 2010
Race: Chicago Triathlon 1st Responder Challenge
Submitted By: Paul Benvenuto
Recap: Yesterday, Lori Dunn and I competed in the 2010 Chicago Triathlon First Responder Challenge. The annual challenge pits our team, Team FBI, against the Chicago Police Department, and other first responders from various federal, state, and local agencies, and military units. This year marked the first in which first responders competed together in the same wave.
Date: August 25, 2010
Race: Soldier Field Cat 4/5
Submitted By: Gareth Reeves
Recap: This was the third and last Soldier Field crit of the season. Jostein and I raced together in one of the 4/5 heats. I got off to a poor start due to having trouble clipping in. I felt like such a rookie when half way around the first lap I still wasn't properly secured to my bike and the entire field was riding away (note to self: order new cleats). It took me a couple of laps to work my way up to Jostein up at the front. I probably should have allowed more like 5 laps because I wasted more energy than I really needed.
Date: August 22, 2010
Race: Winfield Crits - Saturday/Sunday Masters 50+
Submitted By: Tony Meadors
Recap: On Saturday Bob and I rolled off in the 50+, 55+ and elite women combined field. It was good clean racing on a very hot day. Fortunately I hydrated my self well ahead of time. The course: Start, turn left and up the hill, left turn after the top, a right and left chicane, a left turn, another left before curving through the start/finish line. As Bob said, there were two separate primes locations; start/finish line and KOM primes at the hill. At the beginning I sat in for a lap, then started moving up. As the pace picks up people start falling off the back. Finally I go to the front and start putting in work. I hate to be a passenger, unless I am hanging o for dear life (been there before!). On several occasions I pulled the field for a lap. Others also put in work. These are the times the pack thins out into a snake, wheel to wheel... Everyone handles the turning sections carefully but efficiently, without loosing too much speed. The minutes tick off the counter. A solo rider has gone off after the hill, I just catch a glimpse of him as he turns left (he is the eventual winner; we never see him again). Next lap they call a prime for the hill, everyone is sitting in. Along the start finish area I go to the front, to my surprise, I am alone and not working terribly hard. The gap widens and still no chase? I hit the hill... I see them coming, but dig and take the prime. Next lap I see the counter is at two minutes... the hill really hurts this time as I sit in near the front. We approach the line and I hear 3 laps to go. I decide now is the time to bury myself and I dig hard... but no takers for a break away. They catch me on the hill, I survive but have nothing left to mount an attack or muster a sprint. It was at this point that we caught Bob and he offers to help me (I am pretty gassed and can hardly speak.. or think). I finish in the sprint near the back of the main pack... Then ride back to the hill to claim my prime, a bottle of champagne! Not a bad reward for my suffering.
Date: August 22, 2010
Race: Winfield Crits - Saturday Cat 5
Submitted By: Dan Martellotta
Recap: I lined up at the front with new team mate Gareth Reeves. With the familiar "riders ready" call, we clipped in. As we came out of the first turn we were greeted with a fairly steep hill. I maintained my position at the front of the pack and had a fun time bombing down the back section of the course. On our first lap approaching the start/finish line, I thought I heard that all to familiar sound of carbon hitting the pavement. Unfortunately, it was the sound of Gareth rolling his rear tubular in a turn. He didn't crash, but his race was over. It was too bad, he would of probably won this race. The pack was splintered by the second lap up the hill. I couldn't believe the gap we had on the field. Between trying to hold my position and gasping for air climbing up that hill, I turned my head quickly to look behind and saw no one. I had to push myself or risk being dropped from this group. The riders with me had no problem safely gunning down the twisty back section of the course. Well, except for one rider who took a corner a little to hot and ended up in someones front yard. He safely navigated back on the course without incident. I maintained my position throughout the race until the very end. I ended up in 10th place, but considering the gap we had on the field I felt pretty good with my end result.
Date: August 22, 2010
Race: Winfield Crits - Saturday Cat 5, Cat 4, Sunday Cat 5, Masters 30+
Submitted By: Gareth Reeves
Recap: Saturday - Cat 5
Date: August 22, 2010
Race: Winfield Crits - 50+
Submitted By: Bob Bondiman
Recap: I had what I consider to be a fairly successful weekend of racing, better than the poor fellow who crashed in front of me on the home stretch Sunday.
Even though I was dropped half way, I feel I am getting a little better at handling myself in a race and my conditioning is improving. It occurred to me that maybe I would have been better going off the front early while I was fresh and try to open a lead on the downhill and stay even going uphill. Who knows. If I could do the same race next weekend, I would try that.
Again the pace was a little tame and on the downhill sections there was a lot of braking and it was difficult to pass with people spread all over the road. I found when I did get near the front and could choose my line I was able to go through the turns with a lot more speed and no braking. I didn't find the hill that difficult but it was hard to pass while all caught up in traffic. I took the inside line at the top of the hill a couple of times and was forced through the grass and gravel once and through the gravel another time. I brushed arms with another rider in the first half of the race and we exchanged a few pleasantries but made amends with some conciliatory words later in the race. With 3 to go I just tried to stay with the group and improve my position a little. One guy attacked up the hill with 3 to go and stayed away to win the 50+. I was happy to still be with the pack and decided not to do anything too crazy that could redline me and get me dropped. On the final straight and sprint a fellow crashed maybe 12 feet in front of me and the sound and sight of him sliding on his side was a little sickening. I did a little swerve to avoid him and mounted a modest sprint to finish with the pack which was a good result for me.
Date: August 22, 2010
Race: Winfield Crits - Cat 2/3, Cat 3
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: I love the twilight course and the neighborhood that comes out for this hill! If you have not done the twilight course, you need to. And when finished, go thank all those families that cheer you on and open their neighborhood to racing. Truly awesome.
I thought the Cat 2/3 would be challenging, but I was suprised that it did not heat up until later in the race. At one point, a tempo spin up the hill put me in the front. Of course, I felt the effects later that "tempo" was, in fact, relative. But still, I wasn't attacking - others were not riding hard.
So Dave Stone and the eventual winner finally get away after a flurry of attacks. Our bunch rolled on, and decided with about 5 or 6 to go, "we better chase." Too late, fellas. They are gone. But the pace ramped for 2 laps, single file, with several break efforts, and as we rounded to the bottom of the hill, off the gas went the group. Pancake flat group, ..so I went like hell, attacking the pause. I hit that hill at 29 mph, not bad for 185 lbs and I crested with one helluva gap as they let me go. Drilled the corners. Drilled the stretch. I was flying. Holy crap- they are out of site! I'm gone!
Awesome. Wait, this hurts. Breathing...difficult. Oh man, what have I done. The attacking that came so effortless at Elk Grove was on holiday. I was pedaling squares in the heat.
So I backed off and tried to find that rhythm. The second time up the hill felt like hell. All my adrenaline drained in 10 seconds and my body whole-heartedly rejected that attack. So I spun up the hill to see what was coming behind me - the group, at a rapid clip as attacks were flying from the front end to bridge to me. God bless Ric Otero who at the top said, "Get on Tim!" as he passed me like I was a spectator. I caught on to a second group behind Ric and his companions. So now there are 2 laps to go with the 2-man escape gone and now two distinct 10-person groups behind. I was in the second group due to my antics. Damn.
At the bottom of the hill, I saw the front 10 stall abit on the hill and I told myself it is now or never. I gave it all I had and by the time we crested, I had bridged to the front 10. At a cost. Ric Otero told me on the final lap you HAD to be in the top 3 or 5 as that is where you would finish. He was, I was not. I didn't have the cheddar to get there and I finished where I crested - 14th. Better to try and fail than not try at all - a euphamism for bad tactics some might say.
Sunday - Wierd race. Totally easy with nobody willing to work. Cat 3's were playing chess, and actally chit-chatting. Different teams patting each other on the back, ABD with 5 guys not doing anything, and a few attacks that stalled as quickly as they began. Seriously, conversational racing? All I could think of were the words of Quagmire - "Damn it, you guys are boring the crap out of me. It's stupid, mindless, chatter, is what it is. You know what I'm gonna do? I'm just gonna go back to my place and rent a dirty movie. This is ridiculous."
Mid way through, I hopped on Tim Speciale's wheel for a prime. Unlike me, he has a sense of timing and tactics. I out-jumped him for it, but he had won an earlier prime. Once again, to Quagmire: "Dear diary: Jackpot!"
I missed a 2 person escape thinking that one of the 5 ABD guys might organize a chase since they too had no one in the break. Nope- bad gamble. Tim Speciale and Tower were gone in a move that simply never should have succeeded, and this in no reflection on the break, just poor racing from the rest of us, me included. I got pinched in a sprint and should have been podium bound but did not break free of the bunch until too late for 7th. The prime was a nice Bontrager saddle, so that was a nice take-away, but tactics would be a better take-away.
Date: August 22, 2010
Race: Winfield Crits- Cat 4 - 6th Place, 40+ - 7th Place, Cat 4 - 4th Place
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: Winfield Twilight course Saturday: Cat4 , 6th.
Had a great time in the 4's race. Was active up front, watching, pulling, staying active. After Gareth led a lap or two and won a hilltop prime, I tagged in and did the same. Was able to stay in with the leaders as they caught me back. Had the wheel I wanted into the last corner : in fifth place or so, but following Jason Ferguson; a tall Effecto Coniglio rider who I have seen win sprints before. Easy to pick out in a crowd; well over six feet tall and pink sunglasses! He had a rear wheel skip in the turn and just that little thing made him lose momentum. No room to pass, (and I might not have had the speed to pass anyone with the speed of this sprint) - stayed on his wheel and got pulled into sixth place anyways !
Winfield ABR Nationals. Masters 40+ Cat 4, 7th. This race was fast and furious! 20 min + 3 laps. I saw on my Garmin later that the whole race was only 10 laps! I felt good again, in retrospect should maybe have held a little more back for the finish. I was jumping up the hill, and went for both primes. On the first prime, I was given a great leadout by Joe Beryini. We were both far ahead of the field, and I was on his wheel for half a lap. I tried to slingshot by at the line, but could not get around him. He is just frikkin' strong. We got swept up by the field, but I was able to recover in the bunch.
I felt good enough to go for the prime with 2 laps to go. No chasers this time, I was able to stay ahead of the field and take it without contention. Tried to recover before the bunch caught me, but I was gassed. A big effort to stay with them as we climbed the hill for the last time. And then just holding my spot in the bunch sprint. Seventh across the line.
Winfield ABR Nationals Cat 4 , 4th. I thought I had the course figured out now. Best place to attack, second part of the climb, and continue fast over the crest. The race started with a few attacks. One rider in particular, Rick Lenski, Spin Doctors, seemed super strong, he won yesterday, and kept attacking today, he won all the primes today.
One of the accelerations resulted in 6 guys opening up a gap. The two riders ahead of me not being able to keep the wheel as the 6 surged away. I waited a few seconds to see before I jumped after them. Part of the reason to see if anyone else would go and we could try to bridge the gap together. No one else went for it, and seconds ticked away. I felt that it was "do or die" time - I really needed to be with that group, and I did not want to bring the whole field with me, so my initial jump was all out like a sprint. I was clear alone and by the next time we got over the hill I was onto the lead group.
Now seven in the breakaway; Rick, me, 3 juniors and a couple of others. The pace was high and I entered into an organized paceline, with a clear, single line rotation going. Except for one of the juniors dropped off each time he got up to second place. The second or third time he did this, I felt I had to say some thing to him. I said " do a pull, man!" He said "I'm just going to sprint". He was obviously going to try to sit in until the finish. In my opinion our gap to the field was not a safe one, and he never did a pull. While I pondered this "two laps to go" and a prime was announced. Rich Lenski attacked solo again, got the prime and had a good size gap with one to go. It seemed he had it. Another junior gave chase, with Mr NoPull on his wheel. I was directly behind him. He did a very short pull trough and wiggled his elbow for me to pull trough. I told him, "No- you gotta pull yourself this time!". It was like a bluff at a poker game moment. I am not going to lose a race just to prove a point, and he knew it. Or little stalemate got resolved quickly when a third junior rider blasted by us, and both got busy jockeying for his wheel.
We could see that Rick was seriously fading up the hill, but still was over the top it as we started on the bottom. As we sprinted up the hill Mr NoPull and I was still side by side. He was on the outside, me on the inside over the crest as he cut me off into in the turn! I don't think he did it on purpose, just inexperience, and a tired, wiggly climbing style forced me out on the gravel for a second. I yelled "hey, give room!".
I lost the fight for the wheel in front, but were still in contention. We caught Rich 100 yards from the line. Two of the juniors and a Bicycle heaven rider out sprinted me. Mr NoPull came in third, and I came in fourth. I chatted a little with him on the cool down lap, said sorry for yelling during the race, and tried to explain that we all should work in a breakaway. Cooperation first to make sure we get away, then think about the sprint at the end. I forgot to mention the turn he made, I don't even know if he registered that it happened.
Date: August 17, 2010
Race: Soldier Field Crit - Cat 4 - 2nd Place
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: Some of my last races have been anti-climatic for me. In two of them of them (Soldier field & Milwaukee Lakefront Road Race and at some of the Geneva and Grayslake races), riders have fallen in front of me in the last laps.
On the positive side, I have now been in races working with both Tim and Gareth and I am starting to figure out the advantage of racing with team mates. It was quite fun to sit in the main field and hook on to chasers, while Tim was out in the breakaway!
Last Tuesday, Gareth and I rode at the front places during the Soldier Field parking lot crit. We were both apparent contenders, covering moves and keeping the pace high. Great knowing that there is at least one guy there who will give you room or let you in on a wheel.
With three laps to go the pace slowed and as it sometimes does when everyone is concerned about saving themselves for the last lap. I pretty much glided up front and ended up pulling for a whole lap. I tried to conserve and save my efforts as I was out in the wind, and was ready for anyone blasting by. This happend with two to go, but I was ready to accelerate with them and was happy to see Gareth also be part of the very front.
I was maybe in tenth or so coming into the last turn before the bell. In an instant my race was over: A rider in front of me had his bike slide out under him, I had to veer out of the course to avoid crashing. I managed narrowly to avoid him but had no way to make that turn! Luckily passed trough a small opening in the barriers, rode the outside of the fence a few sections before I jumped back in on the course over a curb. Just in time to catch the last place of the 42 man field... but I did get to see the leaders sprint and the EMC2 colors take a very close second place. Way to go Gareth!
Date: August 17, 2010
Race: Soldier Field Crit - Cat 4 - 2nd Place
Submitted By: Gareth Reeves
Recap: This was my second time at Soldier Field so I had a better idea of what to expect. It is a technical course with 8 turns in the south parking lot at the Soldier Field Stadium. The race is typically dominated (at least in terms of shear presence of riders) by xXx and Half Acre with showings from Tati and this time, a team that I hadn't raced with before, Chicago Cuttin Crew. I recognized many of the riders as local Cat 4 racers. There was also a sprinkling of unattached riders looking anxious about what was probably one of their first races. Luckily, Jostein was in the same race so I got my first chance to race with a team mate.
Date: August 14, 2010
Race: Glencoe Crit Cat 5 - 4th place
Submitted By: Gareth Reeves
Recap: I raced in the fives at the Glencoe Grand Prix on Saturday. This was a race that I was excited to do and had signed up early enough to get into the original 8.35 start time (another Cat 5 race was created after the first heat filled up which kicked off at 7.15) As the early race lined up, they announced that they were turning people away, so it was a popular race.
Date: August 14, 2010
Race: Glencoe Crit- Masters 30+ - DNF
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: I think my race was over before it began. I was tired. I did not have the "bite the ass off a bear" attitude that tends to help me overcome fitness/strength gaps relative to the real strong guys. And I knew my race was stacked. I also psyched myself out re the course - very technical with tight turns. All this is code for I defeated myself. Gee any other BS I could think of? My dog ate my homework? I am not hungover - just exhausted from being up all night drinking?
But I got ready anyway. Good warm-up. Good hydration. Line up. "Riders take a lap!" OK, I did. I am in the top 5 taking a lap so I should have....a.... Hey what the f***? These guys didn't take a lap?! I am dead f***ing last?! Yep, Sucker.
Summary - I bridged cracked riders for 5 laps seemingly making no progress other than putting me closer to pushing up daisies. On the last time up the hill, the guy in front of me cracked and I came around him, but still had 6 feet to a strung out peloton. I looked behind me, and after passing 30? 40? guys, I was still dead last. Game over. I started with a bad attitude and finished with one. Not something nor a race I am proud of.
Date: August 8, 2010
Race: ABR State Championships Woodale - Masters 40+ 3rd place
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: Maybe my frustration of the previous day helped me here. Jostein Alvestad and I lined up promising to be vigilant and stay close together in a tough field. Then the skies opened up. And after a prime that enabled 5 or 6 riders to drift off the front, I concluded the pack was no place for me on rain-soaked roads. I jumped to the threatening break bringing several folks with me. Mike Heagney bridged solo to us impressively, and a 10-person move was motoring away. Jostein determined that with 2 more races left in the day, he was content to sit on the peloton.
We lapped the field in a steady rain and I tried to stay near the front of the reformed peloton knowing the final 2 turns had the recipe for wet chaos. C Mossoro launched the first move going into the second to last turn and I hopped on his wheel. Mike Heagney jumped stronger out of turn 4 as I came underneath Chris M. Ric Otero got me at the line as I ran out of gas, and quite simply, he is a better sprinter. Top 3 in such tough conditions was good for me, and we all stayed up right.
Date: August 7, 2010
Race: Grayslake Masters 40+ 8th place
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: If you have read Mark Swartzendruber's recent blog, you will likely be familiar with what I just experienced in the Masters 40+. No, I was not a "feckless weenie", nor was I unethical or a rider who is one of those "shameless, sociopathic egotists who toss their legs over the top tube every weekend in Master’s bike races." To the sharp end. . .
I was in a pretty strong 40+ field and I missed the important move from 4 strong riders while I recovered from an unsuccesful move of my own. Not wanting to give up, I jumped after them taking Scott Pearson (Start2Finish), Wayne Simon (Verdigras) and a rider to remain nameless. Wayne had no reason to work as he had a rider up the road in the front 4. Understood, and fair play. Scott worked with me, and rider x just sat in the back saying "I won't pull. Got nothing" As we pulled away from the field, but not any closer to the break, the situation was frustrating - 2 of us working, and only Wayne had a good excuse to not help "much." I say "much" because he actually did more work than he had to given his teammate up the road. At one point I even asked Wayne to fake a pull so I could breathe. I followed that up with a proposition - I would buy lots of his new ButtonHole Chammy cream if he helped. How pathetic of me. As soon as the lead 4 were very clear, however, he pitched in a great deal. Rider x just sat on with the occassional token pull. (Post race I did keep my word and bought ButtonHole which is good stuff btw.)
So Scott jumps away from me and I did not have a response. Scott was not only stronger but smarter - to get away from our disfunctional four man chase. He TT'd in front of us for 4 or 5 laps to the finish. Well done indeed for his 5th place - a strong solo away from me and Wayne. . . and a passenger. In the final lap, Wayne jumped from pretty far out for 6th and lo and behold, rider x attacked me as well. What the f---. No money, going for 7th instead of 8th? Mark Swartzendruber's blog HERE was going through my head. So all his BS moved him up 1 no-pay, no podium spot.
I thought about the reputation that our fledgling team is trying to build/maintain, and I assure you we would not shamelessly pretend to not have anything only to jump someone after 30 minutes of their frickin' hard work. And those of you who know me recognize how important I believe it is to protect the reputation and chemistry of our team. See April's report.
To be clear, Wayne Simon rode competitively, was honest, and even with a rider up the road, he helped to make sure our 4 person group stayed away from the field without screwing his teammate. When he jumped away in the final lap, it was clear he would have out sprinted me anyway given how much work I had been doing, not to mention how strong of a sprinter he is. My beef is only with one guy who clearly takes local crit racing way too seriously - to the point that ethics can be shed conveniently in pursuit of out-of-the-money placings in a lo-key local crit. Am I a poor loser? I don't think so. I just feel that our level of racing should involve some shred of ethics and honesty.
All that said, it was a great event and a helluva workout. I will take the tough breakaway where I get my ass kicked over 'gruppo compacto' any day.
Date: August 7, 2010
Race: Grayslake Cat 3 - 4th place
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: I guess I had some energy in reserves or emotions remaining after the Masters race, so I hopped into a very fast 3 race. The first 5 laps were much faster than the Masters field, and I was suprised by the strung out line. It had to give soon, right? Well, it did, and I tried to go. Solo. That was futile with teams like Burnham, Psimet and others well represented. Sorta foolish, but what the hell.
I stayed out of trouble, near the front until after a second break effort I decided to fade to recover until a handful of laps to go. Risky, but necessary. Crash! In front of me in a 90 degree turn, 5 or 6 guys went down hard. It chopped the field up and I latched on to Scott Knoepke (Psimet) as he locomotive-pulled the second field back up to the front field who had separated due to the crash. That effort worked, yet was rewarded with a race stoppage so he and the rest of us could recover and the crash victims could be helped.
Once racing resumed, I moved up to top 5 - 10 and stayed put. One to go, top 5, no gimme's. As we hit a stretch before the U turn to the finish a great jump went up the inside and I was able to get on. As we made the turn for home, I gave it great guns, but was simply no match for the quick jumps of those lead 3. 4th place and safe. Hope the crash victims are OK.
Date: August 1, 2010
Race: Tour of Elk Grove Master 3/4 - 6th place
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: I was not sure how my legs were going to be today. It had been a few weeks since I raced or had real intensity. And this off a helluva travel work week. 2 laps into the race, I answered my question. Some guy from Burnham was off the front, and the field was not terribly aggressive. So I shot out to bridge up, which was fairly easy. And from there, I felt great. We got a decent distance, but never out of touch. 15 to 20 seconds, which still put the field out of view on some of the turns. Plus, I had Jostein being vigilant in the pack. 27mph felt like I could go forever.
I really felt OK but noticed my partner, who had been out on his own prior to me, was starting to show signs of his effort. 2+ laps later, and incented by a big money prime, we were gobbled. I tried a counter attack a lap later and got another good bit of real estate btween me and the group until another prime was called. This time, I shut it down myself early, hoping to have something for the finish.
Jostein played a perfect teammate. He came up to me with 2 to go and let me know he was there. He got us near the front for the bell, and we were inseaparable past the hairpin and the chicane. With the inevitable swamp coming, I told him to hit it which he did. 2 turns to go and he delivered us in about 7th place. Now, the final sprint. . . I came around him ramping up, but went a bit too late as some real firepower came around me on the right. I had visions of Cavendish in my head, but I sprinted more like a junior, relative to those guys. I held on for 6th, and am OK with that given the work I did off the front.
Date: July 13, 2010
Race: Superweek - Willow Springs RR Masters 1/2/3 - 31st place
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: I had the privelage of racing with Dave Reed in the Masters 1/2/3 race on a terrific course. We warmed up and discussed minimal strategy - he might take a flyer early to see who he would drag with him. It did not go that way. From the gun, I was near the front and as we climbed the 1st of 8 hills, I saw Luke Seeman and a Comma Van Wagoner guy driving the hill. I latched on. By the top, we had a nice gap and the three of us put the hammer down. I was red-zoning early but it felt great to see the peloton disappear so quickly. Dave take a flyer? Nope, I did.
Then reality sunk in. On the 3rd time up the climb, I was gapped at the top and even though Luke Seeman yelled for me to catch back on, I was cracking. In my mind, I did not feel I could keep their hill-climbing pace for 5 more laps. What a mistake. I defeated myself. I mentally cracked and watched them roll off. What would likely have happened is that they would have used me on the flats for TT power, and they would have eased up to not drop me on the climb. In the break, I was their teammate, and they needed a thrid pull which I was happy to give. But I caved with thoughts of getting dropped on the hill each lap.
Thier break did eventually get gobbled with 2 to go, and I was active still. The rest in the peloton gave me terrific recovery and I covered and went with move after move. What I should have done was keep the hammer down even when my break partners cracked. But at least I was not tail-gunning. In the end, I had a weak uphill sprint and Dave Reed was a beast. He timed his sprint well for 2nd, and I hobbled in near the middle.
In a few breaks, there were guys who jumped on and then sat up at the front. One guy got in a 5 person move and we rotated well until he was to pull and just sat up. He f---ed up a move, which begs the question - why be there. If you want to be a passenger until the sprint, do it from the back where you belong. Not in a break where some of us actually want to race hard. In the end, I was active, I was aggressive, but I was brought down by one, brief moment of weakness. I never want to give up like that again.
Date: July 14, 2010
Race: Soldier Field Crits - 4th Place
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: 95 degrees, even at 8 pm! Sweat was poring off me, even as i did a light warm up on the stationary trainer. The fast tempo split the 50+ riders into a few smaller groups. I was part of the ever dwindeling front group. One by one riders dropped. 10 - 9 - 8-7 and then 6 left for the final two laps. The speed was set so high by the first three riders, I could not even get up to pull! I stayed busy closing gaps and attacks as riders got dropped off the back. The six of us lapped the peloton once, and many riders even twice. On the last lap, I got a bit unlucky and got stuck in the second to last turn behind a group of 10 or so lapped riders going trough the turn. The three first riders managed to pass right before the turn, I had to sit up. Oh, well, that is Crit racing -those three up front deserved it. Happy with my forth place!
Date: July 11, 2010
Race: ABR 2 Person TTT Hersher IL
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: We knew before start that he is stronger than me, and that he might have to take a few longer pulls so I could get my HR back down. If Dave rode with a clone of himself, he would easily take the overall!
We were mentally prepared to go for a top overall spot, so no time to spin up. We went out hard. I realized after a few pulls that I was in trouble: Dave and I have not trained TT together before this. He has a killer pull - each time he took over I had a hard time latching on. I spent my recovery time just trying to creep back up to him, and by then It was my turn to pull again.
After a few pulls like this I had to yell "gap!", and he moderated his effort a little. I think I had to use the G word 3 or 4 times more throughout the race. After a while I think Dave got more in tune with my strength, and with him taking longer pulls than me, I was able to contribute.
It felt like the wind picked up a little on the second lap, but we still went faster on the second lap.
I had gotten over the shock of the start, and started recovering better each time I was in the draft.
By the time of the run in to the finish, I was feeling like I could have gone a third lap like that. Hmmm, maybe I am just getting old and it takes a while for the machine to warm up!
It is a little humbling to be the weaker of the pairing, and I am sure Dave felt like he had some power left.
We finished third overall, and won our category. Racliff/Meadors came in 11 seconds behind us and and Flowers/Swims were and 24 seconds behind, so I guess with an easier start we would have lost positions. Thanks for pulling me around Dave!
Date: July 10, 2010
Race: Superweek, Geneva Crit
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: Cat 4/5: 75 Starters, 39 finishers. That says it all...I heard three crashes, and saw two.
I started out in the rear of the field, not on purpose, but due to taking a last warm up lap and pulling up late. Took a few laps just to move up to the middle of the field. I slowly made my way up to the front, passing a few people each time I could. With about 10 laps to go I was part of the front pacesetters, going fast. The field was stretched out in single and double file. This made it a little safer in the turns.
With about 7 to go the pace slowed, everyone wanted a little rest before the last few laps. The field bunched up, I got swarmed, and It started to get ridiculous; 4 and 5 wide in narrow, 90 degree turns. To add to this, lapped riders were still on the narrow course. I knew it was just a matter of time before crashes would happen. A bunch in the front went down with one lap to go. I had to brake, and swerve up to some parking spots to avoid them. I avoided putting the bike down, but totally lost momentum.
I counted only 9 riders ahead of me that also had avoided the crash, but they did not have to brake and had a 40 yard gap on me. I used almost the whole last lap on a big effort to catch up with them. I am sure their speed were also increasing. Just as I caught the tail of them, the sprint started, and all my matches were wet... 10th across the line out of a lead pack of 10.
Masters 35+ Cat 4/5: As expected, smoother riding by everyone in this race. Got a good start position, and never went further back than about tenth spot. Andy Swims from Bicycle Heaven and another rider went on a flyer and got a 20 sec lead. I chased with a Tower Racing rider but did not seem to gain on them. We stayed 10 sec behind the two leaders, and 10 sec ahead of the field for many laps. We were working well together sharing pulls, and a third rider joined us. I was happy staying ahead of the field for safety, and being up in the lead.
It belongs in the story that I was going to race the 2-person Time Trial the next morning with Dave Reed, and one of our main competitors teams is Kevin Flowers and Andy Swims (who was in the lead). I knew I should not totally destroy my legs with these two races, and let Dave down the next day, so I backed off a little in my pulls. The main group caught up with us at the end, and as the pace slowed before the sprint, I sensed that no one wanted to go first, so I did. The WDT rider that jumped on my wheel got a heck of a leadout, and another guy also got me on the line. Third in the bunch sprint, fifth overall.
I heard that Andy Swims beat his breakaway partner and won the race with about 30 seconds lead to the field. (Mostly thanks to Dave Reed's power, of course - We beat Flowers/Swims in the 2-person TT the next day !)
Date: July 3, 2010
Race: Tour De Villas Cat 5
Submitted By: Dan Martellotta
Recap: It was a relatively uneventful criterium for me. A basic oval course, which brought back bad memories of the Sherman Park "Crash 5" race a few weeks ago. It started off slowly and didn't feel like a race. I conversed with a PSIMET rider that I had raced with before. A new member from the Elmhurst Bike Club said, "Hello" (sorry I forgot your name, Pete), and I was also chatting it up with my friend Rob from the Elmhurst Bike Club. He won the race, by the way; nice sprint Rob!
We were riding, I mean racing around this simple oval course with no turns and a headwind on the back stretch. Early in the race there was a crash behind me. I don't know how it happened, I heard yelling, bikes colliding and metal scraping the pavement. Then I started pedaling faster to avoid becoming part of the carnage. Throughout the race, I never felt like I had a good position in the pack. On the inside, the riders were a little sketchy, and on the outside you had to deal with the headwind on the back straightaway of the course. With two or three laps to go, things began to pick up. As we were coming around the first curve there was a guy on a hybrid bike in the middle of the course! Riders were yelling at him to go right, go right! He almost caused a big pile up, I'm thinking what the hell is this idiot doing on the course? Then I see a number pinned on his t-shirt. I can't believe the race officials let a guy on a hybrid bike with a big honkin' U-lock attached, enter the race! As if it's not dangerous enough in the cat 5 field. With one lap to go, I was in the front of the pack, but started my sprint to soon. (Skinny guy thinking he can sprint!) Couldn't keep up the pace; I rolled in at 12th place.
Date: July 3, 2010
Race: Tour De Villas Masters 40+, Cat 1/2/3
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: I entered the 40+ and Cat 1/2/3 races on this gorgeous day for the first annual Tour De Villas. The course was generally safe, and was ideal for fast hard racing. In the 40+, I remained vigilant at the front and when a small group including Ric Otero got some distance, I did not want to miss it. After a quick jump, I realized we had a gap and came to the front letting my new friends know we had to hit it. Which I did, but maybe too hard. 32mph and I myself gapped my 6 companions since I came to the front to hard. Unfortunately, we never did organize well , and it was a matter of time before the peloton decided we were dangerous.
After several other moves failed, including some I initiated, I thought I should recover for what should be a furious sprint. However, like Jim Landenberger earlier, I did not hear lap calls or bells. So as I sat recovering mid pack, coming through the start finish, I saw one to go! No bell, no nothing! Holy cow I need to get up there!
I carefully picked my way into every seam I could, advancing from mid field to the top third. I was feeling desperate as we rounded the final bend and I was still 20 deep. It strung out some and it was my chance to hit it with all I could. Once I was positioned on the right protected from the wind, the advancing was suprisingly easy and I found myself 6th wheel out of the saddle digging for all I had. I passed Ric Otero and as the front 4 fanned out, my momentum was timed well and I came up on the final rider. All I had got me within 2 inches of victory, but I was most satisfied with the effort.
The 1/2/3 race was less eventful. Ryan Fruend attacked several times, and was covered by all who knew he was the man to watch. It did not matter. He finally got away with a few other strong men. As I wondered how much I would have in the tank, I watched them go. What a mistake. Our pace was remarkably easy and the break never really got that for away. I might have been able to hang in.
That being the case, I decided to see what I could do in the field sprint, and results are still being determined as the sort out 3's verus 1s and 2s. Stay tuned!
Date: June 26, 2010
Race: Apache 40k TT
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: I recognize some in the cycling community don't consider time trials racing. But I do. They are a different fom of racing, often referred to as "the race of truth" in Europe because it is the rider versus other riders in a solo matchup of who is strongest and who can suffer the most. That said, the race reports are not as exciting - I get it. So why do I submit one today?
I had a good ride, my head was right for some suffering, and so was my seatpost. It slipped down with 10k to go on a 40k course, and started shifting counter clockwise. Some guys bite their tongues. Some pray. Some curse and push. I had to take my left gem being repeatedly sent into my abdomen with each pedal stroke. Hey - whatever works. I came in under the hour, and I will take my 2nd place in Cat 3 as a good ride. Maybe if I get in a break away, this type of racing will pay off....sans the pummeling of my junk.
Date: June 19, 2010
Race: Cobb Park Crit Master 35+ 4/5
Submitted By: Dan Martellotta
Recap: Last weekend's race (crash) at Sherman Park had me longing for a win and staying vertical for this race, but all I ended up with is the latter. I entered only the Masters 4/5, not wanting a repeat of last weekend's "Crash" 5 race. The course was 0.7 miles long; with three turns and a slight uphill section between turn one and two. There was a chicane between turn two and three, which took out a rider towards the end of the race. Minutes after that, another rider went down in turn three. I didn't see him, just saw his bike hit the curb and then become air-born (and not in a good way). I wanted to stay up front and out of trouble for this race. Unfortunately, staying in the front from the start pushed me way too hard. The tank was close to empty with some race remaining. I had a great position in the pack, but when they announced six to go I was feeling it. It may as well have been six hours. I told myself there were only about six minutes to go, just keep digging and stay up front. With two to go, I just happened to look down at my Garmin. My heart rate was at 195! I was toast, tank empty, game over. I found myself drifting back into the rear of the pack. I finally peddled slowly across the finish line in 28th place. There were 44 riders in the race with three DNF's.
Date: June 13, 2010
Race: Burlingotn Crit Cat 4/5, Master 35+ 4/5, Masters 35+ 3/4
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: Due to the WI State Crit Championship the day before, there was some small fields (about a dozen riders each race) in this inaugural race. That meant no big peloton to hide in, so my strategy would be to take hard pulls to weed out the weaker riders.
The race was around two kitty corner blocks, an open figure-eight, with 8 tight corners. First 4 slight uphill, then 4 slight downhill. No long straights, just turn to turn racing. I was really enjoying being up front and learning the correct racing line trough the corners. Hours of playing Gran Turismo on Playstation 3 finally paid off! I realized in the first race that if you were in the lead before the last 4 downhill turns, It would be very hard to pass someone who could hold this line.
I came in behind Jared Craft (soon to be on Team PSIMET) and a local rider. I had not planned on doing all three races I was eligible to start in, but after just missing out in the sprint in my first race, I was ready for redemption.
For the second race I had a clear plan. First rip their legs off with constant accelerations, then attack on top of the course. So I did my final attack on top of the hill, taking the lead. Holding the line and being in control was not too hard earlier in the race, but In the higher speed of the last lap, I was really on the edge. Bombing the hill, going curb to curb and coming very close to losing my grip! Out of the last corner, only 100 yards from the finish line, I am still in first, and to scared to turn my head to see if anyone is coming up. Legs screaming in pain, I am pushing as hard as I can but know I am fading. To my surprise, no one is flying by me at the line, and I realize I won my first race ! Wo-hoo!
On the cool down lap, the announcer calls the next race:the M35 Cat 3/4, starting in ten minutes. Still in the "race high", I ask the registration table to roll some of my cash prize into the fee for this race. I am going into this feeling that I probably have not much chance at repeating, but at least I can enjoy putting the field in pain by keeping the pace high and doing some attacks as long as I can. A few others were thinking the same, and we were a few guys taking turns pulling the the field out in a long thin line. I was able to stay up front the whole race and even had a final kick to hold fifth place.
To add to the enjoyment of my first win, there was an award ceremony with microphone interviews of the winners, flowers and wine, even a kiss on the cheek from the podium girl, and paparazzi. At least it felt that way... Felt like a rock star and headed to the bar to squander the winnings!
Date: June 12, 2010
Race: Sherman Park Crit Cat 4
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: The 4's race had it's usual crash and a few bottles flying out caused by riders hitting the potholes, on an oval course around in a nice old park. The park was actually designed for bicycle racing, and would be a wonderful venue with a better surface. The worst potholes were marked with orange paint, but in a huge pack there is no way to tell or avoid these. Dangerous, and this is what caused one guy to lose control of his bike and take a few others with him down.
Pack stuck together most of the time, I did a couple of pulls towards the end, and on the last few laps was able to stick around in the second and third spot. I was feeling strong and confident going into the last lap, just waiting to latch on whoever would attack...
XXX had about 20 riders in the field, but the Tower Racing team took control at the end and seemed to use a 4-man lead-out. I hooked on to them, but unfortunately, at a critical moment I got stuck behind one of their guys pulling off, and had to tap the brakes just as a dozen riders accelerated past me! Once I was free, I tried to pull up on the outside, but as usual my full out sprint speed is the same as the rest of the fields' speed -finished in 14th place.
If the surface is improved for next year, this would be an awesome race, but I will have a serious risk vs benefit think before I sign up again.
Date: June 12, 2010
Race: Sherman Park Crit Cat 5
Submitted By: Dan Martellotta
Recap: Sherman Park Criterium was an epic failure for me, due to some loser who couldn't hold his line and took me out in my first race of the day. I was pre-registered for the Cat 5 and Masters 30+. The course was a beautiful, one mile loop in historic Sherman Park. My wife/photographer accompanied me again and we saw Jostein before he started his race. I cheered him on while warming up on my rollers. My goal again was to finish in the top ten.
I felt strong; always staying at the front. There was a group of strong riders in this race and any time they went off the front I was there with them. The officials rang the bell lap. Then, still maintaining my place with the front of the pack on the first turn, a rider just to my left, not holding his line, smacked into the side of me and at least three of us went down. When I hit the pavement I saw stars! I hit the back of my head, cracking the backside of my helmet in multiple areas. I stood up; nothing broken, but a lot of road rash on my left arm, shoulder, shoulder blade, buttock, thigh and lower leg. The rider who caused this was taken away in an ambulance. I think he broke his collar bone. I ended up with a big fat DNF next to my name for this race, and was unable to do the masters race I had registered for. My bike was okay for the most part. There is a bent front rim, however, which I'll have to replace and will also need some new bar tape. My Oakley's fell off during the crash scratching the lenses; another item to replace. This should not of happened. Riders need to use common sense and hold their line when racing their bikes. Well I guess that's racing for you,see ya at the next crit.
Date: June 6, 2010
Race: Wonder Lake Crit Cat 5, 30+
Submitted By: Dan Martellotta
Recap: I alone represented Team EMC2 at the Wonder Lake Criterium. I registered for the Cat 5 and Masters 30+ Cat 4/5. The crit was a four corner course in a residential neighborhood with the start/finish on the shoreline of Wonder Lake. The streets were narrow with very tight, ninety degree corners. There were bales of hay propped up against almost every roadside mailbox as well as the stop signs. I arrived about 8:00 to ride the course and get a good warm up on my trainer. My goal was to finish in a top 10 spot of each race. However,that was easier said than done. My first race was the Cat 5 with 30 riders (one DNF). It started out great. I was leading the pack for one lap. I fell back; but maintained a position in the front half of the pack for the rest of the race. Flying through the tight turns was a rush. About half way through the race on the back straightaway two riders went down right in front of me. Not sure what happened, I just saw two bikes flying up in the air and a rider going down in my path. I had to think quick and swerve to avoid running over his head. I was doing well until the last lap when I ran out of gas coming out of the last turn. All matches burnt at this point. I placed 14th out of 29 with an average speed of 23.5.
Date: May 31, 2010
Race: Memorial Day Masters Masters 40+, 30+
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: I might sound like a broken record with this report. In the 40+, it pissed down Old Testament rain which was exhilarating, but tricky. I marked Verizon's Mosoro and a few other strong guys, but Dan Verner got away solo. He did a phenom time trial to stay away while the rest of us wondered who would work. Mosoro attempted several jumps but was a marked man with no teammates. Me too.
With 2 to go and after a very hard acceleration by Mosoro, he got off the gas and so did everyone else. So I jumped like hell and quickly opened a sizeable gap. I got low and found a rhthym to try to solo in for second place, 4 miles away. After the long sweeping turn on the South course, my chasers were out of sight - or should I say, I was. I prayed to God and every dead relative for strength to please let this stick for another lap. As I approached 1 lap to go, I could see the single file of chasers coming after me.
Back into the South course. "I can do this! Suffer!" But they were closing in, 7 versus 1. And one of them was Mosoro who is rather strong. I could see that with 1000 meters to go, the fat lady was singing. I took 10 seconds rest and jumped on the train that scooped me up. I had nothing for the final sprint and rolled in with a top 10 finish and a helluva effort. Pleased, but still seeking that elusive move.
Same day 30+ - I happily took my place at the back for a bit, watching Dave Reed mix it up near the front. Once he escaped with 5 riders, I moved up to the front of my pack to be vigilant and sit on it safely. That's all. Nothing special. I did feel like in a small way I helped Dave, athough the break did not need it, and I had 5 great races in 3 days. Beer me.
Date: May 29, 31, 2010
Race: Memorial Day Masters Masters 50+, Cat 5
Submitted By: Bob Bondiman
Recap: In Saturday's 50+ Master Race, I tried to stay with Tony Meadors figuring he would know where to be in the pack. The pace was very fast, at least for me. I moved up a few spots here and there but lost them at other points on the course. I moved up on the outside to around 6th place but was stuck outside of the draft and that plus the effort to get there pretty much did me in. I lasted maybe another half lap and then off the back and into individual time trial mode. I got lapped by the field maybe 3 times and pulled out a little before the final 3 laps. I did not want to be in anyone's way when things got really frantic.
My memory is a little fuzzy but somehow the field was there again and Gareth won the prime at the start of the 3rd lap. Gus took a long pull on the last lap (I think it was the last lap). If Andrew and I had been thinking team tactics, we could have jumped across to Gus and tried for a 1,2,3 but we were just caught up managing our own efforts and not sharp enough to recognize the opportunity. I stayed close to Andrew and on the final lap I passed him and then he passed me and the sprint ended up with Andrew nipping Gareth and another guy taking 3rd and the ABD guy mentioned earlier nipping me for 4th and me catching 5th. I think this was a good result for EMC2 and me personally. Our team or ride participants got 1st, 2nd and 5th. I think Gus got a picture of us on the podium.
Date: May 29, 30, 31, 2010
Race: Memorial Day Masters Masters 40+ Cat 4 7th, 4th, 7th
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: After some time off the bike, I decided to do the Saturday race the lazy way in the first race: save all my matches for the last lap. It worked pretty well, barely raised pulse until the end 5 minutes. Made an easy move up the field in the last laps and sprinted it out with the guys.
I knew beforehand that I would feel a little bad about racing like that (just sitting in to the end) but was committed to at least have one race in my life where I tried this out. It was a weird feeling on the cool down lap - I did not need much recovery, and sitting amongst the other shelled riders from the front group, it almost felt like I cheated. It barely counted as a work out. Never again !
...
Sunday and Mondays races: A little inspired by my revelation the day before, I decided to be much more active. It just feels better. I might blow off some of my chances for a win, but at least I am suffering=getting stronger, getting better at jumping and tiring other people out. Making the day and the trip out to the races worth it.
It seems like winning overall comes down to as much timing, luck and placement in the last half of the last lap, as well as a good kick. In my opinion, starting to get to know the Cat 4 contenders and their strengths; no one has a much greater sprint than anyone else - it is all about location,location,location and then when to fire!
Sooner or later It will all come together.
Being on the right wheel is important. But then again, you are depending on the luck of "your" lead out is having a great day, and making those right decisions. So many fluid changes, variables, opportunities and blocked opportunities in the final moments.
Sooner or later It will all come together.
I am not willing to sacrifice my safety, tho - several people have noticed that I tend to stay a bit on the outside in the sprint. I am loving the opportunity to be aggressive in a safe way to the line. So many wiggles and lane changes gets me spooked. I know how I and others get when we go all out! Prefer to err on the side of being safe, even if it mean eating full frontal wind.
Sooner or later It will all come together.
led
Date: May 30, 2010
Race: Memorial Day Masters Masters 40+
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: I was not sure what I would have in the tank after 2 hard races the prior day, but I hydrated and refueled pretty well, and started the race embracing the notion of suffering. The real question was whether I had the race smarts to be in the right move. Pretty early on, Druber initiated a move that I got in with Mike Jones and Verdigris. Not bad, but as the peloton rolled up, Mike and I drifted off for the catch. . . that didn' happen. Mark and his mate went from 10 meters off the front right back to 20 to 100 quickly.
After chasing a few moves with the help from Otero, I found myself watching a good move with Orlandi, Doughty, Jones, and a PACT rider go up the road. And I was not in it. 300 yards up the road. I jumped out of turn 3 and started a brutal solo time trial to try to bridge. 2 laps later and a screaming hr and I was in it. I was useless for a few rotations until I recovered enough to work some. Unfortunately, their move was not organized, and after a handful of laps, my work put me right back in the field. Unf---in' believable.
I had burned a lot of matches on that bridge, got in a few soft moves, and watched a few small groups drift off the front as the field was cracking. I simply held on to sprint. Unfortunately a decent sprint still placed me 16th. . .pretty far down for one hell of a lot of work.
Date: May 29, 2010
Race: Memorial Day Masters Cat 5 - 4th Place
Submitted By: Dan Martellotta
Recap: This was my first criterium of the season (third crit overall, I raced twice last season). It was short and fast, only five laps at an average speed of 25.5 mph. I rode my bike from home (Villa Park) to the race and did a few laps as a warm up when I got there. Lined up at the front with 21 other riders and it was a free for all from there on. It was an all out and go race, no tactics, nobody taking turns pulling at the front, no hiding in the pack. I went as hard as I could go for those five laps staying at the front, and finished in fourth place. I couldn't be happier; not to bad for my third race ever!
Date: May 29, 2010
Race: Memorial Day Masters 40+ (16th), 30+ (23rd)
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: One could look at my 40+ race and either call tactically terrible or "animated." It was probably both. Had some of my attempts at a break worked, I would have had great results as I felt pretty good despite the heat. However, I repeated almost exactly my mistakes from last year.
I jumped early to and past Mark Swartzendruber hoping to get something going. I jumped to a decent move with several others. And I was vigilant near the front of a fast-moving race. But as I drifted back in for a bit of recovery, a move started to drift off the front. Not attack, just roll off the front. At 20 yards, surely it would come back. Nope. I missed it. Once that break had enough riders and a decent gap, they put the hammer down.
Tony was too gassed from the 50+ to work too hard with me, although he did some monster pulls trying to do just that. It is great to have him there. PACT who had no riders in the move were pretty disorganized with only Mike Jones throwing some good attempts to get away only to be reeled in. I even took a balls out flyer for a lap and a half hoping to draw out some working partners. Nothing. And in the end, we were lapped by the break.
As for a sprint...I thought we were supposed to let the break come through us and that we should stay out of their way. But it got quite messed up with lapped riders trying to be strongmen among the break. WTF. After sitting in for 50 minutes, now these guys wanted to sprint amongst the break that had shelled us. I rolled in 16th, confused as to why we were sprinting among the break.
In the 30+ race, I entered not knowing if I would finish. I had Buster Poindexter in my head - "Hot! Hot! Hot!" I did sit in for the most part, until a break moved away - 6 or 8 guys. Attempts to bring them back were not really working well, but they were not far off othe front. I moved up right as the peloton was slowing, and I took a moderate dig down the inside. Not a full-on attack, just an attempt to reel them in some. After rolling at 32mph, I flicked the elbow for help and two guys were with me ready to work. Verdigras and ?. That felt good. The three of us hammered up to the break and had left the peloton behind.
For a lap. The break gave up. So I went back to sitting in, and a 2 person break got away. With 2 to go, I moved back up well, and with 1 to go was sitting well at 5th wheel. Then the heat and heartrate took its toll on my mental strength. As the swarm came around me, I did not have the energy to hammer to stay up front. I got swamped for a 23rd place finish, and the 2 person break succeded.
Date: May 15, 16, 2010
Race: Monsters of Midway, Fox River Grove
Submitted By: Dave Reed
Recap: It has been a week since this race weekend and I feel a lot more emotionally removed from the moment to finally see it clearer for to read better.
Most of you have either been to Monsters course and know the long straights of Midway Plaisance with short ends that follow left this year. 1.1 mile in open courtyard on University of Chicago campus. Complete with Ida Noyes Hall and the cathedral across the street. Great location for a race. I like this type of course for fast drags and somewhat safe turns. If the surface were even, lord it could be a lot faster.
30+ race has a few guys I'm marking and now training with during the 30+ week, interestingly enough. I know that being on the inside and within 10 riders from the front is the best place to be. Jump off the front, see who chases, get reeled in, do some work at the front, fade to back for a rest, bridge gaps, take leaps from midpack..etc (nothin you havent seen me do on a training ride). Be there in the best 10 spot on the inside at the end and open it up and see what happens. Well, most of that happened. That was the whole race, until 2 turns and 200m from the finish i see a rush to the inside when i exit turn 2, my inside plan, gone. So, I work my way up the outside and try to get to the turn in the top 5 and burn the ignitors a bit sooner, but no. I see Tim in the middle when a moment before I had him two wheels in front and now im behind a XXX rider whos blocking the gutter and i cant pass to jump midfield to get to the turn in top 5. Pfff. Real time changes require the adaptation. It got shut down. I saw Pat Fasse lift his arms and I had 100m to go.
Pro 1/2 race. Lots of the same in the 30+. Of Note: I did spot a move by Ryan Fruend (ABD) and took his wheel and a teammate of his for a lap or so. Seeing that was key. It will be crucial to catch that and when the legs can carry you, take advantage. In that situation, I was trying to do the least amount of work. 2 against 1 and they had teammates to possibly block? It got reeled in. It was excellent speed training. Rode half the race and pulled out to rest for Fox River Grove.
Fox River Grove
30+ again has plenty of talent registered. Pat Fasse from Bicycle Heaven who won the day before is here. We warmed up together. That sounded gay I know, but you understand. Luke Seeman was there with many mates of his. A few Mack riders were present. It was a good 25 or so rider field. A climb like this requires a 25 if not a 27t cog if you want to spin up it (as I do and like) but I only sported 23. Hmm. Its not so bad if you can get good momentum before the climb and power up it and its not hard to follow wheels. The top has a short re-rise and left turn into a beautiful winding decent. the burnt rubber odor from the wheels in front of you is a real manly smell I feel. My Easton carbons were fast and reliable. I could do this maybe 9 or 10 more I times I said to myself. Yea, maybe 15 tops. It was a decent 8, 7, 6, then 5 man rotation as guys kept getting popped by the climb. No primes. Bell lap has myself, pat, luke, justin (mack) and another xxx guy. I'm behind pat, whos behind luke and the mack guy jumps with 1k to go, downhill mind you, and I yell to pat to go get him, pat locks on to him, luke is gone with his mate. justin fades before last turn and pat goes through with me on his wheel, spun out by the time we get out of it and we sprint in 1, 2. Sweet ride. I know Ill get past Pat one of these races.
1hr break (not much time to get calories/rest before 1/2 race. musnt start a race with a full belly.)
Pro 1/2 I jumped in, 1 because I paid for it and 2 to see how I would recover with that short period after a hard effort before. 2nd in the 30s pays me my entry back for the 2nd race so, why not? It was BRUTAL. 4 Laps. Total 14. I knew that was reasonable. Great training for Snake Alley and when Im fresh, 20 laps will be do-able. Those ABD guys tore it up. I wish I could have been fresh for this race to have just ridden with them. Stellas afterwards....wazzup?
Date: May 15, 2010
Race: Monsters of Midway Cat 4
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: When Tony Meadors heard I did not have a bike to ride this weekend, he offered to let me use his old ride: a steel-lugged Specialized Allez he used to do Time Trials on. I had some old parts lying around, and staying up until midnight, I managed to swap out the aerobars with drop bars with stem mounted shifters. (see photo gallery)
I had no aspirations of doing well, my primary goal was to stay safe, get racing experience and to get a great work out out of it. My pre-plan was to stay back the first 20 min, then go hard the last 20 minutes.
I did test out the bike earlier, and was confident that it was safe, just one quirk was discovered during the race: my knees hit the shifters a few times during turns and surprise downshifted me!
It was noticeably harder to jump onto wheels with a few pounds heavier bike. I must be spoiled from using the Addict, but really, accelerating fast onto the attacks took a lot out of me. I figured I would have slim chances in the final sprint, so instead I did couple of steady pulls off the front towards the end of the race, including one in the last lap which kept me in the lead until the very last turn. I was out of gas by then, but I got to watch up close the 4-5 guys jumping out of the corner for the finish win. A bunch more passed me in the last seconds of the race - I ended up #22.
Oh yeah, there was a big crash on the far straightaway with 3 laps to go. I was not involved, luckily up towards the front of the pack at the time. I am guessing someone hit the big depression in the road on the outside straightaway and (by the sound of it) took down a dozen riders
Date: May 15, 2010
Race: Monsters of Midway Cat 4/5
Submitted By: Andrew Stevens
Recap: A very different experience for my 5th ever start and second race of the year. 72 starters, headwind in the finishing straight and a good number of riders that either didn't know what they were doing or were just shit. As it was on University of Chicago, there were a lot of students who seem to care less about crashing than people with a mortgage. Fastest and most scary race I have done.
Averaged over 26 mph - tried to stay up high but at times it was impossible, boxed in the middle with people attacking either side. Early on saw Gareth Reed, a new joiner to our group rides, end up in a 3 man break which looked promising for a brief time - I was willing him on.
2 laps to go and well placed, went into corner 3 and someone flipped out of his line and nearly took the guy out next to me until he flipped towards me and I ended up on the outside curb losing a shit load of places probably from top 20 to middle lower field. Into the home straight and I gave it full beans on the outside to get back in contention for the last lap, hit corner 1 and 2 where a lapped rider was right in the middle of the road, hit the back straight but couldn't get behind anyone so had to take a full wind. Now it was really winding up, last 2 corners and all my efforts took their toll, my legs were screaming, tried to sprint but more a token effort. I thought I finished quite well down but it looks like I got 18th place which in the end I was really pleased about since 70 finished. Learned a lot in that race!
Date: May 15, 2010
Race: Monsters of Midway Cat Masters 40+ and 30+
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: I knew the 40+ would be a fast race for me and Tony Meadors. Before the race began, Tony and I were on the same warm up strip with Swartzendruber and Verizon. And they lapped us there. I hoped the race would go better than warm up. And it did.
For my first race, 40+, I felt very good, yet humble among the firepower that lined up with me. I just decided to watch 4 particular guys and not miss the inevitable acceleration that might stick. I was clearly not alone in my thinking as just about every move was shut down pretty quickly. I was active near the front, and when I tucked in to recover, Tony Meadors was closing down gaps which helped me.
The first prime was for theatre tickets. And while all the manly-men poo-poo'd this prize at the start line, I saw it as an opportunity to get more racing and training time by winning these theatre tickets for my wife. So I went for the prime and got it. That was a big confidence booster for the race.
Most of the race was good accelerations being covered rapidly. With two to go, I forced myself to dig toward the front. And on the final backstretch, I knew turn 3 was hugely important so I moved to 6th or 7th wheel there. Coming out of it, I launched with all that was left and was closing in on the top three who were fanning out a bit early for the line. Holy shit! I was coming up on them for podium!. Yes! Yes! Nope. Not even my bike throw would grab me 3rd, but I was in the hunt and that worked for me.
Dave Reed and I lined up for 30+ immediately after my 40+. The 30+ was a bit sketchier than 40+, with more bumping and questionable lines...at least in the back. Some dude kept using turn 1 and 3 to try to advance up the inside, using a vector that was impossible to hold. I guarantee ever rider taking the smooth turn was watching to see if this idiot would shoot out the other side right into their line. Thankfully, he hit the brakes and lost positions each time.
I was fried from the 40+ so started dead last in a strung out field. Who is driving this so damn early, I thought. Oh. Dave Reed. I was entering turn 1 and he was driving the group wel out of turn 2. I guess I better act like a teammate and get my ass up there.
So I did. I covered a few moves, even attempted what I thought was a perfectly timed break. The field had been hammering down a move, and then it fanned out in front of me as I was coming up the outside. I just stepped on it and had a terrific jump down the start/finish stretch. I thought. I hammered through turn 1 and 2 and checked back to see a long line behind me. Damn. Either that was a crappy jump or people view me as a threat worth chasing. Don't answer that...
I tried my best to help Dave Reed knowing his sprint. But I think I inadvertantly got him boxed in on the final lap. I had moved up to 5th or 6th wheel out of turn 2 and was holding well down the back stretch. Then got swamped, and screwed Dave Reed in the process - if he was on my wheel. I should have been hammering to stay up once I felt the swamp. I heard him yell at me to get outside, and I picked my way up to 15th or so by turn 3. Too far back. I picked up a few spots to finish 12th, but I think I jeapordized Dave in the process. Live and learn.
Date: May 2, 2010
Race: Vernon Hills Crit Cat 5
Submitted By: Andrew Stevens
Recap: Checkout finishing video here! Andrew takes 4th in sprint
After a night of torrential rain Gareth (our new group rider from Glen Ellyn and a fellow Brit) trekked it out to Vernon hills not knowing what the weather was going to do for my first race of the year. On arrival it was still wet and remained so throughout the cat 5 race which started at a delightful 8.10am. As ever we got there in plenty of time but with registration, several restroom trips and pinning on numbers there was not enough time to warm up properly.
There were two sharp corners on the course but were made more worrying in that not only were they wet but one of them had a puddle directly in the racing line. There didn't look to be many riders there but as always they came out of the woodwork and there were around 45 riders at the start line.
Things started off slow but a few riders started attacking. There were 3-4 teams there with three plus riders so a bit of team tactics started to play off in the first few laps. 3 laps to go things slowed dramatically at 2 to go things started to speed up. I started to get a bit edgy as this is when we were really grouped together and the inexperience started to show in whether riders could keep their line. 1 lap to go and I found myself a little far back so kicked hard off the first sharp corner. Gareth had ridden a very intelligent race and was really well placed. Last sharp corner and I kicked hard again, so did everyone else but I made it into around 10th place rounding the last curve into the home straight. Had no idea what was going on so pushed on hard and found myself in the mix. There was a strong headwind in the final straight and I was protected by a couple of guys. I decided to go for it but it was too early by about 50 yards, I started to die and could feel others catching. I struggled to get to the finish line but gave it everything, just as I passed the finish line I saw Gareth in my preripheral vision we had taken 4th and 5th place - it was a blast!!!!.
Date: April 10, 2010
Race: Hillsboro Roubaix Cat 3
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: "Sometimes you're the hammer. Sometimes you're the nail." No question for me this race.
I knew something was not quite right when my HR was way too high early while just sitting in. The consensus is I was dehydrated, which is possible from allergy meds. Aside from that, I felt great but frustrated for getting such poor initial position. I had a turning point at the end of the first 28 mile lap - as I was screaming down the downhill onto the rough patch before the start/finish - my full water bottle intended to hold me the last 28 miles went airborne. This left me with 1/4 bottle of fluid and a racing heart rate.
The field stretched out and Scott Knoepke and I charged to get back in the safety of the bunch. Unfortunately, I did not get in deep enough like Scott did - and the three guys in front of me cracked. I gave it all to get back in, but 2 more accelerations later and I myself was "attrition." What a crappy feeling. However, I kept my head down hoping for the pace to ease, which it did, and after 2 miles, I rejoined. 2 more accelerations later, and I was re-acquianted with "attrition." The last 20 miles were me solo. The traffic volunteers were great - one lady gave me a water bottle, and I spun it in. Nuts.
Date: March 28, 2010
Race: SCW Autobahn Crit Joliet - 5th Cat 5, 11th Masters 40+
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: The SCW at the Autobahn Cat 5 race was pretty uneventful. Two guys got away into a solid lead early on - with that wind they really deserved first and second for their effort. They actually managed to increase their lead each lap, that is hard to do in such a wind... The rest of us battled it out in a field sprint, I felt the I timed it pretty good and ended up third in the field (5th overall).
The Masters 40 was interesting. I felt like swimming with sharks. I chatted with Ricardo at the line, and he pointed out a few Category 2's and former 1 guy. The interesting part was watching Team Mack operate. They had 6 riders, and one of them (Gary) kept yelling and bossing the rest around, and cussing out his team-mate that failed to be in the right spot. I have really enjoyed being totally independent in these 13 early crits, and just going with the flow and following my own body about when to go hard, when to sit in. I was 11th in this race.
Date: March 27, 2010
Race: Burnham Spring Super Crit - 12th Cat 4/5
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: The last race of the Burnham Super Crit went great: Cat 4/5. With 3 laps to go, I heard the bell for the last preem of the day. I decided to make a long sustained effort for it. I figured my legs were to shot for a great spring finish anyway, and so far the field had stayed together. I attacked just at the spot around the first turn when the field turns into the headwind, and naturally slow down a little. I never got any distance. Brandon from Iron Cycles stayed on my wheel, and the rest started getting strung out in a single file. It was pretty cool to take those turns alone at full speed as opposed to in a pack, It felt like I could go much faster trough them. I was leading into the last two long straightaways, and gestured for Brandon to take a pull. I was a little worried about him resting on my wheel until right before the line. He did not roll by, but stayed glued to my wheel. ( He told me after the race that he could barely hang on my wheel ) I had to make a choice to either sit up and force someone else to pull, or keep going. I decided to keep it up, at least to the preem sprint. I made a standing sprint the last 50 yards and got it! It turned out to be the Crowd Prime, the MC passed around a hat during the lap, and I got $42.72 in cash handed to me after the race!
There were four of us with a little gap on the rest as I pulled off with two laps to go. I managed to hang onto them, but soon after the headwind area started, the field caught up. I was completely shelled and knew that the tempo would be crazy again on the bell lap. I tried to rest up and draft as much as possible, was dead last coming into the final sprint I lucked out by everyone naturally wanting to sprint on the downwind side. The opened up the road for me and I re-passed most of the field again! Moved up from 45th to 12th!
Date: March 27, 2010
Race: Burnham Spring Super Crit - 12th Cat 3 and 28th Cat 1,2,3 (6th Cat 3 to finish)
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: Good training and good racing. In the Cat 3, I had Dave Reed's story in my mind: "I came to race today." With the help of Scott Knoepke (Psimet) we bridged to a decent move and stayed away for a good bit, and quite frankly I felt very very good. But I also covered alot of breaks and unfortunately, the final one stuck to the finish sans me. I had a very tired sprint for 12th. In the end I could have sat in and gone for a higher place in the finish, but the more aggressive vigilence at the front was good for me, too.
In the 1, 2, 3's I rode totally differently. I simply wanted to hang in and get good miles. Unfortunately, I did not eat nor drink nearly enough in the hour between the two races. Again, I felt very good until 5 miles to go in a 75 minute race when some signs of cramping showed. I rode cautiously and I was mentally prepared to go like hell for the finish, until with a mile to go - lights out. I had to just spin it in. My legs were locking. Rookie mistake not eating and hydrating enough between races. But great miles overall, and a great course.
Date: March 22 - 26, 2010
Race: Gapers Bloc
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: Tonight was much better -at the Gapers Block Crit. I had problems clipping in one foot at the start, and before I knew it, I was dead last, and saw a lead group of 4 pulling away far up ahead...I worked my way up like a salomon ladder (maybe that is a Norwegian-only allegory). By the time I was at the front, the two stronger groups had connected. The race had about a dozen contenders, the rest pretty much got lapped once or twice. Funny to see the urban hipsters meet "real" bikers, he he ...
With three laps to go,the group of 12 was together - the headwind seemed to stop any attacks. I noticed a guy who I thought looked strong go on an attack, I hooked onto him, and we did a few pulls each for a lap. The rest connected back up, with 2 to go, and the pace increased as it always does. Again I felt like I could barely hang on with the pace - I had to sit all the way in the back of a group of a dozen or so, almost got dropped. Luckily, on the last headwind stretch, sitting like that gave me enough rest from the wind that coming out of the last turn I could pretty easily sprint by a bunch of them..
Not all of course, but it was nice to see that everyone was "within reach" coming across the line
Date: March 21, 2010
Race: Kenosha Crit
Submitted By: Jostein Alvestad
Recap: Really strong field - I could barely hang on the main group. I thought I was in better shape than that.:) Or maybe the Hillclimb TT the day before figured in. 30 minutes in of the 45 min race, a group of six got away, I tried to chase them, but the rest of my group seemed to all have teammates up ahead, no-one wanted to share a pull. I am not complaining, they showed great restraint and team tactics! They sat on my wheel until I totally tired myself out during a couple of laps. I wasted a lot of energy...learning experience...until I sat up and cruized with the pack until the last sprint, but was behind many and I was too tired- probably ended up 15 place or so" (11th place)
Date: February 22, 2010
Race: Indoor TT #2
Submitted By: Tim Radcliff
Recap: I will keep it simple, since it is not a very complicated race. "That was hard."
Since time trialing is still a relatively new discipline for me, these races are not only great for conditioning, but for learning my body's response over a sustained 15+ minute effort. Most important for me is learning the mental discipline required to fight through the discomfort, to stay focused on form, and to ride right underneath the level at which I would crack. I am still learning that level. These are humbling races for me, indeed, but I believe they will translate into speedier times on the road this year.
Great turnout from Team EMC2
