Northfield first crit race report

The always enjoyable Northfield July 4th crit ended up being the first since my crash last year. A combination of leeriness of crits plus lack of fitness was causing a cycle of fail that needed to be addressed by just getting out there and HTFU. The goal was not to crash, hang on as long as I could, and get the legs back. Mission accomplished. The 35+ race served as a warm-up, and as expected I got dropped quickly, but got the legs burning and heart racing like nothing else. After that, I lined up for the 3-4 race. This was also fast, as expected, with many known Cat 3 fasties in the field, including our own Skidsy. I hung on longer in this race, until they decided we were going too slow and threw out a prime. A few laps later and I was pulled. Only close call was pulling out of my pedal torquing up the hill, but I got it together safely with no harm done. Apparently there were a couple of crashes in my race, but I saw neither of them. Anyway, I'm back in the game, now I just need to get the fitness back! Looking forward to the stockyards crits and maybe Hopkins next weekend.

Funny story - not!

Today was the Synergy 40K time trial at Withrow. Two lap of a 20K course on a cold and windy morning. But I sucked it up and queued up, and was actually feeling pretty good all things considered. The wind was out of the northwest, and we started out going northwest. But oh, when we turned east, that was heaven! Cruising along at 30mph makes up for the suckage that is a headwind or sidewind in aero bars. Reading up a bit on TT strategy, I decided not to go too hard the first lap, and kick it up on the second.

The second lap was feeling pretty good, never mind the fact that I'd lost count of how many people had passed me by then. I was coming up on the turn to start the tailwind section. The marshalls there had a big flag that was sticking straigh out in the direction we were going - really sweet touch guys! On the left side of the road I noticed a rider walking his bike. "I wonder what happened to that guy" I thought. Just at that moment, I heard "thump - psssssssssssst." Instantly I knew what had happened to him - we'd both hit a nasty pothole at that point and pinch flatted. Just when I was about to hit the fun part of the course!!

This was a great course otherwise. Some really sweet swag from NOW Bikes and HED, free brats and beer afterwards, and well organized and marshalled. Great job Synergy!

Family Thanksgiving, Jingle Cross

Went down to Des Moines Thursday morning with Sascha for Thanksgiving with my mom. It was less chaotic than years' past, with just mom, step-dad and step-dad's sister and husband. We had the usual fare, and it was yummy! Sascha and step-aunt went back to Minneapolis and Kansas City respectively the same day. I stayed on for Jingle Cross. Decided to do just Saturday to avoid a lot of extra driving between Iowa City and Des Moines, and also to avoid the embarassment of my off-the-back performance this year.

I'd signed up early, with high hopes of being back in shape and able to take advantage of a good start. I was actually feeling pretty bad in the end for wasting a front row position and getting in everyone's way, so when "hole-shot" Hollywood offered gas money to switch positions back to third row, it worked out perfectly. Not sure if it was my lack of fitness or the course this year, but it was really really hard! Most people were walking up "Mt. Krumpit" this year, so I didn't feel quite so bad about it, but it was tough. Adding to it was slippery conditions on the off-camber above the bleachers and Mt. Krumpit, and I had no toe spikes (took them off for commuting earlier).

In the end I wasn't last, had fun, and had an awesome workout. My glutes are really feeling it today! I even escaped from the little group I was with, and sprinted for thirty-something place to move up a notch. Stayed on for the 2/3, elite women, and part of the elite men's race before heading back. As always, it was good to connect with the racing community, now that everyone's starting to hibernate, and it was fun as always to have the parents watch this crazy sport called cyclocross. Unfortunately the camera batteries died after three pictures, so I don't have much for picture. Step-dad brought his video camera and got some still pics with it. So not much for pictures this weekend, alas. My best pic of the three was Linda's excellent for across the barriers; the camera died right after the start of the women's elite race.

Notables from the race: podium girls, Patty Cakes cleaning up on $1 and $5 primes, free beer, slip-n-slide fun on the off-camber, watching a slick bike change through the pit, Wells brothers showing everyone how it's done, cheers helping me up Mt. Krumpit. Good times.

State CX championship race report

I decided to ride up to Crystal, since most of the route would be on the way to my previous work site, and I'd get a good warm up in. It turned out to be a pleasant ride once warmed up a bit: chain of lakes to Wirth and Victory Memorial, over at 40th Ave. skirting along Crystal Lake, and across Hwy. 100 via a pedestian bridge. It took less time than I expected, and rode the course even before the C race started.

Wow, what a completely different course than years past! Much much much longer with the addition of a lot of straight cruising along in the grass. The only 'crossy parts were the stairs (there would be mutiny if those were removed!), and the addition of a sand pit, which was a great addition. I heard the course was over two miles long! The C race only did three laps!

When my race finally rolled around, I lined up at the back as usual. After things settled down, I was basically towing two other guys around the course. It was good being in a group, because I was actually racing. Racing not to be last, but still racing! This meant powering through all the grassy stuff, and trying to open a gap through the stairs and sandpit. I got passed a couple of times, but then I'd go to the front to be first into the singletrack, or pass the guy on the mountain bike because, well, he was on a mountain bike.

We were dangling behind a group in front of us and make up time occasionally when they played cat and mouse on a paved section - apparently no one wanted to be the sucker blocking the wind. Eventually we picked off one guy from the group, I think it was Skibby, although he wasn't on the Axis of Evil so I'm not 100% sure. Apparently he joined up with the little group I was towing around, because on the second to last lap, he got my bike in his face as I shouldered it into the sand pit.

The sand pit was fun each lap, as the BMC tent was set up there and I had teammates cheering for me, and a Silver Cycling guy I was towing would always ride the pit while I ran it. I was always a contest to see which method would be faster. In the end it was the same, but left me fresher out of the pit (that or he just didn't want to be in the front at all). I missed a vodka handup one time through. On the second to last time through, Skibby(?), who hadn't been with our group until we caught him, must not have expected me to run it or something, because he was right behind me where the bike goes when shouldering. We both tumbled into the sand pit, and must have made quite the scene, because the BMC tent was roaring. I checked to make sure everyone was all right a couple of times, and we made it through okay.

The bike, however, wasn't so fortunate, and I was left with the smallest gear, plus the smallest gear in the big chainring, as the front shifter was still working. This meant I had to spin like crazy for the rest of the race, and most of my little group easily passed me on the last lap. I wasn't DFL, though, as the mountain bike guy was still behind me, and I spun my little gear as fast as I could to the finish. I don't remember the Silver guy passing me, so I don't know if he gave up or also has issues from the sand pit.

All that powering through the grass really left my legs burning like no race had done so far this year! I think it was more due to really trying at this race than anything else though. I enjoyed it, and in addition to cheers at the sand pit there was the usual crowd making noise at the stairs, which was awesome.

The A race was exciting, with Dewey and Patty Cakes duking it out on the front, shedding Dan Swanson, Aric Hareland and some guy from Milwaukee. Pat eventually got a gap on Dewey in the last lap and took the championship! The kid's only 21, and he held of the veterans. I'm sure that was due in large part to the non-'crossy nature of the course, but it showed how strong he is. I expect more big things from him on the road next year. I caught glimpses of the Lindas duking it out during my race, a repeat of the Linda vs. Linda battles from last year. Linda Sone ended up taking the win again.

Thanks to Meow's Taxi Service for providing a ride home. Riding with two gears and race-pressure tires would not have been much fun, if my legs could even have gotten me home. Thanks also to everyone who came out to watch and cheer!

Ham Lake cyclocross race report

I had the lyrics "I was strolling through the park one day, in the merry merry month of October" going through my head today. I'd heard that there would be a runup in the course today, but that wasn't the case. It consisted entirely of a wooded path, mostly wide enough to allow passing, a long stretch of asphalt road and a longish stretch of wide ski(?) trail. Only one place you had to dismount, a set of three barriers, placed at different distances, messing up any rhythm. This course was even tamer than Lake Rebecca, where you at least had some runups and dismounts and stuff. You'd think someone could have put a log across the trail or found some kind of runup or SOMETHING to make it interesting. At least there were some people out making some noise, that was good. Anyway, lined up at the back again, and really wasn't feeling motivated. The course really showed off my lack of fitness too, since I couldn't hide it by finessing anything cyclocross-y. Should have raced on Sunday. I had to zip home to have time to take Sascha to the airport, so no watching the A race. Thinking of racing tomorrow anyway to salvage the weekend. At least both races are only $20 each.

Wirth cyclocross race report

My injury this spring has been the best thing for my cyclocross season! Being out for the summer means I have no expectations, and can really have fun. Today was maybe the best time I've had at a Minnesota cylocross race.

I rode over to Wirth, which was right on my previous route to work. There looked to be a good turnout for the only urban race here since Powderhorn and Boom Island were cancelled. There was quite the line, too. I took a pic for all the pre-reg haters out there. Teammates Owen, Matt, Mario (honorary), Ray and T3 all showed up, which was sweet, except poor T3 broked his '09 Rival group already. All the other usual suspects were there from the whole MN, IA and ND scenes.

The course was fun for me. If I were really serious about racing it would not be at all fun. There was a lot of singletrack, which meant either you can't pass, or people will take stupid risks to pass. Since I'm not, though, I really enjoyed the swooping curves and getting my bike handling on. I'm proud to say, no crashes, and, since I put my chain watcher back on, no dropped chains either. While pre-riding I came up on someone wearing a wedding veil on the back of her helmet, which I figured could only be Kristy. She and Jay had gotten married yesterday, with the reception there in Wirth park, so it was only fitting! Congratulations!

After checking out the course, I watched a bit of the C race. Coming out of the woods into the grassy area near the start/finish I saw an endo and some slide outs. There were plenty of places on the course where things could get nasty in the heat of a race. I lined up at the back as usual for this season, and with the huge turnout, that meant pretty far back. The first two laps were a leisurely stroll through the woods as things got pretty backed up. Eventually things sorted out, and I could have some fun picking my own lines and picking off people here and there in a battle for 50th. My only goal was not to be slower than Skibby, and I at least accomplished that. :)

After a few laps the "party on the wrong side of the barrier" was ramping up, and I took a whisky handup and later a vodka handup. It really was great to have a big, loud turnout. Between that and not taking it seriously, it was almost like being in Portland again.

After the B race I was exhausted. I figured out that I was bonking, but right then Meow came to the rescue with pumpkin muffins and cookies! She totally saved the day, allowing me to hang out and watch some of the A race instead of heading straight home for recovery. I think pumpkin muffins is my new favorite recovery food!

Highlights:

- Kristy's veil
- A brand new Time 'cross bike cleanly broken in two by a tree collision (rider was okay)
- Vodka and whisky handups
- Lots of people cheering for me
- Doing an extra lap because they forgot to flip the counter
- Flying bike in the A race (previous video)
- Chatting and high-fiving with spectators during my race
- Hanging out and having fun before and after my race
- Noticing that Smithers skipped the skinsuit today
- Pumpkin muffins!

Good times. I had to leave before the end of the A race as the muffins wore off. As I was leaving, Dan Swanson was off the front, with Aric Harland in hot pursuit, Ghost was battling back up after a bobble, CJ was doing awesome moving up each lap, and Smithers was hanging on for dear life but looking pro.

Hudson CX race report

I love this course! Every year Dag and co. put together a real cyclocross course, and it's always one of the very best of the year. Today was no exception, and as a bonus, we had some soaking rain that stopped just before our race. Perfect!

After a party last night, it was hard to get up this morning, but I sucked it up, picked up T3 and we headed over to Hudson in the pouring rain. I was a bit peeved about paying $25 for a cyclocross race with no chip timing, no pre-reg, no free treats (they had some yum chili for a donation to the Hudson fire dept. though). There was a line for registration too, and the B racers had to wait for all the C racers to register. Those annoyances were forgotten as I pre-rode the course though. Unfortunately I had another annoyance later, as my drivetrain was making some noise because of a loose chainring bolt, which then broke clean off as I tightened it. Guess alloy chainring bolts aren't the best for cyclocross. Duh.

Like last year, we started on a wide, paved section that led to a wide grassy section to allow things to sort out before sending us into anything nasty. Some grassy turns, then into the woods. It wasn't as muddy as expected, but muddy enough. Tight turns, descents, some brief recovery, a short section of packed sand on the beach then back into the woods for a natural log barrier that was bunny-hoppable (not for me though). More twisty turns, then into deep sand for a nice long run along the beach (I was imagining a scene from a cheesy romantic movie, running along the beach). Then back into the grass, a double barrier, and then we started all over again.

After a few laps, I had a good feel for the course, and it became even more fun, as I learned where I could carry some speed, just how fast I could nail the corners, which lines were best, etc. As usual with the lack of summer fitness, I started at the back and didn't have to tangle with anyone, as I settled into a no-man's land near the back. I was with a few riders for a bit but I think they kept falling behind on the long run along the beach (all the running this past tear paid off there!). Toward the end I got a bit cocky and missed a corner, then dropped my chain (still haven't gotten around to put the chain watcher on).

There was a good turnout of spectators making some noise, which made it even more fun. Ray had his cowbell (but no mumu), and there were others making noise in the woods and throughout the course. That's what really makes a course fun for everyone!

The A race was great to watch, as there were plenty of spots to watch cyclocross skills in action. Bjorn bunny-hopped the log with ease (others not so much), Adam Bergman's dismount and remount over the log were positvely fluid, really impressive actually. I got some video later, but people were getting tired and not quite so graceful, but still sweet to watch. There were lots of places for various skills to come into play: running, cornering, barriers, straight up motoring. The winner, therefore, would truly be the best all around cyclocrosser. T3 had family stuff going on, so we left before the A race finished, but we still had time for some chili, chatting and watching the race.

Good times.

Treadman duathlon race report

Well this was completely unexpected. Looking at the results from last year, and using my best times from training runs, I figured I'd be square in the middle of my age group. I didn't expect too much, but that didn't prevent me from putting it all out on the course.

I got up at 5am, loaded up, had breakfast a little before 6am (9am start time), made coffee, picked up Sascha, stopped at Starbuck$ for her, and headed down to Rochester. Got there in plenty of time for a good bike slot, did a warm up run, and followed the lemmings to the start area.

The run was a mass start (no timing mat at the start), so I lost a bit of time by not lining up at the front (my 10K had a timing mat at the start). Lesson #1. I had to kind of push my way up at the start, and settled into a group going about my speed. We turned off onto a gravel road, which my joints thanked me for. Onto a multiuse path, a very short loop, then back onto the path into the transition.

I must have looked like a big dork in transition. I put on my helmet over the sunglasses I had perched on my head (it was cloudy), figured that out, fumbled with the straps and then switched shoes, fumbling a bit, then got the bike off the rack pretty well and headed out. Never having practiced with the TT bike, I still did a good cyclocross mount and headed out, straight up a hill. Sascha was being a good girlfriend and cheering for my there and got a picture.

The bike went pretty well. On the course was a girl from the little group I was running with, on a bling Cervelo, so she must have had a better transition and known what she was doing. I finally passed her and settled into another group that I'd play leapfrog with. They'd pass me on the uphills, I'd pass them on the downhills (it was a rolling course). Unfortunately my nutsack was pinched the whole ride! Ouch. Lesson #2 - Body Glide. There was a brisk wind, so I was happy for the ghetto TT bike. It took some mental pushing to keep the pace up, as it wasn't like a road race. At the end of the bike I moved ahead of the group (and by group I mean two or three other people) in order to be unobstructed in the narrow transition zone.

Transition two and I looked like a big dork again. Although I did another good cyclocross dismount and moved up a slot that way, I started running out of transition with my helmet still on! Ran back, dumped the helmet, realized I still had my gloves on (I wore gloves because the transition area was gravel and I wanted to clean my tires after I got out of it), and peeled them off and threw them by the side.

The second run wasn't nearly as brutal as it was when I did the only brick I'd ever done. Must have been the race day adrenaline. I overheard a guy I'd passed on the way in yelling to his S.O. about leapfrogging with me, so I figured he was out to get me. This was good motivation to keep my pace up. I heard someone behind me moving up, and it turned out to be the girl I'd been running with during the first run. Again she must have had a good transition while I was fumbling with my helmet, as I'd passed her pretty early on the bike! She made a good carrot, though, as she was clearly better at this than I was. After the turnaround I saw that I had a decent gap on the other guys I'd been leapfrogging on the bike, but the whole way back I imagined them breathing down my neck, and kept the pace up. I even caught up with my carrot as I picked up the pace when the finish line was in sight.

I left everything on the course, and almost couldn't stop at the end to get my chip taken off, fearing a heart attack if I stopped suddenly! I went with Sascha back to transition to get my bike, and again I looked like a total dork as I was completely unabled to bend over to gather my stuff. You'd think I'd run a marathon or something! Of course Sascha had to laugh at me, but only because she could feel my pain I imagine.

We wandered over to look at the results which were being posted, and I was amazed to find myself provisionally in 3rd place for my age group, 17th-ish overall. I was stoked! Wanting to stick around for the awards, I took by bike back to the car, but on the way they had already started giving out the awards and I'd missed my age group. Afterward I went up to the table, and it turned out I was 2nd! Not sure how I went from 3rd to 2nd (Sascha said something about overall winners being pulled from the age groups), but either way it's a podium for my first ever multisport event!

Is this how it starts then? You get a little award, and next thing you know you're buying man-bras and $2,000 wheels? No worries, I won't be subjecting anyone to my pasty belly. And yes all you haters, I'm happy for my little age group medal!

Run 1 (5K): 21:34 (6:57 min/mile)
T1: 1:00
Bike: (30.65K): 58:07 (19.3 mph)
T2: 0:59
Run 2 (5K): 23:42 (7:38 min/mile)
Total: 1:45:20

Ghetto TT bike debut

Biked over the river to the last Black Dog TT of the year. The ghetto bike was blinged up a bit for its debut with a set of Easton Tempest II wheels borrowed from Sascha in place of the Ebay blue light specials. I got there a little later than I have in the past, so there was no line, which was nice. Only Trench from my team showed up, and I think turnout was light due to fear of more rain.

It's hard to say how I did yet; I rode at the pain threshold for 7.2 miles - a little less than TNT so I pushed it a bit more. The road sucks worse than ever, though, so energy was wasted avoiding potholes and patched patches, and relaxing the legs to absorb impact when they can't be avoided. I felt fast when I could settle into a rhythm, though, which wasn't very often. I passed my half minute man, but after that I was passed by two or three others after the turnaround. It would have been great to stick around for the results, especially since they had FREE BEER AND PIZZA there, but it was already getting dark by the time my race was over, and it was fully dark when I got home. All I had were little blinky LEDs to get me home. Props to Silver Cycling for providing the beer and pizza though!

Many of the usual suspects were there today: Hollywood and Kristy, Timmer (my like five minutes behind man who blew past me like I was standing still), Teresa Moriarty, Sickboy, Julia, Stick Lavick, Aric Hareland, a full LSC contingent and of course many Silvers and more. No Ray though - WTF? Probably because Meow wasn't there with cookies. It was a little strange seeing the racing crowd again after having been away so long. I'll see plenty of everyone for cyclocross season though! From the back anyway...

First race of the season

Yes, it's August, and I've completed my first "race" of the season (if you count a week night time trial as a race). I went way out to the wild west for the "T'N'T" time trial series. The idea was something to see where my fitness stands that entailed little risk of crashing. Some of the Black Dog crowd was there, including teammate Trench, Linda and Dan, Timmer apparently although I never saw him (probably because he was going so fast). I rode my best on the completely stock BMC, no clip-ons even, just to compare against Black Dog times from last year. Surprisingly, I did better than my best Black Dog pace: 21.01mph for 11 miles on a rolling, but nicely smooth, course. I am pleased. Of course that's all just early base fitness. Soon it will be time to start working on the intervals. Ugh.

Boston Scientific Heart of Summer 10K

I signed up for this race to serve as a carrot for getting some fitness back while I couldn't bike. 10K = about the time of a cyclocross race, plus it was a stretch for me, as I could do 5K already. Today was Judgement Day. I ended up with 50:24, 8:07 minutes per mile. According to last year's results, that makes me pack fill. Go figure. I was actually worried that I was further back, since people kept passing me and after a while I was alone. What kept me going, though, were some cute butts to chase. Apparently that worked well, since my best pace so far (over only 8.85K even) was 8:19, and I could only manage 8:07 for 5K so far. Races are good motivators.

Now that I can bike, the challenge will be to keep up with the running. Maybe some duathlons? Basso finally shipped my derailleur hangers, so my ghetto TT bike might be ready soon-ish.

NVGP St. Paul Lowertown Criterium report round up

Can "epic" be used for a non-cyclocross race? In the end the results from the women's race will not be counted, and the men's race was called after a moto crashed in addition to numerous other crashes. Weather-hardened Minnesota racers managed to survive well though as far as I've heard so far, so congratulations are due for some excellent skills!

Official results - women
Reports:
Cyclingnews (with pics from Frank Rowe and Matt Moses)
James Lockwood on Bikethrow
Dan Swanson (local racer Grandstay)
Linda Sone (local racer Flanders)
Doug Swanson (local racer Grandstay)
Sue Butler (Portland racer River City)
Ian Stanford (local racer Grandstay)
Jenn Reither (announcer/former racer)
Pete Hanna (local fan/racer)

Ouch

Well I guess it was inevitable. My fourth season of bike racing I finally found the rubber side up in a serious way.

The first Opus crit of the year was starting out well. In spite of the wind, there was a good turnout, and everyone was in a good mood. Meow made cookies, lots of teammates showed up, and we were all ready to clear out the winter cobwebs. First couple of laps were a bit sketchy, but that was expected, and I stayed near the front. So much so that a couple stomps on the pedals got me my first ninja prime! The next lap found me off the front, since no one wanted to be in the wind. But then the bell rang for the first prime, and the speed ramped up quickly, and we had the wind at our backs. A Grumpy's rider who'd introduced himself earlier made a move around the outside, so I jumped to get on his wheel. Somehow I found my bars hooked with another rider, and down I went at 30+ mph!

Fortunately I didn't take down the rider I hooked my bars with, but I did take down a rider behind us. He was able to get back in the race, but I sincerely apologize to everyone I endangered. I really really feel bad - we all carry each other's lives in our hands, and need to be careful out there.

Dag was riding coach at the back and stopped to help me out. I was just sitting in the road dazed for a bit, but got to the side and Dag quizzed me for head injuries. Turns out I did crack the helmet, but the head was fine. My clavicle was not, however. Fortunately I couldn't see it, but apparently it was sticking up in a way that clearly wasn't right. So it was off to the hospital for me. Thanks so much to everyone that helped: Dag, Little D, Meow and all my teammates, Skibby, the USAC officials, the Skinnyski photographer and many others, and of course long-suffering girlfriend. Minnesota nice at its best!

It seems like EVERONE at the hospital and the paramedics knew all about bike racing and Opus! It was a slow day at the ER and several people came by to talk. I was a bit of a celebrity. Even got cookies for quitters at the ER courtesy of Meow! The x-rays seem to show a serious break, likely requiring surgery. On the other hand, surgery would get me back on the bike quicker. We'll see.