Local Stuff

OK...The local racing scene is in full gear now and I'm a likin' it. Those pesky NorCal races that just trash me are less and less. Of course, I still take Micah and some of the other juniors, Heath
in particular, and love watching the boys tear it up Nevada style but I like to use those early Cal. races to try and get myself in shape for the weekly Tuesday/Thursday night slugfests. I know
I'll never really be in contention with the big boys of NorCal but locally I have half a chance!
So my first race was a TT and although I've been thinking of building up an old aluminum Trek
into a TT bike, I went ahead and put the aero bars on the trusty Giant instead. Good move as I
won the thing in the "C" category, which I never thought I'd do. So much so, that last year I made a bet with one of the juniors, Heath again, that if I ever won a "C" race or podiumed ( is
that a word?) in the NorCal races, I would shave my legs. As some are fond to say: "Le Ouch!"
Immediately I swore I would never do that again! Painful. First time in my life and those were
some OLD hairs removed. Now I'm sorta used to it and actually kinda like it.

Missed out on the first Diamond Valley RR as I forgot to put my shoes in the bike bag cause I've
been riding to work and left them in the backpack instead. Duh. Turns out it wasn't such a bad
move as it was about 34 degrees F, windy with dark clouds looming. Most miserable conditions
indeed. The bummer of it though was I missed out on points. Double bummer: The TT I won
didn't have any points because it was supposed to allow everyone the opportunity to figure out
what class they should be in. I, on the other hand, KNOW what class I should be in but still no
points.

Next up, Fernely Raceway. The Field of Dreams! Well, that's what the sign says.
This race is a blast. Closed road race course with the turns all marked at the apex and such,
nice banking, one really fast right-hander going downhill, and a climb that would be similar to
going up to the corkscrew at Laguna backwards. Steep sucker.
Hung with the pack for awhile...actually crested the hill first wheel one lap but after a couple of
lung busting efforts to stay near the front the HR said that I'd better let up or I will for sure
blow up. So I think I finished around 10th out of around 17 or so. I was happy with that.

East Valley Crit. I was surprised at how fast the pace was for this one. After the sprint for the 1st
prime it was indeed a sufferfest. For three laps it was an all out, 180+ HR, leg buster at a fast
pace. Not sure how fast we were going as I never bothered to look at the 'puter except for the HR, but it was fast enough that I couldn't hang after the third lap of it. Arrgggh.
We were able to form a chase group of at least four or five. I'm not sure because I never had the
time to actually look back and see. Most of them were just trying to hang on and couldn't
come 'round to help work so I never got an actual count. There were, however, three of us up
front doing the bulk of the work and with two to go I had no choice but to attack, knowing there
was no way I could outsprint either of them. I had to attack from 2nd wheel because no one would let me move back when I finished my rotation, thus keeping me at the front! I think I still
surprised them and was able to hold it for 8th overall.

Club Challenge, Reno AirCenter Crit. Last night was the first club challenge against the mighty
Reno Wheelmen and, once again, they pretty much had their way. I'd say we were outnumbered
four to one. But I have to say that this was the best I have ever felt at this crit. I even attacked!
After they brought me back I was still able to sit in and recover and never really saw the back of
the field until the last lap.
I thought I would help lead out a teammie so went to the front. Again, I had no difficulty getting
there.
Unfortunately, no other teammies went with me except Rick, who I was going to lead out.
I went too soon and couldn't hold it for as long as I had hoped to, resulting in me sitting up and
Rick being on his own. He was second wheel going into the last turn but all hell broke loose and he ended up around 10th.
A real bad crash with some guy cutting off another and taking him out. Ambulance and all. I still
don't understand why some of these guys think they can sprint like Robbie McK. or Cippo or Zabel, etc. Stupid. All over the road, thinking they're all pro or something when most of them, like myself,
are Cat 5's. "Yeah, well, I saw how they do it on TV and so there ya go!" That's why I would rather
attack the field and hope to stay away 'cause I had to be here at work today. Can't afford to take
time off because some idiot took me out in a local bike race. Actually, that happened to me last
August and it's only been maybe a month or two since I finally healed up completely. And it was
no fun having to work all bandaged up and in pain.
Now don't get me wrong... I don't mind sprinting. I actually enjoy it. But I don't like being in the
middle of 30 guys who don't know what's going on around them but don't let that bother them
and just launch balls out come hell or high water attitude. "Cut me off will ya? Ha! Watch this! I'm
super pro cause I've got booties and a skinsuit and all and if I take out enough of these slowpokes I'll move
right up the ranks." Oy!
On a brighter note: Bobby Julich showed up and impressed everyone but still just chilled in the
pack and stayed out of the way for the sprint. Class! Micah got to ride most of the race next to
him and got to chat with him as well. They ended up doing a ride together last Jan. when it was
about 28 degrees and Mr. J remembered it. He also commented on how junior really should do
'Lbittibe or however it's spelled. He said he won it twice when he was a junior and it would be
good for him. Now if we can just get the sponsorship.
Longest blog I've ever written. STOP, PLEASE

Haw-Haw-Hawente Road Race

This was to be the race I was 'sposed to have peaked for. A Masters 55+4-5 going 6 deep? Oh, yeah baby, bring it. Been waiting for this one since last December. And except for getting dropped on the first climb of the first lap and spending the next 4 laps chasing and suffering like
I have never suffered before and spending the entire race arguing with myself about quitting or
not quitting and wanting to climb of the bike like never before, it was a great race!
Not only did I cramp in places I never knew existed, I somehow got bruises on the inside of both
legs just above the knee-cap, yet they never banged into anything. Very strange indeed.

So I roll up to the line and low and behold, who's the first person to roll up next to me but Larry
Wolf hisself.

Me: Larry! What are YOU doing here? Surely you must be at least a Cat 3.

Larry: No, not yet. Can't get any upgrade points 'cause there's not enough guys in the races
to qualify.

Me: You should do 45+ races. You'd kill 'em.

Lar: yeah, right.

So there I was...for those of you who don't know, I think Larry has won every race he has entered this year. It would kinda be like being a decent 2 or 3 and having Hernando or Nolan
or Sasser et.al line up next to you. In that split second of a moment your entire plans have just
gone out the window.
Plus, my training has sucked this year. It's like take two steps forward, one back. With sickness and work I've not been able to get the miles in. Oh, well, race myself into shape, right?

I think the most embarrassing moment came when the Pro ladies caught me on that steep little
kicker where the road turns right about 7 miles in or so. Cross Road, me tinks.
I was so dying already and knew they were a comin' up on me and wanted to stay out of the way
but this was the worst possible place to get caught as I was trying to pedal my hiney up that hill
and give them room as well and it was just a cluster. I don't think I interfered with anyone, it
was just the place I did not want to be at the time.
They all got around me before the top and I was so toasted I couldn't even draft behind them, which is a real drag because that's my favourite part of road racing! Well, one of them anyway.

So I spent the entire race chasing this one carrot that I caught up to one time but never could
get around. It looked like I had it made going into the final lap cause I was able to catch on to him on the flat part going into the start area and was able to hang on Altamont no prob.
But on the last lap he hooked up with a faster group which was lapping us and he was gone.

Well, what do you know?! I make the right hand turn onto the steep section of Altamont Pass
and there he is. 20 meters at best up the road. Wellllll, things are a lookin' better. But, try as I
might, I just couldn't bridge up to him this time. There was nothing left to the point that I think
people were walking up that hill faster than I could pedal! Excruciating is the one word that describes that race that day. But I did manage to finish with a top ten, so I 'spose it was worth
it.

Micah, on the other hand, had a good race with the 3's, finishing in 7th after five laps. Or was it
six? Can't remember. What I do know is that after his 3 race, he jumped in with the junior 17-18
kids and hung with them for two more laps. That kid has really turned into a stud.

He also got 2nd in the junior crit Sunday, just missing out on the win by less than the width of a
tire!

Big kudos to Darryl Smith and family for putting us up and putting up with us. It was great being able to watch both men's and women's Little 500.
Got to hang with some big boys Sat. after the races ( Dean Leberge, Craig Roemer and Daniel
Hollaway) at the pasta feed the Smith's had for us all. Daniel is a good kid and I'm really glad
he's not a junior anymore 'cause he just killed them when he was, and seeing as Micah was one
of the many juniors to get slaughtered by him, I didn't care much for Daniel then. Now...he's a
good guy.

Till next time...