Hi everyone, back for another exciting season of 'cross!
Yesterday was the first race in the Chicagoland Cyclocross Cup series at Jackson Park on Lake Michigan. Now for most people, it was a perfect day for riding your bike, but for most cyclocrossers, it was anything but perfect. The sun was shinning, the temp. was above 60, and not a cloud in the sky...
Ken Krebs and I drove down to Jackson Park and when we arrived at 8:30, the course was still being setup. Due to the Chicago Park Dist. putting in curbs on an access road, the area that the course was going to be run would be a bit different. Many of the typical areas from previous years would be used, but the long asphalt section and short run-up was gone. The course was almost pan flat, with two very short run-ups, several long bumpy grass sections, q few short pavement sections, and an interesting "run-down". Overall, the course was more technical than in past years and required exceptional bike handling skills with big efforts out of 180 degree and 90 degree turns to get back up to speed.
The most impressive aspect of the race was the large fields that came out. The first races were the 30+ Masters, 40+ Masters, and Women's Open. There was a total of 94 racers in those 1st 3 races alone. The 30+ started, and once they were out of the start chute the 40+ started. ABD did not have a presence in the 30+ race, but there was me, Ken, Scott Boyd, and Ed Bartley in the 40+. Before the first lap was even halfway done, we were already integrating with the backend of the 30+ which made for some difficult riding. I had my typical good start and was with the leaders, but after 2 laps the efforts of closing gaps due to the technicality and slower 30+ riders began to wear on me. I lost contact, and started to be passed by some guys, but slowly recovered and continued to increase the pace. I ended up 11th, Ken was 15th, Scott 21st, and Ed 25th.
Other ABD'ers was Sue Semaszczuk in 5th and Gina Kenny 7th in Women Cat 4. I didn't see anyone else, but also was gone before the Cat 3, Cat 1/2, and Cat 4 races started.
Right now there are 6 races total in the series (up from 4 last year). Check out www.chicrosscup.com for details.
ABD is hosting one of the races on Oct. 28th. We have secured a park in Bartlett for our venue, and this is the first "shout-out" for volunteers. We will need registration folks, and course setup and tear-down. Also, we could possibly use a few people to hang by the barriers to make sure that there are no issues with them. I'm sure Ebert will be sending something out also.
Next week is another "Bandit" 'cross in Buffalo Grove (see www.harperride.net for info).
There may be a 'cross practice the weekend of Oct. 6th depending upon a few things. I may also try to do something on a Wed. also. This would be low key and the focus would be on technique (similar to Ebert's bumper bike). I'll let you know. Stay tuned.
Thanks for reading,
Jim
9/24/2007
Marshall Report: Kenosha Crit
Hi;
I competed in last weekends crit race in Kenosha. It was my second crit race ever, having done my first in Lombard earlier this summer.
Anyhow, after cycling 66 miles the day before, I wasn't sure just how I would do, but after a fairly good warmup, I went to the start line for the Masters 50+ race.
Being behind schedule they decided to shorten race from 45 min. + 2 laps, to 30 min. + 2 laps.
Were off...took it right to the back, and settled into a relaxed mode. After about 10 minutes, a couple guys attacked, stayed on, mostly in or near the back. Somewhere around 25 minutes things started to get crazy.
Again, survived the attacks, and on back stretch somewhere around 27 minutes, Richard Adamczyk turned head to look back, and in doing so, touched Andy Kerrs wheel, and went down, pretty hard too (I was behind and witnessed his crash).
Ok, now were around the 3rd corner, and I make a very subtle sweeping move to the front, right around the start line, and clock is showing 28 minutes. I clear turn one, and continue around to turn two, with group right on my tail.
Then on back stretch, into the wind, I start to build a small gap. I stayed very relaxed, focused (per Mike Eberts advice)and came around to see clock out, and were onto the final +2 laps.
I continued pressing onward, working pretty hard, still relatively relaxed, mostly pushing hardest on the windy back stretch. Ok, now around turn four and hear bell lap...and wow, I'm about 150 meters or more ahead of the attacking field.
I pass start line and onto final lap, thought maybe I can hold this lead, so worked pretty hard on stretch one and two (with wind & cross wind sections), but slowed on windy stretch into a resting high cadence rythem....BIG MISTAKE OF THE DAY!|
Not knowing it, Richard Adamczyk got a FREE LAP (JUST BARELY BEFORE 3 LAP RULE)...and guess what he is charging hard, around final turn he catches me. I try to come back on him, but it's too late, as I'm was probably in to big a gear to get a sprint even going. I do close on him, but he wins by a little over a wheel!
So...I get second, in my second crit ever, and was still happy, as my original plan was to finish somewhere in the pack.
ONLY MISTAKE, BUT A VERY BIG ONE, WAS THAT I SHOULD HAVE NOT RESTED ON WINDY STRETCH, BUT RATHER PRESSED HARD....
CHALK IT UP TO A ROOKIE MISTAKE!!
My second race was the Cat 4 Race....was pretty tired, didn't quit though....jus a 22 mph workout off the back! Sorry guys...no energy left to help...BIG THANKS TO BEN DEMONG, FOR WARNING ME AROUND TURN 3 THAT THEIR COMMING ON ME FAST....WENT WIDE TO LET THEM THRU!
P.S. - Received 22 ROTY points, however, I'm now a marked man...for upcomming Fall Fling Crits!
Bob Marshall/
ABD Multisport
I competed in last weekends crit race in Kenosha. It was my second crit race ever, having done my first in Lombard earlier this summer.
Anyhow, after cycling 66 miles the day before, I wasn't sure just how I would do, but after a fairly good warmup, I went to the start line for the Masters 50+ race.
Being behind schedule they decided to shorten race from 45 min. + 2 laps, to 30 min. + 2 laps.
Were off...took it right to the back, and settled into a relaxed mode. After about 10 minutes, a couple guys attacked, stayed on, mostly in or near the back. Somewhere around 25 minutes things started to get crazy.
Again, survived the attacks, and on back stretch somewhere around 27 minutes, Richard Adamczyk turned head to look back, and in doing so, touched Andy Kerrs wheel, and went down, pretty hard too (I was behind and witnessed his crash).
Ok, now were around the 3rd corner, and I make a very subtle sweeping move to the front, right around the start line, and clock is showing 28 minutes. I clear turn one, and continue around to turn two, with group right on my tail.
Then on back stretch, into the wind, I start to build a small gap. I stayed very relaxed, focused (per Mike Eberts advice)and came around to see clock out, and were onto the final +2 laps.
I continued pressing onward, working pretty hard, still relatively relaxed, mostly pushing hardest on the windy back stretch. Ok, now around turn four and hear bell lap...and wow, I'm about 150 meters or more ahead of the attacking field.
I pass start line and onto final lap, thought maybe I can hold this lead, so worked pretty hard on stretch one and two (with wind & cross wind sections), but slowed on windy stretch into a resting high cadence rythem....BIG MISTAKE OF THE DAY!|
Not knowing it, Richard Adamczyk got a FREE LAP (JUST BARELY BEFORE 3 LAP RULE)...and guess what he is charging hard, around final turn he catches me. I try to come back on him, but it's too late, as I'm was probably in to big a gear to get a sprint even going. I do close on him, but he wins by a little over a wheel!
So...I get second, in my second crit ever, and was still happy, as my original plan was to finish somewhere in the pack.
ONLY MISTAKE, BUT A VERY BIG ONE, WAS THAT I SHOULD HAVE NOT RESTED ON WINDY STRETCH, BUT RATHER PRESSED HARD....
CHALK IT UP TO A ROOKIE MISTAKE!!
My second race was the Cat 4 Race....was pretty tired, didn't quit though....jus a 22 mph workout off the back! Sorry guys...no energy left to help...BIG THANKS TO BEN DEMONG, FOR WARNING ME AROUND TURN 3 THAT THEIR COMMING ON ME FAST....WENT WIDE TO LET THEM THRU!
P.S. - Received 22 ROTY points, however, I'm now a marked man...for upcomming Fall Fling Crits!
Bob Marshall/
ABD Multisport
9/11/2007
Keeley Report: Priority Health Grand Cycling Classic
I travelled to Grand Rapids last weekend to race in the priority Health Grand Cycling Classic crit on Saturday. My bro-in-law (that got me into cycling) lives up there and it is always nice to see different riders and courses. It was the innaugural event and was held in downtown. The course was 1.2k and consisted of a few block- long rough cobble sections that were quite bumpy and was mostly flat. The payouts were quite nice with lots of primes ($200 to the cat 4/5 winner), so perhaps a good race for abders to check out next year. I was hoping for a large chunk of that prize list, but was only able to muster 13th place and a $25 prime. After racing 7 of the last 8 weeks, I think my body was a little worn out. In the race, I was pinched against a barrier on the outside of a pileup with 6 to go and had to chase back into the group. I was not in great position before the hold-up, so not sure if I would have finished better, but a guy can dream. Other than that, the pace was pretty high, as there was a prime almost every other lap and pretty safe (2 wrecks which I mostly avoided). Stuck around and watched the pro race, which was a bit thin but VERY entertaining. The "Stars and Bars" were there on the back of hometown here Kirk O'bee, but he faded in the last lap, probbaly working to position Karl Menzies, who took the victory in a field sprint. I watched it all from the terrace of some italian restaurant with a cocktail in each hand. Again, what a cool event...
Bertucco Report: Blueberries and Red Lions
Hello Racing Fans,
Did you know that Hammonton, New Jersey is "The Blueberry Capital of the World?"
Yeah...me neither. But there it was...a very official looking road sign in big letters along today's flat, fast and windy road race course. It would have been nice to see some actual cartons of blueberries at a roadside fruit stand, or at least some picked over blueberry bushes, but no such luck. I did see some juicy slices of blueberry pie at the local Red Lion diner (a diner that came complete with full-sized red-stone lion statue in the parking lot---c'mon, gotta love Jersey style!).
I've since decided that inspite of the lack of evidence, I will still believe that boastful sign. Mostly because once I heard this story on National Public Radio about how there are only a few states in this country that can grow cranberries and, yes, New Jersey is one of them. I know, cranberries have nothing to do with blueberries, but in my mind I've made some kind of bizarre berry connection.
Anyway, back to the racing action. The following is a list of reasons why I (and you) shouldn't care about my 4th place finish Sunday in the category 1/2/3 Blueberry Bicicletta Road Race:
Despite the cancellation of the nearby and extremely popular Bear Mountain road race, the Blueberry cat 1/2/3 start list grew to only 15 racers.
The advertised 63-mile, 4-lap race was cut to down to 47 miles.
The promoter, after asking if everyone had health insurance, informed us that the race would technically not be licensed by USA Cycling until the following Monday and gave us the option of not racing. Sketchy, right?
As the 4th place finisher, I am the winner of some apparently very expensive clothing items from the "$750 in merchandise" prize list. There is the 2005 Tour de France hat, a size XXL t-shirt that says "speed bump" on it, and a size small 2005 Tour de France t-shirt. I'm still undecided on whether I should gain or lose a tremendous amount of weight this winter.
So why I am still pretty happy to have placed 4th?
Because I've been racing long enough (downtube shifters anyone?) to know that for most of us, placing in a race comes few and far between.
Because smaller fields means fewer places to hide from the wind.
Because there were at least 5 guys (including myself) that wanted a slug-fest of a race making it impossible to remember all of the attacks and counter-attacks.
Because bike racing is hard. Period.
Because my brand new fiance (Sarah said yes Labor Day weekend in Vermont at the Green Mountain Stage Race) is proud of me. And that's what really matters.
Sometimes I think us racers are too critical, too quick to look for the negative, too quick to discount the value of small moments that don't matter to anyone but you and your biggest fans. Or maybe that's just me. But if not, the next time you do something good, head on over to the Red Lion diner and celebrate with a piece of blueberry pie.
-Marc Bertucco
Did you know that Hammonton, New Jersey is "The Blueberry Capital of the World?"
Yeah...me neither. But there it was...a very official looking road sign in big letters along today's flat, fast and windy road race course. It would have been nice to see some actual cartons of blueberries at a roadside fruit stand, or at least some picked over blueberry bushes, but no such luck. I did see some juicy slices of blueberry pie at the local Red Lion diner (a diner that came complete with full-sized red-stone lion statue in the parking lot---c'mon, gotta love Jersey style!).
I've since decided that inspite of the lack of evidence, I will still believe that boastful sign. Mostly because once I heard this story on National Public Radio about how there are only a few states in this country that can grow cranberries and, yes, New Jersey is one of them. I know, cranberries have nothing to do with blueberries, but in my mind I've made some kind of bizarre berry connection.
Anyway, back to the racing action. The following is a list of reasons why I (and you) shouldn't care about my 4th place finish Sunday in the category 1/2/3 Blueberry Bicicletta Road Race:
Despite the cancellation of the nearby and extremely popular Bear Mountain road race, the Blueberry cat 1/2/3 start list grew to only 15 racers.
The advertised 63-mile, 4-lap race was cut to down to 47 miles.
The promoter, after asking if everyone had health insurance, informed us that the race would technically not be licensed by USA Cycling until the following Monday and gave us the option of not racing. Sketchy, right?
As the 4th place finisher, I am the winner of some apparently very expensive clothing items from the "$750 in merchandise" prize list. There is the 2005 Tour de France hat, a size XXL t-shirt that says "speed bump" on it, and a size small 2005 Tour de France t-shirt. I'm still undecided on whether I should gain or lose a tremendous amount of weight this winter.
So why I am still pretty happy to have placed 4th?
Because I've been racing long enough (downtube shifters anyone?) to know that for most of us, placing in a race comes few and far between.
Because smaller fields means fewer places to hide from the wind.
Because there were at least 5 guys (including myself) that wanted a slug-fest of a race making it impossible to remember all of the attacks and counter-attacks.
Because bike racing is hard. Period.
Because my brand new fiance (Sarah said yes Labor Day weekend in Vermont at the Green Mountain Stage Race) is proud of me. And that's what really matters.
Sometimes I think us racers are too critical, too quick to look for the negative, too quick to discount the value of small moments that don't matter to anyone but you and your biggest fans. Or maybe that's just me. But if not, the next time you do something good, head on over to the Red Lion diner and celebrate with a piece of blueberry pie.
-Marc Bertucco
8/30/2007
Oehmen Report: Tuesday Night Crits
ast night i did the tues night criterium in Matteson. It takes place every tuesday and there are 3 races every time usually a 10 lap, 30 lap then another 10 lap at 1 K per lap. There are two group that race.. group a which are cat 1,2,3 and group B cat 4, 5 (boys & girls together) . They are on the course at the same time split up. The group a does the full amount of laps and we do less depending on how many times they pass us and we go with 2 laps to go and the A's sprint at 1 lap to go. It a more relaxed race because if the group passes you, you can hop back in.
http://www.southchicagowheelmen.com/tuesday.html
Anyways i did this race a lot last year but this is my second time this year. Yesterday for the first race of 10 laps was the first time i stayed with the group the entire race and finished in the middle of the pack. I was so proud of myself. For the second race i was hoping to do the same but i was still out of breath from the first race and got thrown of the back in the first two laps. I wasn't able to recover from the first race to catch back on when they passed until 10 laps to go... then i was able to hang on.
I was also surprised that i did well because that morning i was still sore from doing the bike phycos ride on that Sunday.Thanks to my massage therapist for getting my legs back into shape.
So anyways there are 4 more left till it is over for the season and it is time for the fall fling.
Liz Oehmen
http://www.southchicagowheelmen.com/tuesday.html
Anyways i did this race a lot last year but this is my second time this year. Yesterday for the first race of 10 laps was the first time i stayed with the group the entire race and finished in the middle of the pack. I was so proud of myself. For the second race i was hoping to do the same but i was still out of breath from the first race and got thrown of the back in the first two laps. I wasn't able to recover from the first race to catch back on when they passed until 10 laps to go... then i was able to hang on.
I was also surprised that i did well because that morning i was still sore from doing the bike phycos ride on that Sunday.Thanks to my massage therapist for getting my legs back into shape.
So anyways there are 4 more left till it is over for the season and it is time for the fall fling.
Liz Oehmen
8/28/2007
Keeley Report: Glencoe Criterium
It was nice to finally race on dry roads....on Sunday at least. I believe that Mr. Cogiat pretty well covered the report on Sherman Park. It was a nice trip, save the desperate search for an ATM in what was apparently the only 1 square mile of chicagoland without an atm. Oh well, the course was nice, XXX did an amazing job of keeping the course clear of water and the rain stopped right before our race.
On Sunday, my wife, two dogs, ABD tent, ABD med kit, ABD nutrition stash and all my various race-day supplies piled into the Beetle convertible and headed to Glencoe. Got the tent setup and headed to register. It was not open, so I changed and got my gear ready. By the time i got back to the registraion, there was a line of about 30 riders and it did not seem to be moving. It was now 25 mins. to race time and I had only ridden the block to registration. So, Oz and I stood there pretending not to be nervous and trading small talk. I did eventually get my numbers and got about 3 laps to warm up before it was time to line up.
During the spin I had a chance to chat Gary Rulo up while we spun the course (can there be a nicer guy out there?). We both noted how nice the course was, with some iffy roadway between turns 3 and 4. As for the turns, 1 and 3 were very easy and wide, turn 2 was a 90, but quite narrow. Turn 4 was quite acute and narrow. In fact, there was a bed sheet behind the hay bales naming it "Amen Corner," it was sponsored by the church on the corner. That was the last time i read that sign, I do not need another reason to fear the turn.
At the line I snagged a spot on the front row and took a glance over my shoulder. To my surprise, there were about 80 other riders in the race. 8am Sunday North Shore, who knew? I spotted Jason Addante of Team Endure-iT!/ABD Naperville branch as well as two of the three usual suspects from Spin Drs (Scott and Paul). Got a glimpse of Brian Hildreth and THE SARGE in the lineup and felt pretty good about our numbers.
The race began fairly quick. I took 2nd wheel around the course the first lap and tried to take turn 4 cleanly, it was nice and i decided that I would have to do whatever it took to stay top 10 to avoid the yo-yo effect as well as any potential danger. I did what I wanted to, won a mid race prime for chicago fire tix (club level, no less) and took 2nd just shy of Matt Smith's (Big Shark) front wheel.
Had a huge gap between races, so had a chance to catch other ABD'ers in action. Witnessed Sue Semaszczuk wailing on the womens 4 field, she would go on to take 3rd and Sead Duranovich sit in a great spot during the 5's only to be wiped out by another rider in turn 2 of the final lap (he was quoted later as saying "Man these 5's are gonna kill me!").
Dogs, wife and self went and hung at the park near the beach during the big wheel races and returned to the tent to realize that we had been ousted by none other than THE Erik Zabel! Well, it was a 3 YO kid in a full Milram kit (yes, bib shorts down to his ankles), sporting a brand new 3rd place medal he had won in the kids race. I think James Sneddon got a couple of good shots of it. Oh yeah, second race was the cat 4 race, we only had 36 or so in the field. Sneddon, Ben DeMong and Theo were all present for the affair. I am pretty sure that someone put something in Ben's Wheaties that morning, the guy was all over the road. In lap 2, he was off the front solo with a NICE gap. I moved to the front to do my duty and try to give him a chance. Unfortunately, they called a prime on the next lap....Ben held through the prime but was soon swallowed up. I ended up taking a later prime (case of vitamin water, donated to ben due to lack of space in the car). A break formed with Ricardo Otero from SSW and Matt Smith. It seemed pretty dangerous, but I was about 10 deep when they went off, so I was kida caught out. Next time through the start/finish I hear the familiar voice of Ben getting closer instructing me to hop on his wheel. I did so, just as he was flying up the left side of the road. I got up to speed, sat on his wheel for a few seconds and then headed to the break. Ben got back on the front and worked with a Turin guy to try to keep the pack at bay. I got to the brak about 1/2 lap later and was completely gassed. Ricardo was coming off a pull and I opened a gap for him so I could skip a pull (I am not sure he knew I was there yet, so my laziness may have gone unnoticed). With about 1 to go I took my final pull and got gapped, chased, latched on before turn 4 and then witnessed the eventual race winner (a guy from UIC that had won an earlier prime) scream by for the win. I took 5th right in front of DeMong in 6th and Sneddon in 14th. It was cool for a cat 4 break to actually stay away so long and to be part of it...Zabel helped me fold chairs and we headed home, a few more points in the bin and ready for cat 3 (...i hope).
-Tim Keeley
On Sunday, my wife, two dogs, ABD tent, ABD med kit, ABD nutrition stash and all my various race-day supplies piled into the Beetle convertible and headed to Glencoe. Got the tent setup and headed to register. It was not open, so I changed and got my gear ready. By the time i got back to the registraion, there was a line of about 30 riders and it did not seem to be moving. It was now 25 mins. to race time and I had only ridden the block to registration. So, Oz and I stood there pretending not to be nervous and trading small talk. I did eventually get my numbers and got about 3 laps to warm up before it was time to line up.
During the spin I had a chance to chat Gary Rulo up while we spun the course (can there be a nicer guy out there?). We both noted how nice the course was, with some iffy roadway between turns 3 and 4. As for the turns, 1 and 3 were very easy and wide, turn 2 was a 90, but quite narrow. Turn 4 was quite acute and narrow. In fact, there was a bed sheet behind the hay bales naming it "Amen Corner," it was sponsored by the church on the corner. That was the last time i read that sign, I do not need another reason to fear the turn.
At the line I snagged a spot on the front row and took a glance over my shoulder. To my surprise, there were about 80 other riders in the race. 8am Sunday North Shore, who knew? I spotted Jason Addante of Team Endure-iT!/ABD Naperville branch as well as two of the three usual suspects from Spin Drs (Scott and Paul). Got a glimpse of Brian Hildreth and THE SARGE in the lineup and felt pretty good about our numbers.
The race began fairly quick. I took 2nd wheel around the course the first lap and tried to take turn 4 cleanly, it was nice and i decided that I would have to do whatever it took to stay top 10 to avoid the yo-yo effect as well as any potential danger. I did what I wanted to, won a mid race prime for chicago fire tix (club level, no less) and took 2nd just shy of Matt Smith's (Big Shark) front wheel.
Had a huge gap between races, so had a chance to catch other ABD'ers in action. Witnessed Sue Semaszczuk wailing on the womens 4 field, she would go on to take 3rd and Sead Duranovich sit in a great spot during the 5's only to be wiped out by another rider in turn 2 of the final lap (he was quoted later as saying "Man these 5's are gonna kill me!").
Dogs, wife and self went and hung at the park near the beach during the big wheel races and returned to the tent to realize that we had been ousted by none other than THE Erik Zabel! Well, it was a 3 YO kid in a full Milram kit (yes, bib shorts down to his ankles), sporting a brand new 3rd place medal he had won in the kids race. I think James Sneddon got a couple of good shots of it. Oh yeah, second race was the cat 4 race, we only had 36 or so in the field. Sneddon, Ben DeMong and Theo were all present for the affair. I am pretty sure that someone put something in Ben's Wheaties that morning, the guy was all over the road. In lap 2, he was off the front solo with a NICE gap. I moved to the front to do my duty and try to give him a chance. Unfortunately, they called a prime on the next lap....Ben held through the prime but was soon swallowed up. I ended up taking a later prime (case of vitamin water, donated to ben due to lack of space in the car). A break formed with Ricardo Otero from SSW and Matt Smith. It seemed pretty dangerous, but I was about 10 deep when they went off, so I was kida caught out. Next time through the start/finish I hear the familiar voice of Ben getting closer instructing me to hop on his wheel. I did so, just as he was flying up the left side of the road. I got up to speed, sat on his wheel for a few seconds and then headed to the break. Ben got back on the front and worked with a Turin guy to try to keep the pack at bay. I got to the brak about 1/2 lap later and was completely gassed. Ricardo was coming off a pull and I opened a gap for him so I could skip a pull (I am not sure he knew I was there yet, so my laziness may have gone unnoticed). With about 1 to go I took my final pull and got gapped, chased, latched on before turn 4 and then witnessed the eventual race winner (a guy from UIC that had won an earlier prime) scream by for the win. I took 5th right in front of DeMong in 6th and Sneddon in 14th. It was cool for a cat 4 break to actually stay away so long and to be part of it...Zabel helped me fold chairs and we headed home, a few more points in the bin and ready for cat 3 (...i hope).
-Tim Keeley
8/26/2007
[UPDATED] Corgiat Report: Sherman Park's Mayor Speedy
While Keeley continues to amaze me with his ability to propel himself forward quickly on a bike, his prose need work. So I thought I would beat him to the punch on the race report for Sherman Park.
In typical Keeley/Corgiat fashion, we planned an early departure – 5:45 AM – to make the 8:00 AM Masters 30+ 4,5 (Turns out the race didn’t start till 8:45 AM - My bad – Tim tried to call me off the early departure time but I was in bed when he rang). Both of us are nervous as cats on race day and we both like to be there early to “warm up” and “scout the course”, but what I typically do is wander about aimlessly while Mayor Speedy meets and greets his many constituents. When I picked up Tim, it was raining. It rained the whole way down there. It rained while I wandered and Tim schmoozed. It stopped raining about an hour before the race(!).
The xXx boys don’t lie; Sherman Park is a great race venue, especially for new racers. The course is about a one mile oval with relatively good pavement and is plenty wide to accommodate the size of the fields that were racing. The only real hazard was some large and deep looking puddles that the xXx boys were working feverishly to shrink with a well-organized bucket brigade. The neighborhood looked a bit sketchy but everyone was very nice and I was comfortable the whole time. The biggest danger was glass on the roads surrounding the course – I saw at least two people puncture warming up and Tim ended up picking glass out of his tire at the end of the race. If you or a friend are ever thinking about racing for the first time, this is the course to cut your teeth on.
At the start line, there were about 30 racers. The Sarge was present and accounted for (you know all will be alright when you see the Sarge roll up) and Jason Parra, our stealth ABD rider, but otherwise ABD was light. Our three favorite Spin Drs, Scott, Paul, and Mike, were there as was Chris from WDT, and Matt from Big Shark. It seemed like the rest were sporting the white jerseys of xXx racing although I know there were others (I am sure Tim knows them).
The race whistle blew and I clipped in on the first try which is a small miracle based on my most recent races (it’s so nice not to have people swearing at you right from the start). The xXx boys went right to the front and drilled it. And this is pretty much how the whole race went. Like any good race, there was plenty of in-ride drama with a few breakaways, some near misses but no wrecks, hotly contested sprints for primes, and even some hotly contested sprints for primes when there were no primes (for the record, Scott V won that non-prime with a well-timed attack). When the end came, Mayor Speedy continued his recent unbeaten streak with Matt from Big Shark taking second and Chris from WDT taking third. I got sixth and won a prime. More importantly, I continued my unabated winning streak in the Men’s 40-44, Unincorporated Wheaton, Full Time Job, Three Kids, Hairy Legs, and a Beat Up Ridley Division, the only category that truly counts.
After the race, while waiting for Tim’s podium appearance (his hair was perfect!), we learned that the field was split with separate prizes for the 30+ and 40+. I thought I had heard an in-race announcement to that effect, but just attributed to the many voices I hear when I am in the throws of a lactic-acid induced haze. So, lo and behold, I got a check for a second place finish. Also caught out by the surprise split, Spin Doctor Paul was hanging out at his car while they were calling his name for the podium (Bueller…Bueller…….Bueller).
With regard to Mayor Speedy, he has been racing brilliantly. While he has always been fast, he is now racing-fit, more experienced, and, most importantly, confident. He knows he belongs at the front and he knows he can win the sprint. He follows wheels like a shadow and now has the experience and patience to sprint when it is time to sprint. CAT 3 racers, you have been warned.
Aside from the Mayor’s continued winning streak, the highlight of the day was meeting Luke, the webmaster for CBR, and catching up with Jeff Kao, celebrity cyclocross racer and mass media star. Great guys both, representing what is righteous and good about amateur bike racing. Their message is inclusive and fun, which is what bike racing and riding should be all about.
[Apparently, I had not yet cleared all the lactic acid when I wrote my race report. Mayor Speedy kindly phoned and corrected my ABD roll call. I somehow forgot John Stoltzfus, who lined up directly behind me at the start. John forgot his extra race wheels and flatted about four laps in. Then, to add insult to injury, he got left off my race report. The younger Stoltzfus (Justin) was able to restore the family’s good name with a win in the Juniors (I’ll bet he had extra race wheels in the pit…).
I also mixed up my Jasons, which is actually easy to do as both are really great guys. Jason Para rides for 2CC and is a cyclocross buddy. Jason Addante is our stealth ABD rider who works at Endure It Sports in Naperville.
A waste is a terrible thing to mind…]
Jay Corgiat
In typical Keeley/Corgiat fashion, we planned an early departure – 5:45 AM – to make the 8:00 AM Masters 30+ 4,5 (Turns out the race didn’t start till 8:45 AM - My bad – Tim tried to call me off the early departure time but I was in bed when he rang). Both of us are nervous as cats on race day and we both like to be there early to “warm up” and “scout the course”, but what I typically do is wander about aimlessly while Mayor Speedy meets and greets his many constituents. When I picked up Tim, it was raining. It rained the whole way down there. It rained while I wandered and Tim schmoozed. It stopped raining about an hour before the race(!).
The xXx boys don’t lie; Sherman Park is a great race venue, especially for new racers. The course is about a one mile oval with relatively good pavement and is plenty wide to accommodate the size of the fields that were racing. The only real hazard was some large and deep looking puddles that the xXx boys were working feverishly to shrink with a well-organized bucket brigade. The neighborhood looked a bit sketchy but everyone was very nice and I was comfortable the whole time. The biggest danger was glass on the roads surrounding the course – I saw at least two people puncture warming up and Tim ended up picking glass out of his tire at the end of the race. If you or a friend are ever thinking about racing for the first time, this is the course to cut your teeth on.
At the start line, there were about 30 racers. The Sarge was present and accounted for (you know all will be alright when you see the Sarge roll up) and Jason Parra, our stealth ABD rider, but otherwise ABD was light. Our three favorite Spin Drs, Scott, Paul, and Mike, were there as was Chris from WDT, and Matt from Big Shark. It seemed like the rest were sporting the white jerseys of xXx racing although I know there were others (I am sure Tim knows them).
The race whistle blew and I clipped in on the first try which is a small miracle based on my most recent races (it’s so nice not to have people swearing at you right from the start). The xXx boys went right to the front and drilled it. And this is pretty much how the whole race went. Like any good race, there was plenty of in-ride drama with a few breakaways, some near misses but no wrecks, hotly contested sprints for primes, and even some hotly contested sprints for primes when there were no primes (for the record, Scott V won that non-prime with a well-timed attack). When the end came, Mayor Speedy continued his recent unbeaten streak with Matt from Big Shark taking second and Chris from WDT taking third. I got sixth and won a prime. More importantly, I continued my unabated winning streak in the Men’s 40-44, Unincorporated Wheaton, Full Time Job, Three Kids, Hairy Legs, and a Beat Up Ridley Division, the only category that truly counts.
After the race, while waiting for Tim’s podium appearance (his hair was perfect!), we learned that the field was split with separate prizes for the 30+ and 40+. I thought I had heard an in-race announcement to that effect, but just attributed to the many voices I hear when I am in the throws of a lactic-acid induced haze. So, lo and behold, I got a check for a second place finish. Also caught out by the surprise split, Spin Doctor Paul was hanging out at his car while they were calling his name for the podium (Bueller…Bueller…….Bueller).
With regard to Mayor Speedy, he has been racing brilliantly. While he has always been fast, he is now racing-fit, more experienced, and, most importantly, confident. He knows he belongs at the front and he knows he can win the sprint. He follows wheels like a shadow and now has the experience and patience to sprint when it is time to sprint. CAT 3 racers, you have been warned.
Aside from the Mayor’s continued winning streak, the highlight of the day was meeting Luke, the webmaster for CBR, and catching up with Jeff Kao, celebrity cyclocross racer and mass media star. Great guys both, representing what is righteous and good about amateur bike racing. Their message is inclusive and fun, which is what bike racing and riding should be all about.
[Apparently, I had not yet cleared all the lactic acid when I wrote my race report. Mayor Speedy kindly phoned and corrected my ABD roll call. I somehow forgot John Stoltzfus, who lined up directly behind me at the start. John forgot his extra race wheels and flatted about four laps in. Then, to add insult to injury, he got left off my race report. The younger Stoltzfus (Justin) was able to restore the family’s good name with a win in the Juniors (I’ll bet he had extra race wheels in the pit…).
I also mixed up my Jasons, which is actually easy to do as both are really great guys. Jason Para rides for 2CC and is a cyclocross buddy. Jason Addante is our stealth ABD rider who works at Endure It Sports in Naperville.
A waste is a terrible thing to mind…]
Jay Corgiat
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