Here is a short recap of Gastown with a few photos.
http://www.nowpublic.com/sports/tour-de-gastown-pinfold-wins-beijing-bound-tuft-impresses
I'll post more when I get the results and a chance to post my videos.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Vancouver-Part I
After having the legs cramped for 5 1/2 hours on a plane, I arrived in Vancouver safely. My internal clock is all sorts of screwed up because of the time zone change and relatively northern latitude.
This city is as cool as everyone says. It is really cosmopolitan and young. I went for a ride in Stanley Park to spin out the legs, which is very cool. I also went to Gastown and rode the course. It is a very cool part of town with a long stretch of brick. The course is relatively flat but has one 110 degree turn in addition to two 90s.
The race kicks off tomorrow night at 7:30 (that's 10:30 in my head)--the time at which I typically am trying to get into bed. There's an after party where the racers get free drinks. I'm sure I'll be a cheap date.
This city is as cool as everyone says. It is really cosmopolitan and young. I went for a ride in Stanley Park to spin out the legs, which is very cool. I also went to Gastown and rode the course. It is a very cool part of town with a long stretch of brick. The course is relatively flat but has one 110 degree turn in addition to two 90s.
The race kicks off tomorrow night at 7:30 (that's 10:30 in my head)--the time at which I typically am trying to get into bed. There's an after party where the racers get free drinks. I'm sure I'll be a cheap date.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Horner
I think everyone knows about Chris Horner's and my historically confrontational relationship, so I don't need to go into further detail here. Let's just suffice it to say that since the first picture of him without the ponytail, we haven't been sending each other Christmas cards.
As you might expect, I was pretty excited to see him registered for Gastown. I planned to go up there and put all the questions to rest. A showdown. But then, Curtis sends me an email with a link to this article.
http://www.velonews.com/article/80087/how-chris-horner-is-spending-july
Now I hate/respect him.
But it's still on.
As you might expect, I was pretty excited to see him registered for Gastown. I planned to go up there and put all the questions to rest. A showdown. But then, Curtis sends me an email with a link to this article.
http://www.velonews.com/article/80087/how-chris-horner-is-spending-july
Now I hate/respect him.
But it's still on.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Pack Fodder
We took 7 guys up to Hagerstown this weekend. Gonzo was making his first appearance in the mid-Atlantic in a while, and we were bringing Burns and Terry with their new upgrades, as well as Hayes, Darren, JP, and I.
The first 5 laps sucked for me because I was having a hard time in the corners. It took me a few laps to realize I wasn't dropping my chest low enough. Once I started doing that I was able to hit tighter lines faster, and move up through the corners. This really took the edge off the laps.
At one point I was behind Fuentes, and he was looking itchy. He attacked into turn 1 and I went with him. He hammered for about half a lap. I looked back and saw the pack barreling down on us. He flicked his elbow and I was hurting pretty bad, so I didn't pull through. Honestly, I don't think I could have pulled through fast enough to help our cause, anyway.
I immediately drifted back and rested for a lap. I dropped until I saw Hayes. He told me "Well, you're officially at the back." It was actually a lot easier riding back there. You could avoid hard acceleration by allowing small gaps before the corners.
Later on, a move of 4 went up the road. There were no Richmond riders in it, so I lined up behind Jeff Buckles, figuring he would do something about it. He dragged me and Evan Fader up to the break, but it hurt me pretty bad. I got there and tried to rest, but they were riding really aggressively and the pack was following hard. I think it was at that point that the counter went and stuck. Unfortunately, we didn't make it into the move.
I needed to rest for a bit, and I was getting a little smoked, so I went to the back again. I saw Ryan McKinney chasing the break (no DC Velo up the road) and went up to help. I took a couple of pulls, but I didn't have enough to make a difference, and went back to the rear to rest.
I got back into position with 4 to go, made a small attack during a lull with 2 to go, but everyone chased. I really only went because it slowed down and I had some momentum.
The big conclusion is that I just don't have that sustained power for two minutes or so. That is what I think will be a main focus for me in the future.
As f0r now, I am preparing to head out to Vancouver. I have always wanted to visit that city, and since it is the location of one of the USA Crits races, I can take a short vacation and get a race in.
The first 5 laps sucked for me because I was having a hard time in the corners. It took me a few laps to realize I wasn't dropping my chest low enough. Once I started doing that I was able to hit tighter lines faster, and move up through the corners. This really took the edge off the laps.
At one point I was behind Fuentes, and he was looking itchy. He attacked into turn 1 and I went with him. He hammered for about half a lap. I looked back and saw the pack barreling down on us. He flicked his elbow and I was hurting pretty bad, so I didn't pull through. Honestly, I don't think I could have pulled through fast enough to help our cause, anyway.
I immediately drifted back and rested for a lap. I dropped until I saw Hayes. He told me "Well, you're officially at the back." It was actually a lot easier riding back there. You could avoid hard acceleration by allowing small gaps before the corners.
Later on, a move of 4 went up the road. There were no Richmond riders in it, so I lined up behind Jeff Buckles, figuring he would do something about it. He dragged me and Evan Fader up to the break, but it hurt me pretty bad. I got there and tried to rest, but they were riding really aggressively and the pack was following hard. I think it was at that point that the counter went and stuck. Unfortunately, we didn't make it into the move.
I needed to rest for a bit, and I was getting a little smoked, so I went to the back again. I saw Ryan McKinney chasing the break (no DC Velo up the road) and went up to help. I took a couple of pulls, but I didn't have enough to make a difference, and went back to the rear to rest.
I got back into position with 4 to go, made a small attack during a lull with 2 to go, but everyone chased. I really only went because it slowed down and I had some momentum.
The big conclusion is that I just don't have that sustained power for two minutes or so. That is what I think will be a main focus for me in the future.
As f0r now, I am preparing to head out to Vancouver. I have always wanted to visit that city, and since it is the location of one of the USA Crits races, I can take a short vacation and get a race in.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Out of Hibernation
So I haven't written in a while. The shop has been slammed with work (good for the register, bad for rest and blogging). I also got back into kayaking, so some of my rest time has been spent on the river.
Here are the updates for everything I have done since Harlem. I'll aim for 4 sentences per race.
Working Man's Classic
Preme's every lap. I raced for three nights and finished 15th, 13th, and 9th. I would have been much happier if Eric Barvelev, Jeff Hopkins, Mike Stoop, Craig Dodson, and Dave Fuentes weren't there. Ok, I wouldn't necessarily have been happier, but would have had better results.
Tour of Washington County
On the third lap of stage one the moto ref pulls up to yell at a dude for crossing the yellow line. The road (and peloton) go left, the moto and yellow line violator don't, he hits wheels with the guy in front of him and lands in a heap. I go down as the peloton speeds up. I chased for about two laps, but never get back. I bag stages 2 and 3.
Reston Town Center Grand Prix
Steevo made an awesome attempt to reel in Russ Langley when Matt Cooke and a few other notables let him ride away. He didn't quite hold it, but it was a courageous attempt. I don't want to talk about my race there. What a nightmare.
Iron Hill Twilight
I was talking with Eric Barvelev before the race about the compression stockings he was wearing and asked what he thought of them. He responded "I'll tell you after I win tonight." I was happy to see he could stay humble after his win at Harlem. And, no, he didn't win. But Fader and Fuentes were super active and they picked up a few preme's along the way. I finished 5 spots out of the money, but with confidence restored. I am now sitting 51st in the USA Crit series, and I should get that Vegas invite.
Wednesdays at Wakefield
Haymarket Bicycles sent a team up to the WaW mtb race. We've got a few heavy hitters in Susan Musante and Joe Dombrowski (as well as former Cactus Cup podium vet, Chris Hayes). Darren Bernard, Darren Hannam, Joe Dziekan, and Sean Domitrovits also made it. I broke my seatpost warming up, but was fortunate to race Joe's dad's Fuel EX. Unfortunately, the race started while I was still dropping the seat on the 19" frame. I started the race DFL and finished 7th, and now I have the mtb bug that can only be cured by 18 Hours on the Farm.
Here are the updates for everything I have done since Harlem. I'll aim for 4 sentences per race.
Working Man's Classic
Preme's every lap. I raced for three nights and finished 15th, 13th, and 9th. I would have been much happier if Eric Barvelev, Jeff Hopkins, Mike Stoop, Craig Dodson, and Dave Fuentes weren't there. Ok, I wouldn't necessarily have been happier, but would have had better results.
Tour of Washington County
On the third lap of stage one the moto ref pulls up to yell at a dude for crossing the yellow line. The road (and peloton) go left, the moto and yellow line violator don't, he hits wheels with the guy in front of him and lands in a heap. I go down as the peloton speeds up. I chased for about two laps, but never get back. I bag stages 2 and 3.
Reston Town Center Grand Prix
Steevo made an awesome attempt to reel in Russ Langley when Matt Cooke and a few other notables let him ride away. He didn't quite hold it, but it was a courageous attempt. I don't want to talk about my race there. What a nightmare.
Iron Hill Twilight
I was talking with Eric Barvelev before the race about the compression stockings he was wearing and asked what he thought of them. He responded "I'll tell you after I win tonight." I was happy to see he could stay humble after his win at Harlem. And, no, he didn't win. But Fader and Fuentes were super active and they picked up a few preme's along the way. I finished 5 spots out of the money, but with confidence restored. I am now sitting 51st in the USA Crit series, and I should get that Vegas invite.
Wednesdays at Wakefield
Haymarket Bicycles sent a team up to the WaW mtb race. We've got a few heavy hitters in Susan Musante and Joe Dombrowski (as well as former Cactus Cup podium vet, Chris Hayes). Darren Bernard, Darren Hannam, Joe Dziekan, and Sean Domitrovits also made it. I broke my seatpost warming up, but was fortunate to race Joe's dad's Fuel EX. Unfortunately, the race started while I was still dropping the seat on the 19" frame. I started the race DFL and finished 7th, and now I have the mtb bug that can only be cured by 18 Hours on the Farm.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Harlem Skyscraper Criterium
I got up Sunday morning at 5 am, packed the car and drove to the Freedom Center to volunteer as a wrench at the Manassas Mini Tri. Probably the same thing Freddy Rodriguez and Tyler did before the Harlem Crit.
As soon as the triathlon began, I took off for NYC. The drive wasn't bad at all, and I was able to make it to Harlem by 1. It was very cool being in New York City. I haven't been there in about 10 years, and I forgot how much I really liked it.
The scene was really cool. The course was a perfect square around Marcus Garvey Park. There was a TV crew and WCSN had cameras on all of the corners.
When I pulled up I walked about one block and heard someone shout my name. I looked up and saw Kevin Dillard. I walked another block and the same thing happened, except this time it was Joe Jefferson. I was very psyched that I was going to have a friend announcing the race and a friend shooting the race. Those are definitely two guys who can make you feel pretty damn important, even if you're not. And no, I didn't supply the caption for the photo--it's a little understated for my style.
Curtis had the race playing live on the big screen at the shop and my parents were watching at home. I was on a mission to do at least something notable.
Me on the Front
The race got progressively faster and faster. It had one of the weirdest dynamics in a race I have ever experienced. You could advance on the outside through the corners and on the inside through the straights. That meant if you moved up, you were shortly going to get passed again, unless you were sitting top twenty.
Hayes sat there cool as a cucumber, and I certainly used him as a guide for what I should be doing at any given time during the race. He's smart and been racing for sooooo long (sorry Chris, it's just too easy) that he always had an idea of what needs to be done.
There were a few good crashes, probably because of the friction between those on the outside lines and those on the inside lines. There was a lot of bumping in the middle of the field.
I began to try to move up with 17 laps to go. I thought it might have been too early because I usually try to do that with about 10 to go, but apparently I was wrong. Rock Racing was on the front drilling it. Fuentes won the Gambler Preme, which was impressive. There were about 4 crashes on the last lap, and since I was sitting about 60th with Hayes on the last leg, we eased up quite a bit.
The winner crashed hard on the finishing line, which was pretty dramatic. He was from Time Pro Cycling, and certainly played the role of spoiler very well.
I am hoping this race sparks my training and racing back up. I have been pretty ill for about two weeks now, but I think that the race helped to blow out the system.
As soon as the triathlon began, I took off for NYC. The drive wasn't bad at all, and I was able to make it to Harlem by 1. It was very cool being in New York City. I haven't been there in about 10 years, and I forgot how much I really liked it.
The scene was really cool. The course was a perfect square around Marcus Garvey Park. There was a TV crew and WCSN had cameras on all of the corners.
When I pulled up I walked about one block and heard someone shout my name. I looked up and saw Kevin Dillard. I walked another block and the same thing happened, except this time it was Joe Jefferson. I was very psyched that I was going to have a friend announcing the race and a friend shooting the race. Those are definitely two guys who can make you feel pretty damn important, even if you're not. And no, I didn't supply the caption for the photo--it's a little understated for my style.
Curtis had the race playing live on the big screen at the shop and my parents were watching at home. I was on a mission to do at least something notable.
The race started kind of mellow. I hit turn four 4th wheel and decided to lead the first lap. I carried through first wheel across the finish line and through the first leg. I heard Joe give me a huge shout on the mic, and I was feeling pretty good.
Me on the FrontThe race got progressively faster and faster. It had one of the weirdest dynamics in a race I have ever experienced. You could advance on the outside through the corners and on the inside through the straights. That meant if you moved up, you were shortly going to get passed again, unless you were sitting top twenty.
Hayes sat there cool as a cucumber, and I certainly used him as a guide for what I should be doing at any given time during the race. He's smart and been racing for sooooo long (sorry Chris, it's just too easy) that he always had an idea of what needs to be done.
There were a few good crashes, probably because of the friction between those on the outside lines and those on the inside lines. There was a lot of bumping in the middle of the field.
I began to try to move up with 17 laps to go. I thought it might have been too early because I usually try to do that with about 10 to go, but apparently I was wrong. Rock Racing was on the front drilling it. Fuentes won the Gambler Preme, which was impressive. There were about 4 crashes on the last lap, and since I was sitting about 60th with Hayes on the last leg, we eased up quite a bit.The winner crashed hard on the finishing line, which was pretty dramatic. He was from Time Pro Cycling, and certainly played the role of spoiler very well.
I am hoping this race sparks my training and racing back up. I have been pretty ill for about two weeks now, but I think that the race helped to blow out the system.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Who is Neil Z, anyway?
(Curtis suggested I give a more thorough explanation of this story for those who aren't regularly reading Gamjams and the MABRA google group).
Some guy (Neil Z?) sent the following email to the MABRA listserv yesterday. I thought it was probably the worst email I have ever read, and it made me more than a little annoyed.
Some guy (Neil Z?) sent the following email to the MABRA listserv yesterday. I thought it was probably the worst email I have ever read, and it made me more than a little annoyed.
At today's Ride Sally Ride crit during the P/1/2 race, announcer
Joseph Jefferson remarked over the microphone that a shirtless Capitol
Hill Bikes team member watching the race had very little body fat and
said that, "he must train in a concentration camp."
Mr. Jefferson's comment was outrageous, offensive, and hateful. He
should be ashamed of himself, and we should all be ashamed to be
affiliated with him through MABRA. Mr. Jefferson owes us all an
apology, and we ought not permit him to continue calling our races.
These comments have no place at the races and neither does Mr.
Jefferson.
Fortunately, he was well rebutted by more level headed racers. Over and over again.
I hope Neil feels like a turd. I haven't heard anything from him in a day and a half.
Lisa Salerno decided to make a "Free Joe Jefferson" t-shirt on cafepress.com, (stealing the subject line from my email!),
so I bought one.
http://www.cafepress.com/freejoej
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