Sea Otter

The start of a long weekend. I'm working the Ritchey tent so stop by if your coming down!

New Ritchey WCS Post/ saddle.

New for 2009 soon to be released carbon seat and zero off set 1 bolt post. Going on the new ride.

Menlo Park GP

Menlo Park GP Race report.

Category: P 1/2/3

Teammates: Nate

Field 100+

Placing: 47th overall (14^th E3)

I did the 3’s race a few years ago and had the bad luck to break a spoke in my rear wheel in the final sprint and coasted to 16th from the top 5. The course used to be a 4 corner industrial park crit, business as usual but this year they added a chicane and about another km to make for a lap of 2.2 km and a 800+m runway for a final sprint! Also new was a P1/2/3 race. After Snelling I decided to register and was glad I did because as soon as they decided to pick 3’s separate- the race filled up quick.

Nate was on the wait list (#3) but got bumped down by the arrival of Jackson Stewart(BMC), Dan Holloway (Slipstream), Ben JM (Bissell) and a few other (for real) pros who decided to grace us with there presence. It was all good as he still got in.

Nate and I rode a pre-lap and got a start position in row 2, not great but not bad either. We start and a few guys in front of me were fumbling with their pedals and I end up mid-pack. For this race, I planned to do whatever necessary to stay in/ on the bubble even at the expense of using a lot of energy. I expected the pace to be as fast as a M1/2/3 race or faster and it was…. 46kph or 28.5mph in American $$. Probley the fastest race I‘ve ever done. I looked down many times and saw 50+kph and thought wow! I don’t feel so bad, I wonder how long I can keep this up?

About mid-way thu the race we finally caught the break we had been chasing for the last 4 laps and I managed to finally move up to the top 15 and enjoy the speed for a few laps. In this race there was a big difference in speed thu the turns. Outside the top 20 had a lot breaking for the chicane and felt like a dam cat 5 race.

Nate and I stayed together well and kept each other in sight for the second half of the race. We had planned to try to stay together and see where we ended up on the final lap.

Well… Nate masterfully got himself in the bubble on the last lap onto the final straight and I was just outside the bubble and could see him. At this point my arms and legs were feeling really tried but felt I had a decent sprint left in me still.

Expecting the field to string out for a fast run in to the finish I started winding up the speed when the field did the unthinkable.. slowed and spread across the road! Ugh

On my left (about where Nate was) there was a very big crash and I had to brake and maneuver almost hitting a guy on the ground. I sprinted right away back up to speed with still 400+ meters to go.. I had the sick feeling Nate was in the crash and started to sit up. Then I remembered that they were picking the 3’s separate and I sprinted again but lost a few spots to some 3’s right in front of me. Opps.

I circled around and indeed Nate was on the grass bleeding so I stopped and looked him over. Torn jersey, broken new helmet, and bloodied leg. I could see the disappointment on his face more than the pain. He was in good position for the final. He knew it; I knew it and we could only sit on the grass and think of what could have been… Luckily he wasn’t hurt to bad.

Next time Nate Dogg.

I then rode home from work after the race, for another 2 hour crush fest in the afternoon head-wind to punish myself in anticipation of things to come (windy Zamora).

Nick~

The season starts..... CCCX #1 Race Report

CCCX #1 @ Ft Ord day camp, Monterey Ca.

 Pro/ Expert SS-- 2nd plc. 5 laps for 25 miles of single track and narrow fire road. 2hrs// 13mph avg

 The conditions for this race were epic. It was barley raining for the warm-up but once we got underway @ about 2pm, it was coming down light but steady. I got 2.5 laps of warm-up, doing the new backside 3x including a slimy, muddy climb I could barley walk up (that was tough!). With the muddy conditions in the races before hand, everything was running behind--we were supposed to be off by 1pm!

 I opted to stay out of the rain and hide under a tree next to the start line and stay warm instead of riding around in the water. This was a good choice as I had a fast start and warmed up quick. I had the lead for a bit (SS) and eased up on the first climb, letting the pro/semi-pro geared guys go and waiting to see who the next SS rider would be. Turned out to be some guy I didn't know but looked strong so we rode together for the next lap.

 The course was deteriorating fast with the rain getting heavier as the laps ticked down. I knew running the Kenda Small block 8 tires in these conditions was not ideal but it was all I had and indeed it turned into a skills clinic quick, fast and in a hurry! On lap 2, while following in second place, we entered 1 of 2 really technical sections and I lost my.. rear brake? I had put new pads in, the day prior, so it was likely a bubble in the hydraulic line. CRAP!

 I had to pump the brake 4-5 times to get any pressure going and doing so while in the super greasy muddy switch backs was frustrating and difficult to say the least. About 3 turns later, I had no brake into a turn, sliding sideways I ended up pointing off the trail and pumped the brake to no avail, so I had to grab the front to keep from slamming into a tree and en-doed into a bush..... OTB!

Not hurt-- I jumped up and checked my bike. Seemed OK but 3rd and 4th place went by and I wasn't sure how I was going to manage to navigate the course with hardly any rear brake. I stayed calm and realized that I could only push my advantage on the climbs and flats where braking wasn't an issue, which I did. Also staying slow but steady thu the sloppy turns helped keep control in the switchbacks, although I knew I was losing time--it was all I could do.

 

I managed to catch back up in about a lap, to 2nd and 3rd. About 1/2 lap later I caught 1st! I really couldn't believe I still had a chance at victory. I took the lead for about a lap with now 2 to go. Eric from SCCC was the only guy to stay with me. So we rode the last 1 1/2 laps together until the final time down the greasy switchbacks and he was outta sight. I kept the pace high where I could but was resigned to the fact I was going to get second.

 I road what I felt like was a fantastic race despite the conditions and mechanicals. I heard after the finish.. lots of riders dropped out or had mechanicals. I was totally covered in mud head to toe.

 It was an epic MTB race.. . no doubt!! Not a bad way to open up the 2009 season and a fantastic opener for Snelling RR next week. I hope we don't have rain for that race however.

 

Thanks for reading.

I love my city!

Stopped for a burrito on the way home, what a view!

Cal train is fun.

This week i rode the train 3 times while also making the 2 hr bike commute to work. Not a bad way to go. Driving the car might be faster and handy but way more stressful. I'm happy to have dialed the route to work via bike. Solid ride @ 50km / 1:45 when the weather warms up, it will be easy to make the trip a lot and some fantastic training!

I love trains...

I haven't taken cal train in decades. So much nicer than i remember! I might have to figure a way to take it more often. Doing my part to spare the air!