Zionsville Crit

I have never done well at this race in the three years I have raced it. Lets recap, 2006 in the cat 3-4 race I was dropped bad, 2007 in the Cat 3-4 race I finished in the pack of about 30 or so in 20 something place, 2008 was a different story. After Joey decided that he was not going to let any Cat 4's stay in the field I took my pull and realized that I was alone. Attacked again when I saw some one coming up to me. It was not until about the third attack that I realized that there was a large break. It took about 6 laps before we really got coordinated and realized we were going to stay away. This was by far the best race of the year for me. After hammering it in the break for the last 26 laps I went on a n attack with Grahm before we were caught and watched his team mate attack the group. Answer for that came from no one. Mesa rider rode away with 2 laps to go. It was not until the very end that I knew something was going to happen. For some reason the race promoter decided he was going to leave the field on the course as the break was about to sprint. Mistake for every one else. I was able to weave in and out and Grahm and I sprinted for 2nd with no real competition. Thought I was going to take it but as we all know I cant sprint for shit and I had to concede this race to a great rider that I have really gained a lot of respect for him (Grahm). I really hope that he decides to go to Marian since that is one kid I would have no problem racing with rather then against. Now it is time to start counting down the days until the state championships July 19th (road) and July 20th (Time Trial).


Just a new note. new 20 minute power of 272 watts. Up almost 25 watts from Regionals back in May.

Eagle Creek & NITE Ride

This was a hell of a day. Started out working for Spencer but about 25 minutes in plans changed. With about 6 laps to go I found myself sitting second wheel. All I could think was that this guy is going to pull off any minute and I will find myself on the front with less then 5 laps to go and no chance to get off the front since this was a crit that had no chance of anything getting away. For some real bizzare reason the kid just sat on the front and hammered it for about 5 laps. It was on the last lap that the action really picked up. There was no real reason for it but for some reason I hear behind me a major pile up. I dont look back and all I do is jump on a wheel that I feel is going to lead me out. Picked the right one. Sat right there on Grahm's team mates wheel and he pulled me right to 3rd overall. It was not until we rolled around on a cool down lap that those of us that missed the crash got a first look at the carnage. Some junior kid was laying in the grass with the entire side of his shorts missing and he was not getting up. There were bikes every where and I was very paniced to see my team mate on the ground as well. Thank goodness he was alright. All in all we had a great race. Eric Johnson finished with a strong result 5th and I took 3rd in a decent result. All I know is that I was going to be feeling it on the track later.

After a little bit of rest I headed out to the track for the annual NITE Ride. Kind of lame but it brings in a lot of competition to the velodrome. The night started out with Scratch Race heats. Felt decent once the races started but got boxed in and did not make it to the final. Decided to get ready for the elimination race. Not my favorite race but seems to be my best. After seeing a pretty bad crash involving my team mate Will I managed to pull out a 4th place finish. Before the night was over we had to do the damn points race. By far my least favorite race. Managed to pick up one point in the first sprint but that was all. Finished in the pack and might have managed to finish 7th. Oh well not a bad day and now I am getting ready for what should be a very hard Crit at Zionsville with Jake, Adam, Grahm, David and many others that are going to make this a very hard and fast crit thorough downtown Zionsville Indiana.

A new reason to hate Bloomington

Ok, its no secret that I am not an IU fan. Growing up I have always been a Purdue fan. As of late though my history of trips to Bloomington have not gone so well. 2004 IHSAA Conference Indiana Championships for cross country I tore my ACL during the race on the IU XC course. 2006 Hilly HUndred Joey blows his tire on the way to Bloomington. 2007 MWCCC Conference Championships I cramped up real bad going up Bean Bloosom and lost any chance of winning the race. 2007 Hilly Hundred I hit some loose gravel on a downhill turn and ate it right into a ditch. 2008 Bloomington Crit I was involved in one of the stupidest crashes I have ever witnessed in a race. Yes it was raining and yes the turns were rather tight but trying to pass on the inside in those conditions just was not smart. Not only did you take out a large majority of the field but you put one rider, my team mate Chris in the hospital with a concussion and took out our chance to put riders on the podium.
The race was truly going Pista's way. Six guys in the field we were for sure controling the race. This is something we have done very well this year as a Cat 3 team. We were the ones setting the tempo with the attacks and we were the ones covering right away when someone tried to attack us. We had numurous riders in breaks all day. Eric and Chris were very active in their first Cat 3 races. Spencer looked like he was in good form before getting tangled up in the crash on the last lap with myself. Will was looking very well coming off the track 24 hours ago, and Cody managed to pull out a 6th place finish in carnage. I guess if there was one thing that came out of this race it was that we discovered that we have the capabilities to be the strongest Cat 3 team in the state or region. We showed that this weekend again after we showed it at Tour de West Lafayette.

I wanna go fast!

Friday night in Indianapolis. That can only mean one thing. Time to race on the track. The night started out pretty damn well. Will took first in the first Cat 3 scratch heat to qualify for the finals and then I followed suit by taking the second heat. Things looked rather good knowing that Will and I would be able to work pretty well together since no one appeared to know that we were team mates since I had to race in my Marian kit due to my Pista skinsuit being in shreds. When the finals rolled around we were both planted on the front. I saw one attack and I went with it covering for Will. Then the damn announcer rings the bell for a five dollar hot lap. Damn, nothing gets the blood flowing like a cash prize at a race. Took it and was not able to recover just hanging onto the back of the pack and taking fifth. The next race that rolled around was the elimination race, or the miss and out. Had a great spot the entire race. Stayed out of the sprint lane and was not boxed in. I think I was even the first one across the line every lap until the end. Then it came down to 3 of us. Will, some other guy, and myself. Took second in the race after a hard faught sprint that was 3 wide. After that I knew my night was all but over. Ken decided that any of the Cat 1-2's that were not racing the Madison would do the points race with the Cat 3's. Not a big deal. It gave us another team mate to work with. Kevin seemed to be struggling all night and he rebounded in this race. Will and Kevin were able to get off the front together and suck up some points and I just sat in and chased any attacks to chase them. We really worked well as a team out there and I dont think that anyone seemed to know that I was racing with them since they never seemed to say anything about me refusing to chase the 2 man break that turned into a team pursuit up the track. Now I am just getting ready for the Bloomington Crit tonight. In the great words of Jon Royal, "Bike racing, Fuck yeah!"

Rid River "Gash" Gorge

After driving 3.5 hours south to Stanton Kentucky to race in a collegiate crit to help promote Marian College to a bunch of juniors that are looking for schools that give scholarships, I discovered that only 3 people signed up to race that race. After talking to Mike Hanley and Dean I decided to race the Cat 3 crit as well in case they decided to cancel the Collegiate Crit. Mistake. After getting into a 10 man break about half way into the most technical crit I have ever seen I watched the guy in front of me go into a dtich and do a superman. Instead of doing the smart thing and letting someone else close the gap I decided to try and close it myself. Mistake. Went into the first turn too hard and the front wheel just went out from under me. After seeming dazed for a minute I came to the conclusion that the bike was in good enough shape to continue and so was I despite the blood (red river, I think that was where the race got its name) just pouring down my leg I took my free lap and got back in the race. Was doing fine until about the last lap my leg just started cramping up big time and I had no chance to sprint and I rode in safely to take 7th. After getting the leg and bike looked at I decided that I was still going to do the Collegiate Crit. Before the race all 4 of us decided that what ever money that was going to be won we would split it 4 ways. It came down to Francis (Midwestern State) and a Lees Mcrae guy and myself in the sprint which I found myself taking 3rd. I could blame it on my leg but down inside I know that I am not a sprinter or a climber and when you put those 2 elements together I did not think that losing by a tire width was not too bad. So after the race the promoter decided that since he had to do something with the money he would go ahead with the pay schedule and let us devide 500 dollars among 4 of us. For any one needing a calculator thats 125 dollars for racing a collegiate race. Not too shabby since the only thing you normally get at a collegaite race is points for a season total.

Washed Out

I hate the rain. Well I dont really hate the rain that much but when it rains you can not race on the track. Normally you still race in the rain on the road but when there is heavy amounts of lightning and you live in an area with a bunch of pansys you dont get to race in that either. This was supposed to be the biggest weekend of the year for me, instead it turned into an interval workout Friday night and a 1 hour ride in the rain for no real reason on Saturday. Only good thing to come out of the weekend was a good ride in the 95 degree heat with a 25 mph winds out to the fort with Anna. About the only enjoyment all weekend on the bike. Oh well. I guess I will just get ready for the collegiate crit this weekend in Kentucky. Maybe have the chance to show a few Juniors what Marian cyclist are all about.

Friday Night at Major Taylor

I should have truly known that this was going to be an epc day last night. After picking up my new track bike at Deans house at 10pm and finding that my new bike had no tires and wheels were tubies. After waking up early to drive back home to pick up the spare tubies in my garage I dashed back to work to work until the bike shop opened. After purchasing some glue I spent multiple breaks during the day to apply coats of glue to the rims and tires. By the way, this is something that I have never done in my life. When I finally got the tires on I was amazed that they were sticking and ridable on the track. How well they would have worked I will never know since storms came in and canceled the nights racing. Kind of bummed but at least it allowed me to spend time with the old man on his birthday. At the same time it is never fun having a race rained out when you have friends come out to watch you race. Oh well, I should be much fresher for tomorrows road championship.

So when does your life become so pathetic that your 9 (yes, nine) year old sister tries to hook you up with her friends older sister. I am sorry but I dont need a 9 year olds help finding a girlfriend. I am very confident that I dont need any help in that area. I just thought that was the funniest thing ever.

Getting Lost

Ever go on one of those rides in which you have no predetermined length or distance in mind. You just go out to ride until either it is too dark to see or you have simply ran yourself out of energy? I had one of those experiences on Saturday last weekend. I just started my ride in the midst of the afternoon and just rode until about 8:00 at which time I could not feel my legs. Even though I had my powertap I estimate that I must have done something of 130 miles at a very easy 17 mile average. Nothing too hard in which I required loads of water but I still made a few stops in some deserted towns south of Indianapolis. It was during this ride that I got the chace to continue thinking about some things that I have had on my mind and as well as thinking about some upcoming races that are on the schedule. If you have never had the chance to do that I would highly recomend it. It allows you to clear your mind and really enjoy seme far out areas that you probably never would have had the chance to see on your bike. By the wayy my workout for the day called for 1:30 hours of endurance pace. I think that 8 hours at recovery pace should have that covered.