Spring Prairie P/1/2

Like Sully said in his post about the race, this was a 6.5 mile course with a few climbs in it.  We had to do ten laps, a mercifully short race of 65 miles.  We had to go up the 18% climb eleven times if you count the neutral lap.  My number one priority was finishing with a respectable group. I'd felt pretty crappy racing for a few weeks and just pulled out of it this week.

It was way hotter once the race got going than I thought it would be.  I knew I'd made a huge mistake bringing only two bottles.  The first lap I stayed toward the back up the climb, which was no problem.  The second lap guys started to gap, but it easily came back together.  The third lap I got caught behind a pretty substantial split and I had to shut it down myself.  For the rest of the race I entered and exited the climb in the top ten to avoid that crap.

A handful of guys got a small gap when apathy set in among the main field.  After one time up the hill, maybe the seventh or so, I actually had to do some work at the front because nobody else would.  Nick Ramirez from Illinois made a great move then to bridge.  I'd have gone with him but I was really worried I'd crack with dehydration setting in.  On lap seven I took a bottle from a stranger in the feed zone.  I drank it and tossed it back on the next lap with a "thank you."  That bottle saved me.

On the last lap I ruled out attacking since I'd been one of the stronger guys on the climb.  But I ended up cramping up pretty bad on the final climb.  I started catching guys at the end but finished at the back of the group I thought I could win and got 25th.  Overall I was only doing this for training and I guess it worked.

I Thought Fox River Grove Was No Fun...

First of all, congrats to Bob and his ability to come back from the "Crab Cake" incident. I'm sure that Indy State Championship is not far off. I, on the other hand, was at Spring Prairie this past Sunday. Treat these next few paragraphs like an accident on the Dan Ryan: you don't really wanna look, but it's quick and it makes you feel better about yourself.

After a neutral start up the daunting 18% climb, we, the 4/5s that aren't from Packerville, began our first of six laps on the six mile or so course on country roads. While I was beyond joyous about staying in the top eight to ten on said lap numero uno, I was passed by about 80% of the field on the first "official" climb on the 18%er. "I know I can, I know I can" just wasn't enough to get me to stay on the back.

After a few more rollers, one at 8% and another around 10%, I honestly considered sitting up. But why did I drive 100 miles? Why did I pay my own money for the race AND gas to get there? Why have I spent almost seven days a week training? To quit? It sucked, but I chased down a few guys and started to work with them. When our pack grew to seven, I corraled them all to take short pulls (20-30 seconds) in order to keep the confidence. After sweeping up a couple more riders on lap three, we all eventually rushed up the finishing hill like we were in the main pack.

Now, I would LOVE to end this with a tale of my first top ten finish, or how I flatted and still got a PR; but what was most satisfying was getting back to my car and seeing some riders from other teams. When I asked them how they did, a few of them answered that they had dropped out. DNF. Wow. All that time, effort, and money to get a DNF. Yeah, it sucked, but I am proud to say that I finished, no matter how far down the list. A moral victory? Nah, just a love/hate relationship with this biking hobby.

Sully

Eagle Creek Crit Cat 4/5

I went down to Indianapolis this weekend to race what looked to be a good race.  I was right, it was a well run race put on by a group called Planet Adventure, It was held in Eagle Creek State Park. They were well organized and prompt. This race will be on the calendar for next year.

Now to the race, I arrived early enough to get warmed up and not be rushed. All is going well, the officials tell us to take a warm up lap and then line up. I get a good spot on the line when I remember that I forgot to put on my timing chip, big mistake. I bolt off and get it on as quick as I can, but now I’m sitting on the last row.  Ok, that’s cool I just have to work my way up in the field. This is my last test to check my fitness after the surgery, so I figure no it’s big deal. We start off as usual the field hammers it for the first 3 laps then shuts it down. By this time I have worked my way to the front so I decide to take a flier.  I stay off the front for a lap before the pack pulls me back. I did this like 5 times in the 1 hour race. On one of the fliers I thought the pack was going to let me go, but they dragged me back after a few laps. That’s when I heard over the PA, 5 laps to go. I decide to sit in and gain my composure to get ready to sprint. On the last lap I was sitting around 10^th, mistake number 2. I need to stay in the top 5.  Anyway the acceleration came and I was boxed in.  I had to come all the way around the other side of the field to get 6^th place.  All in all it was a good day. The legs and lungs are working fine, plus no pain from the surgery area. Now I just need to race smart save my energy and be sitting in the top 3-5 going into the sprint. If I can do that I have a good chance to pull one off for the team.

Bob Murray

Quad Cities Criterium Cat 1/2

This crit is a fast, eight corner flat downtown race with a great atmosphere.  I decided to make the three hour drive out to Rock Island, Illinois.  I did some longer rides with teammates the previous few days so I wasn't the freshest.  When I got there I remembered they staged the start by race number.  I was number 110, so I was starting in the back.  I'm guessing there was a field of around 120 guys.  I've been doing this awhile though, so during all the pre-race call ups and movement to make way for the guys coming through I was able to sneak up to the middle.  

The pace was pretty fast from the beginning.  I wanted to make my way up to the front, but so did everyone else.  It took me like five laps to get up there, but by then a few groups had gotten off the front.  I'm not capable of being in an hour and a half long breakaway anyway, so I knew it was time to sit on.  Sometimes you have to take the risk that the race will go up the road, and this time it did.

One guy who I guess won the day before managed to attack one of the breaks and he lapped the field.  When I saw his teammate bring him by me I knew they were going to the front to drill it, so I moved up again.  His teammates seemed to be driving it pretty hard, but in a field that big it's easy to sit in so I couldn't really tell how fast we were going.

At the end, a few attacks went away from our group, which I think was the main field.  I was sort of baffled when guys weren't grabbing those wheels, but then again I didn't either so I can't really say anything.  And most of those guys raced the previous few days.  Apparently there was a separation somewhere behind me so our group wasn't that big.  The announcer said that our group still had some money spots available, so I stayed toward the front and sprinted for fifth or so in the group.  It was only good for 46th place though, which was a surprise to me since I didn't think there were more than 18 or so guys left up the road.  Well, I guess that's what happens when the field is so big that you can't see the front of it from anywhere on the course.  It was a hot day, a fast race, with plenty of corners, and I was never in any difficulty.  That's good because I haven't felt too good on the bike the last few weeks.  Hopefully I'm coming out of it.

Serfas Sunglasses 2011 BBVP Sponsor

2011 Sponsor Serfas

SERFAS

I want to take this opportunity to announce another great sponsor for 2011. Of course no one can top our team sponsors Beverly Bike and Ski www.beverlyallseasons.com and Vee Pak, Inc. www.veepak.com . Serfas optics has decided to sponsor us. The team has had the pleasure of using these great glasses in 2009. They are top quality at a very affordable price. How many times have you thrown down $100 for a set of Oakley’s or Rudy Project’s and just lose them at race or crashed and totally destroyed them. Well for less than half the price you can have the same quality and a company that backs their product.
Last year, Tony was at race and crashed go figure, right? Anyway, of course he doesn’t break any bones but the glasses didn’t make it. He asked me about it and I told him you’re SOL. I also told him check with the bike shop. The shop called Serfas www.serfas.com direct and they said they would cover it. That’s pretty good of Serfas to back their product. We made the right choice and BB/VP is sticking with Serfas for the 2011 race season. Give them a try you won’t be disappointed!!!


These are the glasses I have.

ISLA
(picture upper right)
Features:
(H.O.T.) Helmet Optimized Temples reduce Helmet interference

Each Model comes with 4 sets of Interchangeable Lenses

Infinite bend temples to customize fit

Extra nose pads included

Furnished with EVA hard case and micro fiber bag

RX compatible clip in frame included



FORCE 5
(pictured top left)
Features:
Each Model Comes With 4 Sets of Interchangeable Lenses

(H.O.T.)Helmet Optimized Temples Reduce Helmet Interference

TR-90- Frame Construction For Extreme Durability

Decentered Polycarbonate Lens Technology

Soft Elastomer Nose Pads and Temple Inserts

Metal Side Panels

Designed for Smaller Faces

Separate Polorized and Photochromic Lenses Available

 

Serfas sunglasses