Beautiful Bemus

Like a pro blogger I’m writing and editing at Starbucks.

On Saturday 08/23/08 I did a hilly USCF race at Lake Chataqua Bemus Point. I carpooled with Ron (Ron's blog http://cozybeehive.blogspot.com/). He was wearing a mainly white with green and red Italia jersey. Ron my not have a drop of Italian blood but he recently picked up a Mapei edition Colnago so he is like an Italian brother in law married into the family by way of bicycle association. So at the start line I said "this is Italy versus Wachovia!" And I told Mike Loranty that my race strategy was to watch Ron stay with him and try to win. With Ron’s training camp residence set up in Olean NY I figured that the mountainous surroundings would have propelled Ron to climbing super star status. Ron got dropped on the second part of the first or second climb about 3 miles in. He rode two hill rides this week so I told him that hill rides are stupid the week of a major race because they zap the legs of zest-energy... he found out too late. I was disappointed that my competitor got dropped. I wanted a showdown sprint or at least a final lap attack. I got dropped about 10 miles into the 30 mile race because I'm a flatlander and a pursuit track racer. Then I was with a Hollyloft guy and another Hollyloft guy. Apparently one of them was Joe Holler's Dad. So Joe said he was pissed when he saw Dave behind his Dad's wheel going into the finish and then watched me pass and win that sprint. Joe got 3rd place because he is not a flatlander.

A Few Local Race Reports from the Past Two Weeks

08/12/08 6:45 pm Holland Speedway

At the track I proved that I am indeed a pursuit racer. I’ve been told by Frank Mesi that I have a pursuit style when I bridge gradually rather than like a sprint. So, we prepared to pursuit. I asked a guy from Harvard if he wanted to compete. I told him that my name is Neon Thunder and I’m here to win lol no I really didn’t say that but I wanted to. We did 4 laps of about a 200-300 meter race track. I told myself that if I started fast I could get out front and stay there. I did put it in the 53 – 23 stood up and road out fast. My pace backed off a little but I clearly won.

Thursday 08/14/08 7:10 pm at Erie Community College Criterium Local Race

I was in a pack of about 20 racers. The bell had rung for a preem. Everyone had slowed to watch each other and try to get the best wheel. It was as if their engines have stalled. I’ve raced this scenario before and I know I have sprinted away from the pack on the back stretch and stayed away for a preem on more than one occasion. That’s when I said to myself, you can go, you can go. I went off the front and I noticed I had a good gap going into the two corners then there’s about 300 meters to the finish. In the corners I thought they’re going to catch me here these A racers are fast in the corners, keep yourself fast and smooth in these corners. Then I decided that was enough doubts, that their going to catch me talk is what people who fear losing think. So, I put my head down didn’t look back and went as fast as I could. I scored first place in that preem.

At the finish I sprinted fast enough to stay in front of the other B racers but did not contest the A racers. Then I found out that during the race they decided to scratch the B points, bummer.

08/19/08 at the Holland Speedway

Once again my pursuit like abilities were shown in an Italian Team Pursuit at the track. I went really fast when I pulled through and got a lot of credit for our teams victory. Then in the show down final I was chosen to lead out for a lap a the start. I lead out really fast but the other team was slightly ahead so our other guys picked up the pace and we won again.

If you like 4 mile long climbs on each of 4 laps go to Wine County Classic at Northeast PA

If you like 4 mile long climbs on each of 4 laps go to Wine County Classic at Northeast PA.

On 08/16/08

I raced the Wince Country Classic race and there was no hiding on this hilly course. My low power to weight ratio was the main factor of me getting dropped.

Living Vicariously Through Mike

Congrats to Mike Loranty for winning the cat ¾ Rochester Criterium. He did this by sprinting away form a break away group of 4. We (Wachovia Securities Cycling Team and a lot of locals) were really excited and happy. It’s good to see good things happen to good people. Check out a more thorough race report at http://www.agedwardscycling.com/

Another guy from our Wachovia Securities Cycling Team, Jim Cowle, is a very savy racer. He went off the front of the main pack on the last lap at an opportune moment and put enough distance between himself and the pack to secure 5^th place.

Another teammate, Brian Rohr, placed fourth in the cat 5 race. This may have been his most tactically smart race yet. He listened to the advice of captain Andy Cummings.

Also, Brian Borowiec raced strong to finish 6^th. Again check out http://www.agedwardscycling.com/

Mike Loranty has an affinity for breaking away. He can break away and stay away. When racers who know Mike see him ride off the front they think we’ll catch him after a long while. But after a long while they still haven’t caught him and the pack starts to chase frantically. And if he gets away with other racers they’re golden. If he gets away and some average racer tags along who can’t go fast enough to help the break stay away, that average racers says to himself…”well at least I did the best move I could by trying a break away with a guy like Mike”, and other racers say to that average guy “smart move”.

A Cyclists Prayer

I say a few prayers while riding and racing bikes. These help me keep things in perspective and keep it real. Here are a few of my common prayers that aren’t too personal.

Allow these bike racers not to rage against each other but to strive with each other. Amen

Let these racers not get injured so they are able to continue to do purposeful work off of the bike and be able to do all the goodness they can with their families and friends. Amen

Keep me from lusting after these bicycles. Help make my bicycle a tool for goodness as I pray while riding. Amen

Help me not get angry at riders who don’t hold their line. Especially do not let me get angry when riders force their way between me and the racer in front of me because this is just a competitive move in racing bikes. Amen

I know that the act of bike racing really doesn’t compare to more meaningful acts but at least let this time be enriched by prayer. And more importantly let this time be one of harmony between racers. Let us show support for each other and not trash talk or gossip. Amen

Help me not get angry at this guy who is opening up gaps and riding at an uneven pace. Rather let me turn this anger over to energy toward catching the pack. Give me similar energy toward purposeful goals in my life. Amen

If a racer causes me to crash may I not say anything until I can speak some peaceful words. Amen

Tendonitis above the patella

I had tendonitis just above the knee cap that dissipated last season but was around for all season two seasons ago. What did I need?

Different pedals? I changed pedals (three different pedals) for races mid season on four occasions in the past 2 seasons! Pedal mania! All the pedals I tried were ok, I just needed a proper position for each. If you think about this, pros from different teams ride a lot of miles on just about every major pedal type…so get a proper fit not a variety of pedals!) (I only ride-have one pair of pedals now.

A different fit? Two seasons ago a dear friend told me about cleat shims to angle the foot position. I did not listen to my friends advice by putting one in on the day of a local training crit race…that is a huge risk to the knees as they need some adjustment to new positions… I felt fine though.

Different position? I stopped 10 miles into a century to adjust the cleat on my shoe and move a cleat shim out. My knee felt funky at first but that ride went well. To do this is mid ride is risky.

Different shoes?
No, I didn’t expect much from different shoes but I switched shoes way to many times... three shoes in one year (one pair broke when I had to dismount at 15 mph after bumping wheels-also know as-kissing wheels with another racer). But I recently sold two pairs on ebay. This leaves me riding on my plastic whatever material non carbon shoes circa 2003. I’m not pro so I don’t need carbon (well I ride a carbon frame from 2006). They fit well and are soft compared to carbon, but the main part of the shoe is stiff in contact with the pedal. I won a few local “training” races on these shoes in 2005. I recently won another training race… so these are the only shoes I have worn to a win at a race finish. If that works well than why change?

Did I benefit from a stretching routine, not riding when tendons hurt, and doing base miles for conditioning? Yes!

Thursday Night Criterium Race Report

Local training race report... this is where cyclist gain an edge on other racers by training while racing.

The minimal amount of B racers were combined with the A racers. B racer where are you? Come out and play!

The first preem went to Dave Bisenius as he slipped by the pack on the far right side.

The first break away attempt was eventually caught after about 3 laps. Dave Bisenius nearly bridged to that group and would have likely helped them to maintain their break.

As B racers were dropped I became the last of the B racers.

Some A racers were dropped too. With only ten racers left racing I had earned contention for a top ten place and to be awarded points.

Mike Bridges and Joe Halter broke away and stayed away.

Ken Thomas made an attack into the last lap to shatter the group and race to 3 rd place and first in the field sprint. He also sprinted to earn a 3 rd place preem point.

I passed 3 racers who let up on the last lap and then sprinted all I could to try to catch the 4 th 5 th and 6th place racers. I placed 7th and scored 4 points. Chris Cej scored a 1st place preem and was 9 th overall and Ben Willis scored some points in 10th place. This race performance was really great for my confidence.