Grandview (plus or minus 13 laps)

Since I took last weekend off completely I decided that this weekend I should hit a race somewhere. That race would be Grandview. A 25 lap/mile crit. Things were going fine for me at the start. I was about halfway in the pack and feeling ok.

Crits are a lot like cyclocross (to me anyway). I like to go hard, recover, and blast again. It's pretty violent on your legs. Fun right?

So at lap 5 or so two guys went out and were away. I decided that without teammates my best friends would be breakaway buddies. I quickly moved to the front. On lap 7 I was sitting third wheel and noticed that we put enough of a gap on the peloton that we could bridge without pulling the gang along with us. I jumped from my spot to the front and pulled. I was bridging the gap to second. I figured the four of us would chase down the solo rider in front and make a group of five. I also figured that if we worked together we could hold off the peloton.

When I got across to second I looked back. The other two hadn't come along with me. "Oh boy." I thought to myself. "This is going to be hard work." The two of us worked together nicely until I noticed his pulls were getting slower and shorter. We were no longer gaining on the solo leader and the peloton was coming hard. I decided to sit up and wait for the pack. When they zoomed past, I'd hitch a ride I thought. It just wasn't to be I guess, as the group flew past I couldn't hang on a wheel to save my life. I was toast. Burnt to a crisp.

I looked down at my computer and saw an average speed of over 25mph. I knew I wasn't going to catch back on the back so I bailed. I was ok with it though since I blew up going for it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Next weekend is the Hammer Creek road race. It's a 4.25 mile loop so there should be lots of action. I have 10 laps. Yum! Check it out at: http://www.richruoff.com/.

UAPM is selling the lovely re-usable grocery bags you see pictured. They are $3 each. UAPM does a lot of good work so help them out if you can. Check out their link on the right side of blog.

Yowza!

Semi-Pro Wes Schempf won the XC at Mt. Snow. That makes him the Semi-Pro National Champion! Way to go Wes. We are happy not only that one of our own won but that it was you. You truly deserve it. Is a Pro License in your future?

The Milkmen sent two to Nationals to compete in the Expert field. Tom held his own with a very respectable 14th. Shawn was in the Allied Milk slot of 4th. We've been in 4th so many times this season it's getting a bit annoying. Either way though, we are proud of both riders efforts. I'll be trying to finagle a race report out of them (probably to no avail though).

The next mountain race isn't until 8-9 and that would be God's Country. It's a 50 mile point to point style race. I think only Tom will be doing that one though. Most of us will be supporting Chad at the Sunbury Road Race. It too will be on 8-9.

If you are in the Lancaster area (7-26) or just like to watch super fast bike racing, check out the Grandview Grand Prix. It's a criterium, which means it has super short laps. Pro 1/2/3 race is 35 miles (roughly) which is 35 laps. I'll be doing the 3/4 which is 25 laps. It goes off at 2:20.

Check it out.

Mt. Snow

Here we are, it's Friday. Tom and Shawn are heading up to Mt. Snow VT to compete for the old Stars & Stripes jersey. Nationals...you remember the Greenbriar race in April, yeah, that's how they got in (and I didn't...stupid brakes). Shawn and Tom will be starting bright and early tomorrow...8am! I haven't seen a start time that early in a few years. Haha! Best of luck guys.

The rest of the team is off this weekend which is a bit weird but nice. I went back to training mode, over 240 miles this week. Time for some rest.

My plans for this weekend were to head down to Lancaster to do a race then head up to Clearfield for another race on Sunday. The Lancaster race did not happen due to a whole bunch of/lack of communication on the race organizer and myself part, hey it happens. So I had Sat. off and started to get myself prepared for Tour de Susquehanna. Since the race is north west of us it has plenty of hills, just what I love. I woke up at 4:00 a.m. and headed to Clearfield since the race started at 8:00. The race started as it all ways does, fast, with only 1 mile in you have to climb a 1 mile hill, this is when you have to be in the front because there is always a gap and most of the time the group can stay away. I was feeling great by the time we got to the top and i realized that we had a 5 man break. Half way through the race a guy from Ski and Spokes attacks to get rid of any weak riders in our group. After the attack it was down to 3 riders including myself. We knew we could stay away if we all took short even pulls. With only 1 mile to go to the finish I was sitting in 3rd, (the best place for a sprint since you can cover attacks) The rider in the front attacked, and the guy from Ski and Spokes tried to cover it but I had to sprint around him and try to catch up to the attacker. I was gaining on him, but unfortunately the finish came up 15 feet less then what I needed. With it all said and done I came in 2nd place overall, and about 1 min. ahead of the chasers. I recommend this race to any one, it is always a blast! My next race is in the air, I am not sure what my next race is even going to be (my manager may have a few ideas) But I can say that in August we are going to have a strong team showing up my way. Out.

Awesome job to Chad, Joel, Shawn, and Brooke (we didn't even see you at Fair Hill but you still managed second). Just so you guys know, I am so jealous of your pilsner glasses that actually say "5th" and "3rd" on them. Nice shorts too!

Oh and Marc...I wish I would've jumped in the pool. I lost 6th place to that guy anyway. I thought I could hold him off though. Oh well, maybe next time.

5 Races in 9 Days

Saturday I did the Peiffer Hill Road Race. It's a pretty cool course. It goes down, down, down and then the final 3k or so is mostly up (with some rollers) to the finish. Of all the road races left I felt that this would be my best chance at a win/top 5.

The pace was gruellingly slow even though Kelly Benefit Strategies had 10 riders in the field. They never attempted to control the race at all. It was a bit weird. I was expecting a move like at Brownstown. On the third of six laps I saw an opening at the base of the climb. I figured with the pace as slow as it was I might get lucky. I shot through the hole and made my escape. After my attack I looked back, I was getting away but no one came with me. Now if I was a pro, didn't have a mountain race the next day, and was just plain crazy I would've attempted to hold them off for the final 30k. This would've been next to impossible but worth a try with the way they were(n't) working together. Me being me however, knew my chances were slim and that I would really suffer the next day at Fair Hill eased off the throttle. I did however make sure I crossed the line ahead of the peloton. I figured I at least earned that. Lap 4 I sat back and rested. I was still thinking Kelly were going to make their move on lap 5. I wanted to be ready. Lap 5 came and went with nothing at all. Lap 6 was the final lap, surely they would move here. Again, nothing. I positioned myself for the final climb. I was three back, a great spot to launch a final attack. I was going to go at the same spot too but when the time came I somehow was completely boxed in. I weaved in desperation to get through as the attacks started. By the time I got past all the other riders I could tell it was pretty much over for me. One rider was away, and the peloton was in full throttle. Not being a sprinter by any stretch of the imagination, I got out of the way and let them do their thing. My final result my not be that great but it was a good race. I felt good and I had a chance all the way to the end. Sometimes things just don't work out though.

Today was Fair Hill. A 27 mile point to point style mountain bike race. These trails are maintained by the Delaware Trailspinners. They do a great job.

The start is a Jeep trail (two dirt tire lines with grass everywhere else). It is fast and furious. Everyone fighting for position before the singletrack. I got off to a bad start because the guy next to me missed his pedal and cut me off in the process. I know he didn't try it but it still stinks with a start that is that fast. I was in the back so I pedaled as fast as I could to make up as much ground as possible. I did ok too. I was probably in about 15th or so. I was riding with Tom and we could see Joel and Shawn up ahead. This was a pace line race for the first 12-15 miles. It was crazy fast. We started picking off riders that couldn't hold the pace. Tom then dropped back. Then me. I spent the next 5 miles or so with a rider on my wheel. I'd kill him on the climbs and he'd catch back up on the descents. It was a lot of fun. I then had a minor mishap with a course marking (aka I didn't read it) and took the Sport loop. Oops! Luckily the guy I'd been battling yelled so I didn't get too far but that was all she wrote for my legs. That zapped them. I did manage to catch up to the rider but like I said, I had nothing left. I went into conservation mode. I knew I was riding well and wanted to make sure I didn't crack and lose my position (whatever it was). Turns out I was 7th. Tom 10th. As for Joel and Shawn, we never did see them again. Seems they were sipping martinis for a few minutes before I crossed the line. Joel 5th. Shawn 3rd. The first Allied Milk male to podium in a solo event. Allied Milk riders will be moving up the leader board now.

Next week Tom and Shawn will be at Mt. Snow competing at Nationals. For me, a much needed break. 5 days of racing in 9 days (plus working full-time) equals not much down time.

A little MooJo

I wasn't having the best of luck this weekend so I added some "moojo" to my bike. That didn't help either. Joel was the only one of us that cracked the top 20 (18th) in the rain soaked night TT of Friday. It was slick and I was just too cautious I guess.

Saturday was the XC. I had a great start, leading into the singletrack. I know I'm not as fast as many of the guys in our category so I wanted to be in front in the tight twisty stuff. That way I could keep everyone in check and race my race. All was going to plan and when I went to shift to the middle ring and it didn't drop down I recovered quick enough to still be sitting in 6 or 7th place. I was still in the pace line. We were moving pretty good when I hit a huge muddy/standing water soup of a mess. I got on the throttle a little too early and washed the back end out. Down I went. There was some horrible creaking noise. I tried to get back into the race but my handlebars were askew. Heh. That's what that horrible creaking noise was. After a quick fix I was back on. I had lost some time but I felt pretty good so I went to catch back up. I hit the redline and pushed beyond it. I did manage to make contact with the group only to completely explode when I did. I was fried. The rest of the race was for pride. 13th. I guess it could've been worse. Joel had his first DNF ever (I believe).

His race was a bit different though. He was in the same pace line I was in and when I went down he kept motorin'. When I got rolling again I passed him. His chain broke and he was fixing it. Unfortunately, his chain tool was broken as well so he ran. He ran so far away. Oh but wait. Somewhere along the way there was a snake involved. It almost bit him or something.

Thomas the Tank cracked the top 10. Mr. Consistent rode his race (as always). I think it's impossible for him to make mistakes. He was on a new bike (third ride) and it didn't even phase him.

But Shawn was the star on Saturday. Seven minutes back of the winner (TJ Mosher) in 4th. One of these races we will get to actually step on the podium. The competition this season is incredible. No one is really faster than the other. It comes down to who is having the cleanest race.

Sunday was the Hill Climb and Short Track. I was 20th overall in both (that includes the pro/semi-pro guys). I was pleased but if I would've had a cleaner race the day before I would've had more energy on Sunday. Joel was 15th (if I remember correctly) in the short track. He said that was because he DNF'd the XC and had more energy. Haha. Good strategy Joel.

The podium didn't have too many people flying their team colors. I attribute this to stench. It was a weekend festival and jerseys and shorts were pretty nasty by the time awards were handed out. Sorry sponsors.

I've been Slacking

Many of you may have noticed that I have no idea how to get the pictures to go where I want them. So if captions don't line up with the picture I am sorry but you will have to deal with it. Kenny is an apprentice. He is the one in the white shirt. He is one of the few that didn't make a rude gesture when I took his picture (I'm trying to keep this blog PG). Tommy is the guy smiling over the edge. I have to deal with him for 10 hours a day (aka he is my partner). The pictures are from the 9th floor of the new Lancaster Convention Center/Marriott. We will be moving up to the 10th floor Monday. I'm not really sure if my boss cares that I waste his time with these shots but I don't really care either (just kidding Justin). We keep the slacking to a minimum I swear. The little gray guy is Baby J. We are fostering him until he gets big enough to go up for adoption. That day is soon. Go to the Humane League and get a friend.

Finally...

With me coming of an injury from last wed. when i crashed during a training ride, i was not looking to do too well because i was still very sore. Dan and i decided to just wing it and chances are have to lead him out for the finish. The course for Brownstown was a 5. something loop with a little hill at the the finish. The race started at a nice speed and with in the first 2 laps there was a break away 7. With a kelly-benefit rider in the group the whole team moved to the front to slow down the peloton. Dan and i realized this and knew that if one of us did not get in the breakaway then we would have no chance of a top 10 finish. Since the yellow line rule is in affect except for the last 1km we decided to attack there so we could use the whole road. I went first with Dan right on my wheel, after going across the start/finish line i knew that i would catch them. After Dan realized that i was in the break he slowed down and drop back into the peloton knowing his job was done for the day.

With the break away 8 riders strong we knew we had a good chance of staying away since the course is very windy and it will slow the peloton down. We all made even pulls for the last 5 laps of the race. On lap 5 it started raining, an advantage for us because this would slow the peloton down even more. With only one lap to go i went across the start/finish line and realized that i was cramping up in my thighs, even for a climber like myself this will cause a problem on the climb at the finish. I tried to conserve energy but it was no use, at the finish i just sat up, knowing i had nothing left and knowing that i still got 8th place. After the race was over i realized that Dan flatted with only 2 laps to go, and the peloton came in around 1 min. behind us. I will survive to race another day, and so will Dan.

Chad.

The only thing that I think was wrong was that I led you to the break my friend. Otherwise I would have made it too.

Check out Marysville. It's a festival so even if the racing is boring there will still be some food, games, and/or bands. http://www.masuperseries.com/ for me details.