CCCX Final XC, #9, Fort Ord, 8/23/2014

By Mark Giblin

I had a great weekend in my small world of racing, I won my final series race at the CCCX- XC (cat 3) age group Saturday. I also won the series which was 9 races total, starting in February. The breakdown was 3 first place finishes, 4 - second places, 1 third place and 1 sixth place, ( I know, I was tired, over trained, did not have a good day on the 6th place finish).

To say the least I was a little stressed going into the last race series because it was double points and you have to finish, I only needed 5th place or better but I was more worried about a breakdown or crash. That being said, I was on my last lap leading and about 1 mile from the line (on the same down hill section where my closest competitor broke his collar bone and two ribs on race number 5) and a 15 year old Junior (racing for 8th place +/-) rider past me by where there was nothing but 6" of beach sand and bump my handle bars pushing me further into a bad line. I used my Jim Langley voice (without swearing) and explained to him that I did not appreciate that and that he should wait 20 yards for the opening next time.....he apologized.

The end result is that I won by 2 seconds.

I would like to thank Mark E. for continuously putting the work outs together and the motivation/encouragement throughout the year. I would also like to thank Scott, Jim, George & Matt for keeping me honest on the workouts and pushing me hard.

 
Thanks for a great season,
 
Mark

Downside of Drafting - USAT Olympic Distance Nationals, Milwaukee, Aug 9

Downside of Drafting - Not my best distance, but finishing top 25 qualifies me for ITU Worlds, held for the first time in 15 years back in the US (Chicago) for 2015.  My bike and run made up for a middle-of-the-pack swim and I easily qualified BUT for a drafting penalty.  USAT gives you 15 seconds to  stay out of a 3-bike length draft zone to complete a pass.  My counting was off,  I was clocked at 18 seconds for one overtake.  My 2 minute penalty dropped me to 26th place.  Chances are I'll still get to go to Chicago, just one qualifier has to turn down his slot, but this hurt.  Lesson learned, and fingers crossed I'll make it to Worlds 2015.  So all that time I gained sporting the new Spokesman team tri-suit didn't do me any good.  Next time.  Fortunately I'm solid for 2015 Worlds and a slot of the USAT Team for my stronger distance, 1/2 Ironman, and have tickets to Sweden next June.

ADA Tour de Cure, 6/8/2014

By Dennis Pedersen

Me and "Fast" Freddie on the "Champions" ride.

This was my 8th year of riding in this fund-raiser for the American Diabetes Association. Wow, time flies! Cycling tends to be a very ego-centric activity, so for me this is a great way to use my love of cycling to give back. I am lucky I don't have a personal connection to diabetes, but every year I'm glad I registered for this ride.

This year I encouraged Bill Kacmarsky to formally be my co-Captain on the HP Tour de Cure team, and gladly he accepted. He's always been our top fund-raiser, and this year was no different; Bill raised an amazing $3,087.00, I think a record for him! I was very fortunate too, as I have so many generous friends, family and co-workers; I raised an impressive $1,140.00, thanks! As a team, HP raised $9,795.72 toward our $10,000.00 goal, still short of the last three years for some reason (I will have to work on big changes for next year!).

If you haven't yet, you can still donate:  Click here!

One nice perk this year were the amazing HP Cycling clothing options we have, thanks to Phil Wandrey (based in Nebraska), who is strongly active in HP Cycling. These clothes are available on a year-round basis, so feel free to visit the HP Cycling online store.

Because we both raised over $1,000, Bill and I also qualified to attend the ADA's "Champions Celebration" on 5/29, before the big ride. Bill also works extra duty to help ADA organize this event. It was at beautiful Silver Creek Country Club in San Jose, and I joined the optional group ride with Pro racer "Fast" Freddie Rodriguez, up San Felipe Road, east of San Jose. Not sure if it's my shifted training focus (toward track sprints), or if they intentionally went harder than last year, but it was hard trying to keep up with them on the hard climb on the way back, and I see from my Strava records that we were 1 minute faster there! The dinner, with drinks, was very welcome, and inspiring!

The day of the ride it was gray in Santa Cruz when I woke up at 4:00 am, and I loaded my bike and stuff onto my car. But it cleared up as I neared Palo Alto and the forecast was hot. After a couple cups of coffee I was good to go and met some of my HP teammates for the 6:15 am start. A new addition to our team this year is "Frerk" Malte Feller, who heads up the HP online store site; welcome! Like last year, Fast Freddie talked a bit before the start, as did Richard Allejandro and Allyson Schloming of ADA.

Pescadero countryside.

This year the route was changed along the first section, so we rode north on Alameda de las Pulgas, then west on Alpine Road, and then onto Portola Road. This is much safer, as we have far less traffic here in the morning, rather than riding that section later in the ride as in previous years.

Because of my new training I was very focused on not riding too hard, and, judging from how many people passed me on the hills, I succeeded! Kings Mountain Road was our first big climb and I just tried to enjoy the view; it was nice and clear to the east, looking over the valley far below with the sunrise shining over a slight haze. Malte turned out to be a strong rider and had no trouble scooting up the hill ahead of me! The rest station at the top, on Skyline Boulevard, was my first food of the day, as I'm trying not to overeat. Malte took off ahead of me and I ended up riding alone along Skyline at a comfortable pace.

Me, Scott and Malte, at Pescadero.

I had brought my vest, as I know from the past that the rip-roaring descent down Highway 84, from Summit Boulevard, can be very chilly. Even though it was sunny past the summit there were still some pockets of intense cold, so I was glad I had it on. When I turned onto Pescadero Road it warmed up a bit, and while the weather in Pescadero was quite nice, it was still a bit chilly as I stopped there for another rest station break, and a photo op with the HP'ers there.

I really like Stage Road, north from Pescadero, and the historic San Gregorio Market where it intersects Highway 84. After a short ride on Highway 1, above the Pacific Ocean's cliffs, I turned onto Tunitas Creek Road, where there was another rest station, at the Bike Hut. Very cute place. Tunitas Creek is really steep and long, though, and I had no intention of trying to set any records. Instead I enjoyed the gorgeous redwood forest.

Historic San Gregorio.

Me, on Tunitas Creek's steep climb.

After a brief stop at the top of Tunitas, at Skyline, I was ready for a super-fast descent down Kings Mountain Road, into the heat of the valley. It turned out to be over 90 degrees, and it sure was a change form the chilly morning along the coast. And it was nice to return along Portola Road, instead of on Alameda de las Pulgas as in previous years. This new route is safer, and cooler in the afternoon. I was happy to cross the finish line, to the cheers of volunteers, back at HP in Palo Alto.

Fast Freddie and me... and lunch!

A few of us met at the usual HP awning on the HP campus' lawn, and enjoyed the music (some quite good!) and yummy food. This year, for the first time, I also got a massage! In the past I have always skipped that because there was always a long waiting line for them. But this year they had more volunteer masseuses, plus a special short waiting line for Champions; another great reason to raise more money for the cause!

It was 98 to 101 degrees as I drove off, but all I could think of was that I am very lucky to have such generous supporters... but also that I need to help the HP team do better next year. I have asked Malte if he can help, and I'm happy to say he accepted! So I'm optimistic about our team's outlook for 2015!

Thanks again!

CCCX 35+ 1/2/3s, Saturday, June 28th by Matthew Sloan

This was my best race by far on the CCCX circuit course. Not for the result but for the racing itself. I drove down with David Allen and his teammate and old friend, John Funke. John Funke, a former elite cyclocross racer (he nearly won nationals one year but was beaten by the flu!), advised me to race aggressively, so, I did!

I got into the first break with Kyle Glerum from Safeway but we were soon eaten up by the Peloton.  Nick Theobold from Safeway attacked when the Peloton bridged up. This was the winning break. I felt it would be. I attacked to bridge up but just didn't quite have it after my previous efforts. Stefano tried to bridge up too; however, even working together we didn't make it. I consciously dropped off the pace allowing myself to get caught by the second group. There were seven off the front in the break. When they started to get into a pace line, we just couldn't match their combined effort.

At first, some of the riders in the peloton worked to bring the break back. After a while, however, the group resigned itself to racing for what would become 6th place. On the second to last lap, with nobody wanting to pull up the rollers into the wind, a voice in my head cried out: "I paid $40 for this!" From the back of the peloton, I put my foot down on one of downhills, I used my momentum to sprint up the uphill. I went scorching down the main downhill to get clear of the peloton. At the very least, I wanted someone to have to make the effort to catch me. I was hoping David Allen or John Funke would bridge up and help bring back the break. Someone made an effort to bridge up to me but the peloton came with them. It was fun to be solo for just over half a lap. I eased up on the long hill and fell in behind the main group. My thought was, "let's rest up and practice my sprint." Even with the race finishing after the rollers, it is still a power finish.

With a half a lap remaining you would have thought we were out on a Sunday coffee ride. At that moment Michael Holt attacked hard. Apparently, he doesn't have a great sprint. Everyone perked up and rose to the occasion. Stefano went to the front on the rollers but didn't get away. It turned into a pack sprint. I chose a bad line on the right, I had to slow up as a rider drifted into my line. I only managed 5th in our group - 10th overall. If I had stayed on David Allen's wheel I would have got 2nd in our group. Never mind, better luck next time. Even though my finish didn't go perfectly, I have to say I really like where the race finishes now. It feels a lot safer!

I will be racing RedKite criterium this coming Sunday. I raced Burlingame last Sunday, 22nd but it didn't go well for me with the hairpin turn. Too much stopping and starting. Next Sunday I would love to podium! We'll see.

Sierra Historic Omnium June 14th & 15th by Matthew Sloan

Bite off more than you can chew and, suffer!

Saturday, 14th Folsom Criterium

Unfortunately, instead of being the downtown crit as advertised it was a weird business park crit. An out and back course with a roundabout at one end and a slight down hill hairpin turn on the other - nasty! I signed up for the E3/4s omnium which would include the Folsom Crit and the Nevada City Crit on the Sunday; and the 35+ 1/2/3s crit.

I drove up with David Allen and a couple of his teammates from San Francisco. I arrived with plenty of time to warm-up and ready myself for the 3/4s. We went off at a cracking, good pace. Due to the hairpin, wind, and roundabout it was very difficult to move up. With 7 to go I was able to start my move to the front. I finally felt good about the race - confident of a good placing. We came to the hairpin with about 5 to go. I came around sharply on the inside and sprinted hard to get to the front. As I passed a younger rider on my right, he suddenly moved into me. His handlebars caught on my thigh. He was thrown to the right, he then whipped behind me, hit my rear wheel, and went down. Amazingly, I didn't go down but a few people behind me did. Unfortunately, I ended up at the back of the peloton and didn't recover my position. The crash really wiped me out. David Allen told me I should have tried to take a free lap. Next time I will. It was really hard to focus and get back on after the crash. However, I soldiered on to the finish.

At 2:35 pm I competed with the 35+ 1/2/3s. The pace was slower to begin with, but boy did it hot up pretty quickly. I struggled to keep with the main group but I made it. I even took a shot at a breakaway with another rider but we were caught pretty sharpish. Folsom bikes were keeping the pressure on. They had a number of riders including two national champions. They were definitely out for victory. It was a hell of 50 minutes of sprinting from one end of the course to the other as we came to a virtual standstill due to the hairpin and roundabout. At the finish I did well to come in the top 20 perhaps 15, I have yet to see the results. However, I know that I beat a few cat. 1s and came behind a couple of national champions!

Sunday, 15th Nevada City Classic

This had the best atmosphere for a race I have experienced so far this year. There are people on every part of the course cheering the riders on. Regardless of whether you think you could do well here or not, I definitely think this is one race that is worth experiencing. Even though it is advertised as a criterium, being 1.1 miles long it feels like a mini circuit race. It is a course that favors climbers. Many of our climbers would do well at this event. The course stair-steps up to the top for about a 2/3 of a mile climb then sweeps fast down to the finish. After the start/finish, there is a long sweeping bend that takes you back into the stair stepping climb. 

I wanted to be on the front at the start knowing I would have trouble keeping up with the climbers. Unfortunately, due to a crash in the race before ours we were waiting on the sides for a while. During this time riders were sneaking into place. I ended up two or three back from the start line in a race of 70 riders. It was a hectic start. I didn't get a good one and found myself at the back of the first group. After a couple of fast and furious laps, I found my legs tiring. I just didn't have it. Frankie came past me on the climb and I urged him on. I think he ended up just a few places in front of me. I think two hard crits the day before wasn't the best preparation for this really hard race. However, the atmosphere and the need to prove myself over the course will bring me back again next year. 

Sunday, June 1st, RedKite Bump Race, Livermore by Matthew Sloan

This was a great course for me - a 7.5 mile loop with lots of nice rollers and a power sprint finish - up the bump! I couldn't have planned a better race tactically. After yesterday's efforts, I sat in on the main group doing as little work as possible. We were going hard enough that the race was split into two groups. There were a couple of attempts at breaks off the first group but they were swiftly brought back in.

On the last lap, I made sure I got to the front on fastest decent before the long, gentle climb to the top of the course. I tucked down and sped swiftly past the pack, including guys who were pedaling hard. Ah, the beauty of an aero tuck and a few pounds. I knew that riders would think I was making a move and ride to keep on my wheel or get past me. As soon as someone went past, I got on their wheel. Team Thirsty Bear were on the front putting on a good pace to lead out the eventual winner, Corey Scobie. I sat in about four places back. The pace steadily increased on the long, gentle climb towards the finish. I kept in a good spot knowing I would have to be in the top five into the last turn to have any chance of making the podium. With the centre line rule being enforced there wouldn't be much room to maneuver.

I came into the last corner hard in 4th/5th place. I got out of the seat and attacked following the example of Thirsty Bear Rider, Corey Scobie. I tried my best to get past the second place rider but I had chosen too hard a gear. I changed down and held on strongly for 3rd. A good race, with a respectable finish.

Two Weekends of Racing By Matthew Sloan

Sunday, May 25th, Mt. Hamilton Classic

In my opinion, this is a brutal race! The biggest lesson I learned is: make sure you are warm for the start! I started like I was ready for our first interval on a Wednesday, the Elite 3 young bucks went off like it was our 3rd. My legs just weren't ready. I got dropped early on and only warmed up after 20 mins. I caught quite a few riders on the way to Livermore. But the long climb to begin just wasn't suited to a bigger rider like myself.

I worked with Eddie's friend from the UCSC team - Reggie, until he tired, leaving me to time trial most of the way on my own. Definitely a day to put down to experience. Would I do it again? Mmm...

Monday, May 26th, Memorial Day Criterium, Morgan Hill

This was a fun day of crit racing. I did the 35+ 3/4s at 10:45. It was a pretty inconsistent pace. Lots of slowing into the wind. There were a couple of attempts at breakaways but nothing stuck. I was pretty well placed going into the second to last turn but got boxed in going toward the final turn. Unfortunately, I rider clipped his pedal and went down. Another rider took the corner too fast on the dusty inner part and went down, also. The crashes pushed cyclists to the outside curb and more cyclists went down. It was really dicey for a moment or two. I sat up and cruised in safely and still managed a decent eighth place.

Saturday, May 31st, Dash for Cash, Pleasanton

I drove up with my friend David Allen of Mike's Bikes. It was a very easy race to get to, straight off 580. A basic four corner business park crit with nice wide roads and one small chicane. I started the day with the 35+ 1/2/3s. I wanted to do well in the race and hang in there with the "big boys!" With $10 primes on every lap it was a fast race with plenty of attacks. With five Mike's Bikes riders in the race they were the ones to watch.

David attacked early trying to bridge up to a rider who had gone solo for a couple of laps building up his prime dollars. I jumped straight on his wheel. We worked together to try and bridge up to the solo breakaway rider. Just before we made it, a couple from the pack bridged to us. I was hoping we would become a five man breakaway but unfortunately the pack was close behind and swallowed us up.

I hung back for a few laps, sitting in and recovering for another go at it. With about four to go, I began moving up. A Mike's Bike rider went to the front bridging up to a solo prime rider who was working hard to get away. I came through the final bend hard and won a prime lap. I turned to see I was way off the front. I sat down and gave it all I had to try and stay away. Coming again into the second to last lap, I was caught by the field. I held on in the peloton and came in with the main bunch but off the sprint. Still, a great race.

At 3:35 p.m. I took part in the 35+3/4s. Due to the prime laps it was quite a good pace with riders going off the front to win their $10 primes. I was sitting back thinking about resting to hopefully win the race. About four laps in, I got a bit impatient with the erratic pace and took off in the straight before the final corner. I was quite a way out in front. One rider, James Yuan, came hot on my tail and snuck the prime. But there we were, way ahead of the peloton. We spoke to each other and took it on. For eight laps we were out in front taking turns on pulls and primes. James started to tire a bit so I pulled a little more. With 3 laps to go, unfortunately, we were caught. I sat in as best I could trying to muster up some energy for a sprint.

It was a bit of a jumble going into the last turn because the pace hadn't been fast enough leading into it. I was pretty well placed. I got out of the saddle and went for it. Unfortunately, my legs were aching so I had to sit back down. I sprinted seated for ten to twenty meters or so, got back out of the saddle, and came in a decent sixth.

My winnings for the day: $50 (cash) $15 gift certificate, water bottle, hammer nutrition, and best and most rewarding of all - a Cycles Gladiator cap with the flying woman with long golden hair with bike image on it - for most aggressive rider in  the 3/4s. Now that prize is something I will treasure, at least my wife will, I think she already has her eye on it.

Tomorrow, the RedKite Bump race in Livermore - "Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more!!!"