Iowa Cross Season has begun.

I ventured up to the Capital City Cross Race in Des Moines on  Saturday.  I am glad that I went as I got some good training and technique tune-up. 

The course began with two barriers that resulted in a run-up situation.  I couldn't believe how winded I was from just walking up this hill during my warm-up...  There was also a sand trap area... if you hit the line just right you could breeze through it, but if you wavered (as I did every time except once) you ended up really having to grind your way through the last portion.  Then a really quick grass downhill that ended with a 180 degree turn onto pavement, that really got the brake pads warmed up (based on the burning smell I noticed almost every lap).

This part of the course ended up being my downfall, as my chain proved to be on its last legs and couldn't withstand the abuse caused by the power grind that was necessary immediately after that corner.

For my first race, the CX 3 event, there was a pretty noticeable gap of about 4 riders right from the start (Kyle Sedore, Mario Hernandez, Steve Robinson and Jim Cochran).  This was definately discouraging, however  with cross racing you never know what might happen, so it is best to just keep your head focused on riding as efficiently as possible.

My chain popped off  to the left of the front sprocket during an early lap after that 180 degree downhill switch back.  I tried pedalling it back on but it actually then went up and over the other side.  Crap... I lost a bunch of places, but got back on and tried to regain my position.  I exhanged positions with guys like Pete Basso, Lane Anderson, Matt Gumm and Chad Vandelune throughout the race and ended up finishing 5th out of 13.

Cat 1,2,3
My lower back was extremely sore from carrying my bike up that hill, but for an extra $5, why not see how things pan out in the 'main event'?  Ok, I could think of about 100 reasons, but I lined up anyway, as I was contemplating staying in town to race again on Sunday, and didn't have anything better to do.

I suppose this race was just about getting more experience and training as guys like JJ Bailey, Tony Nichols, Nate Kullborn, etc  were going to be next to impossible to beat out for the 3 paying positions.  I figure just get out and race, support the cause, give the crowd someone to heckle, etc.

This race started fast, and by the time the first lap finished there were about 5 guys establishing a serious gap(JJ, Tony, Nate and also Ryan Jacobsen and Paul Deninger).  Fortunately, I was still up for a great battle as Jerome Rewerts, Bryan Moritz, Lane Anderson & Matt Gumm were racing within my grasp. 

The crowd was getting into it, especially around the run-up portion of the course.  Bryan Moritz took advantage of an early beer hand-up, as I believe he might have been a little weary from attending the Dave Matthews concert with Chris Hansen the night before.

Unfortunately, after only a few laps,  my chain malfunctioned again on that 180 degree turnaround.  This time it locked up.  It took forever to 'fix' it.  Nope, it wasn't fixed, it kept slipping and locked up again just past the start/finish.  It took quite some time for me to get it back on.  All of the cheers of encouragement changed to sympathetic booze offerings, and suggestions on ways to cut the course to get back into contention. 
My chain was completly warped... it's time had come.. so I decided to drive home as I wasn't really thrilled about watching others race as I sat their with my chain between my legs. 

I am glad I went, as my body, mind and bike needed this event to set the stage for the rest of the season.  Unfortunately, I can't really race many more of those central iowa races, however the DICE Cyclocross Series is a great production, and going to be my focus.

Harvest Hammer Duathlon...Victory

I am happy to report that I prevailed victorious, winning the 2009 Harvest Hammer Duathlon in Morrison, Illinois.   This event included a 5k run followed by a 21 mile bike segment. The bike leg was 2 laps with rolling terrain, including a couple out-of-the-saddle inclines...RESULTS.

I tried to add some running workouts into my routine about a month ago, however knew that this was still going to be the weakest part of my race. As the run progressed, I kept my sights on the apparent duathletes, and even counted the gaps from time to time, basically hoping to limit my losses until I could get on my bike.

With about half a mile left in my run I saw the first cyclist whiz by me, Bryce Mead of Team Jelly Belly. Luckily, he was in the team competition, as this would have been hugely demoralizing otherwise. I tried to mark the duathletes as they passed me on their bikes while I was still running. I actually was having an OK run, so there ended up only being 3 competitors ahead of me as I got on my bike.

It takes quite a few miles to get adjusted from the running effort to the cycling effort. Basically, your heart rate is already pegged near max from the first pedal stroke, and the goal is to allow it to slowly lower back down to Lactate Threshold (sort of backwards). Once it eventually did, it was game on, as I was finally in my element.

I passed local Muscatine duathlete, Tim Armstrong, early on, however didn't see anyone else for quite some time. Nothing really to do at this point, except execute a solid time trial effort. Eventually I saw some small figures way up the road.

I passed Brian Parker next (who had an amazing 5k of around 17min.). It wasn't until the second lap that I overtook Steve Meek for the lead. This is where it got a little wierd, as he began to draft me. This isn't an officially sanctioned race, so this wasn't technically illegal, just sort of odd, considering the nature of the event. He wasn't right on my wheel, just sort of bilking a little relief within my wake from time to time, not a big deal.

I couldn't shake him until many miles later during the head wind section. I went to the far left of the road, and he respectfully stayed to the right. With a widening gap, things were looking good. Unfortunately, I didn't really know that I was the individual leader at that point, so I couldn't enjoy the moment.

Then the unthinkable began to happen... cramps. My calves completely locked up and I couldn't pedal. You have got to be kidding me? I did panic, then realized I could still pedal a bit if I kept my feet flat and slid back on my seat. I figured Steve would overtake me and began to adjust to being the 'first loser'. Miraculously the cramping subsided and Steve was still no where in sight.

I pedalled to the line and grabbed my popsicle stick. It had a '201' on it, which was a good sign that I had indeed won the individual event. Mission accomplished... I have been meaning to race this event for quite some time, and glad that I not only entered it, but was fortunate enough to have the strength to win it as well. Thanks to the organizers and city of Morrison for promoting a great event. (addt'l photos by www.mattucker.com)

Super-smoooth sneaky slog slope attacks

Iowa State Gravel Road Championships:

I decided to get the fall racing season started by trying my hand at some gravel road racing near Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Iowa. Racing on gravel is sort of an odd concept, considering there are perfectly good roads to ride on, however I wasn't feeling like a solo training ride, and knew gravel road racing was a gauranteed leg burner (slogging through gravel mile after mile really takes it out of you).

Bike gear plays a big factor in a gravel race. In fact a lot of people had two bikes with them, or at least two wheel options so they could make a last minute decision based on the gravel conditions and what their competitors were lining up with. I only brought one option... my cyclocross bike with cyclocross wheels, as I wanted to get some training on it.

This was a good choice for the 6 lap and 4 lap events (Cat 4, 5, women, single speed, masters, etc.) as most of them had traditional cyclocross set-ups, however everyone in the 8 lap event (Cat 1/2 and 3) had more of a super-hybrid set-up going on, with durable road wheels, even a set of zipp tubulars.

Ok, the turnout wasn't great, there were only four competitors in the first wave: Paul Deninger (Zoom Performance), Dave Lippold (All9Yards), Jared Osterloh (All9Yards), and myself. So, I ended up being the only Cat 3 that showed up to take on the gravel. The ref indicated that if I made it at least 10 feet, I would have the Gold state championship medal wrapped up... Ok, that shouldn't be a problem.

So, now the task was to see if I could have some fun mixing up with the other three riders. There were some rollers on the backside of the course, and huge slogfest of a hill at the finish each lap. After some attack/counter attacks by all nine yards, I could tell we were in for a long hard race. Paul didn't help matters by executing his patented uphill 'super-smoooth sneaky slog slope attacks'. They are so slow and gradual you can't even see them happening, however he slips further and further up the hill, and you can't do anything about it.

The dynamics changed when Jared's chain broke. That left three 'Time Trial Types' who potentially thrive in slogging situations that drain the power out your legs, to battle it out. I noticed Dave stalled a little bit on one of Paul's sneaky slog attacks, so when Paul hit it again on the never ending finish line hill I went with him and we had a good gap.

It seemed like me and Paul were going to be able to work together to take home some Iowa 'East Coast' glory, but Dave rocketed past us, a few miles later, using the slight downhill slopes to catch back on.

Lesson learned, as the rest of the race was painful, but attacks escaping seemed futile, considering the nature of our riding strengths, so we all basically just kept each other in check the rest of the race.

The race finished with all three of us hitting the hill together, and then it slowly strung out with Paul winning, then Dave, and then myself.

Man, that gravel eventually gets your bike very dirty:


That was a good workout, and I feel better prepared for any future events I may or may not enter this fall. I am still holding onto to just enough time trial fitness to try my hand at the Harvest Hammer duathlon next weekend. I really haven't been able to run, so the trick will be to see if I can catch up with everyone on the bike leg. That will be a fun occupation regardless, as I know having targets up the road will push my pace beyond what is usually possible.

East Village Criterium Report

The golden globe of our State's capital shimmered brightly, as it guided me to the start/finish area of the East Village Criterium. I was impressed by the course that basically circled around the park directly in front of the capitol building. I was torn between lobbying for some new bike laws and racing, as it was tempting to go inside and start drafting some legislation.
The course really made for a dynamic event as there was a 2-block multi-gradient hill that led up to the final half-block downhill sprint. There were a few calm trips up the hill, but for the most part someone was always pushing the pace. The event also featured an announcer (JJ Bailey), Hy-Vee Catering, inspirational music (except for a couple of country songs), open containters, a decent turnout of racers and spectators, and a HUGE cat 5 race that made me nervous thinking about the potential for crashing on some of the corners.
The master's 30+ race was at 9am. There were 24 starters, some really strong, some not so much. Anyway we tore around the course, I was quick to find my grove as I feel really confident with my bike handling these days(finally). There were a couple of really painful attacks on some of the laps. Lane Anderson (All9Yards) put it in a viscious early attack, but it didn't stick. He hung low for a bit as riders like Paul Deninger and Clark Priebe also sunk their teeth into the gradient. Stategically he launched another attack on the hill that formed a break and ended up finishing 1st (30+) with Clark Priebe getting first (40+) as well.

By the time things ultimately shook out, there ended up being about 4 riders up the road as we made our last trip up the hill. Tracy Thompson (Bikes2You) unloaded his tank, and led us up the hill, around the corner and over the line. Daniel Galles(colorbiotics) was dangling ahead, and I was right on Tracy's wheel. I finished 4th in the 30+, which was 7th overall. Not bad, as I felt strong the whole race and had an enjoyable experience.

CAT 3 Race -

20 Cat 3 riders lined up for this race that paid back 15 places. The joke at the line was that we just needed to shell 5 guys to get 'in the money'. There weren't really any slouches in the group, though, as Cat 3 riders are always competitive, so this wasn't going to be an easy task.

The race started a bit faster than I was prepared for, but after about the third lap, I was in the driver's seat and spent the rest of the race in the top 5 positions. I feel stronger in Cat 3 races, as opposed to those master races, so I took up the task of launching up the hill from time to time, hoping to get a split. Colorbiotics had three guys, and they took turns, during certain laps trying to get a guy up the road. Dominic Moraniec (who also raced in the morning with me), made a couple of hard moves up the hill as well.

The downhill section was fast, straight and long... allowing riders to catch back on. I always ended up going around most everyone on this section, as I wasn't willing to use my brakes (and/or I am getting fat). It seemed like me, Jerome Rewerts (All9Yards), Derek Cassady (DICE) and Rich Wince (Rasmussen's) spent a lot of time at the front, maybe keeping an eye on each other (pictured below).At many points solo riders dangled off the front. I even tried to bait some riders to bridge up during one of the laps, hoping to get a breakaway going. Ultimately, it was Ryan French (All9Yards) whose solo gap stuck. Jerome policed the move, with Rasmussens and Colorbiotics having the most numbers to potentially bring it back. However, there wasn't really any good place on the this course to work as a group as there was always a hill or corner.

Ryan's gap stayed at around the :30 second mark for quite some time as the announcer called out Rasmussen's to bring it back (sort of a team rivalry). They didn't respond. That doesn't mean we sat up, per se, Ryan just put the hammer down and never looked back.

I was in great position on the last lap as we were sprinting for 2nd place. As the hill started, we all charged up with everything we had left. I got to the top in good order but lost a couple of spots on the downhill. I finished 9th overall, which is good, but seems to not reflect how strong I felt comparatively. Derek Cassady won the sprint, and secured his Cat 3 Iowa Cup. (Sprint pictured below)

RESULTS