2012 Quad Cities Road Race

I am still rolling along... even starting to get into a training grove.  I have my sights set on a couple of races yet this season, including the Iowa State Road Race, Time Trials, and our American Equity Road Race.

Our team was saddened by the loss of our title sponsor and friend Wendy Waugaman.  I am glad to have known her.   One of the ways that we will keep her spirit alive, not to mention all those who value the cycling lifestyle is through American Equity's first Road Race event. 

Things are shaping up for a phenomenal experience for those who participate.  PRE-REGISTER if you would like to save some hastle on race day.  I know this will make the race director a little less nervous and save you a couple of bucks.

Saturday, July 14th, 2012

The course features an inspiring 9 mile loop that travels through the scenic Iowa country side just Northeast of Bettendorf, Ia.  You can look forward to competitive fields and a well-organized event.

The Scott County"Shoot-Out" Competition will give you a chance to showcase your Cat 1,2,3 team's dominance.  Bring your teammates and try to take home the Team Classification prize in addition to the standard pay-out.

- Link to Website -

Rose Festival Road Race

Well, it wasn't 'pretty' but we actually had a pretty good race... Paul Deninger and Josh Wandrey flew the American Equity flag in the 60 mile cat 1,2 event on Sunday with me.  Our 'plans' fell apart a bit after Josh got caught up at the tail end of a mishap as we were barrelling down a straight-away single file, but I wish him a speedy recovery, and hope he can enjoy the experience as part of the racing experience, by getting back at it, as soon as it makes sense.  He ended up getting 12 stitches on his knuckles and plenty of road rash.  We were cruising along pretty quickly.   I nearly avoided the situation, launching into the ditch, but unfortunately had to witness the impact. 

After that situation, we began to execute 'plan b', me and Paul were in control at times, attacking/counter-attacking and strategically picking places to try and lose the 'favorites' (Mattias Perret, Mike Scencenbough, Will Rekemeyer, etc).   During the last of three laps, me and Paul traded a volley of counter-attacks and I found myself dangling off the front.  The attacks had been dragging up groups of three of four, until everyone finally lost interest/energy.  Well, I gave it a shot, and extended my gap to about 30 seconds over the course of about 6 miles.  Unfortunately, I didn't fully commit, becuase I felt that if I got caught, I would be discharged from the group, having exhausted myself in the effort.  With only Paul in the field to defend my move, it seemed likely that the pack of about 12 remaining riders would eventually reel me in.  In retrospect, however, I got discharched anyway, so I should have dug a bit deeper.  Riding solo tempo is an aspect of bike racing that I am completely comfortable with.  Of course, I was hoping that two or three guys would join the effort so that it could be more favorable, but it was a good experience to be off the front, providing me with a satisfying feelling.


 In the end, the results weren't there, as we just missed out on winning one of the 6 paying spots...  but dang it all, we definately raced it.  Josh would have rounded out our tactics perfectly, so it was great to have him on board, this time, and for future outings.

Hilly Hot Hell - Tour of Galena

I survived the grueling 4-stage Tour of Galena Omnium.  Each stage introduced me to a new form of torture, but I truly had a rewarding experience.  I finished 13th in the Pro/1/2 omnium.   Twenty-two out of the original 28 guys ended up starting all 4 events to contest for the money. The crit and road race had 35 starters, so lots of competition within each stage.  The guys that showed up for this event knew what was coming, and seemed to be prepared.  Having said that, there were plenty of "DNF's" as the heat, hills, and intensity were very challenging.

OMNIUM RESULTS

I will post some reports with photos once I get a chance...

Sherril RR

I participated in the HHS Debate team road race in Sherrill Iowa on Sunday.  The course was the same as the previous Iowa State Road Race course that I did many years ago as a Cat 4.  I remembered it being a challenging course, so I couldn't resist participating.

I was hoping for a small but talented field for the Cat 1,2,3 event, and I wasn't disappointed.  There were only 12 of us racing, but the purse was a generous $400.  I actually enjoy racing against the 'same Iowa guys'.  I hear people grumble about this occasionally, but I like the smaller, more personal battles that occur when you know some of your enemies strengths and weaknesses.  (of course, I use the term enemy lightly, as I consider myself friends with all the guys I race with).

We were racing 70 miles (7 laps) through the bluffs of Dubuque.  The race had a very relaxed start, just the way I like it.  Unfortunately, it didn't pick up much, as the guys in the field were all trying to 'race smart'.  Matias Perret was in the field.  This guy is totally dominating the Iowa Cup and having a great year.  It wouldn't have made sense not to mark him.  However, marking him meant that we were going to race at whatever pace he chose.  And, as a marked rider, he probably didn't feel to confident that he would be able to do too much along the lines of dropping guys and then still having the strength to win in the end.  It was similar to having the yellow jersey in the peloton.  If you were contending for the general classification, then you would be keeping your eye on the jersey the whole race.  To put it another way, it was VERY likely that Matias was going to be present in whatever group was battling at the finish line, so as long as he was present, I knew I was in the right place.

There were several hills that presented opportunities for guys to take a few digs at the field.  William Rekemeyer seemed specifically comfortable pedalling his slight climber's build up the punchy climbs.  I  asked William where he saw himself in 5 years, and he replied "hopefully racing in Europe".   Well, as a junior achieving the kind of success he has, this could very well be a possibility.  Regardless, it is great to race with a guy that has such ambitious goals. 

The field of  12 only got whittled down to 8 riders.  We really did keep things throttled down most of the race.  Not much in the way of attacks.  Paul Deninger was racing with me, so it seemed likely that we could get one of the 4 paying spots.  Maybe we got a bit greedy, as we were possibly entertaining the notion of both of us getting in the money.  In retrospect, we should have tried to 'divide and conquer' as Matias did indeed win the event.  Perhaps if we would have attacked him, then countered repeatedly.  Perhaps not, though, as his teammate, Jeff Barnes most likely would have neutralized our efforts.

Second place went to Brian West and William got third just barely beating Paul to the line.  So, we only got $40 out of the $400 purse.  This would be disappointing, however Brian and Mattias were podium finishers at the 2011 Iowa State Road Race... so you really can't be too disappointed/surprised if you can't quite beat them to the line.  The Hempstead High School Debate Team that put on this event did a great job, and even had custom t-shirts made for the event.   Hopefully they actually did raise some funds for their team, and will put this on again next year, as it was a rewarding experience, and helped sharpen my legs for future races.

Off to the Tour of Galena... I entered the 4-event Pro/1/2 omnium.  Should be quite the experience.