'ah man, this is not looking good'

2008 STATE CRIT CHAMPIONSHIPS...

The title of this blog refers to a thought that popped up often throughout Saturday's race. The first sign of trouble was that the bathroom smelled horrible and there wasn't any toilet paper. The second sign of trouble was that Chris Hansen shaved his facial hair, a cheeky move that I didn't see coming, so I was a bit thrown off. And the third and most important sign of trouble can be noted in the picture below. Me and one other guy were the only ones not with a team.

So, basically five teams were battling it out, with me and the guy from colorbiotics left with some interesting advantages and disadvantages. The race panned out in a very predictable fashion, an excellent display of team tactics.

We raced around in a circle as one by one each of the five teams got someone in the break. There was a brief moment when Bikes 2 You and Mercy Specialized weren't in the break and I was potentially still in the race. My task was obvious, I just had to make sure I stayed near the front so I could bridge up when these last two teams sent up their rider. The picture below is a key point in the race, as Bryan Moritz is seemingly trying to pull the group back together since they weren't represented in the break, and I am simply not feeling like I have it in me to bridge up.

Since no one had on their race radios, Bikes2You wasn't able to conceal their next move, as I over hear Bryan Moritz request that Hansen comes up to the front. I believe he did, but it wasn't a gentle move, it was some sort of attack type deal... not really sure, I just saw a yellow blur off to my left. Apparently, Hansen attacked the group with his teammate in tow... Yes, that's right the dreaded 'shake and bake', as Andrew F. bridged to the breakaway. Crap, now every team is in the break, and even that other single rider from colorbiotics. 'ah man, this is not looking good'.

The race was over, I missed the move I had been waiting for. It happened at a point when I was still recovering from the hill, I just couldn't respond. This B2U rider basically sacrificed himself for his team, by launching a viscious attack, designed to tow up his teamate. Below is a picture of the breakaway group... Seven riders, because Hansen was still hanging on. Race winner Andrew F. is in front.

And now the race becomes, well... a bit humorous. All five of the teams were essentially now in defensive mode to make sure the break sticks (again six guys up ahead, one from each team plus colorbiotics guy). So, if they are blocking and I am the only one without representation in the break, I guess they are sort of blocking me. That sort of sucks, obviously no one else has any incentive to close down the gap... 'ah man, this is not looking good'.

Well, I took a stab at bridging up, probably not noticeable to the untrained eye, it just wasn't going to happen. I was already a bit spent, and I didn't do it early enough, instead pulled the group around for few laps, trying to keep the gap within striking distance, wasting tons of energy. At some point, I resigned the effort, and sure enough the gap widened, as the others were still blocking.

Some attacks started happening, and I almost got shelled from this 'chase' group toward the final laps. I wasn't really interested in posting the DNF, but it was becoming a potential reality as the group was slowly pulling away.

Alas, my race is saved! Just as I was about to pull out of the race and head over to Casey's to get some toilet paper the breakaway caught us. Maybe that sounds odd, but this was to my advantage, because I knew I would be able to tuck into this larger group, therefore needing to use much less energy to 'hang on'.

I wasn't thinking about the sprint at all, I was just finishing the race out... sort of a bad attitude, but I was tired and also confused because the 6 breakaway riders were in the mix. I crossed the line in the ninth position... really? I almost got some cash? I guess the rest of the riders were tired? Perhaps more team tactics? I am sort of an idiot when it comes to crits, so I wasn't sure if our group still had a lap to go since we were one lap down from the breakaway. So, I pedalled for awhile longer just to make sure we were done. We were in fact done, which is unfortunate because I got a huge gap on the riders after they stopped pedalling.

So, all five teams placed one guy in the top five, and that colorbiotics guy(Bryan West) finished sixth. Do I wish I had team support? Well, I guess it would have been nice, things would have turned out differently, however it is also fine to be alone, makes things a bit more straight forward.

Results

1 andrew fagersten - Bikes To You

2 Adam Price - Mercy-Specialized

3 Karl Rosenberg - Hawkeye Bicycle Assoc

4 Kristopher Kunze - Rasmussen Death Squad 5000

5 Jerome Rewerts - ALL9Yards.com Cycling Team

6 brian west - Colorbiotics

7 Steven Robinson - ALL9Yards.com Cycling Team

8 Carson Christen - HBA Racing Team

9 Chad Bishop - Harper's Cycling & Fitness

10 Jimmy Carrico - Iowa City Cycling Club

11 Pete Basso - Rasmussen Death Squad 5000

12 Bryan Moritz - Bikes To You

13 William Greenwood - Bikes To You

14 Brent Mitchell - Rasmussen Death Squad 5000

DNF...

Scott Robinson - ALL9Yards.com Cycling Team

Finn Kolsrud - Bikes To You

Christopher Reed - HBA Racing Team

Kelly Steele - HBA Racing Team

Matt Gumm - ALL9Yards.com Cycling Team

Ian Robinson - HBA Racing Team

Brendan Kealey - Mercy-Specialized

Chris Hansen - Bikes To You

Ok, I got home and really just tried to repress all memories of the event. I feel some measure of success, because I really didn't want to go, but I did, and I finished sort of respectably. Mainly, though, that was more of a down note to end the road racing season on. I will need a few days to recover, mentally. If I do, then it is on to cyclocross, as a means to motivate future workouts.

(photos by moritz)

"The Curse"... is 2nd place the 1st loser?

Above, picture of me displaying my cool new hat, award plaque and 'wannabe triathlete tattoo' mark on my arm.

DU STATE DUATHLON

You have got to be kidding me... even though it was my prediction, I can't actually believe that I finished 2nd Overall again. This is an awesome result, but come on, if I am going to get that close it would be nice to have at least one trophy that recognized a '1st place' performance.. Again, I am thrilled to take home 2nd place but let's quickly take a look at my 'hardware' (trophies) for 2008, in events involving my TT bike, to shed some light on my frustration...

Swing into Spring Duathlon - 2nd place overall

DICE 20k TT Championships - 2nd place overall

Iowa State TT Championships - 2nd place overall

Du-State Duathlon - 2nd place overall

This is all fun and games now, but that is going to be really confusing 20 years from now when I look back at my 2008 results.

Recap - My main goal was to have the fastest bike split and/or be the first one to arrive after T2... mission accomplished. There were 174 people entered, about 90 of which were entered in the Men's Open individual competition. I lined up at the front and began sprinting it out for the first 2 mile run segment. I was slowly but surely overtaken by about 15 people, by the time I got my bike rolling, but I still ran well. It does suck, though ,to be completely 'redlining' heart rate wise as you start what could have otherwise been a rewardingTime Trial.

Here is a link to the 2008 Du-State Duathlon Results.

I was about 1 minute behind some of the lead competitors, as I began pedalling for the 14 mile hilly bike segement. 4 rather steep hills and some flats sections between. (NOTE: some were on teams, so they had a runner and a cyclist, and didn't have to spend time transitioning).

One by one I passed the riders. Jeff Paul was the pre-race favorite so I kept my eye on him. He had a huge head start on the bike, but eventually I passed him about 10 miles in. I needed to get as much of a lead as possible because he is an incredible runner.

Unfortunately, I only had about 30 seconds or so on him (my bike split, then was about 1min 30 seconds faster) so he ran past me about 1/2 mile into the 2 mile final running segment... Ok, I can back up just a second. The second running leg of a duathlon is the most painful athletic situation I ever subject myself to, and today was worse then ever, because I totally let my running training lapse in favor of being a faster cyclist for the august races. I felt like walking and believe I will probably be ranked about 30th or so in the 2nd run.

I was being passed by some of the 'teams', but none of the other individuals were in sight.

So, sort of cool, to think that I still came in 2nd overall, after having a horrible second run. I did beat Jeff Paul up to the 2nd leg, so that means I should be good at the Harvest Hammer, which is a 5k run, then bike tt, without the grueling 2nd run. (still not sure if I can do that one yet, though).

I am glad that is over, it is a painful, and intimidating race, but I don't like to back down from a challenge, especially one that I have put upon myself. So I 'grew a pair' and entered.

At this point, I believe I am free to enter the IA state crit champs this saturday. This duathlon was extremely painful, which makes me think it was a good workout that will make me strong for the crit. The principle of 'training specificity' mandates that I should have spent more time on the bike doing sprints/intervals, etc. in prepartation, but hey, something had to give, and crit racing isn't my specialty. Having said that, if I enter, I am still going to give it a serious GO, and in a crit anything can happen.

Then, Saturday when I get back from Pella, I am going to grab a case of beer, and begin 'preparing' for Cyclo-cross, because my road racing season will be in the books until next spring.

4 Iowa Riders participated in Sunday's Cat 3 National Crit Championships. Results may be of interest (out of 68 finishers, around 100 starters):

Dominc Moraniec - 8th

Carson C. - 22nd

Chris Reed - 51st

Bryan Moritz - 56th

Iowa State Criterium Championships...

Criterium racing is the 'bread and butter' of U.S. amateur cycling, so this is a huge event to settle the score, regarding who is on top of their 2008 Iowa 'crit racing game'. (Pictured above is a shot of me leading the field at the Illinois State Crit Championships this year... and below a shot of Moritz in action...I believe we can expect a similar scene at the IA State Crit). CAT 1/2 RACE... I follow the results of Iowa Cat 1/2 riders both as a fan, and because from time to time I have to race against them. Looking back on some of the bigger races across the region, I feel I can make a prediction about which Iowa Team is strongest in this discipline and therefore has a good chance of getting on the podium and earning a medal (or two).

I put my top three TEAM pics as options in the poll at the right... they are in order of my predicted outcome. All Nine Yards took all three medals last year... Wow! That had to be a bitter pill for the other teams to swallow. However, of the 12 finishers, 7 of them were from All Nine Yards... what is going on with that... they really did have a huge advantage. Lee V (now on Bikes 2 you) got the bronze however, and Sean Walker (Bikes 2 You) wasn't there (or didn't finish, I don't know)... so I maintain that B2U is very skilled in this discipline and will give All Nine Yards much worry.

I would prefer B2U to win, but I have to say All Nine Yards uses their geographic proximity, and racing talent to their best advantage and will be my favorite to earn the coveted Iowa State Crit Gold. Sean Walker... what can you say, he was a top finisher throughout the memorial day weekend races, and even went to Illinois and made the winning breakaway at their state champs. He might not win, but if a breakaway ends up winning, I will be very surprised if he isn't in it.

CAT 3 RACE... Since I am a Cat 3 racer and, therefore, follow the results closer, I created a more specific poll for this race specifying individual riders who I feel are strong candidates for the podium.

Josh Madsen won the race last year, however he is now a Cat 2. Ryan Jacobsen (of Atlas) came in second, so he gets an automatic listing on the poll. Bryan, Steve and Carson have been racing a lot this season, and have even traveled out of state to pursue criterium races. Now they get to bring back some of this experience to possibly 'school' some of us less traveled Iowa guys.

Bryan Moritz, a strong Cat 3 rider for B2U, has two noteworthy racing tactics...

The 'DOMinator' and the 'Shake and Bake'.
The 'DOMinator' involves attacking the field early in hopes of getting in a break, but then quickly relenting to the back of the pack if this doesn't work, to re-emerge to the front at the very last moment to take the win. I may not have explained this quite right, but I do know that is named after Dominic Moraniec, of Atlas.

'Shake and Bake' is only possible if Chris Hansen shows up. Basically a NASCAR tactic, that will sling-shot Bryan across a gap or the finish line. You can see it coming, but there isn't anything you can do about it. I believe Chris even yells out 'shake and bake baby!' after the move, just to rub it in a bit.

So, I have created two 'polls' on the right side. Please vote accordingly. These again are just based on my predictions as a 'fan' of the sport. Also, might generate some good 'banter'.

DU-STATE-DU
My running is way off from this spring, so not feeling as confident about the duathlon this Sunday at Loud Thunder. Maybe I will look at it as practice for this Harvest Hammer run/bike race that seems to have sparked interest from my previous entry. I am not sure I can go, but since they are throwing in free gourmet jelly beans, it is getting tempting.

The Du-State-Du is 2 mile run, 14 mile bike over hilly terrain, and then run 2 more miles. Iowa/Illinois' fastest can do it in around an hour. There is the Pigman Half Ironman Triathlon in Palo, Iowa the same day, so that eases the competition back a bit, and gives me a good shot at getting top three overall. Overall winner even gets $50. Wow, a duathlon that pays out...

State TT Championship - Gold (Cat 3) 2nd Overall

It was fun to be competing for the 'gold medal' with the olympic spirit energizing the world. This motivated my trip to Nichols, Iowa for the annual State Time Trial Championships 40k.

A lot larger turnout than last year (84 total), so I was immediately excited. Perfect temp, somewhat mild wind, and lots of cool bikes and ultra-fit competitors. I had only ridden my TT bike once during the last month, but I was feeling confident having gotten a silver medal (cat 3) in the 108 mile State road race the week before. Not to mention a great week of training, in large part due to that race.

I was gunning for the overall win, but still mindful of getting a 'gold' in my category. My actual prediction would have been 3rd overall, because it seemed that some of the competition was on an upward fitness swing, whereas I am in an inadvertant maintenance mode.

I was very happy to post a 53:27 which is about 27.9 mph/ave. Based on last year's winning time of 54:05, I had an initial goal of 27.5mph ave. and finishing under 55 minutes. So when I crossed the line and looked at my time, I was very thrilled. Of course, 'there is always somebody faster'... I got 2nd overall with Jeff Barnes of ICCC, finishing in 52:52. I wish he would have stayed home, but congratulations, because that is a blazing fast time. My 20k split time was 25:58.

I will admit that I did have a couple of people on my 'hope to defeat' list, and since Jeff Barnes wasn't one of them (I didn't even know who he was.. I do now), I can say I achieved success in that area as well. I would hope that a few of the competitors were trying to better me as well, that is all part of the fun and a form of motivation.

Right behind me in the overall was Sean Walker of Bikes To You (who came in 2nd last year) with a great time of 53:56. In the Cat 3 race Collier Shofield (Rasmussen's) got the silver and Adam Price earned the bronze.

Not much for tactics in a TT race, however I enjoy the fact the results are based on a rider's overall fitness approach. Not that day, but the big picture of one's training season. Nutrition, mileage, periodization, cross training, etc. Also, fun is optimizing your aero position and building a TT bike with loads of 'wind cheating' aero gear.

"3,2,1, start" Then pedal it out with powerful consistency. I usually spend my race doing mathmatical calculations regarding my speed, remaining distance, etc. It is sort of boring, and I always wonder why I am Time Trialing during the race. Afterwards, however, I always feel rewarded, having put in a great workout.

Awesome, I have gotten a medal in all three of the state championship events so far. Two events remain, the criterium in pella and then cyclocross.

I imagine their will be some great racing at the criterium. I definately don't enjoy the process of criterium racing but it would be loads of fun to race against a mainly Iowan Cat 3 field. It's on my calendar but still not sure. Cyclocross... still too early to even start thinking about that odd sport.

I am now focused on the 'du-state duathlon' this weekend in Loud Thunder. I haven't ran much lately, however I should be able to have a great bike split, which could possibly be enough for the overall win. Unfortunately, my true prediction would be 2nd (maybe third), that seems to be the trend for this year, but that would still be a great result against those freakishly healthy multi-sporters.

Still Sore, you gotta be kinding me.

I ended up taking Sun, Monday and Tuesday off due to soreness/sickness from the State RR. I felt fine Sunday, but got sick Monday and Tuesday, even called into work. I wasn't kidding when I said I was a bit under trained to race 108 miles. No regrets though, I am feeling good and back on track today. Plus, I got my first IA State Champs Medal as a Cat 3.

Below is picture of Andrew F. and Lee V. of Bikes 2 You just after the feed zone as we started that fateful final lap. I am pictured just behind sucking on the single bottle that I had just gotten from the ICCC feed coordinator. I nearly finished it right then and there, causing me much concern, not certain if I would get help at the mid point feed zone. Also of note, the follow car was still behind me, so in theory, still 'chasing' the field.

Next up is the Iowa State Time Trial Championships in Nichols this weekend. I was tearing it up earlier in the year posting some good times and fast average speeds. Haven't ridden the TT bike much since then, but I would assume I should still be able to finish near the top overall.

I will most likely enter the Cat 3 division (not age group). Whether I get a Gold in that depends on who shows up, and how I perform, but definately a possiblity. I will be disappointed if I at least don't get the bronze, considering how much potential I seemed to have earlier on.

My picks for the overall winner in the 2008 Iowa State TT championship: Sean Walker, Josh Madsen, Paul Denninger, Lou Waugaman, JJ Bailey.

Last year Paul D. won with Sean Walker in second and Nate Moenck in third.

Iowa State Road Race ReCap...Ouch.

WE CAME, WE SAW, WE CRAMPED....

I have always respected what it means to be a Cat 1/2 racer, but after Saturday's race, I can say I got a chance to see first hand that these guys don't mess around. It was so great to be able to be in the 'main event' and finish. 108 miles, feed zones, team tactics... closest thing to the to the Tour that I will ever get a chance to enter in.

Oops, I am from Muscatine, population, 22, 500, when I raise my hand, the team car doesn't come up and give me water. I am happy to say, though, that Harper's Racing Team, got two medals on Saturday. I pulled off a Silver Medal in the Cat 3 Race and Bill Ford got Bronze in the Master's Race. (apologies, he is from Ill. so no medal, but it was the thought that counts.).

4 laps, 27 miles each.
First lap... ah yeah, this is awesome. 'Hey, how is going, nice blog'. 'Yah, only 4 more hours'. of note, my speedometer wasn't working, thank god, knowing how many miles were left would have been devasting.

"It feels like I am 'chasing life'. A quote from Tracy Thompson early on as he was in ear shot of me.
CHASE = My Son
LIFE = The Finish Line/Peloton

Sort of a mystical moment, thinking about the concept of chasing life. Riding through the fields of Iowa, being healthy enough, not only to live, but compete at this elite level and really enjoying just being ALIVE. (reminder, this is still the first lap, I hadn't hopped aboard the pain train yet).

Feed Zone... I was new to this, very odd. Bill Ford's wife, handing me a bottle for the first two laps. Those who didn't take on water, kept on peddaling through. We had to unload tons of energy to catch back on. Strong teams were taking advantage of this by designating riders to get the supplies, saving their captains.

Third Lap... team support... non-existent, Bill's wife had to leave. Thankfully, I had befriended the ICCC feed zone coordinator and he gave me a bottle of water, he was a good guy, add him to the list of people who helped me finish this thing. One bottle... I was already cramping and still had 54 miles left. This is going to be interesting.

Backtrack... Carson, fellow blogger. He gives readers reports of every race he enters, so we are able to track his form... As a Cat 3, we knew he had the ammo to pull of a great race... Flat tire.
Not sure what the point of having a follow truck is, because the group left him far behind, and his team mates (HBA) made the decision to upgrade Ian and Chris.

Who does Carson run into at some point, Bryan Moritz, who had a 'feed zone malfuntion' (unfortunately, Janet Jackson wasn't there). My two race favorites were out. I really was just trying to finish this thing, so oddly, I wasn't happy when I saw them abandon. Maybe if the 'Cat 3's' were on a team against the Cat 1/2's, they were the guys who had the best chance of placing high.

On the other hand, that's racing, it could have been me, it wasn't. Being 'marked' is a sign of respect, but it can also be a curse.

Will Greenwood, 15 mile solo flyer, was a Cat 3 going to steal the show again? No, but preserving the expectation, that B2U, was going to 'animate' the race. Also, of note, because he used all of the energy that he would have later needed to medal in the Cat 3 race. (get to that in a minute)

Finish line feed zone... crap. I started thinking about forming a new team 'double h racing'. Harpers and Hall, both trek dealers. I only mention this because I was becoming severely dehydrated, and trying to figure out how I could avoid this in the future.

Tim Campbell was there cheering me on, so was Scott Robinson of of All Nine Yards. Awesome, thanks guys... oh even better, you guys aren't up ahead of me... ok I will pass 'the point of no return' and take a stab at finishing this thing.

Why wasn't I with the main field... Cat 1/2 racing tactics. Some great riders, lined up knowing that they were going to post a DNF, because their job was to shed the weak, and protect their captains... Incredible to watch, demoralizing to endure.

The first part of this last lap, I enjoyed watching some big name Cat 1/2's as they pedalled back to West Branch... their work was done.

One bottle of water, no food, just keep pedalling.

THE CAMEL.
Lee Ventreicher, of B2u, was in the chase group that formed in this last lap. He was sporting a 'camel back' hydration system. Seemed like too much extra weight at the start of the race, seemed like the greatest racing tactic now that I was 81 miles in, and down to almost zero H20.

A chase group formed, 3 B2U guys, Andrew Fagersten, Will Greenwood, Lee. Also, surviving Ian Robinson, and a guy from Nebraska. We didn't know how many Cat 3's were up ahead, but doing some calculating, we figured there might still be some medals left. All right, 27 miles to go, the race is on...

Severe cramping, off and on... the good thing is that everyone else was too, and the cramps subsided from time to time. I didn't tell the group how bad I felt, or how severe my cramping was, but now that the race is over, I can say I was hanging on by a thread.

Lee's mission now was to help Will and Andrew possibly medal in the Cat three race, so he did a lot of pulling. With no water or food, I was waiting for the Cedar Bluffs feed zone... Only problem, I didn't have any support there. Ok, time to start bargaining. I asked Ian R. for a bottle at the stop and he complied, he took two blue electrolyte drinks and I got a bottle. It wouldn't have made sense for B2U to hand me water so I didn't bother trying, this feed zone was a decisive factor. I tried to get a bottle from the third guy there but he pulled it back. Sort of rude, there were only a few guys still standing behind our group, hook me up. I suppose maybe he wouldn't have known that, though.

Will and Lee had pulled off at this point. Brent Mitchell pulled off to the side grabbing his hamstring in agony. Cramping so bad he had to stop. I felt his pain. He finished though, good job.

So the Cat 3 race came down to 'the last man standing'. Andrew, Ian, Nebraska guy, and myself, all Cat 3's, with two medals on the line.

DEHYDRATION... Every bottle on the side of the road represented a chance to rehydrate, but they were mirages, and of course they would have been empty. Jealous that these guys had fluid. Hey, that was a part of the race.

Andrew of B2U called it and gave me some good advice, as I was starting to swerve and over react. They were hurting too. We were crawling up the hills.

THE HAND-UP

Andrew offered me some of his bottle. I drank that down like it was ambrosia. I handed it back, not wanting to take too much, and he told me to drink some more... Thank you. The honor in this gesture was that he could have just watched me sputter out and die, insuring a medal.

We exchanged pulls, not to chase the field but to finish. Ian wasn't quite as strong, maybe a tactic, not sure.

What is that the finish line? Andrew leads it out, trying to perhaps get a gap at the 1km mark. Amazingly, I am not cramping, so just race smart and follow his wheel with Ian and Nebraska guy in tow.

500km, let's give it a go. A gap, some cramps, the crowd cheers... NOT... the main race was sort of over. A quick look behind, zip up the jersey and pose for the cameras. Ian grabs the bronze. In a perfect scenario Andrew would have gotten it because he pulled more, and the guy from Nebraska acknowledged we were gunning for the 'podium' so I believe he relented a bit.

I finished 18th (I think) out of about 24 finishers and 40 something starters.

This was a great race, the organizers used their cycling background to offer this 'epic' ride. 81 miles would have been more suiting for the cat 3's, but ultimately having the larger field was much better, just painful as the 'selection' was made.

Any comments about how the race went from other perspectives, would be fun. Later.

Iowa State Road Race... Continued

If you haven't checked out the first post on this topic, scroll down to it, there are some great comments. Feel free to continue to add any additional comments there or on this entry. Writing that entry and reading the comments, is making this race even more fun. Now there seems to be a narrative to the event. This provides yet another reason to enter... just so I can have a ringside seat of the action as everyone is battling it out.

Above is a picture Nate Moenck winning last year's RR as a Cat 3, ahead of Lou Waugaman, Lane Anderson and Sean Walker. Josh Madsen is also pictured, who finished 5th.

I know how to ride a bike 100 miles, but will admit I have never raced 100 plus miles. How does the feed zone work if you don't have a person to do the hand-out? Do I launch my water bottles prior to the zone, then pull to the side, and grab my bottles off of the table? Will everyone keep it sort of neutral as we are in this area, or do people attack? Do I carry all of my food with me, or is that too much added weight? Is there a website I can go to learn how to urinate while still on my bike? Any thoughts would seriously be appreciated, I haven't gotten a hand-up, ever. (Oh, I guess I did get one in a cyclocross race, but I won't be as interested in beer Saturday until after the race)

Good luck to all racing the many events on Saturday, and thanks to the coordinators, this is going to be a very memorable day for many riders.

Iowa State Championship Pre-Game Rundown.

Alright, I got in 71 miles yesterday, only 'entry-level' cramping, so I have decided to race it up this Saturday at the State Champs in West Branch, Iowa, (Cat 1,2,3, 108miles). So, let's have some fun marking wheels in the Cat 3 race... (NOTE: I don't claim to be Paul Sherwyn, Bob Roll, or Phil Ligget, and don't always know fellow riders by name only face, so these will basically just be the riders who I know by name and face. No offense to the countless number of riders who I didn't mention and may be just as worthy if not more so, than those called out below)

First, let's quickly look at last years event (80 rolling miles) to see if we can get any insight into how this year's will be...

Total competitors equals: 23. (not as large as you may have thought)
Total finishers: 15
Cat 3 winner (and overall)...
Nate Moenck... Not marked because he isn't in Iowa this year.
Next placed current Cat 3....
Ian Robinson... Yes, finishing 8th is a good result in a tough race. Races for HBA. If his form is comparable then no reason why he wouldn't be able to place well.
Top Placed in the Cat 4 race who is now a Cat 3...
William Greenwood... He rides for Bikes To You, probably enough said, I would recommend keeping a close eye on all of these guys because they are on a mission to dominate, and taking home a couple of medals is going to be a part of the plan. He rode in Superweek and has won a couple of Iowa Road Races as a Cat 3 this year.

This event was held in Dubuque, so a discouraging drive for many west Iowans. And, wasn't put on by the much larger ICCC team. Also not nearly the pre-race hype, so I would expect many more than 23 in this year's race. (I predict around 40, maybe 50, with just under half being Cat 3's)

2008 CAT 3 SHOWDOWN...

There will be many teams here with multiple competitors so team tactics will be in play, namely:
Bikes To You, ICCC, Atlas, HBA (East Coast)
All Nine Yards, Rasmussen's, DMOS (West Coast)
Some of the teams will have riders who aren't feeling like they can win, so they will sacrifice themselves by launching attacks and/or setting a high tempo, leaving the other teams to chase them down, saving their 'team captain(s)' for the last lap.

For B2U, I feel that Bryan Moritz is going to be the main threat. Winning at Superweek, winning the Iowa Cup, rocking at Snake Alley, gold in Team Time Trial... the list goes on. He may even opt to be a Cat 2 after this season, and actually might be a candidate for the overall, especially if he works something out with Cat 1/2 Iowa Cup winner Sean Walker (my pick to win the 1/2 race).
Thinking about it Andrew Fagersten, Finn, Will and Chris Hansen, also on the B2U, could easily win, but more imporantly will be able to be key contributors to the team's overall success.

For ICCC, I don't specifically know who many of their Cat 3's are, so I will just ackowledge Adam Price. This guy is always a strong rider, with a huge motor. Maybe he isn't as strong at flat Crits, so you may have thought he is no longer a factor... nope he is... he has been secretly crafting a late season fitness peak. He dominated the Cat 4's last season early to get his upgrade, and is anxious to make his mark as a Cat 3. I just remembered Jimmie Corrico. He is great on the hills and was dominant as a Cat 4 this year. ICCC will be well represented at the Cat 3 level.

For Atlas, again I don't know who all of their Cat 3's are, so no offense intended because I know I am overlooking some of their strong Cat 3's. However, Ryan Jacobsen comes to mind. Atlas is a strong team, so he will have support. His biggest strength is that he often frequents the Tues/Thurs Iowa City training rides that are pleasantly infested with Cat 1/2 and 3's. These rides make you strong and smart. Also, of note, they actually do training rides on this course, so will be familiar with the layout and good places to attack/recover, etc. Dominic Moraniec is on Atlas, but might enter the Masters Race. If he lines up with us, however, watch out, because he is very skillful.

For HBA, Carson Christian. This guy is hungry and confident. He has traveled to wisconsin and ohio valley to race at the Cat 3 level and get the experience he needed to be a threat at this level. He won the Cat 4 Snake Alley race this year (always at the top in every other cat 4 race) and just pulled off a victory at a Two Bee event as a Cat 3. Also coached by Paul Deninger, a sign of his dedication, and of note because he will be going into this race with a strategy.

For All Nine Yards, Steven Robinson. He was a threat in the Iowa Cup and has won as a Cat 3.

For Rasmussen's, Pete Basso. Well, he found a passion in Time Trialing in the middle of the season, so you know he has been getting in extra mileage having this new discipline to prepare for. Plus, he is on 'the death squad'... With a team name like that you have to expect trouble.

Lot's of other riders will be entering without the team support, and they can take advantage of the team wars, possibly, by sitting-in and/or following wheels at times when others will be obligated to chase. This just depends upon how the breakaways pan out. There will also be out-of-state riders, who aren't eligible for medals, but probably wouldn't have made the drive if they didn't think they had a shot at some of the cash.

My team mate Bill Ford is thinking about entering the Cat 3 race (he may opt to do the Masters instead). He claims to have earned around 38 points in a 12 month period as a cat 4 (only 20 needed to upgrade), so he is definately worthy of being categorized at this skill level. He actually won a 200 mile race, and is a strong mileage junkie and fierce competitor, so these distances actually suit him. Just as we may be thinking about pulling off in exhaustion, he may be just getting warmed up.

As for me... don't bother marking me, I will be sitting at the back so I can craft a good blog entry on sunday. If I do end up with a gap, here is my request.... Can one rider from B2U, ICCC, and Atlas come with me? Then, if you don't mind, I will sit in the draft as you three rotate through. Obviously, your teamates will block, so you won't even really have to work that hard. We may have to slow down, actually, if I start cramping, but no worries, I will hang on. Then as I cross the finish line as the first Cat 3, I will disclose that I have been sandbagging on my blog for the entire week and actually am in the best shape ever... or am I? (insert sinister laugh here)

I realize this rundown has yet to acknowledge an obvious situation... the cat 1/2's are racing at the same time for the same money. Ok, definately complicates things. My prediction, in general is that the Cat 1/2's tactics will create many chase groups early, as they will be trying to shed the field down to a more workable number, and 'weeding out' some of the Cat 3's, so they can focus on their true rivals.

I would hope that the first 27 mile lap would be somewhat neutral, in that everyone respects the true energy/hydration demands of racing for 108 miles. I, imagine, though, that a handful of people will get a gap by the end of the first lap. Then, just like in 'European' racing, the peloton will slowly reel them in, and their race will basically be over. Then attack after attack. Each one getting 'caught' but shedding riders one by one who couldn't bridge. Many of us will be in 'no man's land' by the 4th lap. Too tired to catch the group ahead, rather forced to wait for the group behind, or fake a flat tire, so they can DNF without losing face.

We Interrupt Your Originally Scheduled Training...

I got nailed with some non-cycling obligations and just a touch of motivation deprivation, so what could have been a sweet week of training, ended up being one of my longest stretches off the bike in many many months.

Thursday - had to put in monster hours at work, - no riding.
Friday-Should have ridden in afternoon, but missed it.
Saturday - Work in morning, with son rest of day (and not a babysitter in site, grandma was at RAGBRAI)
Sunday - With my son and unmotivated to find a sitter
Monday - suffering training withdrawal

In my perfect training schedule for last week, I would have ridden a group ride thurs (or RAGBRAI), two bee race sat. and 100 miler with club on sunday. So, I only missed my mark of 250 miles by about 150 miles. Oops.

Well, I literally buckled my belt one notch wider this morning. Not sure where that puts me for competing in a 108 mile cat 1,2,3 road race this saturday (maybe at home sulking?). I am hoping to get back on track this week. No way to get the belt back to 'race position', for saturday's race, but maybe saturday can be a 'leap frog' event that puts me in good form for events later in the summer and fall.

The plan, then, is to just resume my training plan as if everything was going accordingly. Maybe some fellow racers had a slightly less than admirable week of training, or can relate to having weeks like this, during the racing season.

It would be nice if all of my fellow Iowa racers can take this week off, so that I can 'catch back on'. Come on, I'll let lead you out at the finish line, promise.

Iowa City Training Rides

I have been hitting up the rides that meet at College Park in Iowa City on Tuesday/Thursdays every once in awhile this summer.

Lots of strong riders. I really can say I am jealous of what an awesome training tool this is for those who live in the Iowa City area. It is sort of like a free training camp, with some of the best riders in Iowa. I imagine Des Moines' 'Tuesday Night World Championships' are just as 'epic', and perhaps some of the others that are based in larger populations.

If you are not on Atlas or Mercy/Specialized you may feel a bit like a 'guest', because it is basically their team training ride, though open to the all those who are up for a fast-paced ride. I can admit to being a bit anxious sometimes about getting a flat or being dropped in the middle of nowhere, but other than that, quite a good work-out and lots of fun.

Last night, lost contact with the remants of the group (quite a few dropped riders already), towards what I thought was the end of the ride. (we were doing the Iowa State RR course). Turns out we were 6 miles from West Branch and about 12 miles from Iowa City. Oops, I was out of fluids, food, had no money, and didn't for sure now how to get home. Of course, no lights either, so worried that I would get caught out in the dark. Luckily, I could still see the group up the road through West Branch so made the correct path home.

The rides in Muscatine are actually very impressive considering how small of a town it is... thankfully there is a good bike shop that supports group rides. On the other hand, you guys from Iowa City, Des Moines, etc, shouldn't take for granted how beautifully and consistently painful and well-attended your tues/thurs rides are.

Tech Tach Teicher

SLOW AND STEADY DIDN'T WIN THE RACE

Not sure what was going on with this race today, but as always, TWO BEE Road Races are never predictable. This one was a 27 mile 4 corner RR. Not a very large turnout of 12 riders but two Cat 1 racers (Lee Venteicher & Jim Cochran) entered and three Cat 3's, so plenty of opportunity for fun and games.

Adam Price came out for some racing, sporting his new Zabriskie mustache. I figured that would slow him down a bit, but still, he was all that was standing between me and a plate of cookies in the Cat 3 division (I decided to stop grabbing the 12 packs of Michelob Ultra's as trophies because of my inability to abstain from drinking them prior to races or training rides), so I tentatively 'marked' his wheel.

The rest of the field were basically Two Bee riders. This ended up being a very slow paced race. At one point, I was 'pulling' at about 50% of my max and decided to let someone come around as there were a couple of riders up the road, no one did, as I glanced at my spedometer reading 14mph. I could have braked to about 9mph, and I still would have been in the lead of the chase group, as it seemed everyone was waiting for Lee or Jim to attack, while simultaneously not obligated to chase because their teammates were up the road.

So, the breakaways were left to dangle, as we weren't chasing. The one that got away contained Adam Price (ICCC), Mike Edwards (2b) and Gary McNabb(2b). So, it wouldn't have been prudent for the Two Bee Riders or Adam's teamate (nate moenk's brother) to chase, leaving me, Lee and Jim with this task.

I respect Lee and Jim as accomplished racers, so I figured they were going to time the catch accordingly, as the breakaway wasn't all that far up the road, and we weren't even breaking a sweat to keep them in our sights. I have been burnt by Cat 1/2's way too many times, bridging up gaps only to be dropped right after the pull, so I will admit I wasn't much help.

So I waited... and waited.

I couldn't stand it anymore, as I saw we were about 1.75 miles or so from the finish line. Were we too busy marking each other to realize Adam was about to win the race?

Not sure, but they had enough of a gap at this point to win, so now it was time for the field sprint? I don't really like taking my chances with a group sprint, so I just took off by myself with about 1.5 miles left to go.

I had a good gap, as the rest of the field reluctantly reacted. I had the three leaders just ahead of me, and the rest of the field just behind me. Perfect motivation to keep pedalling hard.

Yee haw, I held off the cat 1's and the field, but didn't quite get up to the breakaway, so I finished 4th. Sort of felt like a mini-victory, because a 1.5 mile TT style sprint was sort of a gamble that doesn't always work out.

Congrats to Adam and the Two Bee Racing team for the win.

All good... because since that race didn't end up having any attacks, I have plenty of energy left in my legs for either a long ride, or maybe a TT in swisher tomorrow.

108 Miles for State Road Race

oops, I just checked my weekly mileage for last week, it was 132 miles (again for the entire week). Also, I laid it out last night for 54 miles, and felt pretty sore later that night and this morning, so am I ready to race twice as long in about 2 weeks for the iowa state road race in west branch?

Probably not, but as the organizer mentioned, this race will be 'epic'. Ryan Jacobsen of Atlas already questioned the distance on bikeiowa.org yahoogroups, which makes me think most cat 3's will be equally under trained for this distance... therefore an equal playing field, so let's go for it.

Riding with Cat 1/2's who will probably attack early to get rid of the weak won't help matters. I imagine by lap 3 most of us will be on solo rides overcoming new levels of pain and suffering. Fortunately for me, I like the suffering part and the challenge, I was very surprised to see 108 miles, though, and still am.

Well, there is no way to actually be 'prepared' for this distance (especially considering it was just announced today), but I am going to try and log longer rides, just in case I end up hoping to be competitive that day.

My guess is that they will re-think this decision and lower the cat 3 race to 81 miles like the masters races. My vote, however is to keep it as it is, I am oddly inspired by this.

Sweet Home Alabama

"Did I trade a walk-on part in a war for a lead role in cage?"

I raced the Men's Open (1-4) Mississippi Bluffs RR over in Illinois on Saturday. Quite a few members of the DICE cycling team were there as well some other Illinois guys, and plenty of random competitors like myself.

I tried to 'measure up' some of the riders, because I wasn't really sure who many of them were. I figured the ones with matching socks might be worth marking. This was a two lap Road Race of 50k total. A bit short, so it was tempting to shoot straight out from the start ,but I forced myself to the back of the pack for the first 8 miles or so I wouldn't waste energy for no apparent reason.

Actually that was sort of the 'mantra' in my head... don't waste energy until you make the attack. I played out exactly what I was going to do the night before, and I am happy to announce that it worked out very well. The plan was to make one strong decisive move on the one main uhpill section of the course that is about 1 mile from the finish. I decided to try it on the first lap, after realizing how soft the group was.

Second wheel, the hill arrives, I accelerate, never leaving the saddle. I believe my speedometer said 22mph. I quick look back revealed that the pack had reacted but wasn't actively bridging up. No turning back now, so I pedalled as my lactic acid and heart rate rose to very uncomfortable levels... uh maybe this wasn't such a good idea...

Up over the hill, now is the time to really stick it, they have to be hurting too, so I kept the hammer down.... This isn't going to work, can I really make a solo flyer stick for 16 miles?... Then company arrives... not the pack, just a guy who was able to bridge up. He said something to the effect of 'let's go'. Alright, let's give it a go mate...

Not sure who this guy was, but was happy to see that his pulls were actually a bit stronger than mine. You know the drill at this point, we traded pulls, as I set the immediate goal of getting 'out of sight, out of mind'. It took a bit, but sure enough they were gone.

Having no way to know what kind of strength the pack had, or if they were working well together, me and my breakaway partner kept hammering away, giving it an all out effort.

I realized he was stronger so as we came into the last 2 miles, I suspected that he would easily get the win. Sure enough, he attacked me on the same hill that I had made my move on, with 1 mile to go and the pack long, long gone.

I didn't have any thing left in the legs, and watched him get a sizeable gap that he held to finish first with me following about 15 seconds later. The pack arrived with a good portion of the riders still intact, but quite a bit later.

I won this race last year using a similar tactic, but instead of the attacker I was the guy who bridged up to Peter Sharis of DICE and then took him at the line. Teamate Bill Ford helped block that day, as did Bruce Grell (DICE).

No DICE guys made this two man break, which made us assume that the 6 or 7 of them that were left in the pack would organize an all out chasing effort. Talking to some of the riders after the race, however it seemed that the group wasn't able to get a smooth rotation going.

The winner ended up being up a Cat 2 rider from Alabama. Talking with him later, he seems to be pretty well accomplished as he mentioned he usually races much longer distances in pro 1/2 races.

Well, I totally buried myself to get that result... time to relax.

Multi-Sport Training Race

Road my TT bike out to Wild Cat Den State Park to do a Muscatine Multi-Sport Training Race. We ran out 2 miles, biked 20k, then another 2 miles. This is also known as a 'brick' workout, and I can say there is nothing quite as painful as getting off of the bike after a hard ride and then running all out.

HEAT/HUMIDITY: Sort of an eye opener, my previous running efforts had all been indoors or first thing in the morning before the heat kicked in. This obviously creates a new challenge for the body's physical systems. My heart rate was maxed out as I began pedalling the TT, and stayed much higher than usual, creating for a much slower average pace.

There is a great Bicycle, Blues & BBQ race this weekend in Clear Lake Iowa. It is also an Iowa Cup Race, so I imigine it will be well attended. Pro rider, Tom Zirbel won the RR last year. Sort of a far drive and larger committment than what I am comfortable with, especially considering my questionable fitness and current distaste for cornerning.

So, I will hang with the Quad City cyclists this weekend and the ABR, by attending Donnie Miller of DICE cycling's racing events. A road race in Rapid City Illinois, then a 40k TT in Cordova, Ill. Mostly interested in the TT, since I did it last year and came in 10th overall. I should be able to improve upon that, I guess it depends on who shows up. Top three get trophies... I do love those trophies.

Le Bon Doc Tour #2 --- 'man cards'

RACE OF TRUTH... OR LIE DETECTOR?

It as around 10am, just got home from this race in West Branch, Iowa that might actually still be going on... How is this possible, you may ask?

Take a few moments to come up with some scenarios, and scroll down after you have came up with your best scenarios.

Hmm...

???

Before I get to the race report, let's play a game that might make sense of the subtitle...

Below are two almost identical pictures... can you find what is different between the two pictures?

If you guessed Michelob Ultra v. Accelerade you are correct. Did you know that one of the number one vitamin deficiencies in healthy humans is currently Vitamin D? Yes, Vitamin D used to be primarily derived from exposure to the sun, but with the skin cancer/ozone issues many people's use of SPF 30+ is creating a void. You need about 1000 units, and can then enjoy a 30% reduced incident of some cancers (including prostate and colon) along with reduced risk diabetes. So, go grab some Vitamin D supplements...

Ok, maybe I am stalling, but that is a true fact.

Speaking of self-induced vitamin deficiencies...You have to relinquish a 'man card' just to drink michelob ultra, but they upped it to two man cards, by now creating this new 'slimline can'. I win 12 packs of this beer by entering two bee TT races and essentially being the only one in my category, so I get first and last place and a 12 pack. This new can doesn't fit very well into the bottle cage.

I have been watching wimbeldon for no apparent reason... I wonder if anybody would still read this blog if I took up tennis and started posting entries about it?

---This race was a 21 mile Road Race followed by a 6 mile Time Trial. I had told Bryan Moritz of Bikes To You, that I would hand off my disc wheel at the race, so he could use it at the state Team Time Trial this Sunday. Speaking of Bikes To You, completely by coincidence, virtually the entire team showed up.

Why don't I enter the Team Time Trial? Probably for the same reason that my cat has stopped using the litter box, and now simply deposits 'his business' on my basement carpet...

So, with 5 Bikes To You guys, a few Two Bee Racers, a couple of unattached type riders and myself, we headed out. I chatted with Sean Walker during the first part of the race. We talked about how running takes away a bit of bike power, but builds cardio (I had a good 5k race the day before, 19 minutes, my PR). I also confirmed that he is entering the State Time Trial championships in Nichols. He came in second last year, and is on form to possibly win overall, though team mate Josh Madsen and Mercy/Specialized rider Paul Denninger are going to be heavily favored as well, not to mention some other strong cat 1,2,3 riders who may be 'flying under the radar'.

B2U attacks (maybe Finn) and a Two Bee rider follows. At some point inbetween one of the attacks, I realize I am left with the responsibility to help bridge up (at this point I was seriously rethinking my nutritional tactics of the night before). When the group gets all back together, Bryan Moritz tactfully counter attacks and calls Finn up with him. Sean Walker and Josh Madsen eventually bridge up, and a group of 4 B2U guys has a gap.

A group of 5 was then charged with trying to catch them. Lee Venteicher of B2U was still with us. So, obviously, he didn't help the effort to regroup the race, but strategically attacked on a hill right after one of my pulls, when I was blocked in, and gapped me off taking Mike Edwards of Two Bee with him.

I worked with two other riders to try and catch Lee and Michael (and then maybe the four leaders?), but eventually rode my chasing companions off of my wheel. Not very good tactics on my part, but we weren't gaining any ground with this rotation.

So, this for the most part was a Time Trial (first a team time trial, then a solo time trial). I spent the last 6 or so miles that I was by myself trying to decide if I wanted to do the 6 mile TT that was the second 'stage' of the day. I also tried to decide if I should get rid of my cat, because having poop all over the house isn't helping my mental health. Speaking of relinquishing 'man cards' a single guy who lives alone with a cat definately mandates that I withdrawal another one... How many do I have left?

I pedalled all out, at least enjoying the opportunity to get in some good training, as it seemed like sometimes Lee and Micheal were getting closer... they weren't.

Second Stage - 6 mile TT - RACE OF TRUTH...

The 'truth' should be obvious by now, if you have been reading the subtext of this entry. One race was good enough for me today, as I opted not to race the 6 mile TT. I still had to ride my bike the 6 miles back to West Branch. This reminded me of the 'walk of shame' that sorority girls sometimes have to do as they leave the frat house at 6am after a night of impaired judgment. Well, I am guessing they will give me the same time as the slowest rider minus one minute.

Do I give up another man card because I opted out of the second stage? Or maybe readers can allow me to keep this one, giving me credit for showing up and battling the awesome Iowa force that is the Bikes To You racing team (even though I will have to apologize for not being much competition)? I mean, there were only about 11 of us, so what were all the other licensed USCF racers doing at about 5:30 this morning as I was loading up my racing gear?

My biggest accomlishment is that I made it to all of three of the races this week. There are so many ways to make excuses and not show up, but I do really enjoy these races, even when things don't go according to plan.

Speaking of plans, I planned on taking off my bike shorts first thing when I got home, because they were a bit smelly. I guess I will do that now.

thanks for reading.