State Road Race

Not much to report about Sunday's race after being shelled out the back during the 1st lap 3/4 of the way up the big hill 20 miles out. Once over the top Klages and two other guys put on a nice chase for about 7 miles but never made it back on. After conceding that we would never catch I fell off and began the thought process of "do I do another lap or not". I choose to finish and made the turn for another 35 miles.

About 7 miles into the 2nd lap the 50 plus guys came up to me, I latched on to the back of that pack for the rest of the race.

Ended the day in 25th, guess that's better than a DNF.

Team did well with Casey in 2nd, Rich and Denny 12 and 13th.

I brought local Hermann cat 5 racers Shaun and Danny with me, they placed 31st and 36th. Jose was acting in a local play or he would have made the trip too.

So now the Road Race season is over. Froze Toes and Dogwood were my two best. Froze Toes I placed the best, with Dogwood I felt the best. It's a bummer I got sick for a week just before the State race, the power I felt at Dogwood, not there.

Next up, base miles for 3 weeks with a focus on September Gateway Cup races. Then it's Cyclocross season!

Host City Signs

Lt. Gov. Kinder was in town yesterday to officially announce the host city sign project for Hermann. These signs will be set up at the entrance of town. Jose and I showed along with others from the LOC then we headed off for a ride to Bluffton and back with Shaun.

State Road Race Pre-Ride

Made a trip to Rolla/Newburg today to check out the raod race course for next weeks St Race. Downloaded the Garmin data, check it out here. It will be interesting to compare the difference from today's ride effort vs. race effort. Not sure what I think of the course, will have to decide after the race. I do know this, the biggest hill 20 miles into the race will determine the lead break, 13% is the steepest point, short but steep, mile long at the most.

Here are a few shots.

Thursday Night Crit

Last night began what I hope to be something that catches on and sticks. Four others and I met up in the Hermann Industrial Park for a crit workout. The park has a nice 1.15 mile, 7 corner circuit with a nice 10% grade hill which turn into 5% before reaching the top for a elevation gain of 100 feet per lap. Speeds of 35+ are reached coming down the hill and, no traffic. It's an out and back course but it works.





Seems like more an more riders are coming out the woodwork here locally, must be all the cycling activity going on. Danny, Dennis, Shaun, Jose, Dan and I all showed up for the first Thursday night crit workout, who knows more may show up next week. Anyway the workout was 40 min round and round. This group of riders is a mix of all ability types which is great. Some have been riding for a long time, some race and some are new to the road coming from a MTB background.

It was a good hard workout with Jose and I taking the lead breaking away from the group early on. Jose and I exchanged pulls a few time till about 25 min into it I attacked up the hill getting a small gap. The gap grew over the next few laps and I was able to stay away till the 40 min mark where we called it quits and headed for home.

New Garmin 305 edge showed up the other day, awesome cycling computer. Downloaded last nights work out lap by lap. Go here if you want to check it out. Check out the player, very cool.

Washington Crit

Seems that I'm quickly recovering from bronchitis that hit me two weeks back. Felt well enough to give the Washington Crit a go after dismissing this race week as a not going to happen due to the sickness.

I arrived in Washington early, it's only 30 min from the house, why not get there and watch some racing. Took a number of photos and a short video of the 4/5 race sprint for the finish, sprint was for 2nd place.

After a good one hour warm up I was ready for my 3/4 race along with about 45 others. Had zero expectations today, had no idea how my body would respond. Suprised a bit that everything went well, felt great all day and had a good race. Stayed with the pack moving up and back as needed. Near the end there was a bad crash, I actually went down, not very hard. Don't like to talk crashes much but I'll say that several went down, one made a trip to the local hospital but was talking when he left. Hope he and others involved are OK.

After a free lap I was back with the pack along with three others including Rich from the team until we came to the spot of the crash where we were neutralized for about 20 min as local emergency crew took care of the fella that went down hard. Once back going again we had 5 laps to go.
I was able to stay with the pack but not strong enough to get to the front and stay there, crossed the line in 25th place. I'm good with that spot. Next up State Road Race in two weeks.

More photos here

Back in the groove, almost + new bike

Called the Dr. yesterday to ask if it was OK to get back on the bike, told him I felt much better but still had a small cough... he said go for it, have fun.

I rode to work and back and then a small ride with Jose to see his new road bike (Jose now has a new Specialized Tarmac). Total days off the bike came to 9, will take it easy for the most part till Tuesday of next week then pick up the pace, hopefully I'll be ready for the St RR on May 18th.

In other news, the cross bike is ready for action. Rode it yesterday for the first time, feels and looks good!

Getting Better

Things are starting to come around quick, feeling much better today than any other. Will miss this weekends Washington race but hope to be near 100% by May 18th for the State Road Race. The St RR is what I have been looking forward to all year, bummer this sickness had to come about just weeks before this race.

New cross bike was built up last last week at Big Shark, took it home on Saturday. Very nice, will post photos later when I get the chance.