Bubba CX #10 Race Report

Sunday brought to a close the A Race Bubba Cup and the last Bubba race in STL for the season. I had one thing in mind for this race; capture 3rd place overall in the Bubba Cup. With Scott Ogilvie in the 3rd spot with a 4 point advantage I needed:

1. 3rd place
2. 4th place with Scott in 6th or lower
3. 4th place with Scott in 5th we would tie.

With a challenging course featuring long straights, a few technical sections, wind and several mud puddles it was a test of fitness and strength.

Good start off the line with Scott and Dr. Mark leading the way. Soon after we started Mark moved over and Scott took control of the pace for a while then I took over for a bit.

Next the two man Hub/ Team Seagal team of Dan Miller and Devin Clark moved to the front to set the pace. With them charging and me holding on we quickly opened a sizable gap.

I eventually lost contact and soon after so did Devin from Dan. Dan would continue to extend his lead for win and the overall Bubba Cup title for 2010. Nice job Dan!

With the gap between Devin and I not that much I was able to close it. We raced around for a couple of laps, but Devin eventually pulled away for 2nd on the day.

I held my spot for 3rd and accomplished my Bubba Cup goal. Scott unfortunately had a bad day and did not finish the race, I think it was a bike issue.

Big thanks to all the Bubba Cross Crew for their efforts this year, great series for sure!

Remainder of the season look like this:

1. 12/9 - State Championship (40+ and Men Open) (in KC)
2. 12/12 - Washington Cross
3. 12/19 - CXMAS
4. 1/2 Epic Cross (in KC)
5. 1/9 Grote Prijs Cross (in KC)

I want to go deeper into Jan this time to prep for next year, the cold and possible frozen conditions I need to gain more experience on. But for now the focus is on this coming Saturday, see you at State!

The Tape

Photo just surfaced that shows the how long the section of tape was that stuck to my bike on Sunday. Dang! That's one way to keep people back.

MT Pleasant Bubba CX #9 Race Report

Mt Pleasant is a unique race with a great setting at the winery set on the side of a hill. One of, if not the hardest race of the season. Last year was the first year at this venue and it kicked my but, I think I ended up 13th and hurting bad. This year I knew what to expect and planned accordingly.

Couple of thing that made this event "special" and "meaningful". Wanted redemption from lasts weeks results, had some friends from Hermann and some from Washington showing up to watch looking for the last few upgrade points needed and in a tight race for 3rd in the Bubba Cup Series.

Got a good start taking the hole shot which was my goal, I did not want to get mixed up in any of the shenanigans as we went up, down and around the off camber course ont he first lap.

As it turned out I created my own shenanigans getting caught up in the tape as I bobbled a corner in the first lap. From what I was told I took about ten feet of it with me for a bit until a spectator pulled off the tail, the rest wrapped around the crank arm and pedal. It was a non issue thanks to the person who jumped out and grabbed the big piece for me! You can see it in the photo.




Scott Ogilivie, who is placed 3rd in the Bubba Cup, and Sam Moore came around me but we soon grouped back up to form the 1st lead group.





Sam fell off and Dan Miller bridged up.





Then Devin joined us.



Dan and Devin took over and set the pace dropping Scott and we formed a 3 man lead group.

I hung with them for a lap or two then lost contact.

Devin and Dan still together up the biggest climb of the day.

I was stuck between those two and Scott who was not that far back and holding.

Then Schottler bridged from who knows where, passed and continued his mission to chase down the leaders.

Dan started to pull away from Devin placing him alone in 1st, Devin 2nd, Schottler 3rd, me 4th and Scott 5th.

For the last few laps my focus was on Scott, I needed the points If I have any shot at 3rd overall in the series. He was gaining a few seconds on each of the remaining laps.

I just about screwed it up on the last lap coming up the stairs, did not get the bike lifted high enough and the pedal caught one of the steps which brought me to a screeching halt. The bike was OK, hoped back on but Scott was very close now. He was right on my tail as we entered through the bar then I gave it all I had to the line to hold on to 4th. That was close!

Great race guys!

All the photos by Dawndi Cam are located here


Bubba Cup Standing now with one race to go.

This is one tight race; Dan has taken over 1st over Josh now in 2nd, those two have 1st and 2nd locked up. The battle is for 3rd; Scott is holding on to a 4 point advantage over me, Schottler is closing in just 11 points back and Devin could mix things up too only 17 points back. Sunday at Spanish Lake will be one fun race and a great way to end the Bubba Series.

In other news this Am I applied again for a Cat 1 upgrade and received this email:

The following request to change your USAC category has been approved and processed by USA Cycling:yielding - 2010-11-22 6:17

Member: Jeff Yielding

License: Cyclo-cross Racer Request to change category from Cat 2 to Cat 1

MT CX on Sunday

Sunday's Cross race at Mt Pleasant Winery.

Bubba CX #8 DNF

Not much to report on yesterdays race. Woke up feeling good but the legs were heavy during warm up and never came around. The course had two big hills which is not good when you have heavy legs. I was not able to hold on to the lead group or the chace group and kept falling back; no power. I pulled the plug so not to totally destroy my legs so I could focus on a on this weeks training leading up to Mt Pleasant Winery Bubba CX#9


Sunday's race is like a home game for Revolution Cycles as it's so close to the shop I race for. I stunk it up there last year but know what to expect now, lots of hills with little recovery. Looking forward to it!


I fell to 4th in the Bubba Cup series. Scott Ogilivie has moved into the 3rd spot just 8 points ahead of me. With two races to go it will be a fun battle to see If I can regain third or if Scott will hold.

Bubba Cup

Flat Bubba CX #7

You can have everything dialed in, nutrition, training, sleep; all things controllable. But you can't control a flat.

Was feeling great Saturday up front with Josh, Dan, Scott and a few more I'm sure. Scott took the lead for what seemed like two full laps. Into the third lap Dan took over, Scott 2nd Me then Josh 4th wheel. We completed the upper field section then dove into the woods where Dan started to gap Scott just a hair. I've learned from the last few races that small gaps like this can be race changers so I swung wide to pass Scott and get in behind Dan for a ride through the trees.

All went well until that no so solid feeling in my rear wheel started. Full flat!

I picked up the bike and started to run, unfortunately the pit and my 2nd bike were a long way away. As I got to the back side of the course where Stu came up on me and asked If I wanted his wheel? What, really? Sure, I'll take it. What a class act to give up a wheel like that, thanks Stu!

We made the change and off I went into full TT mode for the rest of the race trying to pick up as many spots as I could. Caught and passed 4 guys to end the day in 14th.



Goal for the season is Bubba Cup and fortunately this misfortune did not disturb my standings. I actually moved up into a 3rd place tie with Jay.



Bubba Cup

Last night I tried to seal the puncture but there is a 1/8" tear in the tire, no go on the sealant. Will pull the thing off and put on a new tire this week.

Next up Bubba #8 Sunday, today, like in a few hours :) - I'll be running my power tap to get for the first time some power numbers in a cross race.

Early AM is so much better

Now that the time has changed after work training is finally over and shifted to the AM. I much prefer getting they day started with a good workout vs. waiting all day, just makes you feel better. Plus I think you get a better workout when you are fresh.

Today the sunrise was awesome!

Bubba CX #6 Race Report

The weather this year is just awesome, a bit dry yes, but the temps are just right. Some may say a bit warm and some may say they are looking for mud, but I'm sure we will get some of that before the end of the season.

Speaking of the end of the season, we are now on the back side. Sunday was the 6th Bubba CX in a 10 race series, then State Champs on 12/4 followed by Washington CX 12/12. Things get extended another week with CXMAS then it's time to hang up the bike and enjoy the Holidays and off season. And of course the countdown to the start of 2011 CX season will start again :)


For now there are 7 events left to look forward to.

Bubba #6 was more of a MTB race course than a CX course. First impression was OK, but as always you have to race the course before you make a final judgment. In the end it was fun and unique; many raved about it and called it the best course of the season. Me, I like courses like we had last week, a more traditional course, but I had a ton of fun and thank all the guys and gals who build and take down these things each week, it's hard work.

Good turn out, 25 riders, lined up for the A race. Things got started with a up hill start into a single track section, opened up into an open grassy area with barriers and a log jump, then back to single track before a long hip hill paved section back to the start finish line.

After 1 lap things got strung out Sam was off the front by 5 seconds or so with Dan and I chasing. Dan and I did catch and eventually were alone off the front with several chasing not far behind including Josh and Devin.




I was feeling great for the first two laps but that hill was a Red Zone section big time. It put you in the hurt locker fast. Dan has a monster engine and this hill played right into his strength. I wanted to trade pulls with him and grow the gap we had but I just could not do it. I fell off Dan to be swept up by Josh and the crew he pulled up with him.

Soon the lead group was Dan, Josh, Devin and I. I was still feeling good and the pace started to settle in but I found myself loosing time in the single track section. Too much time on the brakes. I got gapped and slowly lost contact.




Now in 4th place and not chance to catch back on to the lead group it was time to sustain a steady effort, stay focused and hold my spot. You never know what will happen in front of you. Mark, Scott O, and Brett were keeping the pressure on from behind keeping me honest and effort high. I did manage to hold them off and keep the 4th place finish for the day.

The cheering section on the hill before the finish and in the single track was awesome, thanks for all the encouragement and shout outs!




All photos by Mike

The day ended well, gave it all I had and can't thing of a thing I could have done to improve my placing. That to me is what makes a good race. Next up Sat and Sun day races, Bubba #7 and #8.

Did move up one spot to 4th in the Bubba Cup Standing. It's a tight race. Josh hold the lead but Dan is charging and the top 10 are close enough together that anything can happen to stay in the money.

Bubba #6 Top 20
Dan Miller
Josh Johnson
Devin Clark
Jeff Yielding
Scott Ogilivie
Mark Murawski
Sam Moore
Aaron Fader
Mike Brnzwa
Jeremy Bock
Ron Bridal
Karl Stover
Casey Saunders
Robert Brokaw
Dave Nees
Andrew Black
Jay Marbuger
Stu Robson
Randall Stateles
Scott Peipert

Bubba 4 and 5 race report

Weekend of racing was awesome. Both days the course was spot on.

The last two weekends there have been some challenges beyond the control of course designers that have resulted in, lets just say, not the best of courses of all time. But Sat night and Sunday made up for all that and it seems we are back on track.

Saturday night Jay and I coming to the line sprinting for 4th. He got me by about half a bike. I crossed the line in 5th.





Sunday crossed the line again in 5th.





Good video here at 1:46 of Jay, Dan and I. (double click to make it bigger)

Both days were filled with good hard efforts, some lessons learned and experienced gained. Being in the top 5 of the A race there is not much room from indecision or mistakes. Things change quick and you have to be ready to respond. I have a few things to dial in when it comes to this.

Overall pleased with the races and how the legs feel. We are now at the half way point in the Bubba Series and I sit 5th overall in the Bubba Cup. It's a tight race at about 6th place and above, anything can happen over the next 5 races.

Next up Bubba #6 at Queeny Park. Traditionally this has been a great venue.