Webster Groves Crit

Jose, Shaun, Danny and I headed to Webster Groves Sunday for the WB Crit. First time for all four of us at this event.

Shaun and Danny were up first for the cat 5 race. Danny stayed up front even leading on one of the laps. With one lap to go Danny lost some ground ending the day in 21st with Shaun a bit farther back.

I was up next in the Cat 3 4 race with a good sized field of 65. Overall I had a good race; helped cover a break, attempted a break of my own, went for a prime and did much better holding my position near the end. Ended the day in 19th, best result in the crits for me this year/ as a Cat 3. Team mate Casey took the win!

Finally Jose and the cat 4 5 field took to the streets. Jose had a good race taking home $50 for his prime win. Jose was looking strong the entire race and poised to win the thing. Unfortunately there was a wreck in the final turn that held him up.

Good day of racing for us all! Thanks to the Hub and crew for a fun day

More photos by John Musselman Here

Tour De Winghaven Race Report

Full load of Hermann racers, Jose, Danny, Shaun and I headed to Winghaven as fist time racers in this event. Mike from Big Shark and his crew set up a super nice event. Very professional.

Shaun and Danny were up first early for the cat 5 race at 8am. Both had fun and posted 30 and 39th place finishes.

Several hours later Jose and I were up for the 3/4 race. Not certain how I was going to feel I played it conservative in the back of the pack for the entire race. With 2 laps to go I did move up to about 5th spot but quickly fell back as I had trouble holding my position. So I went back to the back and waited for the final few hundred meters for the sprint. After the final turn the speed picked up and it was full throttle to the finish. Ended up in 44th out of 125. Happy with that for now.

Full list of results here and race stats from Garmin here

This past week

Down side to last weeks State RR was my race, upside was getting two guys, Shaun and Danny, from Hermann out to race, both first time road racers! They'll be back for more they said.




Casey working it for his 2nd place Cat 3 State RR placing!



That next Tuesday Jose, Shaun and I headed out for some miles. Jose was working on his TT skills along Hwy 94.




Later Jose gets a call, he knows people.




Then off for what ended being a nice 50 mile ride. Perfect weather that day.




Today was the Velo in the Valley TT. Great 20K course, loved it. Awesome course, great pavement through windy roads. And they used chip timing!



While I was waiting in line 12th place overall racer Joe Walsh came through for his first of two races.




8:26am start time, I'm up next!



I had a good race, personal goal was an average of 24mph, ended the day with an average of 24.32, good enough for 7th in the Cat 3's and 43rd overall. Full results here.

Real time results were ready for viewing seconds after each racer crossed the line, smooth!

Heart Rate data from race. (click on it to see a better view) All race data here




After the race Jose, David, Shaun, Marjin and I headed out for a ride. Marjin had a flat right as we started, he told us to keep going so we did. David the local rider took us on a great route out to Six Flags and back, great roads and a few nasty hills.







Ride summary

Once we returned the race was over, results were up and they were near the end of the awards. 7th place was good enough for $20.

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!

Froze Toes Race Report

Last night we were treated with an inch of snow around here. Thoughts of Froze Toes being cancelled were on my mind. Thankfully the snow missed much of Columbia MO, any that did fall to the grown melted away by 9am or sooner. With good news that the race was on, Jose and I loaded up and headed West.

I think we had a good team today in the ¾ race, Jose, Denny, Matt, Rich and I. Matt unfortunately had a flat about a half way into the race which ended his day much to early.
The pack stayed together for most of the race. A few break aways of 2 or less riders did occur but did not stay away for long before the pack swept them up.

As we completed the final turn the pace picked up with only 4 miles to go. A few attacks here and there but all were matched as we continued to roll toward the finish. With 1 mile to go I was about 3rd wheel and the final surge to the finish line occurred with a couple of riders passing me on the right: the sprint to the line was on. Then two guys in front of me go sideways, take each other out and I pass by them within inches of going down with them. I lost some momentum then picked up where I left off sprinting to the line less than 100 yards away. Crossed the line in 5th. Jose ended up in 10th with Denny and Rich close behind.

Hope all are OK from the crash today, hate to see that happen. Thanks Columbia for a fun race!

Results

Last Bubba Race on STL for the year

Arrived at Unger Park early to pre-ride the course and watch some of the C race today. Weather was at best a strange series of events from the time I woke up to the time I left Unger.

• Woke up to mid 60's, temps felt great.
• Looked at the radar, small band of showers, with thunder, crossing the state
• Rained a bit on the way from Hermann to Unger Park
• C race started dry and clean
• That band of showers I spoke of, it arrived mid way through the C/women race.
• Wind started blowing, rain came down in buckets.
• Everyone huddled under the shelter while the C racers/ women kept going
• Course turned to mud in just minutes
• Race was over, they were full of mud and happy about it
• Up next B race
• Slippery mess for two laps, chain fell off after my front tire washed out on one of the turns, chain fell through the chain guard. Had to fight like mad to get it loose and back on. By the time I was back up and running the field had passed me and well on their way.
• Fighting the mud and elements I worked hard to catch who I could. Managed to catch 4 or 5.
• During the race it rained on and off and the temps dropped from the 60's to the 40's in under an hour.
• Cleaned up then sat in the truck getting warm for an hour while the A's raced.
• Helped take down the course, loaded the truck full of supplies for this weekends Bubba Races in Hermann.

Fun race with all the mud, rain and temp changes, truly and cross like day.

Photo courtesy of here

Bubba #4

Fourth Bubba race of season was again held under sunny warm skies Sunday. I love this weather, but I hope we don’t pay for it in December like last year. All was nice for most of the season, then the ice storm hit just before the UCI race in KC. But, that was then, this is now.

Seemed like everyone was anxious to get this one started, I got to the start line 10 min before race time and it was already full. So I started in the back and would try my best to work my self up during the race.

Took a couple of laps before I was able to start any real progress forward, after that it I kept a steady pace catching small groups, hung on the back for a few to catch a breather then on to the next group. My motivation stayed high as I began to move from 30th, to 17th, to 15th, to 8th. This is where I started to loose track of my placing.

The last group I caught included a Mesa rider and Sven from the team (See photo). Once I caught them I hung on the back as Sven pushed the pace trying to catch Mike Weiss ahead who was in 3rd. With two laps to go Sven pealed back and I took over at the front. I kept the pace as high as I could working to catch Mike but he was able to match our pace, made some progress but not enough to catch him. Sven and the Mesa guy dropped off with one lap to go allowing me to cruise through in 4th. Thanks Sven for the help!

Dawndi Cam was out and about shooting, will have video up later.

Bubba #3 - Spanish Lake

Perfect day for a cross race, rains this week eliminated the dust bowl type racing we’ve had the last two weeks and the sun was out helping warm things before the 1:15 start time.

Started race mid pack for most of the race, settled into a steady pace looking for opportunities. Not much to report for most of the race till the group I was with starting to make up ground on the main chase group. This group included spots 7th through 12th or so.
With two laps to go we finally closed the gap and moved to the front. There was one Big Shark racer in front of me who I followed to the end of the 2nd lap and into the final lap. Just after the beginning of the lap there was a down hill section with a quick 180 back up that caused the Big Shark guy to wash out his front tire as he turned to go back up allowing me pass by.




This section was a good place to try and break away due to the single file nature we had to take through this section. I made a quick decision to go for it. To my surprise I was able to catch a break and stay away for the last lap crossing the line in 7th.

Tons of good stuff where this photo came from here.

Bubba Race #2 Creve Coeur Park

I've had better days is about all that can be said for my poor performance today. No excuses to be had or looking for, but plenty of thinking of what to do better next time.

First half of the race went well as I headed out fast with the leaders. Strangest event that I've had racing took place halfway through the 1st lap. Team mate Dennis was in front of me chasing down Dan who took off right from the start. As we entered the single track section full of roots, dirt pot holes and uneven ground, Dennis goes down hard and fast. I'm right on his wheel at this point, I see him go down, his bike goes sideways over him and the rest is amazing. Somehow I either bunny hopped over him or just rolled over him, not sure which. The end result was I kept my line and kept going...weird.

Talked with Dennis after the race, he's beat up, but OK. He actually flatted both tires in the crash (I think that is what he said), made a visit to the pit for new wheels, kept going, flatted again, another visit to the pit, new wheel, then finished the race. Nice job man!

Back to the race, like I said I had a good first half then faltered big time falling back, back and more back. The rest was history, ended up 14th.

Others did well, check out the B race video below... I'm off to see if Boston can win a trip to the big game.

$6 Tour of Missouri T Shirts for sale here, money to benefit Herman Area Cycling.

Good start, bad luck Bubba Cross #1

Not sure how many started the race today, my guess it was 30 in the B's and more than that in the C race with what seemed like a handful in the A race.

After some announcements, which included the location for the State Championship now being held in Hermann December 9th we got things started.

I had a good starting spot near the front and started off ok as we headed out for what was to be 11 laps. Things broke up quick with a small pack of 4 leading the way with another pack of 4 close behind. Then there I was, in no mans land, looking to catch on to the 2nd group. After a few laps I was able to bridge up to the 2nd group and hold my position with them for most of the race.

The main group continued to separate its self from the field quickly becoming a distant thought as they would never be caught. I was doing my best to stay with 2nd group, which I was able to do for all but the last two laps. With two laps to go I fell off watching what was now a group of 5 forge ahead thinking to myself that 10th place is not a bad place to be for the 1st race of the year.

With on lap to go, nearly approaching the finish line I hear the dreaded psst sound. With no one near it had to be me, I looked down to see my front tire loose all its air. I tried to ride it, but rolled the tire off the rim, the tube got caught up in the wheel then tore into several pieces. The rule is you can't cut the course so I was left with running the the last part of the last lap.

Several past by as I ran out the last few 100 yards to the finish, went from 10th to 19th. I think I'll order some tire sealant tubes on Monday.



All in all I had a good race, average HR was 181 for over 50 minutes and felt great after the race.

I did capture some video of the C and A race that I'll post in a few days.

Babler Beast Triathlon Race Report

What a great event the Beast was today. I'll let the video tell the story.

Splits
Swim 0:10:32
T1 0:01:01
Bike 0:38:59
T2 0:0:49
Run 0:16:04
Total Time 1:07:25

2nd place AG
14th overall
Results AG Here
Results Overall Here

Show Me State Games Triathlon Race Report

Sunday was the Show Me State Games Triathlon. Good event, well organized and smooth.

The rule was you had to have a yellow swim cap, I could not find one so I bought a white one and put some of the DogFish art work on the night before along with lots of yellow marker. Most of the yellow came off by the time the swim was over, but it stylish while waiting on the dry beach.

I was in the first of two waves that started the swim. Still a slow swimmer so I moved to the side and just did the best I could. I came out of the water with the last 25% of the group or so. I have a new video, Total Immersion, that was given to me by a friend that should help me get faster soon.

Swim time about 19 min - 1 min faster than was I thought it would be.

Transition area was right out of the water which was nice, took me 47 seconds to get from the water, change and on the bike.

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The bike route was nice, mix of hills and flats. The bike is where some racing with others started. The two guys you see in the photo above came out of the water with me and both good cyclists. Within the first few miles we were near each other playing cat and mouse games. Finally about half way one dropped leaving just two of us. The guy that was left did pull away from me but I kept him in my sights. With no drafting allowed it was no big deal to let him stay away but keep him within a reasonable distance.

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With three miles to go I look back and see Jose coming at me with his bright white aero helmet glowing from the sun beating down on it. He was in the 2nd waive so he was having a good race. He zooms past me which gets me thinking I can't let Jose pass me like that.... I start to chase catching and passing him just before we enter the park which leads to the end of the bike leg.

As we get to the park entrance he catches me and I now have caught the guy in front of me. We pass this guy as Jose and I zoom to the transition area together.

Bike too me 59 min

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Quick change and off on the run. I got a little concerned as I started my run, my legs started to cramp a bit near my quads. I had to take it easy slowing down trying and work this out. During this time the guy I had been racing on the bike leg caught up and passed me. Crap!

The cramping worked its self out after about a half mile and I was able to pick up the pace.

Jose was off and running , I only saw him for a min or so then he was out of sight.

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Legs feeling good I started to pace my self to catch the guy in front of me by the half way point which I did as we both hit the aid station together heading home for the last 1.5 miles.

I was actually feeling very good so I picked up the pace and dropped him. Close behind him and gaining were to other runners which made for a fun finish.

I knew I had to keep up a good pace to keep them off my heals.

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As we neared the finish line me and another guy were gunning it to the end. It ended up being a full out sprint to the end...

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Just made it across the finish line in front to take home 3rd in my age group with a time of 1 hour 40 min, 41 sec and 17th overall out of 71

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Jose had a good race taking home 2nd in his age group, he missed getting gold by 24 seconds - full results here

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The Team of Lensing/Montague/Montague (From Hermann) took home gold with a time of 2:02:50

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Hermann took home a Gold Silver and Bronze!

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Who Tris Harder Race Report

500 yard swim

19 mile bike

3.1 mile run

Today's Who Tri's Harder Octomax Triathlon at Innsbrook resort was my first go at this type of racing. I've been planning and training for this event for the past few months with higher intensity work outs and lots of swimming.

Swim
Being this was my first swim I did lots of reading on what to expect, best place to position my self in the group ect. The promoter sent all 100 plus men in the Octomax group off at once. One thing I read was stay to the side to avoid much of the flying arms and legs. I did this and it worked about great. I had little trouble with other swimmers and was able to see great.

I knew going in my swim would be slow, after all I think I have a total of 15 swims under my belt. I asked Dawndi to keep track of my placing after this swim, I was in about 45 place.

• Time: 10:30
• Average HR:179

Here are some shots from the swim

BIKE
Out of the water I had to run up a grass hill to the bike transition area. Took me 2 min 32 seconds to get there, change and mount the bike for the 19 mile ride ahead.

I never did hear Dawni tell me I was in 45th place but I knew I had lots of ground to make up. My race strategy was to let the swim be what it will be then hammer the bike.

The course was a rolling hills route coupled with a few short steep sections. My legs felt great so I pushed up the hills hard. Right from the start I was passing people, the frequency of this made me feel like I was flying and gave me tons of motivaton to go fast. No one passed me during bike leg

• Time 53 min 39 seconds
• Average HR 175

RUN
Only took me 1 min 21 seconds to transition from bike to run and off I went for the last leg. What I was happiest about was how fresh my legs felt. I read a tip the other day that said to help get your legs ready for the run stand up several times in the last few miles of the bike, I think this technique helped.

The only issue I had was a small cramp in my hamstring but that worked its self out. The run route was much like the bike course, rolling hills with a few steep sections.

Feeling great and seeing no one behind me I just kept up a steady pace to the finish line.

• Time 23 min 2 seconds
• Average HR 178
  

Now it was time to see where I ended up. I felt good about how I raced and thought I would at least place well. One thing I noticed was the folks at the finish line were clapping louder then what I normally hear.... strange.

Heard the announcer say the first print-out was posted, to my shock and surprise I placed 1st in my age group (35 to 39) and 4th overall! Now that feels good....

Final Results Overall

Final Results Age Group

So now I'm officially a triathlete.......


Made up a short video from the film Dawndi shot today. Click below to see it.