The "B" Team!

Never underestimate the power of the B team......State TTT Champions 2007

Results are here

Though, I was sorry to hear of the Crash the Garage Team had, I'm sure they would have had a fast time. Jason, Flavio hope you heal quickly.

MotionBased

Tues 14th Aug,
Well if this works, here's the link to my MotionBased training log. Just click on "my Activities".

I do ride slowly, don't I.

More than a month?

Since I blogged!

Well, I've gone from work to bed to car to race non stop since then, seems like it anyway. Went to , Bend,Eugene,Corvallis and Bellingham on weekends and Pacific Raceways on Tues nights Seward Pk on thurs nights.
Anyway, this weekend was Bellingham Omnium State Champs, I raced Pro/1/2s and my results will prove that I was the oldest guy in the race, my TT was slow (relative to the 17 guys who went faster anyway!) my Crit was ugly, this old body can't go THAT fast from the gun, I wasn't very good at that even when I was younger.
The RR was a bit better, though the result, DFL was not. I had teammates in the top 4 of the race and the BAR standings too, so I could just "have fun" and drive it on the flat section so no breaks would get too far. Well It hurt me, maybe everyone behind just felt sorry for my feeble effort and said nice job as they passed me on the hill. I would get back on each of the first 3 laps and go back to the front for the flat section. Last time up the hill I was "done" and just rode in on the small ring to the finish.
I downloaded all the info from my Garmin 305 onto the Motionbased website and it looks real good, some cool functions on that website if you have a Garmin, or need a good bike computer get a Garmin.
That's all I have,

Mick

Tandem TT

I know I did Sunday before Sat, but there it is!

Stoked Stoked for me in a 40k TT in Peroria (outside Corvallis) on Sat. Well we saw how fast a sub 50 min 40 k looks! Nick and Dan (don't have time to look up the correct spelling of their last names now!) from Hutch's in Eugene did 49.36......
And we were happy with our 53.03 for a new course record for mixed Tandems, I think a mixed tandem rode a 40k there 8 years ago ;-)

Gotta go

Yesterday was the State Masters RR at Longbranch, and arriving at the finish we had 3 bloggers out of 4 racers, also 2 sprinters and 2 guys who couldn't sprint out of a paper bag!!

Well we gave it our best, I was inches out of 2nd


Result 1st Rob Campbell
2nd Todd Gallagher
3rd OAD
4th PNW Buckeye

Blogger won't let me title this post??

Hectic Schedule

We have been spending, as I said in the last post, a lot of time in our car.
We did OBRA Tandem Champs in Eugene, then Mt Tabor Circuit race, followed by Elkhorn and back to Eugene this past weekend for the OBRA Senior RR Champs.

I've had some good results, some not so good! The highlight was winning the Dooley Mountain Stage of Elkhorn in the masters, solo for the last 5 miles. That netted me 3rd overall (I started the day 8th) and 2nd in the FIAC National Championships.

This past weekend I attempted the Oregon Senior RR, and hoped for a good result. The day started off badly, as I awoke with a terrible headache and neck pain. I slept most of the way on the drive down from our hosts house in Portland. That didn't help much, I started anyway, but with Even Elken,Doug Ollerenshaw, Aaron Olson,Ryan Treefarm and Barry Wicks all in there, I figured I should try to get away before them, 'cause I sure wasn't going to go with them!! I tried, but I just felt terrible (legs weren't too bad, but my head and stomach felt crook as they say in Oz)
The break did go early, but ALL the big guns were in there, Dave Zimbelman included, a 50+ big gun there. I couldn't do anything and quit at the feed after 2 1/2 laps, as Martha was doing neutral feeding for my teamate/promoter, Sal.

So, PR and a Tandem ride with family on the 4th, then back down for Corvallis and the OBRA Tandem TT on Sat, then back up for the Washington (yes, a race in Wa!) for the Masters RR Champs at Longbranch on Sunday.

Happy 4th

Road Warrior

Ok ,so we're in our travelling to Oregon every week mode. I think I'll be doing 8 staright weeks driving south, while Stoked crochet's hats! ( no she does at least her fair share of driving too)

Went to Hood the first weekend in June, then to Rehersal RR the next week, where we raced Tandem. We managed to roll off the front on lap 2 of 3 and only one other Tandem came, several captains had raced the morning race too, so we had an advantage there. The bike that came with us seemed quite strong, and when I jammed our chain on the main climb I was wondering if we'd be able to catch them, but we did.

It seemed like they (Mike and Monica) were fading on the last lap, so I tried to go as hard as we could last time up the hill, hoping we could descend at a reasonable speed (not our strong point!) and have a gap for the last 3 miles of flat. We had a gap, but were almost afraid to look back, we did and both of us thought they were right there, so we kept the pressure on (30-32 mph on the flat road). Well seems like when they saw our gap they decided they weren't going to catch us and just rolled in for second place. I wish we'd have known, those last few miles were painful!

This past weekend we again drove down to the Hobson household on Saturday afternoon to race Mt Tabor on Sunday. I managed to do 2 races, but that was painful! I was not worth much in the 1/2 race after racing hard for 13 miles 2 hrs before?? I guess that's 'cause I'm "old as dirt"

I did manage to get 3rd place in the masters, also winning one of the 2 primes on offer, and being away solo for 3 laps? and getting caught with 1 1/2 to go.

Next up is Elkhorn, and I know of a couple of fast guys who'll be out to make up for not finishing in their usual top 3 placings, due to different circustances beyond their control... It's gonna be a battle from the get go.

Hood

Wow, what a great race! Just a bit too Hot for me.
The masters race was dominated by Dan Martin form California, who with 2 teammates beat the Super fast AMD-Discovery team.

Anyone out there who won money, I urge you to contribute it to the Ryan McKnab fund (he's the guy who crashed in the cat 4 race in Silverton) check out his recovery at www.ryanmcknab.blogspot.com

Of course it's cool and wet this week?

A WIN!!

And don't say I poached ;-) Clint Chase or Matt Hill wouldn't like you then.

Yes, I won the Wenatchee Omnium for Masters A overall, plus the Malaga RR (I must add Kerry flatted 2nd time up the climb!)

Of course I'm coming down with a cold now! Might take a sick day tomorrow and try to recover.

Hey, I've been using wedges on my shoes to get more power from my pedal stroke, they work really well. They only cost $24.95 and I would suggest everyone try them out. I just feel like I'm getting more power in my pedal stroke, and you all know how screwed up my pedal stroke looks!!
Contact Paul Swift at , paul at bikefit dot com and tell him I sent you, you will be glad you did it.

Kungfuku and things

Wow! What a surprise to most of us, Chris Daifuku took the State RR in fine style last Sunday for Team First Rate. He did have two great breakaway companions who worked really well with him. What can you say about David Zimbelman? At 53 yrs old tearing the legs off guys less than half his age!
There was a bad crash that took out Neil Casserly, who broke his arm and cut his face pretty badly (I've been there), so hang in there Neil, we're thinking of you.

Wenatchee is this weekend, I'm racing masters, unlike Mr Z, I am too slow to climb with those young guys, who can ride, and rest as much as they need.

I see Team Axley are skipping Wenatchee, to "poach" the TTT in Oregon ;-)

That reminds me everyone's favorite rider shall be know henceforth as Popeye. Rob hurt his back getting his "Yacht" ready for the trip to Longbranch, and it was noticeable in the race, he was not his usual self.

That's all I've got for now.

DOPERS SUCK

So, go leave our sport alone!!!

From www.cyclingnews.com

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2007/may07/may07news3

Predictions?

So, Who's gonna win State RR this weekend, Cat 1/2 men and Cat 1/2/3 women?

Campbell? Tubbs??? Pruitt??? Stangelator?? CYCA?

Women...WOW!

That Hurt!

Well, everyone said we would fly on the Tandem on Stage 3....NOT! It was really hard to get going on a 4 mile climb to start and it didn't get any easier for the other 22 miles to the turnaround.
All the guys behind us caught and passed us, most before the turn.

Stoker has a good report on her blog.


What happened at Elma?? I guess you'll say don't go poaching Oregon races if you want to know what happens in Wa ;-)

Any, or should I say how many?, wild happenings at Big Sissy's Birthady Party?

Warm Weather

Wow, it's nice to race in warm weather, just two layers and a 9am start.

The first of today's two TT was a 26.2 mile loop, that started out with a gradual 4 mile climb. We just tried to keep the tandem moving going up there, but managed to pass a few bodies, including the 2 other tandems in the race. We got spun out on the descents (still waiting for the 55t ring that is on B/O) but 40-42 mph coasting was ok with me!
We ended up 11th overall for the race.
The big shocker was Dave Z beating Kenny, CYCA didn't like that, so took it out on Dave in the hill cimb in the afternoon.

All the results are here http://www.raceacrossoregon.com/deschutes_results

It's soo nice here our hotel in right on the Deschutes River, and with the warm weather we can just sit on the patio, after dinner (a big burger and fries, with a beer!) and listen to the river flow.

Tomorrow is a 48 mile out and back tt that starts up a big stinkin' hill and is usually tailwind out and headwind back, should be "intesting" to say the least.

Cheers.

Maupin TT Stage Race

Today was spent prepping then driving to the beautiful town of Maupin,Oregon for the Deschutes River TT stage race. The race is organised by George Thomas and Terri Gooch, endurance cyclists and now proud parents of baby Amelia. George and Terri also promote the Race Across Oregon in July, a 520 mile epic that someday, I would like to do.They also promote the Ring Of Fire 12 and 24 hour TT here in Maupin in Sept, Stoked did the 12 hr version last year.

Oh, did I mention we are doing this hilly TT stage race on our Tandem?? Hope we're on speaking terms at the end of it all, 'coz we are hoping to do the 12 race in Sept on the tandem too!

Kenny came down too, and we stopped off at Salmon Cyclery owned by super fast David Zimbelman, he of national road champion 50-54 in 2005. That's a nice shop in The Dalles, if you ever get a chance to drop by. Dave has lots of his jerseys and other memrobelia on display.

Here's a pic of my bike especially for TEC4

I might actually get to do reports from this race as there is no TV in our room, though we do have Internet access...Obviously! I might get sidetraked surfing the many sites I gaze at on a regular basis.

Anyway, have a great weekend,

Mick

The New Bike

Well, if I was so inclined I'd post a pic of my new DBR bike with SRAM gruppo, but you'll just have to come out to a race and see it (if you care!)
Our team did get hooked up with our cool new smith shades thanks to Greg "Chopper' Randolph.

Sunday I raced near longview, on a really hard new course. I got to suffer behind Kenny and Chad Hartley ( had big trouble breathing and was throwing up too!) while they bridged a 90 sec gap to the winning break. They then proceeded to drop everyone up there too. Chad nipped Kenny in the uphill finish. According to reports Chad won it with his intial surge and Kenny could not quite get to him, holding all the way to the line at about 1/2 a bike length.

This weekend we're doing the Time Trial Stage Race in Maupin, Oregon...on our tandem!! Sunday is a 48 mile hily windy TT, should be interesting. Nice thing is we will have some competition for the first time this year.

Time to go back to work. Unlike others, I don't get paid while I blog ; -) So no parties over here.

Take Care,

Mick

Life on Two Wheels?

Peer pressure to blog!! Curly made me do it.

I've just been training like a crazy man, hoping I can do more than get dropped by LFGs big and small. Now I'm just really tired.

Anyway Stoked is taking all the blogging spotlight right now, even Prudog has been quiet.....for once!

No Walla Walla for me this weekend, though. We'll just go down and do the new Three Rivers race on Sunday.

Weekend Off

Well no racing for me this weekend.
We had a nice long Tandem ride on Saturday and a ride to Carnation for Coffee on Sunday, I was glad I wasn't racing 'cause I felt like poop until I got my Coffee!

Then I watched some Golf, hoping Padraig Harrington (Joey's Cousin) might win the masters, but alas it was not to be. I have been very pleased to see my favorite Football team, Liverpool, doing well lately, though they are too far behind Man U and Chelsea in the English league, they just need to not loose too badly to PSV on weds and they are in the Champions League Semi Finals. This is REAL football, I'm talking about, you might know it as soccer; -)

Anyway we went to see the Boat Street crit on Sunday evening, and I was sorry to see it rain for those guys, though glad I wasn't out there. Poor Chad Nik obvoiusly spent too much time in warm weather, cuz he got dropped from the break. The only reason that happened was too few clothes on no way was he getting dropped, he's too good a crit rider for that.

The race was quite exciting, Russell Sevenson had a good attack with about 6 mins to go, but in the end it came down to a 6 man sprint, and of course CYCA (ok Curly?) oblidged, as he ahd done for the $254 crowd prime and the $100 prime a few laps later. What a guy, he's showing no signs of slowing down approaching 40 years young.
I heard one of the masters racers saying when Kenny rode away from them he looked like he was on a training ride, all he was missing was the rack and bag on the back of his bike!!

As of writing I might actually be going to PR with Stoked tomorrow evening!! I think I've been there once in my 12 years racing in the Seattle Area, so look out!

Going Nowhere...slowly!

Well, I've spent the past month racing and training, with little success! At least I've lost some weight, but I'm not getting very fast, despite what PruDog says.

I did manage to swing a new work schedule that will get me outta there by 3.45 to ride, still getting used to that, but hopefully I will get some good rides and the occasional midweek race. Then I will be good for the Stage Races coming up later in the season.

The downside to all that is that I have do drag my sorry a** out of bed at 5.15am every day..Stoked is not very stoked about that!! Especially when I toss and turn, snore and snort and the other ;- ) constantly, so she ends up with about 3 hrs sleep.

Personal to Prudog, watch out for The Overatted Sissy aka "Bridge" He like to bring married women out to lunch, be warned and tell Mrs Pru to order the most expensive item on the menu if he does take her out, he got a HUGE pay raise from Boeing this year.

Well that's it for me for another month or so!


ps What a crazy weekend of racing this was, me, Kenny and Brian Ecker were useless on Sat in Bellingham and quit at halfway, but today at Piece of Cake we were better, 2nd for Ecker to Doug O, and Kenny 5th (2nd in pack behind Even Elken) I even managed to get into a couple of moves.

Racing?

Sorry, no jerseys here...the jerseys I won are all full of moth holes!

Just got a new schedule at work, 7am to 3.30pm. That's good and bad, I get to train ( note I didn't say train more!) but I have to get up at 5.15 am to do it. You might think that's not so bad, but probably in the first 28 years of my life I Never, or VERY rarely got up before 7am!

Last weekend was Mason Lake and Ice Breaker TT. I was not very good at either, I did manage to eventually get to the front at Mason Lake with two laps to go, but that only lasted about half a lap and I was VERY happy to see the finish. Didn't even have the energy to chit chat with Jamie!

I guess I'm not Mr Early Season anymore, I always took pride in being on good form from the get go, but the last couple of years have eneded that. Hopefully I'll be good again in June and July, like last year!

Nine O'clock already!! Bedtime...see you later


And Keep your stick on the ice!