Howdy Everyone!!
RPM Sports will be having our Grand Opening January 23, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. with John Cobb!!
Where:
17629 El Camino Real, Ste. #150
Houston (Webster), TX 77058
When:
January 23 & 24, 2009
Time:
Jan 23rd - 7:00 p.m.
Jan 24th - 9:00 a.m.
Guest:
John Cobb will be giving a speech on aero fit on TT bike and Road Bike.
Free Food!!:
We will provide plenty of food and drinks (adult drinks).
Who:
EVERYONE IS INVITED who loves cycling or triathlons!!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Rocky Hill Roundup-Racing against Lance Armstrong
What a wonderful weekend! Nice breezy afternoon with a very cold night. Lance Armstrong showed up to race the Pro race, which I will go in to detail in a minute.
I raced two races this weekend, which was a bit of a misstake...I raced the Cat 2 race to lock up the Overall Fall Series...Which I blew...
Cat 2 Race:
Started off great, I was winning by a great margin, but I wanted to take it easy, so I slowed up only to find a guy on my wheel. He thought I was hammering it...ha...about 1/2 way in to the 2nd and final lap I burped my tire (losing half your air in the tires). So I only had about half the pressure I was suppose to have.
I kept the 2nd place guy behind me up till I rolled the tire off the rim...I flew off the bike, luckily there were no trees around.
The race was over for me...I walked back and realized it was 10:30 and my race started at 11:00 for the Pro race, which Lance was going to be in.
I ran about 2-3 miles back to the camp site...I got there at 10:45, I had 15mins!!
I was pretty tired...I shouldn't have raced that race at all...Oh...and I lost the Overall by 1 point...
Pro Race:
I upgraded to the Pro Category so I could race against Lance Armstrong! I showed up to the line, no Lance in site...Where is he?! He shows up with 2 minutes before the start...It gets quiet before the start and someone yells out, "you nervous Lance?!" the kid next to him raises his arm, "I am!" lol Pretty funny.
Gun goes off! There is a huge pile up at the start! I just make it around. I'm one person behind Lance!! We go over a few hills and the guy in front of me puts a gap between Lance and I...I was like, crap! We get to a climb, which is just about impossible to climb, even Lance had to walk it...I walked it too and my legs were BLOWN!! Needless to say, I didn't see Lance again till the finish...
I had to drop out after 2 out of 3 Laps, I was dehydrated and cramping...
I got to see Lance win by 56 secs over 2nd.
I was 1 person away from getting his autograph...I was freaking pissed! I was like Lance, can you sign...then he got in his car and left...
Wonderful weekend, I'm not going to lie, I am pretty upset, I shouldn't have raced the 1st race...I might have had a chance =P
No more racing for awhile now...Train, train, and Train some more for next year...I may do some Marathon Mountain bike races, but I'm not sure.
Till February!
I raced two races this weekend, which was a bit of a misstake...I raced the Cat 2 race to lock up the Overall Fall Series...Which I blew...
Cat 2 Race:
Started off great, I was winning by a great margin, but I wanted to take it easy, so I slowed up only to find a guy on my wheel. He thought I was hammering it...ha...about 1/2 way in to the 2nd and final lap I burped my tire (losing half your air in the tires). So I only had about half the pressure I was suppose to have.
I kept the 2nd place guy behind me up till I rolled the tire off the rim...I flew off the bike, luckily there were no trees around.
The race was over for me...I walked back and realized it was 10:30 and my race started at 11:00 for the Pro race, which Lance was going to be in.
I ran about 2-3 miles back to the camp site...I got there at 10:45, I had 15mins!!
I was pretty tired...I shouldn't have raced that race at all...Oh...and I lost the Overall by 1 point...
Pro Race:
I upgraded to the Pro Category so I could race against Lance Armstrong! I showed up to the line, no Lance in site...Where is he?! He shows up with 2 minutes before the start...It gets quiet before the start and someone yells out, "you nervous Lance?!" the kid next to him raises his arm, "I am!" lol Pretty funny.
Gun goes off! There is a huge pile up at the start! I just make it around. I'm one person behind Lance!! We go over a few hills and the guy in front of me puts a gap between Lance and I...I was like, crap! We get to a climb, which is just about impossible to climb, even Lance had to walk it...I walked it too and my legs were BLOWN!! Needless to say, I didn't see Lance again till the finish...
I had to drop out after 2 out of 3 Laps, I was dehydrated and cramping...
I got to see Lance win by 56 secs over 2nd.
I was 1 person away from getting his autograph...I was freaking pissed! I was like Lance, can you sign...then he got in his car and left...
Wonderful weekend, I'm not going to lie, I am pretty upset, I shouldn't have raced the 1st race...I might have had a chance =P
No more racing for awhile now...Train, train, and Train some more for next year...I may do some Marathon Mountain bike races, but I'm not sure.
Till February!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Piney Hills Classic Stage MTB Race 2008
What a weekend! The weather was perfect, the trails were smooth! Note to self, if you ever go camping, make SURE you bring a sleeping bag, especially when it's 40 degrees at night in a tent!! LOL The first night in Ruston, LA at Lincoln Parish Park camping, all I had was a blanket...Man, I woke up with hypothermia almost! Lesson learned!
The Cat 2's (aka Sport) only raced the Time Trial and XC Race, why we didn't have a short track, I don't know...
I started to pre-ride the TT before my start and got stuck behind some slow guys and almost missed my TT start!! I was the next guy up when I showed up...The official was like, You almost missed your start...I said, nope, I'm here...
I finished 2nd in the TT, to a Nathan Skinner, I was like, who the heck is this guy??!
At the Start of the XC Race the next day I rolled up to the start and said, who's Nathan? They were like, we were saying the same about you, Ronnie! So I knew who Nathan was at the start...
The gun/whistle went off, I was the first one to the single track, with Nathan behind me. I pushed and drove as hard as I could for about 3/4 of the first lap, then I finally slowed up to let Nathan pass me, so I can see what this guy was made of. He was a better cornerer than I was, so I knew I had to keep him behind me at all times for the second lap.
When we rolled through the start for the start of the 2nd lap, people were saying we were up by 6.5 mins!! I was like...wow, is this course that difficult? Or are we just blazin'!!! Or we could just be a couple of sandbaggin' Roadies...hehe
We slowed up for the start of the 2nd lap and just talked for about 1/2 the lap...then we put the hammer down again. Nathan got in front of me about 3/4 of the way and was just killing me on the cornering, I thought I was done, but I wasn't giving up without a fight! Something happened with him and he almost endoed! (sigh of relief!) Thank you Pine needles!
We were about to approach the bat Cave and I passed him just before it. The climb was brutal!! I got over the top and put the hammer down and left him in the dust...He Cramped up on the Bat Cave climb and I beat him by 33 seconds...We beat the field by almost 6.5 mins!! Yup...Time for an upgrade...
Next up, Rocky Hill!! Nov 8th!
The Cat 2's (aka Sport) only raced the Time Trial and XC Race, why we didn't have a short track, I don't know...
I started to pre-ride the TT before my start and got stuck behind some slow guys and almost missed my TT start!! I was the next guy up when I showed up...The official was like, You almost missed your start...I said, nope, I'm here...
I finished 2nd in the TT, to a Nathan Skinner, I was like, who the heck is this guy??!
At the Start of the XC Race the next day I rolled up to the start and said, who's Nathan? They were like, we were saying the same about you, Ronnie! So I knew who Nathan was at the start...
The gun/whistle went off, I was the first one to the single track, with Nathan behind me. I pushed and drove as hard as I could for about 3/4 of the first lap, then I finally slowed up to let Nathan pass me, so I can see what this guy was made of. He was a better cornerer than I was, so I knew I had to keep him behind me at all times for the second lap.
When we rolled through the start for the start of the 2nd lap, people were saying we were up by 6.5 mins!! I was like...wow, is this course that difficult? Or are we just blazin'!!! Or we could just be a couple of sandbaggin' Roadies...hehe
We slowed up for the start of the 2nd lap and just talked for about 1/2 the lap...then we put the hammer down again. Nathan got in front of me about 3/4 of the way and was just killing me on the cornering, I thought I was done, but I wasn't giving up without a fight! Something happened with him and he almost endoed! (sigh of relief!) Thank you Pine needles!
We were about to approach the bat Cave and I passed him just before it. The climb was brutal!! I got over the top and put the hammer down and left him in the dust...He Cramped up on the Bat Cave climb and I beat him by 33 seconds...We beat the field by almost 6.5 mins!! Yup...Time for an upgrade...
Next up, Rocky Hill!! Nov 8th!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
BTU Power Pedal Mountain Bike Race
This Mountain bike was in my town of College Station, aka Aggieland! Well, it was actually at Lake Bryan, but who cares! =)
I went up to Lake Bryan, Friday morning to pre-ride the course and I taco'd my front wheel in a sandtrap!! lol So that ended my precious little Pre-ride...That was 30 minutes in to the ride.
I went to the local bike shop and they said they couldn't fix it...Too bad for them, they will never get referrals from me...I went back to Houston and got my awesome mechanic Ira to fix it, He and I are the only two that can touch my bikes, unless I go pro =) He got the wheel all straightened out, or the best he could do...
RACE!
I stayed with lovely Family friends of mine, Kirk Pearcy and his wonderful wife Natalie. They took care of me like I was one of their own!
The race started around 11am...I started off 2nd in to the single track, then we hit the levy and I took off like a cannon!! No one wanted to go with me! I was 30 secs up on the group by the start of the next single track and I never saw the group again.
The course was very nice! I heard it rained the previous day, so that helped alot for all the sand that is usually there. I kept running in to the Single speeders and 2 of the guys wouldn't let me pass for like 5 mins...I got pissed after awhile!
I won by 3 minutes and got a bunch heckling from the Expert riders who knew me, they all wanted to me cat up...Not till I win the series guys!
Ruston Mountain Bike Race is next week.
Next time we'll try and get Albert Einstein!! (Harry Carey) So long!
I went up to Lake Bryan, Friday morning to pre-ride the course and I taco'd my front wheel in a sandtrap!! lol So that ended my precious little Pre-ride...That was 30 minutes in to the ride.
I went to the local bike shop and they said they couldn't fix it...Too bad for them, they will never get referrals from me...I went back to Houston and got my awesome mechanic Ira to fix it, He and I are the only two that can touch my bikes, unless I go pro =) He got the wheel all straightened out, or the best he could do...
RACE!
I stayed with lovely Family friends of mine, Kirk Pearcy and his wonderful wife Natalie. They took care of me like I was one of their own!
The race started around 11am...I started off 2nd in to the single track, then we hit the levy and I took off like a cannon!! No one wanted to go with me! I was 30 secs up on the group by the start of the next single track and I never saw the group again.
The course was very nice! I heard it rained the previous day, so that helped alot for all the sand that is usually there. I kept running in to the Single speeders and 2 of the guys wouldn't let me pass for like 5 mins...I got pissed after awhile!
I won by 3 minutes and got a bunch heckling from the Expert riders who knew me, they all wanted to me cat up...Not till I win the series guys!
Ruston Mountain Bike Race is next week.
Next time we'll try and get Albert Einstein!! (Harry Carey) So long!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Camp Eagle MTB Race
I went up to Camp Eagle this weekend and tried my luck at one of 'the most' difficult courses I have riden. When I was registering, the official was like, you have a UCI Cat 1 Road license and you're racing the Cat 2 MTB Race??? I was like, look, if you don't have the skills, you don't have the skills. Then he said, If you beat these guys by 5 mins or more, you know what's going to happen to this...
The weather was great, Gustav (Hurricane) was making it's way to Louisiana instead of Houston, thank you. Let me just tell you want kind of MTB I'm riding on before I begin...
I'm on a Cannondale HT, no name Dual Assualt? With a STOCK front fork, no adjustments aloud! I'm running tubes along with this rig...
The Cat 2 19-29 race starts out really well, I'm the first one up the long climbing hill...I had some trouble through the first section and I let 2 guys pass me, just because I wanted to see what I was working with here...
I passed them after about 10 mins of being behind them, they were going too slow...Go hard or go home! I was in front up till we got to the creek bed...it was so freaking bumpy in there, I was bouncing clear off my bike...HT's suck btw...
I passed the guy back, his chain came off, seemed to be a big issue with the guy...
I was in front for the rest of the race and I was in front by about a good half a mile. We did the South Loop, North loop and then the South Loop again. I flatted in the creek bed on the last loop... just before you get to the cross over wooden bridge...I rode the rest of the way on a flat...lol
The guy in second passed me on the very bumpy section of the creekbed and was like, I'm sorry I have to win this way dude...I was like...Well we won't say...
I rode on a flat the rest of the way and finihed 2nd...
I finished with enormous blisters on my hands and a busted up tire and rim...
It was a awesome weekend! MTB rocks!
Back to my Half-Ironman training.
The weather was great, Gustav (Hurricane) was making it's way to Louisiana instead of Houston, thank you. Let me just tell you want kind of MTB I'm riding on before I begin...
I'm on a Cannondale HT, no name Dual Assualt? With a STOCK front fork, no adjustments aloud! I'm running tubes along with this rig...
The Cat 2 19-29 race starts out really well, I'm the first one up the long climbing hill...I had some trouble through the first section and I let 2 guys pass me, just because I wanted to see what I was working with here...
I passed them after about 10 mins of being behind them, they were going too slow...Go hard or go home! I was in front up till we got to the creek bed...it was so freaking bumpy in there, I was bouncing clear off my bike...HT's suck btw...
I passed the guy back, his chain came off, seemed to be a big issue with the guy...
I was in front for the rest of the race and I was in front by about a good half a mile. We did the South Loop, North loop and then the South Loop again. I flatted in the creek bed on the last loop... just before you get to the cross over wooden bridge...I rode the rest of the way on a flat...lol
The guy in second passed me on the very bumpy section of the creekbed and was like, I'm sorry I have to win this way dude...I was like...Well we won't say...
I rode on a flat the rest of the way and finihed 2nd...
I finished with enormous blisters on my hands and a busted up tire and rim...
It was a awesome weekend! MTB rocks!
Back to my Half-Ironman training.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Super Week Recovery
It's been a week since I've been back from Super Week. I raced in the Texas State Individual/Team Time Trial this past weekend. The temperatures were unbearable, 100+ degrees! I started to cramp up half through the individual time trial and road home to a slow 57:57
The Team Time Trial, we had, Tom Kubicek, Jeremy Thomson, and Jason Bentley. We were rolling on the way out with a slight tailwind. Jeremy, not had race the day before, was cooking at 33mph on the way out while we were pushing 30mph. He muttered something to me while he was going to the back and then I didn't see him again...He blew up. He said he couldn't get comfortable on his saddle.
So Tom, Jason, and I had to work together on the way back. Those guys put in a strong effort and we finished out with a 51:57 to take 5th place in the P/1/2's.
I won't be racing road for the remainder of the year. I'm preparing for the Half-Ironman Miami Man...I should be getting my swim coach soon, so I'm not a dead weight in water.
I've been given a new nickname from the owner of Williams Cycling Wheels, "The Natural"
Till next time!
The Natural
The Team Time Trial, we had, Tom Kubicek, Jeremy Thomson, and Jason Bentley. We were rolling on the way out with a slight tailwind. Jeremy, not had race the day before, was cooking at 33mph on the way out while we were pushing 30mph. He muttered something to me while he was going to the back and then I didn't see him again...He blew up. He said he couldn't get comfortable on his saddle.
So Tom, Jason, and I had to work together on the way back. Those guys put in a strong effort and we finished out with a 51:57 to take 5th place in the P/1/2's.
I won't be racing road for the remainder of the year. I'm preparing for the Half-Ironman Miami Man...I should be getting my swim coach soon, so I'm not a dead weight in water.
I've been given a new nickname from the owner of Williams Cycling Wheels, "The Natural"
Till next time!
The Natural
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Super Week 17 days Cont...
After the Shorewood race, I told myself I was going to try and tap the top 5 overall in the Bianchi Sprint points.
I started to get adapted to the racing speeds and styles I was seeing out there. I became more aggressive and even started to race dirty like some of those guys from the Rock Racing Pro Team were doing, not to name and names...
My best placing was 20th in any of the races I did. I had multi top 25 finishes, but I found it real difficult to stay in the front after I've gone for the Bianchi Sprint points each time. I was very blessed that I never got in a wreck, out of the 14 races I did, and I never got a flat either.
The last few days of racing I was pretty must toasted on both sides, well done, and didn't know if I could finish a race...lol I was barely holding on to the 4th place position of the Bianchi Sprint points, but other people like Carlos Vargas thought otherwise and was getting pissed that I kept going for the points...Carlos Vargas was sitting 3rd and he was afraid I was going to pass him in the standings, but he had it locked up...
The 2nd to last night, Downer Ave Crit, there were over 20,000 spectators and a chance to win a $4,000 Super Prime...A Prime is usually a prized value lap in a race and is usually called out by ringing a bell...This Super Prime is considered a Crowd Prime, the crowd donates money throughout the race and they increased the pot to $7,200 by the end of the race...A guy from Rock Racing won the Super Prime...My friend Ryan Wohlrabe was 5th on that lap, but didn't have much of a sprint to come around him. Sorry I wasn't there Ryan...I dropped out of that race after I got my Sprint points.
I had to stick around the last day, due to a tight overall Sprint point standings. Ryan Wohlrabe went down to the big Chicago Criterium...
I locked up the 4th overall position for the Bianchi Sprint Points thanks to the guys from JetFuel Coffee, and yes, they're Canadian 'Eh! Daniele Defranceschi, Kevin Hazzard, Pete Morse, and Bryson Bowers. Those guys showed me what a true team is all about in cycling. I couldn't have asked for more teamwork those guys brought to the table. Pete and Daniele were helping me out with the sprint points. Kevin, held bottles for me and helped bring breakaway back. Bryson would bust his balls to bring the breakaways back to make sure I was still able to get points. Thank you guys! I couldn't have done it with out ya.
ICC and Super Week Pro Tour - It's where Legends are born...
I started to get adapted to the racing speeds and styles I was seeing out there. I became more aggressive and even started to race dirty like some of those guys from the Rock Racing Pro Team were doing, not to name and names...
My best placing was 20th in any of the races I did. I had multi top 25 finishes, but I found it real difficult to stay in the front after I've gone for the Bianchi Sprint points each time. I was very blessed that I never got in a wreck, out of the 14 races I did, and I never got a flat either.
The last few days of racing I was pretty must toasted on both sides, well done, and didn't know if I could finish a race...lol I was barely holding on to the 4th place position of the Bianchi Sprint points, but other people like Carlos Vargas thought otherwise and was getting pissed that I kept going for the points...Carlos Vargas was sitting 3rd and he was afraid I was going to pass him in the standings, but he had it locked up...
The 2nd to last night, Downer Ave Crit, there were over 20,000 spectators and a chance to win a $4,000 Super Prime...A Prime is usually a prized value lap in a race and is usually called out by ringing a bell...This Super Prime is considered a Crowd Prime, the crowd donates money throughout the race and they increased the pot to $7,200 by the end of the race...A guy from Rock Racing won the Super Prime...My friend Ryan Wohlrabe was 5th on that lap, but didn't have much of a sprint to come around him. Sorry I wasn't there Ryan...I dropped out of that race after I got my Sprint points.
I had to stick around the last day, due to a tight overall Sprint point standings. Ryan Wohlrabe went down to the big Chicago Criterium...
I locked up the 4th overall position for the Bianchi Sprint Points thanks to the guys from JetFuel Coffee, and yes, they're Canadian 'Eh! Daniele Defranceschi, Kevin Hazzard, Pete Morse, and Bryson Bowers. Those guys showed me what a true team is all about in cycling. I couldn't have asked for more teamwork those guys brought to the table. Pete and Daniele were helping me out with the sprint points. Kevin, held bottles for me and helped bring breakaway back. Bryson would bust his balls to bring the breakaways back to make sure I was still able to get points. Thank you guys! I couldn't have done it with out ya.
ICC and Super Week Pro Tour - It's where Legends are born...
Super Week 17 days
Howdy!
I've been out of pocket for the past 21 days, so I haven't been able to post anything on here.
I was at the International Cycling Classic and Super Week Pro Tour up in Chicago and Wisconsin, which lasted for 17 days straight. I took 3 of those 17 days off.
I had a wonderful time racing up there, I will try and sum it up without boring you to death =)
The First race was a huge eye opener for me, I was just happy to finish the race, we averaged around 29mph for the first race for about 2.5 hours...The Weather was super hot and I ran out of water 40 miles in to the race with 20 more miles to go. I might have finished top 35.
Having the wonderful Kristen there, helped me finish the race, because I was ready to drop out.
I took 2 days off after that and did some sight-seeing with Kristen. I have never seen so much of a city in one day while enjoying every minute of it. If anyone ever wants to see every attraction of a city, take Kristen, she knows how it's done, and done right! =) Kristen and I were even able to fit in a Chicago Cubs game, which was a experience in itself. We had perfect weather the whole game and we even ate a CHICAGO DOG! haha It was so good! =P Too bad Harry Carey isn't around anymore, I think that would have been cool. "Let me hear ya everybody!"
Kristen flew back to H-Town and I continued my journey of cycling...
The next 3 days were tough, I got dropped in the next 2 races, which were the same course and then the 3rd day back, I finish like 50th...I was ready to go home...
We went up to Shorewood, WI and that's where I started to shine! I started to collect Bianchi Sprint points...The Bianchi SPrint points are points that you earn on laps 50, 40, 30, & 20. Only the top 7 can earn points and there is a Jersey for the overall leader. The Top 5 overall get paid out at the end of the event....
I've been out of pocket for the past 21 days, so I haven't been able to post anything on here.
I was at the International Cycling Classic and Super Week Pro Tour up in Chicago and Wisconsin, which lasted for 17 days straight. I took 3 of those 17 days off.
I had a wonderful time racing up there, I will try and sum it up without boring you to death =)
The First race was a huge eye opener for me, I was just happy to finish the race, we averaged around 29mph for the first race for about 2.5 hours...The Weather was super hot and I ran out of water 40 miles in to the race with 20 more miles to go. I might have finished top 35.
Having the wonderful Kristen there, helped me finish the race, because I was ready to drop out.
I took 2 days off after that and did some sight-seeing with Kristen. I have never seen so much of a city in one day while enjoying every minute of it. If anyone ever wants to see every attraction of a city, take Kristen, she knows how it's done, and done right! =) Kristen and I were even able to fit in a Chicago Cubs game, which was a experience in itself. We had perfect weather the whole game and we even ate a CHICAGO DOG! haha It was so good! =P Too bad Harry Carey isn't around anymore, I think that would have been cool. "Let me hear ya everybody!"
Kristen flew back to H-Town and I continued my journey of cycling...
The next 3 days were tough, I got dropped in the next 2 races, which were the same course and then the 3rd day back, I finish like 50th...I was ready to go home...
We went up to Shorewood, WI and that's where I started to shine! I started to collect Bianchi Sprint points...The Bianchi SPrint points are points that you earn on laps 50, 40, 30, & 20. Only the top 7 can earn points and there is a Jersey for the overall leader. The Top 5 overall get paid out at the end of the event....
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Memorial Park Crit wk 3
What an Epic night! The clouds were rolling in and the skies were rumbling! This week is a pro week, a lot of pros are in town for the Amli Criterium this weekend in Austin. We had a La Grange and Successful Living guy from Cali, oh and Carlos Vargas decided to show too. The race started off with Travis B going off the front and setting the pace. Within 10 mins the La Grange guy went off the front with Kevin and I on his wheel. He pulled off the front and Kevin made a hard attempt and I just stayed on his wheel. Before I knew it, Kevin and I were all alone!! I was like, sweet!! I've always dreamed of this! We kept rotating and before we knew it, Carlos was bridging up to us! I was thinking...Freaking animal! We were rolling at 28mph already!
There you have it, the Trio tearing it up, Kevin, Carlos, and I...There's no catching us now! I was hurting pretty bad in the breakaway, I'm not going to lie...We had about a half a lap gap on the chase group. We had 1 lap to go and everyone took a pull, but on the backside...No one wanted to do anything...We were rolling at 10-13mph!! Kevin on the left, me in the middle, and Carlos on the right...Kevin comments, "I can do this all night boys"...The group was closing in fast! They were within 10 seconds!!! I was like...what the hell...I took off pulling the guys to the last corner and I pulled off to try to recover, but I was toast...I tried to jump on the back, but I couldn't hold on...
KK takes the win, Carlos 2nd, and Me 3rd.
Talk about working Lactic Threshold...We avg'd about 27mph and sorry can't share the wattage =)
Till next week Kevin!! Till Next week!!
There you have it, the Trio tearing it up, Kevin, Carlos, and I...There's no catching us now! I was hurting pretty bad in the breakaway, I'm not going to lie...We had about a half a lap gap on the chase group. We had 1 lap to go and everyone took a pull, but on the backside...No one wanted to do anything...We were rolling at 10-13mph!! Kevin on the left, me in the middle, and Carlos on the right...Kevin comments, "I can do this all night boys"...The group was closing in fast! They were within 10 seconds!!! I was like...what the hell...I took off pulling the guys to the last corner and I pulled off to try to recover, but I was toast...I tried to jump on the back, but I couldn't hold on...
KK takes the win, Carlos 2nd, and Me 3rd.
Talk about working Lactic Threshold...We avg'd about 27mph and sorry can't share the wattage =)
Till next week Kevin!! Till Next week!!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Memorial Park Criterium Wk 2
Another great training ride/race =)
We started off with about 40-50 racers. I sat in most of the first half of the race. About 30-40 mins in to the race I pulled hard for about 2 laps at about 28-30mph and won some pretty cool goggles for cycling? I don't know what they're for, I thought they were for swimming, but Kristen (friend of mine) made it clear they weren't swimming goggles....lol Anyhow, I shattered the field in to 2 groups after that long pull and we had about 10 guys in our breakaway and a nice 20 second gap with all the big dawgs! This break wasn't going to get caught!
Everyone took there pulls and nothing crazy happened in the Break. With 5 laps to go a Brandon and Ricky went off the front and I didn't react to the attack...Now they were 10-15 secs up the road and no one wanted to chase...Kremke on my wheel and everyone else sucking back there too....2 laps to go I tried to get Lowry to go, but he said he didn't "have anything left"...I waited with a lap to go then I attacked with about 3/4 of a lap to go...I was rolling at 37mph pulling Kremke with me, your welcome Kevin...We were closing on the breakaway fast! As we caught them just before the line, Kevin went flying by the break and I!
I finished out 4th, I couldn't come around the breakaway.
Till next week Kremke!
We started off with about 40-50 racers. I sat in most of the first half of the race. About 30-40 mins in to the race I pulled hard for about 2 laps at about 28-30mph and won some pretty cool goggles for cycling? I don't know what they're for, I thought they were for swimming, but Kristen (friend of mine) made it clear they weren't swimming goggles....lol Anyhow, I shattered the field in to 2 groups after that long pull and we had about 10 guys in our breakaway and a nice 20 second gap with all the big dawgs! This break wasn't going to get caught!
Everyone took there pulls and nothing crazy happened in the Break. With 5 laps to go a Brandon and Ricky went off the front and I didn't react to the attack...Now they were 10-15 secs up the road and no one wanted to chase...Kremke on my wheel and everyone else sucking back there too....2 laps to go I tried to get Lowry to go, but he said he didn't "have anything left"...I waited with a lap to go then I attacked with about 3/4 of a lap to go...I was rolling at 37mph pulling Kremke with me, your welcome Kevin...We were closing on the breakaway fast! As we caught them just before the line, Kevin went flying by the break and I!
I finished out 4th, I couldn't come around the breakaway.
Till next week Kremke!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Memorial Park Criterium Series Wk 1
It was a rather windy day at the first Memorial Park Crit race. The race started off at a good pace, not too fast. Bikebarn seems to be handing out jersey's to anyone who is a Cat 3 or better...We got about halfway through and I decided to see what everyone had in them, so I went to the front and started to hammer it for about 2 laps at about 28+mph...Then I hear, what I thought, a tire blow, but found out later it was my teammates carbon rim snapping in two places! haha Sorry jason.
We slowed up to make sure everyone was ok, then we picked the pace back up. There was 3 guys who got off the front and 2 of them were Bikebarn and the other was Greg from GCCA team. I tried pulling the group up to the breakaway and I pulled off to let someone else do the work, but Kremke made a smart remark, is that all you got strange?! and just smiled...I was like, am I the only one racing here?!
We never caught the break, I pulled the group to about 10 secs, but no one wanted to work. Greg ended up winning and it pissed Kremke off pretty bad...He was yelling at one of his teammates about it, so I chimed in and said...You should have done some work in the group Kevin, we might have caught the break =P he just looked at me like, you jerk...haha
I finish out in the top 15 I think, I didn't care about the finish, I just used this race as a hammer till I have nothing left and see who hangs on with me.
Till next week...I'll be getting ready for Super Week, which is in July, so no big June races for me.
We slowed up to make sure everyone was ok, then we picked the pace back up. There was 3 guys who got off the front and 2 of them were Bikebarn and the other was Greg from GCCA team. I tried pulling the group up to the breakaway and I pulled off to let someone else do the work, but Kremke made a smart remark, is that all you got strange?! and just smiled...I was like, am I the only one racing here?!
We never caught the break, I pulled the group to about 10 secs, but no one wanted to work. Greg ended up winning and it pissed Kremke off pretty bad...He was yelling at one of his teammates about it, so I chimed in and said...You should have done some work in the group Kevin, we might have caught the break =P he just looked at me like, you jerk...haha
I finish out in the top 15 I think, I didn't care about the finish, I just used this race as a hammer till I have nothing left and see who hangs on with me.
Till next week...I'll be getting ready for Super Week, which is in July, so no big June races for me.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Tulsa Tough Omnium - Oklahoma Criterium Series 3
Day 3 of the Tulsa Tough
The morning started off pretty weird...There was a HUGE hail storm, Softball size!! I was told that the Tour ride got hammered!! One guy was hit hard with the hail and was bleeding all over and people were diving in to the ditches because there was about 50-60 mph winds!! They ended up cancelling all the minor Category races for the whole day...We started off at about 230...As we were driving to the course there were branches ALL over the place!! It looked like a tornado hit!
This course had a nasty hill climb in it, so that made it really hard for me...climbing sucks! Sprinting rocks!! They had a wonderful setup!! On the top of the hill they had a hill party!! It was like the Tour De Franc hill climb, there was guys wearing horns running up the hill with us and squirting us with water guns, screaming and banging on pots and pans!! Cow bells were ringing!! MORE COWBELL!!
It was really hot and I was just happy to finish the race. I finished out 13th in the race. I think there were about 80 that were in the race and 45 finished. There was a 4 man breakaway and they were about 30 secs up the road.
End of Day 3 and Tulsa Tough...
I'm going to be taking some time off from racing, most likely the whole month of June and just getting ready for Super Week in July 11-27.
I will be doing the Wednesday night crits some times.
Till next time...
The morning started off pretty weird...There was a HUGE hail storm, Softball size!! I was told that the Tour ride got hammered!! One guy was hit hard with the hail and was bleeding all over and people were diving in to the ditches because there was about 50-60 mph winds!! They ended up cancelling all the minor Category races for the whole day...We started off at about 230...As we were driving to the course there were branches ALL over the place!! It looked like a tornado hit!
This course had a nasty hill climb in it, so that made it really hard for me...climbing sucks! Sprinting rocks!! They had a wonderful setup!! On the top of the hill they had a hill party!! It was like the Tour De Franc hill climb, there was guys wearing horns running up the hill with us and squirting us with water guns, screaming and banging on pots and pans!! Cow bells were ringing!! MORE COWBELL!!
It was really hot and I was just happy to finish the race. I finished out 13th in the race. I think there were about 80 that were in the race and 45 finished. There was a 4 man breakaway and they were about 30 secs up the road.
End of Day 3 and Tulsa Tough...
I'm going to be taking some time off from racing, most likely the whole month of June and just getting ready for Super Week in July 11-27.
I will be doing the Wednesday night crits some times.
Till next time...
Monday, June 2, 2008
Tulsa Tough Omnium - Oklahoma Criterium Series 2
Day 2 of the Tulsa Tough
The race started off in the evening and the course was perfectly smooth! Thanks to the Oklahoma peeps, they repaved the roads just for the race! The crit was suppose to be a 70 min race but there was a nasty wreck in the Pro women's race before us, so we had to wait 10 mins for them to clear it, so it turned out to be 60 mins long.
The race was going really well, I felt good and I went off the front to only have the guy to ring the bell for a $100 prime lap, so I drove even harder to get the prime...only to have Nathan from VW to steal it from me right at the line...He later dropped out of the race like a jerk...
I sat up waiting for the group and sat in the group till the end...Joseph went for the $250 prime and just missed it...There was a 3 man breakaway up the road and I have yet understand how they got away from us...I tried to bridge up only for the 5 lap card to come out...I was getting closer and closer and got within 10 secs of the break...The group caught me with 1 lap to go, so I was pretty spent, so I got to the back of the group to rest...Halfway through the lap, I shot out the side and cut everyone off to get back to the front. Downhill to the finish and to the left and final stretch!! I finished out 12th in the field sprint...The 3 man break ended up staying away.
End of Day 2
The race started off in the evening and the course was perfectly smooth! Thanks to the Oklahoma peeps, they repaved the roads just for the race! The crit was suppose to be a 70 min race but there was a nasty wreck in the Pro women's race before us, so we had to wait 10 mins for them to clear it, so it turned out to be 60 mins long.
The race was going really well, I felt good and I went off the front to only have the guy to ring the bell for a $100 prime lap, so I drove even harder to get the prime...only to have Nathan from VW to steal it from me right at the line...He later dropped out of the race like a jerk...
I sat up waiting for the group and sat in the group till the end...Joseph went for the $250 prime and just missed it...There was a 3 man breakaway up the road and I have yet understand how they got away from us...I tried to bridge up only for the 5 lap card to come out...I was getting closer and closer and got within 10 secs of the break...The group caught me with 1 lap to go, so I was pretty spent, so I got to the back of the group to rest...Halfway through the lap, I shot out the side and cut everyone off to get back to the front. Downhill to the finish and to the left and final stretch!! I finished out 12th in the field sprint...The 3 man break ended up staying away.
End of Day 2
Tulsa Tough Omnium - Oklahoma Criterium Series 1
Day 1 of the Tulsa Tough
The race was a night race, so that made things interesting right from the start...We started with about 70 or 80 guys in the race. The course was a figure 8, but somewhat difficult due to the lights out. The race was only 50 minutes long, so it was quick!
The gun goes off and I can't get my left cleat in the pedal for the life of me...So I started in the back of the group...I raced with the GCCA (Gulf Coast Cycling Association) Team to try and win some cash money with a team...I moved to the front pretty quickly, the whole goal was to work for me and set me up for the win...As I'm going through the course, my back tire keeps skipping around the corner, so I'm trying not to lose it through each corner...
I get in a breakaway about 25-30 mins in to the race and it's going well...till this guy freaking walks out on the course and we almost nail the guy!! But we just barely miss him! 5 laps to go the group caught us and Joseph tells me, I got ya bro, don't worry...
2 laps to go we've made our way up to the front and I look up to see Joseph going off the front and no one is following him...I was like, what the heck?! lol The group doesn't respond and they aren't going any faster than he is...We're almost done with the race and he's still off the front! He ends up pulling off the win!! haha I ended up 22nd in the group.
End of Day 1...2 more to go...
The race was a night race, so that made things interesting right from the start...We started with about 70 or 80 guys in the race. The course was a figure 8, but somewhat difficult due to the lights out. The race was only 50 minutes long, so it was quick!
The gun goes off and I can't get my left cleat in the pedal for the life of me...So I started in the back of the group...I raced with the GCCA (Gulf Coast Cycling Association) Team to try and win some cash money with a team...I moved to the front pretty quickly, the whole goal was to work for me and set me up for the win...As I'm going through the course, my back tire keeps skipping around the corner, so I'm trying not to lose it through each corner...
I get in a breakaway about 25-30 mins in to the race and it's going well...till this guy freaking walks out on the course and we almost nail the guy!! But we just barely miss him! 5 laps to go the group caught us and Joseph tells me, I got ya bro, don't worry...
2 laps to go we've made our way up to the front and I look up to see Joseph going off the front and no one is following him...I was like, what the heck?! lol The group doesn't respond and they aren't going any faster than he is...We're almost done with the race and he's still off the front! He ends up pulling off the win!! haha I ended up 22nd in the group.
End of Day 1...2 more to go...
Monday, May 26, 2008
Texas State Criterium Championships!!
I'm pretty beat up...my butt hurt from Saturday, sun burn from Sunday, and legs are sore...Time to suck it up!
We start out with 110 guys!! I started in the back, because everyone decided to line up 15 mins early!! what's up with that?!!
The race starts off fast! The announcer said 50 mins left, I was about to say, 50 secs for me! I'm toasted! I stuck it out! It was a weird race today, everyone was disorganized! No was working for anyone, it seemed. It was 5 laps to go, Kremke had flatted, he wasn't looking good...Ryan Wohlebe, crashed early on in the race...and there are 6 guys up the road! I'm sitting top 10...2 laps to go, Stefan Rothe is working his butt off to pull the breakaway back...1 lap to go, we get to the back side of the course and Wenger pulls off! what's going on here?! So just before the last turn everyone sat up, so I darted out!! Hitting the turn hard! I catch 3 of the guys in the breakaway, but just short of the other 3.
I take 4th place in the State Championships! Not back for a one man team out there!
Great weekend of racing! Tulsa Tough look out!!
We start out with 110 guys!! I started in the back, because everyone decided to line up 15 mins early!! what's up with that?!!
The race starts off fast! The announcer said 50 mins left, I was about to say, 50 secs for me! I'm toasted! I stuck it out! It was a weird race today, everyone was disorganized! No was working for anyone, it seemed. It was 5 laps to go, Kremke had flatted, he wasn't looking good...Ryan Wohlebe, crashed early on in the race...and there are 6 guys up the road! I'm sitting top 10...2 laps to go, Stefan Rothe is working his butt off to pull the breakaway back...1 lap to go, we get to the back side of the course and Wenger pulls off! what's going on here?! So just before the last turn everyone sat up, so I darted out!! Hitting the turn hard! I catch 3 of the guys in the breakaway, but just short of the other 3.
I take 4th place in the State Championships! Not back for a one man team out there!
Great weekend of racing! Tulsa Tough look out!!
GS Tenzing Crit
I'm feeling pretty good before the race, I mean, who wouldn't after having the best breakfast cooked for you by Corey's Mom! She is one heck of a cook!!
Corey and I checked out the Velodrome they have there in Dallas, it's pretty awesome! The banks on that track are insane!!
Gun goes off and they say, no feeding...YEA RIGHT! It's another hot and windy day. I had Corey and Taylor feeding me on the back side of the course. hehe
4 laps in to the race, Carlos Vargas goes, I go with and Brian follows us. Two San Jose guys and me in a break, we're joined by 5 others. We have a pretty stout breakaway here! Halfway through, we're 30 secs on the chase group! We just might hold'em off! We did, I think we ended up with about 45secs to a min gap on the chase group! We have 2 laps to go, Ryan Wohlebe, takes off, and I hesitate...Then Ian goes, then the group chases them down...1 lap to go, Ryan is still off the front! The group is blown up! I'm giving it all I have to catch Ian and Ryan, I barely miss Ian at the line and Ryan pulls off the win.
I end up 3rd! My best finish this year as a Cat 2! Whoop!!
End of Day 2
Corey and I checked out the Velodrome they have there in Dallas, it's pretty awesome! The banks on that track are insane!!
Gun goes off and they say, no feeding...YEA RIGHT! It's another hot and windy day. I had Corey and Taylor feeding me on the back side of the course. hehe
4 laps in to the race, Carlos Vargas goes, I go with and Brian follows us. Two San Jose guys and me in a break, we're joined by 5 others. We have a pretty stout breakaway here! Halfway through, we're 30 secs on the chase group! We just might hold'em off! We did, I think we ended up with about 45secs to a min gap on the chase group! We have 2 laps to go, Ryan Wohlebe, takes off, and I hesitate...Then Ian goes, then the group chases them down...1 lap to go, Ryan is still off the front! The group is blown up! I'm giving it all I have to catch Ian and Ryan, I barely miss Ian at the line and Ryan pulls off the win.
I end up 3rd! My best finish this year as a Cat 2! Whoop!!
End of Day 2
Gary Glickman Criterium
Here we are, Texas State Crit weekend! It was a long boring drive out to Dallas that morning only to get in a race that was almost 100 degrees outside!!
We started out with about 70 racers, keep that in mind. The course was a up and down, hilly course, I wouldn't really call it a Crit course...You go around a building, down, then up and then down at 35 mph only to come to a complete stop, to 8 mph for a 180 turn and then back up the hill again!!
The race was going good, a few breaks went, but I just sat in and didn't do anything. It's about 45 mins in to the race and they open the feed zone, FINALLY! I thought I was about to pass out because of the heat. I didn't have anyone feeding me, so I saw a wonderful customer of mine in the crowd and signaled to him to GET ME SOME WATER!! Ahmed, saved my life!! Just before I got the feed I went down on the 180 turn, but was able to jump back on the back of pack, because they were all toasted!! haha
There was a Breakaway of about 5 guys and it splintered to about 2 and then Dave Wenger road away for the victory!
I finished out 17th, out of about 25 who finished!! We started with 70!! That's how hot it was!
Conclusion of Day 1
We started out with about 70 racers, keep that in mind. The course was a up and down, hilly course, I wouldn't really call it a Crit course...You go around a building, down, then up and then down at 35 mph only to come to a complete stop, to 8 mph for a 180 turn and then back up the hill again!!
The race was going good, a few breaks went, but I just sat in and didn't do anything. It's about 45 mins in to the race and they open the feed zone, FINALLY! I thought I was about to pass out because of the heat. I didn't have anyone feeding me, so I saw a wonderful customer of mine in the crowd and signaled to him to GET ME SOME WATER!! Ahmed, saved my life!! Just before I got the feed I went down on the 180 turn, but was able to jump back on the back of pack, because they were all toasted!! haha
There was a Breakaway of about 5 guys and it splintered to about 2 and then Dave Wenger road away for the victory!
I finished out 17th, out of about 25 who finished!! We started with 70!! That's how hot it was!
Conclusion of Day 1
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Houston Grand Crit 2008
Today's race was intense! We averaged 28 mph for 90 mins!! The course was a long straight, out and back loop for 2.4 miles.
There was a 7-8 man breakaway about 30 mins in to the race. The guys were flying, because with about 30-40 mins to go, the break was broken down to only 4 people!! The Orven Mexico team had two guys in the break, with Kevin Kremke and Dave Wenger<<--animals...The pack was very disorganized, so I went for about 2 primes and ended up with one ($350 Shimano Custom fit shoes).
I tried bridging up on my own several times, but no cigar. 3 Laps to go, we cut the break down to 20 seconds and it was at 30 seconds. 2 laps to go, we're at 10 secs...the Break is getting tired, and one of the Orven guys tried to break from the breakaway. 1 lap to go, everyone is sitting up, so I attack and bridged up to the break...I get across only to see a ghostly, I'm toasted, look on Kevin and Dave's face...Then I see the group is coming up, Crap I'm toasted too...So I wait for the group and sit in for the last lap to rest. We're coming down the home stretch, I'm trying to get back in to position for a chance.
We come around the last corner and everyone is flying!! I finish 19th, the last payout spot =)
Great race, but felt like a oven for 90 minutes. I know I worked way too hard for nothing.
Next week...
Texas State Criterium Championships
There was a 7-8 man breakaway about 30 mins in to the race. The guys were flying, because with about 30-40 mins to go, the break was broken down to only 4 people!! The Orven Mexico team had two guys in the break, with Kevin Kremke and Dave Wenger<<--animals...The pack was very disorganized, so I went for about 2 primes and ended up with one ($350 Shimano Custom fit shoes).
I tried bridging up on my own several times, but no cigar. 3 Laps to go, we cut the break down to 20 seconds and it was at 30 seconds. 2 laps to go, we're at 10 secs...the Break is getting tired, and one of the Orven guys tried to break from the breakaway. 1 lap to go, everyone is sitting up, so I attack and bridged up to the break...I get across only to see a ghostly, I'm toasted, look on Kevin and Dave's face...Then I see the group is coming up, Crap I'm toasted too...So I wait for the group and sit in for the last lap to rest. We're coming down the home stretch, I'm trying to get back in to position for a chance.
We come around the last corner and everyone is flying!! I finish 19th, the last payout spot =)
Great race, but felt like a oven for 90 minutes. I know I worked way too hard for nothing.
Next week...
Texas State Criterium Championships
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Bear Creek Crit
The weather was nice, couldn't ask for a better day of racing.
The race started out good, attacks were going off one by one. 7 guys ended up staying away in a breakaway, only to realize there was a guy from each team in the breakaway. So, no one would work to catch the group only to get lapped by the breakaway. Payout is only top 5, so there goes the race. 5 laps to go and the Orven team set up the train for the win. I'm not sure how the finish went...My teammate, Tom, was in front of me going in to the last lap. He went down in the last corner only leaving his arm out for me to run it over...Sorry Tom. I came unclipped and I threw in the towel after that. Tom was ok, but pretty upset.
Houston Grand Crit tomorrow.
The race started out good, attacks were going off one by one. 7 guys ended up staying away in a breakaway, only to realize there was a guy from each team in the breakaway. So, no one would work to catch the group only to get lapped by the breakaway. Payout is only top 5, so there goes the race. 5 laps to go and the Orven team set up the train for the win. I'm not sure how the finish went...My teammate, Tom, was in front of me going in to the last lap. He went down in the last corner only leaving his arm out for me to run it over...Sorry Tom. I came unclipped and I threw in the towel after that. Tom was ok, but pretty upset.
Houston Grand Crit tomorrow.
Friday, May 16, 2008
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