Why I love this sport

053108DarrylSmith 3143, originally uploaded by Paul Doran.

The International Christian Cycling Club has developed into a respectable and talented group of athletes. This past weekend was the IC3 Dash for Cash. This race went off without a hitch. They served food, beverages, great music and a wonderful racing atmosphere.

This image capturers the pains and gains the sport of cycling has to offer. Thanks to all who made for a great racing weekend.

We thought we were near top of our game

Think again. . .there is a lot of talent in the bay area and I am not among them. At today's Modesto Crit this became another reality as Rapinsk lapped the field and won the bunch sprint.

I was in awe as this transpired. I had heard of such events transpiring, but to lay witness is quite an experience.

Supposedly Holloway attacked the break of 10 only to be caught by Rapinski and subsequently dropped by Rapinski.

Wake Up!

Wake Up!, originally uploaded by trefethenstudios.

Another race. . . So tired of being tired.

Fitness gained doesn't necessarily reveal itself in the results I achieve. Today's race had its moments. I did not have the legs. I have lost my edge, my desire, my fitness.

Happy Birthday

The day broke with anticipation for a great day, we were headed to the Central Valley for the start of the "99 Point Series." The first of several races, the Merco Credit Union Grand Prix, an "L" Shaped course with smooth pavement and a full turnout of athletes. Some notables include Chris Horner of Astana, Fast Freddie of Rock Racing and Nathan Falk of IC3. Greg Phipps and I arrived early for the festivities providing him enough time to gather his things, get registered and run through his warm up routine.

I too gather my things along with my race number 365. What an ironic beginning to a crazy series of events that would transpire over the course of the next two days. I will eventually find myself in a five or six man crash where I tumble to a stop from more than twenty-five miles per hour. Meanwhile my bike maintains its upright hold on this world. My car, bike and bike rack will be in a strange accident when a woman's car backs up out of control without her at the wheel. A dear friend of mine will wake up in a strange hotel pre-race only to find his car broken into and things stolen. And I will flat out of a winning break that I helped establish at the Merco Credit Union Road Race. Happy Birthday.

As I begin a new year leaving behind 365 days of my 32 I think to myself, 'how long will I keep this up? Will I race long enough to join the ranks within the 45+ category like my dear friends Ted Torribio, Darryl Smith, Carl Canaparo, Eugene Beyer, or Stephano Schiafino? Where will I be in 5 years?'

I have worked hard (not necessarily smart) and along the way have found bits and pieces that have resulted in me being MFAed, Employed, Cat 2ed, Married, Befriended and otherwise Routined. But lately I have wondered what defines me. Is it my character, cycling, my career, my financial status (i sure hope not) my faith, my possessions, my marriage. Or is it my weaknesses, sin and fear. For, were I to rely completely on the affirmation of that from which I was created I would find my true worth and value. None of the above things would continue to matter. I would not need, nor would I want because I would have.

Until the end I remain the same for another turn of 365. Next race Pinole Team Time Trial, Berkeley.

Ready set. . . .get dropped.

After racing the Cherry Pie Criterium I realized one thing, the race starts as soon as the official is off the road and out of the way. Therefore, going into the Snelling Road race with the foreknowledge the field was stacked with riders such as Andy Jacques-Maynes of California Giant Berry Farms and fifteen of his teammates along with pro teams such as Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast, BMC and Daniel Halloway I knew I needed to be up front with the leaders at the start of the race. However, little did I know the promenade was the actual start of the race. As we left the parking lot, riders began jostling for position and slowly working their way to the front of the pack. I spotted Michael Hernandez of VOS and followed him up to within twenty-five riders of the front. As we continued to "promenade the lead moto just kept accelerating to stay ahead of the bunch. By the time we hit the start line we were literally doing 28 mph.

The Race

We hit the slight downhill and the Big Strawberries was full throttle. Looking back at my power file we were averaging 31.2 mph for the first five and half minutes of the race. It was in this first five minutes that the race was made. Talk about separation, 'those who can't make this first break are going to lose the race' I thought to myself. Then I stood up to close yet another gap and I just couldn't do it. The pack was shattered with me in chase.

At this moment more than half the pack had been dropped from the bunch. Our field with 120 riders was full. The lead group was about thirty and shrinking with every minute. More than half the field had to of dropped out of this race. Because as I, Mike Hernandez (VOS), Zack Sober (Wells Fargo), BMC, and Metro Mint started a steady chase we picked up Cal Giant Riders, BPG riders, and a host of others who eventually fell off our group. The race was eventually won by someone in that lead group as we never did catch them. I finished the six laps I set out to and stayed dry for the most part. At race end I had the pleasure of meeting JD of BPG, Elliot of BPG, and had some time to catch up with John Wilk (SuperFeet) and Steve Holmes (Lambardi Sport). All great guys and a pleasure to race with.

Next Race Cat 2 (only) Merco Credit Union Criterium and Road Race.

60 minutes of speed, exhilaration, exhaustion, elation, taxation, and representation.

The weather was fantastic on this day, warm even. We had a lot of
members either racing or there to watch and photograph the event. The
fields were full for most categories. The P1/2s were more than full
with over 100 riders deep. And filled with such names as Fast Freddy
(Rock Racing), Lucas Euser (Team Slipstream/Chipolte) and Nathan Falk
(IC3). Needless to write, the field was stacked.



Race:
60 minutes of speed, exhilaration, exhaustion, elation, taxation, and
representation. Within the first 20 minutes a break was established
and yours truly was sitting near the back third of the pack, just
wishing to be sitting at home in my PJs. I was tired, tired from the
previous days 4.5 hour tempo ride, tired from the days prior doing
hill repeats up Diablo at threshold and tired from my 45 min warm up.
It just seemed I didn't have the legs on this day.

All the teams that needed to be in the break were except EMC, and
Rock Racing, (what's up Fast Freddy). With the break's lead extending
to over a minute, the pack was slowing and conceding to a speed they
could not match. Every so often, an attempt at a bridge would
transpire with ill effect. I even stuck my nose out in the wind a
couple of times just to get a taste of what an average speed of 27
miles an hour felt like. Let me tell you it pretty much stings and
saps the life out of tired legs.

Thanks to Darryl, Carl, Ben (who rode like a man possessed in the
M1234. Wow Ben you are riding well UPGRADE!) Thea (my wife, my life
partner and mate), Ted. You guys are great. I hope you can stick
around and see a better turn of the pedals in the future. Having you
guys on the sidelines inspires me to dig a little deeper.

Let the Season Begin.