I had an AWESOME and AMAZING weekend!!! I traveled down to Chicago/Evanston to visit Shelly and tour some of the cities. There was not a dull moment and I’m actually planning a trip back very very soon....possibly in about 3 weeks if things go smoothly. So here’s what we did in 4 days....Oh and every day was perfect without a single cloud in the sky and 80 degrees!!!
Friday:
I got on the Van Galder bus at 2pm from the Memorial Union. Minch dropped me off since he was in town to hang out. I got to the MU at 1:15pm, because I didn’t know if the bus would be busy or not seeing that it was a Holiday weekend (Labor Day).
The bus got to the MU a little late. But I got a good seat all to myself. After the first stop I had a bigger guy take the seat next to me...pretty much coming over into my seat, so the ride became a little uncomfortable for a little bit. The next stop the seats in front of me opened up and he moved to them. AH leg room again! When we got to Rockford I had a girl board the bus and sit next to me. She must have been tired, because she fell asleep pretty fast. Bad thing....she really wasn’t that cute and her head began to migrate towards my shoulder. Thank god never fell on my shoulder...she was probably drooling.
The bus arrived at the Union Station on the corner of Jackson & Canal in downtown Chicago. I saw Shelly out the window waiting for me patiently. I got out and met up with her. I was very happy to see her...but we needed to catch the Metra to Evanston and it was leaving in 5 minutes. We hailed a cab and told him to take us to the Train Station. He informed us that it was only about 1 and a half blocks away. He definitely wanted a larger fare. Shelly knew it wasn’t only a block and a half. Turned out it was 4 blocks away. Yeah, we walked/ran at a fairly quick pace. We barely caught the train, but we made it. Shelly and I got caught up on life a little bit until our stop at Davis.
We made it to her apartment and got changed quick. We were meeting some of her friends at the Jazz Festival going on in Grant Park. It was getting a little colder outside so we put on a couple of layers. We caught the L and took it into Chicago. It was a 45-minute train ride so we caught up some more. Shelly is always good conversation. She told me a bit about the “community” on the L...I definitely got to see what she meant over the weekend. You’ll just have to experience it yourself if you haven’t already.
We got into Chicago and made our way over to Grant Park after asking for some directions. Very nice guy gave us directions and we made it with ease. On the way Shelly showed me the “Vag” shaped building. Shelly described it as a “yonch” (I believe that’s how it was spelled) instead of phallic. The lights of the city were amazing and had a certain mood, which I found relaxing. We met up with Shelly’s friends and listened and talked through the rest of the jazz concert.
After that Shelly and I went to Chili’s to get a little food in us. The others went to drink some on the 25th floor of some apartment building with better security than a federal prison. Shelly and I had some good food at Chili’s....now I know its not chicago style food or anything, but it was good to us. We met up with her friends on the 25th floor. Now this girl thinks her apartment is amazing...um yeah about that. The view out to the city...yes that is awesome. Yet one should hang something on his/her walls to at least bring some life into the room. It was very bare and not really interesting. Shelly and I each had a beer to end the night, while the others went out and drank until 3am or something like that. We caught the L back at around 1am and headed straight to bed when we got back.
Saturday:
This was an extremely fun-filled busy day. We did wake up a little later...maybe about 10:30/11:00am to recover from the late night. We got ready got some breakfast at Whole Foods (which is exponentially cooler than the one in Madison, by the way). We took it on the L and headed into the city. Our first stop Millenium Park.
Millenium Park is pretty sweet. “The Bean” is really cool and the inside of it is, well, “tripping”. We defintiely took some good pictures of us in front of it and around it. Next we headed over to the Band Shell. Yeah...it looks like someone blew it up after creating it and decided that was better than their original design...which was. We continued through the park and stopped at the “boardwalk river” and dunked our feet in for a little bit. Yeah it was a tid bit nipply, but felt amazing on this 80 degree, no cloud in sight, sunny day. Some sunscreen was applied and guns were showed off...mostly Shelly’s. We continued on after about 20 minutes. Oh and I guess Shelly had a surprise for me, but was going to keep it a secret!
So we started walking....where we were going, I had no idea. I then saw Navy Pier come into sight and thought it was possibly at Navy Pier. It was, but I still had no idea what we were going to do. Finally Shelly stopped the suspense and told me. I had the option of renting some bikes and biking along the lakeshore...or...sail on a pirate ship! I picked the pirate ship. It was a really fun boat ride. Shelly and I made a lot of fun of the deck hands...as they talked about sausage-fests and flirted with each other. We got some really nice photos and some funny ones, which I’ll get up later. We had an excellent time on the boat. It was nice a calm and we had some good talks as well.
Right when we got off the boat we bought some well deserved Brown Sugar Cinnamon Roasted Almonds. My God are those things GOOD! We finished off a ½ pound of those babies in under 10 minutes, no doubt. We headed back over to Michigan Ave to do a little shopping after that fun adventure.
We got in a bunch of stores...more than I can remember. I got to try on some Rock & Republic Jeans too. Yeah that team that decided to take over Superweek. I tried on the jeans and they were really nice. But I know why they are so well funded. The cheapest pair of jeans was 205$! Um yeah I’ll pass for now on those. We just tried on some stuff and looked through the stores. Just a couple things were bought.
We decided we would eat at The Cheesecake Factory. It was pretty busy, but only had to wait 30 minutes. Their menu is 19 freakin’ pages long! It was so hard to choose. I finally decided on a Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta. After the meal Shelly and I decided we would get a slice of cheesecake to bring home. About 2 pages of just cheesecakes...this was going to be hard. We ended up getting a Dutch Apple Streusel Cheesecake. Yes it was delicious when we had it later in the evening.
Our final stop of the night....The Signature Room on the 95th for a night cap. It was a lounge/bar/restaurant on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. It was a busy night...but I bet its always busy. We finally got a table after a 50min wait or so I would say. It was close to the window and the view was amazing and actually kind of breathtaking. Shelly ordered a glass of Champagne, while I got a Lake Shore Martini, which included Grey Goose Vodka, Chombard, and Champagne. Both drinks were 12$, but worth it. This was the type of bar I enjoyed being at. Expensive drink in a nice atmosphere, beautiful view and good company is always fun for me. Shelly and I talked for the next hour, while sipping on our drinks. Our talk was serious, funny, interesting, and exciting. We then took a walk around the Signature Room and took a couple pictures of the city and of us.
It was time to head back to Evanston. We got on the L and it smelled like someone defecated all over the place. We met some Freshmen for Loyola and joked with them about it. Somehow Shelly knew they were Freshmen right away....probably that psychology major she just got. After 3 stops we all decided there was no way we were going to be able to survive in these conditions. At the 4th stop we jumped off that car and ran to the next one. Smelled a lot better. We got home not too late this time but we were exhausted. We passed out pretty quickly...well after looking for speedos for me and looking at some other fun things....
Sunday:
We woke up at 11:30am still tired. Today we were going to stay in Evanston and tour. We also decided that this was going to be the day we do a little sunbathing. We got our swimsuits ready and headed over to Subway to get lunch while on the beach. On the way to the beach Shelly gave me a nice tour of Northwestern. Where her dorm the first two years was, the library, the student center, and the infamous It is a very beautiful college. Very green. It’s nothing like UW-Madison. And Northwestern is packed together unlike spread out Madison. She also showed me where she works. Her office is the one of the best in the building. Two large windows to bring a lot of light into the room, her own computer/s, and the office itself is large. She’s got a pretty sweet set up. I guess her office is better than her boss’.
Making our way to the beach was a little hard with construction all over the place. There was actually no way to get over to the beach, so we decided to set up on the rocks along the lake shore. The skyline was visible to our right and the water did not end. We picked out a nice flat rock and made it ours. We ate lunch and sunbathed. We were there for about 2 hours or so...time just flew because it was so fun. As I got burned we had a long conversation with many tangents. Our conversation was held our a very wide spectrum....deep, humorous, informative, etc. Who knows how we do it, but we can talk about anything and keep finding more to talk about...I love it.
We met up with Seth Meyer and Chris, Sam and Matt (Shelly’s friends) at Blind Faith Cafe, a vegetarian restaurant and had an amazingly good meal. Sam tried to test me...he looked at the bill and asked me to guess the total within 2 cents. If I guessed correctly he would buy my meal. I kind of memorized the menu somehow and guessed. I guessed 86.54$. The bill was actually 100.98$, but I didn’t know that gratuity was already included. So we took out the gratuity and found that the bill was 86.62$....I was 8 cents off. Damn it. Shelly was pretty close to with a guess of 87$. But no free meal....oh well.
Shelly invited everyone up for some wine/beer. Chris, Sam and Matt came up. We all had a drink...Shelly poured me two glasses of wine...and I was drunk. Yeah, I know, I’m a lightweight. We all tried Shelly’s new moist heat neck rest she just got in the mail. Yeah, all I can say is that it was weird and kinda smelled bad at first....but it got better.
They didn’t stay long (we think they may have gone out for the 3rd night in a row). It was getting late, but Shelly and I decided to pop in the movie Big (with Tom Hanks) and make it a late night of movies. We passed out pretty late....and we had spinning class to go to in the morning. Eh, it was the weekend....gotta make it fun somehow. And I know cycling tired has given me some of my better performances.
Monday:
Ok so the staying up late and watching movies kinda made us tired, but we still got up at about 10:30 or so. Shelly had a free guest pass to the gym so we were going to go to a spinning class. When we got there we found out that they changed the schedule for Labor Day and there was no spinning class at noon. So we decided on the next best thing...pilates. Ok all I can say is this class kicked my ass. I swear to god it was harder than riding my bike. I got done and I could barely walk....I’m going to do pilates more. Thanks for taking me to that Shelly!
After our grueling workout we ate at Wild Oats...which is exactly the same as Whole Foods. I packed my stuff up after lunch and then we took a nap before I had to catch the Metra into Chicago at 5pm. Shelly and I said bye to each other before I got on the train and parted ways....
And now I’m here. Sorry I wrote so much...you probably got bored. Well, I wasn’t. I’m somewhere between Rockford and Madison. I’ll be home soon. I really don’t want to be. This weekend was the most fun I’ve had in a very long time. Shelly made the weekend really fun and she was a good hostess and it was really good to see her again and hang out with her for 4 straight days. I miss the weekend already....but now I have to get ready to go to school tomorrow.
I’ll have some pictures up later. I had to use Shelly’s camera, because I do not have an operating camera right now. I’m looking for one...I’ll probably get one this week. But Shelly has all the pictures from this weekend....I’ll get them sometime soon.
I may be making plans to go back down to Evanston in about 3 weeks....maybe sooner. We’ll be able to do some of the things we weren’t able to do this weekend. Chicago is too big to do everything. But this weekend was filled to the brim. I can’t wait to go back.....
I wrote alot, but I hope I didn’t forget anything.....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
22.8.07
Soaking wet....
Will this rain ever stop???
So today was day 2 back on the bike. It rained this morning, I went to hand out bus passes. I almost choked some people for asking retarded questions. Over and over people would ask the same dumb question. Yes there are dumb questions. And I guess handing out bus passes to faculty and staff for 8 days so far is kinda getting to me. I'm easily annoyed as most of you should know.
After that I called up Steamer to see if we're still going on the ride we planned if it was nice out. It was definitely nice. 84 degrees, feels like 90. Sun was out and everything. Went home and got ready and went. We got to the lights on Seminole, stopped and got soaked....from our sweat. It was so fricken humid.
As we went along the clouds started covering the sky and it started getting dark. We were going to do a couple intervals up Observatory, but we decided against that idea. We hit Paoli and it started sprinkling. We turn on to Trail Range Rd and there's construction. So we had to CX it and go around it into a field and come out on the other side of it. It started raining a little harder at this point. Frye then says "Knock on carbon, but I think it won't get worse than this." Right when he finishes saying that the heavens decided it would be fun to "rain on Frye's parade". It started pouring. Within a couple minutes we were riding thru rivers on the road. I couldn't look forward because the rain was hitting my eyes so hard. I kept looking at the ground. My thighs were getting pelted and it felt like I was getting hit with hail. About 5 minutes later the rain comes to a complete halt. There were deep puddles everywhere. Then the sun comes out...and goes away very quickly. We're almost to Seminole again and then look to our right. Black, omnious clouds and you could see the rain. The thunder sounded like lightening blew up a house right next to us. Ok time to TT it back. We got back fine, but soaking wet.
I haven't had a fun ride like that for awhile now. Everything is still so serious even though this month was dedicated to "fun rides". And my legs felt awesome...its been awhile since I've felt like that. I guess 3 weeks off does give me a good break off the bike. It just takes the second day to actually feel good.
Well, I'm bored at work. Only 2 more hours to go. Hopefully I'll go home and just pass out...not stay up until 3am. Tomorrow is more torture...bus pass distribution. I've learned my lesson. Don't sign up for buss pass distribution shifts. After that hopefully its nice outside, because I want to sit at a coffeeshop all day and people watch. And seeing that madison is filling up again there are some crazy people and HOTT girls to watch.
And I should have a new digital camera soon. I get paid pretty soon and have some ideas on cameras. I'll take tons of pictures and then blog about random shit soon. Make this blog a little more interesting....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
So today was day 2 back on the bike. It rained this morning, I went to hand out bus passes. I almost choked some people for asking retarded questions. Over and over people would ask the same dumb question. Yes there are dumb questions. And I guess handing out bus passes to faculty and staff for 8 days so far is kinda getting to me. I'm easily annoyed as most of you should know.
After that I called up Steamer to see if we're still going on the ride we planned if it was nice out. It was definitely nice. 84 degrees, feels like 90. Sun was out and everything. Went home and got ready and went. We got to the lights on Seminole, stopped and got soaked....from our sweat. It was so fricken humid.
As we went along the clouds started covering the sky and it started getting dark. We were going to do a couple intervals up Observatory, but we decided against that idea. We hit Paoli and it started sprinkling. We turn on to Trail Range Rd and there's construction. So we had to CX it and go around it into a field and come out on the other side of it. It started raining a little harder at this point. Frye then says "Knock on carbon, but I think it won't get worse than this." Right when he finishes saying that the heavens decided it would be fun to "rain on Frye's parade". It started pouring. Within a couple minutes we were riding thru rivers on the road. I couldn't look forward because the rain was hitting my eyes so hard. I kept looking at the ground. My thighs were getting pelted and it felt like I was getting hit with hail. About 5 minutes later the rain comes to a complete halt. There were deep puddles everywhere. Then the sun comes out...and goes away very quickly. We're almost to Seminole again and then look to our right. Black, omnious clouds and you could see the rain. The thunder sounded like lightening blew up a house right next to us. Ok time to TT it back. We got back fine, but soaking wet.
I haven't had a fun ride like that for awhile now. Everything is still so serious even though this month was dedicated to "fun rides". And my legs felt awesome...its been awhile since I've felt like that. I guess 3 weeks off does give me a good break off the bike. It just takes the second day to actually feel good.
Well, I'm bored at work. Only 2 more hours to go. Hopefully I'll go home and just pass out...not stay up until 3am. Tomorrow is more torture...bus pass distribution. I've learned my lesson. Don't sign up for buss pass distribution shifts. After that hopefully its nice outside, because I want to sit at a coffeeshop all day and people watch. And seeing that madison is filling up again there are some crazy people and HOTT girls to watch.
And I should have a new digital camera soon. I get paid pretty soon and have some ideas on cameras. I'll take tons of pictures and then blog about random shit soon. Make this blog a little more interesting....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
New Look....
Let me know if you like the new look! It was time for something new....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
Finally got back on the bike....
Not much to say tonight. I just can't fall asleep at 2am, so I needed something to do.
Well, its been almost 3 weeks, but I finally took the Schwinn out for a ride. The weather cleared up too after 4 or 5 days of straight shitty rain. I went with Dallas and Steamer for just a 1.5 hr jaunt with some hard efforts. Mostly a fun ride. I sucked. The legs were not feeling good at all. I had no power coming out of them and they didn't want to spin. That's what you get for taking that much time off I guess. By the end of the ride, though, my legs felt alot better...they felt better and warmed up with only 10 more minutes left of the ride. Oh well, gotta ease back into it. I fill like I wouldn't even be able to stay with the 3's field...
Friday I'm doing one more research experiment with Markus. Should be fun and interesting. Then on Saturday I'm going to do one loop of the WI Ironman course with Gehling....about 72 miles or so. Get those legs to know what spinning is again. I am excited about training again. I think of next year and what I want to accomplish. I'm inbetween two goals....I don't know which one I want to go with. I'll figure it out soon.
And soon enough I'll have my Frugeri up and running again...hopefully before school starts. In 2 weeks! Thats craziness....but I kinda can't wait. I want to be busy again...and out of the house alot.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
Well, its been almost 3 weeks, but I finally took the Schwinn out for a ride. The weather cleared up too after 4 or 5 days of straight shitty rain. I went with Dallas and Steamer for just a 1.5 hr jaunt with some hard efforts. Mostly a fun ride. I sucked. The legs were not feeling good at all. I had no power coming out of them and they didn't want to spin. That's what you get for taking that much time off I guess. By the end of the ride, though, my legs felt alot better...they felt better and warmed up with only 10 more minutes left of the ride. Oh well, gotta ease back into it. I fill like I wouldn't even be able to stay with the 3's field...
Friday I'm doing one more research experiment with Markus. Should be fun and interesting. Then on Saturday I'm going to do one loop of the WI Ironman course with Gehling....about 72 miles or so. Get those legs to know what spinning is again. I am excited about training again. I think of next year and what I want to accomplish. I'm inbetween two goals....I don't know which one I want to go with. I'll figure it out soon.
And soon enough I'll have my Frugeri up and running again...hopefully before school starts. In 2 weeks! Thats craziness....but I kinda can't wait. I want to be busy again...and out of the house alot.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
18.8.07
Thunderstorms are pretty sweet....
Yeah, its thunderstorming....
I took off the whole month of July to race Superweek...now I'm working about 80hrs in a 2 week period to increase my ever shrinking funds. Yeah it sucks. But still my job is super easy. I've been handing out bus passes to staff/faculty of UW-Madison. 10am - 2:15pm everyday this last week and I'll be doing that again Mon thru Thurs this coming week. I've also been working alot of night shifts. So this next pay check which I won't get for another 3 weeks should have 79.5 hrs on it. Pretty good. I'll be able to buy stuff again. But its fine...it needs to be done. Make money, spend money...who knows what January has in store for me. I'm pretty much busy with work until Aug 29th. But I did have a pretty good night of work tonight. Since it was raining the whole night, business was dead. So the 4 of us on duty tonight sat in the Memorial Union and have some good laughs, told some stories, etc. I really enjoy my job.
I've also not touched a bike in a week. I miss it, but I'm happy I've stayed off it for a little while. I'll probably get back on to it this coming week. I've been going to the gym and lifting a little to stay in shape. I'm also going to start running a little bit this week. Start slowly cuz my shins definitely kill after a run sometimes. Gotta ease into it.
Other than that I've had some stuff on my mind....really nothing I should let out. But its nice to have a friend of 18 years down in Madison to hang out with to get things off your mind. Last night we went to Casa de Lara and had a couple drinks with some of my roommate Mark's co-workers. After that the 3 of us decided to hit some golf balls at the driving range...yes a little tipsy. Then we hit the Par 3 course for some late night golfing under the lights. It was pretty sweet. Then came home and called it a night....
Well, not much more to report. I really need to do a couple more fun things before I'm swept away with school and the like. I think I'm going to go down to Evanston Labor Day weekend....
I really need to get a camera so I can get some more pics up on this thing....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
I took off the whole month of July to race Superweek...now I'm working about 80hrs in a 2 week period to increase my ever shrinking funds. Yeah it sucks. But still my job is super easy. I've been handing out bus passes to staff/faculty of UW-Madison. 10am - 2:15pm everyday this last week and I'll be doing that again Mon thru Thurs this coming week. I've also been working alot of night shifts. So this next pay check which I won't get for another 3 weeks should have 79.5 hrs on it. Pretty good. I'll be able to buy stuff again. But its fine...it needs to be done. Make money, spend money...who knows what January has in store for me. I'm pretty much busy with work until Aug 29th. But I did have a pretty good night of work tonight. Since it was raining the whole night, business was dead. So the 4 of us on duty tonight sat in the Memorial Union and have some good laughs, told some stories, etc. I really enjoy my job.
I've also not touched a bike in a week. I miss it, but I'm happy I've stayed off it for a little while. I'll probably get back on to it this coming week. I've been going to the gym and lifting a little to stay in shape. I'm also going to start running a little bit this week. Start slowly cuz my shins definitely kill after a run sometimes. Gotta ease into it.
Other than that I've had some stuff on my mind....really nothing I should let out. But its nice to have a friend of 18 years down in Madison to hang out with to get things off your mind. Last night we went to Casa de Lara and had a couple drinks with some of my roommate Mark's co-workers. After that the 3 of us decided to hit some golf balls at the driving range...yes a little tipsy. Then we hit the Par 3 course for some late night golfing under the lights. It was pretty sweet. Then came home and called it a night....
Well, not much more to report. I really need to do a couple more fun things before I'm swept away with school and the like. I think I'm going to go down to Evanston Labor Day weekend....
I really need to get a camera so I can get some more pics up on this thing....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
14.8.07
In every actor there lives a tiger, a pig, an ass, and a nightengale. You never know which one is gonna show up....
So it looks like I may be traveling to LA this January. I did an audition at the Rock Agency to go to IMTA and was picked to go.
First...the audition....
So an email was sent out about the audition maybe a month and a half ago. I kinda just put it aside and didn't even think about it. While I was at Superweek they sent me a letter saying that "they saw potential in me". Ok that was kind of a generic letter. But then I thought why not give it a chance...All they'll do is say no. So I called them up and made an appointment.
The audition was on August 7th at 6pm. I got there about 1 minute before due to traffic and unknown construction (even though I left 20 minutes before 6) and there were about 27 people there. 2 more came in after me. So there were a total of 30 people there to audition to go to LA. I was 28th in line to go.
They gave us a little commerical to memorize and would be doing a little walk. I sat there for 3 hrs before my turn...9pm. That's a good amount of time to memorize 4 lines. Some people were lucky though...they had only one easy line to remember. Oh well...I'll do my best. So I went into the room and did the commerical right away with some of my own style. Here's what I had to say....
"Brace yourself....here comes enough refreshment to cause an avalanche. We're talking super cool here. From the minute one hits your tongue, your mouth will be overrun with flavor as Tic Tac Bold Mint chills you out - from the tip of your tongue to the top of your toes. Thrill your mouth with Tic Tac Bold Mint."
So I was going well and then halfway through it I stumble on my words just a little bit and it screws me up. "Oh and that was SOOO good" they said. Well thats a good sign. I did it one more time and got through it. "Alright thats it, you can go." That was it. I had to say a commerical, they looked at me and I was done. 3 hrs just for that. It better be worth it. I had to call them up the next day to see if I was choosen to go.
The Call Back....
So...the next day I called to see if they liked me. I was a bit nervous...not gonna lie. "Definitely YES!!!" was her answer. That made me happy. They really liked my acting surprisingly enough. I guess I have an undeveloped potential and I'll be amazed with myself when I develop it. I made an appointment with Trish to talk about the whole thing the next day.
I went in and talked with Trish. I first asked her why they liked my acting so much. I guess I was bold, confident, willing to do it, and had a great speaking voice. Well ok. Awesome. So I found out that IMTA is Jan 7-13...a week long competition. I'll be in 18 different competitions from sitcoms to soaps to TV commericals to runway and prints and even swimwear (gotta get those abs nice and defined). Agencies from all over the world come to this to find new faces. Tokyo, Milan, Barcelona, New York, LA, etc. Some famous people got their start at IMTA...Katie Holmes, Ashton Kutcher, Elijah Wood and so on. Not gonna lie...its exciting....
Its really cool that I have this opportunity, because there are over 500 talents at the Rock Agency, 30 go to this audition and only 10 are picked to go. I kind of have to go now knowing this. The Rock Agency has a 100% callback rate going into IMTA, so they don't just pick anyone. They have an awesome reputation and do not want to lose it...so its really cool that they see something in me.
They want me to have another photoshoot to strenghen my profolio before I go...so I'll have another one of those at the beginning of October most likely. I will also begin acting and modeling classes starting sept 5th. I'll have a two hour night class every wednesday and a morning class every Saturday for two hours....for the next 5 months. We'll be going over everything pretty much. I will have to pay my way a little bit, but I think its totally worth it and who knows where this might bring me. I might be in your next favorite film. Or walking the runway in Milan.
The one thing that sucks...I need to get rid of my tanlines....
Oh and if you want to check out what IMTA is their website is....
http://www.IMTA.com
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
First...the audition....
So an email was sent out about the audition maybe a month and a half ago. I kinda just put it aside and didn't even think about it. While I was at Superweek they sent me a letter saying that "they saw potential in me". Ok that was kind of a generic letter. But then I thought why not give it a chance...All they'll do is say no. So I called them up and made an appointment.
The audition was on August 7th at 6pm. I got there about 1 minute before due to traffic and unknown construction (even though I left 20 minutes before 6) and there were about 27 people there. 2 more came in after me. So there were a total of 30 people there to audition to go to LA. I was 28th in line to go.
They gave us a little commerical to memorize and would be doing a little walk. I sat there for 3 hrs before my turn...9pm. That's a good amount of time to memorize 4 lines. Some people were lucky though...they had only one easy line to remember. Oh well...I'll do my best. So I went into the room and did the commerical right away with some of my own style. Here's what I had to say....
"Brace yourself....here comes enough refreshment to cause an avalanche. We're talking super cool here. From the minute one hits your tongue, your mouth will be overrun with flavor as Tic Tac Bold Mint chills you out - from the tip of your tongue to the top of your toes. Thrill your mouth with Tic Tac Bold Mint."
So I was going well and then halfway through it I stumble on my words just a little bit and it screws me up. "Oh and that was SOOO good" they said. Well thats a good sign. I did it one more time and got through it. "Alright thats it, you can go." That was it. I had to say a commerical, they looked at me and I was done. 3 hrs just for that. It better be worth it. I had to call them up the next day to see if I was choosen to go.
The Call Back....
So...the next day I called to see if they liked me. I was a bit nervous...not gonna lie. "Definitely YES!!!" was her answer. That made me happy. They really liked my acting surprisingly enough. I guess I have an undeveloped potential and I'll be amazed with myself when I develop it. I made an appointment with Trish to talk about the whole thing the next day.
I went in and talked with Trish. I first asked her why they liked my acting so much. I guess I was bold, confident, willing to do it, and had a great speaking voice. Well ok. Awesome. So I found out that IMTA is Jan 7-13...a week long competition. I'll be in 18 different competitions from sitcoms to soaps to TV commericals to runway and prints and even swimwear (gotta get those abs nice and defined). Agencies from all over the world come to this to find new faces. Tokyo, Milan, Barcelona, New York, LA, etc. Some famous people got their start at IMTA...Katie Holmes, Ashton Kutcher, Elijah Wood and so on. Not gonna lie...its exciting....
Its really cool that I have this opportunity, because there are over 500 talents at the Rock Agency, 30 go to this audition and only 10 are picked to go. I kind of have to go now knowing this. The Rock Agency has a 100% callback rate going into IMTA, so they don't just pick anyone. They have an awesome reputation and do not want to lose it...so its really cool that they see something in me.
They want me to have another photoshoot to strenghen my profolio before I go...so I'll have another one of those at the beginning of October most likely. I will also begin acting and modeling classes starting sept 5th. I'll have a two hour night class every wednesday and a morning class every Saturday for two hours....for the next 5 months. We'll be going over everything pretty much. I will have to pay my way a little bit, but I think its totally worth it and who knows where this might bring me. I might be in your next favorite film. Or walking the runway in Milan.
The one thing that sucks...I need to get rid of my tanlines....
Oh and if you want to check out what IMTA is their website is....
http://www.IMTA.com
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
August: Giving these Weary Legs A Rest....
I have decided to take a break from racing this month. I'm just riding my bike for fun for a little bit. Some really long rides, some MTB rides, some goof-off rides. Who knows what I'll do....
I'm going to start my winter training at the beginning of September, then I'll start racing again at the end of September. Cyclocross time!!!
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
I'm going to start my winter training at the beginning of September, then I'll start racing again at the end of September. Cyclocross time!!!
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
A Recovery Week Recap....
This week I pretty much did nothing. I slept until 1pm everyday. Ate. Hung out with a good friend. Thats about it. Biking was not on the mind much. I did get my MTB all built up and ready to go again. I actually went on more MTB rides than road rides. Just having some fun.
One MTB ride did kick my ass though. I was kind of getting my skills back slowly, but the 4th set of single track saw me moving faster. We only did 10 out of the 17 single track sections there are at Standing Rocks in Point. It was blistering hot that day and we ran out of water quickly. We were almost out of the final single track and my shoulder blade smacks a tree at about 15mph. That was more painful than when I crashed at Carl Zach. It hurt to move my arm, touching it hurt even. Picking things up was on the list of things that I couldn’t do now. I knew something wasn’t right. So when I got home I took some Ibuprofen and then went to the hospital to go get it checked out. I thought it was fractured or something....it hurt so bad. I saw the doctor...and I guess all it was was a bruised bone. Where it happened anyways could not have been helped. Great, thanks doc. Your great expertise did shit for me again. My shoulder did get better and felt better the next day.
Other than that....the week was relaxing and boring probably to you all. I had a good time at home and that’s that.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
One MTB ride did kick my ass though. I was kind of getting my skills back slowly, but the 4th set of single track saw me moving faster. We only did 10 out of the 17 single track sections there are at Standing Rocks in Point. It was blistering hot that day and we ran out of water quickly. We were almost out of the final single track and my shoulder blade smacks a tree at about 15mph. That was more painful than when I crashed at Carl Zach. It hurt to move my arm, touching it hurt even. Picking things up was on the list of things that I couldn’t do now. I knew something wasn’t right. So when I got home I took some Ibuprofen and then went to the hospital to go get it checked out. I thought it was fractured or something....it hurt so bad. I saw the doctor...and I guess all it was was a bruised bone. Where it happened anyways could not have been helped. Great, thanks doc. Your great expertise did shit for me again. My shoulder did get better and felt better the next day.
Other than that....the week was relaxing and boring probably to you all. I had a good time at home and that’s that.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
The Race I Didn’t Do: Whitefish Bay Crit....
I woke up that morning and did not really feel like racing. I told myself I would...but I just was not mentally ready for another 62mile crit. I got into my car and decided right there that I did not want to race. So I just decided to drive back home to Point for my nice rest week...
A nice start to the recovery week....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
A nice start to the recovery week....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
The Most Prestigious: The Great Downer’s Ave Crit....
I took off yesterday to make sure I was fresh for this one. My mother came down to watch me race this one. We got to the course extremely early to get a parking spot. I’m definitely happy that we did that. We walked around for a little while and then sat down at Cafe Hollander and got a cappuccino. Two hours before the race I did my pre-race preparations. Turkey sandwich on a bagel, pin up the jersey, get the water bottles ready. That all went well. Half an hour before I go I take a Starbucks Double Shot drink to give me a little sugar, fat and caffeine. Did that...and started warming up.
The field lined up at 5:30...expecting to go off at 5:45pm. We were far from that we soon found out. The organizers decided it would be a good idea to do about 45 minutes worth of thank yous, good-byes, your the bests, hall of fame shit, etc. The whole field was getting antsy. People were warming up in the back...most of them did not care about the presentations going on...I really didn’t either. I got all my stuff ready when I usually do. And I was ready to go. Then we thought we were ready...NO. We had to do a parade lap for some “movie” they were doing for next year. Ok so they have us go...it was suppose to be neutral at about 20mph....NO. We sped along at about 25mph fighting for position. When we got back to the start line I was 5 rows further back then when we started this “neutralized parade lap”. Then finally at about 6:30/6:45 they started the race.
I noticed something wrong right away. Maybe it was the super long wait to start and I was really cooled down. I don’t know. My water was tasting a little funky too for some odd reason...kinda like soap detergent or something of the sort. But for the first 35 laps of the 70 lap race I was hanging on the back throwing up little particles and fluids here and there. No idea what was going on, but I knew I needed to stay with this pack. I would sprint out of a corner, throw up, sprint out of a corner throw up, etc...for 35 straight laps. These were not easy laps either. We were hauling ass...this is known as the fastest crit of superweek. I think it was laps 20 to 25, but I was on the rivet. We were going amazingly fast. “Who is on the front and why are they going so fast?” At this point I am dying and puking...awesome! Somehow I was able to keep with it. Maybe it was all the friends and family I knew were watching me. I definitely did not want to disappoint.
Probably when I was on the back puking....
After the 35 laps I felt a lot better. And I mean alot. I was a whole different person. I moved from the back of the pack to the middle in one lap easily. I was able to corner better, move up more and more, and had a ton more confidence. All I can say is I was really worried for those first 35 laps.
With about 11 laps left they started a countdown for the “Super Prime” It was growing exponentially. By the end it was 4000$. I definitely wanted it just like everyone else. I was able to move to about 35th position or so by the final lap of it. I moved up pretty well. Maybe next year I can win it next year when I’m stronger!?!
The last 3 laps were pretty intense. Fast and furious. I just kept moving up and trying to hold my position....definitely things I still need to work on. The sprint went well for me, until a Rock guy that did his job up front slow pedaled right in my path. I had to slam on the brakes quick and go around him. I got 70th.
I stayed in the race which was my biggest goal. It was hard in the beginning. If you what it feels like to be going all out and puking during a race then you definitely know what I was going through....and I bet you did not enjoy it either.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
The field lined up at 5:30...expecting to go off at 5:45pm. We were far from that we soon found out. The organizers decided it would be a good idea to do about 45 minutes worth of thank yous, good-byes, your the bests, hall of fame shit, etc. The whole field was getting antsy. People were warming up in the back...most of them did not care about the presentations going on...I really didn’t either. I got all my stuff ready when I usually do. And I was ready to go. Then we thought we were ready...NO. We had to do a parade lap for some “movie” they were doing for next year. Ok so they have us go...it was suppose to be neutral at about 20mph....NO. We sped along at about 25mph fighting for position. When we got back to the start line I was 5 rows further back then when we started this “neutralized parade lap”. Then finally at about 6:30/6:45 they started the race.
I noticed something wrong right away. Maybe it was the super long wait to start and I was really cooled down. I don’t know. My water was tasting a little funky too for some odd reason...kinda like soap detergent or something of the sort. But for the first 35 laps of the 70 lap race I was hanging on the back throwing up little particles and fluids here and there. No idea what was going on, but I knew I needed to stay with this pack. I would sprint out of a corner, throw up, sprint out of a corner throw up, etc...for 35 straight laps. These were not easy laps either. We were hauling ass...this is known as the fastest crit of superweek. I think it was laps 20 to 25, but I was on the rivet. We were going amazingly fast. “Who is on the front and why are they going so fast?” At this point I am dying and puking...awesome! Somehow I was able to keep with it. Maybe it was all the friends and family I knew were watching me. I definitely did not want to disappoint.
Probably when I was on the back puking....
After the 35 laps I felt a lot better. And I mean alot. I was a whole different person. I moved from the back of the pack to the middle in one lap easily. I was able to corner better, move up more and more, and had a ton more confidence. All I can say is I was really worried for those first 35 laps.
With about 11 laps left they started a countdown for the “Super Prime” It was growing exponentially. By the end it was 4000$. I definitely wanted it just like everyone else. I was able to move to about 35th position or so by the final lap of it. I moved up pretty well. Maybe next year I can win it next year when I’m stronger!?!
The last 3 laps were pretty intense. Fast and furious. I just kept moving up and trying to hold my position....definitely things I still need to work on. The sprint went well for me, until a Rock guy that did his job up front slow pedaled right in my path. I had to slam on the brakes quick and go around him. I got 70th.
I stayed in the race which was my biggest goal. It was hard in the beginning. If you what it feels like to be going all out and puking during a race then you definitely know what I was going through....and I bet you did not enjoy it either.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
Cold and Wet: PCW Crit....
I'm just mad at this race. People are stupid and don't know how to ride bikes when it rains. Honestly, cornering in the rain is not that hard. And if you're going to pull out of the race because you're "scared"...don't do it in front of me. And if you crash all you're going to do is slide a little...you're not even going to get hurt....
I had to use too much energy to close gaps and got dropped halfway into the race when mother nature decided to piss hard on us. I got pulled with about 27 laps to go.
Grrr...
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
I had to use too much energy to close gaps and got dropped halfway into the race when mother nature decided to piss hard on us. I got pulled with about 27 laps to go.
Grrr...
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
I’m Actually Getting Better At This: Bellin Health Crit.....OH and Pictures....
So today I actually wanted to try some stuff.
I had one of the best starts I’ve ever had in a crit. I was 3rd wheel right from the start. Very nice position. I did start moving back a little bit after awhile, but still hung up front.
Not much happened for awhile. Halfway through the race they called out a 35$ prime. I told myself that I WAS going to go for this prime. I started in about 40th position and moved up pretty fast. Rock Racing was driving the pace. I kept moving up and got to the front. I sprinted past the 5 Rock guys on the front and was followed by two German Pros. They both nipped me at the line. I was pissed, but then realized what I accomplished and was happy. So then I just went back into the field and sat for a little bit.
With 7 laps to go a group of about 5 go off the front and get about 150meter gap. I decide to try and go for it and bridge up to them. I sprinted out of the field with everything I had. About a minute later I was catching on to the tail end...but right when I got there they decided to shut things down and let the field engulf them. Again...I was pissed, yet happy. So, I just sat in the field for the finish.
With one lap to go a crash happens on the first lap...as usual. I miss it by cutting in the inside and hang on for dear life as Rock Racing drill the pace. I wasn’t even able to breathe they were pushing the pace so hard. I sprinted and ended up taking 45th. Best crit yet.
I guess I was going "solid"....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
I had one of the best starts I’ve ever had in a crit. I was 3rd wheel right from the start. Very nice position. I did start moving back a little bit after awhile, but still hung up front.
Not much happened for awhile. Halfway through the race they called out a 35$ prime. I told myself that I WAS going to go for this prime. I started in about 40th position and moved up pretty fast. Rock Racing was driving the pace. I kept moving up and got to the front. I sprinted past the 5 Rock guys on the front and was followed by two German Pros. They both nipped me at the line. I was pissed, but then realized what I accomplished and was happy. So then I just went back into the field and sat for a little bit.
With 7 laps to go a group of about 5 go off the front and get about 150meter gap. I decide to try and go for it and bridge up to them. I sprinted out of the field with everything I had. About a minute later I was catching on to the tail end...but right when I got there they decided to shut things down and let the field engulf them. Again...I was pissed, yet happy. So, I just sat in the field for the finish.
With one lap to go a crash happens on the first lap...as usual. I miss it by cutting in the inside and hang on for dear life as Rock Racing drill the pace. I wasn’t even able to breathe they were pushing the pace so hard. I sprinted and ended up taking 45th. Best crit yet.
I guess I was going "solid"....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
13.8.07
A Deathmarch: Tour of Holy Hill....
So its true. Two days after a crash is the worst. My legs felt like complete shit from the gun. I was off the back in the first lap. I couldn’t find anything deep. Rock Racing was attacking constantly. And groups chasing found themselves attacking each other. Didn’t everyone know that there were 92 miles left??? I guess not. The humidity was also not my friend today. The funny thing was...all the big guns were just dropping out. I guess they didn’t like the roads. There was some very loose gravel and the corners were retarded scary.
I was going to drop out on lap 2...but found myself staying in it until lap 7. I was in a group of 5. 3 of them friends and then a Hong Kong rider. Sorry, but those Hong Kong riders need to learn how to race AND ride a bike. He almost took out two of us...in a group of 5!?! Its not that hard to ride in a straight line, especially if you’re riding in a pro field. One of my friends in the group decided he really wanted to get rid of the Hong Kong rider, so he kept attacking and we were being a little stupid and joining in. Wasting way too much energy to try and drop him. But he was like glue. It was crazy and sucked.
I pulled out on lap 7. I didn’t want to destroy myself too much more. I think it was a good decision. Tomorrow is a rest day for me. I’m going to rest.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
I was going to drop out on lap 2...but found myself staying in it until lap 7. I was in a group of 5. 3 of them friends and then a Hong Kong rider. Sorry, but those Hong Kong riders need to learn how to race AND ride a bike. He almost took out two of us...in a group of 5!?! Its not that hard to ride in a straight line, especially if you’re riding in a pro field. One of my friends in the group decided he really wanted to get rid of the Hong Kong rider, so he kept attacking and we were being a little stupid and joining in. Wasting way too much energy to try and drop him. But he was like glue. It was crazy and sucked.
I pulled out on lap 7. I didn’t want to destroy myself too much more. I think it was a good decision. Tomorrow is a rest day for me. I’m going to rest.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
WOW I Feel Surprisingly Good For Crashing: Evanston Crit....
So I woke up and was still pretty stiff. My road rash hurt and was pussing. Sounds delicious...I know. All I could do is see if the legs and the body were up for some racing today. Thank god I didn’t have to race until 5:45pm.
So I toured around Evanston with some really good friends that live in Evanston. They took me to a great restaurant for breakfast and then took me around a little bit. I showed them the course and talked bike so they would understand what would be going on in my race. As we kept walking the legs began feeling better and better. I didn’t look like a gimp anymore. I was going to race. I registered and got ready....
The race was really boring at first. I don’t know if it was slow because Rock Racing wasn’t there or people just did not want to go fast today. But the race was really easy. At one put Seth Meyer rode up next to me and we were talking about how ridiculously easy this race was. I was moving up pretty easily. Not much to talk about this race. But I did have fans yelling for me at every corner...that was pretty cool.
Then with 1 lap to go...a crash in corner one. Who knows how that happened. That corner could have fit an airplane through it. It was so wide...there was no need for a crash. I missed it and had to chase extremely hard to the main group of about 45. I didn’t quite have enough distance to catch back on. I ended up sprinting in a group of about 10 and won the sprint!!! I ended up taking 50th. My best crit yet.
I looked at the results afterwards and I had two warnings against me. One for failure to register. Um ok??? I had the wristband on. Number Two for not wearing the right kit. Yes I did wear my UW kit...but my BD kit was destroyed and that was the only one I had at that time with me. So I talked to an official and got it all waived.
Tomorrow = 100 miles of pure pain....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
So I toured around Evanston with some really good friends that live in Evanston. They took me to a great restaurant for breakfast and then took me around a little bit. I showed them the course and talked bike so they would understand what would be going on in my race. As we kept walking the legs began feeling better and better. I didn’t look like a gimp anymore. I was going to race. I registered and got ready....
The race was really boring at first. I don’t know if it was slow because Rock Racing wasn’t there or people just did not want to go fast today. But the race was really easy. At one put Seth Meyer rode up next to me and we were talking about how ridiculously easy this race was. I was moving up pretty easily. Not much to talk about this race. But I did have fans yelling for me at every corner...that was pretty cool.
Then with 1 lap to go...a crash in corner one. Who knows how that happened. That corner could have fit an airplane through it. It was so wide...there was no need for a crash. I missed it and had to chase extremely hard to the main group of about 45. I didn’t quite have enough distance to catch back on. I ended up sprinting in a group of about 10 and won the sprint!!! I ended up taking 50th. My best crit yet.
I looked at the results afterwards and I had two warnings against me. One for failure to register. Um ok??? I had the wristband on. Number Two for not wearing the right kit. Yes I did wear my UW kit...but my BD kit was destroyed and that was the only one I had at that time with me. So I talked to an official and got it all waived.
Tomorrow = 100 miles of pure pain....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
It’s Fun Going Down At 33mph: Carl Zach Cycling Classic Criterium....
I don’t know why but the Carl Zach Crit is an evil race. My day kinda ended quickly. The race started out extremely fast. I was holding on pretty well. Then 5 laps into it a couple guys go down...hard enough that the race had to be neutralized and stopped. So after going balls out for about 12 minutes we had to stop, sit and cool down for about 10 minutes. We got started back up and it was as fast as before. Then 5 laps later the worst case scenario for me.....
We were going up the left side of the finishing straight going about 33mph. We were getting scary close to the barriers. All of a sudden, one guy about 4 wheels up from me gets pinched off into the barriers. His bike breaks in half on the spot. His impact pulls the barriers out on to the course. Yeah, I didn’t even have time to hit my breaks. I went straight into the chaos. I slammed into a person? A barrier? Who knows...but the next thing I know I’m superman for about 2 seconds and then bounce on the ground...about 5 times. I stop 25 feet farther from where the crash actually hit. A lot of guys behind the 5 of us that went down couldn’t handle it and evacuated the race immediately because they were scared to race anymore. I just laid on the ground. My right shoulder kind of hurt and my right leg. Looks like I tore up mostly my right side. The medics helped me last. Ok, I was probably the least hurt anyways. They checked me out and asked if I wanted to get bandaged up or get back into the race. “I want back in the race!” I could quite use my bike though...didn’t know what was wrong with it and Dallas took it back to the car. Later on I found out that the front wheel was totaled and that was it. So the again neutralized field got all lined up again and I went over to neutral support to get a neutral bike. I got back into the race and made it to about 20 more laps before getting pulled. Its hard getting a bike too big for you and pain starting to set in. At least I got back into the race. More than the others can say from that crash. Many people were very surprised to see me back on the bike after a crash like that. People on the other side of the course said it sounded like a really bad car crash. I could definitely believe that, because that’s what it pretty much was...just on bikes. So I got pulled.
I went over got some sweet bandages put on (the fish-netting) and talked to some friends and strangers asking about the crash. I met Nick Reistad’s girlfriend’s Dad at one point. He saw the crash and said it look horrific. If I’m going to be in a crash it better be worth it. So we were talking and a woman interrupts us from behind. “Sorry that you had to crash. I saw you on the ground and thought your race was done. But thanks for the entertainment!” She then hands me a 20$ bill. Sweet! I guess I should crash more....well hopefully not. Lots of people talked to me...some of the officials, Eddy Van Guese (however you spell it), and just fans. It was pretty exciting, though, I can tell you.
So later that night the pain and the stiffness really set in as Dallas and I drove down to Evanston’s Crit the next day. My shoulder could not be moved much and when I got out of the car when we got there I fell back in. I could barely walk on my right leg. It hurt so bad. Damn...will I race tomorrow???
We’ll have to see....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
We were going up the left side of the finishing straight going about 33mph. We were getting scary close to the barriers. All of a sudden, one guy about 4 wheels up from me gets pinched off into the barriers. His bike breaks in half on the spot. His impact pulls the barriers out on to the course. Yeah, I didn’t even have time to hit my breaks. I went straight into the chaos. I slammed into a person? A barrier? Who knows...but the next thing I know I’m superman for about 2 seconds and then bounce on the ground...about 5 times. I stop 25 feet farther from where the crash actually hit. A lot of guys behind the 5 of us that went down couldn’t handle it and evacuated the race immediately because they were scared to race anymore. I just laid on the ground. My right shoulder kind of hurt and my right leg. Looks like I tore up mostly my right side. The medics helped me last. Ok, I was probably the least hurt anyways. They checked me out and asked if I wanted to get bandaged up or get back into the race. “I want back in the race!” I could quite use my bike though...didn’t know what was wrong with it and Dallas took it back to the car. Later on I found out that the front wheel was totaled and that was it. So the again neutralized field got all lined up again and I went over to neutral support to get a neutral bike. I got back into the race and made it to about 20 more laps before getting pulled. Its hard getting a bike too big for you and pain starting to set in. At least I got back into the race. More than the others can say from that crash. Many people were very surprised to see me back on the bike after a crash like that. People on the other side of the course said it sounded like a really bad car crash. I could definitely believe that, because that’s what it pretty much was...just on bikes. So I got pulled.
I went over got some sweet bandages put on (the fish-netting) and talked to some friends and strangers asking about the crash. I met Nick Reistad’s girlfriend’s Dad at one point. He saw the crash and said it look horrific. If I’m going to be in a crash it better be worth it. So we were talking and a woman interrupts us from behind. “Sorry that you had to crash. I saw you on the ground and thought your race was done. But thanks for the entertainment!” She then hands me a 20$ bill. Sweet! I guess I should crash more....well hopefully not. Lots of people talked to me...some of the officials, Eddy Van Guese (however you spell it), and just fans. It was pretty exciting, though, I can tell you.
So later that night the pain and the stiffness really set in as Dallas and I drove down to Evanston’s Crit the next day. My shoulder could not be moved much and when I got out of the car when we got there I fell back in. I could barely walk on my right leg. It hurt so bad. Damn...will I race tomorrow???
We’ll have to see....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
4.8.07
A Bad Day On The Bike: Green Lake Criterium.....
I wasn’t suppose to race today. Why I did when I had bad feelings about todays race, I do not know. There was just something about the course that I was “scared of”. It shouldn’t have been that hard of a race, but it was already in my head...so I was going to be doing horrible.
There weren’t that many riders at this race, because it was further up north. But Rock racing still showed up and other big names. The race started and was single file for 3/4th of the race. It was amazingly fast. My legs did not want that today and the course was still not right for me. I was shelled 25 minutes into a 2 and a half hour crit. I was not happy with myself...but a lot of others were shelled earlier or with me. It just was not a good race today. But now I should be good to go for tomorrow seeing that my legs should be fresh....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
There weren’t that many riders at this race, because it was further up north. But Rock racing still showed up and other big names. The race started and was single file for 3/4th of the race. It was amazingly fast. My legs did not want that today and the course was still not right for me. I was shelled 25 minutes into a 2 and a half hour crit. I was not happy with myself...but a lot of others were shelled earlier or with me. It just was not a good race today. But now I should be good to go for tomorrow seeing that my legs should be fresh....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
The Fastest Crit I’ve Ever Done To Date: Shorewood/Rainbow Jersey Criterium....
Well, this was the first crit of my Superweek P/1/2 career. It was a very simple course. It was 4 turns with a very tiny chicane on the third corner. The finishing straight was about .6 miles long, the first corner turned onto a super bumpy road that kinda made the “saddle area” (according to Seth Meyer) ache. The field would always take a rest on the backstretch and then would pick it up in the chicane on the third side.
I started in the middle of the pack and at the start was pushed to the back very quickly. I’ll have to learn to hold my position in these things or try and move up right away. The race was pretty fast for the first half of the race until a break got away. I don’t quite know when that happened seeing that I was watching the whole field in front of me. I started learning quickly, though, how to move up easily. I made up a lot of time and spots in corners. However, I would move up about 10 positions...look back and see only 3 guys behind me. So I would move up 10 more positions, but yet again I would look back and only see 3 guys behind me. Funny thing is...the guys I were passing were not passing me back. So...I was moving up and people were dropping off. I was trying to make it at least to the middle of the pack, but the middle would always become the back when I would finally get there.
Everytime we got to the finishing straight the peloton went as hard as it could and I understand why. They did a prime pretty much every single lap. A couple times I shouted to myself “stop the primes”. But nah, there’s another 100$ prime. Oh well, this is making me stronger and faster, right?
With about 10 laps to go...I feel a little looseness in my handlebars. 3 laps later, my handlebars are extremely loose and I’m turning them up and down with ease. I knew I couldn’t take a free lap though just because something is “loose” on the bike. It was probably because all those bumps on the 2nd side of the course. I kept going...but couldn’t get out of the saddle to sprint. I was able to stay in the saddle and motor, but I knew I had no chance in the final sprint. So with 2 laps to go I fell off the back of the pack and rolled in by myself. I didn’t want to crash or crash anyone out. I still went as hard as I could and gave a good effort to finish the race. I placed 113th. Last of the finishers...oh well, at least I can say I finished my first p/1/2 superweek crit seeing that Karl Menzies, Rock Racing, Peter Dawson, “The Terminator” Viktor Repinski, and other big names were there.
3 races down....7 to go.....
Ciao ciao....
I started in the middle of the pack and at the start was pushed to the back very quickly. I’ll have to learn to hold my position in these things or try and move up right away. The race was pretty fast for the first half of the race until a break got away. I don’t quite know when that happened seeing that I was watching the whole field in front of me. I started learning quickly, though, how to move up easily. I made up a lot of time and spots in corners. However, I would move up about 10 positions...look back and see only 3 guys behind me. So I would move up 10 more positions, but yet again I would look back and only see 3 guys behind me. Funny thing is...the guys I were passing were not passing me back. So...I was moving up and people were dropping off. I was trying to make it at least to the middle of the pack, but the middle would always become the back when I would finally get there.
Everytime we got to the finishing straight the peloton went as hard as it could and I understand why. They did a prime pretty much every single lap. A couple times I shouted to myself “stop the primes”. But nah, there’s another 100$ prime. Oh well, this is making me stronger and faster, right?
With about 10 laps to go...I feel a little looseness in my handlebars. 3 laps later, my handlebars are extremely loose and I’m turning them up and down with ease. I knew I couldn’t take a free lap though just because something is “loose” on the bike. It was probably because all those bumps on the 2nd side of the course. I kept going...but couldn’t get out of the saddle to sprint. I was able to stay in the saddle and motor, but I knew I had no chance in the final sprint. So with 2 laps to go I fell off the back of the pack and rolled in by myself. I didn’t want to crash or crash anyone out. I still went as hard as I could and gave a good effort to finish the race. I placed 113th. Last of the finishers...oh well, at least I can say I finished my first p/1/2 superweek crit seeing that Karl Menzies, Rock Racing, Peter Dawson, “The Terminator” Viktor Repinski, and other big names were there.
3 races down....7 to go.....
Ciao ciao....
17.7.07
A lot easier than yesterday....Superweek: Whitnall Park RR....
I ended up getting to my race about 4 hrs early so I could watch the Cat 3 race and cheer on Dallas. He ended up getting 18th...I guess his race was boring and stupid so he kinda just gave up.
On to my race. Lots of big names again today. The big team that showed up today was Rock Racing. They had about 10 guys at this race. So yeah they did a pretty good job of controlling the whole thing. Today's race was 90K or 25 laps of a 2.3 mile loop with a power climb to the finish each lap. Things started out pretty slow and then picked up. My legs woke up after a lap of racing and I was ready to go. Not too much to report. It was just fast and pretty much the same thing over and over. Attack after attack, chase, go hard, slow down. The usual. I just stayed in the middle of the field.
With about 7 or 8 laps to go someone crashed on the final climb of the lap. Someone got a feed from the wrong side (left) and took out a rider that was sprinting up that side. I came within inches of going down with them...thank god for MTB skills and quick thinking. At the beginning of the climb a Rock Racing rider cut me off on the right side and had to cut left. I was looking for Dallas for a feed on the right, as I was going to get back over. I looked straight and a couple of guys are lying in the road. I slammed on the brakes and just got around it to the right. Clearing a wheel by less than an inch.
The last 3 laps got fast. I just held on. The 2nd to last time up the final climb my legs were not liking the intensity. The last time up the hill my legs kinda just gave up...I finished in the back of the field. But my plan was just to stay with the field for the race anyways, so my goal was completed.
We averaged just over 27 mph for 55miles. P/1/2 isn't really that bad. So now I know I can stay with a P/1/2 field...now I just have to get strong enough so I can actually do something...actually be a threat. That'll be my plan for next year.
Tomorrow I'm taking off. I'm going to Proving Grounds to give feeds to Dallas and then him and I are staying at his mom's house in Sheboygan. Then on Thursday I'll be doing the Shorewood Crit.
On to my race. Lots of big names again today. The big team that showed up today was Rock Racing. They had about 10 guys at this race. So yeah they did a pretty good job of controlling the whole thing. Today's race was 90K or 25 laps of a 2.3 mile loop with a power climb to the finish each lap. Things started out pretty slow and then picked up. My legs woke up after a lap of racing and I was ready to go. Not too much to report. It was just fast and pretty much the same thing over and over. Attack after attack, chase, go hard, slow down. The usual. I just stayed in the middle of the field.
With about 7 or 8 laps to go someone crashed on the final climb of the lap. Someone got a feed from the wrong side (left) and took out a rider that was sprinting up that side. I came within inches of going down with them...thank god for MTB skills and quick thinking. At the beginning of the climb a Rock Racing rider cut me off on the right side and had to cut left. I was looking for Dallas for a feed on the right, as I was going to get back over. I looked straight and a couple of guys are lying in the road. I slammed on the brakes and just got around it to the right. Clearing a wheel by less than an inch.
The last 3 laps got fast. I just held on. The 2nd to last time up the final climb my legs were not liking the intensity. The last time up the hill my legs kinda just gave up...I finished in the back of the field. But my plan was just to stay with the field for the race anyways, so my goal was completed.
We averaged just over 27 mph for 55miles. P/1/2 isn't really that bad. So now I know I can stay with a P/1/2 field...now I just have to get strong enough so I can actually do something...actually be a threat. That'll be my plan for next year.
Tomorrow I'm taking off. I'm going to Proving Grounds to give feeds to Dallas and then him and I are staying at his mom's house in Sheboygan. Then on Thursday I'll be doing the Shorewood Crit.
That was a big bag of ouch....Superweek: Tour of Alpine Valley
Yesterday was my first Superweek race this year. My 2nd P/1/2 race ever. And it all starts in a 100 mile death march through Alpine Valley. But I think I had a good start to my Superweek I finished, more than most can say.
My race went off at noon and started off nice with a comfortable speed. Getting my bearings I looked around to see the teams there. Karl Menzies was the only one from Health Net, 3 riders from BMC, a couple Colavita riders, about 4 from A&F, and then just a bunch of other guys....with a squad of Hong Kong riders that were a little sketchy on their bikes. The first lap was pretty easy I thought, but half way through the lap I could see the field in front of me, but it was small...awesome...I'm positioned nicely in the middle of the peloton. I look back and I have 2 riders behind me. What the hell!?! About 1/4 of the field was shelled just 1/2 lap into the race. Wow. I kept with them....
Lap two comes around. We're still going nice and slow. A BMC rider is up the road. We get to the first climb of the lap and theres beeping and whistles and chaos. All of a sudden 8 or so Cat 3 riders come blasting around us with Dallas at the front of it keeping the pace. Dallas actually pulled back the BMC rider out front for us. Well, our field wants in on that even though we're not in the same gruppetto. So all of a sudden our race gets fast and strung out. During one straight we're booking it at about 35 mph...with a crosswind. Lap 3 was the same and a group of 5 got off the front involving Menzies (Health Net), Dierking (A&F), Jensen (Trek), and then 2 colavita riders. Then lap 4 my legs decided they didn't want to spin up one of the climbs....crap crap crap. And then I was dropped. I tried hard to catch back on and by this time the peloton was very small. I caught up to another dropped rider...we worked hard, but he was pessimistic. I couldn't have that. At the end of that lap he said that he's out...I keep going for some crazy reason. Later on in Lap 5 the rest of the Cat 3 field catches me and on the back were 3 other P/1/2 riders. Dan from Turin comes to me and pretty much says "if you're in for the long haul I'll join you". How can I say no. So then it was Dan (Turin), Christopher (Hong Kong) and me. The next 5 laps we just keep the pace steady so we don't blow up. Dan and I did all the work...the Hong Kong rider pretty much exploded, but had enough to stay on our wheels. With 2 laps to go he tells us that his body is fried, but he wants to finish. He asks us if we can help him get to the finish. Well, if he doesn't sprint around us and gets 3rd in our group Dan and I are fine with that. He agrees. Oh...and he's also only 17 and his coach is making him do every Superweek race...which is insane to do to a 17 year old. Hopefully he doesn't get too burnt out.
The last two laps were just killer...you know you're almost done, but it hurts after all that time already spent on the bike. But we got it done. I let Dan come in 1st in our group, I came in 2nd and, Christopher in 3rd. Well, I'm happy I stayed in it. I hear that about 65-70 guys started the race...well only 30 finished with me placing 29th. Thats in the money and what I'm proud of is that I finished. It was a hard race though...I wasn't even going to do the race and then decided to. I guess it was worth it. But I still don't quite like AV...not gonna lie.
Well, today is Whitnall...only 90Km of racing today. It'll be fast but not as hard as yesterday. I'm just going to stay in the group and then hopefully have a good position at the end to get a good sprint in.
P.S. Lets hope that Brandon Gavic (A&F) is alright. He was in a crash and looks like he may have a broken collarbone. Get well, or just be well now.
My race went off at noon and started off nice with a comfortable speed. Getting my bearings I looked around to see the teams there. Karl Menzies was the only one from Health Net, 3 riders from BMC, a couple Colavita riders, about 4 from A&F, and then just a bunch of other guys....with a squad of Hong Kong riders that were a little sketchy on their bikes. The first lap was pretty easy I thought, but half way through the lap I could see the field in front of me, but it was small...awesome...I'm positioned nicely in the middle of the peloton. I look back and I have 2 riders behind me. What the hell!?! About 1/4 of the field was shelled just 1/2 lap into the race. Wow. I kept with them....
Lap two comes around. We're still going nice and slow. A BMC rider is up the road. We get to the first climb of the lap and theres beeping and whistles and chaos. All of a sudden 8 or so Cat 3 riders come blasting around us with Dallas at the front of it keeping the pace. Dallas actually pulled back the BMC rider out front for us. Well, our field wants in on that even though we're not in the same gruppetto. So all of a sudden our race gets fast and strung out. During one straight we're booking it at about 35 mph...with a crosswind. Lap 3 was the same and a group of 5 got off the front involving Menzies (Health Net), Dierking (A&F), Jensen (Trek), and then 2 colavita riders. Then lap 4 my legs decided they didn't want to spin up one of the climbs....crap crap crap. And then I was dropped. I tried hard to catch back on and by this time the peloton was very small. I caught up to another dropped rider...we worked hard, but he was pessimistic. I couldn't have that. At the end of that lap he said that he's out...I keep going for some crazy reason. Later on in Lap 5 the rest of the Cat 3 field catches me and on the back were 3 other P/1/2 riders. Dan from Turin comes to me and pretty much says "if you're in for the long haul I'll join you". How can I say no. So then it was Dan (Turin), Christopher (Hong Kong) and me. The next 5 laps we just keep the pace steady so we don't blow up. Dan and I did all the work...the Hong Kong rider pretty much exploded, but had enough to stay on our wheels. With 2 laps to go he tells us that his body is fried, but he wants to finish. He asks us if we can help him get to the finish. Well, if he doesn't sprint around us and gets 3rd in our group Dan and I are fine with that. He agrees. Oh...and he's also only 17 and his coach is making him do every Superweek race...which is insane to do to a 17 year old. Hopefully he doesn't get too burnt out.
The last two laps were just killer...you know you're almost done, but it hurts after all that time already spent on the bike. But we got it done. I let Dan come in 1st in our group, I came in 2nd and, Christopher in 3rd. Well, I'm happy I stayed in it. I hear that about 65-70 guys started the race...well only 30 finished with me placing 29th. Thats in the money and what I'm proud of is that I finished. It was a hard race though...I wasn't even going to do the race and then decided to. I guess it was worth it. But I still don't quite like AV...not gonna lie.
Well, today is Whitnall...only 90Km of racing today. It'll be fast but not as hard as yesterday. I'm just going to stay in the group and then hopefully have a good position at the end to get a good sprint in.
P.S. Lets hope that Brandon Gavic (A&F) is alright. He was in a crash and looks like he may have a broken collarbone. Get well, or just be well now.
8.7.07
Feeling good....feeling bad....
So yesterday was my first real Pro/1/2 race and I think I fared fairly well. It was 95 degrees Fahrenheit and super sunny. Not too humid though. I had the best start I've had in a crit for a long time. Clip-in was flawless and got right to 4th wheel. I stayed there for about 2 laps....went with a little breakaway...didn't really go anywhere, but still I was happy. And it opened up the legs for the next 75 minutes of fastness. During the race I went with a couple other breaks that didn't stick. ISCorp was working pretty well, because Freshie the Man Beast got into a break with a Navigators rider and Colavita rider. They ended up lapping the field. Freshie won the State Champs Crit Jersey so good for him...but it was a given anyways and Baumann predicted it. I did a lot of work, but was never in danger of getting dropped. It was an easy race...definitely easier than a couple of the races during Tour of Ohio. But during my time in the field I pulled back a couple breaks, went with some breaks and just tried to keep good position. I ended up getting swarmed in the end and finishing 31st. I'm ok with that. I was aggressive during the race. I'm happy I wasn't scared or nervous for this race. I just went into it knowing that I have to show that I can hold in Pro/1/2 fields...and even try to do something in them.
Then today I got on the bike and felt like complete shit. My stomach bothered me in the morning, so I slept it off. It did go away, but when I tried a hard effort, I nearly puked and there wasn't much of an effort to give from the legs. It definitely wasn't from the race yesterday. I did get a little bit of the cold sweats during the race yesterday, so I tried to get some electrolytes in me. But then today the 96 degree heat might have gotten to me. Oh well, I decided to take the day off then after that. I want to feel good and fresh for the upcoming extremely hard SUPER weeks.
Talking about super weeks....I figured out my Superweek schedule and registered for the races. I've decided on 10 races. Yes, in the P/1/2 field. My legs WILL get torn off...it WILL hurt me alot...I may puke during the races. My only goal is to stay with the pack and maybe even win some money one or two days out of it. Overall, these races should make me stronger....
Here's my schedule.....
7/16: Point Beer Tour of Alpine Valley Road Race
7/17: Saturn Whitnall Park Road Race
7/19: Tim Hart DDS/Rainbow Jersey Shorewood Criterium
7/21: Carl Zach Cycling Classic presented by Couri Insurance Agency
7/22: Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Grand Prix of Cycling
7/23: Pharma Pacific Tour of Holy Hill
7/25: Bellin Health Village of Howard Cycling Classic
7/26: PCW Cycling Heritage Square Classic Criterium
7/28: The Columbia St. Mary's Great Downer Avenue Bike Race
7/29: Whitefish Bay Classic
320$ for 10 races....damn I'm poor now. Whoever reads this blog....if you may have a place for me to stay during these races please let me know if Dallas and I can crash at your place. It would be greatly appreciated. All I need is a floor to sleep on....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
Then today I got on the bike and felt like complete shit. My stomach bothered me in the morning, so I slept it off. It did go away, but when I tried a hard effort, I nearly puked and there wasn't much of an effort to give from the legs. It definitely wasn't from the race yesterday. I did get a little bit of the cold sweats during the race yesterday, so I tried to get some electrolytes in me. But then today the 96 degree heat might have gotten to me. Oh well, I decided to take the day off then after that. I want to feel good and fresh for the upcoming extremely hard SUPER weeks.
Talking about super weeks....I figured out my Superweek schedule and registered for the races. I've decided on 10 races. Yes, in the P/1/2 field. My legs WILL get torn off...it WILL hurt me alot...I may puke during the races. My only goal is to stay with the pack and maybe even win some money one or two days out of it. Overall, these races should make me stronger....
Here's my schedule.....
7/16: Point Beer Tour of Alpine Valley Road Race
7/17: Saturn Whitnall Park Road Race
7/19: Tim Hart DDS/Rainbow Jersey Shorewood Criterium
7/21: Carl Zach Cycling Classic presented by Couri Insurance Agency
7/22: Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Grand Prix of Cycling
7/23: Pharma Pacific Tour of Holy Hill
7/25: Bellin Health Village of Howard Cycling Classic
7/26: PCW Cycling Heritage Square Classic Criterium
7/28: The Columbia St. Mary's Great Downer Avenue Bike Race
7/29: Whitefish Bay Classic
320$ for 10 races....damn I'm poor now. Whoever reads this blog....if you may have a place for me to stay during these races please let me know if Dallas and I can crash at your place. It would be greatly appreciated. All I need is a floor to sleep on....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
3.7.07
Is that a powertap?....
Yup...so I finally have my Powertap SL. Just got it yesterday and installed it right away last night. Today I tried it out on a 2.5 hr ride. Pretty sweet. Yeah, I don't know any of my zones or anything...I'll figure out those in the next couple of days. I actually have to remind myself to look down. I haven't had any type of power meter or even simple cyclocomputer forever. Not use to it yet. But hopefully it helps me get to that next level.
First real Pro/1/2 race is this Saturday for me...Can't wait to do it. It'll be interesting. I think I'll do fine. Then starting Friday the 13th...STUPIDWEEK! I'm planning on doing about 10 out of the 17 races. That'll be something completely different. Harder than Ohio by far.
Other than that....not much going on yet. Just relaxing in Madtown. Barely working....
Tomorrow I'll go out on two rides. 50 miles each probably. With Gehling. I'll let you know how that goes....I'm really starting to like extremely long rides. Maybe winter training will be really fun....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
First real Pro/1/2 race is this Saturday for me...Can't wait to do it. It'll be interesting. I think I'll do fine. Then starting Friday the 13th...STUPIDWEEK! I'm planning on doing about 10 out of the 17 races. That'll be something completely different. Harder than Ohio by far.
Other than that....not much going on yet. Just relaxing in Madtown. Barely working....
Tomorrow I'll go out on two rides. 50 miles each probably. With Gehling. I'll let you know how that goes....I'm really starting to like extremely long rides. Maybe winter training will be really fun....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
28.6.07
Home Rest....And The Thoughts Of....
I've been home the last few days and it's been very nice and relaxing. I got in to Stevens Point on Tuesday and I'll be here until Sunday afternoon or so...maybe Saturday night. Not quite sure yet. I've seen some family, hung out with a couple friends, cleaned my bikes, and have gone on two very easy 1 hour rides.
It's definitely nice taking some time off the bike. Makes me realize other things that are going on and lets my body rest nicely. Yet, I can't wait to get back on the bike. On these two rides I've felt amazing...I know they've been slowly and easy, but my legs feel lots stronger and ready to train hard again. I'm liking the feeling. So Monday when I'm definitely back its time to go "solid" again.
I've watched two movies that I've been dying to see lately...Pan's Labyrinth and The Fountain. Both very good movies. The Fountain wasn't what I was expecting, but oh so good...yet confusing at first. After you think about it for awhile its sort of understandable....
I've also decided on what Superweek races I want to do....I'll give a list later when I do have it finalized. Pro/1/2 Superweek is going to be intense...
Other things that have gone on lately. Just today I travelled back to my youth when I use to play baseball. My friend Minch and I decided to take out the dusty gloves, bats and baseball and play a small little game. Batting practice, a little catch, and reminiscing of our childhood days. I played baseball for 10 years of my life...age 5 to 15. I quit because it just wasn't fun anymore and the skills just weren't developing because of it. But it was still nice to play a short game with an ex-teammate friend. I'm happy I went to cycling though....
The next couple of days I'm still just going to relax. I think tomorrow I'll go on another 1-1.5 hr ride slow and grab a coffee and relax in our "downtown" area....Saturday we're having a family picnic with Minch also invited. Then I'm either heading back to Madison on Saturday so I can make it to Jessie's Going Away Party, or I'm staying in Point one more night before I have to go back to work on Sunday...we'll see.
Time to eat some dinner....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
It's definitely nice taking some time off the bike. Makes me realize other things that are going on and lets my body rest nicely. Yet, I can't wait to get back on the bike. On these two rides I've felt amazing...I know they've been slowly and easy, but my legs feel lots stronger and ready to train hard again. I'm liking the feeling. So Monday when I'm definitely back its time to go "solid" again.
I've watched two movies that I've been dying to see lately...Pan's Labyrinth and The Fountain. Both very good movies. The Fountain wasn't what I was expecting, but oh so good...yet confusing at first. After you think about it for awhile its sort of understandable....
I've also decided on what Superweek races I want to do....I'll give a list later when I do have it finalized. Pro/1/2 Superweek is going to be intense...
Other things that have gone on lately. Just today I travelled back to my youth when I use to play baseball. My friend Minch and I decided to take out the dusty gloves, bats and baseball and play a small little game. Batting practice, a little catch, and reminiscing of our childhood days. I played baseball for 10 years of my life...age 5 to 15. I quit because it just wasn't fun anymore and the skills just weren't developing because of it. But it was still nice to play a short game with an ex-teammate friend. I'm happy I went to cycling though....
The next couple of days I'm still just going to relax. I think tomorrow I'll go on another 1-1.5 hr ride slow and grab a coffee and relax in our "downtown" area....Saturday we're having a family picnic with Minch also invited. Then I'm either heading back to Madison on Saturday so I can make it to Jessie's Going Away Party, or I'm staying in Point one more night before I have to go back to work on Sunday...we'll see.
Time to eat some dinner....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
27.6.07
25.6.07
UWW RR....
So after getting home at 4am. I woke up at 9am and drove Frye and myself over to Whitewater for another Road Race. Frye's race was at noon...mine was at 4pm. Means a lot of sitting around for me. Frye did well, finished with the field.
My race was a joke. I was actually kinda pissed the whole time. The race was 9 laps of a 6 mile course, which really was not selective at all. Some rollers and a small big ring climb at the end of each lap. There was barely any wind either that day. So my legs were not feeling too well after 6 days of fast and hard racing...300+ miles in about 10hrs will do that to a person. Halfway into lap 1 I decide to wake up the legs...so I attack. I got about 15 seconds on the field so I kept going. Then they decided they didn't want me out there. They brought me back in lap 2. A couple more useless attacks from others went. Lap 3, a Beans and Barley guy goes off. Looks promising cuz I know he's strong so I decide to bridge. I look back and another Beans and Barley guy is covering my move. We both look back and we have a gap. We decide to go for it. We catch the break and that guy drops his chain on the hill...damn it. That would have been a good break. I would have been outnumbered, but that would have been ok.
As we were going I could tell the B&B guy was not as strong. I pulled 70% of the time...his pulls were not as strong either. We had about a 30 second gap going. We were making some time too. He only had one teammate left after the dropped chain and I had no teammates...so no real shutting down of the field. But we had to keep working. For the first two laps out our little breakaway was going well, with me pulling alot of the time...and still feeling good. The third lap out we got to the final little hill of the lap and I go up it at a good tempo. I look back and he's off my wheel. I waited up for him and then drilled it when he got back on. The next time up the last hill, I dropped him again. This time I knew I had to just keep going. Well, the field saw that he was dropped so they kicked it into 2nd gear and started charging. They caught me 1/4th into lap 7. Damn it...I wish I had some teammates and had a stronger breakaway partner. I wasn't even tired when the field engulfed me. Right after that a Wheaton guy rolled "slowly" off the front and created a gap. I really should have gone with him, because he stayed off solo until the end and won. The field didn't do anything...and never really chased. They just wanted to be together and save some energy for their precious little sprint for 2nd at the end.
Nothing happened for the next 2.5 laps. It was slow and boring. I almost fell asleep. On the last lap I attacked with about 1/2 mile left and hear a PING. I kept going and was covered and then was countered. After that I didn't give a shit. And rolled in for about 12th or so. I checked and the PING was a broken rear spoke. Everything on my bike is breaking.
Pretty much that race showed me that I gained a little bit of form and I tried a couple more things that I haven't done in awhile. But the race pissed me off. I can't wait to get out of Cat 3...I actually applied for my Cat 2 upgrade. Hopefully I get it.
Congrats to Seth Meyer for winning his last ever Cat 3 race...
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
My race was a joke. I was actually kinda pissed the whole time. The race was 9 laps of a 6 mile course, which really was not selective at all. Some rollers and a small big ring climb at the end of each lap. There was barely any wind either that day. So my legs were not feeling too well after 6 days of fast and hard racing...300+ miles in about 10hrs will do that to a person. Halfway into lap 1 I decide to wake up the legs...so I attack. I got about 15 seconds on the field so I kept going. Then they decided they didn't want me out there. They brought me back in lap 2. A couple more useless attacks from others went. Lap 3, a Beans and Barley guy goes off. Looks promising cuz I know he's strong so I decide to bridge. I look back and another Beans and Barley guy is covering my move. We both look back and we have a gap. We decide to go for it. We catch the break and that guy drops his chain on the hill...damn it. That would have been a good break. I would have been outnumbered, but that would have been ok.
As we were going I could tell the B&B guy was not as strong. I pulled 70% of the time...his pulls were not as strong either. We had about a 30 second gap going. We were making some time too. He only had one teammate left after the dropped chain and I had no teammates...so no real shutting down of the field. But we had to keep working. For the first two laps out our little breakaway was going well, with me pulling alot of the time...and still feeling good. The third lap out we got to the final little hill of the lap and I go up it at a good tempo. I look back and he's off my wheel. I waited up for him and then drilled it when he got back on. The next time up the last hill, I dropped him again. This time I knew I had to just keep going. Well, the field saw that he was dropped so they kicked it into 2nd gear and started charging. They caught me 1/4th into lap 7. Damn it...I wish I had some teammates and had a stronger breakaway partner. I wasn't even tired when the field engulfed me. Right after that a Wheaton guy rolled "slowly" off the front and created a gap. I really should have gone with him, because he stayed off solo until the end and won. The field didn't do anything...and never really chased. They just wanted to be together and save some energy for their precious little sprint for 2nd at the end.
Nothing happened for the next 2.5 laps. It was slow and boring. I almost fell asleep. On the last lap I attacked with about 1/2 mile left and hear a PING. I kept going and was covered and then was countered. After that I didn't give a shit. And rolled in for about 12th or so. I checked and the PING was a broken rear spoke. Everything on my bike is breaking.
Pretty much that race showed me that I gained a little bit of form and I tried a couple more things that I haven't done in awhile. But the race pissed me off. I can't wait to get out of Cat 3...I actually applied for my Cat 2 upgrade. Hopefully I get it.
Congrats to Seth Meyer for winning his last ever Cat 3 race...
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
Tour of Ohio, Stage 6....
Stage 6 concludes the 2007 edition of the ToO. Stage 6 was a 4 corner, 40 mile criterium. The corners were huge and you really did not need to brake...making it an extremely fast, yet extremely easy race. Nothing special really happened. We did 60 laps which got pretty boring after awhile. I started in about 60th position or so. The pace was fast, but not hard. We averaged 28.5mph for the race. I was barely breathing that whole race and it was easy to move up. I moved up slowly every lap. See nothing too special.
I did want to contest the sprint. I actually sprinted pretty well. I ended up in 22nd for stage 6. I moved up one more spot on the GC. I finished 41st overall, only 6:33 back and I placed 2nd in the Best Cat 3 Rider Classification. Not too shabby for my first stage race....with no teammates. 2nd place Cat 3 got me 125$, which is pretty sweet. A lot of people said that this race was really hard...well, I'm happy I was able to hold my own in this race. I do feel stronger and feel more confident in my abilities.
If I can get good enough, next year I'm thinking about going to NVGP....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
I did want to contest the sprint. I actually sprinted pretty well. I ended up in 22nd for stage 6. I moved up one more spot on the GC. I finished 41st overall, only 6:33 back and I placed 2nd in the Best Cat 3 Rider Classification. Not too shabby for my first stage race....with no teammates. 2nd place Cat 3 got me 125$, which is pretty sweet. A lot of people said that this race was really hard...well, I'm happy I was able to hold my own in this race. I do feel stronger and feel more confident in my abilities.
If I can get good enough, next year I'm thinking about going to NVGP....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
23.6.07
Tour of Ohio, Stage 5....
Today was a bullshit race. We were suppose to do 5 laps of a 12.8 mile course and finish with 6 circuits for a total of 64 miles. Well, turned out we couldn't do the circuits in the city for some reason and they had us do 4 laps of an 11 or so mile course. 45 miles...that was it. We actually finished it faster than the stage 4. We averaged between 26-27 mph for this race.
The course was pancake flat with one little climb at the beginning of each lap. The climb wasn't even that horrible, but A&F drilled it so it did definitely hurt sometimes. Nothing eventful really happened today. No breakaways....lots tried. Seth Meyer got into 4 of them. About 50 riders got dropped. Huge group sprint of 80 riders.
The second time up the climb there was a crash half way up. I looked over and the white jersey was in it. Great just stay with the group and finish. It is a lousy way to win the jersey, I may add, but thats also bike racing. I was feeling good as the peloton was cruising at about 28-30 mph. All of a sudden I hear from behind "yeah, I was chasing really hard for awhile". I look back and its the White Jersey. That dude must be strong...and I respect him for that. It is something about having a jersey too...it just makes you go that much harder. So looks like he'll keep the white jersey, and I'll have to deal with 2nd, which isn't really that bad.
Other than that...not much happened in that race. Kinda boring. As Seth Meyer said, "Stage 5 should have been stage 2, stage 2 should have been stage 3, and stage 3 should have been today". I think that would have been a great idea. The race was pretty much won on Stage 3. These last 3 races are/have been crits. Nothing will change in a crit.
Well, today is the last day of the ToO. Stage starts at 7pm. 40 mile, 4 corner, 1km crit. All I have to do is stay with the pack and watch out for all 110 squirrely riders in the field, cuz I really don't want to crash on the last day. After the race we'll be heading back home, doing some night driving. Sunday I need to change my saddle cuz somehow it cracked perpendicular to the rails in the middle of the saddle. Too much Man-torque I guess. I have an extra saddle thank god. After I make that repair I think I'll go to the UWW road race and hopefully make some Cat 3's hurt.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
The course was pancake flat with one little climb at the beginning of each lap. The climb wasn't even that horrible, but A&F drilled it so it did definitely hurt sometimes. Nothing eventful really happened today. No breakaways....lots tried. Seth Meyer got into 4 of them. About 50 riders got dropped. Huge group sprint of 80 riders.
The second time up the climb there was a crash half way up. I looked over and the white jersey was in it. Great just stay with the group and finish. It is a lousy way to win the jersey, I may add, but thats also bike racing. I was feeling good as the peloton was cruising at about 28-30 mph. All of a sudden I hear from behind "yeah, I was chasing really hard for awhile". I look back and its the White Jersey. That dude must be strong...and I respect him for that. It is something about having a jersey too...it just makes you go that much harder. So looks like he'll keep the white jersey, and I'll have to deal with 2nd, which isn't really that bad.
Other than that...not much happened in that race. Kinda boring. As Seth Meyer said, "Stage 5 should have been stage 2, stage 2 should have been stage 3, and stage 3 should have been today". I think that would have been a great idea. The race was pretty much won on Stage 3. These last 3 races are/have been crits. Nothing will change in a crit.
Well, today is the last day of the ToO. Stage starts at 7pm. 40 mile, 4 corner, 1km crit. All I have to do is stay with the pack and watch out for all 110 squirrely riders in the field, cuz I really don't want to crash on the last day. After the race we'll be heading back home, doing some night driving. Sunday I need to change my saddle cuz somehow it cracked perpendicular to the rails in the middle of the saddle. Too much Man-torque I guess. I have an extra saddle thank god. After I make that repair I think I'll go to the UWW road race and hopefully make some Cat 3's hurt.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
21.6.07
Tour of Ohio, Stage 4....
To start off. After stage 3 I'm sitting in 43rd overall, 6:13 back. I did actually lose the White Jersey. I thought the other Cat 3 got dropped, but he was able to hang on in the front group. So he made 5 minutes on me. Kinda pissed me off. Oh well, anything can happen and at least I can definitely hold 2nd in that classification. But on to today's stage....
WOW...that was fast. There was a downhill with a headwind, turn, sharp big ring uphill, turn, gradual climb, straight, turn, straight. All of that in 1.2 miles...for 40 miles (33 laps). Well, it was pretty much a crit. Started off amazingly fast as usual. I started in the back, cuz guys like to camp out at the start an hour before the race even starts. I pretty much held on in the back for the whole race. My legs were just not into it today, but I wasn't going to drop out. I stayed next to the white jersey alot today. I didn't want to lose anymore time on him.
The race was extremely fast and hard...atleast thats what I thought as I secured the back. The downhill and the gradual climb were definitely the hardest parts of the course. The sharp climb was fine and I could always gain a couple positions up it. The downhills always saw speeds of 40-45 mph and it wasn't even that steep. With 26 laps to go my legs hurt pretty good and I wanted to drop out. But I kept telling myself to just keep going. Gaps were opening up right in front of me and the field kept getting smaller and smaller. I would close the gap...look behind me and there would be about 5 guys. So many people were dropping out. I had to stay in. With about 14 laps to go I started getting a little bit of the shivers...low electrolytes probably (don't worry I've been chugging the gatorade for tomorrow). Kept going.
With about 4 or 5 laps to go a crash happens on the 2nd to last straight. I swear, this is a sketchy field. I get around it and get back with the field. Each lap after that speeds up just a little bit...but not as fast as the other laps. I started to move up slowly during these laps. Couldn't drop now. With one lap to go A&F were drilling it as they have been for the whole week. I just hold on and finish with the field at the end.
Thank god my legs lasted that whole time. I was just thinking about the white jersey the whole time. It hurt real good. But after this stage my legs feel good again. After yesterday's stage my legs felt like complete crap. I even slept from 11pm until 1:30pm today. I was definitely tired. But now I'm more awake and ready for tomorrow.
Lots of people were saying that this is the hardest race they've done this year. Even two junior riders who raced a couple UCI events in Europe says that this race was harder. Matt Holecko said that he averaged 312 watts for that race...pedaling. I know I was definitely doing more than that being on the back and closing a lot of gaps. Well, I'm just happy that I've been staying alive lately and still going strong. I also definitely moved up a couple more spots on the GC...maybe top 40. I'll know more about that tomorrow morning...
Stage 5 will be 5 loops of a 12.8 mile course with 6 laps of a finishing circuit. I really hope to get back that 5 minutes on Dan Campbell (White Jersey leader). Anything can happen, and it has to happen tomorrow....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
WOW...that was fast. There was a downhill with a headwind, turn, sharp big ring uphill, turn, gradual climb, straight, turn, straight. All of that in 1.2 miles...for 40 miles (33 laps). Well, it was pretty much a crit. Started off amazingly fast as usual. I started in the back, cuz guys like to camp out at the start an hour before the race even starts. I pretty much held on in the back for the whole race. My legs were just not into it today, but I wasn't going to drop out. I stayed next to the white jersey alot today. I didn't want to lose anymore time on him.
The race was extremely fast and hard...atleast thats what I thought as I secured the back. The downhill and the gradual climb were definitely the hardest parts of the course. The sharp climb was fine and I could always gain a couple positions up it. The downhills always saw speeds of 40-45 mph and it wasn't even that steep. With 26 laps to go my legs hurt pretty good and I wanted to drop out. But I kept telling myself to just keep going. Gaps were opening up right in front of me and the field kept getting smaller and smaller. I would close the gap...look behind me and there would be about 5 guys. So many people were dropping out. I had to stay in. With about 14 laps to go I started getting a little bit of the shivers...low electrolytes probably (don't worry I've been chugging the gatorade for tomorrow). Kept going.
With about 4 or 5 laps to go a crash happens on the 2nd to last straight. I swear, this is a sketchy field. I get around it and get back with the field. Each lap after that speeds up just a little bit...but not as fast as the other laps. I started to move up slowly during these laps. Couldn't drop now. With one lap to go A&F were drilling it as they have been for the whole week. I just hold on and finish with the field at the end.
Thank god my legs lasted that whole time. I was just thinking about the white jersey the whole time. It hurt real good. But after this stage my legs feel good again. After yesterday's stage my legs felt like complete crap. I even slept from 11pm until 1:30pm today. I was definitely tired. But now I'm more awake and ready for tomorrow.
Lots of people were saying that this is the hardest race they've done this year. Even two junior riders who raced a couple UCI events in Europe says that this race was harder. Matt Holecko said that he averaged 312 watts for that race...pedaling. I know I was definitely doing more than that being on the back and closing a lot of gaps. Well, I'm just happy that I've been staying alive lately and still going strong. I also definitely moved up a couple more spots on the GC...maybe top 40. I'll know more about that tomorrow morning...
Stage 5 will be 5 loops of a 12.8 mile course with 6 laps of a finishing circuit. I really hope to get back that 5 minutes on Dan Campbell (White Jersey leader). Anything can happen, and it has to happen tomorrow....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
20.6.07
Tour of Ohio, Stage 3....
Today's race was hard...that's all I can say about it. 5 climbs in 64 miles. It was 82 degrees outside and we started at 1pm. Nice. Well, before the race I picked up my WHITE Best Cat 3 Rider's Jersey and put that on. That felt good. And its white...so it was Hott and awesome!
I started in the front row and was pushed back just a little bit. Still sitting pretty good. The first mile or so was a decent. After about 2-3 miles a break went off...with Seth Meyer in it. Good way to redeem yourself after being pissed off from the day before. The break stayed away for the whole race. It started with 5, maxed out at 12, and 4-5 finished with the others joining back into the group. The race was fast...but really easy to stick in a draft. It was pretty flat for the first 15 miles or so...That's what I think at least.
The first real climb came at about 24 miles in. I could see that there were not too many climbers in the field. I was able to get around a bunch of guys easily. Oh, there was also alot of gravel on this climb as well and that made people squirrely. I made it up fine. After the first climb there was an extremely fast decent (~50mph). One guy went right off the road into the grass, and went down hard. I hope he's alright.
Next, there were a couple rollers. At about 35 miles in, another climb. This one was really easy I thought. Probably about 5 minutes of climbing at about 5%. More guys fell off. Then right after that it got fast. I had a guy right in front of me just sit up and I had to sprint around him back up to the field. That was a good all out effort for about 1.5 minutes. Thanks dude. But I made it back on and had a couple guys tell me good pull. I recovered very nicely. The race went on. The next climb I don't really remember the 3rd climb...I just know I was with the group.
Next came another crash right in front of me...as usual. The field slowed to about 13mph and the guys in front of me kept braking and then bam. About 10 guys down. Slam on the brakes and slowly weave around them. The field was still going slow so getting back up to them was easy.
The next (4th) climb I thought was the hardest. Probably averaged well over 10% (it was also a stair stepper climb...about 5 sections to it. Up, flat, up, flat, up, etc.). It was hard. I had a couple more squirrely riders in front of me so I had to find a way around and lost a little time. The really strong guys were drilling it up this climb. I was catching dropped riders everywhere. Probably passed about 20 riders up that climb. I had a couple guys tell me to keep going. Thanks for the encouragement. Finally I made it up and over. I had one guy with me over the top. He started drilling it, but I needed just a little bit more recovery. I let him go and I caught him about 5 minutes later. The next 7 miles or so were roller after roller. When is it going to stop. Pain was setting in at this point, but I still felt strong. We caught a group of 6 in front of us and started working together...at least for a little bit. One of the guys got a Propel from his team car, drank half of it and then saw me and gave it to me. Ok I'll take it...I was a little thirsty. It's really nice how people respect the jersey leaders...or at least the Cat 3 rider that's somehow sticking with the P/1/2 field.
By the 5th climb we were in a group of 25 or so. I started up the climb and got into a groove. I was with two other guys and then we had a gap on the rest of the guys. I was definitely doing a lot of work in the group, but I was dropping guys easily....that made me feel good. But I still hated how no one was working. I had to save as much time as I could.
Next came the last 2 miles. A quick roller and then a hard right turn back towards the Old Man's Cave State Park. The road up to it had about a 2% gradient. Jamie Kimberly from Turin motioned for me to get on his wheel. I did and he drilled it...he was definitely helping me out to secure that White Jersey. Thanks Jamie! He did an awesome job getting me really good position. I finished 5th in the group. There was another group in front of us of about 25 guys with the 4 leaders in front of them. So about 35th on the day out of 129 guys....I think. Not too shabby. Only 5 minutes back from the leaders.
Seth Meyer gained about 1min30sec on me, putting him about 8.5 minutes behind me. I found out today that there was another Cat 3 rider tied for time with me today. It wasn't marked down on the sign in sheet that he was a Cat 3 by accident. I don't know how he finished. I don't think he was in the first group. It would be nice if I definitely got some good time on him. Then only Seth would be my main man to watch out for. But really we just want him or I to take the jersey. Him and I getting 1st and 2nd in that classification would rule. I'll know later tonight about results. I'm hoping...
I'll get a picture up later tonight of me in the Best Cat 3 Jersey for proof that I do actually have it.
Until tomorrow's next episode of the Tour of Ohio....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
I started in the front row and was pushed back just a little bit. Still sitting pretty good. The first mile or so was a decent. After about 2-3 miles a break went off...with Seth Meyer in it. Good way to redeem yourself after being pissed off from the day before. The break stayed away for the whole race. It started with 5, maxed out at 12, and 4-5 finished with the others joining back into the group. The race was fast...but really easy to stick in a draft. It was pretty flat for the first 15 miles or so...That's what I think at least.
The first real climb came at about 24 miles in. I could see that there were not too many climbers in the field. I was able to get around a bunch of guys easily. Oh, there was also alot of gravel on this climb as well and that made people squirrely. I made it up fine. After the first climb there was an extremely fast decent (~50mph). One guy went right off the road into the grass, and went down hard. I hope he's alright.
Next, there were a couple rollers. At about 35 miles in, another climb. This one was really easy I thought. Probably about 5 minutes of climbing at about 5%. More guys fell off. Then right after that it got fast. I had a guy right in front of me just sit up and I had to sprint around him back up to the field. That was a good all out effort for about 1.5 minutes. Thanks dude. But I made it back on and had a couple guys tell me good pull. I recovered very nicely. The race went on. The next climb I don't really remember the 3rd climb...I just know I was with the group.
Next came another crash right in front of me...as usual. The field slowed to about 13mph and the guys in front of me kept braking and then bam. About 10 guys down. Slam on the brakes and slowly weave around them. The field was still going slow so getting back up to them was easy.
The next (4th) climb I thought was the hardest. Probably averaged well over 10% (it was also a stair stepper climb...about 5 sections to it. Up, flat, up, flat, up, etc.). It was hard. I had a couple more squirrely riders in front of me so I had to find a way around and lost a little time. The really strong guys were drilling it up this climb. I was catching dropped riders everywhere. Probably passed about 20 riders up that climb. I had a couple guys tell me to keep going. Thanks for the encouragement. Finally I made it up and over. I had one guy with me over the top. He started drilling it, but I needed just a little bit more recovery. I let him go and I caught him about 5 minutes later. The next 7 miles or so were roller after roller. When is it going to stop. Pain was setting in at this point, but I still felt strong. We caught a group of 6 in front of us and started working together...at least for a little bit. One of the guys got a Propel from his team car, drank half of it and then saw me and gave it to me. Ok I'll take it...I was a little thirsty. It's really nice how people respect the jersey leaders...or at least the Cat 3 rider that's somehow sticking with the P/1/2 field.
By the 5th climb we were in a group of 25 or so. I started up the climb and got into a groove. I was with two other guys and then we had a gap on the rest of the guys. I was definitely doing a lot of work in the group, but I was dropping guys easily....that made me feel good. But I still hated how no one was working. I had to save as much time as I could.
Next came the last 2 miles. A quick roller and then a hard right turn back towards the Old Man's Cave State Park. The road up to it had about a 2% gradient. Jamie Kimberly from Turin motioned for me to get on his wheel. I did and he drilled it...he was definitely helping me out to secure that White Jersey. Thanks Jamie! He did an awesome job getting me really good position. I finished 5th in the group. There was another group in front of us of about 25 guys with the 4 leaders in front of them. So about 35th on the day out of 129 guys....I think. Not too shabby. Only 5 minutes back from the leaders.
Seth Meyer gained about 1min30sec on me, putting him about 8.5 minutes behind me. I found out today that there was another Cat 3 rider tied for time with me today. It wasn't marked down on the sign in sheet that he was a Cat 3 by accident. I don't know how he finished. I don't think he was in the first group. It would be nice if I definitely got some good time on him. Then only Seth would be my main man to watch out for. But really we just want him or I to take the jersey. Him and I getting 1st and 2nd in that classification would rule. I'll know later tonight about results. I'm hoping...
I'll get a picture up later tonight of me in the Best Cat 3 Jersey for proof that I do actually have it.
Until tomorrow's next episode of the Tour of Ohio....
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
ToO stage 2 results....
Just wanted to let everyone know quick. I'm sitting tied in 7th place overall with a whole bunch of guys. Only 20 seconds down. And right now I'm the best Cat 3 rider...with over 9min on the next Cat 3!!! Today I'll have to try extremely hard to keep that going.
Wish me luck!
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
Wish me luck!
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
19.6.07
Tour of Ohio, Stage 2....
Ok so to start off...yesterday I was placed at the 73rd position. They did take my time at lap 8 to go. 1:17:30. Atleast I'm the same as the field.
On to today. Today was not looking too good weather wise. But it did come through alright during the race. They actually changed the course a little I guess...it was 6 laps of an 8.6 mile loop with a couple of rollers and a 500m climb up to the finish. We got to the race a little later than expected. I got ready and it was already time to line up pretty much. I got a spot in about the 5th row...I believe. I'm pretty tired so I may be wrong, but it was up there. It was sprinkling a little bit, but not horribly bad. They were going to stop the race if the weather got too bad. Never did. Actually cleared up after the first lap. From the gun, the race had a blistering pace going. People were attacking and the teams would not let them go...then another group would attack and the pace stayed high for the first 3 laps. I was just hanging on the back pretty much the whole time. A couple gaps opened up here and there so I would have to close them...a few I was worried I wouldn't be able to close, but the field slowed down just enough for me to get back on, which was a relief. The field was disintegrating quickly. Lap 4 slowed down a little bit...I think some of the teams were a little tired. So that was a little bit of good rest. Lap 5 sped up again and again I was hanging on for dear life. Every time I looked back I was 5th from the back even after moving up 10-15 positions at times. Lap 6 was fast too...seeing that it was the last lap and teams were getting their sprinters into place. On one of the climbs on the backside I passed Jamie Kimberly from Illinois. He decided to grab hold of my jersey pocket to help him up. But for reimbursement he gave me a little push. No prob...I thought it was funny. During the last lap I witnessed two crashes...right in front of me of course. One was around a left turn that was still wet due to tree coverage. 3 MSU guys down right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes, but not enough to slide my wheels out from underneath me. I did not want to join them and ruin my position. I got through that alright. Then about 2 miles later, two guys go down on a straight away, pretty much right in front of me again...this time I really had to slam on the brakes. My rear wheel fish-tailed a little, but I was able to save it. At this point the race got extremely fast. I tried to drill it back up to the field after losing a little ground due to the crash. I was successful, but only after about a mile of it and I was spent. I was able to hold on the back, but then another surge went and I started falling off just before the final climb. I also started cramping a little bit in the quads. I just kept going, because it was the finish and because I saw some of the guys in the field starting to fall of on the climb that I could gain some time on. About 3/4th up I passed the yellow jersey and got about 15 seconds on him, which was awesome. He definitely exploded, due to the crawling uphill at a very slow pace. I was able to come in about 20-25 seconds back from the field at the end. About 40th position I think. Only about 50 or so finished in the main field.
I think it was a good race. Hard, but good. It showed me what I can do and that I have atleast some form. I wanted to just drop out after 2 laps...but I kept going because I thought it was going to slow down just a little bit, after a break went. But no break = no break for me. I made it through two days now and I think I'm sitting decently on the GC...at least for my ability. I moved up a little bit on the GC...I'll know more tomorrow for that.
Tomorrow's race will be extremely hard. 64 mile out and back with 5 climbs. Guys that have done this stage before said to have a 27 cog in the back. Well, I have a 25. I'll have to live with it. I just hope to lose less than 20 minutes on the field. It'll be hard and I'm going to try my best.
Ciao ciao...
Waitey
On to today. Today was not looking too good weather wise. But it did come through alright during the race. They actually changed the course a little I guess...it was 6 laps of an 8.6 mile loop with a couple of rollers and a 500m climb up to the finish. We got to the race a little later than expected. I got ready and it was already time to line up pretty much. I got a spot in about the 5th row...I believe. I'm pretty tired so I may be wrong, but it was up there. It was sprinkling a little bit, but not horribly bad. They were going to stop the race if the weather got too bad. Never did. Actually cleared up after the first lap. From the gun, the race had a blistering pace going. People were attacking and the teams would not let them go...then another group would attack and the pace stayed high for the first 3 laps. I was just hanging on the back pretty much the whole time. A couple gaps opened up here and there so I would have to close them...a few I was worried I wouldn't be able to close, but the field slowed down just enough for me to get back on, which was a relief. The field was disintegrating quickly. Lap 4 slowed down a little bit...I think some of the teams were a little tired. So that was a little bit of good rest. Lap 5 sped up again and again I was hanging on for dear life. Every time I looked back I was 5th from the back even after moving up 10-15 positions at times. Lap 6 was fast too...seeing that it was the last lap and teams were getting their sprinters into place. On one of the climbs on the backside I passed Jamie Kimberly from Illinois. He decided to grab hold of my jersey pocket to help him up. But for reimbursement he gave me a little push. No prob...I thought it was funny. During the last lap I witnessed two crashes...right in front of me of course. One was around a left turn that was still wet due to tree coverage. 3 MSU guys down right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes, but not enough to slide my wheels out from underneath me. I did not want to join them and ruin my position. I got through that alright. Then about 2 miles later, two guys go down on a straight away, pretty much right in front of me again...this time I really had to slam on the brakes. My rear wheel fish-tailed a little, but I was able to save it. At this point the race got extremely fast. I tried to drill it back up to the field after losing a little ground due to the crash. I was successful, but only after about a mile of it and I was spent. I was able to hold on the back, but then another surge went and I started falling off just before the final climb. I also started cramping a little bit in the quads. I just kept going, because it was the finish and because I saw some of the guys in the field starting to fall of on the climb that I could gain some time on. About 3/4th up I passed the yellow jersey and got about 15 seconds on him, which was awesome. He definitely exploded, due to the crawling uphill at a very slow pace. I was able to come in about 20-25 seconds back from the field at the end. About 40th position I think. Only about 50 or so finished in the main field.
I think it was a good race. Hard, but good. It showed me what I can do and that I have atleast some form. I wanted to just drop out after 2 laps...but I kept going because I thought it was going to slow down just a little bit, after a break went. But no break = no break for me. I made it through two days now and I think I'm sitting decently on the GC...at least for my ability. I moved up a little bit on the GC...I'll know more tomorrow for that.
Tomorrow's race will be extremely hard. 64 mile out and back with 5 climbs. Guys that have done this stage before said to have a 27 cog in the back. Well, I have a 25. I'll have to live with it. I just hope to lose less than 20 minutes on the field. It'll be hard and I'm going to try my best.
Ciao ciao...
Waitey
Tour of Ohio, Stage 1....
Well, first off it took us about 9 hrs to get down to Ohio due to traffic and construction. But we made it here. Frye’s grandparents’ house rules. Very nice place, pool table, and they are constantly feeding us. I kinda feel spoiled. But I guess they like it.
Ok stage 1. It was about 95 degrees Fahrenheit today. It was a dry heat though, which I like a lot more than that horrible humidity that just zaps my energy. We got there and saw some pretty big teams. Kelly Regional Team, Priority Health, A&F, Colavita Regional Team and others. We thought it was going to be hard. I just wanted to finish. The course was a 1km long 8 corner criterium. We did 40 miles of it, which turned out to be 68 laps. Damn that got boring after awhile. Well, I started in the 6th or 7th row of the 127 person field right next to Seth Meyer. Matt Holecko got a good position in the front row. The race got started and it really wasn’t that fast. Probably because of the all the corners. I got pushed back a little bit in the field. After about 10 laps or so my legs started feeling good and I had a bit more confidence so I started moving up. I thought it was really easy to move up in the corners and on the finishing straight. When I really wanted to I would gun it up to a corner and cut it in close and make up about 5 to 6 spots. The finishing straight was the same thing. The corners were very smooth and I barely had to touch my breaks. God I love people that know how to ride a bike. So pretty much the whole race I kept moving up and then pushed back a little, etc. I had to close down 4 gaps during the race, because some riders just sat right up...right in front of me nonetheless. But it always came out good in the end.
So they had a rule during the race. You just had to make it to 8 laps left and they would take your time at that point. After that you could drop out...the last part was meant for the sprinters, due to the narrow course. I made it to that last 8 laps with the field, so I should have the same time as pretty much everyone else...but I kept going. Over the next 8 laps I started risking it a little more to make a couple more positions here and there. I was going for the Best Cat 3 Jersey. I didn’t know who was a Cat 3. The only ones I know about are me, Seth Meyer, Jason Carr and one of the guys riding for MSU/Hotter N’ Hell. And I wasn’t about to drop out of a race just because I could. I’m definitely going to finish. Many people dropped out after that 8 lap rule. The pace did get faster, but it was still pretty easy. I had Seth Meyer behind me and I was following an MSU riders wheel (I don’t know if he was Cat 3 or not...I wasn’t going to risk it, so I had to beat him). At the end I was able to sprint around the MSU guy and keep Seth behind me. The race only averaged ~24mph.
I guess I placed in the upper third of the field. Hopefully top 40...and hopefully I got the Best Cat 3 rider as of right now. I’ll know that tomorrow. I really don’t think there are too many cat 3’s in this race.
Well, tomorrow is a 53-mile road race. It’s 5 laps of a ~10 mile lap with two climbs per lap. Start time is 5pm...it may rain. I just hope the legs have what it takes.
Oh and congrats to Nick “Steamer” Frye. He won the Cat 4/5 race today and got some sweet new orange tyres that match his bike. Yeah...he pretty much crushed the field.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
Ok stage 1. It was about 95 degrees Fahrenheit today. It was a dry heat though, which I like a lot more than that horrible humidity that just zaps my energy. We got there and saw some pretty big teams. Kelly Regional Team, Priority Health, A&F, Colavita Regional Team and others. We thought it was going to be hard. I just wanted to finish. The course was a 1km long 8 corner criterium. We did 40 miles of it, which turned out to be 68 laps. Damn that got boring after awhile. Well, I started in the 6th or 7th row of the 127 person field right next to Seth Meyer. Matt Holecko got a good position in the front row. The race got started and it really wasn’t that fast. Probably because of the all the corners. I got pushed back a little bit in the field. After about 10 laps or so my legs started feeling good and I had a bit more confidence so I started moving up. I thought it was really easy to move up in the corners and on the finishing straight. When I really wanted to I would gun it up to a corner and cut it in close and make up about 5 to 6 spots. The finishing straight was the same thing. The corners were very smooth and I barely had to touch my breaks. God I love people that know how to ride a bike. So pretty much the whole race I kept moving up and then pushed back a little, etc. I had to close down 4 gaps during the race, because some riders just sat right up...right in front of me nonetheless. But it always came out good in the end.
So they had a rule during the race. You just had to make it to 8 laps left and they would take your time at that point. After that you could drop out...the last part was meant for the sprinters, due to the narrow course. I made it to that last 8 laps with the field, so I should have the same time as pretty much everyone else...but I kept going. Over the next 8 laps I started risking it a little more to make a couple more positions here and there. I was going for the Best Cat 3 Jersey. I didn’t know who was a Cat 3. The only ones I know about are me, Seth Meyer, Jason Carr and one of the guys riding for MSU/Hotter N’ Hell. And I wasn’t about to drop out of a race just because I could. I’m definitely going to finish. Many people dropped out after that 8 lap rule. The pace did get faster, but it was still pretty easy. I had Seth Meyer behind me and I was following an MSU riders wheel (I don’t know if he was Cat 3 or not...I wasn’t going to risk it, so I had to beat him). At the end I was able to sprint around the MSU guy and keep Seth behind me. The race only averaged ~24mph.
I guess I placed in the upper third of the field. Hopefully top 40...and hopefully I got the Best Cat 3 rider as of right now. I’ll know that tomorrow. I really don’t think there are too many cat 3’s in this race.
Well, tomorrow is a 53-mile road race. It’s 5 laps of a ~10 mile lap with two climbs per lap. Start time is 5pm...it may rain. I just hope the legs have what it takes.
Oh and congrats to Nick “Steamer” Frye. He won the Cat 4/5 race today and got some sweet new orange tyres that match his bike. Yeah...he pretty much crushed the field.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
Giro d'Grafton....
So Saturday saw the Giro d’Grafton criterium. I arrived early (about 1pm) to watch a little bit of the Men’s 4/5 race. Steamer finished 3rd, which is awesome for him. He’ll probably get his 3’s upgrade by the end of the season. After that I sat around for about 2 hrs for my race to start at 4:30pm.
The course was kinda sweet. Long finishing straight with 6 corners and one little hill after corner 2. The cat 3 field started with probably around 45-50 starters...I think. The race started out amazingly slow. I actually rode up to Seth Meyer and asked if this felt really easy. He agreed. Then all of a sudden after about 10 minutes into the crit Dallas was found on front drilling the pace and then trying a break. He got away for a little bit, but was pulled back not too long after. He did end up winning 2 primes. After a while I tried going on a couple breaks. I went on 4 total during the race. One looked promising...but then my legs said no. So I went back into the field and rested up. A couple Get A Grip guys decided to go and they were chased down. That was pretty much the whole race...attack after attack. With 3 laps to go I noticed the field slowing down so I decided to try my luck. I didn’t really attack...I just went a little harder and rode off the front. I looked back and had a pretty decent gap. I actually went around the first corner and heard a couple guys go down...ah Cat 3 riders. I stayed out for about 3/4th of a lap and looked back...still a gap, but Seth Meyer bridged up to me. Sweet. We went about another 1/2 of a lap and Dallas bridged up to us too. Thats what I call a pretty awesome breakaway group. This is the group that I think all the cat 3 riders are scared of. Well around the last corner of lap two...Seth hits some melting tar just wrong and his front wheel locks up, he saved it pretty well though. It made me hit my brakes and Dallas got a little gap on us. Well the field started going really hard now...and caught us all. Damn it. I think it could have stuck if we just communicated a little more to each other. At least we know that for next time. We stayed with the field for the last lap and sprinted. Dallas got 12th (with puking in the sprint), I got 15th (last money spot) and Seth got 22nd. The race averaged 27mph...pretty good. Didn’t seem that hard though.
I stayed for the Pro/1/2 race. All I can say is Twilight Crits rule! Crazy race though. After 2 or 3 laps a break of 15 got off and stayed off with lapping the field at minute 70. Some big names were in that break. Some Kelly Regional rider ended up winning, Garrett Peltonen was 2nd and Freshie Steve took 4th.
Monday starts the Tour of Ohio. We drive down on Sunday. I’ll try and write a report after every stage...
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
The course was kinda sweet. Long finishing straight with 6 corners and one little hill after corner 2. The cat 3 field started with probably around 45-50 starters...I think. The race started out amazingly slow. I actually rode up to Seth Meyer and asked if this felt really easy. He agreed. Then all of a sudden after about 10 minutes into the crit Dallas was found on front drilling the pace and then trying a break. He got away for a little bit, but was pulled back not too long after. He did end up winning 2 primes. After a while I tried going on a couple breaks. I went on 4 total during the race. One looked promising...but then my legs said no. So I went back into the field and rested up. A couple Get A Grip guys decided to go and they were chased down. That was pretty much the whole race...attack after attack. With 3 laps to go I noticed the field slowing down so I decided to try my luck. I didn’t really attack...I just went a little harder and rode off the front. I looked back and had a pretty decent gap. I actually went around the first corner and heard a couple guys go down...ah Cat 3 riders. I stayed out for about 3/4th of a lap and looked back...still a gap, but Seth Meyer bridged up to me. Sweet. We went about another 1/2 of a lap and Dallas bridged up to us too. Thats what I call a pretty awesome breakaway group. This is the group that I think all the cat 3 riders are scared of. Well around the last corner of lap two...Seth hits some melting tar just wrong and his front wheel locks up, he saved it pretty well though. It made me hit my brakes and Dallas got a little gap on us. Well the field started going really hard now...and caught us all. Damn it. I think it could have stuck if we just communicated a little more to each other. At least we know that for next time. We stayed with the field for the last lap and sprinted. Dallas got 12th (with puking in the sprint), I got 15th (last money spot) and Seth got 22nd. The race averaged 27mph...pretty good. Didn’t seem that hard though.
I stayed for the Pro/1/2 race. All I can say is Twilight Crits rule! Crazy race though. After 2 or 3 laps a break of 15 got off and stayed off with lapping the field at minute 70. Some big names were in that break. Some Kelly Regional rider ended up winning, Garrett Peltonen was 2nd and Freshie Steve took 4th.
Monday starts the Tour of Ohio. We drive down on Sunday. I’ll try and write a report after every stage...
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
15.6.07
Racing, Part II....
It's been well over a month since my last post. I'm just lazy...what can I say. This summer has been pretty good so far. I've been waking up early, which is a first....then I go on a long bike ride....get home....take a nap (sometimes)....and then either hang out for the night or go to work. I like doing that. That's what I live for.
So far this year I've done 25 races. I have 25 more this year and then its cyclo-cross season. So far its going well. I've been going pretty well in the cat 3 races. I've been more working for Dallas and Corey...but I see myself as more of a domestique. I'll give a little overview of the more important races done so far since my last post.
Collegiate Natz RR: 90 mile road race on a 90 degree day....
There was flooding on one part of the course so they had to reroute the beginning of the race...onto a 2 mile gravel road. AWESOME!!! I loved it. The first time through it was neutral and at the end of it we waited for 40 people to get flats changed. The race wasn't too fast...at least not as fast as the first year I did it (2 years ago)...or maybe I am that much stronger. I actually thought it was fairly easy. My goals for the race were stay with the pack to the finish, go on a breakaway and be in the front of the field. Well, two of them came true. During the first lap I saw an opening and gunned it right up to the front...goal 1 complete. I was able to stay in the first half of the field for the race. Halfway through the first lap, a group of 5 tried getting away so I tried my luck and went with them. We didn't stay out too long, cuz they couldn't work together too well...but at least I was out there. At the last little climb of the lap, before the gravel section I was getting water bottles in the feed zone. All of a sudden I look straight ahead and there's a pile up of 12 guys about 10 feet tall right in my path. I go all the way around the left of them away from the feed zone and get by safely...but theres a gap between me and the field. Well, in gravel sections the first group tends to drill the pace. I worked my ass off through the gravel section passing and seeing about 60 riders on the side of the road waiting for the wheel truck. Thank god I didn't get a flat. Got through it, but had a little bit more work to do. I was joined by 5 more guys (one of them being ultra-squirrely and cutting across my front wheel and going into the left ditch...I think he's cleat came out of the pedal). The main group slowed down a little and we were able to catch back on. The field started with about 160 riders I believe...at this point we were down to about 80 or so after the gravel. Most of the big dogs were out of the race cuz they didn't have enough wheels for everyone. We even lost Freshie Steve. But don't worry, he soloed it back to the group for 20 miles...it was also the fastest lap the field had (he's kinda strong...you know). We'll I pulled the field for a little bit on the backside, trying to pull back a breakaway. Cut the time gap down a little bit...good feeling. Still felt good. We got back to the final climb of the lap and there was another crash in front of me that I had to go left of away from the feed zone. I was just on the back of the field though...so going good. We got to the gravel...halfway through I see Baumann with a flat. I stop and give him my front wheel. He goes 3 feet and the rear flats. We have a little bit of trouble getting the rear wheel off my bike but finally get it. I wait for the wheel truck...thank god they had wheels again. I didn't want to drop out. It was Eric Bean, Baumann and me. We were going to TTT back to the field. Well, after stopping for that long (about 6 minutes) my legs thought the race was done and started going into shut down mode. And neutral support put in the wheels crooked and were rubbing on the breaks so that slowed me down in the gravel, which I noticed after getting out of that section. So I had to stop and readjust them...losing more time. While I soloed it in for 69th place. Congrats to Freshie for his 4th place and Seth Meyer for 20th (thank god for training in Europe...it actually does make you stronger).
The scene for most of the day in all divisions
I also did the open Crit...I got 18th. Legs didn't feel too great that day.
Memorial Day Weekend:
Next major races were Snake Alley, Melon Cities, and Quad Cities. Snake Alley was hard. It started raining just before our race and did so for the first 5 laps or so making the Snake very slick and sketchy. You couldn't get out of the saddle and would have to try and not slip around. I started 4th row in the middle, which was pretty good positioning Well, right as the race started the whole right side of the field missed their clip-in and the left side of the field had a flawless clip-in. I was right in the middle. I got about 30th place going into the first corner right before the Snake...damn it. Also, right at the corner someone crashes due to locking up their brakes and sliding. They hit my rear wheel, but luckily I didn't go down. The rest of the race was going hard and chasing. I kept making my way up slowly. I was feeling good and my climbing was pretty good too. I ended up in a sprint with two other guys...I beat one, but jumped a little too late and Sam Stone beat me by about half a wheel, maybe even less. Well, I got 21st. 1 place outside of the money. Dallas got 2nd, Corey got 5th.
Melon Cities. We wanted to get me in a break. The pace was high for the whole 18 laps. No one could get away. The last lap the field started slowing way down...so instead of making it dangerous I jumped on the front and drove the pace until halfway up the final hill...Corey was able to hold my wheel in the leadout and get 3rd place. Dallas and I finished in the field.
Quad Cities. This was a fun race. 30 laps of rage in the cage due to chicken wire holding us in and the drunkards out. I guess it was the fastest average speed during the day including the P/1/2 field. Awesome. We wanted to get me in a break again today with one of the Get A Grip guys. Well, right from the start I started in the 4th row again and some guy in front of me falls over at the f#$*ing start line. I get pushed back alot. I stay on the back for the first 5 laps, doing sprints around every corner to get the legs good and warmed up. On the 6th lap I go from the last 1/4 of the group to the top 15. I stayed there for awhile. With 10 laps to go I attack with Steve from Get A Grip. GAG and BD are at the front shutting down the field. I look back and there are 3 more riders bridging up to us. Steve looks back and thinks its the field...I tell him to pull around me and get this going. He tells me "I don't want to blow my load too soon". WHAT!?! We had more than a block gap on the field and it was growing. I just needed a second of rest and then could have pulled again...but he stopped pedaling and the break was caught. Not gonna lie...I was pissed. No more breaks were going to go. I wanted to try with 4 laps to go, but I got cut off and one guy went off the front and won it solo...I should have been up there with him. With 2 laps to go, knowing that I don't have a sprint and the field was slowing way down to save some energy for the sprint...I jumped on the front and drilled it amazingly hard for Corey and Dallas. I lasted on the front for 1.75 laps. Averaging between 33-36mph the whole time. I made the field string out. At the 2nd to last corner Dallas and Corey sprint around me and were able to hold the field off for 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, with me finishing in the pack. We were definitely the team that controlled the whole race and what we planned out actually happened. We really work well as a team. I'm just happy they at least gave me a shout out on the podium.
On the front of the Quad Cities Crit, drilling the pace for the last 2 laps....
State Champs RR:
The last race of importance so far this year. This course was small rolling hills with one 300 meter power climb up to the finish. Seth Meyer and I definitely wanted to get something going in this. We both tried attacking many times during this race, but we were both definitely targeted. The field would let solo riders go and then slowly pull them back. Yet every time either Seth or myself would attack the field would be on our asses immediately. They were watching us like hawks. Seth and I were putting in solid attacks...just the field never wanted to see us go. The first time up the climb I was sitting about 4th wheel. I saw Seth come around me and I jumped on his wheel immediately. I was actually surprised I was able to stay on his wheel easily, seeing that I'm a fat ass and wouldn't quite call myself a climber. For the next 6 laps I always found myself no farther back than 5th wheel on that power climb. I probably attacked about 6-7 times during that race. Nothing ever worked. Finally with 2 laps to go 2 guys get off the front and one was able to stay off for the solo win...we caught the other guy up the final hill. Well, going up the final climb up to the finish I was sitting 5th wheel and moving up. 2 guys come around me on the right. I look to my left and the first guy to pass me is flailing all around with both feet unclipped. He threw the 2nd guy into my path and I had to slam on my brakes and get started again uphill...that sucks alot. I had about 6-7 guys pass me. I was able to hold off the rest of the field for 12th, but I should have been top 5. I was pissed. But oh well...50 guys started, 30 or so finished and I was always one of the first up the power climb. I gave a good effort for that whole race.
Now on to training. I've been putting in 4-5 hours days in on the bike in just the small ring with a couple hard efforts up hills. Doing this has definitely made me a lot stronger. I feel as if my climbing, sprinting, and overall power are improved. I definitely feel like one of the stronger Cat 3's in the field. I can't wait to upgrade to Cat 2...get my ass handed to me and improve even more. Tomorrow is the Grafton crit and I'm holding nothing back for that win. I'm not giving any type of leadout...I'm going to save everything I have for the final sprint or get in a break. After that I will be leaving for Tour of Ohio (which I hope to update this blog after every stage). 6 day stage race all around Ohio. 340 miles. Cat 1-3 race. Should be good, fun and hard. I'm ready....
I'll also probably have a couple interesting updates later on in the summer. Oh and I got a new sweet toy. I'll let you know more about that later....
Hopefully, I start updating this more so I don't have to write 20 pages at a time and remember half a summer's worth of memories...
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
So far this year I've done 25 races. I have 25 more this year and then its cyclo-cross season. So far its going well. I've been going pretty well in the cat 3 races. I've been more working for Dallas and Corey...but I see myself as more of a domestique. I'll give a little overview of the more important races done so far since my last post.
Collegiate Natz RR: 90 mile road race on a 90 degree day....
There was flooding on one part of the course so they had to reroute the beginning of the race...onto a 2 mile gravel road. AWESOME!!! I loved it. The first time through it was neutral and at the end of it we waited for 40 people to get flats changed. The race wasn't too fast...at least not as fast as the first year I did it (2 years ago)...or maybe I am that much stronger. I actually thought it was fairly easy. My goals for the race were stay with the pack to the finish, go on a breakaway and be in the front of the field. Well, two of them came true. During the first lap I saw an opening and gunned it right up to the front...goal 1 complete. I was able to stay in the first half of the field for the race. Halfway through the first lap, a group of 5 tried getting away so I tried my luck and went with them. We didn't stay out too long, cuz they couldn't work together too well...but at least I was out there. At the last little climb of the lap, before the gravel section I was getting water bottles in the feed zone. All of a sudden I look straight ahead and there's a pile up of 12 guys about 10 feet tall right in my path. I go all the way around the left of them away from the feed zone and get by safely...but theres a gap between me and the field. Well, in gravel sections the first group tends to drill the pace. I worked my ass off through the gravel section passing and seeing about 60 riders on the side of the road waiting for the wheel truck. Thank god I didn't get a flat. Got through it, but had a little bit more work to do. I was joined by 5 more guys (one of them being ultra-squirrely and cutting across my front wheel and going into the left ditch...I think he's cleat came out of the pedal). The main group slowed down a little and we were able to catch back on. The field started with about 160 riders I believe...at this point we were down to about 80 or so after the gravel. Most of the big dogs were out of the race cuz they didn't have enough wheels for everyone. We even lost Freshie Steve. But don't worry, he soloed it back to the group for 20 miles...it was also the fastest lap the field had (he's kinda strong...you know). We'll I pulled the field for a little bit on the backside, trying to pull back a breakaway. Cut the time gap down a little bit...good feeling. Still felt good. We got back to the final climb of the lap and there was another crash in front of me that I had to go left of away from the feed zone. I was just on the back of the field though...so going good. We got to the gravel...halfway through I see Baumann with a flat. I stop and give him my front wheel. He goes 3 feet and the rear flats. We have a little bit of trouble getting the rear wheel off my bike but finally get it. I wait for the wheel truck...thank god they had wheels again. I didn't want to drop out. It was Eric Bean, Baumann and me. We were going to TTT back to the field. Well, after stopping for that long (about 6 minutes) my legs thought the race was done and started going into shut down mode. And neutral support put in the wheels crooked and were rubbing on the breaks so that slowed me down in the gravel, which I noticed after getting out of that section. So I had to stop and readjust them...losing more time. While I soloed it in for 69th place. Congrats to Freshie for his 4th place and Seth Meyer for 20th (thank god for training in Europe...it actually does make you stronger).
The scene for most of the day in all divisions
I also did the open Crit...I got 18th. Legs didn't feel too great that day.
Memorial Day Weekend:
Next major races were Snake Alley, Melon Cities, and Quad Cities. Snake Alley was hard. It started raining just before our race and did so for the first 5 laps or so making the Snake very slick and sketchy. You couldn't get out of the saddle and would have to try and not slip around. I started 4th row in the middle, which was pretty good positioning Well, right as the race started the whole right side of the field missed their clip-in and the left side of the field had a flawless clip-in. I was right in the middle. I got about 30th place going into the first corner right before the Snake...damn it. Also, right at the corner someone crashes due to locking up their brakes and sliding. They hit my rear wheel, but luckily I didn't go down. The rest of the race was going hard and chasing. I kept making my way up slowly. I was feeling good and my climbing was pretty good too. I ended up in a sprint with two other guys...I beat one, but jumped a little too late and Sam Stone beat me by about half a wheel, maybe even less. Well, I got 21st. 1 place outside of the money. Dallas got 2nd, Corey got 5th.
Melon Cities. We wanted to get me in a break. The pace was high for the whole 18 laps. No one could get away. The last lap the field started slowing way down...so instead of making it dangerous I jumped on the front and drove the pace until halfway up the final hill...Corey was able to hold my wheel in the leadout and get 3rd place. Dallas and I finished in the field.
Quad Cities. This was a fun race. 30 laps of rage in the cage due to chicken wire holding us in and the drunkards out. I guess it was the fastest average speed during the day including the P/1/2 field. Awesome. We wanted to get me in a break again today with one of the Get A Grip guys. Well, right from the start I started in the 4th row again and some guy in front of me falls over at the f#$*ing start line. I get pushed back alot. I stay on the back for the first 5 laps, doing sprints around every corner to get the legs good and warmed up. On the 6th lap I go from the last 1/4 of the group to the top 15. I stayed there for awhile. With 10 laps to go I attack with Steve from Get A Grip. GAG and BD are at the front shutting down the field. I look back and there are 3 more riders bridging up to us. Steve looks back and thinks its the field...I tell him to pull around me and get this going. He tells me "I don't want to blow my load too soon". WHAT!?! We had more than a block gap on the field and it was growing. I just needed a second of rest and then could have pulled again...but he stopped pedaling and the break was caught. Not gonna lie...I was pissed. No more breaks were going to go. I wanted to try with 4 laps to go, but I got cut off and one guy went off the front and won it solo...I should have been up there with him. With 2 laps to go, knowing that I don't have a sprint and the field was slowing way down to save some energy for the sprint...I jumped on the front and drilled it amazingly hard for Corey and Dallas. I lasted on the front for 1.75 laps. Averaging between 33-36mph the whole time. I made the field string out. At the 2nd to last corner Dallas and Corey sprint around me and were able to hold the field off for 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, with me finishing in the pack. We were definitely the team that controlled the whole race and what we planned out actually happened. We really work well as a team. I'm just happy they at least gave me a shout out on the podium.
On the front of the Quad Cities Crit, drilling the pace for the last 2 laps....
State Champs RR:
The last race of importance so far this year. This course was small rolling hills with one 300 meter power climb up to the finish. Seth Meyer and I definitely wanted to get something going in this. We both tried attacking many times during this race, but we were both definitely targeted. The field would let solo riders go and then slowly pull them back. Yet every time either Seth or myself would attack the field would be on our asses immediately. They were watching us like hawks. Seth and I were putting in solid attacks...just the field never wanted to see us go. The first time up the climb I was sitting about 4th wheel. I saw Seth come around me and I jumped on his wheel immediately. I was actually surprised I was able to stay on his wheel easily, seeing that I'm a fat ass and wouldn't quite call myself a climber. For the next 6 laps I always found myself no farther back than 5th wheel on that power climb. I probably attacked about 6-7 times during that race. Nothing ever worked. Finally with 2 laps to go 2 guys get off the front and one was able to stay off for the solo win...we caught the other guy up the final hill. Well, going up the final climb up to the finish I was sitting 5th wheel and moving up. 2 guys come around me on the right. I look to my left and the first guy to pass me is flailing all around with both feet unclipped. He threw the 2nd guy into my path and I had to slam on my brakes and get started again uphill...that sucks alot. I had about 6-7 guys pass me. I was able to hold off the rest of the field for 12th, but I should have been top 5. I was pissed. But oh well...50 guys started, 30 or so finished and I was always one of the first up the power climb. I gave a good effort for that whole race.
Now on to training. I've been putting in 4-5 hours days in on the bike in just the small ring with a couple hard efforts up hills. Doing this has definitely made me a lot stronger. I feel as if my climbing, sprinting, and overall power are improved. I definitely feel like one of the stronger Cat 3's in the field. I can't wait to upgrade to Cat 2...get my ass handed to me and improve even more. Tomorrow is the Grafton crit and I'm holding nothing back for that win. I'm not giving any type of leadout...I'm going to save everything I have for the final sprint or get in a break. After that I will be leaving for Tour of Ohio (which I hope to update this blog after every stage). 6 day stage race all around Ohio. 340 miles. Cat 1-3 race. Should be good, fun and hard. I'm ready....
I'll also probably have a couple interesting updates later on in the summer. Oh and I got a new sweet toy. I'll let you know more about that later....
Hopefully, I start updating this more so I don't have to write 20 pages at a time and remember half a summer's worth of memories...
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
8.5.07
Racing....
Still here? I guess I am. I don't have much to say right now. School is almost done and I've been riding and racing my bike alot. I leave for Collegiate Road Nationals tomorrow. I'll be competing in the RR and probably the open crit. Should be a good time. Our sponsor schwinn gave us free Peloton LTD frames to ride at Natz....and not gonna lie but those frames are sweet. Acceleration is amazing and its very responsive. So you'll probably see me on that for awhile...too because I don't really want to take the time to put the Frugeri back together.
I've done 14 races so far this year and I'm definitely stronger than last year, but I still have a lot to work on. I have about 40 more races this year left....I think I'll be able to get stronger.
So my form is alright right now, but I wish it was better. My goal for the Natz RR is to just keep with the pack. It'll be hard. As for the the rest of the season I plan on being in form for the Memorial Day Weekend races, Tour of Ohio, Superweek and Gateway Cup. I want to be able to upgrade to Cat 2 after ToO for superweek...I know it would be hard, but I'm up for the challenge. I just have to start riding smart. On Sunday I raced the Wheel and Sprocket crit up in Neenah. I was definitely one of the strongest guys in the field, but I played it stupid and did way too much work. I need to just stay in the field and then attack at the right moment when everyone is tired....oh well.
Well, other than that I'll try and update this thing a little bit more....oh yeah I'm in the running to be the UW cycling President. I'm up against the current Prez. Wish me luck...elections are tonight.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
I've done 14 races so far this year and I'm definitely stronger than last year, but I still have a lot to work on. I have about 40 more races this year left....I think I'll be able to get stronger.
So my form is alright right now, but I wish it was better. My goal for the Natz RR is to just keep with the pack. It'll be hard. As for the the rest of the season I plan on being in form for the Memorial Day Weekend races, Tour of Ohio, Superweek and Gateway Cup. I want to be able to upgrade to Cat 2 after ToO for superweek...I know it would be hard, but I'm up for the challenge. I just have to start riding smart. On Sunday I raced the Wheel and Sprocket crit up in Neenah. I was definitely one of the strongest guys in the field, but I played it stupid and did way too much work. I need to just stay in the field and then attack at the right moment when everyone is tired....oh well.
Well, other than that I'll try and update this thing a little bit more....oh yeah I'm in the running to be the UW cycling President. I'm up against the current Prez. Wish me luck...elections are tonight.
Ciao ciao....
Waitey
5.3.07
Cold + Sick + Dangerous Course + 2 crashes + 60 minutes = Pain....
Only one word can explain this weekend.....EPIC.
The race weekend brought us down to Crawfordsville, Indiana. On the way down mother nature treated us to high winds and white out conditions. Winds got up to around 60 mph and "The Mother" was definitely trying to destroy our bikes. On the way down we saw about 41 cars in ditches and 2 accidents. One side of my fork decided to rip out of the tray and flail all around...possibly destroying the fork (it needs to be looked at). The tray Darren's trek 5.2 was being held on split in half and his bike nearly flew off the car. Further inspection found a crack in his carbon frame...Mother Nature 1, Us 0.
It was only suppose to be a 5 hr car ride...it turned into 9 hrs. I hope this weather ends soon or I'm going to punch mother nature in the ovary. We got there at 11pm eastern time, unpacked and tuned up our bikes for Saturday.
Saturday:
Drive the course...find snow on the ground...find that race is postponed until 10...9am...ITT at 11:30 now.....9:30am...snow rolls in with whiteout conditions....Race cancelled.
We drove back to the hotel and relaxed a little bit. At noon a couple of us decided to go for a ride outside, while others stayed inside and rode trainers and rollers. I would rather be outside for 30min than inside a hotel riding rollers. Froze our feet and hands and never made it to the crit course to ride it a couple times. Came back and just slept.
6:30pm rolls around and its time to go to Applebee's. Fun times happened there. Lots of joking while watching more snow come down outside. A couple beers here and there, half a plate of Chicken Penne Alfredo and a brownie dessert later we're off to the hotel. We had a short little team meeting and then about 6 of us were off to the strip joint only 200 feet away from the hotel. We met up with 3 Mizzou guys there. We definitely did not get our hopes up for this place and thank god we didn't. We were in Indiana....can't expect much...mostly nothing actually. We had a couple beers, didn't really want to watch the women. Got back...there was a little bit of chaos and we went to sleep.
Sunday:
We got to the course and it was covered in snow. But the race was still going to happen. It was suppose to start at 9:30...but was postponed until 11am. 15 of our teammates left...and with my bike. I had no bike. Great. All the fields raced with time cut down. We didn't have any D's or C's riders. We won women's B's. Got 7th and 9th in Men's B's (close to that atleast). And women's A's we only had 1 rider, but I believe she finished middle of the pack.
Men's A time:
I used Spencer's six13 and Darren's keo pedals. The bike was a little small so I was a little twitchy, but it had to work. 60 min...they asked us if we wanted to drop the time down to 45 minutes. Lots of people wanted to. I was there to race and I paid to race. They already cut the time down by 15 minutes, I want my 60 minutes then. There were 4 of us that wanted 60 minutes (Dallas, Seth Meyer, Me, and I believe a Milwaukee guy). They kept it at 60 minutes. Awesome. 28 people started. They started the race and I had a really good start. I started 3rd wheel. But...the legs were not ready to go in that cold weather. So I went back a little bit to the middle of the pack. About 10 minutes in about 6 people and I went down in the corner that everyone was going down in all day. I'm ok. Free Lap. I enjoy free laps. I got back into the field and then people started going hard and the field was crashing and getting torn apart. All of a sudden I was in no man's land with an 8 man break away group, a 5 man chase group and then me, with a couple guys behind me. It was time for a little TT action from me. For about 30 minutes I chased and chased and chased. Dallas knew I was behind so he tried to slow down the group. I slowly kept moving up. I finally made it up, but Corey fell off after someone pushed him into a snowbank and wasn't able to clip in. So then I was in a group of 5. I just hung on the back and got some energy back. We tried to make our way up to the front group, but then they decided to make it hard so it never happened. 6 laps to go I get on the front and push harder. I made a mistake in the final corner again and went down hard. Dallas got dropped and then got lapped. Another guy went down with me. We crashed on the last lap that we could for a free lap. I got a little bit of road rash on my left thigh, banged my left wrist, left shoulder, right elbow and the right side of my neck. I also tore my shorts a little bit...damn it. I decided to roll in a bunch of mud and then get back on the bike. I got back in with an Indiana guy, dropped the guy that crashed with me and it was just two of us for 9th and 10th place. For 5 laps we took corners nice and easy and tried not to get lapped. We never got lapped and sprinted for the finish. I didn't have much left after TT'ing it for 30 minutes and crashing twice. But I finished and never got lapped and possibly got a top 10 finish. Just waiting for the results to be posted. 28 starters...11 finishers. WOW.
During the last 5 laps. I couldn't quite see out of my right eye....filled with mud.
Me after the race....spent....
Next weekend....Mizzou. Saturday Road Race and Sunday ITT. After my solo performance in the Crit I should be able to do pretty well in a 9 mile ITT.
Ciao ciao....
The race weekend brought us down to Crawfordsville, Indiana. On the way down mother nature treated us to high winds and white out conditions. Winds got up to around 60 mph and "The Mother" was definitely trying to destroy our bikes. On the way down we saw about 41 cars in ditches and 2 accidents. One side of my fork decided to rip out of the tray and flail all around...possibly destroying the fork (it needs to be looked at). The tray Darren's trek 5.2 was being held on split in half and his bike nearly flew off the car. Further inspection found a crack in his carbon frame...Mother Nature 1, Us 0.
It was only suppose to be a 5 hr car ride...it turned into 9 hrs. I hope this weather ends soon or I'm going to punch mother nature in the ovary. We got there at 11pm eastern time, unpacked and tuned up our bikes for Saturday.
Saturday:
Drive the course...find snow on the ground...find that race is postponed until 10...9am...ITT at 11:30 now.....9:30am...snow rolls in with whiteout conditions....Race cancelled.
We drove back to the hotel and relaxed a little bit. At noon a couple of us decided to go for a ride outside, while others stayed inside and rode trainers and rollers. I would rather be outside for 30min than inside a hotel riding rollers. Froze our feet and hands and never made it to the crit course to ride it a couple times. Came back and just slept.
6:30pm rolls around and its time to go to Applebee's. Fun times happened there. Lots of joking while watching more snow come down outside. A couple beers here and there, half a plate of Chicken Penne Alfredo and a brownie dessert later we're off to the hotel. We had a short little team meeting and then about 6 of us were off to the strip joint only 200 feet away from the hotel. We met up with 3 Mizzou guys there. We definitely did not get our hopes up for this place and thank god we didn't. We were in Indiana....can't expect much...mostly nothing actually. We had a couple beers, didn't really want to watch the women. Got back...there was a little bit of chaos and we went to sleep.
Sunday:
We got to the course and it was covered in snow. But the race was still going to happen. It was suppose to start at 9:30...but was postponed until 11am. 15 of our teammates left...and with my bike. I had no bike. Great. All the fields raced with time cut down. We didn't have any D's or C's riders. We won women's B's. Got 7th and 9th in Men's B's (close to that atleast). And women's A's we only had 1 rider, but I believe she finished middle of the pack.
Men's A time:
I used Spencer's six13 and Darren's keo pedals. The bike was a little small so I was a little twitchy, but it had to work. 60 min...they asked us if we wanted to drop the time down to 45 minutes. Lots of people wanted to. I was there to race and I paid to race. They already cut the time down by 15 minutes, I want my 60 minutes then. There were 4 of us that wanted 60 minutes (Dallas, Seth Meyer, Me, and I believe a Milwaukee guy). They kept it at 60 minutes. Awesome. 28 people started. They started the race and I had a really good start. I started 3rd wheel. But...the legs were not ready to go in that cold weather. So I went back a little bit to the middle of the pack. About 10 minutes in about 6 people and I went down in the corner that everyone was going down in all day. I'm ok. Free Lap. I enjoy free laps. I got back into the field and then people started going hard and the field was crashing and getting torn apart. All of a sudden I was in no man's land with an 8 man break away group, a 5 man chase group and then me, with a couple guys behind me. It was time for a little TT action from me. For about 30 minutes I chased and chased and chased. Dallas knew I was behind so he tried to slow down the group. I slowly kept moving up. I finally made it up, but Corey fell off after someone pushed him into a snowbank and wasn't able to clip in. So then I was in a group of 5. I just hung on the back and got some energy back. We tried to make our way up to the front group, but then they decided to make it hard so it never happened. 6 laps to go I get on the front and push harder. I made a mistake in the final corner again and went down hard. Dallas got dropped and then got lapped. Another guy went down with me. We crashed on the last lap that we could for a free lap. I got a little bit of road rash on my left thigh, banged my left wrist, left shoulder, right elbow and the right side of my neck. I also tore my shorts a little bit...damn it. I decided to roll in a bunch of mud and then get back on the bike. I got back in with an Indiana guy, dropped the guy that crashed with me and it was just two of us for 9th and 10th place. For 5 laps we took corners nice and easy and tried not to get lapped. We never got lapped and sprinted for the finish. I didn't have much left after TT'ing it for 30 minutes and crashing twice. But I finished and never got lapped and possibly got a top 10 finish. Just waiting for the results to be posted. 28 starters...11 finishers. WOW.
During the last 5 laps. I couldn't quite see out of my right eye....filled with mud.
Me after the race....spent....
Next weekend....Mizzou. Saturday Road Race and Sunday ITT. After my solo performance in the Crit I should be able to do pretty well in a 9 mile ITT.
Ciao ciao....
28.2.07
Hooray Pictures....ok mostly just 2....
So this is the only picture of me from the A's crit at OSU. Pretty much everyone took around 9000 pics of all the other races and killed their cameras by our race. But enjoy....
And then I definitely had to put this sweet picture. Argyle on a dog, a chihuahua none the least, at the Tour of Cali...
I wanna go race again...3 more days.
Ciao ciao....
25.2.07
Finally a race....
Alright, sorry for not updating for awhile. I got lazy and busy for the past 4-5 weeks...pretty much when school started. But over that time I've been doing tons of homework, exams, was traiing like crazy and was working alot. Now I'm done with the exams and homework (for a little bit), and I don't need to work...but I need to train a lot more. I found out this weekend that I'm in good form, but I need more strength.
This weekend we traveled down to Columbus, Ohio for what should have been 2 races, but only turned out to be 1 race. A criterium...which I'm happy about because I LOVE crits. So all the races went off. We had some strong showings for our team. Frye who I've been training since before break won the C's race, we had a 2nd place in D's and a 10th place in B's. Some certain people are definitely looking in form for the beginning of the season. Our race went off at 3:50pm. A 1 hour crit. I kinda had a bad start and went to the back of the race right away. The next 30 minutes was just trying to stay alive and with the pack. There were 5 corners in the crit...well...I had to sprint back up to the pack after every corner. Do that for about 12 laps...you think I would be dying. I didn't. Every time I would corner I fought my way back up to the pack. Sometimes I was off the back by 10 feet or so and I was still able to get back up to the pack. People were dying and just falling off the back. I wanted to join them a couple times, but I told myself just to keep going. After that 30 minutes of "sprinting intervals" every 10-15 seconds my legs felt fresh and strong. In one lap I went from dead last in the pack to around 3rd wheel. I looked at my teammates on the sideline and you could see they were extremely surprised. I loved it. For the rest of the race I covered many attacks with Fred, cuz Freshie was in a breakaway up ahead. Even I couldn't believe how I changed in 30 minutes of the race. Even during the beginning of the race my legs felt really good...I think I was just trying to get back into the racing scene. At the end I had a good amount of energy to sprint at the end and I passed a couple riders and finished 25th. Not bad for me right now, seeing that the last time I actually did a road race or crit was beginning of June last year I believe and I got dropped. My strength and endurance have definitely improved a lot since then. I just need to work on positioning in the final laps, cuz everyone definitely started flying past me in the final 3 laps. It feels good though. I'm starting out the year stronger than any season I've raced. I can only get stronger from here I guess.
I just wish the Road Race would have happened today. Screw you Mother Nature...Screw you...
Hopefully next race I can get on the front right away and maybe get in a breakaway. I'll be training hard until Thursday. My legs always feel fresher after working out. Kinda weird, but I'll take it.
I'll try and get some pics up when I find out who got pics of the A race. And like I always say I'll try and update this more....time to do a little homework and train really hard....
Ciao ciao....
This weekend we traveled down to Columbus, Ohio for what should have been 2 races, but only turned out to be 1 race. A criterium...which I'm happy about because I LOVE crits. So all the races went off. We had some strong showings for our team. Frye who I've been training since before break won the C's race, we had a 2nd place in D's and a 10th place in B's. Some certain people are definitely looking in form for the beginning of the season. Our race went off at 3:50pm. A 1 hour crit. I kinda had a bad start and went to the back of the race right away. The next 30 minutes was just trying to stay alive and with the pack. There were 5 corners in the crit...well...I had to sprint back up to the pack after every corner. Do that for about 12 laps...you think I would be dying. I didn't. Every time I would corner I fought my way back up to the pack. Sometimes I was off the back by 10 feet or so and I was still able to get back up to the pack. People were dying and just falling off the back. I wanted to join them a couple times, but I told myself just to keep going. After that 30 minutes of "sprinting intervals" every 10-15 seconds my legs felt fresh and strong. In one lap I went from dead last in the pack to around 3rd wheel. I looked at my teammates on the sideline and you could see they were extremely surprised. I loved it. For the rest of the race I covered many attacks with Fred, cuz Freshie was in a breakaway up ahead. Even I couldn't believe how I changed in 30 minutes of the race. Even during the beginning of the race my legs felt really good...I think I was just trying to get back into the racing scene. At the end I had a good amount of energy to sprint at the end and I passed a couple riders and finished 25th. Not bad for me right now, seeing that the last time I actually did a road race or crit was beginning of June last year I believe and I got dropped. My strength and endurance have definitely improved a lot since then. I just need to work on positioning in the final laps, cuz everyone definitely started flying past me in the final 3 laps. It feels good though. I'm starting out the year stronger than any season I've raced. I can only get stronger from here I guess.
I just wish the Road Race would have happened today. Screw you Mother Nature...Screw you...
Hopefully next race I can get on the front right away and maybe get in a breakaway. I'll be training hard until Thursday. My legs always feel fresher after working out. Kinda weird, but I'll take it.
I'll try and get some pics up when I find out who got pics of the A race. And like I always say I'll try and update this more....time to do a little homework and train really hard....
Ciao ciao....
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