Cat 3 and Cat 4 Men's Masters 2010 Race Season/Team

Dear Cat 3 and 4 club members who happen to be men, interested in racing during the 2010 season, and are not part of the U25 Team…


Background: Last season we started, in a small way to lay the ground work, building a NOW – MS Society Cat 3/4/5 masters race team/program. We had some success with a number of people upgrading to CAT 4 and CAT 3. Many of the races last year were team efforts resulting in some success for the team, individuals, a lot of branding and recognition building for the Club.



As described in an e-mail to the club last year, we would like to emulate the organization, success, and camaraderie that the women’s racing team currently have. It has not been easy for them, but over time, through hard work and perseverance, they have attained their success by developing a singular team philosophy with members understanding the teams goals, individual objectives, and a “will do anything for the team” attitude. There are a number of men who want the same. Here is what we are thinking:



· Find the committed CAT 3/4 racers in the club who would be interested in forming a more structured team format

· Once we have determined which club members are willing to commit then determine race schedules, individual goals, team goals, etc

· Meet once a month for a team ride/training session

· Meet once every one or two months for a team social night

· Meet once every one or two months for race specific coaching sessions (Crits) with one of the top-notch coaches we have at our disposal

· CAT 5’s are more than welcome to join in with the training too, if they so wish.



Of course, if there are any of you who want to do their own thing, or want to race a couple of races throughout the season but cannot commit due to scheduling or whatever, that is fine too. We will be happy to see you whenever you can make it!



Please respond/reply to this e-mail off-line (directly to me), if you are a CAT 3 or CAT 4, interested and willing to commit some of your time, you are interested in riding with like-minded people who have the same goals and would like a more structured team format. All we need at this point is your name and what category you currently are. Also, if you have a question do not hesitate to email it to me.



Anyway, let us know and we will go from there.



Thank you!



Jens



Jens Wallrabe

jwallrabe@gmail.com

New NOW sponsor for 2010

We are pleased to announce that Sierra Nevada Brewing Company has
joined the list of sponsors committed for 2010. In addition to
material cash, they will provide soft goods (see below) to the U25
elite teams (and likely we'll do special deals for the broader
membership).

We will be doing quite a bit of "drink responsibly" messaging and
education within our U25's as part of their sponsorship.

We owe our appreciation to our DS Kurt Stockton for bringing in this
significant sponsor.

Best, Eddie

>
> One jacket/outerwear type item each rider (men's & women's specific)
> that have the SNBC logo embroidered on them on the upper chest that
> we can have embroidered at our cost on the opposite side of the
>

Publish Post

chest with the team (NOW) logo.
> One collared shirt per rider that can be embroidered
> Two t-shirts per rider

CX Series Final

A big Congratulations to Julie for taking home two series wins.And Bruce for winning the 35+ series with Nate taking second.
This was my first year racing cross and I tell ya,its allot of fun.I cant wait till next year.
I think I ended up in second place in the 40+ series and I had a few top 10 finishes in the cat 4 races in another series.
There are 5 more races in Jan left if anyone wants to get dirty.

Julie Guthrie wins CX 1 2 3 and 3 4!

Julie won the Urban CX series in both the Womens 1 2 3 and Womens 3 4 today! Well done Jules for adding more CX trophies to your growing collection!

State CX

Today was the State Cyclocross Championships at Lake Casitas.
All the 35+ riders raced at the same time today so the field was pretty big.

A beautiful venue and a great day to race for sure.

I lined up behind the guy I thought would win the race. Well he did! Unfortunately I didn't see much of him once the start whistle blew.

It seems these days I'm getting slower not faster! Anyway, a good first lap and half led to an in-explainable slowing to the point of waiting for a friend mid race. Once one of my Tuesday morning buddies caught up I helped drag him around for the last 3 laps.
I think we caught some guys in his race so at least I was able to help someone out.

I have no idea where I justed and would rather not find out!

Next stop is Glendale and then final Urban Cross race in PV followed by a party trip up to Nationals in Bend.

See ya,

Bruce

Urban CX 35+ Pro 123 Race Repost

I went from stud to dud in less than half a lap.I was feeling a little more pressure on the start line than normal.I wanted to come out strong for the my team mates Bruce and Nate so I took off like a nut bag and held first for a min,then I blew up. Spent the rest of the race chasing down the pack.I ended in 8th place overall and 5th place in the 40+,I think this will move me up in points over all in to top 5.
Next week is the state championship. Both Bruce and I are going,come beer us on.

Riptidetattoo

Urban CX Race Report-Julie

Women's 3/4: Sporting a 'new' course at Entradero, Anna Wills of Triathletix and I took off and kept quite a nice gap from the rest of the field. While the new run-up was not as steep as the old one, it was longer. Add in an extra dirt climb, I think this course is actually harder than the old one! Anna kept the pressure on me until about 1 lap to go where I could finally see she wouldn't catch me. Damage to my legs was done, though...

Women's 1-3: small field, with 3 of us from the first race jumping into the second. Achy legs (thanks to Antony's drills on Saturday) were held off thanks to a quick sugar rush (1/2 a small powdered donut and a cookie) allowed me to lead the first two laps... unfortunately, the race was longer than 15 minutes, which put me chasing the girl who eventually won. Oh well, fun day on a fun course!

Julie

Women U25 and NZ Update

Newsflash from New Zealand where Phil and Barry Fink just finished the 100 mile Source to the Sea race.
Phil placed 6th out of 380 finishers in a time of 4'24". Top pro time was 4"23" It was a sprint finish. Barry did 4'54" . Both are now in Christchurch visiting the local pubs.

Today Julie Guthrie placed 1st in the 3/4 Women's CX race and 2nd in the 1/2/3!! She is now leading in the CX series in the 3/4's.

The U25 Women's Team came to Santa Monica this weekend for a training camp. We have just filled the roster and are very excited about 2010 (see photos on Flickr).

On friday night I introduced them to my former boxing coach (Redwood a pro fighter), for a hard core upper body workout. You could hear the painful howls from Pasadena. It is fair to say cycling robs you of the ability to do push ups and throw medicine balls further than an inch. More howls were let out on saturday morning as the girls dragged their painful muscles from bed to their bikes for the 7:30 ride.

Kit and Marc came over to talk to the girls on Friday night. Kit talked about how he markets himself as a cyclist. It was very insightful and hugely helpful. Thank you.

Saturday morning we did the group ride up to Trancas. We even had primes organized. It was great to introduce the 7 girls (who live everywhere but the westside, or LA for that matter) to the club.

That afternoon the girls joined Antony for some crazy leg speed drills on Westchester Parkway. Imagine a train of riders trying to hit 200RPM!

That night Eddie came over for "team talk" with his future women's team recruit (Sienna). Thanks Eddie.

This morning the girls hit the Nichols ride and were joined by Dora who screamed up the hill leading the charge. Mike Novitch looked after us when two of the girls took the wrong turn and got lost.

The team ended the day with hip hop lessons from Christine, the youngest, and a photo session on the front lawn. The women's team know where to find a camera lens!

This weekend was a great chance for the newest members of an ALREADY strong women's team, to bond and plan ahead for next year.

For those of you coming to the training camp in Solvang, Jan 2010 (thank you Julie for organizing) you will meet the girls then. You might want to challenge them to an arm wrestle competition or press ups, because you are bound to win (well except Julie of course. She's the reigning champ amongst guys and girls)

LK

Hartpark CX race report

Hinton family race report

My daughter Zoe who up until today held on to 6th place Y10 girls,but she took a very nasty spill down a very steep dirt hill and face planted her way to the bottom.Her first DNF.To her credit the first thing she said was "Daddy I was in first place".She wants to race next weekend

My son Dallas came in 4th place today in the jr 10-14 boys race.His second try racing with the older kids.I had to tell him the race was over when he crossed the finish line or he would have kept going.

My wife Catherine had a mechanical and need to switch bikes on the last lap (we keep each others bike in the pits just in case) she still finished strong and smiling.

I decided to hold back a little at the sprint start so I can save a little in the tank for the last half.It put me in second place for the first two laps and I still felt strong.I thought I might have a chance at taking this one but it only takes a little bobble and in a blink two go past me.Still feeling good I stayed on it and had fourth place on lock until I dropped a chain with 1/4 a lap left,I new i had a guy on a mnt bike about 50 yards back so I took one leg out a put the chain on and right when I stood on it ,he passed me.I tried very ,very hard to get him,but I ended in 5th place.My best finish ever and my first podium.

'09 CBR State TT

Good day for me, rolled a 46km/hr average for the 40k TT. Won the Cat 1/2.

Super pumped for Southland!

I signed with a Pro team for next season, I just wanted to thank everyone on the team/club for your support and enabling me to gain expierence on this team and in Europe this season. Im so excited for next year, big things to come. Wild card spot in Tour of Cali!

Ill keep everyone posted!!

Eric Bennett

Race Report CX Oct 24/25

Spooky cross night race cat 3/4 with a huge field.I start in the middle of the pack,off we go and its a fluster cluck from the get go,I hit the gas and move up a half dozen and hold on till we come to the first dirt run up/ride up and its all over....big crash with me in the middle and I some how punch myself in the face and blood is pouring out my nose,I get dropped to the back and I proceed to crash in a groupe one more time and fall off my bike 3 more times,I finish with a smile and a beer some one handed me after the last fall.

Oct 25th (I was married a year ago today)
My wife and I both raced a little........By a little I mean,I came out like a rocket with the hole shot and blew up .........I never checked my bike from the night before and my d- railer was jacked and I dropped a chain.My first DNF.........

Next week is Muddy Buddy..woooo hooo

CX Report Masters 35+ 1-2-3

Ok team,

Here goes the cross reports for the men's Masters 35+ 1,2,3
Sat. Oct. 24th Irvine. Evening Spooky cross race. lots of live music and crazy costumes.
I lined up with Nate Whitman taking part in his first ever cross race on a borrowed bike!
Of we go and I'm in the front group which contains a former World Mtn. bike champ, former pros and former Nat. Champs. Pretty good field!
I'm cautious since I haven't been on the bike much in the last two weeks because of travel. Basically I get into a group about 20 sec. behind the front guys. With half a lap to go I jump them and come in for 6th.
Not great but not bad either!

Sun. Oct. 25th Silverado. Urban Cross race. Super crazy course. NOT really a cross course but everyone has to ride it so?!
Nate again lined up with me. We had a super small field so Nate (smartly riding his Mtn. bike) and I decide to punch it from the gun get a gap and see what happens. I'm leading this series so I know I can usually take these guys. Well thanks to Nate's unselfish riding we are gone baby gone! He pretty much drags me around for the better part of 60min then let's me take the W to hold my lead and get the national ranking points so I get a good start spot at Nationals.

Thanks again to Nate for giving up what would have been an easy win for himself!

Tues. cross practice is on this coming week so bring it!
6:30AM San Vicente and 26th

Thanks,
Bruce

Race Report Cat4 CX-Family style

Kids race report first....My daughter Zoe took 3rd in the U10 girls race and my son Dallas upgraded to the 10/14 Jr boys race and took 9th place.My wife Catherene sat this one out (only to buy a new cross bike after the race) .As for me I pulled 14th place out of a crowded start of over 70.I sprinted for the hole shot right from the whistle and stayed in the lead (for the first time ever) for a good portion of the first lap.I had some company soon enough and a few mistakes later I was surrounded.Still stoked from my start I dug in and passed a few that had passed me and finished strong.My lungs are still burning and my legs are sore but I cant wait for next weeks night race.

NOW-MS Society Readies for '09 Tour of Southland (UCI 2.2)

NOW-MS Society Readies for the 2009 Tour of Southland (UCI 2.2)

The Tour of Southland (Nov. 2-7) is rapidly approaching. We are proud to be sending:

Tyler Locke
Nick Martinez
Sergio Hernandez
Eric Bennett
Corey Farrell

Aaron Schneider is the alternate (a tough job to keep training with no assurance of going and it is greatly appreciated).

The teams and their rosters are available here (the race is using old logos for NOW and MS Society - my apologies; I will try to address):

http://www.tourofsouthland.com/index.php?pageLoad=6

If you're unfamiliar with the race, you can learn a bit about this toughie in an article I wrote titled, "Taking a Stiffy on the Nose and Other Musings of the Almost Lantern Rouge of the
2003 Tour of Southland. Here is a link:

http://velo-fit.com/new/tour_of_southland.php
We’ll send out more information before the race starts.
Eddie

Julie Guthrie ace Report: CX #2 Palos Verdes FIRST PLACE AND SECOND!

Who: me by my lonesome :)
3/4 race: 2nd
1/2/3 race: 1st

Cloudy, cool morning, great for keepin' the arm warmers on. After hitting the snooze button a million times (why am I so tired??), got up to the PV course with minimal time to warm up. I kept hearing rumblings of 'you are so lucky you are on your mountain bike instead of a cross bike...' Well, not so much on the first race. I took the first corner not so great and had to put a foot down, allowing the other girls to fly ahead. The soft deep dirt proved quite challenging to re-clip in and get going. Had to chase the entire first race, and the girl who won simply gapped me by too much in that first technical spot for me to catch up...
Second race: 3 minutes following the first one! Enough time to get a bit of water and line up again. The good thing about this time was that I had the first race to figure out the better lines to take. Jumped out in front (Amy Hutner did the same thing I did the first race and chased me the whole time, which did push me to not let up) and pretty much kept the same pace. Enough to win, which was nice! I certainly don't think I would have been happy on a cyclocross bike, though! Any of you girls on the mountain bikes: this series of races (for some reason) has been smaller fields, very friendly and welcoming - I would love to have some company. Hope to get my feet wet at one of the Prestige Races soon!

Julie

So CAl CX Prestige Series Cat 4 Race Report

Where-San Dimas, Bonelli park
Who- Kevin Hinton,Wife,Both kids
The first race was the Jr 10 and under,11 to 14 and 15 to 18.My kids are 9 and 10 so they raced 1 lap.My son came in 1st and My daughter 3rd.So the pressure was on.
Next it was my turn,I only had time for half a practice lap and a few sprint start warm ups.
So Off we go, myself and 5 others get the hole shot to the first turn.We stay together for the first 3 laps (of 4) and I get that sinking feeling,Oh man,they start to pull away and the second chase group is 100 yards behind and gaining.I need to dig deep and not get spit out the back when they get me.Well.....six get past and I hold off the seventh dude to finish in 13th place.
Once again I had a great time and cant wait till next sunday.
The third race was my wife Catherene's race (her second).She finished on her bike smiling and wanting her own bike..........I wonder if I could get new race wheels if she gets a hole bike?
I f you would like to see video of the past few races check them out on you tube from riptidetattoo

Race Report: Urban CX 234 and Pro open

I rode my mountain bike for the first time in months with Bruce's Tuesday crew this week. He inspired me to try this 'cross thing at today's Urban Cyclocross race in Palos Verdes.

The 3/4 race was harder than the elite race. Almost Brentwood Pro/1/2 hard. Maybe it was dragging my mountain bike up that long, steep run up with barriers disingenuously slapped in the middle of the hill, but I was hurting. The fat tires worked great for the soft mulch and sand, though, and at least I had my favorite race number. I f'd the last barrier and went from an easy sprint for fifth to seventh.

Nobody showed up for the Pro/open race! Thanks to some generous and timely loan-sharking from Julie and Ben, I reg'd and jumped in with six other freds and Brent Prenzlow competing for eight cash-paying places. One legit rider? Easy money! With the practice from the 3/4 race (ten minutes earlier) I was able to cruise through the technical sections this time. I comfortably took First Poser behind Prenzlow, who sat at the start for a minute or two as the rest off us scrambled off in a frenzy. I am happy to say that I was not lapped.

Julie and Ben, I owe you a fizzy return on your investment.

Julia and Lauren at Elite Nationals

While the rest of our U25 girls (and of course the “O25’s”) were racing the MS Ride on Saturday and Sunday (and it was a race — don’t tell anyone tell you different), Julia and Lauren were at the Elite Track Nationals. Congratulations for qualifying for the finals and racing so well against world class track stars. Very impressive. Below is a re-cap from both Julia and Lauren.



Julia:
Scratch; qualified pretty easily, 5th place. when the final sprint came around I was in 4th position but was boxed in at the end and ended up 11th. Points race: I managed to get some points and had I finished first in the last sprint I would have gotten 5th, but I messed it up a little and ended up 8th. However it was a great experience and a REALLY fast race.

Lauren:
Scratch race. There was a crash right next to me in my qualifying heat. I rode into the apron all the way to the gate to avoid it and barely made it back on the track in time for turn 3. Got pretty scared but found my way out of the box on the last lap to sprint for 8th (10 out of 18 from each heat qualified). The final was REALLY sketchy. One girl forced me into the blue where my bike hopped sideways and I somehow stayed upright. Another girl hit me from the side and my foot got stuck with something on her bike but again I managed to not go down. Got too scared to do anything and finished 17th out of the 20 girls that qualified. Shelley Olds (last year's scratch champion) ended up lapping the field to take the win again.

Points Race. My qualifying heat was pretty stacked with Sarah Hammer, Shelly Olds, Kristin King, and Theresa Cliff-Ryan and thus really fast. They were taking the top ten riders into the final and I was a little scared when 6 riders lapped the field. Coach was yelling at me that I was still ok that I just needed to get some points. I went for two of the sprints and finished the heat in 9th with 6 points. Coach said he was getting tired of me cutting it so close and making him have a heart attack. During the final it was REALLY fast. Like insanely fast. Sarah Hammer lapped the field twice, Shelley Olds lapped once. I have never been in a race, road or track, with so many aggressive females. I found myself giving up wheels left and right and never figured out how to set it up for the sprint. The ability and strength was there, I was just too scared. Next year I want to do some training riding that close to people and bumping/fitting through small holes at 36 mph so I can get on the podium.
__._,_.___

So Cal MS Ride 2009

Hi Everyone,

As you all know by now team NOW-MS Society won! We did it...to date we have raised nearly $113K! Thank you all for rising to the challenge to make this happen. Not only did we raise money for the MS Society buy our club will be getting a nice check from the MS Society for our hard work.

For those of you that couldn't make it: This was my 3rd year riding and it was so great to be in Ventura and not have to Shuttle. The MS Society did a wonderful job of planning the route, rest stops, food, beverages (coffee!) that made for a great weekend. The weather was great on Saturday and we did somewhat stick to our plan. We stayed together at a conversational pace to the 2nd rest stop. Picked it up to the 3rd and after the 3rd rest stop the pace picked up and it turned out to be quite a workout (at least for me). By the end of the ride the massage in the tent and the beer garden were nice rewards.

Saturday night: Greek food, "professional entertainment", and lots of laughts. Yes, it's true - Eddie can dance (watch the video Linda posted)

Sunday: I slept in but I heard it was really windy.

So, as head of the "nagging" committee I just want to say once again THANK YOU all for supporting the MS Ride. If you have any suggestions to make next years ride/fundraising/dinner/etc any better please email me directly while the ideas are still in your heads.

Next years ride will be 9/25-26. Put it in your calendar now so you can make it (Howard).

I posted some pics from the ride here. Please note you can add pics as well.
http://socalmsride2009.shutterfly.com/

cheers,
David...

MS Ride

You mean the one of Eddie and David belly dancing? Yes it was an INCREDIBLE weekend.

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

From: "John B. McNamara"
Date: Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:43:48 -0700
To: VRC group
Subject: [teamvrc] Thanks for an AWESOME weekend


I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for the warm welcome I received this weekend. Since I don't live in Socal this was my first time with the group. Yeah I'm the nut from Las Vegas....
Anyway, what an awesome bunch of people. The entire weekend was just an incredible experience and I am so grateful for the time and energy that everyone put into raising money for MS. It sure feels good to be part of an awesome organization that is more concerned about the greater good of mankind than themselves. The only complaint I do have is the 30 MPH pace set on the rides (LMAO). I'm going to need to get a whole lot stronger in the off season or somehow get younger :o)


Take care everyone and watch for some videos I will try and post for the group (if I can figure it out). Some of the footage is very good from Saturday night.

Cross Report-Bruce Weyman

Well I can't let Kevin have all the fun so here's my cross report from today.

Men's 35+ 1,2,3
25-30 guys 45min.
All the usual suspects were there Mike McMahon, Jeff Herring, Jeff Prinz, Garnet Vertican, etc.

I'm started in the second row. The gun goes off and boom! elbows flying trying to fight for wheels leading into the first 180 mini sand pit!

Make the front group of 7 or 8 and we are off. There's already a gap after 2 laps. I'm feeling good and thinking about what section will allow me to get a jump on the group. Into a sandy twisty section and I bobble big time. Then I over cook the next 180 trying to get back on.

From here on out I'm about 10 seconds behind the race for first. With a group like that if you make one small mistake it's really hard to come back. I end up 6th but feeling better and better every week.

2 months until Nationals! Let it rain baby rain!

Bruce

Cyclocross Race Report-Kevin Hinton

Race #no 1.....cat 4 30 min (my second cross race ever),with 70 plus lined up to start and me in the very back, I was more than a little nervous . The two cups of coffee,one GU,and a 5 hour energy were kicking in and I was gona blow. Sprint start to the loose gravel,dust is everywhere,people are falling yelling ect....I clear the wrecks and I pass 15 or 20 on the way around,more loose gravel and hairpin gravel run up which I practiced ahead of time .I pass a few more up the hill and down the black top to the grass switchbacks . It's thinning out and I get some space to relax for a sec.The back lot was all loose gravel with more than a few large rocks,loose focus and it's a dirt bath . I saw many dudes eat it hard out here . Slowly I began to pick people off and in the end I came in 32nd.

Race #2....cat 3/4 45 min...........I dont think I was last.
Race #3 My wife..not last either (her first race)
Race #4 My Daughter 2 nd place
My son was grounded (no racing)

Next race is Sun,bring your BBQ,family,dog ect....

Race Report: This Track stuff...

...is fun. I started training at Encino in February because I could find enough daylight around my class schedule to ride on the road. A few months later, I accidentally qualified for Elite Nationals as a track cat 4 in a sprint event (?) in which I flatted (??). So, I figured I at least had to go to the show. My goal was to not finish last.

9/26 LAVRA Cup 4/5 Omnium. I crashed myself out of the points race like an idiot. I was embarrassed, so I won the tempo, the scratch, and the omnium to save face. The prize money went straight toward Tegaderm to cover up the square foot of skin I donated to the Home Depot Center. It was nice to finally win something this season, especially since that win came on the eve of the biggest ass-whooping bike racing has ever given me.
10/1 1km TT at Elite Track Nationals. I showed up seven hours before I raced, excited but with zero delusions about my ability to compete. Got bored, warmed up too early, didn't eat enough, realized Taylor Phinney and Giddeon Massie were warming up for the same event, freaked out, choked, and raced significantly slower than my already-pathetic PR. But didn't finish last!
10/3 Bike MS Ride. 100 miles and 2 pints of beer are great prep for a team sprint. Right?
10/4 Team sprint at Elite Track Nationals. Woo, 9th place. NOW teammates would have been better, but I managed to not place last once again! Mission accomplished: I did not DFL at nationals.

Danny, thanks for letting me borrow your skinsuit.

U25 Joe Patterson

Barlevav wins in Vegas

NOW MS team alum Eric Barlevav wins the Pro crit in Las Vegas last
night! Congratulation Eric! Http://velonews.com

Henleyville Race Report-Nick

Race: Henleyville RR
Category: P12
Place: 8th (Won the bunch kick)
Who: Me, all by my lonesome.

Henleyville is really, really far north. Friday: 6.5 hours up 101 to the Bay Area (the 101 was CLOSED; diverted traffic and everything b/c of an accident. Fun) Saturday: another 2.5 up 5. Up at 4am to make a 8am start. Yuck.

Course is a pretty damn flat 18 mile circuit raced four times. The break of the day rolled ~a kilometer into the race. I missed it. I must have been picking my nose. Who attacks a mile into a 72 mile race? That's just rude.

Being a late season race, with many people's form--and, more importantly, motivation--on the wane, I looked around to find about 3-4 guys who were willing to chase... the six guys off the front. Not good numbers when there were some motors up the road. The next three laps were a fine balancing act of trying to maximize the speed of the pack while hurting myself the least. It was more work than I wanted to do, but sometimes you ain't got any other options.

With a half lap to go we finally reeled in the break, thus initiating the most chaotic, stop-and-go, illogical finale to a race I have ever witnessed. We slowed to 14 mph. Flurry of attacks, covers, counters which are neutralized and pulls which leave people dangling off the front. I had been carefully studying the opposition but the relative strength of riders seemed to have no bearing on how the group responded to their attacks. Tricky, tricky, tricky...

...Especially when Ihaven't finished a road race since February (overuse injury, since resolved, thankfully) and at this point mylegs aren't exactly eager to cover everything that moves. I decided to key off of the largest, most active team in the race, Webcor Builders. They had 4-5 guys in the group, and i figured it was unlikely we'd see something roll without them. I was wrong. There went 7 guys. No response. And there goes the race.

Rolling into the line, there was a hesitation at ~250 meters, and I came from behind with enough momentum to surprise the field for 8th. Despite some tactical errors, it was a great return to road racing after a season in crit-slut purgatory and hopefully the beginning of a long period of growth.

-Nick

Julie Guthrie takes 1st in Cyclocross

Congratulations to Julie Guthrie. She got 1st today in the first Cross race of the season. All her track training is paying off.

Kevin Hinton-My 1st CX race

After teaching a spin class this morning I loaded up the kids and headed to Ken Malloy park for my 1st cross race.I had my new white Parkpre CX bike and my new white VRC/NOW kit
and I was looking to get dirty.

My plan was to race the cat 4 but I was to late so Bruce said I should go with him in the 35+.
What did I know,so I said yes.The cat 4 was 35 min long but lucky me signed up for the 60 min race.I had a great time.My kids tossed water on me as I passed and screamed go daddy.
I cant wait for the next one.

Bruce 1st place ......Me not last place.....woo hoo

Cory takes Unification National Championship Race

Race: Kenda Cup Unification XC National Championship
Where: Bonelli Park
Place: 1st : Cat 1 (19-24 age group)
Rider: Cory

Well I decided to head out and get some intesity in today, so I set out to hit up the Kenda Cup Unification XC Championships at Bonelli Park. This was my first MTN Bike race in over a year, and I was really looking to just have some fun, but fun turned into serious once the flag was dropped. The pro's took off 2 minutes infront of our group, the Cat 1's. I was in the 19-24 years old group, but all the age groups for Cat 1 took off together. So the race started and I was off, after the first turn it went straight into the climb, and from the bottom the group went hard, but I felt it was easy, and decided to go my own pace, needless to say I looked back and was all alone by the first 3 or so minutes up the climb, and from then on I rode my own race. The race was a really fun course, with short steep punchy climbs, rollers and fast single track. The heat was horrible, but I hydrated well, and had good support, so that was not an issue for myself. Well by the end of the race, I had caught majority of the pro field, and put 10 minutes into second place, not bad for a kid who rides the road. Overall I had won the Cat 1's 19-24 and had the 3rd fastest time of the day, and was pulling pro lap times. This was a very fun time, and highly recommend for mixing up the two wheeled fun, in the off season.

My Best

Cory Greenberg
U25 Elite Team

Malibu "Classic" Race Report

Race: Nautica Malibu Classic Triathlon
What's Classic? 1/2 mile swim, 18 mile bike, 4 mile run
Category: 40-44
Place: 4th in age group, 15th/1,900 overall (give or take, standings not final)

Okay, so I did get a few chuckles when I showed up on the Saturday group ride in full Tri regalia. If you think that's funny, you should see me swim.

Goal was to survive the swim, rule the bike and manage the run. That's pretty much how it worked out, just over 16 minutes in the water, 43:34 on the bike and 26:45 for the run. Overall time was 1:30:02.

If you're wondering how much a difference a TT bike makes, last year I was on a road bike with 404s, with avg watts of 305, time 45:46. Power this year was 300 watts...

Have I found my calling?

U25 Rider Danny "D-train" Katz comes back with a bang

Some may recall the dent Danny left in the barrier at the Ventura SR Cat 3 Criterium as well as the hardware that went into Dan's clavicle. Well, D-train healed up and snagged a win at the Clovis Harlan Ranch Cat 3 Criterium. Check out some random guy's video of Dan bagging the sprint: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVZOU4ESysY.

Women's Race Repor 1/2/3-Sisquoc

Who: Lauren and about 15 other masochistic women
What: Sisqouc RR
Where: Sisquoc, Ca-but it felt hot enough to be hell
When: Sat 8/29
Why: Because apparently I like pain?
Place: 5th

The race started out just like any other RR with one exception-it was 105 degrees outside. Prior to the start I found myself "warming up" by attempting to stay cool in the only shade I could find under the trunk of Will Chesebro's car. After thinking about it I started to wish I could get my money back and sit inside the car with the AC on max, but I guess it cant be that bad, right? Wrong.

The first lap was rather uneventful with everyone just learning the course and suffering in the heat (the backside of the course got up near 110 degrees, ughhhh). I was surprised that I needed a feed already on the first lap (the laps were less than 11 mi and took us about 30 minutes) but was thankful to see Jen Jo standing there with a bottle. I was less than happy when I squirted the Gatorade into my mouth and it was about the same temperature as the air outside. I was wishing I had water to douse myself and began ridiing dangerously close to anyone spraying themselves down in hopes of getting some of the backlash. Katie Donovon attacked between turns 1 and 2 and no one wanted to go after her. I knew she could stay away and so I attacked to get up with her and another girl and I made it across. I guess she didnt like that because she decided to sit up and we were soon caught by everyone.

Another La Grange girl went off the front and no one seemed to worried and just sat around. A few attacks went and I was feeling dead. The heat was making my eyes burn, my stomach hurt, and I felt like my face was inside an oven. I led up the climb on the second lap and once I got to the top there was a small attack going up the left. They had speed by the time they reached me and I tried but could not get on it. Frustrated to see them go and even more frustrated that no one in my group would pull through I accepted the fact that I would now be racing for 6th-not what I came out here for. The thought of dropping out felt like the little devil side of my conscious just sitting on my shoulder whispering... but I ignored it. I needed to get some riding in so I might as well get a workout in.

I pulled almost the entire 3rd lap trying to catch them since I wanted to get good riding in and no one else would do anything. By the time we hit the hill everyone had gotten dropped except B and Morgan from La Grange and myself and we had also passed one of the girls from the breakaway that got dropped. We just rode tempo the rest of the lap and the 4th. B was not looking good on the 4th lap and it was clear that we were not cathing anyone or getting caught so I told Morgan I was not going to attack her if she wanted to stay with B (I got heat stroke in Oregon and so I had a lot of sympathy for her). We putzed along and finally made it to the final descent. I asked them how they wanted to do it and they made it seem like no sprint would be happening. I simply pulled the rest of the way because I did not care. With about 300 m to go I feel someone coming up my right and am suprised to see B sprinting. I was not going to let that happen though so I get out of the saddle and give it everything I can till I reach the line. I have no idea how close it was or where Morgan was, but I won that sprint. I found out that it was for 5th place and was pretty happy with that, especially after almost dropping out and for how much I was hating life.

It was great afterwards to be met by a few friends in the feedzone with ice down my neck and a coke. Took me awhile to recover but a swim in the ocean in SB fixed that right up.

To all who raced in Sisquoc, I salute you. It was definitely not the most fun way to spend a Saturday, but what doesnt kill you makes you stronger-or something like that.

Thanks everyone!
Lauren

Sisquoc takes its toll.

Hey NOW-MS Women's team,

As some of you know, Trudi and Betsy suffered heat stroke in the brutally
hot Sisquoc Road Race yesterday. Trudi came off her bike towards the end of
the race and was taken to hospital. She is in good spirits today and is back
at home in LA, having suffered no breaks, just dehydration. I was told the
temperatures were 107 on the front straight and 115 on the back straight.

Adam Masters called to tell me about the girls, and he was kind enough to
look after Trudi's bike until today. Thankfully Gus, who was with Adam, had
my phone number in his cell. Adam saw someone in a NOW kit go into the
ambulance so called to ask me who it might have been. He guessed Trudi or
Betsy.

Because Trudi was racing she did not have her phone or ID on her (obviously)
so the hospital staff were not able to alert Peter immediately. Thanks to
Julie, who is so wonderfully organized, we all have a list of the women's
contact information, along with emergency numbers. As soon as Adam called I
was able to contact Peter. I would suggest everyone putting at least my
number in their cell phones and Eddie's number. We can help co-ordinate
things for you if any of you get into trouble.

I hope you both feel much better today Betsy and Trudi. You are absolute
troopers racing in those conditions!!!

Good luck everyone racing CBR this weekend. It's supposed to cool down
considerably.

Louise

Pro 1/2 Sisquoc Road Race

Race: Sisquoc Road Race
Riders: Cory, Aaron, Tyler, Nick, Eric B
Places: 7th, DNP

Firstly, this was a hot hot hot hot day, we started off with about 60 guys in the field, and by the end of the second lap there was only 40. From the start attacks were flying, the team was in every move, Aaron looked to have put himself in a nice move on the second lap, but it was brought back, on the climb of the second lap Eric set tempo, while doing so Tommy Nellson of Liquid attack, and I bridged up to him, splitting the field and forcing a break. I waited at the top, and about 8 riders came across. We then hit the gas and quickly pulled away, eatting up the rest of the previous break except for three. From then on it was all attacks, sitting up, attack again, sit up, nothing stuck and I was clearly marked as I was climbing really well. I tried many times to get away from the the group and while doing so we were able to shrink the group down to a few. From then on it was every man for himself, I was really please with the day, a nice solid top 10 in the guys and great riding from the ladies. More to come from the others.

Cory

Lauren Liscinski 5th at Sisquoc

Congratulations to Lauren (one of our U25 Women's Team members, who
continues to produce great results). She just finished the very hard Sisquoc
Pro 1/2 Road Race and came 5th. Many of us know how hard that course is.
When she recovers she has promised one of her entertaining race reports!
Well done Lauren!!!

Women at ADT and Brentwood-Race Report

When:Saturday 8/8/09
What: Elite Nationals Qualifier Points Race
Where: ADT
Who: Julia, Me, some other girls and oh, Sarah Hammer.
Why: Wanted some good ole fashion hurtin'

This was my first real womens points race on the track and I was, well, terrified. I have been racing Tues nights at the SD velodrome but that 20 degree banking made ADT's 40something banking look like a cliff. The fact that I was racing with Sarah Hammer only made matters worse. The race started off pretty calm. We were doing 100 laps with sprints every ten laps. The first two sprints totally sketched me out and I sent myself to the back of the group with my tail between my legs. It was about five more laps when a switch flipped inside of me and I heard Julia's voice in my head, "Just pick a lap to sprint and go for it." The next time we saw 2 to go I attacked and just went as hard as I could and no one passed me at the line for the points. I pulled up and there was no one there period. Too tired to try to go up the road I waited for the rest of the field. About this time Julia goes off the front to soon be joined by Sarah Hammer and a Proman girl, Hanan. I simply sit at the front for the next ten laps or so and slow it down so they can catch the back of the pack. That put Sarah at first, Julia at second, and Hanan at third. I got points in another sprint then saw Sarah Hammer attacking w/ Julia on her wheel so I decided to try to go with it. That was one of the most painful decisions of my cycling career. As most people know, I generally dont have a pain face, usually just a durrr face. That day I accepted my pain face and boy it was ugly. As Julia described, it was like Sarah Hammer just had another gear that we had never felt before, like putting it into overdrive. We came into a point sprint right before lapping the field and they let me take the points so I could move into third. After that I was so determined I pulled the next two laps to get back onto the back of the group. I saw 8 to go and that is the only really vivid memory I have. Coming into 3 to go Julia yelled at me to get on her wheel so I did, but she fit through a gap that would have been uncomfortable for me on the road let alone on a 45 degree banked turn with no breaks. I lost her wheel and tried to attack over the top but got boxed in and sprinted in at fourth place. After the points were calculated it was determined that I did finish third and made it to Nationals. Whew. Oh yea, about forty minutes later Julia and I hopped on the track again for the team sprint. Both our legs cramped, but we won. Meaning we were the only team. This was the first time I got really into a track race and felt competetive and it was amazing. I cant wait for Tues night racing tomorrow!

When: Sunday 8/9/09
What: Brentwood GP
Where: Beautiful Brentwood, duh
Who: Julia, Jen Jo, PC, Louise, Julie, and Me (tons of us!)
Why: why not?

Legs were feeling quite blocked from yesterday's effort, but I'm always up for a good crit. This course had two 180 turns, a hill, a ridiculous head wind, and lots of cash, definitely a good crit! Started off alright, nothing spectacular. On the second lap a La Grange girl attacked and I went with her and another Helen's rider. We got a gap but I had no faith it would stick. It didnt and we got caught on the next lap, so I attacked again going up the hill and the same two girls went with me again along with Katie Donovan. Now I thought this might have a chance. I never really looked back at that point so I dont know when we got the gap or when the other two riders bridged up to us but there we were; two La Grange, two Helens, me, and a random girl in a red kit. It took forever for us to get somewhat organized (we never did) and Katie kept attacking the group which at least kept the pace high and dropped one of the Helens girls. Once I saw that back of the field in front of us all I was thinking was "teammate, teammate, teammate, teammate." I figured the odds were against me not having a teammate. Looking back now I regret this decision. I was definitely the strongest sprinter of that group and was able to take the turn around a lot faster so probably had a better shot just the five of us, but oh well. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty right? As it went we caught the field and I went to the front with Julia and PC. I lost their wheels though with one to go (I was seeing cross-eyed and almost had a girl twice my size swerve into me so I figured I'd avoid a crash and lose the wheel). I also got cut off in the turn around and just tried to hold my position to the line. I felt the inner trackie trying to get out as my entire sprint was in the saddle. I finished 5th in the field sprint which put me in 3rd overall. Best result I've had in awhile. Seems like third is my position for the weekend. Maybe I can better that soon!
__._,_.___

Race Report: Brentwood GP Women's Cat 3/4

Event: Brentwood Grand Prix
Race: Womens Cat 3/4
Who: Julie (4th), Trudi(12th), Nicole (in the pack) and Betsy (3rd)


With four of us representing the NOW team in the Womens Cat 3/4, it was a perfect start to yet another gorgeous day in sunny California. After assessing the field during our warm-up laps, our strategy was to stay up front and near each other so we could chase down any attacks. From the start, the pace was relatively fast for Cat 3/4 and there were many attempts (mostly from the two Lisas riding for Fast Fridays) to attack off the front after the turns, but we worked well together to make sure that no one could breakaway. Julie, with her racing experience and expertise, provided great leadership and always seemed to be in the right place to make sure no one got away. My job was to stay on her wheel and chase down attacks as well. The field stayed intact the entire 40 minutes. While it would have been ideal if we could have orchestrated our own breakaway, it just didn't seem worth the effort after watching so many other failed attempts by other teams. All four of us were riding strong and up in the front third. It was especially great to see Nicole riding so aggressively with less than a year on the bike. About half way through the race, Trudi made a very impressive move to the front of the pack to lead the field. On the last turn closest to Wilshire Blvd, an unattached rider hit the deck, forcing Trudi and Nicole to lose significant momentum out of the turn. About an 1/8 mile before the last turn, the pace was cranked up when Leah Bellamy (Fog Racing) started sprinting from the right side. By the time we rou nded the last turn, it was an all out sprint to the finish line. It was great to have such strong team representation...just too bad that the season is nearly over!

Betsy
__._,_.___

Hans Park NRC

Rider: cory
Race: hans park NRC ( North Carolina)
Place: 11th

Hi everyone,

I flew out to NC for some great racing this past week and caped it off with Hans Park. It was a great course, very fast,had a nice climb, and technical turns throughout the 2.2 mile cousre. I rode at the head of the race all day, going with strong moves, but nothing stuck. We battled the heat, which was the hardest part of the race for me. With 4 to go I was still at the front and managed to stay there until the final few laps were I hit it hard and attacked, I stay off the front only to be caught in the final 250m. So close yet so far, had a blast though and still managed to take 11th, overall it was a great day.

Cory

Kendall at Worlds

http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=4339


The beginning of the women’s road race was super passive, however just after the halfway mark of the 81-kilometer contest things heated up. A group of 20 riders got away with Rivera making the selection. After gaining about 30 seconds that large group was soon chased down by the peloton. Things really became aggressive the final lap after Russia’s Larisa Pankova attacked solo with two Italians and a French rider eventually chasing her down. Rivera was dangling from that lead group but eventually fell back to the pack where she finished 20th overall. Kendall Ryan (Ventura, Calif./NOW-MS Society) finished 33rd in a small group around three minutes after the peloton and Jessica Prinner (South Elgin, Ill./ABD Cycling Team) just a few seconds later in 35th. Italy ended up taking gold and bronze as Rosella Callovi out sprinted the lead group to take the world title over Pauline Ferand Prevot of France who grabbed the silver and Suzanna Zorzi (ITA) got the bronze.

Marc Karzen
U25 Co-Race Director
NOW MS-Society Cycling Team
teamvrc.com/
Tel 310-990-2376
mk@relishprods.com

U25's at Brentwood

Lauren made the break that lapped the field and finished 3rd. PC won
the field sprint for 7th or 8th (both are Velo-Fit athletes).

The men had 3 in the 18 man break that went clear: Tyler, Michael and
Aaron. Unfortunately they did not crack the top-10 and finished
11th-13th VRC alum Sergio was 2nd.

Eddie

Now Women's Team 2 Podium Finishes at Brentwood

Well done NOW-MS Women's team!!

First up Cat 3/4 early this morning. Betsy came 3rd and Julie 4th.

Later in the day Pro 1/2/3. Lauren L got into a five man break which
maintained a 2 minute gap on the field. Lauren ended up 3rd -- now she has
two reports to do :) We also nabbed a few primes.

Great job girls and what a fantastic turn out today...Nicole, Betsy, Trudi,
Julie, Julia, Jen, PC, Louise, Lauren.

__._,_.___

Bill Thomas-Brentwood Race Report

Beautiful day to race. Today, I decided to stay up front, but not to go with any breakways til' the end. The course was not suited towards the larger riders due to the 180 degree turns, but it was fun nonetheless. Had a problem with my left Keo cleat (didn't notice the front part was just about completely warn away) unclipping during all-out sprints (found this out in warm-ups). Not a good sign going into a race which was basically a sprint from every corner. I was bummed for sure, knowing I had to finesse sprints. As the great Robert Plant says though, "nobodies fault but mine". Anyhow, I digress.



I tried to stay smooth and up front. Job done. With 2 laps to go I was behind who I thought was the lead guy (Unknown to most of us one guy broke away and won....the RR national champion for Cat 3). I milked the draft and there was only one guy ahead of me (other than the breakaway winner) going into the final corner. Unfortunately, I pussy footed it through and got cut off by about 7 guys. Unfortunate, because once I got my sprint wound up (had to stay seated because of my cleat) I passed two going to the line.....7th place. NO POINTS :( but I can fill up my tank with gas now with a nice check for a 7th :) This is a race I should have taken top 3, but my lack of maintenance and being conservative screwed up what was good fitness. Chalk up another learning experience.



Bill "Tiny" Thomas

Men's Cat 3 Race Report-Dominguez Hils

First race in the 3's and with two of my NOW-MS buddies :) Way to go guys!


I figured a break will surely win in this class, unlike the surging 4's. So, my strategy was to go with the breaks, work and stay relatively fresh for the end.

After the opening two laps a solid break was established. I managed to stay in doing solid work and ahead of the field. Picked up two primes in the process. However, none eventually stuck as the break whittled down to me solo. This was a long race (well, longer than the 4's at least). I think my legs came up two laps short from being able to finish full tilt. Anyhow, I tried to dig deep and position myself, but since my top end was affected, I fell back to about 10th going into the last corner. I unleashed a weak sprint, but managed to finish 8th.

Bill "Tiny" Thomas

Locke 5th at SAn Marco!

U25 Tyler Locke continues to rack up atrong result by placing 5th in
the Pro/1/2 field at San Marco with U25 teammate Joseph Patterson 18th
in his first race since upgrading. Nice job, guys!

Eddie

Superweek Finale-men

Comparing to the girls we have been slacking a little bit with the race reports, our apologies for that. But there has to be a final report ofcourse.

Today was the last race of the Series, Whitefish Bay. 12 guys breaked away and Team VRC was represented by Nick. Unfortunately he had to let go after a while, and the remaining 11 lapped the field. Bennett got taken out by a crashing against a little kid (both are fine though). Losak also hit the deck but managed to get back into the bunch and was very useful...
Because I broke away with 3 guys and we too lapped the field. Losak helped slow down the chase on us and rode me to the front to position me for the sprint. I ended up getting 7th in that sprint, which makes me finish Superweek in an 18th position in the overall GC. I don't know exactly what the last stage caused for Nick's position, but he probably ended somewhere around 30th.

We want to thank everyone for the support and for giving us the opportunity to race here.

Michael

Superweek Finale-women

SUPERWEEK INTERNATIONAL-POINT PREMIUM ROOT BEER CYCLING CLASSIC 2009 WHITEFISH BAY CRITERIUM

On a 0.8 mile; 6 corner circuit the peleton seemed excited that two and a half weeks of racing was coming to an end. However, perhaps everyone was a little jittery because in the third corner of the VERY first lap, half the peleton went down! I was fortunate enough to avoid the catastrophe; however, I glanced back and realized none of the NOW MS-Society girls were in the field. Not a problem they all joined in on the next lap and we were racing again.

A couple groups went up the road; being very active we were represented in all of them. Realizing the group was sufficiently shattered towards the end of the race it was looking like a field sprint was in our near future. We organized with five laps to go; and with the hard work of PC, Lauen and Jenjo I was able to be first wheel through the last corner and held on for dear life pulling off a 5th place.

Lauren rounded it off with a top 10 finish.

We can not say thank you enough for all the support we have received to make this trip happen. Hope you enjoyed following your very own U-25 Women's NOW MS-Society team.

Sincerely,

Julia Lafranchise

San Marcos Cat 3

Hello all,
I hope everyone is doing well.
As my form starts to show I unfortunately missed out on another awesome stage race (Cascade.) I decided yesterday that I want to race Sam Marcos because I was feeling great. This is to be my last race for this season. I arrived with one thing on my mind which was to win. I waited for the break to have a decent gap before I decided to bridge...break didn't work so I sat in and waited...I came into the hill around 15th and was forced to sprint up the hill to make up ground..passed 12 guys (It was really funny) Then my marked guy busted a Fabian Cancellara. As I was about to come around him he shifted up & all I could do was only match his speed...we caught what looked like the winner, but he got nipped...the 3 of us had about a 40ft gap from the field. I will have to settle with another podium, but honestly I'm just happy to be riding:)
Thank You for reading..
Adam Masters U25

Women Superweek update

Hey guys!

Sorry for the break in updates yesterday, it was a busy day for us having criteriums in two separate cities for the boys and girls and traveling.

Yesterday's crit was definitely a brutal one. The course was 1.1 mi for the women with a 100ish degree turn right after the start finish line up a power climb. After the first climb there was a sharp right hand turn, some false flat, a second power climb, sweeping descent into the third and final power climb, then descent toward the finish line. It was definitely a fast course. Average speed for 90 min was about 23.5mph.

Our plan from the get go had been to be active during the race since it did not seem like the bigger teams were taking up that responsibility. Julia was the first to go after turn one of lap one. Brutal. That got the speed going and PC kept it going with a solid attack right after. I could tell right then it would take everything I had simply to finish the race that day. Jen went hard on one lap too and I was feeling pretty worthless sitting in the back not able to do anything. I went with one attack up the third climb about halfway through the race then looked left to see Julia going with it. Happily, I slowed down a smidge and tried to block at the front. It did not really work and I found myself suffering to get back in as the pack rolled by me.

It became pretty clear that a break was not going to stick even though there were a few strong girls that clearly wanted it to. I simply sat in and tried to hang on for dear life. I dont think my legs have ever hurt so badly. Julia came up to me with about 8 laps to go as I was getting gapped off the back and gave me some words of encouragement. At the time, however, I simply wanted to punch her-yeah, thats how badly it hurt.

I found myself making little goals for myself from this point on. "Ok, just make it to that grassy knoll, ok just to that rock, ok two more trees, and repeat." It was one of the most challenging things for me to make it through that race. I could not see straight and have never been that drained after a race. I tried to rely on instinct once my mind and body shut down and found myself on the last lap moving up the right with another girl. Somehow I barely sprinted (not really because I was too afraid to fit through the narrow gap as tired and cross eyed as I was) and I think made it into top twenty.

All of us were hurting but I am very impressed to say how active we were during that really brutal race. For a small team we definitely made our prescence known.

Today was a rest day for the girls. Slept in, got some food, easy spin, and a movie. Hopefully the legs will come back around tomorrow!

Thank you for reading and I hope you all have a great night!
Lauren

U25 Men's Superweek Update

Hey All,

Sorry for the delay in the Men's Race report. All has been going smoothly here at Superweek. Today's stage was a Road Race in a Botanical Garden. Great course, 4km loop with a small finish climb. Michael, Myself [EB] and Eric Losak raced today. I took a few days recovery, and felt great today. Michael was riding top 15 wheels all day again today, the Dutch storm as usual. Losak was very active chasing everything down early on in the race. I rode protected behind Michael all day, however with 12 laps to go I flatted. MY TERRIBLE LUCK AGAIN! AHHH. Losak dropped back to help me get back in the field. I had the worst wheel change ever. Eric and I chased for a lap and a half and didn't make too much progress. To cut to the finish Michael got an impressive 10Th in the field sprint. Finishing 23rd due to a 13 man break up the road. Thanks for all the support. We are ready to kill it again tomorrow.

Chao
Eric

Superweek women's update #10

Hello All,

Its really late and this took way too long to get out due to some team business that needed to be attended to so I apologize for the brevity.

Today was a FAST "road race" through a botanical garden with a few rolling hills, one sharp left hand turn to the final climb and about 250m to the line from the top of the climb. I was surprised at how fast we were charging through the course. I cant remember, but I think we did 14 laps and after the first 2 i looked down and it had only been 11 minutes. I put road race in quotations because this was more like a crit on steroids.

There were a few breaks up the road throughout the race with Julia and myself taking turns trying to get into. We made t he wrong choices though and missed the winning break, but whatever it was only 2 girls up the road. There was still a podium in the field. The circuits went through in a blur and before I knew it there were only 3 laps left. My only goal at this point was to stay near the front the last lap since that's what I've been having trouble with.

On the descent with one lap to go I see a blur flying up the left hand side and start to panic then relax when I realize that it is no one other than our own Jen Jo. Thankful to see some friendly legs going up the road I simply traveled up the right hand side that had opened up. Once she got caught I found myself first wheel and decided to try to just sit at the front so I didn't have to mess around with the slowing up and bunching of the field. I tried to keep the pace quick and on the last little hill before the finishing climb someone attacked left and it was all I could do to slot back in and not lose any more places.

I pushed as hard as I could up the final climb and passed a few girls for 16th place. Not in the money yet, but much better than previous races so I guess I'll take it :)

Jen Jo and Julia finished right behind me with the group and I even had two individual riders come up to me after the race saying that we had some strong girls on our team. What a compliment! Especially from the ladies out here who, I swear, have motors for legs.

Had a team meeting this evening to discuss tactics among other things. Hopefully tomorrow shall be a good day-we have some things up our sleeves so stay posted!

Good night all! Thank you for reading and thank you for all the support!

Best,
Lauren

Women-Superweek

Dear Team VRC,

What: Superweek Update

Who: Lauren, JenJo, PC and Julia

Course: 0.7mile crit with a power climb

Weather: RAIN

Today we decided to be on the offensive. So when a rider went up the road in the first lap I powered up the climb and joined her. Turns out this was the winning break! One other rider bridged up and the three of us (thanks to a selective course and mother nature) lapped the field. Sitting pretty with much of the race still to go I caught my breath in a much more reasonably paced field. Then suddenly while heading up the climb I dropped my chain. . .in a furry of emotions and adrenaline I decided to go get my free lap (turns out you don't get a free lap for dropping your chain). So at this point I was back on the same lap as the field, but with a group up the road I was racing for 8th. Trying to pull myself together and rap my head around a much lower finishing spot than I'd like I continued racing. Much to my dismay; I dropped my chain again and finished at the back.

Lessons learned:

1. mechanical failures and flat tires are the only reason you get free laps (dropping a chain is not one of these).
2. get your bike tuned before racing.

Keeping our heads up and looking forward to more racing the NOW women say good night.

Julia

Superweek Update

Hey Everyone!

So today was a rest day for us females so not a lot to talk about. We were joined by the lovely PC today (hilarity did ensue) and she took the first city limit prime of our little spin.

Highlights of the day:
-We built PC's bike in <5min NASCAR pit crew style
-We didnt even get lost to OR from the airport (dont worry, we've only been there four times now)
-We picked up cream cheese for our bagels finally
-The girls got locked out of the house...AGAIN because the boys forgot to leave us the keys... goooooood guys. goooooooooooooood.
-Michael "Phlegm" has finally revitalized after a few hours of unconsciousness post race coma
-Half of the house had not seen Ferris Buehler's Day Off yet and so we took care of that (thank you Blockbuster).
-The ghosts have still stayed in their own room (the door was open though and me and Jen Jo peaced out before PC could figure out what was going on... "what's going on guys?!?!"
-The girls went shopping at tj maxx... awesome.
-Getting to bed before 4am... hopefully.
-Having beds for everyone. Except Losak... apparently he prefers the floor to cuddling w/ Michael.


That is really all I can think of. Race tomorrow again YAHOOOOOOO!!

Thank you for all the support and hopefully we will have good results to post tomorrow!

Off to bed,
Lauren

Superweek-Race report #6

Superweek Update

Dearest Team,

Our cycling adventure continues with another great day of racing. After a scheduled rest day everyone was feeling strong; and the crowds were out in force. On a 1.3 mile course with four corners and a small chicane the Shorewood Criterium couldn't have presented a more exciting race.

It seemed like every lap was a points prime or cash sprint. I did my best to win a cash prime, but came up short (although I learned where to gauge my sprint for the finish; so with high hopes for the finish I sat in and caught my breath). Jen did some much needed work at the front and Lauren did her best in a couple of the ensuing sprints.

With four to go I decided to go on the offensive and went up the road with one other rider. We had a small gap, but when I pulled through and looked back she was gone. Not letting that dash my spirit I put my head forward and decided I was going to ride as hard as I could until I got caught. Then, a $250 cash prime was called!!! So I increased my effort, won the prime and came through the start finish to a roaring crowd. I realized I had one lap to go and was well off the front! The last lap was brutal, but all I could think was I was getting closer and closer to the finish and was still all alone.

I rounded the final corner and only had the LONGEST sprint of my life ahead of me; the only problem was I'd been off the front for two laps and so all I could do was turn my pedals and hope for the best, I got more and more excited; then. . .I heard something behind me and the next thing I know I'm getting eaten alive by a very angry peleton that decided I'd spent enough time off the front. Bummer, 17th is definitely not what I had in mind.

Our U-25 women's squad is getting stronger and looking forward to adding PC to the lineup for our next race on Saturday.

More race reports to come.

Julia

Nick: We rolled up to the race right as the girls entered their last lap. The absolute fervor of the crowd and announcers for Julia's move was incredible. It did not work out, but it was a bold move that really put NOW-MS on everybody's lips.

The guys report:

Today it was close to home so we decided to ride our bikes to the race, 48 laps on a 1.3 mile course. After our rest day we were all pumped to make the best of it, and we certainly ended up doing a pretty good job. We were so excited about racing that the first attack of the day came from an VRC-rider, Bennett tried to go for a 100k-solo effort, but unfortunatly the rest of the pack didn't want to cooperate so he got caught again. Besides that the first part of the race was pretty uneventfull (apart from the usual endless streams of attacks which are so common here in Superweek), until the race got stopped. There were firetrucks and ambulances all over the finish line so racing was impossible. We still don't exactly know what happened, rumours were either someone getting a heart attack or a building on fire.

After a delay of half an hour and a shortened race because of it we took off again. Since all of the sprints for the red jersey points and the primes had to be put in the smaller amount of laps the pace was really high for the remainder of the race. Despite this 2 times a large group rode away, without any VRC-riders so it was a good thing everything ended up together after all (partly because of chase work our team did). This meant a bunch sprint...in which we all placed pretty good: Michael got 10th, Nick 17th and Bennett 28th...so the whole team was in the top 30..owww yeaahh! Also in the overall standings VRC is pretty well represented since Iam 15th overall and Nick 23rd. So halfway through Superweek we can be pretty pleased with the results so far, and we are sure there will be more to come. Especially since the U25-team is now complete since Losak has joined us.

Flem.

Epic-Race across the Alps from Bill

What: Race across the alps in 7 days, 880 km, 18,000 meters of climbing.

Who: Bill Birrell, Matt Miller (Crashed)

When: June 28th to July 4th 2009

Result: Bill: 36:18:02. 16th in solo riders out of 32.

Brief report as 7 days is a long time and I did not find the time to
do daily logs this year.

My teammate crashed at 40 mph on a rainy descent on stage 2 and we
spent the evening in an emergency room 50 miles from the stage finish.
Fortunately he landed in a cow pasture, as opposed to a off a cliff,
but unfortunately for Matt he somehow landed on top of his bike.

The bike is ok, but the kidney that landed on it was bruised. Enough
people's teammates crash out, that the race organizers created a
singles category, but you are relegated to start at the very back
which makes it challenging to reach the pack you want to ride with.
Moving up through approx. 500 riders without blowing yourself up
before you hit the big climbs is an interesting skill.

Course was epic this year, with stage 5 bringing the Stelvio (14 km at
9.1%) followed by two other passes. THis was the warmup to what the
German's called the King stage: 5 passes in 181 km including the
legendary Gavia. Fortunately we had better weather than Andy Hampsten,
but it was not in the road book that the last 5 km. on the Gavia are
mostly at 10%!

Scenery was beautiful and my darling wife drove from one town to the
other. I was one of the most pampered in the bunch.

Learned a great deal from my powermeter this year. I had been
undergearing on the long climbs - resorting to the easiest gear to
save myself way too soon. Turned out all I really needed was a 34X25.
Figured this out on day 3, and suddenly I found myself climbing in the
front half of the field. With the range of abilities that is not as
amazing a statement as it might seem. But I was pleased because it
meant that I stayed in the closed roads for nearly all of the final
stages, coming in 1 to 2 hours behind the leaders.

Still I remain pure packfill: my average speed: 24.4 kph. The winners:
32.6 kph!

The last descent on Stage 5 was rainy and cold, but somehow I didn't
feel it. That night my wife said a seemed really hot (normally a great
thing). On the hot climbs on the last day, I was not sweating at all.
I finished, but didn't really feel that great. By 3 days after the
race, I had a lung infection. It is hard not laugh when an Italian
doctor tells you in broken english, "You lungs, you should not get let
so bad." Oh, well.

Will be doing a slide show sometime soon, so if you want to know more
about a great cycling event, watch your inbox!

Cheers!

Bill

Kentucky, Hellyer, Superweek!

RED RIVER GORGE UCI Jr Stage Race


Just talked to Kit from Kentucky.
He crashed hard today in stage 4 chased back up, strung out but made the cut.
71 mile stage, 8,000 ft of climbing. Banged up knees, hand etc.
Lots of crashing. His entire squad (6) crashed including Danny Heeley and got flats.

Final stage tomorrow, Twilight Crit.
The GC leader gets a ticket to Moscow with Kit and Kendall.
http://www.tour-rrg.com/Home.aspx

Kendall is at a big USAC Dev camp at Hellyer doing well.
Go Kendall, Go Kit! Go NOW MS Team at SUPERWEEK!

Superweek update -women and men

Hello VRC!

Today is your U25’s first sanctioned rest day and I’m happy to report
that all we have done is make a costco run for food and air
conditioning… we bought an air conditioner. Thank you costco return
policy ;)—see attached photo

Yesterday’s race:
Race 4 of a possible 17.
Arlington Heights Criterium – 7/14/09
Day 4 of the women’s racing at Superweek, a .7 mile figure-8 shaped
course in downtown Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Who: Jen Jo, Julia

Day four and I’m starting to embrace day after day of 60k criteriums in
the humidity. Arlington Heights was a bit of a throw-back to what we’re
used to, it was only 40k… The fact that an hour crit with some fast
women felt short tells me I’m becoming accustomed to Superweek-style
racing 

With only me and Julia in the race, we decided to race a bit on the
conservative side, letting the other teams chase each other down until
the end, unless a break looked promising, which turned out to be the
right strategy as no breaks stuck. Coming into the final laps, I
positioned myself toward the front of the field in position to jump on
any attacks. With two to go, Julia came by me and tapped her hip
signaling me to get on her wheel for some protection and perhaps a
lead-out, but the field checked us into the curb and I do what no bike
racer should do, I lost her wheel. The rest of the race feels like a
blur of a swirling field and finally an attack that strung it out on the
last lap going into the tight figure-8 turns.

Came in around 20th , disappointed, but starving for more racing and
podium placing…

It’s been said before, but thank you again to all that made it possible
for us youngins to make it out here.

Next up: recovery spin

-Jen Jo

Da Boys:

Who: Nick, E. Bennett, Flying Dutchman

Most racers are familiar with the concept of the sweet spot. That place
far enough forward in the field that accelerations out of corners are
muted, but you don’t have to follow attacks. This race really didn’t
have one. Attacks were flying throughout the top twenty, and unless you
were top five wheels you were part of the accordion. Bennett got taken
out on the technical section of the course (he’s fine, just a tiny bit
scraped up), while Michael suffered from the rough, technical backside
of the course (and probably also form his 5th straight day of racing).

The finishing straight began out of a tight corner with a slight rise
into a descent, out of a technical section that strung the field out
single file. If you weren’t at the head of the field, the leaders had
hit the descent, guns blazing, by the time you were sprinting uphill out
of the corner, desperately trying to hold the wheel in front of you. I
spent some time right at the front, following the constant surges, but
let myself loose position when riders would sit up and we would be
swarmed. Stuck twenty or thirty wheels back, I suffered. A break of
nearly twenty rider s rolled away a third of the way into the race, and
as they dangled off the front, I found myself near the head of the
peloton as riders dug to bring it back. I pulled through, only to look
back and see that I had pulled clear with another rider. An ill-advised
two-up bridge attempt later, my eyes were rolling back in my head as a
clung to the pack for dear life. A few laps later, I was toast. Blown
out the back. Crap!

Lesson: Sometimes you need to be at the very head of the race to survive.

-Nick

Stage 4: U25 Men's race report-Superweek

Hey team,

All is going great here for both the Men's and Women's team here at Superweek. The women got a huge result with Julia on the podium and Jen Jo and Lauren represented in the sprint.

Time for the guys to have a great stage as well. Today was the first day which I have felt my legs coming around, and after a good nights sleep very motivated as well. Nick, Michael and I started the 100k crit at 5:45pm. With a very short lap, the pace was going to be high, and there was a strong chance that a breakaway could lap the field.

We had the plan to lead out Nick if the race came down to a field sprint. I covered many Early moves, feeling really good and not working very hard. 20 laps into the race there was a crash involving my former team mate Curtis Gunn. He had to be taken out by ambulance, thus the race was delayed 20 min. All thoughts and prayers going to Curtis.

The race resumed with the field getting lapped by three riders. From there on it was a constant fight to stay at the front of the field. Michael and I rode a solid top 15 for the remaining of the laps, with 5 to go I got into a tangle up braking a spoke in the process. All in all, we rode very represented and had some mis fortunate luck when the race really counted.

Everyone in high spirits for Stage 5. More to come. Pictures to follow.
Chao
Eric Bennett

NOW women race report at Superweek-3rd place

Extra Extra, read all about it:

The latest from the Now-MS Society Women's U-25 Superweek Adventure:

After a long road race and on our third straight day of racing Lauren, Jen and I made our goals conservative. On the very short, very fast course we decided to sit in and relax for the first half of the race; then take it from there.

After a few early attempts at breakaways and with much of the field also on tired legs we held a constant pace for most of the race. Sitting second with 11 to go a points prime was called. At first I thought it was a mistake to be so far up, but decided to go with the sprinters. I found myself crossing the line in 6th, just out of the points. . .bummer. But there was a small gap on the field so I got to the front and did my best to make the break stick. One other girl was interested, but two teams had the wrong girls represented in the break. However, my work paid off and once we had a significant gap everyone was willing to work.

Back in the field Lauren and Jen did their best to keep the pace slow and it paid off! I waited a little too long and couldn't come around the last two girls, but Ican't complain third place is my best finish this year and to do it at superweek makes me even happier!

When the field came around, Jen found her sprinters legs and pulled off 15th, which is in the money! Congrats JenJo.

Thanks again for all the support!

Bedtime. . .more racing tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Julia

P.S. Pictures to come. . .

Julia LaFranchise podium finish at Superweek!!!

Hot off the press. Julia La Franchise storms to 3rd place finish in todays Richton Crit at Superweek. Her team mates Jen and Lauren helped establish a six man break which stayed away for 10 laps. Well done team. Congratulations Julia!

NOW women-day 3 Superweek

Hello all!

Today was a really long day and we're about to go to bed so I will spare you the gory details of today. The alarm went off way to early and as soon as we could the girls were off the course. An hour drive and a much earlier start time=cranky, tired girls.

We got to the course and didnt do much of a warm up because we had a long RR ahead of us and I was simply trying to see if my legs could turn the pedals after yesterday's crash. Turns out even if we had warmed up it would not have mattered because they started us 45 minutes late, oh well. Oh, and we had tried to get race food but the only thing we could find was a gas station. Race food = 1 Mrs. Fields Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie and and XL bag of LifeSaver Gummy Fruits. Awesome.

First few laps of the 5.5 mile course went by in a blur. Lots of little accelerations but nothing too terrible. I remember looking up and seeing 9 to go and wanted to die. Every lap was a battle and I just kept telling myself "just get through one more lap, just one more then you can pull out." It was like a game. Then I would tell myself, "Well, you got through the last lap so just one more."

Laps 7-9 were excruciating. The straight-aways found us pushing the pedals 33 mph and I did not know it was possible for me to go up ANY hill at 20+ mph and so I was thoroughly shocked to look down and see 22-25 mph up some of the power climbs. Can I say again that I wanted to die?

I tried hard to lead Julia out for the final sprint but found myself getting cut off multiple times by the girl that crashed me out yesterday. I decided to just blow past her and sat in the wind w/ Julia on my wheel for the last straight-away. Then someone attacked and I did not have the legs left to match it. Nothing else exciting. Julia battled it out for 13th and I finished somewhere around 20th. Still trying to recover. Bed time soon.

Thanks all for listening to my probably incoherent post-race babble.

Oh, and weird, but Marge has started having a mind of her own. Doors opening, lights, The whole shebang. If any of you have any ideas about what's going on, that would be appreciated. Maybe electrical? Maybe ghosts? eh...

Superweek U25s-day 3

Well first of all, my first post here on this group so I might as well introduce myself: hello everyone, Iam the Dutch guy who joined the U25-squad for this season.

Since Nick took a well-deserved rest day after his 7th place yesterday and Eric B. flatted after 10 miles without receiving help from the neutral support car, it is my turn to entertain you all with a race report.

So Team VRC rode basically as a one man-team today in a 145k (90 mile)road race over a brutal course. Not because of the weather or the elevation, since it was pretty good weather and there were only 1 or 2 short power climbs. But all of the corners and the fact that the riders made the race pretty hard caused it to be a long, but fun day.

The race can be summarized pretty briefly since even though there was a lot of attacking going on nothing really got away. Until halfway during the race when the pack started to really break up. A few smaller groups formed a front group of a good 30 guys and rode away and fortunatly I was able to bridge up to them. After that another 6-8 guys made it, but the rest of the pack was done for the day. A strong group of 6 (containing both the overall race leader and the sprint competition leader) escaped while everyone else was catching their breath and they proved that they really were the strongest in the race because we never saw them again.

The pack(or what was left of it) thinned out even more while the race progressed and ended up having to sprint for the 8th place since a Taiwanese guy sneaked of in the last kilometre. Even though the last few turns were pretty sketchy I ended up 6th in that sprint so 13th overall.

With a 20th, a 17th and a 13th place so far in Superweek Iam slowly moving to the results which really matter so I hope I can keep this upward momentum going the next few days. Furthermore Team VRC has been showing, by clearly riding in the front and influencing the race, that the team is becoming a force to reckon with....even in a race like Superweek. So especially when Eric L. comes in to complete the team here we should be able to continue to make you guys (and girls ofcourse ;-)) proud.

Michael.

P.S. Even though Nick didn't race today he was of so much value by providing me with much needed bottles.... So thanks again for that! Team spirit is what it is all about, and that aspect is definitly ok. Both the girls team and we are helping eachother out a lot in the race and are having a lot of fun outside of the races (which is equally important ofcourse) as well.

CBR Results

While some of our Elite U25 Men and Women are lighting it up at
Superweek, I do know of two additional noteworthy results from Sunday's
CBR race:

U25 Tyler Locke was 4th in the P/1/2 field (in the group that took a
lap). Nice result!

Louise Keoghan won the field sprint for 6th in the Women's P/1/2 race
(and gave big kudos to U25 PC Calderon for the work she did).

Eddie

Stars abd Bars for Kit and Kendall

Kendall takes a solo lap and is national points race champion!!! Kit
wins the madison and team pursuit titles!!!

Marc Karzen /// Relish iPhone

Women-San Luis Road Race

Hey team,

What: San Luis road race report
Who: Jen, Lauren and Julia


In a very long race Lauren and Jen both faught admirally. I managed to pull off 7th. I lead out the sprint in what was left of a very shattered field and only one woman came around.

I'd give a more lengthy report but we have a crit to prepare for. More tomorrow.

Julia

Race Report: Camp San Luis Road Race

Who: Joe and Adam
Result: 4th & 9th

The descent was awesome. The hill hurt. I chased down Cory Bruno early
on, but he cracked me on the hill and won solo. That was depressing.
Another two other climber/sandbaggers snuck away from us and stayed
away for 2nd and 3rd. Adam and I worked the chase for most of the race
and whittled the group from forty to twenty to seven for the last few
laps. I rode away on the ninth and final time up the climb,
slaughtered myself in the headwind with Pfaff, got caught, and still
won the "field" sprint for fourth.

Dan, that feed was not "water." It was grape and it was gross, but I
was too desperate not to drink it.

Last 3's race tomorrow...gonna be fun!

Joe Patterson

Paralympic Trials-Will

As Marc said i crashed on my face in colorado springs in my lead up to track nationals. I ended up being fine save a face and lips that resembled the aftermath of a lost fight with a belt sander. I went to nationals without a crash on my mind and rode my ass off.
While my kilometer time trial was not the prettiest or fastest i was properly tired. Thankfully Joe Patterson was able to help me down from the apron as my legs could not support a pound.
After a good rest i raced the 3 kilometer pursuit the next day. After focusing on the Kilo for a month i was a green pursuit rider and rode a strong smooth race, my primary goal for the day.I ended up off the podium both days and off the qualifiying times for world championships in November but i put myself out there and did'nt leave anything in the tank. Next up is road nationals in August during U23 and elite nationals where i ride the qualifying time trial for worlds in september.Hope riding is going well for everyone.
will

Why you should use ROAD ID

Why you should use Road ID or at lease carry an ID.

1) Read my short story and see attached photos
2) ROAD ID Donates part of your purchase to MS
3)You have no reason not to

It was just another Saturday morning MS-NOW ride. You know the drill, relaxed until we hit the Hill at Pepperdine..Then someone decides to put the pressure on and the lemmings follow. No offense I am a lemming in this regard too. Shortly after the ride fractures into various groups for various reasons... and we regroup at Trancus. Well today's "just a normal ride" turned into a very scary, and valuable lesson. One that I would like to share with everyone.

The ride hit full stride, and Phil, Jens, myself were working together to catch a small group that managed to get ahead of us (that group included SAM). We were gearing up for the final sprint right before rest stop at Trancus....and then one of the most awful sites you want to see as a cyclist appeared, a fellow cyclist, a club member, down lying in the middle of the highway, motionless.

Thanks to a very considerate woman and other commuters, who stopped. Sam was shielded from Trafic by their cars as they helped manage the traffic until the emergency crew arrived. When the scores of emergency vehicles arrived, they asked us information about Sam, heck most of us did not even know him, or have any information about him. And neither the emergency crews or other cyclists at the scene (which was somewhat chaotic) could located any ID. Oh, and If you're wondering why Sam couldn't speak up it's because he was knocked out!

Phil, and his super-wife, were quick to get on their mobile and try to call Eddie, and Mark to get some contact info for Sam. Jen and I tried to help by moving bikes and the collection of cyclists that started collecting around the scene out of the way.

Anyway, to keep an already too long email from getting longer, please carry ID and even better get a Road ID!!!

Sam I hope you okay, and recover qucikly.

Best,
Evan

PS- this lesson also teaches us why you should wear cycling gloves too!

VRC Alum Eric Barlevav at MBGP

I somehow missed this in the results until Marc Minasian pointed it out
just now, but alum Eric Barlevav was 4th in the Pro/1 race at Manhattan
Beach! He's on fine form and is off this week to do his first ever 6-day
in Europe, teaming with Jackie Simes.

U25 Tyler Locke was 8th in the 2's.

U25's Joseph and Adam placed 7th and 8th in the Category 3's.

Club alum Antony Galvin won the 35+ race again.

Congrats to all!

Eddie
__._

Spenser Delivers at Canadian U23 Nationals

Velo-Fit athlete and Elite Team Member Spencer Smitheman (U23) impressively made and early decisive break at the Canadian National Championships to finish 7th among U23's and 11th overall. It looks very likely that he will mkae the U23 Worlds team for Canada (he represented Canada at Cyclocross Worlds as a Junior).

Short summary below. Way to go, Spencer!

Eddie

-------- Original Message --------

Subject: Canadian Road National Championships
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:24:46 -0600
From: Spencer Smitheman
To: Eddie Monnier , Marc Karzen

I did the Canadian Champs Road Race today. Combined U23 and Elite Men (pro/amateur). Went with a break at km 15 in the race with 8 other riders. 7 of us were U23. We got a maximum gap of about 10 minutes at one point. It stayed away until the end! With 10 km to go, there was an attack and the group fractured a bit. I was on the tail end of that and rode in alone. I was holding on for a great finish. I was only passed by Christian Meier of Garmin (coming off the Dauphine) and Ryan Roth of Planet Energy. I ended up 7th U23 and 11th overall! I rode 165 km off the front today in the 180 km total. I was dead at the finish. I came in ahead of all but 3 pros, beating Svein Tuft (Garmin), Will Routley (Jelly Belly), Cam Evans and Andrew Pinfold (OUCH), 4 Kelly Benefits, and almost all of Planet Energy.

Full Race Report within the next few days.

I was also 11th in the U23 ITT. Should be enough to qualify me for the U23 Worlds 12 man selection pool.

Spencer

Manhattan Beach GP

Here is VRC alum Sergio leading the Rock Rocket Train:

http://www.velonews.com/photo/93949

Our Women's team put 3 in the top-25 and the Men put one up there.
Unfortunately, neither squad had anyone in the top-10 but we'll gun for
that next year!

Congrats to local junior Coryn Rivera for WINNING the women's pro race.
Unbelievable.

Eddie

Race Report-San Pedro Grand Prix CAT 4

Feeling much better going into this race, since I finished a course of anti-biotics for my URI last Wednesday. However, this course had two 50 ft. climbs per lap (with the 180 degree turns killing momentum).....so, it looked like I would be doing a lot of drafting to spare my tank.


The course was challenging. One of the 180 degree turns was very tight and the other off-camber, part of it on cobble-like stones. Hence there were a few crashes early, so I decided to run up front to lessen the chances of getting involved in these melee's. About half-way through the race, I had the chance to work a little bit with Will off the front....good job Will!

As the end neared, I sat in the top 10 and executed a mighty conservative last corner (Barry Wolfe came to mind). Drafting up the 600 meter hill to the finish, I jumped out with about 300 meters to go and took 5th. Overall, pretty happy considering the type of finish.

Bill "Tiny" Thomas

Race Report Track State Championships ADT

Who: Lauren Jacobsen, Louise Keoghan
What: Masters Track State Championship ADT
Result: Bear Jersey in 500m Team Sprint


As I drove off to base camp at the ADT Velodrome again this morning, I was struck by how fortunate we all are to have such incredible resources and world class support at our fingertips!! In my case I have the Velodrome 30 minutes from my house, a Parkpre track bike that seems to be hot property right now with every track rider, a pair of Zen race wheels from NZ, AND Antony and Lauren --- a world class duo that make the hardest school of knocks seem like summer-camp.

Be warned, when Lauren and Antony ask you to be the second man in a 500m team sprint, you better get serious. They have high standards which is kind of intimidating, yet for some reason completely seductive. Its hard to describe what its like training with these two. For weeks, sweating it out on the track and road I felt I couldn't get anything right, or at least anything that would get more than a slight nod of approval from either of them -- until Friday night!!! The last session before our 500m team sprint it all clicked into place..standing starts, standing up sprints, racing on the black line, exchanges, something about engaging stomach muscles, leg speed, pedal pulling motions, avoiding cones and sponges, and going like mental to the start/finish line, all while looking forward and not down. All we had to do, said Antony, was repeat this combination exactly at the State Championships on Sunday and the rest would look after itself. He has this way of making you believe you'll win. And as he predicted, we did, and were rewarded with a fab 2009 bear jersey and a medal.

Track racing for me, is new and scary but completely exhilarating. It's something everyone should try because its so accessible here in LA, and if you like punishment engage some world champions who won't let you get away with any less than your best.

Thank you Ant and Lauren, and Debbie and Marc for getting us excited about the track!!! I have a feeling your work's not done. Julie is next in line for a State Jersey. She was there today racing her heart out for the very FIRST time? Next victim please.

Race Report: Dominguez Hills Crit-Cat 3

Who: Adam M
What: Dominguez Hills Crit
When:6/14/09
Result: 2nd

As promised from my last report...I said I will post more race reports as the results start coming back..

Today was a great sign that my form is definitely coming around. I came to this race very confident in my fitness. Even though this race had no hills I planned to use some tactics and play it safe. I knew it would come down to a sprint, but still played with the field to see if I could ride away. After they kept following my moves i sat in and waited. One lapped to go and I feel this amazingly painful STING on my leg near my crouch and screamed and literally was slapping my leg! It was an ant or bee that had stung or bit me! hahah I was trying to stay focus because I was positioning myself for the sprint..I opened the sprint with about 600 meters to go and was only passed by one super musclley sprinter dude. If your a climber and want some kind sprinting capabilities then head to the track because its definitely helping in these flat fast courses. 115lbs at 40+ mph is very possible.

Thank You
Adam Masters U25
I smell a win soon*

Masters State Track Championships-Lauren and Louise

Where: ADT Velodrome in Carson
What: Womens 500TT
Who: Lauren Jacobsen (Turbo Chicken)
Louise Keoghan (Shebiscuit)
Place: 1st and 5th

Lou and I got to the track this morning and we were warming up by 8AM.
Let me start this whole story by laying some ground work. Louise started training for the 500TT in about April...the end of April. She had never done a standing start, she had never sprinted 3/4 of a lap through the turns out of the saddle, in short, she knew nada about sprinting in this dicipline. We all know Lou, she is a true competitor and a real fighter. No start nor sprint was gonna stop her or even slow her down.

Antony has been training us together as our goal is to do the team sprint which goes off tomorrow afternoon. In Antony's ever "you gotta do it" style, Lou was signed up for the individual 500TT. Her first competition 500TT!

She had a straight start, dug in and did a tremendous ride today. She was beat by the World Champion, the State Champion and a couple of other women who have been sprinting for a long time. What a ride. She still does not get it that she was fifth in her very first 500 with that high caliber roster. Really wonderful work. Now if we can just get her to stay off her legs for more than 5 seconds and be like her wheels and ZEN before the race, I think we will all see her start landing on the podium very soon.

My race was great, my start was good and my legs felt great.
The starts for this race had no count down, it was literally
"rider ready, timer ready, go!". No time to set before the plank splitting first pedal stroke. So you better be on your game or the clock has run 2 seconds and your brain is still saying "did he just say go!!!"

This is my last year in this category, I am happy to have won 2007, 2008 and now 2009. I like to try and follow in Antony's footsteps with the "threepeat" concept.

Thank you to Ant for being there for us both.
Tomorrow, Lou and I go for the team sprint. This is where Lou won the nick name "Shebiscuit". Stay tuned.

Also Debbie Betts was out there today racing as well as Scott.I look forward to their race reports.

Chicken

Junior Crit Sate Championships

Just home from Junior Crit States.
Kit was 2nd in 17/18. CJ Williams won, Morgan Ryan 2nd.
Big bumping scramble crash in the last lap.
Kendall Ryan 2nd in the Women's 17/18.

Marc

Debbie Betts takes the Gold!!!

California State Senior (I still HATE that term) Olympics
Who raced - just me - Debbie

This week I decided to race the Senior Olympic California State Championships just for the speed work and as a tune up for Track States this weekend. The course is the Eldorado race course in Long Beach in the park which is beautiful, with good road conditions and mostly flat. You have to be 50 to race so I don't have to say that this was much different than racing a 1-2-3 crit where I am all out just to hang on with the pros and 20 year olds. I raced the 5K TT and the 40K road race. With all the work I've been doing on the track in prep for this weekends pursuit I know exactly how much speed and what kind of heart rate I can hold for 2K so I figure just do the math and translate to 5K. My goal was to break 8 mins which I did and being the only women to break 8 mins gave me the fastest women's time for the day and the gold medal in the TT. The road race reminded me that road racing is a game of patience and stratigy. We spend the first part of the race sizing each other up, finding out who was strong and weak, who could stay on a wheel and which wheels to follow and which to avoid. We soon formed a good pace line and rotated smoothly being sure to have the competition get their time up front on the short hill and into the wind ;) I had promised to try to help one of the La Grange racers out if I could and as we pulled through the start finish for the 2nd to last time I jumped off the front in hopes of taking her with me and dropping the others. Unfortunately she couldn't go with me and though I waited for a little while I quickly realized I better just go all out to the finish (another 2K time trial - my favorite!!). I kept looking back but no one was close, I guess nobody needed to catch me and I came through the finish line well ahead of the pack. A great feeling any day!!! This also earned me the Gold in the road race.

Maybe this getting older is not too bad!! It was inspiring to see so many cyclist age 50-80 and up out racing their bikes, having a great time. This was a good confidence builder for track states this weekend.

PS Some of those old guys are SUPER fast!!!