Alsatian County Omnium – Cat4 Race Report by Grant Woolf.

Saturday Circuit/Crit: I’m not really a crit guy, but I thought it would be a good course for me with a longish drag uphill to the finish. Goal was top 10.  I was hoping for a break-away, but the winds were low and it wasn’t really a good course for a break.  I followed an attack early and tried to create something late, but nothing materialized.  I got stuck behind a big wreck on the last lap and had to stop (I shouldn’t have been back there). I rolled in 30th, at least I avoided the wreck.  Stephen Spess finished a bit ahead of me. 

Saturday TT: The course was only 4.8 miles, but it had a couple hills and the wind had really picked up in the afternoon.  It was my first attempt at a time trial and I didn’t have any aero stuff, but figured I’d just pedal hard and try to stay low.  My goal was to not get passed by my 30 second guy and get into the top 20.  I figured an 11 minute time would get me there given the distance.  I struggled getting into a rhythm and felt like a human sail in the wind, but I gave it my best shot.  I ended up 30th (again) with a time of 11:29, 25mph, but I didn’t get passed!  Adir posted a good time and was just out of the top 20.  The winner was under 10 minutes and over 29mph average, yikes.  I talked to him on Sunday and it was his last race as a 4 (he won every event). 

Saturday Dinner: Good company and good food, but I ate too much.  Ask Chuck about the biscuits. 

Sunday morning RR: It was a good course for me without any major climbs, but enough grade and crosswinds to allow a break in the first half of the race.  My plan for the day was follow everything, initiate attacks, or blow up trying.  Jeff from Velossimo and one other guy rode off the front just a couple miles in. I cruised up the side and slowly rolled off after them (stealth attack mode), nobody bothered to follow me.  I figured I'd just warm up the legs a bit. My legs were very warm by the time I caught them, they were picking it up and putting a decent gap on the field. The 3 of us got in a rotation for a few miles and then a couple small groups bridged up. We had 9 in the group and a nice cross wind killing the pack (and us).  Everyone was working hard in a rotating pace line and we got out of site from the pack within ~10 miles.  It was impressive organization for a bunch of Cat 4’s. 

The first 40 minutes of the break was pure suffering, particularly the last third. My extra pounds were killing me up the constant grade and cross wind.  For the data junkies, I averaged 275 watts during those 40 minutes, with normalized power of 291 (probably a bit above my ftp right now).  I almost got popped and hung on the back for a minute, legs starting to cramp.  Once we made it "over the top", I was good. 

One guy got a flat, another dropped a chain, and another blew up. There were 6 for a while, still working well together.  The strongest guy in the group pushed the pace hard a few times to get rid of a couple others and it was 4 of us with ~12miles to go.  He popped me with ~2 miles to go and I rolled in by myself, 4th place.  I was elated, pure joy for a guy who can't sprint.  It was my first top 10 finish and I couldn’t have scripted it any better.  It was a truly enjoyable day of suffering on the bike. 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Two of our awesome sponsors bring you a unique event, Reveille Roubaix - Bicycle Sport Shop and HOLLAND RACING. Spread the word. It's gonna be awesome.

• Reveille Roubaix Race infomation: http://www.bikereg.com/15250/
• Reveille Roubaix Tour infomation: http://tour.reveilleroubaix.com/
• Reveille Roubaix Volunteer infomation: http://tour.reveilleroubaix.com/volunteer/

About Reveille Roubaix

The idea for Reveille Roubaix came from Paris–Roubaix, a one-day professional bicycle road race in northern France. Paris-Roubaix is one of cycling’s oldest races and is renowned for its rough terrain and cobblestones. Reveille Roubaix will trade cobblestones, French countryside, wine and baguettes for beer, barbecue and the gravel trails and winding roads of Burnet County. The two-part event will include the Reveille Roubaix Tour, a challenging but untimed ride, and the Reveille Roubaix Race, an amateur race presented with Holland Racing.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

The Walburg Classic Road Race, February 25, 2012
USAC Permit # 2012-15 – Texas Cup-State   

 

* If the minimum field size of 6 riders is not met, promoter reserves the right to combine fields and adjust prize list.
* Field limits of 100 racers, except 50+ may be limited to 75. Cat 5 A/B men are limited to 50 riders each and Cat 4 women are limited to 75 per USAC regulations.
* Cat 5 racers cannot enter the 40+ or 50+ field.  60+ Cat 5 racers are strongly encouraged to enter the Cat 5 or 35+ 4/5 races.
* Junior restricted gear ratios will be in enforced per USAC regulations.  A second follow vehicle will accompany the Junior10-14 race.
** Cat 5 Men--there are 2 races at different times!  Make sure you know which one you enter online beforehand!  This category fills up fast so pre-register ASAP!

________

 

 

 

 

 

Hammer Nutrition is the Official Fuel Sponsor for aThe Walburg Classic Road Race. Please support them as they support cycling! Learn more about Hammer Nutrition at www.hammernutrition.com

________

Registration: PRE-REGISTRATION only on www.bikereg.com will close on Friday 2/24 @1 a.m. EST. (Thursday night, Central time!) Online pre-registration fees apply. Packet pick-up will be held at  Bicycle Sports Shop, 517 South Lamar Boulevard, Austin TX (no race registration will take place).

 

 _______

Directions to Walburg: From Dallas take I-35 South to exit 268 (FM 972) 3 miles north of Georgetown go east on FM 972 4 miles to Walburg. From Austin & Houston take I-35 North to exit 268 (FM 972) 3 miles north of Georgetown go east on FM 972 4 miles to Walburg. Parking: 1/2 m south of 973 on 1105.

_______

Course Description: 24-mile rolling course with hills, false flats, likely wind and an uphill finish in the German town of Walburg. Race rollout from parking, racing starts at Walburg Mercantile restaurant at left turn connecting FM 972 / FM 1105. FM 1105 out of town to Theon, continuing to Schwertner. Take a right turn at Schwertner on FM 487. Next turn is on FM 301 heading south/right. Take a right turn on FM 972 back into Walburg. See course map below: 

  ________

All USAC rules are in effect. Wheels will be neutral. Event held rain or shine. Unlicensed Riders will be required to purchase a one-day license ($10.00). This is a TXBRA-endorsed State Cup Series Event where State Cup points are calculated.

Contact: James Ezell, walburgclassic@gmail.com, 512-619-5750 

  

Download this gallery (ZIP, null KB)

Download full size (146 KB)

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Great showing of Team Seton Brain & Spine members!  Happy New Year to you all. 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

RIDE DETAILS

Learn more at http://bicyclesportshop.com/about/resolution-ride-2012-pg1765.htm 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Congratulation to those who raced the Think Finance Cowtown Cross and RPGA Architects Cross this past weekend in Fort Worth, TX. Here's a short video that does not do justice to the fun course.

Team Results

Saturday's Results:

• Masters 40 Plus
  James Murff 11th
• Masters 50 Plus
  Marty Soetaert 3rd
• Men Cat 4s
  Jorge R Martinez 3rd
  James Murff 9th
• Single Speed
  Rolando Roman 1st
• Pro 1/2
  Rolando Roman 20th

Sunday's Results:

• Masters 50 plus
  Marty Soetaert 3rd
• Masters 40 plus
  James Murff- Mechanical
• Men Cat 4s
  Jorge R Martinez 4th
• Pro 1/2
  Rolando Roman 17th

Permalink | Leave a comment  »