kermisch.com: August 2007 Archives

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August 27, 2007

End of season fizzle...

So after the Square Lake road race my training went to shit. I rode the following Wed. and suffered horribly just trying to get 50 miles in. I should have known it was going to be a bad day when I flatted just a few miles into the ride and had to back track to my car to swap wheels. From there, the weather turned bad, life got busy and I found myself off the bike for almost 2 weeks. I had planned to go to the State Road Race, but between family and poor training I decided to skip it. Personally, I was happy with the decision, but definitely feel like I missed out after rea everyone's update on the race. The Loon's took 1st and 2nd, so it was a great day for the team. With that said, I found one race in Wisconsin over Labor Day Weekend I might try and steel away for. It would give me just one more chance to get a race in before Cyclocross starts.

I am trying to locate a used 52CM cyclocross frame to replace the Redline 54CM frame I currently have. It is just a bit too big for me. Hopefully I can find something before the season starts. I also need to tie on the running shoes, though I am really reluctant to do that.

Posted by kermisch at 2:11 PM

August 11, 2007

Hot, Hot , Hot

Square Lake Road Race was simply hot! The loons were out in force again and the usual suspects, Brian, Rolle, Andy, and Jon were all present. We all completly missed Hailstone, but we can give him a hard time later! The results for me was 9th... this is a great placing for me as I was nervous that I would not even stay with the group up the Nason climb. In fact, I was able to stay up front for the whole race, helping out a bit, but more than anything trying to save myself for the end. The last time up Nason, I was suffering as I had tried to make a move coming through the tunnel onto 95 (or is it 96). I was able to stick to the last wheel in the group and did not even see Jon slip off the front with another guy. The group slowed a bit over the top and I was able to catch my breath. As we neared the 1000 meter sign, Rolle, Andy and I were three abreast controlling the group. As the speed ratched up, I pulled up along side Andy so he could get on my wheel. I wanted to give him the best lead out I could! I was keeping pace and then I heard Andy say Go! So this time I went. Andy was on my wheel and I was able to give him a pull just past the 300M to go mark and I started to fade. Andy came around, but an unattached rider had gotten a bit of an early jump and held him off. I faded fast, but was happy to hold onto 9th place. I thought Andy had taken 2nd, and it was not until I was recovering from the heat in the shade that I realized that Jon was off the front and rolled in 2nd. It was a great race and well run. Hats off to Birchwood and all that helped out and hats off to all the Loonies. I special thanks to Brian for rolling back to the car with me as I was certainly hurting.

Posted by kermisch at 10:44 PM

August 5, 2007

Crash! and $20 Bucks

Today was the Campus Crit, the last Crit of the season and I was excited to race today. I did not get a chance to preview the course, but it looked very technical and those types of courses suite me. Especially when there is no major hill. With all the rain yesterday I was nervous that the roads would be quite wet, and they were. The course is made up of pretty rough roads and lots of man-hole covers that are great for taking a wheel right from underneath you. Neil, Andy, Brian, Jon, and Mike D. were all there. We had great representation. My goal again was to mix it up front, help my teammates and hope to have enough left in the tank to mix it up for the finishing sprint.

The first few laps were pretty tame. Everyone was simply just trying to get a feel for the roads and the corners. About 4 or 5 laps in as we came around the back side Jon was on front working pretty hard. I moved up to give him some relief and the next thing I knew I was a couple of bike lengths off the front. I wanted to test out how tight I could take the turn coming into the round-a-bout and going around the 180 degree turn just before the finish. Well, it ended up being a foolish idea. As I was coming out of the 180 degree turn and I started to pedal, I caught my pedal on the pavement and hit the deck. Luckily I slide out of the way of the oncoming field. I picked myself up, checked the bike and realized my rear tubular had slight rolled off the rim. I pushed it back in place, jogged up to neutral support and had the bike checked out. All good, and was given a free lap and was pushed out into the field as they came around again. I was a bit squirrely for the first few turns, but quickly settled back into the groove. I just wanted to stay in the front. I was sitting about 4 - 7 riders behind Andy for most of the race, trying to pick good lines and stay upfront.

As we came into the last lap there was a Cat 6 rider Drew who started to take the inside line and I thought he was going to go for it. When he did not, I rolled up to Andy and said, "Do you want a ride?" With the intent of pulling him clear and giving him a lead out until the 180 degree turn. I thought he said "go!", so I went. I put in a hard effort and as I came into the round-a-bout corner I looked back and there was no Andy. The field was 50 yards back or so. At this point I panicked. I did not know if I should sit up, push through, or what. I was not sure I had the gas to get me to the line, but I decided I needed to go for it. As I was coming out of the 180 degree turn, I could feel the pack getting closer. Then I hear that horrible sound of someone going down... I thought, there it is, I am clear, put in a dig and get to the line. As I passed the 150 meters to go I saw a Grumpy's rider come around me hard, I eased a bit thinking that I was holding on for second, and then Andy caught me just before the line and I got third. My best placing for the year. I figured getting 3rd from hitting the deck earlier in the race was damn fine by me. Once I crossed the line, I assessed my bodily damage and the adrenaline rushed out of my system and the pain rushed in! The bike is o.k., she has a few more scratches and needs some new bar tape. The rear wheel needs full truing, but other than that she is good to go. So the Loons finished up with 2nd (Andy), 3rd (Me), and 5th (Neil)... Congrats guys!

Getting passed just before the finish... You can see Andy coming up as well.