New Blog First Post -- Jeff Cup 2012

I may abandon ScottsROW because it costs me $5 per month. So we'll try this new venue which will be focused on my travels and travails as a "Soigneur Dad".

What's a "Soigneur"? It's French for "one who cares" -- or something like that. In pro cycling, the Soigneur is the guy (typically) who does everything for the racer. Get's food/drink/clothes ready; gives massages and handles things they need. In this case, I'm also handling team ownership/financier, team travel, and mechanic duties. Our racers are, of course, the elite team, Jake (now riding for HPC/List U19 team), the development team, Liam (Squadra Coppi Jrs), and the masters team, me. After 4-5 years of this parent/soigneur thing, I am fairly expert, so think of me as a grizzled old Belgian guy who talks nonsense full of wisdom as he readies the race bags.

So, April 1st. Jeff Cup 2012. Held in Charlottesville (yes, as we pulled off the exit, which is the same as for Monticello, I realized for the first time the "Jefferson Cup" connection, duh). Jake would do the 15-18 race (although the 3/4 was considered). It would be him and Luke against hordes of Rock Creek Velo boys and 3 or 4 strong, slightly older, boys from ABRT. Tanner Browne (Bike Doctor) and Parker Brookfield (Miller School) were other strong singles. Only 30 miles this year. Longer would have been better for Jake.

My man Liam came with us and kept me company. He wore his Lion of Flanders hoodie in honor of the Ronde van Vlanderen (Tour of Flanders, I shouldn't have to tell you that).

So, we left the house at 8:30am (keep that in mind). Jake and his HPC teammates were going to West Virginia for a week (spring break) after the race, so we had all his stuff, plus groceries, in the car, plus Jake's bike and my and Liam's bikes (so we could ride from parking to the course).

We made good time despite some early stress. Jake got warmed up in his new HPC kit and MABRA BAR Champ jersey and staged for the 12:30 race.

(Did I mention RCV. Jake & Luke couldn't keep their arm warmers up).

They rolled out. It's about 3 miles to the start/finish line. And Liam and I rode over behind the caravan. This put us on a major road. Liam was scared but did great holding his line and staying in the 2 foot wide shoulder on the right.

We got a spot in the feed zone and had our sandwiches (that I had made and packed that morning). I got video as the boys came through after the first lap. Liam tried to take a picture but got only bushes. Video from first lap...



then we waited 20 minutes. And as they got the bell for the final lap, Jake was still sitting right up front, comfortable. Liam got a good picture this time.
And then we waited another 20 minutes. I set up just before the finish line to get some video. It's a long false flat/minor climb from the final turn to the finish line. Like 2km. I told Jake he had to play it smart and be patient and not sprint too soon. When they came into view, I couldn't see well but there was a small group coming off the front. I'll let the video show the rest.


video also uploaded here: http://youtu.be/iB51HduOdnc

Jake was 4th. He did well. He was the youngest by far of that top 4 and doesn't have the pure muscle yet. He said he started the sprint too late or would have caught Parker in 3rd he thought. Luke did great, coming in 9th.

"Podium" photos:

So, now it's 2pm, ish. Unfortunately, all of Jake's teammates were in the afternoon races at 2:30. I had hoped to dump his stuff in one of their cars and go. But logistics weren't in place. So Liam and I hung in the feed zone again for the afternoon races. Matt Amman got 5th in the 3/4 (possible 1st among Cat 4s), earning his Cat 3 upgrade we believe.

Everyone came back to the school and we started working out where Jake's stuff and bike would fit. Pam Mauch (Justin's mom) is going to be staying with the boys and her car was equipped for massive bike carrying. So we loaded it up.

Around 6:30, Liam and I got on the road home. We stopped at a Five Guys in Charlottesville for dinner. We were making good time home. I talked to my dad on the cell phone, and he wasn't doing real well, so Liam and I stopped in to say hi for a few minutes. Hopefully that lifted his spirits a little, as he was clearly suffering.

Then, as we were finally pushing for home, cruising along I-66 through Fairfax, Liam was struggling with a cough from allergies, and he tends to gag easily, so....I reached back to get the cooler bag for him to get a water bottle to drink. I put the bag in his lap (yes, Loren, he was riding shotgun) and he started coughing enough to where he made himself throw up. Luckily into the bag. Poor kid. We finally got home, in a light rain, at like 10pm. Quite a long day.

Next Saturday, I'm driving 4 hours to Morgantown West Virginia because Jake is doing the Morgantown RR and I'm going to race then drive him home. The following Friday/Saturday we will travel to up-state New York for the Battenkill Road Race, a big-time national race.