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| #1 |
And let's not overlook Andy in 5th. Good stuff.
Friday, May 25, 2012
USA Cycling Rankings Are Updated -- Who's #1
And let's not overlook Andy in 5th. Good stuff.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Stony Point Circuit Race -- Podium Time
There, I gave away the end in the title. Sunday, after much discussion with Jake and with Coach Sue (Hefler), we opted to pass on the 15-18 junior Bike Jam race in Baltimore and instead go to the Stony Point Circuit Race in Richmond and do the men's Cat 4 race. When we got there, we saw that Jake's HPC teammate, Avery Wilson, was in the Cat 3 race. It was cut short because of a crash but Avery scored a 10th.
The Stony Point course was cool, a multi-turned 1.3 mile circuit with a good hill coming up from a turn and then into the finishing straight. Swirling winds added to the challenge. They would do 30 miles. This was going to be a hard race which should suit Jake.
Jake and I lined up for the Cat 4 race with 42 others at noon. Liam made the trip with us and he would man the video camera, so, yes, you're going to see some video (he took 2 videos per lap).
The race was put on by Richmond Velo Sport and one of their guys, Jimmy Picard, a former college cross country runner, has won 3 straight Cat 4 races, in convincing fashion, including riding away from the Cat 4s at Morgantown RR and catching and passing most of the Cat 3 field that had started 5 minutes earlier. I told Jake that he needed to mark Jimmy and pointed him out before the race. With the hill and a very large RVS group, I knew that Jimmy would go at some point and I wanted Jake with him.
I haven't trained and have barely ridden for 3 weeks, so my participation mainly filled out the field for upgrade points. I felt crappy during warm up. I lasted 5 laps. Enough about me.
Here are some early race videos by Liam (click on the "youtube" label on any of the videos to watch a bigger version)
Start:
Breaks were starting.
Jake was well positioned but maybe hurting a little on the hill. He was right on Jimmy P's wheel, which was perfect. With 12 laps to go a solo rider broke away and got a good lap. There was a group of like 3, including 1 RVS guy trying to bridge to him. When the field hit the turn and hill, Jimmy had punched it and Jake was right on him. I yelled for Jake to go with Jimmy, this was the move.
Jimmy pulled Jake up to the break, which caught the solo and was 5 men with about 25 seconds.
(you'll hear this is when 4 with Jake were about to catch the solo; you'll hear me yell to Jake he's perfect and Liam is giving time splits)
more gap video by Liam
They dropped 1 guy and then another and with 5 to go it was Jake and two guys from RVS. They worked together and built up a 50 second lead over the field. It was really exciting to watch. (Liam got a bunch of video where the video starts with Jake disappearing and then the gap, going from 15 up to 50 seconds of space before the field; I'll upload one of them) trust me it's jake at the split second start.
I was worried the two teammates would start to attack Jake and they would all get caught but they worked together until the last lap. Jake was on the front going up the hill toward the finish.
He apparently then dropped behind the 2 RVS guys at which point Jimmy attacked and Jake was gaped. He tried to close the gap to Jimmy, but when it was clear he wouldn't, he sat up rather than tow the RVS teammate to the finish.
Jimmy came through clear for the win, then Jake and the other RVS guy came up the hill. I was rolling video at that point, so I'll let it show you what happened. Turn down the sound, I was yelling at the top of my lungs.
Well, obviously, I was ecstatic. Jake was happy but also irritated that Jimmy got the gap so Jake couldn't go for the win.
We threw together an impromtu podium with Jimmy (the 3rd guy was road guarding the next race).
It was a fun race, cool course, and RSV were good hosts. Jake won $60, which paid for our registrations. Me and the boys grabbed some Chipotle for lunch on the way home.
Really awesome day. Jake got 4 upgrade points toward the Cat 3 upgrade he needs to qualify for Junior National road race this year.
The Stony Point course was cool, a multi-turned 1.3 mile circuit with a good hill coming up from a turn and then into the finishing straight. Swirling winds added to the challenge. They would do 30 miles. This was going to be a hard race which should suit Jake.
Jake and I lined up for the Cat 4 race with 42 others at noon. Liam made the trip with us and he would man the video camera, so, yes, you're going to see some video (he took 2 videos per lap).
The race was put on by Richmond Velo Sport and one of their guys, Jimmy Picard, a former college cross country runner, has won 3 straight Cat 4 races, in convincing fashion, including riding away from the Cat 4s at Morgantown RR and catching and passing most of the Cat 3 field that had started 5 minutes earlier. I told Jake that he needed to mark Jimmy and pointed him out before the race. With the hill and a very large RVS group, I knew that Jimmy would go at some point and I wanted Jake with him.
I haven't trained and have barely ridden for 3 weeks, so my participation mainly filled out the field for upgrade points. I felt crappy during warm up. I lasted 5 laps. Enough about me.
Here are some early race videos by Liam (click on the "youtube" label on any of the videos to watch a bigger version)
Breaks were starting.
Jake was well positioned but maybe hurting a little on the hill. He was right on Jimmy P's wheel, which was perfect. With 12 laps to go a solo rider broke away and got a good lap. There was a group of like 3, including 1 RVS guy trying to bridge to him. When the field hit the turn and hill, Jimmy had punched it and Jake was right on him. I yelled for Jake to go with Jimmy, this was the move.
Jimmy pulled Jake up to the break, which caught the solo and was 5 men with about 25 seconds.
more gap video by Liam
They dropped 1 guy and then another and with 5 to go it was Jake and two guys from RVS. They worked together and built up a 50 second lead over the field. It was really exciting to watch. (Liam got a bunch of video where the video starts with Jake disappearing and then the gap, going from 15 up to 50 seconds of space before the field; I'll upload one of them) trust me it's jake at the split second start.
I was worried the two teammates would start to attack Jake and they would all get caught but they worked together until the last lap. Jake was on the front going up the hill toward the finish.
He apparently then dropped behind the 2 RVS guys at which point Jimmy attacked and Jake was gaped. He tried to close the gap to Jimmy, but when it was clear he wouldn't, he sat up rather than tow the RVS teammate to the finish.
Jimmy came through clear for the win, then Jake and the other RVS guy came up the hill. I was rolling video at that point, so I'll let it show you what happened. Turn down the sound, I was yelling at the top of my lungs.
Well, obviously, I was ecstatic. Jake was happy but also irritated that Jimmy got the gap so Jake couldn't go for the win.
We threw together an impromtu podium with Jimmy (the 3rd guy was road guarding the next race).
 | |
| Jake & Jimmy Picard |
It was a fun race, cool course, and RSV were good hosts. Jake won $60, which paid for our registrations. Me and the boys grabbed some Chipotle for lunch on the way home.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Poolesville Road Race -- Dirt Boy Rides Again
Saturday May 12th was the Poolesville Road Race, put on by NCVC (National Capital Velo Club). It's a great race. It's the
Queen of the Mid Atlantic Classics, the Poolesville course features a feared,
notorious, and for some of us eagerly awaited 1 mile stretch of gravel road on top of 9 miles
of deceptively tough classic Maryland hills. The course lends itself to
breakaways and wins by strong men and women. I've done it many times, this would be Jake's first time (and as with any road race that involves gravel, he was psyched). There is no Junior race so he would line up with 75 Cat 4 men (including me; the 45+ race was at 8:30am and the Cat 4 at 12:30 so it wouldn't work for me to do the morning). It would be 53 miles, 5 laps of the 10 mile loop.
As soon as we ended the neutral roll out, two guys from Whole Wheel Velo attacked. I was 4th wheel and had little choice (well I guess I did) but to try and follow. But I stupidly didn't close the gap quickly so spent 1 minute at max effort trying to close to them. When I looked back, Jake was coming across the gap with Coppi Chris Grengs. And "boom" we have a 9 person break away within 2 miles of the start. Unfortunately, that was all I could handle and dropped out of the break. I sat up completely to recover and positioned myself on the front of the pack to try and control the chase.
I'd seen a break work from the gun at Poolesville once before so while 49 miles is a long way to go, it has happened. I worked with Coppi Rob Eom to make sure that only 2 or 3 guys were able to do all the chasing. At one point, Jake's teammate Andy Fleming came up front but I told him Jake was in the break and not to chase. We hit the gravel at the front, again trying to keep any massive chase from mounting. Unfortunately, that 20 minutes was all my legs would handle and I faded away after the gravel. I would ride on for several laps with another guy for training until the officials pulled us out and placed us based on our position at that time.
In the meantime, I was getting updates from people on the side of the road about Jake's break away. It had held for the first lap but was caught at the beginning of the second lap. Here, Jake's group enters the gravel the first lap:
Here Jake Leads his group around the last corner of the lap (these photos by Andreas Gutzeit)
From pictures and accounts I gather that after that Jake was well positioned near the front the whole race.
More perspective on the gravel road dust:
After I got pulled, I went back to the feed zone to hang with Coach Sue and Pierre and the HPC support system. Shane and Andy Mount were in the Cat 3 break with Coppi James Hibbs. But Going through the feed zone with one lap to go, I didn't see Jake in the Cat 4 group, so I rode backwards on the course to see if he had been dropped, crashed, had a flat. I didn't find him (must just not have seen him) so I headed for the finish line to catch the finish.
The Cat 4 lead moto came around the bend and it was a fairly big group sprint that looked chaotic. Using my SoigneurDad scanning powers I was able to see Jake at the last minute, tucked into the second row of people (you can see him in Jay's photo 3rd from the right with his new white helmet), so I immediately thought he might be in the top 10.
Results were quick and indeed, he was 9th. An awesome result (again better than my best). His teammate Andy Fleming was 15th and Coppi Chris Grengs was 6th. Really, proud again. To jump into the first lap break away then recover and finish in the top 10 was impressive (for Chris as well). Reminder, he's 14.
Jake was dirtier than he was after Battenkill.
Photos by Jay Wescott, Doug Graham, and Andreas Gutzeit. thanks guys. Bruce Buckley has some up here (Jake in early break http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/22961037_G522qh#!i=1845821672&k=pP8QdXV )
Unfortunately, my baseball soigneur skills were weak and we didn't get back from Poolesville until the 4th inning of Liam's game, and they were losing for the first time all year. It was tough loss, but we had a good practice on Sunday night so they'll bounce back.
As soon as we ended the neutral roll out, two guys from Whole Wheel Velo attacked. I was 4th wheel and had little choice (well I guess I did) but to try and follow. But I stupidly didn't close the gap quickly so spent 1 minute at max effort trying to close to them. When I looked back, Jake was coming across the gap with Coppi Chris Grengs. And "boom" we have a 9 person break away within 2 miles of the start. Unfortunately, that was all I could handle and dropped out of the break. I sat up completely to recover and positioned myself on the front of the pack to try and control the chase.
I'd seen a break work from the gun at Poolesville once before so while 49 miles is a long way to go, it has happened. I worked with Coppi Rob Eom to make sure that only 2 or 3 guys were able to do all the chasing. At one point, Jake's teammate Andy Fleming came up front but I told him Jake was in the break and not to chase. We hit the gravel at the front, again trying to keep any massive chase from mounting. Unfortunately, that 20 minutes was all my legs would handle and I faded away after the gravel. I would ride on for several laps with another guy for training until the officials pulled us out and placed us based on our position at that time.
In the meantime, I was getting updates from people on the side of the road about Jake's break away. It had held for the first lap but was caught at the beginning of the second lap. Here, Jake's group enters the gravel the first lap:
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| by Doug Graham http://wildlightphotos.photoshelter.com/ |
 |
| someone always overcooks that turn. photo Doug Graham |
Here Jake Leads his group around the last corner of the lap (these photos by Andreas Gutzeit)
 |
From pictures and accounts I gather that after that Jake was well positioned near the front the whole race.
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| photo by Jay Wescott http://jaywestcott.net/ |
 |
| photo by Andreas Gutzeit |
 |
| Jake in gravel mid-race by Doug Graham |
 |
| Andy & Jake - photo Pam Mauch |
 | |
| Jake & Mike Rousso - photo Pam Mauch |
After I got pulled, I went back to the feed zone to hang with Coach Sue and Pierre and the HPC support system. Shane and Andy Mount were in the Cat 3 break with Coppi James Hibbs. But Going through the feed zone with one lap to go, I didn't see Jake in the Cat 4 group, so I rode backwards on the course to see if he had been dropped, crashed, had a flat. I didn't find him (must just not have seen him) so I headed for the finish line to catch the finish.
The Cat 4 lead moto came around the bend and it was a fairly big group sprint that looked chaotic. Using my SoigneurDad scanning powers I was able to see Jake at the last minute, tucked into the second row of people (you can see him in Jay's photo 3rd from the right with his new white helmet), so I immediately thought he might be in the top 10.
 |
| Cat 4 sprint - photo Jay Wescott |
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| dirty boy - photo by Doug Graham |
Photos by Jay Wescott, Doug Graham, and Andreas Gutzeit. thanks guys. Bruce Buckley has some up here (Jake in early break http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/22961037_G522qh#!i=1845821672&k=pP8QdXV )
Unfortunately, my baseball soigneur skills were weak and we didn't get back from Poolesville until the 4th inning of Liam's game, and they were losing for the first time all year. It was tough loss, but we had a good practice on Sunday night so they'll bounce back.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Catching Up -- Jake's Weekend in Charlottesville, Liam's 1st TT, and Bunny Hop
I missed a weekend. Two weeks ago, I had to turn over Soigneur Dad duties to Dan Klaussen who helpfully took Jake to race the Charlottesville Omnium, with the Walton Park Crit on Saturday and the Wintergreen "Hill" Climb on Sunday. I had to stay behind and coach Liam's little league team while Bill Porter was off running around Maryland, literally. (we won)
Jake did the Cat 4 at the Walton Crit. We really wanted him to score some upgrade points. Photos show he rode great, well positioned up front the whole race. In the sprint he finished 6th, which is great. An outstanding result, but just 1 place out of the upgrade points because there were only 39 starters. Here are a series of photos (taken by Charlottesville Racing Club)
Luke took 2nd in the Junior race (Jake skipped the junior race to concentrate on the Cat 4). On Sunday Jake, Jacob, Andy and Luke spent the night at the Acorn Inn and then readied to take on the climb to Wintergreen. You may remember I did this 6 years ago. It's really hard, long and steep.
That's what Jake looked like running next to me 6 years ago. This time he beat my time by 5 minutes and took 3rd in the 10-18 juniors category w/ a 40:25 time. Jacob Slife "found his calling" and won with a 38:29.
This weekend (May 5th and 6th) Jake and Liam and I would have more fun. On Saturday, Loren would be off to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival with her friend Helena, from Cardif Wales, who is staying with us. So Liam would have to come with me and Jake to the C-130 Deep Blue Time Trial. They start out the back of a C-130 Cargo Plane. I was also signed up, but events would interfere.
The boys and I left the house at 5AM because they give juniors the earliest possible starting times (they hate parents). We made good time to the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, DE. Liam was off at 8:34. He would do 6 miles on his new Redline, which is actually Jake's old Redline. He was nervous, but did great. Here at the start (they didn't have the C-130 ready yet for them, which was a disappointment):
Here his finish: He did 21:50, which was very good. He was 2nd (out of 2). But he got a medal that he wore all day.
This was an impromptu "podium"
Jake raced up in age and did the 16-18 race to do longer than 6 miles. He launched out of the C-130 at 9:03 on his brand new TT bike for 22 painful miles. The TT bike position has some issues to work out yet. But Jake did ok, finishing 4th behind Shane, Andy Mount, and a "boy" (18) from ABRT. Here he waits to start after Shane (who blistered the course).
My personal credo has long been that "friends don't let friends do flat time trials," but I was hoping to at least do the race for training. But I needed to get Liam back to Arlington in time for a 3pm little league game, so my 10:30 start time would be too late. So I scratched (or darn). We had a nice drive actually, stopping for lunch on the way home.
On Sunday Jake did the Cat 4 at the Bunny Hop Criterium. I'm not a fan of this race, having crashed hard at least once and had other bad luck there in the past. I would skip it. The Cat 4 was the last race of the day at 4pm. Jake, Andy F, James P, Matt C, and Jacob S would all line up as HPC's Cat 4 contingent. Shane and Jacob Miller and parents hung around after the 123 to root them on. Jake was very attentive and within the top 5 for the whole first half of the race. So were Matt and James, and Andy slipped up there as well. (Some photos by Leslie Olsen)
With 11 laps to go, Jake jumped out of the pack to take a preme (he won a book) and he just kept going, attempting a break away. He was off the front for 2 laps. Aiden Palmer, a jr from ABRT, was head down drilling the field into a single file to chase Jake down. Jake didn't get any companions so his solo bid didn't last. But then on the next preme, Matt did the same, jumping for the preme then going off the front for 2 laps. Neither attempt stuck, but it was great to see them try and the announcer gave them a lot of credit. Jake's effort sapped his legs for the final and he finished 24th. Jacob did great to come from nearly dropped early on to finish 22nd. Andy was nearly taken out in the final corner but finished upright in the field. Matt likewise sapped from his late solo effort finished in the pack. Here are some videos.
Of course I didn't have the video camera running when Jake took his flyer.
Jake did the Cat 4 at the Walton Crit. We really wanted him to score some upgrade points. Photos show he rode great, well positioned up front the whole race. In the sprint he finished 6th, which is great. An outstanding result, but just 1 place out of the upgrade points because there were only 39 starters. Here are a series of photos (taken by Charlottesville Racing Club)
This weekend (May 5th and 6th) Jake and Liam and I would have more fun. On Saturday, Loren would be off to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival with her friend Helena, from Cardif Wales, who is staying with us. So Liam would have to come with me and Jake to the C-130 Deep Blue Time Trial. They start out the back of a C-130 Cargo Plane. I was also signed up, but events would interfere.
The boys and I left the house at 5AM because they give juniors the earliest possible starting times (they hate parents). We made good time to the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, DE. Liam was off at 8:34. He would do 6 miles on his new Redline, which is actually Jake's old Redline. He was nervous, but did great. Here at the start (they didn't have the C-130 ready yet for them, which was a disappointment):
This was an impromptu "podium"
Jake raced up in age and did the 16-18 race to do longer than 6 miles. He launched out of the C-130 at 9:03 on his brand new TT bike for 22 painful miles. The TT bike position has some issues to work out yet. But Jake did ok, finishing 4th behind Shane, Andy Mount, and a "boy" (18) from ABRT. Here he waits to start after Shane (who blistered the course).
My personal credo has long been that "friends don't let friends do flat time trials," but I was hoping to at least do the race for training. But I needed to get Liam back to Arlington in time for a 3pm little league game, so my 10:30 start time would be too late. So I scratched (or darn). We had a nice drive actually, stopping for lunch on the way home.
On Sunday Jake did the Cat 4 at the Bunny Hop Criterium. I'm not a fan of this race, having crashed hard at least once and had other bad luck there in the past. I would skip it. The Cat 4 was the last race of the day at 4pm. Jake, Andy F, James P, Matt C, and Jacob S would all line up as HPC's Cat 4 contingent. Shane and Jacob Miller and parents hung around after the 123 to root them on. Jake was very attentive and within the top 5 for the whole first half of the race. So were Matt and James, and Andy slipped up there as well. (Some photos by Leslie Olsen)
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