We had another Racer out there this weekend that seems to have kept quiet about how he did this weekend...
He embodies the DBC Masters in spirit and support! He Races the 55+ most of the time doing what he can to help the TEAM...
This weekend he lined up against rather large 55+ fields, and showed the DBC colors. Kevin Mc. finished... 9th in the LandPark Crit, and finished 7th at Zamora... What an awesome weeekend for Kevin!
Posted on the list by FWS
Showing posts with label Bariani. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bariani. Show all posts
Kevin McSpadden 55+ Land Park, Bariani
John Steggall, Bariani 35+ 4
Yes, Bariani was an epic ride this year. In case you were wondering what happened up the road in the 35+ 4's, here's my version.
Part way into the 2nd lap, things were grinding along with lots of surges, braking, and nervousness. After we got going along the backside, I looked up to see that Fred & Chris were up front hammering and there was one long line of guys strung out and starting to split up. In my urgency to get past the splintering group, I tried to warn Lee that it was time to go without alerting the others around him but was perhaps too cryptic (I just hoped that he could jump on my wheel). It required a pretty big effort to get past about 30 guys and up to the front and by the time we made the right hand turn onto the uphill/tailwind section, I was pretty cooked. But, a break was forming and it was now or never. Fred & Chris were *really* cooked and I looked at them and they said "go!"
The break pushed hard over the KOM and I was redlined going into the crosswind section after the start/finish. The guys in the front rode along the left side, guttering all of us. We spit into several groups but ended up regrouping by the end of the headwind section. In retrospect, this did not help when it came to catching the three guys who finished off the front as we all had to work a lot harder than necessary into the headwind (though apparently, no one seemed to know how many were up ahead). Once regrouped, our 5 worked well together and caught 2 more guys.
The 7 then worked well until the final lap when there were several attacks which put everyone on the rivet. In the end, a San Jose guy attacked up the KOM and everyone let him go as he obviously had way more left than we did (this was after his earlier attack which practically killed the rest of us). The remaining group clipped along, chatting about upgrade points but it was clear that the energy level was low. One guy attacked with about 200 meters left in the crosswind section. I attacked next with 100 meters to the turn, held off everyone else but couldn't quite get around the first guy. With three ahead of our break, that left me in 6th place.
It was great to hear how well the DBC'ers worked back in the chase group, inhibiting the chase and then attacking near the end. Excellent team tactics!
In retrospect, though Bariani was similar to Snelling with the high winds, having 100 guys & a centerline rule made for a very different race. Perhaps this Bariani was more like a typical Copperopolis -- if you're not at the front at the beginning, there's an excellent chance you're going to miss the key break. Early on, it was very difficult to move to up in the pack or even see what's happening at the front.
At Copperopolis, make sure you line up early and stay near the front for the first climb. As things settle out into groups, save your energy for the climbs -- you will need it. -js
Nelson Frink, Bariani 35+ 5
As we rolled out from the start of the race, I was feeling a bit apprehensive after seeing the widely separated small fragmented groups while driving in and listening to the stories from the 35+4 racers. As we rolled into the wind on the first lap I relaxed a bit, and as I moved to the front I couldn't help breaking out to liven things up a bit. After about 30 seconds I looked back and saw the group reeling me in, and they were only about 15 yards back. I soft-pedaled back from my futile gesture, although it took several minutes for my heart rate to recover from my 30 seconds of glory "off the front".
After we turned onto the crosswind section, DBC Junior Taylor Kuphaldt's dad and DBC Junior AJ Snovel's dad were leading the peloton at a brisk tempo, and when they turned onto the downwind stretch they hit it hard. I was never really fully in the group, but got within 10-15 yards and couldn't seem to close the gap. As the road began to rise gradually and the gap began to grow, I realized I had to do something. Get me the engine room! Scotty, we need more power! I'm giving it all I've got Captain! Well that's not enough! I looked down at the tachometer to see if he was holding something back, and it showed 163, just 3 below the max from my Conconi Test. I concluded he really was doing his best, and watched the gap grow as I huffed and puffed up the grade.
After the KOM, I worked with a guy to reel in the next guy in front, then we reached the next guy and were moving toward the next when the reinforcements arrived from behind, and I was grateful to see so many teammates in it. As we moved along the back side of the 2nd lap, I was recovered and realized I was really having a fun race: cruising along in the pack, surrounded by my teammates and getting pulled by guys from other teams.
When we moved to the downwind stretch DBC Junior Kyle Blyths's dad pulled up and and asked me how my legs were doing. Well Bob, that's nice of you to ask, I thought, but if I say they're feeling good these guys around me are going to ask why I'm not pulling then. "Not that great", I replied. I then watched him take off up the road and gain 50 yards fairly quickly. OH! I get it now! That was bike racing code for "I'm going out, are you in?". We were heading up the KOM and I decided to make a move to bridge near the top. I pedaled hard and as I was going along the crosswind stretch I thought I was making some progress towards Bob. I looked back and saw the pack coming in quick and realized it was hopeless.
I ended up finishing 2nd in the main chase group, which I think put me in 13th, but they missed me. My Garmin file showed a speed of 40.9 mph at the finish line, so I'm amazed they actually got anyone's number accurately there. All in all, it was a great, fun race for DBC Junior Brian Frink's dad!
Jim Kuphaldt, Bariani 35+ 5
Enjoyed reading the rest of the reports on what happened behind after the big attack was launched. Here’s my take.
With the wind blowing I knew it was going to split so I planned on being very attentive particularly on the cross and down wind sections.
Nelson launched a couple of attacks right away into the wind but they were quickly covered. Then on the crosswind hwy section Jason Snovel and I were taking turns protecting each other at the front of the group waiting for the inevitable attack which did finally happen on the last hwy hill. Tom Vanderheiden from Wells Fargo attacked hard on that last climb and I jumped on that wheel with Jason S. on mine and one Rio Strada rider. Jason Boynton, who won the Crit Saturday bridged up with 2-3 other riders (one more
Nice work by Jason Boynton winning KOM 2 of the three trips to take the KOM title from Tom. Mr. Boynton is a beast. He will be a favorite in any race he enters. Hills. Mountains, Pack sprints, TT’s he can do it all. Jason S. that is the wheel you want to follow.
By the way J. S. I am 48 riding age 49. Must be something in the water here in
See you at Copperopolis, although I won’t be racing. I will be watching my son face off with the Pro’s, which could include Levi. Wouldn’t want to miss that! Bring a couple extra flashlights and plenty of batteries.
My next race will be Sea Otter Circuit Race 45+ 5’s
Bob Blyth, Bariani 35+ 5
The DBC was certainly looking strong in the Cat 5 race and although my day started ominously I want to thank Rod, Dan, Darin, Nelson, Joaquin and Tom for a great race in the chase group.
Feeling the wind when I got to the parking lot I immediately began to regret that I had left my other wheelset at home. Going out on a warm up with Dan I could really feel the crosswind wanting to steer my 60mm deep dish wheel off the road. Once the race started I felt fine but going into the second turn I felt something hit my back wheel and then it seized and lifted the back of my bike off the ground. Thankfully I was near the rear of the group and other than startling a few of the people around me I was able to stop and see what happend without incident. There was a small stick partially lodged in my wheel. Once I checked that everything was fine it was time to get back in the group. So straight into the wind I went in pursuit of the pack. Maybe it was the deep dish wheels but I was able to get back up to them in pretty short order. By this time though we had already had an attack off the front. Rod let me know that we had at least two guys in there so we all settled in to try to control our group. I heard the Rio Strada guys say that they had two or three in there too so it seemed like it might be a group that could work well to stay out front.
I was feeling pretty good and as we came through the back of the loop on the second lap and we were told that the lead group had a 1:40 lead. We had about 15 or 20 guys in our group and I started thinking that with only 15 miles to go we were most likely not going to threaten the lead riders so I thought it might be fun to try to soften up our group. I asked a couple of our guys how they were feeling and if they wanted to do a few attacks and see if we couldn't shed a few riders. Rod offered to come to the front and sit up if I wanted to go. Just before the KOM section I accelerated. At the top of the climb I could see that I had some pretty good separation and decided that I would just hold on for as long as I could. Coming through the Start/Finish line I was trying to relax as much as possible. Thank god for a tailwind. Once I got back on the frontage road with the wind doing its best to make me hurt I felt that if I could just get around the corner I might just be able to stay away. I could see the main group getting closer to me and I knew that my legs still felt good but my brain was telling me that maybe I should just rest a little so that if they did catch me I wouldn't get spit out the back and still have to ride alone. I then set out to convince myself that there was no way I was going to let the group catch me without as much of a fight I could give them. I got to the corner and said goodbye to the headwind, goodbye to the negative thought, and, at least mentally, goodbye to the chase group. Coming down the hill to the gravely right hand turn I felt great. I could see some riders on the road ahead and hoped that it was some people that had fallen from our lead group but it wasn't. After the KOM line I realized that I had been out front for over a lap and I was close to the end. One more little stretch of horrendous crosswind and I would be done. As I came around the turn towards the finish line I couldn't have been happier. I had spent 12 miles on my own and still felt alright. I still couldn't believe that I was able to hang on to the end. Thanks to the guys in the group preventing any serious chase.
I am looking forward to more races with my DBC team mates. A lot of what made yesterday so much fun was doing the race with the team. We were definitely the team to watch in the Cat 5 race with about 8 of us in the top 25 including Jim Kuphaldt taking second. I know that Nelson should have placed but they have him as DNP, any one know why? I thought he was listed on the sheet at the race.
Proudly wearing the orange and blue,
Bob
Rod Fernandez, Bariani 35+ 5
Taming the chasers...
When the gap was beginning to take shape I foolishly found myself trying to bridge alone. I looked up and saw we had 3 of our guys in the lead group, (Jim, Nelson and Jason) then looked back at the pack and sat up and waited. After catching my breath and finding a safe place to hide, we rode along at a fairly quick pace but never really gaining ground on the break. Alan's words quickly came to mind "Don't chase your teammates". We still had a strong contingent at the front of the pack with Bob, Darin, Dan, Joaquin, Tom and myself. We all muttered to each to let the others work and if we were in front to just sit up.
A couple of other teams that did have representation in the lead group decided to move to the front and pull. We obliged them and sat on for the ride. I kind of grinned each time they asked for someone to pull through and nothing happened. They looked back in disbelief and continued to pull. This continued for an entire lap.
I never paid attention to what was happening behind us but Dan rolled up and said the peloton had been destroyed and there were only about 10 of us left in the chase group at this point. He thought it best if we all work together and try to pick off some of the lead group fallout. We did. Alan's word still remained in my head the entire time and felt a duty to make sure I expressed them to our teammates.
Bob rolls up and suggests we attack the group to get rid of a couple guys. He launches solo and we never catch him. He went alone for the entire last lap (What an animal!) It was fun rolling to the front at one point to block those wanting to real him in!
Things really ramped up for the last 4-5 miles. It was pretty furious pace up to the beginning of the KOM marker. Several attacks to place. Some legal, some not. The finish came quick (man I'm glad it was a downhill finish!) and we rolled through somewhat together.
My result was posted as 20th but I should have been listed as 21st. They got it wrong and posted Nelson behind me.
All in all, I gained some valuable experience and felt like I bonded with some teammates in the trenches. What a great day!
Jason Snovel, Bariani 35+ 5
The alarm...didn't even go off this morning. Why, because I didn't even set it. Sure feels nice being awakened from a deep, rejuvenating slumber by the sun shining through the windows ;) . Just messin' and givin' a shout out to you 1,2,3 guys...late races yesterday and early races today? Here's to you! Driving to the race I notice that I'm moody, my stomachs in knots and I've got to find a way to relax. I guess I just didn't want to have a repeat of my performance at Snelling. Just then I look over and see a Yolo Co. Department of Corrections bus, they've got a crew out working the south bound I-5 shoulder and it helps me gain a bit of perspective. "We are the decisions we make" says the internal monologue. I know I've made my fair share of wrong ones, but somewhere along the line, I must have made a few right ones because after all, there I was, on my way to my second bike race in as many days on a gorgeous spring day, life is pretty good.
Sitting at the start line, the officiate begins to explain the rules. The wind is howling so bad that the only thing I could hear her say was, "Stay on Jim's wheel...STAY, ON JIM'S WHEEL!" A fellow racer from another team looks at me and asks me, "What did she say?" "Stay on Jim's wheel!" I reply.
We start and every things nice and easy. Just cruisin' no big deal I'm keeping to my game plan. I look over to my left at the guy next to me, give him a nod of recognition, look back to the front, SHIT, Jim's wheel's gone, I panic, stand on my pedals to take a look see and there he is, skirting the field on the shoulder. I grab a few gears, hit the drops and set the radar back on Jim's wheel. We hit the first right and into the wind we go. The pack slows to an almost unbearable speed. I look up and see Rod, then Darin, we form a perfect diamond with Jim on the front. I call out to tell them to stay on Jims wheel, and just then, there he goes again. I latch back on. Nelson launches, we go with him. We hit the first climb. Flyers launch one after the other, we chase them down. Then comes a strong launch from the same guy who won yesterdays crit, Jim puts the hammer down, I follow. We've got a group of 10 in the break and they're all strong. We rotate through, I'm in a trance, fixated on Jim's wheel.
There came a time, not sure when, but I found myself thinking about a conversation I had with AJ yesterday. He was telling me about some new "lingo" that he learned from the Jr.'s squad. One in particular stuck in my mind like a Benny Hill smack to the forehead, something about venturing into the "Pain Cave" and dropping the flash light. We hit the first KOM and three guys surge. I'm behind a guy who allows them to get a gap I pound to go around him as he offers an apology, but it's too late, they're gone, and I just dropped my flashlight.
Spent the rest of the race working with 5 others then 3. Ended up coming in 8th overall. Jim came in 2nd. All in all, I think for the most part, my plan worked...now I just have to work on being able to keep up with Jim...how old is that guy anyway!?! :0) ~ J
Oh yeah, AJ came in 9th in the Elite 5 race! That's my boy!
Lee Millon, Bariani, 35+ 4
First off thanks for the incredible support you guys gave me out there today. Even after it became clear that it was not going to be a strong outing for a skinny little guy like me (flailing in the wind), I had the luxury of having solid support. As always the whole crew pitched in. Steve, Robin, Derek, Justin all gunning it right off the bat! John, Fred and Chris all keeping an eye out for me.
Right before the big pinch John rode along side on the county road section and said something about selection being made and how we gotta hustle towards the front. I was sitting pretty in the draft of opposing teams so I watched John motor up the right side thinking that I would soon follow. Sure enough the guys in front of me start to get shelled one by one on that power hill before the corner. John foresaw this and saved himself the enormous effort to bridge these gaps over and over like I was having to do. Pretty soon the selection was indeed made. Chris, Fred and I watched the select few roll away.
Now we have a new job -- control what's left of the pack. We had strong confidence that John would hold his own in the front group. At one point I started to get into a comfortable rhythm and started to work with the chasing group -- duh! A quick and "gentle" reminder from Fred snapped me out of it and we again proceeded to sit on the chasers. One of the stronger chasers turned to the rest of us and started to yell in frustration "DO YOU GUYS WANT TO CATCH BACK ON OR NOT!" We all gave him a neutral look. He shrugged and proceeded to singlehandedly pull the pack hard! This dude was beyond redline and he was motivated. Some spectators yelled 90 seconds! As we pedaled past and chaser guy kept motoring. This guy pulled hard for almost an entire lap by himself! The motoref was at the base of the KOM watching us and yelled "2 minutes". Chaser dude then turned around and, with a smile, said "well, I think we're not gonna catch on..." He asked if we had any riders in the front group but I think he already knew the answer.
Awesome to see first hand all the racing nuances come to life in front of me! On the last lap Fred and Chris took turns babysitting my skinny a$$ so I can play with my intent to stay rested and pour on the gas. It was safe enough because at that point there was no way I was going to get close enough to jeopardize John's break. Fred and Chris faithfully towed me to the power hill before the dirty corner where I took off. Whoosh, down the hill, screeching through the corner. After being towed for most of the race it was finally starting to feel like work -- my own work! Then something curious happened. As my eyeballs started to strain and SSE start to flow I see the credits roll by and I hear goofy Don Meredith singing -- "Turn off the lights, the party's over..."
Chris catches me and encourages me to keep going "C'MON LEE WE'RE ALMOST THERE!
Fred catches me and offer similar encouragements.
Justin catches me and ... you get the picture.
These are the guys who've been towing me around all day! They've been doing all the work. I'm supposed to be fresh compared to these guys! Man, I'm weak...
After the race I had a nice chat with John while he collected his prizes. He explained precisely what "selection being made" meant. It dawned on me that I had seen that movie before. I guess I better turn on the English subtitles next time...
AWESOME DAY FELLAS! I love epics. I loved Snelling, it was my favorite race of 08 until today.
I'd like to be able to say that I'll repay you guys sometime but that would mean I would have to gain about 50 lbs to give you any significant draft. How about I just clean your bikes or better yet next time we toss a few, I'm buying!
Lee
PS: A TT helmet even the pseudo one I wore gets damn hot!
Steve Nowicki, Bariani, 35+ 4
Man....That strategy to stay at the front really did not pay off for me either. It was a day for those that have practiced HTFU. I was redlined from the whistle and by the time I got to the base of the climb, my legs screamed uncle. I went back to the car, got my skirt and pom-poms, and cheered from the start/finish line.
It was a great day for the Masters 35+ cat 4 squad! John "nuclear motor" Steggall got 6th after Fred and Chris tenderized the field on the second lap. Lee executed his plan to precision and finished strong with only a few cramps to spoil the party. Derek and Justin hung tough to finish the race with smiles/grimaces on their faces. Robin.....I loaned him a pair of pom-poms after the second lap!
What a day!!!!
Chad DeMasi, Bariani, Cat 3
Way to HTFU! I am proud you stuck in there for five laps.
After leading the charge with Sean Smith at the gun (in an effort to stay up front) I soon realized that although I am very happy with my training right now, it is far from condusive to the 30+ mph crosswinds we encountered and I got popped on the climb of the first lap!
Trying to salvage the day I too found some on/off company for the next two laps but after being swept up by the M45/55+ and the M1,2,3's I called it a day.
Next stop rest week than the Martinez crit (M1,2,3) and Madera (Cat 3)!
Chad
E O'B, Bariani, Cat 3
My four-year old woke me up at 5:00 with a stomach ache and promptly vomited all over my wife--but missed me. That was to be the only lucky break of the day.
The wind and cold at 7:00 AM were considerable--after 20 minutes on the trainer, I quit trying to get my HR into ME. We stood around for 20 minutes waiting for the course to open, which served as a good cool down from my non-existent warm up. I ran my Flashpoint deep-section wheels, despite Zach Wick's incredulity at my decision (Note to self--when a Wick offers advice, take it).
When we hit the road, I moved up into the top ten in the crosswind to avoid getting guttered.
The pack split apart in said crosswinds, but I made the initial selections. The pack hit a brief climb to the KOM with a ferocity unmatched by my dead legs. When I stood up to climb, I felt each and every micro-acceleration from the previous day's crits. I lag-climbed from fifth to 50th, but I still couldn't latch back onto the tail of the group because of the brutal crosswinds. OTB, baby!
I decided to HTFU and complete all five laps for the training--stubbornness, hubris, or stupidity? You decide.
I put together a few chase groups and rolled in 2 hours and 45 minutes later, beaten into a physical and mental stupor.
Rest week. Thank the gods.
E.
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