Wendell's World Race # 5, Augusta

Race # 5 (45+ Category), Augusta- In contrast to last year in Augusta when it was rainy and sloppy, this year's course was dry, hard and fast. We had the smallest field of the year toeing the starting line. We hit the first set of barriers in a pretty tight group and a rider went down in front of me coming out of the barriers. I was able to squeeze through against the tape along with John Johnson so didn't really loose any time but this sorted the field out a bit. I quickly slotted into a position behind Jim B and was able to stay pretty close to him for several laps; not right on his wheel but closer than I have been able to maintain in the past and I could see Lamar not to far in front of Jim. Marshal and I swapped places this week and he chased me pretty much the entire race just as I had chased him in Macon. After a lap or so I saw Wojtek hook up with Marshal behind me and then I experienced one of those Monty Python Holy Grail moments when I looked back and Wojtek was about 50yds behind, looked back again-he's 50yds behind, looked back again-he's 50 yds behind, looked ahead for 2 seconds and heard him on my wheel. He must have closed the gap really fast on the soccer field section. He stayed with me for about half a lap and then rode away on the paved section, I couldn't stay with him; strong ride by Wojtek! The leaders in the 35+ field lapped me as I expected on this short fast course and I didn't realize it till the results were posted but a 45+ rider passed me along with the 35+ leaders; guess I need to work on my situational awareness there and start looking at bib numbers. I don't think I could have done anything even if I had realized he was in my age group as he came around fast with the 35+ guys and I was fading at the end so I wound up in 7th place. Not sure but this may have been the rider who fell after the first barriers, that might explain the strong come from behind???
Some thoughts on Augusta-
- The uphill barriers on the front side seemed to get higher every lap; about the 4th lap I didn't get my foot over that second barrier and gave the crowd a little show.
- The grassy on camber descending turn on the back side was just FUN to ride, nice feature!!!
- I'm not sure if it was lactic acid induced dementia or an optical illusion with the course tape but on the zig zag section after the steep climb coming up to the VIP area I simply turned one post to soon and rode into the tape about mid-race. I was going so slow setting up for the turn that I didn't break the tape it just stretched out until I came to my senses and was able to stop and un-gracefully extract myself and get pointed in the right direction to ride on to the actual turn. Talked with Bobby T after the race and he said he did the same thing. Anyone else see the mirage there in that turn?
- After 5 races I am sold on the single front ring setup, its all ya need.
- I think I had one re-mount where I stutter stepped so a positive day in that regard.

Not Quite DFL

The course was the best that Augusta has ever been run! It was run backwards from the previous years. We started on the pavement, to the dirt, a right hand turn up a steep hill with two barriers. Then it turned and made a long parade around a soccer field. There were three 180 degree turns up and down a hill. A short flat section was followed by the turn into a very steep but ridable hill. The course came back out on the pavement, which was slightly downhill and then went down by the rentention pond to a double set of uphill barriers. It finished with a
slight uphill the the road start/finish.

What a difference 24 hours makes! My legs felt good preriding the course. I took it nice and easy on my 3 warm up laps. It was a good course with a few places to really open up the throttle and some technical elements for those of us that like them. There were only 4 of us as some of the A Women opted to stay in Hendersonville, NC for the second day of the NC Grand Prix UCI Cyclocross races. I lined up with Holly Longley, Ellen Carroll, and Kari Linder. At the start Holly took the holeshot with Ellen and I right on her wheel. We stayed together through the barriers, and then they poured on the speed. I pushed myself around the soccer field and through the turns. The steep hill was no match for me, and it felt like I was dancing on the pedals for the first time all cyclocross season. I put my head down and got into tt position on the road and pushed the largest gear I could. I flew through the grass and up the barriers. I never let up on the pavement each time I came around. I would recover a little bit after the barriers and push the road. After the first two laps, I could barely hop over the uphill barriers even with my bike shouldered. Being short and having 40 cm high barriers makes it difficult to get over. I looked at my speed each time through the soccer field and never let it get below 13.6. If I saw it
wavering, I clicked down a gear and pushed myself harder. The one place I kept bobbling was the first 180 degree turn. I kept taking an outside line when I should have been staying in the middle. I rode the steep hill each time. I had a great race and felt really strong. I was very happy with third place although I know it would have been lower if we'd had a full field. Still, a great race where I felt fantastic!

Macon Photos

The Women's 1/2/3 Podium. 3rd: Ellen Carroll (Team Cycleworks), 1st: Kim Sawyer (BMW-Bianchi), 2nd: Kristin Smart (Atomic Racing)





A tricky entrance into the sandy beach as this Aaron's rider demostrates.

Consistency in the Women's 1/2/3

The course was run differently than the last few years. The dirt road was gone. We started on the road and turn right to a grassy area with 2 180 degree turns. A quick jaunt back on the road and then a right turn onto more grass. The first set of barriers was on a fast, flat section. I love being able to come into barriers at speed. The downhill was next to a gravel road climb and some pavement. The entrance to the sand was tricky with an off camber section. Part of the sandy beach was ridable, but most people ran it as it took more energy to ride than run. Cereal Bowl hill was next. This year they had us go up several 180 degree turns before hitting the steep top.

I got a good start, right behind Holly, Ellen, Kim, and Kristin, but they soon rode away. I settled in to ride my own race. I did not have my nutrition right this morning and started to get the shakes half way into the first lap. Thankfully, I'd remembered a Gu and had a friend feeding me. I felt much better after the gel. I pushed myself on the sandy beach and Cereal Bowl hill. I ran both of them each lap, which I was happy with. I rode as hard was I could the entire race and was very consistent, which is what I’ve struggled with since getting sick over three weeks ago. At the end, I saw Kristin about the lap me as she was coming down the road. I dug deeply into my last reserves, sped up, and was able to hold her off. I think I’m finally getting back on track.

Wendell's World Race # 4, Macon

Race # 4 (45+ Category), Macon- Yet another beautiful day for a cross race, maybe we haven't had classic Belgian cross weather thus far here in GA but I'm sure not complaining. I would call this year’s course in Macon a tough one. The one-two punch of the long beach run followed by the climb up cereal bowl hill took it's toll each lap.
The start this week seemed moderate compared to last week, maybe the front runners were pacing themselves a bit for the tough course?? I stayed with the lead pack fairly comfortably for a good part of the first lap. Things really seemed to break up when we hit the sand for the first time, gaps opened and the front runners started pulling away; though in general it seems like the race didn't really blow apart quickly, just gaps slowly/steadily growing as I was able to keep sight of the leaders for a while at various points.
Before the first lap was over I had settled into a position between two GTC riders (imagine that in the 45+ category). Marshall was ahead of me and not sure who was behind. The second time through the sand I went left and my bike went straight, I didn't fall but I dropped my bike in the sand, derailleur side down, shifting was a little crunchy after that but it worked! The chasing GTC rider caught me there and eventually linked up with Marshall ahead. I was afraid the two teammates might be able to work together on some parts of the course and open the gap but it seemed like I was able to hold it pretty steady, I just couldn't close it. The other GTC guy eventually went backwards (mechanical??) up the gravel road hill and so it was just Marshall I was chasing; I spent most of the race dangling 40-50 yds behind him. I could also see Bobby Thrash coming up behind me closing the gap. Just after passing the 2 laps to go sign I was lapped by the 35+ leaders. I didn't think I was going that slow and I thought the course was fairly long and hard so those guys must have been motoring. So instantly I was on the last lap, mentally I was bummed to have been lapped but my legs and lungs were happy that the suffering would end sooner. I could not get any closer to Marshall on the last lap and Bobby disappeared from behind me (learned later he dropped a chain) so I finished where I stayed for most of the race in 8th place.
Some thoughts on the race:
- In years past I had always dismounted and run up cereal bowl hill so that is what I did this year in practice and the race; not sure that was the best call. Marshall rode it and rode it strongly so each lap he opened the gap a bit there. I was hesitant to try riding it for the first time in the race so I continued to run it.
- My quest to eliminate my stutter step on re-mounts took a step backward this week. I find that the time I really want to stutter step is on slower speed remounts, like say after the beach run and at the top of cereal bowl hill. I kept telling myself mentally not to do it but my muscle memory kept doing it anyway.
- Years ago I would have loved having the long beach run as I was a stronger runner then but now I just survive it. However, I really like the variety in the series courses and this one gave the strong runners a spot to shine. I decided in practice I would try to ride the sand in a straight line to the hardened ditch and dismount right before it; that seemed to work okay. My bike drop was just me fumbling it as I went to shoulder it.

Trish on the ditch dismount




Sorella volunteers were out in force cheering on the riders. Paula and her K9 companion Madison.



Sunday's course in Monroe was a lot of fun, very roadie with a two technical sections thrown in for the mountain bikers. The start was on a paved road that led to the Monroe Gravel Road that is used every year. After a jaunt through a field, the first set of barriers was on a slight uphill, straight approach. The next section was very fast into the first technical section, several sharp turns through the pine straw. The double ditch jump was back; most chose to dismount over it. Another fast section with some pavement and grass followed into the second set of barriers. The second twisty section was next to a paved downhill, a sharp left hand turn, a little pavement, and a 180 around a steep hill. Ten Women 1/2/3 lined up, which was our largest field of the year so far. I knew that I was not going to do well because of all of the fast ladies on the line. I simply am not as fast as everyone else.


At the start, I stayed at my own pace and was already off the back. By the gravel road, I'd caught back up to Susie, Theresa, and another rider. I was with them through most of the first lap. I'd gain a little on them through the barriers, and they would gain time on the other sections. By the start of the second lap, I had to back off or risk a breathing attack, and they rode away from me. I was still a bit ahead of Kari; having her back there made me push myself harder than I would have otherwise. I could hear her cheers for the other women throughout the race. I was breathing too hard to respond. The third and fourth laps I held my position and worked on keeping my pace hard but consistent. I was happy to not be getting nauseated and not coughing the entire race as I've been sick the last two races. I picked up my speed on the e5th lap because Kari was getting closer. I came within a few seconds of catching the rider in front of me. If I'd had just a little more reserves in the tank, I might have been able to do it. I felt good about my race. I was very consistent, which I haven't been since Cincinnati.

Wendell's World Race # 3

Race # 3, Monroe/Criswell Park - Another gorgeous day for a cross race. Being the 155lb weakling that I am, windswept grassy plains are not my preferred venue, but the course was 'fun' in a twisted cyclocross kind of way. I remember Bob posting last year that his highest average power rating (or some term close to that) of the season was on the Monroe course. This course is one that you need to keep pressure on the pedals all the time, there are very few spots to get any rest.
I have no excuse at the start this week, I was un-impeded and had lots of space that would have allowed me to move up, I'll just have to blame those damn guys at the front who were going to fast. From my vantage point it seems like the heads of state up front came to race and things got strung out pretty quickly. Before the first lap was over I had pretty much sorted into the position with those around me that I would be racing against. We had a pretty good race between myself, Lyle and Marshall for 10th place (though I had no clue at the time what place we were in). I think it was on the 4th lap Marshall and I were together and Lyle blew by us on the paved section at the start/finish; he got a nice gap but slid out and went down on the transition onto the gravel road and we re-passed him; I think that took a little wind out of his sails and he kind of dangled around behind us from that point on. On the next to last lap Marshall attacked on the lower paved section; it was a good move as it surprised me and he came by quickly so I couldn't get his wheel but I had a little gas left in the tank and was able to pull him back by the time we passed the restrooms. I stayed behind him from that point on going into the last lap as I wanted him to lead across the windy upper plain. My plan was to attack on the hill leading up to the second set of barriers but when we hit the first barriers Marshall went left so I went right to get a clear line and I came out of the barriers in front, not sure if this was Marshall's plan or he just had trouble on the re-mount or clipping in but I saw the chance to open a little gap so I went hard up the little incline afterwards and just kept the pressure on. I was able to hold this little gap to the finish for 10th.
Some thoughts on Monroe:
- One of my season goals was to eliminate my double hop on re-mounts, I think I only did it once (old habits die hard) Sunday and so am happy with my progress there. I've even noticed that I seem to gain an advantage through the barriers over a number of other riders and so I look at improvements there as free speed, since better technique doesn't cost you any more effort!
- I think I finished as well as I could for this race. There is quite a difference between me and the next highest placed rider right now. I don't think I can make that up this year; I'll have to get more serious next year to hang with any of those guys. That said I may pick one of the coming races and just blow myself up at the start and see how long I can hang with some of them.
- If you had asked me to describe the start and who I was behind for the first couple of turns I would have been wrong. Looking at the video of the start the camera shows me in a position different than I recalled. Funny how the mind works, or doesn't work.

Criswell Park Race #3

This was a fast technical course with no area to rest, the first lap went real well as I started off slowly and gradually made my way to the front 3 and into 2nd position. Shortly afterwards my chain started coming off my 42 single ring setup and onto the chain guard and spin like a transmission slipping. I once reached down while on a fast pavement section and with my finger put it back on the chainring, Dan was on me at this point watchng my mechanical expertise while racing. So, after this happened a couple more times with me having to stop to replace it and then getting the course marking tape wrapped into my handlebar and causing a fall I slipped back out of contention and just rode the last lap for video shots.
Even though I was not on the podium this week it was still a blast! The course was set up well and really suited me as I seem to be better in the corners.
Here is a video of the first lap on you tube


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWG-ewEfajM

Hillbilly's report race #1 and #2

Race #1

Conyers GA. Horse Park Oct 21st 07 Arrived the day before and pre-rode the course enough to get the turns and barriers in my mind. Next morning got to the venue, did a couple laps of warm up, got the camera ready and lined up on the front row with the usual suspects and some new faces to the 45 + crowd.The whistle blew and off we went, was not anxious to go hard from the gun and was happy to see that everyone else must have felt the same, Gerard and Dan were up in front setting the pace with the others in tow, about 1/2 lap into the race I moved up to Dans wheel just behind Gerard and settled in to see how long I could hang. It was going well, heartrate was not skying and it seemed easy enuff to stay in contact but of course it was still the first lap, and then it happened, I felt the rim hit something hard and then moments later I could feel it on the ground, done, race over, flatted a 100.00 tire. I made my way back to the pits and put my spare wheel on and waited for the leaders to come around just so I could ride and see if I could keep pace. I jumped back in just as Dan, in 2nd, went by and followed him for a while then passed and rode up to Gerard and followed him for a lap. Didn't seem too hard but again I was much fresher since I was on the sidelines for a while. Here's the video I took.http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2496556249650700986

Race # 2 Fort Yargo, Winder Ga Oct 28th 07 Having flatted at the previous weeks race I was pumped for this race, I arrived the day before and went to the course and spent 1 hour riding the course, learning the lines and practicing the barriers and the sand. I was able to ride about half way thru the beach but then my dismount was not too pretty but I decided to ride as much as I could during the race, I just hated to waste all that speed going onto the beach. Race morning and I was feeling really anxious, I didn't sleep that well the night before, I just kept going over the course in my head and playing out how I thought the race would go.

The masters lined up and this weeks field was about 10 short of the previous week and no Gerard, but Dan, Torre, Lamar, David, Brad, Jim, Wojtec and other strong riders were there to take up the slack. Brad was kind enough to give me a spot on the front row for the start and off we flew. For the first 1/2 mile we were on a fast paved road section and the big guns all grabbed their place near the front, I choose not to get caught up in the holeshot action and was about 8 back from the front but moved up several places as we went off road the first time. Brad, Lamar and David were setting the pace up front and I noticed that Dan was a few places behind me, which suprised me a little. At 3/4 of the way thru the 1st lap I had moved to 3rd behind Lamar and Brad and went past in the single track section somewhere around the headless GTC rider. At this point Dan was behind me, I didn't know it at the time, and I kept going my same pace which kept putting time between me and the field. Looking at my video afterwards I see that at some points during the race I had pulled out a lead where that no one can be seen chasing on the road after you make the left turn at the top of the hill. I never let up the pace though and kept riding onto the sandy beach and actually fell twice in the sand which let Dan catch sight of me and he pulled me in on the last lap. Now I didn't fall on the last lap but Dan was really charging and he caught and passed me just past the finish line of the last lap, I figured I could save a little energy right then and re-pass him in the fast woods section, so I got on Dan's wheel and we went off the pavement into the woods pretty damn fast, the 3rd left hand sweeper I made my move and passed Dan taking his line and causing him to overrreact and hitting the course marking tape wrapping it in his wheel, this gave me about a 30 second advantage which I held till the end and my first ever cross win.