CCCX #1, Fort Ord East Garrison, Seaside, CA

February 12, 2006

Race Report by Matt Leonard

Okay. So I had high expectations for this race, but wasn't sure how I would do. I showed up to the race at about 9:45, registered and went to warm up. I rode around for 30 minutes or so and was really feeling the repercussions of my Friday night at the USA vs Japan soccer game. I think I got a little too in to the USA, USA, USA!! Oh well. I lined up for the start with about 12-15 other people and was more nervous than usual. I guess I felt like I had a lot to prove to myself. I have been riding a lot more and feel like its really paid off. But this was my chance to really test myself. So the guy said start and we took off. Within seconds I was out in front and was really confused. Was I going that fast, or was every one else just pacing themselves? So I slowed down a little to pace myself and two guys took off ahead of me right before the single track. I passed them on the first hill, but that didn't last too long. Looks like these guys might have been racing cross all winter or something, cause they were pretty fast. Anyway, I kept pushing keeping those two guys in site for the first couple miles, but they gradually started to leave me behind. Just at that point, another guy came behind me and we rode together for a mile or too, but at the first hill, he pulled away from me at the top. So knowing I was in 4th, I was hoping to keep up and gave it my all. But by the end of the first lap, a large portion of the 35-40 age group had blown by me. Unfortunately, a guy in my class sneaked in with them, then another. I passed the second guy back right away and never saw him again, or anyone else in my group for that matter. For the last 3 laps, I just kept a pretty consistent pace and started feeling really good after the second lap. I had one guy from the 35-40 year old class in my sites for the rest of the race, but couldn't catch up to him. As I came to the end of the last lap, where you do a little u-turn and get on the road, I could see that there were a couple of people behind me, but nobody in my class. Unfortunately, right before that, I saw the people ahead of me coming down the road, and none of them where in my class. So I had 5th place pretty locked up. With about 2 miles to go, I just kept my pace and finished with a standing sprint to the finish all by myself. So official results aren't out yet, but I checked the table and I had 5th place, with about 1:31 and change on my cyclocomputer after riding over to go get a water. Before the race, I ran in to Michel and he said I would need to average about 15 mph to win sport. Well, I kept a 14.8 mph pace for the 1:30 and came in 5th. So if he knew what he was talking about, there was some serious sandbagging. I got the feeling that some of these guys may be expert caliber, but warming up with a few sport races. I will have to wait and see how far ahead of me they finished. Whatever, it just shows me I am a long way from being ready for expert, if ever. I will be back in two weeks, and try it all over again. Hopefully with better results. Unfortunately I wasn't able to hang out and cheer Michel on in his expert single speed race. Katie was waiting for me in San Jose at my brother's to get back so we could go do a road ride as we train for the AIDS/LifeCycle. I will put a separate report up about that ride on our blog if anyone is interested in reading about that ride (http://mattandkatiealc5.blogspot.com/).

Matt
6th place
1 hr 25ish

(photo courtesy of Mike Evans)

Race Report by Allan Sherlock

Good race, weather cool to start warmed up quickly. Bob L, Michel C, David G, and sorry Matt I did not recognized you until you said hey at the start. The start was fast, Single speeders and Clydesdales started together. I started out fast to get out front it work, only two made it before me. First lap smooth and over be for you know it. Still chasing Dave? From Alto-velo, second lap same as the first. Coming around the start finish line and up the little hill Dave catches His rear wheel on a small bush and down he goes. I pass and don’t look Back until I am climbing the next hill and he is no wear to be seen. Third lap small cramp while climbing, swallow down three sport leg pills and keep peddling. Forth lap nothing left , cant keep 80rpms slow to 70 and just finish. Finished 2 of 11 Sport SS

Race Report by Michel Cantelobre

Well,

Weather: Very Nice
Category: Expert Single Speed

I'm just going back into real training for a month or so , this race is really early in the season but it is a good way to get some andomorphine into your body...

Well, the race itself with no surprise 5 laps of 5 miles, no difficulty, nothing really hilly, but fast fast fast.

At the starting line around 8 Single speed and I'm for sure the oldest , the croud is more between 25 and 30.

Lap #1 I'm like a Ferrari engine with my heart rate in the red. After 1 mile we allready connecting with the 40-45 category ...

Lap #2 Well I start to recover from the start and manage to catch some 40-45 expert and pass my buddy Benoit.

Lap #3 Trying to keep the pace as fast as possible with out overlaoding, my lap time is steady at 20 min.

Lap #4 What someone is catching with me, what 2 girls ..Velo bella first followed by a yellow jersey.. I take their wheels adn manage to stick my wheel to theirs.

The velobella is really managing the race and the yellow jersey is really burning callories, she is overheating and i can even see fog buiding indise her sun glasses.

Lap #5 We catchup with Dino from the Los gatos Team and he react on the flat section.. I pass the yellow jersey to stay with Dino and the Velo Bella.

Finish: 1h47 min (1h27 min at the Lap 4) Position : ? (behind) I really had a good time, thank you to Allan to encourage me ..

Michel

(photo courtesy of Mike Evans)

Race Report by Bob Lofland

It was good to see so many TWW Shirts out there. Great day for racing. The sun was out, temp was cool. Sounds as if everyone had fun. I sure did. And despite a short mechanical, I had people finishing behind me. Always a good day when you can put some pain down. Did not get sick after the race or the next day. Food alergies seem to be under control this week.

Looking forward to the next race on Sunday Feb 26th. It will be a great warmup for the upcoming Iron Angels race at Angels Camp in March. Iron Angels is the first race for the TWW Season Series. Are you ready?

Ready or not. I have a new training strategy. Ride and race, race and ride. If I wait until I am ready to race? I could be in the 75+ age group if they had one. No, I am not going to be that garage rider preparing a big comeback. I am just going to start using the races as part of my training. If I know the day is going to hard, I have to set my expectations accordingly. At some point the law of averages should work in my favor? Or not? No matter I plan to have fun.

Bob,

(photo courtesy of Mike Evans)

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