2003
Elite Nationals Race Report
Time Trial 5/21/2003
Road Race 5/22/2003
Hello everyone,
I have a
hard time believing that it has been a week since I wrote about wheels
on willy, but I guess it has. The past week was filled to the brim with
travel, travel, a few races, and travel. I suppose all the travel has
paid off in the end, and without it I would certainly be less experienced...in
many ways!
The week began on monday (of course) with my friends Megan (on the cowgirls
team) and Nick Reistad hopping in the car and driving to PA for Elite
Nationals TT and RR. The plan on Monday at 8am was to drive straight through
to Somerset, about one hour southeast of Pittsburgh, and where our hotel
was. That plan was in action until about three hours of driving. At that
point our car, the trusty 1987 Volvo station wagon, decided to stop working
properly. We were forunate to get off the interstate when we did because
as we were pulling into a service station, the car pretty much died. The
guys at the station offered to take a look at the car and run "a
diagnostic test" that would cost me $80...just for the test. I signed
up for the service with basically no other options, and we tried to figure
out what to do (keep in mind that we had a weeks worth of stuff for three
people, food, bike parts, wheels, and five bikes. After about three hours
of waiting, the test was done and my mom came up with the idea that saved
our butts. First the test....the guys at the station could hardly say
"volvo", and had know idea what the problem was, so they were
super cool about not charging me for their labor or their failed test.
that was lucky, and that $80 inventually went to pay for the tow truck
taking the car to a nearby volvo dealer. Now for my mom's idea...see mentioned
that we could try to give our friend Ted a call to see if he would drive
my mom's van down to chicago, and then go with us to PA. We all knew that
Ted is a pretty awesome guy who will do anything you ask of him, but we
didnt think that he would drive to PA with us.....would he? Yup. Ted played
the role of savior this week, and he was at the station at around 8pm
that night, ready to drive us to PA. I owe alot to Ted after that, he
is a really good friend. On a car note, the wagon needed a new "fuel
distributor" that cost $700 in parts and labor.....it is a good things
we love that car...and that it isnt "my" car!!!
That left us in chicago for 8 hours and WAY behind our initial schedule.
We had a TT on wednesday so we needed to make it a priority to get to
PA on tuesday early enough to ride the RR course and get the crud out
of our car legs. We ended up in cleveland on monday night (5 hours sleep),
and we were in PA at the host hotel on tuesday at about 1pm. We were happy
to ride the course and get the junk out of our legs. We (well actually
me) also found out what you get for a hotel room in Somerset, PA for $42/night...not
much space with four people/four bikes! I guess the fridge and microwave
made it worthwhile, saved money, and at least it was really cheap!
Tuesday we scouted out the RR course for thursday's race. what we found
was pretty much what I expected, HARD. The course was not flat...the opposite
of flat...lumpy. They said that the course had 3200' of climbing per lap,
and was shaped by one shallow 7-mile climb, and a steeper 1-mile climb
that gained about 500'. We also saw part of the TT course for wednesday
as it was on the RR course. I wasnt sure what to make of the race or these
courses as I just had very little idea of what an elite nationals race
would shape up to be like. I knew what to expect at collegiate nationals,
but this was a new ball game...with a race containing 140 cat. 1's.
First up the TT. I was a bit concerned about it, I mean there were a handful
of really big shots that were on the start list. I also wasnt sure what
the course would turn out to be like. My goal for the day was to set my
HR where I wanted it, and push a little harder. That is all that I could
do, you cannot run a TT over your limits physically, and I knew that if
I could set the HR at the right spot, it would produce a deserving result.
I also must say that having Darryl's TT bike, a comete disk, Terrys Hed
deep, skinsuit, and geeky helmet, helped me feel like I belonged a the
start gate. You cannot compete at a national level event without the proper
equipment. I had it on Wednesday, and that played a huge role in the outcome
of my TT. I also must add that the Aktins long sleeve skin suit looked
and felt really fast. In the end of the time trial I drew up some more
strenght thinking about my friends in the Atkins club, I was proud to
wear the jersey, and I know I was faster because of it.
Well you may already know, but I finished 11th about 3 minutes behind
the winner, and with 9 pro's ahead of me for the 34km TT. I think that
the course really helped as it was really hilly. there were almost no
sections of flatness, and I was using the 42/21 and the 54/11 ALOT. Probably
could've gone with a 56 in the front, but the bike was set up really well.
I was really happy with this result. It was a goal of mine to learn (or
at least feel good) about time trialing. I now have confidence when I
get out in a TT, and that is pretty scary. I can only imagine what will
happen when I spend some time in my position, and on a TT bike of my own.
The bottom line on the TT was that I had a pretty good day, and I had
my HR almost where I wanted it to be. Overall it was a big success, and
it is the result that I am second most proud of this season...the first
being my wisport hilltopper TT overall win last saturday.
On to the road race...and my head cold. Thursday was the RR we had raced
the day before in 50 degree, cloudy weather and thursday was no different.
I actually RACED with two jerseys, knee-warmers, two arm warmers, and
the poor man's leg balm....vaseline. I still froze, but on the climbs
I was warmer and pretty much comfortable the whole race. The race played
out alot different than I thought it would, but looking back, it makes
more sense now. The race began with a screaming descent, speeds at around
55mph...maybe higher. On the bottom of the descent (still traveling at
45mph) one guy flatted his front wheel. I am watching him out of the corner
I my eye as he rolls into the ditch next to the road and then somehow
keeps it upright just long enough swerve back into the middle of the pack.
Of course carnage insues, and behing me I hear lots of bad noises that
haunt me at night. My first thought was 'great now I might be ahead of
the split'.....is that sick or what? anyway the pack regrouped and the
first 7 mile climb was really slow...the whole first lap was slow. I was
a little surprised, but after all we were racing for 180km's. The race
was very hectic, the pack was huge (140), and the course required a good
place at certain times, so as to avoid covering gaps or getting pushed
into a tree on a descent. I was keeping myself in good spots for most
of the course, and I was only in bad spots when it turned out to not really
matter. Moving around was easy for me with so many climbs...I just moved
on the hills if need be, and keep an eye on things.
I must point out that I truly felt horrible for the entire first half
of the race. I didn't feel confident in my ability to race with the field
and I didn't really think that I would finish with a good result. The
race, and my attitude changed with the passing of time, and once the last
lap rolled around I was in the final 30 guys, and felt really good. I
was at the front for most of the longer climb, attacking a few times,
covering attacks a few times, setting the pace for a while. Maybe that
wasnt good but I felt good, and as a testament to collegiate racing, Doug
Ollerenshaw (winner of collegiate nationals) was also at the front alot
on the last lap. I knew that at any point a move could go up the road.
there were four guys with a 1:15 or so on the field, and I figured that
a chase would have to go soon, so pay attention. with the longer climb
out of the way, it was really really cool to feel comfortable, feel strong,
and be in the final 20 guys. I guess that is what they call "chicken
skin"...but it was also really cool to see Frank Pipp, Frank Deirking,
and Adam Bergman in the group as well. I dont think it happens often that
four midwest boys get into the final of a race with 12,000' of climbing!
anyway, to make a long story longer, I ended up going with Bergman's attack
on the final larger climb with about 10km to go. The only problem was
that I missed it by about 20 meters...so I was chasing two guys who were
maybe 10 seconds up. Once I looked back, ollerenshaw was the only guy
near me and he was suffering to stay on, so I went. I put my head down
and went after the two guys ahead of me. I didnt catch them until about
two km's to go, and at this point I still thought a break of four was
up the road...no one had come bakc to the group, and that was the last
word that I got from a motorbike. when I caught the two ahead of me, I
saw one more ahead of them
wait. that isn't what happened.......
I do remeber catching the break....no I dont, that was the third lap...yeah
for sure.
so I dont remeber catching four guys up the road, but once I got onto
Bergman and the other guy, I remember seeing one man come back to us.
At this point I was thinking that we were going for fourth, fifth, sixth...or
something like that. In the last 2k, there were three, with one stragler
having been dropped, the sprint (for then second) was pretty lame, I had
nothing much left other than complete failure....i.e. falling off the
bike, and I found out we were going for second when Bergman crossed the
line and the announcer said "silver medal". WHAT? I was really
shocked. I didn't ever see the winning finish line as Mike Voight won
by about 30 seconds. I was still really happy...to tired to be happy,
but I was sort of in shock...I got fourth? what? I am not supposed to
do that! well, I did and I goes to show that anything is possible, the
one thing I never do is rule out any possibilities. when we lined up to
race on thursday, no body had beaten me...even if Merckx was lined up
in his prime.....he still would have had to race. No one wins until they
cross the line first, that is always true.
So I suppose now I will have to win one of those races, actually get a
jersey instead of a stinking little medal, and the fourth platform on
the podium! dont get me wrong, I am thrilled with the two races at nationals.
Now all I have to do is win one of those races!
Right after the podium presentation, we got into the car and started off
for Iowa and Snake alley. We had to get to Chicago by 7am to pick up the
repaired Volvo, and then switch cars so that Megan could drive the van
back to madison. we basically drove all night, and actually stopped in
south bend, IN to "sleep" for three hours. I think I am still
recovering from that thursday, after sitting in the car all night....aint
that the life! wouldnt want it any other way!
We actually got to IA on time and some of the guys did the friday night
road race in burlington, while I relaxed and got ready for the snake on
saturday.
Snake Alley. all about the start of the race! I bet the first twenty guys
over the climb on the first lap, were basically the top twenty win the
race finished! I was number 20, and Of course I had a terrible start,
lost maybe ten spots, and the first time up the snake, I was able to ride
around the guy who had fallen over...my teammate John Devine stopped because
of this and actually ran the whole way up! I was eventually in a group
of about fifteen after about 5 laps out of twenty. things were going well,
and I was starting to recover and trying (still) to move up to the front.
I then looked down and saw that my stem was crooked...well great, what
am I going to do about that? No free lap, no tools, cant stop and fix
it.....??? I didnt think that I could carry on with a course that descends
three blocks then climbs up cobbles, with a crooked stem! so I stopped
at the start/finish and asked for alan wrenches....the officials looked
at me like I was crazy and told me that there was a tent with tools at
the bottom or the snake. At this point I was done. I tightened the bolts
and rode a few laps at V02 pace, then saw the official giving the cutthroat
signal. My day was done. A big dissapointment, I was in the front group,
my mom drove down to watch, terry had come to watch some pain, and I didnt
even finish. I wasnt to pissed, as I had a really great week, and I had
NOTHING to complain about!
from there I was off to Cedar Rapids to see some friends and go to their
daughters graduation party, I decided not to race today or monday, as
I actually have to leave for belgium on wednesday.....yeah wednesday!
that is really crazy, of course I am not ready...I have about one million
things to do, and about seventy hours to do them!
I think that it is a good time to thank all of you who have helped me
this season. You all know that my results would be someone else's if it
weren't for your support. I have been blessed to know such great people,
and I still ride and race knowing that all of you are on my back giving
me support and along for the ride. This is my last state-side race report,
and I think that things are really coming together for me. Of course I
will keep all of you updated while I am overseas, and please dont hesistate
to contact me, e-mail, by whatever means. I cant thank you all enough,
I owe alot to all of you, and I hope that I can represent my supporters
well in the future months. keep in touch, and remember we only need to
clean one gear...the twelve, all the others will not get used! have a
great holiday, until next time.
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