In Non-Cycling-Related News . . . - 05/22/07

So, I learned yesterday of an "emergency evacuation drill" the building in which I work would be subject to today. As part of the reactive post-9/11 fall out, those working in skyscrapers across the country are, once per year, subject to this evacuation practice.

What a load of horse shit!

First off, I work in Denver. No terrorist activity is going to happen in Denver. Ever. Second, I work on the 29th floor of a 31-story building. If a terrorist were to fly a plane into this building, the 29th floor would be tomahawked right off and I would die an immediate, jet fuel-inspired death. Thirdly, terrorists have moved on. It's like they have a legal pad checklist. On 9/11, they checked off "Fly plane into large building in large US city". We're not going to see this happen again. We are being totally reactive and, thus, remaining a couple steps behind the terrorists. Some people may feel safer for it, but I feel inconvenienced and pissed off.

And, as the evacuation commenced, we hit the stairwells and walked down 29 flights of stairs. People were walking slowly, chatting it up with each other and then milling around at the base of the building while the safety marshalls made sure every office on every floor had been evacuated. The process took 90 minutes before we were let back in.

My thoughts? If the building were on fire from an attack or if there were a threat of an attack, people would be running hell bent down the stairs, climbing over each other, screaming and acting like a bunch of wankers. Second, we sure wouldn't be milling around the base of a tall building in the event it did get flown into. "Oh, look! All the flying body parts, bits of glass and shredded paper raining down on us like Armageddon. Pretty . . ." Please.

If you ask me, this high up in the building, if we're going to practice emergency evacuation, then we need to practice throwing a chair or desk through the exterior windows and jumping out. Or, dousing ourselves in jet fuel, setting ourselves alight and then running around waving our hands and screaming as the flesh melts off our bones. Because these are about the only practices which will come into play if a plane flies into my building.

What a bunch of stupid fucking shit we get subjected to as a knee jerk reaction packaged as "safety measures."

SMK Memorial Crit - 05/20/07

What a great race for Feedback Sports!

The 4s went off first and controlled the race, keeping everything together, the pace high, reeling in all breakaway attempts and shelling half the field right off the back over the course of the 45-minute race. As a spectator, it was exciting to watch. While I saw only snippets of action from each 4-minute lap, what was notable to me was Brad Fisher chasing down one attack as if his life depended on it. Brad's a truly selfless rider. Then, with 2 laps to go, Andy J. comes through the start/finish line with a 7-second lead on the peloton. One guy is with him and, just then, two more break off the front and try to bridge. With one lap to go, a different guy is with Andy, but the lead has grown to 14 or 15 seconds. I think, "Wow, Andy's gonna win this!" Alas, it was not to be. The finishing straight is an uphill drag with a steeper pitch about 200m from the line before leveling out the final 125m. It was right about there where Andy got swallowed up. Damn! But, Josh Tanner sprinted his ass off for 4th. A great start to the day, for sure.

The 3s race was the last of the day, beginning at 4:45pm right after the conclusion of the pros' race. Our race was 60 minutes in length. The weather turned sour towards the end of the pro race, with super gusty wind kicking up and some rain. My first thought? "Awesome!" I love racing in adverse conditions. The weather did end up settling down just before race start, but the temps had been sufficiently cooled to allow for some fast racing. The wind would be a factor but not a decisive one given it had calmed to a steady breeze.

Before the race started, I delivered a few words in memory of Scott and the significance of the race. I put a positive spin on things. This was a great day of racing for all participants. We collectively needed to realize how lucky we are to be able to do this, that today is our only guarantee and that sportsmanship is way more important than if we win or lose. And it showed. Afterwards, everyone congratulated each other on a race well-fought. The embodiment of Scott's spirit. That's what it's all about. After I spoke, I walked back to my bike and centered myself for the task at hand while Scott's widow, Kristyn, and his mom, Rainy, also spoke to us. Some heartfelt words that put a lump in my throat.

Our race tactics were singular and clear: control the race. We would attack early and often, and our sprinters would sit in and save themselves for the end. And this is exactly how we executed. It was nearly picture perfect.

Our good friend, Mike Hogan, was the first to throw it down. Up the climb to the start/finish line at the end of lap 2, Mike took off. Diran was next to me up at the front. I looked at him and he said, "Go with Hogan." So I jumped away and bridged up. Neil Henderson, another strong perennial rider, bridged up as well. This was a very dangerous threesome to give any gap. My immediate thought? "This could be the race!" We charged up the climb and around the course, and our lead grew. The next time up the climb, I pulled through and heard Hogan say, "Nate, slow it down." I eased off enough to keep us integrated. But my next time through, down the gradual descent on the backside of the course, I opened it up and was away solo. My lead continued to grow and a few laps later, I thought staying away was becoming a very real possibility. I felt awesome, like Scott was straddling the bike with me. I was tearing it up and planning to leave it all out on the course. Diran said when Neil got reintegrated in the group, he gave me some high praise on my strength and power. Great words coming from someone like Neil, who works with Andy Pruitt at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine.

Just past the 30-minute mark (the halfway point), I realized the peloton was motivated enough to reel me in. Maybe a lesson learned from the field-lapping spanking I gave them two weeks prior. I continued to push, because you never know what's going to happen behind. In the process, I won the first 2 primes and became $50 richer for it. Not bad.

I got reintegrated right at the start/finish line and, immediately, a counter attack was launched by three riders. Time for our next rider to go with that attack and make the most of it. Unfortunately, besides Diran being up front, everyone else was out of position to react. I was not going to have Diran go and waste himself for the final sprint. We looked at each other (again) and I just took off. I was feeling great and bridging was easy. The four of us grew to 7 or 8. But what an unmotivated sack of shit of a breakaway!!!! 2-3 of us were motivated to make the break stick but the rest were no better than lampreys - sucker fish just along for the ride who consistently broke up the flow and energy of the break. About 10-12 minutes later, we were re-absorbed by the peloton.

Tim Malton, in his first race as a 3, immediately attacked solo (author's note: Tim's first 5 races in the 4s ended up as three 1sts, one 2nd and one 5th, not in that order. He was ready to upgrade and we welcomed him as another potent finishing sprint attack). As I was right on the front, I blocked the best I could. A couple guys came around me, so I pushed to be third wheel and continue to disrupt the chase the best I could. Tim stayed out there for nearly 2 laps and won the third and final prime. Nicely done!

Now things were getting twitchy. Riders started diving corners and upping the "danger factor". I took it upon myself to chase down all subsequent breaks and keep the pace as high as possible to keep the race safe and make the sprint and easier affair for Diran, Andrew, Jeremy and Tim. Then, with 3 laps to go, Mike Hogan surged forward and took off again. I was right on the front and Andrew was right next to me, about a half-bike length behind me. I looked over my shoulder and calmly said, "Go." Andrew's got a lot of power in the legs and I knew he would be able to bridge up without anyone being able to go with him. Especially with me right on the front and blocking some more. Plus, while still strong, the zip had left my legs. I couldn't bridge. It worked great. Andrew went and he and Mike started building a sizeable lead. With 2 laps to go, Andrew shelled Hogan and went it alone. His lead looked large enough where he could almost assuredly stay away. My immediate thought? "Andrew's gonna take this!" But, it was not to be. As race director of this race, Andrew had been pulling some LONG days and had been up since 4:30am that day and the day before. And, after the race, he admitted he had spent too much time at the front and not tucked in over the course of the hour. This latter aspect might have zapped his legs just enough to allow him to get snapped up in the final couple hundred meters.

Andrew's attack prompted a flurry of activity within the peloton. One 5280 development rider, a high school kid, was diving all over the road, not really safely at all. Suddenly, we're heading up the hill for the final time. Andrew's up ahead but in his saddle. I can tell he's got nothing left in those legs. My ability to lead out Diran is gone. Understandably so but also disappointingly so. Diran and Tim both take off and start winding it up. Then, right in front of me, the 5280 boy dives across the road looking for an opening. He clips Diran's wheel and this sends Diran into the rider next to him. Somehow, Diran stays up but his wind up is totally derailed, as is the sprint of the guy next to him. Fueled by ire, his goal became to beat that putz to the line, which he did. Diran gives it another go and crosses the line in a very respectable 8th (the 5280 putz ended up 9th!). Top 5 for sure had his sprint not been interrupted. Great job, Diran!

Then, upon review of a photo finish, we find out Tim pulled off third! Way to go, Tim! Way to take it to the 3s in your first race with us! That's a lesson in bike throwing the guy who got 4th will never forget.

All in all, I give us an A- on the day. The only thing we did not accomplish which we set out to do was get the victory. It was very clear that Feedback Sports controlled the race and determined how it would unfold. Of that, we are very proud. We did Scott proud, for sure.

Next up, the Fort Collins Road Race on June 10th - a mountainous and hilly affair that has whet my appetite for sure. Stay tuned . . .

SMK, Right Around the Corner - 05/14/07

I missed Wheels of Thunder this past weekend. Saturday was my son's 7th birthday party (actual birthday is today) and yesterday was Mother's Day. I don't mind having to miss a race, but what a race to miss!

Feedback Sports absolutely dominated both the 3s and 4s races, bringing home victories and multiple Top 20 placings. Each race was marred by crashes, with Jeremy being taken out on the final half-lap of the 3s race, and Josh and Bryan going down early in the 4s. Luckily they were able to take advantage of the free lap, reintegrate and both finish solidly if not a bit sore.

A BIG hats off to Diran, taking the 3s race. A victory for him has been a long time coming.

Now, all focus is on SMK this Sunday the 20th. So named for our fallen comrade, Scott Michael Kornfield, this is a race we are motivated at which to do well. Ever since the week of the Louisville Crit, my legs have felt a little punky. Not sure why. Not too worried at this point. Training is going solidly, but there is a noticeable absence of "no chain" days. As long as they are there come July . . . I'll know more after Wednesday's effort, the last hard one of the week until Sunday.

Any way you slice it, I'll be ready and motivated to go. We've got a ton of momentum leading us into SMK. Would love to see the 3s or 4s (or both) come away with a victory. That would be sweet.

Soon . . .
Nate

Louisville Crit - 05/06/07

The curse of the Cat 3s reigned (and rained down) upon the field at our 4:30pm start time for this 60-minute criterium on a closed off, wide open but technical 0.7-mile loop. From 3:45 - 4:15, the temperature dropped from the upper-50s to the low-40s, and hail, sleet and drenching rain persisted until the end of our race.

To me, this is heaven on two wheels! Adversity separates the men from the boys like nothing else, and only the heartiest of racers toed the line. Plus, thinking back to 1990 and then fast forwarding, I could not think of any race result in shitty weather that was anything but top notch for me. And yesterday was no exception.

In the morning, the 4s kicked things off right. Andy Johnson was his usual workhorse self, chasing down every break and keeping the team "in the game" to the end. Then, Tim Malton led the charge and won the bunch sprint for 2nd overall. The lone breakaway artist nearly ran out of real estate. Tim is one of the most explosive sprinters I've seen and I can't wait until he moves up to the 3s. We'll then have a cadre of sprinters and be very, very dangerous in crits and the flatter road races.

But I digress . . . back to yesterday's action. As stated above, Mother Nature decided to go on the rag by the time the 3s race began. Fucking bitch! The efficacy of the warm up was thrown out the window and I was shivering uncontrollably by the time the race actually started. I contemplated taking off my wind vest, but just couldn't. Every stitch of clothing was essential. Then the race starter said to me, "Hey, you, I can't see your number. The camera needs to see your number, Number 722." WTF? So, I responded, "Sounds like you can see my number just fine." Riders laughed; she did not. No fucking way was I taking off my vest. I'd deal with the repercussions of my actions later.

The first lap was controlled as everyone tried to find their place, a rhythm and essentially thaw out. Diran and Jeremy were at the front, looking smooth and frisky. I was a few people back and feeling surprisingly great. Coming across the start/finish line for the first time, the bell sounded, signaling a prime lap. I decided to move to the front, knowing someone would come by me to win that prime. When that person did come by, a Rocky Mounts rider, I jumped on his wheel and stayed on it until he sprinted for the prime. I had no interest in it, but the tactic served its purpose - I gained a small but nice gap on the main field. As the prime winner backed off to reintegrate, I blew right past him and took off.

On a day like this, being alone is an advantage. I never used my brakes through the tight corners, whereas the pack had to continually brake to stay safe. I felt possessed, like I wanted to tear the race apart, attacking coming out of every turn and up the uphill finishing curve. 20 minutes into it, Derek Hutton from MixOne bridged up to me. Afterwards he told me he cursed me the whole time because he tried to go with me from the beginning, couldn't and then fought like hell to finally catch on. Nice compliment.

Once Derek caught on and then sat in to recover, we quickly agreed that the primes were for shit and all we cared about was turning this into a 2-man race. Still, I managed to win 2 primes - 2 pairs of socks. All right! We worked very well together and by the 30-minute mark, we could see the peloton up ahead. We were about to lap the field!! And we did just that before the 35-minute mark. This felt like an awesome accomplishment and it felt even better to sit in and rest a little bit.

I found Diran and Jeremy, who were both riding smartly within the group. After a few laps within the group, I (of course) got antsy again and, wanting to remain safe and rubber side down, went back to the front. Derek marked me and was right on my wheel. From our laps together, he was stronger going up the finishing hill than I was most laps. I knew if I wated to the very end, then I ran the risk of losing the sprint. I tried a couple of fake attacks to see what Derek would do and each time he grabbed my wheel. He did the same and I was right there. We marked each other like a cat stalks its prey.

Finally, with three-quarters of a lap remaining my complete lack of patience took hold. I took off in the hopes of catching Derek off-guard, thinking that maybe he was thinking I would wait to sprint it out with him. I figured if I hit the final corner alone - and, thus, without having to brake - and he was still integrated in the group, I'd get the daylight I needed to win. Alas, that was not to be. I charged up the hill with all I had left. Then, with about 75m to go, riders started to come by. They were racing for 3rd so it didn't matter. Then, with about 30-40m to go, Derek came by. Dammit! Still, 2nd on the day. Not bad! Jeremy ended up 7th and Diran 13th. A great day for Feedback's 3s squadron!

Afterwards, I wondered if going that early at the end was the right thing to do. Is labeling myself as a "non-sprinter" unfair? What would happen if, just once, I waited to the very end to wind up a sprint? Well, I don't know. But I should give it a try. Especially on an uphill finish. I just might surprise myself at what sort of power this 140-lb. body can generate.

Or, I might get my ass kicked. But I won't know until I give it a shot. So, next time, I'll give it a shot. I won't say I did the "wrong" thing here. Had I waited for the final sprint, I could just as easily finished 2nd as 1st. I'm very happy with the effort and result. Especially since I hadn't even decided to race until about 3 hours before the race. This was a celebratory weekend for my wife, Lori, as she graduated with honors from her Masters in Education program from Regis University on Saturday. Family from both sides was in town for the celebration and I had happily written off racing and training for the weekend. Sunday around lunchtime she came to me and said that after missing the race I really wanted to do on Saturday - the Lookout Mountain hill climb - if I wanted to race the Louisville Crit, then I could. And so it was decided.

Hats off to Lori, my kids and my parents for standing in the crappy weather to cheer me on. I think I need to invite Lori and the kids to more of my crits. The 3 they have attended, I've placed 5th, 1st and 2nd. My good luck charms for sure! And hats off to the members of our 4s crew, other Feedback groupies and significant others who were there to cheer us on as well. It made the race more enjoyable to slog through for sure!

Till next time . . .