Marty/La Crosse Recap

I know this is really a week late, but since I'm in a coffee shop in Madison at the Collegiate Road Nationals, I've got some time to get around to post about it.

At the Marty road race, Saturday, about 125 racers toughed it out for some spring classics-esque weather. In the morning, the rain was steady, in the afternoon, stiff winds blew it away.

I had the pleasure of officiating possibly the finest example of Junior's racing, witnessed in my career, at least. They cleanly executed tactics appropriately that I have seen experienced Cat 3s botch. The racing never once let up, and in the end, it took a fine balance of smarts, handling, and sheer athleticism to take home the day.

The race was split up into smaller groups, but even that didn't cool down the heat. I was impressed, usually when the field is less than 10, racers are resigned to a slow roll to a sprint finish. A couple small, precise attacks split the field in the first few miles. 4 riders in front, a couple in the middle, and then the field following it up. The course of the race involved a couple short, but intense bursts, putting riders just out of reach, only to be reeled in. Even still, it didn't turn into a TT, each rider for the most part found someone to work with.

Before and after the race, spirits were quite high. It was a fine show, a blend of sportsmanship, athleticism, and fun, safe riding. A fine day for the riders of the future of MN racing.

The course at Marty this year happened to incorporate one of my favorite race-deciders; A steep hill with a brisk tailwind. Paired together, they negate any kind of drafting advantage. From the riding perspective, it feels as if the protective curtain of the field around you has fallen. It is only you, and the overpowering urge to be the first to the top of the hill. If you break away here, you set yourself up for an almost rocket powered descent with the wind at your back. You must make it happen on the windward side, but if it works, the adrenaline of being the King (or Queen, but I'm writing from my perspective) of that mountain, will give you the fuel you need to continue your attack. The distance from this hill to the finish is close enough that you can make it stick, but far enough to make it hurt - The Great Decider.

Sunday was La Crosse. The weather was forecast to be a little better, but still with the threat of rain, and winds with gusts up to 29mph. It was to be my first race of the year. I wasn't ready, I'm still nowhere near in shape, and I hadn't been on a crit course in two years. Still, racing waits for no man.

I was feeling fine, I know my bike in and out (the advantage of being on the same road frame for 12 years), and I was warmed up. The only problem, which I wasn't even aware of until the race kicked off, was that I haven't been in a pack that large since I broke my arm. My fitness was good enough for the field I was in, but I just couldn't go around corners in a pack. 

I was off the back before the second turn. What followed was an individual time trial against the entire field, with stiff headwinds and crosswinds. I had one rider on my wheel, a guy from WSU, a school I have now dubbed "Wheel Sucker University." He pulled for two very slow quarter laps. I dropped him a couple times when he couldn't handle a bit of a short turn of speed. 

Of course my compatriot outsprinted me for the finish. 

I wasn't really bothered by it at all, in terms of comparative experience levels, I was mostly just amused. I'm sure there was a time when I would do the same thing. It is, after all, bike racing. Another race under my belt, cleanly run, finished, did not crash, all the things you should hope for in a race with as much time off the bike as I've had. It did leave me invigorated for more, however.

Omnium Racing was well represented by

Caleb Donaldson and Seth Iverson

In the afternoon races, Caleb and seth put forward many strong attacks, several of which looked ready to stick. In the end, they put forward a very fine show of constant attacks, reeling in riders, and hiding in the pack to rest and do it all over again. I love crit racing. 

Best bike shop in the city

Today Omnium Bike Shop opened its doors to the public for the first time. 

I was so excited about it, that I rushed off after work over to the shop, forgetting to get gas. This ended poorly, with me on the side of hwy 280. Fortunately one of my trusty cycling friends had driven her car, and was able to bring me to the gas station, saving me a walk along the side of the highway.

I was pleased to hear that I was pretty much on her way home, and also that she was just leaving Omnium, as I was going (busy, busy!).

Finally, I made it to the shop. I've been there plenty of times before, but today was the first time seeing it as it is now, a real bike shop in a great building. Bikes were on display (one of every model they carry), shoes were out, tubes, tires, helmets, all ready to be purchased. It was a great feeling to see the shop look so complete. 

There was tons of people there, new random customers dropping in (the opening wasn't advertised, just a soft one - don't worry, there'll be a grand opening shindig soon). Active cyclists congregated, all happy to see the shop, talk about riding, and ogle the bikes. It was all a really positive experience.

I'm super stoked about riding, and the season in general.

Omnium Racing

A good friend of mine, Dan, is starting a new bike shop. This has been a long term dream and goal of his for a long time, one that we've talked about countless times. We also talked (more like ranted) about the state of racing, as any competitive cyclist does. All of these talks, and my experiences as a race mechanic, official, racer, spectator and general cycling enthusiast, have painted a picture in my mind of how teams can be run. I don't mean to say that there is anything wrong with local race teams, but I've had years to think about this.

Megan and I have been working to organize and start a team along with the bike shop, you'll hopefully be hearing much more about us in the future. In order to build a team with strong values, we broke down all the usual concepts, and looked at what a team was.

As a race mechanic, I worked for a team with a relatively low budget. We weren't pro, so riders didn't get paid, we didn't really have an equipment budget (at least not a huge one), so riders didn't get bikes or wheels or anything like that. But what we were able to offer was management, coaching, a mechanic (That's Me!), soigneur, etc.

Our goal was to do everything within our power so that the athletes only had to think about their upcoming race, being mentally and physically prepared, and performing well (side note, this was always my prime goal as a rowing coach). Bikes worked as they should, riders were given reminders of when they had to be at the start line, we coached and educated them on things that they might not have expected.

Bonds were forged, races were raced, a team was born.

While I can't possibly hope to have that level of support at anything less than the pro/elite level of racing, we are trying our best to capture this essence of "team," from the riders, to the support crew. It will be really exciting to see how, and if, we are able to pull it off.

Things have been a whirlwind lately, Dan an had some bumps and hurdles to getting the shop open, which they have conquered admirably in the short amount of time allotted to them. We couldn't even start in on a team until we were absolutely sure that a shop was going to happen this year. Once we were sure, things became real in an awful hurry, we had to design kits, invite riders, among numerous other tiny but not insignificant details.

Well, this has been a nice break from working on team stuff, time to get back to work, I'll keep you all posted.

In the meantime, be sure to stop in at one of our sponsors, Omnium Bike Shop, and the Cheeky Monkey Deli (more than your average deli, btw), they kick butt.