"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Wente Vineyards Crit. Report

The course was flat as a pancake, long(.9 miles), and not really technical. It was still pissing rain as we signed in, and a couple of us marveled at the guy who hadn't pre-reg'd but instead woke up this morning at 5:30 and thought, 'S**t, lovely day for a race'. All of us 5's made a prayer circle, and the skies parted. Now we had sun with a touch of wind.

The pace didn't break anybody's legs off. Last couple laps we had a few attack/surges (are there ever any fully realized attacks in the 5's?), and then settled in for the last turn before the sprint finish. I latched on to a leadout, and came in, still seated, for 4th. I seem to forget to stand up and sprint.

At any rate, this was my best finish in 6 races, and I have to say, it felt pretty good. I think I'll stay in the 5's forever. ;)

45+ Open:

Found a set of legs someone had tossed out along the freeway, figured they were better than my legs from the day before (see RR report) so I gave them a shot.

I came. I worked. Jumped in breaks. Worked in breaks. Sat on Breaks. Pulled back breaks. Spent the last 3 laps trading pulls with AMD/Disco Uber Stud to keep the pace up for our sprinters. Pace ended up in the mid 28's.

We won. David took out not one, but two Goliaths. Teamwork, teamwork, teamwork. Everybody worked their glutes off for this one...

Downside: I think I rolled across around 12th, huge pile up behind took out three of my teammates, one who took the trip to the hospital, waiting to hear the report. He was up, but not exactly chipper, unless it was a wood chipper.

EDIT: He's oke doke. Sort of. Still wood chipper but nothing serious.

Good work to both of you. Vino, you continue to inspire.

Mine went something like this:
corner, brake brake brake
chase chase chase
corner
yell at dive bombers stealing lines

repeat a bunch of times

I got stuffed in the last corner and had to come to a near stand still and by then it was to much of a gap and wind. I did swipe a prime though.

First race as a 3. Just chilled in the pack. Lots of half-hearted break attempts, but I just hung protected near the front and let other people cover them, the wind seemed to be keeping everything in check. Ridiculous crash in the straight after turn 1. Had to unclip to not run over the dude's head, then sprint back on.

Pace was slow. With the somewhat lame course, it started getting pretty boring. Nothing better to spice things up than TONS of bots dots. Found some dudes to mark. Started planning for the sprint. People seemed to stay more to the right on the finish straight, leaving lots of room on the inside of the little bend which was maybe 100m before the line. If I chose the right leadout, this area would be completely protected from the head/crosswind on the finish straight.

Bell lap, I had moved up to 5th or 6th wheel, took the last turn toward the outside to set up. Luckily ended up latching on to a little lead out train that was killing it. They were leaving room on the left side just as I had hoped. I jumped right after coming around the bend. It was a late sprint, but no one else had gone yet. I knew I had a big advantage, and had it if I held the sprint. I held the sprint.

http://www.dropshots.com/zoomin.php?userid=280933&cdate=20070423&cimg=0

Gotta say, the norcal prize money seems pretty bad, for winning the 3s I get 40 bucks, a bottle of sparkling wine and a tshirt? Come on! Also, who is the purple and gold fleur-de-lis team? I'm by no means a small rider, but they have some HUGE guys.

Sorry, didn't recognize any of you or I'd have come by. Hope to do some more races up north as I get the chance...

Cat-2-ometer : 28%

Gotta say, the norcal prize money seems pretty bad, for winning the 3s I get 40 bucks, a bottle of sparkling wine and a tshirt? Come on! Also, who is the purple and gold fleur-de-lis team? I'm by no means a small rider, but they have some HUGE guys.

Cat-2-ometer : 28%

The guy with the pink bar wrap :D I felt sorry for his seat post and wheels and frame and any other weight bearing part. He had to tip the scales at 300+. He also liberaly use the free lap rules 2 or three times to get back in :rolleyes: I guess thats one way to put in a team effort.

Nice job on the win, you looked strong sitting just a couple wheels back the whole race. I noticed the ucsd on you kit and remembered seeing it on here.

Gotta say, the norcal prize money seems pretty bad, for winning the 3s I get 40 bucks, a bottle of sparkling wine and a tshirt? Come on!

Ask me about $5.00 and a T Shirt for 2nd at Copperopolis. Hey, I'm happy to be racing. If I wanted to make money at a "sport" I'd go hit a little ball around my lawn with a stick.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
I think its still a toss up of who has stranger clothes

Brianappleby
Bayareawheeler
did you guys make the crit on sunday?

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
I think its still a toss up of who has stranger clothes

Brianappleby
Bayareawheeler
did you guys make the crit on sunday?

got pics?

adxm, way to break into the 3s! thats a good picture too.


Ask me about $5.00 and a T Shirt for 2nd at Copperopolis. Hey, I'm happy to be racing. If I wanted to make money at a "sport" I'd go hit a little ball around my lawn with a stick.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.


... those t-shirts are collectors items!