OK - chime in with your plans, etc. I was thinking a lot of you could use this thread to set up places to stay or eat, transport, etc.

Those of you not aware the superweek info is here: http://www.internationalcycling.com/schedule.shtml

Late registration fees start to kick in tomorrow. $5/race.

I just registered for 4 races only - July 15 and 16 in Bensenville. I figure the race is being held a couple of miles from where I used to work/plant I shut down. I should donate some of my blood, sweat, and loathing back to the community.

Cat 4/5 in the morning and Masters 4/5 mid-day both days.

:twitchy: - this after RAIN on Saturday and possibly the Hampshire TT on Sunday....Awesome. :thumb:

How about you guys?

Come on up and race at Whitnall Park....I'll be there....reason enough to make the trip.

It sounds to me like you have a rather.....shall we say.....aggressive riding schedule planned my friend.

Come on up and race at Whitnall Park....I'll be there....reason enough to make the trip.

It sounds to me like you have a rather.....shall we say.....aggressive riding schedule planned my friend.

I was looking at Whitnall as a matter of fact. It says "Road Race", but I assume it's the same course as the crit I did up there earlier this year?

Also....even though I have a ton of hill work behind me this year that fricking course would blow me up again. I'll see how B'ville goes.

What time are the Bensenville races? Couldn't glean that from the site for some reason. Still seeing spots.

7/18 Ripon Red Hawk Criterium. This race is the closest to me. There is a long steady climb on every lap.
7/19 Carl Zach Cycling Classic
7/21 Holy Hill RR. Should be fun...
7/23 Whitnall Park RR. Less hilly than Holy Hill.
7/25 Folks and Spokes
7/26 Downer Ave.
7/27 Whitefish Bay

All will be 4/5 races except Downer and I think Whitefish, which are Cat 4 only.

Nothing is straight forward on those pages. Superweek must be a horrendously thankless task to organize.

Try this:
http://www.internationalcycling.com/download/Announce.pdf

Schedule seems a little different each day which leads me to believe that everything will be a cluster when I actually show up. I have a feeling it will go late, and they will run the 4 and the 4/5 fields together. Don't know why 4s would be riding in the 4/5 other than for extra races.

If you go I would suggest using the schedule as a general guide of what to expect. :thumb:

:thumb: Damn Psi ... motor on!

I was looking at Whitnall as a matter of fact. It says "Road Race", but I assume it's the same course as the crit I did up there earlier this year?

Also....even though I have a ton of hill work behind me this year that fricking course would blow me up again. I'll see how B'ville goes.

I believe in Superweek they run the long course at Whitnal which has part of the spring time loop, run backwards, but the S/F is at the Botanical Gardens which adds one more *steep* climb. :D Loop length is about 2 1/2 miles.

http://www.internationalcycling.com/venue/whitnall.shtml

This is a GOOD loop. Much more funner.

Date Race
Sat, July 12 St. Francis Hospital Blue Island ProAm
Sun, July 13 Olympia Club Criterium
Mon, July 14 Richton Park Criterium
Tue, July 15 Ray Basso Bensenville Criterium New Course!
Wed, July 16 Ray Basso Bensenville Criterium
Sun, July 20 Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Grand Prix of Cycling
Thu, July 24 Racine.org Criterium New Race!
Fri, July 25 Chase Food Folks & Spokes
Sat, July 26 Downer Avenue Bike Race

I will probably register for a few more before today ends and show up to others for same-day registration.

Date Race
Sat, July 12 St. Francis Hospital Blue Island ProAm
Sun, July 13 Olympia Club Criterium
Mon, July 14 Richton Park Criterium
Tue, July 15 Ray Basso Bensenville Criterium New Course!
Wed, July 16 Ray Basso Bensenville Criterium
Sun, July 20 Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Grand Prix of Cycling
Thu, July 24 Racine.org Criterium New Race!
Fri, July 25 Chase Food Folks & Spokes
Sat, July 26 Downer Avenue Bike Race

I will probably register for a few more before today ends and show up to others for same-day registration.

I know you're most likely not in the same races, but if you are be sure to put a "hi psimet" sign on the back of your saddle. That way when I go OTB I can go, "see! I know someone who's fast!"

Mine:


7/12: St. Francis Hospital Blue Island ProAm [Men 3]
7/13: Homewood Criterium [Men 3]
7/17: Humboldt Park Criterium [Men 3]
7/18: Ripon Red Hawk Criterium [Men 3]
7/19: Carl Zach Cycling Classic presented by Couri Insurance Agency [Men 3]
7/20: Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Grand Prix of Cycling [Men 3]
7/22: WDSC Cedarburg Cycling Classic presented by Time Warner Cable [Men 3]
7/23: Whitnall Park Criterium [Men 3]
7/24: Racine.org Criterium [Men 3]
7/25: Chase Food Folks & Spokes [Men 3]
7/26: The Great Downer Avenue Bike Race [Men 3]
7/27: Time Warner Cable Whitefish Bay Classic [Men 3]

What time are the Bensenville races? Couldn't glean that from the site for some reason. Still seeing spots.

http://www.internationalcycling.com/download/Announce.pdf

Mine:


7/12: St. Francis Hospital Blue Island ProAm [Men 3]
7/13: Homewood Criterium [Men 3]
7/17: Humboldt Park Criterium [Men 3]
7/18: Ripon Red Hawk Criterium [Men 3]
7/19: Carl Zach Cycling Classic presented by Couri Insurance Agency [Men 3]
7/20: Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Grand Prix of Cycling [Men 3]
7/22: WDSC Cedarburg Cycling Classic presented by Time Warner Cable [Men 3]
7/23: Whitnall Park Criterium [Men 3]
7/24: Racine.org Criterium [Men 3]
7/25: Chase Food Folks & Spokes [Men 3]
7/26: The Great Downer Avenue Bike Race [Men 3]
7/27: Time Warner Cable Whitefish Bay Classic [Men 3]



Know what time it is?











Hammer time. http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w194/Hipcycler67/Cycling/recursivehammer0001.jpg

Can't wait to see you on your new Kestrel Talon SL !!!

http://www.e-wheelworks.com/images/road/Talon-SL-Red-DA-nf-th.jpg

No?

Recursive = Falcon :giver:

Can't wait to see you on your new Kestrel Talon SL !!!

It's probably going to look a lot like the old one, with some epoxy on it. :D
Recursive = Falcon :giver:

I wish. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paolo_Savoldelli)

Luckily still got the 29/race pricing shortly after midnight. Whew. Almost forgot!

7/19: Carl Zach Cycling Classic presented�by Couri Insurance Agency [Men 4/5] -
7/20: Evanston Northwestern�Healthcare Grand Prix of�Cycling [Men 4/5] -
7/22: WDSC Cedarburg Cycling Classic presented by Time Warner Cable [Men 4/5] -
7/24: Racine.org Criterium [Men 4/5] -
7/26: The Great Downer Avenue Bike Race [Men 4/5] -
7/27: Time Warner Cable Whitefish�Bay Classic [Men 4/5] -

I'll be at (watching) the Waukesha race on 7/19, just not totally sure when I'll be showing up. Usually you can find me hanging out in Cutler park on Wisconsin just before the turn onto Maple.

Since I'm now working a few minutes away, I'll probably also try to sneak out to the Whitnall Park race as well . . . we'll have to see what the work schedule holds in store for that day.

I'll be at (watching) the Waukesha race on 7/19, just not totally sure when I'll be showing up. Usually you can find me hanging out in Cutler park on Wisconsin just before the turn onto Maple.

Since I'm now working a few minutes away, I'll probably also try to sneak out to the Whitnall Park race as well . . . we'll have to see what the work schedule holds in store for that day.

Working near Whitnall?
You need to sneak out for a training ride with me there some time....

Working near Whitnall?
You need to sneak out for a training ride with me there some time....

Yeah, I wanted to try during the time between jobs but house upkeep stuff got in the way. I still intend on trying, but the darn legal profession makes it hard to "plan" day-time excursions -- someone always wants something, and they want it now!

But now that I'm only like 4 miles from the Botanical Gardens its should be more do-able.

I posted my official schedule (12 races) in my blog, http://iliveonnitro.blogspot.com/. I will be in a blue Endeavour kit every day on a black Pedal Force bike. I'll be kicking ass in IL and see about helping someone else (or winning more) in WI.

I'll let you know if I have space for people to stay on Sat-Sun. Other than that, I'm hosting somewhere between 8-15 girls from Team Revolution and will not have space starting on Monday. I may need a place to stay in the Milwaukee-area on one of the days, if someone is willing to lend some floor space.

It starts tomorrow.
Are you ready?

For non 1/2s it starts Saturday.

I'm ready.

I mean I"ll be ready after I get these clip on tri bars off my race bike.

It starts saturday if you aren't a pro.

Let's kick some ass. My taper is going perfectly, I think :)

Will post pix from Friday's Pro 1/2 race.

The only Chicago area event I'll be able to make.

I'm a little late to post (not that I ever really post here, anyway), but I'll be in the 30+ 4/5 races tomorrow and Sunday. I may also try to get there early and register for the regular 4/5 races if they're not booked.

Any of you guys doing Bensenville seen the course? I was thinking of taking a spin at that, but the course looks a little odd.

The rules state a minimum lane width for a crit is 9m = ~28 feet. The course is technically illegal.

Worst course idea, ever...I paid $60 to do 2 days there? Ugh.

Agreed. I think the 4/5 races are going to be all_out sprints to the little path, with bikes all over the grass the first few times through. I might just have to skip the first day, and monitor carnage reports.

Just arrived from Beverly Hills. Quick traffic report, then pix in about 30 mins.

I took the long way down going from Milwaukee to Rockford, then around the south side.

13 miles of construction just north of Rockford, otherwise autobahn. A photog. I was chatting with said that they drove down from Milwaukee straight through downtown Chicago and made it in 3 hours. Hard to believe, but that's what he said. It took me 4, but I drove an extra 100 miles. I had a fun drive ... looking at corn and cows rather than brake lights and construction cones.

Drive back was fast. 100 miles in 2 hours flat. Straight up 94.

The race was a BLAST!

Pix in 30 mins.

The rules state a minimum lane width for a crit is 9m = ~28 feet. The course is technically illegal.

Worst course idea, ever...I paid $60 to do 2 days there? Ugh.

In '85 they had the USCF Nationals in Milwaukee. Part of it was on a bike path at Lake Park.

If it's was good enough for Greg Demgen to ride and win on (100+ miles) ... it's good enuff for you. :)

"It's European" ! :D

Ten quick pix to get 'ya going in the morning. SUPERWEEK IS HERE!!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL RACERS !!

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2011%20Superweek%20Beverly%20Hills/IMG_3766.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2011%20Superweek%20Beverly%20Hills/IMG_3869.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2011%20Superweek%20Beverly%20Hills/IMG_4075.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2011%20Superweek%20Beverly%20Hills/IMG_4162.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2011%20Superweek%20Beverly%20Hills/IMG_4274.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2011%20Superweek%20Beverly%20Hills/IMG_4354.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2011%20Superweek%20Beverly%20Hills/IMG_4756.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2011%20Superweek%20Beverly%20Hills/IMG_4823.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2011%20Superweek%20Beverly%20Hills/IMG_5142.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2011%20Superweek%20Beverly%20Hills/IMG_5285.jpg

I blogged a blog. (see sig)

Mostly notably, JPradun is kicking copious ass, winning back to back cat3 field sprints, and tied for the overall points lead.

Thanks :)

I have a blog going that I update every day after racing. Here are a couple pics of me in the blue island race, winning the field sprint for 6th place. I took 2nd yesterday, and we'll see how I do today.

#1: http://flickr.com/photos/fattym/2663421973/sizes/l/in/set-72157606142410433/
#2: http://flickr.com/photos/fattym/2663423401/sizes/l/in/set-72157606142410433/

Great job guys! Thanks for the good blogs. There's some excellent pix out there too.

Remember ... it's kinda like the Tour ... you've still got two Sundays to go!

Story: back in mid-evil times, there was a road race at Salesville, WI. A hilly SOB that was on the first Tuesday of Superweek. My teammate pulled out early (hated hills) and said there was already someone at the parked cars, sitting in the road, slowly ripping up all his numbers and throwing them into the wind. He was DONE with still a week and a half to go. Sad but funny at the same time. :lol:

Can't wait for Thursday when the circus rolls into town. :D

Thanks :)

I have a blog going that I update every day after racing. Here are a couple pics of me in the blue island race, winning the field sprint for 6th place. I took 2nd yesterday, and we'll see how I do today.

#1: http://flickr.com/photos/fattym/2663421973/sizes/l/in/set-72157606142410433/
#2: http://flickr.com/photos/fattym/2663423401/sizes/l/in/set-72157606142410433/

CONGRATS!
I can only assume that "Sir Awesomeness" had already crossed in front of you and was out of the picture, right? :thumb:

See you at Shorewood...gonna hop over right after work, meaning the first action I will see will be the late top level men's race start.

CONGRATS!
I can only assume that "Sir Awesomeness" had already crossed in front of you and was out of the picture, right? :thumb:

See you at Shorewood...gonna hop over right after work, meaning the first action I will see will be the late top level men's race start.

If you mean Tomasz Boba, then yes, he did. (Sunday)

I've had a pretty mediocre time so far. Flatted out Saturday and 17th Sunday.

From Truesport.com ( http://www.truesport.com/rzone/articles/article.asp?recid=295). Lots of good stuff. Nothing that you don't know already, but just good reminders:

How To Ride A Multi-Day Stage Race

Always look ahead to see if the road is turning sharply, or there is a crosswind. If you are too far back your race can be over as easy as that.

Remember to always stay focused on the day at hand as well as the next day. Constantly thinking about the effort you will be making in the later stages. You are riding with all remaining days in mind.

Don't get frustrated if you have a bad couple of days, you can get better legs as the race goes on, so be patient and always try your best. NEVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF AND STAY POSITIVE!

--

Superweek may not be timed, but it IS two weeks long! :)

Tomasz soloed the last 10 laps and held it. He was hurting today though.

GUESS WHO JUST TOOK 1ST IN THE OVERALL CAT3 STANDINGS?! WOO!

You do have a nose for the line.

Robbie McPradun.

Just don't get tangled up like those guys featured on CBR !! :)

AAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

This officially is "Stupid Week".

I made to almost Bensenville this morning when I realized I forgot my license. Turned around, made it back to Elgin and then back to Bensenville. Got out in enough time to still make registration (see I was under the impression they ran remotely on time) and go to pull out my bike and gear. Wrong shoe.

Well....right shoe.

I had brought my normal Road shoe for my left foot and my identical except for sole and cleat mountain bike shoe for my right foot.

:wtf:

I rode around the course with just one shoe and a running shoe for a while just to get a feel for it. I figured I drove all this way. Then it dawned on me that I could probably make it LOOK like I had both shoes by just wearing the mtn shoe and just soft pedal and take the start.

So....I did. I took the start and almost started to think this would work. Then I hit the first corner and "pulled out" of my pedal coming out of the corner. Seems instinct is stronger than memory.

I tried once more with the same result and decided to spare everyone any possible safety issues and just pulled off.

Suck!

I felt pretty awesome too. Field was strong, but small. I am sure I would have been toasted given long enough. Talked to a guy who has been racing the same group of riders since Sunday. He basically said all the xXx, ABD, and "other" (orange jersey with a grey stripe) guys go out so damn hard and just burn themselves up. With the field sizes so small they weren't yanking anyone so....just don't get lapped. He finished in the top 10 a couple of times just keeping his own pace and outlasting the guys.

Hmm.

f'n stupid week. I never make mistakes like that. Once forgot a helmet a few years back, but come on...2 DIFFERENT SHOES!!!

Well, I'll be back tomorrow. This time I'm sleeping in my shoes.

But you still get credit as a start for your cat 4 upgrade!

Psimet2001, any words on the Bensenville course? I'll probably out in the master's 4/5 race tomorrow.

....best line of "P" entire 'stupid' post:

I felt pretty awesome too.

But you still get credit as a start for your cat 4 upgrade!

Right! You toed the line and started. Good job. :thumb: I bet you will never do that again.

Once I showed up for the Will County Road Race (151 miles) without my shoes. Found someone with a spare pair that were 2 metric sizes too small - good enuff! Got 5th. :D The only time I wore all white shoes.

I had brought my normal Road shoe for my left foot and my identical except for sole and cleat mountain bike shoe for my right foot.
Dios mio, man


Suck!

Le Suck. It's July.

Go get 'em tomorrow!

Sorry P but that's damn funny. :)

I will be spectating, not enough guts to take on my first Cat5. That's sad.

I plan on riding Thursday up to Humbolt Park for the early races.
Plan on riding the Metra down to Evanston for the early races.
Probably all day at the Kenosha/Racine Events on the 24th and 25th.
Unsure about the final two days, isn't there a big crit at Grant Park on the 27th?

If you are at these events, particularly spectating or need any advice or company for some local flair in Kenosha or Racine, let me know!

I will be spectating, not enough guts to take on my first Cat5. That's sad.

I plan on riding Thursday up to Humbolt Park for the early races.
Plan on riding the Metra down to Evanston for the early races.
Probably all day at the Kenosha/Racine Events on the 24th and 25th.
Unsure about the final two days, isn't there a big crit at Grant Park on the 27th?

If you are at these events, particularly spectating or need any advice or company for some local flair in Kenosha or Racine, let me know!

I'll be in all those races. Cat 3. Look for the pink bar tape. Holla at yo boy.

I'll be in all those races. Cat 3. Look for the pink bar tape. Holla at yo boy.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/June%2021%20Grafton/0380.jpg



:roflmao2:

Psimet2001, any words on the Bensenville course? I'll probably out in the master's 4/5 race tomorrow.

Ugly. Real ugly.

I personally like it, but most guys were complaining about it. The big problems are on the transitions between the roads and the trail. The trail is pretty fricking wide though.

They decided to run it counter-clockwise (against what is on the handout) for safety reasons.

The one transition from road to trail has the fast line going right over a poorly paved utility cover with little humps of asphalt around it. If you take that corner too fast then you can conceivably swing out and face plant into a light pole in the parking lot.

Granted I only took one lap, but EVERYONE slowed way the F down on that one. I am sure it got quicker as the race went on. I was able to take it pretty fast during warmup.

The other transition is in a parking lot where the pit is. There are some patched cracks that run along the path of bike travel that might grab a wheel or two, and a drain in the lot that is sunk down with the suface tilted towards it....that nice feature is right in the middle of the course. The pack split it two around it.

The next corner was kind of dicey too.

Speed comes on the back straight on the "real" road. There should be some great sprints. If you make it around the 1st bad turn then you have a quick downhill to set you up for a slight curving entrance to the start/finish.

I am racing masters 4/5 and 4/5 tomorrow so I'll see you there. #606. Say hi at the start otherwise I may never see you.

I will be spectating, not enough guts to take on my first Cat5. That's sad.

I plan on riding Thursday up to Humbolt Park for the early races.
Plan on riding the Metra down to Evanston for the early races.
Probably all day at the Kenosha/Racine Events on the 24th and 25th.
Unsure about the final two days, isn't there a big crit at Grant Park on the 27th?

If you are at these events, particularly spectating or need any advice or company for some local flair in Kenosha or Racine, let me know!

Meh...just do it. You'll never have enough guts.

That said I found myself feeling like I was going to puke this morning. I know what to expect, and I know it's not that big of a deal, but I just hate the inevitable....OTB.

Real fun.

It's like your first time having sex. You've practiced a lot on your own. You think you know what to do. You're afraid you might show up and find out you totally forgot to do something, or will do something wrong. If you make a mistake someone might get hurt, but mostly you'll be sitting there at the end going, "I could have done that better."

....and then you'll run to the internet to tell all your "friends" about it.