"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Went to my first race (pict. inside). Modem assassination!

Well, although I did go, I did not race. I have never had any particular interest in racing myself. Even remotely. Besides, given what I do for a living, it would be a very ******** and stupid idea.

In any case, I drove down to the Stuart Classic race today in Stuart, FL. Tomorrow, they are holding the same, so I'll snap some more pict then too if the weather cooperates. Just like any summer/fall in S. FL, there was the intermittent thunderstorm and lighting fest. They held off the men's Pro/Cat 1+2+3 (pict below) for about 30 min. and cut short the women's race by a couple of laps because of lighting.

Women's race

I believe the eventual winner was this chick in the middle. Not sure though.
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Women's%20race/IMG_6153.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Women's%20race/IMG_6157.jpg

Chunky, but with a lot of attitude:
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Women's%20race/IMG_6162.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Women's%20race/IMG_6163.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Women's%20race/IMG_6167.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Women's%20race/IMG_6174.jpg

Weather:

In this picture, you can see how the announcer's booth looked like before the wind picked up and got angry tearing up half the booth literally.
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Storm%20damage:other/IMG_6151.jpg

This rolled in with some wind:
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Storm%20damage:other/IMG_6186.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Storm%20damage:other/IMG_6187.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Storm%20damage:other/IMG_6188.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Storm%20damage:other/IMG_6189.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Storm%20damage:other/IMG_6191.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Storm%20damage:other/IMG_6196.jpg

Thanks. Nice pics.

What's the guy doing in there? Please don't tell me that's not a guy.(white bike. pics 1 and 4 first set.)

Although I always see the dozens of posts daily in the road forum about people nickel and diming, crying and complaining about the costs of parts, justifying them, etc. there seem to be no shortage here of high end equipment to race with. I think I took a shot of the crappiest bike in the bunch and it was in the mid $4K range! You have to love Florida and the never ending obsession with having the latest and greatest. I guess justifying the use of costly things is not for us:lol:

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Men's%20pro%20n%20cat%201n2/IMG_6193.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Men's%20pro%20n%20cat%201n2/IMG_6194.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Men's%20pro%20n%20cat%201n2/IMG_6195.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Men's%20pro%20n%20cat%201n2/IMG_6199.jpg

Actual racing:

These guys were flying. Some serious speed.

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Men's%20pro%20n%20cat%201n2/IMG_6207.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Men's%20pro%20n%20cat%201n2/IMG_6209.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Men's%20pro%20n%20cat%201n2/IMG_6214.jpg

Breakaway forming:
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Men's%20pro%20n%20cat%201n2/IMG_6218.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%206th/Men's%20pro%20n%20cat%201n2/IMG_6229.jpg

What's the guy doing in there? Please don't tell me that's not a guy.(white bike. pics 1 and 4 first set.)

NOT A DUDE:(:eek::(

um...what do you do for a living. i think once you try it you'll fall in love. most fun ive had on a bike.

How could your profession affect the stupidness of racing? Are you professionally sedentary?

How could your profession affect the stupidness of racing? Are you professionally sedentary?

I can only think of a few. Surgeon would be one, although that doesn't seem to worry Dr. Pete. Model would be another. Actor also. Anything where you have to look good or you get fired.

Although I always see the dozens of posts daily in the road forum about people nickel and diming, crying and complaining about the costs of parts, justifying them, etc. there seem to be no shortage here of high end equipment to race with. I think I took a shot of the crappiest bike in the bunch and it was in the mid $4K range! You have to love Florida and the never ending obsession with having the latest and greatest. I guess justifying the use of costly things is not for us:lol:

That's why bikeforums is so funny. It is completely disconnected from reality. That's how every race I've ever been to is like. The "backlash" and negative opinion of it is a very unique bikeforum feedback loop. Just remember though that very rarely is all the equipment paid for at list prices...

I can only think of a few. Surgeon would be one, although that doesn't seem to worry Dr. Pete. Model would be another. Actor also. Anything where you have to look good or you get fired.

Dr.Pete gave up Bicycle racing he only does Duathlons and triathlons now.

Side note: Those Rossettis would look awesome on my Guerciotti.

those guys are fast. =)

The guy in the black kit in the last pic is a freaking freaking beast.

The guy in the black kit in the last pic is a freaking freaking beast.

You should see him in person. He is a pure body builder type with biceps bigger than my head. He is a mountain of muscle and still he rides in the Cat1/2/3:thumb:


That's why bikeforums is so funny. It is completely disconnected from reality. That's how every race I've ever been to is like. The "backlash" and negative opinion of it is a very unique bikeforum feedback loop. Just remember though that very rarely is all the equipment paid for at list prices...

I hear you man:roflmao2:


I can only think of a few. Surgeon would be one, although that doesn't seem to worry Dr. Pete. Model would be another. Actor also. Anything where you have to look good or you get fired.

There are quite a few actually. As pointed out above, DrPete DOES NOT race anymore. His reasons are some of the same as mine. Racing may be fun a lots of people like it, I just personally could care less. Some people like chicken and some people like beef. They are still both meat!:thumb:

The guy in the black kit in the last pic is a freaking freaking beast.

he looks really odd, like he is riding a tiny toy bike!

um...what do you do for a living. i think once you try it you'll fall in love. most fun ive had on a bike.
Let's see: dgasmd.

dgas: reference to the digestive system.

md: a physician.

I'd guess you're a gastroenterologist. You're always one rotator cuff injury from starvation.

(picture Apollo Creed ringing the bell at the end of Rocky III)...ding ding...give the man a prize...

Using the term "chick" and calling one of them "Chunky"... There is a mob of angry femi-nazis with pitchforks and torches surrounding your house as we speak. :lol:

Mac

so real people ride those rossetti bikes? IMHO they are sexy but I've never heard anything about them, I'm looking at getting a new bike in a few months and these really caught my attention.

NOT A DUDE:(:eek::(

She's actually a pretty cool chick. She's done a few masters 35+ races and I've sat in the back playing tailgunner while chatting with her. Her SO (I believe he's her SO) is usually at the top, or close to the top, of the FPS for 35+.

The Saturday course was interesting. A gated community that is a prime example of the housing collapse. Almost the entire course stretched through a vast empty wasteland that was due to be developed; they ran the septic, power, and roads, staked out the lots, then stopped building. Very windy though.

Ken

those guys are fast. =)

Yeah, some of those south florida guys are fast. Actually, Grant Potter is amazing. I pulled two early breaks back, then watched another get away. Grant motored himself up to it, I tried grabbing his wheel but suffered epic fail. Grant then spit everyone except one other guy out of the break and held us off while putting serious time into the field.

I think he had a minute on us by the time it ended, and we still averaged ~26.5.

Yeah, some of those south florida guys are fast. Actually, Grant Potter is amazing. I pulled two early breaks back, then watched another get away. Grant motored himself up to it, I tried grabbing his wheel but suffered epic fail. Grant then spit everyone except one other guy out of the break and held us off while putting serious time into the field.

I think he had a minute on us by the time it ended, and we still averaged ~26.5.

Yep, that guy is a beast. Won the PRO/Cat 1/2 today with a sprint clocked at 32-33 MPH in a very strong field with heat in the 95 degree range and no a cloud in sight the entire time!!


Let's see: dgasmd.

dgas: reference to the digestive system.

md: a physician.

I'd guess you're a gastroenterologist. You're always one rotator cuff injury from starvation.

Pretty far off actually. :rolleyes:


so real people ride those rossetti bikes? IMHO they are sexy but I've never heard anything about them, I'm looking at getting a new bike in a few months and these really caught my attention.

Those bikes are extremely nice. One of the kids riding it took a crash and ripped the seat right off the rails!!

I took a bunch of more pictures today, but I'll post some more later on as I am off to feed the kids:lol:

Yep, that guy is a beast. Won the PRO/Cat 1/2 today with a sprint clocked at 32-33 MPH in a very strong field with heat in the 95 degree range and no a cloud in sight the entire time!!

32-33 isn't very fast. Especially for Grant, he's all muscle.

So, next time you go to a race, go ahead and buy a one day license and race the 5's. You never know, you may find it a fun experience!

Grant Potter is a big dude.

FYI- Julie Bishop is the rider on the right in the 1st set of pics in the womens' 1-4.

32-33 isn't very fast. Especially for Grant, he's all muscle.

So, next time you go to a race, go ahead and buy a one day license and race the 5's. You never know, you may find it a fun experience!

What surprised me was not the speed itself but the fact that it was after 1:20 of 28-30 mph riding in that freaking heat!

As for racing for myself, I'll pass. Looks fun, but not my cup of tea!

Let's see: dgasmd.

dgas: reference to the digestive system.

md: a physician.

I'd guess you're a gastroenterologist. You're always one rotator cuff injury from starvation.

Nah, gives 'em d' gas, mon!

What surprised me was not the speed itself but the fact that it was after 1:20 of 28-30 mph riding in that freaking heat!

As for racing for myself, I'll pass. Looks fun, but not my cup of tea!

There was a pretty heavy headwind coming into the finish line yesterday with the storm coming, at least in the 4s race ~1 hr. after the Pro/1/2 finished. We basically tried to hide from the wind there every lap until the finish.

I went up the gutter before the last turn to move up, came into the turn about 5th wheel, and got taken waaay outside by some dude, watched about 8 guys motor past on the inside. That's the way it goes sometimes.

Grant Potter is a big dude.

FYI- Julie Bishop is the rider on the right in the 1st set of pics in the womens' 1-4.

He set the track record for the 1 mile standing start TT in March of this year.


He's a beast.

nice photos.

why didnt you stay for the following CAT3 race and snap some pics?


(answer: the rain came like the wrath of god.)


i heard they just off and canceled the CAT5 race. that would suck. drive all the way there to do a CAT5, sit around, warm up, and then get told to go home.

you should send those pics of the rossetti wheels/bikes to rossettibike.com because I think your pics are more believable than their websites.....lol and better quality

nice photos.

why didnt you stay for the following CAT3 race and snap some pics?


(answer: the rain came like the wrath of god.)

I stayed for like 2 laps of the male Cat 3, but I saw the sky getting angry. So, I packed up and took off. By the time I got to I-95 (less than 15 min.) it was pouring massively. Besides, it kind of got boring for me watching them go lap after lap. I can't see how you guys find it so fun to go around and around for an hour+. It would drive me completely nuts. Some of us need a scenery between start and finish points:D

A few pictures to follow.:thumb:

Finish of the women's race:
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6263.jpg

Chasing pack at the last lap:
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6266.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6268.jpg

Winner. A local girls that just finished high school no less!
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6271.jpg

Sprint for second:
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6274.jpg

Men's Pro and Cat 1/2. Muscle boy won again!
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6278.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6280.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6295.jpg

This kid felt down literally a second after I took a picture of the pack right behind him. By the time I turned to shoot a pict of him, he was already in his fetal position as the entire pack was about to pass right by him or right over him. He was unharmed by others though. His bike, the hot white Rosetti posted here elsewhere had the seat snap right off the rails though.
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6308.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6311.jpg

Try to focus on the bike guys:
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6312.jpg

The red Specialized here is without a doubt the cheapest bike on the bunch.
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6321.jpg

http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6325.jpg

I felt bad for this one guy with the blue helmet. It was clear he was not there racing, but rather taking part of a timed fast group ride. This picture was taken because it was one of the 2 times I did not see him as the last rider in the pack. He simply ran out of gas about 3-4 laps from the end. To his credit, it was an extremely hot day and a couple of other riders looking much fitter than him had abandoned half way through the race.
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6352.jpg

I must say I found proof that there is a god in heaven:
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6367.jpg
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6371.jpg
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6414.jpg

Back to the race. This had to be one of the hottest bikes I have seen in a while:
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6390.jpg

In the end, despite all the back and forth and all the breakaways that would last a lap or two, this guy tore it up in a sprint finish:
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6411.jpg

Cat3 about to start:
http://www.dgasmd.org/Bikes/Rides%202009/Stuart%20race/June%207th/IMG_6416.jpg

The end!!!

Let's see: dgasmd.

dgas: reference to the digestive system.

md: a physician.

I'd guess you're a gastroenterologist. You're always one rotator cuff injury from starvation.


Pretty far off actually. :rolleyes:

Based on your Bootsy Collins (or is that Rick James?) avatar, my guess is you're a 70's funk bassist. Musicians need their hands equally as much as surgeons.

That white Noah is ... I am at a loss ... wow.

I can't even find it on Ridley's site.

I stayed for like 2 laps of the male Cat 3, but I saw the sky getting angry. So, I packed up and took off. By the time I got to I-95 (less than 15 min.) it was pouring massively. Besides, it kind of got boring for me watching them go lap after lap. I can't see how you guys find it so fun to go around and around for an hour+. It would drive me completely nuts. Some of us need a scenery between start and finish points:D

A few pictures to follow.:thumb:

If you're noticing the scenery, you're not really racing.

If you're noticing the scenery, you're not really racing.

You have never noticed a hot chick on the curb during a crit? :thumb:

No pics of the 3's in action again? What's up with that? :D

(I was near the 2 Citrus riders to the right in the photo)

You have never noticed a hot chick on the curb during a crit? :thumb:

The funny thing is she's the same chick that some people thought was a guy in the first page of this thread.

my good friend got 5th in the pro 1/2. =)

Based on your Bootsy Collins (or is that Rick James?) avatar, my guess is you're a 70's funk bassist. Musicians need their hands equally as much as surgeons.

Not even close again. I guess we can put that one to rest.:thumb:


If you're noticing the scenery, you're not really racing.

WOW! Maybe you should write a letter to those race organizers that do races going from town to town in roads, with multiple stages and such. What a waste, ah? They could do the same mileage riding around 4 city blocks and not have to waste all the energy and resources organizing all that stuff. What where they thinking?:rolleyes::eek::rolleyes:

Chief, some guys can run a marathon in a track going in circles and some others like to do it in open space. Different taste, that's all.


The funny thing is she's the same chick that some people thought was a guy in the first page of this thread.

I know. I was pretty impressed when I saw her get in regular clothing.:thumb:

WOW! Maybe you should write a letter to those race organizers that do races going from town to town in roads, with multiple stages and such. What a waste, ah? They could do the same mileage riding around 4 city blocks and not have to waste all the energy and resources organizing all that stuff. What where they thinking?:rolleyes::eek::rolleyes:

I didn't mean to set you off, Mr. Sarcasmo. But I would not favor such a proposal. "What they were thinking" is probably that there should be a variety of race courses. And I agree.

I'm not attacking you or anything. Don't get so defensive.

I didn't mean to set you off, Mr. Sarcasmo. But I would not favor such a proposal. "What they were thinking" is probably that there should be a variety of race courses. And I agree.

I'm not attacking you or anything. Don't get so defensive.

Didn't take it as an attack, but I guess my sarcastic personality and the time spent in this forum showed too well there. I knew what you probably meant in your comment (concentrating in racing, etc.), but you did not leave a lot of room for interpretation nor room for differences. If I ever give racing a try, which is as likely as raining from the ground up, I think I would personally be more inclined to do a "road race" rather than a criterium type of race. Maybe we can agree to disagree afterall.:thumb:

Regardless of the "scenery", racing crits is different than road races. It is not the point of "races going from town to town in roads, with multiple stages and such" to give the racers more interesting "scenery".

That said, I prefer downtown crits to industrial park crits because they have more interesting scenery, among other reasons.

Regardless of the "scenery", racing crits is different than road races. It is not the point of "races going from town to town in roads, with multiple stages and such" to give the racers more interesting "scenery".

OK, I guess we are now dissecting each other's sentences. I realize they are 2 different types of races. It is obvious I did not post the sentence above meaning that it is for visual entertainment. It was in reference to change in visual scenery. I could do 50 miles in the streets in a loop, going down a single road 25 miles and back, around a 0.25 mile block, or even sitting in a roller in the garage with the door close. Still the same 50 miles. Personally, I prefer the "changing of scenery" and would prefer the loop where I don't see the same thing or go through the same road twice. Just my choice/taste.

OK, I guess we are now dissecting each other's sentences. I realize they are 2 different types of races. It is obvious I did not post the sentence above meaning that it is for visual entertainment. It was in reference to change in visual scenery. I could do 50 miles in the streets in a loop, going down a single road 25 miles and back, around a 0.25 mile block, or even sitting in a roller in the garage with the door close. Still the same 50 miles. Personally, I prefer the "changing of scenery" and would prefer the loop where I don't see the same thing or go through the same road twice. Just my choice/taste.

Incorrect

I raced the tradewinds park crit tonight, potter was in there and I got shelled quickly after his attack.

lol

I raced the tradewinds park crit tonight, potter was in there and I got shelled quickly after his attack.

lol

Don't take it hard.

The guy in the black kit in the last pic is a freaking freaking beast.

He won Sunday too but you've already got that posted


32-33 isn't very fast. Especially for Grant, he's all muscle.

So, next time you go to a race, go ahead and buy a one day license and race the 5's. You never know, you may find it a fun experience!

My wife and I did that Saturday. Our return to competition after many years.


nice photos.

why didnt you stay for the following CAT3 race and snap some pics?


(answer: the rain came like the wrath of god.)


i heard they just off and canceled the CAT5 race. that would suck. drive all the way there to do a CAT5, sit around, warm up, and then get told to go home.

Yes it did and yes they did and yes, it sucked. My long but unanticipated return to competition was delayed yet again.

BTW dgas: My wife is in your montage from the Sat. race. You and she might have issues. :)

Praise for the attitude :thumb: "Chunky" :crash:

I'm thinking the high school chick hasn't learned the tradition of zipping up the jersey if you come in first, so you can show off the sponsor's name and all.

I suspect no one told her about it, either.