Hipcycler

Who here is racing in the park Wednesday?
What time are you starting?

I have to watch the big climbing stage at le Tour in the morning, then ride over to the race site and get myself some viewing in as part of my wonderful riding-watching day Hump Day off work!

Psimet2001 

I thought you were racing Whitnall this year. What happened?

I wanted to do it, but the shorter course was a killer when I did it earlier and the longer course seems even worse. Granted I am climbing much better now, but not at race speed....otherwise referred to as "insane speed."

Good luck to thos who are in. Nice course for sure!

Hipcycler

Naw..that course is for REAL racers...I'd be in the way "P"

Frunkin

I should be there. There was an 8-10 person crash at the very front (first guy through clipped a pedal) of the pack today coming through the last corner so I'm pretty torn up.

slim_77

^ouch. I heard about that. I hope you heal up quick.

Sad bit of luck as my teammate won that race. He was 5th wheel in the turn and said he narrowly missed the lead rider's head, by inches...

I'll be in the 4/5s, Spidermonkey kit, I'll be the only guy in the knickers other than any Tati folks that make it up there.

Frunkin

Thanks. Odds are good I'll be there, because I am pre-regged, but taking two days to rest and heal wouldn't be bad either. I just like racing too much.

recursive

I'm still a maybe.

jbmadtown

Don't you mean LUDICROUS SPEED?!

sorry for the thread hijack, couldn't resist.

Sage23

I think I'll be out there watch the women around lunch-time (probably try to show around 11:30 and stay for an hour or so). Should be easy to spot . . . I'll be the sucker running around with a f***ing tie on!

John Wilke

Oh God ... another race**********

I hate Stupor Week.

Psimet2001 

I'm definitely changing plans for next year. More races....to make me hate myself more.

John Wilke

Hats off to the organizers, set up crew, announcers, neutral support, and officials who are there after I leave at 9pm in Evanston, and setting up the next day at 8am in Holy Hill. They do this for 17 days?? !!

dave342

Have fun Hip I won't be there. No more 4/5 masters on schedule. Can't wait for the TDF update from Whitnall Park today. 4:40ish or so.

Hipcycler

Psimet2001 

Whaaa??? you won't do the straight 4/5's? FWIW- I believe the 4/5 I did was actually slower than the 4/5 Masters that day. Hard to tell though being as far OTB as I was....

slim_77

man, it was good to meet you today! Thanks for introducing yourself, I kinda forgot to look for people 'cause my father came up and I was helping him understand bike racing, from A-Z. (I'm gonna give him my copy of EventServices book.)

Whitnall was my last Superweek race. And it was awsome. Are you doing either Chicago or Whitefish?

Frunkin

It was a good race. I felt like crap but managed to hang on. I'll be at whitefish, Chicago is a 4ish hour drive, and thats a little far even though it looks like an awesome race.

John Wilke

Frunkin didn't look too happy when he finished. Hey, it's Superweek baby ... there's always tomorrow.

Fortunately we had the course blessed by Brother Sage, and Brother Hip:





In the Pro 1/2 Juan Esteban Caruzjul of the Colombian Olympic team took a two lap flyer to win the Pro 1/2 Whitnall Park road race. Twenty seconds later, Jonathan Cantwell of Australia (Jittery Joe's) nipped Jonathan Page (Planet Bike) for second place. More importantly, Sterling Magnell (Rock Racing) came in sixth, only two bike lengths back, but he lost enough points to loose his yellow leaders jersey that he has held since day one in Beverly!

During the podium ceremony, announcer Eddy VanGuyse was asking for Rahsaan Bahati (Rock Racing) who remains in the red jersey as Point Sprint leader, but someone from the crowd yelled out: "I think they're leaving" and yes, the caravan from Rock could be seen driving away from the parking lot.

Psimet2001 

Don't know how you guys feel about that kind of crap, but I personally hate it. Throw whatever excuses you want in there for them, but after putting all the time, work and effort the organizers, sponsors, and even fans put in you owe it to them to stick around for the podium if you're on it.

pOrk

Great race, first one I attended and I had a great time.

Found out about it last minute and of course my battery died 20 minutes after the race started. Ah well, heres a few quick edits. The girlfriend edited a few that I really like but I didn't put them on the memory card, maybe get hers up tomorrow.

pOrk

Did anyone see the lady and her kid crossing the track at the last turn almost get clipped first by the pace car, then the lead group after being yelled at by atleast 4 different people to MOVE YOUR ASS. What a joke, some people have no common sense.

Sage23

Thanks John -- that's one heck of a picture!

In that spirit, my Brothers and Sisters, I present my offering from Whitnall Park:

First, the Ladies:

Sage23

And now the old guys (Masters 40+ 1/2/3) (I'm rapidly approaching old guy status, let me have my fun!):















That's all I got . . . only stayed for three laps of the old guy's race and then I had to get back to work. The above pics and a few more can be found here.

Hipcycler

Hey Sage...I didn't know that was you in the blue tie there!
You should have introduced yourself.

You're the guy who held up the yellow tape for me as I headed out on my ride, right?

Cripes.
Next year, ditch the dress shirt and tie and come ride with me.

Sage23

Yeah, I thought when you rode by the first time you said "Hey Sage" and so I didn't really think anything of it at the time. Afterward I thought about it and decided that you must not have read my first post that said I would be the sucker in the tie . . .oh well.

As for the ride, believe me it took everything for me to actually go back to work! Such is life when you live and get paid by the billable hour.