I got home from work tonight and discovered an envelope from the Cherry Pie crit promoters that had arrived to my mailbox. Was I surprised when I opened it and this came tumbling out!

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...psc1f1c989.jpg

From a race I didn't finish! There were only four 35+ women, I guess.

Yes, I do like like crap, don't I? I feel like it, too. Nasty cold, and I have a race on Saturday.....

That's enough to buy us a round. :)

Rouge-Roubaix (three weeks away!) has IIRC a $500 purse for the women's race. There are only three women signed up for it so far. :eek:

^^ I saw your post in the race forum and thought about it for a sec. Too bad it would cost more than $500 to just get there, let alone all the other associated expenses!

I've been musing about it, too...it just wouldn't work for me, either!

VOS Updates:

Larry Nolan won the 55+ crit sprint (pack stayed together), after winning the RR yesterday, but he is still off the podium. I was told he got docked 10" for a missing number, but that isn't in the race notes, so probably a false rumor.

Big story of the weekend though, is Ex's team's performance in 45+. He can provide the details, but they executed their plan perfectly yesterday in the RR to move up the standings, and one of them got the crit win today. I couldn't stay for the podium but here is the finish:

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps718b46d2.jpg

First crit of the year. 50+ with many of the usual suspects keeping the pace strong (my garmin shows 25.6 mph). I felt very good, and linked up with strong teammate with 2.5 to go. Almost immediately, though, my left calf cramped. Okay, now I'm at the back of the pack. Shake it off, and make my way back up to within sight of the front. Then, with less than half a lap to go, calf totally seizes. I've never had cramping issues before, but this is 3 times in the last couple months (all calf). Must figure it out.

Very frustrated, I made it over to VSC for the track time trials. I was worried about the calf, which was still very tender and painful to walk on, but managed a good 3k Team Pursuit with Hermes and MEA. Those are a lot of fun. And riding with them just made me even more eager to put together a committed 4k team for states.

Then lined up for my individual 2k, which I had never done before (and still in drops because I haven't tested out my aero bars yet). Pretty pleased with my time, but holy cow did that hurt! At the 1k mark I remember thinking "Oops, I think I went out at kilo pace." Managed to not completely blow up, but I'm sure the lap times were steadily increasing.

I got see Ex's team at Cherry Pie two weeks ago. They are the real deal!

500 meter, team pursuit and 2k individual pursuit in the bad. Much better times for individual events this year over last.

Vancemac is a monster. We had a great time at team pursuit.

I'd love to see you two in action this season. I think I'll try to make that happen. Is there any chance Vance would come to Hellyer to race with you?

Would LOVE to visit Hellyer. I'll try to keep an eye on their calendar for an event that might match up with my schedule.

And just like that, one of the guys who had already committed (and raced with me this morning), just called and said he broke his collarbone in a later race. Seriously, someone needs to come up with a proactive upgrade to the collarbone.

Carbon fiber implants... must be doable. Personally, I'd give my savings for some CF rib reinforcements/replacements.

They put on quite a show. To quote my teammate who finished 7th in GC (no small feat at VOS): "I didn't realize <Ex> was up there too, not that I could have done anything about it."

One of the junior women from LA, who went to Junior Worlds, broke her collarbone in her first crit of the season. One of our guys ran into the rider in front in a group ride and broke his collarbone and damaged his bike.

Indeed!

Here they are at the front of the P 123 crit at Cherry Pie. Awesome!

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...psc5a748d7.jpg

^ Actually, that's Racer Ex's "other" team. I'm not completely familiar with the rule that allows you to race for two different teams but there is such a rule. Ex was racing with his SoCal team, UC Cyclery.

Tara?

Shameless schill plug: Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes.

Unfortunately, yes.

One can ride as a guest rider on another team with permission from the team that is on the racing license. I could be a guest rider on Lightning Velo with permission of Alto Velo.

As for me, I think Don Chapin regrets allowing me to race "for" them....:D

Here is a video of my 2k pursuit yesterday. I did this 15 minutes after the 3k team pursuit with VanceMac and MEA. We all did the IP and it did not see to affect us that much although I am sure we could have done better with a programmatic warm up and fresher legs. I am on the track against a racer name Reggie. Even my buddies are urging Reggie on. I was good that I do not hear much due to the aero helmet. I beat him the 9 seconds.

Hermes,

Dumb question, but what is that buzzing sound coming from you Bike?

The drive train with 1/8 inch chain plus carbon bike / carbon wheels.

Thanx :thumb: