Wake Forest TT & Criterium 2/20
Elite Team
TT – Andrew Troy 5th
Criterium – Andrew Troy 4th
Snowball Crit – February 21st 2010
Elite Team
Marc Warner – 5th, Dan King – 7th, Bill Malone – 9th, Chip Goble – 12th
Wake Forest Collegiate RR – February 20th 2010
Elite Team
Andrew Troy – 3rd
Conte’s Ride
At 7:45am I lifted the snarling beast from the trunk rack and placed it gently on the pavement in the parking lot at Conte’s. It huffed and snorted, stretched out a bit, then pawed at the ground impatiently while I loaded it with water bottles and donned gloves and helmet. The sky was overcast but the humidity seemed low. With temperatures in the low 70s, conditions seemed ideal for a ride.
Chris of the Carytown Cycling Team waved from where he stood near his truck and I waved back. During the summer months Chris hosts the Thursday evening Hammer Fest through Chesterfield and Powhatan. That’s 37 miles of gut-wrenching, quad-burning, oxygen deprivation. Great fun.
At 7:50am Craig rolled in, casually holding a cup of steaming coffee. Standing still, Craig is faster than most of us mortals are when we ride our steeds. If someone whispers “Craig is here,” Contador shivers from the chill that runs up his spine. Founder of Richmond Pro Cycling, Craig is a powerful athlete and dedicated philanthropist.
Ten minutes later the group pedaled from Conte’s. About 20 of us rolled at a casual pace through back roads, turned west on Hungary Rd, then north on Francistown. Often the first few miles of this ride are deceptively mellow. In that momentarily relaxed state I found myself pedaling near my friend Bill, from Team Rostello. He glanced over at me. “Perfect day for a ride.” I had to agree.
In a compact double pace line we wound through the curves of Springfield Road, picking up the pace and accumulating several more riders the way an asteroid accumulates mass…by accretion. On the short rollers I stood in the pedals to stay with the group. We headed northwest on Nuckols Rd and the pace increased further. The digits on my computer read 23mph. That’s fast, but an average rider tucked inside a tight, long pace line can survive, benefitting substantially from the combined efforts of others in the group.
Wes, fellow member of Team Nature’s Path, rode with me for a few minutes. In a criterium earlier this year Wes found a pothole and took a nasty fall. The top tube broke in two places and his right arm broke in one place. Except for the first few weeks following the incident, however, this development did not significantly reduced his cycling mileage or intensity.
We headed north on Cauthorne, descended, crossed a bridge over a bubbling stream and climbed, accelerating dramatically. I’ve climbed Cauthorne hundreds of times, but for me this was the first time at 29 mph. From my position about two thirds of the way back, on the curving ascent I could see most of the pace line, now single file. Hamstrings and calf muscles shifted up and down like pistons in a well-synchronized machine.
The pack had grown to over 30 riders, which was not particularly convenient for vehicular traffic. It’s worth noting that the drivers we encountered were patient. Sometimes we cyclists could do more to improve the relationship.
We paused at the stop sign, then headed west on Ashland Rd. I rode with Oliver, another team mate. Compact and strong, he did very well in the 2009 Bryan Park criterium series. I told him he should move up from the B race to the A race in 2010. I think he will.
The pack turned northwest on Abner’s Church Rd. After the 90 degree turn in front of the big white church, we tore down the long straight pavement at an unspeakable velocity and I nearly dropped off the pace line. At the stop sign the group paused to wait for traffic to clear, so I caught up. There was just enough time for a quick gulp of water and then we were off again…north on Howard’s Mill, then southwest on South Anna Drive, then due west on Pouncey Tract.
This part of Goochland County is known as Rockville, and that section of Pouncey Tract is quite hilly. I slipped to the back of the pace line, struggling to hang on. Bill saw me, moved directly in front and said “Grab my wheel!” I did and he pulled me back to the group.
The pace increased further, and I pedaled in a frenzy to stay with the pack. We approached the Rockville Library, and that squat brick structure appeared slightly blue-shifted via the Relativistic Doppler Effect. As I fought to stay with the group, my team mate Ed pulled up beside me. Ed takes care of the web site for Team Nature’s Path. He’s the kind soul who links my rants and raves, giving me a somewhat wider audience than I might have if I just blew off steam in Speaker’s Corner over there in Hyde Park.
“Heck of a pace this morning. So when are you going to write another piece for the web site?”
I grunted a few times, then somehow ejected the words, “Maybe today.”
Several miles later the road curved to the right, and again I was the last one in the line. My computer said we’d traveled a little over 20.2 miles in 56 minutes. (I need to dig out my book on Einstein theory to see about adjusting that for time dilation effects.) The main point, however, was that I had shot my wad. Done for the day. I slowed and watched the rest of the group pedal off into the distance.
Left foot unclipped, I stood for a moment, chugging down the contents of my water bottle. Then I turned around and pedaled back the way we had come, somewhat more sedately.
The 2009 Pan Mass Challenge
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In my first year of participation in the Pan Mass Challenge I crashed twice, had three flat tires and rode through a deluge for 80 miles. As I crossed that Provincetown finish line eleven years ago, half drowned, blood seeping from my bandaged right elbow, pedaling on a cracked left cleat and with several new scratches on my bicycle, I just knew this was the start of a long-term relationship.
********
Saturday August 1, the first day of the Pan Mass Challenge, was my first century of 2009. Last year before this event I had done 12 centuries. Despite the lower training mileage, I felt strong. My planned strategic approach called for brief “splash and dash” rest stops. Less time at the stops reduces cramping in the quads, calves and hamstrings. Keep moving!
I ride for Dad, Dick and Bob. Dad faced cancers of the colon, prostate, bladder and lung. My Uncles Dick and Bob also fought colon cancer. All three endured surgery and terrible chemotherapy. My lifestyle is different from theirs so perhaps my odds of avoiding colon cancer are good despite heredity. My brothers and I are on regular scoping programs, but we worry. I ride for my Aunt Barbara, who decided to forgo chemotherapy and radiation following her recent lumpectomy. I ride for Grammy Ann, who suffered a terrible lingering death from stomach cancer, emaciated and in great pain. I ride for Michele, who battled Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and breast cancer with the strength, determination and courage that people talk about but seldom witness. My friend Barbara cycled across America five times with her husband Richard, before his death from cancers of the esophagus, stomach and liver. Barbara asked me to think of him during my ride, and I am honored by her request. I ride for Richard. I ride for Marie, my friend from high school, who recently underwent surgery for breast cancer. Creative and cool, Marie tells me she added a tattoo, right there!
Banking hard around a curve, I watched my odometer turn past 100 miles. After draining the remaining water from my front bottle, I reached down and lifted the rear container, noting from the weight that it was nearly full. Coasting for a moment, I carefully switched the bottles so the full one would be in front and more readily accessible. I stepped up the pace and hammered past the final rest stop. Cruising past the volunteer trying to wave me in, I waved and said “No thanks.” Beyond, on a gradual incline in the town of Onset I jacked up the pace to 22 mph, moved to the left and blew past a four-man pace line. Despite starting to tire, I dug into my reserves and held that pace.
I ride for Peggy’s sister Mary who has twice undergone surgery for breast cancer. I also ride for Peggy’s cousin Susie. After Susie’s June lumpectomy the doctors found that the margins were not good, so in July she had a mastectomy. I ride for Freddie, cousin of my friend Steve. Freddie was a decorated Marine, a Viet Nam veteran. In June he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died in July. I ride for Pam. After fighting off breast cancer, a period of remission gave reason for cautious optimism. Eventually the demons reappeared, however, this time in her lumbar vertebrae. Friendly and cheerful, always upbeat, she saw each individual day of survival as a separate miracle. She took her final breath while I was riding in the 2004 Pan Mass Challenge.
At 106 miles I maintained a steady pace. To my astonishment, I was decisively passed by a husky guy wearing red sweat pants. What’s up with that? After 112 miles, I crossed the finish line at 12:20pm, shaving 34 minutes from last year’s time.
********
At 5:00am on Sunday, August 2 Terri and I rode alongside the Cape Cod Canal . Four years ago, just three weeks before the 2005 Pan Mass Challenge, a cancerous lump was removed from her breast. Before starting chemotherapy she rode in that event, intending to ride just the 20 miles to the first rest stop. With minimal training, in a show of strength consistent with her character, she instead rode 70 miles to the lunch stop. I ride for (and with) Terri.
Despite general perceptions, Cape Cod is NOT flat. Tearing through early morning fog on a series of rolling hills, I thought of John, an anesthesiologist and father of four, who bounced back from two surgeries to excise brain tumors. I ride for John. At 39 miles I led a five person pace line over the crest of a hill. As I pushed hard down the other side, an enormous crowd cheered, yelled, screamed, pounded drums, played bagpipes and blew horns, providing an incredible boost at a time when riders had 151 miles behind them, and 41 ahead. One mile further I rolled into the rest stop at Nickerson State Park . In an annual highlight of the Pan Mass Challenge, I had my photo taken with Jack, whose sign this year said “Thanks to you I’m 13!” I ride for Jack. Four years ago Carolyn hooked me up with a friend and got me my current job. She has since moved to a different part of Virginia but we remain in touch. She is doing well after treatment for breast cancer earlier this year. I ride for Carolyn.
Cape Cod resembles an arm with clenched fist. With eight miles left we rode along Route 6 on the peninsula’s narrow wrist. To the right was the Atlantic Ocean, and behind a row of houses to the left, Cape Cod Bay . This is an extraordinarily windy place, and I don’t mean tailwinds. I felt focused, steady and strong…..I can’t remember feeling this strong at the end of a long ride. With four or five other riders in tow, I worked to pull them through the ferocious headwind. Several miles later where the wrist meets the fist, I jumped from my saddle and climbed the short hill there. At the crest I glanced at my mirror and realized I was alone. The hills through the dunes were just as evil as in previous years, but with only three miles left it was impossible to be discouraged. After 80 miles I crossed the finish line in Provincetown at 9:34am, 18 minutes earlier than last year. A volunteer handed me a bottle of cold water, dripping with condensation. Delicious.
It is time to make a commitment. I am 54 years old. I will ride in this event every year until I am 70. Maybe I’ll stop then. Or maybe not. The 2010 Pan Mass Challenge begins in 8,650 hours. |
PLT #3
Race results PLT #3 TNP Women
It’s nice to go first! On a windy day where the wind changed directions several times and picked up as a humid morning progressed, the TNP ladies donned our favorite skinsuits and took to the course. Ann Burns was tapped to take the Masters 40+ Gold medal but unfortunately had a mechanical and was unable to start. Renee Kunnen bravely returned to the TT course, recovering from the trauma of the Dismal Dash, and captured second in CAT 4. I was second in CAT 1,2,3 and second overall.
We have a very strong team of time trialists, more on the way and we will only get stronger next year when all of us are familiar with our new bikes.
Maria Calcaterra
Bar Update
Team,
1. Team Nature’s Path / 3-Sports continues to lead the Virginia Team Cycling Championship with 3,894 points. We now clearly can feel a second championship right ahead of us — tremendous accomplishments for our club thanks to great team-work and strong individual performance:
http://www.vacycling.org/cgi-bin/bar-results.cgi
In the individual race the following folks have number one rank and the “Maillot Jaune” in their respective categories:
Mayson Haymes holds the category 1 and 2
Dominick Meier holds the category 4 and will soon be a strong category 3 racers
Taylor Clarke shines among 10-12 y.o and will soon enough drop us all
Cherie Fernandez keeps the lead, we wish you well to close the loop in the next few races
Dennis Rainear holds the Masters 50+ with team-mate Dave Clarke in close second place
2. Soon the Road season will touch the end and it will be time to rest but I know that many of you can’t stay away from racing too long. That is why we have Cyclocross. This year we would like to have more formal Team Nature’s Path / 3-Sports presence in the Cyclocross Circuit. We are looking for a passionate team captain to rally the troops, organize, teach and share results. If you are up to it raise your hand and send me a note.
Ride well,
Pascal A. Fernandez
Adventure at Bryan Park
For those who enjoy cycling very fast in a densely crowded field on a short loop with cracked pavement and nasty potholes (and really, who can resist?), Richmond’s Bryan Park is the place to be on a Tuesday evening. My criterium goals are modest: Don’t wreck and don’t get dropped. 
Usually I stay near the back, which is not to imply that it is safe there. When you’re bringing up the rear, all the crashes happen in front of you.
On alternating Tuesdays the race runs counterclockwise around the 0.8 mile loop. I prefer counter-clockwise, in part because I’m left handed and so over decades have grown accustomed to doing things backwards. More important, however, is that in this direction a sharp left turn after the descent prevents the pack from mindlessly hammering down the hill. This effectively mandates a 20 second rest period during each lap. That might not seem like much, but it makes a difference.
During the first lap it was obvious that some on the course were novices. They carelessly jockeyed for position, shifting from side to side with no warning. Careless. Dangerous. Dumb.
In lap 2 I moved up to the middle of the pack. Despite the touch of claustrophobia from being surrounded, things seem a bit more stable there. We flew over the Start / Finish line to begin lap 3, ripped past the spectator section with its cheering throngs, and turned left for another descent.
I consciously relaxed my grip, mentally forcing myself to slow my breathing. As we approached the sharp left turn, a rider up ahead suddenly braked hard. His rear wheel hopped as he turned, and the bike almost slid out from beneath him. The bike in front of me hit him, and I hit the bike in front of me. Amazingly, all the contact was rubber to rubber and none of us went down.
Recovering, I saw that the pack was getting away. Ed materialized from nowhere, and nice guy that he is, yelled “Grab my wheel! Let’s get back up there!” For those readers who are uninitiated in the art of group cycling, he was telling me to ride immediately behind him, so he could “pull” me with the force of his draft. So Ed cranked it up and I struggled to hang on. Shaken by the collision, however, at the next sharp left turn I dropped off as Ed worked his way back to the larger group.
Pursuant to the rules of this specific event, if dropped a participant may jump back on when the pack comes around again. So I waited, rejoining the pack for lap 5. As I descended again, the rider to my right swerved to his left. Evidently oblivious to my presence, his left elbow banged my handlebar. I gripped it tightly (my handlebar, not his elbow) to avoid losing control. He didn’t react at all. I did. That was enough.
So in the space of just a few minutes I collided with other riders twice. I emerged from the incidents with my epidermis and its contents generally intact. Concluding that these facts counted as a win, I left the pack, pedaled casually to the spectator section, bowed to thunderous applause, and rolled my bike off the pavement. It really wasn’t my day. Why test the fates?
Sharing the Road
The Cartersville ride is among my favorites. Saturday morning we rendezvoused at the Old Goochland High School waaaay out there on Route 6, then pedaled along a circuitous route, alternating between west and south with each turn. The sky was clear and the sun glowed. It was a beautiful day, warm but not so hot as to be uncomfortable. At 14 miles after a long, fast descent, we stood in the pedals and flew over a heavily potholed railroad crossing. Still at speed, we crossed the scenic James River on which several canoes floated serenely. On the south side of the river we turned right and climbed a short, steep hill into the small town of Cartersville.
After riding through town we turned left, entered Powhatan County, and spent five miles on generally flat terrain with occasional gentle descents. The next seven miles were all uphill, intense and even brutal. After a brief store stop (riding with Brenda there is no other kind) at 29 miles, we headed north on Maidens Road, crossed the river again and returned to Goochland County.
I rode in the lead, with Ike 50 yards behind me. Brenda, Eric, Mark, Monica, Phil and Scott were some distance behind Ike. The traffic was brisk but not terribly heavy. I pedaled near the edge of the pavement so drivers would have adequate room to pass safely. For a few miles, that’s what they all did.
The air exploded in sound as the driver of a blue pickup truck blasted his air horn, and I felt a swish of air as his side mirror passed inches from my left ear. I fought the urge to swerve off the pavement; careening into a grassy ditch at 21 mph would have been decidedly unhealthy. In the sudden silence that followed I thought my tympanic membrane might have ruptured, but then I heard the crazed laughter of the driver, evidently enjoying the near-death experience he instigated. Say what you will, but my demise would be a tremendous loss for the local CPA community. Some would mourn my merger with the front suspension of a truck driven by a nitwit in need of extensive dental work.
Apparently the same driver had buzzed Ike moments earlier. Maybe he’s been practicing. I could not get the dirt bag’s license plate number. Hopefully he won’t kill someone the next time he’s out amusing himself.
While cycling in Ashland recently, my friend Patty was hit by an inattentive driver. She has a fractured sacrum and is off her bike for several months. She’s lucky to be alive. Chris, a long-standing member of RABA, was run down by a driver in April. His family is now raising money for the van and motorized wheelchair, essential to his much changed life. Other families have buried the cyclists they love.
Most cyclists I know ride safely, but some do not. Most drivers I know handle their vehicles safely, but some do not. The laws of Virginia and most other states clearly provide that a person on a bicycle has the legal right to be on the road. This would come as a surprise to many drivers, even the careful drivers. Is it too much to ask for drivers to give cyclists a little more room and a little more time? Is it worth the risk to gain brief moments by passing a group of cyclists in close quarters, when waiting a minute or two for a clearer stretch of road would be so much safer? Even if the cyclist is riding irresponsibly, does the driver really want a terrible thing on his conscience?
And a driver who gets his jollies by trying to scare a cyclist with his 3,000 pound vehicle is probably the kind of person who as a child tortured small animals. There is no excuse for such dangerous behavior.
The Cartersville ride remains one of my favorites.
I promise my next blog will be more upbeat.
40+ Masters at PLT #1
It was great to see so many TNP friends and teammates at the PLT this past weekend. I guess the fact that it was not 105 degrees (like last year) ensured a good turnout. At the end of the day, all three 40+ guys put in a solid performance and finished in the top 10 of what is always a stacked field. Ed B. narrowly missed taking a podium spot, which was likely due to the fact that he could not manage to pick a song to keep in his head during the race. Anybody have some Kid Rock to lend Ed?
• Ed Baumgartner 4th
• Pete Raimist 5th
• Jim Burns 9th