LAMBRA Cycling News, Team Training News

Tour de La Race Experience >>RR>>(masters 40+)

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I’ve officially renamed this race Tour de La Nino` for all the rain. How can 30% Saturday and 20% Sunday turn into 200% all weekend? I don’t know either but it did. We drove through a few showers heading to the race- nothing to cry about. Right when we got to the RR I told Kevin we better put up the shelter – just in case. Sure enough – it was raining just before the race, and I hate rain before the race starts. Race attendees included the race regulars – you know who you are. We started off our 65 mile race in what seemed to be a full day of pouring rain – even when it slacked off – you couldn’t really draft off of anyone because of the rooster tails flying in your eyes. This year included a few racers from the Austin area – which made the race much more difficult and dynamic. I remember a couple of attacks – then reeling them in slowly then all of a sudden Kevin was on a break-away with Don for about 15 miles. The Austin and Mid-south guys did a lot of work to reel them back in. After the first lap was the hot spot and because it was the first lap – you are not exactly sure where the finish line is. An Austin rider went at about 400 meters to go and I don’t know why – but I jumped early with him, and when he let up I was looking at 275 meters to go – I didn’t even finish out the sprint. The 2nd lap was a bit more interesting, I actually got away with one of the Austin guys and we had a 200 meter gap at one point – next thing you know, he says he has a flat. He pulls over and I nail it – but got tired quick all by myself – so I decided to wait on the pack after 3 miles of pain. I actually started to cramp a bit, so this was in the back of my mind as well. With 2 miles left to go, Kevin and a Austin rider get a gap and were working together. Next thing you know Kevin is all by himself – because the other guy flatted. So – he was kind of in no man’s land and decided to keep pushing. Back in the pack, there were 3 riders pulling off the front and I allowed a gap and they eventually bridged to Kevin and they all finished about 30 seconds ahead of us. This was a really hard RR – with the presence of Bike Barn and others from Austin really kept the pressure on. I got back to the truck only to find a collapsed tent from all of the rain. While warming up on the rollers for the time trial – I feel big drops – then rain again. I couldn’t believe this crap. If that didn’t top all, my zipp 808 rear tubular flats on the rollers – impossible. I hurry up and threw my 32 spoke training wheel on and headed to the line – realizing afterwards that I only had about 75 pounds in it due to the RR rain. So – I was mentally screwed before this event. I ended up in 8th place for the TT. Time for criterium – Kevin and I decided we were going to gamble the whole race – but the rain was so bad – the crit was cancelled. The women’s race was going on when we drove up, and they were having to small ring it into the wind and rain it was so bad. The race was called at this point and I wasn’t too disappointed that they cancelled the crit. I wasn’t really looking forward to it. Tour de La – officially in the books.

 

LAMBRA Cycling News, Local Events, Team Training News

Masters Race Recap – 2012 Feliciana Road Race

The masters didn’t take off until 9:30, so this was one of the few times we could actually leave at daylight. I smashed down about 2 eggs and 3 waffles before jumping in Kevin’s car – and off we were.

We got there and man I knew it was going to be a hot one. I drank 2 pedia Lytes on the way there and still didn’t have to take a whiz. Got the numbers pinned on and took a good long look at the field participants mentally playing the race out in my head. I didn’t know much about the course, but I knew Red bug hill was just before the finish – OUCH. I spoke to others in the race and said we just have to take turns covering attacks – hoping one of us could get away from Donald or Ed Novak.

The first lap I just wanted to take in as much as I could to learn the course before the finale’. [pullquote1 quotes=”true”]Kevin warned me to be attentive for the first lap because there was a prime and the race might separate.[/pullquote1]
Well – just like Kevin predicted, Jerry Simon jumped for the prime which caused a huge separation all the way up the hill and I remember just hammering trying to stay on Ed then Donald’s wheel. I took a few pulls and looked back and sure enough – 75% of the field was still there. I gave up when I saw that. On the 2nd lap there were a couple of attacks from the numerous Midsouth riders – but nothing was given much effort. Next thing you know – Ed Novak flys by at Mach 1 with nobody on his tail. I thought to myself this could be bad – but nobody panicked and Kevin did some pacing and I could see he had his jersey open and was hurting out there on his own – and we still had another 30 miles to go. After that episode – we hit Jones Vaughn Creek Road and there was a MidSouth attack and was countered by Donald – which was a huge interval. He looked back after a mile and noticed the pack was still on his wheel but gasping – he continued on at about 30+ mph for the next 3 miles. I was seeing double after trying to stay on his wheel but I managed to hold on somehow. The last lap was now upon us and Kevin told me he would pace the final hill and find a good wheel. After that I felt a couple of twitches in the leg and told Kevin there is a possible plan B – to be prepared to be on his own up Red bug Hill then the finish and to just go for it for himself. One guy got away with about 2 miles and he looked like he could climb – so Kevin was pulling this guy back just before the climb then there was the final climb. It was a good pace up the hill not too fast for cramps and not too slow for surges. I was through the climb and was trying to quickly recover because there was the finish line in 500 meters. I had to muscle some dude off of Dons wheel because I knew it was the best wheel to have for the ensuing sprint. We started cranking up the speed after the climb and I tried to stay right after getting off of Dons wheel to see if anyone was coming up fast – but a crafty NOBC guy (Mark) snuck up on my right side between me and the shoulder and I missed his jump. I had at least a bike length to make up but he smoked me out right.

Once again – I had a great time racing this Memorial Day weekend and thanks to my team mates for the help. I’m starting to get tired now. LOL…

LAMBRA Cycling News, Local Events, Team Training News

LAMBRA Racing Rapides Masters Crit 2012

Thanks to the ABC riders who came out this weekend for Racing Rapides.  Glenn took second overall in Masters with the support of our team-mates.

Special thanks to Mark, Judith, Dion, Dustin, and Ryan Foster, who rode the unusually long sixty-four mile course.

Masters Road Race Report:

After a few miles, Kevin was in a break away with about four other riders.  Meanwhile, Glenn and Ed disrupted rotations to protect Kevin’s lead.  The break stayed away for about seven miles, until the pack started chasing hard.

Mid-race, two 55+ riders launched a substantial and sustained break away.  It took the combined effort of many riders to pull them back.

This was really Kevin’s race.  We were working for him, so he took one last opportunity get away.  This time, by himself, with support from Glenn and Ed in the pack.

All this before turning on to Long Leaf Scenic Byway.  This fourteen mile stretch at the end of the race separated the climbers from the rest.  By the approach to the 300 meter finish climb, there were only five riders, who had not been shed by the brutality of the landscape.  Among them, Glenn Richard.

An Oklahoma Velo rider led out the final sprint.  Glenn, not usually a climber, gave it everything he had to beat the third place finisher by a wheel length.

Time Trial:

It’s always hard to do a time trial after a demanding road race.  It’s not like getting on the bike with fresh legs at the beginning of a training ride.  This would again be a test of climbing.

Riders marked the decent with speeds of 35-40 mph or more.

Glenn had an outstanding time to keep his top-three placing in the GC.  Kudos to all of our riders, who brought the pain, even with mechanical problems.

Masters Criterium:

[pullquote1 quotes=”true”]So the pressure was on Glenn for the criterium.[/pullquote1]
Glenn needed four seconds to reclaim second place in the GC.  Kevin, Ed, and Glenn made a plan and went in with guns blazing.  Anything that went off the front, Kevin chased it down.  The race was full of preem laps for either the 40+ riders or the 55+’s, all racing together.  Unfortunately, everyone had to sprint for both, so riders would not get away.  The 40+ hot spot followed the 55+.  There was no time to set up for a lead out, but Kevin was there again, pulling for Glenn.

In Masters, the race was supposed to be Kevin’s, but ended up working out for Glenn.  That’s what working together as a team can mean in a stage race or any race.  It’s about those who place, the unsung heroes, and all the riders who give it their best in team colors.

Thanks again to our riders who turned out, we encourage all team-mates to join us in the upcoming LAMBRA races.

Leisure Cycling

What makes a GREAT training partner?

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Yes! Back by popular demand(ok one person asked) it is I, Bike and the Fat Man, here with a question for all who ride in some of the local groups…what makes a great training partner? Seems like an easy question but is it really. I personally think you first have to look at your current physical fitness (or in my case…physical limitations) and find a partner stronger or equal with you. I have lucked out in this aspect. I actually work with a few cyclist and we train together on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Yesterday was a great example of what you should look for in a training partner.

We were having our Tuesday training ride and it was just me and the Beast (if you are wondering who that is…look at post “we don’t die”). Needless to say, there was at one point I was drafting and realized his calves look like medival mace clubs( you know the kind I am talking…the club that has that massive metal head to it). His physical fitness is so far beyond mine as of right now, that he had to soft petal in the big chain ring just to get a pump in his legs.

This brings me to the second aspect of a great training partner…he knows he is better than you but still willing to work with you. Beast is a monster on the bike. Pulling and holding 25mph is just a good ride for him. Myself, 17-19mph is a hard workout. On this ride, the wind was in our face to start and I drafted for a while but once we got off the main drag, we doubled up and he pushed me by not letting me pull but kept me in front with him. Then when we’d get to certain points he would tell me,”OK, ready we will pick it up here.” or “Let’s sprint out of this corner”This is where it showed how much he was better than me. He might as well said, “I am better than you and let me demolish you and make you feel like your walking your bike…HAHA!!!(insert evil laugh here)

This brings me to my final point to a great training partner…encouragement! The whole time he was demolishing me…he kept saying “Great job. You are so much better then you were when we stop for winter break. Man you did well against that wind.” I can imagine in his head he really wanted to say,”YOU SUCK! GET BACK TO THE JUNIOR LEAGUE WENIE BOY! TURN IN YOUR RACING JERSEY FOR A FLORAL PRINT ONE!” But that is what makes it awesome that cyclist are a strange breed. Cyclist in general are a competative bunch. They like destroying the competition and make them hurt (and cry at times) but they are willing to work with someone who is really trying to get better.

I’d like to thank Beast for working with me, the Machine for giving me advice and answering every question I throw out there and the ABC racing team for ascepting me even though I am not ready but they know that it is a passion of mine to be the best I can on the bike.

Team Training News

Acadiana Bicycle Company Race Team Jersey

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The 2012 Acadiana Bicycle Company Race team jersey proof has been finished by Champion Systems and approved. The next step is to get the artwork for the shorts approved. There is a 6 to 8 week process time for creating the uniforms once the artwork is approved for both the shorts and the jersey. We should be getting the uniform around mid to late March. [pullquote1]Thanks to Glenn “Rocket Richard”[/pullquote1] Special thanks to Glenn “Rocket Richard” for re-creating all of the logos in a usable vector format and then placing all of the logos on the jersey template for submission to Champion Systems. This was many, many, many hours of work by Glenn.

Local Events

Saturday Bike Ride from Prejean’s Restaurant

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Cycling in Louisiana and great cajun cuisine go hand-in-hand here in Lafayette Louisiana. This Saturday morning at 8am the local cycling race team hosted a bike ride from Prejean’s award winning Cajun cuisine restaurant. the ride was great and the food was even better.
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Local Events

Key Realty’s Deborah Schwartz Sponsors Local Cycling Race Team

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Today, Key Realty agent Deborah Schwartz has become a proud sponsor of the local Cajun Cyclists Race Team. Deborah is licensed to buy and sell homes in all areas of Louisiana and is looking forward to working with the cycling community. Give her a call and let her know you are a cyclists. She can work with you to find the home of your dreams. She even has a dream home finder page on her website. On the dream home finder you sign up for alerts based on your criteria and she hand picks listing to send you as houses become available which meet your requirements.

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www.deborahsrealestate.com

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Team Training News

Pictures From The 2011 Senior Olympics Cycling Road Race in Louisiana

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Today the Cajun Cyclists Race team hosted the 2011 Senior Olympics cycling road race in Louisiana. The course was a 10k road race which looped through the Milton area’s back roads. There was beautiful weather, scenery, and great competition. Don’t believe “Senior” means slow. The overall winner “Jed Darby” won the cat 3 road race championship last year. These guys were flying!

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Cycling Stories, Leisure Cycling

King and Kingdom

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That is what I felt like…a king in his kingdom! Let me explain…I picked up my new baby on Friday! That is right the fat man is on the road with a true road bike. She is a beauty too. The reason behind the whole king and kingdom statement is because that is the way the people at Capitol Cyclery made me feel.
I set up the appointment with Evan to come in and pick up Lucy and get fitted. It was all set for Friday. I know what you are all thinking…he was there when they opened. No I wasn’t …I was there three minutes after they opened. When I got there I was greeted with my usual…”Hey Mr. Richard”. I absolutely love that they know me by name and are always there to answer my questions, no matter how goofy the question is. When I got to the counter, Evan had everything set up and ready for me to make my final payment and Sarah (I think she has to be the happiest lady on the planet…she is always bouncing around with a smile on her face) went got my girl.
When I tell you I was treated like royalty, I felt like I was the most important person there. Now you may be thinking that it is because I was buy a new road bike. Trust me, the bike I bought is not one of the high-end bikes, it is closer to the entry level. Still they made it like I was buying one of the $10,000 bikes.
The bike fit process was awesome. They did not rush any of it, made sure that my seat was correct, my stem and saddle was adjusted properly, and when I was having trouble with the shifting, it was like I had my own personal mechanic right there…I didn’t even have to get off my bike. This guy (and you can recognize him…he is the one with the Tom Selleck Mustache) knew exactly how to fix everything and showed me things with my shifters I did not know anything about.
As I sat there waiting for them to finish putting the final touches to my baby, Mrs. Lisa comes out and talks with me. Now I will tell you, if I felt like a king in this kingdom, Mrs. Lisa is definitely the Queen in her kingdom. She walks out and you know that she is the one running the show. Unlike most Queens, she is so wonderful to talk too. (Not like I have meet many queens in my time…may be a few drag queens but…) A friend of mine came over to the shop to pick himself up some supplies and Mrs. Lisa walked us around and made us feel like there was nothing more important than making sure we were happy and that we got everything we needed.
These guys and gals at Capitol went the extra mile…they even replaced the silver cable ends with green ones to match the color scheme of my bike. That may seem small, and it is, but that is service when the small stuff doesn’t go untouched.
Now to other matters…the fat man is going into training for the Rouge Roubaix. I am going to train over the winter and into spring for this wonderful (and completely grueling) race. There are a lot of things that need to happen. First is get my weight down. As of right now, I am 226 lbs and 30 BMI (according to the WII Fit plus). I would like to be down to 190 lbs and into a large/med kit. Next is getting use to riding in a paceline with much stronger riders. That will happen with my Thursday and Saturday rides with the group at work and the race team. Then when I feel confident enough I will ask to join the team. Finally, it is getting us to the torture of training on an indoor trainer.
I am telling this all of you to keep me accountable…I figured the way cyclist are they would not let it down if I drop off my goal…we are a sadistic bunch.

Cycling Stories, Leisure Cycling

Giddy like a school girl

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I know I will get some slack for this title but I think that is the only expression I can come up with for how I feel. In one week, Oct 21st, I will be celebrating my birthday (26th) by purchasing my first true road bike. Yes you have read that correctly, your friendly fat man will be joining the ranks of roadies everywhere.

If you have not read it before, I will be getting the Raliegh Revenio 3.0. She is a beauty…black with green accents and green tires…sporting the full Shimano 105 groupo compact…and…That is where all my money and research is going.

You see you don’t just buy a bike, you have to buy the accessories. You have bike computers, but not just a simple computer…you have to get the wireless heart rate/cadence/GPS/power meter/LT sensor/order take out/burgaler alarm/second wife because of the price computer. Then you need a saddle bag, but how big??? Do you go really huge like saddle bags on a Harley or do you go so small that all you have is room for a quarter to call someone who cares (wait that is what the computer is for)? Then you need to get a new pump because you have one at home but it is a Shearder valve and not a Presta valve style. Then you need to get an indoor trainer because it is coming time where the days are getting shorter, but what type, do I go turbo or roller type? Then each one of those have so many sub catergories that it would make a grad from MIT wonder what he is doing. Then you have tubes, cleaners, work stands, shoes, kits, pedals and cleats and…it goes on and on!

Makes me wonder why I am giddy…oh yeah I know…I love this stuff! When everything is bought and done…It is just you and the road, the wind in your face and the burn of pushing yourself to the point of insanity…It is pure giddiness!!

Ps. It is getting dark out there a lot earlier. Lately, there has been a few fatalities and we should remember those who have lost thier lives doing what they love doing and that is riding. Let’s be safe…get some lights if you are out pass dusk (great something else to buy)!