Downtown at last for 5 hours

Goodbye Manchester, for now...

One last quick update before getting on the plane home, Dan Schuller ran the last race of all the MN team, a 40 lap fun race for anyone over 50. None of the rest of was there to watch is is sad because Dan had a great race. They had a dual pace line pace lap, announced all the riders names and made a real show. The race was fast as usual, Dan having to start at the back but he made his way to the front and then set a torid pace like we see him do in Blaine up until about the last lap when three sprinters came over him in 3. They were taken up track though by a slower rider that Dan got underneath. Going through 4 however another 3 or 4 sprinters came around him again. He wasn't sure but thought he ended up somewhere in 4th to 6th place over all. I finally got to see downtown Manchester having dinner with my friends in a pub at the center of the towns shopping and entertainment section. Wow, quite a different look than what I've seen all week. Time to grab some food and off to the airport in the shuttle. Minnesota, here I come.

The infield which becomes a court with the small riding court left for us to group before races

Saturday mid day

The closing day of the competition is always a sad time, lots of hard work and hopes are now almost completely behind us. There is only one race left for Dan Schuller, an over 50 mass start race happening late today. Dan and his wife may be the only ones left. Casper is gone for a few days, the Stewarts are packed and making plans to leave. I am back at the hotel planning to meet up with Andy and Kathy for dinner, I finally get into Manchester city center after spending all my time at or very near either the hotel or the velodrome. Yesterday both Stewart and Schuller were involved in flying 200's attempting to qualify for the matched sprint tournaments. I don't have all the details but they got into some of the rep rounds in the morning but didn't make into the later evening rounds. I think we all need to learn how to do a proper 200 on this track as all our times were slower than we expected. Sorry to say I didn't watch any of it because I was still trying to rest up for a Scratch race scheduled for Friday night. I got to the track in time to eat lunch with the group, they left and I stayed to prepare. As I've learned with all these week long events, it's food and recovery that make a giant difference in performance as the week goes on. Having said that, my Thursday night sleep was crap, all night not knowing if I was awake or sleeping. I got up for breakfast, back to the room for more recovery but not enough. My warm up was good, timed right, my thoughts of using a bigger gear put behind me with the help of Chris Ferris, my coach and confidant all week long. (by the way, I wouldn't be able to do all these great comps and be as competitive as I am without his help and friendship) We rolled around the warm up ring and then line up at the exit to get instructions. Our 40 lap race is now a 20 lap race, ok now, out you go. Planning again to stay protected and safe mid pack until the end, the pace gets hot about 2 laps in and stayed that way until the end. I tried to stay in the draft as best I could Trying to find the guys I knew were experienced. I find one guy who generally is well placed and get on his wheel but he seems to be drifting off the pace, pass or stay? I decide to pass him with about 8 to go, probably dragged him back to the pack only to have him come over me with about 3 or so to go. I hung on getting 15th out of 18. I guess I only have one good enduro effort in me per week. Andy and Kathy were back in the stands so I went up and sat with them for a while, eventually Verbs and Mike Smith showed. We all sat and watched a while and then I needed to get back to the hotel, recover for Sat. Morning Team Sprint. Friday nights sleep was better but not ideal. The people above me must have been packing to leave early so there was lots of luggage being dropped around, eventually things got quite but by then I was awake. Off to breakfast, Mark and Laurie were already there, back to the room and grab my Zipp bag, shuttle is here, off to the track. The team sprint is an over 135 age category so that means 3 guys aged 45 each can race against us. Our total age is a bit higher, 166!!! There will be some screaming fast teams doing this. Mark and I had a really fun pace line warm session. My goal today is to get the most enjoyment possible from this experience, ride for fun and the sheer amazement that I am even really here doing this, what a astounding opportunity. Schuller shows, so we all got some warm up time in. Off to bike check for the last time. The officials spy Dans 2 cogs on his back wheel and tell him one has to come off, quick, back to the get ready tent and pull a gear off and we are ready. 4 ladies teams up first and then we are second in the men's line. I am in the gate doing the first lap, Stewart second and Schuller to bring it home. I got a good start, out of the saddle using my enduro, smaller gear to stay ahead of the others, in the saddle entering 3 and then roll off for Mark and Dan to finish it off. :56.?? final time. Alright, we are in second, oh yeah only two teams are done. The three of us watch as the times keep getting faster and faster. This is a qualifier for a later top 4 final and the last I saw, 1st place was in the :48 second range with first laps in the low 19's. Mine was a 22.7 something. Some of the 2 and 3 laps in the 14's. By the end of 18 teams we are 17th ahead of the Russians. O yeah, I forgot, they did not start. It was great fun to do, thanks guys for going along with my crazy idea. Now the really sad part, pulling the bike part and packing it back into the box for tomorrow's plan ride home. The shuttle picks me up at the hotel at 8 A.M. Mark is doing the same. A hour or two later and I am not ready to leave but all packed and looking for a cab.The reception staff call and arrange one for me. They are running slow today because there is a big soccer game happening in the stadium right across the street from the velo.

PJW Racing Team Sprint

Friday report

The week must be coming to an end soon, Dan Casper packed up his bike yesterday afternoon at the track and this morning was off to the airport for his trip back. The rest of us are still here with Mark Stewart set to be a sprinter today. I've lost track of what else Dan Schuller is doing, maybe sprints today as well. I know the three of us are scheduled to do a Team Sprint tomorrow with qualifiers and finals. It is an over 135 age category so I suspect there will be some very fast teams. It should be a fun event for us, we have only done 2 training efforts at Blaine with all three of us together. We have been watching the British National team practice their team sprints so I am sure that will make the difference and make us lots faster. I have the room Dan and I shared to my self which seems a bit lonely, we had a great time rooming together for another race week. (first was at T-Town last July) Last night was my 40 lap points race. I finally have the warm up timing set with 2 races out of 5 to go. On the rollers by 4:20, in the first warm up line by 5:40, on the track at 5:05 for a few laps, back off for a gear change to race gear and back in line. Back on the track by about 5:40 for some hard laps and pace line work and then whistled off at 10 to for the races to start at 6. Then the big wait, second to last race of the night, thinking it would go off about 9 but instead off closer to 10! Rollers on and off all night to stay active and warm. There is a warm up ring that is part of the basket ball court that covers the entire infield reserved for riders to gather and ride slow just prior to each race. That allows the officials to locate everyone and make sure we are off together. (all the rest of the court is covered with carpet and metal dividers to allow "tent" areas for the riders) The entire NSC crowd was there for my race as supporters, which was great to see. Included were Verbs and Mike Smith up from London as well as my friends Andy and Kathy Shell from Mpls. Thanks to everyone for all the great cheering. Three victory ceremonies to roll around and then grouped, given instructions to roll out on to the back straight, do a lap and a half before the gun to start. No rail starts at Manchester. My plan was to stay close to the front and in drafts behind riders I thought may be fast. The pace was quick but not all the fast until about lap 33 and then it t ramped up, finding the first group I started to sprint on the back and as we came around on the bell, I got 4th for 1 point, alright ease off and recover some and re group. I rolled back, down into the lane and then moved up in the pack again picking my way through for a good position. The speed picked up and I found myself near the front again and sprinted to the line 4th again, one more point. This time recovery was a lot harder, rolling to the back and trying to claw back to the group. What I didn't see was 4 off the front using the slower pack pace to eventually get a lap on the field. The next sprint was not for me, just recovering and trying to stay nearer the front. The laps counting down, I tried to sprint again on the last bell lap, not for points but just for the best finishing position I could eke out coming across the line 12th on the last sprint. (average speed of 43.431 taking just 13:48.9 time) It's taken until late this morning to find the results on the web site, I finished 11th with 2 points. Looking back at more results, I have failed to mention Dan Schuller's 10th place finish in his 2K Pursuit, 2:32:516 at 47.208K per hour average, congrats Dan! Scratch race for me tonight, just not quite so late, hopefully 7 to 8 P.M.

Thursday, late morning

The two Dans and Mark are off to the track for some qualifiers for their scratch races. I am relaxing after a late breakfast, I have a late night points race, second to last race of the night. The schedule is set so there are later starts but with the break for the British National team mid afternoon, it means we race later into the night. Last night started with Mark racing a re run of the morning qualifier that was stopped due to a crash that Mark missed by milli meters, someone even rubbing his front wheel as they went down. The race was right before the after noon break and was running late so it became the first race of the evening schedule. Mark made it into the final so he, Dan C. and I had races in the evening. Dan C. had a very fast points race which he rode well, attacking with some uncooperative mates that only wanted to sit on and let him do all the work. He eventually took third place in the last sprint which got him 11th out of 24, very respectable. Marks race was equally fast with attacks happening right away stringing the field out for most of the race with very few easy laps to regroup. Mark stayed with the main pack until the end happy to finish. I finally got a proper warm up in, just barely. Rollers first prior to the 5 PM open session start, get in line a bit late so I was the second group let on the track, roller off, change gears and then back in line. Another adjustment to how they sort out the big field, 1st two groups get 15 minutes, after that, one rider off equals one rider on to keep the max numbers on the track right. I got on with about 5 minutes to spare before we were whistled off. 500 TT for me, good start out of the gate on the back straight, out of the saddle until the start of turn 1 and then gut it out to the finish with a 40.654, one tenth slower than my best last summer in Blaine. In was hoping to break 40 seconds but I guess that will have to wait until next summer. Bike checks were needed before the race, weight, saddle check for level and this time 3 to 1 check of my Scatto bars, which passed thankfully, they are the only bars I have with me. Immediately after the race, they grabbed my bike again to re check it. Not sure why, at the time I was third but I knew that would not last as the winner came in with a 36.840!!! Packed up late and all 5 of us crammed into Dan's Fiat 500 for the ride back to the hotel. Dan and I starving, ordered carry out fro a pizza place, enough food to feed four, dinner and to bed. More races tonight, mine is second to last, 40 lap points, scratch races hopefully for the others based on the qualifiers this morning.

500 TT Start

500TT

Wednesday, mid day report

Danny, what time is it? Crap missed breakfast again! Tuesday night had Dan C doing a standing start 750 meter event and Mark Stewart and Dan Schuller each doing a standing start 500 meter event. All three were later in the evening so there was a lot of waiting around from warm up time that started at 5 until the race events. Rollers and trainers to stay warmed up is all there is for any one. There is no extra time in the schedule for on track warm ups. The officials must have had some complaints or realized some racers were not getting warm up time prior to the start of the evening due to the large number of competitors. They only allow a maximum of 30 on the track at a time so there has been a line up of riders waiting while one or two come off. Now they call everyone off after about 10 minutes and put another group back on immediately. You can get back in line right after you come off if you want and as many times as you like. This was the first race for Mark, second for Dan S. Both are in the same age group which is huge. Dan C wasn't so sure about the 750 meter distance. All three had good rides but mid field results with our world champ getting 16th with Schuller edging out Stewart by less than a second leaving them in 27th and 30th place over all. Our Aussie friend Nick collected 26th place just faster than DS. I got a chance to do some easy rollers for about 30 minutes before all the races started. The UCI has been doing bike checks on and off before race starts. They seem to be focused on the pursuiters especially, making sure the saddles are precisely level as well as making sure forearms are level to the ground if there are aero bars on the bike. They won't let you race if either are wrong. Bike weights are also checked. No one is even looking at helmets this year. The sprinter bikes had to go in the jig to measure seat position, bar drop, etc, all the basics including weight. Dan C is at the rack doing a qualifier race for his points final, I am relaxing at the hotel again, legs up just about ready for lunch. Tonight is my 500 event. My plan is to take the shuttle to the track this afternoon, early enough to watch some of the British team again and be ready for a proper warm up and then wait around for a long time before my event which is closer to the Ned of the evening. That is my schedule for the rest of the week as week, pints race Thursday night, scratch on Friday night and then a fun race for Stewart, Schuller and me, a 135+ team sprint mid day Saturday. I've lost track of when Schuller and Stewart do their events, tough to keep track of all the races and times. There is a good schedule in the program, very helpful but you need to check at the track the day of your event to make sure of the details, especially during the timed events so you are ready a few riders ahead of your scheduled time. It's been fun to see all the NSC related discussion about next summer's challenge races for the Champ. Casper is getting a big smile out of the plans and thinks it would be great fun but says he gets to pick the team make ups if there are team challenges. I haven't heard what Schuller and Stewart have said about their grudge matches yet. The weather here is still cloudy, rainy and cooler, maybe this is the norm for this time of year here.

Tuesday, mid day

There is a drop in excitement after Dan's success last night. We all went up to the concession stand/ bar in the velodrome last night after the medal ceremony and got some food and a beer or two to celebrate with Dan and another friend we have met, Nick, from Melbourne, who got bronze in a 2k effort. We got back to the room late and stayed up later than we should enjoying the excitement. Sleeping in late today, late breakfast and then just relax for me, no races at all for me today. Dan C has a 750, Dan Schuller and Mark Stewart have 500's later this evening. I have a 500 later tomorrow evening so my job is to relax, do some rollers later today and probably watch the races tonight. DS and MS have really big fields so that should be interesting. The weather is still cooler, mid 40's, wet, gray and not too interesting. The NSC crew is scattered around town and velodrome enjoying what time off they can. More race reports later from the velodrome as it happens.

Podium Time

Dan and the bike

Dan Casper takes GOLD

Yes, you heard me, Casper comes from behind on the last two laps and captures the gold medal by .4 seconds. NSC has a World Champ!

Monday night live at NCC

It's ten to 7 on Monday night and the races are back on. We started at 10:30 this morning, had to take a break at 2 to 5 for the British national team to train and then they gave us the track back for racing to start at 6. I had sprint rounds this morning, Dan Casper and Dan Schuller had pursuit times. Warm ups were a challenge. Rollers like usual for me and then ready to hit the track for a fast warm up kilo. I had the time al planned out so I would be ready for the 10:30 start. As I walked to the track entry I see a line up of riders waiting to get on. They would only allow 30 riders on so we had to wait until someone would come off. Running out of time for waiting I went back and changed to race wheels and gear so I could get in line and do a modified warm up procedure which really did not go so good. Learning all the time, be prepared for a different kind of warm up procedure. I was out first of our NSC group with qualifying 200's and did not produce a very good time, slower than Portugal last year and slower than Blaine this summer, 13.359, crap. It felt good and the line was good but it was just slow. Most of the others were 12's with the fastest at 12.08 I think. It did qualify me for the sprint rounds at 11th out of 12 qualifiers. Next up for me was a 3 up sprint with last years world champ from America, Mark Rodamaker and my old friend (not really) a French guy who beat me last year at worlds in my first round. I drew position 1 and lead the two of them keeping the pace high and getting faster, coming in to turn 3 right before the bell I had both high ready to jump, Frenchy behind Rodamaker who I thought would keep him at by but no, Frenchy jumps in 3 again like last year and as I took Rodamaker up track Frenchy got under so we had to chase him down, me taking third. Next round was 4 up with Frenchy, an Aussie and an Italian. I draw 4 this time and Mark Stewart does a great job again of getting me started. I am high, controlling all three trying to be able to take the banking to my advantage going into turn 3 and get behind Frenchy and let him drag me home but the Aussie would not let me in so eventually I dragged the Italian to the line and got 4th. Done for the day. Perspective, 4 more races to do and I am at a great place enjoying what's happening so I need to plan to take some revenge later this week. Next time up, Wednesday evening for a 500TT. Dan Casper on the other hand is going fast, 3k pursuit, qualified 1st with a 3:33.5. He is back tonight for the finals and is on the rollers right now getting ready for a later start. Dan Schuller did great in his 2k considering he just got here yesterday and is rested but probably not quite acclimated to the time yet. He did a PR at 2:32.? Mark Stewart has a day off and as I look around he and Laurie are in the stands right above us on the back straight watching. I am sure I will get tired of it by weeks end but watching the British team train during the break was amazing. Super fast motor paced efforts, great looking team pursuit efforts and lots of flying 100's and 150's. There will be more to report, hopefully good stuff about Dan later. This is your BBC blogger signing off.

Sunday afternoon

Another day closing down, it's 4:30 and we are back from the track again, relaxing some but also preparing for the start of the Worlds tomorrow. I guess technically today is the start. The UCI has taken over the facility with registration, all the officials and the set up. The scheduled track sessions were run by the local officials under the UCI banner. There were multiple 2 hour training sessions that had to be pre arranged and paid for. All the riders seem plenty casual yet but are a bit more serious than the last day or so. The numbers are growing. Dan and Caroline are in, Dan got at least a few laps in before going to the hotel to sleep. He was still thinking it was 3 A.M. after just getting off the plane and coming to the cycling center. Tomorrow is sprint day for me and Dan Casper is scheduled for pursuits. My plan is to qualify in the morning, 2nd event of the schedule, and make to the later rounds that happen after 6 in the evening. We have to take a break every day for the British National team to have their normal grainy session, interesting. The evening sessions all start at 6 P.M. Today was activation day for me, roller warm ups and then some not quite full on efforts to get used to race gear and race lines, which are getting better. It's been fun to recognize and strike up conversations with other cyclists I've met from the last 2 years of Worlds. The weather here is soft, meaning rain and mid 40's or so temps, glad to have a roof over our heads. The rest of tonight's plan is rest, dinner and to sleep early for me. Dan needs to go back to the track and work on adjusting his saddle position. The word is the UCI will be strict about all the bikes having a level saddle and his is not quite there. The measurement jig will be set up soon so he can measure the bike make sure it's right before the comp starts tomorrow. The race is almost on.

Chris Boardman's hour record

The infield of course

Reg Harris, ask Bob Williams

Saturday, I know

It's Saturday evening, back in the hotel room after a full day of casual rest and eating and then some great time on the track from 3 to 5 P.M. Mark Stewart is in, the rest of the NSC pack will be here tomorrow. Dan and I went to the track for afternoon sessions, his was a pursuiter session for 2 hours right before my sprinters session of 2 hours. Dan keeps saying how fast the track is and I believe him, no wind of course, the temp is good inside with an outside temp of about 45 degrees with light rain. I rode over with Dan in the Fiat for his session so I had plenty of time to change, wander around the Cycling Center and then spend some easy time on the rollers warming up before the session. These are sessions we had to book with the velodrome prior to getting here, they are 20 pounds per 2 hour session. Makes riding at NSC seem cheap doesn't it? We get a wrist band after signing in for each session and then onto the track. There are some staff trainers there to help with what ever kind of training we ask for. They did send the derny out for a pace line warm up for about 30 laps at the blue line. I caught on to that as it came by and stayed in until 5 to go, today's plan is to go easy with serious activation tomorrow. Next came derny paced flying 100 to 250's. I got into the second one right behind the derny and did a flying 100, wow, it is fast as I tried but failed to stay down in the lane through turns 3 and 4. Next, a little conversation with the derny driver asking about lines. Out on the track again for some slower laps following the line he described with lots of laps below the apron on the warm up band. Eventually another derny 100, this time a bit better staying in the lane. I will have some work to do tomorrow. One last effort, gate practice, half a lap, definitely not at full speed just to get a feel for the gate. The coach guaranteed we will be using gates to start when the races call for them. Off the track, grab a sandwich at the cafeteria, pack up, go to the store for some stuff and then back to the hotel for dinner with Mark and our new best friend, Nick, from Melbourne. Everybody is plenty friendly and I think excited to get on with the games which start on Monday. Another early to bed night with an earlier get up time tomorrow to get to registration and then be prepared for some hard work to prepare for the sprint qualifications and rounds on Monday.

Lower infield before all the excitement begins

Friday, I think

Dan and I finally got to bed about 9:30 or so, watching a movie. The next thing I hear is Dan breathing like he is asleep, guess what, he is. OK time for lights out. We both woke up a few times during the night but felt good. The next thing I hear is Dan saying, You still sleeping!! Well yes, it's 9:30 and our first track season starts at 10. Out of bed, grab my track bag, which luckily I packed the night before, some food that I bought the night before and off we go. Good thing the track is close and Dan has all the quick back ways figured out. Dan got us a rental car for the week, a brand new Fiat 500, bright red, barely room for 1 bike and and all our gear. The track session is just getting started as we get there and Is 2 hours long so not a problem. Up on the track with about 30 others, riding faster than I need to at first just getting used to the surface, which is great, smooth and easy to ride. There are lots of advertising signs painted on the surface but it seems like the surface is aggressive, not slippery so that is good. The next two hours is filled with a variety of efforts starting with pace lines at the blue line and involving some kinds of accelerations in the lane. I fit in with some of them but rolled off the back each time to just roll around and find lines. Dan got some pursuit efforts in and felt good about them. 2 hours went by fast and before we know it the British team, at let least 7 of them, are on the track doing warm up laps. We found a spot to set up for the week in the main part of the infield, hopefully we saved enough room and it will stay saved for when Mark and Dan show up. Time for food again, the cafeteria is open at the center, in we go. No credit cards, no American cash accepted, that's ok, just pay us tomorrow. Very cool, lunch time, relax and then back to the hotel. More training time set up for tomorrow, Saturday, 2 hours of sprint related training. Should be fun, time to learn what the Brits say about sprinting.

Here at last

I got into Manchester about 10 this morning after a basically uneventful flight, nothing wrong with that. Over night flight and losing a bunch of hours in the process. Needless to say, not much quality sleep. Off the plane and wait in the customs line for about half an hour. Finding my luggage was easy though, the bike box made it through ok, the top was on backwards, easy to swap so I could pull it and actually get it to track behind me. (the top came off in Minnesota right in front of me when I dropped it off) I wandered around a bit before I found the shuttle driver who was waiting for 1 other rider, Fran from Perth, before we were off to the cycling center in morning rush hour traffic. The cycling center is huge, with a newly built indoor BMX track as part of the whole complex. I'll get some pictures soon. We put our bike stuff in the Press Room, back and under the track. As I was walking down the hall, I see rooms for Doctors, physiology, and psychiatry, which reminds me about Chris Hoy's book when he talks about the British cycling team being reluctant to talk to a shrink about competitive cycling. Back in the van and off to the Holiday Inn Central, about a 10 minute drive away. Check in and find the room, the first thing that came to my mind when I opened the door was the word "cozy". Wait until Dan Casper, my room mate for the week, sees this. It's a good thing the bikes will be staying at the cycling center most of the time. No mini bar either, so there goes my idea about using it as a fridge for the week. We are on the first floor so it's easy to get to, seems like a plus for now. I am hungry after the long night and a small airplane meal. Off to the restaurant, crap in-between meals, but there are cold sandwiches available so a sandwich and a Latte and I am set. Walking directions to the center, out the hotel gate and turn left, go to the bottom and turn right, go to the bottom and turn left, go to the beverages sign and turn right, etc. No road names at all, eventually the directions say .7 miles, that's just the last leg and it is starting to rain, 45 degrees, blowing like crazy and now rain. Pick up the pace and eventually there is the center, whew. I think that is the first and last time I walk, good thing Dan rented a cheap car. Time to put the bike together, one of the staff gives me the code to get back into the press room, which I have to myself for bike assembly. I need a few small parts, like new seat clamp screws, one stripped out as I tightened it. Lucky, Evans Bike shop is attached to the cycling center and came to the rescue. I finished up and luckily find the shuttle drivers who are heading back to the hotel, the regular shuttle service really isn't going yet but they help me out. Time for a little nap, Dan will be in soon and then dinner, hungry again. Blog time, maybe off to the store for some food and then early to bed. 1st training is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, at 10, structured training of some sort. Here we go, both Dan and I are registered for it.

At the airport, MSP

At the airport, relaxing before I take off, it's finally starting to feel like a vacation. Manchester should be interesting, from their web site and all the rules posted, It seems like a very busy place. The problem is finding time to get some open track time in before we actually race. Thanks to Chris, I got to the right web page and found training times but they are restrictive at best. 2 hour slots divided into pursuit, sprint, endurance and other beginner and experienced classes. Oh, and they all cost money per session. (20 pounds per session) I got a 2 hour slot on Saturday, sprint training, who knows how and what that will be. I also have some time scheduled on Sunday. Maybe I can get some time tomorrow night too but that will be after traveling all night so just some easy laps To see what the track feels like. It's all an adventure though so I just need to stay flexible and take advantage of this chance to go and have some fun. It will be great to have Casper, Stewart and Schuller along for the ride too.

Bags mostly packed, training done, some clothes in a carry on bag, and soon to be off to the airport.
Not without some drama, as I viewed my emails this morning, I find one from a friend, in fact multiple friends telling me my twitter account is hacked and what the hell are these messages you are sending me, I can't open them!!
On to the computer to update, alert and change settings as much as I can to stop the network craziness.
Now, time to pick some clothes for the next 10 days. Unfortunately, all the room I have left is in my carry on bag, looks like I'm wearing the same clothes every day for 10 days. Both my checked boxes/bags are packed to the weight limits. At least I think they are based on trying to weigh them while standing on a bath room scale. Ever tried holding a 70 pound bike box and trying to read the weight scale at the same time? Should have been a picture.
Oh well, back to packing and then to see what fun the airlines have in store for me during check in.

You want up to date info on Elite Track Champs, follow DerKruser on Twitter for the most current trials and tribulations on the way to and at LA, ADT Event Center.

Preparation

Yes, I know, I've been preparing for the 2011 Track Worlds since last fall after I got back from Portugal but right now preparation is a whole different story.
It's a strange time at the track, little activity, building projects, training for next years Madison Races, lots of low key happenings.
It's also kind of fun, I get to do some training that just feels fun and exciting, Motor Paced Flying 200's.
First of all you need a great motor driver, Bob Williams is the man. Steady and consistent and can ride the motor through the Sprinters lane at amazing speeds, I just need to try and keep up with him. Tons of fun!!
This fall, not only do I get to do these efforts but I get to share Bob with Chris Ferris and Mike Hall who are planning for Elites in LA, they leave tomorrow.
   That brings up the other side of preparation, I should let Mike tell his side of this story. How do you pack all the track gear you need and bring it across the country/world on an air plane?
Just think of all the trips from the gear trailer to the infield you make on Thursday nights? Now compress that into 2 check on bags and one carry on bag.  Add enough clothes and other personal items stuffed in somewhere to get you through a week to 10 days away from home. We get spoiled with all the resources we have at the track and being close to home.
By the way, one of those checked bags will be over sized and will cost extra money, likely $150 one way, to get to your destination. Remember, it can't be over 70 pounds either or they won't ship it at all. There is a maximum size limit that is a combination of height, width and length you have to deal with too.
One last thing, remember how careful you were all last summer keeping your track bike and gear in great shape, no nicks in the paint or carbon? The airlines will be equally careful, yeah. I am sure they will take care if you pack the bike in about $50 worth of pipe insulation zip tied on and cushion every item to the max. Just be aware that someone will open you luggage and move it all around and probably not get it put back together the way you had it and some times not even close the bike box all the way.
I have multiple souvenir dings and abrasions from travel, more than from all the track crashes I've experienced.
So pack and prepare and plan ahead, the scariest part of going to these races is how and will all my gear be delivered on time, in the right place and in good condition.
Isn't that right Mike?

Not the best quality video, but here is a Flying 200, motorpaced

Anticipation

Less than 2 weeks for some of us, less than a week for the rest. If I am any indication, there is some excitement building in about 9 riders from Blaine.  Five are about to compete at Elite Track Champs in LA and four of us at Worlds Track Champs in Manchester.
There is more intensity to our efforts at the track, more focus to each time we do the real part of our training. The warm ups are still calm and relaxed but when it comes to doing things like motor pacing, the speeds are up and you can feel the anticipation and excitement building.
It's also a good time of year because we are working on building our Madison rider base with 3 Thursdays of Madison training. Bob runs a great Madison training class, getting newer quality riders comfortable with the art of Madison racing, one of my favorites.
I leave for Manchester on Oct 5th for 10 days, races start on the 10th. It should be a fun event with Dan Casper, Mark Stewart and Dan Schuller also representing NSC at the world level.
Elites will have a competitive NSC contingent as well, Chris Ferris, Mike Hall, Andy Kruse, Derek Virta and Emma Bast.
There is still a few days left of training, wish us luck.
Once in Manchester I will try to keep this blog as up to date as possible, things can get hectic so no promises.
As I here news from the Elite's crew I will pass that along too.

Finally, some hardware, 3rd in the Sprints

Powering to the finish line

2nd Round of Matched Sprints, watch that competitor, ended with a win

One up only, first of my Matched Sprints coming home

Tuesday Night Scratch Race rolls off the start

500 TT is on, First Race of my week

Derek ready for his last race on Saturday, riders ready?

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Dan's medal collection grows on the way to BAR in his age group

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Saturday 7/30, last day of racing for me and Derek

Saturday was very low key for me. I woke early but didn't get up until about 8 or so, in time for guess? free breakfast of course, served until 9:30.
The rest of the day I just stayed inside, rested and mentally prepared for a points race later at 6 P.M. the first race of the evening schedule. I was feeling good, rested but apprehensive about what gear to use and how fresh I really would be.
Lunch, more relaxing and then before we knew it, load up and head for the track. I had plenty of time to get my normal extended warm up in. Seems like the only way for me to be ready for every first race is to log lots of K's in before the event and make sure they activate all the right energy systems.
All the races started with a bike check, mostly for weight toward the end of the week. Earlier, bikes were check for dimensions as well. No racing was allowed without a bike weigh in and then you needed to keep it in the holding area until race time or it needed to be checked again.
The points race started with me at the front doing a casual ride near the rail for about 2 laps. I wasn't going to do any effort and no one else wanted to either. 30 lap race, sprints every 6 laps so the pace picked up about lap 26. Certainly not my freshest race, I never really was in it, just holding on as the pace continued to increase. Eventually I was in the second pack out of contention, mercifully the race ended, I got a good last lap in, passing a few riders and ended 9th overall, first rider with no points.
Roll around some, back to our pit tent and then time to re gear, pack and call it a race week for me.
Dan and Derek however still had scratch races to do.
Dan was smart, his dream of a 5-6 man break worked out and he eventually got a lap on the field and came in 5th in a big, competitive field, another medal and enough to get him the BAR(Best All Round Rider) for his age group.
Derek's group was the last race of the night, he stayed in contention until the end but missed the attack with about 2 to go salvaging 5th place overall and another medal for him.
After that, it was all about packing up and going back to the hotel.
We stopped at the local diner/lounge near the hotel, had a few beers and some food and then back to the hotel, not wanting to go to bed, just burning off the excitement of the night and the week.

It's all done, where did the week go

Yes, it's Wednesday, no Thursday  (I started this yesterday and got logged off in the middle of it so here we go again) already, we got back to MN on Monday afternoon and the first stop was at the bike shop to get some minor problems that came up during race week resolved before this Thursday night.
It is tough as always after vacation to get back into the regular schedule again. Tuesday morning came way too soon and I think I was dreaming all day long Tuesday.
The ride back was interesting. Derek's Pursuit team didn't come together so the two of us got to sleep in and be lazy on Sunday morning while Dan was still in race mode and getting ready for his Pursuit.
A leisurely last free breakfast at the hotel, and then packing and loading up the Caliber.
I started driving the first leg heading back west, or at least that's what I thought. We drove an hour or so and realized we were seeing a different part of PA then what we saw coming to T Town. Derek got out a map and realized I missed an exit and we were still heading west but more south west towards the Appalachians. Time to re adjust routes and get back on track. We really didn't get much out of the way and the bonus is we saw some really great parts of PA that we missed on the ride to the track. We really were in no rush so it was kind of fun.
Eventually we got back on the planned route and really started west. We thought about driving straight through but by 11 PM, we were shot and stopped in Rockford for a much needed nights sleep, and another free hotel breakfast, waffles again?
We finally made it to town about 3:30 after driving through a major rain storm just as we entered MN, welcome back!

But, I am way ahead of myself. Back to racing at T Town or the last few days of it.
After Friday mornings Sprint finals and Awards I felt kind of lost and dazed. All the hard efforts and training since last November came together, not with a National Champ jersey but I feel good about 3rd over all.
The last week or so before has been stressful, my oldest brother was battling cancer and I needed to make an emergency trip to TX to see him the weekend before I left for Masters. My last training day before going to TX was hot and I was in a particularly foul mood which resulted in me doing some disconnected effort and crashing myself into the main straight at about 30 mph. Not ideal with a big event a week and half away.
I've learned that the track community is quite small and after a few years of racing at Masters events I have met some fellow racers and some of them invited me to lunch at a diner next to our hotel.
Fun time learning about some of the racers who have been around a long time and hear some of the stories, true or not.
My plan was to go back to the hotel, relax some, ride the rollers and work off some of the excitement.
Instead, back to the hotel and laid around watching TV and surfing the net.
Derek and Dan were scheduled for Madisons Friday night plus T Town has some big local races that bring in lots of spectators with racers from all over the world showing up to entertain.
I really wanted to go watch but I really needed to be away from track racing. Hotel bound I was. A rain squall came in early evening and delayed the racing some.
Derek and Dan gave me all the updates on the Friday night scene.
It sounds like all the Madison riders need to come to Blaine for some real Madison training before they get on a track at Masters. There were crashes and chaos from poor exchanges, exchanges done in the wrong positions and just plan missed exchanges. Dan and Derek's partners were not as excited to ride so certainly Derek's placing was severely impacted, getting a 7th place, Dan ended with a 4th place.
Friday night ended with all of us talking about the nights excitement and me eventually going to bed about 11, way later than I planned.

When WiFi fails

As I was saying, we rode through the back straight, turns 3 and 4 on lap one of 2 keeping the same relationship, more speed as we get the bell lap, into 1, I see my chance, stand and jump barely getting by and under him into the lane accelerating out of the saddle almost to 3 and then power to the finish with Chip coming over in the last 20 to 30 meters. At least I made him work for this win.
Because we had one no show I got a by ride and automatically got third, I just had to be present at the start line ready to ride to collect the bronze. Usually you have to get on the track and walk over the finish line but masters is a little more lax and with the late schedule I didn't need to.
More rides to finish the Thursday schedule and then awards, only 3 of us on the podium for our age group, everyone else had 5. (Masters give medals all the way down to 5th).
Time to pack up, go to lunch and then veg out all the rest of the day and evening at the hotel.
I am a little disappointed to not be able to race all my sprint rides even if it might mean 4th rather than 3rd but if you don't show, no glory.
Tomorrow, Saturday evening, one more race, a points race for fun.
They can't all be no shows for tomorrow.

Friday morning

I don't know why but I am awake at about 5 again and my alarm is set for 5:30. I grab my phone so I can turn it off before it rings to allow Derek to sleep undisturbed. I resist the thought of sleeping in for a bit and get up. All my gear is set out and ready to go from last night, kit, wheels. Some gear we just left locked to rails at the track hoping it would still be there when we returned. Again, I am up alone and go to the hotel lobby hoping there is some food set out early and find the waffle iron hot and batter ready. Coffee, juice a few other easy items and I am ready to go. Outside, it is so humid it might as well be raining.
I get to the track and don't even want to get on, rollers for about 5 to 10 minutes is good.
Finally, as others get on, with no air flow under the tent, off to the track. Yesterdays big gear is feeling too big even with a warm up cog on. 20 minute progressive warm up done, back to the tent for race wheels and next gear up jump when I hear we are closing in on the 8:00 start time. Crap, where did the morning warm uptime go? Quick, under the tent, back to my original sprint gear to take my chances. As it turns out, there was some lag time between announcing the start and really getting started and then of course a bunch of heats before mine.
Before we run our first ride, me against the first place qualifier, the announcer says the second place qualifier is a no show. Without racing a lap, I gain a third place guarantee, but I came to race someone not to get gifts.
1st ride, position 1, off we go heading towards the rail, I have him boxed up top and must have scared him some because soon is is way behind me. Into 3 and 4 and more from lack of attention I drifted down and sure, Brezny takes off with about 400 meters to go. Dam, didn't expect that. I chased him down with a top speed of about 58 plus KPH to no help, he had surprise and altitude on me.
Time to wait and plan for ride 2. Position 2 and we are eventually off again, the pace is faster, I am higher and trailing

First round at the start, getting ready

Points races are back on

After Marty Norstein drives a borrowed van around the track at speed while riders are circulating on the Tarmac entry track the race surface finally dries and Dan's race is back on. Fast and furious, sprints every 6 laps. It didn't take long and the race was over with Dan finishing 4th overall with 12 points, 4 points out of first. Great race and finish Dan.
One more race and Derek was up for a combined 30 to 39 points race, 90 laps long. Derek is worried, fast long race with some elite guys that he will need to race this fall in LA. Off to a fast start, Derek eventually gathers a point or two and ends up with a 5th place medal in his class. The two D's in the room are getting medals, and after this afternoon, the worst I will get in the sprints is a fourth place medal but I expect more.
Two more points races, remember, I've been here since 6:30 this morning and now it is about 9:30 and we need to get the awards out to the points racers and then get on with multiple classes of semis and finals.
Awards done, bikes checked in at the weigh in deck, racers lining up on deck and the sprint rounds start. Two, three maybe four races and the rain starts again....
The night is done, people are packing like crazy, I finally get out about 11.
Sprint rounds are scheduled to start at 8 A.M. an hour before the regular schedule is slated to start. Dam, another 5:30 alarm day. Back to the hotel, shower, sandwich, bed.

Here's how we get the track dry, cement track of course

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Rain on Thursday night

Quarter finals next

On to the quarter finals, where there can be three rides against each competitor, best of three goes on to the next round. The day keeps grinding on because we need to go through multiple age groups and lots of competitors, mens and women's classes both to get to the Semi finals which will be decided later in the evening after a bunch of points races.
My next competitor makes it easy for me. I started in position 1, low on the track for the first ride and position 2 for the second ride. Both times my opponent let's me keep him on my right hip on lap one and going through turn one on lap two and then I drop down to the lane and make my break. The second time he is closer to me but still a bike length or two back. No third ride this time, I am in the semifinals in the evening. Quick, load up, back to the hotel for a snack, nap and then back to the track for a repeat warm up.
The evening races will be faster, so time to go to a bigger gear to try and keep up. My first rides will be against the #1 qualifier, 2 out of 3 rides and the winner goes to the finals. Oh, first we need to get 5 different points races in. Both Derek and Dan are now racing as well so the tent isn't as lonely as the first half of the day.
Dan's race is up before Derek. 60 lap points race. Dan is off and doing well, gaining some points until about lap 30 when the rain comes and the race is neutralized while we wait out the rain. Eventually it stops and with the help of a van driving on the track, the surface dries.

Thursday that didn't end

5:30 AM and my alarm is going off for sprint day. Actually, it's Friday afternoon and I am trying to remember what happened in the last 36 hours.
I did get up when my alarm went off, even woke a bit before it, excited to have this day finally arrive. I've only been preparing for it since last November so I guess I should be excited. Breakfast at the hotel, load up to get to the track early and get a full warm up in. I actually got there by 6:30 which is good because I forget my aero helmut and had to go back to the hotel to get it. Only 6 minutes away at that time of day compared to last year at Frisco when it seemed to take forever to get 10 miles to the track.
Back at the track, into the infield through the entrance that walks over the track surface on the main straight instead of walking up all the stairs to get over the bridge. During race time the only way in and out is over the bridge carrying all your gear, kind of a pain.
Three step warm up and things are feeling good. I got back to the hotel early the day before, Wednesday, and did my roller work and got to bed by 9 so I felt rested, good thing. Plus I didn't race Wednesday, only went to the track to call splits for Dan's 3K effort.
Race gear and wheels on, just have to wait for a couple of hours before my Flying 200 qualifier. Rollers to keep warmed up, hardly need it because the day is getting warmer and warmer. Finally our group is called, 1st out is a guy who generally wins the sprint round. He does a 12.6 something, fast, especially for this track. My best ever is a 12.8. I am out about 8th and do a 13.2 and the announcer says that is second fastest, yes, that what I'm looking for. By the end, one guy does a 12.4 and somebody sneaks in under me but I still qualify 4th over all. Last year I was 5th I think.
Now the big wait to get into and through all the Matched sprint rounds for all the days age groups. There are LOTS of them!
My first sprint round works out well, I get the jump coming through turn 1 and take off and drop my match, finishing about 30 meters ahead, one down. This is a 1 race only, on to my second sprint round. While waiting for the second race, I hear the announcer say something about the last race, he sounds excited. The guy I just finished racing broke his chain during his next race but saved it from a crash. Glad that didn't happen with me.

Wednesday, early evening.

It's about 7 PM, Derek and I just finished at the free dinner mini buffet, hamburgers and hotdogs and free beer! Couldn't pass up a small beer even though tomorrow is a big day for me with sprint rounds and matched sprints all day. Derek has a points race not long after 9:00 tomorrow too.
I've been resting all day except for going to the track to call splits for Dan during his effort, which he got a second place overall. That's 2 Silver medals for Dan and one for Derek. Time for me to step up I guess.
A little bit of last years Texas Masters followed us here. Derek and I were relaxing this afternoon, he decided to cook some eggs, heated a pan, sprayed some olive oil on the pan which resulted in a major cloud of cooking smoke. Guess what next, the smoke alarm went off. We tried fanning it and opened a window but it still went off. I thought a bit of flow throw ventilation would help so I opened the door...wrong move. Now the complete hotel is in alarm state, the phone is ringing but when Derek answers, it is just a dial tone. Soon the manager is in the room helping to open more windows. We are on the ground floor so of course the windows only open about 4 inches and then run up against a stop. End result, evacuate the complete hotel and wait for the fire department. I left to get gas and by the time I got back everything was normal again except for a smelly room.
The rest of the day has been calm.
It was exciting to see Dan in first place until the last round when he was beat, but still Silver is good.
Time to finish up and relax for a little longer and then bed ready for a 5:30 AM wake up call.

Dan doing a 3:40.9 3K effort out of turn 4

Dan before his 3K and Derek after his

Wednesday early report

Derek was up for a 3K Pursuit this morning and got 2nd in class, great job Derek.
Dan is up at about 3:00 PM to do a 3k Pursuit. The talk is the track is some what slow so time to make adjustments for everyone.
More news later with Dan's results.
I am up for Sprints all day tomorrow, rollers tonight to loosen up and then time to step it up.

Tuesday's quick update

So I should be in bed, Derek is already as he should be. He races tomorrow right away again.
Here's the tally for today, total of 4 races run between the three of us, Derek, Dan and me.
Dan has a 2nd place in his kilo, Derek a 6th place in his kilo. I have a 9th my 500 TT and then a 7th in my evening scratch race. Almost got 5th but I got passed by 2, rather I dragged 2 to the finish and then they passed below me even though I thought I was in the lane. I opened a small window and they walked, rather sped through. Up until then the race was fast and I was responding to all the breaks that I thought might work. I even saw and chased the winning break with about a lap and half to go only to be pushed below the lane because someone dropped down without looking and almost took out my front wheel. I'll never know if it really would have made a difference. Overall, a good, fast race, lots of attacks with the pace never really dropping off much at all.
OK, I can't focus much anymore so I guess it's time to call it a day.
More tomorrow. Goodnight.

Dan's 2nd place Kilo effort

Pat's 9th out of 15 place in the 500tt

Derek's Kilo start

The drains don't work so good here either Bob

The pit area after a full day of rain

More food anyone?

Bedroom chaos

Local class on Sunday

Derek

Infield and our tent, for now

Main spectator entry

Leheigh Velodrome, Trexlertown PA

Monday

Yawn, lazy Monday. We all slept in this morning, Derek, Dan C. And me. It felt really good. We all made dinner in the room last night watched a replay of the Tour and just had a very relaxing evening.
The Staybridge has a breakfast bar every morning so that will be great, just about anything we could need for a hearty breakfast. Derek and I got down there before they closed up at 9:30 and filled up.
Back to the room, a little planning and then thought we could get some early training in. Not to be, we got to the track to find it open for elites only until 1:00.
Registration opened at 12:30 so we wasted some time and then got registered. Down ton the infield, the weather was looking threatening, but Derek and I got kitted up and started to do some laps. 10 minutes into the session, rain drops, then more rain and then lots of rain. Off the track and under Dan's tent for shelter.
The tent/canopy, that will be interesting. Dan set it up on Saturday. Later someone told him all the tents had to come down and then there will be a mad rush to open the gates and set them back up at 5 pm today, Monday. We are hoping we can just leave it up but who knows, time will tell.
Derek and I are back at the hotel, eating lunch and waiting for later today when maybe the weather will clear and we can finish what we started a hour ago. We left are bikes and rollers locked up under the tent to hopefully claim our spot, tent or not.
A little tv, maybe a nap and then back at it later.

1st leg done

We have been driving since about 9 this morning and now it's after 1 am Sunday, finally going to bed after not finding any hotels that had rooms in Ohio.
Long day today, short tomorrow I hope.
Good night all

Glue and Go

The old tire was just getting broken in too