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, July 29, 2011
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, July 27, 2011
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.
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.
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.
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, July 26, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, July 25, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
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
Long day today, short tomorrow I hope.
Good night all
Friday, July 22, 2011
USA Masters Track Champs
Tomorrow, we leave tomorrow( Derek and me), how can that be. The early spring became summer and now with this event we are moving into what I have been training for since last November.
I can't decide if I am ready or not, I feel strong and fast. I have posted some good development times, bettering my previous times so that is encouraging.
The last week has added extra stress because my older brother who has been battling cancer, just died and I needed to go to Texas for a few days to say goodbye. His known cancer days book ended by Frisco's masters track champs and T towns this year.
The day before I left for TX, I was training at the track and I think all the emotions of my brothers cancer fight came to a head. I was truly not my usual self, anger and frustration and helplessness came together and I crashed myself on the main straight while match sprinting. Just my way to try and knock some sense back into my head. Not very productive but, what can I say. A few bruises and scraps as a reminder going into the T town event. I just need to take all the last weeks feelings and generate some smart, quality racing for this next week. I tried to do that last night with some moderate success.
Last night, another chance at a Madison with my new partner Tom. This is our second effort together. I think we have a good partnership forming, hopefully Tom thinks the same. I my not be the fastest but once in a while I get some sprint points and I seem to be learning more and more every race.
I think I've said it before, Madisons, one of my favorite races.
A bit of last minute preparation, gluing a new tire on my rear disc. Last weekends crash damaged the side wall so there a visible bulge on the old tire, not good. With everything else going on, I didn't get a chance to look things over until Wed. night, so even though I had a spare tire, there wasn't enough time to glue it up before last night.
I don't race until the coming Tuesday so there is plenty of time to glue a new tire between now and then.
I am registered for 4 races this year, one more than usual. I added a 30 lap scratch race because there is a day between it and my Sprint rounds to recover.
Tuesday, A.M., 500TT, Tuesday P.M., 30 lap scratch, Thursday, Sprint Qualifiers and finals, Saturday, 40 lap Points race and then start home on Sunday. Derek races every day, Tuesday through Sunday.
There may only be 3 or four NSC trackies at Masters this year. Quite a change from last year when we had about 10 riders.
I will be adding pics and reports as we go along. I will also try to Tweet some daily stuff, Search for pjwhelan and follow if you want.
This year's theme, fun and success.
I can't decide if I am ready or not, I feel strong and fast. I have posted some good development times, bettering my previous times so that is encouraging.
The last week has added extra stress because my older brother who has been battling cancer, just died and I needed to go to Texas for a few days to say goodbye. His known cancer days book ended by Frisco's masters track champs and T towns this year.
The day before I left for TX, I was training at the track and I think all the emotions of my brothers cancer fight came to a head. I was truly not my usual self, anger and frustration and helplessness came together and I crashed myself on the main straight while match sprinting. Just my way to try and knock some sense back into my head. Not very productive but, what can I say. A few bruises and scraps as a reminder going into the T town event. I just need to take all the last weeks feelings and generate some smart, quality racing for this next week. I tried to do that last night with some moderate success.
Last night, another chance at a Madison with my new partner Tom. This is our second effort together. I think we have a good partnership forming, hopefully Tom thinks the same. I my not be the fastest but once in a while I get some sprint points and I seem to be learning more and more every race.
I think I've said it before, Madisons, one of my favorite races.
A bit of last minute preparation, gluing a new tire on my rear disc. Last weekends crash damaged the side wall so there a visible bulge on the old tire, not good. With everything else going on, I didn't get a chance to look things over until Wed. night, so even though I had a spare tire, there wasn't enough time to glue it up before last night.
I don't race until the coming Tuesday so there is plenty of time to glue a new tire between now and then.
I am registered for 4 races this year, one more than usual. I added a 30 lap scratch race because there is a day between it and my Sprint rounds to recover.
Tuesday, A.M., 500TT, Tuesday P.M., 30 lap scratch, Thursday, Sprint Qualifiers and finals, Saturday, 40 lap Points race and then start home on Sunday. Derek races every day, Tuesday through Sunday.
There may only be 3 or four NSC trackies at Masters this year. Quite a change from last year when we had about 10 riders.
I will be adding pics and reports as we go along. I will also try to Tweet some daily stuff, Search for pjwhelan and follow if you want.
This year's theme, fun and success.
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