Binghamton Circuit Race

Second race of the year and great results once again! Picture should be what would Kingsbury do? Absent from the race, still playing hokey Paul I mean hockey, but he was there as my personal muse. Paul gave us the strategy. Race smart, stay near the front but conserve energy. We raced first in the cat 5 race at 11:15.

Same team as last week, Ryan Morales, Brian Klotz, Jeff Frutchey, Dave Prugh, and myself Bobby Nunnink. It was cold and rainy when we started but the day got nicer later. We sat in and tried to play it smart. Course was not too hard. Dave and Jeff were up front with me protecting our younger riders. Dave may have spent too much time on the front. I lost him in the back and he eventually fell off the back on lap 7 or 8^th. He rightly reminded us he was not lapped! Prem lap was rung fairly early and Brian whispered in my ear Bobby needs a hat. He tried his hardest to lead me out and I was barely hanging on. We were caught half way up the hill by Ryan and some other speedster. Ryan barely lost at the line. Why did I do that? Ok recover hang on. Thankfully the pace was not too hard.

Who is that BHV rider in the middle? Photo courtesy of Velochimp

Crazy rider 189 made it a challenge. Passing over the yellow line, all over the place a threat from the time the flag dropped.. I told him if he made me crash I would punch him in the face. He dropped back a little. Brian flats! We had a spare wheel at the line but he lost the pack. 15 laps went by fast.

Final climb to the finish we are still together. Crash to the right of me. I moved to safety over the yellow line. Corner of my eye I see Jeff endo over the wreck. I passed four riders on the final climb. Ryan was 6th. Looking strong! I ended up a respectable 1oth out of a field of about 40. Brian and Dave muscled it out and finished ahead of 10 riders. Jeff got up the hill. Blood on a knee and some cuts on his hand. Bike was ok I think. Mountain bikers are tough! Average pace for the ride was 20.5 mph!

There's Ryan on the far left finishing sixth! Photo courtesy of Velochimp

We rested, ate some, and prepared for our next challenge at 1:45. Ryan, Brian and myself had registered for the cat 3 4 5 race. We were joined by Doug Carlson and Scott from Addison who has ridden with us on some Thursday nights.

The drink of choice for Big Horn Velo Race Stars that do two race is Sobe Adreline Rush.

Second race and my muse is speaking to me again. Hang on, stay up front, but don't lead. The gas is on from the moment we start to pedal. A small group tries to sneak away immediately. Hang on Bobby. The peloton reels in this small break. We settle down, but the pace is still fast. 22.9 mph for average in the end yikes. I get into a rhythm. Up the hill, recovery drink, fast draft down the hill, accordion up the bump, another drink, and time to climb again. I'm hanging on!

Ryan cramps, I feel for him and pedal on. Last lap time. The pace whips up on the downhill. Hang on Bobby. I love the way my Madone goes down hill. Brian falls off the back of the peloton. 1/2 mile to go I'm just a little too far back. Ok move up now Bobby. Doing good on the outside up to about 6th before the climb. Here is the climb. Ouch Ouch Ouch. Bumped but I don't go down. I don't have it for the uphill sprint. Finish about 17th out of 60. Kind of shocked how well I did.

Another great day for Team Big Horn Velo. Next race is Hollenbeck. You racing Paul?

GVCC Bloomfield

"To prepare for a race there is nothing better than a good pheasant, some champagne and a woman." -- Jacques Anquetil

"Ride lots." -- Eddy Merckx

First race of the year with excellent results.

Cat 5
Ryan Morales 2nd
Brain Klotz 7th
Bob Nunnink 19th missed 18th by 700ths of second
Jeff Frutchey 20th
Dave Prugh 23rd

We left Sayre at 5:30 the five of us traveling together to Bloomfield NY about 6 miles east of Canandaigua. Good timing and excellent map reading skills by Dave & Ryan allowed us to pre drive the race course. The course was described as a circuit race with each lap about 11 miles. The course is rolling hills the most Recommended gearing 11/12 - 23. Each group will have a neutral start from the staging area. Racing will begin at Gauss/Oakmont road intersection.

Looked like this

On the Preride we all decided this was not going to be as easy as described. Lots of ups and downs. Not many areas to rest.

Checked in and registered and even got timing chips for the bikes. 9:00 am we are off, 50 riders total. Neutral start was about 2 miles and included some nice hills. We were all very warm for the start. Beautiful temps in the 60's. Ok where do we start racing. It ended up being right near the finish line tent but it didn't really matter. The peloton is off

Basic stategy is to stay near front of pack, conserve energy, cover any breaks larger then 3, oh and not crash. This is a cat 5 race.

Pace first lap is easy and the peloton is realxed. Anyone from Canada? It doesn't matter if you loose the race if you kiss a Terry Girl.

How cool are pink wheels!

People shouting out slowing, next turn coming up, do you think Basso will ride the tour NOT!, All the usual stuff. Game plan is working. We are together as a team and protecting each other. Ryan was further back nicely situated.

Brian "Where's Dave?"

Bobby "We lost him beginning of second lap, pedal on"

I think i remember uttering a prayer Don't let me fall off the back. Lots of up and down surges. The worst was slowing by the leaders on tops of hills and the peloton having to brake while going uphill.

One rider is getting away too fast and it's about 5 miles from the finish. Dave and Ryan rev up the pace on the front and reel him in. Nice to see BHV leading the peloton. Cost energy though.

GVCC guy (one who was all over the road couple of times) tries to go through the middle. Rejected! Crash. Am I still up? That was close. Almost took me out! I later bandaged him at the finish. Even idiots get medical treatment from me. I did ask for his insurance card and his copay, however.

Three miles from the finish people start to take off. I tried to stay on the back. Jeff and I fall off with about 1/2 mile left in race. Ryan and Brian cover the attacks. Tough up hill finish. Ryan is just nipped by another rider who sat in just a little more then he did.

Jeff and I are finishing together. Anyone around us? Pretty far back. Get up the hill and finish Bob. Look over , were did he come from? Try to shift to sprint. Legs fail to cooperate. 19th instead of 18th.

We ride down the hill to the van. Couple of beers and a sandwich. Great race can't wait for the curcuit race in Binghamton next week. Come join us!