TVC Cat 4-5

It rained, it poured, I sang in the peloton. Another Rafi fan from FLCC even helped me sing Mr. Sun when it started raining. It worked as it usually does and we had a dryish finish. Have to admit I am still excited by my best ever road race finish. Maybe I have found my niche. Maybe my strength is circuit races. Reading the race results today I am even more excited by my finish. I beat the college guy from VA Tech in the orange skin suit and aero shoe covers who I had followed the entire race. Who'd a thunk it?

Only three of us from Big Horn Velo, Jeff Frutchey, Ryan Morales and I, were able to race this weekend. We got there early and Jeff and I did about 4 warm-ups laps. I stretched in the van and had my usual preface red bull and half a cliff bar. I'm trying to gut down on dope I know. Two gus in my pocket and two full big water bottles. It was hot and humid and I sweating already. We lined up early at the starting area and Jeff Poulin of TVC came over "You guys look ready." Augie Mueller of STBC came over and liked our jerseys. It was very relaxed. Two women from SVCC raced with a pack of about 40 men. I was surprised when they were asked how many laps they wanted to do that they were going to ride all 20 with the men.

The now very familiar Kirwood Industrial race course was the venue for this race. 1.5 mile circuit. Nice little downhill, a windy back stretch and a small climb just at the start finish line. Race starts out quickly but today’s pack has more experience then our last time here. Our nemesis from last time here racer 79 thankfully was in the ESG qualifier race. Dark clouds from the east are bearing down on us. I give two to one odds we are going to get wet to the riders in the pack. The bet is for gu and you have to have it in your jersey pocket to bet. No one takes the bet. 3 to 1 odds. Still no takers. It rains so hard it hurts. "I don't think the really hard stuff will be coming down for at least 30 minutes"

A few riders try to sneak away but the pack constantly reels them in. The pack holds together very well. Nicely surprised that the women from SVCC are right there with us. Jeff and Ryan have been behind me most of the race but work their way forward with about ten laps to go. The prime bell rings and next time around Jeff crosses the line first. He needed a new hat!

3 laps to go the pace starts to creep up. There is a breakaway on the front. I yell at the pack to go chase them down. "If you’re so strong why don't you do it yourself?" OK I go to the front and drag the pack to the break. I let them swallow us back up. Rest recover and prepare for the finish. Last time around all still together. I warn the women stay near the yellow line it's safer.

On the last hill during the sprint I rocket forward like Cippolini chasing down drunks in an RV who've stolen his bike.

Cookie rider Charlie Hamilton cleared my path up the hill. I go to the right. Don't hit the start finsih sign. Throw the handlebars at the line and I beat Ryan. Was it me or was finisih in slow motion. I was 6th Ryan 7th and Jeff was 10th. A good finish, average speed was 22.98 mph. The women of SVCC were all smiles and said how nice we all were to them until the finsih when we were all elbows. Next week is the Wellsboro Flyer.

TVC Cat4-5 Results

Juniors:
1. Adam Farabaugh
2. Eli Robinson, #81
3. Hannah Sick, #80
4. Adam Luban, #82

Women Cat 4:
1. Christine Kananogh, #8 SVCC
2. Youlin Diaz, #7 SVCC

Men Cat 4-5
1. Ad Stabel, #364 Central New York Cyclist
2. Mike Kumiega, #351 RUUD Racing Team / TVC
3. Kurt Woodruff, #367 RUUD Racing Team/Tioga Velo Club
4. Charles Hamilton, #366 FLCC/Chris Cookies/Swan Cycles
5. James Randall, #361 team Scarr-ommegang
6. Robert Nunnink, #350 Big Horn Velo
7. Ryan Morales, #347 Big Horn Velo
8. Sam Corcoran, #342 VA Tech
9. Phillip McCarthy, #357
10. Jeff Frutchey, #349 Big Horn Velo
11. Gregg Drumm, #363
12. Scott Ouderkirk, #368
13. Mike Meier, #370
14. Peter Blenkiron, #353
15. Ben Pritchard, #374
16. Jeff Swing, #346
17. Keisuke Ingue, #355
18. Judd Speer, #359
19. John Ormsby, #344
20. Joe Walker, #343
21. Jack Ruckhum, #371
22. Pete Kocher, #375
24. Gary Graham, #372
25. Wayde Herneissey, #354

Hollenbeck Spring Classic Road Race

What a beautiful day! Once again Big Horn Velo was smiling. In the above team picture is left to right; Paul "Bjorn Riis" Kingsbury, Brian "Tom Danielson" Klotz, Dave "Thor Hursvod" Prugh, Bobby "Julich" Nunnink, Jeff "Ryder Hesjedal" Frutchey, Ryan "Ivan Basso" Morales, and Danna "Yarolsalv Popovych" Carr. Not pictured but present today was Tim "Vinokurov" Carlson.

We arrived early and were able to pre drive the course. This was one time that it may have worked against us as all the orange marks pointing out holes kind of unnerved us. It was chilly lining up and waiting for the start. Off we go. Nice pack today lots of experience no bad riders at all. The first hill is coming. To do well in this race stay with peloton on the first climb, to win the race lead the second climb. To finish in no mans land get spit off the back early. Here I go. Am I napping! Where did they go? Ouch that hurt.

I have no excuse for my poor performance. Ok I road a little too hard with Steve yesterday and I went to a wedding with Terrie and danced till midnight. What song was going through my head during the race? Shake your Boggie by the Mojo Boggie Band

I think I need to pick a faster song next time. I got caught in no man's land and had to time trial in. I have to thanks Dave from Watertown for keeping me pedaling. I caught and past the Team Terrie girls who started five minutes ahead of me. I caught two youngins from Cortland College. "You pull like an animal!" "We need to attach a tow robe to you" That made my race. Uphill finish, get a cookie. I’ll have sign a copy of our Team Picture to our dedicated BHV race volunteer Bill Lodico.

Ryan and Dana stayed in contact with the leaders most of the race. They ended up just out of the hunt with a bunch of wheel suckers who refused to work to get them to the leaders. Next in were Brian, Jeff, and Tim. Paul and Dave road in the masters race which started five minutes after us. Paul finished looking strong with the leaders, he almost caught me at the line and Dave was not far back at all. Dave is getting stronger every race.

Jeff finishing strong. Yes the finish is steep

Final Results

12 (4 - Cat5)

Dana Carr

0:58:13

16 (7 - Cat5)

Ryan Morales

0:59:43

20 (11 - Cat5)

Brian Klotz

1:00:39

27 Masters

Paul Kingsbury

1:01:52

25 (15 - Cat5)

Jeff Frutchey

1:02:09

26 (8 - Cat4)

Timothy Carlson

1:02:34

42 (25 - Cat5)

Robert Nunnink

1:05:10

32 Masters

Dave Prugh

1:06:

We got a cookie and drove home stopping for Chicken Barbeque in Newark Valley. And Dave brought Mexican beer! Good friends, a cookie, chicken barbeque, and beer. It doesn't get any better then this!

BHV training food!

Jeff Frutchey looking good
The BHV team bike rack
Ryan and Brian packing up.
Jeff ponders Dave's advice that water is the prefered pre race drink.

Next week is Bristol, don't thing the entire team will be there. We may take the next two weeks off to work on personal relationships and lactate threshold. See you soon.

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!

1st Tongue Dragging Thursday Night Ride 2007

Thursday night rides started last night with a nice dedicated group showing some awesome early season form. The Group included, Darryl "on the road to fitness" Henckle, Paul "separated at birth from Bjarne Riis" Kingsbury, Eric "Frozen Peas" Burns, Dave "when did he get afterburners" Prugh, Mark " I don't need no fing Nickname" Sheehan, Jermey " Gonna be Daddy is the only way you are gonna beat me up the hill" Wheeler, Cliff "check out my legs" Thoma, Steve "I can beat your ass on MTB" Burlingame, Ryan "last out of the parking lot first up the hill" Morales and myself Bobby " pass out any more nicknames and somebody is gonna stick a pump in your spokes'' Nunnink " The group did the Dutch Hill route a 23 mile torture test of some the best terrain Elmira has to offer. As Phil Liggett would say, "this was 23 miles of pure purgatory"

We were led out of town by Darryl at a nice leisurely 15 mph pace. "We stopping for ice cream on this ride?" As usual the pace accelerated once we turned onto Pennsylvania Ave. We quickly broke into two groups. Paul, Jeremy, Dave, Ryan, and myself pushed the pace to a very challenging 26mph. "This is a pedigree group of men, they are holding on by the skin of their shorts." Catching our breath at Sagetown we sort of did our first regroup. Thursday nights it is understood we will slow but not wait very long. Paul laid the blame firmly on my shoulders for not waiting for Darryl and Steve. Nice transferal of your own guilt Paul. Ended up Darryl elected to just do the flats and Steve tried valiantly to catch back on to the Cliff, Eric, Mark group. Steve would turn around and retrace the route out back into town. Mark as usual did not slow and led his group up Stauss. I've used that very same tactic myself before. It makes you stronger and the waiting group can't see the tears of pain on your cheeks.

After a short wait. "Digging into our suitcase of courage" we proceeded to chase Mark's group up hill. I remember this climb from some of my early rides with BHV. Yes that was me puking in the ditch at the top. Who was first up the hill? Not sure, where exactly is the top of this pain. I know I took the county line sign. That counts for something right? A quick regroup and Mark continues on. " Watch out for the gravel on the descent" of Dutch Hill. Paul and I catch the leaders on Hendy. 34 mph in a two man chase. Is my speedo working? Mark is still away. The five horseman give chase. Almost catch Mark on the bridge before Water St. Mark peels off onto Church we continue on Water Street. "And hats off to him as well"

OK the ride is over we will just spin easy back to the shop. Yeah right! The sign says Town of Elmira, I see Jeremy smile as he passes me at the line. We continue down Water St. That next acceleration by Jeremy and Ryan was meant to break us. We all hang on. Have to remember to draft behind Dave more often. Where's Paul did we loose him? Another acceleration where the hell is that town line sprint. ahhh there it is finally. We go for it. I wonder if this place where Reedo crashed last year? Not a good thought for sprinting. Boy that city line sign is far away. Paul is in the gutter. Where the hell did he come from? "now this move is gonna cause panic in the bunch" Lungs burning and I am cold all of a sudden. My job was to be leadout man I peel off. Yeah right! At the line it is Paul, Ryan, and then Dave. Spaghetti and beer followed at Manzaris.

Can't wait to do again next Thursday. Come join us.

OH Madone

2006 Trek Madone 5.2

Complete Specifications

Frameset

Sizes		56
Frame		OCLV 120 Carbon Aero
Fork		Bontrager Race X Lite, carbon

Wheels		Bontrager Race Lite
Tires		Bontrager Race X Lite, folding, 700x23c

Drivetrain

Shifters		Shimano Ultegra STI, 10 speed
Front Derailleur		Shimano Ultegra
Rear Derailleur		Shimano Ultegra
Crank		Shimano Ultegra 53/39
Cassette		Shimano Ultegra 12-25, 10 speed
Pedals		Crank Bro eggbeaters

Components

Saddle		Bontrager Race Lite Lux(the LUx suxs swapping it for a flite)
Seat Post		Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon
Handlebars		Bontrager Race Lite w/BzzzKill, 31.8mm
Stem		Bontrager Race Lite, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Headset		Cane Creek S-3 w/cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset		Shimano Ultegra w/STI levers
Extras		Bontrager BzzzKill harmonic dampers by Mathews

Weight 17.8 lbs

No excuse not to be first up the hills now.

My New Coach

Nega-Coach - A fresh approach. Our program is based on three fundamentals: Exercise, Diet, and Ridicule. Need I say more. You are a worthless peice of filth. What are you doing reading this! Get on your bike and ride.