So yesterday was Vance Creek aka Tour de WPPSS.
Gin had Jamie, Dan, Galen, Colin, and me in the line up of 47 riders brave enough to come out for 92 miles of racing. The weather was near perfect, just a tad on the cool side. Somehow we found Christina, the most awesome wife of a cat 3 guy, to give us feeds--she was spot on and we owe her our gratitude.
The field was strong, with Morgan Schmitt, Patrick Stanko, Mike Hone, Kenny, Richter, Herriot and a host of other cats. We knew we could launch surgical strikes throughout the race and we started out early. Every move we had someone in there either initiating or countering. Joe Barrato was still there after the first lap, which I guess is one barometer of how the pace was from the back. At the front, it was hot and heavy. Gininjas shooting up the road and surfing the front wave. Truly awesome. Galen was in a move with Hone and Jiri (Second Ascent) that stayed away for a lap. As they were caught, I countered and took a solo flyer on the second lap through the farmland. As I was reeled back, Stanko and Jamie came rocketing past with a Lenovo in tow. Philip Elsasser from Shuksan bridged up when the break was still close. And so they were four. Travis Venable was the Lenovo guy and we started taking bets how the new upgrade would handle a 4 man break with two diesel engines and about 70 more miles of racing. Hone was optimistic, but was pretty noncommittal when I asked him whether Travis had ever raced 92 miles before (actually, he raced Walla Walla, so he has done it before--just not in a break).
The time gaps kept coming back positive for us. 1:40 or 2 minutes was what we heard and we were pleased. We just kept chasing stuff down like we were at a carnival, shooting ducks on a wall. We'd tag-team and take turns bridging up to some poor idiot who'd attack. The same was not true for Rob Campbell's dying swan-like attempts to somehow either bridge the 2 minute gap or solo in for 5th place and effectively do a 50 mile TT. Lenovo covered some stuff as we went along and Morgan would animate things with the occasional Herriot bomb.
With about 3 laps to go, we heard that Venable was cramping bad. Jamie said they dropped him by about 10 meters in the rollers before the climb, but that when Jamie punched it just a bit, Venables was nearly out of sight. Ooops! Venables' return to the pack sparked a few Honey Baloney blistering attacks for which he is famed. Sound and fury, signifying nothing. Sucka just rode himself stupid. And there was much rejoicing.
I figured Jamie had the race in hand unless something bad like cramps or a mechanical took him out. Jamie was not to be flexed with. In the last 1k, Elsasser attacked. Stanko just upped his tempo and caught him. Jamie sat on, like a wise pre-birthday boy. Into the final turn, Jamie throttled like hell and crossed the line with full arm salute with an added airplane twist.
Back in the pack and prior to Jamie's victory salute, Morgan Schmitt lit it up with 2 laps to go. I was on his wheel as he guttered the field and just rode everyone into the ground. I looked back not realizing he was even dropping people and saw only Brian Ecker and Kenny with us. Herriot bridged up and sat on. I rolled through once or twice, but Herriot wanted Richter to catch on, which he did. Some Team Oregon dude, Joe King, and Trevor Kosa made it up, too. We rode pretty hard and attacked each other until the last lap. Morgan drilled it again and dropped half of our group. But we sat up in the rollers. Herriot led Richter up the hill. Just before the turn, I got stuck behind Joking and had to sprint up to Kenny, Morgan and Richter. Jamie witnessed my little-ring lashing of Kenny and Morgan, but I couldn't close the gap to Richter. I was 5th
Colin cruised over the line nicely up in the bunch, with Galen and Dan in tow.
Once again, 2 Gininjas in the top 5 and in the money. Birthday present for Jamie, hard earned! Big props to all the boys on the day for some fantastic racing and solid work to nail down the lid on every move.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Volunteer & Brad Lewis Crit
Saturday Volunteer Park:
Fortunately, Volunteer park was dry. Attending were, Dux, Ronnie, Colin, Ian, Jamie and Myself. In the pre race meeting we agreed that it would be a good day to whoop some ass and get in the break. As we all lined up I heard that a cute young lady friend of Jiri Senkyrik was seen flashing the pack. I, unfortunately missed this.
As the race began there was almost immediately a group of five that went up the road including our own Ian ‘d’ Mensha. It eventually got reeled back as the rest of us moved with counters. I’m not sure if it was the first or second prime, but Ian defninitely took one of the early ones. Maybe halfway through the race Adrian “The Hungarian” Hedgevary moved off the front and Jamie bridged up to check it out. The two of them would trade of pulls to stay away for the win. Apparently, as the end of the race approached Jamie saw the pain in the eyes of Adrian and at that moment understood the hardship he had gone though growing up as a foreigner in this great nation. Thus, out of pity, Jamie sat up and let Adrian take the win.
Meanwhile in the pack, it was a little clogged up but Gin Optics still had two in the top ten going into the last lap, Galen in 6th and Ian in 10th. As we came around the last corner Lang, who was leading out Cooper pulled left as Cooper was coming around to the left and the two of them successfully crashed out each other and yours truly in the process. Ian was able to maneuver around the mess and take third in the field sprint for 5th overall. Gin Optics again, with multiple spots on the podium.
Sunday Brad Lewis Crit.
On Easter Sunday, as you may remember, it was raining really hard. At the start line was Dux, Colin, Ian, Jamie, and myself. The highlight of my race was before it even began when I received a call up, not for winning any race, or for being one to watch but for having been nominated Seattle’s Sexiest Cyclists by The Stranger’s staff. I got my picture taken with and a kiss from one of the three HOTTEST PODIUM GIRLS EVER!
The race began and it was very fast from the gun. As I understand, about a third of the pack dropped out in the first 15 minutes. Ian, Jamie and I worked to follow and counter all the important moves. The decisive move came when Adrian Hegevary got a little gap off the front all by himself. Ryan Iddings (U-23 national champion and pro mtb rider) attacked for the bridge and I covered. I clung for dear life onto the wheel of this skinny kid as he pulled me around for more than a lap and a half. During this time Sam Johnson got away from the group and attempted to bridge up to Ryan and I. I eventually pulled through and by the end of my short pull Sam had caught up to us. Ryan apparently didn’t like my pull because he decided to attack my suffersome ass instead of pulling through nice and smooth. I rode myself cross eyed trying to catch onto his wheel but to no avail. Sam Johnson, however, was able to move from my wheel up to Ryan’s.
Sam and Ryan would catch up to Adrian and the three of them would lap the field with Sam taking the win. Morgan Shmitt would make a solo bridge attempt and finish in front of the pack for 4th. Kenny Williams and Jamie would take first and second in the field sprint to round out the podium.
Fortunately, Volunteer park was dry. Attending were, Dux, Ronnie, Colin, Ian, Jamie and Myself. In the pre race meeting we agreed that it would be a good day to whoop some ass and get in the break. As we all lined up I heard that a cute young lady friend of Jiri Senkyrik was seen flashing the pack. I, unfortunately missed this.
As the race began there was almost immediately a group of five that went up the road including our own Ian ‘d’ Mensha. It eventually got reeled back as the rest of us moved with counters. I’m not sure if it was the first or second prime, but Ian defninitely took one of the early ones. Maybe halfway through the race Adrian “The Hungarian” Hedgevary moved off the front and Jamie bridged up to check it out. The two of them would trade of pulls to stay away for the win. Apparently, as the end of the race approached Jamie saw the pain in the eyes of Adrian and at that moment understood the hardship he had gone though growing up as a foreigner in this great nation. Thus, out of pity, Jamie sat up and let Adrian take the win.
Meanwhile in the pack, it was a little clogged up but Gin Optics still had two in the top ten going into the last lap, Galen in 6th and Ian in 10th. As we came around the last corner Lang, who was leading out Cooper pulled left as Cooper was coming around to the left and the two of them successfully crashed out each other and yours truly in the process. Ian was able to maneuver around the mess and take third in the field sprint for 5th overall. Gin Optics again, with multiple spots on the podium.
Sunday Brad Lewis Crit.
On Easter Sunday, as you may remember, it was raining really hard. At the start line was Dux, Colin, Ian, Jamie, and myself. The highlight of my race was before it even began when I received a call up, not for winning any race, or for being one to watch but for having been nominated Seattle’s Sexiest Cyclists by The Stranger’s staff. I got my picture taken with and a kiss from one of the three HOTTEST PODIUM GIRLS EVER!
The race began and it was very fast from the gun. As I understand, about a third of the pack dropped out in the first 15 minutes. Ian, Jamie and I worked to follow and counter all the important moves. The decisive move came when Adrian Hegevary got a little gap off the front all by himself. Ryan Iddings (U-23 national champion and pro mtb rider) attacked for the bridge and I covered. I clung for dear life onto the wheel of this skinny kid as he pulled me around for more than a lap and a half. During this time Sam Johnson got away from the group and attempted to bridge up to Ryan and I. I eventually pulled through and by the end of my short pull Sam had caught up to us. Ryan apparently didn’t like my pull because he decided to attack my suffersome ass instead of pulling through nice and smooth. I rode myself cross eyed trying to catch onto his wheel but to no avail. Sam Johnson, however, was able to move from my wheel up to Ryan’s.
Sam and Ryan would catch up to Adrian and the three of them would lap the field with Sam taking the win. Morgan Shmitt would make a solo bridge attempt and finish in front of the pack for 4th. Kenny Williams and Jamie would take first and second in the field sprint to round out the podium.
Mason #3, Dung #2
Mason Lake #3
For the third week of Mason lake the weather was great. A bit on the cool side, but that’s the way I like it. We had a bit smaller crew, Myself, Colin, Jamie, Dux and John. Both Colin and Dux admitted that they were not feeling great but they would make a difference in the race. Jamie is an ox and thus always a good bet.
Our strategy was the same as usual: keep moving through the pack and cover but don’t burn yourself out. From the gun the race was very aggressive. Big players were throwing down, but everybody wanted to bridge, chase and counter. Much like the first Tour de dung, it felt like a 60 mile crit (except this one was 72 miles).
Later in the race, some weird dynamics started. People were attacking but not aggressively. Instead of a hard attack and maybe a hard counter that would string the pack out and pop guys off the back they were little surges that took energy to cover but did not string out the pack. A bunch of us got stuck in the much of the pack while three guys got off the front: David Fleshour (Herriott), Chris Tuefel (Garage) and some one else. Interestingly enough, even though Hagens and Lenovo had missed the break, neither wanted to chase. With my race brain went to the front to do some work assuming Hagens and Lenovo would send a couple of guys as well. They didn’t. After about three miles pulling all by myself I realized that maybe I shouldn’t be wasting myself to pull up the entire pack. I pulled off and Jamie scolded me appropriately.
Because no body wanted to chase those three stayed away for the podium. In the field sprint Jamie had some race brain as he decided to go on Richter’s wheel as he sprinted from 500 meters out. Somebody else won the field sprint. We finished the race feeling a bit grumpy but met up and had a quick chat about how we would do better next time.
Sunday: Tour de Dung#3
On Sunday we had the same crew minus Dux. That means four guys to cover the whole pack. Keeping in mind what happened on Saturday and the fact that this course can be windy, we decided to tweak the plan. We would be less aggressive in going with every attack but would keep all four of us in the front third of the pack the entire race. This way, we could let moves go and just follow the flow of the pack without having to burn a ton of matches to cover, but if something dangerous went, we were all ready to bridge.
Whether it was “the plan” or just each rider reading the race and measuring efforts, we seemed to be fairly effective in controlling the race this way. One lap in a group got away with Tubs, Emde, Stanko, Fleshour and our Dr. Strangelove. This looked to be a great move: all big teams represented, all strong guys and a long day off the front is Jamie’s specialty. Surprisingly enough, after about two and a half laps, the break would be pulled back by a very well organized chase by Wines of Washington. Just as they break was getting pulled back, Stanko would attack again for a solo effort off the front.
Then it was back to attack and cover for the next few laps while Stanko remained dangling off the front. Again, the team rode an excellent race. Every good move had a strong cover by a Gin rider. I wish I could list every counter every move that we covered, but suffice to say, I was honored to be riding among such teammates.
At about a lap and a half to go, two guys were able to roll away off the front, Kyle (Garage) and a Lenovo rider I did not recognize. They seemed to hover about 300 meters off the front and nobody felt inclined to go after them. JOD must have smelled the packs hesitation to chase because he moved up the left side and bridged across to what would be the winning break. These three would catch Patrick Stanko, the man of the day, who would then take the group sprint for the win. Bravo Stanko! John, who later kicked himself for not attacking the break would still podium for third.
Back in the field, Colin and I set up a leadout for Jamie. But the last few miles got sketchy and dangerous and our lead out was broken up at about a mile and a half from the finish. Fortunately, though it was broken up, we were mostly at the front. At about 800 meters to go, Jamie was boxed in on the left side and I was free and open in about tenth palace. At 500 meteres to go I was in sixth place as the speed really started ramping up. I saw a big red Ian Tubs out of the corner of my left eye, moving up fast. I moved left and accelerated to get on his wheel when I heard “No, mine” and recognized Jamie’s voice. I pulled right as Jamie stuck Ian’s wheel barreling towards the finish line and pulled around Ian just in time to win the field sprint by a tire’s width.
At the end of the day, with only a four man team, we had two guys in the top 5. Way to go Gininjas!
For the third week of Mason lake the weather was great. A bit on the cool side, but that’s the way I like it. We had a bit smaller crew, Myself, Colin, Jamie, Dux and John. Both Colin and Dux admitted that they were not feeling great but they would make a difference in the race. Jamie is an ox and thus always a good bet.
Our strategy was the same as usual: keep moving through the pack and cover but don’t burn yourself out. From the gun the race was very aggressive. Big players were throwing down, but everybody wanted to bridge, chase and counter. Much like the first Tour de dung, it felt like a 60 mile crit (except this one was 72 miles).
Later in the race, some weird dynamics started. People were attacking but not aggressively. Instead of a hard attack and maybe a hard counter that would string the pack out and pop guys off the back they were little surges that took energy to cover but did not string out the pack. A bunch of us got stuck in the much of the pack while three guys got off the front: David Fleshour (Herriott), Chris Tuefel (Garage) and some one else. Interestingly enough, even though Hagens and Lenovo had missed the break, neither wanted to chase. With my race brain went to the front to do some work assuming Hagens and Lenovo would send a couple of guys as well. They didn’t. After about three miles pulling all by myself I realized that maybe I shouldn’t be wasting myself to pull up the entire pack. I pulled off and Jamie scolded me appropriately.
Because no body wanted to chase those three stayed away for the podium. In the field sprint Jamie had some race brain as he decided to go on Richter’s wheel as he sprinted from 500 meters out. Somebody else won the field sprint. We finished the race feeling a bit grumpy but met up and had a quick chat about how we would do better next time.
Sunday: Tour de Dung#3
On Sunday we had the same crew minus Dux. That means four guys to cover the whole pack. Keeping in mind what happened on Saturday and the fact that this course can be windy, we decided to tweak the plan. We would be less aggressive in going with every attack but would keep all four of us in the front third of the pack the entire race. This way, we could let moves go and just follow the flow of the pack without having to burn a ton of matches to cover, but if something dangerous went, we were all ready to bridge.
Whether it was “the plan” or just each rider reading the race and measuring efforts, we seemed to be fairly effective in controlling the race this way. One lap in a group got away with Tubs, Emde, Stanko, Fleshour and our Dr. Strangelove. This looked to be a great move: all big teams represented, all strong guys and a long day off the front is Jamie’s specialty. Surprisingly enough, after about two and a half laps, the break would be pulled back by a very well organized chase by Wines of Washington. Just as they break was getting pulled back, Stanko would attack again for a solo effort off the front.
Then it was back to attack and cover for the next few laps while Stanko remained dangling off the front. Again, the team rode an excellent race. Every good move had a strong cover by a Gin rider. I wish I could list every counter every move that we covered, but suffice to say, I was honored to be riding among such teammates.
At about a lap and a half to go, two guys were able to roll away off the front, Kyle (Garage) and a Lenovo rider I did not recognize. They seemed to hover about 300 meters off the front and nobody felt inclined to go after them. JOD must have smelled the packs hesitation to chase because he moved up the left side and bridged across to what would be the winning break. These three would catch Patrick Stanko, the man of the day, who would then take the group sprint for the win. Bravo Stanko! John, who later kicked himself for not attacking the break would still podium for third.
Back in the field, Colin and I set up a leadout for Jamie. But the last few miles got sketchy and dangerous and our lead out was broken up at about a mile and a half from the finish. Fortunately, though it was broken up, we were mostly at the front. At about 800 meters to go, Jamie was boxed in on the left side and I was free and open in about tenth palace. At 500 meteres to go I was in sixth place as the speed really started ramping up. I saw a big red Ian Tubs out of the corner of my left eye, moving up fast. I moved left and accelerated to get on his wheel when I heard “No, mine” and recognized Jamie’s voice. I pulled right as Jamie stuck Ian’s wheel barreling towards the finish line and pulled around Ian just in time to win the field sprint by a tire’s width.
At the end of the day, with only a four man team, we had two guys in the top 5. Way to go Gininjas!
First weekend of Racing
Saturday: Mason Lake #1.
While it was snowing here in Seattle, somehow it was bright and sunny at Mason lake. Attending were Dux, JOD, Tyler, Colin, Ian, me and Dr. Strangelove. During our pre race meeting Dux reminded us that the first mason lake has been won from a long break every year for the past six years. While Jamie is our strongest rider at the moment the plan was for him not to get into the early break so that he might save his strength for Sunday’s race which had Washington cup points (and cash). We acknowledged that both Ian and I have been riding pretty well and would be good candidates for an early break, but the general plan was to move with the natural flow of the pack and cover breaks as they formed. As I like to say: “Don’t initiate, anticipate”.
The race began and it was go, go, go from the start. Within the first 4 miles I’m pretty sure at least everybody had covered at least one move. By the end of the first lap the break was established: a seven man group with a number of strong riders including Aj, Ben Rhodes (Second Ascent), Kyle Farrell (Garage), Ian “De-Mencia” Mensher, me (G-spot), and former teammate Shawn “Mr. March” Ongers. We fairly quickly established a one minute gap which would stick, more or less, for the remainder of the race.
Meanwhile back in the pack, Jamie and team were shutting guys down like a big breasted blond at Seattle bar on a Saturday. But, eventually a chase group of Rob Campbell, Kenny, Hone and Jamie formed. As Jamie had two guys in the break, he had no incentive to work so he sat on as Kenny and Hone proceeded to yell at each other.
While this was happening, at two laps to go, old G-spot was coming unraveled. I tried sitting out a rotation or two and pulling back through. Somehow, whenever I am out of shape I end up in the front group, and I have found that if you sit out completely guys will yell and bitch and start attacking. But if you pull through every few rotations people shut up and deal with it. Unfortunately I did not get enough rest (or training?), because at the beginning of the last lap, Kyle attacked and I got dropped like a bad habit. Fortunately, so did AJ and the Cucina Freska rider. In my oxygen deprived state cruising in no mans land between the break and the pack I saw a large white object approaching fast. It was Jamie. AJ and I hopped on his wheel as he motored by looking poised to catch the break. I decided that no matter how tired I was I would work to help him catch the break. I pulled through once and my legs reminded me that they had given their two miles notice four miles ago. Jamie continued with AJ cross eyed and glued to his wheel.
I drifted back to the pack as some late attacks were being launched. It was bit of a blur but I remember a murderous look in JOD’s stride as he launched off the front with a Hagens rider, Chris Parrish. He and Parrish would go on to catch Jamie just as AJ was popped. Unfortunately, at about that time, Ian was reminded that it was important to eat when in the break for 68 miles. Jamie, JOD and Parrish passed him as he was swerving and mumbling to himself something about penguins (or so I hear).
Shawn Ongers would take the win with Ben Rhodes and Kevin rolling in a little behind. Next was JOD, Jamie and Parrish. JOD attacked at 800 and took 4th Jamie rode Hagen’s wheel until 150 meteres to come around him for 5th.
All in all, we showed very effective racing as a team. We were the only team with two guys in break and the only team with two guys in an effective bridge. Room was left in Ian and my performance which is fine by me. Let Sean take mason lake, I’ll take the later races.
Sunday:
Again, with hurricane sleet and snow covering the state, we raced in the small pocket of sunshine. Attending were the same crew from Saturday minus Dux (Sweetnes, De-Mensha, the Kid, JOD, G-spot and Strangelove). This mostly flat, power course suits a rider like Jamie, and he is fit right now. So our plan was to get Jamie into a break at some point, to rack up the Washington Cup points, Series points and cash. Otherwise, we would move with the pack and anticipate the attacks.
From the gun the race was fast and punchy. There was attack after attack. I heard the race described as a 60 mile crit. AJ (Hagens), remarked to me at one point that more of these guys should have spent 70 miles in the break the day before, then they wouldn’t be so goddamn anxious. But it worked out well for us. Ian and I covered a bit more early and JOD and Colin gave some throttle a little later. Of special enjoyment for me was sitting on Hone and Tubs’s wheels as they moved up and attacked. Both guys telegraph their attack way before they move.
So the attacks were launched and the team responded. Midway through the race Adrian Hedgevary went solo off the front where he stayed for almost two laps. We were not phased by this as we all saw that the overall aggression in the pack would bring him back as it eventually did.
We did miss one move that got away with about a lap and a half to go. JOD, Tyler and Sweetness rallied to the front and chased down the break like a bunch of rabid dogs. This was a great move because we saved Ian for the sprint, Jamie for the late move and allowed me to finish with the pack (by that time my legs were blown out so bad, I barely hung onto pack).
Another thing that this chase did was string out the pack almost to the point of snapping. This is when breaks are much more likely to go. Jamie smelled the opportunity and moved up to go with whatever broke off the front. Sure enough, a five man group got away with Tubs, Herriott, AJ, Parrish, and our own Dr. Strangelove. Out of this five man group Jamie would take Second, by a tire’s width to Northwest sprinter and marriage pro* Ian Tubs.
In the field sprint our Ian “De” Mensher would take fourth to Ross sparrow, Dave Rocket Richter, and Aaron Levin. Two more riders back was Colin and then the bulk of the pack.
All in all, it was an excellent day of racing by the Gin Optics Cycling team. Everybody stepped up and saw where and how they could be effective in bringing in our goal, whether they were covering, chasing our making that important move. In my opinion it was a fantastic way to start a season. Cheers boys!
*Marriage Pro refers to a guy who’s wife pays for him to race. He does not need or have a job but to race his bike.
While it was snowing here in Seattle, somehow it was bright and sunny at Mason lake. Attending were Dux, JOD, Tyler, Colin, Ian, me and Dr. Strangelove. During our pre race meeting Dux reminded us that the first mason lake has been won from a long break every year for the past six years. While Jamie is our strongest rider at the moment the plan was for him not to get into the early break so that he might save his strength for Sunday’s race which had Washington cup points (and cash). We acknowledged that both Ian and I have been riding pretty well and would be good candidates for an early break, but the general plan was to move with the natural flow of the pack and cover breaks as they formed. As I like to say: “Don’t initiate, anticipate”.
The race began and it was go, go, go from the start. Within the first 4 miles I’m pretty sure at least everybody had covered at least one move. By the end of the first lap the break was established: a seven man group with a number of strong riders including Aj, Ben Rhodes (Second Ascent), Kyle Farrell (Garage), Ian “De-Mencia” Mensher, me (G-spot), and former teammate Shawn “Mr. March” Ongers. We fairly quickly established a one minute gap which would stick, more or less, for the remainder of the race.
Meanwhile back in the pack, Jamie and team were shutting guys down like a big breasted blond at Seattle bar on a Saturday. But, eventually a chase group of Rob Campbell, Kenny, Hone and Jamie formed. As Jamie had two guys in the break, he had no incentive to work so he sat on as Kenny and Hone proceeded to yell at each other.
While this was happening, at two laps to go, old G-spot was coming unraveled. I tried sitting out a rotation or two and pulling back through. Somehow, whenever I am out of shape I end up in the front group, and I have found that if you sit out completely guys will yell and bitch and start attacking. But if you pull through every few rotations people shut up and deal with it. Unfortunately I did not get enough rest (or training?), because at the beginning of the last lap, Kyle attacked and I got dropped like a bad habit. Fortunately, so did AJ and the Cucina Freska rider. In my oxygen deprived state cruising in no mans land between the break and the pack I saw a large white object approaching fast. It was Jamie. AJ and I hopped on his wheel as he motored by looking poised to catch the break. I decided that no matter how tired I was I would work to help him catch the break. I pulled through once and my legs reminded me that they had given their two miles notice four miles ago. Jamie continued with AJ cross eyed and glued to his wheel.
I drifted back to the pack as some late attacks were being launched. It was bit of a blur but I remember a murderous look in JOD’s stride as he launched off the front with a Hagens rider, Chris Parrish. He and Parrish would go on to catch Jamie just as AJ was popped. Unfortunately, at about that time, Ian was reminded that it was important to eat when in the break for 68 miles. Jamie, JOD and Parrish passed him as he was swerving and mumbling to himself something about penguins (or so I hear).
Shawn Ongers would take the win with Ben Rhodes and Kevin rolling in a little behind. Next was JOD, Jamie and Parrish. JOD attacked at 800 and took 4th Jamie rode Hagen’s wheel until 150 meteres to come around him for 5th.
All in all, we showed very effective racing as a team. We were the only team with two guys in break and the only team with two guys in an effective bridge. Room was left in Ian and my performance which is fine by me. Let Sean take mason lake, I’ll take the later races.
Sunday:
Again, with hurricane sleet and snow covering the state, we raced in the small pocket of sunshine. Attending were the same crew from Saturday minus Dux (Sweetnes, De-Mensha, the Kid, JOD, G-spot and Strangelove). This mostly flat, power course suits a rider like Jamie, and he is fit right now. So our plan was to get Jamie into a break at some point, to rack up the Washington Cup points, Series points and cash. Otherwise, we would move with the pack and anticipate the attacks.
From the gun the race was fast and punchy. There was attack after attack. I heard the race described as a 60 mile crit. AJ (Hagens), remarked to me at one point that more of these guys should have spent 70 miles in the break the day before, then they wouldn’t be so goddamn anxious. But it worked out well for us. Ian and I covered a bit more early and JOD and Colin gave some throttle a little later. Of special enjoyment for me was sitting on Hone and Tubs’s wheels as they moved up and attacked. Both guys telegraph their attack way before they move.
So the attacks were launched and the team responded. Midway through the race Adrian Hedgevary went solo off the front where he stayed for almost two laps. We were not phased by this as we all saw that the overall aggression in the pack would bring him back as it eventually did.
We did miss one move that got away with about a lap and a half to go. JOD, Tyler and Sweetness rallied to the front and chased down the break like a bunch of rabid dogs. This was a great move because we saved Ian for the sprint, Jamie for the late move and allowed me to finish with the pack (by that time my legs were blown out so bad, I barely hung onto pack).
Another thing that this chase did was string out the pack almost to the point of snapping. This is when breaks are much more likely to go. Jamie smelled the opportunity and moved up to go with whatever broke off the front. Sure enough, a five man group got away with Tubs, Herriott, AJ, Parrish, and our own Dr. Strangelove. Out of this five man group Jamie would take Second, by a tire’s width to Northwest sprinter and marriage pro* Ian Tubs.
In the field sprint our Ian “De” Mensher would take fourth to Ross sparrow, Dave Rocket Richter, and Aaron Levin. Two more riders back was Colin and then the bulk of the pack.
All in all, it was an excellent day of racing by the Gin Optics Cycling team. Everybody stepped up and saw where and how they could be effective in bringing in our goal, whether they were covering, chasing our making that important move. In my opinion it was a fantastic way to start a season. Cheers boys!
*Marriage Pro refers to a guy who’s wife pays for him to race. He does not need or have a job but to race his bike.
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