Tour Of Idaho

First and foremost I'd like to thank The Pearland Cycling Club for all there support that helped make this trip possible

Getting to Idaho

Well first I left the house at around 4 and had to get all my stuff to the airport. once I got to the airport we dropped off my luggage and I made my way to my terminal. On the plane I just read my book. the plane landed in Utah 2.5 hours later. I then found my next flight to Boise Idaho, This flight was only 45 mins. as the plane landed I was on time and I called Andreas (coach/race team director) to find out where to meet him to get my luggage. any way I found him at baggage claim along with Aubrey (teammate). we then waited a couple mins till the luggage started coming down the carousel. I quickly found my suitcase with all my clothes but my bike box was nowhere to be found. So we waited another 20 mins before we went to the lost luggage counter. apparently my bike was ether in Salt lake city or Houston but no one knew where. So after realizing Delta lost my bike we headed to the house where we would be living for the next week. once we made it to the house I did a mental roll count to see if every body was there and every one was there already: Ben, Aubrey, Chris, Bo, Royce, me. along with Andreas and Rob Strange (Royce's Dad). Once we got everything situated I went to my room and unpacked everything and sat by the phone awaiting Delta to call to tell me where my bike was.

Prologue (1.4 miles)

Well my bike is still somewhere were I can't get it. We are now at the start of the Prologue and got all our packet pick up stuff. My # for the week was 518 and I learned that the race was going to be monitored by chips for a more accurate race. After telling the officials about my bike they promised to launch Aubrey first and me last so That I could quickly switch out pedals and adjust Aubrey bike so I could use it for the stage.

As the stage started I waited at the finish line and waited with 2 alans and a pedal wrench. as Aubrey came flying by I cheered him on and got ready to get the bike once he hits the turn around and comes back. As Aubrey finished I took his bike and changed out all of the stuff and sprinted to roll out. once I was rolled out I got into my spot behind my 30 second guy and I waited there till It was my turn in the start house. Once I was off I sprinted really hard and got into a very hard pace I then took the only corner at 28 and kept on going. Once I took the turn around I was almost out of breath but I kept going I then caught my 30 second guy with 200m to go. I then sprinted as hard as I could and threw my bike at the finish. After I finished I went back to the team car and gave Aubrey back his bike. I then changed out of my skin suite and sat next to my teammates and waited for the final results. Once the results came I found out that Ben had won the Prologue and I got 4th with only 3 secs off of yellow. the rest of the team all filled in in the top 15.

Stage 1 (40-45 miles)

Today is the road race. I got my back at midnight from the airport, put it together and was ready to race.

 My teammate was in the yellow jersey, after the prologue last night. It was really cool, they actually had a yellow jersey. Our teams plan today was to put time on the guys in second and third in the GC. We were going to do this by putting me in a break and having one or two teammate try to bridge up at the right time. 

We started w/ 3 major teams consisting of 26 total riders. The teams were BYRDS, OBERETO (Beef Jerky), and TEAM TEXAS. Once the race started  with a 2 mile neutral roll out before the actual race started. After the neutral section, our team went to the front and started pushing the pace. After 15 minutes of controlling the pace, I attacked and started a solo break. I quickly got over 2 minutes on the field, and was holding a high steady tempo. After an hour or so off the front, I saw the field start to close the gap. Once the gap was down to twenty seconds, Ben bridged up to me. We began working together and were pulling away from a very tired field. We caught and passed the 17/18 year old field that stated 10 minutes in front of us. This helped motivate us to hammer. We were going into a left hand turn at over 26mph, when the the lead police motorcycle stopped short. Ben rammed into the cop,and hit Ben very hard. We both crashed and quickly got up. Ben broke a spoke and steer tube, and my bike was tangled in barbwire fence about 10 feet away. By the time I got my bike out of the barb wire and started going the field had past us. Ben got up quicker and was already back w/ the pelaton. I was about 10 seconds back when I began to chase covered in blood. I was closing quickly, then two guys attacked. I was not able to follow the attack due to tired legs from the break, so I started to TT back at my own pace. The field was soon out of site after the feedzone hill. I figured my race was over. Keeping my own tempo going I eventually found a dropped teammate 20 minutes up the road. We were able to work together to get within site of the field. Once we got site, we raised the pace and made contact about 15K before the big mountain finish. Once we caught the field, I surveyed who was left. It was basically our team plus 6 others.  After sitting in for 10 minutes recovering.  About 2K from the base one of my teammates attacked. This attack only left the strongest of riders. On the climb two riders countered my teammate and got about 5 seconds. Realizing the attacker was one of the GC contenders, I immediately went to the front and led Aubry and Ben towards the leaders. I closed the gap as much as I could, but could not hold that pace and pulled out. I wound up finishing 11 seconds behind the leaders. My job was done, Ben kept the Yellow jersey and took second on the stage.

STAGE 2 (CIRCUIT RACE - 50 MINUTES)

The plan for this stage was to try to put time between us and the other GC contenders. 

As the race started one of the other teams chased and nobody chased. This put a lot of pressure on the field as he was gaining time in a hurry. Once the guy got over a minute we moved to the front and started chasing. I tried to attack, but I was a marked man. They were on my wheel instantly. The attack did allow Ben to bridge up to the leader as well as the guy second in GC. This was not good since Ben was outnumbered in the lead group 2 on 1. I launched an attack to help get Aubrey up to lead group. At this point we had 2 on 2 in the break. I sat in the pack and did zero work since I had teammates up the road. With about 10 minutes to go a guy behind me in GC tried to bridge. I did not go, because I figured people would chase. I was wrong and had to run him down on my own. Ben won the stage, but we were unable to put time on the others. I came in 11 seconds behind the leaders.

Stage 3 (IMTT 4 miles)

Heading into the TT the plan was to go FAST.

I started the time trail at a good pace not wanting to blow my engine early w/ the plan to ramp up gradually depending on how I felt. Before this the wee-mart bridge is what I called a climb. I kept a very high pace the entire time and took 4th overall in the TT. I believe this point was about 1 minute off the GC lead and 4 seconds from the podium.

Stage 4 (CRIT 50 MINS)

Our plan today was to try to gain the lead back we lost in the IMTT. We would do this by launching countless attacks.

The moment the race started Chris attacked off the front, we caught him in about 1 lap, then Bo attacked, we as caught in 1/2 a lap, then Ben attacked. Three laps later Ben was reeled in. A good sign the field was weakening. I took off and stayed out for about 4 laps before getting caught. The Aubry took off. the field was too tired to chase, and he was down far enough in the GC. For the next 30 minutes we sat in the pack and rested. Once Aubry got over a minute, BYRDS started chasing. They caught Aubry w/ 1 1/2 laps to go. Ben countered,  but was not able to open any time gaps, and we ended up in a field sprint. Ben won the stage, and I took 4th.

RECAP

At the end of the race, Ben took second in the GC, I got 4th, and Aubrey got 6th. The rest of our team was in the top half of the field. Very strong showing by Team TEXAS. Again, thanks for all the support from my sponsors and Pearland Cycling Club.

Memorial park crit 123 7-16-08

Pack finish

Alkek Friday night race 123/Jrs 7-11-08

After another hour drive to the alkek velodrome I was exited to be able to use my teammates aero wheels for the night of the race. I was able to borrow his rear disk along with a front tri-spoke, so I figured that I'll be going pretty fast today. That all changed however, as I was getting registered for my races I heard the organizers say that they were unable to get power to the track. That means that they can't get the lights working which also means that they're going to cut the night in half >:(. What that meant was that there was only going to be 2 races per category and 4 races for me. my first race of the night was a short 10 lap scratch in the Jrs. As all the juniors lined up at the wall I noticed Alan Ting was going to race with the Jrs today. This was good because it was going to make for a very fast race. any way as the race started I was on the attack (what's new?) however I couldn't get away on any of my attacks and I got ether 3 or fourth in the sprint. The next race was the most un-race like race there. it was a 3 lap handicap in the 123s. Any way once everybody got there distances I was 30 meters in front of the un handicapped rider which by the way was Alan Ting. as the race started I sprinted as hard as I could to get on big Eric's wheel but couldn't close the gap. after one lap Ting caught me and got on my wheel thinking that I could close the gap in front of me. Soon the gap started to get bigger and Alan saw this so he sprinted around me to close the gap by himself. I was now by my self when teammate Dan passed me and I just pulled my self out on the last lap. It was a pretty pathetic effort on my half knowing I couldn't close 10 meters. The next and also the final race for the Jr category was a 12 lap points race with sprints on every 3rd lap. As the race started I decided to race this race a little smarter and sit in for the majority of the race. any way, in most of the sprints it was all Rasche and Ting with me getting an occasional second in the sprints. it was the very last lap that I was able to get first in the sprint and get second overall in terms of points. The next race I did was also the final race of the night. it was a 30 lap scratch race in the 123s (ya I know, they cut my favorite race in half). any way... the race started and I did a few attacks from the back of the pack to try to set Dan up for an even stronger counter attack. but to no success nothing was able to stick. The field was letting nothing go off of the front. with 1 and a half laps  to go tilson put in a strong attack and the field wasn't strong enough to go, except Alan Ting who jumped right on the guys wheel. as the final 200m came I was in the center of the field sprint and got ether 4th or 6th place. and Alan won the sprint in his 2 man break.

Recap

practice sprinting on the track because I suck at it... also make better team tactics in the longer races besided attack/counter attack.

special thanks to Dan for taking me to yet another race and to James Smith for letting me borrow his aero wheels

Memorial park crit 123 7-9-08

My second race in the memorial park crit seriesThis is going to be my first race with Kevin Kremke woo hoo.

well as the race stared the organizers made the woman go off first so they can get their prime uncontested which was good with me because it made the men take 2 neutral laps and less then 20mph however after 2 laps the speed went straight up with bike barn doing their attacks over and over and over again. any way kremke only did a few attacks that seemed more like he was testing the field then trying to stay away. After the first 30 mins of the race I did my first attack on a 123 field as I attacked I only got around 4-6 seconds so nothing spectacular happened till bike barn caught then countered me. luckily this counter wasn't that bad and I sat in the pack again. after another 15 mins I did another really hard attack and got a pretty good size gap and I noticed that teammate Dan was on the front blocking for me for around a 1/4 of a  lap. then I looked back and noticed that there was 3 bike barn guys in a line chasing me down after 3/4s a full lap. I then reintegrated back into the heart of the what was left of the pack I then sat there till 4 laps to go when I started to move to the front of the pack and with 1 lap to go I was in an ideal spot around 8 positions back for the sprint and on Dans wheel but with 400 meters from the line at the 90 degree turn the pack slowed way down and I went from 8th wheel to around 14th and was in no contention 4 the sprint.

 recap

attack if it does more then wear out the pack. start my sprint a little earlier 

special thanks to Dan for taking me to yet another race

Fourth of July alkek 123/Jrs

I already forgot some of the races so I'll do my best...

as I get to the race I noticed that my friend from camp Madison had came all the way from Austin for her first track race. also at the track was Alan Ting and a bunch of the really fast trackies. any way, my first race was a Kerrin in the 123s the organizer divided the 123s into 3 separate heats to keep the races more fun and possibly safer. I was picked for heat one which is normally ok for me, then I realized Daniel Walker and Ron the "Dutchmen" where in my race. so once we got our slots I slipped into the 4th slot on Walker's wheel and as we did the first couple laps I was wondering how I was going to get around these speed demons. as the final lap came Ron was leading the train with Walker on his wheel and in the sprint I got 3rd and couldn't get around those two. so to boost my self-esteem the organizers put me in the alienate bracket AKA losers bracket. well In my slow persons race I placed second and just out of the cash. My next race was a Jr race which was I think a 10-15 lap points race. any way I just attacked and attacked and attacked till the Jrs let me go and I crossed the line on a solo break.  Now the next race was a miss and out in the 123s. all I can say is I suck at this :)  any way I got boxed in and was pulled out.......... I forgot what the next jr race I think was a 12 lap points race that I again kept attacking on but the Jrs wouldn't let me go and I placed 3rd in this race. now the next race was another Jr race and it was an 8 lap point-a-lap. well I remember this race. Trent went at the very start of the race and collected the first 4 points solo and on the 5 lap he sprinted from the pack to lock up the victory. after that Eric went for 2 point and I got 1. the final race was my favorite, it was the longer 50 lap scratch race in the 123s as the race started me and Dan where on the front pushing the pace till a prime came and Dan went for it. but after this his muscles cramped and he was no longer in. But after that lap all the really big guns went. next thing I realized me, Ting, the Dutchmen, and another bike barn guy where in a break with me. And as we where in the break we all did even work till about 30 laps to go when I realized that I wanted to drop the bike barn guy. so I attacked after every pull he did to weaken him, but to no avail he stayed in the break and started to counter me. with 4 laps to go The bike barn guy attacked me and I couldn't jump on, so I did a very high tempo to try to get back and with two laps to go I just pulled up thinking I was screwed. but The Dutchmen came flying through and started to pull back the leaders and I just got on his wheel and we closed the entire gap by the final lap and I was able to get second in the group sprint and just edge out one of the other break members

Recap

don't get boxed in in the miss and out, also attack a little less but harder

special thanks to James Smith and his father in law for driving me up there and back

Memorial Park crit 123 7-2-08

My first memorial park crit.

as the race started I noticed that there was over 10 bike barn guys there making it the biggest team there by far. but quickly One bike barn guy attacked and 4 more guys bridged up to him and there was soon a 5 man break up the road. I, being the new kid didn't realize that the break wasn't going to stick so after 5 laps of chasing I decided to bridge up to the leaders. once I did this I got in there rotation for a couple laps before I see My teammate Dan on the front bringing the pack to me. (great pearland teammate ;) ) any way once we got caught there was another bike barn attack but the field eventually caught him. then there was another attack by bike barn and soon another. SO the entire race bike barn was attacking and using there numbers to there fullest advantage. eventually some of the stronger riders started to attack such as Ronnie and Brian. So I just sat in the pack till the last 4 laps where I started to move around to get in a good position and with 2 laps to go I lost my position as other riders where moving to the front and I finished in the pack finish. But this would mark my first pack finish in a 123 race.

Recap

Don't be dumb and chase down the really early attacks. learn who the 123 riders are and learn the new pack dynamics

Special Thanks to Dan Morgan for dragging me up to the race in the first place