Hello Gang,
I am a day late since I was traveling back from beutiful Utah yesterday.
It was completely awesome to race up in the pines with cool temps and an
incredible venue. You guys are really missing out by not doing some of
these Utah stage races. Good competition, good money, and great people
make these really fun races. Lots to report on so here we go.
My tip of the week involves mental perseverance. If you want to win in
cycling you have to be tough. I would much rather have a mediocre rider
with great mental toughness on my team than an all star who has a weak
constitution. In order to sustain high outputs of energy in a race you
have to stay focused and determined. Your mind will crack you long before
the muscles will. Training that mental edge will help you to win more
often. Try doing longer intervals and setting time goals for power output
to train that toughness. Set goals that are reachable and keep pushing the
bar. You might just be able to survive in that next break to the finish to
pick up a placing.
Utah State Games
On our way to Utah this weekend the PT gang did some crits on Friday in
Cedar City. In the mens 40+ race Kenny Sweet legs set out on a mission to
take a W. The Boss did a nice attack to soften the group and Kenny hit
them hard to solo away. He was off the front solo for 40 minutes and ended
up lapping the field for the W. The Boss took the sprint for second just
to keep his legs loose.
Michele King took a W in the womans 35+ field with a nice effort off of the
front.
Myself and RS (Jonathan) did the mens 35-40 race. I went solo towards the
end of the race but got reeled in with a couple of laps left in the race.
RS launched a blistering counter to stay off the front. he was nipped at
the line by one rider but we found out later he was in a different category
so RS picked up a W.
High Uintas Stage Race
This is an epic race with three stages. A road race with a 24 mile climb
up and over Bald Mountain Pass at 10400 feet. A 10 mile TT and a tough
crit with a 6 bolock climb in it. Kenny, myself, and the Boss contested
the 35+ race. The dynamic duo of Mark and Don were in the 45+. Michele
King did the woman 4 and RS was in the Cat 3.
Road Race:
In the 35+ Kenny attacked early on the base of the climb. We had a tough
headwind and he was able tostay away for several miles. Once the catch was
made the Boss stayed vigilant at the front as I went out the back once the
climb got steep. Louie was able to attack just before the KOM to take the
time bonus. He had a gap so he spent the next 40 miles off of the front
solo. The other riders organised and was able to catch him 10 miles before
the finish. One rider was able to get a small gap at the finish with Louie
coming in with the field just behind in order to get second on GC for the
day. Kenny and the Fat Man came in behind the field as we never made
contact after the climb.
In the 45+ race Mark and Don used each other's attacks to soften the field.
Don was able to get away with one other rider to get some time over the
field. He had a nice 2 up sprint and took the rider to the line to take
the W in the road race. Mark finishe about 15 seconds behind for third in
the RR.
RS was by himself in the Cat 3 race and was able to stay with the front
group to take 8th on the day and had the same finishing time as the leader.
Michele was in the chase group in her road race with one lone girl off the
front. She did a nice job to take second in her category with a good
finish.
TT
The Boss proved once again why he is a TT animal. He took the W with a
blistering time that was a minute better that second place. Mark Schaefer
won the TT which put him in second overall just a handfull of seconds back
on first. Don did a good time and was sitting 5th overall. Michele won
the TT and remained in second overall for Cat 4 woman. Jonathan had a very
good time in the Cat 3 to stay in 8th overall.
Crit
In the 45+ race Don and Mark were a 1-2 punch. Mark went off the front to
take a tine bonus sprint to move into first overall. Once Mark was cuaght
Don put in a nice attack to counter. He realised he had popped Mark and
actually went back to help Mark make the bridge to keep him in first
overall. Don took second in the sprint and Mark came in just behind to
secure the overall on GC with Don taking 5th on GC.
In the 35+ race Kenny and I were really active chasing various break
attempts to keep the Boss in good position for a win. The Boss took a cash
preem for gas money. On the last two laps we kept the pace high and than
the Boss went for the sprint. He skipped his wheel in the last corner and
came up with second on the day and secured the overall GC win.
Michele took second in her crit. She did a great job to make the split on
the preem lap and her and first place just went up the road. She secured
second overall in the Cat 4 woman on GC
Jonathan did a great job in a stacked field to finish with the field. He
ended up keeping his 8th place on GC and now has enough upgrade points for
his Cat 2.
San Pedro
Jeremy Thatcher from Allegiant was 4th in the Cat 3 men. Alicia boland
from Banning Bikes was 5th in the Pro 1-2 woman.
La Mirada Grand Prix
Jeremy was 10th in the Cat 3 and Hillary Crowley from Banning Bikes was 3rd
in the Pro 1-2 woman. La Mirada is a tough race so those are two
outstanding performances.
Tour De Nez
Little Hurt (Andy from Allegiant) gets his own report this weekend. He
went to Reno and did the NRC Pro-1 stage race. Andy rode out of his mind
to make the time cut every day and ended up finishing 40th overall on GC.
I am sure that he will be able to give us some personal insight on how hard
it is to finish a NRC stage race. This is an outstanding accomplishment
and I hope we all get a chance to hear his stories. Great Job Andy.
Random Thoughts:
Bingleheimer lapped the field solo!!! I watched him and he was doing 5
seconds a lap on the field. NICE
Mark and Don were on fire this weekend. The little show of tactics that
they put on was impressive and the last day was amazing. Don coming back
to bring Mark back to the field in the crit was some heads up riding and
stealing the time bonus to move into first. It was like you guys had
radios or something. OUTSTANDING
RS continued his march to Cat 2. He is on his way to train with Ben Day
from Toyota United for the next week and a half. I feel sorry for anyone
that will be racing against him in the future. he keeps getting stronger.
The Boss continues the dream season and notched another stage race win. He
never talks about his accomplishments so many times we just expect that he
will win but when you look at the races he has won this year it is
inspiring. If I had any of these wins on my resume for my complete career
in cycling I would be happy. Here are the highlights, Southern Nevada
Stage Race, San Dimas, Boulevard, State Champ in road race and TT, Copper
Valley Stage Race, Yuma Stage Race, San Luis Rey, and High Uintas. This
are all wins, not just placings. WOW. Nationals are next week and Mark
has already predicted that he will cross the line in front of Louie.
Hillary with a very fine third place at La Mirada. I heard this was a
scorcher. AWESOME JOB
Michelle King was solid this weekend. Her TT time would have been top 3 in
the Pro 1-2 woman. I smell another upgrade coming soon.
Allegiant continues to put up good results. Jeremy should be very close to
his Cat 2. I can not wait to see how you guys do at Superweek.
Little Hurt stepped up this weekend to the big show. I am sure he will
come out of this even stronger and ready to compete at the highest level.
Most of us can not even get into this race, much less finish. For all of
you "up and comers" take note. Andy set a goal to compete at this level
and followed through. IMPRESSIVE
The Tour is just around the corner. Send out a note and let me know yout
podium picks. It appears to be wide open this year with some new blood in
the sport and some old dogs ready to take that elusive win.
See you at Manhattan beach
Jim Robbins
I am a day late since I was traveling back from beutiful Utah yesterday.
It was completely awesome to race up in the pines with cool temps and an
incredible venue. You guys are really missing out by not doing some of
these Utah stage races. Good competition, good money, and great people
make these really fun races. Lots to report on so here we go.
My tip of the week involves mental perseverance. If you want to win in
cycling you have to be tough. I would much rather have a mediocre rider
with great mental toughness on my team than an all star who has a weak
constitution. In order to sustain high outputs of energy in a race you
have to stay focused and determined. Your mind will crack you long before
the muscles will. Training that mental edge will help you to win more
often. Try doing longer intervals and setting time goals for power output
to train that toughness. Set goals that are reachable and keep pushing the
bar. You might just be able to survive in that next break to the finish to
pick up a placing.
Utah State Games
On our way to Utah this weekend the PT gang did some crits on Friday in
Cedar City. In the mens 40+ race Kenny Sweet legs set out on a mission to
take a W. The Boss did a nice attack to soften the group and Kenny hit
them hard to solo away. He was off the front solo for 40 minutes and ended
up lapping the field for the W. The Boss took the sprint for second just
to keep his legs loose.
Michele King took a W in the womans 35+ field with a nice effort off of the
front.
Myself and RS (Jonathan) did the mens 35-40 race. I went solo towards the
end of the race but got reeled in with a couple of laps left in the race.
RS launched a blistering counter to stay off the front. he was nipped at
the line by one rider but we found out later he was in a different category
so RS picked up a W.
High Uintas Stage Race
This is an epic race with three stages. A road race with a 24 mile climb
up and over Bald Mountain Pass at 10400 feet. A 10 mile TT and a tough
crit with a 6 bolock climb in it. Kenny, myself, and the Boss contested
the 35+ race. The dynamic duo of Mark and Don were in the 45+. Michele
King did the woman 4 and RS was in the Cat 3.
Road Race:
In the 35+ Kenny attacked early on the base of the climb. We had a tough
headwind and he was able tostay away for several miles. Once the catch was
made the Boss stayed vigilant at the front as I went out the back once the
climb got steep. Louie was able to attack just before the KOM to take the
time bonus. He had a gap so he spent the next 40 miles off of the front
solo. The other riders organised and was able to catch him 10 miles before
the finish. One rider was able to get a small gap at the finish with Louie
coming in with the field just behind in order to get second on GC for the
day. Kenny and the Fat Man came in behind the field as we never made
contact after the climb.
In the 45+ race Mark and Don used each other's attacks to soften the field.
Don was able to get away with one other rider to get some time over the
field. He had a nice 2 up sprint and took the rider to the line to take
the W in the road race. Mark finishe about 15 seconds behind for third in
the RR.
RS was by himself in the Cat 3 race and was able to stay with the front
group to take 8th on the day and had the same finishing time as the leader.
Michele was in the chase group in her road race with one lone girl off the
front. She did a nice job to take second in her category with a good
finish.
TT
The Boss proved once again why he is a TT animal. He took the W with a
blistering time that was a minute better that second place. Mark Schaefer
won the TT which put him in second overall just a handfull of seconds back
on first. Don did a good time and was sitting 5th overall. Michele won
the TT and remained in second overall for Cat 4 woman. Jonathan had a very
good time in the Cat 3 to stay in 8th overall.
Crit
In the 45+ race Don and Mark were a 1-2 punch. Mark went off the front to
take a tine bonus sprint to move into first overall. Once Mark was cuaght
Don put in a nice attack to counter. He realised he had popped Mark and
actually went back to help Mark make the bridge to keep him in first
overall. Don took second in the sprint and Mark came in just behind to
secure the overall on GC with Don taking 5th on GC.
In the 35+ race Kenny and I were really active chasing various break
attempts to keep the Boss in good position for a win. The Boss took a cash
preem for gas money. On the last two laps we kept the pace high and than
the Boss went for the sprint. He skipped his wheel in the last corner and
came up with second on the day and secured the overall GC win.
Michele took second in her crit. She did a great job to make the split on
the preem lap and her and first place just went up the road. She secured
second overall in the Cat 4 woman on GC
Jonathan did a great job in a stacked field to finish with the field. He
ended up keeping his 8th place on GC and now has enough upgrade points for
his Cat 2.
San Pedro
Jeremy Thatcher from Allegiant was 4th in the Cat 3 men. Alicia boland
from Banning Bikes was 5th in the Pro 1-2 woman.
La Mirada Grand Prix
Jeremy was 10th in the Cat 3 and Hillary Crowley from Banning Bikes was 3rd
in the Pro 1-2 woman. La Mirada is a tough race so those are two
outstanding performances.
Tour De Nez
Little Hurt (Andy from Allegiant) gets his own report this weekend. He
went to Reno and did the NRC Pro-1 stage race. Andy rode out of his mind
to make the time cut every day and ended up finishing 40th overall on GC.
I am sure that he will be able to give us some personal insight on how hard
it is to finish a NRC stage race. This is an outstanding accomplishment
and I hope we all get a chance to hear his stories. Great Job Andy.
Random Thoughts:
Bingleheimer lapped the field solo!!! I watched him and he was doing 5
seconds a lap on the field. NICE
Mark and Don were on fire this weekend. The little show of tactics that
they put on was impressive and the last day was amazing. Don coming back
to bring Mark back to the field in the crit was some heads up riding and
stealing the time bonus to move into first. It was like you guys had
radios or something. OUTSTANDING
RS continued his march to Cat 2. He is on his way to train with Ben Day
from Toyota United for the next week and a half. I feel sorry for anyone
that will be racing against him in the future. he keeps getting stronger.
The Boss continues the dream season and notched another stage race win. He
never talks about his accomplishments so many times we just expect that he
will win but when you look at the races he has won this year it is
inspiring. If I had any of these wins on my resume for my complete career
in cycling I would be happy. Here are the highlights, Southern Nevada
Stage Race, San Dimas, Boulevard, State Champ in road race and TT, Copper
Valley Stage Race, Yuma Stage Race, San Luis Rey, and High Uintas. This
are all wins, not just placings. WOW. Nationals are next week and Mark
has already predicted that he will cross the line in front of Louie.
Hillary with a very fine third place at La Mirada. I heard this was a
scorcher. AWESOME JOB
Michelle King was solid this weekend. Her TT time would have been top 3 in
the Pro 1-2 woman. I smell another upgrade coming soon.
Allegiant continues to put up good results. Jeremy should be very close to
his Cat 2. I can not wait to see how you guys do at Superweek.
Little Hurt stepped up this weekend to the big show. I am sure he will
come out of this even stronger and ready to compete at the highest level.
Most of us can not even get into this race, much less finish. For all of
you "up and comers" take note. Andy set a goal to compete at this level
and followed through. IMPRESSIVE
The Tour is just around the corner. Send out a note and let me know yout
podium picks. It appears to be wide open this year with some new blood in
the sport and some old dogs ready to take that elusive win.
See you at Manhattan beach
Jim Robbins
