N.E.W. Wheeling Weekend

This last weekend was the first time the North East Wisconsin (N.E.W.) Wheeling Weekend was hosted in the cities of Manitowoc and Menasha.  Great weather was on hand for both days, especially on Sunday.  Saturday's race was held on a wide open industrial park circuit with a slight riser before the start/finish.  The 3's race only 13 participants but that didn't mean the field would be together after 4 laps.  In one big acceleration the field was decimated.  6 of the 13 starts were off the back and there were 7 of us left to fight it out for the win.  On the last lap a racer made the perfect move on the back stretch to open a gap into the headwind that proved to be the decisive winning move.  The rest of us had to field spring for our places in which I finished 4th.  

Sunday's race was held on the old Otto Grunski course in Menasha that featured a 4 corner circuit with a false flat on the back side.  I participated in the 3's and 1/2/3's races.  I kicked off the 3's race with a massive attack on the 3rd lap which was covered immediately by the field.  Another attack came quickly and I was positioned badly in which I was unable to make the break.  I worked furiously at the front of the field to pull the break back but was getting absolutely no help from the field.  None, whatsoever.  I was quite annoyed at this point and decided it was best to sprint it out for 4th place in the field sprint.  I was very tired but positioned well and took 2nd in the field sprint (5th overall).  The 1/2/3's race started immediately after the 3's.  I had just enough time to grab another water bottle before the start and we were underway.  I sat in the field the entire race not doing anything ridiculous.  Unfortunately, with 16 laps to go I was out of water and began cramping.  Conserving as much energy as possible, I finished the race without a sprint.  It was great just to be part of the race in which we averaged just shy of 27 mph.  Good stuff!

There are no races on the schedule for me the next few weekends until Labor Day weekend where I'll be participating in the Gateway Cup in St. Louis.  For those of you racers out there that have never participated in these races, you should really look into it.  Some of the best racing of the year in a great city.

In other news, my little boy William turned 5 months old this past weekend and already has a tooth cutting in.  The little fella is a drooling machine!  Also, the destruction of our upstairs bathroom has begun.  My parents came down on Tuesday and we tore out 3 of the 4 plaster walls and the cast iron tub.  Quite a bit of work already done with plenty more to go.  Should be fun!   Later!

All Geared Up

The Madone is back!  Trek sent me a brand new 2011 Madone 6.9 SSL and even put my yellow and black colors on the frame.  After some analysis on the previous frame, Trek identified that there was a defect in a carbon seam that led to the break in the rear seat stay in addition to the stress that the frame encountered during the race.  Trek warrantied the frame and I'm now back training and racing.

The Tour of Elk Grove was this past weekend in (you guessed it) Elk Grove, IL.  This race is one of the best races of the year and boasts one of the best payouts for a Cat 3 race.  The race started fairly uneventful until one guy went off the front and I jumped the gap up to his wheel.  We managed to stay away from the field for about 6 laps, gaining upwards of 15 seconds at the max.  Unfortunately, the guy in the break with me wasn't strong enough to hang onto my wheel and he eventually gave up when he noticed the field started gaining time on us.  Had to try for the breakaway!  The rest of the race was trying to stay upright.  Halfway into the second last lap, two goofballs in front of me tangled up but managed to keep the bikes and bodies off the pavement.  I went to the outside going into a right-hander but one of the Spaceballs shot out wide and forced me off the road.  Cyclocross!  I bunny hopped the curb and then again over a massive mud hole, onto a drive and back on the road.  I lit a few matches getting back to the front going into the last lap.  On the sprint I was positioned well, I went early and was making up ground to the leaders when the door was shut.  I called an audible and went left allowing myself to take a few more places.  8th place for the first race on the new bike and $100 in the pocket.  That's right, $100 for 8th place.  Did I mention it was the best payouts of the year?

Anyway, the road racing season is beginning to wind down with only a handful left.  My scheduled races are as follows:
Saturday, Aug 13 -  N.E.W. Wheeling Weekend - Manitowoc, WI
Sunday, Aug 14 - N.E.W. Wheeling Weekend - Menasha, WI
Friday, Sep 2 - Gateway Cup - Lafayette Square Crit - St. Louis, MO
Saturday, Sept 3 - Gateway Cup - Tour des Hills - St. Louis, MO
Sunday, Sep 4 - Gateway Cup - Giro della Montange - St. Louis, MO
Monday, Sept 5 - Gateway Cup - Benton Park Crit - St. Louis, MO

That's it!  Maybe a Wisport road race too up in Cleghorn... maybe.  It may not be the end though.  I'm thinking about trying cyclocross this year, however that means some additional investment in another bike.  Not sure the financial budget will allow for cross this year.  We'll see.

Well here is what the post is really about...  Later!