Master’s CX Worlds Louisville 2012

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Enzo

A great starting spot couldn't overcome heavy legs and a broken chain.

Finally writing the last race report of the 2011 season though it is 2012. This is the first time  Master’s CX Worlds would be held in the USA. When I first heard this I was not excited about the idea of having two seasons, road and CX,  in one year for consecutive years. Being a roadie at heart, though having a knack for riding a CX bike, I really like racing my bike on pavement more than dirt or mud. Come on it is master’s world’s, how could I skip the self induced pressure, additional workload, and a shot at a rainbow jersey.

Subsequent to the Louisville trip, my opinion has changed dramatically about this event, this master’s world championship. It would be more accurate to have been called the North American Championships, with only a hand full of euro’s attending. Mostly Canadians and US racers filled the fields, none were close to being full to my surprise. None the less the coveted rainbow jersey’s were in the house and given to the fastest racer in each age category.  I also have a new opinion with regard to the UCI, the people in charge of this event. This opinion is less than desirable, enough said about that, for now.

Caveat: Any negative comments about my perception of the UCI at this event, has no reflection on Joan Hanscom or her crew. They have proven themselves many times by running the USGP flawlessly for years. Their roll in Louisville was once again, executed professionally.

So Heidi and I arrive in Louisville and go directly to the Galt House Hotel to pick up my bib number.  When I register they hold a large grocery bag in front of me and say pick a number, this will be your starting position in your qualifying heat. I reach in and stir the small papers around carefully grabbing my number, pulling out 302. I ask, is this number 2 on the grid?  They confirm that it is and say nice pick. I am excited about this feeling I will be one of the fastest guys in my heat and will not have to waste too much energy earning a front row starting position for the main event.

Back in the car and off to Eva Bandman Park to pre ride the course. Entering the venue I can see there is no shortage of mud, go figure since it had been rainning hard all day with temps in the low 50′s. I set up the B bike and head out for a few laps. The course is similar to the USGP track with less turns, and the addition of a longer off camber section, which is unridable. I figure it is about 1k of running per lap in thick pasty mud. I do two laps easy and hit the gas for 5 minutes on lap 3 three, about 1/2 a lap for an opener. The opener is very hard and I find it is faster to ride the slippery down hills out of control than trying to run them. This is the technique I will use during the heat.  I stop and clean my bike, head back to the car and change into some dry clothes. I am ready to race tomorrow.

Now to find our host housing, a friend who is quite well known in bicycle racing,Curtis Tolson. Curtis has been racing Bicycles his entire life, owning more stars and stripes jerseys than anyone I know. What is cool about this is we get to pick his brain, little by little over the course of the weekend, we will hear great stories about races. This will also help keep the race stoke for the up coming events. I must mention Tracy Tolson, who also has a bunch of championship jersey’s of her own. The first time I watched Tracy race was in 2007 in WoodDale where she lapped the women’s field twice as a solo break, quite impressive. The other guest staying at Chez Tolson is Daniel Casper. The same Dan Casper that schooled me at Badger cross both days.

Thursday morning, I wake up and hop on the trainer for a easy 30 minute spin. I like to wake my body up and raise the core temp a bit, making my warm up that much easier for the heat race. I have been plagued with a cough since mid November, having burnt my lungs at the USGP.  The Dr. said when I stop racing they will heal, that I need to rest them sooner than later. I told him that is not going to happen.

We arrive at the venue two hours before the heat is going to start. Curtis has offered to pit for me which is huge, there is huge amounts of mud making bike changes critical.  Feeling good after riding the trainer for 40 minutes I head to the starting area about 20 minutes before the start. I want to do a few openers on the road before staging. As I am riding toward the starting grid on the road I see they have a race staged? I am confused saying to myself my heat is the first race of the day, what is going on? Heading in that direction I see the numbers on the racers are from my heat, then the whistle blows. I am now by the starting grid, though outside of the barriers start asking in a panic if that is the 50-54 heat?  He asks my name, looks on the start list and says, yes you missed your call up, you can go now!!!  I almost said are you fucking kidding me, as I am ripping jacket off and lift my bike over the steel barriers onto the starting grid.  I hop over the barrier on my bike and start chasing. Not only did I miss my start, I am wearing leg warmers, a thick hat, and embro, with the temps about 47F.

Crossing the start finish line I hit the dirt/mud with speed while not seeing any racers on the first straight, swearing at myself I catch quite a bit of air, my bike crosses up and somehow I do not crash.  I hear Heidi yelling go, you can catch them. I am in disbelief having never missed a start time, ever. This negative state of mind lasts about 1 minute and I settle into a rhythm, telling myself to relax, if I do not make any mistakes I will bridge to the main group. I only need to be second row. Finally I am starting to catch the back of the race, one guy at a time. I take a bike change and Curtis tells me I am 22nd, this is great info, which helps me to relax, but only a little. End of lap one and I am feeling good, though going harder than I would have liked. Lap two and Curtis tells me I am now number 12 and I hear Dave and Brad talking about me being 1:17 down at the start, that I have not givin up. I figure with one more lap it is still possible to make the front row, just keep it steady, going fast when I can without hitting the ground.

Lap three and I bridge to a group of four 200m before the sand pit, which is a running section, and pass them at the pit exit. I remount the bike and attack the group. Now having a gap I keep smooth and finish a few seconds in front of them. Dave Towle says that is a great ride, that I finished 3rd in the heat. I really did not add the numbers up as we were passing lapped riders which made it hard to know who was on what lap. I am feeling good about gaining a good spot for the main event bib #5, though not realizing I would never recover from this effort.

On to race day. After eating, drinking and resting as much as I could on Friday, the cough was getting worse and sleeping was not going so well. This is the main reason my body did not recover completely from the heat effort. Normally I would be at 100% after an easy ride day, but today was not going to be normal. The course was frozen solid mud ruts, so in order to ride straight sections without crashing, one must travel on a diagonal line, as not to be caught by a rut. If you tried to ride parallel with the ruts you were going to be on the ground quickly. Again the UCI did not act when they had the chance. When asked they said that the ground would not freeze, wrong again. If they would have rolled the course when it was soft and muddy, a large percentage of these ruts would have be reasonable, while still enough of them to make the course very difficult. Instead the course was dangerous in many places increasing the risk of injury if you crashed on these frozen ruts. The course was now a horse of a different color. Though the same for everyone, the day was going to be about racing the course more than the other racers.

After warming up I do a recon lap, the ground is frozen solid so I add more air to my tires, about 30 lbs. which is really high pressure for me. I also change to file treads to see if they will be less grabby on the frozen ruts. I return to the car because the top layer of the ground had softened as the angle of the sun increased. Now we had 1/8 inch of grease on frozen ground, so I went to a mud tire in the front and lowered the pressure slightly. This would be mistake number one of my day, using a file tread in the rear. My B bike has mud tires front and rear just in case, though the temps are not supposed to rise much today.

Little did I know clear skies would prevail and the sun would continue to soften the course.

Lined up on row one, I remind myself it has been a great season and no matter what happens, to enjoy the experience today. 30 seconds to start, turn up the focus on the end of the pavement section, then the whistle blows. Nailing my pedal first try I shift and dig in with Gunnar grabbing the hole shot.  I grab his wheel as he continues to accelerate. We are about to hit the dirt when Tilford shoots through a hole and is drilling it hard at the front. Sitting on Gunnar’s wheel in third, we are going very fast for the nasty conditions. At the first curve Tilford is carrying too much speed and washes his front wheel, saving it with his right foot, we do not change positions. Through the sand section and down the other straight I can see the damage caused. The fast start has the race blown wide open already with the three of us having a gap. I am good with the pace though by the run up I am feeling lactic in my legs. I am not breathing very hard and think, “this is not good”. then I loose contact on the run up and am passed on the next straight by one person. Passed by another after the fly over, and one more after the pit. I am now in sixth position, having heavy legs and sliding my rear end through the turns. I keep the A bike for the rest of the lap and make a bike change on lap two, asking for less air in both tires. The B bike has perfect pressure and the knobbies front and rear are sticking like glue. Now I feel like I can ride the course more aggressively and seem to be bringing back the 5th place rider.

It is funny when things are not going well, it opens a flood gate of differences in one’s riding style. Because I am not going as fast as I normally race, I am dropping my head, looking at the ruts close to me instead of 10 meters up the road. This is a huge mistake causing me to get caught in the ruts instead of gliding over them. I am fighting the course and make my second bad decision, to ride up the rough run up section. I am two bike lengths from making it over the top when, SNAP, my chain breaks! What a weekend, having to stop and pull the chain out of the cassette so it would free wheel. I shoulder the bike and start running, this is not good since it is about 1 k to the pit. This is longer than Georgia Gould had to run at the USGP after breaking her pedal at the start, for those of you at that race.

So now I have a choice, to quit or keep running until I am lapped. Quitting is not an option and it felt like forever making it to the pit. Hearing Rob Curtis say it is his chain, I remark no I do not have a chain, laughing outwardly. Finally back on a bike, my goal is to not get lapped but Tilford is on a mission today. He catches me before the end of the lap but they do not pull me?  I get to ride the fourth lap with only 2nd and 3rd place lapping me, and am pulled going on to the pavement section, 1 lap down. The scoring is wrong for sure, Randy Warren finished in front of me passing me when I was running. My frustration with the UCI is glaring, they could not even score the race correctly, that is a serious problem in my book.

Anyway, the weekend was mostly fun for me. It was a long CX season with no real mechanicals until now, how could one complain? I have had nothing but great support from everyone of my teammates, family members, friends, and other racers from the Midwest. During the race many people were cheering for me which is awesome, they know how difficult it is when having a bad luck day, but they were still in my corner. I was only heckled by on person during that race, and I will not forget who you are, thanks for kicking a man when he is down.

Now my gratitude and thanks to a list people that need to be mentioned. First,  thank you to Heidi, my best friend, who puts up with my insanity and compulsion on a daily basis, I love you honey.

Next is Rob Curtis for two reasons, the best racing wheels ever, but more for the pit work at the USGP, NYR, Nationals Elite race, and Worlds, Thank you.

To A.L.L Masonry and Louie for the wonderful behind the scene support. My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time, thank you for everything.

Dave Eckel for the pit work at Nationals, would not have made the podium without you there, thank you.

Thanks to Curtis and Tracy Tolson for host housing and Curtis for working the pit during the heat qualifier. A clean bike was huge as well the splits and position updates. Heidi and I had a great time hanging with you both, thank you.

To Dave Towle and Brad Sohner for making me laugh while suffering on my CX bike this year at the big events.

Thank you to all the people that cheer while I am racing, it is empowering to feel this energy being sharred. Like my friend Keith Lucas said, you do not want to let anyone down when people watching are so excited for you, that you keep pushing harder because of the support, not wanting to let them down.

Now it is time to rest and let the lungs heal themselves, then into the weight room/pain cave for a month, a bit of indoor climbing, maybe a little hockey, and back out on the road bike.

Blessings to everyone, even the haters. You help make us stronger even though you do not realize it.

-Enzo

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CycloCross Nationals Verona, Wisconsin

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Enzo

Master’s 50-54

Front row starting spot.

Front row starting spot next to Kevin Hines (2nd) and Steve Tilford (1st).

After a long road season I have been training carefully with my focus on two CX races, Master’s Nationals and Master’s Worlds. I say carefully because after having great fitness at the end of the road season, I needed some down time but not enough to lose the edge. No disrespect intended, this is why I raced the 50+ races in our local series for 2/3′s of the CX season. These races allowed me to go at my on pace and not have my race sharpness increase to quickly. Subsequently I feel very close to perfect nailing my race fitness. Time to get to the race report.

Anyone that watched the video I posted from the Badger cross weekend could see a Nat’s course that was dry and fast. I made comment then, when the perma frost moves into the Madison ground, this course would grow teeth! It did, there was ice, mud, soup, peanut butter, frozen ruts, soft ruts, you name it, these variable conditions were plentiful every lap. The dry rough fast course had turned into a war zone, a perfect test for a National CX Championship.

During the last month of the season I was trying to increase my national ranking gaining a front row spot for the start of race. Receiving the 4th call up spot which put me next to Kevin Heins and Steve Tilford was as good as it gets.

The whistle blows and the sprint for the dirt/mud is on. Working the road section, which is second nature to me, I grab Tilford’s wheel who is known for riding away from the master’s fields in the first k of these races. This was not going to happen today if things were to go as planed. Into the first left hand turn it was slippery and sloppy, as we both are two wheel sliding on the exit of this corner. I am eating quite a bit of roost in the next flat fast section, internal laughing, reminding myself to relax and have fun with this. I am feeling good and the pace is not too hard, bonus. Steve bobbles in the next corner so I pass him, I did this just to let him know we are still connected, no disrespect intended. This does not effect him as he passes me back in the muddy 180 bumping bars a few times. I am sure he was laughing thinking who is this little guy that I am about to drop. The false flat is perfect pace and my breathing is not labored. We climb the wall section and I have to stall because the pace is not fast enough when Kevin passes Tilly, hooking him in the process. Steve makes comment, “really” and I laugh to myself again. We are showing little respect to Steve with these passes. Now in the second false flat, this is the attack spot. 100 m of 3 percent grade in sticky slow conditions. I have picked my line during my morning laps and stick to it. A quick check to see the damage caused, we have about a 10 second gap on the field. I move to the right side where there is a small line of dry grass hitting a patch of newly exposed perma frost and loosing the front wheel. Now I am on the ground, WTF! Quickly getting up, remount only to find I am in a large gear and have to down shift with no momentum. Finally back to speed which seems like a minute in my mind, I check to see how close the 4th place rider is, still a 3 second gap. Clearing my head I stand up and drill the rest of the uphill, thinking I just lost the race. The two fast boys are now about 12-15 seconds up the road. I do not panic and tell myself to go into safe mode, No crashes. I will try to open the gap on the field while making a push to close on the leaders cautiously . The chances are not good since they will be exchanging pulls trying to hurt each other. Trish Black is yelling splits of the chase group to me by the soccer field, thanks Trish. 10 seconds at the end of lap one, 25 lap two, 40 lap three, about a minute lap four and 90 seconds at the end of the race.

Podium

I'm happy to finish 3rd place behind Hines and Tilford

I am happy with a 3rd place finish, other than the huge mistake on lap one, it is a good result. I have another shot at these boys next week, if I do well in the qualifying races. This is CX so anything can happen to any of us.

Dave Eckel was awesome in the pit today, thanks Dave. I took a clean bike every lap, having a lighter bike going up the greasy steep hill, making a huge difference. I have to say Tilly and Kevin rode very well, Congratulations to both of them.

Elite Race

After talking with Tim Butler earlier in the week, I decided to line up in the Elite race, bumping up my national CX ranking. This would also be a perfect 30 minutes of race training, which is difficult to simulate. I was laughing because my call up was 80th on the starting grid. This was going to be a cool experience for me since I am so used to being in the front row.

So I am staged in row 10, and I ask the young man from Mob Squad, who is next to me, how old he was. He responds 18, I laugh outwardly telling him to have fun and be safe, that he has many years to play the game. The whistle goes off and people around me start to panic as I clip into my pedal. I gain a few places, maybe 10 before we hit the dirt and it is total chaos in the first straight, then a huge stall in corner one though I gain a few more spots. Corner two is slippery and I see a crash in the exit, so I go right toward the pile up. Everyone is trying to avoid the carnage to the right, I ride through clean, gaining a few more places. I wait until the false flat and pass a few more people and really gas it on the steep part.

I digress. On the steep section maybe 20 meters long, it was a tunnel of extremely loud cheering, to the point I wanted to cover my ears because it was painful loud. This is quite different than a master’s race!

Now I look back and have a nice gap still being connected to the line of racers in front of me. It stays like this for the first lap. The start of lap two I drop a few guys on the road section, now I can see the ground in front of me which slows me down. The conditions are quite variable, what I would call sucker conditions. Many places you could haul ass, and many places you could crash if you stayed in this aggressive mode of racing. I was here for training, not crashing, and rode very conservatively, only drilling it really hard on the climbs and more stable sections. My goal was to hold off the leaders for 30 minutes, which is exactly what happened, I was pulled ending my training ride in 69th, 1 place behind Paul Mumford, another local rider, that I am a fan of. Watch for Paul in the future, he is quite fast for a first year CX racer.

I am very happy that I rode this event, a really fun way to train. Not only good training but I was able to watch the rest of the race which was awesome, a great battle in the final laps.

I have to mention Machinery Row, an awesome bike shop in Madison that hosted a great party on Friday evening. Heidi took a few photo’s, here is one with two fast cute pro racers, how could I say no when they asked to have a photo taken with me? Also check out Heidi’s pimp coat that she was wearing on Friday at the races, many people wanted photo’s with her, why not, she is hot.

One more week and the season is over, I am looking forward to Louisville and Master’s worlds. Lets hope for a lucky draw in my qualifying heat for my starting position. This would help not only to qualify but would give me a better chance at a forward starting position on Saturday. Well that is provided the heat goes well, it is CX racing. One more race report and then the off season. Hope everyone is enjoying the mild temps in the Midwest, I have been. Remember to send in your photo’s of your PAIN CAVE, you could win a jar of the new ButtonHole formula, check here for details.

-Enzo

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Enzo’s Pain Cave Cream Giveaway

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Enzo

For those of us that live in a place where something called “Snowmageddon” can occur, the time to spend hours and hours on indoor trainers or rollers is upon us. The winter training months are some of the most important for the bike racer, setting up the foundation of fitness for your summer.

Many struggle to get as much saddle time on the trainer as they’d like to.  For most of the year, the changing scenery on quiet country roads is as much motivation as anyone needs to get time in the saddle.  While on your trainer though, the scenery is whatever room you’re in. The trainer really is a test of one’s willpower. There are fewer distractions from the pain in your lungs, legs, and saddle (and don’t forget that riding on a trainer is even more of a reason to use chamois cream).  Setting up a training center is almost an art. How creative are you?

Enzo wants to see how you set your “pain cave” up and is going to give away some free chamois cream to the best setup as voted by YOU.

Instructions

1. Like Enzo’s Page

Go to the Enzo Facebook page and become a fan if you aren’t already (or just click “like” above).

2. Take Picture of Your Paincave

Show us where you are becoming strong this winter with a snapshot of your trainer setup and upload it to facebook. You have until the end February.

3. Tag Enzo’s Page in That Photo

Then tag Enzo’s Facebook Page (how to tag pages in photos) in the photo of your paincave.

4. Have Your Friends Vote

Get your friends to vote on your photo by getting them to “like” it.

5. Win

The 3 people with the most likes on their picture will get 1 -8 oz jar of the new improved Buttonhole formula.

Remember

-Each user can only win once. If you have more than one image, only one will be counted. Make it count!
-Enzo’s page must be tagged in the image for it to count.
-The image must be yours and of your setup. No cheating!
-Contest ends at the end of February.

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Badger Cross – 2011 Midwest Regional Cyclocross Championships

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Enzo

Staging for the 45+ master’s 1,2,3 race is more comfortable than yesterday. Saturday’s temps at race time were 22F with 15-20 mph wind, which made for the coldest day of racing this season. With temps soaring into the high 30′s at race time, we receive the standard announcements from the officials and the 1 minute to go. I switch the GoPro camera on confirming with Greg Ferguson how I would know this, and say good luck to everyone, to be safe. The whistle blows and the frantic CX sprint is on, who can reach the dirt first? After taking the hole shot yesterday in the first flat field section, I do not fight for it. Taking second wheel is fine as my ex-team mate takes the lead. Curious to see the pace he sets, it is not that fast so and I will wait to attack on the steep part of the climb. I am here to train so a suicidal pace is the call of the day, not really caring about where I place.

The first climb is about 200m of 2% followed by a 25m wall at 12%, then 150m at 3-5%. I may be off on the grades since I do not have a garmin, but I am sure these numbers are close. Next is a gravel section, nice respite slight downhill grade, then a really rough section to a fast flowing right hander leading to the run up. The railroad ties are spaced nicely, almost too far apart for my vertically challenged legs. I am still pushing the pace and look back to see the damage caused. We now have a strung out field with gaps everywhere, laughter. Dan Casper is on my wheel, not take the lead until we hit the road section at the end of lap one.

Dan, schooling me yesterday in the final lap, takes the road section saying "get on" as he winds it up to 30.

Dan is coming off a huge win in Manchester winning the 40-44 Master’s World Pursuit Championship. Getting on his wheel was never easy and I always had to scrub speed going into the dirt chicane, not wanting to kiss the dirt or the big tree. At the end of the day, Dan and I have a huge gap on the rest of the race trading attacks every lap, with Dan rolling away with one to go.

The course is quite good, though very rough in places. When the permafrost sets in, which it will, the lack of technical sections will be a non issue. One slip of concentration and this course will cause the best riders to go down quickly. When it is slippery the course will have a very different look, it will grow fangs. The downside will be watching races, the venue is not spectator friendly though this could be corrected with a few wisely placed tents by USA Cycling, or the promoters. No matter what, we as racers will be put to the test in Verona next month. Train hard everyone, this will be a great test of our fitness and CX skills.

Below is footage of the race. Thanks to Rob Curtis of PSIMET Custom Wheels for loaning me his GoPro and to A.L.L Masonry for their support of Enzo’s this season..



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Illinois CX State Championship Montrose Harbor

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Enzo

Chicago Cyclocross Cup Wraps Up

The regular CCC season is complete for 2011. The series was quite good this year with the main difference the new call up system. This revised system is not perfect though Enzo thinks it is very effective. It caters to the CCC series racer first, then the ranked racers, then the rest. Some of the visitors complain about this new system, this is what I have to say about that. The top customers are receiving the best treatment,
if you do not like the rules of society, go to another planet, or consider racing more CCC races.

Enzo must thank a few people and groups for their efforts during the 2011 CX season. If I forget to mention you, it is because I am old, cut me a little slack.

-Jason Knauff head of the CCC who has done great work for the CX discipline in the Midwest.

-All the USAC officials that sit outside in the pleasant and crappy weather conditions counting bib numbers, for giving each field the same speech 10 times daily, while eating poor store bought food that is mostly empty calories, most of the time with smiling faces.

-To the promoters that have gone the extra mile creating great courses and adding to the prize list which is not required.

-To the fantastic sponsors who fund much of the series. (A special mention for EJ Lenzi) EJ is the reason our kids race for free. Year after year EJ’s generosity helps build the foundation of the CX discipline in the CCC.

-And lastly, to all the racers that come and to play in the dirt.

Those who have followed the race reports this season know Enzo has been rating the courses. With the regular season being complete, I am free to give kudos, for the best race course of the year.

The award goes to Dan Ryan Woods (Beverly Bike Vee-Pak). This was the best race course of the CCC series in 2011, testing all the skill sets needed to be a great CX racer.

Montrose

The race venue at Montrose has always been a great test and today it would be no different. Lake Michigan’s huge waves during the middle of the week created sand pits on much of the course, making for very technical difficult sections. The temps would be in our favor and the VW thermometer was reading 54F upon our arrival, about 8:00. Heidi and I set up the Enzo’s tent and I quickly changed as to ride the course once before the races started. This was a good day for a pre-race recon lap, turning around three different places, re-riding these sections until I found the fastest line. I also adjusted my tire pressures, front and rear, for maximum traction in the sand and mud. Later I would figure out I raced with too much air, one of many mistakes I would make at Montrose.

40+ Race

Congrats to Marc Moller on a well earned Championship and to Brian Karlow for another podium this year. Thanks to Eric Goodwin for the photo.

Seeing Ward and Brian upon my return to the Enzo’s tent, I asked how they were feeling and what they thought of the course. Ward said, “There is a lot of sand” and nothing more. Brian was going to ride another lap so I joined him as we exchanges line ideas. The fast line seemed straight forward with the exception of the main sand pit. This was a 3 foot drop off into 12 inch deep heavy sand. Riding this section was the fastest choice, but after many people ran through it, there were no real lines developed. I told Brian be ready to run this section in the early laps. When your heart rate is elevated and you are in the heat of battle, your brain does not always function well, so it is good to have a plan with options. Watching Brian and Ward in the 40+ race the boys are looking good. Eric(Village-Verdigris) has a 4 second gap with Brian, Ward, and Marc Moller(North Branch) in chase. Brian goes to ride the deep sand section, while everyone else is running it, falls and looses a few spots. By the end of lap one Eric has about 6 seconds and the group of three are chasing hard. I hear Eric yell to the Verdigris camp that he needs a bike change, with Tim Boundy running over to the pit for an exchange. Tim was ready with Eric’s B bike but he waved off the exchange. This turned out to be a critical error. Do not read this as criticism, when racing and having a small lead, it is very difficult to pit knowing you will be going back to the group. Eric must have felt the issue with the bike was not that bad. By the end of that lap he came into the pit but the gap had closed and Marc Moller smelled blood, attacking through the start finish area gaining a slight gap. Brian was not able to close the gap to Eric and the race was over. Moller wins his first State Championship, Eric 2nd, with Brian Karlow making his first State Podium. The contrast of Marc to Eric was painful to see. Eric won the 2011 CCC 40+ series wining many races by a large margin, today it was not his day. I am really happy for Marc and Brian, both having breakthrough rides.

Congratulations to all three of these boys.

50+ Race

Cool shot by Eric Goodwin from Montrose.

Good thing I decided to race for a jersey today, being sick after the Norge CX and Northbrook race weekend. Being off the bike for 4 days and not able to go the Jingle cross, I lost my race sharpness. While still having good fitness the lack of racing for two weeks diminished my speed on the bike. Danny Warner won the CCC 50+ series, congratulations Danny. He would get the 1st call up, while I was in sixth place, still a first row spot. Staged and ready to race, the whistle blows and I have trouble clipping in, which puts me in 9th place through the first corner. I sprint to the barriers, passing a few more guys, remount quickly and now I am in second on Danny’s wheel, perfect. Now I will relax since Danny is a good bike handler and the next section is technical. I take the lead into the crosswind section but make an error going into the sand having to dismount and run, with Danny taking back the lead. The next sand section I smooth the fast line gaining the front once more. Now it is time, with the headwind climb not too far away, the gas is full on and I gain a small gap, though feeling crappy. I would love to ride a conservative race following wheels until the end, but with Bob Downs playing today, I do not have this luxury. The wind, tacky clay and sand are going to drain everyone; I do not want anyone drafting me in the head wind sections. I feel if they have to break the wind, this will even the playing field, giving me the advantage. I could go into the many problems I had today, but will spare you from the whining. The bottom line is I did not ride a very good race; I was weak mentally making many mistakes. If this had been a big race,USGP or Nationals, I would have been 15th-20th. I am grateful the win, but also realize I need to bust my ass in order to gain the sharpness needed to find podiums in the big races.

At the end of the day, Enzo is very happy. Brian Karlow reaches his CX goal twice in 2011, Brian Jr, finishes 4th with zero training, we finish 6th in the team standings with only 4 people racing, and gain 1 state Championship jersey. Ward staying in to finish off the season though having bronchitis for 6 weeks. I am most excited about Brian Jr’s potential, he may be the next David Lombardo, adding a little training next year, remember Enzo’s prediction.

Next week is the Midwest Regional Championships in Verona. We will be racing on the 2012 Nationals course, that is this seasons Nationals, so check for the GoPro video, I plan on using the camera again, like I did at Norge CX. Ask Rob Curtis about viewing the Norge CX footage, laughter.

Blessings everyone,

Enzo

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USGP Louisville 45+ Race Report

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Enzo

I am finally recovered from the long weekend, working the USGP expo, racing both days (bonus) and spending Sunday evening in Indianapolis visiting our oldest daughter Nicole. Heidi and I arrive at the course about 2:00 Friday as I start looking for Joe who will tell us where to set up the tents for the weekend. It takes me a while to locate him since he is also in charge of setting the course, which is not yet complete. After Joe gives us the tent location, it is time to pre-ride this year’s course, seeing what changes await. It felt good to be on my bike after sitting in the car for 6 hours.

The course was dry, hard, and bumpy.

The most noticeable change/challenge this year is rough terrain, stopping to reduce more air from my tires. The ground is dry and quite hard, combined with many bumps, it is clear this is a big man’s course. The same reason big men do better on the cobbles; little guys like me are not able to keep our bikes connected to the earth’s surface at a high rate of speed. I feel like a skipping stone bouncing on the water’s surface. All in all I love the layout, it has all the requirements of a true CX test. Technical turns at speed, tight turns in the woods, steep power sapping walls, very rough fast power sections, 3 sand pits per lap, and a 150m pavement, sprinting section, to the finish. After an hour of this I know what tire pressure I will run if the conditions continue to be dry. I return to the car thinking about food, drink my post ride drink, change heat toward town for some eats.

 

Heidi and I spoke to a few people about a good place to eat, since I still have not found a great dinner restaurant in this town. We are told there is a relatively new Italian joint call MOZZ’s and decide this will be our trough for the evening. Good call, because this was one of the best Italian restaurants we have eaten at, ever. Heidi orders the lasagna and I the spaghetti with meat balls. Great flavor combined with huge portions. Good thing we walked 12 blocks from the Galt house where we parked the car. I do not know if I could have driven being so stuffed. Dave Towle saw Heidi’s left over’s on Saturday, he said, that could feed a small village, laughing because it was not a joke, the left over’s were HUGE.

Enzo and PSIMET tents

Arriving at the expo early, 6:40am Saturday, Heidi, Rob Curtis(PSIMET) and I unload the two cars, setting up both tents. The wind was quite strong 20-25 mph already, which was somewhat of a challenge. After nailing down everything Rob makes a good call skipping his race, due to lack of sleep during the entire week. The people looking for free Embro apps were few given the warm temps, high 50′s at 8:00.

 

Mike McShane with his daughter, both wearing their USGP leader's jerseys

The 45+ race will start at 10:20 so I slowly start getting ready. This works well being able to pre-ride the course 1 lap in between races. I am not feeling great and start riding on the trainer, as to loosen up the old body. 10:00 I head to the staging area not wanting to miss my call up, being bib # 7, front row, sweet. The official talks for a minute and says 1 minute, then 30 seconds, then the gun and we are off. I miss my pedal 2 times but do not panic, now being about 15th I see my opening on the left along the barrier fence, filling the hole while on the gas. When we make the left onto the grass I am on Mike McShanes wheel 5th position. This is good since Mike is the current 45+USGP Series leader, clearly a good wheel to have. At the first set of barriers the burning lung sensation begins though the pace remains high. I am not feeling great though not bad. I am good for 1.5 laps when John Card passes me going to the front of our group, the top six. Next thing the speed increases and I am not able to respond, I am watching the lead group of 4 slowly rolling away. This is frustrating, unfortunately the correct thing to do. Recovering over the next lap we pick up a few more riders, increasing the size of the chase group. I am able to increase the speed slightly and drop all but 1 person from this new group. This is how the race plays out though I give up the lead on the run up, slipped pedal and lose the sprint for 5th by half a wheel. Not feeling great about this race. I congratulate John Card for the W and his great ride, and then head back to the tent, to cool down on the trainer for a while.

The rest of the day goes well; we talk to many people about Enzo’s products, and seeing a number of friends from the area also. We wrap up the day and take Rob to Mozz’s for another test of this new menu, which did not disappoint.

 

Day two the pre race prep was similar and I head to staging about 10:00, though I did feel better during my warm up. The group receives the 30 seconds to go, then the gun. I nail my pedal adding gears until I am in the 11 and spun out. Tim Butler and I are exchanging blows for the hole shot as I hit the grass first. I stay on the gas to the barriers then give up the lead moving backwards to about 7th place. My lack of racing at this level in 2011 is glaring, since I really needed to be more chilled at the start. There was no reason to take the hole shot and my lap times show this. My first lap was my slowest of the day with my second lap being the fastest of the entire race, faster than John Card’s. This is why I am in Louisville, testing the National level waters, a great reminder that racing is not about emotion, it is a chess match. Today I lost my match by being stupid, this will not happen again, at least during this CX season.

Heidi and her massive plate of lasagna at MOZZ's

Anyway, at the end of lap 3, I bridge up to the Mike McShane group, which is 4th, 5th, and 6th, I instantly attack them hard. Mike is the only one that responds and we are now a group of two. He attacks me going into the technical section gaining 2 seconds, then 3. I have never been a great bike handler, good but not great. Now I check behind only to see Keith Lucas closing the gap. Keith is wearing bib number 6 and finished 7th on Saturday. Keith is a MTB racer and pulls a McShane pass on me through a technical turn section. I am good with this since I looked at the final turn well during warm ups. I would not make the same mistake as yesterday, being too cautious on this final corner. We hit the pavement together and Keith nails the gas, I think no freaking way and click gears until I am even with him at 15 meters to go, bummer for Keith as I take the sprint by a wheel. He says dam roadies, at the line and then we both laugh through our heavy breaths. Hard breaking going into the grass section, we shake hands saying good race to each other. Back to the staging area to say a few last words to David Lombardo, to stick to the plan and have fun.

People have been loving the free embro apps, although this weekend's temps were a little warm for it

The rest of the day was spent talking, making new contacts, watching other races and enjoying the CX atmosphere at this awesome USGP event. There are two races I really want to watch, the junior 15-16′s which David Lombardo is in. David finished 2nd on Saturday and when I spoke with him and his dad Chris, asked how the race played out. After which I asked if he would like advises on how to approach Sunday. He says yes, and we talk about a different race strategy. Chris thanks me for the advice to David, since he totally agrees with me. So we, Chris, Rob, and I watch the two juniors battle each other, as this is a two man race. The rest of the field are 45 second back, I am not sure of this but they are not a threat. At the end of the day David wins the race, and is very excited, well excited for David, which is a large smile.

 

Enzo tent and banner at USGP

The pro race was awesome, though Ryan Trebon rolled a front tire during his warm up, hurting his leg. He still raced but was not the normal animal we are used to seeing, I think he finished 10th. Troy Wells and J.Pow did put on a great show with Powers attacking again with 1k to go, winning by a 2-3 second margin.

I want to thank Rick Mace for the race photo’s since we forgot our camera, not such a good thing. You can friend Rick on fb to see all his photo’s. Rob Curtis Psimet, for working the pit and building such great wheels. Heidi for doing all the free Embro apps, people are loving this at the races. The USGP crew and Joan Hanscom, the head of this race series.

Hope to see many of you at the Norge/Psimet race on Saturday, the prize list is increased, which is nice. Check out the payout break down people, it is worth the drive. The 1-2-3 race may have a few guest riders, top 10 finishers at the USGP Sunday.

Safe riding to everyone, see you this weekend.

Enzo

 

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Woodstock Race Weekend

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Enzo

Brian Conant (Pony Shop) always makes sure the race starts fast.

This was the start of a difficult three weeks for Enzo and crew. Friday come home and eat, start packing the car for Sunday’s Woodstock CCC race. Heidi and I will be heading to Peoria early Saturday watching Rachel race in the IHSA CC championship. A 3 hour 15 minute drive, which means I will need to be on the trainer at 6:30 Saturday AM for my pre-race ride. I have had two days off the bike and need at least 1.5 hours of ride time to prepare correctly.

One thing this old body does not like is going from riding the bike to riding in a car seat. By the time we make Peoria 11:50, I am quite stiff. We are meeting Nicole, who is driving from Indy to watch her little sister race. Funny because her back is also stiff, and we laugh how connected we are. Nicole and I run all over the CC course watching the kid, who runs a nice race finishing her CC season on a positive note. As a father if Rachel is satisfied, so am I.  We take pictures, give hugs and are off, back into the car heading home. Arriving in Barrington about 6:00, I put the last few items into the car for race day. Finally I can sit on the couch with my feet up. My back is feeling tight, which is not normal, so I break down dipping into the ibuprofen bottle, also not normal.

Scanning the tube, I find the perfect pre-race meal for the mind, free live MMA matches. Ripped crazy men that want to literally break each other for 15 minutes, then in mutual respect, hug each other. This entertainment is as crazy as it gets. Bike racing is just like this without the massive amounts of punching, kicking, and grappling contact. If you race, you know what I am talking about.

Sunday AM we are lucky to gain 1 hour day light savings which is nice, needing to be in Woodstock at 7:00. I have to set up the Enzo’s tent early according to Rob Curtis. This is the first of two CX races Psimet is promoting this year, and though Enzo’s name is not on the bill, we are one of the many hands in the support system. Everything goes smoothly with the tent set up, now I start to walk the course tightening course tape in all the crosswind sections. The wind is quite strong, forcing me to move stakes as to widen the course. Once the 40+ race begins I return to the Enzo’s tent, Heidi has arrived and is ready for free Embro Stick apps. This is her promo idea and it seems like the CCC racers are liking the quick warm up massage with their pick of Enzo’s new product line of Oil Stick (No Heat), Medium or Hot stick.

The day is going nicely and at 10:30 I slowly start setting up my bikes, not sure what tire pressure to ride on today’s track. I go out for a test lap in my street cloths and quickly remember how rough this course is. I adjust to a very low pressure setting, return to the car and change into my kit. Now warming up on the trainer, I feel average at best. I want to get back on the course checking if the tire pressure is correct. Good thing, because I over compensated needing to add a few lbs of air. Now feeling confident I set up my pit bike with the same pressure.

Staging for the 1-2-3 race has starting so I line up with the others. I am number 21, having zero points in this category. Ryan Freund and I are together in row three. Ryan is doing his first ever CX race. This does not seem correct him racing in the 1-2-3′s.  The USAC rule in place says he must ask for a down grade, being a Cat 1 on the road. I tell him to be careful on transitions since he will be going faster than his ability, a common mistake of fast roadies when first trying CX.

The pain of "Heckle Hill" is offset (a little) with spectators singing "Happy Birthday".

I have my work cut out for me; third row and Brian Conant (Pony Shop) in row one. Brian is a crazy fast starter and does not slow down much in the later laps. He is really fast on a CX bike and is a 40+ racer, which is good for the young guys to see. Just because you are old, does not mean you are slow!  By the time we make it into turn one I am about 12th place, sitting on Luke Seeman (xXx). The pace up the first hill is fast but not fast enough, and the leaders gain a few seconds, maybe 4-5. Nothing I can do about this but stay connected with the first chase group until an open section. At the top of the second hill there is a second split, which I am part of. I look back to see that we are a group of 6, I am third wheel. The lead group of four is 10-12 seconds up the road; I am going to settle in since this is my first hour race of the CX season. A few laps go by and we are down to 4 guys, I make a mistake at one of the single barriers and loose contact. I bring back one of the Iron Cycle guys and we ride together for 2 laps and I am able to drop him. I am watching Tim Yuska also (Iron Cycles) who is 10 seconds in front of me. Tim was dropped by John Gatto. I check the lap counter which says 4 laps to go and think it is time to start hurting, with only 20-25 minutes remaining, I need to catch Tim in the next two laps. If I can do this I will have a lap to recover before attacking him, gaining another place. Every headwind section and uphill I gain a few seconds, connecting with Tim we have 1.5 laps remaining in the race, perfect. Entering the barrier where I crashed earlier, Tim has a problem slipping his pedal, I nail the remount attacking him on the uphill section. Time for a hot lap and I drill it really hard for the next 5 minutes. I gain about 8-10 seconds then ride tempo in the fast sections, kind of on the gas rest, then go full gas in the difficult sections. The gap continues to open to the finish. As I cross the line I have to ask the officials if that is it, making sure I counted the laps correctly.  6th place not bad, though a few of the players were not racing today, I will take it.

Ryan had a little bad luck rolling a tire, he did not crash which is good. I would like to see more of him CX racing, but I suspect that will not be a reality. Anyway, the Woodstock race was fast, windy, hard and fun. I really enjoyed heckle hill hearing everyone sing happy birthday while I was deep in the pain cave. It took half way up that run up until I realized that people were singing. Thank you to everyone for that, it made me smile.

Thank you to Psimet and Rob Curtis for the awesome course. At first I thought it needed more turns but at race speed the course rode very well. Brian Conant summed it up nicely, quit complaining about the courses, it is the same for everyone, shut up and race your bike. I love this attitude, Brian is correct, all the courses are hard in their own way, it’s CX, not checkers.

Next weekend we are off to Louisville for the USGP. The following weekend is the second of two races for the Psimet crew, NORGE SKI JUMP CX RACE. This is a Saturday event featuring a new course, which is always a challenge. The NORGE Ski center is home to a 70m ski jump in Fox River Grove. This is private property so they will be serving food and beers. Look out, this could turn into a real Belgium CX event/party.

Until then, everyone stay safe, train hard, and race harder!

-Enzo

 

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Campton Cross 2011

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Enzo

Free Embro Applications at the Enzo’s Tent

Enzo's Embro

Look closely and you can see Super Enzo!

This was an idea Heidi and I talked about driving home from the Bartlett cross race. We would have to leave early to gain first dibs of prime real estate for the Enzo’s tent. This works perfectly and we quickly set up in order to start applications for the 40+ racers. Our first taker was Robbie Ventura, who was racing his first cross race of the year. We do not see Robbie racing cross often; I think the last time was Northbrook 4 years ago. On that day he beat my old teammate Chris Lombardo, father of the fast kid racer David.

So I see Robbie and say hello also asking if he wants the Enzo’s advantage, he hesitates for a second and Heidi says, “Come on, I’ll put it on for you”. After sitting in the application chair, Heidi puts on the blue latex gloves, RV comments, “OK the gloves are making me nervous”, and we all laugh. Heidi uses the Orange Medium Embro Stick and RV says, “I can feel the heat already. That feels good”, and we send him on his way.

During the 40+ race I see RV in the chase group only 6 seconds back from the leaders. I am impressed since he had to start in the back row and there are roughly 60 guys in this race and it is only the end of lap 1. At the end of the race it is RV winning after dropping the Ex-Pres (Tim Boundy) who has been slowly increasing his form. Tim won in Wisconsin on Saturday so for RV to drop him was impressive.

Later RV told Heidi the Embro was awesome, thanks again. Caveat: Lou Kuhn (Pony Shop) who was in the lead group, had to make a bike change which moved him back to 10th position. Chasing really hard Lou finishes 3rd, I suspect that Robbie would have been 2nd if Lou did not go in the pit. Robbie needs to return for a rematch!!!

I start getting ready for the 50+ race while Heidi has a number of customers waiting for the free application of Embro. The thought of Heidi applying my embro briefly crossed my mind, quickly returning back to reality, applying it myself as usual.  I choose the Hot Chocolate, a new flavor which is a (RED EMBRO STICK) or hot, go figure with a name like that. Enzo is all about high quality products that smell GREAT. Who does not like the smell of Hot Chocolate? We have batches of Oil Sticks, Medium and Hot Embro that smell like this. A few others: Hot Blueberry Muffins, Pumpkin Spice, Carmel Apples, and many others. Embro Sticks will not be marked what flavor they are, it is a gift, and you are surprised when you unwrap it.

I ride a lap of the course in between the races and find a few changes that seem to really improve this track. I have never been a huge fan of this course; it always seemed to be more Mtb-like than cross. Not this year, Rob Kelly and the Bicycle Heaven Crew really nailed the layout. A+ from Enzo, no more rock crossing while climbing clay hill. Instead there are swooping curves around the rock piles, which allow you to hold your speed. The crux is, to maintain your speed you have to use many watts, so by the end of the race you are really drained. The other improvement was the rail road tie section, instead of being forced to ride over these, exposing the rider on carbon rims to a possible break; you could pick two lines around the obstacles. Granted this was the slower line but they gave us a choice, nice. Then in true Rob Kelly fashion the Mtb section was great, a single track over a few small whoops. If you did not turn slightly left after the first whoop, you would be forced to ride a nasty off camber which wanted to pitch you into the trees, laughter. I am laughing since the first time through at speed I flew off the first whoop landing on the off camber having to make a huge save. I was quite happy to have kept it upright while not rolling a tire. Thank you for these alterations, I loved the course, giving it an A+, which makes it Enzo’s top CCC course of the year list.

Enzo's Embro

PSIMET providing his usual heckles and rock solid race wheels.

50+ race there is not much to talk about, my fitness is improving weekly and it is time for me to stop torturing my peers. I will be racing other races now, 30+, 40+ or 1-2-3′s. It is time to start going to the next level of training for the end of the season. Anyway, Danny nailed another hole shot then making a great save in the first 180. He went in way too hot and did a full rear end lock up, which looked really cool from second wheel. He keeps a nice fast pace through the rail road tie section and sits up after the barrier, a smart tactic, not wanting to give a draft into the head wind section. Problem is, I will not take the lead either, hitting the breaks we have a stale mate and are going 10 mph while looking at each other. The group behind had to be wondering what is going on. Scott Ross (Bellum Racing) takes the lead, I grab his wheel and we are back to it. I have a plan and will not deviate; the only variable is what lap I will attack. Feeling good we approach my chosen attack section and see we are already catching the back of the women’s field. Not wanting to get caught up in this mess through the technical off camber section, I decide to test the boys early. I gain a gap which surprises me, then digging hard to pass the group of 6 women before the off camber. Perfect, no passing zone for the boys while I have clear race track. That is it; I push myself really hard for almost the entire race, taking small rests maybe 3 times about 10 seconds each where I would soft pedal.

I am not sure what happened to Danny today, who finished 4th, this is not like him, but that is racing, we all have off days. John Shull (Alberto’s) was 2nd and Vitor (Colavita Chicagoland) 3rd, Nice work boys.

I return to the Enzo’s tent and Heidi is busting my balls for not wearing the Super Enzo Cape, I say I have entered the 1-2-3 race and will race with the cape. Staging for this race I am sitting next to Barry Wicks (Kona) in the back. My plan is to ride tail gunner for one lap, then pull the plug. The whistle blows I find my way to last, perfect. There is a monkey wrench thrown in my plan, after the barrier there are guys going really slow, slower that I can ride my bike even wearing a cape!  Passing about 10 people, I am laughing because I am going about 85% pace from the 50+ and I am catching another group. OK this is stupid, I make my way past tent village, and strike a pose gaining a huge cheer and many heckles which all make me laugh. Passing the start finish line I ride into the pit and pull the plug, my riding day is now complete.

I am happy to hear the Enzo’s $50.00 first lap prime was won my Mike Sherer (Pony Shop), keeping the money in the family. Yes the Pony Shop is a different team, I am talking about the CCC family, remember Barry Wicks is racing. When we travel to big races we always cheer for our CCC brothers and sisters, we are all on the same team then.

Again a huge thanks to Bicycle Heaven and Rob Kelly for hosting this event, it was the best Campton Cross ever.

See everyone in Woodstock. Come by the Enzo’s tent for free apps of Embro, yes we are doing it again!

-Enzo

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ABD Sunrise Park 2011 — Cyclocross Report

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Enzo
Sam Schnider on my tail as we make our way through the brutal "6-pack"

Sam Schneider on my tail as we make our way through the brutal "6-pack"

Enzo is slowly regaining a reasonable level of fitness, feeling coherent enough to write the race report on Monday. Maybe it is time to double up, maybe not! This will not be a normal race report, the 50+ races are not very exciting so the focus will be on Enzo’s highlights.

50+ race, the whistle blows and Danny, I go too hard in the starts, Warner takes the hole shot again, we exchange the lead 2 times in the first half lap. I attack on the false flat in the back section, establish a gap and that was the race. Well as far as the 50′s race. Now for Enzo’s highlight, upon catching the women’s leader Samantha Schneider, I pass on the left and tell Sam to get on, that the second place 50+ guy will not be catching her today, laughter. We have 2.5 laps to race and I go hard in the headwind sections where Sam reaps the full benefit of the draft. Being a great road racer, she feels right at home in this position and we are setting some nice lap times. One lap to go and it is clear she will not be caught, I am thinking how much fun this has been as we go over the cruel 6 barrier section, thanks Jim Nowak. We exit the last small wooded section keeping

ABD Sunrise Park

Sam nipping me for the sprint at the end of our races Sunday.

the pace really fast through the technical turns when Sam decides to take the lead. I then realize she is setting me up for the sprint, yes indeed, we exit the final turn and Sam nails the gas pedal beating me by a solid bike length. This is awesome, I am laughing as we cross the line being bested by a 22 year old women. Lucky for me I do not have a problem with this, I am sure there are many guys that would take exception. Remember this young woman has National championships, yes multiple jerseys, and has been a pro roadie for a number of years, not your average women rider.

Back in time a few hours to the 40+ race, where Enzo had two teammates racing; the Karlow brothers Bob and Brian(aka chain tool). Brian is a young racer only in his second road season and first real CX season. His nick name ChainTool derives from always having to dick around with his chain during CX races. He bought a new bike this year and started racing it without having it set up correctly. It seems this bike has a propensity to throw the

Bob Karlow making his way through the woods section.

chain, mostly during races while Brian is in the lead group. Not so funny when it happens to you, I told him to cut the course next time, a technique used by some other racers we know. OK, that was a low blow, but until someone can explain what happened during the 40+ race, we will stick with the only assumption that makes sense. Too many people were asking about this incident for it to be sour grapes, I hope it is a misunderstanding. Either way Karma is a real power we humans are all subject to, laughter, and I apologize for the digression.

Enzo’s highlight #1 Bob Karlow being back in a CX race, seeing him suffering like a dog with two laps to go. I could see his lower back was tightening and yelled “welcome to CX, how that is lower back feeling!”, laughter. I will not write his response, use your imagination.

Enzo’s highlight #2 ChainTool living up to his name, being dropped from the chase group having to get off his bike and fondle his chain, again.

Highlight #3 Bryan Rheude and Pony Shop’s domination of this race.

30+ race turned into a 2 man battle when Tim Boundy (ex-Pres), a Karlow nickname for Tim being our old team captain, attacked Lou Kuhn( Pony Shop Avatar) and Scott Aragoni (Verdigris). Enzo’s Highlight The attack dislodging Scott and turned the race mono  mono, with Lou besting Tim in the final sprint. A fun battle to watch though Enzo would have kept his team mate for as long as possible forcing Lou to do the attacking. What do I know!

Nick Ramirez

Nick making his way through the turns with his next victim in site.

Cat 3 race, Nick Ramirez and Tim Special, new road cat 2′s and 66% of the Enzo’s Cat 1-2 road team, are racing today. Highlight Every lap when these two pass the Enzo’s tent in the back section, I make them attack any riders with them on the uphill. They are dropping people like a bad date and I know their heart rates are screaming going into the barrier section, laughter, welcome to CX boys. You raced very well.

The moral of these highlights is this; The energy of the CCC races is really high and mostly positive. Thanks to many starting with Jason Knauff who loves Enzo, Ok that may not be entirely true, but we do respect each other. Jason has the CCC running as close to perfect as any person could, and Enzo thanks you for your contribution to our sport.

Jim Nowak and ABD for another great CX course, as well the increased prize list, awesome touch.

Rob Curtis and Psimet Custom Wheels for the generous support allowing the Enzo’s crew and others to ride these awesome wheels.

Tim Speciale

Tim "enjoying" his first CX race of 2011

Highlight Thank you to all that come to race and entertain at the same time. Receiving their endorphin fix then being great spectator/hecklers. It is nice leaving any event with a great feeling, I credit this to the positive energy of the spectacle we call the CCC race series.

Come by Enzo’s Tent at Campton Cross Sunday for a free application of our New Embro or Oil Sticks. Heidi has gloves and is a massage expert. She will be giving free pre race warm up massages while applying the Embro heat of your choice.

Until next week, safe training and riding.

Enzo

Welcome to Cyclocross, Nick

Jason Knauff and Jim Brady

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Carpentersville – One crazy weekend

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Enzo

Enzo was quite conflicted entering the CCC’s first two race weekend of the season. Here was the agenda in a perfect world. Train late afternoon Tuesday, work 2 hours Wednesday, ride late morning Wed, drive to Indianapolis to pick up Nicole continuing on to the Red River Gorge for some rock climb the next two days. First twist, the weather was not cooperating; rain was in the forecast for Slade, KY Wednesday and Thursday.

The early rain eventually gave way for some awesome climbing with Nicole.

We opt to drive to KY on Thursday instead, great call since the climbing was not great in the huge storms hitting the area on Wednesday. We arrive in KY on Thursday evening and it is still raining, we grab a few slices of the famous pizza at Miguel’s. Instead of setting up the tent in the rain, we used back of the TDI for sleeping. Waking up in the am, we both agreed this was a good call since it poured most of the night. Waking up before most at the campsite, we make our way to the crag, The Great Arch, which is a cool overhanging small area where we find ourselves alone, nice. Nicole has had huge climber’s stoke, politely asking if I want to climb first, I laugh responding, “You’re the one chomping at the bit, you’re in”. She grabs the draws, ties in, and hops on the warm up route, a 5.9 with 3 stars in the guide book. She smoothes it and I can see she has been training hard. I get on it next not touching any plastic holds or rock since Easter, when we last climbed together at Devil’s Lake. I was excited, having a nervous feeling in my stomach, not normal for me when climbing. A few bolts later and I was feeling right at home again. Next, Nicole climbs some 5.10 something and kills this route as well, no surprise. I follow her lead and do the same. By the end of the day we climb at three different areas, adding Johnny’s and Tectonic walls to the tick list. This was worth every minute of the 7 hour drive, and certainly a highlight of the weekend, climbing with Nicole in the Red, this is a fathers dream, right?

 

Rachel at the conference championship in 20mph winds.

Now I will drive 7 hours home arriving at in Barrington about 1:00 am. Rachel is racing cross country at 10:00 Saturday, while Nicole will stay at the Red, climbing two more days with her friends. This is the conference championship for Rachel, who has been working really hard for the last 3 seasons, this girl loves running and I love to watch her race. She has a good day even with the wind gusts hitting 20-30 mph, finishing 12th and 3rd for Barrington.

Awesome job kid. The awards ceremony lasts to 1:00 and I need to find an hour nap somewhere before 4:00. We are host housing the Schneiders from Wisconsin and they will be back at the house after the PsycoCross CCC race.

After a failed nap attempt, I hear Dave in the kitchen and walk downstairs to be social. I am feeling the lack of sleep, and know I need to ride my bike in order not to suck tomorrow in Carpentersville. This does not happen; we talk for a few hours about all things bike racing. Time for me to cook dinner for the large group that has grown because a few of Rachel’s teammates have come over as well.  7:30, I grab a quick shower and ask if Dave want’s to come with us to OctDruberfest. Correct, this is the OctDruberfest weekend, and since I missed it last year, I could not bag it, though Doughty did a no show, nice Tom. Down to the city we go at 8:15 and party until 12:30. It was a good group with great food stuffs, mostly prepared by Druber, who knows his way around the kitchen. Thanks for a great time Drubers.

Another post 1:00am bed time for the old guy, lucky for me the 50+ race starts at 10:47. Get up at 7:00, pack the car while drinking my cups of coffee, we head to the race venue. Mentioning to Samantha that I have no desire to race my bike at this moment, she laughs and says, “That will change soon”. We find a nice parking spot for both cars and proceed to get ready. Sam and I race at the same time, with Skylar racing a few hours later. Finally I am on my bike trying to figure how the body will respond not riding since Wednesday, hiking with a pack, rock climbing, running around the CC race, parting at Druber’s and having minimal sleep and I suspect it might not be good.

The large hill west of the course is my warm up area and I do 3 hard repeats raising my heart rate quite high. Actually, I do not feel bad or good and will have to wait until we are racing to find out how the day will end.

I will not pre ride the course, since there is quite a bit of mud. My plan is to follow Danny Warner’s wheel for a lap or two.  We get the whistle and Danny goes 100% gaining the hole shot, perfect, as I sit on him laughing. Danny is going about as fast as he can, forcing me to ask myself, is he really feeling that good? The answer is no, and he starts leaking oil the first time through the muddy corn field section. I take the lead with John Shull (Alberto’s) on my wheel. Little do I know we have gapped Danny, as I ask John take a pull while taking a little rest, then return to the pace making. John is riding well and I have settled in nicely, now it is time to push the pace in the mud section, testing John fitness. Gaining a gap, the gas pedal is down and it is time to catch Samantha, if I can. This takes a few laps and as I pass her, we exchange a few kind words then continue going as hard as we can. It is all about training now, and I have a little catching up to do missing so many days.

Skylar on her way to 1st

At the end of the day I am quite happy that the old body responded as well as it did. Now it is time to relax with the Psimet crew and watch Skylar race. I loaned Skylar a set of Rob’s PsiClo Cross carbon wheel sets to for her race on. Check out the photo, Skylar was going so fast the mud could not stick to the tires, and she easily won her race. A clean sweep for the Enzo house must have been the pasta dinner, or the Psimet Wheels.

 

Sorry for the late report, Enzo has had a very difficult week, recovering enough to not sound completely stupid. I hope everyone is excited for the ABD race Sunday, I am. See everyone then.

Enzo

Some full size shots from this weekend

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