Make Mine A Dubbel ...

(Photo credit SWoo)

From Dusty Downs' November 16th CCCX Race Report:

• "CATEGORY B MEN- Brian Duke of the Salinas High School MTB Team posted his first Cross win in thrilling style. The division was full of experienced riders, yet Duke out hustled the entire group for the win. Duke looks set to have a strong MTB season for the High School league races, and his win against some very strong Croos riders shows that the Salinas resident is for real when it comes to racing his bike. Series leader Nico Cerna(VOS Racing) was second place seven seconds behind the motivated Duke. Tyler Frasca(SV Cyclesport) was 3rd place on the day about 35 seconds back. Making up the rest of the top 5 were Eric Highlander(Evil Cycling) in 4th and Mark Shaw(Vertical Pandas) in 5th place."

Pandapodium!

Lights, Camera, Action!

(photo credit cyclofiend)

Having time to reflect on the race I can say I am disappointed with the results, but not the performance. I truly thought I rode well. I felt good (though a bit dusty in the mouth) and met one pre race objective - start near the front. However after the good start, I found myself behind the racers I was aiming to keep with, and when they went, I did not. I was riding well, but fast? I thought so, but not fast enough and for not long enough. Afterwards I saw my result and thought, damn ... I'm slow.

(photo credit SWoo)

The RACE: At the whistle the pack surged, and within 50 meters a big pile up. Chris went down hard, while I managed to escape to the side locked with another person's handlebars. After untangling, the first lap moved quickly, and then I settled into racing. The course was contained in a tight patch of dust, under the 15 construction lights pumping out just enough watts to find our way. The pack first turned onto a paved straight away then a tight 180 back on itself on the dirt. We then snaked to and fro until a couple of steep inclines were broken up with a sharp downhill. More snaking to a set of four barriers followed by an incline then a dirt half pipe. I managed to get some air on the half pipe ( http://www.veronikalenzi.com/basps32008large-3.php?imagename=IMG_1604basps3-08.jpg ) until three laps to go. I went down on a gravel turn before the last incline and right after Clark cheered "Go Jeremy!" Confidence shaken, but not stirred, I picked myself up, fixed my chain, ran up the hill, hopped back on my bike and continued my race. The snaking continued which turned to three longer streches, including a pavement finish. I must have lost some momentum from the crash, as I was no longer with anyone. Alone on the course with 80 some odd other persons. How can I be so alone with so many people? I may not be the fastest or the strongest, but my wife indicated that I looked good, a lot faster and stronger than half the people that beat me. I guess that's true, she is a good judge of people. I may not be "specialized" like Boonen or Pattini, but my mom says I'm special and my wife thinks I look good, what more can I want?

(photo credit SWoo)

The PANDAS:Stephen lost a sprint at the line to finish 7th while Chris made an impressive(courageous, inspiring, etc.) recovery to finish 52. During the race, Chris attempted to communicate with the pit, calling for glasses, a new bike, and two Advils with a swig of bourbon but apparently his race radio was not working. He continued to press on - Courage! Go Panda! After the race, the medical tent looked him over and taped up his wounds and slung his shoulder. After further examination, his injuries may be more substantial - a bum shoulder that may keep him from Golden Gate park. Mark finished 54th after a chain snap, later on noting that his job was to ride the bike and not score where he finished. Myself, I finished 80th scooping up a single GC point. Apart from the race (or actually part of the racing) were the Vertical FANdas. It was great to hear everyone cheer us on, then BarBQ later on. Great sausage, sides and salads, cookies and cupcakes. The night felt like summer, all that was missing were fireworks. A few of us stayed until the final lap of the final race to see Rock Lobster take 1,2,3 and I thought, damn ... now they're fast.

CycloBarBQCross

After a weekend off from racing, the Pandas are hungry - hungry for some podium spots and some BarBQ. Though I can not promise a podium spot, I can promise BarBQ. We will have a grill set up this Saturday night for some truly authentic cross cuisine after the race - sausages, chips, beer, buns, sides and the like. We will have plates/cutlery and some chairs, but feel free to bring whatever else would make you feel comfortable as we chow down to the sound of cowbells.

Men's B is starting at 5:00 under the lights at Sierra Point and the Elite Men will start at 8:00. It should be a fast and tight course, with lots of opportunities to route on your favorite Panda.

http://www.pilarcitos.com/pdfs/2008raceflyerSierraPoint.pdf

On your mark ... get set ... Go!

Start in the beginning, particularly in cyclocross. Although I arrived at the line early enough with my teammates to ensure a decent spot for the whistle, I had to leave to take care of some gastro issues which cost me my place in line. Far from the upper/middle I made my way to the rear. Noticing my number was on the wrong side, a fellow racer assured me, "there is nothing you can do about it now." True. The whistle sounded and I waited the few seconds as required under the incomprehensible rules of traffic before actually racing. I moved up the pack taking an outside line, picking up some spots before the dismounts. On the backside (right after the up/down 180 turn in the mud) I took the inside line of a left curve when my handlebar hit a tree/bush. A pygmy California cedar I think, or perhaps coyote scrub? Anyway, I went down. More accurately I went up and over and then down and then rolled on the ground a bit away from my bike. I jumped up to hear my fellow racers sound the alarm, "Crash! Crash!" as riders navigated the newly created obstacle - a 60cm red Soulcraft in the middle of the course. I waited for the field to pass before retrieving my bike. A little bit of a brake/chain issue, but all systems go. Back on.

Although I caught some racers, I again found myself in no man's land, away from the pack, alone … at the bottom ... a loser (or at least close to it.) I had planned to mark some riders who had posted similar times in previous races. My planned failed spectacularly and although I harbor thoughts of coulda, woulda, shoulda, I did enjoy my race, satisfied with my ability to ride up all the inclines and pleased not to have shit myself. I competed and I finished (81/85). I will continue to compete and I will continue to finish. I will keep you posted on the where and when.

Other Pandas will have to tell their own story, however I can share the results - Stephen took 7th right behind McLaren's winner to retain call up honors for next race. Mark and Chris took 11th and 12th. Mark also retains a top ten position in the Series and Vertical Pandas is well represented in the call ups. Vertical Pandas appears to be a force to be reckoned with in Men's Cat B. Go Pandas!

There are races in Livermore and Sacramento next weekend, however I will not be racing. Will keep you posted regarding a Bar-B-Q on Saturday, November 15th at Sierra Point. Cat B start racing at 5:00 PM -http://www.pilarcitos.com/pdfs/2008raceflyerSierraPoint.pdf