Team BEER

Del Paso Park 2008 was kind of repeat for me this year.

I struggled in my A’s race. I never could find any rhythm throughout the hour. I just kept sinking backwards. Maybe there was some fatigue due to the work leading up to hosting the race, but I think that’s a pretty poor excuse. I just wasn’t my race.

Later on the afternoon, after hydrating with some Perrier and a slice of pizza something change for me as the Single Speed race came about. I got to play some tunes on the decks and that put me in good spirits. In fact I forgot how much the A’s race sucked. My focus turned inward, and my goals were clear. Ride a safe race with no crashes or touching of the ground. Then, work on cutting good lines every lap especially in the grass. Doubling up is funny like that, you are tired, but it is your “Hindsight is 20/20” race. If done correctly, it is a chance to make good on all the little mistakes made earlier in the day.

Everything just felt better in the SS race. My breathing was relaxed, and the pedaling felt relaxed the whole time. Although the fatigue of the day did settle in near the end of the race, I did musted up enough energy on 2 to go to real one geared guy just ahead of me. In the grass I was able to slowly out drag race him with each pedal stroke.

All in all it was a good day. Two races under the belt, and a well hosted race. Totally rad!

This weekend Mark and I voyaged to the Wente course. Joined by his friend Steve and a couple other riders, we did 2 laps around the loop. There is a chance of wind and fatigue inducing climbs for this event. Couple that with 12pm heat, and it will be challenging. Water and nourishment prep. mandatory. Drafting in teams mandatory due to the long downhill section where people in packs catch up.

This race was a total hit. I have been wanting to participate in a roller race for some time now, and was excited to see this roll into town. There is no better way to celebrate the TOC than with a race of of your own.

The setup for the race was cool. There were 4 bikes on fork stands with sensors on the rollers. Distance and timing was all taken care with the click of a mouse using the Open Sprints software. Real time display of the racers progress was blasted onto a screen via projector, so the crowd was able to go nuts.

There were some big prizes on the line for the fastest male and female 500m time of the night, so I was in to it. Big time!!!

At the end of the night, the three fastest times were set by Team BEER.

Jim Macdonald at 19.4

Cody Fike at 19.6

Sage Bauers at 19.7