Jefferson Cup Masters 35+

Here are the results of the 35+ race. What amazes me is how many of the guys here are all over 40. Of the top 10 there is only one who is 35-39. Of the top 20 there are only 4 more. I guess the 35-39 guys are still racing CAT123's. So the question of lowering the race category to 35, did it make sense?


Masters 35+
1 norton rick LSV/Kelly Benefit Strategies 42
2 Wirsing Jon Van Dessel Factory Team 39
3 O'Malley Justin Red Lantern Racing 40
4 Gillespie Bob All American Bicycle Club 48
5 king daniel Van Dessel Factory Team 42
6 king mark van dessel factory team 49
7 Brown Arthur Team Latitude/ABRT 51
8 Lusby Steve Kelly Benefit Strategies/LSV Am 40
9 frazer marc Kelly Benefit Strategies/LSV Am 45
10 Strimbu Gregory Squadra Coppi 40
11 Hosang Michael Tripower 36
12 Scharff David Kelly Benefit Strategies/LSV Am 46
13 Sorrell Bryan ATLANTIC VELO 37
14 Friend Roger Monticello Velo Club/Blue Wheel 49
15 Clarke Christopher NCVC/Inova Health System 45
16 Netsch Robert GS OUTERBANKS 46
17 Coffman Michael NCVC/Inova Health System 39
18 McDermott Ace Team Latitude/ABRT 44
19 Robinson Stephen Squadra Coppi/IM SAAB 37
20 Fang Harry NCVC/Inova Health System 45
21 Byvik Larry 540Cycling 44
22 Nusbaum John 540Cycling.com 43
23 King Michael Saroff Racing 43
24 Neigh Matthew AABC
25 Klein Marc NCVC/Inova Health System 38
26 Scanlon Bill Van Dessel Factory Team 41
27 Estes James Hilton Cycling Club/Team Conte' 43
28 Goble Chip Team Nature's Path / 3-Sports 38
29 lyons thomas main line cycling- bikyle 46
30 Reidenbach Fred IMMEDIATE MORTGAGE - ARTEMIS EL 44
31 Gros Bill Evolution Cycling Club 45
32 McNelis Edward Team Nature's Path/3Sports 45
33 Draffen Thomas Whole Wheel Velo Club 36
34 Barry Ronald All American Bicycle Club 45
35 Reeder Keith Team Latitude/ABRT 43
36 HESSIAN JOHN CARYTOWN BICYCLE COMPANY 39
37 Michaels Ted Evolution Cycling 38
38 plewacki ray Evolution Cycling 49
39 kutney Mark VAN DESSEL FACTORY TEAM 51
40 Gaudio Jon Team Nature's Path / 3-Sports 38
41 Breslin Bill IMMEDIATE MORTGAGE - ARTEMIS EL
42 Satterfield Michael Mock Orange Bikes 43
43 Basler Paul Team Saroff 37
44 Albanese Matt Team Latitude/ABRT 43
45 Guttridge Ryan Latitude/ABRT 43
46 russell derek coastal racing 36
47 Manyoky Ray Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Vo 46
48 Opria George Evolution Cycling Club 40
49 Richeson, Jr. Tom Virginia Beach Velo 48
50 Suydam Robert Virginia Beach Velo 43
51 Soma Grant Saroff Racing Team 49
52 Billington Bryan Toms Shoes 39
53 Henrickson David 540cycling.com 40
54 Houff Thomas Hefler Performance Coaching 45
55 Line Aric The Bike Lane 38

Anyway, here's my opinion of yesterday's race.

The weather was beautiful, though a bit too hot for me, so early in the season. My helmet was totally encrusted with salt as I was sweating a LOT. I heard many saying that the 2nd lap was extremely fast; I didn't notice that fact as I was in the front pack just motoring along. The third lap was animated with a couple of breaks, the second which finally stuck. I made a move, probably too late trying to bridge to the four guys up the road. I was kind of amazed that the pack didn't try to chase. I looked back after a half of a mile or so and I didn't see anyone behind me. About another 1/2 mile I was gaining on the guy stuck in the middle, however, when I turned around, I could see the pack gaining on me as well. Oh well, I gave up my chase thinking that the pack would ultimately catch the breakaway riders. I never got into a rhythm as I was going at 90-100 percent effort. When I got caught, the pack was going pretty fast up the hill and I hung on trying to recover, slowly but surely, I moved to the back. On the fourth lap, I felt that I had bonked. When the pack streamlined out, I could barely hang on pedaling as fast and hard as I could with the cross wind, slowing me down every so much, thinking it was time to give up. I had a teammate in the back with me and another old teammate back there with me as well. We chatted a bit, making sure they knew I was suffering, hoping that I wouldn't cause a gap. I knew I was out of gas, so I reached into my back pocket, grabbed my half eaten Cliff Bar and shoved it into my mouth. There's nothing like not being able to dissolve the bar in your mouth, as there was a lack of saliva. I chugged down some water and hit helped a bit. All while I'm trying to hang on! Breathing through my nose isn't typically easy for me, as my nostrils are not too big and to prove it, you'll see my pictures always with my mouth open gasping for air. On the fifth lap, I seemed to get my second wind about half of the way through that lap. I started moving up towards the front when I could and eventually found myself behind a couple of guy I know who could sprint. Unfortunately this was about 2 KM out and the pace slowed for a second and it all bunched up people jostling for a position. The effort I put out was enough for my legs as I started feeling the cramping in my calves and quads. I had to ease up. Many riders moved around and I found myself towards the back again. The final 200 meters came and I started my sprint, though it was very late, and without much power as I was too afraid I would get the sudden all stop cramps. Well, the race was a good one, very tiring and warm. Of course, you could ask my teammate, he was saying he was really fresh as he sat on the back. I think it's much harder in the back than it is in the front.
Oh yeah... I check last year's course... it was only 50 miles so they added an additional lap this year, why? Probably because we added the 35-39 year olds.

Ruth and Monticello Velo Club/Blue Wheel, thanks for a safe and fun race, again! Next time...hopefully it won't be the VA Championship RR. Too many riders who were in top shape already.

Where are they?

As I haven't been able to do too many weekend group rides (especially the 7am DCVelo), I haven's seen some of the usual suspects:
Do you know if they are racing this year?


Adam Fung? Last time I heard he was leaving the area. I think we went to Washington State. Well.. good.. he won't be able to hurt me in the rides anymore, though he's already been replaced with several of the Harley guys. I hope he's doing well.. His blog isn't updated...

Joe Baremore? I hadn't seen Joe around. Any DCVelo guys know where he is? He won't be dropping me on the climbs anymore and breaking away solo...

Guess, I should ride some of the weekend rides sometimes to get an update.

GamJams Reviews: Cleaners & Degreasers

As you might know me, I always try to do thing cheaply. I don't buy the stuff from the bike stores as it's really expensive.

When it comes to cleaning the bike, I love this stuff. De-Solve-it Contractors Solvent.
It's non non-hazardous, non-corrosive and works like a charm and has that orange oil cleaner in it. It even has a bit ability to lube and get things unstuck.
http://www.dtep.com/de-solve-it.htm

I buy this stuff usually in a gallon jug as it's not too expensive in comparison to the Goo be Gone stuff which is much more expensive in the tiny bottle.

Buy a spray bottle and fill it up and you can just spray this on the chain, use a toothbrush and scrub to loosen the harder dried up gunk and wipe with a rag. Sometimes, I'll just spray it on, use the hose and spray water on it, then dry with a rag.


The other way you can clean the chain is to break the chain and dip it in paint thinner. Paint thinner is really cheap for a gallon jug. Even much less than the De-Solve-it stuff and works wonders. Leave it in a shallow pan and get your old toothbrushes out. After about 3 minutes of sitting there and scrubbing, take it out and rinse. The chain looks really clean.. However I've been told by one of my trusted mechanics that cleaning the chain like that, causes the chain to stretch more easily as you remove all the tiny particles within the links causing the chain to loosen and stretch more. Oh well, at least it's clean. I don't often do the chain cleaning like that however it makes it really clean, only to get dirty after a few rides.

Back to cleaning the bike.. you can spray the De-Solve-It stuff on the bike as well. Any areas where it's dirty it can clean it. It safe for cured, lacquered, or dried paint. I don't leave it on too long just in case.

This stuff also works wonders on tubular cement/glue. It takes the glue off of the rims, sidewalls, if you make a mistake.
What else... oh yeah. if you carry the bike in the car and the grease gets on the seats or carpets, one spray and a scrub with a rag, gets the grease right out. Make sure that the rag is cotton so it absorbs the liquid instead of just rubbing it around and spreading the grease.

Try it and you'll like it! By the way, this stuff can be found in the paint or adhesive aisle in the local hardware store or buy it online.
Hope this helped.

Paris to Nice update: Contador Blows It!

Guess, I was wrong. Alberto Contador blew it. He cracked (bonked)and lost so much time yesterday that it was very difficult for him to actually make it up today. I guess you can chalk this up as a learning experience for him. A few things you can surmise from this race about Contador, he's young, very strong, and beatable. Team Astana definitely didn't have the support for him. Of course, you can't expect to win all of the major events he's racing in. The coaching is definitely making him a better all around racer. His time trialing ability really has become much better. If Astana puts a strong team supporting him, he will be a hard guy to beat. They have to be there just like how they were there to protect and execute the moves for Lance Armstrong. The big question is will they be there during the Tour de France? And who will they work for?

Paris-Nice: Contador redeems himself.

I just finished watching the live coverage of Paris-Nice Stage 6 Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - La Montagne de Lure.

I have to say Team Astana did its part today and helped Contador win today and gain enough time over Silvain Chavanel to take the leader's jersey. I think this is all over.
I have to give credit today to Jens Voigt for his early attack. He's a machine! Contador, however just rode away from the rest of them including Fränk Schleck. His tempo was tremendous and no one could keep up. This reminded me of the days of Lance Armstrong attacking up Mt. Ventoux and no one could match him. I don't think Lance can have a chance of of beating Contador if it was up hill climbing. Contador, though an amazing climber, still doesn't have the maturity/experience to control the peleton as Lance did. Having Lance ride for him will ensure that he wins again, however the question is will Lance really ride for him? The day before was proof that Contador couldn't control the situation as the Rabobank team did an incredible attack and Contador was nowhere insight and couldn't react. Team Astana didn't support their leader in any way that day.

I have to say I have not followed Paris-Nice in the past, however with streaming video, it's become much more exciting. I don't know if it always has been this exciting, however, technology has made it more accessible for all of us.

Now, it's up to Team Astana to lose this for Alberto. I don't think that's possible, however you never know.

Off Topic Post.

Since I'm involved with Technology all of the time, there are sometimes some real cool things out there.
For example, here are a few things which I think I'll be using more in the future:

Palm Pre: Palm Pre Link This is going to be the iPhone killer. For those who don't believe me, don't say I didn't tell you.

Hulu: Hulu This is the next way to watch videos. For Free!!

As far as more cool bike stuff... we'll I'd rather have have the heart, lungs, legs and recovery ability which can just out power the rest of them at any whim. I don't know how the old 35+ Chuck Hutch does it, however powering at 28 MPH at Hains Point with the wind at your face, dragging around a time trial biker while dropping the rest of us is fricken impressive. Now, if I had his legs all of you would be toast. Forget the nice wheels, forget the power meters, I'd just drop you like it's nothing. Oh by the way, I hear he's leaving Battley Harley and joining NCVC. :) We could use someone with his power on our Masters 35+ team.

Trade Zone not!

I rode almost 4 days straight this past week, even while having a cold. You know the same one everyone has. Stuffed nose, sinus pain, mucus everywhere including your lungs. Well, even with all this, I was planning to make a show of Trade Zone. I thought I didn't have any real conflicts with the race, except the weather! Well, not so, our neighbor asked us to attend a local fund raising event the night before. You know, the one which suckers you in to buying something you don't need. Well, it was for the kids. Another bunch of money down the drain for something your kids don't really need or want. Could have been a down payment on a new frame which my team wants me to get. Well, that's not going to happen. Well, it was enjoyable anyway, with a few glasses of wine and appetizers. I actually got home early enough to get some sleep. I awoke at 6:30 am and looked out the window... well a light dusting of snow. It was wet however, could it dry in time for Trade Zone. I went to my computer and low and behold, the cancellation emails had already gone around. Well, no riding for me. I took the rest of the day relaxing and watching a movie with my wife and children, then on with the end of the season hockey parties. I'm getting tired of hockey... time to hopefully focus on my racing. I was looking forward to racing as a team this year as in the past it was typically just me riding solo. If I wasn't in a break, there was little chance I could bridge the break or have several work with me to chase down the break. ABRT did a great job last year at making sure no one would catch their leaders. TZ was going to be a good experiment for our team. Many of us have ridden on different teams last year and this year, well it hopefully would be different. Well, no luck on Sunday... so I may not get to do TZ this year as I think the next couple of weekends are already scheduled with hockey events again. I'm registered for Walkersville as well as Jeff Cup. We'll see how we do. It is interesting on how quickly the fields are filling up this year even with the entry fees so high.