NorCal Cycling News

Chileno Valley Grasshopper ~ my, oh my … what a fun time

It’s not often that everyday weekend warriors get a chance to line up next to professional cyclists for an 80 mile, 8K of climbing hammerfest … but, that’s what the Grasshopper folks offer us once in awhile.

The Grasshopper series of training rides are the stomping grounds of many a diehard who may not pin race numbers on jerseys all that often, but most certainly know how to enter the pain cave and start decorating like they mean to stay.  The Grasshoppers are where quite a few good-natured smackdowns of NorCal bragging rights are fought out … with the road events being but one part of the real party.

This particular Grasshopper was an excellent fundraiser for Ross Dillon and his family - survivors of inattentive drivers on our roads and a cruel medical insurance system.

Good cause, and feel free keep the donations flowing.

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Veronika Lenzi was out on the course taking a sweet line of fotos ~ and you should always take time to view things through that woman’s eyes ~ her lense captures more of a moment than you’d think possible.  And remember, there’s access to those memories delivered to your doorstep with a few clicks and a smattering of bucks.

This image is of the one and only Curtis Inglis popping some hooptie on a climb.  I can’t believe I was lucky enough to be out riding next to a legendary framebuilder like Inglis, a kickass artist like Jeff Hantman, and a world renowned crotch-blogger like BethNewell.

Fun stuff.
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Bissell hardman, Paul Mach, pinched out a quick quarter-report narrating how the front end of things shook down through those painful climbs and mind-numbing headwinds of Santa Rosa … making note of how pretty boy BJM, Wohlberg the Wolverine, canada RobBritton, and the two Giant StarBerries Talansky&Berrilleaux throttled each other for 3.5 hours.

It was a great ride by Talansky … only 22 years old and screaming with potential ~ out of the hooks of that Amore-Vita nonsense and riding with the Giant Berries.  He’ll get good looks at some of the best racing in the US, and be able to take home a few bucks in prize money this year.  Joining him off the front was 25-year old teammate, Jared Barrilleux (Barry-Oh!) … one cowboy of a rider that always pleases crowds with his ability to suffer and willingness to throw himself out in front of a bike race.

These two young men have the luxury of being on a top-notch squad that offers a size-able stepping stone to moving on to bigger and better things in cycling.  Well done and we’ll see.
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Speaking of bigger and better …

The Bissell squad is absolutely the best run and most stable US-domestic professional squad on the scene today.  Their media pushes are organized well, timed for effectiveness, and successfully assist the riders to brand Bissell in the minds of cyclists and fans across the country.

This year’s squad will be formidable with the addition of some key riders.  It’s hard to say that Daniel Holloway will have a breakout year - just because he’s already had national and international success as a US criterium champion and 6-day track specialist in Europe.  But, with a powerful squad behind him hungry for sprint wins … this will be a year when Hollywood will not only be a legitimate contender for field sprints, but also a year cementing him as a rider who knows how to bring the show.

Cycling is a sport of characters … of riders we want to watch, want to follow, want to support.  Holloway has the potential to be one of those riders with his brash but likeable demeanor - and this year’s Bissell squad has the elements to exploit that kind of young bravado, while also keeping both feet on the ground through experience and maturity.

Bissell has the seasoned intelligence and leadership of Ben Jacques-Maynes.  But they also have the raw animalistic power of his brother Andy JM.  They’ve got the quick and surgical accelerations of a rider like Cody O’Reilly, as well as the smooth, granite coolness of a Paul Mach.  From management to support staff to riders, Bissell is going to be showing fans around the country what it means to be professional in cycling.

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Tour of New Zealand - USA #1

Shelley Evans sprinted to victory in stage one of this prestigious UCI event, nabbing the leader’s jersey and asserting the US National team as ready to defend to the end.  The ace in the whole for the squad is, of course, world champion Amber Neben.  Neben is a rider with a palmares longer than a Kentucky derby studfarm and will be key to backing up Shelley’s bid for a first GC international win.

Key to supporting Neben will be TIBCO’s Alison Starnes … already a rider proving that she loves to paint herself purple with pain on the front-end of a race for a teammate.  Janel Holcomb is also a rider with a strong history of being in the wind for a team, and I see her as being integral to keeping Shelley positioned well while Neben directs the team on the road.

Should be a great Tour.
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Tour of Qatar 2010

“It was a like a war zone and it was every man for himself.” - Steven Cozza, Stage 3 [CN]

Both the men & women’s versions of this year’s Tour of Qatar have claimed collarbones, pelvic girdles, and even a middle finger, or two. It’s a race that offers enough money, publicity, and UCI points that teams storm the thing like Lawrence of Arabia on crack.

But this deadpan flat race with demon hot crosswinds spews out a casualty list faster than camels spit at tourists … and there’s nothing to do about it but say ~ ’such is the way of the bike.’

“Boonen’s computer registered a maximum speed of 72.8km/h and he described the sprint as one of the fastest finishes of his career” [CN]

Sweet mother of pearl … that is well over 45mph for us ameri-pedalers.  45 frickin’ miles per hour on the flats, without too much tailwind other than the blow of fear-driven testosterone.  And there were boys falling in the final 500meters … that’s just sickening to think about.

Now ~ I’m not one to disparage other sports, or try and call-out one as being supremo to the others … and, there is absolutely no way i’d want to have some 300lb behemoth ram his helmet into my guts at full gallop.  Buuuut … neither do i believe that many out there will want to get in their car, pop it into 4th gear, set the cruise control at 40+, open up the car door and … fall out in their underwear.

But that’s what these riders risk … every day they race, every day they ride.

egads ~ what are we thinking?
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Amber Rais was an early casualty of Qatar this year, hitting a bot-dot pre-race much like Kurt Arvelson did on the men’s side.  Damn shame, as Rais has a huge following of fans and we all want to see her healthy and performing in her own brave, elegant way.

Kat Carroll also went down in one of the mad crosswind sections, much like Steven Cozza … both sustained injuries, but hopefully both will be back and racing their bikes like the banshee riders they both are.  These are two of the most courageous riders I’ve seen race their bikes in a long time.

… damn hard sport.  damn hard.

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Cody ‘der’ Kaiser … man for the future

Internet cycling awesomeness - PodiumInSight -put out a nifty article about Kaiser a couple weeks back, and it was pure pleasure to read about how a family can fall in love with cycling.

“Riding a bike was a lot more fun than playing a 6-hour round of golf, so with that said I am now in the bike business and not in the golf business, I don’t play golf anymore. We just ride a bunch, it was all because of Cody.” [PI]

That’s from Cody’s dad, Bruce Kaiser ~ talking about how he started up a shop just south of Sacto in the Elk Grove area, Kinetic Cycles.  I have been impressed with this family for a long time, as they have always promoted bike riding and racing in a healthy, community conscious way.  Their connections with Ride for a Reason are long and strong, and the way this group conducts themselves on and off the bike inspires good vibes in all who come in contact with them.

From Cross to Road?

Cody has an obvious talent and enjoyment of racing in the dirt.  But, whether he knows it or not ~ he also has all the makings of a phenomenal road stage racer.  Racing the dirt is a barbarian’s endeavor at heart … filled with insane aggression and risk that brings out the yowling beasts in all of us.

hellyeah.

But road racing is a thinking rider’s sport … and the best stage racers are those who can coldly calculate ~ only unleashing fury when it is called for, with discipline and absolute commitment.  And cyclocross is the perfect breeding ground for such riders, in my opinion.  As CalGiantBerries team director, Anthony Gallino remarked in the PI article,

“He’s so mellow, sometimes if he’s too mellow that hurts him, he needs a little chip on his shoulder, when he’s pissed off is when he rides the best.”

It’s that ‘mellow-ness’, his innate intelligence, and the freakish amount of sustainable power that this young man puts out that signals his high potential to be a road stage racer.  The stage racer needs patience, intelligence, ability … and an iron will to suffer.

This young man has it.

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Ban the Radios … Enforce Intelligence

VeloSnews grabbed USAC’s Sean Petty to yak about the recent ban on radio use in cycling.

“The UCI did a lengthy study, and got input from teams and riders around the world. Basically the question was, ‘have there been fewer accidents with the advent of the radio?’ The answer was, no.”

I’m a fan of the opinions of Michael Barry and believe he lays out a number of strong arguments why riders should be unplugged.  I highly recommend his words for reading … in all things cycling.

Safety is, or should be,  the first barometer checked for decisions in bike racing & promoting.  The argument that traffic hazards or dangerous conditions on the roads demands the use of radios is eloquently rebutted by Barry,

“Prior to radio use there was solidarity amongst the riders where they looked out for their common interests when their jobs or health were at risk. With a voice telling us what to do, we have lost our voice as we seem to constantly buckle when under pressure.”[VN]

I believe strongly that banning radios will not only increase the safety of riders, but also increase the enjoyment and … panache of racing.

When riders are free to ride - they are free to decide, learn, and succeed or fail as their talents and training dictate.

There is beauty in seeing the choices made by individuals in circumstances so unique and demanding, especially in a sport so essentially team-oriented.

I am glad to see the return of cycling to those who race it … not those who own it.

But as USAC’s Petty says … “we’ll see.”

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First off we had a great trip to Vegas for Interbike.  I love that place, pure and simple.  The show itself is remarkable for how similar it is each year.  Here is my oversimplification of what was going on at the show this year.

1. Fixed Gear/Single Speed - Its gone big time…felt like everybody had something to show here and several smaller booths were specializing in this product line.  The San Jose Mob are hardcore Hellyer-ites, maybe the rest of the bay area fixies will get inspired as the movement grows.
2. MetriGear Vector Power Meter - Dude - it’s freaking Star Trek in its coolness.  It’s james bondian in its size.  It’s VHS ian in its importance to using power in your daily training.  Most importantly … its NorCal born and bred.  Can’t wait to see this puppy in action.  It is going to be geek city once all the local pro’s start showing up with their beta versions, getting the local cycler-ati all jazzed up to go spend their money on these little guys.

Other than that the highlight for me was Cross Vegas - I wasn’t thrilled with the set up.  It was harder to get beer and to traverse the course, but the crowd looked the same size even though Lance totally flaked out this year (pansy.)   It was the best race I have seen there as two up and comers took the bull by the horns and shook up the US Cross Pros.  Local Sac boy Chris Jones took it to the pack early and worked with Jamey Driscoll to stay away for the entire race and land himself a second place spot on the podium.   With Wicks going all Mtn bking and the Jacque Mayniac’s focusing on the road it was sweet to have a NorCal boy on the podium at a big event.

In other news….

The news of Frank Vandenbrouckes death caught me by surprise.  I figured he would be kicking around forever, making me giggle with his silly euro hair, and crazy new teams, and running naked through the yards of his Belgian neighbors.  Underneath the drama and drugs was a sick man.  It is hard to think of the Euro Stars as real people.  The recent plight of Chad Gerlach was even more surprising and sad.  For one Gerlach is local, and we have all heard about his heroic performances the last  year.  There is not small amount of satisfaction we take in watching our local pro’s excell and succed.  Secondly the story was inspiring.  For anybody that has battled the demons Gerlach had seemingly overcome it was a survivors tale that looked like it could give Lance a run for his money.  The reality is, the set backs, and losses when dealing with addiction, mental health issues, and just regular life for that matter - outweigh the victories.  For talented athletes who have such a propensity to win such challenges must appear easy, yet prove impossible.  A quote from the Sacremento Bee’s article which broke the story stood out  ‘Local drug counselor David Husid sees little hope for the fallen champ. “Until he… realizes he’s just an average guy, he’s never going to figure it out.”

As the news broke there was a lot of shock, and what can be interpreted as hope for recovery, in the NorCal cycling community.  While the comeback started out as a great story the real win for Gerlach will be if he can find a more solid anchor for his life in his young new family.

Drugs, drugs, drugs…. I found it interesting that these stories were breaking around the same time as the AFLD announced “incongruous substances” found in medical equipment, which has lead to a broader investigation by French authorities.   The phrase “French authorities” always makes me giggle since they seem to be more willing to make a fuss, but less willing to indict anybody than the Spanish authorities.  I will give it to the Italians, CONI, at least they seem to be going after anybody when they get on the trail of somebody they think was a doper.  With all that in mind, I am still pondering how to weigh harmony in cycling vs. exposing cheaters.   The focus on Astana strikes me as a red herring since Bruyneel’s trade craft is so strong i find it unlikely that his team would get busted by equipment they turned over in a public waste disposal mechanism.  Since AFLD’s revelation did not seem to have an immediate point, other than to embarras the UCI, i can only assume it is part of some long complicated plot being developed to catch Lance Armstrong in a lie.

“Ben Jacques Maynes just wrote his ticket to Europe!”

~ Announcer Dave Towle during BJM’s second place finish at the Nevada City Classic.

The following was translated from a Belgian/Dutch blog http://www.wielerflits.nl/, that follows all the pro cycling trade rumors.   Stage and dialogue instructions have been added since Hernando wanted to re-enact some of this at Hellyer’s Friday Night Fights.

Scene: Millionaire cottage in the mountains near Aspen.  We zoom in on a quiet kitchen table scene of Lance Armstrong at breakfast table drinking coffee and reading the paper while he watches several kids splash about in a pool.  The pool is being monitored by girlfriend, nanny, lifeguard and two body guards.  Phone rings and Lance picks up a portable phone. Its Johan Bruyneel who has a slightly Germanic accent that sounds like Friedrick the Caterpillar from “A Bugs Life.”

Johan: Lance, Lance – Its silly season – my favorite!  What do we want this year for our new Team Radio Shack?

Lance (slightly annoyed): Johan – we discussed this I want the Schleck brothers.

Johan (his voice is depressed, you can tell he’s pouting) – I’m sorry Lance, no go on Scleckies… that Saxo Bastard 60 percenter Riis has them so locked up they can’t pee without his permission.  Good thing too…he he he.

Lance: Dammit Johan – I told you to get me “the shit” and beside “Alberta”, the Shleck brothers are “the shit!” You sure there is nothing we can do?

Johan: Sorry my liebchen, nothing…

Lance: F-It then! Just get me some brothers… I want something that will beat that dumb-ass Luxembourg-brothers-that-love-each-other story!

Johan: Hmm… what about the Feillu brothers… they are so cute!

Lance: What? Are you joking me?  What would we do with a couple of French dudes…. Jesus Johan – why don’t you strive for a little more mediocrity.  I’m Lance Armstrong – I mock the French, I taunt the French, I tease the French – I take money out of France, I don’t send it back in.  Remember Cofidis? Remember L’Equipe?  Remember Pruddy?  The only good thing about France is Hinault, and that’s only cause that redneck snail eater still makes LeMond so freaking crazy its worth his backwater ramblings. I’ll just pretend you never mentioned the Fillis brothers.

Johan: Fei-LU brothers… its has a nice ring!

Lance: Drop it Johan…

Johan: Well… there is the Jacque Maynes brothers…

Read the rest of this entry »

Zolder … Belgies get kicked in their NederlandersOne of the best cycling scribblers around right now has tapped Vos to take the Women’s World title this year.  I can understand why the sentiment rises … the race is on Vos’ hometurf, she’s won stripes before, and ~ she’s just so frickin hot.does smell a bit like a recipe for victory to me ….But, Salvetat, Compton, VandenBrand , and especially der’ Kupfernagel will have a few things to say about who dons the rainbow.  Compton is still my favorite for the race … as she’s going to swing back up in form after a bit of a drip after her Natz form.  But, to win … Compton is going to need a teammate up there with her.  The Euros are going to attack her over and over again, and Vos is someone who can exploit that kind of on-off action.Can’t wait to see.- - -.The reason to watch men race …are the chances at seeing this kind of skinsuit action..oh my, oh myI have to say ~ i’m diggin the biceps strap and the fleshy-gold underbelly.  To me, this kit says … “yes, i’m Dutch and - and yes, i work out”-In the results, we note that our CX men nabbed top-30s with Jamie “Future” Driscoll just ahead of Ryan “Now” Treboner.Right on.But, looking at the U23s and Juniors, we see that Summerhill and McDonald had superior rides, as well.  Can’t remember who it was I heard interviewed a couple years back … but, it was one of the Euros who took a freepass from one of our richie-rich promoters, swinging states-side to race a few of our homespun events and do some shopping.He said that American technical riding was as good, or better than the Europeans’ … but that the difference in performance was due to engine size of riders.   Now, some could argue that medical programmes are what separates engine au’bloc between the Euros and us Americans … but, i prefer to say that it’s the PROGRAM of support that the Euros have as compared to us.We don’t have big budgeted teams ~ we don’t treat our Cross riders to all the small and hugely important details such as … not having to work part-time, not having to pay for travel and entry fees, not having proper gear, etc….A rider stressed about making ends meet is going to be disadvantaged to the relaxed, supported euro poofter.but, they’ll also be hungrier…

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FreshyK has a new piece up ~

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read it … all ye who

would be there

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one day..

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here’s a quote from his latest VsNewz dispatch …

Cente and I chatted about our kids, life in Spain and racing. During our four hours on the front we had somehow developed a bond in that we were both committed to the same goal and had worked together to get to that point; he had given me food during the race when I was out, and in the front we had somewhat nursed each other like teammates to reach our goal. We chatted about riding on the front and he told me how he enjoyed it, how it was his job, he was hired to do and did it because Valverde trusted him and respected that he would give everything for the team.

He told me the new younger generation didn’t understand what it was to ride for a leader and that they all thought they would make the final, none wanted to ride on the front, or do the domestique’s work—and few respected it. He said he was always the first to put up his hand for the job although he has a palmares better than most.

The television audience might only see Cente on the front for the first hours of the race but he is known in the peloton universally, for his strength on the front and for making everybody scrap for some draft as he pedals convincingly up front.

In a quantity over quality society where most dream to be an overnight superstar, a flash in the pan American Idol, hard work has been devalued. A few nights ago, I finished watching the Beatles musical movie “Across the Universe,” and there was a great quote from the protagonist, Jude. The dialogue at the dinner table unfolds between three people:

“What you do defines who you are.”

“No, no Uncle Teddy. Who you are defines what you do, right Jude?” Maxwell replies.

“Surely, it is not what you do, but the way that you do it.”

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i’m just sayin’ … what a mighty fine individual that be.

I’ve no idea if it’s a guy i’d dance on bar tops with, but still ~ my kind of bike rider.

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The hurdle cycling has in drawing American interest … is that it’s a sport born out of empathy.  As we don our superfan hats ~ we FEEL the ride our heroes put in.  We know the pain, we see the discipline needed, the patience, the choices each day, each moment to pedal on …

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When cyclists talk about ‘brand loyalty’ ~ what they’re referring to is …

Michael Barry rides for High Road.

I didn’t know that until i googled his ass for pics.

I know who Michael Barry is, and will well past when ‘high road’ disappears

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that’s cycling

Check out today’s Cyclingnews {{LINK}} headlines …

High-Road moves from Germany to the US (SLO-town, no less!) …

Basso courted by Barloworld (2nd tier euro-team) …

Riders complain about midnight drug testing …

Swiss cycling hurting for money …

TourdayFrance won’t pay out last year’s prize monies until drug tests resolved by UCI …

Astana still shit-listed for Giro (maybe they should move to the US?) …

Vannoppen busted for … DUI, too?

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I think it’s worthwhile to remember that the highest amounts of cash started coming into the sport right around the same time (it’s rumored) that the real performance enhancing drugs started moving themselves into riders’ veins and coating chamoises.

Before the influx of real money into euro-cycling, cyclists used drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and maybe some horse-shot action. It was doping, clear and simple.

But, once money started rolling into the sport in a more corporate, TV-revenue oriented sort of way … the horizons expanded to include all those tales of EPO and HGH and specialty steroids and whatever else they’ve dreamt up since then.

It was a bubble created just like junk bonds and high-tech stocks. Cycling after Lemond took off in a direction that invested a lot of money into a sport that didn’t have the infrastructure to handle it. The cash was fought for like meat tossed into a hungry pack of street dogs. They fought and snarled at each other, made alliances and burned matches … all to get themselves a piece of action that the Post-Lemond Cycling Bubble created.

And now it’s time to burst that bastard.

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The headlines in the CN link above hint at financial problems for cycling in Europe. And that is the ONLY real incentive for killing off drugs in our sport … money.

We have to make it profitable for teams to compete clean. And we have to make it cool for riders to race clean …

but hey, i’m not spouting holier than thou crap here. I’m not saying life is a blanket of mormons smothering anything fun or mischevious. Hell no! Go out there and party a bit, Vannoppen. But, try to do it in moderation. Snort some coke, smoke a doobie, have your foo-foo euro-martini drinks … or whatever belgie party boys suck down.

Party all you want, but don’t make them ENHANCERS, ferchrissakes. I’m not someone who wants all to walk a straight and pure line … that’s just not my style. But, I do espouse personal responsibility and the decision to act honorably.

Acting honorably means lining up to the start line knowing that you’ve put yourself on an equal playing field with your competitors. It’s that clear, honest look in a rider’s eyes that makes all the difference in this sport. As fans, we all respond to it. We hunger for it. We reward those who have it.

We were hooked when we thought Lance had that look. That clear, determined, hungry look in the eyes. And we thought it of Hamilton and Landis. And we still hope for it, i suppose.

So, let’s take some money out of the sport … or, lets FORCE these people to move away from enhancin’ … and more towards partyin.

We’re only here for a short time, folks. Let’s enjoy it and do it right.
~m