Tour of Elk grove

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-of-elk-grove-start-list

Saturday and Sunday, 31 July and 1 Aug, I will be racing in the Tour of Elk grove Cat.1/2 races.  Both will be around 75km and start around 1345 Central Time.  They will be on a local TV circuit in the Elk Grove community.  I do not know about being able to tune in via internet.

Hammer Down!!

Blood Lactate Tolerance Testing

For all of those wondering, yes, this was with Robbie Ventura at his performance training center, Vision Quest.  One may ask, was he one of the guys covering Le Tour in France for a certain cable TV station?  Yes.  And he came back from France on Monday just to administer my test on Tuesday.  Not really, but I am very fortunate that he was scheduled to fly back so soon after the Tour and was able to give the test.  Such feedback from a Tour de France veteran and former Pro rider for the US Postal Team was a privilege made possible by my coach, Todd Hancock.

I walk into the centre and wonder to the back by the office.  A few people were working out in the gym but the only person I can see sitting in the office is Robbie...

Superweek Pro Tour

I will get straight to the good stuff.  Racing!
Before I roll it all out, I would like to thank my host family in Kenosha, WI for taking such great care of me and allowing me to stay in their home.  Again, thank you!

Currently, I am in Kenosha, WI and have just finished up the last four days in Superweek.  Four, super-fast and extra-long criteriums with some of the best U.S. professional bike racers and pro teams in attendance.  I drove up to Kenosha, Wednesday, 21 July, to my host family's home.  Then, I raced Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I will be taking a blood lactate threshold test at Robbie Ventura's performance center, Tuesday, 27 July, and then heading down to Elk Grove, Chicago, IL to race the Tour of Elk Grove, 31 July and 1 Aug.

My Superweek Rundown:

Racine, 100km, Thursday.
Absolutely sluggish and painful.  I felt awful because my body was still recovering from the long, 14 hour, drive.  The wind was a crucial element to this race as it turned into the threat of a tornado, added to incoming monsoon like rain, the race was canceled about 30min after the start.  First instance in my career that weather has stopped a race.

Kenosha, 100km, Friday.
It is incredible what a deep sleep can do.  The course was flat but the competition strong.  Many well known US Pro riders were present and ready to bring the pain.  I was pretty nervous for what was to come.  I am still not certain what to expect at top level races.  The race started fast, I rode without trying to fight for position and get my nerves under control.  Combined with the distance, the long straightaways on the course facilitated moving up after I settled in.  After twenty or so minutes I started to move up with steady diligence.  I did not fear I would lose out on a getting up to the front, although, I did not foresee my saddle nose slipping into a hilariously upright position during the race.  Go to the pit, get it fixed and take a free lap I thought. Fixed, yes, but no free lap as expected.  Irritated and over a minute down, I rode hard for 3 laps before being absorbed by the field.  I stayed in the race but pulled out with 15 to go because of some serious cramps.  The distance of the race was a bigger factor than I thought and I needed to carry more hydration.

Great Downer Avenue, Milwaukee, 90km, Saturday.
What a great race.  I really enjoyed this one.  The crowds have been getting bigger since Thursday and this was the biggest crowd as nearly the whole of the course was surrounded.  One corner was about 130 degrees and was meant for brakes. Overall, the course was flat and fast and I was ready to bring it.  On my way up to the front, I narrowly avoided three wrecks that happened just in front of me.  After the chaos, I was about 25 back with 25 to go.  I felt great and I was in great position as others seemed to be getting tired.  There was a break up the rode without one of the major pro teams in it.  Because of this, the break was destined to be brought back or the race would stay strung-out as a chase would ensue and keep me in good position for the finish.   Then, a fire truck appeared on the race course and we were all neutralized to wait for the obstruction to clear.  All my hard work, gone.  The re-start made the race hectic again and I fought well for position.  I was going good but I was out of water.  My body began to shutdown and I slowly started to lose positions.  The last five laps I raced with everything I had left.  Which was so hard I could not feel the tips of my fingers.

Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee, 90km, Sunday.
Twisty, turn-y and technical.  The final day.  The race started fast but later slowed as a break got away.  The race seemed to flow well until my saddle slipped into upright position. Again!  Not the best of days as I was feeling the last few days of racing.  Still, I did not feel bad, positioned myself, and then I just began to lose power because of the saddle.  My saddle position was so ascue that it effected which primary movers I used to generate power.  The result, loss of power and a difficult end to the race.

Overall, I am pleased with my experience.  This is bike racing at one of the highest levels in the U.S.  Getting amongst the action and learning how to race at this level were among my goals for this trip.  Most of the days I was close to coming up with something special but, clearly, I am still learning.  Next up...Blood lactate tolerance test at Vision Quest.