Some good old style bike racin'

This photo and more courtesy of Jason Lardy

Most people don't realize it but the one thing that goes unparalleled in the messenger community is hospitality. Seems like we were the only two not at a great messenger event this past weekend but everyone around us made up for it with some of the same great qualities.

Firstly, family really came through big. Thanks to big sis for putting us up late Friday night and feeding us the next morning. Thanks to Al's dad, Paul and his fiance Jackie for being very welcoming and providing cheering support. But also a big thanks to the many racers and organizers at National Sports Center Velodrome in Blaine, MN.

photo from MNkiteman

I've never been to a sanctioned bike race where anyone offers a place to stay, let alone 4 people asking us if we were good for the night. One explanation was a small track has a small infield which brings about comraderie. It was evident dude was right because civility was certainly on display both nights Al and I went up for the Peace Coffee Two Day Grind.

How small of an infield? Whatever you can squeeze within the walls of a 250 meter outdoor track. It was built with a very shnazzy wooden surface. It's super tall and banked on the straightaways at 17 degrees. Northbrook has that banking on its curves. The banking on the turns here are 43 degrees. Unbelievably steep. If you don't maintain a minimum of 10-12 mph then your chances of sliding down the track from lack of traction are strong to inevitable. I felt my outside foot hitting the track many times riding high on the bank. Kinda freaky anytime you ride let alone when your pedals are lined up with the head of the guy down track. I walked into the infield for the first time and all I could do was shake looking up at the rails.

It's certainly not without reason. Steep banking brings about fast and intense racing. Mix that with an awesome race list and you have a 2 day Madison event that will change your perspective on track racing.

The race list was this:

60 lap points race (one rider from each team does 30 laps and then exchanges.)

Madison Kilo (I couldn't even begin to tell you how awesome this is.)

Madison Miss-N-Out (Whomever is pulled is pulled for the team. Full on exchanges through the race. Insane.)

Chariot (Get going hard and fast into those turns!)

SuperSprint (Miss-N-Out eliminates half the field before 15 lap scratch.)

80 lap Madison (Super bonus points for gaining a lap. Keep it full throttle all race long.)

There was no downtime. Once a race was done we rolled right into the next one. Highlights include:

-Busting a spoke from someone overlapping their pedals to my wheel. I stayed up but he went down. Dude was totally fine. A collision is just what a flatland boy wants 5 laps into his very first race on a crazy steep velodrome. Luckily Marcus at Yojimbo's loaned us some backups and reminded us to take them. (A race director brought me some wheels for the next day's races if I had trouble repairing my spoke...see previous statement about nicest people ever)

-Al getting a solid breakaway to happen in the points race (surprise), gaining a half lap with only 10 laps left and then taking the final points sprint.

-I got 2nd in a chariot by 1 inch over 3rd and 1 inch behind 1st. First place was the "King of the Sprints" up there, apparently the rightful owner of a sub-11 flying 200 time.

-Al played an attack and counterattack beautifully in the SuperSprint to hang in for big points.

-They played the Blues Brothers anthem for us both nights of doing the Kilo.

-Staying on lap with a dangerous 4 team break in the final night's Madison despite being half a lap down from them with 30 laps left.

-We ended up in 4th place out of 9 teams and took home some decent swag and enough prize money to cover the trip. Thanks to Banjo Brothers Bags for the Sunday bag and, of course, big props to Peace Coffee.

-NOT wiping out and garnering millions of little splinters.

This will be a strong priority for next year. We're damn well tempted to take the bus up for the sake of spectators. It will surely be worth it either way. Final selling point has to be the parade lap in which we do the track cycling equivalent of the Virginia Reel. The Virginia Reel for chrissakes! Thanks to Al I now know that.

One last thanks to the fam and all NSC people as well as Marcus, Jamie, Candles and 4 star (you all know why). Here's to hopefully making it out next year!-Jeff

What a weekend ahead!

Match Sprints. Cuttin' Crew Classic. New York State Track Championships. Peace Coffee 2 day grind. There's tons of stuff left to rehash once it's all said and done. Make sure this is atop your list:

Help raise some dough for the CMWC 2011 effort and have a smashing good time with the likes of this bloke while you're at it.

!!MESSENGER PROM!!

 

Some recent highlights

Between this past week and now it's been rather busy for the trackies with various highlights and photos (thanks Gavin) to share: August 10: Jeff got 4th in the State Kilo Championship at ERV. woo-hoo.

August 12: Molly garnered her 2nd post-up of the year by winning the Soldier Field Criterium. Ironically, both post-ups were done in last year's jersey. Hmmm...

August 13: Al got 2nd in the state points race championship at ERV, thus qualifying for nationals!

August 13: Christina got 3rd in the state points race championship at ERV, also making herself eligible for nationals!

August 18: Al won the 1/2's Miss & Out in Kenosha. He and Jeff followed it up with a 4th place in the most stacked Madison field to date.

August 20: Christina and Molly made a whole lotta preemie money thanks to a very generous sponsor and audience at the Elaine Nekritz national qualifier scratch race. Christina finished 4th and Molly took the 5th best spot.

More to come as the track season winds down (for us mortals, anyway). The biggest positive of that news is that cyclocross is getting scary close...

Heal up, duder

A coupla nights ago, Chris Dilts was jumped and robbed by a 2x4 wielding group of assholes while riding through Humboldt Park. He's in pretty fair condition and very high spirits at the ICU but keep him in your thoughts and buy him a beer next time you see him. Aside from being a good guy and great friend to us all, it's fair to say he's been the quiet glue that has held this community together well with his brilliant ideas and photography. Here's to a quick recovery, buddy.

UPDATE: Chris has been discharged and is doing the rest of his recovery in the comfort of his own home.

2 years ago today

We lost a friend.

aftermath

by Christina So, I know, it's been a full week since NACCCs, but you should try to hang out with SF and Philly for 72 hours and try to recover in less than a week.

My "weekend" began Tuesday morning with the departure of the R1 ride, a 230 mile ride from NYC to Boston split into 3 days. 110 long, hot miles into Hartford. Day 2: 75 beautiful, and far too hilly miles into Providence. And a quick, flat day 3: a rainy 50 miles into Boston, wildly welcomed. A huge thanks to Squid for organizing VeloCity and then immediately following it up with this awesome event. Great times. (Inset: Christina celebrates her win as top female on the R1 - editor)

The week prior to NACCCs, the organizers sent out a packet that included the checkpoints that would be included in the main race and the best routes to travel to and from each. The set up: riders are sent out in a staggered order, given one manifest to begin. Each manifest provided 5 pick ups, and only once a rider made the pick up, did they know where their package was going and how much it was worth. Riders only had to complete 4 of the drops on each manifest, but could complete all 5. At each drop, the checkpoint worker called in the pick or drop and had it verified by the "base". Once a manifest was completed, that manifest had to be returned to the "base" to receive their next manifest. Riders were allotted 4 hours to complete as many drops with the ultimate goal was to earn as much money (true work simulation, right?!) as possible. Under this model, you were able to watch the progress of all the riders live.

Now, Boston is confusing. Really confusing after living in a perfectly gridded Chicago, with the most matter of fact, clear addresses. Beginning Thursday night, riding from downtown to where we were staying in Jamaica Plain, I was trying to pay attention to street names and navigational clues. Saturday afternoon, a group of Chicago kids pre-rode many of the checkpoints with an attempt to form some semblance of a mental map to a city you've known for only three days. Still, I managed to cement my N-S-E-W bearings, and it seemed to help me out a lot.

Sunday morning, I had a 10am start time and nervously arrived at 9:30am. Two other people were there. The start was at a bizarre location and seemingly many kids had mixed up or got lost getting out to the start location. Around 10am, more and more participants started flowing in and by 10:15ish, the first heat of four of us were finally sent off. While doing last minute map checks, we were given a local tip on the fastest way downtown. Upon receiving our manifest, three of us had a downtown checkpoint, and took that tip that took us an off ramp north on the freeway shoulder that quickly (and safely) dropped us our right by our first pick up. From there, we all had different manifests and were sent in different directions.

Myself, I headed up Beacon Hill, the front side. For the first hour, I still kept having to pull out my map from my jersey pocket and verify my directions. After that, it began flowing a lot smoother. I was second guessing myself all through the first manifest, completing a measly $6 run because it was super close. I had to haul all the way south to Jamaica Plain to drop and pick up. While headed back north, I suddenly decided again completing my 5th drop way out on the beach, even though it was worth $12. While heading back to base to return my manifest, I kept thinking I was going to be really frustrated later when I finished $6 down from someone because I had stupidly opted out of that drop. I headed back into base and was told I was the first one to complete my first manifest. "Well obviously," I thought, "I was in the first heat and only completed four. Onward, keep going."

As I went on, the manifests just kept making so much sense--only a couple times did I have to double back to complete a drop and both times, it was unavoidable as I was getting sent back from the pick up I had done. I waited out the long runs and usually got doubled up with something else going out to a far off pick up, or a drop at a nearby location. I kept running into people who were getting super lost, but I just kept taking the same routes I had already figured out. Even if they weren't the absolute fastest, they were large, main streets and I didn't need to look at my map anymore. As I came into the Chrome base for my third manifest, someone asked me how I was doing. I said I thought pretty well, I hadn't became seriously lost or forgot and pick/drop yet. She responded, "Hm, ok. I was told some girl from Chicago is in first." I had to respond, "Well, I'm the only female here from Chicago, so I guess that's me." Still, I was confused how they were figuring this out since I had started before everyone else. I thought there had to be some mistake and just kept pushing.

It was hot and luckily most of the checkpoints were providing water and snacks. Last year, I had seriously bonked the second day and was determined not to do the same. Snacks and more water, check. Red Bull? Ugh, chug one or two if it's my only option. Luckily, I was getting juice and nicer granola bars than I buy for myself. Around my fourth manifest, the dispatch program gummed up and we were forced to freeze across the board, where ever we were. Everyone was in stand still, which I actually relished-refilling my water, stretching, and double checking my routing. Fifteen minutes later, we were sent off again. I rocked my way up through Allston and was almost hit by someone else barreling out of the Puma driveway. Deep breath--even if you're doing well, it's worth nothing if you can't finish. I kept that in my head while working my way back through Cambridge. I was hearing yells for Chicago all over--we had loudly made our presence know in the earlier part of the weekend--and all this encouragement kept me going. I delivered my girl.dog.bike. package to the Freight checkpoint only for the worker to show me what I was delivering--a relish sandwich. I had already delivered a brick and a bag of dirt, ah the creativity.

On manifest six, I had to make the long haul through Back Bay and south to Jamaica Plain. Once down there, the systems froze again. Five of us were on standby, for almost a half hour. I replenished and finally just sat around (again, real work simulation, right?). I was realizing how this format, as much as speediness, focused on routing and patience for busting out the long runs, which I loved. After JP, my last stop to clean up was base.

I rolled into base and Billy told me I was finished. Instead of the initial proposed 6 hours, they were going to cut it at 4 hours, and I had been riding for 5 at that point. Only my first five manifests ended up counting, but Billy was fairly certain I had taken it, since most people were also done, or close to finishing four hours at that point. I was honestly surprised, all along I kept expecting that it was all an oversight based on my early start. Yet at the four hour cut across the board, I had completed 23 drops earning $213. Coming in 2nd, a fellow Chicagoan, Nico had 18 drops and $176. Chicago takes it!

All said and done, this NACCC was extremely different than the prior two years I have attended/participated--San Francisco and Chicago, both in format and in the attendees. The open course format garnered criticism prior to the event and effectively disabled Boston locals from participating, since they would have been given an unfair advantage and entirely deterred others from attending. Yet, without attempting to defend or promote the choices made in formatting the 2009 NACCCs, I do want to comment on--despite all early criticisms--how well the entire event went off. I was welcomed enthusiastically by all locals-a feeling shared by everyone else I was traveling with, there were plenty of events all weekend long, and no one was hurt the entire weekend. The main race was challenging, ambitious in execution (writing a whole software program? hell yeah), and ultimately just a whole lot of fun. And while taken seriously, the undertone has always primarily revolved around bringing an awesome community from diverse locals together, and in that, a great event and weekend.(More of Christina and misty's NACCC shots.)

the fastest messenger in north america

Bada-Bada-Bop-Bop-Bop-Ba-Bah!*

edited by Jeff, photo courtesy of Big Ed. *didn't get it?

First of many thanks need to be sent out. Cyclehawk. Squid. Marcus. John Campo. MacLean. Ceya. Big Ed. Billy. Dan. Mikey. And Candles (thanks for covering me).

Everyone claimed Kissena was "ol' bumpy" for a reason. That's no lie. The track has more rolling hills than bus stop blacktop. BUT, that's not to say it was a bad thing. It was just, well, character. Call it what you will, it certainly didn't stop any of us from having fun.

We rolled in early just to ensure we knew what we were dealing with. It was clear who the track geeks were when we got there a couple hours before the registration started and rolled around with some of the Saturday regulars. The list of races started with match sprints, 20 lap scratch, win-n-out, sprint semis, exhibition miss-n-out and sprint finals. Al talks a big game with his legs but will always come up with a nice race report to summarize the action...

"In the first round of match sprints (groups of 4), I think I went with 2 laps to go, Chazz sat on my wheel. I razored him. I went faster and faster and he had my wheel the whole time but wasn't able to come around at the end.

The scratch race was AWESOME. Jeff attacked like a lap in. This fast road race dude from NYC, Dan, was really driving the pace to catch him. As soon as he caught Jeff, I attacked. Dan bridged up after a lap or two and we opened a decent gap. I look back and there's my friend Chazz from SF. Who's sucking his wheel? Jeff. I ease up a little so they can join up. The four of us trade pulls for a couple laps. I attacked with maybe 8 laps to go (of 20). Dan comes with, but he pulls up when I pull up. I sit up and come back to Jeff and Chazz. We trade some more pulls. I jump with 3 to go. Dan jumps and is chasing. He slowly closes the gap. Two to go. I head to the rails at full speed and jump out of turn 2. I get the bell with about 10 meters on Dan. I'm already going full speed. Try to hold it and Dan falls back. I take first. It looks like Jeff came around Dan at the end, but Dan held on for 2nd, Jeff 3rd.

We did a win-n-out. John Campo paced it on his bike like a keirin for 3 laps (maybe so we didn't have 25 people of varying experience levels sprinting together). No one wanted his wheel at the start. They were all sitting like 20 feet back from it. So I took it. On the bell lap, I jumped as soon as he pulled off and I guess whoever was on my wheel fell back and no one was able to come up to me or they decided to go for 2nd or something.

We took the top 2 spots on both podiums. It was (Jeff and me) in the sprint finals. I kiloed Hugo in the (semi-final) match sprint. Took off HARD in the first lap. Don't think he was expecting that. He said he was previously 11-0 in match sprints.

Jeff won the sprint finals, though. Perhaps he can tell that story."

Molly and Christina also found their way to the match sprint final. Molly took top spot in every race while Christina never finished below 3rd. The big C-Peck also got 5th in the exhibition Miss-N-Out. Last of the ladies to be pulled. (Guess who won THAT damn race too...)

Big surprise announcement to the victors. No spoils for them. The tickets to Tokyo were always on the table but then Squid lets everyone know that Fuji bikes is throwing in a bike for each of the two champs! They will also have the chance to win some cash if they perform well at Worlds! Bravo to everyone. Don't forget to pay your respects: Cyclehawk Courier, New Belgium Brewery, Blue Cycles, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Yojimbo's Garage, LAKE cycling, Continental Tires, Sun Ringle, Chrome, Panaracer, COG magazine.

 TOKYO!!!!

Holding it Down at the Track

by Molly

Friday after work I scramble frantically trying to change the bearings to a disc wheel lent to the team by our fantastic sponsor, Mr. Marcus Moore of Yojimbo's Garage. I wanted to have every possible advantage for Saturday's pursuit series. I've never really considered myself a time trial type...I can sprint somewhat, but it seems the pursuit is an entirely different animal. I'm new to all of this so what do I know?

Jeff, Max, Al, Christina (check out her new profile page btw) and I arrive at Northbrook Saturday about 8am. It was much more cool and windy this Saturday and looked a little like rain, but thankfully it held off for most the day.

The first scheduled event posted was the flying 200. It was optional so it didn't acquire any omnium points. My first thought is perhaps I should save my energy but after receiving some grief from Harold, I resign my conservative mind set and say, "Fine, I'll do everything."

The women's schedule for the day: the flying 200, a 2k pursuit, standing 500 meter and a scratch. Of the women who participated I received the best flying 200 time and was now a little bummed it didn't count for points. For the 2k I was able to borrow Mike Ferrin's aero bars (thanks Mike!) They felt more comfortable than I'd imagined they'd be and probably helped a great deal with my time improvement. I placed first. This was a big boost in my confidence and was now getting quite anxious for the 500 meter. I had a great time last Allvoi cup, only a second and a half behind the winner. This time my start wasn't fantastic. I put a lot of pressure on my front wheel causing my rear wheel to skip out twice. I also rode high and out of the sprinters lane at one point...A bit too sloppy for first, placing second. I realized I had pushed myself hard enough when some food consumed an hour before popped back up. One of the girls waiting to race said "bless you" as she must have thought I just sneezed, not vomited in my mouth. I should of just said "thank you" instead of explaining how and why she was wrong. Gross.

The Scratch race was the final event to score omnium points, and it's one of my favorites. It basically came down to Christina and I against the entire Alberto's women's team. I wasn't all that worried, more amused at how absurd it looked than anything else. First few laps I sit high and wait for an attack...it comes, I chase, catch her and she sits up. This is a little dull for my team mate Christina so she starts picking up the pace at the front. I go high on the rail and watch Francine as I'm sure she'll be the one to make the move. She attacks and I react as fast as I can but it isn't fast enough. I'm still pretty high and have to come around up top to cross the line 3rd. Meh. It could have been worse. Turned out it was still good enough for first place omnium of the day.

Jeff walked away with a podium finish and is currently sitting pretty in second place overall. Christina and Al are contenders with 4th place.  My Thanks goes out to everyone at Northbrook for the support and Congratulations. Looking at you Dee Dee!  Two sharks down, one to go!

(Photo shamelessly stolen from Mr. Edmund William White)

Mr. Mayor, we have your cup

The Mayor's Cup is a 75 lap points race at Kenosha Velodrome. This is hardly any average points race. Road pros and a bunch of Category 1 racers are a mandatory expectation. 2008 Superweek sprint champion and many atimes overall leader, Chad Hartley made it out. Top sprinters and strongmen from all over the track scene mark this one on the calendar.

Those looking for dramatic herosim were not denied for the 2009 chapter (this is Jeff writing, by the way). The pace escalated early and the original 30 man field split into about a dozen off the front while the rest organized behind their gap to keep on. The main field dropped a few people from the race early and about 15 laps in it was evident who was going to be around for the full ride. Al went on a trademark flier when things got back together and he managed to make it a break group of about 5. I was probably most useful sitting third wheel and joining in the blocking effort. After the break group's sprint for points, Al answered with a counter attack and dwindled it down to 3 guys that were willing to stick it out.

It was a long way to go but Mr. Urbanski found his way back onto the field and notched himself a lap and some points. What the hell, why not try another break? Al went off again and found himself with plenty of space as we neared the 35 laps to go mark. 30 laps to go was to be a double point lap. The field knew this and Al surged on. With 32 to go, the pace of the field ramped up in a mad dash to get this guy but it was not to be. Al held on for double points right before the group swallowed him up.

Now Al was in the pack and ready to bark some commands to his teammate. "Time to do some leadouts!!" This author dutifully obliged. The next contest for points went fast and I managed to sling Al around to 5th (damn!) but he was a great position to make the second break (yes!). He rode hard with the big boys and found his way back to the field with only one final points contest up, and it was a double point. Hartley made his move and was not to be denied. I grabbed an appropriate wheel but only mustered 5th on the final lap amid the wooshing of carbon. Top spot for the "no-points" crew?

Some officials made a quick assumption that Al was off the back on one of his laps. The man who woke up that day a Cat 3, surely, was not. Results went over the mic after a good few minutes of deliberation. Hartley got 4th. Kaz Milas got 3rd with not as many points but 2 laps on the field. Rob Springer got 2nd with 2 laps up and more points. Process of elimination led all of us to pretty much flip out. Mr. Urbanski of your Chicago Cuttin' Crew took top honors and all the hardware. The race was completed in about 28 minutes. That would total out the "2-lap crew" average speed at a little over 32 mph. The field would have completed 73 laps and averaged the better half of 31 mph. I'm happy to just finish the damn thing.

Other highlights included Brean's very clean and decisive win in the 4's Miss-N-Out and Jeff pulled a second in the 3's kilo scratch final. It was a nice plus but I don't think our smiles could have been any wider the whole ride home.

John Cline took some stellar photos and taped this interview. Kenosha news found it an interesting enough story. Al was definitely the gator this time...