2008 Green Mountain Race report

Posted by Christopher on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 to Race

Race report submitted by Kelly Parsons

Time Trial

Fun? Nope. Safe? So far. Ass kicking? There was a lot of that alright, but not by us. A lot of 50 yr. old mutants up here this weekend are dealing out the serious smack. We Mystic guys finished in the middle of the bunch in today's prologue, a 10K up and down TT w/ no super steep ramps, but the little ring was used @ times. Bob was not terribly pleased w/ the way he was feeling and Mark had some misfortune that cost him a few places, but I finished right where I should, 36th out of 66. Mediocre, but it is what it is. My time was within a few seconds of other people that I usually finish close to, so I guess things went OK. I had the lung burn cough after the TT (and still have it a little 6 hrs later) so I probably couldn't have gone much harder. Tomorrow is the 64 mile circuit race; I'll try to keep you informed.  Later, Kelly

Stage 1-Ciruit Race

Things went OK today. An early break of two guys went up the road, one of whom was Bill Thompson who was 3rd on GC. This put all the pressure on Dave Viney in the yellow jersey as it was now his race to lose. The pack made it over the KOM pretty much intact and we dropped down Baby Gap to the turn that put us on the approx. 15 mile high speed run to the finish. We were moving quickly and soon the break was in sight. When we could see the whites of their bibs a couple of guys shot off the front to bring them back. This was what the guy in yellow was waiting for and he gave chase with yours truly glued to his wheel. Very cool; he never even thought of giving me the elbow to pull through. He just motored until we caught the chasers and we established a 6 man rotation until the break was pulled in. Believe me; I did NOT linger on the front at that speed. By then we had done about 35 miles w/ 30 to go and I started to feel twinges in my quads. Soon after Bill Thompson gets away AGAIN and 4 other guys join him. Adios, amoebas. We approach the KOM (which isn't that steep, but it's followed by a false flat) and my calves are starting to protest, I mean beyond twinges here, it's like aliens are going to burst out of my lower legs. I try to stay calm and keep my big boy face on and things settle down as we drop down Baby Gap. We make the turn for the run into the finish and now it's time to panic. I look around though and I see a lot of guys trying to stretch their legs or shaking them and 1 guy were pouring water on his, so I figured I wasn't the only one feeling the strain. By now we were starting to smell the barn and the pace was picking up. OK with me, let's get this sucker over with! Absolutely no reason to sprint as we were all going to get the same time, but boys will be boys and off we went, Mark on the left and me on the right. Mark got 4th in the field sprint (10th over all) and I got 8th and Dr. Bob was right with us. Not too shabby Abby. We moved up quite a few spots on GC and were not among the 30 guys that got dropped along the way. We also didn't get caught up in the little crash 5 miles before the finish. No worries, I missed the guy by a good 6 inches. Oh yeah , once I got over the line at the end, my right leg locked up completely so I headed for a patch of lawn to fall on and assume the fetal position until things settled down. Much better now after a 22 oz. malted beverage W/ dinner. Tomorrow is the reality check: a 77 mile road race that includes going over Brandon Gap, Baby Gap, and the biggie, App. Gap. I hope I have good news to report afterwards. Later, Kelly

 

Stage 2-Road Race

 

I have GREAT news to report; we have a true mutant on our team and his name is Bob Meikle. Things went well today as all 3 MVC riders made it over Brandon Gap W/ the big boys (even me, surprise, surprise). Things were relatively sedate as we climbed because the headwind killed the incentive on the front to jack the pace. I was quite pleased w/ this situation. We dropped over the mountain and screamed down the other side into Brandon and then headed north toward the other climbs. We hit the dirt road section and the pace was absolutely ballistic W/ bottles jumping out of cages and rocks flying and pinging into riders and bikes. We got through w/o problems and approached the town of Bristol which is just before Baby Gap. I was starting to feel some major twinges in my legs @ this point and I knew that my time w/ the group was coming to a close. Mark and Bob were looking good and I told Mark that I thought that Dr. Bob might be one of the freshest climbers in the bunch as he had been riding conservatively, sort of under the radar. When we got to Baby Gap I let the group go so I could set my own pace and limit the damage to my poor legs. Mark made it over Baby Gap w/ the group, but @ the base of App. gap he had to back off. Bob just kept working his way through the remnants of the field and was second over the line; this result is HUGE. This is arguably the most difficult road race in the Northeast and we are racing a bunch of guys w/ some impressive palmares. I don't think that Bob will ever be under anyone's radar again. I haven't seen the GC results yet, but today shook things up considerably. And now onto the crit. Later, Kelly

 

Stage 3 - Criterium

 

The Burlington Crit is one of the most insanely fun races that you can imagine. The start is just stooopid! The first three turns are supposed to be neutral, but it's always full rock and roll from the gun. Picture shaking a peanut butter jar full of hornets and then breaking it open with a hammer. Everybody just sprints to the bumper of the pace car as it does its best to stay ahead of the pack on the tight little turns of downtown Burlington. The car is a red Mini Cooper convertible and it's quite agile, but it still does some sliding on the tightest turns. Because Bob was now in the top ten he was called up to the front at the start. Bonus! Mark and I were squeezed as close to him as possible so we could benefit also. Once we got the go it was every man for himself; team tactics were out the window as everyone tried to protect their little piece of real estate while at the same time trying to steal a chunk from the guy in front of him. It was mandatory to stay away from the back where riders were dropping off one by one. Once that happens it's just a matter of time before you get the dreaded whistle telling you that your race is over. I found this out the hard way last year when I got caught behind a crash before the third(!) turn in the race. By the time I got to the back of the pack, I was too blown to stay there. I was determined to stay in this year. Also, it was an opportunity to claw my way up a few spots on GC and finish in the top half of 66 starters. I was allowing myself to feel optimistic as the lap cards flipped; I was toward the back of the field, but everybody around me seemed relatively comfortable and not too stressed as we bounced over manhole covers, potholes. And these ridiculous crosswalks that were painted with what appeared to be red wheel bearing grease. Mark was a few places in front of me and I had no idea where Bob was because there was never an opportunity to turn around and look. There was really no incentive to move up as no one was getting away and we would all get the same time coming over the line. Finally the last lap was over and what was left of the bunch (34 racers) went over the line, most of them just glad it was over and they had made it through in one piece. Bob made it through enough of the crit to finish a commendable 16th in the GC; Mark was 24th in the crit for 20th overall and I finished 31st in both the crit and on GC. The absolute best part of this race is when your race is done and you're sitting at a sidewalk cafe hard by the course drinking a beer (Beamish Stout), watching the next race. It looks so effin' hard as you watch talented racers dangle at the back, drop off and get the whistle. It's loud too, with the sounds the racers going by, the announcer, the pace car squealing, and the occasional gut- wrenching sound of carbon fiber folding into the pavement immediately followed by the sound of a 150 PSI tubular's $100 bang. It's also a big crowd. If 60 racers are on the course and 60 are warming up, that leaves over 600 to watch. A lot of these people have family with them and Burlington has a vibrant local crowd on a beautiful Labor Day, with a bunch of sidewalk cafes along the course. It really is the coolest race that I've ever participated in and man oh man, am I glad it's over!

 

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Attleboro crit photos

Posted by Christopher on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 to Race

 

Pictures of racers at the Attleboro Crit can be obtained pictures for a price at:

www.millersevents.com/?m=91192

The event code for Attleboro is 91192KACRIT

The event code for Cox is 91192KCOX

Give Doug a call at 401-688-6716 or shoot him an email at doug@neactionimages.com.  Doug N.E.A.I. neactionimages.com

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Pro's to show at Whaling City Crit

Posted by Christopher on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 to Race

Bike Guy LLC is happy to annouce that Jeremy Powers a home town boy from Niantic who races professionally for Jelly Belly Sports Beans Professional Cycling Team has freed himself from previous race committments to race here at The Whaling City Cyclone presented by Dime Bank.

For those not familiar with the race circuit in the USA let me assure you that there are many huge races around the country and getting a top pro like Jeremy  to come home to race in our event is very exciting for those involved directly with getting this event off the ground in our first year.

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Promotors of Bob Beals need help!

Posted by Christopher on Monday, June 02, 2008 to Race

Attention MCRA members & friends

 

September 13 & 14 is the Bob Beal Masters Weekend, in Charlestown, RI, the culminating event for MCRA this year. As members of MCRA, we need to support these races with more than our registration fees. This is our time to shine as race volunteers. You, or your family or friends services are desperately needed to assist at the Road Races on Saturday morning. We need to supply six drivers & cars as well as 12 marshals out on the course. As racers you know how crucial it is to have the course well monitored and safe. Without proper coverage, this race can not happen. We’re all set for the Time Trial and Criterium, it’s just the road race which has the needs. So, if you plan to race perhaps your spouse, friend or relative would be willing to assist on Saturday morning. If you aren’t racing, then come lend a hand. The time commitment will be about 4 hours, from 7:30 -11:30 am.

 

We know you will be most anxious to help so, it will be first come first served for the best marshalling spots. We will have communications between the marshal posts and the promoter in case of emergency. You will be given detailed job instructions, a handsome t-shirt, and heartfelt appreciation of all those who are racing that day. Drivers will be reimbursed for their race driving mileage.

 

We must have volunteer commitments by August 2. Please respond ASAP. Thanks.

 

Lee Evans,

Volunteer coordinator

Lee.evans@verizon.net

781-221-0014

Sandy Martin

Promoter

Sandy.richard@comcast.net

774-282-0432

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Press Release

Posted by Christopher on Saturday, May 17, 2008 to Race

Three-time Tour de France Winner Greg Lemond

 In New London, CT

 

Press Conference

Thursday, May 22, 2008

 

To Help Promote The Whaling City Cyclone Bicycle Race

 

This Press Conference, open to all media, sponsors and supporters will be held at the race site on Fort Trumbull in New London at 11am on Thursday May 22^nd, New London Ft. Trumbull State Park, 90 Wallbach Street, New London CT 06320.

 

Race promoter, and former coach of Greg Lemond, Bill Humphreys of Bike Guy LLC, is thrilled to announce that his former charge, is taking the time out of a busy schedule to help support cycling in the New London area and the first annual The Whaling City Cyclone.

 

Greg, and Bill will take a few laps on the one-kilometer course to give the Media an idea of what will take place on Race Day which is Sunday June 22^nd from 8:30am until 5pm.

 

end

 

About Greg LeMond            In sport, there are those who make their mark and those who mark their time. Greg LeMond's career is one of the most incredible stories in cycling history, a saga of arguably the most talented rider of his generation. Very few athletes have transcended sports and Greg is one of the exceptional few. LeMond's legend is measured not only by his stunning cycling feats, but also by his historical and inspirational impact.

In 1986, Greg LeMond, despite being constantly threatened by his own teammate, Bernard Hinault, became the first American to win the largest single annual sporting event in the world, the Tour de France. Millions watched on CBS Television as Greg's historic victory catapulted him into the media spotlight.

In the midst of his run of success he was involved in an appalling accident which almost cost him his life and left him in serious danger of never being able to ride again, let alone compete and win at the top level of the sport. This tragedy struck on April 20, 1987, when his brother-in-law accidentally shot Greg while hunting in California. Over forty shotgun pellets ripped through Greg's body, lodging not only in his back and legs, but more critically in his small intestine, liver, diaphragm, and heart lining. While waiting for rescue, his right lung collapsed and he lost three quarters of his blood supply. A cell phone, a police helicopter and nearby hospital that specialized in gun shot wounds saved his life. Because of the dangerous locations, surgeons were forced to leave over thirty of the pellets imbedded in his body.
After the horrific shooting accident, LeMond put together a comeback, which went beyond the limits of the average man. Greg's long rehabilitation process was both painful and frustrating.. While many people admired his bravery, only Greg's supportive wife Kathy and a few close friends believed he could do it. In engineering this comeback, Greg overcame reduced physical capability by enhancing the innovations that helped him win the 1986 Tour. These cycling breakthroughs, all which have become commonplace today, include: wind tunnel testing, aeroframes, heart rate monitors, human power output measuring devices, protective eye wear and helmets that worked.

That LeMond did make it back to winning ways says volumes about his determination and skill, characteristics which had become evident when he won the 1986 Tour de France. Blending this cutting-edge innovation with unrivaled levels of courage and tenacity, Greg went for it all in the 1989 Tour de France. He fought to stay competitive through the grueling 21-days of racing, which ranged from 100-155 miles each. Right out of a Hollywood movie, Greg overcame a seemingly insurmountable lead by Frenchman Laurent Fignon to win by a mere 8 seconds, the narrowest margin of victory ever in the Tour de France's 87-year history! The  resurrection of LeMond's career was capped by victory a month later in the 1989 World Championships. Many awards followed, including being named the 1989 "Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year".

To prove his return to the top was no fluke, Greg won another historic Tour de France for the third time in 1990, before retiring from competitive cycling. Greg LeMond remains, as ever, friendly and accessible, charming and unpretentious; a true gentleman champion.
Greg's persistence and physical ability enabled him to not only win the most difficult and prestigious bicycle race in the world, the Tour de France three times, but also awarded him the title of World Bicycle Road Racing Champion three times. These victories, along with several others, brought him much deserved recognition: Sports Illustrated named him one of the 40 most influential people in sports over the past 40 years; he is a two-time ABC Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year; he received the prestigious Pernod Trophy awarded to the best cyclist in the World, and is a member of the Cycling Hall of Fame.

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Ninigret Crit Photo's

Posted by Christopher on Friday, September 21, 2007 to Race

This information is from Steve Hopkins Photography. He was at the Ninigret Crit taking photographs. He writes:

All the photos from Crit at Ninifret Park are now on line. Just log in to my site and click on the 'Cycling' gallery, then the Mystic Velo Gallery. Enjoy, and remember you may make a purchase of any photo directly on the site. It's easy and secure. www.shoppix.smugmug.com

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Opportunity to Officiate, any takers?

Posted by Christopher on Monday, February 05, 2007 to Race

For those of you who might be interested in becoming a USA Cycling Official, below is information from Diane Fortini.  This is an excellent way to give back to the sport.  Diane says:

There will be 3 USA Cycling Official’s Clinics offered in New England for new officials.

Candidates will be instructed in basics of officiating and take an open-book test on USA Cycling rules. It is recommended that those attending read and download if possible the current USAC and USCF rulebooks available at https://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=369.

It is also recommended that you read the three-part officials manual available on the same page. I hope to have rulebooks available in time to handout to those attending each clinic.

Each clinic will be limited to 20 individuals and will run from 9am –4pm.

There is no fee for the clinic, but candidates should bring a check for $35 payable to USA Cycling, Inc. to purchase their 2007 USA Cycling official’s license.

The dates and location of each of the seminars are:

Saturday Feb.17 North Quincy, MA

Saturday Feb.24 Farmington, CT (Winding Trails Recreation Area) Sunday Feb.25 New Boston, NH

Individuals who are interested in taking any one of these clinics should contact Diane Fortini no later than Saturday Feb 10. diane@ne-bra.org or 781-293-2383.

Soon after the Feb 10 deadline, further details and directions will be sent to all those who have signed up. Remember space is limited so sign up as soon as possible.

If you have any questions regarding the clinics please contact Diane.

 

Diane Fortini

NEBRA Administrator

91 Hillcrest Rd.

Hanson, MA 02341

781-293-2383 (h)

781-293-9373 (fax)

617-291-2604 (cell)

diane@ne-bra.org

Rdfortini@comcast.net

www.ne-bra.org

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Gloucester Cyclocross Race Report

Posted by Jim on Monday, October 16, 2006 to Race Report, Race, Cyclo Cross

Gloucester has become a "need to register early" race - even for the Masters 55+ field.  They count the total size of all fields at a given start time to close registration.

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Cycling Gear Chart

Posted by Jim on Thursday, July 27, 2006 to Ride, Training, Bike Tech, Race

Ever wonder what cassette to use in a race?  How about the effects of a compact chainring - 50/34 or 50/36?  Sort it all out with the "Gear Chart" download.  This nifty spreadsheet lets you see how the various combinations of chainrings / cassettes / cadence interact.

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