Author: Geraint Parry

A race post from Tom Saccone- Congratulations to both our top ten finishers!!

The unassuming, narrow course for the Clark State Forest RR was only 2 miles and change but for the 30 or so Masters that appeared (most of which this would be their first foray into the fray of battle –present company included) it would suffice.  Our goal was to complete 45 minutes on this circuit.  I went down to this USCF event with Gary Palmer carrying the Tortugan flag.  Most of our nervous chatter along the way was about training methods and calories and “honey do” lists, wondering aloud if we were ready for the challenge.  Cyclists are generally a nervous lot, inside at least.  We tried to think of the task ahead.   We arrived with an hour and a half to get ready-ample time for a 45 minute event-and set to warming up.  We rode a lap of the course during the 123 event, noticing that the field had been ripped apart by the 3^rd lap, providing gut-churning food for thought.  The start line of the Masters event is a curious place. Nervous smiles, last minute bike checks, some hyperventilation, all creating this sense of uneasiness like before an exam.  Gary and I lined up in the second rank behind a sea of Papa Johns.  By my count 9 of them, nearly a third of the pack!  Behind was Pedal Power, Indiana Masters and Barbasol.  At the gun, I got a good hole shot and settled in 5^th spot behind (you guessed it) four PJ riders. The course began in the middle of a slight descent and turned hard left after several hundred meters, rounded a lake on the right and climbed in the big ring through some rollers on the backside to the finish. Immediately, PJs began a deadly game of repartee, sending riders off in staccato fashion.  From my vantage point at the front I was able to cover all comers during this initial feeding frenzy.  Gary made his presence known as quickly working with me to subdue these counter punches.  Two attempts actually had riders from 4 teams represented, but nothing stuck.   We were wondering who were the pretenders and who on PJs really had the goods.  We soon found out.  After a vicious series of attacks in the second lap, covered by me, then Gary, then Barbasol, then Indiana Masters, a PJ (Glen) rider breaks free with Gary on the rivet and right at the front of the group.  Gary covers and no one follows!  Perfect! There is only about 15 of us in this select group now.  Then another PJs jumps and bridges (Ward) – and the break takes form as the Papa Johns and now me work to cover the Indiana Masters and other non-represented teams.  Bicycle logic, unfortunately dictates that in a two against one situation the advantage almost always lies with the two rather than the one.  But our Gary had them going and forced them to play their hand early, trying to drop him in the hills.  They succeeded ultimately at dispatching the lone Tortugan, but not before he made his mark and took a resounding third place on the podium.  It was a pleasure to be in the first group following our man and listen to the peloton chatter,  “Who is the guy from Tortuga?” they asked.  “Is it Chris Kroll?”   Ah, Chris Kroll, here in spirit still!  They’ll not soon forget the name Gary Palmer the next time the pizza delivery man comes calling!  I brought in the bunch a few moments later, as we sprinted full across the road, picking up 10^th place.

The first of the Bloomington classic Wednesday Worlds training ‘rides’ took place this past…err…Wednesday…out on 6laps the popular 446 loop. Although student participation was down due to the nearness of L5 qualifications there was a remarkable show of strength from Team Tortuga with approximately 15 members of the team in attendance. Therefore the two members of Morris Trucking, Tom Cox and Mike Feske, must have felt they were battling the sea of blue and green jerseys! However as it often is, it was everyman for himself with some riders taking a back seat and others needing to be driving the pace on at every available opportunity. Prominent amongst the latter were Ren-Jay Shei and Tom Saccone who is excellently filling Chris Kroll’s presidential cleats both on and off the bike!
The most significant break of the day emerged after Gary Palmer tore up the rise on 446 before pulling off and bidding adieu those of us gasping in his wake. This attack resulted in a half lap escape by Ren-Jay and Mike Brauner who were slowly pulled back by the hard working group of Saccone, Myron Lewis, Taylor Gaines, Tim Heffner and Geraint Parry.
Parity was maintained over the 446 rise on the final lap before Parry kept the pace high(ish) before pulling off at the final turn.
The finale is described by Tom Saccone-
‘We rounded the top corner into the wind, Ren-Jay joined Bruce Millar at the front and
rolled off to a small gap of 20 meters. They held this for a couple of
hundred meters, forcing a chase from Mike Feske, who closed the gap. With
400 to go Heffner moved to the front of the train and began the
wind-up and took us to the 250 mark. With the wind sweeping the field
from the right, Feske jumped hard on the left to the center of the road.
I was on his wheel. Tom Cox was coming up hard on his left. At 100 I broke
to the right, passing Feske, but Cox was in control on the left and beat
me by a bike length’
So strength in numbers wasn’t enough for Tortuga THIS week but all agreed it was a great start to the year! Next week- into the hills on the forest loop.

The first hard group effort of the year will always bring some doubts about how the ‘form’ is and what extra work might need to be done. This Saturday was no exception as a group of Tortugans braved the chill to meet up with four riders from the Indy Hand Center squad for a few laps of MMSF that of course meant the climbs of Beanblossom and Hindustan. At days end it was clear that half the Tortuga contingent are right on track whilst the other half might have some work to do!
Tortugans Palmer, Millar, Parry, Saccone and Gaines were confronted with their first test of the year as they reached the imposing ramp of Beanblossom. For myself at least it’s distressing that the first 50meters of the climb can cause ones mood to change from tentative optimism that the legs are good to the unfortunate realization that there is still plenty of work to do!
Gary Palmer and Bob Brooks were showed that their winters have been productively spent as they led the line whilst the slimed down Bruce Millar and gear-mashing junior-phenom Taylor Gaines were climbing with best of the rest.
These roles were continued up Hindustan and BB the second time with Palmer and Gaines flying the Tortuga flag in the vanguard of the group as Saccone and Parry kept an eye on the one Hand Center rider who was keeping them company at the rear!
All in all it was great to roll with some different faces and get in a good 3hrs of quality riding. For those of us lagging at the back at least we now know what needs to be done. Better to find out whilst training instead of when you’ve paid for the privilege of getting dropped like a stone! However, for those riders who rode strongly then there is the quiet satisfaction of knowing that all is on track for a good season ahead.