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.

I was warned; cyclocross racing would be most painful and addicting.  A perfect statement for those who compete in the sport of cycling.  It is just that.  I got a first taste of CX racing at the Ohio Valley Cyclocross Series event at Brookside Park in Indy.  An incredible day with temps in the 60s and Sunny – hard to imagine it’s the end of October.  Adam Rodkey was the other Tortugan represented the squad.  Results – a solid 6th place for him in the Mens B race and I managed 10th in the Masters 35+ after outsprinting the guy who had been in front of me on the final turn.  I’ll take it for a first time ever race.  A great course with 3 sets of barriers and an evil climb up some wicked stairs on the backside of the community building there.  It’s fun as a spectator with lots of action.  Ex teammate and friend Bob Brooks was there to mix it up as well.  He too, just purchased a CX steed and was a first-timer.  If you haven’t got the hint, the sport is really catching on and I’ll admit, a great way to stay in winter shape.  Winner of the 35+ race Mike McShane commented that with just one CX training ride each week and one race on the weekend, he’s staying in good form.  I’d say, as he’s won practically every race he’s entered.  Another funny thing about this racing – it’s a much more relaxed atmosphere; probably from the Mountainbiking influence, but it’s refreshing to see respect tossed around, even to the road racing successfuls getting their arses handed to them in a big way.  If you can spend the money, the time, or the effort to try this out, do so.  Many had mountain bikes there that they already owned, so an entry fee is all your out if you’ve got one.  Time for a few more Tylenol…

– CJK