For years I have messed with my saddle position; had to get it just right. The boys below need marshamallow comfort while allowing for the most optimum thrust angle – for pedaling, that is.

Five score and six years ago, I had my perfect position. It looked like shit, with the saddle shoved all the way forward on the rails and my back hunched like a cat about to pounce. But it worked for me and that should have been all that mattered. NOT.

Over the past six years, I have f….. and f….. and f….. with my saddle to the point where the cut out in the center began to grow hair around it. Did I mention I’ve f….. with my saddle? No doubt my ex-wife would concur, and if you co-habitated with her, you’d wish YOUR saddle grew hair around the cut out, too.

Ah, but I digress. After trying to ride with my saddle centered on the rails, which puts me much further behind the center of the BB, procures the sleek, flat-backed posture of the classic racer, and compromised my acceleration such that I had become slower than our turtle mascot, I’ve acquiesced to my body’s own rationale; saddle high and all the way forward on the rails. Not coincidentally, she returned to her smooth, peachy origins.

I was asked for at the McCormick’s Creek RR by none other than the Druber, himself. Sorry to disappoint you mate. Likewise, I was disappointed in your absence from Ceraland. The saddle needed a shave however, er, rather, an adjust. Actually, with no 1,2 Category our squad chose to save the weekend for our significant others. Repairing hail-damaged windows and flower beds were the order of the weekend. But don’t worry Druber, we’ll race soon. Might wanna put that 53 back on in lieu of the 54…

Speaking of 54s, one contemplates TTs. Last night the first Trader’s Point 7-mile TT took place on the northwest side of Indy. Twenty-five or so ventured out to test their legs and minds against the out and back that featured a big-ring climb on the way out and again, 500 meters from the finish.

I’ve enjoyed TTs about as much as I’ve enjoyed Druber over the last couple of years. But the new, kinder, gentler Druber, who says he is finished bashing Hooterville and was disappointed in my absence from Sunday’s RR, may have opened the door to a more amicable relationship between myself and TTs. It wasn’t first place, but I did finish 3rd last night. Phil Liggett, in his overly accentuated British enthusiasm, was overheard, “Brooks on a TT podium; now there’s a turner for the books.”

Mike Sherman of the Zipp squad, an elite level Triathlete and converted Roadie in the 40+ Category, took the top spot with a time of 15:56. Francis Manfred of MOB Squad, a TT specialist who improves every season, finished 2nd with a time of 16:05. My own 16:19 stood up for 3rd.

I went out a bit too hard, as I was actually ahead of Manfred by the turn around, but paid for my over zealousness on the return. Approaching the turn around, I heard Paul Sherwen proclaim, “Put a guvanah (governor) on it, mate.” Advice I wish I’d heeded.

About that race on Sunday, Great job to Bruce Miller, Adam Rodkey and Gary Palmer for their efforts and high placings. Next up is the Anderson Stage Race, and yes Druber, “When you need a friend, just call out my name, and I’ll be there.”

The inaugural McCormicks Creek RR was blessed with great weather and a new challenging but not too challenging 4.5mile loop just 20minutes from home base in Bloomington. We had good tortuga participation in most races which was matched by some measure of success. The fields were good in all races with a max of about 40riders in the 40+ and approx 30 in both 30+ and Cat3 race. The dirth of RRs in the midwest today meant there were a few visitors from both IL and MO all of whom greeted the new course with some significant enthusiasm.
Back to the racing and in the early races we saw an excellent victory from Adam Rodkey in the Cat4 (a category Expert MTBer Adam is clearly too good for!). In a competitive 40+ race, Gary Palmer got in the first break of the day and finished a strong 3rd whilst Tom Saccone got in the days second break and finished 10th. Sean Bauer, just using the first race as training for the later race, crushed the bunch sprint for about 12th place. In the Cat5 race both Pat and Isiah performed well but the plaudits must go to Bruce Millar who survived a 25mph+ crash with not a scratch on him and finished strong for 3rd place. In the later races Sean finished off a 4hrs of racing by sticking with the highly fragmented main field for a good day of work. The Cat3 race was a battle of attrition and after 40+ reasonable hard miles Adam Fryska took a great 4th whilst I hung on for a 9th position. A good day for Tortuga all around!! Next stop Anderson…

Well in stark contrast to what was an exciting Cat1/2 race the Cat3 race at Ceraland from my perspective was anything but. Tortuga started with 5riders (Fryska, Palmer, Parrish, Parry, Saccone) in a good 60+ field so controlling the day was a little unlikely. I judged that as usual the race would be settled in the last 20mins so I bedded in toward the back with occasional jaunts up to and off of the front. Mssrs Palmer and Fryska were detemined to make something happen though and as I poked my head above the straining bodies I oft time saw them off the front in a variety of groups. As expected though the race was all togther with about 15mins to go at which point Tom and myself were going to move on up and try play a part in the end game. Sadly this wasn’t to be as inexplicably the race completely shut down for the last 4laps and we proceeded to dawdle around at 20mph (with a few crashes) until the literally half a lap to go when the full on dash to line commenced. Fryska managed to weave his way through into the top 15 but those of us without the ability or the balls (good or bad thing- you decide) to work our way through were left to wonder why we all raced like a bunch of pussies. Suffice to say if I had been up front I would have attacked the 20mph ‘race’ but couldn’t find a way through the kerb to kerb gutless wonders. A disappoinintg race all around!