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Mayor’s Cup Street Sprints

Not much to say about the Anderson Mayor’s Cup Street Sprints (then why are there 4 beefy paragraphs here?) that kicked off the weekend of racing. Between a poor turnout to the event and some confusion on how to properly seed an odd number of riders, the racing was less than exciting. We only had 5 riders register for the 1-2 field; and certainly no more than that in the other categories. Since there were so few people, we ran the sprints “mano a mano” (yes that’s the correct spelling, check it) in a straight, 300-meter line down Meridian St. in old downtown Anderson.

I was “lucky” enough to get the bye in the first round. My luck ran out, however, in many respects when I was told that I would be going up against the loser of the first of the two heats. So in effect, I was automatically in the “repêchage” round – and then I lost that to Tom Hanley of Bacardi Nuvo – who had just lost to Frank “Dude” Cox of Texas Roadhouse. He’s a good kid. Pretty fast (you get that way when you race the velodrome while at Marian.) Blam! I was out in one round, while Tom had the luxury of being able to lose once and then have the opportunity to race himself back into the finals – not to mention the other loser of the first round who didn’t get a chance to win his way back in.

After some discussion, the consensus was to allow the losers of the first round race each other, the winner of which would race “Dude” and myself in the a 3-up final. I picked a better gear to start with this time and jumped out to the early lead. My shifting faltered a bit and before I knew it, both Tom and “Dude” were making there way around me. “Dude” dropped his chain [again] about 100 meters from the finish and I wound up in 2nd. I didn’t feel like I deserved 2nd, since I lost one race prior to get to the final, whereas the other two guys had won 2 and 3 races to get there, and therefore didn’t stick around to see if there was a “prize” waiting for me.

This was a race that only cost $5 to enter anyhow, so I probably shouldn’t have even written more than a few sentences about it. My legs had no snap and I generally felt pretty sluggish. I unfairly took 2nd place. And all in all, I only rode about 600 meters total. C’est la vie. I’m hoping tomorrow’s race will be a better affair.

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The Hairy Saddle, A Conspicuous Absence and a TT Podium

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.”

McCormicks Creek RR

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…