LIMESTONE CROSS AT THE KILN - FINAL MAC EVENT #14 - ATLANTIC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Nov 13, 2011 at 09:55 PM

Hey all,

For those of who are thinking about stretching our seasons further into December since Nationals was moved this year, registration is open for the final round of the MAC series:

Limestone Cross at the Kiln

December 11th in Emmaus PA

http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=14586

This race is also functioning as the Atlantic Region Championships.

Jules

Nov 13, 2011 at 11:02 PM

DAMN! Just reg'd and there were 6 ahead of me. How do people do this so fast?

JoshuaC

Nov 14, 2011 at 11:56 AM

It should be noted that on Saturday the 10th there is MAC race 13 as well, so its a double weekend :)

Geler Votre Cul Cyclocross MAC Series Race #13
http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=14256

Right now only 5 folks are reg-ed in the Cat 4 men. Jeff, Jules and myself are 3 of the 5 !

I am vetting Sunday with my better half and will probably reg for #14 soon as well.

mperlberg

Dec 05, 2011 at 09:26 PM

I'm pretty sure I'm finishing up my season with the B race @ Limestone Cross... anyone else heading out for the fun?

Mike

mperlberg

Dec 05, 2011 at 10:39 PM

looks like I could use a ride if anyone is willing to stick around for the B race..... I can go early.

eragot

Dec 06, 2011 at 06:52 AM

this may very well be me.

mperlberg

Dec 06, 2011 at 07:02 AM

...I race at 2:45 so not as late as usual.

eragot

Dec 06, 2011 at 07:11 AM

unfortunately I start at 11pm. Night racing - YES!!!

Marc Bertucco

Dec 08, 2011 at 07:27 PM

I have to check with the wifey and the car situation. But I may be racing on Sunday in the Cat 2/3/4 afternoon event. I'm working Saturday and typically don't get home until midnight, so getting up early enough to get to PA in time to race the early morning Cat 4 race would ensure that I would be a totally useless zombie.

Marc Bertucco

Dec 12, 2011 at 01:49 AM

Limestone at the Kiln. Could have used either. Some limestone to suck up the slick mud, or a kiln to bake the course dry. Unfortunately, for the start of the cat 2/3/4 race in Emmaus, PA, there was neither. Just lots of slippery mud with just enough sticky to ensure that it got stuck in between my knobbies (no, that's not a euphemism), leaving me with racing slicks I didn't ask for.

There were about 40 starters for the finale of the MAC series, and as a day-of-registrant, I dutifully took my position at the rear of the peloton. Up front were what seemed like a strong contingent of PA racers. I think they were strong because Alexander Bremer couldn't do better than 3rd and he rides for CRCA-Foundation. I managed to pass a handful of folks at the start, which featured Christmas tree starting lights that was more "walk/don't walk" sign than what you would see at the drag strip. Still it was pretty cool.

On this Sunday, on my way to a kind of sad 29th place (last guy not lapped) I learned some important lessons I would like to share with you.

1) When you order a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich in Emmaus, and they ask you if you want "everything" on it, say no. Say, I would like some steak, some cheese, maybe some onions and sauteed green peppers. But you can keep your fluorescent colored hot pepper mix, pickles and, wait for it...(worse than pickles on a philly cheese steak you wonder? yes, much worse)...marinara sauce. WTF?!?

2) More important than checking the weekly weather leading up to a race, is sending the promoter a little email and ask him if his course is set up in gully, bowl or some kind of depression in the topography, or at the base of a big mountain (i.e. Harriman), because the entire region might not have gotten a drop of rain in weeks, and there will still be mud. Lots of mud.

3) There will always be some douche (this guy was wearing Champion System Orange) coming up behind you on the most technical portion of the course (in this case this was a super slick, root strewn climb that had to be climbed seated because I had no traction whatsoever, followed by a terrifying descent that included fun tree obstacles) and yell at you to get out of their way. Oh, I'm sorry, I guess I thought we were in a bicycle race. Why don't you go right on by. On second thought, why don't you shut the f up and try and pass me in about 10 seconds on the next wide, steep as I've ever climbed, off road grassy climb. Oh wait, you can't get by me there either? Oh, poor guy...I guess you'll just have to smell my stinky, stinky behind just a little bit longer.

4) When the drinking hecklers are egging you on to ride what you know, from previous laps and failed attempts, is a run up, do not succumb to their peer pressure. Do not try to impress them. Otherwise you will totally spin out, fall awkwardly off your bike, run down the other side with the bike dragging behind you like a piece of toilet paper stuck to the bottom of your shoe, forcing you to somehow get yourself on the right (left) side of the bike to properly remount and allow 3 hungry racers to come perilously close to catching you with one lap to go. Fortunately those guys got lapped, pulled and placed and I got to finish the entire distance with one lonely last lap by myself.

5) The metaphor isn't perfect, but I started thinking today that my cross season was kind of like an afternoon at an 1980s era video arcade. I had a good game (or two) and when I had no more lives, instead of walking away, I kept throwing more quarters in there and I just got worse and worse and worse.

And that cheery note is, I think, a perfect transition to a whole season of my famous and deliciously depressing road racing reports. See you then!

WilliamDC

Dec 12, 2011 at 02:29 AM

oh man

lollin hard at the tissue paper analogy

and the wrong side of the bike bit

i did that in the woods at staten cross and a bunch of spectators were like "come on dude, really?" but not in a heckling way . . . more like a genuinely disappointed/grossed-out way

bravo on a tour de force season of racing, or at least racing reports.

Jules

Dec 12, 2011 at 10:36 AM

Just like the Karate Champ "Nut Punch"

mperlberg

Dec 12, 2011 at 11:53 AM

Marc,

29th out of 40th is irrelevant. The real question is, how many cross results points did you score?!

Sometimes last in the elite race is better than first in the C race.

Just kidding. Great season. Looking forward to doing it again next year.

Marc Bertucco

Dec 13, 2011 at 01:18 AM

@Perlberg...crap for points. My worst race of the season according to crossresults. It didn't feel THAT bad. Now I'm really grumpy.

Marc Bertucco

Dec 13, 2014 at 06:27 PM

Bump. Look at me being a neat and orderly poster, finding existing threads, before I make new/clutter up other ones.

So, heading into the weekend, Hotlist started thinking about all of the drama to unfold. Despite it feeling like the last slurp or two of delicious milkshake, I think everyone racing is truly motivated and has something real on the line. They want every last sweet drop of this one.

Jim Feehan, racing the 55+ category, is currently in 3rd place in the overall competition. And 2nd isn't totally out of reach. Unfortunately, dropping to 4th is a danger too. The point spread amongst these guys is that tight. Both the current holders of 2nd and 4th place series points are scheduled to race. And while it looks like both of these guys tend to get the better of Jim, this is cross, and there is no telling what could happen. At any rate, one thing is sure, Jim is going to be racing with some real motivation.
Mike Perlberg, racing the 2/3/4s, is also in 3rd place in his series, and if he wins the race on Sunday, then he'll take 2nd place overall in the series. (1st is numerically impossible at this point). And like Feehan, he's gotten to where he is, not only on the strength of his results but because he's done most every MAC series race this season. Unlike Feehan though, #2 and #4 in the overall series do not appear to be signed up to race. In fact, like a racer going into the last lap with a 7-15 second gap, if Mike rides it cleanly, scores some points he should at least hold onto 3rd with little difficulty. Of the top 12 riders signed up to race at Limestone, only two others, Keith Garrison and Ryan Stanke are scheduled to appear. If Keith wins the race (a real possibility) and Mike DNFs, then he'll lose 3rd. Otherwise, if Mike finishes the race with points, he's golden.

And then there are the guys who are racing with the future on our minds. Yes, Sunday is a day in and of itself, but what happens this Sunday matters A LOT for what happens next year.

Todd McLoughlin, racing the 2/3/4s. Going into this last race he's sitting in 24th place in the series. So even with a win, he's not going for podium. However, of the guys sitting in front of him in the series, only 4 are signed up to race. And so whether he wins (not outside of the realm of possibility or gets 10th (his crossresults predicted finish), he'll be collecting points that will basically guarantee him 2nd row starting position at worst at next year's Nittany. Also, Hotlist is kind of watching this race as the unofficial round 2 of the club championships where our team's top 2 crossers will have at each other for the last time this season!
Marc Bertucco, racing the Master's 35+. Okay, so no exciting battles for series' podium here. He's in 50th place currently. But this race is all about the future for him. It's impossible to put too fine a point on it here, but if he even finishes dead last on Sunday he's in 20th place, which is 40pts, which will land him in 34th-ish position in the series overall, which takes him from his current 7th row starting position at next year's Nittany, and puts him on (assuming a couple of no-shows in 2015) on the 4th row or better. For those of you keeping track, Nittany start positions are based on 2014 series rankings first, then order of registration. And at Nittany, even with a pretty generous hole-shot (well, on day 2 at least), the difference between 7th or 8th row and 4th or better row is HUGE. And it's really a cascading effect that will determine the course of the entire season. And it starts TOMORROW.
Eloy Anzola, racing the Master's 35+. Eloy is in a similar position to Bertucco. He's been making a steady and strong return to form this past season and for anyone who has ever taken significant time off of training and racing, you know that the full return to form is usually measured in seasons and years, not weeks or months. Also with a good performance here, made easier by a more selective, less crowded field, he'll get valuable MAC and crossresults points. Plus, the confidence he needs to train hard through the winter for the upcoming road season.
Dan Strika, racing the Master's 55+. Okay, projecting double top-secret motives to one of the teams most prolific crossers would be silly. Dan just likes to race. A lot. But this guy is not only a busy racer, but he's a superfan too, making it out to many races where he hasn't been able to suit up. If memory serves an injury kept him from Supercross-ing it this year, so Hotlist has to believe he'll be extra motivated to put in a top performance this week.

So, in summary, tomorrow, seems like kind of a big deal for a number of KCC crossers. Good luck all!

mperlberg

Dec 13, 2014 at 11:35 PM

Great wrap up post marc.

Keith garrison just broke his collar bone, so that's that.

mperlberg

Dec 14, 2014 at 10:53 PM

big bummer, Todd went down at some point in the race and messed up his shoulder. Initially the thoughts were separated shoulder or broken clavicle, but Marc called from the hospital and it sounds like, while still not good news, it's probably more of a tendon / ligament damage type of situation. Sucky way to end the season.

Todd, even though I haven't tried to pray since I was probably 12, I'm going to do it for your speedy recovery tonight. 2015 cyclocross is that important to me.

In the 35+ race, Eric, Marc, and Eloy lined up. Eric started well, fell back a bit, and then charged up to 5th place. Even though this was a small race, this field was still pretty stacked. It's a great result for him. I'm not sure exactly where Marc finished. My perception was that he was basically in the middle. But with 2 fields racing at once, and all these guys overlapping, it was hard to figure out. I also couldn't figure out where Jim was. Eloy, finishing up his 2015 comeback, stated his goal was to not get last, and I'm not sure if that happened or not. Either way, it's awesome to see him out there week in and week out racing away. And choosing to race the 35+ field is pretty awesome, he'd have beaten at least 1/3 of the B field.

mperlberg

Dec 14, 2014 at 11:05 PM

My 2/3/4 race went pretty awesome. It felt like a real race, which is cool. I was in it the whole time and the strongest guy, for sure. I have no doubt about that. I'm kicking myself for not winning but, what can you do?

About 2.5 laps in my rear break popped loose. No idea how that happened. I rode about 1/2 a lap with no break, but at the top of the run-up decided to stop and put it back in, because shit was getting sketchy. Like super sketchy and I might break my collar bone sketchy. I went from 2nd to 7th or so. I was super pissed. I motored back and got back with the front group, which was now 5.

Not sure exactly what happened during the next few laps, but I was strong on pretty much everything except re-clipping after all 3 run-ups. This really sucked and I was having to close gaps constantly. 3 times on the course re-clipping was required to safely descend. I did a lot of unsafe descending today.

With .5 laps to go I had to chase super hard to rejoin the 2 leaders. I caught back on, but on the steep ride up / run up the 2nd place rider fucked up. 1st was gone. I couldn't re-clip and had to ride the whole final section without clipping it. It sucked, and I couldn't even get around 2nd place.

Sooooo... a podium in a mac 2/3/4 race is super cool. I'm happy with it. But, It would have been cool to win, this course was awesome for me.

This result gave me 3rd in the mac 2/3/4 series, which is huge for me. My goal at the start of the season was a top 10, so I'm very happy with that.

Again, wishing Todd a speedy recovery!

David Yang

Dec 14, 2014 at 11:13 PM

Oh man, Todd, wish you a speedy and full recovery. Keep rocking, champ.

Jim Feehan

Dec 14, 2014 at 11:15 PM

Nice job Mike. Way to overcome problems and get the result.

I got 4th in the 55+, which I believe makes me 2nd Overall in the MAC to run away winner Al Blanchard.

Looks like some Kissena podium appearances at the MAC banquet.

jim_nelson

Dec 14, 2014 at 11:23 PM

Excellent work you guys!

Todd, hope you heal up quick.

eloy

Dec 14, 2014 at 11:25 PM

Todd crashed hard, at least xrays says no bones were broken.

Mike had a super race. Leading for solid portions, and always in a fight between him and one or two others. It was fun to watch. Here are some photos to go with his report.

In the 35+ There were, I think, 21 starters. 17 finishers, I was 16th. Goal achieved. Small steps.

Cheers!!

PatrickGrehan

Dec 14, 2014 at 11:32 PM

Great result and report Mike!

Todd, hope you heal up quickly

Eloy, the picks are gorgeous. I want to learn how to take pics like you do

David Yang

Dec 14, 2014 at 11:44 PM

I want to learn how to get quads like Mike P.!

Jules

Dec 14, 2014 at 11:44 PM

Awesome pics; fantastic result and "podoum pout mike"

Todd! What the what?!? Heal up fast.
Eloy... I'm calling it a comeback!

mperlberg

Dec 14, 2014 at 11:49 PM

@David Yang lol. I think it's genetics. I had freakishly large calf muscles as a teenager. now its my quads. I can't even tell which are my kneecaps and which are muscles in some of those pics.

@Jules - not ready for those pics. I did fix my hair, but holly shit the 5 minutes after the race podium pic is really tough. I was hurting.

Marc Bertucco

Dec 15, 2014 at 12:37 AM

Hey all...great racing today. A super hard, heavy, technical course. Really compact but makes the most of the little "valley" it's in. This year, they added a long hard ride/run-up. There was lots of debate on how to handle it in pre-rides. Fun hanging out with the gang a bit chewing the fat. We were all there bloviating about this and that for the few minutes before the course opened up for pre-rides. Nice to have a gang of Kissenas hanging around (and Ragot too).

Todd and I got back into the city a few hours ago. Big back up on 95, typical Sunday night traffic for the GWB, but thanks to the secret exit JP showed me years ago, we bypassed 36 minutes of stop and go traffic over 7 miles, and got to the bridge in 10 minutes flat. Todd's actually doing okay. RN Marc says, I'll let him tell the gory details if he wants, just so I'm not breaking any HIPPA privacy laws.

Todd McLoughlin

Dec 15, 2014 at 01:17 AM

I'm back home now and mostly all better. About 1/3 through the race I crashed into a tree and knocked my shoulder out of its socket. It popped back into place at the hospital. I'm a little sore now, but nothing too bad.

After I crashed into the damn tree, I went to the med tent. They wrapped me up and sent me to the hospital. Marc and Jim helped load me into the car. Marc drove me to the hospital (and also stayed with me at the hospital and helped me unpack all my stuff when we finally got home. Thanks Marc.)

The hospital took x-rays. The x-rays didn't show much and the ER doctor wanted to send me home. That was not working for me. It felt like someone had stuck a door jam into my shoulder and it hurt like sh*t. So, after some discussions, I had the doctor try to "roll" my shoulder back into place. It didn't work while the doctor was there. But, I kept trying after she left. Then ... pop ... my shoulder went back into place. Door jam removed. Pain substantially abated. Phew.

I'm still a little sore and still have to go see a doctor. But, with no more races on my schedule, I guess this is a good time to rest and recover.

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone.

Also, great job to Mike and everyone else out there today. It was a really good course and tough racing.

Unknown

Dec 15, 2014 at 01:39 AM

Feel better soon Todd. Crappy way to end the season, but it timed itself right. great result Mke! Great reports all...I have one more go-round here on Long Island in 2 weeks. Been a great season.

josephmueller

Dec 15, 2014 at 05:46 AM

Glad you're ok Todd!

JohnMalcolmson

Dec 15, 2014 at 02:56 PM

"pop ... my shoulder went back into place.". That's pretty staunch. Heal quick Todd!