Sep 07, 2014 at 01:27 AM
report from eloy: it was hard. it was hot. more tomorrow.
didn't get that much chance to take photos...
Nittany Cross
Sep 07, 2014 at 01:52 AM
So, I started racing CX for a new team today at NittanyNittany Cross. Amazing bothe the hecles about my helmet not matching my kit, but most of all the support from all of my friends that I've made over my 16 years on the club.
So to everyone who cheered and encouraged me and those who helped me rocover after, and to those who understood that I was moving on but wasn't leaving lasting bondsbwhind. Thank you.
It was a great way to say goodbye.
Again, thank you.
Reloadfor for tomorrow.
E
So to everyone who cheered and encouraged me and those who helped me rocover after, and to those who understood that I was moving on but wasn't leaving lasting bondsbwhind. Thank you.
It was a great way to say goodbye.
Again, thank you.
Reloadfor for tomorrow.
E
Sep 07, 2014 at 07:07 PM
Day 1 4/5s
Missed my front row call up…..stupid(pro tip courtesy of Hot List wear a watch if you don't race w a garmin) I was so worried about my bad right shoulder that I lost track of time while practicing my drive side dismount/remount up top at the barriers. Thing were only exacerbated further when I couldn't find a quick way back to the staging area. I wound up lining up in the nosebleed seats two to three rows behind Aaron roughly 90- 95th.
The start was a less than enjoyable traffic jam of wheel bumping/low grade but still risky wheel chopping. I played it really safe and conservative(euphemisms for wimpy and scared) for the first half lap protecting my front wheel as I didn't want to take a tumble and further tweak my shoulder. I
Once things settled down and the field spread out I moved up. But I never felt like I had any real punch. I was really smooth in the corners. was picking good lines and was hardly touching my brakes compared to most of the folks around me…pleased with that.
It was really hot and HUMID(I hate humidity) but the conditions were something we all had to deal with. No excuses. I was just flat and slow..
I finished 66th right behind Adam who looked great in his first cross race.
Big ups to Marc for getting 3rd today. He's been craving that sort of a result for a while. Hard work and tenacity have payed off. I'm very happy for him
Sep 07, 2014 at 07:40 PM
I posted some photos I took while standing in the blazing sun and humidity
Feel free to take em. These were all on my phone, so not the best quality, but proves, at least, that I was there.
I brought my brand new cross bike home the Friday before, began taking the reflectors off so I could go out and practice for the race on Saturday, found one of the seat stays was crushed, to the point that it would fold if I hit a big pothole, brought the bike back.
This was my first cross race and they're a lot of fun to watch. After lap two, everyone's tongue is hanging out, they're blinded by sweat, exhausted and moving slowly. Everyone except the front 4 guys in every race who seem to be cool as cucumbers out there. I'm looking forward to racing.
Sep 07, 2014 at 08:51 PM
Congrats, Marc!
Sep 07, 2014 at 11:06 PM
Short report:
Saturday: searing heat. bad start. clawed my way through. felt terrible but I was moving up. In the last few laps, picked off places and finished 20th. Very satisfied.
Sunday: much better weather. better start. settled into the back of a group containing places 13-21. faded a bit. Caught by Joe, group of 21-24th places. back gives out. gives out more, gives out more. with one to go, couldn't even pedal. got off, dropped out. I had a ton of gas left in the tank, I just couldn't turn the cranks. big bummer here.
looking forward to recovery and then hitting independnce and granogue really hard.
Sep 07, 2014 at 11:23 PM
Weee! Thanks to Mark for the encouraging and race updates. Makes a big difference to know the time gap to the rider in front of you and your place.
Glad to see Harry and Bruce!
RR: Went hard and fast.
Sep 07, 2014 at 11:28 PM
Day 1. I don't have to reiterate the heat. 12 noon start time. Almost the hottest part of the day. Got off to a reasonable start. Following Richard Sachs and Jim Feehan and I think I can actually see the front of the 55+ race. That's good. Can't catch Richard and Jim. My heart rate is highest its been all year. Settle in . . . Lap 3, over the barriers, hear clunk clunk - same as last year. Get off the bike to realize that the rear wheel has come out of the drop out. Same as last year. !?*$%#@ Fuck. Ton of time trying to get it back while shifted into a large rear cog. Basically give up racing and ride into the pit to pour water over my head. Wheel comes out again a lap later. Get lapped by 35+.. Don't look at the results.
Over night I have diagnosed the problem with my rear wheel. Van Dessel Gin & Trombones has a wider rear dropout spacing compatible with Mtn bikes. Has put in some spacer/adapter to accommodate road spaced wheels, which makes it a pain to put in the rear wheel. Also, the Neuvation skewer has a rather short spindle and the wider spacing means I have only engaged a few teeth and I think the skewer tapers at the end. Very bumpy Nittany course causes said skewer to come loose, even though I had explicitly checked it and tightened it before the race.
Day 2 (I usually don't do 2 consecutive days, but Eric said it would 'be fun'). Beautiful day, as I'm sure you know. As predicted deliciously by Perlberg, there was MUD. Got a good warmup, but was nervous. Crashed pretty heavily on the ride-up before the bunny hoppable log (we need to work on bunny hopping). Ouch. Would not like to have two disastrous days in a row. My buddy from Colavita next to me at the start line is nonplussed by my nervousness. I get a rather poor start, but the 55+ field is small. As I eventually blast past my buddy, he he shouts out, "Still feeling nervous". I replied in the negative. Again behind Feehan and Sachs, and the latter looks vulnerable. It takes me a couple of laps but I get by him also. Heart rate not as high as yesterday (I think) and was able to maintain power for the full 6 laps. Not quite lapped by 35+ field (who started 1.5 min ahead of us), so got to finish the full race and got to chase the guy in front of me all the way to the line (unsuccessfully). Still haven't looked at the placings. Had a good time cleaning my bike at the carwash with Eric.
Over night I have diagnosed the problem with my rear wheel. Van Dessel Gin & Trombones has a wider rear dropout spacing compatible with Mtn bikes. Has put in some spacer/adapter to accommodate road spaced wheels, which makes it a pain to put in the rear wheel. Also, the Neuvation skewer has a rather short spindle and the wider spacing means I have only engaged a few teeth and I think the skewer tapers at the end. Very bumpy Nittany course causes said skewer to come loose, even though I had explicitly checked it and tightened it before the race.
Day 2 (I usually don't do 2 consecutive days, but Eric said it would 'be fun'). Beautiful day, as I'm sure you know. As predicted deliciously by Perlberg, there was MUD. Got a good warmup, but was nervous. Crashed pretty heavily on the ride-up before the bunny hoppable log (we need to work on bunny hopping). Ouch. Would not like to have two disastrous days in a row. My buddy from Colavita next to me at the start line is nonplussed by my nervousness. I get a rather poor start, but the 55+ field is small. As I eventually blast past my buddy, he he shouts out, "Still feeling nervous". I replied in the negative. Again behind Feehan and Sachs, and the latter looks vulnerable. It takes me a couple of laps but I get by him also. Heart rate not as high as yesterday (I think) and was able to maintain power for the full 6 laps. Not quite lapped by 35+ field (who started 1.5 min ahead of us), so got to finish the full race and got to chase the guy in front of me all the way to the line (unsuccessfully). Still haven't looked at the placings. Had a good time cleaning my bike at the carwash with Eric.
Sep 08, 2014 at 12:39 AM
Quickly, loved the weekend, watching everyone race. Hanging out, eating hot dogs, racing bikes. It's cross season and I can't wait for more.
I'd write more, and hopefully I will be able to, but I SERIOUSLY owe Myles some big time brain/typing/writing space/time for SuperCross prep. We've got a big time sponsor for the event and we need to keep them very happy.
Sep 08, 2014 at 11:23 AM
Marc,
Nice job on the placings. Charm City called and said "You must be in the front row".
Enjoy the aquarium and stuff with your son but remember it's a "business trip". Good results at Charm City can set up whole year due to guys not making that trip. Hard to imagine but after Charm City and Whirlybird, the MAC will be almost half over and Overall Results start to really firm up.
Jim Feehan
Nice job on the placings. Charm City called and said "You must be in the front row".
Enjoy the aquarium and stuff with your son but remember it's a "business trip". Good results at Charm City can set up whole year due to guys not making that trip. Hard to imagine but after Charm City and Whirlybird, the MAC will be almost half over and Overall Results start to really firm up.
Jim Feehan
Sep 08, 2014 at 03:45 PM
Not much to say for Sunday's 4/5 race report, other than it was my first cross race and it was hard. Started 96th, finished 70th. My personal victory was finishing ahead of the pack of around 4 guys who were jockeying for position with me the last two laps.
Huge shoutout to Jules for his help with the race, and reminding me once again why I am so glad I joined Kissena. He took me on two full laps of pre-ride, and then cheered me on and shouted advice the whole race. Definitely helped me stay focused and push through the pain. Thanks again!
Sep 08, 2014 at 04:50 PM
The Hotness Hotlist HOTNESS...
Sep 08, 2014 at 05:11 PM
It was great seeing you tear it up out there. You've joined an elite group of Ex Kissenas - all of whom remain fast friends.eragot said:So, I started racing CX for a new team today at NittanyNittany Cross. Amazing bothe the hecles about my helmet not matching my kit, but most of all the support from all of my friends that I've made over my 16 years on the club. So to everyone who cheered and encouraged me and those who helped me rocover after, and to those who understood that I was moving on but wasn't leaving lasting bondsbwhind. Thank you. It was a great way to say goodbye. Again, thank you. Reloadfor for tomorrow. E
Ain't no piece of Lycra gonna stop the cheering (or the heckling) because #CantStopWontStop
So how'd that new hip work out for you in the master race? :P
Sep 08, 2014 at 07:58 PM
Well, the first CX weekend of the season is done, and I'm here to report...
Day 1:
Dinner was over at home and I was packing myself up in preparation for a very early drive out the next morning when Lisa looked at me and said, "Wait, this race is two hours away? And you're doing both days?!? That's like eight or nine hours of driving by yourself in one weekend!"
Dinner was over at home and I was packing myself up in preparation for a very early drive out the next morning when Lisa looked at me and said, "Wait, this race is two hours away? And you're doing both days?!? That's like eight or nine hours of driving by yourself in one weekend!"
I had to admit she had a point...
"Why don't we just get a hotel nearby and come with you?"
I looked at the clock... "Uh, sure..."
And thus began the first event of the weekend; the speed-family-packing-and-planning.
I looked at the clock... "Uh, sure..."
And thus began the first event of the weekend; the speed-family-packing-and-planning.
Fast forward a few hours and we're all tucked away in bed and happily sleeping by 1am...
The alarm went off at 6, and I did my best to pack my prerace self up in a pitch dark hotel room before sneaking out into the hotel hallway to try and get my brakes to fit my race rims. Some swearing and a few dropped allen keys later I was ready to go.
I did some very literally hot laps (it was mid 80's if not hotter with total humidity) with Hotlist (Kissena Mentor Marc Bertucco) before lining up for my sweaty front row start.
The guy next to me was gripping his handlebars like he was trying to throttle them while I chatted with some teammates who were spectating.
"First race of the season!" chimed in one of them.
"Yeah," I answered, "and everyone is super horny - it's gonna be a mess."
Unbidden, Mr. Throttle His Handlebars muttered, "Ready to fuck!"
Unbidden, Mr. Throttle His Handlebars muttered, "Ready to fuck!"
We all looked at each other in a bit of shock but soon enough they were starting the countdown.
When the light went green I discovered I'd put my bike in way too hard a gear so my front row start quickly became a twelfth position battle for my life.
Hilariously, Mr "Ready to fuck!" shot ahead of me and totally overcooked the first corner and went sailing: bike, ass, teakettle and all, under the tape and into the shrubbery.
I'd have laughed out loud but I was too busy sucking. I struggled and fought and thrashed but I just never found my rhythm. Marc came sailing past me and I blocked for a bit (small consolation) but it was to no avail.
Suddenly, as I was cursing my empty legs I saw the grinning face of HARRY! A teammate I haven't seen since last fall, he emerged from the brambles like some kind of Cyclocross Druid screaming encouragement. I did my best and I managed to make one final pass on the power section but in the end I rolled in 11th. A far cry from the podium contention I'd hoped for.
I spent the rest of the day feeling completely drained and thoroughly cooked - and toured the Crayola factory with the kids, had a nice dinner and an early bed.
Day 2
The alarm rang and I seriously considered sleeping in. In fact, if it wasn't for Lisa's prodding "You'll regret it if you don't go..." I'd have stayed in bed.
Cue the pitch dark gear roundup montage and I was off again for an early reunion with the race course. It was cold comfort indeed when I got to registration and discovered that I'd somehow managed to NOT REGISTER for the day's race! There were no more spots left so I couldn't register day-of.
After some dark moments I decided I'd make the best of it and practice skills all day on a beautiful course. Some mud had appeared as a result of the night's thunderstorm and my teammate Jesse was eager for a guided tour of the course.
We rolled around, and I shared what little I could.
Once "my" field was off I consoled myself by chasing my teammates around (outside the tape) shouting encouragement and a few heckles as Marc "The Hotlist" held on for third!
Post celebrations I discovered that the 234 field (much faster than I'd planned on racing) still had a spot so I registered myself, and signed up Isaiah for the "Little Belgians" race right before mine.
Then I scarfed a hot dog as some prerace nutrition - I'd only eaten oatmeal that morning and the race was at 1:15.
We pinned a number on Isaiah's shirt and I chased him around on his scoot bike (with knobby tires!) in my skinsuit and helmet as all the kids negotiated an abbreviated version of the day's course.
Unlike the day before when I was in the first row - Sunday I started in the last row; 129 of my closest friends ahead of me. Guess who was lined up next to me? Yup, Mr. "Ready to fuck!"
He'd crashed out of THAT morning's race too (I couldn't help but chuckle) and was back for more. We joked a bit about the race marshal's instructions, "if you finish first through third, make sure you report to the marshal promptly..."
Soon enough the whistle blew and we were off... slowly.
Incredibly the "small" mud patch had grown into a proper mud-ride and after an entire lap of listening to Mr. "Ready to fuck!" complain about how he'd never been this far back in a race EVER he hit the mud and went total Red Leader into the shrubbery. I swear I even heard him roar in frustration.
I didn't fare much better - the logjam in the first lap had me put a foot down and somehow drag my drivetrain though a particularly sticky patch of mud.
As things began to thin at the back I started to pick people off, and was taking a particularly fast right hand grassy corner, thinking to myself "wow, this is the hottest you've ever cornered" when the guy in front of me washed out and I ran right into, onto and then over him - but stayed upright. I stopped long enough to inquire if he was ok, and then hurried off.
Unbeknownst to me I must've hit my rear wheel pretty hard because on another grippy grassy turn I heard and felt the terrible "rolled tubular" sound.
"Tough break" someone managed as they blew by. I hopped off, pull the wheel back on and rode as fast as I could back down the course to the Pit.
"Hey SRAM! I need a ten!" I hollered out, and amazingly he had one ready before I had gotten off my bike. He put the new wheel in someone gave me a running push - I was "back" in the race, and most definitely AT the back.
So that was that - I chased, passed a couple of folks, and chased some more. I got the best heckle of the race in the woody log-hop area: "Your kid raced faster than you!!!"
I tried to motivate the people I was passing to race, but was largely unsuccessful; the next time through the woods I saw a guy drinking a beer handup - so I slapped him the ass - HARD and then took off like a scalded cat.
That made him chase and we had some fun for a half lap or so before I dropped him for good.
In the end I played some cat & mouse with a guy in an arm-brace, but I rolled in barely better than I started: 94 from a 99th place start.
In all the weekend was a lesson in humility; I'd expected to be contending for the podium like I was last year, but instead I just sucked.
This week is going to be about sleep and nutrition - the good news is it will only get colder and (hopefully) I'll get faster.
Sep 08, 2014 at 11:14 PM
didn't spend that much time shooting, but here's a couple to support Jules report.
Sep 09, 2014 at 02:01 PM
More pictures
sorry the link won't copy. Just go to Leisterimages.com
Sep 17, 2014 at 04:18 PM
Enjoy. This is an unlisted video for the enjoyment of Kissena. Please don't forward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4ppKLJgne0&feature=youtu.be
Aug 27, 2015 at 02:48 AM
BUMP!
Nittany. Do it - if you're lucky you might even look as good as these guys
Nittany. Do it - if you're lucky you might even look as good as these guys
Aug 27, 2015 at 03:11 AM
They're just singing Bohemian Rhapsody together.
Aug 28, 2015 at 02:46 AM
They're at the "Galileo" part right?
Sep 10, 2015 at 12:43 PM
Mud Mud Mud Mud Mud Mud
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=40.550198,-75.598068
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=40.550198,-75.598068
Sep 10, 2015 at 01:23 PM
The Nittany Bog of Eternal Stench will be particularly gruesome this year.
Sep 10, 2015 at 01:35 PM
Oh boy!Jeffrey White said:The Nittany Bog of Eternal Stench will be particularly gruesome this year.
Sep 12, 2015 at 10:32 AM
Good luck to all Nittany racers this morning and weekend. There are over 1300 registrations over 2 days of racing and the following KCC studs will be joining them:
Dale Suttle
Adam Fabian
Phillip Maronilla
Niall Smart
Jeffrey White
Daniel Reiners
Marc Bertucco
Eloy Anzola
Jules Roazen
Jim Feehan
Dan Strika
Sep 12, 2015 at 05:36 PM
I had a pretty hard fall on lap 2 of my race, when I was unable to unclip and ended up faceplanting at the first barrier. My chest took the worst of it, though I was able to finish the race. (Came in 26th -- definitely would have been better than that without the crash and subsequent mechanical.)
Thanks to Dale, Phil, Jules, Eloy, Lisa, and Jeff for sticking by me while I got checked out and afterward. Ended up stopping for an X-ray and I'm fine aside from the heavy bruising.
Tomorrow will probably be a game time decision based on how I feel. As of now I see no reason not to, but I also suspect this is going to tighten up and get uncomfortable.
Thanks to Dale, Phil, Jules, Eloy, Lisa, and Jeff for sticking by me while I got checked out and afterward. Ended up stopping for an X-ray and I'm fine aside from the heavy bruising.
Tomorrow will probably be a game time decision based on how I feel. As of now I see no reason not to, but I also suspect this is going to tighten up and get uncomfortable.
Sep 12, 2015 at 08:52 PM
Only one solution for that...
Sep 12, 2015 at 09:01 PM
Meanwhile it's raining like a mofo here - that course is likely to be pure slop tomorrow.
Sep 12, 2015 at 09:24 PM
Oof, that one hurt. I crashed so many times lost track. rear brake pulled out after one lap, so I lost the ability to use that for anything other than a gentle suggestion to slow. I had somebody rear end me on a steep section and he ripped off my tubular, and I pulled a hissyfit bike throw.
Shockingly, not my worst Nittany ever but pretty bad.
#SuckItNittany
Shockingly, not my worst Nittany ever but pretty bad.
#SuckItNittany
Sep 12, 2015 at 09:59 PM
Sep 12, 2015 at 10:29 PM
I took some photos today. Feel free to download, copy or whatever.
https://goo.gl/photos/YStieQrUs2uzSCkA6
https://goo.gl/photos/YStieQrUs2uzSCkA6