Saturday, March 31, 2012

RBC

Good week for riding. This week was my inaugural ride on Wednesday evening. Immediately my legs felt out of position, awkward. Yes, I told them we are going for a ride and it glorious.

Saturday morning the clouds enshrouded the ridge line. No excuses, legs we are going on a ride.


While I know every curve and crack in the road, every corner seemed to be the same contrasted with the grey sky. My legs asked "Are we there yet?" Silly legs. Of course not.

A string of runners trekked up the hill. I met up with Herb and Alyce comrades of Mr. Beanz out for a spin. It was good to touch base.


The Riverside Bicycle Club were on the road and made for great company. Bart Black cruised past before the stone wall. Deanna had a good clip. Brian Sable and  Bill Stapleton dovetailed me from before Newman's to the shed. Bill had an excellent cadence and the right tempo, amazingly it was his first time on the road. We had a beautiful peak of Baldy in the rare moment of sun riding up to the shed. Wow it looked good.


I dallied at the shed too long nearly half an hour then headed out to the Experimental Forest. The moment I got on Glendora Ridge Road, I had the hairs on the back of my neck say turn around. Nope, onward we go legs.  Like an ancient sailor venturing into new territory, "There be dragons!" They were small, furry and squirrel sized. They were hunting me in packs of eight. Running around and twittering. They seemed down right, well squirrely. "Hehehehe, you dash in front of the cyclist." they taunted each other. "I double dog dare you!"

 It was slow as visibility was low. Glendora Ridge Rode was eerily quiet in the grey solitude. Determined I plowed on. The wind blew stronger along the ridge. No excuses, keep going. I was glad for the dry base layer. The windbreaker and warm cap. I did miss my Gore jacket.

The visibility on the return trip was limited to five feet. The glasses were fogged with moisture and did not help. Droplets formed on the helmet and dripped off. So the ride back was slow until the first saddle where the visibility was clear and the clouds higher in the sky. Good to be on familiar territory where I can see where I am going. The ride completed. Not too much wet. So a good ride in deed.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Photos from SDSR

Pascal a Cat 2 riding for Spy-Swamis at the half way point during the GMR time trial of the San Dimas Stage Race.


Sunday, March 25, 2012

2012 San Dimas Stage Race Recap

Bill has compiled this roundup of the SDSR 2012:

San Dimas, California (March 20, 2012) - The 13th edition of the San Dimas Stage Race was an epic event.  Not only did the riders have to contend with challenging courses and strong competitors, they also had to battle some weather extremes that would daunt the heartiest of cyclists.  Months of preparation by race organizers and riders alike culminated in a whirlwind of activity as the race unfolded over three gray and often wet days.  Glendora Mountain Road, the lanes of Bonelli Park, and the streets of downtown San Dimas were filled with color and excitement as almost 900 riders took to the roads, singly in the Time Trial and in large groups in the Road Race and the Criterium.


The Time Trail up Glendora Mountain Road kicked off the race. Starting at 8:00 AM a rider was launched every 30 seconds all day long on a solitary quest for the best time up a steep and twisting 3.8 mile course.  The day was overcast and chilly, but thankfully, dry. Phil Gaimon, riding for Kenda/5hr Energy p/b Geargrinder, won the Men’s Pro/Cat 1 category and Kristin Armstrong, riding for Exergy Twenty12, won the Women’s Pro/Cat 1-2-3 category.

Saturday's Road Race around Bonelli Park was done under heavy clouds, frequent rain and erratic winds.  The Bonelli Park race course is 7 miles of rolling and curving roads. The race day was broken into three major time segments with several groups, which had their starting times spaced a few minutes apart, racing in each segment. At any given time there were between 200-300 riders on the course braving terrible weather conditions in their quest for victory, or for many, just to finish. Joseph Schmalz, riding for ELBOWZ Racing, took the stage win in the Men’s Pro/Cat 1 and Kristin Armstrong won the stage in the Women’s Pro/Cat 1-2-3.  Andy Jacques-Maynes, riding for Kenda/5hr Energy p/b Geargrinder, and Kristin Armstrong were at the top of the GC in their respective categories at the end of the day.

The weather for the Criterium on Sunday was very cool and cloudy.  The course, still wet from some early morning rain, was slippery. Nevertheless, speed was the order of the day as the riders raced around the 6 corners of the 1.2 mile course. Eric Young, riding for BISSELL Pro Cycling, claimed the stage victory in the Men’s Pro/Cat 1 and Ina Yoko Teutenberg, riding for Team Specialized lululemon, was the winner in the Women’s Pro/Cat 1-2-3.  Andy Jacques-Maynes and Kristin Armstrong held onto their GC leads to become the overall winners of the race in their respective categories.

An added attraction on Sunday was the Kids Race, in which kids from toddlers to 12 year olds raced on parts of the Criterium course.  The kids were divided into three groups for the race, toddlers to 5, 6 to 9, and 10 to 12.  Under the watchful eyes of family and friends, the kids gave everyone a preview of the upcoming generation of bike racers.  In this race every rider was a winner.

Our thanks to the hard working members of the organizing committee and to the many volunteers that helped on the race days as well as to the sponsors that supported the race with funds and other valuable resources and to the USA Cycling Officials that had to deal with many weather related issues during the race.  It took all of you to make this event a success!

We also wish to recognize and thank the many media representatives that helped to promote, cover, and report on the races. For the first time, portions of the race were available for via live streaming video. uRide.tv, working with SC Velo, provided streaming video coverage of portions of all three stages. The videos were available at uRide.tv and were viewed in more than 30 countries. Video clips will be available for 1 year following the race. There are many stories and pictures on the Internet about this year's SDSR, links to some of them are given below.

SDSR Media and Blog Links:

San Gabriel Valley Tribune
  Prerace
SoCalCycling.com
  Story
CyclingNews.com
  Stage 2   
Road Bike Action Magazine
GlendoraMtnRoad.com
  Stage 1
  Stage 2  
  Stage 3  
Claremont Cyclist Blog  
  SDSR Stage 2  
Team Specialized Racing Blog  
  Time Trial  
Team Winded
Team Exergy
Kenda 5 Hr Energy p/b Geargrinder
  Race Report  
Santa Cruz Outdoor Sports Blog
  SDSR GC
  
SDSR Photographers, Photo galleries and Videos:

Kenneth Hill (Club Photographer) 
  Stage 1  
  Stage 2  
Danny Munson
Matt Hawkesworth
  Photos 
uRide.tv (Streamed the event Live all three days to over 30 countries)
  Videos
Michael Roe  PelotonReport.com

Monday, March 19, 2012

Jacques-Maynes

Ben and Andy Jacques-Maynes triumphed over the course and weather at the San Dimas Stage Race (SDSR). Andy won the overall race in the general classification designated by the yellow jersey. He also took the coveted green points jersey. Ben placed 4th in the overall GC.

1. Andy Jacques-Maynes riding for Kenda in Stage 1 of the SDSR.
2. Ben Jacques-Maynes riding for Bissel in Stage 1 of the SDSR.
3. Andy Jacques-Maynes overall GC winner on the Podium after Stage 3

SDSR Criterium Finish

Eric Young in the stars and stripes jersey just before his wheel rolls across the finish line. Ken Hanson is just a bit behind Eric, with Patrick Bevin in for 3rd place.
Bill had a unique vantage point atop the announcer booth when he took this picture.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

The third and final stage of SDSR is on its way. The weather outlook is clear this morning. Kids race at noon.
CB#: 6264852439

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Saturday, March 17, 2012

The grueling first day of the San Dimas Stage Race is complete. The intimacy of man versus mountain now replaced by the long rolling course that loops around Bonelli park from 42-84 miles. The lone competitor must now be able to find their place in the pack. The weather wet, cold, windy. The road slick and dangerous. The game is afoot. Keeping dry is today's goal.

We arrived at the staging area at 6:50 in the morning. It was comfy under the cover of the tented booths. Racers signed in at the registration booth as the mist filled the air. The Intellicast radar map had shown a large storm headed our way. Course marshals were ferried to their areas. The bustle of area calmed as the first riders were launched on their journey. I hiked out to Cannon Drive. The red poncho shielded me from the rain coming down. The droplets rolled down off my tarp and dripped down onto my jeans and into my boots. Quickly the socks absorbed every drip and my feet were wet. My twenty pound back pack stayed dry underneath as well as the camera. The grade of the road was steep and I huffed up it barely keeping up with my sole companion their to watch his family race. As the racers came down the road, I smartly dashed off the pavement. Their pace much reduced due to the conditions. As I passed along the course marshals infinitely more wise than me, they had umbrellas, rain gear and over hangs to shield them from the water. I asked one gentleman, Alan the Brit about his goulashes. He said they were perfect. Water proof and thermal insulated. Knowing that the Brits have a superior command of the English language, I asked him what he called his boots. He smiled and said "Sweethearts". I laughed and hiked to a spot prior to the King of the Mountain point. Last year I had to elbow my way amongst a throng of spectators. Today they were few and far between. John another course marshal shouted words of encouragement as the riders grudged their way up the incline. I watched heroes, super heroes struggle to keep their minds on their effort, the slickness of their road and staying upright. I snapped a few pictures. My hopes soared when the rain let up only to be doused with more water. Yes we desperately need rain, but today on my race? Mother Nature you are cruel. My discomfort was minor in comparison to the heroes who slugged out this day riding bicycles on slick wet roads while the pelting drops hit their bodies at 20 mph plus. To those who survived. Congratulations.

Friday, March 16, 2012

SDSR GMR Time Trial

Wow. A day full of pictures. 2600 pictures.

Kristin Armstrong of Team Exergy Twenty12 won with a time of 15:01.00.


Phil Gaimon of Team Kenda/5hr Energy p/b Geargrind with a time of 13:10.15. Congratulations.

The moisture level just increased

The moisture level just increased and the temperature dropped. The birds are chirping. A few riders warming up.

What a luxury. Having a car on GMR for the SDSR time trial.
CB#: 626485243

Its cool with overcast layer of clouds at the start of the gmr time trial of sdsr 2012
CB#: 6264852439

SDSR Live Streaming coverage

San Dimas Stage Race will be covered live by URide.tv

Another great place for information is sdsr.info

Monday, March 12, 2012

2012 SDSR Preview



2012 San Dimas Stage Race, March 16, 17, & 18, Preview

San Dimas, California (March 12, 2012) - The dates for the San Dimas Stage Race (SDSR) are almost here. The SDSR is a premier race which attracts top flight riders and teams in all categories and provides great entertainment for spectators of all ages.  Now in its 13th year, the race is hosted by Southern California Velo (SC Velo), supported by terrific sponsors, and staffed by dedicated volunteers led by Race Director Al Wiscovitch.

The race consists of three exciting stages in three great venues:

  * A challenging Time Trial up Glendora Mountain Road (GMR) on March 16th,
     sponsored by Chaffey Auto Body.

  * A grueling classic Road Race around Bonelli Park on March 17th,
     sponsored by San Dimas Community Hospital.

  * A fast and furious Criterium around downtown San Dimas on March 18th,
     sponsored by Incycle bike stores and Cannondale bikes.

All three stages offer great opportunities for riders to excel and for cycling fans to see exciting pro and amateur racing up close. If you can only attend one day, come on Sunday and enjoy our Expo along with the race. There are no admission fees for watching the races.

For the first time, portions of the race will be available for viewing via live streaming video.  uRide.tv is working with SC Velo to provide streaming video coverage of portions of all three stages.  The videos will be available at: http://www.uride.tv/live-stream/03/16/2012/San+Dimas+Stage+Race/   Video clips will be available live on race days and for 1 year following the race.

Registration is complete with over 890 riders signed up. Many world class professional teams and riders are on the roster.  Talented riders from around the country and beyond have signed up in large numbers in all categories from Pro to Juniors, including two prior San Dimas Pro champions returning in Masters races.  From 2000, Jamie Paolinetti will be racing in the Masters 35+ group for Monster Media Racing p/b MRI Performance/SCVelo and from 2001, Chris Walker is also signed up in the Masters 35+ group for the Time Factory Team . All of the fields are strong and the riders are anxious to kick off their racing seasons with exceptional performances.

Men’s Pro/Cat 1 is completely filled.  2006 champion Heath Blackgrove who is riding with Elbowz Racing is back to see if he can repeat his win. He will be facing a lot of competition from an outstanding field of strong riders.

The Men’s Pro/Cat 1 teams represented by one or more riders are:

Alto Velo Racing Club
B & L
Bear Valley Bikes
Bicycle Haus
BISSELL Pro Cycling
Bontrager-LIVESTRONG
Boo Bicycles
California Giant/Specialized
Cascade Bicycle Studio
CashCall Mortgage
Champion Systems p/b Stans NoTubes
Competitive Cyclist Racing Team
EKOÏ.com - Gaspesien
ELBOWZ RACING
Elecoy
F.C.C. powered by Pure Gear
Fremont Bank Cycling Team
Get Crackin' - MS Society
GS Boulder
Hagens Berman Cycling
Horizon Organic/Panache Elite Cycling
Jamis Sutter Home p/b Colavita
Kenda/5hr Energy p/b Geargrinder
Kretzschmar Steel Racing
Landis/Trek
Marc pro/Strava
Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
RBS Morgans-ATS Pro Cycling
Sho-Air/Rock N Road
Simple Green/ Bike Religion
SoCalCycling.com / Echelon Design
Southern California Velo
Spy-Swami's Development Elite Team
Stage 17 Racing
Team Clif Bar Cycling
Team Exergy
Team Mike's Bikes
Team Mountain Khakis/SmartStop
Team Type 1 Development
Trek Red Truck p/b Mosaic Homes
Velo Club La Grange
Wonderful Pistachios


Women’s Pro/Cat 1-2-3 has a large field of great riders, including two previous SDSR Women's Pro Champions, 2009-2010 champion Ina Yoko Teutenberg racing with Team Specialized Lululemon
and 2006 champion, and Olympic Gold medalist, Kristin Armstrong racing with Exergy TWENTY12.

The Women’s Pro/Cat 1-2-3 teams represented by one or more riders are:

Bountiful Mazda Race Team
CalCoast Bicycles
Canyon Bicycles Race Team
Cynergy Cycles/Missing Link Coaching
Exergy Twenty12
FCS|Rouse p/b Mr. Restore
Fort Lewis College Cycling
Helen's Racing Helen's/Cannondale
Metromint Cycling
NOW and Novartis for MS
Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
PAA - Re/Max
Primal/MapMyRide Women's racing
RED Racing
SC VELO/Empower Coaching
Team Kenda p/b Geargrinder
Team Specialized lululemon
Team TIBCO
Touchstone Climbing
Vanderkitten-Focus
Velo Club La Grange
XO COMMUNICATIONS p/b CISCO

For more information about the race please go to http://sdsr.info  Also, become a fan of the race
on FaceBook.com and follow it on Twitter.com - just search for San Dimas Stage Race.

Friday, March 9, 2012

San Dimas Stage Race TT Arial View

View of the Glendora Mountain Road Time Trial from above. Bill has marked it with the 2012 new start and finish lines. The change is to accommodate the officials, so they can see the riders unobstructed on the right. But from a rider's stand point who has trained for many years, it does through you for a loop having practiced for the first mile, the second mile, the third mile, etc. Certainly it takes out more flat and puts in more up, however I have not yet refreshed my own mental cache or my legs to the new start and stop.
My ride today to the first saddle was warm to hot. I tried the new hydration product called Secret Drink Mix. I had stopped using a sport drink for the winter and used water only. Could have been the taste buds needed a break from the brand I used. Also the body needed a break from the calories in the drink. So I chugged the new drink by Allen Lim. I'll give it a few more tries.


Ernst of SCVelo