Porky's Pics and Videos

There are some great photos and videos of the event here:
Porky

Here are some "artsy" shots taken by Babs:

Sorry, but I don't see many other race promoters doing more for an event.
Why don't more people do this for fun?
I had a great time rubbing elbows and swapping stories with everyone, especially the guys on the Base36 team. These guys "get it."

Porky's Revenge

So, things didn't work out quite the way I had planned.

Official story here.

But the weekend was a fun getaway for me and the fam.

We rolled west in the family truckster after school on Friday complete with the Kona Armada set for battle in the shadows of Mt. Washington. As much of a for-fun only event the Porky Gulch Stage Race is, I was not racing for 2nd place. I was looking to earn the title assigned to winning the stage race as "New England's Best All-around Cyclist" (at least among those who showed up!).
Last year Paul Curley flexed his muscles and won 2 events, but his poor showing on the hill climb put him too far back to contend for the title. Then 18 year-old Pete Ostroski won the hill climb and finished 3rd the rest of the weekend to win by 2 points over me. This year, I figured to be in better shape, Curley wasn't showing, and I was looking to draw upon what I learned from last year's experience.
Babs did her usual hotel search that always has an indoor pool as a prerequisite and found this eclectic little inn between the races and North Conway, NH. Know what's in North Conway? Outlets. Know what was on Babs' mind?
We had a nice dinner at the inn Friday night, had a dip in the pool, and all went to sleep @ 9pm. I went solo to the Prologue becasue i can't think of anything more boring than a 2 mile hillclimb to watch! Babs and the boys had a leisurely brunch and hit the pool. I returned and chilled for a bit then we all hit Story Land for the criterium in the rain. The fam actually stayed in the truck the entire race and cheered me on when I passed by through the sunroof!
After the frustrating finish, the boys were the perfect remedy for a bummed out dad. Babs did her shopping and the boys and I hit up toy and gem stores plus Olympia Sports. We stayed within budget while Babs busted hers!
We then met up at Flatbread and had a relaxing meal. Lights out was 9pm again.
I got to indulge in the wicked good brunch and filled the gullet with a real-deal buttermilk biscuit, chocolate-rasberry scone, pancakes and bacon. I was ready to rip. And, I was ready to ride my bike, fast! The fam hit the pool 1 final time while I loaded up the family truckster and loosened up the belt and legs. Lucky for us, the sun finally shown and the kids were able to get their ya-yas out by running around the Great Glen center. They cheered loudly and were a great group of finish line fans. I can't thank Babs enough for all she does so I can do my thing. She is this year's New England's Best All-around Wife!
Next up is my best opportunity to finish top-25 in an Elite CX race @ Sterling on 11/29.

Porky Gulch Classic Stage Race Report 11/8-9

Elite
2nd Overall

The Kona Armada ready to do battle at Porky's

Photos courtesy of Porky's Website

Toughest Two - 3rd

The stage race begins with a 2 mile climb up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. To me, this is a make or break event. Win it, and you're in the driver's seat. Otherwise, it's catch up time over the next 2 events. Last year I put myself in a hole by finishing 4th. I used my CX bike and was cursing the decision as soon as the road turned up. I hurt so bad my arms were rubber too. So, the decision was made to run my XC bike. The upside was I would have the gearing necessary to feel comfortable for the long haul. The downside was the added 5 pounds of mass I would have to lug up. Fortunately I lost 3 pounds since the double CX weekend at Noho so I deduced this would be a wash. Weather conditions were fair. It was warm enough to run just a skinsuit, but there were sporadic showers and the road was wet. I was the first out of the gate for the Elites and thus had no markers ahead of me. I blasted the front flat and then turned my mind to stay motivated to pump the legs and suck in oxygen in a steady rythm. I felt like I did OK, but had to wait for the results t the next event. Turns out I was 3rd, and over 1.5 minutes back from last year's overall winner and my nemesis 19 year-old Pete Ostroski. Sandwiched between us was another local Steve Piotrow whom I believe specializes in time trials and is racing some CX. So, I didn't exactly tear it up! But I was 1 position better than I was last year so I had a little less work to do, but had to play catch up nonetheless.


Story Land Criterium - 2nd
With the points assigned to our prologue finishes, it was clear where each rider stood and what each of us needed to do. I needed to place ahead of Pete, plain and simple. Maybe simple doesn't work here. Weather conditions were about the same. Fortunately it wasn't actively raining. But, the ground was wet, there were standing puddles, and I can't begin to describe the complicated and confusing and treacherous maze that this crit is when dry! Thankfully, the bridge sections were taken out of the course, but there was still a RR crossing right at a 90 degree turn and there was a fully painted section of pavement t ocontend with, not to mention the myriad of turns we had to negotiate. This is best described as a CX event on pavement - minus the soft grass landings, minus the wide lanes and turns for passing, plus speed! Pete set off from the gun intent on staying safely out in front, apparently despite the toll it would take physically. I thought it best to sit on his wheel the ENTIRE race and let him do the work. He could not drop me, and I figured I could not drop him so why try? I had 40+ minutes to figure out my strategy in terms of where I would pass him on the last lap. Smart racing? Let's see. Ryan Littlefield was the only other rider to keep pace with us. He showed his nose a couple of times at the front, but Pete really didn't want anyone out there and he always passed. I didn't want to have Ryan between us, so I made a point of keping Pete's wheel. 'Round and 'round we went until we set out on our last lap. We rode 3-across for about 100 yards when I decided I would see who had the legs and put in an effort to enter the park and the first turns in first for once. Pete shut it down and passed. He had the legs. So, I planned to execute the race-winning move Paul Curely pulled on us last year. There was a flat stretch after the 90 degree RR crossing that ended on a short, steep ascent with a gradual left then right-hand turn then a quick left-straight-left. I got by him on the straight, but amazingly he closed the gap and we were side by side. I, being the older and wiser(?) didn't force the issue and let him finish the turns ahead of me. I had 1 more section I had scoped out to make a last-ditch attempt to pass. Pete was a little slow coming out of a turn every lap and there was a short straight with room to pass. He had the last few turns dialed in so I knew I had to be in front to have a chance. Ryan, by the way, was dropped. So I put the hammer down and got by again.... Then I looked up.... Doh! Course tape... Note to self: riding behind someone the entire race means you don't really know where you're going, you're just following. I came into the turn 10mph faster than we had every lap and totally overcooked the turn. I didn't even turn actually, I just busted right through the tape and rode through what I think was a bark mulch playground. So that was it, I gave the position back, sat back in and finished just ahead of Ryan. What a buffoon! I was so pissed at myself I crossed the line, put the bike in the truck, and left.


Rockpile Rampage - 1st
The GC was pretty well set prior to today's event. I needed to win and Pete needed to finish 5th or worse to vault me into 1st. Not a likely scenario. But I was going to do my part and attempt to win and save some face. After a constant rain overnight and showers in the morning, the sun finally showed its pretty face just ahead of our 11:30am start. Although the temps were chillier, it was encouraging to be riding dry. The course was a fast one with some long open dirt road straights and only a couple of mud puddles. It also had some stiff climbs that I could just turn the pedals over at the top in the big ring.

Babs' photos from here

I was able to digest my idiocy from the crit and was mentally and physically prepared to do whatever it took to win today. Like last year, Pete made the curious decision to race a XC bike instead of a CX bike. Today, this was like bringing a knife to a gunfight. He may have felt comfortable on it, but it was a real disadvantage on the open sections. The gun went off and a teammate of Pete's, also on a XC bike, went to the front and set a pretty torrid pace for the first half lap. The field was sorted out very quickly and it was only Pete, Ryan Littlefield and I hanging in. Then, the course elevation changed and the other mtb'r dropped of the pace leaving Pete to lead. Ryan on his singlespeed hung on, but was suddenly gone, victim of a dropped chain (the 1st of 3 for the day). I let Pete lead the way for the rest of the lap. On the first open section I tested his resolve and made an acceleration. He responded and hung on my wheel. I deduced I was going to have to shake him off like a nagging cold by accelerating intelligently and often. I lead half the lap, then slowed on a climb to let him lead the next straight while I recovered. My next attack was planned on the final steep climb that was followed by a few turns and then a straight away to the start/finish area. Pete led me to the base and I hit the hill hard. A gap of a few bike lengths formed right away and I decided to see if it would stick and stayed on the gas. I buried myself to the point my vision was blurry. It stuck, I soon had 15 seconds and was on my way to setting my own pace. I backed off enough to see straight, but worked hard in all sections. I wanted to create a buffer in the event something happened mechanically and I wanted to win convincingly. The rest of the race went smoothly, and I accomplished the day's goal. Pete earned the overall fair and square and I applaud his efforts and strategy.

Words that Inspire

I am going into the final races with this message in my head from Sam, a ball of red-headed fire whom I taught middle school Spanish to. She was a PIA, now she is an inspiration.

"Quit f-ing whining. Ride your race, do what you can, and call it a day. It's bike racing people, if you don't want to wreck, have flats, have crap break, or get your ass kicked from time to time then you should knit. If my bum leg and the inability to race has taught me anything it's that I would rather have any race mishap that you can possibly conjure happen to me than to NOT race. So people (you know who you are) I beg you, HARDEN THE F#$K UP!!!"

Priceless!

Verge NECCS Series #5 & 6 Report 11/1-2 Brief

Saturday
30/48 Elite
Sunday
28/48 Elite

Had a couple of great days of racing. Babs was the hero as she stayed back home with the boys for their hockey game. I steeled down to Northampton Saturday morning, stayed in Boston that night, then cruised home Sunday. Lots of hours on the road, but gas was reasonable and at the very least, it was time off the legs sitting in the car listening to satellite radio.
Weather was stereo typical fall-gorgeous. A nip in the air, with sun and a breeze. Sunday was colder than Saturday, so the debate was what to wear. I hashed out the decision with Burnsy. If the Elite women weren't wearing leg warmers, than we weren't! Long sleeves were definitely in order though.
My finishes were ominously consistent, hinting at the realization I finish where I belong. But I can't help think about what could have been. Both days, I was directly affected by issues other racers had in front of me, 2 separate issues on Saturday, leaving me 3rd from last at the start, no exaggeration! There is a saying, "the cream rises to the top" and I think that has some validity. If I were top-10 caliber, I would be able to claw back to close to the top-10 by race-end. Unfortunately, I am resigned to the fact that I am top-25 caliber, and clawing my way to the final spot for points and cash after starting from the back is a tall order. Now please note, I am not complaining about my plight! I am loving the experience racing at the top level. The crowds are frenzied, the competition fierce, and the fun is at max. But, I am too much of a competitor to be satisfied with my results.
I pledge here and now, I will crack the top-25 before the season is over! My first step towards building confidence towards accomplishing this goal was the fact that I didn't get lapped on Sunday for the first time at a NECCS race.
Next up is seeking vengeance for last year's 2nd overall placing at the Porky Gulch Classic. My motivation is at an all-time high.

Fantastic photos courtesy of teammate Paul Weiss

MMBA Awards Ceremony

At the risk of being called out for the shameless self-promotion that this is, I just have to post these pics taken at the MMBA Awards Ceremony. I got this nifty poster board with a reasonable likeness of me! Drake is showing the number plate I'll be sporting next season. Does anyone need more incentive to earn this distinguished title?!

Maranacook Monster Mile

Took the weekend off from my racing to finish up the Maine High School Series with the championship yesterday. Also cheered my boys on in this fun mile run and had a little party for Babs' birthday.

Now preparing for the Northampton double next weekend.

Hutchinson Bulldog CX Tires

Here is the tubeless-ready tire/tubeless wheelset combo I liked/hated @ Gloucester:

The system is currently 2 for 3 at races. I rode it all day yesterday @ Bradbury without any issues.

The deal with these tires is in order to set them up tubeless, you need to add a sealant. When I first seated them on the rim, I tried to inflate with just a pump. The bead seated, but the tires lost pressure quickly. So, I went with the manufacturer's recommendation of the Hutchinson FastAir that combines air and sealant. Right away, I could see the sealant spreading leaving a white tint all along the sidewalls meaning they are thin and where most of the air would undoubtedly escape.

On Saturday @ Gloucester, I felt like I ran a little too much pressure @ 40psi and wanted the luxury of a bit smoother ride on Sunday. I went down to 38. My pre-race was similar to the day before, so I don't believe I lost any any prior to the start. However, in the last techy section on an off-camber turn, the front rolled off the rim no doubt due to too little air pressure.

I ran the pair again @ Pinelands last weekend @ 40psi and had no problems. I think that's the key. I wish I could run lower pressure for improved handling and comfort. But I would prefer to finish a race a bit slower possibly then to not finish at all. We'll see how it goes from there. Just wanted to relay my experience. Keep the rubber side down!

How lucky am I?

I got to spend 2 hours @ Bradbury today riding with Catherine, Meg and Babs!

Downeast Cyclocross Race Report 10/18

Elite Masters 35+
Tied for 1st

Fantastic photos again courtesy of Dana!

I know you're saying: Huh? Tied? That can't be. In short, Kurt Perham and I called a truce and decided to cross the line together. Since he's my coach, I threatened to demand a refund if he beat me because he must be training me to go slowly. In response, he said he would fire me if I didn't win. Thus, a tie and we both come out OK!
In brief, I hit the Masters' race because I had a high school series race to host back at KHS later that afternoon. John Grenier at the line summed it up best, this was for Maine bragging rights amongst us oldies!
Onto the action. The smallish field lined up on a slight paved incline that then threw us down the road onto grass a 90 degree left and there were the barriers. The remainder of the course was fairly punishing. There was lots of elevation changes and you were on the gas quite a bit. They flattened out a traditionally challenging off-camber section and the run-up ended up being rideable, although it was a thigh buster to maintain traction and a stiff open climb followed shortly thereafter. I was solid in the techy stuff, but redlined the entire race.
I was basically the lettuce in a BIKEMAN sammich from the gun. Ryan Rumsey was the rabbit at the start and led the 1st lap. Then KP took control and was solo about 20-50 yards ahead of me

and Big Al was gnawing at my rear tire offerring no help at all to catch Kurt.

Eventually, Kurt slowed with 4 to go and allowed Al and I to gain contact. KP was chillin' for the finish I knew so I just let the race play out. Al led for a spell than had a random stick in the derailleur distract him. Kurt attacked, I responded, Al was dropped, and Kurt and I played it out to the end.
It was fun to race with those guys. They are MAD fast! I think it must be the 45 minutes, they are all out the whole time. Not to mention, they're some talented!

Babs really helped make the race possible as she shuffled from parent conferences to soccer and back. The winnings will be spent on her, I promise. Just not more boots!

Next up is Noho in a couple weeks.

Gloucester Pics

Thanks to fellow PVC CX racer Paul Weiss for these fantastic shots!

This alternative line allowed me to have exit speed out of the turn.

It proved my undoing on Sunday as it was the spot where I rolled my tire.
I love using the shorty brake levers in turns. Definitely a comfort zone stemming from years of mountain bike riding.
I always have this painful look on my face!

I got to ride the sand later in the race when traffic thinned out


Dragging wheel-suckers to the finish

Gloucester Kids' Race Report

Always a well-attended and hotly contested event! Drake is a past winner of the 5-6 year-old class. This year he stepped up to the 7-8's.

The start was fast, Drake overcooked the first corner and had to play catch-up for 2 laps:

Mid-race:

He falls just short of a podium finish, rolling across 4th.

Traffic...

...was the theme for the Gloucester weekend. Both coming, going, and within the race.

Gran Prix of Gloucester #2 Report (Wicked brief)

Elite
DNF

Rolled my front tire off the rim 100 yards after the pit on the first lap.
Race over. Whatevs. I'm over it. Had some fun. Cheered my boy on in the 7-8 year-old race. Hung out with my dad. Weather was crazy nice. The crowds were epic and I loved hearing folks cheering for me.
I officially hate Gloucester.
Looking forward to racing locally at Pinelands next weekend!
Pics and stuff may be forthcoming.

Gran Prix of Gloucester #1 Race Report (brief)

Elite
28/52

"The New England Worlds!" The biggest CX races in the region are half over. This course has not been too kind to me over the years and today did not dissappoint.
I had a 4th row spot at the start, not too shabby. But, I was involved with a rider at the start who seemed like stuck his foot in his front spokes and was riding a nose wheelie on the top tube right into my line. We made side contact, but I stayed upright and watched at least 85% of the field ride ahead without me.

Awesome photos stolen from Dana

I gathered my strength and rode hard for the 1st lap making some passes here and there. On lap 2 I found myself at the tail end of a large group. Burnsy was up towards the front and I was hanging around with Tom Gosselin. I made a move on the climb from the baseball field up to the gazebo and bided my time behind another guy as we made the final turn before spilling onto the baseball diamond and towards the start/finish. This card ends up lassoing his handlebars around the stake and I T-bone him and snap the stake with my chest. A small group passes and I gather myself back up and proceed only to discover I have to steer way left to go straight. My handlebars were tweaked in the wreck! So, I stop to straighten them and another 6 riders blaze away. It felt like quitting time, but I had such great legs I decided to stick it out and see where I would end up.

Photo courtesy of fellow PVC racer Deke Andrew

My goal for the day was top 50% and my hope was top 25. I was painfully close to accomplishing them both! Oh well. No crying here. Just saying what coulda/shoulda. I was happy with my performance despite the incidents and am looking forward to tomorrow, hoping I have some legs to accomplish those goals. The boys and Papa and Auntie Kat will be there to cheer me on so I'm willing to dig DEEP!

Training Race Report 10/5

Sunday provided me with an opportunity to train at a higher level than normal. A Portland crew had collaborated to organize an underground training race at the Eastern Prom. Since my last CX race was 2 weeks back, I was jonesing for some competition to prepare for this weekend's New England Worlds. Making it work was a little tricky. You see, we were celebrating Fenix's birthday today and I had a short to-do list to complete before festivities started @ 9am. Fortunately, the race was slated to go off @ 8am so I reported with confidence to Babs I'll easily be home by 10:30am and get to work. She was skeptical and said I'd be lucky if I were home by 11am. I thought that was absurd, so she bet me: if I weren't back by 11am, I would have to buy her a $300 pair of boots for her birthday. I took the bet. I'm an idiot.

I made arrangements with JB to meet at the 497 and pedal from there. It was a nice brisk warmup along the Maine Marathon route into the big city. Upon arrival, we found some likely suspects in the likes of Marianne Stover, Chris LaFlamme, Ryan Littlefield and others. Things got started slowly. We did a couple of pre-ride laps to get a feel for the course. In true fashion, LaFlamme attempted to bunny hop the barriers on our practice lap, crashed, and rendered his rear wheel warped (on a mtb no less!). The course was a nice mix of a long uphill to push out watts, short straights with 90 degree turns mixed in, some off-camber riding, a double and single barrier, speedy descents, a run up that could be ridden but I wanted practice running, tall grass that needed a beat down, and of course some mud and water. We finally got organized and started at 8:30am. Was time a factor? Nah.

JB and I were pushed to the front and led the charge. Littlefield hung on for a few laps riding a singlespeed with cow horn bars! Soon, it was just Burnsy and I. We swapped off a bit. Our riding styles are definitely different. JB powers through sections than recovers in others. I like to stay steady and ride consistently. 3 laps in I let John lead the way and he created a gap. If not for the turns and techy stuff, he would have stayed away.

We raced for about 45 minutes and I made a point to stay in front of JB heading into the run up which after 3 previous attempts, I committed to riding on the final lap and it worked. We spun back towards the parking lot and it was then that I started doing the time math in my head. It was 9:23 and we had at least a 30min ride back to the 497. So we made haste and rode home. We had to choose an alternate route in order to avoid the now full-on marathon. At some point JB lost pressure in his rear tire and had to change it out. I continued on, becoming worried I wasn't going to make it. I got back to the car shortly after 10am, chitchatted a bit with French Freye and Hattie and began to realize I really wasn't going to make it. I motored home trying to make up time without doing any crazy speeding and pulled in at 11:03:30! That's a steep fine: $100/minute! So Babs gets her boots, I got a proper ride/race in, Fenix had a great party (thanks to Babs), and I got a cold! Gotta take the good with the bad!

Next up is the biggest CX race of the year for me.

Funny CX Racing Perspective From Wicks

HERE.