Flapjack Time Trial
Wheelman strikes again! Liz and I arrived early, around 8AM, for our 9:25 starts. Plenty of time for our setup and warmups. Gus was there to help me pump my tires and things were looking good. Completed my 30 minute warmup on the trainer and hopped off with about four minutes to get to the start line. Just the way I like it. Kurt and Elliot Anderson were walking by and were giving me encouragement when I began to have trouble clipping in and my front wheel was wobbling. A guy on a trainer yelled, “Hey you’ve got a flat” … I thought, “yes, of course, for I AM THE WHEELMAN!” We tried to replace the tube, but none of them fit my HED tri-spoke. Liz comes up to me and said, “you’ve got two minutes!”. Ugh!! A guy underneath a canopy says, “I’ve got a spare wheel, but it’s not very good”. I take the wheel, Kurt puts it on and I’m off to the start line. They’re calling my name for the last time, I race to the front, they say I have 5 seconds and to put my foot down. I glance at my HR monitor and it is already at 152bpm, my max is 160bpm. Ugh! The rest of the story is pretty mundane, but the lead up was pretty exciting!
I ended up getting second behind Jack Dillon, and edging out Tom Wallace by 23 seconds. I finished in 31:26, 23.7mph average, 20.0mph going out, 29.2mph coming back.
Kurt has his own start time story, Liz did great, Gus was fantastic on, and off, the bike, and Kerry did his first official race! I’ll let them tell their own stories. All, in all, a great day for Aggress!
– Doug Perry
——>
Results for the day:
| Rider | Group | Time | Speed | Placement |
| Liz Perry | Women 55+ (20K) | 35:11 | 21.19 | 1/2 |
| Doug Perry | Men 65+ (20K) | 31:26 | 23.72 | 2/5 |
| Gus Amado | Men 40+ (20K) | 30:49 | 24.2 | 2/3 |
| Kerry McLaughlin | Men Cat-5 (30K) | 52.48 | 21.18 | 9/14 |
| Gus Amado | Men 40+ (30K) | 46:43 | 23.94 | 5/7 |
| Richard Horn | Men Cat-3 (30K) | 46:19 | 24.15 | 7/9 |
| Kurt Garbe | Men Cat-3 (30K) | 46:30 | 24.05 | 8/9 |
A Race Against Time TT
Well, the first 10K of this 20K were great for everyone. About an 8-10mph tail wind, cloudy skies, temps in the high 50’s, smooth road … then, we all had to turn around and get back to the finish. The head wind was brutal! Really brutal! For example, going out I averaged 29.2mph … yeah! Coming back I struggled to see a number starting with a “2” … I averaged a dismal 19.7mph … UGH! I was really hoping to break 30 minutes since I did the course on Wednesday (with low winds) in about 30:15, but today could only manage 31:19. Disappointing, but something to build on.
We had three Aggressors out today and this is how we finished:
Gus Amado 29:54, 24.88mph, 7/10, M40+
Doug Perry, 31:19, 23.76mph, 4/10, M65+
Rick Ellwanger 31:59, 23.26mph, 6/10, M65+
Not So Underground Crit
Perfect weather; sunny, temperate, calm. M50+/60+ combined field, as usual. At the start of the race it was announced that an anonymous philanthropist donated $300 to provide all 6 podium finishers in the combined field a $50 cash award. There were 7 60+ riders including Robert Tompkins, my probable competitor, and perhaps 20 or so 50+ riders. First lap was neutral, behind a pace rider; a great idea, actually. It allowed all to get clipped in and comfortable before the race actually started. Lionel Space immediately attacked and most of the peloton followed, maintaining the pace for 5-6 laps, until his attack fizzled. The peloton remained pretty stable until 2 laps to go, at which time the point riders (Space, Broadhagen) hammered the hill hard and the peloton began to fracture. On the final lap they hammered the hill even harder and it was basically all I could do to stay on Robert Tompkins wheel. Going into the last 2 turns there were about a dozen of us left and I decided to cut the inside track hard on the final turn, even if I had to go on the sidewalk to get around robert coming out of the turn for the final 200M sprint to the line. Lionel Space stood and started his final sprint going into the last turn and held a small gap all the way to the line to win the combined field and the 50+. I came out of the last turn 3 ft off Robert’s wheel, we both stood to sprint, and by the line he had increased the gap to 12 ft and there wasn’t a thing I could do about it. Damn! my sprint sucks. To add salt to the wound, it turns out one of the guys Robert passed by about a wheel at the line was also in my group, so I finished 3rd. On the plus side, we all got $50 for making the podium, so I was able to drown my sorrow in a good bottle of pinot noir. Turns out the cash surprise seemingly provided inspiration and our pace was quite fast; 26+mph.
All in all, a decent beginning. Rick E.2012 El Tour de Tucson
Ice water is the bomb; darkish 4$ michelob OK. I had to bolt for Emily’s soccer game after guzzling that (not) hoppy bev.
Nice ride today, the start was sort of nutso with all the medians on 4th (I think). The river was tough. I dismounted at the bottom and ran my a-s off to get to the top, with people falling off all around me. I got to the top and hopped back on to see a group a half mile up the road. I burned some matches with some other guys to get back on, and it seemed to solidify from there with some continued hard efforts in swirling wind.
We could see the break go over the over-pass, it looked like 15 people. When we topped out on the overpass the crowd told us it was two minutes.
We went fast, but they went faster.
We were about 100 but people seemed to fall away on some of the hard sections to the second crossing, which was not too bad. I rode to the bottom of the wash and jumped off, no need to risk falling off. I got back on and had to work with a group again to regain a pack, which seemed to have a couple people off the front.
Some time in there I heard the break was at 8 minutes. We recovered may 4-6 guys to the finish.
We got going again and went pretty easy up through Vistoso, finally regaining the people up the road.
The attacks started on Moore road, in which I participated, having given a hard/long pull to the turn.
We then descended, and I think Vistoso/Moore claimed some more victims as we seemed to shrink quite a bit to I-10.
A train nearly stopped us, but was past when we actually got there.
GST’rs Biaggi and Poblanski (who was also in the initial break briefly and in the long break from the second wash) rolled away as I sat at the back on the long curve after the frontage.
I knew it was dangerous, especially with Silverman in the pack.
No one responded meaningfully in the pack, but there were a few minor gestures to bridge, none successful.
There was odd blocking going on, with a Bike Religion guy pretending to pull, but only going 18 MPH.
Then I think a Landis rider somehow ended up with P and B, but Travis, who had popped out of the actual break seemed to actually pull for awhile. After Rattlesnake I started to pull and fight with Silverman who nullified everything, with no response from anyone else except Johnny Cat a few times.
Paul Thomas was mixed tandem with his girlfriend, and he went by at one point acting like he was going to pull as well, but actually, for some reason, slowed us down to 17 mph as he was being monitored by the other tandem in our group (Ford/Biocca). It rankled at the time that non-kit wearing people were riding tactically. Seemed irrational and lame.
Silverman was suppressing the cheese (from the likes of me) in the pack, but only covered a few anemic rushes. Any strong rush, which naturally proceeded from strong pulls from myself or Johnny (making it impossible for us to cover), he let go.
So, three guys including Justin Orkney in a typically genius move got away, this after an apparent octegenarian attacked and got away, followed by two really strong guys, all escaped in some great racing as we closed within 8 miles.
We then rode into the finish in a pack of about 70 people, with about 15 ahead of us.
Apparently the old guy closed the gap, as did the rest of the escapists (to Biaggi/Poblanski), but he crashed horribly into a cop motorcycle on 6th (I noticed something, and Fast confirmed).
I rolled in, no fan of bunch kicks. Kurt told me 69th, my power tap told me 25.1 avs, 4:27, with an av power of 198.
I felt fine until I started playing soccer with my kids, then tired.
Sushi Garden (love that iced green tea).
-Leo
CCCC_2012 165-Miles
Rich Horn – Second place in the 165 mile event with a time of 6:52, 24 mph average!
This is the first year the wind really cooperated, or should I say lack of wind! What a perfect day for a ride.
Even though I placed second, my time was 30 minutes faster then the previous course record for the 157 mile event.
During the pre-ride expo the night before the race, rumor had it that Brian Folts (Iron Man Triathlete) was talking to everyone saying he was going to win it this year. Mark Goldentyer, who I knew from rides in Saguaro National Park and Mt. Lemmon, came up to me to give me the news. I made a comment: “This is the same Brian that didn’t finish it last year (2011)? I let him get ahead early on as I was trying to rally some of the other riders. Caught him in Benson, pulled away on the steep section of I-10, never saw him again. DNF.” Mark didn’t know that he tried it last year. Just hearing someone being so cocky before a race gets me worked up. I started making claims that he would not win this time. Especially with myself and Mr. McGehee in the event. Don’t get me wrong Brian is a phenomenal athlete, he took first place overall in the Mt. Evens race in Colorado (running) a few months earlier. However most tri’s I’ve ridden with just don’t do as well on the bike so I’m banking this is the same. Never the less, he is only 26 years old, and his cycling equipment is worth about 5 times what my Fuji is. I didn’t get as good a nights sleep as I should have.
When the race starts, I told myself I’ll be happy if I finish within 30 minutes of Mr. McGehee, after all he holds world records for 100 mile time trials and is 11 times winner of the 256 mile event. Most important thing on my mind: Make sure that Brian kid does not win!
When the gun goes off, more like everyone counting down to zero, we are off on a neutral start till the first cattle guard. After the event gets going, I find that for the first 10 miles it’s myself and a tandem on the front for most of the time. Then we start approaching the gradual climb up to Bisbee.
Having recently placed 3rd in Mt Graham, I knew the hill would not be a problem. It was a piece of cake. As a matter of fact our buddy Brian decides to drill it up the hill, every time I’d get on front to help out he would just come past me again. He wanted to set the pace. I was fine with this as he was dropping people every mile. By the time we made it to the tunnel, there were only 4 of us left. 138 miles to go. I was willing to work with these other three (Brian Folts, Dan McGehee and Shane Castle) for the rest of the rice, however Dan was a little perturbed that Brian drilled it up the hill so hard and said he was an idiot and we were not going to wait for him. Three of us raced down the hill and pulled away from Brian with ease. Each time we hit a small climb I made sure I kept the pace up so Brian would not close in. By the Davis road turn off, he was no where in sight.
The rest of the race was fairly uneventful. Just after we turned onto I-10 Mr McGehee flatted. Shane rides up to me and said “What a shame, Dan has a flat.” I will kick myself afterward for what I’m about to do. I looked back and then told Shane we have to wait for him. I soft pedaled with Shane for about 15 minutes until Dan got back with us. After we crested the hill near Dragoon, Dan really started his tactful burning of our matches. Every time it was his turn to pull, he would accelerate past the person who just finished their pull (me) and I would have to dig deep every time to catch back on.
Somewhere in one of the little podunks about 50 or 60 miles from the finish, Dan wanted me to attack with him and drop Shane. He could not hear me telling him my support was just ahead with my water and I would not attack right now. About 50 yards before my support vehicle Dan attacked, he was talking over his shoulder telling me to go with him. I would not right then because I was out of water and needed the feed. He pulled away. I grabbed my water bottle and stuffed it in the cage. I think Shane made a comment, and there he goes! I jump out of the saddle and said, well I gotta catch him. I was off, and burning some matches. I honestly can’t tell you if it was half a mile or 5 miles, but I caught up to Dan. After I caught back on, he continued his tactful accelerations when I was done with the pull. I knew he was getting ready to drop me because every other time he would try hard to drop me. About 28 miles from the finish he made it clear he was going to finish on his own. He let me do a long pull, then he would start to fall back. He fell back about 50 yards or so, I thought maybe he was trying to take a layer off. Being the nice guy that I am, I slow down to wait for him. While I was not looking he accelerates … I hear the rumble strips as he crossed, I look over my shoulder just in time to see him on the other side of the highway going about 10 miles an hour faster then me. Fooled me this time, no way I can catch him now, especially after a long pull and going blind.
I look at the OD and see there is only 28 miles, I tell myself if he gains 1 minute per mile I’ll still reach my goal of finishing within 30 minutes! WooHoo! … uhh … mmm.. Didn’t realize, err forgot, how long riding 28 miles solo, in the middle of no where … feels.
Though I was going blind and the legs were fading, I periodically thought I caught the gimps of a mirage ahead. If I squint I keep thinking I see a bike ahead. I knew Dan was gone, so could be riders from the 97 mile event, or just nothing at all. Eventually I did start passing small groups of riders from one of the other events, I figure that must have been what I saw. When I finally come to the finish line, Dan is still on the road. People tell me he just finished. I come to find out he was only three minutes ahead of me. What! @#%$!#^!! Dang, all I had to do was shave 6.5 seconds per mile off the last 28 miles and I would have caught him. I thought Dan was in a class way above me so I kind of eased up after he dropped me. Now to find out I could have easily come back. Lesson learned, next year I’ll play his game my way. He may win, but I’m not going to give it to him again.
165 mile event with a time of 6hrs 52min. Going to get drunk tonight! -Rich
CCCC_2012 97-Miles
First off, great recon on the riders from the south, Beto. You called it like it was!
Groupo compacto getting to the hill (after the tandem attacked repeatedly and got away) and the full flex going up the hill. I got shelled, along with most of the peleton, but was only one of two to claw back on after a serious push burning many matches. Barber spun easily with the big kids. Around mile 65 we pulled the tandem back. They rode like dicks repeatedly attacking, then swerving crazily and sitting up. They kept killing the rotation. There was a few attacks from riders seeking individual glory and I just sat back, knowing I had little left in the tank. Based on Beto’s beta, I would just follow the tandem as they tried to advance the interest of their friend, Scott Flanders (wearing a jersey with his name) and quash any attacks.
Y and Doogie did leapfrog support along with a solo Ariana and the biting dog (another story). Y kept telling me to watch Flanders, and that he would crush me in a sprint. I wanted to tell him I felt lucky to have caught back on, how tired I felt and that a top 15 was cool with me.
The tandem over-cooked a corner about five miles from the finish and a Carmichael rider attacked. When the tandem came back it was game on to pull him back and set Flanders up. I was first wheel and Flanders took me off the wheel of the tandem (good move for him), so rather than fight I just locked and loaded. I surfed his wheel and… and… got him at the line. In my fuged-out state, I thought I had won, complete with throwing up my arms and doing some good yelling.
Oh well, I’m good with second! Thanks to Brent, Doogie, Ariana and Y for support. You guys are awesome!!!
Coco 250
Sonoita Time Trial
WooHoo! Results are in; 1st place in Cat-3 and I get the 30+ MPH Tee! Don’t know why they show me as Unattached.
Just missing the mark with very respectable times:
Douglas Perry 24:30
Gustavo Amado 24:47
Well, according to my cycle computer I win a 30 MPH club Tee! 23:15 was my recorded time. It felt like I had a bit of a tail wind early on so don’t think I did that great in the overall standings, went to hard at the start (thinking I could keep Vic in my sights) and blew up after 5 miles.
Can’t compete with Rich, but, according to my computer and the Strava download, I finished in 24:27, 28.8mph. 23:36 is needed to join the 30+mph club … 51 seconds off for me …
Seemed like there was a head wind the whole time to me, but that might be because I’m 65!! – Doug
State Hill Climb
Team Aggress had some nice representation at the Mount Graham Arizona State Hill Climb Championship!
Liz Perry: 1st place
Doug Perry: 2nd place (missed 1st by 6 seconds)
Rick Ellwanger: 3rd place (2nd in State)
Richard Horn: 4th place (3rd in State)
Gus Amado: 5th place
Congrats to all who raced!
2012 State Champion ITT
Gus and yours truly hit the podium again this weekend. We both finished third in our categories (35+ and 40+). I was passed by Luis Chacon who put almost 3 minutes into me! Damn! The winds were changing and it truly seemed like a head wind the whole time. I had to reach deep to break an hour.
20K – 25mph average
30K – 25mph average
40K – 25mph average time was 59:26 or something like that
I guess I’m at least consistent. This was my first 40k and I’ve only been on the TT bike for three weeks or so, so I’m super happy! Now the focus will shift to enduro: Cochise and El Tour. Thinking of Madera next weekend.
Kurt
