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SubscribeSouth China: Final Thoughts (entry 5)
Tue, 01/01/2008 - 11:46pm by Eugene
Back home now-- looong flight. We spent the new year in the plane but, since we crossed the date line on the way back (back in time by 13 hours), had another shot at it in New York. Gus (our D.S.) went on to Guatemala, so he spent two new years on planes. Bottoms up, Gus.
I wrote a little on each of the last few days:
- Dec.29
The music they've been playing in the dining halls has been "musak" style: popular, familiar songs that have been relieved of the human qualities that make them interesting, stripped to a skeleton, and re-developed-- re-wrapped with a new skin that's plain, formless, shapeless, uninteresting and, most of all, without a soul. And occasionally they'll play a Kenny-G song in its original form, and it'll fit right in.The air pollution here is horrendous. I developed a cough earlier this week, and my lungs hurt every morning when I awake. Two blocks in any direction, we can see the air-- that's on a clear day. The sun seldom makes direct contact with the earth. I've realized that's why so many people here wear surgical masks or handkerchiefs over their faces.
Perhaps it's apparent (from what's written above) that I'm getting tired. We've raced 6 days and yesterday I had a bad day on the bike-- had trouble holding the wheel in front of me, was counting down the laps remaining, wishing to see a smaller number. Riding in the breakaways every day has taken its toll-- I'm exhausted!
We lost Simon yesterday. He got dropped late in the race, but instead of letting himself get pulled by the officials, he left the course and DNFed. Too bad. There was a crash in the last turn, and Amaury was perfectly positioned to win. He was furious about it (speaking loudly and quickly in Spanish, pausing occasionally to say, "Damn".)-- chances like that don't come often.
- Dec.30
This morning at the race start, everyone seemed more lively and happy. Gone were the race faces and seriousness that comes with the competition. The race started with a 15k neutral section, and there was a better spirit among the riders than in previous days-- talking, joking, enjoying. There was an incident in yesterday's stage-- the Russian riders were blocking and interfering with the Danish team's chase, and it led to some fighting. A Russian rider threw a bottle at a Dane's back-- direct hit! Then another-- bullseye. There was a lot of yelling and gesturing when the commissaire rolled up and broke it up. This morning, however, there were no hard feelings; the two guys who were involved were seen having a few laughs together while looking at a local newspaper, which had captured the incident on film and printed it on their front page.We just finished racing the final stage-- a hilly circuit race with a steep final climb). I finally cracked. I thought I was feeling well enough, but as soon as the course turned uphill, I went backwards. In the previous two days I was having trouble holding a wheel at the higher speeds, and I wasn't thinking of riding in the breakaways any more, but only of finishing. And today the guys just rode away from me and I hadn't the strength left to keep up any more. I had spent four days riding in the breakaways, sprinting for points, and covering attacks, and now I had nothing left. It was a terrible way to go out-- I had been racing at the front every day, but now I couldn't even hang on to the back of a moderate pace. And to make it worse, our trip's sponsor was there watching. He saw me roll in alone, in failure. Ugh. I didn't look exhausted-- I wasn't dripping in sweat, I wasn't on the verge of collapse-- there was no outward sign of fatigue, so there may have been some confusion about my abandon. But inside, there was nothing more I could do.
In the evening there was the award ceremony and dinner, and everyone was happy. We were at a table with the Russian team director and mechanic, who were very pleased that their team had won a big trophy in the team competition. One of the coaches asked, "Who is the guy on the team with the name, Boronow?" I raised my hand and smiled. "That is a Russian name!", he exclaimed, while the other smiled proudly.
- Other cultural differences:
In the hotels, we leave our doors ajar so that we can drop in on each other in our various rooms. But the hotel management doesn't go for that. There's always a security officer or other hotel employee who comes around and checks on things, and who asks us to close the doors. They're polite, but insistent. One night, a short man dressed in a fine, shiny, salmon-colored garment came to the door. He nodded his head, smiled, and gestured with both hands the direction the door should be moved. Then he stepped back to allow the action to be completed. No words were exchanged.In a hotel lobby (in Macau), I was sitting on the arm of a sofa talking to someone. A hotel employee came over and asked me to sit properly on the sofa saying, "Please sit there."
Everything in China is under construction-- EVERYTHING! New roads, new buildings, new civic centers, new schools, etc. It's as if they're creating cities in anticipation of arriving people.
Well that's it. It was a wonderful trip and I hope you enjoyed reading about it, as I enjoyed writing about it.
When I decided to write this blog, I knew that I'd be exposing myself to criticism as well as to praise-- that's the way it goes on this site. But I wasn't deterred. I enjoy reading the experiences of Dave Wiswell while in Belgium with Jackie Simes, about what Aaron is cooking after a team training ride, about João's return to professional racing, or what Schmalz thought while on the trainer. I love reading that stuff-- being connected to everyone in the community-- and I thought this would be a good experience to share. In this community, we're separated by far fewer than six degrees-- closely connected to people at all levels of this sport.
Entry 1
Entry 2
Entry 3
Entry 4
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Comments
Add a commentCool. I always wanted to be part of something special.
Probably the most unfriendly full of themselves team in NYC.
All this hate is coming from team Discovery.
Yeah, there is a similarity to pack fill here. They're not brave enough to show their faces at the front or to take any risks for themselves. They just sit in, get pulled around by others, and yell the equivalent of, "Pedal!"
There does seem to be a lot of pack fill around here during the year....
Mengoni didn't get invited, they got sloppy seconds, as a favor to Charlie.
hate hate hate hate.
Finally some sense. Thank you MYR
After reading this thread I am disgusted. All you people do is HATE, and worst of all, you do it anonymously.
I can't understand what's the big deal. This is a race site and you're faulting him for racing and talking about it...
So what if they didn'
Dan-usually my comments are sensible and I sign my real name, but I'm enjoying my anonymous hate filled weak persona. I can see the fun! Everyone really sucks on the bike, but me.
haha. Never met the guy, but Im a sucker for calling out assholes. Always been a weakness of mine on this site. I should know better I suppose.
No, Nicaragua was fairly easy. I'd have to say racing UCI in Europe was far more difficult.....or the mid east for that matter against the Iranian natl team.....
I have a feeling Chris has a bit of a crush on eugene.
An apology and a rational statement, I'm not used to this sort of thing. Not sure what to do here.
Thanks for sharing your experience on and off the bike with us. I for one will never race at this level and enjoyed the read. Funny how everyone is a tactical genius and super talent on the bike when they are not in the race. Good luck in 2008.
Eugene's a big boy. I'm speculating here, but he may just survive an anonymous post or two (or 40).
He knew he was gonna get some hate and was "undeterred." His articles were entertaining. Some of the hate was entertaining, too. Hate or not, it certain
One thing is for sure. I dont need to have intnl race experience to know how to show some class. And you, pal, should apparently know better than to think that having such race experience is sufficient to know what state Eugene was in when he pulled out.
"You ever kill anyone?"
"I hurt somebody's feelings once."
My mistake. The site allows people the right to prove themselves VERY stupid. It's not formatted that way, it's just how it sometimes turns out.
thanks for making sure no one ever volunteers to write up their experiences at a very interesting race in a place most of us will never visit, for this site.
i enjoy reading these reports regardless if i think the rider/team is great/sucks.
Not sure who you are but you sound like you are describing the Tour of Nicarauga (Sp?) this year with the Sommerville crew. I dont think that race is comparable if it is the one you refer to. Just look at the guys who raced down south.
I think you are correct JB!
GOING OUT ON BREAKS THAT IS! DUH!
"I get your point, (even thought I hate it, cause that's how this site is formatted)"
So the site's to blame for people posting idiotic statements?
People have a right to be stupid.
When a guy like Jens Voigt goes off in a long break he'd be better waiting around fetching bottles for JJ Haedo?
I get your point, (even thought I hate it, cause that's how this site is formatted) but I have to think they had a plan going into each day a
I think you missed the point. He wasn't pulling back breaks, he was just wasting energy. Mengoni is no where near strong enough to pull back a break alone,and since they had six guys for about 5 minutes of the stage race, you're down to 3 guys, shouldn'
for a potential win is tactically more sound than wasting the whole team pulling back breaks all day at an international race when other teams are much stronger. If you don't make it, one tired guy is better than 6 and your team never has to chase. Better
its cold at floyd right now.
who?
Go back to Floyd.
Once you have a teammate pissing out his ass for days, brought to tears at the end of stages, and still finish the race....Perhaps you'll understand the lack of sympathy around here? I don't know, everyone is usually tired on the last day of a big stage
haha. You make it to the last day on a stage race, you don't just bag it if you feel empty after one lap. You always feel like shit at the start of every stage, you work through it, especially if it means you actually finish the thing. Push through it.
You are SUCH an ass. I just wish I could tell it to your face. I hope you are one of the younger local riders, since at least obvious lack of maturity would go part way to explaining your idiocy. Eugene plainly states that he had no gas in the tank and f
anonymous shame is ok, since its directed back at no one in particular.
I'd have to say, if I were black I'd be very sad. Why you say? Because all these skinny little white dudes keep bastardizing my slang. enough with the hate phrase, its fuckin
I really enjoyed your posts Eugene - very funny cultural observations, and solid race report - certainly by no means in a bragging tone, and not deserving of the hate. Congrats on a great effort and no doubt a great experience for all who attended. Anon
Is a time to HATE. Ain't that great? I just ate some cake, that ain't no fake. Hate Hate Hate.
Stop Hating it is 2008' Let's use NYVELOCITY for something more than just negative comments.
And stop juicing, where Pulla at???
we should name this forum "cupcakes and laughter" because obviously people have a hard time with any comments that aren't uplifting and supportive.
this used to be a fun forum with drama, creativity and wit. it's the equivalent of a knitting group now
i'm out of here
Don't go Dan Z. You make a real contribution and raise the level of discussion.
Who pretends to be Zmolik? Pretending to be Molloy is much more fun!
Can we try to not steal identities? Can't you just make up some stupid nickname like everybody else, something like "rendered chicken fat" maybe?
I never posted anything in defense of Targetraining. Never will, and feel no need to do so.
I think using someone else's name is a new low and so this will be my last post here. Which is most likely a good thing anyways.
an ex-Target Training Women's DS around here?
What hate? That was pretty objective. The Targettraining women's team ran into serious problems last year and splintered apart. I'm not accusing them of playing paint ball and wading through streams. That's what they did. I'm not a fan of that stuff but C
Whats wrong with Cyclingnews reporting on a positive team in the area. Most guys in NYC would jump at the chance to be part of team that has a training camp such as TT and supports its riders. The story also listed the new racers which is positive. If yo
Also super nice guys for the most part. I suspect the hate is due to them not being a NYC CRCA team. They race the big NE events and always do pretty well. Freye is one of the best racers in the area.
They may have some good riders, though the whole pajama party recount was not necessary on cyclingnews.
stop hating. you suck.
They have a great core of riders. Freye, and Lindine are super strong in any race they enter. Plus they race cross after the road season which is pretty cool. Good luck to them.
After sponsoring a disastrous soap opera of a women's team last year, Targetraining started this year's men's team with a camp featuring paint ball fighting and hiking through swamps.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/jan08/jan03news
lewis almonte (last year junior), euri madera (22?), amaury perez (24?)
I'm fit enough to race UCI by mid Feb typically, unless theres something earlier I have to train for. I don't see how thats all that difficult.
there are plenty of guys, from here, that have raced in Asia in Nov, Dec, Jan, and did just fine with their fitness level. Its called prep.
Amaurys is young
Not to knock anyone but I think even the team will agree that Mengoni could use some good young riders. Peter Salon has gone on to bigger things, Gavi's gone to Sakonnet and Lisban... Whatever happened to Lisban?
19 teams raced, 10 teams made the podium.
You don't "get your ass in shape" buy the month of July with months of training behind you. Give it a rest. You've got no idea how hard the race was or what fitness level these guys went to China with. Amaury had a podium spot and some top 20's. Where wer
EVERYONE of those guys were either Cat 1s or UCI elite. They should understand by now how bike racing work. Totally Irresponsible.
If you are invited to a real race, no matter what time of the year it is, you get your ass in shape. They had MONTHS to train appropriately. If people give you the chance, its your responsibility to follow through and show up as fit as possible.
mmmm china vagina.
yeah, don't forget the other two guys not finishing, leaving 2 guys left at the end, 2/3 of the team didnt finish!
Champion may not had much to gain personally or monetarily, but it makes em look bad when they bring a team over to get demolished. And
how is saying that he DNF'd exaggerating. i'm lost.
cat 3's don't hate. we're not good enough. i wish someone would ask me to DNF at a UCI or NRC race.
It's great that Mengoni got a chance to go to China and hats off to Eugene and Katie for sharing the experience. Yeah, the sponsor was disappointed about 2 guys being dropped in Stage 1 but otherwise the team did okay. They definitely contributed to the r
after getting a massage in china, did they wax your vagina for you?
wait, which one got nrc or uci points?
They are a very serious team. They do the race face on 9w.
pretty sure eugene is overstating on this very page. that is the original point.
Eugene is trying
At least one of those guys got NRC or UCI points in 2007
They don't overstate their accomplishments
I heard next year instead of that wierd feather background, foundation will be using images of syringes.
the kit is far too serious, just like all their riders!
i think we have covered it. they look similar to discovery. they are mostly black with a globe.
better question - how bad were foundation kits?
Good thing discovery is defunct. Did disco have a copyright on images of the world? I think el puente had a globe on it long before disco was a team.
can we get back to sommerville sports. what is UP with those kits?!?
You're exactly right Dan. But one could ask you the same thing.
Well for all I know you don't even have a license.
And how many podium placings did you say you have from those NRC / Int. racing.
they totally do. very similar.
Lets talk about how the Summerville Sports kits look like Discovery.
Which has Eugene in groups not off the front (the one of him and one chinese in red/yellow ahead of the second big group but behind the front. Plus the second group caught them by the end.)
And placing in some "random" UCI race intermediate sprints d
done NRC, done intl. My comments still stand. And why does everyone assume that all the "hate" comes from cat 3s?
furthermore... there is nothing else to hate on. blame The Man for no content updates.
They aren't THAT bad. if you read Eugene's blog it is like he was the reincarnation of jackie du-du and the NY Velo City is raining roses and confetti on him.
Following the spirit of the anonymous post and this website, there is probably some deserved
But the hate here is just stupid. Regardless whether or not you like these guys.
Let's try to put that China trip into perspective. There is lot of teams in CRCA and most of them never get a podium finish even in club race. Most CRCA riders won't attac
If you're only going by what eugene and kate blog, and like 5 fotos, and some random intermediate sprint point, and a 3rd place....then just keep your mouth shut. Thats about 1/10th of the story. Until you get the other 9/10ths I'd hold your kudos.
No one said they didn't try. UCI stage races aren't about trying. It's not a goddamn marathon that you do just to say you did it. People shell out lots of money, and they expect something for it. Thats how sponsorship on an elite level works. You don
http://www.bissellprocycling.com
since the big results didn't come - just some intermediate sprint points and third on a stage.
But the "not sure" line and the "not true" line are hater-style and wrong.
oh man i'm not sure wasted energy post was hate. it's an observation for sure.. look at the results.
Eugene - welcome back. now that your cherry is popped you going to go back?
That he was off of the front a number of times?
Where were you watching the the race. I can only go by reports from Eugene and Katie (biased I guess) plus results (sprint placings) and photos. Were the photos doctored? Were the results faked?
From
You see, the problem is that what Eugene is reporting is not exactly true. I not sure you guys understand the difference between what is being called "hate," and what is not.
lets put it this way, Champ sys/or whatever name its under that year get i
Off the front in four stages, not all stages. I think Eug scored points in two intermediate sprints from being in breaks.
He was trying to be off the front in every stage or almost every stage. It didn't work. Maybe he's not strong enough, maybe he didn't time the attacks right or maybe he was unlucky. Or most likely, a combo of the three. Just because the attacks didn't
I had a teammate who's dad used to say "Just follow George(Hincapie)and you'll be a shoe in". He lives in Ireland now with 2 kids and doesn't ride anymore. George wins stages in the TDF. Do tell us how easy it is to follow wheels to win, especially when y
Nice Blog Eugene sounds like u have fun in china u and the Team. Hey what team did Joao's go to ?
no way haters are cat 4's. definitely cat 1 & 2's.
Or the haters are cat 1s and 2s and get far more than you can imagine. (I'm not pack fill nor a cat 4)
Seriously? I think the pollution gave you more than black lung.
I'm also not quite sure construction is a cultural difference....
Thanks for taking the time to write. I found it interesting. The haters are Cat 4 pack fill who just don't get it (I'm Cat 4 pack fill as well by the way).
seems to me there were two tall skinny Danes that you could just follow around and be a shoe in to win sprint points or end up in the final.
not sure what sprints, attacks and breaks you were participating in for four days to be so exhausted with not
thanks for sharing your experience
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