FBF 3/4ths race 7/15/2008 – Prospect 123

Today I’m going to combine two races together, actually I will write mostly about FBF and mention in passing that I did Prospect on Saturday. I went to Prospect to be abused by the 123 field, and I was. I helped out at the end with a lead out for my temporary Prospect team, and things went OK. That’s about all I have to say about Prospect.

FBF on the other hand, is a race that I actually have a shot in – so I will fixate on that race in a more obsessive manner. It was a medium wind last night, and the scuttle butt before the race was that a break would be nice – as no one with any chances in a break would not be able to pass James Joseph in a sprint. I agreed with this notion, so a break it would be.

We rolled through the early portion of the race, trying to keep the pace high and create splits. George Gyarmathy was slumming in the 3/4ths race, and he helped to keep the pace high. But then he got a flat and the pace slowed considerably.

The race then went through a series of jumps followed by the tactically dubious slow roll up from behind by the members of the pack. Here’s a helpful hint for those of you new to racing, if you want to be in a break, jump up to it by yourself, otherwise you are just dragging around sprinters who will beat you at the finish. And then they will taunt you and take your lunch money away.

At about 4 laps to go, I heard the tell-tale psssst, of a rear flat and then my race hopes went south. I was able to get a wheel from Marco Quezada (who is now VCN employee of the month), and the chase began, with teammate Jaime Garcia trying to drag my sorry butt back up to the race. But, alas, we were not to catch back on. I kept on for the last 4 laps, mostly out of spite. I am forced to believe that I am now cursed at FBF for some reason, I wonder why I could be on such a run of bad luck, hmmmm. Also, in year’s past, there used to be a free lap, but those days are long gone, I do miss them so!

I would really like to thank Marco Quezada for giving me his wheel and I would also like to thank teammate Jaime Garcia for trying to pace me back to the pack, I’m really sorry I couldn’t close the gap – I stink!

Side notes from the evening/morning

Frank Leija from Die Hard/Think Racing did his last park race on Saturday, as he is being transferred by the Army from West Point to Fort Leavenworth, KS. He will be missed; I always enjoyed seeing Frank on the road or in a race, as he is a classy guy and a very enjoyable person to be around. I wish him the best in Leavenworth. I have been to Leavenworth, and trust me, there’s a reason why there’s a prison there…

Charlie Issendorf is back racing. Those of us who remember Charlie and Wilson dominating years back at FBF just threw up in their mouths, but don’t despair, Charlie was just getting a ride in. He is too busy making the races that all of us compete in to actually race seriously himself.

Tonight’s head song was "Play my Music" by the Jonas Brothers. This has become the CD my daughters insist on hearing in our car, damn you Disney!

Schmalz race report

Like I’ve said before…A flat and 10 laps of the Jonas Brothers? Can it get any worse? One.

FBF 3/4ths race 7/8/2008

Alright,here’s the deal. Last night was double points night on a windy Tuesday.Last time these conditions came together, I was able to ride thePrinsloo choo-choo to personal victory and the leader’s jersey.Needless to say, the night was filled with promise. Christoffel wasn’tin attendance last night as he had a recent training crash (hope youfeel well soon, Stoffel), so that would alter the race dynamics. Werolled off and started taking swipes at the front of the race.

ScotWillingham of Metro-Sanchez was in the race last night, and when Scotis in a race you are always guaranteed that he will take a shot at thefront. I would try to keep one of my eyes out for Scot. As the raceunwound, it became obvious to me that South Africa was watching the twoguys who were close to Stoffel in the points – James and, well, me. Idon’t blame them, it’s what I would do in their place. If anything wentup the road and the move didn’t include myself or James, they werecontent to let thing go. This wasn’t absolutely terrible from mystandpoint either, as it would me help keep my place in the standingsalso.

Ator around lap 5 or so, a move got away with Scot and two others in it.They had a pretty good gap and it was then that I tried to bridge up tothem. The attempt did not bear fruit. I tried to slide up to the movewith Patrick Littlefield, but our slide had no slip to it. And back wewent to the rest of the pack. At this point, I was at the mercy of theteams left in the pack. United was chasing but not catching, Wonder wasnot bringing anything back either, South Africa was content with theway things had developed. I was going to have to make a decision. Tonyand Frankie had flatted, so chance were that I could pick up points inthe sprint. Or I could try to bridge, risking having South Africa tailme. It was then that my rear tire made my decision for me – by leakingit’s air all over the second straight. I retreated to the parking lotto watch Scot win and see James take 3rd by winning the field sprint. Isoothed my pains with a Lienenkugel’s in the parking lot.

Side note from the evening

Myrear wheel had develop a bounce in it, so I took it in to have itchecked by the intrepid Mark Alden at Campmor. He called me aftertaking the tire off the rim and informed me that somehow I had managedto glue a piece of thin metal (and metal of a very old vintage also, asmy house dates back to about 1800 or so), about 1 inch long and 1/8inch wide between the tire and the rim. And I had raced onthat little piece of metal for about 2 months now. The lesson is asalways – my regular mechanic (not Mark) is an idiot.

Schmalz Race report

Like I’ve said before… One- flats suck – and I totally would’ve won that race, not doubt in my mind.

Tonight’s head song was "Gone Daddy Gone" by the Violet Femmes.