Northfield and the Danno win

I like Lance's new bike.
Northfield went off well, and Jake Boyce and the synergy crew put on a great race.
Grandstay showed up with 5 guys in Jens, Danno, Casper, Schueller, and myself. Jens made some solo attempts, I policed the front, and Casper made a great escape with 6 to go. In the end, Casper got caught, and Danno and I got in the front group after a gap on the top of the final climb. Coming around the last turn Danno had 3rd wheel and I had 5th. I knew he was in the ideal position to win so I went into sweeper mode just in case. But, Danno kicked and I knew he had it well before the line. I finished 3rd, and Schueller rounded off the top ten. Good race. While we talked about the race ahead of time everyone just had the read on each other. I stayed up front to chase and control to be sure it was good for one of the finishers.
Afterwards we went to the Linda/Dan party

Crazy Flander's ladies. Linda has got a bike!

The boys discuss the proper way to cook turkey and veggies burgers on a grill. Give Danno matches and lighter fluid you will have a fire. No worries, Casper and Linda were nearby.

Who is this guy? Flock of Seagulls man.

I have been pretty blown out lately. Travel, races, stress, etc. In the end I am just out for long enjoyable rides. Good shot of a towboat coming under the Winona bridge. I think that is concrete in the barges. Wisconsin has some good riding and it is easy to get lost over there. Besides the multiple flats I had with a torn tire, the ride was good.
TT bike is now set up with the Hed (UCI Legal) Corsairs for Nationals and a new seat. Something was not feeling right with the last one so I grabbed a Selle Italia SLR TI. Odd looking but I think it will work. I have a couple weeks to dial her in.
The Tour has been a good one. I think it will get even better. What a team TT. It doesn't get much better than that. I need some sleep. Ciao -Ian

Master's in Louisville

Whew, after powering out of St. Cloud on Sunday from the Minnesota State Crit, Tim Mulrooney, and teammate Dan Casper and I bolted back to Minneapolis to unpack our vehicles and repack for the USA Cycling Masters Championships in Louisville Kentucky. With the HED Cycling van packed tight we jetted out of town.
We made it to Madison for the night and stayed at the Grandstay. Off in the morning we made it to Louisville in time to pre-ride the TT course, get checked into our motel, and get registered. Next up, dinner. Upon recommendation, we ate at Ramsi's on Bardstown Road. Lets just say we went back.

Timmer and Casper did their 40-44 road race. I skipped the 35-39 race because it was an early morning race. Looking back, I should have did it. Anyway, the 40-44 field was pretty big and had about 100 riders. They rolled it out quick on the technical Cherokee Park circuit loop. From what I observed, Minnesotans know how to race. Casper and Tim made it through the first selection and made it into the final groups. Casper found himself in the first chase group, and Timmer in between the first and second chase group. Casper was clearly the power in his group and they would not organize to help close the 5-10 second gap. In the end, the breakaway misunderstood what lap they were on and continued around the course again. This left the winner to come from the Casper group. Being that they did not know what just took place they sprinted for position. Casper was second and took second in his Masters Age class. While there was controversy I believe that as a rider you should know how many laps you have done, how many miles you have done, and know when to finish. Did the officials screw up? Yep. But, so did the riders. Congrats to Dan.
Timmer went to finish for a top ten and got crashed by a heads-down sprinter about 14cm from the line. Timmer got out lucky since he slammed his head enough to crush his helmet. But, he reactivated an old back injury and would have to deal with that in the next days time trial.

The time trial was friendly to some Midwesterners. I took second in my age class, Gerry Finken in his (4/10ths of a second from the win....errr). Nice hats!

Gordy switched steps a few times to find his finishing spot after USA Cycling Officials revealed no spines and reversed a road officals call after the 15 minute protest period was over. While first and second are strong time trialists they broke the rules, cried to the officials, and used their seniority to get their steps back. Poor sports. They didn't deserve to be in this photo.

Finken on the second place step. He even dropped his chain in the time trial. He will win next year. Nice hat!

I too took a seond place step. Peter Cannell started as my 30 second man so I had the advantage of having him in my sights. On the first 1-mile climb I took back 7 seconds on him but then he killed me on the downhill. I thought cadence may have been an issue so I matched his. Still, he pulled away. Over the next few climbs I pulled the gap back to our starting 30 seconds before the turnaround. I f-ed up the turnaround and that cost me 5 seconds. I chased up the back climb and had the right gap. However, on the next big downhill he pulled away again and this time it was too big to get with what was left on the course. In the end he got me by 28 seconds. Can I beat him? Hell yes. Another time, another course, another day. I was rolling at about 90%. I felt tired and perhaps hungry after our 2-hour starting delay. The Trek TTX was perfect, the Hed Jet 9 and the Hed Jet C2 Disc were fast. In the end I think maybe a tri-spoke and a 56T front chainring. I have more power than could have been used on the downhills that I wasn't able to get to. He was on a Hed Stinger 9 and disc so I knew he had fast wheels too.
I was ready for the time trial. Not nervous at all. I just came a little more tired than I would have preferred.
Timmer rode a good time trial but was, and probably still is, in pain with the crash injuries. Casper put in a great time but had an age group with some speed demons. Plus, he may have burned a few matches in the road race but I doubt it. We are talking about Casper here.
We hung out for awards, Timmer and I discovered we were in a dry county, we loaded up, and made it back to Madison and the Grandstay. From there we finished off the drive home.
Good ride, great travel partners, and a great place to race in Louisville, KY. Thanks to HED Wheels, Steve and Anne HED, Dino, Paully, and Timmer, Grandstay and Matt Williams, and my teammates. I have one more big TT at the end of the month for the Elite Championships. The fire is burning! Now the Tour de France! Ciao -Ian

Blow off the cobwebs

This past week was dedicated to get healthy after getting sick though Nature Valley. Friday, at the Uptown event, I knew something was up. Bad sleep, breathing issues, drousiness, etc. Something was not right. It took until yesterday to get back to normal, and even then I am a little off.
So, I glued tubulars from those destroyed in the Cities, dusted off the mountain bike, and have been riding the TT bike non-stop in preparations for the Master's Nats. Trying a few things with saddle position to see if I can find a little more power with a smoother pedal stroke. We'll see.
Of course, no one from the Minneapolis Police Department got back to me about my car break-in. Somehow, I am not surprised. In the end it doesn't matter since nothing really can be covered through my insurance. CD's? Nope. Cash and change? Definitley nope. Camera? Yep, but doesn't meet the deductable. So, I have an open note to the bastards who broke into my van....
(explicit)
Dearest assholes
Imagine my surprise as I came out to MY vehicle to find the side door partially ajar. Thank-you for somewhat reclosing it so that passer-byers didn't take everything else. I hope you are enjoying my CD's. There are some classics in there. Nice camera too eh? Brand new. The color is Plum, not pink. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Thanks for leaving the Dura Ace groupo, the Dremel, and the big CD case that you didn't see behind the City Pages. You organized the van in such a way that it almost looked artistic.
Now, why you guys suck. First off, you missed about $1500 in bike parts, about $600 in CD's, $400 in some tools, and you dipshits dropped my $350 watch on the boulevard. If you are going to break into a car do it right. Are you such a waste to society that you can't even break into a car efficiently. Heard of karma? Better yet, have you heard of Instant Karma? I am hoping your life and the ways you live it are affected by instant Karma. If not, I hope that simple Karma catches up with your ways. Speaking of ways, be sure to be looking both ways. Karma has a funny way of sneaking up on people like you and snuffing them out. Poof!
Again, enjoy the camera. Sorry I didn't have the instruction manuals in there for you. May take some time to figure out that menu. And, as to my Minor Threat Discography CD....well, that was a societal taboo to steal. You will experience some sort of wrath for taking that. "Sometimes good guys don't wear white!"
Oh well, I actually found a camera I like even though I dont' have the $$$ for it yet. I will purchase it though by making money at a job where I work.
I have been looking over the Tour de France route. Wow, Dino at Hed had mentioned something about going to TT start but $$$$$. The guys are looking fit. I just found a picture of Lance in Aspen. Oh boy, he is back down to his typical Tour de France figure. Skinny and ripped. Not like his Giro appearance. While I still believe he will ride for Contador he will be in there.
Master's TT on July 1st is looking pretty flat and direct in lines. It is going to be short enough for a big gear on the mash. It will seriously come down to wheels. Thank god I have the connection to the greatest wheels on earth. HED. Lets get some more red, white, and blue! Ciao -Ian

Nature Valley GP. The long post

Well, where should I start. Lets start from the very beginning.
We went to the riders meeting and it ran long. Then, Texas Roadhouse had a spot open on their team so Timmer followed USA Cycling rules, signed out of his team, and signed onto theirs. Well, LaPorte told him that he couldn't because he is a "MCF rider." How is that for Minnesota Cycling? Well, no pointing of fingers until something get hashed out with MCF, LaPorte, and how to better the NVGP for more Minnesota talent. We have it, let us use it. Our teams are no different than other Stage regional teams that were allowed in with all eight guys. Dave puts on a hell of an event but we need to stike some sincere and honest communication with him. It benefits all involved. We draw a lot of fans. Ya you!
Mean Dawg and I got in a good warm-up ride the day before the TT and hooked up with Jeremy Powers of Jelly Belly for a bit. Good guy.
Stage one TT included water from the sky. In the end I posted a 13:13 even after feeling like Poo. Happy, unhappy, and I'll still take it. Almost crashed and died through the chicane on the way back.
Stage two St. Paul Crit. I got a call up, slipped my pedal off the start, finished in the pack. Safe. Much better layout of a course.
Woke up, went out to the van, found it broken into. Digital camera, 24 cd's, money, and my watch (which they dropped on the boulevard). Bike parts, receipts, and glove box thrown all about. Miss my new camera already. I hope they are dead already. Karma is not a nice thing at times.
Stage three. Cannon Falls. Open road crashes, gravel crashes, and circuit crashes. Luckily missed them all. Patty Cakes and I missed a great one on the last lap. Made it home alive and in the group.
Went on a ride with the race leader and good friend Tom Zirbel, and Greg Brandt. Took him on a tour of Hed cycling. Timmer got us on the espresso, we hit the coffee shop for pasties and more coffee. Easy ride and good time to catch up on my lost time in Boulder.
Stage four. New Uptown crit. Great course, great crowds, got caught behind a crash in laps 12 to go and 10 to go. Chased back only to have some dumb ass let a gap open between the two last turns. Sprinted for my life to close the gap. Unsuccessful.
Went to Hollywood's bash for brats.
Stage five. Off to Mankato. Great race and easy out on the road. Mean Dawg flatted and had to do a monster chase back on. He made it. Came into the circuits, got caught behind a crash, got T-boned and went down too. Mean Dawg waited, got up, chased for dear life only to have the officials stop us going onto the last lap. Dot Abbott, the chief judge, admitted her mistake but she still gave my group a 7:40 pro-rate for a lap that was only averaging 6:09. ? I was 2:20 behind the yellow jersey group when I was stopped. She admitted all the mistakes about the Mankato circuits today in stillwater. I am sure nothing will be done. If you don't speak your mind nothing will get done. The rest of you should have spoke up.
Stage six. Stillwater. Started near the rear but felt good. Second lap up the climb I got pushed over towards the crowd on the right, ran over something, blew my front tire. Dismounted since I was in the big ring, ran, remounted, and Hollywood push me the rest of the way. I got off, pushed through the fences, remounted and rode down the back side of the course, cut through the side street, and got back to Shimano. The pushed me into the rear of the peloton. It had momentum, I did not. Game over. The last time up the climb I found my climbing legs. Unfortunately, lady luck was still in bed again. Micah hung in there until the end. Mean Dawg says he has found his "old man legs." Jens had his rear deraileur ripped off and did not finish.
whew. That is the sum of it. For me it started from good and went bad. Crashes, car break-in's, stolen property, flats, road rash, and a head cold made up my final days. In the end I leave with great legs that never really got used.
Thanks for all the support out there from friends, fans, and cycling lovers new and old. Thanks to Hanna and the GP guys for looking out for the Grand Stay boys, Hed Cycling (Dino, Pauly, Timmer, Steve and Anne, Andy, and the rest of the crew) for taking care of wheels issues, Jelly Belly for the ample supply of sugar, On-Support for looking out for the local boys, Vittoria Tires for hooking up Mean Dawg, and anyone else who stepped up and helped us out.
I am sure I will have more once I think about it. Until then, wait until MSP Police get back to me for my report so I can make an insurance claim, glue two new tubulars, clean up bikes, loads of laundry, throw out torn kits, clean bottles, massage, and lots of rest before Master's Nats.
Hope all the Kenda guys get healed up, Minnesota Cycist become "somebody" to the Minnesota Bike Festival Promoters, and oh, thanks for all the cookies everyone.
Bummer Zirbel lost the jersey by 3 seconds. He deserved to carry it until the end. I wish I could have been their until the end. Hell, I would have braked on Rory. That is o.k, Zirbel has bigger fish to fry.
My legs is dripping. Time to fix up the road rash. Ciao -Ian

Rain + Cold + TT = Rainy cold TT

Well, after 51 hours it has stopped raining. Looking out my window it looks a little flooded

Actually, I wish I was there. In that time of the weather we had the St. Peter TT presented by the SPBRC. I dragged myself off the couch in the morning after debating whether or not to do it. I knew the guilt would weight me down for the rest of the day so I went. Jens and his dad, Kevin, drove up so I had the luxury of sitting in the U.S. Secret Service Suburban to sleep and hide from the rain.
Upon arrival I was surprise by the turnout. Right on! Minnesotans are a tough breed.

(Photo by Seth Iverson)
So, I froze on the trainer while getting rained on. No tent to be found. I loaded up the extra cold leg warmer gel on and had an o.k warm up. Kept the rain jacket on until the start, helped Jens with a front flat right before the start, started, got wet quick, got cold, went harder to warm up, realized my calves were frozen, rode the wind, took the turn, froze my fingers and quads, rode harder into the wind and incline on the way back, and took the win.
It was a tough time trial because I felt like I didn't go nearly all out. I was not at all tired at the finish. Ahh, but that is the cold weather messing with you. If you can't feel the normal pain of the ride because you have the pain of freezing your limbs.....well, lets just say it is hard to judge what in the hell is really going on in your body. In the end, I know I went hard because the slowly thawing out leg muscles were sore. Oh boy, were they sore.
Well, I am basically packed for the week up at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. Tomorrow is a lot of errands around the Twin Cities but I need to stay relaxed as possible for the 6-mile TT opener. Pre-ride the course for sure one way or another.
I hope the all the rest of you have thawed and dried out. Ciao -Ian

Laundy time equals blogging

whew, I got my internet back today. Again, thanks City of Winona for short circuiting our building.
Well, there has been a few races since my last update. East Union windfest was pretty straight foward. The team rode strong but perhaps played the wrong cards. Oh well, in the end we looked it over, agreed, and moved on. Some teams can do that. It is a local race and in the end we are having fun. Some take it too seriously and you would swear it was the Tour de France or something. I don't make money doing this, and it is something I do for myself and my sanity. I don't need insane people around me because I have that issue fulfilled at work everyday.
Yesterday was the last NVGP Qualifier at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds. New course and tight right chicane. I was having issues tight right and of course, clipped a pedal good once. The key with clipping pedals is to keep pedalling. You have to pedal through it. It is when you stop that you slide. Anyway, there was a solo breakaway move with one half the race to go and it was clearly not worth chasing. It didn't pertain to the points qualifier and it would have been a worthless chase anyhow. In the end, we stacked the front and that worked out.
Afterwards we hit the Old Town Hall Brewery for a post graduate Mean Dawg party. Congrats man. Some Oatmeal Stout was on hand too so that was my "recovery" drink. The Grandstay boys showed, Brandt, Timmer, Hollywood, Christy, Muyres, Cleary, Boyce, and a few others help with the Oatmeal Stout and some it's friends too! Good time. In the end, if you can't laugh after the race you are taking this stuff far too seriously for what it is all really about.
NVGP? The big question. I don't know yet. I know I could take the Amateur jersey off the time trial but with only three other riders it would be hard to defend. If I race, fine. If I don't I hope that the Grandstay, Flanders, Grand Performance riders, and Boyce coop together to show that we have strong riders in Minnesota. Each of the teams has four riders or less which set us up for a disadvantage from the gun so they need to work together because in the end, we are all in this together. So, if I do it....good luck to all. If I don't.....good luck to you all.
Tonight is our 100 mile Lansboro night road ride loop. Lights are charged, the rear blinker is blinky, and it should be a good time (cold in the end).
Next up, the St. Peter TT on Saturday. See you all there. Ciao -Ian

Duluth Classic Stage Race win

Well, I guess I was able to hang onto the GC after my performance erred TT. I can thank Lance Beuning, Dave Schueller, and Capt. Dan "Ghost" Casper for that one. These guys pulled out the work roles to help me protect the GC when there were teams with a few more guys than us. In the end, we took the GC overall, 3rd overall (Casper), and 2nd in the Sprint Competition (me). We had a 1st, 2nd, and two 3rd's in stage results. I had a chance to win stage two but had too far to the line to go. Timmer and Crosby came around and I had no more gas. Stage 3 saw Timmer set up the climb to the finish but we both got passed on the way to it. I tried hard to close the gap and threw it into the big ring. But, I couldn't get the momentum up to finish the job. In the crit. we tried to get Casper off late to see if we couldn't move him into 2nd overall. It didn't work since too many guys attacked out of the chase and his group didn't appear to be organizing. It was worth the shot though. In the end, Timmer and I jockied a bit in the last half of the lap until he punched it up the climb. I went with him and he took the win all the way to the line. Nobody had the kick up the hill to chase us.

Not all weekend is deidicated to racing. Dairy Queen, coffee, groceries, and Casper explaining how to maintain a 2% body fat while at Hell's Kitchen on Canal Park

As evident by the size of that sucker, there are some big ships coming into the Port of Duluth. Think that took some time to build?

stage races can get tough on the hotel room especially when laziness abounds. Laziness is good though. Rest. Hotel time is for pinning numbers, eating, watching the Giro, eyeing up the DQ across the way, wondering if there is any hard icecream somewhere instead, and hiding bike equipment for would-be break-in car thiefs.
In the end, it was a great race. It was good to see the field size grow over last year. Timmer and Synergy were bigger, Lance Niles and Brone's were in the field, Alex and the Nature Valley crew were in hand, Finken brought more big guns, and many others to fill out the field. You couldn't beat the weather. Maybe a little cold at times but compared to last year, perfect. I missed the Porto-potie's and we all learned to be clever in hunting down baseball fields, construction sites, and parks. The new crit course was fun and pretty safe. All in all, a great time.
Racing in the Midwest local scene can be pretty enjoyable compared to other regions. Sure, there are bigger races but is is not always about that. Tone has worked hard putting Duluth together plus there are just some good guys coming to have a race. While Quad Cities may be the big regional race at the time, I just don't feel like getting involved in the suspect hoopla that clearly surrounds those events. To some, that is racing. To some it is a challenge and the experience (that is what it should be), To me, it seems it is the all-for-nothing hunt for a result for the winners. If that is the case, it is not racing. It is selfishness. Duluth can be a fair and square race with laugh and stories at the end. Ya ya, sounds corny, but did you ever get on a bike not to have fun? If so, rethink what you are doing.
Thanks Team Grandstay and to all the other racers and volunteers in Duluth. It was a great time.
Next up, East Union and a new stage in the training season. Ciao -Ian