Time Change, History and Carnage

Time Change
This weekend we lose and hour of sleep, but we gain an hour of precious daylight. Due to the impending time change, the tues/thurs training rides out at the Progress Park ended last night. We will no longer be riding in circles, so we will now resume our normal tues/thur rides that leave from the Chevron station at 6:00pm.

History
There has been some great riding out at the Progress Park this winter season and those of us who have diligently ventured out to Alachua are now looking forward to training on terrain that doesn't repeat itself every 1.16 miles.

Early on in the winter, we developed an informal contest that we dubbed, "The IronMan Contest", to determine who would attend the most rides out at the "Mobious Strip". Early on it was a tight three-man race between Scott, Jayson and Myself. As time went on, I slipped further and further away from Scott and Jayson who had distinguished themselves as a formidable two-man break. These two stubborn competitors showed up in the rain, the cold and the dark of night...unwilling to concede the victory. Through the months of training, family events and personal obligations kept our two leaders from completing the winter with perfect attendance records and in the end only one man had missed less rides than any other Progress Park attendee. That man, and the winner of the first ever IronMan Award in none other than...

JAYSON O'MAHONEY

Congratulations Jayson! As a result of your dedication, you are entitled to dinner at the restaurant of your choice. see Scott to claim your prize.
Here are a few images from some rides out at the Progress Park this season...





Carnage
Unfortunately, our last ride out at the Progress Park wasn't quite what we would have hoped for. I had stationed myself up the road from the group and was attempting to take a picture of them strolling through the park. A moment later, due to a simple lack of concentration two or our riders went down. Doug Flokerth and our youngest rider, Justin Pfaff (9) each sacrificed some skin to the Progress Park gods.

Aside from some soreness and obvious road rash, both of the fallen soldiers will live to ride another day. This is a reminder that no matter how safe, slow or comfortable the ride is, accidents can happen..oh yeah and it's also a reminder to wear your helmets!

So not a perfect ending, but an ending none-the-less. We look forward to seeing those of you who can attend our rides at the Cheveron, starting on Tuesday the fourth of April.

Burrito Bros. expands to Tampa

University of Florida fans and alumni in Tampa will soon be able to get their fix of primo beef, bean and double-wrapped burritos — with plenty of guac.

For the first time since the hole-in-the-wall restaurant opened in Gainesville 29 years ago on 13th Street just north of University Avenue, Burrito Brothers is expanding. The Burrito Brothers’ satellite restaurant will offer the same menu with the same intimate view of the kitchen.

The grand opening of the restaurant, located in the Carrabbas Center, 11417 N. Dale Mabry Highway, is Monday, April 10.

story originally reported in "Gator News", an online newsletter from the UF Alumni Assoc.

My Spin City Classic recap

click on image
Downtown Crit
While race weekends usually take us to some corporate park or out to some country road in the middle of nowhere, the "night-life feel" of the Spin City Classic offers a change to our race scenery. Downtown O-town on Saturday night was the scene for the Spin City Criterium. A four-cornered course that possessed more than a few bumps, manhole covers, cobbled intersections and holes. The atmosphere of this event is always second to none, and as a result, the bike racers show up by the hundreds.

My race featured a field of 80 guys. That's eighty guys going through corners from curb to curb, eighty guys strung out on the straights at 30+ mph and eighty guys capable of laying their bikes down right in front of me. This race, for me, was an exercise in bike handling skills.

I'll be the first to admit that this crit had me at my limit, rendering me unable to do little more than fill space somewhere in the middle of the field. It took me the first 15 minutes to get comfortable with the rhythm of the race (and by comfortable I mean: able to hold on without entertaining the thoughts of an early departure). During that 15 minutes I realized that taking my chances getting run into the hay bails by cornering on the outside was better than slowing so much on the inside that a full sprint was required just to stay in contact.

By the time my heart rate had come back down to a manageable range, I got cut-off in the first corner sending me into the hay and ripping my foot out of the pedal. The remainder of the field was flying by me as I clipped back in and sprinted all out to get back within the comforting draft that I so desperately needed to stay in the race.

My tank was teetering on "empty" but I needed to situate myself closer to the front if I was going to avoid another crit-ending hay bail encounter. I worked hard to advance my position in the field only to be swarmed the next time the pace dropped a couple mph's. I fought for position on every straight, but my efforts just rewarded me with the same mid-pack placement that I was trying to get away from.

With five laps to go the peloton became overly anxious and I used just about all that I had left to force my way to the wheel of my teammates who were located in the top 20. I didn't feel like there was going to be much of a sprint in my legs but I figured my chances of survival were better near the front.

As it turns out, one of the main instigators of this fast paced race was none other than Gainesville’s own Brett Miller. Brett apparently went on to win this race (not that I could see anything from where I was when I rolled up the finish line).

So no, this wasn’t my best performance, but I came out of it on two wheels and I’ve got a little more race experience in the bag. Even though it sounds like this race wasn’t anything more than an exhausting, nervous and painful event, I loved it. I love that nervousness, I love going through the corners handlebar to handlebar with 80 other cyclists. I love being a part of an event that brings out the aggressive, competitive spirit in everyone.
But don’t get me wrong...at the same time I was happy when that race was over.


Southport Circuit Race
Sunday’s race was a 2-mile jaunt around Southport Park, which is next to the Orlando International Airport. My one and only crash last year occurred at this race and I wasn’t looking to see history repeat itself.

Another good sized field of 60+ guys started a race that saw a good percentage of them dropped by the blistering speeds in the first 10 miles. Most of the straights had me on the tip of my saddle, rolling at 30+ mph once again. Even the section with the soothing tail wind was made painful by attacks and counter-attacks at the front.

Half way through, a pile-up occurred right next to me as a result of a sewer drain that was located dangerously in the middle of the third corner. I was once again pleased with my ability to avoid the crash and stay on the bike (even if my heart rate did experience a bit of a spike at that moment).

I got into a good rhythm and was able to navigate the six-corner course without getting caught in the wind too much. I was probably just outside of my comfort zone judging by my face in the pictures I found of myself from the race (#1, #2, #3)

With three laps to go my bike handling skills were once again tested as the rider in front of me experienced a mechanical which completely locked his rear wheel up and sent him skidding sideways through the corner. I jumped on my brakes, which sent me sliding sideways around him. As I came up next to him I let go of the brakes and my rear wheel was whipped back into line and disaster was once again averted. Unfortunately, not everyone behind me was as lucky.

Steadily hammering on the straights and aggressively sprinting out of the corners slowly chipped away at my “finishing sprint ability”. By the last corner of the last lap, I gave a less than powerful attempt at a sprint, which got me nothing more than to the line safely.

Once again, my result wasn’t what I’d hoped for, but I was able to hang tough in one of the fastest races I’ve ever done and I didn’t crash regardless of how much this course was gunning for me.

The clocks are about to go forward an hour which will create enough daylight after work to benefit my weekday training. I anticipate this will also result in better finishes for upcoming races.

Like I promised...

I'm finally getting around to posting some pics of recent events/races. So without any further delay, I give you...

The Wedding
The weekend of March 11th in Tampa Mike and Kelly finally tied the knot. A much anticipated event, the wedding saw friends from as far away as California, Chicago, Boston, Michigan and Atlanta come together to partake in the open bar. Oh yeah, and to wish Mike and Kelly the best too!
*pictures can be viewed at larger size by clicking on the image


The wedding took place on the water. It was perfect weather and quite picturesque, wouldn't you say?





The reception was just 25 yards away at the Rusty Pelican. These are a selection of guys that I've known forever and recently went to Las Vegas with.








Here's the happy couple cuttin up the dance floor. These two are probably smiling because they were leaving in a couple of days for a two week Hawaiin honeymoon.













When the open bar closed at 11pm, most of us carried the festivites over to Bahama Breeze until 2am. In a classy move, Josh (Mich. State fan) relieved himself in the valet drive.





Orlando crits (3-4/5-06)
Earlier this month I was in O-town of a couple of crits. On saturday, I arrived to the race 20 minutes before my race was to start (due to getting lost in suburbia-hell). I threw on my cycling clothes, pumped up my tires, ran down to registration, had a friend pin on my race number, did 2 warm-up laps and lined up for the race.

The race course was short (<1km) with four corners and a nasty head wind on the back side. I almost got shelled during a 33+ mph stint through the start/finish line, but managed to suck wheel until the wind dicouraged the break two corners later. The pace evened out and I was able to take advantage of an inside line through the last corner (the ouside line got blocked up by a crash caused by a tubular-tire rolling off the rim) for 7th place. I even made enough money to recoup my entry fees, woo hoo


Here's Jason, Brad, Myself and James after our race. The picture on the right is the finishing straight just past the S/F line.








Sunday was eventful not because of the race result, but due to the fact that Team Olympus brought a few of us onto their team. Team Olympus won the Team Florida Points Series for cat. 4 last year, but due to some upgrades and other things their cat 4 ranks have been diminished. I wish I could say that Olympus sought me out afer I solo'd to victory, but the truth is I was in the right place at the right time and some friends put in a good word for me (thanks Jason and Brad). I'm looking forward to playing some race tactics for the remainder of the season and working hard for the team.

By the way, I rode strong on sunday but wasn't as fortunate in the last corner. I took the wrong line and got caught behind a guy who had more speed than he could handle in the last turn.

At the race on sunday. The posting of the cat 4 race from the previous day...even though it looks like rider #820 "Pall Messai" got 7th place, I'm pretty sure that's me (nice handwriting)





Tallahassee Crit (3-18-06)
Last weekend Rodrigo and I drove up to Tally for the crit on saturday. I had raced on this course last year and remember not appreciating the slight incline on the back side. Well, things haven't changed. All in all the race went well, I didn't really do much but watch attacks go up the road by all the colligiate guys in the field. Brett, Phil, Mitch and the Lees McRea guy who ended up winning. There was another crash in the last (and only) corner that slowed me down, not that I was on my way to winning or anything though.

This is a shot of the home stretch, slightly downhill and super fast. Rodrigo was kind enough to take on the driving duties for the day, so his car was our home base while in garnet and gold country.








Roger had one heck of day at the races, taking first place in both of his races (colligiate C & cat. 5). He's got one hell of a top end and I'm sure he'll be making waves in the higher catagories in no time. Congratulations Roger.



In closing...
• I know that was a lot to take in, but lately I have to take my blogging opportunities when they come.
We'll be in Orlando again this weekend for the Spin City Classic (formerly known as the "Festival of Speed"). It should be a good weekend.

• Don't forget to vote in the 5count poll located in the sidebar to your left.

Larson Breaks Free, on Stage Three

photos courtesy of cyclingnews.com
It looks like Rebecca Larson had one hell of a race in California this past weekend. Larson finished the San Dimas Stage Race placing 9th on GC and winning the final stage. Her victory came as a result of getting into a 5 woman break and then attacking them on the last lap to solo in for the win. Along with her stage-three victory came enough points to secure her the green points jersey as well. Congratulations Rebecca!
***you can check out the story at cyclingnews.com

What's wrong with this picture?
This is a picture from the finish of the last stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. It looks like Zabel and Petacchi have become close in more ways than one???

Sham-Rock and Roll

Happy St. Patty's day
Sorry for the lack of updates lately...I've been busy busy busy. Here are some quick tid-bits though.

• Racing has been going well, 7th a couple of weeks ago in Orlando. I've actually got some pics from that weekend that i've been meaning to post, so I'll have a full race report up soon.
• I am now riding for an actual team out of Orlando as well. I'll cover that whole thing in the race report coming soon.
• I'll be heading up to Tallahassee for a crit on saturday...nobody else from my team will be up there so there's no pressure to work during the race (phewww).
• I had a birthday, now I'm actually the age that my racing license says I am (31). point of interest: Also born on March 10th...Sharon Stone, Chuck Norris, my dentist and Danny M...oh yeah, and some girl named Amanda I was in 2nd grade with.
• Today is a sad day in the lives of many women across this great nation of ours. It was 5 years ago today that I took myself off the market and married my lovely wife Jen. Being a bit of a romantic, I made a card today to wish her a happy anniversary (It's a take off of the "peas and carrots" line from Forest Gump).
• Completely un-cycling related...My great friends Mike Gutowski and Kelly Singer finally got married last weekend after almost 8 years of "courtship". The wedding was awesome, lots of friends + open bar = good times! I've got some photos to post for that too...stay tuned.

Again, sorry for the absence of new posts (I've heard reports of 5count withdraws due to the lack of new reading/viewing material). More to come very soon.

Be sure to vote in my super-cool "web-poll" located at the bottom of the sidebar to your left.

I'll leave you with...
a joke of the day.

Sean and Seamus were walking in the woods when they came across a sign saying, "Tree Fellers wanted". One of them said, "Ye know, it's a shame Murphy isn't here. We could have gotten the job".

Poll Results

The first ever 5count poll has officially come to an end. The question for the poll was, "What team in the Tour of California has the best looking kit?" The votes poured in (all 20 of them (2 of those were mine)) and have been counted. For those unobservant readers of 5count, the polls are always located in the sidebar to your left (no Jayson, your other left), underneath the list of links. You may have to scroll down a bit, but you can do it.

And the winner is...
Davitamon Lotto from Belgium! I'm sure Lambert (Lam • bare) will be proud. The Davitamon Lotto team received 30% of the votes and now and forever be known to have the best looking kit from the inaugural ToC. The voting breakdown is as follows:

Davitamon Lotto - 6 votes
TIAA-Cref - 4 votes
KB Homes/Mexican Nat'l team - 3 votes (all coming from Rodrigo no doubt)
Phonak - 2 votes
Gerolstiener - 1 vote
T-Mobile - 1 vote (had to be Danny, cause these are the ugliest things in any peloton)
Team CSC - 1 vote
Jelly Belly - 1 vote
Sierra Nevada/Kodak Gallery - 1 vote

*receiving no votes were: Discovery, United Pro, Health Net, Saunier Duval, Navigators, Credit Agricole and Colavita.

New Poll is now Posted
Be sure to let your voice be heard. Let us know who you think will win the '06 Tour de France. We'll probably leave this one up for a while to see if there is any shift once the TdF draws closer.
Vote as many times as you wish *limit one vote per day