Scored at BEER Race

Drunk with fatigue 

were all the 

Cyclisme racers 

who came out 

one more time 

for the late season 

track Saturday 

put on by 

Team Beer.

Hard racing in one of the biggest track turnouts of the season, left us with everything but wins.

We scored in three divisions.

Some folks won gloves.

Jake won a brand new SILCA pump.

OBRA Hillclimb Championships, by Greg

Naiqwan and I headed up to the mountain for our first taste of the OBRA Hillclimb Championship race. Naiqwan, Junior 12-14 superstar was to race at 10:20 am, with my Masters 40-44 start time at 12:12. The race was to be run in standard time trial format, with 1 minute between starts.

John and Jake met us at the lower parking lot to assist in dialing in Naiqwan's bike and warm-ups. Naiqwan took off on the climb, and I continued my warm-up with some helpful threshold/recovery coaching by John. I started the climb a bit too hot and had to dial back a couple of BPM at mile 2 where I started to blow a little bit. I then just set my pace and maintained my HR of 179-181.

To keep my mind off of the agony my legs were feeling I sang happy songs, tried to looked at the pretty sights, and listened to the swish of my tires on pavement. The road (West Leg) road is really cool and I'll bet is very scenic (hard to tell when you're seeing double and gasping for breath). At mile 4 or so, the road turned down for a brief bit, allowing a little big ring action. Then a left hander took me onto the main Timberline Road.

I thought "this is it, big finishing kick up the last climb", then I actually looked up the road and saw the steepest pitch of the day mocking me. I grinded, suffering up this final pitch, crossing the finish in 36'42". I had guessed/hoped that I would finish in under 35'.

Jake rocked the Cat 3's, finishing just over 27' for either 2nd or 3rd place. Naiqwan took 5th in his field. Randy suffered in the 3's to finish back in the field, and I posted I think my first ever DFL.

I learned a lot though, and like John said, "this race will make you better". Climbing, especially at altitude like today (one racer commented that it was like trying to breath through a straw), forces me out of my comfort zone. I know that to be a faster/better racer I need to work on climbing. I may not see the results of today right away, but I now have at least one clear goal for next year, and that is to beat 33' in this race. That in itself will make me better as I have a specific target to work toward while climbing training.

Sorry I have no pictures, hopefully JB will add some. Tough race on a beautiful day. Congrats to Jake for picking up one more state champ medal.

Greg

Are we through yet?

Another BIG Weekend.

By Jake Hansen

Another day does not always equal another dollar. But at the OBRA State Champ Criterium in Albany Saturday, it did. 

We showed up with a big goal, get Alex Lightman to the finish before the rest of the Cat 3 chaos.

Bedford was consistently at the front of the pack pushing the tempo, attacking, or blocking it up when his teammates were away.

Randy Word was near the front keeping Cyclisme colors in position.

I struggled to hang on the back for what seemed an eternity.

Eventually, I made my way to the front, and won the $50 prime that paid for our dinner at the Calapooia Brewing Co. 

Hot into the last turn of the 40 minute Crit was our man Stephen Bedford leading out Alex Lightman.  

Alex spun his gears in those perfect circles that we all are envious of, but was barely beaten by our brother in The Lore, now CAPA's Star, Joey Dengel.

Il Professore!

Alex Lightman

is considered by teammates "the Professor" because of his savvy in the pack.

He never has problems moving 

up through the flying peloton.

He can even bamboozel them into thinking they are going up hill. He knows how to make them slow down, and stop chasing teammates who are breaking away, like he did in the Courthouse Crit for Stephen Bedford.


Alex studies Architecture at PSU and is wowing  all his instructors  with his work.
With the kids of b.i.k.e. he takes the time

to discuss

the importance 

of good design.

Always one to implement a plan and to simplify in order to understand the complex, Alex has been instrumental in leading our Team to the next level.

One of the original "Fixies" who trained in the night practices on the "Ghetto Drome" at PSU, he is now one of our top ranked men.

Always selfless and instinctual, he has done more than his share of work for his teammates. His sprint is fast enough to catch our master speed man Chris Deardorf off guard, so don't be surprised if we are leading Alex out for his first State Champ jersey very soon.

Bedford

Many don't know this but his first name is Stephen.

He just showed up one day when Alex found him 

on the PSU campus. Next thing you know he was on a real team's ride.

"This is what I wanted, a real team, "said Bedford 
back in the day.

When "Rocky Rabbit" was in full swing, he was the Eveready Rabbit" beating the drum of  "more, more, more!"

Randy Word set the standard and guys like Bedford were quick to follow.

Longer rides with Alex, and Randy gave forboding of the ascent to Cat 3, but certainly it was the Cat 4 Track World that revealed the team work possable between he and Jake.

They lapped four fields in four different races out at the track.

Now a little slimmer and sleaker, the CAt 5 is now a 3, and he has a role on a team. 

Captain.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday

"The days

become

a blur when 

you race

three days 

in a row." 

By Jake Hansen

Friday night was the Twilight Crit, Saturday morning the Team events at Alpenrose Velodrome then Sunday in Gresham, for the Gresham Crit.

So, this is what Aubrey Edwards, Cameron Duff, Bobby Dixon, Naiqwan Pelman, Randy Word, Stephen Bedford, Alex Lightman and myself did this weekend. 

Friday night was our first time racing in the North Park Blocks in what felt like a European Kermesse. The pace was hot the entire race and just getting to the front of the pack took a monsterous effort.

Saturday morning was a great opportunity to work together in both the Team Pursuits and the Olympic Sprints. I need to start paying attention to the gearing on the track bikes I rent. After we honorably represented the lore of Cyclisme in the State Champs, Bedford and I jumped into the 1/2/3 Points Race. 

I was amazed that even Pro's wanted me to pull through and chase Bedford. I loved going up track to their consternation. They would scream at me, "Come on MAN!" I just looked into their eyes and smiled. 

Sunday I had to paint walls at the Northwest Children's Theater, but Word, et. al., handled our Cyclisme business. With Bedford off the front early and Alex & Randy blocking it up. WOW. In the end Alex led Randy out for essentially the win but Trevor Spahr got a tires length ahead of him at the line. Thats still a win in my book! 

The teamwork is what we are truly proud of. Alex Lightman is the glue with his genius in pushing people around. Alex can get the pack to do anything, it seems to me. When you are off the front, there is no one better. 

Core and Salutations!

Weekly workouts at The Ranch

have been making folks fast.

Working harder puts people past the peloton periodically.

Join us on the patio.

call 503-484-7838

for departure times.

PEACE.