I love us...

...it's a saying that stands the test of time... well, at least in my book.

Most can't stand it because it begets a feeling of arrogance or maybe just general silliness. I love it because well, I love us...

...I love the guys I've gotten to ride with this season - from the beginning of the season with Lando (Matt Landen) and Spence (Chris Spence) in teammates from Team Kaos, until the today, here in Cali.

I also love us because of the brilliant one-liners - i.e. "snake-snake" said multiple times for multiple good reasons; or "attack... attack NOW!" which we will hear from Andy over and over and over again on Sunday; or try on "this is overwhelming..." said at continental breakfast with hundreds of 8-year-olds running rampant around the unorganized food area wheeling donuts and spilling sugary drinks to the tune of Mickey and Minnie on the giant flatscreens surrounding what might as well be described as a food-court in looney-land; and of course our old-time favorite "I love us..."

Yes, I love us because of irony... from LAX to e-brakes to the fact that some twenty years ago I was likely that kid at a Hampton Inn at 8:00 am, overly excited to be heading to the greatest theme park in the world... twenty years after that date, I'm not thankful for Mickey, but for condoms...

So, after what healthy food we could get from the breakfast buffet of sugar and sweets (yes, Andy took director privileges and ate like an 8-year-old) we donned our helmets and glasses, got on our bikes and headed for the beach. The morning was incredible and the pictures throughout this blog tell the story of why we were feeling good, are ready and excited for tomorrow, and that... we love us...

- Ian

Riding the brakes...

... and by brakes I do mean those mechanistic, metal gripping contraptions that allow for stopping. While we will be riding in the break on Sunday, this brake riding refers to the likes of the descent at Gila after seeing the massive crash that took out the likes of Zirbel and our very own Mr. Cole (yes, I crept down the Gila-monster)...

So yesterday we are heading back to LAX to pick up our teammate Rolf - sidenote: LAX is an hour each way from our hotel, whereas John Wayne Orange County is five minutes... I didn't book the tickets. Back to the story, on our way to the airport I see that the brake light is on and that for the entire day I had been burning fuel and brake pads by not deactivating the e-brake.

Now, one might laugh at the fact that I am travel savy and can discern which airport makes the most economical sense, yet drives for 2 + hours with the e-brake engaged... yeah, it's called irony.

So, it's day 2 of our Cali trip and we just found out that we don't have to race on Saturday - i.e. no prelims.

Our field for Sunday will be 150+ and it will be fast and furious.

Because we are not doing prelims we are motor pacing with Andy - once he arrives at LAX (the airport that from our hotel is half way to Oregon).

This brings us to the topic of the day... what should we do between now (well, post motor pacing) and Sunday at 2:30 pm when the whistle is blown? You see, our guess is that Andy wants us to sit down and do nothing; but we, the cyclists who get little time away from work and riding, want to have some fun while in the land of Angels.

So, if the reader will indulge, please provide some ideas that will keep our legs fresh, but allow us, at the same time, to have some fun - as well as allow us to write something about our adventures in Cali-land before the race...

- Ian

p.s. at top is a pic that Phil took while we were riding along the Santa Ana river bed. He got a new camera for his birthday, but is bitter about not having a memory stick as of yet. On the other hand he was quite proud to capture a perfect portrayal of my incredible form on the bike... oh yeah and more importantly those hot unis...

The things we love...

... starting with free internet at the Denver airport when you've missed your flight because of incompetent gate coordinators...

Another thing we love the week of a race... getting up at 4 am to fly out of Denver airport and THEN missing your flight...

...did I mention our love affair with TSA? Wait... yes, it's truly passionate...

Okay, now that I've shown my sense of dry, sophomoric humor it's time to get real... we promised to blog often and blog we will!

It's early on Thursday morning, Phil and I are at the airport hanging at gate A39 (if you are reading this in the airport come give us a shout). Late last night we heard that Jarred had a rough go of it. Well, that's not entirely true...

Jarred was dominating the race, catching four riders before the turn (including his minute man who would eventually place in the top 20). Clicking along with 6 miles to go he hit a rock and instantly went flat... he was stuck without a wheel (as they don't allow follow cars at Nationals) and wisely called it a day... I'm sure he'll update you/us later.

I think that's enough for now... it's time to get back to my real job and the client emails that are just begging reply... Ah yes, to the things we love...

- Ian

It's good to race for the money

For many of us who race on the front range it is a challenge to find big money races, and we often find ourselves racing for $150, 3 places deep, or more or less pride.  I would like to give props to the promoters of the Bannock St. Criterium who pooled together a large cash purse, which brings out the best racers from the region and catalyzes more quality racing.  I hope more promoters learn from Bannock's success, which will only help to improve the quality of races on the front range in the future.  

As for TLE, Paul and I showed up to Bannock ready to throw down.  The field grew exponentially from the previous days race at the Federal Center in Lakeview, and like I previously noted the race was of a much higher caliber and quality.  With only two riders, we started off being very aggressive trying to make the breakaway, because we knew that many of the Pro teams wanted a breakaway to succeed so we could settle into a hard tempo for the remainder of the race.  Unfortunately we did not make the breakaway, so Paul and I remained calm and collected and prepared ourselves for a fast, dicey finish.  In the final laps the race was very stressful and dangerous; just the way Paul and I like it.  Moving up the side in the final lap, Paul did an amazing job working his way to the front with me following behind.  In the final corner as the field swung inside Paul took the outside line and was able to pass several riders for a solid 10th place finish.  I was able to fight out the remaining final meters to finish in 17th, and was very pleased to simply finish in one piece with the injured back holding up and in better health.  

From now, Jarred, Ian, Rolf and myself head off to Elite Road National Championships in Anaheim, CA.  All are riding with good form and we are looking forward to showing the country how strong we are in tough, long road races.  Jarred is already in CA preparing for the TT.  We wish him the best.  

-Phil