Rockhopper MTB Classic -6/8/2014

Rockhopper Race Reports:

 

Race report by Andrea Madison:

·Team,

First and foremost I want to thank everyone for all their support and cheers during the race.  I was completely on the fence about racing because I had not been on my MTB for several weeks and the HEAT.  I talked with Justin and his final words to me were...."honey, you are a good beginner, just go race".  With those words in my head I packed up and headed to the race prepared to work it and maybe race.  Well, here I am in the parking lot with no husband to ride the course with or pump up my tires...just great.  I got ready and headed over to our team tent for some words of encouragement, advice, guidance, something from Vince.  He checked my tires and said..."girl, go ride your ride you will be fine".  Ok, here I go...it was already hot and dry with no sign of rain.  I had not ridden the track in weeks and had forgot about "hamburger hill"...Oh crap!  Off the line we went and after saying hi to Ellen, Brigitte and Jeannie I was able to settle into my my ride.  The track was dry and dusty with lots of ruts, people and dogs.  I don't know who was more bothered me or the people who had to stop and get out of my way.  Apparently, they could not hear my heavy breathing and look of death of my face.  The first climb to the water tower was a wake up for my legs but the switchbacks were good, I do enough those.  As I rode I realized I needed to break the track up in segments in order to stay focused and feel some sense of accomplishment.  I dont think I heart rate ever went below 165.  I did not ride over my head but pushed enough to challenge myself and pass a few riders.  I also thought about Kristen Hill and the snake bite....look at all this tall grass- just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling.  The gravel road was rough and set me back a bit but I was very happy to see the first water station with Leslie - thank you, thank you.  During the last climb I met a rider going the wrong direction on the track thinking he was lost..."No Sir. you were going in the right direction you have to climb the hill".   The downhill was great, I knew it was almost over with just a couple of steep descents left to go.  I made it through with my butt back, eyes wide open and the death grip going.  With that done I could hear the announcer and crowd nearby and I knew it was done.  To my surprise the track took us toward the water and with a sharp turn through the trees with exposed roots - WHAT!  Now it was done and I could smell the hamburgers see the finish line.  Andrea

·Team,

First and foremost I want to thank everyone for all their support and cheers during the race.  I was completely on the fence about racing because I had not been on my MTB for several weeks and the HEAT.  I talked with Justin and his final words to me were...."honey, you are a good beginner, just go race".  With those words in my head I packed up and headed to the race prepared to work it and maybe race.  Well, here I am in the parking lot with no husband to ride the course with or pump up my tires...just great.  I got ready and headed over to our team tent for some words of encouragement, advice, guidance, something from Vince.  He checked my tires and said..."girl, go ride your ride you will be fine".  Ok, here I go...it was already hot and dry with no sign of rain.  I had not ridden the track in weeks and had forgot about "hamburger hill"...Oh crap!  Off the line we went and after saying hi to Ellen, Brigitte and Jeannie I was able to settle into my my ride.  The track was dry and dusty with lots of ruts, people and dogs.  I don't know who was more bothered me or the people who had to stop and get out of my way.  Apparently, they could not hear my heavy breathing and look of death of my face.  The first climb to the water tower was a wake up for my legs but the switchbacks were good, I do enough those.  As I rode I realized I needed to break the track up in segments in order to stay focused and feel some sense of accomplishment.  I dont think I heart rate ever went below 165.  I did not ride over my head but pushed enough to challenge myself and pass a few riders.  I also thought about Kristen Hill and the snake bite....look at all this tall grass- just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling.  The gravel road was rough and set me back a bit but I was very happy to see the first water station with Leslie - thank you, thank you.  During the last climb I met a rider going the wrong direction on the track thinking he was lost..."No Sir. you were going in the right direction you have to climb the hill".   The downhill was great, I knew it was almost over with just a couple of steep descents left to go.  I made it through with my butt back, eyes wide open and the death grip going.  With that done I could hear the announcer and crowd nearby and I knew it was done.  To my surprise the track took us toward the water and with a sharp turn through the trees with exposed roots - WHAT!  Now it was done and I could smell the hamburgers see the finish line.  Andrea

·Team,

First and foremost I want to thank everyone for all their support and cheers during the race.  I was completely on the fence about racing because I had not been on my MTB for several weeks and the HEAT.  I talked with Justin and his final words to me were...."honey, you are a good beginner, just go race".  With those words in my head I packed up and headed to the race prepared to work it and maybe race.  Well, here I am in the parking lot with no husband to ride the course with or pump up my tires...just great.  I got ready and headed over to our team tent for some words of encouragement, advice, guidance, something from Vince.  He checked my tires and said..."girl, go ride your ride you will be fine".  Ok, here I go...it was already hot and dry with no sign of rain.  I had not ridden the track in weeks and had forgot about "hamburger hill"...Oh crap!  Off the line we went and after saying hi to Ellen, Brigitte and Jeannie I was able to settle into my my ride.  The track was dry and dusty with lots of ruts, people and dogs.  I don't know who was more bothered me or the people who had to stop and get out of my way.  Apparently, they could not hear my heavy breathing and look of death of my face.  The first climb to the water tower was a wake up for my legs but the switchbacks were good, I do enough those.  As I rode I realized I needed to break the track up in segments in order to stay focused and feel some sense of accomplishment.  I dont think I heart rate ever went below 165.  I did not ride over my head but pushed enough to challenge myself and pass a few riders.  I also thought about Kristen Hill and the snake bite....look at all this tall grass- just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling.  The gravel road was rough and set me back a bit but I was very happy to see the first water station with Leslie - thank you, thank you.  During the last climb I met a rider going the wrong direction on the track thinking he was lost..."No Sir. you were going in the right direction you have to climb the hill".   The downhill was great, I knew it was almost over with just a couple of steep descents left to go.  I made it through with my butt back, eyes wide open and the death grip going.  With that done I could hear the announcer and crowd nearby and I knew it was done.  To my surprise the track took us toward the water and with a sharp turn through the trees with exposed roots - WHAT!  Now it was done and I could smell the hamburgers see the finish line.  AndreaTeam,

     First and foremost I want to thank everyone for all their support and cheers during the race.  I was completely on the fence about racing because I had not been on my MTB for several weeks and the HEAT.  I talked with Justin and his final words to me were...."honey, you are a good beginner, just go race".  With those words in my head I packed up and headed to the race prepared to work it and maybe race.  Well, here I am in the parking lot with no husband to ride the course with or pump up my tires...just great.  I got ready and headed over to our team tent for some words of encouragement, advice, and guidance, something from Vince.  He checked my tires and said..."girl, go ride your ride you will be fine".  Ok, here I go...it was already hot and dry with no sign of rain.  I had not ridden the track in weeks and had forgot about "hamburger hill"...Oh crap!  Off the line we went and after saying hi to Ellen, Brigitte and Jeannie I was able to settle into my my ride.  The track was dry and dusty with lots of ruts, people and dogs.  I don't know who was more bothered me or the people who had to stop and get out of my way.  Apparently, they could not hear my heavy breathing and look of death of my face.  The first climb to the water tower was a wake up for my legs but the switchbacks were good, I do enough those.  As I rode I realized I needed to break the track up in segments in order to stay focused and feel some sense of accomplishment.  I don’t think I heart rate ever went below 165.  I did not ride over my head but pushed enough to challenge myself and pass a few riders.  I also thought about Kristen Hill and the snake bite....look at all this tall grass- just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling.  The gravel road was rough and set me back a bit but I was very happy to see the first water station with Leslie - thank you, thank you.  During the last climb I met a rider going the wrong direction on the track thinking he was lost..."No Sir, you were going in the right direction you have to climb the hill".   The downhill was great, I knew it was almost over with just a couple of steep descents left to go.  I made it through with my butt back, eyes wide open and the death grip going.  With that done I could hear the announcer and crowd nearby and I knew it was done.  To my surprise the track took us toward the water and with a sharp turn through the trees with exposed roots - WHAT!  Now it was done and I could smell the hamburgers see the finish line.  -Andrea

Race report by Brian Russell:

My skin wasn't the only thing that was burning on Sunday. From the very first hill my lungs and legs were on fire.  Going up the very first hill, my back tire hit a rut and lost the momentum, and never quite got it back.  Did I mention it was hot??!  I passed a couple of people on the trails, but when my fellow “velos” , were passing me, there was nothing but encouragement. On the back trail where there are not a lot of spectators, that is just what I needed to push myself to the next hill.  I hit the downhill well, and even though I am one of the slowest out there, I really appreciate the guys and gals pushing me to get better.  Looking forward to the next race.

Special thanks to Vinny for getting my bike race ready.  - Brian

·My skin wasn't the only thing that was burning on Sunday. From the very first hill my lungs and legs were on fire.  Going up the very first hill, my back tire hit a rut and lost the momentum, and never quite got it back.  Did I mention it was hot.  I passed a couple of people on the trails, but when my fellow velo's , we're passing me, there was nothing but encouragement. On the back trail where there are not a lot of spectators, that is just what I needed to push myself to the next hill.  I hit the downhill well, and even though I am one of the slowest out there, I really appreciate the guys and gals pushing me to get better.  Looking forward to the next race.

 Special thanks to Vinny for getting my bike race ready.   - Brian

·My skin wasn't the only thing that was burning on Sunday. From the very first hill my lungs and legs were on fire.  Going up the very first hill, my back tire hit a rut and lost the momentum, and never quite got it back.  Did I mention it was hot.  I passed a couple of people on the trails, but when my fellow velo's , we're passing me, there was nothing but encouragement. On the back trail where there are not a lot of spectators, that is just what I needed to push myself to the next hill.  I hit the downhill well, and even though I am one of the slowest out there, I really appreciate the guys and gals pushing me to get better.  Looking forward to the next race.

 Special thanks to Vinny for getting my bike race ready.   - BrianRace report by Kevin Duquette:

My experience for the Rockhopper -

 So I was ready to do two laps. Practiced for months and actually did two laps at practice. I have always had a heart monitor, 5 years, and know my body well. Know my heart and where I can ride for extending time and what race pace does.

 So on the warm up i new I was in for a tough ride. I was taking it easy and noticed elevated heart rate.

 The race. 1/2 way into the first lap I saw my heart rate at 190. Im thinking this is not good. So I tried slowing down. No luck. 187. Then the climbs it went to 200. No good.

 Funny thing is I felt fine. If I didn't have a heart monitor I would have kept going.

 My normal rate is 175 for a ride and 180 for race. Maybe 185 for a TT all out 10 miles. But for an 18 mile MTB race at 195-200. No

 So I made a choice at the top of the mountain, I'm going to go down and stop at one lap.

 I don't know what was going on, I didn't want to hurt myself.

 I was well hydrated and actually felt okay. Legs were good, but my heart rate wouldn't obey. So done. One good fun lap!!

 I know my body, I know what baseline race pace is like, and today wasn't the day to figure out what would happen if I rode the whole race at 195 plus heart rate.

 Hope this will be helpful information for someone.

 I did hydrate all week and ate well and ate electrolytes during the race.

 Great Job Team!!  - Kevin

 Race report by Steve Roehrs:

     I was totally that guy that showed up to the shop on Saturday with my bike needing work. Vince was awesome and got my rear brakes squared away. Thanks Vince. Now for the race. It was awesome to have a good team showing and being local it was awesome to see every body’s friends and family out there supporting the racers.

 I started strong was feeling good on third wheel through the first climb then shifted into my wheel. Once I was back on I was mid pack and settled in to the pain. I knew that if I could stay strong I would make up down on the backside decent. I finished strong and can't wait to practice more out there so I can have a stronger showing next year. Also two laps. One just was not enough pain.

Have a great day, - Steve Roehrs II

 

 

 

 

Andrea State Champ!!
 

 

Dunlap TT - 6/8/2014

Race Report by Marc Truncano:

Hello all,

I know the mountain bikers were feeling the heat and so were we TT-ers (new word) at the Dunlap TT in Winters today.  With a start time just after 1130 this morning the road temp was around 105 I think at the beginning and probably 112 or so at the end.  Anyway my race report is one word - OUCH!!!!!!!

-Marc

 

Race report by Mike Poplewko:

Team,

     As you all know this was an epic weekend for racing for Team Velo Wrench.  Great job to all at the Rockhopper. For my part I chose to race the Steve Dunlap Memorial Time Trial.  The course this year started outside of Winters instead of South from Davis in past years and followed the Putah creek smack down out and back route with the turn around on Stevenson Bridge Road.  The whole course is flat with good pavement so that pretty much meant time gains were going to be determined by the weather conditions and fitness instead of significant climbs or technical corners.  That was certainly the case for this day with the forecast calling for triple digit high temperatures and winds from the North gusting 15 to 20.  I started off on my race quickly getting up to speed then settling onto position.  At this point all I wanted was to keep just below my threshold and maintain pace.  I always start TTs a little fast because of the excitement and adrenalin but I was also feeling good and the carbon wheel set I got from Vinny sounded awesome so I kept the pace up and soon caught my 30 second man and it wasn't too much longer till I had my minute man in sight but I decided to ease up knowing I would be dealing with a head wind at the turn around point.  Now for the “ouch” part Marc described in his report.  Once I made the turn I was back up out of the saddle to get back up to speed but my legs were filling with lactic acid and it was very difficult to maintain the same speed I was before.  Fearing I was paying for my fast start I sat down in my pain cave and focused on my breathing and tempo only staring at the two or three feet in front of my bike.   This tactic continued till I made the turn back on Putah creek into a head cross wind and could shift into a higher gear.  I did eventually catch my minute man and finished 13th. Thanks again to Vinny for the wheel set.  -Mike

Tri for Real

Race Report by Marc Trucano:

     This race was first time for me at this location.  This is a nice venue.  I decided that I was going to go almost all out in the swim and bike and push the run to either win or finish last.   I can in about 4 minutes behind the real swimmers from what I could tell but caught my age group leader by the end of the bike leg.  I came in on the bike just behind the leader and we started the run at about a 7:40 minute mile.  I could see the leader of my age group about 1 block ahead of me but at about the 2 mile mark I did not have the leg strength in the rolling hills to keep his pace.  By the 3.5 or 4 mile mark, I had to stop and run, I had gotten very dehydrated and had stopped sweating and got the chills on my arms as the temps approached the upper 80s.  I walked and ran the last 2 miles and came in about 40 minutes behind my age group leader.  I failed to hydrate correctly on the bike due to pushing so hard.  I'm planning to do the next race in this series at the same location on July 13th so I will get another chance at it.  There were about 8 athletes from the Vacaville and Winters area there and 3 of us from VW.  I look forward to seeing their reports.

Thanks , -Marc

Race Report by JT Peebles:

Last Sunday I had a blast racing my first Tri of 2014. It was an Olympic distance Tri put on by Total Body Fitness. Their events are always fun and they put on many races throughout the season ranging in length and all abilities are welcome including kids! I raced the same "Tri for Real" course Rancho Seco Park, Herald, CA last year in July and hoped to do better this time. Charissa Odom offered to drive my wife, Becky, and I down because we all registered to race. Waking early and getting there was a breeze and picking a spot in transition was easy being that we arrived right before transition opened. Once my bike and gear were all squared away it was time to change into my Velo Wrench Tri Suit. I have a few one piece suits but none compare to the form fit of this one. It was perfect! They called for all men 34 and under to head to the water and I had just finished putting on my sleeveless wetsuit. I was hearing others talk about how they didn't think they were going to use a wetsuit because they thought the water was fine. I went and did a short warmup swim and figured I would leave it on for the extra buoyancy. Once we all lined up and the gun went off I wished I had just swam in my Tri Suit. I warmed up quickly and felt like I had to work too hard to get a deep breath. With my heart rate strap, a snug fitting tri suit, and a wetsuit I was constricted to say the least. I finished the 1500m swim in 25:34 and felt I swam as best I could. Even with my goggles fogging up I swam straighter than usual. That time earned me 13th overall in the swim. After I popped out of the water I decided to get out of the wetsuit just before hitting dry land. I feel it helped my transition time, because if you run all the way to your bike I find it difficult to get my legs out. Once out on the bike it was tough to catch my breath as I had worked so hard to breathe during the swim. I finally did, but then my legs felt dead. I know I kicked pretty hard during the swim but didn't expect the fatigue I was feeling. Maybe I ate too small a breakfast... Maybe I wasn't trained up as well as I needed to be. I pushed on and got passed by 3 people and made no passes. I felt a pretty strong headwind on the way out and was excited to turn around and ride the wind back in. I needed this to get my MPH average up. When I made the turn to my dismay I had a headwind again. Everyone was talking after the race about how it was just swirling out there and they had the same feeling. By the end of the bike I made an improvement of 22 seconds over lasts years bike time but felt it it took twice the effort. My time of 1:06:46 for 40k earned me 13th overall on the bike. Once I made the transition to the run I started feeling better. This is when I realized my base was built up in the run and the other disciplines needed work. The run is mostly off-road and has some fun hills to deal with. Mile 3-5 it's single track so it's hard to keep your pace up. I ended up really losing steam just past mile 5 as the day was heating up and I was ready to be finished. I willed my way forward and was glad to come to the finishing banner. I threw my hands up and pointed to the Lord thanking Him for seeing me through the day. I quickly made my way to the water station and started catching up on lost fluids. I poured some on my head. As soon as I was cool enough to eat I made a big plate and reloaded the body. I also looked at my run splits and saw.. Mile 1: 6:52, followed by 6:35, 6:18, 6:39, 6:42, 6:59 and the last .2 = 6:21 pace. My heart rate climbed the entire time because of the rising heat. I averaged 174 beats per minute and maxed out at 184. Ouch! I found out later my 41:29 10k was the 3rd fasted run of the day putting me 7th overall and 2nd in my age group. I then watched friends finish strong including my sweet bride. Becky broke 3 hours for the first time at this distance even though she wasn't able to train much. I was so proud! I can't wait to race again with everyone. Charissa Odom finished in 2:41, Marc Trucano finished in 2:45, and Becky made it in at 2:58!  -JT

Marc, JT & Charissa

Not bad for JT's first Tri of the year.



JT & his wife Becky

Shoes!!
 

 

Race Behind Bars part 2

Race report Mike Wilson:

This past Sunday I   participated in this race, which is held on the grounds of the Folsom State Prison, along the American River. I raced in the Clydesdale division, which seems to be growing lately, as I had 11 riders in my group, and a few more who DNS/DNF.  The course is a 5.5. mile affair, with a mix of single track, Fire road and some trails that are closed the rest of the year, as this race is held on the property of the State Prison. There is not a lot of climbing, aprox 600 feet per lap, and nothing real big. Our group did 3 laps.

For me the race started off quickly, as I was able to get to the front and made it into the first singletrack downhill section in the lead of my group. This descent comes out onto a fire road that leads to the first climb. My goal here was to drive the pace and try and get a gap on the rest of the field, which I was able to do with the exception of “Mike The Pool Man” who is something of a local favorite in this area, (his house is right outside the gate of the racecourse)

On the first lap, Mike the Pool man followed me and was just marking my pace. I knew I was in a little trouble, as he was wanting to have a conversation to catch up on what had happened in the past year since we last raced, how’s the wife and kids, he told me his birthday was coming up (he will be 50) I see you got a new bike, No I can’t race the rockhopper, (will be hung over from the Birthday party) The point of all this was he was doing all the talking, my answers were limited to “yes, (Gasp!)”  and “No,  (Gasp!)”  Meanwhile, he was chatting like we were out for a Sunday ride…  We were able to gap the 3rd place rider, (my Friend from Vacaville, Larry St. John) by 2 minutes or so but about halfway thru the 2nd lap I had to let Mike go, I just was not able to hold his pace. I kept pushing as best as I could, and despite a small washout crash I did not have any problems, and I was able to bring it in second place for the day.

I did see that Leslie was down about halfway thru the last lap, and she did appear banged up, but she had help with her and I knew she would be OK.

All in all a good day- with the exception of Leslie’s injuries everybody was good, we had a nice turnout for the team and everybody had a good time. Thanks to Brandy for being there to hand up bottles and to cheer us on!  -Mike

 

Race report by Ellen Wilson:

Hi all!

So I too raced this past Sunday at Folsom. Mike had signed me up as a beginner however I decided before Race time to put my big girl pants on and move up so I ended up racing Sport class my very first one of course that included racing Leslie and also meant 3 laps of racing not 2. I started out pretty good the reverse course was I think much better than last year I was able to pass a couple ladies go figure on a climb :-) . So in short I finished in 5th place out of 9 riders so for me I was happy of course I had to go see where I would have ended up in the beginners race I would have been 1st or 2nd but I will get there again I just have to work harder in this Sport Class! Thanks to all my Teammates who raced and supported and to Brandy and Cole who were there for water hand offs!   -Ellen

 

Race Report by Danny Sullivan:

A whole lot of fun! The race started off fairly fast, I couldn't seem to get to the front of the pack before we got to the single track so I conserved a little bit of energy and hit the longer climb a little harder. I passed several guys in my group on the first lap and I tried to keep the speed up to the single track to the forest where we got a little slowed down. After the climb on the second lap I tried to pass as many as I could but by then I couldn't tell if they were in my group or not anymore...so I just hit it as hard as I could and ended up with 10th place finish. It was great fun with a great showing by team Velo Wrench!  - Danny.

Cole getting ready for his race.

Cole on the start line

Danny mid race.

Danny powering up a steep little climb

It was warm out, Danny tossing an empty bottle

Ellen powering up the little climb

Ellen mid race

Ellen got to hand ribbons out to all the kids in the Kids Race

Greg powering over the top of that punchy little climb

Greg mid Race

Jeannie, Ellen, Greg and Leslie post race, keeping cool in the shade.

Kurtis off the start line

Kurtis waiting to race

Leslie at the start of the short climb

Leslie lap 1

Leslie and Ellen on the start line

Mike 3rd place!!

Leslie had a bit of a tough race, she went down on her 2nd lap.  Good news, she is ok, and has been healing well.  Lots of scrapes, cuts and bruises...and that is about it.  Here is what she looked like the day of the race: