Crystal Ride 2012

So last year, in 2011, the event that made me decide to start taking this biking thing seriously was the Air Force Cycling Classic. Somehow or another, I convinced the CEO of my company to sponsor a Team entry in the Crystal Ride. I got a group of six riders together, organized some training rides, got a full kit made, and managed to raise more money than any other corporate team! We did great last year, and of course had to do it again this year. 

This year, Team GC Velo (Gibbs & Cox Maritime Solutions), did an even job. For the second year in a row, we were the leading fundraiser (helped by a generous 1 for 1 corporate match) and, according to the results, we came in second in the corporate lap race to none other thank LMCO. 

4 riders (myself included) completed 7 laps (105 KM) inside the time limit (3.5 hours)! This includes a guy who's ridden seriously for about a month! The other two riders managed the full Gold Medal level 6 laps (90 KM) inside the time limit! That's a team mileage total of 600KM!!!!! 

I couldn't help but cop the Lance VII when I was finishing up my seventh lap. I know it was douchetastic. 

The ride was great, hot but not oppressive (and being the boy scout that I am, I had ICE SOCKS in my cooler in the corporate tent). Nick Bradford (NCVC, also rides for GC Velo in this event) kept reminding me to stop pulling (as we were towing about 80 riders behind us for 3 or 4 laps! 

DAMMIT JOHN! STOP PULLING!!!!!!!

HERE is my garmin data, just cause YOU KNOW you want to see it!

Like Mr. Pickett said... RIDE SALLY RIDE

Saturday was the first Crit of the year for me, and I'd like to take this chance to thank WWVC for putting on a very smooth race. As I had been informed, the course is FLAT, WIDE, and SAFE (a rare combination these days in MABRA land it seems). The first thing I noticed was all the NCVC riders.. (I think I counted 8, but I could be mistaken).

Rights reserved - Craig DuBois photographer

Well, the race was short, fast, and relatively calm. The first 3 - 4 laps were really quite fast, and the pack got really strung out and people started to pop off the back (not me for a change!). After that it settled into a stable, albeit reasonably brisk, pace. As you'd expect about 3 laps to go the pace started to pick up and people started throwing attacks off the front. I was near the back of the field and not in a position to attack, so I just rode on home with a sprint for a few more places just because the road was a million feet wide!

Final resutls? 25 of 46

NCVC won, what a shocker..

People who need to get upgraded!

A few weeks ago now, I decided to ride in the Greenbelt training race (hmm.. 5/23/2012 was the exact date). After getting thoroughly exploded by the crew racing in the "C" race, I was really, really, upset and really thought about hanging up the bike for the season.

Then I used the USA Cycling website to learn a few things about the folks who"podiumed" . 

First Place Matt Mcloone  (License #380188)

Okay, this 26 year old dude has entered 2 races (both Greenbelt) and placed 3rd in his first race, and 1st in second start. Who wins their 2nd start, ever? I hate this guy. Upgrade him fast!

Second Place Henry Tragle (License #375346)

This guy is my age at least (36), but only has this one start on his record. 2nd place in his 1st start. I hate this guy even more. If he wins or places highly in his next start, get him the hell outta here!

Third Place David Miller (License #375653) 

So, this 29 year old at least has a few starts. He's done Greenbelt a few times, All American, Walton Park and Wintergreen... wait wait.. did I see that right, he was 1st place in Cat 5 @ Wintergreen? Let's pull the string here.. he completed the wintergreen ascent in 36:50.8?!?!?!? That's REALLY FAST! That's... like.. wow..  the 7th fastest time this year, including the Pro's!!!!!! UPGRADE!

So, I still am crushed that I got crushed.. but at least these folks should end up in the 1's or 2's soon..... 

Ah racing. So bad at it. But I love it so much!

Gravel. Suckage.

Today was Poolesville. Today was bad for me. Everything felt pretty okay on the first lap, but as the second lap started I "decided" to keep my own pace, not try to stay on with group, expecting that I would pick some time back up on the Gravel (I've been blasting a lot of gravel lately) and in the hills when things tend to bunch back up. Then I rode into the ditch @ the gravel entrance and had to wait for the Women's 3/4 to pass me before I could get back to moving (I'd guess that alone cost me 2 minutes). By then end, I started to feel like I might have been able to catch back on, had I not ended up in the ditch... but.... the DITCH. At least I stayed upright when I rode off the road!!!!

Oh well.. life is good. I finished, with a group (if not the group), and I am not ashamed of my performance. Additionally my awesome wife and extracute daughter were there to cheer for me.

Now I just need to find out what my actually finishing position was.. if they even counted it!!!!

Beers tonight.

Amended with Results: 39th of 49 starters. Ugh. I would like to toss a thank you out to Chas Ryan (Potomac Velo), who worked with me to catch back on to the bigger group in front of us. Next time you see me @ a race, I'll have an extra beer in the Cooler, just for you.

Carl Dolan

Okay, so this is way freaking late.. but I only decided to start this blog today... so  ;-)... content generator ON!.

So, Carl Dolan 2012.

First off. Well organized race. Nice folks, good course, sponsors. A guy with a mic working the crowd, and plenty of great folks.

Race Highlights: It was short. Fast, and I was doing alright. I over-reacted out of the last time through the only corner on the course, and as such blew up a bit on the rise before the finishing strait. Right after I got to the top, someone crossed the seam in the pavement, wobbled, made contact with someone else, and ... CARBON BOOM! I think 4 - 5 people went down, but all I really know is that I missed it.

I missed it, but I saw it. FUN was not had by all. I rode in 19th, and found that vaguely satisfactory. My major goal was to avoid the droppage that I suffered last year @ Luray / Page Valley, and I managed that.

Notes for others: The only gripe I have is that the ref's allowed a dude (obviously a tri-guy) to ride in Cat 5 on Hed 3 spoke aero rims (specifically not allowed by UCI in mass start rides). Not only was the tri-guy a little.... how to say this nicely.. attacky.... but also a bit... affected by winds and such. The reason these things aren't allowed in mass starts is because they are tricky in breeze. Next time, I'd be much happier if he got DQ'd or told to grab his training wheels (I bet he's got Ksyriums just like everyone else....)

Anyway, I was pleased.

Kicking it off.

Hi Reader(s)

I started this blog so I can find a damn team and stop calling myself unnattached!!!! I will post updates, event writeups, and (of course) links to good stuff from other blogs / media / videos as well. Once I have dominated the Cat5 scene in Mabraland (I winked when I said that), I am sure you will all be sad that you missed out having my awesomeness on your team!!!!

So really, here's a little micro biography.

Name: John McConnell
Occupation: Naval Architect
Location: Alexandria., Virginia
Marital Status: Married with toddler (2.5 years)
College: YES - MICHIGAN! GO BLUE!
Hometown: Austin Texas


Vital Stats:

Finishing 19th @ Carl Dolan 2012

Racing Age: 37
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 84 Kilos (13 Stone)
Category: Cat5 road
Training Plan: Unfocused. Right now I am just trying to keep the wheels going round. Averaging about 100 miles a week.
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Force), Lemond Poprad Cross (Rival) and one very old Specialized Stumpjumper frankencommuter (Steel! 7 speed XT! RIGID! WOO!!)

USA Cycling Standings:
(I make no attempt to understand these rankings)


ROAD RACE CAT 5 STANDINGS (as of 5/3/2012)
Rank in your zip code (22302): 1 of 1 (So there are no other Cat5's in my zip! I am still #1! )
Rank in your state (VA): 14 of 115 (12.17%)
Rank in your riding age (37): 16 of 122 (13.11%)
Rank in 5 year age range: (35-39) 57 of 603 (9.45%)
Rank in 10 year age range: (30-39) 103 of 1122 (9.18%)
Overall Rank: 539 of 4696 (11.48%)


Results and Planned Events

2012  Season
8/19/2012 - Dawg Days Circuit Race (planned)
7/14/2012 - Giro Di Coppi (planned)
7/1/2012 - Luray Criterium (planned)
6/30/2012 - Tour of Page County Road Race (planned)
6/10/2012 - Crystal Ride (planned)

6/2/2012 - Ride Sally Ride Criterium (CAT5, 25 of 46 Pack Finish)
5/23/2012 - Greenbelt Training Race (CAT5, 20th of 24.. David Miller scares me)
5/12/2012 - Poolesville Road Race (CAT5, 39th)
4/21/2012 - All American Road Race (Masters 35+ Cat 5, 31st)
4/15/2012 - Carl Dolan Memorial  (Cat 5A, 19th)


2011 Season
8/7/2011 - Luray Criterium (Cat5 DNF. Second worst day ever)
8/6/2011 - Page Valley Road Race (Cat5 DNF. Worst day ever)
8/5/2011 - Showdown at Shenandoah Speedway (Cat5, 8th .. of 9)
7/27/2011 - Greenbelt Training Race (Cat5, 14th)
7/13/2011 - Greenbelt Training Race (Cat5, 11th)
6/29/2011 - Greenbelt Training Race (Cat5, 18th)
6/25/2011 - Reston Grand Prix (Cat5, 30th)
6/12/2011 - Crystal Ride (Team GC Velo, completed 8 Laps / 100KM)