February 18 - Pine Flat Road Race
Race info

Results

Pictures:
Peter Lanik, Central Valley Cycling

Reports:
Lee Shuemake, Pacific State Bank/Anderson Homes/Delta Velo, 
Damian Gonzalez, Pacific State Bank/Anderson Homes/Delta Velo 

Pine Flat Road Race Elite 4

Report by Lee Shuemake

Ahh.. early season suffering, good times. Damian and I had a pretty good day. Race started out really slow, no real action until the race hit the middle flat section. There were a few riders attempt to go off the front in the first 20 miles with no success. Damian talked with another team about getting a break going and we found two willing riders from the Berkly club. I attacked off the front with about 25 miles to go and was joined by this berkly rider, we sat out front for a couple minutes but at that point realized the field was not gonna let us go anywhere. Once we were pulled back in, Damian and the other teammate attacked together with about the same success.. time to settle in and wait for the big climbs.

I felt I had a better chance of getting a break going earlier in the race when I unintentionally pulled a couple of guys off the front with me, but they were unwilling to pull through and it came back together.
If you have raced Pine Flat, then you know after you take the last right hand turn the race really begins. For some reason, my legs had been feeling terrible all day. I contemplated just sitting up and letting everyone go, figured I was out gunned as we still had everyone with us which was 30-35 riders. I decided to stick it out until the first big climb and see what happened.

To my surprise, there were alot of guys hurting more than I was. First climb is 8-12 percent, guessing between a half mile and a mile in distance. I rolled over the top with the top 10, eventually ended up with 13 guys for the final climb of 1k. The attacks started at this point and I couldn't respond. Cruised in for 13th, probably 30 seconds down to the winner. Damian rolled in best of the rest a few minutes later.

Overall, very happy with my day. I can see how close I am to the top couple of guys from here.

I guess it's time to actually start doing some intervals...climbing at 184 bpm when I rarely see 170 out on my training rides isn't gonna work. I'm hoping racing every weekend is gonna help.. on to snelling, a race that fits my abilities more.

-Lee

Pine Flat Road Race Elite 4

Report by Damian Gonzalez

Lesson learned: time your pee breaks properly and do it towards the front.

Photo by Peter Lanik © 2007

After the attacks w/ Berkeley that Lee mentioned, the group wanted to do a pee stop. But with a few riders unwilling, the pace stayed slow and guys had a bathroom break while on the bike. My bladder was about to explode so I decided to go for it. I was way off the back but the pace was so slow I thought I would get back on. Well they picked it up and I did catch back on after 15-20 min of chasing. I got back on at the start of the bigger climbs and the pace picked up and with no chance to recover from my chase, I was dropped on the first long climb. After decending the first climb and with a chance to recover I felt better and came in ahead of our group of five that were dropped as well, good for 14th place.
I guess I better learn my Cat 4 bathroom skills.
-Damian

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