Ok, the fact of the matter is that I genuinely wish I could do some proper updates here at "Ebert Checks In", but it ain't gonna happen for a while.
My grandmother's ill and moved in at my parents' house on August 13th (the Monday before Downer's Grove). I moved (back) in on the same day to help out. She's keeping us busy.
I'll shoot out an e-mail to family, friends and the club once I'm back at the Blogging helm.
8.30.2007
8.27.2007
8.25.2007
Powerless
And no, I'm not referring to a pensive performance at Downers Grove... =
Powers been out since Thursday. Back online soon, I hope.
(sent from handheld)
8.21.2007
Downer's Report Teaser
Josh rode like a stud to stay top 10 pretty much the ENTIRE race, and second is definitely something to be proud of.
8.18.2007
Downer's Grove Pro Prediction
Preidction for a winner? Hardly. I won't go that far. Besides, I'm still riding the coattails of my pick for Stuey at Paris-Roubaix (not a doubt in my mind after his early season form).
No, I'm predicting a major crash late on Sunday. The way things have gone this year (Athens, Charlotte), I think it's really gonna be stupid this time.
But one caveat: if the HealthNet train is clicking on all cylinders, then everyone stays upright as they gasp for Pipp and Menzies wheel.
No, I'm predicting a major crash late on Sunday. The way things have gone this year (Athens, Charlotte), I think it's really gonna be stupid this time.
But one caveat: if the HealthNet train is clicking on all cylinders, then everyone stays upright as they gasp for Pipp and Menzies wheel.
8.16.2007
Catchup
Sorry for no updates in a week. The ABD taxes were due on Wednesday and I finally wrapped up and posted the details for the 2007 Fall Fling.
The biggest change this year is that we've given the Cat 3 guys their own prize lists, so hopefully we'll see more of them on lining up, or maybe even some of those fast Cat 4 men will take the plunge and upgrade. Of course, with all the ABR Rider of the Year Points still to be decided riders might not want to upgrade until the season's over. [NOTE: The ROTY points are also the reason we (the ABD Board) couldn't pull off our planned AM4 split field. We were hoping to hold both "under 30" and "over 30" Cat 4 men races, but too many riders are gunning for those points and they can't be awarded if we split the field.]
Now on to news from the front line of racing...
The Elk Grove race was not as "stoopid" as I expected and most riders behaved themselves. However, the course makes this race kinda dumb... and boring. Please, promoters of Elk Grove, change it up! The 180 degree turns kill the pace so badly. There has to be a way to "lollipop" the course into the neighborhood for a block or two, thus eliminating the 180's but keeping the field racing up and down the boulevard for the spectators. Luke over at Chicago Bike Racing opened up a discussion on the event -- be sure to chime in with your thoughts.
Fortunately, our man Josh Carter did't let a boring race course keep him from making some money. Carter nabbed two $500 primes and finished third after Jeff Schroetlin laid down an "Extended Play" leadout. Everyone was content to let GP man the front for the last few laps, but unfortunately it wasn't fast enough to keep the rest of the field from boxing each other in. We moved to the front on the last lap, but since Jeff and Josh couldn't get on my wheel I just ended up moving the field to one side of the road so that those two could get out of trouble. That meant Jeff was on the front as the only lead out guy with over 1 kilometer to go... but he's the sort of masochist who likes that thing.
The $4,000 winner's check in Elk Grove was certainly the biggest Amateur-only pay day of the year, but it doesn't really compare to this weekend's US National Championship. The win at Downer's is something special. Hope to see you there.
The biggest change this year is that we've given the Cat 3 guys their own prize lists, so hopefully we'll see more of them on lining up, or maybe even some of those fast Cat 4 men will take the plunge and upgrade. Of course, with all the ABR Rider of the Year Points still to be decided riders might not want to upgrade until the season's over. [NOTE: The ROTY points are also the reason we (the ABD Board) couldn't pull off our planned AM4 split field. We were hoping to hold both "under 30" and "over 30" Cat 4 men races, but too many riders are gunning for those points and they can't be awarded if we split the field.]
Now on to news from the front line of racing...
The Elk Grove race was not as "stoopid" as I expected and most riders behaved themselves. However, the course makes this race kinda dumb... and boring. Please, promoters of Elk Grove, change it up! The 180 degree turns kill the pace so badly. There has to be a way to "lollipop" the course into the neighborhood for a block or two, thus eliminating the 180's but keeping the field racing up and down the boulevard for the spectators. Luke over at Chicago Bike Racing opened up a discussion on the event -- be sure to chime in with your thoughts.
Fortunately, our man Josh Carter did't let a boring race course keep him from making some money. Carter nabbed two $500 primes and finished third after Jeff Schroetlin laid down an "Extended Play" leadout. Everyone was content to let GP man the front for the last few laps, but unfortunately it wasn't fast enough to keep the rest of the field from boxing each other in. We moved to the front on the last lap, but since Jeff and Josh couldn't get on my wheel I just ended up moving the field to one side of the road so that those two could get out of trouble. That meant Jeff was on the front as the only lead out guy with over 1 kilometer to go... but he's the sort of masochist who likes that thing.
The $4,000 winner's check in Elk Grove was certainly the biggest Amateur-only pay day of the year, but it doesn't really compare to this weekend's US National Championship. The win at Downer's is something special. Hope to see you there.
8.08.2007
From Elgin to Elk Grove
Ugh. The Elgin race didn't go so well for me. My fitness allows me to go pretty hard... but then I have no endurance to recover from those big efforts. Schroetlin ended up 5th, which is solid, but far from the podium we'd want at a home-town race and a far cry from the ABD sweep of '05.
Being down two guys (Carter & Sharon) didn't help either, but all hands will be on deck for this weekend's Cat 1/2 only, $17,500 race in Elk Grove.
It's gonna be stoopid.
Being down two guys (Carter & Sharon) didn't help either, but all hands will be on deck for this weekend's Cat 1/2 only, $17,500 race in Elk Grove.
It's gonna be stoopid.
8.05.2007
The August Crits Begin
The Chicago area is a great place to be in August if your a rider. Every weekend there are great races with good money within an hour of home. We can just throw a bike in the car (sans overnight bag), race hard, either eat at a favorite local restaurants or have a home-cooked meal in our actual homes... and then sleep in our own bed. Heck, there's even time to catch up on some household chores (or update a blog...)
After making it through about seven Superweek races my fitness is coming around enough that I can have a good time and make a little money in these local events. There's still the occasional tenderness where they cut me and a sharp stab when I do sit-ups, but it's all pretty manageable.
Yesterday at the Grayslake Cycling Classic I played the aggressive card off the line long enough for Jeff to get in a break of eight guys with one of our "not-quite teammates", and from then on my job was pretty easy. Little accelerations in a little gear to cover moves, and then trying to set-up the guys for the win. A crash on the back side of the course foiled our plans and a shot at the win, but it was still a pretty good day as Jeff finished 4th and I won a prime for a $80 bottle of Benziger 2004 Tribute.
Of course, with the Elgin Cycling Classic today I decided let the wine age at least one more day.
After making it through about seven Superweek races my fitness is coming around enough that I can have a good time and make a little money in these local events. There's still the occasional tenderness where they cut me and a sharp stab when I do sit-ups, but it's all pretty manageable.
Yesterday at the Grayslake Cycling Classic I played the aggressive card off the line long enough for Jeff to get in a break of eight guys with one of our "not-quite teammates", and from then on my job was pretty easy. Little accelerations in a little gear to cover moves, and then trying to set-up the guys for the win. A crash on the back side of the course foiled our plans and a shot at the win, but it was still a pretty good day as Jeff finished 4th and I won a prime for a $80 bottle of Benziger 2004 Tribute.
Of course, with the Elgin Cycling Classic today I decided let the wine age at least one more day.
8.02.2007
Catch Up
The past five days of blog silence have been brought to you by:
-Superweek: Downer Avenue is definitely the best criterium in America.
-A Squirrel: It went kamikaze style, ended up in my Dad's spokes, and Dad ended up in the hospital for a night.
-Columbia St. Mary's Columbia: aforementioned hospital. Great staff, but no public wi-fi.
-Rosa: the lovely lady's in town to break up this 7-week stint I'm away from home, so we're running around, having fun.
-The 1st-placed Chicago Cubs: Rosa and I are bringing out our inner-beacher-bum today.
Let's get some runs!
-Superweek: Downer Avenue is definitely the best criterium in America.
-A Squirrel: It went kamikaze style, ended up in my Dad's spokes, and Dad ended up in the hospital for a night.
-Columbia St. Mary's Columbia: aforementioned hospital. Great staff, but no public wi-fi.
-Rosa: the lovely lady's in town to break up this 7-week stint I'm away from home, so we're running around, having fun.
-The 1st-placed Chicago Cubs: Rosa and I are bringing out our inner-beacher-bum today.
Let's get some runs!
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