Fairhill and Schooley Mill

Dear Reader,

Two races for me this weekend, with the simple goal of riding cleanly, not crashing or break anything. Kind of a tall order considering the voodoo curse I have been racing under for the past few weeks...

Fairhill was a fun course, I made the initial split at the end of lap one, an at the end of lap 2 I was in with the group of guys I wanted to be racing. The course was really fun, save for the one long climb which busted my ass every lap. I know it wasn't half the lap, but in my mind I would break down loop into the climb, and the rest of the course. I was happy with my ride, had a couple of chances to pick up a spot or two the last two laps, but couldn't seal the deal and I  rode in solo. I did pit on the last lap, as the rear tire washed out on one of the off cambers and I wigged out a bit. In the end it was fine, but with the luck I have had recently, I took a bike to be safe... Thanks to Blake and Monkey for pitting for me...

monk put in a solid ride Saturday too!

Sunday was the single speed race down at Schooley Mill. Auer and Esmonde were off the front. Four of us were left to battle for the other spots on the podium. With two to go Clark was up in third and almost clear, followed by Dimitri the 17 year old wunderkind, Chris (from Bicycle Outfitters)  and me.  I tried to work with Chris a bit, but he wasn't really having any of it. Anytime I went to the front, he'd charge back around. He must have really hated my lines. After burning a couple of matches unsuccessfully attacking him, I sat in on his wheel.

Final lap, I  was sitting 6th through the barriers, pretty much resigned to sprinting for 5th.  Up a quick roller I looked around Chris and see  Dimitri the wunderkind coming back to us. I punched it around Chris and carried my momentum past Dimitri. I kept the gas on across the off camber section, and as I hit the asphalt with 300 uphill meters to go, I saw Clark. He had no idea we were there. I jumped hard. I was closing in, and with 50 meters or so to go Clark heard us and jumped to sprint. Dimitri had jumped to my wheel, and my sprint was almost over. The three of us came to the line, Clark 3rd, Dimitri the wunderkind, and me in 5th...  I'll debate whether I should have just watched the wunderkind, and wait to sprint at a more reasonable distance or if going for Clark was the right move, but either way I was stoked to (1) not break anything and (2) to  have a rad race.

Weekend was a pretty outstanding one, got to see lots of teammates, and I was stoked to race well both days. The season rolls on...

A few BTW's:
1. New Bond movie is rad.
2. Brett and Steevo are excellent house guests. It was rad having them stay with us this weekend...
3. I have a midterm tomorrow, I need to study now, and stop blogging...

thanks for reading...

respect
fatmarc

pictures from Dennisbike.com, Jen Tillman, and Jen Sears

School and Politics

School rambles on at a hearty pace. Midterm exam coming up on Monday. My last class for 2012.  Feels good to say that. I’ve been studying a lot. Managerial Finance has been very interesting, and I really like the professor. We missed a class because of the super storm and the last session was rushed. I’ll admit that’s got me a little worried. I’ve been working the problems a ton. I can do them frontwards and back. One set however is breaking me. I understand the concept, and do lower level problems, but pulling together the long term retirement plan, with multiple cash flows and combined TMV functions, I am failing.

I have reached out to the professor, I haven’t heard back from him. I don’t think I’ll be able to make it into his office hours until Monday. Yeah, a few hours before the exam. It’ll work out. I’m sure if I can walk through a couple of problems, I’ll make it work.

Okay, here’s my election analysis.  The red guys tricked themselves into believing that everyone who listens to Rush, Hannity and Fox News believed exactly what they do, felt what they do. I have to admit, I listen to Rush- I don’t really believe he believes half the shit that comes out of his mouth. On the other side, the blue guys were much more open to a much broader and diverse set of views, set of who was under the tent.  It just feels like they reflect the makeup of our country so much more so. That’s why I feel like the blue guys won. FWIW Nate Silver is probably living the best life in the world right now.

Okay, last time I talk politics here, Maddow kinda nailed it here:

God Bless America.

Best to you all.

Respect

fm

Cycle Smart International and other 70's Sitcoms

Dear Readers,

I apologize that about a month ago, I didn't tell you about my trip to Hawaii. I was able to get a deal on a trip with my neighbors the Bradys.

When I was with the Bradys I found this bad-ass tikki necklace.I put it right on and since then I have had the weirdest luck.

Comes to find out this sweet little tikki is cursed and brings bad luck to anyone who wears it. It would seem that I have been snake bitten.

let's just say the first two laps of my race followed a familiar theme of recent weeks insert dropped chain and pulling rear wheel out of drop out. I have to be honest, I was pretty much ready to head to the beer tent to drown my sorrows, when my buddy GEWILLI passes and says, "race yourself back into it..."

fartecus had a pretty good day...

Taylor "girled" a lot of boys to this spot!

And so I did. Diane has often asked me why I love the CSI race and the Look Park course so much. It's because it's really two kinds of races. Two challenging run ups to the upper section, an upper section that is technical and twisty, and a lower section that is straight up power and group riding. So the last four laps of the race went like this: attack the run ups, be aggressive on the top, pop guys off of my group and or jump to the next group... Get to the barriers and then find a wheel and get in the drops and bleed out my eyes to hang on. Repeat. Just like the last four times I have done this race, I came the final stretch with a group. I won the sprint, and while my result was 5-10 spots back from where I wanted to be, I was actually pretty happy with my effort. I like the CSI course because it forces me to race tactically, it forces me draft and use all my power, at the same time not throwing out all the technical skills that are my strongest suit. I never mind sprinting at the end of a race either to be honest... I felt good about my race.

Craig railing it...

sucking wheel...

Saturday night was a great time at my brother's, as we were joined by Tom, Bad Kat, Benny, L-Web, Jeffy, Monk, and Jess. It was fun. I didn't sleep well Saturday night. I have to be honest I stressed out all night about not being able to get gas from southern Connecticut to Delaware. NJ and NY where hit by the storm badly, and going up, there we passed lines of folks waiting for gas literally 1 mile long. Southern Jersey was okay, and we topped off on the way up. Coming home there would be a ban on cars with even number plates getting gas. Yeah. All night I was trying figure out where to get gas on 84, how many miles I could make in the car, and would Diane and I  end up a victim of the Great Humogous in some Mad Max Post Apocalypse event stranded on the side of the Jersey Turnpike.

Photos taken on the NJ Turnpike Friday Morning

Morning came and I was sick to my stomach with frankly stress. I decided not to start Sunday's race. I have to say  I have had a number of times in my life where I was at a race, but didn't race. There has always been some pangs of desire to be out there. Today, I had no such pangs, and frankly further cementing my decision was the right one. I'll hang the bikes up for a couple of days, spend some time focusing on school and get back to it next week. With the Evil Tikki back at it's proper resting place in the cave on the Big Island, I expect some good fortune to finally come back around my way...

BTW, I got gas just before getting on 684, and worked the tank to average 33 mph, and made it home easily and with no issues. I felt good to have a little more than a half tank getting on the turnpike with 80 miles to go to get home... Stomach finally felt better at that point.... Yeah, I'm a little OCD what can I say...

thanks for reading...

respect
fatmarc

Hurricane Sandy

meant too much of this:

Thankfully we got off pretty much unscathed. Hope everyone made out as well, and best wished for those who didn't...

respect
faticus

no moral victories

Dear Faithful Reader,

HPCX
Monk rode well in a very deep field. strong ride, battled hard. Was proud of her. Despite landing on the dick spot points wise, it was a very solid ride for her. She was pleased. I think she'll take a break next weekend to recharge a bit for the final push. Good on her.

okay that's pretty damn funny.

For me, I wrapped up the worst three weeks of my season. Three weeks of good legs and results below the effort. Frustrating. Cross results score plummeting.   Apparently no good deed goes unpunished. I'm  pretty much done with that. Time to make a withdrawal from the Karma bank. #sillybikeracingmeanseverything.

that's all I have to say about that.

thanks for reading.

respect
vanderbacon

Friday Morning Picture and me trying to win a contest

Fartecus in action

Plus it would be rad to win a Shimano group.  So please click here.

Been a while since I whored out the blog. I was due.

have a great weekend

respect
fatmarc

DCCX- Nachos make everything better...

Dear Reader,

You know, I should have known I was in trouble when messing around with my niece  I picked her up, and slammed her face into the tailgate of Craig's car. I should known I was bound to have some bad luck this  day...

My race was the  single speed race with over 55 riders, and what was by far the most stacked single speed field I have raced with. I was excited and feeling good. I got a good start, and kept the leaders in sight. Sean was trying to pound the field into submission off the gun. I was content to sit in on the tail-end of  the front group. Midway through the second lap things were starting to break into groups, I felt freaking rock star. I stood made it to the group in front of me, and half a lap later found myself closing in on a big group of 45+ers, and clear of my two single speed compatriots.  Then it happened : heading towards the GI track section, down one of the rollers, I bottomed out my rear wheel, and it went flat. I got to the pit, half lap away, and the tire was off the rim... Greg Wittwer helped me pit, and I was off chasing. Too many had gotten by, and while I still put in a super solid ride, I can't help feeling I left something on the table today....
BL.AH... Congrats to Auer for a hard fought Victory on this day...

As bad as my luck was, Diane's was worse.
Historically, Diane has had good rides at DCCX. Never good starting position, but good rides. This year, she was in the 3rd row (her best starting spot ever), and off quickly. Sadly, one of her compatriots was a little aggressive, bumped into her, and then into another, and then the two hit the deck. Monkey, locked it up and skidded to a start just avoiding getting taking down. As the entire field sped by, Monk put her nose to the grind stone and took off.  Sadly, on the cobbles,  she flatted a tubular. She limped into the pit, and without the best PMA. She took the pit bike and headed back out on course, where she picked up few spots, but was clearly disappointed. I was bummed for her...

Luckily, Craig brought in a great day for the Vanderbacons. Craig visting from the motherland was in the 35+ 3 race.  Craig got a good start rode into a nice group of 5. Slowly the group whittled down to two dudes on the final lap. The two of them came into the final stretch together, where Craig lost a close sprint.... It was a super solid ride, and it was really fun to watch...

Congrats to DCCX for another super fun event,  Monk and my bad races aside.

I will admit that the ride home was a little quiet. Followed by a heavy sigh. Then maybe some f-bombs. Then maybe a few minutes of silence, followed by "rat bastards..." followed by more silence...

When we hit Baltimore, we decided to get some nachos, and close out the day on a positive. Even better, we remembered that the great thing about cross is that next week, we get to do it again, and have better rides...

I am totally stoked with the unveiling of C3's annual  Halloween kit, of course inspired by La Vie Claire

Shea Rocking the halloween kit

or as Diane has called it, "the come on get happy suit" inspired by the Partridge Family

Great seeing so many teammates and friends today.

thanks for reading my bitching...

respect
vanderbacon

Picture Pages

Seneca Creek Cyclocross

Robert G put on this first year event as Seneca Creek State Park in Gaitherburgh, Maryland as part of the SportifCup series. The race was really fun. Course was twisty and put a premium on bike handling, and with 4 dismounts a lap, was thankfully no grass crit! I've only done a few Sportif Races, but a common theme is that they are low key, well organized events. They aren't as grand in scale as the MAC, NECX, or Super 8, but the three races I have been to all offer a nice race, in a low key environment. Pretty much exactly what we were looking for this weekend.

After Holy Week, let me tell you, a  low key local race was very welcomed.

I raced single speed this week, because it's fun, and while I love my Blues, the old Fort still has a little magic in it when I ride it. It's also nice to mix up the competition a bit.  I started a little stronger than I should have, a last second decision on the lines.  Last second changes to strategy never seem to work out for me. I tried to pressure Sean from crosshairs a bit, not sure I succeeded in that, but we I tried. Through the sandpits, I was passed by two riders (chad and chris), and I tucked in behind them, as Sean opened up a small gap. Yup, drafting in a single speed race. Then I flatted.

yup, flatted at the end of the first lap, ran 1/3 of the lap to the pit, got a wheel, and started chase from DFL.
As I ran around the course got a lot of support from folks watching. That was pretty cool. I hit the pit, and just went as hard as I could to get a work out, and pull back as many spots as I could. Playing with house money if you will. I finished exhausted, and pleased. It was a good day for me.

Diane lined up with 15 other cat 3 women. She didn't have a rock star start, but battled into a nice group. She would trade positions through out sections of the course with a couple of riders, battling for 6-8 place. On the final lap, she put in a nice attack and shed one of her compatriots through the sandpit. The Bikelane woman latched on to Monk's wheel and did a great job sitting in on her. In the final stretch, BikeLane jumped her in the sprint. Diane finished a really strong ride. It was a nice day, and best of all, it was great to be home in the early evening and sleeping in our own beds Saturday night...

Been studying a ton, getting ready for my ECON Final on Tuesday night...

thanks for reading.

respect
fatmarc

thanks to Jen and Nick Sears for the pictures.

Rubber Meets the Road...

Okay, Okay, Okay, I admit perhaps during my recent pilgrimage to NECX I may not have given the time and attention to my studies that I should have. My final for ECON 642 is next week, and while I'm not where I need to be yet, I will be by next Tuesday.  I'll thank Layla for the early wake up call and extra study time this morning. I'm not saying I have a spread sheet that shows exactly what score I need to pull down the A, but I'm not denying it's existence either.

Bob Reuther and the West Chester Cross guys are putting on a race in a couple of weeks. I wish it was on Saturday of that week, but heck it's going to be put on by a great group of guys, and a great event. Bob asked that I spread the love a bit .  More information can be found here.

remember marginal cost equals marginal revenue....

respect
fatmarc