Here's a breakdown of the team's results:
KOM 1 time | KOM 2 time | Combined time | KOM 1 Overall | KOM 2 Overall | Overall Rank | KOM 1 by age group | KOM 2 by age group | |
Shannon | 36:55.57 | 37:41.35 | 1:14:36.92 | 20 | 22 | 19 | 3 | 3 |
Noah | 38:11.21 | 40:53.78 | 1:19:04.99 | 24 | 47 | 29 | 6 | 11 |
Vince | 39:08.84 | 41:23.19 | 1:20:32.03 | 31 | 56 | 37 | 7 | 13 |
Todd | 39:53.66 | 41:42.37 | 1:21:36.03 | 42 | 62 | 39 | 6 | 11 |
Richard | 39:55.46 | 42:19.65 | 1:22:15.11 | 43 | 70 | 42 | 7 | 13 |
Paul | 43:08.18 | 45:18.10 | 1:28:26.28 | 86 | 111 | 83 | 17 | 20 |
Verm | 43:24.33 | 46:37.62 | 1:30:01.95 | 91 | 133 | 96 | 15 | 16 |
Eddie | 50:50.25 | 57:57.72 | 1:48:47.97 | 281 | 406 | 311 | 53 | 80 |
Mitchell | 47:22.72 | 1:04:30.08 | 1:51:52.80 | 184 | 580 | 359 | 36 | 116 |
Again, keep in mind that the above reflects the results based on guys who have jobs, trains in lieu of lunches on occasion and on a weekend day, and are not paid (yet) to ride unlike the pros, retired pros, and other CAT racers participating in this event. Excellent results by all.
Weather-wise, there was a mixture of cool air, winds (especially on East Fork), and fairly warm temperatures to keep things interesting. Earlier in the week, there was the threat of 30+ mph winds with 70 mph gusts on the mountain, but fortunately, that didn't happen. the curious thing about the weather was it seemed like it was only warm on Baldy and especially as we climbed. For the most part, it never really ended up being too much of a factor today.
The ride pretty much went according to plan outside of the KOM sections. There were moments where we strung out a bit, but we were able to regroup at our planned SAG stopped. Even Verminator was able to follow team car rules and not charge at any given section to which he earned an ice cold can of Coke at the end of the ride.
For KOM1, almost everyone was together (except Ed who got his infamous headstart) when we arrived at GMR. We were all rolling at a fairly mellow pace looking for an indication of where the start timer was located. When I saw a strip across the right side of the road, I called it out but since it was adjacent to some gates and there was NO sign, others thought it was just a part of the opening to the gates. However, once we rolled up on it, we realized that it must have been it and the guys began powering up. Shannon led the charge and Vince decided to stay with him (a decision he'd regret as we all have in the past). I was 3rd behind them for a bit until Noah passed. When I tried to hang on, I didn't think I could keep the pace without blowing up, so I dropped off. When Todd passed, I had better luck staying with him, and even took opportunities to get up front on a few occasions. When we were 1K away from the finish, I actually had a small gap on Todd but he made up ground real quick realizing where the finish was and crossed over the timer just before me. Awesome! Shannon ended up decimating the group and Noah was ultimately able to get by Vince taking 2nd. Verm came in after us but PV had taken a BIO break just before the climb where he, too, was next to arrive at the following SAG. Eddie and Mitchell arrived a few minutes later.
For KOM2, the star timer was marked and once we rolled up on it, we decided not to cross right away and I unclipped waiting to see if we were going to go up together. The next thing you know, Noah charges ahead followed by Shannon and Vince and the others over the strip. I had a little trouble getting clipped in on the incline, and probably actually just managed to just as I went over strip. With the incline being probably already 8-10%, the rhythm I found with the compact crank actually allowed me a decent cadence allowing me to pass the others and making my way to Noah. However, I guess I thought I was doing better than I was when BAM, my right calf cramped pretty hard just across from a restaurant with a sign welcoming cyclists near the top. I should have just stopped and bought a drink, but not finishing was not an option (something I found others saying at the top as well). Vince and Todd with their persistent pace eventually caught and passed me, and I just didn't have the confidence in my legs to push to stay with them anymore. Even at the last part of the 15% grade, I did a couple paperboys just to make sure more didn't blow up. Thanks to cramp busters, I made it! Noah had almost resigned at one point as he saw me nearing, but managed to still finish ahead of Vince and Todd. Shannon's pursuit of pure awesomeness never waivered, and crushed this KOM finishing a minimum of 5 minutes ahead of them. Humbling. Paul, Verm, then Eddie followed after and we were wondering if Mitchell had chosen the fate of others and decided not to make it up. We were almost going to descend and look for him on the way down, when just before, we see Mitchell make it up too. Good job! Here's what MC Hammer thinks about our team:
For the descent, Vince, PV and Todd were crushing it on the downhill and Shannon and I weren't too far behind. However, Todd ended up pulling off to the side of the road, so Shannon, me and Eddie stopped to see if he was okay. I'm not sure what happened but Shannon was there to help and after a few minutes, we were all off again. Brad, Noah's buddy who came up with him, rolled up on us and remembering that Noah said he was a good descender, I went down with him. Going down Baldy was crazy fun and Brad and I were having fun reeling all sorts of people in and charging all the way to the bottom and even on the flat sections headed back. We eventually rolled up with Verm, got lost a little bit together, and made our way to the finish where we eventually met up with the others. Overall, a great day of riding, no mechanicals except for 1 flat with Mitchell's clincher (with PV calling him an amateur appropriately after finding out).
There was definitely not a shortage of post ride refreshments on this ride as customary to our event outings. The Buca lunch was just okay, but everyone was anxious to get back to the vehicles and get their real carb replenishment on. Details are withheld to protect the innocent, but always a great time hanging out for the post ride analysis. Thanks to all those who made it out and showing the grit of the team. It's an honor to be a part of it.
GPS stats: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/84161706
Some photos:
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| Shannon with Noah in a towel?!? |
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| Already thinking of how he can get a head start |
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| Smiles hiding the anxiety |
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| Verminating |
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| BRCM warriors |
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| Ready for recovery |
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| The celebratory Coca Cola award |
Edit: A special thanks goes out to Pam and Tiff who came out and supported our crew. It's always nice to have fans cheering and holding up signs to keep us going, especially on the last climb. You're awesome!
Pictures courtesy of Pam and Tiff:
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| Not a bead of sweat on these guys |
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| Makeshift pacifier |
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| Common sight for other riders |
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| PV chipper as always |
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| Rolling in to recharge |
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| New tradition? |
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| The crusher! |
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| Fire truck called to put out Shannon's flames |
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| Surges while others stop to rest |
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| Smiling on the up? |
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| ...and the down?!? This can't be Noah |
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| Charge! |
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| Where is that Shot Blok... |
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| ...Ah...got it |
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| Attack! |
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| Who's next? |
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| Right calf before the seizure |
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| PV caught doing the paperboy |
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| Contemplating.... |
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| Creating a gap |
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| Paul leading the BRCM train |
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| In hot pursuit |
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| Food! |
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| The podium (money) shot |
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| Pam supporting the team! |
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| Tiff keeping us going! |
All of the pictures are available here: http://www.photobucket.com/BRCM-2011-LDC
Total carnage out there with people purposely dismounting and others just falling over.
ReplyDeleteThought I had a tire going down, but just realized that I was shivering really bad (freezing on the decent), the road was a little rough and the wind was pushing my rim around. No big deal. Shannon and I cranked down hill after. I did take some hits from a couple of bees which are itching badly today.
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