Warning, watch out for Pick-up trucks!

Yesterday, while on my bike heading to the group ride, I ran into the back of a pick-up truck. It was completely my fault, and I know any lawyer will tell you not to say "sorry" or admit it was your fault, but it was. We were at a T-intersection, and the truck had just recently passed me. I'm pretty sure he did the tap-and-go at the stop sign (tap your brakes, then go without coming to a complete stop). Thinking he was on his way into the intersection, I looked right to see a motorcycle coming, so I went down to a slower speed (10-12 mph probably) and kept looking right waiting for him to pass. Then I went to look forward to get ready to go, and I saw the truck still in front of me.

Lucky for me, I was towards the left rear corner of the truck and was able to avoid hitting my wheel and having any more physical injuries. The collision happened when my right brake lever hooked onto the rear of the truck and I slammed hard into the cap of the truck and then tumbled into the road.

I rolled myself to a stand-up position, looked at my bike and then to the driver of the pick-up. He got out and was like "oh wow, are you ok?". Very nice guy, didn't even care about the little scuff I made on the rear door that was made from my brake lever. I was fine, just cut up a little badly on my left elbow and a few small cuts and scraps on both of my knees. The guy just happened to have an unopened bottle of water and some paper towel so he helped me clean my elbow. Then, just by pure coincidence, an off-duty EMT guy drove by a minute or two later and noticed that I was bleeding and saw a bike under the truck, so he pulled over to offer assistance, and had an EMT kit in his vehicle. He got his stuff out to wrap my arm in bandages and then offered to take me home if I needed to. At this point I was feeling fine enough to continue riding, so I politely turned down the offer so I could go catch the guys for the group ride before they left.

My bike is fine, the handlebar was knocked a little out of sync from the wheel so when I got to the group ride location I corrected it. Then we went out for our ride. About halfway through I was starting to feel the pain and all in my upper body so I turned around and called someone to come get me.

Today, I'm just feeling very stiff and bruised up, so I took today off from any sort of physical activity. Hopefully, but not likely, I'll feel better tomorrow to go to the track for a 2 hour training. Fingers Crossed!

RADIOSHACK!

http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2009/07/23/radioshack-lance-armstrong-team-up-for-2010/

Lance Armstrong just recently announced the forming of a new American Pro Cycling Team for which RadioShack will be the new title sponsor.

My predictions: this will be just like the USPS and Discovery team again. Dominating the world of cycling, with top names like Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer, with Trek as the primary bike sponsor. Yes, I even think Levi will leave Astana and come back to race for an American team just like when he was on the Discovery Channel.

I can't wait to see what the cycling kit will look like, I'll be sure to get at least a jersey!

Weekend Racing Reports

Saturday - Track Racing
Didn't go so well this day. I got to the track about 5-10 minutes before my first race, due to officiating basketball games in the morning. Note to self, do not race on track without warming up!

First race, I got lapped but finished. Second race, got lapped, did not finish. Third race... by this race I was getting embarrassed enough that I was considering just not racing in this one and heading home because I had two more basketball games to officiate, but I thought I'd have a little fun. So I put on my smallest gear (48x15) and got on the track. Once the gun went off for the race to start after our free lap, I attacked, right off the front. Took one lap to myself, pulled up and let a rider go through and got on his wheel. We were caught shortly after and everyone just passed right by me. I got lapped then (surprise, surprise!) and then got off, did not finish.

Kind of disappointed, but I should have known this would happen without any warming up.

Sunday - Irving Park Sportsfest Criterium
Got to Allentown, PA at about 7:15. Got my race number and went back to my car to get everything ready. Carried my stuff over to the corner of the first turn to do my warm up there. I took a few laps around the course to get used to the corners and the different road surfaces. Then got on the trainer for my usual warm-up.

My friend Taylor came at about 8:15, got on her bike and I showed her around the course. Then it was time for me to stage at the start/finish line. Whistle blew and we were OFF! I stayed towards the back to try and read the field, see who were taking corners fast, who seemed to hesitate, etc. We started off at abotu 16-17 mph which I thought was a little slow for this crit. After a lap or two, someone decided to attack and bring the pace up to 22+ mph. This caught me off guard and I was dropped immediately. I tried to sprint to get back on but it was too late. I rode with this other guy who got dropped, and he didn't seem to know how to "take turns" riding together. I ended up being on his wheel for most of the rest of the race. I pulled a few times but he would always want to pass me on the back stretch for whatever reason.

Then we got lapped (of course, surprise surprise!). One of the riders from the field dropped off after passing us, and we caught up to him, but he was still a lap ahead of us. the three of us rode together for the rest of the race. On the last lap when we got the bell, I just attacked and went all out, crossing the finish line by myself ahead of both of them on that lap, but really only beating the one guy. The other guy technically was ahead of us.

According to the results, I finished 13/16. Top 15, not bad, but still bad enough getting lapped.

Next race in my mind to do, is the Doylestown Circuit Race on August 2nd. I don't know yet if I'm doing it, but I think I will be.

This weekend

This coming weekend, I will be doing two races of different discipline. On Saturday I will be racing at the track, provided I can get there on time from officiating basketball in the morning. If I don't get there on time, or I'm just getting there at noon, I'll miss the first race, no big deal. I will race the second and third race no doubt. My plan is Friday afternoon before the track office would close, I'll call the office to see if they know what the first race will be. Then Friday night I will make sure I have the gear that I want to race in already on my track bike so if I were to arrive a few minutes before the first race I can just hop onto the track and hope for the best, without any warming up. My plan is to place top 5, preferably top 3, in one of the races. I'm hoping for a 1K or 2K scratch, especially to be the second race.

After that I'll probably take a light spin on my road bike when I get home to prepare for Sunday. On Sunday is my favorite race I like doing every year, the Irving Park Sportsfest in Allentown during the Allentown Sportsfest event that I believe runs a week long every summer. This one I plan on placing top 10. I'm feeling really good these days, and I think by the end of the month I could be at a peak in my training, just in time for the Doylestown Circuit race on August 2nd. My plan for this race is just stay towards the front the whole race, and partake in a sprint finish. Knowing my sprint capability, I'm sure I can beat out many of the other riders.

So there you have it. My plans for this weekend! Post-races report this weekend or Monday.

Scratch that...

Haven't been sleeping well the last few days, and was at a wedding ceremony and reception until late last night, did not get home until 1:15 or so... couldn't get out of bed this morning when my alarm clock and my father (human alarm clock) would wake me up. So I did not go to the race.

Kind of disappointed but hey, I really needed my sleep! Next weekend is another track racing on Saturday, and then the Allentown Sportsfest race, one of my favorite races, that is on Sunday.

More about these races to come during the week.

JBN Criterium Race

After not being able to do this race the last two years I've been racing due to whatever was going on that weekend, I have the opportunity to finally do this race. I don't know anything about it though other than a lollipop.

"Lollipop?" you asked. Yes, Lollipop. It starts on this one road (the "stick" of the lollipop) in front of the Just Be Natural (JBN) store/warehouse, goes to a T intersection, makes a left and that starts the loop. Then on the final lap, when you get back to this T intersection, you make a left to head back to the store/warehouse for the finish. Hence, a lollipop.

My objective for this is a sprint finish with the peloton. I've been feeling really great lately in my training, and the course doesn't look too difficult that I should be able to keep a good pace with the peloton. I'm also aiming for a top 15 finish.

When you get a chance, go visit my friend's blog to read about her success lately. Being just like me last year, getting lapped, finishing not so well, she started to kick some butt and has had several top 3 wins so far in her field, including two First place finishes! Her name is Brittney Kolb, click here for her blog.

Wish me luck!

WANT!

Just found these online, I want these to blast my country songs to my country song hater friends while on group rides. Speakers for your stem/handlebar!