JPradun

Did you get my email re: PT?

Hipcycler

recursive--I made it!

https://cycleciola.bravejournal.com/

John Wilke

Madone's come with a triple**********



Good job. I was happy that I just rode to the fireworks and back.

recursive

It's a fun course. Did you average 400 watts?

JPradun - Got the email. Just replied.

MJH2

That's a bush-league, assinine comment coming from somebody with a teammate who, earlier in the year, took out nearly an entire race field by turning at a non-existant turn in a crit.

Maybe xXx should start practicing what they preach (that is, if one action by one team member now reflects on the entire team).

I wouldn't sweat it too much, recursive. Going to the hospital to see the guy is a stand-up move. Mistakes happen. Mistakes happen a lot in the 3's, 4's, and 5's.

I get that that dude is pissed, but maybe xXx should display a little more tact than putting a race report on their official web page with such condemnation of an entire team.

John Wilke

Agreed. Shows class and sportsmanship.

recursive

Well, in other news, I still suck mightily at the TT.

Psimet2001 

When sucking....I find it best to suck mightily.


...why do I feel like this is going to end up in someone's sig?

Sage23

What would give you that idea?

John Wilke

Here's one for James:



(How am I supposed to get my yard work done then Lance is beating up on Ulrich again in '91 being shown now on VS ???? )

John Wilke

and one for Psimet. Keep building 'em Psi !

Psimet2001 

OOOOooooooooooooooooo.........me likey. Nuetral support rocks.

carlosflanders

Thinking of taking a day off work and doing one of the superweek road races. Which is the best or most enjoyable? i.e. least crit-like. Which has the most hills? (hills are good).

I'm thinking in terms of safety #1, atmosphere, sheer hardness and something to do for mrs. F afterwards.

btw, I had intended to do Elgin but there's a local MTB race here that day and local races should always be supported first. Will do Elgin if it rains (MTB race has already been postponed twice because of downpours and the 24hr trail use ban)

Mr. Scrooby

Holy Hill is the closest to a true road race, although the hills are limited to big-ring rollers. Lakefront and Whitnall Park both have more challenging climbs, if only because you do them so much more often since the laps are so short.

Safety-wise, Whitnall Park is nice because it's open road. I recall only one crash at there, and that was when a pro took herself out by over-rocking her handlebars in the sprint. Lakefront has some tricky turns and fast descents. Holy Hill is on typical Wisconsin county roads -- nothing too narrow or dangerous, although this was where a truck killed a rider off the back of the 4/5's race in 2006.

John Wilke

All of the above are true, but I suggest the Long Course at Milwaukee because:

(in no particular order)

1. It's right in Milwaukee, so the Mrs should have plenty to keep herself occupied. Plenty of shops either downtown or on the east side. Art museum is just up the street.

2. It's a course with a deep rooted history including multi national championships. Greg Demgen won here, Greg Lemond I believe won the Jr champs.

3. It's the ONLY time Milwaukee's lakefront is completely closed to traffic and you can really enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the lake.

4. It's full as h*** ! From the start you sweep up the tennis court climb - big ring, but a stinger. From there it's past the feed zone (slight uphill) into the St. Mary's (hospital) downhill which has one switch back then a zoomy left turn at the bottom. It feels like you pull a full 'G' here. A flat section follows, riding the wrong way on a divided street, then UP 'The Snake' - a shaded, tree covered, twisty climb, big ring maybe, but more likely a 39 x 17. Steep enough to hurt, flat enough to be climbed fast. You'll feel this one. Over that, back onto the flat on top of the bluff - catch your breath if you can because it's time for the Gun Club descent (actually the Gun Club is long gone now) which is a 54 x 11 if you've got it - wind it out - flat out hammer time onto the flat. 40 mph? Sure! Tuck and go - you drop 100 feet - flat out. No turns - no speed limit. A solid mile and a half of pan flat into the finish follows. String out the pack if you've got the legs, or prepare for a massive field sprint as the two lanes widens into four.

(ohhhh, the stories we could tell from this course! Cat. 3/4 combo fields with 150 riders. Curb jumping, massive pile-ups, spokes through cheeks! ... )

No, I don't want to scare anyone, but you will NOT find another course like this one - anywhere.





I guarantee, every one who rides this race will come away with some great stories to tell of their own!!

Frunkin

Sounds like fun. I'm definitely doing both lakefront courses, but I'm not sure what else I'll be signing up for.

carlosflanders

Great Feedback. Lakefront course is sorely tempting. Unfortunately, I have my annual performance review that day. Wonder if my boss will reschedule?

JPradun

Sat - champaign, il
Sun - champaign, il

Tue, July 14 Arlington Heights Criterium New Race! Arlington Heights, IL
Wed, July 15 Ray Basso Bensenville Criterium Bensenville, IL
Thu, July 16 - Daytime Lake Front Road Race (Short Course) Milwaukee, WI
Fri, July 17 Hammer Nutrition Tour of Holy Hill Hartford, WI 1.75hrs

Sun, July 19 The NorthShore University HealthSystem Grand Prix Evanston, IL
Mon, July 20 Wheel&Sprocket Whitnall Park Road Race Hales Corners, WI 1.5hrs

Wed, July 22 AltoLab Lake Front Road Race Milwaukee, WI 1.5hrs
Thu, July 23 Racine.org Criterium Racine, WI 2hrs

MJH2

The madness begins tomorrow people.

My official schedule (meaning I've already registered):

Elgin 4/5
Elgin Masters 4/5

Arlington 4/5
Arlington Masters 4/5

Evanston 4

Then the Chicago crit which, I know, should not be in this thread.

Heading up to ride the Elgin course on Saturday am. Should be fun.

Speedster22

Hey John, how's the Fondy crit video coming? Can't wait to see that one!

MJH2

I'm pretty sure you want the video from sheboygan. The guy who had the camera MIGHT have been slightly behind you when you took the field sprint.

John Wilke

Ummmm ...

I'll get back to you on that.

Trying to finish Frunkin's Bluemound video tonight.

Speedster22

OOOOOOooooh I didn't even think about that one! That'll be a good one too!

Speedster22

Feeling obligated to talk about the ToAD and how awesome they are! We just got a priority mail package from them today. My fiance and I had hosted two riders, Fred Stamm from Metromint and Ryan Parnes from Webcor / Alto Velo, for the series. We got a nice thank you package in the mail with two t-shirts, a water bottle, poster, a ToAD sack bag, and the green recycling bags they were handing out at registration. SUPER COOL. Super professional people there at the ToAD. We have hosted teams at our home for the past three years for other series in town and have not gotten any where near the appreciation the ToAD has shown to their volunteers and riders.

Rock on ToAD, rock on!

John Wilke

Big future for this series.