I had the opportunity to race with JJ today. What a great guy! We warmed up together riding around the parking lot at the lake and got to know each other more. (Best part of bike racing are the friends you make.) JJ and I both left just a little before 11:45 on a time trial effort that would take us one lap around Pontiac Lake's hills.
It was a beautiful morning (especially after being very cold the day before at the Willow Time Trial.) The big difference between the MTB time trial and Willow Time Trial is that there are hills thrown into the mix on MTB time trials (which in my mind are the equivalent to an attack on the pack of a road race). Our time trial covered about 10 miles and at the Sport level is only one lap. On a good day, Pontiac Lake can be done leisurely in about an hour. In a time trial, you have to be in around 45 minutes, 40 if you want to be in the money.
I fear my competition may be a little tougher this year than the first year that I did the Tail Wind MTB series. I pushed it hard enough to almost bite it into the woods a few times (my best indication that I am 'on the edge'), but still fell short of the 'wooden podium' by 3 places. Finished 6th place....not sure what the times are of the guys who beat me...will have to find out online tomorrow. A great beginning to the MTB racing season.
Hope to see you all at the Stampede next weekend. I will be racing in Traverse City on Saturday, then down for some fun in the Fort on Sunday.
Jack Miner.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Willow Time Trial
So today was the Willow TT near the Detroit Airport. A race I do every year and a good early season TT to test the legs. Two weeks after Fisk Knob and I had been a little sick for a week or so. The weather was very chilly in the low 40s with a chance of rain (luckily it held off). I was very unmotivated to go this morning due to the weather. But, Devin picked me up and Jack and his son were there (Jack was our pit "mule":)) so off I went - one we got there I got motivated.
Had a good warmup and cranked out the 13.3 miles in 31.06. One of my faster times there for an average of around 26 (25.77). Good enough only for 5th this year which while frustrating since I was on the podium last year - still a decent rest. The legs are feeling pretty good and I am on the way to hopefully slaying the race that is my nemesis in June (State TT). We shall see. Thanks to Mike for letting us borrow the van and Devin for driving. Great showing by Jack Jr in his first TT and Devin on his "standard" bike. A good day out.
Cheers
Had a good warmup and cranked out the 13.3 miles in 31.06. One of my faster times there for an average of around 26 (25.77). Good enough only for 5th this year which while frustrating since I was on the podium last year - still a decent rest. The legs are feeling pretty good and I am on the way to hopefully slaying the race that is my nemesis in June (State TT). We shall see. Thanks to Mike for letting us borrow the van and Devin for driving. Great showing by Jack Jr in his first TT and Devin on his "standard" bike. A good day out.
Cheers
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Goff Family Yankee Springs TT Race Report
My race day began at 11:30 with the little kid’s race that my youngest son Jacob participated in. They rode about a ½ mile section of the 2 mile loop near the main trail head. He thought it was pretty cool and enjoyed going down the 4 – 6” drop offs with his dad alongside holding him up and pushing when the training wheels got hung up. All the kids received a plaque and they all thought they were the bomb the rest of the day.
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My race started around 12:30 in the sport class. I started off like I always do, and over did myself the first 2 miles, then suffered from severe cardiac problems for a bit, until I found my pace. By the halfway point I had passed about 10 or so people and had only been passed by 2 guys. So I knew I was doing pretty well at this point. I kept waiting for my WSI teammate to come push me along, he started 40 seconds behind me but never caught up. I ended up getting pushed by somebody else the last 4 miles or so, until he made it by me when my calves cramped up a bit. I was able to somehow put together a pretty good sprint at the end and come in with a time of 55 minutes. I finished 15th out of 32 in 30-35 sport class. Anytime time I can get in the top 50% of my class I am a very happy man.
I got back to the start line 2 minutes before my oldest son Dilan took off for his race. He competed in the 10 and younger class which is one full 10 mile lap just like the big boys raced. I replaced my water bottle and took off again to follow my son around the course. This was only his second time at Yankee and he was pretty nervous about the whole thing. He ended up doing just fine though. He got to pass several of the older kids in the 11-14 class then we eventually caught up to and passed some of the beginners in the adult classes. He thought that was pretty cool. He fell a couple of times, had to take a couple of quick breathers and had to walk maybe 3 of the larger hills. Other than that he did quite well and I was very proud of what he accomplished. It will not be long before he is out doing me. He took 2nd place out of 6 riders with a time of 86 minutes.
Special thanks to Mike and Charles for the refreshments after the races. Hope to see everybody at the Stampede on Sunday.
~David Goff
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My race started around 12:30 in the sport class. I started off like I always do, and over did myself the first 2 miles, then suffered from severe cardiac problems for a bit, until I found my pace. By the halfway point I had passed about 10 or so people and had only been passed by 2 guys. So I knew I was doing pretty well at this point. I kept waiting for my WSI teammate to come push me along, he started 40 seconds behind me but never caught up. I ended up getting pushed by somebody else the last 4 miles or so, until he made it by me when my calves cramped up a bit. I was able to somehow put together a pretty good sprint at the end and come in with a time of 55 minutes. I finished 15th out of 32 in 30-35 sport class. Anytime time I can get in the top 50% of my class I am a very happy man.
I got back to the start line 2 minutes before my oldest son Dilan took off for his race. He competed in the 10 and younger class which is one full 10 mile lap just like the big boys raced. I replaced my water bottle and took off again to follow my son around the course. This was only his second time at Yankee and he was pretty nervous about the whole thing. He ended up doing just fine though. He got to pass several of the older kids in the 11-14 class then we eventually caught up to and passed some of the beginners in the adult classes. He thought that was pretty cool. He fell a couple of times, had to take a couple of quick breathers and had to walk maybe 3 of the larger hills. Other than that he did quite well and I was very proud of what he accomplished. It will not be long before he is out doing me. He took 2nd place out of 6 riders with a time of 86 minutes.
Special thanks to Mike and Charles for the refreshments after the races. Hope to see everybody at the Stampede on Sunday.
~David Goff
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Sunday Race in the Industrial Park (2)
The 3rd race of the AAVC Spring Training Series was today and my son joined the C race again. He did a great job, it was 25 minutes plus 2 laps and in the final 5 minutes, once again, carnage occurred. According to my son, it looked like a cyclist touched the wheel of a racer and went down, taking at least 6 others with her. It was ugly and a couple cyclists remained on the deck for several minutes....all are okay.
My race was was the B race and you may remember that I held on for dear life in this race working with another cyclist just to finish. My goal this week was to ride with the front of the pack for at least the first 20 minutes and then see what I could do. At the end of 20 minutes and having stayed at the front of the group, I felt surprisingly strong. For the next 15 minutes, I just paced the group and watched-out for any wacky line changes. My boss was in the race too (bonus for getting excused to go for long rides during the work day!) and came up next to me in the last 2 laps and said, "it's go time". I followed him and continued to follow along with the increased pace until the end, finishing in about the top 15. I may actually feel comfortable hanging in the front during the Milford Criterium if this keeps up! Go TAR Cycling and WSI!
Jack Miner
My race was was the B race and you may remember that I held on for dear life in this race working with another cyclist just to finish. My goal this week was to ride with the front of the pack for at least the first 20 minutes and then see what I could do. At the end of 20 minutes and having stayed at the front of the group, I felt surprisingly strong. For the next 15 minutes, I just paced the group and watched-out for any wacky line changes. My boss was in the race too (bonus for getting excused to go for long rides during the work day!) and came up next to me in the last 2 laps and said, "it's go time". I followed him and continued to follow along with the increased pace until the end, finishing in about the top 15. I may actually feel comfortable hanging in the front during the Milford Criterium if this keeps up! Go TAR Cycling and WSI!
Jack Miner
Monday, April 9, 2012
Lowell 50 Update - Another One (Better Late Than Never)
As Eric Cook, Dave Goff, and I were making our way to registration table I felt as though I was going to have a lonely 20+ miles out there on the course not seeing any other mountain bikes let alone SS. With the usual pre-race preparations complete we made our way to the start line setting around the front 3rd of the field. When the gun went off I was at top speed with a few strokes of the crank as the back half of the field passed me like I was out cruising around on a Sunday ride. With in the first half mile we turned onto the gravel roads and now I had the advantage.
[caption id="attachment_194" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Despite some placing mix-ups in the results, I ended up getting 3rd place in the single speed category (but missed the podium picture opportunity)."]
[/caption]
The dirt roads started out a little wet and loose for the riders with skinny tires, so I was able to regain all that was lost and even caught a group that Eric was leading. As I hung on to the back of this group we started to pull away from the field behind us. Eric was trying to organize a push to catch the leaders but the group was too worried about racing each other. After about 8-9 miles of spinning out and bouncing off my saddle I realized I was going to blow myself up and not keep a good pace to make it to the end so I backed off a little and let the pack go. Reality is we got out on to some pavement and the pack left me behind to fight a stiff head wind for the next 6+ miles. I would periodically catch a dropped rider, draft off them for a rest and then move on.
A mile or two after the half way point there was an option for mountain bikes to take a shorter route on a rail trail. I thought good idea take it. Not sure if that was true or not. I traded a hill climb for riding down a 3/4 mile rail bed of loose 3-4 inch size rocks that had me cussing the whole way how stupid that it was to take. Note - don't take the rail trail short cut.
Knowing I was on my way back toward he finish I put my head down and just spun away. Having riders insight to chase made it bearable to keep pushing ahead. I was able to pass 3-4 riders while trying to real in one more before the finish but he was able to slip away having the advantage on climbing the hill at the finish line. All in all it was fun and I even finished on the podium. Unfortunately they had some mistakes with the results so I wasn't listed until the next day and didn't get my picture with the rest of the finishers. I look forward to a repeat performance in the fall race.
Chuck Brenner
[caption id="attachment_194" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Despite some placing mix-ups in the results, I ended up getting 3rd place in the single speed category (but missed the podium picture opportunity)."]
[/caption]The dirt roads started out a little wet and loose for the riders with skinny tires, so I was able to regain all that was lost and even caught a group that Eric was leading. As I hung on to the back of this group we started to pull away from the field behind us. Eric was trying to organize a push to catch the leaders but the group was too worried about racing each other. After about 8-9 miles of spinning out and bouncing off my saddle I realized I was going to blow myself up and not keep a good pace to make it to the end so I backed off a little and let the pack go. Reality is we got out on to some pavement and the pack left me behind to fight a stiff head wind for the next 6+ miles. I would periodically catch a dropped rider, draft off them for a rest and then move on.
A mile or two after the half way point there was an option for mountain bikes to take a shorter route on a rail trail. I thought good idea take it. Not sure if that was true or not. I traded a hill climb for riding down a 3/4 mile rail bed of loose 3-4 inch size rocks that had me cussing the whole way how stupid that it was to take. Note - don't take the rail trail short cut.
Knowing I was on my way back toward he finish I put my head down and just spun away. Having riders insight to chase made it bearable to keep pushing ahead. I was able to pass 3-4 riders while trying to real in one more before the finish but he was able to slip away having the advantage on climbing the hill at the finish line. All in all it was fun and I even finished on the podium. Unfortunately they had some mistakes with the results so I wasn't listed until the next day and didn't get my picture with the rest of the finishers. I look forward to a repeat performance in the fall race.
Chuck Brenner
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Waterford Hills Spring Fling
A wonderful day in Waterford Michigan. Was cold at sunrise, but by the time the B race started, it was a nice 50ish degrees. For those who have not raced Waterford Hills, it is a motor sports race course of 1.5 miles with a couple of short hills and several interesting turns. The most challenging part are the cracks in the cement that can suck in your front tire and put you on the deck quickly if you panic...(so don't panic!).
I am not a great road racer, but it makes me stronger, so I continue to get punished. I am trying to shake off the Lantern Rouge honor that was bestowed on me in 2011.
There were about 60 racers for the B race and, as with any road race, it is a race of attrition (physically and emotionally). I usually get completely freaked out by the knuckle heads who crash, but today, they all crashed behind me, so, although I heard several bikes hit the cement, I did not see them...made it easier on me.
Our race was 50 minutes plus 2 laps and featured some of the stronger riders from this area (Ann Arbor Velo Club, Flying Rhinos (race sponsors) and Team O2 were well represented.) I know some of these guys and was happy to be on the wheel of some guys I trusted and trained with.
I was very conservative for the first 40 minutes and tried to preserve as much energy as I could. When they posted 10 minutes left, I worked my way up to the first 10 racers. I could tell, they were willing to put me on the front, but I was not interested in falling for that fatal opportunity. As usual, it is significantly easier to be at the front of one of these races...I always forget that it is much smoother at the front.
With 2 laps to go, the front sat up and waited for someone to take the lead, but the group bunched up and no one bit. On the last lap, there was a nice steady push to the finish line and in the last 300 meters, a full on group sprint ensued. I was passed in the last 50 meters by a few guys but was happy to have finished in the top 3rd of this race. All is good...happy Easter and Passover. Jack Miner.
I am not a great road racer, but it makes me stronger, so I continue to get punished. I am trying to shake off the Lantern Rouge honor that was bestowed on me in 2011.
There were about 60 racers for the B race and, as with any road race, it is a race of attrition (physically and emotionally). I usually get completely freaked out by the knuckle heads who crash, but today, they all crashed behind me, so, although I heard several bikes hit the cement, I did not see them...made it easier on me.
Our race was 50 minutes plus 2 laps and featured some of the stronger riders from this area (Ann Arbor Velo Club, Flying Rhinos (race sponsors) and Team O2 were well represented.) I know some of these guys and was happy to be on the wheel of some guys I trusted and trained with.
I was very conservative for the first 40 minutes and tried to preserve as much energy as I could. When they posted 10 minutes left, I worked my way up to the first 10 racers. I could tell, they were willing to put me on the front, but I was not interested in falling for that fatal opportunity. As usual, it is significantly easier to be at the front of one of these races...I always forget that it is much smoother at the front.
With 2 laps to go, the front sat up and waited for someone to take the lead, but the group bunched up and no one bit. On the last lap, there was a nice steady push to the finish line and in the last 300 meters, a full on group sprint ensued. I was passed in the last 50 meters by a few guys but was happy to have finished in the top 3rd of this race. All is good...happy Easter and Passover. Jack Miner.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
AAVC Spring Training Carnage
Quick report on a short race.
Today was the first of the Ann Arbor Velo Club’s Spring Training Series in an industrial park near the Airport in Ann Arbor. These races are great instructional races for beginning racers or racers who are dusting off their road skills. In this case, I was the latter and my son was the former…his first road race ever.
Jack 3 did not want me in the same race and I wanted to give him space to find his way through his first race, so he went on to face the “C” race and I did the “B” race.
The weather was similar to what the team faced at the Lowell 50, but then again it was April fool’s day, so, jokes on us! (Froze our behinds off). Jack 3’s “C” race was a 15 minute race plus 3 laps on a football-shaped oval on a slightly rolling 1 kilometer course. The race was quite gentlemanly, with no attacks off the front, but a very nasty crash on the final stretch. The finish was an uphill finish and the group was probably going 28 miles per hour when one of the guys went wide and took too much weight off his front wheel and lost control. I did not see the crash, so he may have been forced out of his tuck, but the result was the poor guy took out a mailbox and broke a 4x4 that the mailbox was on. A fire engine and 2 ambulances took care of him, he was sitting up, but did not seem to know what day it was. Pretty sure his helmet kept him in one piece to race another day. In the meantime, Jack did an excellent job of staying with the group and finished just off the back and loved every minute of it…I think we may have a candidate for next year’s development team!
My “B” was more than I could handle—and I knew it going in. The B race is cat 3/4 racers and I am a cat 4 on my best day. But giving Jack 3 some space was more important, so I worked up the nerve to join guys who have traditionally crushed me in other races. I thought this race was going to be 25 minutes plus 3 laps, but when we lined up, it was announced that it was a 30 minute plus 3 laps…I was not amused. In our first turn, one of the racers hit his pedal on the ground and took out at least 3 riders, I was able to steer clear and stay connected to the pack. (As in most of these cases, the group attacks just a little bit and a separation began.) I was able to fight on to the lead group and hang on for 20 minutes. There were two cyclists who worked together off the front and owned the group. In the final laps, I worked with some very talented cyclists (though, I use the term ‘worked with’ loosely as I probably only pulled 1 lap of the final 5 or so).
All in all, it was great as usual to be amongst some great riders and enjoyed the day with my son. It was a happy April Fool’s Day. Go Team Active powered by WSI.
Jack Miner (II)
Today was the first of the Ann Arbor Velo Club’s Spring Training Series in an industrial park near the Airport in Ann Arbor. These races are great instructional races for beginning racers or racers who are dusting off their road skills. In this case, I was the latter and my son was the former…his first road race ever.
Jack 3 did not want me in the same race and I wanted to give him space to find his way through his first race, so he went on to face the “C” race and I did the “B” race.
The weather was similar to what the team faced at the Lowell 50, but then again it was April fool’s day, so, jokes on us! (Froze our behinds off). Jack 3’s “C” race was a 15 minute race plus 3 laps on a football-shaped oval on a slightly rolling 1 kilometer course. The race was quite gentlemanly, with no attacks off the front, but a very nasty crash on the final stretch. The finish was an uphill finish and the group was probably going 28 miles per hour when one of the guys went wide and took too much weight off his front wheel and lost control. I did not see the crash, so he may have been forced out of his tuck, but the result was the poor guy took out a mailbox and broke a 4x4 that the mailbox was on. A fire engine and 2 ambulances took care of him, he was sitting up, but did not seem to know what day it was. Pretty sure his helmet kept him in one piece to race another day. In the meantime, Jack did an excellent job of staying with the group and finished just off the back and loved every minute of it…I think we may have a candidate for next year’s development team!
My “B” was more than I could handle—and I knew it going in. The B race is cat 3/4 racers and I am a cat 4 on my best day. But giving Jack 3 some space was more important, so I worked up the nerve to join guys who have traditionally crushed me in other races. I thought this race was going to be 25 minutes plus 3 laps, but when we lined up, it was announced that it was a 30 minute plus 3 laps…I was not amused. In our first turn, one of the racers hit his pedal on the ground and took out at least 3 riders, I was able to steer clear and stay connected to the pack. (As in most of these cases, the group attacks just a little bit and a separation began.) I was able to fight on to the lead group and hang on for 20 minutes. There were two cyclists who worked together off the front and owned the group. In the final laps, I worked with some very talented cyclists (though, I use the term ‘worked with’ loosely as I probably only pulled 1 lap of the final 5 or so).
All in all, it was great as usual to be amongst some great riders and enjoyed the day with my son. It was a happy April Fool’s Day. Go Team Active powered by WSI.
Jack Miner (II)
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