April 17-18
Tippecanoe Stage Race
Indiana

On Saturday Kim and I ventured to the middle of nowhere - Winnamac, IN for the Tippecanoe Stage Race. It was comprised of a 25 mile circuit race, a 5 mile ITT, and a 40 mile RR. So I set off with my Cherry and Steve Nordstrom's GIOS TT bike. The weather was absolutely spectacular - 80 degrees, little wind, sunny skies. Perfect conditions for racing. I wondered what kind of turnout they'd get and was pleasantly surprised. 3 guys from U of Chicago came down as did Brian Boyle from TripeX. A field of a bit more than 40 set out to do battle. The course was beautiful - relatively flat and mostly curves for turns. The only "technical" part was a right hander onto the only hill of note. So, with about 10 miles of warmup in my legs, we lined up and rolled out. Lap 1 was pretty quick, but I settled in. There were some accelerations as guys tested their legs, but nothing of note. I stayed near the front. Lap 2 saw the first display of what would be the usual test each lap. One or two guys would attack the right hand turn and then launch up the hill trying to break the field up. On the first go it caught everybody by surprise. Knowing that a break might just work on this course, I took my chances and hit the gas. I zoomed up to the attackers ... but so did the rest of the field. Lots of racing left. Each lap somebody would try to get away, but each time the field responded. Midway through the race yet another attack was launched and once again I zoomed up, and for a brief moment I thought we might get a split. But, the gap was shut and it was up for grabs. Finally we hit lap 8 with a mostly intact field. I moved up and felt pretty good. In the heat my quads were cramping a bit, but nothing I couldn't tough out. So, I was feeling good about life. With roughly 1/2 a mile remaining, our race changed. Our pace vehicle shot ahead to stay out of the way, and a big white dualie pickup pulled into the gap. Oh $#!+. Suddenly a charging field at 30+ had to lock it up and funnel to a tight 2-wide. The race was going to be determined by the guys who got through the hole first, not unlike getting to the Arrenberg forest on the way to Roubaix. I got shut down and rolled through for 25th. Avg speed about 23 and avg HR of 172 for 1 hour 5 min of racing.

After coming close to cramping up in the close of the first race I was not exactly excited about hopping on the cruel instrument of torture for 5 more miles. But, this was a stage race and to get the full experience, I needed to TT. I was astounded by the equipment the guys brought down. There was a mind-boggling assortment of full carbon rear wheels and exotic bikes. I felt a little over-prepared bringing a 2nd bike, but now seeing the technology around me I was feeling better about that decision. After a brief warmup, I climbed into the start house. Yes, next year you too can live that Tour de France experience and get to roll out of the start house, down the ramp and onto the course for just under 15 minutes of pain and suffering. I knew that worst case, I'd average 20 and roll in at 15. I knew that 30 was out of the question so it would be more than 10 minutes. With those parameters in mind, I rolled down the ramp and was off. I rolled smoothly up to about 25 mph and felt ok. A little tired. Watching my HR climb I was hoping to keep from going anaerobic, but trying to find that blend was tough. I crossed the line. I kept chugging and working to maintain 23 as best as possible. I didn't move around, I didn't grab for bottles, I just kept in the aerobars and counting the seconds till this experience ended. The closing two miles were a gradual uphill and gradually worsening pavement. I kept pushing. Seeing my 30" man in sight I fought the temptation to chase him down, but finally saw the finish looming. And, then it was over. 13'20" for 5 miles. I was cooked. I wanted off my bike, but still had to ride back to Kim. I came to the conclusion that what I didn't like about the TT was that the suffering was so alone. There was nobody to share the misery with, no challenge of staying on a wheel, no comeraderie, just me counting minutes till the pain ended and I could quit. So, I was really looking forward to being back in the pack again. Just for note, the fast time was about 10'30" - just shy of 30 mph for 5 miles. Yikes!

Sunday was just outside of Lafayette. Another gorgeous day. A good turnout again. The breezes were picking up and the flyer mentioned big-ring climbs. It was going to be a tough 40 miles in the saddle. But, with smart riding and maybe a little luck on the climbs I'd be ok I thought. We rolled out and a brisk tempo was set. I was riding in the gutter to get some protection, but figured the race would get better. We hit the first climb and the "big-ring" thing was out the door. I think most of the IV's found their little ring and some found that 23T cog back there. We motored up the climb. After a few more miles came the big hill. Not only did it go up fairly steeply, sand covered the final foot before the guard-rail. Then, at the "top" you found that it wasn't really the top, an overpass loomed. Then at the top of the overpass you realized that the brutal winds would hammer you. It was hell. I hung on through lap 1 and looked at the hagard faces around me realizing that not everybody was having an easy go. Lap 2 was tough, but I hung in there. Lap 3 found me coming unglued on both climbs. Both times I chased into the winds like a madman to catch the field successfully. I knew that I was running out of steam and couldn't take much more. A shot of honey and a little Cyto would hopefully give me some juice. As we rolled through for the 4th of 5 laps, they told us the break we let slip away had 3 minutes. Suddenly panic registered at the front of the peloton. We set out single file at about 30. It was only a matter of time. I tried following wheels, but finally I was the last man. And then I was the only man. Thankfully guys ahead were getting hammered as well and so eventually I found 3 other companions to enjoy the remainder of the lap with. On the climbs my legs protested and the journey was made at 8 mph. Ugh. On the final climb I decided my day was done. There was no point in continuing for the sake of continuing. So, as I rolled through and saw my patient wife, I rolled off the road and called it a day. In all, about 62 miles of racing. I was pleased with the way things went. I couldn't have gone any harder which is all I can ask for. With 25th and 23rd on Saturday I was able to secure 25th place overall. The series was great - water, pop and fruit at registration, good courses, and a fun time. Next up is the Monsters of the Midway crit, so until then ... Kevin

Catch the start of the season at UW Parkside

Read about the 2003 Downers Grove Sports Grand Prix on the US Pro Criterium course.

Read about my adventures at Super Week - The International Cycling Classic.

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