Chasing the Podium

Race Report: BASP #4 - Coyote Point

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:47:00 -0800

Lunch: 1/2 a Ritter Sport dark chocolate w/hazelnuts bar.

I put the tubular wheelset on (after getting high from all the acetone to remove the glue from the braking surface last night) and was glad I did today. The course was a bit rough and choppy with several technical sections.

Utilizing my callup from my second place result at the last race in Golden Gate Park, I got the holeshot which allowed me to stay out in front of the mess that 100 riders creates on the narrowing course. The first climb about 30 seconds into the race I was already regretting the 25ish mile “easy” road ride I did Saturday morning - after a 15 mile errands ride on the Big Dummy Friday - after an amazing 30 mile session at Annadel Thursday. I was worried that my legs wouldn’t have enough to keep me going the entire race, but my brain took over and I kept it up.

Using some roadie tactics, Fritz Wisor and I were pulling/drafting off each other for most of the race keeping a decent gap between 3/4/5 positions at times. On the last lap, the top 5 racers were all close going through the finish line area and I had a nice, brief shouldering/leaning session with the 12yr old in the race (he’s going to be an amazing racer in a few years when he gets more experience). After the barriers I was in 3rd position briefly until I passed up the second place guy by taking the bridge of sighs 3 stairs at a time and remounting well.

The remaining part of the last lap, I just stuck with Fritz until the last tiny straightaway right before the finish (4 turns remaining) and dropped every last ounce of wattage I had left in me to get out front.

“@jasonferrier rounding the second to final corner on his way to today’s BASP cx men’s B’s win!” - Photo by Carrie Cizauskas on Instagram

After finishing, I tried to get some cooldown riding in, but Tom Simpson kept calling the top five to the podium so I only got a few minutes of riding in post race. Not able to see straight, I rode over to the podium and received my victory shot of Bulleit Bourbon from Murphy and give a proper hello to Carrie, Jeremy, Ezra, and Neil. “@jasonferrier says, “If I stop moving, I’m gonna puke,” shortly after his men’s B’s win.” - Photo by Carrie Cizauskas on Instagram

My chase for the Bay Area Super Prestige / Pilarcitos podium spot has ended. There are still many cyclocross races on my calendar until February - one every Sunday except December 25 and January 1. Keep an eye out for a pink blur at the Surf City races, CCCX Season Finale and the NorCal vs SoCal race.

Photo by Carrie Cizauskas on Instagram

Heavy(?) Tubular wheelset

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:10:09 -0800

FINALLY glued my tires on my tubular wheelset yesterday.

Rear wheel weighs 1688g, front weighs 1255g with tires and cassette.

SRAM PG1050 11-28 cassette, black 32h Chris King Classic Cross hubset, Velocity Major Tom rims, DT Comp spokes, brass nipples.

If not the lightest setup, at least I’ll look good, right?

SSCXWC 2011: Weekend report

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:48:20 -0800

Much New Belgium beer was drank. Shenanigans were had by most people (not including me).

Undesired conversion to single speed happened.

Knee issues returned the following day on a gentle ride from pushing too hard of a gear, so I skipped out on racing on Sunday in the B’s race.

Derek hooked me up for warranty replacement of my shifter through Sports Basement and I’m fixing up my bike now.

Also, I’ve been noticing how (relatively) heavy my bike is when carrying it over barriers, so I am upgrading my seatpost from the HEAVY Paul seatpost (323g) to a Ritchey WCS post (201g) saving over 1/4 pound.

Race Report: BASP #2 - Sierra Point

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:21:00 -0800

I crashed. Twice.

At least I looked good.

I got the holeshot - Photo by Dylan McReynolds

Photo by Jeff Namba

Laundry day

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:14:44 -0700

Laundry day

Stan's Technical Support

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:27:23 -0700

I just got off the phone with Stan’s with two questions:

Q: I am about to setup my tubular and tubeless wheelsets for cross and all the things I have been reading about sealants is that they “last around 7 months”. Nobody says what happens after that. Does it turn solid? Do you just keep injecting more and more until it’s a solid donut?

A: Our sealant only leaves a small residue. Most of it evaporates.

Q: What conversion kit should I use to convert my Velocity A23 wheelset to tubeless? (23mm wide rim profile)?

A: The Plus Four Kit.

“The 80s had a bit of reflux in the alley.” -...

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 06:00:02 -0700

“The 80s had a bit of reflux in the alley.” - @cizauskas

Sunday morning team ride.

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:32:26 -0700

Sunday morning team ride.

Race bike is ready for mud training at a moments notice.

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:53:17 -0700

Race bike is ready for mud training at a moments notice.