DEC 2012 Team Results & News

Masters 35+

The team came together on November 25 in Redlands, CA, for the first of several off-season training rides. New team addition, Tom Brown, hosted the ride, joined by Roberto Urquiza, Robert Ramirez, Ruben Meza, Dave Bautista, Ben Petzoldt, Mike Onkels, and Anthony Morrow.

The route included many of the same roads as the Redlands Classic Oak Glen Road Race including a pass of Lake Perris, up Lambs Canyon/Hwy. 79, through Beaumont and Cherry Valley, and up Oak Glen Road. The weather was excellent and the long, steady, miles gave everyone good training and time to bond. In all, it was 81 miles, 5,574 feet of climbing, and 4.5 hours of pedal time.

The ride ended back at Tom’s beautiful home where he and his family treated the hungry team to a stuffed baked potato feast, drinks, and football on TV.

 

Bennett Takes 2nd at USAC Upgrade Points & Resume Builder Criterium #3

Chris Bennett took 2nd at the Cat. 2/3 USAC Upgrade Points & Resume Builder Criterium #3 on Sunday, December 9, 2012. He rode very aggressively and was narrowly edged out for the win. Chris’ result is even more impressive as he was the only CA Pools representative in the race and had just finished a challenging team ride the day before. Way to go, Chris!

Chris reports:

It was a fairly small field composed of young guys looking to get those final points for the year. We started pretty fast and there were 2 guys who got off the front and hovered at about 15 seconds for the first 20+ minutes of the race. I counter attacked as soon as we caught them, stayed off for a while, came back. Attacked again several laps later, this time I had one guy with me, caught again. Attacked again, brought back. Then at about 8 laps to go I launched off a final time on the slight uphill before the final corner. Within 1/2 a lap I had 15 seconds, then I just kept on it as best I could. My gap went all the way up to 30 seconds at about 4 to go (at which point I was dying out there alone). With 3 to go 2 guys were trying to bridge to me and then the field. So the gap was about 15 sec to them and still 30 to the field. 2 to go they were getting closer and the field as well. Then came the bell lap, I saw the 2 coming up on me, so I eased up to get my legs under me. When they caught me I had to go full gas to get on (which was at about 3/4 of a lap to go). The field was no more than 5 sec back. Fortunately the 2 that caught me were committed and we kept the pace up. Out of the final corner I was 3rd and didn’t have much left. The guy on the front (who eventually won) opened the sprint and I just left it a little to late as I came around the 1 guy in front of me and was gaining on the the last guy but, ran out of road. So I ended up 2nd by a wheel length. Definitely fun and good to be competitive. Now just 1 left at Ontario next weekend before we start to get to the “real” racing.

 

Masters 45+

Coming soon.

 

Cat 3s

10 members of the Cat 3 team gathered together on December 1st for their 2nd team training ride.  We were joined by members of the 45+ & Cat 4 team for a total of 28 riders.  After raining the entire week the weather cleared out for the weekend allowing us to tackle the “Fat Lizard” route.  For part of the ride the Cat 3s broke into 3 teams for a little informal team building competition.  And guess who’s team won??  The birthday boy & team leader Aaron (it was so easy it felt like I was being pushed up the climb) along with Luis, Sean, & Phil’s son.  Near the end of the ride we also threw in some quick sprint leadout practice which came out well for our first attempt.  We finished up the day at Ernie’s where Jennifer had prepared a baked potato feast which was devoured by all.

 

Cat 4s & 5s

Several Cat 4 and 5 members came out for the 2nd team training ride.  The group joined the Cat 3s and 50/45s to do the Fat Lizard ride.  The 4/5s and a few of the masters climbed Fat Lizard together at a more than brisk pace.  This quickly separated the true climbers from the flat landers.  Yours truly of course got spit off the back by the hammers, but I was not the last to reach the top!!  Everybody’s fitness was definitely where it should be and will be more than ready once the season starts.  Everybody regrouped at the top for the fast and furious descent down Ortega.  The ride ended with a potato bar feast hosted by the club’s president and his wife, who really did all the cooking of course.  Thank you Jenn for preparing the feast and Ernie for buying the potatoes.

Ontario Upgrade Series:

Six members of the Cat 4 team came out to test their off-season legs at the final Ontario Upgrade series.  David O’Brien, Rich Mendez, Charles Sutphin, Rod Baine, Heath Masters, and Mike Findlay came out in the cold wet morning.  The race started slow and to perk up the lazy field, Rod attacked followed by Rich, David, and a couple of other racers.  Rich, David, and the 2 other riders continued the attack while Rod and the rest of the team soft pedaled in front of the field.  A break was formed but lasted only for a couple of laps since the 2 other racers were not trying as hard.  Rich and David attempted a few more attacks but when it became apparent the field was not going to let anything go, a decision was made to hold back, cover all attacks, and have Charles sit back to prepare for a bunch sprint.  The team successfully launched Charles for a 4th place finish, followed by David at 13th, Heith at 18, and the rest with a pack finish.  A lot of lessons learned and the team is excited to start the regular season in January.

 

Triathlon Team

Well we are half way through the holiday season, the temps are falling and the motivation is starting to lack…. We posted last month a few Triathlons which we represented well at. The HITS Race in Palm Springs we had Kim Parris take 1st in her division Half Ironman distance, one of our new Members Jen Coil 2nd overall female in the Olympic distance, Rosalie 3rd in her division in the Olympic distance, Rod Strate 3rd in his division in the Sprint. We also had new members Kevin Elmore and Rick Winters competing in the Half Ironman Distances.. great job to all.. This past weekend we represented well at the Tinsel Triathlon… Tearing it up on the bike ride and taking home some hardware…Kim Parris again 1st in her division and breaking 1 hour and Ernie putting down the hammer (not letting Michelle Jones beat him on the bike) 10th fastest bike split and fastest split of the relays…. Darren 1st in hisdivision. We also had a few new members take home some hardware ChrisLineback 1st in his division and Jacob Gigler, Dan Detienne, Mike Finlay, Michelle Weaver. We had great support out there from everyone on the team and of course our new Sponsor Manyk giving us plenty of energy…This month’s Queen of the Podium goes to Kim Parris for her 1st place finishes in 2 weekends!! Great job Kim!!!

 

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