Chet Warman Memorial 150

The ride was a memorial ride for a guy named Chet Warman. I met Chet when I crewed at the Furnace 508. He helped me crew for a friend of a friend. He died a week or so after the 508 in a bike wreck in Moab. Chet had a fantastic sense of humor and a great philosophy on life. We had a blast crewing together and I miss him a lot.

Chet lived in Pittsfield, Vermont and there was a loop of six mountain passes he loved to do. Thus, the ride included all six, as well as a 4 and 2 gap option. The six gap ride clocked in at a little over 150 miles with 15,000 ft of climbing. The farthest I had ridden was 112 so I was a bit nervous. I knew I could ride that far but also knew that everything over about 90 hurts.

Thursday

We spent the night in Pittsfield at the guy’s house who I crewed for in the 508, Joe. He owns the whole side of a mountain there and has a massive ranch. We were staying “high on the hog,” if you will.

Chris and I got there on Thursday because Chris was directing the race and had to get ready. Soon after arriving we drove around and marked the course. Apparently the native peoples are fond of moving course markers so we had to be more inventive.

This worked well…



Around dinner time we stopped off at this place.



The said they stopped serving at 730. Oh, the simple life. We didn’t finish marking the course until after dark. Good enough for government work.

Friday

We woke up early and got to work prepping for the race. There were a lot of errands that had to be run and we had to get all the food for the aid stations.

We bought a ton of pb & j and set up shop…



Around 8 I headed back to the house and got prepped for Saturday’s ride.

Saturday

530 AM

I wake up before the alarm even goes off. I eat a large breakfast and we head to the start.

While I’m airing up my tires I manage to break part of the stem so I have to do a last minute tube change. Rookie. I fix it and then head inside the barn for the orientation.

The race gets going soon after and we’re on our way. I find a wheel and sit on. I hear that one of the guys in the group is legally blind. Then I realize that guy is right in front of me. I shift over a few wheels. Needless to say the guy still smoked me on the descents.

The first of the six gaps comes and goes without any problems. They’re going a bit fast near the top so I back off a bit but catch back up on the flats.

The second climb is a bit more difficult and I drop off the lead group. I tell myself it’s because I don’t want to bonk but what I really mean is I don’t want it to hurt that bad.

I catch up to the pack again and am riding along fine until I hit one of the many crevasses (a mild understatement) on the Vermont country roads. I’m jolted but don’t think anything is wrong until my front wheel goes flat. I drop off and fix the flat.

I ride along on my own for a while before Chris’s girlfriend, Lisa, and sister, Carrie, drive by. I flagged them down . Poor Lisa, she knew I was stupid but she didn’t want to kill me. Every time I got close enough for a draft she would take off. As the saying goes, a bad draft is better than no draft.



I rest up a bit before Lincon Gap. I’ve been told it’s the steepest road in the US.

Lincoln Gap

It’s not too bad at the start but I take it easy weary of the coming grade. Before I know it the road starts getting steep. A mile or two into it the road kicks straight up. It’s as steep as Centennial and it’s not letting up. It’s so steep my back tire starts to slip but if I stay in the saddle I won’t make it up. I end up standing for at least 10 minutes. It’s by far the hardest climb I’ve ever done. I imagine it’s similar to L’Angliru in Spain (the climb Contador attacked and won on last year widening the gap between him and Levi).

Near the top the thought comes that I may not make it. It’s that steep. I just keep cranking until I hear people at the aid station. I’ve made it.

After making it up Lincoln I have a lot more confidence. 150 miles is a long way but the hardest gap is over with, or so I think.

On the way down I see a sign at the general store welcoming us on the ride. I stop in and buy a few tuna sandwiches and chocolate milk. All the little towns in Vermont have general stores. Maybe all the little towns everywhere do.

The next gap is the second hardest so far but after doing Lincoln it’s bearable. I stock up on snacks at the top and head down.

The descents have been amazing so far. I go pretty slowly on them though because my wheels are way out of true. The front was dented when I flatted and the back was wobbly to begin with.

After descending I start running out of steam. I’m at about 95 miles and I’m considering jumping in the sag when it comes around. Soon after two guys pass me and tell me to get on. It’s just what I needed. I can still suck wheels…

We head through the town and then start climbing again. One of the guys drops off because he’s hurting. For some reason this gives me some renewed strength. I tell the kid I’m with, Jake, I was about to quit when he came up.

“I thought you were a road racer…?”
“I did too,” I reply.

The 5th gap turns out to be super difficult. It’s really steep and it’s gravel so I have to sit down most of the way. The rain doesn’t help any with traction. Jake drops me early on but waits at the top. He drops me again on the descent but I catch up again on the flat.

Jake pulls me for a long long way. I notice he has a pretty big ring in the back. He tells me he rocking a 33-11. Crazy big but it would definitely come in handy on these climbs.

We make it to the 6th climb together after he pulls most of the way. I tell him to go ahead as I work my way up the last gap. I keep waiting for an easy one but they’re all at least 2000 feet with some serious grade. This one doesn’t fail to excite.

False summit.

Ahh, and it keeps going. The last half mile it really kicks up. As I crest the summit there are people there cheering for me. I try to unclip but there’s dirt in my cleat…



The last 15 miles or so are pretty nice. I’m stoked to be done with the climbing and looking forward to the maple milkshakes that lie ahead at the finish. The last five miles or so I start cranking. I don’t want Joe, the guy who I crewed for at the 508, to beat me.

I keep looking back and finally I make it to the finish. Whew, what a day. Someone takes this pic of Jake and me.



That night was amazing. I had a veggie burger and some fresh greens along with 3 servings of maple milkshake. I happen to meet a girl there from Berkeley who’s hiking the Appalachian Trail. She helps me make milkshakes for everyone and then I head back to the house.

Despite the joy that always comes at the end of a long ride, I still consider quitting. I gotta work on that.

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Did that guy have an engine on his bike or am I just weak...

The other night I did a ride out with Chris to Carlisle where they have the most amazing ice cream I've ever had at Kimball's. If you have the means I highly recommend it. Chris had to head back early so he missed out.

On the way back I was chugging along when all the sudden I heard someone behind me. "Who the hell is this?" I thought. I was going pretty good so I figured it was another rider. Then I heard what sounded to be a small engine. Eventually he passed me and I jumped on his wheel.

Turns out the guy was on a homemade electric bike!



He said it could do 30 if he pedaled hard. He also had built it with an independent chain and freewheel for the machine so if the machine ran out of juice he wouldn't have to crank it. Here's his blog.

I sat on his wheel until some Virginia Tech guy passed us then we all started pacelining. Good times.

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Fitchburg Stage 4 - Crit

Finally, I made it. It was Sunday and the last stage of the race. We arrived in downtown Fitchburg and got kitted up.

I pass this sign as I’m warming up.

Wick and I headed up a hill for a warm-up but the legs stayed cold and sore.

Eventually we gave up and went down to the course.

The course consisted of a long, low grade uphill with a rounded 180 into a fast descent into two rough 90 degree turns. Wick and I lined up and the race began.

It was really fast at first. Then, they kept adding primes so it just got faster. My legs were dying but I was able to move up on the uphill section. I kept falling back on the descent because it was quick and there were some close calls.

At about 7 to go I don’t think I’m going to make it. I tell myself to shut up and keep going. I didn’t come this far to not finish the race.

6 to go. Ahhhhhhh.

5. You made it huh? Not yet!!!

4.

3.

Okay if I can just make it two more I’m done!

2. Ahhhhh.

At 1 lap to go I cross the line and fall off the back. The pain subsides a bit and I continue on with the stragglers. I'm hurting but am able to smile having finished my first stage race.

By the time I cross the line PRO Women are on the course. I ride a lap with them, enjoying the scenery, then head back to the car.

We go get a pizza and watch the women race. We stay until the PROs start.



Creed had his “number” pinned on like a true PRO. A man amongst boys.

We piled in the car one last time and headed back to Boston. I think this pic describes our journeys in the SS Exploder best…

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Fitchburg Stage 3 – Road Race

Our race didn’t start until 11 something so we got a full night’s sleep. We made the usual stop at Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee and donuts then headed to Fitchburg. Today was the day I had been afraid of. It was only a 40 mile road race but I had heard it was a gnarly course.

We arrived at the finish area to find a pretty significant climb. The last 5k was all uphill. We hopped on our bikes and rode the mile or so to the start area. I heard some kid saying there was a 60 mph descent; I knew that meant 50 so I wasn’t too worried. The race began with a loud pop of some guy’s tire exploding.

We headed straight downhill. I stayed near the front to avoid the squirreliness of the back, my home away from home.

The first time up the climb wasn’t so bad. There was a flat feed zone near the top where I was able to catch up a bit. We climbed a bit more and then descended again.

Before the climb we were neutralized because there was another group passing us. As I moved up I heard the voice from yesterday, “There he is, 499, movin’ up on the neutral!”

“Only cause your mom’s up there…” I replied.

“Ha, that’s funny, I bet that went over well in your dorm!”

We sat a bit longer before taking off again. This time up the climb wasn’t so bad either.

Near the top it continues to climb and I lost the pack. I tried to bridge on the descent. I was behind a guy when all the sudden he got some massive speed wobbles. This guy was shaking uncontrollably and I thought he was going to go down right in front of me. I passed him and tried to work my way back to the pack. Eventually some other guys came by and pulled me up to the group.

The third time up the climb was brutal. I just focused on staying on. Once in the feed area I was able to move up. I grabbed a water from the neutral feed and poured it all over me. It helped.

The last time going up the climb there was a selection. People kept dropping off the back. At about 2k to go the pace really picked up. I saw a guy pull over into the grass and fall off his bike, heaving for air.

I held on until the last 300m then died. I gave it all I had until the finish then collapsed in the lawn.

Fifteen minutes later I began to stir. That had been my hardest road race ever. I got up and headed over to the car to pack up.

“Yo! Dude, that was Tyler Hamilton” said Wick.

I looked over to see him walking up the hill.

“Let’s go get a pic!” I said and we ran up to catch him.



He was way cool. He introduced us to his girlfriend and we chatted a bit. Wick spilled the beans by telling him we were just Cat 4s but he said “That’s cool!” Eventually some Cat 3 phenom saw us talking to him and came over. He asked some stupid question about hydration so we bade him goodbye.

We got in the car to head to the start line but it wouldn’t start. Instead of stopping at a gas station for coffee and gas in the morning, Wick had stopped at a Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee and donuts. Good call. We got the car off the hill onto a flat area where it finally started.

Along the way to the start area we picked up a friend.



At the start there was a memo saying I was in trouble for not signing in. Well, me and Rory that is. PRO!



Then we sat out on the grass and watched the descent.



On the ride home I was relieved from having survived the road race. If I could only survive the crit…

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Fitchburg Stage 2 - Circuit Race

The day began at 530 again. It wasn’t raining out though so that helped a lot. We got on the road and made Dunkin’ Donuts by 630.

We got to the course and rolled around for a bit. I was having a bit of trouble with my front derailleur so I took it by the SRAM tent.

The mechanic must have raced with Jim at some point because the first thing he said was “How often do you wash your bike???”

“I, um, we’ve been staying at an apartment and I…”

He began working on my derailleur. The first thing he did was start messing with the limits and before I knew it the job was going to take “a while.” Fortunately my race was in 10 minutes. Don’t go to a barber if you don’t want your hair cut.

He finally finished up right as they were doing the call up. I moved over to the line next to a guy wearing the same kit as Longo.

“You’re Jeannie Longo’s husband right?”

“Yes” he said and shook his head a bit.

“Congrats, um, cool.”

He smiled a bit and then I heard someone speaking French. I didn’t think anything of it until I looked over and there was Jeannie Longo.

“You look nervous!” she said to me. I had been tapping my shifters, anxious to start the race. I was.

I smiled, a bit awestruck and then listened for the whistle.

It sounded and I clipped in and started sprinting. I entered the first and second turns alone and looked back to see a large gap. I put my head down and started cranking. I stayed off the front for about two miles until I was caught before the climb.

The climb hit and it was BIG. I’ve never seen the Manayunk Wall in person but this seemed a lot like it.



The first time was pretty hard but I made it and was able to move up when it flattened out. Then on the back stretch we were neutralized.

The race had been pretty safe up until this point. Then everyone got sketch in a hurry. I swear I thought there was going to be a wreck while we were neutralized. It got bunched up so I moved around toward the front to avoid ramming into someone.

“Oh nice, everyone did fine except for 499! Yeah you and that shit-eating grin!”

I was 499. Guess he liked my work.

On the third lap while on the straightaway I felt someone’s front wheel hit my back wheel. I sat still and kept pedaling. Wick said they saw the guy go up on one wheel after he hit me. Somehow he stayed up.

The final lap came. I was near the back on the last straightaway and could sense a crash coming. The road split around a traffic island and soon after we came back together I heard something off to the right. Some guys had gone done.

I started sprinting, happy to be upright. I hit the climb and pushed as hard as I could. I ended up about middle of the pack.

We went and got food and then hung out for a bit. The PRO women’s race was cool and so was the men’s.

This guy got pretty tore up in the PRO race.

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Fitchburg Stage 1 – TT

530 AM comes to early as usual. I roll out of bed and get packing. We’re on the road by 6 and at Dunkin’ Donuts by 630.

On the way to Fitchburg it starts raining really hard. Fortunately the captain of the Exploder, Wick Smith III, is driving and hydroplaning is good because “it saves the tread on the tires.”



I check around for sharp objects that could injure me in the event of a crash.

Finally, we make it to the start/finish area. We head to the SRAM race support so Wick can see about getting a bike to race on.

Sure enough, they let him trade his tired Scott in for a new Specialized with 404s; I wish my bike had broke.



We can’t help noticing though that the SRAM bike only has a Force groupo on it whereas Wick was riding Red before. Wick ponders asking them to switch out the groupo for him but we decide against it.

Wick goes off at 848 and me at 919:30 so we start getting ready. It’s still raining hard so we get dressed in the car and keep the warm-ups to a minimum. That and we left the trainer in Vag Beach, PRO!

This is my first TT so I’m pretty excited. I’ve done a couple TTTs before though (translation: sucked wheels for a minute then dropped off the back while the other guys finished). Oh and what I’m really saying when I say “My first” anything is that I’m just weak and need an excuse. I’ve been saying that crap all year. Well, it’s my first year of racing and my first blah blah blah.

I roll up to the start house. The guy holds me up and on the count of 1 I go. Kyle told me this trick that if you go when they say “1” before saying “Go!” you’ll end up rolling down at the right time. It worked and I’m off. I make it a goal to try and catch the guy in front of me.

I head up the hill and then keep cranking through a fast descent. Eventually I cross the lake and see the 1K to turnaround sign. I’m going pretty smooth at this point. I also see the guy in front of me coming back.

I hit the turnaround and realize that guy was flying and I’m not going to catch him. I also have a big headwind going back.

I see the 1K sign and pick up the pace. The finish is on top of a hill so I get out of the saddle.

I finish 68th out 102 guys. More importantly though, I beat Wick “Nasty” by 12 seconds!

After the TT we went and got some food and Wick rode his pixie.



We came back to the car for a quick nap before the PROs went off.

Finally, it was time for Jeannie Longo to go off. In case you didn’t know, she’s like the greatest cyclist ever. She’s 50 and still stomping the young girls.



We watched the rest of the PROs and then headed home.

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Fitchburg Prologue - Vag Beach to Boston

Tuesday

We spent most of Tuesday getting Wick moved out of his apartment. Around 9 PM we realized that we had to be in Fitchburg by 5 PM on Wednesday to register. Good timing. Mapquest had said it would take 14 hours to get to Boston so we figured we’d try and avoid as much traffic as possible by driving though the night. I took the first shift and off we went.

We passed Richmond, then DC, and then I decided to stop for gas. I bought a small “cappuccino” at the gas station. You know, the ones that come out of the machine and are like a third sugar, a third cream, and a third coffee?

Unfortunately they only had premium gas working at the place so we headed to another gas station. As I was turning into the parking lot I hear a bang and look over to see Wick’s bike hanging off the side of the car. The rack came loose and it had fallen over.



His frame was cooked.

We got gas and continued on, in mourning. By Jersey we were back in good spirits.



The best thing about Jersey is you can drive through it on a single road. That and it’s the closest thing to what I imagine the autobahn to be like. I was in the slow lane doing 80 and people were flying past me.



Five hours later I’m still driving. I’ve driven about 600 miles at this point on one cup of coffee. I stop to use the restroom and look back to see if anyone wants to drive.



Guess not.

The gas station appears to be in a Russian suburb in Connecticut. Everyone in the store is speaking Russian. I look over to see an older Russian guy with his trunk open. He's pouring something out of a thermos into little cups for two women. At first I think it might be coffee but then I remember the old Russian saying это - 9:00 где-нибудь, meaning “It’s 9 AM somewhere.”

I get back on the highway determined to finish the trip. An hour out from Boston it starts raining. I hydroplane a few times so I slow down a bit. Even though the Exploder probably has all wheel drive with traction control, oh and don’t forget, new, properly inflated tires, I’m not taking any chances.

At 10 AM, 11 hours and 600 something miles after starting, we roll into Boston. Chris meets up outside his place and then we drop out stuff off. Then it’s time for me to go to sleep…

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Tour Predictions - Allez!

It’s that time of year again and I’ve decided to make some predictions about this year’s Tour de France.

Stage winners: First up, Moncoutie! This guy will definitely win a stage this year, I can feel it. Last year he was rocking at the Vuelta but this year he’s hungry for victory in the Grand Boucle.

Speaking of Frenchmen, Chavanel will also be hungry for a stage win and he’ll get one. We will definitely see these two in some breaks, possibly together, and each of them will take home a stage win.

Sammy Sanchez might also win a stage. The gold medal winner from last year’s Olympics will mix things up in one of the mountain stages. So will Luis Leon Sanchez.

Sastre will do well in the overall, probably 3rd, but he won’t win a stage.

World Champion Alessandro Ballan won’t win a stage, unfortunately, but he will be in a break or two.

Jens is due for another stage win. After losing his saddle on the Champs Elysees last year, he’s POed. He wants revenge and he’ll do it in a 80K+ long break.

Despite the sisterly bickering between Lancy pants and Alberto, with Levi’s occasional “You tell ‘em Lance!”, Contador will still win a stage and that stage will be Mont Ventoux. He marked Cadel’s wheel up it in the recent Dauphine using only one nostril. This time up it he’ll unleash an attack that leaves Valverde writing sappy thank you cards to CONI.

As for Cadel, he’s going to get 2nd place again, mainly because he doesn’t want to break his streak. Oh, and because instead of rehydrating after races he’ll be too caught up in slapping reporters and shouting epithets.

Most stage wins: Hands down this goes to Cavendish. However, he won’t win all the sprints this year. Columbia will botch at least one of the leadouts making room for Thor Hushovd (anyone see their leadout on Stage 3 of the ToC??).

As for sprinting, Hushovd will win a stage. A dejected Boonen will often come in second or third with possibly one stage win, although unlikely. Haussler won’t win a stage but will help Hushovd win one.

Best Young Rider: This one will go to Andy Schleck again although not without some serious fight from Nibali. Nibali has been looking really strong this year and will definitely have a good Tour.

ITT: Levi will get 2nd or 3rd in a TT, he won’t win one. Cancellara will continue to dominate the TTs especially without, ahem, Schumacher there. Dave Z will also get a podium finish on one of the TTs but he won’t win one either.

TTT: Garmin will win this one. They’ve got the Manxman angry enough to go hard in the TTT now but they’re still better prepared. They’ll also have more air in their longs from not running their mouths so much.

Polka Polka!: This will go to, hmm I’m thinking, I’m thinking, Andy Schleck! Without Bernhard “Wait as long as it was originally my blood…” Kohl there to muck it up for him, Schleck will get his share of KOMs. Did I say his share? What I meant was his share, plus Ricardo Ricco’s.

First one to be caught doping: I have to say, given the streak they’re on, that it will be an Italian, possibly a Liquigas guy. I can’t say for sure, but I know their name will end in “I”.

As for the big question, “Will Lance do anything?” The answer is: No! Lance won’t win a stage, nor will he podium for the GC. I know he just got done owning neo-pros in Nevada, but this is a different ball park.

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