April 1, 2012, Not So Underground Criterium
Phoenix, AZ   40 minutes
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ
Many thanks to Noel for the photography.
(Images can be clicked on for a larger version)

This was a 40 minute criterium on very smooth roads around a mostly rectangular course, riding counterclockwise around the 0.8 mile distance. This is the same course that will be used for the state championships at the end of the month, so it will be good to be familiar with it. The roads are very good and the community that it was designed for has been put on hold, so the roads are open all the time without interference. They hold weekly training on this course every Tuesday night and call it an Underground Crit, since it's run somewhat like a race, but it's not official. So since this was not an Underground race, they gave it it's fancy name. The course is a bit different than most criteriums in that it has a gradual elevation gain in it, just past the finish line and all the way up to the first corner, gaining 28 feet.

One interesting twist to today's racing would be the weather. It was very windy, about 15 to 20 from the West South West. This would then push us up the hill, which you would think would make things easier. The normal wind noise in our ears was eerily silent as we climbed the hill. The temperatures were a bit cooler, closer to 70, but still warm enough for short sleeves and shorts.

We had a 21 participants and 7 60+ rider joining us. We were also graced with a women rider trying her hand at riding with the old timers who are generally a bit more skillful in their bike handling and etiquette. Keith Brodhagen would be the main favorite again; previously in the day he had already won the 45+ race, taking the win from a 3 man breakaway. Bixby was here again as well. We were given a neutral lap to get familiar with the course, which was nice and also counted towards our 40 minutes.

Immediately on the first official lap, 3 guys rode off the front; one of them being Bixby. The pack didn't seemed too concerned, but they kept pulling away. On the next lap as we approached the hill, Keith decided to settle this and attacked at the last corner. I responded and put a huge effort in to get his wheel, hitting 34.3 mph in the process (up hill). Half a lap later we had caught the 3 escapees and the remnants of the pack were strung out. However, Keith wasn't interested in making this the decisive break and the rest of us were tuckered out from the effort and we were soon all back together as we approached the hill again.

A few others decided to give it a dig up the hill just to wear us out. Keith then came to the fore front on the back stretch, led it around the final corner and then just gave us a hard time up the hill. This hill was beginning to put tingles in my legs, and not the good kind.

Just before the start. Keith (green shoes) turning the screws, 7 minutes into race. More pressure from Keith at 19 minutes.

I was glad to see the time ticking away and that I was still in it and that we were all in one pack. We were almost half way through the race, but I was sensing that Keith was going to begin punishing us in earnest. Sure enough, the next time up the hill he really nailed it; 3 guys were able to match the pace, but I couldn't muster the strength to keep in contact. Hoping that they might play some games and ease up, I kept trying as best I could to close the gap on the backside, into the headwind. I looked back and the entire pack was in shambles.

Losing contact from the pressure. Next lap, trying to close on the 4 leaders. Corky marking me.

One guy was on my wheel, Corky Kurtz, but since two of his teammates were up in the break, he was not going to assist in closing the gap. I was able to enlist the help of Jeff Biever from my old club and the two of us tried our best to close the gap on the four stronger riders out ahead of us. Corky kept getting in the middle of us and messing up our pace, on purpose. I don't think it's right to apply team tactics in a race where not every rider has the benefit of having an equal size team, as you'd find in a professional race. Corky's team has done this on many occasions in the past, sometimes when their club represented half of the riders in the race; whatever. Needless to say, Jeff and I were not going to be successful in any event, so Corky's mischievousness had little impact. Keith was driving the break at the front for most of the time we were chasing and we eventually had to concede the loss.

Next lap, the successful break. Jeff (Strada) trying to help me. Another 3 laps. Time to give up.

So the pace slowed for our pack and nobody made any strong attempts to leave the comfort of the group. Eventually I heard the officials yell 3 to go (a bit premature, but I wasn't complaining) and it was time to assess the others. I tightened up my shoe straps and decided to play my game on position, rather than following another rider. With two to go I moved up to about fifth position and looked back to see where Corky was, the next strongest sprinter in the pack; he was sitting very far back. With 1.5 to go we were going pretty slowly. I had wanted to situate myself on the outside so as to have an avenue to pass, but when we bunch up like that it just turns into a swarm and I found myself with riders on both sides. Jeff was riding near the front and I know he's fairly strong, so he should be able to keep me close to any dangerous action if it should develop.

As we approached turn 4 coming up to the bell lap, a rider in black, Louis Vergne, decided to give an attempt at breaking free and gave it everything he had. Jeff was not going to let him go and I followed Jeff as we stormed up the hill for the final time, stringing out the pack. As Louis approached the top of the hill, he looked back and saw that Jeff and I were nearly on his wheel and he was not happy.

Louis making his bid with one to go. Keeping in contact with Jeff (Strada). Watching with one to go.

After passing turn 2 and hitting the headwind, he pulled over and that left Jeff in the lead. Jeff seemed unsure as to how to proceed at this point and started to slow a bit. I certainly was not going to make a move at this point and just settled back a bit as well as I felt the entire pack start gathering up behind me. Louis decided to give it another go and came around my right side, pushing hard into the headwind, so I moved over to take shelter behind him. He lead us as we came up to turn 3, I was on his wheel and nobody crowding me on the sides. At the apex of turn 3 I decided to give it my kick as it would be difficult for any riders behind to accelerate at that point. I quickly gained several lengths and pulled away some more approaching the final turn, taking it quickly up to 32.6 mph. I looked over my shoulder as I rounded the turn and saw the gap which was sizable. I kept enough speed to ensure that nobody would catch me and put my hands on the top of the bars with 20 meters to go. Corky had been able to get on my wheel back in the mix (as expected) and tried to make up the lost ground, but he did not have the speed, still being more than a length behind at the line.

Leading around the final corner. Resting with hands on the top. Corky still trying to catch up at the line.

So I was fastest of the sprinters for a 5th place. I'd have a good chance to win if I could just sustain that pace up the hill. This concerns me for the State Championships 4 weeks away, especially since we will be riding with the 50-54 riders, but going for medals in the 55-59 category. If Keith can drag David away from me, David will have a good chance of winning the championship. If we rode in a separate race, I'm sure that I'd be able to keep David in my grips and win the event. So quite a different dynamic by mixing us and having someone like Keith in the mix.

Summary
Start
Time		 Distance
(Miles)		 Starters Duration Weather
(Deg F, mph)		 Speed avg
(MPH)		 Speed Max
(MPH)		 HR avg
(BPM)		 HR max
(BPM)
3:20 pm 14.5 21 37:34 76, WSW@20 23.0 34.3 156 184

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