SugarLoaf recaps...

photo by Gerry Bouchard
Submitted by Roger Montes
Following a tough, painful, and feeling like a “Kentucky fried idiot” on a 5 times wall climb it was hard to get motivated for another chicken run…or was it? Sugarloaf Mountain had definitely taken its toll on all of us, but we were all craving that greasy, fast speed (Rocky II).

Rob “Rowdy”, Eric “Vegan-power” and myself “Primetime” came out on Sunday to represent the Orange and Grey. The race was set at 50 min +2 laps on a flat and fast 2.2 mile circuit thru a curvy tree lined road, with a short (thank God) uphill finish only ±200 meter from the last 90° right turn. From the gun, the race was fast with attacks from the never ending ninjas of Preferred Alliance…bring it! On a course not in favor of breakaways, except for going full throttle on the uphill, we did everything we could as a team to attack, cover attacks and set the pace high. Rob took that to heart, and the man nearly raced himself out of the race. At times, it felt overwhelming to have someone respond at:

Roger: Rob get up there.
Rob: “Okay”
Roger: Rob go
Rob: “Okay”
Roger: Rob squirrel!!! Rob killed squirrel.

Eric also did an impressive job covering and attacking the field. Before the race he mentioned to be somewhat tired from the previous day (finishing 8th on Sugarloaf Mt.), but half-way into the race he found a second wind and immediately came to the front to set the pace. He tried getting in a few breaks with Rob and I slowing the field down, but nothing was sticking.
We knew the race would end up on a full-on field sprint (like all the Cat 3 Races), so our plan was to set the pace high during the last lap to be in good placing at the last turn…we didn’t think everyone would have the same idea! Eric was able to fight his way up, but Rob and I were bunched up in the middle finishing 8th (Eric), 19th (Roger) and 29th (Rob).
The results don’t quite show it, but Cycle Logic rode extremely aggressive, and in my mind the three of us got podium that day….Great job guys!!!



Submitted by Kerry Duggan
Considering that us Cat 3 men were racing against girls, this Saturday's Sugarloaf road race was plenty hard. Once again, new teammate Eric Stubbs place the highest at 8th. Rob Robins was a few seconds behind him and this old dogg was (ahem) a few further seconds back in the final single-digit hill "sprint" finish.

The first two or three laps were fairly contained as people were more worried about surviving Das Loaf than breaking the elastic. Eventually a few small squads dangled off the front only to be reeled in with the assistance of all three of us.

At some point Roger apparently traded his race pass for a feed zone pass and Rachel eventually joined him. On the last lap three riders managed to maintain just enough of a gap to barely survive a large pack sprint up Das Loaf. I think if Eric had a little more hill he would have been top 3.

Eric, Rob and I had a fun time working together and perfecting our team skills by helping each other stay in position, ride efficiently and chase down escapes. I think Eric was bewilderd by this teammate excessively rotating pack position from extreme front to extreme rear several times during each lap - particularly on the big hills. This valid advance technique ensures maximum climbing efficiency. In unkind circles it is known as the "Fatman Fade" but allowed me to be more fresh toward the end - enabling me to soften up the pack by attacking off the front just before the last climb up Sugarloaf.
So what if I was chased down immediately by a girl and a fred!

I was also worried my recent lower back spasms would can the race for me but once again found my body prefers that position over all others nature had intended. Unless of course there is a beer in my hand and there was soon after.
Cheers!
K-Dogg