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Cycle Logic Plays in the Dirty

The weekend of October 2nd & 3rd witnessed two teammates, posing as roadies heretofore, throw off the masks and return to their roots. Chris Bilowich and Tal Mincey flew the Orange and Grey flag at Haile’s Trails in Gainesville for the mountain bike race known as Florida State Championship Series Race #3. This is not the 1st appearance Cycle Logic has made in the hairy-legged, baggy-short contingent of our sport this year: Chris Bilowich and James Penrod took on the dirt at Haile’s Trails and Tom Brown Park in the spring and fall respectively.

The weekend began with a pre-ride of the course on Saturday. We elected to wait until the afternoon and allow a line to develop to remove some guess work. Also spotted scoping out the tread on Saturday was Cycle Logic’s own “Big” Phil Bailey with a hotty in tow.

We were warned from the outset by those familiar with the course to skip the 1st mile or so on the 1st lap to allow a warm-up. We, of course, did NOT heed that advice because we are super-fit fearless roadies. Much to our chagrin, our intended 70% max warm-up lap was shot in the pants three minutes into the lap with four extremely steep ramps (hike-a-bikes for mere mortals) that pushed our HR north of 90%. I’m not sure we ever recovered because my average HR for the 3 laps we rode Saturday afternoon was 86%! On the way home, I personally was wondering if I shouldn’t have forgone the whole pre-ride deal; now I knew the next day would be painful.

The yellow wave, of which our category (XC-2, 30-39) was a part, went off beginning at 11:30 Sunday morning, each wave in 2 minute increments. Chris and I were diligent in arriving at the start line early, since I, for one, have not experienced a MTB race start in 13 years. As we looked around, it seemed that each category was lining up according to start order and we were the 7th group to go in the wave, so we played it cool; no pushing or shoving. WE SHOULD HAVE PUSHED AND SHOVED! As it turned out, our group was significantly bigger than all of the other categories before us. There was not enough room for everyone to put a front tire on the line. “No problem”, you say, “there’s plenty of time for things to get sorted on the roll out”, right? I wish.

As the countdown to blast-off commenced (they literally count-down), I checked my gear selection and teed off. I did my best to slither through the bar ends with mild success. As things got lined out heading into the singletrack, I took the hard row through the tall grass and managed to gain a couple of spots. Chris and I ended up around 10th and 11thgoing in, as I hear him say “Dude, we’re screwed!”

I tried not to panic, noticing that the group remained tight, anticipating the parts of the course that would allow an easy pass. Panic did not stay away for long as we entered the 1st bit of technical trail. The rider directly in front of me was tip-toeing around like he was afraid to get his bike dirty. I, and others, began to encourage him to pick it up as we knew those in front were opening a gap. Slow poke then spins out and comes off his bike on a relatively easy rise and, rather than stepping aside and letting the guys that had been “encouraging” him to go on through, he blocks the whole trail with his body and bike like he was the only guy out there!

The upside to this was that adrenaline is good, anyway you get it. Unfortunately, passing other riders on course is not just a matter of who’s faster, but will the course AND the rider ahead, allow it. My “go faster” encouragement got louder and more frequent until I took a chance at passing and subsequently got shut out by this guy. I then asked if he had a teammate up the trail that he was blocking for and promised that if he did that again, “I’m gonna knock you down!” Not one of my finer moments, but I’ll blame the adrenaline.

The 2nd attempt was barely successful through the weeds and briars and slow poke’s muttering about 
“there's always one [jerk, ed.] in the race” or something like that. The rest of the 1st lap and 2nd were at time-trial pace, passing lots of riders, some of whom must have been in our cat, and all of whom were very accommodating when a pass was in order (what a relief).

Not too far into the last lap, I caught what I knew to be the rider in 3rd place (based on feedback from the Cycle Logic support crew: Holly and Millie). I was able to get by him at the first doubletrack section, but could not get out of sight. More than once he closed the gap in a hurry and made me think he was only keeping it close in order to pounce in the finishing straight. But it wasn’t to be. The gap finally stuck and I went into “don’t mess up, flat, or drop a chain” mode and cruised in. 2nd place was within sight, but we ran out of race…

Chris held his own as well, also moving up several places to finish 7th (consistent with his spring finish). One race, two “top ten’s” for Cycle Logic!

Cycle Logic at Leadville

Cycle Logic's very own Darryl Tompkins will be taking part in this weekend's Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race in Leadville, CO.

Made famous by the recent participation of Lance Armstrong, the Leadville 100 is a 100-mile mountain bike course within the beautiful, high altitude mountains and valleys of Leadville, Colorado. The majority is on back-country roads with some short sections of paved road. The entire course is 9,000 feet and climbs to almost 13,000 feet. Although Lance has opted to not subject himself to the torture of the race this year, Darryl will be at the start line with his wife, Cindy, in attendance working as his support crew.

To understand the spectacle of this race and it's "epic" nature, be sure to watch "Race Across the Sky", which was shot during the 2009 running of the race. While you are sitting around doing nothing this weekend, or after you get back from your two or three hour ride this weekend...think of Darryl who will be enduring 100 miles of off-road racing at elevation!

Good Luck Darryl!

Rouge Roubaix Lent approved report

By Cycle Logic member, Kerry Duggan

It was apparent that after 10 hours of driving, Dr. Pain, Jayson and I were in for something completely different at the Rouge Roubaix 100 mile road race. About 20 minutes north of Baton Rouge Louisiana and just up the hill from the mighty Mississippi river, the race host town of St. Francisville was - like the actual race - a gumbo mix of the good, the bad and the ugly.

The race hotel, the St. Francis on the Lake Quality Inn was so old and seedy you might assume Huey Long lost his virginity there as a teenager. The "lake" was an algae rimmed drainage pond. The room actually had a coat of fresh paint but unfortunately it was all on the carpet. The parking slot in front of our door was a viscous puddle of toxic spooge and cigarette butts (left by the painter) that never dried out despite three days of direct sunlight. At least the hotel was convenient to the race start which was in the hotel parking lot 50 feet from our door. That was the only good part.

Our dining experience began with, and ended at a "remodeled" Sonny's BBQ and now called "Sonny's Pizza." I had the marquis special "Lent approved Craw fish Pasta" , while Jayson and Dr. Pain each ordered a 12" vegetarian pizza. They actually received and were charged for 16" pizzas. Vegetarian meant green peppers, onions and olives. Catholics are supposed to give up something for Lent, I should have given up the Crawfish pasta - my stomach went to hell anyway.

After sleeping in and avoiding the still congealed cheese pizza in the fridge and spooge in the parking lot we loaded up the bikes and went for a 100 mile reconnaissance drive of the course. We were glad we did because of the valuable and lucrative "tribal knowledge" we discovered about the scary dirt sections. That night we mulled over our commitment and considered skipping the race and enjoy the more sedate "Grand Fondo" tour ride on the same course.

Sunday morning, after watching Jayson worriedly roll toward the back of the choked Pro 1,2,3 field, Dr. Pain and I gathered our courage at the front of the 40+, 50+ and women's 65- person combined field. The promoter took a roll call of all the women but didn't bother with us guys. Nice touch, save the bells, men are expendable.

After five miles of controlled escort the Sheriff cut us loose to race. We managed to stay at the front despite a few attacks (many instigated by women) until we hit the first gravel on Woodstock road at mile 25, then all hell broke loose. Dr. Pain and I managed to position ourselves in the front dozen or so as the attacks and churned-up marble/dust surface began to take its toll on the pack. After two miles there were two guys just off the front with me and two other guys chasing. Eventually 2 strong women joined us with 4-5 others chasing 100 yards further back. I kept stealing glances back - hoping that Dr. Pain was in this chase group but couldn't see any orange jerseys through the dust clouds so I went to the front occasionally to make it hard for any other competition to rejoin us. It turns out Dr. Pain was there, but he managed to channel his anger at me into legs that finally bridged up. Sorry dude!

Finally after 8.5 miles of Slip n' Slide we emerged gratefully from the Forest of Arenburg onto smooth sweet asphalt. We were down to only 10 riders - four women, four men 40+ and two men 50+. An absolute perfect stay-away machine with all 3 groups represented. For the next 30 miles we just rolled and rotated along carefree up and over rolling hills and past restored antebellum plantation homes. At one point we soft pedaled to allow a woman a quick pee break. She was towed back up by a true southron gentleman driving the wheel truck. How sweet - but not really - because the motorcycle dude lied when he assured us the closest chase was 5 miles back. Five minutes later 10 more racers bridged up - tired but very pleased with themselves.

Their pleasure was short lived.

Less than a mile later we turned onto the second dirt stretch and every one of the new cling-ons vanished like beggar weeds under a lint brush. This section began with a 12% 1K hill and two fiendishly spaced sand traps side to side. At the very top was a fat guy waving a $100 bill. The first person to grasp it got to keep it. We all wanted it badly - Masters men had no finish money - just a poster and "a really cool trophy!" Dr. Pain and I had managed to hit the hill in the front 6 which included two very pushy women locked into their own prime pursuit. We had climbed this hill 3 times the day before and knew every square inch. Unfortunately, at the first sand trap 3 people stopped dead in front of us so everybody was forced to run then remount 50' up the road. I got through first but was caught and passed by 3 strong 40+ dudes. I didn't give up because they were weakening as they approach the second and more insidious sand trap. To my joy they went left and fell over hard in a cluster-clump of cursing and rooster tails while I veered right and just pedaled away giggling in a state somewhere between euphoria and asphyxiation. One hundred feet later I snatched the fat man's Franklin, stuffed it into a sticky Gu pocket, rolled down the other side of two more steep dirt hills and had to sprint up to a few angry guys bent on spitting my grinning ass out the back.

Soon we hit pavement again and were back to the same original rotation minus a few people, including - to my dismay - Dr. Pain. Twelve miles and two major leg cramps later we hit the last and toughest dirt section of the race, six miles of hors-catagory steep and unrelenting hills. The first hill knocked everybody down - pro and not so pro alike and forced them to run shoulder to shoulder up a pile of marbles at 45 degrees in shoes that might as well been sheets of ice for all the traction they offered. The equally steep, scary descents were riddled with potholes, creek crossings, and high speed marble-scattered corners that mocked any thoughts of making up time to the escape group that had finally dropped the old guy and forced him into a 20 mile solo time trial to the finish and first place.

At this point Dr. Pain flatted his "no-flat" fancy-pants tubular just as he was bridging up to us in the dirt. Dang it! Adding insult to injury his tire change took 15 minutes due to his superior "ain't never coming off" gluing skills and cigar-sized micro- pump. Even after all this he came in a respectable fourth also after a 20 mile solo time trial to the finish. If not for that flat we would have put two Cycle-Logic jerseys on the podium. After the race he kept mumbling something about clinchers and wheels in the van NEXT YEAR!

The finish, like the food was anti-climatic. Racers dribbled across the line to a smattering of applause under an arch of Live Oak, Spanish Moss and purple Tulip trees. The hills, the dirt, the dirt hills and 100+ miles just wiped everybody out but most were happily chatting about how much fun they had. A few minutes later Dr. Pain rolled in exhausted but grinning about how cool and epic the whole thing was.

Jayson reported that the Pro, 1,2,3 field shattered like ours on the first dirt section but that he and a few others kept working and he managed to finish just one out of the money. He was mumbling something about being happy he turns 40 next year. Hmm. The mental race for next year has already begun.

The awards ceremony was on the lawn back at the St. Francis on the Lake Quality Inn hotel. All the free beer and jambalaya you can eat, which we did. Two hours later, for some reason, we were starving again and went back downtown looking for anything but Sonny's Pizza. Everything was closed except for a limited Sunday menu at.......yep........Sonny's Pizza!

For our Last Supper our choices were either Vegetarian Pizza or Italian Vegetarian Burritos which consisted of pizza dough formed into pita pockets with green peppers,onions and olives - each made with a brick of chewy cheese that could double for a hotel door wedge. This may also explain the parking lot spooge.

At any rate, we all agreed we just have to do this race again next year. There is just nothing else like it down here, but we will probably bring our own food next time.

K-Dogg

New Cycle Logic T-shirt

Introducing the latest in Cycle Logic casual apparel...The Cycle Logic "Crest" T-shirt. The design incorporates the same "Icon Texture" made famous in this year's team kit.

Show your support of North Central Florida's cycling team at the races, at the grocery store, at the gym or anywhere. Short sleeve t's are available in both men's and women's cuts with varying color options. There is also a men's fitted option, a men's long-sleeve option and a stylish boxer-brief option (seriously).

As always, if there is a particular t-shirt design that you have in mind to promote the Cycle Logic team, let us know and we'll try to make your vision become reality. Or if there is a current design that you'd like to see on a different article of clothing/coffee mug/etc... let us know and we'll see what we can do.

Click HERE to view a close up of the graphic.

What would the black, long sleeve t-shirt look like on me?

Visit the 5count store to place your order.

The Jersey...

This past weekend saw the Cycle Logic jersey represented in many ways and in many locations. The jersey was present in the break and in the pack. The jersey was seen on the ground and on the podium. The jersey collected blood, sweat, dirt, recognition and memories. This weekend was one for the books!

From Florida to Georgia all the way over to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Cycle Logic's presence was felt. Higlights of the weekend would be Justin Pfaff's wins at the Chain of Lakes Cycling Classic. Justin placed first in the road race, time trial AND criterium to seal a decisive victory in the weekend's overall omnium for the juniors 13-14 group. Kerry Duggan proved that his recent win at the San Antonio Road Race was no fluke. Kerry not only roared to victory in the 100-mile Rouge Roubaix, but he even won the $100 hill climb prime along the way!

On the downside, Cycle Logic's Chris Bilowich got caught up in a crash during the Regions Bank Race Weekend, Albany Georgia. Chris is okay and his bike will also live to race another day. The jersey has some added character and a story to tell.

We're racing, we're representing, we're winning, we're learning and we're having fun along the way. Stay tuned as the 2010 Cycle Logic journey continues...

 

not NOT First

"I'd rather have nothing than not first."

I actually said that in a state of post-hypoxia at the Habitat for Humanity's hilly road race this past Saturday.

I was apologizing to the guy who I selfishly forced to lead me out for the win as we chatted on the podium steps. My first 55+ race was also my first win in 19 years.
After exchanging names, smiles and handshakes I was accosted by Tal who put his hand on my shoulder and incredulously exclaimed, "did I actually hear you apologise for winning the sprint!? What's up with that!? That's what sprinters do!"

It seemed the right thing to do in a 55+ race. There is no money, little adoration (even my kids make geriatric jokes) and certainly no reason to ever be rude.
We're all just stoked to be healthy, competitive and alive. We have the same head movies of glory as a first year pro, but with no illusions of immortality that lead to risky behavior. We all have to work in the morning. We all take a really long time to heal, at least I do.

My first 55+ race was still hard but a little more survivable than other longer-mileage categories. While shorter it was still very animated and painful -just a bit more civilized.

I heard no cursing, screaming or bad behavior. Twice, fading 3/4 woman racers were "assisted" up the hills by kindly gentlemen. When chains were dropped, helping hands kept things going. When scary riders, badly in need of pack skills, bounced around they were just quietly pointed out and avoided - ending up at the back eventually.

How refreshing.

When the final 1K or so sprint loomed two guys from the same team lined up at the front. I latched on. We got a small gap as teammate #1 pulled off. Teammate #2 went hard. When he slowed I countered with 1/2 k to go. He managed to claw back onto my wheel. I pulled a bit then swung off and stopped pedaling. I thought, "I'd rather have nothing than not first." He looked at me and then at the peleton 50 feet behind and put his head down and lead me all the way to the line where I was almost caught by someone who jumped out of the pack.

I didn't get not first.

Hello selfishness.

K-Dogg

Swamp Classic

Here's a compilation of Cat. 3 footage shot at the Swamp Classic Criterium on February 7th, 2010. This downtown Gainesville race is truly a classic, passing over it's old-world brick "pave" in front of the Hippodrome State Theater which was the original Gainesville Post Office completed in 1911.



This video was shot and edited and produced by Paul Messal of Cycle Logic

Another great perspective of this same race can be seen on YouTube here

A review of "Bring it On"

Florida Racing Magazine has generously agreed to run a full feature article on the 2010 Bring it On races. The issue will hit virtual newsstands today (Wednesday, February 3rd).

Be sure to check out the magazine and read all the specifics of this year's Bring it On races. In addition to the Bring it On article written by our very own Rob Robins, there is a very entertaining and well-written Op-Ed piece written by Rob's wife, Mary. She recaps the "Bring it On" experience through the eyes of a non-cycling wife.

Florida Racing Magazine will also be running a feature article on the Cycle Logic team in an upcoming issue. Stay tuned for more details.

Bring it On - Week #1 Recap

Photos courtesy of Cathy Bester

A-race recap: With a forecast for spotty weather, turnout for the first Bring it On race of 2010 was less than in previous years, still a field of 26 lined up for the A race.

The race started out with one lone rider mistaking the A race for a "Win and Out", but he was quickly reminded otherwise. Shortly into the race, A break of ~10 including Kent Lofton (Velobrew), Phil Gaimon (Kenda Tires), Phil Bailey (Cycle Logic), Ryan Saylor (Velobrew), Eric Stubbs (352), Jacquie Crowell (Team type 1), and others got established within 5 laps. A few laps later the break exploded when Gaimon attacked, the only two who were able to cover were Eric Stubbs, and Derek Schanze (Cycle Logic). The 3 riders continued on, chased by the remnants of the break. Eventually, the three leaders lapped the field, but pressed on through the field and broke away again. The chase group also lapped the field and re-integrated with two laps to go. On the final lap, Schanze attacked, Gaimon countered, and Stubbs snuck by for the win.

Women's recap: It started raining at the start of the women's race. The cat4 women were given an assist and sent off with a 90 second lead. In the 1/2/3 field were Heather Davis (Team Florida), Amy Horstmeyer (352), Cindy Tompkins (Cycle Logic), plus several others. The 1-2-3 women quickly caught the three lone cat4 women within four laps. With five laps to go, Tompkins demonstrated why she had previously worn the Florida State TT Champion jersey by breaking away solo and holding on for the win.

B's race recap: The rain started coming down in buckets by the start of the B's race, and definitely benefited the strong and fearless. From the gun there were a flurry of attacks, causing the B's race to be strung out in a single file for the first several laps. Eventually a break of ~10 was established, including David Monnismith (352) and Kyle Rohan (Chain Reaction). With about four laps to go, three riders broke away from the lead group, with Kyle Rohan pulling out the win.


To view Finish line videos:
A-Race - Click here
B-Race - Click here

Visit the Bring It On event page on facebook.

Presenting the 2010 kit

For those of you who attended the soggy affair that was the Bring it On race this past Saturday, you got a chance to see the new 2010 Cycle Logic kits live and in action.

For those of you who have been following the teaser images with great anticipation of what the final design looked like in its entirety, I present to you our 2010 kit. Click on the image at the left for a larger view.

This year's design contains a fair amount of subtlety in it's background "texture". Thirty different icons were illustrated and positioned throughout the different pieces of apparel. The icons all pertain to (in varying ways) our team, our sport, our state, our culture and our community. Together they blend to create a subdued background that offers the viewer an atypical interaction with the kit.

Keep an eye out for Cycle Logic throughout the racing season, hopefully we won't be hard to miss.

Sneak Peek #5

Our Voler order is currently on the UPS truck and headed to us right now. Here's the last teaser before we reveal the 2010 Cycle Logic kit.

Sneak Peek #4

We're only ONE day away from delivery! The big reveal is just around the corner.

Sneak Peek #3

Sneak Peek #2

2010 Kit - Sneak Peek 1

We're anxiously awaiting the arrival of our 2010 apparel. We're HOPING that the delivery lands on our doorstep before this weekend's Bring it On race. We told you earlier that we'd be giving you some sneak peaks of the new kit prior to it being revealed completely, so here's the first tease...stay tuned.

Bring it On - facebook

Are you a facebook'er? Wanna see who's coming to the Bring it On race? Check out the Bring it On event page on facebook. While you're there, let us know if you'll be attending as well...we'll save a race number for you.