DOMA

Republicans really like the Defense of Marriage Act. Which defends the 'sanctity' of marriage from same sex couples. Who is going to defend marriage from Governor Mark Sanford?

Madison

Ben and I in an exchange. Thanks to Anthony Skorochod for the photo: www.cyclingcaptured.com

track

Just started getting back on the track again. I am committed to riding a small gear until my leg speed comes around, but damn it is hard with so many road miles and no track training. I think next week I will up the gear a couple of inches.

Did another madison with Ben. It is complicated to do a madison with a lot of teams that don't know what they are doing. But I was patient and just tried to ride safe despite what was going on. But what really pisses me off is a certain more experienced rider that tried to give me shit for his missed exchange. The dude was doing exchanges above the blue for no reason, and complains that I came underneath. The one and only time that it happened, I was following wheels and held down low. I am not going to slam back on the pedals, come around, and ride up to the rail just to come over his fat ass.

And if I was more like this guy I would straight up call him out, name and all. But I am going to try and keep my cool after losing it at the track when he confronted me. I do feel bad about that. Not about following all the wheels that are riding underneath while he is up on the blue line.

Amazing

Hopefully they have funding to really put this idea to use.

Dynaflo Race Report

Marty won the Master's 45+ State Road Race. I haven't heard details, but it doesn't surprise me - Marty can ride with the fastest Cat 2's.

We youngin's did Bloomsburg Crit as a tune-up for THE Somerville Crit on Memorial Day.

Bloomsburg - P/1/2/3
It was Kyle Centrella, Matt Spohn, and I with probably about 40 guys starting this race. The plan was to get either Kyle or Matt into a break of around 4 or 5 guys max. Kyle got in an early move with 5 other guys. We weren't going to be too picky, so Matt and I got on the front to control things. But the break did not work well together and ended up coming back. Matt made the next move and got up the road by a few seconds. Again Kyle and I got on the front and made sure that every guy that tried to make it across had one of us on his wheel. Kyle found the right wheel and eventually Dynaflo held two spots of a 6 man break. The odds were right, so I got on the front and shut down the chase attempts. In the break, Matt and Kyle slipped up and let one rider a long leash with 10 laps to go and he ended up staying away. Fighting for second, Kyle was also allowed to slip off the front and once he had the gap, he gave it all for the last two laps to hold on to 2nd. Matt handily cleaned up the sprint to take 3rd.

Somerville - Cat 2
Not sure how many people started, but it was probably close to 80 riders with Nick Price, Kyle Centrella, Matt Spohn and I in the field for Dynaflo. The race was short so the plan was to keep it together until Matt decided to give it a solo try or we would work to set him up in the sprint. A couple of early breaks were given a bit of a leash by the group, so Nick and I were at the front keeping it fast so no one got out of sight. Until Kyle found himself in a break. Matt and I reused our tactic from the day before until the announcer offered up a $100 prime and the field gave chase from all directions. Kyle stayed out in the break and was able to outsprint his 3 break companions for the prime. Coming into the last few laps, Matt was attentive at the front when Woody from Alliance went solo. Matt knew a good move and went with him. On the penultimate lap, Kyle hit the front and used all the tricks in the book through turns 3 and 4 and the field came out slow enough to give Matt a chance. The field started chasing really hard with about a kilometer to go, and it was really going to come down to the wire. Matt looked back with about 500 meters to go and saw the field closing. He made the decision to hit the front and lead it out and hope for the best and at the very least not get caught. The leadout ended up costing Matt the win as Woody came around him at the line, but 2nd was a good result with the field sprint finishing right on Matt's rear wheel!

Wilmington GP

I woke up with a sore throat and a little nauseous. I am in pretty good shape now, so I thought I could make it to the end of the race and hope to help Matt win. It wasn't a jabronni thought that he could win. We really thought he was going to win.

So we start out with 132 guys, and I slowly pick my way toward the front 40 or so to avoid getting tailed off. Which was a good idea - around 50 guys finished the race. With 13 to go, Matt makes his bid - attacking off the front, and dragging two guys with him. When I see the gap is around 10 seconds and hear the announcer saying his name, I make my way to the front. I got to the front with around 8 to go. For a lap and half I was on the front sitting on the wheel of one legit attacker, pulling through just a little slower than the field was going, and braking far too much into turn 3. I was totally gassed with 6 to go, but the gap was up to 30 seconds. Last years winner, Woody, went to the front and drilled it for the next two laps and brought it back down to 10 seconds, but when he let up that was it. The field started sitting up for the sprint and the gap was secure for Matt. Matt sat on for the last lap and easily outsprinted his two breakaway companions for the win:
Here is Matt's post. Dude's got a motor strapped on this year, and I am so glad he is getting to use it to the full potential. And it is awesome how much less pain I can feel when I am working hard for a legit winner.

Matching Bikes

At least I look pro. I can't wait to race on that track bike.