Project 5 Racing

Ladies - Join us for a 30 mile ride in the west suburbs followed by a picnic style lunch. Don your finest riding garb, your team kit, grab your bike and let’s roll! We’ll head out at 9:00 from Twin Lakes Park on 59th St. just west of Cass Avenue in Westmont. Easy access from the Metra as well. More details on the flier found here: click me.

I expected a day filled with rain, thunder, and lightning - but no, blue skies, heat, and humidity were piled on! Great day for racing.

The W3/4’s race had almost 50 racers on the start line - what a terrific showing! Some of the top talent from Wisconsin was down as well as a few unknowns from other states. The race started at a fast clip, with P5 stringing out the field for a few laps. After a couple of attacks, the contenders at the front of the pack were consistent - and would eventually line up as the top 10 finishers. The race remained exciting, though, with many attacks from the many teams represented. When the organizers put us on the longer, PRO course, next year, those team tactics will have much more impact to the race. So cool to see the Kenda team swooping up the inside. On another lap, Cuttin’Crew chasing down a break. P5 being the break that they had to chase, while I sat in. That’s fun racing. 

Unfortunately one of our top Chicago competitors crashed bad at turn 3 about 3/4 way through the race. The race was neutralized for a few laps at that point on the course as well as stopped/started to allow the ambulance to clear the course. I don’t think the start/stop had an impact on the race results - however, what did impact each of us was knowing that a friend was hurt. Our well-wishes go out to her.

The finish of the race was a series of attacks with the strongest riders finding the right lines to position themselves before hitting the final corner and taking it across the finish line. As I was behind them, learning a new lesson, it was so cool to see how easily they could move to get a clean line and surge forward. Tuck that away for next season.

What a great week-end for P5! Podiums, State Championship Jerseys, IL Cup Series Winners - oh, and a new teammate!

Before a recap of the events, with the significant achievements this week-end, a brief reminder of what P5 represents seems appropriate:
The Project 5 moniker was chosen for two reasons. In one respect the name stands for the plan most of us have of graduating up from the Cat 5 racing scene and moving on up until age, health, life or acquirement of a Cat 1 license prevents us from going further in our chosen sport/passion/fetish. The other meaning behind this name is simply promotion of racing in general for those young and old that are looking to participate in this awe inspiring sport. Our hope is to be a sort of ambassador of this sport and the healthy lifestyle it represents

P5 has expanded the roster adding a new teammate that shares the passion we have for the sport, its growth, and the drive to continue to challenge ourselves - welcome Marilyn Powell! A well-known entity within the racing community, we look forward to blending Marilyn’s enthusiasm with that of our own for success both on and off the course. You will hear more about her in the (long - lot’s of good stuff happened!) recap below.

Grayslake: The final race in the Illinois Cup Series, P5 results in the Grayslake events could change the final positioning in a number of categories. While a win is always the goal, today there would be additional layers to the opportunities for success.

• Men’s 50+: John Deifel has been racing well this year and today was one of his finest showings. Up against the Mighty Mack’s and Wayne Simon among others, John had a deep field to contest. Holding his position near the front of the pack for the better part of the race, John came into view of the start/finish in 5th position and at the final turn, with a solid sprint, moved into 4th place. Great job! John secured 6th place in the Illinios Cup Series.       
• W3/4 race: Marilyn, a cat 3 racer, joined Jerel, Ginger and Cathy on the line with 14 other racers. The race started out at a slow pace, noone wanting to do the work on the first lap. Lap 2, the Bouldougue (Stacy) became antsy and attacked. Mack-er Jeanne was on her wheel with Marilyn sitting in 3rd wheel. From then on, many attacks were attempted but no break formed. True to form, Jeanne popped out and collected the couple of primes offered. As we came around on the final lap, Ginger attacked with Stacy and Jeanne jumping to reel her in - and they did - but barely. Had the course been just a bit shorter the end result might have been jumbled. Stacy topped the podium followed by Jeanne and Ginger. However, with her 3rd place finish, Ginger secured 2nd place in the W3/4 Illinois Cup Series while Cathy retained 1st place in the Series.
• Men’s Cat 4: Quentin and Greg lined up. With the gun, the larger teams set a fast pace and maintained it throughout the race. Greg had mechanical issues which popped him out of the race a couple times. Q hung in and moved up through the pack as the race progressed. On the last lap - only the racers know what happened on the backside of the course - but Q was 2nd wheel coming into view of the start/finish and made his move in the curve to come into the finishing stretch in 1st position. Q held it through the finish line for a “V”!!! That victory also moved Q into 1st Place in the Illinois Cup Series!
• Women’s Open: With Pascale joining the other four P5 ladies on the line, we had our entire ladies team racing for the first time since the start of the season. With the whistle, Flatlandia’s Kristen Meshberg hammered it out for the entire first lap quickly dropping many racers. Lap 2 was more of the same with Jeanne (yes, the same Mack attacker!) and Stacy (yes, you got it, that Stacy) trading surges with Kristen. Behind them were a bunch of red shirts - 3 P5’s and an Alberto’s. With the separation from the rest of the pack, we continued doing our circles, trading turns at the front. There were some unsuccessful attempts to try to shake a few racers off this break group. About mid-race, Jeanne attacked and got some clearance. Not too much urgency in the group to pull her back - just kept the gap so she was in sight. After a few laps, the gap started coming down and Jeanne reintegrated with the group. No counter-attacks - how nice for her. With three to go, realizing a break was not going to get away, the pace wound down. On the final lap, Alberto’s Francine moved to the front and pulled - and pulled until she attacked within sight of the finish line. In the end, Francine maintained 3rd position with Jeanne then Stacy, in that order, finishing ahead of her. P5 blocked out the mid-pack finish positions with a 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th - all in the top 10, cool! Cathy moved into 2nd position overall for the Illinois Cup series.
• Men’s 30+: Tim and Greg lined up and had strong upper-mid-pack finishes. Greg did not have the mechanical issues he suffered in his earlier race and as a result had a much better outing.

Wood Dale ABR State Crit Championships:

• The Women were the first P5 race of the day. With all categories/age groups lumped in together, jerseys on the line for each, knowing your competitors was of the utmost importance. P5 had representation in the 50+ (Marilyn), 40+ (Pascale), 3’s (Ginger), and 4’s (Jerel). A steady rain coupled with a cooling breeze kicked in before the start of the race. A slight delay due to a vehicle on the course had the women shivering. At the whistle, the race set off at a slow pace. Coming around to the start of lap 2, the pace was still slow until Stacy (yup - her) jumped. Guess who followed her? If you said Jeanne Mack-er, pat yourself on the back for following along. They are both 3’s. Jerel was on their heels with a gap between her and XXX’s cat 3 Heidi Sarna. Behind this group was a couple of 4’s then a pack of mixed master’s. After a couple of laps, the position changes included Heidi bridging to the two-some of 3’s -but they weren’t so nice today - and surged dropping Heidi who road out the rest of the race with 3rd place secured. Jerel tucked in with the couple of 4’s. Her race would come down to the sprint. Ginger left the Master’s group late in the race and bridged up to the 4’s finishing with them. Pascale and Marilyn worked together to shake their competition and cross the finish tops in each of their age groups - Illinois State Champions!!! True teamwork - awesome to see.
• Master’s 30+: The rain continued for the men’s 30+ race. Tim raced smart sitting about 6th or 7th wheel throughout the race. While attacks were attempted, nothing got away, so the race came down to the final lap. A couple of maneuvers in the final turns kept Tim from fully unleashing his powerful sprint. Still, he finished a strong 5th - nice showing!
• Mens Cat 4: Q was toeing the line against Rhythm Racing’s Villeno who was bested at yesterday’s race. Very quickly there were 7 riders in a break - Q and a couple RR’s included. The rest of the pack disintegrated. As this race progressed, the pace picked up, so much so that the break would end up lapping the field 3 times! The weather improved at about the same rate. The rain ceased, the sun came out - taking the spectators from 65 to 85 (or at least that’s what it felt like) in a matter of a few laps. On the course, coming into the final laps, the break did not slow - rather the attacks increased. With the bell, it was Q and RRV off the front going at each other. We waited anxiously at the finish line, not knowing what aggressions were unleashed on the backside of the course, until we saw Q come around the final corner out front, hammering. go Go GO GOOOO!!! - Villeno was pouring it on but Q held him off by inches at the line. Q = Illinois State Champion!!!

Whew! What a tally for P5 this week-end:

• Podiums = 6 (Q -2 1sts, Ginger - 3rd, Marilyn - 1st, Pascale - 1st, Jerel - 3rd)
• Illinois State Champion Jerseys = 3 (Q Cat 4, Marilyn 50+, Pascale 40+)
• Illinois Cup Series: 1st places = 2 (Q Cat 4, Cathy W3/4), 2nd places = 2 (Ginger W3/4, Cathy WOpen), 6th place = 1 (John 50+)

Nemesis = something that a person cannot conquer. Evanston is my nemasis - ok, maybe that is a bit extreme, but it feels right after today’s race.

The turnout for the W3/4 race was a bit smaller than I had anticipated. Except for the Alberto’s army (luv ya girls!), and one each from Half-Acre, ABD, Kenda, and Flatlandia, most of the racers were from out of town and unknown to me. I did not know what to expect.

Last year I rode about mid-pack and was pushed into the curb at turn 4 - one witness to that show called it a “spectacular crash”! Well, this year I was not about to allow anyone to do any Phil Liggett-ing of my performance. Stay out front = stay safe.

So - that’s what I did…for the most part. Tibco had 5 racers on the line and kicked off the race with an attack. Alberto’s countered - and they went back and forth a few times. Good thing was that the pace was high enough that there was no pile up going through the corners.

But then fluky things started happening…

The wind blew barriers onto the course in front of the hotel on the back straight-away - we veered to the right. On the next lap, the barriers were still in the street - with a security guard standing there making no attempt to pick them up. Hhhhmmm.

6 to go in our CRIT race - and it is NEUTRALIZED due to a delivery truck on the course! It entered the course near where the barriers went down - Hhhhmmmm.

Ok - so much for the bit of a string out we had going. 1/2 lap later we are let go again, but we are now all in a bunch. The pace never quite picked up to the “not-so-fast, but fast enough to keep racers strung-out” pace we had been going. With the final laps and slower pace, some swarming started to happen on the straight-aways. 1/2 lap to go, I am sitting 4th wheel, on backside straight-away - not too far from the wind-blown barriers or where the truck entered the course - an unattached rider moves up my left side and abruptly shifts to her right - quick/clean move that perfectly set her derailleur in my front wheel and ripped out a few spokes and sent me to the pavement.

I understand there was a crash at turn 5 (BK Stacker) immediately after mine in which the lead girls I was following crashed into a barrier taking 3 of them out - maybe crashing earlier was a good thing?

Well - Evanston. Will I see you next year?

Thanks to all the racers that joined us in Des Plaines. What a day! A plethora of Masters Age Group and category races, combined with reasonable fees, and wonderful weather enticed many racers to not just double-up, but triple up in many cases. And the competition was deep! Also, your generosity resulted in many boxes of food and a sizable cash donation to the Food Pantry.

We truly extend our appreciation to the City of Des Plaines for opening their arms warmly to the racers - the many families that pitched tents in their front yards and watched the races, the many kiddies that participated in the neighborhood race, the good samaritans that distributed sandwiches and water to the volunteers, the policemen patrolling both on bikes and ATVs that expressed interest in the strategy of the crits, and to the Mayor for setting a good example of wearing his bike helmet as he toured the course on his bicycle. We hope that you experienced something new and interesting - and that you may consider welcoming us all back next year for the first annual Tour of da Villas. 

Thanks to American Bike Racing (ABR) and especially Tom Olson for coordinating another great racing event. My teammates and I (Cathy) have a new appreciation for the amount of work involved in coordinating a race - and I only helped out on race day! I cannot yet imagine the amount of effort that goes into obtaining approval for the event, preparing for race day, and the post-race work involved. 

Thanks to all the P5′ers that assisted with the day - including the Scott family! It was a bunch of fun to work with you all in a non-racing kind of way.

Regarding the racing itself, for the women, Alberto’s stacked the line with their team in red for both the women’s 4 and Open/Masters races. They would have 2 red jerseys on the top of the podium for the 4s - great job! For the Open/Master’s women’s race, in addition to Alberto’s, ABD, Kenda, Bouldougue Tout Noire, and Village Cycle Sport each had at least a couple riders on the line. All the Project 5 ladies raced - really cool to have all of us on the line together again! The race played out fairly simple - Bouldougue #1 attacks to the left, we chase her down. Bouldougue #2 attacks to the right, we chase her down. Repeat. Final results were a couple of Bouldougue’s then the rest of us - nice job, ladies!

The men’s races were exciting to watch. For Project 5, John (Masters 50+), Kevin (Master’s 30+), Tim (Master’s 30+ and P/1/2/3), Shawn (cat 4), and Q (cat 4 and P/1/2/3) raced.  John had a solid race, but missed getting in the break that would stick. In the Master’s 30+, Kevin and Tim raced with the biggest field of the day - there were multiple attacks making it also one of the most exciting races of the day. The 4’s race had Shawn spending a few laps well out ahead of the pack when he attacked after a prime. When Shawn re-integrated with the field, Q counter-attacked and was off the front for a few laps. Very exciting. The race came down to a field sprint. The attacks started early in the P/1/2/3 race. Luke Seeman and Chris Mosoro were off the front early and soon joined by about 5 more racers. Nearing the mid-point of the race, the pack grew unsettled. A few racers bridged to the break and a few fell off the break. Q made the break! Tim settled in to do some blocking - except to collect part of a 2-place prime was announced about 3/4 way through the race. Q stuck with the break group until the finish line finishing 7th -FANTASTIC! In the closing laps, Chris went off the front and soloed in for the win.

Again - thanks to all that joined us - racers, neighbors, ABR, P5. Enjoy the holiday!

A few Project 5 Racers headed south for the Peoria Classic, the IL State Crit Championships - John, Tim, Shawn, Q, Ginger, and myself. After racing the week in ToAD, and experiencing Whitney Gagglioli’s utter (or should I say “udder”?) domination, I decided to bail on the last day of ToAD and head to Peoria. Thankfully Ginger was game for that, too.

John and Tim had already raced when we arrived. From their accounts, the heat and humidity of the day would play a factor in the outcome of each race.

15 women lined up for the W3/4. As we looked around at the start, we recognized most of the competition. Great turn-out from XXX and Mack. Then we were off…The first lap was so slow that I could hear spectator’s asking, “This is a race?” before the announcer jabbed us as we passed the start/finish with a “And her come the ladies setting a blistering pace” - but that would be it for the jabs. Attacks started immediately after that. Just before mid-point of the race, an attack stuck with Ginger, Proctor, and XXX-Mia off the front. Mack chased desperately as I latched onto their wheels. After a couple laps, just when I thought the break would stick, something happened and the gap started reducing. So I counter-attacked and Proctor and XXX-Mia joined me in a new break. For the 2nd half of the race, we worked well together to maintain our break. On the backstretch of the last lap, wind in our face, the three of us eyed each other. You could feel how antsy we were getting. About 1 block from the final two turns, I couldn’t hold it in anymore and attacked. As I went into the first turn, I looked and saw I had a gap. From there, it was up the hill and down the finishing stretch, eyes forward just putting everything I had into the pedals. After I crossed the line is when I looked back - yes, I got it - the jersey! Ahhh - it is a good feeling.

After our race, Q and Shawn lined up for the cat 4 race. Big competition in the race, including Kyle Selph of Tower Racing who came with his entourage. Q positioned himself well throughout the race and attacked on the last lap. Q did not leave anything on the course. Kyle nipped Q at the line - so close! Solid 2nd place in the State Championship race - just fantastic.   

Ginger rejoined J and myself (Cathy) for the Downer Classic. What a terrific party setting! Between Cafe Hollander on the right and Via and Original Pancake House on the left, great food and drink was pentiful. Another gorgeous day after a night of storms. 35 women were at the line today each determined to make their attempt for the cow jersey. At the whistle, the field took off. Four turns on the clock-wise course - 90, 60 (tight, tight, tight), 105, and 105 (nice sweeping corners before the approach to the finish). Before each corner, the pace picked up with the lead riders not interested in getting caught in a bunch with riders with sketchy cornering skills. As expected the pace also picked up for the primes - but no real break-away attempts today. With the $100 prime, Ginger attacked on the backstretch and strung out the pack the most all day. After that, J and Ginger both took pulls at the front helping to string out the pack. On the final lap, the field was still pretty tight. Coming out of the final corner, a Geargrinder racer veared left across my path just as I was getting out of the saddle - I not only had to stop peddaling, but also reverse the bike a bit so she didn’t hit my front wheel. Dang! There went the train - Whitney, Jannette, Dena and one other girl up the inside. I tried to ramp up my speed, but it didn’t happen. A couple others passed me near the finish. 7th.

The shortest - and flattest - course of the series was sure to be fast. So fast, that the town put a copper-speed-reader up so we could see just how fast we were going. Jerel and I decided to dare the starter’s whistle and make a final potty break which put us at the back of the pack for the start. With the whistle, the 27 W3/4 racers were off - and off fast! Attacks started immediately. J got trapped behind a few girls having troubles clipping in and cornering - frustrating! After a few laps, Whitney was off the front with another girl with probably the largest gap of the week in any race. It took a while to organize, but finally I got a couple of ladies to work with me to reel it back in - a match or two burned. The speed reader consistently posted 26 mph or so each time I looked - I do wish my computer was working so I could see what the real speeds were. With about 6 to go, in the lead pack there was a crash at the start/finish line - could the lapped rider that tried to latch on at turn 4 have been a contributor? At 4 to go, Smart Cycling’s Meghan attacked hard. She stayed out for a lap or so. The pace remained high with two to go. At one to go, ISCorp started a lead out. Before turn 3, another ISCorp racer, Holly Matthews, jumps to the outside and I get her wheel. Looking back from turn 3, Whitney is with us, but the three of us have a sizable gap. After turn 4, as Holly starts to ramp up her speed, I am only able to match her - Whitney passes us on the inside to take the win. While the visit to the podium was sweet, the cow jersey remains the real elusive treat. Tomorrow?

Q raced the 4/5’s after us. He positioned himself well within the pack throughout the race, chased down a few attacks, and gunned it in the last lap to hold on to a 5th place finish in an extremely strong field. Excellent!

Well kids, I am in a much better place when compared to last year, but man do I have a long way to go. Here is an update of the past two days…

Waterloo: Circuit race in a cute little town. On the backside a longer hill with a steep kicker and well, I knew there would be some separation, but if I shifted back into the big ring after the kicker I would be able to bomb the descent and catch back on but had trouble shifting back into my big ring after it for the descent on most of the laps. Didn’t come in last though and wasn’t lapped so some progress. Knowing people wanted to jump early in the race to cause some separation in the field, 2nd lap just before the climb (which narrows quite a bit), Cathy was sitting 3rd wheel. This is perfect, Cathy can go and get away, except that didn’t happen and there was an attack on the hill the next lap (prime), and I was quickly off the back. Came in not last and wasn’t lapped. Progress. KEVIN P….awesome job out there!!!!! Sorry we didn’t have a chance to chat after. I was going to buy you an ice cream at the flower/ice cream shop combo storefront. Odd but it looked good.

What was amazing at Waterloo was heading over to TREK with Cathy to get a behind the scenes tour with her friend who works there. So cool. So cool. So cool. What an experience.

Greenbush: Road Race today. Well what is up with these race profiles? 3% grade…either I am really fatigued (possible) or somebody doesn’t know what 3% grade is. Again a challenging racecourse that allowed me to use all of my gears, wish I had a few more. I think I located some new muscles by the way. Cathy and I drove the course last night and we had a plan (for her). I knew this course was going to put me off the back and it did right where I expected there to be an attack. I needed my momentum to make up these hills and the climbers crushed that momentum around mile 3 (of 20). So I had a nice TT and bombing the winding blind turn downhills was SO MUCH FUN! Did not come in last. Second to last. Again progress and a great day of racing. There isn’t much else I rather be doing today except winning that cow print jersey.

Looking forward to a few more flat days of no hills. Hoping to see a darn jersey and looking forward to drinking some chocolate milk!

Wish everyone was up here racing. Super professional, class act, well run event. Everyone is so great and encouraging, even of women’s cat 3/4 racing. Just like all of you guys! If you have any ideas that you want to race, don’t second guess yourself, come up here. It’s been awesome!

A gorgeous day in Sheboygan after a night filled with thunderstorms and tornadoes. So thankful we did not have to camp last night. Cool coffee shop hangout last night and great breakfast at a mom/pop joint - ahh, Wisconsin.

Matt lined up with about 30 other cat 3 men when the sun was the hottest of the day. Barely a wisp of a cloud was in the sky. Immediately there was an attack off the front that stayed away for a couple laps. Once he was swallowed up, a group of 5 created a break after a counter-attack. With primes, that group of 5 whittled to 2. The pack could not organize for the chase. Soon 5 riders broke away from the pack to try to reel the two in. Matt was still in the peloton about mid-pack, but moving up. After a few more laps, the peloton absorbed 4 of the 5 in the chase group and Matt in a solo effort took off to chase the 3rd place rider dangling in no man’s land. For the next 5 laps or so, Matt and the other racer remained about 10 yards apart. Primes offered to the pack threatened their gap which had grown to 20 seconds. With three to go, Matt caught the solo racer. With one to go, Matt tried to attack on the backside of the course. Coming out of the final corner, the two racers were nearly side to side - a drag race to the finish…but wait - the pack came around the final turn! Can they beat out the charging pack? Yes! Matt held on to 4th after a very exciting and heroic effort in a field where other teams had the numbers stacked in their favor. Great job!

For the W3/4 race, about 25 lined up earlier in the day. With a number of races complete in the series, not only is the result of the race itself playing into each racer’s strategy, but so is the chase for the overall. Whitney’s overall lead is almost insurmountable - but the 2nd - 7th positions are just points apart. A few new faces to the race also added to the excitement. The race sets off at a leisurely pace until ISCorp attacked - hard. The pack was slow to react. Only after a couple of back to back primes was she reeled in. Another couple of back to back primes increased the pace of the race a bit, but there was more eyeing each other than pushing a hard pace. Jerel attacked with a few remaining laps stringing out the pack. She attacked again a couple of laps later with the same result. No one was going to get away today. On the final lap, I tried to jump before the 2nd to last corner - and I did a fine job (so not intended!) of setting up a leadout for Whitney, Jannette, and GearGrinder, myself finishing 4th. Jerel - even after all her attacks late in the race finished with the pack.

On to Madison, getting ready for Waterloo tomorrow.