COLD WEATHER DOESN'T DETER 55/60+ RACERS AT ONTARIO CRIT #1

By John McKee

It is February 27, 2011 and the Dare to Race Grand Prix series is being held in the quaint village of Ontario, Ca. Ontario is at the base of the San Gabriel mountains. There will be 6 races in the series this year. A cold wave has hit Southern California. The snow level is down to 3500 ft. The 40 minute 55/60+ criterium is being held on the famous 7 corner grand prix course. 50 55/60+ racers showed up despite the 36 degree temp in the morning. There were some racers in Nevada at the Callville Stage Race so 50 racers was a good turnout. Only the wimpiest racers stayed away. 

Photo courtesy of Ken Hill- Beautiful view of the S.G. Mountains

I got to the event site at 6:30 am having to get my number at registration and get myself and my bike ready for the 7:35 am start of the race. Parked behind me was a first time woman racer. She was adorably cute and naive. She was in her 20s. I was telling her a little bit about the racing scene and pointing out my teammate Monty Pettus. I told her that Monty started racing in 1963. Her reply was "Wow, and he is still alive!" Not only is he still alive but the favorite in the 60+ category. Monty had there with him for his Paramount team, myself and new team member Joe Wells. I have been riding well and I knew that Joe was in pretty good shape from some training rides we had done in Az. This was Joe's first race this year so he wasn't sure how he would feel. Other notable 60+ racers that would be expected to be in mix at the end would be Harold Schneider now of Simple Green and hot rider David Lang of the host club Dare. Bob Wright of Santa Clarita Velo would also be expected to perform well considering some very good finishes this year.

In the 55+ category Dale Luedtke would appear to be the favorite. Dale has been solid this year but his teammate, Mike Birditt plus 3 other Swami's riders were in Nevada. Dale had a limited support staff with Steve Diamond and all around strongman Rick Swanson. The 55+ Socal Cup leader, UCC's Kal Szkalak was out with bronchitis. No other UCC rider was in the pack. Velo Allegro had Ricky Shorts and several team members including Rod Mallory. Unknown to most racers was that Santa Clarita Velo was bringing there A team. Last weekend Mike Gourley of SCV showed himself to be a major player in the 55+ racing scene. Sunday's race would be interesting. There was a different dynamic Sunday.

The racers lined at 7:35 am to get the race off with a beautiful view of the San Gabriel mountains in the background.The race was on schedule with the outcome certainly in doubt. The one thing that wasn't in doubt once we started racing was the aggressive riding by SCV. Mike Gourley of SCV took off after unattached 55+ rider Nour Tillo early on. I saw this as an opportunity and took off and got right on. Steve Diamond of Swami's also got on. Tillo relinquished Mike's wheel to me not wanting to do anything but sit. Mike started pulling hard and it took the stuffing out of me and I couldn't pull through. I tried to say something to Mike but my jaw was so cold I don't think I was understandable.

Mike got a little tired and discouraged from the lack of support and we were caught. Craig Jones did a lot of the work bringing the break back.

Photo courtesy of Ken Hill- Gourley & Freeman of SCV

The next break also included a SCV rider and this time it was Fred Hoblit. The 2 other 55+ riders were Ricky Shorts and Rick Swanson. They got over 100 meters on the pack and Dale Luedtke decided to ride across the gap. It took him awhile but he got there. I thought this could be a strong move and stay away but some strong riders came to the front to pull the peleton. John Roest was one of these strong riders and pulled hard. Once Dale was aboard I doubt that Fred and Ricky liked the odds. Back they came.

Did SCV stop here. No. Definitely not. Mike Gourley got on it again with his teammate Kirk Freeman. Swami's Rick Swanson was having none of this and it was altogether again. The last break that I remember was Tom Reilly of guess who and 60+ rider Phil Richards. The move was short lived.

It definitely was looking like a bunch sprint and the lap card came down for 5 laps to go. Everyone was looking around for a jump or move and trying to get in good position without being in the wind. Not easy. Don Davidson tried a move with 2 laps to go but was reeled in. The bell lap came and yes we were all together. I had been watching Dale Luedtke. I know a good wheel when I see it. Rick Swanson had been protecting it but somehow in the last lap I got it. Dale wanted on Ricky Shorts and Monty (And he's still alive) Pettus gave it up and ended up getting buried. 3 left turns and it was the only right hander. Here's where Santa Clarita Velo took control of the race. Tom Reilly drove to the front and started to pull hard and immediately the pack started to string out. Ricky Shorts was on his teammate Rod Mallory. Dale was on Ricky and I was on Dale. I felt good about where I was as long as the pace didn't slow down and it didn't. Just before the next left turn Mike Gourley hit it even harder. He was going to try and take it home from a long ways out. This hadn't been done from here since Howard Miller of Paramount did it 3 years ago. Rod kept fairly close to Mike but didn't close the gap. The pace was high. The next to the last corner and Mike still had a gap and you knew all hell was going to break loose soon. Dale Luedtke didn't want to close the gap to Mike and bring Ricky and the rest of the pack with him. He was going to try and close the gap from the last corner home. The course dips a bit at the last corner and gives you a sling shot toward the finish line. Gourley came through leading and really nailing it. Nour Tillo had worked his way to the front and was right there. At the corner Dale got out of the saddle to start his sprint pretty far out. Ricky jumped off Rod to get on Dale and I knew this was my time to go as well. My pre ride plan was to sprint out of the saddle at the last corner and give it my all to stay on a good wheel and try and hang on later. 

Dale and Ricky were really cooking it and were gaining on Mike but alas it was Gourley! 1st place!

Photo courtesy of K. Hill- Gourley near line

Photo courtesy of K. Hill- Luedtke leading pack in

Luedtke came in followed by Ricky Shorts. I was a little behind and now in the saddle trying to hang on. I thought someone was going to pass me anytime but it didn't happen. I got 4th overall and was the 1st 60+ racer across. Monty Pettus was next after passing 10 riders coming in which his wicked sprint and taking 2nd in 60+. 5 of the next 9 riders were 60+. Except for the first 3 riders, 60+ kicked butt. Mike Gourley showed again what a strong rider he is. I happen to show good form and of course was very pleased with the outcome and dedicate my victory to my newest grandson, Jonathan "Hungie" Woolley(Photo at bottom). "H" came across the line as the 3rd 60+ rider and Joe Wells placed 4th in 60+ for his new team. Good clean hard race and great teamwork by the Santa Clarita Velo guys. Complete results are below plus photos of the winners. That's all for now folks! Train hard and race safe!

Dare to Race GP  (Rank 1.0)
Masters 60+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	180386	John McKee	Paramount Racing	14
2	219074	Leo Pettus	Paramount Racing	11
3	315702	Harold Schneider	Team Simple Green/Bike Religion	10
4	48252	Joseph Wells	Paramount Racing	9
5	39024	Bob Wright	Santa Clarita Velo	8
6	107852	David Lang	DARE	7
7	129293	Michael Fleming	SBW	6
8	189814	Leo Longo	South Bay Wheelmen	5
9	243425	mark wisnosky	ACQUA AL 2/SDBC	4
10	3793	Raphael Gomez	Rage Cycling	3
11	228631	James Swigart	ACQUA AL 2/SDBC	2
12	101582	William Carvin	Unattached	1
12	195498	Donald Kimper	ACQUA AL 2/SDBC	1
13	238828	Phillip Richards	Citrus Valley Velo	0
14	57726	Ernest Hoffer	Herbalife LaGrange	0
15	50498	Richard Rodriguez	Pacific Sunset Velo/Pac Sun Velo	0
16	45763	Robert Paganini	Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)	0
17	61278	Mario Seri	Herbalife LaGrange	0
18	45342	Domenick Forte	Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)	0
19	50013	Ray Moreno	DARE	0
20	48278	Donald Davidson	Citrus Valley Velo	0
21	50406	Michael Edwards	Velo Club LaGrange	0

Dare to Race GP  (Rank 1.0)
Masters 55+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	13802	Michael Gourley	METALMTN Cycling	14
2	47262	Dale Luedtke	Swami's Cycling Club	11
3	52251	Ricky Shorts	Velo Allegro	10
4	16360	Fred Hoblit	Santa Clarita Velo	9
5	35603	Nour Tillo	Unattached	8
6	34753	Rick Swanson	Swami's Cycling Club	7
7	15874	Steve Hensler	Team Redlands	6
8	30596	Wayne Rosenkrantz	Pinnaclife Racing Team	5
9	2734	Richard Barron	SC Velo	4
10	52086	Cyril Hunte	Unattached	3
11	12354	Kirk Freeman	Santa Clarita Velo	2
12	245777	Steven Borer	ACQUA AL 2/SDBC	1
13	66553	John Sinz	Canyon Velo	0
14	66019	Brian Cote	Team Velosport Club	0
15	178495	Steve Diamond	Swami's Cycling Club	0
16	271566	Alex Gonzalez	Velo Allegro	0
17	56643	Robert Shupper	Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)	0
18	101454	Robert Morris	Major Motion Cycling Club	0
19	277180	John Roest	Rock N' Road Cyclery	0
20	107559	Rodney Malloy	Velo Allegro	0
21	167453	Bob Estupian	Citrus Valley Velo	0
22	51400	Mark Rich	SC Velo	0
23	155459	Thomas Reilly	Santa Clarita Velo	0
24	18156	Craig Jones	Velo Avanti Cycling Team	0
25	186482	Rick Skalak	Santa Clarita Velo	0
26	9271	Pete Dern	Herbalife LaGrange	0
27	289270	Sanda Timbal	Simple Green	0

Jonathan "Hungie" Woolley

60+ Winner- McKee

55+ Winner- Gourley

55+ CALLVILLE STAGE RACE

By Michael Birditt

The Callville Bay Stage race is always a special date on the stage racers calendar. As more race reports come in from our teams you will hear this year was "special" due to record breaking weather.

Friday: ITT / Prolog, a hill climb as most riders forego TT bikes and just use their normal road bike. Once I saw this I took off the clip-ons and followed most and rode my road bike. Pretty straight forward, go up a mostly steady 3-4% climb for about 2.5 miles, hit a 6-7% kicker the last .5 mile and drop to the finish about 4-500 meters away.
Warren Wicks had the pleasure of being #1 for 55+. I was 3rd. Gary Shuey and Kim Bleth later. Warren and I were on our way back down when we saw Gary and Kim coming up. Gary was pulling time back on Kenny Fuller who was going to be Swami's biggest GC threat. 

Final podium Wilcox and Shuey

End result Gary won the ITT and was in 1st place overall with Kenny 2nd and Robert Wilcox (UCC) 3rd.

Saturday: 57 mile "rolling" (LOL) RR.
Ok so I'm writing this and I will take liberties with the course description. Rolling is NOT what a sprinter would call those mountains. No matter, we woke to cold, wind, and a steady rain. We all knew the job was to keep Gary close to Kenny and Robert. One challenge was we were racing with the 45+ and that field was stacked with talent
that was not going to allow a nice slow ride. They did not disappoint. It was game on from the start. I understand we popped people right from the get go. I only made it over the first climb and then could not hold on. Kim quickly followed. Warren was able to stay up there
and was a big help to Gary later at the finish. I rode the next 50 miles soaked and with numb hands and feet. It was bad to the point that I could not get food out of my jersey and almost dropped water bottles numerous times. 
There were 2 turn around points and each time as we passed 
I could see Gary sitting in protecting that GC. When they
came to the finish Warren led Gary out and Gary was right 
on Kenny. Kenny won, Gary was second with a 17 second GC lead. 

Robert Wilcox of UCC was 19 seconds down after the second stage.
One stage to go.

Sunday: 40 minute Crit. Woke up to rain and record cold. Our 7am start
time did not help. Wet, cold course (34 degs at start) but at least
no wind !! Not too many guys showed up for this from either field,
45's or 55's. As I rode around taking "warm up" laps I really
questioned myself. But we had the GC lead and would work to protect
it. Gary was drilled the previous night that all he had to do was
stick with Kenny and finish. We all would do what we could to help. We
figured that the pace would be dictated by the 45's and it was right
from the gun we were popping people. Only 16 started in the 55's and 7
did not make it to the finish. Average speed was posted as 29.4 mph. At 6 laps
to go I could tell nothing was going to stay away and it would end in
a field sprint. Got up with Gary and made sure he stayed calm. He was
looking pretty relaxed. Kenny took a little flyer with several laps to go
but you could tell the 45's were not going to let him go anywhere. He
was quickly brought back. On the bell lap about half way into it Kenny
took off again and Gary missed the move. I was able to get to him and
yelled for him to grab my wheel. He got gapped a little but then
started to recover and off we went. Could not quite close down Kenny's
move but we were just behind. After bonus seconds and all were figured
Gary had closed the deal with 8 seconds to spare.
Final GC:
 

1st Gary Shuey

2nd Kenny Fuller

3rd Robert Wilcox

4th Dirk Cowley

5th Warren Wicks
6th Kim Bleth

7th James Morehouse
8th Mike Birditt
9th Mark Ainslie

Wow, what an event.

By Michael Birditt

The Callville Bay Stage race is always a special date on the stage racers calendar. As more race reports come in from our teams you will hear this year was "special" due to record breaking weather.

Friday: ITT / Prolog, a hill climb as most riders forego TT bikes and just use their normal road bike. Once I saw this I took off the clip-ons and followed most and rode my road bike. Pretty straight forward, go up a mostly steady 3-4% climb for about 2.5 miles, hit a 6-7% kicker the last .5 mile and drop to the finish about 4-500 meters away.
Warren Wicks had the pleasure of being #1 for 55+. I was 3rd. Gary Shuey and Kim Bleth later. Warren and I were on our way back down when we saw Gary and Kim coming up. Gary was pulling time back on Kenny Fuller who was going to be Swami's biggest GC threat. 

End result Gary won the ITT and was in 1st place overall with Kenny 2nd and Robert Wilcox (UCC) 3rd.

Saturday: 57 mile "rolling" (LOL) RR.
Ok so I'm writing this and I will take liberties with the course
description. Rolling is NOT what a sprinter would call those
mountains. No matter, we woke to cold, wind, and a steady rain. We all
knew the job was to keep Gary close to Kenny and Robert. One challenge
was we were racing with the 45+ and that field was stacked with talent
that was not going to allow a nice slow ride. They did not disappoint.
It was game on from the start. I understand we popped people right
from the get go. I only made it over the first climb and then could
not hold on. Kim quickly followed. Warren was able to stay up there
and was a big help to Gary later at the finish. I rode the next 50
miles soaked and with numb hands and feet. It was bad to the point
that I could not get food out of my jersey and almost dropped water
bottles numerous times. There were 2 turn around points and each time
as we passed I could see Gary sitting in protecting that GC. When they
came to the finish Warren led Gary out and Gary was right on Kenny.
Kenny won, Gary was second with a 17 second GC lead. Robert Wilcox

of UCC was 19 seconds down after the second stage. One stage to go.

Sunday: 40 minute Crit. Woke up to rain and record cold. Our 7am start
time did not help. Wet, cold course (34 degs at start) but at least
no wind !! Not too many guys showed up for this from either field,
45's or 55's. As I rode around taking "warm up" laps I really
questioned myself. But we had the GC lead and would work to protect
it. Gary was drilled the previous night that all he had to do was
stick with Kenny and finish. We all would do what we could to help. We
figured that the pace would be dictated by the 45's and it was right
from the gun we were popping people. Only 16 started in the 55's and 7
did not make it to the finish. Average speed was posted as 29.4 mph. At 6 laps
to go I could tell nothing was going to stay away and it would end in
a field sprint. Got up with Gary and made sure he stayed calm. He was
looking pretty relaxed. Kenny took a little flyer with several laps to go
but you could tell the 45's were not going to let him go anywhere. He
was quickly brought back. On the bell lap about half way into it Kenny
took off again and Gary missed the move. I was able to get to him and
yelled for him to grab my wheel. He got gapped a little but then
started to recover and off we went. Could not quite close down Kenny's
move but we were just behind. After bonus seconds and all were figured
Gary had closed the deal with 8 seconds to spare.
Final GC:
 

1st Gary Shuey

2nd Kenny Fuller

3rd Robert Wilcox

4th Dirk Cowley

5th Warren Wicks
6th Kim Bleth

7th James Morehouse
8th Mike Birditt
9th Mark Ainslie

Wow, what an event.

55/60+ RACE @ 2011 CATTLE CALL RODEO CRITERIUM

By John McKee

Who will win the 55+ cat AND the 60+ cat races- 6 riders in the sprint

It's February 20th and one day after the Imperial Classic. Imperial Valley Velo Club decided to do another race in their area and was able to secure the Cattle Call Rodeo in Brawley for its location. Again much of the proceeds of the event would go to Cancer Resource Center of the Desert. The course finally decided on is a 1 mile circuit with a mini climb and a 120 degree turn. Originally the course was going to include a longer stretch up the slope leading into the sunken bowl which has the rodeo. Had to have been a former gravel pit. It is pretty open around. Especially from the Southwest which was the direction of the wind. The wind was light early in the day but really started to pick up quickly.

Gourley leading early chase of UCC's Collins & Wilcox

The event had to buck heads with a CBR event in Dom. Hills. That and the fact that this was the first year for this race kept the attendance of racers down. Brawley is 10 miles from Imperial and no easier to get to but these 2 races have a chance of becoming a popular dual event in the future. There are plans to expand the course out of the sunken bowl to include a spin around an adjoining residential. Way cool idea and would be hard but every criterium/circuit race doesn't have to be flat.
The schedule was exactly the same as the earlier Imperial Classic so the 55/60+ racers were to be off at 9:30 am. 10 55+ racers lined up along with 6 60+ racers. Included in the 60+ racers was promoter Brian McNeese. Glad to have him out there. Brian is a stage 3 cancer survivor and very happy to be racing with us. Brian may not have the fitness of most of the field but he is going to use this race to motivate himself to get fitter.
The race was off on time. 40 minutes around the rodeo on an excellent surface. The wind being out of the S/W really came into play on the back side of the course. Riders were looking for places to hide but with 16 racers that was pretty hard.

Gourley leads chase of Wilcox and Wagenaar-check out the hill

UC Cyclery looked to have their way since they had 5 of the 10 55+ field with one Swami's rider. One thing no one could predict was how strong Mike Gourley of Santa Clarita Velo would be. Mike got 2nd in the Imperial Classic the day before. The race turned out to be UCC vs Mike Gourley. You would think that UCC could overwhelm Mike but it proved a lot harder than one would predict. Mike races Hylton Murphy style. Hylton use to race all out from the gun as long as he could which usually was the entire race. If Mike wasn't chasing he would often be at the front pacing.
The early breaks didn't work out. Half the race was done and John Wagenaar and Bob Wilcox of UCC got away. I don't know if they went together or Bob chased on but early in the break effort Bob dropped back to the pack. There were 8 1 mile laps to go and John Wagenaar decided to try and hang on. The match was on. JW vs Mike Gourley.

John Wagenaar looks like he is on a warm down lap but is going all out

JW is a strong soldier in the arsenal of UCC but always stays out of the limelight in pursuit of the overall team success. This was his chance to show his stuff and win?? Mike "Hylton" Gourley is another great addition to the Santa Clarita Velo team. Another strong team to play off now.
Each lap saw the lead seesaw from 60 meters to 150 meters. With 2 laps to go the lead was small but looked like a possible win. Bob Wilcox jumped thinking of putting John out of his misery but Kal called him off thinking that the team should let Wagenaar sink or swim on his own.

Jim Parkhurst jumps field with one lap to go-Wilcox in chase

With one lap to go Jim Parkhurst of Simple Green jumped hard to chase and even got a small gap. Kal called on Bob Wilcox to jump hard now. JW's fate was sealed. I don't know when Parkhurst died but JW was integrated into the peleton. Wilcox was taking it around the opposite side of the course. In 60+ action I had kept myself on Kal late in the race. Thanks to Steve Borer for relinquishing his wheel to me. Monty and I had a plan and it was for him to work for me today since he won yesterday and I placed 2nd. We wanted the same result with myself 1 and Monty 2. David Lang was the thorn in the side of Paramount. I gave Kal's wheel to Monty and David Lang jumped on me.
The pace on the last lap was strong thanks to UCC and strung out the field. According to UCC's game plan Alex Collins hit it at the 2nd to the last dogleg heading home. It was still a long way's to go but the speed got ramped up. Kal was on Alex and Mike Gourley was tucked in there somewhere. I was still on Monty but Parkhurst wandered in between Monty and myself and was dying so I had go around him and get back on Monty.

2 meters from the line and the 55+ race is in doubt but not the 60+ race

After the last soft left turn Alex kicked it up more and only 5 riders hung on. The wind was blowing from the riders left and Mike Gourley was coming in to the left of Alex Collins. Kal wisely chose the right side and got some wind block. David Lang sprinted off my wheel while I was running out of gas. Monty saw David fly by but couldn't respond in time. He was thinking I was going to sprint by but... oh well.

As you can see in the above photo with 2 meters to go Kal, Alex and Mike were lined up side by side. David Lang made an awesome sprint and was pretty close to Kal. At the line Kal threw his bike as did Alex and Mike. Mike was inches off in 3rd place but first was tough to call. It was Kal by a whisker! David won the 60+ race with Pettus 2nd and myself 3rd. Complete placing are below plus the podium pics. Great event with a lots of potential. Thanks to Imerial Valley Velo and all the volunteers, SCNCA officials, and Ralph Elliot(who else would one pick to announce). Photos are compliments of Jodie Borer and her new camera. Thank you! That's all for now folks! Train hard and race safe!

Szkalak 1st-55+, Collins 2nd, & Gourley 3rd with Lang taking 1st in 60+, Pettus 2nd and McKee 3rd

Cattle Call Bike Rodeo  (Rank 1.0)
Masters 55+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	54522	Kalman Szkalak		14
2	46255	Alex Collins	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	11
3	13802	Mike Gourley	Santa Clarita Velo	10
4	162650	Jim Parkhurst	Team Simple Green/Bike Religion	9
5	178495	Steve Diamond	Swami's Cycling Club	8
6	50765	Richard Roberson	Sun Coast Velo	7
7	245777	Steven Borer	ACQUA AL 2/SDBC	6
8	61193	John Wagenaar	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	5
9	69952	Robert Willcox	UC Cyclery/JW Flooring	4
10	66553	John Sinz	Canyon Velo	3

Cattle Call Bike Rodeo  (Rank 1.0)
Masters 60+
Place	License	Name	Team	SoCal Points
1	107852	David Lang	DARE	14
2	219074	Leo Pettus	Paramount Racing	11
3	180386	John McKee	Paramount Racing	10
4	45763	Robert Paganini	Pasadena Athletic Assoc (PAA)	9
5	189814	Leo Longo	South Bay Wheelmen	8
6	223941	P Brian McNeece	Imperial Valley Velo Club	7

55+ Podium-Gourley 3rd, Szkalak 1st & Collins 2nd- check out the awesome bags of veggies for every pod placer

60+ podium- McKee 3rd, Lang 1st & Pettus 2nd- Perfect bonus gift(veg bags) for me being a veghead

IMPERIAL CRIT 2011- HIDDEN GEM ON SCNCA CALENDAR

By John McKee

60+ Podium- Lang, Pettus & McKee

55+ Podium- Mike Birditt with podium girls(way cute)

Imperial Valley Velo has been producing the Imperial Classic for 6 years now and it deserves to be recognized as a top notch event. Sometimes it's the little things that make a difference- friendly volunteers, responsive promoters(Brian McNeese & Robert Perez), low local motel rates, community involvement, bonus vegetable and fruit bags to podium placers(9 lbs worth), and friendly people everywhere. Unlike Brentwood where residents go crazy if they have to drive a little out of their way. The drawback is that the location is hard to get to. It is a 3 1/2 to 4 hour drive from central OC for me. Even racers from San Diego County don't have a short drive. The solution that I see is to stay at the local Airporter Inn for $50 for a single or $60 for a double. Plenty good enough and right down the street from the race. The course is fine except one street(it is a short segment) is so rough it is like doing Paris Roubaix. The only 2 times I have been in Imperial it has rained and I guess it doesn't rain there that often. It did rain in the morning of this event but luckily the rain stopped by the time we went to the line to race at 9:30 am. The drainage in some of the areas on the course is less than stellar so on the next to the last leg of the course there were 2 big puddles running across the street. When we first went through the water it was at least 3 to 4 inches deep. Through the race Robert Perez was out there sweeping the water away. Not sure where but at least away from our path. By the end of the race it was down to 1 inch.
The course is a .8 L shaped course with a long straightaway heading back toward the start/finish line. It must be near 400 meters and is into the wind. The wind started to come up as we raced but wasn't near as bad as it was in the afternoon. Up to 30 mph then. I would also like to add that much of the proceeds of the race go toward the Cancer Resource Center of the Desert.
There were 22 pre regs in 55/60+. With a few no shows and a few same days we ended up with 21 racers. 12 55s and 9 60s. Both UC Cyclery and Swami's had strong teams with a few strong solo riders in Mike Gourley of Santa Clarita Velo and Thomas Gates of Team Grand Fondo from Tenn. Thomas use to live in California and race for Acme with Butch Stinton and Dale Luedtke. Thomas knows a good wheel when he sees it but more on that later.
The race was off on time and there was no rain but wwe had the puddles to deal with. Many of us did the Mothballs Crit in Goleta, Ca. so this was doable if that was. The first few laps were uneventful with everyone feeling out the course with the wet conditions and of course UCC and Swami's were keeping a close eye on each other. The first prime came up and I didn't know what it was for. I assume Mark Helvie did because he went for it and got it. Mike Gourley came after him and Mike Birditt did as well. They were maybe 25 to 30 meters ahead and I was thinking of trying to jump across the gap like I did at Roger Millikan but choose to wait. The 2 Mikes put their heads down and took hard pulls and the gap jumped to well over 100 meters and out of my range. They were moving pretty good and it was Mark's turn to pull through and Birditt asked him if he was going to work with them. Mark answered affirmative and this break was off. They worked together well and there was no one in the pack left to chase other than the 2 top teams. Swami's was super happy with Birditt in the break. Was UCC happy with Helvie in the break. Probably not. Mark is a very strong rider but his strength isn't his finish. In hindsight UCC should have probably chased down their own man and hoped for a better mix later but they didn't.
The pack churned along at a fairly comfortable pace with a few break attempts. Kal Szkalak made a go of it about mid way through the race and Rick Swanson was right on him. I don't know if Rick planned to work with Kal like at Roger Millikan or was just marking him but I saw this as an opportunity to jump across the gap and get in what would be a winning break for me. David Lang of Dare(60+ in 2011) wasn't having any of it and chased hard with Monty Pettus on his wheel and the rest of the pack not far behind. This effort was short lived.
In the mean time the 3 breakers were working together well and developed an insurmountable lead. The winner in 55+ was in this threesome but the winner of the 60+ category was still in the pack.
With about 9 laps to go Swami's strongman and climbing specialist Gary Shuey came to the front and started pulling hard. He kept it up for 3 laps and I was starting to hurt. When I saw 6 laps to go I didn't figure I could keep this up. Gary got tired and pulled off. The pace eased. Alex Collins was watching Gary for a solo move and it happened with less than 4 laps to. Gary caught Alex off guard and got a gap on everyone. Alex started a chase but didn't bring him back. Were 4 places gone now?
The 3 breakers came upon the last lap and continued to take their normal pulls. It was Gourley to the last corner but there was a long ways to go. Birditt didn't want to wait too long like at Roger Millikan but also didn't want to tie up in the wind. He timed his sprint perfectly. Birditt one, Gourley two and Helvie three.
Turned out that Gary Shuey was able to hold everyone off and finished a well deserved 4th place. Alex tried but gave up within the bell lap. Rick Swanson went to the front to help his sprinter specialist Dale Luedtke.
I knew Dale's wheel was hot so I got on it with 2 laps to go. Turned out his old teammate Thomas Gates also wanted it. We went back and forth but inside the bell lap I decided it wasn't worth it to take a chance on crashing and moved back on Gates wheel not knowing that he was also very fast at the end of a race. Monty Pettus was up ahead near Kal with David Lang marking Monty. Turning the last corner the sprint was on and the riders were all over the course. Gates hung on Dale and sprinted by him at the end to win the bunch sprint and take 5th place in 55+.  Dale and Kal followed in by Monty Pettus who won the 60+ category. David Lang started to tie up going into the wind and I came by him on his left side. McKee 2nd and Lang 3rd in 60+. Kimper, Longo and Daddy Pags followed Lang in 60+.
The purse was split down the middle between the 55s and 60s and all 3 podium finishers in each category got big bags of veggies and fruits. Overall it was a great event and yes Swami's got the best of UCC but there will be other races. That's all for now folks! Train hard and race safe!
(Still trying to drum up a podium pic of the 55s.)

RECORD FIELD IN 55/60+ RACE AT ROGER MILLIKAN MEMORIAL CRIT

By John McKee

Near 75 riders line up

It is February 13th, 2011 and the date selected for the Roger Millikan Memorial Criterium. Velo Avanti and Canyon Velo produce this race and it has become one of the most popular races on the entire SCNCA calendar. I think it is a combination of early season enthusiasm, central location(Brea/Orange County) in Southern California, the course and the reputation of the event. There were 42 pre registered 55 and 60+ racers but the same day racers kept coming in and sold out the event at 75. This is a record for 55/60+ racers. Way to go guys! Definitely some new faces out there. There were 4 teams with great showings- Swami's, UC Cyclery, Santa Clarita Velo, and SBW. Great job!

Very early action in the race at turn 1

The race was expected to be a titanic battle between Swami's and UC Cyclery and this race was no disappointment. I will tell you right now that both teams were outstanding and it was a pleasure to be a part of the race. The battle though was just for the 55+ win. Both teams had many strong soldiers. Swami's was lead by Dale Luedtke and Mike Birditt. UCC was lead by Kal Szkalak, Paul Rodiguez and Alex Collins. The 60+ race was totally up in the air. Prior races have seen Kenny Fuller and John Rubcic but not this year. Paramount looked strong with Monty Pettus and John McKee. Bob Wright of Santa Clarita Velo was there and had been racing very strong. Richard Stahlberg of Ironfly was there but the unknown factor was Mike Marota of Simply Fit. Mike is from Bakersfield and just aged up to 60+. Mike had raced sparingly the past several years in 55+ and look very strong and I knew he was someone to watch. I tried to mark him throughout the race. I lost sight of him on the last lap. Doh! I told Monty about Marota the day before when we were reconning the course. The day before the weather warmed up fast and there was a Santa Ana wind blowing into the racer's face coming toward the start/finish line. Sunday the day of the race the weather for near perfect. The temp was warming quickly and there was no wind.

Kal Szkalak and Rick Swanson

The race was off near the scheduled start of 8:30 am with over 70 riders. Didn't look like that many. The first lap was lead by promoter Ed Keck of Velo Avanti as a memorial remembrance to lost rider Roger Millikan who would have been in our age group. I think I mentioned before that he use to date Monty's wife(before they were married of course-lol).
After the first lap the war was on. You knew UCC and Swami's would be sparring and feeling each team out. The first real break effort was taken by Swami's Rick Swanson and UCC's Kal Szkalak. Kal and Rick worked it for several laps until Rick pulled the plug. This was Rick's first race this year.

From R to L- Rodiguez, Baldwin, Szkalak, Hoblit and McKee

There were a good number of primes and many were cash awards. This kept the pace high but many riders went to the front to work the pace. For the most part it was a pretty fast race. The next major break was formed by Kal and Paul Rodiguez of UCC, 60+ rider Glenn Baldwin, and Fred Hoblit of SCV. I saw Kal and Paul in the group and mistook Fred for a Swami's rider and sprinted across the gap to join the break group. Fred didn't want to take a pull and without a Swami's rider the break was soon chased down by Rick Swanson and others.If there had been a Swami's rider, Birditt would surely have also come across the gap to even things out between the 2 teams.

After 30 minutes of racing it looked like it was going to come down to a bunch sprint. Swami's Dale Luedtke was in the pack with the most energy saved of all the favorite riders. There was some jockeying but nothing major occurred in the last 5 laps.

Mike Marota leading the pack late in the race

The bell rang with one lap to go. Fred Hoblit was curiously at the front pacing the pack. Birditt and Rodiguez were right on him. Luedtke lagging a little behind. Maybe planning a mini break ahead and a jump across.

One lap to go -From L to R- Hoblit, Birditt, Rodiguez and Luedtke with Szkalak on his wheel

Following sequence photo- make note of  Swanson between Collins and Lang- Marota in on Swanson(helmet in view)

Rick Swanson read the race correctly for Swami's and shot to the front. Hoblit wasn't going to pace forever and Birditt needed cover for the finish. The interesting part of this is Mike Marota keep on Rick's wheel and came with him. This was a great break for Marota. Otherwise he would have been in the same general area as 60+ riders-Lang, McKee and Pettus. Swanson also made the race safer by picking it up on the last lap. Nothing worse than everyone looking around at each other all bunched up very late in the race.
On the backstretch between turn 2 and 3 it is slightly downhill and of course fast. Swanson was leading with mystery man in the 2 hole followed by Marota,  Birditt, Luedtke, and Szkalak. Collins and  Rodiguez weren't far behind. I was a little further back getting a good draft behind Cameron Phillips(he rides too high) and decided I needed to move up. I went to Cameron's left and brought Pettus and Lang with me. I was in the wind but had to get in better position.
There was a lapped rider ahead(Canyon Velo) and he looked back to see what was happening. He made a bad decision as you will hear soon. Coming into turn 3 Mike Marota jumped hard out of the saddle taking Birditt with him. He jumped so hard there was a mini gap or maybe Luedtke was playing it cagey. None the less everyone was really flying going into turn 3. Well over 30 mph. Everyone was looking to take their mo up the hill between turn 3 and 4. It gets steeper the closer you get to turn 4. From there it was a false flat the line. Maybe 200 meters.
The lapped rider choose to turn the corner and fade toward the outside curb. He should have pulled into one of the parking lots or stayed in the elbow of turn 3. Marota, Birditt, Luedtke, Szkalak and Collins went to the inside(right) of the lapped rider and got by in good shape. Rodiguez took the corner fast and decided to go to the curbside(left) of the lapped rider but got pinched off(His race was over). This spooked the Canyon Velo rider and he faded a little to his right. I was following Kirk Freeman of Santa Clarita Velo and Kirk came in contact with said rider. Kirk went almost sideways but miracleously saved himself and many riders behind. I saw all this right in front of me and slowed dramatically and went right. I missed Kirk but lost most of my mo. Monty read this better than I did and swung inside with Lang on his wheel. It was chaos behind but no rider went down that I know of.
Up front Birditt didn't have any idea that the rider in front of him was 60+ and hung on his wheel going around turn 4. Marota sat going around turn 4 and got out of the saddle again to sprint to the line. Birditt thought he could sprint by him but to his surprise Marota hung on for an amazingly great last lap and race. Marota is in great form and everything fell into place on the last lap. Birditt did get 1st in 55+ with Luedtke soon sprinting in for 2nd and Kal taking 3rd. Kal was followed by Alex Collins in his new UCC kit and the totally unknown and unattached Nour Tillo. Tillo was followed in by Hensler(6th), Phillips(7th), Miller(8th), Rosenkrantz(9th)  Huber(10th), Carrico(11th) and Carr(12th).
In 60+ action Monty Pettus was sprinting for the line for what I thought was 1st place because I had lost sight of Marota. Monty actually took 2nd in his category. David Lang was tying up a bit but hung on for 3rd. I could see David slowing a bit and made an effort to catch him and was gaining on him but Lang got 3rd. Little did I know that SCV rider Bob Wright was between myself and Lang for a solid 4th place. I finished 5th with hard charging Richard Stahlberg taking 6th. Close behind were Baldwin(7th), Kimper(8th), Longo(9th), Richards(10th), Pags(11th-Pags was by far the oldest person in the race at 75-he did great) and Carvin(12th).
All in all it was a great race with a record field. UC Cyclery and Swami's put on a great show with great efforts by their riders. Everyone did well. It was a shame that the last lap was marred like it was and I am sure that the lapped rider feels badly. He was unfortunately made a pinball out there. Can't say anymore. Photos are courtesy of Jodie Borer(You can see all 99 by clicking on the link on the right). Video is the production of Peter Carlson. Nice job. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm7Pt4MNKygThat's all for now folks! Train hard and race safe!

SPLISH SPLASH, I WAS TAKIN' A BATH LONG ABOUT A SUNDAY MORNING

By John McKee

It was January 30th, 2011 and time for the first criterium on the SCNCA circuit. The day after the successful Poor College Kids Road Race. The Mothballs Criterium 55/60+ race was to start at 8:10 am in Goleta, Ca. Just north of Santa Barbara.  I got there before 6:30 am. As I was spinning real easy with my running shoes on I felt some rain drops. What's this! On Friday the forecast was for possible afternoon showers. Well, things got moved up. It started raining harder and harder with the race time coming closer. I decided early on that I was there and I was going to do it. Some guys pulled out and I completely understand. I pumped up some weak soles like Mike Birditt and H and maybe a few others. When we went to the line it really started really coming down. In keeping with the rain I am going to take liberties with a song by the late GREAT Bobby Darin.... Here it goes(I feel like Chevy Chase in "Funny Farm". He is writing his story and laughing thinking it is real funny. Turns out it is terrible. My wife is calling me Chevy while I was rewriting the lyrics and laughin'.)

Splish Splash, I was takin' a bath
Long about a Sunday morning, yeah
Rub-a-dub, just relaxin' in the tub
Thinkin' everything was alright 
Well, I stepped out the tub, put my feet on the floor,
I wrapped the towel around me
And I opened the door, and then
Splish, Splash! I jumped back in the bath
Well how was I to know there was a criterium going on
They was a -splishin' and a -splashin'

From R to L-McKee, Lang, & Rino B.

Reelin' with the rainin', moving and a slidin'
Bing bang, I saw the whole gang
Racin' on the Mothballs course, yeah!
Flip flop, they was doing the chasin'
All the seniors had the racin' bug too
There were bicycles with a Mike and Kal
Goodie, Mister McKee was a even there, too!
A-well-a, Splish Splash, I forgot about the bath
I went and put my racin' shoes on, yeah...
I was a rollin' and a racin', reelin' with the rainin'
Movin and slidin', splishin' and a splashin, yeah!
Yes, I was-splishin' and a spashin'
I was a-rollin' and a racin'
Yeah, I was a-movin' and a slidin'...woo!
Until Luedtke brought the peleton home!!!

From R to L- Riley, Collins, & Harless

I am still laughing but my wife is deadpan when I sing her the song. At least she isn't crying like Chevy's wife when she reads his story. I got that going for me.
Back to the real race. There were about 25 to 30 very brave souls that started the 40 minute race. I thought we would take it easy and get a feel for the course in the wet conditions. Turn 1 was like a lake with water 3 or 4 inches deep at times. My idea was laid to rest by Doug Knox. Doug takes off like a rocket. We all had to take off in chase. It was really strung out. The first time I tried my cork brake pads on my Zipp carbon rims it was like nothin. I had taken my glasses off before the race which I need to see for distance but water on the lens would be worse in my opinion and was expressed by Phil Richards before the race. I agreed. Without brakes and glasses it was going to be harder. Water and stuff keep being shot into my eyes by the wheel in front of me. That was fun!

Doug actually did us a favor. Stringing it out and getting  us NOT to race tentatively was a good thing. Kind of like racing at the track. Bad group riding skills really stand out in these conditions and there was one guy. #837. Wow. He was all over the place but was strong enough to always ride back to the front. Local guy I assume. Never see him otherwise.
Doug got caught but the attacks kept coming. The rain started to dissipate. Turn 1 started to drain. Things were looking better. A few 60s had been shot off the back. It wasn't easy out there. Strength and bike handling were of paramount importance.

McKee followed by Collins

Some early efforts by Swami's Kim Bleth and Mike Birditt were covered by  Richard Roberson. Mike and Kim couldn't get him to roll with them. He was doing his team assignment and doing it well, I would say. Doug Knox was looking to mix it up. Kal Szkalak charged off a number of times just to be neutralized. The biggest threat of the day came when Mike Birditt and Kal agreed to roll it together with a little over 10 laps to go. They took off and started taking 1/2 lap pulls. In the vid you will only see Mike because he was taking the leg from the last corner past the start/finish line to turn one. Kal would take the backside. Kal had the easier leg. Very slightly downhill. Kal and Mike were working it hard. Kal was complaining a little that Mike was slowing it. Mike didn't like his climbing custer on his rear wheel. He didn't change out his cassette the night before to his crit cassette like I did. Only take 10 to 15 mins. Mike always seem to be between gears.
Back in the pack there were some major blocking going on from Kim Bleth, Alex Collins and Richard Roberson. Kim was the major player here. I suggest a little more subtle blocking technique though Kim wasn't stopping anyone from going around and leading the pace themselves. The course was plenty wide. There were some major chases put in by a number of riders: Rino B., Tom Riley, John Huber, Doug Knox and Phil Richards. Doug and Phil race like there is just one race eventhough they are 60+. I race against my rivals only. Kal and Mike are no threat to me. SBW new 55+ strongman Gordon Carr was not to be seen at the front. He was playing a waiting game.  The break and the chasing were working well for me. The chase would string it out and I was strong enough to stay near the front while the other 60+ riders would filter backward. Maybe they were just biding their time until the end. Don't know.

Birditt and Kal -Breaking it

Mike and Kal got caught with 3 laps to go. This was a shame in some ways because the pace dipped except for efforts by team soldiers like Richard Roberson, Kim Bleth and Alex Collins. Just inside 2 laps to go after coming around turn one the pace really dipped. I got swarmed and frustrated. That's racing. There weren't enough team soldiers to go around to do all the work. No one racing for themselves was going to go to the front except for Phil Richards. With one lap to go Richard Roberson was in the lead followed by Kim Bleth, Kal, Mike Birditt, Bob Wright(great position for him to win 60+), and Dale Luedtke. Dale's shadow for the day Vito Czulak was several riders back from Dale. Vito would get his wheel back on the back stretch. I was way out of position and trying to move up on the back stretch but got blocked several times and had to brake. Really getting frustrated.
Kim Bleth hit it on the back stretch with whatever he had left. Great team job done by Swami's Kim Bleth and UCC's Richard Roberson. Alex Collins in his new UCC kit went to the front to work for strongman Kal Szkalak. Alex and Doug Knox were the first to the last corner. Dale wasn't far behind and he was in full flight. He had already started his out of the saddle sprint. Dale has a long windup and a longggg sprint. Vito was right on him. Kal and Mike hit the corner about the same time. Mike was behind Alex on the outside and Kal took it close to the corner. Vito was blocked for a second but squeezed through to get back on Dale. This might have cost him the race. It was amazingly close at the finish. Dale was giving it everything he had. Kal and Mike's legs were shot from their solo effort and they faded. Alex was hanging in there quite well even though he had been soldiering it.

From R to L-Bleth, Roberson, & Carr

Both Dale and Vito threw their bikes at the end and when you see the vid you won't be able to tell who won but to just relive the suspense since I already let the cat out of the bag earlier it was Dale Luedtke for another Swami's win! Vito was second, Kal third with Alex, Mike and John Huber of Velo Avanti rounding out the top 6.
In 60+ action Harold Schneider better known as H came out of hibernation. H had been with Paramount for 4 or 5 years and I couldn't get him to come out to race with Monty and myself much. H changes team and he is now a major player in 60+ racing. H positioned himself nicely on the back stretch in the top 55s and turned it home with the win by a pretty good margin. Coming around the last corner I was still in play for 2nd. David Lang was on the outside and I took a tight line to the corner. Rino B. was just ahead of me. I was going around the right of Rino to the curb side and someone chops Rino to his right toward me and I blink. I put on my brakes and they actually worked. Damn. The mo was gone. David Lang came in for 2nd place. Raphael Gomez, Bob Wright and old number 837 came chugging by me to add insult to injury. Gomez 3rd, Wright 4th, Harless 5th and McKee 6th.
All in all it was an interesting experience. I was so cold afterward I couldn't stop shaking. My wife took me to the motel/hotel after the results were out for a much needed hot shower. It hadn't been a good night's sleep at the old Holiday Inn. The "climate change" unit was atrocious. I was laying there during the  night  trying to get some much needed sleep and I kept hearing what I thought were trucks driving by. I was laying there in a daze not knowing what was going on until about 1:30 am when I finally figured out it was the "climate change" unit. No denying the air needed warming but that had to be turned off. I am not usually a "climate change" denier anyway. I leave that to the Republicans.
I say great fortitude to all that started the race and probably good sense by those that chose not to race.
Great you tube vid by Peter Carlson. 8:40 seconds with some nice music.  
http://www.youtube.com/user/CalvinandHobbesUSA 
Pictures are courtesy of Alicia McKee. That's all for now, folks! Train hard and race safe!

55+ Placings

1-Luedtke
2-Czulak
3-Kal
4-Collins
5-Birditt
6-Huber
7-Carr
8-Carlson
9-Rino B.
10- Reilly


60+ Placings
1-H
2-Lang
3-Gomez
4-Wright
5-Harless
6-Darin, B.
7-Knox
8-Richards
9-Seri

10-Pags