I haven't raced since the SCNCA Masters Criterium Championship event on June 21st which was at Ontario. I haven't done any of the 50/55+ events because well they replaced the 55/60+ that I loved to race. I needed to do the last few of these events to get ready for the National Championship in Ogden, Utah. The 50/55+ events aren't as safe as the 55/60+ events. When I was doing this race, safety was my major thought. The last Ontario race was scheduled for Aug. 17th, 2014 and I was locked on to racing it no matter the category.
I drove to Ontario without my wife who had said she would go and take pictures. At 5 am when I got up I could tell she didn't want to do it so I gave her a pass. I got to Ontario around 6:45 am thinking the race started at 8:05 am like in June but no, the race started at 9:25 am. The gals haven't been showing up very well so they were thrown into the early slot.
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| What would a race be nowadays without the Swan sisters. Now there are 4 of them! |
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| Cutie in a bag! |
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| It's early at Ontario! |
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| The turnout wasn't that good for the last Ontario race. |
There were over 45 50 and 55+ racers. 6 of the 55s were over 60. I am not going to get into the Xs and Os like I usually do. The 50/55 race is different. Faster of course. Sketchy at times. More than the 55/60+ events though as some of you remember I was crashed out last yr. at Ontario by a cat 5 rider. Cat 5s have pretty much been weeded out this year in masters racing which is a good thing.
The race got going on time at 9:25 am and I just tucked into the pack and sucked wheels like I learned from Robert Paganini. The race was pretty fast but not overly stressful. The 60+ race I did June 21st was harder than this race for me. I thought there might be a break but nothing really worked. Cyril Hunte got away late with David Prechtl after the Ontario points prime sprints.
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| "The Man" coming to the last Ontario to get ready for Natz. Robert Paganini is 10 years older than the next oldest rider in the race. He kept up! I challenge anyone is to do this at this age-78. To go 26 mph for 40 minutes. |
Anyway I rolled across the line at about 15 mph and went around and stopped to see Lothar. I asked if he could raise his arms and he could. No collarbone problem. Just lots of road rash and a sore neck.
The guys in the front weren't affected by the crash. Robert Swigart of Team Velosport won the overall race. Bradley Jones of BBI was the 2nd rider across and the 1st 55+ rider. Mike Okano was the 2nd 55+ racer and David "I don't miss a race" Fetah was the 3rd 55+ rider. David has more Socal points than most teams. The race overall was pretty fast at 26 + mph and my powertap showed 247 watts but the last 400 meters were at 50 so the race for me was around 250. Complete results are below for the overall and the 55s only. As far as getting a 55/60+ race back at Ontario...well it doesn't look good. Below is also the 55 and 60+ Socal Cup point standing after the San Marcos event. That's all for now folks! Train hard and race safe!
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| Nice picture of the finish. Thank you, Emily! |
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| Lothar "Blue Boy" Cramer in a black and blue skinsuit. I don't like the sound of that. Black and blue. I am sure he was for the next few days. |
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| Cyril Hunte and Mike Fleming speculating after the race about the "fish" that got away at Ontario. |
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| Brad "I love the 50s" Decker and John "Dad" Rubcic hadn't raced together since the 80s. John is showing Brad where his frame is cracked. Oh No! They don't make bikes nowadays like the old 57 Chevy. |
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| Yours truly with Mr. Rubcic and Mr. Decker. You can see announcer Ralph Elliot photo bombing us in his awesome shorts! |
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| Overall results |
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| 55+ results |
60+ Category
Place
Rider
Points
34
55+ Category
Place
Rider
Points
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