How great has the weather been this last month? Makes living through the NW winters with 3.23 hours of daylight worth it.
NRR has been out in force all throughout August, but we’ve been a little slim on posting updates here. Every Tuesday at PIR we’ve been duking it out with the usual suspects (Ironclad, River City, Team O, etc etc) and having a blast. After our July assult our PIR goals have been pretty loose, and we’ve been having fun sprinting, breaking away, and generally causing trouble whenever possible.
We raced Bend Omnium Crit, spectated at Twilight Crit (the Ben-Hur Crit?), raced Sunset Crid, got burnt to tender crisps at Swan Island Crit, and tried to recover in time for the Crid Championships. August was all crits, all the time!
Speaking of weather, the Swan Island crit goes down as the hottest race I’ve ever personally raced in. The temps were over 100 degrees and the racing was unrelentingly fast in the 3s that I came very close to fainting in the porta-potty after the finish, which probably would have been the end of me between the fumes and the heat. Then, in a weather cycle only the Northwest can dish out, I had my bar-none wettest race ever (even wetter than CX) only a few days later at Tuesday PIR. Within 20 seconds of starting every article of clothing was drenched to the bone. To re-hydrate all you had to do was open your mouth and slurp the rooster tail of the rider in front of you. I was suprised at how many guys showed up for that race. Scott and I represented NRR while questioning each other’s sanity while Ironclad had at least five guys out there (and I think they were vetting another recruit!). Here’s to you Mr. PIR Aquaracer Men:
If this pattern continues I expect either a hurricane or a snowstorm to assult us at the OBRA hillclimb championshipscheerio.
Summer is a great season to be a teacher or a student. It allows one the freedom to do such things as sleep in, watch TV, or ride up to Timberline Lodge midday on a Thursday. Thus, in an effort to take advantage of the last few weeks of summer break, Jeff Harwood, Colby, and myself (David Monnig) represented North River Racing and The Vancouver School District on a hill climb field trip.We parked in Rhododendron for the 4000 ft climb up to Timberline. For Colby and I it was going to be a chance to check out the course for this years hill climb time-trial taking place next week.We were riding by 11 am and the heat was already fierce. On top of that, there was a head wind all the way to Government Camp. As we took turns leading into the wind, I became perplexed by the fact that the wind was blowing down the canyon. This seemed odd, because generally as the temperature rises, so does hot air, resulting in wind blowing up the canyon. I suppose by simple understanding of weather, gained mainly by watching Fox 12 news can not explain today’s headwind phenomenon.Upon reaching the Timberline road we were drenched in sweat. I assume Colby was pleased that he purposely left his fleece NRR jacket in the car. After a quick snack and stretch break we started the second portion of the climb. It was great to ride the old Timberline road, no traffic, and switch backs that inspired images of the Alps. At the top I assume we looked like real pros to some of the photo snapping tourists. Decked out in our team attire and shaved legs we welcomed the opportunity to fill up our water bottles. The descent was fast. I was blown away by Jeff’s coasting ability. Both Colby and I had to pedal hard to keep up with his 40 mph tuck. I’ve decided next time I’m in a race with Jeff, and there’s a descent, I’ll be sure to hop on his wheel. In no time at all we found ourselves back in Rhododendron eating ice cream at the DQ. It was a nice way to finish up a sweaty climb. Jeff, Colby, and I all agreed that it was a good day out. -David
Hurray for us! As you can see from Stephen’s post, we had some success at PIR this month. I wanted to take a minute and thank all of you who were able to make it out in various roles and under various conditions. It was awesome watching Scott, David and Stephen jumping into the breaks and controlling things at the front of the pack. It was equally satisfying sitting in while I was pulled to the finish line by the likes of Dean, Stephen and co. Sprinting to the line is much easier when you are delivered right into the perfect position. I will have some extra $$$ soon and adult beverages will be on me. However, PIR $$$ does not buy PBR and speaking of Ironclad. . . I have to add how much fun it was racing against the Ironclad contingent. We know that those characters play hard but they race just as hard and do it with class and panache! Last night they buried themselves in pursuit of their race goals. I am already looking forward to the next time our teams line up against one another.jeff
Congrats to Jeff Harwood fortaking home the overall series victory for the Tuesday PIR 3/4 category in July!Jeff capped off his series with a solid 3rd place while Scott and Stephen (me) rode defense. Scott also charged in for a solid 11th place finish after driving some crazy breaks and a grueling pace for the whole pack.
First off, I want to thank all the volunteers and sponsors of the race, without you it wouldn’t be possible. The Vancouver Bicycle Club, Larry Holzman Attorney, the Frog Store, Ironclad, DSU Peterbilt & GMC. Inc., Bortolami’s Pizzeria and Microsoft.
Second, thanks to all the racers who particpated in the event this year. We saw record numbers which posed a few problems with our time/street permit but we are working on it and will have them ironed out so next year is even better.
I have podium photos from all the categories. If you’d like a hi-res photo just email me at jonkra@colmac.com
Putting on an event is never easy and so many of our normal racers were busy volunteering their time so they were unable to race. I am glad to see that some did get a chance.
Let’s start off with our wunderkind, Colby Wait-Molyneux, who once again stood on top of the podium. Colby, our Junior Road State Champion, has had an excellent season. Fresh off a recent collarbone injury he braved the technical course and laid the hammer down. You could never tell that the shoulder injury was still sore as he was all smiles. What a great kid! Next up will be the State Time Trail Championship. See Photo
Jeff Harwood and Dean Anderson fought bravely in the Cat 4 race. Jeff, the July points leader at PIR, tried his best but the technical course and speed kept him at a respectable 9th place and Dean finished 26th out of the 50 field limit.
David Monnig and our awesome president Scott Goodrich represented the team in the Cat 3 field. Despite the early morning course set-up and the day long volunteering Scott went out and gave it a valient effort finishing 30th and David nipping him for two spots at 28th.
That left Steve Long to race the Master’s 40+. Steve finished 23rd in a field that was a blur.
NRR had a good turn out for the 3/4 race Tuesday. There was me (Dean), Scott, Stephen, Jeff, and Pirooz. It was great to see Pirooz out racing again. He rode strong and looked in great form. There was a large field with good turn out from several teams.
As for the race, Scott attempted several breaks, but nothing was getting free that night no matter how much blocking we were doing. With all the teams there, moves were getting shutdown pretty fast. I was stuck in the pack during the first sprint points, so I’m not sure what happened up there, all I saw were a bunch of brightly colored backs… I was able to get up front for the second sprint and managed to give Jeff a decent pull and he shot off like a bullet to take three points. The third sprint, Stephen got out with me and Jeff behind him. My timing was a bit off though, and I didn’t pull through as soon as I should have so when Jeff was able to sprint, we were too close in and he had to chase hard to get a point for third. This is where I was hurting and almost was dropped from the pack… Fortunately, I was able to stay on and made my way up to Scott where I did my best wheel sucking impersonation in hopes of some recovery before the final sprint to the finish…
The pack had split and there was about 50 to 100 feet between the front group and the back group. I stayed stuck to Scott’s wheel knowing that he would make his way up to the front. Sure enough, he started accelerating and Stephen and I just hung on while Scott bridged us up to the front group. Eventually, on the back straight, I ended up on the front and up comes the Ironclad train. I grabbed on to them and off we all went. They eventually peeled off and by then Stephen and Jeff had gotten on my wheel, so we went into the final turn with the Sunset Cycles guys neck and neck with us. I went until I popped, then Stephen and Jeff came around me along with 40 other guys just flying.
We eventually ended up with Jeff in 5th, still holding onto his series lead, Scott in 23rd, Pirooz in 38th, Stephen in 44th and me bringing up the rear in 45th.
I gotta say that this was one of the most fun races I’ve done. Racing as a team was great and everyone played a part. My wife and parents were there watching, so I had to do some ’splaining as to why I was happy even though I was 45th, but it was sure worth it.
Another tough battle ensued last night at PIR with hot weather and a huge field. Racing tonight was Jeff Harwood, Dean Anderson, and Scott Goodrich.
The goal tonight was to get into a break or start one and if everything was together at the end…keep the pace high and do a good lead-out for either Harwood or Goodrich…whoever was in good position.
Both Jeff and Scott attacked the field at least 15 times between the two of them…but the field was not going to allow a break to go tonight. Every time an attempt was made Dean did a great job of coming to the front to block. We would slow down to 20 mph, launch an attack up to 35 mph, only to quickly get brought back…pretty frustrating to say the least. Jeff was able to manage a few hotspot points.
For the final bell lap, both Dean and Scott came to the front and drilled it. Dean did an outstanding job pouring every bit of energy he had into keeping the pace high. Scott continued the effort through the sharp corner and down the back stretch. The effort was tough enough that we actually created a gap on the field with Jeff and a Fred Meyer guy in perfect position. Scott thought he was done coming into the final corner, but was able to hang on into the final straight latching onto Jeff’s wheel. Jeff did a monster pull with Scott in tow…dropping the Fred Meyer guy. With 10 ft to the line, Scott had nothing left to come around Jeff, and the duo got beat by several at the line.
Final placing…Jeff 2nd, Scott 6th, and Dean in 53rd. See ya next week…
Our man Dean showed up for one last night of fistacuffs at Mt. Tabor tonight and in the process pulled off a personal best finish on the last race of the ‘08 Tabor season. Previously he’d had some difficulties with the pack here and there, but tonight he stayed with ‘em all the way and finished strong. Nice job, Dean. Way to go out with a solid push!
If I can say so myself, unless you happen to be one of the few actually capable of winning at Tabor, its all about showing up and trying to improve on the previous week’s efforts. I’ve seen quite a few riders race the race once never to be seen again. Here’s a NRR digital salute to everyone who raced the series this year just for the suffering and personal rewards.
We caught a few pics of The Dean in action. He makes the macaroni and cheese kit look goooood.
