Why? My time with Team 5 Star Fish was great, but ended with my 2007 contract. I'm comfortable being honest about saying I wasn't asked to return. I'm also comfortable saying I probably couldn't have accepted an offer from 5 Star or any other team asking for a large commitment. With a baby and a job, I need to take the feet off the pedals a bit. I considered taking this year off to regroup, but Ernie Sanchez and the CA Pools Team put together an offer that allows me to race at a good, but less hectic level, with great support and with great comraderie, including three of my familiar 5 Star teammates: Dan Vinson, Peter Andersen, and Lance Coburn.
The team's focus is primarily 35+ events. I'm the "young" guy in the bunch with a racing age of just 34 this year, but there will be plenty of 30+ events for me to join in on and most of the guys will be taking on the Pro/1/2 events I plan to still work into my riding diet.
Oh, and the CA Pools & Spas Cycling Team color match my website better. :) I'll be updating my CYCLING page soon.
HEADLINE 2: CA Pools & Spas Cycling Team Nearly Drowns at CBR Race Downpour
Some guys did the MLK crit last Saturday, but my first race of the season was yesterday's CBR Ride It Like You Stole It Criterium.
Rain was in the forecast but it was dry all morning. At 12:00 PM (as if the clouds waited so we could fairly say "it was dry all morning") rain began to fall. The 30+ race cued up at the line to start at 12:10, and by then it wasn't just lightly raining, it was raining. The race started out slowly, and then it was like the season never ended. Former teammate and current 5 Star Fish, Chris DeMarchi, ended up taking off with Thurlow Rogers (too many former teams to list). Other guys came and went. The difference was the rain, which went from rain to downpour.
My glasses fogged and I could barely see out of them. I took them off, only to realize it was worse to get stinging rain in my eyes than to keep the glasses on. I put them back on.
As Chris and Thurlow rode off into the sunset, Pat Caro (Schroeder Iron) was jumpy and was off in a break with others. Karl Bordine (5 Star) attacked to get across several times. I recall covering three of his moves which was two too few. On his fourth attack, I couldn't match and Karl got up the road to the break chasing DeMarchi and Thurlow. My man Peter Andersen got a ride up from Karl.
And then they called 35 minutes to go. It felt like it had already been forever. The rain sucked. It was cold. I was racing for 12th or something. I considered getting out right then. Silly me, I kept racing.
Then it got funny. Chris and Thurlow lapped us. Their presence kicked up the pace and we caught the other break, so it was Chris and Thurlow +1 lap, and everyone else together again. In the building rain, I got a laugh when I was pulling up tight alongside Pat Caro to move ahead of him and he gave me a shove on the hip. Because I missed picking up my new kits, I was wearing a plain-wrap Performance jersey and other old gear. Pat didn't recognize me and gave me the shove, assuming I was just some random racer dude. I knew it and gave him heck as I pulled up again, and we both got a laugh about it, acknowledging the courtesy reputation and familiarity give and get, or in this case, don't get when not recognized.
Back to racing. The rain came down more. The corners, especially the lowest one (turn 3), started to become rivers. The 5 lap countdown couldn't come fast enough. I was sure before that Karl and Chris would try to attach Thurlow but it never happened. Maybe Chris and Thurlow had an agreement? I figured Chris would be just as happy to let it come down to a field sprint since he'd be the favorite to beat him.
Karl sat at the back and I figured he'd try to launch with 2 or 1 to go. He was more patient than me and remained at the back as I moved up into the last lap. On the stretch into turn 4, Karl launched up the inside, hit the corner first, and went on to win the sprint for 3rd. I tried the same move after him, but didn't make the corner before about 5 guys ahead hit it tight. In dry weather, I would have killed the corner and kept rolling, but with the deep and rushing water there, I eased up and leaned up, losing valuable speed and spots. Past the turn, I started sprinting but could only salvage 9th place. Peter was ahead and took 5th or 6th. DeMarchi won.
Let's do the 100k Pro/1/2 for more miles! NO! Unbelievably, the rain got even heavier. After putting my pit wheels in the car I returned to the official's tent to check results. The 3's race was on the road and Mr. Police Officer rolled up to say he didn't think the race should continue due to the heavy and high water in the corners. The 3's race was shortened and the Pro/1/2 race cancelled.
I rolled to my car, threw the bike in the trunk, and jumped into the driver's seat soaking wet. From 5 Star Fish to CA Pools, to crazy rain in SoCal. It's crazy we all keep cycling. I'm glad I can swim.
-adm
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