Anthony D. Morrow
ADM
http://www.imadm.com/
Cerritos, CA 90703
USA

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Phone: 562.467.0093
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Selling, Swelling
SUN, 28 SEP 2008
SELLING: I love it, but I gotta clear room in the garage or else my wife makes me start sleeping in there. I'm selling my Team 5 Star Fish custom painted Kuota Kredo. It's on eBay right now.

Kuota Kredo Carbon Frameset Med Team 5 Star Fish Custom

I've done about 5 rides is as many weeks since the season ended. Only it didn't end and I raced the Pro race at Interbike. It was the USA Criterium Series Finale race. The course was pure parking lot, all barriers, and had it not been for the incredible night of Las Vegas excess ending just 16 hours before the race, and had I actually been holding any fitness, I might have done really well. I liked the race as long as I was in it, but I had no strength to keep chasing after being behind at least 3 crashes. At least I wasn't a casualty. I did have enough time to pull out, clean up, and call it - Hilton Clarke (Toyota-United) won the race.

Interbike was fun. Met the sponsors, past, current, prospective, a lot of other cool folks.

SWELLING: I need to stop eating cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, and ride more.

Cycling tubes as cinnamon rolls. Yum!

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Circus Shoe Thrown Through Windows
THU, 04 SEP 2008
Microsoft's Seinfeld Commercial Debut - 04 SEP 2008This is like a puzzle. Read the title. Know what I'm talking about? Google "Seinfeld Windows Commercial."

Didn't see it on TV, did see it on YouTube. Never laughed, not even close. Wondered tons what the heck it was about. Definitely grossed out by the end (Bill's shorts shirking, not the Windows Vista logo).

It made me wonder how quickly I'd be fired if I blew $300 million on ad like that. It made me jealous I never landed a contract to do so little and make so much for an ad like that.

-adm
Tell Me Your Thoughts

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Updated Race Results
SUN, 31 AUG 2008
After going the whole season without, I finally updated my race results for 2008. I hope to add a win at the Interbike/Las Vegas crit to cap the season.

-adm
Tell Me Your Thoughts

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Last Few Races Recaps
SAT, 30 AUG 2008
I did half a Hughes park Thursday night after I just didn't feel good (once again). I got dressed this morning to go ride but was unable to resist the siren song of more sleep on the couch downstairs. I slept. The season, except for maybe doing the Vegas Crit, is done.

Quick recaps of my last few races.

Brentwood Grand Prix - 17 AUG 2008 - Pro/1/2
Cool area for a race and well organized. Thanks LaGrange! The course itself wasn't thrilling - a long out and back with u-turns around the street's center dividers. My recommendation is to give us some turns and to get us up or down some of the side street hills.

The race was pretty boring for me. There were some attacks but the long stretches and headwind on the way out meant guys would rather hide in the cluster and stay fresh. It was clear to me at halfway it was going to be a big sprint. I stayed close to the front mostly because it was easier at the u-turns to keep momentum in the top 20 than any further back, where it nearly stopped. I was aloof and was shocked when I heard 1 lap to go, not having realized we were on laps any earlier. Luckily I was forward in the pack and know how to maneuver. I did fine around the last turn and felt out the forward flow well. I was getting excited, probably a little too excited, and followed Brandon Gritters' (5 Star WVO) wheel along the left about 200 meters out. He was on someone else but they both died earlier than I wished and I was left to get to the line by my legs alone. A big rush came up on the right and it was Justin Williams (Rock Racing) a bike throw ahead of Ivan Dominguez (Toyota-United). I managed 16th, still a payday since the race was a generous $4,000 and 20 deep.

Ladera Ranch Grand Prix - 10 AUG 2008 - 30+
Planned to do the 30+ and Pro/1/2 races but it got hot quick and the 2+ hour gap between races was too much. So I only did the 30+ but was glad to have teammates Lance Coburn, Robert Ramirez, and Peter D'Aquanni with me.

My warmup wasn't the best but I was okay to start. We missed an early 3 man attack and the rest of the field just sat around. I put in some monster pulls to go after it and just as I pulled up from my third one, a group of four took off and bridged across. The field seemed uninterested in racing. I tried more attacking, avoided a crash, and it eventually came down to a field sprint for 7th (one guy in the break came off). I charged up the hill to the last corner, hit it with a good lead, and held it to the line. Robert came in just behind me for 8th, so we salvaged a little dignity but I was still disappointed we missed the break and ensuing brige. Norm Carter (Team Redlands) won, followed by Michale Johnson (Sho-Air/Sonance). Lance and Robert were a crazymen who jumped right into the next race, the 35+. I waited for my prize money, interviewed with an O.C. Register reporter for a newspaper article, and then went home.

FIAC National Criterium Championships - Costar Mesa, CA - 09 AUG 2008 - Elite/1/2
It was win or get nothing here since it was a race without prize money, just the chance to win a national championship jersey (albeit it a much less coveted one). Lance and I raced well early and were covering the serious moves. But I made an error in attacking counter to the rythm of some other strong racers, so as I dropped back, they jumped and I couldn't go. Nate Deibler (5 Star WVO) led the group of 3 or 4 guys away. Everyone else watched 'em roll and nobody put together an effort to really chase. They break stayed off and I stayed out of trouble, sitting up after turn three since there was nothing to mix it up for. I didn't see it, but I heard Nate got nipped in a three man sprint with the winner a NOW guy.

CBR Dominguez Hills - BAR Series Finale - 03 AUG 2008 - 30+ & Pro/1/2
Peter Andersen, Dave Bautista, and Robert Ramirez came to help me out in the last BAR series race of the year. I was sitting 5th overall, 11 points out of 4th (Joel Stangeland - Amgen-Giant) and 23 points from 3rd (Karl Bordine - 5 Star WVO). I would have to win the 5 point prime and the race overall (21 points) for a chance to move into 3rd. Karl wasn't there so this was mathmatically possible, as was at least moving into 4th. I didn't get the prime but we still raced well. Antony Galvan (NOW) and Thurlow Rogers (Amgen-Giant) traded early blow as the top two BAR series placeholders separated by just 10 points. I kept attacking and covering attacks and eventually was in a break that didn't include Joel, Tony, or Thurlow. Both ny teammates, Dave and Peter, bridged up and we took off in a break of about 14.

Our strategy changed from protecting me to going for the race win since my BAR series spot was secure and likely to be 4th. I managed a $20 prime in between. We fought for control with Sho-Air coming to the last laps. Dave selflessly attacked at two to go to force a Sho-Air chase, else he ride off for the win. His move tired out their train and Peter had us looking really good heading into the last turn. At turn 4, we got a little cut off on the inside and had to miss some pedal strokes. Danny Kam (Nu-Vision) found the right lane and sprinted for the win, followed by a resilient Michale Johnson (Sho-Air) and me on the far left, just inches back for 3rd. I was followed by my old teammate Gil Correa, and Peter behind him for 5th. I ended up 4th overall for the BAR series.

I nearly finished the Pro/1/2 race later in the day but my legs weren't cooperating. They shut down 15 minutes before the end, so I watched from the sidelines and cheered on Peter, who stuck it out for 19th.

Dominguez Hills Crit by Velo Allegro - 20 JUL 2008 - 30+ & Pro/1/2
30+ - I was in an early break with Antony Galvan (NOW-MS Society) and John Allen (Velocity) but wasn't willing to put in 1/3 of the work for a chance to stay away when I didn't think we had a real chance. I eased up and got back into the flow. Soon after, I was rewarded and thrilled when I worked my way into a strong five-man break including Antony, Pat Caro (Schroeder Iron), Thurlow Rogers (Amger-Giant), and Tom Farley (Velo Pasadena). We quickly put time on the field and I thought I was racing for a top five but that went to top seven when Karl Bordine (5 Star WVO) and Evan Teske (Schroeder Iron) bridged up. At about 5 laps to go, Caro, Bordine, and Farley attacked and I waited for Antony or Thurlow to react but they were more concerned with eachother and Teske was fine with a teammate getting up the road. They didn't stay far, but they stayed ahead and sprinted into the back of the field. Karl took the win, Pat 2nd, Tom 3rd. Antony beat the rest of us for 4th, Teske 5th. I respect Thurlow a ton but wasn't going to let him beat me in a sprint. I held him off for 6th. To his defense, it was probably his 8th race of the day.

I lasted just over an hour in the Pro/1/2 before my legs said "no mas" and I headed for the car.

-adm
Tell Me Your Thoughts

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NO ONT 4 TONY
MON, 25 AUG 2008
Skipped Ontario yesterday and thereby skipped 102 degree temps. I even skipped riding altogether. Instead I stayed cool and had fun family time including playing in the dolphin fountain outside of Cerritos Library.

Family fun at the water fountain at Cerritos Library - 24 AUG 2008

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Crash at El Do - More Details
WED, 20 AUG 2008
Crash at El Dorado Park Tuesday Twilight Race - Tuesday, 19 AUG 2008

I guess I was overdue. I managed to get through 17 months without a crash until yesterday's El Do. Somehow when I do get tangled up in a crash, it is often at El Do.

This one was just a week shy of six years ago, back on Aug. 27, 2002, when I was in a major pile up that landed me in the hospital. Nearly the same time of year, nearly the same place on the road.

The night was a relatively slow pace. I think a lot of guys are winding down their seasons and some of the heavier hitters were missing. Tony Cruz (BMC)was there, fresh from a 4th place at Saab USA Cycling Professional Criterium Championships at Downer's Grove. But even Tony seemed to be taking it kind of easy. (I'll save you the suspense and worry and tell you Tony avoid the crash.) I still had interest in moving into the top 10 overall for the year.

It was all together with one lap to go. Aside from being slower, it was looking to be a typical sprint finish. We got half way, over the hill, and around turn three without incident. I was in my drops and jockeying toward the front. I found my way to the left side and started my move up as we rushed past the ranger station towards turn four.

My eyes were forward as I quickly moved from about 20 back to 12. I spied and targeted a pocket that would get me in 3rd or 4th spot around the last turn - a great spot to jump from to the finish. I was easily on my way there with plenty of room and momentum on the inside.

A second later, I went from licking my chops about a great finish to licking grass. Somewhere in the middle of the head of the pack, 8-9 deep, people bumped or got tangled or otherwise f'd up. People came out at me and someone hit me hard, sending me on a path to the parking blocks lining the road. I had no time to jump, so my front wheel smacked into the parking block and I went over the top left of my bike.

ADM versus the parking blocks - crash at El Do 19 AUG 2008

I closed my eyes as I started to somersault, tucked like a good cyclist-turned-instant-gymnast, but took a 2.0 for the landing. I went from upright (call it 0 degrees) to a little more than half way around (~210 degrees), where I came back to earth, first with the back of my helmet. I knocked out for a few seconds. When I opened my eyes, I was face first in the grass.

Oh yes, the grass. Lucky for me, I was first to crash and got my pick of green grass to land on. A similar fall on asphalt or concrete probably would have knocked me out longer/worse. Based on the injuries and soreness, I figure after I hit my head, I hit my right shoulder next, followed by my back, and then I flipped on the ground one more time.

I laid still for at least a minute: my standard approach to post-crash assessment. A lot of dudes will try to pop right back up and shake it off, but I prefer to wait to see what hurts to see if I should even stand up at all. I knew where I was, I knew my name, and after a minute or so, I couldn't feel any blood gushing or instant, throbbing pain, so I slowly rolled over and sat up, facing back toward the road.

At least six or seven other riders were on the ground. To my right was Craig Miller (Schroeder Iron). Craig was clutching his hand and said "my finger's cut off." He tried to sit up but I urged him to lay back as others did the same. Plenty of people had stopped to help out and calls to 911 were being made. [Latest word is Craig's finger was severed and unable to be re-attached, but he is recovering.]

Ankle Damage - ADM Crashes at El Do - 19 AUG 2008 I stood up and started to take stock of my body. My head was ringing and my shoulder sore. I looked down to see both my socks rolled down toward my feet. The right one had a wad of grass in it, and beneath the grass, I had two scrapes and an achy inside ankle.

My skinsuit was grass stained on the shoulder but otherwise fine, as was the rest of me. Unlike a slide on asphalt that results in lots of road rash, this crash was a launch and munch - air then hard impact, and perhaps some sliding but on nice slippery grass.

Once I figured out I was okay, I took a look at my bike. I first noticed a large rock jammed between my left brifter lever and the hood. Weird. The right brifter was turned in. My front wheel had a long scrape and dent where it obviously impacted the parking block. The rear wheel was out of true. My computer mount broke off the handlebar and I noticed later my two waterbottles had gone flying off to somewhere.

Hector Saldana (Cynergy) offered me a ride home. I didn't hesitate to take him up on it. I was able to open the brakes up and gingerly ride the bike back to his truck.

I felt bad the rest of the night and went to bed early. My body needed recovery rest.

Today I still have a headache and my neck is a little stiff and sore, but not as bad as I expected. My right shoulder, right forearm, and ankle are still sore. I figure the right forearm is sore because I was in the drops and the handlebar top corner smacked it hard after hitting the parking block. I attribute the ankle damage to hitting the bike as I went over the top, possibly on the top tube, handlebar or stem.

I looked the bike over more thoroughly this morning and it seems it's okay. I still haven't unwrapped the handlebar to check for carbon fiber damage, but it appears mostly good news.

Brifter scraped - ADM Crashes at El Do - 19 AUG 2008 Saddle scuffed - ADM Crashes at El Do - 19 AUG 2008

Bell helmet rear crushed 1 - ADM Crashes at El Do - 19 AUG 2008 Bell helmet rear crushed 2 - ADM Crashes at El Do - 19 AUG 2008

Bontrager X-Lite wheel scraped and dented - ADM Crashes at El Do - 19 AUG 2008

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Crash at El Do
TUE, 19 AUG 2008
Crash at El Do tonight. I hit my head freakin' hard. Blacked out for a couple of seconds. Helmet is dead.

I have a bruised right ankle, an achy right arm, and a heckuva headache. My front wheel is dented plenty good from hitting one of the parking blocks that line the sides of the road. My bike appears to be in pretty good condition but I haven't looked it over thoroughly yet. I did have some turned in brifters and my computer mount broke. I'm gonna have to give my carbon fiber handlebar a good look to make sure it's rideable.

I didn't look, but Craig Miller (Schroeder Iron) said his finger was severed. He was in pain. Jim Wiznura (CBR) had some road rash. Several other bodies were strewn about and I saw at least two other well-munched wheels, including a carbon one owned by Alexi Martinez (SuccessfulLiving.com).

Thanks to Hector Saldana (Cynergy) for the ride home.

Photos and more details to follow.

-adm
Tell Me Your Thoughts

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Home Course Part II
WED, 30 JUL 2008
CBR Long Beach Criterium - 13 JUL 2008 - Pro1/2
Feeling good after winning the 30+ race, I drank up and stepped up for the Pro/1/2. It started fine and I was in some early moves. However, none of those I was in stuck, and as my legs started to show their wear, a big break did get off. I could only watch it roll away without me.

Brandon Gritters joins CA Pools Cycling Team for CBR Long Beach Criterium - 13 JUL 2008Strong winds kept it strung out and the relenting chase after the likes of Tony Cruz (BMC), Chepe Garcia (Toyota-United), Dan Ramsey (Time Factory), Christian Valenzuela (Successful Living), and my former teammates on 5 Star, Nate Deibler and Brandon Gritters, proved too much for about two to three guys every lap. In an odd way, I had a teammate up the road since Brandon had joined CA Pools Cycling Team for the day - he was wearing our jersey because he forgot his.

When another break from the main field rolled off, I realized I was no longer racing and riding simply to finish, so I sat up from the dwindling field at around 45 minutes and went home.

Nate and Brandon were the only teammates in the six-man break but were bested by Chepe, Tony, and Christian for the finish. Nate had a hard day the day before, taking 2nd at Aliso Viejo, and Brandon said something about sweating off some partying the night before. Figures he'd choose a bad day to be dressed as my teammate.

-adm
Tell Me Your Thoughts

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Home Course Advantage
SUN, 27 JUL 2008
I'm not racing San Marcos today. I like the course, have had good results there before, but wasn't looking forward to the drive down. I also have a family event later today so it was an easy choice to skip the race. I also slept in and skipped a ride this morning. I finally have more computer time to catch up.

Photos from Aliso Viejo - 12 JUL 2008

Gray corduroy jeans, Smokin' Mos BBQ t-shirt with number pinned, hairy legs, saddle bag, and the rest of the normal gear. Here's some photo evidence.

ADM races Aliso Viejo Grand Prix in corduroy shorts and t-shirt
Climbing behind Kirk Bausch (Cynergy)
ADM races Aliso Viejo Grand Prix in corduroy shorts and t-shirt
This is fun (must be lap 2, before the curdoroy chaffing and hill climb effects set in)
ADM races Aliso Viejo Grand Prix in corduroy shorts and t-shirt
I'm taking this seriously, aren't you?
Photos by: #1 & #3 MarcRothPhotography.com, #2 KennyBZ.com

CBR Long Beach Criterium - 13 JUL 2008 - 30+ 1/2/3
I've raced a lot of courses many times over in my career, but Hughes Park in Long Beach is the place I''ve put more laps in at than any other. Every year there's at least one and often two or three races on the same loop, and almost every week, I'm out there on Thursday nights getting my training race workout. It's my "home course" and knowing it well made the difference in this race.

I remembered my kit - CBR Long Beach Criterium - 13 JUL 2008Step 1: Good night's rest, treated my curduroy damage, good breakfast, and remembered all my gear, including jersey and shorts.

Step 2: Got to the race on time, got a warm-up, and felt comfortable. +2 for the Home Course Advantage: one for knowing exactly how long it takes to get there, and two for feeling entirely comfortable about being there in general. It also helped to already have a few wins out on this course and to have my teammate Lance with me. We went 1-2 at this race back in 2006 and we were looking to repeat the feat.

Step 3: Race. There were some tired legs in the bunch including Thurlow Rogers (Amgen/Giant) who the day before did two races at Aliso Viejo and won both. He probably had at least one race already in the books this day. There were also some fresh legs, like flatlander guys Evan Teske (Shroeder Iron) and Randall Coxworth (Acqua al 2/SDBC), who apparently knew better than I did and didn't go to Aliso Viejo at all.

The start line of the 30+ race - CBR Long Beach Criterium - 13 JUL 2008The race was aggressive early, with Antony Galvan (NOW-MS Society) being aggressive in part to try and make up some points on Thurlow for the CBR BAR Series. I felt good and was part of every jump and serious move. I sensed it was only a matter of time before a good break would go.

About half way through the race a guy rolled up the road and I decided to jump up to him. I'm not sure exactly why, now, but it was probably because he showed some strength earlier and I thought he'd be a good worker for a break. In any case, I reached him without anyone in tow. We traded pulls for 1/2 a lap, came across the line with a nice lead and got a $20 prime bell. I yelled out, "keep going, just split it" because I'd rather have $10 than risk getting none - I was sure if we dawdled we'd get caught before coming around and it would be better for us to work together to get the prime and see how much further we could get.

We came around for the prime and took it fine. I looked back to see a chase break had formed and was headed our way. I warned my break companion to keep it going but to also ease up a bit so we'd have no problems jumping on board. When the group of eight came by, we got on and it was off we went. This was the winning break.

The winning break - CBR Long Beach Criterium - 13 JUL 2008At first I found myself doing extra work and pulls. The organization of the group wasn't good but I wanted it to work and put in some extra effort to get everyone to go along. Soon enough everyone was taking their pulls and we established a nice lead over the field. Lance was back at the front of the pack doing his blocking magic as were several other teams, I'm sure. The break didn't have any team with multiple guys so the teammates in the field were happy to let the break get away and play out. The break included strong guys like Kirk Bausch and Tom Farley (Velo Pasadena), but notably missing were Galvan and Thurlow.

Nearing the end I was getting tired. I tried to keep aware since I figured the attacks would start coming. Gauging the competition around me, I figured I was looking at no lower than a top 4 finish if it came to a sprint. The sprint legs I was most worried about were Evan Teske (Schroeder Iron) and Coxworth. We hit 5 laps to go and no one attacked hard. It looked like it would surely be a sprint finish at two to go as everyone eyeballed eachother but no one tried to shoot off. Coming into one to go, a single rider rolled off and the rest of us kept looking for the other to go get him. I crept to the front around turn 1 and the group gave me some space. I stared over my shoulder and saw no reaction, so I made the choice to go for it all and threw it down into turn 2.

I was immediately and fully committed. +1 for the Home Course Advantage, because I knew exactly what kind of distance and pain I was in for to get to the line. I dropped into aero position, kept a swift but strong cadence, and kept looking forward to the guy off the front as I surveyed the gap behind me.

At turn 3 I knew I'd catch the guy ahead, so then it was a question of keeping the lead to the line. I passed the guy with a sharp, fast line on the inside of turn 4 (+1 for the Home Course Advantage - knowing the turn). I looked back once more to see the rest of the break charging. I got up on the pedals and started sprinting for my life. I didn't dare look back. I kept it going all the way to the line, fearing I might get nipped.

ADM first around the corner - CBR Long Beach Criterium - 13 JUL 2008 ADM head down, grind it out sprint - CBR Long Beach Criterium - 13 JUL 2008 ADM sprinting for the win - CBR Long Beach Criterium - 13 JUL 2008

ADM gets the win - CBR Long Beach Criterium - 13 JUL 2008A moment from the line, I knew I'd had it. I didn't have enough time or confidence to pull-off a fancy salute. Instead, it was a fist pump of triumph and relief (~20 months since my last win).

-adm
Tell Me Your Thoughts

Long Beach Criterium Photos by KennyBZ.com

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Aliso Viejo Grand Prix
SAT, 12 JUL 2008
Aliso Viejo Grand Prix - Southern Californi'as Cobbled Classic - 12 July 2008My text message to team director Ernie Sanchez regarding today's race:

Raced in my board shorts n tshirt. Frkn hrd climber course. I popped n dropped ~40 min. No pro.1 today. 2 races tomorrow.

Ernie responds succinctly:

hilarious

Not much else to say except that yeah, I forgot my clothes in the dryer and had zero teammates or anyone else that liked me around to borrow some shorts or jersey.

ADM - sponsored by Smokin' MOS BBQ - Fine Swine Dining Since 1994I said to Chris Lotts, "Hey, I forgot my clothes, would you pin this number onto my t-shirt?" Chris laughed and said "you gotta be kidding" and then offered to have me race sans number but I insisted since the rest of the world might not realize I'm "so fo real" and think I was just a knucklehead who jumped into the race. At least now I was a knucklehead with a number. 2 legit.

I'd spent the earlier part of the time there trying to wrestle up some clothes. I did buy some cool Converse socks at TJ MAXX so my feetsies were good. But no warm-up.

The pack was kind enough to do a mellow lap to start but that was it. Thurlow and a teammate took off, the rest of the field sat around watching, more guys went off later, and I squirmed in my saddle with the seam of my shorts rubbing me the wrong way. Cobbles weren't an issue but that climb (not a bump, not a rise) was a big issue for me any many others.

I went for a prime before I blew up - didn't even get it. It was then I decided to save some for tomorrow.

I sure hope one of the many photographers got a nice shot of my t-shirt action.

And Travis (Sho-Air), you're a liar! This is nothing like San Pedro. Much harder. Hahahaha. You got me. Darn you! But good race atmosphere and course. I hope it returns for many years though I may not elect to race it.

-adm
Tell Me Your Thoughts

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Paramount Crit
TUE, 08 JUL 2008
Before I tell you about Sunday's Paramount Racing Criterium, two more things about MBGP:
  1. I was the 5th or 6th oldest top 20 finisher. No extra pay was involved.
  2. I was surely the hairiest legged mofo in the top 20. No extra pay but plenty of ridicule was involved.

ADM races with hairy legs - seeks sponsor for aero edge and to end ridiculeI guess this a good time to mention my team doesn't have one, so I am seeking an individual sponsorship with a razor or other hair removal type company. I give all my sponsors great exposure. Contact me if you're interested. And YES, I WILL entertain lucrative offers from serious duct tape manufacturers.

Paramount Racing Criterium - Sunday, 06 JUL 2008
I figured a nice close-to-home race, a short 80 minute crit, would be an easy and fun way to end the three-day holiday weekend. I had a good 4th, 5th, and the morning of the 6th wasn't too shabby either. I headed to Dominguez Hills in good spirits and figured I'd been riding well enough lately that I'd probably have a good race this day, too.

I rolled into the industrial park to find it packed with racers. I expected everybody to be out of town, not here racing. Wrong. Okay, no sweat, just more guys to hide behind, except when I go to register and warm up, I keep seeing a lot of big game dudes: Rock Racing had a full squad including Rahsaan Bahati, Sterling Magnell, and Sergio Hernandez. Jonathan Cantwell and Neil Shirley were there for Jittery Joes. Kyle Gritters and Rory Sutherland represented HealthNet p/b Maxxis. Successful Living fielded three or four including Alexi Martinex and Christian Valenzuela, Team 5 Star WVO had five or six including Karl Bordine and Paul Che, and then there was still some solo hitters like Antonio Cruz (BMC) and Hilton Clarke (Toyota-United).

To put it another way, it seemed like rather than leave town, a bunch of guys stuck around after MBGP to toe up for this crit. Ralph Elliot announced a field of 123 of a limit of 125.

Good thing I got a proper warm-up, 'cause the pace picked up really quickly. I stayed near the front and was active. I tried to be smarter than faster and really chose my moves according to who was where. It paid off. I was in several moves that had shots but got shot down quickly. I missed a few others but each of those were missing key ingredients and those came back, too. The pace stayed fast but I was pretty comfortable. After the race a few guys I talked with said it was a really fast race. I didn't feel it for once - I guess it was a good day for my non-shaved legs.

Seventy-five minutes later and it's all together. 5 Star lines up at the front but loses the leadout battle to Rock Racing. I wormed my way forward and was 25ish into the last lap. I kept making spots and started to move real well on the inside towards turn four.

The legs didn't seem like they were there to punch it into the corner, otherwise I probably could have hit it top 10. Instead, I hesistated and tried to duck behind the guys on my left. I came around the last corner about 17th and started kicking. My move to get out of the wind failed as the guys ahead swung ultra wide and several of them beyond the cones. I kept on towards the line as the group swung back in front of me half way there. Off to the left, Paul Che, who'd hit the corner 2nd and was on his way to a sure podium if not the win, somehow came out of both his pedals and mashed his 'nads good 'n plenty but managed not to crash and still roll in ahead of me at 11th.

The real entertainment was ahead at the line as Cantwell, fifth around the corner and around Paul's wheel after he came unclipped, streaked to the finish and started to celebrate the win. Except he failed to realize Bahati's cone flirtation recovery and fast approach to Cantwell's right. Bahati, ever the relentless racer, lunged at the line and pipped Cantwell for the win.

Here are some photos I borrowed from Bahati's Blog:

Jonathan Cantwell Celebrates the win while ADM fights forward... - Paramount Racing Criterium - Sunday, 06 JUL 2008 Jonathan Cantwell celebrates the win while ADM fights forward...
...but Rahsaan Bahati sneeks past Cantwell on the right. ADM continues the sprint in background. Paramount Racing Criterium - Sunday, 06 JUL 2008 ...but Rahsaan Bahati sneeks past Cantwell on the right. ADM continues the sprint in the background.
Rahsaan point out the win. ADM gets 12th. Paramount Racing Criterium - Sunday, 06 JUL 2008 Rahsaan points out the win. ADM gets 12th.

Seems Cantwell's a good sport about it as he acknowledges his mistake on his blog.

Paramount Racing - 2008 Paramount Criterium - July 6, 2008 - 12 oz tulip shaped custom beer glassWell, to wrap it up, the prize money for 12th was enough to pay for my next race, but the best reward was the 12 oz. tulip shaped customized beer glass. I took mine home and didn't hesitate to enjoy it with a nice cold brew.

-adm
Tell Me Your Thoughts

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MBGP 2008
SUN, 06 JUL 2008
Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix - 2008 - 47th Annual - Presented by Rock Racing47th Annual Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix Presented by Rock Racing - 29 June 2008

Another year, another MBGP. I love this race and have managed to do it just about every year starting in 1994.

When I first did it in 1994, I was a Cat. 5 and it was probably only my 4th or 5th USCF/USAC criterium ever (however, I'd been racing several collegiate road races and crits during the year). The details of the race escape my memory, but I finished 3rd and have the small trophy on my book shelf to remind me. I updgraded to Cat. 4 after that.

My best finish was in 2005 when I was a Cat. 2. Back then it was a Pro/1/2 race with the 2s scored separately. I ended up 16th overall and was the 1st Cat. 2. I got to double-dip the prize money (20 deep Pro/1 and 1st Cat. 2) and I got a winner's jersey.

The past two years, 2006 and 2007, weren't as good. I upgraded to Cat. 1 (just in time for when the race became a Pro/1 only). I was just out of the money in 2006 (22nd) and, after acquiring a baby and job and working hard for my team, was 32nd in 2007.

Adrienne looks over the MBGP 2008 roster and wonders if daddy is there.This year wasn't bad. My goal was to finish, my hope was to top 20, and my long-term goal is to keep this kind of result up long enough so my daughter will actually get to see it and remember it and not just have to look my name up in and old race program.

It was just me and Pedro (Peter Andersen) flying the colors again for our team. Our pre-race strategy session consisted of "let's survive, okay?" "Okay."

After call-ups (none for me-WTF?), the race got underway and I felt remarkably comfortable. I made my way toward the front and sat in around 30ish.

I managed to stay toward the front and also work myself into a few short-lived moves. I kept my nose out of the wind and anticipated the usual field sprint at the end. No crazy pulls, bridges, or prime chasing for me.

A break got off towards the end but it wasn't a big threat and got chased down by Rock Racing. With 3 laps to go I worked my way forward, and on the back stretch of the last lap, I assumed my usual position, on the inside with tons of speed.

I didn't get as far as up as I would have liked but managed to get into and around the corner about 20th. Just ahead and to my left were bodies piling up. Somebody crashed and slid outward (see the crash sequence here). This is also very usual and the smart and/or familiar guys stick to the inside of the turn.

61 Morrow CA Pools Racing - Manhattan Beach Grand Prix 2008 ProgramOne of the smart and familiar guys is Rahsaan Bahati (Rock Racing). He's also fast. Just like last year, he took the win after diving on the inside and unwinding his quick sprint. Further back I moshed the pedals, passed a few guys, and ended up in the money at 17th. And since MBGP is a National Race Calendar event, the purse is big and the payout is nice all the way down to 20th.

"See honey, daddy used to be an okay bike racer."

-adm
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