Reports by:

• Chris
• Biker Bob
• Pritpal
• Matt I.

Category: 4
Result: Crash

Well, my plan to try some other strategies turned in to mush as I became a huge chicken. I spent the whole race in the wind on the outside. Not until after the race did I realize I could have done that in front instead of to the side and about half way back. And to top it off, I went down on the last corner!

I arrived at the race with plenty of time to warm up. Had a good 40 min warm up but did a lap around the course and but started at the back. The pace was very fast. I heard it was over 26. I stayed on the outside the whole time. Once, I got on a wheel and was past on my left so I was boxed in around a corner. People could not hold a line and I said F' it and I would rather do work then crash 3 weeks after wente. I felt very strong for being in the wind the whole time. I made it to the front with about 4-5 to go but I thought I did not want to work. Which is stupid because I was working anyways. I should have just stayed up front for the rest of the race. I am an idiot.

I was in "good" position for a chicken on the last two 90 degree right turns but the group overshot the last turn and went into the gutter ahead of me. I slammed on the brakes because my other choice was to hit the curb. I locked up in the back and slowed but still hit a downed rider and went down on my arm. The bad arm. But luckily it did not make it much worse. It will just be extra sore for a couple days.

All in all, a poorly raced race with good fitness. Average HR 172, found a new max of 184 (179 was old one) and still had legs to finish, if I could have.

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Category: Various
Result: Top ten

Race Report, Finally something worth reporting. Lynda and I went to Sac for sunday's crit and watched Chris Coble and Pritpal race, and ran into Matt Idler. Zig where were you?

I started with the Masters 1-2-3 race which was very aggresive. I went with a mid race break that only lasted for a few laps and then sat in for the sprint. the last lap was stupid scary with many chances of being a Chris Coble chicken but I still pulled out a top 10 finish, 9th place. Not bad considering my competition was Buba "Nat Champ", Dean LeBerge etc.

Then 2 hours later I did the Pro 1-2 and finished top 30.

Best of all, for 2 hours of crit racing, I would guess I rarely went over LT Both races felt pretty easy!

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Category: 3
Result: Mid-pack

As you all know that this was my first race of the season and it was nice to see Chris Coble, Matt and Robert Russell but my eyes was looking for Mr Zigi and Mr Gary but could not find them. any way here is my report.

As u all know that equipment and me don;t go along. but i tried my best and i bought a new Tire for my front wheel at performance bike shop at Sacramento. Got to the race course an hour early, and saw Cris and Mat starting cat 4/5 race. Yell'd at the first turn "GO CRIS" "GO FFBC". Had a nice warm up for 20 min and a wait for 15 min on the line as one of the rider from cat 4/5 race was down on the road at the finish line and the ambulance and fire truck was blocking the race course.

After everything got clear the official told us 3 min to start the race. One of the rider who was watching my wheels as i was riding Tri spoke's found out that my front wheel was flat. He called out "Hey Fremont Freewheeler Your front tire is flat." Oh I thought in my mind " This is normal with me " so i just hurried to the pits (luckily where i had the only one spare front wheel) and got my training wheel on, which was not aligned properly and so i had to loose my front brake. So i thought i will take it easy in the beginning. luckily i made it in 3 min and i was again standing in front to start the race.

Race went on pretty well and for the first few laps i was among last 5 riders. I was just sitting and testing the wind from all corners of the circuit. My aim was just to finish in the bunch if i could. As the laps went by i was watching my heart rate and it seems to be OK. I was riding @ my LT so i decided to go up in front.

Man it was windy and it was quite hard up in front so came to the back again and thought i will advance up at 2 to go. So 2 to go i was in first 10 and got blocked @ 1 to go so came in the middle of the pack but still I didn't let it go and by the last turn i was again back in first 15. Never came up for the last sprint and just cruised while seated as i had that scary feeling of Tues evening crash while we were doing the sprint session. So just finished hard while seated.

Checked the list and i was placed 18 out of i think 68 Starters. It was nice feeling as it was my first race and went very well. so i will be racing more.....

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Category: -
Result: -

I was there, but didn't get into the race. It was full at 100 even though I got there an hour and 20 mins before the race. I was on the waiting list and they only took 3 people. Crap. That was okay, since it was only a 30 min drive from my house and the fact I got a good ride in on Saturday.

I decided to cheer Chris on, and watched the Cat 4/5 crash fest. It was horrible, the bike handling of some of those people. I really honestly believe that they should have seperated the fields into 4 and 5, especially with the field full at 100. Some 5's just can't handle being around so many riders, i think. After seeing a lot of messy handling, i've realized one needs to be careful about which races to choose.

I counted 5 crashes in 45 mins of racing. The last crash at the finish line was ridiculous. After crossing the finish line 3 riders ran into each other about 20 meters from the finish line. The guy had broken ribs and a broken collarbone.Bikes just flew everywhere. I'm sure Chris can attest to some of those sketchy riders. I'm glad you came away okay, Chris!

Good Job Paul, and Biker Bob--you're back!! New bike and all.. hope to see you guys soon.

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