Tacky Trails

Most places just get muddy and yucky when its wet. Not so for those of us on the south side of town. Decomposed granite holds together better with a fair bit of moisture. Taking this panorama was my only stop on a recent ride. I was having too much fun hooting and hollering. I had many doubts on my ride. I must have anyway because when you're in doubt, air it out.

ride fast. crack jokes.

#3 on the road

The North Boulder Park Criterium was a welcome respite from the terrible weather we've had in Springs over the last few days. I headed up to Boulder hoping that the weather would hold out and the race wouldn't be too dangerous. I'd never raced the course before and was a little nervous about a section through an alley. The weather was beautiful and the course was actually pretty nice and not too sketchy. The transitions in and out of the alley were a little nerve wracking but I never had a close call. Throughout the whole of the race I never dropped further back than 8th place. I sat towards the front and sprinted for most of the prime prizes (4 of 6 in the end). I took a few pulls at the front but mostly tried to hide in the draft and wait for the sprint. It worked out great coming into the last turn in third. I waited until the road started to make it's gentle rise to the finish. When it was done, I'd won by a couple meters and had time to throw my arms in the air. That makes my 3rd win on the road this year.

Well, I still don't have enough points to upgrade to a cat. 3 yet. The ACA is a little weird on that. I don't totally understand the logic on their upgrade system, especially since I'm a cat. 2 on the track. It sure is fun winning races though. I'm planning on petitioning it after this coming weekend. It's the last crit of the season and my last chance at points. Even if I don't get any, I'm hoping they'll still let me move on up for more fast paced action next year.

I'll see all you mountain folk up in Eldora for the short track. That sounds like a good time.

Michael Giem

Elite Districts (State Championships)

I was going to write a big essay on the happenings of Elite Districts (July 26 and 27) on the track but decided it would get a little boring for all that read this. Instead, I'll give some quick results for myself (michael giem) as well as a couple of photos.

Flying 200m Time Trial - 4th (11.42sec Personal Record)
250m Time Trial - 1st (state champion)
Madison - 4th (w/ Charlie Higbie)
Keirin - 4th (was 2nd but got relegated for not holding my line in the sprint)
Sprints - 6th
Kilometer Time Trial - 7th (1:12.94 Personal Record)
Team Sprint - 1st (state champion w/ Charlie Higbie and Karl Erickson)

The photos are courtesy of my great friend Dan Sproul.

On to a little criterium action at the Mike Nields Memorial Bannock Street Criterium in Denver. I am still a Cat 4 on the road due to the lack of races I've competed in. They won't upgrade me so I must keep racing for results until they will. I stayed steady through the whole race, taking 3 prime prizes along the way. A huge crash taking out 7 or 8 of the front of the pack split the field with 4 laps to go. I chased back up to the lead pack and sat on for 2 laps. On the final climb I started my sprint and carried it through the turn and down the straight away to win by 5 meters. This was my second win on the road of the season.