Super Squadra

That time of year again – HHH 2010

Phil — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:55:57 +0000

Hotter ‘N Hell in Wichita Falls annually marks the beginning of the end of each season and with that distinction, along comes a good deal of prestige. Since 2009, the race has been a three day affair with two criteriums bookending the all-important HH100 road race. After a summer lull in racing, Texan racers return to the state for a bid at the title and that famously garish winner’s jersey.

Friday night’s 75 minute criterium is always a fast and nervous affair due to the fresh legs, ambitious field and thousands of HHH rally racers to cheer us on. The racing stays full throttle throughout, mostly spurred on by the primes and a shot at taking home the largest slice of the $2000 on offer. Ian predictably went for the Festina TdF edition wristwatch, a possession he has chased since his tender years as a Cat 2 collegiate cyclist. A number of breakaways formed with nearly every combination of top teams and riders, eventually leading to a period when the break nearly outnumbered the field. However with 20 minutes remaining, THSJ coalesced at the front of the pack and went about the unenviable task of setting up their stable of fast finishers. Entering the final two corners I sat well positioned for the sprint when a rival entered a corner far too fast and ended up taking out nearly all of the leading ten riders in the field. David and Chad were able to ignore me performing a flip in the air onto my face and finish in the top ten.

The HHH road race begins in the cool darkness amidst natural disaster-like confusion. Despite a team of HHH veterans, in attempting to circumvent the thousands of staging rally riders we stumbled upon the Renaissance Fest-clad cannon firing crew. I’d never heard the phrase “THE CANNON IS LOADED” before but after Saturday, I’m positive I never want to hear it again. The race was not without it’s own pitfalls. Alan was taken down in the first 30 miles and his team bike was irreparably damaged. Everyone on the team was attentive to the attacks despite the 30+ mph averaged speeds of first few hours. After a particularly difficult section in which the field again comprised many disparate groups, I launched a seated attack up to eventual road race winner Russ Walker. Joined by Vargas, Logan and Pat’s RBM teammate Jason Short, we would not be seen again by the field. On the final wind-swept approach to the finish, Russ launched one decisive attack up against the gutter and won with ample time to make his celebration truly memorable. The remnants of the break worked together and decided the podium spots in a small group sprint. Back in the bunch kick, confusion reigned as a crash, wrong turn, and impromptu police road block made for a dangerous and unsporting final 1k. Ian kept me company in the heat and soiled chamois drenched post-ride music tent.

Sunday’s criterium is what I would consider a hangover criterium, despite evening’s prior sobriety. The midday conditions are brutal, as are the road surfaces. Gone are the many enthusiastic fans of Friday evening. The race exists to satisfy the principles of Charles Darwin. If you had made it this far with body and equipment intact and were still at your sporting best, you deserved to don the flame-ensconced bovine skull leader’s jersey. Only a few riders were up to the task and the day’s break included Russ, Logan, our very own Chad, Pat, and Stefan. Chad would eventually suffer an energy gel reversal of fortune and returned to the field. With the jersey holding Jason Waddell opting out of the day’s aggression, his team was left to set a nearly impossible chase until the race was over. Once their failure was certain, THSJ basically dominated the final laps of the race both winning from the break and launching Josh into the top 5. I slotted into 7th and ended the weekend 6th in the omnium despite the dearth of Friday points, a crash, and an unwelcome bout of anaphylaxis.

With a huge block of Holland Racing ahead of us, we can thank HHH weekend not so much for the entertainment, though Piranha 3D was a classic, or the posh housing, countless thanks to the Knox family and Julie Carter for the lead, or the broken equipment, an SL3, 303 and a seatpost, but instead for the gained fitness and opportunity to tune-up our ability to race as a newly formed team of seven.

Tour de Austin Preview: The Reed and Scardino Criterium

wheeler — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:56:06 +0000

The last race of the Tour de Austin is a fast and challenging criterium around the J.J. Pickle Research Center. Located in North Austin the Research Center is owned by the University of Texas at Austin and is well known for its research in the areas of defense, nuclear physics, and space flight.

The home to Monday's race

The course has eight corners and a couple long straightaways where you can really get up to speed. Racers must navigate a left-right chicane on the bottom section of the course before tackling an uphill drag, followed by another quick chicane, before reaching the finishing straight.

Close to the start/finish line area is a nice group of trees where spectators will be hanging out enjoying the shade as racers fly by. Monday is the last race in the Tour of Austin omnium so racers will be fighting for every last point. If you’ve enjoyed a good weekend and made some money you can go right across to The Domain and spend your winnings at stores like Neiman Marcus, Banana Republic or the Apple Store.

The Reed and Scardino Criterium is a great way to enjoy your Labor Day so bring out your family and friends and watch some exciting racing. See you there.

The Reed and Scardino Criterium course (run clockwise) as seen from space.

Tour de Austin Preview: eRacing Stigma Criterium

dille — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:56:00 +0000

In the mid-1850s, when the Austin State Hospital was first constructed for the treatment of mentally ill patients, it sat well outside of the city proper in an undeveloped countryside, amongst Live Oak trees that were just saplings at the time. The main building, which today serves as the hospital’s administrative center, was constructed from limestone bricks and adorned with towering white columns.

By 1890, Austin’s first suburb, Hyde Park, was built along Guadalupe street, adjacent the hospital. Today, the neighborhood is one of Austin’s most sought after locales, and where Tour of Austin race promoter Andrew Willis was living when he first discovered the Austin State Hospital—with its smooth, car free roads and now fully grown, shade providing Live Oaks—would make a fabulous race venue.

Since 2008 the Austin State Hospital has embraced the bike racing community with its Erasing Stigma campaign, which seeks to change the public perception of mental illness. This year, the DLA Piper eRacing Stigma Criterium powered by Aardvark Movers will finish directly in front of the ground’s historic main building.

The course change will undoubtedly factor into how the race plays out. In previous years, a tight 120 degree corner precipitated a twisty uphill drag to the finish line. Now, racers will have a wide open shot at the finish line coming out of the last turn. (Which will be nice, since in the P1,2 race there’s eight, $50 hot spot sprints.)

But despite the route change, the course’s mild elevation gain will still wear on racers throughout their event. Expect the majority of attacks to come on the uphill, top portion of the course, which now features a quick chicane, sure to string out the pack. Use caution in the second to last turn, descending from the top of the course (I once saw Tyler Hamilton eat it, hard, here) and then put it in the eleven and let it fly on the slightly downhill run to the finish line.

After the event, make sure to patronize one of the many tasty restaurants—including New Worl Deli, Parlor Pizza, and Vino Vino—situated along Guadalupe street across from the race venue.

Would you like cheese with that?

tingy — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 05:43:49 +0000

I was once asked if I wanted, “extra mixed cheese.” This was one of the darkest moments of my life. Why can they not have two separate things of cheese and just mix it on request? Why does that cheese look like yellow hair. What constitutes a mixed cheese? In my lowly opinion, cheese in the States is less than optimal. Its pasteurized, far too greasy, and unrecognizable. Pasteurizing cheese takes away part of the cheese mystique, the special bacteria adds a subtle layer of flavor to the smelliest of cheeses. Again, I digress. Things are not all bad for cheese in America. Holland Racing’s Andrew Willis, promoter of the Tour de Austin wears a Cheetos jersey, and that’s pretty awesome.

In just under a fortnight, Austin will be taken under by bike racing hysteria provided by the Tour de Austin. As already reviewed by David, the event starts with a blistering TT around the Driveway course. The following day, racers will tackle the Shop House loop, in what is certain to be both an entertaining day for fans and racers alike. The course is largely sheltered and is punctuated by a short climb just following the finish line. Though this course will many times finish in a large sprinter shoot out, the high speeds and tight corners at the top of the course can easily cut the field down to a select few. In the P12 event, racers will tackle 50miles, in what will likely be a race for those with staying power and determination. I will surely be looking forward to the perfect tarmac that abounds The Driveway—bring on the 50miles! With races starting at 8A.M. and ending at 5P.M., you have all day to catch your bit of criterium hullabaloo. Enjoy your cheese, and see you there.

He came, he saw, he wrote a great blog post about it…

dille — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:14:53 +0000

If you’re contemplating attending one of Super Squadra’s DLA Piper Beginner Clinics at the Driveway Austin, but aren’t quite sure what to expect, check out the blog post linked below by Daniel Curtin of Bicycle Sport Shop.

Daniel attended our August clinic and captured the experience in text and video. Then he caught the racing bug himself. He’s competed in the last three Driveway Series races.

Check out the Bicycle Sport Shop blog here: http://networkedblogs.com/72tb4.

Tour de Austin Preview: Pole Position Time Trial

wenger — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:51:29 +0000

The Tour de Austin Bradley Houston Law Pole Position Time Trial will be smoking fast. As is the case with any time trial, a time trial specific bike will be fastest, but don’t fret if you’re coming with one road bike for the weekend. Bring your clip-on aero bars, a set of Allen wrenches, and set up the road bike to go fast on the turny course. Pop all of the spacers out of your steerer tube, place them above the stem, and get in a low, as well as aggressive, TT position and you’ll be set.

As with most races where locals can easily familiarize themselves with a course, Austinites will enjoy a home-court advantage at the Driveway. If you’re coming from out of town or this is your first trip to The Driveway Austin, be prepared for a flat-out fast course. There are no corners that require heavy braking. In fact, there is only one turn that requires coasting, the one closest to the announcer’s stand on your way from the start line. Everything else can be taken full-gas, sometimes in the aero bars and sometimes out. No matter what, stay slow, keep pedaling, and shoot to take your momentum the whole way to the outside of the exit of every turn. Again, lots of turns, but only one that counts as a corner.

The Tour de Austin Time Trial will encompass two full laps of the course.

The Driveway Austin features two distinct sections. First, there is the upper part of the course that will be used for the start and finish. There is no vegetation, so if there are winds, expect them to be amplified by the openness of the top of the course. Also, this section of the course has many turns. All but one can be pedaled through if the rider takes a wide arch, which will eventually take you past the shop house then into the river bottom which is protected from the wind by tall trees.

This section of the course is normally free from wind. Sometimes the long, sweeping turn at the end can get a bit of a south wind in it, but that’s it. This section is fast! It is almost perfectly straight, here’s where you’ll pull the average speed up a few notches. Heading into this section is downhill and perhaps the only time a rider can let pressure off the pedals. The approach back to the upper part of the course is deceptively uphill, a prime spot for powerful riders to make up time on the competition. Do one more full lap for a total of roughly 4 miles and your done.

It’s a short, hard effort, so amidst all the turning and pedaling, don’t forget to breath!

State Time Trial, 2010

wenger — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:06:50 +0000

TX Cup is divided into two segments. First, there are the hard-core and hyper competitive spring races. These start with Copperas Cove and the Tour of New Braunfels then conclude with the State Criterium Championships in Fort Worth. The second part of the season, football season or pre-season for the spring races, starts with the Texas State Time Trial Championships, this year held in Floresville, TX.

The course for the 2010 40k championships was a relief from previous editions. It featured safe turns early in the out-and-back course and challenging elevation 520ft changes from the 4- 21mi mark. The time trial ended up being a little short, 38.96k, so finish times do not show the difficulty of the course until it is noted the race was fractionally short.

Steven was the first rider off from our crew right around 7:50am. Squadra had alternating starts with Team Hotel San Jose, with Chad as my minute man we were all out on the road within an ear shot of each other. For the first time ever in a 40k, I was able to zone out and really not concentrate on much other than average speed. After a week and a half off the bike leading into Le Driveway to follow greatness in action, I am pretty sure that I was in peak form for the weekend after a nice taper. I didn’t feel much other than ice melting on my chest for the 52min ride, but 9am brought a whole new set of challenges. After figuring out our places (5^th for me, 8^th for Haga, and 13^th of Esteban), we set sail to watch movies and eat tacos in the big city, San Antonio

Guided by mobile devices locked-in on the keyword, “Taco” we stumbled upon team Godfather Zac Lytle’s favorite taco joint, Taco Taco. Similar to boutique shoe stores in Manhattan or auditions for America’s Got Talent, there was a line out the door. We waited patiently for our brunch, and suggest blog readers do the same. The tortilla was surprisingly puffy and chewy, requiring a fair amount of tugging from canines, but this did add to the joy of a simultaneous burst of flavor from avocado and fajita chicken. Go with the specials or best known dishes on the menu and you’ll be pleased.

Chad and Steven set to consume.

Next, we went to kill some time at the movies. There was air conditioning. The movie really is not worth mentioning (not Eat. Love. Pray. despite my protests.)

Heading back to the metropolis of Floresville in Chad’s Chevy V8 truck to join our TTT teammate Ian, we made a pit-stop at HEB. Chad bought a half gallon of 2% milk and a cheesecake. Both were consumed by start time on Sunday morning for the team time trial, which is another story. Steven, God of Cable Television, was able to find several Harrison Ford, Mathew McConaughey, and and various other features with Jessica Alba to pass our time. In fact, during the most heated part of our TTT pre-race meeting, “Do I ring my bike bell only when pulling off, or when attempting to pull through?”, outcries of “Be quiet, Optimus Prime is ready to for action.” And, “You’re an idiot. You only ring your bell when we pass San Jose,” were conveyed by disapproving eyes during the evening entertainment. We pounded a few chicken fried steaks and DQ Blizzards, then it was time to retire.

Waking up was a bit rough. We were on the bikes and rolling around as a team by 6:50a, about 40min from our start. Our ride was about as good as we could make it, so we’re thrilled with our performance. A time trial is not about winning, it is about having the best effort possible and then being satisfied with the output or effort. In all cases over the state time trial weekend, we exceeded our expectations and lopped off considerable time from our previous best team time trial efforts. Our placing of 4^th in the TTT is what we earned and our performances bode well for the racing to come in Wichita Falls and at the Tour de Austin.

Chad leading our TTT charge on his Specialized Transition generously loaned by Bicycle Sport Shop

Somethings Never Change

tingy — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:06:28 +0000

A decade ago, fishing before sunrise was therapeutic, it still is. A decade ago, Nerf gun wars were imaginary wonderland, they still are. And a decade ago (Ian Dille tells me), a ride out creek road followed by a Changos feast and Barton dip was “awesome,” and it simply still is. Some things change, but a casual Saturday bike ride with a few of your best mates will always be first-rate.

This past Saturday we held our midsummer SSSSODTC, or Super Squadra Summer Sizzler One Day Training Camp, for those of you not well trained on guessing acronyms. Shane Haga, Chad’s little brother, came down to fill Chad’s void and join in on the festivities. I was awakened from Ian’s bed by the smell of fresh blueberry pancakes cooked by the man himself. Ian has one of my top 3 favorite beds, ever, so this day was already shaping up quite nicely. Ian, Shane, and I rolled down to Bicycle Sport Shop to meet our two other teammates, David and Steven, for our Saturday excursion. Sadly, Phil was man down after a hard spill on his commute home from work. The ride was very casual and the hours ticked by quickly; we even somehow managed to see a single triathlete three times! We were in BBB (brotherly bonding bliss) when I turned back to witness Ian handing Shane his last two cheese crackers. However, this is where our ride turned sour. A tan color Ford truck decided to toss his spit cup out the window directly onto this magnificent scene of selflessness. Ian and Shane took it in stride, and after a quick rinse down, simply shrugged it off with a “what can you do” attitude. Shane, a former baseball player, recognized the flavor as mint and dubbed it a pseudonym for “girly.” We got the last laugh.

Dave's parking job at Barton.

Still, our SSSSODTC was not to be spoiled. After a quick showering, we packed our beach towels and swim pants, and headed out for some fun. First stop, Changos. David, Ian, and I strongly completed the Vuelta a Changos. Basically, drinking a full cup of all four agua frescas. With stomachs full and buoyancy maximized, we headed to Barton Springs to conclude our day. We managed to fit all four of us into Ian’s kiddy pool, surpassing the previous record of Chad, Phil, and myself. Is five possible? I honestly don’t know…

DLA Piper Beginner Series, 8/4 at Driveway Austin

wenger — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:53:02 +0000

Hello Racers and Racers-to-be,

Come on out yourself for some skill development and racing simulation, or please encourage a newbie friend to attend.

Thanks to our good friends and sponsor at Holland racing, we are able to present our fifth monthly clinic. Our last clinic of 2010 will be on September 1. The first half of the two-wheeled seminar, led by the TXBRA team State and Premier Cup Champions, Super Squadra, will feature drills focusing on basic bike handling drills. During the clinic’s second portion, we’ll dive into the specifics of racing in a group, and more importantly, how to beat that group to the finish line.

More information on the Beginner Series can be found at,
http://www.drivewayseries.com/Home/DLAPiperBeginnersProgram/tabid/567/Default.aspx

It looks like we will have a packed house in with instructors and attendees, so arrive as early as 5:15 p.m. to register.

Superweek: 3 days, 3 road races

chaga — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:57:58 +0000

After another brief stint in Texas to pick up my rebuilt bike, race the Driveway, lead the BSS-Parmer grand opening Chipotle ride, and win the Saturday Night Fever race, I once again headed north in my truck. Destination: Superweek.

After arriving in Milwaukee Monday afternoon, I suited up for my first race at Superweek, the Day-11 Whitnall Park Road Race. The course was nice: rolling hills on a 2-point-something mile loop with a short punchy hill to finish. From the bottom corner, it’s a bit less than a kilometer to the finish. The finishing hill is steep-ish (but not as steep as cry-baby hill in Tulsa) for a few hundred meters, then flattens for 100m before a false-flat 200m rise to the line. Guys were blowing up just 5 laps in on the hill. I was quite pleased that my car legs didn’t follow me up here, and got into the first big move of the race on lap 6 of 27. The break swelled to 25 riders before we were caught several laps later. The counter-move, including Heath Blackgrove of THSJ, went almost immediately. I bridged the 150 meter gap (pretty awesomely, have to admit) on the hill solo, then a handful more made it up to us until we were 12 strong. Some riders kept disrupting the rotation, and I did more work than I probably should have to guarantee our success. But I was feeling great.

In hindsight, I wish I had raced more aggressively rather than just following moves at the end of the race. Going into the sprint, I started too far back in the group when we made the final turn; I didn’t think the turn would be so decisive that far out, and I didn’t start my full sprint in time, finishing 10th.

Oh, and I should mention that we got rained on during the race. After this year, I feel like I should be racing every time it rains!

On Tuesday, the Bucyrus International Road Race featured a course 2.8 miles long, with 20 laps. It had a single short hill before the finish, but it wasn’t significant enough to really do damage to the pack. The field was huge with lots of talent, and there was incessant attacking throughout the race. It was one of those ‘be the first guy on the wheel’ kind of races, because otherwise half the field would fly by following a move. The first half of the race I followed a few moves but nothing was getting away.

Just past the halfway point, Fly-V Australia lit it up. I was probably front third/quarter at the time, ~30 guys back and suddenly we went to single file at 35 mph with gaps opening up all over the place. I drilled it to get to the front as I saw a group of about 12 getting away. By the time I got to the front the break was very well organized and rapidly pulling away, about 10 seconds ahead already. The pack let up for half a second, so I punched it and they let me go. I was killing myself in the 12- and 11-tooth cogs, yet slowly making up ground. After a mile of chasing, I had closed them down to about 75m but they weren’t letting up at all. In another mile, I had made up no more ground. Finally I began to fade and slipped back into the pack. Not going to give up, I tried a couple more moves and had to bridge to another chase group that formed when a gap opened up in the field. We were caught with only a few miles to go. With everyone doing their best pack sprinter impersonation for 13th place, it got really sketchy. I bowed out rather than contest a sprint for $60 (not to mention I was somewhat burned up at that point). The race was fast, covering 60 miles in 2 hours. My legs were still feeling great, and I felt I would’ve done well in that break had I made it.

Wednesday brought the Lake Front Road Race, a long race of about 90 miles. With two good hills on the course, I hoped that a selection would be made to limit some of my tactical disadvantage as a solo rider. Only a few laps into the 20-mile race, an 8-man break slipped off. Taking a gamble that a move so early wouldn’t stick—and noticing that there were still many strong finishers and series leaders in the field—I didn’t bother to get up there. The field was holding the break at just over a minute gap for a long time, so I felt confident I had played the right card. A chase group got away later, and managed to bridge to the break. Too late in the race, my legs began to feel good. I was in a few chase groups, but the pack had finally decided not to let anyone else ride away. Another disappointing day, but luckily there are still 4 days of racing left! Rain is forecast for tomorrow, so I probably shouldn’t take a rest day after considering my race resume in rainy races….