[jroden]

<span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Saturday Race Report</span></span><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">John Roden</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">The morning’s misty kiss was still on the pavement as the third episode of the BBC / Handlebars Giro broke free from the surly bonds of earth and vectored ever northward toward the uncharted wastelands of Niagara county. With somewhat decent weather, a stout field in the 20’s or so left the shop at the stroke of 10:22, under the clock-steady Latin eye of sometimes Impresario Jim Costello.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">After a dawdling warmup that led into a dawdling first few miles a series of attacks signaled the days festivities had begun. A group of series leader Halter, strongman Skalski, the ever present Ryan Nye and three time winner of Witch Weekly’s “Handsomest Smile” John Roden were pulling away solidly only to be stopped by a red light, drat. After this regrouping, Jason Skalski took a nice dig, but was welded back by the pack. Halter broke free at that point, dragging Roden who provided limited horsepower and eventually they too were welded back, and so the tedium continued until the start of the final 5 mile loop when a promising group of 5 broke from the pack, containing none of the leaders.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">After some dawdling in the pack, a chase on the final few miles unfolded with Skalski, Roden, Nye and Ironman Steve Hoad slowing dragging the break back into sight. A final suicidal lunge by Costello closed the gap with 300m to go, setting up the field sprint. Skalski lead the sprint out with team mate Halter glued o his wheel and Roden stuck like chewing gum on a movie seat. Roden’s grip slackened and Ben Willis galloped up the right, along with Frank Mesi, paying a visit to the pointy end for the first time all day. Halter tipped his hat to Skalski in the sprint and came off the leadout for his third win in three outings. Points are as follows:</span></span><br><br><br><br><b><span style="font-family:Arial;">Name</span></b><br><b><span style="font-family:Arial;">Total</span></b><br><div style="text-align:right;">
<div style="text-align:right;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;">1-Mar</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;">2-Mar</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">15-Mar</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">Joe Halter</span><br><div style="text-align:right;">
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">21</span></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">7</span></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">7</span></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">7</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">Jason Skalski</span><br><div style="text-align:right;">
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">12</span></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">2</span></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">5</span></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">5</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">John Roden</span><br><div style="text-align:right;">
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">7</span></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">3</span></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">3</span></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">1</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">Dan Staffo</span><br><div style="text-align:right;">
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">5</span></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">5</span></div>
</div>
<br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;">Ben Willis</span><br><div style="text-align:right;">
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">3</span></div>
<br><br><div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">3</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">Ryan Nye</span><br><div style="text-align:right;">
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">2</span></div>
<br><div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">2</span></div>
</div>
<br><span style="font-family:Arial;">Frank Mesi</span><br><div style="text-align:right;">
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">2</span></div>
<br><br><div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">2</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family:Arial;">Jim Costello</span><br><div style="text-align:right;">
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">1</span></div>
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">1</span></div>
</div>
<br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;">Mike Luther</span><br><div style="text-align:right;">
<div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">1</span></div>
<br><div style="text-align:right;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">1</span></div>
</div>
<br><br>

 

[TriAndStopMe]

The perfect race tale to enjoy over a latte. I hope you're saving these RR's up for your kids to pass on to their kids. Of course, you'll likely still be racing and beating the pants of the grandkids by then... but a great read is always something to treasure. (A nice race ain't half bad either. <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"> )

 

[hobey]

A latte or nice cold one. Another great read...another nice race.

 

[jroden]

A cold one indeed, our fine local craft brewed seasonal ale is now available in boxes of 12 cans for six bucks, so I'm living large tonight<br><img alt="" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/jroden99/bock.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[Thor]

And spending half the next morning on the toilet. Genny Screamers!<br><br>
Nicely done on the race! You continue to impress, you old man you.

 

[jroden]

I felt my age today, Thor I tell you. When the attacks start to stack up and I go anaerobic for the thrid or fourth time in 5 minutes, then the move goes up the road, my heart says go but my legs just don't quite deliver the goods.<br><br>
I guess it's time to start moving off the "diesel power" intervals and developing some V02 max so's I can stick with these spunky kids, don't you know.<br><br>
As an aside, the "screamers" you mentioned are most commonly associated with the genesee "cream ale" which uses very fine bubbles to give a creamy texture. Sadly, these fine bubble continue to work their magic in the small intestines. My wonderful Bock beer has none of these qualities, just value in a green can. Plus the kids love checking out the goat.

 

[hobey]

Hmmm...Genesee's Cream Ale is on sale at our local craft brew purveyor. Brew_Dad says I should be scared. Should I?

 

[Thor]

Funny because I totally understand when you say it's time to move off the "diesel power" intervals. I'm in the same boat, but thankfully I'm not racing. So although it's the same boat, I'm still sitting back enjoying the scenary and watching as you paddle about.<br><br>
And I don't know it's necessarily about you getting old. Sure, that's a factor. But I know you enough by now to know that if you get off that diesel power crap, which has a lifetime but, if you're racing, must migrate to something that's only a part of the whole, and then you insert the power tempo quick jump stuff, then you'll keep on those tires, and when you keep on those tires in that area, because you already kick butt in other areas, you will be the complete package. Even if you have a few years on the competition. And so yeah, sure, it'll take you nearly a full week to recover as these young bucks are out racing two days later, but that's cool.<br><br>
I know the legacy of Genny too well. Sister in law grew up in Elmira, NY. I had a job in Rochester for 3-4 years back in the early 90's, and I used to trek to Buffalo to drink beers with a buddy. In fact, when the Giants beat the Bills one of those years, I won a bet with my Buffalo buddy. Winner got a case of the loser's choosing. I won a case of Genny Screamers, yes, the cream ale. We liquored up on good stuff before dipping our toes in Gennese waters.<br><br>
Long live the goat!

 

[Thor]

BrewDad is fast, but he's also smart. You know that. Don't question it.

 

[jroden]

I don't often see "Genesee Cream" and "Craft Brew" residing in the same sentence. It's a beer that goes well with activities like attending a demolition derby with a date, bottom fishing for channel catfish with dough balls or removing the steering rack from an older model LTD Country Squire. The also sell that beer in 16 OZ cans or returnable "bar bottels" that can be used to bonk other patrons on the head, but you will sacrifice your nickel.

 

[hobey]

Well yes but around these parts, something that esoteric (for the Left Coast) will only be found in the place that sells many, many beers and only beer at that.

 

[jroden]

Do they ever get Ballentine India Pale ale? I used to find that from time to time in Ohio and it was not only a fun beer for a fair price, it had these neat litle puzzles on the inside of the bottle cap to solve while intoxicated.

 

[bcc594]

All this talk of beer is making me thirsty. Since it's almost Easter, the breweries here have their Strong Beer for sale - it's got more alcohol, a few more calories, etc. A friend and I are thinking of going to the different breweries that sell the stuff, all in one day, and have a liter of each. Should make for an interesting day!<br><br>
Great race, by the way! The "third-person" perspective was interesting. Trying your hand at sports broadcasting?

 

[hobey]

I should check next time I'm there. Full Sail Session lager has Rock, Paper, Scissors in the cap so that's always fun. Actually many Full Sail beers have interesting caps. My last bottle of LTD1 said "Lust Trumps Danger."

 

[donskiman]

Great report! You are still hanging in there with the young guns and making them work hard for their wins.<br><br>
As for the beer. I can't remember the last time I drank beer from a can. Too many really great micro-beers in bottles to drink canned beer.

 

[garbino]

How long is the race season? How many more races to go?

 

[jroden]

We start in the snow around this time of year and the road season runs into maybe sept, then cyclocross goes through until the snow flies, around the first weekend in December. Our sunday race was cancelled by a heavy snow just before the start, the roads were clear 2 hours later. I don't race so much any more, when I did a lot I did maybe 60 races a year, all on the bike, now I do all sorts of low key events, maybe 30 a year, mostly junky stuff that I can use for a family camp out.