Racing On Home Freakin' Turf

This past weekend the three Jet Fuel wiseguys, Joey The Bull Giuliano, Andrew Pops Randell and me, Matt Fats Hansen headed up to duke it out on our home turf, at the King City Grand Prix. A few of the other rival gangs were honing in on our territory. Word on the street was there was a meets with the Belmire Boys and the Gears Greaseballs and something big was going down on Dufferin and Bloomington. So Don Butler made it clear we had to get out there and teach those babbos a lesson.

My consigliere had told me I needed to get in the early break, and I did. I found myself with an old associate that did a few jobs with me in the past, who's working now with the Belmire Boys. We got away early with some other clowns and it looked like we could stay--the gap got so big that all of the capos in the pack knew that since all of the families were represented in the break it would stay away out of respect. Pops told me later a few guys made a stink--couple of no good hoods from the south side--and the enforcers in the pack iced them. Couple others mysteriously disappeared in the race results too thanks to a couple bucks paid to the cops at the finish line. (They made something up about the yellow line rule to make it legit and to avoid any heat from Uncle Sugar.) The boys in the break kept the ceasefire between the five families until the end of the race. I knew if I kept my mouth shut eventually I could grease all those rats up one of the hills at the end. I don't have a problem with shooting goombas in the back if it means I win. Besides, I figured Pops or the Bull would pull a fast one and get some shills to help them bridge up to me, but it didn't happen.

By now in the breakaway, things were getting grim. None of my boys could make it up to me for fear of the other families ganging up on them in the pack. On the last hill a few of the goombas took off and I was left with a couple of legbreakers known for their skill in the sprint. I guess I could have crashed them but I ain't going back to the joint--I just got out and there's no freakin' way I'm going back there just to get fourth place.

Some cugine from Windsor won over this freakin' shylock from Ciclissimo. The guy I did some jobs back when we was with the same boss was third. I took sixth behind those two freakin' stoolies.

But watch out, 'cuz I hear we got a new job down in London next weekend with a major payoff. The Boss is pissed that we botched this one up and he's bringing in all the boys to make sure we get it right. And if we don't...well...

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Racing in Mass day 2

Today's race was a 130k road race, with a few long climbs, and a few short, steeper climbs, that made up a 20 mile lap. The rain stopped about 2 hours before the start, and all the roads dried up, so that was a nice start to the day. All we wore were armwarmers, that we rolled down only a few clicks into the race.

Racing went hard, and aggressive right off the line. Mark found himself up the road with 30+ seconds, and thought it was gone, but the pack brought it back. One after another, Mark and I were taking turns, trying to get a split in the pack, and get up the road. Not many were lasting, the wind was making the pack a very popular place. Finally, I managed to get a small group up the road, and I though "this is it" until a group of about 25 came across. So my "break" was more of a pack (which Mark was in as well.) We stayed out for a lap and a half, got caught, and I went again, I was alone for a while, and somehow, the field split again, and we were back in a 25-30+ man group! I was getting fed up with it, and Mark and I really started putting on the pressure, trying hard to split the "break" but nothing worked.

In the end, with about 10k to go, I took off up the road, all out, got caught yet again with about 4k to go, looked around, attacked again, and got caught with about 1k to go. I was toast now. It was all or nothing for me in the last few kilometers, and it turned out to be nothing. Mark ended up 8th in the "break" sprint.

It was a weird race. I've never been in a race where every break had more than 20 riders, and just wouldn't split. But that's racing.

The races down here are more about fine tuning our fitness then getting results. We're coming up on our trip to Europe, and we need to be on all 8 cylinders if we want to make things happen over there. So this trip was perfect. Mark and I both put out some good power, that we'll fine tune over the next two weeks behind my mom's new "scooter to get to work on, that my dad's going to be motorpacing me behind." I'll post some pictures of that soon!

Next up, the Springbank RR in London, Ontario.

Till then....

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High speed zone

The team will be featured throughout the year in a series of short videos on our sponsor Sympatico MSN's High speed zone website. The features are called 'Training wheels' and Josh hosts. This week Josh talks about his childhood on two wheels, and what inspired him to turn pro.

We're very happy to have Sympatico/MSN back onboard as a team partner this year. Check out thier site every Tuesday for installments in the series » speedzone.sympatico.msn.ca

Next week: Choosing the right helmet.

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Racing in Mass day 1

Mark and I just finished the Stirbridge RR. We got up around 8am, and it was already raining. I was praying to the God's above to make it stop as starting in the rain is always a bummer, but it didn't. The whole day, it was raining, pretty hard, non stop.

The field wasn't too big, around 60-70 guys. The Louis Garneau team had the numbers with about seven guys. This race was only 95k, so the tactic was to get up the road early and never look back. After a ton of attacks never getting more than twenty seconds, it was coming down to a dreaded field sprint on wet roads.

Pozzy went hard with 5k to go, and brought two guys with him, it was looking good, but the pack wasn't having any of it. As soon as Pozzy got caught, it was time to set me up for the last 200m. I got on Pozzy's wheel, he brought me close to the front, but he had enough, still gassed from his effort. I bounced off a few wheels and finished a disappointing 7th. Mark and I are both going well, and looking for a win, but a field sprint is always a crap shoot.

Tomorrow's a 130k RR, and if the rain ever stops, it should be a different race.

I'll let you know how we end up.

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Hometown Racin'

Big race this weekend in Toronto, the King City Grand Prix. The race follows the route of the weekend group rides; local bragging rights for the TO boys are definitely up for grabs. Matt's house is just off the route, so he is gearing up for a good weeekend, his brother Jeff as well on Ital Pasta. The warning has gone out to watch out for Darko, he's been down south in Las Vegas training.

One little problem might be the weather though. It's supposed to be 7C and raining, should make for a great day. Who doesn't like a tough, cold, rainy day of racing. It'll be one for the Tales from the Big Ring.

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8,7,6...3,2,1 Freedom!

Finally, after three days of cramming the exams are done. Matt, my roommate, was enjoying my reliance on coffee to keep myself going. It was like we had switched roles, me sitting at the computer 10hours a day drinking coffee while he was out training. What I can't believe is how much I ate over the last few days; using your brain power is a fatiguing effort and I was hungry all the time. Maybe my heightened metabolism due to an overindulgence in coffee was to blame...

Now my brain is mush, my legs feel like rubbery crap (riding the city bike doesn't count as training) and it's time to take a long nap. See everyone tomorrow when I wake up, then it's time to enjoy four months of freedom.

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Fenders and Zip Ties to...

Yup that's right - I can finally put that bike away. It's always nice to have a bike with fenders and mudflaps for when the weather gets really nasty here in Ontario, but quite frankly I'm not sad to say that I'll be leaving my winter bike for good now.

Well...at least until next January.

In the dead of winter though, that bike is critical. I scoff at ice and drifting snow threatening to cover the roads, and laugh at the salty slush looking to soak my shoes and poison my semi-frozen waterbottles. It's only when the mercury drops waaaayyy below zero that I will actually think twice about heading outside.

However, last week following the pair of weather-related race cancellations, I finally emerged from my basement with some of the Jetfuel team's fresh, new gear...and wow, what a difference. It's like someone hit the kill-switch on the S.A.D. part of my brain.

Forget what the calendar says, and don't worry about whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow...spring begins when you pull out the new race bike.

Plus, after getting together with the boys yesterday for some good ol' fashioned bike racing, I'm even more convinced it's spring.

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The Boys Are Back!

Joe Giuliano, Andrew Randell and I raced for years in the late nineties together. We travelled back and forth, crisscrossing the states, spending more time with each other at that time than most people do with their familes or partners.

So we became just that, an addition to our families. The three of us haven't raced together for years, and yesterday was a reunion. And what a reunion it was! Andrew winning, Joe taking third. Although I had some problems at the midpoint, it was such a thrill to be able to set Joe up for a counter again--like being a kid again!

So, here's a little song to sing: The boys are back in town!

Guess who just got back today?
Those wild-eyed boys that had been away
Haven’t changed, haven’t much to say
But man, I still think those cats are great

The boys are back in town
The boys are back in town

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News-flash 1-2-3

Andrew Randell won the SISU Ontario Cup opener at Mosport today, breaking away with 7 laps remaining in the 120km race. Randell was accompanied by Windsor's Matt Bonin of the Whole Foods/Suburban Homes team. Randell left Bonin on the final climb to finish alone. Joe Giuliano took the chase group sprint for 3rd. Meanwhile in Florida...

At the Jacksonville Cycling Classic Buck Miller went one spot better than the twighlight criterium Saturday evening finishing second today. Miller broke away with a large group of race favourites 120kms from the finish. Miller attacked again with Jittery Joe's Tim Johnson with approximately 50kms remaining in the 160km race. Johnson beat Miller at the finish, however enroute Miller collected enough prime points to win the event's sprint and KOM competitions.

With a lull in the US NRC racing calendar activity this weekend, the third annual Jacksonville Cycling Classic attracted an impressive field of US domestic pro teams. According to organizers North American squads present were; Jittery Joe's, Advantage Benefits/Endeavour, Team Jet Fuel, Team Subway, Team SeaSilver, Team Century Tel, Navigators and Snow Valley.

Who raced where?
Joining Andrew and Joe at Mosport were Matt Hansen and Josh Hall. Buck had Mark Pozniak and Zach Bell for company. Zach ended up pretty good today too, with a fine 10th place (or thereabouts).

The guys will be posting photos and race stories tomorrow.

See also »
Jacksonville RR photos from Gray Quetti Photography
Mosport Ocup photos from Bikecrazie.com

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Miller third at Jacksonville

Buck Miller's spring form continued with a fine 3rd place at the Jacksonville Twilight Criterium in Florida last night. In front of a huge crowd Miller attacked half way through the 90 minute event and he helped form the five man winning break. Miller made sure his trip to lovely Jacksonville was worth the drive by winning some primes during the race.

With over $6,000 up for grabs in the nighttime criterium the race attracted various American UCI Continental teams. The Jet Fuel Coffee three man squad ended the evening with Miller in third, Zach Bell in 10th and Mark Pozniak in 13th. The race was filmed for viewing on the North Florida Comcast network.

Today the riders tackle the second part of the Jacksonville Cycling Classic. The Wachovia Classic Road Race is a 100 mile long event on a 12 mile circuit.

See also »
story/photos from cyclingnews.com
Newsflash 1-2-3 Miller 2nd at Jacksonville RR.

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8 Days 'till Freedom

The final mad dash has started for me at Ryerson University. Term ending assignments are all due on Monday, and Tuesday holds the special pleasure of a presentation in which I have to synthesis a semesters worth of work. That means that this is a busy weekend, including putting in a day of racing Sunday at Mosport. The important thing is to keep it all in perspective: come next Saturday I'm a free man for 4 months. I can't wait!

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New videos!

Here's two more videos from our recent races in Texas-Lago Vista and the Fayetteville Stage Race-High bandwidth recommended:
» Lago Vista
» Fayetteville Stage Race


These movies are in .mov format and are best viewed using the QuickTime player. The movie files are not recommended for low bandwidth modem connections, they are about 8MB each. Now having said that, you can still view them with a modem, you'll just be waiting a long time for the movies to download. Have fun let us know what you think.

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Miller wins another!

The Jet Fuel Coffee team finished off their stay in Texas with a strong showing at the Coldspring Road Race. The team finished 1st, 3rd and 8th, with Buck Miller adding another win to his Texas race resume. Miller attacked a 12 man breakaway group with about 10km to go in the 120km race. He was joined by one rider, who he was able to outsprint at the finish for the win. Mark Pozniak lead out Zach Bell who took the sprint for third from the remaining breakaway riders. Mark Pozniak ended up in 8th.



The Texas crew now moves onto the Jacksonville Cycling Classic in Florida next weekend. The event features a Saturday night twilight criterium and road race on Sunday with $10,000 in prize money over the course of the weekend.

See also »
Fayettville Stage Race: Day One Buck's first win of 2005.
Fayettville Stage Race: Day Two

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Day Two in SC: here's the sun!

Today was a 3 lap/180km road race on a rolling course, with a blustery wind which always seemed to be in our faces. Starting at 8am, having lost an hour of sleep to daylight savings time, it was a little chilly, but with a clear sky the day soon warmed up; towards the end I took off my knee warmers just so that I could say I rode in shorts.

With the course not having any major difficulties, other than the blowing wind, it was hard to judge when the breaks would go away and unfortunately Joe and I missed the early move. The pack put on a decent chase for a while, but when it slowed Joe and I started attacking to get a counter move going. In the end Joe got away with one other rider and spent a full lap, 60km, chasing across the 2minute+ gap, it was impressive.




Behind, scared of missing the chasing move and incurring Joe's wrath, I covered attack after attack. Finally, we got something going and were on our way up to the front. I could definitely feel yesterday's race in the legs; the cold rain really sapped some of my energy.

With the wind blowing us about it was really important not to put out too much energy; going up the road solo wasn't an option. One of the local guys did try and stayed out for an impressively long while, but when the counter came he missed getting on their wheel and ended up drifting back to the field. Not good for his team.

30km out the attacking started in earnest on the only real climb and from there it was attack after attack. We followed and did what we could, but again it was hard to know which was the right move; the politics of local racing that we didn't understand were messing things up for us.

I made the right move with under 10km to go but could feel my legs starting to crumple. Slowly the disco lights came up and boom! I was going backwards on a full bonk. My day was done. Joe too was feeling his earlier efforts in his legs and was trying to follow wheels.

We didn't end up with a result at the finish, but both felt that we had raced a good event. With just the two of us we had been instrumental in animating the race and had really tried to race for the win. It's only the second race of the year, and at 180km was a pretty long one. This weekend should put a little extra gas in the legs. Now we just have to hope that next weekends race, Mosport, isn't cancelled as well due to bad weather...

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Racing in SC: where's the heat?

On Friday Joe and I headed south for a weekend of racing in Rockhill, South Carolina. The idea was that we would get some heat in our legs, but we're still waiting. Today's criterium was raced in ice cold rain, not at all what we were hoping for. The day started out beautifully, but just before our race the black clouds rolled in, the temperature dropped and everyone at the race let out a collective groan.

Starting a race in the rain is always mentally tough, and having the temperature drop so dramatically was no help. The rain that started to fall was like ice and soon the hands and feet were going numb. About half the race was like this but soon we could see a beak in the clouds approaching, our salvation. If the sun hadn't come back I don't know how many riders would have finished, as no one was dressed for such rough weather.

Overall the race was agressive with constant attacks and a crosswind section that was in the gutter each lap. With 19 laps, each being 0.9 miles, to go I countered a move and went up the road with two other guys. We didn't get much of a gap, 3 or 4 seconds, but held off the field, who were chasing hard, for 5 laps or so.

Coming towards the finish Joe was policing the front like an old-timer, while I struggled in the field. At 3 to go there was a break up the road and little impetus in the field to bring it back, time for the two man Jet Fuel team to spring into action. Getting to the front I chased hard in the crosswind to try and narrow the gap to the break. It wasn't anything impressive but I got it close enough that the guys started racing again.

Joe had a great position, but it was a technical sprint with a blasting headwind. Go too soon and you would blow, so the timing had to be just right. The locals set up a good leadout, but started their sprint too early; the headwind was cracking their legs while Joe waited in the wings. As the riders in front slowed they boxed Joe in, he waited for a hole and then said "its time!!". Launching the sprint he had to come back on a couple of riders that had started on the other side of the road. It was a close fought finish and Joe ended up third. Not a bad day for the first race of the year for the two old-timers.

Joe and I would also like to wish Jorn Hansen a happy birthday, this one's a milestone.

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