Help Me Help Those With Cancer

As a lot of you know, my mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 fallopian tube cancer. I'm riding Livestrong Philadelphia with some friends and my goal is to raise $1000 in her honor. Please visit my site and donate if you'd like and have the ability:

http://philly09.livestrong.org/chlarsen

Eco Concepts Latest Blog Entry

Check it out!

http://blog.ecoconceptsrealty.com/

Next year's bike? Trek 6 Series Madone

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/alberto-contadors-astana-trek-6-series-madone

Race Report: FBCC

(me, 3rd from the right, in a familiar position in the weekend - not in front)

Well, the weekend started out with disappointment, but ended with excitement! NOT AT ALL - just more disappointment . . .

You can check out the story here: http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090720/OUTDOORS/907200314

I've been 'nursing' some good form lately and was looking forward to Friday night's time trial and breaking my PR of 25:26. My goal was 25:15 and after a great warm up and almost perfect weather I was confident that this was possible. Unfortunately about 3/4 of the way to the turn-around it felt like my rear tire was going soft. I tried to put it out of my head, but when I sat up for the turn it was there - the dull 'thump' of the tire bottoming out. I decided to just put my head down and do what I could on the way back in hopes that the tire would hold a bit of air. Unfortunately there's not much more devastating psychologically during a TT than knowing that your bike is slow! I tried to ride as far forward as possible on the saddle to keep weight off the rear wheel, but had to actually brake through turns that I normally fly through at 30mph. At 5k to go I was on the rear rim and basically coasted in to the finish. The most disappointment came from knowing that it was a fast day on the course, and I still placed in the top 20 after soft-pedaling the second half of the course for a 26:28 . . . My teammate Jason Sprouse rocked it though with a 25:15 for a top 5 placing to put us in a great position for the RR on Saturday.

I thought I would enact my revenge on Saturday, however luck seemed to have other plans as my second rear-wheel debacle of the weekend ensued. My legs felt great, and although our team strategy of attacking from the gun failed, I was confident of my form as we approached the first major climb of the day as we chased the break of 3 that had gone from about 5k in the race. I climbed in the front group, and my power was good, but I just didn't seem to have the fluidity that I normally feel. However I attacked, as did Chris Emory (from the gun! What a stud!), and Jacob who was aggressive for the first half of the race as well. Chris and I were tailed off from the front group of 6 as we crested the climb and joined a chase group of 4 . Jason and Jacob stayed in the pack (which ended up being a smart play). Unfortunately we were quickly caught by what remained of the field and most of them decided to just sit in and not work to chase. I noticed that every time I sat up it felt like I was dragging, but ignored the sensation, attributing it to the wind-drag from us going 30-35mph through the valley. We hit the final climb, chasing 11th position and even though I was doing 400+W I was being passed by riders who I KNOW I climb better than (with all due respect). As it turns out I noticed a brushing sound and looked down to see my rear wheel was rubbing!! All motivation left my body and I climbed easily to the finish. How long was my brake rubbing my wheel? I don't know, but my power file indicates that it was probably a fair bit. I'll never know if I could've made the split and been in the top 10 or top 5 overall had I not had bad luck on Friday as well. Fortunately our aggressive tactics let Jason sit in and he took the 'sprint' for 11th up the climb with Chris Emory finisheing a strong 12th on the day, after being aggressive at the start. In hindsight we probably should have sat in a waited for the 1st long climb, but what fun would that have been ;)

So, 2 days of bad luck - Sunday would be my day! Again, NOT AT ALL. I felt good, not spectacular and tried to maintain my position toward the front of the stacked field. However the team, minus Jason who has been suffering from a stomach bug, and Jacob who is in NY attending a funeral, missed the selection and we ended up in the field - chasing. Chris Emory, Andrew and I all tried to bridge, but to no avail. As I went to launch an attack I broke a spoke and ended up in the pit. I tried to pull my motivation back up and after a couple laps in the field decided to make the best of the situation. Chris and I worked to lead Andrew out for the sprint, but a train up the outside with 1/2 lap to go, and a broken front derraileur on Andrew's bike, foiled our chances. I dove around a few riders going into the last turn and still managed 5th in the 'field sprint' for 13th (unlucky 13?) on the day. Not really the way I wanted to end my weekend or the last big race of the road season for me before ramping up for cyclocross season . . .

Check out some pics from the weekend here: http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=B0&Dato=20090719&Kategori=OUTDOORS&Lopenr=907190803&Ref=PH&referrer=PHOTOFEATURE

I hope those who got to watch the race(s) this weekend enjoyed them. Especially our generous sponsors:

Industry 9, Trek, Hutchinson, Liberty Bicycles, Rudy Project, Honey Stinger, Dr. Miller, PML, Eco Concepts Realty, ABRC, Champion, Velosports, and Affordable Home Inspections

This weekend: FBCC

From the Citizen-Times this AM:

http://livingwell.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090716/OUTDOORS/907160304/1324

Chris Ernst loves a good challenge. Even one he knows is going to hurt. A lot.

That's why the 34-year-old elite amateur bicycle racer is looking forward to this weekend's French Broad Cycling Classic, which runs Friday through Sunday.

“I've done the course for the road race,” said Ernst, of Fairview, who has competed in the Cycling Classic at least seven times in its 12-year history. “It's extremely challenging. I've never seen any course like it in all my years of racing.”

Hosted by the Asheville Bicycle Racing Club, the three-day race is Western North Carolina's mini version of the Tour de France, with all the excitement of the “big” Tour, including talented cyclists, spectacular scenery and punishing mountain terrain.

The race's perfect timing — in mid-July, during the Tour de France — helps generate excitement and keeps the riders coming back each year, said race organizer Richard Dunn.

“I think having Lance coming back into the Tour helps the sport,” said Dunn of seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong's return to the race after a three-year absence. “I know he will be in the Top 10. Lance coming back this year, and the Tour going on at the same time as the Cycling Classic really helps the general public see what we're doing here locally with bike racing.”

Three days of racing

This year, the race kicks off Friday with the Cane Creek Time Trial, a race against the clock with riders going off on a set distance in timed intervals. The 40-mile Liberty Bicycles Road Race is on Saturday, and the mini Tour ends Sunday with the City of Asheville Criterium, an enclosed course where riders race a loop in set times based on their class.

Riders get points based on their performance at each race. The overall points leader after three days of racing wins what is known as the omnium.

The race's format and venues change from year to year, said Dunn, but it always kicks off with the time trial Friday night in Marshall. While last year there was no road race, this year there will be a 40-mile road race on Saturday in Marshall, a brutal event in which riders climb more than 6,000 cumulative feet in 40 miles.

“A lot of people will not be happy, because it's very difficult,” said Ernst, an ABRC member who races with Team United Healthcare. “But a lot of people will be happy to see the mountains. People come to race here to get a piece of what it's like to race in the mountains, and what the scenery is like. Even though it doesn't favor a rider like me — I'm 175 pounds — I'm very supportive of bringing people into the community.”

Dunn said each year the French Broad Cycling Classic draws 350-400 riders from across the Southeast and some professional and elite amateurs from around the country, lured in part by the $6,000 cash purse as well as the true mountain cycling experience.

Gearing up

The action begins Friday at 5 p.m. in Marshall, with a time trial on N.C. 251 along the French Broad River. Riders start off in one-minute intervals, riding 10K (6.2 miles) out and 10K back.

On Saturday is the much anticipated/dreaded Liberty Bicycles Road Race through Madison County.

“We wanted to have an event that really represents the region we're from,” Dunn said. “We feel this road race will be a very sought-after race.”

It begins at 8 a.m. with the Pro Cat 1, 2 riders in downtown Marshall and ends on a mountain top, at the top of Walnut Creek Road.

For those riders who still have legs on Sunday, the City of Asheville Criterium will round out the omnium with a brand new course in Arden. Riders go around a rectangular, 1.1-mile course for a certain amount of time based on their class.

For example, juniors ride as many loops as they can in 35 minutes, while the pro men ride for 70 minutes.

“I think it will really add to the racing aspect,” Dunn said of the new course.

“I think the riders will love this course. It has a gradual gradient all the way to the finish, so it will be a very exciting finish.”

RACE REPORT: DLV PRO RACE SERIES #2 (More wins for the team!)

DLV PRO RACE SERIES #2 – THE WHEELRACE (report by Andrew Erskine)

This past weekend saw the second round of the Pro race series in Atlanta at the Dick Lane Velodrome. Another strong field was assembled, some of the usual speedsters and some fresh new faces. Jeff Hopkins is doing a great job drawing some of the best elite riders around making the racing fun, interesting and extremely competitive, and also some great prize money on offer.

This time myself and Jason Sprouse headed down, I was excited as I felt with the two of us out there we could really make things interesting and mix it up for some of the top guys.

The event was set up with the usual Omnium racing and featured a wheelrace finale( a handicapped race) with a separate purse. We started with some short scratch races to qualify a spot in the final, these were fast and furious and caught me napping even though Jason tried to string it out for me, with only 2 spots going to the final from 2 heats I missed out and headed to the Rep for one more shot, this for some reason has become my chosen route for qualifying for the featured events.

With qualifiers out of the way we started racing in earnest. First up was the point a lap, usually an interesting race as some of the true sprinters try and get out early and score and the enduro guys try to wait it out and get away. The series now mandates that you finish on lap to keep any points, so this has subdued the early hit and run efforts. I was determined to be more aggressive and so Jason and I went to work. Jason as always being the powerhouse he is manages to get things up to speed, a few laps in he nailed it and made all the players chase hard, knowing that if they didn’t, he was gone for the day, I sat third or fourth wheel, and as they finally pulled him back and swung up track I jumped hard (almost knocking Jason off his bike, by trying to jump “quietly”) I managed to get the gap and drove, Jason rode a perfect tempo at the front of the pack allowing me to stay away for almost 6 laps, and take the race win, Jason positioned well, we were of course set up for the omnium nicely.

Next was the 60 lap points race, this is usually the big event, with everyone going after it hard. Again Jason and I complemented each other well and started to get a nice rhythm which was really effective against the field(we are sometimes difficult to tell apart on the track, no comments please) so we were able to counter and go well. I chased after the usual early move and managed to catch them and take the first sprint points, as we were then caught, my man Jason took off. As anyone who has seen him ride knows, if he gets a gap, somebody has got some hard chasing to do, so chase they did, Jason managing to pick a few sprint lap points in the process early in the race. One of the Team Type 1 guys countered nicely on this catch but I was ready and was able to shut it down and take another sprint. Jason attacked relentlessly and spent multiple laps away from the field, collecting points as he went. I did my best to sweep behind and pick up the remaining points and control the pack. By the end, with only a few riders left on lap, Jason had done enough for the win and broken a few spirits, and I scooped up 4^th, we had won the first 2 races and I was leading the omnium.

The next event was the Wheelrace rep qualifier, Jason sacrificed himself for me and got this short 5 lapper up to speed, with all the rider vying for 1 spot in the final everyone let loose, I managed to get a good line and come around in the final sprint and take the 1 remaining spot.

The next 2 races were a motorpaced scratch race, a fun event in which we learnt that position is everything, as the race was at 38 mph when the motor pulled off, with no real chance to move up from too far back as there were no 38 to 42 mph jumps being made. The miss and out rounded it out, and with some less than perfect positioning we had managed to slip a little on the overall omnium but stayed at the top 5.

The wheelrace final was a great show, the A racers decided to work together and we formed a sort of a team pursuit, we had caught everyone in the field apart one guy, then the bell was rung a lap too early, Steve Hill jumped in attempt to shut it down but just fell short. Jeff Hopkins did re adjust the prize money due to the error and we still took home the lion’s share.

Thanks to everyone at DLV for a great day of racing, a great crowd turned out and there was a fun atmosphere. Jason and I had a good time and the drive home was a little sweeter with some wins in the bag over some of the stronger pro’s around. One more in the series to go!!

Rudy Project Offer

One of our sponsors, Rudy Project, is offering a free helmet with purchase of sunglasses:

http://www.e-rudy.com/rudy-project-combo-details.php

Race Report: Masters Nationals 30-34 Time Trial

After making a supra-normal effort on Monday, dehydration and a couple sub-optimal nights of sleep I got a treat this morning by getting a 2 hour delay on my TT start! Exactly the kind of information I could have used YESTERDAY! NOT 10 minutes before my start time as I get off my trainer to put my aero helmet on and go to the start house. And then a second one hour delay the second time I warmed up. Am I making excuses? No - most of the others in my group had to deal with the same issue, and on the day my numbers were at least average and about on target. Did I have ideal rest, recovery, preparation and a great day? No, but it wasn't a terrible day. If I went 10 seconds faster I would've been top 10. If I had a great day I think I could've been top 5 again. But I wasn't . . .

The course actaully suited me better this year than last year. It was slightly shorter, started with a solid climb, rolled for a few miles, then another climb before the turnaround, then do it backwards with a screaming 40mph descent into the finish. My pacing was almost perfect out of the gate (and I even go the distinction of 'looking the most aero & getting into my postion the quickest out of the gate' by Dave Towle), up the first climb, and all the way to the turnaround. I then got caught by my 30 second man and although I tried, couldn't quite up my tempo the way I normally do. A 10 mph headwind made the return trip tought, but I focused on my position and kept digging deep all the way home. Unfortunately it wasn't enough and my time of 31:22 was only good enough for 14th on the day. Congrats to Mike Olheiser who absolutely crushed all comers on the day, Pete Cannell who won the 35-39 race, and Josh Whitmore.

1	90	Michael Olheiser	00:29:20.20	133375	1377	Marx And Bensdorf Realitors
2	85	Sam Krieg	00:29:47.00	201431	1371	Ice Rocky Mtn. Surgery
3	80	Eneas Freyre	00:29:57.10	146736	1360	Targetraining
4	75	Jonathan Jacob	00:30:19.30	226733	1399	Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team
5	70	Tom Burke	00:30:23.90	179205	1353	Lathrup Industries/Giant Bicycles
6	65	William O'Donnell	00:30:33.90	225893	1376	Westwood Velo - Trade Manage
7	60	Yip Tsang	00:30:39.10	204595	1389	Champion Porsche P/B Racer's Ed
8	55	Gary Douville	00:31:00.70	101476	1357	Platinum Racing Team
9	50	Mathew Davis	00:31:09.30	230433	1355	Team Lasport
10	45	Joshua Whitmore	00:31:13.20	38071	1393	Global Bike
11	40	John Hart	00:31:14.30	141477	1363	Krystal / Hincapie
12	38	Todd Hesel	00:31:14.80	185182	1365	Kelly Benefit Strategies
13	36	Travis Werts	00:31:20.40	159867	1392	Krystal -SCV
14	34	Christopher Larsen	00:31:22.30	70660	1372	Industry )
15	32	Sean Steele	00:32:07.30	239515	1387	Texas Roadhouse Cycling
16	30	Travis Sherman	00:32:20.80	70876	1384	Warp9bikes.com/Tristar
17	28	Joshua Frick	00:32:29.90	135709	1361	Clean Currents P/B Don Beyer
18	26	Kenneth Young	00:32:41.70	233138	1395	Clean Currents P/B Don Beyer
19	24	Mike Suntken	00:33:02.50	188282	1388	RVCC - Brone's Bike Shop
20	22	Nathan Roberson	00:34:59.00	160464	1397	Schellers

Thanks goes out to all of our sponsors:

Industry 9, Trek, Hutchinson, Liberty Bicycles, Rudy Project, Honey Stinger, Dr. Miller, PML, Eco Concepts Realty, ABRC, Champion, Velosports, and Affordable Home Inspections. Also a special thanks to Andy Grabowski, my mechanic, who made a special trip to help Dave Grice, Mark Ruscoe, and myself!

Race Report: Masters Nationals 30-34 Mens Road Race

12 months of work came to fruition Monday as I ended up 10th overall, 3rd in the chase group in the Mens 30-34 Masters Nationals Road Race Championship. Was I happy with this result? Not quite, but I was not terribly disappointed either. Why, when my goal was to win? Well, looking at my power file (I know I'm a geek when it comes to this, but power doesn't lie) it was the hardest race I've ever done since I started racing again in 2007. I set new 1 min, 5 min, 20 min and 60 min. Normalized Power numbers, and for the race (over 2.5 hours) my NP was 310W.

The course was the same as last year, with a different start/finish. After pre-riding the course on Sunday with Chris Emory and Mark Ruscoe, I decided that I really liked it this year and thought I had a legitimate shot at the podium, if not the jersey. The morning of I made a list of all the danger men that had been getting solid results in Pro/1/2 races this year. The race started out fast, and nervous as Josh Frick of DC Velo took off from the gun. Frick was on my 'list' as one of the danger men and I got a little nervous about him being pulled back. However constant attacks and efforts, especially from Mike Olheiser (check, on the list). After 5 laps we finally pulled Josh back as the counter moves went. However I'd already gone into the red zone multiple times and I just couldn't close the gap over the start/finish hill. As a matter of fact, looking back at the race data I recorded a new max heart rate of 193bpm, 3 beats over my previous max. Ouch! As I settled into the chase group I figured we had a shot at catching the break, with both teammates with me. But, DC Velo had a man up the road (who eventually had a mechanical and dropped out of the break) and the others didn't seem to have the motivation to chase. The other thing working against us, was all the danger men on my list, yes ALL 5 that I'd chosen to mark, were up the road. 20 seconds turned into 2 minutes as our group withered in the heat. Repeated attacks by Jacob and I went nowhere, and unfotunately a crash took Chris Emory out of the group, and the distance, heat, and a missed feed took it's toll on Jacob.

Coming into 2 laps to go the group seemed resigned to race for 8th although a Kelly Benefits rider kept attacking up the hills, even though he wouldn't work and never got anywhere - highly annoying! With 1.5 laps to go after a half-lap lull he attacked up the hill on the backside of the course and both my quads went into full lockdown. Oh no! Over the top of the climb I clung to the back of the group and shook and spun my legs to try to loosen them up. Fortunately I recovered enough to hang strong in the group going into the last lap and led over the first climb when Dave Bozak started the lead out for his teammate Ken Young. Dave set tempo for the next two miles until Kelly jumped up the climb again. He hit the front again going into the final turn. Ken jumped with 500 meters to go and I went right after him as Brad Spears from TN went on the other side of the road. I dug as deep as I could, but fell about 2 inches short of catching Ken as Brad hung on for 8th, as I ended up 10th. I practically passed out as I swung between a couple cars and fell off my bike into the grasp gasping as my diaphragm cramped. Holy cow, that hurt! Jacob and Chris both hung on for top 20 as a slew of DNFs kept the finshers to a minimum. Even though we didn't place anyone in the top 10, we had one of the strongest teams out there. My #1 seed, so to speak, Matt Davis from LaSport beat out Olheiser for the win, so at least I got something right on the day! (seriously though, check out this guy's results for the past couple of months: http://www.usacycling.org/results/index.php?compid=230433 How do you win that many races in a row? Unreal.)

1	90	Mathew Davis	02:31:59.30	230433	1355	Team Lasport
2	85	Michael Olheiser	02:31:59.60	133375	1377	Marx And Bensdorf Realitors
3	80	Eneas Freyre	02:32:01.50	146736	1360	Targetraining
4	75	Sam Krieg	02:32:02.30	201431	1371	Ice Rocky Mtn. Surgery
5	70	Daniel Quinlan	02:32:02.80	214530	1378	Carbon Racing
6	65	Tom Burke	02:32:04.20	179205	1353	Lathrup Industries/Giant Bicycles
7	60	Jonathan Jacob	02:32:16.30	226733	1368	Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team
8	55	Bradley Spears	02:38:31.00	146455	1386	Krystal-Hincapie Elite Cycling
9	50	Kenneth Young	02:38:33.00	233138	1395	Clean Currents P/B Don Beyer
10	45	Christopher Larsen	02:38:33.00	70660	1372	Industry Nine
11	40	Colin Sandberg	02:38:33.40	119361	1381	Meredith Group/GPOA
12	38	Todd Hesel	02:38:33.50	185182	1365	Kelly Benefit Strategies/lSV
13	36	Igor Volshteyn	02:38:38.70	36785	1391	Champion System
14	34	Ryan McKinney	02:38:58.70	97634	1374	Clean Currents P/B Don Beyer
15	32	David Bozak	02:39:05.80	155889	1352	Clean Currents P/B Don Beyer
16	30	Jacob McGahey	02:42:00.90	108366	1373	Industry Nine
17	28	Brandon Cowart	02:42:02.30	7964	1354	Bike Barn Texas
18	26	Jamie Kimberley	02:42:02.50	133782	1370	Kelly Benefit Strategies/ LSV
19	24	Joseph Bosemer	02:42:03.20	237064	1351	Fetzer Cycling Team
20	22	Chris Emory	02:46:31.90	208902	1358	Industry Nine

(This is what 195bpm feels like when your max is 190!)

Aside from a slipping saddle, and missing the break, it was a good day on the whole. Thanks my teammates Chris and Jacob who rode great, dug deep, and finished despite setbacks. A special thanks goes out to Robert and Kelly for the late feed when I ran out of water, the coke, and everyone that cheered for me and the team! And of course, our sponsors, and those that are reading this for the support that make all of this possible. What a great sport!

Thanks goes out to all of our sponsors:

Industry 9, Trek, Hutchinson, Liberty Bicycles, Rudy Project, Honey Stinger, Dr. Miller, PML, Eco Concepts Realty, ABRC, Champion, Velosports, and Affordable Home Inspections