UMD(omination)

Welcome back!

This past weekend we had an exciting weekend of racing down South. With out further ado, here's how it went down!

On Friday afternoon, we all met at the shed at about 1:30 and packed up the van as per usual. Then we hit the road for our destination for the road race, Barnesville, MD. Luckily, Schlichty *finally* got his university license, which was a nice break for me. When we arrive, we unpacked and settled into our hotel rooms. One of the first observations we made about the hotel room, however, was that there was no water in the hot tub. Sad! Then we went to scout out the road race course for the next day. All in all, it didn't look too bad, but there were some pretty rough road surfaces on the final stretch. We were all just really happy that it was so flat compared to what we are used to. Once we were done with that, we rolled back into Barnesville and grubbed on some pre-race chipotle. One might think Chipotle is a questionable pre-race choice, but trust me, it works wonders (provided you have some coffee the next morning). Since we arrived fairly early, we had plenty of time to chill for the rest of the evening. Max and I chose to knock out some homework and Eli and Schlicht watched some show that involved "baby geese throwing themselves off cliff-sides" 🤔 you'll have to ask them about that one.

The next morning we were up bright and early for Max's 7:55am start in the Men's D race. We got the race, setup, made sure Max got to the line (with a FIRE Dave Board - which we were too late to show him, unfortunately), and then looked at each other as to figure out what to do for the next 8 hours before we raced! So naturally, we decided to ride out to the course to watch Max tear it up. The rest drove and I rode my bike (which was a mistake), but thankfully the rest gave me a ride back. Overall, Max looked really strong. It was kind of an odd race because they combined the Men's C and D fields, but Max held his own in the mixed competition, and came out with an eighth place finish.

We then reconvened at the van and fired up the grill. We feasted on some burgers and dogs (another questionable pre-race fuel decision - but it also worked out pretty well) and then chilled out for the rest of the afternoon. Max and Eli found a football and spent a good hour throwing it a basketball to see who could get it through the hoop first. Eli eventually got it and then celebrated so hard that he tired himself out. The rest of the afternoon was preeeetty uneventful so we will just skip to the Men's B race at 4:20PM.

The race was nothing short of strange. At the line, the moto made it **very** clear to us that there would "OnLy Be FiVe LaPs In ThE rAcE" but then as soon as we came around for the first lap the lap counter said six laps to go (?????) Obviously there was some miscommunication between the refs and officials and it all made us a little bit confused as to what to do tactic wise. Of course Eli decided it would be a good idea to SMASH the first downhill section on the course, which I will be honest wasn't the worst idea. It got everyone on their toes and set the tone for the race that we would not be poking at it. The first five laps were just like that. Every couple miles, someone would attack, sit up, and then we would chill. Eli, Schlicht and I took some turns testing the waters but just tried to stay smart for the most part. Then in the final lap (which was actually lap 7, not lap 5), the attacks got more real. At the end of the downhill section at the beginning of the lap, I found myself 5-10 seconds on the front. I (for whatever reason) decided to burn way more matches than I needed to and try and stay off the front, but eventually got reabsorbed a few minutes later. As a result, I had nothing to give into the sprint finish, but Schlicht sure did. He timed it just right and blitzed up the road to nab third place. Eli and I rolled in with the pack, both pretty dead from earlier attacks. We were all pretty pleased with the way the race went, though! It felt like for the first time, we were actually working together in a race which made it so fun.

Someone attacked at the end of lap 5 and then bailed because they thought they won and Andrew and I were not ready for the attack 😂

Once the races were over, we quickly packed up the van and gathered our belongings to head to the Schlicht's house. After a quick round of showers, we gathered in the dining room for the moment we had all been waiting for, Mama Schlicht's amazing Baked Ziti! I wish I could describe how good it is, but words just don't do it any justice. It's nothing short of amazing! We then slipped into a Ziti coma and rested up for the next day's Criterium.

Out of all of the races we do throughout the season, the one at UMD is by far my favorite. It's flat, technical, and there's always a great crowd of spectators to cheer you on. Oh and not to mention the beautiful weather! Max was the first one to race. After a sold warmup, we got him to the line and delivered yet another FIRE Dave Board. I guess it worked, because Max ended up taking third in the race! It came down to a field sprint with a small group and he laid down the hammer on the last turn and got third! I think it's time for someone to upgrade for sure.

The Dave Board!

At just past noon, the Men's B race lined up. This race was nothing short of a blast. We didn't really talk too much about team tactics before the race, but they just sort of ended up developing naturally. Eli, Schlicht and I were patrolling the field, taking pulls, attacking in smart places, and helping each other stay up at the front. It was so cool to see how working with just two other people can make a difference in a race and definitely a great learning experience going into the rest of the season. Throughout the early stages of the race, we managed to take 1st or 2nd on every single prime as well! The real race did not start until about 2-3 labs to go. There was a kid from Wake Forest in the field who we knew from the day before was really strong and stealthy. We made sure to keep an eye on him because an attack was imminent. I stayed in the front with Eli and Schlicht followed right behind us. And sure enough, just as the bell rang for the final lap, the Wake Forest kid launched it into a right hand turn. Eli, a UMD rider, and I followed suit. Eli cut the turn just a little too tight and went off the road, so he unfortunately missed the break. The rest of the lap, I focused on maintaining contact and cornering quickly, knowing that Schlicht was in the main group. After a quick left turn followed by a right turn, the three of launched it into the final turn. I swung out on the inside and saw a chance to lay down the power and try to make it to the final corner first and sure enough it paid off! I hit the turn just right and hung on for the win! It was such an exciting feeling. Schlicht came in right behind our group of three to take fourth place. It was a really solid weekend for him! Eli eventually caught back on to the back of the group and finished eighth. I really wished he could have been in our group going into the last lap, I think he could have placed really well.

Schlichty on the front hitting the smoothest lines through the corners

No better feeling!

Eli getting a finger wag for jumping the curve into someone's lawn

"Where did you guys even come from?" - The Moto and Refs after the race

With the races for the weekend over, we had the remainder of the burgers and dogs and then packed up. It was yet another fantastic trip to Maryland and I can't wait to come back next year!

Thank you so much to the Schlicht's for being amazing hosts, the Bravo's and Lilly for your support, and Papa K for being there for us! We cannot thank you enough for all that you do for us.

Stay tuned for more racing next weekend at the Shippensburg Scurry!

Until then, Ride On!
 -- Matty McG

Philly Phrickin Phyler!!

Welcome Back!

This past weekend we opened up the ECCC season at the Philly Phlyer in the City of Brotherly Love. We came away with some good results and experience going into the rest of the season.

The festivities began on Friday night at the Bravo's house. We all gathered for a delicious lasagna dinner with a side of Dave's famous garlic bread. Thank you Dave and Susan Bravo so much for your continued hospitality! We really appreciate that you continue to open up your home to us for the Phlyer every year. After dinner we sat down and watched some Basketball before hitting the hay for the night. Usually we watch the collegiate Wrestling championships, but unfortunately they were a week late this year.

On Saturday morning we met up at the Bravo's house at about 7:30 to head down to the race. Thankfully Papa K and Dave volunteered to go down to the race a bit early to secure a parking spot for us. It was a big relief to not have to wake up before the sun rose, so thank you so much for doing that for us! Once we were ready, Eli, Schlicht, Peter and I piled into Schlicht's SAAB and whipped it down the Schuylkill Exp(arking lot)ress way to the Please Touch Museum. Once we got there, we quickly set up our camp for the day and went to registration to get our numbers. This year Schlicht, Eli, and I will be racing in the Men's B field together which is super exciting. It's nice to have teammates in a race and to look out for each other. Peter would be racing in the Men's D field, which had 89 starters on Saturday! He was admittedly a little nervous about the size of the field and the competition, but as soon as he got to the line that went away.

Peter's race went really well! At this race last year, Peter was in the Men's E field and suffered a nasty crash early in the race. But this year he is a new rider entirely and he stuck with the field throughout most of the early stage of the race. Unfortunately, he got caught behind the wrong wheel on the hairpin turn up Strawberry Mansion Drive and lost contact with the main group. But he worked well with a group that he latched onto and finished in the middle of the pack! Peter wasn't very satisfied with the result, but when you consider how far he has come in just one year, he did great. This will be a good learning experience for the rest of the season and I am sure we will see some good results soon!

Later in the day, Eli, Schlicht and I raced in the Men's B race. The rest was pretty crazy from the start. Immediately, we bombed the hill down to MLK and from there, a two man break went off the front of the race to never be seen for the remainder of the race. From there the race went as usual: someone attacked, everyone lost their mind, and then it mellowed out again. The only thing that threw all of us off was that we were catching riders from the 3/4 race in front of us who would latch on to our group. This was especially troubling going into the last lap when people would latch on into the sprint. But besides that, we all did pretty well. Andrew's seatpost fell midrace so he had to battle through that, but only finished about 3-4 minutes behind the main group. Eli lost contact in the second lap and rode out the rest of the race. I stayed with the pack into the last lap and then finished 9th overall in the field sprint. The wind was brutal and the potholes were horrendous, but I would say it was a good result for all of us in our opening race of the season.

Schlicht and I cruising along with the pack

Eli not too far off the back

After the races, we went back to Eli's and feasted on some pasta before resting up for the next day's races.

On Sunday we got to Temple University bright and early for their campus crit. Peter raced first in the Men's D crit, which was split because of the size of the field. Peter again did a great job! He finished in the middle of the pack in her first criterium. Later in the day (after some delays), Eli, Schlicht and I raced the Men's B crit. The beginning of the race was a little dramatic with some pretty hot laps, but once the field narrowed down to just about 10 riders, things mellowed out a bit. Then there was a slew of laps where there were people on the course who should not have been there, pedestrians not watching as they crossed the street, and one man going off the front of the race. The rest of the race beyond that was focused on just making it to the last lap with the field and Schlicht and I did just that. With two corners left in the last lap, I decided to make a bit of a risky move that (of course) no one followed, where I went up the inside to hit the corner early. I managed to hold off the pack for a bit but got caught by a few riders before the final turn and finished 6th. Schlicht was not too far behind. Given the windy conditions and technical course, we were both very pleased with the outcome.

"Bye" --- Peter Kaladius (2019)

Men's B's ready for Battle

Look at those white skin suits!!!

Thanks again so much to the Bravo's for hosting and supporting us this weekend. We are so grateful for your generosity to our team. Thank you to the Schlicht's and McGauley's and for your support on both days. And as always, thank you so much to Papa K for your continued support. 

In other news, WE CANNOT WAIT TO HOST IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!!!! I hope that everyone is as excited as we are to race in the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside as we are.

Wet n' Wild William and Mary Road Race

Hey everyone it’s been a while, but welcome back. Now that things (kind of) seem to be thawing out from the Winter, it’s time to start our favorite part of the year: racing season! So with the opportunity to head down to the South (for what we thought would be some nice, warm weather), a few of us did just that.

On Friday we left campus just after 3:30PM. Luckily the women’s tennis team didn’t have any competitions this weekend, so we got a chance to take the sprinter van down to William and Mary. It’s always a pleasure when we they’re available. It’s so easy to fit everyone and all of our stuff into one vehicle. So simple and organized! We were super happy (as always) that Papa K was able to join us for this weekend. We are eternally grateful to his commitment to making sure that we arrive to our races in a safe and timely manner and it’s always a pleasure to spend our Spring weekend’s with him. Last year he missed a few weekends due to a car accident, so it’s so great to have him back. This weekend myself, Schlicht, and three first years (Jon Tze, Axel Olsson and Nick Fardone) would be venturing to tackle the pancake-flat course in Williamsburg. This was Nick and Axel’s first experience racing in a USAC cycling race, so it was great to have them with us, even if the forecast for race day was a little menacing. The drive down went super smoothly and featured a stop at Chipotle for some grub. Once we got to the hotel (which was very nice, thanks Karen!) we quickly went to bed to rest up for the next day. 

The Dave Board - Definitely got some attention this weekend

Preparing the bikes for battle

We arrived to the race course at about 7:45am and got everyone checked in. Unfortunately they weren’t able to process Jon’s upgrade request from D to C in time, so he had to race D this weekend. Nick joined him in the D field and Axel would be in the C field. Schlicht and I raced men’s B. Jon and Nick’s race was in less-than-ideal conditions and unfortunately neither of them were able to finish their race. It was nothing to be upset over, however. The conditions were truly horrendous and if for nothing else, they got some valuable experience in preparing for when the conditions are less than favorable on race day. Axel raced soon after and did very well! He finished 10th in the men’s C, which for a first time racer is a great accomplishment! It will be great to see how he progresses throughout the season and to see how he fairs on hillier courses, which will definitely suit his strengths. Schlicht and I’s race was nothing short of miserable. It rained, it was cold, our hands and feet turned into popsicles and we were borderline hypothermic at the end, but we both did fairly well for our first race in the men’s B field. Schlicht placed 8th and I was 4th. After the finish we promptly hurried back to the warmth of the van and skrted out of there to a gas station so we could de thaw on some warm drinks. We then hit the road because we were just doing the road race for the weekend. On the way back, we stopped for some delicious barbecue food at Chubby’s. Because what would a trip to the south be without some good barbeque?

Nick Fardone ('22) posing at Chubby's

Delicious pulled pork (it didn't last much longer
after this pic was taken)

Team food adventures - absolutely one of favorite
aspects of cycling weekends outside of racing

In all it was a great pre season racing experience for all of us and we are excited for what is ahead. The Bucknell Cycling Classic (March 30-31) is quickly approaching and we could not be more excited! Stay tuned for more on that. 

A special thank you to Country Cupboard and Allstar Bagel for providing us with food for this weekend! We are grateful for your support. 

Ride on,

— Matty McG