Cascade Cycling Classic take 2

Hello everyone,

This is the Sleece report for the Cascade Classic that took place in Bend and ran from July 19th to the 24th.

The race began on a Tuesday with a short, 2 mile prologue. In order to avoid having concrete legs for the first couple days of racing, we decided to travel up on Saturday. This meant that all the guys had to stay the night at my house on Friday so we could pack up the trailer and head out early Saturday morning.

After an uneventful, 14 hour trip to Bend we arrived at the house of Steve and Kathy Minar. Steve and Kathy were our gracious hosts for the duration of the trip and we were very thankful that they opened their house, or at least their trailers, to us. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect setup. They had a very nice espresso maker. Enough said. Also, big thanks to the moms who cooked dinner on multiple nights and the trailers we slept in worked very well.

After a couple days of prep, we were ready to begin the race. The prologue turned out to be short, very fast, and moderately technical. As expected, time gaps were very small. It was daunting to see that there were over 200 riders in this race all within a small amount of time.

Stage 1 brought misfortune to a number of riders as there was a huge crash on the long descent that started the stage. It was caused by some sort of pothole and it ended up spreading across the width of the field and stopping about 2/3 of the riders. Danny and Cory went down and were able to continue, but crashing always take a lot out of your body. Going over the first climb I was in the 3rd large group and the lead group was in sight. We had to work throughout the descent and finally caught on about 7 miles from the base of the finishing climb. I couldn't hold the pace of the group of the on that climb and ended up finishing 3 minutes behind the winner.

Stage 2 was an out and back time trial that I have raced on a number of occasions. I warmed up well and raced hard and again finished 3 minutes behind Mancebo.

The 3rd stage was another point-to-point road race that started in Bend and began with a difficult climb. The field began attacking from the moment commissaire ended the neutral and we hit the climb hard. The field strung out and riders couldn't close gaps as we got closer to the top. Just before the final pitch, I and about 20 other riders lost contact with the main field. Fortunately, only a few caravan cars got between us and the field and we were able to catch on the descent. Throughout the long flat section before the final climb the race was very aggressive as the teams forced Realcyclist to work. On the final climb, however, all was together. Again the field shattered on the climb and I fought my way into the large second group that finished about a minute behind the winner, Cesar Grajales.

Racing is always more exciting and fun when there are spectators, and the downtown crit drew a lot of them. The whole course was lined with people and the final corner and finish line were simply packed. I sat in the middle of the bunch for most of the race and saved my legs for the final stage.

Stage 5 was the 84 mile Awbrey Butte Circuit race. I had raced the course 3 times before for nationals and the Cascade Classic last year. It is one of my favorite races and I had been looking forward to it all week. Again the racing was aggressive from the gun as teams both pressured Mancebo and also fought for sprint and KOM points. Around on the 4th lap of 5, I tried to get into a breakaway and went with moves at the front but did not end up getting away. Mancebo ended up burning his entire team but only just before the final climb. A breakaway escaped and the remnants of it held on to win the stage. I finished 24th on the day again about a minute behind.

My final GC result was 41st. This was a major improvement from last year's 72nd. I was happy with both my fitness, and the way I rode the race.

Bend was, as usual, a beautiful and enjoyable place to live and race for a week. Thankfully, the weather was amazingly nice. It was great to drink coffee and watch movies (two common downtime activities) with the guys during our last major trip of the season, and I again experienced NRC racing as highly competitive, exciting, and fun to be a part of. I look forward to continuing to develop and improve my racing ability and hopefully be knocking for a stage win someday. For now, though, it's back to the long miles and the hard training.

Hope you enjoyed the read!

Stephen Leece

Team huddle before heading out for a training ride

prologue warm-up time

Chaos at the dinner table until everyone gets some food

Pro women's field going through the feed zone at the top of McKenzie pass

tail end of the crit through the start/finish

dining out with the hosts for our final dinner

Some Photos from DH

Picture time at the Savannah River/Augusta Canal

Sleece being lazy outside of our host house. Sleece+Hot Southern Weather= Moving at the speed of a dead ant. We have to get ready extra early for him.

Augusta Canal in the evening, built in 1845!

Savannah River

Post storm aftermath on the street. The neighbors had it taken care of in no time

The Augusta Canal, Southern Group Rides and the Storm

The Team NOW-MS Society crew of Taylor Clements, Cory Greenberg, Danny Heeley, Stephen Leece and myself (Danny Katz) have relocated to the South. We’re currently at host housing courtesy of Emily Baker’s mother and her mother’s neighbors to acclimate to the heat and train a bit heading into U23, elite and junior nationals. Our long travel day saw us fly from Tulsa to Dallas, Dallas to Houston and Houston to Greenville. From Greenville we had a 2.5 hour commute to Augusta through the winding side roads of the South and its lush vegetation and its equally “lush” trailer parks. The air feels thick as butter and the accents make us realize we ain’t from around these parts. Upon arrival to our host housing, we found a bit of commotion as an ambulance pulled up to a neighbor’s house and before we knew it we were surrounded by neighbors asking us California boys who have an affinity for lycra about our travels and exactly what we were doing. A lot of confused faces and awkward conversations later we were relieved when a neighbor named Steve turned out to be an avid cyclist and had just won a local omnium. One of us!

Steve is Southern for sure, very enthusiastic and gave us his number to call him about riding. The next day we went to the bike shop to pick up some supplies and Steve had already informed the shop about us. They had a special ride planned for the next evening that they affectionately call “insanity.” Apparently full of hills, we had to bite our tongues just a little when we heard none of the climbs are really longer than half a mile. Nonetheless, we were keen on heading out to this Wednesday night hammer fest to meet the locals. Steve was insistent that we drive to the ride because we would be pushing dark on the way back and there was not really a good way to get to the downtown meeting location without taking a 6 mile dirt trail. At that, all our ears perked up and without speaking we knew we wanted to ride that dirt trail, local knowledge be damned.

The Stormy, Bumpy Road
On one side of the dirt trail was the extremely wide Savannah River and the other side was the old Augusta Canal, full of water lazily headed towards downtown. In the Savannah were rocks that Native Americans used to cross the river, Built in 1845 and surrounded by a forest of green, I swore I saw Huck Finn floating down the canal. We naturally had two flat tires on the dirt road on the way there and sitting in the humidity and heat we were dripping and heavy. The group ride was a fun 40 miles that crossed the Savannah River into the rolling green roads of South Carolina and back. The group whittled down to us five from NOW and two of the local strong men. We finished the ride cruising two by two. It was about 8:15 PM by the time we got back to the downtown area and 8:30 by the time we got onto the dirt trail. Group rides are all the same and cyclists are all the same just different accents so some familiarity was nice.

As we rolled onto the dirt on the return trip in the humid twilight, clouds started rolling in and I flatted as daylight dwindled. As we looked ahead up the dirt trail the clouds looked to be far enough away for us to merely contemplate possible complications but not yet worry. I fixed my flat and we rode through the dirt roads encountering a few locals jumping off the bridge into the canal to fend off the oppressive heat. As we entered evening the fireflies came out and the experience became surreal, as we struggled to see the dirt road ahead of us. It was Cory’s turn to flat now and the day got darker but the locals were still out so our worries were mitigated. We rolled on and the wind picked up and a flash of lightning off in the distance warned us what was to come.

Ahead, what loomed was dark, angry and had some serious electric teeth. Half way down the dirt path drizzle turned to rain, a fierce wind picked up and flashes of lightning became more frequent and a lot closer. A gust of wind tossed all five of us across the road and kicked gravel up stinging our eyes. We ain’t in Cali no more that’s for sure. Lightning continued and wind gusted at a reported 50 mph and peaceful trees turned to threatening limbs. We five NOW boys could no longer merely talk to each other but now had to yell over the wind, rain and thunder. Across the canal a tree cracked and fell in the forest and my eyes certainly turned toward the trees arching towards us as the five of us rode on.

At last we reached the bridge over the canal that led to the bike path and the rain and lightning became more intense. Ride or shelter? We are cyclists so we continued through a neighborhood and onto a treacherous main road. Not one of our brighter moments we used phones in our pockets as lights (pun).We had no choice, but to put our heads down into the wind and rain and try to get home. Naturally though, understanding getting hit by a car to be less than ideal, we rode on carefully. Danny Heeley on the front and four of us behind, night would turn to day with flashes of lightning and local motorists certainly figured us to be some of the less intelligent people currently in Augusta, especially because of the lycra. Onto the main road littered with tree limbs, sparks and an explosion in the trees revealed an exploding transformer. Heads down and a bit scared, the California boys rolled on in the lightning, rain and thunder until we rolled into the neighborhood we were staying only to find a downed tree blocking the road and a neighborhood party having at it with chainsaws. As Danny Heeley put it, this is gettin’ it done country.

Nonetheless, it was an experience and the swiftness of the storm took us all by surprise. Georgia is not the greatest place to be honest but luckily the people are nice and a man with an uncanny resemblance to Lil John keeps popping up around town. Our hosts are awesome, and while they don’t know much about bike racing, have been nothing but gracious and welcoming. One more week….

Scott's Valley photos

Thanks to Becky Heeley, we have some awesome photos of us racing the Scott's Valley crit.

Santa Cruz apartment floor livin. Thanks girls!

Sleece railing corners

Jamming

Hubby corners like a tea trolley but he's a hitter

The prime tag teaming express

Finishing sprint where's the field? Sleece in the background nabbing some money also.

Post race it was cold!

Norcal race weekend 5/14-5/15

The trip continues! We traveled north on Saturday to race the Cat's Hill Crit in the afternoon in Los Gatos. The course was L-shaped and on bumpy pavement but the real kicker (pun intended) was a 23% 100 meter climb. A little over 100 racers came and the pace was held pretty high throughout the race with attacks. Tactically, the racing was fairly negative. Cal-Giant had the most riders but didn't seem to be racing hard for a breakaway. The winning breakaway of four went up the road with about 8 to go and a chase group of four that held went away with 3 to go. 

Danny's View

I was expecting a steep hill but man this was steep. No big ring for me unlike Hubby who is paying for it with a sore back. I felt awesome all race after the two NRC stage races we just completed. Spent a few laps off the front in groups and won a prime which we were hoping was money but turned out to be just a box of cliff bars. Harsh. With 4 to go Sleece and I talked and we decided to go seperately over the crest of the hill each lap. Sleece went and was gone my turn came around and just as I got off the front and went to shift back to big ring something happened and my chain was off the inside! Double harsh. Not sure how that happened. I ended as the last finisher pretty dissapointed but happy at how good I felt in the race. And Sleece had a solid result.

Sleece's view

I think that hill was the steepest I've ever raced in a crit. It was a fun course and the racing was exciting. It felt good to be leading the bunch and covering moves or attacking after only following wheels and rarely seeing the front in the large NRC stage races. I was off the front a couple times and just missed the winning break. I had good legs and should've been able to bridge but waited too long. After the hill I shifted up and stomped away from the bunch and three guys were able to join me. We worked together some and got close to bridging but on the last lap we started playing games. I should've led into the last corner but didn't and it cost me two positions so I finished 6th. 

Hubby's View

Pretty wicked race today at Cats Hill. The boys rode well going with the moves for the first 20 minutes. Once I was able to get going and find myself at the front of the race I was able to pull back a dangerous move that the team had missed. I am personally enjoying racing the crits again and feeling a little more at home. I didn't contest the final as I was out of position with a couple to go, rolled in mid bunch. I was happy with what had been my first race back in California and on the rode to recover from my health issues. Better everyday! Not a bad day for the team with Steven coming in 6th and Danny looking strong

We stayed with Danny's sister, Becky, at UCSC saturday night since Sunday's race, the Scott's Valley crit, was nearby. It was a flat and fast twilight but mostly night crit that wasn't very technical. Cal-Giant had the most riders again and raced to lead out Reaney so no breaks were staying away. We raced for primes, got a couple, and covered any moves with potential. In the final 8 laps, the 9 Cal-Giant riders went to the front and everyone behind fought behind the train. 

Danny's View

"Skinsuits are for time trials and twilight crits"- Kurt Stockton. It was time to break out the crit skinsuits for Scotts Valley! The racing was fast from the get go, too fast for significant breaks which the course was not meant for. We talked before the start that we needed to make some money tonight or we would be in deep trouble. Guess who one the first two $50 primes NOW-MS with me taking the first one solo off the front and Sleece winning his in a sprint. With 10 to go Hubby took me up to the front to meet up with Sleece since it was obvious the team with the numbers was riding for a sprint. It was sketchy to say the least racing in the darkness with lots of bumping and chopping for position. Cal Giant did a perfect leadout for their man to win and after a big fight for position I entered the last two corners 5th and ended up 3rd at the finish. The crit legs are coming back for Tulsa! Great team effort tonight.

Sleece's view

The last few laps of this race were very scary, some of the scariest racing I've done actually. The course had little lighting and a couple stretches were just pitch black. As danny said, we raced at the front and got some primes but with the speed of the race and the tactics of Cal Giant, no breakaway was gonna stick. The final 8 laps got sketchy as people fought behind the Cal Giant train which wasn't going that fast. I moved to the very front with Danny with two and half to go and he got up just behind the leadout. I intended to try to get him up further again at the finish but was only able to stay up in the group and finish seventh. We raced well together today though and I am happy with the weekend. 

Hubby's View

Better again for me today!Getting excited for what's ahead, as my bad run maybe over on how I was feeling today. Today I was able to really get in the mix of the race following moves and attacking out of moves. The course was super fast though so it wasn't going to be a day for me to escape unfortunately. So as we got closer to the finish I did the job for my team mates. Steven and Danny are really flying at the moment (making dollars!) and its good to lay it down for them as I know they would for me if I was in good shape. A big month on the cards for me now with my training coming up. It will be good to see what I can do at this level with some luck in the coming month! Thanks for reading.

travelling and the GRAND CANYON

Our destination as we left Fayetteville AR was the Heeley household in Hermosa Beach CA. We knocked the trip out in two days, and even detoured to visit the Grand Canyon. The van's odometer ticked up another 1700 miles on this two day adventure.

Sleece's view

This road trip home definitely breaks my PR for amount of time spent behind the wheel. Danny and I split up the driving well but we still had two full days of driving to do. On the first day, we jammed all the way to Gallup NM and found a cheap hotel room. After some deliberation, we decided the 2.5 detour to see the Grand Canyon was worth it so on tuesday we drove up there and had the amazing experience of seeing a the Canyon with clear air and in snowy weather. Even though the pictures are only from a cell phone you can tell it was beautiful out.

Danny's view

The highlight of our drive home was of course the Grand Canyon. Having never seen the Grand Canyon either I was super excited! After our jam session to Gallup we were exhausted but we decided you only live once and hubby might never get a chance to see such a famous landmark ever again so off we went. And what a view. I was expecting awesome but this was beyond that, It didn't even look real. And to top it off it was snowing which made the whole view even better. The view reinvigorated us for our push home to LA to stay at my house for a few days.

Hubby's view

What a way to finish our road trip in middle America having a look at one of the most amazing places in the world, the grand canyon. Being a kiwi I had seen a lot of the grand canyon on the big screen but never thought I would I see in person. It was the coolest thing I think I have ever done! Great way to end the trip. Now time to cash in on all the hard racing we have been doing! 

Dinner in Albuquerque before going to Gallup we found it by accident and it was amazing!

Snowing hard on our way into the National Park

Hubby and Sleece 

group pic

Joe Martin Stage 4 NRC

Today was a 90 minute crit through downtown Fayetteville. The crowd wasn't as big as we had hoped for a uni town! The racing was bound to be fast from the get go as the general classification was still tight and Real-cyclists strangle hold on the NRC was about to be cracked. The course was a pretty fun balance between technical and challenging, with a steep uphill kick to the line. It wasn't long before Bissell had cracked the field forcing a strong 12 man break with all the top team represented. Bissell ended up taking second and third on the stage and one two on the GC. This was the first time this season Mancebo had been beaten in a big stage race.

Hubby's View

Today was about surviving for me and helping my team mate Danny Heeley move up on GC as much as possible as prize money was paid forty deep. After roughly 20minutes I was moving through the field pretty well for me, not being a huge a crit fan. My legs actually felt great compared to where I had been early in the week. But a bad start had me out of position and after working hard to move around guys I wasn't able to help Heeley.  This was a shame as he was only a couple of guys ahead of me when the pace became too much and I was shelled of the back. It would have been good for the team if I could have given Danny some support before I was out of the race. Time for me to take a break as I have been racing and training nonstop from December. Hope to be fighting fit and healthy again and reporting some good results in the near future! Now for the long haul back to California. Thanks for the continued support!

Danny's View

Lining up for todays crit in the heat and humidity knowing that the course was also going to be brutal made me pretty excited today, I like crits when they are nice and hard! From the start the Bissel hammer was down trying to crack the stranglehold that Mancebo has had on the NRC stage races and it was pretty sweet that they succeeded. The hill and heat lead to a rapidly depleting peleton and by the end I unfortunately missed the break of 12 that got up the road leaving only 15 or so of us to sprint it out for the remaining places. I did a so cal crit maneuver to make some places up on the last fast corner before the sprint and started it 5th wheel at the last corner. I got a bit excited and went way to early into the headwind up the hill and lost as many places as I gained but its nice to feel like I am a part of races again after Gila and being sick at Redlands. Pretty stoked on my first NRC points and money at an NRC stage race.

Sleece's View

Today I went for a ride in the morning on my tt bike but had to watch as Danny and Hubby raced. It was great to watch them suffer and do well even though I was really unhappy to be unable to race. I realized that I am ready for a midseason break as I rode by myself this morning. We'll take the next few days to travel home and have a bit of time off of serious training and racing, then of course we'll be at it again ready to come out swinging at Tulsa and Nationals and whatever else we end up shooting for. I'm really excited for the rest of the season and for continuing to get better.



Thanks to the team for all the support and thanks for reading up on the blog. We'll try to post some more pictures from the rest of the race soon. Also, we plan to keep using this blog for racing/travel updates and reports in the future so don't forget about it.