This weekend I was going to start an aggressive push to get ready for the Snelling Road Race in less than three weeks. Saturday I was scheduled to race at the Hellyer Velodrome in the ‘Ride the World Cup #3‘ (RTWC#3) event, then race the Early Bird #5 Crit today after the clinic session, using the time before the clinic to interview potential teams. So much for plans; I was 0 for 2 in doing the races, and 0 for 3 in interviewing the teams I had put on my short list.
Saturday morning dawned grey and blustery, but there was a message from Hooptie that the track was dry and they were hoping to get through the event before the rain came. I sent The Wife out for her workout while I got my stuff ready for the race and did the Saturday morning chores. Small storm cells kept passing over us as they headed southward towards Hellyer. No cancellation message as I finalized preps and ate lunch with The Wife, who had returned a bit over-cooled from her ride. I was about ready to do a self-cancellation, figuring that by the time I got to the track and warmed up the rain would be upon the ‘drome, when the message came that the event was postponed for a week. That left me to do some roller training in the garage for the afternoon before heading to The City for dinner with friends. The drive to and from The City was in heavy rain and high winds, not a good sign for the Sunday crits.
First thing Sunday morning I checked the National Weather Service radar for the region; one small storm cell was just passing over, then it was all clear as far as the local radar reached. We ate, packed the Toaster, and drove to Fremont. As soon as we finished setting up the tent for The Wife’s team participation in ‘Meet the Teams’ the skies opened. The rain continued on and off all morning, leaving the course wet and resulting in all clinic participants getting a good dose of road slime all over themselves and their bikes. That included The Wife and myself. I returned to the tent at the end of my clinic session to find the ladies packing to leave, and giving me the option of 1) staying and doing my race an hour later under what was likely to be rainy, sloppy conditions, or 2) go out to lunch with a group of lovely young women. I may not be the brightest bulb, but that is one easy decision. The food was great.
Perhaps the one week postponement of the Meet the Teams was the cause, but none of the three teams I wanted to talk to made it to the event. Very few teams were there, in fact. FFBC gave a half-hearted recruiting pitch while offering pancakes (which I could not eat – they contained oats), but Fremont is a bit out of my geographic range these days. Team Oakland, way out of the geographic target area, had a tent but it seemed to be used as a shelter rather than a recruiting platform. Roaring Mouse, another team out of the geographically preferred area, was recruiting but not a good choice for me. There was another team, one that gave the hard sell, and I am looking at a bit more. Some good points about that group, but the team is based way out of my preferred area. Decisions, decisions. And of course there is still the TUA (Team UnAttached) option on the table.
So much for using this weekend as a kickstart towards Snelling. If the weatherman is correct I should be able to get a couple of good training rides this week then do RTWC#3 next Saturday. Not many weekends left to get progress before the main event.
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Thanks for all your help yesterday! Your spelt-flour banana bread was yummy!
Somehow, I don’t think you minded being called ‘team husband’ with 3 young ladies hugging you to warm themselves! Of course, you extended your preferred ratio during the lunch hour
That was a good call on skipping the race! -
Hunny and I started out the door with hail from San Jose. We rode the opposite loop planning to head up EBC and check out teams, say hi etc. Right about half way, I was soaking wet from burts of strong rain. The wind picked up and hunny asked me if I really wanted to go on. I was cold, cold and soaking wet. We turned around and took the train back to San Jose. It was an adventure!
Great to hear that you are looking for a team. Have you looked into SJBC? Not sure if their booth is there and I know you are doing your research and all
Check them out! take care!
also Rick…email me your addie and I will send you and Sarah some sample raw food!
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Ms. Chatterbox – always willing to help; setting up tents, hugging for warmth, whatever
CheFlandria – I can empathize. Everytime we thought we were in the clear, and the skies got blue and nice, then along would come some dark, cold, wet period to dampen our bodies and spirits. You probably made the right call by turning back.
SJBC is on the list of who I wanted to talk with, along with your team. I am an SJBC club member, since I needed that for the Winters Series and for the Twilights this summer. Would have to find out how to add Team to the club membership; was going to ask them at the Meet the Teams, but they were a no-show. And if you and your Hunny had shown then I could have asked your Hunny. I could be the 2nd person on SJBC in my category, along with D. Stockwell.
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I personally really valued being TUA for a year while I got into it, but I think it all depends on what you’re looking for.
For sure I’d be skeptical of somebody trying to hard-sell me on a team…
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Panda – I thought everyone was into teams for the schwag
The hard sell I think is a bit of personality, and a bit of someone with a relatively new and focused team trying to keep infusing new blood into that team. I am part of the target group, but the geographic location is tough. -
It is always good to have friends on the course during a race. I think it is much easier to make friends within a team than without a team. So, my advice would be to find a team. Since you have so many in N. Cal, you can be picky about who you ride for.
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Chris – being a bit late into the team selection process means the choices are not wide open. But I am into negotiations with one of the prospects. If that does not work out then I will just be TUA for this year and work towards hooking up for next year.
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