Top three today within 30 seconds

What a kick. That was fun. You know, the painful kind of fun. Small race, maybe 200 at the start line. Very well done, from A-Z.
I could see some serious artillery bike-wise in the transition area so figured if the rider can match the bike, people are going to go fast today.My goal was to stay in the top 10 on the run and try and not allow the lead runner to enter a different zip code. Then drop the hammer on the bike. Pretty sure I was 6th or 7th off the run and caught 1st place on the bike at the top of the climb which happened to be the turn around. This is Alex Yanez in photo and he held 1st until then. Fortunately I was riding a Giant also(albeit standard road w/ clip on bar) and she didn't let me down.
We had company on the descent and the guy passing was pushing a big gear where as Alex and I spun out. Tuck and get aero, all we could do. The race ended with a mere 100 yard swim and by the last 25 meter I was in the race leaders lane. Now I don't pretend to be some good swimmer. But I do wish we had another 25 to go :) Great time, great people, great workout, great race!

Back from Bay Islands, Roatan!!!

Awesome. Incredible. The island, the people, truly beautiful. More than I expected. The race course was more than most expected too!! It was thee most challenging Olympic distance to date. It is an ITU race where many aspiring 2012 Olympians race for points in effort to make their countries Olympic team. About 40 elites from several countries competing and about 75 age groupers as ourselves(for the challenge and podium).
The race directors Leslie and her crew put on a incredible race. Purely one of the best I have experienced. The whole package was exciting, challenging and beautiful. Big monster hills on this island. At steepest, 20%!!!!! We have hills here. Long grinds. They have nutty straight up stuff that so many were off the bike and walking. We never unclipped but both could have used a 25 tooth cog! My borrowed entry level Kona(compact cranks and all) from Corey worked great but the serious age groupers brought their serious artillery. I'm still glad I kept mine safely @ home, but 15 lbs of carbon and deep dish wheels would have been sweet on that course.
I could see Jodi on the turn arounds on the bike and she had the lead of all women age groupers. With the ITU elites starting a half hour before us and way up front in packs on the bike, it was spread out from our start. I had a typical lethargic-paced swim but by the 1st turnaround 8 miles out(and damn high) I could count 6 age groupers on the bike ahead of me. I pretty much held that(damn compact cranks)! place to the run transition..
At one mile the run course went straight up for a long time. Then straight down. Then we got to do it all again on the 2nd loop 10K. I kept my head down and ran those beasts.I love the hot hilly quad busting hills they offered and caught and passed 3 runners during the run and finished placing 3rd overall. Stoked? Yep. And it's always a treat to see Jodi on the course multiple times.. She left the field near another border as she was running like the wind. She placed 1st female age grouper overall handily. Thank you Leslie Pojoul Brown, Jennifer and all the crew, volunteers, everyone that made this race awesome. It was all that and more. We met and made many a new friends. Locals and travelers alike. Truly one epic trip. Hope to see you all again next year.

Kevin Unck gone but never forgotten

One of the nicest guys on the planet. One of the most passionate cyclist on the planet. A Coates Team Rider for many, many years. Kept getting stronger and faster each year. Had a houseful of high end bicycles, many rescued dogs (he could bring a different one into the shop M-F day and the love and care he gave was evident). A beautiful and wonderful wife. I knew Kevin and Liesel all the way back from the early 90's when we all lived/trained/raced in the Palm Springs area. Then we became reaquainted here in La Verne/Claremont thru Coates Bicycles. Kevin died today from complications due to a crash on Glendora Mountain Road. We are in shock. I am sure everyone that knew him is. A very, very sad day. You will be dearly missed Kevin Unck.

SC Velo Fat Tire Classic

The race today was over the top. The organization, the course and the competition. Typically you get a medal and a podium visit if you win or place. Not today. Their awards are hand built by students in the MSAC welding dept. Mine is a Pirahna. Best I've ever seen. I love it. Each division winner got a Michelob Ultra jersey. And it's a cool jersey you'll want to wear. And wear it I will. Thank you to the Race Director's, Al and Omar, Demi Hechinova the announcer, race volunteers, MSAC welding dept., and Michelob for the jersey one rarely gets.This is turning into one of the best mtn. bike races out there. Hands down. And thank you Corey of Coates Bikes for lending me that big 'ol beast, I mean bike!!!!!Oh and Scott Palmer for the hurt you dished out..........

Central America

We love going off the beaten path. Training and racing. This is way off the beaten path on the Caribbean side of Panama. Deep jungle. Like see wild -animals-deep-jungle. Like see spiders and their webs that could have you for lunch jungle. So we were excited about the island of Roatan off Honduras race next month. Only thing is.......they just cancelled it. But we have flight tickets and rooms. They hopefully will have the race early 2011. Hopefully.

SC Velo mountain bike race

SC Velo put on a great event today @ Bonelli Park. Race directors Al and Omar have got it down. The course was challenging and big fun. I borrowed Corey's single speed and mixed it up with the blinged out carbon 29er's. I liked the fact that I was possibly the only steel framed, v-braked, inner tubed, not-a-single-piece of carbon SS out there. Do I sound envious? Okay I was. But had I been riding any one of those eye candy bikes today wouldn't have made a bit of difference. I managed a 3rd place and Corey's trusty old steed really pretty much performed.............flawless.

Today's mail........

Bills. That's what I typically get in the mail. But today this arrived. An official County of Los Angeles Gold Seal Award signed by the board of supervisors. All for winning the Los Angeles Triathlon Series race a few months ago. See what racing can do for you? So train smart, race hard and recover well. Schedule an appointment for sports massage with us and you'll be one step closer to getting one of these!!