Burrito Primes

Photo by Carolyn at Velosnaps

7.1.09 Soldier Field Cycling Series: Chicago, IL
Cat. 4/5 / 1st (3 burritos)

Chipotle sponsored the race tonight and was generously offering burrito primes throughout the race - my solo break for several laps earned me three foil-wrapped beauties. Nice. Breakaway effort got caught with a couple laps to go...stayed up front and started my sprint early to avoid getting robbed at the line. It worked...this time.

Home for the Weekend

Photo by Katie Leibman

6.28.09 Carl Zach Cycling Classic Criterium: Waukesha, WI
Cat. 4/5 / 2nd ($45)

I'll take 2nd any day of the week, but it was definitely a bit less thrilling than the win from the day before. Nevertheless, had a blast racing in Katie's hometown with the whole fam cheering.

Victory!

6.27.09 Downer Classic Criterium: Milwaukee, WI
Cat. 4/5 / 1st ($50)

Came around the final turn about 10 wheels back... then sprinted up the right side for my first win!

Happy Father's Day

Photo by Katie Leibman

6.21.09 Fox River Grove Cycling Challenge Criterium
Cat. 4/5 / 2nd

Sharp climb after the first turn made things very interesting. Field dwindled following each climb until there were 15 or so at the front. I tried to solo away from the pack on the last lap...went over the climb with a nice gap and then started time-trialing my way down the long and winding descent hoping to hold off the charging field. They caught me coming down the home stretch and I had to settle for second. So close...

Snoopy

6.7.09 ABR National Criterium Championships: Winfield, IL
Cat. 4 / 4th ($45)

Felt good and raced well, but just didn't have the kick at the end and lost a couple spots at the finish. I did get to pose with Snoopy on the podium though.

"Mr. Outside"

6.6.09 ABR Winfield Twilight Criterium: Winfield, IL
Cat. 4 / 4th ($85)

Won a $40 "King of the Mountain" prime and finished 4th. On the final lap I earned my dubious racing nickname and this blog's namesake, "Mr. Outside": "I’m setting up my turn and plotting my sprint for the win, when Mr. Outside, an ABD rider, goes inside on me and takes away my line. Dammit."

Breakaway That Stayed Away

6.17.09 Soldier Field Cycling Series Criterium: Chicago, IL
Cat. 4/5 / 2nd ($20)

Training crit in the south parking lot at Soldier Field, field of 75. Joined a two-man breakaway with a few laps to go and managed to stay away to the finish. Reeled in a $20 prime in the process. After pulling for the entire final lap, one of my break mates pipped me at the finish. Doh! In the end, however, I'm afraid the Pepsi Max podium girls stole any show we the cyclists might have been trying to put on.

Photos by Kevin Keeley

Podium

5.24.09 City Bikes RFK Criterium: Washington, D.C.
Cat. 5 / 2nd

Visiting a friend in D.C. for Memorial Day weekend and was lucky enough to be able to jump into the Cat. 5 race at the last minute. Tried my first breakaway. My solo effort quickly became a two-man break with a pretty decent gap. After trading pulls for a lap or so, my breakaway partner crashed around a tight turn and I was swallowed up by the pack shortly thereafter. I caught my breath, regrouped, and was able to sprint for 2nd. It felt great to finally get on a podium (one of my goals for this season).

Photo by Scott Pollock with his camera phone

A Lesson in Humility

4.25.09 Leland Kermesse Road Race: Leland, IL

Masters 30+ / 13th

Stacked field + 20mph crosswinds = Adam getting dropped 20 miles into a 50 mile road race. Luckily I was joined by a couple other stragglers who made the remaining 30 lonely miles slightly more bearable.

Photo by Ted Burger

A Brief History...

8.18.07 Downers Grove Criterium (my first bike race ever!)
Cat. 5 / 15th

8.29.07 Glencoe Grand Prix Criterium
Cat. 5 / 10th

5.24.08 ABD Memorial Day Master's Criterium (ABR)
Masters 30+ Cat. 4 / 7th (first payday!! $25)

5.31.08 Winfield Twilight Criterium (ABR)
Cat. 4 / 16th

7.6.08 Wood Dale Criterium (ABR)
Cat. 4 / 10th

7.20.08 Evanston International Cycling Classic Criterium
Cat. 4/5 / 10th

8.2.08 Tour of Elk Grove Criterium
Cat. 5 / 11th

8.9.08 Grayslake Cycling Classic Criterium
Cat. 5 / 5th

8.23.08 Tour of Oak Brook Road Race
Masters 30+ Cat. 4/5 / 24th

My very own blog.

My first post on my first blog.

Me and Ellery after a race - courtesy of my favorite photographer, Katie.