|   Laguna Seca race report and view from the poduim | HelensOnClifShot
May 20, 2003 8:49 AM | | To: Riders, Sponsors, Groupies and the Like
I have been involved with this great team for 9 years now, and this past weekend just might have one of finest and most memorable. (now how is that for a hook)
This past weekend saw the team split up a bit with half heading to the 24 Hours National Championship in Monterey and the other half heading to Big Bear for the NCS. By Sunday afternoon, Helen's riders stood on podium with hands held high all over the state of California.
24 Hours National Championship:
Helen's riders competed on three separate teams at the 24 Hours of Adrenalin at Laguna Seca. Rusty, Tony and myself partnered with Eric from CLIF Bar to form "Helen's on CLIF Shot". We competed in the "El Gato Grande" class of the National Championship 4-man Open Category. Cheryl hooked up the NoCal chick powerhouse team "Velo Bella" as a guest rider to compete in the National Championship 4-women Open Category. Dave Pelman stepped up and wentfor the SOLO 24 hour ride.
Saturday morning dawned cool and windy on the shores of Monterey Bay, with a certain energy, buzz and confidence in the campsite. That was until the Lemans style start, which saw me (definitely not a runner) in the middle of a crazed stampede on carbon-soled cycling shoes. We must have sounded like a bunch of shoed horses sprinting up the pavement. The first rotation saw heavy traffic and blisteringly fast laps by our teams and Pelman rode on.
As day turned to night, the wind came up fierce and angry. This made for 40 mph plus descents and quad busting head wind climbs and - Pelman rode on. At the eight hour mark, Cheryl's team was in first and pulling away, the boys team was locked in a three way battle for the lead and had pulled a lap lead over 4th place. And Pelman kept turning laps at a pace that put him near the top ten.
The teams continued to power through the night, with a less crowded and less windy course and excellent support by Lisa, Jen and Dara, we were able to keep lapping at daytime speeds. And Pelman rode on. Dawn saw sprits rise with the sun, Cheryl's "Bella's Haulin Ass" team had pulled a comfy lap and half lead. The boys although some 30 minutes down on 2nd place, were securely on the podium in 3rd with a 2 lap lead over the trailing 4th place team. And mighty Pelman, now climbing the stairs over the car racing track with near ridged knees, could still pedal strong and was solidly in the 8th spot.
This left the last Sunday morning rotations for celebration and a chance for one more hot lap. Nothing like knowing it is your last lap to put some spunk back in tired legs. The teams competing for the National Championships had a longer course that wander off a couple of extra miles of single track and steep short hills. With the nerves calmed, the drama played and the course clean the last lap was pure mountain bike joy. The hills seemed less steep and the single track especially buff. Days end saw Cheryl stand high on the podium in Star and Stripes (her first National Championship in 17 years of racing). "Helen's on CLIF Shot" stood in the bronze position, in the Open 4 man category, in a happy yet exhausted state. And Pelman did finally stop in 8th place in the Solo men's category. Although, he did not earn a trip to the podium, he did earn the deep respect of his teammates. The guy suffered to levels that I do not believe that we can understand, completing over 174 miles in the 24 hours. This kind of puts his effort and suffering into perspective, Dave found that the calorie counter on our Bikemine provided ECG-5 heart rate monitors has 4 digits. That's right, Dave maxed it out at 9999 calories in the middle of the night, with 10 hours to go!
Big thanks to Sabine and the Velo Bella crew for letting us camp with them and be a part of their positive energy. And another special thanks to CLIF Bar for the extra support, the massages, mechanic and clothes were greatly appreciated.
Finally a super big thanks to our support crew: Lisa who gave up a weekend to came stay up all night in the wind and care for us. Jen catered to Pelman, playing the roles of pit boss, cook, and mechanic. And finally to Dara, who showed up to play a utility role for all of our teams. Thank you all for making it possible for us have such a great race, we could not have done it without you.
Big Bear NCS:
Yes it is not easy to follow an animal act, or an author who has just stood on the National Championship podium for the first time in 22 years of racing. But that sadly is Ruby's position. Ruby threw it down on Saturday in Big Bear to win her first Expert NCS race. That is about the extent of my knowledge currently on the Team's exploits in Big Bear but congratulation to Ruby! |
| Helen's on Clif Shot on Podium | Sabine
May 20, 2003 10:05 AM | | you need some pics with your story.... |
| Cheryl getting interviewed by OLN | Sabine
May 20, 2003 10:07 AM | | No worries, she was wearing her Clif hat |
| Helen's riders are very skilled | Sabine
May 20, 2003 10:08 AM | | at hula hooping |
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