Caffè Appassionato Cycling

Pre-season Track Racing

The first 2 nights of pre season track brought large fields, beautiful sunny weather, and warm temps. Friday May 8th was the kick off night and our Cat 4 field had 20 riders ready to get it rollin. As always, the night consisted of 3 races - thus an omnium. With it being the first night of racing and only my 2nd time out on the track bike this year I had thoughts of only riding for fitness and to get the kinks out. Ultimately, I had to throw down an attack or 2 and managed to score some points in the Snowball race and ended the night with 3 points. Friday May 15th again brought us sunny skies and warm temps and another solid field of 21 guys in the Cat 4 field. I felt much better after some good training during the week and did the attack thing again. While it didnt net me a a bunch of points, it did push a number of riders to the limit and made for a fun night of racing. I think I left with another 2 points in the bag and a better feel for the where the fitness is getting to at this point. Lets hope the weather continues to smile on us for the next round of Friday night fun.

Kenton

Michael’s Westside Omnium Report

First off, I’d like to thank our sponsor, Sealline.  Their waterproof bags are essential for spring racing in the NW.  Check them out: http://www.seallinegear.com

Westside Omnium Results
Glennwood Road Race
Michael - 6th
Danny - 11th
Noah - 18th
Longbranch Road Race
Michael - 3rd

Race Reports

Saturday: Glennwood State Champs Road Race

I woke up early Saturday morning and immediately checked the weather for Kitsap county.  Rain.  But it was warm.  Not that bad.  I head over to Noah’s apartment and load up his gear and we’re on the road by 7:15.  We stop twice - once for McDonald’s and once for gas.  We get to parking lot at 8:30, register by 8:45, get dressed by 8:55, and head to the line at 8:59.  So much for a warm up.  Noah and I seemed like the only guys out there without leg warmers.  I even had fingerless gloves.  Hey, it was warm when the race started. 9:00am and rolling.

For some reason, I decided that attacking the field in the first 5 minutes of the race would be a great way to warm my legs up.  I launched a speedy attack on a false flat and when I turned around, they field was a good 100 yards behind me.  I had either shocked them, or they thought I was some kind of joker - some dude with a mismatched kit and everything to prove.  They let me stay away for about 15 minutes.  When I saw that they were chasing in earnest, I gave up and happily let them catch me - fully anticipating the counter attacks that were to come.  For the next 20 miles a flurry of attacks went off.  A Fresca rider launched a surprising attack and I and a few others snagged his wheel - I counter attacked - everyone followed and suddenly we had a 10 man break.  It lasted for a good 15-20 minutes before the pack caught us.  No one, it seemed, was getting away.  Everyone seemed content to duke it out in the final sprint.  Positioning was tough - I had to ride in the wind for the last 10 miles. By the time I got to the 200m, 14% hill top finish, I was gassed and misjudged my strength, trying to big ring it to the line.  I bogged way down, but finished a solid 6th.  Not bad.

Sunday: Longbranch Road Race

I barely made it to Longbranch.  I woke up feeling groggy and fatigued so I slept in to 7am.  The race was at 9am.  80 miles away.  But as I opened my blinds and as the warm sun reflected off my dower face, I had a change of heart.  I wanted to race!  I grab my race bag, make a quick sandwich, and get to my car by 7:35am.  Somehow…I don’t even know…I made it to Longbranch by 8:43.  I remember running to registration and getting there at 8:45 - making the 15 minute deadline.  I throw my gear on and head to the line.  9am.  Race time.

I was feeling tired from the day before so I decided that I would not work at all in the race.  Besides, I had no teammates.  My whole day centered around maintaining my position in the top half of the field and staying vigilant - watching out for attacks.  Longbranch is a course that’s easy to get away on.  Attacks go, attacks fail, I sit in.  On the last lap, a tiny junior attacked on the hilly section of the course, but with junior gearing, he couldn’t pedal enough on the downhill to get away so we caught him.  In the last 3k the buldge developed - that point in the race when everyone knows its going to be a group sprint, so they all “buldge” to the front and things get sketchy.  I was trying to move up on the left and some guy was like, “Hey, that’s my wheel!” and I replied, with a smile, “let’s fight for it!”.  He backed off and I got the wheel.  We turn the final corner and I’m sitting mid-pack on the far left side.  Waiting for 200m.  Waiting. Waiting…and GO!!!  I moved all the way into the other lane and sprinted.  100m to go I’m around 7th… 50mk around 5th… 20m… 4th… 5m…3rd and my bike throw was too weak to snag 2nd.  The guy who won apparently attacked at 1k.  Props to him for holding that.  I tried that a year earlier and finished 28th.  But yes, I broke my “Mr. 4th” spell and finished 3rd for the day.

-Michael

(Early) 2009 Road Season

The Caffe road crew has had a few top 10 finishes in the season’s early (and quite cold) road races.  After a six week collegiate season, CAC will be primed and ready for Spring USAC races.

Tour de Dung #1
Danny - 7th

Mason Lake #2
Michael -4th

Seattle Cyclocross Series - Sprinker Rec. Center - Series FINAL!

Photos

I would like thank everyone on the team for their enthusiasm, camaraderie, and support this cyclocross season.  I would say the season has been highly successful in terms of speed, festivities, and friendship.  My body rejoices that cross is over, but I will surely miss spending time with the team every Sunday.

The results today:
Trevor - 13th (master 3)
Noah - 20’s (cat 4)
Michael - Mullet Madness, 31st (cat 3)
Matt - Race results don’t matter when you cross the line while sipping
on a cold Rainer.  1st place in classy style. (PRO 1/2)

Seattle Cyclocross Series - Monroe Fairgrounds

Photos

Last Sunday was another great day of cross racing.  I for one, got to work off my Sunday morning blues by trudging through a glorious array of mud and rocks and ditches!  It was great fun.  Tom the speed-unit rode to an impressive 9th place finish. Trevor, after suffering a catastrophic mechanical, was able to finish 22nd by running to the finish line with his bike on his shoulder!  In the Men’s 3 race, Danny finished a solid 24th and I was able to break into the 30’s this week by taking a glorious 39th place!  In this instance, glory is relative…  Our new 1/2 riders, Kenton and Matt, faired well.  Max acted as Kenton’s fuel supplier, handing him a cold Rainer every lap!

Seattle Cyclocross Series - Bremerton Fairgrounds

Joe Martin and Matt Morrison Photos

The race at Bremerton was a blast.  The course had singletrack, barns, slippery grass and mud–everything one could hope for in a cross race.

Matt took his second victory of the season, thwarting his rivals once again and maintaining his first place standing in the series.  Both Trevor and Noah took 13th place and Kimberly rode to a strong 11th.  Everyone else had a fantastic time and raced well.

Top Results
1st - Matt (Cat 3)
11th - Kimberly (Cat 3)
13th - Trevor (Cat 3 Masters)
13th - Noah (Cat 4)

Barrier Hopping

Seattle Cyclocross Series - Donida Farms

Michael’s Photos
Kenton’s Photos

Great racing last weekend at Donida Farms.  I’ve never experienced anything like it before… the mud and course conditions were epic.  I felt like I was getting the hang of cross racing until I experienced Donida.

The results are in:  Big shout-outs to Susan and Matt for winning their respective races (Cat 4 women and Cat 3 men).  Noah battled his way to 9th place in the Men’s 4 race, while Kimberly finished 10th in the Women’s 3s.  Congratulations to everyone else who braved the knee deep mud!  Looks like we’ll have a couple 1/2 racers at Bremerton next weekend…

Top Results
Susan Berg - 1st (Women 4)
Matt B. - 1st (Men 3)
Noah - 9th (Men 4)
Kimberly - 10th (Women 3)

Seattle Cyclocross Series - Fort Steilacoom

What a phenomenal weekend.  Cross, sunshine, beer, and BBQ’d food made for a great day of racing and conversing with one another about the pleasantries of life.

Here are Kenton’s pictures
Pictures from my camera

The top results are in:

Berg Children - 1st, 2nd
Susan Berg - 3rd (Women 4)
Kenton Berg - 4th (Masters 3)
Matt - 4th (Men 3)
Kimberly - 7th (Women 3)
Tom - 12th (Men 4)
Trevor - 14th (Masters 3)

Congrats to everyone else who raced!

Seattle Cyclocross Series - South Seatac #2

We had some great results at South Seatac last weekend.  The good folks of the SCS were gracious enough to set up an entirely new course with plenty of single-track, sand, and other amazing obstacles.

In her first Women’s 3 race, Kimberly placed an impressive 7th place. Kenton, after suffering from some on-the-course issues, placed 7th as well.  In the Men’s 3 race, Matt placed an awesome 3rd.  Congrats to everyone else who raced.

Top 10 Results
Matt - 3rd (Men 3)
Kenton - 7th (Master 3)
Kimberly - 7th (Women 3)

Seattle Cyclocross Series - South Seatac

Kenton’s Photos
Michael’s Photos

We had another great weekend of racing at South Seatac.  First off, I’d like to congratulate the ladies: Kimberly for finishing 5th and upgrading to a Cat 3–and Susan for placing 12th in the women 4’s field.

Strongman Kenton Berg demolished the Masters 3 field once again, taking first place and crushing all the souls who opposed him.  Noah placed a noble 13th in a crowded and crazy Men’s 4’s race while Trevor finished 15th in the Masters 3’s.  Unfortunately, Matt B. had some mechanical difficulties and had to swap bikes–but still road valiantly. Congratulations to everyone else on the team who raced last weekend.

I’d also like to thank Matt for providing a propane grill along with burgers, Hotdogs, plates, napkins, beer, and other essential things.  It was awesome.  And Jess, the brownies were phenomenal.

Top 15 Results

1st - Kenton (Masters 3’s)
5th - Kimberly (Women 4)
12th - Susan (Women 4)
13th - Noah (Men 4)
15th - Trevor (Men 3)