Steel City Endurance Racing

While teammate Carl Flink has moved to Michigan, he still wears his Steel City colors and races – quite fast, actually – with black and gold running through his veins. Join us as we catch up with Carl and enjoy his Michigan race report.

August 28, 2011

It has been great to finally be able to train again, and I am feeling much better than earlier this year.  Of course, I have had to take advantage of racing within a reasonable driving distance.

Three weekends ago I went to Traverse City – a vacation town on Lake Michigan.  The State Road Race (RR) championships – Cherry Roubaix RR, was held on Sunday.  I had hurridly changed my address on the USA cycling web site so I would be eligable.  It was a scary finish as our field caught the 35+ field 300 yds from the finish, and at 100 yds to go to the final corner. No wrecks, but I ended up 8th and failed to nab the state championship.

There had a crit the day before  in downtown Traverse City – Cherry Roubaix crit – which was a 6 corner course that had a short section of rough cobbles. I managed to nab a podium spot as they went 5 deep for the on-stage glory shot. Frankie Andreu was there anouncing which was very cool. (No Suzanne, he didn’t recognize Carl “Starbrick master” Flink). Jason Zimmerman was there racing and vacationing with his family, and it was very nice to see a familiar face.
Last weekend was the US pro criterium championships in Grand Rapids.  It was a nice 6 corner course with a long finishing stretch that was all cobbles, some of which were pretty rough. I rode the 1-2-3 race (there was no cat 3 or 3-4). It was wicked fast – 28.5 avg.  I got caught behind a wreck and chased until I was pulled with 2 to go. I learned a very valuable lesson: Even if you don’t crash, put your foot down, and cruise back to the wheel pit for your free lap. I thought that was illegal, but multiple people have agreed that it’s kosher. Live and learn. I certainly could have hung in there, and was gunning to be one of the top cat 3s.

The next day was a cat 3 crit, this time in East Grand Rapids, a super rich neighborhood.  I led out the sprint and ended up 3rd with a couple big legged dudes passing me in the last 75 yds.

Sinead Miller was there in her first races since her last concussion and the resulting post concussion syndrome. She says she still doesn’t feel great, but isn’t willing to be patient any longer. She finished in the back of the pack on Saturday in a high class field (Laura Van Gilder won), and 3rd on Saturday in a much smaller field. Dan Greene was also there. Again, great to see Yinzers out here.

Today I picked up a Michigan win.  A 0.5mi course with 6 corners and a 100 yd finishing strech….it’s as if they asked me what I wanted and gave me all my demands except the uphill finish.  Cutting to the chase, I had probably 25 yds on the the second place guy and was able to comfortrably get in a two handed victory salute. It felt amazing. It has been a while since I have won anything other than an oval race and it was nice to celebrate (since we all know taking your hands off the bars at the oval is a mortal sin).

These crits have been held in really nice locations: “Downtown” areas (even when they have been in smaller neighborhoods) with lots of shops along the course, great crowd support, tons of volunteers, and great money. As proof of that, in the last 3 weeks I have picked up $410… The women’s Pro-1-2-3 race today payed 15 deep and only 10 women showed up.  They had >$1000 in prize money too!!

Hope all is well in the burgh.  Miss yinz!