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In the Red Zone
Redlands Bicycle Classic, Redlands, California, March 23-28, 2004
By Ian McGregor
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The trip to Redlands began with circling the airport pickup route for about an hour. And to think we only received the threat of a ticket once. As the team mechanic Kevin's luggage finally arrived we were able to pack him into an already full van. Luckily it was a short drive to the prologue course. After checking out the crazy, sandy, switchbacked bike path they called the prologue we headed off to get settled into our host housing for the week. It truly amazes me that people are willing to take in complete strangers and let them take over their house no questions asked; many thanks to everyone who helped out our team!
Prologue - March 23: Mt Rubidoux Time Trial, 5km
The prologue was hard. The path was narrow, bumpy and also uphill. I had a very difficult time going hard, I just couldn't breathe, and I sounded like a harmonica. I managed to lose over a minute and a half to Chris Horner on a 10 minute time trial. Oh well. For the team, Craig Lewis lead the way by limiting his loses to only 1:08 placing a respectable 41st. Hats off to Ang, who despite being extremely sick, still managed to go out and give it everything he had.
Stage 1 - March 24: Crestline Road Race, 85.5/138.2km
Going into this stage we all knew it would be really hard. The course called for crosswinds and a steep finishing climb. To make things even more difficult, I am definitely getting sick, plus there's the icing on the cake, the pollution. From the gun, the race was marked with crashes. I watched as Trek/VW rider slammed into a log launching him into a headfirst dive, resulting in sliding on his face at over 30 miles per hour. Random crashes and rough crosswinds split the field apart. Thanks in large part to Jonathon's pre-race talk about being at the front; all of the TIAA-CREF riders were able to stay with the main pack as the field approached the first feed zone. Chris Horner's Webcor team set tempo at the front to keep the break that escaped during the crosswind chaos from gaining too big of a lead. As the race steadily advanced toward the final climb of the day, a horrific crash split the field in half. I remember seeing my Cat Eye computer showing over 40mph while I watched Sheldon Deeny sliding on the pavement. Thankfully he is all right for the most part. Although we lost him until late that night as he went to a different hospital than others involved in the same crash. As the final climb of the day approached, we tried to keep Blake and Craig out of the wind, and as close to the front as possible. As we hit the climb my legs were already blown, however my job was done and it was now up to Craig and Blake. Overall the day was a success, with both Craig and Blake finishing together about 20 guys back. Not bad for a bunch of kids.
Stage 2 - March 25: Redlands Ford Oak Glen Road Race, 129/171.7km
After a night of not sleeping, consistently coughing and lying in bed with an aching body, I was ready for another day. The plan for the day was much the same as the first stage, with the exception of getting someone into the early break. As the race came to the first KOM of the day, Dan and I were poised to get into the early move that according to my radio was sure to go over the top. It never went. The race stayed together, single file but together. We now took a sharp turn onto a narrow road and just as some guys sat up and a group rolled off. With no TIAA-CREF riders to be seen, my first major goal for the day had not been achieved. Now onto job B: keep Blake and Craig protected and happy leading up to the last climb of the day. The team did a very good job of staying near the front and staying out of trouble. Everyone contributed to getting water and make sure that our protected riders were ok. I don't think anyone was having a great day; Dan told me how horrible and sick he felt, and I was doing no better. However we had to do our job and protect Blake and Craig. Leading up to the last climb, both riders were fresh and out of the wind. Without warning, I suddenly had a problem; I couldn't breathe. I stopped pedaling, and reached for my inhaler. Even after using it I was still having problems, I was shot out the back of the field like a rock. I couldn't breathe and as I came to a stop, I fell off my bike. In less than a minute the ambulance was there. With the aid of some oxygen and a nebulizer treatment, I was able to regain control. That was the abrupt end to my first stab at the race known as Redlands. The pollution and illness got the best of me. For the team, everyone did a great job and Craig had a very good day, finishing 21st.
Stage 3 - March 26: The Sun Panorama Point Road Race, 67.6/97.6km
Well stage three didn't happen for me. I was already on a plane home. I was to pick up my antibiotics and go to bed. I am on the Rest and Recovery program with a goal of getting better as quick as possible so that I can prepare for the looming large Tour de Georgia...
Thanks for your time and support!
