Velo Veloce Exposed (Uncut)

OK. Pete (aka El Guapo) beat me to this. However, this is how things really went down.

I was travelling down Highway 36 on a ride in an early morning attempt to exorcise the rain demons from my soul, when I noticed a highway patrol hidden on the roadside. Fearing that he would issue a citation to me for clearly violating all speed limits within the continental U.S., I attempted the humility approach and gave the officer the three fingers Velo Veloce handle bar wave (Randy previously instructed me as to the proper use of this technique). He responded with the two fingers One Adam 12 Officer Malloy wave and I could detect I smile behind his mirrored Ray Bans. Having dodged that misfortune, I immediately looked forward….before me this appeared as the Holy Grail…… Obviously, the protector. I travelled the next section with a proud smile on my face and a warm appreciation for the Velo team and their support to the community in this section. It should be note that there are no other sections on Hwy 36 that have an Adopt-a-Highway sponsor. Well done Velo Veloce.

Velo Veloce Exposed!

A sign of good times!

Road warrior and Veloer Troy "the Hammer" Perry was pounding pavement on the northside today when he spotted this sign. Troy power slid to a stop and snapped this photo for all to enjoy. I'll be sure to point this out to the Wednesday Night World riders when we scream by it tonite. Thanks again to all Veloers who participated in the initial trash/litter pickup back in April. Next pickup will be in October or so. Nice effort Team Velo!

TT tanks!

Veloers,

Back from Okoboji. I wanted to let everyone that volunteered at the TT to know how grateful I was for your help. We COULD NOT have done this without you. You know who you are, so I don't want to name names, but I thought the race went smoothly. Traffic flowed smoothly, with the exception of the bozos in the pickups who took out cones and scared referees and cyclists. Luckily, we got their plates and turned them into the sheriff. Georgia's pictures are awesome. Ted looks good in each picture, btw. The turnaround point was clearly marked, thanks to Joe, Steevo and Jackie's new signs. Rob resisted throwing down with an irate redneck. Way to show restraint Rob.
Dave handled the bike adjustments for juniors and other tweaks for racers. Chrissy kept oncoming traffic happy. Randy handled all the scoring pressure without cracking, supreme effort. Joe Savoie pitched in on prerace registration. Gracias.
April and Todd kept traffic at the finish line flowing smoothly.

Another big thank you to referees Nancy and Kevin, especially for their patience at the end during scoring.

Obviously, the post race scoring/tabulating was a nightmare. I've some ideas to clean thing up, under the assumption we host the TT again next year.

The online registration will not have the option to sign up as a Master 45 or 55. Just sign up by category, period. We'll fish out the Masters later from the individual cats.

Also, just give one medal in 45 and 55 to the overall Master winner, for each category. No 2nd and 3rd places.

So, while this is all fresh in our minds, send me your ideas for making it run smoother next year.

Again, a big hearty THANK YOU to all volunteers.

Photos from NE State TT Start

The photos are in start order. If someone is missing it was due to a car passing by at the time of your start.

Photos are posted at http://velovelocecyclingclub.shutterfly.com/


The weather held out for everyone...Yippie. Everyone a job well done.

State Masters Champ

Matt earned the cat 3 state masters championship in the Norfolk Criterium. Congratulations!

Ironman melted!

News Flash! Purported Ironman melts down during Kansas 70.3

The truth be told, I'm only a half-Ironman. And 1/2 Ironman melted on the hot asphalt of Kansas yesterday. The course marshalls simply hosed him off the tarmac after he finished. Randy and Matt know nothing about cramping until they've heard my story.

Let's start from the beginning. I guess the real beginning is where I decided to do a triathlon. That probably came from my picking up running again last year. Fared well in 10K, 15K and Omaha half-marathon, so I figure I might as well go for the whole enchilada and do a triathlon. Say, why not go for broke and try a bleeding half-Ironman? How tuff can it be? You're immune to pain!

Was going to do the Boulder 70.3, but had my name in the ringer for the Leadville 100 MTB race. By the time they told me I didn't get selected from the lottery for the MTB race, the Boulder 70.3 was full. So, I opted for the Kansas 70.3.


Knew I had to resume some swimming to train for this. Jackie2 worked with me during this winter off-season in an attempt to make me a sleek, efficient water-eating machine, like her. Unforunately, I remain a thrasher, despite her best efforts. The swimmer's mold was cast, but I was nowhere to be found when poured. But I did manage to swim the requisite distance of 1.2 miles w/o stopping in the YMCA pool. Pretty doggone impressive, considering when we started I could barely do a lap without panting like Pavlov's dog.

Race day: THE SWIM: So, when I actually took to the water to do the 1.2 mile swim during this half, the swimming didn't tire me out. But I lost scads of time lifting my dome up to see where I was. Plus the sunlight was bouncing off the water. The glare prevented me from seeing where I was in relation to the other swimmers. On the postive side of the ledger, I didn't inhale any suds, nor get tired, nor did I get knocked senseless by the flailing limbs of other thrashers. We did get to wear the wetsuits, so the added bouyancy really helped. I crawled out of the water in about 49th position. Ugly. Slow. But survived.

The T1 transition: Had to change quickly from water gear to biking gear. My 1st ever transition and I failed miserably. My time was like almost 5 minutes, compared to others getting swapped over in 2. Couldn't get the wetsuit off, had trouble putting on the biking top, finding the pockets to stuff GU into, you name it, it went wrong. Ugly. Real slow. GNASTY!

The Bike: Ahhh, now you're talking my language. Inhaled a GU. Warmed up slow. Then turned up the RPMS and starting kicking booty and taking names. To heck with Wholesome, steel cut goodness advice to rein it in on the bike. I cannot be stopped. I will soon be catching the pros. Well, I did catch a lot of those amphibious turds who slithered out of the water before me, and really only had one guy pass me, and he was a 44 year old stud. Stayed on him like glue. But, it wasn't as easy as it sounds. Half way thru the course, we had to actually stop, dismount, run around a patch of fresh oil in the road. When I remounted, my bike seat came loose. Ay caramba! Choices presented themselves. Stop and try to fix w/o tools. Keep going and don't get off the saddle for the next 25 miles. I opted for Door Number 2, where the lovely Vanna is standing. It worked, but my quads were screaming for relief by the end of the bike. Averaged 21.8, which I thought was slow, but the course was very hilly. No computer so I couldn't confirm the speed. Pretty. Speedy. Dat's what I'm talking about.It's all good. I ROCK.

T2: Bike to run. Nothing to it really. Take off bike shoes and helmet, put on Asics. Relatively fast.

The RUN: Oy, it hurt. After the first few strides, I knew I was in deep kimchi. Legs felt like hedge posts. Only 13.1 endless miles to go for my first triathlon. By now, I've got no frigging idea where my competitors are. There could be 58 of them ahead of me and I didn't give a rat's patootie. I went into survival mode. There would be no dominating performance on this run. I no longer ROCK. I am a rock. Rock legs, rocks for brains. The miles go by so slowly. 12, 11, eternity. Stop! Just throw in the towel. Go home with your tail between your legs. Fess up, you bit off more than you could chew. Now you know that was NOT going to happen, but I was wrestling with demons by now. I slog on. I OD on gatorade, I douse myself with ice water. I see Jesus and it made sense that he was there. I plod on. I notice I'm passing some turtles with my age group painted on their calves. I'm not going fast, they are just going slower than me. Finally, the last turn. About 2 miles to go. Merciless, senseless, brutal miles. Good hearted fans chanting "good job." If only they knew the truth! It was a horrible job. I'm weak. I'm feeble. I'm just hanging on by the guilt associated with being tagged "quitter." Eureka. The finish line is a couple of hundred yards away. The brain commands the legs to keep moving forward. I'm simulating a run, but moving at a walk pace. I had envisoned some glitzy victory salute when crossing the line. All I could drum up was a DEATH MASK. I stumble across the line. No burst of euphoria, no miraculous victory dance. Some wise medics realize the train wreck that just crashed in their turf and grab me. Despite my assertations that I'm perfectly fine, they realize that I'm lying through my teeth and whisk me away to the Medic Tent. They lay my living corpse on a nearby stretcher/cot. In my delirium, I ask for someone to remove my shoes, telling them they need to depress the red buckle release to take them off. Later, I realize that I actually have on my running shoes, not my biking shoes. Silly Pete. I'm cramping from the bald spot on my noggin to the little toes. I cramped in so badly I'm gnawing on my index finger knuckle trying to divert the pain elsewhere. Does this illustrate how much this race hurt?

But hey, it wasn't all bad. I eventually recover. They have to physically yank me up on my feet. My pegs protest, but I walk a step or two just like the Tin Man after his first shot of oil in years. I'm mobile again. Say now, what's this? It occurs to me. I HAVE SURVIVED! It is in the books! I'm half-Ironman. They can read that at my eulogy.

The results: I blunder my way into 8th place out of ninety-eight registered 50-54 year olds. (The guy before me was a relay participant so he doesn't count) I surpass my projected finish time of 5 hours, 15 minutes, with a finish of 5.01.57. Oh, for a quicker T1!! A minute or two off and I would have been in the magical 4 hour category and moved up a spot or two. I really got dusted in the swim.

Results and splits can be found here: http://www.ironmanlive.com/tracking.php?race=kansas70.3&year=2010

1 PYLE, STEVE
4/1/1 52/M50-54 00:31:11 02:23:59 01:34:57 04:33:16
2 BENNATAN, ANDRE
3/7/2 51/M50-54 00:31:03 02:42:18 01:31:30 04:49:44
3 REYNEN, PAUL
8/4/3 50/M50-54 00:34:16 02:33:21 01:37:42 04:50:53
4 MCCLENDON, JAMES
19/8/4 51/M50-54 00:35:50 02:39:37 01:37:18 04:56:39
5 SALINAS, OMAR
11/13/5 51/M50-54 00:35:05 02:45:51 01:32:44 04:57:37
6 RUMSEY, ANDY
10/6/6 51/M50-54 00:35:01 02:39:12 01:42:01 04:59:56
7 DICK, SAMUEL
18/5/7 54/M50-54 00:35:50 02:37:52 01:43:07 05:00:16
8 SWENSON, ANDY
5/4/7 52/RELM 00:37:12 03:01:20 03:01:00 06:44:17
9 DURYEA, PETER
45/9/8 53/M50-54 00:41:11 02:33:29 01:41:13 05:01:49





I finish in the top ten, which was pretty ambitious considering this was my first triathlon ever. As I sit here typing, as the pain slowly subsides, as the brain elimates the negative and moves forward with the positive, a little, evil voice is whispering in the back of my gray spaghetti. You know what it is saying. Maybe you've heard the same voices. Mine is saying: Uh, dude, what you say we try a FULL BLOWN FREAKING IRONMAN!! 2.4 swim! 112 mile bike! 26.2 marathon run. Double the pain! You love it. You were made to absorb it, wrap yourself in it and immerse yourself in it. You only live once, and your days are numbered. Sack up. Can you say Coure de Alene?

The Cramps

No, not the punk band. Matt O'Donnell and I raced the Norfolk Classic RR today. The EVCC served up 64 miles of racing, with plenty of wind and humidity for us. Matt raced the 3s, I was racing 4s and we both cramped up during the race. Matt took a flyer in the 1/2/3 race and had a nice solo break going for 6 miles before they reeled him in. After that, it was cramping time. A long stretch by himself, but he finished 11th in the 3s race out of 18.

The 4s race was fun (36 riders-a fairly large group, especially for Nebraska), but there was a lot of negative racing: anytime someone initiated a break, you would end up with some clown getting in and doing no work or screwing up the rotation, or someone with no possible hope of placing well killing themselves to chase it down. Still, it was fast in spite of the headwind that never seemed to go away (the wind actually shifted during the race, so this is literally true). We almost caught the 1/2/3 peloton at the end. On this day of attrition, I was in the lead group of 10 riders that survived acceleration after acceleration. With 2 miles to go I was hit with severe cramping, to a point where I could barely turn the crank. Lost 59 seconds, was passed by a group of 3 and ended up 13th. Still, my fitness is coming along, and if I had remembered to bring electrolyte tablets, I would have survived in the lead group. Live and learn...

Photos from today: Matt and myself.

It's showtime!

Gulp! Next weekend is the real deal. To date, the single hardest effort I've ever made was the race up Mt. Evans in 2006. Relentless, grueling ascent to 14200ft from Idaho Springs at 7500. That ride chewed me up and spit me out.

It might pale in comparison to the next madness. I'm inked the deal to the tune of 230 clams, to suffer in the half-Ironman in the Land of Oz. Heading to Clinton Lake outside of Lawrence to test my inner mettle. Gonna thrash water for 1.2 miles, jump on the sweet new Orbea TT bike and pound pavement for 56 miles, then lace up the Asics for the 13.1 miles death blow.

Expectations? Not sure. Finish is priority 1, even if I have to drag myself on the pavement to the finish line. Priority 2, finish in top ten of my age group. I suspect there will be some real players here. I don't think a lot of fat slouches, present company excluded, sign up for these 1/2s.

I'm gonna redefine the art of suffering. I'm gonna slam Gu every 10 minutes. This is epic! No rest for the wicked. Flog me please.

Map my Velo Ride ride

Ain't good lookin' but you know I ain't shy.. Fellow Velo's today, three riders became 10 plus riders, and it was a party train on wheels. Taking this road and rippin' on it wide. Penetrating the hills like One Cosmic Ray (pg 282, Webster's). We cut seamlessly through with no trace behind. With electrolytes and Perpetuem dripping down the legs (bad water bottles), I assumed a paceline position and gave thanks for it all anyway. Didn't need no stinkin' PowerBar leftover from last season; Velotrain swallowed me whole, kept me safe and compressed lending supersonic synergy needed to empower an explosive attack('cept I didn't attack cuz these guys are really nice and who knows where the next turnoff was) BUT you just don't show your stuff off when you got the stuff from your own team! Not now anyway. We knock out more hills and straights. Pass a church right after an impressive incline.."thanks God for gettin' me here..OMG another /^#@*impressive incline, back-to-back!" Life is sneaky sometimes. Fred talks like it's a picnic and encourages me to let me be myself and blow this *@*/ off for good. Pete, my martyr(Webster's, pg 762) has taken off on another route, missing my chance for a good 'Where'd ya get your socks ' conversation; drats wingman next time! Last downhill and I didn't even know it till Troy sped up, if he's takin' it then this must be over I thought. I just had to kick it out now and Shoot to Thrill, play to kill...playin Smoke on the Water, then we had to stop at the stop sign. I hate stop signs but they can save your life. There's all my guys from the break off. And we all take part in this manisfestation of the rides realities, at Scooter's, where the bathrooms are presumably clean. Thanks fellas for making me feel like Queen of the Wheel today. BIKE TRIVIA: In 1927, Tulio Campagnolo invented the what? A: The quick-release wheel. The Italian racer was in the snow when a tire punctured. His hands were too numb to undo his wingnuts! ;D He abandaned the race.
o-o~Speed Queen

Pump, run and pizza

The truth is.....I am Ironman!

Well, kind of an Ironman, at least when it comes to pumping iron. So, how did you celebrate your birthday? Here's what El Guapo did. Geri from the SW Y, where I teach Group Cycle, convinced me to try out the Pump & Run event she was promoting at the Plattsmouth Community Center. They describe the event better than I can, so here's how it works:

The Pump and Run event includes both the 5K run and a maximal repetition bench press. The runner’s final time many times he/she cans bench press a percentage of their body weight. An athlete’s run time will be reduced by 1 min bench press rep.

So, I weighed in at the usual 175 lbs. For 50-59 age group, you take 80% of your weight, which played out to be 140 lbs. So, when my turn at the bench came up, they piled on 140 lbs. Sporting my new Velo gear, I did 31 reps. This was better than expected, as my previous best had been 27 reps at the Y.

I then hoofed it outside to the 5 K starting point. The course was FUGLY. Not any flat road, rather continual up and down steep hills. I planned on running a 20 minute 5K, and ended up finishing in 20:07. So knocking off one minute for each rep, that lowered my final score to -ll:07.

Ending up winning the whole competition of about 45 people. One young guy benched 32 reps, but I dusted him in the run. Next closest finisher was at -6 minutes. This had been one of my focal spots of the year, so it was satisfying to walk away with the overall win. Who said life ended at 50?

After a quick coffee fix at Paneras, brother Joe, Millie, CK and I hit Zio's for an anchovy and black olive pizza. OMG, mouth watering goodness!

So, now time to switch focus again. Next up, the real Ironman gig. Then we'll really find out how much iron I've got. Gulp!!

Fred on the rampage again!

This was from the OMaha World Herald. Fred is on his way back. More to follow. Super impressive showing again!

Duathlon: Omahan 3rd at nationals
WORLD-HERALD PRESS SERVICES


RICHMOND, Va. — Omahan Fred Galata placed third at the U.S. National Duathlon Championships for ages 55 to 59 Sunday.

A record turnout of 1,800 competed Sunday, including 53 in Galata’s age group. The duathlon was a 5-kilometer run, a 38K bike ride and another 5K run.

Galata, 59, finished in 1 hour, 46 minutes and 35 seconds, behind a 56-year-old from Minnesota and a 58-year-old from Tennessee.

Galata rides for the Velo Veloce Cycling Club of Omaha

Adopt a Highway Mission Report

Pictured l to right: Glenn, Todd, Connor,Jackie, Dave, Harvey, El Guapo, Josh, Fred, Troy. (click on picture to enlarge)
Velo is going green. We've adopted a one mile segment of Hwy 36 on the north side of town. Sunday the gang met and broke out the orange bags and reflective vests. Marched the one mile stretch of turf and scrounged up about 20 bags of senseless litter. Couple of dead critters, one driver's license, one license plate. No sachels of $$, rats! The roadside looks fab now, tho. Thanks a bazillion to all the Veloers who showed up. We'll do it again in about 6 months. Look for our sign soon on the section of well-bicycled road.

Litter pickup was followed by team ride through the Trace and Chute. A beautiful sight to behold, 10 Veloers in Tiger stripes on paceline. Like poetry in motion. Heck, we're starting to look like the REAL DEAL. See ya for Trek ride!

Velo Veloce flexes at Le Tour de Husker

Race report for Le Tour road race. El Guapo decides Friday night to punt on the Ironman training and opts for Le Tour road race on Saturday morning at Branched Oak. The lure of bike racing is like a drug. Needed my fix. So, hop in the Jeep, snarf some wicked chocolate covered, custard filled do-dos on the way done and guzzle a gallon of java the hut, fully leaded 93 octane jet fuel.

Colder than a well-digger's ass while we're getting ready, but as soon as we roll out things start to heat up for the 48 mile race. Dave the Dagger Randleman and El Guapo race Open Cat 4. On 2nd lap, I hear mass carnage occurring behind me. My first thought was that it sounded like carbon fiber breaking. Twas! No time to look back, but turns out to be true. Check out this pic taken after the race!

4th lap, about a mile before the dam, it's my turn. Some clown goes down about 5 bikes in front of me. I scream out "Scheizer" as I eat pavement. (That's shee-yat in German) Nothing broken, just bleeding, so I hop back on my sled and burn rubber out of there as the rest of the unlucky sods are rolling in agony on the tarmac. The lead group is now about 1/4 mile away, so I go into TT mode and go red to catch back on. Rest briefly in the back, slam in a Gu on the way across the dam. As soon as we turn west, things start to pick up in earnest. Kaos Kyle hits the gas, others not quick to react, so I take opportunity to bridge up. We get a gap of about 50 yards. Kyle and I work together the next 3 miles with the pack of rabid wolves nipping at our heels, but our lead holds out to the final turn into Lieber Point. I've got second secured and can't match Kyles strength as he wins by 10 yards or so. The pack finished about 20 seconds behind and the Dagger strikes for 4th place. It was great working with the D, as we both watched out for each other thruout the race. Far freaking out. Roasted like a 'mallow at the end, but it felt GRRREAT.

Mike and Troy race Cat 5, but I'll let them report in on that action.

Everybody loves Tiggers!

Twin Bing Hurricane

2010 Team Picture at Twin Bing race in Climbing Hill, Iowa
Left to Right in back row: Troy Perry, Jack Perry (junior), Matt O'Donnell, Dave Randleman, Pete Duryea, Rusty Reno, Glenn Houtchins, Andy Keffer
Front row: Nick Ruiz, Simone Duryea (juniors)

So, we met at Zoo and boogied up to the metropolis that is Climbing Hill Iowa for the first road race of the year. Biggest surprise of the day was the gale force winds out of the SE. Made the rolling hills heading east brutal, followed by the flat section heading south. The big moves of the day occurred on the turn to the south. I missed out on the initial breaks there and suffered chasing the rest of the 45 mile B race. Foolish me. I knew it was coming too. Live and learn. I emptied the tank just trying to get back up front. Ended up riding second lap entirely with two others. The lead group was just out of reach ahead, but we couldn't close in. Suffered up the Climbing Hill to finish 10th out of 68 or so. Bummed. Thought I was in shape, but mental lapse was enuf to torpedo any grand illusions of podium. Better luck next year. EL GUAPO

Juniors performed admirably. Simone got lost for 6 miles due to course ignorance and no volunteers at critical turn in Bronson. She rode 31 miles instead of 25. Anybody else out there got a feeble excuse like mine? Please post additional pix and race reports.

MOD's route we should try

Here's a route from Mark Savery-perfect for a ride from the shop:

Riders on the Podium

Dave Randleman finished 2nd yesterday in SS at the Jewell MTB TT, Connor Randleman finished 2nd in Juniors, and Todd Eyberg finished 2nd in Men's 35+ Cat 2, only 5 seconds back of 1st. Rob Livingston rode well, finishing 6th in Men's 35+ Cat 2, only 35 seconds back of Todd. Great job guys!

Cancellara is studly

What an impressive win:

1st Mountain Bike Trail Ride on new mntn bike

theBest and Worst of my First new mountain bike ride, on new bike, and first ride at all this year (FINALLY)! 3)the Best: Those quick steep uphill spurts when you grind up the Glutes and can be Queen of the Hill at the top for those few quick seconds! 3)the Worst: Those quick steep angled slopes that approach you and just say 'Are you kidding?'. 2)the Best: Falling the best way possible, remembering it in 3 simple steps as if in slow mo..."now this is happening...now I will do this..". 2)the Worst: Dead pine needles stuck inyour spandex like a porcupine after falling on the "Easy" path. And 1) the Best: The wide, open fields where you can see forever all at once, including the red wig and mannequin parts right where a bike spill would really be funny. 1) the Worst: Having to pass that same spot again the opposite way because you can't find the way out. This was a fun experience overall. Wrists a little tender, I have new appreciation for this! Trivia: In the Tour De France, how many switchbacks does the infamous L'Alpe d'Huez have? A:21 I enjoyed the skill requirements at Tranquility for these both left and right!

Speed Queen

Out with the old!

So, my trusty old Cervelo is toast. I spent many a suffering hour on that sled. It served me well. But the time has come to upgrade. I sold the Cervelo to Ben out in west O, who wants to start doing triathlons.

Blaine, our shop's mechanical genius and the Midwest's best, is currently assembling a 2008 Orbea Ora for me. Sleek black and white scheme all in carbon. We're building it up with all Campy components, as it would be heresy to put on japcrap. The only non-Campy components are the brake levers, since Campy doesn't make any. I forked over a little extra dinero and bought some SRAM 900 TT levers, all carbon and super light at 99 grams.

With a little luck, I stumbled into a sweet deal on some aero wheels. I bought some brand new Easton EC90 TT wheels down at Bike Pedaler's in Lincoln. Thanks to Sean and Jason for treating me right on those gems. I promised them I'd bring Fred down and we'd do some of their Tuesday night TT training rides.

Not sure what the total weight of the beastie will be when all done. Certainly less than the 21+ lbs. that the Cervelo weighed. I'm hoping 18 lbs or less. Combine that with great aero wheels and I hope to fly down the TT road this year. Of course, I'll need the motor to be all tuned up to make the Ora gold. Uh, can you say sufferfest?

Let the party begin. More story to follow when Blaine calls to tell me the Rocket is Ready.

El Guapo

Saturday night's all right for sprinting!

A snappy outfit garners El Guapo style points

during the GoldSprints event at Bike Way!

Yo,

Some club members (Fred, Gene, Glenn, Andy, El Guapo) came to the Bike Way on Saturday for the initial GoldSprint indoor bike racing. This was an interesting experience and might not be my bag. I matched up against Aaron in the opening match, thanks to Fred for signing me up.

They said it was a 100 yd sprint, racing against each other on the bike and seeing the progress on the big screen computer. Something was screwed up tho, and we ended up doing the 800 yard race. So, I blew up thinking I only had a 100 yard race. We later raced again and Aaron dusted me. Good thing tho, I think getting eliminated early meant I didn't blow chunks like many racers did later. They had big yellow 5 gallon buckets next to each bike to hurl into.

Andy, Glenn and Gene all did well. Fred and I got tossed early, mostly cuz our feet unclipped during the race. Give it a try!