Big Steamer May 13th - Big Steamer Steams
Sag Wagon News COIRINTH - It might have been because everyone wanted to get home in time to watch American Idol, or it could have been because everyone wanted to finish before the rain came down. Perhaps it was because two elite riders decided to come out and participate in the Big Steamer Series, but whatever the reason the Tuesday night Big Steamer ride was the fas-*test*-('"), and closest finish of the 2008 season thus far. Despite the threat of rain showers, 15 or so riders turned out to mix it up. One of those 15 was Noah Williams ( 5 time Texas Cup Champion, 7 time Texas State Champion) who is one of the elite junior riders in the United States. His father Christian was along with him. Christian has a 25 year racing career and amassed over 100 victories in that time. He is also the founder of the Texas Racing Post magazine and is currently a cycling coach with Lone Star Works. As the peloton crossed over I-35 into the Killing Fields, the skies turned dark blue and some light sprinkles began to fall. The Cannibal was on the front punching into the south wind at 23mph. As the group turned north onto Shady Shores road, the sun began to peak through the clouds and the drizzle stopped. The conditions were suddenly perfect for some fast racing. The train chugged down Shady Shores Road crossing Dead Man’s Slough and taking in the smell of discarded frozen shrimp used for fishing from the side of the road. Luckily at speeds of nearly 30mph, the smell didn’t last long. The group turned right into Cielo Ranch and Mean Green took a flyer off the front. The pack was having none of it, however, and instead of Flying Like an Eagle, Mean Green was gobbled up like Thanksgiving Turkey. As they left Cielo Ranch and crossed back onto Shady Shores Road, Big Steamer got on the front and set a nice tempo of 25mph up Trashcan Hill. They turn north onto Garza Lane and cruise up Cowpattie Hill and head into Dinosaur Forest. As they hit the bottom of the Col de Shady Shores, Ricky Bobby jumps off the front and turns his pedals in anger as the pace now is at 24mph up the climb. Sherwin Williams goes with him and they cross over the television sprint point at the top. They scream around the bend and through the forest a second time and Big Steamer sets the pace up the climb. A couple of riders are discharged up the climb but a big group still remains over the top as they head into the loop of pain. The coach and Sherwin spend some time on the front as the peloton flies past the lake, through Dinosaur Forest and up Cowpattie Hill. As they round Garza Corner and head up Trashcan Hill, the Boss jumps off the front with the Wrench, Sherwin and Texas Burial going with him. They have a gap of 20 yards but they can’t get organized and they are quickly swallowed back into the fold. Down Dobbs Lane they rumble as it begins to look more and more like a sprint finish. They turn south onto Corinth Parkway and the speed is at 30mph with 2 miles to the finish. One mile to the finish and Ricky Bobby gives it a go. He has completely out kicked his coverage though and he isn’t allowed to go anywhere. The speed is at 31mph and Coach is now on the front leading out the kid. 400 meters to glory and Dang it Dank moves to the front and hammers. DID was in the pain cave now and dropped his flashlight. 200 meters to go and the Cannibal, Big Steamer and Sherwin go around Dang it Dake taking Mean Green and the Boss with them. The speed is at 32 mph as the shredded peleton speeds toward glory. Mean Green moves to the outside and they are four wide with 10 meters to the finish as they sprint past the spectators and barking dog. They lunge for the line and it is a photo finish. Big Steamer throws his bike at the line and is able to hold on for the big win. The Cannibal just edges out Sherwin Williams for second place. A big thanks to Christian and Noah Williams for coming out and riding with Corinth Cycling and to race photographer Dennis Gast.
CORINTH - 80 degrees - cloudy and humid
Winds from the south at 15mph
Avg speed 23.5 mph
BIG STEAMER STANDINGS
________________________________
Deuce - 14 points
DC - 9 points
The Boss – 7 points
Big Rick - 7 points
Dang It Dake - 6 points
Mexican Professor - 6 points
Ricky Bobby – 3 points
Cannibal - 3 points
Da Kaiser - 3 points
Jack The Ripper - 3 points
Hollywood - 2 points
Thrasher - 1 point
Dice - 1 point
Tornado Tom - 1 point
Big & Rich - 1 point
Scooter - 1 point
Sherwin Williams - 1 point
Sag Wagon News COIRINTH - It might have been because everyone wanted to get home in time to watch American Idol, or it could have been because everyone wanted to finish before the rain came down. Perhaps it was because two elite riders decided to come out and participate in the Big Steamer Series, but whatever the reason the Tuesday night Big Steamer ride was the fas-*test*-('"), and closest finish of the 2008 season thus far. Despite the threat of rain showers, 15 or so riders turned out to mix it up. One of those 15 was Noah Williams ( 5 time Texas Cup Champion, 7 time Texas State Champion) who is one of the elite junior riders in the United States. His father Christian was along with him. Christian has a 25 year racing career and amassed over 100 victories in that time. He is also the founder of the Texas Racing Post magazine and is currently a cycling coach with Lone Star Works. As the peloton crossed over I-35 into the Killing Fields, the skies turned dark blue and some light sprinkles began to fall. The Cannibal was on the front punching into the south wind at 23mph. As the group turned north onto Shady Shores road, the sun began to peak through the clouds and the drizzle stopped. The conditions were suddenly perfect for some fast racing. The train chugged down Shady Shores Road crossing Dead Man’s Slough and taking in the smell of discarded frozen shrimp used for fishing from the side of the road. Luckily at speeds of nearly 30mph, the smell didn’t last long. The group turned right into Cielo Ranch and Mean Green took a flyer off the front. The pack was having none of it, however, and instead of Flying Like an Eagle, Mean Green was gobbled up like Thanksgiving Turkey. As they left Cielo Ranch and crossed back onto Shady Shores Road, Big Steamer got on the front and set a nice tempo of 25mph up Trashcan Hill. They turn north onto Garza Lane and cruise up Cowpattie Hill and head into Dinosaur Forest. As they hit the bottom of the Col de Shady Shores, Ricky Bobby jumps off the front and turns his pedals in anger as the pace now is at 24mph up the climb. Sherwin Williams goes with him and they cross over the television sprint point at the top. They scream around the bend and through the forest a second time and Big Steamer sets the pace up the climb. A couple of riders are discharged up the climb but a big group still remains over the top as they head into the loop of pain. The coach and Sherwin spend some time on the front as the peloton flies past the lake, through Dinosaur Forest and up Cowpattie Hill. As they round Garza Corner and head up Trashcan Hill, the Boss jumps off the front with the Wrench, Sherwin and Texas Burial going with him. They have a gap of 20 yards but they can’t get organized and they are quickly swallowed back into the fold. Down Dobbs Lane they rumble as it begins to look more and more like a sprint finish. They turn south onto Corinth Parkway and the speed is at 30mph with 2 miles to the finish. One mile to the finish and Ricky Bobby gives it a go. He has completely out kicked his coverage though and he isn’t allowed to go anywhere. The speed is at 31mph and Coach is now on the front leading out the kid. 400 meters to glory and Dang it Dank moves to the front and hammers. DID was in the pain cave now and dropped his flashlight. 200 meters to go and the Cannibal, Big Steamer and Sherwin go around Dang it Dake taking Mean Green and the Boss with them. The speed is at 32 mph as the shredded peleton speeds toward glory. Mean Green moves to the outside and they are four wide with 10 meters to the finish as they sprint past the spectators and barking dog. They lunge for the line and it is a photo finish. Big Steamer throws his bike at the line and is able to hold on for the big win. The Cannibal just edges out Sherwin Williams for second place. A big thanks to Christian and Noah Williams for coming out and riding with Corinth Cycling and to race photographer Dennis Gast.
CORINTH - 80 degrees - cloudy and humid
Winds from the south at 15mph
Avg speed 23.5 mph
BIG STEAMER STANDINGS
________________________________
Deuce - 14 points
DC - 9 points
The Boss – 7 points
Big Rick - 7 points
Dang It Dake - 6 points
Mexican Professor - 6 points
Ricky Bobby – 3 points
Cannibal - 3 points
Da Kaiser - 3 points
Jack The Ripper - 3 points
Hollywood - 2 points
Thrasher - 1 point
Dice - 1 point
Tornado Tom - 1 point
Big & Rich - 1 point
Scooter - 1 point
Sherwin Williams - 1 point