The long racing season is rapidly winding down as droves of cyclists look forward to a much deserved rest period. Once the racing has ended, riders will grasp the opportunity to sit on the couch, eat potato chips, and gain three inches around the waistline without having to worry about brushing the crumbs off of their laps. Even Locos Cycling’s riders know that the time for relaxation is just pinch of salt over the shoulder and two steps around the corner, but despite how delectable as that may sound they refuse to succumb to the powerful temptation. If there is any doubt that the closing of the season is slowing them down then the doubting Thomas, Tanya, or whomever the doubter, is certainly foolish to believe such rubbish.
In the celeste train’s most recent racing weekend all doubts were not only silenced but smashed at the Series 7 Atlanta Crit. as the weary but fully prepared warriors on bikes, made an appearance for nothing other than to do battle. This race being just another race in the minds eye, they rolled up on the line completely relaxed, but paradoxically ready to race this race exponentially harder than any “other” race is meant to be ridden. With a pervasive, “I’m going to show everybody how to suffer today” attitude permeating throughout the team, Locos Cycling’s riders jumped from the starting line like a Kentucky Derby’s horse and jockey like it was their last lap before retirement.
With other teams fielding as many as ten guys, Locos threw themselves to the front of the peleton immediately revving the rpm’s past redline to burst the resolve of any team that might try to claim victory. Before long the race would be shattered leaving cyclists for shrapnel spread about the course, and there would be only one color jersey to blame for the carnage; the black and celeste of Locos. After little deliberation and a lot of hammering, these hamburger eating moose turned men turned cyclists, would soon find four of their own in a breakaway. Now the pressure was on, because not too far behind teams were chasing with efforts as vicious as a rabid moribund coyote facing a rabit.
As the peleton was closing in on the breakaway with the ferocity of a speeding freight train, Locos members, Rob Giannini and Whit Clifford, set up the pick for their compatriots Seth Hansley and the team’s alternate rider, O’neil Samuels, to launch themselves off the front of the front. Without hesitation, the two froggy riders were in sync, rhythmically thrusting their way towards the finish line with a few others tagging along. Within minutes, the break was established and the winning move stamped for approval.
Drawing closer to the finish line, Seth and O’neil had no option but to win, because anything less would be shameful at this juncture in the race, so the pressure was on. Heart rates and adrenaline equally high, the move had to be made by somebody in the final lap and the first to palpitate was O’neil. Throwing the first and final blow, nobody was able to match the adept quickness of the snap that Mr. Samuels had in his legs as he pulled away to grip the win. Not far behind, Seth Hansley slugged his way into third as O’neil’s wingman on the podium. After the breakaway rolled through, Whit Clifford would take ninth and Rob Giannini eleventh, placing two more riders high up for a total of four inside the top fifteen.
As a young and budding team, Locos has throughout the 2008 year, asserted itself as a dominant force in the world of cycling, and demanded respect. With the final few races approaching they are still riding with the same passion and energy that they broke the seal of the season with and are determined to walk out of the season with every bit of respect that they earned. Having grown a lot in just this year alone, there are mounds more of potential for the 2009 season and the question still lingers; what will they accomplish then? Only time will tell, but the 2008 season must be finished properly first!
Blog Archive
