Schroeder Iron Racing

Sometimes, when you are focused on what you perceive to be bad all around you, you have a tendency to loose sight of the good. This whole thing with Craig getting hurt has help most of us (certainly me) to see the just how many good people we really are amongst. Bud, Bert and I raced Ontario today in the blazing heat. What made the day so great is, everyone whom I came in contact with had nothing but well wishes for Craig’s healing and great things to comment on about Craig and his character. That was a cool thing to see. Some of those folks were: Richard Meeker, Steve Gregarios, Scott Woods, Ray Moreno, The Entire Sc Velo Cycling Club, The Dewalt Guys, all of the Simple Green Riders, Josh Webster, Gary Wall and so many more I can’t remember now because I have heat stroke (not really, but close).

It just makes me realize why we do this and helps me overlook the takers when you see so many givers. Nice work cycling community!

Update on Craig: A few of us had lunch with Craig yesterday and he was in reasonably good spirits. He does not have a ton of pain, so his rehab is looking good. Just a minor setback at this point and his outlook is optimistic (as always).

Everyone wants Craig’s wheel. At what sacrifice ?

If you have never been to Eldorado Park for the Tuesday night TRAINING race, this next week is not the best day to start as it is the last night of the season. This is a great ride that truly helps develop your speed and group handling skills. In the past few years, it has become a place that less skilled and unnaturally powerful (you read between the lines here) riders come to get their upgrade points so that they can quit their jobs and become full time “Pros” at the ripe old age of 35. The problem with this is that everyone else that just wants to ride/race and have a good time will eventually fall victim to the lack of skills these riders have. We as a team try to find every reason in the world to skip the last few races because historically they claim victims in huge numbers. In fact, Bradley P. called me last week and said he had too much important stuff to do over the next few weeks and could not bear to think of doing it after crashing, so he was hanging up the race wheels. We as a team cautiously approached last night to protect our overall lead for Craig Miller and decided that if we could just make it through the night we would skip the carnage of the last race as our lead was enough to do just that. All was well until the bell lap. Steve “Football 2″ Gregorios went up the road with a few others and I thought: “Good for Steve, I hope he wins. He deserves it”. We backed off the pace and let him roll. As we rolled past the fire station, we were going fast, but not fast enough as everyone who thought they had a chance in the sprint crowded our Craig Miller and as we hit the bend in the road, the “Pros” played their magic and bunched up taking a group of riders to the ground. In it, was Craig. (and Betsy as well as a host of others). Craig survived the crash for the most part, except one very serious thing. He in a rush left on his wedding band. Something usually never does. Unfortunately, he snagged his hand on something in the crash and severed his left ring finger as a result. Scotty Raymond met Craig at the hospital and took charge getting Craig the best hand surgeon in the area, but after two plus hours in the OR, they were unable to save his finger. This is sad news for Craig and all of us, but we know Craig is a tough man (I saw this first hand as he never flinched or complained while laying there on the ground at Eldo and still cracked off his classic dry Craigy humor while the paramedics tended to him) and will come back strong. We all wish “Milner” a painless rehab and a speedy recovery.

It would be a better world if the “wanna be pros” knew the ultimate effect of their selfishness and stupidity.

Your comments are welcome

Craig Miller cracks off another win at the San Luis Obispo Criterium last weekend. With only Frank Schroeder and Craig Miller present for the 45+ event, they had to fend off countless attacks from a formidable Simple Green squad. Jim Edwards attacked over and over looking to get a gap and ride away from the group to no avail. With about 10 minutes to go, the USAC officials stepped into the oncoming peleton and neutralized the group for a lap while they tended to the wounded on the back portion of the course. This allowed the group to regain strength and made the restart somewhat of a cluster. Frank and Craig stayed well positioned throughout the final laps until Tino Riveron threw a monkey wrench into everything by attacking at about a thousand meters to go. This set off alarm bells and the final two turns were sketchy at best. Craig jumped from Franks wheel and was able to sprint and catch Tino who had a 50 meter head start! Nice job Craig! Frank sprinted in for a fifth place finish.

Although the team rode well in the 35+, luck would have none of it. Doug, Frank, Bud and Craig rode well and made all the moves. All in all it was a great course and the team showed well for the local sponsor Voler. Certainly a return for next year.

Allen “Doc” Richberg took out another 40+ race today at Long Beach, bringing his total wins at this race to 7. Doc got in an early race move with 2 other riders. The 3 worked togher to nearly lap the field in the last straight away. Doc was able to out sprint his break away companions to take the clear win. The rest of the team patrolled the front of the race to control any attacks and potential breaks from getting up the road and bridging up to Doc.

In the 30+ 1/2/3 Evan Teske was able to pull of second place out of a 10 man break. The race was an agressive one with lots of fighting between teams, finaly after the half way point a break was estabilished that kept all the teams happy. Evan being out numbered in the break was forced to cover numerios attacks, but was able to recover to take the sprint for second.