Rainy and Cold Makaha TT

Cambio's control center, calm and collected, prior to having to really scramble in the torrential rains.

Temporary dry conditions were had by most of the students from Kamehameha who started early.

Back in one piece at the finish - Kushima-san and me...

Soaked through and through...

This past Sunday was the first race of the 2008 Hawaii Cycling Season - the fast and short Makaha TT - about 10 miles or so of pretty flat riding (well except for that last long drag into the wind and slightly uphill). And, it looks like LOTS of people were waiting for this first race as there were over 100 riders...

Woke up pretty early to pick up my Japan friend, Kushima-san, from Waikiki and we headed out to Oahu's west side, to Yokohama Bay, where the race started and ended. The weather looked pretty cloudy but dry. All weather reports indicated that an off shore Kona storm would hit late Sunday.

So much for island weather reports. Right at about 7:50ish or so, it started to drizzle. Then some really heavy looking clouds appeared over the ocean, the wind picked up, then at about 8:05 or so.....it just DUMPED for about 10 minutes or so...really hard. I thought Cambio may hold the start, you could hardly see 20 feet in front of you for a while...but the show must go on!

Because of the rain, I decided to back out the rear wheel on my P2C so that the water wouldn't build up behind the shaped seat tube - don't know if it helped or not...

I soldiered over to my 8:20 start time in a medium drizzle...I sucked...why am I doing this...autocrossing is SO much more EASIER and FUN (especially if you WIN!!!)...and I was really looking forward to this race too...

I could tell from my warm up that it was NOT going to be a premium performance...right out of the hole, I had to really meter out my output into small small small increments as legs felt worse than a limp rope...I figured better I ride moderately so I don't come to a complete stop into the Kona winds on the way back.

On the super storm assisted way out, I shockingly got up to over 60kph soft pedaling my weak legs in my 56x11. I really fought the bike in the exposed sections, afraid the front end would washout on the wet roads and white lines, I rode the tops in those sections.

At the turn around, I saw Alika, my "back" minute man, and all the other fast guys after him barreling into the turn around...I thought I was going to be caught for sure. Then I remembered the Tour of California...really...where guys who went out too fast in the TT lost ground on the more difficult way back...feeling so crappy at the time, that's the best I could hope for. So I decided to race with my "mind" (instead of my legs) on the way back...and concentrated super hard and never dared to look back...

Into the wind, the steeper section near Makua Cave was really hard and I figured standing would take more energy than staying seated grinding away in the aerobars. Then after a short downhill, I hit the difficult into the wind - long drag to the uphillish finish. As it was years since I did this TT, I misjudged the finish after a short blind right hand bend...and had to really bear down as the finish was a bit way longer...I was relieved not to get caught...

I gotta really start waking up earlier to get used to doing these lactate threshold rides so early in the morning...oh well...

RESULTS:

1 Mike Zagorski Elite Men 1/2/3 0:21:54 - 27.4
2 Eduardo Sa Master Men 35+ 0:22:35 - 26.6
3 Tony Lang Elite Men 1/2/3 0:22:52 - 26.2
4 Ray Brust Master Men 35+ 0:23:07 - 26.0
5 Carl Brooks Master Men 35+ 0:23:15 - 25.8
6 Ricky Armstrong Master Men 35+ 0:23:20 - 25.7
7 Steve Chirco Master Men 35+ 0:24:13 - 24.8
8 Steven Serikaku Master Men 35+ 0:24:21 - 24.6
9 Alika Chee Elite Men 1/2/3 0:24:28 - 24.5
10 Tai Blechta Elite Men 1/2/3 0:24:54 - 24.1

FULL RESULTS: http://blog.teamcorehawaii.com/files/113326-105816/2008_Makaha_Overall_Results.pdf

Feb. 17th SCCA - Back In The Game...

I was taking these "focus factor" pills before last Sunday's SCCA race and...they must have helped...I finally got back to #1.


Although the day started out rainy, our class lucked out and ran in the 2nd heat, and by that time, the track was getting reasonably dry. Running in the 1st heat must have been about 2 to 4 seconds slower than in the drier conditions.

Mazda 6 Wagon - about 2/10ths behind on a ragged run.


BMW 325 Wagon - at full throttle heading towards the bottom sweeper.

Last Sunday's course was a wide open and high speed track that really favored the high powered cars. Even my car got up to about 40mph or faster at about 4 points on the track. So I would think the high powered cars got up to over 50mph!

Compared to my last several races, my course vision was a LOT better as I was looking way ahead on all except for one run. The problem with that run was that I got behind on one section, and once you get "behind the course," you'll never catch up!

But even if you're looking ahead, the other BIGGER key was that I picked a fast line, especially on the last run.

It seems that for my car, on this course (maybe most autox courses?) I need to take a line which really "opens up the course" and lets me exit the turns set up on the quickest straightest lines allowing full gas asap for the next section. And, in the slaloms and transitions, my brother reminded me to "attack the back" of the cones, which really keeps you ahead of the course.

Well...that's what worked last week, at least. Hopefully it works in next weeks Hawaii SCCA Championship Runoffs...

STS
Steven BMW 325it 35.609 39.002 1 35.121 34.602 34.602
Gregg Mazda 6-Wagon 35.861 35.037 35.591 34.853 34.853
Aaron Lexus IS300 DNF 35.812 35.737 38.132 1 35.737
Ryan Lexus IS300 40.269 1 37.767 36.966 38.857 1 36.966

Full Results: http://www.sccahawaii.org/2-17-08.pdf

BARACK OBAMA WINS HAWAII!!!

Long lines lead from the parking lot into the cafeteria of Moanalua High School



Large crowds inside of the cafeteria right after voting.



Headed out to my alma mater, Moanalua High School, for the first time in a LONG LONG time to vote in Hawaii's democratic primary.



In fact, my entire family did it's civic duty and headed out to the polls at 6:30ish. Luckly for me, Moanalua High has a lot of parking and I only ended up waiting about 30 minutes to get in to finally cast my ballot. Due to the large crowds, my ballot consisted of a 1/2 page of green steno note pad. Totally old school as everyone without a xerox ballot had to write in the candidates names on make-shift ballots.

My family wasn't so lucky as Aiea High was a TOTAL mess as there was no parking, crowds about 5 times larger than Moanalua, and unfortunately, my family ended up returning home...

AND.....as of 9:30ish PM, local news is reporting that Barack has a HUGE lead, 5000ish to 1000ish, over Hillary Clinton.

BIG MO IS ROLLING FOR BARACK!!!!!

Voting For Barack, CNN, and Hawaii...

For the first time ever...Hawaii is in the national spotlight for tomorrow's Democatic primary.

We're being featured pretty heavily on CNN for our 29 delegates and it's really exciting cause Hawaii has NEVER factored into the presidential election because everything is usually settled on Super Tuesday. Well...not this year, and probably not for a long long long time to come.

Although Hillary Clinton would be "bearable" if we DIDN'T have a choice, only Barack can really usher in a new generation of politics. By Barack being there, he will inspire a whole new generation of younger politicians into office. Politicians which think much more progressively and independently from the old guard currently in office...and it's about time...

Got this message today from Barack:

"Tomorrow is Caucus Day in Hawaii, and I'm writing to you with an important reminder to caucus and to make sure that your family, friends, and neighbors get out and caucus too. Use this online tool to find your caucus location:
http://my.barackobama.com/HIlookup

When Michelle and I talked about my running for president, one of the core goals we both had for this campaign was to leave the political process better off than we found it. You have challenged conventional thinking and built a grassroots movement for change that is sweeping this country.

I have no doubt that the election tomorrow will be close. It's vitally important that you caucus and ensure that others who want change in this country caucus too. Our work here will have a lasting impact in Hawaii for a long time to come. I believe that this movement for change can do more than just win an election. Together, we can transform this country.

Find your caucus location and caucus tomorrow:
http://my.barackobama.com/HIlookup

Thank you for being part of this,

Barack

P.S. -- Here are a few rules and guidelines that should make Caucus Day go smoothly. Be sure to share these with your friends:

You can register the night of the caucus. In order to cast your vote, you must register to vote and join the Hawaii Democratic Party.

If the Hawaii Democratic Party runs out of printed paper ballots for the presidential preference poll, voters will be allowed to write their choice on plain paper.

The presidential preference poll is probably the first thing to happen in the meeting, so you should plan to get there early.

You do not need an ID to caucus, but it's always a good idea to bring it with you."

***VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA***

2008 Makaha TT

Next Sunday is the first cycling race of the Hawaii 2008 season. It is being put on by the Cambio Cycling Team: http://www.teamcambiamento.com/

Because I've only got one race on my Cervelo P2C, I felt like I haven't got my money's worth out of this new bike yet! So....I gave up skiing in snowy Utah to do this race!!!

I did this Makaha TT a long time ago...it should be pretty fast and hopefully not to windy.

Formula D vs Rally Racing...

Have been watching the Formula D drifting on TV recently and...just can't get into it. I mean it's pretty cool and takes skill and everythign but, judging??? No timing??? Style points??? Sounds kind of like ice dancing to me...

To watch "real" functional drifting, I much much prefer rally racing...time attack style...winner posts the fastest TIME - more like downhill racing. The coolest is when the rally drivers race on the paved segments, ususally through the skinny streets of some famous city in Europe.

Although not the conventional rally racing, this was really exciting, especially the end:


A Great driver...Peace...

Kaleo Endorses: Barack Obama

Democratic endorsement: Barack Obama - Commentary

UH's Newspaper Kaleo is Stepping Up.

I only "super delegate" Daniel Inouye steps up and endorses Barack instead of Hillary...could be really important...

For President...

BARACK OBAMA...Hawaii Born...Local Boy...nuff said...

I thought there was some HOPE.....when the Dems took congress...although by a slim margin, last November...but it was a MONUMENTAL and TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT, a total SHAM!

For 3 reasons:
1) No calls for impeachment.
2) No move for impeachment.
3) No investigation for impeachemnt.

I mean...these guys wrote books and went on talk shows saying what they would have, should have, or could have done...ONLY if those sorry saps had the majority power to do so....what a joke! What a bunch of pathetic weaklings...the only one with any B@LLS was Dennis Kucinich...he should have been president: http://www.dennis4president.com/. But after he dropped out, he endorsed Barack Obama...

Hillary Clinton???...P L E A S E...

1) No conviction
2) Now that I'm losing, saying to count the Florida and Michigan delegates AFTER she and the DNC agreed their delegates wouldn't count.
3) Pandering, check which way the wind is blowing, then say anything, do anything, tell you what you want to hear Clinton (both her and Bill).
4) No Dang Way...(well unless Barack legitimately looses...)

Sans Dennis, what we NEED is a president with some conviction and the vision to chart a new course for America...and the World...I'm voting for BARACK on Hawaii's Sept. 19th Democratic Primary.



Barack Obama Website: www.barackobama.com

Snowy Tokyo and Hachiouji...

Wow, check out the snow in Tokyo!!!

On NHK's Ohayo Nippon news...I saw this area below, outside of Hachiouji Station...only thing being...it was snowing!!!

I could tell it was Hachiouji becuase when I went to Japan last year, I took this pic in front of this unique looking titanium rainbow sculpture, and during the new cast, they showed a portion of the rainbow, and of course, because I picked up "Hachiouji" in the telescast...

While snowy there, my friends who live in Hachiouji missed the snow and are in Hawaii instead...missing out on some beautiful snowy weather???

Hachiouji snowbirds blog: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/toshihiko94ma/