Brain Flat: One Racer's Experience at Berkeley Hills

From our correspondent

San Pablo Reservoir, CA -- It can happen to almost anyone. The symptoms seem all too familiar.

"It started with an increased exertion level with no increased speed," says Katie Kelly after her experience at the Berkeley Hills Road Race last Sunday.

"There were four of us in a chase group. I was giving it all I had," she said. "A girl pulled off, saying she had a flat tire."

It was then that Kelly's symptoms began to take effect.

"I felt it at the bottom of Mama Bear," the first of three climbs in this gruelling road race. "It was becoming more difficult to pedal. The other two were pulling away from me."

Kelly gallantly continued pedaling to the top of Mama Bear, "where I knew I could stop safetly", she said. It was then, however, Kelly's worst fears of her life were confirmed. This was, in fact, not a flat tire at all but, as Kelly calls it, "A flat BRAIN!"

In fact, the tire was pumped to its suggested PSI of 116.

Kelly took a quick glimpse around her and noticed that least there was no one to witness this charade, and promptly started pedaling again, hoping for her second wind, or even a large gust of wind, to help bring her to the finish line.

Kelly eventually finished in the top twenty, not too far behind her teammate Paula Bock who finished 12th, but far enough.

Kelly later complained to her coach, saying, "I am not sure if I'm the climber I thought I was."

"Well," said her coach, "Berkeley Hills really isn't a climber's course."

This has only added to Kelly's depression as she is wondering what those three hills were. Short sprints?

Kelly urges other to play close attention to the symptoms of a Flat Brain. A few symptoms include:

Stale, tired legs.
A lack of power.
An inability to increase your effort, no matter how much you will yourself into it.
Depression, thoughts of turning around.
Questioning your own reason for living.

Kelly urges all bearers of these symptoms to just keep on pedaling and whatever you do, do not vocalize that you have a flat tire unless you can prove it with hard facts.

Neto Wins Berkeley Hills!

Photo of Joachuim Neto courtesy of steep.tv.

by Harry Hunt

San Pablo Reservoir, CA -- Men's team captain Joaquim Neto delivered his 2nd victory of 2006 to Tam Cycling by winning the 71 mile, Cat 3, Berkeley Hills Road Race on Sunday.

Despite the presence of much larger teams, including Team Spine, Webcor and Squadra Ovest, Neto was able to overpower the field, which had widdled down to 25 riders, on the final climb with only one teammate, Harry Hunt.

Neither Hunt nor Neto would have fared well without the support of up and coming Tam Cycling star and teammate, Peter Billington. Billington worked the neutral support like a pro making sure his teammates had fresh water bottles each lap to combat the heat.

The race was one of attrition, as lap after lap, riders slowly fell off the back. Harry Hunt had the dual role as domestique and director sportiff during the race and instructed Neto to conserve as much energy as possible until the final climb. Despite Hunt's guidance, Neto decided to test his legs with an attack on the 3rd lap, but was reeled in after a few minutes off the front.

As the temperature quickly rose, Neto thought he had burned too many matches during the attack and didn't think he had the legs for the win. However, Hunt knew that Neto was on form and could recover before the last climb. Channeling his his inner Bjarne Riis, Hunt ordered Neto to sit in and ready himself mentally and physically for the finish.

As the final climb began, Neto dug deep and attacked the field. No one could match Neto's power and only a few managed to hold his wheel as he crossed the finish line in first. Hunt didn't have the legs to follow Neto on the final climb, but was able to hang on for a position in the top 20. It was a great win for Neto and Tam Cycling.

Nicole Freedman Retires: A Tam Cycling News Special Report

Fort Cronkhite, CA -- It was a bittersweet day last Sunday as former Olympian and two-time National Champion Nicole Freedman made her announcement of retirement from the sport of cycling. Newly joined Tam Cyclist Melissa Mooney hosted her retirement party yesterday on the beach at Fort Cronkhite.

Scores of Freedman's west coast friends journeyed out to the beach including a few hardcore souls who even particated in what seemed to be a rough game of touch football, still in their Webcor and Palo Alto Women's Cycling Team kits. When the antics later turned into tackle kickball, your friendly Pack Fill Reporter wisely opted to stay closer to the many food and wine selections.

Little to her knowledge, it was in fact Nicole Freedman who inspired your Pack Fill Reporter to stick with racing at a free inspirational talk at the Sports Basement almost a year ago. Already cut from her squad for basically being an embarassment to the sport itself, your Pack Fill Reporter took solace in Nicole Freedman's words.

"I sucked," said the former Olympian, who reiterated these words during her toast last night. "I got dropped or pulled out of every race. I wanted to quit so bad, but my friends wouldn't let me."

It was at this talk that your Pack Fill Reporter was also shocked to discover that a cyclist of this caliber could also be so funny.

"Here was a woman even funnier than I am," recalled your reporter, in one of her many conversations to herself. "And she made it to the Olympics. If she can do that, for sure I can upgrade to Category 3."

It is, in fact, thanks to the seven free upgrade points offered for all attendees of Nicole Freedman's cycling clinic a month ago, that your Pack Fill Reporter only has 13 more points out of 20 to go.

We caught up with Nicole for this exclusive interview.

Tam Cycling News: Hi, Nicole, hey, I was wondering, is it true that you were really runner up in the 5th grade spelling bee?

Nicole Freedman: Oh f*** no!

Moments later, Nicole was trampled to the ground by a few of her adoring fans.

We at Tam Cycling News wish Nicole Freedman the best of luck in all her future endeavors. For now, it looks like it's up to us to carry on the torch of goodwill and fun.