Gangsta Ass Clip of the Week - No Gifts

My campaign on the road bike had been much more successful than the mountain bike, and I believed in one concept. "Rip the legs off your competitors with a pure outright display of power. That is what I did this spring in Showing I was the best Cat 4 racer in South Florida, and in training. At my local dump ride there was no rider that won the sprint even close to as many times as I did. As a matter of fact, I have never had a rider come around me once I went for the sprint, becuase I don't believe in presents, unless it's Christmas Time.



Have a great weekend racing, or riding

Pacer Out!

Race Report - FSC # 4 - Gainesville

I have to start by saying even though this is my favorite race course, I have never really had a standout performance here since I was a Sport rider in 2004. It may be the fact that it’s 5 laps, or the layout of the course, or something. So I had a pretty tough week of training leading up to race in anticipation of the 5 laps, or bad weather. Either way, I needed to finish, and brave the 5 laps which was going to be “Over the Top “painful at some point.

On Friday I dropped of my bike at the shop with Nick, then I went to my coconut man, and he had advanced his operation, by cutting the coconuts and putting them in half gallon containers. So I took 2 half gallons containers for the weekend. I would use 1 for the pre-ride day, and one for the race. Next, I was off to the YMCA in Weston to give some private lessons in table tennis. On Saturday, I got to the shop at 7am, to pick up my bike and chat with the guys before they where about to leave. They always leave super early, check-in at the hotel, take a crap, play with each other or something, and then go to the course. This was about biggest Active Cycles group in attendance as Andres, His son, Fabian, and Nick were in for the weekend trip. Also, Michelle was tagging along to take some video, and race of course. I got my bike, shot the shit a little bit, then went to Wholefoods to pick up some goodies. They have the best breakfast wraps, so I got one for both of us. I’d eat one half now, and the other half when I was 1hr out.

I got home, and Mrs P. and Lance were ready to go, so we got some gas, and the car filled up. Mrs P. wanted her normal Chai, Latte, Dirty, Carmel, thinga-ma-jiggy, special drink from Starbucks. After that we hit the road.




Not even 1 mile into the trip I had on my “Driver-Up” facial expression for all the slow driver in the passing lane. My brother had been trying to get me to watch the tv show “Boondocks” for about 6 months, but I never really gave it any mine until he sent me a clip. The clip was so hysterical, that I ask Mrs P. to watch it. We laugh so hard, we both had tears in our eyes. I went out and bought the entire 15 episode first season on DVD. And that was our entertainment for the entire trip to Gainesville. We stopped at one of the rest areas to give Lance a nature break, and Mrs. P went in for another special white person drink from Starbucks. I went to the stand to get a little extra dosage of Vit-C before the pre-ride.


We jump back in the car, and laugh all the way up to the course watching Boondocks. We actually had to turn it off, as it has so many bad words like N,’s, B’s, MF’s, that we didn’t want to offend the guy that was taking our money as we drove in. Plus, punk ass Lance, jumped his 6lbs ass out of the car as soon as we paid the money and drove off. He actually jumped out of the drivers side early that morning also, so he got regulated to the backseat of the car with the windows up and he did his little wimper until Mrs. P took him off punishment.

Most of Active Cycles were already there, and they were about to go in for a lap when Andres son sliced his tire and had to replace it. I was parked behind Adam, and I was sure he read my post about me calling out B&J, and this race would be the end of this love affair in the Team Classification with us. He hadn’t read the post, so I tried to brief him. By the time Andres's son put on another tire I was ready, so we all went in. We had a huge group of riders and it was nice to see so many Active Cycles jerseys out there. I lead out the lap since I had done the course the most of the group, but I’m sure Andres is gonna put down some very good laps times considering he has not races since Feb. Coming out of the first quarry we had already split up, so I slowed it down to see if we could get everyone together to find the line coming down the really steep off camber section. We climb up, and I let Andres pass me because I wanted to show Richard the line, but he was not behind us. Andres’s son comes blazing pass him and into the bushes as he tried to take the outside line. We both take the inside line, but it was still rough. We wait at the end of the section to get the group back together and we are off again.

The rest of the lap flowed, but the group broke up again, so I just finished the lap out. I can tell you right now, I’m not going to like doing the last part of this course 5 times on race day. It’s extremely up and down, and in 05, I was shattered every time I came out of this section, and needed many minutes to recovery. I hope this is not the case this year. Coming back to the tent I saw that Lance was tied to one of the tents, which meant she had finished the rest of Boondocks, and was now coming out to chat with Amy and Joe's wife Juanita.

I didn’t get a flow that lap, so I decided to do another lap, and most of the group came back in. I tried to give Richard the line on that same washed out section, but it was gone by the time I got down there and I navigated it without putting anything in the bank to remember. We came down and Andres suggested that we do it again, so we went back up, and Richard was still there as he had walked it back up. Andres and I went down, and I went on the inside, but it was still rough. I put that line in the bank, but I was not happy about that deposit. It was the best line out there. Richard was up there for about 10 minutes, and by the time he got down to us, he had crashed and had cuts on both knees. He said he hit the deck pretty hard, and that is the worst thing to do the day before a race.

I still couldn’t get a flow because we had to stop too often, so I decided to go out in for one final lap. When I got back to the tent Bob was finishing his class, and asked me to wait for him. So Bob, Richard and I went in for another lap. Bob had the same line on the washed out section, so I put it in the bank with a little bit more confidence. That is the most questionable section that has been put in the race this season, as it’s dangerous if you put caution into the wind just a little bit. We finish the lap with a few surges in places of interest

I get back to the car, and I’m satisfied with my approach to the 5-lap suffer fest that is going to ensue the next day. By the time I’m cleaning off, Bob is freaking driving off. Man, that guy changes really fast. We get into the car, and I have to hear it from Mrs. P. about the potential trouble with not being able to get a hotel because it’s Parents weekend at Univ of Florida. We get to the Fairfield and get a room with no problem, and for $79.99, the lowest price this season. And we request for the room to be in the back so we can sneak Lance in. We got caught walking through the hotel in Jacksonville, and he freaking popped his head out. So being in the back secured we wouldn’t have to deal with anyone seeing us. Now, I understood why the room was so cheap, it was freaking small. I’m talking too small to do my “Naked, I’m gonna drop them punks tomorrow dance”, but it’ll manage.

The only place we eat at in Gainesville is Yamato’s. It’s this little Japanese place we found in 2005, and the food is way above average. The only bad thing, is it’s really Americanize. No Japanese waiters to practice my Japanese on. Plus, it was like a kids party, so we requested to be put in the back away from the ruckus. Since it was no extra dialogue, I went to just straight slicing and dicing of the dinner. The food was the biggest portions we have ever had at any Japanese place. We ate here 6 months before at the SERC in Reddick, and we didn’t remember not being about to finish the meal. I didn’t even come close to finishing the meal, and neither did Mrs. P. We didn’t even take a doggie bag, we just paid the bill and dipped out. Note to self if I eat here at the Santos, “If you eat at Yamato’s leave more room”. We get back, and where in the bed watching the tv show, " Cheaters" by 9pm. We laughed at what we would do if we caught the other person cheating like how they are caught on the tv show.


The next morning we go to Waffle House and eat the same pre-race meal


I get to the course and it’s 45mins to race, and I like that. No time to get unfocused. 45 minutes is enough time to go through all the pre-race checks and rituals, bathroom break, and get a nice little warm-up. I had been experimenting with this new coconut water, chlorophyll drink in training, and today I was putting it into my race. That was really the least of my worries as I was more concerned about the 5 laps. On the line, all the usually suspects showed up, and my plan was to get in the top 7 or 8 and let myself get escort around the first lap, and see how the legs felt after all those up and down sections at the end that spelled disaster for me two years ago.
Coming off the line trying to find a place of 5th-10th.

Lap 1
Riders 10 seconds………I start my HR monitor, and the whistle blows, and we are off. I get in around 9th or 10th, and hold that position until the bottom of the quarry. I pass about 4 riders and I’m not really trying to. Jay Thomas drops his chain, Luiz M and a couple other riders are slowing down at the top just as I caught my momentum. So, now I’m in 6th place out of the quarry. Ryan B was leading it, with Shawn S, Mark G, Trent, Greg, and myself. I asked myself should I be with this group so early in the race, but my HR was not peaking, nor did I feel that “Blow-up” burn in the legs, so I stayed with them the entire lap. We pass back over the section where the feed zone is on the left side of us, and Greg D. water bottle cage comes off. I let him know, and he, I and Trent discuss it for a second, and we are back to racing. Going up the last climb before crossing the field Greg D drops his chain, and I have to dismount. And I get dropped by the group, and I slow down. I don’t really like this constant up and down, and I want to be feeling ok going into the 2nd lap. I bring in the lap about 25 second behind the leaders. The entire 1st lap Ryan Saylor had been stalking the lead group, and he caught me. As he passed me I jumped on his wheel and he hammered all the way around the flat section, down into the quarry, then out. He had bridge me up to Trent that was struggling at the time. Then he just pulled out, not through to let me lead some. He just pulled off to the side. So I bridged up to Trent and stayed on his wheel. We chatted a bit and he said he felt like crap and was waiting for his legs to come back around.

I was able to stay on his wheel when we got to the last up and down climbs before the end of the lap. That is when the curse of 2005 hit me. Not me, but it hit me in the legs. I was comfortably behind Trent, and as we went up each climb, he gapped me by just a bit, and by the time I was at the feed zone getting my bottle Trent had put 15 seconds on me, and that was it. I got some inspiration from Gary Yates that had flatted on the second lap, and he came by me just before the quarry, and man he was smoking. I slightly bridged back up to Trent, but settled into my own speed.

Scott C. dropped me off on shortly this picture was taken.

Around the halfway point I got caught by Scott C, and I let him go once we came out of the second quarry. Then it was Jay T. and we stayed together for a while, then T-Wiz came charging up on us. Just before that Tim came up on us I let John Lowe by. I had to let Jay know it was Jon, because he didn’t even look back to see who it was that charged up on him. I think he though it was Tim that had came up on him. At that point I knew I was going backwards. I had held my position on this group the first and second lap, and now they caught before the end of the third lap. I was with the boys chilling though, but those climbs did me in again, and they put the same 15 seconds on me by the end of the third. Why do I keep getting caught by these guys at the section that I absolutely hate.

Now, I was going into the 4th lap, I was going backwards and had to think of a plan. OK, just pedal and find a flow that does not smash my legs was my quick plan. I road most of that lap by myself and was caught and passed by Jimbo Smart coming out of the second quarry. And by the end of the 4th lap Clint G. has passed me, but I put up somewhat of a fight. He charge 3 different times, but I stayed with him. He finally put the nail in the coffin coming out of the quarry, as the acid bath in the legs was just too intense. I backed it off, but had the next climb to do, and the acid bath had a brother straight hallucinating in the legs. So I got unhitched and now I’m official at the back of the bus. There is no one in sight, but I’m going to put up a fight with Mr. Gibbs. In a couple of sections he has only 15 seconds on me, so I push it, only for it to turn into 25 seconds. Minutes later, it’s back to 15 seconds, so he is struggling also. I decided to put the afterburners on full blast, and try to catch him by the time I got to the Gone Riding trailer. If I didn’t I would shut it down and coast in, because I was not going to turn myself inside out if I did not have him in sight. Plus, I was going into my least favorite section, and to go full throttle to try to take back 10th place. After over 4 and a half laps, that would be an ignorant show of strength. The real fight was not to go backwards after the 3rd lap, and that fight was over. So when I got to the trailer, I didn’t see him, so I shut it down.

I came out 11th over all, and really not that disappointed. Reason being, I was prepared, the training wasn’t too intense the week of so the legs were ok, and I slept properly. Plus, I’m really not a fan of beating myself up over my results.

A special shot out goes to Greg D, as he smashed out an incredible effort on the 5th lap to take his first ever XC win. He also did it without a water bottle cage as it broke off at the end of the first lap. Mad props Greg. Shawn Smith came in 15 seconds after him, and Mark G 12 seconds after him. Talking about some intense riding right down to the wire. Ryan B, and T-Wiz rounded out the top 5.

Pro Race
I normally get bits and pieces of the Pro Race, but never enough to report what I know. There was a core group of riders, and it operates more like a road race than a mtn bike race. Talking to Robert it seems like a certain rider will attack off the front, and the group will have to scatter to bring the person back while they are already under pressure. I think Earl did the first attack, but crashed and was brought back. Now the group is already riding on the edge, and Robert gave me the impression that Gary Yates put in a monster attack that would make Matt Hammond drool. That attack put everyone else under serious pressure and after he flatted, everyone was relieved. At some point Victor went to the front and brought it down quite a bit, and that is when Robert went. Ryno went with him and they both stayed together until Bob started coming back to them. Now, I raced with Bob back in 2005 when he was coming back to racing, and he was never in any attacks at the front of the race. But he was picking off all the riders that were getting dropped from the back. Plus, his style is to put down one hard, consistent pace, not much attacking, but just a very tough pace. So my guess is he sat back, let himself get drop during those surges, slowing brought himself back, and made his move late in the race after everyone’s legs had been broken. Special shout out goes to Gary Yates for putting down the fastest laptime (21.04) of the day, and it was his 5th lap. Had he not flatted, he would have made the race quite interesting. oK, back to the end of the Pro Race. So when Bob started coming back, Ryan had to make his move, and that left Robert out because he told me he was already on the edge. If you look at the results, it’s the 4th lap that most of the riders got shattered and dropped. So Bob road smart and proved to be best of the rest, but Ryno is still the King of the FL Singletrack. Congrats Ryno, I hope you read my “Table Tennis Academic” post, that one for talented athletes like you.

Team Classification

Now I was talking cash money about us over-taking B&J in the Team Classification, but they put it on our asses this weekend. Actually, both teams performed well under our normal result, but they just did better. So, mad props goes out to B&J for extending their lead over us. I really thought we were going to get a nice lead, but you guy simply road better. See I’m not a hater, I’ll give love when it’s due. We are going to really have to put it down to get back in the game.

A special thank you goes out to all the riders that have been reading my blog, and giving such positive feedback. I get approached on the trail, in the race, at the car, and by email. Even buddies of mine that I thought would not even take that time to read my blog because I see them every week, are telling me they are enjoying the race reports, training concepts, etc. So thank you guys for such kind words. Like I said before, “If you keep reading, I’ll keep writing”.

Pacer Out!

Gansta Ass Clip of the week - The Last Battle

As I promised, another clip of the week to get you in the mood to get your race on. After watching this I'm thinking 2 things, where is my bike, and where is the starting line. I'm glad that Gainesville is this weekend, because I'm ready to do some battle.



Have a great weekend, riders

Pacer Out!

I'm on that Incredible Hulk

For the last 10 day I have been on this new mix that I called the "Incredible Hulk". Since the 6-hrs of Santos I have kind of fallen out of favor with the sports gels. I know that it was the event, the heat, the distance, and the effort, but I have been looking for another alternative so I called up my all knowing truck driver Brother Reggie, as he has been the guinea pig for every modern health food product since the early 90's.

In training I have been consuming water with Organic Maple Syrup in it, and in the race I have done a number of things, but none have seem to work. So I have consulted with the Big Bro to see what he would suggest. I turned him on to drinking liquid chlorophyll. I won't go into the details, but if you want to look up the benefits, type in "Chorophyll + benefits" in google. I have mixed that with my water and maple syrup with some pretty impressive results.

What I have noticed is that I have not felt drained at the end of my mtn bike training sessions. The sweetness has not got to me to the point that would make me want to drink less. The best thing is it has totally killed my after workout craving for bad foods. I also am quick to eat a good meal sooner than before now. Normally, I lose my appetite and kind of force myself to eat something as soon as I get home. Not with this mix, it's all to the good.

For the race this weekend in Gainesville, I'm going to trade out the maple syrup for fresh coconut water mixed with chorophyll. I have been getting fresh, off the tree coconuts from my hook-up, "The Coconut Man" down the street from my place. When you think about how far the water has to go up the tree to the coconut, you know it's the best liquid you can be drinking. It is also the most complete drinks out there. When you combine that with liquid chlorophyll, I think the cells are going to be supercharged, or at least I hope. Drinking liquid chlorophyll sure beats having to crank out the wheat grass juice everyday.

Mix the first 2 and, you come up with what I called the " Incredible Hulk". Gonna trade out the maple syrup in for Coconut Water for this weekend's race.


Yeap! The chlorophyll is just that deep green. Do yourself a favor, don't watch what hits the toilet on your normal bathroom visit, you gonna think you a Alien.

People are just now starting to leave comments on my blog, but most come up an talk to me at the races, or when I'm training on the road or mtn bike. The No. 1 question is, " Why are you giving away all your training secrets. I honestly have no ambitions to be better by not telling someone what I'm doing, so I'm just giving out my experience. I had a coach that taught me to consume everything around me. When he would come into practice, he would ask, "What have you been doing?" I would say, "I have been plotting to steal all the information." Now I'm happy to be giving out all the information. Or at least the information that I have my extensives years as a top level athlete.

Now, on to this weekend's challenge. Team Active Cycles has been in this "Love Affair" in the Team Classification with B&J, my old team. We were ahead of them by 3 points and in 4th place after the first race in Tallahassee. We knew they would be ahead of us after the Team Time Trial in the second race at Razorback, and they only where ahead of us by 2 points after the XC race the next day. Also About Bicycles dropped out of the top 3 because of Ryan's flat tire. In Jacksonville, they only put 1 point on us, so we are behind them by 3 points, and still in 4th place. So we are still deep in this love affair, but I think it's going to change this weekend.

I think we are going to take a nice chuck out of B&J's ass this weekend in Gainesville. The great thing about being a former pro, is the incredible memory I have regarding my competitors and their historic results. I don't think anyone on their team is going to post their normal result this weekend, and I'll explain. From an historic standpoint, I think I have all the riders profiled.

I know you guys read my blog, so let me know if I'm right about this playbook I have put together of your team. Well, actually you actual have 3 teammates and 2 riders that are lending points to your team. Opps! Was that a low blow. Ahh Damn! That slipped out. OK, back to the racial, I mean, rider profiling.

Starting with a good friend of mine:

1. Bob Mc. He is a consistent performer and is always in the mix. What is at his disadvantage is the new "Blood Pack" of youthful riders. Ryan, Martin, and Victor are the front runner as they know each other the best. You can't discount Gary Y., Robert Bounds and Kevin Hoffman, so Bob is gonna have his hands full.
2. Matt H. He has not finished a Gainesville Race in the Fall State Series since 2003, and that was when he was a Sport Rider. He took advantage of Razorback by riding it multiple times in the summer so he stacked the deck for that race. He can't play that card here, plus I honestly don't think the Gainesville course is his kind of trail. And if you ever observed his style of racing, he normally never finishes in the middle of the pack. If he is not in contention to win the race, the normally doesn't finish at all.
3. Adam G. He has never really had a breakout performance at this course. And the fact that Jon Lowe, Steve Bent, Andrew D, Doug L, and Dean Yobbi, my teammate that beat him here last year will be there.
4. Oscar C. He is hard to call as he is on the upside of his riding form surprising everyone at the, "Jacksonville Mudbath", including himself. The only factor helping us is that he and Adam and Matt H. are in the same division so they are taking points from each other. In addition another Active Cycles rider Andres V. will be in the mix and he normally outperforms them all.

5. Joe V. is last but not least. He is the true enigma of the group. He has not finished a race as a Sport Rider at Gainsvilles that I'm aware of, but he is ballin out of control this entire year and is pretty much a shoe-in for the Sport 30-39 Title. He has easily posted Expert races laptimes in all of his 3 races so, so I expect him to do something similiar with only 3 quick laps of racing. My educated guess is that he does not like that course, and that why it is still a grey area to me.

The good thing about knowing your former teammates, is you can call out their playbook. So guys, you have been called out. This call out has been done in a friendly way, so please don't take it personal and call each other on the phone like I'm trying to expose you. We are 2 Broward County Teams that are in 3rd and 4th in the Team Classification, and we train together more often than not, and see each other more often than not. So take it professional, and competitively. I think we are going to be leading after this race, but we are gonna have to battle all the way down to the wire, so let's get used to following each other's results for the sake of FUN, competitive FUN.

If you think I'm wrong about my playbook, holla at your boy on Saturday at the pre-ride.

Pacer Out!

Gangsta Ass Clip of the Week - Winning is Winning

As I promised, here is my "Clip of the Week". This is really for the road bikers that have won by an inch, and the mtn bikers that have won because someone crashed, or they had a mechanical. Don't feel bad, take your win.

Have a great weekend of training guys.

Pacer Out!

Table Tennis Academic

I have commented on it a little on this blog, but I spent the 80's, 90's and 00's as a professional table tennis player. I started when I was 13, and at 16 I was living at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs as a resident athlete, and spent my 10th, 11th, and 12th grade years there. I saw all the biggest names come through the Olympic Training Center like Oscar De La Hoya, Roy Jones Jr, Grant Hill, Carl Lewis, George Hincapie, Shaq, Penny Hardaway, etc.

It was the first time in my life that the sport was approached from a scientific standpoint. I mean, to have weekly sport Psychology meetings and having your brain picked. To have someone find any insecurity about who you are on the inside and out. If you weren’t aware of it, then it would come out in the heat of competition. We had group sport Psychology with the entire team. And to have every ounce of your being broken down by your coaches, teammates, and therapist was an eye opening experience to have at 17 years old. What you learn how to do is to deal with yourself on every level. Having 18 people every week look at you from an Emotionally, Mentally, Spiritually, and competitively aspect brings your very being into focus.

That laid the foundation for success, and I went on to win every single title that was possible except making the Olympic Team. I won junior titles, state titles, team titles, and I'm 3 time Collegiate Champion. I even went undefeated in Florida competition from 1996-2001, and no other player has gone more than 6 months without being undefeated since then.

My career was not without serious road blocks. I did not win a competition from 1990 to 1996, and during that time I lost most of my peers because they could not handle that period of self-doubt. Imagine competing 2 weekends a month for 1 year, and losing 1st or 2nd round, every time. To break into that top 10 in the US is like a special fraternity, and they were not going to let you in. You had to come busting through the door. During my years of losing, my Chinese coach Xin Peng would always say, “ A lost is a mother of a win”. So I spent 6 years being pregnant. That is 6 years of losing every 2 weeks. When you add up having a losing record 26 weeks out of the year for 6 years, you either build determination, or you fold. Character is a coming!

In 1996, I came down to Sunrise FL and won my first tournament in 6 years. Did I get an ego, and get all full of myself. Hell No, I went back to Maryland and look at the trophy for 2 weeks. I didn’t deposit the prize money in my back account for 1 month. I wanted to cherish that moment. But what I had just done was I had “Given Birth” to being the “Ultimate Competitor”. I had that extra gear now, and I could shift into it and win. Plus, I had accepted that the battle would be intense, and I accepted that. All of those years of going 0-26 had paid off with just one win. Two months later I had another tournament win, and before the year was out I had won 3 more tournaments. So I had a 5-21 record, and I was jumping up and down. And 1997 was an even better year with me winning 10 tournaments. 1998 was the same as I added 2 more than the year before in winning 12. Now, I was breaking about even and was officially in the “ Fraternity of the Elite”.

It would be 1999 as the real turning point. The Olympic Committee got involved with General Motors in a program called “Team behind the Team”. General Motors were to donate 100 GM vehicles to 100 of the “Most Improved” athletes that were competing in Olympic Sports. I initially rejected filling out the paper work because I really didn’t think I had a chance, but one of the people on the panel called me and said I just had to submit a letter stating how having the car would benefit my training, and lifestyle. That was June of 1999, and the lady said if you get a letter from us in November, then you have a car. I honestly forgot about the paperwork, and I went on to have the best year ever I my career. I went 19-6, with a collegiate title to boot. My table tennis sponsor recognized my obvious jump in level, and gave me a racket deal and the “Brian Pace “ table tennis racket is sold in all Sporting Good Stores in the country. It is the best selling racket at the $40-$50.00 range in the country since 1999. My mother has had bragging rights for almost 9 years with all her best friends.

Well Thanksgiving weekend is a big competition in Baltimore every year, and the President of the Association came up to me in front of everyone and whispered, “Call me when you get back to South Florida”. “Shit”, I thought. What in the world have I done? So for the next couple of hours I brainstormed what kind of conversation I could have the President of the Federation and why. I couldn’t think of anything, so I let it go. I got home that night, and when I checked the mail, I saw it. An 8 by 11 Envelope sized letter from the Olympic Committee and General Motors. I immediately dropped it on the ground and stared at it.

I’m having another one of those surreal moments like when I won my first tournament after 6 years of losing, so I just sit it on the kitchen table and look at it to 2 hours. My girlfriend (That is a pro table tennis player also) at the time comes over and I explain it to her, and just rips it open and starts reading.

It says “Congratulation”, you have been chosen as one of the GM Team behind the Team athletes”. You have been awarded a General Motors Saturn SL2 outright, and I just about lost it. If you have not taken a Business Law class, then “Outright “ is the term that means you don’t pay for anything. The Olympic Committee and GM were giving me a car and paying for the taxes for me to own it. I read the paperwork 10 times to be sure. Yeap! I had arrived, and having this car was one of those moments I will never forget. Did I get an ego about it? Hell No! I went back and reflected on those 6 years of my losses being a mother of a win. If you don’t understand that Chinese saying, it means that after losing, and losing, and losing, you finally give birth to winning. To me it was giving birth the being the “Ultimate Athlete”. If I think I have the talent, then I’ll take the challenge.

I walked into the Saturn Dealership and said,"My name is Brian Pace", and just about every employee in the building came out of their offices to see me get the car. A man handled me the keys, and said, "Good Luck at the Olympics". No signing paperwork, no credit checks, etc. Just have a great day. I was back home in 15 minutes and my best friend and teammate thought it was a joke, until I pressed the Alarm button from in the apartment.

All of my peers that quit from 1990-1996 all admired one thing about me, my determination. I was NOT going to let anyone or anything stop me from achieving that dream that I had. It was to be a “Athlete” at the top level. In 1984, when I saw Carl Lewis running around the track at the LA Olympics draped in the American Flag, I said, “ I’m going to be athlete”. No different than how a kid dreams to be a Doctor, or Astronaut. But I was not dreaming, as I could see the path. It took me 2 years to weed through all the sports, and then table tennis found me. That is another post that I’m working and will post it next week. I’m not concerned about how rough the road was, because that is what builds character. The main thing was what does the road do to you in the process. Does it make you look at life from a positive perspective? Does it make you look at life from a winning perspective?

I didn’t let having the car change anything about my attitude at all. I kept going on as if I could wake up out of this dream any minute and I would be screaming to the Devil, “You bastard, you have played a nasty trick on me”. I didn’t make the 2000 Olympic Team, but I still had an awesome year. It was the year I started mtn biking, and I won the 25-29 Beginner Category, and was Voted Most Improved Athlete. My first race was at Hard Rock the year before, and I finished 20th, and I came back the next year and won the entire series.

But in 2001, it happened. I lost in a Florida competition, but it was to a peer of mine. He had been living and competing in Sweden for 4 years, and had finally gotten good enough to beat me. Was I shattered? Hell No, I was not at all. I didn't look at those 6 years of winning as a real goal of mine, it just manifested on it's own. So I picked myself back up, put everything I owmed in a Storage Unit, and moved to Europe.

Did I go to one of the civilized countries? Yeap? Did it work for me? Nope. So I chose Romania to do my training and competing in. Why? It reminded me of Rocky IV when he was in Russia. The place was third-world and I loved it. The people were simple, and all I had to do was train, eat, and sleep. The reason I wanted this experience was because I wanted to move on with my life, but I had to go to the Mecca. I had to compete and live in Europe before I could cap off my career. Training 6 hours a day was another rude awakening for me, but it only took about 6 weeks to be able to handle that workload with out going nuts. I competed in German, Sweden, Austria, Poland, Bulgaria, Moldovia, and Denmark to name a few.

From 2001-2004, I did not pick up a mtn or road bike. I just ate, slept, and drank table tennis. I spent 9 months out of the year living in Romania getting ready for 1 event. The 2004 Olympic Trials for the Athens Games, and I went into the Trials in the best form of my life. I had beaten 8 of the top 10 players in the country in the last year so I knew I could do it. But the top 4 guys were head and shoulders above everyone, and I finished 11th in the Trials. It was my best performance to date, and I announced my retirement after my last match. Most players can’t take the allure of retiring at that level, and not coming back. But I knew I was on to something else. All my peers have bet there life I would be back, and I have not been back since.

I can honestly say that I’m fulfilled and enriched by my experience in table tennis. I started in 1986, was a pro in 1990 at 18, and had a 14 year career that I cut short. Why? Most athlete retire when they have obviously lost there skill level, and I didn’t want that to be me. The way I’m thinking is the “Athlete Gods” gave me this gift, and it took me 6 long, hard year of losing to find it. I better play it out as long as I can, then hang it up before I psst off the Gods and they take it back from me.

So now, it’s 2004, I’m a retired pro looking for another competitive fix. I bought a Santa Cruz Superlight, and 2 weeks later I was racing Beginner 30-39. I won 10 races, and went to Sport in the Summer of 04. In the State Series in 2004 I finished 4th in Sport 30-39, and since 2005 I have been an Expert and I’m in my third year of competing at that level.

I still play table tennis every week, and I give private lessons. I have been working on an Instructional DVD, and I have 16 sound bytes I have created. I’m tight lipped about it because if I let it out too early, somebody is going to copy it. Here is a clip from the ‘Online’ Series.



Here is a clip of some highlights from a 2003 competition.



What is my agenda now? I can honestly say that I don’t have one. The agenda is going to find me, but in the meantime why I’m losing by 6 minutes, or 10 minutes, I’m having fun. For what I have experience in my career, I’m not scared of the top Experts. I have been beaten so bad many times in my career from different players all over the world, that what will happen to be in an Expert race can't hurt my confidence one bit. I'm actually enjoying the process of graduating into that top Fraternity of riders, and I’m in no rush, or insecure about my results at this time. If you have talent, you must have just as much patient. Almost every athlete I know in table tennis or mtn or road biking have quit early in their career, because they didn't match their talent with their patient. Only later to make a comeback, but those precious years have already been lost. I can say I have never done that, because I can say I was having fun during the rough time. And that is what I’m doing now, I’m just having fun. It’s serious fun, but fun none the less. Because I know that all loses right now, are mothers of my wins in the future.

So when I look at the talented riders like Ryan W., Reagan W., Martin C., Brent, and Victor A. I just say, pack your bags and go to the Mecca. Go to a place that you are the small fish, and turn your self into a Giant. Stop wasting your time dropping riders that you know you are stronger than anyway. Get pushed to the highest level, go through your period of questioning yourself, and don’t let anyone or anything stop you from achieving what you have envisioned for yourself.

Go get it!

Pacer Out!

Race Report - FSC # 3 - Jacksonville

After a very low mileage riding week (76mi to be exact) I’m off to Jacksonville to battle Hanna Park and the mud from what Todd Hatfield had been posting on the forum. I made my way up to Jacksonville without much trouble. Had to give a call to Bob Mc that was already close to get direction, but when I got there I remembered the shortcut I took before.

Sporting the Twin Six "Singletrack Superstar" from one of my many sponsors, TwinSix

We went through some scattered showers, but as we approached Jacksonville Beach it was dark, windy, and wet. I dropped Mrs. P and Lance off at the Best Western, and got caught trying to sneak him in. We ended up sneaking him in anyway, and headed over to the park. As I was pulling up Eli and Tom were right behind me. Eli said, “We were just about to call you”. We all chatted a little and quickly got to the topic of the day, the COURSE. We all looked at just how awful the riders and their bikes looked as they came out, and we knew this was going to be a nasty preride. Plus, I had got the heads up at the hotel from Alex H. and Joe V.


Adam and Chris were getting ready also, and Bob had just finished his class and he was going back in also. The very first section was just awful, and I was wandering why Dave couldn’t cut us out of this one, and take us around this section like right to the single-track like in 2004? After that section it was nice for quite some time. Adam let me by and I went at my own pace trying to find the lines. There are some scattered puddles in the middle of the course, but it is the end that just knocks the life out of your MODE.

I got out and went straight to the showers to clean my bike off; already knowing I was going to do another one. I got to the car, changed gloves, loaded the iPod up, zipped locked it close and went in for another lap. I skipped the first section as I saw nothing good to come out of doing it again, and as I got to the second section MonsterCox (Martin Cox) and Drew Edsall were coming out of the first section so I jumped on their wheels. I got all my lines in the single-track and the puddles on that lap. That was exactly what I needed. Got back and washed off the bike again, packed up and went to the hotel to relube the cables and try to get out as much gunt as possible before tomorrow’s mud fest.

Back in 2004 at the Jax Race my brother came into town to see me as his family lived just across the way in GA, and we ate at this nice little homie Japanese place, and I have been eating there every since.

You gotta try this place. Take Atlantic to the Beach, turn right on 3rd St. One mile down on the left.

This would be Mrs. P’s and I second time eating here. I love the Chicken Katsu, and Mrs. P loves the Sapporo.

Plus, it’s a chance for me to show off and speak Japanese in front of her. The novelty of that has worn off now, but I still enjoy it. It’s always a shock to the waiter when I start asking questions in Japanese. We enjoy dinner, sit and talk a little longer, and we are back at the hotel before 8:30. I tinker with the bike a little longer, and then hit the sack.


The next morning I saw it was still wet on the ground, so I knew that the course was the same or worst. Plus, it was now hot, not overcast and in the mid 70’s like predicted. Man, this was going to be a nasty race of attrition. T-Wiz was having some serious problems getting motivated as was Mose H. Scott C. had deeply bruised his ribs from surfing the day before, so he was out for sure. I got all ready and went to warm up, and even riding on the road my break pads were scrubbing up against the disc. It didn’t bother me as everything was going to be scrubbing everything in about 30 minutes.

Adam was going back to Chris’s truck to get something and he said, “Hey, people are afraid that if you see something you are going to report it in your blog”. I laughed and said, “ Report”. I’m only writing about my experience, that why it is called a Race Report. I think he was referring to me writing about the “B&J Meltdown” in the Time Trial”. I didn’t fabricate anything at all, and I didn’t sensationalize anything either. To be honest I would never write exactly what was said, as that is way too negative to write about. That is not what racing is about, and last time I checked none of us are getting a check from a Corporate Sponsor, so let’s keep it FUN. To all of those who are trying to read this blog to see if there is anything scandalous, please close this window and delete my blog address out of your favorites. After that, I start joking with Adam about it. I said, “ Say anything, Do anything, and I’m gonna get to typing”, and I hold my hands up like I’m typing on a keyboard, and we both laugh.

On the line we only had 12 stupid riders, and I just laughed under my breath. I saw T-Wiz dressed in his regular clothes with Lola, and I said, “You may turn out to be one of the smarted people out here today”. Off the line I didn’t even do anything and I was in 4th place. As we approached the fireroad Ryan B asked me, “If he could get some love”, and I coast and let him pass me. Greg DeRosa passed me also. Those guys are faster than me, but I hate having to hold up just to let Ryan get by. I didn’t mind as we immediately going into the mud. It was awful as I expected and I do my best and I’m able to navigate through that entire section without putting a foot down. But that time Shawn S. Mad Maddox, and Greg D are gone. Mark G. Ryan B and I jump into the next section and we are having some problem getting around a guy on a Trek that has been dropped off that front group. They both get around him and say, “ Gonna come by if you aren’t gonna stay with them”, and he lets me by and I jump on Mark’s wheel. We ride for about 2 mins and Mark passes Ryan and he is gone. I’m not in a rush and Ryan’s wheel is a decent wheel to be on so I just relax.

We go through the single-track with no real agenda since the tough stuff is to come. We pass through the first and second mud sections and everything is ok, and we are back to the single-track. The course goes up and down a little bit here and I can here a rider coming up on my wheel, and it’s Anthony J, a local but we quickly gap him and he is back to being out of sight. We go through a nasty section downhill section that is pitted with mud and Ryan put a foot down and I know I’m going to hit him if I don’t do the same. The way I put my left foot down was a foregone conclusion as I was looking way forward, but my foot does not find the spot. The next thing I know I’m hyper extending my knee way backwards because I didn’t anticipate the mud being so deep. In the preride laps, I went through the section so fast that my momentum was enough to get me through it.

I’m off the bike and lying on the ground holding my knee. I have been hurt in the last year, so I can deal with pain. I have a 6 chainring scar on the back of my calf, a gash in my shoulder, stitches in my left elbow from falling down the steps holding my road bike in both hands and not using the handrail, only to reopen it on a mtn bike crash 8 month later, a strained calf and shin muscles from jumping off my bike at 15mph to avoid crashing on a bridge at Oleta, so I know some pain.

But this pain was different. I know that I hurt something because I could not get up for about a min. Anthony Jannik stopped and was getting off his bike when he saw me in that condition. As did Matt Foxenberger, and Todd Hatfield. To those guys, Thank you for sacrificing your result to see if a fellow rider was ok, you have earned my respect as a true sportsman’s.
I told them I was ok and I would recover and to go on. I get to my bike and I can’t get on it. I can’t put the weight on my left knee so I can put my right legs over the bike. I try it 4 or 5 times but my left knee kept buckling under the load of holding up all my weight. After another minute, I walk around to the other side of the bike and get my left leg over the bike, but my leg is shaking trying to clip in and push off. I finally get off and I have no idea what kind speed I’m going, but I am waiting for the 40+ Experts to catch me so I can get a lift out of here. I continue on and it seems like forever before they catch me. It’s Adam, Oscar and local guy I think. Honorary mention to Adam Goldfarb for the transition to pass me that was smooth and without conflict.

They pass me and I can’t stay on their wheels, but I’m going to finish out this lap no matter what. My team recognizes me as the fastest rider, and even if I don’t have the potential to get the most points, they expect a good performance out of me, as do I. After getting passed by most of the 40+ Experts, I seriously start considering quitting the race, which is something I can say that I have done 2 other times in my career. Both of those races I quit because I was out of form and really should not have been out there, or even trying to race that hard. But I’m in form this time, and I should be racing hard, but I’m hurt. Dean passed me and I can’t stay on his wheel, but I muster up enough energy to finish out the lap, and way behind. I get back to the tent, and Mrs. P asks what is wrong and I tell her I hurt my left knee and I don’t know if I can pedal. She said, “ Quit the race”. I said, “If I’m hurt I will keep on, if I’m injured I wont’ finish this lap”. I take 2 mins, drink 2 bottles and make an attempt to get back on my bike while everyone is looking at me like I should just sit down. My team needs me for points, I need to push myself to the limit to be sure that I can’t get my MODE back.

As soon as I got into the muddy section my knee is hurting every time I’m have to pedal under a heavy load or on those semi-steep climbs that are slick. All I’m thinking is if I can get through this section I’ll be able to recover on the single-track, and I partly do. But as soon as I get back to the 2 mud pits I’m afraid that if I have to put a foot down at race speed my knee is going to buckle for sure. I manage to get through those sections but this is the first time in life that I was afraid that being out there was going to make it worst, and I pull the plug about 10 minutes later.

So that was my race, about 8 miles of racing, but only 12 minutes of riding at race speed. Good Luck to all of you who finished that race, and Congrats to all of you that got on the box. I don’t think anyone that was out there will forget this race for quite some time.

Go to www.teamactivecycles.com to see video from the race, and Lance getting humped by AJ.

See you next weekend in G-ville

Pacer Out!

Gangsta Ass Clip of the Week!

Movies is where I get my motivation from a visual aspect. I have compiled a bunch of memorable clips that I use to inspire me, and they are on my ipod and I play them on my way to the course before the race. Every Friday I'm going to post a clip from one of those movies. Don't ask me how I have access to all these movies, I know people.

It wouldn't be fair if I didn't start it off with the Summers biggest blockbuster "Transformers". Who don't think that Optimus Prime is not the most gangsta ass leader in transformers history? If not, take a look.

Good Luck this weekend. Pacer Out!

Race Report - Reddick FSC #2

I have to say I was looking forward to this race, as I thought I had tamed her back in March at the first SERC of the year. I was happy to be doing the Team Time Trial, because it was a chance to show the leadership skills in keeping everyone together, and riding inspired as the goal was to try to hold onto our position in the overall team classification. I also was looking forward to us just riding together with the boys.

Mrs. P, Lance (My yorkie) and I got in around 2:45pm, and T-Wiz and a bunch were going in for a preride lap. I heard the course was close to 10 miles again and I assumed it would be similar. The front part of the course was much easier than before as we did not have to go in and out of the quarry, so that was a load off the legs. But the last 2 miles or so of the course is the most brutal I have experienced so far. I bet that after the first 8 miles or so, the body is going to be hurting big time.

The Time Trial would be missing this section which was nice as they just cut us around it. After that lap I went back in the course for a condense lap with Chris to familiarize him with the TT course, and I bonked during that time. I was starting to wonder how I was going to lead the team if I was feeling bonked, and it was 15 minutes until race time when I came out. I quickly slammed down 2 nutri-grain bars and a 32oz Gatorade and that did the trick.

Once we got on the line we went over the strategy. Dean, Eli and I would the first 3, and Chris and Tom would be the deciding factor. If Dean and I had a chain drop, crashed, or took a bad line then the group would not wait for any reason at all. We could not smash the 4th place guy as we did not want to ruin the Sunday race for that person. Dean and I were the fastest, but we are in toughest categories, so it is difficult to get points. Eli and Tom are the heavy hitters on the team.

About bicycles was the first to go off with the Woodall brothers and Victor A leading it. Laserfit.com was next to go off and they have Robert Bounds, Sean Smith, Tim W, and Matt G. B&J plus Bob McCarty went next, and fourth was us. I was shooting for finishing 4th because that would give us at least 2 points. Finishing 5th-7th would give only 1 point.

When the whistle went off I quickly took it up to speed and tried to set a pace that was manageable by the entire group. Climbing back up the first quarry Dean and I had gapped everyone, so I backed it back down so that we could all go back down together. We go through the next section and everyone is together through the fast tight single-track. Tom is the first rider that is unhitched, and Eli and Chris are off the back also. So I have to find a pace that we can all manage. It seems like Chris is going to be our 4th, as Eli is the solid 3rd.

We go back into the quarry and we hear B&J and there is some definite "In Fighting", and it inspires us as we think we can catch them. I look down and the time is 16:55, and they started 2mins ahead of us. We get to that same section and the time is 19:55, and we have lost 1 min, and that is when Dean and I realized we are not gaining on them. Even with the team imploding they were still kicking out assess. I know that Bob was not going to moderate because it was not his team and I think he was offering his service of good points for the Team Classification, so he was just going to simple ride which is the best thing to do when you have so many extreme personalities. Later Matt would break his pedal and the mode improved

We are deep in the quarry at this point and Eli and Chris are seriously dangling off the back. I keep backing it off, and every time they get back to us, they would get gapped again. It was nice to get to the single-track that reminds me of riding at Santos, because they were able to sit on the back of the train. Then we saw 2 of the riders from Bent's B Team, which mean they were already ahead of us. The goal then changed into not getting caught. At this point is when we all came together and finished out the lap at a 40:45, and in 5th with only 1 point which was exactly was I was trying to avoid. I felt great, and I can honestly say that it was the most fun that I have racing my mtn bike this year. I went right over to Dave and said, "You have to do this again, it was awesome".

I packed up the car and went to eat dinner at Carrabbas, and by the time we got there Bob and Amy were already there. That is almost exactly where we sat at the month before at Santos. Oscar, Chris, and Adam showed up and I got the entire story on the meltdown during B&J's Time trial. It seems that they all came together after Matt broke his pedal, but I'm sure there is still some tension there.

I got back to the Fairfield Inn, and Mrs. P said that will be our hotel from now on. Both of her parents work for the Marriott, and she is totally anal about were she stays, and this place got an A+. I took a shower and cleaned my drivetrain. I made the big mistake of taking off my rear wheel to clean the disc, because it was now rubbing once I put it back on. In the morning I would go to Bob, as he hooked it up for me last time it was rubbing. I watched Jermaine Taylor get KO'ed by Kelly Pavlik in the 7th round to win the welterweight championship. That white boy can punch.

The next morning Mrs. P and I comment on just how good the bed was, and it was one of the best nights of sleep we have had in a while, Fairfield Inn is where it is at for Bellview and Reddick races.

I make my normal stop at Waffle House for my pre-race ritual breakfast, and I'm off to the course. I get there and all I'm concerned about this making sure I can get this disc from rubbing up against the brake, but Bob is out riding so I get Fabian to take a look at it and he says it's not rubbing. I ask him 3 times, and even as I spin the wheel it slows down to a complete stop. He confirms to me a 4th time that it is not rubbing, so I'm off but I do feel insecure about it. Note to self: Learn how to Wrench!

There are 19 riders on the line, and when the gun goes off all hell breaks loose. I manage to go in course in 5th place, and I pass Todd H. going up the quarry climb. I catch up to Mose and I'm just flowing, but I have my gameplan together. I cracked in the quarry in March, so my plan was to back off when I got there, and that is what I did. I let Derosa and Gerard pass me, and a couple of minutes later T Wiz and Mad Maddox came rolling through and I jumped on the back of the train. Ryan B was a little bit back and I was going to give it to him also, but once we got going on the fast single-track we gapped him. Tim gave the pacemaking over to Trent and he started smashing it, and within 5 minutes we were back on the group of Jay T, Greg D, but we could not get around them. As a result we piled up at the Big Clay Climb, and I was able to stop T. Wiz from going backwards. And that was when I lost it, as I couldn't get my mode back.

Not to mention that what was coming was the hardest part of the course, and that is where I became unhitched from the back of the train. At that point I'm fending for myself as I can't get my mode back, and I'm losing power, or LOST power. I finish the lap 1 minute behind the group I was with, and that was the beginning of it for me. I caught up with Osias that started in the Senior Expert Class, and I could not seem to shake him at all. I would gap him, and 2 minutes later he would bridge back and pass me. Jon Lowe came back pass me for some reason, and later on I saw Matt H. coming. In March at the SERC he caught me, and we hung together for the last 2 laps. Not the case this time around, as I hung on his wheel for about 2 minutes and he was gone and I was back to deal with Osias. Andrew Danford was the next to bridge from the 40+ class and I stayed with him for about 15 minutes, but got unhitched after the big clay hill. On those switchbacks I saw Anthony Janik, Luis Meza, and Tim W coming and I took a deep breath. Tim must have stopped because he was already ahead of me. I knew I was going backward and it was going to be a long last lap.

I got caught and passed by T-Wiz at the end of the 2nd lap and I could not for the life of me lift my pace. Anthony J and Luis M caught me and were together for quite some time. We were going through the fast tight single-track and Anthony passed a female and as I passed her she clipped a tree with her handlebar and fell right into me as I was passing her and we both hit the deck. I quickly got back up and checked to see if I was chain was off, and I was back on the bike. But that was it for me, and after 30 seconds I let Luis pass me as I know I was holding him up. He asked me if I was ok, and I said " I'm still going backwards and don't want to hold you up. From there out Anthony and Luis just walked away from me. A couple of times my mode slightly came back to me and I got going to try to bridge back but I could not get rid of the acid bath that was in the legs so I just brought it in without hurting myself any longer.

I rode the bike right over to the car, got off, and spun the rear wheel. It immediately spun to a complete stop. Shit, I should have been more anal about getting that taken care of. Not need in being upset, I prepared as best as I could. But I will take 2 days off and figure out what to do for Jacksonville this weekend.

Note to self! LEARN TO WRENCH!