by Jimmy Davis

​Last year, 2014 I raced in the Bike the Bluff Road race.  Once that race was complete it was on my radar for 2015.  I wanted to go to this race in tip top shape and stand on the podium (or at least top 10).

​On the day of the race I felt really good, except that my stomach was unhappy again and I made several runs (no pun intended) to the bathroom.  I got to the line along with my teammates and we waited to be sent off.  I was very happy to have so many IC3 members (me, Ken, Greg, JJ, Eric and Michael was in the Cat 4's) in the race along with many JKG racers.

​As we began the neutral start I felt pretty good.  One racer came along side me and said, “Jimmy Davis, Jr…when are you gonna move up to Cat 4, I’m tired of racing against you!”  I was glad to see folks that I had raced against in the past.  I felt pretty comfortable.

​As the lead car moved out of the way the race began.  My first goal was to get over the hill that I was dropped on last year.  It is only about 10 miles into the race and I did not want to spend an hour chasing like last year.  I was able to stay with the group without any real difficulty although I knew that we were moving at a pretty good clip.

​During the race the only teammate that I saw was Greg.  I was unsure where the other guys were in the pack but hoped that they were doing well.  After getting over the hill that killed me last year I began to focus on saving energy.  I had a few rides earlier in the month that had exposed a weakness and Buzz had counseled me on minimizing the issue during a ride.  The group was big enough that there was plenty of shelter.  In our race there was a break away that went out fairly early.  The breakaway had a rider who had some teammates in the Peloton and those guys went to the front of the pack at one point to slow down the Peloton, to which I was grateful.  We caught these guys with about an hour left in the race, however.  My next goal was to get through the little neighborhood that we had to negotiate.  Fortunately, this year they did not take the turns like a crit and we went through pretty safely.

This year I paid closer attention to eating and drinking on the ride.  A friend of mine had called me prior to the race to remind me to drink plenty of water.  I did feel a slight wiggle of the hammy at one point but the cramps never materialized…I backed off a bit to keep the cramps at by.  Finally we came to the turn that takes us to the final 3 climbs toward the finish line.  I still felt pretty good but once the climbs began I slowly started to fade.  I began to look at my power meter and try to ride at an output that I thought I could maintain at that time.  I ended up riding near 3 other guys but we really did not work together.  I waited for a guy coming behind me because he looked like he had his second wind…he brought me up to two other riders.  However, one of them kept riding away from our little group and we would catch him until he’d ride away again…then we’d catch him (like a yoyo on a rope).

by Edmund Marquez

The IC3 Tucson Race Team really appreciates the support we've received from local businesses and churches in Tucson. One of our sponsors, Edmund Marquez has taken his time to write up a post for us to discuss insurance and how it applies to cyclists.

​As an avid cyclist, and a local Allstate agent, I am often asked how to better protect a cyclists bike, or their body, with their insurance.  Here are a couple tips for you to ponder, and some advice to go with it.

In regard to your bike, which you most likely have spent thousands on, it is covered by your primary property policy.  This can be a Home, Renters, Mobilehome, or Condo policy, in which you reside (not a rental property).  Allstate for example, will cover your bike, even up into the thousands of dollars, less your deductible.  So, if your bike is stolen from your home, or burns up in a fire at your home, we would pay to replace your bike, and you would just be responsible for your deductible.  Please know that most companies will not cover your bike in case you crash it while riding it.  There are smaller specialty companies that you can find on the internet, or at a local bike shop, that can provide coverage while you are riding it.  My advice in regard to having the full value of your bike covered, is to take numerous pictures of it, and keep your receipts.  Some Claim Adjusters, who aren’t cyclist, may have a hard time comprehending how much you spent on your bike, so it is better to have the backup to prove the value.

In regard to your body, and the medical bills that can incur when a crash happens, obviously it is best to have health insurance.  But what about going beyond that?  I highly advise an Accident Policy, which pays you in case you are injured, hospitalized, go to the Emergency Room, etc.  I have a Platinum policy through Allstate, and it runs about $50 a month, and it will pay money to ME, not the hospital or health insurance company, in case I am injured on my bike.  Also, I highly recommend that you increase your Medical Pay coverage on your Auto policy to at least $50,000 - $100,000.  It is inexpensive to do, and it will pay out in case you are hit by a car while riding your bike.  It will also pay if you are hit by a car while jogging and walking.  It is an inexpensive way to make sure your medical bills are covered, or can pay for a chiropractor or physical therapy if it is denied by your health insurance company. 

It is important to review your coverages with your agent on an annual basis.  If you have questions, or don’t have an agent because you are with the Gecko, please feel free to email me at edmundmarquez@allstate.com.  Thank you, and be safe out there!  Cycling is an amazing sport, which will keep up us in shape for years to come. 

Edmund Marquez
Allstate Agent
Rides with the Jim Click Racing Team