Chicago 'Cross Cup: Dekalb 10/4/09 4b
Race #37
So, on lap two I was picking off the last people I was going to get for the race while trying to hold off the guy from Dog Fish. As I was heading through a tight section with a few trees and tight turns right before the start/finish line, this kid yells out to me: “NO COASTING!” and then “COASING IS FOR SISSIES!” That was funnier than me grabbing the entirety of that guy’s “equipment set” along with the dollar dangling from his zipper.
So, I finished 9th and I really, really like this sport. But then again, the weather was awesomely perfect.
I’ve heard ‘cross is like a reverse crit, a time trial, and a circus. I think people have gotten it pretty close to right.
The course was great, really a lot of fun to ride. Some parts were quite narrow and I can understand why some would complain about a bad start position ending your race early. Also, I can understand about not being able to “safely” pass in enough places. However, I never really felt that—at all, actually. Except for the single track section passing was never a problem created by the course, only the rider.
The start was not as nutty as I thought it was going to be. I was thinking along the lines of a triathlon swim start. We line up, they start us off and we’re flying at the first turn. John is like way ahead of me by turn two, and I was thinking about going up there, but then waited...why? Probably because I don't care all that much about a result at this point.
By turn 3 things were getting strung out and the leaders we well in front of me. I was still simply following the people in front of me rather than trying to get ahead of them. By the time we hit the tight technical hill, and just a few jittery people had begun to annoy me. It was then that my competitive nature was rekindled and I began to actively get past people and try to get to the front. However, getting to the front was not going to happen. The leaders were in view until that tricky hill with 4 very off camber turns (I liked it!), then once they went through a single track section behind a baseball diamond, the gap became impassible and it was over for anyone not in the lead group.
The barriers: my first time over was very, very ugly. I forgot what I was supposed to do—unclip the right, no left, wait right? Finally, I swung my leg around, unclipped, carried, jumped…set bike down and got on the damn thing one way or another…I passed the my last three people there on the second lap and then it became an individual effort, and that I liked.
Cross is fun. It was a blast to zip through the park. But it really sucked to go over the second set of barriers—what the hell was with the nasty shit smell in those woods? Seriously, it was awful!
Thanks for driving out there John, and thanks Chip for helping me out with my chain before the start!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Willow Springs
Illinois Road Race Championship (Cat 4), 9/12/09
(40 miles)
Race #36
Middle of the pack/50ish
For the record: I spent a grand total of 2 min at registration! Big thanks Tower Racing for making the admin side of the race better than last year, and for securing a nice, long, loop with a great climb. A real road race so close to Chicago is fantastic! I have no problem with he results, because...well, I don't need to care on this one.
T1 Report: fine. BGs were fine. During the race I methodically consumed a little gel and water on a predetermined schedule—because I’d forget otherwise. I felt really great through the race.
The course was without much wind and as a result, pretty fast. We averaged over 25 mph and if you were more than 5 wheels back, you had a really easy ride until you go up the hill. The hill was about 2.5 min long and I never really figured it out. Because I work better with a high cadence I chose to keep my wheel with the PT and 12-23 cassette and shift into the small ring at the right hand turn. My rationale was that if someone attacked prior to that turn and I had to keep it in the big ring that I could manage in the 23. The first two times up my comfort pace was a bit faster than the pack and I moved up to the front easily, though I knew I wasn’t going to have much of an uphill punch left in mile 39. But I had no real idea how or where I was going to attack in that last mile.
Most of the ride….oops, I mean race…was really chill. In the last few miles I was 5th or 6th wheel headed into the turn, Drew was with me. I considered attacking at the staging area and thinning out the field before the hill. Not a good idea, Drew wouldn’t make it from that far. So I decided I was going to try to set a pace that discouraged attacks for the first half of the climb. I’m not sure if I did but once I took the front up the hill I was spinning like 125 rpms doing 7w/kg. Then I heard the crash. God knows what happened, but it sounded like it happened just few rider behind me…so I immediately thought there was a gap. For a glorious few seconds I thought that I could keep it up for another minute—I thought we had about that much left to climb. Could I actually get on the podium? Yes, and no. In just a few short seconds (1, 10 more, was it 30 more?) I was done and let up the pace. With around 2-300m remaining Drew came around, then the winner, then the top ten, then friggin everyone else. I couldn’t pick up my head to see the line so I didn’t see how well anyone did and I have no idea where I finished. Even Drew was not sure if he made it saying he was near dead by the line. I wonder if I had paced myself with the pack, if I could have gotten a better result. That night, as I was sitting and watching the most amazing live music spectacle that is U2 with my wife and cousin, I thought about that. My gut tells me ‘yes.’ But honestly, at this point in the season, that does not bother me in the least. I have such a spotty road race record that I’m pleased that I raced a respectable race, and I felt good for the duration. And, more importantly, I gained some confidence and a little of that stuff goes a long way in this sport.
I may do a few more races still…we’ll see.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Rain : Grayslake; Heat : Glenco
Grayslake Cycling Challenge (Cat 4), 8/8/09
Race #33
???/40ish
Not much to say. I didn’t think I’d be able to race here on Friday afternoon. By Friday night I was making arrangements. Sweet. I was off the bike for a few days and this would be a good opener for Sunday's races
T1 Report: Nothing unusual. Things were looking very good.
Nice course. Jason K. (Burnham Racing) & the ICC had the ship running tight. Weather sucked. I had a good day until the final lap. I allowed myself to drift back a bit too far with 4 to go and so I desperately needed to make up ground. So, in the bell lap I made some aggressive moves. And it cost me. As I was passing on the outside of the lane just before we hit turn three I knew as I was entering the turn that I was not going to make it. So, I bunny hopped the curb, rode the grass and got back on the tarmac without a problem other than being off the back. So I chase. I almost caught a few riders dangling. Almost. Too bad, I felt good that race.
Glenco Grand Prix, 8/9/09
I’ve got to say thank you to the organizers of the Glenco Grand Prix. They did a great job ensuring that, despite the heat, they were as well prepared as could be. The water and cookies for racers was super nice and sooooooooo much appreciated. So was one number for two races...I hate needless pinning.
T1 Report: Well, BGs were fine. Thought I suffered a stupid thing that, luckily, a past flash of genius carried me through. I forgot to refill my pump before I left the house. Shit. Luckily I long ago decided to keep an extra insulin pen in my backpack. So, I was able to manage the sugars well enough with several shots throughout the day. Actually, I did the 4s race without my pump; this was the first time I raced without it. Felt good. Sugars were stable, though because the pen was low I didn’t eat anything between races. This played a part in my fatigue, though I had some HEED to keep my legs going. Not satisfying but functional.
Masters 4/5
Race #34
7th/60???
Great race. Great environment. Great course. And the organizers lived up to their title, it was super efficient: we only needed ONE number for our different category races! And to top it off, I had a lot of fun in this one.
I missed this race last year and was mildly disappointed that we didn’t need to ride through the “Amen Corner” for this race. Too bad, because I could have used another 100m headed into the finish. This was the most active race all year so a special thanks goes to MS Racing for keeping the racing interesting. This was obviously a target race for the team as there was, what, 5 or 6 riders in the field. One or another of their riders was off the front for the whole race and so the field was active. I took it easy for the first half of the race and in the second I started to participate. I chased down a break, only half way, and Tony (Beverly Bike-Vee Pack) finished the job. (Nice work, Tony!) I think it was Mike (xXx-Athletico) who attacked I chased on and two MS racers went along and we became a break of 4 (or it was the MS racer that went and I chased on—either way, someone went and I chased on.) Mike pulled off and the two MS racers did not do much work as a team—one pulled, the other didn’t. I’m sitting third wheel wondering why the guy sitting second wheel doesn’t pull through or why the lead rider doesn’t pull off. Then it dawns on me! Ah Ha!!! He’s “the guy.” I’m thinking this is great: two MS racers, one of whom is “the guy” so the other must be the dedicated workhorse and their team will block; an xXx’er, and his team will block; and me…we can actually make this thing stick! After about one lap or so and the MS guy is still on the front I revise my evaluation. They don’t want it to happen. He does not want his guy to pull and waste his juice. I should have attacked then and there; at least Mike would have come along. At least there would have been three doing some kind of work rather than just one. Tactics. Hmmm. I’ve no idea how much of a gap we had on the field but we’re caught with two to go. Now, I’m on “the guy’s” wheel…second wheel. Yes, he must pull with two to go. Nice. I’m sitting and waiting for the jump. The bell rings, we exit turn one…he turns around and gives me and everyone else “the look”…and then attacks. Hard. I chase for 5 seconds and need to reevaluate my actions very quickly. Game over. I pulled aside and slid in about 5th wheel going into the final turn. We exit the final turn and a rider wobbles a bit, turning wider than I expected…so I grab some breaks. I restart my sprint and finish 7th. The wheel I was on made it on the podium. Damn. Cookies are crumbling all around me. Seems to be my modus operandi: sitting one wheel too far back at the start of the sprint.
Category 4
Race #35
11th/50???
Holy crap was it hot. It felt way hotter than the master's race. I felt bad for the cat 3s. Seems like the 3 o’clock hour was the hottest.
I felt ok at the start. I wished I had some ice in my bottle and water (not heed) so I could dump some on my head through the race. Mental note: check. Race started. More heat. Two or three laps in I started feeling like doggy doo. I heard Dean and Vanessa, and someone else, cheering my name and felt encouraged to hang on. I think Rob (Bike Heaven) was telling me to move up. (Really. Jesus, don’t you know its hot?!?!?!) I really just hung on. Four guys escaped and no one was interested in chasing. I was totally fine with that. With three to go I started to feel optimistic, not at my chances of a strong finish, but of finishing the race. The bell lap; someone crashed at the Amen Corner, I was behind it but not put out too badly. I sprinted for 11th. Went to the Gatorade tent and got some ice for my head and neck and some water and couldn’t imagine eating one of those cookies. Though, I did later. They were amazingly good. I should have gotten more.
It was great to have my parents out for this one. The masters race was a good show where even my father picked up on some of tactics behind the action. He even gave me advice.
Race #33
???/40ish
Not much to say. I didn’t think I’d be able to race here on Friday afternoon. By Friday night I was making arrangements. Sweet. I was off the bike for a few days and this would be a good opener for Sunday's races
T1 Report: Nothing unusual. Things were looking very good.
Nice course. Jason K. (Burnham Racing) & the ICC had the ship running tight. Weather sucked. I had a good day until the final lap. I allowed myself to drift back a bit too far with 4 to go and so I desperately needed to make up ground. So, in the bell lap I made some aggressive moves. And it cost me. As I was passing on the outside of the lane just before we hit turn three I knew as I was entering the turn that I was not going to make it. So, I bunny hopped the curb, rode the grass and got back on the tarmac without a problem other than being off the back. So I chase. I almost caught a few riders dangling. Almost. Too bad, I felt good that race.
Glenco Grand Prix, 8/9/09
I’ve got to say thank you to the organizers of the Glenco Grand Prix. They did a great job ensuring that, despite the heat, they were as well prepared as could be. The water and cookies for racers was super nice and sooooooooo much appreciated. So was one number for two races...I hate needless pinning.
T1 Report: Well, BGs were fine. Thought I suffered a stupid thing that, luckily, a past flash of genius carried me through. I forgot to refill my pump before I left the house. Shit. Luckily I long ago decided to keep an extra insulin pen in my backpack. So, I was able to manage the sugars well enough with several shots throughout the day. Actually, I did the 4s race without my pump; this was the first time I raced without it. Felt good. Sugars were stable, though because the pen was low I didn’t eat anything between races. This played a part in my fatigue, though I had some HEED to keep my legs going. Not satisfying but functional.
Masters 4/5
Race #34
7th/60???
Great race. Great environment. Great course. And the organizers lived up to their title, it was super efficient: we only needed ONE number for our different category races! And to top it off, I had a lot of fun in this one.
I missed this race last year and was mildly disappointed that we didn’t need to ride through the “Amen Corner” for this race. Too bad, because I could have used another 100m headed into the finish. This was the most active race all year so a special thanks goes to MS Racing for keeping the racing interesting. This was obviously a target race for the team as there was, what, 5 or 6 riders in the field. One or another of their riders was off the front for the whole race and so the field was active. I took it easy for the first half of the race and in the second I started to participate. I chased down a break, only half way, and Tony (Beverly Bike-Vee Pack) finished the job. (Nice work, Tony!) I think it was Mike (xXx-Athletico) who attacked I chased on and two MS racers went along and we became a break of 4 (or it was the MS racer that went and I chased on—either way, someone went and I chased on.) Mike pulled off and the two MS racers did not do much work as a team—one pulled, the other didn’t. I’m sitting third wheel wondering why the guy sitting second wheel doesn’t pull through or why the lead rider doesn’t pull off. Then it dawns on me! Ah Ha!!! He’s “the guy.” I’m thinking this is great: two MS racers, one of whom is “the guy” so the other must be the dedicated workhorse and their team will block; an xXx’er, and his team will block; and me…we can actually make this thing stick! After about one lap or so and the MS guy is still on the front I revise my evaluation. They don’t want it to happen. He does not want his guy to pull and waste his juice. I should have attacked then and there; at least Mike would have come along. At least there would have been three doing some kind of work rather than just one. Tactics. Hmmm. I’ve no idea how much of a gap we had on the field but we’re caught with two to go. Now, I’m on “the guy’s” wheel…second wheel. Yes, he must pull with two to go. Nice. I’m sitting and waiting for the jump. The bell rings, we exit turn one…he turns around and gives me and everyone else “the look”…and then attacks. Hard. I chase for 5 seconds and need to reevaluate my actions very quickly. Game over. I pulled aside and slid in about 5th wheel going into the final turn. We exit the final turn and a rider wobbles a bit, turning wider than I expected…so I grab some breaks. I restart my sprint and finish 7th. The wheel I was on made it on the podium. Damn. Cookies are crumbling all around me. Seems to be my modus operandi: sitting one wheel too far back at the start of the sprint.
Category 4
Race #35
11th/50???
Holy crap was it hot. It felt way hotter than the master's race. I felt bad for the cat 3s. Seems like the 3 o’clock hour was the hottest.
I felt ok at the start. I wished I had some ice in my bottle and water (not heed) so I could dump some on my head through the race. Mental note: check. Race started. More heat. Two or three laps in I started feeling like doggy doo. I heard Dean and Vanessa, and someone else, cheering my name and felt encouraged to hang on. I think Rob (Bike Heaven) was telling me to move up. (Really. Jesus, don’t you know its hot?!?!?!) I really just hung on. Four guys escaped and no one was interested in chasing. I was totally fine with that. With three to go I started to feel optimistic, not at my chances of a strong finish, but of finishing the race. The bell lap; someone crashed at the Amen Corner, I was behind it but not put out too badly. I sprinted for 11th. Went to the Gatorade tent and got some ice for my head and neck and some water and couldn’t imagine eating one of those cookies. Though, I did later. They were amazingly good. I should have gotten more.
It was great to have my parents out for this one. The masters race was a good show where even my father picked up on some of tactics behind the action. He even gave me advice.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
My wheel; my responsibility.
This sequence captures the most terrifying moment of my Elk Grove weekend. My wife's uncle, Efrian Martinez, who saved our wedding pics because the "real" photographer sucked balls, was on point once again. Thanks Efrain!
So, there is a break off the front. I rotate through and pull. The next rider pulls in front of me before he passes my bike. He bumps my bars and almost touches my wheel (I grabbed the brakes.) No big deal. We keep riding. I should have given him more room than I did because once he's on the front the pace slows a lot. At the time, I'm not sure if he is purposely slowing the field or if he is just tired. Anyway, I coast...but clearly don't slow down fast enough. We cross wheels but I'm leaning the wrong way. I grab the breaks, hold my breath, and pull as hard as I can on the bars. It looks super dramatic--more dramatic than I remember it being. I'm mean, it happened in like 1 second.
In the first photo, at that exact moment, I am thinking...this is it...crash time. But luckily no one was to my right when my wheel came free and I shot off to the right side. I look back to see how bad I almost made everything, and seeing no seriously shaken riders. They may have thought that I was just pulling way away like some crazy people like to do to "get the hell off the front." So there was some yelling. I don't care. I'm feeling really, really lucky. I get my right foot clipped back in and slide back into the field and count my lucky stars. Lesson learned.
whew...
So, there is a break off the front. I rotate through and pull. The next rider pulls in front of me before he passes my bike. He bumps my bars and almost touches my wheel (I grabbed the brakes.) No big deal. We keep riding. I should have given him more room than I did because once he's on the front the pace slows a lot. At the time, I'm not sure if he is purposely slowing the field or if he is just tired. Anyway, I coast...but clearly don't slow down fast enough. We cross wheels but I'm leaning the wrong way. I grab the breaks, hold my breath, and pull as hard as I can on the bars. It looks super dramatic--more dramatic than I remember it being. I'm mean, it happened in like 1 second.
In the first photo, at that exact moment, I am thinking...this is it...crash time. But luckily no one was to my right when my wheel came free and I shot off to the right side. I look back to see how bad I almost made everything, and seeing no seriously shaken riders. They may have thought that I was just pulling way away like some crazy people like to do to "get the hell off the front." So there was some yelling. I don't care. I'm feeling really, really lucky. I get my right foot clipped back in and slide back into the field and count my lucky stars. Lesson learned.
whew...
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Elk Grove
Tour of Elk Grove (cat 4), 8/1/09
Race #32
4/75
(my dad took this photo of the finish with a bit less than 150m to go. Nice work, Dad!)
Man, I really liked this course. It was challenging with the fairly tight turns and the loooooong finish—right up my alley. The guys who finished 1st and 2nd in our race were definitely strongest today. That does not happen too often.
Type 1 report: not perfect, but not bad either. The worst part was forgetting my bag with my bottles of water…I had one bottle all morning. Not smart, but not a disaster for a 35 min race.
My RPE for this race was way higher than others. The accelerations hurt every time. With the rain and after the first crash no one wanted to take those corners too fast so instead we took them too slow. Or it was my piss poor short warm up that left the legs burning.
Teammate Jordan Ross led me out to finish 2nd in the field sprint, 4th overall, and Jordan was able to hang on for 10th. It was very tight in those final 200m. At the line I was ½ wheel off 3rd and ½ wheel in front of 5th. It was nice to have a good wheel in that finish because of all the jockeying and the length—I didn’t need to fight for one, I just needed to decide when to go. When I went I had to change lanes from the right side, up through the middle, then on the left side—ah! finally I had an open lane! So I went. My chain slipped and I wound up slightly over geared but never mind that, in just a few seconds I was gasping past the finish.
The overall race was tough. Once again, I started in the back of the field; someday I hope to lean how to get a good starting spot on the line (I better just follow Jordan, he seems to know how to do it.). Anyway, we get started and sprint out of every turn, even up front. It was really taxing. Once the rain started the course became very slick and there were a bunch of crashes. I was almost involved in one that had nothing to do with rain or turns. In chasing the break that got away ½ way through the race, I rotated through the front and another rider (I don’t remember anything about him) had trouble coming around me and when he did he hit my bars with his hips and I had to brake, then he just died or purposely killed the pace and I was suddenly overlapped and leaning the wrong way. When I came free of his wheel he was moving left and I was leaning to my right and--I thought, for sure, that my time had come…race over. But I slammed the brakes and escaped with just loosing my balance and, luckily, not taking out anyone else. In retrospect, this was a perfect case of “my wheel; my responsibility.” I was too close to him, though if he didn’t have the mustard to pull through good sense says that he should not have rotated through. After the brief shouting (not by me-I was still in shock) I jumped back in, mid pack. This whole thing sucked because it happened right in front of my entire family too (they were 50m past the finish). As my wife has been reminding me all day, I was much closer to a DNF than 3rd place, by a long shot. She’s right. Anyway, it was a short race and difficult and I’m happy with my result.
I got to hear some good news for our team. Right now we have 1 cat 3. Next season we hope to have 4. That is very good news because Spidermonkeys have been great this year as a development race team for new riders, we’ve got a few kinks to work out but we’re doing a decent job growing the racer population in Chicago. Now we will have several more mid cat racers to challenge and lead the new cats. And as Bryan Merrill said, teamwork and race plans only work well when you have a few riders at the same fitness level. Well, now we will and that will be fun.
Soldier Field Series, 7/29/09
Race #31
8-9/50
What a race. I know the threes will admit that it isn't much better but...I can't wait to upgrade.
Race #32
4/75
(my dad took this photo of the finish with a bit less than 150m to go. Nice work, Dad!)Man, I really liked this course. It was challenging with the fairly tight turns and the loooooong finish—right up my alley. The guys who finished 1st and 2nd in our race were definitely strongest today. That does not happen too often.
Type 1 report: not perfect, but not bad either. The worst part was forgetting my bag with my bottles of water…I had one bottle all morning. Not smart, but not a disaster for a 35 min race.
My RPE for this race was way higher than others. The accelerations hurt every time. With the rain and after the first crash no one wanted to take those corners too fast so instead we took them too slow. Or it was my piss poor short warm up that left the legs burning.
Teammate Jordan Ross led me out to finish 2nd in the field sprint, 4th overall, and Jordan was able to hang on for 10th. It was very tight in those final 200m. At the line I was ½ wheel off 3rd and ½ wheel in front of 5th. It was nice to have a good wheel in that finish because of all the jockeying and the length—I didn’t need to fight for one, I just needed to decide when to go. When I went I had to change lanes from the right side, up through the middle, then on the left side—ah! finally I had an open lane! So I went. My chain slipped and I wound up slightly over geared but never mind that, in just a few seconds I was gasping past the finish.
The overall race was tough. Once again, I started in the back of the field; someday I hope to lean how to get a good starting spot on the line (I better just follow Jordan, he seems to know how to do it.). Anyway, we get started and sprint out of every turn, even up front. It was really taxing. Once the rain started the course became very slick and there were a bunch of crashes. I was almost involved in one that had nothing to do with rain or turns. In chasing the break that got away ½ way through the race, I rotated through the front and another rider (I don’t remember anything about him) had trouble coming around me and when he did he hit my bars with his hips and I had to brake, then he just died or purposely killed the pace and I was suddenly overlapped and leaning the wrong way. When I came free of his wheel he was moving left and I was leaning to my right and--I thought, for sure, that my time had come…race over. But I slammed the brakes and escaped with just loosing my balance and, luckily, not taking out anyone else. In retrospect, this was a perfect case of “my wheel; my responsibility.” I was too close to him, though if he didn’t have the mustard to pull through good sense says that he should not have rotated through. After the brief shouting (not by me-I was still in shock) I jumped back in, mid pack. This whole thing sucked because it happened right in front of my entire family too (they were 50m past the finish). As my wife has been reminding me all day, I was much closer to a DNF than 3rd place, by a long shot. She’s right. Anyway, it was a short race and difficult and I’m happy with my result.
I got to hear some good news for our team. Right now we have 1 cat 3. Next season we hope to have 4. That is very good news because Spidermonkeys have been great this year as a development race team for new riders, we’ve got a few kinks to work out but we’re doing a decent job growing the racer population in Chicago. Now we will have several more mid cat racers to challenge and lead the new cats. And as Bryan Merrill said, teamwork and race plans only work well when you have a few riders at the same fitness level. Well, now we will and that will be fun.
Soldier Field Series, 7/29/09
Race #31
8-9/50
What a race. I know the threes will admit that it isn't much better but...I can't wait to upgrade.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Nothing beats racing in 20min from home!
Chicago Criterium (Cat 4), 7/26/09 Race #30
6th/125
After the race on Sunday the Spidermonkeys had the privilege to hand out and drink many Goose Island 312 beers. And that position of privilege made it possible to chat with people I’ve come to look forward to seeing at the races. No one was in a rush to go home. Nice. The one subject that came up most often was how disappointing it would be for the Chicago racing community to loose the Chicago Criterium should our bid for 2016 go sour. Regardless of your position on Chicago winning the Olympic bid, we’ve got to find a way to keep this race going.
Personally, I’m planning on writing a few letters to my alderman (I’m sure he really does not care), to my congressmen, President Obama, Mayor Daley, his wife, and every major media outlet that will take my letters to print praising this event.
For the two or three people that may read this post, please do the same.
The race organizers did a great job heeding the complaints from last year and that is a generous sign of respect. The layout and logistics were also improved, which allowed the races to go off more or less on time. And frankly, though I’m not “overjoyed” with my result, I can’t look to anyone but myself for any missteps that occurred yesterday. I know there were some (there always are) and I’m sure someone has something to complain about (not sure what?), but I give it a solid two thumbs up.
So, on to the race report.
Type 1 report: diabetes was easy to manage today and my BGs were spot on. As a result, I felt great. My CGMS was cherping during the race and I wasn't able to turn it off...yes, that was me...sorry.
As we were waiting for the officials to let us onto the course, my wife suddenly appeared smiling which totally relaxed me. I knew she would be there, but I didn’t expect to see her before the finish. It was great to see her before the race, it put me in a really good mood.
My goals for this race were simple. I know I’m strong enough to finish well but my weakness are, as shown through all the Superweek races, my field position and passivity. So, I planned on getting a good starting spot on the line, and holding a position in the front of the field for the duration of the race. Also planned to take a few pulls on the front, get my ass in the top 10 with two laps to go, mark the strong finishers, and jump just before cresting the Balbo overpass and bury myself in pain for the final 350m. If I did that, I knew I'd get a good result and secure a few upgrade points.
The race started very awkwardly for me. We get onto the course and +125 guys all immediately line up. I was expecting a free lap and so my start position was once again terrible, second from the back. As we stood there, I chatted with the guys around me for a few seconds then I hear a whistle…oh, we’re racing now. Its funny how Superweek shapes your race expectations: for the last two weeks we'd generally sit on the start line for a looooong time and listen to the pre race lecture from the official. Perhaps because there were 100 riders in front of me I may have missed it. So, with the whistle, I clumsily began to move to the front of the peloton with little problem.
IT was so great to hear the Spidermonkeys cheering from the sideline. We had great representation at the race in both the fan and racer categories. Thanks for showing up!
(here I am, on the front 10 min into the race in turn 4)The pace was not too tough, though I felt that my legs needed a brief working over so after two or three laps I went on the front. Not an attack, just a pull for a bit short of a lap to see how the legs feel. After I dropped back a few positions, and recovered I felt pretty good. The riding and bike handling was normally bad and at times terrifying. I was almost taken out only a few times by people chopping my wheel near the Congress “chicane” or by a few knuckleheads bombing the inside of turns two and three. Lots of riders; lots of fresh 4s. Heads up!
The call for 2 laps to go also surprised me—once again, an effect the Superweek. I quickly moved to the front 10 or 15 and avoided all the foolishness around me. In the bell lap, I had good position, was ready to go, got on a good wheel on the backside and going up the overpass at Balbo a bunch of riders shifted thier lines and, as result, I lost the wheel I was on. That was the one I wanted. He made it though a gap that closed right behind him and like magic he was gone at the top. I slowed to avoid riding up another riders slowing, flailing ass; was forced outside and couldn't take the inside lane of turn 4 and lost a precious 2 seconds in that place but was able to out sprint a few riders to regain some positions for the finish. I finished 6th. I was pissed after the results were posted because there are no upgrade points for 6th. Well, that’s racing...the best laid plans...etc. etc…Bummer.
To compensate riders, like me, who had glorious aspirations for this race, the payout for 6th was a very nice $75…I didn’t expect to collect any checks the day of, especially after last year’s payout fiasco. But they had checks on hand! Nice.
My parents were out watching and my brother saw his first bike race and was very impressed. I think the Chicago Crit is a great example of what bike racing could be.
I hope it lasts.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Superweek
International Cycling Classic, 2009
Superweek? Well, it actually has been...sorta.
The events have been run well, the courses safe and clearly marked, the organizers have been living up to their title, the addition or resurrection of some really fun courses--what more can you want?
Elgin, 7/12/08, Masters 4/5, 25th/63
Race #26
Nice course. Very technical and fun to ride. This was my first day back on the bike a week so I was just going to use it to open my legs up and go for results Monday and Tuesday. That said, I would have found it hard to work up to the front because with only 5 laps it was really difficult to find a mental rhythm on the course. I never got a good feel for what would come next. If I were looking for a result, like so many others, moving to the front would be challenging. But I was happy to slam on my breaks and then sprint out of every turn to finish 25.
Richton Park, 7/13/09, Cat4/5, 7/35ish
Race #27
Nice environment, very…suburban. There was nothing really technical about this race, it was a typical flat crit. Every attack was chased down making the pace very choppy. Though I didn’t spend much time on the front, it was so much easier to glide rather than navigate through the turns. Jeff was going to lead me out and I didn’t come around him in time, so I lost a few positions as a result. But 7th wasn’t bad...thirty five smackers for a payout. Which was almost one race, it weren’t for a ridiculous “convenience fee” attached to writing a personal check for registration. I asked Chris (the registration diva) if I could charge them an extra $6 for the checks they would be handing me this week and she coldly replied…you know, I’ve never heard that one before. Point taken.
Artlington Heights, 7/14/09, Cat 4/5, 17/40ish
Race #28
Christ! How many times do I need to learn this lesson: the race happens at the front!
This course was a tight 8 corner crit with the finish opposite where they place it at Proctor. So, you had to be in the top 10-15 going into the final 5 turns, or you have no chance. I had no chance. I was feeling “it” a bit more today than the others. I thought the bounce was gone from my bungee. Its not. But I had to relearn that old lesson: read the course, analyze how to do well and where to make your moves. Then go race and make your moves. I didn’t. I just got on my bike and rode around kinda fast. The up side was that I had to bridge a nice size gap (7-10 seconds) that opened up by a crash. Riders in front of me were not going to do it, I feared they may be content to be group 2 or 3—so I pulled around them…oooooohhh wow! Once again flying around those turns without slamming the breaks and sprinting out again! It took a little less than 1 lap for me to jump the gap (and bring everyone with me). But another funny thing happened—my legs opened up. I felt the effort but I actually felt good! But I didn’t go to the front. Why? Because I’m a dunce.
Drew looked to be in great position going into the final two turns when he ate it in the corner..he’s fine. John was also doing great holding his position in the top 10 (I’m jealous), but he ate it in turn 3 or 5. Luckily noth are ok…
There is no way I’d race Bensenville. That course sucks…
Lakefront Short Course, 7/16/09, Cat 4/5, 28/40 starters???
Race #29
I have not written one word about my diabetes. The reason? It’s been great at every race (well, could have been better at Arlington). Today was the terrible exception.
The course was awesome. The hill scared the shit out of me and I’m glad I put on the 26t cassette. It was just over a solid min. effort, but it was not really Wisconsin steep—it was very manageable for dudes like me. The descent was really, really fun. This was by far the greatest addition or resurrection of Superweek. Bravo!!! I’ll do this race again next year even if I’m not race ready.
Diabetes…so, as usual, I was nervous, I wanted a better result after a very, very lackluster crit in Arlington Heights. But I’ve already learned to successfully manage the diabetes as relates to my never ending nerves. Today, Jake and I hit the Whole Foods for a muffin and espresso…I took what I thought was an appropriate amount of insulin to cover the muffin. But as we were less than 1 hr from starting a race I apparently took far too little. I was 94 when I sat down to eat; I was 224 five min before the start; 10 min into the race I was 250. Uh, oh. Looking at my data (no powertap, CGMS data) I can trace it back to that one delicious, chocolate, fucking muffin.
For the uninitiated: normal folks BGs are between 60-110 all the time—diabetics try to aim for that range using doses of synthetic insulin. Exercise boosts your metabolism and makes insulin far more effective. The down side is that when the insulin is too effective, or you over bolus a dose you can go low (which is very, very bad) –in this case, before a highly aerobic activity lasting ~1.3 hrs I took what I thought appropriate. Nope, I totally undershot it. Nerves apparently play into this too…espresso + nerves + under dosing for a muffin caused my BG to rise throughout the race. The effect of elevated BGs can be loss of power, heavy legs, really, really dry mouth, which is caused by dehydration…all fit the bill today.
So, in the second lap my CGMS gave me the alert that my BG was too elevated (yes, that was me cherping). I shut it up. It continues every 5 min. In the 5th lap, I go to the front and help Jake pull. I didn’t take a hard pull, then fell back one place. It goes off again. We turn right and hit the climb. When I crest I hear an alarm I have never heard…it sounded like a “Hey you, fucker! You must look at me NOW!” alarm. So, I go to the back and pull out my pump/CGM system and see that I’m nearly 355. Holy crap. I take two units of Insulin and let the pack slip away.
Looking back on it, I should have stuck at the back occasionally going OTB to check my numbers. But I was scared. I didn’t really know what to do…so I let the race slide away. But I finished. I finished the remaining 9 laps by myself (more or less).
It was my first time going off the back and then getting lapped. A few kind folks in both the 4/5 and masters 4/5 peloton asked, “hey Mike, you alright?”
“Yeah…I’m fine. Sorta.”
I whish I could have been there to help Jake. I wish I could have been there to see how I faired up the hill on the 16th lap with tired but driven racers. Well, I can’t do anything about it….I don’t regret my decision, though this week has been quite disappointing for me. New racing experiences bring new experiments in managing my Diabetes. I’ll probably email Phil Southerland and see if he can’t offer some advice.
Superweek? Well, it actually has been...sorta.
The events have been run well, the courses safe and clearly marked, the organizers have been living up to their title, the addition or resurrection of some really fun courses--what more can you want?
Elgin, 7/12/08, Masters 4/5, 25th/63
Race #26
Nice course. Very technical and fun to ride. This was my first day back on the bike a week so I was just going to use it to open my legs up and go for results Monday and Tuesday. That said, I would have found it hard to work up to the front because with only 5 laps it was really difficult to find a mental rhythm on the course. I never got a good feel for what would come next. If I were looking for a result, like so many others, moving to the front would be challenging. But I was happy to slam on my breaks and then sprint out of every turn to finish 25.
Richton Park, 7/13/09, Cat4/5, 7/35ish
Race #27
Nice environment, very…suburban. There was nothing really technical about this race, it was a typical flat crit. Every attack was chased down making the pace very choppy. Though I didn’t spend much time on the front, it was so much easier to glide rather than navigate through the turns. Jeff was going to lead me out and I didn’t come around him in time, so I lost a few positions as a result. But 7th wasn’t bad...thirty five smackers for a payout. Which was almost one race, it weren’t for a ridiculous “convenience fee” attached to writing a personal check for registration. I asked Chris (the registration diva) if I could charge them an extra $6 for the checks they would be handing me this week and she coldly replied…you know, I’ve never heard that one before. Point taken.
Artlington Heights, 7/14/09, Cat 4/5, 17/40ish
Race #28
Christ! How many times do I need to learn this lesson: the race happens at the front!
This course was a tight 8 corner crit with the finish opposite where they place it at Proctor. So, you had to be in the top 10-15 going into the final 5 turns, or you have no chance. I had no chance. I was feeling “it” a bit more today than the others. I thought the bounce was gone from my bungee. Its not. But I had to relearn that old lesson: read the course, analyze how to do well and where to make your moves. Then go race and make your moves. I didn’t. I just got on my bike and rode around kinda fast. The up side was that I had to bridge a nice size gap (7-10 seconds) that opened up by a crash. Riders in front of me were not going to do it, I feared they may be content to be group 2 or 3—so I pulled around them…oooooohhh wow! Once again flying around those turns without slamming the breaks and sprinting out again! It took a little less than 1 lap for me to jump the gap (and bring everyone with me). But another funny thing happened—my legs opened up. I felt the effort but I actually felt good! But I didn’t go to the front. Why? Because I’m a dunce.
Drew looked to be in great position going into the final two turns when he ate it in the corner..he’s fine. John was also doing great holding his position in the top 10 (I’m jealous), but he ate it in turn 3 or 5. Luckily noth are ok…
There is no way I’d race Bensenville. That course sucks…
Lakefront Short Course, 7/16/09, Cat 4/5, 28/40 starters???
Race #29
I have not written one word about my diabetes. The reason? It’s been great at every race (well, could have been better at Arlington). Today was the terrible exception.
The course was awesome. The hill scared the shit out of me and I’m glad I put on the 26t cassette. It was just over a solid min. effort, but it was not really Wisconsin steep—it was very manageable for dudes like me. The descent was really, really fun. This was by far the greatest addition or resurrection of Superweek. Bravo!!! I’ll do this race again next year even if I’m not race ready.
Diabetes…so, as usual, I was nervous, I wanted a better result after a very, very lackluster crit in Arlington Heights. But I’ve already learned to successfully manage the diabetes as relates to my never ending nerves. Today, Jake and I hit the Whole Foods for a muffin and espresso…I took what I thought was an appropriate amount of insulin to cover the muffin. But as we were less than 1 hr from starting a race I apparently took far too little. I was 94 when I sat down to eat; I was 224 five min before the start; 10 min into the race I was 250. Uh, oh. Looking at my data (no powertap, CGMS data) I can trace it back to that one delicious, chocolate, fucking muffin.
For the uninitiated: normal folks BGs are between 60-110 all the time—diabetics try to aim for that range using doses of synthetic insulin. Exercise boosts your metabolism and makes insulin far more effective. The down side is that when the insulin is too effective, or you over bolus a dose you can go low (which is very, very bad) –in this case, before a highly aerobic activity lasting ~1.3 hrs I took what I thought appropriate. Nope, I totally undershot it. Nerves apparently play into this too…espresso + nerves + under dosing for a muffin caused my BG to rise throughout the race. The effect of elevated BGs can be loss of power, heavy legs, really, really dry mouth, which is caused by dehydration…all fit the bill today.
So, in the second lap my CGMS gave me the alert that my BG was too elevated (yes, that was me cherping). I shut it up. It continues every 5 min. In the 5th lap, I go to the front and help Jake pull. I didn’t take a hard pull, then fell back one place. It goes off again. We turn right and hit the climb. When I crest I hear an alarm I have never heard…it sounded like a “Hey you, fucker! You must look at me NOW!” alarm. So, I go to the back and pull out my pump/CGM system and see that I’m nearly 355. Holy crap. I take two units of Insulin and let the pack slip away.
Looking back on it, I should have stuck at the back occasionally going OTB to check my numbers. But I was scared. I didn’t really know what to do…so I let the race slide away. But I finished. I finished the remaining 9 laps by myself (more or less).
It was my first time going off the back and then getting lapped. A few kind folks in both the 4/5 and masters 4/5 peloton asked, “hey Mike, you alright?”
“Yeah…I’m fine. Sorta.”
I whish I could have been there to help Jake. I wish I could have been there to see how I faired up the hill on the 16th lap with tired but driven racers. Well, I can’t do anything about it….I don’t regret my decision, though this week has been quite disappointing for me. New racing experiences bring new experiments in managing my Diabetes. I’ll probably email Phil Southerland and see if he can’t offer some advice.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Proctor Cycling Classic : Culver's Butterburgers
Proctor: State Criterium Championships (Cat 4), 6/28/09
Race #25
8/40
It’s funny how little I know about racing. I know how to be a fan; I know how to ride a bike in circles, really fast, and sometimes really really fast. But I don’t know how to race with a team. That is why I was thrilled to head to Peoria with Eric, Julian and Tim (Burnham Racing). So, I shut my mouth and soaked in as much as I could. Thanks for the ride Eric!
T1Report: I prefer racing in the morning. It’s so much easier to control my bloodsugars that way—sitting around all damn day waiting to race just sucks. My BGs were alright, I was a little high before the race and afterward I was very elevated (perhaps the sprint?). Nothing so out of the ordinary that it affected my performance.
Welcome back to summer racing!
Tough race. I worked hard—sometimes very hard and hardly any of it on and none of it off the front. Working on someone else’s terms takes more energy for some reason and so this was the hardest crit of the year so far. Well, for me anyway. Our average pace was a normal 25-26 but there were nutty gusts of wind, and it was hot, and I felt the heat way more today than I did last week at Cobb Park.
There was lots of action from the start and I was feeling all of it in the first 5-8 laps. As usual, I started in the back. Some riders tried to separate right away, stringing out the field and causing a gap—with me at the back! A few bridged up to it, exploding the field in the process. And at one point, I wasn’t sure what group I was in. The second? Third? I saw the race start to slip away from me. I knew didn’t have the legs to make any moves let alone bridge--I just held on wondered how much more of this I could take. Luckily the break was soon caught and the pace settled down.
This is where individuals and teams started to come into play. There were a few teams with a few riders but as usual: xXx (10) and Wild Card (5) were the most well represented. Individually xXx started to go off the front and Wild Card chased a few times, but then their workers were soon worked over and it was left to individuals—who were all, like me, looking for a bunch sprint. In other words, no one willing to do much work. A perfect time to separate from the field.
I missed Liam going off the front. I couldn’t have done anything about it anyway. Man, he earned the title with that effort! There was no chase behind him.
I wanted to do well in this race, and, overall, I did. Though, I didn’t do as well as I would have liked and that burns. Well, what can you do? Some days you have the legs, some days you just don’t. In the last lap I was actually surprised to be near the front. I took the outside lane through turn 7 and 8, got on a wheel and waited to start my sprint. I finished 8th.
Brighter days are sure to be ahead...
Race #25
8/40
It’s funny how little I know about racing. I know how to be a fan; I know how to ride a bike in circles, really fast, and sometimes really really fast. But I don’t know how to race with a team. That is why I was thrilled to head to Peoria with Eric, Julian and Tim (Burnham Racing). So, I shut my mouth and soaked in as much as I could. Thanks for the ride Eric!
T1Report: I prefer racing in the morning. It’s so much easier to control my bloodsugars that way—sitting around all damn day waiting to race just sucks. My BGs were alright, I was a little high before the race and afterward I was very elevated (perhaps the sprint?). Nothing so out of the ordinary that it affected my performance.
Welcome back to summer racing!
Tough race. I worked hard—sometimes very hard and hardly any of it on and none of it off the front. Working on someone else’s terms takes more energy for some reason and so this was the hardest crit of the year so far. Well, for me anyway. Our average pace was a normal 25-26 but there were nutty gusts of wind, and it was hot, and I felt the heat way more today than I did last week at Cobb Park.
There was lots of action from the start and I was feeling all of it in the first 5-8 laps. As usual, I started in the back. Some riders tried to separate right away, stringing out the field and causing a gap—with me at the back! A few bridged up to it, exploding the field in the process. And at one point, I wasn’t sure what group I was in. The second? Third? I saw the race start to slip away from me. I knew didn’t have the legs to make any moves let alone bridge--I just held on wondered how much more of this I could take. Luckily the break was soon caught and the pace settled down.
This is where individuals and teams started to come into play. There were a few teams with a few riders but as usual: xXx (10) and Wild Card (5) were the most well represented. Individually xXx started to go off the front and Wild Card chased a few times, but then their workers were soon worked over and it was left to individuals—who were all, like me, looking for a bunch sprint. In other words, no one willing to do much work. A perfect time to separate from the field.
I missed Liam going off the front. I couldn’t have done anything about it anyway. Man, he earned the title with that effort! There was no chase behind him.
I wanted to do well in this race, and, overall, I did. Though, I didn’t do as well as I would have liked and that burns. Well, what can you do? Some days you have the legs, some days you just don’t. In the last lap I was actually surprised to be near the front. I took the outside lane through turn 7 and 8, got on a wheel and waited to start my sprint. I finished 8th.
Brighter days are sure to be ahead...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
It's hot again...finally.
Cobb Park Criterium, 6/20/2009
Race # 23 & 24
Drew emailed me Friday morning writing that he had found a ride for us to Cobb Park. I was so damned excited because I was resigned not to race, this was an awesome turn of events.
South Chicago Wheelmen did a great job hosting it and the weather was great, the environment was great, SCW and the ICA had the organizational element covered like old pros and that led to a really relaxed race day. Too bad it conflicts with Grafton.
T1 report: my bloodsugar was very tight before the race today. I followed the protocol I set up earlier in the year and was able to follow perfectly. After the last lap of the first race my BGs became elevated and they never really settled back down before the start of the masters race. I didn't take any additional insulin as I feared I would go low (essentially "bonking" but for diabetics it is far more dire). I still took a gel and finished the race more within normal range despite the sprint.
The course: This was a surprisingly technical flat ~1k course around a really nice riverside park in Kankakee Illinois. Turn 1 was nice ’n wide leading to turn 2 which led from a wide city street onto the eastbound lane of a narrow residential parkway that was not more than 10-12 feet wide. The first lap or two had the nerves running high, there was some bumping and lots of slowing but after a while we managed it well. Between turn 2 & 3 was an interesting little chicane that could narrow the field even more than turn 2. This chicanery led to turn 3 where it was surprisingly difficult to determine the fastest lane—at least for me. Even when I was near the front I was loosing speed here on every lap, for some reason I didn’t find it till the last lap of my second race.
Cat 4, Race #23
14/40
I hadn’t done much of anything but a few sprints on Wednesday so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel. That and it was the first HOT day of the year. I normally wilt in the heat, but I must be tougher than last year or perhaps I’m just warming up smarter. Anyway, race goes off, we ride around, prime after prime keeps the pace pretty high. Wild Card and xXx were the best represented and so they did all the work: going off the front, each chasing down the other, etc. I sat in, and for ¾ of the race I didn’t feel great and then, finally, the race legs came back. But, my mind was still in vacation mode—no aggression at all, it was all fluf up there: sit in, don’t work hard. Its hot. Who cares about upgrading, I could be a 4 forever, and ever, and ever… On the last lap, poor positioning choices got me pinched in the gutter after turn 1 (grab breaks); pinched in the gutter after turn 2 (grab breaks hard) and once again I lost speed in turn 3. I finished 14th. I knew I could race better than that. Luckily, I was able to stay and race the masters 4/5. Drew did awesome and finished 4th! Drew, work on your 1 min max efforts to control that vomit reflex!
Masters 4/5, Race #24
2/40
Much better. Slower pace because there was only 1 prime. This race was a first: I flatted! While warming up on one of the sidestreets Drew and I were forced to ride over some glass—I though I missed it, but I guess it was everywhere, no escape. Luckily I race on Conti Gatorskins and it didn’t cause a problem in the first race. In the masters race, however, I rolled over something, a stick or stone or something not unusual or serious but then within 10 seconds I started going flat. I didn't pop, but it was a leak—so it must have been some debris already in my tire that finally pushed through. I thought my race was done, this situation was unfamiliar to me but luckily other racers told me to get to SRAM’s neutral support. I cut through the park, got to the Sram tent and quick as a whistle I was on my bike with a nice Zipp 404 rear wheel. I forgot the SRAM guy’s name, but he was really great. I stood there like a dummy watching him work and he began calmly coaching me: “Take a drink. Relax. Get on the bike. Clip in both pedals. Both pedals. Stay to your left ‘till you catch back on!” That was awesome. I was back in the pack after In the final 20 meters DJ (Get a Grip) and I bumped shoulders and I badly threw the bike somewhere near the line, it was an exciting finish. I felt much better going home with a result I could be proud of. But I had to return the wheel. Damn.
Race # 23 & 24
Drew emailed me Friday morning writing that he had found a ride for us to Cobb Park. I was so damned excited because I was resigned not to race, this was an awesome turn of events.
South Chicago Wheelmen did a great job hosting it and the weather was great, the environment was great, SCW and the ICA had the organizational element covered like old pros and that led to a really relaxed race day. Too bad it conflicts with Grafton.
T1 report: my bloodsugar was very tight before the race today. I followed the protocol I set up earlier in the year and was able to follow perfectly. After the last lap of the first race my BGs became elevated and they never really settled back down before the start of the masters race. I didn't take any additional insulin as I feared I would go low (essentially "bonking" but for diabetics it is far more dire). I still took a gel and finished the race more within normal range despite the sprint.
The course: This was a surprisingly technical flat ~1k course around a really nice riverside park in Kankakee Illinois. Turn 1 was nice ’n wide leading to turn 2 which led from a wide city street onto the eastbound lane of a narrow residential parkway that was not more than 10-12 feet wide. The first lap or two had the nerves running high, there was some bumping and lots of slowing but after a while we managed it well. Between turn 2 & 3 was an interesting little chicane that could narrow the field even more than turn 2. This chicanery led to turn 3 where it was surprisingly difficult to determine the fastest lane—at least for me. Even when I was near the front I was loosing speed here on every lap, for some reason I didn’t find it till the last lap of my second race.
Cat 4, Race #23
14/40
I hadn’t done much of anything but a few sprints on Wednesday so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel. That and it was the first HOT day of the year. I normally wilt in the heat, but I must be tougher than last year or perhaps I’m just warming up smarter. Anyway, race goes off, we ride around, prime after prime keeps the pace pretty high. Wild Card and xXx were the best represented and so they did all the work: going off the front, each chasing down the other, etc. I sat in, and for ¾ of the race I didn’t feel great and then, finally, the race legs came back. But, my mind was still in vacation mode—no aggression at all, it was all fluf up there: sit in, don’t work hard. Its hot. Who cares about upgrading, I could be a 4 forever, and ever, and ever… On the last lap, poor positioning choices got me pinched in the gutter after turn 1 (grab breaks); pinched in the gutter after turn 2 (grab breaks hard) and once again I lost speed in turn 3. I finished 14th. I knew I could race better than that. Luckily, I was able to stay and race the masters 4/5. Drew did awesome and finished 4th! Drew, work on your 1 min max efforts to control that vomit reflex!
Masters 4/5, Race #24
2/40
Much better. Slower pace because there was only 1 prime. This race was a first: I flatted! While warming up on one of the sidestreets Drew and I were forced to ride over some glass—I though I missed it, but I guess it was everywhere, no escape. Luckily I race on Conti Gatorskins and it didn’t cause a problem in the first race. In the masters race, however, I rolled over something, a stick or stone or something not unusual or serious but then within 10 seconds I started going flat. I didn't pop, but it was a leak—so it must have been some debris already in my tire that finally pushed through. I thought my race was done, this situation was unfamiliar to me but luckily other racers told me to get to SRAM’s neutral support. I cut through the park, got to the Sram tent and quick as a whistle I was on my bike with a nice Zipp 404 rear wheel. I forgot the SRAM guy’s name, but he was really great. I stood there like a dummy watching him work and he began calmly coaching me: “Take a drink. Relax. Get on the bike. Clip in both pedals. Both pedals. Stay to your left ‘till you catch back on!” That was awesome. I was back in the pack after In the final 20 meters DJ (Get a Grip) and I bumped shoulders and I badly threw the bike somewhere near the line, it was an exciting finish. I felt much better going home with a result I could be proud of. But I had to return the wheel. Damn.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Highs/Lows.
Sherman Park Criterium, 6/13/09
Race #22
2nd/~50
Thanks to xXx for, yet again, putting on a great race. It is not easy, and their hard work is much appreciated.
Racing in the rain is fairly new to me. I once said that I have absolutely no interest in starting a race in the rain. But thanks to those hard working people of the internets we have something called “pre registration.” Which means, mostly simply, “dude, you already paid for it.” Dan and I were even talking about that at 7 this morning, as we began to head south, in the rain.
Short version: Well, I got points. The race overall--a mixed bag.
T1 Report: My diabetes was spot on today. Riding to the race is really helpful in my BG management—I just wish there was more racing in Chicago.
Two teammates got caught up in that amazing crash with 2 to go. Which by the way, was the longest sounding crash I have ever heard. It’s like a sound effect you can grab free online—the kind that are uncomfortably longer than you’d like. This crash, it just wouldn’t stop. I mean, I know that guys were sliding all over the place stopping other riders, but I actually thought the crash was going to catch up to me…Luckily, Jordan escaped the carnage but was gaped off behind it; unfortunately, Drew and Dan were both nailed by sliding riders and suffered some ugly road rash—I hope both heal up quick!
On the up side, all the monkeys were looking very, very strong. Given that and I know that racing is racing, and this is really obvious—but I’ll say it anyway, after one more parenthetical clause, a dependent clause separated from the stem by commas—that crash really changed the dynamic of the final lap. The other guys I was keeping an eye on were caught out by that crash, so I was nervous because I didn’t see them. So, when Dan began his leadout and I sprinted on his left I fully expected a few riders to come around the far right side. But that never happened.
Dan gets major props for being the strong man once again. After his leadout he held on for third. It was awesome to have two on the podium.
Sprinting:
I was comfortable following Dan’s leadout. I kept spinning and jumped around him in the same gear and accelerated easily, I shifted once more for the long haul, then once more, I stood and tried to over take the leader. On this I need to work on my form—I’m loosing some transfer when I stand to sprint. Anyway, I couldn’t make it up to him in that gear; I hit a plateau and finished just off his rear wheel. I think I jumped too late and then shifted too early and definitely once too often. Had I spun up to my max I may have gained some more ground in the final 100m. Lessons learned.
As far as racing in the rain. It sucks.
Race #22
2nd/~50
Thanks to xXx for, yet again, putting on a great race. It is not easy, and their hard work is much appreciated.
Racing in the rain is fairly new to me. I once said that I have absolutely no interest in starting a race in the rain. But thanks to those hard working people of the internets we have something called “pre registration.” Which means, mostly simply, “dude, you already paid for it.” Dan and I were even talking about that at 7 this morning, as we began to head south, in the rain.
Short version: Well, I got points. The race overall--a mixed bag.
T1 Report: My diabetes was spot on today. Riding to the race is really helpful in my BG management—I just wish there was more racing in Chicago.
Two teammates got caught up in that amazing crash with 2 to go. Which by the way, was the longest sounding crash I have ever heard. It’s like a sound effect you can grab free online—the kind that are uncomfortably longer than you’d like. This crash, it just wouldn’t stop. I mean, I know that guys were sliding all over the place stopping other riders, but I actually thought the crash was going to catch up to me…Luckily, Jordan escaped the carnage but was gaped off behind it; unfortunately, Drew and Dan were both nailed by sliding riders and suffered some ugly road rash—I hope both heal up quick!
On the up side, all the monkeys were looking very, very strong. Given that and I know that racing is racing, and this is really obvious—but I’ll say it anyway, after one more parenthetical clause, a dependent clause separated from the stem by commas—that crash really changed the dynamic of the final lap. The other guys I was keeping an eye on were caught out by that crash, so I was nervous because I didn’t see them. So, when Dan began his leadout and I sprinted on his left I fully expected a few riders to come around the far right side. But that never happened.
Dan gets major props for being the strong man once again. After his leadout he held on for third. It was awesome to have two on the podium.
Sprinting:
I was comfortable following Dan’s leadout. I kept spinning and jumped around him in the same gear and accelerated easily, I shifted once more for the long haul, then once more, I stood and tried to over take the leader. On this I need to work on my form—I’m loosing some transfer when I stand to sprint. Anyway, I couldn’t make it up to him in that gear; I hit a plateau and finished just off his rear wheel. I think I jumped too late and then shifted too early and definitely once too often. Had I spun up to my max I may have gained some more ground in the final 100m. Lessons learned.
As far as racing in the rain. It sucks.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Breaking the Road Race Doldrums
Spring Prairie Road Race, 6/7/09
Race #21
20th/36
The way Jake definitively won the Spring Prairie Road Race, digging deep and attacking up the final climb made no mistake that he was clearly the strongest in that field. Congrats on your first win, Jake!
And major props to the team! This was our first race using a legitimate team effort. Two weeks ago when several Monkeys agreed to do this race, Jake had told me this was one of his “A” races. So, in my mind, it was clear—this is Jake’s race and our job to help him do it., so I sent an email stating such. No pressure, right?
Though we intended on racing with 6 we ended up with 5 and after a few laps had only three (John dropped, and despite looking good going up the hill, Josh flatted and one nameless Monkey forgot an essential pair of race equipment). Given this abbreviated team, Dan gets the George Hincapie award! He was never more than a bike or two away from Jake; nearly always on the windward side; paced him up the hill on nearly every lap and hung on for 10th place! Awesome work! I did a little here and there; kept an eye on things at the front; stuck near Jake part of the time; hit the front in the last two miles and drove the pace to prevent late attacks from going and responsibly popped on the final climb—I was flying up that hill at a glorious 7mph and finished 19th.
Honestly, Jake, I really need to think about racing Blue Mounds on the 18th—though I’m leaning more and more toward doing it. Its ironic that suffering up such hills is so glorious in retrospect.
The course was nice, and racing in the evening was a welcome change of pace. The weatherman predicted t-storms by the end of the race, luckily that didn’t happen till much later. It was all around a pleasant day.
The roads were decent the hills were enough to belie the slow pace. And that climb to the finish was real mean. I don’t know the grade—I’m completely illiterate with that stuff—but it was enough to make me suffer—badly—on almost every lap. Not having done more than 2 weeks of short 1 min intervals, I really paid the piper on that hill. Though I was able to find a “comfortable pace” on every lap, and I was “easily” able to catch back on after the climb, it still hurt…bad.
You know how the race ended but two interesting things happened during the race: first, I went off the back for a little while (4th lap, back side) because I thought I flatted (it felt like my bike was moving through mud—more like my legs were jelly) and I dropped back and checked it out—I was fine. Looking up, I was 75m behind the field. I had two choices: drop or chase. I glanced down at my black CSC (now Saxo Bank) wristband, and immediately decided to HARDEN THE FUCK UP and I chased back on. Which, though hard, happened pretty quickly and I didn’t need to go beyond myself. So I feel good about that. Second, I had low bloodsugar reaction in the final lap.
It is difficult to notice the symptoms of low BG (blood glucose levels) in a race because you are generally working so hard and there is no “normal” feeling by which to compare one’s “typical” symptoms. Regardless, I’ve learned the symptoms while riding and told Dan and Jake I was dropping out. But because the pace was not too high I was able to sit on the back and consume the rest of my energy drink and down a gel packet. After a few min, I felt much better, and my legs and bloodsugar had recovered so I returned to the race. This is when I went to the front in the final two miles, I pushed the pace to prevent attacks before dropping back and letting Dan and Jake run it the rest of the way. I was able to recover for a min before the final climb and though I thought I'd just fall right over somewhere near the top, I nevertheless finished my race.
All in all, a good day for Spidermonkey Cycling!
Race #21
20th/36
The way Jake definitively won the Spring Prairie Road Race, digging deep and attacking up the final climb made no mistake that he was clearly the strongest in that field. Congrats on your first win, Jake!
And major props to the team! This was our first race using a legitimate team effort. Two weeks ago when several Monkeys agreed to do this race, Jake had told me this was one of his “A” races. So, in my mind, it was clear—this is Jake’s race and our job to help him do it., so I sent an email stating such. No pressure, right?
Though we intended on racing with 6 we ended up with 5 and after a few laps had only three (John dropped, and despite looking good going up the hill, Josh flatted and one nameless Monkey forgot an essential pair of race equipment). Given this abbreviated team, Dan gets the George Hincapie award! He was never more than a bike or two away from Jake; nearly always on the windward side; paced him up the hill on nearly every lap and hung on for 10th place! Awesome work! I did a little here and there; kept an eye on things at the front; stuck near Jake part of the time; hit the front in the last two miles and drove the pace to prevent late attacks from going and responsibly popped on the final climb—I was flying up that hill at a glorious 7mph and finished 19th.
Honestly, Jake, I really need to think about racing Blue Mounds on the 18th—though I’m leaning more and more toward doing it. Its ironic that suffering up such hills is so glorious in retrospect.
The course was nice, and racing in the evening was a welcome change of pace. The weatherman predicted t-storms by the end of the race, luckily that didn’t happen till much later. It was all around a pleasant day.
The roads were decent the hills were enough to belie the slow pace. And that climb to the finish was real mean. I don’t know the grade—I’m completely illiterate with that stuff—but it was enough to make me suffer—badly—on almost every lap. Not having done more than 2 weeks of short 1 min intervals, I really paid the piper on that hill. Though I was able to find a “comfortable pace” on every lap, and I was “easily” able to catch back on after the climb, it still hurt…bad.
You know how the race ended but two interesting things happened during the race: first, I went off the back for a little while (4th lap, back side) because I thought I flatted (it felt like my bike was moving through mud—more like my legs were jelly) and I dropped back and checked it out—I was fine. Looking up, I was 75m behind the field. I had two choices: drop or chase. I glanced down at my black CSC (now Saxo Bank) wristband, and immediately decided to HARDEN THE FUCK UP and I chased back on. Which, though hard, happened pretty quickly and I didn’t need to go beyond myself. So I feel good about that. Second, I had low bloodsugar reaction in the final lap.
It is difficult to notice the symptoms of low BG (blood glucose levels) in a race because you are generally working so hard and there is no “normal” feeling by which to compare one’s “typical” symptoms. Regardless, I’ve learned the symptoms while riding and told Dan and Jake I was dropping out. But because the pace was not too high I was able to sit on the back and consume the rest of my energy drink and down a gel packet. After a few min, I felt much better, and my legs and bloodsugar had recovered so I returned to the race. This is when I went to the front in the final two miles, I pushed the pace to prevent attacks before dropping back and letting Dan and Jake run it the rest of the way. I was able to recover for a min before the final climb and though I thought I'd just fall right over somewhere near the top, I nevertheless finished my race.
All in all, a good day for Spidermonkey Cycling!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Monsters of the Midway
Race #20
5/16/09
pack finish.
I’m really glad Vanessa is doing fine and comfortably recovering at home. Speedy recovery Vanessa!
I wish I could have raced with the 4s, after winning the cat 5s race last year I wanted to go for a win. Such is life.
The course was different from last year. With the finish on the south side of the midway they added huge chunk of distance coming out of the final corner. Add a stiff tailwind and that complicates your finish. Do you go early and risk the fadeout, or wait till the last 50 and put all your money on your jump? Unfortunately, I was only able to race an open category race and I knew that my cat 4 ass wouldn’t be in contention. So hanging on would be my first goal.
The race went well. It was faster than a typical 4s race, but it was not as painful as I thought it would be—especially once the break was let go. If that hadn’t happened then we would have had some more dramatics in varying the pace. Once the break was established and the rhythm hadn't made my legs fall off, I even felt pretty good about competing with guys stronger than me.
So, 30 min and we’re done. The break finished ~40 seconds ahead of us.
It was really great to see so many Spidermonkeys show up. See, that is why we have the best team in Chicago. Our teammates show up even though many don’t race, or won’t until late in the day for the 5s. That is really cool.
After a while of hanging out it was off to my visit with my family on the northwest side—into a headwind from the northwest for 1.5 hrs, the whole fucking way. Hell, that ride was a bigger pain than the race.
5/16/09
pack finish.
I’m really glad Vanessa is doing fine and comfortably recovering at home. Speedy recovery Vanessa!
I wish I could have raced with the 4s, after winning the cat 5s race last year I wanted to go for a win. Such is life.
The course was different from last year. With the finish on the south side of the midway they added huge chunk of distance coming out of the final corner. Add a stiff tailwind and that complicates your finish. Do you go early and risk the fadeout, or wait till the last 50 and put all your money on your jump? Unfortunately, I was only able to race an open category race and I knew that my cat 4 ass wouldn’t be in contention. So hanging on would be my first goal.
The race went well. It was faster than a typical 4s race, but it was not as painful as I thought it would be—especially once the break was let go. If that hadn’t happened then we would have had some more dramatics in varying the pace. Once the break was established and the rhythm hadn't made my legs fall off, I even felt pretty good about competing with guys stronger than me.
So, 30 min and we’re done. The break finished ~40 seconds ahead of us.
It was really great to see so many Spidermonkeys show up. See, that is why we have the best team in Chicago. Our teammates show up even though many don’t race, or won’t until late in the day for the 5s. That is really cool.
After a while of hanging out it was off to my visit with my family on the northwest side—into a headwind from the northwest for 1.5 hrs, the whole fucking way. Hell, that ride was a bigger pain than the race.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Leland Kermesse
Race # 19
who cares/40ish
Many thanks to Flatlandia for hosting a real road race so close to Chicago!
Despite the old but newly enforced USAC rules not allowing racers to transfer results from races sanctioned by other governing bodies, I thought this race was too rare an opportunity to let it pass. I’m glad I didn’t. Bryan and Andrew were going to race rain or shine and I was doubtful I wanted to at first, but then I remember I usually do alright on days I don’t “feel” like racing. I think I did alright.
The course was nearly pancake flat save a few risers, and the ~1mile gravel road. Which by the way looked waaaaay worse in the video than it actually was. The wind was a real challenge for the first 4 miles. But that it was a sustained wind make it possible to find a rhythm. There were some nasty gusts, but it was not “gusty.”
So the first lap was uneventful. A rider from Killjoy (Ben Popper) set the pace, pretty steady, nothing nuts. He was not really creating a disadvantage for himself by staying at the front because the wind was angled. In fact because everyone wanted to be out of the wind, no one would create an echelon—so there we go 2x2. Half the field was in the wind and ½ the field was a ½ wheel back not getting too much respite from the wind--some even thought it best to dangerously cross wheels just to stay leeward even so far as riding just in the gutter. Good thing it wasn’t too gusty.
After a while, just after the right turn and a tail wind, Popper picked jumped and rode away with a few others. I really didn’t have the legs to go with somewhere near 30 miles remaining, and I really didn't think it would stick. (mental note: work on mental toughness and race smarts and go with attacks by really strong riders). So about 10 of us formed a second group.
Holy crap do people need to learn the fundamentals of working in a group. I said something about forming an echelon but Max from Cutting Crew had already organized a rotating line. Some had never been taught or didn’t understand that the point of a pace line is and so they made it really difficult for us to find a rhythm. After too many miles of really poor attempts we finally got it going. Several of us helped a few of the less experienced riders figure it out. Though a few times it was only appropriate to let a guy unknowingly “attack” off the front, only for them to turn around and realize they simply didn’t keep a steady pace and wasted their effort. I’m pretty sure some “learning” happened in this process.
By this point the front group was well out of sight and we would soon duke it out among ourselves. After completing two laps, and about 1-2 miles past he start/finish I went for my gel tucked conveniently in the leg of my shorts and a gust caused me to bump shoulders with a guy next to me. It was not by any means a dramatic bump, but he was already crossed wheels with the guy in front of him and he went down.
We’re in the middle of nowhere. There is no support vehicle. No one will drive by for a loooong time. There are no field marshals anywhere nearby. Hell, there isn’t even a farmhouse in sight. I look back and he’s lying in the middle of the road not moving. I look back again and he’s still there. I sit up and ride back to see that he is ok. Luckily, he was. A Tati rider and one of his teammates did the same.
So, with 1.5 laps to go my “race” is over. Tati goes off to catch back on and we form a nice 3 person echelon and his teammate and I pace him back. By the gravel road I leave them to finish my final lap on my own. The rain finally came along with some spectacular lightning and it looked pretty damn scary. I finished just within 2 hrs. I assume 15-20 min back from the winners. Though I have no idea.
The other Monkeys did well with Bryan and Dave both in the top 15 of the 5s race and Andrew (5s) and John and myself (4s) finishing somewhere – but at least finishing our distance.
Things to work on: 1 min power.
who cares/40ish
Many thanks to Flatlandia for hosting a real road race so close to Chicago!
Despite the old but newly enforced USAC rules not allowing racers to transfer results from races sanctioned by other governing bodies, I thought this race was too rare an opportunity to let it pass. I’m glad I didn’t. Bryan and Andrew were going to race rain or shine and I was doubtful I wanted to at first, but then I remember I usually do alright on days I don’t “feel” like racing. I think I did alright.
The course was nearly pancake flat save a few risers, and the ~1mile gravel road. Which by the way looked waaaaay worse in the video than it actually was. The wind was a real challenge for the first 4 miles. But that it was a sustained wind make it possible to find a rhythm. There were some nasty gusts, but it was not “gusty.”
So the first lap was uneventful. A rider from Killjoy (Ben Popper) set the pace, pretty steady, nothing nuts. He was not really creating a disadvantage for himself by staying at the front because the wind was angled. In fact because everyone wanted to be out of the wind, no one would create an echelon—so there we go 2x2. Half the field was in the wind and ½ the field was a ½ wheel back not getting too much respite from the wind--some even thought it best to dangerously cross wheels just to stay leeward even so far as riding just in the gutter. Good thing it wasn’t too gusty.
After a while, just after the right turn and a tail wind, Popper picked jumped and rode away with a few others. I really didn’t have the legs to go with somewhere near 30 miles remaining, and I really didn't think it would stick. (mental note: work on mental toughness and race smarts and go with attacks by really strong riders). So about 10 of us formed a second group.
Holy crap do people need to learn the fundamentals of working in a group. I said something about forming an echelon but Max from Cutting Crew had already organized a rotating line. Some had never been taught or didn’t understand that the point of a pace line is and so they made it really difficult for us to find a rhythm. After too many miles of really poor attempts we finally got it going. Several of us helped a few of the less experienced riders figure it out. Though a few times it was only appropriate to let a guy unknowingly “attack” off the front, only for them to turn around and realize they simply didn’t keep a steady pace and wasted their effort. I’m pretty sure some “learning” happened in this process.
By this point the front group was well out of sight and we would soon duke it out among ourselves. After completing two laps, and about 1-2 miles past he start/finish I went for my gel tucked conveniently in the leg of my shorts and a gust caused me to bump shoulders with a guy next to me. It was not by any means a dramatic bump, but he was already crossed wheels with the guy in front of him and he went down.
We’re in the middle of nowhere. There is no support vehicle. No one will drive by for a loooong time. There are no field marshals anywhere nearby. Hell, there isn’t even a farmhouse in sight. I look back and he’s lying in the middle of the road not moving. I look back again and he’s still there. I sit up and ride back to see that he is ok. Luckily, he was. A Tati rider and one of his teammates did the same.
So, with 1.5 laps to go my “race” is over. Tati goes off to catch back on and we form a nice 3 person echelon and his teammate and I pace him back. By the gravel road I leave them to finish my final lap on my own. The rain finally came along with some spectacular lightning and it looked pretty damn scary. I finished just within 2 hrs. I assume 15-20 min back from the winners. Though I have no idea.
The other Monkeys did well with Bryan and Dave both in the top 15 of the 5s race and Andrew (5s) and John and myself (4s) finishing somewhere – but at least finishing our distance.
Things to work on: 1 min power.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Training notes, #1
New kits are in, and they look rad.
Spring break last year sucked. This year couldn't be any different. I've been lucky enough to (in the new kit) ride every day this week and train some serious weaknesses.
Two weeks ago I finally got a fit by Ken at Get a Grip and the new shoes are starting to make a noticeable difference in my power (sans powertap). While I've not done any top end speed work, my overall fitness is progressing faster than last year. In the first three races of this year, despite the overall pace, my results have been pretty good and I've finished strong. Even in the Super Crit 4/5 race I didn't finish well, but I put in a solid last lap effor albeit one I could't possibly maintain. The reason I'm happy is because I've done nothing that will "shorten" my season, like I did last year. The work I'm doing is solid base/sub/super/threshold work which is getting me to the line in good poition and I know that I will get faster when I start to traing that area.
I've already done 11 hrs this week, I hope to put in another 5 or 6. I'd don't think I've ever been able to do this much volume. It feels great. This week is a perfect platform to step up to the next level of intensity.
Next week, speed work. I'm hurting already.
Up! Up and away...
Spring break last year sucked. This year couldn't be any different. I've been lucky enough to (in the new kit) ride every day this week and train some serious weaknesses.
Two weeks ago I finally got a fit by Ken at Get a Grip and the new shoes are starting to make a noticeable difference in my power (sans powertap). While I've not done any top end speed work, my overall fitness is progressing faster than last year. In the first three races of this year, despite the overall pace, my results have been pretty good and I've finished strong. Even in the Super Crit 4/5 race I didn't finish well, but I put in a solid last lap effor albeit one I could't possibly maintain. The reason I'm happy is because I've done nothing that will "shorten" my season, like I did last year. The work I'm doing is solid base/sub/super/threshold work which is getting me to the line in good poition and I know that I will get faster when I start to traing that area.
I've already done 11 hrs this week, I hope to put in another 5 or 6. I'd don't think I've ever been able to do this much volume. It feels great. This week is a perfect platform to step up to the next level of intensity.
Next week, speed work. I'm hurting already.
Up! Up and away...
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Back to Blackhawk!
Spring Super Criterium, 4/28/2009
The weather aside this was a great day, just as last year, a smooth and highly organized event. The slight issues with sorting out results in a few races was caused by poor resolution with the finish line camera. Nevertheless, Burnham Racing and Dave Fowkes were right on it and professional, so no one can walk away unhappy as long as they followed the proper protocol for correcting the possible errors.
Cat 4/5: Pack finish/60ish
Race # 17
Oh, man. This race was slow. (I'm really not complaining...)
So how did I finish in the middle of the pack? Well, the answer is simple and it is one word: tactics. In my case, poor judgment; on the other a race win.
When we were kids and our parents told us not to rush to a decision, they didn’t tell us that this adage does not apply to bike racing.
In the bell lap, after poking around at a slow pace for 40 min, I chose the wrong position to be in. I was on the inside lane and boxed in. Then xXx jumped and the 5 guys in front of and around me waited. And waited. And waited…I yelled, and then things eventually began to move. Or at least that’s what I’m saying. Honestly, all this happened in like 1-3 seconds (or faster?). But that confusion, that “what do I do now?—‘cause I don’t want to be on the front!” mentality is exactly what a good jump is supposed to play upon. By the time we got up to speed they had created a gap up to 3-4 seconds. Yes we took some of that back, but you don’t need anywhere near that time gap for a win, and Dave was able to hold that for his teammate.
After freeing myself, I got on the front and chased hard. I know that with ~1k to go into a headwind I was pulling at ~30mph, then as we turned out of the wind I tried to recover a bit before the sprint. I slowed and waited for someone to come around. Eventually they did and I jumped their wheel just before the final turn but, at the last second, I chose to take the inside on the final turn and in this case it can also be called the wrong side, and suffered the wind, and then exploded.
Anyway, I gave it my best 3 min chase effort on the front, and as my wife can tell you…that’s all I’ve got. I blew up at the top of the pit area and rolled in mid pack.
Bravo Dave Moyer! He gave an amazing 2k lead out, it was a hell of a jump and ball buster to the finish. He deserves those points.
Cat 3/4: 10th/60
Race #18
This was my first 3/4 race and I was very pleased with seeing what effect experience has on the dynamics of a bike race.
After the two man break was let go and no one was terribly interested in working too hard (except Dave Moyer who bridged the 30sec gap and eventually won.) I saw some strange things happening at the front of the field. A few times there were sudden movements in the lead, with riders moving quickly to the left or right side. I thought “shit someone crashed!” but no, that may have been the case for a 4/5 race, but this was something else.
Magic word: strategy. Burnham was up front controlling the pace and chasing down almost any attempt to bridge. And just after the final turn into the finishing straight, into a head/crosswind, riders would attempt to attack from either side and their reaction was quick and caused the sharp lateral shift to either side of the road. It was very interesting to see this from midpack, and pleasing to be in the same race as racers who know this whole strategy thing,
Anyway, I stayed tucked in, just happy to be along for a nice and smooth ride with riders that are confident and competent using their bikes to accomplish a goal. In the last turn, the field bunched up for the 400 yards to the finish and I was in a good position on the leeward side of the field. I accelerated out of the saddle and began to move up, then someone cut into my lane and I had to slow and change my line, it happened again and by that point we were about 100m and I shifted and sprinted. 32mph into the wind was good enough to let me clip those that started too soon and finish 7th in the field sprint and 10th overall.
As my training has been crap over the last month, it is great to know that what I have done has yielded me this much. While I was disappointed with he 4/5 result, I walked away with a keen awareness of my positioning and little more drive than I had previously. Training this drive will be fun and I’m really looking forward to racing later this summer.
The weather aside this was a great day, just as last year, a smooth and highly organized event. The slight issues with sorting out results in a few races was caused by poor resolution with the finish line camera. Nevertheless, Burnham Racing and Dave Fowkes were right on it and professional, so no one can walk away unhappy as long as they followed the proper protocol for correcting the possible errors.
Cat 4/5: Pack finish/60ish
Race # 17
Oh, man. This race was slow. (I'm really not complaining...)
So how did I finish in the middle of the pack? Well, the answer is simple and it is one word: tactics. In my case, poor judgment; on the other a race win.
When we were kids and our parents told us not to rush to a decision, they didn’t tell us that this adage does not apply to bike racing.
In the bell lap, after poking around at a slow pace for 40 min, I chose the wrong position to be in. I was on the inside lane and boxed in. Then xXx jumped and the 5 guys in front of and around me waited. And waited. And waited…I yelled, and then things eventually began to move. Or at least that’s what I’m saying. Honestly, all this happened in like 1-3 seconds (or faster?). But that confusion, that “what do I do now?—‘cause I don’t want to be on the front!” mentality is exactly what a good jump is supposed to play upon. By the time we got up to speed they had created a gap up to 3-4 seconds. Yes we took some of that back, but you don’t need anywhere near that time gap for a win, and Dave was able to hold that for his teammate.
After freeing myself, I got on the front and chased hard. I know that with ~1k to go into a headwind I was pulling at ~30mph, then as we turned out of the wind I tried to recover a bit before the sprint. I slowed and waited for someone to come around. Eventually they did and I jumped their wheel just before the final turn but, at the last second, I chose to take the inside on the final turn and in this case it can also be called the wrong side, and suffered the wind, and then exploded.
Anyway, I gave it my best 3 min chase effort on the front, and as my wife can tell you…that’s all I’ve got. I blew up at the top of the pit area and rolled in mid pack.
Bravo Dave Moyer! He gave an amazing 2k lead out, it was a hell of a jump and ball buster to the finish. He deserves those points.
Cat 3/4: 10th/60
Race #18
This was my first 3/4 race and I was very pleased with seeing what effect experience has on the dynamics of a bike race.
After the two man break was let go and no one was terribly interested in working too hard (except Dave Moyer who bridged the 30sec gap and eventually won.) I saw some strange things happening at the front of the field. A few times there were sudden movements in the lead, with riders moving quickly to the left or right side. I thought “shit someone crashed!” but no, that may have been the case for a 4/5 race, but this was something else.
Magic word: strategy. Burnham was up front controlling the pace and chasing down almost any attempt to bridge. And just after the final turn into the finishing straight, into a head/crosswind, riders would attempt to attack from either side and their reaction was quick and caused the sharp lateral shift to either side of the road. It was very interesting to see this from midpack, and pleasing to be in the same race as racers who know this whole strategy thing,
Anyway, I stayed tucked in, just happy to be along for a nice and smooth ride with riders that are confident and competent using their bikes to accomplish a goal. In the last turn, the field bunched up for the 400 yards to the finish and I was in a good position on the leeward side of the field. I accelerated out of the saddle and began to move up, then someone cut into my lane and I had to slow and change my line, it happened again and by that point we were about 100m and I shifted and sprinted. 32mph into the wind was good enough to let me clip those that started too soon and finish 7th in the field sprint and 10th overall.
As my training has been crap over the last month, it is great to know that what I have done has yielded me this much. While I was disappointed with he 4/5 result, I walked away with a keen awareness of my positioning and little more drive than I had previously. Training this drive will be fun and I’m really looking forward to racing later this summer.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Kvin’s Crit #3, Wedneseday
3rd/40-something
I almost didn’t show up. Almost.
It was a good first race. I wanted to see how I’d feel as my training has gone to shit lately, so I planned on just sitting in. The one thing I wanted to accomplish was to stay near the front and prevent any breaks from getting away from me. On that point I failed. I kept a close eye on Ernie (Van Wagner-Yojimbos), which was easy because he had a nice white kit, but I lost track of Dave (xXx) – apparently, with three to go Dave and another xXx rider got off the front. I missed that move completely. Perhaps it was their black kits and the darkness at 7:35, or perhaps I was distracted by the happiness that my legs weren’t falling off. I dunno; I missed it.
It was really nice to see Keith, Dan and Sam in the field and even got to chat a little with them. This crit was more typical in that there actually was a single group which made their experience far more enjoyable as compared to the solo-suffer-fest of Monday and Tuesday.
The race was pretty uneventful with a few attacks and one crash. The bell lap was also typical: I moved up, the pace slowed just after the bell and everyone looked around to see who would do the work. My position was pretty good and we picked up the pace on the back side. As we closed in on the final corner I was in perfect position just on the inside of Ernie, and we surged. I accelerated into the slight left bend on the inside lane, stood on the pedals and thought I saw someone put their arms in the air…wha??? (Yes, the break!) The inside lane was the fastest and I took the rather fluffy field sprint. Third place.
I almost didn’t show up. Almost.
It was a good first race. I wanted to see how I’d feel as my training has gone to shit lately, so I planned on just sitting in. The one thing I wanted to accomplish was to stay near the front and prevent any breaks from getting away from me. On that point I failed. I kept a close eye on Ernie (Van Wagner-Yojimbos), which was easy because he had a nice white kit, but I lost track of Dave (xXx) – apparently, with three to go Dave and another xXx rider got off the front. I missed that move completely. Perhaps it was their black kits and the darkness at 7:35, or perhaps I was distracted by the happiness that my legs weren’t falling off. I dunno; I missed it.
It was really nice to see Keith, Dan and Sam in the field and even got to chat a little with them. This crit was more typical in that there actually was a single group which made their experience far more enjoyable as compared to the solo-suffer-fest of Monday and Tuesday.
The race was pretty uneventful with a few attacks and one crash. The bell lap was also typical: I moved up, the pace slowed just after the bell and everyone looked around to see who would do the work. My position was pretty good and we picked up the pace on the back side. As we closed in on the final corner I was in perfect position just on the inside of Ernie, and we surged. I accelerated into the slight left bend on the inside lane, stood on the pedals and thought I saw someone put their arms in the air…wha??? (Yes, the break!) The inside lane was the fastest and I took the rather fluffy field sprint. Third place.
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