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.
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