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.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
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.
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