What the whole weekend was building up to.
With temperatures approaching 95F at the start at 12:15 this was surely going to be a race of attrition, even more so for the Cat 4s who dont usually race these distances, well majority of the cat 4 races i have done werent this far. But in preparation for other events i have been focusing on my maintaining power outages for up to 3 hours for events like this.
A lot of people thought this was going to be a 45 miles group ride followed by a 4 mile hill climb, I on the other hand had a different opinion. Everyone knew about the 4 mile climb at the end, but not many people were aware of the 3.5 - 4 mile climb that started around mile 7 or so and went up close to 600 ft. It wasnt a long steady climb versus lots of pitches some longer parts but rolling up wards and then a great descent.
And if the crit was going to be any indication of how the race was going to be, it was going to be who can hang on for the longest. The Cat 4 race was combined with the 50/60 guys making the field a good size, but also I had quite a few masters teammates in there and moved up to the front of the start to stay near them.
The whistle went off and away we were. The pace was quick, I know we had a tail wind but damn. Quite a few Cat 4s made their way to the front and started hammering. They just kept going aand the masters guys were going to let them do all of the work until the eliminated themselves.
Which was completely the case, one we start hitting the rollers it was like some one set a bomb off in the group, people were just falling off everywhere. By the time we finished the climb there were maybe 20 -25 of us and I just sat in. There was a 3 man break up the road, which I thought were masters guys but turns out in the end it was just two and one was a cat 4, who got second place.
By the second and third lap there were maybe 10 -15 of us, we kept the pace cordial there were some attacks to try and catch the break but then there were times going up the hills we just took our time. I spent some time up front just trying to keep the pace, there were a couple cat 4s who would try and hammer it which I knew many wanted to hurry up and get to the climb but at the risk of tiring themselves out.
As we me made the right to start the climb I hear "EVO" and go to grab a bottle, but it slipped out of my hands. I was so pissed. I felt how cold it was on my fingers and needed it badly. But i did have about a quarter of a bottle in reserve for just in case. Then as we made the left to really start the climb it was like who ever was in our group just kind of blew up. Just taking their time. There was a small break on the third lap with two cat 4s, one Paul Low I think went on the catch the previous cat 4 i the first break and won. but the other I caught quite quickly. The climb wasnt that bad as I suppose I didnt push my self too hard as I knew I wasnt going to catch the guys upfront once I saw all of the numbers being the 600 series (masters) there was no reason to kill myself. I passed 4 or so and one stayed with me until the final hair pin. I was sure glad to have my 28 that i bought from a teammate last month as I was able to just spin.
As I crested the top they decided to put the finish just after the crest so all i had to was roll down. After talking with the other finishers at the top I was third. Luckily Paul Low had some one up there with water and was very happy to share, many thanks as it was much appreciated.
After a few minutes of rest I headed back down, man what an amazing descent, really it made the whole climb worth it and topped off the weekend.
After waiting a couple hours for the results, I confirmed I was third in the road race. All in all it was an amazing weekend.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Blacksburg Omnium the TT
It would be a normal race weekend for me if I didnt have some sort of issue, just not possible.
Well after Tour of Washington County I went a head and got a 54t chainring as well as a 100mm deep front wheel. That way I could complete my TT rig to be as efficient as possible.
Having not tested any of it I suppose I should have at least once before a race then I would have made sure everything worked properly. The chainring went on no issues, and wasnt expecting. For a wheel you would expect the same. But after having the wheel for almost 3 weeks I never took it out and test rode it, so I never had to pump it up.
So as I was having a teammate help me inflate the tire with my crack pipe the valve extender came off. And the freaking valve is all the way in the carbon section and I couldnt get back on. We only managed to get 100 psi if that into the tubular. The whole time in warm up and in the race I was very mindful of hitting any rough spots in the road and staying clear of potholes and anything could potentially cause a flat.
After arriving at the course I decided to predrive to get an idea how hilly it was going to be. I knew it was going to be rolling but damn there were some longer climbs, some steep ones, but also some very fast downhill sections with some blind turns.
I warmed up in the vicinity of the school for about 35 minutes trying to have some good steady efforts going up hills and keeping the aero position. About 10 minutes before my start time I head to the car to get my aero helmet, shoe covers and change my jersey.
Pretty much the usual before the start, people eying everyones bike, a few compliments on mine as we all make nervous small talk. I knew I could do well in the TT it is one my strongest abilities, but with an epic road race the next day how hard did I want to go? Just enough to do well basically.
With a holding start, which is always much appreciated, I was off. I start going at a steady pace. 2 minutes in I pass my 30 second man, a few minutes later, minute man, then 1:30, then 2, and so on. One of the memorable parts of the TT were in the last mile when I heard the sound of some hissing. My first though was my tire, are you kidding I flatted, but as I kept going I looked up and saw a lady using a weed-eater and was quickly relieved.
After the finish I made my way back to the parking lot and chat with some of the masters teammates. Of course the usual TT'ers do well and then make jokes at the guys who arent as gifted as some. With a quick pack up and off to the hotel to get cleaned up for dinner.
Well after Tour of Washington County I went a head and got a 54t chainring as well as a 100mm deep front wheel. That way I could complete my TT rig to be as efficient as possible.
Having not tested any of it I suppose I should have at least once before a race then I would have made sure everything worked properly. The chainring went on no issues, and wasnt expecting. For a wheel you would expect the same. But after having the wheel for almost 3 weeks I never took it out and test rode it, so I never had to pump it up.
So as I was having a teammate help me inflate the tire with my crack pipe the valve extender came off. And the freaking valve is all the way in the carbon section and I couldnt get back on. We only managed to get 100 psi if that into the tubular. The whole time in warm up and in the race I was very mindful of hitting any rough spots in the road and staying clear of potholes and anything could potentially cause a flat.
After arriving at the course I decided to predrive to get an idea how hilly it was going to be. I knew it was going to be rolling but damn there were some longer climbs, some steep ones, but also some very fast downhill sections with some blind turns.
I warmed up in the vicinity of the school for about 35 minutes trying to have some good steady efforts going up hills and keeping the aero position. About 10 minutes before my start time I head to the car to get my aero helmet, shoe covers and change my jersey.
Pretty much the usual before the start, people eying everyones bike, a few compliments on mine as we all make nervous small talk. I knew I could do well in the TT it is one my strongest abilities, but with an epic road race the next day how hard did I want to go? Just enough to do well basically.
With a holding start, which is always much appreciated, I was off. I start going at a steady pace. 2 minutes in I pass my 30 second man, a few minutes later, minute man, then 1:30, then 2, and so on. One of the memorable parts of the TT were in the last mile when I heard the sound of some hissing. My first though was my tire, are you kidding I flatted, but as I kept going I looked up and saw a lady using a weed-eater and was quickly relieved.
After the finish I made my way back to the parking lot and chat with some of the masters teammates. Of course the usual TT'ers do well and then make jokes at the guys who arent as gifted as some. With a quick pack up and off to the hotel to get cleaned up for dinner.
Blacksburg Omnium the Crit
After signing up to race the 3/4 Lost River Classic Race, I decided against it. I was eyeing the Blacksburg Omnium very early in the season but wasnt paying attention to registration when it was. So when I saw it pop up on bikereg I made the decision the sign up and made the trek down to Blacksburg to try my hand.
With the heat still looming around it was only a few degrees cooler down there but the wind was noticeably stronger, it felt as if it was a hair dryer was blowing on you. After leaving basically at sunrise for the lonely drive down to VA Tech I arrive in just under 4 hours and start getting ready.
With heat like this I do prefer to warm up on the road, that way I dont sweat too much and dehydrate myself prematurely, plus its a good way to see the local area. So I got on the road and started warming up just doing passes on the road infront of the airport. After about 45 minutes i head back to the car to get a fresh bottle.
On the way up to the start a teammate DJ spots and calls me over to give me a few hints about the course, more importantly the uphill to the finish then the up hill that follows and pay attention to that, as everyone sprints up to the finish every lap and then burn themselves out for the continued false flat that wasnt too false.
As I make my way to the start i see exactly what he was talking about. After the whistle we go, it seemed to be balls to the wall. One thing i hate about crits that make me a horrible crit racer is the sudden pedal to the medal at the go. I was sitting mid pack but eventually dropped back even further as they kept the pace extremely high on the straights, but with the setup of turns on the parking lot it was easy to stay on by taking at speed versus the constant braking at every turn most did.
The crit was suppose to last 40 minutes, everynow and then I would look at my 705 and check the time, and it was by minute 18 that there only 10 - 12 of us left. It seemed what DJ said was true, everyone sprinted up to the start finish line and then got gassed on the left hander afterward.
Anyways it was pretty boring after that, it would be 2 or 3 laps hard, then a lap easy, i mean my heart rate was going back done to resting. I made it a point to never get up to the front and pull, I had no ambitions in trying to break or win, just survive and save some for the time trial.
On the last lap there were 7 of us, and at one point we must have been going about 10 - 12 mph waiting for some one to make a move, some one did, right before the the set of turns in the parking lot. I get on it trying to hang on to a wheel, but with having such a weak sprint i just try to rely on my conering to keep up. I did well as we approached the uphill to the start finish the two guys infront went for it and battled it out for 4th and 5th, the guy behind me was nowhere to be seen so I continued my way up for 6th not wasting too much effort as we still had a TT and road race to do.
After the race I got the car and started replacing fluids and changed into compression pants to try and aid in the recovery for the TT.
With the heat still looming around it was only a few degrees cooler down there but the wind was noticeably stronger, it felt as if it was a hair dryer was blowing on you. After leaving basically at sunrise for the lonely drive down to VA Tech I arrive in just under 4 hours and start getting ready.
With heat like this I do prefer to warm up on the road, that way I dont sweat too much and dehydrate myself prematurely, plus its a good way to see the local area. So I got on the road and started warming up just doing passes on the road infront of the airport. After about 45 minutes i head back to the car to get a fresh bottle.
On the way up to the start a teammate DJ spots and calls me over to give me a few hints about the course, more importantly the uphill to the finish then the up hill that follows and pay attention to that, as everyone sprints up to the finish every lap and then burn themselves out for the continued false flat that wasnt too false.
As I make my way to the start i see exactly what he was talking about. After the whistle we go, it seemed to be balls to the wall. One thing i hate about crits that make me a horrible crit racer is the sudden pedal to the medal at the go. I was sitting mid pack but eventually dropped back even further as they kept the pace extremely high on the straights, but with the setup of turns on the parking lot it was easy to stay on by taking at speed versus the constant braking at every turn most did.
The crit was suppose to last 40 minutes, everynow and then I would look at my 705 and check the time, and it was by minute 18 that there only 10 - 12 of us left. It seemed what DJ said was true, everyone sprinted up to the start finish line and then got gassed on the left hander afterward.
Anyways it was pretty boring after that, it would be 2 or 3 laps hard, then a lap easy, i mean my heart rate was going back done to resting. I made it a point to never get up to the front and pull, I had no ambitions in trying to break or win, just survive and save some for the time trial.
On the last lap there were 7 of us, and at one point we must have been going about 10 - 12 mph waiting for some one to make a move, some one did, right before the the set of turns in the parking lot. I get on it trying to hang on to a wheel, but with having such a weak sprint i just try to rely on my conering to keep up. I did well as we approached the uphill to the start finish the two guys infront went for it and battled it out for 4th and 5th, the guy behind me was nowhere to be seen so I continued my way up for 6th not wasting too much effort as we still had a TT and road race to do.
After the race I got the car and started replacing fluids and changed into compression pants to try and aid in the recovery for the TT.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Feels good to get dropped
Unfortunately with my work schedule and family life it is hard for my to make almost any club ride during the week. They all occur near the city at an hour that I could theoretically get to but have family obligations that need to be met first and foremost. But lately after doing some searching around, a teammate referred me to the Haymarket ride on wednesday nights.
Now I am generally pretty picky about where I do my riding, I hate stopping every 5 - 10 minutes because of lights, and I hate running lights because of obvious reasons of getting hit or looking like another jackass to motorists who assume all cyclists think they can make up their own rules. Secondly I love riding out west, the terrain, the relative quietness and few road signs make it great for me. And lastly if I am going to do a group ride I want to be hurt instead of laying the hurt on other people. So I was searching for somewhere that had a good consistency of strong riders able to lay out some abuse.
My search was ended when I did my first Haymarket ride. It was about a month ago and I enjoyed just about every minute of it until the end when an unfortunate incident between myself an another rider sent me to the ground. I did not let that deter me from coming about again, if anything my race and training schedule have hampered that more than my recovery from my clumsiness on the bike.
Again last night I was able to make the trip, once on 66 it is a quick 20 minute trip from my place in Fair Lakes, which is quicker than a trip to Reston. The weather was great, the A group left a little later than usual and with a small group, 5 which became 6 later on. The pace starts out nicely with a warm up on to Hopewell Road then picks up from there for the first climb and descent into The Plains where we regrouped.
Now I am not the fastest guy, I feel that I can hold my own on most days, although lately I have been in a bit of a funk because a lot of factors outside of riding that have had an impact on my life. But for these guys to go out there and set a really nice hard pace and then drop me and I have to chase to catch on, I loved it. Digging deep almost in a TT mode trying to catch up feels great, the burning in my legs, the hills, the attacks all of it. I think I will be trying to make it out there more often the rest of the season.
Now I am generally pretty picky about where I do my riding, I hate stopping every 5 - 10 minutes because of lights, and I hate running lights because of obvious reasons of getting hit or looking like another jackass to motorists who assume all cyclists think they can make up their own rules. Secondly I love riding out west, the terrain, the relative quietness and few road signs make it great for me. And lastly if I am going to do a group ride I want to be hurt instead of laying the hurt on other people. So I was searching for somewhere that had a good consistency of strong riders able to lay out some abuse.
My search was ended when I did my first Haymarket ride. It was about a month ago and I enjoyed just about every minute of it until the end when an unfortunate incident between myself an another rider sent me to the ground. I did not let that deter me from coming about again, if anything my race and training schedule have hampered that more than my recovery from my clumsiness on the bike.
Again last night I was able to make the trip, once on 66 it is a quick 20 minute trip from my place in Fair Lakes, which is quicker than a trip to Reston. The weather was great, the A group left a little later than usual and with a small group, 5 which became 6 later on. The pace starts out nicely with a warm up on to Hopewell Road then picks up from there for the first climb and descent into The Plains where we regrouped.
Now I am not the fastest guy, I feel that I can hold my own on most days, although lately I have been in a bit of a funk because a lot of factors outside of riding that have had an impact on my life. But for these guys to go out there and set a really nice hard pace and then drop me and I have to chase to catch on, I loved it. Digging deep almost in a TT mode trying to catch up feels great, the burning in my legs, the hills, the attacks all of it. I think I will be trying to make it out there more often the rest of the season.
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