2014 Race Results Thread
01-27-14, 07:39 AM
#226
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Cal Aggie Crit, 1/2/3's. I would say "p/1/2/3's" but I didn't see any pros there.
2nd.
Most of the local big names were there, a medium sized field of 50 or so, maybe 40? No team mates for me in this one, but I'm used to that.
Of course attacks go off from the gun, but at least by now I generally know who's who in the race, who to chase, etc. Ignored the attacks in the first 20 mins, eventually bridged to a group of 10 but it was of course right before they got caught and the real break went..
15 or so got otf and actually got a gap, up to about 30 seconds at one point. I eventually started to help chase - even though I knew it might be dumb to put in energy that might take advantage of if we caught the break, I figured it was a good workout and less boring that watching the race ride away.. so me and a few others put in good efforts - nothing like hammering and seeing a strung out field behind you!
After what seemed like forever, we caught the break. 2 or 3 laps to go, too late for another one to get away most likely. A pileup behind me with 2 to go on the backside of the course, and then an even bigger pileup on the last lap before the final corner! I was riding up near the front enough that neither of these affected me, except for that it eliminated some of the big guns.
So I'm 4th wheel, sitting on the Mike's Bikes leadout train, on their sprinter's wheel. We take the final turn, and they're leading him out and I'm thinking omfg I can't believe I'm here! Eventually it's just one guy in front of their sprinter, and I was surprised the sprinter hadn't gone yet but it's a long sprint to the line. Figured I needed to get the jump on him so I went, but he's no dolt so he went as soon as I did, never came around him. But nobody came around me either!
A nice way to start the season for sure.
2nd.
Most of the local big names were there, a medium sized field of 50 or so, maybe 40? No team mates for me in this one, but I'm used to that.
Of course attacks go off from the gun, but at least by now I generally know who's who in the race, who to chase, etc. Ignored the attacks in the first 20 mins, eventually bridged to a group of 10 but it was of course right before they got caught and the real break went..
15 or so got otf and actually got a gap, up to about 30 seconds at one point. I eventually started to help chase - even though I knew it might be dumb to put in energy that might take advantage of if we caught the break, I figured it was a good workout and less boring that watching the race ride away.. so me and a few others put in good efforts - nothing like hammering and seeing a strung out field behind you!
After what seemed like forever, we caught the break. 2 or 3 laps to go, too late for another one to get away most likely. A pileup behind me with 2 to go on the backside of the course, and then an even bigger pileup on the last lap before the final corner! I was riding up near the front enough that neither of these affected me, except for that it eliminated some of the big guns.
So I'm 4th wheel, sitting on the Mike's Bikes leadout train, on their sprinter's wheel. We take the final turn, and they're leading him out and I'm thinking omfg I can't believe I'm here! Eventually it's just one guy in front of their sprinter, and I was surprised the sprinter hadn't gone yet but it's a long sprint to the line. Figured I needed to get the jump on him so I went, but he's no dolt so he went as soon as I did, never came around him. But nobody came around me either!
A nice way to start the season for sure.
Real nice Matt!! good job staying out of the chaos too!
01-27-14, 08:08 AM
#227
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[QUOTE=hack;16443442]
Ouch! I was just to left on that crash and saw you go head over bars. While the bike is damaged, it's good to hear you're okay.
In fairness to Impreza, I think he's referring to a second crash that happened shortly after the one you got pulled into. Coming out of the last turn before the final sprint a solo rider took the turn too hard and put himself into grass. Looked like no others were caught up in that one.
Oops sorry Impreza, then it's not your friend. Hope he's ok! See you and Hack at the races.
Ouch! I was just to left on that crash and saw you go head over bars. While the bike is damaged, it's good to hear you're okay.
In fairness to Impreza, I think he's referring to a second crash that happened shortly after the one you got pulled into. Coming out of the last turn before the final sprint a solo rider took the turn too hard and put himself into grass. Looked like no others were caught up in that one.
01-27-14, 09:58 AM
#229
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Bicycle Haus Crit
Cat 4 - 15/46
I was told since I was on the "home team" to be aggressive, try some things, chase some things, and most importantly, don't let anyone get away up the road. I did all of those things, but they threw 3 primes in a row at us, and one of them was for a PS4 which was a harder lap than the bell lap by far. In the end I was kind of there but kind of not. A bit disappointing in the placing but all in all I'm happy because I raced aggressively and with half a brain... approximately 40% more brain than I typically use in crits. The whole race felt like attack after attack.
Cat 4/5 - 7/56
This race was very different from the cat 4, not that much slower, but way less jumpier. I went for a prime on the 3rd lap and got pipped at the line, when two guys attacked and I couldn't recover fast enough to with them. I knew it was a dangerous couple of riders to go, but I never imagined they would get away for good... they did. I sprinted for the pack win and came up a bit short but I raced this one very well.
A great learning experience in all. Last season was my first season racing bikes and I was just happy I'd lost weight and was strong enough to stay in the pack, this year I'm strong enough to win as soon as I figure out how to use the strength, though I'm getting there much more quickly and progressing thanks to some very supporting teammates.
Here's a pic of me trying to get away in the 4's race, proof that I tried. Chris Froome's people called me about some sort of trademark infringement.
Cat 4 - 15/46
I was told since I was on the "home team" to be aggressive, try some things, chase some things, and most importantly, don't let anyone get away up the road. I did all of those things, but they threw 3 primes in a row at us, and one of them was for a PS4 which was a harder lap than the bell lap by far. In the end I was kind of there but kind of not. A bit disappointing in the placing but all in all I'm happy because I raced aggressively and with half a brain... approximately 40% more brain than I typically use in crits. The whole race felt like attack after attack.
Cat 4/5 - 7/56
This race was very different from the cat 4, not that much slower, but way less jumpier. I went for a prime on the 3rd lap and got pipped at the line, when two guys attacked and I couldn't recover fast enough to with them. I knew it was a dangerous couple of riders to go, but I never imagined they would get away for good... they did. I sprinted for the pack win and came up a bit short but I raced this one very well.
A great learning experience in all. Last season was my first season racing bikes and I was just happy I'd lost weight and was strong enough to stay in the pack, this year I'm strong enough to win as soon as I figure out how to use the strength, though I'm getting there much more quickly and progressing thanks to some very supporting teammates.
Here's a pic of me trying to get away in the 4's race, proof that I tried. Chris Froome's people called me about some sort of trademark infringement.
01-27-14, 10:21 AM
#230
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@bmcphx
a PS4 as a prime? holy balls. I would throw the race to win that(srs)
The prime's so far in SoCal have been tubes, a packet of cytomax and a bottle of wine(I can't tell if the win is any good cause I don't drink enough to know the good stuff)
a PS4 as a prime? holy balls. I would throw the race to win that(srs)
The prime's so far in SoCal have been tubes, a packet of cytomax and a bottle of wine(I can't tell if the win is any good cause I don't drink enough to know the good stuff)
01-27-14, 10:22 AM
#231
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phoenix races also pay money to cat 5s.
No one knows why.
No one knows why.
01-27-14, 10:25 AM
#232
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01-27-14, 10:31 AM
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01-27-14, 01:27 PM
#234
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@trustbran i was referring to the second crash. frank washed out on the last chicane.
i'm sorry you crashed. i understand how you feel. having raced a clean race, giving people space, following "rules", and to be taken by some knucklehead because he feels he needs to dive bomb a corner to make up spots is the worst. i must be the only one thinking in my head, i have to be at work on monday...
i hope for all category racers sake that he does learn from his mistake.
i wish you a speedy recovery.
i'm sorry you crashed. i understand how you feel. having raced a clean race, giving people space, following "rules", and to be taken by some knucklehead because he feels he needs to dive bomb a corner to make up spots is the worst. i must be the only one thinking in my head, i have to be at work on monday...
i hope for all category racers sake that he does learn from his mistake.
i wish you a speedy recovery.
01-27-14, 06:16 PM
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01-27-14, 06:18 PM
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01-27-14, 10:13 PM
#237
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Shoot, if you're a little slower than you'd like, do you say "my legs aren't strong enough to race crits"? No, you work on your weaknesses. If you've got head problems in crits, that's a weakness to address, not a prescription for eternal failure.
01-27-14, 11:03 PM
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01-27-14, 11:04 PM
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I won $20 at Avondale when I was a 5 and a teammate of mine won $25 at Avondale last week. The only common theme here would be Procon/Carlos O'briens, and I've never seen it at any other race. Good on them for setting their own rules though, it bought my lunch!
01-27-14, 11:06 PM
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01-27-14, 11:28 PM
#242
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Maybe Avondale #2 , if not then McDowell CR. I'm hoping I can get back on the bike this week. Everything is healing up well. Tegaderm FTW!
01-27-14, 11:32 PM
#243
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Is Arizona not part of the USAC?
01-28-14, 07:06 AM
#244
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01-28-14, 07:28 AM
#246
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Does not compute. If you like racing track and are already a Cat 3 there, there's NO reason you can't learn to race crits well, and enjoy them.
Shoot, if you're a little slower than you'd like, do you say "my legs aren't strong enough to race crits"? No, you work on your weaknesses. If you've got head problems in crits, that's a weakness to address, not a prescription for eternal failure.
Shoot, if you're a little slower than you'd like, do you say "my legs aren't strong enough to race crits"? No, you work on your weaknesses. If you've got head problems in crits, that's a weakness to address, not a prescription for eternal failure.
I still get a bit spooked in the big crits (NCC stuff) but that's a bit of a different story and hopefully I'll address that this year
01-28-14, 09:48 AM
#248
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+1, I used to hate crits and only like road races but once I really started to be move around the pack and figure out how to save energy so that could keep my effort reasonably smooth through corners (vs braking and sprinting) I found out I could do quite well. Also I never thought I had a chance at doing well in sprint finishes but last fall had a lot of success in races with sprint finishes just by positioning myself well in the leadout (which is huge in determining whether you'll podium or barely crack top 8-10).
I still get a bit spooked in the big crits (NCC stuff) but that's a bit of a different story and hopefully I'll address that this year
I still get a bit spooked in the big crits (NCC stuff) but that's a bit of a different story and hopefully I'll address that this year
01-28-14, 10:57 AM
#249
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I'll be in Tucson this weekend, then probably at Avondale 2, etc. etc. I try to race every weekend, though I always skip the Bike Haus race.
01-28-14, 11:15 AM
#250
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As in many things, confidence (provided it is not misplaced!) goes a long way toward helping your performance in a race. Sometimes I do get spooked in a crit, and the quality of my racing and my safety are definitely imperiled. Fear doesn't make you race safer! When I'm in the zone and feeling confident, I can concentrate on racing and can do a LOT more with my fitness, which translates pretty efficiently to better results.