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NorCal Racing thread

Old 08-21-13, 09:43 AM
  #76  
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Originally Posted by Ygduf
Everything I say is just trash talk. I don't blame anyone for not doing any race.

I'm only doing winters because there is a little hill. Without it, it would just be Dunnigan Hills.
which is the most misleading race name ever.
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Old 08-21-13, 09:50 AM
  #77  
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I took second at Winters in the 45 open in my first USAC race. Watch the descent.

Vacaville looks like this in the 3's:



I'm going to do the Fugit TT Sunday. I'd love to do Winters but I need to dress up in a funny costume to amuse my niece that day.
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Old 08-21-13, 09:57 AM
  #78  
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Originally Posted by uncreative
which is the most misleading race name ever.
Not really. There are hills out there in the distance.
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Old 08-21-13, 10:15 AM
  #79  
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Originally Posted by Racer Ex
I took second at Winters in the 45 open in my first USAC race. Watch the descent.

Vacaville looks like this in the 3's:



I'm going to do the Fugit TT Sunday. I'd love to do Winters but I need to dress up in a funny costume to amuse my niece that day.
Re Winters descent: just about every year some guy gets himself unhooked from the lead group on the climb, tries to close the gap on the descent, overcooks a turn, and Hoogerlands himself into the barbed wire fence. If you need to catch back on, you are better off coming down safely and then trying to reattach on Pleasant Valley Road.
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Old 08-21-13, 10:18 AM
  #80  
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Originally Posted by aaronmcd
In a race with hills does one try to stick with other cyclists the whole way, or TT it up the hill and form bunches later?
It depends.

The strong will ride their own pace, perhaps faster than others. Or maybe they'll rest while others are hurting and just spin up.

The weak will turn themselves inside out and die a thousand deaths before the top, hoping to keep the peloton in sight. The really weak will be dropped immediately and call it a day.

Anyway, bunches will form naturally, you won't have to think too much about it.
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Old 08-21-13, 10:21 AM
  #81  
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you nerds don't make me nervous about some descent.
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Old 08-21-13, 10:27 AM
  #82  
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Yeah, I'm not nervous either. I usually have the road all to myself by that point.
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Old 08-21-13, 10:47 AM
  #83  
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I'm imagining a 45+ mph straightaway with a slight blind curve hiding a sudden 180 degree switchback with barbed wire to keep you from going over the cliff.

There is the turn with the barbed wire. the turn doesn't look bad, but the road sure does.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=winte...90.07,,0,-2.44

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Old 08-21-13, 04:53 PM
  #84  
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Originally Posted by mattm
It depends.

The strong will ride their own pace, perhaps faster than others. Or maybe they'll rest while others are hurting and just spin up.

The weak will turn themselves inside out and die a thousand deaths before the top, hoping to keep the peloton in sight. The really weak will be dropped immediately and call it a day.

Anyway, bunches will form naturally, you won't have to think too much about it.
Also try to be near the front at the bottom. That way if you do start falling behind, you can keep within pack longer. Also you won't have to go around riders that are dropping off themselves and gapping.
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Old 08-21-13, 05:29 PM
  #85  
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Last year there was a crash at this turn.

https://goo.gl/maps/XyFKE

There's something about the combo of being blind, sharper than the previous turns, maybe a little off camber, and towards the end of the descent that sucks people in.

Originally Posted by aaronmcd
I'm imagining a 45+ mph straightaway with a slight blind curve hiding a sudden 180 degree switchback with barbed wire to keep you from going over the cliff.

There is the turn with the barbed wire. the turn doesn't look bad, but the road sure does.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=winte...90.07,,0,-2.44
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Old 08-21-13, 07:21 PM
  #86  
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I had to ride past that wad up. Suggestion to marshalls:

Being three yards in front of a crash site on a 40+ MPH downhill yelling at people to slow down is like telling Amy Winehouse to lay off the heroin. Might be a little late for that.
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Old 08-21-13, 10:51 PM
  #87  
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Following people downhill is tough for me. Bikes don't have brake lights.

Last edited by aaronmcd; 08-22-13 at 06:40 AM.
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Old 08-21-13, 11:59 PM
  #88  
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Originally Posted by aaronmcd
Following people downhill is tough for me. Bikes don't have brake lights.
yeah.. going dowhill, leave some space to react and/or bail if needed.

sometimes, if not usually, you just need to trust those around you. trust is easier once you move up in cats, but it's always a risk!
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Old 08-23-13, 09:07 AM
  #89  
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Hey I just thought of 2 questions regarding Winters/road racing. Like I said, it will be my second race - first was a crit. For road races do they mark the route or do you go over it on a map 3000 times before the race in case you are solo coming up to a turn? Also, stop signs... check for traffic and blow around the corner top speed?
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Old 08-23-13, 09:11 AM
  #90  
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All road races I have done have had the course marked and all intersections are controlled...
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Old 08-23-13, 09:57 AM
  #91  
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Originally Posted by rbart4506
All road races I have done have had the course marked and all intersections are controlled...
Yeah, this.
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Old 08-23-13, 10:36 AM
  #92  
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It is incumbent on the racer to know the course. Yes, races are marked and typically have marshals until they do not. And a racer may find himself riding alone either OTF or OTB. Knowing the course and the wind is a competitive advantage. Where do breaks typically occur? Where is it an advantage or crucial to be near the front? If you are popped OTB on a climb, is it feasible to chase back on during the descent?

Typically course marshals will wave the peloton through stop signs. However, be aware of traffic. We have had cases where cars do not obey course marshals and a couple of years ago a course marshal waved a car into the start of a race.

Know the centerline rules and listen up at the pre race instructions. Sometimes centerline rule is waved on some sections of road and always listen to an obey motor refs as they may neutralize the race to allow another field to pass. Good luck.
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Old 08-23-13, 10:47 AM
  #93  
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Originally Posted by Hermes
It is incumbent on the racer to know the course. Yes, races are marked and typically have marshals until they do not. And a racer may find himself riding alone either OTF or OTB. Knowing the course and the wind is a competitive advantage. Where do breaks typically occur? Where is it an advantage or crucial to be near the front? If you are popped OTB on a climb, is it feasible to chase back on during the descent?
Knowing the general course is one thing, but I think he's asking does he need a cue sheet in case he comes otb?

(and I think the answer to that is no)
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Old 08-26-13, 09:14 AM
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saw a couple of dudes wadded up there on saturday, did aaronmcd make it?
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Old 08-26-13, 05:49 PM
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Who's doing the Giro di SF with me?

Mixed 4/5 field is meh, but I can't pass up a race in my backyard!
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Old 08-26-13, 05:52 PM
  #96  
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Just drop the 5's, duh!!

I'm looking forward to it.
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Old 08-26-13, 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by mattm
Just drop the 5's, duh!!

I'm looking forward to it.
That's the plan!

I plan to be there pretty much all day, I'll try to find you and say hi.
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Old 08-26-13, 06:12 PM
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I hope you both have good medical at work. The Giro is one of those races where people seem to take their brains out. And the dumpsters and tractor trailers parked on course are always a nice touch.

Here's a video documentary on the race. Good footage at 1:30.

[NSFW]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...;v=oQfDB0d6cTI
[/NSFW]

spoiler: red asphalt

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Old 08-26-13, 06:15 PM
  #99  
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Originally Posted by mattm
Knowing the general course is one thing, but I think he's asking does he need a cue sheet in case he comes otb?

(and I think the answer to that is no)
Depends on how far OTB he is.
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Old 08-26-13, 06:28 PM
  #100  
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Originally Posted by Racer Ex
I hope you both have good medical at work. The Giro is one of those races where people seem to take their brains out. And the dumpsters and tractor trailers parked on course are always a nice touch.

Here's a video documentary on the race. Good footage at 1:30.

[NSFW]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...;v=oQfDB0d6cTI
[/NSFW]
Gee thanks, I haven't seen enough exposed femurs lately!!
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