tobukog

The Masters 35+, or 35-39 field at Nationals, is IMO, a pretty soft field all around. At that age, the best guys still race 1-2/pro. The 40+ guys tend to be a lot faster -- no longer willing to bang shoulders with the pro's but still really strong and into racing bikes. Some of them have a lot of time and money on their hands, or maybe they're having a midlife crisis. But in terms of numbers, it seemed lower all around this year. Maybe some have been scared off by the number of crashes in the last couple of years.

mattm

Yeah. The 35-39 group is usually one of the smallest.

But the results sheet doesn't seem to show everyone; The 40-44 crit had 57 pre-reg'd, but only 40 listed in the results..

And there are like one million categories. That's a lot of champions!

mattm

Did the 40-44 championship crit today. I didn't win.

Felt decent, considering the heat (95+), humidity, and other sundry excuses. Stayed up front, or tried to.

Attacked on the backside, tried to get a gap, did (briefly), but then was stuck on the front with a super high heart rate and a match still burning. Came out of the last corner 3rd wheel, but pretty much went backwards from there. Shoulda waited, but oh well. I tried!

furiousferret

You had a plan it just didn't work out. Also, that announcer sounded like he said Mac McCool which is the coolest name ever....

mattm

topflightpro

Numbers overall seemed really down this year. Maybe because it's the second year in Augusta.

When I did it in Winston-Salem two years ago, there were 65-70 in the 35-39 field and the 40 and 45 fields sold out at 125 or 150. The 50 and 55 fields also had about 100 registrants. Though that year, many people in later fields dropped out of the crit after seeing the bloodshed in the earlier races.

tobukog

I was also surprised by the difference between the number of riders riding just the RR but not the criterium considering that the course didn't have any significant climbs.

Even day to day, I'm thinking the heat really got to a number of riders. A friend of mine was done after 1 lap of the road race and then ended up going home even though the was registered for the crit.

furiousferret

Its becoming more of niche sport. New racers aren't refreshing the Masters field and its starting to show now at the highest levels. There's a lot of stuff USA Cycling could do but its run by people who were elite before they were an adult and making it appealing to adults entering the sport isn't even in their purview.

Ygduf

it's not "McCool?"

TheKillerPenguin

Raced in Maryland over the weekend. 3 observations.

1. MABRA summer is truly, absurdly hot.
2. There is decent elevation gain to be had in races, but all the elevation gain comes in 30 second snips.
3. Half the riders look like they could bench press a small car, and all the riders look like they open jars without issue. There is more bicep to be found in one mabra race than can be found in all of the northeast (NYC being the exception).

ntnyln

Which race did you do? I was at the Tour of Washington County. I agree with 1,2 and part of 3. There are still some skinny guys here. Having lived in SF for 10 years I was used to 6k elevation in a 60 mile ride coming 3k at a time. Here I can do it but the biggest elevation change is like 250 ft. Nothing is flat.

TheKillerPenguin

Indeed, ToWC. The road race was really rad, but I was NOT prepared for that heat, the sun is straight violent. I really enjoyed the area and I'd def come back to visit and ride for fun. Also, why don't you guys use the bigger mountains for racing?!

mattm

mike868y

raced the p12 field at harlem on sunday. my first race at this level (usa crits). it was rad. didn't really have any expectations going into it, but was able to move around the field and was much more comfortable than I expected. positioned poorly at the end and got crashed out (didn't go down, but my rear brake got hit and shoved off center such that I had to get off and re center it) with 2 to go. great experience though, i'm glad I did it. not nearly as sketchy as people said and most the sketchiness could be avoided if they used flat footed barriers.

ntnyln

The gravel made the road race completely different that last year. It definitely turned it up a notch. That was nothing compared to the slip and slide addition to corner 3 on the crit. That corner is hard enough without adding the water in. I had to unclip and put a foot down with 5 to go when the guy in front of me went down. Thankfully got back on quickly because everyone had to go so slow through it.

This was the first weekend of real heat and believe it or not it was worse last year. Temp was over 100 for the crit. The area is great for riding, the climby races are usually in southeastern PA or down in VA. I've only been here 3 years, but I think it's just too far to get to the mountains for the population centers of MD.

Next time your decide to race in the area, send me a message.

mattm

mattm

TheKillerPenguin

The crit seemed really cool, but it was my first one of the year, and the water covered algae was a bit too Mario Kart for me. I opted to be OTB after seeing crashes happen there the first few laps.

Will def shoot you a msg the next time I'm down there!

gsteinb

TMonk

Yesterday I raced (Ladera Ranch GP cat 2/3) and lost. I took off for a couple laps solo in the middle and at least won some cash so I got my race entry back.

The last few laps felt like a cat 4 race. It was too slow. There was not enough team presence/participation and no designated riders to keep it fast and prevent it from fanning out and swarming before the corners. Someone dive-bombed me with 3 corners to go (I was in good position) and made me grab a bunch of brake, losing momentum and pushing me wayyy back. That's all she wrote.

Next time!

wktmeow

The end of that race was dumb and frustrating. Every time I tried to go to the front and try to gain time on the break, someone would almost crash or do something else stupid right next to me, and then the field would be fanned out with no room to pass. Also pissed at myself because I was up the road when two of the guys that would form the winning break were bridging up, and the guys I was otf with slowed up to let them catch, but of course they blew by way faster than us. Should have just stayed on the gas. I tried to latch on for a minute, but when I got to the headwind section I was fading and gave up. Should have known that would be the move and should have given it my all to close the gap, then sat on for a couple mins.

Anyway, I also just attacked way too much early on and burned a ton of matches, even though I was sore from the P12 earlier. Seems like I'm just throwing caution to the wind lately and not thinking about the result. Sorry @TMonk, I should have stuck in the field and helped out more.

The P12 was hard. I got away for a 3/4 lap flyer for a $100 prime, so that was cool, but then I paid for it with fatigue. Two strong teammates were doing well and going on some good attacks, but I was pretty useless and had trouble getting to the head of the race just from how strung out it would get. Need to get out of survival mode and start riding smart.

TMonk

Ha no worries @wktmeow! You had raced the P/1/2 a little earlier so no hard feelings, and thanks for the good intentions. I need to get some more points so I can join you guys!

furiousferret

I'm the only one on my team that hasn't broken their collarbone at Ladera Ranch; there's a reason I skip it.

TMonk

It's a neat course though! That last turn is a little bit narrow however...

caloso

Did Nevada City M35+3/4/5. It's a race I've never done well in. I've never been a good climber and I'm 10lbs heavier than I planned to be this time of the season. My goals were to 1) not crash; 2) not finish DFL; and 3) top 10. Managed the first two. 12/13.

In past years I've always tried to stay with the front group as long as possible and then blow up. This year decided to ride my pace from the start and then pick off guys who did what I usually do. Came down the hill on the first lap sitting a few meters behind the bunch, and then as we go into the 90 degree turn at the bottom, the guy to my inside locks up his brakes and keeps going straight so I am stuck going straight too. For a second I thought we were going into the hay bales. He manages to stay upright and out of the bales, I manage the same, but now I've lost all momentum and the group rides away. Great.

Next few laps I'm pretty tentative in that corner but I finally get comfortable on the 4th or 5th lap. At this point, I'm just trying to finish and not get lapped more than once and to not die of heat stroke. Did I mention it was 100F?

Oh, well. It's a great race, a true classic, and I'm glad to support it even if I'll never do well in it.