2014 Race Results Thread
06-24-14, 08:20 AM
#2302
Making a kilometer blurry
06-24-14, 08:33 AM
#2303
Senior Member
14th at the Cat 3-4 Keith Berger Crit, sat up in the sprint when I saw "dozens" of riders in front of me. I couldn't move up in the fast bits on the last lap, fatal for me since I bank on those moves. I think the lack of training is really catching up. I did manage to pass two or maybe three people while coasting to the line. 53x11 final gear for those keeping track, but I only hit 35 or so mph. Jumped at 95 rpm, hit 100 rpm, stopped.
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
06-26-14, 10:00 AM
#2306
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Local racing series Cat 4/5 Crit
Other than a 2nd place finish, I've had pretty mediocre results since my crash just over 2 months ago. The road rash cleared up quickly, but I let my weekly mileage drop off greatly, and I've been overly cautious riding in the pack. The last couple weeks, I've brought my mileage back up, and this was the first race where my legs felt close to my pre-crash fitness.
I did some work at the beginning to help protect my teammate who is leading the series, then sat in to recover. With 3 laps to go, 2 strong guys from another team discussed attacking and started moving up the right side of the field. I was stuck on the left side, and moved up trying to meet them at the front and tag along. I beat them to the front and decided to go anyhow, hoping the 2 riders off the front could work with me. I saw the field gaining on me on the final lap, and let up a little trying to hop back on the train and sprint it out. I couldn't find an opening, and ended up at the back. I didn't place well, but was very satisfied with the power my legs were able to maintain.
I broke 38 mph on a group ride sprint the other day, and I feel like my legs are coming back. Hopefully, if I improve my positioning, timing, and confidence, I can get the results I think I'm capable of.
Other than a 2nd place finish, I've had pretty mediocre results since my crash just over 2 months ago. The road rash cleared up quickly, but I let my weekly mileage drop off greatly, and I've been overly cautious riding in the pack. The last couple weeks, I've brought my mileage back up, and this was the first race where my legs felt close to my pre-crash fitness.
I did some work at the beginning to help protect my teammate who is leading the series, then sat in to recover. With 3 laps to go, 2 strong guys from another team discussed attacking and started moving up the right side of the field. I was stuck on the left side, and moved up trying to meet them at the front and tag along. I beat them to the front and decided to go anyhow, hoping the 2 riders off the front could work with me. I saw the field gaining on me on the final lap, and let up a little trying to hop back on the train and sprint it out. I couldn't find an opening, and ended up at the back. I didn't place well, but was very satisfied with the power my legs were able to maintain.
I broke 38 mph on a group ride sprint the other day, and I feel like my legs are coming back. Hopefully, if I improve my positioning, timing, and confidence, I can get the results I think I'm capable of.
06-26-14, 10:04 AM
#2307
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Music City Crits - 1/2/3 race - 60 mins. Got 9th overall, my best finish in a 1/2/3 race. Finished second in the Cat 3s, half a bike length behind the Cat 3 winner. I thought I had him but he came around me before the last corner and I couldn't get back around him. Also picked up a prime.
06-28-14, 12:11 AM
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Tour de Grandview p/1/2 DNF
It was actually really "slow" and easy today, but in one of the corners midway though the guy in front hit his breaks and moved over a bit too much causing my to go flying into the pavement. I bounced, slid, and then got run over a few times. For FB friends enjoy some funny pictures of road rash.
It was actually really "slow" and easy today, but in one of the corners midway though the guy in front hit his breaks and moved over a bit too much causing my to go flying into the pavement. I bounced, slid, and then got run over a few times. For FB friends enjoy some funny pictures of road rash.
06-28-14, 09:38 AM
#2310
Senior Member
Friday, Leominster crit (first Longsjo crit of the weekend), 3/4.
HUGE field, 96 starters. Sketchy riding throughout the race, lots of dive-bombing corners, wobbling, that sort of thing. Lots of braking into sweeping turns that didn't require it. Still good fun. Worked my way up to the front, I felt fresh but not very strong, as I've had a hard time getting into shape this spring. Maybe 20 minutes in, one of the Goguen kids took a solo flyer. There were some half-hearted chase efforts, finally there was a guy on the front swinging across the road like it was the Alpe d'Huez or something, looking over his shoulder at the other Team CF kid on his wheel like he wanted him to take a pull. I got fed up and launched hard up the S/F straight, caught the escapee before Turn 2. He was all over the bike, so I just went past. I was about to give up, looked over my shoulder and a friend was bridging up, so we gave it a go for the rest of the lap but got caught back on the home stretch. That was my one bolt, so I just hung on for the final ten minutes or so (the race was shortened due to being behind schedule) and finished somewhere toward the back of the pack.
All in all, some good fun. I don't have a whole lot in my legs right now, but I still can't help but race. Or do what racing I can. I'm happy with how things went, it got me super-pumped to go race the rest of these crits and then jump into the second half of my season.
HUGE field, 96 starters. Sketchy riding throughout the race, lots of dive-bombing corners, wobbling, that sort of thing. Lots of braking into sweeping turns that didn't require it. Still good fun. Worked my way up to the front, I felt fresh but not very strong, as I've had a hard time getting into shape this spring. Maybe 20 minutes in, one of the Goguen kids took a solo flyer. There were some half-hearted chase efforts, finally there was a guy on the front swinging across the road like it was the Alpe d'Huez or something, looking over his shoulder at the other Team CF kid on his wheel like he wanted him to take a pull. I got fed up and launched hard up the S/F straight, caught the escapee before Turn 2. He was all over the bike, so I just went past. I was about to give up, looked over my shoulder and a friend was bridging up, so we gave it a go for the rest of the lap but got caught back on the home stretch. That was my one bolt, so I just hung on for the final ten minutes or so (the race was shortened due to being behind schedule) and finished somewhere toward the back of the pack.
All in all, some good fun. I don't have a whole lot in my legs right now, but I still can't help but race. Or do what racing I can. I'm happy with how things went, it got me super-pumped to go race the rest of these crits and then jump into the second half of my season.
06-28-14, 09:54 AM
#2311
Senior Member
Local racing series Cat 4/5 Crit
Other than a 2nd place finish, I've had pretty mediocre results since my crash just over 2 months ago. The road rash cleared up quickly, but I let my weekly mileage drop off greatly, and I've been overly cautious riding in the pack. The last couple weeks, I've brought my mileage back up, and this was the first race where my legs felt close to my pre-crash fitness.
I did some work at the beginning to help protect my teammate who is leading the series, then sat in to recover. With 3 laps to go, 2 strong guys from another team discussed attacking and started moving up the right side of the field. I was stuck on the left side, and moved up trying to meet them at the front and tag along. I beat them to the front and decided to go anyhow, hoping the 2 riders off the front could work with me. I saw the field gaining on me on the final lap, and let up a little trying to hop back on the train and sprint it out. I couldn't find an opening, and ended up at the back. I didn't place well, but was very satisfied with the power my legs were able to maintain.
I broke 38 mph on a group ride sprint the other day, and I feel like my legs are coming back. Hopefully, if I improve my positioning, timing, and confidence, I can get the results I think I'm capable of.
Other than a 2nd place finish, I've had pretty mediocre results since my crash just over 2 months ago. The road rash cleared up quickly, but I let my weekly mileage drop off greatly, and I've been overly cautious riding in the pack. The last couple weeks, I've brought my mileage back up, and this was the first race where my legs felt close to my pre-crash fitness.
I did some work at the beginning to help protect my teammate who is leading the series, then sat in to recover. With 3 laps to go, 2 strong guys from another team discussed attacking and started moving up the right side of the field. I was stuck on the left side, and moved up trying to meet them at the front and tag along. I beat them to the front and decided to go anyhow, hoping the 2 riders off the front could work with me. I saw the field gaining on me on the final lap, and let up a little trying to hop back on the train and sprint it out. I couldn't find an opening, and ended up at the back. I didn't place well, but was very satisfied with the power my legs were able to maintain.
I broke 38 mph on a group ride sprint the other day, and I feel like my legs are coming back. Hopefully, if I improve my positioning, timing, and confidence, I can get the results I think I'm capable of.
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
06-28-14, 12:06 PM
#2312
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Grolby are you going to do Montague on Wednesday night? I'm thinking of working the race and going to the Lady for dinner afterwards with the crew. It's a great time.
06-28-14, 12:27 PM
#2313
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Tour de Grandview p/1/2 DNF
It was actually really "slow" and easy today, but in one of the corners midway though the guy in front hit his breaks and moved over a bit too much causing my to go flying into the pavement. I bounced, slid, and then got run over a few times. For FB friends enjoy some funny pictures of road rash.
It was actually really "slow" and easy today, but in one of the corners midway though the guy in front hit his breaks and moved over a bit too much causing my to go flying into the pavement. I bounced, slid, and then got run over a few times. For FB friends enjoy some funny pictures of road rash.
06-28-14, 01:41 PM
#2314
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I've been very lucky for the past couple of seasons. Any crashing either happens far enough in of front/behind me, or i am able to maneuver my way out of the crash. This one was kind of a shock. It was 60 to 0, and i didn't realized what had happened until someone was over me asking me what hurt.
06-28-14, 02:09 PM
#2315
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Your move at 3 to go, not the initial one but the second one, after you caught the two guys in green, was perfect. Based on your power it looked like you were within yourself (300w, which seems to be a pretty sustainable effort for you). The first move was a bit weak, 500w or so, and you never gap the field (10-20 feet isn't enough), but that seemed to put the field off guard for your continued move. One green guy bridges well but never really sits on your wheel and I think therefore blew up. However if he could help I think you two had a chance of winning. It might be that easing up a touch in that situation would be good, giving him a rest and letting you catch your breath a bit. I'm not a break kind of guy so I don't know but that was my thought. Good try though, nice move.
In hindsight, if I had just committed to a solo attack, there was a slim chance I could have held off the field for 3 laps; especially if if my teammates got on the front and blocked.
I'm just glad the power was there, but things didn't come together like I wanted. I may just work on a long build until next spring, and see if I can get strong enough to make late, solo breaks work.
06-28-14, 02:44 PM
#2316
Senior Member
It sounds fun, but Montague is almost two hours away when there isn't traffic and I've got this job thing. Alas.
06-28-14, 03:50 PM
#2317
Senior Member
When the two guys I expected to attack weren't there, I coasted up to the breakaway and asked them to work with me. I knew if I attacked, they wouldn't be able to hold my wheel after all the work they had done in a breakaway. I didn't realize that they didn't latch on, and it was a different green jersey guy who got on my wheel. I figured I could pull for 2 laps, then draft for half a lap, then launch a real attack about 500-600m to the line.
In hindsight, if I had just committed to a solo attack, there was a slim chance I could have held off the field for 3 laps; especially if if my teammates got on the front and blocked.
I'm just glad the power was there, but things didn't come together like I wanted. I may just work on a long build until next spring, and see if I can get strong enough to make late, solo breaks work.
In hindsight, if I had just committed to a solo attack, there was a slim chance I could have held off the field for 3 laps; especially if if my teammates got on the front and blocked.
I'm just glad the power was there, but things didn't come together like I wanted. I may just work on a long build until next spring, and see if I can get strong enough to make late, solo breaks work.
As far as making things work, it's a matter of getting the right combination of things happening at the same time. A committed chase will almost always bring back a solo break, even if it ends up a small break off the front instead of just one rider. It's virtually impossible to stay clear of a totally committed chase if you're less than, say, 10-15 seconds off the front. Even 25 seconds is tough. In the 4-5s you'll have more hesitation and less committed chases so it makes such moves possible. Ultimately I think that figuring out when to go is more significant than working on your fitness. I think you can win a race now, using your current strength, it's just a matter of getting the right combination of other variables.
__________________
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
"...during the Lance years, being fit became the No. 1 thing. Totally the only thing. It’s a big part of what we do, but fitness is not the only thing. There’s skills, there’s tactics … there’s all kinds of stuff..." Tim Johnson
06-28-14, 09:27 PM
#2318
Senior Member
Second Longsjo crit, Worcester. Lap one, turn one, I go to upshift and my shifter is jammed. WTF. Half a lap of frantic jiggling and a chunk of plastic falls out, the lever unjams and I'm back in business, more or less. That pretty much set the tone. I saw the winning break go, thought "I need to be up there," tried to bridge but had left it too late and failed. Just sat in for the rest of the race, didn't have the legs to do anything more than that. Came in for a pack finish. Basically I know what I need to do but can't do it.
Checked out the shifter after the race (this is Ultegra 6700, by the way). Near as I can make out, one of the little plastic guides for the shifting prongs that extend down the lever broke off, so now that prong pops back a bit as you shift. The result is that the shifting still works, but there's now a little more slop in the system when you downshift bit also added an extra click as the prong pops back, so it's like downshifting on SRAM now with the noise. I'm not sure what to do, as I don't know that it's broken enough for a warranty claim, if I'm even eligible for it to begin with, but it's really not something that should break, either. Everything about this groupset has been great except the levers, which have been annoying me for a couple solid years, but upgrading isn't really in the cards. Oh well, one more crit tomorrow and then this bike goes on sabbatical for a while as I get into CX training, so I've got time to think about it.
Checked out the shifter after the race (this is Ultegra 6700, by the way). Near as I can make out, one of the little plastic guides for the shifting prongs that extend down the lever broke off, so now that prong pops back a bit as you shift. The result is that the shifting still works, but there's now a little more slop in the system when you downshift bit also added an extra click as the prong pops back, so it's like downshifting on SRAM now with the noise. I'm not sure what to do, as I don't know that it's broken enough for a warranty claim, if I'm even eligible for it to begin with, but it's really not something that should break, either. Everything about this groupset has been great except the levers, which have been annoying me for a couple solid years, but upgrading isn't really in the cards. Oh well, one more crit tomorrow and then this bike goes on sabbatical for a while as I get into CX training, so I've got time to think about it.
06-28-14, 09:31 PM
#2319
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Did my first 40k tt today, 26mi to be exact and I was under geared on my fixed gear. I decided to just use 46/17 to see how I'll do on this gear and was only able to do a 21.8mph average speed with a average cadence of 103rpm. It took me 1'12" and was the most brutal race I've done so far. This has got to be the flattest 40k course around here and it sure was fast. Hopefully I'll be more prepare next time.
06-29-14, 12:19 AM
#2320
Senior Member
CCCX Circuit Race
E4 - 13th
E3/4 - 7th
4.3 mile loop with gentle hill, climbing rollers, lots of wind, and a 40+ mph descent. 60 minutes, finish at the top of the last roller.
Cat 4: Started SLOW. A cat 5 break, starting a few minutes behind us, passed us going into the second lap. Leapfrog and mixups for the rest of the race. The 5s did a great job of staying together, but some of the 4s seemed a bit clueless, e.g. chasing the 5s and drafting them for a while until realizing. Due to the slow race, the final rollers were correspondingly fast. At the finish a few guys took off and the guy in front of me couldn't follow, I had to come around and BAM - facefull of wind. Couldn't keep the pace and a bunch passed me
Cat 3/4: Better because it was harder, if that makes sense. 2 teammates before the start claimed they were going to sleep during this race, then attacked very hard for several minutes at the whistle. First 5 minutes I was over 110%. It slowed a bit, but that basically set the stage. 1.3 laps the go I tried to follow 2 guys attacking but couldn't quite get up there, and burned out as 2 guys, then a few more, then more, flew by chasing. Last group came by and I gave it everything to hang on, then got dropped with one other guy just before the final roller. Good thing a descent was coming up. Caught on, made it to the sprint in not ideal position, but with good energy and sprinted passed a few guys and almost getting 5th, but lost to 5th and 6th by about a wheel. 54 minutes, AP = 280, NP = FTP!
E4 - 13th
E3/4 - 7th
4.3 mile loop with gentle hill, climbing rollers, lots of wind, and a 40+ mph descent. 60 minutes, finish at the top of the last roller.
Cat 4: Started SLOW. A cat 5 break, starting a few minutes behind us, passed us going into the second lap. Leapfrog and mixups for the rest of the race. The 5s did a great job of staying together, but some of the 4s seemed a bit clueless, e.g. chasing the 5s and drafting them for a while until realizing. Due to the slow race, the final rollers were correspondingly fast. At the finish a few guys took off and the guy in front of me couldn't follow, I had to come around and BAM - facefull of wind. Couldn't keep the pace and a bunch passed me
Cat 3/4: Better because it was harder, if that makes sense. 2 teammates before the start claimed they were going to sleep during this race, then attacked very hard for several minutes at the whistle. First 5 minutes I was over 110%. It slowed a bit, but that basically set the stage. 1.3 laps the go I tried to follow 2 guys attacking but couldn't quite get up there, and burned out as 2 guys, then a few more, then more, flew by chasing. Last group came by and I gave it everything to hang on, then got dropped with one other guy just before the final roller. Good thing a descent was coming up. Caught on, made it to the sprint in not ideal position, but with good energy and sprinted passed a few guys and almost getting 5th, but lost to 5th and 6th by about a wheel. 54 minutes, AP = 280, NP = FTP!
06-29-14, 09:05 AM
#2321
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Same ^ CCCX races, 2/3s and p12.
2/3s I tried to get a break going. Couldn't do it. NP of 345 for 75 minutes. Made the last lap as hard as I could, tried to bring back one guy who attacked early on the final climbs to the finish and failed, but did launch my 2 teammates who took 2nd and 3rd. If I hadn't at least grabbed a couple podiums the past few months I would be pretty bummed, but I'm still mostly content to be the domestique if I can't get into a break.
p12 - I was about to jump over to the clearly-winning move when our team captain-kind-of-dude told me to let it go. I did. Super frustrated for 3/4 of the race in the middle. The break was safely away so I did work in select spaces and eventually got a split down to 7 guys. Took 3rd of that group, so finished 10-12th, I think. Sort of satisfying to finish well after a 90 minute race, my 2nd of the day, but still a little sour that I watched the winning break roll away. I know the risk is that if I jump to go up to it, I have no pop and risk dragging the pack back and we did have 2 guys in the 8?-man move, so it was probably better for the team for me to sit and watch it go. But damn, put me in a 10-man move in that wind on that course and I think I'd have been golden. @mattm did take 5th, so we had a person on the (NorCal!) podium, at least. Good racing by him.
2/3s I tried to get a break going. Couldn't do it. NP of 345 for 75 minutes. Made the last lap as hard as I could, tried to bring back one guy who attacked early on the final climbs to the finish and failed, but did launch my 2 teammates who took 2nd and 3rd. If I hadn't at least grabbed a couple podiums the past few months I would be pretty bummed, but I'm still mostly content to be the domestique if I can't get into a break.
p12 - I was about to jump over to the clearly-winning move when our team captain-kind-of-dude told me to let it go. I did. Super frustrated for 3/4 of the race in the middle. The break was safely away so I did work in select spaces and eventually got a split down to 7 guys. Took 3rd of that group, so finished 10-12th, I think. Sort of satisfying to finish well after a 90 minute race, my 2nd of the day, but still a little sour that I watched the winning break roll away. I know the risk is that if I jump to go up to it, I have no pop and risk dragging the pack back and we did have 2 guys in the 8?-man move, so it was probably better for the team for me to sit and watch it go. But damn, put me in a 10-man move in that wind on that course and I think I'd have been golden. @mattm did take 5th, so we had a person on the (NorCal!) podium, at least. Good racing by him.
06-29-14, 09:59 AM
#2322
**** that
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CCCCCCX race, same as the other guys - 1/2/3's. 8? laps, 90 minutes total.
5th.
For once I was fresh for this, having skipped the 2/3's earlier. A few guys to mark, and I did just that.
It's a tough course for me, but the climbs are manageable.
This was one of those races where I came away beat, but feeling like it made me stronger! So that's at least good.
Main marked guy (CR) couldn't get away early, due to his markedness. Two others, including one of my teammates got away, which was good.
CR eventually tried to bridge, as did another big name, so I went too, and latched on to their wheel. I guess they weren't happy I wouldn't pull through, go figure. I just sat on the back, didn't disrupt anything, seemed legit to me given I had a guy up the road, I guess they just wanted me to be stupid and chase my own guy.
A few more biggish names bridged up, eventually we were 6 or so chasing 2. Field behind was out of sight. Once we caught the two guys attacks were flying, I was gassed. I did take a pull once I recovered, but guys were still mad at me and attacked as soon as I pulled off... so it goes.
At one point on the rollers before the finish me and my teammate, and one other guy got gapped.. he was toast, but put in a big dig to close the gap, then gave me a huge push which pretty much saved my race!! Me and the other guy chased for a few minutes and got back on. Of course the guys in the break were still mad at me, but whatever.
Attacks going here and there, 2 laps to go, and some old guy from a team nobody recognized rode away. Didn't seem like a threat, but I put in work on the front to keep it in check.. guy got away and eventually won, damn.
Main marked guy flatted out, left 6 or so of us racing for 2nd. At the top of the last roller before the line I was 3rd wheel. Nobody had jumped yet, and with 200m to go I jumped and tried to hold it.. couldn't.. legs gave out about 20m before the line, 3 guys came around.
1 more point in the bucket, and $20. And I hung with some biggish dogs of the norcal peloton, so that was cool too.
5th.
For once I was fresh for this, having skipped the 2/3's earlier. A few guys to mark, and I did just that.
It's a tough course for me, but the climbs are manageable.
This was one of those races where I came away beat, but feeling like it made me stronger! So that's at least good.
Main marked guy (CR) couldn't get away early, due to his markedness. Two others, including one of my teammates got away, which was good.
CR eventually tried to bridge, as did another big name, so I went too, and latched on to their wheel. I guess they weren't happy I wouldn't pull through, go figure. I just sat on the back, didn't disrupt anything, seemed legit to me given I had a guy up the road, I guess they just wanted me to be stupid and chase my own guy.
A few more biggish names bridged up, eventually we were 6 or so chasing 2. Field behind was out of sight. Once we caught the two guys attacks were flying, I was gassed. I did take a pull once I recovered, but guys were still mad at me and attacked as soon as I pulled off... so it goes.
At one point on the rollers before the finish me and my teammate, and one other guy got gapped.. he was toast, but put in a big dig to close the gap, then gave me a huge push which pretty much saved my race!! Me and the other guy chased for a few minutes and got back on. Of course the guys in the break were still mad at me, but whatever.
Attacks going here and there, 2 laps to go, and some old guy from a team nobody recognized rode away. Didn't seem like a threat, but I put in work on the front to keep it in check.. guy got away and eventually won, damn.
Main marked guy flatted out, left 6 or so of us racing for 2nd. At the top of the last roller before the line I was 3rd wheel. Nobody had jumped yet, and with 200m to go I jumped and tried to hold it.. couldn't.. legs gave out about 20m before the line, 3 guys came around.
1 more point in the bucket, and $20. And I hung with some biggish dogs of the norcal peloton, so that was cool too.
06-29-14, 10:05 AM
#2323
**** that
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p12 - I was about to jump over to the clearly-winning move when our team captain-kind-of-dude told me to let it go. I did. Super frustrated for 3/4 of the race in the middle.
..
but still a little sour that I watched the winning break roll away. I know the risk is that if I jump to go up to it, I have no pop and risk dragging the pack back and we did have 2 guys in the 8?-man move, so it was probably better for the team for me to sit and watch it go. But damn, put me in a 10-man move in that wind on that course and I think I'd have been golden.
..
but still a little sour that I watched the winning break roll away. I know the risk is that if I jump to go up to it, I have no pop and risk dragging the pack back and we did have 2 guys in the 8?-man move, so it was probably better for the team for me to sit and watch it go. But damn, put me in a 10-man move in that wind on that course and I think I'd have been golden.
2 people out of 10 is pretty good, asking for more is bordering on greed. What are we, Mike's Bikes??
Anyway good racing - doing those two races in a row is tough!
06-29-14, 10:41 AM
#2325
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Location: Redlands, CA
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250 Posts
Ontario Criterium
Category 5
35/50
The race was good and bad. Most of the laps I sat in and averaged about 150 watts; that was good. There was a ton of unnecessary braking which lead to a few close calls, but everyone stayed up. I was in back for 80% of the race which was my big mistake. The last two laps the race became faster and more difficult to close gaps etc. On the final lap I tried to follow a group jumping to the front but got pushed off my line, spent some time in the wind, and didn't have it. Got back on some wheels for the last half lap but I wasn't moving up or back. Finished in the back of the pack.
My biggest mistake was sitting back so long and trying to move up when the race got faster. I don't have a massive ftp or a great sprint so my best bet is to conserve, which I did great until the last two laps. Problem is it takes an effort to get to the front, and one to make a move at the end. Had I already been at or near the front by then my race probably would have been significantly different.
Category 5
35/50
The race was good and bad. Most of the laps I sat in and averaged about 150 watts; that was good. There was a ton of unnecessary braking which lead to a few close calls, but everyone stayed up. I was in back for 80% of the race which was my big mistake. The last two laps the race became faster and more difficult to close gaps etc. On the final lap I tried to follow a group jumping to the front but got pushed off my line, spent some time in the wind, and didn't have it. Got back on some wheels for the last half lap but I wasn't moving up or back. Finished in the back of the pack.
My biggest mistake was sitting back so long and trying to move up when the race got faster. I don't have a massive ftp or a great sprint so my best bet is to conserve, which I did great until the last two laps. Problem is it takes an effort to get to the front, and one to make a move at the end. Had I already been at or near the front by then my race probably would have been significantly different.