2018 racing stories
#626
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@revchuck, awesome job just getting it done. I've had similar issues on 200+ mile rides, after a certain point I can't eat any more sugar and I also can't guzzle electrolytes all day, my stomach starts to feel gross. Digesting even real food becomes and issue, if I eat it just sits there. The last 60 miles are just tough nutritionally for me.
As to doing it next year: Why not? Might as well try to crack that nut.
Congrats on getting in done and on a good finish.
As to doing it next year: Why not? Might as well try to crack that nut.
Congrats on getting in done and on a good finish.
#627
Cat 2
Good work @Revhcuck. Sorry we couldn't meet up. It really is a beautiful route, eh? Let me know if you're going to do it next year!
I had little struggle with nutrition even though I missed my first feed. The coke I had in my last feed bag was a god send. I had literally been looking forward to that thing for the prior 100 miles. I kept it varied, ate some solids, a lot of liquids and a lot of gels. This race also rekindled my love for shot blocks .
For everyone that didn't have the luck to participate.. Here is what the finish looks like (my ugly mug included.)
I had little struggle with nutrition even though I missed my first feed. The coke I had in my last feed bag was a god send. I had literally been looking forward to that thing for the prior 100 miles. I kept it varied, ate some solids, a lot of liquids and a lot of gels. This race also rekindled my love for shot blocks .
For everyone that didn't have the luck to participate.. Here is what the finish looks like (my ugly mug included.)
#628
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@Ttoc6 - I remember being surprised seeing the finish, my Garmin said 204 miles and it was supposed to be 206.
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Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
#631
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I agree.
I did my first, and only, cross race of the year yesterday. I pulled the bike out of storage earlier in the week. Dusted it off and put air in the tires. Made sure the brakes worked ok. Wasn’t concerned about shifting.
Rode from the car to the start line. Set up mid field, and I pretty much stayed there for the entire race.
Now the bike bike will go back into storage until next year.
I’d probably be good at cross if I like it and trained for it. But I don’t.
I did my first, and only, cross race of the year yesterday. I pulled the bike out of storage earlier in the week. Dusted it off and put air in the tires. Made sure the brakes worked ok. Wasn’t concerned about shifting.
Rode from the car to the start line. Set up mid field, and I pretty much stayed there for the entire race.
Now the bike bike will go back into storage until next year.
I’d probably be good at cross if I like it and trained for it. But I don’t.
#632
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Very pleasantly surprised that my TT today went well, given this has been the Summer of MTB for me and I haven't spent the kind of time on the TT bike that I normally do. My last race was early June and immediately after, I went a did an aerotest session at the velodrome in Carson. From that, we set a new, more aggressive position on the TT bike and today was my first race in the new position. I wasn't expecting much, because I've done tons of zone 2/3 hours this summer on the MTB but not much threshold work on the TT bike. It was also forecast to be hot and I'm pretty awful in heat. Oh yeah and we went out to a local tasting room last night and I did not exactly confine myself to one glass of wine as planned. Oy..
there is quite a bit about MTBing that translates to Thing. In fact, if you've been doing quite a bit of climbing (esp steep or loose) you likely have been getting your chest low, which is a hip angle like that of most good TTers.
A few drinks isn't going to spoil true fitness!
#633
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@furiousferret Here is a link to a video about La Ronde Tahitienne. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwiI...ature=youtu.be Watching the video, I am psyched to go back and do it again.
#634
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Piru 20k ITT for me today. 3rd of 5, women’s open. Out of second place by 5 seconds, fair enough I guess since last month I beat that same woman by 10 seconds.
Slightly downhill going out and we had a light tailwind, then the turn-around and a slight uphill headwind going back. Paced it well, better power than last month on a higher HR (ie stronger more TT-appropriate effort). Didn’t fade this time, no technical glitches. It was actually pretty well-executed considering that I’ve been suffering from mtb brain all summer.
First real race of my season, which will run to next June with a few little lulls to keep myself viably in the game.
Interestingly enough, I’ve come to the decision that I’m no longer going to “do what it takes” to make it to all the races available to me. I’m just gonna race if it works into my schedule. Today I learned that my two main racing rivals have independently come to the same decision. They’re going to race when they can. Too much instability in the schedule last year, it started to feel a little stupid to be all-in on bike racing. Lol now I kind of wish I hadn’t reorganized my brain on the subject, could have maybe won myself a TT series this year...
Slightly downhill going out and we had a light tailwind, then the turn-around and a slight uphill headwind going back. Paced it well, better power than last month on a higher HR (ie stronger more TT-appropriate effort). Didn’t fade this time, no technical glitches. It was actually pretty well-executed considering that I’ve been suffering from mtb brain all summer.
First real race of my season, which will run to next June with a few little lulls to keep myself viably in the game.
Interestingly enough, I’ve come to the decision that I’m no longer going to “do what it takes” to make it to all the races available to me. I’m just gonna race if it works into my schedule. Today I learned that my two main racing rivals have independently come to the same decision. They’re going to race when they can. Too much instability in the schedule last year, it started to feel a little stupid to be all-in on bike racing. Lol now I kind of wish I hadn’t reorganized my brain on the subject, could have maybe won myself a TT series this year...
#635
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Yesterday, Masters Track Worlds 2k Individual pursuit - 12/19. I did a solid time, great pacing, picked up the speed on the last lap and rode it in ERO (aero optimized) position. My legs seemed a little flat. Maybe it was too much taper and not enough punch durning this last week or hanging around in a hotel for a couple of days such that my brain was flat. The really good news is the season is finally over and I can be in off season.
Track Worlds returns to Europe next year and we will not see it here for another 40 years. On the good news side, Masters Track Nationals will be at Carson next year which means we will have essentially the same gang minus the rest of the world.
My new goal for 2019 is increasing my FTP 15%. So much like @Heathpack, I am being opportunistic racing and if the races are canceled or whatever, I will be focused on my FTP. The last few seasons, I have focused on races and tried to manage my fitness to the race schedule and length. My aerobic power bounced around a lot. So I think I have a lot to gain if I focus hence the !5% target and since I race timed track events and road time trials and hillclimbs it is a good match. But even if I do not race at all, I still have a goal.
Track Worlds returns to Europe next year and we will not see it here for another 40 years. On the good news side, Masters Track Nationals will be at Carson next year which means we will have essentially the same gang minus the rest of the world.
My new goal for 2019 is increasing my FTP 15%. So much like @Heathpack, I am being opportunistic racing and if the races are canceled or whatever, I will be focused on my FTP. The last few seasons, I have focused on races and tried to manage my fitness to the race schedule and length. My aerobic power bounced around a lot. So I think I have a lot to gain if I focus hence the !5% target and since I race timed track events and road time trials and hillclimbs it is a good match. But even if I do not race at all, I still have a goal.
#636
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Nice @Hermes! Are you taking a break before you ramp up again?
#637
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Nice @Hermes! Are you taking a break before you ramp up again?
#639
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#640
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Oct 2018 Fiesta Island 20K ITT
Won my class
PRed the course
Won the 2018 Fiesta TT series
Then celebrated with a mimosa brunch
Long day, just got home and looked at the data. Very happy with it from a technical perspective.
But I’m sure @Racer Ex will find something to improve upon!
PRed the course
Won the 2018 Fiesta TT series
Then celebrated with a mimosa brunch
Long day, just got home and looked at the data. Very happy with it from a technical perspective.
But I’m sure @Racer Ex will find something to improve upon!
#641
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Won my class
PRed the course
Won the 2018 Fiesta TT series
Then celebrated with a mimosa brunch
Long day, just got home and looked at the data. Very happy with it from a technical perspective.
But I’m sure @Racer Ex will find something to improve upon!
PRed the course
Won the 2018 Fiesta TT series
Then celebrated with a mimosa brunch
Long day, just got home and looked at the data. Very happy with it from a technical perspective.
But I’m sure @Racer Ex will find something to improve upon!
#642
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@Heathpack You are the bomb. Congrats on a great season.
#643
**** that
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Won my class
PRed the course
Won the 2018 Fiesta TT series
Then celebrated with a mimosa brunch
Long day, just got home and looked at the data. Very happy with it from a technical perspective.
But I’m sure @Racer Ex will find something to improve upon!
PRed the course
Won the 2018 Fiesta TT series
Then celebrated with a mimosa brunch
Long day, just got home and looked at the data. Very happy with it from a technical perspective.
But I’m sure @Racer Ex will find something to improve upon!
#644
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I fell off a ladder right before Masters Track Worlds in September 2017, shattering my heal into a half dozen pieces. Surgery, and several months immobile before rehab where I couldn't walk without crutches for 6 weeks. Then I limped. In February I had back surgery that had complications and turned from out patient to 3 days in the hospital and 27 staples in my back. A week later I had four screws taken out of my foot.
Started back training in April with a leg that was mostly bone and skin. By early July I was good enough to grab a silver in the Team Pursuit and take 9th/21 in the 2k pursuit at track nats. That was not easy.
By August I was good enough to podium the points race at States, win the team pursuit, and get silver in the team sprint while being marked enough that my teammate took a lap and won the scratch race. By mid September I was flying, looking forward to rebooting track worlds in two weeks.
Then a mechanical locked up my front brake on my TT bike, sending me over the bars, breaking a rib, spraining both wrists and a shoulder, and some extensive soft tissue damage to my back and chest. I did not race worlds.
And that is my 2018 race story.
Started back training in April with a leg that was mostly bone and skin. By early July I was good enough to grab a silver in the Team Pursuit and take 9th/21 in the 2k pursuit at track nats. That was not easy.
By August I was good enough to podium the points race at States, win the team pursuit, and get silver in the team sprint while being marked enough that my teammate took a lap and won the scratch race. By mid September I was flying, looking forward to rebooting track worlds in two weeks.
Then a mechanical locked up my front brake on my TT bike, sending me over the bars, breaking a rib, spraining both wrists and a shoulder, and some extensive soft tissue damage to my back and chest. I did not race worlds.
And that is my 2018 race story.
Last edited by Racer Ex; 10-17-18 at 11:04 AM.
#645
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@Racer Ex, well you healed up from a foot fracture that many people never come back from. So there’s that.
#fastin2019
#fastin2019
#646
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@Racer Ex A lot of cyclists have jerseys and medals but how many have a draw full of orthopedic screws and staples and are still racing?
#noscrews2019
#noscrews2019
#647
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@furiousferret Here is a link to a video about La Ronde Tahitienne. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwiI...ature=youtu.be Watching the video, I am psyched to go back and do it again.
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Not next year but maybe in the future. My comment is more about a feeling after an experience where one thinks, boy that was great and I would like to do it again. The again may or may not materialize due to logistics and other reasons.
#649
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12/9/2018 CBR Off Season Criterium Series Results:
Cat 3: 1/16
Slow race, a little surge-y but not difficult at all. I knew who the fast guys were either personally and/or by paying attention to who had points in the series. I also knew that I didn't want to wait until the last straight because I'd have trouble beating these guys in a drag race. I started my sprint with a bit over two corners to go, and took a fast line on the inside with a ton of momentum. I could tell that I had a gap which is great so I got low and just squeezed as hard as I could. Felt like I was pedaling through sand after the last corner but I still had enough to hold it up the long final straight.
Cat 2/3: 6/50+
Frustrated with not doing better in this one. A group of 3-4 was off the front with 40 out of 60 minutes still remaining, when the series leader made an attack to bridge up, so I grabbed his wheel. We were clear with maybe 1 or 2 more and after some re-shuffling/riders getting dropped, a solid group of 4 formed and we were working together smoothly, slowly pulling away from the field. Another group of 2 bridged up, one of whom would eventually win. With 5 to go the field was out of sight and it was clear I was in the winning group.
Someone sprinted right where I did in the cat 3 race and I caught his wheel instantly. When he slowed, I should have just powered on and maybe got a podium spot, even though it would have hurt pretty bad. Instead I let myself recover, got "swarmed" by my break companions going into the last corner and just got a little psyched out. Damn!
Cat 3/4: DFL/IDK
There are a couple newer cat 4's on the team that are strong so I wanted to help some of them out. Despite everyone having raced already it was still fairly fast, and each time I hit the front I was pretty gassed. My teammates didn't do much or ask for much help anyway, so instead of risking it in those final few laps I just tail gunned to the finish.
Overall I'm pleased with my fitness and excited to keep training and earn more points in early 2019!
Cat 3: 1/16
Slow race, a little surge-y but not difficult at all. I knew who the fast guys were either personally and/or by paying attention to who had points in the series. I also knew that I didn't want to wait until the last straight because I'd have trouble beating these guys in a drag race. I started my sprint with a bit over two corners to go, and took a fast line on the inside with a ton of momentum. I could tell that I had a gap which is great so I got low and just squeezed as hard as I could. Felt like I was pedaling through sand after the last corner but I still had enough to hold it up the long final straight.
Cat 2/3: 6/50+
Frustrated with not doing better in this one. A group of 3-4 was off the front with 40 out of 60 minutes still remaining, when the series leader made an attack to bridge up, so I grabbed his wheel. We were clear with maybe 1 or 2 more and after some re-shuffling/riders getting dropped, a solid group of 4 formed and we were working together smoothly, slowly pulling away from the field. Another group of 2 bridged up, one of whom would eventually win. With 5 to go the field was out of sight and it was clear I was in the winning group.
Someone sprinted right where I did in the cat 3 race and I caught his wheel instantly. When he slowed, I should have just powered on and maybe got a podium spot, even though it would have hurt pretty bad. Instead I let myself recover, got "swarmed" by my break companions going into the last corner and just got a little psyched out. Damn!
Cat 3/4: DFL/IDK
There are a couple newer cat 4's on the team that are strong so I wanted to help some of them out. Despite everyone having raced already it was still fairly fast, and each time I hit the front I was pretty gassed. My teammates didn't do much or ask for much help anyway, so instead of risking it in those final few laps I just tail gunned to the finish.
Overall I'm pleased with my fitness and excited to keep training and earn more points in early 2019!
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"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
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"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste