2021 race stories
 

Figured I'd start this thread again, only this time three months later than last year (for obvious reasons). I know that waterrockets and some others (?) have already posted race results elsewhere.

Rosena Ranch P/1/2 Circuit Race (60 mi) - 28th / 53 starters, back of the main field. 25 DNF's so there was some attrition. My main goal was to finish with the main field and to get used to racing again after 13 months of no racing. Mission accomplished.

The course is 20 laps of a 3 mile out-and-back course with rolling hills and a strong wind coming from the south, so it was a bit selective. The breakaway group (riders 1-11 or 12) had all major teams represented to the racing in the field was pretty lame and surge-y. Justin (Williams) yelled at us once or twice for racing like Cat 3's, which I wouldn't disagree with.

Still, it was somewhat hard after each turnaround as riders would hammer it for a bit and gutter the field. People got dropped every lap for this reason. There were a few laps that were even hard in between, but not many (or me). I was quite sore/tired yesterday from the repeated Z6 efforts each lap, it was basically 40 sprints with some of them extending to a minute or two of hard hammering. Still, I started rotating and taking pulls mid way through the race once I realized that I belonged there and that I wasn't going to get dropped. I rode it at the back in he beginning which was a mistake, since I had to pass gassed/dropped riders after the turnarounds on a few occasions.

So overall I'm happy! I accomplished my goals and even had legs to spare at the end. I sort of regret not trying to sprint out of my group, even though it only would have been worth an ego boost to see my name right outside of the top 10 and in the top 3 of Cat 2's, although we were not scored separately. There was one 2 in the break group. We actually got lapped (on the final lap) at which point the commissaire neutralized our group and told us that we would finish behind the break group and on the same lap.

Nice job T-Monk.

I highlighted the part that really spoke to me. There have been many times in my racing career where I did not push hard enough at the right time because I didn't think I belonged there. And that mindset is kind of self-fulfilling.

Great work TMonk!

Part of me is kicking myself for not doing it but a year off the road has taken its toll on my handles!

Nice one TMonk ! Looks like you got the rhythm of the field back with you.

Thanks for starting this thread -- after 8 years, I had no idea where race reports went (apologies for polluting Training Status ;) )

This. I've never been the most talented, but what you're describing definitely eats at me a bit. Self confidence in racing is a big deal.

I drove by the race and pointed it out to my wife and asked if she wanted to watch. We didn't. I re-confirmed, that I am a true fan of the sport even if my kid isn't in it.

TMonk CBR - May 16th? Is that Mother's day? I'm not sure junior can keep up. I'm happy to be dadding around.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b668c6632a.png

Naw, I'll be camping and mountain biking that weekend. Mothers day is the weekend prior (coming up). For me, I'll for sure do Tour de Murrieta, Barrio Logan, and then one or two Majestic/CBR crits each between now and July or so. So not a whole lot. I can double up on the crits now and race the M35+ and then the Pro race for more training which is nice, makes me more inclined to drive all the way up there (~90 minutes each way).

Come mid/late July I'll switch focus to (loaded) hiking and backpacking in preparation for a Sierra Nevada mountaineering trip in late August. That will more or less end my season and I won't start piling on miles till October or November like usual. You know, go to the beach and stuff like a normal person.

I've learned through the pandemic that I enjoy the training as much as the actual racing. With Zwift, I can get in shape and do "racing" (note the purposeful use of quotations) any time I want. Regarding actual racing, I'm most excited about the return of local/grassroots events that are not USAC, like our TT series and weekly track racing. Man that's fun. I do get hyped about some of the USAC stuff but honestly not a whole lot. Valley of the Sun was a big one I liked in Az, but it's already passed and not re-scheduled till 2022 IIRC. I like that it's a time trialist's race so it gave me something to focus on.

I'm sure puppy Doge knows how to ride and can get by in a CBR Pro race with like 2 weeks of training and a rest day, lol.

You might be a bit too well adjusted for this sport.

I'll take that as a compliment, lol

I'm planning on being at CBR

wktmeow are you doing the P/1/2? Unattached, or with a new team???

P1/2, if they have a 2/3 I'll do that as well. I'm racing with Carefast this season, a buddy of mine races for them but I have not met the rest officially, so I'm looking forward to saying hi.

For some time a few years ago they didn't have any P1 options. I can't see the flyer. https://californiabicycleracing.com/#info\

Do you know if a 1-day will work? This seems like the only 2021 race.
I don't know as neither of us have ever done a 1 day license.

A 1-day license? Not sure, I thought they only issued those for cat 5 races.

It's definitely not the only 2021 race though - CBR is planning on having a number of them throughout the summer, Ontario has had one and another coming up, Rosena Ranch, Tour de Murrieta, and I think there were some others on the tentative calendar. The big issue was city permits I believe, as each city has their own interpretation of the COVID restrictions.

Some of the proposed race dates are on here, but I think not all.
https://scnca.com/proposed-dates-for-2021-season/

Turns out you CAN do a one-day for all categories. One-Day Licenses | USA Cycling

1 x One Day Membership - One Day: Road Experienced $25.00

Subtotal: $25.00

Tax: $0.00

Total: $25.00

I may have learned that I like training better than racing, and hate the dieting the most. My local mountain climb race is happening in a few weeks, but I'll just drive over to get my tee shirt and say hi to a few people. Might skip racing this season all together.

When Fabian Cancellara retired, he mentioned he wouldn’t miss the constant dieting, so you aren’t alone😂

Withdrew my registration from Mount Washington today. I guess that's a anti-race story.

Raced CBR after Thursday's second Pfizer dose. It was fast and (for me) difficult, but I don't think I raced it super well. Not sure if cobwebs or vaccine is to blame, I pretty much just played pack-fill the whole time. I tried getting up towards the pointy end a couple of times but quickly decided it was too much on the legs.

Avg speed 29.4 mph
Avg power 197w, 213w weighted avg according to Strava

So this tells me I was fairly efficient, but also that I should have been able to push way harder. Oh well. I took some gopro footage, mainly for my own review, but if anyone's interested: Not much interesting except I moved up at about 20 mins in and played around near the front before deciding I didn't want to anymore

Didn't watch the whole thing but you were smooth out there. A 29.4 average is crazy fast.

Nice job wktmeow . I assume that was the elite 1/2. I would assume the vaccine was at best neutral and probably a downside. Pretty fast crit solid riding.

Thanks guys, hoping the next one I can be more active in. Hermes yes the P12(3?), the only field I can do for the moment unless they start running 2/3's again. Next year I can do the 35+ stuff too. I believe Doge 's kid was out there, but I don't know what kit or bike he was on so I didn't recognize him.

He was. I was the large guy walking around in the red flannel lumberjack shirt with a video camera. Too busy this week working to edit the video.
When juniors the LUX kids would do a team thing and beat up on Predictor (Legions predecessor) more times than not. Really there was no opportunity to di much with the 9 guys in the lead the last 10 laps. Junior tried a kick last lap and got sucked back fast. He had a blast and changed his mind about not getting a USAC license and wants to do TOAD now with some LUX alum.
They are talking of downgrading to Cat 2s which I think is a mistake. Riding against pros is not an issue, while riding against pro teams certainly is.
I thought you'd recognize his socks. Rider on the right owns Laguna Beach cyclery which was his summer job last year.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...34db81c5ed.png