utahp8ntballer

First one is me on the front of a local crit yesterday.

ZeCanon

Note to self: racing doesn't go well after a week of zero decent riding, spending 9 hrs/day on your feet, and sleeping 4-5 hrs/night.

CU short track. It was ugly. Maybe top 10? (I'm on the left)


Photo Michael Kane

fly:yes/land:no

i worked a booth for outdoor both days and spent indoor walking the floor and networking. i am still recovering.

wait, are you complaining about getting a top 10 in a collegiate 'a' race?

ZeCanon

What booth?

Mostly just complaining about getting tromped by a few guys I normally beat.

fly:yes/land:no

i just started working at the corporate hq for a bike company. (rhymes with belt). i only had 2 days with the company before we headed to the desert, so i just sort of observed and helped switch pedals/dial in saddle height for the test rides. i think i missed the velonews guys, but was there for interviews/photos by other media groups. incidentally, on my flight out to interview with the company back in july, one of the guys on my plane had a csu cycling shirt. small world.

ZeCanon

Very cool. Yeah we had someone over there on Tuesday, riding a 29er I think? Can't remember.

Going to interbike makes you realize that we do indeed live in a very very small world.

Racer Ex 

I didn't realize Bianchi had licensed that technology from Oval.

waterrockets 

How many of you MTB with your fingers positioned similar to the CU rider? That's how I learned to ride back before suspension. My hands took such a beating on the rocks that I couldn't hold the bars any more if my fingers were out on the brake (grip is weak w/out the index finger). I learned that if I braked with middle+ring, I had just as much braking power and modulation, but I had a much stronger and more relaxed grip because my index finger/thumb could hold the bar so much easier.

Hartlin

I brake that way, but it's something I picked up from motorcyle racing/riding. Same concept though, retain contact with thumb/index, brake with middle/ring.

Flatballer

I use my index finger to brake. I've tried the other way, because it makes more sense, but it always hurt my hands. I feel secure enough with three fingers and my thumb.

if my brake levers were designed better I could use my middle finger, but they're really designed for single finger index braking.

patentcad

See? I do race sometimes.

Frunkin

Worst pursuit ever. Not riding for a month plus a major position change to be UCI compliant 4 minutes before my start doesn't work well.

mzeffex 

I think suffering is an appropriate word.

CrimsonKarter21

Pinned armwarmers. Fredelicious.

ridethecliche

Yeah, wtf?

CrimsonKarter21

Seb must be stuck in 1980. He probably still uses Ace bandages instead of knee warmers.

pjn0629

same race as patentcad up above, i guess crits aren't really my thing

tombailey

Poor kid wasn't alive in the 80s. In his defence, he is tall with long limbs, but skinny cyclist biceps. Therefore it's probably tricky to find arm warmers long enough AND tight enough.

And they were good enough to get him on the podium...

patentcad

Give yourself a break kid. You could hardly be expected to hang on with Pcad turning up the gas with his mighty guads on the front.

Velo Vol 

I thought that you weren't allowed here anymore.

pjcampbell

time? do you do 4k or 3k? why are you worried about a UCI position -- is that at the masters nationals? how was your position before that made it illegal?

really interested in going for 3k at 2011 masters if they make it to Trexlertown but havea lot of work to do . i think i have the same frame and post as you - 0 offset Thomson.?

waterrockets 

Am I the only one here who sees Milwaukee and imagines Alice Cooper explaining the history of the name from Wayne's World?

meal-wah-KEE

ridethecliche

He needs to start doing bicep curls with his cross bike then.

pjn0629

actually it totally wasnt my fault, those team mexico or whatever guys forced me and 2 other guys back and out by not knowing how to turn

patentcad

Those guys were El Spookimundo.

But still your fault for being behind them. If you get gapped in a race because you're behind the slow guys that's because you're at the back. Try to stay near the front. Easier said than done, but focus on that in races and you'll realize how important it can be. The slower you are, the more critical that becomes. Trust me on this, I know a thing or two about riding with faster guys (because anyone that races is generally faster than I am).

Here's a key tip for group rides and races when you're a noobie: take what the peloton gives you. The race will ebb and flow, and when it ebbs (and they slow down), MOVE UP. Always. Always take what they'll give you, because half the time you can't move up one place without a major effort. Then five minutes later you can shoot to the front of the pack rather easily. Pay attention and when the latter opportunities arise, take advantage.