The Race Report Thread 2009-2012
06-15-12, 12:12 PM
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Yep, that was one of the first things they thought it could be once we discovered that it wasn't asthma. Turns out it's something even weirder, called laryngomalacia, which is something in my larynx collapsing into and blocking my airway every time I breathe hard. I saw a pulminologist initially, and now I'm working with two ENT docs and two respiratory retraining docs to try to come up with a solution.
06-15-12, 12:26 PM
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Driveway Series Crit, Cat 3/4
My first race as a Cat 3 tonight, although I've been racing with the 3's for a while now. With only 2 teammates, Devo and Carty, in the race tonight we weren’t sure how much we could do in the way of a leadout, so we opted to go for all the primes, and then see what we could do at the end.
The course was the “Speed Loop”, just a 2 turn course with a punchy “hill” at one end and a long sweeper at the other end. The race started out pretty mellow, as far as I can remember. It’s really hard to get away on this course because it’s very fast and unless you’re with 5 guys committed to going all out, your break will probably get reeled in.
When they rang the bell for the first time my guys and I were already at the front. We controlled the pace till the turnaround then hit the gas. I went first, pulled off, Devo next, then Carty sprinted. From the camera on his head it looked like we got it, but the officials said no.
After some more bike riding with nothing interesting happening, they rang the bell again. This time, we were about 10-15 back and had to do some maneuvering to get back up. At first I was planning on leading out again, but I was on the right and Devo and Carty were on the left. A lane opened on the left and Devo said “On me”, so suddenly I was getting lead out instead. They hit the gas just before the sweeping right hander and I, still regaining my cornering confidence, lost their wheel. When we stopped turning I jumped hard to close that gap. After getting back on, I was able to recover for about 20 seconds before the sprint. I snagged that one.
The 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] time they rang the bell we were separated and only Carty was in good position. It was an odd one, because a guy from Austin Bikes just rolled off the front and kept going. Carty rolled off the front as well and no one cared. Come to think of it, just prior to the bell it was clear that everyone was a little tired, or hot, and the pace was low. This one was a 2 place prime, and Austin Bikes took it easily, and Carty got the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP].
With no more primes, Carty, the strongest of the 3 of us, started to initiate breaks. First it was just he and another guy off the front by about 10 seconds, then that guy dropped off. I know Carty can stay out on his own for a long time, so I was disrupting any chase efforts by riding a false tempo. At one point Carty was joined by 3 other riders, still off the front, but the biggest gap they had was only about 15 seconds. One other team was getting really grumpy at the fact that I was leading the pack at non-chasing speed, shouting “c’mon, get off the front!” When he finally came around he cut right to indicate his disgust, forcing me to avoid his rear wheel. Nice. In the end, the front flattened out and attacks start to go from all sides of the road, I drifted back at that point, riding the wave as the pack chased at a high pace.
Carty and Co. were finally caught within 5 to go. We rested until the last lap, found ourselves at the front, but a little bit too early. We led out Carty, but Devo blew up and dropped Carty off with about 600m to go. He managed to catch a wheel and sprinted for 4[SUP]th[/SUP]. Pretty good day.
My first race as a Cat 3 tonight, although I've been racing with the 3's for a while now. With only 2 teammates, Devo and Carty, in the race tonight we weren’t sure how much we could do in the way of a leadout, so we opted to go for all the primes, and then see what we could do at the end.
The course was the “Speed Loop”, just a 2 turn course with a punchy “hill” at one end and a long sweeper at the other end. The race started out pretty mellow, as far as I can remember. It’s really hard to get away on this course because it’s very fast and unless you’re with 5 guys committed to going all out, your break will probably get reeled in.
When they rang the bell for the first time my guys and I were already at the front. We controlled the pace till the turnaround then hit the gas. I went first, pulled off, Devo next, then Carty sprinted. From the camera on his head it looked like we got it, but the officials said no.
After some more bike riding with nothing interesting happening, they rang the bell again. This time, we were about 10-15 back and had to do some maneuvering to get back up. At first I was planning on leading out again, but I was on the right and Devo and Carty were on the left. A lane opened on the left and Devo said “On me”, so suddenly I was getting lead out instead. They hit the gas just before the sweeping right hander and I, still regaining my cornering confidence, lost their wheel. When we stopped turning I jumped hard to close that gap. After getting back on, I was able to recover for about 20 seconds before the sprint. I snagged that one.
The 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] time they rang the bell we were separated and only Carty was in good position. It was an odd one, because a guy from Austin Bikes just rolled off the front and kept going. Carty rolled off the front as well and no one cared. Come to think of it, just prior to the bell it was clear that everyone was a little tired, or hot, and the pace was low. This one was a 2 place prime, and Austin Bikes took it easily, and Carty got the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP].
With no more primes, Carty, the strongest of the 3 of us, started to initiate breaks. First it was just he and another guy off the front by about 10 seconds, then that guy dropped off. I know Carty can stay out on his own for a long time, so I was disrupting any chase efforts by riding a false tempo. At one point Carty was joined by 3 other riders, still off the front, but the biggest gap they had was only about 15 seconds. One other team was getting really grumpy at the fact that I was leading the pack at non-chasing speed, shouting “c’mon, get off the front!” When he finally came around he cut right to indicate his disgust, forcing me to avoid his rear wheel. Nice. In the end, the front flattened out and attacks start to go from all sides of the road, I drifted back at that point, riding the wave as the pack chased at a high pace.
Carty and Co. were finally caught within 5 to go. We rested until the last lap, found ourselves at the front, but a little bit too early. We led out Carty, but Devo blew up and dropped Carty off with about 600m to go. He managed to catch a wheel and sprinted for 4[SUP]th[/SUP]. Pretty good day.
06-15-12, 12:35 PM
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Was there any free beer left?
Nice work. You might want to have a talk with that tool.
Nice work. You might want to have a talk with that tool.
06-15-12, 12:47 PM
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Miller 64. But I wouldn't call that beer. We each shotgunned one while watching the masters race. That's really the only bearable way to drink it. I'll post up video of that soon, along with the race.
They are sponsoring the mini-series though. So thanks to them for that.
They are sponsoring the mini-series though. So thanks to them for that.
06-15-12, 12:52 PM
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Never had it. I like old man beer, because, yaknow, I'm old.
06-15-12, 11:09 PM
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Capital Stage Race in Olympia p/1/2's, Stage 1 - 71 mile circuit race. 10 miles each lap. Some rollers.
The pros were too marked to get away, and they ended up missing the break (along with me) and getting frustrated that nobody would really chase. It was my first 1/2's non-crit so I was excited to see how it would feel, but also hesitant to put in any huge efforts since my main goal was just to finish. I was on the front a bit though chasing from time to time, and also tried to get away and bridge to the break but couldn't stay away for long.
Like my cat 2 team mate had told me, it was more strung out more often than a 3's race, but bearable. I'm getting used to holding a wheel in a single-file line of riders while near your limit for extended periods, it's fun once you get used to it.
8th in the field sprint, 13th overall. TT & crit tomorrow.
The pros were too marked to get away, and they ended up missing the break (along with me) and getting frustrated that nobody would really chase. It was my first 1/2's non-crit so I was excited to see how it would feel, but also hesitant to put in any huge efforts since my main goal was just to finish. I was on the front a bit though chasing from time to time, and also tried to get away and bridge to the break but couldn't stay away for long.
Like my cat 2 team mate had told me, it was more strung out more often than a 3's race, but bearable. I'm getting used to holding a wheel in a single-file line of riders while near your limit for extended periods, it's fun once you get used to it.
8th in the field sprint, 13th overall. TT & crit tomorrow.
06-16-12, 12:28 AM
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Kind of frustrating weekend. On One hand I got third in omnium, on another my highest placing was 7th. 
Just shows it's better to be consistent then good. 
Damn I really want to get enough points to upgrade.
Just shows it's better to be consistent then good. Damn I really want to get enough points to upgrade.
06-16-12, 09:21 PM
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Today I did something that in my 15 or so years of racing (karts, cars, and bikes) I have never done before. Its been a REALLY busy few days for me but I still got up at 5am and drove an hour to my race this morning, but once the race started and I made a few jumps to get the pace up I sort of just went on autopilot and don't know where the race went. The next thing I knew the bell was rung for 1 to go and I was sitting about 30 riders back. I did what I could and got up to 11th in a 50+ rider field but it was really frustrating. If my brain didn't check out I feel like this would have been a solid "W".
I guess I was more tired than I thought...
I guess I was more tired than I thought...
06-17-12, 12:48 AM
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Capital Stage Race TT & Crit, cat p/1/2.
3.6 mi TT was tough - it's surprising how much pain you can fit into 7-8 minutes! Beat last year's time, and passed someone in a TT for the first time ever. I got 7:58, winner's time was 6:52..
60 minute crit - the winner went from the gun (just like last year) and eventually won it (just like last year). He and a few more got otf and held it until a 'break' of 11 or 12 bridged up to them; they eventually lapped the rest of us. But my team mate made the cut at least! I was somehow asleep when everyone made the move to bridge.. ugh.
Won a prime (Hammer products) for our 'chase group' at least.
90 mile RR tomorrow.
3.6 mi TT was tough - it's surprising how much pain you can fit into 7-8 minutes! Beat last year's time, and passed someone in a TT for the first time ever. I got 7:58, winner's time was 6:52..
60 minute crit - the winner went from the gun (just like last year) and eventually won it (just like last year). He and a few more got otf and held it until a 'break' of 11 or 12 bridged up to them; they eventually lapped the rest of us. But my team mate made the cut at least! I was somehow asleep when everyone made the move to bridge.. ugh.
Won a prime (Hammer products) for our 'chase group' at least.
90 mile RR tomorrow.
06-17-12, 10:37 AM
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I was able to double up on crits yesterday down at the stadium - a thirty minute 4/5 race and a 40 minute 3/4 race. Unlike the Wednesday races that we do at the same location, we can use a bit more of the parking lot, and the course is longer, more open and faster.
We had a record size field for Nashville crits in the 4/5 race, 54 starters. It was a fast pace, after the first prime Treehouse sat their guys on the front and just towed the pack around for the rest of the race. The lead group shrunk pretty rapidly until it was just a few guys. I followed the wheels and just hung on for dear life. By the final lap, I had nothing left for the sprint and came in last from the lead group, still good enough for 14th. I was too cross-eyed to be sure, but that might actually be off. Some people thought we had picked up a few lapped riders who got counted on the same lap as the leaders, which would place me higher. But I've benefitted from mistakes in the results this season, I'm not even sure if it's true, and besides, what am I going to do about it?
Anyway, it was a good race. My lack of base is being really pointed out to me in races like this, though - the effort of staying with the group is completely killing my top end. It's weird, because my fitness is better than it was when I first started racing these crits in 2009, but back then I had the benefit of an endurance base and the result was that I was able to muster a sprint at the end. It feels strange to be stronger, but placing worse. This should be better next year, I guess.
Next race, 3/4 after having an hour or so to rest. I could tell my legs were basically gone as soon as we started (see above on lack of endurance base), so I hoped things would stay smooth and let me hang. Nope! A break went on the first prime again, and the pace went through the roof. I clung on for 17 1/2 minutes before I finally couldn't take it and got spat out the back. I rode around until I was about be lapped, so the officials pulled and placed me 22nd from 34 starters (I kept riding solely to get a place).
All in all, a good race. My badass teammate signed up for the 4/5, Masters and 3/4 race, crashed out halfway through the Masters race and got his bike and knee patched up in time to toe the line for the 3/4, where he managed 10th place. Impressive.
We had a record size field for Nashville crits in the 4/5 race, 54 starters. It was a fast pace, after the first prime Treehouse sat their guys on the front and just towed the pack around for the rest of the race. The lead group shrunk pretty rapidly until it was just a few guys. I followed the wheels and just hung on for dear life. By the final lap, I had nothing left for the sprint and came in last from the lead group, still good enough for 14th. I was too cross-eyed to be sure, but that might actually be off. Some people thought we had picked up a few lapped riders who got counted on the same lap as the leaders, which would place me higher. But I've benefitted from mistakes in the results this season, I'm not even sure if it's true, and besides, what am I going to do about it?
Anyway, it was a good race. My lack of base is being really pointed out to me in races like this, though - the effort of staying with the group is completely killing my top end. It's weird, because my fitness is better than it was when I first started racing these crits in 2009, but back then I had the benefit of an endurance base and the result was that I was able to muster a sprint at the end. It feels strange to be stronger, but placing worse. This should be better next year, I guess.
Next race, 3/4 after having an hour or so to rest. I could tell my legs were basically gone as soon as we started (see above on lack of endurance base), so I hoped things would stay smooth and let me hang. Nope! A break went on the first prime again, and the pace went through the roof. I clung on for 17 1/2 minutes before I finally couldn't take it and got spat out the back. I rode around until I was about be lapped, so the officials pulled and placed me 22nd from 34 starters (I kept riding solely to get a place).
All in all, a good race. My badass teammate signed up for the 4/5, Masters and 3/4 race, crashed out halfway through the Masters race and got his bike and knee patched up in time to toe the line for the 3/4, where he managed 10th place. Impressive.
06-17-12, 03:16 PM
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63c_itYAMEE&feature=plcp
06-17-12, 06:05 PM
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Wells Ave A race. About 50 riders. 10-12 strong Masters, some pack fodder, and about half the field were Juniors and young U23 riders. I went OTF early with a break of six, three of us working and the other two covering. It's a hard course to shake riders, so we just stayed out and did some work but didn't kill ourselves. We were caught maybe 8 laps later. Right after that, a good looking break got away, but I thought I'd wait this one out and just sit in. I was staying close to a Cat1 Master for most of this. A lot of the field was pretty squirrely, and a bit too aggressive when it didn't warrant it. With about 8 laps to go, we caught the break, then it got stupid. Really stupid. Guys trying to fit their 42cm bars through a 10cm hole in the pack. Hello. You are not Mark Cavendish. There's 10cm between my wheel and the curb, and some kid wants "inside". Dude. If he had hit my derailleur we both would have gone down. A guy was leaning on me trying to push me off of the wheel in front of me. This course is basically an oval. No sharp turns. I can understand leaning on me through a chicane. Dude. You're racing for $20 and a muffin. A MUFFIN. So needless to say, I have some pretty high goals for this season, and I let myself get shuffled to avoid carnage. I wound it up way over on the left just to get a sprint in and sat up as we got close to the line. I was gaining on the winner.
Nice to meet you dnuzzomeuller. Thank you for your hospitality, bostongarden. I hope to see you next weekend.
Nice to meet you dnuzzomeuller. Thank you for your hospitality, bostongarden. I hope to see you next weekend.
06-17-12, 07:28 PM
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Wells A, 40 laps (about 34 miles), 9th.
Shovel and two friends (and racers, of which one was racing today) who live nearby came over for some bagels (thank you shovel) and coffee/tea. While sipping, chatting and resurrecting names from decades ago, a text came in from one of the guy's teammates that there would be separate A and B races (rather than combined) -- this was good as we would have been on the late side were the A & B races done as a combined race!!
The field had several strong riders and it was of decent size, at least 50 riders, perhaps 60ish. I was reasonably satisfied with my strength and ability to recover. I worked to get into breaks at least four times. I wasn't successful during the first two; however, the efforts opened me up a bit, and later I got into two breaks attempts, which occurred in the second half of the race, when I was roaming near or at the front most of the time and felt pretty good.
There was a point early in the race, maybe with 30-32 laps to go, when the screw was turned for about 3 laps. Thank goodness it eased up when it did because just before it eased I recall thinking something like, "oh my goodness, am I going to get dropped? I'm not going to stop, but, I think my legs are weakening; darn."
The only other notable aspect of the race was several squirrelly/eager youngsters who were doing stuff that imho was unnecessary. For example, early in the race, about 8-10 minutes after the start (of a 75 minute race), and far enough back in the pack, someone comes scorching into a small space between myself and someone else and bumps me a good bit to get/fit through. I found that move pointless.
Fast forward as we are coming down the home stretch for the bell lap. The pace picks up (30mph for last lap) and I know where I want to go. I get in the ball park before turn 3; the pace goes up another level as we exit turn 3 and head into turn 4 (turns 3 and 4 together are, in essence, one sweeper turn). Folks jump and the sprint is on!
My sprint was decent. I stayed standing and driving for the 34 seconds (averaged just under 36mph on a flat). I had to slow and navigate a couple of times as I wasn't way left (where you want to be at Wells); although, I was reasonably left and generally haven't had much blockage when driving in this slot.
After the race, shovel introduced me to dnzmuller (sp? -- can't find a post with your name!!). DNZ, nice to meet you. And, goes without saying, always great to get together with shovel.
Shovel and two friends (and racers, of which one was racing today) who live nearby came over for some bagels (thank you shovel) and coffee/tea. While sipping, chatting and resurrecting names from decades ago, a text came in from one of the guy's teammates that there would be separate A and B races (rather than combined) -- this was good as we would have been on the late side were the A & B races done as a combined race!!
The field had several strong riders and it was of decent size, at least 50 riders, perhaps 60ish. I was reasonably satisfied with my strength and ability to recover. I worked to get into breaks at least four times. I wasn't successful during the first two; however, the efforts opened me up a bit, and later I got into two breaks attempts, which occurred in the second half of the race, when I was roaming near or at the front most of the time and felt pretty good.
There was a point early in the race, maybe with 30-32 laps to go, when the screw was turned for about 3 laps. Thank goodness it eased up when it did because just before it eased I recall thinking something like, "oh my goodness, am I going to get dropped? I'm not going to stop, but, I think my legs are weakening; darn."
The only other notable aspect of the race was several squirrelly/eager youngsters who were doing stuff that imho was unnecessary. For example, early in the race, about 8-10 minutes after the start (of a 75 minute race), and far enough back in the pack, someone comes scorching into a small space between myself and someone else and bumps me a good bit to get/fit through. I found that move pointless.
Fast forward as we are coming down the home stretch for the bell lap. The pace picks up (30mph for last lap) and I know where I want to go. I get in the ball park before turn 3; the pace goes up another level as we exit turn 3 and head into turn 4 (turns 3 and 4 together are, in essence, one sweeper turn). Folks jump and the sprint is on!
My sprint was decent. I stayed standing and driving for the 34 seconds (averaged just under 36mph on a flat). I had to slow and navigate a couple of times as I wasn't way left (where you want to be at Wells); although, I was reasonably left and generally haven't had much blockage when driving in this slot.
After the race, shovel introduced me to dnzmuller (sp? -- can't find a post with your name!!). DNZ, nice to meet you. And, goes without saying, always great to get together with shovel.
06-17-12, 10:09 PM
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Capital Stage Race Stage 4, 90 mile RR. It was easy at some points, really hard at others.
Flatted. Finished.
Flatted. Finished.
06-17-12, 10:38 PM
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CO state TT championship (my "A" race)
2nd place in 35+ 3. time woulda been 2nd in SM3 as well.
really hopin for the W but pleased with my effort and time (53:30 for a 40K, thats a PR for me for sure and a3 min improvement over last year).
through weird restructuring (3s not allowed in the 35+ open races anymore) the guy who won my race also won 35+ open last year (and the year before that), and his time this year woulda won it again if they'd let him race there.
dont wanna say sandbagger, cuz its not his fault, and hes just a specialist, but its a bit of a bummer, and i'm sure he'd rather have beaten the 35+ open guys than us schlubs too.
but no sour grapes here. i got a state championship podium. thats cool
2nd place in 35+ 3. time woulda been 2nd in SM3 as well.
really hopin for the W but pleased with my effort and time (53:30 for a 40K, thats a PR for me for sure and a3 min improvement over last year).
through weird restructuring (3s not allowed in the 35+ open races anymore) the guy who won my race also won 35+ open last year (and the year before that), and his time this year woulda won it again if they'd let him race there.
dont wanna say sandbagger, cuz its not his fault, and hes just a specialist, but its a bit of a bummer, and i'm sure he'd rather have beaten the 35+ open guys than us schlubs too.
but no sour grapes here. i got a state championship podium. thats cool
Last edited by badhat; 06-17-12 at 11:20 PM.
06-17-12, 11:24 PM
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CO state TT championship (my "A" race)
2nd place in 35+ 3. time woulda been 2nd in SM3 as well.
really hopin for the W but pleased with my effort and time (53:30 for a 40K, thats a PR for me for sure and a3 min improvement over last year).
through weird restructuring (3s not allowed in the 35+ open races anymore) the guy who won my race also won 35+ open last year (and the year before that), and his time this year woulda won it again if they'd let him race there.
dont wanna say sandbagger, cuz its not his fault, and hes just a specialist, but its a bit of a bummer, and i'm sure he'd rather have beaten the 35+ open guys than us schlubs too.
but no sour grapes here. i got a state championship podium. thats cool
2nd place in 35+ 3. time woulda been 2nd in SM3 as well.
really hopin for the W but pleased with my effort and time (53:30 for a 40K, thats a PR for me for sure and a3 min improvement over last year).
through weird restructuring (3s not allowed in the 35+ open races anymore) the guy who won my race also won 35+ open last year (and the year before that), and his time this year woulda won it again if they'd let him race there.
dont wanna say sandbagger, cuz its not his fault, and hes just a specialist, but its a bit of a bummer, and i'm sure he'd rather have beaten the 35+ open guys than us schlubs too.
but no sour grapes here. i got a state championship podium. thats cool
06-17-12, 11:39 PM
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Nevada City E3/4. Not a race for crit sprinters, but it's a landmark race for NorCal so I do it anyway. Got dropped early and often. Finally, mercifully, they pulled me.
Rode back up the hill to the corner where my family and teammates were hanging out so I could yell at my remaining teammates in the race. Then we had a really nice Fathers' Day dinner.
Crappy race but a great day. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again next year.
Rode back up the hill to the corner where my family and teammates were hanging out so I could yell at my remaining teammates in the race. Then we had a really nice Fathers' Day dinner.
Crappy race but a great day. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again next year.
06-18-12, 05:29 AM
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Congratulations, badhat.
06-18-12, 07:39 AM
Bulldozer
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Harlem Crit, Women's P123. Pretty decent end to my season--I decided to put racing on hold while I get this breathing stuff figured out, but the Harlem Crit is literally on my block, and it's a big race with big crowds and fun atmosphere, so I figured I'd at least line up and give it a go.
Usually in our local women's races the P part of the P123 is just a formality, but there were a few legitimate pros out there yesterday, and lots of 1s and 2s, and they made the race tough, especially for the first five laps, which went out pretty ballistic. The speed was lower than in the men's races I usually do, but with a much smaller pack, there's fewer places to hide, and at 190w I ended up with my highest race AP ever. I put in a monster effort on the last lap to close a gap opened up by a girl who was getting dropped, and came through turn 1 so fast I just about slammed into the back of the field. That left me totally toasted for the sprint, but I didn't exactly have ambitions of out-sprinting Laura Van Guilder anyways, so whatever.
I hung in there with the big girls. I finished. I had fun racing my bike.
Usually in our local women's races the P part of the P123 is just a formality, but there were a few legitimate pros out there yesterday, and lots of 1s and 2s, and they made the race tough, especially for the first five laps, which went out pretty ballistic. The speed was lower than in the men's races I usually do, but with a much smaller pack, there's fewer places to hide, and at 190w I ended up with my highest race AP ever. I put in a monster effort on the last lap to close a gap opened up by a girl who was getting dropped, and came through turn 1 so fast I just about slammed into the back of the field. That left me totally toasted for the sprint, but I didn't exactly have ambitions of out-sprinting Laura Van Guilder anyways, so whatever.
I hung in there with the big girls. I finished. I had fun racing my bike.
06-18-12, 07:42 AM
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O'Fallon Grand Prix. Cat 3. Friday TT, Saturday RR (IL State RR Championship), Sunday Crit.
TT: 8th. Rolling 13.1 miles. This was my first TT. I read everything I could in the TT thread and prepared what I thought was a solid plan to finish in under 30 minutes. Didn't happen. Went out too hard with a tailwind and didn't leave enough to fight the wind coming back. 32:07 good for 8th place.
RR: 1st. 71 miles in 95 degree heat. Our plan was to keep it together for a sprint and we did just that. My job was to give the leadout for my teammate. Someone went early (1000 meters) and got a small gap. I was sitting third wheel behind someone determined to pull back the lone guy off the front. He finally closed that gap about 250 to go at which time I went for the line with my teammate (I thought) coming around on my right. He couldn't quite come around and a guy on my left took the State Jersey. A very bittersweet result; I won the race, but the team missed out on the State Jersey by less than a couple hundredths of a second.
Crit: 8th. 50 minutes + 5 laps on a 10 corner crit with some of the worst pavement I've ever raced. Got into a move that was brought back after a couple laps. A couple other moves went but ultimately nothing stuck. On the last lap I moved a teammate up a few spots to 5th wheel with two turns to go, then sprinted for 8th. Meh.
TT: 8th. Rolling 13.1 miles. This was my first TT. I read everything I could in the TT thread and prepared what I thought was a solid plan to finish in under 30 minutes. Didn't happen. Went out too hard with a tailwind and didn't leave enough to fight the wind coming back. 32:07 good for 8th place.
RR: 1st. 71 miles in 95 degree heat. Our plan was to keep it together for a sprint and we did just that. My job was to give the leadout for my teammate. Someone went early (1000 meters) and got a small gap. I was sitting third wheel behind someone determined to pull back the lone guy off the front. He finally closed that gap about 250 to go at which time I went for the line with my teammate (I thought) coming around on my right. He couldn't quite come around and a guy on my left took the State Jersey. A very bittersweet result; I won the race, but the team missed out on the State Jersey by less than a couple hundredths of a second.
Crit: 8th. 50 minutes + 5 laps on a 10 corner crit with some of the worst pavement I've ever raced. Got into a move that was brought back after a couple laps. A couple other moves went but ultimately nothing stuck. On the last lap I moved a teammate up a few spots to 5th wheel with two turns to go, then sprinted for 8th. Meh.
06-18-12, 07:45 AM
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CO state TT championship (my "A" race)
2nd place in 35+ 3. time woulda been 2nd in SM3 as well.
really hopin for the W but pleased with my effort and time (53:30 for a 40K, thats a PR for me for sure and a3 min improvement over last year).
through weird restructuring (3s not allowed in the 35+ open races anymore) the guy who won my race also won 35+ open last year (and the year before that), and his time this year woulda won it again if they'd let him race there.
dont wanna say sandbagger, cuz its not his fault, and hes just a specialist, but its a bit of a bummer, and i'm sure he'd rather have beaten the 35+ open guys than us schlubs too.
but no sour grapes here. i got a state championship podium. thats cool
2nd place in 35+ 3. time woulda been 2nd in SM3 as well.
really hopin for the W but pleased with my effort and time (53:30 for a 40K, thats a PR for me for sure and a3 min improvement over last year).
through weird restructuring (3s not allowed in the 35+ open races anymore) the guy who won my race also won 35+ open last year (and the year before that), and his time this year woulda won it again if they'd let him race there.
dont wanna say sandbagger, cuz its not his fault, and hes just a specialist, but its a bit of a bummer, and i'm sure he'd rather have beaten the 35+ open guys than us schlubs too.
but no sour grapes here. i got a state championship podium. thats cool
06-18-12, 07:58 AM
awaiting uci approval
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Tour of Washington County Stage Race
Saturday RR
Only 37 miles but enough short, sharp hills to hurt my 200lbs. Couldn't do much of anything but held on until the final 1/4 mile (3 hills in quick sucession for the finish) and finished 30th losing 42 seconds.
Sunday TT
10 mile out and back on constant but gentle slopes. 7th losing 1:32 to the winner but making some ground up on other.
Sunday Crit
20 miles/26 laps on a tough course. Fast race. Barely held on. Finished 15th about 10 seconds back.
11th on GC with a teammate 9th. Fun weekend. Sore legs today.
Saturday RR
Only 37 miles but enough short, sharp hills to hurt my 200lbs. Couldn't do much of anything but held on until the final 1/4 mile (3 hills in quick sucession for the finish) and finished 30th losing 42 seconds.
Sunday TT
10 mile out and back on constant but gentle slopes. 7th losing 1:32 to the winner but making some ground up on other.
Sunday Crit
20 miles/26 laps on a tough course. Fast race. Barely held on. Finished 15th about 10 seconds back.
11th on GC with a teammate 9th. Fun weekend. Sore legs today.
06-18-12, 08:21 AM
Senior Member
Harlem Crit, Women's P123. Pretty decent end to my season--I decided to put racing on hold while I get this breathing stuff figured out, but the Harlem Crit is literally on my block, and it's a big race with big crowds and fun atmosphere, so I figured I'd at least line up and give it a go.
Usually in our local women's races the P part of the P123 is just a formality, but there were a few legitimate pros out there yesterday, and lots of 1s and 2s, and they made the race tough, especially for the first five laps, which went out pretty ballistic. The speed was lower than in the men's races I usually do, but with a much smaller pack, there's fewer places to hide, and at 190w I ended up with my highest race AP ever. I put in a monster effort on the last lap to close a gap opened up by a girl who was getting dropped, and came through turn 1 so fast I just about slammed into the back of the field. That left me totally toasted for the sprint, but I didn't exactly have ambitions of out-sprinting Laura Van Guilder anyways, so whatever.
I hung in there with the big girls. I finished. I had fun racing my bike.
Usually in our local women's races the P part of the P123 is just a formality, but there were a few legitimate pros out there yesterday, and lots of 1s and 2s, and they made the race tough, especially for the first five laps, which went out pretty ballistic. The speed was lower than in the men's races I usually do, but with a much smaller pack, there's fewer places to hide, and at 190w I ended up with my highest race AP ever. I put in a monster effort on the last lap to close a gap opened up by a girl who was getting dropped, and came through turn 1 so fast I just about slammed into the back of the field. That left me totally toasted for the sprint, but I didn't exactly have ambitions of out-sprinting Laura Van Guilder anyways, so whatever.
I hung in there with the big girls. I finished. I had fun racing my bike.
