I've had mixed relations with this race. My first year in 2007 was great- a 2nd place finish in the cat 4's, which I blame on a finishing climb clusterfuck. Due to the Masters field arriving at the same time, the eventual winner got into a small group of Masters racers ahead of our pacecar. I didn't see this until about 200m to the line, after figuring I had the win locked up. Oh well. That was my last race as a cat 4.
Come 2008- I hurt really bad in the p/1/2 field, and ended up in a small group 5:17 off the winning pace. Probably the hardest race I had done to date.
Now, 2009. My racing and fitness was starting to improve and I had a couple good workouts in the week prior. Probably one too many, in retrospect. I think it will serve me well at Fitchburg, but I think I came into Sunday a little tired. Or that's the story I'm sticking with...
Sunday looked like it was going to rain- fortunately it held off, but damn...it was unbelievably humid, so the race was moist nonetheless.
I got in about a mile of warm-up before the start. This is better than nothing, but hardly enough to warm-up at all. I always hate the first 20 miles of every race because I'm just not ready to move quickly...but I'm not about to ride for an hour before a 80 mile race. This is why I object to road racing!
Since they changed the course last year, the race starts neutral up Constitution Hill...but it can hardly be considered neutral when you're going faster than you will on the following ascents.
In any case, I spent the first lap hanging out and yo-yo'ing near the back of the field while I tried to find my legs. It wasn't terrible for the most part, except for the staircase hill about 2/3's through. That hurt a lot. A few attacks jumped off there and the field strung out behind. As one might guess, I was in the chasing effort.
Eventually the field coalesced on Constitution Hill, where I was pleased to find out that we only had to do 3 laps of the course. I previously thought we had 4! Did I mention how seriously I examine the details? I suppose I would have had a more positive outlook on the race had I known that previously.
The second lap was noticeably better. I don't know if it was because the pace slowed or that I was finally warmed up. I contend it was the latter. Cameron asked if I had suffered a flat because he couldn't find me previously. Unfortunately, the only thing that was flat was my legs (not that a flat wheel would be fortunate...). As we came to the staircase climb on lap 2, I was slightly more attentive...but all the attentiveness in the world won't get you into all the breaks. Right about here, Driscoll (and probably others) allegedly attacked. Then I heard a loud pop and Cameron raised his hand. As usual, flats happen at the worst possible times. It's also the curse of new wheels- my Ksyrium SLs flatted in my first race at Army two years ago. If I weren't already barely holding on, I considered gathering Don and dropping back to help. Unfortunately, then we would have three people out the back and not just one...
Gaps opened up and I thought about bridging. I tried, but I just ended up sitting in the gap with another guy. Looking back, we had a small group coming, so I decided we should wait up and get some critical mass. And there went the race.
The groups ahead had all the horsepower, so they got out of sight pretty quickly. About as quickly as our group settled in and faded backwards. I feel like I could have made it had I been more appropriately positioned on the climb, but these are things that only seem plausible after the race.
Following this, we had a nice little group that seemed to be working well enough together. We lost a few guys here and there and the group whittled down from 7, to 5, to 4. Occasionally we picked up a popped rider from ahead, but they didn't stay with us for long. None of us had any idea where we were as far as placing...so we just kept riding.
As we came up to the final climbs, one of our companions decided he was going to ride alone. He opened a 20m gap and just rode there for the next several miles. After working together for 30 miles, Don and myself were not exactly going to let this guy solo in. So we gave him just enough rope to hang himself. With probably 8 km to go, the gap finally closed and Don hit the front hard. Not seeing a reaction from the other two, I also went and we got our alliterative two man team time trial going. It's too bad we weren't actually fighting for any decent placings because it felt awesome. I felt momentarily very pro. We picked up another rider in the process, passed Adam Myerson cruising in, and were forever rolling by remnants of the women's p/1/2/3 field.
Unlike our previous recruits, this last guy held on strong and did his share of the work to secure our positions ahead of our previous companions. He also gave me an excuse to sprint for a placing since I was sure Don wouldn't engage.
I timed my pulls well, and as we came to the final kilometer Don sat on the front and drove us right to the turn that would drop us probably 200m from the line. With Cameron neutralized by his flat, I suppose the pride of Ithaca-based cycling was on my shoulders...a daunting prospect! Racer X (later identified as David Costa from Anthem) came around Don just after the turn and began his charge to the line. Last year I was cut-off by going to the inside...so naturally I did it again(!). After a sloppy mess of shifts I found the right gear and finally stood up to begin my own sprint. It wasn't pretty (or fast), but I mustered enough power to make the pass and win the sprint for 27th place!!!!!!! I was a little disappointed to find that my PT read a max wattage of 866w. Surely it missed the final sprint there...
In any case, this race remains very hard. To have 51 finishers from 82 starters speaks volumes about how difficult the course is. None of the hills are terribly difficult by themselves, but their location and combination makes for a messy race. I just wish I had that second lap to replay again. I don't know where I would have finished, but I know I would not have missed that break a second time. I suppose there's always next year to reclaim my formerly amicable relationship with the Housatonic Hills.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
What do you think...
...about ProTour riders at domestic p/1/2 races?
http://www.velonews.com/article/93695/armstrong-wins-nevada-city-in-solo-break
Really, Lance? After 7 TdF wins, a world championship, etc. you couldn't just sit in and let some local or domestic pro take the win?
I slightly vacillate on my feelings toward this, although I am predominantly against it. I'll be clear that I'm certainly not against the exposure that these riders bring to local events, but...
As evidenced by the sentiment on the velonews.com forum (most likely populated by old guys riding Serottas and Colnagos), they would have you believe that most racers LOVE guys like Lance and Levi lining up since they get to "rub elbows with the pros." I don't think Lance et al are there to rub elbows with anyone. (Incidentally, I wonder if any riders literally try to rub Lance's elbows...would he yell at you?) They claim they are there to train...and then they ride away from the field? If you're going to ride away from the field for training...why not go hammer some solo miles instead? Or better yet- go race against other ProTour riders in Europe. Let's be honest...we know how good these guys are- we cannot actually comprehend how fast they are. I would guess that a fair amount of domestic pros don't need a reminder of this. Yes, it is by definition a PRO race...but there are different levels of pro, just as there are different levels of amateur. I don't get to enter cat 4/5 races just to get some "good training" in. Lance and Levi have the roads of the Giro and the Tour to compete- let the continental guys have their day.
I'm actually very curious about the thoughts of domestic pros and local heros in any racing discipline. I feel like it has to be a crushing realization to know you are so good, but yet not able to race at the highest level*. Oh yeah...then Lance shows up, wins your target race, and then plays it off as a training day. I bet everyone is ecstatic to see those guys on the pre-reg list. Me? I couldn't care less- this isn't my livelihood. I just get spit out the back quicker.
Also, where does Livestrong get their ideas for kit design?
*I apologize if any legitimately good athletes read this and subsequently become depressed.
http://www.velonews.com/article/93695/armstrong-wins-nevada-city-in-solo-break
Really, Lance? After 7 TdF wins, a world championship, etc. you couldn't just sit in and let some local or domestic pro take the win?
I slightly vacillate on my feelings toward this, although I am predominantly against it. I'll be clear that I'm certainly not against the exposure that these riders bring to local events, but...
As evidenced by the sentiment on the velonews.com forum (most likely populated by old guys riding Serottas and Colnagos), they would have you believe that most racers LOVE guys like Lance and Levi lining up since they get to "rub elbows with the pros." I don't think Lance et al are there to rub elbows with anyone. (Incidentally, I wonder if any riders literally try to rub Lance's elbows...would he yell at you?) They claim they are there to train...and then they ride away from the field? If you're going to ride away from the field for training...why not go hammer some solo miles instead? Or better yet- go race against other ProTour riders in Europe. Let's be honest...we know how good these guys are- we cannot actually comprehend how fast they are. I would guess that a fair amount of domestic pros don't need a reminder of this. Yes, it is by definition a PRO race...but there are different levels of pro, just as there are different levels of amateur. I don't get to enter cat 4/5 races just to get some "good training" in. Lance and Levi have the roads of the Giro and the Tour to compete- let the continental guys have their day.
I'm actually very curious about the thoughts of domestic pros and local heros in any racing discipline. I feel like it has to be a crushing realization to know you are so good, but yet not able to race at the highest level*. Oh yeah...then Lance shows up, wins your target race, and then plays it off as a training day. I bet everyone is ecstatic to see those guys on the pre-reg list. Me? I couldn't care less- this isn't my livelihood. I just get spit out the back quicker.
Also, where does Livestrong get their ideas for kit design?
*I apologize if any legitimately good athletes read this and subsequently become depressed.
Friday, June 19, 2009
2010 MTB World Cup...in NY
This is pretty awesome--
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2010-mountain-bike-world-cup-to-return-to-the-us
Now if we could only get a CX world cup in the US...
I've never been to Mont Ste. Anne without snow, but that seems like something I should definitely do sometime.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2010-mountain-bike-world-cup-to-return-to-the-us
Now if we could only get a CX world cup in the US...
I've never been to Mont Ste. Anne without snow, but that seems like something I should definitely do sometime.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wilmington-Whiteface RR
This weekend saw me on the road and en route to the familiar Adirondack region for the second inception of the Wilmington-Whiteface race. I definitely remember this weekend being one of my favorite from last year-- a good course, reasonable length, and a huge finishing climb. My race report from last year reminds me that I had a superb moustache and I got third place in a 3-up "sprint" for the line.
I was happy to learn that the race would be back again, this time with the addition of a criterium in Saranac Lake on Sunday. It's good to see quality events like this grow year to year, even though I chose to skip the crit.
On Saturday morning, I saw there were 41 riders registered for the p/1/2/3 on bikereg, so I was optimistic that our field might break 50- which would indicate the race doubled in size in only a year. As a bonus, a bigger field usually means there's more places to hide and be lazy- definitely my modus operandi during road races. I don't have the final numbers, but I think it must have been around 50, although I saw quite a few pre-reg'd cat 3's choosing to relegate themselves to the cat 3/4 field. Yeah, they probably heard about me...ha.
A race this close to Canada means there was quite a contingent of Quebecois who traveled south of the border. This typically means lots of early, often fruitless, attacking eventually punctuated by implosion. It also means there's a lot of peloton chatter only privy to those fluent in French bike-speak. Let's call this international flair.
The race got away easy enough, although there was a remarkable amount of attacking during the neutral roll-out. Something was lost in translation, I suppose. As we finally came out of neutral, I set about my spot tail-gunning the field and surveying my efforts. I knew that attacks would go, but I was content with the fact that most breaks would be inevitably slowed by the looming finishing climb. I heard a lot of chatter to the tune of, "yeah I'm just going to sit in and see what happens on Whiteface." I have to admit...I like that attitude.
As mentioned in last year's report, there is a ~7 mile rolling section which leads the field out to the roughly 14 mile loop. There are some big ring grinders, some false flats, and some swoopy downhills, but the course isn't very selective for the most part. However, there is one climb near the feed-zone that always spawns attacks. I wasn't necessarily looking forward to this portion, as I remember suffering terribly there last year. But at least I knew what to expect.
I don't remember much of the first loop, except that I made a conscious effort to be near the front on the climb so that gaps wouldn't open. If I don't remember it, that's usually a good thing. Pain has a way of making things memorable.
Lap 2 was a little different- this time I was fairly attentive on the climb, but somehow a small group slipped off the front over the top. Cameron was in there, so I made an effort to be near the front but not actively chasing. It also didn't seem to be a terribly dangerous break, as they were visibly sabotaging any collective efforts. Unfortunately for them, the move lasted about half a lap before we all came together.
Finally, the end of lap 3 was where the race came apart/together. Prior to the climb, a group of probably 7 riders shot off somewhere. Don represented the Ithaca contingent in this break, so our consciences kept our [greedy] legs in check. Even though I'm riding for Cambridge, I'm not going to sabotage the efforts of my fellow Ithacans (more justifiable laziness on my part). The break was away for quite some time, but it was clear that this was not necessarily the final, winning move. Anyone out front that long would be hard pressed to hold the effort up Whiteface. The time gap was fairly consistent and they were visible on the straighter sections of the course, so there wasn't any particular sense of urgency.
As we hit the riser, Cameron was on the front driving the pace; naturally the field was pretty strung out behind. I was doing my best to cover gaps and not lose my chance at a decent finish. I bounced from rider to rider, trying to recruit a critical mass to bridge up. Unfortunately, they were arguably more wasted than me, so I finally had to just put my head down and do it alone...and I eventually made it, all crappy shifting issues aside. Phew! We had 9 riders here, and only 7 just ahead. Time to go.
Unfortunately this was the most unwilling group I've ever been with. Of the 9 riders, only 3-4 were consistently putting their face in the wind. Cameron and I represented 50% of this effort, although our pulls were merely for show, given that Don was still ahead. Dan Vaillancourt from Colavita incessantly barked demands at us and was being generally unpleasant. I was told to "pull faster" even though no one was behind me to keep the rotation going. He would lightly surge off the front, then look back and give us a pretty disdainful look. Given that this race would entirely happen on the final climb, I'm not sure why he was acting so rushed. The break was in sight...they weren't going anywhere.
In any case, our group worked well enough to stay near the break and off the front of the field as we came off the circuit course. All we had left was a 7 mile rolling drag to the climb. And then 1.6 miles at 8% average gradient. No big deal...
As expected, the lead was starting to shed some of its riders. First to go was Don, who we picked up several miles from Whiteface. He came back to our group, took a few pulls, but soon fell off the back on a short but pretty difficult riser. Most of us were woefully over geared, evidenced by the low, griding cadence and punctuated by the popping of hard shifts. Two more riders came back to us (and presumably went). I guess there were still 4-5 guys up the road. The group became downright dysfunctional as no one wanted to waste any effort before the mountain.
So there we were- allegedly 1.6 miles from the line as we turned onto the Whiteface highway. I could see the pacecar ahead- the leaders were only a couple hundred meters out of reach. Cameron instantly went to the front, bringing Dan Vaillancourt and a couple others with him. I threw my water bottles and settled in with a smaller group right behind, not quite ready to make a huge effort. Unfortunately, this probably turned out to be a bad decision.
After only a couple hundred meters of sitting in this group, it became pretty clear that we were going far too slow and quickly losing distance to the leaders. So I struck out alone and sure enough, I found myself in no-man's land. At this point, I was matching the speed of the group ahead...I was just 100m in arrears. Ack! Fortunately, I was picking up the shattered remnants of the original break and improving my position. Someone asked me if I knew where the finish was. Obligingly (stupidly), I described it...probably meaning I should have been riding harder. I started to count the riders ahead, and checked my shoulder behind. As I scanned for the pace car, I saw a lone figure in a Chris' Cookies/Swan Cycles kit with probably 50-100m on the next riders. Cameron was absolutely killing it- I would later find out he averaged 429W over the 8 minute ascent(!). I then counted four more bikes ahead, and found myself faced with 400m to go and a fairly insurmountable gap to 5th place. I looked back, decided I was safe, and cruised in. The careful reader will note this meant I got 6th and I garnered $55 for the effort. I have to say, I'm pretty happy with that...and the Wilmington-Whiteface race remains one of my favorites.
But that was only part of the weekend-
Later that night, Jake B. and myself did the Whiteface climb in the rain. Long story short- the way up was as nice as I could expect- perfect temps, cool rain. Unfortunately what was great on the way up was awful on the way down, mostly due to my lack of appropriate clothing (arm warmers...). I wouldn't go so far as to say I was close to being hypothermic, but I had to stop probably a dozen times to "warm up". Rainy descents at 45mph are not fun when you're fighting a shiver-induced speed wobble. That said, I would still do it all again. I'd probably bring a jacket next time, though.
Naturally we couldn't be satisfied with only one climb, so Sunday morning saw us at the top again- this time in the sun with 70 degree temps. I have to say it's much better that way.
I was happy to learn that the race would be back again, this time with the addition of a criterium in Saranac Lake on Sunday. It's good to see quality events like this grow year to year, even though I chose to skip the crit.
On Saturday morning, I saw there were 41 riders registered for the p/1/2/3 on bikereg, so I was optimistic that our field might break 50- which would indicate the race doubled in size in only a year. As a bonus, a bigger field usually means there's more places to hide and be lazy- definitely my modus operandi during road races. I don't have the final numbers, but I think it must have been around 50, although I saw quite a few pre-reg'd cat 3's choosing to relegate themselves to the cat 3/4 field. Yeah, they probably heard about me...ha.
A race this close to Canada means there was quite a contingent of Quebecois who traveled south of the border. This typically means lots of early, often fruitless, attacking eventually punctuated by implosion. It also means there's a lot of peloton chatter only privy to those fluent in French bike-speak. Let's call this international flair.
The race got away easy enough, although there was a remarkable amount of attacking during the neutral roll-out. Something was lost in translation, I suppose. As we finally came out of neutral, I set about my spot tail-gunning the field and surveying my efforts. I knew that attacks would go, but I was content with the fact that most breaks would be inevitably slowed by the looming finishing climb. I heard a lot of chatter to the tune of, "yeah I'm just going to sit in and see what happens on Whiteface." I have to admit...I like that attitude.
As mentioned in last year's report, there is a ~7 mile rolling section which leads the field out to the roughly 14 mile loop. There are some big ring grinders, some false flats, and some swoopy downhills, but the course isn't very selective for the most part. However, there is one climb near the feed-zone that always spawns attacks. I wasn't necessarily looking forward to this portion, as I remember suffering terribly there last year. But at least I knew what to expect.
I don't remember much of the first loop, except that I made a conscious effort to be near the front on the climb so that gaps wouldn't open. If I don't remember it, that's usually a good thing. Pain has a way of making things memorable.
Lap 2 was a little different- this time I was fairly attentive on the climb, but somehow a small group slipped off the front over the top. Cameron was in there, so I made an effort to be near the front but not actively chasing. It also didn't seem to be a terribly dangerous break, as they were visibly sabotaging any collective efforts. Unfortunately for them, the move lasted about half a lap before we all came together.
Finally, the end of lap 3 was where the race came apart/together. Prior to the climb, a group of probably 7 riders shot off somewhere. Don represented the Ithaca contingent in this break, so our consciences kept our [greedy] legs in check. Even though I'm riding for Cambridge, I'm not going to sabotage the efforts of my fellow Ithacans (more justifiable laziness on my part). The break was away for quite some time, but it was clear that this was not necessarily the final, winning move. Anyone out front that long would be hard pressed to hold the effort up Whiteface. The time gap was fairly consistent and they were visible on the straighter sections of the course, so there wasn't any particular sense of urgency.
As we hit the riser, Cameron was on the front driving the pace; naturally the field was pretty strung out behind. I was doing my best to cover gaps and not lose my chance at a decent finish. I bounced from rider to rider, trying to recruit a critical mass to bridge up. Unfortunately, they were arguably more wasted than me, so I finally had to just put my head down and do it alone...and I eventually made it, all crappy shifting issues aside. Phew! We had 9 riders here, and only 7 just ahead. Time to go.
Unfortunately this was the most unwilling group I've ever been with. Of the 9 riders, only 3-4 were consistently putting their face in the wind. Cameron and I represented 50% of this effort, although our pulls were merely for show, given that Don was still ahead. Dan Vaillancourt from Colavita incessantly barked demands at us and was being generally unpleasant. I was told to "pull faster" even though no one was behind me to keep the rotation going. He would lightly surge off the front, then look back and give us a pretty disdainful look. Given that this race would entirely happen on the final climb, I'm not sure why he was acting so rushed. The break was in sight...they weren't going anywhere.
In any case, our group worked well enough to stay near the break and off the front of the field as we came off the circuit course. All we had left was a 7 mile rolling drag to the climb. And then 1.6 miles at 8% average gradient. No big deal...
As expected, the lead was starting to shed some of its riders. First to go was Don, who we picked up several miles from Whiteface. He came back to our group, took a few pulls, but soon fell off the back on a short but pretty difficult riser. Most of us were woefully over geared, evidenced by the low, griding cadence and punctuated by the popping of hard shifts. Two more riders came back to us (and presumably went). I guess there were still 4-5 guys up the road. The group became downright dysfunctional as no one wanted to waste any effort before the mountain.
So there we were- allegedly 1.6 miles from the line as we turned onto the Whiteface highway. I could see the pacecar ahead- the leaders were only a couple hundred meters out of reach. Cameron instantly went to the front, bringing Dan Vaillancourt and a couple others with him. I threw my water bottles and settled in with a smaller group right behind, not quite ready to make a huge effort. Unfortunately, this probably turned out to be a bad decision.
After only a couple hundred meters of sitting in this group, it became pretty clear that we were going far too slow and quickly losing distance to the leaders. So I struck out alone and sure enough, I found myself in no-man's land. At this point, I was matching the speed of the group ahead...I was just 100m in arrears. Ack! Fortunately, I was picking up the shattered remnants of the original break and improving my position. Someone asked me if I knew where the finish was. Obligingly (stupidly), I described it...probably meaning I should have been riding harder. I started to count the riders ahead, and checked my shoulder behind. As I scanned for the pace car, I saw a lone figure in a Chris' Cookies/Swan Cycles kit with probably 50-100m on the next riders. Cameron was absolutely killing it- I would later find out he averaged 429W over the 8 minute ascent(!). I then counted four more bikes ahead, and found myself faced with 400m to go and a fairly insurmountable gap to 5th place. I looked back, decided I was safe, and cruised in. The careful reader will note this meant I got 6th and I garnered $55 for the effort. I have to say, I'm pretty happy with that...and the Wilmington-Whiteface race remains one of my favorites.
But that was only part of the weekend-
Later that night, Jake B. and myself did the Whiteface climb in the rain. Long story short- the way up was as nice as I could expect- perfect temps, cool rain. Unfortunately what was great on the way up was awful on the way down, mostly due to my lack of appropriate clothing (arm warmers...). I wouldn't go so far as to say I was close to being hypothermic, but I had to stop probably a dozen times to "warm up". Rainy descents at 45mph are not fun when you're fighting a shiver-induced speed wobble. That said, I would still do it all again. I'd probably bring a jacket next time, though.
Naturally we couldn't be satisfied with only one climb, so Sunday morning saw us at the top again- this time in the sun with 70 degree temps. I have to say it's much better that way.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
A cyclocross PSA
With CX nationals in December, it can only serve that the logical thing to do (rather than conform to the standards of the rest of the cycling world) is to move the US season earlier.
Of course, all self-respecting crossers know about the NJ State Fair SpectaCross (sponsored by Erwin Vervecken Web Design) on July 31-August 1. However, in some attempt to further accelerate the CX season into July(!), the Mount Snow Classic is having a CX race on July 25, to accompany the usual host of mtb races. And yes, I found this because I was already searching BikeReg for cyclocross races. In June.
The only issue is that this weekend would conflict with ORAMM. Decisions.
Of course, all self-respecting crossers know about the NJ State Fair SpectaCross (sponsored by Erwin Vervecken Web Design) on July 31-August 1. However, in some attempt to further accelerate the CX season into July(!), the Mount Snow Classic is having a CX race on July 25, to accompany the usual host of mtb races. And yes, I found this because I was already searching BikeReg for cyclocross races. In June.
The only issue is that this weekend would conflict with ORAMM. Decisions.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Connecticut Stage Race
This past weekend was the CTSR- a new addition to the racing calendar...and a good one at that. New races are probably a big gamble, but this one seems to have worked out. I could see it being a staple of the calendar in future years.
I normally enjoy stage races because it usually means a good TT can set you up for a solid GC placing without too much work in the other mass start races. Well, that is if you're relatively good at time trialing...
I was hoping for perhaps a top 20 placing in the TT on Saturday. I had a good 30-second man in James Morrison (Embrocation), and I was running scared from Josh Lipka (BikeReg/Cannondale). I first ran into James at the Syracuse Stage race a couple years ago. He's a good, smart road racer, but he often seems to lament the time trial. Before going off, he asked me to say something nice when I passed him. Based on prior time trials, I figured I might be able to at least pull even with him over the 8 mile course, so he would be a good carrot to pull me to a decent time. Of course this speculation was based on last year's racing and fitness.
The course was out and back, so I was consciously planning my return effort as I went out. A course preview would have been pretty helpful in retrospect. As I recall, it was a slight downhill into a flat section, then a long false-flat grind to the turn-around. Ultimately a power rider's TT course- not flat but not hilly enough. Processing that I would have to really move it on the false flats, I generally didn't push too hard on the downhills. This was probably a mistake. If I should learn anything from the road races, it's that I consistently let gaps open on downhills...so it should make sense that I should work these portions above all else...but I don't.
In any case, I think I maintained my gap to James over the first half. As we met near the turn-around, I started to ballpark the gap by visual inspection. With the grind up to the line, I figured I could reel him in around there. OK, not bad. Also, as I watched Lipka approach the turn-around, it seemed that I only gave up a handful of seconds. Could this mean I was actually having a decent TT, despite what I was feeling?
As I came back, I started to look ahead, scanning the horizon for James...but he was nowhere that I could see. He nailed the return route, and was consistently opening the gap. I was hurting a bunch, and couldn't really find my top end. Nevertheless I tried to concentrate on my race to not get caught by Josh Lipka. And I didn't. I looked back at the line, and figured he only put 10 seconds into me. I was momentarily happy until I overheard discussions about how Josh was sick all week, or something.
Then I saw the results, and found out I was 42nd out of 62. I definitely hoped to do better than that! Cameron and Don killed their time trials, putting them in 7th and 9th place, respectively, with Peter Bradshaw in between them. Twice now I've lost to Peter by a handful of seconds in TT's...this time he had me by over a minute. Looks like I have some work ahead of me...everyone seems to be riding really strong this year.
So yeah- later that day was the circuit race. I sat near the back, content to chase back on after every turn, victim of the accordion. Cameron averaged 270W for the hour long race, even putting in some attacks off the front. I averaged 298W, sitting at the back looking stupid. M u s t. w o r k. o n. p o s i t i o n i n g. I think Will Dugan soloed away on the last lap to take the win ahead of the field. Insane that he can ride that hard and hold off the bunch. But basically nothing drastic happened on GC. Yet, somehow I moved up to 37th, either from DNF/DNS's.
Sunday was a 91 mile road race...for ALL fields. I did well enough at the brutally hilly Penn State race, and I did a century last weekend, so I finally felt like the distance wouldn't be the major hang-up for me. All I hoped to do was hold on, and maybe get into some lucky move.
The first 10 miles were really fast. Teams were sending guys off all the time, trying to get the breaks settled. One finally got away, containing people like Will Dugan and Roger Aspholm. I can't imagine trying to get away in a break with 80+ miles to go, but I guess you have to take chances if you know your legs will e there. Luckily, once they were clear, the pace settled...a little. I think BikeReg/Cannondale missed the break and Josh Dillon (2nd on GC) was in the field with us, so they were at the front, trying to keep the gap down.
The course was gently rolling- all big ring for the first 50 or so miles. I checked my PT...we averaged ~26mph for that whole time. As we came through the finish area for the first time, I was feeling pretty decent. Then some hills came.
Hills are usually never a huge problem, except when they're total power climbs. I was starting to feel the mileage (as was everyone else, it seemed) and each one of these ascents were really taking their toll. People were spread everywhere, and I was trying to bridge gaps and make contact with some semblance of a group. I found the back of the largest of groups, and for a brief moment, I thought I was safe. There was a small group (that included Cameron and Josh Dillon) that was busy bridging up to the main break. I figured that would put an end to the pain.
But no. Peter Bradshaw (and presumably others) didn't get into the bridge, and hence Embrocation and a couple others were moving our pack pretty quickly to defend their GC placings. I kept yo-yo'ing hard at the back and I began to feel the twinge of impending cramping every time I would stand up. I went from big-ringing everything to furiously spinning a 39x23. My stomach was having problems, I had to evacuate fluids, and I was just generally suffering. And not in a "wow, I'm suffering but doing awesome" kind of way. Just the crappy way.
I tried a couple more hard efforts to make contact, but I finally let them go. I realized we still had 20+ miles to go, and they had probably only started to crank up the pace. I gently rolled into the feed zone at mile 70 and asked for the quickest way back to the start...it was apparently along the course! Okay, I guess I'll have to finish this thing.
So I limped around for a few miles, enjoying the scenery, stopping to stretch, and using nature's bathroom. Finally, two guys from TargetTraining and CCNS picked me up and I worked with them for probably 15 kilometers or so. We passed Don at some point, who had flatted his tubular (and cracked the Zipp 202 rim...) and considered stopping, but decided I couldn't help anyway. His 9th place on GC was ruined, and another wheel would have only helped miles ago. He waited for the sag wagon.
Eventually, the CCNS guy dropped off to poach/collect water bottles at the now abandoned first feed zone, and I finally came to the realization that I had hemorrhaged enough time already that it didn't matter when I came in. TargetTraining guy kept going, and I cruised in the remaining distance...22 minutes behind the winner, and roughly 16 minutes behind the group that dropped me. I even went slow enough as to give up almost 6 minutes in the final 10km to my former out-the-back companion. Cameron and his small group managed to close the gap of 3:40 and make contact before the finishing miles. Ridiculous.
In the end, I finished in 37th- almost DFL among those that completed the race (38 out of 62 starters on Saturday). I should also note that I would have gotten 36th (woo!) if the CCNS guy had been just 15 seconds slower in getting to the line. I was unknowingly and figuratively nipped at the line!
But it was still fun- the CTSR gets a thumbs up.
Anybody have legs I can borrow until I can find mine?
I normally enjoy stage races because it usually means a good TT can set you up for a solid GC placing without too much work in the other mass start races. Well, that is if you're relatively good at time trialing...
I was hoping for perhaps a top 20 placing in the TT on Saturday. I had a good 30-second man in James Morrison (Embrocation), and I was running scared from Josh Lipka (BikeReg/Cannondale). I first ran into James at the Syracuse Stage race a couple years ago. He's a good, smart road racer, but he often seems to lament the time trial. Before going off, he asked me to say something nice when I passed him. Based on prior time trials, I figured I might be able to at least pull even with him over the 8 mile course, so he would be a good carrot to pull me to a decent time. Of course this speculation was based on last year's racing and fitness.
The course was out and back, so I was consciously planning my return effort as I went out. A course preview would have been pretty helpful in retrospect. As I recall, it was a slight downhill into a flat section, then a long false-flat grind to the turn-around. Ultimately a power rider's TT course- not flat but not hilly enough. Processing that I would have to really move it on the false flats, I generally didn't push too hard on the downhills. This was probably a mistake. If I should learn anything from the road races, it's that I consistently let gaps open on downhills...so it should make sense that I should work these portions above all else...but I don't.
In any case, I think I maintained my gap to James over the first half. As we met near the turn-around, I started to ballpark the gap by visual inspection. With the grind up to the line, I figured I could reel him in around there. OK, not bad. Also, as I watched Lipka approach the turn-around, it seemed that I only gave up a handful of seconds. Could this mean I was actually having a decent TT, despite what I was feeling?
As I came back, I started to look ahead, scanning the horizon for James...but he was nowhere that I could see. He nailed the return route, and was consistently opening the gap. I was hurting a bunch, and couldn't really find my top end. Nevertheless I tried to concentrate on my race to not get caught by Josh Lipka. And I didn't. I looked back at the line, and figured he only put 10 seconds into me. I was momentarily happy until I overheard discussions about how Josh was sick all week, or something.
Then I saw the results, and found out I was 42nd out of 62. I definitely hoped to do better than that! Cameron and Don killed their time trials, putting them in 7th and 9th place, respectively, with Peter Bradshaw in between them. Twice now I've lost to Peter by a handful of seconds in TT's...this time he had me by over a minute. Looks like I have some work ahead of me...everyone seems to be riding really strong this year
So yeah- later that day was the circuit race. I sat near the back, content to chase back on after every turn, victim of the accordion. Cameron averaged 270W for the hour long race, even putting in some attacks off the front. I averaged 298W, sitting at the back looking stupid. M u s t. w o r k. o n. p o s i t i o n i n g. I think Will Dugan soloed away on the last lap to take the win ahead of the field. Insane that he can ride that hard and hold off the bunch. But basically nothing drastic happened on GC. Yet, somehow I moved up to 37th, either from DNF/DNS's.
Sunday was a 91 mile road race...for ALL fields. I did well enough at the brutally hilly Penn State race, and I did a century last weekend, so I finally felt like the distance wouldn't be the major hang-up for me. All I hoped to do was hold on, and maybe get into some lucky move.
The first 10 miles were really fast. Teams were sending guys off all the time, trying to get the breaks settled. One finally got away, containing people like Will Dugan and Roger Aspholm. I can't imagine trying to get away in a break with 80+ miles to go, but I guess you have to take chances if you know your legs will e there. Luckily, once they were clear, the pace settled...a little. I think BikeReg/Cannondale missed the break and Josh Dillon (2nd on GC) was in the field with us, so they were at the front, trying to keep the gap down.
The course was gently rolling- all big ring for the first 50 or so miles. I checked my PT...we averaged ~26mph for that whole time. As we came through the finish area for the first time, I was feeling pretty decent. Then some hills came.
Hills are usually never a huge problem, except when they're total power climbs. I was starting to feel the mileage (as was everyone else, it seemed) and each one of these ascents were really taking their toll. People were spread everywhere, and I was trying to bridge gaps and make contact with some semblance of a group. I found the back of the largest of groups, and for a brief moment, I thought I was safe. There was a small group (that included Cameron and Josh Dillon) that was busy bridging up to the main break. I figured that would put an end to the pain.
But no. Peter Bradshaw (and presumably others) didn't get into the bridge, and hence Embrocation and a couple others were moving our pack pretty quickly to defend their GC placings. I kept yo-yo'ing hard at the back and I began to feel the twinge of impending cramping every time I would stand up. I went from big-ringing everything to furiously spinning a 39x23. My stomach was having problems, I had to evacuate fluids, and I was just generally suffering. And not in a "wow, I'm suffering but doing awesome" kind of way. Just the crappy way.
I tried a couple more hard efforts to make contact, but I finally let them go. I realized we still had 20+ miles to go, and they had probably only started to crank up the pace. I gently rolled into the feed zone at mile 70 and asked for the quickest way back to the start...it was apparently along the course! Okay, I guess I'll have to finish this thing.
So I limped around for a few miles, enjoying the scenery, stopping to stretch, and using nature's bathroom. Finally, two guys from TargetTraining and CCNS picked me up and I worked with them for probably 15 kilometers or so.
In the end, I finished in 37th- almost DFL among those that completed the race (38 out of 62 starters on Saturday). I should also note that I would have gotten 36th (woo!) if the CCNS guy had been just 15 seconds slower in getting to the line. I was unknowingly and figuratively nipped at the line!
But it was still fun- the CTSR gets a thumbs up.
Anybody have legs I can borrow until I can find mine?
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