The first thing that I have to say about that race was excellent job by the promoters and what an awesome course. Myself, Mike Tamayo, John Gray and Tim Shockley loaded up in the Highlander and made the trip. This was actually our teams biggest showing of the year which meant we were going to be expected to do some work, rightfully so.
As we made it to the course, Mike, Tim and I realized we had all raced there before. Not the exact course, but in the area there used to be a Junior Race Weekend there. I missed my prom to race there back in 1994.
So the look of the course was a little intimidating. It looked like a tough course with a lot of hard efforts throughout. That really was not the case. Early on a few breaks of two riders got away. I bridged and caught all of them. I was not ready to be in a break for that long so my primary goal of bridging was to bring them back and that occurred each time. At one point a larger group got away that had me nervous. I chased them as well and with a solid effort by Lucas, we caught them.
With three laps to go a break of two riders were away. Far enough away that we actually lost sight of them. So on my favorite part of the course, the long stretch following the u-turn, I attacked. I bridged up to them by the time we hit the first right turn. I was solo, but unfortunately I think they had already decided to give up because they just set up. In hindsight I should have had a go for it by myself but decided a group sprint was not that bad.
With two laps to go, someone pushed Kyle Knot into my rear wheel. I suddenly heard a loud crash and broken spokes. Luckily for me they were not mine and neither one of us went down. It did, however, bend my skewer. I don't know how it didn't mess up the wheel, derailleur or dropout.
On the final lap, Lucas made a move early and took off. I really, once again hindsight, should have gone with him. That section following the u-turn was fast and I rode it well. I stayed in the pack though. In the u-turn, many riders clipped their pedals and it forced me back a couple of positions. During the sprint the pack stayed together spread across the road. I had nowhere to go. I ended up near the back of the pack with a lot of legs left over.
Once again I am pissed at my result. It is no longer satisfying for me to simply ride well during the race. I want results. I don't care if they are personal results or team results. With out the results, the effort during the race is useless, I could put forth the same effort on training races. Since I don't really have the guts it takes to sprint in the pack, look for me to start working on my breakaways. That is where I think I could win some races.
Mike and Tim had not raced at all this year. They both stayed in well and finished well. John raced well also staying at the front and putting in some chasing efforts. Overall it was a satisfying race as a team, I just know I could do better.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Who Treaded on Who?
It is sad to see that the Blacksburg Cycling Classic had to be canceled because of lack of participation. As a promoter I know those guys spent thousands of hours developing the road course, time trial and crit. All the effort ended up in a low turnout and consequential canceling of the event.
I'll be the first to say that I did not sign up for it. I had requested the weekend off from work early with anticipation of trying to go for the weekend. That is when I realized the state crit and TT were the same weekend in Richmond. How did this happen?
In a market as small as Virginia, how do two promoters book events on the same weekend. We can't do that. It is not fair to the promoters or to the racers. So here's my question:
Who treaded on who? I don't remember which one was sceduled first.
I'll be the first to say that I did not sign up for it. I had requested the weekend off from work early with anticipation of trying to go for the weekend. That is when I realized the state crit and TT were the same weekend in Richmond. How did this happen?
In a market as small as Virginia, how do two promoters book events on the same weekend. We can't do that. It is not fair to the promoters or to the racers. So here's my question:
Who treaded on who? I don't remember which one was sceduled first.
Monday, June 15, 2009
TT Sucks this time of year.
So far this year I have posted PR for the first two time trials of the year. The Dismal Dash 40K and the Conquer the Canal were early time trials that told me my off season training was pretty good. Don't get me wrong, you still had to scroll down the results list to find my name, but they were good results for me.
So Sunday was the first installment of the PLT 23 mile time trial. My PR was 53:43. So I was shooting for something in the 52s. It did not happen. I complete sucked during this race. I believe my time was 56:35 but I didn't wait around for the official results.
So I went back to my history of the PLT races. I found that my PR for PLT#1 was actually 56:57. PLT#2 was 53:43 and PLT#3 was 53:52. So why do I suck at TT in early June and suck less in July and August? Not to mention I had good showing in March and April. I think I figured it out.
During the winter months and early season I do some TT intervals on the trainer. After the early season TTs I typically don't get on my TT until I think "Oh crap, I have a time trial this weekend." After I do poorly on the first PLT, it motivates me to train a little harder for the next one.
So that being said, can I claim another PR for the year? It may not be a course PR, but it is a race PR. I posted a PR of 56:35 for the PLT #1. Next race I will truely shoot for that sub 53.
So Sunday was the first installment of the PLT 23 mile time trial. My PR was 53:43. So I was shooting for something in the 52s. It did not happen. I complete sucked during this race. I believe my time was 56:35 but I didn't wait around for the official results.
So I went back to my history of the PLT races. I found that my PR for PLT#1 was actually 56:57. PLT#2 was 53:43 and PLT#3 was 53:52. So why do I suck at TT in early June and suck less in July and August? Not to mention I had good showing in March and April. I think I figured it out.
During the winter months and early season I do some TT intervals on the trainer. After the early season TTs I typically don't get on my TT until I think "Oh crap, I have a time trial this weekend." After I do poorly on the first PLT, it motivates me to train a little harder for the next one.
So that being said, can I claim another PR for the year? It may not be a course PR, but it is a race PR. I posted a PR of 56:35 for the PLT #1. Next race I will truely shoot for that sub 53.
Racing, Amphibious Style
On Saturday we endured the epic conditions of the Amphibious Assault Crit on Little Creek base. The Cat 3 race saw the entrance of heavy rain and lightning. We started the race with idea that we may be stopping soon because of a storm. The race started fast, as you would expect when it is raining. I chased some early moves down, but because of lack of visibility, difficult drafting and chaotic attacks, a group got away of 6 riders without anyone really knowing. A group of 2 or 3 riders were just behind them. I pulled a good effort and closed the gap on that group. That caused our group to relax a little (which I wasn't going to complain about), but it opened up the gap between us and the leaders.
The pack had dwindle pretty low with dropped riders, riders who dropped out and the 6 away. Me and John took turns trying to keep the pace up but by this time it was really only to keep from being lapped. A lot of work was also done by a few other racers in our group. TNP sat in but that was to be expected because they had riders in the lead group. Tripower had two riders in that worked a little. What's the team with the all black kit? I seem to remember their guy on the front a lot along with a Fiorucci rider.
All in all I was pleased with my effort and performance. I missed the break and I didn't sprint for the finish. Sometimes its not about the results. Sometimes the races you are the most pleased with our the ones you worked the hardest, even if the results didn't show it.
Earlier in the day Kyle the Kid made is season redebut back into the racing scene. He has spent the last several months chasing a ball around a grass field. The Cat 3 race was a little much for his 90 miles he has trained so far this year. He's young, fit and it won't take him long to remember why he shaves his legs. Welcome back Kyle.
Photos taken by BJ and can be found here.
The pack had dwindle pretty low with dropped riders, riders who dropped out and the 6 away. Me and John took turns trying to keep the pace up but by this time it was really only to keep from being lapped. A lot of work was also done by a few other racers in our group. TNP sat in but that was to be expected because they had riders in the lead group. Tripower had two riders in that worked a little. What's the team with the all black kit? I seem to remember their guy on the front a lot along with a Fiorucci rider.
All in all I was pleased with my effort and performance. I missed the break and I didn't sprint for the finish. Sometimes its not about the results. Sometimes the races you are the most pleased with our the ones you worked the hardest, even if the results didn't show it.
Earlier in the day Kyle the Kid made is season redebut back into the racing scene. He has spent the last several months chasing a ball around a grass field. The Cat 3 race was a little much for his 90 miles he has trained so far this year. He's young, fit and it won't take him long to remember why he shaves his legs. Welcome back Kyle.
Photos taken by BJ and can be found here.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Wheel Sucking
There has been some discussion on the some Google Groups on whether wheel sucking is a legitimate tactic or poor sportsmanship. Unlike triathlons and time trials it is not against the rules. But, in a break, if a rider does not pull his weight, should he or she contest the sprint?
My answer...maybe. I think it depends. Sometimes the stronger breakaway rider may make a deal with the wheelsucker. If a deal is made, no attempt at the sprint should be done. Period. But if no deal is made...the sprint is fair game. I have been in breaks before in which the only time a rider took the lead was when he was sprinting for a prime. It seemed wrong, if felt wrong, but it was his tactics. He also did not last very much longer in the break. I have also been in a break in which I felt that if I gave too much effort I would get dropped. My teammates were in the pack covering breaks and I owed it to them to stay where I was. It is part of race tactics.
Last year we won a race in which a break of 9 riders got away. Two of my teammates were in that break along with 7 other riders. My teammates did not pull through every rotation. Much of the work was done by three riders. Those three riders had teammates in the pack. Some of those teammates even attempted to attack and chase. My team shut the pack down and successfully covered all breaks. The break lapped the field and my teammate won the sprint. Was it fair. Yes. This is a team sport. We played all angles of the team dynamics.
I have never been a great breakaway rider but I am trying to change that. I am much better at covering attacks and leading my sprinter out. So what is different about a race in which I work my ass off. I attack, I chase, I bridge and I lead out. I work hard and feel good. The final lap comes around and a sprinter who has set in the entire race wins the sprint. I may have worked harder then him but he beat me to the line. Most people don't even think twice about that. They only get concerned when that racer is doing the same in a break. Should it matter?
The bottom line for me is this...I am always going to work hard if I can. I am always going to try and get in the break, but more importantly I am always going to try and stay in the break. I have set on the back of breaks before and the break was successfully able to get rid of me. I may not be the strongest rider...yet, but I'm going to try, for me and my team.
Besides sometimes there is a very good reason to stay behind a rider....
My answer...maybe. I think it depends. Sometimes the stronger breakaway rider may make a deal with the wheelsucker. If a deal is made, no attempt at the sprint should be done. Period. But if no deal is made...the sprint is fair game. I have been in breaks before in which the only time a rider took the lead was when he was sprinting for a prime. It seemed wrong, if felt wrong, but it was his tactics. He also did not last very much longer in the break. I have also been in a break in which I felt that if I gave too much effort I would get dropped. My teammates were in the pack covering breaks and I owed it to them to stay where I was. It is part of race tactics.
Last year we won a race in which a break of 9 riders got away. Two of my teammates were in that break along with 7 other riders. My teammates did not pull through every rotation. Much of the work was done by three riders. Those three riders had teammates in the pack. Some of those teammates even attempted to attack and chase. My team shut the pack down and successfully covered all breaks. The break lapped the field and my teammate won the sprint. Was it fair. Yes. This is a team sport. We played all angles of the team dynamics.
I have never been a great breakaway rider but I am trying to change that. I am much better at covering attacks and leading my sprinter out. So what is different about a race in which I work my ass off. I attack, I chase, I bridge and I lead out. I work hard and feel good. The final lap comes around and a sprinter who has set in the entire race wins the sprint. I may have worked harder then him but he beat me to the line. Most people don't even think twice about that. They only get concerned when that racer is doing the same in a break. Should it matter?
The bottom line for me is this...I am always going to work hard if I can. I am always going to try and get in the break, but more importantly I am always going to try and stay in the break. I have set on the back of breaks before and the break was successfully able to get rid of me. I may not be the strongest rider...yet, but I'm going to try, for me and my team.
Besides sometimes there is a very good reason to stay behind a rider....
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Amazing Home Remedies (Funny!)
1. IF YOU'RE CHOKING ON AN ICE CUBE, SIMPLY POUR A CUP OF BOILING WATER DOWN YOUR THROAT. PRESTO! THE BLOCKAGE WILL INSTANTLY REMOVE ITSELF.
2. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.
3. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.
4. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.
5. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.
6. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.
7. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.
8. REMEMBER - EVERYONE SEEMS NORMAL UNTIL YOU GET TO KNOW THEM.
9. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
DAILY THOUGHT:
SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.
What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
2. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.
3. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.
4. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER.
5. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.
6. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.
7. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE.
8. REMEMBER - EVERYONE SEEMS NORMAL UNTIL YOU GET TO KNOW THEM.
9. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
DAILY THOUGHT:
SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.
What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
Monday, June 1, 2009
Racing at Bryan Park
It really felt good to race again this weekend. The last race I had done was the Casey Auto Crit. So me and John Gray loaded up in the morning to drive to Richmond. I was excited about racing and had plans to be aggressive but that morning the plans changed. I was a little sleepy from the night before (worked at the fire station and had a pretty busy night). Also my training had been a little off for the last few weeks.
When the race started John got good positioning near the front and I hung out near center pack (I think). I felt like I was in good position to see what was going on but not have to do much work. I wasn't feeling great but it wasn't that bad either. At one point I got a tickle in my throat that caused a cough that lasted for like 3 laps. I did try to go with two breaks. The first was a two man break that didn't have much chance for survival but it was a good attempt. We lasted for about 1 lap out front.
Then with only a handful to go I had noticed a break that consisted of 2 Nature's Path riders and 2 Van Desiel riders (and one other I think). A DC racer made a move to bridge and I thought that was a good move so I went with it. By the time I had caught him we were with the break. It was a pretty big effort for me and I didn't have anything to contribute to the break. Plus at this time there were three teams with two riders each in the break so why should I work.
Unfortunately for us we were caught after a few laps. There were only 3 laps remaining at this time. So I set near the back for a lap to recover then started to move up. On the final lap I was moving up to put myself in good position for the finish. This kind of finish suits me if I'm in good position. As I was moving up someone went down. The rider who crashed was on the front and so naturally it caused a lot of swirving and breaking. After successfully avoiding the crash the front group was starting to seperate. I actually chose at that point that is wasn't worth chasing and trying to sprint so I just sat up and finished outside the top 20. John was with the front group and was able to finish in 11th. Pretty good.
When the race started John got good positioning near the front and I hung out near center pack (I think). I felt like I was in good position to see what was going on but not have to do much work. I wasn't feeling great but it wasn't that bad either. At one point I got a tickle in my throat that caused a cough that lasted for like 3 laps. I did try to go with two breaks. The first was a two man break that didn't have much chance for survival but it was a good attempt. We lasted for about 1 lap out front.
Then with only a handful to go I had noticed a break that consisted of 2 Nature's Path riders and 2 Van Desiel riders (and one other I think). A DC racer made a move to bridge and I thought that was a good move so I went with it. By the time I had caught him we were with the break. It was a pretty big effort for me and I didn't have anything to contribute to the break. Plus at this time there were three teams with two riders each in the break so why should I work.
Unfortunately for us we were caught after a few laps. There were only 3 laps remaining at this time. So I set near the back for a lap to recover then started to move up. On the final lap I was moving up to put myself in good position for the finish. This kind of finish suits me if I'm in good position. As I was moving up someone went down. The rider who crashed was on the front and so naturally it caused a lot of swirving and breaking. After successfully avoiding the crash the front group was starting to seperate. I actually chose at that point that is wasn't worth chasing and trying to sprint so I just sat up and finished outside the top 20. John was with the front group and was able to finish in 11th. Pretty good.
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