Why should I?
03-17-07, 05:52 PM
#26
Slow'n'Aero
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Originally Posted by Hipcycler
I'm thinking about not doing a road race in April that I've done the last two years. There were about 140 riders in the 26-mile race the past two years. No categories, just an open Wisport series event. It's been cold, windy, gray, and you're not in the best of shape because the season has just started.
I was 99th last year.
102 the year before in what was my first race ever.
But seriously, do I really need to go out there again to do the same thing this season?
Who am I kidding?
I'm not really a racer.
I'm a pretty good rec roadie who is 48 years old with a seven-year-old total hip replacement and visions of me being Basso in my head!
Maybe I should get my 'fast ride' buzz from a few group rides a year and stay away from organized races.
At the start, two years ago when I did this for the first time, I wanted to be able to say I was in an actually bike race....that I was a 'bike racer'....and I've done that now I guess.
You guys who are 'real' racers probably would prefer guys like me not clogging up the field anyway???
I was 99th last year.
102 the year before in what was my first race ever.
But seriously, do I really need to go out there again to do the same thing this season?
Who am I kidding?
I'm not really a racer.
I'm a pretty good rec roadie who is 48 years old with a seven-year-old total hip replacement and visions of me being Basso in my head!
Maybe I should get my 'fast ride' buzz from a few group rides a year and stay away from organized races.
At the start, two years ago when I did this for the first time, I wanted to be able to say I was in an actually bike race....that I was a 'bike racer'....and I've done that now I guess.
You guys who are 'real' racers probably would prefer guys like me not clogging up the field anyway???
Not really a racer? sounds like you have raced two years in a row. That qualifies you.
This year, shoot for 98th. Or hell. 88th. What is stopping you.
Real racers prefer you not clogging up the field? I am going to say something harsh. It's not a categorized event. It's 26 miles. There are not likely to be a whole lot of "real" racers there...at least in the way that you are thinking. If they are, then they are understanding. You are not Clogging up the field. You ARE the field. You have some great accomplishments in the past (finishing with a hip replacement for one!) and you will continue to have more. Go out. Do it. Have fun. Write a report.
03-17-07, 06:38 PM
#27
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Originally Posted by Hipcycler
I actually bridged a gap to a couple, and I ended up finishing most of the race working with them together....lots of fun....better race experience...
Goal: hang with the main group longer than last year. You finished 41 riders up from the back. That puts you in the 29th percentile. Go for better.
Do it.
I love reading/lurking through race reports...I look forward to yours.
Last edited by slim_77; 03-18-07 at 09:12 AM.
03-17-07, 06:43 PM
#28
Gios my baby
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If the weather is nice then no excuse, you're in. If the weather bites then save your pasion for another day. Thats how I see your plight.
03-18-07, 09:16 AM
#30
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Originally Posted by hiromian
If the weather is nice then no excuse, you're in. If the weather bites then save your pasion for another day. Thats how I see your plight.
That is pretty much where I'm at on the issue right now.
I must say that some of the posts here encouraging me to do it and write about because you like reading the posts now has me leaning toward doing it.
I guess I knida thought nobody cares about reading how a guy is just lurking around the back of the field in a race. botto and other's posts about contending in a crit are a lot more exciting.
But hey...maybe I bring some balance to the racing forum....the perspective of the field fillers....yeah...that's it!
