CrimsonKarter21

The Big Question:
Should I Feel Guilty that I Could Still Ride My Bike?

I didn't win this race, I can't pinpoint the problem yet, I have an amazing bike, I have poweful legs, I have an alright teammate on superior equipment [albeit, I could outpace if I was on my deathbed] , yet I couldn't win today. And the worst thing is that I didn't break myself trying to win. Hell, I drove home, got my car E-Checked, came onto BF, and then rode [very fast] to work for 4 hours building bikes.
I wasn't sore, and that pisses me off. Is that alright?

In case you're wondering, I came in third again. Since nobody here knows me, that pisses me off. I should have won that race. I had that race until the last 150 ft. I tried consoling myself with the fact that I finished a lot closer to the leaders, but it doesn't work. Third place is awful for me, especially with people who I'm superior in every way to on a bike EXCEPT for in a sprint.

But I've got some high-points for the race, which will happen every race here on out.

-We finished with the Cat 5's (I beat the 4th palced 5, who I could never keep up with on a ride)
-I conserved a lot more energy by drafting.
-I was a lot more confident in the pack and cornering.
-I handled the bike and myself much more precisely.
-I came prepared and everything went off without a hitch
-I got in a very nice warmup.
-I felt much more powerful and had no cramps.

Throughout the race, I noticed that I wasn't pushing as hard a gear as I was last week, and that's good I guess since I wasn't using as much energy, yet I was moving faster. Also, I was crushing people on the very gradual grade we had there. If the finish was on a 15% grade, I'm sure that I'd finish ahead of the Cat 5's even on Junior gearing (Boy do I miss my 12 tooth...).


So, since I only have to work Tuesday and Thursday this week (unless my second boss calls me, two jobs is a *****) so I'll practice uphill sprints and the ol' 40mph sprint.


And finally some stats from the race. Since my parents don't load there Passat wagons with Cannondale/Cervelo stickers and a bike rack and buy Lotus Elise's, BMW 3 series' and carbon Cervelo's, I don't have a great computer with cadence, HRM and a powermeter, so I'm left to the bare essentials.

Length: 14.13 miles
Average Speed: 22.3 mph (What???)
Maximum Speed: 33.3 mph
Time: 37:09 minutes

MDcatV

If you're superior to everyone else in the field, then ride away from them. Your 150 feet from the line issues will be irrelevant then. Now, go practice your 40 mph sprint.

CrimsonKarter21

I never said I was superior to everyone else in the field, just in my class. I can outpace both of the guys in my class, but they stick with me in the drafts.
You just don't understand my character; cocky, arrogant, self-serving, and egotistical.

WCroadie

I don't mean to be a d!ck but that's not gonna get you a lot of friends especially in bike racing.

Sometimes the "best" rider doesn't win. Bike racing is about strategy, racing smart and being in the right position. I am new to racing and I am still learning too. Keep racing and your day will come.

reef58

Go train your weakness not your strength.

Richard

merlinextraligh

If they're finishing in front of you, then you're not superior to them on the bike. Loose some of the arrongance and learn how to race.

Ghostman

Don't worry. Life will beat these traits right out of you. Check back with us in 20 years.

recneps

3rd place isnt bad, hell top 10 isnt bad, youll win one one day, its better to be a consistent 2nd or 3rd than to get 1st then a bunch of midpacks, itll workout for you.

Ive got a couple 2nd places some 3rds a bunch of 4th places and a hardfull of top 10s, yeah I want to win one, but getting upgrade points and being in the money is more important to me.

recneps

Also Your not going to get a workout from a 14 mile race. go ride hard afterwards.

superdex

You didn't come in third, you came in last.


There. That should piss you off enough to win your next race.

recneps

Are you upset with this speed? Think you can go faster, then nextime 10 miles out TT to victory.

acorn_user

Do you always ride with the cat 5s?

If you do, it be hard to break away as the cat 5s will probably chase you down, and bring your junior buddies along with them. I think you need to find a way to get away from them. I'm not very experienced, so someone else will hopefully have better ideas, but you might try;
- get into breaks. If they are with you, you'll have to think on your feet.
- launch some attacks or push the pace and hope that your junior buddies get dropped from the group. I got dropped by a junior on a group ride this year...