The Race Report Thread 2009-2012
06-05-10, 03:05 PM
#4426
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Scnca district championship rr. 30+ today, cat 3 tomorrow.
2x30 mile laps in bakersfield, 90F+ heat. Been hydrating for days, had two bottles in the hour before the start, 2 bottles with me and plan for two in the feed. First lap pretty mellow, some moves and counter moves, but nothing serious I stayed near the front, in the top 10 most of the time. Teammate Gary was somewhat active on the front, I was covering some stuff and sitting on some wheels. 2 guys attack and get a gap about 2k from the start/finish and it's holding at maybe 20 seconds through the feed zone.
Then it gets crazy. Two guys attack in the feedzone, and the strap of musette bag I was using broke, so I got nothing. The field had splintered and there were now 3 main groups, the two in the break, a handful chasing, and then my teammate and I with a bunch of others behind that, going up a gentle grade. Gary calls out for me and I go up to him, he says they are slipping away we need to go NOW, so I accelerate to bridge. I apparently didn't hear him say to throtle back a hair and ended up with a gap, halfway between the groups. I eased up to reconnect then went back to tempo. I helped get him and a few others most of the way there and he finished bridging on his own.
Spent and out of water, I slipped back to the 3rd group, the considered quitting to save myself for tomorrow, then eased up and slid off the group. After maybe 20 seconds of softpedaling I felt better and they weren't really gaining on me so I chased back on, catching then right at the crest. they started hammering the descent and I needed a moment to recover, causing a few feet of a gap that I wasn't motivated enough to close. A photographer on the side of the road gave me some water and I just cruised around the course with one other guy to finish. I actually worked harder the second lap than the first, and got 19th of maybe 40, give or take a few.
2x30 mile laps in bakersfield, 90F+ heat. Been hydrating for days, had two bottles in the hour before the start, 2 bottles with me and plan for two in the feed. First lap pretty mellow, some moves and counter moves, but nothing serious I stayed near the front, in the top 10 most of the time. Teammate Gary was somewhat active on the front, I was covering some stuff and sitting on some wheels. 2 guys attack and get a gap about 2k from the start/finish and it's holding at maybe 20 seconds through the feed zone.
Then it gets crazy. Two guys attack in the feedzone, and the strap of musette bag I was using broke, so I got nothing. The field had splintered and there were now 3 main groups, the two in the break, a handful chasing, and then my teammate and I with a bunch of others behind that, going up a gentle grade. Gary calls out for me and I go up to him, he says they are slipping away we need to go NOW, so I accelerate to bridge. I apparently didn't hear him say to throtle back a hair and ended up with a gap, halfway between the groups. I eased up to reconnect then went back to tempo. I helped get him and a few others most of the way there and he finished bridging on his own.
Spent and out of water, I slipped back to the 3rd group, the considered quitting to save myself for tomorrow, then eased up and slid off the group. After maybe 20 seconds of softpedaling I felt better and they weren't really gaining on me so I chased back on, catching then right at the crest. they started hammering the descent and I needed a moment to recover, causing a few feet of a gap that I wasn't motivated enough to close. A photographer on the side of the road gave me some water and I just cruised around the course with one other guy to finish. I actually worked harder the second lap than the first, and got 19th of maybe 40, give or take a few.
Last edited by umd; 06-05-10 at 05:32 PM. Reason: errant line break
06-05-10, 03:48 PM
#4427
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06-05-10, 04:02 PM
#4428
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Scnca district championship rr. 30+ today, cat 3 tomorrow.
2x30 mile laps in bakersfield, 90F+ heat. Been hydrating for days, had two bottles in the hour before the start, 2 bottles with me and plan for two in the feed. First lap pretty mellow, some moves and counter moves, but nothing serious I stayed near the front, in the top 10 most of the time. Teammate Gary was somewhat active on the front, I was covering some stuff and sitting on some wheels. 2 guys attack and get a gap about 2k from the start/finish and it's holding at maybe 20 seconds through the feed zone.
Then it gets crazy. Two guys attack in the feedzone, and the strap of musette bag I was using broke, so I got nothing. The field had splintered and there were now 3 main groups, the two in the break, a handful chasing, and then my teammate and I with a bunch of others behind that, going up a gentle grade. Gary calls out for me and I go up to him, he says they are slipping away we need to go NOW, so I accelerate to bridge. I apparently didn't hear him say to throtle back a hair and ended up with a gap, halfway between the groups. I eased up to reconnect then went back to tempo. I helped get him and a few others most of the way there and he finished bridging on his own.
Spent and out of water, I slipped back to the 3rd group, the considered quitting to save
myself for tomorrow, then eased up and slid off the group. After maybe 20 seconds of softpedaling I felt better and they weren't really gaining on me so I chased back on, catching then right at the crest. they started hammering the descent and I needed a moment to recover, causing a few feet of a gap that I wasn't motivated enough to close. A photographer on the side of the road gave me some water and I just cruised around the course with one other guy to finish. I actually worked harder the second lap than the first, and got 19th of maybe 40, give or take a few.
2x30 mile laps in bakersfield, 90F+ heat. Been hydrating for days, had two bottles in the hour before the start, 2 bottles with me and plan for two in the feed. First lap pretty mellow, some moves and counter moves, but nothing serious I stayed near the front, in the top 10 most of the time. Teammate Gary was somewhat active on the front, I was covering some stuff and sitting on some wheels. 2 guys attack and get a gap about 2k from the start/finish and it's holding at maybe 20 seconds through the feed zone.
Then it gets crazy. Two guys attack in the feedzone, and the strap of musette bag I was using broke, so I got nothing. The field had splintered and there were now 3 main groups, the two in the break, a handful chasing, and then my teammate and I with a bunch of others behind that, going up a gentle grade. Gary calls out for me and I go up to him, he says they are slipping away we need to go NOW, so I accelerate to bridge. I apparently didn't hear him say to throtle back a hair and ended up with a gap, halfway between the groups. I eased up to reconnect then went back to tempo. I helped get him and a few others most of the way there and he finished bridging on his own.
Spent and out of water, I slipped back to the 3rd group, the considered quitting to save
myself for tomorrow, then eased up and slid off the group. After maybe 20 seconds of softpedaling I felt better and they weren't really gaining on me so I chased back on, catching then right at the crest. they started hammering the descent and I needed a moment to recover, causing a few feet of a gap that I wasn't motivated enough to close. A photographer on the side of the road gave me some water and I just cruised around the course with one other guy to finish. I actually worked harder the second lap than the first, and got 19th of maybe 40, give or take a few.
Where's the feed zone located in relation to the start/finish line?
06-05-10, 04:22 PM
#4429
Senior Member
Connecticut Stage Race:
Stage 1: 8mi out + back TT
-Photo by my teammate Steve Yau
I've barely done any TT specific training this year, and it shows. I don't think I warmed up enough and I just didn't have the legs. Pretty much dfl (except for the guys who got cut).
Stage 2: 8*3mi Circuit Race
Started off pretty mellow, but I wanted to try and get to the front. After narrowly avoiding a crash on the first lap, I was sitting about midpack in the early parts of the race. Eventually got to the front. Stupidly, I followed a little attack that went on one of the climbs. I was pushing way too big of a gear and almost got shot right off the back. Caught back on on the downhill, moved close to the front. Next couple laps I felt awesome. Felt good on the climb, had no trouble staying at the front and I just felt like everything was going well. Legs felt really good. Coming up on 2 to go, I'm sitting 3rd wheel after a little climb and we are trying to chase a small break (1 guy?). Monster teammate rockets up the inside (little did I know he had been otb and just caught back on). I continue to towards the front, try to pull up the little riser before you turn where all the spectators watch (not sure of the street name) and boom! My left calf absolutely locks up. I couldn't even pedal, fell right off the back. Eventually hooked up with a small chase group and tempoed the last lap with them. My legs still felt fine taking pulls, etc. but as soon as I would try and push the calf would complain.
I'm not sure if it is a pull, strain, cramp or what. I had a little twinge in it Wednesday night but backed off so I didn't make it worse. Today I tried to push through it and it just shut me down. I've been drinking lots of electrolytes and trying to give it a good rub. I hope it is alright for tomorrow's RR.
Even though my placings were ****, I still am happy. I expected the tt to be tough, but I felt good on the circuit and I really enjoyed the course, so whatever.
Stage 1: 8mi out + back TT
-Photo by my teammate Steve Yau
I've barely done any TT specific training this year, and it shows. I don't think I warmed up enough and I just didn't have the legs. Pretty much dfl (except for the guys who got cut).
Stage 2: 8*3mi Circuit Race
Started off pretty mellow, but I wanted to try and get to the front. After narrowly avoiding a crash on the first lap, I was sitting about midpack in the early parts of the race. Eventually got to the front. Stupidly, I followed a little attack that went on one of the climbs. I was pushing way too big of a gear and almost got shot right off the back. Caught back on on the downhill, moved close to the front. Next couple laps I felt awesome. Felt good on the climb, had no trouble staying at the front and I just felt like everything was going well. Legs felt really good. Coming up on 2 to go, I'm sitting 3rd wheel after a little climb and we are trying to chase a small break (1 guy?). Monster teammate rockets up the inside (little did I know he had been otb and just caught back on). I continue to towards the front, try to pull up the little riser before you turn where all the spectators watch (not sure of the street name) and boom! My left calf absolutely locks up. I couldn't even pedal, fell right off the back. Eventually hooked up with a small chase group and tempoed the last lap with them. My legs still felt fine taking pulls, etc. but as soon as I would try and push the calf would complain.
I'm not sure if it is a pull, strain, cramp or what. I had a little twinge in it Wednesday night but backed off so I didn't make it worse. Today I tried to push through it and it just shut me down. I've been drinking lots of electrolytes and trying to give it a good rub. I hope it is alright for tomorrow's RR.
Even though my placings were ****, I still am happy. I expected the tt to be tough, but I felt good on the circuit and I really enjoyed the course, so whatever.
06-05-10, 05:13 PM
#4431
Senior Member
Oh yea, I forgot to add - I also got a time penalty because I forgot rollout after the circuit race. Doesn't really matter at this point, but I'm a dumbass.
06-05-10, 05:54 PM
#4432
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I'm not sure if it is a pull, strain, cramp or what. I had a little twinge in it Wednesday night but backed off so I didn't make it worse. Today I tried to push through it and it just shut me down. I've been drinking lots of electrolytes and trying to give it a good rub. I hope it is alright for tomorrow's RR.
BTW, my write-up on the race is here.
06-05-10, 05:59 PM
#4433
Senior Member
I saw you out there, and with the heat and humidity, plus all of the time you spent charging hard up the left hand side of the pack, plus this was probably the first time you've done a ITT & CR in the same day, I am convinced you just cramped up. Get some rest and you'll be back to normal tomorrow, especially with the cooler temps and rain to ward off the heat induced cramping.
BTW, my write-up on the race is here.
BTW, my write-up on the race is here.
Great racing today, you did awesome. Lance just told me he's not going to be able to make it tomorrow, so it's just Steve, you, and me tomorrow.
06-05-10, 07:14 PM
#4434
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Just looking through TXBRA and some related tweets: someone has his mojo back!!
06-05-10, 07:33 PM
#4436
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06-05-10, 07:33 PM
#4437
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06-05-10, 09:12 PM
#4439
Training
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Ballard Crit - Cat 4/5 race
Course is a fairly flat, two city block long by one wide four corner crit. The main stretch is mostly paved with bricks and has a few long cracks in the middle about the width of a tire; the first turn has a sinkhole-like depression about 6-8 inches deep and a couple feet round; and the third turn has a manhole cover that rises about 4-6 inches up out of the street (with some bricks sloping up to it, so you could hit it and stay upright if you are paying attention, but it wouldn't be fun).
This was a great race for me. I comfortably stayed in the back of the lead group for the entire race and ended up finishing somewhere in the top 20. I took outside lines for most of the race and it ended up being a smart move because I was always able to hit the turns at full speed -- no braking, no wasted energy. I learned I can corner at 30MPH, and that I can do laps at 28MPH. I feel like I still had some energy left at the end, so I guess I should have put more energy into moving up the last few laps. My goal was just to finish the race with the leaders (I had been dropped my first few crits), so missing accomplished. Now I need to start getting some Top 10s. I think that is doable, especially when I move back to field with only 5s.
Course is a fairly flat, two city block long by one wide four corner crit. The main stretch is mostly paved with bricks and has a few long cracks in the middle about the width of a tire; the first turn has a sinkhole-like depression about 6-8 inches deep and a couple feet round; and the third turn has a manhole cover that rises about 4-6 inches up out of the street (with some bricks sloping up to it, so you could hit it and stay upright if you are paying attention, but it wouldn't be fun).
This was a great race for me. I comfortably stayed in the back of the lead group for the entire race and ended up finishing somewhere in the top 20. I took outside lines for most of the race and it ended up being a smart move because I was always able to hit the turns at full speed -- no braking, no wasted energy. I learned I can corner at 30MPH, and that I can do laps at 28MPH. I feel like I still had some energy left at the end, so I guess I should have put more energy into moving up the last few laps. My goal was just to finish the race with the leaders (I had been dropped my first few crits), so missing accomplished. Now I need to start getting some Top 10s. I think that is doable, especially when I move back to field with only 5s.
06-05-10, 09:42 PM
#4440
**** that
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Won my first bike race today!!!!!
Ballard Crit 4/5's. Won a prime lap, then just hung out in the top 10-20. This race was so tough for me when I did it a year ago as my first crit - this time it was way easier, though I wouldn't call it easy!
With four to go I was in the top three, just waiting for the end to come around. My plan was to attack in the last half of the last lap, but team mate Kyle gave me an awesome leadout for the last three laps instead. I guess we dropped some of the field? I didn't look back. And wearing the leader's number for the crit series, I had to at least win one of 'em!
More than enough points for Cat 3 now. I can't believe it, but I'm upgrading after the omnium is over.
Did you see the cardboard & duct tape they put over some cracks in the road in corner 1??? Last year they were exposed, not that bad but maybe 6" wide and 2" deep or something.. but that cardboard/tape idea seemed worse, it looked slick! I don't think anyone crashed on it though.
Ballard Crit 4/5's. Won a prime lap, then just hung out in the top 10-20. This race was so tough for me when I did it a year ago as my first crit - this time it was way easier, though I wouldn't call it easy!
With four to go I was in the top three, just waiting for the end to come around. My plan was to attack in the last half of the last lap, but team mate Kyle gave me an awesome leadout for the last three laps instead. I guess we dropped some of the field? I didn't look back. And wearing the leader's number for the crit series, I had to at least win one of 'em!
More than enough points for Cat 3 now. I can't believe it, but I'm upgrading after the omnium is over.
Ballard Crit - Cat 4/5 race
Course is a fairly flat, two city block long by one wide four corner crit. The main stretch is mostly paved with bricks and has a few long cracks in the middle about the width of a tire; the first turn has a sinkhole-like depression about 6-8 inches deep and a couple feet round; and the third turn has a manhole cover that rises about 4-6 inches up out of the street (with some bricks sloping up to it, so you could hit it and stay upright if you are paying attention, but it wouldn't be fun).
This was a great race for me. I comfortably stayed in the back of the lead group for the entire race and ended up finishing somewhere in the top 20. I took outside lines for most of the race and it ended up being a smart move because I was always able to hit the turns at full speed -- no braking, no wasted energy. I learned I can corner at 30MPH, and that I can do laps at 28MPH. I feel like I still had some energy left at the end, so I guess I should have put more energy into moving up the last few laps. My goal was just to finish the race with the leaders (I had been dropped my first few crits), so missing accomplished. Now I need to start getting some Top 10s. I think that is doable, especially when I move back to field with only 5s.
Course is a fairly flat, two city block long by one wide four corner crit. The main stretch is mostly paved with bricks and has a few long cracks in the middle about the width of a tire; the first turn has a sinkhole-like depression about 6-8 inches deep and a couple feet round; and the third turn has a manhole cover that rises about 4-6 inches up out of the street (with some bricks sloping up to it, so you could hit it and stay upright if you are paying attention, but it wouldn't be fun).
This was a great race for me. I comfortably stayed in the back of the lead group for the entire race and ended up finishing somewhere in the top 20. I took outside lines for most of the race and it ended up being a smart move because I was always able to hit the turns at full speed -- no braking, no wasted energy. I learned I can corner at 30MPH, and that I can do laps at 28MPH. I feel like I still had some energy left at the end, so I guess I should have put more energy into moving up the last few laps. My goal was just to finish the race with the leaders (I had been dropped my first few crits), so missing accomplished. Now I need to start getting some Top 10s. I think that is doable, especially when I move back to field with only 5s.
06-05-10, 09:47 PM
#4441
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Great job Matt
06-05-10, 10:33 PM
#4443
Training
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Did you see the cardboard & duct tape they put over some cracks in the road in corner 1??? Last year they were exposed, not that bad but maybe 6" wide and 2" deep or something.. but that cardboard/tape idea seemed worse, it looked slick! I don't think anyone crashed on it though.
Congrats again on the win.
06-05-10, 11:04 PM
#4445
VeloSIRraptor
classy win matt -
both you and kyle weren't pedaling and had hands in the air crossing the line... the pictures should come out well :-)
both you and kyle weren't pedaling and had hands in the air crossing the line... the pictures should come out well :-)
06-06-10, 12:03 AM
#4446
**** that
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Thanks y'all!!
I thought the pack was on our wheel until the end, so I was still hammering coming across the line - or trying to. The hands came up after crossing the line, I wanted to make sure it was in the bag. Still can't believe it.. good thing there's pictures to prove it!
Series isn't over yet though, our team's race is tomorrow. See you in seven hours or so..
both you and kyle weren't pedaling and had hands in the air crossing the line... the pictures should come out well :-)
Series isn't over yet though, our team's race is tomorrow. See you in seven hours or so..
06-06-10, 01:04 AM
#4447
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Congrats Matt!
Flatted my rear tubular shortly before the start of today's Tulsa Tough (an NRC) day 2, so ended up running the powertap. Interesting data, I'll post it in a more relavent thread. Got in the money myself tonight, and led my teammate up to even more money. Legs were good.
Tomorrow is my day. Fun fun
Flatted my rear tubular shortly before the start of today's Tulsa Tough (an NRC) day 2, so ended up running the powertap. Interesting data, I'll post it in a more relavent thread. Got in the money myself tonight, and led my teammate up to even more money. Legs were good.
Tomorrow is my day. Fun fun
06-06-10, 02:40 AM
#4448
gmt
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way to go Matt!
Won my first bike race today!!!!!
Ballard Crit 4/5's. Won a prime lap, then just hung out in the top 10-20. This race was so tough for me when I did it a year ago as my first crit - this time it was way easier, though I wouldn't call it easy!
With four to go I was in the top three, just waiting for the end to come around. My plan was to attack in the last half of the last lap, but team mate Kyle gave me an awesome leadout for the last three laps instead. I guess we dropped some of the field? I didn't look back. And wearing the leader's number for the crit series, I had to at least win one of 'em!
More than enough points for Cat 3 now. I can't believe it, but I'm upgrading after the omnium is over.
Did you see the cardboard & duct tape they put over some cracks in the road in corner 1??? Last year they were exposed, not that bad but maybe 6" wide and 2" deep or something.. but that cardboard/tape idea seemed worse, it looked slick! I don't think anyone crashed on it though.
Ballard Crit 4/5's. Won a prime lap, then just hung out in the top 10-20. This race was so tough for me when I did it a year ago as my first crit - this time it was way easier, though I wouldn't call it easy!
With four to go I was in the top three, just waiting for the end to come around. My plan was to attack in the last half of the last lap, but team mate Kyle gave me an awesome leadout for the last three laps instead. I guess we dropped some of the field? I didn't look back. And wearing the leader's number for the crit series, I had to at least win one of 'em!
More than enough points for Cat 3 now. I can't believe it, but I'm upgrading after the omnium is over.
Did you see the cardboard & duct tape they put over some cracks in the road in corner 1??? Last year they were exposed, not that bad but maybe 6" wide and 2" deep or something.. but that cardboard/tape idea seemed worse, it looked slick! I don't think anyone crashed on it though.
06-06-10, 02:56 AM
#4449
Making a kilometer blurry
Many congrats on the first win Matt
Ze, nice work, and good luck today.
Ze, nice work, and good luck today.
06-06-10, 02:57 AM
#4450
Making a kilometer blurry
Many congrats on the first win Matt
Ze, nice work, and good luck today.
Ze, nice work, and good luck today.