NorCal Racing thread
07-26-14, 10:50 PM
#753
RacingBear
Ah didn't see it in time, would have stopped by and said hi. There were 70+ riders in CAT4. On final lap T4, there was a big pile up near the front. Thankfully I took inside line and ended up 11th. No points and doesn't count toward upgrade either (10 top ten in 30+). Oh well. Berkeley tomorrow. On final sprint my back wheel hit a man cover, and sent me for a wild ride for a second. I think it was in the air. lol.
It was weird, it wasn't as hot as in Davis or even red kite, but it was getting to me more then usual. At the end I was very dehydrated.
There was also a big pile up in CAT3 race. Was chatting to hack and watching the end of that race.
I have to say. Getting there SUCKS, getting back SUCKS. Although slightly less so. Prizes also suck (at least for 4s), and there are no prims. Yet pace is always high, and the course is fun. At least last two turns.
It was weird, it wasn't as hot as in Davis or even red kite, but it was getting to me more then usual. At the end I was very dehydrated.
There was also a big pile up in CAT3 race. Was chatting to hack and watching the end of that race.
I have to say. Getting there SUCKS, getting back SUCKS. Although slightly less so. Prizes also suck (at least for 4s), and there are no prims. Yet pace is always high, and the course is fun. At least last two turns.
Last edited by UmneyDurak; 07-26-14 at 11:02 PM.
07-27-14, 12:45 AM
#754
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^that race kicked me in the nuts and didn't even apologize. Sucked so bad, DNP'ed. Started off not getting a warmup in because I was scrambling to change a tire with a sidewall gash, then lined up in less than great position and chased out of each turn. If it were flat, that'd be fine, but that little hill...oh it did me in.
Hung around and watched the P12. Eric Riggs has the most fun out of anyone out there. He spent 65 of the 75 minutes sitting off the back, sitting on his top bar through turns, smiling for pictures, and chatting away. If a gap formed off the back he'd pass the dropped riders and repeat. With like 10 min to go he just worked his way through the field like it was nothing. He didn't win, but I don't think he exerted much energy and appeared to be having fun. Must be nice to have that fitness and race awareness.
Hung around and watched the P12. Eric Riggs has the most fun out of anyone out there. He spent 65 of the 75 minutes sitting off the back, sitting on his top bar through turns, smiling for pictures, and chatting away. If a gap formed off the back he'd pass the dropped riders and repeat. With like 10 min to go he just worked his way through the field like it was nothing. He didn't win, but I don't think he exerted much energy and appeared to be having fun. Must be nice to have that fitness and race awareness.
07-27-14, 03:35 PM
#755
RacingBear
Berkeley Crit. Was doing OK until last 3 laps, then legs just gave out. Barely hanged on for the pack finish. I just could not figure those corners out so ended up braking in to them, and sprinting out. Clearly not the best approach if one wants to conserve energy.
08-02-14, 07:57 AM
#756
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Anyone have any advice on where to try and go solo on Patterson Pass? Last year it was all attrition until Midway when the winning attacks went. Could I attack and stay away on Flynn, or is it to far out?
08-02-14, 08:30 AM
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08-02-14, 09:58 AM
#758
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IMO Flynn is a little late. I'd go to get a selection on the pass itself, then ride with those guys until Midway and sort it out there. Flynn is only 8-9 minutes, so it's hard to get a large enough gap to hold it all by your lonesome on Altamont AND Midway AND that last mile of flats. But if you get a small group on the pass, then get 15s on Midway, you can hold that on the downhill/flat to the turn.
If you're alone, don't overdo it on the exertion on that small descent after Midway. Go at like 80% and breathe deep, then when it flattens out give it your best 3 minute Merckx TT. Chances are the guys chasing you will put 100% into the chase on the descent and will burn a bunch of energy into the wind. Save your best for the finish when it counts.
08-02-14, 03:52 PM
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I won that race with a solo 60+ mile effort when they gifted me too much time on the first time up the pass.
IMO Flynn is a little late. I'd go to get a selection on the pass itself, then ride with those guys until Midway and sort it out there. Flynn is only 8-9 minutes, so it's hard to get a large enough gap to hold it all by your lonesome on Altamont AND Midway AND that last mile of flats. But if you get a small group on the pass, then get 15s on Midway, you can hold that on the downhill/flat to the turn.
If you're alone, don't overdo it on the exertion on that small descent after Midway. Go at like 80% and breathe deep, then when it flattens out give it your best 3 minute Merckx TT. Chances are the guys chasing you will put 100% into the chase on the descent and will burn a bunch of energy into the wind. Save your best for the finish when it counts.
IMO Flynn is a little late. I'd go to get a selection on the pass itself, then ride with those guys until Midway and sort it out there. Flynn is only 8-9 minutes, so it's hard to get a large enough gap to hold it all by your lonesome on Altamont AND Midway AND that last mile of flats. But if you get a small group on the pass, then get 15s on Midway, you can hold that on the downhill/flat to the turn.
If you're alone, don't overdo it on the exertion on that small descent after Midway. Go at like 80% and breathe deep, then when it flattens out give it your best 3 minute Merckx TT. Chances are the guys chasing you will put 100% into the chase on the descent and will burn a bunch of energy into the wind. Save your best for the finish when it counts.
08-04-14, 10:42 PM
#760
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I know it's Monday, but I didn't race this past weekend and am race antsy. So, any one doing the Dunnigan and Suisun combo or driving all the way up to Reno for the Tour de Nez? I'm leaning toward the Dunnigan/Suisun combo.
08-04-14, 10:59 PM
#761
RacingBear
I am doing suisun. Took a weekend off from racing/training, ended up working on my motorcycle all weekend getting it ready for Monday track day at Sonoma. My legs hurt now, still. 
08-04-14, 11:06 PM
#762
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We are going to be at the lake for a family weekend and I am contemplating doing the Saturday crit in Reno.
08-05-14, 08:49 AM
#763
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Suisun 100% Cat3/35+123
Dunningan 20%/80% and dropping as we speak - If i'm gonna finish 25th, why should I be on my bike for 4 hours when I can get the same result in 40 minutes?
Dunningan 20%/80% and dropping as we speak - If i'm gonna finish 25th, why should I be on my bike for 4 hours when I can get the same result in 40 minutes?
08-05-14, 09:34 AM
#766
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It'd be nice if the schedule went Suisun then Dunnigan. 86 miles isn't a killer, but it's enough to leave a sting in the legs for a crit the next morning.
08-05-14, 11:41 AM
#769
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i've actually raced Dunnigan the last 4 years. I'm having a mix of burn out/season winding downitis. That plus I wake up at 5am every day for work makes the thought of waking up at 4am for a race really not appealing right now
08-13-14, 11:31 AM
#771
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Decided on San Ardo and Red Kite.
Skipping University hurts, but I'm unabashedly point hunting now.
Skipping University hurts, but I'm unabashedly point hunting now.
08-13-14, 11:35 AM
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08-13-14, 11:44 AM
#773
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No, but I can win an NCNCA district jersey! That would be the biggest $$ prize I've ever won, and cool for the novelty too. Like my buddy who was the stoker on the Tandem Nats RR who can buy stars and stripes jerseys now!
It's just for fun!
It's just for fun!
08-13-14, 11:52 AM
#774
Ninny
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I've said it before and I'll say it again. USAC should do what I say!
The USAC upgrade rules don't make much sense. Upgrade points in a road race for 3rd of 5 (40%), or 6th of 11 (45%). But nothing for 8th of 49 (84%) or 10th of 125 (92%).
Why not just make it a percentage? N/5 points for winning a race of N starters, N/5-1 points for finishing 2nd, N/5-2 points for finishing 3rd, etc, until you get down to zero points.
The USAC upgrade rules don't make much sense. Upgrade points in a road race for 3rd of 5 (40%), or 6th of 11 (45%). But nothing for 8th of 49 (84%) or 10th of 125 (92%).
Why not just make it a percentage? N/5 points for winning a race of N starters, N/5-1 points for finishing 2nd, N/5-2 points for finishing 3rd, etc, until you get down to zero points.
08-13-14, 11:57 AM
#775
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Ha ... was thinking about San Ardo 30-34 when there was just 1 other guy in the mix. Even then I was on the fence because it would be a looooong haul to get down there (4+ hours with an 8AM start time). Now I see there is a Cat 1 and fudgy in the mix, so I'm quickly falling onto the not going side of the fence. I can get my teeth kicked in for free at Coffee Republic. Might do Red Kite instead.
From what I've read, the course is flattish, but high probability of flats?
From what I've read, the course is flattish, but high probability of flats?