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07-14-02, 02:57 PM
Saturday, July 13 was the first race of 6 races I hope to ride in the next 7 weeks – 2 criteriums, 2 road, 2 XC. I hope my reports over the next several weeks will inspire others to consider racing, and entertain and inform some level.
By way of introduction, I’m 41 years old, husband, father of two, self-employed accountant, first-year Cat 5 road racer, and second-year, sport XC racer.
Saturday’s criterium, in Poughkeepsie, NY was a 16 lap (for Cat 5s), 1k/lap race held in downtown. The course was a rectangle with a steep climb between the first and second corners and continued more steeply around the second corner. The back straight was gradually down to corner three, which led into a descent to corner four and the main straight. During warm-ups it was obvious that corner four would be interesting as it fell at the bottom of the hill and made a 90-degree left turn. I did about 10 pre-race laps trying different lines at different speeds.
Sixteen Cat 5s lined up at the start representing all age groups. At the start I made it to corner one first, but was immediately surrounded on the hill. The climb was probably 80 meters long at a grade of 10% and turned upward for another 20 meters at probably 12%. The fastest riders set out and I clung to the back of the pack down the back straight. Things got sketchy as we approached the third corner, but we all made it around and started down. As I approached the fourth turn one guy was already piled into the hay bales and a second had cut the corner too tight and was locked up and heading for him. His rear wheel chirped loudly and he crossed right in front of me. I hit the brakes and my rear wheel stuttered as he passed in front. Guy two piled into guy one and their day was over. I had slowed considerably, but stayed upright. I looked up and found the lead pack accelerating away.
I took up the chase, which would last about 8 or 9 laps. Each time I came to the finishing straight I could see them a little farther ahead. Finally, I capitulated and accepted that I couldn’t catch them. I took inventory and found two guys stuck on my rear wheel. I didn’t know how long they’d been there since I had been focusing on the chase. I slowed slightly and the second guy back came up to pull. I was grateful for the rest. He pulled for half a lap, then the other guy pulled for half a lap and I was in front again. I pulled for half a lap, but when I slid over to let them by nothing happened. They stayed on my wheel.
I was a little miffed, but pulled on for another lap or two. Finally, I had enough and sat up, took my hands of the bar, stopped pedaling, stretched and generally shut down. I was going about 15mph and turned around. There they were still in the drops (!) sucking my wheel.
The guy right behind me was local. He had friends and family all over the course shouting his name (Matt) and encouragement. He is forever remembered as Matt Wheelsucker.
I had no idea what to do, so I soldiered on with Matt Wheelsucker and some other guy sitting on. I decided to hammer the hill every time and, otherwise, take it easy around the course. They let this happen, and with two laps to go we were lapped by the lead group.
On the last lap I decided to lose them on the hill and try to hold them off until the finish. So I attacked the hill and successfully opened a small gap, but was caught by the third corner. I coasted through corner four and attacked again, but stayed in the saddle, all the while towing Matt Wheelsucker. I had successfully dropped the other guy. With 300 meters, or so, to go I started my sprint. I knew I was early, but I was already feeling the effort coming out of the last turn. Soon Matt Wheelsucker was alongside me. We were both out of the saddle doing our best Zabel/McEwen impression. I turned up the effort and negated his advantage for 50 meters, but ran out of steam before the finish and sat up.
We rode around the block together and I graciously shook his hand and congratulated him. He thanked my for playing leadout and complimented my sprint after pulling for him the whole race. I said nothing, but smiled and chalked this one up to experience.
Having someone sit on and getting caught behind a crash are parts of racing. I had good legs, hammered the climb every time, and sprinted adequately, so I’m generally pleased. I think I could have raced with the lead pack, if I had managed to stay with them, but you never know.
Final results: 6th of 13 finishers, one lap down. 2nd of 6 in 40+ age group. Matt Wheelsucker was not in my group, so the final sprint didn’t affect my group placing. So, I came home with another Cat 5 race, a medal and some valuable experience.
Next week is Northampton Cycle Club’s Tour of the Hilltowns in western Massachusetts. It’s 60 miles with two long climbs. I’m tentative for it right now, but it’s on the things-to-do list.
Woody
By way of introduction, I’m 41 years old, husband, father of two, self-employed accountant, first-year Cat 5 road racer, and second-year, sport XC racer.
Saturday’s criterium, in Poughkeepsie, NY was a 16 lap (for Cat 5s), 1k/lap race held in downtown. The course was a rectangle with a steep climb between the first and second corners and continued more steeply around the second corner. The back straight was gradually down to corner three, which led into a descent to corner four and the main straight. During warm-ups it was obvious that corner four would be interesting as it fell at the bottom of the hill and made a 90-degree left turn. I did about 10 pre-race laps trying different lines at different speeds.
Sixteen Cat 5s lined up at the start representing all age groups. At the start I made it to corner one first, but was immediately surrounded on the hill. The climb was probably 80 meters long at a grade of 10% and turned upward for another 20 meters at probably 12%. The fastest riders set out and I clung to the back of the pack down the back straight. Things got sketchy as we approached the third corner, but we all made it around and started down. As I approached the fourth turn one guy was already piled into the hay bales and a second had cut the corner too tight and was locked up and heading for him. His rear wheel chirped loudly and he crossed right in front of me. I hit the brakes and my rear wheel stuttered as he passed in front. Guy two piled into guy one and their day was over. I had slowed considerably, but stayed upright. I looked up and found the lead pack accelerating away.
I took up the chase, which would last about 8 or 9 laps. Each time I came to the finishing straight I could see them a little farther ahead. Finally, I capitulated and accepted that I couldn’t catch them. I took inventory and found two guys stuck on my rear wheel. I didn’t know how long they’d been there since I had been focusing on the chase. I slowed slightly and the second guy back came up to pull. I was grateful for the rest. He pulled for half a lap, then the other guy pulled for half a lap and I was in front again. I pulled for half a lap, but when I slid over to let them by nothing happened. They stayed on my wheel.
I was a little miffed, but pulled on for another lap or two. Finally, I had enough and sat up, took my hands of the bar, stopped pedaling, stretched and generally shut down. I was going about 15mph and turned around. There they were still in the drops (!) sucking my wheel.
The guy right behind me was local. He had friends and family all over the course shouting his name (Matt) and encouragement. He is forever remembered as Matt Wheelsucker.
I had no idea what to do, so I soldiered on with Matt Wheelsucker and some other guy sitting on. I decided to hammer the hill every time and, otherwise, take it easy around the course. They let this happen, and with two laps to go we were lapped by the lead group.
On the last lap I decided to lose them on the hill and try to hold them off until the finish. So I attacked the hill and successfully opened a small gap, but was caught by the third corner. I coasted through corner four and attacked again, but stayed in the saddle, all the while towing Matt Wheelsucker. I had successfully dropped the other guy. With 300 meters, or so, to go I started my sprint. I knew I was early, but I was already feeling the effort coming out of the last turn. Soon Matt Wheelsucker was alongside me. We were both out of the saddle doing our best Zabel/McEwen impression. I turned up the effort and negated his advantage for 50 meters, but ran out of steam before the finish and sat up.
We rode around the block together and I graciously shook his hand and congratulated him. He thanked my for playing leadout and complimented my sprint after pulling for him the whole race. I said nothing, but smiled and chalked this one up to experience.
Having someone sit on and getting caught behind a crash are parts of racing. I had good legs, hammered the climb every time, and sprinted adequately, so I’m generally pleased. I think I could have raced with the lead pack, if I had managed to stay with them, but you never know.
Final results: 6th of 13 finishers, one lap down. 2nd of 6 in 40+ age group. Matt Wheelsucker was not in my group, so the final sprint didn’t affect my group placing. So, I came home with another Cat 5 race, a medal and some valuable experience.
Next week is Northampton Cycle Club’s Tour of the Hilltowns in western Massachusetts. It’s 60 miles with two long climbs. I’m tentative for it right now, but it’s on the things-to-do list.
Woody