Road Bike Racing - Race Report--Tradezone, March 4th

Wow, so that's what it's like to ride with a team...

Today was a great day--Cold and windy, but the sun was the saving grace. I was still pretty nervous, being that it was my first 3/4 race and I wasn't sure if the winter's training had paid off.

I started feeling better when I showed up and saw 13 teammates. Yes, count 'em, 14 total riders from our team. That was a major confidence boost right there. After a couple laps of warmup, we took off for our 20-lap race.

There was the usual sprint from the gun, but after the first turn the pack rolled into the teeth of a strong headwind and ground to a halt. In fact, there was about 1/2 mile of taking it easy each lap because of it (not that I was complaining!). A couple laps into it, our fast Cat 3, Mike, takes off in a 5 man break with one other teammate. Once it looks like it's going to stick, we just set the pace for the peloton. Hell, we had 14 guys out there. Unattached riders were complaining to us that we weren't "racing to win." At one point, a rider was complaining enough that I told him "the pull's all yours if you want it... you can chase. Go ahead." Silence was the answer. I mean, it was crazy. We totally dictated that race, and as a result our boys in the break stayed out there.

I did manage to take off on a chase with 2 other guys in an attempt to bridge, but it was clear that my winter had NOT been spent working on my 1-minute power. So after about 3/4 of a lap of that madness, I got swallowed back up, but was glad I tried. Also chased down one break successfully.

Mike and Joel finished 2nd and 3rd, and the pack sprint had a lot of red/white/black jerseys up there. I finished somewhere in the front of the pack, maybe 15th or so.

The numbers: Normalized power 269W, Max 1014W, VI 1.2. I was really pleased with that because I felt like I put in some good pulls but drifted back to recover as well. I was worried that this race would completely kill me, so it was good that I had some matches left at the end. I'll have to try and mix it up a bit more next time...

A couple pics... This one, a favorite, of me taking a turn driving the Red Train, laying on a little bit of the hurt (I'm the one in the red arm warmers):

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/pkpack.jpg

And the "I'm so happy I didn't get shelled" post-race shot: :D

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/pkpost.jpg

So I'm feeling a lot stronger than last fall, I've joined up with a great team, and the season is looking bright.

My God, I love this stuff.

Doc, Great ride and great report. Looks like you were putting out some serious wattages. Glad you tried to bridge (now look at your one minute power numbers...they might be a bit higher than before!) and it looks like you raced intelligently. However, with 40% representation in the break, you really should kick Mike and Joel's arses for not taking a first place in there! No excuses! Still great report and nice pics. Keep it coming!

Doc, Great ride and great report. Looks like you were putting out some serious wattages. Glad you tried to bridge (now look at your one minute power numbers...they might be a bit higher than before!) and it looks like you raced intelligently. However, with 40% representation in the break, you really should kick Mike and Joel's arses for not taking a first place in there! No excuses! Still great report and nice pics. Keep it coming!

It's only impressive because I didn't mention how many kilograms I'm bringin'. :D

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/pkpack.jpg

You're definitely an ideal teammate: at your height, sitting on your wheel is like riding in a vacuum, even when you're all low and aero. ;)


http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/pkpost.jpg

Time for a "how to pin your numbers on" thread. :D

Congrats on getting your forst 3/4 race in the bag (can't say I remember my 1st 3/4, but I do remember my 1st 1/2/3 - always better to race with folk with more experience than you).

:beer:

So the guy was complaining cause your team wasn't chasing down your own teammate? Moron. I believe everyone from the racing forum raced today! Even Botto!

So the guy was complaining cause your team wasn't chasing down your own teammate? Moron.

Yeah, I'm not a racing strategist by any stretch of the imagination, but 40% representation for your team in a viable break is hardly something to chase down...

Time for a "how to pin your numbers on" thread. :D


It's on my vest, which has a tendency to bunch up when reaching for things in the jersey pockets underneath... ;)

So the guy was complaining cause your team wasn't chasing down your own teammate? Moron!

+1

Congrats Dr. Pete... Bringin' the pain!

Nice,

I am busy next weekend, but maybe after that I can come out as the official "Dr. Pete race photographer"

It'd be my first live race to watch. Prolly get me hooked, but what the heck.

-D

I believe everyone from the racing forum raced today! Even Botto!

Not yet... I'm still living vicariously! Two more weeks.. two more weeks...

It's on my vest, which has a tendency to bunch up when reaching for things in the jersey pockets underneath... ;)

do'h! :eek:

do'h! :eek:

It was cold. I'm not proud. :D

Good stuff DrPete. I'm liking all these race reports. Can't believe that someone wanted you to chase down your own teammates. Well....actually I can.

congrats pete! sorry i didnt get to talk to you I had to leave with about 5 laps left in your race but I saw you going strong! Your team was in full force it was awesome. The only other team that had enough numbers to stand out like that was artemis. I cant wait to join a team.

I finished 3rd in the earlier race. I will make a thread about it later. Im still in shock.

^^^ I'm still trying to identify the 5's on our team who were watching after the C race and running around shirtless waving their Route 1 jerseys in the air. :D

Congrats, riskus! I suspect your time in the 5's will be short.

thanks dude. Were those your people camped out on the median?

Next week I will be able to hang out and if they are there maybe my wife can have someone to talk to. Its sad seeing here stand there all by herself in her big orange coat :D

thanks dude. Were those your people camped out on the median?

Next week I will be able to hang out and if they are there maybe my wife can have someone to talk to. Its sad seeing here stand there all by herself in her big orange coat :D

Yeah, my wife and sister-in-law were there with a friend of ours. We brought the dog too. She had a blast and is comatose under the dining room table. :D

She had a blast and is comatose under the dining room table. :D

You don't let your wife sleep in the bed? ;)

Good stuff, man. That's good team tactics but when a team shows up with that much firepower it can certainly be frustrating for smaller teams, especially if there's a yellow line rule and you're able to put guys from your team all the way across the front and block. It's one thing not to help someone bridge to the front; it's another thing to block the road (which I'm not saying you guys were doing but I've seen it happen).

--Steve

Good stuff, man. That's good team tactics but when a team shows up with that much firepower it can certainly be frustrating for smaller teams, especially if there's a yellow line rule and you're able to put guys from your team all the way across the front and block. It's one thing not to help someone bridge to the front; it's another thing to block the road (which I'm not saying you guys were doing but I've seen it happen).

--Steve

Yeah, we actually made it a point NOT to block the whole road, because that's just cheap. We set the pace up front, but no full-on blocking.

Glad to hear it went well, Pete. We had time trials yesterday and I was shot, so missed TZ. I'll be in Philly this weekend, hope to have as good a time as you did! Congrats again!

looking good there Peter! and looking happy :)
great race report, sounds like you're in for a great season, good one on ya!:beer:

Thanks for the report and putting in the photos. Nice Pinarello. It goes so well with your teem kit. Lucky you can go and you're not all show.

You don't let your wife sleep in the bed? ;)

D'oh... stupid ambiguous pronouns... :D

Hey DP, why the hell are you towing those weenies around in that picture? You need a trip to the Dr. Patentcad Wheelsucking Academy.

No need to bring the Power Meter of course.

Hey DP, why the hell are you towing those weenies around in that picture? You need a trip to the Dr. Patentcad Wheelsucking Academy.

No need to bring the Power Meter of course.

I took my turn there too... not to worry. ;)

Here are some photos from the race (I did not attend).
http://www.estes.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=Tradezone04-Mar-2007


Toward the end of the album is the finishing laps of the A race. Green people are LSV/Kelly.

http://www.estes.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=Tradezone04-Mar-2007&id=DSC_3218

In this photo you have Ramon Benitez followed by Rick Norton (I think), Steve Lusby and Dave Osborn. Ramon has won just about every race on mid-Atlantic including last years Nats road race.

Here are some photos from the race (I did not attend).
http://www.estes.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=Tradezone04-Mar-2007


Toward the end of the album is the finishing laps of the A race. Green people are LSV/Kelly.

http://www.estes.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=Tradezone04-Mar-2007&id=DSC_3218

In this photo you have Ramon Benitez followed by Rick Norton (I think), Steve Lusby and Dave Osborn. Ramon has won just about every race on mid-Atlantic including last years Nats road race.

Galen--thanks for the photos... I didn't have any of the C race, so do you mind if I pass that link on to my teammates who raced in the C's?

Galen--thanks for the photos... I didn't have any of the C race, so do you mind if I pass that link on to my teammates who raced in the C's?

DP,

I received the link from a club-mate. I am pretty sure it's public as the author may want to sell prints.

Just got an update through our club list server. It was Kelly/LSV riders taking the first 5 placings in the A race.... talk about dominance!

Just got an update through our club list server. It was Kelly/LSV riders taking the first 5 placings in the A race.... talk about dominance!

Wow, I shoulda stayed for that. We've got a group of Cat 1's this year who are looking strong, but I guess they didn't race at TZ. Not sure if they raced Quicksilver or did something else entirely...

Well it is a dinky training race... but considering I rode with several of those guys the day before and they did 4 hours hard at the front while I was hanging on for dear life at the back and then they raced the next day while I could barely walk....

Well, it shows some talent and early - season form that's for sure.

Just got to the thread. But, congrats Pete. It looks as though you had a fun time.

Chapeau Doc :beer: The grin said it all

Pete

Just found some pics from your race...

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4008/r6dadplu5.jpg

:lol:

Hi,

Isn't it nice to have to wear knickers, long sleeves and a vest for your first race of the year? At least the sun was out and it was dry. ;)

Nice job by you and your teammates.

I guess that this was the inaugural race for your Pinarello.

Hi,

Isn't it nice to have to wear knickers, long sleeves and a vest for your first race of the year? At least the sun was out and it was dry. ;)

Nice job by you and your teammates.

I guess that this was the inaugural race for your Pinarello.

Thanks! Once the race started the cold was a non-issue. I think we were all just jonesing for a race in a bad way, which makes it easy to ignore cold weather...

And yes, it WAS the inaugural race for the Pinarello. And it's like BUTTAH! Handling in the corners is amazing, and I definitely feel like my meager accelerations were getting transferred directly to the pedals. The Chorus drivetrain was flawless (must be the great mechanic ;) ). I'm sure the biggest plus is still that it got me excited about training all winter. So it has made me faster, but primarily by inspiring some engine upgrades. :D

Good race Pete. Sounds like your team raced smart -- though I'd like to hear how that guy beat your teammates in the break!

Oh, and, post back in your 1-minute power thread next week with new numbers. You've got to be getting close now.

though I'd like to hear how that guy beat your teammates in the break!


he rode them off his wheel with a last lap flyer - he did same thing prior day in the B race at quicksilver.

he rode them off his wheel with a last lap flyer - he did same thing prior day in the B race at quicksilver.
eek

Somebody's ready for an upgrade soon...

Still, knowing that would probably happen, I'd start attacking alternately (with 2 or 3 laps to go) with my teammate and force him to answer. You gotta try...

eek

Somebody's ready for an upgrade soon...

Still, knowing that would probably happen, I'd start attacking alternately (with 2 or 3 laps to go) with my teammate and force him to answer. You gotta try...

dude's a friend of mine, he's a strong racer to start off, and in peak form right now as he'll be missing the heart of our racing season. he's also on the largest team in the area, so he's a real threat. when the team I'm on comes out to play, he's on our radar and will be definitely earning whatever he gets.

dude's a friend of mine, he's a strong racer to start off, and in peak form right now as he'll be missing the heart of our racing season. he's also on the largest team in the area, so he's a real threat. when the team I'm on comes out to play, he's on our radar and will be definitely earning whatever he gets.

MDcatV, were you out there yesterday?

he's also on the largest team in the area
NCVC?

MDcatV, were you out there yesterday?

No, I did QS on Saturday. I was going to write up a race report, but it was so painful I think I've repressed it. Looks like your crew is ready for action, I didnt realize your squad was that large.