"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Race Report Carlisle Challenge 40K TT

The report is here (http://www.westwoodvelo.com/showthread.php?p=2984#post2984). While I did well in standings, watts don't lie. I can sympathize a bit more with the pros who just have off days and don't perform as well as they should. Ughh. Thanks for reading my rant.

The report is here (http://www.westwoodvelo.com/showthread.php?p=2984#post2984). While I did well in standings, watts don't lie. I can sympathize a bit more with the pros who just have off days and don't perform as well as they should. Ughh. Thanks for reading my rant.
I don't understand. You did a 54 minute effort at IF of 0.995 (and admit you chose to let power drop near the end). Assuming you have your FTP right, how much better do you think you could have performed? It sounds like you performed pretty much up to your ability, but just felt lousy doing it.

(sorry, missed the part where you said FTP is now aroung 345. why not update WKO+?)

I don't understand. You did a 54 minute effort at IF of 0.995 (and admit you chose to let power drop near the end). Assuming you have your FTP right, how much better do you think you could have performed? It sounds like you performed pretty much up to your ability, but just felt lousy doing it.

(sorry, missed the part where you said FTP is now aroung 345. why not update WKO+?)

Coach wanted to see if it was higher than the 345 with today's effort. He will update me tomorrow.

I just read your race report...I'm glad that you won your division, but I know how you feel regarding the numbers being off. My reaction after my first TT this season was pretty much the same. I wasn't happy at all with the result considering what I know I'm capable of. For some reason I was off and had no idea why. I couldn't get my heart rate up either yet my legs weren't there at all. My legs felt taxed at a much lower wattage than usual and it seemed like my cardiovascular system never really got pushed to where they should have been. My legs just got in the way.

Within a day or two, I came down with a bad cold that lasted for about 4 days. My coach (and you know who he is) figured that I had something going on already when I was doing the TT but that the main symptoms just hadn't surfaced yet. After reflecting on 1-2 weeks worth of data and performance numbers, he thinks that I'm also affected in a big way by hard workouts 1-2 days prior to an event. From the data it's beginning to look like my body needs that rather than a few days of easy riding.

It's a bummer for sure when you're wattaged are off, but impressive still that even on a bad day you can thrash the field. :)

You obviously know yourself better than I do but is any of the discrepancy between what you wanted to hit and what you were able to manage simply due to it being the TT bike rather than your road bike?

--Steve

You obviously know yourself better than I do but is any of the discrepancy between what you wanted to hit and what you were able to manage simply due to it being the TT bike rather than your road bike?

--Steve

that's a great question, but no. I do all of my testing on my TT bike. I have no idea what my threshold would be on my road bike.

that's a great question, but no. I do all of my testing on my TT bike. I have no idea what my threshold would be on my road bike.

Based on your recent race reports, I'd say it's pretty damn high ;)

--Steve

Let me see if I really understand this. You did a 40K TT in under 55 minutes and you're unhappy with your performance? Isn't this like Warren Buffet being unhappy with his net worth?

I suppose it's all relative. Good God, somebody shoot me today. I'll be in a better mood tomorrow.

I'd say good job. Winning on an off day should make you really look forward to your next one..

Nice even effort!

Sometimes you feel lousy bad the numbers/finishes aren't bad.

Let me see if I really understand this. You did a 40K TT in under 55 minutes and you're unhappy with your performance? Isn't this like Warren Buffet being unhappy with his net worth?

I suppose it's all relative. Good God, somebody shoot me today. I'll be in a better mood tomorrow.

PatentCad and everyone. I should apologize. From the raw perspective I know I should be happy. When I meet people who do times like that (particularly when the course is not necessarily flat) I am truly happy for them. I guess I am just a bit down because I know I can do better and I did not. I have made some changes to my TT position over the winter and that has dropped my FT. I have been clawing to get it back up where it was, but to be fair, I did a 40k last year at a better wattage and took a minute longer on a FLAT course. And according to the TOPO, today's was a 40.8km course? My wheel sensor doesn't agree, but I use so many different wheels and tire sizes, that my speedo/distance could certainly be off. Regardless, thanks for the support and encouragement.

I am especially proud to hear Vino's kind words as he is my hero!!

:)

i cant wait to have bad days like this!

PatentCad and everyone. I should apologize. From the raw perspective I know I should be happy.

I don't think an apology is necessary. You've set goals for yourself, you've worked your ass off both literally and figuratively, and as such it's frustrating when you have a day where you don't meet your personal expectations. I personally think it's pretty cool that you seemed to take little solace in having the best time today because you're more worried about meeting your own goals than about being better than others.

I know some of the folks on this forum feel that success is measured solely by podium placement (i.e. how many people you beat versus how many people beat you). I think there's a lot more to it than that and your frustration was an example of what I'm talking about.

--Steve

That is correct Dr. - no apologies necessary. I was just busting balls as usual. Good show, keep harmmering, and DON'T COME TO US WITH ANOTHER PATHETIC TT PERFORMANCE LIKE THAT EVER AGAIN!!!!!

It's all your own fault. Your own results and goals have set the bar very high. Now you must clear it grasshopper.

We're all in the same boat. Some boats row faster than others : ).

PatentCad and everyone. I should apologize. From the raw perspective I know I should be happy. When I meet people who do times like that (particularly when the course is not necessarily flat) I am truly happy for them. I guess I am just a bit down because I know I can do better and I did not. I have made some changes to my TT position over the winter and that has dropped my FT. I have been clawing to get it back up where it was, but to be fair, I did a 40k last year at a better wattage and took a minute longer on a FLAT course. And according to the TOPO, today's was a 40.8km course? My wheel sensor doesn't agree, but I use so many different wheels and tire sizes, that my speedo/distance could certainly be off. Regardless, thanks for the support and encouragement.

I am especially proud to hear Vino's kind words as he is my hero!!

:)Mine too, along with you + pizzaman.

I don't understand. You did a 54 minute effort at IF of 0.995 (and admit you chose to let power drop near the end). Assuming you have your FTP right, how much better do you think you could have performed? It sounds like you performed pretty much up to your ability, but just felt lousy doing it.

(sorry, missed the part where you said FTP is now aroung 345. why not update WKO+?)

I hate coaches. He was analyzing my workouts for the year, and bumped my FTP to 350. Now I am going to have to work!

Let me see if I really understand this. You did a 40K TT in under 55 minutes and you're unhappy with your performance? Isn't this like Warren Buffet being unhappy with his net worth?

I suppose it's all relative. Good God, somebody shoot me today. I'll be in a better mood tomorrow.

See? I told you that you were faster than DrO'Wattage. :D

The report is here (http://www.westwoodvelo.com/showthread.php?p=2984#post2984). While I did well in standings, watts don't lie. I can sympathize a bit more with the pros who just have off days and don't perform as well as they should. Ughh. Thanks for reading my rant.


I see why you're upset ... 54:09 for a 40K TT, you have more important bigger races coming up in the future so you're still building fitness, and if I'm not mistaken, you didnt race the watts, you raced the other riders, who were below you in the standings!

Seriously, that's a smokin' fast time. Maybe all the damage you've done in that racing series, which if I read your reports correctly involve alot of attacking and accelerations, have borrowed a little from your ability to maintain the high constant upward effort that's necessary for TTs.

I am especially proud to hear Vino's kind words as he is my hero!!

:)

Superman envys Robin's utility belt?

Holy wattage!

You know, I gotta a lot of heroes. Well maybe not heroes per se, but folks I respect. A lot. The folks (guys and gals) around here who have both talent and drive. The folks who are starting out and are willing to taste blood (and breakfast) in a stinkin podunk Cat5 crit (no disrespect, I was there just a couple of years ago and as Lemond said, "It doesn't hurt less, you just go faster), and especially the folks who have talent and drive but keep getting carp thrown in their way, but cowboy (or cowgirl) up and keep at it.

And cripes, you gotta luv the realists who proudly proclaim their steadfast middle-of-the-packness but keep coming back for more because, let's face it, this is a dang cool sport to watch, especially from the peleton. Ain't no better seat.

The report is here (http://www.westwoodvelo.com/showthread.php?p=2984#post2984). While I did well in standings, watts don't lie. I can sympathize a bit more with the pros who just have off days and don't perform as well as they should. Ughh. Thanks for reading my rant.

You expected a flat course in nowhere, PA? Man, did you brighten up my day. Thanks.