Road Bike Racing - The racing roller coaster

This is my first season racing as well as my first season riding so maybe everyone else knows about this, but it seems we at BF go through the ups and downs at the same time.

Late May/Early June saw most of the BF racers firing on all cylinders, there were lots of wins and lots of good reports. People were really hitting their strides and the beer was being clanked.

Late June/Early July was a crash fest, it seems everyone was going down. Every few hours was a report of a broken bike, broken bone, or torn up kit with the corresponding road rash.

Late July is burnout. Too much time training, not the desired results, tired legs. Maybe people are tired of putting in all the hours required to race at their desired level.

So tell me, am I way off base?

Sounds about right. But, just wait because I have two crits next week that I think I'll do okay at. Then I can move up to Cat 4 and live happily ever after.

I just raced my first and second race over the weekend. I had a blast, but my legs have not recovered yet and it frustrating.

I just raced my first and second race over the weekend. I had a blast, but my legs have not recovered yet and it frustrating.

Did you take a real easy day yet? That might be exactly what you need... make it real slow, avoid hills, and short.

Did you take a real easy day yet? That might be exactly what you need... make it real slow, avoid hills, and short.

I was supposed to take an easy day Monday but my gf kept toying with me and riding away from me. I guess it wasn't easy enough. Last Night's training crit nearly killed me. I am taking the day off today and swimming(playing around, not laps).

there did seem to be a lot of crashes reported last month.

I had a teamate that was really frustrated last week that none of our team were taking turns at the front to pull back a break. We talked on the phone and I was like maybe everyone was at threshold and had nothing left. I told him if it wasn't for the sponsor I wouldn't have been there as the track sucks imho. It really made me think it's not worth getting crazy over a winning box of Clif bars or some expired Cytomax. I love winning but it needs to be kept in check like everything else. It gets harder as you Cat up and prises still suck so sometimes you wonder what the payoff is after all your training is done. I have found if I keep my training fun, then my head stays right. If your training isn't fun then when you don't podium it will seem worse like the training was a waste of time which isn't true.
I am going to focus on races I enjoy (RR's) next year and not worry about any others. I couldn't race 2 and 3 days a week like some here but were all different.

If I reported every race I did, they'd look much more depressing, compared to botto's.



I raced today.

I missed the attack on the 2nd lap.

I got stuck with a group of 5 guys that didn't want to work together and spent the majority of the time pulling their lazy asses around the track.

They all sprinted for the line; I was DFL.


or



I raced today.

No one wanted to make a move.

I had a pack finish.


Not exactly the kind of exciting reporting we've all come to love from the Road Racing forum. Sometimes you eat the bar, and sometimes, well, he eats you.

It really made me think it's not worth getting crazy over a winning box of Clif bars or some expired Cytomax.


That had to be a Tym Tyler race. :rolleyes:

That's a nice summary....

I took most of June off after Mt. Hood. Lesson learned from last year when I turned into a pile of goo at the end of the season. Right now things seem to be going well if I do everything right before the race. If not it can be really bad, as I found out Saturday when someone dialed my power meter down. Post return from the month off has produced a 19th/DNF/2nd/2nd/6th/5th/4th/5th.

I'm a bit tired, mostly from limiting my calorie intake, but I'm still racing and looking forward. Plan is to secure our BAR/BAT 2nd place status then shut it down and head to Italy the beggining of Septemeber.

I'm tellin ya folks, you gotta take the time off. It sucks coming back but you'll be better for it.

I've been flying high on this sport for about 20 straight months. I think the key is that I only do the races that are really convenient. The flip side is that I'll never race enough to upgrade. That's cool though, I've got my 3 license and can race with the 1s and 2s when they slum in the M35+ races.

I've been flying high on this sport for about 20 straight months. I think the key is that I only do the races that are really convenient. The flip side is that I'll never race enough to upgrade. That's cool though, I've got my 3 license and can race with the 1s and 2s when they slum in the M35+ races.

If I did this I could do one race per year. :(

And I thought this thread was going to be about the human powered rollercoaster:
http://www.consolati.com/hpr/pan97.jpg

If I did this I could do one race per year. :(

Yeah, Austin is one of those great places for bike racing. It's not the only great place, but it is great.

i am most definately feeling the burnout. that is what happens when the first race of the season is in frozen conditions with a 20mph wind (lowcel remembers that one). the other side is that i accomplished my goals for the season, and i am able to take a break without compromising my pursuit of them. i have a feeling that a lot of people on bf are in the exact same boat. so now, this will be my main "racing roller coaster":

http://z.about.com/d/themeparks/1/0/V/P/PKI6.jpg

i am most definately feeling the burnout. that is what happens when the first race of the season is in frozen conditions with a 20mph wind (lowcel remembers that one).


Sorry, don't remember that one. It took quite a few sessions of therapy but I was finally able to block it out. :D

Ha, I just stopped racing and rested after getting whooped at Philippi! I'm building up for a good old dig at the collegiate season. I love riding in winter. Hurt me more!

Yoshi: where does one find that figure of eight track? I may have a new life goal....

If I reported every race I did, they'd look much more depressing, compared to botto's.



or



Not exactly the kind of exciting reporting we've all come to love from the Road Racing forum. Sometimes you eat the bar, and sometimes, well, he eats you.

Funny. Hmm. Mine would be the similar.

I raced today.

I tried to punish the pack with ill-advised and poorly executed breakaways. I failed miserably and ended up at the back of the sprint.

Yoshi: where does one find that figure of eight track? I may have a new life goal....

The Human-Powered Rollercoaster was touring North America in the late 90's. The owner has since dismantled it.

http://www.consolati.com/hpr/hpr.html
http://www.ahalenia.com/glue/alleycats/hpr99.html
http://www.messengers.org/events/events1998/1998.04.24-25.hpr.html

Not to be confused with this:
http://frostfirepulse.com/human-powered-roller-coaster

May be true for some, but I've had two wins and a 3rd place in the last two weeks. Hoping to follow up with a top 3 in a 70 mi RR on Saturday. :)

EDIT: I did have a pretty bad crash earlier in the season though

This is one of those times when I wish I was just a little older. Time to write to the Newport velodrome with some suggestions!

I find myself wanting to do more century-type organized rides now than race.....less pressure.

My legs are feeling amazing now with some recovery, I am anxious to train on my strength which is climbing, and I want to race!!!!

Yoshi: where does one find that figure of eight track? I may have a new life goal....

Some guys in NYC are planning on building a new one (the original was dismantled): http://cyclehawk.com/?page=figure8