I am an idiot

[Tarmacguy]

simply put, was at the front going over the last hill of a race, got attacked and got caught out. Lost the race after being in a position to win the whole time..Stupid mistake.

[Savagewolf]

Eh, look on the bright side of at least being in a position to end rather than off the back with no chance. Now you know what not to do next time.

[EventServices]

You didn't WANT to win. You were happy just to be there. You accepted it.

I'm generalizing, of course. I don't know you well enough to dig that deep. But most people get close to winning and then back off content in knowing that they were within striking distance.
Some people make it look quite convincing that they gave everything.

[patentcad]

I saw the thread title and figured it was one I started that I had forgotten about. I don't need to lose no stinkin bike race to know that I'm an idiot.

[ElJamoquio]

I saw the thread title and figured it was one I started

Amusingly enough, I thought it must be one of your threads, too.

[Duke of Kent]

simply put, was at the front going over the last hill of a race, got attacked and got caught out. Lost the race after being in a position to win the whole time..Stupid mistake.

Everyone learns that one eventually.

Unless you're already in full flight, never, ever lead into or partially through a hill when in the presence of others. You're just asking for someone to jump up and around your ass.

I'd have to say that doing that to people is one of the things I enjoy most about group rides. A friend of mine got caught out leading into a roller on the local death march. He literally screamed "Oh. Sh1t!" at the base of the climb and I started laughing as I came around him. When people know it's coming and there's nothing they can do, it's priceless.

[wfrogge]

You didn't WANT to win. You were happy just to be there. You accepted it.

I'm generalizing, of course. I don't know you well enough to dig that deep. But most people get close to winning and then back off content in knowing that they were within striking distance.
Some people make it look quite convincing that they gave everything.


Shhh dont tell folks that!


But youre right. Either they back off or they shut down when the finish is close thinking theres nothing more than can do. Its really hard to dig and push hard at the end for some I guess. Some also just burn up all their matches during the race and have nothing left.

[wfrogge]

When people know it's coming and there's nothing they can do, it's priceless.

Thats when I give a little grin and tell them to go on.... In training thats fun and acually good to do but in a race its suicide.

[Stallionforce]

You can 'lead out' over a hill like that at the end of the race and still win but it's rare; you'd better have an enormous engine to think of something like that. I'm not a sprinter, and I'm guessing, you're not either, given the position you put yourself in. Therefore, you do have to 'take them on' before the finish, but you're better off doing it 5, 10, 15km before the finish. And, in this situation, making the race-making attack, the big mistake that a lot of beginners make is going maybe 80-85% -- you gotta go 100% to get that gap. This is it, this is the race. I've seen a couple of guys (again, enormous engines) make successive small attacks on groups to wear them down, and then, suddenly, no one can hold their wheel, and they ride away. But most 1/2's will tell you, when you go -- go 100%.

BTW, kudos to you for trying, and I guess I have to disagree with Event Services, what happened had nothing to do with attitude or grim determination, and everything to do with physiology. Next time, get the break early, and try to bring a couple of guys with you, and make it stick. Good luck!

[teambuttar]

Don't be so hard on yourself...these things happen.
Good luck in the 2008 racing season. If you're ever in the Orlando area, check out some of the races put on by Buttar.

Emily A.
www.buttar.com
support@buttar.com

[botto]

I saw the thread title and figured it was one I started that I had forgotten about. I don't need to lose no stinkin bike race to know that I'm an idiot.

:beer:

[Voodoo76]

I saw the thread title and figured it was one I started that I had forgotten about. I don't need to lose no stinkin bike race to know that I'm an idiot.

Although we can all rest easy knowing it will soon be about you.

[waterrockets]

Man, I think I'd win 50% of my races if I could make ideal tactical decisions. We're all idiots.