Saturday racers, recursive, psimet, frunkin, others...

[Hipcycler]

I have written about this before in my training blog, but just a word of warning again boys...

If you're racing Saturday on my home-training course in Whitnall Park, the right-hander at the top of the steep little hill after that sharp bend-back right-hander is still filled with potholes.

As you make that right turn at the top of the hill, stay to your right. If you drift out into the left side up there you'll hit the minefield.

I rode over there and did five laps on the course again today just to check it out for you.

Hope to see some of you racing there!

[recursive]

Fortunately, the mayhem is at the top of the hill. Better there than the other side.

Thanks for the scouting.

Edit: no chain ring shifting for me in this race. I learned my lesson.

[Psimet2001]

Fortunately, the mayhem is at the top of the hill. Better there than the other side.

Thanks for the scouting.

Edit: no chain ring shifting for me in this race. I learned my lesson.

Hmmm...I guess it's a good thing that I will be riding a compact then :D

And a big +1 for the spotting job. Don't think it will effect me though. I have no doubts I will not be boxed in at the top of any hill. I should have a clear line of sight to any obstacle at that point. ;)

[recursive]

The most dangerous point on the course is the sharp right at the bottom of the hill. See here: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Whitnall+Park,+5879+S+92nd+St,+Franklin,+Milwaukee,+Wisconsin,+United+States&ie=UTF8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hl=en&cd=2&geocode=0,42.922400,-88.028740&sll=42.9265,-88.03852&sspn=0.02514,0.02018&ll=42.93726,-88.037159&spn=0.007572,0.017788&z=16&layer=c&cbll=42.933403,-88.037777&cbp=1,200.51668031253394,,0,13.225332553569556

You can check out the rest of the course using street view too.

[Hipcycler]

The most dangerous point on the course is the sharp right at the bottom of the hill. See here: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Whitnall+Park,+5879+S+92nd+St,+Franklin,+Milwaukee,+Wisconsin,+United+States&ie=UTF8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hl=en&cd=2&geocode=0,42.922400,-88.028740&sll=42.9265,-88.03852&sspn=0.02514,0.02018&ll=42.93726,-88.037159&spn=0.007572,0.017788&z=16&layer=c&cbll=42.933403,-88.037777&cbp=1,200.51668031253394,,0,13.225332553569556

You can check out the rest of the course using street view too.

Indeed.
It's fast too, because you come toward on a slight downhill.

I found I take that fast, then right before the turn it is level or false flat, then the sharp turnback to the right and it's hammer time up that blast of short, steep hill

Big chain ring all around.

Front half is work...back half is either rest a bit tucked in or make a move on the downhill baby!

[Frunkin]

I should know by tonight if I can get off work fo the race, but thanks for the heads up!

[Hipcycler]

I should know by tonight if I can get off work fo the race, but thanks for the heads up!

...still rockin' the red bike Frunkin?

[John Wilke]

So, no one racing in the morning at Whitnal? Good, I can catch a few hours sleep after work, then camp out at the races all afternoon. I better start charging batteries now. :rolleyes:

[Hipcycler]

So, no one racing in the morning at Whitnal? Good, I can catch a few hours sleep after work, then camp out at the races all afternoon. I better start charging batteries now. :rolleyes:

Started doing that this morning already.

I'll be the one in the Ruby Red Slippers of curse, probably rockin' the white Team FDJ jacket....some sun and a high of only 57 the forecast right now.

[dave342]

So, no one racing in the morning at Whitnal? Good, I can catch a few hours sleep after work, then camp out at the races all afternoon. I better start charging batteries now. :rolleyes:

Well John if for some reason you can't sleep on Saturday morning and you want to come out early I'll be in Masters 4/5 at 10:05 am.

[Hipcycler]

Well John if for some reason you can't sleep on Saturday morning and you want to come out early I'll be in Masters 4/5 at 10:05 am.

Really?
Good Lord they have no idea the beating that's comin' on their heads.

[Frunkin]

...still rockin' the red bike Frunkin?
Nope.
Doing you proud... I got a Klein :D

[big dane]

i'm racing at 10:55 in womens 4 woohoo

[Sage23]

When is everyone going to be there? John? Hip? I'm going to try to make it out to watch, but have a bunch of things going on this weekend. However, if I go I'd like to try to hook up with some of you.

[recursive]

When is everyone going to be there? John? Hip? I'm going to try to make it out to watch, but have a bunch of things going on this weekend. However, if I go I'd like to try to hook up with some of you.

I'll be in the 3s at 2:35pm

[Psimet2001]

Don't have the schedule in front of me, but I will be there 1-2 hours before my race....so I can talk myself out of it. Crash 5.

[Hipcycler]

Well, I have to leave town right after, but I would like to at least be around for the start of recursive's run....

I think I'll ride over around 10:30-11:00-ish.....takes me about 45 minutes to ride there.

So I'd say I'll get there before noon and spend about an hour or so hanging out and taking pictures. I should be able to get a few clear shots of psimet once he gets spit out the back after the first lap.
(see, that Wisconsin anger is gonna come back to bite you)

frunkin--8:35 (juniors frunk?)
DAVE 342--10:05
Big Dane--10:55
psimet--12:40
recursive--2:35

[recursive]

I think frunkin is out of the juniors.

[DougG]

In my area, we send out scouts to find the stretches of road without potholes.

[Psimet2001]

In my area, we send out scouts to find the stretches of road without potholes.

Comeon now....you're from Michigan. You send scouts to find PAVED roads. :D

[Hipcycler]

Comeon now....you're from Michigan. You send scouts to find PAVED roads. :D

....good to see you share the anger....not just a Wisconsin thing.

[Psimet2001]

....good to see you share the anger....not just a Wisconsin thing.

Come on now....I LOVE Michigan. I like Wisconsin. I only HATE Ohio.

I just find it funny that the state where most of the world's cars used to be made still has a staggering amount of dirt roads in fully developed areas. Really. If you haven't been there or seen it you wouldn't understand.

I always figured it was because Ford, GM, and Chrys wanted to sell more suspension components as repair parts.

[Hipcycler]

I always figured it was because Ford, GM, and Chrys wanted to sell more suspension components as repair parts.

......sounds about right to me.

[Frunkin]

I think frunkin is out of the juniors.

Correct, but unless something changes tomorrow night I won't be there.:mad:
But I haven't been feeling very good this week, and haven't ridden since sunday, so it might no be a bad thing.
I am 100% in for the fun that is the Baraboo RR though. Now that the W&S crit got cancelled I free'd up.

Good luck everybody.

[Hipcycler]

Correct, but unless something changes tomorrow night I won't be there.:mad:
But I haven't been feeling very good this week, and haven't ridden since sunday, so it might no be a bad thing.
I am 100% in for the fun that is the Baraboo RR though. Now that the W&S crit got cancelled I free'd up.

Good luck everybody.

Thanks.

Oh, wait...

I'm not racing, just riding there and taking pictures.

Speaking of which...lets see that Klein!

[Frunkin]

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/2508/kleinop3.jpg

Tada!
Different bar, tape, and saddle now.

[big dane]

now that's a pretty bike

[Hipcycler]

mmmmmmmmmmmm, sexy!
What good taste you have!

[Psimet2001]

OK...weather.com is showing WSW 25 mph winds for tomorrow. How will that work with the course for those that know it?

[shider]

OK...weather.com is showing WSW 25 mph winds for tomorrow. How will that work with the course for those that know it?

Just a guess, but it'll make you much faster on parts of the course, slower on other parts, and cause an increased chance of crashes on whats left.

[Psimet2001]

Just a guess, but it'll make you much faster on parts of the course, slower on other parts, and cause an increased chance of crashes on whats left.

;)

...but will the WSW mean the headwind will be along the uphill....etc...

With my luck it will be....

[recursive]

OK...weather.com is showing WSW 25 mph winds for tomorrow. How will that work with the course for those that know it?

Whitnall park is a fairly wooded course, so most of that wind won't be hitting the course, but at 25mph, I'm sure some of it will.

Here's the scenario as I see it, from the line:

Long shallow descent with two sweeping right turns. This part will be very fast, probably with a partial tailwind, maybe hitting 40mph. This part constitutes almost half the course.
At the bottom of the hill, it flattens out and, if you're not in front, slows down. There may be a pretty serious cross-wind here, as the right (west) side of the road is an open area. You'll want to be on the left side of the pack.
Sketchy 135 degree right turn. Watch the pavement if you're on the inside. If you were on the left side like you should have been, you should be clear.
Steep-ish 200m power climb. Don't drop your chain. (or so I've heard) This is "the" climb.
At the top, easy right turn. Watch the potholes. (thanks hip)
Short flat into the wind. Recover here if you can, because here comes
Another hill. Short and less steep than the last, but could be a factor.
Quick short downhill into a wide right turn. Maintain as much speed as possible.
300m of uphill with a tailwind to the line.
Repeat for x minutes


This is based on my own faulty memory, don't try to ride it blindfolded based on any of that.

[Psimet2001]

Whitnall park is a fairly wooded course, so most of that wind won't be hitting the course, but at 25mph, I'm sure some of it will.

Here's the scenario as I see it, from the line:

Long shallow descent with two sweeping right turns. This part will be very fast, probably with a partial tailwind, maybe hitting 40mph. This part constitutes almost half the course.
At the bottom of the hill, it flattens out and, if you're not in front, slows down. There may be a pretty serious cross-wind here, as the right (west) side of the road is an open area. You'll want to be on the left side of the pack.
Sketchy 135 degree right turn. Watch the pavement if you're on the inside. If you were on the left side like you should have been, you should be clear.
Steep-ish 200m power climb. Don't drop your chain. (or so I've heard) This is "the" climb.
At the top, easy right turn. Watch the potholes. (thanks hip)
Short flat into the wind. Recover here if you can, because here comes
Another hill. Short and less steep than the last, but could be a factor.
Quick short downhill into a wide right turn. Maintain as much speed as possible.
300m of uphill with a tailwind to the line.
Repeat for x minutes
This is based on my own faulty memory, don't try to ride it blindfolded based on any of that.

Actually it makes me not want to ride it at all...:( WTF am I doing??!!

Oh well....at least the weather will be better of Saturday than Sunday.

[recursive]

Actually it makes me not want to ride it at all...:( WTF am I doing??!!

Oh well....at least the weather will be better of Saturday than Sunday.

It's not so bad. Coasting down the long downhill that starts each lap provides much recovery.

[Hipcycler]

recursive once again proves why he's the man....awesome recap of the course.

40mph in there! Yikes.

I usually rest in there, but then again, I'm not racing.

You;ve got it nailed in my opinion.

Gonna be fun.
I just hope this severe weather that is supposedto blow through tonight gets out of here in time.
Gonna cool too....I'd say around 50 early Cats...plus the wind will make it feel even colder.

[recursive]

recursive once again proves why he's the man....awesome recap of the course.

40mph in there! Yikes.

I usually rest in there, but then again, I'm not racing.

You;ve got it nailed in my opinion.

Gonna be fun.
I just hope this severe weather that is supposedto blow through tonight gets out of here in time.
Gonna cool too....I'd say around 50 early Cats...plus the wind will make it feel even colder.

Don't worry about the 40mph. That was a totally wild guess, with a 25mph tailwind factored in. In my opinion, that won't be a very tactically significant stretch because not many moves tend to go on smooth downhills.

[Psimet2001]

HAHAHA!! Tatics.....

Mine =

1. Attempt to avoid DNF
2. Attempt to avoid DFL
3. Keep rubber side down.

[recursive]

HAHAHA!! Tatics.....

Mine =

1. Attempt to avoid DNF
2. Attempt to avoid DFL
3. Keep rubber side down.

These three points make up the foundation for any reasonable set of tactics, so I'd say you're doing great. :)

[Porkchopwi]

Besides when everyone is doing 40 and you're in a pack (cutting wind noise), it feels like you're only only going 20 or 25 mph -- till you glance at the computer (either right there or after the race).

Have fun guys!
I think my annual tan lines are lagging from last year -- they've sure been covered up alot this spring.

[Hipcycler]

As for spots to make any moves...my guess would be that the final right-hander coming off the downhill as you turn uphill to the start/finish line would be a good spot to try something.

Pop out of the saddle and hammer up that hill to the line?

[recursive]

As for spots to make any moves...my guess would be that the final right-hander coming off the downhill as you turn uphill to the start/finish line would be a good spot to try something.

Pop out of the saddle and hammer up that hill to the line?

That could work. I also like the the 135 at the bottom of "the" climb, because the pack has to file through that corner before they can chase you. Get to the front at that corner. Power up the hill, and keep the gas on until you reach the short descent. All the elevation gain will help your cause.

Academic for me though. I probably won't try this though, unless I'm feeling exceptionally great. My sustainable power is not a strong point, so I rarely initiate breaks, although I bridge to them whenever expedient. I usually find myself lying in wait for the finish, and the downhill to uphill nature of the finish is my favorite type of scenario. If I can just get over this cold by tomorrow...

[Hipcycler]

Fluids!
Rest!

[John Wilke]

If in a sprint situation, don't go too early ... that climb to the finish is a long one.

:)

[dave342]

Actually it makes me not want to ride it at all...:( WTF am I doing??!!

Oh well....at least the weather will be better of Saturday than Sunday.

Psimet2001* you'll be just fine. I'm sure the 12 to 15 hrs a week of training that you did along with intervals and hill work will make you feel better. Good Luck today!!

[CyLowe97]

Keep the rubber on the road, everyone!

Can't wait to hear the stories over a cold beer later tonight.

:beer:

[Hipcycler]

Keep the rubber on the road, everyone!

Can't wait to hear the stories over a cold beer later tonight.

:beer:

Well, here's my story early.

The weather sucks.
It's blowing like crazy out there yet....25 mph-ish...cloudy...and in the 40's.

I'm not riding there now.
I've got a house issue that means I've got an electrician coming over at about 1:30 this afternoon. Between that and the cable guy, homeowner duties have suddenly called.

I hate this place in spring I tell ya. 78 yesterday! Up/down....all so drastic though.

I'm going to hop into my MINI COOPER from International Autos (of course) and drive over to the course later this morning just for a little fix of bike racing.

Looks like I'll miss psimet's 12:40 start, because we all know that a bike race is always running at least a half hour behind by that point in the program.

Maybe I'll blow off the late afternoon drive to Chateau Hip and instead ride back to the race AFTER the appointment stuff is done to catch the end of recursive's Cat 3 run which is supposed to start at 2:45.

I'll post some pix if I do manage to get over there. This just isn't the nice day of bike racing I had anticipated would happen for me.

[Sage23]

Hope everyone enjoyed the Gale-force winds out there today! Unfortunately, I never made it . . . a hour outside this morning watching the kid's soccer game was enough outside time for me today! Brrrrr!

Looks like Muskego on the 10th will be the first race I'll get to this year.

[John Wilke]

I was there ... it was awesome!

Headlines:

Recursive goes down!!!

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/APRIL%2026%20WHITNAL/5502Recursive.jpg

I was standing on the corner that it happened but didn't actually see him crash. A friend that I was talking with at the time said that Recursive went into the corner way too hot and simply slid out. He kind of confirmed that when I talked with him briefly after the race.

Hopefully we will know more after he gets back from having his arm xrayed !! :eek:

More pics later.

[Frunkin]

Crap.
Heal up Recursive.

[dave342]

I saw Psimet2001* after my race today as he was getting ready to register. He was doing the cat 5's which started a couple of races after mine. Hopefully he did well. I was looking for Hip but could not find him. I didn't see JOHN WILKE either. To bad about recursive hope he's OK. Oh, I finished 25th, 26th? out of 62 or 63. Clean race no crashes.