Road Bike Racing - 66mi Crit; Only at SuperWeek.

Well, at least I finished. Albeit 70 spots back, out of 120-130 starters.

The organizers of SuperWeek decided that it would only be fair to add 5 laps onto the back end of our 100km/62mi, 70 lap deathmarch-at-29-or-30mph last night.

There was a pretty wicked crash that required the field to be stopped so they could get a rider to the hospital, with 6 laps to go. So, instead of making us race for 3 primes in the space of 6 laps (the lap we were currently on was supposed to be a prime lap), they tacked on 5 more laps, and restarted us 10 or so minutes later, with 11 to go on the electronic lap counter.

Needless to say, the first acceleration up to 35mph did not feel so good on what had become cold and somewhat dehydrated legs. However, with the speed and endurance work I'll have in my legs after SuperWeek, and a rest week coming up after the series closes out next weekend, I should be, bar none, in the best shape of my life.

^respect

^respect

+1

I want to be like you when I grow up.

I want to be like you when I grow up.

I want to be like Peter Dawson when I grow up.

P.s. I'm 23.

And I suck at moving up in big fields.

Saw a bunch of dudes in your race go down in the BK Stacker within the first 10 laps. Ya'll put in some hardcore efforts.

You're on ABD/GearGrinder, right?

I want to be like Peter Dawson when I grow up.

P.s. I'm 23.

And I suck at moving up in big fields.

I've read your blog a few times, so I knew you were young.
I'm 22 and in my first season, but I'd like to be racing at your level some day.

Saw a bunch of dudes in your race go down in the BK Stacker within the first 10 laps. Ya'll put in some hardcore efforts.

You're on ABD/GearGrinder, right?

Yeah. I was involved in that crash. I came to a stop, then got ran into from behind and knocked over. F***er destroyed a brand new tubular.

When I got my wheel from the SRAM dudes, I dropped my chain from the 39t. When I got it back on, I was in my 53...x11. The official at the wheel pit gave me a great push to get me up to speed again (thanks, Mr. Fowkes!) but I was about 80m behind the field heading into Turn 1.

I then did the hardest two lap TT of my life to catch back onto the field. It's not a good feeling to be going 33mph (radar approved, of course) and seeing them pulling away.

Yeah. I was involved in that crash. I came to a stop, then got ran into from behind and knocked over. F***er destroyed a brand new tubular.

When I got my wheel from the SRAM dudes, I dropped my chain from the 39t. When I got it back on, I was in my 53...x11. The official at the wheel pit gave me a great push to get me up to speed again (thanks, Mr. Fowkes!) but I was about 80m behind the field heading into Turn 1.

I then did the hardest two lap TT of my life to catch back onto the field. It's not a good feeling to be going 33mph (radar approved, of course) and seeing them pulling away.

I was wondering if that was you! That race was fast. I timed a few laps at just about 1 min 50 sec. Whew! My wife and I were eating at a corner pub at turn 1 and could feel the breeze created by the peloton at 20-25 meters.

What was amazing was watching R. Bahati stay in the top 10 and after turn 1, immediately and safely cut inside for 1 or 2 seconds to look back and study the field. Plotting primes. Man, to have the physical ability to still have presence of mind after that much work is inspiring my base training for this winter.

Nice job DoK, my hat is off.

Do you have any August races your targeting to take advantage of your Superweek training?

Congrats for finishing. Very impressive. :beer:

Nice job DoK, my hat is off.

Do you have any August races your targeting to take advantage of your Superweek training?

Elk Grove, Glencoe, Downers Grove Cat 2 race. Absolutely murdering the locals in the smaller crits. I've only been in one successful break so far this year; time to change that trend.

If I feel super frisky I might see what's to be had in them thar hills/mountains of TN/VA/NC, as my weight is down and the power is up.

This whole "criterium" business is great training, particularly if you suck at them like I do, as it's sooooo hard in the last 1/3rd of the field. I was amazed at how much easier it was when I was at the front; sadly, I lose my position all the time.

2 hrs @ 30mph - big props

yessir....when i moved to Wisco, I learned real quick why its called "SUPERweek" and not "regularweek". what fun!!

jeez what an effort

Wow... that's smoking fast.

Good riding DoK!

Make sure you get a bit of recovery after SW (a few long, easy days) and then go crush some local soul.

I know, after a 7-10 stage race, (which I know SW isn't but if you choose to race every day the effort is the same) some guys bounce right back and are flying while other guys have to ride through the crud in their legs before they see the benefit.

Keep us posted on the rest of the races.

Outstanding! Did I catch you in any of my pics?

Shorewood (http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa167/cyclesage/Superweek%202008/Shorewood/)

Waukesha (http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa167/cyclesage/Superweek%202008/Waukesha/)

Sounds like a gnarly crit.

The fitness you gain can now be used to crush some souls in your next race :D

Those races were *FAST*.

As a spectator - I thought it was an excellent series (overall).

Podium pix from Whitefish Bay:

Final Stage winner: Jairo Perez Suarez (Colombia Olympic Team)

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2028%20Whitefish%20bay/wfb3151.jpg


Series Overall Podium: 2nd - Sterling Magnell (Rock Racing), Sprint Champion - Chad Hartley (Jittery Joes), 2008 Superweek Champion - Jonathan Cantwell (Jittery Joe's), 3rd - Carlos Vargas (Texas Tough)

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2028%20Whitefish%20bay/wfb3201.jpg



Free water bottles for the crowd:

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2028%20Whitefish%20bay/wfb3232.jpg

... and after a little "Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie!, Oy Oy Oy !!!" for Australian winner Cantwell the party got started!!

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2028%20Whitefish%20bay/wfb3246.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2028%20Whitefish%20bay/wfb3256.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2028%20Whitefish%20bay/wfb3275-1.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2028%20Whitefish%20bay/wfb3264.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc54/biffbradford/cycling/July%2028%20Whitefish%20bay/wfb3280.jpg

JW, those pictures are great, looks like freaking blast!

I managed to snag 3 bottles and a t shirt. Not a bad haul. The short guys behind me didn't look the happiest though ;)

I managed to snag 3 bottles and a t shirt. Not a bad haul. The short guys behind me didn't look the happiest though ;)

Score!

One of my memorable moments from the series (spectating) was from the last day in Whitefish Bay, Pro 1/2. I believe it was the eventual winner, Jairo Perez Suarez (Columbia) rocketing off the front out of turn 3, in the saddle, no expression on his face, breathing through his nose, being chased HARD by Cameron Meyer (multi Australian national champion, World Junior Champion), who is out of the saddle, throwing his bike side to side, desperately trying to stay on the Colombian's wheel, when he grunts out this loud "FOCK!!" :p

A bunch of us on the side of the road just rolled on the ground laughing when we heard that! :roflmao2: