recursive

Here's mine.

Kenosha Velosport Training Crit #1

No matter how many numbers you look at during training over the winter, the first race of the year always serves as a reality check or calibration of expectations. It also marked my first race on my new team, Big Ring Flyers. I knew I'd been training right, so I was hoping to prove that to myself. Due to a crash in the previous race, and low turnout, the 3s were combined with the 1/2s. The course was 1km on a wide open industrial park with only two real turns.

My plan was to sit in for the first half to get the feel for the pack. For the second half, if I had anything left, I would chase or attack aggressively. The race started pretty comfortably. No one wanted to pull the field into the big headwind, so a strong solo flyer went off that stayed for several laps. It was a good effort, but a single rider in that wind would have been very hard pressed to stay off for the whole race, even if the field was not exactly drilling it. Meanwhile though, I felt very comfortable in the pack, managing to stay in the first 5 wheels. The race came back together just before the midway point, and I knew that would be my opportunity.

At the halfway mark, I chose to attack at the last corner, since there is a slight rise coming out of the corner, which would probably make it hard for the whole field to react. My attack wasn't exactly earth shattering, being maybe 700w for 20 seconds, but I was allowed to roll off the front. When I looked back and didn't see anyone with me, I sat up. I didn't like the idea of soloing for the rest of the race, and figured I'd try again in a few laps. When I got caught, the first thing I heard was "We got a gap". I didn't realize that the riders that had come up were not the field, but just two riders bridging. Bingo! We traded pulls smoothly for a few laps, putting some time into the field. One rider dropped, and then we were two. I think our gap increased to a maximum of 15 seconds. The two of us settled into a rhythm of half a lap each. Every few laps, I would look behind me when I was on the back. I saw a four person chase, but couldn't tell where the field was. We might have a chance! With two to go, my break mate faded, and the chase was closing. I figured I could hold them off for two laps because it looked like I still had about 5 seconds. When I came around again for the bell lap, the lap card said "2" again! No bell! wtf! Ok, two more laps again. On the next lap, one rider bridged up to me moving very fast. He looked strong, but he was burning lots of energy. I figured if I could hang on, maybe I could out-sprint him at the finish. But then he sat up. What?

"It's over".



The officials never showed me the final lap. At least I got second for my efforts. And overall, I'm pretty happy. I've never considered myself a good break rider, but I did pretty well at it.

John Wilke

Great job. Bodes well for a good season.

John Wilke

Kenosha #1 results: https://www.kenoshavelosportcycling.c...sweek12012.pdf

John Wilke

Congrats to Recursive on his looting in Kenosha the past two weeks!

recursive

Thanks jdub. I spent it all at the olive garden. I recommend the tilapia.

John Wilke

Can't let this thread drop off the front page.

Seriously considering coming down for the Leland Kermesse on Saturday and shoot some pix with my new camera and sole lens (50mm f1.8). See what all the hullabaloo is all about.

MJH2

It's not the most exciting race to watch, but it's a complete PITA to ride. We were down there pre-riding last weekend (I'm not racing, but will be there). Even though the wind wasn't too bad just about everywhere else, it was blowing hard and steady around that course (there is absolutely nothing for shelter). There is some fairly loose gravel to start off the second section. It should be an interesting race.

John Wilke

Having only looked at the course on the map, any suggestions of 'interesting' shoot locations? Loose gravel is a top pick of course, pure desolation might be interesting, anything else?

I hope it's dusty!

MJH2

The first gravel section has 3 (or 4) turns in it. It's not the most sketchy of gravel, but the turns aren't the easiest to negotiate if you're off "the line". When I did the 4's two years ago, that first section was absolute chaos on the first lap... guys in the ditch, on the ground, whatever. Might be hard to stash a car somewhere there, as they let us use both sides of the road on the gravel.

The second gravel section is, I think the most important. It's straight and starts with loose gravel. It's going to be pure power. I'd expect to get a lot of shots of people in pain there.

The third gravel section is hard packed and fast. Two years ago there was a tailwind there, and folks were flying. Not sure if that makes for good photo opportunities.

The entire f'n thing is desolation. There are, maybe, a handful of farmhouses along the way. There is an old cemetary right off course in one section. Might make for some good shots if it's open. There is also a busted out old barn on the back side of the course (I think I put a pic on my twitter) that could make a cool backdrop if you're looking for something a little "ghost town".

Off the first gravel section on to the pavement is where they have put up a Lion of Flanders flag a few times. Makes for some cool shots if the wind is howling.

There was a guy out there last year who got some awesome shots of annihilated riders who had finished and were licking their wounds back in the parking lot. The feed zone (where the few non-racers will be), S/F line, and parking lot are all a straight shot down the same road, so that might be a decent place to be buzzing around as the races finish up.

We don't have a search function up, but you can sort back through the Leland posts on the BH news page for ideas. www.teambicycleheaven.com/news We've posted a lot of the stuff we've found from Leland last year. There are some cool shots.

aham23

I would suggest snapping pics of that first gravel section as all fields roll through it the first time. Chaos normally occurs that first time riders hit gravel. Then depending on the wind i would set up closer to the finish to capture the pure pain as riders finish the race. Bummed I cant make it. I love this race and was my main goal this year. Later.

John Wilke

Thanks for the tips! Will post the best when I get back.

MJH2

I'm bumping this back to the top. The racing is still going strong with some even better racing (Elk Grove, Winfield, etc) coming up.

...and, from what I read on the internets, recursive is still crushing souls.

aham23

Vernon Hills Grand Prix, Villa Park Grand Prix, ect.... at least 6 USAC races still left on the board. road season is not over. later.

nixternal

Winfield has almost $10k in prizes for 2 days. Saturday (Twilight & party hill) is USAC, Sunday is ABR. Working on the primes now, and hoping to have a thousand so or more in cash for those, as well as good gifts, and maybe even a BEER PRIME! BEER PRIME! BEER PRIME!

EDIT: almost forgot, https://www.winfieldcriterium.com has all the good info!

aham23

Great site. These two races deserve a dedicated site for sure. Love Saturdays hill and the locals with all the KOMs. Sunday's race has a fantastic fast finish. Must do for local racers. Later.

patgolem

2012 TOAD East Troy photos
https://s234.photobucket.com/albums/e...D/East%20Troy/

2012 Super Week Whitnall Park Crit photos
https://s234.photobucket.com/albums/e...tnallParkCrit/

2012 Super Week New Berlin photos
https://s234.photobucket.com/albums/e...eek/NewBerlin/

John Wilke

Good stuff. Certainly from a time gone by, big changes next year, hopefully for the best.