shovelhd

I call it the commitment switch.

happybday29475

I'm starting to understand this.

My only regrets in races so far this season are those few precise moments when I let the commitment switch turn off. I'm carrying awareness of this into the race this weekend.

In moments of weakness during hard intervals in training, I've told myself, "there's no decision to be made here. do what has been prescribed. Get on with it."

Creakyknees

did all y'all already read this article and watch the video? worth it.

Eric Marcotte: The power of the U.S. pro criterium champion - VeloNews.com

sarals 

Yesterday during an intervals based training ride, a car deliberately swerved into me and tried to push me into the curb. I was going pretty slowly, only about 15, on a residential street and I never heard them come up on me. The next thing I knew there was a white fender inches from my handlebar, matching my pace, and moving over on me. I slowed almost to a stop, and so did they, and then they just drove off - not fast. At first I thought they were trying to hit me. A friend suggested "gang initiation, or they were going try to steal your bike". Whatever it was, it scared me half to death. I did call the PD, but I only got a partial plate on the car. It was a beat up white 90's Honda Accord, blacked out wheels, tinted windows (all of them), and one of those coffee can mufflers - and it had the FaceBook "equality" sticker on the trunk lid. I have avery good idea of the demographic.

It rattled me enough to where I only did one interval....

globecanvas

Speaking of d-bags... how do my fellow level headed senior citizens deal with dirty racers? Brake checking, front sweeping, corner diving, yellow line crossing, door slamming, etc. I rarely see this stuff from the old guys so I tend to react to it a lot more strongly than in category races. I confronted a guy after a recent race, he was surrounded by teammates but they totally clammed up when I braced him, so obviously the guy has some history. I wasn't too aggro, just told him I wanted to introduce myself so the next time it happened he'd know the guy he was chopping. He blathered some nonsense excuse.

Hermes

I turn in racers using dirty tactics to officials although I do not do much mass start stuff these days, if any. It seems to me that it is their job to enforce the code of conduct.

Track seems to be pretty bad and varies from track to track. At Worlds in 2010 in Portugal during our 60-64 scratch race, the winner was relegated for head butting. I watched a match sprint at the Superdrome where a 50+ racer friend of mine was trying to intimidate his opponent by trying to sweep his front wheel. He won the sprint and his opponent ran into him after the finish line to get even.

At elite track nationals a couple of year ago during a match sprint, two racers were going at each other head butting. One racer intentionally ran into the other high on the 45 degree banking and he was kicked out of the event by the officials.

And there is the poor skills of some older (and younger) racers. We have one guy that crashes a lot and his equipment is always in some state of disarray. When he is on the track, I am off or somewhere else. There is another 65+ guy who thinks he is 15 and acts like it only he does not have the skills. He crashes a lot as well and seems to have a lot of equipment problems.

I do not think there is a simple answer other than do as you did and confront the racer or complain to officials or some other authority who can discipline or ban the racer.

Racers do what works for them to be competitive both young and old - good or bad. I am beginning to think the peloton is about as smart as a bag of hammers.

shovelhd

I call them out just like you did. Sometimes rather loudly and emphatically but after the race is over.

Hermes it's tough for officials to catch bad tactics and rough riding in road races, even criteriums. We have to rely on testimony. The one exception is the finish, where an official is assigned to watch the sprint with no other responsibilities. On the track there's no excuse although I bet some guys are really subtle.

sarals 

I've seen nothing intentional in women's races (all though I'm sure stuff goes on), but I have seen a lot of really poor bike skills. That sort of makes up for the disparity, I guess.

revchuck 

Bah. It appears I may have way too much life to race this year. Need to find a new house and move. A big chunk of pine tree broke off during a storm and landed on the intersection of the roof and the windshield of my wife's car; the insurance company totaled it (under comprehensive, thankfully) so now we have to find her another car...a painful process. My daughter has moved from rehab to a 3/4-way house - a positive development - but is looking for work, no longer can drive, and only Dad has wheels. I'll be meeting myself coming and going for the next few months, it seems. All this has pretty much shot my motivation to train in the butt. I emailed my coach and we decided I'm going to just ride when I can, without structure, for the time being until some of this stuff sorts itself out.

Some days you eat the bear, and some days the bear eats you. I can't wait until I'm out of the SOB's digestive tract.

Racer Ex 

Hang in there Chuck. Bike races and training for bike races is what we do when life decides to take a nap.

Keep riding, it's a great stress reliever.

Racer Ex 

A lot of riders don't realize they are bad riders. But dirty riders are bullies. Most bullies are cowards. Cowards don't like to be called on their **** and usually don't expect it.

revchuck 

That's the current plan!

shovelhd

I'm on the same plan. Hopefully I'll be able to ride outside soon.

Life will always dictate racing. It's cruel like that. As long as you love to ride your bike, though, that's what really matters.

globecanvas

Chuck, hang in there. And when the current storm passes, remember to appreciate the peaceful times.


I was surprised at how uncomfortable the guy was when I confronted him, and how lame his excuses were. And I was really struck by how his teammates all just shuffled their feet and looked at the scenery.

Hermes

@revchuck Man, that is a lot of bad luck all at once. I am sure things will work out to the better.

IBOHUNT

@revchuck - A lot of (bear) dung heaped upon you this past year. Hang tough, wish you and the family the best

Racer Ex 

Did I mention how much I like the 38cm bars I put on? Much better climbing out of the saddle. More comfortable climbing in general and no downside. Sold. Now I need to find them in carbon.

Hadn't ridden aluminum bars in years because of my carpal. For the first couple of days I'd think I had a flat every time I would hit rough pavement. A lot more feedback.

Hermes

Road, TT, track or all?

Racer Ex 

Road. I'm already on really narrow Scattos on the track bike. 34 or 36 I think.

globecanvas

Man I really didn't need to hear that! I've been wanting to try 38s on the road bike. Csn I ask your height & weight?

Hermes

I think he is something similar to this.

revchuck 

I'm ordering 40cm bars to try, been using 44s. It'll be interesting. They're the least expensive Specialized bars, obviously aluminum. There are advantages to working in a bike shop.

IBOHUNT

Where'd you dig up that cool race photo of me from my last TT?

shovelhd

I'm on 40's myself. A bit bigger than Ex. Someday I will hit a sale on carbon bars.

globecanvas

I'm on 40s, I'm broader than shovelhd. 38s would be 2 sizes "too small" but I'm eager to try them.