Masters Misc Race Report Thread
#1826
out walking the earth
Of course the takeaway is we need to do a better job of setting up our rider who lapped the field. I was stuck trying to serve two mistresses. Grab points from my series rival (so we can eventually not worry about late flats, weather, crashes) and try and help the team grab the win. Unfortunately my rival (ok, in his head) chopped our teammate off my wheel going into the sprint. I chased down the late attack by two of his breakaway companions, but soft pedaled a few strokes before the sprint proper started. A bit more organization and we could have driven right through those guys and he'd have gotten the win. But my last minute was 550, with a 20 second sprint.
Here's a good story. Our teammate lapped the field. The very first thing he did was ride up to me
C: Four of us lapped the field. You need to get fifth place points. Who do I need to cover?
gsteinb: (smacks him in the back of the helmet)
C: what?
gsteinb: focus. you've got a race to win.
So, TSS and IF and 1 minute power aside. We simply didn't get it done.
Last edited by gsteinb; 03-31-14 at 06:01 AM.
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Louisville Crit SW4, 12/34.
Had a great race until the last half lap, stayed in position in the lead pack top 2-7ish for the entire race, we lapped the rest of the field (ok, stragglers) 2-3 times. Last lap the finish is about a 1/3 mile uphill, I was just destroyed on the last lap and made a mental error, started my sprint really early and faded, rolled in last of the lead pack.
Had a great race until the last half lap, stayed in position in the lead pack top 2-7ish for the entire race, we lapped the rest of the field (ok, stragglers) 2-3 times. Last lap the finish is about a 1/3 mile uphill, I was just destroyed on the last lap and made a mental error, started my sprint really early and faded, rolled in last of the lead pack.
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Louisville Crit SW4, 12/34.
Had a great race until the last half lap, stayed in position in the lead pack top 2-7ish for the entire race, we lapped the rest of the field (ok, stragglers) 2-3 times. Last lap the finish is about a 1/3 mile uphill, I was just destroyed on the last lap and made a mental error, started my sprint really early and faded, rolled in last of the lead pack.
Had a great race until the last half lap, stayed in position in the lead pack top 2-7ish for the entire race, we lapped the rest of the field (ok, stragglers) 2-3 times. Last lap the finish is about a 1/3 mile uphill, I was just destroyed on the last lap and made a mental error, started my sprint really early and faded, rolled in last of the lead pack.
#1830
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+1. Way to hang.
Bethel Circuit Francis J Clarke M45+, mid 50's, windy, sunny and clear, 5th place. When I feel like quitting this sport, and that is too often, it's days like today that make it all worthwhile. We finally had a nice day for racing in what has been a horrible weather year for this series. My job was to mark the biggest threat for gsteinb and wrap this thing up. My mark went before I was clipped in but Gary got on him. They stayed out for 3 laps while I watched the #2 guy in the series until we caught them. My guy attacked over and over again but I was always on his wheel. He got so pissed off he pulled a very dumb stunt, he brake checked me and almost took the whole field down. I had to cross the yellow to avoid a wreck. Then he threw a tantrum and rode off the back of the field cussing a blue streak at me. I told him I was just doing my job. He suggested I wasn't racing like a gentleman (I immediately thought of Kate and her tea party comment), and I replied that I would have no problem working with him to get back to the field. So we did. And he kept attacking and I kept marking. On the last lap he moved up with me on him, and I was in a great position for the sprint. It took all of my mental energy to stay patient and wait for the right moment to jump. The best I have ever done here is 4th, so this was a great finish. Gary won and I was in the money.
After eating my PB&J on the tailgate of my truck I rolled around for a bit before the P/1/2/3 race, which was delayed because the 3/4 race results took a while. A break of two went early, then came the chase, and things settled down for a bit. I decided to mark an M40+ Master as I felt I could stay with him if he jumped. Once the break was in sight, he started attacking on the hill. I could stay with him but man it hurt. He attacked 3 times in a row and that took a toll. On the fourth time, he got away clean and made the bridge. I just couldn't do it. That took a lot out of me so I resigned myself to hang in and finish. With 12 to go I started sag climbing the hill to conserve. At the finish I was right where I wanted to be but when I jumped the legs would not go. However, the results just came in and I finished 18th. Another top 20 as the oldest guy in the field.
What a great day.
Bethel Circuit Francis J Clarke M45+, mid 50's, windy, sunny and clear, 5th place. When I feel like quitting this sport, and that is too often, it's days like today that make it all worthwhile. We finally had a nice day for racing in what has been a horrible weather year for this series. My job was to mark the biggest threat for gsteinb and wrap this thing up. My mark went before I was clipped in but Gary got on him. They stayed out for 3 laps while I watched the #2 guy in the series until we caught them. My guy attacked over and over again but I was always on his wheel. He got so pissed off he pulled a very dumb stunt, he brake checked me and almost took the whole field down. I had to cross the yellow to avoid a wreck. Then he threw a tantrum and rode off the back of the field cussing a blue streak at me. I told him I was just doing my job. He suggested I wasn't racing like a gentleman (I immediately thought of Kate and her tea party comment), and I replied that I would have no problem working with him to get back to the field. So we did. And he kept attacking and I kept marking. On the last lap he moved up with me on him, and I was in a great position for the sprint. It took all of my mental energy to stay patient and wait for the right moment to jump. The best I have ever done here is 4th, so this was a great finish. Gary won and I was in the money.
After eating my PB&J on the tailgate of my truck I rolled around for a bit before the P/1/2/3 race, which was delayed because the 3/4 race results took a while. A break of two went early, then came the chase, and things settled down for a bit. I decided to mark an M40+ Master as I felt I could stay with him if he jumped. Once the break was in sight, he started attacking on the hill. I could stay with him but man it hurt. He attacked 3 times in a row and that took a toll. On the fourth time, he got away clean and made the bridge. I just couldn't do it. That took a lot out of me so I resigned myself to hang in and finish. With 12 to go I started sag climbing the hill to conserve. At the finish I was right where I wanted to be but when I jumped the legs would not go. However, the results just came in and I finished 18th. Another top 20 as the oldest guy in the field.
What a great day.
Last edited by shovelhd; 04-06-14 at 06:37 PM.
#1831
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Great job, shovel and Gary!
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Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
#1833
out walking the earth
happy to have is probably a better phrasing than lucky. Our team turned 20 this year. and from the days when it was also an elite team with guys like jeff pierce, it's always fielded formidable squads. while we're just a masters team now, I like to think we are one of the better masters teams in the northeast. the primary reason is the core is a good group of guys who are friends first. yesterday was a full on team effort, with everyone assigned and then executing their roles. and even down a couple of guys, with folks having other obligations, when we execute our best plan we'll have a pretty good shot at winning. shovel fits in great. pizza at pepe's, and anniversary jerseys I think next week apres race
Last edited by gsteinb; 04-07-14 at 05:25 AM.
#1834
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shovelhd and gsteinb, sounds like a lot of fun. Fun often leads to good results (combined with some dedicated training and years of race experience).
valygrl, being there at the end is always satisfying and sometimes frustrating at the same time. Great job!
valygrl, being there at the end is always satisfying and sometimes frustrating at the same time. Great job!
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I don't particularly like negative racing, nor would I call it fun. I also think depending on it is risky. It makes your squad too predictable. I have found I my career that it is more effective to have part of the team attacking, not following, racing positive, while others protect. What we do is achieving results.
#1836
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Congrats to ShovelHD and gsteinb. First, the racing is always superb and team tactics excellent. However, what is also very impressive is the teamwork. It is amazingly hard to put together a great team and keep it going achieving superior results.
ShovelHD, I have mentioned this many times before, but what I really like about your racing is that you race with the P/1/2s. I am not taking anything away from masters per se, but the elite P/1/2s are the best such that any result in that field is amazing.
ShovelHD, I have mentioned this many times before, but what I really like about your racing is that you race with the P/1/2s. I am not taking anything away from masters per se, but the elite P/1/2s are the best such that any result in that field is amazing.
#1837
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Very nice shovelhd and gsteinb.
Great job, valygrl. The gal that won is strong, and I'm sure you know her story.
45+4 Louisville was my first real crit back, as I don't count that crap-show Stazio. My goal was to get my head right, and I think it worked OK. I became more comfortable, and was able to work up towards the front, then it would get a little weird, and I would get shuffled back. Either way, this one usually has some kind of wreck, and I was out to show myself it wouldn't be me. People still race like idiots. They don't count DNF's, I don't believe, so over 60 started, 56 finished, and I got a whopping 30th.
35+4 27th. Way faster. Same amount of time, an extra lap. No bunching up climbing the little hill valygrl talked about, like the earlier race. No recovery, other than the downhill bit. I finished with the pack, and actually rode to the front in this. Gassed at the end.
Air Force Academy RR. 40 miles, 3500 feet of climbing. I had no business being there, but I went anyway. Collegiate race, so a bunch of kids. Either way. 37th out of 75. It snowed on me the last half of the lap. Nothing went right. My battery went dead on the Quarq, no warning. I farted with that, and then forgot a tire lever, as hauling a tube is a good idea. Leg warmers wouldn't stay right, just stupid stuff. I'm glad I went.
I'm glad to be racing again.
Great job, valygrl. The gal that won is strong, and I'm sure you know her story.
45+4 Louisville was my first real crit back, as I don't count that crap-show Stazio. My goal was to get my head right, and I think it worked OK. I became more comfortable, and was able to work up towards the front, then it would get a little weird, and I would get shuffled back. Either way, this one usually has some kind of wreck, and I was out to show myself it wouldn't be me. People still race like idiots. They don't count DNF's, I don't believe, so over 60 started, 56 finished, and I got a whopping 30th.
35+4 27th. Way faster. Same amount of time, an extra lap. No bunching up climbing the little hill valygrl talked about, like the earlier race. No recovery, other than the downhill bit. I finished with the pack, and actually rode to the front in this. Gassed at the end.
Air Force Academy RR. 40 miles, 3500 feet of climbing. I had no business being there, but I went anyway. Collegiate race, so a bunch of kids. Either way. 37th out of 75. It snowed on me the last half of the lap. Nothing went right. My battery went dead on the Quarq, no warning. I farted with that, and then forgot a tire lever, as hauling a tube is a good idea. Leg warmers wouldn't stay right, just stupid stuff. I'm glad I went.
I'm glad to be racing again.
#1838
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Nice, LAJ! I don't know anything about the winner in my field, maybe you could fill me in in a PM?
Thanks for the nice words, everyone. It was fun to be in the mix, and I learned another way to lose a race, and will try not to repeat it. I talked to my coach, and her takeaway was: don't abandon your race plan. Good advice. I'll try to heed it next time.
Thanks for the nice words, everyone. It was fun to be in the mix, and I learned another way to lose a race, and will try not to repeat it. I talked to my coach, and her takeaway was: don't abandon your race plan. Good advice. I'll try to heed it next time.
#1839
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LAJ, that definitely jumping back into the deep end of the pool. Good job!
shovelhd, maybe it's just me, but I think there is a difference between negative racing to support a teammate and negative racing because that's all you know how to do because you THINK you can win a field sprint. Can't tell you how many times I've seen riders chase down breaks when they have a teammate in the break. If someone is marking another rider or chasing breaks for a teammate who has a very good chance of winning a race or series, I'm OK with that. At that point, it's my job to disrupt that process by attacking repeatedly or letting others roll off the front or...
shovelhd, maybe it's just me, but I think there is a difference between negative racing to support a teammate and negative racing because that's all you know how to do because you THINK you can win a field sprint. Can't tell you how many times I've seen riders chase down breaks when they have a teammate in the break. If someone is marking another rider or chasing breaks for a teammate who has a very good chance of winning a race or series, I'm OK with that. At that point, it's my job to disrupt that process by attacking repeatedly or letting others roll off the front or...
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Thanks.
Cleave
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Visit my blog at https://cleavesblant.wordpress.com/
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#1840
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Congrats to ShovelHD and gsteinb. First, the racing is always superb and team tactics excellent. However, what is also very impressive is the teamwork. It is amazingly hard to put together a great team and keep it going achieving superior results.
ShovelHD, I have mentioned this many times before, but what I really like about your racing is that you race with the P/1/2s. I am not taking anything away from masters per se, but the elite P/1/2s are the best such that any result in that field is amazing.
ShovelHD, I have mentioned this many times before, but what I really like about your racing is that you race with the P/1/2s. I am not taking anything away from masters per se, but the elite P/1/2s are the best such that any result in that field is amazing.
#1841
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45+4 Louisville was my first real crit back, as I don't count that crap-show Stazio. My goal was to get my head right, and I think it worked OK. I became more comfortable, and was able to work up towards the front, then it would get a little weird, and I would get shuffled back. Either way, this one usually has some kind of wreck, and I was out to show myself it wouldn't be me. People still race like idiots. They don't count DNF's, I don't believe, so over 60 started, 56 finished, and I got a whopping 30th.
35+4 27th. Way faster. Same amount of time, an extra lap. No bunching up climbing the little hill valygrl talked about, like the earlier race. No recovery, other than the downhill bit. I finished with the pack, and actually rode to the front in this. Gassed at the end.
Air Force Academy RR. 40 miles, 3500 feet of climbing. I had no business being there, but I went anyway. Collegiate race, so a bunch of kids. Either way. 37th out of 75. It snowed on me the last half of the lap. Nothing went right. My battery went dead on the Quarq, no warning. I farted with that, and then forgot a tire lever, as hauling a tube is a good idea. Leg warmers wouldn't stay right, just stupid stuff. I'm glad I went.
I'm glad to be racing again.
#1842
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shovelhd, maybe it's just me, but I think there is a difference between negative racing to support a teammate and negative racing because that's all you know how to do because you THINK you can win a field sprint. Can't tell you how many times I've seen riders chase down breaks when they have a teammate in the break. If someone is marking another rider or chasing breaks for a teammate who has a very good chance of winning a race or series, I'm OK with that. At that point, it's my job to disrupt that process by attacking repeatedly or letting others roll off the front or...
#1843
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Thank you valygrl, Cleave, and shovelhd!
I'm in a much better mood now. I was worried, as I have seen folks get very nervous in the pack. Any twitch by a bike near them, and they reacted. I didn't want to be that guy. Bumping drills, and practicing with the new team helped.
I'm in a much better mood now. I was worried, as I have seen folks get very nervous in the pack. Any twitch by a bike near them, and they reacted. I didn't want to be that guy. Bumping drills, and practicing with the new team helped.
#1845
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Thank you AzTallRider. Though I wanted to do better, I wasn't sad.
#1847
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Valygrl, way to go, lady! Sounded like a strong ride. Fantastic!
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#1848
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LAJ, good on ya! Sounds like your head IS right. Strong results, smart riding.
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#1849
Idiot Emeritus
Shovel, you're amazing. Just freaking amazing. You and Gary make a helluva team, I'd say without even knowing how things stack up in your area that your team HAS to be the ONE where you are. You guys rock!
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#1850
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Thanks again, shovelhd. There is a certain method to riding smarter, and not just packing the miles in. It just took a while to pound that fact into my head.
Thank you very much, sarals. Watching you improve, is a good motivator.
Thank you very much, sarals. Watching you improve, is a good motivator.