The Red Devil

I've come to believe that bike racers are the most optimistic group of humans on the planet. Year after year, set back after set back, we start the new racing season with hope and optimism. For me this is especially true as I suffer from a chronic illness that has at times kept me off the bike for the better part of a year. I'm entering my 5 year of bike racing in 2013 and it's a make or break year for me. I've had amazing form in 2011 and 2012 only to have illness rob me of any chance of a result. Although I enjoy bike racing a lot I really need to win a race, I've been close, lots of podiums and many many more top 5's but I have yet to raise my arms and post up. So as we enter the new year I now present to you my 2013 racing goal(s).



WIN!!!!!!!

VanceMac

That just means you haven't sandbagged. I already like you.

AzTallRider

This is my second full season of racing - first year was mostly a training series to get my starts in and cat up to 4 so I could race Masters. I started out my planning with several goals, and it was frankly hard to prioritize them, particularly when they are somewhat in conflict with each other. I want to get my Cat3, but also want to do well in the Masters season points. Then there are some specific races I have targeted. So I finally trumped them all with a goal of attending the races I will enjoy the most (like out-of-town stage races), and making sure I have fun so as not to burn out. It will be a busy calendar, but letting go of Cat4 and the season standings as dictating goals will let me race to win, as opposed to worrying about just being in the points.

So I'm with you Red Devil: "Just win, baby."

dminor 

I'm just thankful to still be racing at all. The summer before last I had a near-career-ending crash in my first-ever BMX race that put me in the hospital for a few days. My wife wanted me to hang up racing altogether; but knowing how much it is a part of who I am we were able to reach a compromise. No more BMX; but still racing downhill - - just pared back to larger events where there's other 50+ racers (I have a tendency to ride over my head and get in trouble when I get bumped down into the 40+). And still some XC racing at a bit more recreational Cat2/3. To a person, every single sponsor has been understanding and supportive and happy to keep me on despite my limited racing; for that I am deeply grateful.

Had a clean, albeit abbreviated, season last year and am looking forward to next year. My goals for 2013 are to podium at the ProGRT race in Port Angeles, WA so that I can qualify for Nats and then finally go to the Gravity National Championships. It's going to be at Angel Fire, NM this year and I'm stoked - - it's a venue that's been on my bucket list to ride anyway and may be my last chance to try to get on the podium at Nationals (I'll be 58 next year).

Racer Ex 

For me as a racer:

1) Actually come into the season with some base and preparation
2) Win Battenkill
3) Win the TT's and RR's at the Senior Games
4) Win SOMETHING at Master's Track Nats
5) Go to Track Worlds.
6) Help my team(s) kick butt

As a coach I want to put my athletes in a place where they can have a shot at achieving their goals. Right now that might be more rewarding for me than the personal racing stuff.

revchuck 

This is still a work in progress for me. I've been so focused on preparing for one event - Rouge-Roubaix - that I haven't seriously looked past it, and it's on March 10. I need to undo the rectal-cranial inversion I'm in and get this figured out.

Hermes

1. Focus on track.
2. Race all the LAVRA TT track events.
3. Podium at Masters State Track in the 2k pursuit and 500 meters
4. Race Masters Track Worlds in Manchester in the 2k pursuit and 500 meters and get on a pursuit team.
5. Support my wife in her track and road racing.

sarals 

Finish with pack. On the same lap. For a change.

ericm979

I got a second and two thirds this year; the only place left is 1st. But I've not been doing well health wise this winter. Right now I'm just hoping to not be dropped so hard on the climbs on group rides.

Cleave

Hi, my 2013 USAC license will be my 40th consecutive racing license. I missed a couple of seasons even though I bought a license. Given all of that racing, I've won a literal handful of races. Obviously winning isn't everything in my book or I wouldn't still be doing this crazy sport. Crossing the line in first is actually anticlimactic. My thrill comes from working hard to put myself in a position to win.

My goals for 2012 were:

1. Finish in a winning break during a weekend race
2. Win a prime
3. Stay with the main field in a hilly road race

As you can see winning was not on the list. I only accomplished goal #2 and then crashed in the same race a few laps later.

For 2013, goals #1 and #3 remain. I might add another goal later.

Target races:

1) Valley of the Sun Stage Race
2) District Championships (ITT, TTT, road race, and criterium)
3) World Masters Games in Torino, Italy (???)
4) Huntsman World Senior Games (if the World Masters Games doesn't pan out)

Allegheny Jet

My goals are etched in my mind everytime I do any ride or core/resistance exercise. I don't plan to concentrate on road races this summer but will do several that include the Barry-Roubaix, in mid-March, a 35 mile gravel road race and the Tour of Batten Kill in mid-April. I will spend extra efforts on crits early in the season and will even travel to an extent. I don't intend to do any TT's unless they on the track. Riding the MTB will not begin until the important races are done as I intend to avoid injury.

Last season I got too many 2nd places in the big races. Second in the State Crit Champs, two 2nds in the RR's in the Ohio Senior Games and a 2nd the State Masters Cyclo Cross. I did win three championships in track, the flying 200, 500 TT and Omnium.

I want to win the State Jersey in Crit and place high and even podium in the National Senior Games to be held in Cleveland. I do intend to race the State RR (missed it in ’12 due to attending an out of town wedding) but probably will forgo cyclo cross in ’13 as the races and training takes its toll on my body. I was fortunate that I found track cycling and discovered that it is my best fit for success within the cycling disciplines. I've only done one race so far with no idea what was going on but did finish with decent times. I did spend a lot of time in the fall riding the track and doing workouts even though there were no races to prepare for. I have studied and calculated what it will take to do well at the Masters Track Nationals next summer. We have implemented track racing into my training plan this year. I’m upgrading my track equipment to include drop aero bars, a rear disk, front wheel, track specific helmet and the needed gears and rings. I truly believe that I will accomplish my plan and bring home some hardware from Indy. I've also recruited three other great riders to form pursuit and sprint teams. All of us are prepared to work out together on a regular basis beginning when the track opens up in May.

billydonn

1. Ride bike to top of Passo Gavia from town of Bormio, with minimum stops. Take pictures.
2. Have picture taken by statue of Marco Pantani on Cippo Carpegna... preferably getting there by bike.

shovelhd

I have had eight wins since returning to racing two years ago. My main goals last year were to have better consistency, and to do well at Masters Nationals. I did very well in the first, and pretty good in the second. This year, for the first time in decades, I am going to be racing on a team where I am not the primary focus. The leader is a NJ state criterium champion returning from a major injury. I will race M55+ by myself but for other races I will have support and be supportive. This changes my goals.

- Help the team win the early spring series.
- Be more patient and smart in the M55+ races and win more of them.
- Do well at the National Senior Games in Ohio.
- Work on my road race fitness. Win the state road race championship.
- Do whatever I can to accumulate enough points to upgrade to Cat1. Hopefully teamwork can help me with this.
- If the course fits, get back to Masters Nats and make the podium.

The Red Devil

Shovel congrats on the new team I know you were hoping to get on the squad! I almost feel sorry for the 55+ plus fields now that you won't be freelancing

chasm54

This coming season will be my second as a Cat 4. Winning one would be very nice. Amassing enough points to upgrade to Cat 3 would be almost as good (if probably unwise).

Might consider entering a few veterans (Masters) races, too...

Bootlegger

New team, new year,...same goal. AHF....Always Have Fun!

1. Focus on improving FTP by staying diciplined in the 1st quarter 2013
2. More mountain bike less road bike races. 2012 saw a nice improvement off-road
3. Include stretching after every ride to avoid injury

Simple....right??

Allegheny Jet

Welcome aboard Bootlegger! You had a great season last year. Sure wish you came over to the dark side next year. Maybe some time down the road.

Bootlegger

Thanks Jet, you know I appreciate the offer to ride black and gold, but the front of the peloton can't be all the same colors at the 'Westlake Worlds'. What are your team's plans for Battenkill? I can offer some suggestions for lodging and such. There's not much in Cambridge. Let's talk...

Allegheny Jet

We have at least 8 riders signed up for Battenkill. Some will race on Sat and others including me on Sun. Jeff K from Spin booked rooms already. Ill PM you about the race. If I can do a time close to yours from last year I could podium in the 60+ race.

I have two extra rooms booked for the Barry Roubaix if you are interested.

AzTallRider

Sounds like we have another fast guy in our midst...

Allegheny Jet

He has a huge motor and no fear.

Bootlegger

Thanks for the props AJ, but....the motor needs tuned and my skills are a work in progress. It wasn't long ago that I crashed at every mountain bike race, multiple times. I then decided to focus on style not speed and things got a lot better. Looking forward to a great 2013. Already signed up for Barry Roubaix (62), Battenkill and Mohican 100K. Pressure is on!!

DGlenday

I'm co complete noob at this, so my racing goals for 2013 are simple:

• Start !!

More specifically
- I'd like to increase my FTP by 20%
- I plan to do some long-distance stuff in the first part of the year, culminating in the National 24 Hour Challenge in MI where I hope (plan?) to be competitive.
- Then re-focus on shorter distances and get into some road races, possibly a crit ... and then make some decisions about exactly what kind of racing I'd prefer to pursue in 2014 - and develop a training program and get out there and race.

Since starting the "Starting To race For Dummies" thread I've been doing a CT training class, and have found the local velo club and plan to join their training sessions when they open up in early Spring.

Dudelsack 

I came across some cool Latin phrases that would make fine team mottos for you guys:

perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim

possunt quia posse videntur

No charge.

DGlenday

Be patient and strong; some day this pain will be useful

They can because they think they can

???