Settlers life omnium/ roan groan 6-9
 

So I convinced myself not to do the easy race this weekend. cape fear. and go do the settlers life omnium/ roan grown, a 30 miles race ending in a 8 mile category 1 climb.

Anyone else going?

Anyone know what the crit and or TT course are like?

I believe John McKenna from the forum finished 3rd in the Cat4 RR and 4th in the overall Omnium last year so he can probably tell you all about it.

--Steve

Yeah I know John, I didnt know he raced it last year though. Well Hes racing it again this year.

I'm mulling the idea over...but I'll probably end up doing Cape Fear. I think I've got a much better chance at a win/place when there isn't an 8 mile climb involved :p

^^ Awe come on do the Roan Groan :) Where else are you ever going to get an 8 mile finish climb :eek: It's actually a really easy race to the bottom of the climb then it gets ugly. There is actually a nice big roller before the climb that could drop a few people depending on the leaders pace. The TT is different then last years. Last years was a rolling out and back course of about 3 miles. This year it's a point to point (not sure of terrain) 4+ mile. The crit course is really nice I just remember a fast course with a slight climb.

FYI, in case it's an issue to anyone, the RR is a point to point, so you either have to ride back to the start or have someone there waiting for you.

Yeah its ok, maybe the decent will be fun.

I did the Roan Groan today. This was my first race ever. From Elizabethton to Carver's Gap on Roan Mountain it is 30 miles. The last 8 are straight up and feel non stop. Even the ride from Elizabethton to the base of Roan Mtn has a few fairly steep, long climbs to get you warmed up. After you get to the top of Roan Mtn, you have another 30 miles to get back unless you have someone waiting for you back at the bottom. This was a fantastic ride and I cannot wait to do it again next year. See how quickly you can forget the pain.

so did john win?

^^ I ended up 1st over all with 5th place in the RR, 1st in the TT, and 2nd in the crit. It turned out to be a great race as OW and the Juris team showed up. So it was a similar battle ground as the Soto Stage Race. 5 of us broke away from the main attacks at the base of the 8 mile climb. After about 3 miles it was pretty clear that we were in the top 5 spots for the race. I couldn't hang on with the little climbers any more and dropped out of the group with about 3 miles to go. I decided to settle in to 5th place and save energy for the TT and the crit when I look over my shoulder and TV was approaching so I had to hold him back at least 500 meters to the finish so I ended up doing more work for the 5th place then I wanted to. I was really hoping to beat OW up the climb but I underestimated his climbing abilities at Soto we were neck and neck up the final climb, he ended up winning that race.

Later that day I was able to recover enough to at least put in a good effort in the TT. It was about 4.5 miles mostly up hill and into a head wind :eek: I just kept tucked in and caught my minute man at the finish line. OW did not get any points for the TT, the climb must have killed him.

Going into the crit OW was 6 points ahead of me. He was racing smart and hard but I noticed when on his wheel that he couldn't corner as fast as I. So On the last lap I wanted to either take the lead into the final corners or find a wheel which I did. This guy was strong as sht! He started his attack with at least 4-500 meters around the two corners and up the long false flat straight away to the finish. I was desperately trying to hold his wheel but that's all I could do. I couldn't even get out of his draft to sprint around him.

All in all it was a good race.

Sounds like you pretty much dominated, so I wont see you in the 4 field anymore I guess? Hopefully I wont see OW anymore either.

I still have some points to add up and I won't be racing for a while. My next race is probably going to be the French Broad. I may do Reston but that will be after a two week lay off the bike. I may do some of those Tuesday night crits in Winston Salem to try to get some more upgrade points. It's hard to get enough points when you only do 10-15 races a year.

damn and I thought I had a good chance out at french broad.