NeelsGap86

Cumming Crit. Two hills, one very false flat, and one extremely windy down turn. Windy as HELL, 45+ mph. 4/5 Under. I'm a 5 who will be a 4 soon.

Anyways, basically the whole story is that, nobody wanted to go up front since the wind would suck your energy. We had two people, separate times, break away but were too tired to keep going. Being by yourself in this wind, again, will kill you. As for the hills, they were no problem. It was the 1km last stretch of road where the wind was literally a wall (I'm 5'4).

So starting out, I was in the front of the pack for a loong time. Moving around was easy. All the unexperienced riders were always going up front, killing themselves, and moving to the back of the pack. Then with a couple of laps to go. I have no clue why I did what I did. I was hoping somebody would take over but hey, maybe I can just make this a very good workout. What did I do? I lead the peloton for 2 to 3 laps. I really pushed the group, especially on the two climbs. The herd was thinning. Then coming down the last 1km I was talking about, that is what killed me. I was still in front but people could tell I was wearing down. So on the first hill, I blew up.

So I guess I made a rookie mistake? After the race, the guy that won the omnium said I did a lot of work. I even tried to TT back onto the group but the wind was a killer.

I was pretty mad and pissed because my legs felt reeeeally good. The course favored me (without the wind that is).

Oh well.

Battle another day, right fellas?

At least I did ok in the RR. Got 15th.

bdcheung

It's frustrating when nobody wants to work, and doubly so when you do work and lose. It sucks, but everyone has their bad days.

waterrockets 

Lesson learned. I pulled the pack around in my first race, and was also dropped.

bdcheung

I also pulled the pack around in my first race. And second. And third. After that, I learned.

Coyote2

Anyone else see the contradiction between the first bolded statement and all the rest of them?

waterrockets 

While there is a contradiction in the isolated meaning of each statement. Taken in context, they are all in "agreement." I figured no comment needed. If you're inexperienced, your perception of your own ability will be way off as well

MDcatV

battle another day, yes.

but a few notes:

1 - you're a cat 5, how are you nearing being a 3?
2 - if you are strong enough to be nearing a 3, you shouldnt be racing so "unexperienced" like and doing things that in hindsight you state "I have no idea why I did what I did"
3 - you got popped from a Cat 4/5 race, honestly, regardless of how moronic you race, unless you're in a break from the gun that gets caught last or last few laps, you shouldnt be going OTB of a Cat 4/5 race if you're actually "nearing being a 3" - this I unfortunately know from experience.
4 - if you "should have" gotten top 10 in the RR, but were 15th, then you "should have" gotten 15th.
5 - if no one "wants to work" then you should be attacking like (credit Racer EX) a pit bull on crystal meth., or you should be hiding from the wind planning your next move. there are really only 2 things you should ever be doing in a race, attacking, or planning your next attack. everything else and you're just along for the ride. note, attacking does not include pulling around the field.

a bit more honest self assessment should be conducted, from your post, you shouldnt get too anxious to cat up to a 3. Focus on getting your starts in to go from 5 --->4, then learn how to get results prior to going from 4 --->3.

Coyote2

And that's why the OP contradicts himself.

To the OP: if you have to ask yourself "So I guess I made a rookie mistake?", then yeah, you made a rookie mistake and you belong in the Cat 5 -- not the 4, not approaching 3. A dose of reality will help you more than wishful thinking. And I write this as a Cat 5 myself who's gotten a couple of those reality checks.

NeelsGap86

I'm not saying I am going RIGHT to 3's.

And most of you guys are RIGHT. I do contridict myself. However, I should be a 4 with the results I have had throughout the season. I still have a lot of learning to do.

NeelsGap86

Thanks man. Greatly noted. Only attack or stay in the pack to plan my moves. Sounds so simple!

Coyote2

By the way, the only "results" you need to upgrade to a 4 would be finishes in ten mass-start events. You can come in dead last in each one and still upgrade. If you don't have those ten finishes, then you should/could NOT be a 4.

NeelsGap86

I know that.

Do races from last year count? I only did one last year.

tbdean

You're one of the Aaron's guys, right? Ended up sliding in on your cleat?

NeelsGap86

Aaron's guy yes, but def not the one sliding in on my cleat.

tbdean

I was the unattached rider who hung out with you guys before the road race.

I know a couple of you had issues with refs / other riders at the finish line.

Nickel

Proper positioning skill is just as important to develop as the engine. More racing gives you more practice to try new moves to see what works.

NeelsGap86

Yeah. I didn't but a friend of mine, not on the Aarons team, did. He got DQed in the RR yesterday for going over the yellow line. He was forced out of it. He's a very good rider who paid 40 bucks to race in the RR and got DQ. I know I would have been as mad as him.

Overall though, this past weekend was probably the most fun I have ever had in awhile. The RR was just fantastic. Great rollers.

Too bad Dahlonega RR won't be happening this year. I guess it's just not popular anymore, I guess? I don't know.

How did you do?

wrestlr

Yeah that was me who got DQ'ed at the road race. Pretty pissed but there is always another day and it was a good ride. I was the dude on the BMC. Sounds like you guys had fun at the crit...
-Mike

NeelsGap86

Dude, it's Tom with the Fuji.

What did you end up doing Sunday? You didn't miss much in the Crit.

umd

Incorrect. It's 10 starts. You don't actually have to finish...

Coyote2

My gosh, I just checked and you're right: it just says "experience" in ten mass start races. Heck, maybe you don't even need to start -- maybe "experience" could mean watching, handing up bottles, etc.?

tbdean

DNF. This was my first road race so I did great up until we reached the length of a typical track race. Then I was wasted and fell back. I packed it in instead of doing the 2nd loop thinking I was in last place, but apparently there were 20+ people behind me. I didn't realize we had dropped so many people on that first hill.

I had a blast though and am looking forward to building some endurance and trying again.

umd

There are clinics that count toward the experience requirement. So, yeah, you don't even really need to start 10 races.

NeelsGap86

Dude, keep up the good work. Just keep having fun. It was really cool talking to you this past weekend.

I'll probably be at the Cycleworks crit. How about you?

tbdean

Haven't even heard of it. I did the Jittery Joes practice crit a few times last season, out by the Mall of Georgia. Where is this one?