obra3

Yesterday was a road race up in Washington- a qualifier for Nature Valley.

I wouldn't call yesterday the best race in my life. A well known master's racer attacked from the gun up the first hill- then everyone countered- and I went. I saw the break forming and had a gut reaction that this was the break that was going to stick. (and it did) So... I went a few seconds late and began chasing with another racer. We were about 30 feet back and they were motoring and starting to paceline- the guys I was with was gassed and couldn't come around to take a pull. Another rider and a teammate came around pretty fast and I did everything to jump on. I was able to close the gap to around 10 feet then really had to push it to catch on. After a little bit I was able to catch but I was pretty pooped and needed a quick break.

One of the other riders rotated back and I got onto his wheel just to sit in for a second. He pulled off one of his (now I know) signature moves and rode me off the break. He dropped us back 10-15 feet and then drilled it back to the group, leaving me back to try to catch on. Totally legit but total jerk move. I tried to get back on but failed and burned through a bunch of matches. I dropped back to the group but they were in full chase mode and I was barely able to get back in. I tried to recover before the steep hill but just couldn't. I got dropped- halfway through the first lap of a 6 lap race. With 7 guys off the front, only 38 in the entire field and at less than 80 miles upgrade points only went 5 deep. Bleh.

I did hit some new numbers though...

Peak 5 min: 387W (Norm 430W)- 5.68W/kg.
Peak 2 min: 488W
Peak 1 min: 563W

slim_77

Thats a tough day. At least they didn't yell at you.

geneman

"Totally legit but total jerk move. I tried to get back on but failed ..."

For the record, there's nothing "jerkish" about that move. It's called getting rid of the competition and if you had it in your arsenal you would/should do it too. Bicycle racing is not a friendship festival.

cmh

Sounds like a tough ride K-man. At least your instincts about that being the winning break were correct, you just need to react a couple seconds earlier . Anyway it is better to try making the winning break and go OTB, then to sit in the pack and watch it ride away (which is what I have been doing this year).

mollusk

+1

Now, if you develop the rep as being a big motor with no sprint you will be welcomed with open arms into any small break and they won't treat you this way.

obra3

Yeah it is. I don't want frickin hugs, kisses nor a reach around but I call it an ahole move. Getting rid of the competition is fine but doesn't mean I have to like it. That's why I call it a jerk move. You can have your own opinion. I have mine. Now I know not to fall for that crap.

geneman

Sounds like you should be pssd at yourself. That doesn't make the other guy a jerk.

crispy010

Dude, don't be disappointed. That's a good race - your instincts were correct and you had the guts to try and make it into the winning move. Your power let you down but you can fix that!

fordfasterr

how much does 10 watts go for now adays?


lol

tubescreamerx

be glad you have a power meter.

now when you regularly put out bigger numbers than those from the race, you can go into a race with a very intentional strategy... and have the legs to back it up.

powertap is next on my list of things to get.

mattm

whether or not it's a legit move, i'm adding it to my growing list of "things to watch out for" in a race.

(although i'm getting a little ahead of myself, as i'm really just pack fodder at this point. but the breaks will come.. at least i hope)

anyway thanks for the story, obra3.

Duke of Kent

Don't think poorly of me, Kenji, but I've done that to (more than a few) people too, and I'll soon be racing as your teammate.

Just another trick of the trade. No one likes when it happens to them, but they don't hesitate to do it to someone else when the opportunity knocks.

I'm sure there are some crits coming up that will give you the opportunity to back a Guinness dude out of a break or two...

currand

I'd have to take issue with the timing. Sounds like you got ditched way early in the break. Doesn't make good tactical sense unless they thought you were sitting on and not willing to work. Maybe having two people from the same team spooked them?