Racer Ex 

I have a pair of the Shimano shoes with the heat molded everything. Comfy. But I have no foot issues.

I get to ride the 55+ next year. That means I have to brush up on bingo and sprinting.

UmneyDurak

Jebus I will be able to race masters in few years. Time flies. If I am not 3 by then, I am just going to go find some other hobby. Maybe shuffle board.

I got 10 in 2012, 0 in 2013, ? 2014.

How do you stay near the front in last 3 laps? You would think I would figure it out by this point, but nope. Every single time I get swapped and try to sprint from 15th place or something.

Ygduf

Looks like Dirk went to Battenkill and was 1st on Saturday and 2nd on Sunday.

HeMan representing NorCal.

tetonrider

that course would for sure favor dirk's racing style.

Ygduf

he's been so marked out here lately that it's usually him against the field.

tetonrider

i know riders get marked (and i've been marked in stage races wearing yellow), but what i always draw inspiration from is guys like cancellara. some of the best in the world are paid to mark him, and everyone knows exactly what he is going to do before the race, and yet he still finds a way to do succeed.

of course, i am no cancellara (no amateur is), but those doing the marking are not the hushovds of the world

this isn't meant to be directly about dirk, more just a discussion of "there is ALWAYS a way for someone to get away....if we can find it." i find it always gives me hope.

Ygduf

Yep. I was marked as **** last year, and with my profile/ability, it sucked. A lot.

I got away from it by joining a team and having a little help. Still in the races where I've been alone I know a handful of guys that wait until I try to make a move, then ride the reaction, then counter, knowing that my move will put hurt in guys and the smartest take advantage of that. Was actually have my rationalization to upgrade and not keep racing 3s until I can do 35+ next year.

Anyway, Dirk still does well out here. He's just a rager, so when he takes 3rd behind two guys he could tear in half with his bare hands he gets mad.

save10

i'm pretty sure i saw him punch a car on the spectrum ride before

Ygduf

I'm pretty sure I saw him turn green, rip his pants, and THROW a car before.

bobonker

So I am not going to do Copperopolis. I have some kind of viral infection and have been off the bike for 10 days. Hoping maybe to start riding again this weekend, but that gives me no time to prepare. I got a race credit from Velo Promo to apply at a later race. I haven't done any of these. Anything on this list that you guys recommend?

Thanks,
Sonny

2014 Velo Promo Race Schedule
More details will be posted as available on the Detailed Race Info section of the Velo Promo home page. All Velo Promo races for 2014 will be available online at www.BikeReg.com

Early Bird Training Crits Fremont Jan 5,12,19,26,Feb2
Early Bird Road Race Patterson 18-Jan
Cantua Creek RR Coalinga 15-Feb
Pine Flat RR Piedra 16-Feb
Dinuba Crit Dinuba 17-Feb
Snelling RR Snelling 22-Feb
Original Merced Crit Merced 23-Feb
Madera County Stage Race Madera 7-9 March
Wards Ferry RR Sonora 15-Mar
Hanford Criterium Hanford 23-Mar
Santa Cruz Classic Crit Santa Cruz 30-Mar
Copperopolis RR Milton 19-Apr
Regalado RR Oakdale 11-May
Mariposa Women's SR Mariposa 16-18 May
Leesville Gap RR Williams 5-Jul
Watsonville Crit Watsonville 12-Jul
Warnerville TT Knights Ferry 2-Aug
Patterson Pass RR Tracy 3-Aug
Dunnigan Hills RR Yolo 9-Aug
Susiun Harbor Crit Suisun City 10-Aug
San Ardo RR San Ardo 16-Aug
University RR Santa Cruz 17-Aug
Winters RR Winters 23-Aug
Vacaville Gran Prix Vacaville 24-Aug
Challenge Challenge RR Challenge 30-Aug
Esparto TT Esparto 31-Aug
Giro di San Francisco San Francisco 1-Sep
Oakland Grand Prix Oakland 21-Sep
Henleyville RR Corning 27-Sep

mattm

Anyone have input on the Sea Otter crit course? (the one on thursday)

It's a hotdog shape with two 180 turns right? Is it really that lame??

save10

mattm

Found some vids, I guess it's not quite a hotdog course.. but it still looks kinda lame.

Ygduf

Yes. If you wanted to do copperopolis, you would enjoy Patterson Pass, University RR, and Challenge for sure. Those three are most like copperopolis in the attrition-is-the-game aspect.

Oh, I've never done Leesville, but that is like it too, I guess.

save10

i like Regalado. it has a sweet gravel section. I'm biased because that's the last race i've won. and likely the last race i'll ever win at this rate

rkwaki

What's all this talk about hot dogs today?
Has this forum turned into something that I am not aware of?

mattm

Talk of hot dogs and a video titled "DETONATION".. you love it!!

UmneyDurak

Except for those, well not sure about Challenge, you are not wondering why you are destroying your bike and doing some kind of damage to your brain as it rattles inside your skull.

hack

So, Antioch fairgrounds crit?? Anyone familiar with this one? From google earth sleuthing it looks like it will be a ... hot dog ... loop around the fairgrounds drive way. 400m, u turn, 400m, u turn, etc.

save10

I think this may be the hotdog MattM has been looking for

UmneyDurak

Looks like a horrible crit, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Also, I think this is the first time I have seen this warning:

aaronmcd

Looks like some wind in the forecast for Wente Vineyards Road Race

Ygduf

that area is always windy. It's why there are wind turbines up the hill at Patterson Pass.

UmneyDurak

There is a sharp right turn when you start descending. It's not bad, but it's easy to target fixate on the outside. It pays to be near the front on that one. Last time I did that race they had to halt it to air lift a rider who binned it on that corner. Just FYI.

Hmm looks like crit might be in the rain. That's a new one. The last few years the weather was awesome.

mattm

Holy ****, Cat's Hill is coming up!!

My plan: not get dropped 20 mins in like last year..

Also, cat 2's are scored separately than p/1 so that gives some extra incentive to hang on I guess.