35+ district championship RR. dropped from the break I helped initiate. it was one climb too far. muthafugga.

*and by initiate, i mean followed the right moves/wheels; and by one climb too far i mean I got dropped at the top of a climb despite my best drift climbing efforts

^ don't worry that will be me at page valley this weekend. #fatqwapps

i told Jsut that i'll have cold beers after the race, but he's such a momma's boy and probably can't imbibe

perhaps i'll bring him a cold root beer instead? alternatively, not sure how long a pint of Ben & Jerry's would last in a cooler

Albany Crit 2/3s (22/40) & P12 (13/37)

2/3: Decided to take my chances at a "slightly technical" crit. First race was the 2/3s, I struggled to get off the back of the pack. I also felt a little queasy for most of the race, so it was generally quite miserable. I held on, finished 22/40. Super Meh.

p12: I really really considered not doing the race. It was immediately after the 2/3 and I was bummed, afraid of the higher pace, and generally down on my skills. Decided to start the race as a learning experience, see if I could hang on, and take my beating. At least I would be another starter for the field.

Well, the pace was super high from the ***, but I was much smoother through the corners and all was not lost. I hung on, still on the back, but I closed down gaps as guys fell off and that gave me confidence. About half way through a split happened. I was, of course, still on the wrong side of it, but I set in to chase. I had 2 guys from Clif bar with me and they took a couple pulls and we worked together for about 2 laps, then I did the next 2 laps solo, but, I finally caught back on. Holy ****! I was pumped.

A few laps later my friend, this 17 year old tiny kid took a flyer. I know he can TT and I still had the adrenaline from chasing so I bridged up to him. During the bridge I felt a little twinge in my side. We were maybe 8 laps to go and I was getting no draft from by breakmate, and the side stitch went from being the size of a finger to the size of a softball. I just couldn't get any air and the no-draft situation was murdering me. I folded and drifted back to the pack.

I was really rooting for my buddy to win, but he was caught on the last lap. If I'd been able to stay on his wheel, we would have stayed away. I. just. couldn't. do. it. Super frustrating.

Finished up 13th of 37. Somewhat of a moral victory for racing, actually participating instead of just hanging on, and getting technically much better by the end. Somewhat sour for losing out on a great break when that's my strength.

Sorry to hear of the challenges, but really great write up and good for you for sticking with it!

I shouldn't have ended on the negative bit. I was really happy that there were real tangible gains in my technique by the end of race 2. I still find crits a little silly, but they are fun and I wish I'd started doing them earlier so I wouldn't be having these growing pains against the strongest guys. Of well, good exercise!

I initially changed glasses to the Smiths as they had more coverage. I'll try changing things around to see if it makes a difference. I will say though, trying to move effectively and safely in a pack environment is no easy task with shotty vision.

Awesome job at San Rafael. That is a hell of a course and some strong fields.

My feelings exactly (except I'm older than you ha!)!

Nice work! Despite what every high school coach yells, it's impossible to work through a stitch without backing off!

crits are just a form of bicycle racing. i dont think of as being any sillier than a TT or a RR, but people arent very impressed when they ask you how far a race is/was (always the question) and the answer is 75 minutes.

..............

hmmph, I can ride my bike for 75 minutes. what's the big deal?

Nice. If you ever take up track racing: pursuit and team pursuit, we are all doomed. Think Taylor Phinney.

And when I say/brag "we average over 25 mph" they don't know how awesome that is... oh the problems we have.

The worst is when they ask "what's the 1st place prize?"... need to do more NRC crits to sound legit to coworkers.

How many times can you dip into the red :mad: zone, recover and still have enough left to contest the last few laps.

75 minutes is not very long unless one is constantly on and off the rivet. Then time expands... :twitchy:

Tell them about how you can win $5K in less than a mile.

No, no, of course road races and time trials are inherently much more Serious and Important Bike Racing Events, because Reasons.

these are great posts for the RTT thread

most threads are the RTT with a slightly different approach angle.

thx. i basically spent a 4 weeks getting ready for that race. so i'm happy/not-happy. Its weird but of all the crit courses we do, that is the best one for me. Lets do better next year.

I am 50-50 for dunnigan..you?

I've got a few courses on my list that I'm going to be looking at for redemption in the future. My three absolute worst results have all come from bay area races (Giro SF, Oakland GP, and now San Rafael).

75-25 for Dunnigan. As crappy as Suisun is, I kind of dig it and don't want to be too spent for it. E3's do 86 for Dunnigan. In all likelihood, I'll be doing it in a support role. Will try to keep our Jr racer from flying off the front from the whistle and blowing up by escorting him through about 1.5 laps.

I never understood why Juniors do it.

It's weird, Suisun is just your run of the mill NASCAR course, yet I like it.

i enjoyed the read. pretty cool to go from a bit intimidated/off-the-back to what should be a harder race and actually influencing it...all within an afternoon. props for stepping up to the challenge and actually running with it. that must feel good.

Yeah, it was. I still feel like I let my buddy down. He was having a heroic ride and I'd gladly have ridden off a cliff to get him the win. Side stitch was just so bad, couldn't get a deep breath and was seeing stars from hyperventilating.

The first race, I was never going to get dropped. I was just stuck. I'd move up 4-5 wheels, then fall back 4-5 wheels. It was like a riptide where no matter how much I swam, I was still in the same place. Pretty sure I was sucking and letting little gaps open before corners so I could be more comfortable, then the guys behind me would carry more speed through the corner, filter up, and take the opening I'd left. Increased pace in p12 helped me by preventing people from coming around to take my wheels. Instead preferring the draft I give.

You gotta defend those wheels.