Masters Misc Race Report Thread
#3151
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Louisville Crit
50+/4 's
1/39
A remarkably good race for me. (Obviously). I've had a very good winter of training, with big jumps in my fitness. That enabled me to be in a good position - say 5th wheel - for much of the race. This in turn enabled good visibility into who looked strong, as well as being in good position to chase attacks (there was nothing worth chasing until 3 to go, when a very strong guy went, and I was able to get on his wheel quickly, but the attack came to nought). Lastly, I've got a decent sprint, and for maybe the first time ever in a crit, I was in a position to use it: a guy jumped at the bottom of the hill, 1' out, and from second wheel I jumped to follow, and pipped him at the line (though I could see that I was gaining and that he was fading for the entire minute).
Being in a crit, and not seeing crosseyed, is a new and probably game-changing experience.
PS - like Valygirl mentioned, 1st place prize was a bottle of degreaser and a bottle of wine. Just for yaks we googled the wine and found that it retails for $7.99. That's kind of funny to me: 39 guys pay $40 to fight for a prize that's worth $8. What's wrong with this picture?
50+/4 's
1/39
A remarkably good race for me. (Obviously). I've had a very good winter of training, with big jumps in my fitness. That enabled me to be in a good position - say 5th wheel - for much of the race. This in turn enabled good visibility into who looked strong, as well as being in good position to chase attacks (there was nothing worth chasing until 3 to go, when a very strong guy went, and I was able to get on his wheel quickly, but the attack came to nought). Lastly, I've got a decent sprint, and for maybe the first time ever in a crit, I was in a position to use it: a guy jumped at the bottom of the hill, 1' out, and from second wheel I jumped to follow, and pipped him at the line (though I could see that I was gaining and that he was fading for the entire minute).
Being in a crit, and not seeing crosseyed, is a new and probably game-changing experience.
PS - like Valygirl mentioned, 1st place prize was a bottle of degreaser and a bottle of wine. Just for yaks we googled the wine and found that it retails for $7.99. That's kind of funny to me: 39 guys pay $40 to fight for a prize that's worth $8. What's wrong with this picture?
Last edited by happybday29475; 04-06-15 at 04:07 PM.
#3152
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Well done Tom
#3153
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Louisville Crit
50+/4 's
1/39
A remarkably good race for me. (Obviously). I've had a very good winter of training, with big jumps in my fitness. That enabled me to be in a good position - say 5th wheel - for much of the race. This in turn enabled good visibility into who looked strong, as well as being in good position to chase attacks (there was nothing worth chasing until 3 to go, when a very strong guy went, and I was able to get on his wheel quickly, but the attack came to nought). Lastly, I've got a decent sprint, and for maybe the first time ever in a crit, I was in a position to use it: a guy jumped at the bottom of the hill, 1' out, and from second wheel I jumped to follow, and pipped him at the line (though I could see that I was gaining and that he was fading for the entire minute).
Being in a crit, and not seeing crosseyed, is a new and probably game-changing experience.
PS - like Valygirl mentioned, 1st place prize was a bottle of degreaser and a bottle of wine. Just for yaks we googled the wine and found that it retails for $7.99. That's kind of funny to me: 39 guys pay $40 to fight for a prize that's worth $8. What's wrong with this picture?
50+/4 's
1/39
A remarkably good race for me. (Obviously). I've had a very good winter of training, with big jumps in my fitness. That enabled me to be in a good position - say 5th wheel - for much of the race. This in turn enabled good visibility into who looked strong, as well as being in good position to chase attacks (there was nothing worth chasing until 3 to go, when a very strong guy went, and I was able to get on his wheel quickly, but the attack came to nought). Lastly, I've got a decent sprint, and for maybe the first time ever in a crit, I was in a position to use it: a guy jumped at the bottom of the hill, 1' out, and from second wheel I jumped to follow, and pipped him at the line (though I could see that I was gaining and that he was fading for the entire minute).
Being in a crit, and not seeing crosseyed, is a new and probably game-changing experience.
PS - like Valygirl mentioned, 1st place prize was a bottle of degreaser and a bottle of wine. Just for yaks we googled the wine and found that it retails for $7.99. That's kind of funny to me: 39 guys pay $40 to fight for a prize that's worth $8. What's wrong with this picture?
You have worked very hard for this, and it's well deserved.
Congratulations!
#3156
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Wow that sucks, so sorry Shovel!
Perhaps your knowing that your writings on this forum have been very helpful to me, and that I'm certain that some of the things I've learned here have helped me race significantly smarter, will do a small bit to ease your discomfort.
Heal quickly!
Perhaps your knowing that your writings on this forum have been very helpful to me, and that I'm certain that some of the things I've learned here have helped me race significantly smarter, will do a small bit to ease your discomfort.
Heal quickly!
#3158
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Damn, VG and Tom are killing it this year. Well done to both of you.
And also.........damn shovelhd. I read about your injuries in the 33, and the first thing that came to my mind was that's some serious @#$%, and I hope you heal quickly. The second thought, was that I hope I didn't jinx him with my Happy Easter post. Anyways, I hope that you can recover in time to make some lemon-aid out of this season.
In other news, I raced on Saturday. I rode really well, until I didn't. Still had some fun, and I'm very happy with my fitness at this point. Next Sat. I get to race a current Natz. Champ, amongst some other "silly fast" guys. Hoping to put 30 good miles together and sneak onto the podium, for whats likely to be my last XC race this season.
And also.........damn shovelhd. I read about your injuries in the 33, and the first thing that came to my mind was that's some serious @#$%, and I hope you heal quickly. The second thought, was that I hope I didn't jinx him with my Happy Easter post. Anyways, I hope that you can recover in time to make some lemon-aid out of this season.
In other news, I raced on Saturday. I rode really well, until I didn't. Still had some fun, and I'm very happy with my fitness at this point. Next Sat. I get to race a current Natz. Champ, amongst some other "silly fast" guys. Hoping to put 30 good miles together and sneak onto the podium, for whats likely to be my last XC race this season.
#3159
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Rapwithtom Win...love it.
#3162
Idiot Emeritus
Louisville Crit
50+/4 's
1/39
A remarkably good race for me. (Obviously). I've had a very good winter of training, with big jumps in my fitness. That enabled me to be in a good position - say 5th wheel - for much of the race. This in turn enabled good visibility into who looked strong, as well as being in good position to chase attacks (there was nothing worth chasing until 3 to go, when a very strong guy went, and I was able to get on his wheel quickly, but the attack came to nought). Lastly, I've got a decent sprint, and for maybe the first time ever in a crit, I was in a position to use it: a guy jumped at the bottom of the hill, 1' out, and from second wheel I jumped to follow, and pipped him at the line (though I could see that I was gaining and that he was fading for the entire minute).
Being in a crit, and not seeing crosseyed, is a new and probably game-changing experience.
PS - like Valygirl mentioned, 1st place prize was a bottle of degreaser and a bottle of wine. Just for yaks we googled the wine and found that it retails for $7.99. That's kind of funny to me: 39 guys pay $40 to fight for a prize that's worth $8. What's wrong with this picture?
50+/4 's
1/39
A remarkably good race for me. (Obviously). I've had a very good winter of training, with big jumps in my fitness. That enabled me to be in a good position - say 5th wheel - for much of the race. This in turn enabled good visibility into who looked strong, as well as being in good position to chase attacks (there was nothing worth chasing until 3 to go, when a very strong guy went, and I was able to get on his wheel quickly, but the attack came to nought). Lastly, I've got a decent sprint, and for maybe the first time ever in a crit, I was in a position to use it: a guy jumped at the bottom of the hill, 1' out, and from second wheel I jumped to follow, and pipped him at the line (though I could see that I was gaining and that he was fading for the entire minute).
Being in a crit, and not seeing crosseyed, is a new and probably game-changing experience.
PS - like Valygirl mentioned, 1st place prize was a bottle of degreaser and a bottle of wine. Just for yaks we googled the wine and found that it retails for $7.99. That's kind of funny to me: 39 guys pay $40 to fight for a prize that's worth $8. What's wrong with this picture?
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#3163
Idiot Emeritus
Shovel, I said it on the 33, and I meant it. Trainer time sux, but at least you can ride it- I guess. I am so sorry....healing thoughts!
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#3164
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Stazio Crit sw3-4, 3rd /19
Four corner crit with a short climb after turn 1, descending though turn 3 then flat to the finish. Strong wind, tail on the climb. Two strong teammates. We made a race plan and executed it, which was really fun. I was supposed to win from a counterattack on the climb on the last lap... Almost held off the pack but not quite. Teammates took 4 and 7.
It wasn't a great plan but nice to at least try something intentional.
Four corner crit with a short climb after turn 1, descending though turn 3 then flat to the finish. Strong wind, tail on the climb. Two strong teammates. We made a race plan and executed it, which was really fun. I was supposed to win from a counterattack on the climb on the last lap... Almost held off the pack but not quite. Teammates took 4 and 7.
It wasn't a great plan but nice to at least try something intentional.
#3165
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Way to go, valygrl!
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Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
#3166
Senior Member
Congrats valygrl
#3167
Idiot Emeritus
Valygrl, nice work! Plans are fun, better when they work! Congrats, girl!!
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#3168
Idiot Emeritus
CCCX #2 Circuit Race, WM 35+ 1/2/3
19 of 19, DFL. I added this race last week, so I hadn't been planning on it. I was to be the Women's Committee "ambassador" for the race, because it is a Series race and one I pushed to be included in the Series. The RD called me last week and told me he had comped me an entry. No way I could refuse! I told coach, and we got it on the TRS. This course is 4.3 miles, hilly, rollers, false flats, and tough. I train on it a lot, and in the last year I've seen improvement in my climbing and efficiency on the course. However, I have never done well in a race over that road, because I'm not a climber. From appearances, yesterday was not a success, either, but reality is different.
Rolled off on the front row for 4 laps in a combined field - P 1/2/3, M35+ and 4's. 19 riders total. Good sized field! One of the Early Bird women went off the front immediately, but it wasn't a concerted attack, she just rolled away. The peloton didn't react at all, and by the bottom of the first climb we had reeled her back in. I stayed put, right near the front, third row, all the way up the climb. We did the short descent following that climb, and then the hard right turn to the first set of rollers. I was there, third row, and I even made up a couple of spots on the rollers. I was working really hard, but I was there and I was going to stay there. We did the short descent at the back of the rollers and started a short climb to the top flats. I had some momentum and I intended to use by moving up the right side and going off the front in an attack that I hoped would allow me to settle back in to the peloton when they overtook me, which I knew they would. I was moving up on the right side when someone moved over and I had to slow. I hesitated briefly, and that was all it took. I was at max HR, I was now in the headwind, and climbing for all I was worth, but fading away. Tactics! Oh, I need to be more assertive.
I finished the race, acted as Podium Girl, and then went home and checked my metrics. I had done each lap 2 minutes faster than ever before. I was absolutely red lined when I lost the field, and that was a big learning point. Anyway, the race was a success, no matter where I finished, because I'm BETTER. I'm not going to beat those younger women, and there was some serious talent in that field to boot, but I can race with them. I can't ask for any more than that.
19 of 19, DFL. I added this race last week, so I hadn't been planning on it. I was to be the Women's Committee "ambassador" for the race, because it is a Series race and one I pushed to be included in the Series. The RD called me last week and told me he had comped me an entry. No way I could refuse! I told coach, and we got it on the TRS. This course is 4.3 miles, hilly, rollers, false flats, and tough. I train on it a lot, and in the last year I've seen improvement in my climbing and efficiency on the course. However, I have never done well in a race over that road, because I'm not a climber. From appearances, yesterday was not a success, either, but reality is different.
Rolled off on the front row for 4 laps in a combined field - P 1/2/3, M35+ and 4's. 19 riders total. Good sized field! One of the Early Bird women went off the front immediately, but it wasn't a concerted attack, she just rolled away. The peloton didn't react at all, and by the bottom of the first climb we had reeled her back in. I stayed put, right near the front, third row, all the way up the climb. We did the short descent following that climb, and then the hard right turn to the first set of rollers. I was there, third row, and I even made up a couple of spots on the rollers. I was working really hard, but I was there and I was going to stay there. We did the short descent at the back of the rollers and started a short climb to the top flats. I had some momentum and I intended to use by moving up the right side and going off the front in an attack that I hoped would allow me to settle back in to the peloton when they overtook me, which I knew they would. I was moving up on the right side when someone moved over and I had to slow. I hesitated briefly, and that was all it took. I was at max HR, I was now in the headwind, and climbing for all I was worth, but fading away. Tactics! Oh, I need to be more assertive.
I finished the race, acted as Podium Girl, and then went home and checked my metrics. I had done each lap 2 minutes faster than ever before. I was absolutely red lined when I lost the field, and that was a big learning point. Anyway, the race was a success, no matter where I finished, because I'm BETTER. I'm not going to beat those younger women, and there was some serious talent in that field to boot, but I can race with them. I can't ask for any more than that.
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Last edited by sarals; 04-13-15 at 09:30 AM.
#3169
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Boulder Roubaix 50/4's, 5th/49
2 laps, about 50' each. Painfully slow race. HR never went above LTHR until about the last 5 minutes. The slow pace and yellow line rule made moving around in the pack difficult. Although, whenever I stopped paying attention, I found myself immediately at the back, so hmmm.
Saw some crap pack skills and a couple of crashes. Notable was a guy who has been on the podium a couple of times this year: this guy was the talk of the peloton for his crap riding; got a yellow line warning; crashed himself on a dirt road turn; caught back up; and then got himself a yellow line DQ. I wonder if anything will get through his pissed-off-ness and cause even a faint glimmer of pattern recognition?
Unlike last week where I thought I managed the pack riding well, this race was a battle. It was very hard to move up without getting in the wind. Which I did, a lot. Constantly.
Anyway, on the last hill, about 5' before the finish, things picked up. I moved up on the hill into 5th or 6th wheel, went over hill and dale in this position, and entered the last long straight (1 mile?). The pace was fast and 8 or 9 of us had ridden clear. One known strong guy attacked, and I thought "well if he can hold for a mile at this pace then he deserves it.." He got a 100m gap and then exploded violently. As we passed him, the guy in front of me lost his wheel, and I was too gassed to go around and bridge. I started my sprint from 300m out, was gaining on the 4 in front, but ran out of real estate.
Learnings:
- For a race where nothing really went my way, 5th is a good result, even if it's kind of frustrating given my result last weekend and how strong I'm feeling on the bike.
- I only attacked to win out of my group; the fact that I was catching up to the group of 4 surprised me...hmmm...
- In the days leading up to a race, sleep, diet, and significant other not suffering from an extreme case of the flu, all matter.
- except for the last 5 minutes, the race was so slow that I'd rather have just gone on a training ride. (Many people felt this way). I'm not really sure what to do about this since I don't think I'm strong enough to just to TT away, and getting a breakaway of a few folks has never happened in the history of 50/4's.
- I'm getting to know my teammates and it's a really good group of guys
- Avery has a ginormous, brand-new, conveniently-located brewpub that somehow I didn't know about...until after the race.
2 laps, about 50' each. Painfully slow race. HR never went above LTHR until about the last 5 minutes. The slow pace and yellow line rule made moving around in the pack difficult. Although, whenever I stopped paying attention, I found myself immediately at the back, so hmmm.
Saw some crap pack skills and a couple of crashes. Notable was a guy who has been on the podium a couple of times this year: this guy was the talk of the peloton for his crap riding; got a yellow line warning; crashed himself on a dirt road turn; caught back up; and then got himself a yellow line DQ. I wonder if anything will get through his pissed-off-ness and cause even a faint glimmer of pattern recognition?
Unlike last week where I thought I managed the pack riding well, this race was a battle. It was very hard to move up without getting in the wind. Which I did, a lot. Constantly.
Anyway, on the last hill, about 5' before the finish, things picked up. I moved up on the hill into 5th or 6th wheel, went over hill and dale in this position, and entered the last long straight (1 mile?). The pace was fast and 8 or 9 of us had ridden clear. One known strong guy attacked, and I thought "well if he can hold for a mile at this pace then he deserves it.." He got a 100m gap and then exploded violently. As we passed him, the guy in front of me lost his wheel, and I was too gassed to go around and bridge. I started my sprint from 300m out, was gaining on the 4 in front, but ran out of real estate.
Learnings:
- For a race where nothing really went my way, 5th is a good result, even if it's kind of frustrating given my result last weekend and how strong I'm feeling on the bike.
- I only attacked to win out of my group; the fact that I was catching up to the group of 4 surprised me...hmmm...
- In the days leading up to a race, sleep, diet, and significant other not suffering from an extreme case of the flu, all matter.
- except for the last 5 minutes, the race was so slow that I'd rather have just gone on a training ride. (Many people felt this way). I'm not really sure what to do about this since I don't think I'm strong enough to just to TT away, and getting a breakaway of a few folks has never happened in the history of 50/4's.
- I'm getting to know my teammates and it's a really good group of guys
- Avery has a ginormous, brand-new, conveniently-located brewpub that somehow I didn't know about...until after the race.
Last edited by happybday29475; 04-13-15 at 10:34 AM.
#3170
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Last crit race of a so-so season for me. Az State Championships. Course was 0.9 miles looked like a "b".
Cat 4's Friday evening 40min . Didn't have the legs to match all of the accelerations especially out of the 180. Stuck behind crash at 15 min could not get back on. Caught and pulled at 30min. finished 37/43.
Masters 50-54 Sunday morning 35 min. Everyone 50+ raced together and groups scored seperately. 40 or more racers altogether. Much better legs. Stayed with lead group for 25min then got popped on the 180 again. Finished full race on same lap as winners. 10/14or15 for age group.
On a positive note, my NP for last race was 20W higher than race a month ago. So I do feel fitness/power has been improved. Hopefully with a good year(read stay health) I can make the improvements I need to be able to stay in races for the duration.
Cat 4's Friday evening 40min . Didn't have the legs to match all of the accelerations especially out of the 180. Stuck behind crash at 15 min could not get back on. Caught and pulled at 30min. finished 37/43.
Masters 50-54 Sunday morning 35 min. Everyone 50+ raced together and groups scored seperately. 40 or more racers altogether. Much better legs. Stayed with lead group for 25min then got popped on the 180 again. Finished full race on same lap as winners. 10/14or15 for age group.
On a positive note, my NP for last race was 20W higher than race a month ago. So I do feel fitness/power has been improved. Hopefully with a good year(read stay health) I can make the improvements I need to be able to stay in races for the duration.
#3171
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Nice tom! That's a great result.
So.. What can you do to make it more interesting? My coach would say, make a race plan and execute it, with your team mates. Attack, counterattack, string out the field so it's less crashy in a bunch, or be patient and then lead each other out, decide who has a chance to win from a break and who could win a sprint, protect your sprinter and get the break guy in a break... Something.
In order to win you have to risk losing.
Now I have to go figure out how to take my own advice at Weld.
So.. What can you do to make it more interesting? My coach would say, make a race plan and execute it, with your team mates. Attack, counterattack, string out the field so it's less crashy in a bunch, or be patient and then lead each other out, decide who has a chance to win from a break and who could win a sprint, protect your sprinter and get the break guy in a break... Something.
In order to win you have to risk losing.
Now I have to go figure out how to take my own advice at Weld.
#3172
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Very nice, valygrl! That course has always been tough for me. It was my very first crit ever, and it was a 3/4 field then, with 125 lined up. Scary, and fast. Never really got better.
#3173
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Nice job, Sara! Sooner rather than later, you're going to realize that you belong there, racing with those kids!
#3174
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Very well done, rapwithtom! I understand your frustration, but we know every race doesn't go to plan. There's another race next week that should work out in your favor. Great racing!
#3175
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Nice, SteveM! Stay healthy, and work it out.