Monday, August 30, 2004
Winters Road Race
Race: Winters RR, Cat 4
Date: 8/28/04
Field: 66
Teammates: Mike Holt (1st)
Distance: 72.8 gruelling miles
Weather: 80-100+
Place: otb (30)
Course is 3 loops of about 24 miles (after the promenade out of town). First 5 miles flat, then about 5 rolling, then a ~600' climb in 3 parts, top part ~10%, descent, then flat to the finish.
Short version:
Off the back.
Slightly longer version:
Hung on with little problem for the first lap. Got dropped on the hill on the second lap, but managed to chase back on about 10-15 miles later. Got dropped for good on the rollers preceding the 3rd climb. Rolled in much later.
Full version:
Got more pre-race sleep than usual (about 4 hours), which was promising. I was not expecting to do well in this race, since I think I peaked about a month ago, but I thought I'd make one more buildup before the end of the year. This was part of that.
As we pulled, Ed noticed a couple of cuties and said, "hey, let's park next to the cute french girls!" I was in agreement. Then I thought to ask, "wait, Ed, how did you know they were French
"Oh, I've seen them before at the track." Apparently, they are the LaFleur sisters, and they certainly are adorable. Anyway...
After the longest check-in line of the season was the longest port-a-potty line of the season. The good part was that I noticed (Olympian) Christine Thornburn of Webcor in line behind me. But the bad part is that I didn't get a chance to congratulate her on her Olympic rides because, hey, who wants to shake hands with a guy who just came out of the portapotty?
At the start in historic downtown Winters, another Olympian sighting at the line-up for the start: Levi Leipheimer was in the field. Cool.
As our group got up to the line, the ref had just gotten through explaining that the start was neutralized until X point, when a genius from McGuire attacked from the gun. Whatever, let him cook. We set of around 18-20 mph for a while before someone decided it was time to start racing, so the pace quickly kicked up to 30+ on a long tailwind section. Hitting the rollers, we had the McGuire guy in sight, but it gave me some satisfaction that the field let him sit a few hundred meters off the front for a while before bringing him back.
The pack was moving fast, but not insanely fast on the rollers and the first time up the hill. It hurt. I wondered why the heck I do this. (Is it really better than Saturday morning cartoons?) And on top of that, my back was already giving me trouble, and I couldn't get it to relax.
The descent had several sketchy turns on it, so I felt most comfortable keeping a bit of space from others. Some guys passed me, I passed some. I wasn't in the lead group or anything, but part of a long line of riders that all regrouped once we got off the hill.
At the start of the second lap, my friend Ed decided to stop for a natural break and chase back on. I told him I didn't think it would be that easy to get back on, but I guess he really had to go. I didn't see him until a few hours later.
I stayed in the main field until the second time up the hill. I wasn't really expecting to stay with them on the hill, so the feed zone chaos didn't really faze me. I got some water and climbed at my own tempo over the top. Descending this time, without too many around was a lot less stressful. This time I was decidedly NOT part of any long line of riders.
I had pretty much resigned myself to being off the back and dropping out. But then a couple of guys caught me, and I went with them for a while, but I wasn't feeling that motivated, so I let them go. Then a few more guys caught me, and I was feeling better, so we worked well for a while. There was a McGuire guy who refused to work, except when he pointlessly sprinted up to the front every once in a while then dropped back. I had had just about enough of this chasing, so I eased off the gas and prepared to spin back to the finish, and then another group caught us. Crap, gotta chase again. The cycling gods were telling me to hang on.
So, I took part in the chase, which took for-effing-ever until we finally caught the group again on the long flat tailwind section. Ah, so this is what the later part of the race looks like. The field was definitely reduced at this point.
Third time around the course, it was getting really hot. I was getting very thirsty. I was just losing power, and I got gapped on one of the rollers leading up to the hill. I kept going, my main motivation to keep going was to make it to the feed zone and get a couple more bottles of water (but I also wanted to beat Ed). I've never appreciated a neutral feed as much as I did that day.
That third time up the hill it was really blazing. There was no wind, and it was a little steep for my 39/23. Then, sent straight down from the heavens, a man... with a garden hose. I thought about just having him douse me, but then I saw someone getting a water refill, and so I went for that, too. Then I told him, 'hit me on my way out!', which he did (Note to self: lube drivetrain). That kept me going, and I don't think I would have made it to the finish without it. I don't think I saw another cat 4 rider the rest of the race.
The last 10 miles or so were not noteworthy. I held a reasonable pace for a while, then my foot cramped up. I tried loosening my shoes, unclicking, everything but taking off my shoe, but nothing helped. Between that and my ornery back, I totally eased off. I think I came home at about 15 mph. I was passed by out-of-shape-looking recreational cyclists.
I'm pretty sure no one was paying attention when I finished, so I'll be surprised if I got picked.
Ed was waiting at the finish. He had almost given up on me, but fortunately he didn't go off looking for me because I was desperate for water. I went through 6 bottles during the race, and quickly downed a quart of gatorade and a quart of water once we got back in the car.
Turns out Ed chased like hell after his pee-break, and just barely caught the group before the climb and was totally gassed, so he dropped out.
Additional reflections:
What is it with McGuire? They were the worst center-line offenders of the race, in addition to the knucklehead of the day award for the guy who attacked during the promenade and the guy who wouldn't work in our chase group.
I liked the course, at least as far as the profile goes. I can see myself doing well on it, maybe next year But the course is tough because it is one lane all the way. It is really hard to move up at all. It is a lot of work just to pass a few riders. So I think I did well to get to the front early (just after the start), and when we rejoined the pack (rolled through the downsized pack to near the front).
Brief note on field size: Mike said 50- I know the pre-reg numbers were 401-466, so at least 66 signed up, and I saw as high as 491 on the course. I don't know how many actually started, and Mike's estimate of 50 is as good as any. I just hope it was more, because then I won't feel as bad.
Finally, I started to reflect on whether I will continue to race open 4's or master's 4's next year, since I will have that option. I think that next year, if I feel better than I did this year (i.e. I have continued to improve), I'll keep racing with the cat 4's, but if I'm not any better, I'll ride with the 35+ crowd and hopefully have a little more fun. The races are also shorter, which might help me. My mileage this year has been a little low for a cat 4, I think.
Date: 8/28/04
Field: 66
Teammates: Mike Holt (1st)
Distance: 72.8 gruelling miles
Weather: 80-100+
Place: otb (30)
Course is 3 loops of about 24 miles (after the promenade out of town). First 5 miles flat, then about 5 rolling, then a ~600' climb in 3 parts, top part ~10%, descent, then flat to the finish.
Short version:
Off the back.
Slightly longer version:
Hung on with little problem for the first lap. Got dropped on the hill on the second lap, but managed to chase back on about 10-15 miles later. Got dropped for good on the rollers preceding the 3rd climb. Rolled in much later.
Full version:
Got more pre-race sleep than usual (about 4 hours), which was promising. I was not expecting to do well in this race, since I think I peaked about a month ago, but I thought I'd make one more buildup before the end of the year. This was part of that.
As we pulled, Ed noticed a couple of cuties and said, "hey, let's park next to the cute french girls!" I was in agreement. Then I thought to ask, "wait, Ed, how did you know they were French
"Oh, I've seen them before at the track." Apparently, they are the LaFleur sisters, and they certainly are adorable. Anyway...
After the longest check-in line of the season was the longest port-a-potty line of the season. The good part was that I noticed (Olympian) Christine Thornburn of Webcor in line behind me. But the bad part is that I didn't get a chance to congratulate her on her Olympic rides because, hey, who wants to shake hands with a guy who just came out of the portapotty?
At the start in historic downtown Winters, another Olympian sighting at the line-up for the start: Levi Leipheimer was in the field. Cool.
As our group got up to the line, the ref had just gotten through explaining that the start was neutralized until X point, when a genius from McGuire attacked from the gun. Whatever, let him cook. We set of around 18-20 mph for a while before someone decided it was time to start racing, so the pace quickly kicked up to 30+ on a long tailwind section. Hitting the rollers, we had the McGuire guy in sight, but it gave me some satisfaction that the field let him sit a few hundred meters off the front for a while before bringing him back.
The pack was moving fast, but not insanely fast on the rollers and the first time up the hill. It hurt. I wondered why the heck I do this. (Is it really better than Saturday morning cartoons?) And on top of that, my back was already giving me trouble, and I couldn't get it to relax.
The descent had several sketchy turns on it, so I felt most comfortable keeping a bit of space from others. Some guys passed me, I passed some. I wasn't in the lead group or anything, but part of a long line of riders that all regrouped once we got off the hill.
At the start of the second lap, my friend Ed decided to stop for a natural break and chase back on. I told him I didn't think it would be that easy to get back on, but I guess he really had to go. I didn't see him until a few hours later.
I stayed in the main field until the second time up the hill. I wasn't really expecting to stay with them on the hill, so the feed zone chaos didn't really faze me. I got some water and climbed at my own tempo over the top. Descending this time, without too many around was a lot less stressful. This time I was decidedly NOT part of any long line of riders.
I had pretty much resigned myself to being off the back and dropping out. But then a couple of guys caught me, and I went with them for a while, but I wasn't feeling that motivated, so I let them go. Then a few more guys caught me, and I was feeling better, so we worked well for a while. There was a McGuire guy who refused to work, except when he pointlessly sprinted up to the front every once in a while then dropped back. I had had just about enough of this chasing, so I eased off the gas and prepared to spin back to the finish, and then another group caught us. Crap, gotta chase again. The cycling gods were telling me to hang on.
So, I took part in the chase, which took for-effing-ever until we finally caught the group again on the long flat tailwind section. Ah, so this is what the later part of the race looks like. The field was definitely reduced at this point.
Third time around the course, it was getting really hot. I was getting very thirsty. I was just losing power, and I got gapped on one of the rollers leading up to the hill. I kept going, my main motivation to keep going was to make it to the feed zone and get a couple more bottles of water (but I also wanted to beat Ed). I've never appreciated a neutral feed as much as I did that day.
That third time up the hill it was really blazing. There was no wind, and it was a little steep for my 39/23. Then, sent straight down from the heavens, a man... with a garden hose. I thought about just having him douse me, but then I saw someone getting a water refill, and so I went for that, too. Then I told him, 'hit me on my way out!', which he did (Note to self: lube drivetrain). That kept me going, and I don't think I would have made it to the finish without it. I don't think I saw another cat 4 rider the rest of the race.
The last 10 miles or so were not noteworthy. I held a reasonable pace for a while, then my foot cramped up. I tried loosening my shoes, unclicking, everything but taking off my shoe, but nothing helped. Between that and my ornery back, I totally eased off. I think I came home at about 15 mph. I was passed by out-of-shape-looking recreational cyclists.
I'm pretty sure no one was paying attention when I finished, so I'll be surprised if I got picked.
Ed was waiting at the finish. He had almost given up on me, but fortunately he didn't go off looking for me because I was desperate for water. I went through 6 bottles during the race, and quickly downed a quart of gatorade and a quart of water once we got back in the car.
Turns out Ed chased like hell after his pee-break, and just barely caught the group before the climb and was totally gassed, so he dropped out.
Additional reflections:
What is it with McGuire? They were the worst center-line offenders of the race, in addition to the knucklehead of the day award for the guy who attacked during the promenade and the guy who wouldn't work in our chase group.
I liked the course, at least as far as the profile goes. I can see myself doing well on it, maybe next year But the course is tough because it is one lane all the way. It is really hard to move up at all. It is a lot of work just to pass a few riders. So I think I did well to get to the front early (just after the start), and when we rejoined the pack (rolled through the downsized pack to near the front).
Brief note on field size: Mike said 50- I know the pre-reg numbers were 401-466, so at least 66 signed up, and I saw as high as 491 on the course. I don't know how many actually started, and Mike's estimate of 50 is as good as any. I just hope it was more, because then I won't feel as bad.
Finally, I started to reflect on whether I will continue to race open 4's or master's 4's next year, since I will have that option. I think that next year, if I feel better than I did this year (i.e. I have continued to improve), I'll keep racing with the cat 4's, but if I'm not any better, I'll ride with the 35+ crowd and hopefully have a little more fun. The races are also shorter, which might help me. My mileage this year has been a little low for a cat 4, I think.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
More Climbing
Saturday I didn't feel up to the group ride. I was interested in doing more climbing than we'd end up doing in the group ride, and at a more steady pace.
I slept in because Naomi and I have been sacrificing sleep to watch Olympics, and set out around 11. I rode to Shannon and up & over Kennedy in about 9 minutes (from Shannon/Hicks to the summit), about a minute slower than my best, almost in Zone 3&4, so a strong, but not maximum effort.
Next, over to Saratoga. I wasn't really pushing it much, and it took me almost an hour to get there (~15 miles). Even though I was not feeling like doing it, I tackled the Hwy 9 climb up to Skyline. Took me 42, minutes working hard, but not all-out, and not feeling that great, so I guess I can't complain. That's about a 230-250W effort. There's a very convenient hot dog stand at the top that sells cold drinks. I settled for a Fruit Punch since they didn't have any lemonade.
The descent was awesome. Near the top, where it's curvy, I kept pace with traffic, and a car actually decided to pull over and let me pass rather than speed up (they caught me later when the road straightened out). The thrill of the descent energized me for the rest of the ride home.
Even though it was only 45 miles or so, it was pretty tiring. But I think I got what I needed out of the workout.
Ed is racing a lot of the upcoming races, so I think I'll join him, and try to peak one more time for the club Vuelta, and then hold it for the first two TT's in the Winter Series before going into winter mode.
I slept in because Naomi and I have been sacrificing sleep to watch Olympics, and set out around 11. I rode to Shannon and up & over Kennedy in about 9 minutes (from Shannon/Hicks to the summit), about a minute slower than my best, almost in Zone 3&4, so a strong, but not maximum effort.
Next, over to Saratoga. I wasn't really pushing it much, and it took me almost an hour to get there (~15 miles). Even though I was not feeling like doing it, I tackled the Hwy 9 climb up to Skyline. Took me 42, minutes working hard, but not all-out, and not feeling that great, so I guess I can't complain. That's about a 230-250W effort. There's a very convenient hot dog stand at the top that sells cold drinks. I settled for a Fruit Punch since they didn't have any lemonade.
The descent was awesome. Near the top, where it's curvy, I kept pace with traffic, and a car actually decided to pull over and let me pass rather than speed up (they caught me later when the road straightened out). The thrill of the descent energized me for the rest of the ride home.
Even though it was only 45 miles or so, it was pretty tiring. But I think I got what I needed out of the workout.
Ed is racing a lot of the upcoming races, so I think I'll join him, and try to peak one more time for the club Vuelta, and then hold it for the first two TT's in the Winter Series before going into winter mode.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Survival--nay, Thrival.
Rode the SJBC Tuesday night race this week after missing the last two. I've also been riding easier to try to recover a bit, and now I guess I'm going to build back up for the club Vuelta in a few weeks then the first two TT's of the Winter series.
I was planning to ride with the B's, but when I saw a lot of folks around my level (or that I think I should be able to beat) up with the A's, I moved up there, too, grumbling.
Bendy Man attacked from the gun as usual, and I mentioned we should let him sit out there for 11 1/2 of the 12 laps. I think they kinda listened, because we did slow down for a lap or so before bringing him back in.
There wasn't much going on... I tried to sit in & stay out of the wind, hang on during the climb and not get gapped on the big turn. After about 5 laps, Darryl & Mike & a few others attacked one time up the hill. They stayed away for about 1.5 laps, and then were caught in the headwind section. Mike, Darryl and Bendy Man got away a little after that. Darryl would be caught later, but the other two stayed away.
With two to go, it looked like I might survive. I looked for Steve D.'s wheel and decided I was going to try to hold it the rest of the way and if possible, challenge him at the finish. It proved to be not to difficult to keep his wheel, and his turned out to be a good wheel to follow. I stuck on him as he accelerated behind another rider going into the last turn. Another rider came around us and Steve jumped onto him. I wasn't fast enough to get right on, but I did follow them and I was able to catch the other rider, but not Steve, for 4th overall.
On the one hand, I felt like I had something left in the sprint, as in, I could have gone harder. On the other hand, I've never come closer to puking after a bike effort than after I stopped. Part of it had to do with the gel I had with about 4 to go-- too late, I think. There was a lot of lactic acid, too, but I think it might not have been a problem if I had kept riding and not stopped right away. After I spun around a little bit I felt better.
I was planning to ride with the B's, but when I saw a lot of folks around my level (or that I think I should be able to beat) up with the A's, I moved up there, too, grumbling.
Bendy Man attacked from the gun as usual, and I mentioned we should let him sit out there for 11 1/2 of the 12 laps. I think they kinda listened, because we did slow down for a lap or so before bringing him back in.
There wasn't much going on... I tried to sit in & stay out of the wind, hang on during the climb and not get gapped on the big turn. After about 5 laps, Darryl & Mike & a few others attacked one time up the hill. They stayed away for about 1.5 laps, and then were caught in the headwind section. Mike, Darryl and Bendy Man got away a little after that. Darryl would be caught later, but the other two stayed away.
With two to go, it looked like I might survive. I looked for Steve D.'s wheel and decided I was going to try to hold it the rest of the way and if possible, challenge him at the finish. It proved to be not to difficult to keep his wheel, and his turned out to be a good wheel to follow. I stuck on him as he accelerated behind another rider going into the last turn. Another rider came around us and Steve jumped onto him. I wasn't fast enough to get right on, but I did follow them and I was able to catch the other rider, but not Steve, for 4th overall.
On the one hand, I felt like I had something left in the sprint, as in, I could have gone harder. On the other hand, I've never come closer to puking after a bike effort than after I stopped. Part of it had to do with the gel I had with about 4 to go-- too late, I think. There was a lot of lactic acid, too, but I think it might not have been a problem if I had kept riding and not stopped right away. After I spun around a little bit I felt better.
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Abortive Hamilton Ride
Saturday AM was going to possibly be another Hamilton ride with Ed. But Naomi and I were both too tired, so when Ed called at 8am to see if we were coming/give us shit, we just let it ring. He gave Naomi's voice mail shit.
However, I decided to head out a bit later anyway and see if I would meet them somewhere on the mountain. I left around 9, riding from my house. Around 9:40 I hit the base of the hill and headed up. I was feeling pretty good, not pushing super hard but still passing lots of people. But, it turned out the road was closed at Grant Ranch Park due to recent fires, so I had to turn around. Not satisfied with what would be a 30ish mile ride if I just went home, I headed south on White, then up San Felipe.
I explored the dead end of San Felipe/Las Animas (looks like there might be a private road through) and down Metcalf for only the 3rd time ever. The first time I had to stop several times to cool off the brakes on my MTB. The second time was with Bry, and he flew down while I rode cautiously. This time was probably faster than I've gone before, but still a controlled plummet rather than XYY style. I then took Monterey Hwy to Bailey before returning home-- about 60 miles total.
It's the longest ride I've done on my own in I-can't-remember-how-long, and if felt really good to just go and go and not really pay attention to pace (much), or level of effort.
The season hasn't turned out how I thought it would racing-wise, but I'm still loving riding and feeling strong, so I think next season should be good. I just need to figure out how to reliably make it to early races!
However, I decided to head out a bit later anyway and see if I would meet them somewhere on the mountain. I left around 9, riding from my house. Around 9:40 I hit the base of the hill and headed up. I was feeling pretty good, not pushing super hard but still passing lots of people. But, it turned out the road was closed at Grant Ranch Park due to recent fires, so I had to turn around. Not satisfied with what would be a 30ish mile ride if I just went home, I headed south on White, then up San Felipe.
I explored the dead end of San Felipe/Las Animas (looks like there might be a private road through) and down Metcalf for only the 3rd time ever. The first time I had to stop several times to cool off the brakes on my MTB. The second time was with Bry, and he flew down while I rode cautiously. This time was probably faster than I've gone before, but still a controlled plummet rather than XYY style. I then took Monterey Hwy to Bailey before returning home-- about 60 miles total.
It's the longest ride I've done on my own in I-can't-remember-how-long, and if felt really good to just go and go and not really pay attention to pace (much), or level of effort.
The season hasn't turned out how I thought it would racing-wise, but I'm still loving riding and feeling strong, so I think next season should be good. I just need to figure out how to reliably make it to early races!
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Coyote Creek Criterium
Race: Coyote Creek Crit
Date: 7/31/04
Category: 4/5
Field: ~85
Teammates: most of SJBC!
Conditions: Wind a few mph, opposite of the normal direction
Place: off the back
As the previous reports have stated, we had a large team presence (about 10 guys), and our team goal was to work for Mike, keep him out of trouble, bring back any dangerous breaks, and bring back everything in the last 15-20 minutes. As Mike said, nothing really got away.
Because of the large field and the fact that we had only one lane for part of the course, I was a little worried about turn two, the one right after the descent. So, on the first time up the hill after the start, I charged to the front, was first off the hill, and made it smoothly around the corner. I tried to stay near the front for the descent on the next few laps, too. However, as I got more tired, it became harder.
The pace felt similar to the A-race on Tuesdays. However, because the wind was reversed, most of the benefit of experience goes out the window. It seems harder to me with the reversed wind, but maybe that's just because I've gotten used to reading the race the "normal" way.
As mentioned, there was a crash on the climb about midway through. I had just seen Mike and knew he was probably behind it, so I waited until he caught up and tried to help him up the hill and back onto the group, but he was so strong that he bridged it easily on his own, and a lot faster than I would have been able to lead him. I caught back on, but I was starting to feel toasted.
I felt the man with the hammer coming, and I finally let the pack go with two laps to go. I rode the last two on my own to be official. I can't say I was happy with my performance, but at least Mike had a good finish. I hope we can get a big team turnout at some future races, because it added a dimension I don't get to experience very often.
Date: 7/31/04
Category: 4/5
Field: ~85
Teammates: most of SJBC!
Conditions: Wind a few mph, opposite of the normal direction
Place: off the back
As the previous reports have stated, we had a large team presence (about 10 guys), and our team goal was to work for Mike, keep him out of trouble, bring back any dangerous breaks, and bring back everything in the last 15-20 minutes. As Mike said, nothing really got away.
Because of the large field and the fact that we had only one lane for part of the course, I was a little worried about turn two, the one right after the descent. So, on the first time up the hill after the start, I charged to the front, was first off the hill, and made it smoothly around the corner. I tried to stay near the front for the descent on the next few laps, too. However, as I got more tired, it became harder.
The pace felt similar to the A-race on Tuesdays. However, because the wind was reversed, most of the benefit of experience goes out the window. It seems harder to me with the reversed wind, but maybe that's just because I've gotten used to reading the race the "normal" way.
As mentioned, there was a crash on the climb about midway through. I had just seen Mike and knew he was probably behind it, so I waited until he caught up and tried to help him up the hill and back onto the group, but he was so strong that he bridged it easily on his own, and a lot faster than I would have been able to lead him. I caught back on, but I was starting to feel toasted.
I felt the man with the hammer coming, and I finally let the pack go with two laps to go. I rode the last two on my own to be official. I can't say I was happy with my performance, but at least Mike had a good finish. I hope we can get a big team turnout at some future races, because it added a dimension I don't get to experience very often.
