The Black Page has been stuck in my head all day. Now, it can be stuck in yours. I don't know (or care, really) if you're into "real" metal, but here's an old tune from my boys in Animosity (R.I.P. via Bay Area, CA)
Animosity - The Black Page (2006)
I'll probably finish blabbing about last weekend's bicycle racing shenanigans tomorrow with a fresh 40oz, of coffee. Goodnight.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Capital Stage Race 2012: Stage 2 Recap
STAGE 2 Time Trial
Saturday 6/16/2012
Sunny, 70*F, 11:25am
4mi, Cat 3, 12th place of 47 starters (7m:46s.89 - 30sec back)
Avg Speed- 28.7mph, Max Speed- Probably just under a blur.
Like last year, I didn't get much of a warm up in before my start. I had just enough time to park, find Doug, grab his sweet TT bike, kit up and roll up and down the block for 15 minutes. I don't know what it is about CSR, but I can't seem to show up on time to save my life. Luckily my training has been successful enough that when I did exit the start gate of Stage 2, I felt like Dave Zabriskie probably does as he begins to crush a TT. I sprinted up to speed and tucked into position. My only two target references for this course were watts and the whistle of my helmet. Let me elaborate:
-After doing a lactate test at HSP with Todd Herriott, himself, I discovered that I could hold 360 watts for a significant amount of time (that's all I'm sharing about that test, results will have to prove furthermore)
-My Louis Garneau TT helmet has the smallest crack in the very point of it that gives off the faintest whistle if I dip my head out of ideal position. It's like having a TT coach in my head!
I was able to hang around 360watts for the way out, although it was tough to keep checking the Garmin computer, maintain consistent pedal strokes, focus on the traintracks coming up, juggle with my strategy for the cone at the end of the road I'm going to have to zip around, etc. SO MUCH GOING ON AT THRESHOLD! UGH.
Before I knew it, I made it around the cone without touching the brakes too much and thus began the second half of the TT. I knew that I could maintain 360 watts for this portion, but could I maintain 380w? I risked it many times by dipping into that blackhole - the Pain Cave - to see how much more I could push myself. I saw my 30second man up ahead and I was gaining on him quickly. 1k to go, I dumped it and held 400w. I had to catch this guy before the finish. 300m left and I'm out of gears but could churn a little faster, so I gave it everything I had and hit 515 watts as I snatched that 30 second guy just as we crossed the finish line. Woof, that was hard.
However, had I executed a proper hour-long warm-up, I would have probably felt strong - not fresh, and ridden the course maybe 20 seconds faster. There's no way in hell I could match Todd's 7:16.80 TT time with my current fitness on a bike I've ridden twice before. No fucking way. That man is a beast. I could have gotten closer though. I should just be happy my sad excuse for a warm up and fitness landed me a time 30 seconds faster than last year and only 30 seconds behind the Pink Jersey. I was happy actually. I knew I could do damage in the crit, and atleast drop him in the hills during the Queen Stage, pulling atleast a minute on him.
We all know how boring text is without pictures to compliment it, so I leave you with more excellent photography from ReedKJ.SmugMug.com of our grueling (haha) 4 mile time trial. Tomorrow, I will try to conjure the anaerobic thoughts that carry the truth of our 40 minute, Stage 3, Capital Criterium.
Me beating 35 people... but losing to 11.
Tony beating my by 7 seconds
Jason Connell(?) beating me by 10 seconds
Jeff Reed here beating me by 9 seconds...man, screw you guys and your faster legs.
Saturday 6/16/2012
Sunny, 70*F, 11:25am
4mi, Cat 3, 12th place of 47 starters (7m:46s.89 - 30sec back)
Avg Speed- 28.7mph, Max Speed- Probably just under a blur.
Like last year, I didn't get much of a warm up in before my start. I had just enough time to park, find Doug, grab his sweet TT bike, kit up and roll up and down the block for 15 minutes. I don't know what it is about CSR, but I can't seem to show up on time to save my life. Luckily my training has been successful enough that when I did exit the start gate of Stage 2, I felt like Dave Zabriskie probably does as he begins to crush a TT. I sprinted up to speed and tucked into position. My only two target references for this course were watts and the whistle of my helmet. Let me elaborate:
-After doing a lactate test at HSP with Todd Herriott, himself, I discovered that I could hold 360 watts for a significant amount of time (that's all I'm sharing about that test, results will have to prove furthermore)
-My Louis Garneau TT helmet has the smallest crack in the very point of it that gives off the faintest whistle if I dip my head out of ideal position. It's like having a TT coach in my head!
I was able to hang around 360watts for the way out, although it was tough to keep checking the Garmin computer, maintain consistent pedal strokes, focus on the traintracks coming up, juggle with my strategy for the cone at the end of the road I'm going to have to zip around, etc. SO MUCH GOING ON AT THRESHOLD! UGH.
Before I knew it, I made it around the cone without touching the brakes too much and thus began the second half of the TT. I knew that I could maintain 360 watts for this portion, but could I maintain 380w? I risked it many times by dipping into that blackhole - the Pain Cave - to see how much more I could push myself. I saw my 30second man up ahead and I was gaining on him quickly. 1k to go, I dumped it and held 400w. I had to catch this guy before the finish. 300m left and I'm out of gears but could churn a little faster, so I gave it everything I had and hit 515 watts as I snatched that 30 second guy just as we crossed the finish line. Woof, that was hard.
However, had I executed a proper hour-long warm-up, I would have probably felt strong - not fresh, and ridden the course maybe 20 seconds faster. There's no way in hell I could match Todd's 7:16.80 TT time with my current fitness on a bike I've ridden twice before. No fucking way. That man is a beast. I could have gotten closer though. I should just be happy my sad excuse for a warm up and fitness landed me a time 30 seconds faster than last year and only 30 seconds behind the Pink Jersey. I was happy actually. I knew I could do damage in the crit, and atleast drop him in the hills during the Queen Stage, pulling atleast a minute on him.
We all know how boring text is without pictures to compliment it, so I leave you with more excellent photography from ReedKJ.SmugMug.com of our grueling (haha) 4 mile time trial. Tomorrow, I will try to conjure the anaerobic thoughts that carry the truth of our 40 minute, Stage 3, Capital Criterium.
Me beating 35 people... but losing to 11.
Tony beating my by 7 seconds
Jason Connell(?) beating me by 10 seconds
Jeff Reed here beating me by 9 seconds...man, screw you guys and your faster legs.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Capital Stage Race 2012: Stage 1 Recap
As I mentioned yesterday, today IS the day I drink a tall boy and reminisce on our epic weekend of racing. However, it's been eating me up that 170mi of "racing" is epic to us (CAT 3's), even if PRO-Tour riders do this crap in a single stage or racing. That fact has sunk in and all I can think about now is how much more (or specific) I need to train to be ready for CAT 2 pain. Aside from that truth we all store in the dark, untapped places of our minds, I maintain that a North Western stage race, such as Capital SR, is still worthy of an internet race report where we can all relate on some level of suffering - I know for a fact, that this weekend wasn't a cake-walk for any of you punks. Furthermore, I get to celebrate (with another swig of this fine Rainier 24oz) a year since I last reported on this new-comer stage race. So I present to you... the paragraphs you've all been waiting for:
STAGE 1 RR
Friday 6/15/2012
Sunny, 73*F, 3:20pm
61.5mi, Cat 3, 35th place of 49 starters (2:23.41 - 6sec back)
Avg Speed- 24.8mph, Max Speed- 43.1mph
After a pleasant ride down into Elma, WA with teammate, Dan Doran, we kitted up and huddled up with the rest of the CAT 3 Hit Squad to try and organize a plan. Basically Thorsten, myself, and John McAllister where the 3 of 5 that felt pretty good. Joel and Dan were still in recovery mode from training/injury setbacks. As we lined up waiting for the official to give us the typical run-down of today's stage, I made it a point to size up the competition (yes, you guys) and see how many bodies each team had working for them. After much judgment, I concluded that Apex Racing had the strongest presence, with 5 bodies. Also, I knew Olympic Orthopedic Assoc., Fischer Plumber, and Starbucks Cycling would be on the hunt to put their sprinters on the podium. Luckily with a weekend profile like Capital's, there would be enough climbing to fuck up their programs :) If you haven't yet noticed, I haven't learned to sprint well yet but capitalize largely on long hills and time trials. Weird combo.
So get the whistle and begin our 61.5 mile joy ride, and wouldn't you know, I begin feeling like shit the second we respond to the first attack made by who knows who. All I know is that I'm freaking out that I just paid $114 to show up to a race that I'm bonking at in the first 20 miles. Fuck. Oh wait. I usually just drink a bottle of wine the night before a race, but last night... I had a beer. Funny how that works. After numerous attempts at being aggressive and failing miserably, I figured I should hide my weakness from the competition before they found out I was bluffing. I made sure to eat the Bonk Breaker, 6 medjoul dates, and banana I brought with before the last lap so I could be somewhat useful. By the time our CAT 3 peloton had reeled back the 100th attack, it became apparent to us all that this showdown was going to end in a bunch sprint. HSP assembled within the pack to agree on Plan B (since a breakaway was obviously out of the question).
PLAN B: Lead Thorsten (our 16yr old sprinting monster) out for the win.
The only thing wrong with this plan, is that we have never practiced (as a team) assembling a "lead-out train" so when and how hard to push it was going to be a gamble. Apex took control of the leadout at 5k. I weaseled my way to the front to make sure Dan and I could be apart of the action, knowing full well that Thorsten would find his way to our wheels. I found rubbing shoulders with Travis Biechele and Jason Cemanski (sandbagger Apex punks that already have their CAT 2 upgrade) on the front a tad earlier than I would have liked to. Wait - let me elaborate on this interesting situation of "sandbagging:"
[There are select riders in the CAT 3 field that have already earned the points to upgrade into the horrible pain and suffering that is CAT 2. They are purposefully staying in the 3's to help their teammates earn the necessary points so that they all may commit suicide together. Cute. Sucks for everyone else though when you have 4 Kamikaze racers in a fleet of 5 working against you.]
1K to Go
So we round this 90 degree corner for the 6th time on this rolling 10mi course, which dumps us onto a small climb into a false flat (basically uphill the whole time) before we see the 1K sign. Unfortunately, I'm gassed out after the climb, thus rendering me no use to Thorsten for the leadout. I'm counting on Dan and John to be the strong dudes on the front for him as I sit 10 wheels back and watch it all go down. I can see 200m up ahead as the road starts to dip down a bit. The pace jumps and everyone picks their wheel. Luckily our boy is experienced enough to have found the proper wheel for a close victory - but ALAS! The devious Tony Blazejack (SCCA/Starbucks Cycling) has snuck around everyone and made the early jump! Everyone fears the early jump, but it does contain the element of surprise, which typically yields victories. Crap. Tony for the win by a bike-length. Luckily, Thorsten comes around his victims for a 6th place finish. Lesson learned. Lead-out train starts at 1k. Ooops.
Hooligans R-L: Jordan Rasmussen (Garage Racing), Thorsten Askervold (HSP), Don't know that guy, Me (head poking out), and stage winner Tony Blazejack (Starbucks Cycling)
These jerks driving the Pain Train, yet again R-L: Mustache Koops & Bryan Urakawa (Fischer Plumber), Francis Atkinson (Starbucks Cycling), and Travis "Tough" Biechele (Apex Racing) I'm trademarking the "Tough".
This one makes me happy, mostly because I'm sick of Bryan killing everyone in the sprint. Here, you can see him getting gapped out by Tony. Ah yes, sweet justice.
One day, when I grow up and learn to sprint, I'll give you a taste of your own medicine, Bryan ;) Tune in tomorrow when I finish off the recap of Stage 2 and 3, where the race really began.
Photo Credit to the great ReedKJ.SmugMug.com
STAGE 1 RR
Friday 6/15/2012
Sunny, 73*F, 3:20pm
61.5mi, Cat 3, 35th place of 49 starters (2:23.41 - 6sec back)
Avg Speed- 24.8mph, Max Speed- 43.1mph
After a pleasant ride down into Elma, WA with teammate, Dan Doran, we kitted up and huddled up with the rest of the CAT 3 Hit Squad to try and organize a plan. Basically Thorsten, myself, and John McAllister where the 3 of 5 that felt pretty good. Joel and Dan were still in recovery mode from training/injury setbacks. As we lined up waiting for the official to give us the typical run-down of today's stage, I made it a point to size up the competition (yes, you guys) and see how many bodies each team had working for them. After much judgment, I concluded that Apex Racing had the strongest presence, with 5 bodies. Also, I knew Olympic Orthopedic Assoc., Fischer Plumber, and Starbucks Cycling would be on the hunt to put their sprinters on the podium. Luckily with a weekend profile like Capital's, there would be enough climbing to fuck up their programs :) If you haven't yet noticed, I haven't learned to sprint well yet but capitalize largely on long hills and time trials. Weird combo.
So get the whistle and begin our 61.5 mile joy ride, and wouldn't you know, I begin feeling like shit the second we respond to the first attack made by who knows who. All I know is that I'm freaking out that I just paid $114 to show up to a race that I'm bonking at in the first 20 miles. Fuck. Oh wait. I usually just drink a bottle of wine the night before a race, but last night... I had a beer. Funny how that works. After numerous attempts at being aggressive and failing miserably, I figured I should hide my weakness from the competition before they found out I was bluffing. I made sure to eat the Bonk Breaker, 6 medjoul dates, and banana I brought with before the last lap so I could be somewhat useful. By the time our CAT 3 peloton had reeled back the 100th attack, it became apparent to us all that this showdown was going to end in a bunch sprint. HSP assembled within the pack to agree on Plan B (since a breakaway was obviously out of the question).
PLAN B: Lead Thorsten (our 16yr old sprinting monster) out for the win.
The only thing wrong with this plan, is that we have never practiced (as a team) assembling a "lead-out train" so when and how hard to push it was going to be a gamble. Apex took control of the leadout at 5k. I weaseled my way to the front to make sure Dan and I could be apart of the action, knowing full well that Thorsten would find his way to our wheels. I found rubbing shoulders with Travis Biechele and Jason Cemanski (sandbagger Apex punks that already have their CAT 2 upgrade) on the front a tad earlier than I would have liked to. Wait - let me elaborate on this interesting situation of "sandbagging:"
[There are select riders in the CAT 3 field that have already earned the points to upgrade into the horrible pain and suffering that is CAT 2. They are purposefully staying in the 3's to help their teammates earn the necessary points so that they all may commit suicide together. Cute. Sucks for everyone else though when you have 4 Kamikaze racers in a fleet of 5 working against you.]
1K to Go
So we round this 90 degree corner for the 6th time on this rolling 10mi course, which dumps us onto a small climb into a false flat (basically uphill the whole time) before we see the 1K sign. Unfortunately, I'm gassed out after the climb, thus rendering me no use to Thorsten for the leadout. I'm counting on Dan and John to be the strong dudes on the front for him as I sit 10 wheels back and watch it all go down. I can see 200m up ahead as the road starts to dip down a bit. The pace jumps and everyone picks their wheel. Luckily our boy is experienced enough to have found the proper wheel for a close victory - but ALAS! The devious Tony Blazejack (SCCA/Starbucks Cycling) has snuck around everyone and made the early jump! Everyone fears the early jump, but it does contain the element of surprise, which typically yields victories. Crap. Tony for the win by a bike-length. Luckily, Thorsten comes around his victims for a 6th place finish. Lesson learned. Lead-out train starts at 1k. Ooops.
Hooligans R-L: Jordan Rasmussen (Garage Racing), Thorsten Askervold (HSP), Don't know that guy, Me (head poking out), and stage winner Tony Blazejack (Starbucks Cycling)
These jerks driving the Pain Train, yet again R-L: Mustache Koops & Bryan Urakawa (Fischer Plumber), Francis Atkinson (Starbucks Cycling), and Travis "Tough" Biechele (Apex Racing) I'm trademarking the "Tough".
This one makes me happy, mostly because I'm sick of Bryan killing everyone in the sprint. Here, you can see him getting gapped out by Tony. Ah yes, sweet justice.
One day, when I grow up and learn to sprint, I'll give you a taste of your own medicine, Bryan ;) Tune in tomorrow when I finish off the recap of Stage 2 and 3, where the race really began.
Photo Credit to the great ReedKJ.SmugMug.com
Monday, June 18, 2012
Pre-Capital Stage Race Recap
It's very likely that I will be inspired to write-up a full recap of this weekend's stage racing experience: Pictures will probably be uploaded (Reed, I'm looking at you) and it will be day 2 of off-the-bike-feet-up-recovery. We all know that means beer to my right, laptop on my lap, and purring cats on my left - How can one not be inspired to "blog" in such relaxed ecstasy?
In the mean time, I wanted to give you (mostly NW CAT3 racers, I assume) a rough idea of the brutality we went though this weekend so you can have something to feel good about until I remind you how badly I can still out-climb you sad suckers ;)
Stage 1 Road Race - 2h:25m:40s, 60.3mi, 24.8mph avg YIKES (my avg HR was 168 if that gives you an idea of how badly I was hurting, and I topped out at 193bpm)
Stage 2 Time Trial - 7m:46s, 3.6mi, 28.7mph avg
Stage 3 Criterium - 40m:12s, 17mi, 24.3mph avg (again, my avg HR was about 174bpm)
Stage 4 Road Race - 4h:12m:50s, 88.8mi, 21mph avg (I was solo most of this race, I'm sure the rest of you had a much higher avg)
That's a total of 169.7 miles (7h:43m:46s) of RACING, not riding at a reasonable pace, in THREE DAYS. Daaaaaang.
It was a pleasure racing this weekend with all of you fine folks. Considering how relentless the pace was all three days, I'd say we did a pretty fantastic job at keeping it safe. Shout outs to Tony Blazejack (Starbucks Cycling/SCCA) for crushing the sprint on stage one, Todd Baumeister (Apex Racing Team) for showing all of us what a REAL time trial effort looks like, Thorsten Askervold (HSP/ Herriott Sports Performance) for being a 16 year old that can still out-sprint us all in any crit, Richard Machhein (Local Ride Racing) for finishing off everyone in the 90mi Queen Stage late-breakaway, Warren McAndrew (Fischer Plumber Cycling Team) for snagging the overall GC win, and of course ALL YOU FUCKERS THAT BUSTED YOUR ASS TO CHASE ME AND THAT PROCITY KID DOWN at the beginning of Stage 4.
Rest up. Drink up. Cheers.
In the mean time, I wanted to give you (mostly NW CAT3 racers, I assume) a rough idea of the brutality we went though this weekend so you can have something to feel good about until I remind you how badly I can still out-climb you sad suckers ;)
Stage 1 Road Race - 2h:25m:40s, 60.3mi, 24.8mph avg YIKES (my avg HR was 168 if that gives you an idea of how badly I was hurting, and I topped out at 193bpm)
Stage 2 Time Trial - 7m:46s, 3.6mi, 28.7mph avg
Stage 3 Criterium - 40m:12s, 17mi, 24.3mph avg (again, my avg HR was about 174bpm)
Stage 4 Road Race - 4h:12m:50s, 88.8mi, 21mph avg (I was solo most of this race, I'm sure the rest of you had a much higher avg)
That's a total of 169.7 miles (7h:43m:46s) of RACING, not riding at a reasonable pace, in THREE DAYS. Daaaaaang.
It was a pleasure racing this weekend with all of you fine folks. Considering how relentless the pace was all three days, I'd say we did a pretty fantastic job at keeping it safe. Shout outs to Tony Blazejack (Starbucks Cycling/SCCA) for crushing the sprint on stage one, Todd Baumeister (Apex Racing Team) for showing all of us what a REAL time trial effort looks like, Thorsten Askervold (HSP/ Herriott Sports Performance) for being a 16 year old that can still out-sprint us all in any crit, Richard Machhein (Local Ride Racing) for finishing off everyone in the 90mi Queen Stage late-breakaway, Warren McAndrew (Fischer Plumber Cycling Team) for snagging the overall GC win, and of course ALL YOU FUCKERS THAT BUSTED YOUR ASS TO CHASE ME AND THAT PROCITY KID DOWN at the beginning of Stage 4.
Rest up. Drink up. Cheers.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Ballard Twilight Criterium: Recap
June 2nd, 2012 - 6:30pm
Cat 3 Men - 50 minutes - 1k 4-corner mixed brick and asphalt course on a light uphill in the heart of historic Ballard.
Avg Speed - 24.7mph
Max Speed - 32.5mph
19th of 43 starters
With the weather being fussy days prior to Seattle's biggest bike race, The Ballard Twilight Crit, I knew the field would be at an astonishing low. To be frank, most people wouldn't want to race a 4-corner crit on gnarly brick roads in the rain - or damp ground for that matter. In all honesty, I consulted teammates who are former PRO's about racing if rain showed.
"Race. Do everything you can to be prepare for the rain...tyre pressure/selection/etc. Race at the front from the gun. Don't try risky shit. Race smart. Kill it." - David "Rocket" Richter
I pre-registered for the crit and wanted to race it regardless of rain, snow and/or apocalypse, but many experienced folk told me wet brick is a great way to ruin your season. Screw that. Besides, I made a Facebook event so all my friends could see what my obsession with this crazy bicycle racing thing is all about. Seems difficult to look tough not racing when the rain shows up, IN SEATTLE.
The Morning of
Ugh, 8am? I can still taste all that wine. Gross. Back to bed.
The Afternoon of
12:30, close enough. I kit up, throw a 25c Continental tyre on my rear wheel for a little drag racing status and begin my spin around the city for a proper warm-up. In my personal experience, it's important to ride a few hours before a crit so the body is 100% ready for battle. Anyone who loves or hates to race crits can attest that, yes, crit racing is battle. It's fast as fuck from start to finish, and you've got a few centimeters for personal space for an hour. Need I remind you, the more popular the race, the bigger the prize purse. This purse is usually dispersed throughout the race in random laps called primes ("preemes"), where the first person to cross the finish line on the designated lap gets paid X-amount of $$. In the big leagues, we all know the biggest payout (outside of winning) is always with a lap or 2 to go. What a great way to fuck up everyones plans of crossing the line first. I love it.
The Race
I met up with good friend, Nate Pitts (Gregg's Cycles - Trek,) for the tail-end of my warm up as we chatted about our plans for our 50 minutes of pain. Did I mention that this was going to be my first CAT 3 race? He kept me sane with constant reminders that these guys are just CAT 4's that won a few races, no big deal. I knew I was going to do my thing and be on the attack as often as possible. I mean, I couldn't let down my old competitors that I've raced with before they upgraded.
MISSION: Attack, attack, attack. Keep pace hot at all costs. Stay in the front. Win.
Ambitious, I know. But lets just say that not 2 laps after that gun went off. I was on a MISSION. I'm confident in saying that this was my best performance of any crit I've ever done (minus Tacoma 2011). I dont think I dipped further than 7 wheels back until 4 to go. Ouch. I know Nate is a strong rider (CAT 2 - Track) so I tried my best to work with him on this popular occasion. When he took flyers, I didn't chase. When he was reeled in, I jumped. If I saw him pulling on the front for a bit, I'd come join to share the work load. The idea being, we're all friends until 1 to go so lets tire everyone out until then. One's odds increase as opponents lose hope.
More often than not, I found myself off or on the front most of the race. Sometimes I felt dumb for doing so much work, but mostly, I just felt like I was instigating a potentially winning move. If I was a threat to everyone for all the prime$ , they'd have to chase. If they didn't, then I could solo victory. Eventually I look forward to my teammates replicating Ted Schwartz and I's old "shake and bake" maneuver in these crit situations:
He sits in while I'm on the attack, and once I'm reeled in, he attacks. While he's off the front, I sit in and wait to attack when they reel him in. This shit works like clockwork. And I miss it.
At Ballard, I only had Dan Doran (whom I'd never met or raced with) and Thorsten Askervold (CAT 2 - Track, 16, raced 4 or 5 times with). Fortunately, my boys also stayed up front for all 50 minutes. Unfortunately, I felt like I was the only one animating the race. After just losing each prime that came up, I decided to sit in with 5 to go. The only problem with this technique is that I wasn't a threat to anyone and they could all rest for the sprint. That's the last thing I wanted. I sat on Pitts' wheel with 2 to go thinking he would know how to maneuver through this mess so I could strike with 1 to go. Ooops, too late, someone jumped as I was 15 wheels back or so, the pace roared to catch him. And wouldn't you know - some CAT 2 track kid counter-attacked and nobody could close the gap before his crossed the line first. Too bad it wasn't Thor, since an HSP victory would have been appropriate for such prime positioning.
I will say, that I definitely needed the recovery towards the end, but foolishly allowed myself to be overwhelmed with the exponentially growing number of spectators. My friends seemed to be at every corner, it's Jessica's (my fiance) 29th birthday AND she's at the start/finish with all of her friends. So much pressure, and yet I can't even use that as an excuse because none of this prioritized in front of "MOVE UP". I simply assumed everyone was so weak, that I'd be able to get into sprint position. Nope. They wanted it just as badly as I. Surprise, surprise.
My good friends at GO MEANS GO did a sweet little write up on their spectating experience with photos included!
Professional photography:
-Dennis Crane
-Amara Edwards
Cat 3 Men - 50 minutes - 1k 4-corner mixed brick and asphalt course on a light uphill in the heart of historic Ballard.
Avg Speed - 24.7mph
Max Speed - 32.5mph
19th of 43 starters
With the weather being fussy days prior to Seattle's biggest bike race, The Ballard Twilight Crit, I knew the field would be at an astonishing low. To be frank, most people wouldn't want to race a 4-corner crit on gnarly brick roads in the rain - or damp ground for that matter. In all honesty, I consulted teammates who are former PRO's about racing if rain showed.
"Race. Do everything you can to be prepare for the rain...tyre pressure/selection/etc. Race at the front from the gun. Don't try risky shit. Race smart. Kill it." - David "Rocket" Richter
I pre-registered for the crit and wanted to race it regardless of rain, snow and/or apocalypse, but many experienced folk told me wet brick is a great way to ruin your season. Screw that. Besides, I made a Facebook event so all my friends could see what my obsession with this crazy bicycle racing thing is all about. Seems difficult to look tough not racing when the rain shows up, IN SEATTLE.
The Morning of
Ugh, 8am? I can still taste all that wine. Gross. Back to bed.
The Afternoon of
12:30, close enough. I kit up, throw a 25c Continental tyre on my rear wheel for a little drag racing status and begin my spin around the city for a proper warm-up. In my personal experience, it's important to ride a few hours before a crit so the body is 100% ready for battle. Anyone who loves or hates to race crits can attest that, yes, crit racing is battle. It's fast as fuck from start to finish, and you've got a few centimeters for personal space for an hour. Need I remind you, the more popular the race, the bigger the prize purse. This purse is usually dispersed throughout the race in random laps called primes ("preemes"), where the first person to cross the finish line on the designated lap gets paid X-amount of $$. In the big leagues, we all know the biggest payout (outside of winning) is always with a lap or 2 to go. What a great way to fuck up everyones plans of crossing the line first. I love it.
The Race
I met up with good friend, Nate Pitts (Gregg's Cycles - Trek,) for the tail-end of my warm up as we chatted about our plans for our 50 minutes of pain. Did I mention that this was going to be my first CAT 3 race? He kept me sane with constant reminders that these guys are just CAT 4's that won a few races, no big deal. I knew I was going to do my thing and be on the attack as often as possible. I mean, I couldn't let down my old competitors that I've raced with before they upgraded.
MISSION: Attack, attack, attack. Keep pace hot at all costs. Stay in the front. Win.
Ambitious, I know. But lets just say that not 2 laps after that gun went off. I was on a MISSION. I'm confident in saying that this was my best performance of any crit I've ever done (minus Tacoma 2011). I dont think I dipped further than 7 wheels back until 4 to go. Ouch. I know Nate is a strong rider (CAT 2 - Track) so I tried my best to work with him on this popular occasion. When he took flyers, I didn't chase. When he was reeled in, I jumped. If I saw him pulling on the front for a bit, I'd come join to share the work load. The idea being, we're all friends until 1 to go so lets tire everyone out until then. One's odds increase as opponents lose hope.
More often than not, I found myself off or on the front most of the race. Sometimes I felt dumb for doing so much work, but mostly, I just felt like I was instigating a potentially winning move. If I was a threat to everyone for all the prime$ , they'd have to chase. If they didn't, then I could solo victory. Eventually I look forward to my teammates replicating Ted Schwartz and I's old "shake and bake" maneuver in these crit situations:
He sits in while I'm on the attack, and once I'm reeled in, he attacks. While he's off the front, I sit in and wait to attack when they reel him in. This shit works like clockwork. And I miss it.
At Ballard, I only had Dan Doran (whom I'd never met or raced with) and Thorsten Askervold (CAT 2 - Track, 16, raced 4 or 5 times with). Fortunately, my boys also stayed up front for all 50 minutes. Unfortunately, I felt like I was the only one animating the race. After just losing each prime that came up, I decided to sit in with 5 to go. The only problem with this technique is that I wasn't a threat to anyone and they could all rest for the sprint. That's the last thing I wanted. I sat on Pitts' wheel with 2 to go thinking he would know how to maneuver through this mess so I could strike with 1 to go. Ooops, too late, someone jumped as I was 15 wheels back or so, the pace roared to catch him. And wouldn't you know - some CAT 2 track kid counter-attacked and nobody could close the gap before his crossed the line first. Too bad it wasn't Thor, since an HSP victory would have been appropriate for such prime positioning.
I will say, that I definitely needed the recovery towards the end, but foolishly allowed myself to be overwhelmed with the exponentially growing number of spectators. My friends seemed to be at every corner, it's Jessica's (my fiance) 29th birthday AND she's at the start/finish with all of her friends. So much pressure, and yet I can't even use that as an excuse because none of this prioritized in front of "MOVE UP". I simply assumed everyone was so weak, that I'd be able to get into sprint position. Nope. They wanted it just as badly as I. Surprise, surprise.
My good friends at GO MEANS GO did a sweet little write up on their spectating experience with photos included!
Professional photography:
-Dennis Crane
-Amara Edwards
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