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What Richard saw:
Category: 4
Result: Mid-pack
Another weekend, another stage race...
Stage 1: Hilly ITT - 50:41 - 25th
After last week's debate, I decided to use aerobars for this TT and
this was a good decision. I started off well, gaining time on the
rider 30s ahead as we approached the climb. However, I confirmed yet
again that I am not a climber and he pinged away from me up the hill.
At the same time, the rider behind closed in on me towards the top,
but I gained a little time back on the descent. On the rolling
Purisima Road, the aerobars came in handy, but the rider behind
caught me on one of the uphill sections. We passed each other a
couple of times on the way to the second hill, where he pinged away
from me.
I again used my 25 cog on this climb and tried to keep a good rhythmn
to the top where the rider a minute behind me came close. On the
rolling section before the descent, he passed me, but I passed him,
and then he passed me on the descent, taking a few more risks than I
was willing to do.
The descent of Tunitas was fun - I was able to go flat out on the
aero bars and was determined that I was going to catch the rider who
started a minute back. On the way down, out of the twisty section we
came up to the rider who started 30s down on me and blew past him, as
he was obviously in serious difficulty. I then caught the minute guy,
and he stayed close on the run-in to the finish and we crossed the
line essentially side-by-side.
Stage 2: Rolling ITT - 15:31 - 21st
This 7 mile test ranks as my fastest average speed in a TT, >27mph.
It has to be said that there was a tailwind! I was more pleased with
this ride, though I wasn't able to turn a big gear, I was able to
spin a smaller gear pretty well, and gained what I thought was around
20 seconds on the rider ahead. I was pleased that no one passed me.
Stage 3: Criterium - 21st
This was a fun, short circuit of around 0.6 miles with 7 corners
including a 180 right turn followed by a left-right switch where the
left was off-camber. The technical nature forced people into single
file, and though there were a couple of crashes, overall I though
that it was a safe race.
I started out near the front, but after a few jumps out of the
hairpin, I began to slip to the back. The race was ridden hard almost
the whole way - there were times where we were doing 28mph on the
slightly uphill finishing straight!
I found my level in the bunch and then it was a question of holding
on for as long as possible. With about 15 laps to go, I was doubting
my ability to hang on, as the pace was really being forced. I did try
to make up places, but no sooner had I made up a couple when I would
feel the effects of the effort and lose them again. Like I said, I
found my level! I managed to hang on, and rolled in in 21st place.
I had to avoid the detritus of two crashes - one on a prime lap on
the right turn of the left-right switch. I was trying to make up some
ground in the bunch when suddenly there was a rider standing in the
road directly ahead of me and I had to take avoiding action which
promptly lost me the 10 places I had just made up. Pah!
The second crash I had to avoid was on the final lap at the final
corner where the race leader lost the event. He was trying to get
back on his bike when I came past - not a good way to lose a race.
This race was the hardest workout I have done this year - I am glad I
was able to hold on to finish with the bunch. I need to do more speed
work.
Overall: 21st out of 50.
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What Mike Z. saw:
Category: M35+ Cat 4
Result: Did not finish
Thank-you to Matt and Starr for their support. They were awesome, and they took care of us very well. They made me feel like I was a real bike racer.
Stage 1: Hilly ITT - 50:10 - 11th
I passed three riders on the first hill, and two more on the second, and finally a sixth rider who had broken his chain. I felt like I was going good and went about as fast as I realistically expected. Unfortunately, I passed riders because they were slow, not because I was particularly fast. I finished 2 min 33 sec off the winning pace.
Stage 2: Rolling ITT - 15:50 - 15th
Strong tailwind and fast course made for fast times on this course today. I beat my time from last year by a minute and a half or so and I was more tired and in worse condition than last year coming into this event. It was fun. The ride back to the start against the wind was tough.
Stage 3: Criterium - DNF (in fact, did not go to the race).
A crisis of family/conscience on Saturday night made me realize that an all weekend commitment to a race (7 am to 7 pm Saturday + 7 am to 11 am) was not a prudent decision on my part. I'm still searching for a way to balance things in order to continue racing.
Overall: DNF
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What Matt I. saw:
Category: 5
Result: Back of pack
I would also like to thank Matt and Starr for their support! It was awesome to have them both out there and with some of the mishaps I had, Matt was nothing but encouraging support. Thanks Matt!!!
This particular weekend, was NOT my weekend. It started out with waking up late on Saturday morning by an hour. My warm up was very quick and short, I really felt like I wasn't warmed up too well. My arrival was scheduled to be for 7am, and I got there around 745 for an 837am start.
The start was pretty basic, but I quickly squirmed in my seat trying to find the right gear to get settled in. I just couldn't find the right one. I was mentally prepared for the hills, but with my legs, it was a different story. The first hill was a bit harder than I thought. I just couldn't get my legs to cooperate! I got passed by two riders who were very strong, but I was content with just getting up the hill and trying to make some good time on the way back down.
On the second hill, I was a lot more warmed up and was able to tackle it a little better. I didn't get passed on this hill, and just stuck it out the best I could. Towards the crest of the hill, I flatted. Crap!!! It took be about 10 minutes to change the flat. A bit flustered I charged on to finish. When I finished I rode back and upon arrival to the parking lot, I flatted again. Crap!!!
Turns out there was a hole in my tire from the screw that I pulled out. My best guess is that some debris still in the tire contributed to that flat. I am VERY thankful I didn't flat on the downhill section where it was wet and slick! I finished next to last. ( I was surprised that I flatted and still NOT finished last )
I was lot more prepared for the second time trial and had a much better warm up. Matt was very nice to loan me his rear wheel for this time trial because of my tire having a hole in it. Matt also lent me his aero bars which helped a lot. The strategy was simple for this one, I was going to ride a big gear the whole way and stay in the aero bars as much as I could. There were a lot of rollers on this one so it was pretty fun. I felt a lot more comfortable on this particular time trial because I think I was more focused. I got passed only once and held my speed really well all the way to the finish. No flats.
Finishing time was 17 mins and 15 seconds.
Sunday's weather was absolutely perfect. I thought there would be more wind out there but was surprised to see/feel just a small breeze. I was the first to arrive and checked out the course. I knew the problem areas would be the 180 and the curves just after that. I got in a good warm up and was able to ride the course just before the race. I was going to try to stay near the front and hold it there if I could.
When the whistle blew I stepped up, but had problems clipping in not once, but THREE times. I have never had this problem. Oh man...so I caught up, and hung at the back for most of the race. The race was super fast ( I think it was because I was at the back ) and I was playing catch up the whole time. There were two crashes. One was just after the 180 and the other was on the curvy left to right section. Both times I had to slow to avoid it. This slowed me down and had to play catch up some more! When the lap card read 10, I was so exhausted.
Even though I was still with the pack, but at the end of the pack, I thought about pulling out. Good thing I didn't I really wanted to finish the race. I stayed in, and was surprised to see the pack slow down just after that. Slowed enough for me to rest and recover, and stayed with the bunch until the last lap. The last lap was brutal. The pack got stringed out and I finished way off the back. I didn't get a chance to check my standings, but I know I placed towards the bottom.
All in all, it was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the races very much. I need to work on my fitness levels to get me in shape for those hard efforts at race pace. I was really glad to have some of my teammates out there along with Matt and Starr! Looking forward to the next race!!
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