May 30, 2014 at 01:45 PM
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Kissena Women's Team
May 31, 2014 at 11:42 PM
BIGGUPS to Kayt for killin' it today at Watermelon Crit!!!! BOOYAH!!!!
Jun 01, 2014 at 02:29 AM
Congrats Kayt!!! Can't wait for the race report!
Jun 02, 2014 at 02:44 AM
Jun 02, 2014 at 04:50 AM
Boom! @Kayt dropped the hammer on those Jordan ladies!
Jun 02, 2014 at 11:48 AM
Word is she hired this guy to "work the feedzone" for the Ladies team....
Jun 03, 2014 at 04:17 PM
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Jun 03, 2014 at 05:01 PM
I'll be out of state (for non-bike related activities) this weekend, otherwise I'd be racing the Jordan Classic. There's money in them there hills!!! Sign up!!!
Jun 04, 2014 at 05:38 PM
Greetings from the Cascades! Bummed to be missing some good group riding, but had a lovely long ride yesterday through the Deschutes National Forest, to Mt. Bachelor, where I used to ski as a kid. Deceptively challenging as the road ahead never looks very steep, but it's a 15 mile climb and pretty windy. Then you get to zoom back down at 40+ mph. Good times. Anyway, enjoy the good weather out there, hoping it's finally here to stay!
Jun 08, 2014 at 01:29 AM
I swear it didn't look like this an hour ago. SUMMATIME.
Jun 09, 2014 at 04:04 PM
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Jun 09, 2014 at 04:59 PM
End of summer tanline-off?
I'm debating R&A on Saturday morning in PP, but it depends on a couple factors, like health insurance. Recently I left my job and thus my benefits, so need to purchase my own. Related question, I know we have accident insurance when we register for a race as part of USAC, but does this cover you if you have an accident and need coverage beyond the day of the event? I can post this to a more appropriate thread if no one knows, just thinking ahead for worst-case scenario to be safe.
Jun 09, 2014 at 06:13 PM
Emily - here is what you get insurance wise at a USAC event: http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=2042
Jun 09, 2014 at 06:44 PM
Please do not race without health insurance or wealthy parents / deep pockets.
Jun 09, 2014 at 07:24 PM
Thanks, that is what I assumed. Off to shop the Marketplace!
Jun 10, 2014 at 10:19 PM
Second to Bruce's comment!!!
Jun 11, 2014 at 12:32 AM
Yep, agreed. Probably won't be able to race again for a bit.
6/11 update: Got my official USAC race license in the mail today. I have awesome timing.
6/11 update: Got my official USAC race license in the mail today. I have awesome timing.
Jun 12, 2014 at 06:54 PM
Ladies! Anyone else registered for the R&A race this Saturday?
My pitch for the race is:
1) It's a safe, well-experienced field;
2) It's a solid distance that encourages making moves, or settling in and watching moves happen--your pick of the action!
3) It's our home turf: you know this park like the back of your hand;
4) Post-race muffins, Swedish coffee and conversation.
Pre-reg (HERE) closes at 6 pm, but you can also register on the morning of. Hoping to see more orange and blue our there!
Jun 12, 2014 at 07:14 PM
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Jun 12, 2014 at 07:31 PM
I signed up for the R&A race earlier this week! First race...yessss....
any words of wisdom? anyone?
Jun 12, 2014 at 08:23 PM
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Jun 12, 2014 at 10:18 PM
@Lindsay, please read the How To Race Doc linked to below the Twitter feed on the left side of this page if you haven't done so already.
I can tell you that the last race in the series was fairly mellow for the first few laps, a break happened at the top of the hill at the QOM, and then the pace heated up thereafter, followed by a sprint finish for the peleton--pretty standard. Since it's your first (non-tri) race--woo hoo!!--I think you should plan on soaking in the pack dynamics and focus on racing safely. But here are some tips I've picked up along the way, and that you can find elsewhere on the forum, I'm sure.
1) Keep distance, but not too much. Don't cross wheels. Again, do not cross wheels.
2) Look ahead. This will also help keep you balanced.
3) Aim to be in the top 10. Doing this at all times is more exhausting, but it will lower your chances of getting picked off the back, and if you lose steam (on the hills for example--this always happens to me), you'll find yourself mid-pack, and not at the back of the pack.
4) Use the descents to breathe, hydrate, and lower your heart rate. When you're going for your bottle, and you should remember to hydrate, keep one hand on the hoods so you can brake if needed.
5) Hold your handlebars pretty tight with your hands, but keep your arms loose. Helps with energy conservation and balance.
6) If you find yourself in the back of the pack, and a surge happens, fight to keep with it. Chances are, the surge will slow down, and you can recover with the group, but if you lose the pack by two more or more bike lengths, it's harder to jump back on. Short-term pain is better than long-term pain.
You'll do great!
Jun 12, 2014 at 11:47 PM
The following video might be helpful. I recorded it during a 1/2/3 race where I was under-fit compared to my competition, but was still determined to be helpful to the team.
In it, I try to point out spots where I make certain moves that minimize my effort, but maximize the team effect.
There are some hopefully helpful captions. I'm not suggesting you watch the whole thing, but there are worse ways to spend say, 15 minutes than watching the first two laps of our race.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vQgYqWsygI
Jun 13, 2014 at 12:53 AM
Kayt Mathers said:Ladies! Anyone else registered for the R&A race this Saturday?My pitch for the race is:1) It's a safe, well-experienced field;2) It's a solid distance that encourages making moves, or settling in and watching moves happen--your pick of the action!3) It's our home turf: you know this park like the back of your hand;4) Post-race muffins, Swedish coffee and conversation.Pre-reg (HERE) closes at 6 pm, but you can also register on the morning of. Hoping to see more orange and blue our there!
Here is my addition to Kayt's pitch. If these fields don't get bigger, women's races in prospect park will disappear. If this field was replaced with a men's 3/4 or 123 field the promoter would easily gross $2000 more for the day, 10k for the series.
I know this might stir up some controversy, but for women new to racing it should be noted that this is a very new (and bold, IMHO) experiment on Charlie's part that is less than one year old.
Please support it by racing.
Jun 13, 2014 at 12:59 AM
^Mike is right.
No reg means no tears if it vanishes.
Jun 13, 2014 at 02:36 AM
Hey All
It's been a little while since I've seen most of you. I'm planning on coming out in the morning if it isn't raining too hard. When it is warm, it's fun to ride in the rain and it's good practice for when it rains on race day. If you can make it Lindsay, I'd be happy to answer any questions and give you some tips. We also have water bottles and Osmo for those that show up.
@Lindsay--In general, I would say just try to relax and don't worry too much about the people around you. Try to stay in someone's draft, it's much easier there. Focus on moving up in the group without spending too much time in the wind.
Hope to see some of you'll in the morning
Jun 13, 2014 at 02:27 PM
@Marc Bertucco - Thanks for the video! I got through 13 minutes until I started getting weird looks from everyone sitting around me at work. It's like watching pop-up video...I feel like you should add some "Final Countdown" music to it. Very helpful, I'll watch the rest throughout the day
@Kayt - You are so thorough! The play-by-plays are awesome. My plan is just to be more consistent hanging on a wheel and see what happens. I'm excited to see you in action!
@Dale - Sorry bout this morning! I didn't want to deal with the rain, so I headed to swim practice instead. Next week!
Jun 13, 2014 at 03:14 PM
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Jun 13, 2014 at 06:35 PM
Man, Dioslaki really throws that bike around. The outside of his tires must get worn faster than the center bead.
Jun 13, 2014 at 08:23 PM
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