Posted By: mattie davittYarp. Never got to do to do the hill though, I wonder how that changes the dynamics.

The backside stretch, with it's descent, 90 degree left, short climb, 90 degree right, if included, will make the race harder for some, easier for others. For me, short on strength and power, but strong on position and skills, I was able to use that stretch as recovery. By keeping near the front and out of trouble, I could sail through the turns without too much grief. And even if I was further back, I let the yahoos all try to hit the perfect racing line, before they realized that there were too many folks for a single apex, slam on the breaks and have to sprint back up to speed, while I took a more leisurely and longer route but kept my speed steady and ready.

With the short course, you just have to be so, so close to the front coming through the start finish every lap, or else it's just a monster interval out of turn one, over and over and over again. Short on fitness riders will suffer here like a mother and have trouble finishing the race.

Wait, you're interpreting a Z2 base program versus the employed Z3/Z4 program as allowing the employed / time compressed crew to be ready to race in March? Ha! It sucks for us too. Mueller may be the only one somewhat ready...

Any volunteers to train to sprint?

@Ragot. I'd be happy to help lead/train the Cat 3s racing Grant's Tomb. The course is ridiculously close to my house, so I can easily commit to being there at many times. That area is pretty quiet in the early a.m. and we should be able to get some full-speed sprints going without too much risk.

I was planning on doing the traditional Kissena ride at 9am tomorrow. If folks want to meet me on the course at 7:30, I'm game. Let me know so I know what time to set my alarm for tomorrow.

what does "to train to sprint" mean?

does it mean what marc thinks it means?

http://www.toddlittleton.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/That-Word.jpg

OK I'm reg'd.

My only chance for success in this race is getting into a break, hopefully an early one. If that doesn't pan out and we can create one late, I'll be looking to jump on that. Barring these, I'll just try to set up those who are looking to contest the sprint.

Actually, who are our 4's besides Mattie who will sprint?

Hah!
I am unavailable and can only channel my experience into my teammates on race day!

Mike and I know each other's ass well enough.

Posted By: titoOK I'm reg'd.

My only chance for success in this race is getting into a break, hopefully an early one. If that doesn't pan out and we can create one late, I'll be looking to jump on that. Barring these, I'll just try to set up those who are looking to contest the sprint.

Actually, who are our 4's besides Mattie who will sprint?

Malcolmsennnnn. Who is also a sprint beast. Two pronged attack? Can we give the entire field the shocker?

Reg link for the lazy. https://www.bikereg.com/Net/14761

Reg'd.

Ready to drive the orange train to the finish line - who wants a ride?

I thought we won this thing already, why all the discussion.

I think our best bet is get in a break and win from the break. If not, talk to each other and set up whoever feels best.

If it is that stupid hotdog course again I will probably be suffering from repeated accelerations. But I will try my best.

so mike, eric:

are you guys really feeling incapable of developing some kind of mild sprinting form in the next 3 weeks?

i doubt our competition has been sharpening THEIR sprints all winter.

mike - i've seen you go from 30th position to 1st in the course of a thursday night floyd homestretch

eric - i saw you eat a live cow once

come on guys! i believe in you!

SPRINT! SPRINT! SPRINT!

Well it is partly managing expectations. I will be setting lots of lifetime power highs in the first race at Branchbook I'm sure.

But the thing is....

I can beat some people in a field sprint. But if I got a top 10 that way it would be pretty good for me I think.

I can beat a lot more people in a sprint from a breakaway. Just ask Alex Bremer.

His powertap is heavy and his fingers get cold. Give him a break.

Posted By: WilliamDC
does it mean what marc thinks it means?

Probably not, but Ragot seemed to be egging me on and I'm tired of hearing people complain about not being sprinters, so I thought I'd offer to help. What-evs. See y'all tomorrow at the usual time in the usual place.

god damn i just want a sprint train so bad!

eric, mike - ONE of you has to chill out and rest in the (inevitable) chance that it ends in a sprint

sorry guys, but it's science

http://m0.mattters.com/youtube/6dTvSa1rCOY/large.jpg

@ Marc

William is being snarky about your interpretation of the phrase "train to sprint".

Eric's interpretation: train, like actually change your training plan to focus on speed, power, acceleration, Zone 7f whatever you want to call it.

Marc's interpretation: learn the skills and strategies to get in position to sprint and get the best possible result for your team.


We all love each other. We just think differently.

If you want to guide me around grant's tomb course and show me what you know, just let me know. I'm all ears. Excited for your crit clinic and well.

Wait... there is a Zone 7F?

F as in FREAK? Only for those who can hit 1600 watts for 20 seconds?

Where do I get my key?

http://youtu.be/h8H6fU9VNgQ

Or 2500 if you're willing to, er... supplement...

you don't train 7f? what about zone 8i?

It could make for a great new excuse in cat 4 races. "sorry, I've only been training zone 8 so I can't pull" Any takers? Owens?

But here's the real question. what the hell are are you doing in a cat 3 discussion? make your way back over to the cat 4 thread buddy.

jk. that's the wine talking. gotta love a Saturday night of trader joe's wine shop + ken burns' documentaries. getting crazy while the lady friend is out of town.

yeah

that sounds really crazy

@ Perlberg

@Marc - egg!

What documentary? Am I allowed on this thread? Here's rooting for my hometown Memphis doc, Paradise Lost 3, for the Oscar. You guys wanna get dressed up and have an Oscar party?

WDC, have you registered? Anyone other III in for this?

Registered!
Looks like Siggi's and Hudson have good representation.

I'm fat and out of shape, but come maybe be of some assistance. Never done it, so don't know how a lead out would work. But if someone can sprint (Mattie, John still a 4?), I could be talked into signing up.

I registered!

i'm in!

me too

godamnit!

why isn't malcolmson a 3 yet?

even so, we're going to have a burly breakaway quartet

Don't know if Rene is on your crew yet, but rode back from Piermont with him today. Dude is in shape! Making me hurt on the flats. Hard to draft behind someone 50 lbs lighter! But he's looking fast, duders. Super fast.