May 26, 2014 at 03:16 AM
We also had a David Stokes/Cannondale photo shoot pre race. You know... Got to keep the sponsors happy.
Memorial Day Weekend Racing
May 26, 2014 at 11:48 AM
Family friendly report fail. At yesterday's Bound Brook, my wife tells me that there was a 5k running race that we could have easily gone to. Blurg. Sorry Sarah! Seems that "Somerville" website had the info after all. Albeit buried a bit. Next year.
http://www.tourofsomerville.org/entertainment.html
Today, petting zoo, bouncy castles, martial arts demos, dance teams, pony rides, parades, kids races. Good stuff. Also, after the amateur races are done, watching United Healthcare make Champ-Sys look like Siggis should be entertaining in it's own right.
Random WTF? There was yet another color combination of the We Stand United Kit on display in the master's field. Pink and black. I think this makes 5 different versions of the same kit I've noticed in the past two years. (Often we get multiple versions in the same field!) Ros, and other designers, best to avert your eyes...having to look at this chaos, is probably like someone with perfect pitch having to listen to me sing.
May 26, 2014 at 12:08 PM
WS United has new kits this year. Their elite team (Cat 2 and above) is in black with pink accents. Their B team (Cat 3 mainly) are in green kits with pink accents.
May 26, 2014 at 06:56 PM
bumped into him today and we talked. i just realized that from 4 to 3 is 20 upgrade points, not 30. is there an exception for finishing out a series? i don't want to be called a sandbagger but i do want to finish the L&C and take the yellow in the 4s. i definitely do have 20 upgrade points though unless park races don't count for upgrade points.David Yang said:@rigby, ran into Matt Moo at GWB this morn. He was wondering when you were going to upgrade.
Race Report
I got video but it's going to be a while before I get it up because I lent the camera to JP who is racing today too. Hopefully we'll end up with some footage of his races.
In our race, I felt tired the whole time. Strava tells me my heart rate was in zone 5 for the entire race, which is either inaccurate or crazy. I think it may have been true, however; I felt like I was at 11 the entire time. It was weird and uncomfortable. Drooling all over myself and hands numb from holding on for dear life. I took most of the week off of the bike and I think my body just wasn't ready for the intensity.
That made it hard for me to fight that voice nagging you to relent and give yourself a break. Lucky for me, each time I felt ready to give up, a teammate appeared from nowhere. Once, Niall dragged me up the right side of the field. In the bell lap, Andy yelled over to me (we were on opposite sides of the field on the back straight) to move up. So I did, slotted in in front of Craig, and Andy pulled in front of me. We amped up the pace and ultimately got ourselves into a position to contend. Speed based on GPS data (questionable accuracy) says we hit 37 in the final sprint.
There was one point in the race where two guys collided, broke spokes, and flatted in the chicane. They are shining examples of what to do when this happens. Rather than stop or continue off the course, they continued their lines through the chicane, making it much easier for other riders to go around them. Props to them.
If my recollection is correct (and often it isn't when race recall is involved) we basically ended the race in the positions that we came around those final two turns. I wish I'd fought harder to get in front of the wheel in front of me.
I'm happy with the result. Thanks to my teammates for egging me on when I needed it. The elevated heartrate is a little weird. Maybe that's just a taste of what's to come in the 3's.
May 26, 2014 at 10:43 PM
Somerville Report:
Looks like Craig snagged a top 10 in the Cat 3 race. Rene won. Good on him.
Eric, JP, Marc and myself lined up for the cat 2 race. We decided to be aggressive and have fun.
I got off the front once early, following a rider up to Eric who was up the road. We had a few crappy rotations before falling apart. I was 100% gassed. Not quite warmed up enough? Legs fried from the weekend? Not sure.
It took me a long time to recover. JP, Marc, and Ragot patrolled the front looking for opportunities to be aggressive. Small groups would form off the the front but be pulled back pretty quickly.
With 2 or 3 to go I attacked. Got off the front with the DNK guy who won the the 35+ yesterday. (I think). Got my name on the loud speaker. He must have already been off the front because he didn't have a lot of gas left and we were caught after 1/2 a lap in the lead.
I tried to reposition for the sprint. Held a decent enough place.
Into the final lap I didn't see any teammates, so I decided to see what I could do with the sprint.
It was SLLLLOOOOOOOOW. That usually equals dangerous. The group bunched to the right side of the road. I said to myself - this isn't good. Went left and tried to go very very early. Behind me, on the side of me, in front of me. bam smash crash. Riders and bikes flying everywhere. A ghost bike seemed to make it to the finish line without it's rider.
I had to grab one big handful of breaks to avoid something in the road, and that was enough to ruin any chances.
Re-accelerated and crossed 33rd.
So, it is what it is. Easy to finish, hard to do well.
I want to race some easy races to take advantage of the form I have. Otherwise, it'd seem like such a waste.
May 26, 2014 at 11:50 PM
WORD. Too bad you can't do watermelon again. That's my easy-race fix after my very disappointing racing weekend.mperlberg said:I want to race some easy races to take advantage of the form I have. Otherwise, it'd seem like such a waste.
May 26, 2014 at 11:58 PM
The only available option I see is the NJ 123 road champs. Can I convert crit fitness into 80 mile road race fitness?Jeffrey White said:WORD. Too bad you can't do watermelon again. That's my easy-race fix after my very disappointing racing weekend.mperlberg said:I want to race some easy races to take advantage of the form I have. Otherwise, it'd seem like such a waste.
May 27, 2014 at 12:03 AM
There were two crashes in the sprint. The first on the right was from a kid walking into the street. Ugh.
May 27, 2014 at 12:30 AM
Another Cat 2 report from Somerville.
This is a tough one to write. Normally, I try to have some kind of interesting point or take-away embedded in between tales of spinning wheels and wheezing lungs. But much like this race which has long vexed me, I'm struggling to find a gem of a take-away.
The four of us were in total agreement that attacking the crap out of the race was as solid a plan as any. Last year a breakaway took it, a breakaway that countered off of a move that JP was in, and so it wasn't outside of the realm of possibility that such a group could do it again.
After a good warm-up on a winding country road, we were ready to start. Unlike more technical crits, I wasn't too anxious that I was way in the back. I knew there was plenty of room (if not time, more on this later) to move up.
Within a lap I was up front-ish and ready to race. Except unlike the Pro-1 race which seemed to be single/double file for 3/4 of the race, in the Cat 2s there was so much bunching and sitting up that one second you are 10th wheel, and the next you are buried about 50 riders back.
And that's how the race felt for me all day long. One second I'm racing, the next I'm buried eyeball deep in cat 2s, way too far back. And so here's maybe the takeaway for this race report. with about 2/3 of the race done, I'm totally frustrated. I look behind me and I am literally the last guy through turn 3. The general pre-race plan of turning off the brain and attack, attack, attack just wasn't working for me. I should have known. I'm not strong enough, to attack, then somehow "recover" 30 riders back, while simultaneously fighting the swarm. And so surfing the back wave of the field, I switch on the full racing computer and figure out how I can best get back to the front and try and help my teammates.
All day long dudes were ignoring the laws of physics attempting to fit 90 guys on the inside apex of turn 1. And so I coming down the fast homestretch, I let guys fly by me right and left, so I have an "out" on the right side. Approaching the start-finish the road narrows, guys first start to drift right, then flick hard left, aiming for the apex, leaving me just enough room on the far right to swoop outside and get back in the action.
Just a few laps left and I'm back in the action. Except I'm not. More crazy bunching. 1 lap to go I'm pinned to the back again. No tricks to pull out of my magic hat with 1 lap to go. This late in the race, you are either in good position or not. I was not. Blurg.
I could go on and on about how this race would be so different if it were just 10 miles longer. But that's not the race we have. Never have, never will. It will forever be a 20-mile four corner crit on super wide roads. And eventually, I'll have the right combination of luck, racing smarts and fitness to crack into the money. Maybe next year. Last year, I barely finished this race. Crashes held me up in the last couple of laps, but honestly, I was struggling to keep up for most of the race. So, at least this year my frustrations are somewhat different.
In closing, I want to say how much fun it was to hang out with all the KCC guys who raced this weekend. Before and after races, warm-ups, recon missions, post race tales of glory and woe. Some big highs, some big lows too. In some ways it felt almost as fun as a good cyclocross weekend. Jeff and Wes, you guys definitely got the short straws this weekend, but you will come back stronger than ever. Keep on it.
Plenty of fun crit races coming up. Watermelon, White Plains, Harlem...among others. Getting better at crits will absolutely make you a better road racer too, so consider coming out to play in the coming weeks!
May 27, 2014 at 12:41 AM
@Brendan - you can wait on the upgrade. The general rule is:
- Category 4 to 3: 20 points; or experience in 25 races with a minimum of 10 top-10 finishes with fields of 30 riders or more; or 20 pack finishes with fields over 50. 30 Points in 12 months is a mandatory upgrade.
- USA Cycling-sanctioned rider camps and clinics that are approved by the Local Associations for upgrading will count as a maximum of three upgrade points when upgrading from category 4 to 3.
(c) Riders who are more than halfway through a series may
request a waiver of a mandatory upgrade so that they may
finish out the series under the conditions below:
(i) The series is covered by a single permit and one
race director.
(ii) The request is approved by the race series
director and USA Cycling.
(iii) The waiver is granted for a maximum of three
event days.
(iv) Such a waiver may only be used once per rider
per category
I don't know if you've hit 30 points yet. If you have, you need to ask for the waiver and you're going to have to accumulate enough points in the next 3 races to keep you on the L&C podium.
I know all of this because it'll never apply to me.
May 27, 2014 at 12:42 AM
From what my Jersey connections were telling me, this year's race is a flat (14-20ish mile??) circuit with no turns. The only chance for something interesting to unfold would be wind. They said the course sucked.mperlberg said:The only available option I see is the NJ 123 road champs. Can I convert crit fitness into 80 mile road race fitness?
It's not going to stop me from doing it though.
May 27, 2014 at 01:25 AM
If its flat, it will be over fast. As such, your speed will help. Just drink and eat and attack like crazy.mperlberg said:The only available option I see is the NJ 123 road champs. Can I convert crit fitness into 80 mile road race fitness?Jeffrey White said:WORD. Too bad you can't do watermelon again. That's my easy-race fix after my very disappointing racing weekend.mperlberg said:I want to race some easy races to take advantage of the form I have. Otherwise, it'd seem like such a waste.
May 27, 2014 at 01:45 AM
Craig Zolan said:@Brendan - you can wait on the upgrade. The general rule is:But there is this provision in the rule book 1E1(c)
- Category 4 to 3: 20 points; or experience in 25 races with a minimum of 10 top-10 finishes with fields of 30 riders or more; or 20 pack finishes with fields over 50. 30 Points in 12 months is a mandatory upgrade.
- USA Cycling-sanctioned rider camps and clinics that are approved by the Local Associations for upgrading will count as a maximum of three upgrade points when upgrading from category 4 to 3.
(c) Riders who are more than halfway through a series mayrequest a waiver of a mandatory upgrade so that they mayfinish out the series under the conditions below:event days.
I'm one for racing at the highest level possible, and upgrading when you have the points. If you have the points, and you're winning Cat 4 races, it's because you SHOULD be. Because you're a Cat 3. I know winning is fun, but sandbagging deprives others of their shot. I mostly fought my way out of the 4s in out of town races. One year at Catskills I got 6th on a stage where 3 of the guys in front of me, combined, had well over 100 upgrade points. All sandbagging. It's a much bigger feather in your cap to make the jump and start getting your head kicked in at the next level than it is to sit back and win races that you should be winning .
May 27, 2014 at 01:57 AM
Also - you WONT get your head kicked in in the 3s. You will do fine.
You will get your head kicked in - at first - when you race against 1/2sin some races. But then you'll adjust.
May 27, 2014 at 03:11 AM
Results bro:
https://www.usacycling.org/results/?year=2014&id=29&info_id=76103
Anyone know what happened to United Healthcare in the pro race? They looked in total control on the backside of the course with 5 to 1 laps to go.
May 27, 2014 at 03:15 AM
Here's a link to a story about the dude who crossed the finish line first in the pro race before he was relegated for an illegal free lap. He was wearing a Montecci kit in the race. Anyone on the club speak Spanish? Is this video interview interesting?
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.naciondeportiva.com/nacion/es/2013/mas/2226/Deivi-Capell%C3%A1n-gana-octava-fase-de-la-XXXV-Vuelta-Independencia.htm&prev=/search?q=Deivi+Capellan&client=firefox-a&hs=Yso&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb
http://www.naciondeportiva.com/nacion/es/2013/mas/2226/Deivi-Capellán-gana-octava-fase-de-la-XXXV-Vuelta-Independencia.htm
May 27, 2014 at 09:30 AM
apparently UHC crashed. So pro.
May 27, 2014 at 12:28 PM
Love the editor's note to the writer left in and missed by all before it went to print. Also so pro. I did hear some riders quip, "If you are pro, you shouldn't crash while going in a straight line."mperlberg said:apparently UHC crashed. So pro.
May 27, 2014 at 01:48 PM
Somerville was a blur. I officially hate the Zipcar team. Craig smashed it. I had a early break with Rene that didn't get anywhere because of a montucci dude. I did the gap the guy off the back thing. Countered after Craig went for a prime, with no luck. I went so deep on the counter that I thought I was going to get dropped. Tried really hard get up front on the back stretch to help Craig in the final gallop. Wasn't happening.
I'm excited to go into next years Somerville weekend with this experience and hopefully another years worth of development under my belt.
Had a great time racing fraternizing with the club these past 3 days.
Im totally wasted now but I wanna get out to floyd on Thursday.
I'm excited to go into next years Somerville weekend with this experience and hopefully another years worth of development under my belt.
Had a great time racing fraternizing with the club these past 3 days.
Im totally wasted now but I wanna get out to floyd on Thursday.
May 27, 2014 at 01:53 PM
Race reports tome come. Recap for me from the weekend was 10th at Raritan (caught behind a crash w/ 2 to go), 5th at Bound Brook and 7th at Somerville in the Cat 3's.
For an idea of how hard yesterday was- Normalized Power for Cat 3 Somerville race was 309 watts. That's only 10 watts less than 2/3 Race at Wilmington last weekend.
Looking forward to Watermelon crit this Saturday and doing some actual Road Races soon. Who's going to Jersey RR champs? I may want to get a ride down with someone if carpooling is an option.
May 27, 2014 at 03:04 PM
apparently UHC crashed. So pro.
Just goes to show even the "... Best criterium team in the world" can screw up.
May 27, 2014 at 07:12 PM
Wes, sorry to hear about your crash. Your form was looking great this season. Get well soon.
May 28, 2014 at 01:40 AM
Good news about the kid in the crash at the Somerville Cat 2 race
May 28, 2014 at 02:37 AM
Phew.vlad said:Good news about the kid in the crash at the Somerville Cat 2 race
One of the big crits we have this weekend in the Midwest, in Rock Island IL, a 6-corner crit, the ENTIRE course is chained off with 6-foot high chain link fence. The first time I saw it, I thought it was super freaky. But you quickly realize the benefit of such a "Mad Max" set up.
May 28, 2014 at 02:43 AM
Uh, excuse me... she leaves her FOUR YEAR OLD sitting on the curb in the finishing straight of a CRITERIUM, UNATTENDED, while she goes into a store to order pizza?Marc Bertucco said:Phew.vlad said:Good news about the kid in the crash at the Somerville Cat 2 race
One of the big crits we have this weekend in the Midwest, in Rock Island IL, a 6-corner crit, the ENTIRE course is chained off with 6-foot high chain link fence. The first time I saw it, I thought it was super freaky. But you quickly realize the benefit of such a "Mad Max" set up.
What the everloving, blang fusted, cockeyed kind of topsided fuckwittery IS THIS?!?
What the WHATWHAT?!?!?
May 28, 2014 at 02:47 AM
This seems like the appropriate slap...
May 28, 2014 at 03:50 AM
Gotta love when someone who is admittedly not present can emphasize that someone else did/did not do something... Have to find some way to make this not your fault for totally neglecting your child, eh?
May 28, 2014 at 11:24 AM
Jules said:This seems like the appropriate slap...
What Malcolmson is doing to that Siggis guy in that gif is impressive but a little upsetting.
Jun 05, 2014 at 09:18 PM
What is possibly worse is that the race announcer repeatedly asked people not to sit on the curb, and there were police on both sides of the street, and seemed to be on the lookout for people sitting on the curb.Jules said:Uh, excuse me... she leaves her FOUR YEAR OLD sitting on the curb in the finishing straight of a CRITERIUM, UNATTENDED, while she goes into a store to order pizza?Marc Bertucco said:Phew.vlad said:Good news about the kid in the crash at the Somerville Cat 2 race
One of the big crits we have this weekend in the Midwest, in Rock Island IL, a 6-corner crit, the ENTIRE course is chained off with 6-foot high chain link fence. The first time I saw it, I thought it was super freaky. But you quickly realize the benefit of such a "Mad Max" set up.What the everloving, blang fusted, cockeyed kind of topsided fuckwittery IS THIS?!?What the WHATWHAT?!?!?
Jun 05, 2014 at 09:18 PM
What is possibly worse is that the race announcer repeatedly asked people not to sit on the curb, and there were police on both sides of the street, and seemed to be on the lookout for people sitting on the curb.Jules said:Uh, excuse me... she leaves her FOUR YEAR OLD sitting on the curb in the finishing straight of a CRITERIUM, UNATTENDED, while she goes into a store to order pizza?Marc Bertucco said:Phew.vlad said:Good news about the kid in the crash at the Somerville Cat 2 race
One of the big crits we have this weekend in the Midwest, in Rock Island IL, a 6-corner crit, the ENTIRE course is chained off with 6-foot high chain link fence. The first time I saw it, I thought it was super freaky. But you quickly realize the benefit of such a "Mad Max" set up.What the everloving, blang fusted, cockeyed kind of topsided fuckwittery IS THIS?!?What the WHATWHAT?!?!?