Sep 29, 2013 at 10:35 AM
How's the rib now?
Town Hall Cross
Sep 29, 2013 at 04:50 PM
Rib hurts like a mother and I didn't sleep will last night but I'm thinking it's probably just a bad bruise. I can take deep breathes and while it's tender to the touch there isn't a sharp pain at a very specific spot which I have experienced with broken ribs in the past. I put that whole side of my body on warning that Whirlybird is in two weeks and it better get its shit together.
Sep 29, 2013 at 06:14 PM
@ Jim. I've had two occasions when I thought I might have broken ribs. They hurt like crazy but don't seem to impact racing if you can tolerate the pain. Lifting my bike over the barrier at Staten cross a few years ago was probably one of the most painful things I've experienced in life, but I rode to 5th place so I'll take it. I don't think I've had a better race since. 
Sep 29, 2013 at 08:23 PM
Time for me to post to bump the thread.
Masters 35+. I registered towards the end as Jim let me know there were only 3 spots left. Crikey.
I felt great on Tuesday doing anaerobic work, started to get a sore throat Wednesday, but th eworkout was strong. By Wednesday night, I was uncomfortable sleeping because of my throat. Thursday was lie on couch day. Friday, I mustered the energy to ride the CX bike and do one opener, which was surprisingly strong.
Saturday, my throat felt better, but I was tired and feeling chesty. Oh well. Headed down with Jim and Stokes.
I had this feeling that I'd be able to put together a ride and then end up in the fetal position paying for it. I was right.
Staging was reverse order of registration or something, so I got a second row spot. Sweet! I had climbed the hill pretty easily in my warm up laps and the rest of the course was fairly easy to handle for me, so I felt that if I got to the front, I'd be fine.
With 5 minutes to start, we're staged. The 45+ is still staging, so I ask the official if I have time to pee. "Five minutes" he said. So, I sprinted away and come running back all happy.
GO!
I am sitting about 8th as the course turns right and uphill. So much for a hole shot! I spend my first lap trying to get around this big guy that is clearly slower than me, but he won't let me by as he'd slam the door as I'm almost by him. Time and time again. So frustrating because the race is right in front of us, we just have to get to the group of 5 in front of us and we're good. Instead, he's fighting to hold me off. POOR logic on his part. I FINALLY make it around him and am clawing my way across to the group of now 4 riders (one or two dropped / had mechanicals).
I finally, almost grab on (we're now two laps in). Then as I yo-yo for the effort and am again going across, one of them mechanicals and I finally latch on. Then latch off. GRRR... First and second keep motoring and Joe Piccolo, whom always beats me is just in front of me, but I come tantalizingly close to getting him, but in the end, can't make the bridge.
So I ride solo in 4th. Encouraging words from friends and teammates around the course. But, there is a rider still trying to get across from 5th. We're pretty much even on lap times, but it means I have to keep fighting. Before we get the bell, he crashed. Yes, I though, I can take it a bit easier up the hill and then cruise in for 4th.
WHAT??? His adrenaline rush found him catching me at the top of the climb hill! Oh my. I tried to pucnh away from him, but he was now strong (like Bain from Batman). As we started the straight drag back up the slope, I bobbled and clipped out for a second. He went by. "That was poorly timed!" I said. He agreed and rode away. I told him "Good ride" and settled in for 5th.
But then he didn't seem that far away, so I punched it on the lower part of the course and started getting close. It felt like I did the right thing, but there was no way I was going to catch him. Wait, is he stopped, trying to get his chain back on? Three turns from the finish straight? Yep, he was stopped. I passed him, I took 4th.
I'm happy with the result as I realize, I am not in CX race shape. I'm riding and training well, but not getting in the CX racing. The club championships helped (for fitness and of course my EGO, I mean confidence), but aren't CX racing. I beat my placing from last year and my Cross-results prediction. So, I'm alright with it.
Next week - Beacon.
Sep 29, 2013 at 10:10 PM
My race started with butterflies. I don't usually race the 45+ and started at the very back of the field. They actually didn't have enough slots demarcated for those of us at the rear.
Whatever. I don't have much ambition with this young crowd.
Harry and a tentative Jim (who had crashed in the warmup laps) were near me. I gunned it at the start and passed whoever looked vulnerable. Was patient as we climbed the tight switchbacks, but passed whenever I could. Like over the top of the hill and on the short uphill grinds through the lower field. Passed and passed and passed. Usually I fade on the last lap and give up my hard earned places to the chasers. Not on this day. I knew the climb was my strength and made sure to get to the front of my group and hammer up the last lap. Gap!. Held the gap on the downhill and through the back end of the course (where I had crashed on the 2nd lap) and even managed to beat someone else on the finishing straight.
In reviewing my data, my hear rate was through the roof. Have no idea of where I placed. But as Powers said, I beat my race number for sure.
The beer and sandwiches were excellent.
10x20 and 30x30 intervals are key for 'cross. I suppose JP's wormhole doesn't hurt.
Whatever. I don't have much ambition with this young crowd.
Harry and a tentative Jim (who had crashed in the warmup laps) were near me. I gunned it at the start and passed whoever looked vulnerable. Was patient as we climbed the tight switchbacks, but passed whenever I could. Like over the top of the hill and on the short uphill grinds through the lower field. Passed and passed and passed. Usually I fade on the last lap and give up my hard earned places to the chasers. Not on this day. I knew the climb was my strength and made sure to get to the front of my group and hammer up the last lap. Gap!. Held the gap on the downhill and through the back end of the course (where I had crashed on the 2nd lap) and even managed to beat someone else on the finishing straight.
In reviewing my data, my hear rate was through the roof. Have no idea of where I placed. But as Powers said, I beat my race number for sure.
The beer and sandwiches were excellent.
10x20 and 30x30 intervals are key for 'cross. I suppose JP's wormhole doesn't hurt.
Sep 30, 2013 at 07:11 PM
good seeing you guys out there
thank you for the yellcouragement!
i really like this course. plenty of good vibes from last year, when my buddy anthony cross challenged me to a crossresults.com cross clash (knowing that he was going to start in the front and i in the back!). he brought his GF, I brought mine, and i caught him with two to go, dropped him and have never stopped mentioning it since.
this year i had a lovely warmup from Easton PA, where the in-laws live. i rolled along the gravel tow path of the lehigh canal and then over that FUCKING HUGE HILL in Bethlehem. I saw stokes/jim/ragot flopping about after their race, took a hotlap, switched wheels with Harry (thank you!) after my shitty rear tire kept on sliding out, then lined up for a . . . 3rd row start?!?! Sure! i'll take it!
i got a bit swamped on the first time up the hill, but i felt pretty good the rest of the race. the in-laws/wife came to watch, and after the pathetic show i put on for them at nittany, i was motivated to ride HARD. i yo-yo'ed with a bunch of groups and eventually passed them all. it felt good to keep the throttle on the entire race and I ended up in 16th (and came OH SO CLOSE to catching 15th on the line) but JEBUS i totally fell apart when i crossed the finish (couldn't lift my bike over the tape so i just pushed over).
highlight of the race: blocking THE ENTIRE course with my body and bike while getting up and forcing the 4 chasers came to a screetching halt. they were like "move to the side you idiot!" and i was all "no way fatties!". They passed me moments later, but i caught them eventually and farted as I did. I love how cross makes it ok to let your Id flow unabated.
The Comeback is officially "In Progress"
Sep 30, 2013 at 09:08 PM
Masters 35+ Podium pic
Sep 30, 2013 at 11:01 PM
nice report!
Oct 03, 2013 at 07:44 PM
hbolick kcc
raceReport:
ok, 1st cx race/event:
previous cyclocross experience = (1)excellent KCC clinic, fall c2012 @2hrs.
new bike(50cm, Van Dessel, Full-Tilt Boggie c2013)...AKA, the sweet &buttery ms 'Blackie2' is a replacement, via v. good homeOwnersInsurance policy for the stolen 'Blackie1' from behind stJames Pl wrought-iron gate in the increasingly HiP-ster/more prone to roving bandits preying of pseudo-Urban coolios, Clinton Hill.
'Blackie1' - built from parts &NashBar alum. frame&fork for $500-was heavy as ouch! &had a disturbing front foot overlap...'Blackie2' slik!
so, Town Hall Cyclocross - BethlehemPA, Masters 40+ cat1,2,3,4; 40min race, likely (4, max5Laps) start @11am.
arrived early per KCC Forum mentors: pre-rode course, slow 9.5min then fast 8min, found preferred lines &considered tactics to advance (on hill&bottom of course flats), lowered air pressure of clinchers to 28-30psi, attempted to resolve rear cassette skip (no real luck, however, realized that skip did not include gear change so will ignore it and ride in little front ring) met-up w/other KCC's dStokes, jNelson& eRagot...hopped on for (1)more warm-up lap 2follow team KCC's experienced lines...asked a few questions: how 2advance when lined up in last row? ans. 'just keep moving forward ea. lap, is a race w/in a race;' should i ride in big front ring? ans. 'no, this is a little ring course w/hill &stLukes stairs, so avoid a shift failure, stay in little ring.'
TownHall CX Race: 11am, dry, clear, cool 68dF, grass, minor gravel, course w/switch-back hill climb, a steep ramp& (2) barrier lift.
ok, bit more coffee& a shot block: line-up, ALL call-ups bib1-59 then "The Rest" which includes me no69 &dStokes.
boom we r off...gee i'm way back, there goes DaveStokes, guess i'll stay calm and try to advance on 1st climb of stLukes Stairs, i do move past 6-8&see Stokes 8-15ahead, climb steep hill on bike(still passed
by 3-4riders), remember to clip out of right pedal NOT left on dismount &lift over (2) 18"high barriers, doing ok, turns come MUCH faster in race...easy to overShoot skirt the tapes; still ok, past start-finish, second lap HURTs, loose ground&places, see dStokes now15-20 places ahead, climb stLukes stairs well, barely make it up steep hill on bike(next time will run the hill!), now have prey in front and around me, time to re-gain some ground...find that i can carry speed better than neighbors on flats&rolling turns by avoiding breaks, 3rd lap hurts, loose positions on steep hill then regain on descent when others are recovering, manage to hold place-should be advancing, bell lap, sweet! sweet! BELL LAP; past start-finish, hurts a couple pass me, then on stLukes stairs i advance another 4-6 positions, target 2-3more by finish catch2...&a silent sprint. finished 34th/60-70starters...had FUN!
dStokes, jFreehan finished miles ahead& jNelson a bit behind in-spite of a set of excruciatingly painful cracked ribs! toughNut that jNelson;-)
event=b e e r, brilliant eats including gumbo&short ribs!
ah, reasons 2 race!
-harryB;-)
raceReport:
ok, 1st cx race/event:
previous cyclocross experience = (1)excellent KCC clinic, fall c2012 @2hrs.
new bike(50cm, Van Dessel, Full-Tilt Boggie c2013)...AKA, the sweet &buttery ms 'Blackie2' is a replacement, via v. good homeOwnersInsurance policy for the stolen 'Blackie1' from behind stJames Pl wrought-iron gate in the increasingly HiP-ster/more prone to roving bandits preying of pseudo-Urban coolios, Clinton Hill.
'Blackie1' - built from parts &NashBar alum. frame&fork for $500-was heavy as ouch! &had a disturbing front foot overlap...'Blackie2' slik!
so, Town Hall Cyclocross - BethlehemPA, Masters 40+ cat1,2,3,4; 40min race, likely (4, max5Laps) start @11am.
arrived early per KCC Forum mentors: pre-rode course, slow 9.5min then fast 8min, found preferred lines &considered tactics to advance (on hill&bottom of course flats), lowered air pressure of clinchers to 28-30psi, attempted to resolve rear cassette skip (no real luck, however, realized that skip did not include gear change so will ignore it and ride in little front ring) met-up w/other KCC's dStokes, jNelson& eRagot...hopped on for (1)more warm-up lap 2follow team KCC's experienced lines...asked a few questions: how 2advance when lined up in last row? ans. 'just keep moving forward ea. lap, is a race w/in a race;' should i ride in big front ring? ans. 'no, this is a little ring course w/hill &stLukes stairs, so avoid a shift failure, stay in little ring.'
TownHall CX Race: 11am, dry, clear, cool 68dF, grass, minor gravel, course w/switch-back hill climb, a steep ramp& (2) barrier lift.
ok, bit more coffee& a shot block: line-up, ALL call-ups bib1-59 then "The Rest" which includes me no69 &dStokes.
boom we r off...gee i'm way back, there goes DaveStokes, guess i'll stay calm and try to advance on 1st climb of stLukes Stairs, i do move past 6-8&see Stokes 8-15ahead, climb steep hill on bike(still passed
by 3-4riders), remember to clip out of right pedal NOT left on dismount &lift over (2) 18"high barriers, doing ok, turns come MUCH faster in race...easy to overShoot skirt the tapes; still ok, past start-finish, second lap HURTs, loose ground&places, see dStokes now15-20 places ahead, climb stLukes stairs well, barely make it up steep hill on bike(next time will run the hill!), now have prey in front and around me, time to re-gain some ground...find that i can carry speed better than neighbors on flats&rolling turns by avoiding breaks, 3rd lap hurts, loose positions on steep hill then regain on descent when others are recovering, manage to hold place-should be advancing, bell lap, sweet! sweet! BELL LAP; past start-finish, hurts a couple pass me, then on stLukes stairs i advance another 4-6 positions, target 2-3more by finish catch2...&a silent sprint. finished 34th/60-70starters...had FUN!
dStokes, jFreehan finished miles ahead& jNelson a bit behind in-spite of a set of excruciatingly painful cracked ribs! toughNut that jNelson;-)
event=b e e r, brilliant eats including gumbo&short ribs!
ah, reasons 2 race!
-harryB;-)
Oct 03, 2013 at 08:04 PM
ps:
thanks @JulesR for goPro of course, helped choose lines, esp. in descents.
&thanks 4forum mentor's comments re: tactics, set-up, &mental approach!
-h;-)
thanks @JulesR for goPro of course, helped choose lines, esp. in descents.
&thanks 4forum mentor's comments re: tactics, set-up, &mental approach!
-h;-)
Oct 03, 2013 at 09:28 PM
Great report Harry - that hill really is almost unridable at the top, isn't it?
Oct 03, 2013 at 11:03 PM
Jules,
re: hillTown CX bigHill/ramp...
many nee mostALL were riding/pedaling it.
i managed to pedal it 2 of 4 laps, but, decided after lap2 that i was loosing too much energy on the pedal climb, so, i decided to use descent approach to climb as far as possible then dismount at pace, climb hill/ramp on foot and use foot time to rest/recovery legs/lungs; once i figured out just how far to push (counting steps) such that i had a slight descent on remount, i no longer lost spots to the other racers who were all pedaling-up.
-h
re: hillTown CX bigHill/ramp...
many nee mostALL were riding/pedaling it.
i managed to pedal it 2 of 4 laps, but, decided after lap2 that i was loosing too much energy on the pedal climb, so, i decided to use descent approach to climb as far as possible then dismount at pace, climb hill/ramp on foot and use foot time to rest/recovery legs/lungs; once i figured out just how far to push (counting steps) such that i had a slight descent on remount, i no longer lost spots to the other racers who were all pedaling-up.
-h
Oct 03, 2013 at 11:14 PM
Yeah, I rode it each time and I felt like I was crawling. I think if I was in a heated contest I may have tried running once just to see if it gave an advantage. As it was I passed someone each time mostly because I was decent at keeping the bike moving forward and not getting bogged down.
Oct 03, 2013 at 11:40 PM
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Oct 04, 2013 at 12:19 AM
Gwynna, I don't know that climb specifically, but IF I CAN I try to hit most cyclocross climbs out of the saddle. Mostly because cross climbs tend to be short and punchy and not only is a good opportunity to give your hammy's a rest while you rely on your quads a little more, but it also allows you to use that great core strength you've been working on. (You have been working on core strength, right?--asks the tubby mentor with a jelly soft belly)
BUT, if the you lose traction when standing you may have no choice but to keep your butt planted and crank away.
On occasion, I've been known to do kind of a hybrid style of climbing where I'm technically out of the saddle, but my profile looks like I'm seated, keeping as much weight as possible over the drive wheel. I don't necessarily recommend it, or ever truly intend to do it, but sometimes it just happens. It's like I'll be out of the saddle, feel my rear wheel slipping, start to sit down, then realize I can get by with the "crouching tiger, hidden dragon" technique.
Oct 04, 2013 at 01:43 PM
The pros hump their bike over the hill. No other way to describe it.
Oct 04, 2013 at 02:51 PM
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Sep 22, 2014 at 03:28 PM
Bump. I have a registration that I can give to someone in exchange for a beer sometime. If you're not going to Holy week give me a ping.
Sep 22, 2014 at 04:36 PM
Bump bump: Anyone going looking to carpool?
Sep 28, 2014 at 03:54 AM
Dave V second today.
Sep 08, 2015 at 04:19 PM
Bump. This one on anyone's radar?
Sep 09, 2015 at 07:44 PM
I'm sitting this weekend out. Looking forward to a much needed weekend at home.
Sep 15, 2015 at 06:01 PM
Bump. Anyone going? Bethlehem, PA. Looks like they are going to have free Specialized Demo bikes on hand. I'm leaning heavily towards going for one of the later afternoon races (either 3/4 or 1/2/3).
Sep 16, 2015 at 12:33 AM
I'm going to make a game day decision on Thursday. Till then I'm still rummaging around for watts... I swear they were here just a little while ago...
Sep 16, 2015 at 01:37 PM
I'll be there to heckle, I mean cheer you guys on!
Sep 16, 2015 at 06:29 PM
I'm thinking about it.
Sep 17, 2015 at 12:30 AM
Jill, you clearly missed the part where I mentioned free demo bikes. #yougottaracegrrlllllJill Sink said:I'll be there to heckle, I mean cheer you guys on!
Sep 17, 2015 at 02:44 PM
Go race Jill it will be fun. Sorry I can't join you guys - birthday party season is on again. I'll be looking for a hard ride on Sunday (early) if anyone is interested in intervals.
Sep 17, 2015 at 07:09 PM
I would, but I'm prone to shoulder dislocation. So far the shortlist is no overhead serving (tennis) and no surfing. I'm thinking about adding cyclocross to this list as well.
Sep 18, 2015 at 11:09 PM
Bwahhhaaaaahahaha....
My crossresults.com "points doping" plan of racing the A race just got simultaneously more insane and more brilliant at the same time. Because Cameron Dodge.
I just hope they don't plan on 80%-ing us.