Aug 05, 2013 at 03:18 AM
Very, very nice Jules! Congrats!
Tour of the Catskills
Aug 05, 2013 at 01:43 PM
FYI-
At the 2013 Tour of the Catskills the p/1/2 and Cat.3 fields were drug tested.
Aug 05, 2013 at 01:50 PM
FYI-Nice!At the 2013 Tour of the Catskills the p/1/2 and Cat.3 fields were drug tested.
Aug 05, 2013 at 02:56 PM
how did sunday's racing work out?
Aug 05, 2013 at 06:39 PM
Still decompressing from the weekend. I don't think I made any big mistakes; I trained, showed up and raced smart and got a result I feel like I deserve.
I was reactive in the end which may have cost me the win (I'll never know) but I didn't know how close the two chasers were and I was afraid if I went first I'd blow my motor and end up with 4th and sacrifice a lock on second.
It took me 900 watts to get onto Kelly's wheel and all told the final three and a half minutes were an average of 375 watts so I can't be too hard on myself about not being strong enough - those aren't the numbers I was capable of last year - but for the end of a hard race and the with the training I've been able to do - I'm pretty sure I didn't leave anything in the tank.
Aug 05, 2013 at 07:21 PM
Last post (I hope) on this subject that may be useful in 2014: from the bottom of the last descent to the finish line is under 8 minutes...
Aug 08, 2013 at 06:10 AM
Reactive from behind was the best possible tactic for that finale. You used the right tactic and spent your whole effort. Sounds like a damn good race.
Aug 08, 2013 at 11:32 AM
Paging Alyosha, paging Alyosha! Race report? Didn't you get 11th in the GC?
Aug 09, 2013 at 12:17 AM
Ive been eating nonstop and recuperating all week, i don't think neurons were firing properly on monday because i was so exhausted from this.
1stage: TT sucked, got 47th i think- was almost 20 Watts under my best for 30mins. I think I warmed up way too hard on the trainer beforehand, it was windy and the first 5 miles were downhill into a headwind.
2nd stage: 2 major climbs:
the first one was actually harder than airport road but managed to hang on until the last 500meters before the KOM when accelerations were going off the front and popped. managed to claw my way back with about 5 or 6 guys including one dude that ended up being on the podium that day. we caught the leaders eventually and regrouped between mile 35 and 40.
airport road: was completely pooped but because gradient was so steep (maxing out on my 36x29) I was able to buy some time thanks to my perhaps lighter weight before I relented panting furiously over my handlebars. Eventually the 2nd place finisher of TT passes me and I get on his wheel, we catch 2 other guys- we then spend the rest of the time drilling it chasing to the line. 11th place finish (last place out of the chase...i had nothing left)
3rd stage:
1st KOM, nothing too nasty just some guys going for points, and the leader of the competition locking in his jersey. some attacks including CIS guy winner of the TT went off the front for a good 7-8 miles before getting reeled-in. hale, thunder and rain followed- had to pee really bad, tried to whip it out but i think the accumulated pressure on my prostate and my fear of losing too much ground w/ the peloton made it impossible.
Devil's Kitchen at mile 49: decided to follow my own pace and let all the fast accelerating fools take the lead, passed many ppl on the way up including some of my eventual chase companions. in front, a group of 11 riders which latter further split into 2 took off out of sight. I found myself to be one of the stronger riders in the chase but I was very annoyed at the tone that I found can often be employed in such situations. I cannot stand it when ppl are giving orders and barking over others to do work, it's one thing to try to get organized but it's never ok to be an asshole, I was not the person being shouted at but I gave this rider a piece of my mind in the forms of: 'there's no need to yell". yes, it was towards the end and some guys may have tried to save energy but nothing was at stake at this point except the overall time difference w/ the leaders. I almost ate it in the sprint and even though I was wearing gloves, the rain made my bars very slippery- got 15th that day but lost some time on the guys in front of me.
end result: 12th overall.
more or less satisfied w/ this result knowing who some of the guys who finished in front of me are and their abilities (lots have their 20 points and this includes ex-world championship rower for serbia who finished 7th overall and apparently never got out of his saddle on DK) but no upgrade points for me
next stop: tokeneke on sunday.
also notable achievement this weekend, rode all stages w/ one water bottle. took off the second cage for the TT and left it at home, I hit every feed zone like a champ and capitalized heavily on neutral water!
1stage: TT sucked, got 47th i think- was almost 20 Watts under my best for 30mins. I think I warmed up way too hard on the trainer beforehand, it was windy and the first 5 miles were downhill into a headwind.
2nd stage: 2 major climbs:
the first one was actually harder than airport road but managed to hang on until the last 500meters before the KOM when accelerations were going off the front and popped. managed to claw my way back with about 5 or 6 guys including one dude that ended up being on the podium that day. we caught the leaders eventually and regrouped between mile 35 and 40.
airport road: was completely pooped but because gradient was so steep (maxing out on my 36x29) I was able to buy some time thanks to my perhaps lighter weight before I relented panting furiously over my handlebars. Eventually the 2nd place finisher of TT passes me and I get on his wheel, we catch 2 other guys- we then spend the rest of the time drilling it chasing to the line. 11th place finish (last place out of the chase...i had nothing left)
3rd stage:
1st KOM, nothing too nasty just some guys going for points, and the leader of the competition locking in his jersey. some attacks including CIS guy winner of the TT went off the front for a good 7-8 miles before getting reeled-in. hale, thunder and rain followed- had to pee really bad, tried to whip it out but i think the accumulated pressure on my prostate and my fear of losing too much ground w/ the peloton made it impossible.
Devil's Kitchen at mile 49: decided to follow my own pace and let all the fast accelerating fools take the lead, passed many ppl on the way up including some of my eventual chase companions. in front, a group of 11 riders which latter further split into 2 took off out of sight. I found myself to be one of the stronger riders in the chase but I was very annoyed at the tone that I found can often be employed in such situations. I cannot stand it when ppl are giving orders and barking over others to do work, it's one thing to try to get organized but it's never ok to be an asshole, I was not the person being shouted at but I gave this rider a piece of my mind in the forms of: 'there's no need to yell". yes, it was towards the end and some guys may have tried to save energy but nothing was at stake at this point except the overall time difference w/ the leaders. I almost ate it in the sprint and even though I was wearing gloves, the rain made my bars very slippery- got 15th that day but lost some time on the guys in front of me.
end result: 12th overall.
more or less satisfied w/ this result knowing who some of the guys who finished in front of me are and their abilities (lots have their 20 points and this includes ex-world championship rower for serbia who finished 7th overall and apparently never got out of his saddle on DK) but no upgrade points for me
next stop: tokeneke on sunday.
also notable achievement this weekend, rode all stages w/ one water bottle. took off the second cage for the TT and left it at home, I hit every feed zone like a champ and capitalized heavily on neutral water!
Aug 09, 2013 at 12:28 AM
Congratulations Yoshi - 12 on GC is no joke in that race; that's a big result.
Aug 09, 2013 at 01:24 AM
@Alyosha - Agreeing with Jules, that's a stellar performance! Sounds like you're starting to really hone your tactics at these out of town hilly races. So glad to see your hard training this year pay off. If you play it cool and luck stays on your side, Tokeneke might be the big one!
Aug 09, 2013 at 01:31 AM
Yoshi don't you have your 20 points now?
Aug 09, 2013 at 01:50 AM
Crazy that 12th place at ToC won't earn you any upgrade points. Great job!
Aug 09, 2013 at 01:54 AM
thanks, alas no- last time i checked i had just above 10 I think...its a matter of time, if it doesn't happen this season I'll be ready to rip the next time around.
Aug 09, 2013 at 01:54 AM
alyoshas said:thanks, alas no- last time i checked i had just above 10 I think...its a matter of time, if it doesn't happen this season I'll be ready to rip the next time around.
Last years points carry over
Aug 09, 2013 at 07:12 PM
Nice racing Aly! Good luck at Tokeneke!
Dec 11, 2013 at 11:58 PM
New Format for 2014 - holy schnikey a SUMMIT FINISH ATOP DEVIL'S KITCHEN!!!
To relieve Friday travel and work constraints, we've compressed the racing schedule into 2 days with a stage 1/mass-start hill climb and stage 2/55 mile road raceon Saturday, and a 75 mile stage 3 + OPEN RACE gran fondo (non-stage race) road race with a SUMMIT FINISH ATOP THE INFAMOUS DEVIL'S KITCHEN CLIMB!! We’ll continue to host a Friday early check-in/registration.
Dec 12, 2013 at 12:24 AM
I JUST BOUGHT A TT BIKE, DIETER!!!
Dec 12, 2013 at 12:51 AM
I JUST BOUGHT A TT BIKE, DIETER!!!That's why he waited until after you posted it for the announcement.
Don't worry, he promised a mass-start uphill last year and reverted at the last minute to traditional tt...
Jul 28, 2014 at 08:00 AM
Bump.
Any Mountain Goats doing this one? Pre-reg looks light.
Aug 01, 2014 at 05:39 PM
Was thinking of heading up for the Sunday RR... anyone else headed up with space for a +1? Happy to ride to you to meet in the AM or moteling it the night before.
Aug 01, 2014 at 05:57 PM
The single day road race is good hunting for 4's looking for upgrade points.
#justsayin
#podiumduck
#justsayin
#podiumduck
Aug 01, 2014 at 09:34 PM
@jules you may just have read my mind 
are you headed up?
are you headed up?
Aug 02, 2014 at 12:47 AM
Not this year, I'm afraid...
Jun 23, 2015 at 03:37 PM
Fucking Dieter. Looks like this is the last year of Catskills as a stage race:
Thank you for participating in one of our past Tour of the Catskills or competitive events! As the summer cycling season has arrived, we’d like to make note of some planned changes to the Tour of the Catskills after this August’s 8th edition. As announced, the 2015 Tour of the Catskills returns as a 3-day stage race this year on July 31-August 2: time trial, circuit race, road race & gran fondo (including the infamous Devil’s Kitchen Climb). Individual, single day (non-stage race) races will also be held on Friday and Sunday.
However, with the apparent changes in participation rates for sanctioned, competitive cycling events nationwide (especially stage races) in 2015, the 2016 Tour of the Catskills will instead be an epic, one-day event similar to our spring Tour of the Battenkill (Pro/Am and gran fondo).
We’re very excited about the new format and the opportunity to bring more cyclists to the Great Northern Catskills region which has supported the event since 2008. However, if you’ve ever wanted to compete in a stage race, 2015 is your chance to race one of the most challenging and scenic stage races in the USA! Register by July 15 to receive the discounted rate!
Pound for pound, this year’s Tour of the Catskills Pro/Am stage race is still one of the best deals in cycling as compared to similar events in the region. We hope you’ll join us.
Finally, don’t forget our upcoming Glens Falls Downtown Criterium on Sunday, July 12 and Great Gravel Grinder on Saturday, August 15!. Classic American Cycling!
Jun 23, 2015 at 04:47 PM
Why blame Dieter? If registrations are down, they're down. People have voted with their feet. I am incredibly grateful to have had this race in my history and it should highlight how rare good stage races are. Enjoy them while you can lads!
What does this leave? Cielo, KSR, GMSR...? Three stage races in a summer is a LOT.
What does this leave? Cielo, KSR, GMSR...? Three stage races in a summer is a LOT.
Jun 23, 2015 at 05:33 PM
Fair enough, and true it's not "blame" per se. As has been discussed elsewhere reg numbers are definitely down. But Dieter has killed races in favor of fondos, and while the numbers might support it, such changes suck for racing. It doesn't shock me that it's happening, but it sucks. And this was my instinctive reaction to it.
Jun 23, 2015 at 05:37 PM
^totally agree
Jun 24, 2015 at 04:19 AM
Wait, there is another...
Sister, you have a...
Tour de Syracuse. I think I'm the only KCC who has ever done it, but it's a good one. Small fields though.
Im hearing RR attendance is down here in the Midwest too. About 20 fewer dudes in the 2/3s here at ToAD. Still the best 70 are here, so that's okay in my book.
Jun 24, 2015 at 11:20 AM
The ladies did ToS last year. Mixed reviews I believe.