FYI Tom noted there were some post race DQs based on GoPro vid evidence of some super egregious lane violations.

Had a fun race. Didn't ride as much in the past week, so the legs were very fresh. Having observed Matt's tendency to mingle a lot in the front a lot at last week's 4/5's Castelli Cup, I decided to bring that to the 5's in this race too. 

The not-hiding-in-the-pack strategy worked out pretty well. I ended up in front of the race at the start, and used that as a nice warmup and to set the pace to something a bit faster than the last few races. After that, there were some breakaway attempts, mostly at the end of the downhill, which didn't go anywhere but were good fun. What struck me was that the teams didn't really really do anything smart to create breaks that stuck, although Hilltop, Sanba and Houlihan were well-represented. I agree with Matt that Sanba are not wheels I feel especially comfortable riding in. 

In the final round Moshe, I guy I chatted with around some of the other races, did a big breakaway attempt that stuck until halfway up the hill. I tried slowing the pace down in the pack for him and it took some serious time before the teams noticed and started doing something. 

On the final climb my legs felt like I did a lot of work so that was pretty painful, made it to the top mid-pack and then it was really difficult to move forward. Ended in 11th place but had a lot of fun.

By far the fastest Cat 5 race i've been in, at 39.8 km/h average, with 20 watts more power than last week. Also faster than last week's Cat 4/5 race!

Going to request my upgrade to Cat 4 now. Feel like I could have more fun there, certainly with some team dynamics together with Matt and potentially some other Kissena's. And I want to see how I would do in the somewhat longer race. 5 laps is just way too short.

After-race new members/coffee ride was nice too.

Weather is looking pretty wet, but I'm in for this saturday's race in the 3/4s. Anyone else racing?

I’m in too - well-prepared for riding in the rain after last sunday

Thanks for the reminder.  I was thinking the race was Sunday.

Race because of the rain

LennartZandbergen said:

Race because of the rain

Race Postponed because of rain?  

Looks like it was fully canceled:

It looks like it's going to rainy and windy all day tomorrow. 

Yeah there was supposed to be an extra word. 😅 Rain and wind but also a shortage of marshals and moto’s judging from the email

The next L&C Cup race is Saturday.

https://www.bikereg.com/lccup-6-10-23#Register

Who is going to race bikes with me?  Or, at least in an adjacent race?

I'll be there.  Tom posted a volunteer link for anyone interested.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGOdG6O4BHA6yTvHE7Ty35NePAU10pp6GX1MFdLKQ8n-omKA/viewform

I'm out of town this weekend so I can't race with everyone :'(

Today was a fast one in the 3/4s with something like 100 riders.  27-28 mph average.  I've been finally coming into some fitness, so my goal was to finish with the front folks.  I felt good the first few laps and avoided my usual dangling off the back coming through GAP.  Around lap 5 or so we ended up catching the 123 field.  Apparently they didn't want to race today.  This caused a bit of chaos.  We caught them doing into the downhill and few rides decided they should attack as we were snaking passed them.  This (rightfully) pissed a lot of guys off and ultimately split the field.  I was caught out a little bit since I didn't want to ride in the runner's lane to get by and was left in no-man's land once around the 123s.  A group of us started chasing, trying to bridge up to the front half of the field.  It was a bit eye opening how guys don't understand that in a situation like that, the group needs to work together to get back on.  The front group was starting to open the gap, so I wiped them into shape and got us rotating somewhat smoothly.  We finally got back on as we were approaching the hill on the next lap.  2 to go.  Things stayed calm till the final hill per usual.  Going over the top I was probably 20th.  A little too far back and too far left.  Got boxed in and didn't really have an opening to sprint.  Finished 17th.

Overall a good day out.  Somehow I ended up getting 8 KOMs on the last lap.  That was nice.

Volunteer link for this Saturdays race. You get to help and you get to race for free!  

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXqPaLiV2vWKxdiF69R_BRyMAlHilN-O2Xyy70Cqv7g29kEw/viewform?usp=sf_link

who is racing this weekend?

https://www.bikereg.com/lccup-8-5-23

I'll be there.  Hopefully my legs will too.

Not racing but i'll be there to hang!

Out of town, unfortunately.

Volunteer link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlS-gJMnXADcq3t6pygTtYxgQ2jpsiadljrNiR1bQlRuM9xw/viewform

Greg you racing 123 or 3/4?

3/4

Won't be there in the morning.  

I had some stuff came up Friday night and ended up not going.

Anyone make it out to race?

Bummer yeah Grant and I did reg table and set him up with some skinny cross tires.

Got a cool photo of the ladies points jerseys.

I wanted to race today but had to bounce early for a family road trip. Next weekend I’ll probably do masters field and get blown out the back on lap one.

In for the 3/4 race and fully expecting to make 2 laps before getting spit out the back. 

I'll be in the 1/2/3, looking for a moment to attack or a big move to ride with.

Anyone else, besides me and DAve, out to play?

I'll be in 3/4.  

1. I sleep early so I don’t miss the race.
2. Rested a lot this week but somehow still have an achilles thing and completely didn’t do openers.
3. Ibuprofen to the rescue.
4. Work reg table with Grant, lots of guys registering day of, a few cat 3/4 racers asking if I’m pinning up today.
5. Line up with Greg, not nervous knowing I have zero expectations for myself, I am out of shape, let’s just hang on for 2 laps.
6. Gears are shifting all stupid wtf… oh I’m an idiot I’m in the small ring trying to spin down the hill. Smooth move.
7. Very chill laps 1 and 2. Think some moves tried to go up the road including points jerseys. Ordinarily if I were in halfway decent shape I’d either try to bridge or slingshot a teammate up to them. But I’m weak and know I just need to stick to the plan and some stronger racers will pull them back.
8. I mark the few big guys to hide behind all race and also actively try to avoid the surge-y, sketchy guys who I remember were that way from *last year*. Yikes.
9. Maybe a break actually sticks? I’m too busy looking at the wheel in front of me up the hill, keeping pace making sure I’m not sliding backwards. Surprisingly it’s pretty chill and I can stay hidden in the field.
10. Shelter from the wind is on the inner/left side. I get caught out on the right a few times and hate my life.
11. Somehow made it to the bell lap, woohoo!
12. Greg moving on up on the left side telling me to hop into the train. I shake my head and stay hidden like a tiny mouse behind big man in KruzCX kit. Greg turns on the afterburners and peaces out.
13. Things are chill and then guys hammer it home up the hill. I keep pace and then at KOM line turn off the watts and roll it in east. Samba guy I roll in with sprints for 49th ahead of me. Keep shining you crazy diamond.

Had a great time and wish I were in better shape earlier this year to race more with friends.  There’s always CX and there is always next year. See ya in the funny papers, that’s a wrap.

L&C dates are out.  Let's get ready to race!!!  

This is coming up Sunday.

Who's in?