Last night at OBC training ride that met in Cedarburg at 6pm. The route is called Rockfield and is 32.5 miles. Weather was perfect mid to lower 70's with some decent wind. This ride is more like a road race every week, a suvival of the fittest. I made sure to play the x factor a lot trying to hide out of the wind when possible. I felt pretty strong considering that I did hill repeats up Jefferson on Tuesday and this week I did it a total of 8 times. 4 small ring climbs, and 4 big ring climbs. I made sure to also climb the hills toward the front of the group. I feel that many of the OBC riders are getting stronger and faster. The lead group is around 10-15 riders instead of the 5 or so in the past.
We were missing some regulars, my guess is that they are starting cycecross pratice. I felt last nights group was a bit small, but was still very fast and hard. Still had some big legs out there killing the pace.
Like always, I like to try to win the sprint finish at the end of the ride/race. I was toward the front about 6 or so back. I was behind Brian P. and I could feel other people getting antsy and I was also boxed in. I yelled at him to GO and he was not in a good position either. Others in front of him were slowing down and he had no where to go. At this point Jeff M. was moving up the left side, so I snuck out and got behind him and waiting for my launching point...............I launched and launched hard passing everyone in front of me and pushing the pedals hard and increasing my speed little by little until the stop ahead sign. Wow, was that a hard effort and timed that out perfect. Felt really REALLY strong for that sprint. Nobody came around and when I looked back nobody was even on my wheel. But, half way through the sprint I thought someone was on my wheel, either nobody was on my wheel or they gave up.
Tonight is Pedal Moraine and this ride can be a fast one depending on group consensus on how hard we want to ride.
Have had some hard rides and now planning some longer easier stuff.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
2010 Race Season is Over
Saturday August 21st was the last WCA race of the season. This was a criterium race that was held in Fond Du Lac in the Park off of Lake Winnebago. I had no expectations for this race, just go have some fun and gather some team point. My overall was already locked up. I had fun and finished 14th. Travis took 2nd place, huge congrats to him and he took 1st place in the WCA Category 3 overall.
Sunday was a early 5:50am start in Fond Du Lac for a race they call Race the Lake. This race is 90 miles and goes around Lake Winnebago. Weather couldn't have been better. Temperature was mid 60's to start and light winds. My goal was to hold on to the first group further than last year and beat my last years time. With these light winds it would have been hard not too. Last years time was 3hrs 41min. 22sec. and this years time was 3hrs 27min. 33sec. I also did stay with the lead group until the hill in High Cliff State Park. The group that I was settled into did not know how to pace line well with others. This was a bit frustrating, and we could have done better if we would have worked better together. I felt strong, just need to get stronger at climbing hills, but I have been saying that all year. I had 4 other team mates in my group and they helped me out a lot, especially at the end when I had 2 of them crushing it right at the end. I beat everyone in my group. I think this is one of the best races of the year. I finished 85th out of 1,331 and 14th in my age bracket.
So, this was the last race weekend for me for the year. Time to put in some saddle time, group rides and have fun.
Sunday was a early 5:50am start in Fond Du Lac for a race they call Race the Lake. This race is 90 miles and goes around Lake Winnebago. Weather couldn't have been better. Temperature was mid 60's to start and light winds. My goal was to hold on to the first group further than last year and beat my last years time. With these light winds it would have been hard not too. Last years time was 3hrs 41min. 22sec. and this years time was 3hrs 27min. 33sec. I also did stay with the lead group until the hill in High Cliff State Park. The group that I was settled into did not know how to pace line well with others. This was a bit frustrating, and we could have done better if we would have worked better together. I felt strong, just need to get stronger at climbing hills, but I have been saying that all year. I had 4 other team mates in my group and they helped me out a lot, especially at the end when I had 2 of them crushing it right at the end. I beat everyone in my group. I think this is one of the best races of the year. I finished 85th out of 1,331 and 14th in my age bracket.
So, this was the last race weekend for me for the year. Time to put in some saddle time, group rides and have fun.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Wattless
That is what my training is all about this week. Tonight I rode indoor on my trainer, yes you read the right INDOOR. I know it is August and should be outside, but I didn't want to exert myself in any way. It is very easy to control you watts inside on a trainer. So, I rode inside for a short 45 minutes just to spin a bit, to keep the legs in motion.
Tomorrows ride will be very easy to, but I will be headed outdoors. I am actually going to take my boss's kid and attempt to teach him how to corner for a criterium. He is 14 or 15yrs old and loves riding bicycles. He rides a lot with friends, mostly on his mountain bike looking for things to jump. I remember those days with my friends. Anyways, I asked him if he would be interested in doing a criterium race, and he said that he wasn't ready and then I told him that he would be racing kids his own age and then he was good with. I talked to his mother today and she said that he is super excited and nervous. I will ask him if he would like me to go with him to the race in Fond Du Lac to help him out. His father used to race, and would love to get back into it, but as of right now he will be working on Saturday. I will let you know how this all goes.
Thursdays ride, I am not riding from Pedal Moraine this week. I will possibly be riding with my wife and a team mate and his wife. Again, this is suppose to be a easy ride, and I hope my wife doesn't make me regret taking her out (just kidding). I know my wife like to hammer a bit, but she is only good for about 20 miles.
Friday, probably just a short easy spin back on the trainer.
Saturday, Fond Du Lac Criterium, which this is the last WCA race of the year. I am looking just to hold onto 3rd place in the overall standings, but really using this race to open up the legs for Sunday.
Sunday, Race the Lake, one of my most favorite races of last year. And, I didn't even come close to winning. Looking to beat my time from last year. Race the Lake is a 90 mile road race around Lake Winnebago. It is timed and you get an overall finish and an age bracket finish. Last year I was 44th overall and 9th in my age bracket.
That is all for know.
Tomorrows ride will be very easy to, but I will be headed outdoors. I am actually going to take my boss's kid and attempt to teach him how to corner for a criterium. He is 14 or 15yrs old and loves riding bicycles. He rides a lot with friends, mostly on his mountain bike looking for things to jump. I remember those days with my friends. Anyways, I asked him if he would be interested in doing a criterium race, and he said that he wasn't ready and then I told him that he would be racing kids his own age and then he was good with. I talked to his mother today and she said that he is super excited and nervous. I will ask him if he would like me to go with him to the race in Fond Du Lac to help him out. His father used to race, and would love to get back into it, but as of right now he will be working on Saturday. I will let you know how this all goes.
Thursdays ride, I am not riding from Pedal Moraine this week. I will possibly be riding with my wife and a team mate and his wife. Again, this is suppose to be a easy ride, and I hope my wife doesn't make me regret taking her out (just kidding). I know my wife like to hammer a bit, but she is only good for about 20 miles.
Friday, probably just a short easy spin back on the trainer.
Saturday, Fond Du Lac Criterium, which this is the last WCA race of the year. I am looking just to hold onto 3rd place in the overall standings, but really using this race to open up the legs for Sunday.
Sunday, Race the Lake, one of my most favorite races of last year. And, I didn't even come close to winning. Looking to beat my time from last year. Race the Lake is a 90 mile road race around Lake Winnebago. It is timed and you get an overall finish and an age bracket finish. Last year I was 44th overall and 9th in my age bracket.
That is all for know.
Friday, August 6, 2010
What It Takes
Training this week was a little different than what I normally do.
Monday- With my short honey to do list, I was able to go for a nice easy short ride.
Tuesday- I rode over to Jefferson St. and did some hill repeats on a one mile loop. I did this six times, three in the big ring and three in the small ring. I don't ever do hill repeats so I only did six, not to completely kill myself so I could still ride Wednesday. These went well for me, I met a team mate there and then saw some other friends also. Nice workout, I should do more of these.
Wednesday- Ok, I was dropped last week on the OBC ride, so this week I thought I would try something different. I hid in the pack as much as I could, just so I could keep up on the climbs. I almost puked, well actually I did puke, I could taste it my throat! I was able to recover from that and set myself up for the final sprint. I haven't done this in a while, and wanted to give it a go. When it came to the final stretch before the sprint, some of my team mates started lining up the Blue Train. When we get organized it is really impressive, well at least I think so. Because of my lead out I was able to rocket past my last lead out man and take the last sprint with flying colors. This was the only one that I went for, saving as much energy as possible for it.
Thursday- Pedal Moraine group ride, small group of four including myself. My legs were definitely fatigued and took a little while to loosen up. I had some good pulls and a couple of moderate/hard efforts, but tried to keep some what more low key. Nice ride and a bit short, but this worked out well for me.
Friday- Today, if I am lucky I can get a short recovery spin in to try to keep the legs loose for Saturday. I am going to be riding out of Pewaukee and Attitude Sports again and then head over and do Drop the Doc on Saturday. Sunday's ride will be determined last minute on the weather. My wife would like to ride if it isn't raining.
My Quarq crank is on its way and I should be getting it on Tuesday. Can't wait to be training on power. Getting really anxious and can't wait to start logging watts, not blogging watts, but yes, logging watts. Sorry no watts here!
Thanks for reading, till next time.
Monday- With my short honey to do list, I was able to go for a nice easy short ride.
Tuesday- I rode over to Jefferson St. and did some hill repeats on a one mile loop. I did this six times, three in the big ring and three in the small ring. I don't ever do hill repeats so I only did six, not to completely kill myself so I could still ride Wednesday. These went well for me, I met a team mate there and then saw some other friends also. Nice workout, I should do more of these.
Wednesday- Ok, I was dropped last week on the OBC ride, so this week I thought I would try something different. I hid in the pack as much as I could, just so I could keep up on the climbs. I almost puked, well actually I did puke, I could taste it my throat! I was able to recover from that and set myself up for the final sprint. I haven't done this in a while, and wanted to give it a go. When it came to the final stretch before the sprint, some of my team mates started lining up the Blue Train. When we get organized it is really impressive, well at least I think so. Because of my lead out I was able to rocket past my last lead out man and take the last sprint with flying colors. This was the only one that I went for, saving as much energy as possible for it.
Thursday- Pedal Moraine group ride, small group of four including myself. My legs were definitely fatigued and took a little while to loosen up. I had some good pulls and a couple of moderate/hard efforts, but tried to keep some what more low key. Nice ride and a bit short, but this worked out well for me.
Friday- Today, if I am lucky I can get a short recovery spin in to try to keep the legs loose for Saturday. I am going to be riding out of Pewaukee and Attitude Sports again and then head over and do Drop the Doc on Saturday. Sunday's ride will be determined last minute on the weather. My wife would like to ride if it isn't raining.
My Quarq crank is on its way and I should be getting it on Tuesday. Can't wait to be training on power. Getting really anxious and can't wait to start logging watts, not blogging watts, but yes, logging watts. Sorry no watts here!
Thanks for reading, till next time.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Keeping it Local
Well this past weekend I decided to stay local and group ride instead of heading to Elk Grove, Il.
Saturday morning I woke up at 5am and looked outside and saw the the roads were wet. I watched the weather and looked like that any rain was going to clear up. As I was loading the car it was drizzling a bit. I picked up another team mate and we proceeded to Pewaukee. I was raining on and off, but looked as if was going to clear. We arrived at Attitude and Brian (team mate) was already dressed and ready to go. Not to many people here to roll over to Bicycle Doctors, well maybe we will pick a bunch of people up on the way out, or there will be a bunch at Bicycle Doctors. Neither, this is probably the smallest group I have ever ridden with, but assuming that the weather had a big impact on the size of the group. Fair weather riders! Pace was a bit slower than normal, but still was a lot of fun. We never were rained on, but the roads were wet, so we were pretty wet and dirty.
I managed to miss a turn when leading the pack along with two other team mates, and everyone else made the turn. We had to chase our selves back on which we were able to do, but was a huge effort. Towards the end of the ride Ryan pinch flatted and said he would catch up. Like always, not knowing the route I thought the final sprint was coming so I attacked to a two man break off the front. I caught them, but they were pretty gassed and I was cooked from the effort. And the sprint wasn't near yet! Dang it all, I messed that one up again. Anyways the group came up and we were all together again. I was able to sit in and recover until the real sprint came. Brian came around the last corner leading it out and I managed to finish third in the sprint. I didn't know exactly were the final finish was, but I know now. Maybe I can get this weekend.
Sunday, Bakery Bikers ride, was very foggy. Nothing really happening here, just a nice Sunday morning stroll. Small group of 5 including my wife, but on ride managed to pick up 2 more. Nice ride, nice scenery.
This week I plan on riding Tuesday-short and easy, Wednesday-OBC, Thursday-Pedal Moraine, and Saturday-Attitude to Doc to Attitude, Sunday-Bakery Bikers.
Three weekends till Fond Du Lac Crit. and Race the Lake.
Saturday morning I woke up at 5am and looked outside and saw the the roads were wet. I watched the weather and looked like that any rain was going to clear up. As I was loading the car it was drizzling a bit. I picked up another team mate and we proceeded to Pewaukee. I was raining on and off, but looked as if was going to clear. We arrived at Attitude and Brian (team mate) was already dressed and ready to go. Not to many people here to roll over to Bicycle Doctors, well maybe we will pick a bunch of people up on the way out, or there will be a bunch at Bicycle Doctors. Neither, this is probably the smallest group I have ever ridden with, but assuming that the weather had a big impact on the size of the group. Fair weather riders! Pace was a bit slower than normal, but still was a lot of fun. We never were rained on, but the roads were wet, so we were pretty wet and dirty.
I managed to miss a turn when leading the pack along with two other team mates, and everyone else made the turn. We had to chase our selves back on which we were able to do, but was a huge effort. Towards the end of the ride Ryan pinch flatted and said he would catch up. Like always, not knowing the route I thought the final sprint was coming so I attacked to a two man break off the front. I caught them, but they were pretty gassed and I was cooked from the effort. And the sprint wasn't near yet! Dang it all, I messed that one up again. Anyways the group came up and we were all together again. I was able to sit in and recover until the real sprint came. Brian came around the last corner leading it out and I managed to finish third in the sprint. I didn't know exactly were the final finish was, but I know now. Maybe I can get this weekend.
Sunday, Bakery Bikers ride, was very foggy. Nothing really happening here, just a nice Sunday morning stroll. Small group of 5 including my wife, but on ride managed to pick up 2 more. Nice ride, nice scenery.
This week I plan on riding Tuesday-short and easy, Wednesday-OBC, Thursday-Pedal Moraine, and Saturday-Attitude to Doc to Attitude, Sunday-Bakery Bikers.
Three weekends till Fond Du Lac Crit. and Race the Lake.
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