Saturday I went racing and the race was held in Menomonee Park, Menomonee Falls. This is more like a circuit course than a criterium. It was a bit cool only getting up into the mid 50's and the cool wind coming out of the north. I went very early to watch some other fellow team mates race. Team Extreme had racers in Cat. 4, M4/5, M3/4, Cat. 3 that I know of. I had a lot of fun hanging around and watching everyone!
On to my race. I had some team mates that were willing to help me out (Brian,Jeff, & Travis). That being said, I was really relaxed and didn't get to excited if someone tried to go off the front. The race was relatively uneventful from my perspective at least. It had parts where it was fast, but not crazy fast that I ever felt like my heart was going to explode. Then the times that it was going slow it was really going SLOW. Travis chased down a break easily and Brian chased down 2 or 3 breaks.
At one point I was talking to Travis asking him if he wanted to do a tandem attack. He was all for it, but this didn't happen because of the make up of the rest of the race. Ok, 3 laps to go, pretty slow, 2 laps to go Brian get on the front and pulls for the entire lap, 1 lap to Jeff gets on the and pulls for 3/4 lap. Then people started going through the "S" curves with the little rollers. I went with and then on the final roller I drilled it and went into the last corner first and I know it is a long way to the finish. I kept going as hard as I could, and then past just before the line. 2nd place, I am happy very happy with that. I was marked by the guy that past me, but oh well, that is racing. Again, I would like to thank my team mates for their hard efforts in the race. It HELPS!
Sunday, Tammy and I went back to Madison for the GDVC #2 race. The weather basically the same as Saturday except for the wind. The wind was much stronger making it feel very cold if you were just sitting around. We were early and were able to catch the end of the Cat. 4 race. I met most of the Osborne family and looking foreword to seeing them more often.
I have no team mates helping today, so I know I need to be aggressive and smart. It is hard to do both along with managing your matches. This race was much harder than Saturday's race, with attacks and then more attacks. Finally a small break was out there, but it was eventually brought back. I put in plenty of hard efforts, but managed my matches well. I was on the front at 2 laps to go and knew this is not where I would like to be. I rode on the front very slow, but ready to go if someone was going to launch. It did then pick up a little, 1 lap to go, around corner 1 into the head wind, pace to really fast at all. Around corner 2 up the roller through the curve nothing to crazy so I start moving up and finding a opening. Over the crest started sprinting into the last corner way ahead of everyone. Again, a long ways to the finish. Now, what not to DO! I looked back and so I thought I had this huge gap and I started celebrating early hand off the bars and everything and then I was passed! 2nd place again, I wasn't gassed I still had more and I should have easily won the race. That is what I get for being cocky I guess. Not to mention the officials didn't like it either and they made sure to let me know. I am glad that they didn't DQ me. Time to move on!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
GDVC '12 #1
Sunday morning I checked the weather wondering if the race was going to happen. The radar actually wasn't too bad and I new I would still be taking my chances. It was warm 70 degrees but very windy. My wife did join me for the race and my father-in-law and his girl friend also came out to watch.
I lined up with one other team mate (Brian P.) this was his third race. The race started normal nothing crazy, but before long the attacks were launched and didn't take long before a group of 4 was off the front and maybe a lap later 2 more jumped off the front. I was not in the right position for any of those attacks. The bigger teams were represented well and they were blocking for the breakaway. I launched my own attack 5 laps to go, but I was only able to stay away for 2 laps. I then recovered in the small peloton and waited for the sprint finish. I timed it perfect and was able to get behind someone that pulled me to the front and then some. So, I only had to pass him for the field sprint. I passed him pretty easily placing 7th on the day.
I do need to be more aggressive and get into these breaks early. I don't want to make any excuses, but I am on the older side of the bunch. These younger racers are very punchy and it doesn't seem hard all the time. With that being said I am glad I went off the front for a little bit, because it was way too easy to just ride in the peloton.
Next up Saturday Menomonee Park, Sunday GDVC #2.
I lined up with one other team mate (Brian P.) this was his third race. The race started normal nothing crazy, but before long the attacks were launched and didn't take long before a group of 4 was off the front and maybe a lap later 2 more jumped off the front. I was not in the right position for any of those attacks. The bigger teams were represented well and they were blocking for the breakaway. I launched my own attack 5 laps to go, but I was only able to stay away for 2 laps. I then recovered in the small peloton and waited for the sprint finish. I timed it perfect and was able to get behind someone that pulled me to the front and then some. So, I only had to pass him for the field sprint. I passed him pretty easily placing 7th on the day.
I do need to be more aggressive and get into these breaks early. I don't want to make any excuses, but I am on the older side of the bunch. These younger racers are very punchy and it doesn't seem hard all the time. With that being said I am glad I went off the front for a little bit, because it was way too easy to just ride in the peloton.
Next up Saturday Menomonee Park, Sunday GDVC #2.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
1st Criterium Practice '12, OBC
This past Tuesday evening I had my first criterium practice. Considering the weather only being in the mid to upper 30's and very windy, I still had @ 11 brave souls come out and join me. Had 3 women and that is a high for me, hope they keep coming out. We were able to squeeze in 3 mini races. They were a blast and helped people to practice drafting, sprinting and break-aways. I did stay after to consume a couple of beverages and a sandwich. Thanks to those that came out. Next one will be April 24th, help spread the word.
Last night I went and did the OBC ride that left Grafton at 5:30pm. I left work a little early to make sure I was ready in time. I drove out this time, because I wanted to do the whole thing. Early on though someone flatted and 6 other and myself stopped and waited while everyone else kept going. By the time they had fixed the flat we were on our own. So, instead of doing the planned route we went and did the Waubeka route which is a little longer. We had most of the strong guys and we worked very well pace-lining almost the whole time. I do believe that this was a better workout anyways. I did manage to squeeze out enough energy to win the final sprint too. Great ride!
Tonight I plan on doing some hill repeats on Hillside off of Hwy NN going south to Sleepy Dragon. Friday will be a rest day, and Saturday will be a short leg opener, and Sunday will be GDVC #1. The first WCA race for 2012 and I am really looking foreword to it. I am going to be racing Cat. 3.
Last night I went and did the OBC ride that left Grafton at 5:30pm. I left work a little early to make sure I was ready in time. I drove out this time, because I wanted to do the whole thing. Early on though someone flatted and 6 other and myself stopped and waited while everyone else kept going. By the time they had fixed the flat we were on our own. So, instead of doing the planned route we went and did the Waubeka route which is a little longer. We had most of the strong guys and we worked very well pace-lining almost the whole time. I do believe that this was a better workout anyways. I did manage to squeeze out enough energy to win the final sprint too. Great ride!
Tonight I plan on doing some hill repeats on Hillside off of Hwy NN going south to Sleepy Dragon. Friday will be a rest day, and Saturday will be a short leg opener, and Sunday will be GDVC #1. The first WCA race for 2012 and I am really looking foreword to it. I am going to be racing Cat. 3.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Drop the Doc
Saturday 4/7/12 I picked Ryan up and we headed to Attitude Sports in Pewaukee where we met up with Brian from the team and many others from other teams. We needed to be ready to ride at 7am. It was miserebly cold and was going to warm up a little bit very quickly. This made dress apperal a bit tough. I wanted to make sure I wore clothes that I could take off easily enough if I was getting to warm. I did really good, but was miserable for the first 20 minutes or so. My body was good, but my fingures were frozen. They did get better as soon as we started putting in a little more effort into the pedals. We had a very nice controlled pace to Bicycle Doctor.
We waited at Bicycle Doctor for about 5 minutes before everyone was ready to go. We started off pretty slow like it normally does until you go up and over a climb about 3 miles in or so. On the climb it is very crucial that you push pretty hard to stay towards the front without blowing up because the pace keeps going after the climb. This can be a bit tricky because there are lots of riders that know this and are on the front but don't have the fitness to keep up on the climb. So, you have to weave through the riders with out losing the front goup. I made the front group and before you know it I was on the front helping with the pace. I had my fair share of pulls without pushing to hard to stay within myself. I did really good staying at the front trying to get into any breaks that may happen. One break did eventually get off the front and I was not in it. They timed it perfect and I didn't have it in me to bridge/catch it by myself. They were not really getting away and then at one point they really pushed and the group I was in was not working together well. We never caught them, but there was only like 5 miles left or so when they broke off the front. KS Energy was the biggest represented team in our group and they didn't work well with each other. Towards the end Brian went to the front and started setting a tempo into the final straight. I was sitting about 10th and waited patiently hoping for someone to go and I would follow. Nobody was going so, I took the inniative and started semi sprinting knowing that I was going to be towing some people and try to have a little something for a final kick. I managed a 2nd in our chase group sprint and I was pleased with that. There was only 2 other people that could stay in tow, so I put in enough hurt at the right time to drop most of the group. The ride back was nice and Ryan pulled a good portion back to the car. 70 miles total with many good hard efforts. A good day of riding.
Sunday (Easter), I wanted to get a ride in, but was limited in time. I went out by myself and broke another spoke, but this time was the front wheel. Not a big deal, opened up my brake and rode home. This did happen close to home so the timing was about the best that could be. I rode for 17 miles and was a good hard tempo, so job done early and on with the family obligations.
Upcoming this week Monday, off day, Tuesday, my first criterium practice, Wednesday easy day, Thursday, Hillside hill repeats, Friday, off day, Saturday, short leg opener, Sunday, GDVC #1.
We waited at Bicycle Doctor for about 5 minutes before everyone was ready to go. We started off pretty slow like it normally does until you go up and over a climb about 3 miles in or so. On the climb it is very crucial that you push pretty hard to stay towards the front without blowing up because the pace keeps going after the climb. This can be a bit tricky because there are lots of riders that know this and are on the front but don't have the fitness to keep up on the climb. So, you have to weave through the riders with out losing the front goup. I made the front group and before you know it I was on the front helping with the pace. I had my fair share of pulls without pushing to hard to stay within myself. I did really good staying at the front trying to get into any breaks that may happen. One break did eventually get off the front and I was not in it. They timed it perfect and I didn't have it in me to bridge/catch it by myself. They were not really getting away and then at one point they really pushed and the group I was in was not working together well. We never caught them, but there was only like 5 miles left or so when they broke off the front. KS Energy was the biggest represented team in our group and they didn't work well with each other. Towards the end Brian went to the front and started setting a tempo into the final straight. I was sitting about 10th and waited patiently hoping for someone to go and I would follow. Nobody was going so, I took the inniative and started semi sprinting knowing that I was going to be towing some people and try to have a little something for a final kick. I managed a 2nd in our chase group sprint and I was pleased with that. There was only 2 other people that could stay in tow, so I put in enough hurt at the right time to drop most of the group. The ride back was nice and Ryan pulled a good portion back to the car. 70 miles total with many good hard efforts. A good day of riding.
Sunday (Easter), I wanted to get a ride in, but was limited in time. I went out by myself and broke another spoke, but this time was the front wheel. Not a big deal, opened up my brake and rode home. This did happen close to home so the timing was about the best that could be. I rode for 17 miles and was a good hard tempo, so job done early and on with the family obligations.
Upcoming this week Monday, off day, Tuesday, my first criterium practice, Wednesday easy day, Thursday, Hillside hill repeats, Friday, off day, Saturday, short leg opener, Sunday, GDVC #1.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Burnahm Criterium/Sunday Team Ride
Saturday at 9am Ryan picked me up and we headed out, meeting up with Brian as he car pooled behind us. The race was held at Blackhawk Race track in South Beloit, Illinois. The weather was suppose to be a lot warmer than what it really was. They were off by 15 degrees. The winds were a factor a little and it was very cloudy.
Brian, Ryan and myself raced all together in the M30+ 1,2,3,4, what a wide variety of categories. Ryan is a 4 looking to upgrade to a 3 and Brian and myself are 3's. We arrived early and watched the juniors race and then we ate something and started warming up. We didn't have any team tactics planned which is ok, none of us didn't know what kind of form we have and didn't know who was showing up or what kind of pace it was going to be. This is a 45 minute race and a flat road course.
Race went sort of like this. Lined up and we were given our instructions and then we were off. I had some trouble getting my right foot clipped in but didn't matter I was able to keep pedaling and not loose any ground. I watched a couple breaks go and get caught and I forced a short break too that was caught. Eventually though there was a break that did go and it seemed like it was going to get caught but never did. I wish I would have tried to bridge up to it, but I thought for sure it was going to get caught. I believe I had the legs to get to the break. Anyways it didn't happen and then on the last lap when normally the pace gets driven to a higher speed this was not the case. It was so slow and my position was so terrible. I was blocked in the back from other racers taking up the whole course from side to side. Unbelievable I thought to myself and what the hell am I going to do. All I could do was wait and wait and finally on the final straight which is 500 meters they went. I started sprinting and was pinched off slow down and go around and in between racers. I did manage to pass a bunch of racers before the finish line, but I know I could have done so much better if I would have been to the front.
I am frustrated a bit, but I am over it. I know myself and my team mates are far from pro, but I was hoping that they would have helped me out a bit more. They didn't help me at all! Maybe they were struggling just to stay in? I managed to squeeze out a 18th place finish, Ryan 29th, and Brian 31st. I still had fun and it was great hanging out with friends.
Sunday, was Team Extreme's "No Drop" ride. The ride started at Extreme Ski & Bike in Thiensville. This by the way was a last minute decision to go. I woke up at and decided I was going at 7:15am. I was on my bike at 7:45am to meet Brian in Cedarburg at 8:30am and then to the bike shop at 9am. I rode pretty hard to Brian's house and then easy to the shop.
We started at 9:15am and I was staying in the back. I was really cold, my sweat has cooled and my body temperature has come down. After maybe 10-20 minutes in the back I went to the front. I needed to keep the pedals moving and in order for me to do that I needed to be in the front. This helped with my cold as now I was doing some more work warming up my body. I was being very nice to everyone riding in Z2 and Z3 on the climbs. I didn't want to drop anyone and make sure everyone was comfortable. This changed as we started to head back. Pace picked up a little especially on the climbs. I put in a couple hard efforts "dropping" some people. We did wait for people, so it was a good ride. This was a 35 mile route with the team, then I rode home. Brian accompanied me to the east side of West Bend and then broke off. I had 80 miles total. Another good day in the saddle.
Upcoming, Monday short easy ride, Tuesday motor pacing, Wednesday easy ride, Thursday Hillside hill repeats, Friday off, Saturday Drop the Doc, Sunday not sure what I will be able to squeeze in, I know I have family obligations since it is Easter. Next race is GDVC #1 on 4/15/12.
Brian, Ryan and myself raced all together in the M30+ 1,2,3,4, what a wide variety of categories. Ryan is a 4 looking to upgrade to a 3 and Brian and myself are 3's. We arrived early and watched the juniors race and then we ate something and started warming up. We didn't have any team tactics planned which is ok, none of us didn't know what kind of form we have and didn't know who was showing up or what kind of pace it was going to be. This is a 45 minute race and a flat road course.
Race went sort of like this. Lined up and we were given our instructions and then we were off. I had some trouble getting my right foot clipped in but didn't matter I was able to keep pedaling and not loose any ground. I watched a couple breaks go and get caught and I forced a short break too that was caught. Eventually though there was a break that did go and it seemed like it was going to get caught but never did. I wish I would have tried to bridge up to it, but I thought for sure it was going to get caught. I believe I had the legs to get to the break. Anyways it didn't happen and then on the last lap when normally the pace gets driven to a higher speed this was not the case. It was so slow and my position was so terrible. I was blocked in the back from other racers taking up the whole course from side to side. Unbelievable I thought to myself and what the hell am I going to do. All I could do was wait and wait and finally on the final straight which is 500 meters they went. I started sprinting and was pinched off slow down and go around and in between racers. I did manage to pass a bunch of racers before the finish line, but I know I could have done so much better if I would have been to the front.
I am frustrated a bit, but I am over it. I know myself and my team mates are far from pro, but I was hoping that they would have helped me out a bit more. They didn't help me at all! Maybe they were struggling just to stay in? I managed to squeeze out a 18th place finish, Ryan 29th, and Brian 31st. I still had fun and it was great hanging out with friends.
Sunday, was Team Extreme's "No Drop" ride. The ride started at Extreme Ski & Bike in Thiensville. This by the way was a last minute decision to go. I woke up at and decided I was going at 7:15am. I was on my bike at 7:45am to meet Brian in Cedarburg at 8:30am and then to the bike shop at 9am. I rode pretty hard to Brian's house and then easy to the shop.
We started at 9:15am and I was staying in the back. I was really cold, my sweat has cooled and my body temperature has come down. After maybe 10-20 minutes in the back I went to the front. I needed to keep the pedals moving and in order for me to do that I needed to be in the front. This helped with my cold as now I was doing some more work warming up my body. I was being very nice to everyone riding in Z2 and Z3 on the climbs. I didn't want to drop anyone and make sure everyone was comfortable. This changed as we started to head back. Pace picked up a little especially on the climbs. I put in a couple hard efforts "dropping" some people. We did wait for people, so it was a good ride. This was a 35 mile route with the team, then I rode home. Brian accompanied me to the east side of West Bend and then broke off. I had 80 miles total. Another good day in the saddle.
Upcoming, Monday short easy ride, Tuesday motor pacing, Wednesday easy ride, Thursday Hillside hill repeats, Friday off, Saturday Drop the Doc, Sunday not sure what I will be able to squeeze in, I know I have family obligations since it is Easter. Next race is GDVC #1 on 4/15/12.
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