April 25, 26, All That is Good Racing presents "The Tour De Ephrata."
A three-part race; I was in way over my head. I was only one of three "unassociated" riders in a 100-man field. I was also probably one of only about 10 Cat. 4 riders in the field; I've only been a Cat. 4 for about a week. This race apparently fields some of the best up-and-coming Cat. 3 racers in the country.
I held on for dear life in the road race. It was in the mid-90s. The course was super-technical (or dangerous if you want to look at it like that), the one-lane rule was in effect. Around 10 riders crashed-out in the first lap; I had to clip-out twice to avoid wrecks. I finished 41st -- only 17 seconds behind the winner. I'm happy with it all things considered. Riding in the country made me not want to come back to Pittsburgh. (52 miles)
I was psyched for the time trial -- eight miles, four of climbing, two of "intense" climbing. This was going to be my first test to see if I really am the "strong climber" I fancy myself to be. What happens? I flat four miles in, right at the base of the climb. I had to wait about 10 minutes for a new wheel (Where was the sag wagon with the Zipp 404s when I needed it?). I did finish, though -- 77th of 78 riders. Ouch.
The four-corner criterium. Twenty-five laps, .07 miles a lap. Carl went on to say it was probably the hardest, fastest crit. he's ever done. I abandoned at lap-17. I checked my computer at lap-13, while still clinging on to the back for dear life (Notice a trend?) to find my average speed was a little over 28 miles per hour. It was just too fast for me; over half the field didn't finish which made me feel a little better.
Lesson learned this weekend: As soon as we get two hours out of Pittsburgh, we're all in a little over our heads. Also, I don't really like criterium racing. Note: Every race I'll do in May will be a criterium ...
Fun times, though! Great training miles! Good weekend with good friends!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Here are some notes on my racing between March 28 and April 22
I'm going to keep track of my racing "stats" here. I'll update as I go. Read on if you're into it. I'll probably start getting more indepth about the stupid stuff that goes on before, after, and during as well. Cool, man!
- March 28, Trek of Pittsburgh presents "Mingo Creek, Race No. 1": 2nd Place. Lost by half a wheel. Won $30. I'm happy with it for the first race of the season. (33 miles)
- April 5, Trek of Pittsburgh presents "Mingo Creek, Race No. 2": 12th Place. Missed the break, nobody wanted to work to catch the break, finished in the field, not in the money, not happy. (33 miles)
- April 11, Backyard Bike Club presents "Morgantown, West Virginia Road Race": 8th Place. Lots of climbing, great course. Hung in with the lead group the entire race which was eventually whittled down to about ten. Not enough room to make a move in the sprint (stupid one-lane rule in effect). Overall, I'm happy with it. I won a Campy wheel bag. What the hell am I going to do with that? Rob Lochner won in a breakaway on his 30th birthday. Good job, dude! (50 miles)
- April 14, Allegheny Cycling Association, Washington Boulevard Criterium, "C Race, No. 1": 1st Place. Rode about eight solo laps and then broke away with about a lap and a half left and held it. Almost too easy. Won three of six primes and most aggressive rider. $40 in my wallet. (15 miles)
- April 18, Trek of Pittsburgh presents "Mingo Creek, Race No. 3": 3rd Place. Rode real well. The field was eventually whittled down to around ten. I broke a little early, burned out bright, looked around too much says Steve, and got beat. That's the way it goes I suppose. $20 paid out. (33 miles) I finished third in the omnium for another $30 and a $20 Trek gift card. Cool!
- April 21, Allegheny Cycling Association, Washington Boulevard Criterium, "C Race No. 2": 3rd Place. Eh. What is there to say? I broke a little early, had already blown my load, sat up, had nothing left, got passed. A good night of training, though! This will probably be my last "C Race" of the season. $10 to race; $10 for third place. A good night of training! (15 miles)
- April 22, Allegheny Cycling Association, Washington Boulevard Criterium, "B Race No. 1": 9th Place. My first "B Race." I wasn't as fresh as I would have liked because of last night. I missed the break like everybody else and died on the last lap. I've realized I have no idea what the hell I'm doing out there strategy-wise. I have a lot to learn; luckily, it's still April. A good week of training prior to the hell that awaits me in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, this weekend! (18 miles)
- March 28, Trek of Pittsburgh presents "Mingo Creek, Race No. 1": 2nd Place. Lost by half a wheel. Won $30. I'm happy with it for the first race of the season. (33 miles)
- April 5, Trek of Pittsburgh presents "Mingo Creek, Race No. 2": 12th Place. Missed the break, nobody wanted to work to catch the break, finished in the field, not in the money, not happy. (33 miles)
- April 11, Backyard Bike Club presents "Morgantown, West Virginia Road Race": 8th Place. Lots of climbing, great course. Hung in with the lead group the entire race which was eventually whittled down to about ten. Not enough room to make a move in the sprint (stupid one-lane rule in effect). Overall, I'm happy with it. I won a Campy wheel bag. What the hell am I going to do with that? Rob Lochner won in a breakaway on his 30th birthday. Good job, dude! (50 miles)
- April 14, Allegheny Cycling Association, Washington Boulevard Criterium, "C Race, No. 1": 1st Place. Rode about eight solo laps and then broke away with about a lap and a half left and held it. Almost too easy. Won three of six primes and most aggressive rider. $40 in my wallet. (15 miles)
- April 18, Trek of Pittsburgh presents "Mingo Creek, Race No. 3": 3rd Place. Rode real well. The field was eventually whittled down to around ten. I broke a little early, burned out bright, looked around too much says Steve, and got beat. That's the way it goes I suppose. $20 paid out. (33 miles) I finished third in the omnium for another $30 and a $20 Trek gift card. Cool!
- April 21, Allegheny Cycling Association, Washington Boulevard Criterium, "C Race No. 2": 3rd Place. Eh. What is there to say? I broke a little early, had already blown my load, sat up, had nothing left, got passed. A good night of training, though! This will probably be my last "C Race" of the season. $10 to race; $10 for third place. A good night of training! (15 miles)
- April 22, Allegheny Cycling Association, Washington Boulevard Criterium, "B Race No. 1": 9th Place. My first "B Race." I wasn't as fresh as I would have liked because of last night. I missed the break like everybody else and died on the last lap. I've realized I have no idea what the hell I'm doing out there strategy-wise. I have a lot to learn; luckily, it's still April. A good week of training prior to the hell that awaits me in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, this weekend! (18 miles)
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