[bikertank]

I am at a seminar all day - but wanted to hear about Ross14's race ?? Any news ?

[Ross14]

Well, I survived. We got there around 8:00am the girls were to race first in the woman's open at 9:00am. We got dressed in a field and then rode the course through once. By the time that we got back the women's race was starting. Since it was a woman's open it was 35 miles long my race was only 21 miles at 11:00. Out of a field of 30ish people one of our racers came in 5th, it was her first year as well! She ran cross country before she came on the team, thats why she was so good agents people as high as cat 2 women's. Fast forward a couple races and it was time for my first race. Me along with 6 of my team mates of my class where to race in the 14-18 juniors class. Two of our best rides broke away immediately I remained in the upper mid field along with two of my teammates. Unfortunately this one team created a "wall" in front of the pack, our max speed over two laps was 15mph, we went faster in warm-up. After lots of swearing one of the officials came along on a scooter and sent that team to the back of everyone, even the dropped people. Later on the 3rd and final lap when some racing was actually getting done I was drafting a teammate and here comes the team that was causing trouble earlier. As I was drafting my teammate one of the bad racers comes and goes for a gap in between me and my teammate, the problem is that the gap was only 2 feet. He hit my front wheel and I went down. I was fine I had just scarred up my hand a bit, same for my bike, it was fine. The bad thing is that I did lose my place. I had about 4 more miles to the finish line so I sprinted but lost site of the field, but I did pass 5 independent riders gaining some places. If I had not crashed I would have held a place around the top 25th out of 60. I still don't know the results but when I do find out I will post them. The riders that went ahead in the beginning snatched 2nd and 5th. As bad as this race sounds I did have fun and tomorrow I have the same race so hopefully I will do better and not crash. All that I can say is that that one team is hated by me and every other person in the race, they caused all of my problems.

[newleaf150]

Well-done, Ross14! I hope tomorrow brings you more saddle time and a better finish. Bravo for rocking the finish you had. That kind of sprint just has to hurt.

For my own part, I managed 7mi of hills and sprints today. Ouch. We hit 55*f this morning, but with an afternoon storm predicted. By the time I actually left the house, it was down to 38* outside. I was frankly marginal in terms of clothes at even that temp, then the wind really started kicking up as the promised storm massed. A 15-20mph North wind that felt like it came straight from the Arctic.

I knew I wasn't going to last long, and that conditions would only get worse. Stayed close to home and did a hilly route mostly perpendicular to the wind. I hit the hills hard and sought them out. Clocked 22mph ascending an admittedly mild grade, but started from 0 at the base. That was fun. I enjoy up-shifting while ascending. Sadly, my engine gave out before the hill did. Oh well. Try, try again!

As I write this, I keep casting longing looks out the window at the falling snow. I want so badly to throw my (warmer) gear on and hit the road, but I'm not quite cool enough to brave the wind and snow together, just yet.

[davereo]

Ross some lessons learned today for sure. Sounds like an exciting racing season ahead of you. Good luck young man I am routeing for your success.

[synack]

Sorry to hear about your crash, glad you got up and were able to ride the rest of the race though!

[Amish]

I hadn't really written since the last week of Christmas because of sickness and snow. This last couple of weeks I was able to ride a few times. The last two rides has been very difficult for me to be honest. Legs hurting from not riding, weather cold cold cold and just general bad rides. You know what though? Gotta keep going. Gotta keep moving forward. I know because of those days I wasn't able to ride I was going to pay for it.

Well today I rode, only about 8.5 miles, temps were in the 30's and the wind was blowing a little. It was cold, but the good news....I was sweating when I got back. Lots of hills and climbs. I was huffing and puffing but I got it in and I can't wait for the next one. Hey at least I don't have 30+ inches of snow..lol.

Tough ride, but I needed it. Would like to attempt my first ever race this year.

[John_V]

12.5 mile recovery ride with my Saturday cycling club. Nothing fast but a good ride anyway. Tomorrow it's back to my regular ride and more wind training (predicted 12-15 mph - 20+ mph gusts).

[bikertank]

Originally Posted by Ross14

Well, I survived. We got there around 8:00am the girls were to race first in the woman's open at 9:00am. We got dressed in a field and then rode the course through once. By the time that we got back the women's race was starting. Since it was a woman's open it was 35 miles long my race was only 21 miles at 11:00. Out of a field of 30ish people one of our racers came in 5th, it was her first year as well! She ran cross country before she came on the team, thats why she was so good agents people as high as cat 2 women's. Fast forward a couple races and it was time for my first race. Me along with 6 of my team mates of my class where to race in the 14-18 juniors class. Two of our best rides broke away immediately I remained in the upper mid field along with two of my teammates. Unfortunately this one team created a "wall" in front of the pack, our max speed over two laps was 15mph, we went faster in warm-up. After lots of swearing one of the officials came along on a scooter and sent that team to the back of everyone, even the dropped people. Later on the 3rd and final lap when some racing was actually getting done I was drafting a teammate and here comes the team that was causing trouble earlier. As I was drafting my teammate one of the bad racers comes and goes for a gap in between me and my teammate, the problem is that the gap was only 2 feet. He hit my front wheel and I went down. I was fine I had just scarred up my hand a bit, same for my bike, it was fine. The bad thing is that I did lose my place. I had about 4 more miles to the finish line so I sprinted but lost site of the field, but I did pass 5 independent riders gaining some places. If I had not crashed I would have held a place around the top 25th out of 60. I still don't know the results but when I do find out I will post them. The riders that went ahead in the beginning snatched 2nd and 5th. As bad as this race sounds I did have fun and tomorrow I have the same race so hopefully I will do better and not crash. All that I can say is that that one team is hated by me and every other person in the race, they caused all of my problems.

Ross - the other team's coach was obviously a (insert bad word here after you are 18) - at this age group blocking like that on a short course is ridiculous - but so many coaches lose the focus of early team sports - yes winning but with class & good ethics - good luck tomorrow

[Ross14]

Thanks for all of the support, I will keep y'all posted on my races. Better get to bed, I have another race tomorrow.

[Andy2302]

No, I didn't ride today.
The blizzard prevented that. However, all the riding and now spinning on the trainer has kept this old phart in shape. It's the second day of my 67th year and I'm still fit enough to have fun in the snow. This much snow last year would have been too much, really.