We are pleased to announce that Race Games are back! If you are in the market for maybe the funnest ride of the year, come on out! And with the excellent coaching team of Brenna, and Matt.
We are going to run the race games over the next 3 Tuesdays on the B rides starting this Tuesday, June 18, with B2. The two subsequent dates are: June 25th, and July 2nd. The plan would be to do the Friday route on those Tuesdays.
Open to the first 10-12 people who want to participate. This is a super fun, super popular ride with fabulous coaches. So, if you are interested, show up at OBHS parking lot @ 5:55 am to make sure you are in the group.
If you didn't get chance last time, this is your opportunity!
See you on the road
Mary G.
Recommendations for Race Games
“If you are thinking about it, but not sure - try it!”
Paula S., June 2018
“Thanks so much for a great session today, great to ride with you all!!!”
”bikehart” aka Hugh, June 2018
“That was a blast”
“L2R” aka Louise F., June 2018
Here’s a summary from Lister, written last year, of what to expect:
Please note there are opportunities in this drill for riders at many stages. Yes, it's about attacking and chasing, which sound aggressive and for the strong. But they're also good for testing your limits at holding a faster group, saving yourself when it's a bit over your head (such as when you bridge a gap in a race), and generally find efficiencies in faster pace lines.
"Breaks and Chases"
Intro:
Group rides are about sticking together, but racing is often about trying to get away, break up a group, or tire opponents so teammates can make a move later. Compared to group rides, the intensity is higher in peak moments, lower in lulls, drafting skills are challenged, and the need to organize and work with riders of varying strengths is intensified.
This drill has a small group do a simulated attack. 2-4 riders will accelerate sharply together from the back of the bunch, and organize to open a gap on the bunch. The bunch will spot them 10-30 seconds so they can practice the chase effort. The bunch has to organize a chase to pull them back using all riders who can contribute, without dropping riders. Weaker riders practice sitting on. The incentive is to stay away or catch the break, respectively.
Skills include:
1. attack with coordinated acceleration
2. drafting under pressure
3. communication
4. judging cadence, speed and effort
5. using everyone's strengths (big people on downhills, small people on hills..)
6. encouraging group partners
What to expect:
1. A maximum of 10-12 riders can be accommodated and get good practice and feedback. First come, first served. Coaches will be onsite a 5:50. Look for Brenna, Matt and meet near them.
2. Riders should be similar B1 strength (2nd week B2, 3rd week B3) with pace line, braking and shifting skills.
3. Drill conditions are set to allow the group to work on group race skills. Being open minded helps.
4. Expect to learn skills vs 'get a workout', although there will be significant effort involved
5. Same route as Friday, usual safety considerations at corners and stop signs. Do not take risks.
6. See effort start (blue) and finish (red) points on this map www.plotaroute.com/route/625523. The usual Friday route but broken into segments for safety, review, reforming groups and adding a progression if necessary
7. Stop after each effort, regroup and ride to recover, stop at next start for instructions.
8. A coach will follow each group to advise and give feedback
9. Peer feedback will be key. Please respect it.
10. Efforts are more intense than regular pace line rides.
11. If you're one of the stronger riders, you will be expected to moderate your effort to work with your group
12. If you're not feeling so good, we want you to practice sitting on as soon as you need it, and working when you can. Short pulls, don't smash your pull then go off the back. Don’t give up. It always gets easier.
13. Pulls on the front will be shorter to compensate for higher intensity.
14. Higher cadence is recommended to help manage micro-accelerations in pace lines at higher intensity
15. Cooperation and communication are key
16. The full session will be slightly longer than usual ride with stops to review practice and what to do next.
17. Coffee after to review is strongly recommended.
Progressions:
1. If you're the strongest, take a lead role organizing and encouraging the group.
2. If you get caught, sit up and a plan b attack will go.
3. If there's a weaker part of the group, we will spot them more time when attacking, less when chasing.
