VCL#1_Caleb_Pike#1
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 1:31 pm
A very satisfying race:
Didn't feel like running around yesterday to get the free hub sorted (Russ Hayes did a great job). Didn't feel like doing a major clean last night (my bike hadn’t been properly cleaned since last summer and I confess to resorting to motor oil for lube on a few occasions this winter). Didn’t even feel like leaving the comfort of home this morning. Come to think of it, even last Wednesday I did hills a little harder than I wanted to, just to prepare for today. Racing is a lot like the rest of TS. Who in their right mind likes a 5:30 am alarm? But that 7:45 am feeling at coffee is almost unbeatable. I went into the B race with zero indecision. My visit to Russ Hayes the day before alerted me to the reality of the 2014 A race scene. They’ve dominated every race they’ve attended so far (non VCL races) and Caleb Pike was no different. First two guys went by the B’s, then two more, and then another two. Two-by-two Russ Hayes A racers must have run off the front of the A pack. A lap later they were a single red and white break away. They all have matching Specialized Tarmacs - it's exciting, but no country for old men. Jay ran an amazing A race – hopefully he’ll write to tell about that. Many usual suspects in B and a new group of three keen young guys in green. They ran at the front the entire race along with three strong women. This, by contrast, suited me fine. Ritchie and Stephane were also in attendance, Stephan sporting his Wheelers kit. My plan, having ridden an average of twice a week this spring, was to sit in and not even worry about where I sat in. That might not sound like a ‘plan’, but deciding in advance not to react to shit is a plan that’s sometimes hard to follow. I’m rambling. First few laps were reasonable – lots of TSers wouldn't have had any trouble (hint). The three greenies mentioned above and one or two of the women opened a gap and then Stephane bridged. I knew that group was capable of staying away, so I bridged taking one guy with me. The leaders slowed and the B’s reassembled. A wasted effort, but it could easily have been THE break. That was also a signal. These green meanies weren’t mean at all (they were running at the front without a killer instinct – cool). Twelve laps in total, they counted down without much drama and even the bell lap had a slow run along the ‘back straight’. Stephan couldn't bear it, and jumped ….. way too soon. Then, after the 90 degree right-hander Ritchie decided it was time to hammer ….. still way too soon. The problem is that the run down the main hill is so fast in a pack that you just can’t keep them at bay. In the pack you don't even start pedaling on the way up until you’re half way there. So a break has to be going twice as fast as the pack to stay in front, or has to leave the pack with two laps remaining.
In that pack, I made a small mistake – too tall a gear. The run up the hill went well. I was quickly into 3rd, and driving hard to maintain, but didn't have the horsepower at this low cadence to increase my speed. I got passed once and ended up fourth. Stephane is stronger than me this spring. No doubt about that, but that doesn’t always translate. Yes, now I am gloating. He'll get his chance, sooner rather than later I am sure. This is another message to those waiting for a fitness ‘peak’. Come on out regardless of your condition. You’ll dread the run up to the race, and love the afterglow.
JT
Didn't feel like running around yesterday to get the free hub sorted (Russ Hayes did a great job). Didn't feel like doing a major clean last night (my bike hadn’t been properly cleaned since last summer and I confess to resorting to motor oil for lube on a few occasions this winter). Didn’t even feel like leaving the comfort of home this morning. Come to think of it, even last Wednesday I did hills a little harder than I wanted to, just to prepare for today. Racing is a lot like the rest of TS. Who in their right mind likes a 5:30 am alarm? But that 7:45 am feeling at coffee is almost unbeatable. I went into the B race with zero indecision. My visit to Russ Hayes the day before alerted me to the reality of the 2014 A race scene. They’ve dominated every race they’ve attended so far (non VCL races) and Caleb Pike was no different. First two guys went by the B’s, then two more, and then another two. Two-by-two Russ Hayes A racers must have run off the front of the A pack. A lap later they were a single red and white break away. They all have matching Specialized Tarmacs - it's exciting, but no country for old men. Jay ran an amazing A race – hopefully he’ll write to tell about that. Many usual suspects in B and a new group of three keen young guys in green. They ran at the front the entire race along with three strong women. This, by contrast, suited me fine. Ritchie and Stephane were also in attendance, Stephan sporting his Wheelers kit. My plan, having ridden an average of twice a week this spring, was to sit in and not even worry about where I sat in. That might not sound like a ‘plan’, but deciding in advance not to react to shit is a plan that’s sometimes hard to follow. I’m rambling. First few laps were reasonable – lots of TSers wouldn't have had any trouble (hint). The three greenies mentioned above and one or two of the women opened a gap and then Stephane bridged. I knew that group was capable of staying away, so I bridged taking one guy with me. The leaders slowed and the B’s reassembled. A wasted effort, but it could easily have been THE break. That was also a signal. These green meanies weren’t mean at all (they were running at the front without a killer instinct – cool). Twelve laps in total, they counted down without much drama and even the bell lap had a slow run along the ‘back straight’. Stephan couldn't bear it, and jumped ….. way too soon. Then, after the 90 degree right-hander Ritchie decided it was time to hammer ….. still way too soon. The problem is that the run down the main hill is so fast in a pack that you just can’t keep them at bay. In the pack you don't even start pedaling on the way up until you’re half way there. So a break has to be going twice as fast as the pack to stay in front, or has to leave the pack with two laps remaining.
In that pack, I made a small mistake – too tall a gear. The run up the hill went well. I was quickly into 3rd, and driving hard to maintain, but didn't have the horsepower at this low cadence to increase my speed. I got passed once and ended up fourth. Stephane is stronger than me this spring. No doubt about that, but that doesn’t always translate. Yes, now I am gloating. He'll get his chance, sooner rather than later I am sure. This is another message to those waiting for a fitness ‘peak’. Come on out regardless of your condition. You’ll dread the run up to the race, and love the afterglow.
JT
) Needless to say, it worked. 