Stats:
| Time: | 1:51:00 |
| Distance: | 49.5 miles |
| Speed: | 26.7 mph |
| HR: | 184 bpm |
| Cadence: | 88 rpm |
John E. and Tom K. also raced in the A's. The B's had a successful night with Jason taking first and Rick taking 3rd from SBR.
Showing posts with label Westlake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Westlake. Show all posts
Saturday, June 28, 2008
2008-06-24 Westlake A Race
Had a good workout / race on Tues out at Westlake.
Stats:
John E. and Tom K. also raced in the A's. The B's had a successful night with Jason taking first and Rick taking 3rd from SBR.
Stats:
John E. and Tom K. also raced in the A's. The B's had a successful night with Jason taking first and Rick taking 3rd from SBR.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Westlake 5/6/2007
So I got out to Westlake for the first time in '08. I was torn on which race to do, especially when I saw the east siders out in force. I was questioning my fitness and bike handling, since I hadn't raced Westlake yet this year. (Just ask Juan about my cornering...) I figured that the B's would be a safe bet and would give a good chance to work with some of the new guys on SBR.
I didn't get out of work in time to get a warm-up in, so I was hoping for a gradual ramp-up. My hopes were let down a little by the neutral lap taking off at a 20+ pace. After the first turn there was a quick push to 27-28mph, but this was short lived. Once the pace settled down I worked my way toward the front. There were a couple of small moves on the front and SBR did well marking these. As I finally got into position in the top 5-6, a solo rider shot off the front when we passed the staging area. Michael Larimer marked this well and the two had a noticeable gap in short time. 3-4 riders started to chase and as we passed the 120* turn there was another gap forming behind them. I knew it was way too early for a break of 2 people to succeed, so I didn't try blocking at this point; but I also knew not to chase. Just sit on and follow the wheel in front of me.
After about 1/3 of a lap, the chase caught the 2 solos and it was time to go to work. 2 SBR in a break of 6 was definitely an advantage worth working for, so we quickly went to work taking good pulls to extend the gap and encouraging others to work hard. It took a couple of laps, but we eventually had a comfortable gap (which should be expected with plenty of teammates back to block).
What I think was the 2nd prime was taken comfortably by Michael for 1 point. The rotation quickly resumed. A cash prime which I took in a fast but uncontested sprint. I was feeling really good, and as the A's break and then field passed - it was tempting to jump on and forgo the B race. I knew I couldn't abandon the break and the guys in the field who were working for us.
From this point we hung off the A group for quite about a lap as they weren't going a great deal faster than us. After the A field slowly snuck away, our break seemed like a fast paced group ride. Everyone pulled about the same length and same speed. I was rotating off immediately before Michael and it seemed we both were taking pulls that were slightly longer and faster than the rest of the group. It was work some times, but I wanted to try to keep the pace above 24-25mph.
With 4 laps to go, I figured it was time to start looking at strategy. I started taking slightly shorter pulls at first, but making them faster and breaking from the group ride mentality. I thought it would be better at this point if Michael weren't right behind me in the rotation, but I didn't want to start showing our cards yet.
As the pace increased a rider or two had dropped off, leaving us with 5. As Michael would pull through, I told him that he shouldn't ride along side the group as long, but instead find shelter in the draft. As he pulled off again and came to the back, I told him that I was going to jump and hang to the back. I thought we understood; but as I jumped for the first time with 1-2 laps to go, I looked back and he had came around the group with me and was trying to catch my wheel. This was really less than optimal as we were doing considerably more work than the rest of the break. I sat up and we settled back in. The games had begun
The pace picked up again heading past the start/finish and here is where Juan dropped off. After we passed the staging area it was more of a competition to stay off the front than anything else. Rick Bennett was really playing the game well and Michael was finding it hard to keep off the front. I emphatically convinced him to stay on a wheel as I took a couple of jumps to shake up the pace.
A little ways past the 2nd to last turn I popped off the front again a little ways, but quickly sat up and acted like I was trying find my way to the back. As the other riders slowed to stay behind I dropped a couple gears, stood, and launched. I looked back to ensure I had a gap. Seeing that I did, I knew it was time to nail it. I slowed slightly rounding the last corner, but I quickly got back to over 30mph.
With 200m to go, I had extended the gap a little, but I was still worried about the sheltered riders launching after me. I kept it buried and the next time I looked back I was happy to see that Michael was pulling around both riders. As I rolled through the finish, I was able to look back and watch my teammate do the same. It was a great day for team tactics.
I didn't get out of work in time to get a warm-up in, so I was hoping for a gradual ramp-up. My hopes were let down a little by the neutral lap taking off at a 20+ pace. After the first turn there was a quick push to 27-28mph, but this was short lived. Once the pace settled down I worked my way toward the front. There were a couple of small moves on the front and SBR did well marking these. As I finally got into position in the top 5-6, a solo rider shot off the front when we passed the staging area. Michael Larimer marked this well and the two had a noticeable gap in short time. 3-4 riders started to chase and as we passed the 120* turn there was another gap forming behind them. I knew it was way too early for a break of 2 people to succeed, so I didn't try blocking at this point; but I also knew not to chase. Just sit on and follow the wheel in front of me.
After about 1/3 of a lap, the chase caught the 2 solos and it was time to go to work. 2 SBR in a break of 6 was definitely an advantage worth working for, so we quickly went to work taking good pulls to extend the gap and encouraging others to work hard. It took a couple of laps, but we eventually had a comfortable gap (which should be expected with plenty of teammates back to block).
What I think was the 2nd prime was taken comfortably by Michael for 1 point. The rotation quickly resumed. A cash prime which I took in a fast but uncontested sprint. I was feeling really good, and as the A's break and then field passed - it was tempting to jump on and forgo the B race. I knew I couldn't abandon the break and the guys in the field who were working for us.
From this point we hung off the A group for quite about a lap as they weren't going a great deal faster than us. After the A field slowly snuck away, our break seemed like a fast paced group ride. Everyone pulled about the same length and same speed. I was rotating off immediately before Michael and it seemed we both were taking pulls that were slightly longer and faster than the rest of the group. It was work some times, but I wanted to try to keep the pace above 24-25mph.
With 4 laps to go, I figured it was time to start looking at strategy. I started taking slightly shorter pulls at first, but making them faster and breaking from the group ride mentality. I thought it would be better at this point if Michael weren't right behind me in the rotation, but I didn't want to start showing our cards yet.
As the pace increased a rider or two had dropped off, leaving us with 5. As Michael would pull through, I told him that he shouldn't ride along side the group as long, but instead find shelter in the draft. As he pulled off again and came to the back, I told him that I was going to jump and hang to the back. I thought we understood; but as I jumped for the first time with 1-2 laps to go, I looked back and he had came around the group with me and was trying to catch my wheel. This was really less than optimal as we were doing considerably more work than the rest of the break. I sat up and we settled back in. The games had begun
The pace picked up again heading past the start/finish and here is where Juan dropped off. After we passed the staging area it was more of a competition to stay off the front than anything else. Rick Bennett was really playing the game well and Michael was finding it hard to keep off the front. I emphatically convinced him to stay on a wheel as I took a couple of jumps to shake up the pace.
A little ways past the 2nd to last turn I popped off the front again a little ways, but quickly sat up and acted like I was trying find my way to the back. As the other riders slowed to stay behind I dropped a couple gears, stood, and launched. I looked back to ensure I had a gap. Seeing that I did, I knew it was time to nail it. I slowed slightly rounding the last corner, but I quickly got back to over 30mph.
With 200m to go, I had extended the gap a little, but I was still worried about the sheltered riders launching after me. I kept it buried and the next time I looked back I was happy to see that Michael was pulling around both riders. As I rolled through the finish, I was able to look back and watch my teammate do the same. It was a great day for team tactics.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
2007 Weslake season's final race
Tonight wrapped up another successful Westlake race season for SBR. Dave Kovach took 2nd in the B race tonight after a strong leadout from Jim Nichols and Matt Orehek claimed fourth place. Series results should be posted at http://www.cvalleyvelo.com
The A race was the fastest of the year: 11 laps for approx 22mi at over 27mph avg
Photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gburkhol/sets/72157602154827574/ (Thanks to Michelle Mead for shooting the pics!!)
Thursday, September 20, 2007
More FUN at Westlake
Ahhh - the season is winding down; the days are getting shorter and so are the races. For this week and last it was 13 laps (about 26 miles) of pure enjoyment. Those in the points races (top 20 for A's) are trying to maintain and/or improve position. Most of the rest of us are just trying to hang on for DEAR LIFE.
The races continue to get faster (depending on the breaks and the chases). Rick and I managed to score back to back primes for SBR on Tues - right before a tear your legs off breakaway started. It was like being shot out of a cannon (backwards) as I was launched to the back of the field after the prime I took. Fortunately the field was strung out single file and I had some time to recover without going off the back completely.
I still have to download my Polar data, but I'm particularly interested in the hard turn on the final lap. I definately felt my front tire slide out about 3-4 inches at which point I slowed up a bit and looked down to still see 25+ mph. I've still got to work on getting my line though the appex of the turn.
The races continue to get faster (depending on the breaks and the chases). Rick and I managed to score back to back primes for SBR on Tues - right before a tear your legs off breakaway started. It was like being shot out of a cannon (backwards) as I was launched to the back of the field after the prime I took. Fortunately the field was strung out single file and I had some time to recover without going off the back completely.
I still have to download my Polar data, but I'm particularly interested in the hard turn on the final lap. I definately felt my front tire slide out about 3-4 inches at which point I slowed up a bit and looked down to still see 25+ mph. I've still got to work on getting my line though the appex of the turn.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Westlake 8/28/2007 - the quick and dirty
There were 40 riders out, and all the teams were well represented including me, Rick, John, Dave S., and Chris B. from SBR. There were no breaks. I haven't downloaded my Polar data yet, but the average speed was a touch over 26mph (including the warm-up lap).
Everyone from SBR mixed it up at the front during the parts of the race; there was a ton of jockeying for position the whole night. I was not ready for them to ring the bell. I heard it ringing, looked up to see what the prime would be, and there was a '1' showing on the lap card. I was sitting about 30th at this time - NOT GOOD. I managed to find my way into the top 15-20, but I was more worried about getting in a crash than trying to be in position for the sprint.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Twin Sizzler
I raced the Twin Sizzler in Medina, OH for the first time today. It was a really fun race, but I was a little out of my realm as I had no idea what to expect from the course. I should have mapped it out last night on google, because the map on the event website was no where near being to scale.
Both SBR and Spin did a good job of working the front and the lead group stayed together for the whole race. Dave took a flier off the front with around 1km to go. Had I known that we were that close to the finish, I wouldn't have made a feeble attempt at sitting up and trying to block...
Coming out of what would be the last set of turns I was sitting at about 15-20th. I look up the road and wonder, gee why are all those people standing up there cheering?? I was able to sprint into the top 10-12 (I think) - it was definitely a mass finish. The volunteers at the finish line were basically looking for the racers to tell them what the finish order was. I will certainly be more prepared come next year's race!
I've added info on 2008's Twin Sizzler race here [including a Google MAP]:
http://cyclonecross.blogspot.com/2008/06/next-scheduled-race-in-neo.html
On a more positive note, I grabbed 4th place at the Westlake world championships last night. I'd had a hunch that the BIG DOGS would be resting up for the races today. And I was correct. Matt Weeks and a rider from RGF had a solid break away with 6 or so laps to go. About 800m from the start of the final lap, Stefan Kadar (RGF) and Justin Piccorelli (Spin) jumped. I waited back briefly waiting for Tris or one of the A&F guys to leap to the chase. When no one else responded, I quickly bridged and hung just a bit back to catch breath and settle the HR. We continued to work and build our gap all the way to the finish. With 200m to go Stefan was 1st, Justin 2nd, and I was 3rd. Stefan got a good jump and I wasn't able to catch him.
I'm still waiting on my Thomson Masterpiece seat post to arrive. The Selle Italia SLR saddle I just upgraded to, was exactly 1/2 the weight of my 270g Fizik saddle. The bike is now sitting around 16.75lbs. I just need to upgrade the 105 crank and the Ksyrium Elite rear wheel, and I might be able to drop the weight close to or below 16lbs.
Both SBR and Spin did a good job of working the front and the lead group stayed together for the whole race. Dave took a flier off the front with around 1km to go. Had I known that we were that close to the finish, I wouldn't have made a feeble attempt at sitting up and trying to block...
Coming out of what would be the last set of turns I was sitting at about 15-20th. I look up the road and wonder, gee why are all those people standing up there cheering?? I was able to sprint into the top 10-12 (I think) - it was definitely a mass finish. The volunteers at the finish line were basically looking for the racers to tell them what the finish order was. I will certainly be more prepared come next year's race!
I've added info on 2008's Twin Sizzler race here [including a Google MAP]:
http://cyclonecross.blogspot.com/2008/06/next-scheduled-race-in-neo.html
On a more positive note, I grabbed 4th place at the Westlake world championships last night. I'd had a hunch that the BIG DOGS would be resting up for the races today. And I was correct. Matt Weeks and a rider from RGF had a solid break away with 6 or so laps to go. About 800m from the start of the final lap, Stefan Kadar (RGF) and Justin Piccorelli (Spin) jumped. I waited back briefly waiting for Tris or one of the A&F guys to leap to the chase. When no one else responded, I quickly bridged and hung just a bit back to catch breath and settle the HR. We continued to work and build our gap all the way to the finish. With 200m to go Stefan was 1st, Justin 2nd, and I was 3rd. Stefan got a good jump and I wasn't able to catch him.
I'm still waiting on my Thomson Masterpiece seat post to arrive. The Selle Italia SLR saddle I just upgraded to, was exactly 1/2 the weight of my 270g Fizik saddle. The bike is now sitting around 16.75lbs. I just need to upgrade the 105 crank and the Ksyrium Elite rear wheel, and I might be able to drop the weight close to or below 16lbs.
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