Today I went to Hugo, CO with Firle and Cameron to do the Hugo Road Race. The Course was a 78 mile loop on some of the flattest, straightest, most unexciting roads that Colorado has to offer. It was a chilly day and a pretty boring race until the last 15km when it really started picking up. A lot of attacks went at that point and I took a shot at getting away as well but was unsuccessful. Because of the lack of difficulty in the terrain the race came down to a 60+ man field-sprint that was host to the sketchiest riding I've seen in a long time. People were pushed off the road and into the ditch on at least 4 occasions. I guess the moto wanted in on the action as well as he kept rolling up on us making things even more chaotic in the final kilometers. I ended up crossing the line just behind the sprint but boxed in and never really able to open up my sprinting legs. Although I had fun because it was still bicycle racing and I got to spend some time with Cam and Firle, I think that I'll skip out on this race next year and just go for a ride.
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Saturday, May 14, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Race Report: Tour of the Gila - Stage 5: The Gila Monster
Today was the 5th and final stage of the Gila. The route was similar to the Inner Loop that we did on Wednesday but we rode it backwards starting in town and finishing at the summit of Pinos Altos (a category 2 climb).
The race started at 7:30 this morning and it was unbelievably cold. The course started with a few long and gradual climbs heading out of town. We went over these pretty quickly and the group stayed together. One primal rider left on a break away there.
From there we descended into a valley and then gradually climbed over some rolling hills to the continental divide. After crossing over the divide the pave really picked up. The break had a gap of about 5 minutes and was beginning to threaten the top GC guys.
Things realty heated up with about 20 to go when we hit the start of the category 2 climb. The GC leader immediately threw in an attack and the peloton shattered. I went with the attack along with about 9 other guys. I was able to hold on for a few miles but felt terrible and was dropped with about 14 miles to go. It seems the 4 days of race efforts leading up to today had taken their toll and my legs were absolutely cooked.
Although I was no longer contending the stage win I tries the keep my pace up in hopes to sneak back into the top 10 GC. At the end of the day I finished 10th in the stage about 1:30 back from the stage winner. I knew the riders that I needed to gain tome against to get back into the top 10 were behind me but I wasn't sure if I had created a substantial enough gap.
Sadly, I was only able to gain about 30 seconds on the riders who had pushed me put of the top 10 in the ITT and that wasn't enough to move up. I was still 12th overall.
Although I didn't have any huge moves that would have won me the race, the thing that most certainly lost it for me was the ITT. This is clearly something that I'll need to really work on and eventually get the equipment for if I would like to do well in an event like this in the future.
All-in-all it was a fantastic experience and is something I would like to do more of. I am already looking forward to returning next year.
The race started at 7:30 this morning and it was unbelievably cold. The course started with a few long and gradual climbs heading out of town. We went over these pretty quickly and the group stayed together. One primal rider left on a break away there.
From there we descended into a valley and then gradually climbed over some rolling hills to the continental divide. After crossing over the divide the pave really picked up. The break had a gap of about 5 minutes and was beginning to threaten the top GC guys.
Things realty heated up with about 20 to go when we hit the start of the category 2 climb. The GC leader immediately threw in an attack and the peloton shattered. I went with the attack along with about 9 other guys. I was able to hold on for a few miles but felt terrible and was dropped with about 14 miles to go. It seems the 4 days of race efforts leading up to today had taken their toll and my legs were absolutely cooked.
Although I was no longer contending the stage win I tries the keep my pace up in hopes to sneak back into the top 10 GC. At the end of the day I finished 10th in the stage about 1:30 back from the stage winner. I knew the riders that I needed to gain tome against to get back into the top 10 were behind me but I wasn't sure if I had created a substantial enough gap.
Sadly, I was only able to gain about 30 seconds on the riders who had pushed me put of the top 10 in the ITT and that wasn't enough to move up. I was still 12th overall.
Although I didn't have any huge moves that would have won me the race, the thing that most certainly lost it for me was the ITT. This is clearly something that I'll need to really work on and eventually get the equipment for if I would like to do well in an event like this in the future.
All-in-all it was a fantastic experience and is something I would like to do more of. I am already looking forward to returning next year.
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Race Report: SRAM Tour of the Gila - stage 4: Downtown Criterium
Yesterday's stage was the downtown crit in downtown Silver City. The course was set up like a traditional 4 corner crit and had a few add-ons to make it a little more interesting. The most substantial of these was the climb on the back stretch. It was actually quite steep and on a few of the slower laps I was tempted to drop to the small ring in front to get over it (I was running an 11-23).
The race was pretty uneventful and I just sat in and finish with the group to rest up for today. There was a pretty high-speed crash that I narrowly missed with about 5 laps to go but I sneaked by and finished at +0:00 for the day.
After the race was over Graham and I hung around town and ate and watched the pros race.
The race was pretty uneventful and I just sat in and finish with the group to rest up for today. There was a pretty high-speed crash that I narrowly missed with about 5 laps to go but I sneaked by and finished at +0:00 for the day.
After the race was over Graham and I hung around town and ate and watched the pros race.
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Friday, April 29, 2011
Race Report: SRAM Tour of the Gila - Stage 3: Tyrone Individual Time Trial
Well. That one hurt. The winds were exactly as brutal as they were predicting. I borrowed a 606 wheel setup and an aero helmet from a teammate which was pretty sweet. I was definitely hesitant to use it as there were pretty strong crosswinds but am glad I did as it still wasn't super impossible to fight the gusts.
The course today was 16 miles long and began immediately with a 5 mile climb up Little Burrow Pass. It was a pretty gradual climb and I had a hard time finding my tempo. Close to the top I was passed by the rider who started after I did and I thought to myself, "this is going to be a long 16 miles". After a quick descent there were 2 miles of rollers before the turnaround. It was there where I was passed by another rider.
Thankfully I had a much stronger second half and would not be passed again. The climb back over the pass was much steeper in the other direction and I made up some time there. The 5 mile descent to the finish was the hairy part. There was a strong tail/cross wind with some huge swirling gusts. Due to the tailwind and going downhill I was spinning out in my 53-11 doing about 55mph. The hairy part is when a huge gust would come and almost rip the bike out from underneath you.
I made it in safely but lost a lot of time. I finished 38th at +6:08. Ouch! This took me quite a ways down in the GC from 6th at +1:28 to 12th at +8:20. Ouch! I need to keep in mind why I am doing this race and what my intentions were when I entered. I came for the experience. I came to find out what sort of rider I am and to learn about my strengths, and weaknesses. I knew starting today that time trailing is a big limiter for me but now I see just how much improving I need to do and I now have an objective for the coming months.
While the leader's jersey may be beyond reach for me now, doing well in the GC is still a possibility and my chance will most definitely come on Sunday in the Gila Monster road race. Tomorrow is the downtown crit which I plan to sit in and relax on. It will be on Sunday on the CAT 2 climb in the final 50k where the final selection will be made.
Good night.
The course today was 16 miles long and began immediately with a 5 mile climb up Little Burrow Pass. It was a pretty gradual climb and I had a hard time finding my tempo. Close to the top I was passed by the rider who started after I did and I thought to myself, "this is going to be a long 16 miles". After a quick descent there were 2 miles of rollers before the turnaround. It was there where I was passed by another rider.
Thankfully I had a much stronger second half and would not be passed again. The climb back over the pass was much steeper in the other direction and I made up some time there. The 5 mile descent to the finish was the hairy part. There was a strong tail/cross wind with some huge swirling gusts. Due to the tailwind and going downhill I was spinning out in my 53-11 doing about 55mph. The hairy part is when a huge gust would come and almost rip the bike out from underneath you.
I made it in safely but lost a lot of time. I finished 38th at +6:08. Ouch! This took me quite a ways down in the GC from 6th at +1:28 to 12th at +8:20. Ouch! I need to keep in mind why I am doing this race and what my intentions were when I entered. I came for the experience. I came to find out what sort of rider I am and to learn about my strengths, and weaknesses. I knew starting today that time trailing is a big limiter for me but now I see just how much improving I need to do and I now have an objective for the coming months.
While the leader's jersey may be beyond reach for me now, doing well in the GC is still a possibility and my chance will most definitely come on Sunday in the Gila Monster road race. Tomorrow is the downtown crit which I plan to sit in and relax on. It will be on Sunday on the CAT 2 climb in the final 50k where the final selection will be made.
Good night.
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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Race Report: SRAM Tour of the Gila - Stage 2: Fort Bayard Inner Loop Road Race
What an awesome day in the saddle! I'm laying in my tent right now just relaxing before going to sleep and recapping about today. Before going into today I'd like to correct myself about my finish position from yesterday. I actually finished 7th and started today at +1:26. I was pretty surprised when I heard that I had lost so much time on the final section of the climb but it does make sense as I was definitely way in the red.
That is where I started today (in 7th and 1:26 off the leader). We rolled out of fort bayard at 10 and started our 80 mile route at a blistering pace. It seemed like people who weren't too happy with their times from yesterday were out with a vengeance and I was happy to get sucked along. Around mile 8 we began our first climb: 1000 ft up the pinos altos. I rolled over it fine and the group stayed together. On the descent from the summit I was sitting around 20th and was behind some very sketchy riders.
We dropped down to 6500 ft before starting another 1000 ft cat 3 climb up meadow creek. Things got a little more broken up on this climb and I went over the top in 5th heading into a very tight and technical descent. On the way down I advanced to 3rd and was feeling very fast on the hairpins and switchbacks.
Once we got down to the valley there were 7 of us off the front and we started a rotating paceline. I was certain that this was going to be the move to win the day but after about 5 minutes those dreams were shot. Although there were 7 of us, only 3 of us were doing any work. After about 20 minutes and extending our lead to a max of 1:30 over the field, we were caught and it was again gruppo compacto.
From there we rode a pretty easy 20 miles through the Gila, over the continental decide, and then down to the Mimbres River. There were a few break away attempts but nothing would stick.
It was at the Mimbres and the following cat 3 1000ft climb where the attacks started. A few riders were able to secure some pretty substantial leads on the long, shallow climbs there. It was also on those climbs that the lead group whittled down to about 20.
Coming into the finish we picked up all but one break away rider and were really picking up some speed. As we turned into the final mile into the fort there plenty of attacks but I just hung in and set up my sprint. As I was just about to luck it into high gear another rider pulled in front of me and blocked my route. After going around him I was still able to gain some spots before the finish but not enough to contend the win. We caught the break at the line and although he still was able to cross first we were all given the same time.
I finished 6th for the day and am sitting 6th in the GC at +1:28. Tomorrow is the ITT and I'm definitely nervous about it. Time trialing is not one of my strong points but I need to do well in order to maintain my position in the GC. There will be a lot of climbing as well as a mega crosswind which will hopefully improve my odds of doing well particularly since I don't have any TT equipment. I'll let you know how it goes
That is where I started today (in 7th and 1:26 off the leader). We rolled out of fort bayard at 10 and started our 80 mile route at a blistering pace. It seemed like people who weren't too happy with their times from yesterday were out with a vengeance and I was happy to get sucked along. Around mile 8 we began our first climb: 1000 ft up the pinos altos. I rolled over it fine and the group stayed together. On the descent from the summit I was sitting around 20th and was behind some very sketchy riders.
We dropped down to 6500 ft before starting another 1000 ft cat 3 climb up meadow creek. Things got a little more broken up on this climb and I went over the top in 5th heading into a very tight and technical descent. On the way down I advanced to 3rd and was feeling very fast on the hairpins and switchbacks.
Once we got down to the valley there were 7 of us off the front and we started a rotating paceline. I was certain that this was going to be the move to win the day but after about 5 minutes those dreams were shot. Although there were 7 of us, only 3 of us were doing any work. After about 20 minutes and extending our lead to a max of 1:30 over the field, we were caught and it was again gruppo compacto.
From there we rode a pretty easy 20 miles through the Gila, over the continental decide, and then down to the Mimbres River. There were a few break away attempts but nothing would stick.
It was at the Mimbres and the following cat 3 1000ft climb where the attacks started. A few riders were able to secure some pretty substantial leads on the long, shallow climbs there. It was also on those climbs that the lead group whittled down to about 20.
Coming into the finish we picked up all but one break away rider and were really picking up some speed. As we turned into the final mile into the fort there plenty of attacks but I just hung in and set up my sprint. As I was just about to luck it into high gear another rider pulled in front of me and blocked my route. After going around him I was still able to gain some spots before the finish but not enough to contend the win. We caught the break at the line and although he still was able to cross first we were all given the same time.
I finished 6th for the day and am sitting 6th in the GC at +1:28. Tomorrow is the ITT and I'm definitely nervous about it. Time trialing is not one of my strong points but I need to do well in order to maintain my position in the GC. There will be a lot of climbing as well as a mega crosswind which will hopefully improve my odds of doing well particularly since I don't have any TT equipment. I'll let you know how it goes
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Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Race Report: SRAM Tour of the Gila - Stage 1: Silver City - Mogollon Road Race
Just got in from stage 1 of the Tour of the Gila and so far it is beyond epic. Today's stage was a 73 mile point to point race with one major climb. We rolled out of Silver City after a parade lap around town and were instantly faced with a few miles of climbing. After climbing out of the town we rode down towards the Gila River basin. It was mostly downhill with a few rollers at that point and it was around mile 10 where two riders broke off the front. Near the first feed-zone which was around mile 20 we were told by a race official to continue on the road we were on instead of taking a right and climbing up a short hill (which is where we were supposed to go). The two riders off the front had climbed up the hill and done the additional loop and by the time the race officials had made a decision about what to do they were about 5 minutes behind us. We were then forced to ride neutral for about 20 minutes to allow them to catch up. It was pretty frustrating (although certainly not as frustrating as it was the the two in the break) but everything seemed to get a least a little sorted out.
After we crossed the Gila River we starting gradually climbing although it was mostly rolling. The course was pretty flat and, except for a four-man break away getting away, the race was pretty uneventful until the end. The last 7 miles was the Mogollon climb. This is where all the excitement happened for the day. The road began to steadily pitch up and there were a few sections that went u[ to a 13% grade. This section was only about 2 miles long but it really split up the group. The course then flattened out for about 1.5 miles before the start of the final climb. It was there that I found myself with about 10 other riders in the lead group (minus the four that were still in the break-away). The final climb started with 4 miles to go and pitched between 7 and 19%. In the first 2 miles of the climb we caught the break and the group I was with whittled down to 4. It was at the 2-mile-to-go mark where another rider put in an attack, my legs were already screaming at me and I was left behind. I kept the group in my sights for a mile but I was already gasping for air and loosing steam. I lost sight of them with about 0.5 miles to go but finished just behind them and somewhere around 5th place (it was hard to tell who was in our field as we were passing some straggling masters).
It was a pretty awesome day and I felt really good. I'm sitting pretty high up in the GC and am looking to hold onto as much time as I can. Now I'm eating some food and drinking a whole bunch of water to get ready for a huge day of racing and climbing tomorrow. Tomorrow's race is around 80 miles with 6000ft of climbing.
Sorry that this post is void of pictures. I will add some once I get them.
After we crossed the Gila River we starting gradually climbing although it was mostly rolling. The course was pretty flat and, except for a four-man break away getting away, the race was pretty uneventful until the end. The last 7 miles was the Mogollon climb. This is where all the excitement happened for the day. The road began to steadily pitch up and there were a few sections that went u[ to a 13% grade. This section was only about 2 miles long but it really split up the group. The course then flattened out for about 1.5 miles before the start of the final climb. It was there that I found myself with about 10 other riders in the lead group (minus the four that were still in the break-away). The final climb started with 4 miles to go and pitched between 7 and 19%. In the first 2 miles of the climb we caught the break and the group I was with whittled down to 4. It was at the 2-mile-to-go mark where another rider put in an attack, my legs were already screaming at me and I was left behind. I kept the group in my sights for a mile but I was already gasping for air and loosing steam. I lost sight of them with about 0.5 miles to go but finished just behind them and somewhere around 5th place (it was hard to tell who was in our field as we were passing some straggling masters).
It was a pretty awesome day and I felt really good. I'm sitting pretty high up in the GC and am looking to hold onto as much time as I can. Now I'm eating some food and drinking a whole bunch of water to get ready for a huge day of racing and climbing tomorrow. Tomorrow's race is around 80 miles with 6000ft of climbing.
Sorry that this post is void of pictures. I will add some once I get them.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Race Report: Deer Trail Road Race
I just finished up with the first race of the season: the deer trail road race in deer trail, CO. It went very well considering that I was trying to take it super easy as stage 1 of the Gila is on Wednesday. The course was very boring. Two out and backs that we did twice totaling 60 miles. It was super flat with a few rollers and dead straight. It was snowing lightly which made it a little less bland and more epic. With about 20k to go the pace started really picking up and the group diminished in size. Coming into the final 2k I felt that I had great positioning and was gearing up for the sprint when a group of 7 broke off the front. I found myself just behind them with two others and a completely shattered peloton. My group of 3 wasn't able to reconnect with the leaders but I made it to the line before those guys for an 8th place finish. I worked hard but was never concerned about blowing up despite riding away from about 40 other guys. I'm feeling good about my fitness and am really looking forward to seeing how I'll fair at the Gila and through the rest of the season. Also, the race wheels kicked ass. I was astonished at how much faster and lighter I felt on them
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