Heading to the track was about the same as always. Just some traffic on the LIE, but the rest of the trip went pretty well. Steve and I ate at Quizno's and got to the track just about when registration opened. Our new team kit finally arrived, so we were pretty excited to try it on.
The first race was an unknown distance. Looking at the other races on the schedule, I concluded that the race would be about 7 laps long. I figured I would attack after 4 laps, and try to stay away until the end. I feel like the officials generally like the crazy solo break, so I figured I had that going for me. Lining up at the rail, the announcer said he felt like the race would be 9 laps. Steve made a few quick jabs at the front the first few laps, but I think he was trying to not burn his matches too early. I attacked in turn two of the 3rd or 4th lap, got a quick gap going and just put my head down. around, around around I went. Just looking at the officials and waiting for the bell. Waiting and waiting. Eventually after four or five laps off the front, I couldn't stay away any longer and I got reeled back in on the homestretch going into lap 9. Another lap and the bell finally rang. Steve tried to attack, but he got stuck in a second group with a gap behind 5 front riders. I was able to keep pace and stay just behind steve's group. Regardless, I executed my plan perfectly. I blame the officials for not acknowledging the blind risk-takers.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/193244579
The next race was a 15 lap scratch. After the last race, I was determined to just sit in the group and sprint at the finish. Until they announced a $10 prime. I knew I wouldn't be in the paying spots in the omnium, so I was hoping to get some money to cut my losses. At the time there was a group of 3 off the front. I sprinted from the main pack up across to the group of three, sliding in behind just after the finish line for the prime. One of the 3 got popped off the back, so it was 3 again, with two riders and me. I feel like this was roughly 6 laps in. We traded pace for a few laps, but eventually got swallowed up by the field around turn 1/2. I followed the wheel of the guy in front of me, who swung up track, so the group had to work their way around us. This disrupted an attack that Steve was hoping to make, but within a lap, he gave it a go. This is roughly with 4 to go or so. I tried to block a little up front, giving him a good gap, but by then my legs were starting to go. I drifted to the back of the field, and the gap slowly closed up until the last lap. I found Gavi Epstein's wheel and figured that was as good as any to follow. I don't really remember how the finish went, but I think I got too antsy and tried to move up too early and ended up going backward again. Gavi got 5th. Nothing for Steve and me again.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/193244573
The final race was a Flying Mile. This is basically a 5 lap scratch, with a full extra neutral lap, and a start in turn 1/2. I knew this would be short and fast, so I decided to step up my gear from my standard 90" (50x15) to around 94" at 49x14. The pace was just as hot as I figured and the gear felt good. I didn't feel like I was bogged down and certainly not spinning. The only problem was my legs were so dead at this point that any time I tried to put any power in to move up in the field I just got no response from the engine room. Steve said he had the same problem, and so we both finished in the pack somewhere.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/193244567
We both decided to sit out the A feature 40 lap points race as our legs were dead, and this bruised rib was killing me at this point. There must be some different type of pollen in the area or something, because after the first race I got a mean tickle cough. Combining coughing with this bruised rib, I was in worlds of pain for a while. We both went and got a beer instead and watched Bobby Lea and another rider lap the field. It was really impressive stuff. Steve got some compliments for his riding today and for the team kit. All in all, I think it was a successful evening, even if we still haven't won gas/beer money.
27.6.12
2012.31: 6/25-7/1
Sunday: Ribs still hurt. No riding. Worked on the boat trailer instead.
Saturday: Picked up some more tubular mesh bandage stuff from Spage's Pharmacy. I also picked up an old folding kayak for my brother. Did a real short ride in the evening before Haley and Christin finally picked up their bikes.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/194423489
NP/IF/TSS: 200W/0.866/55
Friday: No real riding. Rode around with Dan and Nico in the evening.
Thursday: No riding. Who knows why anymore.
Wednesday: Due to my ribs hurting, I decided to skip racing in order to look at another boat that Steve is interested in. But then I missed his text saying he was going to go, so instead I decided to try for an easy wednesday hill ride. This is impossible to do. It was the usual hammerfest, which probably wasn't the best thing for me, but we got some good KOMs going. I got a flat on the descent to long beach when I nailed a small rock. Also, heading back on 50 acre road, some dweeb threw a plastic cup at me. I tried to give chase, but my legs were tore up by then.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/193487899
NP/IF/TSS: 227W/0.981/194
Tuesday: Racing in T-town. See race report. No other riding.
Monday: Well I crashed in the rain yesterday night coming home from the bar. Some road rash by my knee and elbow, and a bruised rib or two. As such, I emphasized my monday rest day.
Saturday: Picked up some more tubular mesh bandage stuff from Spage's Pharmacy. I also picked up an old folding kayak for my brother. Did a real short ride in the evening before Haley and Christin finally picked up their bikes.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/194423489
NP/IF/TSS: 200W/0.866/55
Friday: No real riding. Rode around with Dan and Nico in the evening.
Thursday: No riding. Who knows why anymore.
Wednesday: Due to my ribs hurting, I decided to skip racing in order to look at another boat that Steve is interested in. But then I missed his text saying he was going to go, so instead I decided to try for an easy wednesday hill ride. This is impossible to do. It was the usual hammerfest, which probably wasn't the best thing for me, but we got some good KOMs going. I got a flat on the descent to long beach when I nailed a small rock. Also, heading back on 50 acre road, some dweeb threw a plastic cup at me. I tried to give chase, but my legs were tore up by then.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/193487899
NP/IF/TSS: 227W/0.981/194
Tuesday: Racing in T-town. See race report. No other riding.
Monday: Well I crashed in the rain yesterday night coming home from the bar. Some road rash by my knee and elbow, and a bruised rib or two. As such, I emphasized my monday rest day.
20.6.12
Race: Kissena Twilight Series 6/20 - Cat 3/4
The weather was stupidly hot today. I was really thinking I shouldn't even race today, but I had to drop off Kim's bike which Steve and I had picked up in t-town the night before.
The first race was a Win and Out. Four other Pink Rhinos showed up (Keith, Andy, Lucas, Aaron) so I was asking if anybody wanted me to work for them. I agreed to lead Andy out, but when I picked up the pace at the start of the lap before the first sprint, I found myself on the front alone. Andy told me keith had lost my wheel. Sorry guys. On the plus side, I got first place. Hooray me. On a side note, Andy got second and I think lucas got 3rd. Pink Rhino Podium!
Next was a 12 lap scratch. I attacked with maybe 7 to go. Lucas, keith and I think one or two other riders bridged up and we had a little gap going. Suddenly in turn 3 I think I hear a lot of whistle blowing, but assume it's the crazy baseball players. In turn 4 I realize it's actually Alan whistling and see a crash in the backstretch just after turn 2. Turns out Joe B and another rider (Andrew, I think?) went down. The race was stopped as they were tended to. Fortunately, both guys looked not too bad. A good amount of road rash, and Joe's back wheel was toast, but seemingly no broken bones or anything. Hopefully they both heal up quick. **see edit**
The race was restarted with 3 to go and with the group together. My legs were suddenly feeling very heavy from stopping cold after racing, so I just sat behind guys. I think Keith ended up with 1st, I came in 2nd and Andy possibly 3rd? **see edit**
The final race was a 10 lap Tempo. I was feeling the heat by now, but I gave it a go. kept getting edged out on the sprints. I think I got 3 2nd place sprints. I finally sat up with 5 to go as I was starting to feel like I could throw up.
On a side note, there was some sketchy riding in the 4/5 field as well. There are a couple of new guys that I don't think understand how track racing works. Unfortunately, they also seem to not speak english, so there's a real language barrier to try to help them. One guy does things like ride on the tops of his sprint bars mid-race, get lapped and try to make moves in the group as they come around again, sits up but stays in the sprint lane so everyone else has to go around him. Robert was also saying he and his friend would chop riders in the sprint lane. Oh, and the guy also attacked before the whistle was even blown. Alan had to restart the neutral lap because he just kept on going. I guess they should have come to the track clinic. Hopefully they get some sense talked into them.
EDIT: The results are in. Turns out I got 3rd in the scratch. shrug. Also, it looks like Joe has a minor break in his collar bone. Heal up, Joe! Finally, I ended up second on the omnium. results here:
http://www.kissenavelodrome.info/results/2012/Kissena12TwilightSeriesWeek7.pdf
EDIT: The results are in. Turns out I got 3rd in the scratch. shrug. Also, it looks like Joe has a minor break in his collar bone. Heal up, Joe! Finally, I ended up second on the omnium. results here:
http://www.kissenavelodrome.info/results/2012/Kissena12TwilightSeriesWeek7.pdf
Race: T-town Fuji Super Tuesdays 6/19 - Stagiares
I left at noon to get to steve by 1pm. We immediately hit traffic on the LIE, which did not end until we got off staten island. Stalled cars, broken down trucks, environmental catastrophes, we had it all. Eventually we got to the track 5 hours later. We stopped at a convenience store for some food as we had no time to get food at a real restaurant. I bought some bread things that looked good, but actually sucked. Boo.
The first race was a 10 lap scratch. I started at the back and worked my way up to the front with 4 to go. I had some good speed, so I tried an attack. I got a good gap that I held until the homestretch on the final lap. Needless to say, I was passed by a bunch of people, so no omnium points for me.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/191025937
Next was a 20 lap Points. I think I got 5th in the first sprint. Steve attacked and a small break bridged up and past. I went with them, but they dropped me on the next sprint. I think I was 6th or so. The next two sprints, same deal. maybe 6th or so. No omnium points again.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/191025923
After this was a Super sprint elimination to 12 rides, 5 lap scratch. I was one of the last to the rail, so I ended up at the back again. Being almost on the turn made it harder to clip in than I thought. I was still tightening my straps when Nothstein told the group to roll off. I shouted, but it wasn't heard, so I sprinted after them, tightening the straps as I went. I was slowly catching up, and was hoping Nothstein would tell the group to slow up so I could get on, but instead he fired the gun and I was the first eliminated. I went intrack and threw my bike against the wall. I realize there were a lot of riders, but it would have been nice had Nothstein actually looked to see if everyone was ready before he told everyone to roll off.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/191025904
Another 3.5 hours later and I got home. I stopped at the bar hoping to still catch Dan there, but Margot told me he had left. I had a drink, and went home. More racing tomorrow.
The first race was a 10 lap scratch. I started at the back and worked my way up to the front with 4 to go. I had some good speed, so I tried an attack. I got a good gap that I held until the homestretch on the final lap. Needless to say, I was passed by a bunch of people, so no omnium points for me.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/191025937
Next was a 20 lap Points. I think I got 5th in the first sprint. Steve attacked and a small break bridged up and past. I went with them, but they dropped me on the next sprint. I think I was 6th or so. The next two sprints, same deal. maybe 6th or so. No omnium points again.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/191025923
After this was a Super sprint elimination to 12 rides, 5 lap scratch. I was one of the last to the rail, so I ended up at the back again. Being almost on the turn made it harder to clip in than I thought. I was still tightening my straps when Nothstein told the group to roll off. I shouted, but it wasn't heard, so I sprinted after them, tightening the straps as I went. I was slowly catching up, and was hoping Nothstein would tell the group to slow up so I could get on, but instead he fired the gun and I was the first eliminated. I went intrack and threw my bike against the wall. I realize there were a lot of riders, but it would have been nice had Nothstein actually looked to see if everyone was ready before he told everyone to roll off.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/191025904
Another 3.5 hours later and I got home. I stopped at the bar hoping to still catch Dan there, but Margot told me he had left. I had a drink, and went home. More racing tomorrow.
2012.30: 6/18-6/24
Sunday: I recently lost my east broadway KOM on strava, so I decided it was a good time to try to get that back. I plotted out a route that involved a downhill KOM that I lost, and another one that I figured I would go for. Unfortunately, when I got into Port Jeff, the traffic going up east broadway was way too heavy to make a good effort, so I took a roundabout way up to PJ Station and came up with a nice mostly flat out and around route to try some steady state riding and of course to work on my tan lines a little. On a side note, I had one of those situations where I'm going straight at a red light and a car going the opposite direction tries to make the left right in front of me when the light changes. The only difference this time is that the car behind them also tried to do the same thing, so I try to cut behind the lady, but then she sees me and stops exactly where I'm about to ride, so I have to take even more evasive action. Stupid people.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/192429427
NP/IF/TSS: 192/0.831/155
Saturday: Rode with the brother for just a little bit. We just went to the beaches, but it was enough to get my freshly cleaned bike completely dirty from the previous night's rain. boo.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/192030345
NP/IF/TSS: 171/0.741/63
Friday: No riding. I was going to ride with my brother, but by the time he got in town, it started to rain. I worked on the boat a little instead.
Thursday: No riding. Went out on Dan's boat. We did some tubing, so I got a pretty good upper body workout.
Wednesday: Racing at Kissena. See race report.
Tuesday: Racing at t-town. See race report.
Monday: Rest day. no training. I did ride bikes a little bit with Dan.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/192429427
NP/IF/TSS: 192/0.831/155
Saturday: Rode with the brother for just a little bit. We just went to the beaches, but it was enough to get my freshly cleaned bike completely dirty from the previous night's rain. boo.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/192030345
NP/IF/TSS: 171/0.741/63
Friday: No riding. I was going to ride with my brother, but by the time he got in town, it started to rain. I worked on the boat a little instead.
Thursday: No riding. Went out on Dan's boat. We did some tubing, so I got a pretty good upper body workout.
Wednesday: Racing at Kissena. See race report.
Tuesday: Racing at t-town. See race report.
Monday: Rest day. no training. I did ride bikes a little bit with Dan.
Ride: Glen's Ride to Montauk
lorem ipsum, etc. I'm still not in the mood to write about this ride.
Well the time has come to finally write something about this:
Backstory: Soap and I had done this ride on fixed gear bikes years ago when Glen was still leading the ride with the 5bbc. It was a blast and I always talked the ride up. This time two girls from former work signed up, as well as dan, his friend nico, and my brother. The girls went for the 70 mile ride, the rest of us were stupid enough to do the 108 miler. Nico, dan and I did it on fixed gear bikes again. We also did some drinking the night before and only got to bed late.
I woke up and rode over to Nico's house, then we drove and picked up Dan. We got to the start around 6:45. The 100 miler was supposed to start between 6 and 7am. Kurt was there already, but just before we started he got a call from work. He stayed back to take care of some work affairs, and the other three of us rode on ahead to the first rest stop. We got to the first stop at the blue point brewery, I had a banana and got on the bathroom line. By the time I got through with that, the rest stop ran out of bananas and bread. All they had was grapes and strawberries. I had a blue point beer and Kurt and I headed on. The next rest stop was the same deal. No bread, no bananas. This time just watermelon and cantaloupe. Still hungry, we headed on. We tried to stop to find a deli, but were told there was a really great one the next town over. After being reassured it was well worth it, we headed off, only to find out the route turned in the wrong direction and on to Dune road. This normally would be a fast and beautiful stretch, but sadly this day had the wind coming out of the east. Instead, it turned into an endless slog into the fresh headwind, now without any nutrition. After this we all were dying 1000 deaths, so we had to stop at a rum bar in the hamptons to get some food and while we were at it, some drinks to numb the pain.
An hour later, we got on the road again and kurt and I went on ahead to the next stop. Nico was having knee trouble, so he got picked up. kurt and I got to the stop just as it was closing, but we still got a slice of pie. Dan rolled in about when we were about to leave and since the stop was closed by now, we all just headed out. Dan was having trouble, too, so he decided to just stay on montauk highway the rest of the way. Kurt and I kept on going, and finally made it to the finish.
This is where things went straight downhill. We dropped off our bikes and I picked up my bag. The lines for the showers were way too long, so I just towel changed in the parking lot. The food lines were also way too long, but fortunately the beer lines were short. We picked up a beer each and suddenly heard "Last bus to the last train leaving now!". What? We just got here! and Dan isn't even here yet! Kurt got on the bus, and I ran around like a mad man. I called dan and the girls. Dan was in the town of montauk, where the train leaves. Too bad he still had 6 hilly miles to the finish to drop off his bike. No bikes on the train. Transportation desk: yup, last train, gotta catch it. SAG should have picked up dan and the girls. No clue why they didn't. Talk to the bike movers. Bike movers: nah, that cant' be the last train. look at how many people are still coming in! Just hold tight. We can't pick up your friend's bike.
In the end, dan got a $28 cab ride to the lighthouse, dropped off his bike and we barely made the last bus to the train. The girls were able to roll in and get a coach bus to their finish. I'm amazed everything actually worked out, but the way the finish was set up was unacceptable.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/189947871
No Power
Well the time has come to finally write something about this:
Backstory: Soap and I had done this ride on fixed gear bikes years ago when Glen was still leading the ride with the 5bbc. It was a blast and I always talked the ride up. This time two girls from former work signed up, as well as dan, his friend nico, and my brother. The girls went for the 70 mile ride, the rest of us were stupid enough to do the 108 miler. Nico, dan and I did it on fixed gear bikes again. We also did some drinking the night before and only got to bed late.
I woke up and rode over to Nico's house, then we drove and picked up Dan. We got to the start around 6:45. The 100 miler was supposed to start between 6 and 7am. Kurt was there already, but just before we started he got a call from work. He stayed back to take care of some work affairs, and the other three of us rode on ahead to the first rest stop. We got to the first stop at the blue point brewery, I had a banana and got on the bathroom line. By the time I got through with that, the rest stop ran out of bananas and bread. All they had was grapes and strawberries. I had a blue point beer and Kurt and I headed on. The next rest stop was the same deal. No bread, no bananas. This time just watermelon and cantaloupe. Still hungry, we headed on. We tried to stop to find a deli, but were told there was a really great one the next town over. After being reassured it was well worth it, we headed off, only to find out the route turned in the wrong direction and on to Dune road. This normally would be a fast and beautiful stretch, but sadly this day had the wind coming out of the east. Instead, it turned into an endless slog into the fresh headwind, now without any nutrition. After this we all were dying 1000 deaths, so we had to stop at a rum bar in the hamptons to get some food and while we were at it, some drinks to numb the pain.
An hour later, we got on the road again and kurt and I went on ahead to the next stop. Nico was having knee trouble, so he got picked up. kurt and I got to the stop just as it was closing, but we still got a slice of pie. Dan rolled in about when we were about to leave and since the stop was closed by now, we all just headed out. Dan was having trouble, too, so he decided to just stay on montauk highway the rest of the way. Kurt and I kept on going, and finally made it to the finish.
This is where things went straight downhill. We dropped off our bikes and I picked up my bag. The lines for the showers were way too long, so I just towel changed in the parking lot. The food lines were also way too long, but fortunately the beer lines were short. We picked up a beer each and suddenly heard "Last bus to the last train leaving now!". What? We just got here! and Dan isn't even here yet! Kurt got on the bus, and I ran around like a mad man. I called dan and the girls. Dan was in the town of montauk, where the train leaves. Too bad he still had 6 hilly miles to the finish to drop off his bike. No bikes on the train. Transportation desk: yup, last train, gotta catch it. SAG should have picked up dan and the girls. No clue why they didn't. Talk to the bike movers. Bike movers: nah, that cant' be the last train. look at how many people are still coming in! Just hold tight. We can't pick up your friend's bike.
In the end, dan got a $28 cab ride to the lighthouse, dropped off his bike and we barely made the last bus to the train. The girls were able to roll in and get a coach bus to their finish. I'm amazed everything actually worked out, but the way the finish was set up was unacceptable.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/189947871
No Power
12.6.12
2012.29: 6/11-6/17
Sunday: No riding.
Saturday: Ride to Montauk. the details are long enough that I'll make my own separate ride report.
Friday: Decided on a rest day as tomorrow is the ride to montauk and my sit bones were a little sore from the stop and go riding of the past two days.
Thursday: Another day of putting up posters. no recording again.
Wednesday: went in to the city to help put up posters for lucas brunelle's new movie that he's showing at the bicycle film festival. I tried to record it with my garmin, but I got a late start and my garmin was taking its sweet time trying to figure out where on earth it was. I gave up on recording, but it really wasn't that much riding. I doubt even 40 miles.
Tuesday: Planned on ron's ygtbk ride and then racing in t-town. Overslept ron's ride, and t-town got rained out. So no riding. I feel shapeless and doughy.
Monday: Rest day. Drove home from the wedding.
Saturday: Ride to Montauk. the details are long enough that I'll make my own separate ride report.
Friday: Decided on a rest day as tomorrow is the ride to montauk and my sit bones were a little sore from the stop and go riding of the past two days.
Thursday: Another day of putting up posters. no recording again.
Wednesday: went in to the city to help put up posters for lucas brunelle's new movie that he's showing at the bicycle film festival. I tried to record it with my garmin, but I got a late start and my garmin was taking its sweet time trying to figure out where on earth it was. I gave up on recording, but it really wasn't that much riding. I doubt even 40 miles.
Tuesday: Planned on ron's ygtbk ride and then racing in t-town. Overslept ron's ride, and t-town got rained out. So no riding. I feel shapeless and doughy.
Monday: Rest day. Drove home from the wedding.
7.6.12
Race: T-town Fuji Super Tuesdays 6/5 - Stagiares
I managed to get a good night's sleep for once. Went to sleep around midnight, got up at 11ish or so. I ate a slice of quiche, packed the car and boogied over to Steve's. A little bit of waiting and he rolled up as well. We packed his car and left for the mystical land of pennsylvania at roughly 1:15.
We got to T-town at around 4:30 or so, so we headed to the local panera for some dinner. I went with the usual french onion soup and some kind of sandwich. Saved my apple for later.
Anyhow, all this preamble is boring as hell, but I figure no detail is too small. We got to the track, unpacked, got our numbers and waited. warmed up...sat around...warmed up some more...sat around some more. I think this was the first race I was ever early to. I have to get the timing figured out. Either way, I was having trouble staying warm and the occasional sprinkle of rain through the night sure didn't help. This on and off rain started at around 7ish, just before the start of racing. I actually thought for a few times that the races might get called.
Our first race was a ten lap Tempo race. My overly ambitious plan was to attack early and try to get a little gap for points. I tried on the second lap, I think, but could never get away. I just ended up being a nice leadout for the second and third laps. After this second attempt at getting away, I just faded straight through the group and off the back, where I languished until the race ended. I found myself in a tough spot on the last lap, as by then I was a half lap or more behind, so after the main group went through, they started to let the women on the track. I wasn't about to DNF this race, so I kept through, with one girl not paying attention almost walking into me.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186113355
For the last race, I was running a 51x15, which I was thinking might be too hard while I was doing my final warm-up laps. Rather than drop down, I figured I would see how it would be in an actual race. I now had my answer, so I switched to a much more manageable 50x15.
The next race was a 20 lap points race. I switched strategies to just sit in and try to sprint. It actually worked pretty well. I got a couple of 4th and 5th places across the line. Basically, I would sit in, and sprint high and from the back. Sadly, 20 laps is far too much for me to remember what all happened, so that's all the report you get for that one. I got 5th overall for the race.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186113351
The final race for the Stagiares (Cat 2/3 riders) was a 5 lap Scratch. As with the first few races, I left the waiting pen last so I could get my straps tight, and rolled to the rail near last. I was again able to move up a bit in the pack in the neutral lap, the gun was fired and I think Steve attacked with gusto. I just sat in until about 2 to go, where I found myself near the front with Steve off the front with another rider (pretty sure this was how it happened). I tried to go long for the sprint, passing steve and other rider with the group in turn 2 on the final lap, staying at front until turn 4, where a group of three passed, and one more got me at the line. This put me in 5th again.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186113338
This concluded the Omnium, with Steve and me off the charts. Oh well. At least the racing picked up for me. After this was the Feature race, which was a 30 lap Scratch. For some reason I thought it was a points race, so I got very confused when I didn't hear any sprint bells. I tailgunned from the start, steve tried to make some moves, but when he rolled to the back of the group, someone really picked up the pace and we got gapped off the back. I think we sat up at around 22 laps to go or so. Oh well.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186113330
A stop at wawa for sandwiches, and we were back on the road with the first tuesday night under our belts.
We got to T-town at around 4:30 or so, so we headed to the local panera for some dinner. I went with the usual french onion soup and some kind of sandwich. Saved my apple for later.
Anyhow, all this preamble is boring as hell, but I figure no detail is too small. We got to the track, unpacked, got our numbers and waited. warmed up...sat around...warmed up some more...sat around some more. I think this was the first race I was ever early to. I have to get the timing figured out. Either way, I was having trouble staying warm and the occasional sprinkle of rain through the night sure didn't help. This on and off rain started at around 7ish, just before the start of racing. I actually thought for a few times that the races might get called.
Our first race was a ten lap Tempo race. My overly ambitious plan was to attack early and try to get a little gap for points. I tried on the second lap, I think, but could never get away. I just ended up being a nice leadout for the second and third laps. After this second attempt at getting away, I just faded straight through the group and off the back, where I languished until the race ended. I found myself in a tough spot on the last lap, as by then I was a half lap or more behind, so after the main group went through, they started to let the women on the track. I wasn't about to DNF this race, so I kept through, with one girl not paying attention almost walking into me.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186113355
For the last race, I was running a 51x15, which I was thinking might be too hard while I was doing my final warm-up laps. Rather than drop down, I figured I would see how it would be in an actual race. I now had my answer, so I switched to a much more manageable 50x15.
The next race was a 20 lap points race. I switched strategies to just sit in and try to sprint. It actually worked pretty well. I got a couple of 4th and 5th places across the line. Basically, I would sit in, and sprint high and from the back. Sadly, 20 laps is far too much for me to remember what all happened, so that's all the report you get for that one. I got 5th overall for the race.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186113351
The final race for the Stagiares (Cat 2/3 riders) was a 5 lap Scratch. As with the first few races, I left the waiting pen last so I could get my straps tight, and rolled to the rail near last. I was again able to move up a bit in the pack in the neutral lap, the gun was fired and I think Steve attacked with gusto. I just sat in until about 2 to go, where I found myself near the front with Steve off the front with another rider (pretty sure this was how it happened). I tried to go long for the sprint, passing steve and other rider with the group in turn 2 on the final lap, staying at front until turn 4, where a group of three passed, and one more got me at the line. This put me in 5th again.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186113338
This concluded the Omnium, with Steve and me off the charts. Oh well. At least the racing picked up for me. After this was the Feature race, which was a 30 lap Scratch. For some reason I thought it was a points race, so I got very confused when I didn't hear any sprint bells. I tailgunned from the start, steve tried to make some moves, but when he rolled to the back of the group, someone really picked up the pace and we got gapped off the back. I think we sat up at around 22 laps to go or so. Oh well.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186113330
A stop at wawa for sandwiches, and we were back on the road with the first tuesday night under our belts.
6.6.12
2012.28: 6/4-6/10
It has come to my attention that some of these strava embeds don't work. I blame strava. Truly I am infallible.
Friday-Sunday: Cousin's wedding. All the best to him and his new wife. No riding. Originally, I was planning on bringing my bike, but I think it was a good thing I didn't. The roads I was planning on riding were pretty terrible for bikes. The one went on and off the interstate a few times. It sucked.
Thursday: Sat in a car all day. wished I was riding.
Wednesday: I decided against racing at kissena this week for a few reasons. For one, I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a wedding in Ohio, so I needed to get pack. Dan also needed some help with a new seat delete design. In addition, quite frankly, my legs were tired. That said, I still managed to convince myself that it would be a smart idea to do the wednesday evening hill ride. Ben emailed me asking if I was going to show up, so I knew I was in for some hard times. Basically, the ride did not disappoint. I hurt. A lot. What did come as a surprise was the four cars tthat almost hit me on the ride. First, on the way to the start a lady turned right out of a parking lot right in front of me so I had to swing into the opposite lane of traffic. Next, during the ride an oncoming car tried to make a left right in front of me, then saw me and stopped right where I was trying to move to, so I had to swing around the backside of them. After this, it was the usual asshole in an SUV passing me with 1 foot of room on a blind turn. I had some choice words for him when I caught him on the upcoming downhill. Finally, on the ride back home, a car stopped at a cross road turned left right into my direction of travel. What a bunch of chumps.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186377297
NP/IF/TSS: 226W/0.977/186
Tuesday: Track racing at T-town. See race report. No other riding that I remember.
Monday: Rest day. Rested.
Friday-Sunday: Cousin's wedding. All the best to him and his new wife. No riding. Originally, I was planning on bringing my bike, but I think it was a good thing I didn't. The roads I was planning on riding were pretty terrible for bikes. The one went on and off the interstate a few times. It sucked.
Thursday: Sat in a car all day. wished I was riding.
Wednesday: I decided against racing at kissena this week for a few reasons. For one, I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a wedding in Ohio, so I needed to get pack. Dan also needed some help with a new seat delete design. In addition, quite frankly, my legs were tired. That said, I still managed to convince myself that it would be a smart idea to do the wednesday evening hill ride. Ben emailed me asking if I was going to show up, so I knew I was in for some hard times. Basically, the ride did not disappoint. I hurt. A lot. What did come as a surprise was the four cars tthat almost hit me on the ride. First, on the way to the start a lady turned right out of a parking lot right in front of me so I had to swing into the opposite lane of traffic. Next, during the ride an oncoming car tried to make a left right in front of me, then saw me and stopped right where I was trying to move to, so I had to swing around the backside of them. After this, it was the usual asshole in an SUV passing me with 1 foot of room on a blind turn. I had some choice words for him when I caught him on the upcoming downhill. Finally, on the ride back home, a car stopped at a cross road turned left right into my direction of travel. What a bunch of chumps.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/186377297
NP/IF/TSS: 226W/0.977/186
Tuesday: Track racing at T-town. See race report. No other riding that I remember.
Monday: Rest day. Rested.
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