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What Del saw:
Category: E5
Result: DNF
Okay, my first RR and I can sum it up in three letters...DNF. Like a
bonehead, I missed the start. I was chillin' with what I thought were
the 5's. After asking around, was told it was the 4/5's and I figured
that the 4's were still waiting to go and then the 5's. Negative. I
didn't notice any FFBC jerseys ahead of me in the "4's". So after
asking yet another guy, was told it was the 35+ 4/5's and that the 5's
already left. He then gave me a shove and said, "go!". And off I went.
The pack had some good distance on me, I could see them and I actually
felt good catching up. I think they were ahead by 3-4 miles? I
caught up to them just as they made the right by the track and started
the first bump. Thankfully, they weren't doing break-neck speeds.
First climb up by the feed zone felt good as well, I passed several
people and didn't have that hard a time. As we crested, that's when
things fell apart for me and I drifted further and further back just
before the big decent. From there on out it was a timetrial and I
just wanted to make it back to the feed zone as I knew my race was
lost along with the peloton.
Donn and Jason were there with snacks, a jacket to keep warm and more
importantly, beer. Thanks guys.
Lesson learned, get over early to the start line.
Would I have done better had I started with the pack? Perhaps. I
think it wouldn't have been a "one and done" kinda dealy. So i'll
chalk this one up to inexperience and go from there. All in all, I
still had fun shooting the shit and making some friends. I'll post a
couple pics later. I had a good time.
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What German saw:
Category: 4
Teammates: Keith J, Oscar N, Alan C
Result: 55 of 83
It was nice to have my teammates in one of my favorite races of the year, even though it hasn't suit me well enough yet.I came motivated and excited about the actual race due to the actual course and elevations involved. My main worry has always been and will be again and again, the very first main climb (Altamont Pass Rd.); what a killer!!; Which happens to make me pop each time I have started a race out there. Notice that in the past two years that I have been competing in this race, I haven't been completely warm, so I have been blaming on this aspect all the time to come up to an excuse, but this year, I came more fit, and warm and decided to not let them drop me in this climb, reason why I was in the front group trying to defend my position; but guess what?? I succeeded!! They didn't drop me in the main climb, but in the freaking decent!! Right after this climb!!! Of course after a huge effort of trying to keep my position, I popped and had not energies to keep the momentum necessary to stay in the pack, so I got dropped and my race was basically over. Therefore, I decided to ride solo for a while until Oscar joined me, but then, he also popped right at the end of lap one; so I continued my solo journey and decided to keep my Olympic spirit ("Finish the dam race"). So I started to catch a few riders, rode with them and had lot's of fun in the windy race; which at the end, gave me a flu as a final award, reason why I couldn't race the next day. Notice that there were 28 retirements during the race, which, definitely, confirms how tough the race was overall. I felt much better in lap two but suffered again in lap 3 since the pace was higher due to the fact that I caught up with a few people that were finishing as well, so it was nice. Perhaps next year, I will regulate my energies for the Altamont climb and see what happens, maybe I face the wind too much....ok, ok, I will train harder for next year! not excuses! Enormous thanks to Jason and Donn, who were there for me and really made a difference on keeping me alive out here! THANKS GUYS!!!!! I will be back next year!! see you in Cat Hills!
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What Carl saw:
Category: 45/55 1/2/3
Result: 33 of 39
(I always look to this weekend as a fitness test)
This race is all about the hill that goes through the feedzone/finish area. I got to the venue with enough time for a good warm-up and got to the start line with time to spare along with an extra bottle hoping I would see Jason and Donn at the feedzone and hand it off (they were there for the handoff - thanks!!). The race began at a reasonable pace even the first time up "the" hill, I survived and kept up with the pack for the first lap. Then it was time to go up the hill again and I lost contact and just did not have enough to catch them going over pthe freeway. I then proceeded to ride 3 more laps basically by myself, finishing the race/ride and going up that blasted hill 5 times. As I yelled at Jason while grinding up the hill for the last time - "this is a tough way to earn a free kit". After finishing I returned back to Jason and Donn for some water and a cookie (a little early for a beer).
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What Keith saw:
Category: 4
Result: 13
Nice morning for a race, overcast and cool. Met up with the team and spoke briefly about the race before warming up. The rest of the team rode the streets, I opted for the trainer. Got a good warm up and met up with the team 3 min before the start. And away we go.
I latched onto Oscars wheel as he began moving up the pack on the far left. We got corralled by some cones that caught us by surprise and Oscar kicked one into the peloton - I t-boned it of course and had some contact with the guy next to me. Nice wake up call.
Myself and Oscar were in about mid-pack before the first climb. I knew from speaking with team mates (and Ziggy) that the first climb would be an all out effort so I prepared. Up Up and away...started to pass people right away and it became an effort to find a straight line up the road without being bogged down by racers that were pedaling backwards. Passed Hermond about half way up and then Brian I think near the top, offered my wheel to Brian but he looked gassed so I stayed on the hard on the pedal to make sure I didn't get gapped. Hung on to the Peloton with little effort and focused on conserving energy. Entertained myself by checking out the competitor's race rigs. Lots of nice bikes with nearly everyone sporting a powertap or SRM powermeter. Yes I'm jealous!
Ok 2nd lap, up and over the hill - pace was a little less brutal but not by much - I think the fact that I was very warm contributed to it seeming easy to stay with the pack, dropped a lot more competitors on the climb. The uphill rollers got my HR up and I had to concentrate on keeping a steady effort and not getting gapped. I flew around the center line to pass a few riders and got yelled at a bit =oP Wasn't doing much work and felt good.
3rd lap here comes the hill - great moral booster to see team-mates cheering me on. Strain of keeping up with the pack was noticeable but tolerable. I was no longer paying attention to other people's bikes but only the wheel in front of me. Also had to be aggressive on holding my position several times as people tried to move into my line. The uphill rollers were tough and I really needed to concentrate on not being dropped, I knew if I could make it up and over the hill the long downhill would provide the much needed rest.
Halfway through the lap I found myself in the top 5 - in typical KJ fashion I thought the finish to the race was on the flat section near the start so I maintained my position and started pulling in a rotating paceline with 3-4 other guys. Out of the saddle on the last kicker before the flats and I thought wow IM in GREAT position, crested the hill and started hammering downhill, strung out the peloton as they all latched on. Almost there, taking a lot of wind but thought I could hold it till the finish...wait where's the finish???
No finish in sight so I sat up and was engulfed by the pack...I started to ask where the finish was and got a few smirks...finally someone answered with "on the hill" me:"where on the hill?" cyclist: "on the top" #$@#$
About this time we start getting updates on a guy off the front "30 sec" so we start pushing the pace with me doing my part. We hook a right and start heading towards the climb, I find myself out front again and no one wants to work. I move to the far left and slow way down. Someone hollars out for FREMONT to pull off! Cant move anymore to the left so I just sit up. And here comes the group blowing by me with authority...I somehow manage to jump on the 6-8th wheel that goes by and there either hauling ass or im getting tired (little of both I imagine) its all I can do to hold my wheel at this point and the pain is setting in...I know now that this effort gapped most of the pack behind me which saves my bacon at the finish.
Okay right hand turn and one more climb. At this point it's a mental struggle to keep the pedals turning. Do okay until halfway up the hill and my legs go keeerplop and I start pedaling backwards. 3-4 guys blow by me; I expect them to keep coming as I'm gassed and crawling up the hill. I sneak a peak behind me and the next closest competitor is waaay back, aaha so I put my head down and keep pedaling, pedaling, geeez when will it end, pedaling...cross the finish line in 13th place and its finally over.
After my heart stopped trying to exit through my chest I rode down to the support vehicle where I met a warm welcome from teammates and beer. Thanks guys.
Bring on the next race
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