Posted by Paul on Friday, April 11, 2003 at 10:06 PM
Sea Otter Classic Road Race
The Course
Distance: 50 miles
Category: Senior 3
Terrain: Rolling
Conditions: Nice mid 60's, mostly clear (shorts/short sleeves)
Field: ~100?
Description:
This course starts on Laguna Seca raceway, goes up the first hill (counter clockwise), down the corkscrew (YeeeHaawww), then leaves the raceway and descends down Barloy Canyon to a 12 mile loop. It took me a lap to figure it out - but it's the same loop they've been using recently for the NorCal District Road Race. Rolling hills, a climb up "The Wall", a climb through the feed zone, and then one other short, steep ball buster (Parker Flats? - gotta love the name). After 3 laps you climb back up Barloy Canyon to the finish - not on Laguna Seca raceway, but just out there on Barloy Canyon. So it ends up being a steep uphill finish.
How It Went Down
This race was exciting in a bad way for me. I had more stomach issues to start, but they seemed to get better as the race wore on. Hmmmmm. Anyway, the corkscrew was uneventful (only 49 mph coming down - I think I did close to 60mph a few years ago), the descent down Barloy was fine. So at some point we're cruising along, the pack starts churning some with people slowing in the middle and people passing on the outsides. I got tangled up with some dude and the nub of his skewer takes on 3 of my spokes and my spokes lose. My front wheel is now all woppy-jawed. I open up the brakes, and it looks like I'm probably not rubbing, but it's a little sketchy to ride, especially descending and braking. Luckily I was riding the super duper bullet-proof wheels or I probably would have been done for the day.
Then we're descending, almost finishing the first lap, we have full road closure, the left is wide open, so I decide to chill to the left behind this other guy. We're descending comfortably at probably 35+ mph when said other guy yelps something about a hole. Of course I'm right on top of it when I see it - I swear that sucker was manhole size. I felt like I was sitting 3 inches lower after I went over it. And, like last weekend, I lost another waterbottle. After gathering myself together, I checked and the front wheel was still rideable. The guy I was following was already signalling for a new wheel - so I guess I was lucky. But I would definitely be looking for a new wheel at the top of the feed zone where I noticed the Mavic dude hanging out before. I get up The Wall ok and get a new water bottle first as we head up the feed zone. Then, as we get towards the end of the feed zone I pull ahead a little and get the Mavic guy's attention. He did an amazing change and pushed me back on - I didn't have to chase at all. Now I'm riding on a bitchin' Ksyrium SSC/SL with pretty baby blue Michelin Pro Race rubber - nice!
So then it's mostly uneventful, although there were more crashes. Geez! There's one guy about 35 seconds off the front as we're finishing the last lap. I don't think we'll catch him. But I'm feeling good, I'm in the top 15 or so, getting ready for the climb up Barlow. Vaughn and I discussed a little strategy before the race and agreed that since the race was short, it would be good to be attentive up front. I was a little busy with my issues so I couldn't really do that, but we also agreed that if it stayed together until the last climb, it was basically a climber's race at that point. So I was hoping to do well.
We turned up Barlow, and I've got the perfect wheel to follow - I'm right with the 1st and 2nd place guys from last week at Ward's Ferry. I know they're going to be strong. We're about 15-20 positions back. The road gets steep, we move up a little, and then disaster strikes. My legs begin a fast curing process before turning to concrete. My heart rate is at a comfortable 160, my breathing is fine, but my legs are worthless. Bummer. I recover a little, but still, things are not as they should be. So the group rides away from me, or most of them anyway, and I hang on for 40th place (80+ finishers). Another bummer.
I also noticed after the ride, that I was actually riding a little lower. My handlebars were bent slightly downward from the impact of the pothole. Oh well, the bike store awaits . . .
The Course
Distance: 50 miles
Category: Senior 3
Terrain: Rolling
Conditions: Nice mid 60's, mostly clear (shorts/short sleeves)
Field: ~100?
Description:
This course starts on Laguna Seca raceway, goes up the first hill (counter clockwise), down the corkscrew (YeeeHaawww), then leaves the raceway and descends down Barloy Canyon to a 12 mile loop. It took me a lap to figure it out - but it's the same loop they've been using recently for the NorCal District Road Race. Rolling hills, a climb up "The Wall", a climb through the feed zone, and then one other short, steep ball buster (Parker Flats? - gotta love the name). After 3 laps you climb back up Barloy Canyon to the finish - not on Laguna Seca raceway, but just out there on Barloy Canyon. So it ends up being a steep uphill finish.
How It Went Down
This race was exciting in a bad way for me. I had more stomach issues to start, but they seemed to get better as the race wore on. Hmmmmm. Anyway, the corkscrew was uneventful (only 49 mph coming down - I think I did close to 60mph a few years ago), the descent down Barloy was fine. So at some point we're cruising along, the pack starts churning some with people slowing in the middle and people passing on the outsides. I got tangled up with some dude and the nub of his skewer takes on 3 of my spokes and my spokes lose. My front wheel is now all woppy-jawed. I open up the brakes, and it looks like I'm probably not rubbing, but it's a little sketchy to ride, especially descending and braking. Luckily I was riding the super duper bullet-proof wheels or I probably would have been done for the day.
Then we're descending, almost finishing the first lap, we have full road closure, the left is wide open, so I decide to chill to the left behind this other guy. We're descending comfortably at probably 35+ mph when said other guy yelps something about a hole. Of course I'm right on top of it when I see it - I swear that sucker was manhole size. I felt like I was sitting 3 inches lower after I went over it. And, like last weekend, I lost another waterbottle. After gathering myself together, I checked and the front wheel was still rideable. The guy I was following was already signalling for a new wheel - so I guess I was lucky. But I would definitely be looking for a new wheel at the top of the feed zone where I noticed the Mavic dude hanging out before. I get up The Wall ok and get a new water bottle first as we head up the feed zone. Then, as we get towards the end of the feed zone I pull ahead a little and get the Mavic guy's attention. He did an amazing change and pushed me back on - I didn't have to chase at all. Now I'm riding on a bitchin' Ksyrium SSC/SL with pretty baby blue Michelin Pro Race rubber - nice!
So then it's mostly uneventful, although there were more crashes. Geez! There's one guy about 35 seconds off the front as we're finishing the last lap. I don't think we'll catch him. But I'm feeling good, I'm in the top 15 or so, getting ready for the climb up Barlow. Vaughn and I discussed a little strategy before the race and agreed that since the race was short, it would be good to be attentive up front. I was a little busy with my issues so I couldn't really do that, but we also agreed that if it stayed together until the last climb, it was basically a climber's race at that point. So I was hoping to do well.
We turned up Barlow, and I've got the perfect wheel to follow - I'm right with the 1st and 2nd place guys from last week at Ward's Ferry. I know they're going to be strong. We're about 15-20 positions back. The road gets steep, we move up a little, and then disaster strikes. My legs begin a fast curing process before turning to concrete. My heart rate is at a comfortable 160, my breathing is fine, but my legs are worthless. Bummer. I recover a little, but still, things are not as they should be. So the group rides away from me, or most of them anyway, and I hang on for 40th place (80+ finishers). Another bummer.
I also noticed after the ride, that I was actually riding a little lower. My handlebars were bent slightly downward from the impact of the pothole. Oh well, the bike store awaits . . .
Posted by Paul on Monday, April 07, 2003 at 9:53 AM
Ward's Ferry RR
The Course
Distance: 60 miles (5 12-mile laps)
Category: Senior 3
Terrain: Rolling
Conditions: Chilly at the start, but sunny
Field: 30
Description: This course has no flat parts. It's all up and down. Crucial to have the front derailleur dialed in.
The course has a neutralized start of about 2 miles to the loop. Then after passing the feedzone on the right side, you start with a downhill, a climb of about 1 mile, then more descending, then rollers. Then you make a sharp right hand turn to my favorite part of the course. It's a steady descent, not too fast, on narrow roads. The field was small, the descent is not very technical, so it was pretty safe. And restful!!! Then more up and down up and down, up and down. You make a right turn (more up and down) and then another right turn (up and down) and now you're approaching the finish. I think there were 3 steep little climbs near the 1K marker. One was before then 1 right at the 1K marker and then the finish is a steep little bastard. After that, it eases up, then you turn up to the feedzone - another short steep climb, then another right turn and you start it all over again.
How It Unfolded
I didn't sleep so well the night before. I had some stomach issues that I still haven't figured out. I felt rested when I left at 4:45 in the am, but my stomach was unsettled. The start was chilly and I did my usual shivering as we rolled out. I sat at the back so as not to take anyone out as I tried to steer the bike and keep warm.
I warmed up pretty quickly and was soon feeling fine. The first few laps were uneventful - except that two guys took off about 1/2 way through the first lap. I didn't feel THAT strong, but I was feeling ok. On the second lap on the descent I lost a water bottle after hitting something in the road. Felt like an unmarked speed bump, though. Oh well no biggie - there was neutral support in the feed zone.
I was doing well on the climbs and able to move to the front pretty easily. On the end of the second lap I got another water bottle so I would be pretty much set for feeds. Somewhere on the 3rd lap I think it was, one of the two breakaways came back. Supposedly the other was riding strongly - 3+minutes up the road. Damn!!!
On the beginning of the fourth lap things started to go badly. First, I hit the same speed bump as the second lap, but this time it took a few minutes for my testicles to find their way out of my throat and back down to normality. Damn that hurt. Then I started to notice my stomach was bothering me again. I don't usually get stomach cramps while riding, but this time I did. They hurt but I suffered through them on the first long climb ok. I struggled off the back, then caught back on after the next series of rollers. I was hoping things would get better on the descent - they didn't. I kept struggling. I made it to the final turn towards the finish, but gave up shortly thereafter (after the 4th of 5 laps).
What a bummer, it was a great course for me. I limped in to the finish and watched the end of the race. The winner was a solo breakaway - around 3 minutes up on everyone. Then Pat Dunaway (Healthnet) outsprinted/outclimbed a Robinson Guy for second and third place. It was a long trip home . . .
The Course
Distance: 60 miles (5 12-mile laps)
Category: Senior 3
Terrain: Rolling
Conditions: Chilly at the start, but sunny
Field: 30
Description: This course has no flat parts. It's all up and down. Crucial to have the front derailleur dialed in.
The course has a neutralized start of about 2 miles to the loop. Then after passing the feedzone on the right side, you start with a downhill, a climb of about 1 mile, then more descending, then rollers. Then you make a sharp right hand turn to my favorite part of the course. It's a steady descent, not too fast, on narrow roads. The field was small, the descent is not very technical, so it was pretty safe. And restful!!! Then more up and down up and down, up and down. You make a right turn (more up and down) and then another right turn (up and down) and now you're approaching the finish. I think there were 3 steep little climbs near the 1K marker. One was before then 1 right at the 1K marker and then the finish is a steep little bastard. After that, it eases up, then you turn up to the feedzone - another short steep climb, then another right turn and you start it all over again.
How It Unfolded
I didn't sleep so well the night before. I had some stomach issues that I still haven't figured out. I felt rested when I left at 4:45 in the am, but my stomach was unsettled. The start was chilly and I did my usual shivering as we rolled out. I sat at the back so as not to take anyone out as I tried to steer the bike and keep warm.
I warmed up pretty quickly and was soon feeling fine. The first few laps were uneventful - except that two guys took off about 1/2 way through the first lap. I didn't feel THAT strong, but I was feeling ok. On the second lap on the descent I lost a water bottle after hitting something in the road. Felt like an unmarked speed bump, though. Oh well no biggie - there was neutral support in the feed zone.
I was doing well on the climbs and able to move to the front pretty easily. On the end of the second lap I got another water bottle so I would be pretty much set for feeds. Somewhere on the 3rd lap I think it was, one of the two breakaways came back. Supposedly the other was riding strongly - 3+minutes up the road. Damn!!!
On the beginning of the fourth lap things started to go badly. First, I hit the same speed bump as the second lap, but this time it took a few minutes for my testicles to find their way out of my throat and back down to normality. Damn that hurt. Then I started to notice my stomach was bothering me again. I don't usually get stomach cramps while riding, but this time I did. They hurt but I suffered through them on the first long climb ok. I struggled off the back, then caught back on after the next series of rollers. I was hoping things would get better on the descent - they didn't. I kept struggling. I made it to the final turn towards the finish, but gave up shortly thereafter (after the 4th of 5 laps).
What a bummer, it was a great course for me. I limped in to the finish and watched the end of the race. The winner was a solo breakaway - around 3 minutes up on everyone. Then Pat Dunaway (Healthnet) outsprinted/outclimbed a Robinson Guy for second and third place. It was a long trip home . . .
