The weather was quite perfect for the race, but I was having difficulties on the warm up getting whatever was in my legs out. Riding the course in reverse, every roller felt like my brakes were rubbing. Totally lethargic. When they called out the starting order, once again Dan was behind me by a minute so my goal was to not have him pass me. Hard goal.
The first half rolled along and my average hovered around 25.3. I knew I had to keep pushing because the ending hill knocks that average down a heap. My other goal for the last few weeks has been to break 25 minutes. Both goals accomplished as I finished in 24:42 and Dan didn't pass me. That was hard but satisfying.
Week 9: 25.0 average @ 259 watts = 24:42 (official)
Week 8: 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4: 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3: 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Race #16 Cleves 10 miler
Back to Cleves after two weeks off due to work and weather. Weather was nice and hot and humid.
It was weird during the race that I felt like I was going really really fast but my powertap wasn't agreeing with me. Must have been the weather conditions. Anyway, I ended up with an okay time considering I just did a (bad) 40k two days ago.
Gear difference: Wore a standard jersey and bibs.
Next race won't be until next Tuesday. There are a bunch of crits this weekend but no time trials that I'm aware of.
Week 8 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47
It was weird during the race that I felt like I was going really really fast but my powertap wasn't agreeing with me. Must have been the weather conditions. Anyway, I ended up with an okay time considering I just did a (bad) 40k two days ago.
Gear difference: Wore a standard jersey and bibs.
Next race won't be until next Tuesday. There are a bunch of crits this weekend but no time trials that I'm aware of.
Week 8 24.5 average @ 255 watts = 25:10 (powertap) 25:18 (official)
Week 5 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47
Monday, June 21, 2010
Race #15 Colavita Celina
40k around Lake St Mary's. Pretty much assured a flat course.
Registration took 5 seconds. Of course I was preregistered and I got there early, but whatever! It's nice to not have to stand in line.
Not really much to say about my race as it was as expected both speed and (low) power. I did have three separate incidents that lost a minute twenty by my power tap calculations.
Right from the get-go, turning on to the major road it was AWESOME to have all the cones giving us a lane. I can't say how awesome that is that we were allowed to have a dedicated lane. However, I passed a street crew worker at an intersection and knew I had to turn right soon. I kept going as I was still inside the coned lane. Then the cones tapered to the edge of the road and I thought I did in fact missed the turn. Stopped, turned, passed the intersection and saw that it dead ended into the lake. Oops. Turned around again and went on my way.
The only two other incidents were traffic related at stop signs as both times I was behind two cars at a complete stop. There was quite a bit of traffic out there and the cops can only do so much with the cars.
That discouraged me a little, but still the race was still great even though I was 6th out of 9. They put on a great race as usual and it was nice that the race was staged where there was a permanent tent set up as it was sunny and hot.
I guess the only thing I could wish for was that this race was held in a different time of year to potentially avoid some traffic. I don't know if all the traffic was normal, normal for this time of year, or abnormal because it was so nice out. Will do this race next year if they have it.
222 watts, 24.1mph, 1:01:30(or there about).
Registration took 5 seconds. Of course I was preregistered and I got there early, but whatever! It's nice to not have to stand in line.
Not really much to say about my race as it was as expected both speed and (low) power. I did have three separate incidents that lost a minute twenty by my power tap calculations.
Right from the get-go, turning on to the major road it was AWESOME to have all the cones giving us a lane. I can't say how awesome that is that we were allowed to have a dedicated lane. However, I passed a street crew worker at an intersection and knew I had to turn right soon. I kept going as I was still inside the coned lane. Then the cones tapered to the edge of the road and I thought I did in fact missed the turn. Stopped, turned, passed the intersection and saw that it dead ended into the lake. Oops. Turned around again and went on my way.
The only two other incidents were traffic related at stop signs as both times I was behind two cars at a complete stop. There was quite a bit of traffic out there and the cops can only do so much with the cars.
That discouraged me a little, but still the race was still great even though I was 6th out of 9. They put on a great race as usual and it was nice that the race was staged where there was a permanent tent set up as it was sunny and hot.
I guess the only thing I could wish for was that this race was held in a different time of year to potentially avoid some traffic. I don't know if all the traffic was normal, normal for this time of year, or abnormal because it was so nice out. Will do this race next year if they have it.
222 watts, 24.1mph, 1:01:30(or there about).
Monday, June 7, 2010
Race #14 State TT
Power failure.
That about sums it up.
3rd place out of 3 in my group. Worst time ever. Rough wind conditions.
In 2006 my average was 23.9
In 2007 my average was 24.19 (time of 58:31)
In 2008 my average was 24.53 (time of 57:57)
2009 57:13
2010 1:00:13
That about sums it up.
3rd place out of 3 in my group. Worst time ever. Rough wind conditions.
In 2006 my average was 23.9
In 2007 my average was 24.19 (time of 58:31)
In 2008 my average was 24.53 (time of 57:57)
2009 57:13
2010 1:00:13
Friday, June 4, 2010
Race #13 Strawberry festival TT
As soon as I hit the parking lot rain and thunder rolled in and I thought I wasted a long drive. Luckily, it cleared up. Unluckily, it blew my warm up. As opposed to riding the entire course, I took a couple mile stroll out and back.
There is no holder (A thing I am now quite used to), but I was able to clip in fast and off I went. Like Tuesday, there was a fast rider behind me so I went out with the intention of not getting passed (he didn't pass me). I passed my one minute rider around mile two and passed two more people around mile three and one more around mile seven. The roads ran smooth until Hufford. I slowed way down to get on Hufford as the roads were wet and the TT bike isn't the best handling thing in the world. Hufford road rides like a rock, which sucks because all of the other roads ride great. Anyway, a truck passed me heading into Casstown, and as NO luck would have it, he wanted to turn right. I had to almost stop completely to turn. Then, he wanted to turn right onto rt 55, the same direction I was going. Again, a near complete stop. I got my 20 second max power right there to get back up to speed to the finish.
By my powertap, I finished at 24:05 with a speed of 25.1. Official results as usual vary, but that's fine. Results came out with me finishing 6th but no time for Vince, who I know was faster. So 7th it is, which is cool. This was my fastest time trial (via average speed) this year so far which I am happy about. Power was at 256 and that is pretty consistent with what I am doing right now. Picked up 25 seconds on the same race last month.
The only equipment change was that I rode without a water bottle.
There is no holder (A thing I am now quite used to), but I was able to clip in fast and off I went. Like Tuesday, there was a fast rider behind me so I went out with the intention of not getting passed (he didn't pass me). I passed my one minute rider around mile two and passed two more people around mile three and one more around mile seven. The roads ran smooth until Hufford. I slowed way down to get on Hufford as the roads were wet and the TT bike isn't the best handling thing in the world. Hufford road rides like a rock, which sucks because all of the other roads ride great. Anyway, a truck passed me heading into Casstown, and as NO luck would have it, he wanted to turn right. I had to almost stop completely to turn. Then, he wanted to turn right onto rt 55, the same direction I was going. Again, a near complete stop. I got my 20 second max power right there to get back up to speed to the finish.
By my powertap, I finished at 24:05 with a speed of 25.1. Official results as usual vary, but that's fine. Results came out with me finishing 6th but no time for Vince, who I know was faster. So 7th it is, which is cool. This was my fastest time trial (via average speed) this year so far which I am happy about. Power was at 256 and that is pretty consistent with what I am doing right now. Picked up 25 seconds on the same race last month.
The only equipment change was that I rode without a water bottle.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Race #12 Cleves TT
Another Tuesday, another 10 mile time trial. Very hot and humid so it was easy to stay warm. I rode the course backward as usual and then rode a little extra. Legs felt really poor warming up and had one of those days where I could have sworn my brakes were rubbing. That's why I rode the extra bit to get that shit out of my system.
41 riders started and I started 30. 30 seconds later was Dan Waite so that put a nice fear of God into me to not have him pass me very early. Right at the start I actually felt pretty good. The rolling section got rough on the uphills, but I picked up time on the downhills (no coasting!). Dan passed me around mile 8. I passed him back as I think his fixie ran out of gear, then he passed me back once more right before the end hill. I couldn't catch up.
End time, both via my powertap and the official time were personal bests, but I still haven't broken 25:00. I wore jersey and bibs as I forgot to wash my skinsuit yesterday and will be wearing it two more times this week anyway. That was probably my one second right there, but there is always next week.
I put out the same wattage as last week, but was faster. I concentrated more on the head duck thing and I'm going to assume the heat had something to so with the speed as well.
Week 5 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47
41 riders started and I started 30. 30 seconds later was Dan Waite so that put a nice fear of God into me to not have him pass me very early. Right at the start I actually felt pretty good. The rolling section got rough on the uphills, but I picked up time on the downhills (no coasting!). Dan passed me around mile 8. I passed him back as I think his fixie ran out of gear, then he passed me back once more right before the end hill. I couldn't catch up.
End time, both via my powertap and the official time were personal bests, but I still haven't broken 25:00. I wore jersey and bibs as I forgot to wash my skinsuit yesterday and will be wearing it two more times this week anyway. That was probably my one second right there, but there is always next week.
I put out the same wattage as last week, but was faster. I concentrated more on the head duck thing and I'm going to assume the heat had something to so with the speed as well.
Week 5 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:00 (my time), 25:07 (official)
Week 4 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Race #11 Colavita Bellbrook
Saturday was my first ever attempt at this course that includes a short uphill section and a short fast downhill with a bunch of flats in between. After getting some beta about the course, I kept all the same TT gear and didn't change anything. I got there early enough (no kidding) to pre-ride the course and that as usual helped. I've been on those roads before, just not that exact direction. The hill was not as bad as I remember, due to where I'm living and having to deal with now.
140+/- riders on the day made for a long morning with me starting 31st. My race went about as anticipated. Don't blow up on the hill and punch it as best as I could home.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of fast 40+ guys out there. I ended up 8th out of 12 with a wattage of 252 and a speed around 23.7. Got up to 45.5mph on the downhill section and had to pass someone right at that point. I ended up passing 4 people and did not get passed myself.
This week is going to be rough. Cleves tonight (10 miles), Strawberry festival Thursday (10 miles) and Groveport Sunday (23.something miles). Hopefully the weather cooperates.
140+/- riders on the day made for a long morning with me starting 31st. My race went about as anticipated. Don't blow up on the hill and punch it as best as I could home.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of fast 40+ guys out there. I ended up 8th out of 12 with a wattage of 252 and a speed around 23.7. Got up to 45.5mph on the downhill section and had to pass someone right at that point. I ended up passing 4 people and did not get passed myself.
This week is going to be rough. Cleves tonight (10 miles), Strawberry festival Thursday (10 miles) and Groveport Sunday (23.something miles). Hopefully the weather cooperates.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Race #10 Cleves TT
57 riders were there with me starting 48th. I am not used to late start so I need to do something to keep my legs warm as opposed to getting in the que and standing there for 20 minutes. Well, 24 minutes (30 second intervals)
I did what is now my usual and rode the course backward to the start and luckily missed all the potholes. That side of the road sucks, but the side we race on is great?!?
Since it was nice weather there were a lot of people out but it gave me the chance to let my legs get cold again. Even though it's really a training race, I want to keep it as real as possible so I don't hurt myself or do something else stupid by racing cold.
I was feeling it from the get-go. Trying to get in a good rhythm was near impossible last night for some reason so I just plowed my way through as best as possible. The end of the course on the hill seemed farther back than the three previous weeks. I think it was due to cars parking down the hill more due to the turnout. I wanted to hit 25:00 and that slipped away with my powertap reading 25:08 and the official time having me at 25:13. Still a personal record, but not the best I could have done. No drop outs on the powertap like last week. Yay!
Data from the series:
Week 4 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47
11th overall out of 57
I did what is now my usual and rode the course backward to the start and luckily missed all the potholes. That side of the road sucks, but the side we race on is great?!?
Since it was nice weather there were a lot of people out but it gave me the chance to let my legs get cold again. Even though it's really a training race, I want to keep it as real as possible so I don't hurt myself or do something else stupid by racing cold.
I was feeling it from the get-go. Trying to get in a good rhythm was near impossible last night for some reason so I just plowed my way through as best as possible. The end of the course on the hill seemed farther back than the three previous weeks. I think it was due to cars parking down the hill more due to the turnout. I wanted to hit 25:00 and that slipped away with my powertap reading 25:08 and the official time having me at 25:13. Still a personal record, but not the best I could have done. No drop outs on the powertap like last week. Yay!
Data from the series:
Week 4 24.7 average @ 257 watts = 25:13 (official time)
Week 3 24.4 average @ 271 watts (wrong) = 25:17
Week 2: 24.3 average @ 250 watts = 25:33
Week 1: 24.2 average @ 242 watts = 25:47
11th overall out of 57
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Race #9 Cleves TT
Another Tuesday, another time trial! It's great to live close (within reason) to a weekly time trial. I didn't figure a whole lot of people would show up due to the weather, but I think there were around 35 riders. I rode the course in reverse to warm up and NAILED a big hole with both wheels. I figured my day was over right then, but my tires didn't flat out. Lucky!
I started 25th and didn't go balls out as usual for the first half mile or so (though my powertap said my highest 20 second, 1 minute and 5 minute power were all from the start...oops).
It got a little misty from the rain, but for the most part there was no real rain coming down, just wet roads. I kept watching my average speed and it hovered right around 24 as there was a slight headwind at the start. After the power plant, the speed really picked up, but somewhere my powertap lost 45 seconds. It just died from what I'm guessing was it being waterlogged. I didn't see that as it happened so when I crossed the finish line, my computer read a new personal record by well over a minute. Well, the official time had me get a PR but only by 20 seconds. It wasn't until after downloading my data at home did I discover the outage on my powertap. I hope it was just the rain that did that and not something worse.
Anyway, the data is suspect. It said 271 watt average with a speed of 24.1. The average speed is wrong by 0.3 or so and I'm not sure I believe the wattage because that's not what I'm capable of producing right now. Whatever, at least I felt pretty good out there.
I started 25th and didn't go balls out as usual for the first half mile or so (though my powertap said my highest 20 second, 1 minute and 5 minute power were all from the start...oops).
It got a little misty from the rain, but for the most part there was no real rain coming down, just wet roads. I kept watching my average speed and it hovered right around 24 as there was a slight headwind at the start. After the power plant, the speed really picked up, but somewhere my powertap lost 45 seconds. It just died from what I'm guessing was it being waterlogged. I didn't see that as it happened so when I crossed the finish line, my computer read a new personal record by well over a minute. Well, the official time had me get a PR but only by 20 seconds. It wasn't until after downloading my data at home did I discover the outage on my powertap. I hope it was just the rain that did that and not something worse.
Anyway, the data is suspect. It said 271 watt average with a speed of 24.1. The average speed is wrong by 0.3 or so and I'm not sure I believe the wattage because that's not what I'm capable of producing right now. Whatever, at least I felt pretty good out there.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Race #8 Colavita Versailles
19 mile course. Hard cross/head wind going out. Bad traffic coming back.
23.6 mph @ 231 watts.
On the back end of the race I had several incidents with traffic and or touring bikes. There was some little bike tour that turned into a park about 2 miles from the turnaround. There was a trailer being pulled by a truck that said "caution cyclists". I had to pass this behemoth on the left (an illegal move on my part) because he was going 12 mph and hogged the right side. This trailer was escorting two cyclists on hybrids. I thought for 2 seconds that it was odd but no worries. Had to stomp the pedals to get back to speed...until...I ended up behind 2 more tourists, yelled "on your left" and of course, they tried to turn left in front of me at the entrance to the park. Had to stomp again to get back up to speed. I thought all was going to be fine until I caught a time trial racer being tailed by a woman in a station wagon. She would not pass him and he was doing maybe 20mph. So I tried to pass her on the right as she was hugging the center line. I couldn't completely pass her because she was tailgating the cyclist so I ended up riding side by side at her passenger door (another stupid move on my part). We came up to an intersection so I backed off figuring she would turn right and kill me. She turned left, I lived, but once again had to stomp to get back to speed and pass the racer in front of me. By now I was toast. In reality, it probably didn't affect me much, but it's a convenient excuse for a bad time. haha.
5th place out of 10 in the 40-49 age group. I won more Heed!
The five races in the last twelve days has taken it's toll (I'm racing tomorrow night too unless the weather is bad) and I am toast. But I've lost 3 pounds in that period.
23.6 mph @ 231 watts.
On the back end of the race I had several incidents with traffic and or touring bikes. There was some little bike tour that turned into a park about 2 miles from the turnaround. There was a trailer being pulled by a truck that said "caution cyclists". I had to pass this behemoth on the left (an illegal move on my part) because he was going 12 mph and hogged the right side. This trailer was escorting two cyclists on hybrids. I thought for 2 seconds that it was odd but no worries. Had to stomp the pedals to get back to speed...until...I ended up behind 2 more tourists, yelled "on your left" and of course, they tried to turn left in front of me at the entrance to the park. Had to stomp again to get back up to speed. I thought all was going to be fine until I caught a time trial racer being tailed by a woman in a station wagon. She would not pass him and he was doing maybe 20mph. So I tried to pass her on the right as she was hugging the center line. I couldn't completely pass her because she was tailgating the cyclist so I ended up riding side by side at her passenger door (another stupid move on my part). We came up to an intersection so I backed off figuring she would turn right and kill me. She turned left, I lived, but once again had to stomp to get back to speed and pass the racer in front of me. By now I was toast. In reality, it probably didn't affect me much, but it's a convenient excuse for a bad time. haha.
5th place out of 10 in the 40-49 age group. I won more Heed!
The five races in the last twelve days has taken it's toll (I'm racing tomorrow night too unless the weather is bad) and I am toast. But I've lost 3 pounds in that period.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Race #7 Cleves time trial
Little bit faster, little more watts.
Last week: 24.2 average @ 242 watts
This week: 24.3 average @ 250 watts
The weather was not really a factor as the course is quite sheltered from any wind and since it's a horseshoe course only a strong wind from the south would cause an alteration of time. Maybe I'm just making that up.
Anyway, I was 15th out of 35 and 14 seconds faster than last week.
Last week: 24.2 average @ 242 watts
This week: 24.3 average @ 250 watts
The weather was not really a factor as the course is quite sheltered from any wind and since it's a horseshoe course only a strong wind from the south would cause an alteration of time. Maybe I'm just making that up.
Anyway, I was 15th out of 35 and 14 seconds faster than last week.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Race #6 QCW 40k tt
WINDY and COLD. 23 lunatics showed up for the 40k.
The wind actually helped most people get a new personal record on the course, myself included.
The screaming downhill start, was screaming. I ran out of gears of course. The out section was nothing to speak of as I kept plodding along waiting for the hill. I got to it and my bike was able to shift into the little ring. Thank God for that or I wouldn't have made it.
Nothing in racing made me as happy as seeing the end of that dang hill. Turn around and WOOSH, I immediately hit a new time trial high speed of 47.7 miles per hour. The return trip after the downhill was spent hoping the finish would come real soon. Last month I finished at 1:01:30 (or thereabouts) and at 45 minutes I was dying. Made it to the finish line at 1:00:30 (or thereabouts) with a power around 235 (I forget). 23.2 mph.
Note about the hill: At the bottom of the climb, I was averaging 26.5 mph. At the top, my average dropped to 22.4. Over a 4mph drop in average over a 1.5 mile climb. Ouch.
Three races this week hurt, so what am I doing this week? Three races.
Results
The wind actually helped most people get a new personal record on the course, myself included.
The screaming downhill start, was screaming. I ran out of gears of course. The out section was nothing to speak of as I kept plodding along waiting for the hill. I got to it and my bike was able to shift into the little ring. Thank God for that or I wouldn't have made it.
Nothing in racing made me as happy as seeing the end of that dang hill. Turn around and WOOSH, I immediately hit a new time trial high speed of 47.7 miles per hour. The return trip after the downhill was spent hoping the finish would come real soon. Last month I finished at 1:01:30 (or thereabouts) and at 45 minutes I was dying. Made it to the finish line at 1:00:30 (or thereabouts) with a power around 235 (I forget). 23.2 mph.
Note about the hill: At the bottom of the climb, I was averaging 26.5 mph. At the top, my average dropped to 22.4. Over a 4mph drop in average over a 1.5 mile climb. Ouch.
Three races this week hurt, so what am I doing this week? Three races.
Results
Friday, May 7, 2010
Race #5 Speedy Feet Casstown
This Casstown race was the new Strawberry Festival route, a 10 mile clockwise route starting from the new fire department. On such a nice evening, it was sad that only 22 people showed up. For crying out loud, I drove 1.25 hours from Cincinnati to race!
Anyway, I got there early (surprise!) and I was third to go off. Unlike Tuesday, I warmed up by doing the course. It was a nice easy ride of 21mph with 200 watts. I finished too fast and then lost my warm up because I screwed around for 25 minutes until I actually raced.
Shane D started 30 seconds behind me and even though he was on a standard bike, the fear of him passing me kept me motivated. He's riding well and is in shape. I lost speed to him on all the corners and that led to him passing me on the final turn heading from Casstown to the Fire Dept.
Overall, I was 6th (I don't count HPVs). This was my fastest TT of the 5 I have done this season at 24.7. Wattage was 249. Did not feel any after effects from racing Tuesday, but I am feeling it now and Saturday's 40k tt should just about kill me. In a good way...?
Results
Anyway, I got there early (surprise!) and I was third to go off. Unlike Tuesday, I warmed up by doing the course. It was a nice easy ride of 21mph with 200 watts. I finished too fast and then lost my warm up because I screwed around for 25 minutes until I actually raced.
Shane D started 30 seconds behind me and even though he was on a standard bike, the fear of him passing me kept me motivated. He's riding well and is in shape. I lost speed to him on all the corners and that led to him passing me on the final turn heading from Casstown to the Fire Dept.
Overall, I was 6th (I don't count HPVs). This was my fastest TT of the 5 I have done this season at 24.7. Wattage was 249. Did not feel any after effects from racing Tuesday, but I am feeling it now and Saturday's 40k tt should just about kill me. In a good way...?
Results
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Race #4 Cleves TT
What a great night for a ride! Cleve's time trial put on by QCW has been going on for 36 years. It's held every Tuesday from May until September - I'm going to try and ride most of them. It's a 10 mile course that's actually more rolling than I thought it would be, but nothing too tough. The finish is on a slight uphill grade but it's only 0.25 miles long and it's not necessary to get out of the big ring for it.
I hung around the start line since it was my first time there and the result was no warm up whatsoever. I wasn't sure how things were run and I will not miss a start time! As was the case with the QCW 40k, we had to guess our speed if we had never been there before so they could arrange us in order from slow to fast. Estimating a speed of 22-23mph slotted me at 36th out of 51.
Next week I will actually warm up...
I started completely cold and dry. It didn't affect me early but as the miles ticked over it did with my lungs and legs feeling it. Since the course wasn't totally pan flat it kept things interesting in regards to my pacing, but it was hovering in the mid 24's as far as an average speed went.
According to my powertap, I finished around 25:47 for a speed of 24.2 and a wattage of 242. For the first time out there I felt pretty good and once I know the course, I'll be able to gauge where better to pick up time. Leaving prior to the results being posted, I don't know where I finished yet, but right now that's not the point of the races.
Next race is tomorrow in Casstown barring any weather issues.
http://www.qcw.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208&Itemid=134
Right after I published this post, the results had been uploaded. 17th out of 56.
I hung around the start line since it was my first time there and the result was no warm up whatsoever. I wasn't sure how things were run and I will not miss a start time! As was the case with the QCW 40k, we had to guess our speed if we had never been there before so they could arrange us in order from slow to fast. Estimating a speed of 22-23mph slotted me at 36th out of 51.
Next week I will actually warm up...
I started completely cold and dry. It didn't affect me early but as the miles ticked over it did with my lungs and legs feeling it. Since the course wasn't totally pan flat it kept things interesting in regards to my pacing, but it was hovering in the mid 24's as far as an average speed went.
According to my powertap, I finished around 25:47 for a speed of 24.2 and a wattage of 242. For the first time out there I felt pretty good and once I know the course, I'll be able to gauge where better to pick up time. Leaving prior to the results being posted, I don't know where I finished yet, but right now that's not the point of the races.
Next race is tomorrow in Casstown barring any weather issues.
http://www.qcw.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=208&Itemid=134
Right after I published this post, the results had been uploaded. 17th out of 56.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Race #3 Colavita Casstown TT
Sunday's race was up and down the the final Fred's Ride time trial route. Five miles up, five miles back. Luckily (?) there was a strong tailwind from the south to push us uphill.
The highest number I saw was 75 so there were at least that many riders. Since the weather for Sunday had been iffy all week, I think the large turnout was due to the amount of prizes in both merchandise and money that was being given out.
I like this course. There were some good battles here in 2006 when I first and last did a race here. Five times I raced here that year, topping out at 23minutes 24seconds for a 25.64 average. Still never beat Vince or Dan, but whatever. It's five miles going out, mostly uphill of about a percent, then the second half is typically screaming back downhill. Not Sunday though with the wind from the south. Going out was fast. I forgot to set my powertap until 5 seconds in (oops, second time that's ever happened) and soon I was pushing 26-27 uphill. Not much to report going out but I was holding a good speed. Turned around and BOOM, more wind than I thought. Going back downhill was much harder than going out and my average showed it. I ended up at 23.9 average via my 5 second missing powertap. Good for 6th in the 40-49 group. Old guys are faster than the young guys. Wattage was 240.
I did not get passed, nor did I pass anyone. Found out my one minute man had the exact same time as me and my two minute man was one second faster. No wonder I didn't see anyone!
Shane, per usual, destroyed everyone in the standard class and most people overall. Wow!
This was my 156th race since 2005.
The highest number I saw was 75 so there were at least that many riders. Since the weather for Sunday had been iffy all week, I think the large turnout was due to the amount of prizes in both merchandise and money that was being given out.
I like this course. There were some good battles here in 2006 when I first and last did a race here. Five times I raced here that year, topping out at 23minutes 24seconds for a 25.64 average. Still never beat Vince or Dan, but whatever. It's five miles going out, mostly uphill of about a percent, then the second half is typically screaming back downhill. Not Sunday though with the wind from the south. Going out was fast. I forgot to set my powertap until 5 seconds in (oops, second time that's ever happened) and soon I was pushing 26-27 uphill. Not much to report going out but I was holding a good speed. Turned around and BOOM, more wind than I thought. Going back downhill was much harder than going out and my average showed it. I ended up at 23.9 average via my 5 second missing powertap. Good for 6th in the 40-49 group. Old guys are faster than the young guys. Wattage was 240.
I did not get passed, nor did I pass anyone. Found out my one minute man had the exact same time as me and my two minute man was one second faster. No wonder I didn't see anyone!
Shane, per usual, destroyed everyone in the standard class and most people overall. Wow!
This was my 156th race since 2005.
Friday, April 16, 2010
mf
On top of everything I can now add to the laundry list a back condition that leaves me barely able to get out of bed in the morning. I think the tennis didn't help it.
I did do 1.75 hours on the trainer this afternoon after not riding yesterday on the nicest day of the year. It's getting frustrating.
It's time for a major change. Just have to figure out what that means.
I did do 1.75 hours on the trainer this afternoon after not riding yesterday on the nicest day of the year. It's getting frustrating.
It's time for a major change. Just have to figure out what that means.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Race #2 QCW 40k time trial
Saturday was QCW's 40k TT in Alexandria Kentucky. Was billed as a fast downhill start, one major climb mid way through and you don't have to climb back up the starting downhill (at least until after the race was over). It lived up to the billing. 10 minutes into the tt and my average speed was 32mph.
It was chilly at the start so I wore gloves. Other than that, it was my usual gear for a time trial. Well not really. Since it was a new course for me, I chose to wear my Rx Oakleys so I could see. I typically don't wear glasses in time trials if I know the course.
So anyway, this race is just more training. I had no intention of being competitive but I need race efforts and what better to get that sort of effort but in a race? After the smoking start the course was rolling with an uphill trend and by the time I hit the hill I still had a decent speed. Certainly I was setting no wattage records though. I hit the hill (roughly 1.5 miles at 5% or so I was told) and my bike would not shift to the small ring. I had NEVER used my small ring in any race and maybe only once or twice on a ride. I should have checked that out before hand. I almost came to a standstill trying to shift, but I stayed upright, lost tons of time, and stood almost the entire climb. By the top, I was done. Done. Done. Luckily, it was big downhill the next 1.5 miles. I topped out at 46.2mph and ran out of gears. Struggling with lack of oxygen (no lungs) and lactate (no legs), I gutted out the last several miles on will power alone. The finish came none too quick and I rested for 5 minutes before hitting the climb to get back to the parking lot. I hand shifted to the small ring before going up though. 22.8mph average. Sad wattage at 220 (average).
If I hadn't been riding in West Chester the last month, the hill would have completely destroyed me. Luckily (?) it's all hilly riding down here so I'm getting used to climbing.
It was chilly at the start so I wore gloves. Other than that, it was my usual gear for a time trial. Well not really. Since it was a new course for me, I chose to wear my Rx Oakleys so I could see. I typically don't wear glasses in time trials if I know the course.
So anyway, this race is just more training. I had no intention of being competitive but I need race efforts and what better to get that sort of effort but in a race? After the smoking start the course was rolling with an uphill trend and by the time I hit the hill I still had a decent speed. Certainly I was setting no wattage records though. I hit the hill (roughly 1.5 miles at 5% or so I was told) and my bike would not shift to the small ring. I had NEVER used my small ring in any race and maybe only once or twice on a ride. I should have checked that out before hand. I almost came to a standstill trying to shift, but I stayed upright, lost tons of time, and stood almost the entire climb. By the top, I was done. Done. Done. Luckily, it was big downhill the next 1.5 miles. I topped out at 46.2mph and ran out of gears. Struggling with lack of oxygen (no lungs) and lactate (no legs), I gutted out the last several miles on will power alone. The finish came none too quick and I rested for 5 minutes before hitting the climb to get back to the parking lot. I hand shifted to the small ring before going up though. 22.8mph average. Sad wattage at 220 (average).
If I hadn't been riding in West Chester the last month, the hill would have completely destroyed me. Luckily (?) it's all hilly riding down here so I'm getting used to climbing.
Monday, March 29, 2010
3-28-10 Colavita TT race #1
2nd slowest time ever on that course. Ended up 3rd place in the 40-49 division with the 6th or 7th fastest time of all riders (50 or so). Cold and rainy day.
Being sick and not riding for the last two weeks took it's toll as I could simply not maintain any sort of wattage required for a faster average, which was under 23mph. If memory serves my average watts were 225 or some such misery.
Next race is 40k on April 10th in Kentucky via Queen City Wheels.
Being sick and not riding for the last two weeks took it's toll as I could simply not maintain any sort of wattage required for a faster average, which was under 23mph. If memory serves my average watts were 225 or some such misery.
Next race is 40k on April 10th in Kentucky via Queen City Wheels.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Hold the press
With business number one, number two, number three and now number four taking most of my time, I forgot I had a blog. Facebook takes more of my time than anything else of frivolity now. This week is a rest week as far as cycling goes so I have a spare couple of minutes to update the 5 billion people who read this thing. Fricken booyah.
March is looking scary. With trips to Costa Rica and St Maarten in the same month and race season starting the 28th, I am nowhere near prepared for the 2010 campaign and won't be by the first race. But screw it, I'm racing anyway.
For January I just quietly spent an hour at a time on my time trial bike. Every day is a different type of ride or length of interval. Some days it's coach Troy, some days it's coach Carmicheal and some days it's watching something on hulu.
20 seconds of death. 40 seconds of death, 5 minutes of 'I wish it was death', etc.
I did move my elbow pads in, so that marks consecutive year number four of changing my time trial position ever so much. Since I don't subscribe to UCI (and never will thank you since my FUCKING BIKE will be illegal) rule, I am going to play around with Floyd and Levi's old position for the heck of it as the year goes on. Not like there's a lack of time trials or anything...
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NUCLEAR.
I am 100% committed to NOT racing any road races this year. Instead, I am stupidly debating the ignorance of running again. Then if the mood strikes, I can run, ride and run again. Who knows? If I start today, I'll be sick of running by March, so cool. Is the world ready for a time trialler who can run at the freakish pace of 7:12?
Carry on and stop making fun of my training protocol.
March is looking scary. With trips to Costa Rica and St Maarten in the same month and race season starting the 28th, I am nowhere near prepared for the 2010 campaign and won't be by the first race. But screw it, I'm racing anyway.
For January I just quietly spent an hour at a time on my time trial bike. Every day is a different type of ride or length of interval. Some days it's coach Troy, some days it's coach Carmicheal and some days it's watching something on hulu.
20 seconds of death. 40 seconds of death, 5 minutes of 'I wish it was death', etc.
I did move my elbow pads in, so that marks consecutive year number four of changing my time trial position ever so much. Since I don't subscribe to UCI (and never will thank you since my FUCKING BIKE will be illegal) rule, I am going to play around with Floyd and Levi's old position for the heck of it as the year goes on. Not like there's a lack of time trials or anything...
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NUCLEAR.
I am 100% committed to NOT racing any road races this year. Instead, I am stupidly debating the ignorance of running again. Then if the mood strikes, I can run, ride and run again. Who knows? If I start today, I'll be sick of running by March, so cool. Is the world ready for a time trialler who can run at the freakish pace of 7:12?
Carry on and stop making fun of my training protocol.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Four months to go
First day of snow and I already hate it.
Last week I rode 6 out of 7 days with Monday-Thursday containing Tabata intervals. These intervals are like this - after a warm up, ride 20 seconds as hard as you can then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat as many times as possible. The most I did was 8. I wanted to try these just to see what they are like. Intervals in December? Sure, why not? It's just a little something to mix it up.
My overall power graph for the week was a nice incline, with the day's 15 minute and overall watt average being higher than the day previous. For me, 15 minute power is what it's about.
Last week I rode 6 out of 7 days with Monday-Thursday containing Tabata intervals. These intervals are like this - after a warm up, ride 20 seconds as hard as you can then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat as many times as possible. The most I did was 8. I wanted to try these just to see what they are like. Intervals in December? Sure, why not? It's just a little something to mix it up.
My overall power graph for the week was a nice incline, with the day's 15 minute and overall watt average being higher than the day previous. For me, 15 minute power is what it's about.
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