You are here: Knights Ferry Road Race
| February 4, 2012 | ||
| 1:30 am |
I arrived early and was glad to see John L., Chris G., Geno and John B. arriving at the same time. We found a spot for a warm up ride and then headed for the start line. Chris M. and Ken arrived a little later.
The race started slow but quickly picked up speed after a couple of miles, I kept myself up at the front of the pack. The first turnaround point came up unexpectedly and was narrow, we pretty much came to a dead stop, after the turn the road was downhill and the speed quickly picked up again. At mile 16 we hit some rollers and I started to drift to the back, around mile 18 there was a short steep climb and I drifted off the back with a couple of other (older) riders. I rode with a couple of other people and we decided to keep the pace going even though we would probably not catch up with the main group. Around mile 25 the other people slowed up and I finished the rest of the race of my own. As I was about 4 miles out I saw John L., Geno and Chris G. who had already finished and were heading back to the parking area. I was glad to finish and came in 34th.
I thought this was a good location, easy to get to and the roads were pretty good. The course seemed shorter, I logged 46 miles versus the 54 on the race flyer.
Good to see so many team mates out there.
Leesville Gap RR Report
Jul 3, 2011 Road Race
Race: Leesville Gap RR
July 2, 2011
Results: 9th
Teammates: none
Category: 45+ 1/2/3
Time: 3:00:31
I’ve done this race a few times before but this year it was one of the toughest most exhausting races I’ve ever completed. This was probably due to the heat and over inflated tires. I don’t know what I was thinking when I pumped 140 pounds in my tubulars but when the rough felt bumpier than I remember I knew why. Basically I got the crap pounded out of me and dehydrated at the same time. In the first bad section I lost a water bottle. Fortunately I had a third bottle in my jersey but even with that I managed to dehydrate and completely run out of gas by the finish. There were a few attacks before crossing Hwy 20 and beginning the tough section but no one got away before the main climb.
This course is one 63 mile loop with a deciding climb about 1/3 into the course. I made it about 3/4 up the mountain with the leaders then backed off. Not too far that I was alone though so I reached the top with a few others and within minutes a couple more joined us. We were well organized and chased hard catching the leaders before the final climbs. Unfortunately I was hurting bad by then and we broke up on the last climbs. There were probably about three guys off the front this time and five or six of us chasing again. We never caught them. I was having a hard time hanging on so I took very short pulls. On the final 2 mile stretch there was a small attack and a surge which was all it took to drop me. So I finished by myself at 9th place. Next time I’ll use my tubeless wheels as I’ve always done in the past for this race or run much less air in my tubulars.
Bill
Jun 18, 2011 Race report, Road Race
Race: Pescadero Costal Classic RR
Date: Saturday, 6/18/11
Category: M45+ Cat 4
Finishing Place: 30/75
Other Team mates in race: Chris M
92 guys were registered for the M45+4 race, the largest group, but only 75 started. On the Promenade out through town, we almost had a few mishaps due to the pace motorcycle having to slow quickly. The first Preem was just a few hunderd meters after the official start, so quick that most of us didn’t notice it. The Stage 1 climb was not to bad and I didn’t have any problem staying in the main group, decent, then climb up Stage 2, things and riders were already getting shelled off the back so the pace was quite hard. I had to sprint over the crest to try and maintain contact with the main group. Going hard on the decent, we caught the tail end of the main pack at Hwy 84. At that point, I think we had already lost about 25 – 30 riders. I always felt like I was the last guy. Heading up 84, the pace was fast but i was able to move up into the front 15 and maintain position. Apparently it was really squirrely at the back.
Turning right up the feed zone and then up Haskins, I was climbing well, but about halfway up, a gap opened AGAIN, and I crested the top with about a 15s gap to the back of the main group. At this point I think there were only about 40 guys left from the front to me. I had to chase like mad for the next 10 miles to the coast. Fortunately, there were a few other chasers I joined up with. We caught the pack just a mile before the right turn onto Stage Road.
Each climb up Stage 1 and Stage 2 ended up with me being gapped by just 10s or so, but I had give it everything to catch the pack on the decent. On Hwy 84 the main group was about 15s up and I was with two M35+4 riders who were not willing to work with me much so I had to just put my head down and time trial for 3 miles to catch the pack. Almost as soon as I caught the main group, 5 guys broke away from the front and built up a 15s gap on the main field. At this point there were only about 30 total riders left. The three dominant teams, PenVelo, Taleo, Body Concepts each had a rider in the break of 5 so they were trying to sit on the front to protect the gap. I joined up with my friend Harold of Webcore to try and bridge the gap, but we only made it half way and the others just sat onl our wheels. The race pretty much ended up like this. When we hit Haskins again, I was wasted and knew I didn’t have anything for the climb so I just went to efficiency mode and crossed the line about 70s behind the main pack, the last one again!
Even though I got gapped 4 times and had to chase, this was by far my best effort this season. The course was a blast and my form is improving. If I could ever loose those 5 pounds and not have to expend so much energy chasing, I might be able to contest some of the finishes in future.
Mt Hamilton RR report
May 29, 2011 Road Race
Mt Hamilton M45 3/4 Podium 2011
Mt Hamilton RR
May 29, 2011
Team mates – none
Other team mates racing – Sandra and Dan
Results: 3rd
Category: 45+ 3/4
Field: ~50
This is usually a 45+ 1/2/3 race but this year they did away with the start on the other side of the mountain for the 4/5s and added a 3/4 race. I was able to stay with the lead riders to the top of Mt Ham. It was a little easier than the 1/2/3 race where there is no shortage of great talent but the pace in this race was still strong and there were plenty of guys that popped on the big climb. There were some small attacks on the last of the three Mt Ham climbs but the lead pack reached the top together. There were at least 20 of us. The descent was fast and my brakes howled like mad. Along Mines road the winds kicked in but our group kept a strong pace.
After the Junction ThirstyBear attacked. Someone said it’s a long climb so they were not concerned. His teammate managed to bridge and the two of them were going hard. Mostly two Webcore guys and myself worked to catch them. Almost immediately ThirstyBear attacked again and again. He never gave up and it paid off. On the last climb he had a short gap and crossing the bridge he had 10 seconds. We were going so hard there was no lull before the sprint. I was worried I would blow up so I didn’t chase as hard as I could have. When I saw the 200 m sign I knew this was it so I went hard. ThirstyBear’s teammate was ahead. We caught him at the finish but not soon enough to pass. Another few meters and I would have been first. I’m still very happy with the result which got me on the podium. This was the first race I’ve placed in the top few where they had a podium. It was cool getting a podium picture!
Bill
Berkeley Hills RR Report
May 10, 2011 Race report, Road Race
May 8, 2011
M45+ 1/2/3
Teammates: none
Result: 12th
Laps: 2.7
We had over 60 starters in this field. The first time around was uneventful and we still had a large pack after a full lap. After turning off Dam Rd and hitting the short climbs a group of five took off. Since those were some of the top riders it looked like the break might hold but on the last lap on the same climb the pace picked up fast. Driven by Safeway we drilled it down the long hill then right on Alhambra. I held on with this pack of about 12. We passed another race group then by the time we turned on Bear Creek we caught the break and others from the field caught on. So we had a hill top sprint finish. I was probably about 20th at the 200m mark. I managed to pass a few riders in the last 30 m so that was nice but I realized I should of tried to move up more earlier. I was happy I finally had a race without some kind of issue messing me up so overall I was pleased with this race.
Bill
Wente RR Report
May 10, 2011 Race report, Road Race
April 30, 2011
M45+ 1/2/3
Teammates: none
Result: 27th
Laps: 4
This was an incredibly windy day with the strongest winds on Greenville Rd. The first lap was fast and hard and for a while I thought it might be my only lap but when we hit Greenville Rd the pack pretty much shutdown, so it was good recovery time. Passing the S/F at such an easy pace I figured I would continue on. Each time up Carol I tried to be near the front of the pack so I would not get dropped. The pace was not too hard up the climb but on the 3rd lap I started having mechanical issues with my derailer. That caused me to slip to the back on Flynn Rd then it was a struggle to stay on at times. One the fourth climb I couldn’t shift lower than my 19 cog so I was gapped. Fortunately there were about five others with me and we finally caught the lead pack on Greenville Rd. Limited to my 39/19 I couldn’t hold a good position on the final climb so I was nearly last of the lead group coming in at 27th place. It was a fun race and I was happy I was able to stay with the lead group.
Bill
2011 Merco Road Race 35+ Cat4
Mar 8, 2011 Road Race
Met Bill at his place around 8:15am. Loaded up then we boogied on over to Gaz’s crib. Rained steady all the way over to Dublin. The three of us hit the road around 8:45am or so and had an uneventful ride out to the course. It was still lightly raining when we arrived but stopped while we were getting kitted up. Started to warm up on Olsen Road but made a quick u-turn back to the truck to get some more clothing (good choice). Stopped by Gonzo’s car to tell him 15 minutes to race time. He misunderstood me and thought I meant 12:15. Race time was 12:10. Temps were in the upper 50′s and the winds seemed calm around the parking area.
Only 40 or so of us rolled out on time. Unfortunately, Gonzalo wasn’t among us. I spent the first few miles moving around the bunch looking for him. Pace was moderate as we headed west on Keyes Rd. Wind was out of the SE so we had a bit of a tailwind at first. After the left onto Bledsoe we got our first taste of the wind. A nice stiff crosswind from our left side. Nothing at all like the calm conditions at the start. A few attacks would go but nobody ever got away. It did create a bit of a schizophrenic pace that really sapped the legs. The crosswind/headwind sections of the course kept everyone honest. Spent some time on the front in the first lap and even considered trying to get in a break but it seemed obvious that no one was interested in battling the wind on their own. The turn onto Cox Ferry brought a brief respite from the wind and so the pace picked up. I moved up towards the front of the group in anticipation of the long rollers on Cox Ferry. First time up the went smooth and even gained position going up. After turning left back onto Keyes we had our only real tailwind of the course so this seemed to be pretty quick. I didn’t notice our speed but I didn’t feel taxed by the pace. Lap two was a repeat of the first. Though on the headwind section we slowed to what seemed like a crawl. On the long straight section of Turlock Road I started to feel some twinges in the legs. Always a bad omen for me but I was feeling good and having fun so I just ignored it. Left onto Cox Ferry for the last time and the pace ratchets up. I moved up towards the front already thinking about the finish. Hit the first roller in the top 15 or so. That’s when the quads cramped up nice and tight. Went out the back right quick and ended the race solo.
After having some asthma problems and not being able to breathe at Snelling, I really enjoyed my self at Merco. Well till I cramped, that always sucks. Look forward to doing this race next year.
Mike
Merco Road Race Report from Garry
Mar 7, 2011 Race report, Road Race
Merco RR, nr. Merced and Snelling
Sunday March 6th, 2011 – race start at 12:00
Category M45+ 1/2/3
Team mates, – Bill Brier
Chris Menicou, Gonzalo Carillo and Mike Baxter also raced in other categories.
Got picked up by the Baxtermobile at 08:30 and was quickly packed and on the road. In under two hours we were there.
Weather was overcast, no wind or light winds as we prepared, the roads were wet and the odd drizzle came down but the forecast was for improving conditions.
Bill and i had a brief discussion about plans for riding the course and what we may do at the finish, 48 miles and two laps away. We went for a warm up and i immediately had the “oh dear” feeling, as my legs felt blocked and heavy and did not change through out our 25 minute pre ride.
We set off from the start line with a large group, maybe 70 riders. The first leg is a cross wind / tail wind and it was not long, maybe only 300 yards before the first attack went, with Dirk Cowley of SportsBaseOnline.com pinging off the front. He was brought back soon enough, then a group of three made a good effort. They stayed up the road for maybe 10 miles, but persistent chasing efforts eventually brought them back. I was not watching my computer, but it seemed pretty darned fast. i was riding top 20 for the first 10 miles but was consistently swamped and eventually did not maintain consitent concentration to stay up there and slipped back, WHICH WAS A MISTAKE.
I was doing OK physically, and when we swung on to bumpy Cox Ferry Road I was not worried, I was well positioned on the left (wind coming from right) and managed to maintain position on the first slope. Going over the top more efforts were made at the front and the pack strung out over the next couple risers. When the pack descended to the left turn, it was a long line of riders, and i was towards the back of the field and behind one guy from the Wells Fargo team who had already gapped me once before. I should have known, but it was still disappointing to see this dude let the gap go again. We were heading up the risers thru the Snelling feed zone area and it was one long line of pain, and this WF guy could not close the gap and i did not have the gas and the void grew larger and larger. Riders behind me sprinted past and I was at full gas plus and unable to respond, so they rode away.
I maintained pressure and time trialled, but my HR would not go up and the legs felt like crap. One of those days. I decided to try and hold off the field behind, making a deal with myself that I would give myself a beer if i could maintain the gap and not get caught for the next 12 miles. Another popped rider caught me and we began swapping turns, and then we caught JD Gildford of Morgan Stanley who had succumbed to cramp. We trundled on and was eventually caught by a lethargic cat 4 field just before the climb on Cox Ferry. The beer was well earned. Talking to JD, he said that the first lap was about the quickest he had experienced on that circuit, so that was maybe a factor in my demise, that and the fact i only train for 7 hours max per week. Oh, and i was on my training wheels.
Still managed to average 21.4 mph for the ride.
Thanks for reading
Gaz
