The Heckle Report
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The Heckler
You bring new meaning to the term SUCK
I'm sure it can't be pleasant for them missing the mark..
Different.
I set out last year to become a full ambi-mounter but it has taken a while. I would say I'm 85% there on the drive side at this point and would feel pretty comfortable doing it in a race at full speed if the circumstances make it beneficial. Re-learning from scratch on the dirty side has given me new perspective on how to teach people to eliminate the stutter.
The Heckler
You bring new meaning to the term SUCK
we should talk in person some day soon.
I found everything about getting of NDS difficult. Just the unclipping took me a couple sessions to be cool with. Yesterday I went at barriers low speed and the timing feels new, the lead foot is different and my right arm struggles to lift the bike.
And all of that is before I even try to throw the leg over. It seems like I consistently was hitting the back of the saddle. I need to work on exploding off my left foot.
So why the dirty dismounts? Just for really shitty times that it has to happen? I would think a normal dismount for barriers etc should ALWAYS be on the non-drive side?
I did find that when I had someone slam into me in the dirty section at Crossmeur last year I ended up off my bike on the drive side. When I went to get back on I had no idea how to do it, no muscle memory whatsoever so it was quite awkward and made me realize I should probably practice mounting on that side.
I did find that when I had someone slam into me in the dirty section at Crossmeur last year I ended up off my bike on the drive side. When I went to get back on I had no idea how to do it, no muscle memory whatsoever so it was quite awkward and made me realize I should probably practice mounting on that side.
Yes, all those things but in reverse. It helped me a lot to lower the saddle at first. Also, I would slow it way down then speed it up...as soon as it got sloppy go back to walking pace again. The "bobsled" technique described in the 2nd to last paragraph is a good way to focus on exploding off the outside foot...see how long you can coast after pushing off.
The Heckler
You bring new meaning to the term SUCK
There are some running corners or siturations it helps to be on that said of the bike. It seems like most courses are kinda set up to favor the NDS dismount.
If I ever promote a race I'm going to make it as NDS hell as possible, just to watch the world burn.
SpartaBard
Well-Known Member
Yep, I had to dismount on the dirty side this weekend at Nittany during Day 2 at the steep incline prior to the log due to someone getting in my way. I got off ok, I just couldn't think straight enough to remount on the dirty side. I need more practice doing that.
Impressive! Now, do it a mach 0.9, saddle at normal height, 180bpm, bumpy ground and then see who ends up with their beans in the grinder...
It's a good skill to have. I'd put it on the list of things to learn before bunnyhopping but after being able to take a doughnut hand-up.
Mountain Bike Mike
Well-Known Member
Wait - Did you just make a funny?
"Beans in a grinder" = "Doughnut"?
"Beans in a grinder" = "Doughnut"?
Dutch Frog
Member
To be honest I think being able to take a doughnut hand up might be the most important skill any cross racer can have. If i were a new cross racer, i'd probably focus my energy on receiving doughnuts as smooth as possible, and then move on to the more tricky stuff. like mounting/dismounting, running with the bike and so on.
Mountain Bike Mike
Well-Known Member
1,2,3s and Masters must complete the race after a powdered donut and no bottle.
The Heckler
You bring new meaning to the term SUCK
Race #6 - Mill Creek - Willingboro, NJ 1/2/3 Race
That's right! Cat 1/2/3. The hour race. Zach and I showed up to the venue around 12:00. If it we're for a mountain of a now grass covered dirt pile you could see the whole course from one spot. I bet you could still see the whole course from one spot, the top of the hill???
ANYWAY because of results last year I decided for local series races I would race in the A, and stay a Cat 3 for stuff like Gloucester. This was my first 60 minute A race of the year. The two in Springfield were actually 45 minute races with really fast dudes.
I stopped by the MTBNJ/EE tent row with my bounty of stuff and said hello to erryone, hit the porta john, cheered on the Women's race, changed then hit the course.
I had watched a video of last year and expected a lot of flat grass with some corners and a bunch of straights with a mondo climb thrown in. What I got was a lot of flat grass with a LOT of tight 180 corners, a few straights and half a mondo climb. Some off camber sprinkled in for good measure. OH! and a straight away single barrier! I have to say the course really was great everywhere that it touched the hill. I enjoyed the challenge of the off cambers and would say the feature was utilized VERY well. The rest of the course however was not exactly my jam. The corners were really tight and much lower speed. There was not many flowey corners connected to one another. The surface was also brutally bumpy. Paired with heavy wind and no shade made 9 laps were VERY difficult.
I cheered on the B race and took a few shots of some friends. Here is @Dutch Frog, congrats on the 4th place finish homie.
I lined up first row of the 1/2/3 race. The USAC official went through the typical feeding crap that led to more confusing but decided we could feed which led to less confusion. I had stuck a bottle in my pocket, I'm taking a cage to Gloucester. We asked if we wanted to run a little shorter than 60 minutes. Most of the 11 person field sounded pretty ok with a couple less laps with exception to the man who would win the race. He very strongly insisted we had to race the full hour. The same dude was actually lined up behind me. In my head I saw him making an aggressive pass on the start and me eating it ruining Holy Week for myself so I actually offered to trade with him. He was surprised by my generosity and jumped at the trade. I made fart noises at 1 minute and 30 seconds.
THE WHISTLE - NOT MUMBLE!
Hudson dude ripped away and I jumped out pretty quick behind him with @Delish, and 3 or 4 other guys ahead. I stuck with them until about just after the first pit entrance when I decided the chase would be fruitless. So I started my Garmin and started racing my race. A lap in I had a little gap on JP. Zach was yelling to work together so I figured hell, this thing is long, maybe it would be fun to work together. I slowed up a little and JP connected. I got back up to my tempo but JP fell back again
Another rider was hot on @pearl's wheel and I saw him come around. My mind went from work with buddy to run from stranger and fast as possible. He caught me and passed me in about a lap. I would basically do some work on the straights to close ground, as well as hit the single barrier at warp speed. Speaking of thanks @Norm for the cool shot!
Then I would mess up some corners and he would open his gap back up to about 8-12 seconds. I never had enough juice to attack and maintain. The water bottle was indispensable. The first time I caught the lap cards was at 45 minutes. It said 3 to go. I honestly didn't even know that I had already ridden 6 laps, but 3 more was really discouraging. I complained to the officials, they laughed and responded saying "you chose to do 60 minutes."
The next lap through with 2 to go I yelled back "FOR THE RECORD I DIDN'T VOTE FOR THE FULL HOUR." more chuckles. Those last few laps I was also engaging the guy ahead of me with the usual "this sucks" SLOW DOWN" kinda stuff. Just enough to get a chuckle. Gotta have fun.
Up the hill with a couple to go.
The last lap I turned it on as hard as I could, cut the gap in half, then popped and it opened one last time. I ended up passing someone who was off the back of the lead group earlier. Not sure if he bonked or had a mechanical. Through the last few turns Zach heckled me that I had to sprint even though there was no one around me. So of course I did, and tossed in a side of bike throw for good measure.
Soooooooooo I ended up 5th/11 on the lead lap 15 seconds behind the guy ahead of me. Turns out that dude (Chris) also raced AND WON the B race just before our start. *fart noise*
I split a leftover NJ Fondo imported Belgian waffel with pearl, changed then hit the road after collecting my CHECK!! yeah buddy! IN THE MONEY. Also congrats to @Delish for 3rd place of the A race, and @mandi and @Dominos on their Womans A podiums AND @Dominique on the Womens B podium!!
Sushi in Morristown for dinner and ice cream from the new CVS for dessert. SHHHWWWINNNGGGG!
Great to see everyone this weekend, thanks for the cheers!
Next up Gloucester/Holy Week!!!!!!!!
Lap Times
6:57
7:18
7:22
7:21
7:24
7:32
7:26
7:33
7:38
Total time: 1:06:27
Beard Report
Coming in, I need to trim up my neck. My face is pretty burn and I have raccoon eyes from Saturday at the beach and Sunday in the Sahara.
That's right! Cat 1/2/3. The hour race. Zach and I showed up to the venue around 12:00. If it we're for a mountain of a now grass covered dirt pile you could see the whole course from one spot. I bet you could still see the whole course from one spot, the top of the hill???
ANYWAY because of results last year I decided for local series races I would race in the A, and stay a Cat 3 for stuff like Gloucester. This was my first 60 minute A race of the year. The two in Springfield were actually 45 minute races with really fast dudes.
I stopped by the MTBNJ/EE tent row with my bounty of stuff and said hello to erryone, hit the porta john, cheered on the Women's race, changed then hit the course.
I had watched a video of last year and expected a lot of flat grass with some corners and a bunch of straights with a mondo climb thrown in. What I got was a lot of flat grass with a LOT of tight 180 corners, a few straights and half a mondo climb. Some off camber sprinkled in for good measure. OH! and a straight away single barrier! I have to say the course really was great everywhere that it touched the hill. I enjoyed the challenge of the off cambers and would say the feature was utilized VERY well. The rest of the course however was not exactly my jam. The corners were really tight and much lower speed. There was not many flowey corners connected to one another. The surface was also brutally bumpy. Paired with heavy wind and no shade made 9 laps were VERY difficult.
I cheered on the B race and took a few shots of some friends. Here is @Dutch Frog, congrats on the 4th place finish homie.
I lined up first row of the 1/2/3 race. The USAC official went through the typical feeding crap that led to more confusing but decided we could feed which led to less confusion. I had stuck a bottle in my pocket, I'm taking a cage to Gloucester. We asked if we wanted to run a little shorter than 60 minutes. Most of the 11 person field sounded pretty ok with a couple less laps with exception to the man who would win the race. He very strongly insisted we had to race the full hour. The same dude was actually lined up behind me. In my head I saw him making an aggressive pass on the start and me eating it ruining Holy Week for myself so I actually offered to trade with him. He was surprised by my generosity and jumped at the trade. I made fart noises at 1 minute and 30 seconds.
THE WHISTLE - NOT MUMBLE!
Hudson dude ripped away and I jumped out pretty quick behind him with @Delish, and 3 or 4 other guys ahead. I stuck with them until about just after the first pit entrance when I decided the chase would be fruitless. So I started my Garmin and started racing my race. A lap in I had a little gap on JP. Zach was yelling to work together so I figured hell, this thing is long, maybe it would be fun to work together. I slowed up a little and JP connected. I got back up to my tempo but JP fell back again
Another rider was hot on @pearl's wheel and I saw him come around. My mind went from work with buddy to run from stranger and fast as possible. He caught me and passed me in about a lap. I would basically do some work on the straights to close ground, as well as hit the single barrier at warp speed. Speaking of thanks @Norm for the cool shot!
Then I would mess up some corners and he would open his gap back up to about 8-12 seconds. I never had enough juice to attack and maintain. The water bottle was indispensable. The first time I caught the lap cards was at 45 minutes. It said 3 to go. I honestly didn't even know that I had already ridden 6 laps, but 3 more was really discouraging. I complained to the officials, they laughed and responded saying "you chose to do 60 minutes."
The next lap through with 2 to go I yelled back "FOR THE RECORD I DIDN'T VOTE FOR THE FULL HOUR." more chuckles. Those last few laps I was also engaging the guy ahead of me with the usual "this sucks" SLOW DOWN" kinda stuff. Just enough to get a chuckle. Gotta have fun.
Up the hill with a couple to go.
The last lap I turned it on as hard as I could, cut the gap in half, then popped and it opened one last time. I ended up passing someone who was off the back of the lead group earlier. Not sure if he bonked or had a mechanical. Through the last few turns Zach heckled me that I had to sprint even though there was no one around me. So of course I did, and tossed in a side of bike throw for good measure.
Soooooooooo I ended up 5th/11 on the lead lap 15 seconds behind the guy ahead of me. Turns out that dude (Chris) also raced AND WON the B race just before our start. *fart noise*
I split a leftover NJ Fondo imported Belgian waffel with pearl, changed then hit the road after collecting my CHECK!! yeah buddy! IN THE MONEY. Also congrats to @Delish for 3rd place of the A race, and @mandi and @Dominos on their Womans A podiums AND @Dominique on the Womens B podium!!
Sushi in Morristown for dinner and ice cream from the new CVS for dessert. SHHHWWWINNNGGGG!
Great to see everyone this weekend, thanks for the cheers!
Next up Gloucester/Holy Week!!!!!!!!
Lap Times
6:57
7:18
7:22
7:21
7:24
7:32
7:26
7:33
7:38
Total time: 1:06:27
Beard Report
Coming in, I need to trim up my neck. My face is pretty burn and I have raccoon eyes from Saturday at the beach and Sunday in the Sahara.