This Season's Gong Show
- Thread starter Norm
- Start date
Missile!
Foco will be SFnsinglicious
Foco will be SFnsinglicious
Last edited:
ArmyOfNone
Well-Known Member
Its a good hard race. The 4/5 is short. My advise would be going into the climb get on or off the front. Up the first section make a right keep pedaling, left turn and pedal harder.
You dont want to be caught up in the mess of ppl going backwards. Youll do just fine!
Guess I should step up and do a recap on the DH40. Not feeling like I have that much to say really. I think for the most part, you can read Utah's recap since we rode like 34 miles together. I do have a slightly different take on how I dropped off from the 3 man train, It was something like this:
Me: OMFG pain is taking over. I'm going to die!
Bill: Suck it up fatso.
Utah: Maybe you should eat more bacon. That might help.
Me: No, I'm serious, I think I might die.
Bill: That's nice.
Utah: GFYS
Me: Ugh, you will all reap your just reward when Armageddon comes!
Roughly like that, I think.
No, so ok, the first 3/4 of the race was awesome. Then I sort of battled cramps for 5 miles. Then the cramps slammed me and had their way with me. I'll be honest, I was pretty much going to quit after those punchy climbs after Indecision. But I kinda kept rolling. As I was walking up a hill somewhere, I got passed by Rob Hayes. At that point, I wasn't able to quit. I should be beating Rob. Not that he's not a strong rider, but I'm stronger (or was, or like to think I am to make myself feel better. I know Matty will comment on this...). After he passed me, it would be a disservice to quit. It's like my saying, ok, I got passed by someone I think I should beat, so I'm going to quit to avoid having to have my name on the sheet as having lost.
So I rode on, and got passed a few more times, and ended up 24th. I am cat 1 pack fodder. It's ok, I really don't mind that. The temps, as they always do, got to me. Both my long races this year (BK and this) have resulted in cramps, bad cramps at that. I'm just not putting in the hours in the heat to handle that. I had taken in a bottle every 30 minutes for 2.5 hours but it wasn't enough. They got me like they always do. I'm strongly considering a team next year. I'll worry about that then.
It was a fun race, and became even more fun once we picked up Bill. The 3 of us were literally just cruising through, talking like it was a group ride. Shortly after we linked up the first of the Cramp Monster Minions started to bite, and I had a lot of trouble fighting the first one off, but I did. But the 3 man show didn't last, and I popped off and then Utah apparently did. As I said elsewhere, it would have been funny to try and figure out who crossed the line in what order if we stuck together.
So Bill ended up 14th, which is interesting since that more or less means we were running a top 15 pace for the race. The bottom falling out is what dropped that to barely top 25. Before the race I said that pacing and nutrition were very important, since my fitness isn't really there. Well my fitness does seem to be ok, but my nutrition is still wrong. So it goes. A few more hours, proper nutrition (whatever that is) and losing this pesky 20 pounds and I could still aim for a top 10 spot. But that's really an Imaginary World right now.
The bike was awesome. Utah has absolutely valid points. But goddamn this bike rails the turns. Sorry geared Niner, but your days are numbered. This thing tracks like a bloodhound. I was hitting turns on the second lap that I never dreamed of with the Niner. Bill even commented that I was riding well before I got all Wimpy and started walking anything more than 4 feet vertical.
One last conversation before I was done, with Luke.
Luke: You just got passed by a girl.
Me: She's faster than me.
After the race we didn't hang around too long. Had some food and drink, but did not eat enough because I was feeling pretty rough. No beer, as that was feeling like a bad idea. Actually, I did have a beer on the course, which went straight to headache in about 10 minutes out there. So I felt it was a terrible idea to continue that trend. I did go home and have 2 more. I plan to go beer-free for August save for the Fred-influenced ones or if/when my boss is in town.
Now it's pretty much road racing then cross. More about that at some future point. Took yesterday off, then rode this morning for a little. Legs felt good considering, it was nice out. Tomorrow something bigger. Some days you feel like a nut.
Oh yeah gotta promote that Mooch race too.
Me: OMFG pain is taking over. I'm going to die!
Bill: Suck it up fatso.
Utah: Maybe you should eat more bacon. That might help.
Me: No, I'm serious, I think I might die.
Bill: That's nice.
Utah: GFYS
Me: Ugh, you will all reap your just reward when Armageddon comes!
Roughly like that, I think.
No, so ok, the first 3/4 of the race was awesome. Then I sort of battled cramps for 5 miles. Then the cramps slammed me and had their way with me. I'll be honest, I was pretty much going to quit after those punchy climbs after Indecision. But I kinda kept rolling. As I was walking up a hill somewhere, I got passed by Rob Hayes. At that point, I wasn't able to quit. I should be beating Rob. Not that he's not a strong rider, but I'm stronger (or was, or like to think I am to make myself feel better. I know Matty will comment on this...). After he passed me, it would be a disservice to quit. It's like my saying, ok, I got passed by someone I think I should beat, so I'm going to quit to avoid having to have my name on the sheet as having lost.
So I rode on, and got passed a few more times, and ended up 24th. I am cat 1 pack fodder. It's ok, I really don't mind that. The temps, as they always do, got to me. Both my long races this year (BK and this) have resulted in cramps, bad cramps at that. I'm just not putting in the hours in the heat to handle that. I had taken in a bottle every 30 minutes for 2.5 hours but it wasn't enough. They got me like they always do. I'm strongly considering a team next year. I'll worry about that then.
It was a fun race, and became even more fun once we picked up Bill. The 3 of us were literally just cruising through, talking like it was a group ride. Shortly after we linked up the first of the Cramp Monster Minions started to bite, and I had a lot of trouble fighting the first one off, but I did. But the 3 man show didn't last, and I popped off and then Utah apparently did. As I said elsewhere, it would have been funny to try and figure out who crossed the line in what order if we stuck together.
So Bill ended up 14th, which is interesting since that more or less means we were running a top 15 pace for the race. The bottom falling out is what dropped that to barely top 25. Before the race I said that pacing and nutrition were very important, since my fitness isn't really there. Well my fitness does seem to be ok, but my nutrition is still wrong. So it goes. A few more hours, proper nutrition (whatever that is) and losing this pesky 20 pounds and I could still aim for a top 10 spot. But that's really an Imaginary World right now.
The bike was awesome. Utah has absolutely valid points. But goddamn this bike rails the turns. Sorry geared Niner, but your days are numbered. This thing tracks like a bloodhound. I was hitting turns on the second lap that I never dreamed of with the Niner. Bill even commented that I was riding well before I got all Wimpy and started walking anything more than 4 feet vertical.
One last conversation before I was done, with Luke.
Luke: You just got passed by a girl.
Me: She's faster than me.
After the race we didn't hang around too long. Had some food and drink, but did not eat enough because I was feeling pretty rough. No beer, as that was feeling like a bad idea. Actually, I did have a beer on the course, which went straight to headache in about 10 minutes out there. So I felt it was a terrible idea to continue that trend. I did go home and have 2 more. I plan to go beer-free for August save for the Fred-influenced ones or if/when my boss is in town.
Now it's pretty much road racing then cross. More about that at some future point. Took yesterday off, then rode this morning for a little. Legs felt good considering, it was nice out. Tomorrow something bigger. Some days you feel like a nut.
Oh yeah gotta promote that Mooch race too.
Im sorry, but it didnt happen like this.....Bill and I seriously labored over leaving you behind for a good 5-8 seconds before saying "Norm who?" 😀
When I passed Luke a second time, I told him to cheer you up since you were dying in pain with cramps....I see he took me seriously.
You bike handling skills are still superior to mine despite it being your first ride on that bike and little mtn biking this year. For example....When that one guy on the SS cannondale passed me and began pushing you, I was going 100% to try and keep up and you two were opening a gap on me.
It's so strange to have my bike handling skills be classified as anything but "yeah, it's not awful," though I did feel good out there. Following that guy was a lot of fun, but once we hit the Punchies that Climbing Monkey dropped our fat asses. Good thing we didn't try to follow otherwise I would have cramped at 25 instead.
BTW: Jones ACX tires are good too.
BTW: Jones ACX tires are good too.
Pearl
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
this could be its own blog, with the daily struggles of NOT drinking a beer.
Not an issue. Beer is not like food. I can drop beer and just not touch it if I want. With food, I can say, "I'm going to not eat more than X calories," but fail miserably. With beer, it's not an issue. I find this is a good thing in the Alcoholic-O-Meter. Since Jake scratched that surface, I'll admit I was forced to go to AA when I was still in high school. I got a DWI at the ripe old age of 17 years and 3 months, lost my license, and was given 9 months hard time in AA. It was my observation that people there replaced alcohol with cigarettes and coffee. I was kind of out of place. It was a weird scene for me.
I digress. Remember, Mandi drank more in June than I did.
I'm getting pizza for lunch. Buffalo chicken, from the first place. Gotta jet out of here by 11:30 though to avoid the lunch rush. Funny how 15 minutes can really make a difference.
I see the Pearl Blog hiatus and applaud the move. When it becomes a chore, it's time to pull the plug. I sometimes consider it, since I've probably long passed as a source of motivation. But if I don't have some outlet to dump my inane thoughts then the rest of the board probably suffers for it. I don't know, maybe it would be better. But I've long since passed the idea of the blog being "on" or "off". It really is what it is and I post when I feel like it.
This year has been a bit bereft of exciting races, so my recaps are a little drab. What we need is a solid short track series. Now that would be awesome. Monte and I discussed it once, but he was pushing for a weekday series. That's tough to swing when you work in the city.
High Bridge road race this weekend. 4/5 for sure, and maybe the 35+. The 35+ is way above my head but I need races under my belt. The experience is priceless, and I think part of my problem for the last 3 months. Jeremy is thinking about it, though frankly I think it's a bad first race. Utah was also interested but I think bailed. So I may be on my own. The first snotty hill is a field explosion waiting to happen. We have 4 laps, so I just need to do it 4 times. That's going to hurt.
kush
Active Member
There really is only one hill, and at race pace it hurts and every lap is worse. I believe they'll pull folks out of contention. Not to scare you or anything, just that its demoralizing. I didn't get pulled, but I did lose the lead pack after the 3rd lap as I believe I was still drunk http://connect.garmin.com/activity/36846127.
I think its perfectly fine first race; and I wouldn't do two in a row.
I think its perfectly fine first race; and I wouldn't do two in a row.
That was an awesome race description until Utah ruined it.
My nonsense was a little later...say 20 to 21. I never did anything as formal as AA but I also never got caught either. Which I really can't believe.
My nonsense was a little later...say 20 to 21. I never did anything as formal as AA but I also never got caught either. Which I really can't believe.
Ok, in for the 4/5 only:
https://www.bikereg.com/events/ConfList.asp?EventID=13894
The pre-ride I did was a little off. So it was 1 continuous climb not the up, then small rest, then up. I don't know which is worse, and not sure it matters.
How did I ruin it jake? It was Norms faulty legs that prevented us from corssing the finish line together holding hands and singing songs.
Im going to go with 909 over high bridge since that was my best race of the season last year and they will probably toss me out of the HB race after lap 1 anyway.
Im going to go with 909 over high bridge since that was my best race of the season last year and they will probably toss me out of the HB race after lap 1 anyway.
Utah will pay for his comments with death-like training for the next 4 months. My goal is to make his earlobes bleed.
I'm really going from aluminum to carbon, so there was a pretty nice difference there. The bike felt more smooth to be sure. I'd need a few more rides on it than a place other than Stewart, but so far I like what it feels like.
Steel was a while ago, but the one thing I do remember about the bike was that it felt more sluggish. With an extra 2+ pounds in the frame, that would explain why of course. I'd need to put them next to each other to say for sure. But I don't seem myself doing that because it reeks of effort.
I never felt like the bike was an issue, even when I was dragging ass in the last half mile. I'd say it was really the first time in a long time when I got on a bike and thought, huh, the bike does make a difference in this case. But to be fair, that was the snappy steering more than anything I think.
I'm really going from aluminum to carbon, so there was a pretty nice difference there. The bike felt more smooth to be sure. I'd need a few more rides on it than a place other than Stewart, but so far I like what it feels like.
Steel was a while ago, but the one thing I do remember about the bike was that it felt more sluggish. With an extra 2+ pounds in the frame, that would explain why of course. I'd need to put them next to each other to say for sure. But I don't seem myself doing that because it reeks of effort.
I never felt like the bike was an issue, even when I was dragging ass in the last half mile. I'd say it was really the first time in a long time when I got on a bike and thought, huh, the bike does make a difference in this case. But to be fair, that was the snappy steering more than anything I think.
Gotcha. Thought you had a steel Niner and could really give a qualitative assessment. Sounds like you are a fan of the G2 geometry, though. Supposedly the new SF frames are a bit stiffer than the older frames, so maybe you don't really want to break it ASAP!
ArmyOfNone
Well-Known Member
I dont think this is a bad race for a first one. Is it hard YEA sure it is. But thats no reason to shy away from it. That steep wall is 30s if that of bruteness. Get at the front so you can drop back a bit and not be separated from the field.
Attacks in the 4/5 race are hard to make stick by the time they get to the second climb they are cooked. So hang in and ride smart.
Here is my file from last year:
http://www.trainingpeaks.com/sw/G4W2VVY633O5TOS4FMECALIPBI
Attacks in the 4/5 race are hard to make stick by the time they get to the second climb they are cooked. So hang in and ride smart.
Here is my file from last year:
http://www.trainingpeaks.com/sw/G4W2VVY633O5TOS4FMECALIPBI
i meant the story utah. you ruined norm's version of the story.
woody
Well-Known Member
That's gotta be a big part of your cramping issues.
During our Stoopid 3-Park Ride, I asked you about your potassium intake and you pretty much gave me a shrug and a blank stare.
Pay attention to Sodium, Potassium and Magnesium. If one of them is running low, your muscles are gonna misfire and cramp.