So its prob no surprise that when I was writing down the top ten gc numbers on tape for my handlebar, I noticed I was 913. 13! I am not superstitious by any means, but I think that number may have had a play on today's happenings?
The 3 race was an 11 mile circuit 6 laps with points on every king of the mountain climb. It was raining and visibility was absolutely nill when we started. I was lucky to have annie to give me feeds near the top of every climb. I was prob 30th place starting out the race. We decended at 40 mph right off the line. I didnt really like that very much so I just went off the front for a couple miles to warm my legs and not spend any nervous energy braking or crashing. I was happy to not be eating grit in my teeth for those 15 mins but also half wishing some other crazy kid would come up and spend some time on the front with me. Didnt work. I was easily caught up on the first climb up to the feed zone. No worries.
Well, worries started about 4 mins later when we started the 50mph descent and I was in 50th place. weighing 200lbs, I didnt even have to pedal or tuck or anything to move up to the front. I was terrified though. It was seriously hard to see anything and my brakes didnt work well on the carbon rims. Wow. I drifted to the front again just out of my gravity assisted inertia. Another lap in the pack. Well, I didnt want to be so far back on the next descent. So I just stayed up near the front. Again, didnt tuck or anything but still hit 55 mph without any problem. Another med sized guy stayed in my draft and we had a solid 200 yds on the strung out field. I asked him if he wanted to go. He obliged. I started to pull pretty hard. We worked well together put old boy had an srm. He was absolutely unwilling to go above his pre-set wattage for the day. I was curious about this and didnt really understand it. I mean, at one point, we were climbing at 9 mph! I could have gone plenty harder and should have done so. I should have just left him. Anyway. We crested the KOM and I let him have the points after a discussion about the gc. I was 12th, he was 20th. We build a 2:10 lead. Nice.
At this point, the masters were about to come past the 3 field. The officials told them to start racing or the they would neutralize. This is where the 13 didnt help me. Our lead went from 2 mins (with my breakaway companion's teamates doign a great job of blocking) to 30 seconds in a very short time. I am sure there were some communication error, but I dont like it when the officials dictate a race. After 20 miles, we got caught.
Another lap with the field as the masters passed us. 5th time up the hill with no worries. Another descent. This time 58mph. Fun, but I found myself at the front again. I figured I the finishing climb would light up so I just kind of pedalled off. I was off the front for another 10 miles by myself with people cheering me on. I feel my only mistake was not putting on a better ratio cassette. I had a 23 and needed a 25 or 26. Was caught on the KOM line with 5 k to go by a breakaway group of 8. There was one kid in this group who was no more than 110 lbs. 3 australian national team members and some other rails thin fellas. NO place for a 200lber. I rode with them for a while and decided that I was under geared.
Anyway, the main group was shattered and smaller groups kept coming across. I enjoyed the climb but just needed some another tooth in my rear cog. I was never in severe pain, but was only spinning at about 50 rpm. NOt good. I tried to keep my losses at a minimum and ended up 57th at 3:24 back. I thought I was woudl have done much worse.
I lit up some matches and should have probably just saved them for the next two days. But I scored some points in the points race and am happy about that. Tomorrow is another day and suits my style. I cant wait for the crit. Those skinny kids got nothing on me!
More tomorrow.
jw
Friday, July 4, 2008
Rough day for Seigler
this year. He didn't smile or talk for 5 hours until this picture! I
feel for him.
Lucasdid better but was still cramping and suffering today. I passed
him on my 6th lap solo flyer while he as on his 4th.
Big ups to t karnes for running 24ish all the while controlling the
front for his team. Awesome son! Also big ups to kyle obrien and
zack kyler who both did really well! Prob the biggest results of
their career! Zack is only 14!
My writeup will come after dinner.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Fitchburg TT results
So I am perplexed with what to do now. 12th place in the uphill TT doesnt make any sense to me. I figured I would be near the 30s or 40s. But 12th. I was figuring that I would be so far off GC that I would just race for the points jersey. But now I feel like I have a legit chance to do well in the overall. My racing style favors this kind of racing. Everyone thinks I am crazy for going off the front by myself attempting to draw people out. 70 miles is a long race tomorrow. Then 2 hard days follow that. But I am still going to try. I'd rather just go out in a blaze of breakaway glory that sit in.
The points jersey is wide open and I would like to improve on my gc (mom, gc means overall) standing, but wow, what fun.
Elliot is upset with his time. He didnt fare well. Lucas was 40, tkarnes was 32, Rat near last (he claims sickness), with zach kyler 68, mark edwards was 54. THe junior winner put up a top ten pro time. Give me a break. I love watchin these kids. Their emotions are so attached to that final time sheet. I am doing my best to relay to them the importance of best effort, training, nutrition, attitude, and pressing beyond what they believe they can do. Its not about who has a disc, who has a light bike, who has a hot team kit (just look at leblue!). I am so happy Annie is here to feed us tomorrow as my race is 70 miles and the kids race is 44. Forecast=rain.
Say a prayer for us and we'll post as soon as results are complete tomorrow.
results today are here: STAGE ONE TT RESULTS
RamaLama Potabsco
Hippster and I used to love heading north of BWI and hitting up the potabsco state park for a couple of hours. I have so many memories of loading up some truck and just going to ride the dirt. There is a nice 20 min of just flow on the far side of the park. Riding that dirt reminds me to just have fun on the bike. I had the freshly painted white intense 5.5. I enjoyed dirtying up the bike.
It looks good pre-dirt.
Very happy camper.
Trailside
Indiana Jones has nothin one me!
These falls are all visible from the trails. This state park is beautiful.
Oh yeah, rolled an 18:25ish up the Fitchburg TT hillclimb. This dude at the start told me that I was the biggest rider he'd ever seen. "I am sure you can put out some watts!" he said. I am happy to report that I beat the VA juniors (thus far). Elliot wasnt sure about his time, lucas claims 19:17, tkarnes claims 18:55, Rat is sick, Mark ran a 19something. The winning 3 time last year was 17:15ish.
Results will be posted soon on http://www.longsjo.com/.
I will post more once results are final.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Long road to fitchburg
traffic in ny was really rough. But elliot, Lucas, annie and I are
here, ready to race. I promise to give lots of updates over the tt,
road race, circuit race, and crit.
Pray for our safety. I heard their is a 60mph downhill!
The drive almost took elliot to the loony bin. I think the pic (click
to make bigger), tells the whole story.
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