7/19/05 by Allied Decals Cycling Team
There are race tales and then there are Ed's stories. Race write ups that are actually interesting! How one person can have so much adventure going to races is a mystery to ponder......
Race for Alex (June 12) by Ed Delgros
After my biggest mileage (858, all on tandem or mtb) week ever, I didn't know what to expect from this new race, but since I haven't raced for a couple weeks, I might as well try.
There were about 30 of us in doing the masters race. It was warm, and soon I would be wishing for rain. The course is great, rolling, with nice corners. I thought for sure Tris or Rudy would take off, so I made sure I was up front. There were lots of quick bursting attacks by different teams. I went with them all just in case. But even though we got away a few times, they didn't seem to want to work.
I led the sprint out (well, most of the entire lap) for the prime, and almost lost it when a few guys tried to come around at the line. I thought for sure there would be a getaway at that point, but only me and the WV guy kept going.
Later Tris attacked pretty hard, but it seemed he was just trying to wear me out. And he was. I went through the last few corners ahead, hoping someone would come around and give me a ride. Not happening. So I had to decide now if I should just go for it, or wait. I waited a bit too long I guess because when I finally knew what was happening, they were already up to speed and ready to over take me.
My sprint at the end was slower than during the prime, so I guess I screwed up tactically (what's new) and worked so hard that I lost motivation near the finish. But 5th isn't too bad considering the 1115 miles I rode the previous 10 days. Though they only paid 3 places, I got a free t-shirt and great mixed fruit afterwards. It was a nice little race.
Mighty, Mighty Bison (June 18) by Ed Delgros
Another last minute decision, trying to find something to do fun with my kids, near water, and there I was, driving to a race close to Presque Isle, that I wasn't prepared for. All I knew, from the web site, is that there was a 100 meter hill. I was thinking that meant 300+'of elevation gain. Yikes, I didn't want to do that 23 times.
I was relieved to find out, when I got there, that the hill was 100 meters long, not high. Big difference. Still I was a little worried about the corners.
It was only the first lap, and a guy wiped out in front of me on that last descending corner. Luckily (for me, not him) he had enough momentum to slide out of my way. He picked up all the gravel and spread it around, so now there were lots of little stones to go thru on the next 22 laps. Oh well.
I thought for sure guys would get away, so I stayed in front and brought them all back. I didn't really want to bring the rest of the field with me but I guess that's how it goes.
I stink w names, so forgive me guys. The main contenders seemed to be the guy form Bike Authority, Honey stinger, Stark (scott thor, who got 2nd last year).
It hurt lots to chase after everyone one after another. I preferred to just stay out front and go through the corners alone. I guess I was wearing myself out, as I had to dig deep to keep grabbing the accelerations of Scott, Bike Authority and Honey Stinger. They sure didn't seem to be hurting as much as me.
I lost the prime by inches. I paid a heavy cost for that effort.
Anyway, I am glad I did it, cuz I learned there is no way to sprint hard/full steam thru those S-turns. I knew for the win I had to sprint prior to that, and let them ride my wheel it they want.
Of course I was hurting, and thinking the race was over around 20 miles but we still had another 17+ to go. The course is great, but I really couldn't find a rhythm, couldn't stretch out, find a good place to drink etc. There were enough corners, kids, and flat bed trucks sitting on the course that you had to stay alert.
Last lap came, and though I had been redlining, somehow I dug even deeper and grabbed an extra 60 watts (beyond my previous average power). I let about 5 others pass me in the bad corner, but then I took off, and passed them up hill before the S. It was easy from there. I went over the line playing w my watch, not even pedaling. There were 2 others, Honey Stinger and Bike authority behind me, but the others were way out of the sprint.
The rewarding thing wasn't the 15$ I netted, but rather that many of my competitors came up and sincerely congratulated me, stating that they were glad I won since I did so much work. That was big of them, and means lots to me. I am glad they saw perseverance determined the results, not just lucky positioning.
My kids rushed me off to the beach to play Vball, but I was Mighty Mighty tired by then. But man, did that sun and lake Erie water feel good.
Saturn Rochester Twilight Criterium (June 25) by Ed Delgros
After participating in record setting attendance at the Critical Mass Ride in Pittsburgh, and party that follows, I was glad that I wasn't taking this Twilight Crit too seriously. It worked out great that the race was so late in the afternoon, since I was out riding and enjoying the "festivities" till after midnight. Maybe that's how you should train for such a late race?
Upon nearing the course, I was pleasantly surprised at how professional everything was. Never racing at a "pro" race, I guess I had no idea of what to expect. Everything is right there for you, the food, hotel, registration, bathrooms, masseuse, bands, fans.
So I jump in line and am off racing in the Masters 40+, with 40 racers, before I know what hit me. The heat hit me, all of us, as it was well in the 90's.
These guys are fast, very fast, right from the start. I wasn't even clipped in when I saw the leader disappear around the first corner. I wondered if I was accidentally in the pro race or maybe some of the pros inadvertently got in my race?
I was last for about the first 4 laps. And I mean fallen off the back, white knuckled, in disbelief of how you can go thru 180 degree corners at 30mph. I worked very hard to catch up. As I cornered several times, I felt my back wheel sliding out, maybe on a manhole, maybe just the melting tarmac, but it was a new sensation for me. With 9 turns per lap, I eventually got used to the feeling. The racers were all very good at this, so actually, it felt safer then the typical RATL.
I was in so much pain, and felt like I was really out of my league. Yet there were plenty of distractions, such as the BMX guys nearly jumping over the peloton, as they sailed what appeared to be 40' high, just as we went by. There wasn't much time to watch, but it was very impressive. As were the fans.
The announcers were really great too. They walked around, on the course, with microphones, giving play by play details. They seemed to know everyone by name, team number, and even their race résumé. I tried to listen to this, as a way to distract me from the pain. It really caught my attention when they mentioned "Allied Decals is busting the field apart". Kind of pumped me up. I wished my kids were there to hear that.
So I just kept going (gosh, that sounds like something Forest Gump would say) as I new my 15 seconds of fame was going to fade quick. Hopefully I could get behind the next building and hide before bonking. Fans lined the entire course, and it would have been difficult to slip out between all those (people).
Little did I realize that it is much easier to stay out front than to be in the back. I didn't have to brake now. At the back, I had to slow so much, that I could never accelerate out of a corner enough to catch up.
I pulled the entire lap with about 4 to go. After that, no one wanted to come around me, so I had to keep going. Run Forrest!
There I was, with 2 corners and about 400 meters to go, getting passed by 10 fearless guys in the corner. I accelerated hard in that corner. Too hard. I broke a front spoke and nearly crashed.
Wow, I came all the way here for this?
No way! I just kept jumping on the pedals, as I heard the announcer mention me: "looks like Eddie is out of the race". "Wait, he is still up, parts are flying as he sprints".
The noise was horrific, as those Ksyrium spokes are thick, and create quite a percussion on a carbon fork. There was also the computer wire and mount that got tangled up, ripped off, along w the brake pads being twisted 90 degrees.
Yeah, I was a mad man. I sprinted to 5th place, and skidded to an abrupt stop just past the line as my wheel was wedged pretty hard against the fork. The announcer and crowd was going nuts. That 15 second sprint lasted seemed to take 2 hours, as I can see it all in slow motion, the parts flying, the looks on the racers faces, the (fans) fear, my HR at 192.
I was pretty mad that I paid to do the next race in advance, since I couldn't race now, and the lady at registration made a joke that there was no refund if my bike doesn't hold up. A free massage from a street vendor helped calm me. With all the attention from the officials and hearing the hundreds of fans, I started to wonder if there is a way I might yet be able to get into the Cat 3 race yet (in 2 hours).
I carried my back to my AIR CONDITIONED hotel, took a shower, ate, took a nap. Woke up, made some adjustments (removed the damaged front brake) swapped a wheel, and jumped back in line (around 7:30pm).
Yikes, what was I thinking, this field was even bigger, 50 some, and faster. The first half of this race I was still trying to get out of my nap mode. It seemed so surreal to be in this heat, and to have the (fans) cheering as if we were pros. Maybe that helped wake me up.
The announcers new who I was by then (thanks guys), and kept making comments about "this guy works as if he doesn't know that there are no other Allied Decals left in the race". I don't think anyone knew I only had a back brake. I just wanted to stay in front out of trouble. The hot road was slippery, and I knew a rear brake wouldn't stop me.
I was surprised that no one seemed to be attacking anymore, as if the heat had got to them. Three times I had thought there was one lap left. Nope! I didn't really have any desire to win at this point. I let another 10 guys go around me at the last turn (as if I had quit the lap earlier?). Yet as I saw them go, as I heard the announcer and the roar of the crowd, how could I not sprint now (since my bike appeared to be working). So I sprinted up the bridge to the banner, and picked up 4th. I should have done better, but I guess I wasn't emotionally into it.
But now the party was just starting. The pro race was amazing with Marty Nothstein flying around so fast that the pace car's tires were chirping as it cornered. These pros are all incredible. Standing there in the corner gives you a real rush and appreciation. I was amazed at how tight they all ride.
Great race atmosphere, great city, great trails along the river and canal. This is worth making a annual event for the whole team/family.