Spent a bit of time at Drummond Cycles this week getting a bike fit. I had already been fit by Paul at BikeFit, but got a new frame this year, and switched a few parts out. I tried to keep the same measurements, but wanted to get checked out and fine tuned. We had time to do three bikes, so I brought my cross bike and neglected TT bike as well. I have not been doing many TTs since I have moved. I still deciding if I should keep that bike, or sell it as I have only ridden it once or twice. There was a casual weekly TT series in town last year, but I never really got that into it, and they have decided not to do it again this year.
First we installed some new Time iclic2 pedals on the bike. I have been meaning to put these on for a while, but never got to it.
Dick ( the shop owner and fitter) said "You will really like these pedals." Good to hear. My buddy Richard said the same thing at the end of the season. It seems like my position was pretty good, but my saddle was tipped a bit forward, which was pushing me off of the nose. I would push back on my arms to keep myself in place, which was causing my shoulders to tense up. Dick kicked the seat back a bit, lowered the brake hoods a touch, and I felt immediately better. Went out for a short spin on the road to double check, yep, that is a keeper!
Next we threw the cross bike up on the trainer. It seemed like I was a bit cramped, and again my shoulders were getting pushed up. We put on a setback seatpost, pushed the saddle back, and he seemed to think that was in improvement. Took a few laps on the grass field outside the shop, and I could really feel the difference. It felt like I was riding through the turns, rather than sitting on top of the bike.
Last was the TT bike. I sat down and Dick just shook his head. I never had been fit on this bike, and had no idea how to set it up. He moved the bars up, changed the angle of the bars, installed a shim to raise the arm rests a bit more, pushed the arm rests out 2 cm and tweaked the seat. After all that, it was no longer painful to sit in the aero bars. Much more better.
Really glad I set this up. I thought I was in a good position on the bikes, but a few small changes and things really felt better. Excited to get out on the road and get settled in this, but it may be several months if we get some snow soon, as well as taking a break to heal up.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
West Hill Shop cyclocross, Putney VT 11/11/12
Racing was a bit iffy after my crash the day before, but I was already prereg'd, and I had a few friends who would be there, it was the closest race to home all year, so off I went. Slightly later start, which was nice as I could have breakfast with the family, instead of running out at ODark o clock.
Watched the earlier race, got a lap and a half in. Super steep and long run up. Some really fun flyover berms. A treacherous downhill complete with a short wall to keep you from pitching off the downhill side. And a bunch of bumpy corners in a cornfield. Cool course.
Race lined up, small field. Only 12 cat 4 35+ racers, a couple of dozen cat 4s, and another two dozen women and jrs behind us. We were first off, and someone gunned it for the holeshot, leaving the group in the dust. There was about 1/4 mile of gravel road before we hit the technical parts of the course. I jumped on his wheel, and killed myself to get by him, but did not have the power. Rolled into the grassy part of the course second wheel, which was first and very exciting. Unfortunately, I was very quickly swamped by several riders. My lungs were heaving, and the pain in my chest from the rib injury had me cross-eyed.
Kept rolling along, getting passed every few minutes by another cat 4, or occasionally by a jr who started 10 seconds behind. My buddy Tom rolled past, and I tried to stay on his wheel, but after one lap, he just slowly drifted away. I was making up ground every time up the run up. However, this was just passing someone who had passed me a while back, and most times, they came around at the barriers.
Rolled in 9th out of 12 in my group, which was my highest placing this year ( or ever), but I would have hoped to have done much better had I been in good health. My friend John got on the podium with a third place! Ran into Tom and Darren, who was not racing but had come out to take pictures of the race.
Pretty sure I am done racing for the year. I can still ride at a slow pace, but it would be best to take a few weeks off of the bike and get 100% healed before getting out there again, and before ski season kicks in.
Watched the earlier race, got a lap and a half in. Super steep and long run up. Some really fun flyover berms. A treacherous downhill complete with a short wall to keep you from pitching off the downhill side. And a bunch of bumpy corners in a cornfield. Cool course.
Race lined up, small field. Only 12 cat 4 35+ racers, a couple of dozen cat 4s, and another two dozen women and jrs behind us. We were first off, and someone gunned it for the holeshot, leaving the group in the dust. There was about 1/4 mile of gravel road before we hit the technical parts of the course. I jumped on his wheel, and killed myself to get by him, but did not have the power. Rolled into the grassy part of the course second wheel, which was first and very exciting. Unfortunately, I was very quickly swamped by several riders. My lungs were heaving, and the pain in my chest from the rib injury had me cross-eyed.
Kept rolling along, getting passed every few minutes by another cat 4, or occasionally by a jr who started 10 seconds behind. My buddy Tom rolled past, and I tried to stay on his wheel, but after one lap, he just slowly drifted away. I was making up ground every time up the run up. However, this was just passing someone who had passed me a while back, and most times, they came around at the barriers.
Rolled in 9th out of 12 in my group, which was my highest placing this year ( or ever), but I would have hoped to have done much better had I been in good health. My friend John got on the podium with a third place! Ran into Tom and Darren, who was not racing but had come out to take pictures of the race.
Pretty sure I am done racing for the year. I can still ride at a slow pace, but it would be best to take a few weeks off of the bike and get 100% healed before getting out there again, and before ski season kicks in.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Paradise Cross Frenzy 11/10/2012 Oy, I'm in the pain cave, and droped the torch
Cross race at the Harpoon Brewery in VT. Only an hour from home, which was a bit of a nice change. Later start for the cat 4 race, which also was a nice change. Took my daughter out for breakfast before the race, then went home and took my time getting ready.
Left a little later than planned. Still had plenty of time, but was going to have to do with a single pre-race lap rather than a few. Ran into Tim and John in the parking lot headed to the course. The earlier race ended a bit short, so I got on course and took a spin. There was a set of 4 BMX style berms just after the start, with a short downhill run in, so you could take them with a good bit of speed. So much fun! A few spirals on an open field, short gravel jeep trail then a bend up and town across the ridge. A chicane around some tight trees with pretty loose traction. Had to take it really easy, then a fast slight downhill on the road, slight uphill, then the run up. It was theoretically possible to ride up this, but most I saw try bogged down near the end. At the top there was a narrow slot to get back on the bike, then a steep offcamber downhill with a single good line. A bit bumpy, so it was critical to get both feet in, but as long as you did that it was not too hairy. Another grassy section w/ no long straights, then into the barriers. I clipped out, but my left foot clipped back in just as I was stepping over the barrier. I went down hard on top of the barrier, and knocked the wind out of me. Left the bike there, and stumbled around the course for a second trying to recover, then hopped back on to the finish.
Got in the lineup, but I was really winded. Race got off shortly. Smaller field, so I had good position, and was in the top 15 or 20 at the start. Passed a few riders, but just after the berm section started fading. Did a good job bruising my ribs, and every deep breath was a dull throb across my chest. I was hunting the riders ahead, and stuck close for the first lap, but after that, the pain got worse, and they just pulled a way. Lost a position or two every lap for the next 4 laps. Got in 5 laps in total. A bit frustrating to see a top fifteen place ride away from me, but there was nothing to do but limit my losses. Just prayed that I could hang on and avoid getting lapped. Did that in style, finished 25th out of 40 riders. My second best placing this year, which is good, but really was hoping to be finishing in the 10-15 range.
Signed up for another race in Putney, VT tomorrow. It's close to home, so I will most likely be there as long as I can get out of bed. With these ribs, though, it will be hard to give it my all.
All racers got a token for a free beer, so I headed into the brewery and got some beer and chili. Met a nice guy who was waiting while his wife raced. Turns out she was from seattle, and he was from Portland, OR, so we had a bunch of things to discuss. They'll be in Putney tomorrow, so I'll have to look for them.
Left a little later than planned. Still had plenty of time, but was going to have to do with a single pre-race lap rather than a few. Ran into Tim and John in the parking lot headed to the course. The earlier race ended a bit short, so I got on course and took a spin. There was a set of 4 BMX style berms just after the start, with a short downhill run in, so you could take them with a good bit of speed. So much fun! A few spirals on an open field, short gravel jeep trail then a bend up and town across the ridge. A chicane around some tight trees with pretty loose traction. Had to take it really easy, then a fast slight downhill on the road, slight uphill, then the run up. It was theoretically possible to ride up this, but most I saw try bogged down near the end. At the top there was a narrow slot to get back on the bike, then a steep offcamber downhill with a single good line. A bit bumpy, so it was critical to get both feet in, but as long as you did that it was not too hairy. Another grassy section w/ no long straights, then into the barriers. I clipped out, but my left foot clipped back in just as I was stepping over the barrier. I went down hard on top of the barrier, and knocked the wind out of me. Left the bike there, and stumbled around the course for a second trying to recover, then hopped back on to the finish.
Got in the lineup, but I was really winded. Race got off shortly. Smaller field, so I had good position, and was in the top 15 or 20 at the start. Passed a few riders, but just after the berm section started fading. Did a good job bruising my ribs, and every deep breath was a dull throb across my chest. I was hunting the riders ahead, and stuck close for the first lap, but after that, the pain got worse, and they just pulled a way. Lost a position or two every lap for the next 4 laps. Got in 5 laps in total. A bit frustrating to see a top fifteen place ride away from me, but there was nothing to do but limit my losses. Just prayed that I could hang on and avoid getting lapped. Did that in style, finished 25th out of 40 riders. My second best placing this year, which is good, but really was hoping to be finishing in the 10-15 range.
Signed up for another race in Putney, VT tomorrow. It's close to home, so I will most likely be there as long as I can get out of bed. With these ribs, though, it will be hard to give it my all.
All racers got a token for a free beer, so I headed into the brewery and got some beer and chili. Met a nice guy who was waiting while his wife raced. Turns out she was from seattle, and he was from Portland, OR, so we had a bunch of things to discuss. They'll be in Putney tomorrow, so I'll have to look for them.
Northampton cycle smart cross 11/4/2012Back again for another day of racing in Western MA. They changed the course up for the second day, so the run up at the start was gone. That kept things together a bit more at the start, which was good. The sand pit was closer to the start. Got a few warm up laps. Staged toward the back again, whistle blew and we were off. A few turns and straights, then hit the sand pits. I was a bit distracted by all the traffic bogging down ahead of me, and lost my balance trying to steer around and ended up going down on my side. Got back up quick, and rode on. Picked up a few places heading into the runup. Passed a rider on my left, and we bumped a bit. When I got back on the bike, the chain had jumped down to the small ring, and I could not get it back on the big. This was not going to work as this was a flat, fast course. The chain was making a horrible grinding noise as well. Got off and took a look. The front derailleur had twisted and slipped. Took a bit to get it straightned out while every rider in my group passed me. Hopped back on in last place, after a half a lap. Started charging to get back in the game. I'll admit I considered thowing in the towel and heading home early to spend time with my family. But I hung on, and within a lap saw a cluster of riders ahead of me partying in the back. 30, then 20 seconds ahead, then had them in my rear view. OK, let's get going. Put in a hard effort, and passed 3-4 riders on every lap. Rode cleanly, no flubs on the barriers or on the sand pit for the rest of the race. Last 1/4 lap saw a group of 4 ahead of me. Was determined to pass at least 2 before the finish. Pulled ahead of two on the last curves, then was gunning for #3 on the finishing straight. He saw me coming and accelerated. I gritted my teeth and grunted "FORGETABOUTIT" and got him just before the line. Sometimes I amaze myself. Sometimes I can be an idiot. no hard feelings. Really pretty dissappointed with my placing. No much I could do, had a mechanical, but with the run up placed later, I really thought I would have been able to finish much higher. Still pretty stoked I managed to pass 20 riders after starting in last, though
Back again for another day of racing in Western MA. They changed the course up for the second day, so the run up at the start was gone. That kept things together a bit more at the start, which was good. The sand pit was closer to the start.
Got a few warm up laps. Staged toward the back again, whistle blew and we were off. A few turns and straights, then hit the sand pits. I was a bit distracted by all the traffic bogging down ahead of me, and lost my balance trying to steer around and ended up going down on my side. Got back up quick, and rode on. Picked up a few places heading into the runup. Passed a rider on my left, and we bumped a bit. When I got back on the bike, the chain had jumped down to the small ring, and I could not get it back on the big. This was not going to work as this was a flat, fast course. The chain was making a horrible grinding noise as well. Got off and took a look. The front derailleur had twisted and slipped. Took a bit to get it straightened out while every rider in my group passed me. Hopped back on in last place, after a half a lap. Started charging to get back in the game. I'll admit I considered throwing in the towel and heading home early to spend time with my family. But I hung on, and within a lap saw a cluster of riders ahead of me partying in the back. 30, then 20 seconds ahead, then had them in my rear view. OK, let's get going. Put in a hard effort, and passed 3-4 riders on every lap. Rode cleanly, no flubs on the barriers or on the sand pit for the rest of the race. Last 1/4 lap saw a group of 4 ahead of me. Was determined to pass at least 2 before the finish. Pulled ahead of two on the last curves, then was gunning for #3 on the finishing straight. He saw me coming and accelerated. I gritted my teeth and grunted "FORGETABOUTIT" and got him just before the line.
Sometimes I amaze myself. Sometimes I can be an idiot. no hard feelings.
Really pretty disappointed with my placing. No much I could do, had a mechanical, but with the run up placed later, I really thought I would have been able to finish much higher. Still pretty stoked I managed to pass 20 riders after starting in last, though
Got a few warm up laps. Staged toward the back again, whistle blew and we were off. A few turns and straights, then hit the sand pits. I was a bit distracted by all the traffic bogging down ahead of me, and lost my balance trying to steer around and ended up going down on my side. Got back up quick, and rode on. Picked up a few places heading into the runup. Passed a rider on my left, and we bumped a bit. When I got back on the bike, the chain had jumped down to the small ring, and I could not get it back on the big. This was not going to work as this was a flat, fast course. The chain was making a horrible grinding noise as well. Got off and took a look. The front derailleur had twisted and slipped. Took a bit to get it straightened out while every rider in my group passed me. Hopped back on in last place, after a half a lap. Started charging to get back in the game. I'll admit I considered throwing in the towel and heading home early to spend time with my family. But I hung on, and within a lap saw a cluster of riders ahead of me partying in the back. 30, then 20 seconds ahead, then had them in my rear view. OK, let's get going. Put in a hard effort, and passed 3-4 riders on every lap. Rode cleanly, no flubs on the barriers or on the sand pit for the rest of the race. Last 1/4 lap saw a group of 4 ahead of me. Was determined to pass at least 2 before the finish. Pulled ahead of two on the last curves, then was gunning for #3 on the finishing straight. He saw me coming and accelerated. I gritted my teeth and grunted "FORGETABOUTIT" and got him just before the line.
Sometimes I amaze myself. Sometimes I can be an idiot. no hard feelings.
Really pretty disappointed with my placing. No much I could do, had a mechanical, but with the run up placed later, I really thought I would have been able to finish much higher. Still pretty stoked I managed to pass 20 riders after starting in last, though
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Northampton cycle smart cross 11/3/2012
Fast flat course. One steep run up, one shorter run up with some stairs. I got in a lap and a half before the start. Big group at the start, 150 riders in the Cat4, Cat4 35+ and Cat 4 Juniors, though I didn't see the kinds in the staging area.
Ran into John in the line up, it was good to see him. He got called up early, as staging was by Crossresults.com points. I'm still a bit further back on that list, so I was staged about 2/3 back. I was determined to give it some gas at the start, and try to hold position or move up as soon as possible. We were off, and I did not gain any ground, and lost only a few positions. Into the second corner, rubbed shoulders with a guy, and we seemed to be glued together for the next turn and into the straight. He muttered something about keeping it together, and we both kept the rubber down, and broke away.
Big traffic jam heading into the steep run up, which came early on the course. We were all walking and slowly making our way up the slope, then back on the bike to ride around the top part of the course. A mix of rooty wooded trails and paved bike paths, then down a chute back to the lower part of the course. I was making a few moves on the top, and only got passed by a couple of riders, so I was feeling pretty good about things. A few S turns though a packed sandy section, a few more grassy turns and straights, and into the sand pit. I bobbled the first lap through, then on subsequent laps remembered to get the weight way back and power through in a big gear. Cleared it the next two laps, then bobbled again on the last lap, spending more energy on the guy who bogged down ahead of me instead of going around.
Started the race w/ 31 lbs in the front tire, and 33 in the rear. This was a low as I have gone, but I thought I've give it a shot. I hit the rim a few times, but luckily never got a flat. Given the roots out there, another pound or two may have been better. When I got home I saw that my rear wheel was just rubbing the brake. These 20 spoke wheels are for the birds, or for riders lighter than me. I may need to start looking for another pair, or maybe see about having someone reset the tension. I'm constantly truing them, and that could be part of the problem. Thing was, I sent both wheels in to have the rims replaced in the last few months, at which point they were rebuilt...
After the first lap, it was looking like we we would be out there for 4 laps total. With any luck, I would avoid getting lapped, but this was looking good. Jumping up every few hundred meters, and only getting passed once or twice a lap.
On the last lap, I had a few riders in my sight. Dug hard and got past a few of them, then only one more with the finish line in sight. Drilled it to catch on the last rider. Coming into the paved finishing straight, he glanced back and thought I was too far back, and eased in. I stomped on the pedals, hitting 115rpm, and passed him just before the line. We were scored at the same time, with him ahead of me, though. C'est la vie.
Rode the course one after the race to relax my legs. Came across a guy in a HSP kit. He asked me if I was from seattle. He lives in Queen Anne, and was out visiting family. We chatted a bit as he was warming up for the masters 45+.
Overall, I was not thrilled with my placing, but not unhappy. Did not get lapped, which is trend I want to keep up. I wonder if I would have been a little closer had that run up not been so early. The race would have been a bit less split up for sure. It looks like they may be rerouting the course tomorrow, and the run up may be gone? In any case in the top 100 out of 133 riders is fine, and 6 minutes off the leaders time is not bad for a 40 minute race.
Looking forward to getting a bit of rest, then hitting the course again tomorrow.
Ran into John in the line up, it was good to see him. He got called up early, as staging was by Crossresults.com points. I'm still a bit further back on that list, so I was staged about 2/3 back. I was determined to give it some gas at the start, and try to hold position or move up as soon as possible. We were off, and I did not gain any ground, and lost only a few positions. Into the second corner, rubbed shoulders with a guy, and we seemed to be glued together for the next turn and into the straight. He muttered something about keeping it together, and we both kept the rubber down, and broke away.
Big traffic jam heading into the steep run up, which came early on the course. We were all walking and slowly making our way up the slope, then back on the bike to ride around the top part of the course. A mix of rooty wooded trails and paved bike paths, then down a chute back to the lower part of the course. I was making a few moves on the top, and only got passed by a couple of riders, so I was feeling pretty good about things. A few S turns though a packed sandy section, a few more grassy turns and straights, and into the sand pit. I bobbled the first lap through, then on subsequent laps remembered to get the weight way back and power through in a big gear. Cleared it the next two laps, then bobbled again on the last lap, spending more energy on the guy who bogged down ahead of me instead of going around.
Started the race w/ 31 lbs in the front tire, and 33 in the rear. This was a low as I have gone, but I thought I've give it a shot. I hit the rim a few times, but luckily never got a flat. Given the roots out there, another pound or two may have been better. When I got home I saw that my rear wheel was just rubbing the brake. These 20 spoke wheels are for the birds, or for riders lighter than me. I may need to start looking for another pair, or maybe see about having someone reset the tension. I'm constantly truing them, and that could be part of the problem. Thing was, I sent both wheels in to have the rims replaced in the last few months, at which point they were rebuilt...
After the first lap, it was looking like we we would be out there for 4 laps total. With any luck, I would avoid getting lapped, but this was looking good. Jumping up every few hundred meters, and only getting passed once or twice a lap.
On the last lap, I had a few riders in my sight. Dug hard and got past a few of them, then only one more with the finish line in sight. Drilled it to catch on the last rider. Coming into the paved finishing straight, he glanced back and thought I was too far back, and eased in. I stomped on the pedals, hitting 115rpm, and passed him just before the line. We were scored at the same time, with him ahead of me, though. C'est la vie.
Rode the course one after the race to relax my legs. Came across a guy in a HSP kit. He asked me if I was from seattle. He lives in Queen Anne, and was out visiting family. We chatted a bit as he was warming up for the masters 45+.
Overall, I was not thrilled with my placing, but not unhappy. Did not get lapped, which is trend I want to keep up. I wonder if I would have been a little closer had that run up not been so early. The race would have been a bit less split up for sure. It looks like they may be rerouting the course tomorrow, and the run up may be gone? In any case in the top 100 out of 133 riders is fine, and 6 minutes off the leaders time is not bad for a 40 minute race.
Looking forward to getting a bit of rest, then hitting the course again tomorrow.
Bennington Wicked Creepy cross Cat 4 10/28/2012
Racing out in Bennington, VT. More technical course. Started heading up a hill on a paved section, then a bit of grassy turns with a few sidehills and off camber sections. It has been really dry, so it was not at all muddy. Downhill, over a huge drainage swale, turn then up a run up w/ stairs. Down a short hill, then across the flats and into the barriers. You were carrying a ton of speed heading into the barriers, and had to really hit the brakes hard before dismounting. A few sidehills with a bunch of snakey 180 degree turns, then through a short muddy singletrack section into the steep runup, one last 180 then the start/finish. Fun course. Had to watch it a bit on the sidehills, but not super technical.
Smaller field. 37 riders in the cat4 masters. No worries about staging, just jump in wherever. Took up off the hill. I passed a few riders, and was riding well. Kept moving up a few places each lap. 4 laps. Looking at my heart rate data after the fact, it looks like I may have been slowing down a bit on the last lap? There were a few riders I was trying to catch at the end, and I got closer, but ran out of course. The end had the sidehills w/ 180s, then the singletrack section ( which was giving me fits), followed by a run up. Hard to gain ground there. I'm better at punching it down a straightaway, or taking some corners faster to move tup.
Had an hour and a half to rest, then had the Cat 3/4 race coming up. I was wiped out, and knew this would be tough. Tim passed by me just past the start, said hey and tried to hang on. Lost a lot of ground early, and just lost a place or two each lap. After one lap, the announcer said "5 to go". Not what I wanted to hear. That would be almost an hour of racing for me. It is a bit uncouth, but I was looking forward to getting lapped so that my misery would be over sooner. That happened after 4 laps. On the last lap, I was duelling it out with one rider, not realizing we were the last two out there. He dropped his chain, and I rode past, asking if he was OK He got it back on, then quickly caught up and passed. I just wanted to stay on his wheel, and followed that all the way to the end. Finished dead last, but I really crack on the second race of a double.
After the race, caught up with Tim and John, it was good to see them. Rode by the guy I was duelling with, and congratulated him. Then paced things up and headed home.
Smaller field. 37 riders in the cat4 masters. No worries about staging, just jump in wherever. Took up off the hill. I passed a few riders, and was riding well. Kept moving up a few places each lap. 4 laps. Looking at my heart rate data after the fact, it looks like I may have been slowing down a bit on the last lap? There were a few riders I was trying to catch at the end, and I got closer, but ran out of course. The end had the sidehills w/ 180s, then the singletrack section ( which was giving me fits), followed by a run up. Hard to gain ground there. I'm better at punching it down a straightaway, or taking some corners faster to move tup.
Had an hour and a half to rest, then had the Cat 3/4 race coming up. I was wiped out, and knew this would be tough. Tim passed by me just past the start, said hey and tried to hang on. Lost a lot of ground early, and just lost a place or two each lap. After one lap, the announcer said "5 to go". Not what I wanted to hear. That would be almost an hour of racing for me. It is a bit uncouth, but I was looking forward to getting lapped so that my misery would be over sooner. That happened after 4 laps. On the last lap, I was duelling it out with one rider, not realizing we were the last two out there. He dropped his chain, and I rode past, asking if he was OK He got it back on, then quickly caught up and passed. I just wanted to stay on his wheel, and followed that all the way to the end. Finished dead last, but I really crack on the second race of a double.
After the race, caught up with Tim and John, it was good to see them. Rode by the guy I was duelling with, and congratulated him. Then paced things up and headed home.
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