Redlands Bicycle Classic

This was my first big NRC race.  I got invited to race for Bicycle John's Serious Cycling.  Thanks to them for all their support.  It was also my first experience racing with a structured team.  I have to say that's much more enjoyable to setting everything up solo.  Going in to it tired wasn't smart, but I guess it's all part of the larger picture.  I've concluded, however, that sucking sucks.  I'll still suck for Sea Otter, but I'm very excited to race Gila (for Touchstone) off a taper.  I was a bit pissed that I've been doing so much long interval work (ie: repeat 20-30 minutes zone 4 stuff) and had no jump.  Although the lack of jump, combined with some mechanical problems, caused me to come off at some crucial points, the insanely long interval work did help me to solo either back to the group or well enough to minimize losses.  For for on the mechanical problems, see stage 1 and 3

Prologue:  

61st.

A 5k uphill TT, mostly designed for power. 

No legs, heavy bike, blah blah blah.  A very disappointing result, but to be expected given my level of fatigue and the fact that you can't hide anywhere in a TT.  It was good experience in suffering.  Even my eardrums hurt at the end.

Stage 1: http://www.redlandsclassic.com/maps/08st1Beaumont.pdf

52nd. 110km

A hilly road course, with some climbs, some good descents, and some nice flat bits.  I kept getting pitched (with a bunch of other people) on the big climb, but would manage to chase back on over the descent and flat part.  On the third lap, near the top of the climb, I was behind Emilia from High Road, my chain came off, the cars came around me, and I got screwed.  I managed to solo in and only lost 3 minutes to the main group.  I was super pissed though, since mechanicals suck.  Of course, if my legs hadn't been so lame on the climbs none of this would have happened.  Oh well.

Stage 2: http://www.redlandsclassic.com/maps/08st2Crit.pdf

62 (oops, but I made the time cut) 60 minutes

I finally started liking crits, and this one was super fun (except for the getting dropped part, on the straigtaway nonetheless!?!)  I was cornering well, even clipping my pedals, but I had no pop (ie:  no speedwork).  All in all it was fun.

Stage 3: http://www.redlandsclassic.com/maps/08st3Sunset.pdf

38th. 105km

The dreaded Sunset Circuit.  LOTS of climbing.  Ugh.  First, the "neutral start" isn;t really neutral.  THe car goes as fast as the front riders do.  So for the first 15-20 minutes, it was a pretty decent, though not unbearable, pace uphill to the actual loop part of the course.  On the 2nd lap (I think) I had TOTAL cain meltdown.  It came totally off and got stuck around my pedal. The mavic car was there and put it back on.  Then as I started to pedal again, it came off again.  Argh ##*&@!!  Since I'm an un-co-ordinated fool, I can't clip in right foot first uphill (long story) and it was a huge debaucle.  I was down about 2 minutes from the main (ie. not front) group. I soloed back to the group over the next two laps.  Go me!  Then we just sat.  Oh well. In the process of my adventures back to the pack, I was promised a new bike if I could catch back up.  Now I'm shopping online.  I think I'd like a Canadian frame. ;)

Overall I finished in 54/99.  Not too bad (but still crappy), especially considering, as my coach said, that I'm essentially riding with one leg.  Go me!  Next is Sea Otter with Organic Athlete, then Tour of the Gila (gulp).