If there was a Category G at the track, that is what I would race. It might also be called the Slow and Lazy category.
Fortunately, I got to make my track racing debut with a bike that somewhat fit, since CyclistRick was sitting out with broken thumb. I did about 40 minutes warmup on my own. Then, we had the official 20 minute warmup, which was the first reasonable warmup I've had out there in a while. It was probably because Uncle Larry admonished us not to go anaerobic before our race.
There were 21 C's signed up and 8 women/juniors. Uncle Larry offered us our own race, but we said we'd go C's if all but 55+ 4/5 men went to race with the B's. So, that was the agreement. We lined up for our 60 lap scratch race with 3 premes and about 16 in the field.
I got a decent roll off the wall. I decided to line up on the higher row, because the draft was better there on the windy stretch, and I could make moves from there as well. That ended up being not such a good idea. As soon as we came around, and the whistle blew, some Godspeed dude who looked about 35 with super-man-meat-quads (like 75cm) attacked hard. This meant the rest of us strung out. This also meant my position sucked, because the first place I could grab a wheel was much further back than I wanted. The Godspeed dude ended up lapping us and then getting back on the front and keeping the pace so high, that no one could control him. I only lasted about 10 laps the first time. 1st reintegration did not go well. The 2nd time I reintegrated, I got a good slot and managed to hang on for about 20 or so laps. So, that was good.
I'm sure I'll be back for more, since I can't think of any more fun way to get my Tuesday intervals. However, I'm hoping to rally support around a Category G race where I can actually work on position, tactics and maybe have a chance to win!
12 comments:
you should try some wednesday night omniums. they are a blast!
they are really good cause you get to do 4 races in a day. so you mess up in one, then have some more to try again. they are also good interval workouts. the different races help you learn positioning better (like the miss 'n out, i.e. musical chairs!)
you're neither slow nor lazy. silly? yes!
what does "G" stand for?
ms. chatterbox...slow? Lazy? Those are 2 words I'd never associate with you!! Anyway...I can't WAIT to see you rip it up at Kern :-). I wish you'd come down for Ojai so we could race together :-) but alas there is that little thing called Madera up your way that you'll probably do instead. I'm gonna try to race the 3/4 AND the 1/2/3 at Ojai now that the pro race is no longer nrc. :-).
And category G, I think not!!
still recovering from my last stage race weekend... zzzz.
beth- I'm totally wanting to try Wed. races, but have a weekly conflict. c-rick might be there some, though.
vg - yes, extremely silly. I'm a Cat A in silly.
twinkie - a theoretical category, which is 4 categories easier than the current C category or G as in "Goshdarnslow". :)
dr. kim - sorry I'll miss Ojai, but yes, we are doing Mad-era. See you at Kern!
Ms C - I have offered in the past for you to use the Fuji; you did not have to wait for me to break the thumb to take me up on the offer. I'll see what I can do about bar height. And gearing; I know you are not a fan of my bigger gears.
You did fine last night. Still learning, and that is what this is all about. E.g., you were doing much better at the reintegrations later after the hint on positioning.
And we still want to know what secret tactics Shelly the PocketRocket was whispering in your ear as the two of you circled together.
how do your legs feel today...mine are definitely a little tired
ippoc - I'm assuming the legs are toast. Fortunately, Wed. is my rest day, so I haven't had to try them out! Fun racing with you and Marscat last night!
ouch!
did you guys notice in the results that our speed was only .3 mph slower than the Bs??? We were 24.2 and they were 24.5. Ouch indeed!
And for more fun ...
Larry is changing the format. Now you get to race two shorter races each night. Be prepared next Tuesday to do the official warmup starting at 6:30, then a race at 7, then rest while the B's do their first, then race again. His message makes it sound like each will be half as far as last week, so overall same distance.
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