Rich's Calabogie Race Report: First Top-10 Finish!

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[caption id="attachment_175" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="A little help from my friends the night before"][/caption] My first Top 10 finish. Yahoo!

I’m new to bike racing. After a couple of years of dipping my toe in the water, this year I decided to take the plunge and delve deep into the world of bike racing. I got a great head start this year with a trip to South Carolina, and a good performance at Clarence-Rockland until I flatted.  I was feeling pretty good, yet despite all the positive energy, I still get horrendously nervous before events and this morning was no exception.

I drove down with Jake and at the turnoff to the 511, I was getting serious second thoughts about the whole thing. The scotch club meeting the night before didn’t help matters. But after getting registered and dressed up in the new nine2five kit, (the new tights are awesome) I came back to earth.

This was my first Calabogie Race. I was in the M3 race. I wanted to race M2 with Jake but because this is my first year with a UCI licence, I had to race solo in M3. On the bright side, there was a bigger field with 60 riders.

Aside from the long registration line up, this event is well organized and a real joy to take part in. Our race started at 9:00 am with some cloud cover and a light wind. It was a bit chilly (2C) but after the first lap the chill disappeared. I was a little apprehensive about the course thinking that it would be pretty boring. But after the first couple of laps I began to really like it. There were 4 or 5 areas with a little dip-hill combo that was perfect for someone my size to attack. I was able to carry my momentum from the dips and slingshot through the field on the mini-climbs.

For the first 6 laps I experimented with some attacking to get a sense of what the field was like and where I could get the best launch.  I identified a great spot on lap 7 and made my move. I liked lap seven because the pack was becoming a little docile.  I calculated that at approximately 8 minutes per lap I would have to defend my attack for about 28 minutes. That was maybe a little ambitious. After the perfect launch I managed to get about 150 to 200 metres on the field. I was feeling pretty good, but one quick left hander and a small climb straight into the wind wiped me out. The attack lasted all of about 4 minutes. Uggg. I think that I might have been more successful if I figured out how to conserve some energy during the break. Ah, who knows?

So I fell back into the field and continued to look for opportunities. On lap 9, the duo from Tall Tree made a brilliant break on the first straightaway. It was perfect because we were heading directly into the wind and if they could hold it to the turn they would have a couple of minutes of recovery time in the tail wind and continue to build on their lead. In the end, they couldn’t make it stick and were reeled back after about 4 k. In hindsight, I should have been paying closer attention to them. I was feeling strong and if I had joined them, it might have been different. Lessons learned.

So the final lap (lap 11) was approaching and I had a decision to make. A.) attack from where I attacked on lap 7 or B.) save myself for the finish and hope for the best. I liked plan A but I was caught out of position and got boxed in. Plan B it is.

The pace was picking up half way though the last lap. Riders were beginning to get a little reckless. A rider next to me clipped the grass on the inside of a corner and took out about a half-dozen riders. There’s a great video of the crash at vimeo.com/40868972. I kept going with a focus on improving my position. By the last corner, I was only a few bike lengths behind the leader. I put down the power and mashed on the pedals but couldn’t make up the difference. I ended up 6th.

Overall a fun race and one that I think I could have one if I was a bit smarter. A team effort would definitely been welcome. Next year.

- Big Richie J

 

 

 

Andrew's Report from Calabogie Road Classic

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We were a small team today with only 4; Charlie, Greg, Ryan and myself. The field too was also small, only about 40 guys. And in traditional Calabogie fashion, it was cool (about 10 degrees) and quite windy. Obviously ideal conditions for an early breakaway to go.

We didn't have a real plan except get a man in the early break and keep Greg and Ryan in the pack in case it all comes back together for the finish. For the first 40k, the field tried and tried to get a breakaway gone, but it just wouldn't until it finally did. We were trying to get at least one of us in it, but to no avail. And once that plan didn't succeed, the next goal was to try and get into the chase group. I saw the chase group start when Aaron Fillion attacked up the complete opposite side of the road. I tried to get on his wheel for about 500m, but I just dangled less than a bike length off him and I just couldn't close that infernal gap. And poof, he was gone and then he was joined by a few others and the team completely missed out.
From there, it was just try and keep the pace of the pack going, just in case who knows what happens up front. I ended up in small second chase group of 3 on the 3rd last lap, but I knew that it was just for the leftover scraps, and to have a good hard effort for the last 20minutes of a 110k road race. You never know when you're going to be in that situation but going for a win. In the end, the breakway stayed clear, and we stayed clear and I was outsprinted (no big surprise there) for 16th place and I finished up 18th. On the plus side, we all finished the race and stored a few fitness dollars in the fitness jar for the bigger races later in the year.

Jake's Clarence-Rockland Race Report

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The first 14 km were nerve racking. Racers were trying to get their position before the gravel hill. I tried to stay in the mid front and I kept a few bikes behind Hans. We were warned by Mr. Chaney that some gravel spots were 1 to 3 inches in size and he was not kidding. The first section, The Surprise! I had to pick my line and stayed on the shoulder of the road where the gravel was smaller. I survived this section but Warren did not. I gave him my rear wheel and he was gone right back in the mix. I looked back and there was about 20 riders fixing their flats just like me. Richard J and Ryan P were victimized as well.  Flat fixed but the cassette didn't fit that great. Weird. The support truck came by and stopped. I was hoping for a spare wheel but he was out. Back on the bike for a few meters, then off the bike and my day was done. I walked for about 15 min, enjoyed landscape and talked to friendly farmers seeing if I was OK. The broom wagon arrived. Sweet!

I felt great that day but we had to get Warren back on the road and maybe for a podium. The roads were angry on Sunday, taking as many wheels as it could.

DNF mechanical.

Andrew's Battenkill Race Report

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Friday afternoon, Charlie, Gerald and I setoff for the self proclaimed Queen of American Classics, the Tour of the Battenkill. The weather, the atmosphere, the course, the organization, certainly made this self proclamation legit. Above all, the course was spectacular. Truly a euro classic feel to it. A lot of corners and ups and downs. Very fun to race over pavement, hard packed dirt, slightly loose dirt and gravel to very loose dirt and gravel and rocks.

My goals for the race were a) test the legs and see how the winter of training and a week in South Carolina have worked b) avoid any carnage at the first dirt section. Goal b) was accomplished flawlessly. I was fourth wheel heading under the covered bridge (traditionally, where the fireworkds start) and then second wheel onto the dirt. The fallout from this was I was left a bit gassed after the dirt. But many years of racing has taught me though that if I'm hurting early, hang on for a bit, because eventually the pace will come back down to my comfort level as the others tire.
Sure enough, at the 75km mark, we hit the last major section of dirt that was about 10k long. As we hit it, the peloton just exploded and many were going backwards and I was going forwards fast with nobody taking up the implied offer of a lift forward. Eventually I was in a group of 8 including local Ottawa Tall Tree rider, Matt Surch. I was happy to be riding with him but he looked to be fading. I offered some words of encouragement and he perked up a bit. As we crested the last sharp pitch before the descent to the finish, I just couldn't hold the wheels and came home solo.
Turns out the group I had been in was racing for 15th. Sh*t. I ended up 23rd and lost no positions on the descent and run into the finish. Given my non-sprinting prowess, I'd wager I would've got the same result had I buried myself deeper to hang on to the group. Ultimately as I stood at the car spent, I realized goal a) was achieved.
Charlie looked amazing the whole race until he flatted just before the 75k mark. Gerald and new teammate Adam "Fitzy" Fitzsimmons both lost contact with the group early in the race and ended up in a group for the duration.

Hell of the North...well it's in Southern Ontario, but whatever, it was hard as hell

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"Raced" in the Hell of the North on Sunday. Wasn't all that much of a race for me really. Just an excuse to hammer myself to an excessive degree, and to get an "event" in the legs before Battenkill this coming weekend. It was a pretty awesome road trip. First time Janine and I did the typical race weekend. We have done big trips like BC Bike Race, and the Sea-to-Sky Gran Fondo, but those aren't so typical. So it was cool to just be throwing the bikes in a car and bootin off to a race. Hadn't been planning to do this one, but Janine signed up for the "Heck" of the North, which pretty much means I have to sign up as well. During our March eating, er, I mean training camp, one of our partners in crime, Tanya, brought the Hell of the North to Janine's attention, and as she usually does during fun times and fresh legs, basically signed up immediately! I am quite stoked that she did and dragged me along as it was a cool event to kick off the year with. Partly because of its low-key atmosphere, and partly because it is so hard (damn that interminable gravel rail trail!!!) that it is unlikely I will do a race this year as hard as this one. So, smooth sailing from here...well probably not. But it was a good ride to force me to HTFU.

Mind you, our race day was almost cut very short, as I had put our bikes in my Dad's bike shop the night before, so the bikes could have more room to get a good nights rest. However, my folks left super early that morning for a sunrise service, and so with the shop all locked up, I was scrambling through random keys left around the house at the front and back doors of the bike shop testing keys one-by-one. Having gone through all the keys on the front doors, I resorted to the back door. Getting to the last few keys and finally, "click", the lock gave way and I could get to the bikes through the back door. OK, Go Time!

Into the house, and J9 is totally relaxed, finger picking at her cereal, completely content with signing up for, and completely failing to start another event. Not this time!!! Coffee made, car loaded up, and our faith (mis)placed in the GPS, we were off. In the end, got to the race with plenty of time to spare. Then the race began to get through the sign-up line the fastest, as Janine and I both made a couple laps through it as we failed to bring ALL the necessary forms and waivers the first couple times. OK, sign up done. BAM.

Ok, my "race" report will be short. On the start line: familiar faces, usual instructions, good jokes. Off the start line: neutral start. Post neutral: hammer time, attacks from the get go (what's the rush!!??), gravel hell, survived in the front group to the first trail section. Each trail section: I would lose ground and come out with a new group. Road sections: I would hammer for training, which I would pay for later. Really really cool twisty turny road section through a town by the water, with a steep little climb outta town. Crazy long gravel rail trail section. Hill after hell after hill during the last third. Survived the finale with some help from a comrade, who was having a rough time on the steep hills due to some sore ribs from a recent crash. Got to the finish line. Shared a handshake with comrade.

Post race: Got to the car. Complained about how tired I was. Listened to how happy Janine was with her ride. Changed out of kit. Picture time to get evidence of how gross I am after racing. Inhaled some chili provided by the race (Thanks!!!). Chatted with Sam Watson (he's got some awesome racing stories). Complained some more. Ate some more chili. Blamed Tanya for how tired I was. Got in the car. Slept. Ate. Slept. Ate. Slept. Solid race day.

Thanks to Real Deal Racing and LaBicicletta for putting on this event! And if you got your own story and/or pictures from hell, send 'em along and I'll post them: charlie@nine2fivepro.com.

Oh, and slowdad.com has a good race report from hell as well: http://www.slowdad.com/

 

 

[caption id="attachment_150" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Crusty salt face after Hell of the North"][/caption]

First Race of the Year: OBC Good Friday Time Trial

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Grahame P, Charlie, and Janine got out for their first race of the year. The Ottawa Bicycle Club once again hosted their Good Friday Time Trial. Bright sun, but a cold brisk wind greeted those brave enough to take to the start. Check out the vid to hear the gang's impressions of their efforts. Video coming soon...