September 11, 2005
Blossom... a 9/10th mile close circuit race. Unlike most races, this one is time based. The cat IV field was going to do 45 minutes plus 3 laps. The masters field would be 60 minutes plus 3 laps. Sounds like a cyclocross race.
About a month before the race Brett started talking about a plan to lap the cat IV field. Pretty audacious, if it could be done. I figured, if we couldn't get away, we could make it an extremely hard race. We started planning how it could be done. We figured get a large group of motors off the front, and drive it... we were planning on fielding 6 of our own, and bringing in anyone that would get across to us.
Blossom... a 9/10th mile close circuit race. Unlike most races, this one is time based. The cat IV field was going to do 45 minutes plus 3 laps. The masters field would be 60 minutes plus 3 laps. Sounds like a cyclocross race.
About a month before the race Brett started talking about a plan to lap the cat IV field. Pretty audacious, if it could be done. I figured, if we couldn't get away, we could make it an extremely hard race. We started planning how it could be done. We figured get a large group of motors off the front, and drive it... we were planning on fielding 6 of our own, and bringing in anyone that would get across to us.
Prep
Since I raced with Chaos team last year, and I ride with some of these guys regularly, I offered to help out while I could hang around before my races. Since this seemed like cyclocross, I planned on racing both the cat IV and the masters races. It's only about 2 hours of racing, I can do that.
I arrived early, and rode around a bit. I did some traffic direction, then was given some warmup time. I hooked up with Phil Hines from PA, and we did a light spin around the roads near Blossom while the cat 5 field did it's work. I probably should have invited him into our plans... he's got a big motor. Oh well, hindsight.
I knew a lot of guys in the 5 field, including a couple of sleepers. These guys should have been either in the 4 or 1/2/3 fields but aren't licensed. I chatted with them before the start, and they were planning on lapping the field. I kept tabs on the race, and they never got away... that did not bode well for our plans. These guys are clearly stronger than the field, but couldn't do what we were planning to do to an evenly matched field.
So, we've got 4 in the IV field. Brett, Tom, Brian and myself. Brett's the boss, so he teams Tom and Brian together, then Brett and I. Brett and I will attack from the whistle. As soon as we're brought back, Brian and Tom will have a go. We'll keep it up until we get away, or it's obvious that it's not going to work. If we're not away at the finish, we're supposed to try to save something, and we'll get a train working to get someone the win. We'll worry about the Master's race when the time comes.
Looking around, there are a bunch of StarkVelo and Summit Freewheelers. Orrville also has some numbers. Let's see if they want to join the fun!
The Race
Cat IV
Brett and I line up on the line, Tom and Brian are close behind. The instruction was Brett and I would go as soon as we were clipped in. The whistle blows, I clip in... Brett hasn't gone yet, so I jump! We're off!
I get the "hole shot" (it's exactly like 'cross) and Brett is on my wheel. Brett and I rotate through together quickly for a lap and a half. It's pretty obvious that we're not getting away, so we back it off. I need to get some recovery! Instantly Tom jumps hard and he's got a gap! Phase 2 in effect. Brett and I sit about 5 back catching our breath.
Tom's off the front alone for about a lap, before being dragged back. I'm staying close to the front and try to follow a bridge up to him. Oh, it hurts, and I hear Brett say "let him go". Don't need to tell me twice. So I sit, and block a little, until some others take the front. They bring Tom back, and then Brian digs hard on the inside! Beautiful! Brian gets a helper, and they work up front for a while. When they come back, Brett and I go again! So far, we've had the front for about 5 laps. We're pulled back, and shortly afterwards Tom has another go. As he pulls through the start finish, they ring the bell for a prime lap. Phil Hines attacks the group and gets a nice gap. Pulls by Tom and picks up the prime in front of a couple of others.
Everything pulls back together, and we're kind of cruising along the backside. Brett and I are near the front when he says "The pace is too slow, someone attack." Some other guys says "Someone will soon enough". So I did! Oh, this is good 'cross training. I work the pace up again. Nothing is getting away though. As I drift back through Brett tells me to stick by Phil. Ok by me... I'm just following orders, cause the brain oxygen level is not high enough for coherent thoughts.
I drift back to Phil, and we have a little chat. PH: "They aren't letting anything go". ME "Seems like they think every move will be the one that wins, want to have a go? I'll work with you." PH: "OK, but I need to rest a bit first, I was thinking after a prime." ME: "OK". Sure enough, they ring the prime on the next lap... oh for a bit more recovery!
Coming through the line, Phil and I move to the front. As we hit the rise, he goes a bit harder... and I can just barely hang on... he's got about a bike length on me, and there is a guy in front of him. Phil keeps looking back, I think he's waiting for me, but I can't close that gap... just not enough recovery time. Someone else picks up the prime, and I drift back to try and get some rest.
As tunnel vision becomes the norm, my race converges to high (low) lights. I'm sure I was on the front a few more times. The bell rings for the last prime, and I figure I'll try something... so I again attack hard right before the top of the rise, and try to get a gap. It works! As I'm coming around I see a big gap and it doesn't look to be closing. But something is not right, why am I alone, with such a large gap on a prime. I'm really nervous about no one between me and the field, so I keep looking back, and don't see anyone. As I make the final corner, I'm dying, but I still don't see anyone. I figure I've got the prime! At 200 meters, a guy from Stark comes by me! and then a guy in red (Orrville?)! Where were they! I can't match the acceleration, because I buried myself and I wasn't aware they were there until the guy was next to me! DAMN! That one hurt and nothing to show for it. Back into the field to try to recover again.
At 5 to go, it's pretty obvious that nothing is going to get away. Tom is at the front driving the pace again. Brett and I are sitting in. Brett says we should put together a train at the end. I'm game... just tell me what to do, Boss. Brett figures we can get Tom to the front for a result. Tom pulls off the front, and we pull around him to give him the plan. I'm sitting in around 5 back.
At the line with 2 to go, one guy takes off and gets about 100 meters on the group. I'm reminded of last years attack that actually worked. A couple of guys on the front have him pegged at 100 meters though, and this guy is not getting any more ground. I guess there was a crash on the last prime lap... I didn't know about it or hear anything. We catch this Summit guy sporting a rash on the backside. Brett gives him the current situation.
Through the line, and the guy still has 100 meters. We're lined up with me at third wheel, Brett on my wheel and Tom sitting on his. As we hit the rise the guy starts coming back. Close to the top of the rise, Brett gives me the command... "Give it all you have!" We're off. I punch it over the rise, and line it out at 30+ going down the hill and pull the guy back with plenty of space. On the front... digging in. I'm hoping Brett comes around me on the inside so I can fade off the outside... but I'm going to bury it for as long as I can. Down the hill and around the second to last corner... oh anytime now! Brett comes around on the outside.... and I'm done. I tried to pick it up for a result, but the pack goes by. I rolled past the guy that tried to make the last break, and came in somewhere near the back of the field. Game over, gave it all for the team.
So...what happened at the finish! I'm really hoping I didn't kill myself for nothing. Brett pulled Tom around to about 300 meters when Mehul from PDQ came around. From there Tom played catch up, and was nipped for second on the line. Nice job finishing it up, even with the work he did.
Actually Considering the work we all did, I'll take a team podium. If we could have had a few more guys working this, I think we could have pulled off the win as well as making everyone else work hard. The tactics didn't play out perfectly, but we had a plan and worked the plan and we ended up with a podium out of it. SnakeBite came out to race, not follow wheels... and we did a fine job of that.
Master's 35+
So, now I've got about 10 minutes to get ready for my next race. I beat feet over to Brett's car to grab another bottle, some water, and a bar before the Master's race rolls off. No time to spare, as they are blowing the whistle to line up as I'm trying to change my race numbers. I am cooked... this is going to hurt. We've got Brett, Tom, Pat and I in the field, but this is the second race for three of us, so I tell Pat not to expect much help from me.
As the whistle blows I feel like I'm going to puke Accelerade! Brett's family is here, so told the announcer he wanted to hear his name. Brett then takes off and pulls the field through the first lap. His name is announced... mission accomplished.
Hard Man award goes to the guy that crashed in the Cat IV race... he's racing the master's race also with rash and a ripped up jersey.
I spend about the first 15 minutes at the back just trying to recover from the last race. Oh please, don't let these guys race like we did, or I'll be off the back in no time. Instead, breaks get let go, and the field goes at a civil pace. Larry is announcing splits to the breaks as we come through the start finish... which I think is cool. It helps the pack know where we are. Probably doesn't help the break much though.
Breaks go, get pulled back, and others go. First prime is won in a break. The second is a field sprint. I'm concerned about that one, as we could get moving after that. Somehow Phil Hines gets into one of the breaks and does a decent turn. Man, he's killing me.
So, high point of my master's race was the fourth prime lap. I'm starting to feel a little better. I have no idea what's really going on in the race, but I'm able to move to something near the front of the field. As we come through the line, they are ringing the bell. OK, we'll see what happens. As we get close to the rise, Brett is on the front pulling the group with me on his wheel. Over the rise, and one guy goes, then Phil, so I follow him. Coming down the other side, I'm Phil has a small gap on me, and the other guy is way over to the right... so at 200 meters, I give it a go! I pass both of them, Phil is shouting encouragement to me... and I hit the line first!
I drift back through the field, and Pat says "Nice job." That made the whole day worth it, but now I have to get onto the back of the field. Then an October Hill guy tells me there is a break of four up the road. So my effort was for nothing. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
At the back, Phil and I agree we are both moving to survival mode. Just get me to the finish. When I did this in 'cross, it came down to the same thing. I could go hard in the first race, but the second was a different story, and hurt to just move! I hear one guy say we're 35 minutes in, and then I start watching for the lap cards. Let it end, please let it end soon. Get off the bike and take a DNF... no way.
Brett is having a blast... every lap, he's waving to the family. I'm feeling better, but not enough to pretend to be happy. As we get closer to then end, either people are getting tired, or it's just normal craziness... Mike Gorman ends up on the grass on the outside heading into the last corner of the lap. We're never that close to the outside on any of the laps in either race before! Then next lap, a couple of guys are in the grass on the inside, close to the same place. Wacky!
With 5 to go, Brett thinks we should try to set something up for Pat. So I drop back to pick him up. Unfortunately, he's on the inside, and I'm on the outside.... and we don't connect. He must either be used to racing alone, or be taking me at my word of being useless.
Final lap, finally! I wind up for a sprint, but basically have nothing. I think I rolled through about 20th again. Only this time, I didn't do anything to reduce the field. So I actually came through ahead of people in the field.
Post
It is interesting to note how almost all cat 4 racers are more concerned with their own results than the teams... which is why we don't see lead outs in our races. Brett and I laid ourselves out for Tom to get a result after all three of us worked that race at every opportunity. With one or two more motors, the guys that beat Tom wouldn't have been able to attack. We could have started the lead out earlier, and maybe gotten more than one guy a decent finish.
Not much else to say, except I was spent. I drove home half asleep... and felt like trash. Dinner and a short nap helped... Like Brett says, I guess I need to do more 7 minute intervals.
Pics
Getting ready for the next move.
Tom digging hard.
Leading through the start finish.
Pics courtesy of Jim Karlovec, Chaos Cycling. Thanks Jim, and nice race organization.
More pics to come...
Since I raced with Chaos team last year, and I ride with some of these guys regularly, I offered to help out while I could hang around before my races. Since this seemed like cyclocross, I planned on racing both the cat IV and the masters races. It's only about 2 hours of racing, I can do that.
I arrived early, and rode around a bit. I did some traffic direction, then was given some warmup time. I hooked up with Phil Hines from PA, and we did a light spin around the roads near Blossom while the cat 5 field did it's work. I probably should have invited him into our plans... he's got a big motor. Oh well, hindsight.
I knew a lot of guys in the 5 field, including a couple of sleepers. These guys should have been either in the 4 or 1/2/3 fields but aren't licensed. I chatted with them before the start, and they were planning on lapping the field. I kept tabs on the race, and they never got away... that did not bode well for our plans. These guys are clearly stronger than the field, but couldn't do what we were planning to do to an evenly matched field.
So, we've got 4 in the IV field. Brett, Tom, Brian and myself. Brett's the boss, so he teams Tom and Brian together, then Brett and I. Brett and I will attack from the whistle. As soon as we're brought back, Brian and Tom will have a go. We'll keep it up until we get away, or it's obvious that it's not going to work. If we're not away at the finish, we're supposed to try to save something, and we'll get a train working to get someone the win. We'll worry about the Master's race when the time comes.
Looking around, there are a bunch of StarkVelo and Summit Freewheelers. Orrville also has some numbers. Let's see if they want to join the fun!
The Race
Cat IV
Brett and I line up on the line, Tom and Brian are close behind. The instruction was Brett and I would go as soon as we were clipped in. The whistle blows, I clip in... Brett hasn't gone yet, so I jump! We're off!
I get the "hole shot" (it's exactly like 'cross) and Brett is on my wheel. Brett and I rotate through together quickly for a lap and a half. It's pretty obvious that we're not getting away, so we back it off. I need to get some recovery! Instantly Tom jumps hard and he's got a gap! Phase 2 in effect. Brett and I sit about 5 back catching our breath.
Tom's off the front alone for about a lap, before being dragged back. I'm staying close to the front and try to follow a bridge up to him. Oh, it hurts, and I hear Brett say "let him go". Don't need to tell me twice. So I sit, and block a little, until some others take the front. They bring Tom back, and then Brian digs hard on the inside! Beautiful! Brian gets a helper, and they work up front for a while. When they come back, Brett and I go again! So far, we've had the front for about 5 laps. We're pulled back, and shortly afterwards Tom has another go. As he pulls through the start finish, they ring the bell for a prime lap. Phil Hines attacks the group and gets a nice gap. Pulls by Tom and picks up the prime in front of a couple of others.
Everything pulls back together, and we're kind of cruising along the backside. Brett and I are near the front when he says "The pace is too slow, someone attack." Some other guys says "Someone will soon enough". So I did! Oh, this is good 'cross training. I work the pace up again. Nothing is getting away though. As I drift back through Brett tells me to stick by Phil. Ok by me... I'm just following orders, cause the brain oxygen level is not high enough for coherent thoughts.
I drift back to Phil, and we have a little chat. PH: "They aren't letting anything go". ME "Seems like they think every move will be the one that wins, want to have a go? I'll work with you." PH: "OK, but I need to rest a bit first, I was thinking after a prime." ME: "OK". Sure enough, they ring the prime on the next lap... oh for a bit more recovery!
Coming through the line, Phil and I move to the front. As we hit the rise, he goes a bit harder... and I can just barely hang on... he's got about a bike length on me, and there is a guy in front of him. Phil keeps looking back, I think he's waiting for me, but I can't close that gap... just not enough recovery time. Someone else picks up the prime, and I drift back to try and get some rest.
As tunnel vision becomes the norm, my race converges to high (low) lights. I'm sure I was on the front a few more times. The bell rings for the last prime, and I figure I'll try something... so I again attack hard right before the top of the rise, and try to get a gap. It works! As I'm coming around I see a big gap and it doesn't look to be closing. But something is not right, why am I alone, with such a large gap on a prime. I'm really nervous about no one between me and the field, so I keep looking back, and don't see anyone. As I make the final corner, I'm dying, but I still don't see anyone. I figure I've got the prime! At 200 meters, a guy from Stark comes by me! and then a guy in red (Orrville?)! Where were they! I can't match the acceleration, because I buried myself and I wasn't aware they were there until the guy was next to me! DAMN! That one hurt and nothing to show for it. Back into the field to try to recover again.
At 5 to go, it's pretty obvious that nothing is going to get away. Tom is at the front driving the pace again. Brett and I are sitting in. Brett says we should put together a train at the end. I'm game... just tell me what to do, Boss. Brett figures we can get Tom to the front for a result. Tom pulls off the front, and we pull around him to give him the plan. I'm sitting in around 5 back.
At the line with 2 to go, one guy takes off and gets about 100 meters on the group. I'm reminded of last years attack that actually worked. A couple of guys on the front have him pegged at 100 meters though, and this guy is not getting any more ground. I guess there was a crash on the last prime lap... I didn't know about it or hear anything. We catch this Summit guy sporting a rash on the backside. Brett gives him the current situation.
Through the line, and the guy still has 100 meters. We're lined up with me at third wheel, Brett on my wheel and Tom sitting on his. As we hit the rise the guy starts coming back. Close to the top of the rise, Brett gives me the command... "Give it all you have!" We're off. I punch it over the rise, and line it out at 30+ going down the hill and pull the guy back with plenty of space. On the front... digging in. I'm hoping Brett comes around me on the inside so I can fade off the outside... but I'm going to bury it for as long as I can. Down the hill and around the second to last corner... oh anytime now! Brett comes around on the outside.... and I'm done. I tried to pick it up for a result, but the pack goes by. I rolled past the guy that tried to make the last break, and came in somewhere near the back of the field. Game over, gave it all for the team.
So...what happened at the finish! I'm really hoping I didn't kill myself for nothing. Brett pulled Tom around to about 300 meters when Mehul from PDQ came around. From there Tom played catch up, and was nipped for second on the line. Nice job finishing it up, even with the work he did.
Actually Considering the work we all did, I'll take a team podium. If we could have had a few more guys working this, I think we could have pulled off the win as well as making everyone else work hard. The tactics didn't play out perfectly, but we had a plan and worked the plan and we ended up with a podium out of it. SnakeBite came out to race, not follow wheels... and we did a fine job of that.
Master's 35+
So, now I've got about 10 minutes to get ready for my next race. I beat feet over to Brett's car to grab another bottle, some water, and a bar before the Master's race rolls off. No time to spare, as they are blowing the whistle to line up as I'm trying to change my race numbers. I am cooked... this is going to hurt. We've got Brett, Tom, Pat and I in the field, but this is the second race for three of us, so I tell Pat not to expect much help from me.
As the whistle blows I feel like I'm going to puke Accelerade! Brett's family is here, so told the announcer he wanted to hear his name. Brett then takes off and pulls the field through the first lap. His name is announced... mission accomplished.
Hard Man award goes to the guy that crashed in the Cat IV race... he's racing the master's race also with rash and a ripped up jersey.
I spend about the first 15 minutes at the back just trying to recover from the last race. Oh please, don't let these guys race like we did, or I'll be off the back in no time. Instead, breaks get let go, and the field goes at a civil pace. Larry is announcing splits to the breaks as we come through the start finish... which I think is cool. It helps the pack know where we are. Probably doesn't help the break much though.
Breaks go, get pulled back, and others go. First prime is won in a break. The second is a field sprint. I'm concerned about that one, as we could get moving after that. Somehow Phil Hines gets into one of the breaks and does a decent turn. Man, he's killing me.
So, high point of my master's race was the fourth prime lap. I'm starting to feel a little better. I have no idea what's really going on in the race, but I'm able to move to something near the front of the field. As we come through the line, they are ringing the bell. OK, we'll see what happens. As we get close to the rise, Brett is on the front pulling the group with me on his wheel. Over the rise, and one guy goes, then Phil, so I follow him. Coming down the other side, I'm Phil has a small gap on me, and the other guy is way over to the right... so at 200 meters, I give it a go! I pass both of them, Phil is shouting encouragement to me... and I hit the line first!
I drift back through the field, and Pat says "Nice job." That made the whole day worth it, but now I have to get onto the back of the field. Then an October Hill guy tells me there is a break of four up the road. So my effort was for nothing. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
At the back, Phil and I agree we are both moving to survival mode. Just get me to the finish. When I did this in 'cross, it came down to the same thing. I could go hard in the first race, but the second was a different story, and hurt to just move! I hear one guy say we're 35 minutes in, and then I start watching for the lap cards. Let it end, please let it end soon. Get off the bike and take a DNF... no way.
Brett is having a blast... every lap, he's waving to the family. I'm feeling better, but not enough to pretend to be happy. As we get closer to then end, either people are getting tired, or it's just normal craziness... Mike Gorman ends up on the grass on the outside heading into the last corner of the lap. We're never that close to the outside on any of the laps in either race before! Then next lap, a couple of guys are in the grass on the inside, close to the same place. Wacky!
With 5 to go, Brett thinks we should try to set something up for Pat. So I drop back to pick him up. Unfortunately, he's on the inside, and I'm on the outside.... and we don't connect. He must either be used to racing alone, or be taking me at my word of being useless.
Final lap, finally! I wind up for a sprint, but basically have nothing. I think I rolled through about 20th again. Only this time, I didn't do anything to reduce the field. So I actually came through ahead of people in the field.
Post
It is interesting to note how almost all cat 4 racers are more concerned with their own results than the teams... which is why we don't see lead outs in our races. Brett and I laid ourselves out for Tom to get a result after all three of us worked that race at every opportunity. With one or two more motors, the guys that beat Tom wouldn't have been able to attack. We could have started the lead out earlier, and maybe gotten more than one guy a decent finish.
Not much else to say, except I was spent. I drove home half asleep... and felt like trash. Dinner and a short nap helped... Like Brett says, I guess I need to do more 7 minute intervals.
Pics
Getting ready for the next move.
Tom digging hard.
Leading through the start finish.
Pics courtesy of Jim Karlovec, Chaos Cycling. Thanks Jim, and nice race organization.
More pics to come...
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