Providence Velo Club

Tokeneke Classic

August 9, 2009 – 8:51 pm

Attendees: Myself and 4 actual teammates, Brent, Marcus, Geoff and Mark

Weather: 65 degrees with a nice breeze. Rained for about 3 minutes at one point during race.

Course: 44 miles comprised of two loops of 22. First 5-6 miles are pretty much downhill to a reservoir, then a sharp right to a pot holed road with a nice climb. This climb is actual 3 different sections with the second one being the longest by far. Grade is about 6-7%. Then rollers followed by a big downhill on new pavement directly into a two mile climb to start finish. This climb is a nice gradual climb of around 5% with one steeper section in the middle as it comes around the bend.

Prerace: It was nice to have company to warm up with. A tent even. Cool van (oh yeh that’s mine) and blasting tunes.

Race was for the New England Championships and it was a full 100 field. Started about 20 minutes late while the police were eating donuts. Kind of defeats the purpose of a warm up. At the start, I knew to stay up front. However, even in the easy section there were sketchy riders and I almost got knocked off the rode by a guy with a bike which couldn’t stop shaking. As we crossed the reservoir, I moved to the front few and as we took the first part of the first hill I easily moved to the front and led it over the first part. Now I only remembered two parts of the hill so I gave it all out to stay in the lead pack over the second section as I fell back to about 10th or so. However….I forgot the last part and this hurt my legs. I started to drift out of the lead group of now 25 or so and was about 5-10 seconds back. I wasn’t letting go this year like I had to last year. Brett and Marcus come up and grabbed the front group and worked for the next mile or two until I could tag on. Next bunch of miles were uneventful until some asshole knocked Marcus off the road and he slid down with all his powerblocks spread across the road. I gave the asshole in blue alot of shit for that. Anyway, on the big downhill I drifted back because honestly, I didn’t trust anyone in the group. This was a mistake because when we hit the big climb I didn’t have the protection of the group with me and I lost their pace. About half way up, I found mine and it was good but by that point, I wasn’t going to catch them. Anyway, I started picking up riders to work with and kept dropping them on the climbs. Finally, I found 3 others for the rollers into the downhill which was good for them since I did alot of the work. On the hill two of them went up ahead but I was feeling pretty good about half way up and I started hauling it. I passed both and gave them no opportunity to catch onto me. Finally, I almost caught the back of the front pack since there was one more guy about 5 seconds in front at the finish. In the end, probably top 30 and maybe top 25 or so.

By msbcpacfp | Posted in race report | Comments (1)

Gate City Nashua, NH Criterium

August 9, 2009 – 4:20 am

Weather: Pefect for once. High 70’s with a stiff breeze

Course: About a .8 mile course around a baseball stadium. Has a nice little short uphill with an sharp skittish “S” curve.

Warm Up: Screwed up and came two hours early because I thought the race started at 10am. Oh well, finally got in a decent one anyway.

Race: Very big field of at least 70 guys. Lined up in front next to the 18 year old kid who won two race last week. I hate kids. Figured to stick to his wheel like glue since I knew he had the gas to run the entire race by himself. I was right. He was at the front most of the race and I did my best to stick to him whenever I could and when he broke I went with him. Twins! I was never not top 20 except….lap 6 or so, in the S curve some do do brain loses his line and pushes into the UVM kid and that pushed me into the grass. Luckily I was in the front and within a couple laps of killing myself I was back up front. Last lap, Green Line Velo came to the front and I hitched on. I was forth coming up the hill and I was in perfect position but…the three guys in front of me couldn’t pull up a small hill on the last lap and the swarm came. Unfortunately, the hill is before the S curves so I had to sit in thru them so as not to die from skittish riders. However, coming into the finish stretch I pulled back into the front bunch and I think I finished top 10. Who finished first? The 18 year old!

By msbcpacfp | Posted in race report | Comments (0)

Ascutney

July 18, 2009 – 7:58 pm

My time for Okemo was 37:21. Ascutney…37:20. But since I was in the 30-39 age-group, I started 3:00 minutes after the clock started. So my actualy time was 34:20, which netted me 32nd place. I’m not feeling particularly motivated to describe the hill. It’s tough. Really tough. On some level it felt easier than Okemo, because I had nice low gears. I put a single 26 in the front and a 13-29. Unlike Okemo, where I was firmly stuck in the 34-29 most of the day, I was able to shift up and down as the pitch changed throughout the climb. I started off pretty easily and hoped that would let me catch more riders by the top, but it didn’t really work out that way. I felt pretty good afterwards, but crashed hard in the mid-afternoon. Nothing some Harpoon and chicken wings couldn’t fix. Licoln Gap tomorrow…

By Brent Wetters | Posted in race report | Comments (1)

Casey’s Attleboro Report

July 13, 2009 – 10:20 am

The Attleboro Criterium is my favorite race. It has a wonderful atmosphere — relaxed and friendly.

I arrived Saturday afternoon with two handicaps. First, I am not suited to criteriums. Second, I haven’t really been training for a few months, and my last race was in early May. I wasn’t expecting much, but I figured if I was both aggressive and lucky I might wind up in a successful break.

I had a good warm-up and moved to the front right away. My plan was to mark Ryan O’Hara, who was a teammate of mine when I rode for Cyfac-VeloEuropa. He’s a strong rider who has had success in breakaways before. Also, he rides for Cambridge, which had a big team presence, so I knew they would block for him if he was up the road.

I dutifully followed him on several early and unsuccessful break attempts. Then we both needed a rest, so we missed the break that did get away. The break had some Cambridge rides in it, so following Ryan was no longer a good plan. I moved back to the front and tried to get into a bridging attempt, but I hadn’t recovered enough and the move was brought back anways.

The rest of the race was pretty well controlled by Cambridge and Pedro’s, who both had riders in the break. One random guy did a lot of pulling to try to bring back the break, and I occasionally helped out, but Cambridge did an excellent job of protecting the break.

At two-to-go it was clear that the break was not coming back. I knew I didn’t have a chance in the sprint, so I recklessly attacked. Unsurprisingly, I was not allowed to get away.

I am very happy with how I raced. I had a good plan and rode aggressively. I made the Refunds Now! presence be felt and even got us some mentions by the announcer. That should make our sponsor happy!

By casey | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Pat’s Peak Race Report

July 13, 2009 – 9:55 am

You may begin heckling at any time, I dont care. I won a damn bike race and I am going to be psyched about it!

Ok, there were only two of us STOOOPID enough to try to do Pat’s Peak on a single speed. Me, during the race, to geared rider in front of me in single track (holding me up, FYI) “What is that clicking noise you are making? Oooooh, right, that is your brain working”.

So yah, I lined up with one other brave soul, who happens to be the Root 66 Series leader, and beat me by 14 minutes at Coyote Hill. We compared gearing, as we do in the SS category. At the advice of Colin Reuter, I freaked right the hell out about trying to do it with 32×18 I had put on the night before, and so I tore apart my road cassette and busted out a 19 from my 10 speed cluster in an act of total desperation. This was the morning of the race, and I had overslept, plus had to shlep Noah along with me. I tossed it in the truck and off we went.

Got to the race, sent Noah off to do the kids race, which was not really scored, so he just rode around (on the cross bike). I managed to get the 19 cog on without making the chain longer, but, I totally forgot to tighten the chain ring bolts that I had been unable to tighten the night before while changing the front ring. Shoot, I knew I forgot something! Damn. I tried to do it later on the start line, when it dawned on my that I had not torqued them. All that did was tear up my finger tip. Double damn. I rolled up to the line with the classic Chabot warm up. None. I just had time to get changed and get to staging. Preriding is for people with fitness, and warming up is for people who care.

Having found how tough SS is on chainring bolts, I was not optimistic and made a note to self to check them occasionally. Of course I did not.

Ian (Leader) was on the 29er with the same gearing, so basically a step harder than me. Maybe 2 teeth actually. We started, he shot off the line, me on his wheel. I decided right away that as soon as we got out of the start chute bottleneck, I was going to ride chill and warm up. The race goes straight up the damn ski slope, so that was not really possible, but I tried to hold back as much as possible. Ian blew out a big lead right away. The climb ducked in and out of single track that was rooty, wet, super technical, hard, sloppy, twisty, YAY! Preriding would have been nice I guess, as the line was not at all clear. Nor was the course super well marked. We did the up, into woods, out, up, wash rinse repeat for 20 minutes and topped out at a long ski slope climb. I could see Ian running the last pitch. I made it up to the last bit and also had to run the last 50 yards or so. But I walked. Hell, I got three laps to do!

The course then does a series of nice downhills with climbing in between, then up a last ski slope wet grass 6″ deep goo climb, in the sun, which sucked. That tops out at a 25 yard steep pitch into single track, also further uphill, and FINALLY into the big single track descent that made the whole course worthwhile. That dumps you out at the parking lot, back up a dirt road climb (ouch) and finally, FINALLY, thru the start finish. Glanced at my Mickey Mouse watch, shit, 40 minutes! Yikes. This is going to suuuuck.

Ian was sort of out of site, but the leader of the 40 plus who started behind me by 2 minutes had caught me at the very top. I did the descent with him and was able to hold his wheel on the climb starting lap 2. Couple more geared masters caught us by the top, where I had to walk again. Once we topped out, I was back up with the leader. I hung in and around that group of 3 guys the whole time from then on. I owned them on the downhill, but, of course, I was slowed by the gear in other areas.

I figured I was 2nd and that was that, but I felt like I was getting better, err….warmed up? as lap 2 went along, and I was hanging with the leaders of the 40’s, and I gave them the 2 minutes by going as slow as I could on lap 1, so I thought I was doing OK. I was having fun, I can honestly say that.

Into lap 3 and up the huge climb I ran instead of walking, managing to stay on the wheel of the 40 plus leader, who was attacking his group. That was cool. It leveled out and I ran to get some speed and did a sweet cross remount and got her rolling. I chased back onto his wheel on the down hill, and then we started the last climb before the big downhill.

I looked up, and there was Ian! I gave it some gas and got on top of the gear, but not hard enough to blow, and started to work. I dropped the 40 plussers, and I reeled him in to within striking distance at the foot of the last 25yd pitch before you turn left into the woods and do a few more uphill switch backs. He dismounted and had to walk the pitch, same as before, and I MASHED that mother, caught him, passed him, and hit the single track! I had the line down now, and managed to ride it clean, first time, even the steep corners. FINALLY hit the downhill and let it RIP. I caught several pro cat 1 types warming up and flew past them. Hit the bottom and into the road climb where Ian could claw back if he was still there, I could not tell, so I drilled it, right past Noah who was cheering. Down the grassy downhill, across the line, and YES! My first win in a damn bike race!

Ok, only 2 of us, but Ian is good, and I felt like I paced and raced a really good race, and I rode the technical stuff really well, and hell it was a SKI AREA race! I have been avoiding them since Mt Snow in like ‘94 when I got heat stroke on the climb and toppled over.

My win and the 3rd from Coyote Hill puts me in 3rd overall at 110 points. Ian has 220, but maybe 2nd is possible. Anyway, good times were had by all, and Noah was really happy for his Dad (for once).

By jerry | Posted in race report | Comments (0)

Fitchburg – Always Pray to the Cycling Gods Before and After Race

July 3, 2009 – 4:37 pm

Stage 1: Time Trail

Attendees: Radu and Michael

Weather: Rain bouncing from hard to harder. Stiff breeze on the way back. Humid!

Course: 8.7 miles or 14.3 KM (for Radu). Out and back course. Mostly rolling. Fast out and a hillier back. Typical New England rodes which required picking different lines every few feet

Race: I usually make sure that I am extra early for races but for some reason I was running around at the last second. I was using a different wheel on the trainer and when I put on my disc wheel, I paniced. It was time. As I ride to the start they are calling my name to start and my back wheel slipped out of position and starting rubbing. Crap! Dismounted and someone helped me tighten it up. Stayed calm and came to ramp with 20 seconds to go. Now I am very inexperienced with people holding me for a start, but this guy was great and that really helped to let me focus. I had a very strong ride. Felt good in my legs maybe better than normal. BIG PROBLEM was I could not see. My glasses were so fogged up from the first second that I had to keep my head up too high and turned to the right to look out a crack in the helmet. Luckily I knew the road but it still cost me a little time. Averaged 25mph and finished 17th. Not bad but was hoping for top 10. Only missed by like 25 seconds if that.

Stage 2: Circuit Race

Weather: Sun – Oh my Fricking God – It does exist

Course: 3.1 circuit 8 times around. Fairly flat except for a nasty little hill climb of about 400 meters of which 200 meters are about 4-5% but then another 200 meters of about 10%. It hurts but oh so good!

Race: I knew the trick to this race was to be either in a break or top 10 coming into the hard right of the hill. Plan was to try to break or form a break with 3 to go once the field was softened up. Couldn’t click in to start for about a mile (new clips). Moved up right away on first lap and never left the top 20-25 or so (remember it fluctuates alot on this type of course). Anywho there was a point sprint with 3 to go. Great! Didn’t care to win but wanted to break when everyone naturally slows down on the hill. But…as I make my way to 4th wheel the field is neutralized to let the Juniors pass us. Damm those guys! 4 minutes caused by heart rate to go from 170 to 70. Then right at the bottom of the hill they resume the race to sprint up the hill and that HURT big time. I am too old for that stuff. Time for plan B – recover for a lap and attack with 1 to go. I stay in the front away from the slowpokes who caught up on the neutral. We come into the backstretch to the hill and I am psyched. Maybe 4th wheel and ready to go and then it happens….Asshole comes up on left and cuts right into the guy in front of me and takes out his wheel. He goes down at almost 40mph and takes out the whole right side. Very very bad crash. Now it is hard to slow down. I can’t go right into the crash nor left as people were charging. I unclip, brace my body and think cyclocross. Jump the wheel and worse case land on side. Miracle happens and his wheel bounces up into the air from the ground and moves two inches over and I make it by. However, at this point my legs cramped up and my head nearly exploded from after effect or survival. However, not wanted to lose spots on GC I do my best to clip in and sprint for the line to catch the back of the pack full of the guys who were all behind me before the crash. I think I will get the same time and maintain GC position. Looking for top 10 so tomorrow is key.

By Brent Wetters | Posted in race report | Comments (0)

“a little mechanical…”

June 30, 2009 – 8:23 pm

On today’s installment of the Mark Nicholson Smack Down we had 6 riders at the start. One we lost somewhere around the first sprint point. We waited up, but were pretty sure he must have missed a turn. Hoping he made it back ok. After the top of Tourtellot Hill (where I was feeling pretty good about myself, having won the sprint against Nate and Aaron), Geoff came by with pretty intense pace (he seems to do that to pay us little guys back for making him hurt on the climbs). Nate and Aaron had hooked up with Geoff. I was coming around Naveen to try to bridge. That’s when I saw it. A dog had me in its sights and was charging full speed into the road. My speedometer had been reading about 30 or so a few seconds before. CRACK. The unmistakable sound of cracking carbon fiber. I don’t want to look back. Aaron had a similar feeling. We were sure we were going to find blood and protruding bones. I was somewhat relieved to hear Naveen screaming obscenities, but only somewhat. The woman who owned the dog came out, and luckily she was an EMT. After fairly thorough testing, it seemed that Naveen had not suffered any broken bones. His hip was still clearly hurting when we left, but he was able to stand with assistance and the woman drove him home to Attleboro. Still waiting to hear how he is, and I’ll post an update as soon as I do. Shit, that was scary. But, if you’re wondering what a Giant Carbon Frame looks like after hitting a dog at 30 mph, wonder no more.

By Brent Wetters | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (6)

Pictures

June 29, 2009 – 10:24 pm

These are from the Smack Down two weeks ago.

: This is why I generally don't allow pictures of myself wearing a helmet.

: Curtis

: Syl

: Mark G

: Marcus

By Brent Wetters | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Okemo

June 28, 2009 – 11:47 am

I went back to Okemo this year (last year’s report can be seen here) unsure what to expect. My overall training volume has been much lower (something about being a new father…) and I know that I am slower relative to other riders on the team. Finishing DFL in a men’s B collegiate road race didn’t do much to boost my confidence either. But, my sense of riding Mount Tom back in March was that I did better than I did last summer at the peak of my summer training schedule. So I had figured I would finish Okemo within 2 minutes either way, and couldn’t decide what would be better. If I finished 2 minutes faster, then I would know that I was still improving, albeit at a slower pace relative to my teammates. If I finished 2 minutes slower, I’d have confirmation that I had lost a bit of speed from last year, and I’d know that I could, with a more regular training schedule, get that form back. What actually happened? I finished 7 seconds faster than last year. Add in the fact that the first 2 miles were noticeably faster than last year and my time is all but identical. So who knows what that means. I guess I’m in a holding pattern. I haven’t dropped much form, but I also haven’t improved a whole lot either.

The race was pretty uneventful for me. Once the climb started, I took it fairly easy on the opening 14% gradient section. A lot of riders went up the road. I decided I’d rather catch riders than be caught so I hoped riding the bottom section easier would help me in the end. I did catch a few riders before the top and I did get passed by a couple more, but after the opening section it looked like probably 20 or so riders up the road. And that’s about how many finished in front of me. I tried my best to ride my own tempo and not be screwed up by others. At around the 1 mile point I was riding with some kid in a national champion’s jersey, who had clearly never been a national champion. He was way over-geared, but I couldn’t quite shake him. This was mostly due to the fact that he had clearly watched way too many TdF stages. Everytime I or anyone else seemed ready to overtake him he would thrash all over his bike and try to accelerate to catch a wheel or attack. He lasted longer than I expected doing this, but eventually he was weaving all over the road, sounded like he was about to have a heart attack, and finally unclipped and stopped. Never saw him again. I’m pretty sure he finished at least 5-10 minutes back on me. As with last year, I probably could have done with some easier gears, but it probably would have had little effect on my overall performance. On to Ascutney!

By Brent Wetters | Posted in race report | Comments (2)

Housitonic Hills – Notice the “S” in Hills – See Course Description

June 21, 2009 – 7:17 pm

Weather: 65 degrees, cloudy, threatening rain (although never did) and 100% humid

Course: 2 loops of 27 miles each. Course profiles can be deceiving. Since it looks like 3 hills each lap and there is something like 6400 feet of climbing. In truth, there are so many hills I lost count. The start is up a 1.5mile climb in neutral followed by twisting downhill into one section of climbs which included no less than 10 seperate hill sections with a couple of them in the very nasty gradiant area followed by a bombing downhill with a sharp left up another couple hills to the KOM section and that is like mile 18 and 45. At this point it gets easier into a bombing flat and downhill finish with a short .5km climb to the finish.

Attendees: Michael (No one else crazy enough to drive so far to suffer)

Race: I raced in the 3/4 race and there were some familiar faces. I had to drive my wife to the airport at 6:15 and barely made the start with no warm up. I even had a broken cleat which thankfully I had extra shoes to change into with minutes before the start. The start was neutral for exactly 9 minutes. Climbing up such a steep hill at such a slow pace with no warm up was awful and with the humidity, I was already so wet I had to change out my glasses. Honestly, the hardest part of the course is the fast downhills on wet roads. I HATE THEM especially in a big field. I hung until the killer hill section on lap 1 like a lot of guys and then just kept pushing with various people. We got passed by Cat 4 at the start of the second lap and I was so bumming since I had no problem hanging in eventhough I couldn’t draft in the field. Oh well, I shouldn’t have hurt myself so much working out yesterday in order to prove a point on my TT bike. I regreted it when I needed to be fresh today.

On to Fitchburg!