Well now some one put's my "own" favorite route as a Sunday ride in place and a huge groups shows up -- starting pretty much at my door step -- OK, fine.
Good ride, great day and finally it's looking like spring! Thx to all.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Quabbin 3/4 Race Battlefield
Friday 1830 ferry to Bridgeport, CT and drive to Stourbridge, MA for a night stay near the race. Next morning drive up to the Quabbin Reservoir up a beautiful place on top of a hill overlooking the Reservoir.
Staging for 9:28 start of the 3/4 field -- a huge maxed out size of almost 150 riders -- the biggest field. Neutral fast roll down to mountain, already 1st bottle(s) flying -- WTF.
Then just the nature of no watching out took it's toll on too many riders with no chance to avoid the battle field like pile ups and crunching carbon on pavement.
OK -- post write up addition, need to share this video:
In brief the following development from Py's perspective:
A scary race of "stupid" crashes (3 total, I only noticed 2 of them, one right behind, one just a rider right of me I could just manage to around, then carbon crunching sounds..) -- from then on split up race, not thinking about anything but getting the hell out of this crap and away -- chasing on passing riders (sorry I did not waited -- for what, for how long -- I did not even wanted to know what was happening behind at this point, had a bad feeling some how) and ending up in a 5 rider group doing a great long TTT effort to chase back on (what a relief on my mind of the previous craziness) -- well almost, we had them so close to almost grab, but our legs were too toast as the group in front stepped even more on the gas... as it felt like and slowly dissappeared again and we some how gave about up on this idea after some good 20 miles of casing. Later a group merged up from behind messed up a little our nice order. Flying on with more men power, little less efficient so. I did a good last move in front flying through this little town on BK like sandy roads, then rolled back to the pack, Karl was in the group behind and moved up at this point -- then it strung out a little and I did the last move up this hill getting a few riders back and the finish came in sight after the 2nd shorter climb of the final section back up to the tower.
Happy been there with no troubles in the way.
Little later the women's field(s) arrived. A few pics of the LLV girls:
***
Staging for 9:28 start of the 3/4 field -- a huge maxed out size of almost 150 riders -- the biggest field. Neutral fast roll down to mountain, already 1st bottle(s) flying -- WTF.
Then just the nature of no watching out took it's toll on too many riders with no chance to avoid the battle field like pile ups and crunching carbon on pavement.
OK -- post write up addition, need to share this video:
In brief the following development from Py's perspective:
A scary race of "stupid" crashes (3 total, I only noticed 2 of them, one right behind, one just a rider right of me I could just manage to around, then carbon crunching sounds..) -- from then on split up race, not thinking about anything but getting the hell out of this crap and away -- chasing on passing riders (sorry I did not waited -- for what, for how long -- I did not even wanted to know what was happening behind at this point, had a bad feeling some how) and ending up in a 5 rider group doing a great long TTT effort to chase back on (what a relief on my mind of the previous craziness) -- well almost, we had them so close to almost grab, but our legs were too toast as the group in front stepped even more on the gas... as it felt like and slowly dissappeared again and we some how gave about up on this idea after some good 20 miles of casing. Later a group merged up from behind messed up a little our nice order. Flying on with more men power, little less efficient so. I did a good last move in front flying through this little town on BK like sandy roads, then rolled back to the pack, Karl was in the group behind and moved up at this point -- then it strung out a little and I did the last move up this hill getting a few riders back and the finish came in sight after the 2nd shorter climb of the final section back up to the tower.
Happy been there with no troubles in the way.
Little later the women's field(s) arrived. A few pics of the LLV girls:
***
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Tour of Bear Mountain
Finding a few decent climbs once in a while! A picture perfect day, little chill in the air, but nice and sunny! Fun group, fun route, great day.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
1st race for Py of 2013 -- Tour of the Battenkill 2013 -- patience!
After a stressful and very wet "two car convoy" drive up to Cambridge, NY including heavy flooded roads, major splashes of water from truck to be blinded out for seconds... snow covered cars in sight later, a touch of sleet in the air -- ugh??? -- a last minute stop at a bike shop as one GAB reconsidered full fingered gloves... and a few more essentials. The sides of the road turned slightly white and a unexpected nasty salty spray turned cars dirty -- including Mike&Owen's bikes which were kept on a hitch rack.
Arriving on Cambridge by about 2pm. Wet, chilly, but it stopped raining. Number pickup. And a little looking around. Finding some of the great Battenkill Chocolate milk :) Only downside -- no proper sized T-shirt, taking a small over XL.
Then heading on to Salem, "Beattie Inn", a quite very nice and remote place the team is stying now since 2009??.
Mike and Owen started taking care of there bikes... a little chilling out on the couch, watching some randomly running bike race (Bask/Pyrenes/Spain?? some thing in wet conditions -- what an irony). Then Py started preparing dinner.
Four GABs Eric, Mike, Owen and Percy signed in for the Cat4A 40+ race and lined up at the staging area. Due to conditions and what so even, skipping any warmup, hoping for a slow start as so often.
[[ hopefully a few race pictures to be found and inserted later here ]]
Py had honestly no big expectations this year due to a less ideal preparation, travel and prolonged cold symptoms, just did what was reasonable and possible.
But lets review how things developed now.
The race rolled out neutral and fairly slow pretty much all the way to the first turn towards the covered bridge to get things rolling a bit. Sitting some where in mid pack with team mates. No dedicated plan but exercising the usual strategy to be up front before hitting any key sections and staying there, then tuck back in to conserve.
This simple plan in mind some how it worked out smooth and with ease rolling up navigating through and around the field to top ten just before hitting the 1st turn towards the bridge. This is good, ideal line to turn, plenty of safe space, no need to catch up on. Passing the bridge with a little wohoo... LoL :-)
Immediate right turn speeding up a notch towards the first dirt section. Hard packed like concrete and smooth, few little minor hole easy to avoid, no issues with flying bottles. Good.
Was it me or the field going only at moderate gas? Floating up and down the obviously nicely smooth and fresh paved road section toward. may be the smooth road? Up and over the first climb near front. Then a fast short downhill with following slight right hand bend -- never been an issue but some how sensing trouble ahead, some screaming, a crunching sounds a tire pop and bikes flying into the air just a few bike length ahead... good to have left a little more room and finding a emergency path around the mess, slowing carefully, navigating around on the left side soft shoulder off-road between a tree and other riders flying... woo, that was close, glad to be back on pavement without putting down a foot! Let go hang on and get out of this. All four team mates found back together, good to know every one made it around just fine. Not sure how many that left behind.
Just past this left hand turn into the 2nd dirt section towards the steepest but short Juniper Swamp Rd dirt climb. Moving up OK, keeping power down moderate as here usually not much happens. A little field stretch out but not for long. Moving on, staying up near front. The lead car in sight all the time. Merging up with front few riders one guy a little dangling up front with a gap, field going slow behind. As there was nothing really coming up a for a while moving up a bit slowly closing up to this rider. Everyone is going now with good caution, may be still a little scared by the previous incident. Taking the following short fast decent from up front with plenty of room. Still a few miles to go until hitting Joe Bean Rd -- the possible longest climb, but paved. Still up near front, moving up a little more. Watching riders dropping back, mostly riding wheel on wheel with the obviously dominating climber(s) of the field. Still feeling good, not even near limits. Watching the developments. But nothing really -- there were most likely a few riders dropped off behind, but the main field only got stretched and re bunched at the flats. Some what disappointed, but there is more to come. Good and safe up front able seeing and finding the best line on dirt roads avoid any trouble. A few muddy and slick spots, but no big deal at any time. Flying on hard packed dirt is always fun! Ferguson Rd. Passing a few towns, minor rollers, dirt and pavement sections, but nothing really happened. Mostly fairly slow going. Not sure how this is going to unfold -- mass finish? -- very unfavourable for Py.
Still up front, even feeling comfortable taking turns with the few top riders, surely not over doing it, but putting a notch power on at times going up.
Passing the feed zone two.
At some point we were approaching the Meeting House Road, but no big deal, not sandy, hard packed. Still no break happening. Hmm.
OK, fast run down the roads, last 20k. Still seams a fairly big field behind.
The pace may be upped a notch, but not much. OK, there will be one final dirt climb to show off after a fast road decent turning left into the section towards Stage Rd. Up front. Good. not sure what this was about, for some reason a brief neutralization, may be because of traffic/other team cars mix ups (!?!??! odd) why here damn. OK this resolved, stepping on the gas with a few riders. Some how four riders got a little gap just ahead the 5th guy Py was on/ahead with. A little chase (or not chase:( ) group of 7 riders formed and got finally Yes!!! got a gap and left the big bunch behind. Guys...., let's keep that up and build on it -- some 10k to go -- go go go! A little struggle of position to manage any organized move. However taking a little initiative with two other riders (thanks, good job!!) Py did a good part of this... we pretty much kept the little lead group in sight. Managed to solidify the gap behind and moved into town. A final sprint put Py to 8th.
At that point not exactly sure what place, but finding out soon.
Team mates rolling in just little later. Good job every one brining this home.
Post race thoughts about participating in the Championship race, but after looking into it figuring this "quick" 22miler next morning of all Cat 4's top riders less suited and disregarding the idea. Also was not able to figure out details about the route.
Then just packing up and going for the long journey back home, taking 22 South via Mass Tpe to the Taconic Park Way -- a very scenic and relaxed near traffic free drive! Stop at a old friend not seen for near 10 years on the way who is now temporary living in White Plains. Figured the small shirt fit's one of his kids! Also good, hope they like it.
Late home some time close to midnight.
Arriving on Cambridge by about 2pm. Wet, chilly, but it stopped raining. Number pickup. And a little looking around. Finding some of the great Battenkill Chocolate milk :) Only downside -- no proper sized T-shirt, taking a small over XL.
Then heading on to Salem, "Beattie Inn", a quite very nice and remote place the team is stying now since 2009??.
Mike and Owen started taking care of there bikes... a little chilling out on the couch, watching some randomly running bike race (Bask/Pyrenes/Spain?? some thing in wet conditions -- what an irony). Then Py started preparing dinner.
Four GABs Eric, Mike, Owen and Percy signed in for the Cat4A 40+ race and lined up at the staging area. Due to conditions and what so even, skipping any warmup, hoping for a slow start as so often.
[[ hopefully a few race pictures to be found and inserted later here ]]
Py had honestly no big expectations this year due to a less ideal preparation, travel and prolonged cold symptoms, just did what was reasonable and possible.
But lets review how things developed now.
The race rolled out neutral and fairly slow pretty much all the way to the first turn towards the covered bridge to get things rolling a bit. Sitting some where in mid pack with team mates. No dedicated plan but exercising the usual strategy to be up front before hitting any key sections and staying there, then tuck back in to conserve.
This simple plan in mind some how it worked out smooth and with ease rolling up navigating through and around the field to top ten just before hitting the 1st turn towards the bridge. This is good, ideal line to turn, plenty of safe space, no need to catch up on. Passing the bridge with a little wohoo... LoL :-)
Immediate right turn speeding up a notch towards the first dirt section. Hard packed like concrete and smooth, few little minor hole easy to avoid, no issues with flying bottles. Good.
Was it me or the field going only at moderate gas? Floating up and down the obviously nicely smooth and fresh paved road section toward. may be the smooth road? Up and over the first climb near front. Then a fast short downhill with following slight right hand bend -- never been an issue but some how sensing trouble ahead, some screaming, a crunching sounds a tire pop and bikes flying into the air just a few bike length ahead... good to have left a little more room and finding a emergency path around the mess, slowing carefully, navigating around on the left side soft shoulder off-road between a tree and other riders flying... woo, that was close, glad to be back on pavement without putting down a foot! Let go hang on and get out of this. All four team mates found back together, good to know every one made it around just fine. Not sure how many that left behind.
Just past this left hand turn into the 2nd dirt section towards the steepest but short Juniper Swamp Rd dirt climb. Moving up OK, keeping power down moderate as here usually not much happens. A little field stretch out but not for long. Moving on, staying up near front. The lead car in sight all the time. Merging up with front few riders one guy a little dangling up front with a gap, field going slow behind. As there was nothing really coming up a for a while moving up a bit slowly closing up to this rider. Everyone is going now with good caution, may be still a little scared by the previous incident. Taking the following short fast decent from up front with plenty of room. Still a few miles to go until hitting Joe Bean Rd -- the possible longest climb, but paved. Still up near front, moving up a little more. Watching riders dropping back, mostly riding wheel on wheel with the obviously dominating climber(s) of the field. Still feeling good, not even near limits. Watching the developments. But nothing really -- there were most likely a few riders dropped off behind, but the main field only got stretched and re bunched at the flats. Some what disappointed, but there is more to come. Good and safe up front able seeing and finding the best line on dirt roads avoid any trouble. A few muddy and slick spots, but no big deal at any time. Flying on hard packed dirt is always fun! Ferguson Rd. Passing a few towns, minor rollers, dirt and pavement sections, but nothing really happened. Mostly fairly slow going. Not sure how this is going to unfold -- mass finish? -- very unfavourable for Py.
Still up front, even feeling comfortable taking turns with the few top riders, surely not over doing it, but putting a notch power on at times going up.
Passing the feed zone two.
At some point we were approaching the Meeting House Road, but no big deal, not sandy, hard packed. Still no break happening. Hmm.
OK, fast run down the roads, last 20k. Still seams a fairly big field behind.
The pace may be upped a notch, but not much. OK, there will be one final dirt climb to show off after a fast road decent turning left into the section towards Stage Rd. Up front. Good. not sure what this was about, for some reason a brief neutralization, may be because of traffic/other team cars mix ups (!?!??! odd) why here damn. OK this resolved, stepping on the gas with a few riders. Some how four riders got a little gap just ahead the 5th guy Py was on/ahead with. A little chase (or not chase:( ) group of 7 riders formed and got finally Yes!!! got a gap and left the big bunch behind. Guys...., let's keep that up and build on it -- some 10k to go -- go go go! A little struggle of position to manage any organized move. However taking a little initiative with two other riders (thanks, good job!!) Py did a good part of this... we pretty much kept the little lead group in sight. Managed to solidify the gap behind and moved into town. A final sprint put Py to 8th.
At that point not exactly sure what place, but finding out soon.
Team mates rolling in just little later. Good job every one brining this home.
Post race thoughts about participating in the Championship race, but after looking into it figuring this "quick" 22miler next morning of all Cat 4's top riders less suited and disregarding the idea. Also was not able to figure out details about the route.
Then just packing up and going for the long journey back home, taking 22 South via Mass Tpe to the Taconic Park Way -- a very scenic and relaxed near traffic free drive! Stop at a old friend not seen for near 10 years on the way who is now temporary living in White Plains. Figured the small shirt fit's one of his kids! Also good, hope they like it.
Late home some time close to midnight.
Sunday, April 07, 2013
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