Photo by Velogrrl
While I generally don't like to put road race reports on the off road blog, since the weather is downright cyclocross-like, this is the one time I'll make an exception.
Team Half Acre put on an excellent week long series of training criteriums for Cat 4/5 riders on the southside this week. These races came at the exact point in my training plan where I increase the intensity of my bike riding, so the timing of this event was perfect.
Since I am a lowly cat 4 scumbag, I figure I could use these races to get some experience and upgrade to cat 3. Even though I don't race road it has been a chip on my shoulder to upgrade to 3. It seems like whenever a roadie asks me what cat I am, I tell them I'm a 4 and then they turn away in disgust before I have a chance to explain that I am actually pretty good off road.
All week long I have had a chance to figure out who are the strong riders, who are the smart riders, and who are the riders with the explosive, bike race winning power. I also had a chance to learn how road racing differs from mountain bike racing. One thing I noticed is that in mtb the race is a steady grind of going as hard as you can for the duration of the race, whereas road racing comes down to decisive moments where huge power outputs decide the winning move or if you get dropped. I also leaned that with experience you can learn which moves are threatening and which moves will come back.
Monday I finish top 10 - 12. The pace was fast and I had to put out a lot of power to make up for my crappy drafting skills. I put out my highest 20 and 30 minute power outputs of the season so far.
Wednesday I finish top 12 again I think. Too many pulls at the front toward the end of the race and I don't have anything in the tank for the finish line sprint. Today I averaged about 30 watts less so my road skills must be improving.
Thursday I figure I would race smart and sit on the wheels of the guys who have been placing top 5 all week. Half way through the race I get bored and start taking pulls at the front. 1/2 a lap to go and I can't hit the accelerator anymore and finish mid pack fodder. It's not like I wasn't trying though. I was seeing stars trying to go with the move. Unfortunately I burned all my matches.
Friday I decide I want to finish top 10 and I tell myself I will not deviate from my strategy. My strategy is to sit on the wheel of Ernesto from Van Wagner. He's been winning races all week so he must know what he is doing.
First lap 2 Half Acre guys sprint off the line. I would not have thought it was dangerous until Adam from Team Beer'd went with them. Then Ernie from Van Wagner moved up as well along with a Pegasus guy. Even though it was only the first lap I sensed danger. 2 other guys and I bridge up through a vicious headwind and before you know it we made the decisive move. The pack nearly caught us on the second lap but I think the strong winds, cumulative fatigue from 5 days of racing and lack of a cohesive team presence foiled their attempt.
After that it was just a group of six out for steady ride around the park for 17 or so laps. Early on I was worried that I wasn't doing enough work, but then as the race wound down I found myself on the front for laps 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. Damn, I got suckered again. These roadies are a crafty bunch. Two turns to go and I move onto Ernie's wheel. 1 turn to go he accelerates hard and I have no answer. I roll in 5 out of 6 and feel pretty good that I got in my very first breakaway.
Saturday I'm going out to Beloit for the Burnham crit as long as it doesn't snow and see if everything I learned so far works in races with larger fields. I'm not a roadie, but this is actually kind of fun.
Photo by Burnham Racing Support Team
